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A Round Robin Tea Party. Updated: 2011-11-08 17:44:00 Description: I had never heard of a Round Robin, until this past Sunday. My friend, Jody, invited me to a ladies' round robin in the town of Issaquah which is on the outskirts of Seattle. We left at about eight o'clock, stopped for coffee on the way, and reached ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Suspicious bills. Updated: 2011-11-04 19:30:00 Description: Paying bills can be such a pain. It's a necessary evil. It's also something that keeps us honest: when we have to look at our true expenses in the face*, it makes us consider our life styles, and whether or not we are being responsible. But still, it...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Potato Power. Updated: 2011-11-02 20:55:00 Description: The Skagit Valley is a beautifully dreamy green valley located between the Cascade Mountains and the Puget Sound. It is very close to the border with Canada, and right next to the West Coast. I went there a few months ago with my husband, as he had a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Rats in the house. Updated: 2011-10-26 05:14:00 Description: Halloween has become a bigger and more celebrated holiday over the past few years. I suspected that it would. There is something innately fun about being scared, and telling scary stories. Parties and dressing up appeal to the child in all of us, of ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Old Man Rattlesnake and the salmon. Updated: 2011-10-21 17:04:00 Description: During my visit to the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery, there were several Native American displays. One was a story telling session, inside a large, colorful, inflated salmon. Two ladies from the Yakima Indian tribe sang songs and told a couple of stories...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Delivering the Bobcat. Updated: 2011-10-12 19:05:00 Description: Yesterday, I had the most unusual thing to do. If you had asked me a couple of years ago if I could see myself doing what I did yesterday, I would have told you that you're insane. I delivered a Bobcat to a taxidermist. Take a while to chew on that s...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Voices of the Colville Indians. Updated: 2011-10-04 17:04:00 Description: On my recent trip to Leavenworth, I had an unexpected opportunity to see a song and dance performance by the Colville Native American Indian tribe. As the salmon festival has expanded over the years, it now includes historical and cultural displays t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Raptors at the Salmon Festival. Updated: 2011-10-03 20:30:00 Description: It was field trip day last week for Robert who is in third grade. He was particularly excited because it wasn't going to be the ordinary kind of field trip that schools make, you know, to a park, or the fire station, or a bakery. It was to the town o...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Figpickels Toy Emporium. Updated: 2011-09-21 21:12:00 Description: It was during this Summer vacation that my family and I came across the best toy shop that I have ever been to. It was in the town of Coeur d'Alene, in Idaho, the state that is to the east of Washington State, and next to Montana. As we were on...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Friends From Estonia. Updated: 2011-09-12 17:20:00 Description: This past weekend was very special. We had friends to stay. What made the weekend special was that, at the beginning of their stay, we actually didn't even know them. This unusual situation started back in June. There was a knock at the door, and whe...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Goodbye Summer! Updated: 2011-09-08 15:55:00 Description: Summer has been and gone, can you believe it? For me, it has flown*. I suppose you have been wondering, "Where on earth is Anna? Has she fallen off the planet? Has she given it all up*, moved to Nepal, and become a monk? Or is she just enjoying her S...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Chore time. Updated: 2011-08-17 19:13:00 Description: There is a simple principle that can be applied to all homes: if you don't do the chores, the place becomes like a pig pen. But, if you're wise, you can train the little pigs to do the chores. That is something that I have discovered recently. My fou...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD All the tents in the backyard. Updated: 2011-08-01 00:03:00 Description: "We've got a bunch of poles missing," said my husband *in a huff, as he got in his car to go to a meeting. He had been looking in the storage area above our garage for tents, and all that goes with them. We needed the tents because nine boys had come...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD 4000,000 boxes of cherries. Updated: 2011-07-26 22:28:00 Description: I learned a few things this past weekend about the fruit industry. My husband has been involved in national and international export of fruit for over twenty years, and right now, he is *up to his neck in this season's fruit: the cherry. Washington s...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Tyler Farrar from Wenatchee. Updated: 2011-07-22 18:17:00 Description: For those of you who are following the Tour de France, you will recognize the name Tyler Farrar. He is from the town where I live, Wenatchee. The fact that he is not only in the Tour, but also doing well, has really created a buzz of excitement here....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Airsoft beebees. Updated: 2011-07-18 18:36:00 Description: *It's no secret that boys of a certain age like guns, even if they are *make-believe. I remember that before my boys ever had any plastic weapons, they would use other toys, or even sticks, and pretend that they were guns. Perhaps they were influence...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Chirping Chicks. Updated: 2011-07-07 18:52:00 Description: Oh, I haven't been getting much sleep recently. It seems as though* the whole world is noisy. It's summer, and every living thing is feeling fully alive, and therefore, making lots of noise. I often have to put our two dogs in the garage in the early...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Preparation for a barbecue. Updated: 2011-07-06 04:14:00 Description: Preparations for a barbecue. One of the things I like most about Summer is barbecuing. As a person who cooks all the time, it's so nice to have a break from the kitchen, and to do some rapid, easy clean-up cooking on the barby. Over here, it's...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Morning Routine. Updated: 2011-06-29 03:24:00 Description: A routine is a habit, often one that gives us comfort, or some sort of benefit. We say in English that we are 'creatures of habit'. Humans like to have a routine, a familiar way of living. I've noticed that even my children have developed their own r...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Watermelon eating competition. Updated: 2011-06-27 04:45:00 Description: Are you enjoying your Summer? It is in full swing now. The clothes shops are full of swimming suits, bikinis, and barbecue equipment. Flowers are out, and most families find a swimming pool to enjoy. There were end of year celebrations for schoo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Summer Camps Are Here. Updated: 2011-06-22 17:35:00 Description: This is the first week of Summer vacation. The first couple of days seemed a bit unreal; my two youngest kept on asking if they had school the next day. "Nope," I would reply,"it's the Summer, remember?" Thankfully, we are getting used to a slower pa...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Project of Renovation. Updated: 2011-06-14 04:00:00 Description: I have an excuse for not updating my podcast for a few days, honestly....I dove into a renovation project in my house. It's something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but something always seems to come up*, so the project gets put off. The p...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Eloy Flying at Kiwanis. Updated: 2011-06-12 00:19:00 Description: I bet if you have downloaded this podcast, you are wondering what on earth it is about. I know, the title is curious. Well, let me tell you. I'm in the city of Yakima at the moment, writing for you from a lounge chair, next to a pool, at th...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Stetson Hats. Updated: 2011-06-07 14:50:00 Description: I know a few people who have Stetsons. Infact, when my brother was visiting a few months ago, he bought himself a couple. They are good quality, and last for a long time. Where he lives is very sunny, so they are a charming, and unusual way to get sh...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The First Transpacific Flight. Updated: 2011-06-07 04:46:00 Description: Clyde Edward Pangborn, a stunt pilot, and flight instructor during the First World War, arrived in Wenatchee on October 5th, 1931, after 41 hours and 15 minutes of flighing. He and his partner, Hugh Herndon Jr., had just made a historic flight from S...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Squirt Guns. Updated: 2011-06-01 06:50:00 Description: I have noticed recently in the shops, a new season of toys on the shelves. When I say a season of toys, what I mean is a new set of toys for this warmer season. The Summer toys are here, and they have a very outdoorsy and watery theme. As you browse ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Yard of Bubblegum. Updated: 2011-05-31 04:00:00 Description: A Yard of Bubblegum. We had an interesting weekend this past Memorial Day weekend. We went to the town of Monroe which is on the outskirts of Seattle. My son had a baseball tournament. It would have lasted for three days if they had won on both...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Thanks for the million downloads. Updated: 2011-05-27 04:00:00 Description: This is a very special podcast because I have some thanking to do. Every now and then, I check on the statistics of my podcast, and yesterday I saw that I have had more than a million downloads all together. Thank you, to all of you who have listened...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Security on wheels. Updated: 2011-05-24 04:00:00 Description: You can really feel that Summer is on its way. Everyone is coming out of the woodwork. People are actually walking on the streets. You don't often see that; it's usually empty sidewalks and everyone in cars. But now, there is plenty of reason to walk...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Instrument Zoo. Updated: 2011-05-23 05:14:00 Description: It's not very often that you get the opportunity to try out many kinds of instruments. Have you ever blown a bassoon? Have you ever strummed an electric guitar, or tried a set of drums? We had the chance to do that on Saturday. The Woodshouse Conserv...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Who invented the Garp? Updated: 2011-05-19 16:49:00 Description: Like many good things, the Garp started out as an idea. A boy had been told by his Science teacher to make an instrument involving specific measurements and the number eight. Well, the idea moved around in the mind of the boy for a few days, changing...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Food Drive? Updated: 2011-05-18 04:00:00 Description: What does a food drive mean? It's nothing to do with driving a car, that's for sure. You could also have a clothes drive, or a drive of something else. It is a call for donations, to put it simply. I received a plastic bag in the mail, placed there b...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD No podcast today. Updated: 2011-05-17 06:07:44 Description: Hello everyone, no podcast today, I'm afraid. For a few days I have a lot of appointments lined up. So, I will podcast again on Wednesday. I'll let you know what I've been up to then....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An up-to-date Morris Park. Updated: 2011-05-16 04:00:00 Description: Morris Park is loved by many people in Wenatchee. It is a little league baseball park that has been around for more than forty years. Up until recently, it was in desperate need of repair and renovation. There were electrical problems, no heating or ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Native American Sculptures. Updated: 2011-05-13 04:41:00 Description: Art seems to be a very personal thing, as far as what a person does and doesn't like. You must have found that, at some point in time, you have been in a place where all of a sudden you come across a piece of art that you absolutely love. That happen...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Hole in Facebook. Updated: 2011-05-12 04:02:00 Description: You know, I'm getting better at learning about technology. I wouldn't say that I am totally ignorant about social media, but neither am I an expert. At least now I have a Twitter button on my blog page, in case anyone likes a blog and wants to send a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Clouds Over Quincy. Updated: 2011-05-10 04:00:00 Description: Clouds Over Quincy. We drove home Saturday evening from a town called Moses Lake after watching baseball games all day. The boys were tired and we were quiet in the car, looking forward to being at home and out of the wind and cold. It had been...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Living Museum. Updated: 2011-05-09 04:00:00 Description: I received an email a couple of weeks ago from the part-time school that my oldest son attends. It was a reminder about a special evening presentation that they were going to have, 'a living museum'. At first, I actually ignored the email because I a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Doll's House. Updated: 2011-05-06 04:00:00 Description: There's something in my daughter's bedroom that takes center stage when her friends come around to play. It's her doll's house. It's a typical girls' toy, but one of the best and most interesting. She got it as a birthday present a couple of yea...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Championship Game. Updated: 2011-05-03 04:00:00 Description: It was a perfect Sunday. We had two games, one at eleven and one at three. We didn't have to worry about the wind coming down from the mountains today because the weather was calm. Sunscreen would have benefitted a lot of people who, by the end of th...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes: The Tool Shed. Updated: 2011-05-02 14:12:00 Description: A Tour of Homes: The Tool Shed. For the first time in about six months, I creaked open the tool shed that is at the bottom of our garden. Yesterday happened to be a beautiful Spring day, so I couldn't avoid getting into the garden. Everything is gre...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Batting practice. Updated: 2011-04-29 04:43:00 Description: Once a week, as part of his practice schedule, my son Cass has batting practice for baseball. It takes place in a sports complex called Sportsplex. The building actually used to be an ice skating rink, but has been converted into a place where you ca...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A rocket launch. Updated: 2011-04-28 04:00:00 Description: It was a windy, sunny day. You certainly needed to have a jacket on, as the wind was blowing down from the snow-capped hills. The crowd had gathered in the park, as scheduled. Everyone was excited, and waiting for the teacher to appear. A few passers...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A bleating baby. Updated: 2011-04-22 15:04:00 Description: Those of you who follow my podcast probably remember that I live in a rural area. Our house is located towards the outskirts of a small community. Our neighbors tend to have lots of trees, vegetable gardens, and animals. Across the road from us is a ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Borrowing and returning. Updated: 2011-04-21 04:00:00 Description: Every now and then, I make a trip to the local library, sometimes by myself, and sometimes with my children. I love the quiet that you can experience there. It also reminds me of the fact that there is always something that you can learn; there is al...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Questions tags. Updated: 2011-04-20 04:00:00 Description: As you study English, you will become familiar with question tags. A tag is a little something that is added on, just like the tag on your shirt that tells you the size and type of material. We use question tags all the time in English to add a brief...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Cougar in Town! Updated: 2011-04-19 04:00:00 Description: The local news the other day was just the kind of news that I don't want to hear. A cougar had wandered down from the nearby mountains and was found in a residential area of town. Now, I know that we live in an area that is close to wilderness. You d...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Stereotypes. Updated: 2011-04-18 06:14:00 Description: Have you ever wondered what a stereotype is, and why we have them? Do you, culturally, have certain stereotypes about certain people? Of course, all countries do. I'm sure that, in the past, I have judged people according to stereotypes I had learned...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Oh, so you don't like phonics? Updated: 2011-04-15 04:45:00 Description: Hands up any of you who don't like English phonics. I can't see your hands, but it certainly sounded like a lot of them went up. Do you think English phonics are a pain? Well, do you know what I think? I agree with you; they are a pain. Believe me, a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A new career in the making. Updated: 2011-04-14 04:00:00 Description: Confidence, it seems, can get you a long way in life. Confidence around other people can actually make those around you feel comfortable. I'm talking about the kind of confidence that lets you just be yourself; you don't have to prove anything or imp...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Manicure Fanatic. Updated: 2011-04-13 04:00:00 Description: My daughter is obsessed with fashion. She is only six, and it comes as a surprize to me that she is so fashion conscious. She is not so concerned with the seasons' colors or styles, but she does like to know the 'pop' fashion. I think it comes from h...