That's Our Boy!

There was sunshine today, what a gift! Having had so much rain lately it was a treat to wear the sunnies. Chris and I took Jake for a walk down the Seymour Bay area and found a new trail to explore. Jake loved the sun as well and even posed for me so I could get this shot. I love his shiny coat. Let's hope 2010 goes out with another sunny day, and that 2011 starts with sunshine on January 1st!

Meet Darlene

 

As young as she may look, Darlene is pushing 55. She takes care of herself, uses only mild soap and water on her face, never over indulges, and leads a contemplative lifestyle. Darlene was my first dollie. I had 2, the other little babe was Airity, and last year I gave her to a little girl who will take good care of her. Darlene’s a lifer though. I suppose as we approach a new year, clearing our closets so to speak, thinking of the old adage “out with the old, in with the new” we might try to understand that the year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on. When I look at Darlene, I am reminded that rather than walking through our houses room by room, drawing up a list of closets to clean, or cracks to be patched, or things to throw out, maybe we ought to simply walk through the rooms of our lives.

Ping Pong

Chris made a ping-pong table to go over the pool table (and to work on) so Christmas afternoon we played a couple of games. I lost both games, but just wait till the return match. Jake went crazy trying to get involved with the ping pong ball. Too funny. We had quite a time breaking him into the pool balls, so this will surely come as well.

My Little Christmas Belle

Gypsy in all her wonderment!

Pluma Moos For Christmas

A "low" German / Mennonite recipe my grammy and mom would make as a special treat at Christmas time was Pluma Moos, translated as "Prune Soup". The cinnamon dough balls were always my favorite, and I used to help grammy roll them out and cut them. She taught me how not to let them sink to the bottom of the pot. I grew up with this soup, it was one of our family traditions. "Tradition" - you know, the wonderful 3 syllable word that speaks of remembrance and nostalgia for times and places and people that are/were important to us. Tradition connects past and present and helps us understand who and where we came from. As for the Pluma Moos, well, like many traditions do these days, it disappeared when mom passed away. My sister Florence made it one Christmas and gave us all jars to take home which was a real gift in and of itself. But, that was many years ago as well, and now nostalgia raises its head once more with me, and I have resurrected this old recipe so that it will live on. It makes a lot. The dried fruit can be varied somewhat depending on what you have on hand, but (pitted)prunes, raisins and apricots are the traditional ingredients. Pluma Moos The process begins: - 2 packages of mixed "dry" fruit plus 1 package of "dry" apricots; all cut in half; - 1 to 1.5 cups of raisins - extra (pitted) prunes if desired Put in big pot, cover with water, and soak overnight. The process continues the next day with: Making dough balls: ½ c of flour; 1 tsp cinnamon; just enough milk to make into a soft pliable dough. Roll out onto a lightly floured board about 1/8” to ¼” and cut into small pieces (just bigger than raisins). Drain the water off the fruit. Cover fruit completely with new water and bring to a boil. Once this is boiling add the dough balls stirring so the dough does not just sink to the bottom. Turn down the heat so that the mixture is just simmering and add the following 4 ingredients, already combined together, and making sure to stir well: Combine until smooth: 1 pkge of cherry flavoured jello (adds color and helps with thickening) 3 tbsps corn starch 1 tbsp flour ½ cup light cream Cook for another 8 minutes. Remove from stove and cool. This soup can be served warm but is best enjoyed chilled. It keeps well in the fridge. If too thick, just add milk/cream when serving.

Nostalgic Advent Wreath - But Not My Memory

 

My sister brought an old advent wreath over to show me yesterday. It was an advent wreath she remembers from a child at home. I have no recollection of it at all, but then, she is 12 years older, and perhaps we moved to a more traditional wreath when I came along. It is certainly something I can see my mother having. It is a handmade German wooden wreath, very cleverly done and I am sure it tells a story. We figure it has to be at least 60+ years old, and it has been kept in very good condition. I have been on the internet looking to see if I could find something similar, but no luck. I'll keep looking.

Faith, Family and Food

 

Last night my sister Florence made the "treck" to Bowen for a pre-Christmas get-together. Distance and busy lives seem to interfere with regular get togethers for Florence and I. Usually we get together in November for a dual birthday dinner, hers on the 24th and mine on the 10th, but it didn't happen this year, and I missed out on the family get-together at Thanksgiving. This, then was a lovely Christmas gift. As you can see in the collage, as Chris lights the advent candles, we had roast chicken, with trifle for desert. A windy night, a wet night, but a family night.

Decorations for Life

 

I think it was about 1978 when my very dearest friend Patti gave me one of my most treasured Christmas presents. Inside a cardboard egg carton were a dozen hand made Christmas decorations. Each egg shaped decoration was made up of either countless little colorful sequins individually pinned to a hard foam inner shell,or hundreds of glitter sparkles carefully glued in a unique pattern. The work that Patti must have put into making these still amazes me to this day, as does she. Everything she does is a labour of love. These decorations were a Christmas gift for my first tree in my first apartment. I still have them in the same egg carton and they have yet to show any wear. They are decorations for life,.. just as our friendship.

Toronto vs Vancouver. Oh well!

 

The last Leaf/Canuck game we went to was 2003. And the Leaf's won! Go Leaf's go!! Not so tonight. It was embarrassing. The Canucks indeed played better, so deserved their win. Our team looked like a bunch of bumbling kids on the ice; they couldn't handle the puck and they were sloppy. They couldn;t even score when they were up 3 men on a power play. I took my leafs shirt off when I got out of the arena - just to avoid any ridicule.

Gorilla in the Snow

 

I wanted to bring him in but my Koombula seems to prefer the outdoors. If he survives the climate changes, he will definitely need a paint touch up come spring!

