Cooking Squash

 Today I'm off to my group in Lorette.  There are usually 4-5  of us, certainly that's been so over the summer.  Just my luck that today a couple more will  show up.  After belonging to the group for 5 years, despite us not meeting during Covid, I figured it was about time I took goodies.  So last week I bought 6 Smile cookies from Tim Horton's.  These are purely a charity purchase, with all proceeds going to local charities.  I put them in the freezer for the meeting today, and here they are thawing on the counter.  I have to  wonder if all six of them will make it to the meeting.

I had also spoken of the strange squash the neighbour had given us.  Here it is just before David started to cut it up for cooking.  It was cooked in two batches.  The first were wrapped in tinfoil, each quarter with a dab of margarine and a pinch of brown sugar.  The result was so dry that we had to add a lot of margarine and boiling water, and it was still like paste.  The next day David cut it into chunks and we boiled it with the skin on for about 13 minutes, by which time the water was very orange and cloudy, so I figured it was time to take them off the burner.  Then I had to take each chunk and take off the skin.  Fortunately it came easily--just very messy. Again I mixed the chunks, some of which were very, very soft, with some margarine, salt and pepper, using a fork.  It wasn't too bad, but still paste-y.  I don't think we'll ever try that again.  

In the studio, I'm back on the Frigid Sanctuary box, and would have had it finished yesterday, if my right wrist hadn't started to object.  Some of it was tough stitching, so I stopped right away, and used the Diclofenac ointment on the wrist, as well as my brace, over night.  The wrist feels much better this morning, but I think the best strategy is to let it rest today.  I won't even take my hand stitching to the group today--just the cookies.  Now I just have to  figure out how to type with one hand on my computer.

It appears to be a beautiful day out today.  Perfect for a drive in the country.  David is just getting home from paying the bills and he says it is too warm for him to be wearing his light jacket. And, I just looked at the time, and realized that I best be on my way as well.

Spend some time outside if you can.  It appears to be one of those very special fall days that make us happy to be living where we do.

Better days ahead...

 Maybe I was also "hurrying up and waiting" but my issue was the weather. Nothing but cold and rain and drizzle and a real depressing making time waiting to do something outside. Oh, of course I have lots to keep me going inside but my mind and body were not up to it. I felt like doing nothing and just sitting around but feeling guilty all the time. I puttered here and there without making any substantial progress until suddenly this morning I awoke and felt invigorated. Even though today is still not really nice yet, the forecast for the next several days is sunny. I was out early and put the garbage out, and raked some leaves and apples off the driveway, and swept the sidewalk and put out some of the plants I had hidden in the greenhouse for the frost, and generally felt great to be doing something. I have a long To Do list for today which starts with a note to you folks, and then vacuum ( I know... I know but it has to be done and I am now over my funk, and in the mood to do it) Then outside to do more cleanup. 

We have appointments for our fifth vaccine - the new bivalent one for Oct 11 here in Sundridge. Do not know if any of  this is the perfect solution, but we will get them anyway. So far we have avoided any real health issues r/t to Covid so cross my fingers that will continue. And the flu vaccines will be available locally at our Pharmacy the middle of Oct and will get that as well.

We shopped yesterday in Huntsville and shut our eyes and bought three boxes of chocolate bars ($$$) and some candy bags to get ready to Oct 31 and the return of Hallowe'en once again. They had it here last year as well but the year before it was cancelled and for that i was happy. So I will decorate and dress up and do my thing as I have always done.

Well the vacuum beckons me... oh boy... here we go!

Take care and be safe... Thinking of you all 💞😂

More days of "hurry up and wait"

 More medical appointments and more of me trying to find time for social outings.  Sometimes I feel like saying "let's just go back to social isolation."  Spend time at home being bored?  Maybe not.  One upshot of these appointments is the legal need for the gerontologist who did the final assessment, to inform MPI of the results.  But she also told us that the mandate of MPI has changed and they now bend over backwards to keep people on the road.  Remember how Phyllis was restricted to only during certain hours of the day and no further than the grocery store or the library?  I don't remember whether it was a formal arrangement or not, but Uncle Clarence was not allowed to drive without Auntie Margaret in the vehicle with him.  And they drove all over Western Canada in their trips between Manitoba and B.C.  So we just wait and see how things shake out.   