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Norman Conqueror at the bank. Updated: 2011-04-12 04:00:00 Description: You see the strangest people in the most unlikely places sometimes. I was at the bank the other day, making a deposit, when I heard a, "Clomp, clomp, clomp" to my side. I turned to look at the person next to me, and standing there was a Norman soldie...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Commercial for Crunch Pak. Updated: 2011-04-11 04:00:00 Description: My sister-in-law called me the other day and asked me if two of my children would be interested in taking part in a commercial. "I think so," I replied. I thought that it would be an exciting, new experience for them. One girl and one boy were needed...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Convenience food. Updated: 2011-04-08 04:00:00 Description: Oh, what will I make for dinner? There's nothing for dessert; what could I quickly make? It's a real pain when the evening has already begun, and my plans for dinner have been delayed for whatever reason. When that happens, I look around in the fridg...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Build those muscles. Updated: 2011-04-07 04:00:00 Description: The other day, when I stopped to get some free firewood, I realized that I'm not as strong as I would like to be. The owner of the tree that was chopped down, had left huge chunks of wood to be taken away. But, when I say that they were huge, I mean ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Oh the olives! Updated: 2011-04-06 04:00:00 Description: On my recent trip to Nice, I was fortunate enough to go to an open market. Oh, the colors and smells were fantastic. I strolled around just taking everything in. It was February, but the weather was wonderful. It was very sunny, and you only needed t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The cost of teeth is rising. Updated: 2011-04-05 04:00:00 Description: We've had teeth all over the house recently. My children just happen to be at the ages where they are all losing teeth. For my oldest boys, it's no longer a novelty. They have gaps here and there where teeth are growing in. And the contrast between t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Starbucks Revolution. Updated: 2011-04-04 04:00:00 Description: "Hello, we have a special triple grande caramel mocha with whipped cream for only three ninety-nine. Can I take your order?" That's the kind of information-loaded question that you get asked when you pull up to a Starbucks drive-thru. Just as you are...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD I'm on Facebook. Updated: 2011-04-01 04:35:00 Description: Well, everyone, I've taken the plunge and joined Facebook. I signed up months ago, but didn't really start communicating properly with people until a couple of days ago. You can find me under, believe it or not, Acupof English. I had to put in A...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A shell from Hawaii. Updated: 2011-03-31 04:00:00 Description: I have something pretty that sits on my windowsill in my kitchen. It's a shell from Hawaii. I'm not sure what kind of shell it is, or what it is called, but it certainly is something that I love to look at. My mother brought it back from her recent t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Guinness. Updated: 2011-03-30 04:00:00 Description: Ah Guinness! We have lots of it in our house at the moment. My brother loves it. I'm not unfamiliar with it either. Back in London, I used to drink it mixed with 7Up. I found it too bitter to drink neat. If you've never tried it, you should. It is a ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Oh, you filthy princess! Updated: 2011-03-29 04:00:00 Description: Oh, you filthy princess. I'm afraid that I'm going to talk about one of my dogs. The reason for my apologetic tone is that some dog lovers go on and on about their animals, and often the people listening have no interest in their little beastie...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A blasting experiment. Updated: 2011-03-28 04:00:00 Description: It's always fun when my brother comes to visit from New Zealand. Because he is a math and science teacher, he often thinks of interesting things to do that fascinate the children. When he heard that one of my sons does experiments in the kitchen for ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Crocuses: a first sign of Spring! Updated: 2011-03-24 17:21:00 Description: The official first day of Spring came and went on 20th of the month. We've had a few very spring-like days, but usually the next day, it has returned to wintry weather. That's okay, though. There are signs that Spring is on its way. The birds are beg...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Firewood for free. Updated: 2011-03-23 04:00:00 Description: I was driving down the road the other day, to go to Walmart, when I saw something that really caught my eye. On the left hand side of the road, infront of a house, a huge tree had been cut down. It was so big that it took up all of the house owner's ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD I'm back, with details of a yucky cold. Updated: 2011-03-22 04:00:00 Description: I'm sorry that I missed a couple of podcasts last week; I was really sick. When I spoke to you last, I was beginning to lose my voice and feel achy with a sore throat. I assumed, however, that with some good food, and a good night's rest, that I woul...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Mythology looking at me. Updated: 2011-03-15 04:08:00 Description: Mythology seems to be all the rage these days. There have been films released recently, like 'Percy Jackson and the lightening thief', and 'Clash of the Titans', that have had a lot of people talking about mythology and what it means to us today. Oth...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Cross Sport Training. Updated: 2011-03-10 06:42:00 Description: Cross Sport Training. You know, being a mother is an interesting job. I sit back sometimes and consider the influence that I have over my children; it's quite a responsibility. My likes and dislikes are obviously reflected in how I run the home...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hot pasties. Updated: 2011-03-09 22:30:00 Description: Hot Pasties. If you've never had a pasty, you've never lived. That means that eating one is an experience you must have because they are so good. I actually haven't had a pasty for years and years, though I did eat them up until I was a late te...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Stars on ice. Updated: 2011-03-08 19:03:00 Description: Stars on ice. I have never really been much of an ice skater. When I was a teenager, I would go indoor skating with friends, mainly to have a good laugh. When people are wobbling and falling down on a regular basis, it can be amusing! My friend...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Alps from the plane. Updated: 2011-03-02 05:00:00 Description: The Alps from the plane. Many of you have seen some part of the Alps, I suppose. They're spectacular, aren't they? I saw a small part of them recently from a plane. I was traveling from the south of France up to Germany. Luckily, I was si...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The York Minster. Updated: 2011-03-01 05:00:00 Description: The York Minster. I couldn't visit York Minster without telling you about it. What is a minster? It's the name of a major cathedral that used to be associated with a monastery, and considered the most important building representing the church ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Vienna by chance. Updated: 2011-02-23 05:00:00 Description: Vienna by chance. Have you ever been to Vienna? I was lucky enough to get there by chance during my trip to Europe. How can anyone go to Vienna by chance? Any person with a brain would go there deliberately, right? Well, because I didn't have a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Breakfast in Nice. Updated: 2011-02-22 05:00:00 Description: A double treat for me during my week's vacation, was to visit my dear friend, Lorraine, in Nice. I hadn't seen her for eleven years, which, of course is far too long. But, as you probably know, when you get together with a great friend, even if you h...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Free hugs in London. Updated: 2011-02-16 05:00:00 Description: Hello everyone. I'm so pleased to be back, podcasting to you again after my week of fun in Europe.I have lots to tell, as you can imagine. I saw some amazing places on my trip, and had a very meaningful and inspirational time. So, where should I star...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD I'm off to Europe, so no podcasts this week. Updated: 2011-02-07 05:00:00 Description: Hello everyone, just a quick note to let you know that there will not be any podcasts this week, as I am going to visit friends and family in Germany, France, and England. I will have lots to tell when I get back. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Sixth Grade Experiment. Updated: 2011-02-03 05:00:00 Description: Before I start today's podcast, I would like to mention a little something about the title of yesterday's podcast. One of my listeners, called Bahareh, asked me to explain the expression Super Duper Slither Scooter. First of all, the scooter is just ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Super Duper Slither Scooter. Updated: 2011-02-02 05:00:00 Description: It's time to rock and roll. Glide, wobble, balance, and slither. Let's try something new to get ourselves moving. Did you know that the part of the brain that deals with balance, also deals with focus? Isn't that interesting. An educational spec...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Entertainment at half time. Updated: 2011-02-01 05:00:00 Description: Entertainment at half-time is a big deal over here. Whenever you go to a college level or professional level sporting event, there is entertainment half way through the game. I saw some interesting half-time performances the other day in Spokane. My ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Reptile Man. Updated: 2011-01-28 05:00:00 Description: On Wednesday, the Reptile Man came to visit my kids' elementary school. It is a very worthwhile show to watch. The owner of the Reptile Man business, and the Washington Serpentarium is Scott Peterson. You could say that he is an advocate for reptiles...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Progress at Walmart. Updated: 2011-01-26 05:00:00 Description: I'm so used to going to Walmart, that I could probably get there with my eyes closed. It's two blocks away from our house, so it's the perfect place for a quick shop stop. There have been renovations going on there for several months now. It started ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A nocturnal visit by deer. Updated: 2011-01-25 05:00:00 Description: Wow! What a shot! I have been hoping to get a photo or a video of deer to show all of you. This time of year is crazy with the deer coming down from the nearby mountains. They are all over the place, and obviously very comfortable in town. I thi...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Shooting skeet. Updated: 2011-01-20 05:00:00 Description: Have you heard of skeet shooting, or perhaps clay pigeon shooting? Well, we are beginning to do it. Having been inspired by his grandfather in Scotland, my son Cass caught the bug. Doing it once when we went to stay with my father last summer j...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Stuck in traffic. Updated: 2011-01-19 05:00:00 Description: I hope that this never happens to you. You're driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly your car stops. It could be because of engine trouble, or because of something in the road that is preventing the car from moving. I spotted this po...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Black and white snow. Updated: 2011-01-18 05:00:00 Description: It's a strange sight. You get so used to seeing the lovely clean snow falling, and getting piled up on the side of the road. But then, all of a sudden, it seems, that beautiful stuff has turned ugly. I was driving to the shops the other day, when I d...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD After school. Updated: 2011-01-13 05:00:00 Description: One part of my daily routine during the week is to pick up the kids from school. I'm sure that a lot of you listening now probably do the same thing. Thankfully, I live very close to the school where three of my children go. It's literally a three mi...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Wok with me. Updated: 2011-01-12 05:00:00 Description: Do you ever fancy eating something really fresh? Something savory, healthy, and tasty? I'm so thankful that there is a place in town where we can get food that is just like that. It's a restaurant called the Wok-About-Grill. It is a play on words. Yo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A new camcorder. Updated: 2011-01-11 05:00:00 Description: Well, it was about time that I got myself a camcorder, a decent one. I have been meaning to for a long time. The app that I have has bonus content which can either be an extra audio file, or a video. Until now, I have not really offered this bonus ma...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD How much for postage? Updated: 2011-01-06 05:00:00 Description: Today, I found in my bag forty stamps that I had bought around Christmas time, and not used. I had bought them for mailing Christmas cards, but this year, for some odd reason, I didn't mail out any cards at all. I usually do. I must have just c...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD How do they do that? Updated: 2011-01-05 05:00:00 Description: Have you ever come across anything that someone has done that has made you wonder how on earth they had managed to do it? I've often wondered about how on earth window washers manage to clean the windows of high rise buildings, or how traffic control...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hold on while you sled! Updated: 2011-01-04 05:00:00 Description: Have you ever been sledding? In places where it is snowy, I think it is a great thing to do. In a way it is as good as, or even better than skiing; I'll tell you why. First of all, you don't need any skill at all to sled. Secondly, if it is speed tha...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Choose a treat. Updated: 2010-12-31 05:00:00 Description: It's great to be back podcasting to you again. I had a lovely Christmas break with my family, and now have plenty to podcast about. I actually have had a problem of no internet connection for about four days which has been very frustrating. When that...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Look at the details! Updated: 2010-12-22 05:00:00 Description: About nine years ago, I had some incredible luck in a local charity shop. It was coming up to Christmas, and I had gone to Goodwill to look around at all the second hand decorations, ornaments, and housewares. As I wandered up and down the aisle, tak...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Back and forth. Updated: 2010-12-21 05:00:00 Description: I have missed a couple of podcasts this week, oops! So here is the first of the two, a little late. My reason for writing this podcast late is that I've been spending time researching my options, as far as the education of my two youngest. They are i...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Local rivals. Updated: 2010-12-14 05:00:00 Description: We spent a noisy night on Saturday at the local arena. We had tickets to go and see a basketball match between the two big local rivals, Wenatchee and Eastmont. We were lucky enough to have box seats, so we were up high with a good view. We took all ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Gingerbread houses. Updated: 2010-12-09 05:00:00 Description: Aren't holiday traditions great! I'm always fascinated by the many ways that people of different cultures celebrate special times. We use symbols, songs, colors, food, actions, religious rituals, and get togethers to express our humanity. And we all ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Baked apples. Updated: 2010-12-08 05:00:00 Description: A recipe I have been making recently that happens to be very easy is baked apples. What could be nicer than hot, cinnamony apples, oozing with deliciousness, and making the whole house smell great? I have recently discovered an apple that has become ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Very early practice. Updated: 2010-12-07 05:00:00 Description: When you have a hobby, and you want to improve your skills, you have to practice. There is no substitute for practice. Those of you who come from disciplined nations will know all about this. In the Western world, I think, dedicating ourselves to lon...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Get the setting right. Updated: 2010-12-02 05:00:00 Description: It was only this evening, after a busy day, that I realised that my phone had not rung all day. That is unusual. I checked my messages, and there were twelve! How come I hadn't heard the phone ring? I checked the setting, and it said 'silent'. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD It's here early! Updated: 2010-12-01 05:00:00 Description: If you have the blog or the app of A Cup Of English handy, you will see from the photo or the video clip just what the 'it' is. Yes, the snow. Last year, we hardly had any at Christmas, and not even a hint of it at Thanksgiving. This year is ver...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Do I make you nervous? Updated: 2010-11-30 05:00:00 Description: I have recently been conducting interviews with people in town who have businesses. Why? Because I am beginning to build a website of interviews and dialogues. I hope to launch it before Christmas;....let's see if I can get it ready in time. It sound...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD No podcast until Tuesday. Updated: 2010-11-24 14:47:31 Description: Hello everyone. I'm afraid there won't be a podcast today as I am really busy with preparations for Thanksgiving. There's a lot to do, as I am hosting the holiday meal at my house for a lot of people. So, catch up with me next time!...