A Couple of Errands, Sunshine Returns

The Ridge, Priceville, On

It was 7 am on Tuesday, Apr. 21st when I first opened my eyes. I was toasty warm upstairs under the duvet. We've added our Mexican blankets (they are individual sized so we each have one on our side of the king bed) with these cooler temperatures and Bill has left the fireplace on low.

Good morning!
Another sunset from the evening before.
No sunrise today, too cloudy.

Gibbs saw or felt me move and stretch, so accepted the invitation to give me my morning cuddles and kisses. We got up around 7:30, it felt great to just dilly dally with no pressure on time to go anywhere. I made a tea and sat with Gibbs while Bill finished his cereal and dressed for the outdoors.

It was cold over night and with the winds this morning, a cold start to the day. We knew the forecast was for a high in the mid teens (mid 50'sF) so were not discouraged too much. If you dress warm and remain active, you will enjoy the fresh air. (Mantra to myself)

It's important to note that
while not physically busy,
Gibbs is close by and always
keeping an eye out for us.
Important job!

I'm not sure when I got myself bundled and went out but Gibbs was happy to go too. He tends to sit by the door a lot more here, he knows this is his real home and there is so much to explore and mark as his territory. Who knows what critters have been here over the winter? In his mind, anyway and he just wants out.

Still at it.
I'm inside, Bill's outside.
Neither of us can go anywhere
without him knowing.

After Bill emptied the Bunky, I swept the floors and we were pleased to find only a very few mice turds were found, in the Bunky and garden shed. No damages - nothing! I glanced at my quilling things that I'd left behind and felt the itch but knew there was work to be done first. 😉

The berm garden was covered 
in apples.

All cleaned up and there
he is again.
😎

So, instead, when Bill took Black Beauty down to the Hangar to empty the back, I gathered more of the fallen branches from inside the corral. For my new followers, it isn't 'really' a corral, no horses have ever lived here. Rather it is the shape of one and so the name was adopted when we moved here.

Bill got his chainsaw out
and took down one of the dead
trees that had breaking branches.
Firewood!

The cedar rail fencing around it, and around the whole property, is deteriorating badly and each spring, we've had to try and reconstruct it in areas just to keep the appearance. I think this year, we will be removing some of the badly rotted ones and retrofitting the remaining ones. They look bad.

We came in around 10:30, cleaned up a bit and went into town. I bought stamps, we dropped off our Income Tax papers at the accountants and had a bottle of propane filled. We'll keep track of what we use this spring. Last year it was 9 - 40 lbers, which was way over the 4 from the previous spring. LOL

This garden is frustrating.
I had all these weeds and stones
cleared out.
The frost has brought them to
the surface. I need a tiller!

The day had warmed, considerably, with the sun but the winds were still gusty and cold. After lunch, we all went out and spent the next 2 or 3 hours outside with us as we puttered. I raked the gardens, crawling around on my hands and knees to use the small hand tool and the tall rake to gather the rotten apples in my berm garden.

Bill bought me a seed block
in Arizona so we mounted it
today on the fence posts.
Only the grackles so far,
but hopefully when the chickadees
hear about it, they'll join.

Bill and I discussed the location and size of the raised garden bed he's going to build for me. I don't want a big one. Bill took a wheelbarrow full of dirt down to firm up the mailbox post that he replaced the other day. At 3, we put stuff away and he went to the Hangar and I sat outside in the sun until clouds and wind chased me inside.

These are the guilty trees
that drop the apples.
They aren't good eating apples
so the trees are coming down.
Soon.

What else to do but make more cards! For supper, we had spaghetti. Sharon and Jim had extra sauce from our meal with them, so I browned ground beef to add to it. Bill had the cooked spaghetti from the freezer and I cooked spaghetti squash for my 'noodles' subsitute. Yum, it was very good!

I finished my blog and we watched the NCIS and NCIS:Origins together. This has been a good day, warming up to 14C/57.2F as promised and we took full advantage of it. Bit by bit, things are getting done. I hope you all had a good day too. 

Supper was delicious.
Thank you Sharon!
Good night, friends.

Thank you for popping in.

 

A Quick Turnaround Trip to London-Ontario Weather

 The Ridge, Priceville, On

On Monday, Apr. 20th we were up early. Well, kind of Bill's normal time, but for me, it was early. His alarm went off at 5:30 and he called up to me at 6. We have doctor's appointments back in the city of London at 10 am. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive to and from. 

Good morning!
This was last night's sunset

Sadly, we have not found a doctor up here in our area - yet. This drive for a 15 minute appointment is nuts. We took our coffee and tea with us, left Gibbs in charge (and under Dot's care) and left the Ridge at 7. It was a bitter cold morning, -4C/24.8F with a pretty morninng sky all around me.

