On the 6th Day of Christmas

The sixth day of Christmas brought us back home after visiting away for a couple of days.


I love the beauty and the splendor of the season.

Christmas is my favourite time of the year.  I love the lights on the Christmas tree and on the houses round about.


It's festive and delightful and busy and pretty and all those good things that bring us joy and contentment.


I am glad I am alive to celebrate.  I am glad I have loved ones who care about me and who look out for me.


I am very thankful for this time of the year.


I look forward to a quiet new year's.  The Christmas season was very tiring.


I have not made any resolutions.  They only get broke anyways.


I have determined to make some changes without calling them resolutions.  I will do my best to be my best.


That's all I can ask of myself.


I think we'll do some appetizers and wine along with a girls' movie like Cinderella tomorrow night.


What are your plans?

The Twelve Days of Christmas

We celebrate twelve days of Christmas even though many people think Christmas is over after Boxing Day is done.  I suppose it is.

But I for one realize there are twelve days to the Christmas season.  It was a gradual dawning over the years.  I am happy that there are twelve days to Christmas before we enter into other church seasons.

The preparation for the festivities and the cooking and baking which spanned a week is always worth it.


This year I managed to get less sleep and I felt that lack of beauty sleep immensely as we celebrated on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Christmas Eve was quiet and peaceful and busy.  Santa arrived around midnight.  Everyone made it onto his good list.


I plan to enjoy the next ten days of Christmas.  It will be low keyed compared to the last two days.


On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a porcupine in a pine tree.  On the second day, he gave me two caribou.


The third day... 3 beaver tails;
The 4th day ... 4 calling moose;
the 5th day ... 5 Stanley cups;
the 6th day ... 6 squirrels curling;
the 7th day ... 7 sled dogs sledding;
the 8th day ... 8 Mounties munching;
the 9th day ... 9 loons canoeing;
the 10th day ... 10 Leafs a-leaping;
the 11th day ... 11 puffins piping;
the 12th day ... 12 cubs a-dancing.


from the book À Porcupine in a Pine Tree: A Canadian 12 Days of Christmas by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Werner Zimmermann.


May your Christmas season be bountiful and full of peace.  May it bring you joy and happiness from the bottom of your socks to the crown of your head.


Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Friday Finishes

Today is the end of school until the new year.  Many things are beginning to close down only to start again in the new year.


I've noticed in the last couple of weeks that there have been a couple of significant deaths in my general community where I grew up and a couple others throughout the year.  At the same time, I know of at least four women who have had or are having babies.  One baby is due on Christmas day.


It's that time of the year again.  The Spirit of Christmas is catching on I think.

It's my favourite time of the year.  Christmas is always a special time with the cooking and baking; the cleaning and tidying; the unpacking of the ornaments and decorations to carefully and lovingly set them up for about two weeks in all; and the festivities in the community from school concerts to church services.


It's also been a time I've been thinking of mortality and the swiftness of life.  It's not how long you live but how you lived in the time you were given that really does count.


I'd like to be remembered, by at least some, with a smile and a nod as they think over their memories. 


It's a bright time of the year and it's also a dark time of the year.  The longest night of the year is on the 21st.  Some churches conduct a service so that parishioners can mark the passing of a loved one by lighting a candle in the service.  It's a good contemplative service.


Advent means the coming.  Coming. .. the coming of life and the snuffing out of life ... the circle of life is never ending.


It's about how we live our lives now that really count.  We live our lives now and do what we can to help people to be happy, safe, secure and settled.


Live now to plan for the long term.


How am I living?  How are you living?
Have a great weekend.

Monday Musings

This is what I see from the end of my driveway.

This field had liquid manure spread on it about a week ago.  We had a couple days of rain in the meantime.  It's looking great.

This farm is in a small community several miles away from us.  It was a bright and beautiful day and so clear to see so far away.

You have to work the land while the weather is good.  Today was a great day for hauling liquid manure.

Local bird sanctuary is an important part of the town in which it exists.


Monday was a great day even though I forgot all about an eye appointment that had been scheduled for a year.  I remembered on Thursday that it was coming up but totally forgot on THE day. 


We got our Christmas tree and our turkeys for the two Christmas dinners that I prepare.


Monday was good.  It was very good indeed.


Here`s to your Monday! How was it good for you?

