Monday, November 30, 2009

Last day of November already and a good deal.......

I can't be the only one who thinks this year has just flown by, am I?  Not sure if it's because I am getting older but I am finding time just flying by.  One minute it's the beginning of 2009, now we are on the countdown to 2010.


As most of you know we adopted Molly from the Toronto Humane Society back in August.  Unfortunately the Toronto Humane Society has been in the news this past couple of weeks, and not for the right reasons.  Please read this story (warning if you click on the photos on that page they are very graphic) and this one to let me know what you think.  Thankfully for what we can gather Molly was only in there for a few days.  It breaks your heart though knowing that some of these animals have been suffering.


I had a couple of good shopping days this weekend, as Shopper's Drug Mart was having a bonus redemption weekend.  I cashed in my points and was able to get $500 worth of product free. All I did was pay the taxes which came to less than $65.  So I was able to get some more Christmas presents, and stock up on a few items.  I now have only 8,500 points left, so I will continue to built those up over the next few months.  I think I have got either $700 or $900 worth of free stuff from Shopper's Drug Mart points this year!!


Now for the good deal, there is a coupon for $5 off no minimum purchase from Chapters from November 29th to December 1st, see here  I have to go out on Monday reasonably close to a Chapters, so I will be stocking up on a number of items.  By the way on that page there is a photo of a throw they are selling.   I bought one of those on the weekend for us, and it is just gorgeous and so soft, and well worth the money.


I finally have my appointment at the Allergists on Monday afternoon, so it will be interesting to see what he has to say.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

A question for you..........

When we were out and about on Saturday we saw a number of cars and trucks with Chirstmas Trees tied to them, "real" Christmas trees not artificial ones. Now me and dh were saying we thought it was a tad too soon for people to put up a real Christmas tree, as its still a month away.


So for those of you who put up a real Christmas tree, when do you generally put it up?


We have an artificial Christmas tree so can put it up whenever. I put up our tree on Saturday night, as Saturday night is hockey night and I don't like hockey, so figured I would do something useful!!  I still have the rest of the house to decorate, I'll do that through the week.

Dd went to The One of a Kind Show in Toronto on Saturday with her friend and she said there were a lot of lovely things there. Some were expensive though, but some things were well priced. She bought a hat from this lady for a friend for Christmas.  She bought this hat for someone else for Christmas.  This lady, she went to school with up to Grade 5.  We were trying to figure out the name of this type of paper art, but couldn't remember it, click on the cards to see the detail.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Normal service still hasn't resumed, why........

because I am reading!!! Once I get into a book that's it, nothing else gets done, and I am not reading just one book, but I got three from a series of books, so I have to read one after the other to see what happens next.

So what is keeping me so busy; well these books are The Dakota Treasures series by Lauraine Snelling.  The funny thing is I have now discovered that there is a fourth book in the series that I am going to have to order from the library!!  Plus I have a couple other books to pick up from the library today, so more reading!!  Gosh I lead a busy life...LOL

Watch this video and listen to the music; it's not snowing here yet, but give it a week or two and I reckon we'll be getting snow, as its cooling down a lot now.  We did have wet snow yesterday but it didn't lay.



So I am going to say again, normal service will resume tomorrow!!! Meanwhile back to reading..........

Friday, November 27, 2009

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Skywatch Friday......stormy skies....

These are some stormy looking skies......I took these at 2pm on Thursday November 26th, 2009.



For more Skywatch Photos, please click on this link

50 + 1 Recipes using Chickpeas.........

Now that I have a better internet connection I thought I'd do a series of 50 + 1 recipe threads again using different types of beans.  First up is Chickpeas, which are also called Garbanzo Beans.


