That time of year.....

 We have had a couple of very hard frost's which means the heating is on a little more now.  It also means that the cold will have killed the mosquito's!!!  So it's that time of year to remove the screens from the windows for the winter.

This is a close up of a screen, we have them over every window that opens to prevent the flies from coming in.  As I said this is a close up, we can see out of the windows clearly with them up.

Also removing the screens makes wiping the condensation up from the bottom of the window each morning easier.  We get maybe an inch until it gets super cold.

I will say you it was a lovely sunny bright, but cold morning on Monday.

I do store the screens either in the basement or in the spare bedroom.   However I have to wash them first.  I have put them in the bath tub so that Tuesday morning when I have a shower, I can scrub them while in the shower........multi-tasking!!!

Do you remove your screens for winter if you have them?

Past week catch up......

I seem to be getting into a routine on what things to post and when.  Friday's are my weekly favourite things posts.  Monday's seem to be "a what happened this past week," type of post.  I am a woman of habit, and I enjoy routines.  It's a good thing in my book.  

We had the coldest week of the 2022/23 Winter season so far this past week.  The heating seemed to be on constantly Thursday though Saturday.  I paid January's gas bill on Wednesday and saw quite a jump in the bill this time round, wasn't happy, but the older he gets the more hubby feels the cold, so turning down the heat isn't an option.  Me, I am still "hot-flash" Annie, so rarely feel the cold.

Took grandson for his swimming lesson on Friday.  That will now be a regular thing in the hopes we get somewhere with his swimming.  He is not confident in the water; hates putting his head under water.  Which would be fine but they have an inground pool in their back yard, so being able to swim is a priority.  It's a life skill everyone should have.  Won a new two piece swimsuit at this week's online auction, as I haven't bought one in years. 

Popped into Costco earlier in the week, to pick up a couple of things and nearly got mowed down in the store by a woman on one of those motorized wheelchairs.  Let me tell you the story..........

I was walking past a food sample location and the lady was giving out samples of Krispy Kreme donuts.  Now I haven't had those in years; I find them too sweet, but decided why not try a sample to see if I still felt the same.  I politely asked for a sample and stepped back from the area, only to hear "watch out behind you."

A lady on one of those motorized wheelchairs with the shopping cart on the front came zooming up behind me.  I stepped out of the way, and was just going to ask her if she would like me to get her a sample, with her being in a wheelchair.  When up she popped from the wheelchair, like a woman on a mission.

Now before I could put my filter in my mouth, out pops the word's, "oh you can walk then," from me 😳  She turns round after grabbing her donut and said, "I have just had a heart attack, that's why I need to use the wheelchair."

Both me and the woman giving out the samples just look at her.  Hopefully I remembered not to roll my eyes............oh, and yes the donuts are still too sweet for me.

Then this for my fellow Canadians, got my Zoomer magazine this week and there was a really interesting article about Chrystia Freeland.  I must say I actually like her.  Don't have much time for most politicians but do like her.  There was also a lot of interesting articles about vacations.  Oh and yes we are going to Charleston, South Carolina this year for our vacation, that's why I picked up that puzzle.

Bitter Cold

Over the past few days we have had some bitter cold weather, so it's hibernating weather.  It's February so no surprise, so far we have had a very mild winter.

I was in Costco this week and saw some puzzles, so decided to purchase one, as that's a perfect thing to do on a cold day.  They were on sale for $11.99 plus 13% tax.

It even came with a poster.

Wasn't very hard, enjoyable to do.

Guess where we are going on vacation this year!!

It was bound to happen....

 It's November 3rd after all.

Went for my walk this morning and was greeted by this:

By the pond.

The good news is, it was all gone within a couple of hours with the sun warming everything up.

Batten Down The Hatches........

In for high winds, rain and snow..........

I guess it's only April and we do live in Canada, but even so, do wish Spring would arrive!!

Just saying..........

Enough already........

I was "talking" to my niece in England on Facebook yesterday and she was saying how she loves the snow😕 So after I had ranted on about snow and how sick of it I am, I took some photos of snow to show her how much was around our house:

 Not quite 10 inches has fallen since Wednesday of last week.

 Compared to other's we have very little.

 However I am completely done with Winter.......

