tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23727265045439141392024-03-19T04:47:11.370-04:00Coffee on the Porch with Mecoffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.comBlogger604125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-75934163383898470772024-03-17T10:47:00.000-04:002024-03-17T10:47:38.205-04:00Back Again<p> It's been a while since I've posted. We were away again for a couple of weeks. Since I am such a homebody, I am very happy to be back in my own home, in my own bed, with my own stuff around me. I'd make a poor world traveler. </p><p>We had some Spring. Now we have some Winter. This too shall pass. </p><p>We have a defunct water heater (propane) and husband is waiting on a part which could only be obtained through american amazon. It will have taken six days to arrive. I have been boiling water on the stove to wash dishes. We do cold water laundry (no big deal). We do have a small electric hot water heater to provide hot water to a third bathroom in an addition of our house, so we can take short showers. </p><p>The ironic thing about this is, the place we were staying in on part of our trip didn't have hot water either and I was boiling water on a stove to do dishes. While I was there, I felt very "third worldish" and now that I'm home doing the same thing, I feel very "pioneerish". I'll be very happy to have things fixed. </p><p>I do not have much to contribute. I'm watching the new episodes of Somebody Feed Phil on Netfix and the season 13 episodes of Vera on Britbox, via Prime video. I just picked up some books at the library - a Janet Evanovich (#28) and some James Patterson (the most recent Alex Cross ones). I haven't been teaching due to being away and this past week has been March Break, so no school. </p><p>I'm patiently awaiting real Spring. Happy St. Patrick's Day. I am having corned beef and cabbage tonight. </p><p><br /></p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-82612138464344848592024-02-18T08:19:00.002-05:002024-02-18T08:19:31.759-05:00Sunday, February 18, 2024<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdoUGZfdXPdFbGKFKOhkq52YubghkYMfvg9riK_NQfiYQOUIOPbQOq5DD01Y8ychjC4M7N9g3dK0fcWQEICV_7WRz2xi6PVEV9GnQOwONg-QsvkGKiMfRlTbnjMlZXT8pix_tcx7twgyLc3SlEybTiqhx5-KYF_NqLqs5AJUeIkldIEtPfmY0YSe4Acc/s993/IMG_8209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="688" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdoUGZfdXPdFbGKFKOhkq52YubghkYMfvg9riK_NQfiYQOUIOPbQOq5DD01Y8ychjC4M7N9g3dK0fcWQEICV_7WRz2xi6PVEV9GnQOwONg-QsvkGKiMfRlTbnjMlZXT8pix_tcx7twgyLc3SlEybTiqhx5-KYF_NqLqs5AJUeIkldIEtPfmY0YSe4Acc/w444-h640/IMG_8209.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> "Fool's Spring" is definitely over and winter has returned. We have had a tremendous amount of snow over the past couple of days with more coming today. The drive way was shoveled twice yesterday and will need shoveling again today. (We have a big double driveway that normally is cleared by a man with a tractor and snowblower and we pay him for it, but I think he is on holidays right now.) </p><p>Yesterday I spent a lot of time cleaning the house - really cleaning. Tub scrubbing, taking everything off dressers and night tables and thoroughly dusting. I bought the Method brand wood cleaner a while ago and like it. It has an almond extract scent, one I can tolerate. Many cleansers are too scented for me, sending me into a post nasal coughing fit. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaSu_FPEVEyweHwu2ht7zqFmP0sJFl-kL2RV-Q2NmOcAaxF3I0KyJ6uPWg0veTL9lifHzRFSPCvX4xc4AWC4toMlxCRLZR1-duW1O1SXTx9fakYKClP3uhACPnZZIjZ0Zwy2GSUJP97Wm46tL1-ZiIPqAs3js_xx5KNV_FlJyGs1vamYkSz1jD17fDts/s4032/IMG_8216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaSu_FPEVEyweHwu2ht7zqFmP0sJFl-kL2RV-Q2NmOcAaxF3I0KyJ6uPWg0veTL9lifHzRFSPCvX4xc4AWC4toMlxCRLZR1-duW1O1SXTx9fakYKClP3uhACPnZZIjZ0Zwy2GSUJP97Wm46tL1-ZiIPqAs3js_xx5KNV_FlJyGs1vamYkSz1jD17fDts/w300-h400/IMG_8216.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO5OngqAJ-iPqaEgvUh8xr-ofOdp8TwS2p8A17PYGw9SkXxt75MAu8SXoIfRBxPfBkx6VP7Jjn42vVSrg3SmhpyHZGQeP2_ENBQ282Q0VdVkMd4OL5SU6EHx1hyk5RF_u4vFctC-65qk65zYkoXeuBPTQIF-i9bQhOWFeTfO4QoZWtyscZMfDNind80I/s4032/IMG_8217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsO5OngqAJ-iPqaEgvUh8xr-ofOdp8TwS2p8A17PYGw9SkXxt75MAu8SXoIfRBxPfBkx6VP7Jjn42vVSrg3SmhpyHZGQeP2_ENBQ282Q0VdVkMd4OL5SU6EHx1hyk5RF_u4vFctC-65qk65zYkoXeuBPTQIF-i9bQhOWFeTfO4QoZWtyscZMfDNind80I/w300-h400/IMG_8217.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Scooter sheds in clumps (long haired cat) and I am forever picking up after him. I call our upstairs hallway the path of fur. I also baked an apple cake. </p><p>Today, we are all getting together (us, the "kids", and Nana) for a little visit and early supper (Nana gets antsy, thinking she should return back "home", which is her nursing home, so we try to eat earlier). It will be cabbage roll casserole and garlic toast tonight. Apple cake is for dessert. I'll make the casserole today, ahead of time. </p><p>Thanks to everyone who commented about the air fryer. So far, I think I have realized that I am using it for too long each time. However long it says on a package to put something in the oven is definitely too long in the air fryer. I have made frozen pre-cooked chicken wings (I don't really like wings, but son does) which were o.k., frozen french fries which were stupendously better than done on a cookie sheet in the oven, Marc Angelo pork souvlaki which I over cooked the first time and was better with less time the next, and pieces of fish which I breaded myself which were pretty good. </p><p>I am glad I did not go out and purchase a new one. I see the air fryer as something like my bread maker and instant pot. Used a lot at the beginning until the novelty wears off and then I get tired of how much space it takes up on the counter and re-arrange something in the pantry and store it away, then rediscover it again months later...</p><p>Tomorrow is Family Day, a made-up holiday in February. I have no idea why we have it, but we do. I decided to have the get together today, so the working kids could feel like they truly had a day off to do absolutely nothing tomorrow. </p><p>I purchased some root touch up for my hair. I've dyed my own hair now for quite a few years. It usually looks fine. I go for a "dark blonde" which is actually more like light brown. I decided to break things up a bit and bought a highlighting kit. It even has the cap with the little holes to pull the strands through. We shall see how that goes. I might, perhaps, give you a before and after (but only if it turns out o.k.) I've highlighted my hair before, years ago. It turned out all right. I just won't go crazy and pull the hair through every little hole in the cap, that might be a bit too much. Any other brave souls out there who colour their own hair, or have even dabbled in highlights?</p><p>I have been substitute teaching a bit here and there. For the last couple of years, the government allowed retired teachers to sub. a bigger amount of days before it affected their pensions. This year, however, they kept the number of days at the minimum amount, so I have to be careful and spread my days out over the course of the school year. It is silly that they haven't increased the amount again because schools are still having to bring in "emergency" people. That means it could be anybody from a university student without a teaching degree or to someone's grandma. She could be the nicest lady, but regardless she has had no training and doesn't know the ins and outs of the rules we must abide by in teaching. </p><p>I've spent enough time at the computer (yes, I'm using an old desk top right now), and must carry out fresh water for the chickens' heated water bucket, making my way through my path in the snow. I hope you all have a good rest of your weekend and happy Family Day to any Canadians out there!</p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-27665824064617401302024-02-04T08:52:00.001-05:002024-02-04T08:52:44.220-05:00"Treating Myself" Feb. 4, 2024<p> I am now the proud owner of an air fryer. But, if you know me, I didn't go out and buy a $199.00 Ninja special edition or whatever is out there. I bought one from somebody in a neighbouring town for $40.00 through Facebook marketplace. It has barely been used from what I can tell and came to me very clean, along with the manual. </p><p>I've been curious about air fryers and this is the perfect way to decide if I would really use it all that often without making a huge commitment. </p><p>So here's my question: for those of you who have already taken the plunge into air fryer world, what do you make that's really great, convenient, surprising, yummy, etc.? Also, do you line the tray with anything?</p><p><br /></p><p>Thanks ahead of time for any and all suggestions. </p><p>Meanwhile, it is a beautiful morning, in my opinion. There is a thick layer of frost on all branches and it looks magical. It likely won't translate well into pictures, but here are a couple:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Cl4jupfBsQ3wvYPHHn77Sevr5tJbbcQgTnrujlr9iBoHzMa8awOvDfDBvH-pWvZlFMggP20IhXeqd5rddDOATwIizzMfxM5G7URITM4B16DDKt_sxqbl0c15zG-tbutom2prbZpAkSjCU7Av3Zi4N9Ux-ChjKed4ms6lKW2GvdoLEALdK9-ES-At91Q/s4032/IMG_8200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Cl4jupfBsQ3wvYPHHn77Sevr5tJbbcQgTnrujlr9iBoHzMa8awOvDfDBvH-pWvZlFMggP20IhXeqd5rddDOATwIizzMfxM5G7URITM4B16DDKt_sxqbl0c15zG-tbutom2prbZpAkSjCU7Av3Zi4N9Ux-ChjKed4ms6lKW2GvdoLEALdK9-ES-At91Q/w640-h480/IMG_8200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5rNmINWbDnJTy44u2NLOjOdacTPV24WHVsEddIt9b6MOYgX-KwzYLyWlDQmS4XhCOAKTC38nrkdt1Ao2xENrEwyXza1UkSN_FLrUPRcPGgGiqcl-ZRFQ_p-c3QNbrioDJBQrjjyC_Hb4LqVedJwcjG880ngpoDOk7zp5eCojThAnzYnbiumERED0Xd4/s4032/IMG_8201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5rNmINWbDnJTy44u2NLOjOdacTPV24WHVsEddIt9b6MOYgX-KwzYLyWlDQmS4XhCOAKTC38nrkdt1Ao2xENrEwyXza1UkSN_FLrUPRcPGgGiqcl-ZRFQ_p-c3QNbrioDJBQrjjyC_Hb4LqVedJwcjG880ngpoDOk7zp5eCojThAnzYnbiumERED0Xd4/w640-h480/IMG_8201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As you can see, we don't have much snow. I'm not complaining. Have a lovely Sunday!</p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-2800307538413694662024-01-29T09:03:00.002-05:002024-01-29T09:03:51.852-05:00Monday, Jan. 29, 2024<p> I'm slow to get back into the rhythm of things here. I have taught two days since coming back home. Mostly I've been tending to the hens and getting back into my (usually) daily walks through my little village. </p><p>I walk alone with no distractions. My route is the same streets but sometimes I change the direction or I add a loop to cover more distance. In the nicer weather, there are sometimes other people with whom to exchange pleasantries, but in this cold that is a rarity. I have a couple of dogs who still bark at me from behind fences or from inside houses. </p><p>Mostly I think. I go over a lot of things in my mind during my walks. I plan ahead, I think about my family, I think about my to-do list, and I think about the village. I do not live in an idyllic "chocolate box" village where people lovingly tend their window boxes and stroll about with their pretty babies. I live in a scrappy little collection of streets ripped up by the snow plow inhabited by locally raised seniors and young families who can't afford to live in better, bigger homes. As I've said, there are few if any amenities: a mechanic, a plumber, a post office, a community centre, a fire hall. There is no corner store. There is no gas station. </p><p>Many people who live here have bigger things to worry about than maintaining a pretty yard or putting on new siding, or picking up the random garbage that blows out of the recycle boxes. Sure, there are some who keep things tidy and take pride in their surroundings, and those are the ones that, by comparison, really stand out in the little community. But for the most part, the properties are tired, worn down, somewhat messy, and in previous economies, cheap - much like their owners or renters. </p><p>I walk past a place that in my mind I refer to as "the hoarder house". It is a small one storey house that has had a car bumper on its front lawn for more than a year. The boxes and random objects sprout from the porch of the house and make their way down both sides of the drive way. They continue into the back yard. I know there is a young woman and a child who live there, or at least I have seen then in the nice weather. I often wonder how much room the child has inside the house. Personally, I think hoarding is sign of mental illness, but I'm no expert.