I love the quietness of the morning. No one else is up and I can sip my coffee, catch up on the news and plan out my day. Now these are very loose plans when one is not working ! I've already started the beef broth for "our" soup. It is an old Scottish soup that has been passed down through my mother-in-law. The only turnips on sale this Christmas were huge, I didn't even cook it all. So today I"ll cook u p the rest of the turnip, carrots, onions and potatoes, mash them when soft and combine the beggie and beef broths. The first time I had this soup I didn't like it. Now my whole gamily loves it so that will be a treat for supper. Maybe some homemade rolls will complete the meal ! Anyway that is soup started already.
ED found a MC gift card that was due to expire at the end of the month so we set off to a large material store on the souothside. We picked up some leather to reupholster her dining room chairs. With a young child, she needs something she can just wipe . Then we went out for some Vietnamese food as a treat.
Needless to say I didn't want any supper although I made creamed turkey on toast with the last of the turkey.ED made up another batch of nuts and bolts which she shared with us.YS finally got stuck in and cleaned his room. [ Found out ES did the same !] He gathered up all his change and thanks to his sister p;icking up coin rolls, he rolled over $160 !! Now if only people could keep their rooms clean !!
I'm on my fifth pair of mitts. The slowest part of knitting them is making sure the wool is divided evenly between the two mitts so they match. Looks like I'll end up with pairs. Good, another load of wool gone !I've ten Christmas stockings made so if I have a few orders, I've already got some in reserve.
Today I'd like to tackle the living room and put the slipcovers back on. I'd like YS to move the stove and fridge out so I can wash the floors under and behind them. Lots of little jobs to do !
I wore one of my 'new' tops from VV and it was very comfortable. I now have 6 new tops for school for the new year ! Yahoo !! Some day I must pop into Winners and see if I can find a new coat. I think I have had this coat for 15 years and it is beginning to look worn. If I could find an identical coat I'd be thrilled !
Time for a shower ! then I can swish the bathroom. Tick off another job !
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Sunday, December 27, 2015
A Little of This, A Little of That
Oh how I envy people who can sleep in, although I do enjoy my quiet time with my coffee.
Yesterday my eldest sister phoned which w as quite a surprise. She has had to be 'adopted' by other families as she is not close with her only remaining son and hasn't seen or heard from her granddaughters in 20 years or more. Sad, but it is Karma. And lo and behold she phoned me again today on Messenger. I do not feel a closeness as a) she has never kept in touch or tried to despite my younger sister and my attempts and b) we are quite sure she was not entirely honest with my Mother's estate and a few dicey things were done. I still make the attempt and maybe in her old age she'll try a little harder. We'll see.
Yesterday I went through my odds and ends of wool . They were sorted into piles and I've finished one pair of mitts and almost finished another. Now I have odds and ends from the initial odds and ends ! However at least 4 pairs will be knit up. The grandkids love homemade mitts.
No matter that our weather at this time is very cold -20*C, I much prefer that to living in an area with wildfires, floods or tornadoes. Horrendous weather in the States, Great Britain and Australia. We can chose to stay indoors where it is warm - or go out sledding as some of my family did yesterday. A good book, a good movie -- we have choices.
Trolls are horrible people. I've read where trolls have been so hurtful to a blogger whose son died just before Christmas. Obviously they have no life. hateful, horrible people.
No happy Christmas pictures or seasonal from the armpit of the North.Were they without electricity or is it a sign of the kind of Christmas they had ? No matter, we had a lovely time.
It is so nice to be able to putter around the house. To clean out a drawer -- and wonder where the odd socks went ? I did put them into the laundry. Today maybe I'll do a good shake out of my clothes incase they are caught up in the inside of a top or something. Having the luxury of time to sort the jewelry or organize the hanging order of clothes to make it easier is just great.
To be grateful that Hubby's sugar levels are slowly but surely coming down. [ He didn't listen to me about portions and treats ! ] but he is following doctor's orders !
Yesterday my eldest sister phoned which w as quite a surprise. She has had to be 'adopted' by other families as she is not close with her only remaining son and hasn't seen or heard from her granddaughters in 20 years or more. Sad, but it is Karma. And lo and behold she phoned me again today on Messenger. I do not feel a closeness as a) she has never kept in touch or tried to despite my younger sister and my attempts and b) we are quite sure she was not entirely honest with my Mother's estate and a few dicey things were done. I still make the attempt and maybe in her old age she'll try a little harder. We'll see.