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bingo. Updated: 2010-11-23 05:00:00 Description: This past Friday night, I was settling in for the evening, when my youngest son said, "Mum, can we go to the family bingo night at school?" I groaned inside, not wanting to go anywhere. I had received an automated voice message from the school a few ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Little dragons. Updated: 2010-11-18 05:00:00 Description: My energetic daughter has been begging me to take her to karate classes. She had already enrolled in gymnastics, and our rule is to do only one after-school activity each season, so I decided to only look into it, and not agree or commit myself to ta...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bilingual night. Updated: 2010-11-17 05:00:00 Description: One of the things that I had on the calendar this month was the bilingual night at my children's school. It is held a few times a year, to inform parents about progress being made with the school's dual language program. Tonight was the first meeting...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An eye for light. Updated: 2010-11-16 05:00:00 Description: As we move into the middle of November, the countryside seems to be changing every day. The colorful leaves that decorate the whole valley are beginning to fall, and preparations are being made for the long, cold winter. I am trying to go for wa...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A stack for winter. Updated: 2010-11-11 05:00:00 Description: We used to have a large pine tree in our front garden. It was a very tall, old one. It was planted about thirty years ago, but last year, we decided to cut it down. I wouldn't normally agree to chop down a tree, but this one was yucky. Half...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Oksana, Daniel, and Russel. Updated: 2010-11-10 05:00:00 Description: My good friend Nataliya called me a few days ago, and invited me to a concert at a local church. "There is a very good Russian pianist, Oksana Ezhokina, you might have heard of her." I vaguely remembered the name. She has performed a few times in Wen...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Expanding Walmart. Updated: 2010-11-09 05:00:00 Description: For a while now, there has been a lot of construction going on at our local Walmart. I am a frequent shopper there, as it is only a couple of blocks from my house. Walmart is expanding. After a few years of doing tremendous business here, the owners ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Quite a social calendar. Updated: 2010-11-04 04:00:00 Description: Do you use calendars very much? I do. Without them, I'm sure I would forget a lot of appointments. I have a calendar conveniently placed in my kitchen, just above where I do my podcasts. I have a collection of other important things on this 'mini-des...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Screen savers. Updated: 2010-11-03 04:00:00 Description: The other day I went for a walk in the park with a friend of mine. We don't see eachother very much because she is busy taking a nursing degree, so it was a treat to spend some time together. The day couldn't have been any nicer. It was a cool but ve...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Divide and conquer candies. Updated: 2010-11-02 16:00:00 Description: Well, Halloween came and went as it does every year, leaving a house full of sweets! We had a lot of fun yesterday. I told my children that I wasn't going to buy them costumes this year. They had to find bits and pieces around the house and make do. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Friendly or scary? Updated: 2010-10-27 04:00:00 Description: As I drive around town, I find myself saying the occasional "oooo!", "ahhh!", or "oh?!" Do you know why? There are Halloween decorations all over the place, and they make a real impression. There seem to be two approaches to decorating for Halloween:...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Sharp is good. Updated: 2010-10-24 04:00:00 Description: It's funny how ordinary items or actions can show your knowledge of a language. Sometimes when I do something, or say something, I ask myself the question, "Could I say that in Spanish or French?" Your question would probably be, "Could I say that in...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Make a difference day, October 23. Updated: 2010-10-21 04:00:00 Description: I received a flyer in the mail the other day. It rang a bell; I had seen something like it in previous years. It was the annual Make a Difference Day information sheet. From the title, you can tell that it is about getting involved in the community a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Time's running out for turkeys. Updated: 2010-10-19 05:00:00 Description: Are turkeys a part of your culture? They are over here in the U.S. You have probably heard about the Thanksgiving turkey. Did you know that the tradition of celebrating by eating a turkey started with the Native American Indians? It was the Wampanoag...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Smallwood's tradition. Updated: 2010-10-15 04:00:00 Description: Every year, either in the summer, or around October, we make a trip to Smallwood's Farm. It is a family-run farm with a petting zoo. All of the produce grown on the farm is sold directly to the public. Through the years, it has grown from a small att...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bras on the bridge. Updated: 2010-10-14 04:00:00 Description: The photo on today's blog is one of the most unusual I have taken since I started A Cup Of English. Bras on a bridge.....um.....it makes you think. It's symbolic, of course. There are so many of them, each being unique. They represent the women who h...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Ten, ten, ten. Updated: 2010-10-11 04:00:00 Description: I realized today, that yesterday's date was special: 10/10/10. It was October 10th, 2010. I had been too busy over the weekend to stop and realize the curious and interesting date. While I was chatting to my sister-in-law today, she mentioned that sh...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD No podcasts for a few days. Updated: 2010-10-08 02:23:16 Description: Sorry everyone, there are no podcasts for a few days as I will be busy in one of the local schools. But, don't worry, I will resume normal podcasting after this week. So, keep up with the English, and have a great weekend. Anna....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A kindergarten tree walk. Updated: 2010-10-05 04:00:00 Description: Kindergarten is proving to be quite a fun place for my daughter. They went on their first field trip the other day; it was a 'tree walk'. They have been studying trees: how they grow, and how they change with the seasons, so a tree walk was the perfe...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A patriot. Updated: 2010-10-04 04:00:00 Description: Yesterday, there was a knock at the door. "Mum, there's some guy at the door," said my son, letting me know that he didn't feel like opening the door. I had just woken up from a nap. So, still feeling drowsy, I unlocked and opened the front door. I e...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Red sky at night. Updated: 2010-10-01 04:00:00 Description: As I walked outside yesterday to throw the garbage in the dumpster, the evening sky caught my eye. There was a spread of small clouds that were lit up by the sun, beautiful and pink. An English saying came to mind: Red sky at night, shepherd's deligh...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An eye exam. Updated: 2010-09-29 04:00:00 Description: At this time of year, the schools have tests of all kinds for the children. Reading and writing tests, math skills tests, and tomorrow, there will be hearing and vision tests for the whole school. If you think about it, the two last mentioned tests a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The colors of Galloway. Updated: 2010-09-28 14:13:00 Description: One of the places we stayed this summer was Whithorn, Scotland, where my father lives. It is one of many picturesque towns in Galloway. Whithorn happens to be very famous; it is considered possibly Scotland's first town. It is the starting point of C...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Creetown gem rock museum. Updated: 2010-09-27 04:00:00 Description: During the summer vacation, I took my children to visit the Creetown gem rock museum, in Scotland. It is highly recommended, as it is the leading independent gem rock museum in the whole of the UK. We travelled about fourty five minutes to get there,...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD In search of swords. Updated: 2010-09-22 04:00:00 Description: Have you ever been roped into a project that you didn't plan, or necessarily want? To be roped into something, is to be caught up, or carried along by someone else's idea. It's like being involved because you are forced to, or you feel obliged. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Decorate and beautify. Updated: 2010-09-21 04:00:00 Description: The other day, when I went to lunch with my mum, I noticed that the restaurant was decorated in an autumn theme. It was beautifully done. The owner, or someone who works in that restaurant, must have gone to the local arts and crafts store to get the...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A stowaway praying mantis. Updated: 2010-09-20 04:00:00 Description: Those of you who listen to my podcast on a regular basis, know that one of my hobbies is gardening. Whenever I have a free moment, I'm out there planting, weeding, or sowing seeds. It is September now, and the season for growing is just about over. T...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Lunch at the Wild Huckleberry. Updated: 2010-09-19 04:00:00 Description: I called my mother the other day and arranged for us to meet up for lunch. She had been in Spain for two weeks, and had just returned. We had a lot to talk about, and I was really looking forward to seeing her. But, where would we meet up? There...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A growing garden. Updated: 2010-09-14 15:57:00 Description: One thing that I do in the morning, is to drive my children to school. It doesn't take very long, perhaps five minutes. Parents can pull up into a parking area that is near the school playing field to drop their kids off. Something caught my eye, the...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD How small do they get? Updated: 2010-09-13 04:00:00 Description: Over the weekend, one of my sons had a couple of baseball games in a local park. It's that season again! It was actually a perfect day for the sport as well; it was sunny but cool. There were lots of people sitting and watching the event. In fact, th...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Woosh and splash. Updated: 2010-09-09 04:00:00 Description: One of the things that we enjoyed most about our vacation this Summer was the beach. I've always been an inland person; I love forests and mountains. However, this Summer we were in very beachy places. It was the first time that I had been on the Cos...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Unpack those bags! Updated: 2010-09-07 04:00:00 Description: Hello everyone, and welcome back to A Cup Of English. I'm very excited to start this season of podcasts; I have a lot to tell. I have been away, with my family, travelling around Europe, visiting family, for about 6 weeks. We had a great time, but no...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Rikki-tikki-tavi part 3. Updated: 2010-08-27 04:00:00 Description: Rikki-tikki-tavi part 3. "Oh no," exclaimed Darzee so the snake could hear, "my wing is broken and I can't fly." The bird just needed to get the snake away from her eggs. The bird fluttered down the garden path and Nagaina followed closely....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Rikki-tikki-tavi part 2. Updated: 2010-08-25 04:00:00 Description: Rikki-tikki-tavi part 2. "Who is Nag? I am Nag. My family has ruled this garden for thousands of years. Look at me and be afraid." Rikki-tikki was scared for only a minute. He knew that as a mongoose, he was supposed to fight snakes. Nag kn...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. Updated: 2010-08-23 04:00:00 Description: This tale is of a brave mongoose, named Rikki-tikki-tavi, and his great fight to help a family that saved him. It all took place in the far-off land of India. It began on the first sunny day after many days of darkenss and rain. A young English boy,...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Saint George and the Dragon part 3. Updated: 2010-08-13 04:00:00 Description: Saint George and the Dragon (part 3). The smell as they approached the dragon's den was horrible. George and the princess put George's shield near the sleeping dragon's head to protect themselves from the dragon's fiery snores. They watched the...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Saint George and the Dragon part 2. Updated: 2010-08-11 04:00:00 Description: Saint George and the Dragon (part 2). "I am Princess Sabra," she said. "Come with me." They tiptoed through what was once a deep, green forest. Sabra explained why the kingdom lived in such fear. A fearful dragon had lived in the kigdom for many...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD George and the Dragon. Updated: 2010-08-09 04:00:00 Description: Saint George and the Dragon (part 1). This is the tale of Saint George and the dragon.Iit has been told for over 15 centuries. It takes place during a time called the Dark Ages, when kings ruled the land, wizzards cast spells, and monste...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Thumbelina part 3. Updated: 2010-08-06 04:00:00 Description: Thumbelina (part 3). Thumbelina told the field mouse of the horrible frog who took her away from her home. She told her how much she couldn't wait to get back to her mother and her garden. The field mouse invited Thumbelina to stay with her...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Thumbelina part 2. Updated: 2010-08-04 04:00:00 Description: Thumbelina (part 2). The frog watched and waited until Thumbelina's mother went inside the cottage to get a cup of lemonade for Thumbelina. Then the frog jumped out from behind the reeds where he had been hiding and captured Thumbelina. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Thumbelina. Updated: 2010-08-02 04:00:00 Description: Thumbelina. There was once a woman who lived in a tiny cottage which had a beautiful garden. She was very happy tending her garden, but over time she became sad. She had no children who could share her garden with her. She decided to ask t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Ali Baba 3. Updated: 2010-07-30 04:00:00 Description: Ali Baba part 3. In the yard, the Captain whispered to his men, "Wait until you hear my signal. Then leave your barrels and storm the house." Morgiana helped Ali Baba's family feed their guest. She thought it strange that a man would arrive...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Ali Baba part 2. Updated: 2010-07-28 04:00:00 Description: Ali Baba part 2. By now, Ali Baba had opened the shop which he had always dreamed about. He was a fair and generous shop owner. He was happy, his family had plenty, and every neighbor was his friend. Ali Baba hired a helper named Morgiana. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Ali Baba Updated: 2010-07-26 04:00:00 Description: Ali Baba. In a town in Persia there lived a man called Ali Baba. He was a poor woodcutter, and he struggled each day to feed his wife and children. All he ever wanted was to own a shop in the town, sell goods to his neighbors, and have plenty...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Golden Goose part 3. Updated: 2010-07-23 04:00:00 Description: The Golden Goose (part 3). The minister saw the odd procession and cried out at the three sisters, "Have you no shame, girls? Why are you running after the boy? It's just not right!" He tried to pull the youngest girl away. Suddenly, he fel...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Golden Goose part 2. Updated: 2010-07-21 04:00:00 Description: The Golden Goose (part 2). When Samuel reached for their snack, he found a magnificent sweet cake and a large bottle of cider for them to share. "My, look at this," said Samuel. "I am glad I have much more than stale bread...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Golden Goose. Updated: 2010-07-19 04:00:00 Description: The Golden Goose (part 1). There once was a gentle boy called Samuel. He lived at the edge of the forest with his parents and two older brothers. His family often treated him poorly. They didn't know that he was capable of much greater things, u...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD No podcasts this week! Updated: 2010-07-19 04:00:00 Description: Hello everyone, just to let you know, there will be no podcasts this week, but I will continue our readings the following week. Keep up with your English! ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The City Mouse and the Country Mouse part 3. Updated: 2010-07-16 04:00:00 Description: The City Mouse and the Country Mouse (part 3). Alistair led Oliver through the dining room. They hid behind potted plants and raced under tablecloths. They waited until the chef went to check something in the dining room, then they scam...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The City Mouse and the Country Mouse part 2. Updated: 2010-07-14 04:00:00 Description: The City Mouse and the Country Mouse (part 2). Oliver gathered acorns and stacked them near his hole. Then he collected seeds from the grass and carried them into the hole. Then he went to the cornfield to find fallen corn. While Oliver was...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The City Mouse and the Country Mouse. Updated: 2010-07-12 04:00:00 Description: The City Mouse and the Country Mouse (part 1). Once upon a time, a country mouse named Oliver lived in a hole under the root of a big, old oak tree. Oliver loved the sound of squirrels chattering during the day and crickets chirping at nigh...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A check-up at the dentist. Updated: 2010-07-06 18:16:00 Description: A check-up at the dentist. Summer time is check-up time for the kids. When school is out, it's convenient to take them to their various appointments with doctors or dentists. Now, believe it or not, dental check-ups are quite exciting for m...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD What a slacker! Updated: 2010-07-02 00:00:00 Description: What a slacker! Hello there podlisteners. I hope your Summer is going really well so far. I realise that I have 'slacked off' this week when it comes to podcasting. The Summer bug has bitten me, and I have been having too much fun to sit do...