1. Savory Garbanzo Patties  these are like vegetarian burgers, sound good.


2. Cinnamon Sugar Rattle Snakes, I mean Snacks - these sound neat


3. Monica's and Jamie's Hummus


4. Spiced Chickpea "Nuts" - another tasty snack


5. Chocolate Hummus - a healthier Nutella


6. Just Right Spinach and Chickpea Curry


7. Chickpea Pot Pie - this sounds good


8. Chickpea Fritters with Tzatziki Sauce - these look and sound yummy


9. Chickpea Salad with Red Onion and Tomato - super simple


10. Channa Masala - this can be cooked in the crockpot


11. Grilled Falafel - healthier version, than the fried type


12. Calico Beans - looks good and simple to make


13. Chickpea Pita Salad


14. Chickpeas with Chorizo Sausage - too spicy for me


15. Chickpea Salad with Basil Pesto


16. Chickpea Deli Salad


17. Chickpeas, Feta and Raisin Couscous - I'll have to substitute the raisin (icky!!)


18. Spice-Rubbed Prok Chops with Chickpea Simmer


19. Cheesy Mac and Chickpeas - make a change from the regular mac and cheese


20. Kale and Chickpea Soup - you know I don't think I have ever had Kale?


21. Morocccan Vegetable Pie with Chickpea Crust - who knew you could make a pie crust out of chickpeas?


22. Crispy Chickpea Patties


23. Spicy Chickpeas


24. Curried Chickpeas and Rice


25. Chickpea Pilaf


26. Chickpea and Mushroom Soup


27. Butter Chickpea Curry


28. Gordon's Chickpea Samosa's - a Gordon Ramsey recipe


29. Chickpeas with Winter Vegetables and Saffron


30. Lamb, Chickpea and Squash Tagine


31. Paprika pork with chickpeas and spinach


32. Chickpea Bread - made with chickpea flour


33. Lemony Chickpea Stir Fry


34. Zucchini and chickpea pancakes - sounds different


35. Turkey and Chickpea Coconut Curry


36. Mini Falafel with Yogurt and Cucumber - perfect appetizer


37. Warm Chickpea Salad with Mushrooms


38. Thai Coconut Basil Chickpea Pressure Cooker Recipe


39. Chickpea and Tomato Salad


40. Italian Chicken with Chickpeas


41. Spicy Stir-Fried Broccoli with Tomato-Chickpea Ragu


42. Boiled Cod with Poatoes or Chickpeas


43. Chickpea Muffins - this is a sweet recipe!!


44. Chocolate Chickpea Cake - who would have thought you could make a cake using chickpeas!!


45. Chickpea Brownies - they look really delicious!!


46. Chickpea Bruschetta


47. Chickpea Broccoli Casserole


48. Cumin Chickpea Soup


49. Chickpea and Leek Soup


50. Peasant Pasta and Chickpea Soup - this looks really good


51. Lemony Chickpea and Cabbage Salad


That's quite a variety of recipes there.   I am intrigued by the brownie recipe and may try that out on the weekend.  Here is the nutritional info for chickpeas.


Next week it will be Kidney/Red Beans.

(BY THE WAY WHERE IS THE SPELL CHECK WHEN COMPOSING A POST, I UPDATED MY BLOGGER AND NOW I CAN'T FIND IT?)

I was busy reading on Wednesday, so never had time to pop over to other people's blogs, sorry!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Well someone has to do it, so I guess I'll do it, IF I HAVE TO {{{SIGH}}}

So I made a trip to the "big" city on Tuesday, as I had some errands to run. One place I went was to Mississauga, so I figured as I had to sort of pass by the area, I may as well call in at the Lindt Chocolate outlet store, as I needed to get some chocolate deocrations for the Christmas tree.

I picked up these boxes of chocolates, to give as gifts, or to eat ourselves, not sure yet!!

Hear are the chocolate decorations....


Now all their Halloween candy was on sale, so I picked up a couple bags of them, they were only $2.60 per bag, and of course I had to taste them just to make sure they were alright, as I wouldn't want any harm to come to anyone.


You'll be pleased to know that after sampling a few of the Halloween candies, they are fine, but I do feel I should try a few more, just to make sure!!! By the way all that lot cost me under $45, which is a great deal.