But saying that doesn't make the emotional toll any easier to deal with.  Wednesday, after the final appointment (for now),  I went out to Lorette for the weekly Craft Group.  It turned out to be somewhat emotional as well, as two of the ladies discussed their experiences as teen-age single mothers.  But there was also a lot of laughter and even a couple of "dirty" jokes.  There are only 4, sometimes 5, of us. The day had been very much overcast with periodic rain.  As I was driving home, worrying about how David and I were going to deal with things, a tiny bit of sun peaked through the clouds and created a partial rainbow in the sky in front of me.  I immediately saw this as a "Sign" that everything was going to be fine.  Whatever happens, we'll be okay.  I immediately relaxed.  The stress was gone.

Friday, we went to Brunch with David's sister Gail. We went to a quieter restaurant, and David was able to join in the conversation, a great improvement over the previous brunch.  But, again, she insisted on paying.  However, she also agreed that we could pay next time.

Since then we putter along.  I've been planning meals to clean out the freezer as much as we can.  This results in some weird stuff, but tomorrow we roast another chicken.  The neighbour--the Gro-op neighbour--gave David a very unusual--to me--squash.  I've discussed it with my friend Gail, who grows and sells various squash, and she suggests that I just bake it as I would any other squash.  We'll try it with the chicken.  I should finish another 3 zipper bags later today, and then it will be back to the Frozen Sanctuary box.

So, the seasons change, we all grow old-er, and the days grow longer. Nothing any of us do or think can change any of that.  So, we need to find peace with whatever life holds, but most of all, we need to stay safe.  It's getting crazy out there again.

What a process!

 My computer wanted me to log in before I could access the blog and then it sent a verification to my email account, which wouldn't let me log in without the verification! I was finally able to log in by accessing my email on my phone.  I was able to save my tomatoes from the frost the other night, but the plants are not doing that great anyway  We have some warm weather coming up, which might help, but if there is danger of frost again I am just going to pick them all.  The deer are eating the apples as they fall from the tree.  they were too small this year to even bother trying to use them.  We got lots though.  Meat draw tonight.  I don't always go but since I am selling tickets tonight I guess I better show up.  We have been watching some of the curling on television.  There were so many team changes last spring that I have no idea which team is from where.  Mike McEwan is curling out of Ontario!  I am going to have to purge my wardrobe (makes it sound impressive!).  Most of my casual clothes are getting pretty ratty looking and the clothes I wore to work don't fit very well anymore (as well as looking pretty well worn)  I was hoping to buy something at Walmart when we were in Brandon but they were renovating the store and I had no idea where things had been moved to.  I guess it will have to be Giant Tiger or Red Apple.  They expanded our local Co-op hardware store too and now it is like a giant warehouse with 8 foot tall shelves.  We've been in twice for specific items and left empty handed both times.  We need to replace our bathroom taps and I have no idea where to find them.  I guess it will be Home Hardware ( which is also building a new store on the west side of town).  I read the news again yesterday and will do it again next week (Lucky me..... the farmer's supplement comes out then) That should be it for a while unless someone gets sick again.  I don't mind.  Especially since Rrain told me that if I need a break, or a drink or something I just sit quiet for about 5 seconds and then say I want a break.  They keep the camera and sound running but then she edits that part out.  The 5 seconds give her a spot to start the cut.  Love you guys💓

First day of Fall

 ...and we spent the afternoon picking the tomatoes and cucumbers and peppers still on the plants and piled them in the big greenhouse for the night. We have so many green tomatoes now and no idea what to do with them - some will ripen if i bring them in the house. Also covered up a clump of novelty tomatoes called tomatillos which are still trying to grow. The wind is so strong I had a real time to cover with sheets and fasten with cloths pins. Then i put all the potted herbs into the small greenhouse and closed the door. And picked the basil growing in the garden and have it dehydrating right now to make more spice for Winter use. I guess we are really starting to see the Fall weather with several nights with freezing warnings already. The ground is covered with leaves now with the big Maple tree at the front providing the perfect colourful blanket to shuffle through and make wonderful noises with your foot steps. I wonder Pati if you and Dave were able to seeing the changing colours when you went for your long drive into the country for your get together with the other ladies? And Cathy can you see the fields with stubble and shuffle through that on your walks with Lucky?  I can remember one year I was there after they went through with their huge farm  machines and left piles of wheat which I found so interesting. Although I know that they switch up the crops in each field every years right? One year it was all sunflowers.

