Dear blogging friends, Happy Easter weekend to you! I hope that you are enjoying time with your families walking in the spring sunshine.
Here in the Okanagan valley, spring is evident. Snow is no longer on the caps of the valley around us. The cherries trees are in blossom in the valley and I can’t decide if I like pink or white blossoms more, what a conundrum eh?
Yesterday on my bike ride to the north side of town and Okanagan lake I had a nice surprise. I saw something large dive when I was standing out on the pier that juts out into the lake. It was much larger than a duck and I saw a streak of white.
My son spotted it first when it bobbed to the surface. a beautiful loon. It was black with a white band around it’s neck and at first it was fairly close then it swam/sauntered away before diving and disappearing. It was gone so long that we mounted up to continue our ride along the lake.
No photos of the loon, but as we rounded the corner, the marmots were there looking for a treat. People often drop off carrots for them and you can hand feed them, the carrots, not your fingers.
But I diverted from the theme, Time For a Review – my wife made me delicious blueberry pancakes this morning! She is too busy in the mornings to do that often but today I enjoyed her gift.
We all had blueberry pancakes, maple syrup of course and some were left over! Wahoo! (They could disappear though)
I jokingly told her I was going to go online and give her a review, and here it is: Five Star! The pancakes were generous with blueberries, still hot and had that lovely golden brown I like – they were a nice size also, bigger than silver dollars and smaller than a suitcase. LOL
“Sweet April showers do spring May flowers.” – Thomas Tusser
Reviews seem to be everywhere now and many businesses pester online for reviews for even the smallest transaction.
I mainly do reviews for small businesses that I like such as new restaurants, coffee shops, fruit stands etc. These are family businesses and they genuinely appreciate the support that a positive review brings.
What about negative reviews? If it’s a small business, talk to them directly as they will happily handle any reasonable feedback to help make you a regular customer. No business gets it perfect every time and so I think we should give businesses a second chance before reacting anyway. Most of negative reviews I read reflect badly on the people who wrote them and not on the business I think.
What about our review? How many stars would my wife and family give me? Fortunately they indulge my foibles and blunders and haven’t installed an ejection seat in the car.
Signing off now with pics of the baskets I made for Easter and thank you bunny much for reading today.
hugs, David♥
Life and Random Thinking 
Your review of those pancakes is making me hungry! Happy Easter, my good friend!
LikeLike
Hi Greg, Happy Easter – I’m looking forward to our next get together. Thank you for being you! – David
LikeLike
I make blueberry pancakes every other Sunday. I’ll have to get hubby to give them a review/rating. Have a very Happy Easter!!
LikeLike
Hi Darlene, I know what that rating/review will be ♥ thank you commenting, I’m smiling – hugs. Dave
LikeLiked by 1 person
great…I miss my Penticton and southward time….thanks to a couple visits for the Ironman I got to get a little more in touch that end of the world, but loved it and miss it…..maybe not the climbs up Richter’s Pass and to Yellow Lake, but most of it..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Warren, thank you for commenting and visiting my blog. I remember volunteering for Ironman and I was way out there on the hill up above Osoyoos. The bikers were grinding the way up the hill and I walked alongside giving them cantaloupe and fluids. Maybe I met you and it made me so happy to support you guys. I know we were appreciated and it was a fun time! Maybe next you visit you can enjoy Peachfest a relaxing swim in the Okanagan. – David
LikeLike
Absolutely LOVELY pictures & a delightful post A very pleasant temporary escape from the chaos that surrounds us currently in this world.
I’m sure your wife appreciates your fabulous pancake review. I had 3 this morning that I made for my husband & me. No blueberries but they were good. We enjoyed them in our sunroom looking out across the back yard, watching the orphaned black cat sunning himself & feeling comfortable. We started feeding him in late January & although he won’t let us touch or pet him, he seems to know that this is his home, kind of, & that we are, sort of, his family now.