It was super foggy on Tuesday and it made for hard driving.  I do admit to being one of those drivers who barely stick to the speed limits; however on Tuesday I stuck to, and or drove under the speed limit, as you could barely see in front of yourself.

A bit of a funny story also.  I was sitting on the toilet minding my own business on Tuesday morning when the house started to vibrate/shake.  I am thinking what the heck, or words to that effect.  It turns out they were working on the shoulders on the road, and they had the big rollers pounding it down.  That was all very interesting, as it was something I wasn't expecting!!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I got a good telling off, #2 carrots and other stuff

Everything I am going to talk about happened on Sunday, however as I had already prepared Monday's post, I had to wait until today to tell you all about it.

First of all who told me off.......this little fella did:


Why, because I decided to fill the bird feeder when he wanted to feed. I mean he wouldn't shut up while I was filling the feeder, and as I said to him, he would get a better meal if he left me alone for a few minutes, as I was filling up the feeder with a variety of seeds; but on and on he went.

On Sunday we had to go to a Funeral Visitation (a Funeral Visitation, in the United States and Canada, a funeral custom where a mourner visits the deceased person's family and views the body lying in the casket, either at a funeral home or church. ) It was for one of dh's friends mother who had just passed away. She was the double of my Nana when she died, quite eerie.

We had to go past Holland Marsh and I saw a couple of signs for #2 Carrots ideal for Deer, Cattle and something else, can't remember what the something else was. So me and dh were discussing the fact that we didn't know what the difference was between a #1 carrot and a #2 carrot. On the way back, I remembered I needed some carrots so we called in at a farmer's market at Holland Marsh, and in there was these huge bags of carrots. Too many for us, so I picked up a 10lb bag for $3.49. Anyhow, I asked the lady what was #2 carrot and she said they were carrots that got broken in the washing machine's and were not good enough for the main grocery stores. I asked how much the bag's in the store were and she said $5, and the bags weighed between 40 to 50lbs each. Bargain or what? However I just couldn't see me and dh ploughing through a 40 lb bag of carrots before becoming utterly and totally sick of carrots. By the way, does anyone know if there are #3 carrots?

Although this is a crappy photo, here is what they look like:
I also took this photo as I couldn't get over how much they were charging for bunches of greenery, and people were buying them!!


Now I am not a big fan of those fashion magazine, like Vogue or Flaire. Anyhow, dd sent some magazines up to me via ds, and one of them was Vanity Fair, which I would never purchase in a month of Sunday's. That was until now. It was the September '09 edition and boy was it interesting, I read a very interesting but scathing post on Ruth Madoff. They had articles on Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson and lots of other interesting articles. I must remember to ask dd to keep anymore she gets. It turns out the people who lived in the condo before them didn't bother to cancel their magazine subscription and never left a forwarding address. They send all over mail back to sender, but keep the magazines!!!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Who knew that I am part of "The Social Media Revolution,"

I know I didn't, actually I had no idea what the Social Media Revolution was until dd was muttering on about it the other day. She went to a conference for work and was telling me all about it. It's actually very interesting and instead of me trying to explain it, please watch this You Tube video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8&feature=fvst

Let me know what you think? If all those facts are true, its quite an eye opener.

Could someone please tell me how you get the picture of the You Tube screen on your blog, so all you have to do is click on that, instead of the link for people to watch it. Thank you for the info!! I have also forgotten how to do the line through words to cross them out? Please and thank you!!

The music for the Social Media Revolution video is actually a Fatboy Slim track, here is the video for that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DajTbUhRykU&feature=related I am actually a fan of Fatboy Slim's work.......I know strange eh!!! Mind you I think this video is the best of all, just looking at the audience's face's is classic, never mind how bad the dancing is!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ULVQOneeZE&feature=related

In Cumbria where we are originally from there has been an awful lot of flooding, and unfortunately a policeman lost his life due to it last week. My brother Nick has posted some photos of it here which you may or may not find interesting. Also you can see some more photos here. Then on the other side of the world in Australia, they have those awful bush fires, more of that here. So many people need our prayers at this time.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Today's Flower

This was one of the poppies I had growing at the other house, I did transfer them over to this house, but I am not sure if they took? We'll see in the spring of 2010.

