Can't comment about peonies!

 Ours are just starting to think about opening up, but, if you want pictures, I could get some lovely ones from the neighbour.  The rose bush next door, (the roots are on the other side of the fence but most of blooms are on our side), is in full bloom.  Yesterday David brought me a couple of flowers to put in a glass, and they now sit on our counter.  We missed the Lily-of-the-Valley blooms, but they live under our Mock Orange, and aren't really accessible to people who can't bend down far enough.

Our car was "keyed", badly, last Friday.  Today I made a claim under MPI, and was told that I needed a Police report re: vandalism.  So a good part of the morning was spent dealing with all of that. Finally we were told that the damage would have to be appraised  by an MPI appraisers. We have an appointment tomorrow afternoon, so no trip out to Lorette this week. David made a quick trip to the body shop this afternoon, to see if this second claim could be dealt with at the same time as the first one, for which we are waiting for parts.  So, once we have an damage appraisal in hand, we go directly to them, and they will make sure there is no problem.  Wh-e-e-e-w!

When I renewed my drivers license last week, I gifted David 50% ownership in the car, but he thinks that doesn't come into effect until the new license year comes into effect on July 14th.  I thought it came into effect as soon as we signed the form, and it was registered with MPI. This means that David could deal with everything, but he wants me along just in case the date is critical to the process.  Car ownership can become an issue if the registered owner dies.  Survivors may be required to simply store the car, until there is clear evidence of who inherits.  But with co-ownership, the surviving owner assumes all ownership privileges, until inheritance is determined,

But today was also pension day, when we pay our bills in person, and do our monthly shopping.  After the demands of the morning, I was relatively useless, but David took me along.  Once home, about 3:00, I went to bed and slept soundly for an hour and a half.  We will both enjoy (?) a do-it-yourself-with-whatever-you-can-find supper.  I'm currently enjoying a 30 day trial of Amazon Prime complete with video.  So the evening will likely be spent watching Midsomer Murders, (with the necessary glasses of wine).  I can manage two episodes per evening, and I'm currently up to Season#4.

So be safe ladies.  Think of me, and enjoy at glass of wine on me.

My white peony

 Good morning,

Here I am trying to send a picture again on the blog. I loved seeing your peonies Cathy and was thrilled to see my white peony looking so beautiful this year that I wanted to share as well.

And a close up of the blossom with pinkish centre which you may not be able to see to clearly.

In the background you may barely spot my table and chairs under the new umbrella where I like to sit in the early morning alone with my coffee and thoughts and enjoy the garden.

Have a wonderful day both of you. Thinking of you....😚

Flowers

 I have had this peony for years and it would have 1 or 2 blooms a year if I was lucky. This year

Brent told me it was planted too deep so I dug a pit over the crown and voila! It’s amazing what you can learn in a bar (or the round table at the legion). Lucky’s training classes are going okay. I am learning a lot of things that I can continue with him. Right now we are puppy sitting for Kellie so he is a bit distracted. He has reached the point that he wants to play with them , but they are about the size of our cat so I worry about what might happen. We bought a small 8 foot pool and found a relatively flat spot in the yard so I am looking forward to just lying in it. Of course the temperature is going to plummet now ☹️  The garden is growing. I have to weed by hand right now so I am only doing along the rows. The paths between them is all weeds. We bought what we thought would be a good enough tiller from Home Hardware but it was a piece of crap. A nice strong man got it started with only a couple of pulls but I told him he had to come to my house and start it every time I wanted it. It was also underpowered and didn’t work the one time we got it started. Today they said they would give us a refund by way of a gift card and they were going to clean it and put it for sale at a premium since it is already assembled. ( yeah, okay). That works for me cause we always need something from the hardware store and I no longer have to deal with my $250 lawn ornament. We are going to ask a local guy if he can tune up our old tiller and get it working properly again. I really like that tiller cause it is easy enough for me to handle but powerful enough to do the job.  I had a really good phone call from Kris the other day. We talked longer than we have in the last few years combined!!!  Rrain is coming over Sunday. We were going to spend all day together but now she has a board meeting in Portage from 10 to 2 so I told her to just come over for supper and raid my freezer😜. It is the first in person board meeting in two years so, of course, she has to go.   And now I am going to pour myself a glass of wine (it is 9:18pm) and watch the thunder clouds roll in. Love you guys♥️

Now we have the heat

 I agree...baby it's hot but the humidity is what gets you. I was able to work outside for some time yesterday but also sat at the table to rest more than a few times. Today i am making a loaf of raisin bread in a bread maker Harry got off the road at a house giving items free to the taker.. I am trying it out to see if it works. As you know, we have several other machines but have to try this one. It is in new shape and i do not think was used very much. 