</p><p>I walk past another place that has an exterior combination of various greens - mint, olive, kelly... Inside that house lives a pair of grandparents who have taken over the raising of five (I think) grandchildren for what has been hinted at as good reason. They have created a haven in the backyard of a collection of swings, tree houses, bird houses, and seasonal decorations. </p><p>There is another place I walk past that used to be a school. I will come back and edit this with the date on the outside of this big brick building later, after my walk today, if I remember to take note. It is a big, two storey structure with two entrances and I think it was actually a secondary school. I find it funny that this little village was "booming" enough to have a highschool, but of course it would have drawn from outside areas. Now it has been converted into apartments. It seems to house a collection of men, some older, some young enough to be away all day working, but sometimes I see them gathered round the back with a small campfire, talking, with a dog keeping them company. There is a work truck parked there, but it seems to always be there, so maybe there is no work for that person. </p><p>Then there is a sweet little house lived in by a widow who I sometimes see walking to her granddaughter's house. She always changes up her seasonal decorations and things are cheery and bright. I look to see what is coming up in her flower beds and have serious clematis envy, as her two climb over wooden trellises and bloom like crazy. </p><p>There are times, especially early spring when the snow is melting and all the garbage and "stuff" that was hidden by sbow becomes visible again, sometimes never to be dealt with, when I desperately hate this village. I'm happy to just stay put in my own house and not look anywhere else. We are at the end of a dead end street, but now new houses have been built across from us, so we no longer look out at fields of grain or corn. </p><p>But then spring flows into summer and plants are blooming and those people who do care are cutting their lawns and saying hello and there are enough nice things to look at that they outweigh the bad. Why do we stay? Well, because it is home. This is where we raised out two kids. We are on an acre at the outside of the village, away from everyone else (or we once were) in a big old yellow brick house and I've created flower beds and a vegetable garden. Husband built a pool and a big gazebo and a chicken coop. We have been able to have a little oasis at the end of our road with relatively low (although they have increased) taxes. And our closest neighbours either are never there or are rarely there (they were in that group from the big city that decided to buy in rural areas during Covid). Would I like to live somewhere else? Yes, sometimes, but not yet. Not now. For lots of reasons. (Couldn't even imagine having to pack up our lives - husband's garage alone would be a nightmare!). </p><p>So I get out and I walk. And I think all these thoughts and then about 23 to 30 minutes later, I come back to our home, having filled my lungs with fresh air and done something good for my body and carry on with my life. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-50339668452972584272024-01-22T10:11:00.000-05:002024-01-22T10:11:05.316-05:00Monday, January 22, 2024 - getting my feet back under me<p>We went away. We are now back. I have done laundry and cleaned up the house, and started back into my walking routine through my little village. Our son, who lives here as well, took care of cats and hens for which we are grateful. </p><p>We were in Florida with friends who are very much Florida oficionados. We drove down with them and flew home separately, as they stayed for a while longer. I have only been to Florida one other time, shortly after husband and I married. It was the year of the "storm of the century" when highways were closed and weather was awful. Perhaps it was 1992?? This time, ironically, the temperatures were unseasonably cool, the skies overcast and rainy. I have never been in hot tubs more frequently in my entire life. I will not bore you with a multitude of vacation photos, but here are just a few:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aDExx2YXXettr4fy1IiA3v-gOXLNLMJ5qVNBqSiR-iV4x0rtcplfYJPQL4ontj3Q5F_AHWoUteHbkLKPLuJ2FmXcOTq5fYfmRPNtcou_g_HMKWlqVhpq4wd-4ktbNoaPfLECbp-ubKfALQ4kKAn0IKeeu4hk6Da1TLPgmHDZx_iLtf0EpwU4UZguM6Q/s4032/IMG_8114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aDExx2YXXettr4fy1IiA3v-gOXLNLMJ5qVNBqSiR-iV4x0rtcplfYJPQL4ontj3Q5F_AHWoUteHbkLKPLuJ2FmXcOTq5fYfmRPNtcou_g_HMKWlqVhpq4wd-4ktbNoaPfLECbp-ubKfALQ4kKAn0IKeeu4hk6Da1TLPgmHDZx_iLtf0EpwU4UZguM6Q/w480-h640/IMG_8114.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>We had a day here and husband loved it. I also liked it, but didn't have the same knowledge or interest as husband, but it was still a good day. Windy as heck!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LTWPNAMskIjx8IEHN6iKSXwYqCjmu4WUYzOHyGh-4B6noPYr8jIUIo5KlPxWFkuAx4qQ76Xip8NiGwwz2KyWISVVQvCNJ2VA39TPMvvfKCGJqQNolcI4PYJtdgh7fPkdwGpYnDQA0JILB5OFjh3tj3yB5yuRFqdrzqSIvgwd3Lk-z72FxX6nIpSjL-c/s4032/IMG_8124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LTWPNAMskIjx8IEHN6iKSXwYqCjmu4WUYzOHyGh-4B6noPYr8jIUIo5KlPxWFkuAx4qQ76Xip8NiGwwz2KyWISVVQvCNJ2VA39TPMvvfKCGJqQNolcI4PYJtdgh7fPkdwGpYnDQA0JILB5OFjh3tj3yB5yuRFqdrzqSIvgwd3Lk-z72FxX6nIpSjL-c/w480-h640/IMG_8124.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>We agreed to go to one Disney park, so we chose Epcot. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7TPudQ0468yBC4SffT7HDw0qPoeKQ1wSmWJJWrx42bXAo91v9JNmv2EH5FbVNOAtASpkqscvqvtz4UmzU2nqK08cLZraPMsiZdNrdNuGGHvFw5WtCxjemeprHaQt5Q_V9_eaVUza5p-EHZhVz97IOZ3FMO7OLkG-ZkZsLWXW0JM8uZH5qV2bnWpGS_A/s4032/IMG_8132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7TPudQ0468yBC4SffT7HDw0qPoeKQ1wSmWJJWrx42bXAo91v9JNmv2EH5FbVNOAtASpkqscvqvtz4UmzU2nqK08cLZraPMsiZdNrdNuGGHvFw5WtCxjemeprHaQt5Q_V9_eaVUza5p-EHZhVz97IOZ3FMO7OLkG-ZkZsLWXW0JM8uZH5qV2bnWpGS_A/w640-h480/IMG_8132.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Ridiculously, one of the highlights for me was seeing manatees. This fellow is a rescue who lives at the aquarium in Epcot. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7m3w3qddOhL6Fw_KHbZsT54nj81_fOI8kdVHnMQxFHebFDptZh73vOZHiBPQ-s6ZbGvMUE8oCG46AHFmjB7F4iY44-uW3uqUpQ8UDbaHwvtq9Qv4977NPevdU8RYiRjl56Cs7JVeCDCpt2In5tXUrdza-IgmexUiuiwU3-1JJ-RtN9mYWgCA8BNhxUs/s4032/IMG_8178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7m3w3qddOhL6Fw_KHbZsT54nj81_fOI8kdVHnMQxFHebFDptZh73vOZHiBPQ-s6ZbGvMUE8oCG46AHFmjB7F4iY44-uW3uqUpQ8UDbaHwvtq9Qv4977NPevdU8RYiRjl56Cs7JVeCDCpt2In5tXUrdza-IgmexUiuiwU3-1JJ-RtN9mYWgCA8BNhxUs/w640-h480/IMG_8178.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Our friends are very much Disney people and we stayed here, Wilderness Lodge, for three nights. Did you know they pipe in cricket sounds in the evening to add to the effect? Now you know.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMDrha_zbfqLk585on4mnT64KGAKhGO7wY-6PBDY-Bgv8hWFSrDcGErYXVpFhcAma6AO6lujVTAv6mxg3Q8Hn1OPsujNaEJTZTeUQAEbNIY3rAqbWNVyAekeu8ADEAOZo7cmxvEnXNi3aa9o4bIwjfAJUH_ceDAm0DUUSrhmIJvdY3Uaqq01-nihOi2c/s4032/IMG_8187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMDrha_zbfqLk585on4mnT64KGAKhGO7wY-6PBDY-Bgv8hWFSrDcGErYXVpFhcAma6AO6lujVTAv6mxg3Q8Hn1OPsujNaEJTZTeUQAEbNIY3rAqbWNVyAekeu8ADEAOZo7cmxvEnXNi3aa9o4bIwjfAJUH_ceDAm0DUUSrhmIJvdY3Uaqq01-nihOi2c/w640-h480/IMG_8187.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>And it just wouldn't be a post without a Murphy picture. I'm not sure what the message is here. We were unpacking and putting away suitcases and this happened. If possible, he is now wider of girth than before we left. </p><p>We did time it well in terms of the weather at home. There were days of closed roads and bus cancellations for schools (schools always remain open however). It is still pretty darn cold, but things are supposed to "warm up" later this week. </p><p>I am happy to be home. Our friends showed us many interesting things during our time down south. There are so many communities for retirees, everything from trailer parks to luxurious homes in gated communities. We are not, however, Disney people. I just don't feel the need to go back and the commercialism and contrived world just isn't for me and husband. But for those who do like it, fill your boots!</p><p>It is unfortunate about the lack of sunshine while in Florida, but that is nobody's fault. At least it was green. Everywhere we stayed had pools which were heated and glorious hot tubs. I've never really been a hot tub person, but I was those two weeks. As well, we ate. A lot. Time to stop eating. A lot. </p><p>Today my excitement may consist of putting away clean laundry and mopping the kitchen floor. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-50347662338687472572023-12-28T09:23:00.000-05:002023-12-28T09:23:25.291-05:00All Done, Time to Pack Up<p> It's Thursday, December 28 and just like this year was the earliest to get the tree, do the baking, and have shopping done, it will also be the earliest to pack up the merriest of seasons. We had friends over for supper last night, so I wanted all the decor and tree to be in place for their visit. </p><p>This morning, I've gathered all the clean Christmas mugs and got them ready to put away in upper kitchen cupboards and have retrieved the regular coffee cups from the same upper cupboard and put them back where they belong. My goal is to be done with Christmas by this Saturday. Today the village will be torn down and boxed up, and I don't know what else, but I'll set little goals for myself.</p><p>Last night, I decided I wanted to make for supper anything that was the anti-Christmas meal. We've had two turkeys (one that I made), and the days of left overs from that, and one ham dinner (and still have the leftovers from that), and so I thought... pizza! I bought the pre-made shells that come with little packages of sauce. I got toppings ready - fried some bacon and cut that up, fried some little bits of italian sausage, pre-cooked some onions, both red and white, peppers, mushrooms... One pizza was the "meat" based one with pepperoni, bacon, sausage, onions, mushrooms and green peppers, and the other was less meat with pepperoni, multi-coloured peppers, red onions, and olives. I served it with a salad based on one I had enjoyed at a restaurant a little while ago. They called it a Christmas Salad because it had red, white, and green in it. Mine consisted of greens (baby spinach and arugula), feta cheese, dried cranberries, red onion, mandarin oranges, and candied pecans. It is served with either balsamic vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing. </p><p>It was such a nice visit and I sent them away with two cartons of eggs (always have too many). We still have no snow and it rained the entire day yesterday, with more to come today. Oh well, the water tables will be high next summer. I didn't go for a walk yesterday because it was a HARD rain every time I thought about it, but I want to get a walk in today, regardless because my body feels it if I don't walk for a few days. That's my post for today, nothing big, just regular life. Perhaps some of you are thinking of packing up as well, or perhaps you leave things in place until New Year's. We haven't done anything exciting for New Years for, well, years, so there's no need to keep things festive in the house. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-82593984897505377152023-12-24T09:03:00.000-05:002023-12-24T09:03:33.210-05:00Christmas Eve Day<p> There will be no "moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow" this year, although we are on the verge of a full moon, there's no reflective snow happening. I don't love a green Christmas, but last year we were dumped on, roads were closed, and daughter and boyfriend got their car stuck on their way to our house. Feast or famine.</p><p>Our gathering this past Saturday was lovely. Here are some highlights:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPW1NfUX9W6WuwrqHqJ3JqYdIeT7wmI6rX97_zk9fQkPV8FkS5x2Vz-FMDXVBc5UzeK6d1VdVUnc5QnJEt8dzymi0Wh63qWq-oa75HfuSAarMRyWH80cZA4q93QjgkPs6px5vCH2kBEMjCRgsZS7FyKc5aTWqhs3Rjj3ibyXw-OaNGFSKB-4hGo8ECnm4/s4032/IMG_6955%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPW1NfUX9W6WuwrqHqJ3JqYdIeT7wmI6rX97_zk9fQkPV8FkS5x2Vz-FMDXVBc5UzeK6d1VdVUnc5QnJEt8dzymi0Wh63qWq-oa75HfuSAarMRyWH80cZA4q93QjgkPs6px5vCH2kBEMjCRgsZS7FyKc5aTWqhs3Rjj3ibyXw-OaNGFSKB-4hGo8ECnm4/w480-h640/IMG_6955%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Before some gift opening... Murph in his allocated spot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjJFd8tbgnespWF3camtX-WxCNse-vEiVX4Nt20LTZyEHqByP7yKNL74Mj2QH9oEmlnDNKrH_ACrqPiwHsw8de7-P4t-myurOKKhB9QEckuhhmCD7XZmy4jTlbn6FYw3YZtXnl01kiGKKtnHBdcOeq4E4a1LjLJsJKjUQx-1G27xNpB-ric-BFKRCKF0/s4032/IMG_6973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjJFd8tbgnespWF3camtX-WxCNse-vEiVX4Nt20LTZyEHqByP7yKNL74Mj2QH9oEmlnDNKrH_ACrqPiwHsw8de7-P4t-myurOKKhB9QEckuhhmCD7XZmy4jTlbn6FYw3YZtXnl01kiGKKtnHBdcOeq4E4a1LjLJsJKjUQx-1G27xNpB-ric-BFKRCKF0/w480-h640/IMG_6973.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I can cook a turkey, but lord I hate carving. I'm more of a rip it apart and hope for the best kind of chef, so I put husband to the task and told him he gets to use a tool, so that made it more appealing. He's getting ready to attack the bird with an electric knife in that picture whilst I am still scooping stuffing from it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwovvo3oF1ZJTbUh26F-akhqaGZPLa65OsFY-QZfBrNSXzcbfXf-OW59LrBIenAU-smUnfsv7FkCtBLtJsjqw-OQiW1wgpZGlJ_DYi7GuK_z1W5pemx2b0mCemiMxFeEnmCUPw4-AI5CsFKTmrgXFLHUnVBlqdkHthgEJGx_JSskB7Hy4PvaguDsRTF44/s3088/IMG_7989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwovvo3oF1ZJTbUh26F-akhqaGZPLa65OsFY-QZfBrNSXzcbfXf-OW59LrBIenAU-smUnfsv7FkCtBLtJsjqw-OQiW1wgpZGlJ_DYi7GuK_z1W5pemx2b0mCemiMxFeEnmCUPw4-AI5CsFKTmrgXFLHUnVBlqdkHthgEJGx_JSskB7Hy4PvaguDsRTF44/w640-h480/IMG_7989.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Here we all are during the dishing out of the dinner. Daughter offered to do the selfie - only those under thirty are any good at it, I think. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL3sqbZGPlFh_5NOKA4Qq1O6r7HGBAjd2X865m0XP2f62FY2rBDvllTEyRmz2wNZUiY4ngpBCZN6Rn-Uye4ticmQ1uVA44e5ClAW1zZX50_yian320fcXcz-YWS-UiVC4jliqvkYhMJ1Rijrn6vm422iXKWPQzho9478uvtbEZ0rMv9VPOqSibA0jC0I/s4032/IMG_7004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSL3sqbZGPlFh_5NOKA4Qq1O6r7HGBAjd2X865m0XP2f62FY2rBDvllTEyRmz2wNZUiY4ngpBCZN6Rn-Uye4ticmQ1uVA44e5ClAW1zZX50_yian320fcXcz-YWS-UiVC4jliqvkYhMJ1Rijrn6vm422iXKWPQzho9478uvtbEZ0rMv9VPOqSibA0jC0I/w640-h480/IMG_7004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>After supper, son decided to rate all of his nutcrackers (he's gotten one each year since he was a wee little fellow) in order from best to least favourite. Daughter helped him.</p><p><br /></p><p>Today, husband will get his mother from the nursing home. We will have an earlier supper (it is a big ham) because she gets a bit antsy if she's not "back home" by a certain time. We will open some gifts with her. Then after she is returned back, son, husband and I are going to open the rest of our presents in the evening with the nice light of the tree and other decor and it will be all cozy and merry. This is a tradition that we did a bit of in my own home when I got a little older. It might be a bit of a German thing, I don't know, but it was always nice at night. </p><p>Tomorrow, Christmas day, we drive to my second oldest brother's house and celebrate again. No storms to navigate through, so easy driving.