A Day off for Me, Half Day for Bill

The Ridge

On Friday, Aug. 21st it was a cool start again. What's with the single digits already? Well, it is late in the month, and fall is around a few corners. At least, the day warms up quickly enough. Bill left around 7:45 to walk down and meet Billy for his ride.

Good morning!
The clouds moved in for a while
this morning

Gibbs and I just hung loose here inside. I did slip out for the routine Moonflower picture. The rest of the morning was finishing my Christmas card and starting on an Easter one. It's fun having something to work toward, with ideas to start with.

2 Moonflowers in two gardens.
Look at the new buds in the left picture.

I stopped for lunch and it had warmed up considerably outside so Gibbs and I went out and puttered around. I checked the veggies, brought some more tomatoes and a banana pepper indoors and watered them. 

Love these clouds from my
craft window.

For lunch, I just had 2 fried eggs with some meat and cheese but it was too much. One egg is plenty, I don't know what I was thinking. 🤭 I took my book and read until Bill got home just before 2. Nice short day for a Friday. The sun was hot so I sat with my chair mostly shaded and it was perfect.

My Christmas card entry

Bill changed into shorts and he and Gibbs had their snooze in the shaded hammock. It was a perfect day for it with a nice breeze. My book is getting harder to put down but when Bill came in for a shower at 3:15, I came in to make a tea and to make a rhubarb sauce for my loaf. It is too crumbly to slice.

One egg would have been quite enough.

We got dressed for a bike ride and hopped on Jazz to go into town. First, we stopped to see if Robin and Andrew were working on their bnb and then carried on to Catch the Ace for 5 o'clock. We missed Robin but chatted a bit with Andrew and their worker, Gary.

My boys in the hammock.
It didn't take them long to drop off.
Gibbs loves the hammock.

It was a nice ride into town and although it was a no 'big' win again tonight (yay) a Durham resident won $538. Nice take home! Bill and I returned home for a Mexican meal of tacos and they hit the spot. I felt quite hungry. 

Tacos, as tasty and messy as ever!
🤭

I reheated the sauce I made (although it was really thick) and we had that on the crumbly, but moist loaf for dessert. It was good too. After dishes were taken care of, Bill went up to watch a movie and I worked on my blog post. I'll find a program of some sort to watch until bedtime.

And an equally messy dessert.
Rhubarb loaf with rhubarb sauce
and mine had added cream.
Yum.

We have been using solar for a couple of days without plugging in but with rain in the forecast all weekend, we reconnected with power when we got home. This has been a great day, around 23C/73F at its peak. 

A pretty sunset as Gibbs
can atest to.
Good night folks!

Thank you for stopping by.

Busy Morning! Nice Weather

The Ridge

On Thursday, Aug. 20th things followed the normal routine of Bill's work day. When I got up, it was about 6:45 even though I had to clean the Mat. I was meeting Trudy to give her the wedding card I made but not until 8 so dawdled a bit more than usual.

Good morning!
4 moonflowers

The gas price dropped a wee bit this morning but I was being stubborn and will wait until Saturday now. Ptooties is getting thirsty, almost at 1/4 of a tank, but she'll be patient. Diesel jumped overnight from $2.15/litre to $2.27! So frustrating, the games that are played. We are the pawns.

+ 1 Moonflower
by the woodpile

I met Trudy and she was thrilled with the card for her sister's wedding. I'm so glad. 😍 I was pretty much done cleaning when she arrived, so put things away and drove to Foodland to check on our bread and to pick up flowers for the bnb. No bread again, so I'll talk to Ryan, the manager next time I'm in. What's going on? It's obviously selling out.

Then I drove to Impact Tire for our C the A tickets and since Paul is on vacay, saw Jackie and Jay. I laugh when they call me Ptooties, it's special to me. I drove home and on the way, picked up some clean/dry quilts from Robin's to take to the bnb later.

The wedding card for
Trudy's sister.
I was happy she liked it.
Mushrooms, chickens and country
were my tips.

She messaged at 8:30, that the guests had left so that gave me lots of time to go to Williamsford. I returned home, made a coffee, cuddled Gibbs briefly and went back out to get it done. It was 9:15 and I was on my way back at 12:45. I stopped in Durham, this time at the Beer Store to return the cans I've collected.

Wow! There were 30 and only one was mine from making my beer margaritas. 😉 It was nice that the young gal in the store recognized my license plate and asked about Mitch. She called him Ivan and was sad when I told him he'd passed in April. She had a funny story to tell so it was nice to share his memory.