Thursday Happenings

Thursday already.  It was really downhill from Tuesday morning.  NO more perfect mornings where everything fell into place and everyone was pleasant.  O well.... I'll dream for the next time things go so very well for us here in the morning.

Yesterday it was grey and it rained.  I tried to catch the rain drops in this mud puddle at the end of the driveway.... didn't quite work.

The farm across the road fertilized the field on Sunday (I believe) and it sure was put on thick.  Really thick and dark and really strong.  But I know what they say about the smell - it's the smell of money! I've been told by one in the KNOW.

Today it rained and the wind blew.  There was some damage from falling debris in downtown Dartmouth and the streets were closed.  The Confederation Bridge to PEI was restricted to smaller vehicles and excluded the 18 wheelers and motorcycles.  

The news even showed how difficult it was for the ferry on the Halifax Harbour to maneuver its way across.

It was not a nice day weather wise.  I stayed home and cleaned the TV room.  It was truly a mess.  I must say that I am discouraged from cleaning it because husband allows child to eat there anytime against my specific wishes.

I hate being undermined in the discipline of my child by the other half.  It does not help anything. (And, oh, did I just complain for the first time about my other half??? O dear....)

The week is almost over and Christmas is coming.  I have lots to do.  I will get to it very soon.

How has your week been so far?  

An Above Par Tuesday

The radio meteorologist just informed me that yesterday's temperatures of +14 degrees here where I live broke national records.  That's great!!  That's definitely above par! I'm lovin' this weather.

This morning was above par.  I'd even say it was a hole in one.  The little 3.7 footer was up and at it and happy all on her own.  No arguments; no growling; no resisting.  It was a pure delight for mama.


I think the secret is in the puddin':  Early to bed, early to rise really works.  She was in bed early and fell asleep about an hour later.  It was still before 8:15 !!! Hooray!!!  I loved the morning results of that discipline.


Then as we walked out the door and down the drive, I spotted my mother-in-law's tree all aglow with lights.  It looks really good.  After some tweaking and adjusting, it'll be above par, too.

The field across the road has the thickest layer of liquid cow manure that I've ever seen on it.  To some, that is the sweet smell of progress and production.  To others, not so much.  It definitely makes it above par, too, for the animals who will be using the pasture land next year.

So far my day has been way above par.  The dough is rising for the bread and will be baked this morning.  I am musing about making the cookie balls from the Kraft magazine.  They are simple and easy to make.  Maybe I'll share them later on.


Have a great day.

Who Are Mondays For Anyways???

It's nice when the house is all quiet and everyone is sound asleep.  It's nice to get rested up.  To sleep a little.


On the other hand, it's a knee jerking, blanket kicking, jumping up and out kind of morning when you realize you overslept by about 25 minutes.  AND things need to get done...


Like the little one has to wake out of her stupor and get into first gear at least without the usual fuss and delay.


Lunch made.


Little one awake; dressed; washed; downstairs; breakfasted; outdoor clothes on; and out the door before the bus comes rambling along.


Then it's time for mama to kick it into gear to run her errands into the big city.  What I wished is that it would have taken a total of three hours and not the several.  Travel time is all consuming gas wise and time wise. I sure wish time travel were a reality in these instances.


I must admit though, things were accomplished in anticipation of Christmas.  That makes me feel good.


Also, errands were ran with mother.  I love being with my mom.  She enjoys her own company and that of others.  I like that a lot.


I can't say I like the huge crowds and the endless streams of traffic and the waiting in traffic.  I love my country life any day of the week.


It's nice to come across old friends which we did today on two separate occasions for a total of three friends from the past.  It was the most pleasing event of the day.  I must include a relative that we ran into, too.  So nice to see people I haven't seen in ages.


On a different note, I read of the passing of the brother of a childhood friend of mine.  He passed away at age 52.  I was saddened to read this.


Immediately, I flashed back to over 40 years ago when we were all in elementary school together.  I haven't been in touch with my friend for at least 35 years and I know many things happen along the way, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss for something that is almost intangible to put into words.


I haven't been able to articulate it but I felt a real loss along with the family.  Maybe it was a loss of our childhoods or of our immortality.  Maybe it is the reality that we are all mortal and just passing through this life.  


I don't know exactly what it is.  But when I do I'll let you know.


