Slow Moving Sunday, Chilly Winds, Laundering, Puzzling and Playing Games

I woke around 7:00 on Sunday, Feb. 17^th and got up soon after. Bill heard me get up and then must have dropped off before I slipped out the door. It was very bright out so I had no hesitation going for my walk. At 48F and with no wind at that time, I enjoyed my walk. On the way back, I considered taking our sheets and duvet cover up to be washed. There were 4 washers available.

Now this looks like a pretty day coming our way

When I returned, Bill was up and was making my tea. Sweet! We sat together and read some blog posts before Bill hopped in the shower. His plan was to visit the Yuma RC flying field this morning. He had a quick breakfast and was on his way with Rob by 9:30 or so. I had my shower and a piece of rye toast with jam. I’m still eating the strawberry rhubarb jam that Rob and Pat made for us. It is almost all gone so I am eating it sparingly!

I got very lazy and just sat at my laptop searching for a recipe or two for the Instant Pot. Even though I belong to a couple of groups on FB, I find it almost as quick to Google when I’m looking for something specific. “Hey Google” works wonders. Once I find what I’m looking for, if the ingredients are in our kitchen, I copy and paste it into a Word document. Works for me!

I did find a ‘how to’ cook a beef roast on the Facebook group though and with a couple of alterations planned that for supper. I stripped the bed and the duvet of its cover and walked back to the Laundry Room. All washers were in use but with only a short 7-minute wait to obtain one, I stuck close by. Soon enough, I loaded it up and then went around the corner to the puzzle room.

One of my favourite puzzle people was there and Jules was also helping Robin with the cheese puzzle. Yay! The cheese puzzle wasn’t finished. I lent a hand in between my wash loads and when Jules said ‘toodle-ooh ladies’, Robin and I dug in. “We’re not leaving until we finish” she said and that was what we did. It was a great, fun one to work on with very strange shaped pieces, so a real puzzler for sure. We finished it without getting ‘cheesed’ off. Hardy-har.

This was a fun puzzle to work on, challenging but fun

Back home with the bedding, Bill and I sat for a bit before asking Rob and Pat if they wanted to play an indoor game. The wind was too unpleasant to try for bocce ball or shuffleboard, so we all settled on Wizard at their place. For a couple of hours, we played and Pat came out with top honours today. Way to go, girl! At 4:30 we returned home and I peeled carrots, onions, washed and cut potatoes and Bill turned our power back on.

Following general instructions, not to the letter but close enough, I browned the roast on all sides. Removing the meat, I added water + beef broth, scraped the brown bits, placed the trivet and meat back in the pot. The veggies were added, spices and a bay leaf finished the prepping part. Now the rest was up to I.P. I didn’t have a 7 lb. roast as per the recipe so didn’t set it for an hour. Instead, I set the cooking time to 40 minutes. I hoped that wasn’t too much. It seems unreal, ya know?

The best roast beef ever

Bill and I went upstairs and turned an exerting job into an easy task. We shared making the bed and then the duvet cover. I’ve struggled with doing that last job and it truly is a chore by myself. I know, I know, there are all kinds of people who have ‘just the trick’ but for me, forget it! It’s a pain. The good thing is that now everything is refreshed and we’ll enjoy slipping into the warmth and scent of clean sheets.

The Suite started to smell good immediately, I just love the scent of onions and carrots cooking. I took Clemson out for his walk and on the retractable leash, it is so much less stressful. He can go where he wants (within reason), stretches his legs, does all his business stops and is usually very ready at the door to go back inside. Those walks I don’t mind taking him on.

After 40 minutes, I.P. beeped and switched over to Keep Warm/Cancel. The Natural Release took longer than I expected and when I noticed that the valve stem had dropped, I lifted the lid. Everything smelled yummy! I lifted the roast out into foil, removed the potatoes and carrots. It is so easy to make gravy right in I.P. by turning on Sauté. It gets hot almost instantly and the liquid boils ready for thickening.

