Lion's Harvest Fair, Long Day

The Ridge

It was 6:30 when Bill called up to me this morning, Saturday, Oct. 3rd. I'd asked him last night 'don't let me sleep past 6:30'. He left for the flying field at 6:45 and I moved into action. 

Good morning!

My favourite picture today

I'd showered yesterday so just had to wash, nibble on some yogourt, make a lunch, get dressed and go. I was in the car, after disconnecting from power, at 7:40. When I arrived at the Community Centre, it wasn't quite 8 am but the doors were open for vendors to enter. 

Nerves? Excitement?
both!

I didn't see Trudy yet, but first found my table, (made sure Trudy's was next to me) and then proceeded to bring my things in and get set up. My friend arrived soon after that, arriving with her son, Dan, and they set up quickly.

I'm all set up so took time
to snap a picture of the whole room

The tables were 8' long, which gave us plenty of room to spread out our wares. I was feeling the worries roll off my shoulders and began to relax, in control of what I was doing. I wasn't expecting much from today other than more experience. 

Trudy makes weighted
theraputic crochet 'stuffies'
and the kids and the adults love
to hold them.

For 7 hours, from beginning to end, we just enjoyed ourselves. We had some laughs, learned more about each other, met new acquaintances and even sold a few of our items. Trudy did better than I did but I was happy, by the end of the day, to sell enough to pay for my table and walk away with $4! 🤭I don't consider that a loss. 

Trudy and I met at the
Mat over a year ago and hit it off.
Today, she helped calm my nerves
a whole lot.

Bill stopped by on Jazz when he was done after a good morning at the field and he was able to meet Trudy and Dan. When we packed things up at 3, we exchanged hugs with hopes to see each other before we head south. Bill was at the Legion and asked me to join him.

It was a pretty sky when I drove home

With a few Legion/Lion's members, we had a drink, bought (& lost) a few meat, 50/50 tickets, I danced one dance to Boot, Scoot & Boogie and we came home - separately. 🏍️🚗 Gibbs was happy to see us both and after bringing my cooler in, I was too tired to unload.

Gibbs was happy to see us
return home.
He hadn't been outside much
all day.

For supper, we had fish, chips and onion rings and everything was very good. I wanted to finish my post so put Murder in a Small Town on while I worked. Hoping this would keep me awake. 😂 It has been a good day. 

I went overboard on my onion rings
but they were delicious!

It was a chilly start, 5.5C/42F, but warmed up quite nicely. Bill told me it was a great morning for flying and obviously a lovely afternoon for a bike ride to town. 

I looked out my window and saw
these two cleaning up the yard.

Thank you for all the support on my sale day. It was a great day.

A pretty sky tonight.
Good night!

Thank you for your visit.

Preparing, Someone's Last Day, Lucky Winner! (not us)

 The Ridge

On Friday, Oct. 2nd we were both up for work by 6:30. Bill left in the dark, at least from inside, it looked dark outside at 7. It wasn't long after his departure, that I gave Gibbs his treat, took my tea and headed to town.

Good morning!

I drove straight to Battery Pro and filled our water bottle. Only the outside dispenser is working now. No one was at the Mat when I arrived and I was wiping down the last few washers when a regular customer came in. He's one of the friendlies 🤭 and after loading his machine, he slipped out to go get his Timmy's breakfast.

Why does a camera seldom capture
what you see?

I went directly home, my head was focused on one thing and I wanted to get things sorted for the Harvest show. It was a damp start to the day but it did stop raining by the time I returned home and it was mild enough by 10 for me to open our outside door. 

Depending on which way you looked,
you could see clouds or blue sky

I began arranging, packing, labelling and planning my table display and finally, after a few touchups on my main sign, I loaded the back of Ptooties. My roll up table, table cloths and a chair filled the area. With that done and my mind much calmer, I asked Gibbs to get the mail with me.

Driving towards that blue

The little bum sat on the hill and watched as I disappeared. When I sat Bill drive up and stop at the mailbox, I turned back to encourage Gibbs to come down to me. He didn't hear Black Beauty and didn't move until Bill became quite visible. I was taking some garbage down so carried on.

