The Change Begins, Day Two Alone

The Ridge

On Thursday, Oct. 5^th I didn’t hear a thing until 6:10 am. I had tried to sleep without my ear plugs last night, just to be more aware, but with all windows open downstairs and up, the flopping of the blinds had me putting them in. Hence, no sounds to wake me. Gibbs didn’t budge when I rolled onto my back and then when I had to move again, at 6:35, he came up for his cuddling.

When we walked, it was obvious
we were going to be getting some different weather

I opened the blind beside my bed to look out and it was cloudy, and therefore, still dark. However, I knew the little guy would have to go out for his morning constitution so slipped into something quick and we went out on his leash. Back inside, he just wanted it off and hurried back up to bed. There was no morning dew so his feet were dry. Otherwise, he waits for us to wipe them. 😊

No rain was expected until later this afternoon
but the air was cooler so it was coming!

Second time around, it was 7:30 when we got up. Bill had texted earlier with his good morning greeting, informing me that he slept in also. They are working where they are staying so that is a nice change for them both. I made my tea, and after struggling with my online Wordle games (Grrr, I did terrible!) Gibbs and I went out for our walk to the corner – almost. It was 18C/65F with a pretty decent wind. The weather pattern is changing and I doubt we’ll see heat again for a while.

Walking along our front field fence line
I noticed this perfectly made birds nest.
No human could do it better!

I got washed and drove over to take M for a quick run into town.  While at Foodland, I picked up a thin crust pizza for supper, carrots for a stew and squash because I love it. M is waiting for Gov’t money to go in his account so he can only get the bare necessities, day by day. It means another trip either tomorrow, likely.

Our apple tree doesn't look much different
except that the apples have ripened a lot more.

I didn’t dawdle, the paint job looks good and he had the vine spread back along the cable. It isn’t a perfect job, certain spots I look at seem to be whiter than others but he’s happy and it’s better than it was by far. 😊

I don't know when we'll have a bounty like this again
so of course, I had to pick more.

Back home, I debated digging up some primrose to plant at the new garden but am still undecided what I really want there. Nothing too tall as we will be putting a sign up on the fence part behind the garden. It will work out. My Sedum will get split in the spring as I think it would like nice in one corner.

Hibiscus #20 bloomed but it wasn't near
as open as the previous ones so I waited.
Next thing I knew it had shriveled up.
What a great bounty though!

I have been reading more of my book, it is quite good now that I’m used to the three generational character changes. I’ll soon be done. When Gibbs and I came back from our walk earlier, I couldn’t resist picking more of those yummy apples. I will make an apple crisp or two, either to eat before or after we leave. Depends on the freezer room.

The apples look better than 2 weeks ago

There are things to do but it is almost too soon to do them, so I’m trying to bide my time for one reason or another. We got rain around 3:30 and some stormy weather with thunder and wind but come supper time, it had thinned out. I know we’ll get more rain overnight and into the next few days so not a very nice Thanksgiving weekend for us Canadians. ☹ This has been a quiet day here on the Ridge.

This morning, I took a finished picture
of M's apartment front.
It looks nice with the vine reattached.
Next spring, Bill might paint the upper portion.

For supper, I had some of the pizza and it was not too bad for a change. I should have added a few ingredients of my own but didn’t feel too energetic for some reason. After cleaning up, around 7:15, the rain returned lightly. Gibbs went up to bed for the time being and I worked on this. An evening of tv and/or reading. The tv will depend on the rain - sometimes StarLink doesn't do wellin the rain. I hope you all had a good day.

My two meals today.
An toasted western for lunch.

A frozen pizza for supper.
Dr. Oetker's Canadian
It sure isn't Silly Al's (one of Quartzsite's claims to fame)
Good night all!

Thank you for the visit.  

Temperature Drop, Early Arrival, Following Up on a Plan

The Ridge

On Wednesday, May 17^th I slept in until 7 when Bill came up to kiss me goodbye. Gibbs was on protection duty and barked when Bill came up the stairs. We didn’t get up until 7:45, lazy or what? When we got up I had my tea and then we sat huddled inside. I say huddled because it was darn cold outside! It was only -1C/30F. No frost though so that made Bill’s exit easier without a defroster.