Yesterday I went through my odds and ends of wool . They were sorted into piles and I've finished one pair of mitts and almost finished another. Now I have odds and ends from the initial odds and ends ! However at least 4 pairs will be knit up. The grandkids love homemade mitts.
No matter that our weather at this time is very cold -20*C, I much prefer that to living in an area with wildfires, floods or tornadoes. Horrendous weather in the States, Great Britain and Australia. We can chose to stay indoors where it is warm - or go out sledding as some of my family did yesterday. A good book, a good movie -- we have choices.
Trolls are horrible people. I've read where trolls have been so hurtful to a blogger whose son died just before Christmas. Obviously they have no life. hateful, horrible people.
No happy Christmas pictures or seasonal from the armpit of the North.Were they without electricity or is it a sign of the kind of Christmas they had ? No matter, we had a lovely time.
It is so nice to be able to putter around the house. To clean out a drawer -- and wonder where the odd socks went ? I did put them into the laundry. Today maybe I'll do a good shake out of my clothes incase they are caught up in the inside of a top or something. Having the luxury of time to sort the jewelry or organize the hanging order of clothes to make it easier is just great.
To be grateful that Hubby's sugar levels are slowly but surely coming down. [ He didn't listen to me about portions and treats ! ] but he is following doctor's orders !
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Boxing Day
Ah, Boxing Day A day of relaxation. Not for us to rush off to try and snag bargains in the crowded Malls. No getting up early in the cold to stand in line ups. Nope we relax, watch some hockey and read books !!
Christmas was quite wonderful. The baking was eventually done, but a couple of days later than planned as I got hit with some sort of bug and did not dare bake. Poor YGS as I had him over to help me; instead he had quiet time while I lay down with a nauseous stomach !My pastry may not have turned out as it usually does, but I went with it ! Now I have to get some Bridesmaaids[ BakewellTarts] to Ateker ! Funny story. Myy family have been making Bridesmaids, also called matron of Honour for over a hundred years. Having read many references to Bakewell Tarts on many English blogs, I discovered they were the same thing ! Ateker brought some tarts to ED's July 1st party and was so surprised that we knew what they were ! He has them brought up from a Calgary
store that imports them from England ! My kids said, oh Mom's are just as good ! some are put away for him :)
We managed to wrap all the gifts{ nothing was forgotten which a first me for me}, the Shepherd's pie and buns were made, stocking stuffers all sorted into bags later to be transferred to ED's car and dressed in our finery ! I even managed to paint my fingernails ! We headed off to YD's house out in the country to two very excited children who were patiently waiting for their youngest cousin. YGS arrived with his other grandparents in tow. We had a lovely evening. Gifts were exchanged and YGS had the same pyjamas as his older cousin whom he adores ! I think that was the bet gift !!It was good for the other grandparents to see the love between the cousins- something he would not have had if his mother had taken him. WE had appetizers and three choices for mains. Forgot to put out dessert ! LOL
After the maternal grandparents left we played this new game, Cards for Humanity. Not really sure what I thought of it ! And then we all drove off, hoe to bed. Christmas morning saw me up early cooking bacon [ which YGS says we haven't had for 10 years ! ] and a frittata which only needed heating up for breakfast as we ate our sweet juicy grapefruits. Everyone was pleased with their gifts. After a quick tidy, we came home. YS and YGS went over to the other grandparents to receive more gifts. We had thought they would have brought them Christmas Eve , but oh well.
After a delicious Christmas Dinner[ I made the mashed potatoes, turnip and stuffing balls] YS bought the veggies which we prepared just before eating and again we didn't bring out dessert ! Except for me, they all went out to watch the new Star Wars movie. I came home with Marley and watched A Call to Midwives Christmas Special. Perfect !
Today the World Juniors Hockey Championships begin so we'll all be watching that. And I'll continue knitting and thinking of my next project !!
Now to relax.........