</p><p>And on a decidedly different note, I finally chose to go to emerg. at the little local hospital (that is only open until 5:00 p.m., so plan your emergency...), as I can't get into my own doctor for three weeks and the cough is driving me batty, straining my sternum and I wanted to make sure it wasn't heading in the direction of pneumonia. As I sat in the examination room when the lovely doctor on call was writing me a prescription for an inhaler, I saw this: (I asked if I could take a picture)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJDt5Lt4sxikLSy1vF025dw35oHEIpjDBuiI_kl00sWCmDHS9lPnXXkRRPZb2PieR_0EqWCmPhN4h9VBrRUioKwY8OHxq2NOW3zC4K-gsrCZ2wMm9l4he6pk-op-eYYwXwPaNPkQDUkX_UBmYJtPYqvaz5g2q6OPVkoGl3OiZF03EiZUA7fPdmvXWOYU/s1811/IMG_8040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1811" data-original-width="1358" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJDt5Lt4sxikLSy1vF025dw35oHEIpjDBuiI_kl00sWCmDHS9lPnXXkRRPZb2PieR_0EqWCmPhN4h9VBrRUioKwY8OHxq2NOW3zC4K-gsrCZ2wMm9l4he6pk-op-eYYwXwPaNPkQDUkX_UBmYJtPYqvaz5g2q6OPVkoGl3OiZF03EiZUA7fPdmvXWOYU/w480-h640/IMG_8040.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Someone with a good sense of humour attached large googly eyes to the poster on the wall. The doctor didn't even know they were there. Perfect. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-56714248909613035242023-12-19T09:26:00.002-05:002023-12-19T09:26:39.059-05:00Dec. 19, 2023<p> It's one of those contemplative, calm, quiet mornings. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3bxZyD9mBVjyWdLnsd1dn74Izw98bVt2NU1iluwFiJs0ADLQ6Ed_wXzDXSxfuFM_mAW92ouDfIG_1rD5IFyYGgsIDcRp74wKMhO2mWAJ4OBiPR0QAyowEGnZ9cPKedMZiocfOkFkyJO0fNO1qSOL_wclBwVcrzvAkiLis3SZnRRGjK60FkzPPXWiYeY/s4032/IMG_8031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3bxZyD9mBVjyWdLnsd1dn74Izw98bVt2NU1iluwFiJs0ADLQ6Ed_wXzDXSxfuFM_mAW92ouDfIG_1rD5IFyYGgsIDcRp74wKMhO2mWAJ4OBiPR0QAyowEGnZ9cPKedMZiocfOkFkyJO0fNO1qSOL_wclBwVcrzvAkiLis3SZnRRGjK60FkzPPXWiYeY/w640-h480/IMG_8031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As you can see from the Santa "calendar", it is December the 19th and if you look beyond, out the kitchen window above the sink, we got a little snow yesterday. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6JK6f3FV0epKrTbDTQ8dmw6C4C7MjP76R6jwblXqixqj_4xc-JvkUgwOzgBptGMuUlGdpHchvRqvwOWxTxfNPSzaSjx8TD75_6FKLvRqah37oIvR3x1-cqyDYFPQHBCtyVSDu-wCqgAxgGd-1kaebnDEej7WGBp97bfx8Hf_ByzjbHMgK_V20U98E-s/s4032/IMG_8034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6JK6f3FV0epKrTbDTQ8dmw6C4C7MjP76R6jwblXqixqj_4xc-JvkUgwOzgBptGMuUlGdpHchvRqvwOWxTxfNPSzaSjx8TD75_6FKLvRqah37oIvR3x1-cqyDYFPQHBCtyVSDu-wCqgAxgGd-1kaebnDEej7WGBp97bfx8Hf_ByzjbHMgK_V20U98E-s/w640-h480/IMG_8034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>There is the official measurement of snow. Not much, and will likely be gone in a day or so, according to the forecast, but it helps to keep it feeling "Christmasy".</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGSwwQFjRq9L4rkoi_uhvQqmRL-9F1YliQlPOmEGw5cYCZbiqJaTOeN8lRT8CoLk53vrgh9T-FHNSooQYbMxabddFFGBtYWetLLpVk7exZsj30LpBkBGaiBI8QK20aH8dy5r0nGI1aOrh_vIU9yqYyoUWRWIrpx-8tKgFlmA1qMj0mHa4KAvFO0uQMn4/s4032/IMG_8030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGSwwQFjRq9L4rkoi_uhvQqmRL-9F1YliQlPOmEGw5cYCZbiqJaTOeN8lRT8CoLk53vrgh9T-FHNSooQYbMxabddFFGBtYWetLLpVk7exZsj30LpBkBGaiBI8QK20aH8dy5r0nGI1aOrh_vIU9yqYyoUWRWIrpx-8tKgFlmA1qMj0mHa4KAvFO0uQMn4/w480-h640/IMG_8030.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm having my "Melozio" coffee (Nespresso) this morning. Usually I just have instant coffee, but I felt like a little something special, so this is using the coffee maker the kids got us a couple of years ago, with cream. It's sitting beside the old computer screen in the corner of the kitchen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnIW9P4PaZr5JaxZeD3kTrs57yQfLqYYqlp9eC9Sb7Lik_-eTqyEh5sTUmHpiLIQ-k6J-43HixJWc4sGKR3bmuPM52l0F-1z5O_N95GvoTJPavu67Q2Skn4gxTgiiO8nmH5_HhKDEU5XJJYBbiIYJsP5sKIJdGM8m_GO6l2I25HkA68b429qM5NAAuj4/s4032/IMG_8032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnIW9P4PaZr5JaxZeD3kTrs57yQfLqYYqlp9eC9Sb7Lik_-eTqyEh5sTUmHpiLIQ-k6J-43HixJWc4sGKR3bmuPM52l0F-1z5O_N95GvoTJPavu67Q2Skn4gxTgiiO8nmH5_HhKDEU5XJJYBbiIYJsP5sKIJdGM8m_GO6l2I25HkA68b429qM5NAAuj4/w480-h640/IMG_8032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Murphy is having a drink of water after breakfast.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKyOWCnsfjKrpbnqB5sz5wrwMBiKi8PZCbk40rTO7QmUQngb3BRlLdIqd0a5gjxMMw0JKnxq-ITextRDdPNjijaWjFg4jLe9SwVwD-tp-6Hb6J4JfugDrbtKuIjURXeGNAEF6scOHwX7BNtl-64xGzndf992LnpSsgFb1NrmoNjCFy0RJkZj-J51JVMw/s4032/IMG_8033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKyOWCnsfjKrpbnqB5sz5wrwMBiKi8PZCbk40rTO7QmUQngb3BRlLdIqd0a5gjxMMw0JKnxq-ITextRDdPNjijaWjFg4jLe9SwVwD-tp-6Hb6J4JfugDrbtKuIjURXeGNAEF6scOHwX7BNtl-64xGzndf992LnpSsgFb1NrmoNjCFy0RJkZj-J51JVMw/w640-h480/IMG_8033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Scooter is grooming, waiting for Murph to get out of the way. Life is tough when you are fluffy. </p><p><br /></p><p>I still have to get dressed out of my pajamas and robe and go out and turn on the light in the chicken coop and add food to their feeder. The sander just came down our road. We are on a dead end road in our little village and every year the snow removal equipment rips the grass apart on the edges of the road and digs great caverns into the road itself. We are on a tiny bit of a rise and I guess it's just too tough to raise the blade a bit. But what do I know, I've never driven a salter, sander, or plough. </p><p>I'm in that odd funk whereby you prepare, prepare, prepare and anticipate and then it's over and you don't know what to do, as we had our gathering two days ago (our immediate family) because daughter and fiance leave this Friday to the Great White North. It was a fantastic day, however, with good food, laughter, two Christmas movies, and a game. So now I wait until our little gathering on Christmas Eve day where we will have my mother-in-law with husband and son and I for a smaller dinner, I'm thinking ham, and we will give her some presents and take her back to her nursing home. Dementia is getting rougher on her. I'm not sure how this will go... Then on Christmas Day, we drive a couple of hours to a city where we are gathering at my brother and sister-in-law's home for my side of the family's get together. </p><p>This is where I get a bit maudlin - last year was SO traumatic with my cancer diagnosis and various treatments and my sister being in ICU and us driving like a bat out of hell to get to her bedside, being told that "this was it". In fact, it was a year ago on the 16th that it happened for her. A very different Christmas. She did recover with all the bumps and delays from being in an induced coma and being hooked up to so many machines. It took way too many weeks to finally discover that she was deathly allergic to ibuprofen and that's why her body went into shock / sepsis. I, of course, recovered and got the all clear from the doctor and go on with my forever changed life, taking drugs which will assist me in not getting cancer again and being reminded to live my life fully whenever I turn down an opportunity, or think I shouldn't splurge on the "good stuff", or feel guilty for spending an afternoon reading instead of doing something productive. </p><p>So, this year we have lots to be thankful for, lots of looking back and being glad that's over with. Ironically, both sister and brother have had leg surgery this month (or very end of November for sister, I believe), so they will be the hobbling siblings at Christmas. I must be very careful in my clumsiness and not bump into either one of them! But they will recover in the weeks to come and will have, eventually, less pain and new mobility and will also have a "new lease on life". I have two older brothers and my older sister and I am glad that we can all get together and that it will be something to look forward to. We've not always seen eye to eye and gotten along perfectly over the years, but time mellows things and relationships change and sometimes hardships bring people closer together (and sometimes not). There will be some cousins, but not all, as some live quite far away now. Everyone has two children in my family, my two brothers, my sister and myself. </p><p>I am rambling on, aren't I? It's time to wrap this up and start reading your blogs and seeing what's happening in your lives... </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-55808267149057033432023-12-13T09:38:00.001-05:002023-12-13T09:38:57.328-05:00Cookies - December 13, 2023<p> This Saturday, we will be having our "Christmas" dinner and some present exchange with just our immediate family, as two of them will be elsewhere in the province on the actual Christmas day. For that reason, I baked early and purchased early. On Monday night, we all gathered round to do what is now our annual decorating of gingerbread and sugar cookies. </p><p>We are a funny, sarcastic, and traditional bunch, so when we do our cookie decorating, we see what we can create out of the traditional shapes of trees, bells, ornaments, holly, stars, candy canes. I am super prepared (ha!) with all of my technical decorating tools, those being little zip lock bags of coloured icing with the tip of the bag cut off, so you can "pipe" the icing, some sprinkles, and toothpicks for precision. I must say that this year's icing was superior to other years, so I have Tiktok and my daughter to thank for that. I also realized I am now out of green food colouring, so we had to make our own.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AVT137iWYmYL0QVVSq594TM9wibzneZSLv_EU71u_v223rEbvK8Wt0MXmS0TvsIHcvEYYvxrdRc-0qQgwO8eQ67D883-VjhvS96vZhwLj_hON6SqFqz6_cxt_E3dRSW0yUl8Ujg89JmQBsKih8GE54kYRt-b_cZnU9UI8lZiMPUVIGC5ur0F75hD0ck/s4032/IMG_7961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AVT137iWYmYL0QVVSq594TM9wibzneZSLv_EU71u_v223rEbvK8Wt0MXmS0TvsIHcvEYYvxrdRc-0qQgwO8eQ67D883-VjhvS96vZhwLj_hON6SqFqz6_cxt_E3dRSW0yUl8Ujg89JmQBsKih8GE54kYRt-b_cZnU9UI8lZiMPUVIGC5ur0F75hD0ck/w640-h480/IMG_7961.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>From the left is son, "soon"-to-be son-in-law, and daughter. They are all looking very dedicated to the task at hand. Christmas village is in the background (I went with three levels this year, and no Lego figures).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ymUB3K1FkpFNfVdBqKyBrEwINOyf0S1eKEKcVw0Y29RD5cVsu_Yc8ZCd8Ejb5cosU0H5reqAT1-Nxxa10QOqADBDjC22_v7lSFf-d2Mm2qV5zBVHpWNFSrl8zU9g0CztJ_gZCv1O4UIewR2eY7KCdblcvvMLc54wSlj6F9E4tcG9Rs1LSR47mCK0LM/s4032/IMG_7962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_ymUB3K1FkpFNfVdBqKyBrEwINOyf0S1eKEKcVw0Y29RD5cVsu_Yc8ZCd8Ejb5cosU0H5reqAT1-Nxxa10QOqADBDjC22_v7lSFf-d2Mm2qV5zBVHpWNFSrl8zU9g0CztJ_gZCv1O4UIewR2eY7KCdblcvvMLc54wSlj6F9E4tcG9Rs1LSR47mCK0LM/w640-h480/IMG_7962.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Catching husband in the act of eating one of the "allowed" cookies. I made other cookies for eating to preserve the ones we were currently working on. We had rum and eggnog whilst decorating.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-WPFKS5N08fP1LfdDBtqDzz-NwOUQtDhF4EfQwjH1JT-t2RWv8AxtmjHzFzlOfW9-kYIIbui3U5yCDQea6b5e05LYVtUzk8Nv4Ss9BNVhOfRCm8piAE4ouLzGsJqqhkxnpYBWZ55cW4Xg9XdcfgDWPtMKxflTcg5ei4j5zfRPm7MvsO3gtZz-ruoywE/s4032/IMG_7967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF-WPFKS5N08fP1LfdDBtqDzz-NwOUQtDhF4EfQwjH1JT-t2RWv8AxtmjHzFzlOfW9-kYIIbui3U5yCDQea6b5e05LYVtUzk8Nv4Ss9BNVhOfRCm8piAE4ouLzGsJqqhkxnpYBWZ55cW4Xg9XdcfgDWPtMKxflTcg5ei4j5zfRPm7MvsO3gtZz-ruoywE/w640-h480/IMG_7967.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Most of the gang. Phones were used for images to copy on the cookies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2wcdcchoKQ6vmwhDaaXGZMHbxNbHup23zvGTTp128q7_6TsW9GZ_OOWYv7QhHJoEaCLYLBTibQSmVzQ8d8X3PgVyu41zGlqkNqGXnnqyptG7CrZX5aqeXV25-F6tSZNW19NgIIXB0CxhxfjXI_EPUqknGcpmh-TjQH5bP4ZSacCnND7pbZNwxuJo0w/s4032/IMG_7970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMy2wcdcchoKQ6vmwhDaaXGZMHbxNbHup23zvGTTp128q7_6TsW9GZ_OOWYv7QhHJoEaCLYLBTibQSmVzQ8d8X3PgVyu41zGlqkNqGXnnqyptG7CrZX5aqeXV25-F6tSZNW19NgIIXB0CxhxfjXI_EPUqknGcpmh-TjQH5bP4ZSacCnND7pbZNwxuJo0w/w640-h480/IMG_7970.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As you can see, some cookies are traditional (stars, trees, present, ornament) and others are interpretive (snake, cat, skeleton, whatever that swirly white and green thing is...).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NfhdXNq9CsPWfrbiZS6CU0cDfYU6p6scsoM6KmVW1YLHfpzPH0auTeyJsoIdlv9KPxRwQNGTteQ872JmquKC1e6Wak8oAFf3GUNojXLHm24nK-6J2noNsyGlqjrihXlsVHQ_CxLiBXcZ7zix2Q-pawYVbColQ4NrzIHmRTQ2KPAP16xlaw8QlPqxQEs/s4032/IMG_7972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NfhdXNq9CsPWfrbiZS6CU0cDfYU6p6scsoM6KmVW1YLHfpzPH0auTeyJsoIdlv9KPxRwQNGTteQ872JmquKC1e6Wak8oAFf3GUNojXLHm24nK-6J2noNsyGlqjrihXlsVHQ_CxLiBXcZ7zix2Q-pawYVbColQ4NrzIHmRTQ2KPAP16xlaw8QlPqxQEs/w640-h480/IMG_7972.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Cookie Monster is featured in the lower left (all the while, son complaining that we should have black icing), the Leg Lamp (minus the benefit of yellow icing) , and others. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEaK7fT0Sr0mhEfG3P6RNtSYN7_H_KFZVe4_K6ebA9r-k8wM_BPhW354INjYxNY8evkjyMihKTNhKqij4auLW94go2g7MxQjiuifBnPazhCnMXk6PXYwh2TN_tN0-cryp8syzAeo-GUo-Y7x6HZqr0XfeiYTR_imuP6szjQD1pVUiEGbv2Y-IXzfcaKY/s4032/IMG_7973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEaK7fT0Sr0mhEfG3P6RNtSYN7_H_KFZVe4_K6ebA9r-k8wM_BPhW354INjYxNY8evkjyMihKTNhKqij4auLW94go2g7MxQjiuifBnPazhCnMXk6PXYwh2TN_tN0-cryp8syzAeo-GUo-Y7x6HZqr0XfeiYTR_imuP6szjQD1pVUiEGbv2Y-IXzfcaKY/w640-h480/IMG_7973.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Things got a bit political, as some Canadians might recognize some symbols. I won't reveal which ones were celebrated and which ones were scoffed at. As well, please note the Canadian Tire symbol! The gnome cookie is an ode to daughter who despises all the gnome products out there ("friggin' gnomes"). