"Stand By Me,"

Take five minutes out of your day to watch this, it's worthwhile:

You can learn more about this video and the musicians here.

But do make sure you listen to this one also before you leave here today:

Long weekend..........

Had a great long weekend. The weather was perfect. Had family over on Sunday. Managed to get some jobs done. Well done to dh for getting some of the logs stacked. I did help a little, but it's too hard on my back and hands.

It was also not too windy today so I managed to get the fire pit cleaned up and did some edging around that area as well.  The tree that looks dead is a transplant from another part of the property.  Fingers crossed it will spring to life in the Spring?

This was on Facebook and thought it was amusing for both parents and grandparents:

 

Perfect Day

Saturday was indeed a perfect day.  The weather was gorgeous in the mid 20's with a nice breeze and the clouds covering the sun every now and then to give you a little time in the shade.

I took advantage of the weather and got nearly all the grass cut, so was pleased about that.  Also managed to get two big loads of laundry washed, hung on the line, dried and even ironed.  I have given up on the ironing fairy ever coming back.

Popped into town to go to Zehrs as they were having a no tax day.  As I needed allergy pills, headache pills and muscle relaxing pills; yes I am a mess at the moment.  Anyhow I ended up saving $5.96 in taxes, so that was better than nothing.

Barbecued kebabs for supper and they were so good.  All in all a perfect day.............

A step back in time

I am not sure if I mentioned what happened to the new clock we got as a wedding anniversary present from my mother and step-father?  Anyhow forgive me if I am repeating myself.  We brought home the clock on the Saturday and on the Thursday evening I was sitting in the family room and I heard a crack.  Didn't know what it was until the following morning when I looked at the clock it had a hole in the middle of the glass front and four fractures spreading out from it.  You would have thought someone had shot it.  Very, very strange.  So we took it back to the clock shop to get a new piece of glass put in.  He had never seen anything like it before.

On Friday I went to pick up the clock and took some photos of inside his store.  Everywhere you look there are clocks; just a feast for the eyes.

Here is a link to his store.  He deals with customers all over the world.

Look what arrived on Thursday:

That is three bush cords of wood, that was cut last winter by Hwy 11 by Webers Burgers, not that you are interested in that unless you live in the area or go to cottage country a lot?  We got them for the same people we always get them from and they were $290 a bush cord.  By the way never stopped and had a burgers there.

Now that we have the island back I could clear off the kitchen table.  Before:

After, gosh that's a lot tidier.

This week's "Home of the Week," is okay and for $700,000 a bargain thinking of prior weeks when they have been in the millions.  I think it is staged wrong though as it's confusing.  I am not sure if its a modern home wanting to look older or an older home with modern touches?  The kitchen although bright is much too white for me.  I mean who on earth will keep that clean?  I actually liked what they did in the basement and that felt more warmer and homely than upstairs felt.  As always I'll pass!

This week's "Cottage of the Week," is a stunner but with a $1.45 million price tag is unreachable for most people.  The views though as just stunning.  You don't even have to leave the living room to appreciate the views.  I would love it if I could afford it..........

The "Condo of the Week," although very nice it's still $900,000.  It has smashing views, but was that the Gardiner Expressway I view from one shot?  One of the comments does mention a lot of traffic and construction in that area.  I'll pass on the purple mirror in the powder room.  Granted it makes a statement, but it does seem out of place in the unit.  I'll pass on this condo, but have seen a lot worse than this one.

Posted another book review here.

Where did July go too, plus kitchen photos.

I know I am not the only one asking that.  One minute it was the beginning of July, next minute it's August.  This month is an exciting month in that we will be finished our mortgage by the end of the month.  Actually we only have four Friday's to pay, so in theory should be all done on August 23rd.  However there are discharge fees etc in the amount of $325 to be paid, no idea when that is due, but by the end of the month we will be done.  Bought our first house back in 1982, so have been stuck with a mortgage since then.  Six and a bit years in Britain and twenty four and a bit years in Canada.  

We have had some nice cool weather these past few days which has meant no a/c on.  Just paid June 14th to July 16th hydro/electricity bill and that was $174.72.  This next month's bill will be similar no doubt and totally expected for this time of the year.  However if this cooler weather continues we may get a cheaper bill.

In the middle of winter I always get a craving for salad.  So of course I have been craving soup this week.  Had a ham bone in the freezer, so made ham, bean and veggie soup the other day.  It's so good.

The centre island came back from the shop and it's all lovely and painted now.  What a huge difference. 

They even changed up the castors for me and they are safer and a lot nicer. The island has also been lowered and is now a similar height to the rest of the cabinets.

If you click on this link you will see a before photo of the island.

Horses and book reviews..........

The other day I hopped hauled my sorry butt over the fence to go and see the horses in the paddock as I had some carrots that needed eating up.  I must say they were a flipping ungrateful bunch at first as they didn't want to come near, despite them seeing me practically every day.  Finally they consented to an audience and wandered over to see what I was talking about.  First came Uti, then Zelda and finally Elle, who I still don't know if she is pregnant or not.  She didn't "take" the first time.

Left to right is Uti, Elle and Zelda.

 

Zelda wouldn't stop chewing on the fence, despite me telling her to stop it.  She is an older horse as she has some grey hairs when you look closer.

This is a close up of Zelda's "Sunglasses."

I have also been doing some reading and posted some book reviews.

 

"A Journey from Corporate to Care," by Shannon Ingram  is about how a woman gave up a very successful corporate career to care for her aging parents.  Pretty good read.

 

"The Blessings of the Animals," by Katrina Kittle is all about a woman who gets divorced and her animals help her heal.  Really, really good, and even better if you're an animal lover.

 

"Mamalita," by Jessica O'Dwyer is a true story about a couple who adopt a little girl from Guatemala; you will not believe the things they went through to adopt this little one; a must read story.

 

All those books I purchased myself.