Grass Attention, Prep for Company, Happy Hour Guests

When I woke up on Friday, Aug. 25^th I made sure to keep my legs curled up and arms under the covers where it was warm. It was quite chilly out there! When we got up the thermometer read 8C outside and 13C inside the Suite. Brrr. Bill brought our Blue Flame heater in from the bunky and it warmed it up nicely in no time. It is nice to have such a range for heat, 1 – 6, and at 2 ½ or 3 we soon were able to turn it off.

Lawn needs attention

Before the final cut
Sounds like America's Got Talent!

Bill finished his coffee and me my tea while reading blogs. Clemson’s tummy was doing the gurgle gurgle thing again which means all he wants is someone to sit with him. Funny that it is after we get back to the place that he knows when it acts up. Too much change in a short time, maybe. So, Bill went out to cut the front field while I sat with him inside. I noticed that by 10:00 Clem had settled down and I was able to leave him in the sun on the couch without him following me.

You can see how long the grass was up here before Bill started cutting

 I had some cottage cheese and a banana cut up with cream to tide me over while I went out and started to cut my grass area. The sun has been on it enough now that it won’t be too wet for the little mower. I moved the chairs away from the patio table so I can get around easily without having to stop and do it. Just a quick check on the blade that was loose last time and I was good to go.

Goldenrod perks up an otherwise dull compost bin

Between the two of us and a couple of breaks, we had the lawns and fields all done by 12:15. I pushed mine right to the max today until the battery decided it was done. I plugged it in to charge it up for the next time and sat in the shade. When you have worked up a ‘glow’ and sit in the cool breeze, I know it isn’t good so soon after came inside.

The beefsteak tomatoes are finally getting bigger

Lo and behold! My Rose of Sharon has flower buds!

There were a few things I wanted to Google so did that while Bill got out the portable solar panel. We were both feeling peckish and I remembered that we were out of bread, darn I meant to get to Hanover today. Instead, I pulled out the leftover spaghetti from the other night and warmed it up for Bill. It was only actually the hamburger sauce mix so he had it kind of like a sloppy joe.

Late blooming hosta

 My choice was a chicken salad on lettuce and it was quite good and filling. While Bill settled down to read for a bit I dumped some compost into the bin outside and walked around the property and down the laneway to see what I could find to take pictures of. The wildflowers change so often and even though I don’t know what many are named, I know they are still quite pretty. The card I left in the mailbox yesterday has been picked up and no new mail left for us. No news=good news.

Back inside I jotted some more things in this post and then settled beside Bill with my book. I’m back to reading a Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer with Michael Haller. It is already grabbing my attention. I guess my trip to Durham or Hanover will be tomorrow. Laundry will be due in the morning before company arrives and I need a few food stuffs.

So, we’re sitting around with our books and Clemson wants to go outside. With a peek at the sky, I grabbed my nylon jacket and book and went out with him. In the sun, I didn’t need the cover up but when it went behind a cloud, I got chilly. Strange weather for sure. While sitting there Pat and Rob texted asking if we were up for a visit. They were on their way home from a day trip and we hadn’t seen them for what seemed a long time.

It was nice to catch up but we moved inside to where the temperature was at least consistent. Nice place to have Happy Hour and with great people to have it with. I made us all a tea and even found it in my heart to share mine with Clemmy. He is such a mooch and likes to drink from our cups. Once in a while we let him. Pat and I chatted about an upcoming event we are going to together and Rob and Bill filled the time easily.

At 6 when the news came on Bill lit the Weber Q and I cup up potatoes to grill with our sausage. This sausage is the honey garlic brand so different than we’ve had recently. Usually the mild Italian is what we buy or the farmer’s sausage. A change is as good as a rest and we’ll enjoy this taste variation. When dishes were done I planned in my head what to have for supper tomorrow night.

Our friends that are coming suggested we potluck it but meaning that we share the meal prep. I’d like to pick up some corn on the cob, a meat and salad fixings for sure. I’m also thinking ahead to dessert as well. Hmmm, I have a couple of ideas so will see what pans out. First, we need clarification of their arrival time.

Lots of apples but not without many flaws

As the sun sets behind me, I finish up my post. I may sort laundry in preparation for the drive into Durham tomorrow morning. It has been a good day, we got the grass all cut and it looks so much better. I hope your day was a great one as well.

Beautiful day

Thank you for stopping in today. If you wish to leave a comment, I would appreciate reading it.

Alarm Wake Up, Getting on the Road Early, Home Sweet Ridge

Thursday, Aug. 24^th we woke up to the alarm at 6:20. It surprised me since I didn’t know Bill had set it when he came to bed. I was in bed reading at 9:30 and soon after closing the book and switching the light off. My battle with my eyelids is always a loss for me. It was dropping down to a low of 9C overnight and so I snuggled down in the covers against the cooler air in the Suite.

We had our morning drinks and Bill popped the furnace on for the short while it took us to get ready. After reading a few posts, I’d missed a couple of days, we washed up and closed things up. Looks like it is going to be a decent day with 60% chance of rain in London and 40% in Durham. That makes for a nice day to travel and we are anxious to be home again.

We pulled out of the lot at 8 am exactly, into the city limits but around Stratford by 9 am exactly and then pulling into Durham at 10:30 exactly. Very precise. Bill wanted to get propane before arriving at the Ridge so we pulled into a very open parking lot at FS to fill the 40-gallon tank. This took longer than normal but taking everything into consideration we made it ‘home’ in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Not too shabby and with only a couple of wee construction slowdowns.

Clemson settles down in the sun

Bill pulled into our open area and maneuvered around while I made a pit stop in the Restroom. Guiding him into a more angled spot (although he would say he didn’t need my help, I’m sure) we were set up in 20 minutes. The clouds had rolled in so likely the 40% rainfall is imminent. We came inside for some lunch and Bill asked if I would help him set up his small canopy behind the cargo shelter. While we were away it must have got windy, it had collapsed.

That lasted a whole of 5 minutes tops. It is like putting up a tent together and I wasn’t holding it properly so was strongly instructed to leave him to it. You get the picture. Ha! No, most relationships aren’t without disagreements and if you are one of the lucky ones who never argue with your spouse, you should write a book. Needless to say, I moved inside and I curled up with James Patterson.

Bill informed me later that the canopy has covered its last event/table/airplane. It broke in more than one piece. That’s too bad, we should have thought to take it down before we left on Sunday. The boys went up for a snooze and I managed to finish my book Big Bad Wolf. Oh my goodness, it was so good……..now I need the next one that follows it! Which I don’t have in our possession.

I’ve decided on Tilapia loins and fries for supper in our little fryer. It actually feels nice to cook a meal after eating out so much as of late. Yes, I enjoy someone else cooking for me but not when that is your only choice night after night. Even the mushroom soup we had last night was good because I prepared it myself.

Tilapia frying

 The meal was great, the fish dipped in a Beer Crisp batter and the fries hand cut here in our very own kitchen. Bill likes tartar sauce on his fish and ketchup on his fries where I prefer butter on both and sour cream for the fries. They are potatoes after all. The skies have cleared out but we didn’t get any rain today after all. The temperature hovered around 16C all day so didn’t quite make the forecasted 18C.

second batch of fries

It wasn’t a day for pictures, obviously, since I wasn’t outside much at all. I took a walk down to the end of the lane for the first time since Sunday morning. I hope your day was a great one, and you are prepared for a nice-looking week!

Thank you for stopping in. It feels good to be back at the Ridge. Thank you also for your comments.