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Summer schedule for A Cup Of English. Updated: 2010-06-22 00:00:00 Description: Hi everyone, just to let you know that the schedule for A Cup Of English is changing for the Summer. Life gets a little crazy around our house during this season, with the four kids being at home, and all of them being involved in different activitie...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Where, oh where can they be? Updated: 2010-06-21 00:00:00 Description: Where, oh where can they be? Have you ever lost something, and looked and looked for it? I've been doing that lately. My oldest son had a PSP and an iPod touch. I say had, because he doesn't have them anymore. They have disappeared, vanished, evapora...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A month before we fly. Updated: 2010-06-17 00:00:00 Description: A month before we fly. Today, I went to the awards ceremony at my children's school. It was for the fourth and fifth graders who have made great improvements during the year. It was also to give the fifth graders a good send-off, because they will b...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Real age. Updated: 2010-06-16 00:00:00 Description: I was on Facebook today, updating comments to friends and family, when I came across a health test that I chose to take. It is called the 'Real age' test that many people have seen on Oprah. Well, I haven't seen Oprah in years, but I did want to fin...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Perfume in the air. Updated: 2010-06-15 00:00:00 Description: Something has been happening recently that pleases me a lot. My newly planted roses have been flowering. For some reason I didn't expect them to make such a show this year, with them being new. My entryway project has continued, and I ended up plant...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A badly broken arm. Updated: 2010-06-11 00:00:00 Description: A badly broken arm.It was championship night on Monday. My son Cass and his team were through to the baseball finals. They had worked hard all season, and were about to face an equally good team. It was going to be the Blacks against the Greens. The...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD DSI to cook. Updated: 2010-06-10 00:00:00 Description: It is very fashionable here for kids to have portable computer devices. My boys have Psps and Dsis. Their peers all have them, and, therefore, they expect at some stage to get them. The advertising on television doesn't help, as far as being a parent...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Stocking up for the Winter. Updated: 2010-06-09 03:44:00 Description: Stocking up for Winter. The bell rang today while I was tidying up after dinner. I wondered who it could be at eight o'clock at night. As I approached the door, the bell started ringing very fast, which made me guess that it was one of my chi...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The value of water. Updated: 2010-06-08 00:00:00 Description: The value of water. I don't know if any of you are into photography or not, but it is becoming a passion of mine. I have a cheapo digital camera, but it serves me well. I find myself feeling lost without it. I try to take it with me wherever ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A weekend ride. Updated: 2010-06-07 00:00:00 Description: What do you do at the weekends? Do you do anything special to let off steam or to get inspired? I suppose it depends where you live and what is available. After a hard week's work, it is nice sometimes to not do anything. If you look around, though,...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Time for track. Updated: 2010-06-04 00:00:00 Description: “The track meet will be postponed until tomorrow,” said a recorded message on the phone, for the second time. The end of the school year is the time for track and field events for all elementary schools. Recently, however, the weather has not be...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Climb to the sky. Updated: 2010-06-03 00:00:00 Description: Every two weeks, on Wednesdays I meet up with a friend of mine, and go for a walk in the park. Today was that day, and though it was really rainy, we had a nice time walking and chatting. I took my camera just in case a photo opportunity presented i...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Sock soup. Updated: 2010-06-02 00:00:00 Description: Muddy, brown water. A couple of wiffle balls. An old, dirty snowman toy. A plastic Dora the Explora figure that has been buried in the earth for over a year. Add to these things a stinky sock and a few sticks, and you have the perfect recipe for 'so...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Back health. Updated: 2010-06-01 00:00:00 Description: A few weeks ago, while my oldest son was having a check-up with the pediatrician, I collected several pamphlets from the clinic's reading area. I thought perhaps I could learn something while I waited. One of the pamphlets was about back health, som...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Ant invasion. Updated: 2010-05-31 00:00:00 Description: Have you ever walked into your kitchen first thing in the morning and found that little, tiny strangers have moved in? And not only have strangers moved in, but there are hundreds of them, and they are eating your food. Ants. Ants. Where do they com...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD AZ's cafe. Updated: 2010-05-28 00:00:00 Description: AZ's cafe. I was running errands today, when I spotted a new business in town. At the bottom of a three story building, in the basement area, a cafe has opened this week. I noticed it because there are some colorful flags flying in the outsid...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Beautiful anemones. Updated: 2010-05-27 00:00:00 Description: Beautiful anemones. The entryway of our house is finally beginning to look pretty. I have recently transplanted plants from other areas of our garden to the walkway that leads up to our house. After choosing a tree to shade the area, I though...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Germ busters. Updated: 2010-05-25 00:00:00 Description: In the kitchen yesterday, I was considering all of the language that we are exposed to around the house. Containers of food and cleaning fluids can all teach us a lot of a new language. Even some small appliances often have instructions of some kind...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Woof, woof no more. Updated: 2010-05-24 00:00:00 Description: I have great neighbors. They are friendly, I trust them, and they are helpful. What more could I ask for in a neighborhood? As a friendly neighbor myself, I do what I can to keep my relationship with the people next door to me a positive one. The ne...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Do it yourself and win $5000. Updated: 2010-05-21 00:00:00 Description: Do-it-yourself is more than a hobby in this town. It is more like a craze. When a job needs to be done around the house, a lot of people will do it themselves, instead of hiring someone else. You don't always need to be an expert to fix a pipe, to p...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD New passports. Updated: 2010-05-20 00:00:00 Description: As I was going to the recycling center today, I passed the postman (or, the mail man in U.S). He was sitting in his cute little mail van, next to the mail boxes where he was inserting all of the letters, cards, and junk mail. I pulled over and asked...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD What's for breakfast? Updated: 2010-05-19 00:00:00 Description: What do you feel like eating in the morning? Are you a breakfast eater, or do you just have a coffee or tea? There are so many things to choose from when it comes to the first meal of the day. Traditionally, in England, we have what is called the 'g...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Fatty, fatty. Updated: 2010-05-18 00:00:00 Description: I heard today that eating nuts helps to lower bad cholesterol. That's good news because I love nuts of all kinds. I always have a stash of almonds and walnuts in the fridge. Apparently, in order to have the full benefits of these nuts, they should b...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Spelling mistakes. Updated: 2010-05-14 00:00:00 Description: I was checking the comments on my blog today, hoping to get some feedback from my lovely podlisteners, when I came across one that was a bit worrying. Huy Mai very kindly complimented my podcast and informed me that I had made a couple of spelling m...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Daily homework. Updated: 2010-05-13 00:00:00 Description: "Did your teacher give you your homework packet?" is a question I ask my children often. Every week they get a set of papers that are stapled together, each paper being either a math sheet or a reading and writing sheet. For the longest time, I coul...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A feather nest. Updated: 2010-05-12 00:00:00 Description: It's time that I bought a new camera. I need a digital that has a decent zoom. I realized that the other day when I was outside, trying to get a good shot of two birds who were nesting. I had been busy throwing the ball to our dogs, when I saw a fla...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Rwanda. Updated: 2010-05-11 00:00:00 Description: Today, I'm going to continue with my series of 'Getting to know our planet' with the country of Rwanda. What do you know about this central african nation? What springs to mind when you hear the name Rwanda? Before I began this study, I didn't know ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Mother's Day Surprise. Updated: 2010-05-10 00:00:00 Description: Sunday, May 9th, it's Mother's day! I don't usually give it much thought, apart from choosing what I should buy for my mother and mother-in-law. I always forget that I will receive presents as well. Mind you, I shouldn't forget. There are plenty of ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Learning how to bike. Updated: 2010-05-07 00:00:00 Description: 'Prevention is better than cure' is a saying that I fully believe in. Similarly, using the correct tools for a job, or wearing the correct protection, is just as smart. I've been thinking about this recently because my little girl has been learning ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Haitian art surprise. Updated: 2010-05-06 00:00:00 Description: Leavenworth is fast becoming my favorite local place to have lunch. I took my mother up there today for a yummy trip to Pav's restaurant as an early Mother's Day gift. It was a perfect day, sunny and cool. Actually, they had had a heavy snowfall a f...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD What's happened to the weather? Updated: 2010-05-05 00:00:00 Description: The weather is one thing, where I live, that is consistent. It is one of the attractions about living here. The tourist information about Wenatchee talks at once about the 300 days of sun each year, and the regular, consistent four seasons: Spring, ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A volcanic project. Updated: 2010-05-04 00:00:00 Description: "Mum, I want to make a volcano," said my son Cass on Sunday morning. "You know, the kind that we can make out of paper," he added. That is an unusual request for a Sunday morning. Papier mache is what he was talking about. I remember making heads an...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Colors at the carnival. Updated: 2010-05-03 00:00:00 Description: These past two weeks have been Apple Blossom here in Wenatchee. It is a springtime celebration that brings in a lot of business to the area, and is great fun. Just around the time that the apple blossoms appear, the setting up of this week begins. W...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The best bargains at Ross. Updated: 2010-04-30 00:00:00 Description: Do you like to shop? I actually do not like to at all. I always find that I am in a hurry, I don't enjoy looking through aisles and aisles of clothes for just one piece that I like, and I get impatient when I have to wait in line. But, one thing mak...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Fire up the barby! Updated: 2010-04-29 00:00:00 Description: Fire up the barby! The good weather is here, minced meat is on sale in the supermarket, and the nights are longer. It's time to clean the outside furniture, put a tablecloth on the table, buy propane for the barbecue, and decide what's for dinner. O...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Spectating at sporting events. Updated: 2010-04-28 00:00:00 Description: Grab your baseball hat or something else that will keep the sun out of your eyes, your sunglasses, a blanket, and a chair that isn't too hard. It's time to be a spectator. It's the season. You'll see these people, parking in the parking lot of a bas...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Starting to read. Updated: 2010-04-27 00:00:00 Description: Helen the hippo is my friend at the moment. My little girl is learning how to read, and Helen is the type of character that is helping her to do so. It has been wonderful and fascinating to see the transition from knowing the alphabet to putting wor...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Fresh day in the sun. Updated: 2010-04-26 00:30:00 Description: "Mummy, can I pet the horses?" said my daughter as we crossed the road to the center of the town of Leavenworth. We had decided to spend a few hours in a nearby town, for a change of scenery. The horses in the road were attached to carts that were w...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Perfect Combination. Updated: 2010-04-23 00:00:00 Description: I did a really unpleasant thing the day before yesterday. It was totally necessary; in fact, it was a service to my family. There is the most delicious yet simple meal that is very traditional around this area, but to make it requires getting your h...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Oh my gosh, the crazy pruning. Updated: 2010-04-22 00:00:00 Description: Just opposite where we live is a cherry orchard. It must be about four or five acres. In the late winter or early spring, the trees get pruned. Excess branches are cut off in order to make the trees more productive. That system works, and is underst...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Furry Salesmen. Updated: 2010-04-21 00:00:00 Description: A strange type of creature has been appearing in Wenatchee recently. Apparently, it comes out when the weather gets nice. It is very tall, furry, and generally has a smile on its face. Unlike most other animals, it likes to be close to people and tr...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Netflix and cable madness. Updated: 2010-04-20 00:00:00 Description: The financial crisis has hit Wenatchee quite hard in the past year or so. Businesses have closed, some people have lost their homes or jobs, or both. Everyone seems to be more careful about spending, and it has become normal to be frugal, or very ca...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Fire and sugar. Updated: 2010-04-19 00:00:00 Description: Ah, Spring is here, and we are back to the normal good weather activities. This weekend, we had a couple of the kids' friends over for a 'sleep-over'. You can probably tell by the name what a sleep-over is: the kids come and play in the evening and ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Oil change at Oil Can Henry's. Updated: 2010-04-16 00:00:00 Description: I got a phone call from my husband the other day, " Hey babe, can you take the car to get the oil changed please? It's overdue." As he works forty-five minutes from town, he rarely has time to run those errands back in Wenatchee, so he gets his secr...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Strength and flexibility. Updated: 2010-04-15 00:00:00 Description: I was just listening to a Swiss podcast about health. The presenters were talking about free radicals and how to fight them. They first of all listed all the situations in life that cause free radicals to be produced in our bodies: emotional and phy...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Memories on the wall. Updated: 2010-04-14 00:00:00 Description: Do you have photos around your house? Perhaps photos of family and friends? I have been in some people's houses where there are photos in every room. The fridge, in the kitchen, is a place where a lot of people place photos of loved ones or fond mem...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bleeding Hearts. Updated: 2010-04-12 00:00:00 Description: I have been making excuses recently, to avoid doing some gardening. I have had pots of plants ready to plant for at least a week. I even put them right on the spots where I intended to plant them, but they sat there for a long time. Every time I hap...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Baseball hot dogs. Updated: 2010-04-09 00:00:00 Description: Baseball season is here, and even though it is chilly, we gather our troops and head off for the baseball field. Everyone who has a child involved in the sport knows that this time of year is very changeable when it comes to the weather. You hav...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Golf Club. Updated: 2010-04-08 20:00:00 Description: The Wenatchee golf club is a place that was introduced to me by my in-laws. For quite a few years now, they have played golf several times a week, and also enjoyed the club's other facilities. I don't golf, or at least not yet, but I have become fam...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A house for the birds. Updated: 2010-04-07 00:00:00 Description: Before I start this podcast, I'd like to let you know that I have corrected a mistake I made on yesterday's podcast about cherry blossoms in Japan. The photo I included was actually of dog wood blossoms. I didn't realise at the time, but I have ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The blossom season. Updated: 2010-04-05 20:58:00 Description: This podcast was inspired by Kimiyo from Japan who recently E-mailed me a photograph of the cherry blossoms on the street where she lives. She told me that, at the moment, the wave of blossoms is moving through Japan, and so she decided to capture it...