For more of Today's Flower's photos, please click on this link

Nothing much to report, though a couple of photos to show you....

Dh spent the morning in the attic on Saturday doing some bits and bobs, while I went grocery shopping, did some tidying up, and hung out a load of laundry. I was lucky enough to ge it dry outside again.

After lunch we popped into Orangeville as we had some things to return to Home Depot. We popped into the dreaded Wal-Mart, as I needed some things, and knew I could get them cheaper there. Had a raincheck for a switch for the bathroom, that we finally remembered to pick up. We got the raincheck in August, luckily Canadian Tire's raincheck's have no time limit on them.

We then decided to have a walk down the main street of Orangeville. One store we went in was called Pear Home. I have been wanting some glass mugs for a while now and I saw these glass mugs which have bees on them, aren't they cute? They have other matching items, like plates, bowls, glasses etc, that I may start and collect over time.



I had a pack of jumbo hot dogs in the freezer left over from summer, so I barbecued those as it was warm enough to do that today. Hot dogs are not something we eat very often so it's a treat when we do have them. Not sure if we'll get a chance to barbecue again this year, we'll see. I do know I have some burgers left in the freezer, so I guess I'll have to hunt the George Foreman grill out to cook those if it gets to cold to barbecue outside.

I am engrossed in my other Beverly Lewis book, "The Secret," so haven't been visiting other people's blogs like I should have, sorry.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Well I guess that's it for this year......

I don't anticipate seeing double digits (centigrade) again this year. The weather seems to be getting cooler, and we could even have snow by the end of next week. I have to say November has been lovely, and mild. Which has been a blessing, with us renovating the attic. We should have the plastic on the insulation this weekend, then we just have the dormer window to sort out with trim and insulation. Then that's it for the insulation up there and then I think we're taking a break from the attic for a while.

Now that doesn't mean we'll be just sitting back, we have a ton of other jobs to do, well dh does, I just "supervise," and I'm a damn good supervisor it turns out.......LOL

Friday was a "perfect" day for me. I pottered around the house cleaning up, got the laundry hung out and dried. Sat down later in the afternoon and read a book; "The Parting," by Beverly Lewis, thanks Carol for recommending it!! Made supper, finished my book, watched a bit of tv and posted on my blog. I didn't leave the house all day and it was a no spend day..YEAH!!!

I am one of those people; when I start a book I can't put it down, so things never get done. In my case, I didn't get time to pop by everyone's blogs on Friday. So my apologies to you if you asked me any questions and I haven't responded. I will warn you I am now starting on another book by Beverly Lewis, called "The Secret," so will be busy this weekend with that no doubt!!!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Menu Planning and photos......

I used to do it all the time, but have not done it in ages. So I decided to make a list of meals for the next week or so and see if I can stick to it!! I find it saves time and money if I have a plan, as I know ahead of time what I am going to make, so no last minute rushing around.

Here is my menu plan:

THURS 19TH: LIVER CASSEROLE & RICE

FRI 20TH: LEFTOVER PORK WITH PASTA AND VEGGIES

SAT 21ST: BAKED POTATOES WITH BBQ SAUSAGES

SUN 22ND: FISH & SALAD

MON 23RD: BEEF STEW

TUES 24TH: SOUP & HOMEMADE BREAD

WED 25TH: LEFTOVER BEEF STEW AND HOMEMADE BREAD

THURS 26TH: FRIED EGGS, HASH BROWNS & BAKED BEANS

FRI 27TH: LIVER, ONIONS, MASHED POTATO AND GRAVY

As I said my main downfall will be trying to stick to this.