If I don't see snow again until December 24th 2018, I won't be upset..........

Are you done with Winter?

Random thoughts and things......

I am going to do one of these blog posts each week, because sometimes things you want to say don't justify a full blog post.

This is what I wrote on my chalk board for January (all  my own words):

Friday was one of those days when you go outside and if you have any moisture in your nose it freezes; today will not be much better.  You have to warm up your car before going anywhere.  We are lucky here in Southern Ontario that we don't have to plug in our cars at night, like they do in the Prairies and Northern Ontario, as it's even colder there.

Due to the extreme cold temperatures my walking has been very little this week.........me and the treadmill must get better acquainted!!

Cutting things out of your diet which you love sucks...........just saying.........which in turn makes grocery shopping a pain in the butt........it'll get easier I guess?

Roll on the end of the month when I see the specialist and I can have a colonoscopy and get a good clean out😎  Not many people say that I'm sure!!!

Saw this post over at Lazy Daisy Jones where other bloggers give you their blogging tips, well worth the read.

Need to devote an afternoon to going through this, as I am a bit like what that image is at the moment😏

(image credit)

It's getting nippy cold in a morning........

well it is here in Southern Ontario.  Had to put a fleece jacket on yesterday morning, as the day before I couldn't feel my arms when I went for my morning walk.  Saw my breath in the air and all that good stuff.

I'm not complaining though this is my type of weather.  If it were like this year round I would be a happy camper.  Fall is my favourite time of year.

Ears were a bit cold though, so going to knit myself a headband to cover my ears until it is woolly hat weather.

Don't you hate those type of people who say, I'm just going to whip up this and that?"  I know I do😋

It would have been my Nana's 103rd birthday today, if she were still alive, she died August 25th 1986, much too soon.

Enjoy your Sunday.....

Bit of everything weather wise..........

Snow, sleet, rain, a tiny bit of sun, we had it all today.  Bitter cold, thankfully dh was working otherwise I would have heard a bit of whining about how cold it was and would have had to turn the heating on.  I decided to have a cooking session.

In the slow cooker were some chicken thighs and barbecue sauce to make pulled chicken rolls.  

Homemade sausage rolls, added the green tops from salad/spring onions and apple to the sausage meat for added flavour.

Had a couple of boiled eggs in the fridge, so covered them in sausage meat and breadcrumbs for Scotch Eggs.  

You can't see them but made salmon fishcakes as well.  Had some crusts from a loaf of bread so used them for the breadcrumbs.

I made enough potatoes to have a meal of leftover mashed potatoes.  I added some garlic powder and feta cheese and will have that as a side with one of our meals this week.

The muffin's look a little "dark" but it's just the way they photographed.  I made a batch of banana pineapple bread, but made them into muffins.  The recipe for them is here.

So double duty today, warmed the house without putting the heating on and meals planned for the next few days.

We're obsessed with this...

the weather!!!!  I guess when we woke up to the temperatures below on Sunday it is something to talk about:

 In the scheme of things we have nothing to complain about as the east coast is being hammered with one winter storm after another.

I did go out yesterday, but basically ran (brisk walk!!) from the car to the store, so was actually out in the cold for a minute if that.  Hopefully though it was enough to kill off some germs, as I am a walking germ factory.

(photo credit)

I now have a burning fire going on in the back of my throat and something going on in my ears (no surprise there).  So I am cancelling everything I had planned this week in the hopes of not spreading it to anyone else; especially dh........no reason to explain why there...LOL

I wonder if I include another summer you tube video it might get warmer, doesn't hurt either it's from one of my all time favourite movies!!



Today is also a very special as it's my mam's birthday. 

Happy Birthday Mam!

Okay stop the whining I give in........

I have had a couple of people complain about the lack of blog posts recently.  The reason for this is a couple of things.  

• I have got hooked on my Kobo and once I get into a book I forget about everything. 
• I am busy with sorting stuff for moving, which is still including decluttering and getting rid of 25 things per week.
• I just can't be bothered, as honestly nothing overly exciting has been happening and who wants to hear me whine constantly about the bloody weather.........and yes it snowed again this morning; "God please grant me patience with this rotten weather!"

