White Gunpowder - Page 28 of 54 - home, life and the outdoors

Mother’s Day Flowers & Fran’s Chocolates

May 9, 2014

For Mother’s Day … I shouldn’t … but I do… like to help Bill with ideas. The simplest things to give are sometimes not obvious for him to think of. When Bill has a great plan, the kids think he’s pretty cool. That’s why I like to ….. ~~but I shouldn’t~~.

Flowers and chocolates are the classic combination to give for any occasion. Putting a simple twist on the idea can make it more special and personal. Find a few pretty containers and fill them with Mom’s favorite flowers. Arrange the flowers by grouping the same ones together. Then top it off with her favorite chocolate truffles.

I look forward to these gifts again and again.

A great thing about simple flower arrangements is that they are easy for the kids to help out with and put together. Each one could be moved to another part of the house, wherever Mom wants to enjoy it. .

Simply beautiful ranunculus, I could be quite content with just that.

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Fran’s Chocolates have been a favorite of mine for 20+ years. I remember going to the tiniest chocolate shop {about the size of a walk-in closet…maybe just a tad bigger} to buy some of the best chocolate truffles. Often times Fran Bigelow would be in the back room making it. Fran’s Chocolates have outgrown that space and expanded to three retail locations throughout the Seattle area. Today, Fran Bigelow is very well known and is considered one of the best chocolatiers in the country. .

Fran’s Chocolates are made with the highest quality ingredients, hand made in small batches from start to finish. The chocolate truffles are rich and creamy with a crispy thin outer shell. Their salted caramels are dipped twice in a special blend of chocolate made by Valrhona and carefully sprinkled with gray or smoked salt.

The attention to detail is utmost from the start of the first ingredient to the beautiful hand-tied satin ribbon bow on the package.

Having fun with this picture of Bill at Fran’s Chocolates in Bellevue.

Fran’s Chocolates, truffles, smoked salt caramels and other confectionery are available at many specialty retail stores throughout the United States. To find the best selection go online at Fran’s Chocolates or visit one of Fran’s Chocolates boutiques.

Fresh flowers with chocolate truffles is a wonderful combination to give for Mother’s Day.

images/sources: Fran’s Chocolates packaging 1 / packaging 2

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posted by: Kay

4 comments

April Showers Bring May Flowers …. and a free Calendar

May 1, 2014

Enjoying the beautiful weather this week with no rain insight until Friday. Yesterday the temperature was in the low 80s °F, warm sunshine, and blue sky. Today will be similar but a little warmer. Enjoying it all, rain or shine.

These pictures were taken last week early in the morning after the rain had subsided from 24 hours of continuous rainfall. How these seemingly delicate flowers could withstand so much and look vibrant and beautiful through it all. I love seeing all the little rain droplets still clinging to the plants and being surrounded by the clean fresh scent after the rain.

By late afternoon, the rain picked right back up again …..

White bluebells surrounded by silver-green lamb’s ear plants.

pretty vibrant pink tulips

bluebells and more bluebells to come {see all in bloom Here}

Pink apple blossoms ….. I’m hoping for a bountiful apple crop season this year.

My May calendar is filling up quickly {not including the kids’ activities}. Here are some of the things going on at our house along with a little sneak peek of blog ideas for this month.

{print April showers bring May flowers calendar, Here}

All printables are for personal use only.

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posted by: Kay

4 comments

2014: Fly Fishing 101 & 201

April 25, 2014

{Caleb at the age of 3 learning how to fly fish in the backyard.}

It’s that time of year again when Orvis will be offering Free Fly Fishing 101 lessons at their stores nation wide {to find the nearest store click Here}. You just have to sign up and be ready to learn. The Orvis staff will provide all the necessary equipments and supplies during the session to get you started. After the 101 class, you will be given the opportunity to take the 201 class for a small fee {highly recommended}. They will take you out to a lake, a pond, a stream or a river {depending on the store location} and guide you through fly fishing. With a little bit of luck, you will catch a few fish! This blog post is a recap of the fly fishing 101 and 201 classes that Bill took the kids to last year {Orvis store in Bellevue, Washington}.

To read the full blog post and watch the Orvis video from last year, click Here.

The fly fishing 101 began outside by getting familiar with the fly rod and learning how to cast. Instructors were present to take everyone through basic casting techniques. This lasted for about an hour.
{above picture, Caleb at the age of 8}

The session ended at the Orvis store going over tying knots, fly selections, understanding the differences in lines, and other basic information. It was also a great time to ask questions and clarify anything that may have been confusing.

The fly fishing 201 class took place away from the Orvis store at a location out in the country surrounded by green pastures, trees and mountains.

The fly rods were assembled and ready to be used.

Another quick fly casting session out in the open field got everyone ready.

Caleb brought in the first catch of the day. The instructor was at his side guiding him every step of the way.

Beginner or haven’t fish in awhile, it’s time to get out to the water. Bill will be introducing some friends, my brother and maybe our kids {again} to the Fly Fishing 101 at the Orvis store {Bellevue, WA} in May.

{to find the nearest Orvis store, contact, and/or register for the class click Here }

Sources:
Fly Fishing 101 ⎜ April 19 & 26 ⎜ May 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 ⎜ June 7 & 14 ⎜
Fly Fishing 201 ⎜ May 4 & 18 ⎜ June 8 ⎜

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posted by: Bill & Kay

2 comments

Easter, He is Risen {What a Friend We Have in Jesus}

April 20, 2014

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Jesus paid the price for us.
He did it all for you and me.
He is Risen, Indeed!
Easter is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
He is alive and with us, our savior and our friend.

“What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” is a beautiful hymn revealing the love Jesus has for us. I have heard and sang this hymn many times and never get tired of it {especially when Alan Jackson sings it}. I hope you enjoy listening to this hymn with a little bit of country twang as much as I do.

Alan Jackson, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
{video can’t play, click Here}

The story behind the song is precious. A simple letter written by Joseph Scriven to his mother expressing his feeling during his time of grief and how Jesus gave him strength through it all.

The story behind the hymn, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”.
{video can’t play, click Here}

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Have a wonderful Easter everyone!

source: sheet music, What A Friend We Have In Jesus

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posted by: Kay

0 comments

Good Friday {diy three wooden crosses}

April 18, 2014

A simple cross made from sticks and twine. An easy and fun craft project to make with kids on Easter Sunday. I made these crosses in three different sizes for displaying, attaching to bags and baskets and for other uses.

cross measurements
large, 6″w x 10 1/2″h
medium, 5″w x 10″h
small, 3 1/2″w x 6″h

He Is Risen tags {print Here}

I like how the display of the three crosses turned out in the large pedestal compote bowl. I used floral foam presoaked in water to form the mound. With a sharp knife, cut the foam to the desired shape if needed. Arrange the three crosses on the foam and firmly push the long end of each of the sticks into it, about one or two inches. Fresh moss and flower blossoms were gathered earlier from outside and used to cover the foam.

Have a blessed Good Friday everyone!

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 NIV

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posted by: Bill/Kay

6 comments

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