I'm beginning to think I have ADHD. I start something and then get very easily side tracked !! I go into the bathroom to brush my teeth , and end up cleaning under the sink, the medicine cabinet and cleaning the bath tub . Look for something on the lazy susan, find 3 packages of coffee beans, so grind them up and put in the coffee can. And on it went !Some dusting was done. I had YS bring up a stepstool so I can reach the top of the TV cabinets and the top of my desk !! Dust is probably an inch thick; I'll know when I get up there !
Our freezer is packed full !! [ And it is a 24 cu ft freezer !]Bloggers that I read from Great Britain would be shocked at the amount of meat that is crammed in there. In fact, there is so little room, the hunk of beef will have to stay outside in the cooler til we use up some contents. Thankfully the weather is soooo cold , that it'll be fine. Yesterday the windchills were -30* , the same for this morning. YS was texted to stay home yesterday and today.
Finally the infinity scarf was finished, lengthened my scarf and sewed it up. 24 squares are now sporting a crotcheted border,another 30 to do before they can be arranged and sewn into a blanket. Then 2 more batches of knitted squares to be transformed into blankets. It is sure using up a lot of odd skeins of wool which is good ! The previous owner of the puppy did not send any blankets, not even in the kennel. She is supposedly kennel trained, but how uncomfortable to be stuck in a kennel with only the plastic flooring !!
Yesterday was hockey day in this house. There were 4 games shown on tv and OH watched everyone. Our Canadian is doing well but the big game to decide the medal round will be tomorrow afternoon against the USA. Meals are planned around the games ! I made a 7 day menu up, think promptly had to change it. the pork roast was frozen solid so I changed to spaghetti, but I had brought up chili !! I have an ice cream pail with crabapple juice so I might make some crabapple jelly later on this week, just need to check how much sugar I have in the house.That would clear up some space in that freezer !
With the egg donor having a new boyfriend, it hit me that if she had taken YGS, he would be on, at the very least, his 'third ' father. He would have been an emotional mess and , no doubt in our minds, a behaviour problem. I keep reminding myself I must be thankful that she left him, no matter the emotional and financial trauma we've gone through.
Well, garbage and recycling has been put out, I need to look at some recipes and get on with the squares.
Supper is now in the crockpot. Sweet and Sour Pork.. Hoping it tastes good as I have never been pleased with the other dishes I have made. I'd like to start using the crock pot more often as it saves on electricity and all bills are going up. CPP is going up 1.8% this year !! Whoo hoo !!!
OH has the wash on. I envy those bloggers who can hang their laundry outside. However with temps that go to -40 or even lower [ sometimes to -52*] , one relies on their dryer !
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
On The Fourth day of Christmas
It's a cold morning today [ -13* and falling ] with some light snow flurries. A good day to stay in and cocoon.The forecast isn't looking wonderful going into the new year but I think we feel that way because we have had an easy winter so far.
I did get the dog sweater done just in time as ED picked me up and we went into the city . She was on the hunt for a couple of special pillowcases and bells with which to train the dog to ring to go outside. No bells were found, but we did buy a book on beer for YS's birthday. ED had organized a beer Advent Calendar for 24 people which was a big hit. I also managed to pick up some liquid hand soap that we like from a dollar store and a fabulous piece of jewelry --$2.50 !! LOL
Supper was a quick affair of leftover turkey and salad as the Canadians were playing their second game against Germany. I watched some more of The Newsroom.
Today we have YGS as is usual. He's waiting for Grandpa to get up as they usually have poached eggs and toast soldiers on Sunday mornings . Today is also the day he is allowed to 'deconstruct' his gingerbread house. However his uncle says he has to wait for him ! While YGS is watching tv, I'm madly working on the scarf. I've already been playing around with my mom's knitted squares. So many different sizes ! I think I'll use up some more of my odds and ends to crotchet them close to a standard size before I join them. One will be going into ED's car for sure to protect her seats from little puppy prints.