Two Cats, One Dog and Moi

 

Ok, so you can guess why Jake looks the way he does. He always gets a little moan-full when the kitties get to be on my lap on the couch. He truly does moan when he is feeling "out-of-the-circle"

Go, Riders Go!

 

Well the CFA final Grey Cup was yesterday - Saskatchewan vs Montreal. As you may guess by the oollage, we were routing for Saskatchewan Rought Riders. Sadly, they lost the Cup by 3 points, and for a 2nd time in two years in a row.

Din Dins

 

Hockey Night in Canada! Dinner. It was yummy, J

Gloves or Fingers?

 

My friend Teresa gave me these ever-so-practival gloves. I just love them. The problem is, I now realize my gardening fingers are in much need of pampering and attention.

Roads, Buses, Cars and Snow

 

You will need to click on the collage to see this. The school bus never made it up the Adams hill this morning, the roads were not salted for some reason, and were very icy. My car sits at the base of our driveway, ready to roll at any given moment, even with the school bus still stuck there, 12 hours later.

Of Dogs and Snow

 

I have come to the conclusion that Jake is at his happiest when it is snowing. He will play for hours in the snow, with his own made-up games. Wish it would snow more.... take the pressure off me to always amuse him! Just kidding. I wonder if he might be able to handle a sled. Perhaps we could train him for the Iditerod trail race. Just click on collage to enlarge.

The Kitties

 

Smoke loves to sleep in the shower stall in the ensuite, and good for him! Gypsy has a bit more class. I love these 2 little kitties and can't believe they are already 4 years old. Litter-mates, and total opposites! Gypsy is first class all the way, Smoke is very content with economy. Champagne and beer is what I should have called them. Can't imagine life on the island without them, or anywhere else. (Note: Noel, this is not an invitation for an open season).

Tree Down! Power Out!

 

Well what a weekend we had! One that will get us ready for this nasty winter we are supposed to be having! Friday night, in the wee bedtime hours.. the heavy wind storm caused havoc on our little island paradise. We all woke to an island with no power. Various power grids all around were hit. Our good neighbours had the misfortune of a large hemlock come down mid-way from their driveway. As you can see by clicking on the collage above, it took out their power lines, came right out the road and took out some more lines across the way. We were without power until just after lunch on Sunday. We are lucky to have a toasty wood burning stove, and a gas oven/range so we can cook and stay warm. Our well is on an electric pump but fortunately we had enough in the reserve up the hill that gravity kept it coming in, albeit, no pressure. They are predicting more winds for tonight and very cool temperatures in the area of -16c wind chill for tomorrow. Brrrrr, and it isn't even winter yet!

Bambi in the Snow!

 

Just can't resist sharing this little fawn with you. We had our first snowfall of the season this weekend (among other things) and I couldn't resist taking a photo of this little bambi-baby nibbling hemlock needles.

Winter's Wood

 

It's a beginning and it's an end. Today we split the last of the 3 wood piles we made in 2007 when we first cleared our lot. We rented a splitter for the large rounds, and split, moved and stacked the whole lot. It was cedar, hemlock and alder, up by the pond, and now, cut and split, so much closer to our wood stove, and much more useful! So, while it's the beginning of this season's winter wood supply, it means the end of our stash. A very successful day, 4 hours straight, and now sore muscles and aching joints.

Birthday Bonfire

 

Well, as luck wold have it, we had sunshine for my birthday. What better way to spend a chilly, sunny November day than to have a bonfire! I was blessed at birth with a birthday that falls during one of the dreary wet months of fall. Traditionally it rains, so this year was indeed a bonus so had to take advantage of the clear skies. Invited a few friends and neighbours over and we lit the fire at 3pm. We had around 19 or so folks come by, and I must say once it got dark it was quite cool outside. As the fire slowly died, and the embers cooled, those who were still around at 7pm moved inside and then ultimately we played pool till late in the evening. Today starts my personal new year, and it is back to another 30-day fitness challenge at the gym starbeginning Monday Nov 15th. I am looking forward to new beginnings!

Where Have All The Flowers Gone??

 

As you can see, Chris has now added entertainment to his workshop. Pool/snooker table and darts. I played my first game tonight and I must say I was pretty good. Maybe I will be a shark one day!

All Things Wood

 

I have 2 new trellises for my lower garden. Yippee! Chris just made them, and they will be the new home for my clematis next spring. I think he did a great job, so I have ordered 2 more from him. He is also building another small storage shed - directly behind the trellis... you can match up the curved tree trunk in the background. It lives in front of the workshop. I wonder if I will ever get the sleeping cabin out back!

The Ferry Ride Home

 

Friday, the end of the week, and the ferry was on time. I was late, but the ferry was on time. It wasn't full and there was a nice ticket agent who let me go through, and I drove right on as they lowered the gate. The photos are taken from the car window as I headed home for the weekend. The rainbow was a special gift, because the ferry was on time.

Autumn is Here

Today, as I snapped this shot of my ornamental maple off the front patio, I was reminded of an old poem by ..Melissa Pinol: Fall The old earth is changing; The seasons turn round. The autumn leaves flutter Their way to the ground. My own world is changing; The seasons conspire To grant me the peace Of a rest by the fire

More Treasures For My Collection

 

Well I dragged Chris out to yet another garage sale today. Unfortunately I simply did not have enough money with me to get all the things I found, and Chris was not inclined to lend me any! It will be the last time I take him on one of my Saturday morning adventures. I managed to pick up 3 new novelty items which you can see if you click on the collage. I just love the big carved frog!!!!

Chocolate

 

From my Suzy Toronto calendar. I love this November piece. Of course I love dark chocolate so what more can I say. If you want to read the chocolate support, click on the collage - it sums it up and I love it. There is a link on Chocolate to Suzy's site.