Scone Sundays

A good friend of ours has a tradition. Two years ago she included us in a group email to all her friends and family. It was a very unique invitation (excerpts in red) to attend Scone Sundays at their home in London.

A scone is a single-serving cake or quick bread, originally hailing from Scotland. They are usually made of wheat, barley or oatmeal, with baking powder as a leavening agent, and are baked on sheet pans. They are often lightly sweetened and are occasionally glazed. 

Before Megan's second cousin Jon passed away, he opened his home in New Brunswick to anyone who would like to drop in EVERY Sunday. The door was basically 'open'. The invite was to come anytime mid morning to mid afternoon for a homemade, fresh out of the oven scone with tea, coffee or whatever your pleasure.

"yes - just drop in unannounced - this alleviates any stress of you feeling obligated to up or any stress for us wondering if something awful has happened to you if you don't show up"

Megan and Mom

After he passed on in 2012, Megan talked to her mom about carrying on the tradition, with a few changes, They thought this would be a nice way to honour his memory. Megan and Neil began opening their door every second Sunday of the month from January 2013 between 10 am and 3 pm. The first year was a hit and now we are nearing the end of the second year.

Megan, almost ready!

Don't knock, just walk right on in! Come for 10 minutes, come for an hour, come and stay as long as you like! No rsvp required, just come when you can!

".......our doors will be open every Second Sunday of each month whether you show up or not"

Tadah!

I'd never heard of anything so quaint and definitely wanted to be a part of it. I let January and February pass by without going. I mentioned it to Bill and he would shrug without interest. He didn't know Megan yet and didn't think it would appeal to him, more of a ladies gathering, he thought.

"expect a simple menu: coffee, tea, or hot chocolate (or water) to drink - do not expect anything gourmet like a 'grande non-fat vanilla latte'" 

March rolled around and I had decided I was going. I invited my friend Brenda to join me and we had a really nice visit, many chuckles not to mention some absolutely delicious scones!! It felt odd at first walking into someone's home without knocking, without letting them know we were coming. It felt odd once. After that it felt like coming home.  The next time I went, Bill went with me and was soon caught up with this neat little tradition.

Serving them up on a platter

It is part of our winter, spring and fall. As often as we can make it, however brief, we go. Our hosts always make us feel welcome no matter how many times we show up.

"if you expect a meal, eat elsewhere" "if you do not like scones, we will not be offended - share your 'peace' of mind with us over a cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate" 

We've met other friends of theirs, we've bumped into other acquaintances of ours and we've met members of their families. It is a real treat.

Dad, Neil, Bill and Megan

Finally, I remembered to take my camera.

"do not bring gifts or treats - if you do, expect to take them home again with you................"

Michael, Laura

Summer for us is too busy and we seem to miss the scones and the visits from June through September or October depending on when Thanksgiving falls. It is marked on our calendar every second Sunday just in case we are free. This month, November, we made it and had a fun chat fest as if we'd never missed any!

"drop in on your own or bring your friends and/or family you............"

May all your scones be warm served up with some delicious company!

Thank you for stopping in, and thank you Megan for allowing me to share your wonderful story.

Voting, Volunteering and Voodoo

Voting - Often we find that it's time to 'cast your vote' for a federal, provincial or municipal election. I don't have much to say about that kind of vote since I am one of the least political people you'll ever meet. I don't have a lot of faith that one group in office is any better than another. Because it is my right to vote and I am completely eligible, I will not waiver that right. I will always go to the polls and mark my ballot even though it can be a confusing choice.

However! I must add that our past panel of councillors, trustees and mayor in our city needed to take a walk. It has been an embarrassing time for London for the last four years and I was glad to vote on Mon. Oct. 27 and proudly marked my X beside a new name for every position. Take that!! Now we'll see what happens.

We get asked to vote for things in our union at work, yay or nay this or that. Again, if it doesn't directly affect me, or isn't a matter of importance, I'm not a very good person to ask for a vote. I like to let things lie. If something is working, why make a change?

Although when it comes to voting for our union contract, count me in! I am a positive voter, I just want to continue to work at my job without losing any major benefits and we have had so many years without a pay raise in my 31 years that a raise is not worth striking for. It is my personal belief that we can never win from a strike vote.

Volunteering - I don't do much of this, hardly none come to think of it unless it is to help a friend or family member. I go to work every day, faithfully, hardly ever missing a day from illness or other reason and the last thing on my mind is volunteering to go and help out on my only days off in a week for a cause. I'm not saying they aren't good causes, they are and yet I still don't raise my hand and say "I'll do that!"

Correction. I do volunteer for one cause. It doesn't aid the poor or the sick and it doesn't feed the hungry but instead it is our time that we volunteer.  My husband and I volunteer our services a few times a year for Can-Am RV Centre, www.canamrv.ca when they ask. Two weeks ago, we were asked to help out at their Toronto RV show and we jumped at the chance.

Option for the beginner

DRV Mobile Suite

The cause in this case was a little self-centered because it was something we really wanted to attend. So for 2 days, 12 hours we stood outside/inside two of their finest fifth wheel trailers and met and greeted interested onlookers. Some were there to purchase, others were just curious about the lifestyle. We had a great time chatting with many different people and even added a name or two to our list of future contacts. This was our third time helping out at their events and already have 3 more weekends book to continue through to spring.

Voodoo - Hallowe'en has come and gone for another year. It was nice this year, since it was on a Friday and what better day to dress up for work and goof around as late into the evening as you like. For me, a child at heart in many aspects, I have dressed up on this day for most of my 60 years. I 've always loved both sides of it.  As a child being the pumpkin, ghost or witch running from house to house to get candy and now as an adult greeting the spooky guests at my door. Of course it's the little ones who steal my heart but I admire those older teens who make the attempt to adorn a zombie or rock star attire. I loved the two teen boys who braved the bright red morph suits this year! They were hilarious bouncing around like little elves.

Krystal, bubble gum machine

I'm proud to say that my children, especially my daughter, takes after me in this thrill of creativity and she is much better at it then I am! I'm attributing that to age, of course, I was good in my day!
My son, my brother and my niece and my step-daughter stepping up to the plate.

Daughter Bridgette, silent screen star

At work, it's like pulling teeth to get others to join me in my childlike endeavour but finally I have 3 others who also get into the spirit.

My first attempt at face painting.
Not bad!!

Twins from down the street more impressed
with Clemson than the candy!

Work gals
Hawaiaan Punch, Kelly Kop,
Rhinestone Cowboy, Jack(ie) Sparrow (me)

Morgan, my niece

My brother.....Dude

My son Patrick, Chaela, Nathan

 If for no other reason, after I retire, my colleagues will remember me for being the one person who ALWAYS dressed up for Hallowe'en. I have one more to go before I leave the working world but since it's a Saturday............it might be more difficult pushing for a Friday dress-up day!

Thanks for stopping in, I've had issues with my computer so have been on standstill for a few weeks.

I needed to jot something so you know I'm still around!

Take care!