Well, just wanted to say Hi and write a few words. Hope all is well there. Take care and be safe. 👋

Burned a lot of gas this week.

 Wednesday morning, David was to Seven Oaks for an assessment.  Then we got in the car and headed for Geesje's house, South of St. Claude.  Gail had been overwhelmed with work, and when David had suggested that he drive me, she was grateful. This was the longest excursion we've made in several years.  We took it easy, and stopped for lunch at a little food stop in the middle of nowhere-"Ma's Drive-in".  The food was great, the single stall unisex washroom not so great.  But I was a desperate woman, and things went well until another woman (thank Goodness, a woman) walked in on me wiping my bum.  She seemed a little surprised, and stood there for a moment, before backing out.

We got to Geesje's a bit early (15-20 minutes) and sat in the car looking around, noticing the field full of solar panels that hadn't been there before, until another car load arrived. Geesje came out of the house to greet every one, in time for the third carload.  I had warned her that David would be with me and he had a couple of books, hoping to find a quiet corner.  However, Geesje introduced her husband, and I didn't see them again until we were leaving, when we found out that they had been chatting for the whole 2 1/2 hours.  Geesje was as surprised as I was.

It was the first face-to-face meeting in over 2 years, and it was wonderful.  There were 8 of us including a visitor, who was knowledgeable, interested and full of questions.  We went well over time, saw wonderful work, and they were even interested in the pitiful items I had brought with me.  Looking over my stuff, I realized that it was mainly hand work, and that is very topical right now.  We left by about 4:40, after buying some honey, after finding out that Geesje's husband is an apiarist, but were too tired to worry about supper, so ate a Smitty's, once we were back in the city.  We've never eaten there in the evening, and were pleasantly surprised with the reasonable prices and decent service, even if it was obvious that both waitresses were fairly new, and still being trained.

Thursday David was off to take some knives in for sharpening, and buy a belt, after dropping me off at Starbucks.  No belt, as David thought the price for a hand made belt --$50--was a little too high.  I'm hoping he reconsiders.

Saturday I went to Gail's in Landmark.  She is part of the Dawson Road Art Tour,  She and her friend Laurie, had thoroughly cleaned the house and set up a shop in the dining room, for the weekend.  Gail is not one for housework, but, fortunately, Laurie used to own and operate a house cleaning company, so when I say "they" cleaned, I think I know who did most of the work, although Gail has been saying that she was slowly cleaning up over the past couple of weeks.  I stayed about an hour, while they ate lunch, but left when several customers arrived.

Yesterday it was up early, and a meeting out in Selkirk, and what a mess that was, with no one presiding as the President has now moved to Alberta.  But things got done.  So, today, I'm hoping for some quiet time, and maybe some studio work?  If I can remember how to get there, and what I was doing

Be social ladies!

Where did the week go....

 One day leads to the next and before you know it...I am still seeing Pati's blog about books when I had wanted to respond to it before now. I so love my own personal books and better still, the series of books from the writers just as you spoke of Pati.  Of course I have the Kidd series which I have read only twice. I have the entire collection of Steve Berry's Cotton Malone adventures. Most of the Gamache novels and then a spattering from the Rockton series and several of Kate Mortons novels. And many from other Authors/Series but not entire collections. And I wonder what I should do with them all as I seem to be the only voracious reader in my family. But...who cares.. I love my books haha!

Not much left in the garden now so I have been cleaning up and emptying pots and stacking them for next year thinking if I do it a bit at a time, the approaching end to the Fall will not seem so daunting to me.  I brought in all the house plants that had been out all Summer and they have never looked so good. Blossoms all over the azalea tree and new healthy growth on the cactuses (cactii??)including my beloved Maplewood cactus. I arranged them in the back sun room a bit different from previous years and have a beautiful view of them all from above in the kitchen window. This always makes me feel good especially in Winter when all I see is the snow out the windows but now have the backdrop of succulent plants to view instead. Small blessing mean so much....haha!

