Friday Begins the Weekend, Accomplishments

The Ridge

On Friday, July 9^th, we were both awake and up between 6 and 6:30. Oh, all 3 of us, I mean. I felt well rested and wanted to get my cleaning done early. Bill left as per his usual time. I fed Gibbs at 7 and left the house at 7:15. No one was present in the Mat so my job was swift and complete within the hour. I also took our set of sheets in to get them washed and out of the way. With the damp weather, I also used a dryer.

when we could finally eat,
I had a keto biscuit and clam chowder

The washer I chose did not spin well at all so I popped a text to Jamie to let him know how many things needed attention. He said he’d stop in today to try and fix things. I came straight home and the hardest thing was to NOT have my tea. We both had blood work for around the noon hour and because of the lipids that were being tested, we fasted. I wasn’t uncomfortable because I was hungry but it was sure weird killing time without having that tea. It’s a bit of an addiction, I guess.

I dozed and read in my chair and when finally, it was 11, I took Gibbs out and headed to Hanover. I don’t usually wish time to pass quickly.  I pulled in to the hospital/medical centre parking lot right behind Black Beauty. Bill arrived from work at exactly the same time as me. 😊 Kismit. I went in first and was out within 20 minutes, therefore, didn’t have to pay for parking. Bill was in and out after me just as quickly so we saved the $6 fee.

We put the plastic down and Gibbs can no longer
chew on the carpet

He had a stop to make at Stihl to get more oil and string for our trimmers and I went the back way to Donna’s to pick up my 2 planters. They are quite lovely for $5 a piece! Bill and I pulled in the driveway at home within 30 seconds of each other, too funny, and because I’d had nothing since last night at 6:30, made a tea and heated up some clam chowder. Bill was keen on beans on toast so that was his lunch. Turned out that neither of us had to fast after all but we wanted to be safe rather than sorry by having to rebook.

The sky did  begin to clear up after supper

I did dishes while the boys went up for their snooze. I also found myself dropping off in my recliner and at 2:30, we all went for a ‘car ride’. 😊 We’d promised Kate and Jeff at Grey Bruce Fleet that we’d bring our baby around so stopped there first. She and Gibbs had great fun for about 15 minutes but Jeff was too busy to disturb today. From there, we went to Bath and Biscuit’s new shop on Main St. and introduced him to that Kate. He is scheduled for a first trim, hair and nails, on Friday.

Lastly, we stopped at Home Hardware and I carried him in while Bill found the clear plastic runner for under our chairs. Between the feet on our dining chairs and our little chewy monster, the carpet has worn through and he continues to nibble at the carpet fibres. ☹ This plastic will prevent that but it may also present a new challenge for him. We’ll see, it covers the area pretty well until he finds the corner edges. Puppies!!

aren't they pretty petunias?

I started my post with my afternoon tea and then planned to settle in my chair again. I had first thought I might work on my cross-stitch but it was already 4 o’clock. There will be another day for that. Bill turned on one of his car shows so I took my book and went upstairs. I found a movie to watch until it was time to start supper.

We would have liked to go out for fish and chips but didn’t feel like driving anywhere. Instead, we cooked fish and chips right here at home. A whole lot better on the pocket book and no driving necessary. We had 3 large filets left in the freezer, not enough for two meals but almost too much for one but I fried them all up anyway.

Supper was delicious but a tad too much

I steamed some mixed veggies, the California kind, for me and had just a few fries. It was kind of too much of everything so I couldn’t clean up my plate. Sorry Mom! We agreed that we didn’t need dessert, right away, and I decided to cut into the peanut butter pie a bit later. I fed Gibbs and then he needed out for his walk around the corral. To relieve himself and for both of us to relieve some energy. We watched a movie together after dishes and I worked on my blog.

The sky looks even better now at 7 pm

The temperature has warmed up too just in time
to drop to 10C/52F overnight
Crazy weather

This was a wonderful day. We got our bloodwork done, picked up something for on the carpet under our chairs (that is driving Gibbs nuts), and got Gibbs’ first appointment for a haircut. 😊 That’s a lot for one day.

A reminder of how little this guy was when we brought him home

My oh my
Good night!

Thank you for stopping around. If you’d like to leave a comment, please feel free.