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J9fet6hrRmEzAhI2kEc-Mdfr0wWa5MCV9JS2EG1qdwC8H_8O2jlOGYkhPMxQty4Ao3CbX7QI-7i4DfnLlofcFVYBn1QTKnAmL-zEOm3mCfPYCfm50YoKuzGHXZBoxiqt7oEsNMs3ECMYmydfQqVK7DhNqvJY1CxDM2cXN5vp4KcQHF704r0ZNqRdfp4/s4032/IMG_7971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J9fet6hrRmEzAhI2kEc-Mdfr0wWa5MCV9JS2EG1qdwC8H_8O2jlOGYkhPMxQty4Ao3CbX7QI-7i4DfnLlofcFVYBn1QTKnAmL-zEOm3mCfPYCfm50YoKuzGHXZBoxiqt7oEsNMs3ECMYmydfQqVK7DhNqvJY1CxDM2cXN5vp4KcQHF704r0ZNqRdfp4/w480-h640/IMG_7971.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Compliments to daughter who took things seriously at the end and created this beauty (there was another one in white and red). I told her it could be a side hustle if the need ever arose. </p><p>The cookies were laid out to set and dry and are now safely packed away in the freezer for future eating. I really love these family times and am very fortunate to have my adult kids close by, as not everyone has this. I get a bit maudlin at this time of year and hope that in the future such traditions will continue within their own families and they will reminisce fondly. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-38867362755032926732023-12-07T21:18:00.000-05:002023-12-07T21:18:31.229-05:00Remembering my Mom and Chow Mein Noodle Cookies<p> I completed decorating the house early this evening. I let husband know that we can probably stop buying me Christmas decor as I didn't even put out everything that is stored in "the twelve boxes of Christmas". However, there are many treasured, special items that I will always put out, that have some kind of memory or meaning. One item is this silly little music box.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpQq0NlfRWJ_6doi6kx2__705vN_ORC-nEiBhp2ozyb-G4yVz9pn6cjvn_VVVtoC6rlWiGN4M0XJl8ZT5wYHGFlum7y1J21xbPG_ABysmGt5dhcbovxbx40n-MnF00zqvSFtr5wojbW3CAI_cMnEiXJu0bq89zJ4Qpnsm2FEPMWeCMo_C24rBe6TIhN0/s4032/IMG_7959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpQq0NlfRWJ_6doi6kx2__705vN_ORC-nEiBhp2ozyb-G4yVz9pn6cjvn_VVVtoC6rlWiGN4M0XJl8ZT5wYHGFlum7y1J21xbPG_ABysmGt5dhcbovxbx40n-MnF00zqvSFtr5wojbW3CAI_cMnEiXJu0bq89zJ4Qpnsm2FEPMWeCMo_C24rBe6TIhN0/w480-h640/IMG_7959.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>It has a wind up mechanism on the underside and it plays the tune of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas". It uses magnets I believe so that the two little mice spin on top of the "ice". One tree along the side has a broken off top. One of the mice, or I think it was a mouse, maybe it was a bunny, no longer has any ears.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxde9lGW2qtGJ64C5z6YtfS5P1fZuBhUncSA5pdRJo1_Mi0NcMDs9O-kuvJdVbvanPhlD4-SxSRrPgRmJObaGjr-lwqi2hwWToW8xWYZoJkhoiO9x8eLr1c8P6GuAX8evVkiPJSgAUvddc5z0Y2bRUuNHzGiQM5MpL6gW8D7cGWhtuumzTg33v8QXSdLY/s4032/IMG_7960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxde9lGW2qtGJ64C5z6YtfS5P1fZuBhUncSA5pdRJo1_Mi0NcMDs9O-kuvJdVbvanPhlD4-SxSRrPgRmJObaGjr-lwqi2hwWToW8xWYZoJkhoiO9x8eLr1c8P6GuAX8evVkiPJSgAUvddc5z0Y2bRUuNHzGiQM5MpL6gW8D7cGWhtuumzTg33v8QXSdLY/w480-h640/IMG_7960.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>My mother went through some years where she would buy all of us "kids" (most of us adults by then) the same item. One year it was wooden Santas, another year it was a lovely resin Santa figure sitting in a chair in his slippers with a list in his hand and a cat on his lap (which always made me think of my father, who often had a cat on his lap), and one year it was this music box. We all got one. I don't know if my siblings still have theirs, but our two kids used to love to wind it up and watch the mice spin around. It was simple and sweet and when I wound it up today, I got a little choked up. Mom's been gone many years now, but she would have liked to know that I still put it out for the family to see.</p><p>Another thing I do at Christmas is make some of the goodies and treats that she used to make. One of those is chow mein noodle cookies. Our son called them spider cookies, because they kind of resemble a multi-legged creature, so we have renamed them spider cookies. The hardest thing about making them is finding the chow mein noodle cookies in the store.</p><p>Ingredients: 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips</p><p> 2 cups of butterscotch chips</p><p> 1 package of chow mein noodle cookies (mine was 170 grams)</p><p> aprx. 1 cup of salted peanuts</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxHxt9yKJxweymfJghc2Z8nVICz-ncBSQnFDHXcVsK_fgtzqkZzuf2KL_SdT62x_hRIoFWUwAIdL8RCvygOyeoHyuepZ0j5ONSLyvK524nzFLdH8rk73OPsBzIULc8u4JmRPaFfMbmh795iEJ74ANwrc-q7Ax1roeR_TJ8LYrJmb7qt93pnUZ3NXUT1I/s4032/IMG_7954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxHxt9yKJxweymfJghc2Z8nVICz-ncBSQnFDHXcVsK_fgtzqkZzuf2KL_SdT62x_hRIoFWUwAIdL8RCvygOyeoHyuepZ0j5ONSLyvK524nzFLdH8rk73OPsBzIULc8u4JmRPaFfMbmh795iEJ74ANwrc-q7Ax1roeR_TJ8LYrJmb7qt93pnUZ3NXUT1I/w480-h640/IMG_7954.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Melt the chips over a double boiler, or cautiously, in small increments in the microwave.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqcht-guopHA0xYRSCjq3kRrHre08R5Qv_TiJYhLyR6LfFvJr4mHeEsAUcTx5FgNGAA3lKlHZm7NKI9qmMNjcw_CpGViSsOv2U3HZdPIue8yW6rX4S4xet_u9MgOzFA1mRgxiyk0QHI7g20AXDumpCk5oRQDzSVeU-BWbdqd1zkqdx-Kd8ngYHHwMaBg/s4032/IMG_7955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqcht-guopHA0xYRSCjq3kRrHre08R5Qv_TiJYhLyR6LfFvJr4mHeEsAUcTx5FgNGAA3lKlHZm7NKI9qmMNjcw_CpGViSsOv2U3HZdPIue8yW6rX4S4xet_u9MgOzFA1mRgxiyk0QHI7g20AXDumpCk5oRQDzSVeU-BWbdqd1zkqdx-Kd8ngYHHwMaBg/w640-h480/IMG_7955.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I like to snap some of the noodles in my hands so they are not all a long length. Once the chocolate and butterscotch chips are melted, add your dry noodles and peanuts. I honestly just dump peanuts in until it looks like there are enough. Maybe it's a cup, maybe it's more or less.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2oAmpsgukh5OVZlcAuLYS7pUehy1hB4w7cKW2j2p94u8xdI6H9EesXkb_MaO1-uFNyoSBJacZZUTl8I-L5G-pTn-f7TglbDV1E1xJ-pBoHEvwAdyPcBM8Tb5HlQ_TXvf4YGR_hvfFP4uO7i9rGIrk2QfC7fvYvZ8dUqGUjYy57ZUYTkPMNBUzL2MVQ0/s4032/IMG_7956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2oAmpsgukh5OVZlcAuLYS7pUehy1hB4w7cKW2j2p94u8xdI6H9EesXkb_MaO1-uFNyoSBJacZZUTl8I-L5G-pTn-f7TglbDV1E1xJ-pBoHEvwAdyPcBM8Tb5HlQ_TXvf4YGR_hvfFP4uO7i9rGIrk2QfC7fvYvZ8dUqGUjYy57ZUYTkPMNBUzL2MVQ0/w480-h640/IMG_7956.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Try to really stir the contents well so that everything gets coated. Don't worry if you snap more noodles while you do it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusdDArJbdNSwsKZW69d7OXBqJ6GFbTrDfAs_yJNQbsrOjUtPFHVTDDncRMdluCCwvkkkLBY3VyU_NyKp2gRVy62dIa99vNgKAvGO0_hvTuWrryRufBTJZ1HTwN8787JGqu3HWrNwPC4ly737zeAFTcrmgjdYt_bu9ae0Uzlts5E2XC6M-yYDpiRLlC_M/s4032/IMG_7957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusdDArJbdNSwsKZW69d7OXBqJ6GFbTrDfAs_yJNQbsrOjUtPFHVTDDncRMdluCCwvkkkLBY3VyU_NyKp2gRVy62dIa99vNgKAvGO0_hvTuWrryRufBTJZ1HTwN8787JGqu3HWrNwPC4ly737zeAFTcrmgjdYt_bu9ae0Uzlts5E2XC6M-yYDpiRLlC_M/w640-h480/IMG_7957.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Using two spoons, drop clumps onto waxed paper. I ended up with three cookie sheets full. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0l8hJhlqqPlcqGSUc5j61ZhIUQaSeJhbNgVLymqpUa75dT4pv4WSbitRglxqkAu7nhIezTFYe1cy8rILg4NsA1b880hUOZNk9TUeigrWWTr17TK01WeJwJluBoOycXq7kHext6cvFH1W77xZP2d8N28rfQONLlBTgJ1-kS7enORYfO9VzVX1wlcWm9o/s4032/IMG_7958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0l8hJhlqqPlcqGSUc5j61ZhIUQaSeJhbNgVLymqpUa75dT4pv4WSbitRglxqkAu7nhIezTFYe1cy8rILg4NsA1b880hUOZNk9TUeigrWWTr17TK01WeJwJluBoOycXq7kHext6cvFH1W77xZP2d8N28rfQONLlBTgJ1-kS7enORYfO9VzVX1wlcWm9o/w480-h640/IMG_7958.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Here is a close up of these weird and wonderful treats. Put them in the refrigerator to cool and set up and store in an airtight container until you wish to put them out at a Christmas gathering (I keep mine in the fridge). They will be fine at room temperature later. </p><p>My mom also made short bread that she put through a cookie press, funny little sugar cookies that were wrapped around a red maraschino cherry, rolled in sugar, and baked, and Hello Dollies which were squares with a graham cracker base, chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and coconut. They may be called something else where you are from.</p><p>I like keeping some of the traditions alive, and adding new ones, or ones borrowed from my husband's family. Stockings for instance, were not part of my childhood at all, but his family always did stockings, so we started them with ours. Do you make any Christmas treats that you mothers made? </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-10413606419678160802023-11-29T21:58:00.002-05:002023-11-29T21:58:44.922-05:00Supervisor sleeping on the job<p> This is the absolute earliest we have ever put up a Christmas tree. It was son, husband, and myself trimming the tree with Christmas music in the background (complete with the Muppet’s Twelve Days of Christmas, and Bob and Doug Mackenzie’s version as well). Murphy made sure to sprawl out in any space where we needed to go but he was a good boy and didn’t attack any ornaments ( yet). </p><p>Here is the final outcome, but I still need to vacuum and put the tree skirt around the bottom. As you can see, my progress is somewhat hampered by a very tired supervisor. I can always vacuum tomorrow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujr76M5M4luab9CeqZV6VTgbgM5FfXx5DS-pPwA0YYcLDMcVBKP1iFIW01HW5jyv6xyGdpIRvStw_-uWpzwERw6Y0a0v_ESNKbdOtiouVcFyYs_R6mahj5_aKIkz162eUdPR1to7qL_63eJFPKgeG353U2okD7ezrC03EpGS9ZQDbmWYlBF7kBFD3OYg/s4032/IMG_7943.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujr76M5M4luab9CeqZV6VTgbgM5FfXx5DS-pPwA0YYcLDMcVBKP1iFIW01HW5jyv6xyGdpIRvStw_-uWpzwERw6Y0a0v_ESNKbdOtiouVcFyYs_R6mahj5_aKIkz162eUdPR1to7qL_63eJFPKgeG353U2okD7ezrC03EpGS9ZQDbmWYlBF7kBFD3OYg/w480-h640/IMG_7943.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLi5mNbCTyqpmAEHVvXs88DMcQ5KFolpMpXqDl7_rQeMZcax3JsH1yoMztdFxQIx3IvS-lGilwMBFeiyTZ42BF8SwcbBH0X9OE4ThH0ZZspdVxWvC2pLEaD29fRYoAZoeAh7b7ZSlM3TN0ks_l2eZtXZGP35tKYKbZZxj_419amhwdLBmyVnZX-nfdyk/s4032/IMG_7944.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLi5mNbCTyqpmAEHVvXs88DMcQ5KFolpMpXqDl7_rQeMZcax3JsH1yoMztdFxQIx3IvS-lGilwMBFeiyTZ42BF8SwcbBH0X9OE4ThH0ZZspdVxWvC2pLEaD29fRYoAZoeAh7b7ZSlM3TN0ks_l2eZtXZGP35tKYKbZZxj_419amhwdLBmyVnZX-nfdyk/w640-h480/IMG_7944.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-85269943509906971002023-11-28T08:12:00.007-05:002023-11-28T08:28:23.532-05:00Snow Day / Work Day<p> I was scheduled to work this afternoon in a town about 15 minutes away. We have snow squalls in the forecast and this is what it looks like this morning from my porch. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91A6oMr1rSoCLEZ58Vi0tjEwBn2GBefwd6avert9DeAEzWDcDXaOMyqgSvAkWgSKM-5L9MedZPvaaKa_LBCIdjcijvrK6IXpecJH1sEfSZ99Bafcj7mfYNrVTZgFv3aD3A4ktMnta0bl-se8yBQJu_bNukzvhwQTc86LvbqKZAq38ovIxQ7TIFryHBv0/s4032/IMG_7927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91A6oMr1rSoCLEZ58Vi0tjEwBn2GBefwd6avert9DeAEzWDcDXaOMyqgSvAkWgSKM-5L9MedZPvaaKa_LBCIdjcijvrK6IXpecJH1sEfSZ99Bafcj7mfYNrVTZgFv3aD3A4ktMnta0bl-se8yBQJu_bNukzvhwQTc86LvbqKZAq38ovIxQ7TIFryHBv0/w640-h480/IMG_7927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Pretty isn't it? I got a voicemail from the VP at that same school wondering if I could come in the whole day. On snow days, here, it just means that the buses are cancelled, but a ton of kids still show up at school. Parents bring them in. Even the parents who do not have gainful employment. I let the VP know that I would likely give it a go but couldn't promise I would be there right at 9:00 on the dot. She was fine with any time that I could make it. I think I'll be fine, I'll just chug along carefully. I'm not sure if the roads have been sufficiently cleared yet, (I can't tell from my house) but this is nothing new. It's also about visibility if it really starts to blow. Ahhhh, here we go. </p><p><b>Edited to add: </b> Oh well, the whole thing has been cancelled. She got enough people to come in and the meeting that took the teacher out this afternoon (for whom I was supplied to be filling in) was cancelled. It might be a good day to start Christmas decorating, or baking. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-66806373730870338782023-11-27T09:04:00.001-05:002023-11-27T09:04:03.893-05:00Early Tree<p> When I was out picking up a few things, one of them being a bag of chicken feed at the local "co-op", I thought I should check the prices of Christmas trees. There was one year when we waited too long to get a tree and everywhere was completely sold out. Of course, I am talking about real trees, usually spruce or balsam. Well, the price of everything has gone up and I just about died when I saw the prices - $79, $90, and up! </p><p>So, we did a search online and found a couple of places to cut your own tree. We have NEVER gotten a Christmas tree in the month of November, ever. But, with daughter and future son-in-law not being around for actual Christmas and our mini-pre-Christmas scheduled for December 16, I've been thinking of the holiday in advance. Our son has a big truck, so off we all went to the first place. Unfortunately, the trees were spindly and hadn't really been trimmed properly over the years. We left without a tree. Then we drove further to the second location. These people knew how to do things! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IV3vd48LhYUVLi1DWwVf_f3zi4cyXKq1nofzQWSeFu8vXJvjN9rf1cht02iFlmXx7iROM_mMKY1cXE9rrDcx-29twwKZbMLs-NuszKRYfMfTa9v2KlY9zL9MuQMCb4X72KIHICCXjbkao8cQKK8XyFYO6fFcJv583_6iT1KRtI7OITO13NfG-XyGv6k/s4032/IMG_7917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IV3vd48LhYUVLi1DWwVf_f3zi4cyXKq1nofzQWSeFu8vXJvjN9rf1cht02iFlmXx7iROM_mMKY1cXE9rrDcx-29twwKZbMLs-NuszKRYfMfTa9v2KlY9zL9MuQMCb4X72KIHICCXjbkao8cQKK8XyFYO6fFcJv583_6iT1KRtI7OITO13NfG-XyGv6k/w640-h480/IMG_7917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>That's husband walking through the many, many lovely fat trees. Every tree was $60 regardless of the size. There were so many more that I just didn't get a picture of. Look at that beautiful ridge in the distance. It was a stunning property.