I am so lucky that people give me their leftover wool and material, knowing that I will use it up ! I cleaned out my knitting needle drawer, and oh my I've been given a lot of those as well ! I have made many afghans, hats and preemie sets to donate to homeless shelters and hospitals. I've also used the materials to make gifts for my family, often making up my own patterns to suit the material. I always need a project to do as I cannot sit and just watch tv. When we travel I always have something to do in the car and in the evenings sitting outside. I have two projects in mind right now. One I'll have to do a little googling to find what 3 patterns to use while making a 'triple' scarf for myself.
One of the fun things ED and I did was to do some of our Christmas shopping at Value Village. She found a pure silk scarf with the original price tag !, amongst other things. Her brother loves the tie ! LOL I found two pairs of pants for my husband, one of them is a Carrhart, never worn ! Also picked up magnetic activity centre with letters for my YGS which he loved :) We had suggested doing some of our shopping like that, but the others were aghast ! What they don't know, won't hurt them !
I ventured down into the freezer and it is packed ! Good thing the weather is so cold and we were able to put a cooler outside to put the hunk of beef I bought. Later on in the week I'll bring it in to laugh and then cut into steaks, roast and stewing beef. Tomorrow perhaps I'll venture down into the basement again and 'organize the freezer. I don't often go downstairs because of my knees. The left is ready for another knee replacement... but I am not ready for that yet ! Hated the physiotherapy.
No dusting was done yesterday, so maybe I'll get around to it today. We'll see
I did get the dog sweater done just in time as ED picked me up and we went into the city . She was on the hunt for a couple of special pillowcases and bells with which to train the dog to ring to go outside. No bells were found, but we did buy a book on beer for YS's birthday. ED had organized a beer Advent Calendar for 24 people which was a big hit. I also managed to pick up some liquid hand soap that we like from a dollar store and a fabulous piece of jewelry --$2.50 !! LOL
Supper was a quick affair of leftover turkey and salad as the Canadians were playing their second game against Germany. I watched some more of The Newsroom.
Today we have YGS as is usual. He's waiting for Grandpa to get up as they usually have poached eggs and toast soldiers on Sunday mornings . Today is also the day he is allowed to 'deconstruct' his gingerbread house. However his uncle says he has to wait for him ! While YGS is watching tv, I'm madly working on the scarf. I've already been playing around with my mom's knitted squares. So many different sizes ! I think I'll use up some more of my odds and ends to crotchet them close to a standard size before I join them. One will be going into ED's car for sure to protect her seats from little puppy prints.
I am so lucky that people give me their leftover wool and material, knowing that I will use it up ! I cleaned out my knitting needle drawer, and oh my I've been given a lot of those as well ! I have made many afghans, hats and preemie sets to donate to homeless shelters and hospitals. I've also used the materials to make gifts for my family, often making up my own patterns to suit the material. I always need a project to do as I cannot sit and just watch tv. When we travel I always have something to do in the car and in the evenings sitting outside. I have two projects in mind right now. One I'll have to do a little googling to find what 3 patterns to use while making a 'triple' scarf for myself.
One of the fun things ED and I did was to do some of our Christmas shopping at Value Village. She found a pure silk scarf with the original price tag !, amongst other things. Her brother loves the tie ! LOL I found two pairs of pants for my husband, one of them is a Carrhart, never worn ! Also picked up magnetic activity centre with letters for my YGS which he loved :) We had suggested doing some of our shopping like that, but the others were aghast ! What they don't know, won't hurt them !
I ventured down into the freezer and it is packed ! Good thing the weather is so cold and we were able to put a cooler outside to put the hunk of beef I bought. Later on in the week I'll bring it in to laugh and then cut into steaks, roast and stewing beef. Tomorrow perhaps I'll venture down into the basement again and 'organize the freezer. I don't often go downstairs because of my knees. The left is ready for another knee replacement... but I am not ready for that yet ! Hated the physiotherapy.
