What a beautiful and warm day it was today.  I pulled weeds out of my garden patch.  I found a bunch of mushrooms growing in it.  I don't know  what kind they are but hubby said that if the undersides were black then they were poisonous.  They don't look black to me.

I was surprised to see so many growing there; about a dozen.


My lilacs are blooming in the back.  I love the fragrance.  I enjoy it so very much.

My plants are finally growing and the Rhododendron has one bud on it.

I potted two tomato plants this afternoon.  I don't know how they will do.  I think I will have to put each in its own pot soon enough.

I love digging in the dirt and helping Mother Nature to grow beautiful things.


I mowed the lawn yesterday evening.  I loved doing that, too.  I think sometimes I missed my calling.  I should have been doing this sort of thing 30 years ago.


I know there are a number of things I should have been doing 30 years ago and did not.  But like the saying goes, "There's no time like the present."

Apple Blossom Saturday

The Apple Blossom Parade was great.  It was cold and overcast though.  No sun until supper time.


Here are some pictures for you to enjoy:

Summer is Here

The sun is out.  Hooray! It's been a beautiful sunny and lightly windy day.  I love it.


J. and I were sitting on the swing in the front.  We had fun.  She repeated the letters of the alphabet after me.  I video taped it on my phone.  It was the first time I heard her say all the letters.  I asked her where she learned this ... at play school; tv??? She said Mom.  I taught her.  I was so happy about that.


She talks more and more in language that we understand.  She still doesn`t have the `l`and `s`sounds along with the consonant blends.  It`s coming.  She oh soo close to babbling in understandable English.  I can`t wait.


It's been a good day all the way around.  Quiet and low key.  What a nice way to spend Friday.  J. and I had fun together. P. came home long enough to change and then back to work.  It`s hot.  He needed less clothing for the field.


And, how did you spend your Friday.  Or better yet, how would you like to spend your Friday.

It Occurred to Me

I never thought I would feel this way about something.  When we got home this morning around 11, the work men were getting ready to go on the roof to replace some missing shingles.  I thought it was a good thing I hadn't hung out my undies this morning on the line.  I would have done two things: died of embarrassment and wanted to kill P. for not telling me they were coming.


Boston lost to Tampa Bay last night.  P. and W. were not happy.  One more game to find out who really is the best.


And, it's Thursday.  That means there will be a new episode of The Big Bang Theory on TV tonight.  Hooray!

Comfort Foods - YUM YUM Ski Cake

The sun came out in the afternoon.  It sure beat waking up to fog and mist and wet grass.  It was about time the sun shone.  I'm so tired of the rainy, wet, foggy weather we have been having this month.

My chicken lasagna and the ski cake is delectable.  It was perfect and it tastes so good.

I understand why they took the prizes in Saltscapes.

It was easy to make and took basic ingredients.  The chocolate squares grated and turned into the dough along with the melted chocolate on top makes this cake what it is - simply the best.  Jo and I added the sprinkles for effect and more colour.

I can not say enough about the Chicken Lasagna.  What a great dish!! It would be great at a potluck or any family gathering.  It, too, is delicious.

Inspired to Cook and Bake

Well, I don't know what came over me.  I prepared the Chicken Lasagna for tonight.  That meant cooking the frozen chicken breasts, chopping the onions and mushrooms, making the hollandaise sauce, cooking the lasagna whole wheat noodles, adding the basil (which I don't have and used thyme instead), pepper and oregano, and then layering it as the recipe directed.


This recipe is from the Saltscapes magazine, Jan/Feb 2011, Vol. 12. No. 1, p. 61.  I made it for the first time on 13 Feb.  I really enjoyed it.


Here are some things I learned with the second try:
1.  When I followed the directions for making the hollandaise sauce, it thickened within minutes.  That was wonderful.  Last time I assumed certain things and neglected to read everything, and it took over 20 minutes for the sauce to thicken. It certainly was not like that today.  Hooray for the skills of reading and following directions.  It was soooo easy!!!! in the end!!!


2. The chicken breasts shriveled up like wrinkled skin.  I am not sure why they did this.  They even did this when I thawed them.  That is a puzzle I am hoping to solve.