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB9NvSwkpXEmC7o1BV2PDNvl-oQFmMcYg9rINtmzNCdWo30jwh0v2-TrtbpSZ9myorqd-utIRyWR-wpEJVx5AwV57xVd2xRxcw6B2NFhj1wlamwBYiJr2WGtjUejCPnN2S8mE1PVlLRsh5Tsuc60IDEeXj5NRSYIpsGiKrUCWA8FmaMCim3hOJ2FVDo0/s4032/IMG_7920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB9NvSwkpXEmC7o1BV2PDNvl-oQFmMcYg9rINtmzNCdWo30jwh0v2-TrtbpSZ9myorqd-utIRyWR-wpEJVx5AwV57xVd2xRxcw6B2NFhj1wlamwBYiJr2WGtjUejCPnN2S8mE1PVlLRsh5Tsuc60IDEeXj5NRSYIpsGiKrUCWA8FmaMCim3hOJ2FVDo0/w480-h640/IMG_7920.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>That is son carrying one of the sleds they provide so you can drag your tree back to where you parked. Look at all the trees from which to choose! And there were little trees already planted where previous ones had been cut down.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyVoj1amQMQrZ8qPg2DXCJP5x_DCGw7_p-LOW0Z76ca6NHagG5bSOnvcVZwHyvgRQAAbgDF9uU4YOKtooqHLZVSJLbaGRoL24PuvZQywZfXaZeMB-X3VauAIfcegyBI4HWXK-8ojVJm-Nk7VKKwCUbZpUucoYggwBqE3K-GMqrVugasKu5d1lfT4MNrk/s4032/IMG_7922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyVoj1amQMQrZ8qPg2DXCJP5x_DCGw7_p-LOW0Z76ca6NHagG5bSOnvcVZwHyvgRQAAbgDF9uU4YOKtooqHLZVSJLbaGRoL24PuvZQywZfXaZeMB-X3VauAIfcegyBI4HWXK-8ojVJm-Nk7VKKwCUbZpUucoYggwBqE3K-GMqrVugasKu5d1lfT4MNrk/w480-h640/IMG_7922.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Here is son in the midst of sawing the tree. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdAMg6BHbugpioN81IJVEJddpVUsdwTO6mbDsS6UhQKrbDd5dyIH27MuWRg7hJzpl8OUUW4JDCU6JhlYfSHh9ntEVPUDPKrkY-xI7173xpQMFC62Ubh3oGbQHrPnrJIpEUViICtOB0Y6kO4Vf9ijfsuZ4ymu4JjarRn5n5iwkK7Ivt-5bBVS3APp5w88/s4032/IMG_7925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdAMg6BHbugpioN81IJVEJddpVUsdwTO6mbDsS6UhQKrbDd5dyIH27MuWRg7hJzpl8OUUW4JDCU6JhlYfSHh9ntEVPUDPKrkY-xI7173xpQMFC62Ubh3oGbQHrPnrJIpEUViICtOB0Y6kO4Vf9ijfsuZ4ymu4JjarRn5n5iwkK7Ivt-5bBVS3APp5w88/w480-h640/IMG_7925.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Ta Da!! It's a good tree! Son is pulling it on the sled. There were many other people and families with children who were so excited and you could hear them shouting, "How about this one!" It started to snow thick wet snow on the drive home and it is still on the ground now. The tree isn't set up in the house set, it is sitting in the cold in our car port. </p><p>Do you have a real tree? How much do you spend on yours?</p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-12558380805634691242023-11-24T13:50:00.000-05:002023-11-24T13:50:11.703-05:00Snowy Day<p> I woke to a white world. It is very pretty and makes me feel very festive. I'm not sure if I'm festive enough to start dragging out boxes of Christmas decor and "decking the halls", but I did have a look at my baking supplies to see what I need to pick up for some Christmas baking (maybe this weekend?).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxlz2NvF6jBx6_mExhfKoMQvg-9y2OfPLLjocg8gyhNuF-m_XCT51u3n57USAYMH12NF0i7NXWxCB0NKSTNt5o9_-_0taJ7lq2Xh6mK_TOGT6jgxY75XFQtB9Eapbl-hA6z1TZ1gEEvyxV5fQeK1qpqJ0bkLkIgRweTZIoLhyAhYi6_SM0EdcrQacB14/s4032/IMG_7913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxlz2NvF6jBx6_mExhfKoMQvg-9y2OfPLLjocg8gyhNuF-m_XCT51u3n57USAYMH12NF0i7NXWxCB0NKSTNt5o9_-_0taJ7lq2Xh6mK_TOGT6jgxY75XFQtB9Eapbl-hA6z1TZ1gEEvyxV5fQeK1qpqJ0bkLkIgRweTZIoLhyAhYi6_SM0EdcrQacB14/w640-h480/IMG_7913.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxIhkrIA4qS8CreIRg2eVSfuGDSBTtECppJ-EcZG8_j0ISLT6yRBmymtFuDsQF5YH5MLq-AVelkoQ_lx73L6f_zOBnJVQCMPVQgDZ4mSD6Z1zKvyZvgCIHXFaC6Hc9xx-W06iJRMWLx3FI6s0vxWSZU-EHNN_4OBjnRhJ6nDybshvMy97y_tbZrMy89o/s4032/IMG_7915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZxIhkrIA4qS8CreIRg2eVSfuGDSBTtECppJ-EcZG8_j0ISLT6yRBmymtFuDsQF5YH5MLq-AVelkoQ_lx73L6f_zOBnJVQCMPVQgDZ4mSD6Z1zKvyZvgCIHXFaC6Hc9xx-W06iJRMWLx3FI6s0vxWSZU-EHNN_4OBjnRhJ6nDybshvMy97y_tbZrMy89o/w640-h480/IMG_7915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lv2Ly5pW2g01E1AxU_e0j968DWKJ0sojg_43RdFGPbwVzitW9kMZ0oJgKxwc0Ch8CpunNa0v2F7clMGTN0RRBm19a1isnClGaJY4hbhfS2N54zXNxM-bmqxzkwzMBMIpaDZPzunplNn6u2lnsxGwb3Q2XEaPBm5rON-MyfJRGBw68lAnjNoLi0E7IUk/s4032/IMG_7914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lv2Ly5pW2g01E1AxU_e0j968DWKJ0sojg_43RdFGPbwVzitW9kMZ0oJgKxwc0Ch8CpunNa0v2F7clMGTN0RRBm19a1isnClGaJY4hbhfS2N54zXNxM-bmqxzkwzMBMIpaDZPzunplNn6u2lnsxGwb3Q2XEaPBm5rON-MyfJRGBw68lAnjNoLi0E7IUk/w480-h640/IMG_7914.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Scenes from my morning chicken chores. It's the first time most of the hens have witnessed snow. I don't think any of them have bravely ventured out yet.</p><p>I finished a book in about two days. This is from a series of books about the "Thursday Murder Club". It is not high brow literature and I have enjoyed every one so far! I highly recommend, but they are best if read in order. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgjec0r0vPpMdkq4RgjblVrr0WYAuq_c4MwBEHf77D_UL_AbvYrXS0qFRwRVnx6kwPIP5rzy4yDLBssi2tiduq9uNFX86tpAiv0XLGoIG3ybS3qwknGg0UoltluzOIW0R2TAqEDYzO77d_aCh_-EMuR_zqjjPRs4ZbKGZxmp5_f_CklqxijzawJsE10M/s4032/IMG_7916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwgjec0r0vPpMdkq4RgjblVrr0WYAuq_c4MwBEHf77D_UL_AbvYrXS0qFRwRVnx6kwPIP5rzy4yDLBssi2tiduq9uNFX86tpAiv0XLGoIG3ybS3qwknGg0UoltluzOIW0R2TAqEDYzO77d_aCh_-EMuR_zqjjPRs4ZbKGZxmp5_f_CklqxijzawJsE10M/w300-h400/IMG_7916.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>I imagine some of you are recovering from Thanksgiving and others, like me, are getting used to the idea that our snow is likely here to stay now (rest of the week looks like more to come). Have you started to decorate for the season? Do you bother anymore? Will you be baking or buying? Let's not even talk about shopping.</p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-29422517578021925122023-11-21T08:49:00.001-05:002023-11-21T08:49:14.138-05:00Catching Up and Possibly Helping Someone<p> I can't believe it is November 21st already. I know that my American friends are gearing up for Thanksgiving, which is always baffling to me, as we had ours way back in October. I feel like I'm gearing up for Christmas, and couldn't imagine also having to juggle Thanksgiving in the midst! </p><p>I have not had too many teaching days (Covid causing me to essentially cancel a week's worth, and my procedure also meaning I couldn't book anything around this time). I just got notification that two days running at a lovely school that I hardly ever get into have been cancelled. That made me sad, as I was quite looking forward to making connections at that school.</p><p>I have started a wee bit of Christmas shopping already. I have been a bit anxious about that because this year I need to have some gifts purchased earlier (and have some baking done earlier, and some decorating done earlier) because my daughter and her fiance (I can say that now!) are going to his grandparents' and other relatives way up in Thunder Bay (Ontario) for the holidays. So we will have a little gathering and gift exchange prior to that (I'm thinking December 16th). It will be very odd when the actual Christmas rolls around to not have them here, but I know we have been very fortunate to have both of our kids close by and here for holidays up until now! Not everyone can say that. My one brother has a twin daughter living in British Columbia, and my sister has a daughter living in New York, so yes, we are very fortunate. </p><p>On the weekend, the weather was cooperating, so I went around the property with clippers in hand and gathered evergreen boughs to put into our two big iron urns on the little front porch. I went for a little walk past our property along a seasonal stream where I used to be able to gather armloads of red dogwood branches, but this year I barely found any. It was enough to create some colour in the middle of the urns, though. Later today, I shall drive into town to our local Dollerama and purchase some cheap and cheerful large sprigs of bright red berries to finish the project. Son helped me string the lights along our rail fence on Sunday so all that needs doing is for husband to round up the extension cords and nifty mechanism for the remote to turn the lights on and off when desired. </p><p>Husband is still fighting the Covid effects. He is testing negative (as we all are), but his fatigue and cough remain. He is usually the much better healer of us two, but this time around, he's having a hard time shaking it, and is extremely frustrated as he has a big list of things he was wanting to take care of right now. Oh well, they shall have to wait. </p><p>So now comes the part where I may assist someone. I am always a person who is quite fearful leading up to medical procedures, so I thought I would allay the fears of anyone who is like me and has to have the "dreaded colonoscopy". Don't dread it. I just had mine yesterday. First of all the prep for me was different than silly videos I watched on TikTok. I did not have huge jugs of foul tasting solution that I had to consume. Instead I had a little package of orange flavoured powder that I mixed with water which I had to consume, along with six to eight glasses of water, spaced about 15 minutes apart. I did that twice. Due to when my procedure was to take place, I had to waken at 5:00 a.m. for the second round of the orange solution. The day before the procedure, I could drink clear juice (I had apple), Gatorade or similar sports drink (not red or purple colours), broth ( I had chicken, warmed up, and it was nice), black coffee or tea, and jello (again, no red or purple, so I made lemon, lime and orange and only ate the lemon and a tiny bit of lime). I did not feel starving or deprived at all. The morning of was only water (and the orange concoction). In terms of what it did to my digestive tract, it was very manageable and not terrible and I was able to get some sleep at night, as well. </p><p>The day of the procedure (which was yesterday), husband dropped me off at the small hospital in which it was to take place. I went to day surgery and sat around for a while. Then I went to a little room off of the day surgery waiting room where I dressed in the ubiquitous hospital gown and robe and was given an i.v. (that honestly was the worst part as the nurse had a heck of a time getting it in a vein and a second nurse had to step in, but maybe if you have nice hefty veins it won't be a problem). I waited around some more, then I was walked down to the room where I was to have the procedure done. There were lovely nurses and the doctor who chatted casually with me, I was even able to leave my socks on, and then ... nothing. I remember nothing after that. I woke up in a different area feeling like I had just had the most lovely sleep ever. I was in no pain whatsoever. I felt like I just wanted to cuddle down and sleep some more. I was given a nice little glass of ice water that felt like heaven, the doctor reassured me that he saw nothing that looked like cancer and that he took some little biopsies and that we would have an appointment again in a few weeks, and then I was given back my clothes and dressed in a different area. Someone called my husband to come pick me up and away I went. I was still a little drowsy and a little unsteady for a bit and fell asleep on the couch for a while (until the cat woke me up, thanks Murph). </p><p>This morning, the morning after, I have zero pain, zero issues. I can eat whatever and it doesn't bother me. I'm glad to have a day not teaching, just because I feel like I'm still catching up on a bit of sleep, but all in all, it is nothing to be feared (just hope for a talented i.v. nurse) and the "sleep" is delightful. Hope that helps someone. </p><p>Tomorrow the vehicle (I drive an older model Toyota Rav 4 and love it) has to be taken in for an undercoating and hopefully the guys can have a look at it and determine why it is making an annoying squeaky sound (husband has some theories, but obviously right now can't really be fixing it himself). Fingers crossed that it isn't ridiculously expensive, but honestly, that vehicle has been very good, with just general maintenance required over the years.</p><p> 'Tis windy, cold, rainy today with a possible high of 6 degrees (that's 42 in fahrenheit - which means nothing to me). What's funny is husband and I are two years apart. Celsius and various other metric teachings in school started when I was in the younger grades. Husband had already had imperial measurements firmly embedded in his brain by then. He is still very comfortable thinking in miles per hour and fahrenheit temperatures (even sets our thermometer for our heat in the house in fahrenheit), but it is meaningless to me. </p><p>It shall be a quiche night tonight in an effort to use some eggs! Have a lovely day, everyone. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-28766911543307896512023-11-13T19:13:00.003-05:002023-11-13T19:13:58.085-05:00November 13, 2023<p> This past week has been unforeseen. I was supposed to be working a week at my old school, something I was looking forward to. Unfortunately we caught Covid - for the first time after our Toronto adventure helping our friends with the Royal Winter Fair. I had a relatively mild dose, feeling better in a few days, but still having to cancel my teaching that week. Son was barely symptomatic and only took three days off of work. Husband had it the worst and still has a cough and not much energy. Oh well, that’s how it goes.</p><p>Today was “ mild” so I took advantage of the day and got out my loppers and cut back most of the shrubs along the pool fence. This is something I really wanted to get done and I’m glad I did it. I was tired by the time I had carried all the branches away! I have three days of teaching this week. Then I get to prep for a colonoscopy a week from today. Yippy! I’ll be glad when that’s done, although I know it’s not a big scary thing, but not something you want to be participating in often!