Hello Madame Monarch

Bill immediately hooked up to the dump trailer and we all hopped in to go along for the ride to the Durham Landfill. I popped into Dave's Crazy Dollar store for some small shopping bags. He gave me a nice deal on the bags and didn't charge me tax......sometimes getting friendly with people at the Mat pays off. 😉

Driving into Durham at 5 pm
The sky was pretty but we needed
warm coverups against the wind.

On the way home, we dropped the trailer back at Robin's and when I got home, I vacuumed while Bill did a few things outside. No, he wasn't burning his work clothes! Yes, my sweetie has 'retired' for the second time, 10 years later.🤭 Now he can focus on what we have left to do over the next 2 weeks. Cheers! 🍾

This tree is almost at
its brightest and already dropping leaves.

I had my shower while he and Gibbs snoozed and we went to the 5 o'clock Catch the Ace draw. Well, it happened tonight. Someone's ticket was drawn, they chose #1 and that envelope had the Ace of Spades. Someone none of us knew, won just over $19,000 tonight on a $5 ticket. Congratulations!

Just a few clouds tonight
but they were pretty.

We returned home, had weiners and beans for supper, finished the pineapple dessert and relaxed for the remainder of the short evening. 

I walked up on the berm at home
to catch some of this pink sky.

This was a good day and although that wind was strong and very cool, we reached 15C/60F and going down to 3.3C/38F overnight. Brrr! Blue flame heater tonight.

Our Friday night meals are usually
simple......now that we won't be going
to C the A meetings, they will be
improving. 🤭
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by.

A New Month Begins on a Low Key

The Ridge

On Thursday, Oct. 1st we woke up in our own bed. I can't honestly say that we slept any better but I did sleep well and woke with a little snuggle bum right next to me. It was early, only 5:15 so we went back to sleep.

Good morning!
I can count on 1 or 2 fingers
the number of times I've seen a
cardinal this year.

Bill heard yesterday that he would be working today in Port Elgin so he left the Suite around 7. I was happy that, although yesterday was busy, it meant that I didn't have to clean the Mat. Thank you all for the birthday wishes for my hubby and I totally agree that Gibbs is a character.🤭

When I saw what he was doing,
I was fascinated.
Picking up seeds and feeding them
to his mate.

The weather today is such that I'm happy to be indoors. The forecast for the day is wet, warm, wet, warm and more wet. The rain isn't to be heavy just steady. Bill put the windows in the door on Tuesday since the nights are getting cooler and we don't need the screens now for a while. 

I've included a few short videos for you today. I'm not sure which one is the best so you get them all!

So, with today's warmth, Gibbs and I opened the outside door to let more light in. I was feeling anxious about Saturday so decided to focus on gathering things together and make notes of what I had. I sorted earrings, added any missing labels (made by Patritia) and bagged them in the same size baggies.

It was a tasty lunch!

Then, I counted my greeting cards and put them aside as well. It was almost noon so I cooked some bacon, eggs and fried zucchini with a roll. That was quite good, just ask Gibbs who had a bit of egg too. 

After cleaning up, I wanted to make something with an autumn theme so settled on a canvas board for the backing. 

It came together better than
I expected.

Gibbs and I walked through the misty day to get the mail and then rushed back when the spatters became a little more threatening. It still didn't pour at all today but the forecast is possible for it tonight around 9ish. Bill was home at 3:30 and informed me that he will have his last (LAST!) workday with Billy tomorrow. 🥰 Sorry, Billy.

                     Even when she was on the ground,

                                          he fed her. Amazing!

We had baked chicken thighs, corn on the cob, potatoes and rolls for supper. This oven (except for the turning on process) is doing me proud! The thighs were done perfectly in exactly the right time! Yes! (fist pump here) It was all delicious and we waited 30 minutes for a piece of Robin's dessert.

Supper was perfect!

