Quartzsite

We are currently in Quartzsite, Arizona. If you "google" "Quartzsite" you will get an idea of this town. Think "trailer trash". ^_^
A few more days here and then on to Nevada for a short while and then we will head on home. We hope to see the Petrified Forest in Arizona on our way across the state.
A friend of ours from Stratford e-mailed us with news of a chemical spill into Stratford's water system. Schools closed etc. Maybe it is a good thing we weren't home for that!!
I keep checking this Huitema blogger site for news from anyone, but no luck....if you need help with posting just ask Carly or myself.
See you soon.......Marianne and Bert

California dreaming....

Hi everyone,
Bert and I are camped in California (just over the border from Arizona). The weather is just great and we have been touring all the sites around Yuma. Unfortunately I can't send pictures to either Carly or the blogsite because the public library here doesn't have a usb port available to the public so you will have to wait until we get home. We want to go up to Quartsite (still in Arizona) before we head back home.
Marianne and Bert

Riding in Vancouver

I finally get to catch up with my 'country' cousins and take some riding lessons (and ironically I take them in big city Vancouver). Here's the most action packed one I could find, trotting over poles that are actually off the ground. It's great, on Saturday mornings I cycle for 25 min to Southlands which is this bizarre little pocket of mini horse farms in the city of Vancouver.

Texas 2005

A grave site in Texas. Bert and Marianne's trip, 2005.

Texas 2005 part II

Bert and Marianne in Texas

Arizona

Hi everyone,

Well the weather in Texas could have been better, but at least there wasn't any snow! We have moved on and are now in Arizona where our next destination will be Yuma....can't get much further south then that around here!!

We spent a day in Tombstone, Arizona and that is quite the town! It is like an original cowboy town where they re-create gunfights etc. Lots of shops, although they start to look alike after the first three or so.

We are currently at a library here in Benson which is southeast of Tuscon. Take care and try to stay warm!!
Marianne and Bert

Thanks Mom!

Alright, Now I remember how to post one, thanks to mom. It's been awhile since I last posted a blog...Much has happened here in hot Aussie! I've been on a 2 week holiday up the coast with George to Cairns, Port Douglas, and all the beautiful beaches along the way! I will be posting some pics as soon as I get the chance to save some to CD. I've also moved house in the last month and am finally settling down in the new unit with George and 2 other flat mates. Ains is still wih us and having a great time! She spends most of her time at work... or Micheals (but I didn't say that Donna! ) and I'm at work alot as well, so we haven't seen much of each other lately. It will be sad when she goes though. Other then that, not much else is news here.... I start uni again in March, and am ready for my last year. As mom pointed out, my graduation is in December and I'd love to see the family! I realize it's a huge trip - but just think of it as a well deserved holiday!
Anyway, hope all is well with everyone. And thanks again Carly for setting this up!
Lots of Love;
~Sarah~ xoxox

we'll see if this works

need some info
I had a hard time trying to figure out how to post a message b/c on the main page when I clicked on Marijke under 'Contributors' I just get my profile (which is non-existent) and there are no other places to click unless one wants to comment on an existing post or check the archives or other profiles - so I went to the Blogger main page and there was a spot where you could fill in your name and password if you already had an account which brought me to 'post a message' page. Is that how I have to access it? Sorry, could not remember from when I did it last time and Sarah asked me how to post a message b/c she was having the same problem so I thought I would write this in for her info.Anyway - it is cold here -25C this morning - so my days have been taken up with stoking the furnace, bringing in wood, doing the teaching thing two days a week, working on a research paper (which is painful) and taking a daily trek with the dogs in the bush for an hour. So, Bert and Marianne, I hope you are enjoying warm weather - you picked a good time to go. I have some pictures I would like to post but since I do not have a digital camera I need to scan them in - so will do that when I get some free time (and some help from Carly). Anyone want to plan a trip to Australia for Sarah's graduation in December?

I think I got it

Thanks Carly - I think I ended up creating a new blog under my name and the posting went there instead of to the Huitema post. I also did not have this link in my files - http://www.blogger.com/start - so I don't know how I posted the first time.

Squash Soup

Prep the squash (~3lb) - cut in half, scrape out seeds and bake for an hour at 350 flat side down on a greased cookie sheet till it is soft and can be pierced with a fork easily.
Let cool, scrape out flesh and you can put that in the fridge till you want to make your soup.

Soup:
Sautee two medium/large leeks with an inch of ginger (finely chopped) in butter.
add four cups of chicken stock and the squash and simmer for 20 minutes breaking up the squash.
Puree in a blender. Add salt and pepper to taste and dilute with ~2 cups chicken stock to right consistency. Heat up and the server.
Be sure to puree really well.

Texas

Hi everyone,
We arrived here on Saturday and the weather was kind of cool for a few days, but now it is just great. It still took us about three days to drive down here driving 3082 km. We are just relaxing and reading as well as biking. We biked to Mexico the other day...a distance of about 10 miles each way.

We are in the library of the nearest town...about 14 miles from Falcon State Park...and this is where we have access to the internet. Hope the weather isn't too nasty for you all while we are gone.

Marianne and Bert

Someone loves his food and gets right into it!!

This photo initally included Debbie in the centre but she seemed to be having a nap and I thought I would spare her the unflattering resulting picture!! Could it have been the wine?? Lindsay and Carly didn't seem to be too affected, and since it was a good picture of both of them I proceeded to eliminate Debbie!! Hmmmm....wonder if Debbie reads this blog? I guess I will find out!!!

Natalie and Ashlay seem to be deep into conversation.

Matty is relaxing during our Christmas Day celebrations.

We had a lovely Christmas Day at Isabel's and Bill's place. This is a picture of Monique taken before our Christmas Dinner.

At the back of our farm when we went to get our Christmas tree this year.

Donna, Aukje and Marijke having a chat at the party.

Matty and Donna at Aukje's birthday party.

Aukje`s Birthday

Hello,
I heard that Aukje's birthday was a success (was it also a surprise?). Anyone have pictures or stories to tell?
And Aukje, if you read this - Happy Birthday!