I also went to the quilting store on Thursday as I needed some material, and help on this block I am doing. Both A.J. and Jacky are great people and Jacky comes from Britain. Jacky is one of these people who does things in her head, she doesn't need a pattern. Whereas I need a pattern and follow instructions to the letter!!! Suffice to say after talking with Jacky, I am not following the pattern they gave me to the letter, as Jacky said so!!!! I wasn't supposed to say that, as she told me not to write that on my blog, "as Jacky said so!!"

Anyhow here are some more photos from the store. I swear you could spend hours in there and still not see everything!! One of these days I am going to go in there and have a really good browse around, hopefully I'll also have a pocket full of money as well at the same time.








I got the material what I wanted and even booked a class for December, which was bad of me, as money is very, very tight at the moment, but it was only $15, and I don't think the supplies will be much, as we are using scraps of material that we have around the house. I want to make this something as a Christmas gift, so I can't mention what it is on my blog!!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Skywatch Friday - Not a cloud in the sky....

Although there is a touch of pink showing there, could that be clouds?

(as always click on the photos for more detail)



For more Skywatch Photos, please click on this link

Face to face meeting and some photos......

Now granted I have moved 45 minutes away, but that's no excuse. I have seen my friend face to face in person, only a couple of times since we have moved. She did come up to pick raspberries, but other than me popping in at her work to drop something off, I haven't seen her. Granted we talk when I call, or via the email but that's it.

Technology seems to be taking over from actual getting together face to face meeting. Its so much easier and convenient to go onto Face book, or to email someone, rather than taking the time to arrange a get together. Life seems to be so busy for everyone nowadays, which is silly, as we have all these modern convenineces to save us all time. So in theory we should have more time on our hands, not less? It's such a shame and its a sad state of affairs if you ask me and something we are all guilty of. So maybe we should all try and make an effort to meet our friends face to face once in a while?

The photos below are of the library at Shelburne. The oldest part of the building was built in 1910, the newer part was built in 2004. Such super and helpful staff that work there, and a joy to deal with. I love the stained glass windows they have in there.

(as always click on the photos for more detail)





Remember I was talking about the sitemeter the other day and how fascinated I am with it. Well here is a few examples of how people find me:

BRITAIN WIND GALES - I know I'm forever rambling on about the weather but even so.

BRITISH WOMAN PORNO.....icky, icky, icky - funny thing is I am the most straight laced person out there!!!

who took that photo of a woman whose head was covered by british flag - and up pops me???

titled british woman - maybe someone thinks I could be royalty??? I know I'm always on about how fussy I am when it comes to parking my royal butt when using public washrooms/toilets.

british woman creates lightsleeper - I'm not getting this one? Are you?

only mad dogs and Englishmen... - I did do a post with that title here but somehow or other, I don't think they were looking for that?

heavenly hollyhock fabric - can't believe someone was searching for that, I have a couple of metres of it, but it's not for sale!!

Then of course, a lot of people find me searching for recipes, due to the recipe posts. Thinking about doing something like that again, obviously not with veggies or fruits though.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Cobwebs and Caviar......

that's the name of my local quilting store. Here is a link to the store, and a couple more in my area (check out the Shop Hop page).

I was there on Tuesday for my block of the month club and took some photos. It was busy so was hard to get quick photos taken with no one around. I will take more of the quilting fabric area later in the week when I go back in, but you name it they have it!!

(as always click on the photos for more detail)







I must say I could spend a small fortune in there. I am hoping someone may get me a gift card for the store for Christmas!! So this month's block is called Flyfoot can't wait to make it.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Look what I made on Sunday and other stuff..........

Quite proud of what I did and it cost me less than $7 to make.