I'll never get tired of the pond views

Around 9, Gibbs and I went for a walk. I was bundled up in a hoody and my down winter jacket and gloves – again. I thought I was done with that. I can say that the sun was lovely and helped to warm things up as best it could. It was the wind that was against us today.  We didn’t walk very far, just to the edge of the front field and back. My decision, not his. 😊

Of course, someone wanted attention
while we were out there

Another view I'll not tire of

Without further delay, I have news. Last night around supper time we received a call from Krystal, Bill’s daughter. We are new grandparents to a bouncing baby boy! He’s almost 3 weeks early but is a healthy 8 lbs. 6 oz. We are more than excited to welcome little Alexander George. No picture yet but as soon as I do, I’ll share it with y’all. Congratulations Krystal and Matt!

"But I'm not ready to come in yet"

Back to today, the morning went fast after sleeping in so before long it was lunch time. I fried an egg and some bacon and toasted the last of my keto cinnamon toast. I sure held on to that for as long as possible! Then, since it had warmed up, we went out again. I was layered up but not for long.

I started thinking I'd just do this section

But after taking a much needed  break,
I went further. 

Today, I was taking a suggestion that I received from Bridgette on Sunday. We were looking at the dreaded corral hills and she suggested hostas to fill in the spaces around the irises that I planted last fall. So, not an easy chore at all because it is so rocky and there isn’t a lot of dirt there to begin with. I worked away for a couple of hours and Gibbs kept a close eye on me and everything that was going on around us. Such a good little guy, too bad he can’t handle a shovel. ♥

If you look real close, you'll see the 
little bum standing his ground (in the chair)
He finally came inside

Today I saw several white-crowned sparrows

I managed to get quite a large area done and if the hostas don’t take, being in the rocky terrain or the full sun, I’ll just continue to add more irises until it is full. It’s all to benefit us in the long run and hopefully make things easier at cutting time. 😊 Gibbs and I sat outside until I got too chilled since the sun was dropping behind the trees. We waited for Bill inside and within 10 minutes he pulled in the drive.

After filling the hummer feeders,
Mr. Oriole returned
He's gorgeous!

For supper, I made hamburger stew in Madame IP and we were eating shortly after 6. I actually planned something on time! We watched the last couple of episodes of Sullivan’s Crossing while I worked on my blog. I feel muscles in my shoulders, legs, ankles and lower back so need to do some of those famous yoga stretches before bed. I have to clean in the morning. 😊

It was delicious!
Good night.

This was a good day and warmer weather arrives tomorrow after another night below freezing. Good grief!

Thank you for the visit.

What a Change!

The Ridge

On Wednesday, Oct. 27^th Bill came in from outside at one point and commented on how mild it seemed. Anything would feel mild after our bitter day yesterday so that was good news. I hear that some sunshine is expected this afternoon so that forecast has definitely improved since I heard it last night. Yay! 😊

Within 2 hours of going to work,
the sky changed
Sorry about the reflection

Bill left, pulling the work trailer, hoping it wouldn’t be too muddy up there on the hill. They should be able to get a full day in today. I left Gibbs with a treat to look after the house and drove to the Mat for cleaning. It was in decent condition so with one customer only, I completed the regular routine easily leaving a damp floor when I walked out. It seems weird (but good) that I only have 2 more cleaning days.

And by the time I got home,
this is the view

Back home Gibbs met me at the door and nothing seemed the worse for wear. Ha ha, he was a little imp this morning when he came back up to bed. I was sleeping and when I woke he was chewing on our fleece blanket. Yup, enough to make a quarter size hole. He got a swat on the bum with Daddy’s fly swatter. 😕 Will this chewing ever stop? He has so many toys and things to chew on all over the Suite. I don’t blame him, he’s a puppy still, it has to be me not being persistent enough.

This is only half of his toys

It was lovely to see the sun making periodic appearances throughout the rest of the morning and it had warmed up nicely to 11C/52F by noon hour so I turned heaters down. I mentioned earlier that there wasn’t anything for me to do outside. If I was into raking and burning leaves, I could do that but out in the country, it isn’t anything that is necessary. The wind has blown most of them off over the edge anyway.

