Christmas Toast

I was speaking with Rraine yesterday, and reminded her about our annual Christmas toast.  Are we all in for 6:00 Winnipeg time?  Got the turkey out of the freezer yesterday.

Just in a bit of a holding pattern here.  We were out for coffee and a few last minute groceries yesterday.  OMG!  What a "zoo"!  The traffic was wild, and I'm used to the usual everyday craziness around Regent and Lagimodiere.  The line up to turn the corner at Panet and Reenders was two blocks long--and I consider 6 cars long.  Listening to the radio later I heard that there were fender benders everywhere as there had been a light snowfall over slippery streets. As well, a "deep freeze" has settled in, with wind chills in the minus 39 range.  So, we've decided to stay home until Tuesday.

I don't plan to do much cleaning until after the company has left on Monday, but will do a bit of putter-y stuff in the interim. I do want to have the studio fairly tidy for Christmas, as that's about the only place to put "stuff", with it having the only table upstairs other than the kitchen table.  I also want to start with the dishwasher empty, knowing it will be full at least once that day.  And I guess we'll have to shovel some snow.  We won't be bringing the round table in from the garage until David has some help.  It's not a problem moving it from the garage to the house--it just rolls--but maybe a challenge to get it up the front stairs and into the living room?

This morning we had juncos at the feeder.  We had an idea the little devils were still around, but now know for sure.  David has upgraded his bird food over the past year.  The last bag of basic sunflower seeds went rancid, so he's been buying a "deluxe" mix at the Wild Bird Store. I'm not sure what's in it, but the birds appear to love it, and we've had more variety of birds this fall.  We put it on his Christmas list, but I have a hunch we won't get it.

So, here's to a great Christmas for all of us.  May it work out well for us all no matter what "well" means in any of our lives.

Frantic times

Not so much because of the season, but rather with a very busy studio schedule.  I think I mentioned being part of a very hush-hush studio project.  I was expecting my instructions by the first of January, and have wanted to clear everything, so as to finish my task by the end of January deadline. Well, they arrived early this week, and I'm so excited.  Have spent the last couple of days planning in my head, and then writing it down, while doing hand finishing on previous projects. Actually started the first step of the task today.  Exciting!

Yesterday was spent finishing the new utility quilt we have for the spare bed, to replace the cats.  They are really too big for the new mattress, and are maybe ready to retire.  The new quilt is not as big now it's been quilted ( I sent it out, as it was too big to be done in my little studio).  So, it may turn out to be just a summer cover.

We were out this morning for David's last orientation visit to the CPAP distributor.  He received his own personal machine today, and will now only have to see them for a once yearly servicing.  Then we were off to the dollar store for a tinfoil turkey roaster.  also picked up some reading glasses with a higher magnification than previously used. (Yikes!)

I need more bookmarks made by the end of January.  The price of blanks ,and accompanying tassels is outrageous, so I've been experimenting with making my own.  I just couldn't find any soft cord, but the lady at Fabricland suggested that I try sash cord, at $0.35/m less 20%.  It only comes in white, but  I thought it might dye, and Heaven knows I have enough dye lying around the house.  Unfortunately the dye I have didn't work, but I found a little package of a different dye, bought years ago and never used.  It had to be simmered for 20 minutes, and setting that up was a challenge.  You both know that David gets involved in all of the strange and quirky things I do, and he really was a help with this. It worked, and the cord is now a light beige ( Desert Sand according to the package).  Twelve of them were finished last evening, while I played poker ( won-first time in ages).  The first 6 were cut 10" long, and the second 6 cut 12".  I think the 12' is better.  Then I shred the cord with a stiletto to make it tassel-y.  Tonight I have to finish the rest of the 10 m.

 I'm struggling to adhere to my eating regime.  ( Bad time of year) I was very discouraged yesterday, and was even think that I should just give it up.  I spoke to David about it, and he is now trying to be a little more encouraging.  My best pair of jeans now has a huge stain on it, and may have to be replaced, I sure don't want to have to go up a size if I buy some. Wish me luck

Watching Christmas movies

A bit of a pause with my Christmas movies as I could not get the VCR to function.  Some time ago a movie i was watching caught in the machine while ejecting and I had to pull it out forcefully with the tape coming out in pieces.  Ever since it would not allow another VHS to go in. I knew i had another machine so pulled it out and tried to hook it up. No luck. Had another look at the faulty machine while I was able to hold it in my lap and peer into its "inards" with a flashlight. There was the label of the above demolished movie tucked inside - so with a great deal of difficulty I got it out in one piece. Long story shorter....I hooked the old machine up again and voila!.... in business. yeah! I plan to watch a movie every day until Christmas. then I will have satisfied my seasonal desires.
Yesterday the Tassimo machine started to flash the warning light to "descale"  Never done it before and was a bit intimidated about the whole procedure. I printed the instructions from the on line book. Harry went off to the Hardware to purchase the required new filter and descaling agent ( wow at a $$cost too, haha!) Long story shorter...I did it and now good to go again for awhile. But all was not lost during this crisis as I had my handy Keurig machine at the ready to provide my coffee fix.
Well to day we are off to Huntsville and first the Mammogram appointment and then to shop. Take care

One must not complain

How quickly things change!  I should have kept my mouth shut!
It is one above C and drizzling right now - I just had to shovel the driveway where the plow pushed slushy wet heavy snow off the roadway.  But I am making another batch of refridgerator cookies to freeze into rolls for later baking - bought fresh fruit and nuts at the Village Bin store here in town yesterday.  All is good.......

