travelling

My trip was further South, closer to the border--Winkler.  I was thinking of Jim while we were travelling.  Hope things are going well.  A caution--the surgery doesn't totally remove the sensitivity to ingesting fat.

Just home and got to catch up with life at home.  Maybe more later.

Hugs and best wishes to you Cathy

Thinking of you both Cathy - not a happy message to read first thing but nevertheless, Jim is where he should be to get him back to health again. Pati ,you and Cathy have both gone through gall bladder issues so can relate totally but I have not and I hope will never.
Take care Cathy as you travel back and forth. And I guess Pati you are travelling in that same area today, too. I shall have my thoughts focused on all of you today. If any news please let me know XX

Busy weekend.... busier week

Just a quick update.  Jim is in Brandon Hospital for gall bladder surgery.  It was supposed to be last night, and then today but it has been postponed twice.  They are saying tomorrow for sure.  They had to get his heart beat (too fast) and blood pressure (too low) under control but everything seems to have settled down now.  I was at the hospital today, but Jim sent me home.  He is going to call me tomorrow and let me know what is happening.  It would be silly for me to show up just as he went for surgery so we are going to try and time things.  I'll keep you posted.

Busy week

I seem to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off, this week, with the two workshops and a couple of meetings.  We got David to the doctor early yesterday, and David tells me that everything is alright.  Then it was off grocery shopping.  When we got home I was exhausted ( hadn't slept well), so took a nap while David went out for a haircut.  The regular barber was away, so he never got the haircut. Then it was the AGM of the gallery in Selkirk, in the evening.  By the time I got home and ready for bed, I was in poor shape, but still had trouble sleeping.  I feel a little like a Zombie today. 

Never the less, we must pay bills and finish our shopping today.  Since I won't be able to do laundry tomorrow, we are washing bedding today, as well.  

After our trip to Winkler tomorrow, and hanging the show there, it's back to Selkirk on Sunday where the gallery show is changing, and then my friend Gail and I are going to try to take an artists' studio tour along the East side of the river, on our way home.  We had tried to do this last year, but got our days confused and missed it.  Unfortunately, David had known about the trip to Selkirk, and had planned to go with me to check out a sale of bedding plants out there. But he understands that the artists' studio tour has been a long time in the planning.  I just hope I can get enough sleep to be able to enjoy it, when the time comes.

The workshops were well worth my time, and I have no regrets about taking them. However, even though I fully intend to maintain my art involvement, I need to be spending a little more time at home.  In trying to do both, I have very little scheduled for June (so far), so have signed up for a fibre art design course, on the internet.  It is with a teacher whose work I admire, and who is well respected by many of the other fibre artists I know, both in person and electronically.  There are 8 lessons over 8 weeks, with a students' forum for questions and concerns.  Something entirely new to me, but the price was right, and I should be able to do it with the supplies I have on hand.

Time to change the wash.

A Treat....

Mentioning Costco in the previous message, reminded me that I had a Costco Banana Nut Loaf in the freezer ( or actually a part of a loaf!) So I retrieved it quickly and now I am enjoying a piece ( or three) while I clean the bird cages! Nice surprise. Wish you were here to enjoy with me! XX

To Do Lists

Thursday today and I have been reminded by myself that the To Do List for today is far too long. Seems many tasks have been moved forward during the week and suddenly they have all landed on today. What to do??  Have another coffee and think about it, I guess...haha!
Early start yesterday to Mike's but accomplished a lot at his place related to the yard work Harry had planned. The grass was long and covered with dandelions and very wet from rain and morning dew. Our lawnmower had a good workout and the end result was satisfying although the work was demanding. Next week Harry expressed a desire to go to Mike's as usual on Wednesday, but then carry on to Costco in Sudbury. We'll see how that turns out. I still have some $ on that gift card I received with the car lease in Feb so it may be an idea to do some shopping there?  I just do not have a good enough handle on price comparisons so feel overwhelmed even entering that store. Am I too scheduled in my life? 
I spotted the growing rhubarb in the garden (some is really big now) yesterday and plan to make some jam this weekend - I always look forward to the first batch of Rhubarb/Pineapple jam each year. Do not make much in way of other preserves (as best as I can get away with it, that is!) but I do love my jam!
Horticultural Plant Sale is Saturday and we already got a call from one of the members ( we are not members) to see if we are donating tomato plants like we did last year. They made a good profit by seloling our plants last year - the plants were really an eye catcher. But his year we are so behind and the plants are not great but today Harry will sort through them all and see if any are worthy candidates to be donated. More work haha!
Time for that coffee and breakfast and then onward we go....take care folks and Pati have a safe trip tomorrow to Winkler. 
As an aside, today in Winnipeg starts the 50th Reunion of my Nursing Graduation - over past year so many messages have come my way ( I am on the distribution list) so I got caught up in the excitement even though I knew I could not attend. Three or four days of planned activities and apparently a good turnout of fellow classmates coming from all over the place ( one from Australia actually making the trip) We are the celebrated Jubillee Class for the Annual Alumni Dinner to be held on Friday at CanadInn. I will be thinking about it all and wondering "what if" I were there. 

Never trust a fish

Tried playing Candy Crush this morning.  I've been stalled out on one game for quite awhile now ( weeks), so look forward to days when I have double fish, but today wasn't one of those days.  Still, any fish I got wouldn't do anything that I thought they should do.  Actually, they appeared to consistently do absolutely nothing to advance the game. No wonder I give up after just a few games.

Cathy, when I had my most severe gall bladder attack, I wasn't able to eat anything, and even had trouble with drinking water.  Certainly anything the least bit fatty would set me off vomiting. But often, after a few days of very careful eating, I could get back to managing, with only occasional pain. The influence of fat in the diet, with me anyway, appeared to be a cumulative thing. Not a very pleasant way to live, and I hope things work out.  I'll be thinking of both of you.

Have my critique session this afternoon, and I'm quite looking forward to it.  I also signed up for an 8 week workshop online, today.  It is with a woman whose work I've respected for some time ( even bought a book she wrote).  It looks like fun, doesn't look like It might be too demanding of my time, and is on a technique I've been aware of but never really tried.  I might actually learn something.

Just one of those weekends

It was the fair weekend in Neepawa and we, of course, finally got some rain.  We got about 1/3 of an inch.  Neepawa got between 1/2 and 3/4  and some friends north of town got over 2 inches.  All within less than 10 miles. We went to the pancake breakfast on Saturday, and then back home for a couple of hours until the parade started. It was a bit of a disappointment.  1 Fire engine, 1 police car.  No antique tractors.  Only 2 big ones from Mayer Equipement and Enns brothers.  A couple of "floats" (trailers pulled by trucks) and only a few antique cars. For some reason a young lady (a developmently challenged client of Touchwood services) decided she knew me and ran over to sit with me.  She actually left another man all by himself on the other side of the road.  I knew who she was but I had never spoken to her.  She talked a mile a minute, and everytime someone came by with candy she called out and when they asked if she would like one, it was like having a giant back hoe reach down and take as much as possible.  Her pockets were loaded.  But she had a good time clapping and waving at everything.  We went down to the fair grounds and visited with all the small animals in the petting barn and Jim found some French Fries.  (The chip truck wasn't there)  The fries were okay, but the only condiments they had out were Catsup and Mustard.  No vinegars or salts.  They were still homemade fries so Jim was happy.  Then that night Jim got sick and we were at Hospital emergency by 5:30 am.  He was really hurting.  The on call doctor decided not to come back to check him out, but she did authorize some morphine for his pain.   Finally saw a doctor about 8:45.  She thinks it might be gall bladder or kidney stones and has ordered an ultrasound for as soon as possible.  Since Saturday all he has had to eat is a bowl of Lipton's chicken noodle soup and some 7-up.  Today we had to take the car to Brandon for some warranty repairs.  Our original plan was to do some shopping and go out for lunch.  That did not happen.  We got there at 10am. dropped off the car and walked over to Canadian Tire.  We got there, Jim sagged onto a stack of water filter salt bags, caught his breath and we walked back to the Dealership and sat in the waiting room.  The repairs will be an all day job  so we have to go back on Wednesday.  They will rent us a car while ours is in the shop but it still a waste of a day.  Jim drove both ways but flaked out the rest of the day.  We had a killer frost last night.  I covered all my plants, but I still lost 2 tomatoes and 2 peppers. I planted my flowers today, so I hope they live.  Also, on Sunday, after we got back from the hospital, Jim's sister Glenda, from BC called.  She could not get hold of their other sister Jean.  Her phone was always busy.  Jim tried and got the same busy signal, so Glenda asked him to go and check on Jean.  He got there and it was a problem with her phone.  She could call out, but could not receive calls.  She looked at Jim and told him to go home cause he looked like shit.  (she was right).  Also on Sunday Jim's goddaughter, Kellie, and her husband dropped in.  The had managed to locate a windshield for his quad, so while Kellie visited with Jim Tyler installed it for him.  Jim kept on dozing off while they were here so the left by about 8:30.  I put him to bed with the heating pad and then stayed up until about 11 so that I could let the dogs out.  I was pretty tired by then having been at the hospital so early.  I think I will be in bed early tonight though.  I had junk food for supper (tortilla chips with cheese and salsa :) ) but I wasn't going to cook for myself.  I am going to force Jim to eat something tomorrow.  I will offer fruit for breakfast and maybe some veggies for lunch.  He is supposed to avoid fatty foods until they figure out what is wrong with him.  And we even had A&W coupons for our lunch today 😢