And finally a beautiful sunset again

I boiled some corn for Bill and carved the meat. Well, not much carving was really involved. The small roast almost fell apart. There was no bone but if there were, it would have fallen off. This was truly a wonderful Sunday night supper. Just like days of our youth, Bill said, referring to his family dinners and mine. I’ve never heard Bill go on about a meal I prepared so I know I can’t take credit, but I.P. can. It was delicious! Proof on the platter, no leftovers except for gravy.

We cleaned up dishes and vowed to only cook beef roasts in I.P. from now on. I sat and worked on my post and Bill and Clemson sat in the recliners waiting for me. The wind is still rocking our sign and our flag. We are hoping for a calmer day tomorrow as we know the temperature is dropping below 60F for a couple of days. This has been a good day of rest. I hope yours has been too.

Thank you for stopping in to see what we’re up to. I always love to hear from you if you choose to leave a comment.

Sheets on the Line, Vistaprint Order Shipped, Trailer Delivery to Wiarton, Humidity Drops

I woke around 6 am on Tuesday, Sept. 18^th. Clemson was curled up beside me on the top sheet and when I pulled the chenille spread up to cover him, his soft breathing remained uninterrupted. I tossed and turned a bit until 7:05 and got up. It looked cloudy out my window but I got up anyway. I couldn’t go for a walk until sleepyhead had been up once for his piddle.

It didn't take Clemson long to settle down on Daddy's side
of the bed last night

After texting Bill and chatting on the phone with him, I decided to make my tea and read blogs for a while, waiting. When Clemson got up at 8, the air was very misty and even though warm at 64F, I decided I could end up wet at the end of my walk. Maybe later, I have some things to do this morning anyway. So, I cleaned up and drove into Durham with the bunky sheets in the back seat.

While waiting for the wash, I walked down to this cute little stream

Busiest spot in town

First, I stopped at the bank to get some cash out in case I needed it at the laundromat. I would need a bigger washer for 2 sheets, cases and a duvet cover and didn’t have enough change for that machine. You would never think that the sky would be clear with sun this afternoon looking up at the sky this morning. But, sometimes they’re right and I wanted the sheets to dry on the line.

Funny how some trees are eager to shed their summer clothes
and others hold on tight to summer like I do

After the bank, I drove to Foodland to check their prices on cases of Coke and Gingerale. It wasn’t on sale so I drove to get the laundry underway. The place was busy! I got the last big machine and then took a walk downtown and back to the Timmy’s before my time was up. Through texting, Pat informed me that the sale was still on for pop in Hanover so that settled where I’d go next. I didn’t recognize who was honking at me in the dark gray SUV as I was waiting to turn, until I was behind Rob. Still not familiar with their new Ford Edge.

Front yard, right at the sidewalk, someone is growing sweet peppers
Either they are for passersby to help themselves or they are very trusting people
I'm green with envy because my red and orange peppers didn't produce

There was a detour north of the traffic lights while they worked near the bridge just before Rob and Pat’s street. This meant driving through the lights and taking the first street to the left so I could zig-zag onto #4 highway again. At the Independent I got 3 cases of pop at $3.99/12 and drove to The Bread Depot for a loaf of Bill’s whole wheat bread. The owner in there is so nice, we catch up on weather usually and today we discussed bread choices. White or whole wheat. Small town concerns. He probably knows each resident's choice by now.😊

In the grocery store parking lot, I almost got into the
wrong vehicle
Well, I know someone who might have! :)

Coming out on 17^th Ave. I drove right across Main to Donna’s and dropped her mirror on their front porch. We’d borrowed it for the clothing exchange. Donna was working, so I had no intention of stopping in to say hi to Gerry, instead wanted to head home and hang the sheets. By the time I got home and unloaded the pop, the sun was doing exactly what the weather network said it would and I hung the sheets on the line. They’ll be dry in no time with the nice breeze up here.

Shouldn't be long to dry

I’m seeing a lot of blue jays up here now and reading about them, they apparently ‘form large flocks at the end of summer, the end of breeding season. Many jays from northern US (and Ontario) will migrate south during the winter but there is a small group that will stay throughout the year’. Interesting. I can’t get over their brilliant colours, so easily recognizable with their white breast, blue crest, black collar and black beak. They are easy to watch, sitting or flying.