Lots of clouds this morning

We'd missed the garbage pick up in Williamsford early this week so I dropped some laundry in her house and the garbage bags in their bin for Monday's pick up. The washer was stuffed as was the dryer when I left. These 5 guests are staying 3 nights.

Back home, the clouds were trying to rule the sky and I was mentally trying to push them away. It had been a cool start, only 9C/48F, and we'd been unplugged all yesterday and all night. That's something we seldom do anymore. The sun did finally win allowing a few white fluffies to stay.

The back way to Williamsford
surprised me.
They had ashphalted a lot of
the rough spots that washed out
after every rain.

I had my quesadilla, minus egg again, for lunch and Gibbs and I went out to enjoy the day. I skipped the quilling today and enjoyed my book instead. Bill was home at 2:30 and he came inside for his snooze and then we sat outside together chatting about a couple of projects we want to do.

Gibbs was very content 
sitting on Daddy's lap

My cuddle bums

One was the drop leaf table, I had brought it out of the Bunky to see about sanding it. Once Bill started on it, he couldn't stop and boy is it looking nice! The table has a lot of 'bumps and bruises' (so to speak) but he thinks he can give it new life and a shiny (not so shiny) new coat.

I came in to start supper while he carried on. Gibbs sat somewhere in the middle, as always. 💕  Supper was pork chops in the oven 😃, corn on the cob on the stove and a salad. The dressing I used was not good so I didn't take any chances and through the whole thing out. I didn't miss it.

Bill started sanding our table.
I was quite happy to let him at it.
🤭

The chops were perfectly cooked, sorry you may get tired of hearing that, with no guessing and the corn tasted very fresh. Not bad for .34¢/cob at Walmart. Bill made his lunch and loaded the dishwasher. There were no dishes to do by hand tonight. The pot wiped clean with a damp cloth.

With the exception of my
salad, supper was very good!

This was a wonderful day. I made some cash, my sisters and I chatted about Ladyfest (which is just around the corner) and we spent the evening together watching a couple more episodes of Reacher. I finished the last rerun of Cross last night. 

Now, this is a memory of my
supper on Aug. 20, 2023.
Funny, huh?
Good night!

Thank you for your visit. 

What a Relaxing Day! Little Brother Celebrates

The Ridge

On Wednesday, Aug. 19th I was slow in getting up, just because I could be. It was 11 when I went to bed last night, so the extra sleep time was welcome. We sat and watched 2 episodes of Reacher's Season 4  last night. It is just as exciting, of which I am very happy. There are still 6 more before we're caught up. How did we get that far behind?

Good morning!
Last night, the sky might have been
prettier than this, but I missed it.

Bill was out the door at 7:25 to walk down the lane and there was no reason for me to go out yet as no Moonflowers were blooming. It felt cool and damp anyway, only 11C/51.8F, after a night of light rain. Now I'm being a wimp. Ha ha, actually, I did sleep with my window open all night and it was nice.

A cool, cloudy start to the day
but I'm grateful for the overnight rain
showers.

I didn't get up to much this morning, staying inside until noon hour. The clouds ruled the morning and a bit more light rain fell around 9 so I wasn't regretting the time indoors. Gibbs sleeps in all different places once I 'settle', so I sat at my craft table. 

He waits in the shade while
I walk the 25' to the mail box.
Funny guy.

I'm meeting Trudy in the morning so will show you her card in tomorrow's blog. I think she reads,  🤔, not 100% though. I did finish up the Anniversary card and started on the category of a Christmas card. It feels funny creating poinsettias in this weather. 

My special occasion
entry card.

I stopped for lunch, the same quesadilla without the egg today. Bill suggested toasted western and mini sausages for supper so I skipped the egg. It was still very tasty, and I got my dose of lycopene (an anti-oxidant). ((My big sister will be so proud I remembered that!)) 🤭

Lots of veggies almost ready.

Gibbs and I were surprised when around 12:30, Bill got home from work. They'd painted and needed to let it dry before they can carry on. It's a nice day for Bill to be home early. He ate his pre-made lunch and had his snooze with Gibbs. I went out with my book and soon was dozing in my gravity chair again! LOL

I've never had a red pepper grow to fruition
before. I think I forget and pick them too
soon.
🤭🤣

Bill went to the Hangar and Gibbs and I just relaxed for a couple of hours. My book is really hard to put down and I wanted to be outside rather than in. For supper, we had the meal I mentioned earlier. 3 fresh eggs in an omelet for me with sausages and Bill had his in a toasted sandwich. 

Apparently, these little guys recognize
us and don't always come just for the food.
I'm not sure he can see me though.