Anyhow it turns out "stuff" has been happening and one thing in particular I "forgot" to blog about and I am getting told off for it.

The other week I was at dd with her best friend and her mother and we had a crafting day making this wreath:

Now little did I realize this would involve me doing work!!  I went to socialize and look after Nora.  Anyway, dd and best friend "K" had other ideas!!  This started out with Styrofoam wreaths that had to be wrapped with grey yarn.  Do you know how long those bloody wreaths took to wrap with yarn???  TO LONG!!!  My poor hands were killing me, but did dd and "K" care, NO !!  Suffice to say I had plenty to say on the subject and as usual they both ignored me.  Both "K's" mom and I managed to wrap one wreath each while we were there.  The girls made all the flowers out of felt, they said if you go on Pinterest there are plenty of instructions on how to do this.  The bunny was made with stiffened felt and it can be taken off to display year round, not just at Easter.

I must say it is pretty impressive looking and it could be hung on your front door as long as it's kept out of the weather.  In my case it has to go inside.

One other thing dh and I did was babysit Nora on the weekend.  So please come back tomorrow to see how that all turned out!!!  Suffice to say I hope to have my energy back by the end of the week!!

Kijiji, declutering and other delightful "stuff"

Had a little it of success on selling a couple more things on Kijiji.  Sold the dresser and the bed along with the mattress from the spare bedroom.  Still have the futon from the attic, and the table and chairs from the dining room to get rid of.  I also put up my Pflatzgraff Empire dinnerware on sale now that I have the Gordon Ramsey set.

There are 10 each of the dishes and plates and 7 mugs; not bad for $30.

Also had another clean through the drawers and closets and came up with this little lot:

I will drop them off tomorrow at the charity shop.  That will also mean I have get rid of my 25 things for the week.  I am of the mind that if I don't need these things why take them to the new house?  As the more we have to move the more it will cost us.

Has anyone watched the TV series Vikings?  What are your thoughts on it?  I would like to get it on DVD and watch it minus the adverts, but read some where it was very violent and blood thirsty?

There doesn't seem to be any let up of this bitter cold weather does there?  Then I heard on the TV we are in for a very cold March (SIGH)

We firmed up on our new home on the weekend and went to have a look around it to see the progress.  It has been weather proofed for a while with the frame up and the roof on and the windows and doors in.  They have now completed the framing inside.  Done the rough in for the plumbing and put all the duct work in for the heating.  The shower base is in, in our ensuite and the shower unit is in, in the downstairs bathroom.  We now have stairs to the basement.  They should be starting the electrical/wiring of the house soon.  All in all we are really pleased with the workmanship so far.

A really bad day

I had a bad day on Wednesday.  The wind was howling all day and despite the thermometer saying it was warmer it felt a heck of a lot colder too me.  The snow drifts across the driveway was just too much for me to handle.  I have had to call the post office to ask them to hold the mail as it's nigh on impossible to get close to the mail box now due to the snow plow dumping all the snow and the actual snow drifts.  

To say I am totally fed up with this weather is putting it mildly.  I am getting close to the breaking point.  I very nearly sat down in the middle of the driveway and had a cry.  I went inside instead and sulked and felt sorry for myself, as I hadn't put my snow pants on, so I would have got a wet butt sitting in the snow in my jogging pants.

Dh did manage to get the rest of the driveway cleaned out and he ran me into town to get the mail, so felt a bit better after all that.  I am also getting cabin fever as well.

Off to see Miss Nora today (as long as I can get out of the driveway) so that will brighten my day today.

Winter Freaking Wonderland............I think not!

Not sure about the rest of Canada, but I think I can safely say that if you live in Southern Ontario by now you are probably well and truly fed up of this winter?  I know I am and if I never see anymore snow it won't be a big loss.

I have had to blow out the driveway the last three days in a row.  I am having to dig out the mail box and it is four feet high as the drifts are covering it.  It's bloody cold and the heating is never off.  

The poor horses haven't been out in the paddock in weeks as under the snow there is ice and it's much too dangerous for them.

All my skin now is as dry as sandpaper.  Just put body lotion on myself.  One problem with that is you see how long your hair is on your legs.  I am at the braiding stage and it's only the end of January.  I normally don't shave my legs all winter, but may have to give in soon before it's trailing along the ground after me....LOL

Just in case you haven't gathered I HATE WINTER!!!!