Someone is thirsty

Bill called at noon hour just as I finished making myself an egg salad on rye toast to eat with my coffee. No need for a/c today with the nice breeze blowing in the windows. I’m not feeling uncomfortable with humidity although I’m sure that is why it feels so damp. I changed the water in my fresh flowers from the girls last weekend, well 10 days ago, and marvel that with a bit of trimming off the bottom, they are shorter but still looking healthy.

My flowers still looking fresh

When Bill leaves Can Am this afternoon, he will be pulling a 27’ Tracer travel trailer with a company vehicle. Marshall asked if Bill could deliver it to Wiarton ‘on his way home’. Not really on his way, but it isn’t too far out of our way. It makes sense for Bill to do it and only have to come back this far for the night. If Marshall had delivered it, it would mean another 3+ hours back to London tonight at whatever time he finished setting it up.

My attempt to discourage the other 4 footed mooch on the Ridge
Chippy doesn't like the plastic so it's working!

Depending on timing, I might hop aboard (he has to come through Durham anyway) and go along for the drive to the park. As for now, I’m getting back into the picture selection. I hope to be able to get another couple of months’ worth chosen today. Provided there aren’t too many ‘winged, colourful’ bird distractions! So, that worked well until about 2:30 when I finished January and went for a walk to stretch my legs.

Bill arrived around 5:10 pm

It is quite a nice day out there at 70F and my sheets are all dried and smelling great. I took them off the line and placed them on the mattress in the bunky. No point in making the bed yet until we see tomorrow what is forecast for Thursday. I sat outside for a while and texted back and forth with Donna and Pat, letting them both know where we’ll be tonight. Bill arrived home just after 5, also just after Clemson got his much-needed supper. He's starving, don't ya know?

He was hoping to just change his clothes and we would head out. He asked me to check the lights on the trailer and they weren’t working. After a bit of problem-solving, it was obvious that the light connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer was the issue. He wasn’t sure how long that had been an issue but we couldn’t take a chance driving any further, so he unhooked and hooked up to Black Beauty.

Topping up with fuel for the run

It was 10 to 6 when we pulled out of the Ridge and 5 after when we pulled out of the Esso station in town to put some fuel in the truck. Driving to Wiarton is pretty much a straight run on Hwy 6 through Owen Sound, Springmount, Shallow Lake, Hepworth and Clavering. The Trillium Woods Campground is actually in Oliphant even though the address is Wiarton. Lyle, the owner of the Tracer, called as we were about 5 minutes from the park and met us at the front entrance.

These two beautiful old buildings are in Shallow Lake

Bill wanted a picture of this full size motorcycle on the building
We were moving and I had to snap it quickly, sorry

Following him in through the wooded park gave us concern when we saw the narrow lanes and treed sites. When he finally stopped and showed us their site, Bill had his doubts about whether he could back the trailer into the spot. 

Weird sky left you guessing
but it wasn't too cool at 60F when we arrived

Bless him for trying, but after 5 or 6 tries, it was either going to end up with a damaged rv or truck or both so he dropped it right there in the lane. They called the owner of the campground to bring his tractor and we left them in good hands. Nice couple who plan to leave it on site as a seasonal.

As much as Bill would have helped get it leveled and set up as a service from CanAm, he wasn’t able to offer either. Even with the CanAm Mercedes, there was no way to get a trailer that length in their spot so we didn’t feel that Black Beauty was the problem. We left by 7:45 and still hadn’t eaten. By the time we hit Owen Sound’s fast food section, we decided to grab a quick bite at Mcdonald’s. We’re not too proud to fall off the food wagon once in a while and just eat to fill a spot in my tummy .