Christmas was quite wonderful. The baking was eventually done, but a couple of days later than planned as I got hit with some sort of bug and did not dare bake. Poor YGS as I had him over to help me; instead he had quiet time while I lay down with a nauseous stomach !My pastry may not have turned out as it usually does, but I went with it ! Now I have to get some Bridesmaaids[ BakewellTarts] to Ateker ! Funny story. Myy family have been making Bridesmaids, also called matron of Honour for over a hundred years. Having read many references to Bakewell Tarts on many English blogs, I discovered they were the same thing ! Ateker brought some tarts to ED's July 1st party and was so surprised that we knew what they were ! He has them brought up from a Calgary
store that imports them from England ! My kids said, oh Mom's are just as good ! some are put away for him :)
We managed to wrap all the gifts{ nothing was forgotten which a first me for me}, the Shepherd's pie and buns were made, stocking stuffers all sorted into bags later to be transferred to ED's car and dressed in our finery ! I even managed to paint my fingernails ! We headed off to YD's house out in the country to two very excited children who were patiently waiting for their youngest cousin. YGS arrived with his other grandparents in tow. We had a lovely evening. Gifts were exchanged and YGS had the same pyjamas as his older cousin whom he adores ! I think that was the bet gift !!It was good for the other grandparents to see the love between the cousins- something he would not have had if his mother had taken him. WE had appetizers and three choices for mains. Forgot to put out dessert ! LOL
After the maternal grandparents left we played this new game, Cards for Humanity. Not really sure what I thought of it ! And then we all drove off, hoe to bed. Christmas morning saw me up early cooking bacon [ which YGS says we haven't had for 10 years ! ] and a frittata which only needed heating up for breakfast as we ate our sweet juicy grapefruits. Everyone was pleased with their gifts. After a quick tidy, we came home. YS and YGS went over to the other grandparents to receive more gifts. We had thought they would have brought them Christmas Eve , but oh well.
After a delicious Christmas Dinner[ I made the mashed potatoes, turnip and stuffing balls] YS bought the veggies which we prepared just before eating and again we didn't bring out dessert ! Except for me, they all went out to watch the new Star Wars movie. I came home with Marley and watched A Call to Midwives Christmas Special. Perfect !
Today the World Juniors Hockey Championships begin so we'll all be watching that. And I'll continue knitting and thinking of my next project !!
Now to relax.........
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Winter Solstice
We made it through the last week of school. It was long and hard; many concert rehearsals and concerts and children who were not in the least bit interested in learning anything ! I let out a big sigh of relief when the bell rang !
Stockings were delivered so I was able to check that off. Someone wanted seven stockings before Christmas...err. that didn't happen. However in my spare time I have been knitting up a few more currently on my twelfth so I will have a stash for future orders.
While I really did nothing on the weekend, being extremely lazy, I am now gearing up. Yesterday I spent the day with ED. We shopped , went for lunch and picked up the wine for Christmas. It was lovely ! Today we'll go grocery shopping and pick up a couple of pairs of pyjamas. I want to have a pair for YGS as his cousins always get new pjs for Christmas Eve.He can open his with them ! His other grandparents are coming for the evening. YGS is so excited because his whole family will be there.[ He never, ever mentions his mother]
We stopped yesterday at Value Village and picked up games and jigsaw puzzles. I also found some material to make an apron for ES and YGS. YGS baked with ED on the weekend and had to have an apron which of course was way too big. This material is quite appropriate as it has veggies and garden tools on it. I have two days to get them sewn.
We went to a Liquidation Superstore and I bought ED two [cheap] area rugs for her living room and dining room. She in turn had bought me 4 tops I spied at Value Village. We promised to be excited when we opened our 'gifts' . Gift cards were bought- nice and easy to wrap ! LOL
Today sometime I will start to do a little baking. Shortbread, bridesmaids[ Bakewell tarts] and maybe a square or two. A friend of ED loves Bakewell tarts so I will try to get them done in time for delivery before Christmas ! GD loves Shepherd's pie so I will make one for Christmas Eve. I doubt that they will eat very much, but it is something that only I can make !!!
Now to remember where I have hidden all the little gifts and to wrap the others !
Stockings were delivered so I was able to check that off. Someone wanted seven stockings before Christmas...err. that didn't happen. However in my spare time I have been knitting up a few more currently on my twelfth so I will have a stash for future orders.
While I really did nothing on the weekend, being extremely lazy, I am now gearing up. Yesterday I spent the day with ED. We shopped , went for lunch and picked up the wine for Christmas. It was lovely ! Today we'll go grocery shopping and pick up a couple of pairs of pyjamas. I want to have a pair for YGS as his cousins always get new pjs for Christmas Eve.He can open his with them ! His other grandparents are coming for the evening. YGS is so excited because his whole family will be there.[ He never, ever mentions his mother]
We stopped yesterday at Value Village and picked up games and jigsaw puzzles. I also found some material to make an apron for ES and YGS. YGS baked with ED on the weekend and had to have an apron which of course was way too big. This material is quite appropriate as it has veggies and garden tools on it. I have two days to get them sewn.