Beautiful Sleep with a Breeze, Bloodwork, Animal Shelter, Trip to Owen Sound, Late Cleaning

Hot up on The Ridge

On Friday, July 19^th we woke to another warm and sticky day already at 6:30. Bill wanted to leave at 7 to go to Hanover (20 min.) for his 3-month bloodwork so I just went for a short walk to the corner of Baptist Church Rd and North Line. There was a lovely breeze on the way but it was behind me on the way home. Too warm to put any ‘oomph’ into my step today so walked leisurely.

Morning pond picture

Back home, I waited until my sweetie left before making myself a cup of tea. No point in teasing him when he couldn’t have any. I read blogs and upon his return at a few minutes past 8, he had a coffee and we each had some yogourt. I got washed up and we were soon leaving for Owen Sound. Let’s get this trip to Home Depot done this morning so we have the rest of the day just hanging out. On the way there, we followed gps directions on my phone to the Grey Bruce Animal Shelter.

The sun pushed through the clouds as we neared Durham

We had some of Clemson’s dry dog food, wet food, shampoo and a conglomerate of leashes. They were so grateful for the small donation and she offered us a walk through. I can’t say that I’ve ever walked through a shelter before so after exchanged glances, Bill and I decided to follow her on a tour to meet the dogs. No cats, thank you. I’m grateful that there were only about 6 large dogs and a couple of them were beautiful and some of their stories were very sad. Humans can be pathetic, harming these innocent creatures.

When my coconut oil is completely liquid
It has to be hot

We thanked her for the tour and left. Bill followed Concession Rd 8S to Hwy 26 in O.S. and we were pleased that it took us the back way in to just the strip mall we needed without a drive through the busy streets. 

A nice clean shelter

I dropped Bill at Home Depot and went the short distance to Value Village. We don’t get to O.S. often so I always like to walk through. Today, I was on a mission for one thing only. I went straight to the appliances and finally, on the top shelf, there it was!

My new appliance

One lone Magic Bullet blender with all of the pieces intact. The price was irrestible so I took it to the ‘testing’ counter and plugged it in. Voila! Now, I can make the special coffees even better. I met Bill at the pick up end of H.D. as he finished at the check out seconds before I did in V.V. Perfect timing. He loaded his 4 – varying 8’ pieces of wood in Ptooties and we scooted the back way to #6 for home.

It is made right in the cup

A stop in Durham at Bath & Biscuit to tell Clemmy’s dog groomer, Kate, about his passing. She was very sad but very happy to know why she’d not see him again. She was great with him. Lastly, I ran into the post office for a couple of stamps and then home. We were both hungry for brunch, it was 11 am. The sky was getting darker and boy was it warm inside the Suite. Bill said it was 78F outside and 79F inside.

and a lovely frothy Bullet Proof coffee

I fried up peameal bacon and eggs for a delicious meal and we did dishes together. Bill drove the out-going letters down to the box as the clouds were about to burst anytime and I didn’t want to get caught in it. I washed the pieces of my blender while he did that. Before he was able to get out of the suv, the dam broke and he got wet running inside. It was a storm with thunder, lightning and high winds but it didn’t last more than 10 minutes. We need more rain than that but it is a start.

This one looks like fun

He went down to the Hangar and I made a Bullet Proof coffee. Wow! That is so much better than with the hand blender. It tastes exactly like Jo-Anne made it. The small price was worth it for sure! Inside, I may have to get out a puzzle on my puzzle mat. It is going to be an inside afternoon. With Bill at his Hangar, covering his big Telemaster, I didn’t waste time getting a 550 pc. puzzle out. It’s a neat picture of oil bottles and I figured it would keep me entertained.

No sooner did I get it out on the mat, on the table and the sky cleared. I unplugged for a while again but realized on my walk out and down the lane for the mail that the storm didn’t cool the day off at all. I should have closed things up and turned the a/c on right then but waited and told myself that it wasn’t too bad. It was 85F outside now and 86F inside.