3. I used Kraft packaged 4 Cheese Italiano shredded provolone, mozzarella, Parmesan, and emmental cheeses.  Maybe next time I will use the sliced mozzarella and Parmesan as it calls for in the recipe.


4.  I am using bottled asparagus from Peru.  That's the first time.  I cut them into thirds.  The recipe says that while fresh is the best, canned or bottled are already cooked.  Next time I hope to get asparagus closer to home.


5.  I found that the cooking process was shorter.  I spent less than 40 minutes getting the food ready for entry into the dish.  The clean up will take a bit longer of course.


Now, I have a bunch of bake ware and cook ware to wash.


On p. 60 of the same magazine is a chocolate cake recipe I have been meaning to make.  I just might do it after I clean up in the kitchen.  It's simple and looks delicious.


I will say now there is no secret to being inspired to cook and bake.  When my energy level goes up, I feel like I can do anything and conquer anything I try.  Life is amazing.  The human body is amazing. Love is amazing, too.

Remember ???

Here`s an interesting website: http://coffeesandcommutes.com/

I`m going to see what I can remember.


I remember:


I remember the Christmas I had 20 bucks on me to buy a present for mom.  Being a student and being poor went hand in hand and it was hard knowing I had such little money and that everyone would be so good to me.


I remember S. D., my best friend in childhood.  I remember the sleep overs at her house.  She lived in a two-story gabled house which was big and roomy and beautiful.


I remember when I was 21 years old.  Life was so grand and open to any thing at all.


I remember when the bat flew into our house and scared C. out of his wits.  Then Dad literally chased it around before getting it out.  It was so funny.


I remember breaking my index finger way back in grade 8.  That hurt something awful and no thanks to the boy who did it.  I was so frustrated by the third day that I tried to tear off the cast.  I am left handed and it was my left index finger.  I had to asked friends for copies of their notes.


I remember studying at Church Point for the summer and how I didn`t like the after class drinking and partying.  I hated the place as a result.  I remember the courses were fairly good, it was just the people and the partying that bothered me.


I remembered studying at Moncton.  It was a much better experience.  Different people and different expectations.


I remember grade 3 and the spelling test that I went blank on.  I had the boy in front of me show me the spellings. I guess I was really nerved up for some reason.


I remember when  MJ. was born.  I was living in Quebec City, and I didn`t get to see her until Christmas.  That was a long time.


The same thing happened for R.  I was still living in Quebec and didn`t move back until almost two months after he was born.  


I remember when WW. was born.  I saw him on the day he was born.  What a marvel!!!


I remember grade 12 history.  We had to pick a side and write about two pages to support our view.  I remember picking that Louis Riel was a hero and not a rebel. 


I remember studying two or three days ahead for history and then being accused of somehow knowing that the surprise quiz was happening the next day.  That was a real insult to my intelligence and commitment to good study habits. The one thing I know is that teachers are not the smartest crayons in the box.


I remember working hard on my American Women`s History paper and spending hours and hours in the library researching the topic and coming out with a  good mark.


I remember studying for those exams, too.  We were given the list of essay questions that were to be on the exam.  We had to pick a certain number and then in preparation for it, write out our answers and study accordingly.  I liked the method but it was hard intense work.


I remember graduating from the Mount with my Bachelor of Education degree.  I still remember walking across the stage to get the degree and wearing the blue around the neck with the hat.


I remember working hard at the Dartmouth East Black Learning Centre and really enjoying the youth and the subjects that I taught.  I was always learning something exciting about both.


I remember when I worked construction one summer to earn enough money for College.


I remember seeing A. when he was born.  I think I saw him either the 26 or the 27 and then I left immediately for Bedford, Quebec, to be the Lay Minister in training for the Bedford United Church of Canada Pastoral Charge.


I remember being very tired on the trip and realizing that I did not want to do this again on my own.  It was too much work and took too much energy.


I remember ... I know I could go on and on.  I`ll leave it there for the time being.  I need a break from the memories.  Too much emotion attached to some of them still.

A Good Day for Living

It's been a cold day today.  YUK!!!


My girl was sick again today.  It started when we were at church.  Her tummy hurt and she wanted to go home.  We got her home and upstairs just in time for the upchuck.  The poor little thing.  She settled after that and slept for a couple of hours.