Greetings from the cold and snow...

I know cold and snow are not foreign to either of you but it gets a bit monotonous each day here....same same. Although, it is supposed to warm up and the snow falling this morning is that delightful soft flakes that drift down and fall on your nose. So I take solace in that.
I am interested in that book that you are reading Pati.  So I will ask at the Library if they can order it in. Probably won't be until the New Year but that is fine. It may take me a while to get through it as well.  Right now I am reading the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I found the three books in a bag while tidying up and had forgotten I had them.
I have been experimenting with meals and recipes. I get the magazines at the LCBO when they publish them and have found some very interesting ones. Yesterday I made French Onion Mac and Cheese Casserole. I must say it was delicious. I have always loved french onion soup and of course, mac and cheese, so this recipe combined the best of both. The only drawback was that it called for gruyere cheese grated. Harry went to the store and came back with a small slab of it - cost over $12 - I cringed but used it anyway. So I have to watch some of the ingredients as I am not likely to be splurging like that again. Have either of you used gruyere cheese for anything?  The next recipe I am wanting to try is a chocolate chip cookie but made in a cast iron fry pan all in one dish. I looks good and the pictures shows two spoons digging in! Maybe this recipe will have to sit on the shelf for awhile haha! 
So another week ahead and at the end of it is Christmas. If I can get through my Mammo appointment on Thursday, then all shall be well.  Take care

I am reading a book

It's "Lake Agassiz" by Bill Redekop.  Non-fiction, and a very detailed account of the geological history of Manitoba, plus more info than you ever wanted to know about life in historical North America.  Bill Redekop used to write a column in the Free Press, documenting his travels around the province and the interesting people and places he visited.  The reading takes some concentration, and I'm getting through it chapter by chapter, but I am absorbing what he says, and finding it interesting enough to continue.  I just finished a chapter on the elephants of Manitoba. Evidently, there is a government published  piece titled "The  Fossil Elephants of Manitoba".  Out of print now, but available electronically by phoning the Historical Resources Branch.  What I'm finding interesting is how the geography of the province was almost completely created by the lake.  This is not to say that I'm getting through it quickly.  I also have a thriller in the bathroom for more recreational reading.

There is a lot on my plate right now, studio-wise.  By considering the due date for stuff, I've worked out a time table, giving consideration to the family Christmas here, and the anniversary and birthday events coming up.  It looks like I'll be busy in the studio until close to the end of March.  The gift shop at the gallery in Selkirk is rotating stock on Feb 4th, so this week, and into next, will be preparing new stock for that.  Then I have to finish my hexie quilt.  I am committed to a special project that must be completed by Jan 28, but after that things calm down.  Thank Goodness.

Also trying to settle into "Life as an almost Blond".  Still don't like it.  This may be the last time I do this.

Christmas tree is up, and our share of the gifts wrapped and in place. Yesterday we did our grocery shopping for the feast, but I may still have to pick up a couple of last minute things.  We bought our gifts for each other, both Christmas and birthday--tickets to the Randy Bachman concert in March.  We have never been to a concert before.  Shortly after we moved back  to Winnipeg, the Eagles were at the race track.  I had wanted to attend, but we couldn't really afford it.  It's been a sort of thing between us since, and we never found anything that we both might enjoy.  David is still unsure about this, but agreed.

Okay, lunch is over, and time to go back to the "salt mine".

Deep freeze here

And a good thing as yesterday we bought foods (at Wal Mart !!)  for our turkey dinner that we plan to have sometime between Christmas and New Years. And since I currently have no room in the freezer, I was able to put them outside to keep frozen - turkey, bread for stuffing, bacon, etc. The two bags of fresh cranberries to make cranberry sauce are in the fridge. 
Very cold but a nice sunny day so I was outside trying to move some snow. The outbuildings needed to have the roofs cleaned off and a few paths around the greenhouses needed to be cleared. I didn't get to the house roof yet but that will come. I hauled out my snowmobile outfit which is nice and roomy and warm - this keeps me comfortable while outside. When I went for my walk this afternoon I put on a pair of sweat pants over my slacks and this made a big difference in keeping the cold out. The hydro bill is enjoying all this weather - I still record the watts used each day and see it jumping up dramatically every day.
I made Nuts and Bolts yesterday ....yeah!! I wonder Cathy why you say your Nuts and Bolts do not turn out well - what is it you think is not right, as I used your recipe to make mine. Maybe we can compare notes??
Anyway, tonight I am going to try to sleep better by having a nice hot milk just before bed. Nothing worse than laying in bed all night watching the clock tick on and on...  Take care (have a good sleep)