The SUNSHINE COAST

Tara and I celebrated her birthday last week by going to the Sunshine Coast. Here is a typical sunset off the coast. This is a picture of dinner rock from where we camped out. We were so happy to be able to have a camp site over looking the ocean. It was SOOO beautiful. We were able to go on a hiking trip in an old growth forest named Hidden Grove in Sechelt.

This is the book we used to find our camping sites on the Sunshine Coast.

Here is a free web page to check out for suggestions on free camping in BC.

couch surfing

Last night Tara and I met an ambassador for Couch surfing. Couch surfing is a web site that allows people from all over the world to meet new people and possibly stay on their couch. We met up with some friends at The Nam on 4th St in Vancouver.

Festival of lights

Here is a picture of the Vancouver Festival of Lights by our friend Brian. During the Celebration of Light different countries put on a show off a boat in English Bay. This Saturday was the final firework show of the festival. We were unable to watch the show live but we could hear the fireworks very clearly from the Vancouver Southlands.

The Ant Bully

Owen, Tara and I saw the Ant Bully on Saturday. All three of us really liked it. However, I wanted to see the Pirates of the Caribbean or Superman. The Ant Bully was in IMAX 3D.

Tamage reunion

For my family
summer time = 2 family reunions + warm weather
As I have been up in Canada I have not been able to attend either for a couple of years. Yesterday was the annual Tamage reunion...Tamage was the name of my grandmothers mother.

It was around 109 degrees for this years reunion.

The picture shows Aunt Claudine, who was married to my Great Uncle Art, my Grandma Hensley's brother. Also, seated in the wheel chair is my sweet Grandma and standing on her left is Aunt Edith, who was married to Dr. Paul Darnell, before he died a couple of years ago. This is a picture of my dad and his cousin Pam.

Maddenoliday

I have enjoyed playing the John Madden football game ever since I was in Middle school. The new edition comes out on August 22nd. Looks as if EA Sports is trying to make it a world wide holiday.

Jeremy Begbie

Theologian and Professor Jeremy Begbie is up at Regent teaching a theology of the arts class. Tara and I went to his public lecture entitled Discovery Through Creativity: Bach's D Minor Chaconne at Kerrisdale Presbyterian Church on Monday. It was an amazing presentation demonstrating how famous composers such as Bach combined theology with the arts.

Sunday hike

Andrew, Hillary, Brian and Tara under a waterfall just north of Squamish.

Diana and Nate meet President Carter

Diana and Nate met President Carter and his wife Rosalynn at the Carter's church in Plains, GA this past weekend. They also were able to visit Koininia an intentional community dedicated to inner racial and economic equallity.

Nice fencing

Here is a picture of the fence my parents just put up in front of the house that I grew up in. They have done a fantastic job on the fence! Now it is time for them to get a puppy.

MAUER POWER

My favorite baseball team is the Minnesota Twins. Currently they have the league leader in batting average, catcher Joe Mauer. Check out this link to see the secret behind his success in hitting.

Cascade Lake

This is Cascade Lake the lake I swam all the way across on Orcas Island to do a little cliff jumping.

Working in a coal mine

My bro Dennis and Robin using little Brutis to dig up some coal in South East Kansas in 100 degree weather!

Wisdom Tree

Here is a picture of my mother and my niece Robin underneath the Wisdom tree in Pittsburg.

Out of the Woods-ONG

Here is the view from the ferry between Orcas Island and Anacortes. We had a wonderful time at the Woodsong festival. Yesterday we got the chance to swim and go cliff jumping at Cascade Lake at Moran state park.

Tragedy strikes South East Kansas

Girard coach Crespino dies at 45On Friday Morning tragedy struck South East Kansas. Craig Crespino was electrocuted to death as he was moving a goal post to the Girard Trojans practice field. The goal post came into contact with a power line. Lord we pray that you will allow the family and friends of Craig to be aware of your presence and be able to mourn his loss while celebrating his life.

Woodsong Folk Festival 2006

Tara and I are planning on going to our 2nd annual Woodsong Folk Festival on Orcas Island this weekend. We can't wait to hear some good music and go camping!

Melitzanes me Feta

Tara and I made some baked eggplant with feta and it was wonderful! The ingredients all complemented each other and created an amazing taste sensation.

