Departure Day !!

And finally we are down to Departure Day !!

 Yesterday we pretty well packed up the trailer with just the coolers to fill and our personal stuff, clothes and towels. In fact YGS 's backpacks are already in the trailer !! He came over yeterday wearing his hiking backpack with the biggest grin on his face . Now we need the weather to cooperate.

YD loaned ED a portable 'fence' or playpen for the dogs so they can be off leash. We're loaded up with sunscreen and mosquito repellant- spray and candles. YGS really reacts to mosquito bites so he has in his'medi kit' as he calls it, some benadryl so we can dab the bites. He has his wallet with $5 so he can pick up a treat- probably at the Dollar Store in Hinton as $5 will buy nothing in Jasper. 

I've had my shower so when Hubby wakes up I need to pack my bag. I've little piles of things I need to bring. The fleece  ponchos I made for Christmas will finally be put to use. It gets cold in the mountains at night so we can cuddle  up nice and warm by the fire.

ED is hoping to leave work  at noon. That is quite iffy so we cannot count on a definite time. ES is coming to help hitch the trailer up and then we'll park it in front so when we get the call we can head over to pick up ED, YGS and the dogs ! The youngest dog has never travelled any distance and the older dog is nervous. We'll see how that goes !

Normally we stop for something to eat in Edson as we fill up;however with two dogs , we can no longer go into a retaurant. I will make a few sandwiches and vegetables to tide us over. Tonight we'll have a rotisserie chicken with salad . We could have instant mashed potatoes as well. If we have a campfire tonight we might make Campfire ice cream cones. An ice cream sugar cone with marshmallows and chocolate chips, wrapped in foil and onto the campfire. We'll see how they turn out. We'll put them in a pot of pan and rotate them. We've also got a watermelon to cut up !

I have my bag loaded with wool as I'll start a couple of Christmas Stockings. I'll tuck my ipad into it and my hexagons to sew when the lighting is good. I've brought two books  thouogh I doubt I'll get much reading done.

I'm watching the Tour de France as I putter around. Hopefully I can keep track somewhere when I'm in  the towns !


Off we go !

Lists, Lists and More Lists !

Watching the Tour de France yesterday morning, I started making lists; lists of food, equipment, clothing, and a list for ES 's packing for YGS. There is also a list here by my chair where I add things as they pop into my head . Wednesday morning I'll compile all the lists to make sure we have everything. [ no doubt we'll forget something ! ] Fortunately we are not too far from a fairly big town where we can pick something up if we direly need it. We pass by close to this town as we will travel from the campsite into the national park.

This will be us on Wednesday !

One thing we have left to do is to pack our  bedding. Three years ago as I was  recuperating from a knee replacement, I finished off these 5 quilts, all hand quilted !  They were all meant for camping, so in they'll go ! I checked the weather of the camp ground and it was only 4*C this morning !

Our little Trillium trailer is  old; 45 years ! It is 6' x 9' !! We bought it  in 2002 for $ 1 2000 as we were too old camp in our tent. We wanted to be off the ground and more protection as we usually camp where there are bears. Also we needed heat as  it is often chilly in the Rocky Mountains. As we did more and more camping, we found we could have a site with electricity! So now we pack a long extension cord with a power bar. In Washington State it was brutally hot so we bought a small fan which kept us cool enough to sleep. We bought a small lamp so we could sit inside to read when the bugs became too bad. I'm thinking this time out we may put in a little electric heater . After all why use up our propane when we have electricity that we are paying for !

We've frozen bottles of water for the cooler so we won't have to get ice for a couple of days. All the meat will be frozen except for the rotisserie chicken we always buy for the first supper. No cooking the first night and the rest of the chicken is used up in pita pockets for our first lunch. We do plan to visit the National park the first two days, a little less traffic and tourists during the week. The weekend we'll spend at the provincial campground exploring.  

We're getting organized !