While I searched recipes,
Gibbs slept

So, inside, after my coffee at 10:30, I got things out to make some cookies. Keto, of course. Bill didn’t mind the peanut butter ones although they never stay together which is frustrating. He liked the taste but still prefers his Nutter Butters the best when it comes to p.b. cookies. I like them too but would rather eat something that is better for me so I can munch on these. I also found a recipe for Low Carb almond cookies so made a batch of those.

    Keto peanut butter cookies
3 ingredient

Gibbs pretty much stayed out of my way, up on the bed, well, up and down. He didn’t settle anywhere for long periods of time but that’s okay. He is too nosy to just leave me on my own, even for a bathroom visit, he has to come with and make sure I know what I’m doing. 😉 We don’t mind, as long as he lays on the mat or just outside the door. No such thing as private in this household! It’s love, unconditional love. ♥

Maybe a cigarette, Mom?

When the cookies were done cooking and cooling, I debated whether to make cheesecake and won the debate with my inner self. I like the ease of making it in Madame IP but a batch is almost too much and it rises over the pan. Today, I’ll split it in two and bake one in the convection oven and the other in the IP. I guess it is time to spoil M with a few pieces too. There is someone else who deserves a piece or two as well.

time for our selfie
He's not letting go of his 'fags' 😂

I began making the crust for the cheesecake but my little coffee/nut grinder began overheating with the last cup. Darn! I was patient but it took way longer than I’d hoped. It was then I realized that I hadn’t used almonds – I used them all last time – and had grabbed the bag of pecans. LOL This will be interesting! Good interesting, I hope. With both pans ready to be baked, I decided Gibbs had been a good boy on his own long enough so we went out to enjoy the fresh air.

I like his shadow

We walked a way down B.C. Rd before turning back. I am not embarrassed to say that we were both overheated, just like my grinder. I shouldn’t have worn the jacket, that’s for sure, but it was a lovely day and a lovely walk all the same. Of course, we stopped for a selfie, using my Funky tripod. Gibbs found an empty cigarette box so it seems to be a new habit. He carried it most of the way home which made the walk smoother. He wasn’t distracted by every stick, stone or flower. 😊

The neighbours front yard, I mean - pool?
We're grateful not to have this to deal with

We stayed outside for about an hour and boy did he have fun! He just ran and ran and then ran some more. That will be a regret when on our travels this winter – you all know what I mean. He will be tethered the whole time. It just means lots of walks and maybe longer leashes sometimes. My jacket came off and then my tee shirt, a tank top being plenty while sitting in the sun. I read my book on my phone while he spent his excessive energy. It would be a great day for a bike ride! If only.

Our pond is really high this season

It was 3 when we came inside and I began baking both cakes and finished cleaning up the baking dishes. The fridge was empty of Zero Coke so I brought a case in for Bill and then Gibbs and I got comfy in my chair, waiting for Daddy. It was just before 4 that he came up the lane, unhooked, offloaded a propane tank and went into town to get it filled as well as Black Beauty. She was mighty thirsty!!

He was worn out from the walk so found
shade immediately

A dish full of keto snacks

Of the few things left in the freezer, I pulled out 2 Angus beef patties for supper. I haven’t decided if I’ll have mine in a bun, likely, since the buns have been in the fridge for a while. It was a bit messier because the burgers had to be fried on the stove. Spatter, spatter, you get it. The bbq isn’t packed away yet but it is cleaned, the table is away and we don’t plan on using it here again.

The burgers were good with a salad. Not a very embodied salad but I was just using what we had in the fridge. Spinach, lettuce, onions and peppers. For dessert, we had a small piece of cheesecake. It wasn’t the best I’ve made but it still tasted pretty good. After dishes, I worked on my blog and then went upstairs to watch something on tv – that wasn’t focused on Christmas. Ha ha, it’s way too soon for me!

                                    Hope you don't get dizzy watching this     

                                     but thought you'd enjoy someone's energy

                                                     Good night!

This was a really nice day, weather-wise and in the whole scheme of things too. Thank you for coming by for a visit.