Right now she's eating like there's no tomorrow and watching Treehouse in the TV room.


She got two needles on Friday at the doctor's in preparation for public school.  She has been out of sorts since getting them.


My sister has been visiting.  We have had a good weekend.


We shopped, watched Spiderman 3, chatted, joked and kidded P. a bit.  It was nice.


The leaves are finally out on the trees.  They are beautiful.  The grass is very green.


Church service was good this morning.  It was a good sermon.  There was a small number of us there.


J. missed a birthday party yesterday because she wasn't feeling good.  I sure hope she gets through this okay.


Today is a good day.  It's great to be alive and planted firmly on the face of the earth.

Ordinary Saturday

Shopping proved to be a leisure activity even though it was cold and raining a bit.  We got in on some good deals at the local stores.  That's always nice at the check out when it comes up cheaper than it says.


This morning I took the time to read the daily devotional in 'Living Faith', a daily Catholic Devotions booklet.  It was right on about the miracles in our midst and the miracles found in the ordinary.  We don't see them because they are so ordinary.


The writer used the example of the trees taking in carbon dioxide, sunlight, water and a few nutrients to grow.  The carbon from the air forms the structure of the wood so literally the wood is made out of air using sunlight and water.  How ordinary and extraordinary is that all at once.  I would classify that as a miracle, a scientific one.


I know I have to realize how much of a miracle each human being is in the world.  The odds that we would be born as we are and as who we are is real slim.  That is what makes us truly unique.


I need to appreciate everyone I meet which means I need to respect them for who they are even without knowing them.  Boy, that's a challenge when my hormones are reacting to poor retail service and I want to be short tempered, cranky and difficult.


I just have to try to be a better person and to let the people around me help me to be a better person.  I have to put my trust in a higher power.


I have to realize that what I think is one thing and that my actions speak way louder than words.  So, I think before I act.  I act without reacting.  That's a challenge these days.


We are getting closer to 6 o'clock.  Nothing has been going on in the world to indicate that it's going to be gone after six or any other time thereafter.


The poor saps make a mockery of religion.  I think there is more to the religious life than broadcasting doom and gloom.  We need more about love and light.

So This Is It... The World as We Know It is Ending

I wanted to write this as it is the day the world ends and all the good believing people go into the sky to be with god and jesus.  


It's another grey day here.  No rain.  And because I have to cut up potatoes for the slow cooker and get that in gear for tonight's supper, I'll write more extensively later on.


Out running errands and shopping.  What a better way to spend the last day of living.


Y'all have a good last day <snicker, snicker>.

Over the Hump Day Blues

I haven`t been on for a few days.  I didn`t feel I had anything to say or share.


For the last three days our little 5 year old has had a recurrence of a runny nose and terrible coughing, especially at night.  She has slept with us for two of those nights.  No sleep for me!!!  Wears me down when I am living on little sleep.


She stayed home from play school today and seems to have improved. O no, I just heard her cough right on cue.


The rain has finally stopped.  It warmed up and I hung out three loads of clothes on the line.  I love that!!!


I dug around some of my new little shrubs today.  They certainly needed the space from the encroaching grass, dandelions, thyme and the other plants vying for space. The very act of removing overgrown grass and dandelions invigorated me.  It felt so good to my soul. I must do it more often, I think.


Wouldn`t you know it, I won yet another raffle.  This time it was jewelry made from copper and by someone locally.  This call actually picked up my spirits.  I was feeling down and I laughed within myself at the news.  Another prize.  This one cost only $20.  The family portrait package cost only $5 and the time it took to fill out the tickets.    


The sun is shining on me.


I am leaving my third load of clothes out overnight so they can catch the sun rise and the glorious sunny day we are getting tomorrow.

Rainy Day Treats

Nothing tastes better than my mother's home cooking.  When we arrived today, roast, potatoes, carrots and the condiments were waiting along with freshly made lemon pie and a pot of steeped tea.  Woo Hoo!!

No Time Like the Present

I couldn't wait until tomorrow.


The scalloped potatoes and ham casserole went well in the end.  The sauce did not thicken within 3-4 minutes as the recipe stated.  It took me about 20 minutes.  I am wondering what I am doing incorrectly.