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Strawberries and cream. Updated: 2010-04-05 00:00:00 Description: Easter Sunday, a day of family, celebration, and fun. Today, after church, my family and I got together with my in-laws in the East Wenatchee Country Club for lunch. The club is actually for golf, but even if you don't golf, you can go to the restaur...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Hotel of Choice. Updated: 2010-04-02 00:00:00 Description: Because it is Spring break, we have arranged a quick get-a-way to Seattle for a couple of days. My husband has been extremely busy at work, and hasn't even had a weekend break for a while, so I decided that it is time for us to 'get out of dodge'. He...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Passport application. Updated: 2010-04-01 00:00:00 Description: I've been getting some things ready for our Summer vacation. The most important thing, for now, is the passports of my two youngest children. My daughter has never had one, but my son has an old one that has already expired. I want to make sure ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes, The Dining Room. Updated: 2010-03-31 00:00:00 Description: It has been some time since we had an episode of The Tour Of Homes, so today we will take a close look at the dining room. It, like the kitchen and lounge, is a focal point of family life. A lot of good things happen here, and it is a place where we ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Earth Hour 2010 Updated: 2010-03-30 04:45:00 Description: Did you witness any of the events of Earth Hour this year? There was a lot more participation this year from around the globe, than last year. 125 countries signed up to turn out some major (majour) lights, and out of those countries, 56 national cap...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Allergy Season. Updated: 2010-03-29 00:00:00 Description: About two weeks ago, I found that my eyes were feeling quite itchy. The feeling lasted all day, and has continued ever since. About one week ago, my nose started running, as if a little water tap had been turned on all of a sudden. No, I'm not sick. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The U.S. Census. Updated: 2010-03-25 00:00:00 Description: "We can't move forward until you mail it back" is the saying on the recent campaign to get everyone to fill in their census form. As required by the constitution, a census has to be conducted every ten years. We have all received the forms in the mai...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Health Care in the USA. Updated: 2010-03-24 00:00:00 Description: Today, President Barack Obama signed into law his medical reform bill. Some people are very excited about this new development, and other people are not. The question of whether the U.S. needs universal health care has been debated for months. The go...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Designing a special photo for the app. Updated: 2010-03-23 00:00:00 Description: I love to use my laptop, to play around with different programs, to surf the web, and to edit photos. Today I have been doing that for hours. Now that my app has come out in iTunes, I have been trying to design a really good photo for it. The existin...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Wenatchee professional football. Updated: 2010-03-22 00:00:00 Description: Something very exciting has happened in Wenatchee. A professional american football team has been developed which is called The Wenatchee Venom. The team has a mixture of men from all over the country, and has just had its first game. I was lucky eno...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An app for A Cup of English. Updated: 2010-03-19 01:00:00 Description: Today, I have an announcement to make. I am very excited to tell all of you that A Cup Of English is available in app (or application) for the iPhone, the iPod touch, the iPad or similar devices. It is already available in iTunes. For those of ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Road works. Updated: 2010-03-18 00:00:00 Description: This Spring, we have experienced an unusual amount of rain, so much so that it has caused problems in many areas. I was driving to a local bakery the other day, when I came to some road works. I had to stop my car and wait for the heavy machinery to ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD P90X. Updated: 2010-03-17 00:00:00 Description: Well, podlisteners, I thought that it was about time that you saw my husband and I, so check out the photo on the blog page......Okay, I'm only kidding. We look nothing like the two people in the photo. They are fitness trainers from the P90X program...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Crunchy crickets. Updated: 2010-03-16 00:01:00 Description: In our house, at night, when everyone is asleep, the sounds of nature fill the air. Actually, the noises don't come from outside, but inside the house, and I'm not talking about my husband snoring. Chirp, chirp, chirp, is what we hear. It is the fami...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Visit to Blueberry Hills. Updated: 2010-03-15 00:00:00 Description: You remember, don't you, that last week I was busy in the front garden. I was enjoying the weather and changing the look of our entryway. Well, I had had enough of digging, weeding, and raking, so I decided to go on a hunt for the perfect tree. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Ghosts in the orchard. Updated: 2010-03-12 00:00:00 Description: I was pulling out of the parking lot of a country bakery today, when the orchard opposite caught my eye. All the bare trees were a brig...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD It's that time again. Updated: 2010-03-11 01:12:00 Description: I make no appologies today for talking about one of my passions: gardening. It's that time again, whoopee! The weather has been perfect recently. Though there is snow on the tops of the nearby mountains, and the breeze is cold, the bright sun makes u...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Italy. Updated: 2010-03-10 00:00:00 Description: Last week we learned a little about Germany. Today, we will learn about a country that is close by, Italy. You probably know already that this country of sixty million people has been a major(our) influence on Western civilization. So, what is&n...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Japanese Koi. Updated: 2010-03-09 00:00:00 Description: On our way to the basketball game at the weekend, we stopped at a restaurant for dinner. The consensus was that we wanted asian food. So, as we drove along, half of us in the car looked out in one direction, and the rest of us looked in the other, un...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Pirates' basketball. Updated: 2010-03-08 00:00:00 Description: Here in the United States, basketball is really popular. Children start at a young age going to practice and joining teams. Both college and professional basketball games are televised, and most adults have a favorite(urite) team. I was lucky en...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Anna has a cold. Updated: 2010-03-05 04:35:00 Description: Sorry everyone, my cold has got the better of me, so there is no podcast today. I will be back, on Monday with your next podcast. Have a great weekend!...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Magic Chair. Updated: 2010-03-03 05:00:00 Description: Do you ever have aches and pains? Do your muscles ever get sore? Do you get headaches? My husband used to until a couple of years ago. He would come home from work with tight shoulders, or a headache, or a knot in his back, near his shoulder blades. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Musical Refuge. Updated: 2010-03-02 03:40:00 Description: For a small town, Wenatchee is actually quite musical, I'm pleased to say. There are lots of choirs, trios, quartets, jazz groups, singers, and locations for them to perform. It is a growing trend, as well. Music isn't very well funded in public scho...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Labels of the past. Updated: 2010-03-01 04:05:00 Description: You have probably learned from my podcasts, that the region where I live is agricultural. It is rural, the communities are small, and its post native american indian roots lie in the apple tree. I realised the other day how I take the apple tree for ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Coffee Trend. Updated: 2010-02-26 19:04:00 Description: Drive throughs are part of daily life here in the U.S. It all started with fast food, but now, there are drive throughs for all kinds of products, even medicine. Some pharmacies have the available option of a drive through medicine pick up for those ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD American Idol. Updated: 2010-02-25 00:00:00 Description: My family has adopted a new, night time routine on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It's one that is an obsession in this country. We watch American Idol. You have probably heard about it. It is a reality television show which is based around a competition t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Pronouncing the 'th'. Updated: 2010-02-24 20:01:00 Description: Today's podcast will be dedicated to the 'th'. English, being quite irregular at times, has two ways of pronouncing the combination of the t and the h. That may seem simple, but getting it right is a key to sounding like a native. I have met ma...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Springhill Suites Hotel. Updated: 2010-02-23 00:00:00 Description: There has been a lot of activity just down the road from us, for the past year. A hotel has been built, and we have witnessed the process from start to finish. About a year ago, the construction crew 'broke ground' and started digging and moving...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Market Madness. Updated: 2010-02-22 00:00:00 Description: So, I have a penguin in my car. It is small, plastic, and makes a very irritating, repetitive noise. Thankfully, it has an on-off switch. But, where on earth did it come from? McDonalds is the answer. I hardly ever go there, but, the other day, my tw...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Court House, where it all happens. Updated: 2010-02-19 00:00:00 Description: It's time for me to start preparing our Summer holiday. This year, my family and I will take a trip to Spain for a month. We will visit my father and sister in Scotland and England first, and then family and friends in Spain. I can't wait. Our prepar...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Queens and Princesses. Updated: 2010-02-17 00:00:00 Description: For 90 years, Wenatchee has celebrated the Apple Blossom Festival. It is a huge event that takes place, as the title suggests, in Spring. At that time of year, the valley becomes full of the color(our) and smell of pink apple blossoms. The&...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Fortune Cookies. Updated: 2010-02-16 00:00:00 Description: They are crunchy, small, folded, and light brown in color (colour). They usually come in individual, plastic packets. They don't fill you up, but they are an important part of certain meals. They hold a different promise for each person at the t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD English or American? Updated: 2010-02-12 05:00:00 Description: Do you ever go blank when you're trying to spell a word? It happens to me occasionally. When it comes to spelling, I have a problem. I have had to learn the Standard American English whilst living in the U.S. for the past 18 years, but, I'm English. ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Valentines at school. Updated: 2010-02-11 05:00:00 Description: Yesterday, I looked over my shopping list, and saw something that my chidren had written down. "Valentines for school", were the instructions that I read. What they meant by that were little cards that are designed especially for school children. Her...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A treat from England. Updated: 2010-02-10 05:00:00 Description: My husband recently returned from a business trip to Germany and England. It is an annual visit that he makes to attend a large, international fruit convention. He spends most of his time in Berlin, and then finishes his trip in London. He loves that...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Smart shopping. Updated: 2010-02-09 05:00:00 Description: Junk mail can be a real pain sometimes. You know the kind: offers from credit card companies, catalogues that you will never use, and all sorts of letters and advertisements that try to get you to spend money in some way or other. I receive a lot of ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A growing obsession. Updated: 2010-02-08 05:00:00 Description: If you're looking for a bargain in this town, there is a store that offers some very good deals. It is called the Grocery Outlet. I was in there the other day, searching for the latest 'best buys' when I saw a large shelf of flowers on display. In am...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Tatoo. Updated: 2010-02-05 05:00:00 Description: It is supposed to be a good thing to reward your kids every now and then for going to school, or doing their chores. Domini, my daughter is no exception. When she changed preschools, she went through a time of adjustment, and had to be encouraged to ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes, the stairs. Updated: 2010-02-04 05:00:00 Description: This podcast seems like a very simple one; what could I possibly have to teach about the stairs? Well, there are many kinds of stairs in a home. You have the steps leading up to the front door, or between one room and another. Sometimes a room ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The big gift. Updated: 2010-02-03 05:00:00 Description: My son, Cass, has been playing the piano for over a year. He loves it! He practices at home, and attends his weekly class religiously. He really has the discipline thing 'down' as we say, meaning that he understands why and how to be disciplined. I a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Goodbye to old toys. Updated: 2010-02-02 05:00:00 Description: As I was walking back to my house from the mail box the other day, I looked at our entryway and realised that it looked like a junk yard. There were about four, old, plastic vehicles that our children don't use anymore, just sitting on the driveway l...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Space Needle. Updated: 2010-02-01 05:00:00 Description: This past weekend, I took my children to Seattle to have a break from our home town, and to take in a few of the famous sights. "A change is as good as a rest," is a saying in England which I agree with. Sometimes if you are worn down a little, inste...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Home show. Updated: 2010-01-28 05:00:00 Description: Every year in Wenatchee, there is a home show. It takes place in a large convention center that is called the Town Toyota Center. This place hosts concerts, sporting events, and any kind of large function that involves lots of people. It is a great, ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Processed or unprocessed? Updated: 2010-01-27 05:00:00 Description: As most parents, I am concerned about what my children eat. Do they eat healthy food, and if they do, do they eat it consistently? And what about me? Am I careful about what I put in my body? It will, in time, influence my health and those around me....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Throw the computer out of the window, please! Updated: 2010-01-26 05:00:00 Description: It's no secret that computers are a large part of our lives, a huge part. The other day, I noticed as we sat in the lounge, that my husband and I were both busy on our laptops. The television was actually on as well. A couple of years ago that would ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD New Year's Resolution. Updated: 2010-01-25 05:00:00 Description: I can't believe that it is almost the end of January already. Where has the time gone? We have had an unusual Winter so far, weather wise. It has gone from being overcast and dull, to sunny and mild, back to freezing and snowy. You don't know what to...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Roasting marshmallows. Updated: 2010-01-22 05:00:00 Description: On a cold, dull, Winter day, I sometimes light a fire after picking the children up from school. We gather around and feel cozy. The lounge where we have the fireplace also has a computer and a Wii console, so there is plenty to do for everyone. Thou...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD British Birds. Updated: 2010-01-21 05:00:00 Description: The other day I was cleaning inside a free-standing storage cabinet that we have in the dining room, when I came across a tray that I bought a few years ago in Scotland. It is medium sized, made of a light metal, and has a beautiful picture of Britis...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Star Wars Death Star. Updated: 2010-01-20 05:00:00 Description: One of the obsessions you will find in our family is Star Wars. My second son, Cass, has been saving his pocket money, birthday, and Christmas money to buy one of the biggest Star Wars Lego toys: The Death Star. For those of you who are fans, or, at ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes part 11, The Mud Room. Updated: 2010-01-19 05:00:00 Description: Well podlisteners, it is time to continue with important vocabulary about the homes that we live in. There is one room which helps me keep the house both clean and organized. It's the mudroom. It's name suggests that it gets very dirty, muddy even. T...