Dentist trip

Just came back from my Dental Appointment - cleaning and xrays and then Dentist did an examination. All is well and another appt scheduled for Dec. The Insurance and deductible does not cover everything $$$ but will get enough back. It is worth it to have my own teeth until I die and have them in working order haha!
As for my red bag - I took it this morning with my slippers and wallet etc and felt so flashy strutting down the street. It was the pattern from Last Homely House..and I followed it exactly as she detailed. It would be big enough for a small shopping but I still would want the bigger commercial bags for a lot of heavy and bigger items. I also think I might extend the length of the handles even by an inch or two although there is really no problem with them as is. I would like to try it with boxed corners but need to read some instructions again to refresh my mind as to how to sew.  I will definitely be making more but probably as a tote bag more than a grocery bag but I'll try that too, and see how I like it. I have visions of being able to utilize my million yoyo's or extra hexis as embellishment on front. 
Back to a busy day. I just completed making the grave flower arrangement for us to take on our way to shopping in Huntsville. This is a yearly event - to make and take, and then to go back in Fall to retrieve and store.. It is all new this year - often need to refresh it's appearance regularly as it gets weather worn.
Take care.

An Accomplishment

Well done Beth, both in completing the project, but also in cutting loose the time necessary to do it.  This wouldn't have been easy for you.  And since I have a small sample of the fabric, I can easily visualize how dramatic the finished project must look.  Did you use my pattern as a guide or the instructions from "The Last Homely House---"?  I'm wondering if her instructions  give you a roomy enough bag for grocery shopping.  However much I would like to make one, I certainly don't need any more totes or grocery bags around here.  I'm still loving the owl bag I got from Dollarama, after seeing yours.  I saw a bag very similar to the one on the internet, today, at my ATC group luncheon.  Given that this was a bunch of artists, I shouldn't have been surprised that one lady had taken a plain beige bag, very like the one from the internet, and painted it all over, making a very colourful and unique bag.  My bag making will also be delayed by not having any light weight canvas or bottom weight fabric that I could use, although I could also use a light weight twill like your red fabric.  

You joke about setting up in business, but don't be surprised if people make comments about your red bag.  Given how many places now give away totes, or sell them for very low prices, I don't expect you could ever sell them at a profit.  I have thought about it, and have sold grocery totes at craft sales, but more to get rid of them than to make any money.

Another lazy day around here.  Next week will be quite busy, although one task has been removed from a long list.  We don't have to drive out to Manitou to pick up the fibre art exhibition pieces that we're hanging in Winkler on Friday.  Thank Goodness, I was worried about how and when we would do that.

Agree - the two days of summer was nice

Rainy, and drizzly and coldish today - not an outside day at all. So after getting the wash done, and odds and sods of jobs done, I bit the bullet and got out all my sewing items and guess what?...... I made a shopping bag / tote bag!  I actually made it from start to finish in the afternoon... doing everything from gathering all I needed and setting up a work place to cutting fabric and sewing and ironing and basically just having a ball! And I have a beautiful red tote bag with a six patch of quilt blocks sewn onto the front for embellishment. It was such great fun for me and such a feeling of accomplishment. I have a whole bolt of the red fabric - I could start my own business - Beth's Red Bags - how does that sound? I guess I am still having fun with it, eh?  Take care

Wasn't summer nice?

Appears to be over now.  A cold, off and on rainy day.  I sure hope you're getting some of this Cathy.  David says that the maps on the weather channel show it in your area, but you've said that you can sometimes see rain all around your place, and never get a drop.

Laundry day today.  Without the furnace going, things take much longer to dry, than they did during the winter.  Most of my clothes need to be hung to dry or laid flat to dry, something I've become used to. But, while doing the laundry, I can justify spending time in the studio,  The chore I've been dreading for days--the thread painting on my Tree of Life--was really bothering me.  I mentioned that I had  shown it to my fibre art friends, and that they said I was on the right track, so I sat down and did it today.  I had thought for sure that it would take me several days to do, but it went much faster than that.  I've now rinsed out the wash away stabilizer, and it, too, is drying in the basement.

Tomorrow, I have a four hour workshop on the business of textile art.  I think I may have mentioned this before, as well.  It starts at 11:00, and we have a 1/2 hour talk on applying for grants, then a 1/2 hour's discussion about this while eating lunch.  We have all been told to make sure to take a bag lunch.  After that there will be 3 hours of "writing to support a textile art".  I really wish the time spent with the writing and info about grants were reversed.  It was the grant stuff that I signed up for.

Sunday is the ATC group, but after two attempts to make the little suckers, I wrote them and said that while I would be joining them, I wouldn't be trading.  Monday is free, but Tuesday I have a critique session with the same lady, so I better "butter her up" tomorrow.
Wednesday morning David has a doctor's appointment, at 8:30, and I have the AGM of the gallery in Selkirk in the evening.  Thursday is free, but Friday I have a show hanging in Winkler.  It's my job to get the show itself to Winkler, and it's presently in Manitou.  I can't run out and get it, as this is the lady whose grandson was in the serious motorcycle accident last week, and she said that she would let me know when I could drive out there.  I sure hope convenient for her is the same as convenient for me!  It would be even nicer if she would find herself able to drop the show off at the gallery some time during the week, as she only lives 20 miles away.

Otherwise, we are still relaxing and having down time.  The house is starting to show it, but I'm ignoring it.  Now for a few minutes with my book, and off to bed.  Sleep well tonight ladies.

Short changing ourselves?

We should all appreciate just exactly what we, each of us, does during the days of our lives and not think that we are any more or any less achieving greatness. Pati I know what shoveling gravel/sand is like - I go out onto the road every Spring and fill boxes with the stuff so to have it handy for the Winter, and I take the rake and heavy push broom out to the front driveway and do the same after the little sweeper machine has come down our street. I try to push it all back onto the driveway and then later on I rake all the gravel up the driveway from the road to try to level the driveway. The pumping of water and downfall of rain tends to move the gravel towards the roadway so I try to bring it back. So it was no easy job for you to do what you did! 
I love Pickled Gizzards (Cathy are you onto her blog yet?) I have my usual process every morning to check out all the blogs that I have bookmarked  - it is my little routine. And so I also check Last Homely House every day as well. I start with McGrathPaBeCat, then Mouse Factory and then WFP, and then Weather, and then on down the line until I've covered them all.
I mentioned that bolt of red fabric that Harry got at a sale for $1.00 a while back. I decided to make a fabric shopping bag following with what Pati described doing last week. I still have a "well loved and used" bag from Pati with little green trees on the front so I layed it out and measured the dimensions and plotted a plan to make paper pattern and what I would embellish on the front etc and basically got myself all excited with the prospects of doing so. Yesterday I slipped into Fabricland while Harry went into his Magic Dollar Store, and had three spools of red thread in my hand to buy - one of the attending workers passed by and said off handily "the good thread is over there by the window - that's just some exhibit thread" and walked away as fast as she had come. All of a sudden I lost my confidence and left the thread, and walked out of the store.  Crazy feeling and probably a stupid thing to do but nevertheless that is what I did!!  Then last night i watched the latest Last Homely House video and didn't she demonstrate making a grocery bag! I had a good laugh at the coincidence of it all and resolved to carry on with my original plan. And besides, I already  have some red thread here at home that I can use.
I better sign off for now before you both fall asleep at my ramblings. It's Friday is it feels good and I hope you both also feel good! ps I take the car into the garage this afternoon to change the tires and get an oil change - I will stop by the Library on my way and take out another book to read while I wait!  Take care

Pickled Gizzards

There is a new post on the Pickled Gizzards site today.  Gosh, I wish we could follow that one!  She doesn't post often, but it's always worth reading, when she does.  I subscribed to Last Homely House (it's free!) so don't have to check that every day--but I do.