Mondays aren't for sissys you know because you never know what you'll be facing.


How is your week so far??

Another Fab Friday

Don't you just love it when you roll out of bed - or jump out of bed, and start the day on the right foot - figuratively at least.


That's how it was for me today.  I went across the road and began decorating my mother-in-law's outdoor fir tree and we discussed what we will do for her veranda.


I then dropped more items off for the shopping spree at the school along with items for the basket.  Each class puts together a basket with a specific theme.  J.'s class is all about winter fun.  Tickets are $2 each or three for $5.


I even managed to drop some items off at a local church in town.


Then it was coffee and social time for a small group of us women.


Then I came home, and here I am doing the usual waiting for the bus and seeing some pretty neat things.

This young eagle flew along the road about 20 feet above me as I waited for the bus.  What a creature.  It was beautiful.


The day is almost over.  It's been good.  I'm looking forward to the weekend.  


It's beautiful and sunny and cool.


Have yourself a great day!!

Thursday's Musings

What a day already and it's only 8 am.

Getting the child out of bed and on the go each morning for school IS A CHORE for me.  She doesn't want to get out of bed.

It's so mild out there, it's hard to believe winter is on the way.

It's cloudy and a still a bit grey so far today.

I have tons of stuff to do.  Errands to town.  Gifts to wrap.  Errand to the school.  House cleaning!!!

Have a good day as you make your way through this Thursday.

Another Thursday

It fell and it blew last night.


Here are the results at 7:40 this morning.

Snow tires were put on this afternoon.  The schools were opened.  It was uneventful in the extreme.


How was your Thursday?  Only one more sleep and it's the weekend.


Well, at least that's what I tell the child.

Talk About Wednesday Being A Hump Day

NOT!!!


There was nothing ordinary about today.  A month before Christmas and we have our first major snow storm.


Take a look at the pictures.

This was at about 8:30 this morning.

This was at about 11:00 am.

This was around the same time.  Child did not want to go inside.  It was too much fun exploring.


Right now, it is miserable outside.  Very poor visibility and vehicles are going slow.  Everything is cancelled due to this storm.


I wonder if there will be school tomorrow.


We had homemade turkey soup today.  It hit the spot.  It was delicious even if I do say so myself.


So much for the hump in Hump Day Wednesday.

Trying Out Tuesday

Tuesday was busy but in a different way.  Ran errands.  Basically, went to the clinic and got our flu shots.  AND everything takes time.  It was at least an hour and a half before I was done.  AND, the clinic is local.


It was another beautiful day.  Cold though.


The meteorologist tells us we're getting a snow storm tomorrow.  So by this time tomorrow, I expect we'll be in the thick of things.


Ran another errand for a neighbour.


Would have run an errand for husband but he was just too slow this morning for me to help him out.  I had to run on another one.


Husband has been busy getting field work done.  He goes more than the energizer bunny.  I really mean that.  He pulls out all the stops and he goes and goes and goes.  The poor man is tired.  And don't tell anyone, he's cranky.  I'll be glad when he can have a break.


I am so thankful that the little one sounds like she's out for the count.  I sure hope so.  This past week has been horrendous.  We missed the bus three times last week.  This week we have been five minutes early each day.  I know it's only been two days in a row.  But it is a new record for us.


Here's what I saw without the camera.  A young hawk was gliding ground level in my front yard this morning.  The s/he perched her/himself on our tree at our back fence and just sat there.  Long enough for me to take a picture if I had had my camera.


I wonder if it was the same critter I saw yesterday as I waited for the bus.


Opportunities missed.  It seems though that I have my camera just about every place I go.  Except for those occasional times when I've forgotten it.


How did your Tuesday shape up?  

It's Been Real!

Mondays.  Beginnings.  Of things that go in cycles.


School.  (Parents know what this routine is all about.  No explanation needed.)


Truck repair.  Drop off.  Driving and traffic.  It all takes time.


Home.  More cleaning and tidying.


Beds changed and made.


A little dusting in the process.


Laundry.  Gather.  Sort.  Wash.  then Dry.


Sorted through the child's closet and discovered forgotten treasures. Decided to pass it forward with some of the items.



Morning break.


More laundry and cleaning.  This time the play room was my focus. 