If you see the hydro and water post at the left corner of the trailer
That is where I stood, holding cedar trees (yeuch) away from the rv
Also, see the UNMOVABLE tree on the right
On the other side, the entrance into the site was about 20' and then a row of cedars across the front
It just wasn't happening

We were home around 9:30 and decided to go up to the bedroom to watch some television and/or read. Bill caught the first program of the season of Highway to Hell. He enjoys watching them travel the Coquihalla Highway. My only disappointment from yesterday was that we missed watching NCIS at 8 and neglected to record it. It was the finale from the last season that we missed in the spring. They are usually cliff hangers of a sort.

More fall colours and a nice old Chevrolet truck in front of us

It was a good quiet day, I’m getting far too good at those! I was happy to have Bill home and so was Clemson, who ran out to greet him. I hope yours was a pleasant day as well.

Bill said he loves that I'm a cheap date when I need to be

The Big Mac combo worked for me

Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate your comments if you care to leave one.

Early Start, Finishing Jobs, Locked Out Story, Clean Bedding, Upgrade

On Friday, June 8^th I woke at 3:30 and could really feel the muscles that I used yesterday so stretched to get the kinks out and disturbed Clemson. He was almost ‘attached’ to me so it was my fault that he decided he should go out for a piddle 15 minutes later. It was actually quite mild out although a chill reigned inside. I clicked the Blue Flame heater on low.

 Dad made this solar light beacon and it was something Bill wanted
It is very cool to watch it change colours in the dark

I’m so much better with the darker nights, getting more courage, especially at this time of year. Out we went and as he was doing his business, I slipped over to take pictures of Dad’s light beacon. The sky seemed so bright and it didn’t bother me at all being out at that time of the morning. We crawled back into bed and snuggled together. I dozed off easily and woke up around 6:30 for the day. Bill and I chatted while I was drinking my tea, just like he was here with me.

Clemson on my side of the bed
He bunches his blue blanket up first and brings it over too

The geese are swimming in the pond again, still can only see 3 so I’m thinking this is Desi and Lucy’s family. Oh! I don’t think I told you about the problem we had with our door…………..again! If you were with us at all over the winter, we mentioned that when it gets cool, for some reason our door is difficult to close tight. It seems that the latch plate on the Suite frame is the problem. Why, we aren’t sure.

We came home on Monday after our driving day and got in the Suite with no problem but when Bill went back out, he had difficulty closing the door. When he returned 5 minutes later, it wouldn’t open from outside or inside. Clemson and I were locked in and he was locked out. Talk about a few choice words and a bit of panic! Bill actually had to utilize the Emergency Exit by our sofa (so we know that works) and his step ladder.

All done, just the flat area to be cut with the rider

 This went on for probably 20 minutes trying to get the door open without damaging anything or marring the paint on the rv. By removing the newly installed combination lock (which had nothing to do with the problem) from inside and then from outside, he managed to release the latch. This was scary. If that had happened the first time we returned, Clem was indoors and all windows were latched from the inside so there would be no way for us to get in without breaking something.

One seating area, now comfier with a cushion

I guess some RV manufacturers do not think of that when constructing these units. It worked out for us, and we’ve removed the latch plate for the time being, but now I want to always leave one of the E.E. windows unlatched. Something is just not right about that. Have you ever thought of how easy it would be to get into your unit if something similar happened? Food for thought.

I went out at 8 o’clock and geared up (hat, muffs, gloves, long pants etc.) to finish trimming the grass in the corral. Essentially, I am cutting the grass with the weed eater. It was a challenge but I kept going and after only a couple of rests and water, it was done. Yay! It looks brown in some places but as I said, we don’t care if the grass survives. We need some ground cover there that we don’t have to cut.

My 2-toned irises are blooming
Hens and chickens planted
Jack in the Pulpit in his best suit

I thought I might get the last bag of mulch spread but I was pretty winded already so just came inside and had a yogourt before going back out. Chatting with Rob on text, they had started their garage sale today. We had some things to put in the sale too, so  I took a box of small items and our boat that hasn't sold on Kijiji and headed into Durham. I'd gathered the bedding so I could kill two birds with one stone and get the laundry done while I was in town.

