A Mid Week Gazebo Update

Work on the gazebo has taken some good steps forward so far this week. Hubby has been taking advantage of time off from work and good weather to get the foundation work done. Despite having to go to town almost daily for materials he has placed all the footing stones and covered the ground with landscape cloth and river rocks to prevent grass and weeds from growing, installed and leveled the posts and attached the main floor joists. The rest of the perimeter boards got screwed in place last night. You can see the octagon shape clearly now and it’s going to be bigger than I thought. Maybe even huge!

Anyway, here are some pictures from this week for you to peruse. Mouseover the images for a brief description of what is happening. Enjoy!

Vacation time

Well it may be vacation time but we're sure not lazying around. It's pickling season and we have been going like crazy because friends of my sister may be able to take a few cases back to T.O. for us. We've made two batches of my Grandmother's Dutch Salad Pickles (we call them mustard pickles and they are a family favourite) and now we have made a second batch of the Hot Curry Relish that I wrote about before.We're still going to make some more of the relish later on when our tomatoes have gotten really ripe. It seems to make a difference, at least in the colour, as the second batch which was made with tomatoes that were very ripe, is a much nicer darker red. Later, we're also going make some jelly from the grapes we have growing on the potting shed and who knows, maybe some pickled beets, too.

I've enclosed some pictures of our handy work. I'm really glad that Hubby loves to help out because it really is a lot of work chopping all the veggies.

I'm also planning my annual dinner party. Rib Fest, yeah! Always seems to be a big hit. I'm planning on decorating the table up with a Fall theme and maybe a few Halloween items thrown in for added fun. I'm just not quite sure about what kind of dessert to make, yet. I'm leaning towards Pumpkin Cheesecake, but chocolate cupcakes with a orange cream cheese icing is calling out to me. I love cupcakes. Hubby just loves icing no matter what it's attached to.

We also have to split up some of the flower beds and rearrange some of the perriennials. The veggie garden needs weeding. I want to also give my leather couch and chair a treatment, I think it may be a little dry looking. The list can go on and on but I really don't what to pile too much on our plates, after all it is supposed to be a VACATION!!!!!

It's been a great Summer

I know it has been quite awhile since I last posted but I've been having such a great summer that I really didn't feel like wasting any of those beautiful days inside at the computer. The BEACH was way more important! And wine at the beach was even better in the shade under my new umbrella.


Our gardens have all done beautifully and we received a lot of complements towards all our hard work. Hurricane Bill did do some damage but not as bad as it could have been. It tipped over some obelisks and the pea fence but they were easily straightened. The only victims were some pole beans and a few tomato branches.







I guess summer is starting to wind down and now that my sunflowers are starting to all open in full bloom, and the Pumpkins are bright orange I feel a tinge of fall in the air. Hopefully not too much of a tinge because we haven't started our vacation yet and I'm really getting excited. We are renting a cottage for three hopefully sunny days right near the beach. We are planning to do some canoeing, hiking, biking, swimming,and lots of eating and drinking. Maybe not in all that order. The place I have booked looks beautiful and has lots of views of the ocean and river. I can smell the ocean now and hear the waves crashing on the rocks. Let's hope that the rain keeps away!

That's it for now. I've posted some pictures of our gardens and hope you enjoy them.

Happy Canada Day

It's Canada's birthday today and I'm very proud to be living in Canada. I also really love the fact that it's a holiday and that I'm taking a few extra days off, as well. Ya hooo for me!

We purchased a new flag and Hubby raised it up even higher so now when you drive over the crest of the hill it is the first thing you see of our property. Hanging proud!!! There are lots of celebrations going on today all over and I'm not sure what we will be doing because the weather is very overcast and looking like rain. It has been great for our garden, though. When we finally get some sun I'm sure the garden will just pop.

Saying the word pop has again made me think of Michael Jackson the King of Pop. He will be sadly missed by me but I will always treasure the time I saw the Jackson Five in concert at the EX. To me "Thriller" has to be the best video of all time and one of my favorite older songs is "Ben". He may have had a wacky life but he had great talent that I feel will be hard to replace. This I thank him for, may he rest in peace.


I think Hubby and I may be planning a day trip which may include our favorite Chinese food restaurant. We live such simple lives that I'm happy just to be able to get away together.

Enjoy the pictures
Happy Canada Day Everyone!

New painting and other stuff...

I know it's been too long since the last time I blogged, but like I said before, I didn't sign a contract so you'll just have be brave and try to understand.
Hubby and I had a great lunch at a local Inn in the Big City. I want to go back again SO soon. God maybe we just haven't been out for so long but a simple soup and sandwich meal turned out to be almost a gourmet treat. The soup was some odd strange sounding brew of broccoli, peas and mint but it was very tasty! The sandwich was ham, tomato and lettuce on grilled homemade rye bread, mmmmm.We managed to spend lots of cash on Saturday.