No dusting was done yesterday, so maybe I'll get around to it today. We'll see
Saturday, December 27, 2014
On The Third Day of Christmas
The weather is turning colder with a projected windchill of - 27* tonight.So with that in mind I went searching for a dog sweater pattern that I had used many years in the past. A LOT of my 'stashes' of patterns and papers were cleaned out and discarded , but still no pattern ! Finally a light went on ... there was one more folder. Yreka ! I found it ! It is so faded I can barely read it, but I am persevering. Hopefully I can finish the sweater this morning, and that it fits !
The turkey was stripped and the bones simmered for soup. I need to take the fat off this and freeze it for soup making later on. Supper was whatever you could find in the fridge. Easy peasy as YGS would say.
YS went out and played pick up hockey at local outside rink and then settled in with his dad to watch the World Junior Hockey Championships. Canada won 8-0 over Slovkia. I watched The Newsroom while keeping an eye on the game, and knitted and knitted.
Today ? There might be a few going to see one of the Hobbit movies. I don't like them, could never get into Lord of the Rings no matter how hard I tried. I'll be babysitting and that suits me fine.
Today I got my next project ready. Once I have finishe the sweater and the scarf, I'll work on my mom's knitted squares. My mom has been dead for 21+ years and these were stashed away for all that time. I will crochet the squares and make a couple of small afghans. That'll be a bit more wool gone. ED can keep one in the caar for Marley and another one in th house for her. My mom knit squares
for afghans for each grandchild which I crocheted and sewd together. I have continued the 'tradition'.
Today I need to dust and polish furniture, finish doing the Christmas decorations and swish the bathrooms. Another relaxing day. No shopping for me !
The turkey was stripped and the bones simmered for soup. I need to take the fat off this and freeze it for soup making later on. Supper was whatever you could find in the fridge. Easy peasy as YGS would say.
YS went out and played pick up hockey at local outside rink and then settled in with his dad to watch the World Junior Hockey Championships. Canada won 8-0 over Slovkia. I watched The Newsroom while keeping an eye on the game, and knitted and knitted.
Today ? There might be a few going to see one of the Hobbit movies. I don't like them, could never get into Lord of the Rings no matter how hard I tried. I'll be babysitting and that suits me fine.
Today I got my next project ready. Once I have finishe the sweater and the scarf, I'll work on my mom's knitted squares. My mom has been dead for 21+ years and these were stashed away for all that time. I will crochet the squares and make a couple of small afghans. That'll be a bit more wool gone. ED can keep one in the caar for Marley and another one in th house for her. My mom knit squares
for afghans for each grandchild which I crocheted and sewd together. I have continued the 'tradition'.
Today I need to dust and polish furniture, finish doing the Christmas decorations and swish the bathrooms. Another relaxing day. No shopping for me !
Friday, December 26, 2014
On The Second Day of Christmas
It's the second day of Christmas, I'm up early as usual , doing a little cleaning up. There is very little to d o as the 'main event' didn't take place in our house !
It was a very different little boy that awoke Christmas morning. Last year, he lost interest in opening presesnts. Not this year !! He was so excited ! No doubt spurred on with the amount of chocolate he had consumed bfore we made it over there at 8 am. Gifts were thoughtfully given and greatefully received. After breakfast, we headed home. I prepared most of the veggies and stuffing balls, showered and relaxed. It was great !
We had a phonecall from EGS and GD who were spending Christmas in Arizona. They've been swimming everyday and GD was excited about her new bathing suit !
ES and YGS went over for a short visit to the other grandparents who also had a few friends over. One of the gifts given were for a 1 year old ! In fact it was the same toy that ES had given away as it was not being played with. The child is 4 1/2 and he informed them that he played with Lego ! Oh well, such is life. ES has handled the relationship with the grandparents very well. Although she didn't believe me last Christmas that she would see her grandson, I didn't lie. I knew that my son was a decent loving father and he would do what was best for his child. And it is in the best interest of
his child that he know and have a relationship with his maternal grandparents--- on his terms.