The potatoes did not get tender on 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  So, I turned up the oven to 425 degrees for almost 20 minutes.  The potatoes softened, the ham browned as did the odd ball potato.  It was a wonderful meal.  I highly recommend it and will definitely make it again.


I preheated the oven, soaked the potatoes in water ahead of time as it said and timed all the baking. Hmmm......

Beating the Saturday Blues

So I thought in this dreary and rainy month of May that it would indeed be boring.  Well, I've taken a few hundred pictures of J., the birds, plants and whoever and whatever else gets in.  I'll share a few with you.

I spotted these delightful flowers in the garden patch today.

 They look like little bluebells or blueberries.  How pretty is that.

This is what is left of the pine that was felled by the latest wind storm.  It was sad to see her go.

A yard sale acquisition last year.  It is just now coming through and looking green and good.

 This pretty tulip was in the ground and minutes after I took the picture, Jo came behind me (unbeknownst to me) and cut her off. Now she sits in a vase by the kitchen sink.  Jo got a set of garden shears and away she went when I was in the front enjoying my Just Us coffee.

What's that saying about 3 crows?  Front lawn, early afternoon a lot of baby crows were out looking for grub.  I couldn't resist playing with my toy.

This is the pine as she rests in the ground after the clean up this morning.










I think the real excitement for me will be a little later when I try out a new recipe from 'Saltscapes' (May/June 2011).  It's Scalloped Potato and Ham Casserole (p. 11) for the crew tonight.  It looks delicious, simple to make and I bet the smell will be wonderful.  Anything will beat the present smell of garlic pizza we have here in the house.  That was supper last night.


Then, maybe as a grand finale, I just might vacuum or sweep the kitchen floor and actually wash it.  It leaves a whole lot to be desired.

What To Do

Let's see.  It's Friday.  Life is quiet and constant.


Two things:


1.  I bought Jodi DeLong's book 'Plants for Atlantic Gardens'.  I barely started reading the forward when my five year old distracted me.  I've had time to browse though and I love the pictures.  The little I managed to read is in fact readable.  I love plain language.

2.  Jo and I weeded some dandelions out of my little garden patch.  I inherited the patch when we moved here.  I've added a few plants in the last three years.  It is pretty rugged right now.  It needs a lot of hands on work.  I love digging into the soil and making the patch presentable when I find the time to do so without interruption.

 My strawberry plant.  I planted it a year ago.

 My blueberry bush.  It was planted late last summer.
I expect the raccoons and other critters are going to enjoy these two.

 The daffodils were about the only plants left in this patch when we got here.  It had been overgrown and unkempt.

 I planted this last year, too.

 This is something else I planted and probably last year.

 Different leaves and nice and green. I am assuming I planted this one, too.

  I planted the rhododendron two years ago.  It bloomed last summer with a beautiful pink flower.  The fallen tree next to it just missed it as I cut off the lower branches of the pine as it was leaning and before it fell totally over the patch.


I also planted a magnolia at the same time but it did not survive.  The rhododendron more than makes up for the loss.


So, this is part of my little patch of nature to work with and work on.  I have lots to do and look forward to the knee bending, weed pulling adventure I shall have with it all.


Next time I'll share my tulips with you.  I planted echinacea in amongst them.  Just three lots for now, and they are already growing with lots of leaves.  I love the cone shaped purple beauties.  


I am here looking at Jodi's book for spelling.  I also planted globe thistles last year in the corner of my back yard.  I'll have to take pictures to show you the progress.  I really enjoyed those last year when they bloomed.

Where Does the Rain Go When It Comes

I'm wondering if it could rain any longer than it has already.  We've got people suffering out in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and in Quebec.  The people of Portage la Prairie are facing a planned flooding to save others further on the river.  O dear.


What are our complaints this week... farmers are late getting crops in the fields and others haven`t been able to even get the plowing done in order to plant.


I hope the rainy season ends real soon.  We need to start experiencing summer sometime.

Night Time Routines

I don't know if I have already said this but last night before I put the lights out, I watched 'The Big Bang Theory'.  This show is so very, very funny.  I love all the characters.  They are so very funny.  I know the writers of the show have to be given the credit.  I am like an addict.  I look at the TV guide to find if it's playing at a later time throughout the country.  I try to remember to check for it every night.  It's a great show.