There's a movie coming up on the screen that I haven't seen so I'll be watching that when I'm finished. We had word during supper that Jess made it back home to Alberta safely and that was good to hear. Easton and Hadley, who were staying with and aunt and uncle, would be happy to have Mom back. ♥️

We reached a high of 18C/65F this afternoon but with no wind, it was pleasant. I hope you enjoyed your first day of this autumn month.

Things are a'changin' here too.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by.

Well, Another Happy Birthday Treat!

The Ridge/Carriage House

On Wednesday, Sept. 30th it was my hubby's turn. Bill turned over another page in his history and although not a 'special' year, aren't they all anyway? I think so, life is so short (just ask a puppy dog), and we never truly know what is around the bend. We welcome every single birthday.

Good morning!
This was the view from the
Carriage House kitchen window.
Beautiful!

There are two favourite pictures
today.
This is one of them.
Bill is going to meet Jess at the Mat.

With that in mind, after spending a lovely evening in a newly renovated bnb at no expense, we could think of no better way to relax and wake up to another birthday celebration. What's happening today? We were in bed last night around 10 and with only a couple of wakeful moments, we all slept until 6:45!

This is the second one.
Oh my, he's killing me with
those brown eyes.
"I'm staying here alone?"

It was weird not having the ceiling clock to tell us the time so Bill checked when he got up. It was quite a good night's sleep. I got washed and dressed while Bill made a pot of coffee and boiled the kettle for my tea. I had the Mat to clean so left at 7:30 to do that.

And a lovely picture of
the birthday boy and his youngest
daughter.

Bill's daughter, Jess, (maybe I told you this), flew in Sunday from Alberta and was driving to Durham for a day's visit with her dad on his special day. We are both very happy to see her! She arrived around 10:30 and Gibbs welcomed her (pure Gibbs' style) into 'his' domain. LOL

My Eggs Benedict was
delicious, so were the home fries.

We caught up briefly until 11:45 when we drove to Mama'Z Diner for lunch. I had a yummy Eggs Benedict with home fries. Back at the bnb, Gibbs was overly happy we didn't leave him for very long and that we returned to him. 😂 

Jess wanted a picture of the three
(well, 4), bless her heart.
It isn't the clearest photo but
it's a good one.
💕💕

The rest of the afternoon was more catching up and it was wonderful to sit and relax without the little ones taking her attention away. Best visit in a very long time. 

Back home, our little gentleman
looks comfy.

It was quite comfortable sitting at the bnb and Robin said we could stay for our visit. Jess left after hugs and kisses around 4 for London. She flies home tomorrow. We washed and changed sheets and towels, cleaned up and left before 5.

I went up for a nap and it wasn't
long before I had a snuggly
puppy behind me.

Gibbs was happy to be home, running around the Ridge like a fool as soon as he got out of the car. We unloaded and Bill and Gibbs promptly had a snooze. My eyes are very heavy as I write this and with a simple meal of leftover lasagna and rolls for supper, I decided to grab a bit of shuteye too.

The sun sets

Leftovers were good

I heard Bill on the phone 30 minutes later but just didn't want to move. He was receiving FB messages, texts and phone calls all day so left him to respond accordingly. When I did come downstairs, I felt chilled and that's usually the case when I doze in the afternoon.

When Bill paid for our meal,
Mama D asked him what we were up to
today. He told her his daughter came for
his birthday.
She gave him a piece of coconut pie.
Nice!

It certainly wasn't a cold day but it did rain a wee bit, lightly, just before Jess left. It was a mild 19.4C/69F today and only dropping to 15C/59F overnight. A good night for sleeping. The sky was very pretty to the west and south so had to slip out for a picture.

Some sky performance

Looking south

After cleaning up dishes, Bill made his lunch and that was it for our day. Jess made it back to London safely so we could relax and settle down for the night. It was a great day and Bill thoroughly enjoyed this birthday.

Looking west.
Good night!
(back to a king bed) 🤭
Happy Birthday to my Sweetheart.
😍

Thank you for your visit too!