I'm stalled out on my Circle of Life piece, and took it to my fibre art support group meeting last night.  They said that I'm on the right track and to carry on.  Can't do that today, as I need some ATC's for Sunday.

David and I had a pretty lazy day yesterday.  We went out in the afternoon, and he dropped me off for coffee while he went to the bank and bought a lottery ticket.  Then I read about all that you've accomplished, Beth, and feel like a real slackard, or maybe someone who is may be missing the point?  David even cooked supper for us--his special fried rice, using the leftover white rice from the Chinese food we ate the other day.

One thing we did accomplish was filling all the holes between the driveway bricks with sand-in the rain.  David didn't want to leave the holes that were left after we got rid of the grass and moss with the pressure washer, the night before.  He spread the sand, and both of us pushed it into the holes with old brooms.  Then the left over sand had to be put back into the 5-gallon pail it came out of. So, with him manning the stable broom, and with my bad back and titanium knees, I got to shovel sand back into a bucket.  Great fun.

Nice night temps are great...

What a relief to have temps at night where one does not have to worry a bit about freezing - hope it lasts forever haha! A bit of some rain along with a thunderstorm but that's nothing we cannot handle.
A trip to Mike's yesterday to check on things while he is away. The cats were being cautious and except for the one I had to go looking for the other two. Finally found the last one hiding under the chesterfield in the rec room but not before I was starting to worry. Mike had wanted me to give them loves but that was obviously not going to happen. Enough that I gave them food and water and changed their litter box - enough for our first cat sitting visit anyway!
But we also worked in the yard and Harry diligently weeded and refurbished a neglected flower garden along the front of the house and planted with marigolds etc - looks nice now. And we dug up another squared wood framed plot at the side that always got in the way of Mike mowing the lawn - it was leveled and weeded and planted with grass seed. But there was a huge clump of well established rhubarb that we dug up and brought home. I quickly found a spot beside my other patch and transplanted them - this morning they look OK - at least not all wilty so hopefully they will take nicely.
Mike had left a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and a bag of licorice all sorts for me as a Mother's Day gift so he said. Beautiful arrangement of roses, and daisy and a green flower I do not know - I hope it will last for some time.  I know the candies will NOT!
So on with another day - apparently we are going to North Bay today as Harry wants to go to the Magic Dollar Liquidations Store - a friend from Sundridge owns it and Harry has shopped at her home store for years (quasi garage sale set up ) and now she has an actual store in North Bay. 
Have a good day everyone...it is so wonderful to look out and see green and fresh and not that snow / cold that plagued me all winter. It feels so good, and so good for one's soul! XX

Gardens

I would send you pictures, but since my Nanking Cherrries don't even have leaves yet, there are no flowers.  I did get optimistic and believed the weather report yesterday.  The forecast was for 70% chance of 5mm of rain today.  I put in my garden, except for the flowers.  Overnight the forecast changed to 10% chance of 1mm today.   Needless to say the garden is being watered from the well and not the sky.   We renewed our mortgage yesterday and the interest rate was not as bad as I had feared. I also changed to payment to monthly from bi-weekly to match our new (lower) income.  We do not have life insurance on the mortgage since Jim is not eligible and it is $125 per month for me.  Hopefully we don't need it.  Jim taped a show last night that he wants to start watching.  Sitting around doing nothing!  My kind of day.

What a thrill...

So happy to log on and read the post and all the pictures Pati. You have set the bar high as I would love to see more from you both, but I cannot reciprocate. How about you Cathy? Can you stage a tour from your garden in pictures?
Did not freeze last night so one more night of iffy low temps and we may be scott free for awhile. Good thing as nothing can be covered at this point- plants scattered all over the yard. It would all have to be sprayed.  But I did manage to pick up all the kitchen garbage that was spread across the front this morning when I took the dog out early. Some nasty critter did that in the dark of the night. It would have been hauled to the dump yesterday except it being a holiday, and the dump being closed.
Today we are off shopping and then tomorrow off to Mike's to check his cats and house etc. He starts his Field School today for the next six weeks. He has a very long drive to get to the "site" but also has two other students that he is taking from Sudbury so has to pick them up before heading south down #69 highway. 
So busy here as always....however since yesterday was wet and coldish, and I decided to stay inside - and I worked on hexigons.... Yeah!  Take care

And now for something entirely different

Today was a lovely warm day, so I put a pullover sweater over my t-shirt, and spent most of the morning outside working on my little tree ornaments.  David was puttering in the garden, doing all sorts of things to get it ready for when my friend Andrea comes to do some gardening for us.  Made me think of the old joke about women cleaning their homes for when the cleaning lady arrives.  I even ate lunch outside, but then the wind increased and it got just a little too cold for me to work out there.  After lunch it was off to Starbucks, but I brought my coffee home, as the wind had died and it was nice enough to be outside again.  Setting up my work I knocked the almost full large cup of coffee all over the patio.  Bad words were spoken.

While David was working this morning, I took a bunch of pictures of my garden, thinking of taking  a page out of  The Last Homely House site, and giving you a tour of my garden.  If you get bored, don't worry, I won't be insulted if you stop watching.  Besides, if you did , how would I know?

Despite my worrying, the bloom on the Nanking Cherries appears to have survived.  This is the tree we worry about the most.  Most of it has died off, and been cut out, but this year it's putting on quite a show.  Some of the new growth coming up from the bottom even has some bloom. 

The other tree is becoming quite gnarled, and the bit to the right may have to come off.  Unfortunately, the larger portion on the left is growing very low and leaning to the left more and more every year.  This is the one that has beautiful fruit, in the neighbour's yard.

Earlier this year David transplanted some rhubarb from under the Nanking Cherries to the other side of the yard, along the garage.  It seems to be doing quite well, but we know that it will take about 3 years until it's firmly in  place.

The Rhubarb to the right of the above is our main patch, and the one we have harvested every year so far.  David is already talking about making a pie.  Maybe this weekend.

The peonies seem to grow more by the minute.  David insists he can see them growing.

The Rhubarb patch that is still under the Nanking Cherries is really coming into its own this year, but I'm afraid we're going to lose it.  When Andrea was over Saturday evening, she pointed out a plant growing in the same area that she said was a noxious weed, and needed to be removed asap.  Purple Bell Flower, I think.  The yard next door is absolutely full of it, and once she pointed it out to us, we could see quite a bit of it in the garden on that side, and even starting to invade the grass.  This is one of the jobs she is going to do for us.  She is a very well educated woman, and has taught at the university level, but is unable to find a job right now, and is working at a plant nursery.  That job ends soon, and then she will give us some time, until she can find something else.

As usual we don't have to worry about the day lilies.  They come back every year, healthy and strong, no matter what we do to them.  If the money lasts, we may ask Andrea to dig these out for us, as well.

I'm worried about my Mock Orange.  the only sign of life is a few leaves just coming right at the top of the bush.  Everything else appears dead.I'm thinking that we may have to take it out this year.  I've spoken about it before.  It greeted me the day we move in with a glorious display of flowers, and has bloomed the first week of July every year since. .

Of course, what walk through the yard would be complete without checking out the bird feeders.  These two have been added within the last year.