Check out the recipe from Nancy Gaifyllia

Melitzanes me Feta: Baked Eggplant with Feta Cheese

In Greek: μελιτζάνες με φέτα, pronounced meh-leed-ZAH-nes meh FEH-tah

The classic combination of eggplant, tomato, and herbs is enhanced by the addition of feta cheese to create a delicious meatless appetizer or main dish.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pounds of eggplants (long slender type)
• olive oil for frying
• 5 tablespoons of fresh chopped basil
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pound of ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 pound of feta cheese, crumbled
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION:

Wash the eggplants and remove stems. Cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices. Fry lightly (until soft and gently browned) in 1/4 inch of oil.

Preheat the oven to 355F (180C).

Layer the eggplant in the bottom of a baking dish.

Combine the tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, basil, and garlic in a bowl, and spoon the mixture over the eggplant. Top with feta cheese, and bake at 355F (180C) for 45 minutes.

Serve hot or cold.

At a Glance

Cook Time : 45min

Course : Appetizer, Entree

Special : Vegetarian

Type of Prep : Bake, Fry

Cuisine : Greek

This recipe comes from

Nancy Gaifyllia

You can find the original at:

http://greekfood.about.com/od/vegetablerecipes/r/melitzanesfeta.htm

Happy 80th Nana!!!

While we were back in Kansas we were able to celebrate Nana's 80th B-day! Happy Birthday Nana.

Just another day at the beach!

Here is what the sky looked like last night at the Folk festival. It is amazing to think that we live here!

Julio, Lisa and I were at the beach the last couple days to sell water, diet coke, gatorade and snickers for the Vancouver Folk Festival. We sold all of our drinks. The snickers didn't sell as well as we would of liked. But it was a Good lesson for future events. Last night we got to hear the band Feist play for a little while.

Vancouver Folk festival

The Vancouver folk fest begins today. Julio and I are hoping to be able to sell some stuff at the fest in order to pay off Regent this coming year.

Diana and Nate win a "Digs contest"!!!

Here is the Front Page of the Newspaper announcing my sister in law Diana and brother Nate as winners of the Digs contest!

Page 1 - "The Digs" BEFORE and DURING

Page 2 - The results of the contest - lookin' spiffy!

The Jayhawks are coming!

Watch out here come Jayhawks!!! The Jayhawks are going to be a force this year in men's basketball. Check out the article on espn.com by Andy Katz.

The Wailin' Jennys

Tara and I saw this group on some TV show last month. Today I saw that their newest album was the #1 seller on itunes. It is a fun album. The name of the group is the Wailin' Jennys and their newest album is Firecracker. Check it out!

The dog/ God squad

Ben, Tara, Cabe, Katie and Doug

3 buff fish

Cabe, Papa and Tara showing off our muscles.

The Whole Fam Damily @ Hotel Stillwell

Dennis, Robin, Shannon, mom, dad, Nate, Tara and I

who wants ice cream?

Nana, Papa, and Tom making ice cream on the 4th. The ice cream was AMAZING!!!

The Giving Van

My 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan has acted as my giving tree found in the story The Giving Tree. I had to retire it at 279,000 miles. After sitting for two years it fired right up with a jump start. I can't even count the number of trips we went on between Memphis, TN and Kansas City. It is now helping someone else out. Thanks Bard dog for letting me have your "party wagon". It has been a great help and blessing.

celebration crew

Tara, Tom, Julie and Shannon celebrating Shannon's graduation.

The Red Hat Club

My two girlfriends! Tara and Nana at The Villas.

The water line

In 1993 we had a huge flood in Pittsburg. Fortunately I had the opportunity to float over the water found in Lincoln Park. Here is a picture of me next to the water line found at kiddie land in Lincoln Park.

The FRIDGE

The Fridge, me, Soon to be a daddy Tonst, and Nate

I am a big Chicago Bears fan. Therefore, it was quite a treat to meet William Perry aka "the Fridge" in Pittsburg at a firework stand.

The gift of new shoes

I am thinking about sending this one into some medical journals. This dousy developed after a long run with my new shoes.

THE "DOC"

One of the big reasons we came back to Kansas was to celebrate my sister's graduation from medical school. Here is a pic of Shannon the doctor, Robin and Tara.

THE THREE FRONTIERSMAN!

Life for the Hensley men in the wilderness!

Motley Crew

Nate, Robin, Cabe, Dad, G-ma, Diana, Shannon, and Tara in Oklahoma...

Rockstar!!!

My Grandpa Ira with Nate and I playing some tunes.

My Niece Robin

Here is a picture of my niece Robin and I hanging out pool side.

My bro flies in

Here is a picture of my twin brother (Nate) and I at the airport, trying to take off.