Oh, I just remembered.  Flat Michael is here for a visit.  We have to get him out for a visit to the farm with J.  We are planning on taking pictures of his visit to send back to the elementary school he came from in LS.

Look What Rain Brings

Well, what to do on a very dreary rainy day.


Lots of course.


Dropped Jo off to play school and then picked her up.
Dropped mother-in-law off to appointment.


Prepared supper of baked chicken breasts and mashed potatoes with mixed vegetables.


Scrap booked more pages.  I can say I am almost done with 2006.  I love looking at the pictures and remembering the context and the stories.


Jo finally ate her supper.  If you can count less than one-quarter of her bowl is eaten.  She thinks I'm going to let her have her fourth yogurt of the day.  I have news for little Missy.

OH, she lost her tooth today.  Her dad got a hold of it and pulled it out.  She didn't feel a thing.  Lucky girl.  Now both bottom teeth are out with one already in for a while and a place for the new one beside it.


In my scrap book studio I have no distractions and concentrate solely on the pictures and the layout with the journaling that I may do.


I love scrap booking.  I really enjoy scrap booking Halloween.  I take pictures of the children I know who come to the door and of us, too.  2006's theme seems to be about a certain witch who greeted the spooks that night.  She looked pretty good with her blackened tooth; stiff black peaked hat; broom; black (cow boy) boots and black dress of course.  Jo was Piglet that year and Paul was dressed in his usual attire: that of farmer.

Mothers on Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Holy Hilarity Day to you!!!


It's a fine day to celebrate!  Let's remember that our joy is enriched by our experiences in life - in living. Through the crudest of circumstances and the most difficult of times, we can capture the joy of life.


It's the way we go about it that counts.  Joy, joy, joy! Let's practice it.  Let me practice it.


OK.  So hope your day was great and relaxing, filled with the people and things that bring you joy.


My day was great!  I read in church about the walk to Emmaus using Ralph Milton's Family Bible Story book.  I love the active voices he gives to the characters.


We went to NM and split a sub between us.


Pizza tonight for supper at home.


Then a visit to Oma to bring her the card. 


And now here I am waiting for Missy to finish her milk and crackers so we can get cracking on a bath and bed.  In that order and before 8 p.m.  


I am checking the clock now and I think 8 p.m. will be a close one.  I like reading a story to her and then tuck her in.  It all takes time.


Good night.

The Day Before Mother's Day

It's the day before Mother's Day.  Happy Mother's Day to you all.


Here's a great article: http://bit.ly/khqVsm.


It' the weekend. It's raining and has been for almost an hour or so.  It has been a good day so far.

It's the day after the 25th anniversary.  What a spread and what a wonderful evening with friends, family, music and good food.


I am tired today though.


I have replaced the batteries in my camera so maybe now I just might be able to place a few pictures in this blog.


The lawn was mowed today.  It looks so good and will grow doubly in all this rain.


The tulips in the backyard are wind blown but surviving so far.

Who Needs to Count Down to Doomsday When Life is So Very Full Everyday

Good day to you all out there in cyber land.
Life is busy isn't it.  I took my dear little one to the IWK for a preschool assessment.  It lasted for the day.  She done good, my girl did.  I believe she is ready for grade primary in the fall.  Hallelujah.


I had the chance to visit with a niece and nephew in the lobby of the hospital for a while during lunch.  That added to the day trip.  I love seeing my nieces and nephews and seeing how they're grown into fine young adults.  The do my heart good.


I watched the movie 'Temple Grandin' last night.  I cried and cried again.  She made the metaphor with the door.  She had to step through them in order to live her life.  I cried and cried.  I am reading 'Open the Door' by Joyce Rupp.  It was timely; almost prophetic.  That was not easy for Temple to do.  It was very frightening sometimes.  I cried.


I know I am saying that a lot.  But I've been dealing with some inner stuff myself.  


Oh, and btw, the world begins to end on 21 May 2011.  I wish these fortune tellers would lip sync their end of the world predictions.  It scares people.  BUT I will laugh when the day come and goes without incident.  It's ashame that intelligent people are so very stupid.  Time always tell.


Tonight will be a record for hubby and me when we go out for another social evening.  It will be the third in three weeks.  I am glad for this change in the routine.