We still have a few Lady Slippers.  I think we've counted about 5.  I'm hoping that Andrea will be able  to weed this flower bed for us, but David doesn't see it as a priority, so we'll have to see.

 The Spirea doesn't appear to be doing well.  It looks like someone cut away about 3/4 of it, but it wasn't us.  We may lose this one as well, this year.

Only within the last couple of days have we seen much in the way of life in the front flower beds.  These plants look pretty dismal but there are small leaf buds on them, so we're optimistic.

The ornamental Maple bush is doing fine.  It's sheltered in the corner of the steps, and pruned every winter by the rabbits.

 That's the garden today.  I'll let you know if there is any change as the days grow warmer ( I hope they grow warmer).

Holiday Monday...

Here's a quickie early Monday morning. I just watched a couple of The Last Homely videos on the computer while sipping at my first morning coffee - this is the time where I can usually sit and enjoy myself for a little bit before the house awakens and the day starts.
What a storm last evening - I almost hesitate to tell you about the amount of rain that came down in one hours time for fear Cathy will wish she had it there. Our yard was like a lake with the water laying all around - the water was ( as I have always told you) coming down the walk to the front and the pump was put into action. I was out in the worst of it to set up the drains to divert the water from the overfilled barrels and I also used several of the big bags of soil in plastic bags as a quasi "sand bag" dam. Fortunately the worst lasted only about an hour but what a dreadful hour it was!
This morning the sky is blueish and the sun is starting to brighten this lovely morning sky so perhaps all shall be well?
I now deserve another coffee and some breakfast and then "on with it" eh?? Sure to be another exciting day in the yard working. Yesterday I made a slow cooker of ribs and tried to make rice in a new Tupperware Rice Steamer that Harry got at a garage sale. The instructions were clear enough but the rice came out like a flat hard patty. I massaged the mass and soaked it in water so as to have some edible rice to go with my ribs. Not really good! I'll try it again sometime but I shall put more water into the bowl than was directed to and perhaps the rice will come out better?
Take care for now.  ps Pati I loved the posting and pictures on the other blog - anxious to see what becomes of them now, with your mind made up as to next steps?

Cold is definitely the right word

I'm back to wearing my blue jacket, and heavy sweaters in the house, and using an extra quilt on the bed.  And Yes, the furnace has been on almost every day so far--I think we missed one.

There has always to been some sort of guideline around here that you put your bedding  plants and vegetable gardens in on the May long weekend.  The nurseries have been very busy the last few days, and you see people around hauling plants and trees etc in their cars.  To be fair, I admit that our rhubarb is up, and the Nanking Cherries have bloomed and lost most of their bloom in the wind and rain.  We even have some peonies sticking their heads out.  But then I think I read somewhere that this sort of thing is triggered more by the amount of light than by the temperature.
 I had read an article in the paper, about how often our recycling is contaminated, and how China is now refusing to buy it, creating a recycling crisis is Canada.  The article mentioned the plastic containers that mushrooms come in as a big problem, and I have always used them.  I thought that any rigid plastic container was good.  Not so. From now on we're putting them in paper bags. We've used our reusable grocery bags for years, and have talked about me making some light weight bags for bagging veggies, instead of using the plastic bags they have in the store. David has tried taking a re-usable container to the Bulk Barn, and today we took a bunch of them.  No problem.  They weigh it for you when you go in and mark the weight on the lid.  That amount is then deducted from the weight of the full container.  We also wanted a wee snack while we were there, so I had them weigh my re-usable Starbucks coffee cup, and we took out 4 small cookies in that.

We decided to have a sausage and onion casserole for supper, even if that meant going out to by wild rice this morning. Now my sausages are cooked, and I'm waiting for the  to cool down, so I can cut them up and mix them in. For some reason, I forgot to prick them before putting them in the microwave.  I had thought that they would explode, but guess not. 

I mix 1/2-1/3 cup wild rice, sometimes a bit of white rice, 2-21/2 mild Italian Sausage links, crumbled and browned off, although this time it was cooked in the microwave and chopped up, 1 package French's Onion Gravy mix, and mix in 1/4 can of French's Crisp Onion Toppers.  (This used to be Durkee French Fried Onions).  I bake it for about 40 minutes at 350, and then take off the lid and sprinkles another 1/4 can of onions on top.  Back in the oven for another 20 minutes.  With a bit of a salad, makes a very tasty meal.  The recipe can also be easily multiplied as often as you need to, although the cooking time might have to be increased a bit.

Okay.  Sausage cool, time to get busy.  Have a great weekend.  I'm looking forward to my two special shows this evening on tv--Doc Martin and Midsomer Murders. On PBS out of Detroit.(Shaw channel 81  I think ) 

Not surprising....

....especially since the implications of the "weather" consumes my life. Froze here last night as well. Takes at least two hours to cover up at night, and then again another two hours in the morning to uncover and the sheets have to be hung up on the fences to dry and then folded to be put away. I do have a routine though, and know how to cover, with the necessary preparations having already been done during the day - such as wood stakes or tomato rings set up. Its the doing and the undoing that takes it toll on me so I have to compensate by keeping a good frame of mind and talking to myself and having the dog out with me 'to help" haha!
I was out working this morning when I heard my name called from over the fence -there was neighbour Ruth working next door at her sisters yard ( the Dutch couple). Of course she gave me a tongue lashing for not coming over to her house for a visit and coffee - she says "you go by at least two times a day or sometimes three with the dog and you don't even drop in" She must watch me from her window???  
We had a BBQ for lunch today (lunch and supper all rolled into one!) Harry was instrumental in suggesting it so I told him to go ahead - get the BBQ ready for the first cooking of the year, and connect the propane tank, and buy some food and go to it. So he did, but as you know it is never a one man show around here haha! And we had hamburgers, and then strawberry shortcakes for dessert.
So I must get back to work I guess. Thank goodness no covering up for next foreseeable future (for three or four days anyway) but rain coming in tonight - so I must set up the drain pipes to divert the water from going into the barrels as they are full and only overflow and drain down to the front and then I have to pump! Talk about "weather" consuming one's life?
Hope all is well. And it is May 24 isn't it but you sure cannot tell with only 8 degrees outside and overcast. But last night I was able to see very clearly the Full Blue Moon - it was brilliant and shone on through the bedroom window so I could not miss it. It was a sight to be sure. I did however miss the Northern Lights that were to be so visible the previous last few nights - did you folks get to see them?  Take care 

Weather

Is there any other subject these days.  It is still freezing at night here.  Yes, May long and it is freezing.  Needless to say my bedding plants are in the house still.  They lifted the fire ban in our RM, but we know it is only because the part south of us got quite a bit of rain recently.  We got about 1 mm, but it was wet.  The fire ban is still on in Neepawa and the RM of Rosedale so I think we will follow their lead until rain comes.  Besides, the wind is gusting to 60 today.  Not a good day to burn anything.  We took the dog into be shaved yesterday.  He sure looks smaller when all the fur is removed.  In theory it was supposed to be warm by now and he would be cooler.  Instead he stands outside the patio door and shivers.  We get to go in an renew our mortgage next Tuesday.  I know our interest rate will be going up, but I hope we can get some sort of deal based on our previous rate.  I have a quiche in the oven for breakfast today.  I have been craving one so I figured today was as good a day as any.  Jim is never hungry when he gets up so figuring out the timing so that he would want to eat something was a bit tricky.  He agreed to 9 am, so it should be ready by then.  Rrain was given some Phillipino Pork KaBobs that she wants to barbecue (ie.... get Jim to BBQ), but the weather is not cooperating.  Jim thinks it might be warm and calm enough on Monday.  Hope so cause she is really looking forward to eating them.  They were made fresh at the kitchen at ArtsForward and she loved them when she lived in the Phillipines.   Jim has just come upstairs looking very sad.  He wants it to warm up.  Maybe by July