After clean up, he made his lunch and went to the Hangar. The hummingbird (1 or 2?) frequented both of my feeders. He/she drinks first by the kitchen window and then flies around for dessert at the back window. So cute! I'm glad they're still coming. However, the Oriole has vacated again🤷‍♀️.

When I came in at 5, he waited
outside until Daddy came up from
the Hangar.

I emptied 5 pails of rain water into my garden rain barrel today but it is still only half full. The plants are doing well and I used one of my green peppers and one of my Egyptian Wandering onions in the omelette. As Sue said in the comments, it is great to eat from the garden!

Yummy, and easy.
We had my homemade keto cookies
for dessert.

This was a really nice peaceful day. Today, 21.6C/71F is nothing to snivel at. 💕 

Last but not least, help me wish my little brother celebrate his 60th birthday. Still very much a kid at heart, Michael is enjoying life with his family in Cold Lake, Alberta.

Happy Birthday, Handsome!
Good night!

 Thank you for stopping around.

It Crept up on Me! Such a Lovely Day.

The Ridge

I was in bed last night by 10 and had one of those nights when I couldn't drop off for a while. Just as I did, the security alarm on Black Beauty went off. Well, what the?? I looked out my window at her and she was not being attacked or anything so Bill used his key fob to stop it. 🤷‍♀️

Good morning!

Following that, Gibbs jumped down onto the floor in the hall (as he has been doing lately) and I continued to try and sleep. I did have to use ear plugs around 1, when Bill dropped off on his back. Then, I joined the sleep factory. 😂

8 more this morning

This morning, Tuesday, Aug. 18th, I woke when I heard Bill getting up at 6. I waited until 6:30, did my stretches and got up as well. I was out the door with my to-go tea at 7. After counting today's Moonflowers, I was on my way in to town to clean.

Still peaceful when I left the
Ridge

Robin had paid me online for the 2 cards I made for her and because I have a separate 'pot' for that craft $$, I stopped at the bank and withdrew it. At the Matm there were 3 customers today, all new to me, but friendly. When I finished there, I came straight home to Gibbs.

And a pond view

He barks his little head off when we pull in but then quietens and waits up on the bed until I walk in the door before he comes to greet me. Usually, with a toy in his mouth. The place was intact, safe and sound, so he gets his 'good boy' head scrub. 💕

It was a late lunch
but it was still good.

I wanted to work on the wedding card for Trudy so got into creative mode. First, I texted to see where the wedding was being held so I could incorporate it into the card. Being a country wedding, I was glad I asked, and I'm quite pleased with the outcome. I'll share it later after she has seen it.

The Hibiscus is going
strong

That encouraged me to start on the cards for the fair and I managed to finish one for the 'Special Occasion' category that I'm happy to enter. I worked away until 11:30 and went outside with Gibbs and a magazine I'd picked up at the Mat. I finished going through it and put my gravity chair into relaxed position.

How is this for a greeting?
Hello!

Next thing I knew, I opened my eyes to come in for lunch and it was 12:50!! What the heck? I'd fallen asleep - fast and hard. So, needless to say, my egg/veggie quesadilla was late! Then I went back to quilling until 3 when Gibbs and I walked down to check the mail, of which we had a few envelopes.

He waits while I get the mail,
in the shade of course.

Bill was home within 15 minutes of our returning to the Suite and after changing his clothes, had his snooze. These days really tire him out, he will be happy to be done with the summer work. 

The steak and corn were perfectly
cooked.

For supper, he grilled eye of the round peppered steak with corn on the cob. Inside, I fried up leftover spuds for him.

I gathered a couple of peppers from the plants and brought down our 2nd big tomato. Both Glamour Girl type. I had half of one with my meal. 

I didn't pick any more cherry
tomatoes although there were a few
ready.

That supper was delicious! Everything perfectly cooked and my tomato was wonderful! We cleaned up the dishes (well, the dishwasher did) and Bill made his lunch.

It's a good one

When y blog is finished, I'll get back into my new book. It's a John Grisham story called A Time for Mercy and 3 chapters in, it's hard to put down. Hmm, now I have decisions. Read? Quill? Watch tv? 🤭 All good choices. It was a lovely day, mid 20C/mid 70F.

As I was bringing butter out of
the fridge, for the first time ever,
I noticed a recipe on the wrapper.
Strange, never seen that before.
Good night!

Thank you for the visit. I enjoy your comments daily.

A Bit of Work, Lots of Clouds

The Ridge

On Monday, Aug. 17th, it was Bill's alarm at 6 that woke him. At 5:50, I heard him tell the little snuggle bum 'it's not time, just a few more minutes', and then promptly fell back to sleep. 😍

Good Monday Morning!
5 moonflowers, 1 eaten
by this little slug.
LOL

I didn't need to get up but felt like I was done sleeping. I remained where I was until just after 6:30. 