Christmas dinner was lovely. We packed up a meal for ES who had to work and YS and myself drove it over and had a short visit. Some business owners are so greedy that they want to squeeze every penny that they can. He lost yesterdy ! Only the manager[ my son ] and the assistant manager worked [ the other employees didn't want to ! ] so he'll be paying a hefty amount out in overtime pay ! And they get to do it all over again on January 1st .OH and ED played pingpong and pool while we were out. YGS was cleaning up his toys in the basement.
We finally tasted our fruit liqueurs we made 16 months ago and they were delicious.
I am still knitting an infinity scarf for ED. I had hoped to have it finished for Christmas morning[ another one was finished. I called it Claire's scarf/shawl after the one Claire from Outlanders wears :) ] However I had to make a stocking for Marley. All the family pets have their own stockings. Fortunately I had had one knit and just had to put her name and decorations on. Then I had some material that I had no use for so I made two dog bed/mats on Christmas Eve !
Today the World Junior Hockey Championships start and it looks like we may have a full house. Good thing we have a fridge full of leftovers.
As an aside the egg donor is 'in a relationship' looks like she found one that is making some money so she'll be happy. We all knew that it would happen as she has no job, no car and needs someone to support her.Seems like they all switch partners in that town. Her poor daughter with all the different and constantly changing relationships.
It was a very different little boy that awoke Christmas morning. Last year, he lost interest in opening presesnts. Not this year !! He was so excited ! No doubt spurred on with the amount of chocolate he had consumed bfore we made it over there at 8 am. Gifts were thoughtfully given and greatefully received. After breakfast, we headed home. I prepared most of the veggies and stuffing balls, showered and relaxed. It was great !
We had a phonecall from EGS and GD who were spending Christmas in Arizona. They've been swimming everyday and GD was excited about her new bathing suit !
ES and YGS went over for a short visit to the other grandparents who also had a few friends over. One of the gifts given were for a 1 year old ! In fact it was the same toy that ES had given away as it was not being played with. The child is 4 1/2 and he informed them that he played with Lego ! Oh well, such is life. ES has handled the relationship with the grandparents very well. Although she didn't believe me last Christmas that she would see her grandson, I didn't lie. I knew that my son was a decent loving father and he would do what was best for his child. And it is in the best interest of
his child that he know and have a relationship with his maternal grandparents--- on his terms.
Christmas dinner was lovely. We packed up a meal for ES who had to work and YS and myself drove it over and had a short visit. Some business owners are so greedy that they want to squeeze every penny that they can. He lost yesterdy ! Only the manager[ my son ] and the assistant manager worked [ the other employees didn't want to ! ] so he'll be paying a hefty amount out in overtime pay ! And they get to do it all over again on January 1st .OH and ED played pingpong and pool while we were out. YGS was cleaning up his toys in the basement.
We finally tasted our fruit liqueurs we made 16 months ago and they were delicious.
I am still knitting an infinity scarf for ED. I had hoped to have it finished for Christmas morning[ another one was finished. I called it Claire's scarf/shawl after the one Claire from Outlanders wears :) ] However I had to make a stocking for Marley. All the family pets have their own stockings. Fortunately I had had one knit and just had to put her name and decorations on. Then I had some material that I had no use for so I made two dog bed/mats on Christmas Eve !
Today the World Junior Hockey Championships start and it looks like we may have a full house. Good thing we have a fridge full of leftovers.
As an aside the egg donor is 'in a relationship' looks like she found one that is making some money so she'll be happy. We all knew that it would happen as she has no job, no car and needs someone to support her.Seems like they all switch partners in that town. Her poor daughter with all the different and constantly changing relationships.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
A Very Merry Christmas
It is just hours before our celebrations start !! We are all almost ready ! I'm the only one who still has to do a bit of baking to call it done !