No rain here as forecast

Sitting at the computer looking out the window and I see clear blue skies and sun shining in - beckoning me outdoors to sit with a coffee - only problem is that it is minus 2 feeling like minus 4 degrees right now. I think I'll stay in and sip at my cup of brew and write to you folks haha! And yes, I spent a goodly part of time covering up for last night. It took longer than usual because the wind was whipping around the sheets and otherwise causing me grief, and because Harry had been out planting more tomatoes during the day which meant more to cover. Now I have the pleasure of removing said sheets and trying to dry them - hoping that the tomatoes survived. When I took the dog out for his nightly trip before bed, I noticed that I had missed the newly planted dahlias at the front so quickly grabbed more sheets and covered them - it would have been a shame to have missed them as they are newly purchased and look so fresh and healthy. Up to this year we have dug up and wintered the bulbs and finally what we had were good no more. So I am truly looking forward to these new colourful flowers. We were to get a thunderstorm and rain but that did not materialize.
So hoping that rain did materialize for you Cathy - I have been telling the clouds looming over head here the last few days to move on over to the West, but then the weather systems seem to move West to East don't they??
I had to phone the Library to renew my book as it was due and I was not nearly finished (Kate Morton The Distant Hours) so now have another two weeks - I do not seem to have the time or energy to read much before bed so found myself behind. NO resolution yet to the dilemma of ordering books from other Libraries here in Ontario so I am stuck with what they have.  I have been going on line looking to purchase Book Plates as a gift for Mike for all his newly purchased texts, but without luck. I went into Coles the other day and they do not have any and neither did Chapters on line nor Amazon. I am thinking maybe they are a thing of the past? I have two little boxes - one with an owl and one box that you gave me Pati  and I still use them on my treasured books. 
Time to start the day I believe today is "clean the bird cages " day yippee!  Take care - it is so good to log on and see your musings.

Never fails

Every year, every  time the Nanking Cherry starts to bloom, we have wind and rain.  Every flippin' year!!

David and I were wondering if any of the rain had hit you, Cathy.  There's been a slow gentle rain since about 1:00.  We have had a lazy, peaceful day.  David went across to the Chinese restaurant in the mall for supper.  I don't think I've eaten that well in months, even though I ate carefully.

This morning, I got an e-mail from Pennington's, as I do every day, advertising tops for $19--a good deal.  But they were off the internet.  I've never bought clothes off the internet.  There was one item I particularly liked ( not on sale though). So I suggested that I look to see if there might be the same deal in the local store.  There was.  I got the top I wanted at the regular price, and one regular $54 for $19.  I found a lovely tank top/undershirt for $9.99, regular $30.00, and another undershirt for $20, that I would wear as a top, as long as I had something over it.  I'm looking for light weight undershirts to wear under my corset.  The heavy winter ones, will be just too warm for summer.

I guess it sounds like I've accepted my higher weight, but that's not necessarily true.  I've been running on three pairs of pants for several months now, and have been looking, and feeling ratty in them, given that two pair are jeans.  I have several events coming up for which I want to look a little better.  

Today, I signed up for a workshop on preparing the documents one needs to exhibit one's work.  Things like a cv, a bio and artist's statements.  It's a free workshop, but being held through the Manitoba Crafts Council, with a visiting leader, from Memorial University in Newfoundland.  This is a very high profile Canadian artist.  I have also registered, and paid for, a critique session with the same lady a couple of days later.  This is through a different group, but one in which I have attended several events, and felt like a poor relation at all of them.  I'll feel better prepared this time.

Dare I say it?!

We had some rain today. It even left a little bit in the rain gauge!  Not enough to measure but rain none the less. We really need a lot more since this rain settled the dust for only a few minutes but it was rain. It still seems to be going all around us. The sun is already shining but we are hoping for more. At least the dust settled. I started to make supper but Jim said he would do it. Who am I to argue?

Is there a message in this?

Didn't sleep well, although lately my sleep has been better. Generalized pain finally got me up, barely able to walk with pain and stiffness.  I told David that I didn't think I would be having a very good day, that I knew it was physical, and that I would just have to see it through, as mental strength and control would be useless against it.  This is day 3.  The guilt of having to ask David to take up  the slack also botherhttp://sherriequilt.blogspot.com/2019/05/strength-within-you.htmls me.  So I sat down to my breakfast, and read the paper.  

Today's horoscope  (this goes for you too, Cathy)

 Take a mental health day, and spend it lost in daydreams. Don't waste time feeling guilty. Grab a coffee and find a place to enjoy a fantasy escape.

Then I read some of my usual blogs, including this one. http://sherriequilt.blogspot.com/2019/05/strength-within-you.html

"Nuff said!

Ups and downs

Yesterday, Kellie’s (Jim’s Goddaughter) husband dropped in. this is the first time he has ever come without her. We had a really nice visit. He came on his vintage Harley. What a beautiful bike!!  It was such a nice surprise and a great visit. Kellie was at work, but Tyler had to fill in on days for a while so was at loose ends while she worked nights. Usually both are nights, but at different jobs.  Today, unfortunately, the dogs cornered the cat. I was in the house and missed the whole thin, but Jim caught part of it. We took her to the vets and $200 later the xrays showed no damage but she is traumatized. I have some nsaids for the pain for her but she keeps finding places where she feels safe and we can’t reach her. Poor baby. Still no rain here. Last night the wind was howling and woke me up. I checked the radar and there was a massive system north of us and one south of us and a very narrow band of nothing where we were. Please keep hoping for rain here. And on to the next day.

Another lazy day

I'm starting to get concerned at my lack of ambition.  At the same time I'm dealing with more painful episodes arising from my arthritic back.  Walking and stairs are particularly difficult right now.  I have never before given any consideration to the role that physical capacity might pay in ambition, and initiative.  Well, maybe that's a lie, as I've often seen clients in whom these issues were present.  Just never thought that it would become me.

The upside of this is how wonderful it is to sit in the garden and read, without feeling too much guilt.  To feel no guilt about housework, as we are able to maintain basic cleanliness and order, with both of us contributing to the cause.  Over the years we've learned so many ways of streamlining food preparation, and when that isn't working, we live out of the freezer.  Mind you, living out of the freezer means preparation at  some point, but that just needs a willingness to power cook.

Machine sewing is now done in short stretches, as the back just won't tolerate the hours that I used to spend at the machine.  The current hours are also more slowly paced, and that's just fine with me.  I'm still accomplishing "something".  I also pace things by changing jobs at regular intervals.  I'm playing with my Inktense blocks in two of my many empty sketchbooks, and the pages need time to dry before being worked on again.  I'm following the lad of the videos I have watched on Design Matters TV, and am laying down background colour, before the more detailed stuff.

After telling Cathy about The last Homely House, today's effort was all about her store--not the first thing I would have wanted anyone to see.  But the other videos are available on the right side of the screen, so everthing is under control.

No cherries here...

....but lots of bananas. We went shopping yesterday, Monday, because it was rainy and chilly, and not ideal to be out in the garden. A diversion from the usual Tuesday outings haha! But actually we have the same weather today so I still do not know if I shall go out to work although I have been told that I have to put some cow manure on the dahlias I planted on the weekend.
I just made a double batch of the Easy Banana Muffins I like so much. And because Harry purchased about two dozen of the little yellow things off the discount shelf at Walmart. He plans to make more fruit smoothies this morning - we drink them and also freeze some for later because there is always too much to consume at the time. I just pulled out more frozen fruit that had been put away expressly for making smoothies.
Lots of travel Pati but I would have been scared as well with driving and hearing noises and having things quit on me. Is there a problem? as you seemed to have rectified it since you both were out again on the highway.
Time to go as lots to do. I was hoping to get onto the net last evening to watch more of The Last Homely House East of the Sea but could not stay up. Maybe tonight?  Cathy, Pati and I have been enjoying this lady and her adventures - She does most of all sorts of things including gardening and I watched an episode of that the other night - very relaxing for me as she has a way of engaging you in her conversation as she putters away.  Take care

Nanking Cherries

Our Nanking cherries are in rough shape as well.  I have to wonder if they have and short life span.  We have cut so many branches off one poor thing that it's starting to look like a broom stick.  But I've heard that one needs at least two trees for pollination.  It's beside the bird feeder, so the birds make good use of it. ( the squirrel as well)  I still remember last year when David went right into the heavily padlocked back yard of the grow-op next door and asked if he could pick the cherries that hung over the fence.  She was so shocked that she said yes.

We won't be having much of a garden.  We're finally down to perennials, except for the two or three plants we'll buy for the soil in the sink, out side.