The neighbours across the street from us have now cut down all their trees along the road and we can see right into their back yard plain as can be. They have started to build a high wooden slat fence but it is going to take a long time to finish that the whole length of the yard, if indeed that is their intention (I hope). Right now the cut down trees and branches are lying on the boulevard until they can cut them up and haul them away to the dump. He works 12 hour shift work and seems to be the only one doing the work. He had someone (an experienced tree feller friend I think) come in to top the trees and fell them but he does all the rest including digging up the base of the trees which many are at least 2-3 ft in diameter. And she just yells at him haha!  I do not like to see healthy grown trees taken down indiscriminately purely for reasons other than them been dangerous  to fall and cause damage or injury.

Well I had planned to view a The Quilt Show show but time has escaped me again so i shall say bye for now and get the night chores done and hit the bed ( and read of course )

Take care. Are you planning to get that new bivalent booster for Covid? I will be calling the PHU to book appt for Harry and I, and also the Pharmacy to see about the Flu vaccines and when they are ready to start to give them. Thinking of you...💖 

Buying books

 Today, not one, but two separate packages from Amazon.ca.  There have been several series over the years that I have loved and re-read, whenever possible.  Lately, I have been buying what I can of the various series, so that I will be able to re-read whenever I want.  The most recent is the four books by Phaedra Patrick, and the parcels today were the last two arriving. The first series I bought was the Kidd books by John Sandford.  I've had these for years, and think I blogged about them being accidently taken to the thrift store, and the two of us rushing there to see if we could buy them back. There is still one missing, and I think I'm going to see if I can find it to buy.  I have all but the most recent of the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong, and that one is on order ( not being released in paperback until December).  Of course, "Lord of the Rings", and the P.J.  Tracy "Monkeewrench" series.  I started collecting books by Anna Jacobs, but soon realized that they were very formulaic, and got rid of them.

Now I'm starting to wonder what will happen to these collections when  I'm gone.  And then I decided, "who cares"?

Can't remember

 I really can't pull up any memory of that necklace set, Beth.  Vague feeling that it should be something I remember, but not really.  I'm so glad you have Mom's stuff.  I can see you wearing it but know that I likely wouldn't.

A little more show and tell

 Hello ladies,

I love your new tops Pati - the shape and style look wonderful and wish I could go shopping and buy nice clothes like yours. And....I desperately need new underwear...but a new ice machine bought yesterday trumps all my personal needs right now haha!

I'll make this a nice short message but wanted to share a fun idea I had. Going through some stuff I have ( where does all this stuff come from???) I discovered a box with some of our Mothers jewelry. One was a necklace that I remember well and one that Mom wore often and even have one of her school pictures ( from when she worked at the High School as secretary) where she has it on. Since I am going to meet my friend Sue for Luncheon on Wed ( it has been three years since we have had Lunch out together what with Covid etc) I decided to choose an outfit with which i could wear the necklace. Mom's set had earrings of the clip on style but I found a pair of mine that are pierced and will match OK. 

So here is a picture to show you. Do you remember? Do you think i am a bit crazy to want to wear them since they may certainly be out of style for today's fashionable lady?

So bye for now. Hope all is well. Take care. 😇

Wass'up Doc?

 Not much.  Haven't been in the studio, to work, since Tuesday--or was it Wednesday?  Can't remember so I guess it wasn't particularly memorable.  Thursday I was just useless and spent half the day in bed.  Felt a little better on Friday, so did the wash after going grocery shopping.  (Fool that I am) Then was useless for the rest of the day and spent time in a fog sitting in the kitchen.  At some time over the past week I bought a shirt and two bras.  Then I sorted through my bras, and tucked several away as they are just too small these days.  I love the feel and fit of the top I bought so yesterday went back to see if they had more in different colours.  David was with me, and helped me decide to buy a couple more bras, to replace the ones put away.  I bought one in dark blue (love it), as well as a print one in a dusty pink background with small yellow, blue and green sprays of flowers on it.  They did have three more designs of the top and I bought two of them, but left the third behind as it was a dark grey black with all sorts of small paisley designs all over it.  David said that design screamed out "old Gramma".  But the other two pleased me in different ways.  The pink one has a bit of 'shock value", and I don't see myself wearing that one anywhere special, but the dark teal one might work for more special occasions--such as leaving the house for just about anything.

