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Femikey

Monday, June 30, 2008

Summer and Strawberries

Welcome to the strawberry fields of Cairntradlin, Scotland! This is the home of juicy, sweet strawberries you will never like to miss whilst on Aberdeen,Scotland! We are lucky to be here on the right time for picking. This is my first strawberry-picking experience, also first time for both of my kids. My in-laws and my husband had been to many strawberry-picking experiences in Canada. So, the experience was not new to them. I was very excited and so were my boys... all of us were very excited! We can eat as much as we can while picking. I ate a lot and my two boys,too.... Ah.... The taste? Strawberries!!!!





In Western countries, when it is the start of strawberry season, it is definitely the sign that it is officially summer! There is nothing that says summer like a bowl of fresh, delicious strawberries. You can see how my baby boy likes the taste of it. We all love strawberries. Anyone, who doesn't like it? Sweet and juicy, fresh strawberries are truly nature's bounty.




Friday, June 27, 2008

First-Aid Training for Children Under 5's

"Children are angels whose wings grow shorter as their legs grow longer." (Old French Proverb)

Once our angelic babies are already unstoppable, wandering, and became curious machines whose only purpose in life (apart from eating) is to make mess as possible, injuries are always a common thing and we as adults should never take for granted the basic survival skills. We know that many young children are inquisitive, curious and "risk-takers"; venturing out into a world that is immense and dangerous. Compare our children with little cars without steering wheels, bumpers or brakes!

Until children learn the basic survival skills, they remain vulnerable and at greater risk of injury in the home. Parents or carers must carry out a difficult balancing act between encouraging children to explore and develop, while ensuring they don't get hurt. Although prevention is ultimately the best, First-Aid Course helps deal with some of the common injuries that may occur within the home.

For three thursday mornings this June, i had participated in a First-aid training course for under 5 year olds at Kintore Community Center. I had been a first-aider when i was in highschool and college but first-aid is a very important thing that you need to refresh every now and then. It was a long while since i had a refresher's course. I was so happy after finishing this short course.

My first-aid learnings during my younger days were focused on older people, but this one is different, we focused on babies 5 year olds below. The other differece is the kind of environment that we focused. I asked them," what shall we do if an ant went to child's ear?" This happened to me many times when i was kid. Nobody had answered, they were like shock with the question! And then one instructor said, " I had never seen an ant in Scotland!". Oh, great!!!!

Anyway, the areas that we covered were the following:

1. Unintentional Injuries and Accidents in under 14's like Falls, Burns/Scalds, Poisoning and Garden Injuries. ( We try an avois using the term "accident" and instead refer to this as an "unintentional injury". Using "accident" can make people believe that the injury was just bad luck, a random event and ultimately unavoidable. This is not the case as many "accidents" can be predicted and avoided. We are trying to challenge the belief that "nothing can be done" and show that many "unintentional injuries" are preventable.

2. Fire Safety/Electricity Safety/Glass Safety

3. Safety Barriers and Door Safety

4. Cuts and Wounds

5. Fracture

6. Shock/ Seizure or Fit

7. Choking

8. Child Basic Life Support (AR/CPR)

Always the aims of first-aid are to preserve life, prevent condition getting worse and promote recovery before the services of a physician is obtained.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Flame of Friendship


The Flame of Friendship.
A symbol of spirit of unity.
The burning icon of love.
Undying picture of hope.
The hot symbol of oneness.
The Flame of Friendship.

And now it’s your turn to flame yourself!
Meet new friends. Discover friendship. Make bonds.
Copy this post starting from the PICTURE ABOVE to the end
and add your blog on the list below.
Let’s start FLAMING!

———————————————————–
The People Who Accepted The Flame of Friendship
———————————————————–
Tiklaton: We are the witness
Janeth Vicy's Life Journey
My Precious
Jenn's My Sweet Haven
Vannie's Confession of a Supermodel Wannabe
Portia's Portia Speaks
Prily's Capturing the Moment

Thank you so much Jenn and Vannie for this tag. Very much appreciated.

I am passing this tag to my blogging pals Desperate Blogger, Beth, Lindsay and Shiela.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The Sounds of Music

Last weekend, i got videos of two charming performances. They might be little bit old-fashioned, but they are what we call the classic. The first is the Circa 1920 Mortier 89 Key Fairground Organ which was purchased by Bill Barrack from the Lord o' Neil of Shanes castle, Northern Ireland. It was one of the exhibited items on the fair. The other one is a Scottish lady piper. I would say there are only very few lady pipers. Listen to their melodies...



Monday, June 23, 2008

Steam Engine and Vintage Cars Exhibition - Part 2

This Vintage Fair 2008 is actually the 5th time around that is being held on the grounds of Castle Fraser. Exhibitors have travelled from all parts of the UK and some parts of Europe to share their passion for their vehicles (despite the recent increases in fuel costs!). It is so encouraging to know that there are so many enthusiasts preserving these vehicles, which some existed even on the early 1900s. I do believe that these vehicles are great pride of United Kingdom as these form part of their heritage. Well, good for them and as for me and my inlaws, we were delighted to be a part of the exhibition as cheerful audiences.

I would like to share some vintage cars photos. I want to thank Popsy Robbie for contributing me some of the photos he took. These are just samples of the hundreds of automobiles on display. Cheers and enjoy the pics!...





Here are some samples of general purpose trucks...



Over the past few years a whole family has arrived on the Steam and Vintage fair scene, not just in Britain but worldwide. They belong to the gradually enlarging family of Little Engine Enthusiasts, many of whom make the variou Steam Fairs and events their holiday destination, their weekend break, complete of course with their "Little Engines". Here are some examples...




These generally single cylinders engines have many an interesting history. Some are fuelled by paraffin, others by petrol or diesel. All have made essential contribution to the work on the farms; in workshops, also as water pumps some times out on a riverbank. Many have been service driving small mills, generating electricity and in some cases are still in use. Here are some more extracts...



I am loving these classic farm tractors...





But most of all, i fancy riding in this elegant trailer. Oh, look at how this big truck carried it just like how the horses long time ago carried the royal carriages!

Steam Engine and Vintage Cars Exhibition - Part 1

This is my first time to watch a steam engine exhibition. We went last weekend with my in-laws. I am so surprised how these steam engines and vintage automobiles look so new, dazzling and shining as if they were never used at all! I can only imagine the many, many hours which are put in over long winters on care and conservation of these vehicles. Just really amazing! Here are some photos...







I had put a good look at some of the magnificent examples of traction steam engines which are on the show and i can only think about how much time, patience and devotion it takes to keep these engines looking and running as they are! Again here are some few examples and by the way, Prisco think steam engines are pretty much loud, and really they are. That is why he is covering his ears...




As for the meantime, here are my in-laws, chilling out to the sonata of old Mortier Fairground Organ playing the melodies of yesteryears.

A Day with the Kilted Chef

On a rainy Saturday of June during the Kintore Summer Festival 2008, we got the chance to watch the cooking demonstration of the so called Kilted Chef from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The food looks so yummy, appetizing, and succulent. After the demo, Scott took a photo of us with the Kilted Chef. But first the food...

Here are some collops of pork with caramelized apple and black pudding on Thyme mashed potato with natural jus together with the poached chicken and cous cous.



What we like with this chef is that he is so abrupt, no fuzziness and he is just natural. He said that a certain recipe should not be followed all thoroughly. If it tastes good, then, that's it! Some people are allergic or do not like the taste of onions or garlic, or ginger, etc.... So you put your own condiments whatever you fancy and which you think taste good on your palate.

Here is one video demo i got about poached chicken and a photo of us and Prisco by my husband...