I recently came into a small amount of money. A distant relative passed away last year and I received a small part of his estate. I didn’t know him and in fact I had only heard of him once or twice from my dad. The estate consisted mainly of his savings accounts which were divided amongst his nieces and nephews and their children. He really should have enjoyed the money himself but instead it went to people he didn't even know. I am curious now about what he was like. I've asked the lawyers for some pictures and information and I hope that they will be able to supply that for me. I feel so sad actually to have received the money under these circumstances so I wanted to do something meaningful with it. Hubby reminded me about a painting that we had looked at back in February. We were thinking of buying it when I received my Christmas bonus but we let it drop for other reasons. I guess we never really put that painting out of our minds. We bought it on Saturday and it now sits beautifully above the new couch. I feel I will remember Eric every time we look at this painting because honestly we probably would never have bought it, otherwise. So, I thank you, Eric.

We have enclosed pictures of some reasons why I haven't had time to blog lately. Gardening, gardening and more gardening. Plus, I got a new promotion at work and I have been in training for the past several weeks. I will be off in two days for a short holiday and I can hardly wait. Canada Day cannot come fast enough for me!

Out with OLD and in with the NEW

The sorry-ass furniture that we have had longer than we have been married is up for sale. Cheap, real cheap, if any one is interested. We've bought ourselves a new set to liven up the newly redecorated tv room and we need to make room for it by passing on the old stuff.

Our new couch and love seat is leather, soft, gorgeous leather. And they're red, a lovely, sexy, Ferrari red. Well, I like to think of it that way. We are going more modern which will be a change for me because I'm really more of a rustic country type, but we all need a change sometimes in life. Turning 50 will do that to you (only kidding, don't go off the deep end and replace everything!)

This all started after we painted the tv room last week. Hubby did a great job of filling the cracks and wall imperfections so now they are perfect. He always does a good job, no half-assing it when he is on the job. Anyway, I really enjoyed painting this room and we will be doing the hallway next. This is a safe area where no new furniture will be required. Now comes the fun part, mixing and matching end tables, pillows, new wall decor, etc. Let the games begin. By the way, the couch and love seat we purchased was made in CANADA! I wouldn't have done it any other way.

A couple of weeks ago we did the day trip to Moncton that I mentioned previously. We were actually on the hunt for new furniture then but we didn't really see anything. Barnaby's was our primary destination and our excuse for going as this is where we found our first good set, but they let us down. We parked our asses on a lot of uncomfortable leather in the past six months but for some reason we couldn't find anything to suit us. Finally, Hambly's came through and we should take delivery on Wednesday.

The trip to the mainland wasn't a complete loss because we were able to enjoy some fine dining. We had dinner at our favorite restaurant -The House of Lam- and even ordered more food to take home for Sunday's supper. We both had the Schezuan combo plate, extra-spicy if you please! It was so good, and not expensive, either. Both dinners plus fried wonton appetizers plus 2 beers plus a half litre of wine PLUS take-out lunch for the next day AND tip was about $80. I don't know how they do it but let's hope they continue! At $40.00 for the bridge plus gas money we can't afford to do this all the time, but, we want to!!


Hopefully everyone had a great Easter I did. Check out the cute Bunny I received, I just LOVE him. He sings and dances and his ears move. I want a dozen of these! It just makes me smile just thinking of pressing his start button.

What are we eating on Christmas day??

The "Wife Saver" breakfast that we have every year now, mmmmm...

The turkey and the dressing are done and are on the counter cooling. Roast turkey, ohh so good!

Prepping the veggies and the gravy for dinner.

Okay, everything is ready and on the table...now take the damn picture so that we can eat!!!

Where are we going to find the room for Yule Log? Never mind, I'm having some even if it means that I blow up while watching TV.

Some Thoughts About Christmas

Once again it has been awhile since I've written but I didn't sign a contract to blog everyday as yet!!

Still, I’m always hopeful Martha Stewart will arrive one day and cook in our kitchen. Oh what fun we will have fa la la la! Ok I know Santa can't even begin to fulfill that one, but I have other wishes for the Holiday season.

First, lets think of charitable organizations that we can all contribute to or volunteer for. Yes it is the Season for giving and everyone can!!!!! Please don't tell me “no, you can't” because all you have to do is look around you to find ways to get involved. Maybe even shovel off the walkway for your neighbor, bake an extra batch of cookies to share, visit someone in the manor who may need help addressing Christmas cards, time volunteered at a soup kitchen. You’ll get the BIG picture if your mind allows you.

I'm happy to say we gave very generously this year more so than last year because it made ME feel good and worthwhile. We have so much and as I have said before WE are truly blessed that I don't need to run out and buy just for the sake of having something around the tree.

Because of our jobs, this is the busiest time of the year but, yes, WE still contribute. So can you. NO EXCUSES!

Ok I’ve nagged enough so I'll wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Solstices, oh just Happy Everything and all the best in the New Year.