We went to a Liquidation Superstore and I bought ED two [cheap] area rugs for her living room and dining room. She in turn had bought me 4 tops I spied at Value Village. We promised to be excited when we opened our 'gifts' . Gift cards were bought- nice and easy to wrap ! LOL
Today sometime I will start to do a little baking. Shortbread, bridesmaids[ Bakewell tarts] and maybe a square or two. A friend of ED loves Bakewell tarts so I will try to get them done in time for delivery before Christmas ! GD loves Shepherd's pie so I will make one for Christmas Eve. I doubt that they will eat very much, but it is something that only I can make !!!
Now to remember where I have hidden all the little gifts and to wrap the others !
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Looks Like A Bomb Went Off
It looks like a bomb wnet off in here and in the spare bedroom ! I've hauled out all my felt, thread and batting ! Course to get at them all, I've had to move myriads of other 'stuff' to get them down from the cupboard in the sewing / spare bedroom. I spent almost 16 hours over embroidering the names, then cutting out, sewing the decorations for the front before I could stuff them, sew them on and then sew up the stockings ! I even made a new decoration - a stocking ! - as I wanted all five for one family different. Looking at the pile of felt I have, there was really no need to pick up the 5 pieces from Michael's on Wednesday !
Looks lilke I may get some orders to do some in the new year for next Christmas. At least then I will not have a short deadline like with these. Phew ! Glad that is done!
Kids were nuts last week, so this week should be worse. Schedules are pretty well thrown out the window with all the rehearsals for their concerts. Makes for very long days !!
Really not anything new or exciting which is a good thing. I made Hamburger souop with barley and veggies[ used up some grated zucchini that I had frozen.] Tonight we're having lemon chicken stir fry over rice. I think we have some apple pie leftover for dessert.
Looks lilke I may get some orders to do some in the new year for next Christmas. At least then I will not have a short deadline like with these. Phew ! Glad that is done!
Kids were nuts last week, so this week should be worse. Schedules are pretty well thrown out the window with all the rehearsals for their concerts. Makes for very long days !!
Really not anything new or exciting which is a good thing. I made Hamburger souop with barley and veggies[ used up some grated zucchini that I had frozen.] Tonight we're having lemon chicken stir fry over rice. I think we have some apple pie leftover for dessert.
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Busy Knitting
Still beautiful weather for December. Although we still love the warmth and lack of snow, we do realize it really isn't good for the environment. I am sure the temps will drop and we'll have snowstorms which we, naturally complain about ! Plans are being made for Christmas and we've bought all the gifts for the ggrandchildren. We made a quick trip out yesterday morning and the streets and stores were quite empty !
I started last weekend knitting mitts, then got a couple of orders for Christmas Stockings. I hadn't knit any in the fall because I thought I had pretty well finished with them. Hmmph I have seven to do ! So the majority of my time has been spent with my knitting needles ! 3 knit, 4 to go ! Then the names and decorations. When my back and legs get sore from sitting, I madly dash around and wash a floor or clean a bathroom . this morning I have done my nails and I am typing this gingerly waiting for them to dry enough to .......get back to my knitting.
Hubby has gone off early this morning [ 6am] to watch EGS in a swim meet. He did very well yessterday in Red Deer and this am is going to Ponoka. ED is working all weekend on her thesis. I'll be roping YS to do some high dusting for me this am.
So not a lot going on, but that's nice. Oh we had a collection agency phoning about the egg donor. All we could say was the city she is living in, presuming she is still there. Her past is catching up with her !
I started last weekend knitting mitts, then got a couple of orders for Christmas Stockings. I hadn't knit any in the fall because I thought I had pretty well finished with them. Hmmph I have seven to do ! So the majority of my time has been spent with my knitting needles ! 3 knit, 4 to go ! Then the names and decorations. When my back and legs get sore from sitting, I madly dash around and wash a floor or clean a bathroom . this morning I have done my nails and I am typing this gingerly waiting for them to dry enough to .......get back to my knitting.
Hubby has gone off early this morning [ 6am] to watch EGS in a swim meet. He did very well yessterday in Red Deer and this am is going to Ponoka. ED is working all weekend on her thesis. I'll be roping YS to do some high dusting for me this am.
So not a lot going on, but that's nice. Oh we had a collection agency phoning about the egg donor. All we could say was the city she is living in, presuming she is still there. Her past is catching up with her !
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