Another Day Closer

 The weather cannot make up its mind, one moment sunny and the next windy and cloudy with the temperature dropping. Hubby vacuumed the trailer and loaded most of what we need into it. Now our trailer is only 6' by 9'; there is not a lot of room ! ED is bringing a shelter so we can eat out of the rain and bugs and a small tent for herself and her dogs. YGS will sleep on the upper bunk. Hubby made a removable railing so he won't fall out. The bunks are very narrow. I'll sleep on the bottom one and Hubby has the 'table' bed. 

 My clematis is going gangbusters  this year,It has completely covered the small window by the French doors. It is a good thing that we put new lattice up and secured it well. New grass that we sewed at the north end of the old pond area is starting to fill in. Flowers are showing on the peas. We must get out and thin the beets and carrots. All three different coloured Hollyhocks are now blooming, magenta. deep pink and white. Hopefully next year I'll have some yellow.

This is the start of my English Paper Piecing  quilt. There will be 28 of these blocks [ 4 x 7 ] and they will be attached with white hexagons with a border of white and green hexagons - I think ! I'm on the fourteenth one now. The next quilt will be using up beiges, creams, taupes and purple with a few other odds and ends, in a more geometric pattern.

Our granddaughter is supposed to arrive shortly while her mom teaches some yoga. I'm sure YGS will be over to play with her. EGS is off racing with his dad in another province. We might try and take those two camping with us later in the summer.

I've some hamburger defrosting; now I just have to figure out what I am going to do with it.

Time to Get Organized

What a lovely day and evening we had yesterday ! ED had over 50 people at her backyard party. The food and c ompany were lovely; the rain held off til after I was asleep ! We left early - it really is a party for young people. I  watched the beginning of Outlander as I missed it last Sunday due to  Game of Thrones running to 69 minutes ! Then I headed up to bed, wakened only when the fireworks started ! they were tremendous fireworks this year. I can hardly wait til the show next year when Canada is 150 years old.

Yesterday I also watched the Canada Day celebrations from Ottawa- which I do every year. Since Justin Trudeau  took office, I have seen a great change in the demeanor of our Governor General. He shows that he is genuinely pleased and happy with the direction our country is heading. He is joyful and it was he who started the dancing !! with glee ! There is genuine affection from our vice regals  and the Trudeau family. So heart warming and nice to see.

Today all the scatter rugs and mats were gathered up - they won't go down until the rooms are clean ! Lists were made-- what wool I need to buy and menus for camping. Hubby brought up our old elctric kettle which we will bring camping. It'll be so much easier to make tea and hot water for washing dishes. Why use up our propane when we're paying for electricity ? We are even bringing our old toaster so breakfast will be a snap !

The Tour de France started this morning so I was up bright and early to watch while I sewed  on the hexagon quilt. I think I have organized the pieces enough that I can bring some with me to do at the campsite and while the others are hiking. I will stay behind with the dogs and a chair.

It looks like the way the weather has been predicted that our garden should survive our absence. last year there was a heat wave and our plants in the vertical planter suffered. A good water and maybe a shot of fertilizer should do them through.

It's quite a dull day today and rain is predicted. A good day to relax, maybe figure out what books we'll bring to read, although I wonder how much of that we'll be able to do with a 6 year old and two dogs !

Happy Canada Day !!

 Happy Canada Day !! We are 149 years old !   

The sun is shining,

although thunderstorms are predicted for this evening.

When I looked out into the backyard this morning, I saw another hummingbird at the flowers.

A  happy sight to start  the day !

This summer my goal is to figure out how to get pictures on the blog. I'll have the time to figure it out, I hope !

Yesterday we , hopefully, were able to start the killing of weeds. I put some Weed Be Gone in the backyard. I did get over 3 hours of sunshine. Hubby did the front yard with the weed bar. We really don't like using chemicals, but having had neighbours who for years neglected their yards, we have been inundated with dandelions and even thistles in the back.

Late afternoon, we were hit with a tremendous thunderstorm, heavy rain and some hail. Some of the potatoes look very muddy and the beets and radishes tops were battered. I'm sure they'll all perk up with some sunshine. That was the first test of the sump pump and  new weeping tile and it passed. Oh I hope we can redo the basement this year !

