Anniversary Dinner

What can I say?  The restaurant lived down to my expectations.  It was noisy, crude, ( there appeared to be a drunken sports team at the next table who kept loudly chanting  team cheers) and expensive. We won't be going there again.  I did get Cafe Royale made with B&B, but had to tell the bartender how to make it (  "Pour coffee in a cup, add brandy").  I did get some nice pictures of the children--of all ages, and one of Loren that leaves me wondering.

New Keurig machine

Most likely I really did wear out my old Keurig machine with too much use??  It has been misbehaving for some time now, and this morning I had had enough. It is a closed unit, and even though Harry has tried to look at it, and got it working once, it stopped again.  I thought we might get a deal this time of year with all the sales. Canadian Tire was our destination and ultimately the store to purchase a new upgraded model Keurig 2.0. This machine will give you a single cup, or a carafe of coffee (4 cups) The only drawback is that this machine will only let you use K cups or K carafes that have the official Keurig Logo . I actually tried tonight after I set it all up to brew a cup a tea but the machine said "oops" and would not let it work with the K cup I used ( not an official Keurig Logo). So I am stuck with a lot of Kienna coffee pods, K cups and accessories now that won't work in this new machine. I do have a spare one cup Keurig machine though that I keep on the shelf, so as a back up I will be able to use it with the old stuff.  
We are into the deep freeze same as you folks. The ground is covered with hard packed ice from all the rain a few days ago so the walking is very treacherous, and very dangerous for one who is deadly afraid of falling and breaking something!
I loved to see your hexis Pati sewn together in circles and wish now that I had not sewn mine into little 'flowers' as I went along. I'll still continue as I am doing since I am really just experimenting, but your idea gives me new ideas for another time!
We are going to have home made little nibbles of deep fried treats - meatballs, bacon covered  beef, etc for New years eve. Harry likes to make these and in checking out boxed hors'doerves it was cheaper to get the ingredients and make our own.
I got a double DVD from Mike for Christmas -the two  Crocodile Dundee movies - and since I loved this movie, and it's sequel, I will enjoy watching it - has been years since I last viewed it.. And then i hall start to take down the tree and decorations. Sad, but in a way refreshing to start anew for the coming year.  I shall miss getting up and turning on the tree lights and sitting with my first morning coffee in the peace and tranquility it offered.
Well, bed time. Take care everyone. What are your plans for New Years Eve and New Years Day?

Need a short break

Amber had a long medical appointment today, and Judie was too ill to stay with the children, so I was needed.  The same is happening tomorrow.  I have pictures of Sunday evening, but don't know when I might have a chance to post them. ( It will take awhile) I'm exhausted now, and bed is looking mighty good.  Probably the same tomorrow, but more so.

Pictures and memories

First of all, I promised you a picture of my new shelving unit, once everything was in place.  ( Also check other blog)

Thank you all for your good wishes on our 49th wedding anniversary.  This is the day the family has chosen for our annual family dinner.  Other years it has been on David's birthday, and has been an 'adults only"event, but this year everyone will be coming, and we have decided to go back to Ichi Ban.  I know we had said that our last visit there was not a pleasant one, but this time the company will be familiar and we hope to have a good evening.  Our first time was to celebrate Loren's 18th birthday, and we have returned for other  significant events.  The last time we were there as a family, both of my sisters were able to join us--one even brought her husband along!  This morning Amber and I spoke of that night: the cook being so kind to Jessica in helping her learn to use chop sticks and   giving a warning about the fire.  This time Samantha will be along, as well as her dad.

And I plan to take my camera.

Special days

Anniversary wishes going out to my sister and her husband. This is a very busy season for you two with Christmas and Anniversary and Birthday.   Hope every one of them is great

Boxing day gift

David was out to buy milk early this afternoon--via Canadian Tire.  He bought me a storage rack--some assembly required.  I have no idea what it is intended for, but we have put it in the studio.  You may remember this cedar chest.  I believe Daddy made it for Mom while he was stationed in Ottawa during WWII.  I have used these baskets as a means of sorting  catch-all stuff, and keeping it within my vision, so that it doesn't get forgotten.  The contents change once in awhile.  However, David accuses the stuff of trying to catch him as he walks by into the bathroom, so I think he sees the storage rack as a way of getting rid of the baskets.  Not likely!

So here we are getting the first bits of the rack assembled.

You can see the containers in the above picture.  They are soft-sided with a rigid base that fits inside.

 Above David is working on the first step of placing all 12 of the rigid bars into the holes in the side supports.

And here it is ready and waiting for the containers to be placed inside and filled.  And wouldn't you know that I would forget to take a picture of that.  

Family time

And here we are enjoying a toast to our being a family!  From the left is Jeremy, almost 18, then Judie Shipp, an honourary family member, at Christmas.  Next to her is Jessica, and you may notice that her hair is the same colour as Judie's--a Christmas gift.  Then Darren, and Samantha.  At the end of the table are Amber, me and Loren. then Sheila and Gillian, almost 16.  David volunteered to take the picture.

We had dinner and then opened gifts.  After that we played a game of Sequence, that Jessica and Samantha got for Christmas.  Samantha was able to play, assisted by Sheila.  Then we tried a game of 31.  I never say anything when we play 31, but on family occasions, I remember Beth, David, and I . along with Scott Thomson, playing it with Phyllis when Daddy died.  It is the strongest memory I have of that time.  Then David and I started to pack up while some of the others tried playing a another game the girls got for Christmas, called "Heads up".  It seemed pretty bizarre - from what I could hear, and then when we were heading for the car Loren was muttering " What a stupid game!"  All and all, a fairly normal Christmas.