I am eating freely from the garden these days - do my walkabout and pick a few tomatoes to eat and yesterday cucumbers and always grab some kale or lettuce along the way. How are your gardens growing. I had to laugh last week ( better than crying) as Harry brought home some zucchini plants to put into the garden. You know how productive one zucchini plant is, right? Well, we have 35 plants now growing. Do the math haha!

I still have some rhubarb that i can pick in the garden but not sure what to make at this point. I have enough jam done for the year to come. And if i bake I just eat it so do not want o indulge that way. And Harry is looking for more rhubarb plants at the garden centres around here to plant even more for next year.

I took my hearing aids into the Store to be sent away. When she asked it they were working ok ( she noted I had missed my yearly assessment visit) I said that my husband thinks they are not working ( this is a long time issues here with us) So she recommends an assessment appt when the aids are returned for my use. Maybe I should follow through with this.

Have a nice day folks, and stay cool.  😎

Baby, it's hot outside---

 I don't know whether to be happy that it's finally normal summer weather, or to complain because it's so hot.  So I will say no more.

Thursday was a bit of hurry up and wait.  The lady from the Geriatric Assessment team was out, in the afternoon, and worked with David for almost 3 hours.  It was quite an in-depth assessment, and he was exhausted when she finished.  She is taking her findings to a meeting with a Gerontologist next Friday, and will likely send a final report to our family doctor.  Tomorrow, the lady from Home Care Intake will be coming out to assess our needs.  I'm not sure what that might involve, but I guess we'll find out.

Gail had her first major sale of the year, Saturday, in Regina.  After the day of selling, she drove home through the night, slept for a few hours, and and then called me to arrange a meeting this afternoon at Starbucks.  Just as we were winding down, her friend Laurie, who had gone with her to Regina, showed up.  Then it was another hour of friendship, joking, and generally decompressing for both of them.  Gail was quite pleased with her sales, but when she told me how much she took in, I'm not sure she actually made that much profit.  But that's not any of my concern.  After we left Starbucks, she came over to the house to help David install a new hanging post for his flower baskets.  She has had several of them to sell over the past few years, and this is the second one he's bought from her.  So David has now hung  all of the baskets he bought and is, more or less, happy with his garden.

Tomorrow morning, David is taking the car into the dealership for a formal estimate on the damage I did hitting the neighbour's fence post while backing out of the garage.  I see a little scratch but evidently I did over $2000 worth of damage.  And it means a couple of demerits on my drivers' license, as well as paying our deductible.

So to relax this evening, and enjoy the a/c that is finally in use.  I will also have my fan to use tonight, if I need it to sleep.

Stay cool ladies.

Raining again

 Just had the dogs out for their "night" walk - last walk before bed that is. And it was raining again. The skies were very dark all afternoon and yet the weather channel said no rain, but I wonder what all that wet stuff was falling from the sky as I took the dogs down the road?

We headed for Huntsville today as I needed to take my hearing aids into the store for them to send off to the company to check before the warranty expires the end of July. I received more boxes of free batteries and the wax shields that fit into the hearing aids and are changed when one cleans them. Nice to have these given free as part of my agreement. We did a bit of shopping but as Harry pulled into the Gas station for gas ( $2.09.9) I decided to treat myself to a Starbucks Chai Tea Latte. The past few trips I have declined this pleasure but today I felt I wanted something special for me. So off I walked to the Starbucks only to be greeted with a line up of people and a table set up outside with the sign "Mobile orders only". The store itself and the drive thru were closed. All the people had their smart phones out and were busy placing orders and the staff were bringing orders outside to the table and announcing what was there for that person to pick up. Left me out completely as I do not have a smart phone to order with or to pay from. Somehow I felt dejected. I cannot seem to win no matter what, and never get my well deserved treat. Oh, woe is me, haha! So I came home and had a glass of wine to soothe my feelings. One day it will work out for me. Pati you are spoiled to be able to go every day.