This is today's start up.

The drive started out under those mostly sunny skies and we went through a few weather changes within the first hour and a half. I'll let these consecutive pictures tell the story since there wasn't much else to take photos of.

Not only was the east sunrise pretty,
but looking all around, the colours
were awesome.

Our appointments were quick enough, since our bloodwork was already done. Everything was great for Bill but for me, a couple of things I need to keep an eye on with my bloodwork. Our next blood tests are in 6 months.

Our drive turned yeuchy
for a short while. The roads could
have been greasy.

We were out of there within the hour and stopped 2/3 of the way home for lunch. You guessed it, Tim Horton's flatbread pizza for me. Bill had a blt on a bun and it was the right thing to do and an inexpensive lunch.

A blizzard, clearing and threatening
clouds to the north.

We touched base with Dot to check on Gibbs and arrived in Durham before 2. We stopped to see Mark at The Battery Pro/Water Store, filled 2 jugs and then went to Impact Tire for a tire top up. One of Ptooties tires was low from a loose inner core at the valve stem.

Stratford has the Avon River
Nice and calm. 
The town was busy!

I also bought our Catch the Ace tickets for Friday night and best of all, I got a great 'welcome back' hug from Jackie. 😍 I made a couple more greeting cards, and Bill went to the Hangar for a couple of hours. 

Tim Horton's
comes through again.

Gibbs and I walked down the lane to get the mail and came inside to make a scalloped potato and ham casserole in Madame IP. It wasn't perfect but it used up most of the remaining ham, saving some for Gibbs and my sandwich for lunch. 

Back home with a clear day
free of snow but filled with c-c-c-cold!

We caught up on NCIS and Survivor episodes we missed last week. We reached a high of 2C/35.6F today and dropping again overnight for our last overnight beflow freezing. Fingers crossed. 

The pond, overflowing and reflections
are very pretty.

This was still a good day and I'm glad the appointment is behind us.

Supper was unusual,
but tasty.
Good night!

Thank you for your visit.

Cold but Dry - Except for a Puppy Dog!!

The Ridge, Priceville, On

Welcome to Sunday, Apr. 19th. It was a cold night, dropping below for freezing for a bit in the early morning hours. Bill and Gibbs were not deterred and went out at 6:15 for the first nature call. 

Good morning!
This is the view out our back window
facing east.

I heard them go out, got up to use the facilities and crawled back in bed until 7. My first stretch and groan and I get a hug and face wash from my favourite little pooch. He's playful in the morning, but that was nothing compared to the rest of the day!

Turning slightly to the north,
looking across the pond and Dot's home.

We had our morning drinks and Bill had his cereal. No real plans for going anywhere today other than a Black Beauty top up to get that fuel deal I mentioned yesterday. $.10¢ off helps even though it doesn't amount to much on a $238 fill up. $14 is $14 regardless. 😉

Under supervision by the boss (on the right)
Bill begins to 'unpack' his stuff.

So, Bill started unpacking stuff from the back of the Suite, inside. You know - the planes (2 fusilages, 2 wings), the table saw, the air compressor, his hobby crates and finally my bags of craft supplies. They traveled well which is a credit to his packing. 

Gibbs and I went out and explored
where my garden will be.
Sue G., the rhubarb should be good for
more winter treats!
My Egyptian wandering onions,
wonder if they'll turn out this year. 
🤔🤭

With that emptied out, I vacuumed the Suite. After an upset cup of tea, which Gibbs happily lapped up, my thought of washing the floors was confirmed. 🤭 Thankfully, no laptops, phones or important papers were damaged in the spill!

If you know our Gibbs at all,
he does NOT like water and steers
well clear of it when we walk along a beach.
Not sure who this doggie is!
I think he could smell our visiting muskrat.

We all went outside and it seems we lost our puppy. He was replaced by a little piggy. For a dog who doesn't like the water (!), he wasted no time running in after the trail of a muskrat. This is in the pond overflow in the field behind Bill's Hangar. I couldn't believe it!

We stayed outside, Gibbs and I, the latter (me) bundled in my down jacket and vest. That wind was bitter and even though the day was partially sunny and the few light.....is that snow?.....flurries were noticeable, I felt warm enough.

Just like a child, when they close their eyes,
he thinks I can't see him.
This little guy is my joy.
💗

Before the little piggy came inside I warned him that he would need a total wipe down. Not just his feet. He listened and sat at the door waiting while I used his mitt and got him 'semi-dry'. I removed the good quilt from my chair as that is his usual retreat. He makes us laugh every day. 💕

This is the view of our Ridge
from the southeast corner of
the property. My garden will be
reinstated up here. 🤞

We all came in for lunch and Bill brought my foldup table in for my 'stuff'. Seems our stuff is just changing places. 🤣 After a tasty ham, cheese and lettuce sandwich, Bill and Gibbs snoozed. My fingers were just itching to get quilling again!