Looking at houses...............

So on Sunday we went to look around five houses.  Of those five we had already been inside three of them before.

House number 1 is a semi and has TOP of the line appliances and a lovely kitchen.  The house has barely been lived in and still has a new paint smell.  The couple split up and it has a VERY unloved feel to it, but the potential in this house is good.  However we have discovered it has more or less sold as there is a conditional offer on it which although expires next week looks like a done deal.

House number 2 is also a semi and again has a dream kitchen and is very well kept.  It is above our price range but is doable.  There is nothing to do to this house as it's gorgeous.  On the negative side though there is a squeak in the floor in the kitchen that CANNOT be fixed and the bottom of the basement stairs squeaks, which can be fixed.  Also the dining area in this house is tiny; but we would make do.  The only other sort of negative is the master bedroom is at the front of the house on the main floor.  Otherwise very little to do and on a quiet part of the subdivision.

House number 3 is a detached house and backs onto the golf course.  It also has a walk out basement which is also a great plus.  BUT and it is a big but, all the windows on the back of the house, which is North facing needs to be replaced.  They were all covered in plastic.  Also the master bedroom only had a shower and no bath.  The basement bathroom only had a tub/bath and no shower.  Both bathrooms would need major work.  So we can see spending $25,000 in that house and it is at the top of our price range.

On a side note, it was sort of sad as we thought one of the owners may have had a memory problem as on the door to the garage was a list of things to remember to take with you; followed by Love You and finally KISS.

House number 4 is detached and one we had seen before when we went for an open house, only to discover that it was the owner that was showing people around.  So although we went around with him you tend to feel sort of in the way and don't get a good look around.  This time though the owners weren't there so we got a good look and I loved it as much as I did last time. Its the perfect size for us with two bedrooms and a loft area which will be great as a sewing room. The only down side is that there is a conditional offer on it until March 17th.  Our real estate agent is going to see what the scoop is behind that.

House number 5 was also detached.  It had a gorgeous kitchen with lots of upgrades and terracotta tiles on the floor.  The living room/dining room was lovely as well and felt nice and cozy.  The master bedroom was a good size, but the ensuite bathroom only had a bath in it; we need a walk in shower.  All the stairs to the loft and the loft itself had navy blue carpet on it.  The stairs going down to the basement also had navy blue carpet on it.  To replace all that carpet would probably cost in the excess of $5,000.  They had put linoleum in the basement family room......not a good look.  All the basement needs redoing and is a lot of work which we don't really want to do.

So what this means is house number one, we may as well forget about and class that as sold .  House number four is my favourite and I would move in there tomorrow if I could.  House number two if they drop the price that is my second favourite.

House number four is for us and I can see us living there no problem and it feels like home and is on a quiet street.  Also would be as comfortable living in house number two and that too is on a quiet street.  Would prefer the detached over the semi, but both have negatives and positives.

Sarah, our real estate agent has advised us not to put a conditional offer on a house as that would just put extra pressure on us to sell our house, which makes perfect sense.  It's already stressful selling the house without that extra pressure.

So if you prayer, pray that house number four will be ours, and that we sell our own home pretty fast when we put it up for sale.  Will say though the weather is terrible where we are with very, very high winds which is blowing the snow all over the place.  So not a good time to put the house on the market.  So we are praying and hoping the weather settles down so we can put the house up for sale soon.

Should also add that a couple more houses have hit the market, so more and more will come up as and when the weather improves.

So there you go.  I would envision us going to look at more houses before this is all done and dusted.  I go by my gut feeling and whether or not it feels like home to me.  I did go into a home the other week and loved it; including all the blinds and paintings, even the ornaments and furniture.  She even had a Moorcroft vase on her fireplace that I loved!!! Turned out she was British; we must all have good taste...LOL  That house sold as it was immaculate. 

Light at the end of the tunnel?

I am sick of being sick, I mean how much longer do I need to feel like death warmed over?  I am still very congested, but it's the way I have no energy that's flipping well annoying.  I must be feeling a bit better though, as I have started to "do" my Swagbucks again.  Still haven't gone through my inbox for my email though, as my poor brain is still fuzzy.