Had a meeting in Selkirk this morning,  Headed out, and got just North of Hmy 44 , while on Hwy 59, When there was aloud pinging noise coming from the car.  This is the same pinging that one gets when the keys are in the ignition when the driver's door opens.  At the same time I lost my cruise control.  I pulled over and turned the car off, and the noise continued!!  There were no lights or any other indication on the dashboard.  I phoned David and he called the Gallery to let them know I wouldn't be there.  He had no idea what to do either, so I turned around and babied it home, without using the cruise control.  David took it out onto the highway and found nothing wrong.

Since I had a meeting in Lorette this afternoon, he went with me, CAA card in hand. It was a two hour meeting of the Lorette Free Craft Group, but there were only three of us there.  So he sat with us and read his book, while we chatted away, including a wee bit of malicious gossip.  (You really have to trust your friends to gossip maliciously with them).  This is the second meeting, and no-one else has shown up.  It's been an experiment by the three of us to see if we can form a craft group that might ultimately form the nucleus of a group of vendors for a craft sale in November.  Not sure if this is going to work.

The we spent the rest of the afternoon not doing much.  David did a bit of watering in the garden, while I sate on the patio and read a book.  The first really nice day of the summer.

How to spend a day, Part 2

Not nearly as exciting as Part 1.  After repeated failures to start the tiller, I resorted to going on Poop Patrol.  With 2 large dogs this is ongoing.  Usually in the spring we can get 7 or 8 large pails in one day.  Yesterday, I only got 3/4 of a pail.  Maybe they are going into the field again.   That would make my yard much easier to navigate, especially in bare feet. We also took the chain saw and cut off a lot of dead branches from the Nanking Cherries.  There were a lot and I am not sure how much will survive.  I want to wait until the leaves are out before cutting anymore.  \With it so cold and dry not many leaves are out yet.  It is supposed to be warmer today, but still no moisture in the forecast.  We are pretty desperate here.  The pastures are not growing which means the cattle are still on winter feed, and it is running out.  Lots of crops are in, but nothing growing because of the weather.  Pati, I read your comments on the pickeral.  It is an easy fish to fillet and should not have bones in it.  I am wondering if you were eating Jack instead.  It is much harder to fillet and always has bones left behind.  Today our plans are to plant the potatoes and onions, even if it is too dry.  Jim got the pump primed yesterday, but it has a leak and he has to shut it down to silicone it.  He figures it was so easy to prime yesterday he will have to pay the price today when he tries again. But it does work and we will water the garden soon.  That should bring on the rain.   We left the car outside the last two nights, but that didn't work. The garden will be small this year.  No carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, or swiss chard.  Yeah, I know.  Just wait and I bet some of that goes in.  I want to try and establish another herb garden this year.  Mine slowly died off from lack of care but I want to tray again.  So many plans for such a short summer. Time for some tea.  Enjoy your day

Birds

The mention of exciting birds peaked my interest and so I pulled out my "bird book" The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds and followed your description Pati to try to identify a bird spotted in our yard the other day. The closet I can see is not a Pine Grosbeak, but perhaps, a Red Crossbill. It is not a Rose Grosbeak. The wings lack of white strips are the defining difference but the reddish colours are it's distinguishing characteristic. I wish I knew my birds better - but maybe with my handy book, I can start to take notice more intensely. So if either of you spot a bird, give a description (and name if you know it) and I can look it up and identify - mostly for my own sake as I would really like to improve my knowledge.
Did not freeze last night - good thing as I did not cover up- it was 5 degrees this morning just as the weather stated it would be - so maybe I have more confidence in this and can follow it's direction related to need to cover. 
On with another week and full of energy to do what I can. My desire to 'eat an elephant" haunts me - yesterday I did something little and it did make a difference in my attitude so hopefully I can continue.   Take care, and keep in touch!

Another quiet day

We have no plans with the family, and really no plans for the day at all.  I finished all of the grocery bags I was making, yesterday.  Glad to see the end of that.  So I could start something new in the studio, if I choose to, and I may just try that.

The gallery reception was good yesterday.  I spent a bit of time talking to people, but also managed to help out washing coffee cups and making more coffee.  Even made a sale in the gift shop!

Some excitement this morning.  We had two Rose Grosbeaks at the feeder.  They appeared to be a pair, and spent most of the morning there.  At first I thought they might be Pine Grosbeaks, but a look in my "bird book", set me straight.  There has also been a huge flock of various sparrows, feeding off the ground under the feeder, all morning.  while we always have one or two sparrows, I can't remember ever having a flock to big, and certainly not one that would stick around for awhile.

Gosh, such an exciting life!  Next thing I'll be telling you what I plan for lunch.  Better go and eat rather than talk about it.

Family times

Oh. Cathy, what a gift--to spend time with a little one.  Treasure every moment.  She sure sounds like a "go getter".  And she sounds as though she has a brain in her head.  She must be a "keeper", and she's yours to enjoy.

I have never been able to see the appeal of Pickeral.  I think I tried it once and gave up half way through because of all the bones.  Maybe it just needs to be cooked right.  But then Cathy feels the same way about Tulibee if I remember.  Have found that cooked, frozen Tulibee is just fine heated up in the microwave.

Yesterday we were out and about a bit.  I'm on  "Dash" with Starbucks this week.  This means that if I make a purchase every day for so many days, I get some points towards free food.  So that had to be worked into our plans.  For awhile now I've want to get some Inktense Watercolor Blocks, but have put it to the back of my mind because of the price.  Yesterday, knowing there was a sale on at the art supply store across town, we headed there. I had prepared myself for a price-y purchase, and was very selective in my choices.  I looked around and found some Lumiere Fabric paint that was on sale and picked up three bottles of that, as well.  The check out was very very slow.  She had to find a code number on each of my paint sticks--pressed into the block and very hard to find and read.  Then she had to match that to numbers in her computer.  while this was going on, I asked her if, by chance, the Inktense blocks were on sale, and was surprised that they were 40% off.  In fact, everything in the store was on sale!  so off I went to see if I could find a sketch book with light weight pages to use for rubbings.  Alas no, all of the books there were too good  a quality.  lol

In the morning, David had spread all of the four bags of mulch he had bought.  Not a good decision to my mind, as he also had to load up each bag in the wheelbarrow and move it to the front yard before spreading it.  But we quickly realized that four bags was not nearly enough.  So purchasing more of that was also on our list of errands. Luckily, there was staff on hand to help him load them but now they have to be unloaded from the car before we hit the highway this afternoon.  He was pretty stiff and sore when he got up this morning.

There is the opening reception of a show at the gallery in Selkirk today, and I have a piece in the show, so should attend.  I even baked a batch of Melting Moments for the refreshment table.  There is also a prediction of rain and thunder storms for later this afternoon, and David wants to be off the highway early, so we might head home before the end of the reception.

How right you are...

This sounded like the perfect day...for all of you including Grandma!  Very interesting and what a variety of activities. Sounds as if Chloe likes to be kept busy? Is that so?  Not sure about the fish saga though, for Jim and you, but at least you came away with some fillets for the freezer. When I was there visiting last Sept, you (Jim was actually at the grill if I remember correctly) cooked up some pickerel and what a delightful meal.
We had salmon at Mike's today and I enjoyed that as well. I guess you could safely say that I enjoy all fish meals.  Some time ago I was lamenting the fact that my sewing machine needed me ( or was it I needed my sewing machine haha!) Anyway it traveled all the way to Mike's today and once he and I examined his surplus army tent for needed repair, I was able to sew on two missing flaps for the bottom (where the tent pegs fasten) I had cut off some old flaps from an old tent lying in our yard for years and took them just in case and they worked out just fine. Not the nicest looking sewing work, but it did the trick! 
I just came in from covering up the plants again - I so enjoyed the last two nights of "worry free no covering" weather but tonight and tomorrow night are hovering around zero again, so had to cover. One might consider trying to get away with it but all I have to do is think of the last four plus months of my work and stress and anxiety trying to keep the plants warm in less than ideal weather (and one night sitting in the greenhouse in the middle of the night in the cold and dark, when the power went out, and lighting candles to create some heat ).
So now I plan to watch a quilt show on the computer, and sip at my hot milk and then hit the sack.  Take care folks and enjoy the weekend. I'll wish you a Happy Mother's Day now but I'm sure to write again before the weekend is over. XX

