Elinor Florence's Blog, page 5

Danesfield Dream Come True

My visit to Danesfield House Hotel in England was truly a dream come true. Not only is this white chalkstone mansion the setting for my wartime novel Bird's Eye View, it was also the location for a very special event on May 8, 2022 -- the seventy-seventh anniversary of VE-Day, Victory in Europe.

The Story Behind the Photo

They say every picture tells a story. Among the thousands of photographs stored in my albums and on my computer, some of them are very dear to my heart. Here is the story behind the photo, for ten of my favourite historical pictures.

The Shadow of the Berlin Wall

My husband was a twelve-year-old boy living in a peaceful suburb when the Berlin Wall went up almost overnight, just two blocks from his home. Thankfully, his family lived on the western side. Here are his memories of growing up in the shadow of the wall.

In My Mailbox

I find so many goodies in my mailbox, both physical and virtual, that I wanted to share some of them with you. For safekeeping, I place all my cards, letters, and emails in this bulging binder.

New Year’s Resolutions 2022

My New Year’s Resolutions were much easier to define with this handy process, which helped me come to grips with my goals for the next twelve months. Several years ago, I signed up for a weekly newsletter written by a very nice guy named Dan Blank, who lives in New Jersey with his wife and […]

Seven Christmas Stories

From my house to yours, here’s a virtual stocking filled with seven Christmas stories for your reading pleasure.

Emmett Watson: Star Weekly Artist

Emmett Watson was a First World War veteran and talented illustrator who created many inspirational cover images for the wartime Toronto Star Weekly magazine.

Art From the Attic

Art From the Attic was a great fundraiser, and so much fun to organize! I helped Windermere Elementary School earn money for a new playground by selling donated art that folks had gathering dust in their closets. Here's how we did it.

Back to the Farm

It was a great thrill to travel back to the farm, to see my beloved family, my childhood farmhouse, AND my new farmland. Earlier this year I purchased some land and rented it to my brother Rob Florence, who owns the family farm east of North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Here I am, outstanding in my new field.

What to Save in a Fire

What would YOU save in a fire? The forest fire smoke hanging over our heads here in southeastern British Columbia is a constant reminder that the worst could happen, although everyone is vulnerable to house fires. Here’s a handy guide to help you plan in advance.