The Engleson Files

One of the things I love about being in Penticton during the summer is the sights and sounds of the water bombers. Pretty much everyday you see these old red and white beasts bombing in and out from the airport either checking out for fires nearby or putting one out somewhere close by. These old planes have a great look to them and I also love the low throttled purr they make as they fly above. It has been at least 40+ years since they have been stationed here and I hope they are here to stay for good - summertime fun in Penticton!

Ah yes, the Tumble Tower, I can remember specifically hours upon hours of joy playing with it as child, and it is certainly seeming to stand the test of time with all of us adults these days. The game is simple: get all the little white balls from the top to the bottom as quickly as possible; and today during Happy Hour the Engleson clan could not get enough of this game. Everyone had a few rounds with it and in the end young Riley Engleson came out on top with a staggering time of 57.4 seconds. Well done young man, you are the true Tumble Tower champion of 2008!

I just came away from watching The Dark Knight for the second time and I have to say once again that Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker is simply brilliant. Everytime he is on screen he captivates your full attention and just carries every scene he is in - there is no question this is his movie. It is sad to know that we will never be able to see him perform it again, but I say to you right now: get out there, pay the big bucks and go watch an amazing acting performance!

P.S. - Sorry Mamma Judy, I caved and watched it without you but will gladly go again!

As I stated in an earlier post, Magnus has been a bike ridin’ fool during our stay here in Penicton. Every morning he rides his bike to swim lessons (and any other chores that needs to be done) and then the other day he rode his bike all the way from one lake to the other - for a grand total of 10 km; and when you factor in that he has to pedal 5 times (at least) the amount as the rest of us I think he’s doing a pretty damn good job for a 4 year old. Anyways, he is just loving it and I hope he keeps it up. Atta boy Magnus!

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Every day for many hours Kristin, Magnus, Svea and I lounge around at the beach and just relax and watch the world go by. It is a great way to spend a vacation and it is especially nice now with the kids being a little bit more self-sufficient. Both kids love the water and all the wildlife that surrounds it, and here Svea was introduced to a mother duck and her ducklings - good stuff!

To Dad, Elizabeth, Andy, Kristy and Nikky,

Thank you so much for everything you guys did for Magnus, Svea and I. It was wonderful to see you all again and spend some time to catch up and share our families with each other. We all had a great time visiting with you in Windsor and I hope we can do this all again very soon - maybe this time in the Okanagan! I love you all and thank you again.

Love,

Kristin, Magnus and Svea

Last night the whole clan (except Dad) went up to the West Bench area of Penticton to go and pick some cherries. I can remember very specifically doing this as a child and it was great to go out and do it again with the kids. The trees were ripe and plentiful and for one hour’s worth of entertainment and $11.50 for 10 lbs of cherries it was a great night out!

Here’s a picture of Magnus and his two cousins, Saya and Jordy, getting ready to ride their bikes along the trails at Okanagan Lake. All three have been out regularly on their bikes and have been loving every minute of it!

As I mentioned earlier, I spent a few days in Princeton visiting my old friend Dallas Stinson and while there we managed to sneak in a few rounds at the Princeton Golf Course. Now, here’s a couple known facts about the Princeton Golf Course: it was basically home to me for many years while I lived in Princeton and another old friend, Ian “the Big Elk” Elko, is the head grounds keeper there - so it was great to go back and reminisce. Anyways, my friendship with Dallas over the years has always had a very special synergy (even though we have had a few tough times as well) and we always seem to be able to keep each other well entertained - even though this often comes at the frustration of others. Together we have been able to accumulate a wealth of good memories and have shared a lot of classic moments with each other. While visiting the Princeton Golf Course we seemed to have done it again. Basically, during my two-day visit there we spent every waking minute either golfing or sitting at the clubhouse drinking beer and liasing with the locals. One day we spent 14.5 hours at the course and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner there and then finished off the night with a high stakes game of poker (which I have no idea how to play!) It was a great trip back and was great to see everyone again - Princeton, BC, 3 hours east of Vancouver on the Crowsnest highway.

No guilt here folks, just plain old-fashioned goodness coming at you with every box of good, good whole wheat Shreddies. Yes, I love this cereal dearly and always have. While I have usually had a weakness for the sugar based cereals (ie. Cap’n Crunch, Froot Loops) I have always had Shreddies a part of my morning routine - and c’mon, how can you not love Freddie and Eddie as well! It has pained me to go cold turkey from it in China, which is why I am back on the program as we speak. Also, much like the KD secret I just disclosed with you all earlier, I have the can’t-miss formula for fully enjoying this cereal:

1) Pour cereal into bowl
2) Pour milk into bowl - milk must fully drown all cereal
3) Wait exactly 2:34 minutes before eating
4) Enjoy!

Well, I am back in the Okanagan after a wonderful few days visiting friends along the Crowsnest highway. The first night had me drop in on Chris, Millie and Nika in Walnut Grove/Langley. It was great to catch in with them and see their wonderful house and their beautiful new baby girl (and going 2-0 in bocce didn’t hurt either!) Next, I went up to Princeton to visit my good friend Dallas where I spent a few days catching up with old friends and soaking in the nostalgia of my old hometown - more on the Princeton trip later. But now, I am back in Penticton and am awaiting the arrival of Kristin, Magnus and Svea from Windsor tomorrow. Can’t wait to see them and can’t wait to get out and enjoy everything the Okanagan has to offer!

P.S. - Thanks to my wonderful cousin Kristy (who is a total computer geek!) I now have the technology and insight on how to do these slide show thingys - love it - thanks!!

Well, our first leg of the 2008 summer holiday has come to an end and today the Engleson clan will be venturing off the island - except this time we will not be traveling all together. On Monday Kristin and the kids will be flying to Windsor, Ontario to visit her old hometown and I will be driving the Crowsnest highway east towards Penticton while visiting old friends along the way. There won’t be a lot of updates until I land at my desired destination, so until then take care and enjoy the fantastic weather of beautiful British Columbia!

Yes, I must confess - when I first arrived back in Canada and had to go grocery shopping for the first time one of the first sections I went to was the Kraft Dinner isle. As a child I gobbled this stuff up like crazy and this fixation has embarrassingly continued on into my adult life. What can I say, I just love that powdery fake cheddar cheese dashed into a pot full of noodles! Now, I am not really one to boast, but when it comes to making the finest pot of KD around the “Engleson Secret” has no rivals; and I dare anyone to challenge my recipe! Oh yes, Kraft Dinner a guilty pleasure indeed.

Ah yes, the back deck and Joe at Judy’s place in Victoria. It is here where I waste away many hours of the day doing exactly what you see before you: drinking rum and coke, reading books/newspapers and listening to music and/or CBC Radio - it is sheer bliss. The usual daily routine sees Mom, Gramma and the kids go out and play at the beach while Joe and I stay home and ensure the back deck gets properly used. It is huge highlight of our trip back home and is what summer vacation is all about!

P.S. - The Golden Spruce is an excellent book and I encourage all to give it a read.