Saturday 11 November 2017

November 11

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. We have been pretty lucky to have mild weather for the past two years on this day, but this year it is more typical. I always feel for the very elderly veterans that I see on tv attending special ceremonies huddled under wool blankets in wheelchairs, stoically putting up with cold, wet, windy weather. I suppose they've put up with much worse.

Here is what it looked like this morning:




Quintessentially Canadian shots of the pumpkins / jack o'lanterns and mums still on the porch for the first snowfall. As well, the outdoor furniture like this little wooden bistro set, still not put away in the shed for the season. As you can tell from the pawprints, our two cats are very much outdoor creatures who don't seem bothered by a bit of snow.

This snow won't last. The temperatures will be above freezing later this week, but it is a good kick in the behind to clean up the last few things outside that should have been dealt with already.

After a few hours out in the cold, Sammy has opted for something a bit more cozy.

See how we've chose décor to match him?

I went into town for the usual weekend shopping and wanted to take out some books at the library only to find that the library was closed for Remembrance Day. I guess I should have known that. Oh well, the books will still be there this week. I've taken to spending more time reading blogs and other computer activities in my downtime that I realized I haven't been lost in a good book for way too long. I need to find a few books to settle in with. I love mysteries, especially those set in England. I'm not much of a historical setting person (for mysteries anyway). I have several favourite authors, but you know how it is, you finish reading all of their books and they haven't quite finished their next one, so you don't know who to read now. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

As soon as I hit "publish" on this post, I'll be preparing a meatloaf. It's comfort food tonight, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, maybe carrots, a slice of whole grain bread, a glass of red. Perfect.


31 comments:

  1. I’ll be right over. Sounds wonderful.

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  2. Wow! I am thankful that we don't have snow yet. We have had a few flurries, but that is all.

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  3. Jenn, Your dinner sounds so good for a snowy day. I am like Sammy...give me a spot of sunshine and a warm blanky. :):) I always feel a bit sad seeing the daylight go by so quickly in cold weather. Blessings to you and all the veterans there. xoxo, Susie

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  4. Have you read the Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey, police procedural set in London?
    Brr, but it was chilly here too, highs only in the 50's which is cold for here.

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  5. Sounds good Jenn :) Comfort food here too with some white wine. :) We had snow too, freezing cold, I can't handle it anymore! It's only just begun too.

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  6. I love, love, love your cafe table. Where did you get it?

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  7. Jenn... i didn't know about Remembrance Day in Canada... I dont like seeing that white stuff!
    I am reading “Until I Met Her” and love it but it is not historical or British.

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  8. Thanks Janet, I haven't heard of that author, but will add it to my list on my phone. Hey, Happy Whisk, we don't do fancy here, I think husband bought it for me (mother's day??) a couple of years ago from either Walmart or Canadian Tire - which I realize you don't have there, but it's like a Lowes maybe?

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  9. Katie, I love when you suggest books on your blog. Have you considered making a separate page that shows all of the books you have read and your ratings of them? (Personally I don't even know how to make a separate page, but you thought you would).

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  10. I was quite impressed last night with the young cadets all standing guard at the main Guelph Cenotaph over night when it dipped to -15 (c). You should have seen all the people pulling on the doors at the LCBO today, which was also closed. ... Mary-Lou =^..^=

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  11. Sammy is adorable and looks exactly like my Mocha...also a tabby cat.

    Your dinner sounds wonderful! Comfort food this time of the year is the best.

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  12. Not Canada here, but we have snow and cold and hanging baskets to take down tomorrow.

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  13. We rarely get snow here, doesn't take long for Mr. Sun to melt it either

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  14. A cat a good book and a meatloaf for dinner. All perfect for this time of year.

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  15. I love mysteries set in England too, preferably a by British authors. So different from the American written books.

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  16. That looks really cold and wintry. Kate Atkinson is one of my favourite British authors. She's a bit like marmite, you either love her or hate her.

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  17. It looks beautiful! Your home area is gorgeous!

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    1. Ha, ha, I think you are looking at the beautiful house across the road - pretty fancy!