The last of the tomatoes were planted yesterday into pots ....Yeah for me! Now I have to get busy with maintenance and cleanup. I cut the grass today before the rain came. that is a chore unto itself. I have a weed eater that Mike is fixing for me and when i get it back, I will be able to do that chore. All along the front of the yard it full of milkweed plants growing so that area has to be kept protected. Harry is preparing to collect the caterpillars again this year and nurture the butterflies as he did last year. Only good part is that he is going to keep the containers in the shed out side instead of in the house as he did last year. Small blessing.

My friend Sue has asked for a date for us to meet face to face at Swiss Chalet for a long overdue Luncheon together in September and I am so looking forward to getting back to this welcomed ritual after such a  long few years over the Covid 19 restrictions stopped our plans. We have a wedding to attend on August 4 as well. Harry's sister Donna's daughter is getting married. I feel the obligation to attend, but I do not feel the desire. Does that make sense?

We have planned to have a yard sale at Willie's place in North Bay in July. I will take some of our stuff, and they will put out some of theirs. Hoping it will turn out OK for us all. In meantime, I must now start to gather sale items from my house which is full of stuff. Harry says he will also offer some items and then I will go up with our sale items to set up the tables and help man the sale for the day. I am hoping it will be a successful day.  

Now time to do the animal cages and head off to bed to read. Mike gave me another book he ordered for my Birthday that was published late in May. It is the most recent Phaedra Patrick offering called  The Messy Lives of Book People. I have loved all her other books so looking forward to this read. 

Time to sign off and do my chores. Hope you have a lovely weekend, and take care XX

Guess what we did!

 We did a bit of grocery shopping.  I had a list, but like to check things out a bit, and am really not adverse to picking up a bargain if I see it.  So checking out the meat counter (I had seen the shrimp David likes from across the aisle) I stumbled upon a buy one get one sale on boneless chicken breasts and I BOUGHT MORE CHICKEN!  There were 20 breasts all together, and 16 of them still had the filet, so 12 two serving size meals for us.

The outing was supposed to be only the grocery store and library, but David decided that he need a new pair of pants, so he dropped me off at Starbucks and headed to Mark's  where he's been buy black jeans for several years.  But they didn't have any that suited him, so after a quick bite at Starbucks, we dropped the groceries off at home, and headed for Walmart, where there were pills to pick up, but also to look at cheap pants there. We finally found some in the right size, but he wanted to make sure they would fit, so headed for the fitting room--singular.  It was a  very long wait, and by the time he was finished, I had found two tops for myself.  Then he got the pills and I took went to check out.  Again along wait.  Then it was decided that we would check in Superstore for laundry detergent.  Once there, I also went to check on margarine, but he said he would just wait by the cashier for me(I had a scooter).  I don't think that I mentioned we were carrying around a very heavy hanging plant basket that we had picked up outside.  Finally out of there and home.  By the time we got everything in the house and put away, we were both ready for a nap.  I think I fell on the bed and didn't move for about 40 minutes.

We can't continue doing this to ourselves.  David is a little perkier this evening, but I'm not.  We've talked in the past about setting a two store limit on any trips.  We desperately need to get back to that.

But my Quilting Arts Magazine arrived today, (along with the Shaw bill), and that's a Good Thing!

Nice label

 Greetings to all and wishing a nice weekend. Even if the rain comes, it will help with the gardens and yard.

I like that label Pati but probably would like a sip of the wine even better haha! It is a really good way to get your wine. There is a similar place in South River that makes and bottles wine. When Harry was in his wine making phase, we went there for advice and bought bottles and equipment. They are still in business whereas we are not (thank goodness) but still have boxes of bottles sitting around. At one point I started to empty and clean the bottles for resale but got bogged down on that chore.

