Well, it may not feel quite like summer yet (unless, of course, you live in any other part of the country), but we know it's coming.
With it comes increased demands on our time - cookie baking, yard work, etc, etc.
For this reason, I'm going to take the summer off from doing the blog, unless there's something particularly interesting going on.
We've cleared all the brush from the north side of the yard and it's now looking really good. We rented a wood chipper on the weekend and it made pretty fast work of the felled trees and branches. Still lots to do around the place but most of it just work, not really that interesting for most people.
For that reason, I won't bore you with the details each week, unless it's something that is actually of interest.
See you in the fall!
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Tuesday, May 22nd - the cleanup continues...
Our long weekend turned out to be pretty productive.
The clearing of the brush on the north side of the yard is pretty much complete. Now we are just left with piles and piles of branches and small trees. Fortunately we have a wood chipper arriving next Friday afternoon that should take care of all the branches. The beauty of it is we can then spread the resulting mulch back under the trees. Should work beautifully (at least in theory, anyway)
Both Saturday and Monday were lovely days for working outside. I've cleaned up all that I can, mowed the grass for the first time and tidied up the flower beds. Now that the lawn has been mowed, I suppose we can officially declare it spring!
Brenda has been doing pretty much the same thing all weekend as well. Although, we did take a little break on Saturday morning to watch the Royal Wedding. I was up ridiculously early so I made some biscuits for our snack. As most of my cookie cutters are out in the garage kitchen, I used what I had at hand. Heart shaped biscuits seemed somehow appropriate anyway.
We enjoyed our morning and I especially loved watching the wedding take place in a spot I visited many years ago. Windsor is such a lovely little town and the weather was perfect both on Saturday and when I visited in 2003.
Other than work not a lot took place. Although Lloyd did walk to Morell on Friday afternoon. He's done very well with his diet and the walking he did to prepare for his trip has continued now that he's back. He left the house at 12:30 and I met him up there at 5:30, none the worse for wear. Our friends Jens and Linda joined us there to have supper, and accused me of having just dropped him off as he didn't look tired enough, according to them!
Monday morning Jens came over and the two of them walked over to Mount Stewart for breakfast. I picked Lloyd up but Jens walked back. I spoke to him later in the afternoon and the walk back was good except for that very big hill at the end. So, well done to them both.
Monday night Brenda and I went to the movies and then for tea and dessert after. A really great way to end our long weekend.
The clearing of the brush on the north side of the yard is pretty much complete. Now we are just left with piles and piles of branches and small trees. Fortunately we have a wood chipper arriving next Friday afternoon that should take care of all the branches. The beauty of it is we can then spread the resulting mulch back under the trees. Should work beautifully (at least in theory, anyway)
Both Saturday and Monday were lovely days for working outside. I've cleaned up all that I can, mowed the grass for the first time and tidied up the flower beds. Now that the lawn has been mowed, I suppose we can officially declare it spring!
Brenda has been doing pretty much the same thing all weekend as well. Although, we did take a little break on Saturday morning to watch the Royal Wedding. I was up ridiculously early so I made some biscuits for our snack. As most of my cookie cutters are out in the garage kitchen, I used what I had at hand. Heart shaped biscuits seemed somehow appropriate anyway.
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| Ready for the oven |
We enjoyed our morning and I especially loved watching the wedding take place in a spot I visited many years ago. Windsor is such a lovely little town and the weather was perfect both on Saturday and when I visited in 2003.
Other than work not a lot took place. Although Lloyd did walk to Morell on Friday afternoon. He's done very well with his diet and the walking he did to prepare for his trip has continued now that he's back. He left the house at 12:30 and I met him up there at 5:30, none the worse for wear. Our friends Jens and Linda joined us there to have supper, and accused me of having just dropped him off as he didn't look tired enough, according to them!
Monday morning Jens came over and the two of them walked over to Mount Stewart for breakfast. I picked Lloyd up but Jens walked back. I spoke to him later in the afternoon and the walk back was good except for that very big hill at the end. So, well done to them both.
Monday night Brenda and I went to the movies and then for tea and dessert after. A really great way to end our long weekend.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Tuesday, May 15th - Hello spring - for now at least!
After two weeks on the road, and then a weekend visit with Tristen, things are finally settling back into our usual routine. Our weather has finally warmed up a little although cooler temperatures will return later in the week. But today is going to be sunny and warm so I'm thinking it will be a top down day for me.
As you all know, before I left on my vacation, and while Lloyd was away, I undertook to paint the kitchen. I was pretty pleased with the final result. I had moved the large church pew into the living room temporarily. Trouble is, once the kitchen was finished I couldn't imagine moving that large brown bench back into place. SO, I researched painted church pews and made my decision (although this past weekend upon closer inspection, I realized I painted it the wrong colour.) I used the lighter shade of gray, when in fact I intended to use the darker one. Oh well, it's a design feature, I meant for that to happen! I didn't tell Lloyd I painted it, just let it be a surprise when he got home. I figured he's either really like it or he'd really hate it. Fortunately I didn't have to ask - when I spoke with him after his return one of the first things he said was "I love the bench" - YAAAY.
When I got home, he had installed our new floor. I'm absolutely loving it. It looks so much nicer and is easy to maintain. Well done Lloyd. I know it was a chore for him as he returned home with a wicked cold and was feeling pretty poorly for the first week back. Good thing I extended my vacation!
Apparently we need to take separate vacations more often! It's very productive.