All our junk, er, I mean things you don't need

At Rob and Pats, they had a lot of stuff and were making quite a few sales. Bonus for them starting it today! It is always nice when the cash comes in making all the prep worthwhile. As for me, my timing was off this morning, I simply ran out of time. I thought I’d be able to get my wash done and go visit Mom but by the time I left the laundromat, it was 10 to 12, her lunchtime. Interesting sights on Main St. (Garafraxa St.) to see while waiting for laundry. Horses?

I don't know where the driver was but this truck was parked across the road for the half hour I
waited for my laundry to finish
this lady couldn't walk by without petting each pretty head

I wasn’t thinking earlier so, I went back to the garage sale and wrote out info on the boat. I doubt it will sell, but we have a bottom dollar and we won’t let it go for less than that. We’ll keep it for the Acreage or our grandkids rather than give it away. I sat with Rob and Pat for awhile and even bought a stool. That was what I needed yesterday when I was painting and maybe Bill could use it at his bench. Rob was kind enough to pick up enough pizza slices from Godfather’s so I could eat with them. Such generous people. The pizza hit the spot.

Rob thought if someone bought this chair, they could
take me FREE
He thought Bill would appreciate his cleaning house. :)

I headed home around 1 but first swung around to Merle and Linda’s sale. Just to have a peek you know. I’m glad I did because they had the perfect lounge chair cushion for the “hunt camp” webbed chair Rob gave me last summer. It was a steal at $2 and a couple pair of perfect fitting jeans for $5. When I got home I hung the sheets etc. on the line. The wind isn’t steady so for a while they just hung there but I know with the heat of the day (72F/22C) and the occasional gusts, I new they would dry quickly.

When I walked to the mailbox, Clemson debated hard about joining me and when I was on my way back, he trotted down to meet me. The little paws lifting high and proud. I sat in my chair and read the Trailer Life magazine that came in the mail today and even moved to the shade of the hammock for a bit. I knew Bill would be leaving London around 3:00 so was waiting for his text that he was on time. 

After I got my text, I moved inside and tried to decide on a simple supper. Barbecuing a big meal isn’t in the plans, maybe just grilled cheese sandwiches or leftover mac & cheese. We’ll see what Bill feels like. I got clean sheets out of the cupboard and made the bed. I’m hoping our bedspread is dry, at least, so it can go back on the bed for tonight’s sleep. At least the cooler single digit nights are done for the time being.

Finally, at 6:15 or so, I could see a Toyota Rav 4 coming up the drive. Yay! Bill left CanAm at 3:30 and drove to Exeter Toyota where he dropped off our 2006 Corolla and drove off with a 2014 SUV. On Monday, when we took a drive, that was where we went. Trading in our car has been in the back of our minds for a while but we doubted a deal would come along to persuade us to make the swap.

Our new vehicle waiting for pick up
Cliff Anderson installs my 'Ptooties' plates
Bill poses for a picture
Driving up to the Ridge
and finding a spot to park

We were tickled to find Exeter Toyota had 3 used SUV's to choose from and although our car didn’t owe us anything over the 11 years of ownership, it was time to get ourselves into a smoother ride. Bill called to see if they were still available and by 3:30 we had a new vehicle. Cliff made the experience a pleasant one and he and I even got to talk about some Lucan history. It was a pleasure meeting him and we’d recommend him in a heartbeat.

Nothing is final until Clemson gives the stamp of approval
He says "yup, I like it1"

Bill was happy to have tomato soup for supper with some cheddar cheese on the side. We cleaned up dishes and took a drive into see our friends and show off our wheels. From there we drove to the Acreage to show Donna, Gerry and Mike. Everyone agreed that we got ourselves a nice vehicle and couldn’t believe it was 4 years old. We’ve never had an SUV before and one with a sunroof to boot! We had to open it on the drive, of course.

I know this pix is in my collage, but it pretty much sums up how we are feeling
about our purchase

Back home, I snapped a couple of pictures of the beautiful sunset before finishing up my post. I think we’ll both sleep well tonight. My sweetie is home again. It has been a great day with more accomplished. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself on this great Friday.

Good night from The Ridge

Thank you for reading. I love reading your comments if you care to leave one.