Made decisions about stuffies and puzzles and a few other little items.



Fold laundry.


Drive back to pick up the repaired truck with husband.


Get back home in time to wait for the bus.


While I waited and tap danced in place to keep warm, this is what I saw.

What freedom both critters have.  What responsibility they have within that freedom not to get killed in the process.  It was a beautiful sunny cold-er day here in my part of heaven.


The toy room is done for today.  Child okayed a few of the give aways and it was very few that were allowed to go.



Here it is 4:22 pm and the washing machine and the dryer are both still going.


Soon time for supper preps.  Thank goodness for the leftovers.  They always taste better the day after.


A bit of tidying up before supper then the bedtime routine begins.


My Monday was productive.  Hope yours was too.

Sunny Sunday Again

It's been a good day.  The sun was shining.  I wore my winter boots to church for warmth and comfort.  I wore an extra sweater under my jacket, and guess what.  It was 13 degrees and quite nice.


Since I never know how to dress for the weather, I dress for winter.  O well, I'll be ready when it hits, and it will hit sooner or later.


The local Co-op closed yesterday.  I shopped there for 12 years and 8 months.  I have been feeling pretty sad about the whole thing.  It had been in the community for 40 years.  Now, I expect the property will be put up for sale since it owes about 2 million dollars.


Now, I have to get used to shopping at Sobeys.  I am not thrilled at the prospect.  But really, this is the very least of any worries or concerns I may have.


There are far more bigger people issues that should be taking up this space on my blog.


I did see this out my front door later in the afternoon today.

A sign of promise so they say.


It seems that the fulfillment of promises and hope is not without its pain and sacrifice.  I wonder how much pain and sacrifice is enough in order to experience the full blessings of promise and hope.  


Advent will soon be upon us.  Today was the last day of the Christian year.  So happy new year everyone!!  I hope with the advent of the promised one, we will have eyes opened to the fullness and the pure pleasure of the spirit and of love.


How was the thinkings of your Sunday? 

Amazing Day

How much do I take for granted??? A LOT!!!


Today, for some reason was an exceptionally busy day for our household.


Breakfast at the school.  I helped to serve.  We had our family picture taken.  We were the last to eat our brunch.


Then delivered the pistachio squares for the church Christmas Tea and purchased two evergreen wreathes.


Vegged for a while here at home.


Then off to a birthday party at the bowling alley.  That was a lot of fun.


This is what I noticed as I waited outside of the bathroom for a couple of the girls.

I suppose they could tell stories if they could talk.  I wondered about the cats.  Why cats???


And isn't friendship GOOD between people.  Life is good when you get to share it with others.


It was a beautiful fall day here in my part of paradise.


I hope you had an awesome day, too.


Oh, I addressed Christmas cards to those who live the furtherest away from me.  As soon as Advent starts at the end of November they shall be in the mail.


How amazing is Saturday!!!!!  How amazing was it for you?

A Thrilling Thursday

It's Thursday already.  What a week.  This was the first morning that my child and I actually made it to the bus stop.  It's been a difficult week waking up and getting out the door in time.  Having said that, a new bus driver was driving on Monday and Tuesday and he was super early.


It's not that we were not trying.  On Tuesday, I thought I heard something as I was zipping up the child's jacket, and sure enough the school bus was driving off.


I think swimming was child's motivation for actually staying in her bed and falling asleep so the bus could be taken this morning.  Three of them swim at the local pool once a week.


Now, I'm changing gears.


While out for coffee and quality time with the other half, I tried to take pictures.  I thought my camera couldn't get a good picture of this, but take a look.  The camera came through, and I am happy that it did.

That is North Grand Pre on a fallish-like day as I sat in a parking lot in Wolfville.  Sweet lovely NGP!

Take a good look at this sign. Straight forward at a glance.  Yet when I thought about it, what does it really say?  Idle free is good for vehicles and consequently for us.  That's good.


If you think of idle as in lazy, it's still good.  Idle free work.  Work without idleness... hmmmmmmm.... for idle hands make for the devil's work.  I vaguely remember my grandparents saying that.


Idle free work is productive and healthy and good for us all.

And in conclusion, I would say it's okay to park it for a few hours, too.  We all need to rejuvenate ourselves and rest is it.  We're made for rest anyways.