I need to at least get half of it done so it will roll up
Border pieces are all around the edge

I worked away and accomplished more than I expected before it was time to stop and mix up the ingredients for meatloaf. Madame IP hadn’t been used for a few days and that was the way I’d be cooking tonight. Bill texted from the Hangar and asked when I was ready to eat so we planned for 6:30.  The meatloaf was delicious as usual and I just did simple mixed veggies as a side. With dishes cleaned up, we relaxed inside and turned the a/c on to cool the Suite down a bit before bedtime.

One of the new (to us) country roads we travelled today
They were patching only what was completely necessary

It was my day to clean at the Mat but with an appointment in London on Monday, I wanted to time it just right. Bill and I agreed that if we both clean tonight, when it was supposed to be cooler, and then I went in on Monday morning, it would be fine until we returned on Wednesday. Jamie is still out west so I want to make sure it is covered as best as possible. Sitting for 2 days without a cleaning isn’t too bad.

And supper was good

So, at 8 we drove into Durham to take care of business. I appreciated having Bill with me, for speed and company. I don’t usually go in after supper. I wasn’t outside much today so pictures were not a priority. This has been a great day, albeit most of it spent indoors. I hope you’ve managed to stay cool. One more day of this heat and we get some relief on Sunday. We’ll be ready.

And tonight, driving into town
we were rewarded with this sky
good night!

Thank you for stopping in!

Overnight Rain, Bloodwork for Bill, Country Road Walking, Rhubarb and Ribs

Bill and I were up at 7 and he got cleaned up and headed out right away for Hanover. Today is Wednesday, August 1^st so a new month means a few things on the short agenda. Bill’s bloodwork, just as a check-up, Clemson’s flea and heartworm meds and a new boost of Wifi. We did well through July with our use of the 19 gb we are allotted. As he left, I went for a walk down the lane and across Baptist Church Road to the new house that was built last spring/summer.

Looking back towards Baptist Church Road, the way I came from

The rains had dampened the land and things are beginning to green up all over again. That means, of course, that the greener it is, the more it grows. I have a section of long weeds going down the hill by the corral but Bill has told me not to worry about it. No sign of our rv’ing neighbours even when I returned so stepped inside and made myself a tea. Soon after, the wind picked up enough for me to pull the awnings in just a tad.

This is the house we saw going up last spring

Rob and Pat pulled out around 8 for the morning, Rob also had an appointment. I think everyone had stuff going on today so we were each doing our own thing for the most part. When Bill returned around 8:30, he replenished our fridge stock of milk and cream, having stopped at Walmart for their better deals. I needed to get my rhubarb bagged up for the freezer, it has been on hold since Sunday! Thanks again, Sandra and Bill.

We saw the beginnings from the foundation and now
it is a beautiful home for someone

The light rain took over the morning and in between going in and out to dump my inside compost pail, empty our full recycle bin into a blue plastic bag and let Clem out for a quick piddle, I remained inside. The awnings are still out enough to stand under it for the fresh air. It is quite refreshing at 69F after yesterday’s heat. Bill took Black Beauty for a run to fill a propane tank and perhaps top up with fuel.

I do believe they liked our idea of the mail box and post in a pail
They are living here all year so buried the pail

I cut up some bacon, peppers, onions and leftover sausage and began frying them up slowly. By the time I see him coming up the drive, I should be able to drop eggs in for a toasted western on a bun. That will be a nice change for us. With the greenery along the laneway and between us and the road, it is difficult to see him until he is at the bottom of the hill but that’s perfect. I’m grateful for the rain, I think we all are, really, the pond needs it.

I started frying the meat,  peppers and onions

then added the eggs and cheese bringing everything together
Yummy!

One of the things I was looking for yesterday at Keady was one of those Indian style summer dresses for a good price. Mostly they run between $12 - $15 but the most difficult part is finding one for the right colour. I know they are basically all the same from booth to booth so I just needed time to peruse. When Bill and I swent our separate ways, I was able to really slow down and be fussy. I love the vibrant coloured ones but I wanted to be practical and not stand out like a sore thumb. I just like to stand out like a baby finger! I found one in a nice shade of blue with silver adornments and it will do just fine. What do you think?