Hopefully I'll update my goals and wishes for 2009 and the side bars plus maybe I won't be sooooo shy and actually put my BLOG out there for the world to see. (Yeah, Martha Stewart)

Take Care and Happy Holidays to everyone.
Love Me XXXXXXX 00000000

Christmas is Coming

Yes it has been awhile since I've blogged at all. Where does the time go? I've been busy doing my annual Christmas baking to be sent to all my loved ones in a far away land (okay… Toronto). Again, I have seemed to have taken on more than I can manage at this busy time but I do it ever year so I guess I will stop complaining and suck it up. I have baked gingerbread cookies, orange raisin cookies dipped in white chocolate, shortbread dipped in dark chocolate and crushed almonds, banana loaf, and a cranberry-orange loaf. I haven't finished yet. There is still my meat pie to make for Hubby and I on Christmas Eve, plus I might even try a new recipe along the way. There is always room for new ideas in this house.
Next week I hope to get our tree up and start decorating the house. I love this part of the holidays I just don't really like the shopping part, but I have that all finished and mailed off so there is just Hubby left. THE REALLY IMPORTANT ONE!!!!
Yesterday I made lasagna for dinner and pumpkin pie for dessert and it was fantastic. I really don't understand why Martha Stewart has not found out about me yet! That would be my dream spot on T.V. to work alongside her. Dreams have a way of coming true.
Work, well let’s not ruin my day, so we won't go there. The Annual Christmas party was last night so I'll hear all about it on Monday. There is always someone who wishes they had not gone.
I'm going to start my new savings budget for January, so it may be a while ‘til I update my sidebars.
Hopefully soon I will start posting this out. Still a little shy.

Rememberance Day

On the eleventh month of the eleventh day at the eleventh hour it is time to remember all the veterans and peacekeepers who bravely fought for the freedom we enjoy today. I think about this more and more as I get older and realize how much these men and women truly gave and believed in to make this a better country. I thank-you.

Haven't blogged for awhile I guess I have been just too plain lazy. Lately, I haven't had a lot of
energy and I think that just comes with this time of year. Today it's cold, windy and raining, not a promising day.

I've found some interesting sites on Geo Caching and I'm dying to try this game out. I found some great areas close to home but I'll have to wait to get a GPS to join in on the fun. Something for me to look forward to in the New Year

Went Christmas shopping yesterday as I had the day off. Got a few nice presents but mostly just stuck with gift certificates from their favorite haunts. Seems like such a waste to buy these and mail them while they will be doing the same for us. What we do to keep family happy.

Oh well I should be happy I have my family, I just wish at times we didn't live so far away.
I'm trying to get this finished early this year so I can start my Christmas baking. I really enjoy the baking and decorating the house and tree but the rest is so commercialized it can really spoil the season and meaning of the holiday.
Not like Halloween!!!!!

Halloween Rocks!!!!!!!

I have been off work since Wednesday afternoon and I spent the time planning away for Halloween (did I mention that it's my very favorite of all days?). Hubby had Thursday and Friday off so he started gutting the pumpkins early, and then Friday our creative sides took over. Don't worry, we will post lots of our pumpkin pictures for all the world to see. We have been doing this for over 30 years so I guess you can say we are well experienced in this field. Any potential job openings out there for me, as I might need it soon. Work is trying very hard to push me out the door. I would say its pay back time for being off the 4 months on sick leave. But for now lets not even think of that piece of s--- place cause it's Halloween and Halloween weekend. Yes, Halloween lasts a few days at this house. I dressed up as a WITCH, of course, and had a blast even though we only had 8 kiddies come begging. Saturday, we had friends over for drinks and snacks, which allowed me to use all my Halloween bowls and decorations to the max for a great looking table setting. Everyone really liked our carved pumpkins and lots of pictures were taken. Hubby does some amazing pumpkin carving which I'm sure you will all agree. It was a great weekend and my pumpkins right now are still on the front steps in the snow!!! We had snow this morning and then some hail and then more snow. I'm not impressed with the change in the weather. Hubby is watching the last formula 1 race of the season and I'm just hoping the damn satellite doesn't crap out on him.

It's Almost Time!

Here are a few of our pumpkins from last year. I hope this year's will be as good.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I'm really enjoying my 5 day weekend. YA HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Oh, did I scream that out loud.

Work has been busy and I'm back training a new recruit in the dept. Same old shit, just a different day.

Yesterday, the Better Half and I went for a drive around the neighbourhood and took some fall pictures. The weather was at least 70 degrees, which is a great Indian Summer day. The trees where pretty much picture perfect. All in all, it was a great day.

For Thanksgiving dinner I made an apple pie, 2 pumpkin pies and some butter tarts. Then we cooked a turkey with all the fixings and yes, all for just for 2 little piggies. There are lots of left-overs to freeze plus we will be eating turkey for the next couple of days. Gobble Gobble.

Its times like these that make me feel truly greatful. This is what I feel everyone needs to focus on. I'm so great full for certain things
1) My husband, he is my rock!!
2) Our family and friends
3) Our health
4) Our home
5) Our Financial situation, which is good right now.
6) Being Canadian and living on Witch Island.
7) Having a job, though this area needs improvement down the road.

Boy, when you sit back and read all this, we our truly blessed.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Day and don't forget to vote tomorrow, your vote may just change the outcome of our great country.