Canada Day Company

Tradition in our family, Bill’s and mine, is that on July 1^st, no matter what day of the week it falls on, we host dinner for Bill’s parents, siblings and their spouses. This began soon after we purchased our home in London in 2002.
A few pictures of our past Canada Day celebrations.

Bill's sister Liz

Bill and brother in law, Bruce

Family group before I perfected my camera

July 1st, 2015

Last year, hot, an outside day for sure

Waiting for guests - 2015

Gorgeous day on July 1st, 2015

With our small home, a small gathering was all we could manage easily and who wants to be stressed out on a holiday? We have done this for 11 years now and other than an absence because someone was sick, the Canada Day celebration was held, rain or shine.

As it turned out, not one day was a wash out from rain, we were always able to spend some of the day outside………until now. We invited the family up to The Ridge, very excited that from Stratford/Sebringville everyone replied to our invitation in the affirmative. We know it isn’t necessary to send an invite, they count on it every year, but I am a stick in the mud when it comes to this type of thing. Never assume!

A week before the day arrives, we are hearing an unfavourable forecast for Friday, July 1^st. Well, who can trust the weatherman anyway? We were positive it would change to our benefit. Famous last words!

The day is here, forecast says 17C, morning showers, afternoon showers but you know what? This is our day and we have never cancelled or postponed yet so we forge on.

Welcome sign for company at the Corral

Welcome to The Ridge via Richards Way

Great stories shared

My plan was to have barbecued seasoned chicken breasts, potato salad and garden salad with a couple of pie options for dessert. With the weather playing havoc with our day, I changed my mind and made scalloped potatoes instead.

Done in the convection oven, 375F for 80 minutes and they were perfect! I am quite proud of this learning curve for cooking and baking. Never too old to learn, apparently!

Canada Day was well represented

by all of our guests

Carol brought chocolate dipped strawberries...yum!

Attentive listeners although Clemson was bored

 Dinner was a hit and

 so was our home. From 1:30 pm until departure around 8 pm we were seated inside, very comfortable for dinner and clean up. We were not crowded or stepping over each other at all. Trust me, this is a huge relief for us, since we do love to entertain on occasion.

By the time our company was ready to leave, it was still quite cool out, but the rain had long stopped and we were able to show Bill’s sisters and Bruce around a bit of our property. We know they will be back to see it again on a nicer day.

Another successful Canada Day celebration at the Richard’s residence. *sigh*

Thank you for reading,