My take away after reading this is that your entire post is one big positive review starting with your lovely surroundings, the unexpected beauty of the loon, & the “friendship” you have with the marmot. It honestly simply made my heart happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved your comment. What is your cat’s name? I was envisioning him in the sun. That’s special that you have given him a place and even though he is wild, he is cared for. I felt very happy that my post and your comment let us connect and step away from the other stuff going on. Hugs to you, and I hope you have a wonderful day with your hubby. – Dave
LikeLiked by 1 person
We haven’t named the outside kitty yet. We’re not even sure if it is male or female. My husband thinks it’s a she & calls it Bebe … kind of sounds like Baby, I can’t stand to see anything hungry so this one gets good cat food & seems happy. It will come to the porch steps now if we’re on the porch but no closer … yet. It’s a work in progress. I would consider bringing it inside but we have a fragile 19 -year-old cat that wouldn’t do well with the stress of another cat. Should anything happen to our fragile Phoebe … heaven forbid … the outside adoptee will be the first new guest inside.
LikeLike
Our tuxedo cat was named Errol Flynn and he was so smart. It sounds like you are taking wonderful care of it and I am glad you are taking it slow. There are wild cats in Ottawa right beside the Parliament buildings and they live in their own Parliament buildings shaped cat houses. They have been there decades and were there when I visited in the 70’s. The locals know not to try to pick them up but they will abide with petting, carefully!
19 is definitely a fragile survivor and I can see you are being kind and prudent with each. My daughter’s cat Africa was moody. Sometimes she would climb on my lap and sleep and sometimes I was afraid to climb the stairs as she wouldn’t let me pass! – Hugs, and I hope we chat again soon. – Dave
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your pictures and your review, David! “The pancakes were generous with blueberries, still hot and had that lovely golden brown I like – they were a nice size also, bigger than silver dollars and smaller than a suitcase.” What could be better! Happy Easter!
LikeLike
Thank you Wynne, when I see you have commented, I smile and I’m smiling now. hugs.
LikeLike
Reviews. I follow the adage; if you enjoyed/liked our service then tell everyone, if you dislike something tell us.
LikeLike
That is a smart adage James and I am sure your patronage is appreciated wherever you go because you are understanding of what it takes to run a business. Happy Easter. Thank you for commenting, it is appreciated. – Dave
LikeLiked by 1 person
You live in Avery special place, David. Simply spectacular. Happy Easter to you and yours.
LikeLike
Thank you Jane. I appreciate your comments and encouragement to me and I hope you have a wonderful day today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Easter, Dave. Glad to hear you’re doing well!
LikeLike
Hi Debra, thank you for reading and saying hello. I had a fun morning with family, a brunch and easter egg hunt. My Grandson’s eggs each had a new toy train car so he has another dozen. He had a fun time and we enjoyed his excitement. I hope you had a nice day and are well. – hugs, Dave
LikeLiked by 1 person
Easter was great fun. The granddaughters enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in our house. They brought their special bunny pails from last year and were ready to go!
LikeLike
Special pails? These granddaughters not only get treats but they traditions to look back on and that’s very special. Thank you for the smile today Debra.
LikeLiked by 1 person
GREAT!…….now I’m drooling for pancakes! Tell your wife thanks a lot David!
I’m more a waffle guy anyways! They got those little divits that can hold the syrup so nicely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
chuckling, I will ! Yes that’s what those divots are for; to capture pancake syrup. I hate to cause more drooling for you Wayne but in your next exploration of the Okanagan I highly, (emphasis here) recommend Summerland Sweets for their WIDE variety of pancake syrups and jams. I think you might love it! – Dave
LikeLike
Happy Easter 🐣The loon sighting sounds amazing. Also, you’re spot onn about reviews – they can make a big difference for small businesses. Enjoy the sunshine
LikeLike
Hello Ritish, thank you for reading AND commenting. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. The loon sighting was fun. Whenever we are out we are watching to spot wildlife such as eagles and herons. There is a jazz coffee shop here that one small business that is fairly new and it was a pleasure to give them online feedback because they are focused on great coffee and taking care of each customer and not just slinging coffee. Do you have small businesses that you have provided a review for?
LikeLike
MMMMM! Five M review on your post.
LikeLike
I love the 5 M review – I am sure your dinner last weekend was 5 M also! Thank you for the call! – Dave
LikeLike