How to spend a day

Kris and Chloe came for a visit on Wednesday.  She is still not that comfortable with me, since she doesn't see me often enough to get to know me, but since Daddy was there it was okay.  We coloured for a while....rainbow animals where every spot on the giraffe was a different colour, and the rat had stripes, and ..........  Then Daddy took her outside and she chased bubbles, which it seems, look like rainbows in the sunlight.  Boiled hot dogs (no bun) and cucumber for lunch and then to town to the playground.  Even though it was cold and windy she took off her shoes and sweater and played. I was shivering in my jacket.  Then we went for ice cream.  Jim had coffee.  From there we went to see Auntie Kik.  She was at work, but her work has paint and markers and paper!  Chloe made a Mother's day card for Sandi.   Jim wasn't able to stay for that part, cause we were expecting some pickeral to be delivered at about 2:30 so he headed over to the Legion.  We weren't getting any, but Jim was sort of going to be there when it came since some of the ones getting it couldn't be there that early.  Kris and Chloe had to get back to Killarney because the first soccer practice of the year was going to be at 5:30 and Chloe was very excited.  She wore her shin pads for a good part of the day.  Kris dropped me at the Legion but there was no fish.  People began arriving to pick it up and for some reason they figured that they would just leave and Jim could call them when it arrived.  The man that was the contact with the people is quite elderly and was not feeling very good that day.  He went home and called them then he came back to tell us the fish would be in at 7:00.  A very long day at the legion.  We told him to go home and stay there, but he phoned a while later and asked if we would ask them to take his fish to his house.  We think he really wanted a visit with them.  Finally they arrived and it seems they were a bit late because they were short on our order and had to go out and catch it that morning!  They brought 100 pounds.  That was 5 extra pounds, which I grabbed.  We still had a bit in the freezer, but there won't be much more until fall. (If it ever warms up... they might be fishing all summer at this rate).  And now you know how my Wednesday went.  Thursday I gave up on waiting for warmer weather and did a lot of yard work.  Raking and spreading leaves etc. on the garden.  I will till up the garden today, I hope.  We have had no measurable precipitation yet but are hoping.  It is usually really wet on May Long just because the campers head out. We are still under a full fire ban here so I haven't even been able to sit outside by the fire.  The campers will be restricted too, unless we get quite a bit in the next week.  I am going to put my potatoes in next week.  We usually do that the beginning of May, but have been waiting for spring to arrive.  |Time to get dressed and start my day.

Got in there Monday

The aisles are much shorter than the local Superstore, and that may just clinch the deal.  Prices are higher on some things and lower on others.  Superstore promises to match any lower advertised price, but the difference isn't enough to get me back there.  Having said that, the health and beauty section is much, much smaller at Freshco, and I didn't see any Whey Protein, so I may just have to visit Superstore once in awhile, but given the layout, won't have to travel those long aisles.  But we went in to check it out ans spent $131.00, so there must be some good prices at Freshco.  I popped in yesterday afternoon, after my coffee,and scored a flat of Blueberries.  Now there are 18 bags tucked away in the freezer.

Yesterday was my last mammogram.  Yeah!!  This morning David went in for an emergency dental appointment, but was out in just a few minutes.  He needs a root canal and some work on his bridge, so the doctor suggested we contact the Dental College, to see if he can get the work done there, for a much lower price.

Things in the studio are slowed down, as David wanted some more grocery bags.  I have five on the go, and not much time left over for the arty stuff.  Or am I just procrastinating?  I dyed the fabric I needed, and then started drawing the pattern.  I think I may be a little scared of the amount of work I see in this latest piece.

Cold again...

Quite the weather we are having but I am managing to keep ahead of it all so far. Mind you, the blankets go on at night and then they come off in the morning - a regular routine. Just out with Bailey and the outside temp is minus zero right now but with some clear skies and some sun, it should improve greatly to make for a great day.
Shopping again yesterday in Huntsville and we made a point to go to Freshco.  I hope you have had a chance to get into your store and shop around Pati as I think you may just like it. Although I cannot compare the two and they may be totally different but I like the layout and the prices are good here - we purchased many items yesterday that we wanted and were on sale. One such item was frozen salmon which Harry will prepare for a meal at Mike's on Friday as we are planning to go there to visit and get a handle on taking care of his animals and house while he is in the field on Course. He asks me to bring my sewing machine as there is some repair needed on his tent ? I do not know what and wonder if I can even help him with my machine but I shall take enough equipment so that sewing can be done anyway as needed. As well his electric coffee percolator died and so I'll take mine for him to use until his newly ordered one comes in. I rarely use mine with just me drinking coffee - it is the Keurig or french press that i mostly use here. Speaking of which I just made a cup and used some new coffee grounds I bought yesterday called Folgers Dark Roast. I wonder if I will like it? I was wanting to make a switch from my usual Maxwell House and this Folgers was on sale at Freshco. never hurts to try something new!  So now to try it out.....take care.

Garden work...

Be that I might have your two fellows come by here and freshen up things - not to be I guess. But glad you are happy with the job done Pati as that means they have recruited you as customers sure to call on them again.
The sit upon is no more. During the winter the roof collapsed from snow, and over the past years it has sadly deteriorated to be unsafe at best. So the handy little electric chain saw was brought out and cut, cut, cut, and it was in pieces. Three trips to the dump and it was gone. I have many happy memories of my "sits" "upon" it - early in the morning with my coffee watching the sun come up, or later in the evening taking pause of the day that was, and pondering the day to come!  So quick as can be the space it occupied was transformed with 16 new purchased cement blocks into another resting place - table and chairs in place and umbrella up. My wild rose bush that I cherish so much ( reminds me of home) still stands - all alone - it had rested along the trellis of the sit upon but now is free standing. I must trim it and them support it somehow on it's own so it will continue to flourish.
So many tomatoes are now outside in pots - I have to cover them all at night as the temperatures still hover around zero, and I still have to heat the greenhouses. The yard looks like a chinese laundry when I have all the sheets hanging over the fences and the chairs and whatever else I can use to dry them out ready to put back on at night. The side fence works great especially since the Dutch couple are not in residence, but they come on June 8 this year for their yearly extended visit so I will not be able to do that with them next door.
Another week is upon us and here's hoping that we all have a good time of it. The Lotto Max draws start twice a week now with a draw Tuesdays and Fridays so I must remember to get a ticket - not that it did any good this past Friday, but someone won the $50 M so I know it can happen haha!  Take care

Grocery stores

I understand that there has only been one Freshco store in Western Canada, until the two of them opened in Winnipeg this week.  We've been by there for the last three days and there is still a line up to get inside the store and the parking lot is even more full today than yesterday.

Cantor's is a Winnipeg institution.  It's a family run business that has been operating on Logan, west of McPhillips, for many, many years.  It is now into the 2nd and 3rd generation, and they have been interested in expanding for awhile now ( this from a newspaper article).  I believe they are known for their traditional methods for preparing and butchering meat ( Maybe Kosher??, maybe not)  I do know that every once in awhile David and I drive over there to buy a pickled--not smoked--brisket.  I can remember Daddy bringing home a pickled brisket once in awhile, and wouldn't be surprised if it came from the store on Logan.  I have never run into a family that might serve hot brisket to slice and serve at the table, but I've certainly read about it in books.  Corned beef and cabbage anyone?

Yesterday, I was out in Selkirk volunteering, and we drove out again today to take more stock to the gift shop.  Both going and coming home we saw Pelicans, on the river or flying over it.  They fly in v-skeins, which I didn't know.  Nice to see them back for another year.  While I was gone, the young fellow came over with a friend and did our spring yard clean-up.  Two big trucks and lots of equipment, but David says that he owns all but one of the pieces of equipment they brought--that being the power rake.  Well done and well worth the price.  This was the same fellow that cleaned all the snow off our roof, and comes regularly during the summer to spray for weeds and fertilize the lawn.