We are keeping busy with our work outside. There is so much to do that the "sitting and enjoying the outdoors" has eluded me to date. I envision you in the back yard and wish I were there. The neighbour arrived safely from the Netherlands and we have yet to greet him but can see him settling in with the flags up at the front of his garage. He says it is his way of stating "I am in residence" with the Canadian flag and the Netherlands flag flowing in either side of the garage. And i can see his BBQ has come from the shed to the porch and his table and chairs. Yes, he is settling in for sure. His wife and sister are coming in July for a shorter stay but he is here until Sept. He likes it here but alas, I think his wife does not.

Hope all is well with everyone. Take care and be safe. Thinking of you always ...💖

A small pleasure

 Today we bottled wine.  We've been having it made by a local company that does everything except add the yeast--for a price.  But paying that price means we no longer have to worry about any aspect of making the wine, nor do we have to keep a variety of equipment on hand.  They also keep a variety of labels on hand, and will print your details on them while you wait (it takes less than 5 minutes)  We've done this since we started going there, but I was never thrilled with the label we had chosen--the least offensive of the group offered.  This time they had a new group of labels to choose from, and I'm thrilled with the result.  Too bad she got the month wrong--hehe.  The colour is not good in the picture, and I can't seem to get it any better.  What appears white is actually a very warm yellow/beige, and the stiped borders are dark brown.

David has spent the last couple of days puttering in his garden.  He bought a hanging basket of different coloured Petunias, and four geraniums to plant in the sink planter.  Then we took my Tulip Geranium out and put it in the planter, as well.

Otherwise, we continue to stay around the house, tending to chores, as we are able, but sleeping a fair bit as well.  I think all of this new "sitting in the garden and reading (or napping)", results in us having a great deal more fresh air than we're used to.  Tonight we got even lazier, and David went to McDonald's and brought home a couple of Quarter Pounders with Cheese, and an order of fries--which we ate outside.  We should sleep well tonight!

One step forward-----

 Yesterday we were contacted by both the Geriatric Assessment Team, and Home Care Intake.  We have an appointment with Geriatric Assessment for May 16.  The Home Care lady said she would try to liaise and come at the same time.  If this can't be arranged, we have an appointment with her for the 20th.  I have no idea what may come out of all this, but it's, at least, the first step in the process.

Well, we talked about it, and, on Monday went back to Sobey's and bought 6 more chickens.  I now have 10 chickens in the freezer, and an older one thawing in the fridge.  Probably for tonight's supper, and cold meals for the next two days.  This morning, with an almost empty gas tank, I decided not to go out to the Lorette group this afternoon.  I'm not happy about it, but I have to be realistic

One good thing is that we have warmer weather, and can sit in the garden, even if I have to wear warmer clothes to do it. I find I'm content to just sit and enjoy the sun, rather than attempting to read, although the book and fancy reading sun glasses are with me--along with a drink, of course. However, my drink has been hot coffee the past couple of days, rather than something cold.

In the studio, I'm still making the zipper pouches.  I will be making two more of those, and plan to send a couple out to the Gallery in Selkirk, but keep the rest for the next craft sale in Lorette.  After that, I will machine quilt the three charity quilts I have ready for finishing, and that will be enough charity quilts for awhile.  Not that I don't have the scrap fabric to make them.  I also have lots of batting.  We were in Fabricland to buy zippers this week, and came across a 'buy one, get one" sale.  I bought a new membership, which was paid for with the zippers, and was leaving when I discovered huge packages of batting on sale for 50% off (regular $190.00 each).  I had been thinking, recently, that I should be looking for the batting, so it was happy surprise.  Bought two, and then had to get them home.  Laughingly I said I should never have to buy any again.  Famous last words?

Both our grass, and that on the boulevard have been cut, and the fellow said he would be back every week over the summer.  Even with the rain this spring, the grass looks a little parched, and has quite a few small bare patches.  But I know this is the shortest it's been in years.  Something to keep an eye on.

Time to go.  Lots planned for today, even if I know most will be forgotten when the sunshine calls in the backyard.