I started out with a bucket, bought some foil wrapping paper, $1 from the dollar store, and wrapped the bucket in that. Added some stones to the bucket to weigh it down. Cut a circle of Styrofoam we had in the house, and inserted that in the top of the bucket. Cut some greenery from the garden, stuck that in the bucket, added the candy canes, $1 each from the dollar store (they're plastic and reusable). Added a couple of branches and hung the red Christmas balls from them, again $1 for all six. Stuck a big bow on the front of the bucket, another $1.

Wrapped an old brick, and empty Kleenex box, and the box the red ball decorations came in to make them look like presents. The little bows on top of the presents, were on the candy canes. I did weigh down the empty boxes. This way if someone wants to "take" the presents they can!! Then I set it all up on the deck by the front door. Its all waterproof, so should stand up to nasty weather.

Talking of the weather, I was talking to the vet's assistant on Monday and she was telling me I could go and pick up the crazy pink pills, as the latest set of pills are useless. They look like red jelly beans and are as effective as red jelly beans!! Anyhow, we were having a "discussion," which translates as me arguing with her over the amount of pills they were giving me, approx. 40 days??? Anyhow, she says that by then we'll see how Molly is "when the snow flies" and its colder.

Now I had never heard of that expression, "when the snow flies." I suppose its better than saying if ****ing well snowing again.........right? By the way you can add whatever word takes your fancy where I have inserted the **** It turns out that "when the snow flies," it's a time between Fall and Winter, when the snow just starts to fall. Not sure if that is just a local expression, or a Canadian/American expression. I know I have never heard that expression in Britain.

I must say though the weather continues to be glorious at the moment, and I think my mail lady was saying we're in for another good week? As I said to her, I wouldn't care if it didn't snow at all this year or next!!!

I have a "sitemeter" on this blog and find the whole thing fascinating. People search for the craziest things, but I am a numbers person, I just love looking at the numbers, and all the other stats on there. I love the graphs and the pie charts. I find it interesting that Saturday is my quietest day for visitors on my blog. Thursday's are generally the busiest, that's because I do a regular post and a Skywatch post as well. I find those photo meme's attract a lot of people. Mind you those people don't write as much on those type of posts, as people do on a regular post I find. I could do a whole post on the ins and outs of the stats from my blog but don't want to bore you!!

Finally DEAL ALERT for the Canadian's and American's!!! From now until December 31st, 2010, if you order $39 or more worth of books from Bookcloseouts.com you get free shipping. I have ordered from these guys a few times and am very, very happy with the service etc. There is a great selection of books at super low prices.

Monday, November 16, 2009

I thought this was quite amusing and an award......

only because I live in an old farmhouse and this makes sense.

First let me say this was first written in the December 2009 issue of Harrowsmith Country Life magazine which I subscribe too and is a super magazine, especially for the Canadians out there, as it is a Canadian magazine.

Anyhow to get on with the article.

SPEND ONE WINTER IN A DRAFTY OLD FARMHOUSE AND YOU WILL QUICKLY REALIZE WHY:



  • hooked mats were scattered over wooden floors (so bare feet need never touch the cold wood on the way to the bathroom.) We also have mats scattered over the bathroom floor as it is slate tile and it is freezing cold!! Why they didn't put underfloor heating in the bathroom when they renovated the bathroom is beyond me.......oh wait ....just as well they didn't as they would have screwed that up as well, like everything else they did!!
  • every room had a door (so that you could contain heat to a single room or close off rooms that weren't in use.) Actually this applies to old homes in Britain as well, as they have doors to every room, whereas in Canada houses are more open plan especially downstairs. We do have doors on the bedrooms and the bathrooms for privacy.
  • footstools were invented (to raise feet off the floor - sounds trivial, but it made a difference)
  • wing chairs were the easy chair of choice (their solid arms and backs were effective in keeping drafts at bay) Pleased to say where we sit in the family room we don't have that problem, as we have replaced all the windows and patio door. Not to say there aren't any drafts, its just that we can't see daylight anymore through the door frame, like we did when we moved in!!
  • bedsteads were enclosed by curtains (to conserve body heat)
  • why kids slept three and four to a bed (again, body heat)
  • folks wore nightcaps to bed (to keep their heads warm) Mental note to myself get dh a nightcap as he's always cold!!
  • hot stovepipes meandered across upstairs bedrooms instead of being safely confined within a chimney. We have evidence of that in our house, as we have a hole in the kitchen ceiling that goes through to the landing floor, which is where a pipe went. We are putting a fan in the hole to blow hot air from downstairs to the upstairs for that same reason. There are decorative iron grills on the hole.
  • no one slept naked. I can see me wearing my "winter nightie" for the first time in years (hot flashes and all that) when the weather does get cold!!