Thursday evening, when I was sort of out of it, and hadn't gone to the show opening reception out in Selkirk, I received an e-mail telling me that my piece in the current show had sold.  We have since figured out that the money I get for the sale, is just about equal to the amount I've spent on clothing over the past couple of weeks. Serendipity, but works for me.

Tonight we cook a chicken for supper.  I just about had heart failure when I looked at the package and saw the price, but then remembered that we had bought them, "buy one, get one free".    Beef has been an occasional treat for us, for years.  We have bought cheaper cuts, mainly steak, a couple of times over the summer, and been very disappointed.  We had what looked like a decent (paid an outrageous price) steak on Friday, expecting that there would be leftovers, and there were.  It was almost impossible to eat, even after several hours of being marinated.  So yesterday I cut up the remains, and put them in the small slow cooker for several hours, with a gravy mix.  Not too bad!  So if we ever buy beef again, I'll know what to do with it.

My plan for today is to head for Starbucks, after I finish this post.  I just have to buy something, doesn't matter what, to complete a challenge which will get me a few stars.  Then--if the stars align, spend the afternoon in the studio, while David roasts the chicken for supper. 

Good Saturday morning...

Did you see the full harvest moon in the sky? It lit up the bedroom early this morning as if a light were on. Restless night again with some intermittent nod offs that only made things worse as i dreamed some awful dreams of which i have no recollection except the dreadful feeling they left with me. It seemed to drain the life out of me...if I could describe it as such.  But today is another sunny bright day so hopefully I shall carry on and forget about that. Of course I have wash to do and kitchen chores including tomatoes, and fruit to process. We picked some of our own grapes yesterday - smaller dark beta grapes with a very distinctive sweet/bitter taste which is enjoyable. There are many clumps of them in the vines but very high up so we will need the long ladder against a tree branch to pick them. The vines grow up and up into the surrounding trees and make it quite difficult to get at.  And in the Fall it is even worse to try to pull them down to trim ready for the new year to come. And the branches have to go to the dump as cannot be put into the compost.

Pati, your Frigid Box looks fantastic from my perspective and your picture, but you are the judge on whether you are satisfied and I think by your comments that you are not at this time. So perhaps a break will do you and them justice? I have been watching more on The Quilt Show and enjoy most of what i see but realize it will never turn into any studio work for me. i watched Lilo Bowman and Alex talk about unusual spaces to create a studio as that interested me - i could create my "own space" if I wanted in the limited areas here but at present time that is overruled by other tasks/chores/duties/events/obligations  (take your choice haha!).

Last day for garage sales here in the town (so Harry tells me) so he is off and running, and leaves me a bit of time to write this blog and have a nice breakfast which I have just devoured. 

Have a nice weekend all, and be safe. Thinking of you 😂❤

Not really the weekend we planned.

Did the laundry on Thursday this week, as I had an a optometrist appointment for 11:00 Friday.  Of course, David had to drive me, as I would still be dilated after the exam, which took 1 1/2 hour.  Eyes are just fine, as is my vision.  Good to know.  Once home we spent the rest of the day relaxing, in preparation for our time at the Gallery Saturday.  We were expecting to be alone Saturday, but another lady showed up.  She may have been a fuchsia haired woman, but I'm suspicious that it might have been the Energizer Bunny in disguise.  Violetta and David worked their way through a list of suggested chores for volunteers, even to the point of going out to the parking lot and cleaning up a pile of old clothing, and other junk, that was hidden in a a nook against the building.  There has been a real problem with homeless people setting up in this sheltered nook.  David went to the local Dollarama to get a reacher so they didn't have to touch any of the stuff.  There were very few visitors, although a couple them kept us busy, including a man who arrived just short of closing, and came to donate two wooden sculptures. Expensive souvenirs from the Caribbean. Very nice, but sort of useless, although we figured out a couple of things that could be done with them.

