June 28, 2008

SOOKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

We arrived at Sooke Home Hardware two hours before the event and parked the motorhome on the grass at the edge of the highway only to discover that the motorhome was an inch wider than the space between the street sign and the curb. Usually all we need is an inch to squeeze into a parking space but this time the motorhome was an inch too wide and the street sign had to be removed.





Paula, from housewares, was all ready for us. She wants to create a bragging wall in the store to remind the community of the generosity of the Gertsma family.

Frank Gertsma matched our $50 donation to the Sooke Meals on Wheels Program.


Friends Nancy and Don Miklic from Sooke came to the event.




Mary and Bill Cunningham from Sooke own every one of our cookbooks.










Lamont's niece, Nancy and her husband, Norm Houle arrived on their motorcycle. We thought about swapping vehicles for a change of pace but they already have a motorhome.

June 26 and June 27, 2008

Tip: Click on any photo on the blog to enlarge it.


Vancouver Island

We drove the motorhomes onto the ferry that runs from Tsawwassen on the British Columbia mainland to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island.

The wireless Internet was tricky at the Oceanside RV Resort in Saanich. Lamont found that the signal was stronger if she set up a temporary desk on the outside of the motorhome.















The sun created a glare on her computer screen. She solved that problem by covering her head and the computer with a bath towel. Not only did the towel help her see the screen, it also gave her privacy from anyone who walked by and wanted to talk.

June 25, 2008

Up at 4 AM for CBC RADIO Vancouver and CITY TV BREAKFAST TELEVISION

CBC RADIO in Vancouver with Rick Cluff

A great interview even at 6 in the morning.

Then to City TV Breakfast Television where our Road Crew food stylist and our Road Crew photographer helped set up the cooking demonstrations.

Ruth asleep in the Green Room. We got the road crew up at 4 AM too.

Lamont in Make-up

Phyllis in Make-up

And finally the moment arrives.

The Cooking Ladies and Simi on air. We are the Ladies in red. It was as if someone had coordinated our wardrobes.

What wonderful aromas are coming from the fry pan? Could it be eggplant fusion? Recipe from The Cooking Ladies' Best Little Drinks & Snacks Cookbook - available exclusively at Home Hardware Stores.

All that cooking made us hungry. Off for breakfast with friends, Penny and Russell Jennings at Granville Island.

And then a tour of Stanley Park and a stop at Spanish Banks with the City of Vancouver in the background.

It is amazing how much we can squeeze into a day when we get up at 4 AM.

A late dinner with Lamont's family at Earl's Restaurant in White Rock and we're all still awake!

June 23 and June 24, 2008

ALDERGROVE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The parking lot of Pearce Hardware in Aldergrove was our home for the night.

On the morning of the event we drove with Roger and Ruth to Fraserway RV Centre in Abbotsford to exchange our Road Crew RV for a larger model. They were very busy so we left Road Crew Roger to look after the exchange and returned to Pearce Hardware to get ready for the event.

At the event, Road Crew Ruth (aka "Food Stylist Ruth") performed her food preping duties and we recruited Lamont's brother, Bob and nephews, Scott and Ross to fill in for Roger. Rhonda Pearce passed the drinks and snacks.

Roger arrived for the final minutes of the event and was delighted to see that it took three people to replace him.

The Pearce Hardware charity was The Children's Hospital

June 22, 2008

We have reached the half way event mark. There is nothing as sweet as a day off after driving many miles, helping to raise money for local charities at 15 Home Hardware Store events, and giving over 50 media interviews. To say that it has been a constant high would be an understatement. The feelings we already have for this wonderful country have grown even more thanks to the people, the places, and the scenery along the way. Thank you all for your wonderful hospitality and for welcoming us into your lives for a brief and beautiful moment in time. We have loved every second of this journey and look forward to the rest of the road trip. Our mission is to promote Home Hardware, a truly Canadian company. Canada and Canadians rock!



FUN IN OSOYOOS

So much to do and a full day to do it all....










The fearless four...








a walk in the desert...













a little culture...












Judy, our personal tour guide, taking time to smell the roses...









And a little vino for the Road Crew....

June 20 to June 21, 2008

OSOYOOS, BRITISH COLUMBIA

On June 20, we drove the towed car into town and decided it was time for haircuts for the two of us and the road crew.

Frances Sologuk, who owns the Osoyoos Home Hardware, took us to dinner at the Burrowing Owl Winery Restaurant. We were joined by Judy Harvey who assists Frances with her cooking classes at the store.

Saturday, June 21

We parked the motorhome on the street at the front door of Osoyoos Home Hardware.

There was a car show in town. While our Road Crew was setting up for the event, Frances took us to meet JF Larnier, a local celebrity who customizes cars. When he was younger he won every model building contest held by Osoyoos Home Hardware.

Our event was from 1 to 3. The local cable station was there to record the show. The audience filled the aisles and the available chairs. There was standing room only. Gail and Peter Moyes from the Home Hardware Building Centre in Merritt, BC, came to the event.

Frances' husband, Larry Sologuk dropped in to say hello on his way to the Relay for Life. An annual event where he plays music all night as a DJ.

The Cooking Ladies presented their cheque for $50 to Relay for Life.

There is loads of history in the Osoyoos Home Hardware store. Photos line the walls. An old jail cell including a door with bars is in the basement.

June 19, 2008

PENTICTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Our event at Penticton Home Hardware Building Centre was from 12 to 2.When we arrived at 10 AM with the motorhome, Lynn Spring, the General Manager met us in the parking lot. Joanne did an excellent job organizing for the event.

The local radio and newspaper interviewed us at the store. Prizes were given away every 15 minutes. There were special prices for those who shopped during our event. 70 chairs filled plus many more people standing room only.

Proceeds from the raffle went to the Miracle Fund for Kids.

And the winners of the DeLonghi countertop oven and the Oster digital blender were:

After the event we drove the motorhome to Tickleberry's in Okanagan Falls for ice cream and then on to the NK 'MIP RV Resort in Osoyoos.