</p><p>I was feeling like I wanted to disinfect the house after all the coughing and sneezing. I cleaned counter tops and mopped floors and disinfected doorknobs and the tv remote! I’m sure I’ll do it all over again but it felt good to do that to begin with! </p><p>Have a good week my blogging friends! </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-12295134144447050592023-11-04T13:30:00.002-04:002023-11-04T13:33:47.486-04:00Beginning of November<p> I went for a walk today and it is pleasantly not too cold. I like my walks, it is my thinking time, my talking in my head time. Other people listen to books or podcasts or music while walking. I prefer the quiet. </p><p>We just returned from helping our dear friends for three days to set up their huge booth (more like a giant store) in Toronto at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. It is a big deal and goes for ten days I believe. We were only there during the designated set up days, so we did not have a chance to see the shows or exhibits or tour through all the many vendors and eating areas. People come from all across our big country bring the best of their best livestock, anything from beef cattle to dairy cattle to pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits, alpacas, you name it. I hope our friends have fantastic success with their tack business this coming week.</p><p>I'm just throwing this out there, as when I shared about my breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment, many of you had your own stories to share, which made me feel very good indeed. Now I am experiencing a side effect of taking the A.I. (which prohibits estrogen from being produced), that being significant hair thinning. Nobody warns you about this one. It is distressing, as I have always enjoyed caring for and styling my hair over the years. I did a bit of research and found out that manoxidil (the ingredient in Rogaine which is often used by men who are experiencing hair loss) can possibly help. This is not a result of chemo, as I did not have to have chemo. This is a result of the prescription that I am to be on for ten years (I may decide to not do the full ten years, but as of now, I am on it). So, any relatable tales or suggestions would be welcomed.</p><p>On a different note, I gave the girls a treat today. I had three pumpkins on my porch for decoration through October and today I brought one back to the chicken run and cut it apart with a shovel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QSU-gsCpXDRqLqWXIj7am7KdhZQSd-bP9RgZeB1vV59cZAYr1ZGQxdTJPu-AU9osHj42jhqhiqtHlynBTyjCMQlh_4dvwoPLsamayithouC-Mk_pDKYSlu6bNOohoomLWMVx0FBi_ywPwCl_HhGVL6RuQGjq0GQ-ld7tRh2vZTaCcmb3hsVK2wL_KhA/s4032/IMG_7891.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QSU-gsCpXDRqLqWXIj7am7KdhZQSd-bP9RgZeB1vV59cZAYr1ZGQxdTJPu-AU9osHj42jhqhiqtHlynBTyjCMQlh_4dvwoPLsamayithouC-Mk_pDKYSlu6bNOohoomLWMVx0FBi_ywPwCl_HhGVL6RuQGjq0GQ-ld7tRh2vZTaCcmb3hsVK2wL_KhA/w640-h480/IMG_7891.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Cautious exploration at first.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-gLg67q3X3R_1EVZswYbRH3QjjFMGH-YqI7Jh2RHW99_KWy7ESh1gCdPu5NzKir8e9PhuYHeeYB9Fdy7nRyJrziZ0VxR2DE77hykpD8T9VBjQBJofJxfYVtxvvrLbvo9sF7zmqPbGxcJNq8iMAfgomSArKF06FWERul3uPfQI23HsE_5eK8LdJiOhic/s4032/IMG_7893.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-gLg67q3X3R_1EVZswYbRH3QjjFMGH-YqI7Jh2RHW99_KWy7ESh1gCdPu5NzKir8e9PhuYHeeYB9Fdy7nRyJrziZ0VxR2DE77hykpD8T9VBjQBJofJxfYVtxvvrLbvo9sF7zmqPbGxcJNq8iMAfgomSArKF06FWERul3uPfQI23HsE_5eK8LdJiOhic/w640-h480/IMG_7893.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Definite interest now.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Not to be forgotten, here is a picture of Murphy in all of his glory. Son was making his work sandwich the night before and playfully tossed a wrapped piece of cheese on Murph's ample belly. He didn't care at all and would have casually laid there, cheese in place, for as long as was necessary.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1iu9YHkTPJK6qGllEHXNNG0pf1Leb1rB23QhPGN3c6887HFjVt6O4GvuaMZMS8uofM9ZfL8972vsaf1dzgEdSE8o7y5jvgqgUE6npaF0gu7EwEQJRq4jMYNmzqzpHYy6qBx2slLW69-1qQ8SWvGAYn6AMMFAhtT7mbdaNdk9hsZasrF7GpTR4lamC_0/s4032/IMG_7857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1iu9YHkTPJK6qGllEHXNNG0pf1Leb1rB23QhPGN3c6887HFjVt6O4GvuaMZMS8uofM9ZfL8972vsaf1dzgEdSE8o7y5jvgqgUE6npaF0gu7EwEQJRq4jMYNmzqzpHYy6qBx2slLW69-1qQ8SWvGAYn6AMMFAhtT7mbdaNdk9hsZasrF7GpTR4lamC_0/w640-h480/IMG_7857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Murphy isn't the only one with a penchant for lying on his back, underbelly exposed. Here is Scooter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquyCV0gdcl1D0k4JrLLxZfkeIFhrQKkgttW34HQ8UOt_hBRIdzgFHXbV9hOO8dK-A-BD2g5JW2KUk1e8zkwVIMB8znpQUg_WjwC554OCUtCUwsJmt5PxodxLZWwR8c52kDu81uUr5Zj08tsQRnYxpSfSlfn-25xmalRj2i8GH_AcdS-Sge1OxC-QzwSI/s4032/IMG_7879.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquyCV0gdcl1D0k4JrLLxZfkeIFhrQKkgttW34HQ8UOt_hBRIdzgFHXbV9hOO8dK-A-BD2g5JW2KUk1e8zkwVIMB8znpQUg_WjwC554OCUtCUwsJmt5PxodxLZWwR8c52kDu81uUr5Zj08tsQRnYxpSfSlfn-25xmalRj2i8GH_AcdS-Sge1OxC-QzwSI/w480-h640/IMG_7879.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">He is so fluffy it is hard to distinguish where his head is, but you can see one ear. The difference between the two cats is Scooter will adore a belly rub, whereas Murph will only tolerate it for a moment. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I have a busy two weeks ahead, as I picked up seven consecutive teaching days at my old school, all in the same class. The lovely part about it, other than being in a familiar setting, is the teacher who will be away is the one to plan everything. I just have to execute the plan. Nice. </p><h1 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Have a wonderful rest of your weekend, everybody!</span></span></h1>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-52565288035923907382023-10-25T12:35:00.001-04:002023-10-25T12:35:21.976-04:00Wednesday, October 25, 2023<p> I do not think we will be going on our long eight hour drive each way trip for a memorial service this weekend. Husband has messed up his back and wants to let things heal and calm down, rather than being in a car for that long and standing and sleeping in a spare bed somewhere. I don't blame him and truth be told, I'm rather glad (not about his back...).</p><p>I seized the opportunity with this mild weather today to do some cutting back of perennials late this morning. I stop when I have filled my five big "buckets", that way <i>I </i>don't mess up <i>my </i>back.</p><p>Here are some pictures of what my neck of the woods looks like right now - still lots of pretty leaves, even with the recent wind and rain.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvAW0ZJ7XBdda3o9OTe0T8AtRt7UPfz_K7XiSiKSzQGtJVb2ZgeAN-52ypaqcjYr7rN4zj3sT4nBEUWl_uZCz-G4FCuvqEE-AuROpSMuJhAgiSz4ZiaG_HqxJ9nAu5Vm78_bTldDiXhsi4HwZwe7lQ2tIEaDHeoDWCrPMS-L-boGzl1qyRreLDcpue8s/s4032/IMG_7859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvAW0ZJ7XBdda3o9OTe0T8AtRt7UPfz_K7XiSiKSzQGtJVb2ZgeAN-52ypaqcjYr7rN4zj3sT4nBEUWl_uZCz-G4FCuvqEE-AuROpSMuJhAgiSz4ZiaG_HqxJ9nAu5Vm78_bTldDiXhsi4HwZwe7lQ2tIEaDHeoDWCrPMS-L-boGzl1qyRreLDcpue8s/w480-h640/IMG_7859.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The above picture is facing south (pool house in background).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwWeBct1SGlrND5VN_VNng-KrUeQ0OyqpdPXJX_l9GchEbXvt7F8d9qLMr6iJJ8ZMHGwNWE7vnnPMxIY8mih7TB_JICz10EV6YbbS_2mlw05MQSn_i_0YqGYJM-QL8sx16529FKJQShefRVESsQ-eMx4_RY9VL7MPTexTixbcFXsZBIDuaKU0SlHc79M/s4032/IMG_7860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwWeBct1SGlrND5VN_VNng-KrUeQ0OyqpdPXJX_l9GchEbXvt7F8d9qLMr6iJJ8ZMHGwNWE7vnnPMxIY8mih7TB_JICz10EV6YbbS_2mlw05MQSn_i_0YqGYJM-QL8sx16529FKJQShefRVESsQ-eMx4_RY9VL7MPTexTixbcFXsZBIDuaKU0SlHc79M/w480-h640/IMG_7860.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The above picture is facing north (neighbouring yard in background).</p><p><br /></p><p>A couple of you expressed an interest in seeing more chicken pics. Here is one of the whole chicken coop and covered run.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsSJWE2NJuuRQq4GLn1VSb2XRpCzGtJplbqW3mUHXCZoillmRCS4XwfVi9uxMmN7odQYPWDFZbCcKUbWZ8n_kWltjhHn9Ij9q5mjh1IOixuU1NwoorlD4Dl8bffk_q4Lq7NGyQCexqfGJLlU9cBLk4CWEB3ZqHH48zPV00DI2_Ldi2JETKXOleEn2S48/s4032/IMG_7867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsSJWE2NJuuRQq4GLn1VSb2XRpCzGtJplbqW3mUHXCZoillmRCS4XwfVi9uxMmN7odQYPWDFZbCcKUbWZ8n_kWltjhHn9Ij9q5mjh1IOixuU1NwoorlD4Dl8bffk_q4Lq7NGyQCexqfGJLlU9cBLk4CWEB3ZqHH48zPV00DI2_Ldi2JETKXOleEn2S48/w640-h480/IMG_7867.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Husband built all of this. The large black container in front of the coop holds a bale of shavings and some oyster shell. I can't store it inside the coop because there isn't quite enough room (and the chickens would just roost and poop on it). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHxzcg5HN4VACUBytJfWfdp0DELksnuztUNboB7th16MW2ZS-sj_WoqcHpMz1zA5GTdL0MkqVhC87qzk3ubSMS5VrO34VxpZD0XJl9v0mHBymC2LC-pz5OY6dzNYPBqyWT4hcl-RuzW-hhaIyNfO60LTb_5OwxA2kiLAxUQSYar3R65J6WUWqvtBA3o4/s4032/IMG_7865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHxzcg5HN4VACUBytJfWfdp0DELksnuztUNboB7th16MW2ZS-sj_WoqcHpMz1zA5GTdL0MkqVhC87qzk3ubSMS5VrO34VxpZD0XJl9v0mHBymC2LC-pz5OY6dzNYPBqyWT4hcl-RuzW-hhaIyNfO60LTb_5OwxA2kiLAxUQSYar3R65J6WUWqvtBA3o4/w480-h640/IMG_7865.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>This is inside the coop. I call this brown chicken "Rover" because she is more like a dog. She always has to be underfoot, wondering what I'm doing (mostly hoping for food). She is old and hasn't laid an egg for about three years. This is a retirement home for chickens.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8ZKMQN-8R1oS-EX2PoYp7m7YRFx95r4lewuWlgl3a26aH2bTyq8gxQ3Vpu8NlklddBFDZuR1N_vK4H4mIZe5RF8rJLFU6rD2gkYk578Mku7YmpdZh842KcXf_FkT_zXKhVgi78DGgNrx-LLjFFlBzfyRZuSzlCDIBObC5tfgFKe8lcpofGz8RsSb2WU/s4032/IMG_7866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8ZKMQN-8R1oS-EX2PoYp7m7YRFx95r4lewuWlgl3a26aH2bTyq8gxQ3Vpu8NlklddBFDZuR1N_vK4H4mIZe5RF8rJLFU6rD2gkYk578Mku7YmpdZh842KcXf_FkT_zXKhVgi78DGgNrx-LLjFFlBzfyRZuSzlCDIBObC5tfgFKe8lcpofGz8RsSb2WU/w480-h640/IMG_7866.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>This girl was in one of the nesting boxes (I get these from Dollarama - sturdy, stackable, and washable). She is a Noiran which comes from the line of Marans (for those of you with poultry knowledge). Her eggs are a lovely dark brown.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHArK2A2kKs17is5rUonNsHpeBEiWjndinTIq_C7dE2t5I2poCZWGG42jkugbwR5xObLbMbeGn03PBCg1TbpaU_ysQSCTXD9omMUdVUDKiR1kx0dp-0cn-74E_LLbVUpPWs-ssBcEWLm6fu_AShldF5imk7OTuHevguW9blP5IaUPxFCUGf6Mi_HW0A8/s4032/IMG_7862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHArK2A2kKs17is5rUonNsHpeBEiWjndinTIq_C7dE2t5I2poCZWGG42jkugbwR5xObLbMbeGn03PBCg1TbpaU_ysQSCTXD9omMUdVUDKiR1kx0dp-0cn-74E_LLbVUpPWs-ssBcEWLm6fu_AShldF5imk7OTuHevguW9blP5IaUPxFCUGf6Mi_HW0A8/w640-h480/IMG_7862.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Here are some more members of the flock outside in their run. They spend most of their days outside and come in to roost at night. </p><p>This afternoon I am meeting up with a friend with whom I usually go for a long walk when she has Wednesdays off work. I am working tomorrow, teaching in a grade one classroom. I hope you are also enjoying a bit of mild autumn weather wherever you are. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-30845289584825642492023-10-20T21:58:00.004-04:002023-10-20T21:58:56.509-04:00Regular Life<p> The world is crazy enough, so here’s a whole lot of boring old normal:</p><p>- I cleaned out the chicken coop today and spread the contents in my vegetable garden to be tilled in for spring.</p><p>- Yesterday was Nana’s 86th birthday ( my husband’s mother) and we brought her to our place for supper and watched the Croatia episode of “Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix. She was born in Zagreb and now has dementia but still has some memories of long ago.</p><p>- We drove daughter to a city about an hour away so she could take a train to another city and then finally to Ottawa to see a friend from university. This was her first time doing something like this ( we are very rural and don’t have public transit). The autumn colours were still lovely.</p><p>- I finished reading Ann Cleeves new book The Raging Storm and enjoyed it very much. I take books out of the library which is twenty minutes away.</p><p>- Why is flea treatment so bloody expensive?? It’s ridiculous.</p><p>- I recently discovered the series, Doc Martin. I am now recording both new and older episodes.</p><p>- My husband recently did my rear brakes and my parking brake. He does almost all of our vehicular maintenance, being self taught over the years. </p><p>- We are going to a big city about eight hours away for a memorial service/ celebration of life for my husband’s uncle next weekend. Things like this wear me out even if I’m not the one driving. I really am more of a homebody, perhaps even an introvert. </p><p>- This morning I got up earlier than my husband and when I went back upstairs to our bedroom a bit later to get properly dressed ( and he got up), I opened the curtains and looked down at the yard. Within about a minute I saw a red squirrel find a walnut and leap along the rail fence and into the trees with it, a nuthatch hopping head first down our big old spruce tree, and a big cottontail bunny jump up our cement steps to our little front porch. I joked that it was Peter Rabbit coming to ask if we had found his little blue jacket and that husband should go down and open the door for him. He did, but the bunny was gone.</p><p>- I made fried eggs, fried mushrooms, and little breakfast sausages ( which I despise but son and husband like) for supper tonight. I’m always looking for ways to use up eggs.</p><p>- That’s it. I hope you too have a normal ordinary weekend! </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-25546591282015003692023-10-08T13:56:00.002-04:002023-10-08T13:56:54.972-04:00To My Canadian Friends <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bx0g9BK9oKrgz1FrXmaOy23ImLR1VFtB9u5PIsjrksXPTXjZMPw3Khplze5ub7DGGraDbfKSsqpQbut0ImfWkm1g25dOsmJNvon96LTTv9uVm9FgoJz_awNhAGxPn6fckzFBO6X8v5YYma7pQf0GGiK7RJ7h87qnUz3pt-FqjE4DYRxl6JyuFimgEg0/s398/IMG_7843.