Yesterday was to have been quiet as well, but David's sister, Gail, dropped in about 1:30.  We sat in the garden and chatted for almost 2 hours.  Earlier, I had been out to Pennington's, where I bought two light-coloured brassieres. The ones I've been wearing for over 20 years just aren't doing the job any more.  Also picked up a more dressier but still casual t-shirt.  It will be perfect for fall.  Warmer, and with the 3/4 sleeves that I very much prefer.  All of this was on sale. Then it was quiet time again for both of us.  I finally got down to the studio, where I'm still working on the pale Lavender coloured box.  This is taking on, yet again, another final appearance, and final function.  I'll try to get a bit more done on it today, including pictures.

The rest of the week looks quiet.  I don't envy either of you with all of your vegetables to put up in some way.  I'm having trouble using all of the tomatoes in my fridge, too, but I bought them with good intensions.  Have a good Labour day, and try not to think of what is coming behind it.  We've taken care of whatever services we need to in order to get through the winter.  There's no further preparation we can do.  I do have to say that our Hydrangeas are putting on a wonderful show for the neighbours.

Stay safe ladies. 

 

Wasted day?

 I seemed busy until late afternoon but I feel like I accomplished nothing. I didn’t even walk Lucky this morning! I made some tomato sauce today. The recipe called for 2 tbsp chopped carrot, 2 tbsp of chopped pepper yada yada yada.  I put in a full carrot, pepper, celery and onion; a variety of spices and extra tomato. I used my immersion blender after it was cooked to make it smooth ( I forgot I had the blender!  It was a 20 year gift at work and I never opened it. It has a blender, whisk, chopper and mixing cup). I also emptied my pool☹️ And cleaned it out. Jim was sick today and couldn’t help me fold it so it will have to lie abandoned in the yard until he is better.  I unsuccessfully watered the garden. I had moved the sprinkler stand since most of the garden is empty now. I guess I didn’t have it pounded into the ground enough cause when I went to turn off the water it had fallen over and I had one very waterlogged circle of mud and some dry tomatoes!  The tomatoes are very slow ripening this year.  I noticed that last year at this time I was so sick of processing tomatoes that I put a couple of bags of whole tomatoes in the freezer!  We’ve got more hot days ahead so I try to get everything done in the morning before it gets too hot.  Unfortunately processing garden produce tends to heat up the house.  Just another excuse to sit outside in the shade and read in the afternoon😜  

The Sept long weekend

 Hello,

How did we get here so quickly. I remember in the Winter wishing so hard for the Spring and Summer to come, and now it is disappearing again with only visions of another Winter ahead! Maybe that is a bit too depressing for an up beat blog post like ours, so I better reverse my stance and focus on the 'today" haha!

Yesterday I got the car serviced and also arranged for four new winter tires with the Parts Manager. He suggested I go in a different direction in that I did not need to get rims with them as the service dept suggested, because then I would need the sensor to be added and that added more money ( at least over $100 each) and that I only keep the car for three years maximum anyway ( on our lease plan) And also to wait until October when the deals come in...the tire distributors add an extra $50 rebate on each tire. So I am confident now in what is to come next.  There was a rattle at the back of the car diagnosed as a muffler issue, so a new muffler has been ordered and can be installed the same time as new tires. All under warranty so i left the Dealership with a bill that stated $0.00, Not bad...and i also sat and waited for the work to be done, and was able to finish the book I was reading. So all in all... a bonus morning 😇

The garden is in need of lots of care right now and I am hopeful that I can get at it . The neighbour will leave for Holland tomorrow and then I can get right into working without worry of him being there. I need to empty the 5 water barrels and to do that i carry buckets of water to the back along out common fence and dump it there and I sure could not do that when he is working in his yard. He has attached a rope to a tree from his yard to one tree in our yard along the fence ( with our permission) and hangs his laundry there. And I sure could not get close to that. I was watering yesterday and thought I could easily spray his sheets but the devil in me resisted. haha!

Well time to sign off as the house is waking up. Have a nice weekend and here's to a lovely Fall season for us all. Take care and be safe...💖