Hurry up and wait

 Last weekend, after three phone calls and being on hold for almost six hours, I managed to get my tv receiver to connect to the internet. But! I could longer get Netflix on my receiver. I could connect downstairs and on our phones and on the computer, but not on my upstairs tv. I also got a message that my account was overdue. Since I have preauthorized withdrawals and my App acknowledged my payment on May 24 I was very confused. Yesterday I logged on and the website thanked me for my payment but told me I was overdue. I again called the help desk and after searching they told me that the payment was returned by the bank and I would have to contact them so today I headed in only to be told by the bank that they had no record whatsoever of the payment being requested, paid or returned😤😤😤 I went on line and paid two months at once but I still got another phone call today but I hung up. But while I was trying to get the billing worked out the techie asked if there was anything else so I complained (again) about not getting Netflix. He tried for about 1/2 hour but gave up and booked a technician for today between 12 noon and 5 pm. At 4:55 I got a call (from Montreal) that the technician would be late. At 5:45 the called again saying that he would not be coming and asked if I would like to reschedule for Friday!!  I now have a booking for Friday morning between 8:30 and noon. I’m afraid I was very rude to the guy on the phone, but I did apologize and say I knew it wasn’t his fault☹️  Sunday was our first dog training day. Lucky was over excited and would do nothing we asked. He loved  the trainer though and did anything for her. She said he is very trainable and should calm down next time. Meanwhile we have homework to get him used to responding to food reenforcement and positive feedback. So far it is not working 😤. So how are things going with you guys😜

Busy few days

Friday. we had brunch with David's sister again, at the same local restaurant, as last time.  Gail D. told us about being pleasantly fooled while eating at her daughter's house, by gravy that came out of a can. As we left, we exchanged packages, A shopping bag full of Damask table clothes for me, and three of my better bed quilts for her to contribute to a friend's furnishing of a home for a larger Ukrainian family arriving shortly.  

On our way home, we stopped at Sobey's, for small meat loaf pans and gravy mix, but ended up buying some canned gravy. We also  stumbled on a sale.  Whole chickens--buy one, get one.  So for just under $30, we picked up 4 whole chickens.  We also found some ribs, and some chicken breasts with backs on.  Earlier this week, I had pulled out all of the frozen hamburger that has been sitting in the freezer for awhile, and have had it thawing in the fridge.  So after we got home from shopping, I dealt with the hamburger, resulting in 17 burgers, three small meat loaves, and 5 meatballs, which we ate for supper that night--with canned gravy.  Meanwhile, David took the backs off the four huge chicken breasts, and skinned them.  The backs were put to making stock, during the evening. The chicken had also come with filet attached and those were put aside, too.  We were both exhausted by supper time, so didn't do anything more until this morning.  Then I made a big batch of Daddy's rib recipe, using the big slow cooker and put together some chicken rice soup in the small slow cooker, using the very nice stock, and the chicken filet.

By the time all of that was done, it was time to head for my coffee date with Gail, and, as it turned out, her friend Laurie, the lady who had helped shovel our driveway.  Getting home for that, I napped for about 45 minutes, until supper time.

Now, we still hadn't decided whether we were having soup or ribs for supper.  So---we had both.  It was great!  However, after supper, what was left was carefully packaged, and put in the freezer.  By the time we sat down to relax, it was well past time for the bar to be open.

Now David ahs taken his book to bed, but my drink wasn't quite finished.  'Tis finished now.  So sleep well ladies, and we'll talk again soon.

Election here in Ontario

 As you may now know the Election results for Ontario are in and what a night of surprises. I watched it unfold on CBC Gem on the computer. I was happy to stay up and see it as the numbers poured in fast and furious. We have another PC majority and the two Leaders from NDP and Lib both resigned as leaders not having performed as well as they hoped. I am so glad I am not in Politics - it is not for me haha!

Hoping for nice weekend to do more puttering in the garden. Things are growing very well now and it is time to start to catch up with the maintenance. Every year more changes are made and with these changes, it is sometimes hard to remember the rest of the yard and to keep it up as well. I need to cut the grass but must get some gas to fill the machine. Even though we went to Huntsville yesterday and filled the car, I forgot to put the little gas can into the car . I may have to go locally to get some, even though the price is a bit more here in town.

And tonight is Friday and that means Pizza night for me - although it may not happen but I always like to make a homemade pizza on Fridays. Tradition for me, and all that haha!

So hoping all is well (as well as can be expected of course) Have a nice weekemd - any special plans? Take care 💖💖