One thing though is I have caught up on my reading and am ploughing through my May books.  I have been in the house again all week, but am planning on going out today to town to the bank and then to Sobey's.  They have got Jane's frozen fish on sale for $8.99 and I have $2 coupons so will buy a couple of packages.  They have a salmon burger that I would like to try.

I am hoping to clean the BBQ this weekend ready for Spring, whenever Spring decides to arrive.  Mind you the snow we got on Wednesday night makes me think Winter is still around!!  We have had the fire on the past couple of days and of course we still have the heating on.

I hope to be back on form soon, as the outside is calling me to do some jobs!!!

Patience Corners.......

That's the name of a quilt block, the instructions are here.

Back in October of 2009 I joined a block of the month club at a quilt store which has now closed.  I am in a sewing mood at the moment and decided to complete the last block of the month from that club.  I just never got around to doing the last block for some reason.

This block has turned out to be one of my favourite blocks I have ever done.  I had done two colours of blocks over the prior eleven months, so did both again on Wednesday.  I ran out of red material and remember having to plead with everyone at the club to see if they had any scraps at home and one lady came up with a tiny piece.  

Both photos have been turned around by photobucket, so sorry about that.  However I wanted to show you both blocks as although they are the same pattern they look so different, don't you think?

The black and white block I had made a start on quilting each block as I go.  I have of course forgotten how to do that now, so will have to hunt out the instructions on that, if I can find them!!!

The weather is just plain bloody miserable with the snow and the cold weather, so it's a good time to hibernate and sew if you ask me!!

Love this song reminds me of Dirty Dancing and Patrick!!!  Great way to start the day!!




By the way, every morning I sit down and think today is the day I am going to catch up with blogs,........then something happens.........hoping to catch up with everyone today!

This week's challenges..........

Financial: Whatever your budget is for the week, cut it. Can you cut it down 10%, 25%, maybe even in half for the week? Figure out a realistic cut, then put the extra towards debt or a savings goal!

Not sure if I can do this as the money I take out weekly is stretched to the limit.  I'll try my best though; what with putting money away for the 52 week challenge, the sealed pot challenge, money in my other pot, my birthday pot and my Christmas pot, there's not a lot left over.

 Decluttering: It's time to organize our food stash! Your pantry, cupboards you keep food in, fridge, freezer, etc... take inventory of what you have, organize it, toss any old, expired foods, make a menu plan using up any items that are nearing their "best before" day, donate foods you won't eat, etc... Don't forget to snap before & after photos!! If you've already done this over the month, well, you're off the hook!! ;)

This is a job that I have wanted to do for a while, so should be easy to do.

Freezing flipping cold around here.   Still hibernating.  Do have to leave the house though today, will have photos to show you tomorrow........

Catching up with a couple of things.

I went grocery shopping on Friday and spent exactly $73.00, not often that happens, an exact dollar amount.  Had $11.89 in coupons savings.  Went to No Frills and stocked up on their 15 bottle packs of water for 88 cents, plus they had an in store special on Folgers ground coffee for $5.88 for the 900 gram container, plus I had $1 off coupons.

This week we had to clean out a closet as part of the decluttering challenge.  I cleaned out the spare bedroom closet last week.  I may try and get something else cleaned out today if I have chance.

For the financial challenge we had to donate some money.  I decided to "give" in the form of a $5 Tim Hortons gift card to a mentally challenged individual that I know goes into a Tim Hortons location all the time.  I left the card with the manager who promised to pass it onto this guy.  The card will pay for three cups of coffee for him.

I must admit I found that part of the challenge hard as I haven't been anywhere where I could do something like this, this week.  Plus it's been a tight week this week, so didn't have too much in the way of extra money.  I would have loved to see his face though when they give him the card.

We're in for some bitter cold weather in the minus 20's so it's time for soups and stews.  Made broccoli soup using this recipe and am looking for a good green bean and ham soup recipe as I pulled out some ham from the freezer.

Thought this was amusing....

For those of you who are not Canadian,  its a total white out, and we still think Spring is coming....

Hibernating today

Blowing a gale force with snow squalls coming in from the lake........

Sun is peeking through but it's flipping cold still.  I'll be back tomorrow!!