We saw Jesse Reid and Old Man Ludeckude last Friday night.  The week before we attended my sister's 50th in the city.  Tonight we attend a 25th anniversary at the Old Orchard Inn.  It is nice having a social life for a change.

Another Ordinary Day and I Think I Got Something Done

What a beautiful windy day it was here!! Put an early afternoon line of clothes out to blow and dry out. Will have to soon get them in.  Hope the underwear isn't blowing around the yard.


Ran errands AGAIN this morning.  Was late getting the garbage and recyclables out to the curb and had to wait until they came back through.  That meant putting the three bags and compost on the opposite side of the road which has a narrow shoulder.  I had to get one of the bags out of the ditch two times because the wind took it.


I took the bottles to the enviro-depot.  That is always worth it. The garage gets cleaned out and I get some cash and treat myself to a coffee.  The Evangeline brand at Just Us was terrific this morning.  It really gave me a bounce and some pep.


Then went to the Co-op for milk and eggs.  Forty-five dollars later and three bags later, I was out of the store.  Their frozen goods were on sale.  I stocked up again.


I wait for our leaning pine tree to fall over.  One of these days it will. I see it from the window here in the office.  It's leaning about 45 degrees.  I wait for the crash.


The silly cat is laying on the computer desk in front of me.  O the joy of trying to keep the cat OFF the desk.


She is a beauty though.


Jo had play school. They were outside for a bit.


The daffodils are in bloom in my little garden patch.  The tulips out back are beautiful and very wind blown today. I love the red ones.


R. brought me my order of Mary Kay.  Anything for the face to keep it fresh and looking good.  I will begin the skin care program tonight.


I think I need to do something for me.  I am not sure what that is.  Maybe it will be reflexology or a massage or a body purge.  I have to think about it.


I put the four summer tires into the van this afternoon.  They are heavy but manageable.  I am glad I can still do that kind of work.

And We Survived Last Night's Federal Election . . .

The sun came up the way it always does.  People did their usual routines ... the country did not cease to exist.  


WOW!!  What a night last night!  I sat on the edge of my seat watching the results on the CBC.  Holy Cow!  I couldn't believe it but I hoped it was NOT so.  It was better than a murder mystery movie, btw. lol.


O well, better days ahead as my dear grandfather used to say.


I wonder what Alexa McDonough thought about it all, and I thought about my grandfather M. who always voted CCF and then what was to become the NDP.  


My father would probably be the cynic and say it won't matter, nothing ever changes.  I say we will see.


I am so happy for Elizabeth May.  She works so hard on behalf of her party and she's such a nice individual and smart as all get-out.


I love her chattiness and her down to earth goodness.  There is a spirituality about her that lays just beneath the surface until you hear her speak and act.  Way to go!!!


Now Quebec is back in the fold and making choices that will have positive impacts on us all.  I hope the NDP fulfill their promises, i.e. to work for a better Canada (good luck on that with Stephen Harper and his crew) and to work cooperatively.


Good Luck to Mr. Layton and your team!!!  Good thoughts, a few prayers and good karma go out to you.


I love digging in the dirt.  Today I managed to dig out some weeds.  It was exhilarating.  I love stirring up the dirt and making the plants safer and healthier.  I even cut some branches off the pine tree that is bent over my little garden with the rhodadumdrum plant.  I don't want it to get hurt when the tree does come down.  


Jo is talking more and making a much better effort at speaking English.  We went to speech today.  She practiced hot pepper, ice cream, some milk, and that (dat) on.  She is definitely progressing to 2 word phrases like at home, that on, that in, come here, etc.  She has been making a great effort.


I am so proud of her.


Paul was hoping to do some plowing this afternoon.  I'm not sure if he got out.  He didn't leave here until after 3 pm.


Summer tires are on the vehicle now.  Jo's bangs are trimmed.

AND, when Paul was moving the tires to the van, he found the two swings for Jo's swing set.  I was so happy and relieved.  I had sent off a little prayer to St. Anthony this morning about it.  I figured he hadn't answered because I had been spotty about my request.  I thought I should have been petitioning him every day.  I just didn't want to bother him and I also forgot because it was on my mind as to where I put them last fall.


Better days ahead!!!