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Haiti. Updated: 2010-01-17 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Haiti, as you all know, has suffered a terrible catastrophe recently. The 12th of January, an earthquake hit the nation. It registered 7.0, and there were many after shocks, about 33. Many countries have given assistance and money to help ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Mango languages. Updated: 2010-01-12 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Mango languages is an internet language learning program(me) that we get for free through our local library. I want my children to learn Spanish very well, so the program will be a useful tool to use at home on our computer. My t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Tom yung goong. Updated: 2010-01-07 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. One of our favorite soups to eat is Tom Yung Goong. It is Thai soup that we first discovered in the local Thai restaurant. Someone recommended it to us. As with the rest of their food, the restaurant gives you the choice of the food being ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bomb threat on Christmas Day. Updated: 2010-01-05 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. When we travel, it is great to feel safe. If you travel by car, train, boat, or plane you want to feel secure. You don't want anything dangerous to happen, do you? One of the safest ways of traveling is by plane. It is true. Just think abo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Crystaline. Updated: 2010-01-01 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. The other day, my friend Nataliya invited me to go cross country skiing with her. We don't see eachother very much, so I was happy to go. "Julia can babysit your two youngest, if you like, and we can leave at about ten o'clo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Anna has a cold. Updated: 2009-12-15 05:00:00 Description: Sorry everyone, no podcast today. I finally caught the cold that my husband had had for five weeks. I thought I would avoid it, but I suppose we are all equal in the eyes of a virus. I hope you are all well. I'll podcast later on in the week. Take ca...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Another computer accessory. Updated: 2009-12-11 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. It's that time of year again. I find myself rushing around with lists of things to do. I need to get the Christmas cards written and sent out to my list of friends and family. This year, we decided to send a family photo, which is wh...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Goodwill snowmen. Updated: 2009-12-08 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. This morning, I went into the kitchen and checked the outside thermometer; it was two degrees. Two degrees! Now that is cold! I made my coffee and looked out of the window. It was still dark, dark and freezing. It's a good job I have my co...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Like Home For Hungry Travelers. Updated: 2009-12-04 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. I took a trip to Seattle last week for an appointment, and to do some shopping. I had arranged for my mother to pick up my kids from school, and stay with them until my husband got home from work. So, I was free for the day. Luc...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Black Friday. Updated: 2009-11-27 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Black Friday is the name of the day after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of the month of November, and Black Friday is the following day. It is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Stores open at 5am, and some e...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hot tub heaven. Updated: 2009-11-24 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Cold fingers, cold toes, chilly shoulders, and a cold nose. When the weather gets chilly, sometimes you feel as if the inside of your body is as cold as your extremities. Some how, putting on lots of clothes isn't enough. You long to get i...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Mousetrap. Updated: 2009-11-20 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. We have a mouse in our garage. There might be more than one. The one I have seen is small, grey, and causes a lot of mess. As much as I love animals, I'm afraid we have to put down a mousetrap. My husband bought a box of traps a long time ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A bedroom facelift. Updated: 2009-11-17 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. I drove around town today, looking for 'Hello Kitty' posters. I couldn't find any. I was so frustrated. I have a project going on at home that I really want to finish. Last week I painted my children's rooms, and now I am looking for acces...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An army for clean-up. Updated: 2009-11-12 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. It's my favorite time of year, Autumn. I love this season so much that I could burst into song about all the colors, the smells, the angle of the sun, the pumpkins etc etc, but I don't want to bore you, plus, I don't sing very well. I will...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Going out of business. Updated: 2009-11-03 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. There are signs of the financial crisis in different parts of the town where I live. We hear on the news about people losing their jobs and their houses. Certain shops have closed, and so the buidings are empty. But, in another way, there ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hello Kitty invasion. Updated: 2009-10-29 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. There is an invasion going on in our house. It started out as an unnoticed thing, but it has grown to huge proportions. Every room of my house is affected. Every corner shows a sign of this invasion. Even my friends and neighbors have ment...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD I'm innocent! It's someone else's fault! Updated: 2009-10-27 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. When my computer doesn't work, or when I cannot get a good internet connection, I miss podcasting. I'm sorry that I missed last week, but it was one thing after another with computers. Do you ever have problems with them? They are so usefu...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD H1N1. Updated: 2009-10-15 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Have you had the flu this year? Do you know anyone who has had it? It can be a nasty illness. Usually you have a temperature, you feel weak, and sometimes you might have a cough also. There is a lot of talk about flus at the moment. You ha...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Digging trees on Sugar Loaf Mountain. Updated: 2009-10-12 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. It's that time of year again. The days are rapidly getting colder. There is frost in the morning on the grass, the sun is mild, and the colors of the trees and plants are quickly changing. Around this time every year, my husband plans a tr...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An escaped Gecko in the house! Updated: 2009-10-07 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. A couple of years ago, we bought a Leopard Gecko for our oldest son, Hudson. He didn't want any toys, just an animal. He is fascinated with reptiles and has read many books about them. So, we went to the pet shop and immediately found what...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Robert's harvest. Updated: 2009-10-05 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. I walked into the kitchen this afternoon, and I found my son, Robert, climbing through the kitchen window. "What on earth are you doing?" I asked him. "I wanted to open the window so I can pass you all my pumpkins." &qu...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Afghanistan. Updated: 2009-10-02 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. We are continuing with our study of countries of the world with Afghanistan. As you know, it is in the news all the time, and has been for quite a few years. Let's try to understand why, and to learn a little more about the country. Afghan...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Vaccines for Foxy. Updated: 2009-09-30 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Today, Foxy had an appointment with the vet for vaccinations and a general check-up. She is about eight months old, so she needed her second set of vaccinations. The vet also needed to see if her growth was normal and healthy. I ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes part 10, the kitchen drawer. Updated: 2009-09-28 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. We are continuing with our series 'The Tour of Homes', highlighting all the everyday details of life at home. You are probably thinking, "When is she going to be finished with the kitchen?" I think this is the last kitchen episod...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A quick stop for fruit. Updated: 2009-09-23 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Do you like to eat fruit? What are your favorite kinds? I like all kinds of fruit, local and tropical. I am fussy about one thing, though, when it comes to fruit: it has to be fresh. There is nothing worse than biting into an old apple tha...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A beautiful advertisement. Updated: 2009-09-17 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. If you drive around this town, you will see lots of new buildings, and some that are almost finished. The town is growing. There is heavy machinery of all kinds in many places: cranes, backhoes, dump trucks, and bulldozers. As you wal...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Rain, rain, go away. Updated: 2009-09-14 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Baseball season has started. 'Fall Ball' is the title of the season's activities, and the town is busy and buzzing with the sport. Usually, when a child is signed up for baseball, he will have two practices per week, and then two games at ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Going back to teaching. Updated: 2009-09-11 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. This year I have some free time. My youngest child goes to preschool four mornings a week, so during that time, I can do many things. I decided recently to put my application in for being a substitute teacher. That is a teacher who takes t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes part 9, the Kitchen Pantry. Updated: 2009-09-09 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Well, it looks like we're back in the kitchen. I told you, didn't I, that the kitchen is an important place, and that is why we need to spend more time using the every day kitchen vocabulary. The main idea of today's podcast is the pantry....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An animal icon show. Updated: 2009-09-04 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. On our recent trip to the zoo and aquarium at Defiance Point, my family and I saw a special show of wild animals. We sat in a packed open-air theater at about three in the afternoon and waited for the show to begin. Music played. It was th...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Oceans of beauty. Updated: 2009-09-02 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. During the summer, my family and I took a trip to a beautiful and fascinating place. It was a zoo and an aquarium at a place called Point Defiance, near Seattle. A friend of mine had been there, and told me that it was worth a trip. We wer...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Back to School. Updated: 2009-08-31 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. It's great to be back podcasting for you, my listeners. And what an exciting time of year it is! Back to school. For some of us, it is back to work. It seems that for most of July and August, here in the States, there are advertisements ev...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Croatia. Updated: 2009-08-14 06:04:00 Description: Beginners. We are continuing our study of different countries, with Croatia. It is a realtively small country in Central and Southeastern Europe, that is sandwiched between Slovenia and Hungary to the North, Serbia to the Northeast, Bosnia and ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes 8, cleaning the kitchen. Updated: 2009-08-12 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. The unfortunate thing about cooking is the cleaning up that you need to do afterwards. Oh drudgery! The endless pile of cups, plates, cutlery, and pots and pans can spoil an otherwise fun evening. I am used to cleaning the kitchen. I do it...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Summer fatigue. Updated: 2009-08-10 04:00:00 Description: There's no podcast today. Sorry! I'm suffering from summer fatigue. Is it an illness? No. It's called needing a good vacation. I'll catch up with you on Wednesday. See you then. Anna....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Dominos. Updated: 2009-08-07 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. The other day, I took the children to the local library. It is only a ten minute drive from our house. We had a lot of books that were overdue and needed to be returned. It's one of those great places to go when it is too hot to do anythin...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Indian Corn. Updated: 2009-08-05 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. A few days ago, we had a yard sale. I actually held it over two mornings, out of my garage. Yard sales are very common in this area, and very popular too. Do you know what they are? I suppose the name explains the meaning; a sale of househ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hot, hot, hot. Updated: 2009-08-03 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. You will probably get tired of me writing about how hot it is. Yes, yes, Wenatchee is always hot in the summer. However, this year, it has been exceptionally hot, like an oven. The past few weeks have each had several days of temperatures ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Morning Glories. Updated: 2009-07-31 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. This time of year the summer flowers are fully in bloom. In most gardens you can see different kinds of lillies, daisies, roses, and bulb plants. It's great! I am quite choosy about the kind of flowers I have in my garden. One which I have...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Museum face. Updated: 2009-07-29 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. This summer, my brother has come to visit from New Zealand. We are having such a fantastic time together. He is wonderful person, and also a complete goofball! That is an american expression for a person who jokes and fools about. He has a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Alberto Contador. Updated: 2009-07-27 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. The color yellow is very 'in' at the moment, mainly because of the Tour de France. It is a spectacular event that my husband and I follow every year. Infact, now that it is over, we are in mourning. "What are we going to do now,...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Where is my bucket? Updated: 2009-07-24 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. What sort of things do you like to do during the Summer. Are there any activities that you are particularly fond of? What about when you were a child? If I could sit down and chat with all of you, I would probably be able to write a long l...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Story time part 5, a Black history. Updated: 2009-07-22 04:00:00 Description: It was dark by the time Thomas Black got home that night. He had lingered in the workshop, putting final details on cabinetry and tables. He had needed the time to be alone, and to digest Theo's words. He was disturbed by her account of the Whitcome ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes 7, in the refrigerator. Updated: 2009-07-20 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Now that it is hot, I think a lot about the fridge. What is in there that will cool me down? Actually there are things lurking in the back of the fridge that have been there for a while. It's time for a cleaning. We seem to go through gall...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Homestead Cafe and art. Updated: 2009-07-17 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Today I will start at the end of a story to tell you a story. It was at the very end of our stay at Lake Roosevelt, that we stopped at an oasis. I say oasis because The Homestead Cafe is one of very few great restaurants in a remote a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Fishing and surgery. Updated: 2009-07-15 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Fishing seems to be a sport that you either love, or have nothing to do with. My father is a fisherman, and has been for most of his life. My husband also enjoys fishing during salmon season. It would be nice, though, if he caught a fish a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Murder on the beach. Updated: 2009-07-13 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. As you can see, I'm back from my trip to Lake Roosevelt. We were there from Wednesday until Friday, and the time flew. It took a lot of preparation to get there; typically I overpacked some things and underpacked other things. For exa...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD No podcast today folks. Updated: 2009-07-10 04:00:00 Description: I'm sorry but I am away today, Friday. I have taken my children and my brother, who flew in from New Zealand recently, to a rental house on Lake Roosevelt. I have never been there before, but I will let you know all about it when I get back. Have a g...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Angels in flight. Updated: 2009-07-08 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. On the sixth of this month, I took my children to Seattle to go to the Pacific Science Center. We do not go to Seattle very often, so I thought that, now that it is summer, I should make the effort and make the three hour drive over the mo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Independence Day. Updated: 2009-07-06 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Oh my goodness, we're all tired today. Thankfully it's Sunday, and there are not a lot of pressing things to do. Yesterday was the 4th of July, Independence day, here in the U.S. As you can imagine, it is an important and fun national...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A new harvest. Updated: 2009-07-01 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. One of the things I really enjoy is gardening. I have a patch of vegetable garden in one of the corners of our back yard. It has four raised beds. Two of these are wide wooden boxes which my husband put together. In these I put a mixture o...