Well, This was a Mixed Up Day with a Fun Ending

The Ridge

On Tuesday, Sept. 29th what started out to be (according to my plans) a very relaxed day and a pleasant evening didn't end up that way! I should explain that a week and a half ago, Robin asked us if we would consider spending a night in the Carriage House bnb when it was ready for guests.

Good morning!
Daddy didn't go to work,
but he's out there doing something!

This was kind of exciting for us. Remember, we live in an rv and as much as we love our lifestyle and The Ridge, being invited to stay a night at one of her 'homes' was pretty special. She usually asks one of her friends to do that as a 'test' run. What is missing, what doesn't work etc.

Slowly the trees along Baptist
Church Rd. are changing their
outfits.

This time, we were the lucky ones that she asked. With Bill winding down for his work, we wanted a night before a day when he wasn't required to get up and rush off to work. With his special day tomorrow, and a surprise (cat's out of the bag now) visit from his youngest daughter, Jess, coming in from Alberta, he's taking Wednesday off. 

We told Robin, tonight was the night. When I'd just decided to work on more quilling for the weekend show, she needed a cleaner for Williamsford. I don't like turning her or the $$ down, so said yes. I put things away and got ready to go. Bill was cutting trees and loading the dump trailer so I said goodbye before 11 and headed over.

I'll enjoy watching the changes
over the next couple of weeks.

We'd planned on having supper in town at the bnb called Carriage House (which it used to be years ago). It sits behind the main 2 story brick home. I thought I could put together a lasagna and make some of my dinner rolls. Haven't used the bread maker in a while.

Finally, the blue sky and sunshine
dominate

First, I was 1 cup short of flour so substituted almond flour for the last cup. I've not had good luck making bread with almond flour so it took a while to get the texture right enough to be able to knead it together. I still wasn't hopeful, figuring them to be a bust.

Settling in for the night.
Gibbs isn't sure - yet - and
watches out the window.

On the way back from Williamsford, I stopped at Foodland for some flour, bread and yeast and carried on home. I did drop a comforter quilt and sham covers off at Robin's and When I got home, Bill had finished cutting and loading.

I started on a second batch of rolls with all bread flour this time and went through the process of kneading, shaping, rising and put the first batch in the oven for 25 minutes. When I began the lasagna, I realixed I didn't have mozzarella chees nor cottage cheese. LOL What kind of a meal would this be!?

Do you know where we are, Mom?

We loaded Ptooties with what we'd need for overnight, brought the rolls (3/4 baked), and the new batch (1/2 risen) and the lasagna ready to pop in the oven when we get there. It was 4:45. This bnb, when we arrived, is amazing! She did such a great job.

He must feel safe, here
he is sound asleep,

I lit the oven, popped the rolls and lasagna in and Bill found the old movie, Convoy, to watch while it cooked. Gibbs wasn't and still isn't quite sure what's going on, but he settled down pretty quickly on Bill's lap and went to sleep. 

I love the beams in this place.

As it turned out, the lasagna was delicious as were both batches of rolls. Well, we only ate the first ones with mixed flour and I know the second batch always turns out. I messaged Robin that it was very comfortable in here and invited her to come for supper. 

Supper was very good!
With NO mozzarella!

We'd eaten but she was driving late with the Mennonites and we had extra. She and Mildred joined us for a nice evening. We don't watch the Roku Channel but tonight we found another old movie, NottingHill, and enjoyed it all over again.

This is the second batch.
Good thing they freeze well,

This was another, maybe our last, beautiful 'summer-like' fall day reaching 22.2C/72F. It took a long time for the clouds to move on and let the sun break through. Bill had the day off work but he didn't really stop working (cutting trees, dumping tanks, weed trimming). Since we came in to the Carriage House, he relaxed.

Robin made Bill a 
No-bake pineapple cake
for dessert.

It was a great day, as mixed up as it was for me. We're hoping for a 'great' night, in a queen size bed with a 35 lb. pooch. 🤭🥰

Gibbs and Mildred met for
the first time tonight.
She's a little shit-disturber,  🤭,
teasing him like a typical little
lady but they were very good
together for the most part.
Good night!

Thank you for the visit.