Sh-h-h. don't scare it. ( A catch-up day)

I do believe that, after all this time, my little orchid has a bud or two.  This is the one that Loren gave me in Dec 2013.  The flowers it had then lasted several months, and we have been caring for it, according to directions, ever since.

Today we did just about nothing, except cook a turkey---a 24+ pound-er.  Why on earth would two old fogies even buy a 24 lb turkey you ask?  I have absolutely no idea.  I guess the price was right.  Any way it;s done, We had some for supper, and now we will have meat for the rest of February.

I wanted to get a print of one--just one--picture off my camera card.  Took it into the store with the kiosk.  What a production!   We ended up giving up, when the machine refused to accept any date later than 2013 for finding any pictures.  Finally someone came to help us.  He suggested that we send the image to a processor via the internet.  Said we would get better quality printing and better quality paper that way.  I may need to have more prints made next week, so I'll just wait until then and get it all done at once--probably at the expensive camera store.

Went grocery shopping yesterday.  We were blown away at the prices for veggies, amongst other things.  When we got home and I had a chance to think about it, I guess we are seeing the effect of the falling loonie.  And, according to the news, it isn't going to improve any time soon.

Decided to go to the library to see if I could get the Louise Penny book you mentioned, Beth.  Not only do they have it, but they can get it for me, in large print, within the week.

Crossing my fingers....

Received a call yesterday from the Salvation Army Thrift Shop. They had found an earring that matched the description I had given. They said the clasp at back was broken. I hope this is the real deal as I am so excited. We couldn't drive up immediately as we have had a storm come through- Alberta Clipper- with snow and winds. This morning it seems more settled but most likely we will go next week. The Store will keep it at cashier and I will take the second earring to verify match. Keep fingers crossed!  Actually the night of the loss, I received a call back from Value Village as well - they had an earring but his description indicated the earring they had had stones of some sort on front. I will still follow up with them. My appreciation of helpfulness was underestimated as I never expected any feedback. I guess there are people who do care! Too many cases people receiving such a request do nothing to followup.
Harry intends to open up the greenhouse Monday- get it heated and plant seeds. This coming week it is supposed to be cold. Apparently, this much anticipated annual phase of my life is about to start. To make it even better, I have to do that weekly Food Record for Nielsen. Starting Sunday, every day for seven days chart everything both of us ate, or drank, or nibbled on.
So marching orders in hand I approach the weekend with glee.  Hope you have a great weekend. At least you have water Pati! Did you also lose your hydro as I read in the WFP? Take care

Disappointing end to an otherwise lovely day.....

We went to North Bay today and spent a very nice day shopping and then lunch at Mike's with Mike and Erin. .On the way home in the car I realized that I had lost one of my earrings. These were a gift from Harry for Christmas and were beautiful gold. The loss was upsetting as it could have fallen anywhere. So I called Mike to check, called Will to check, and when I got home called each of the stores we had been in and left a description and my name. I may hear back but the possibility seems remote. I am terribly disappointed in this occurrence.as they were so new (and expensive), and I hadn't worn them much. So I now have one to wear. I could always switch ears each time I put it on!

Harry tells me that he just heard the news about the boil water advisory in Winnipeg. What a state of affairs for you. Are you using bottled water?

Well, bed time and more reading of Louise Penny's new book. Almost done and so I wish to keep at it to find out what the end will be.  Will write more next time! Take care

Long Week

I had a Meeting in Winnipeg on Wednesday and then Cribbage in Portage yesterday.  We are supposed to move on in doubles, but since we really can't afford to go, if Charlene backs out in singles we will probably back out too.  When you share the expense it's not so bad, but on our own is a bit much.  The club reimburses after the fact.  I would really love to make it to Dominion once, but we can't afford Ontario how would we get to Alberta!  Our old dog, Nika is showning her age.  I found a large cyst on her side that had burst open and infecton was pouring out.  I cleaned it up, but she probably should have antibiotics and stiches.  On the other hand she is much happier now and moving around a lot more. I am taking a week off in February.  Just to clean house.  Every time I take a week off to clean it gets very dirty again before i take my next week off to clean.  there is something not quite right about this?!  Isn't there someone in the house full time?  I must be mistaken.  I have to move my cookbooks today.  The shelf is bending under the weight.  Isn't it weird that you can get any recipe you could ever want on line, but there is something about browsing a cookbook for ideas....And even after all that you go back to your old standbys..... Daddy's Ribs tonight.  I tried a roast pork recipe that sounded really good.   WAAAAAAYY too much garlic, even for Jim and I.  I have pieces in the freezer hoping to flavour will fade a bit.  And speaking of freezers, out fridge freezer went and now the fridge is acting up.  Sometimes the fridge is warm and sometimes it freezes stuff.  Sometimes the freezer part is good and the next day everything is melted.  It's a good thing that we just picked up a new beer fridge.  I said it was in better shape than our kitchen fridge.  I guess I should have kept my  mouth shut.  Now we just need help to move them around. I need the exercise going up and down stairs for stuff. The fridge is running at about 43 F  right now, which is okay for most things.  Jim has roused himself from bed finally.  Maybe I can have some breadfast now.

No Contest....

You'll have to do better than that David.....I'd enjoy your sourdough bread anytime!! Remember that I just tried this machine for the first time the other day and rather struggled to produce an acceptable product. You on the other have had enough practice to perfect your offering!. So you win this hand, trump and all.
Raining here now at the freezing temp and hoping the temp will drop as promised in a few hours time. I would be very happy if it were so.  I just put a beautiful roast into the oven and plan turnip, and roast potatoes and carrots to go along with it.  I have been having a great time going through the freezers and pulling out meals of all sorts. Some good, some not so good. The pealmeal bacon last night wasn't too tasty so the rest of the package was thrown out.
With a wash on the go, and things sort of organized for supper, I plan to do some more sewing (hexis) and just happen to have a new bottle of wine (Schmitt Sohne Mosel Reisling called Relax) at the ready to help me along . Great fun....Take care

Coffee mugs

My Koop mugs are safe and sound, hanging from the hooks over the fridge.  I'm sending the ugly black mugs I paid well for at Eaton's, off to the thrift store, along with the mugs we brought back form the lake and never use..  This means that the fancy mugs sit in my cupboard waiting to be used.  I have had Regency Blue and Harlington Lane for awhile,but have now added Spring Meadow and English Chintz.  There were a couple of other designs, One of the them the china that David's |Mother kept at the lake--with a red pattern just below the rim,--and a bit of a dark filigree border.  While it is pretty, we both agreed that it brought back some memories, not all good, and we would both prefer not to have it in the house.   I have to admit that I prefer the ones with as little gold as possible, so that it can go in the microwave.  And yes, the gold will slowly disappear in the dishwasher.  But these are to use, not be just pretty.

David says to tell you that he thinks that his home made sourdough bread trumps your home made pasta.  I refuse to get tinvolved.

post script....

I forgot to ask. I pulled up the web site for Royal Albert Commerative China mugs, and overwhelmed with info. Would you be so kind as to give me the pattern names, or description of your recent purchases so i can look up?  Also, what did you do with your Koop mugs to make space for the Royal Albert. i still have two Koop mugs in my cupboard and use each seldom but mostly when i make a special tea.  Bye.....