We'll see what the rest of the day brings.[ and why did the colour change all by itself ? }

43 Years and Counting

43 years ago  we were married in my home church. Wow, it seems not that long ago, but 43 years is a long time - a life time ! It has not always been easy - unemployment, illnesses, drama , but this hass been our life.. We have four children and three grandchildren that make everything worth it. 

Nothing special is planned; in fact my plan is for leftovers for supper ! Tomorrow is Canada Day and our daughter has a big party and there are fireworks and lots of food to eat. So today we will tackle weeds, some fertilizing of plants and planning for camping.

I took my Personal Day for the last day of school. I didn't have to sit through a staff meeting and then go to someone's house to have a ' make your own bunwich'. The whole time everyone is there, everyone is wondering when they can leave. Instead I sewed, we did some grocery shopping, picked up sone plants and two blueberry bushes which all were on sale. We came home and Hubby mowed the lawn and then we ploanted the new purchases. I was able to pick up three new perrenials for the back garden and some more ageratum to put in the fr ont beds. They were so dry !! It looks like they have picked up with a good watering. The yard, flower beds and vegetable gardens are looking good. As soon as I finish this, I will water and fertilize the vertical planter.

YGS did very well in school this year, a report card filled with exemplaries !! Tonight is his last night of baseball which he has just loved. And good on my two sons who coached. The egg donor now owes $ 23 808 plus interet and penalties. No word of course which suits us all just fine !

We are taking him camping along with ED to William Switzer Park. As it is so close to Jasper we will make a couple of day trips into the national park. It was fun to see Jasper on Amazing Race Canada as we know the park so well. We might even take YGS up the Sky Tram ! It will all depend on the weather. Hubby altered the upper bunk and make a removable rail so the boy will be safe up on that narrow upper bunk ! 

I am still plodding along  with my hexagons. Later next week I will pick up some wool to work on my stocking order. Knitting will also give my poor pricked fingers a break ! 

well they are calling for storms soon, so I'd best get out and get the vertical planter done.

Father's Day

We've had a busy three weeks and the time has flown !  ED received her Master's Degree on the 9th of June. We travelled with her to Athabasca to her Convocation which was lovely. The weather on the other hand was horrible. It teemed rain the whole day until we returned to the city ! Her idea  of having 'Instagram Photos" with captions w as a hit !!  She actually worked until she put her gown on ad then her staff had to take over . 

When we returned to the city we took her out for supper at Red Lobster. It has been years since we've been there and the food was very, very good. I brought home enough for lunch the next day.  A long, long day but so worth it. 
We are so proud of her.

School has been busy, very busy. Some of the kids have had no focus or drive for a month and they are becomig hard ato deal with. It is amazing how some parents believe every single thing their children tell them and are ready to attack the adults who have dealt with them.  One mother did admit that she had seen another side of her son and it wasn't pretty! Although I know right now, nothing will change with their parenting! 

This weekend I have worked hard in the garden. YS  and I built Hubby his rock garden. Even Hubby got into it ! I had already bought some rockery plants before we went grocery shopping so he was able to put them in. This morning I weeded the front gardens [ before 7 am ! ], then I weeded and cut the grass in the wild garden behind the fence. Everytime I passed that garden, I'd think I must get out into it, but lacked the energy to do it. Needless to say I am tired  now ! The back garden is in the process of being ripped out. I am tired of it and the campanula has taken over. I want all that stripped out, leaving the hostas , daisies and delphiniums. then I will gradually add in non invasive perennials.  The hardest part of gardening ow is that I have to limit myself with my knees. I used to be able to be out all day, but now havae to do it in small increments. I'll probabaly get it all done in time for Fall !

The first  hexagon quilt  is beginning to take shape. However I am already fiddling with the design of the next one !  Forotunately for me, I have been invigilating some provincial exams so have been able to do some handsewing while the kids write. My fingers are so needle pricked with a few thorns added so they are sore !! 

The family is coming over for super. ES is cooking-- just hamburgers, corn on the cob, macaroni salad and veggies. We''ll be having birthday cake as we left our daughter's party with all the grandkids before cake was served. I bought a chocolate cake for the masses and lime cheesecake for ED and me :) We'll be eating early as Game of Thrones and Outlander is on ! 

Just 8 more days of school !!