The past few weeks I have been busy knitting infinity scarves and cowls. I had tried arm kniting which is the newest fad here, but it was to hard on my wrists.I'm hoping to finish the 14th today. Everyone in the family is also getting hooded fleece ponchos for camping. After they've put them on, they'll let me know where they want pockeets and whether they want them on the inside or outside , or both.
ED and I had a day out on Monday. We picked up a few more gifts and had a lovely lunch. This morning we headed out early to pick up the fresh fruit and veggies and were done and dustd in 90p minutes. Superstore had beautiful poinsettias for $2 so I bought to for ED to decorate her home.
Tonight we're having a buffet style meal with deli meats, cheeses, salads, fresh veggies and Italian buns. A few snack type foods and olives and pickles will be put out to munch on. There might also be some asparagus bundles wrapped in baccon depending on how ambitious I am. Board and or wii games will be played, the Santa gifts will be bundled off to ED's house and we'll hit the hay. Morning will come early with a 4 year old !
Breakfast will be simple. Bacon and eggs with toast and coffee. ES has to go to work at 2pm but we wil still eat around 5 or so. Turkey, stuffing balls, turnip[ rutabaga], fresh green beans, salad, crudite, mashed potatoes, olives and pickles. Dessert will be ice cream with the fruit liqueurs w made in 2013 ! Homemade dark fruit, cookies and squares. We have lots of snacky time things as well as baked goat cheese on baquette rounds. Eggnog, Prosecco and white wine will finish it out. Hmm, maybe some rum in there with the eggnog !
Yesterdy ED finally got the dog she has been adopting. Marley is an 8 month old terrier mix who is house trained and kennel trained. She has alived in a condo with a couple and an older dog. Big changes for her ! Should be fun !
Since last year this time, when we were all on pins and needles wondering if the egg donor was going to return to have time with YGS at Christmas to this year - a more relaxed atmosphere focusing on the season and the joy and the hope.
The past few weeks I have been busy knitting infinity scarves and cowls. I had tried arm kniting which is the newest fad here, but it was to hard on my wrists.I'm hoping to finish the 14th today. Everyone in the family is also getting hooded fleece ponchos for camping. After they've put them on, they'll let me know where they want pockeets and whether they want them on the inside or outside , or both.
ED and I had a day out on Monday. We picked up a few more gifts and had a lovely lunch. This morning we headed out early to pick up the fresh fruit and veggies and were done and dustd in 90p minutes. Superstore had beautiful poinsettias for $2 so I bought to for ED to decorate her home.
Tonight we're having a buffet style meal with deli meats, cheeses, salads, fresh veggies and Italian buns. A few snack type foods and olives and pickles will be put out to munch on. There might also be some asparagus bundles wrapped in baccon depending on how ambitious I am. Board and or wii games will be played, the Santa gifts will be bundled off to ED's house and we'll hit the hay. Morning will come early with a 4 year old !
Breakfast will be simple. Bacon and eggs with toast and coffee. ES has to go to work at 2pm but we wil still eat around 5 or so. Turkey, stuffing balls, turnip[ rutabaga], fresh green beans, salad, crudite, mashed potatoes, olives and pickles. Dessert will be ice cream with the fruit liqueurs w made in 2013 ! Homemade dark fruit, cookies and squares. We have lots of snacky time things as well as baked goat cheese on baquette rounds. Eggnog, Prosecco and white wine will finish it out. Hmm, maybe some rum in there with the eggnog !
Yesterdy ED finally got the dog she has been adopting. Marley is an 8 month old terrier mix who is house trained and kennel trained. She has alived in a condo with a couple and an older dog. Big changes for her ! Should be fun !
Since last year this time, when we were all on pins and needles wondering if the egg donor was going to return to have time with YGS at Christmas to this year - a more relaxed atmosphere focusing on the season and the joy and the hope.
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