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bx0g9BK9oKrgz1FrXmaOy23ImLR1VFtB9u5PIsjrksXPTXjZMPw3Khplze5ub7DGGraDbfKSsqpQbut0ImfWkm1g25dOsmJNvon96LTTv9uVm9FgoJz_awNhAGxPn6fckzFBO6X8v5YYma7pQf0GGiK7RJ7h87qnUz3pt-FqjE4DYRxl6JyuFimgEg0/w640-h640/IMG_7843.png" width="640" /></a></div>Whether you are celebrating today or tomorrow, or not at all, I hope you all have a cozy, contented Thanksgiving!<p></p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-52976215355992169572023-10-05T09:22:00.001-04:002023-10-05T09:22:56.689-04:00October 5, 2023<p> It has been the weather of July lately, but some decidedly October weather is on its way. </p><p>Here is a little autumn chicken picture for you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoyw1SNY9FAlbWz8MHHpvCnXz_iJbBiDn59YuSGoY6fedDIwPajw3hx1Qd7zkOtPiHPHSHnb4Wb6dHB-DrpdQ9NjsL_JZoZOd89M-fHe9MpHIkOyAAj5kX1FE5YOxu8vi9grgOoaYtYLH2YZEOgDUqQcyYuN6t2iPQSbJvzCiivJlDFaVNqmaUoVvs30/s4032/IMG_7830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoyw1SNY9FAlbWz8MHHpvCnXz_iJbBiDn59YuSGoY6fedDIwPajw3hx1Qd7zkOtPiHPHSHnb4Wb6dHB-DrpdQ9NjsL_JZoZOd89M-fHe9MpHIkOyAAj5kX1FE5YOxu8vi9grgOoaYtYLH2YZEOgDUqQcyYuN6t2iPQSbJvzCiivJlDFaVNqmaUoVvs30/w640-h480/IMG_7830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I spent a good part of yesterday clearing out my vegetable garden. The girls enjoyed some rutabaga greens.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vKfxmRf8Xp8mZGOKVhmm7BV_c3U0TpVwtiM_XUoBBHzHTVM2NnBiJ9fTW7RiOJ0dWRiEq5mjSRDzaBvPY-U5VUdAl4-iy7p7XIdemgo9NFOfJPGQ8LHuwPg8DmqEfdgOn3a3AcN2WdAa_sKmZ4jnTJ7aznoiPbwStFKUhjZiBV_fg4vMalti2gx2Dlg/s4032/IMG_7834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vKfxmRf8Xp8mZGOKVhmm7BV_c3U0TpVwtiM_XUoBBHzHTVM2NnBiJ9fTW7RiOJ0dWRiEq5mjSRDzaBvPY-U5VUdAl4-iy7p7XIdemgo9NFOfJPGQ8LHuwPg8DmqEfdgOn3a3AcN2WdAa_sKmZ4jnTJ7aznoiPbwStFKUhjZiBV_fg4vMalti2gx2Dlg/w640-h480/IMG_7834.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>As well, they received the last dregs of the tomatoes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wmc_J1TrvwuNXJq-8QMIg4ql9Ut-IgFG6KDeqE5dipdWxlO_yEMVp3UdTEcU984q9Idz_tMTcTj0IAyffZwBv7q06Czzu2SzCDfdc0yvdBDHPtphB9Lv-ZkeMuR6AQy4wu9tPekS5LybOiw_gCSwXnuyk860D3XiVdN0RLNb6pHQjcTeb8sd3z2WK8M/s4032/IMG_7835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wmc_J1TrvwuNXJq-8QMIg4ql9Ut-IgFG6KDeqE5dipdWxlO_yEMVp3UdTEcU984q9Idz_tMTcTj0IAyffZwBv7q06Czzu2SzCDfdc0yvdBDHPtphB9Lv-ZkeMuR6AQy4wu9tPekS5LybOiw_gCSwXnuyk860D3XiVdN0RLNb6pHQjcTeb8sd3z2WK8M/w640-h480/IMG_7835.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>They will happily convert all of this into eggs for us. (Except for that brown chicken, she hasn't laid an egg in about three years!)</p><p><br /></p><p>This is what I salvaged and I'm done, completely done. I don't care if I don't see another tomato for months. The mystery vine turned out to be spaghetti squash (from some that I threw in the compost months earlier). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9OeS5hQapJF9QJw6ziSl0acMDgVyrHB_yar1CFKFWyVlIMcjuVBl7-9tsMQvZLqv2SA2KxBm8naTabt-flmgEDodwNDxgdrprgajsHF9ptNr9wdvkaUCwBVoopII0GqIlrOwXWQYToxHBR2Sc9bzs8cNs0K-JH3ZRtsZMrk_iHbjbDih30goqW-kYtU/s4032/IMG_7836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9OeS5hQapJF9QJw6ziSl0acMDgVyrHB_yar1CFKFWyVlIMcjuVBl7-9tsMQvZLqv2SA2KxBm8naTabt-flmgEDodwNDxgdrprgajsHF9ptNr9wdvkaUCwBVoopII0GqIlrOwXWQYToxHBR2Sc9bzs8cNs0K-JH3ZRtsZMrk_iHbjbDih30goqW-kYtU/w480-h640/IMG_7836.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm not even sure what those squash are like on the inside, hopefully o.k. </p><p>Today we have a technician to come and finalize wiring and set up a proper working internet system in our old house. We recently had an excruciating ten rounds with two providers as we were not happy with losing services and the amount we were paying, only to find out the other provider couldn't even get us internet here. Reliable internet in rural Ontario is still not a given for everyone. We have a choice between two providers. That's it. And neither one is inexpensive or perfect. In order to save some money, we finally dropped our land line. I know, most people who have crawled out of the dinosaur ages have already dropped their land lines ages ago, but change is hard for some (cough <i>husband</i> cough!!). Our problem is due to the physical nature of our home with an addition built on with double brick old walls and a big expanse of metal roof over a car port in between. Our son is in the addition, and in order for him to have a strong enough, fast enough signal, hard wiring has to be put in, and boosters, and other such stuff that I'm not sure I fully understand. Husband and son pulled through some wiring last weekend in order to prepare. </p><p>So how are the other gardeners on here? All done for the season? Anyone else done battle with Bell in rural Canada? </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-80780410612493984982023-09-25T16:05:00.001-04:002023-09-25T16:05:41.885-04:00Autumn Colour<p> I took these pictures yesterday but am writing the post today. The weather is the perfect Autumn weather- warm in the day, cooler in the evening. Trees aren’t quite in their full regalia yet but there is certainly colour to be seen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP_SIfpQyCek5MIR498xmQ0GoIazrz1jTbGFo8qKhtVBWrON_sXoBSsaeSTiIfdXsb8J3ajnIvN1kRiYaoyzxjxWAqNtOYpgac5FhmXrQj4cb0sl50RBwou1wLxX8CQyk0_1X3YMdWXMBwVc_bhaNWoaeW1sAzSqi1cYDOOzgaPnNw0Uj5k7rekMqDko/s4032/IMG_7796.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTP_SIfpQyCek5MIR498xmQ0GoIazrz1jTbGFo8qKhtVBWrON_sXoBSsaeSTiIfdXsb8J3ajnIvN1kRiYaoyzxjxWAqNtOYpgac5FhmXrQj4cb0sl50RBwou1wLxX8CQyk0_1X3YMdWXMBwVc_bhaNWoaeW1sAzSqi1cYDOOzgaPnNw0Uj5k7rekMqDko/w480-h640/IMG_7796.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>All over the property, there are swaths of yellow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLObu9k3lgUx7crzv6uRIrAhkseTCv38sLEGSSCRC6AdPC31CRLAFYXnx9cBUIn5u4bWotR-bJcpPlVFNTB3y7SWsScdje-CcfN_blPssrbtfP-a4WYanqDrhAXpyT26Ie1LxDYgAlea_qb8Lv7mIjpAAFsTHaUHUVK-2b5m7-aUEmnsGiq-hxlPOjEo/s4032/IMG_7797.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLObu9k3lgUx7crzv6uRIrAhkseTCv38sLEGSSCRC6AdPC31CRLAFYXnx9cBUIn5u4bWotR-bJcpPlVFNTB3y7SWsScdje-CcfN_blPssrbtfP-a4WYanqDrhAXpyT26Ie1LxDYgAlea_qb8Lv7mIjpAAFsTHaUHUVK-2b5m7-aUEmnsGiq-hxlPOjEo/w640-h480/IMG_7797.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Black eyed Susan are aggressive and prolific self seeders but they do provide beautiful colour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXJNvwjflTSF69kq2TWQIVep32f2BNNojfOk7-5DMoN5CKglJGooYai59GSOGeQUJU4RAb-_cWQbXEPv2vLGCUu6I-iWMP4SxG22xahbSHCufyij5tE48NbRLhVm4ElhEPTy3iJxEbPFck-KdWr5TpAX9SCxvBQZpjW_u3muIyu7irIs6XsNZOJZJRx0/s4032/IMG_7798.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXJNvwjflTSF69kq2TWQIVep32f2BNNojfOk7-5DMoN5CKglJGooYai59GSOGeQUJU4RAb-_cWQbXEPv2vLGCUu6I-iWMP4SxG22xahbSHCufyij5tE48NbRLhVm4ElhEPTy3iJxEbPFck-KdWr5TpAX9SCxvBQZpjW_u3muIyu7irIs6XsNZOJZJRx0/w640-h480/IMG_7798.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Aptly named Autumn Joy Sedum has a home in most of my beds and borders.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQw_F_3pxlEHDQ5tC1tgeG1FzVF_Wuqb8j7fDw6R1DHcwgMvoA4X3Alm6cWepr9cnCuikZC5gzAXzHrArWmxTtsh3KFHndCwDPhWrUPXkgCcegbnNndHkTvkzxF0Yc6dH2_wL7mywkXBdGCLiNoQ4hw0QkHbka7-3LTk-ZyRHen16qMcKijeEKusoyqM/s4032/IMG_7799.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQw_F_3pxlEHDQ5tC1tgeG1FzVF_Wuqb8j7fDw6R1DHcwgMvoA4X3Alm6cWepr9cnCuikZC5gzAXzHrArWmxTtsh3KFHndCwDPhWrUPXkgCcegbnNndHkTvkzxF0Yc6dH2_wL7mywkXBdGCLiNoQ4hw0QkHbka7-3LTk-ZyRHen16qMcKijeEKusoyqM/w640-h480/IMG_7799.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXUplxvzJaJA5qJlQ8IyvFVV-XbdDI09RdEzzqdzKunfu6sU4VpwSFNZBaBOoIirJVtSEUdlksDEhOqXBHWvGo4xmYGEnl4dnuEyo1fuuDDtw58n40dcFzDZZOKI6lQNxymhP8P9RsTf7d22PohaTw55kIb3cZwcE5i_ldw02JqLXSZm17fBCtSmhc7s/s4032/IMG_7800.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXUplxvzJaJA5qJlQ8IyvFVV-XbdDI09RdEzzqdzKunfu6sU4VpwSFNZBaBOoIirJVtSEUdlksDEhOqXBHWvGo4xmYGEnl4dnuEyo1fuuDDtw58n40dcFzDZZOKI6lQNxymhP8P9RsTf7d22PohaTw55kIb3cZwcE5i_ldw02JqLXSZm17fBCtSmhc7s/w640-h480/IMG_7800.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I have various hydrangea, some of which turn a lovely bronzey rose colour. Notice Aristotle peeking out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WxGHp5x1e3WCvoL28jwTvurcb6KInXMmHBO6Eek52iMlaXkadB34J8ZJrbchylInpVfqfK-rovEDBtNBtx5na6ToVjBUqmO0qtKU1tmwRARoLjIjtHCkxtiXYOP0YS05iblQ4mgLK7WfFFsTKAo1ofU4uCpMvaBJmkais0oraxTZ51NTc_V8WDKrh7w/s4032/IMG_7801.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WxGHp5x1e3WCvoL28jwTvurcb6KInXMmHBO6Eek52iMlaXkadB34J8ZJrbchylInpVfqfK-rovEDBtNBtx5na6ToVjBUqmO0qtKU1tmwRARoLjIjtHCkxtiXYOP0YS05iblQ4mgLK7WfFFsTKAo1ofU4uCpMvaBJmkais0oraxTZ51NTc_V8WDKrh7w/w640-h480/IMG_7801.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Russian sage is still creating a lacy purple effect beside the snowball bush.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yvx55eiTdvgFJNjHdIkP-8vjB2ePgbj35kazU1mD8LmzQUELw1wyBo56MBULx4W_ii5wkEnkcMW_QEtNiF6xtw6oTzbKs5eZM7_AknXwdFocD7SBDa_qAdkypt9xcgm9sdF4OQ0Vk7ooFeiUboQflggi0tTP3O-j4xlxd2dyLHIedBuB-MYb9cFCKPE/s4032/IMG_7802.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yvx55eiTdvgFJNjHdIkP-8vjB2ePgbj35kazU1mD8LmzQUELw1wyBo56MBULx4W_ii5wkEnkcMW_QEtNiF6xtw6oTzbKs5eZM7_AknXwdFocD7SBDa_qAdkypt9xcgm9sdF4OQ0Vk7ooFeiUboQflggi0tTP3O-j4xlxd2dyLHIedBuB-MYb9cFCKPE/w640-h480/IMG_7802.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This year has been very good for this bunch of Michaelmas daisies. Other years they have barely bloomed. I think it was our rainy August!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXERmXvBsMB5CtIu5d4gPx_Cryz-PjCejiaZqqQYdAfqGPhgAg9Tc2iwEOYotBh1FghCg1znwsmg1W44VZ8KbxT3Q-LrXK9yPD54JRDMFvEKuuYzsuy7-vroM6iB6FC10QN4Q4triPCmkwT48jmoKpPp5z-kl_5QwuLjnThrcGo7UDTF_yDkMYD7Mkoq4/s4032/IMG_7803.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXERmXvBsMB5CtIu5d4gPx_Cryz-PjCejiaZqqQYdAfqGPhgAg9Tc2iwEOYotBh1FghCg1znwsmg1W44VZ8KbxT3Q-LrXK9yPD54JRDMFvEKuuYzsuy7-vroM6iB6FC10QN4Q4triPCmkwT48jmoKpPp5z-kl_5QwuLjnThrcGo7UDTF_yDkMYD7Mkoq4/w640-h480/IMG_7803.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Most of the tall phlox is done but there are still a couple of clumps blooming.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggnPxVsSufrzfy6y876i2BXvWUNwcoDi2TQmb1kWBwnwr7ecrRI1KD-Dn1mA2R3hpUjJQsFNkJ9beKJFxBS2OYvD2xq_MdfxfU5sBauZiQaxEDuKRlDVodxrPCi3tts1jcHU-MOUGltDZj5T_Y3jKmPQ1CZV1EEZEHxy-QMCbVPF_p1aPGWh33BmxLqU/s4032/IMG_7804.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhggnPxVsSufrzfy6y876i2BXvWUNwcoDi2TQmb1kWBwnwr7ecrRI1KD-Dn1mA2R3hpUjJQsFNkJ9beKJFxBS2OYvD2xq_MdfxfU5sBauZiQaxEDuKRlDVodxrPCi3tts1jcHU-MOUGltDZj5T_Y3jKmPQ1CZV1EEZEHxy-QMCbVPF_p1aPGWh33BmxLqU/w640-h480/IMG_7804.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The Burning Bush isn’t quite on fire yet, but it’s off to a good start.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI35P6Qz1nAtQV1gLUQPic7fp2ZHHTyhpIY4NDDOAGYd1eoR6sBmAgofoJjDLH4_UUc2ZbBQZr7DpLZDojzPm5iTeOQ4eIMl1JRArqX895d2y-Yqzom8y_sipzjylDggmshTR58FqyxyKEv5PJkOc3pnIeKqPMkWvn1deqlNhP5NoFA8-WsTpDyG3Q0E/s4032/IMG_7806.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcI35P6Qz1nAtQV1gLUQPic7fp2ZHHTyhpIY4NDDOAGYd1eoR6sBmAgofoJjDLH4_UUc2ZbBQZr7DpLZDojzPm5iTeOQ4eIMl1JRArqX895d2y-Yqzom8y_sipzjylDggmshTR58FqyxyKEv5PJkOc3pnIeKqPMkWvn1deqlNhP5NoFA8-WsTpDyG3Q0E/w640-h480/IMG_7806.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Finally, this branch belongs to a neighbour’s maple tree. Just that one branch is showing bright scarlet, the rest is still quite green. I walk past it on my walks and always admire it!</p><p><br /></p><p>How is the colour where you are? Do you have some of the same plants?</p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-1409696583254884112023-09-19T08:47:00.003-04:002023-09-19T08:47:42.830-04:00September 19, 2023<p> It is a foggy morning this morning. I've been keeping myself busy with supply teaching here and there and the ongoing garden produce. Unfortunately, the little germ factories passed on the "scourge" to me with a sore throat and such. It was inevitable. </p><p>This is still my world:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4uxhzB5ZIdN97IMzdjmfYK1PHzSql7F8I0hfvuDefchDWqXxhuFLsp6cyAhpvgcCw-BxgGiGhkWoupuMGQ_53nlyFzg3VrGLV9BAsvHyWRK_M83p54_NKFHhh2hbBj0ahqXIMvg1gNX7hG4HxqE2uFzE00kQ5OOq9SYTGL6t-1iU9I1pVx3Zn4Pi3PQ/s4032/IMG_7775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4uxhzB5ZIdN97IMzdjmfYK1PHzSql7F8I0hfvuDefchDWqXxhuFLsp6cyAhpvgcCw-BxgGiGhkWoupuMGQ_53nlyFzg3VrGLV9BAsvHyWRK_M83p54_NKFHhh2hbBj0ahqXIMvg1gNX7hG4HxqE2uFzE00kQ5OOq9SYTGL6t-1iU9I1pVx3Zn4Pi3PQ/w480-h640/IMG_7775.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The Roma tomatoes have already been canned, but the other "regular" tomatoes remain in my kitchen, on my window sills, etc. Today I am going to tackle many of them and I am DONE with actual canning. I think I will just skin them, squish out the seeds and ziplock bag them for the freezer (even though I still have some from last year!). It was a good year for tomatoes, which makes me happy.</p><p>I did one last round of pickled beets yesterday, making only three little half pint jars. For the first time ever, I made pickled jalapeno peppers. I had such an amazing crop of them from just one plant.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMBInBFNxwaYOfHTJukWeMz_d4CBAdr7Q2HbOgFaj3Bi5FCmXF2eNfOE9yRALu1NEEKazva0yrEZgQngdcSJXJg7Tm0DQqT1p-uJbgVQsy4b2O-wyVBeMs3qJSHDdgj4EYtXKTEV7vg_ItVQvp_uePKHGzL9kTHbu5FHtEr429h5EzUX1JBUzVJWZcM8/s4032/IMG_7776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMBInBFNxwaYOfHTJukWeMz_d4CBAdr7Q2HbOgFaj3Bi5FCmXF2eNfOE9yRALu1NEEKazva0yrEZgQngdcSJXJg7Tm0DQqT1p-uJbgVQsy4b2O-wyVBeMs3qJSHDdgj4EYtXKTEV7vg_ItVQvp_uePKHGzL9kTHbu5FHtEr429h5EzUX1JBUzVJWZcM8/w640-h480/IMG_7776.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Here they are in all their glory, prior to the pickling process. I wore gloves to cut them up. Son is very pleased. I didn't think to take pictures of the finished jars, but this made four half pint jars.