I got an award from Daily Decadent or it could be a Meme, not sure? Anyhow I have to think of six things to tell you about myself, that you don't know about me. This is going to be hard, as you know everything about me..........so I'm going to have to think hard.

1. When I was taking my "O" levels, I had an abscess in my tooth, so had to have the tooth extracted. It was the same day as I had to take my "O" Level maths exam. Anyhow, they let me take it when I got back from the dentist in a room by myself. And yes I did manage to pass it!!

2. I will not watch any scary shows or movies, as I can't sleep.

3. In the same theme, I can have a full blown conversation with you either on the phone or in person, when I am fast asleep. The latest episode was a couple of weeks ago with dh, and I generally have no recollection what so ever the next morning of the conversation.

4. I love milk chocolate, I love white chocolate, but cannot tolerate dark chocolate AT ALL, it gives me migraines; and I am really picky with what brands I eat, as I am used to British chocolate, and US/Canadian chocolate, is not the same!!

5. I really enjoy listening to music, and was even humming along to the tunes in the grocery store the other day. However I am tone deaf and couldn't carry a tune if my life depended on it!! I would LOVE to have a go on a karaoke machine, but would never use it if anyone was around.

6. I don't drink alcohol as it makes me fall asleep. I used to drink, and due to an unfortunate "incident" (drunk as a skunk!! though in my defence I mixed my drinks and that's what did it) in my younger days, I would never ever have a cherry in a drink.....I used to love "Cherry B, and BabyCham."

Then Finally:

Six Truths of Life


1. You cannot touch all of your top teeth with your tongue.


2.. All idiots, while reading the First Truth, will try it.


3. And they will discover that the First Truth is a lie.


4. You’re smiling now because you’re one of those idiots.


5. You soon will forward this to another idiot.


6. And there will still be a stupid smile on your face while you’re doing it.

I do not apologize about this and I do not feel sorry about sending it to you.I’m an idiot too and I just needed company!!! Thank you Tracey for this!!!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Today's Flower

Another one from the archives, this flower is from our last house, so pretty on an overcast day!!

For more Today's Flower's photos, please click on this link

Out and about, with photos........

Dh was off on Saturday. So he worked in the attic putting more insulation in there in the morning, while I talked on the phone, and then went grocery shopping and to the library.....I know, what a help I am to dh!!!

After lunch we then went to Barrie as I had to go to the dreaded Wal-Mart!! I called into Michael's as well and managed not to purchase anything.......well done me. Then on the front of the Mark's Work Wearhouse flyer this week, there was a $10 off coupon, when you spend $10 or more.........so we got dh a new travel mug, and instead of paying $13 + taxes, I paid under $4 incl taxes, go to love that!!

On the on ramp to the highway I took this photo of the Canadian Flag, thought it was neat with the sun behind it:

We pass Georgian Downs race track and slots on the way to and from Barrie, never been in it before, not a gambler.

We passed through Cookstown and I took this photo from the car of a decorated Christmas tree:

I have yet to stop in Cookstown and look at the stores. It apparently has a really good quilting store there......maybe that's why I haven't stopped, as I need more material like a hole in the head!!

This farmhouse is on the outskirts of Alliston and I just love it. Maybe ours will look as good one day?