My picture taking abilities today are terrible
Thus making my dress choice, a bad one
It really is nicer than this

So, when Bill got back we had our westerns and they were delicious! Clemson even got a tidbit at the end when we were finished. Made him happy and then he went back to bed. We cleaned up dishes and off went my sweetie to putter around the property. My head is scrambled at the best of times, so much going on in it (like most of us!) but I’d hate to be in Bill’s head. I don't know how he keeps on top of all of the things he has going on in his mind. He still manages to get things done too!

With 4 more bags of rhubarb in the freezer, there isn’t much room for anything else. I do need to plan what to take to my sister-in-law, Carol’s place on Monday for Dad’s birthday celebration.  This was in the works before he passed away in June and the family has decided to go ahead with it.  It will be a nice family gathering for as many as can make it.  I need to take something so perhaps the rhubarb strawberry pie and/or a coleslaw.

A misty morning, there are actually 3 turbines in this photo
Two are almost invisible

Bill and George took a drive over to the Acreage just to show George around and I took a walk down the lane while they were gone. There wasn’t much to see though, the geese weren’t in my sights so I walked back.  Grabbing the bird feeder in the corral for a fill up, I also dead-headed some more petunias on the way back. Bill drove up behind me and hooked up his cargo trailer. He was taking it out in the morning to get new tires.

with my zoom lens, I captured the cattle all huddled up in the corner of their field

It was time to check out the garden and good thing I did. There were a few weeds, easy to pull in the soft ground, but there were a lot of tomatoes ripe for the picking. I knocked one off while trying to re-stake some of them but it will ripen in the sun in a few days. Everyone had returned by 12:30 to their site and some went for snoozes, some sat outside like I did and Rob assisted Bill with trying to get our outdoor hand pump working.

Bill first backed down the driveway, all the way

He turned around at the road
and then backed up to the corral

and backed it in here for tomorrow morning's drive

 It was a lazy day and I mentioned to George G. that we’d like a tour of their 38’ motor home before they pull out. Why wait? He showed both Bill and I through and it is quite a nice unit. It is nice when you find what you like and what is suitable to your individual needs. We have all found that in our rv’s. Bill had no choice but to back the cargo trailer down the lane to the road and turn around and back up again to park it for an easy early morning departure. His appointment is for 9 in Hanover.

The farmer missed planting a swatch of beans
Woops!

We sat for a while outside before admitting that it was too cool for shorts and tanks and came inside. Without sunshine, 20C just isn’t warm enough when there is a cool northwestern wind. We moved inside with our books and I had some peaches and cream and Bill had some chips and cheddar to tie us over until supper. Okay, I had some chips too. I’ll wait until Happy Hour for my tea today.

My Moonflowers are ready to bloom!

Bill had a nap in his chair and I caught up on this post until it was time to join the gang at George and Suzie’s for our afternoon gabfest. I made my tea and got Bill’s glass out of the freezer (we keep them chilled in the ice container) and carted my chair and funky tripod over. There were 8 of us sitting around, experiencing first cooler temps then warm temps and then sprinkles of rain that turned into something that could certainly leave us all wet and uncomfortable.

It wasn't perfect, setting up the tripod on their door handle
but we're all in the picture at least

We parted ways after I managed to take a poor picture of everyone on a ‘selfie’. It was only 4:30 so we sat inside and I read while Bill watched some tv until 5:15. I had a pack of cooked pork ribs that I picked up at Independent for supper. We didn’t feel hungry enough for much else so I just husked a couple cobs of corn and boiled those until tender. The ribs only took 10 minutes to heat through and we were eating by 6:15 and dishes done by 6:30.

Cattails at the end of the lane

The day’s weather has certainly been a strange one and after hearing from George G. that at 4 am, the sky opened up and dropped a heavy rain storm over the area (most of us didn’t even hear it) you’d think that the rain would soon be on its way out. According to forecasts for the weekend, that is exactly what may be happening over this long Civic holiday weekend. Hot, humid and dry.

Filled this feeder this morning
Guess who??
I need to grease the metal post, obviously

Rob popped over to see if Clemson wanted to come to play tonight, but Clem wasn't having any of it. Rob came in for a visit anyway. When he left, I went for a walk down the lane again at 7 and snapped a couple more pictures for this post. I’ve enjoyed this day even though it has been pretty quiet. I hope you can say the same.

Another lovely sky tonight

Thank you for sticking your head in today to see what we’re up to.