David drove today.  My back has bothered me for two days now, so this morning I put on my corset again.  I really hate the thing, but have to admit that my back hasn't bothered me yet today.  However, after lunch at A&W in Lockport, and then two extra large cups of coffee, I'm ready for a nap.

Freshco

We go to the Freshco Store in Huntsville and I quite like it. We actually switch between Metro and Freshco often.This store does not have that meat store inside that you mentioned Pati - actually I looked that up on the net to see what it was. Cantors or similar - I'm sorry I forgot its name right now.
I also appreciate all your comments - to date the Veterans Affairs has NOT been contacted as that would have to be a Harry thing and not happening.  I would like to know more about that though, because in speaking with my friend Cheryl in Winnipeg whose husband was in the Forces at same time as us, they have frequently capitalized on benefits attached to membership including VIA Rail trips dirt cheap.
More work in yard today - wettish and coolish but it is supposed to improve soon. ( maybe in July haha!)  I ran up quick to the Library to switch books - I took out another Kate Morton book as I enjoyed the first one I read. I also have a book on hand here at home called The Mailbox. It is about that infamous mailbox in N Carolina called Kindred Spirit. This is the same mailbox that was so important in the first Nicholas Sparks book you recommended to me Pati. Another book that I have just read is from Phaedra Patrick called The Library of Lost and Found - this follows her first two that you had also recommended to me Pati called The Curious Charms of Authur Pepper, and Rise and Shine of  Benedict Stone. Again I enjoyed it.  Have you read any of these Cathy? Maybe the Kate Morton books as you recommended her to me.
Well, everything is closed up for the night and I just had my bath, so I shall go off to start my new book and then nighty-night!  Take care.  ps I plan to win the $50 million tonight on Lotto Max - anyone with me?????

The future

Discussions about the future have certainly taken place here, although the word discussion may not covey what actually happened.  The process was somewhat dictated by myself, after the time I spent working with palliative people.  We both want to stay in the house as long as we can, but the stairs ( i.e. access to laundry facilities) are becoming  a problem.  Yard work can be solved with money.  It's a mistake to think that we'll have a lot more disposable income once the mortgage is paid off, as we'll still be responsible for taxes etc.

We both have living wills, and have made them available to the family.  Also we mutual Power of Attorney should either of us be declared incompetent, ( and only then), as well as having recent wills. Loren was part of the process to get them done, as he had to physically be there to give the lawyer permission to make him executor and to make sure we all three understood the legalities of selling the house, should one of us become incompetent. In Manitoba, one of the joint owners of property cannot serve as Power of Attorney for the other, when dealing with the sale of said property.  A third party must become involved.  We have made our wishes known re: funeral arrangements etc, and the family were quite receptive to having that discussion.  ( I wonder if Loren's cardiac issues have given him similar food for thought) Beyond that, elder care has not been discussed.  Manitoba Home Care, is aimed at keeping seniors in the house as long as possible, especially if there is one capable person living in the house.  But it's the definition of "capable" that becomes the issue.  We have still not received the forms from Veterans Affairs that we have been told, more than once, are coming, although I'm not optimistic about that.

But for today, I have laundry to take care of, and I'm busy planning a gallery show for May 2020.  So I'm still looking and planning for the future, outside of the aging process. 

 I can't tell you about the new store that opened here yesterday.  We did manage to get in after lengthy lines for access.  It was an absolute zoo, and we weren't able to really look around, but David did find some boneless chicken breast.  Bought a lot of them, and calculated the per serving cost at $1.03--less than half of my budget per serving of protein.  Bonus!!!  We'll visit again early next week, and try to really see what's going on.

For a change, we have rain!

Nice soft rain by the feel of it - I just had the dog out for his early morning thing. The plants are all covered outside which means of course, that the sheets and blankets are all soaking wet.  This is when I wish I had a cloths line - to hang my dirty laundry haha! But trees and the like will just have to do, again, once the weather clears.  We set up the water barrels yesterday (always a wonderful partner sharing moment) and there are some leaks which I expect I shall have to rectify once the weather clears as well. Only once the barrels are up, there is always the potential for the water to flow down to the front of the house and once again the pump needs to be used. Always such fun eh??
I read all your messages Pati about financial issues (eg going to the Insurance agent yesterday) and I sit here wondering what I am missing in being vigilant about our situation. I try the best I can to keep on top of everything but still I think at times, that I am not. For that reason I appreciate your comments - it keeps me in the loop and thinking all the time and often triggers me to respond. The pension issues that you pursued a bit back spurred me to action, but still, as the only one here involved with said management, I worry all the time. Visiting Daisy the other day and seeing her having moved into a severe dementia state and speaking with her son who has an appointment Tuesday in Toronto with the people responsible for assessing for placement, I am even more concerned with us. I guess this is a natural concern as we start to get older and assess our own support systems (or rather lack of any) 
Friday is here again and the weeks seem to come and go quickly. I am thinking about our responsibility to watch Mike's home and animals starting May 21 when he heads out for his Archeology Field Study semester. Since he is back over the weekends, we have to go really only once in the middle of each week to check and hoping all shall be well. They are heading to a Huron Site somewhere about 2 hours from Sudbury or so he thinks, and is actually getting quite excited about the experience. They each have to provide their own accommodation ( ie tent) but food etc is provided. (of course he has paid his tuition for this course so I expect part of that goes towards such expenses) I must admit that I too, live through his experiences with some great excitement - I am happy for him adventuring with his life the way he has chosen, and so far doing very well for it.
Time for some breakfast and then get on with the day(ugh) Have a fine weekend folks, and take care.

House insurance

Went and talked to the agency.  Clarified quite a  few things.  There are new regulations about how policies are to be written.  As a result we received a package of over 40 pages as part of our renewal process, and really needed to sort things out.  When we were finished. as we were preparing to leave she asked if we had ever had a second quote on our insurance.  No-we've been renewing the policy for almost twenty years and have been with the same provider since 1976, when we bought our first house.  She took a look for us and found an equivalent policy ( same guaranteed replacement cost) for over $400 less per year.  She explained that if you stay with the same company and policy, the rate just keeps going up, bit by bit, year after year, and that it's always good to check rates periodically.  Needless to say, we've changed provider.

Yesterday, David suggested that maybe, it's time to have the rug cleaned.  (Yu' think!?!)  So he called, and they're coming today.  Since we're also having the yard cleaned up for Spring, this week, you will probably smell the plastic burning from here.

Have finished the machine sewing on all of the little tree ornaments I plan to make ( and more!)  I now have them packed up ready to take anywhere I go, where hand sewing is required, or even tolerated.  Circumstances have dictated that I'm out in Selkirk 4-5 times over the next few days, but one trip I can avoid is today's. Which is a good idea as I'll be more comfortable if I'm home when the carpet cleaners come.  We've been dealing with the same outfit for years. (I think I've mentioned them. They have an office in the rear portion of the dentist's office at Bartlett and Osborne)  But, it's been a rocky ride at times.  As well, the smell has driven David out of the house every time they've come. Better I'm here.

There is a second excuse for not going, today.  There is a new Freshco Store opening today in the same lot as our Starbucks.  We have a coupons, but more exciting there is a Cantor's Express opening inside the store itself.  This is a a real treat, as we love Cantor's but rarely make the trek over to the other side of the city to visit.  Since Freshco is advertised as a "discount" version of Sobey's, I'm hoping that we will find prices comparable to Superstore, and can stop going there.  Since they re-organized the store, and the aisles are now the entire length of the store, it is just too much for these old legs.  We have discussed avoiding Superstore several times in the last little while, and now may find a reason to do so.  I'll be sure to check out the pharmacy, not for prescriptions, but for the otc stuff that is costing us over $100/month.  If not, there is still Walmart.

So now to start cleaning up the kitchen for the carpet cleaners.  Have you ever heard of anything so ridiculous?  But they will need the kitchen sink, so best not have any dishes there.  Although taking a look,  it would appear that David has taken care of the problem, while I was busy typing.  Well done, Dave!

p.s. took a minute to check the few blogs I follow.  One, Sherrie loves Color,( http://sherriequilt.blogspot.com/ ) blogged about two rescue rabbits that have just had babies.  One a neat thing to have witnessed!