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A refreshing park. Updated: 2009-06-29 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Grab your swimming trunks or your swimming suit and head to the nearest park to cool off this summer. Just up the road from here, a new park, paid for by Rotary, has been set up for the locals. It is in a residential area where there are l...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Father's Day. Updated: 2009-06-24 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Father's Day is celebrated here in the United States on the twenty first of June. It is a day when special attention is given to fathers. Shops are filled with cards of all sorts, thanking the fathers and grandfathers for being great peopl...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Windy Ellensburg. Updated: 2009-06-22 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Ellensburg is a town that is about an hour and a half's drive from Wenatchee. If you take the main road towards Seattle, you will find it on the way. The town is situated in a very wide valley that is pretty and green, especially at the mo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Tour of Homes part 6, Herbs and spices in the kitchen. Updated: 2009-06-17 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Welcome back to The Tour of Homes. We are still in the kitchen, but today, instead of going over vocabulary related to furniture and appliances, lets get on with some cooking. Now, what is cooking without herbs and spices? They make our fo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Scotland Updated: 2009-06-15 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Scotland forms part of the United Kingdom. It is the northern most country of the group, and takes up about a third of the overall territory. Its southern border is with England. On the east side, it borders with the North Sea, on the nort...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Travelling Sculptures. Updated: 2009-06-12 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. For a few years, the city of Wenatchee has been introducing sculptures to the towns people. Every now and then, as I am walking along, I will see a new one. Some of them have been bought by the local council, but others are on loan; they w...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Splash Day. Updated: 2009-06-10 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. The heat is definitely up, here in the eastern side of the North West. Even in the schools, cool activities are organised to keep the kids comfortable. Because this week is the last of the school year, Splash Day is one of the fun days ava...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Pizza Man. Updated: 2009-06-08 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. The other day, I was driving along when I saw a man dancing on the side of the road. It wasn't something that I hadn't seen before. This man stands on the side of the main road and dances around waving a sign. This sign advertises pizza. T...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Story time part 4, Theo. Updated: 2009-06-05 04:00:00 Description: After Thomas Black discovered the Whitcome grave, the church bell incident loomed large in his mind. He had been ready to dismiss the event entirely, but now he felt as though there was an intruder in the village, a prankster perhaps. Whoever it was,...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes Part 5, The Kitchen. Updated: 2009-06-03 04:00:00 Description: What an important place the kitchen is. Two weeks ago we covered some of the basic areas of the kitchen; do you remember them? Where do we store the cups and plates? The cabinets of course. And, what would we use if we wanted to make a milkshake? A b...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Music party. Updated: 2009-06-01 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. On Mondays, Domini has her music class after her normal preschool curriculum. It is an extra class that has been added on to the end of the morning, so children can learn a few things about the world of music. She has enjoyed it immensely ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Russia. Updated: 2009-05-29 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Two weeks ago we learned about Andorra, one of the smallest countries on the planet. Today, we will get to know a little about the biggest country in the world, mighty Russia. It measures over six and a half million square miles, and takes...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Foxy Chick. Updated: 2009-05-27 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Well, it's time for a new dog. For the past year, we have been a one dog family. But, you know, our dog, Rosie, is a wildly social lady. She goes crazy any time she meets another dog, a cat, a mouse, or a bird, let alone a human. But, the ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Memorial Day. Updated: 2009-05-26 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May. It is to remember all the soldiers that have died in the various wars around the world, even the Civil War which started in 1861 and ended in ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Story time, part 3. Updated: 2009-05-21 04:00:00 Description: Letters on the grave. Since the stranger's visit at Cranshawe's cafe, rumors were buzzing around the village. Was what he had said actually true? Who was he? How did he know so much about this old, sad story? And what had happened to Peter Whitcome's...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes, Part 4, The Kitchen. Updated: 2009-05-20 04:00:00 Description: Where do we start with the kitchen? There is so much to talk about. Many people say that it is the center of family life. The kitchens that I will describe are those that I have seen and been in in England and the U.S. To start with, a kitchen will o...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD No podcast today I'm afraid. Updated: 2009-05-19 04:00:00 Description: Sorry everyone, there will be no podcast today as I haven't been feeling well. Tomorrow, however, I will be back with the fourth in the series of the Tour of Homes. Thanks!...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Andorra. Updated: 2009-05-14 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Andorra is one of the smallest countries in Europe. It is high up in the Pyrenees. If you look at the map of Europe, you can see that it lies exactly between France and Spain. It is a very mountainous area that has spectacular views. Thoug...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Run for reading. Updated: 2009-05-13 04:00:00 Description: I'm interviewing Cass today. He's my second son, and he's nine years old. He's going to do something very interesting on Friday. "What is it Cass that you're going to do on Friday?" - "Uh, we're going to do something called Run for Rea...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Dialogue with Doreen. Updated: 2009-05-12 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Doreen is a neighbor of mine. She also happens to be a good friend. She lives just three houses away. We joke that my children have adopted her as another grandma. My two youngest children go and visit her all the time, and she makes sure ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Spring gardening dialogue. Updated: 2009-05-07 04:00:00 Description: Spring makes Wenatchee come alive. Because there are so many flowering trees, like Dogwoods and Magnolias, the town becomes full of pink and white. There are also lots of orchards still; apple, pear, apricot, and cherry trees are grown in this area, ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes 3, the lounge/ family room. Updated: 2009-05-06 04:00:00 Description: A Tour of Homes 3, the lounge/ family room. Join me again as we walk through a typical house, and observe all the every day objects that native speakers can name so easily. Before we get started, do you remember any of the vocabulary from the entry w...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Story time part 2. Updated: 2009-05-05 04:00:00 Description: History is uncovered. It was a few days after the incident that Betsy Brompton came home from the hospital. The village was buzzing with rumors that she had lost her mind, or that she had made up the whole story. Anyone who knew Betsy didn't believe ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A family tradition. Updated: 2009-04-30 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Today I thought about tomatoes. You know when you have one of those days when you simply have to eat something in particular. I went out to my vegetable patch this morning to see if there had been any progress with my tomato plants. Not mu...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Spain. Updated: 2009-04-29 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. We continue our study of different countries of the world with Spain. This fascinating country makes up most of the Iberian Peninsula that forms the southwestern tip of Europe. Portugal is on its west, and France is on its northeastern bor...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bubbles and outdoor dialogue. Updated: 2009-04-28 04:00:00 Description: Dialogue. "Okay, we're interviewing Robert today about his bubble wand, and the other things that he likes to do outside. Okay Robert, what did you find when you came home from school today, that I had bought you?" &n...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD No podcast today. Updated: 2009-04-23 04:00:00 Description: Sorry folks, no podcast today. Please join me next week on Tuesday for more of English learning. Thanks and have a great weekend. Anna....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes 2, The Powder Room Updated: 2009-04-22 04:00:00 Description: A Tour of Homes. Welcome back to our tour where we discover each and every room and object in the home. Remember, if you can learn and remember this vocabulary, you will have the advantage of being able to use words and phrases that make you sou...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Storytime part 1. Updated: 2009-04-21 04:00:00 Description: Once upon a time, in a land far, far way....no, hang on a minute, that's no good. All stories start like that. How about we have something different for this story. Mmm, I know: Very, very recently, in a place that is close to where I live, something...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Tour of Homes 1. Updated: 2009-04-16 04:00:00 Description: A Tour of Homes. What is the name of the first room that you come to when you walk into a house? It's the entry way. This room varies from house to house. Some are big; others are small. Either way, it is a space in the house which is used as an intr...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Plans for the podcasts. Updated: 2009-04-15 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. I love doing this podcast every week. What I enjoy most of all, is getting feedback from my listeners. Recently, some of my listeners have sent me E-mails asking how they can improve their English. It's a very good question. I think about ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Rocker in a previous life. Updated: 2009-04-14 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. "Oh, no!" you say, "she's going to talk about New Zealand again." Well, in a way I am. This part of today's podcast is about a perfect day in Christchurch. A day when I experienced many of the things I like most: good c...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A wild life sanctuary in Christchurch. Updated: 2009-04-09 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. I know that you podlisteners have heard about my trip to New Zealand, but, I'm afraid, you will have to hear more. There is much more to tell. One of the things that it is interesting to learn about when you go to another country, is the w...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Anyone for chess? Updated: 2009-04-08 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Chess is a board game that my whole family likes to play. Even my youngest child likes to move the pieces around the board. She doesn't understand the rules at all, but copying us is fun. My mother bought us a beautiful chess set a few yea...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Pruning time. Updated: 2009-04-07 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. The weather has finally changed from dull and freezing to warm and sunny. Everybody I meet when I go about my daily activities seems happy. Winter feels very, very long by the time we reach March. So, hurray for April! One of the greatest ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Sunnies, tramping, and water down the plughole. Updated: 2009-04-02 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. It's very interesting going to another country and experiencing the culture, even if the people from that country speak the same language. Among English speaking nations, there are well known differences. Our accents are different, o...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD How ridiculous! Updated: 2009-04-01 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Have you ever been told something by a person of authority that made no sense at all? Or, have you ever been in a situation that made you wonder if someone was playing a joke on you? A few occasions spring to mind when I think of that ques...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Magnificent New Zealand. Updated: 2009-03-31 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. I'm back from a wonderful trip. Do you want to hear about it? Do you know anything about New Zealand? I'll give you some of the most important details. It is situated in Oceania which is in the Pacific Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere. It'...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Wild old ladies. Updated: 2009-03-26 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. On my recent trip to New Zealand, I met lots of different people. In Los Angeles, where I waited to catch the plane to Aukland, I met three older ladies who were going on the same trip. We sat in the airport and chatted. They were very int...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD I'm off! Updated: 2009-03-25 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Traveling is a passion of mine. I can't imagine staying in one place for many years without going off to explore another country. Well, I've done it! My brother has lived in New Zealand for eleven years. He has flown out to the U.S many ti...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Off to New Zealand! Updated: 2009-03-18 04:00:00 Description: No podcasts today, or for the next few days I'm afraid. I'm off to New Zealand to visit my brother and to see that wonderful country. When I get back, I'll have lots to tell you, so don't go away! ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD What a criminal! Updated: 2009-03-17 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. On the highways here in the United States you will find some signs that say, "Buckle up! We love you." The message is to remind people to fasten their seat belts to stay safe. It's a good idea. Another thing that is available on ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Leave your mother alone! Updated: 2009-03-12 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. My mother told me that when she was a young mother, my older brother would never leave her alone. He always wanted to be held. She would hold him even when she vacuumed. Clingy is the word. I was different. I always wanted to do my own thi...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Car crash (of a different kind). Updated: 2009-03-11 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. The other day, I was looking in the kitchen for a cookie. It was mid-afternoon and I was having a 'snack attack'. I opened the cupboard hoping to find a few oatmeal cookies (my favorites), or perhaps chocolate chip cookies. Unfortunately t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD An English confusion. Updated: 2009-03-10 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Some people say that it must be easy for me to live here, because of the language; it is the same as in England. Yes, that's right. But, there are some interesting differences. There are many sayings and spellings that are different. If yo...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Own the night. Updated: 2009-03-05 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. I have a very special friend who lives in the *neighborhood. She is seventy-five years old, and actually comes from England, just like me. She was a war bride during World War two. She is originally from Liverpool (where the Beatles came f...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A robbery in town! Updated: 2009-03-04 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Life in a small town is very quiet, some would say boring. However, one good thing about living here is that there is not a lot of crime. It is something that you get used to. On a few occasions, I have left my handbag in the sho...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Tour of California Updated: 2009-03-03 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. There are some special times in our lives when we come into contact with greatness, with people who have done great things. My husband experienced one of those special moments about a week ago. He had flown down to California with a couple...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Brain rescue. Updated: 2009-02-26 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Learning a foreign language can be a difficult thing. Any language has a huge amount of information. On top of that, there is also the pronunciation and fluency that need to be practiced. English can be a pain to learn. Even the word "...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Do not enter! Updated: 2009-02-25 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. The other day I was walking by my children's bedrooms, when I saw a sign on one of the doors. It said, "Domini and Robert, DO NOT ENTER!" One of my two oldest boys had become impatient with sibling intrusions. Sometimes they walk...