Our little piggy came inside.
He looks like he thinks he is in trouble,
but no, he was just having too much fun.
He soon dried out!

                                                              One more giggle.

I was quite happy to stop the work for the afternoon and make a few greeting cards. I have 2 blank 5 x 7 cards left and my new order, just ordered today, comes in on Wednesday. I do have some 4 x 6 in the Bunky but haven't gotten to them yet. 

He can hear AND see them playing
next door.
Not a peep, he just watches.

 Bill went into town for fuel and Gibbs sat up on the back of my recliner and watched Caper, Trigger and Dot's other visiting dog next door. They were having fun and Gibbs kept an eye. It's Trigger that isn't trustworthy (according to Dot) so we don't put him and Gibbs together. Maybe one day?

It was great to be back at it.

Supper was ham, corn and Kraft dinner. It was either that or cook potatoes. It worked and we are full. Tomorrow, we are heading back into London for doctor's appointments that have been made since last fall. Our bloodwork results are back and I'm sure the doc will have something to say.

Supper was good.
Buying that ham at the Walmart
in Deming, NM was a good idea.
I couldn't use my convection oven
but the air fryer was perfect.

I watched the Hope Valley episode, that I missed last Sunday, last night and will be on track for tonight's. I'm enjoying the show a lot, happy to have a new series to watch right now. There are a couple of others I'm into as well but seem to miss their 'live' viewing nights. Good thing for streaming.

Almost the way the day started,
this time facing west. 
Good night!

It was a cold day but a good one. We didn't get pass 3C/38F and expecting colder tomorrow. We both needed a break today and apparently, Gibbs needed to test the waters! 😂 Hope you had a great day as well.

Thank you for stopping by.

Just What we Need - More Water!

The Ridge, Priceville, On

On Saturday, Apr. 18th I woke up at 6:30 when Gibbs and Bill went out. Even though I had my ear plugs in, I could hear the strong winds out there. Pretty gusty! I was afraid to move, I didn't want a repeat of yesterday.

Good morning!
Bill got the shelter up yesterday.

When I rolled over onto my back, I knew instantly that I was better. Strange things happen sometimes with no rhyme or reason but I was grateful. So very grateful. I came downstairs and Bill asked how my knee was. I'm sure he was tired of me groaning last night. Concerned though too.

We had our tea and coffee together and with the wind and rain outside (oh joy), knew we would be inside today. Bill went online and began the process of filling out an application for the renewal of our passports. They expire early next year.

You can see how close the pond
water is to our lane.
Just what we need, more puddles.

At 10 or so, I hopped in Ptooties and drove to Hanover. First stop at Donna's to pick up something, then to Walmart to pick up some much needed food items. I walked out of there, quite surprised. We have enough meat for at least 10 meals for under $150.

Here is the mailbox,
back in place.
We'll have to get rid of
the cement ball that Bill
and Black Beauty pulled out.

I went to Giant Tiger next, a small chain store that has a bit of everything. I like their inexpensive non-brand name clothing and I was looking for something in particular. And I found it. 😀 

The Dollarama, next door, had the few other things I was looking for and then I headed for home. It had not stopped raining from the time I pulled out of the Ridge. I made a stop in Durham for a fuel top up to take advantage of a .10¢/litre discount.

More rain, LOL

I had to stop part way up the lane, someone was sitting directly in the track, looking at me. What could I do but laugh, take a picture and after a couple of minutes, pick her up gently and move her across to the other side of the path.

Hello there.
Putting up a barricade won't stop me
from getting up the hill.
😂
It will slow me down though.

We finished the passport process, I purged my closet in preparation of the clothing exchange and then went through my 2 jewellery boxes. It's hard to get rid of my stuff, even though I'm not wearing a lot of it. I'm just not ready but I did get a baggie full to take.

We had a one on one chat.
Then I picked her up and took her to 
where she was headed.
Safely on the other side.

For supper, we had a beef meat pie. Bill had fries with his but I only needed pickles, olives and tomatoes. They were good and made for an inexpensive meal. We caught up on NCIS:Origins from last Tuesday and Bill went up to watch a movie while I worked on my blog.

An easy supper but
it was good!

This was a wet, cool day but we still accomplished a few things inside. The weather is making a change with possible flurries overnight and into tomorrow but we'll grin and bear it and come out on the other side. 