Here it is Thursday.  One more day of school and catching buses (or at least I hope so) and then the weekend.  Child could be involved in multiple activities on Saturday, so I've had to make a few choices in consultation of course.  It's going to be a busy one, unless we're snowed in.  JUST KIDDING about the snow.


How was your thrilling Thursday?

Cheap Tuesday

We went to a movie tonight  and watched 'Tower Heist'.  Seasoned actors like Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, Tia Leoni, Judd Hirsch, Matthew Broderick, and Alan Alda we starring in it.  It was funny, corny, had a serious plot line, and was pure entertainment.  I really enjoyed it and I gave it a seven out of ten. 


I am so glad we were able to get out amongst the throngs to relax, have a good laugh and to enjoy each other's company on cheap Tuesday at the movies.  Hallelujah!!!


I wanted to add these pictures for you to see.  These were taken this morning as I did a walk about at the farm.  There's nothin' cheap about the view.

This eagle flew over our heads and was very low.  Of course I blurred THAT picture.  The condo isn't so hidden when the fall winds have done their work.  Once he flew over our heads, he landed right there.  Proud as peach and at home.

I was looking around and noticed these blue jays just hanging around the trees.  I couldn't believe it.  They have been very elusive and evaded my camera lens this fall.

I love the colour of red.  It's still around and still vibrant.


How was your Tuesday?  Mine turned out to be pretty cool and pretty priceless.

Sunny Sunday

What a great weekend after the flood waters of Friday.


We stayed in on Friday since it rained all day.  It was dark and gloomy, damp and wet.  Our back yard beyond the fence was flooded.  Others didn`t fare so well with water up to their back doorsteps and in their basements.


We were out yesterday and today.  It`s been a gorgeous weekend.
We attended a birthday party at a hotel pool.  It was very relaxing and everyone had fun.


Today we went to church.  It was good.


Later in the day we went to the local mall.  I wanted to share this picture with you.  My 3.6 footer pointed out the dog, and when I turned to look this is what I saw:

He looks like he belongs there.  He was so quiet and so relaxed.  It was too cute.


How did your weekend turn out?

Fab Tuesday

Ok.  I can't believe this.  The day is gorgeous for the second time in a row.  What a beautiful day it is!!  I'm going on about it because it's November and we didn't have this weather last summer.


On my walk this morning, this is what I saw.

Not just a pumpkin atop a post.  It's a pumpkin with a face.

This leaf is still green.  We still have a lot of leaves on the trees.

St. Charles is always photogenic.

The newest eagle condo.... the family has flown the coop to start their own elsewhere.  I saw at least four eagles.  Three of them were sitting in the branches and the other was out looking for food.

Here's two of them flying over the dyke.

Even the dandelion is living and flourishing.

Take a good look at this tree.  See the 90 degree angle in the trunk.  See all the foliage on the branch.  WOW.


Hope your Tuesday is being FAB for you.

It`s Another Beautiful Monday

What a beautiful day.  It was easy getting up this morning.  The time change helps.  I really love getting up when it`s daylight.  

The mist was resting just above the ground this morning in some places.

See that mist there just above the ground and across the road in the field.  It was a beautiful morning to be waiting for the bus.

This little critter had something in its mouth.  I didn't realize s/he looked right at me when the camera clicked.

It's amazing what I experienced when I looked around me on the short walk to the bus stop.

WOW.

Hope your day is just as EVENTFUL.

Sunny Sunday

This time the alliteration is for real.  It's been real sunny here today.  Hooray.  


My little 3 footer and I invested some time around the farm today.  Here's what I saw.

Hubby is finishing up the milking.

Here kitty kitty.

There's kitty kitty.  They climb the ladder to get in and out.  I think the ladder is there on purpose.

A Typical farm yard : See the two larger rocks to the right.  That's what I noticed... at first.  Take a look at what is around and under them.

And, here's the other kitty that was in the parlour today.

Oh, another kitty.  They seemed to be around today.  I think it was feeding time.

Those elusive eagles were out scouting for lunch today.  Beautiful creatures that enthrall me.

Bovine beauties.

Winter feed.

Everywhere I went, I was followed.

Other winged critters were out sunning themselves today, too.

There's supposed to be an eagle up there somewhere in that blue, blue sky.


How was your Sunday?  Was it sunny?