We pass this house on the way too and from Alliston. Yes you are seeing right, the place is full of hearses!! There was a pink one, a purple one, and now there is the old fashioned ambulance sitting there, which dh loves and wants.......over my dead body!!!

I feel so sorry for the next door neighbours as they are trying to sell their house, and it has been up for sale for as long as we have lived here!!! Who on earth would want to live next door to that?

The sun was just gorgeous on Saturday and was like a big fireball in the sky. Here are a couple of photos, as with all the photos, they were taken from the van:


Saturday, November 14, 2009

Busy day at the bird feeder and other things...........

I don't know about you but I am filling the bird feeders on a more regular basis, nearly every other day. On Friday I tried to take some photos of the birdies. Normally we have Blue Jay's feeding at the feeders, but there were none on Friday for a change.

I saw a Downy Woodpecker at the feeder for the first time, they are cute little things.



I was able to identify that bird, but I am not sure what the following two birds are?


So what else have I been up too. I have an ear infection AGAIN. I have been sniffling for a few days, but its my ears which are driving me crazy. I feel as though the Atlantic ocean is swishing around in there!!! I have a nasal spray which I am using to clear out my nasal passages, and according to the Internet I could take an antihistamine, as my sinuses look full as well.

We, or should I say dh has got the back of the knee wall insulated. What a horrible job that was. Poor dh was drenched through with sweat within an hour of being behind there. On a more positive side we should have the insulation finished by next weekend, fingers crossed. We have been blessed with lovely weather, during the past couple of weeks, so that has helped a lot. However we don't seem to be able to get past 15 oC upstairs on a night? Is that normal for an older home?

Also on Thursday night I was finally able to get my car parked in the garage. Partly thanks to my dad cleaning the garage out, so thanks dad for that. We still have "stuff" to move but its a lot cleaner than it was. Oh and when we bought the insulation for the attic, we had a miscalculation and it looks as though we may have around a dozen packages to many. No problem though, as we can use it in the new extension basement when we start on that. So we are ahead of the game I guess there.

Oh, and finally, if you want to "see" where we live, check out this link

Couldn't resist this photo of Molly, lying there in her basket with her head on her ball.

Friday, November 13, 2009

I know I'm confused and I live locally.......

So I pity help anyone who is just visiting the area. What am I on about; take a look at this sign:


The Highway 89 is correct, but the Highway 10 isn't. You have to drive east on Highway 89 a few kilometres and you eventually come to Highway 10, which does infact go North and South. Doesn't this sign confuse you? They should have just put a sign up saying Highway 10 xx kilometres east on Highway 89. The No Frills grocery store is behind it, I generally do my grocery shopping there.

It's nearly as bad as our mailing and physical address, that confuses the heck out of everyone.

Why is there a photo of a silo; well on the top of the silo is a "thingy" where we pick up the signal for our Internet, thought that was a sort of interesting fact.

(if you click on the photo you will see more detail)


The silo is on the beef farm operation behind us. There was a big truck reversing in to pick up some of the cattle. We live on the other side of the trees in the background. I didn't hang around to watch; stuff to do and all that!!

(if you click on the photo you will see more detail)


I think I misled you regarding Molly Moo, and the insulation in the attic. She has only got up there a couple of times and got on the insulation, her itching and scratching is an ongoing thing.

Anyhow I called into the vet's AGAIN, and she gave me an extra strong Antihistamine to try for two weeks, called Novo Hydroxyzine 50 mg, they look like red jelly beans and she is to take one pill twice a day. They weren't too bad, at around $25. If they work, then she can be on them for ever more, I think. If they don't work, then we're back on the crazy pink pills, which have steroid's in them until the Spring, or when we have finished drywalling the attic.

Kim was asking me what camera I use for taking photos, its a Canon Power Shot S51S I have had it for over a year now and I am happy with it.

Hotel Stay

First of all thank you for all your birthday wishes.  Each and every one of them was greatly appreciated.  The kids bought me/us an overnigh...