New Grand Kitty

Siobhan and Will are spending the weekend in Toronto and guess who gets to play with Shelley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About a month or so ago a wee kitten showed up at their door.

Despite all their efforts no one claimed this sweet girl.

So Siobhan, being my daughter, took her in.

I have been known to rescue quite a few little fellas.

 

My girls are not too impressed with this usurper but are managing.

 

 

This is Shelley peeking around the corner.

 

 

Her and Lucky could be cousins.

Not kissin cousins tho ----- Hahahaha!

 

 

Look at those eyeballs!!

 

There have been a couple of nose touches resulting in some very impressive hissing and sissing.

 

I forgot how much fun a kitten can be and quite annoying as well.

 

 

 

I have had to put my knitting away for the time she is awake.

When she decides she needs cuddles and lovin she is straight up in your face ------ literally.

 

 

I threw some extra seeds on the deck and Shelley is quite enjoying the squirrel and junco activity.

A Special Gift

My daughter and son in law celebrated their first wedding anniversary last week.

 

This was her beautiful bouquet.

She didn't want the traditional flower but wanted feathers.

We weren't sure how we were going to accomplish this until we chatted with a local florist (who is also a friend)

We gave her a picture and this is her interpretation.

Beautiful!!

 

 

As a gift I took the bouquet and made this frame for them.

 

 

I am thrilled with how it has turned out.

 

Linking to   http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.ca/

Good Nite Sweet Garden

Today it is very overcast and we are expecting rain later this afternoon and evening.

A perfect day to snap a few last shots of the garden.

As I was wandering around I happened to look up and there across the street was my neighbor in her window..

Bundled in a sweater holding a mug that I imagined was tea.

She gave me a tentative wave.

You know the kind ---  what are you doing out here zAzA? Okay I'll wave to you but I think you are nuts!

So off to the garden.

 

 

I topped off the bird bath.

This a heated one I bought a couple of years ago.

It is visited often during the winter.

If you can having a water feature in the winter it will attract lots of birds.

 

 

Amazing how we can fit summer into our shed.

 

 

There is a certain beauty to the fall garden.

 

 

See you next year clothes pins.

 

 

Rest well Bacchus.

 

 

I refuse to stop wearing my flip flops.

And will probably wear them until the snow is on the ground.

 

 

Happy First Anniversary

More time ----- YAY

 

 

So what are you all doing with that extra hour today?

Except everyone in Saskatchewan :)

 

Halloween is Coming

Slowly getting 44 ready for those lil ghosts and goblins

Molasses Ginger Cookies

Here is my recipe for very delicious, spicy, crispy cookies.

Best eaten with cold milk or hot tea (okay I guess coffee too)

 

 

Molasses Ginger Cookies

1-1/4 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup fancy molasses

1 egg

1-3/4  all-purpose flour

1 TBSP ground ginger

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp  salt

 

 

In large bowl, whisk together 1 cup (250 mL) of the sugar, oil, molasses and egg until smooth.

In separate bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt ; stir into sugar mixture.

Shape by rounded tablespoonfuls (15 mL) into balls; roll in remaining sugar to coat. Place 2 inches (5 cm) apart on parchment paper–lined or greased rimless baking sheets.

Bake in top and bottom thirds of 375°F oven, rotating and switching pans halfway through, until cookies spread out and tops crack, about 12 minutes. Let cool on pans on racks for 10 minutes; transfer to racks and let cool completely.

You can add 1/3 cup (75 mL) finely chopped crystallized ginger to the dry ingredients.

 

 

Thursday Sunshine in the KItchen

Spent the morning listening to music and doing some baking.

I had a couple cups of pumpkin puree left over

so made a luscious pumpkin spice loaf and little bundt cakes.

 

 

There was a lot of sunshine in the kitchen today.

 

 

 

 

I even had a little helper today.

 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Here in Canada we are celebrating Thanksgiving.

 

 

Its going to be very quiet here at 44.

Siobhan and Will have decided to have their own Thanksgiving.

I get it. I really do.

I have to get my head around not having everyone here for big holiday celebrations.

It may take this ole girl a wee bit longer.

So HB and I have planned an excursion to the eastern parts of Ontario to search out some fall colours.

We will pack up the car with cameras, binoculars, lunch, snacks, and a few sunflower seeds for the wayward birds we may see.

There is still lots of garden clean up to be done.

 

 

 We are expecting a glorious Saturday and Sunday so perhaps an apple martini on the patio?

Oh and yes I am making us Thanksgiving dinner just a wee bit scaled down.

 

I am thankful for so many things but here are a few

 

a healthy family

 

smiles every day thinking of Miles and Riley

 

 

sitting with HB every morning with a coffee

 

ice packs

 

greek yogourt

 

curling up with Addy and reading

 

naps in the afternoon

 

hi lites

 

 

 

 

Wishing you all a terrific weekend

Week in a Nutshell

This past week has been very busy.

Let's see.

Monday I spent doing some cleaning and getting the outside ready for autumn.

 

Tuesday was hair day.

I decided about 9 months ago to let my hair go its natural grey way.

I believe in the past I have regaled about my awesome hairdresser, Vicki.

She has worked very hard with me to help this process not be too painful.

Every other appointment has been partial highlights.

And I am beyond pleased with the outcome.

 

Wednesday Yip Yip Yippee back to our 5K walk

 

 

Thursday HB and I went into Ottawa to do a bit of book shopping and a baby shower gift.

I picked up Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.

 

 

I've read a lot of classics but have never glance at a Jane story.

I saw a documentary a few weeks ago about her and the Bronte girls (whom I have read) and thought I should give her a go.

So far it has been a delight to read.

 

Friday was peanut butter cookie day

 

On Saturday there was a baby shower for dear friends' new grand daughter.

Just a quick history ---- their son and daughter in law were pregnant a couple of years ago with twins.

In her 6th month she lost the babies. It was a difficult time for their whole family. So you see this wee baby girl , Olivia, is truly a blessing.

 

 

Our friends' daughter and son in law welcomed a wee baby girl, Lauren, just 2 months ago.

I am sure they are feeling twice blessed.

 

 

 

Then it was off to dinner with another friend in Ottawa who has recently split from his wife and is now going through the divorce proceedings.

He lives on the 10th floor of an apartment building.

 

 

Certainly gives us house dwellers a different perspective of the city.

 

Sunday HB and son in law Will spent the day golfing.

 

 

Daughter Siobhan came out in the afternoon.

I tried a new recipe Chicken Tikka Masala.

As they say a keeper.

Then peanut butter cookie (with above cookies) ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

 

So there is my week in a nutshell.

Hello October!!!

Just to let you know I am stil around

Hi y'all.

Well as you can see I did not get any blogging done while I was in Alberta.

Just too much Miles and Riley time.

 

 

 

It was a hoot.

They are such fantastic little beings.

Lots of fun and very exhausting.

 

 

 

 

Lots of playground time.

 

 

 

Birding with Bapa.

He has their lifelist started and I think they are up to 10.

 

 

Playing with water is the best.

 

 

Making pancakes for breakfast.

 

 

 

As you can see my title for my blog is under construction.

I didn't think it would be this difficult coming up with a new handle.

 

 

Oh and a few pics to show we actually did do a few other things than play with M and R.

 

Drumheller

 

 

 Hoo Doos