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  18. I always watch the ceremonial parade and look for the vets. I only saw a couple this year, and as the CBC commentator said, they will all be in their 90s. Coming from a strong military environment, I see familiar faces in the parade. We are all getting old.
    We had another light dusting last night. It's bright and sunny today so the roof is dripping. Wish the porch would melt. Still have lawn tractor and outdoor furniture to put away here too. And then there is the boat which is still sitting in the middle of the inlaws side lawn.....gads.....

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  19. Hi. Have you read the Louise Penny series with inspector Gamache? I love british mysteries and formerly Elizabeth George has been my favorite author, but now it is Louise Penny.
    Although this series takes place in Quebec, you might like it. The first book is Still Life.

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    1. I LOVE Louise Penny and actually posted about her. I don't think there is a new book yet by her, but I've loved every single one.

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  20. I am the same as you. I am reading blogs and not getting into a good book. I do however always have an audiobook on the go. I listen to them on my iPhone in my pocket and get on with jobs around the house, garden and cooking. I also listen via Bluetooth in the car. You could say I am addicted!

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    1. The vehicle I just bought has Bluetooth and all sorts of fancy capabilities. I have yet to play around with them, but some day I'll sit in my drive way and figure it all out.

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  21. It's definitely getting to be meatloaf weather! I like that you call it Remembrance Day -- better than Veterans Day, I think, even if it's the same. And you got more snow than we did.

    I read Brit mysteries all the time (along with Louise Penny, who so many mentioned here. I adore her books but read them in order because of character development. Important!) I've recently discovered Imogen Quy mysteries by Jill Paton Walsh, love the Masie Dobbs series(read in order) by Jacqueline Winspear and the Maggie Hope series (Susan Elia MacNeal, read in order). Also James Runcie's Grantchester series. There's a whole new series of classic Brit mysteries by authors I wasn't familiar with but so far have enjoyed. 1930s writers. You've probably read the P.D. James and Dorothy L. Sayers mysteries. I also like Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley mysteries -- oh! And Deborah Crombie's Duncan Kincaid/Gemma James mysteries (read in order). Sarah Caldwell has four very intensely literate mysteries set in the law courts of England (I had to use my dictionary more than once but well written and fascinating). Patricia Moyes has a series -- it's older -- with an ongoing detective and those are pretty good. I whipped through the lot of what I had in that series last summer. The Phrynne Fisher books are good too (can't remember author; Australian). You hit a hot button with me!

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    1. Wow, Jeanie! Thanks for all of those suggestions. Yes, I've read Louise Penney's books in order - love them so much and just want to go to the book store and eat what they eat and look at their art and live in the Eastern Townships... I also read Elizabeth George - up to date on all of those, too. I also know Deborah Crombie and I think I've read all of those, too. However, some of these names are unfamiliar and no, I'm not really a reader of Sayers and James. Maybe I have to give them another shot.

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  22. Snow already!... rain here today. I'm reading Gladys Taber books right now - no mystery there, but lovely homesteading tales from days gone by. You've got lots of ready material suggestions in the comments though!

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    1. I would read those. I love homesteading tales from days gone by! I'll put her name in my phone.

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  23. after reading the suggestions for reading, I figured I would add one not mentioned: Donna Leon write mysteries centered in Venice, featuringInspector Brunetti. Also the Ladies No. 1 Detective series by Alexander McCall Smith is enjoyable. Meat loaf is also on our menu for the coming week or maybe a Shepherd's pie and yes a glass of red wine too. No snow here yet, but it's coming.

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  24. Shots of your house and neighborhood always look so peaceful and lovely.

    I also have wanted to mention that all of your posts have such a feeling of serenity . . . even when you relate adventures of chaos (but happy, cozy chaos) in your life! ;o) Maybe I haven't come up with the correct words to describe what I mean. I always enjoy reading what you've written though.

    Reading lots and lots is one of the things I so look forward to doing this winter. Through books (whatever your particular preference may be) you can experience so many things you'd never have the time or chance to experience in real life. And I probably learn a lot along the way, too!

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  25. Snow! We haven't had anything that stuck around yet, but I know it's coming. There is nothing as cozy as a cat and a blanket. Especially when they are color coordinated!

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  26. What a cozy post! Hunting is over and I am ready to settle in. Quilting, baking, and projects are on my list.

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