</p><p>I am continuing with my elimination diet (specifically low fodmap) and have successfully reintroduced wheat. Today begins dairy. </p><p>On a different note, I seem to have a broody hen. She is one of the lavender orpingtons. I've always just referred to her as "little comb", for good reasons. Poor thing has lost her tiny chicken mind, staying put in a nesting box, fluffing herself up and trilling every time I go near. She's not even laying (I don't know if that is part of being broody, but seems counter intuitive to me). She can sit there forever, but nothing is going to happen, as I don't have a rooster. I've been trying to gently break her of her broodiness, as I think it is hard on a hen to limit her food and water and not even end up hatching anything out, by lifting her off her nesting box and putting her out in the run a few times a day. Yes, again, I realize I have codependency issues.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9r8OVrowmx1dXbcU8bdSJkO8ksWqWkvQgZ9d4gLutZNyIxU4CpohG9chGMdTJMMAbHYlO2f5_EpFnBTfTfJMWZ2H-i_64GdSsvBFevpmb1bkbebuCSYnpBQYBzThDAqk2hgdq1FeO05VV7QQXW7auh26EWktCPCuBLBEGwty5iGdg14H_caTT15u1fg/s4032/71643100066__56F212C8-C7D6-4F0D-BC9F-0FDA6003CDD2.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9r8OVrowmx1dXbcU8bdSJkO8ksWqWkvQgZ9d4gLutZNyIxU4CpohG9chGMdTJMMAbHYlO2f5_EpFnBTfTfJMWZ2H-i_64GdSsvBFevpmb1bkbebuCSYnpBQYBzThDAqk2hgdq1FeO05VV7QQXW7auh26EWktCPCuBLBEGwty5iGdg14H_caTT15u1fg/w480-h640/71643100066__56F212C8-C7D6-4F0D-BC9F-0FDA6003CDD2.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Silly bird. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>We have had some excitement in our lives recently. This isn't unexpected, but nice that it is official:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrYOH9N6On7VmhHPQhokyrW9JRQaUT78PKe-8S3Zs6XNVKM43wKRhsSDwLodvVtuRSX5f0oKLZIGfZ3p2yjvRaLSDCIFf1ldKs6qO4QyW70GmRZTabZu4JA309LRNUOICvdobFrIqyl6Zs39L7ZGWgJIhFF_wBbM0qFNq9qLclGIPnSRkXoklYT0DQEQ/s3009/IMG_5270%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="3009" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrYOH9N6On7VmhHPQhokyrW9JRQaUT78PKe-8S3Zs6XNVKM43wKRhsSDwLodvVtuRSX5f0oKLZIGfZ3p2yjvRaLSDCIFf1ldKs6qO4QyW70GmRZTabZu4JA309LRNUOICvdobFrIqyl6Zs39L7ZGWgJIhFF_wBbM0qFNq9qLclGIPnSRkXoklYT0DQEQ/w640-h622/IMG_5270%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>Our eldest is now engaged! No wedding date is set yet but we are very happy for both of them! I will be a mother-in-law in the months to come and have a married child (she's 27, not exactly a child...). It's humbling. </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-32179627121768835142023-09-07T11:09:00.001-04:002023-09-07T11:21:19.151-04:00September 7, 2023<p> Here is a picture of a quick 10:30 a.m. gathering:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqw0HMKbqDA9kGDPWAH9PYz2eyEYmGVpi7bsqTt0yPSgDEwCVoUA3GO3GZjQZARoooo_MRiWOuFSDD41szTKGwIlpWysllGBimBYw24iLoST4NLAyYwhDIWC7z8OEccudzDieQaGNpSucc1EB1tc5p4wf-4ycYsCVfXftZFP28lAlb2MipQ66IZlJi6o/s4032/IMG_7757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqw0HMKbqDA9kGDPWAH9PYz2eyEYmGVpi7bsqTt0yPSgDEwCVoUA3GO3GZjQZARoooo_MRiWOuFSDD41szTKGwIlpWysllGBimBYw24iLoST4NLAyYwhDIWC7z8OEccudzDieQaGNpSucc1EB1tc5p4wf-4ycYsCVfXftZFP28lAlb2MipQ66IZlJi6o/w480-h640/IMG_7757.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I honestly think I could have been a great homesteader, if it weren't for the lack of modern dentistry, the outhouses, the backbreaking work of washing clothes, no electricity, and no benedryl...</p><p>I'm getting ready to make some salsa today. It won't be super hot, just some jalapenos (no seeds). Son wants it <u>hot</u>, so I might start by filling some jars with the regular, then introduce a hot pepper (not shown in picture - they are little cayennes, turning red now) into the remaining salsa and bottle the rest (labelling accordingly).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp9ad8sGv9PBG0aOXzwp0twa7s5MPbC9V7QiZ2Ulw_tnYnFAJrhbUBW8qBxYTMBILR8JxoWEqKHc72P4TD9qql9e1s-bkmm344qp1d84U4dvolV26d9qaDQu3x9q1oennJDLiepP_lp5OZfdF2T13UJlAYWUh6RzwiZBAI2JuoRgjqi9WJA_A9Pi4TTI/s4032/IMG_7758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIp9ad8sGv9PBG0aOXzwp0twa7s5MPbC9V7QiZ2Ulw_tnYnFAJrhbUBW8qBxYTMBILR8JxoWEqKHc72P4TD9qql9e1s-bkmm344qp1d84U4dvolV26d9qaDQu3x9q1oennJDLiepP_lp5OZfdF2T13UJlAYWUh6RzwiZBAI2JuoRgjqi9WJA_A9Pi4TTI/w300-h400/IMG_7758.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="color: red;">(For my own future reference, this is a bit more than six pounds of tomatoes, some Romas and other regular kind - the amount needed for this salsa recipe)</span>. </p><p>It was hot, hot, hot here in my neck of the woods for the past couple of days, but then we got a good downpour of rain which cooled things off. I actually don't mind the heat. Let's all remember January and February, people!!</p><p>I am ready to get back into the swing of supply teaching. I booked a two day stint on Monday and Tuesday of next week. It is in a 4/5 split, but at this time of year, it will feel more like a 3/4 split, which I'm very comfortable with. I also booked a hair appointment for Wednesday of next week. It is time. I'm starting to get that "you've got long hair and just pull it back into a pony tail and not care what it looks like" hair. I need to change it up and feel good about my hair again (lord save me from frizzy, unfortunate hair --- thank you Scottish ancestry). </p><p>Have a good day, all.</p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2372726504543914139.post-5869056348817963472023-09-05T14:43:00.002-04:002023-09-05T14:43:49.657-04:00Chili Sauce Day<p> My house currently smells like (to me) abundance, contentment, love, goodness, harvest, autumn, and the happy parts of childhood.</p><p>Yes, it's chili sauce day. I have posted about this<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/2372726504543914139/9035911357709063163"> before. </a>This concoction is not a hot, spicy type of condiment. It is more like a cinnamon spice sweet / tomato-y slightly thick sauce that pairs perfectly with sausage or roast pork or roast chicken thighs. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUU3g5gNtF-MEpbwxkF6dbfKtgmei5yJT5WMRJ8oBDCRk2Zfmw2F9PmMicTfcImwnrZ_oZo7f726Y2b3j7ikmof_FCrOX5BRGqXpzTsodnMschgJhf40tDH7Iy8n7Tvmol_LgtpnlzjiVCWSqrBp7Opau2LaO2XwXlq60DKzO9_EegHovxysgkgCo6Qo/s4032/IMG_7749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUU3g5gNtF-MEpbwxkF6dbfKtgmei5yJT5WMRJ8oBDCRk2Zfmw2F9PmMicTfcImwnrZ_oZo7f726Y2b3j7ikmof_FCrOX5BRGqXpzTsodnMschgJhf40tDH7Iy8n7Tvmol_LgtpnlzjiVCWSqrBp7Opau2LaO2XwXlq60DKzO9_EegHovxysgkgCo6Qo/w400-h300/IMG_7749.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Clean jars awaiting their contents.</p><p>It is a perfect way to use up some tomatoes and it does not require a lot of ingredients. I will share my mother's recipe for those who are interested:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3vHx-61_W5-HsA5P6OObZahtS5rDpFj_YkO1LZD0-3c-vQGWCwSdbUV2OgZWUmmYyEOQ6tVvTYQUewVMPI18mf5IRcpnL1IiHTAkAo2-A54H7edO5h6-VaOmFPakMIokaE3TqGyHCu3WWGERu18CwdLWDP4HAhHcQEfC50beBJBaJDC9fvPWQLi-tmg/s4032/IMG_7748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio3vHx-61_W5-HsA5P6OObZahtS5rDpFj_YkO1LZD0-3c-vQGWCwSdbUV2OgZWUmmYyEOQ6tVvTYQUewVMPI18mf5IRcpnL1IiHTAkAo2-A54H7edO5h6-VaOmFPakMIokaE3TqGyHCu3WWGERu18CwdLWDP4HAhHcQEfC50beBJBaJDC9fvPWQLi-tmg/w640-h480/IMG_7748.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Ingredients being brought up to a boil.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbSDs1oLSf7t9rnDg9bm6iXYPrtvodDZ-NiObFFlBHkL19_UJtWuPhaUmUldjRmGQ5MA8BN_ijQqQtIb9Ov0A8ZqRkqz8yKZIXLKIk6s7DHXhrddlGvPZhSgg7Tc_3wZHnzViB1c_tjfE1CPlwYTn05Qyw7ky1KeHuSKF4BRTpPnTcydLcW1tsadcIEw/s4032/IMG_7750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbSDs1oLSf7t9rnDg9bm6iXYPrtvodDZ-NiObFFlBHkL19_UJtWuPhaUmUldjRmGQ5MA8BN_ijQqQtIb9Ov0A8ZqRkqz8yKZIXLKIk6s7DHXhrddlGvPZhSgg7Tc_3wZHnzViB1c_tjfE1CPlwYTn05Qyw7ky1KeHuSKF4BRTpPnTcydLcW1tsadcIEw/w480-h640/IMG_7750.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">After boiling down for about an hour.</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Maureen's Chili Sauce</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Ingredients for a small batch (can easily be doubled):</p><p style="text-align: left;">-9 good sized tomatoes</p><p style="text-align: left;">-1 large yellow onion</p><p style="text-align: left;">-1 tbsp salt</p><p style="text-align: left;">-1/2 cup white vinegar</p><p style="text-align: left;">-2 cups white sugar</p><p style="text-align: left;">1/4 tsp allspice (or more if desired)</p><p style="text-align: left;">1 tsp cinnamon</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Drop clean tomatoes into a boiling water bath for a minute or so, then place in cold water so they can be cored and peeled. I also de-seed some of them as I'm doing this. Chop roughly.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Chop onion into medium to small pieces.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Put all ingredients into a large pot (like a small soup /stock pot) and bring to a boil.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Reduce heat to a low boil/ brisk simmer and occasionally stir for aprx. 2 hours (you want a lot of the liquid to boil away and for it to be somewhat "thick")</p><p style="text-align: left;">Ladle into 1/2 pint, or 1 pint jars - process in boiling water bath for 20 minutes.</p><p style="text-align: left;">-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p style="text-align: left;">I double the recipe and it makes aprx. 9 1/2 pint jars. I like to give these away to family members. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I do realize that I am canning on perhaps the hottest day that we have had since July. But that's all part of the process. These beautiful early September days are when all the good things happen. I might also do yet another batch of zucchini muffins (chocolate chip this time), to stick in a large freezer bag and freeze for later. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8u-zgSgyp2RN9kCC5uw5P0A3BLkbYO6w0u-Udq_S8LMDxc-7FFveCOt3UQjmP1yx6kzh12y15GHyqc4MY1aVBLGY0XK9_Or6B_K1OLa--izXHbqrCgBMpcLrxOKWDIL-qpjGvz4PGtVskQPSP0nBUDKrMGZNIulH30T1qvtl8NbvKsveZ7vtnYOi-9gQ/s4032/IMG_7751.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8u-zgSgyp2RN9kCC5uw5P0A3BLkbYO6w0u-Udq_S8LMDxc-7FFveCOt3UQjmP1yx6kzh12y15GHyqc4MY1aVBLGY0XK9_Or6B_K1OLa--izXHbqrCgBMpcLrxOKWDIL-qpjGvz4PGtVskQPSP0nBUDKrMGZNIulH30T1qvtl8NbvKsveZ7vtnYOi-9gQ/w640-h480/IMG_7751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">(Yes, I made these while I was waiting for the sauce to boil down.)</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvx67PC9BOy0UalHLvnf3LefIRHzrG_ujIITMWgDiHCKK-TmZSZRuo5a9C9oW7aq8rr5F8n5jZOOLHdj5l6kyv2WSdhNN02hNX3DZxMHNsRT-qTEAriKyulBOqvHOU1zapcnI2orBNBGKyMKaHVHuLOgr5eZggYxUlJ3Bf1zuqVxvdS_CKJut40oZhM0/s4032/IMG_7752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvx67PC9BOy0UalHLvnf3LefIRHzrG_ujIITMWgDiHCKK-TmZSZRuo5a9C9oW7aq8rr5F8n5jZOOLHdj5l6kyv2WSdhNN02hNX3DZxMHNsRT-qTEAriKyulBOqvHOU1zapcnI2orBNBGKyMKaHVHuLOgr5eZggYxUlJ3Bf1zuqVxvdS_CKJut40oZhM0/w640-h480/IMG_7752.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">This last one is for Joanne, whose tea towels are still as perfect as the day I received them as a gift!</p><p style="text-align: center;">It made 6 half pints and 2 full pints.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">On a whole other note, and yes, this is where we get personal, I've been dealing with digestive issues for five, yes five, weeks. I'm not going to go into detail, but whatever you guess is probably correct. And if you are from Ontario, you know that I can't see my doctor for 4 weeks (at the time I tried to make the appointment). I stopped taking supplements that were somewhat new to me, as I thought perhaps that was what was causing my gut angst. I stopped coffee and the minimal amount of alcohol that I was consuming. Parasites, etc. were ruled out. To not avail, I decided to take matters in my own hands while waiting the weeks and weeks to see my actual doctor (I did get to see a nurse practitioner who ordered the tests to rule out creepy crawlies, but that's all she did).</p><p style="text-align: left;">I researched (because I'm good at researching and learning and applying and all that) the low FODMAP diet and the elimination diet. So as of six days ago I am religiously following this elimination diet (basically eliminates all foods in five categories that are known to cause intestinal distress). After you follow this for at least two weeks, or more, if you are seeing that your symptoms have significantly calmed down, then you move onto the reintroduction phase. It's all laid out and easy for me to follow and I'm keeping meticulous notes. In fact, my digestive issues have already 90% settled down. I am now VERY curious to determine what the heck it was that put me in the place I was in for 5 weeks. </p><p style="text-align: left;">My question to you, dear readers, is have you ever "suddenly" developed a sensitivity to something that was never an issue before, but now absolutely is? I know it happens. I know people can develop hay fever having never had problems before. I know allergies can occur for no particular reason ( or for reasons that people suspect but will be called out on if uttered publicly). I wonder if some of my medications to suppress estrogen and progesterone, or my bone-builder infusions (Zometa) (all a result of my breast cancer this past year) have contributed? (No, I did not have chemo). My sister, for those who regularly read, almost died last year and was in the ICU and for a while, it was unknown what the actual cause was until finally a targeted allergy test determined that she is now deathly allergic to ibuprofen!! Yup, good old Advil that people take for their aches and pains all the time! She had never, ever had problems before. </p><p style="text-align: left;">So please chime in if you've discovered you suddenly can't consume dairy, or wheat, or onions (lord, I already miss onions and garlic, which I have to currently eliminate), or whatever. Also, tell me if you are canning anything right now. We homesteaders need to stick together! </p>coffeeontheporchwithmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17618627688821849806noreply@blogger.com40