Yesterday, Bill captured these guys/gals
in there regular spot, sunning.
Love to see this!

We started at 15C/59F and as I write this at 8:30, we are sitting at 35.6F. 

Happy 21st Birthday to our grandson, Connor. You have made your family proud with your accomplishments! 

Thank you for stopping by.

Taking Care of Business - Heavenly Birthday

The Ridge, Priceville, On

It was 6:30 on Friday, Apr. 17th when I opened my eyes and heard Bill downstairs wiping Gibbs' feet. One, two, three and four. On cue (sometimes even before we get the words out) those feet come up for us to use his paw mitt. 😍

Good morning,
Robin Redbreast!

I remembered where we were, smiled and felt as if I hadn't moved all night. Bill said at one point, I was turned facing him so I guess I did. When I began doing my stretches, something else hurt. Of course! My right knee, or behind it, this time. I'm falling apart, I guess and will be hobbling all day. LOL

This is last night.
He was snoring like an old sailor!

We had our breakfast and then each had showers. Now, I feel like a new person again. 😂 We had a few errands to run so left Gibbs at home and drove first to Mildmay, then Hanover to see Donna and Gerry and get our mail. 

My beautiful sister, Donna
and I pose for a snapshot.

Lastly, just on our end of Hanover, we stopped at Walmart for some milk and got cashback. Next, we picked up Ptooties from storage and wanted the cash to pay Murray. She is stored inside Murray's barn so is well looked after for me and his storage fee is great. Bill will get Jazz next week when we have nicer days.

The drive to Hanover, always
shows us this old barn.
Through wind, storms, rain, snow,
it survives because of the air flow.
🤭😉
Bottom picture, my
Ptooties waiting for me to drive
her home.

Shouldn't say that, today, again, is pretty darn nice. The rain has stopped and we are expecting a high of 21C/69.8F. Nothing wrong with that and ay 1:30, the sun and patches of blue sky appeared! Yay! We sorted through our stack of mail while eating lunch.

The mailbox post needs to be
rebuilt. Bill was the man for the job!
You'll have to wait for tomorrow
to see the finished product though.
Woops!

My boys had a snooze and then we puttered around. You want to rush into things and get stuff done as quick as possible. But, there is so much and one thing always leads to the next and because weather is still a factor, we sometimes try to do too much. 

This is pond overflow along
the edge of the road.
Little minnows and tadpoles
and other creatures were busy.

This afternoon, it was important to get our mailbox down to the road on the post that Bill built a couple of years ago. 2 or 3 years? When he went to add the box, the whole post broke off about 3" above ground level. What the?? 

This picture is right as you go
into the front field.
It's deeper than we thought!
Love the reflections!

It was cemented in and it is pressure treated wood but regardless, it happened. So, with another 10' post, he cut and angled and we 'installed' another mailbox post. It took a while, me hardly able to bend my right leg (LOL) and not much help, but before 5, he had it finished. 

Looking out our door, Bill's
Hangar looks like a cottage on the lake.
Shall we say 'waterfront property?'

We will need to add more dirt from up on the hill here to reinforce it. If that works, we'll skip the cement; it didn't help anyway, did it? I hobbled around and cleaned up many of the branches up here in our main area and cleaned out a few gardens of twigs, dead plants and pesky grass.

All of these branches, fair sized
ones were on my 'dreaded' corral garden.
So, I dragged them down in a pile.
I can gather but not walk too easily today.

At 5, I came in for a tea and since we don't have any chairs out yet, sat on the picnic table. It is gorgeous out there! I did some more clean up after putting a small ham w/mini potatoes in Rosy, our air fryer. She would reheat that in about an hour.

I was expecting a lovely sunset,
which didn't happen.

Bill was busy putting up the shelter for the garden tractor and Jazz, when we brought her home next week. Sometimes it is better to stay out of the way if it is something he can do on his own. For the sake of a marriage, I wait until I'm asked for help! 😂

We have a pretty nice spot
up here.

Supper was very good. You know, like I say, a Sunday night dinner on a Friday. Actually, it is the best home cooked meal I've made in too long. Because we thought the fridge might have needed to come out for the repairs, we have almost eaten everything from the freezer. Shopping tomorrow, methinks!

Supper was very good.

We closed things up outside after clean up inside and relaxed for the night. We're gearing up for another wet day tomorrow so are happy to have accomplished what we did today. A great day!

Today, I'm wishing Mom, a Happy Heavenly 100th birthday. Oh how, I miss her smiles, hugs and sense of humour. So many things I'd like to share with her. Love you, Mom. 

Mom was always the best dressed
lady in her senior's home. 
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Good night!

Thank you for following along and all your best wishes for us. We are happy to be home.