I was outside early enough
but there was no pretty sunrise today.

Bill had word earlier from Billy in a text that it would be closer to 8 when he'd be here to pick him up. That gave him a little more time to get ready and walk down.

One of those 'priceless' pictures.
"Do you have to go to work, Daddy?"

Gibbs and I watched him go. It was quite cloudy but the forecast was for sun and warm temps. We'll see, right now the breeze coming in from outside felt coolish. After he left, we sat in my recliner and I read. I had to clean for Robin later but it was cozy with Gibbs beside me or on my lap. 💕

We watched Daddy go down
to meet Billy

At 10:30, I had eaten a piece of rhubarb loaf, packed some cheese, a yogourt and an apple, made my coffee and carried my water to Ptooties. I left Gibbs at home this time. I dropped a card in the mailbox and on the way, stopped to pick up a couple of items at Robins to take.

Going and returning
from different ends of
Baptist Church Road.

I also left her more cherry tomatoes and a banana pepper. These guests were very considerate and stripped all 3 beds and had towels in the basket for washing. It still takes me 1 1/2 hours to go through the whole house and get things ready for the new group. Tonight, 5 guests for one night.

Back home, Gibbs and I
walked down the lane to the
front field. Just because, as I
knew there was no mail to get.
The gate garden is sad looking with
no colour.

I was out the door at12:30. Since gas was at $1.19/litre yesterday, I drove home that way to fuel up. I wasn't quite down to 1/2 tank but wanted to top her up. That plan changed when I saw it was back up to $1.59!! Overnight, .40¢!! Buggers.

Another picture - just because.

So, I drove right on by and came home to Gibbs. The sun was making progress breaking through the clouds and the blue sky was brilliant in its hue. Gibbs and I went out, opened the Bunky and walked up to see if the tomatoes needed watering. Nope, they were good today.

The Sedum is pretty in its
green dress - for now.

I came in with another shirt load of tomatoes, leaving a lot still on the vine that are more orange than red. I'm enjoying them, but they are getting ahead of me! 🤣 Bill doesn't eat them like I do, only if they are big enough for a sandwich or if I make a salad.

I did some weeding so Gibbs
waited, keeping an eye out for
intruders.

 I knew there was no mail today, since the flag wasn't up anymore, my card was taken, but we walked down anyway. When we came back up, I got the rest of the hammock out of the Bunky and realized it was the first time. 

He remembers the hammock from
last summer. Clemson never liked it,
we had to hold him and not move it.
🤭

So, of course, Gibbs remembered and wanted up right away. 🤭🐕 We stayed out there for close to half hour, just relaxing together. He's such a goof, settles for a while, checks for noises and then lays across me for attention. I tried hard to get good pics but it was a challenge.

There is only one important thing
going on here..........it's simply
'me, me, me'
I can't deny that I enjoy
his antics.

I did finish my book this morning so took it to the Bunky to add to the next bag for the ladies. 🤷‍♀️ I'll have to find another. Trudy, my crafting friend, asked if I had any wedding cards so that sent me on a search in my collection. I'd one a while ago that would work but it was purchased.

It was quite relaxing today.

It was the incentive I needed to start prepping ome with different backgrounds. After sending her the selection to choose, she found one and now I'll see what I can come up with. I like this kind of a challenge and next spring will start offering to make 'by demand'. 

I sent the options to Trudy.
She chose quickly, which one do you
like for a wedding? You might have to
zoom in they are made from 'fancy'
paper.
She liked the simplicity of the yellowish
one, second in from the bottom left.

Bill was home by 3:30 and for supper, I tried something new (for us). A shrimp stir fry and a Caesar salad. All I had to do was follow directions, since it was a package deal. We don't eat much pasta, really, so once in a while wouldn't hurt. 😉

This was supper and
it passed the test 

We cleaned up the electric frypan and remainder of the dishes went in the dishwasher. Bill made his lunch, Gibbs got his little tidbit of cheese with his food so the boss of the house was happy. 

Look at that divide between the
gray clouds and the blue sky.
Cooler night of 10C/50F so it will be
clearing out.

This was a good day. 22.78C/73F was nothing to sniff at and surprise, surprise. The whole time I was out in the hammock with Gibbs NO flies, bugs or the like bothered me! Perfect and about time! 

I have space for a couple of memory photos
This made me chuckle

Aug. 17, 2022
When we first met my Mat boss,
Sandy, his wife and their 3 boys
running down our hill.
Gibbs watched for a while and then
chased them.
Good night!

Thank you for popping by.