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Ring of Power. Updated: 2009-02-24 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. To be a film 'buff' is to be a film enthusiast; a person who loves to watch films and who follows film production quite closely. I am a film buff, but a choosy one. There are certain films that I love, and others that I cannot stand. A fil...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Choose a hat. Updated: 2009-02-19 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Do you love to shop? Some people are addicted to shopping; they love to go out and buy things. Others enjoy window shopping, which is safer for your wallet. I am not a big shopper; I have to love something before I am willing to buy ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD You must love the verb 'to be'. Updated: 2009-02-18 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. When you learn English, the verb 'to be' can be a bit of a problem sometimes. It is irregular, so it doesn't follow a regular pattern. But, that is okay. Lots of verbs in English are irregular. I am, you are, he is etc should be familiar i...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A trip to Leavenworth. Updated: 2009-02-17 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. About half an hour away from where we live is the town of Leavenworth. It is a fairly small place, near very tall mountains and lots of forests. Nearby is a river called 'The Icicle' which is popular with tourists, kayakers, and campers. I...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bionicles. Updated: 2009-02-12 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Black, red, green, light blue, silver, orange, swords, lazers, helmets, shields, flying machines, underwater vehicles. The list could go on. What do these words refer to? Bionicles. They are a type of lego. You can buy them in boxes to put...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Which medicine do I take? Updated: 2009-02-11 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. How are you feeling? Are you well? I hope you stay well for the rest of the year, but that is not likely, is it? We all get ill sometimes. Here in the United States, people use the word 'sick' to mean ill. That word in the UK means vomit, ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Anna is ill. Updated: 2009-02-10 05:00:00 Description: Sorry everyone, I've been ill for a few days, so there will be no podcast or blog today. Hopefully tomorrow I will be much better and available to you. Take care! Anna....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD What's new Scooby-Do? Updated: 2009-02-05 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. My children love Scooby-Do. I love Scooby-Do. In fact, I have not met a person who does not like it. The happy gang of friends consists of: Shaggy, Scooby, Wilma, Daphney, and Freddy. They travel around in the 'Mystery Machine' and get int...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hmm, what do you think? Updated: 2009-02-04 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Art is all around us. There are many forms of art, such as paintings, sketches, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, stained glass windows, and even wood burning. Art is a personal thing, also. If somebody loves to grow flowers, their work i...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD D'Anjou bakery. Updated: 2009-02-03 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. The D'Anjou bakery is a special place to visit that is located quite close to Wenatchee. A quick drive on the highway, past the town of Cashmere, will take you to this place of delights. If you are not careful, you will miss the turn-off, ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Music practice. Updated: 2009-01-29 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Are you musical? Which instrument do you play? There are so many to choose from: piano, flute, vioin, guitar, trumpet, drums and percussion instruments. I could go on and on. It can be fun to play an instrument, especially if you practice ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Stoke up the fire! Updated: 2009-01-28 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Announcement: "The cold weather is back." Why would I say that in the middle of Winter? Surely, it has been cold since the beginning of the season? Well, not exactly. We had a break for about two weeks, when it stopped snowing an...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Claustrophobia. Updated: 2009-01-27 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Are you scared of anything? Spiders, perhaps? Monster masks? Being high up on a cliff's edge? Most people are scared of something. I'm sure that if you think long enough, you will be able to name something that spooks you or gives you the ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Bye, bye beauties. Updated: 2009-01-22 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Well, I can't believe that it is that time of year again. How sad. It is time to take down all of the Christmas decorations and to put them away in boxes. Usually, people do that a few days after Christmas, around the first week in January...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Obama. Updated: 2009-01-21 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Today was a very special day here in the U.S. Do you know what the special occasion was? It was the inauguration of the 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama. It is a time of excitement. Everybody wants to see changes. We all wonder what Ob...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A Creeping Fog. Updated: 2009-01-20 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Some people say that the weather is changing all over the world. Do you believe that? What do you think? I'm not sure if it is true, but sometimes the local weather does something unusual. Here in Wenatchee, the weather is normally very re...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Sorry, Internet problems! Updated: 2009-01-15 05:00:00 Description: So sorry, my faithful listeners. I have had some Internet problems and have, therefore, been a little late in my podcasts. The problem is now resolved, and I look forward to being regularly available to you. Thankyou for your patience!...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Biscuit the mechanical dog. Updated: 2009-01-14 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. The U.S. is definitely a shopping culture. There are so many things to buy, and so many advertisements on television that it is hard to not buy. Unfortunately, my children see the advertisements on television, and think that they need all ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Daytime visitation. Updated: 2009-01-13 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Snow keeps us busy. It needs to be moved and removed. If it is not moved, life becomes difficult. Cars, trucks and buses have difficulty driving along the streets and up the hills if there is too much snow. Around our house the snow builds...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Destruction, construction. Updated: 2008-12-31 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. We keep busy in the Winter. We play in the snow and do sports, but there are other things to do inside the house. Because we live in an older home, there are projects to do. These are small changes that need to be made to the house. Why do...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hibernation for a few minutes. Updated: 2008-12-30 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. In this part of the world, we need to heat our house for three quarters of the year: Winter, Spring, and Fall. Of course, now is the time of year when the freezing temperatures outside make us turn up the heat inside. It is so nice to get ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Let's sell some junk. Updated: 2008-12-24 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. This is a busy time in the US for many people, especially for those who celebrate Christmas. It is a time for buying, buying, and buying. After we have bought or received presents, we realize that our homes will have more stuff in them. Do...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Snow time. Updated: 2008-12-23 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. White, white, white, that is mostly what I see these days. But, it is a beautiful white. It is a white that covers everything outside: houses, cars, streets, trees, even the thinnest sign posts. It is a white that brings quiet with it. Sno...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Late for school! Updated: 2008-12-18 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. This morning was an ordinary morning. I woke the kids up. "Wakey, wakey," I said gently to them, as usual. I brought the two youngest their breakfast drink that they like to drink in bed. They are spoilt, I know. The oldest two g...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Seed cones for the birds. Updated: 2008-12-17 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. In our area, some birds will stay for the Winter. They make their nests cozy , fluff up their feathers, and search for food every day. But, they have a problem. Because everything is covered with snow, it is hard to find food. It is too co...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD When you've gotta play, you've gotta play. Updated: 2008-12-16 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Well, the snow is finally here. It came two days ago. From now on, it will be snow, snow, snow for about three months. My two little ones wanted to go sledding. I took them to a local park. There were a few people already there. All the ch...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A green duty. Updated: 2008-12-11 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Recycling is something that I do willingly. My children know all about it. At school the teachers tell them about how to not be wasteful, and how they can become involved in recycling. About every two weeks, my daughter and I load up ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The Nutcracker. Updated: 2008-12-10 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. One of my boys collects nutcrackers. Do you know what they are? They are very colorful, soldier dolls. They have become popular in the United States around Christmas time. You can find them in all sizes. Cass, my son, has a few small ones,...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Poinsettia glow. Updated: 2008-12-04 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Do you know what a Pointsettia is? It is something that grows in the ground and is sold here in the United States at Christmas time. It originates from Mexico and Central America. Often when you go into a supermarket, they are the fi...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Crazy sales. Updated: 2008-12-03 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Do you enjoy shopping? Do you do it very often? Are there many shops where you live? Here in Wenatchee, a small town, we have a few shopping areas. Some stores are well known; others are privately owned, small businesses. I like shopping w...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Thanksgiving. Updated: 2008-12-02 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. It is a tradition that is very important for most Americans. It is a yearly celebration that reflects on history. Americans celebrate this special day in remembrance of the first settlers from Europe, t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Dark nights, twinlking lights. Updated: 2008-11-27 05:00:00 Description: Dark nights, twinkling lights. Beginners. It gets dark here in Wenatchee at about four thirty in the afternoon now. My children often ask me what the time is, or whether they need to get ready for bed, when it is still early. It can be a little confu...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Entertainment at the mall. Updated: 2008-11-26 05:00:00 Description: Beginners. Having four children is wonderful, but it can be a lot of hard work. Sometimes, I find myself in the car driving all over town taking the kids to different activities. Two have swimming, so the younger two have to come along. Sometimes, my...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Keep fit, even when it's cold. Updated: 2008-11-25 05:00:00 Description: Keep fit, even when it's cold. Beginners. Winter is just about here in Wenatchee. The air is cold; we have heavy frost most mornings. Thankfully, the days are still quite sunny, even though they are short. What do children do in the afternoons, after...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A gargantuan doll. Updated: 2008-11-20 05:00:00 Description: A gargantuan doll. Beginners. The other day, my mother came to visit with a special present. It was something that she had bought at an auction. She often buys presents for my children; she's their grandmother, so she spoils them. It was a special gi...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD A choice of puppies. Updated: 2008-11-19 05:00:00 Description: A choice of puppies. Beginners. We have a dog. It is a female. Her name is Rosie. We all love her very much. However, I think my children would like another dog. Actually, it would be nice for Rosie to have a playmate. The children spend quite a few ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The mouse hole on the stairs. Updated: 2008-11-18 05:00:00 Description: The mouse hole on the stairs. Beginners. Our house has one flight of stairs that goes up to the bedrooms. There is a small landing half way up. This area is in the middle of being decorated. I have taken down some wall paper, and soon the walls will ...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Do you have gas? Updated: 2008-11-13 10:00:00 Description: Do you have gas? Beginners. What kind of a question is that? Are you talking about my body or my car? Well, actually, I am talking about your car. Gas, or petrol, as it is called in England, is a big subject at the moment. Driving a car has become re...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Goodbye Spooks. Updated: 2008-11-11 10:00:00 Description: Goodbye Spooks. Beginners. Halloween was 31st of October. It is a huge holiday here in the States. It is celebrated in many other countries, and sometimes has a different name. It has become more popular through the years. Shops sell lots of Hallowee...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Guy Fawkes Day. Updated: 2008-11-06 10:05:00 Description: Guy Fawkes Day. Beginners. November 5th is an important day in England. It is called Guy Fawkes Day. We have fireworks and big bonfires every year to celebrate parliament in our country. Guy Fawkes was a criminal. He tried to blow up the government a...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Elections are over. Updated: 2008-11-05 05:00:00 Description: Elections are over. Beginners. Tuesday was the fourth of November, election day. Many people went to vote. They chose the person they wanted for President. There were two choices: John McCain and Barack Obama. The two men have been campaigning f...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD And the rain came down! Updated: 2008-11-04 05:00:00 Description: And the rain came down. Beginners. Yesterday it rained most of the day. Last night it rained all night. And now, this morning, it is still raining. It doesn't often rain in this valley. Wenatchee is called a desert, and I suppose it is. However,...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Hey Mom, technology is amazing! Updated: 2008-10-30 04:00:00 Description: Hey Mom, technology is amazing! Advanced. The other day when I picked my children up from school, my oldest boys handed me their school pictures. Once a year, as in most schools, the children have their photographs taken. It adds some importance to t...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD The upcoming elections. Updated: 2008-10-29 04:00:00 Description: The upcoming elections. Advanced. With the upcoming elections just around the corner, the United States is abuzz with discussions, arguments, accusations, and predictions. I think that it is actually a good thing. Whenever people get together and air...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Spiderman tonight. Updated: 2008-10-28 04:00:00 Description: One of the ways in which my family and I relax during the evening is watching movies. It is more an occasional treat than a daily activity. Life in a big family is very busy, and often there is very little time to sit down, let alone to watch a film....more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Don't step on my shadow. Updated: 2008-10-23 04:00:00 Description: Don't step on my shadow. Advanced. Have you ever noticed just how bright the sun can be in Autumn. The angle of the sun, or perhaps its proximity to the earth, seems to make the sunlight intense, in a way that is different from Summer. As we were wal...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD What a scruffy puppy! Updated: 2008-10-21 04:00:00 Description: What a scruffy puppy! Advanced. Rosie is the name of a member of our family. She is a female who does not quite reflect the beauty of her name. She is scruffy, hyper-active, and demanding. Yes, you've guessed; she is our dog. A boarder terr...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Seeds for next year. Updated: 2008-10-16 09:00:00 Description: Advanced. One of my favorite hobbies is gardening. I suppose I must have inherited the gardening gene, because, apparently, on my father's side, my grandmother had tremendously green fingers. That is what we say in England for someone who is adept an...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Chicken soup Updated: 2008-10-15 04:00:00 Description: Advanced. As the seasons change from Summer to Autumn, a certain recipe that I use starts to appear more often. Chicken soup. Ah, what a concept! It has been used for centuries by people who are ill; runny noses, coughs, and aches and pains disa...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD Celebrate pumpkin time. Updated: 2008-10-14 04:00:00 Description: Beginners. Pumpkins, pumpkins, big, fat, and round. Children love them, and adults too. They grow all Summer; turn color from green to orange. Some stay small, but others get bigger and bigger. I have some in my garden. One, two, three, four. One for...more... LISTEN NOW | VIEW CACHE | DOWNLOAD |
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