Speaking of productive. We've spent most of the past weekend clearing brush from the treed area on the north side of our property. It's been left to overgrow for many years. I tried in vain to clear some of it the first year we were here, but gave up. It was just too big a job for one person. Well, after visiting some spectacular green spaces while I was away, I was motivated to get it done this year. It's going to be an on-going project for a few weeks, but it's going to look so much better. Unfortunately we didn't think to take any photos of the before mess.
But it wasn't all work. On Friday afternoon Lloyd decided we were going for wings at Peake's Tee, around 12 km down the road. He was walking and I would meet him there. Sure enough, he arrived about 3 minutes after I got there (by car!). Then on Saturday he decided we should have breakfast over in Mount Stewart. So again he headed out walking and an hour later I met him at the restaurant. He was a couple of minutes behind schedule as he stopped to chat with a neighbour along the way. He's done so well, and continues to walk every day.
Sunday we did a bit more yard work but took a break to go into town to pick up a few things we needed. In the midst of all the walking and brush clearing, he also managed to get my motorcycle taken apart and the new carb kit installed. Fingers crossed that I can use it this year.
On Thursday, our TV reception wasn't the greatest so I had to go over to Brenda's for our weekly fix of Grey's, wine and snacks. So thanks to her for that. Her living room reception wasn't great either so we had to camp out in the kitchen. If nothing else, we are VERY flexible. We can do wine and snacks pretty much anywhere!
This week I came across some photos we took while Tristen was here and we visited Island Hill Farm. He always enjoys going there and some of the newborn baby goats are just too darned cute for words.
Okay, enough. Time to get back outside and continue raking...
As you all know, before I left on my vacation, and while Lloyd was away, I undertook to paint the kitchen. I was pretty pleased with the final result. I had moved the large church pew into the living room temporarily. Trouble is, once the kitchen was finished I couldn't imagine moving that large brown bench back into place. SO, I researched painted church pews and made my decision (although this past weekend upon closer inspection, I realized I painted it the wrong colour.) I used the lighter shade of gray, when in fact I intended to use the darker one. Oh well, it's a design feature, I meant for that to happen! I didn't tell Lloyd I painted it, just let it be a surprise when he got home. I figured he's either really like it or he'd really hate it. Fortunately I didn't have to ask - when I spoke with him after his return one of the first things he said was "I love the bench" - YAAAY.
When I got home, he had installed our new floor. I'm absolutely loving it. It looks so much nicer and is easy to maintain. Well done Lloyd. I know it was a chore for him as he returned home with a wicked cold and was feeling pretty poorly for the first week back. Good thing I extended my vacation!
Apparently we need to take separate vacations more often! It's very productive.
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| Just a small amount of the debris that's been removed |
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| Looking so much better already |
But it wasn't all work. On Friday afternoon Lloyd decided we were going for wings at Peake's Tee, around 12 km down the road. He was walking and I would meet him there. Sure enough, he arrived about 3 minutes after I got there (by car!). Then on Saturday he decided we should have breakfast over in Mount Stewart. So again he headed out walking and an hour later I met him at the restaurant. He was a couple of minutes behind schedule as he stopped to chat with a neighbour along the way. He's done so well, and continues to walk every day.
Sunday we did a bit more yard work but took a break to go into town to pick up a few things we needed. In the midst of all the walking and brush clearing, he also managed to get my motorcycle taken apart and the new carb kit installed. Fingers crossed that I can use it this year.
On Thursday, our TV reception wasn't the greatest so I had to go over to Brenda's for our weekly fix of Grey's, wine and snacks. So thanks to her for that. Her living room reception wasn't great either so we had to camp out in the kitchen. If nothing else, we are VERY flexible. We can do wine and snacks pretty much anywhere!
This week I came across some photos we took while Tristen was here and we visited Island Hill Farm. He always enjoys going there and some of the newborn baby goats are just too darned cute for words.
Okay, enough. Time to get back outside and continue raking...
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Tuesday, May 8th - Well hello strangers. Long time no chat!
I know, I know, it's been a while and lots has been going on. But here's the Cole's notes version (and if you understand THAT reference, you're showing your age! - but that's okay)
As you know, I did finally arrive in Martha's Vineyard. It was all I expected and even more. It was off season so lots of stores weren't open, but I wasn't there to shop (although I did manage to do some of that). The up side is there weren't as many people. The locals tell me it gets crazy busy in the summer. The beaches are beautiful, although I didn't really explore all of them. I do live on an island after all, and have spectacular beaches all around me so that wasn't such a big deal for me.
I was happy I had taken the car as that allowed me to explore the entire island at my leisure. It's not that big a place so I think I pretty much covered most of it. The weather was rainy the day I arrived (Monday) but Tuesday and Wednesday were beautiful and sunny.I was able to explore the area with what's known as the ginger bread houses. (here are just a few of over 300 concentrated in one area)
Mild but a wind kept things feeling a bit cooler. Thursday rained so that was my shopping and driving around day. Friday and Saturday were again gorgeous and warm enough that I could get my bicycle out and use it.
One of the most interesting trips was the short (527 feet) ferry ride over to Chappaquiddick Island and a ride to the infamous bridge. An absolutely lovely place to bike.
I had seen the movie of the same name, that just opened that week so it was really interesting to see it there. There's a lovely Japanese garden over there that isn't really open as yet but I was able to stroll around the grounds. I can only imagine how spectacular it is in the summer. Lots of great inspiration for garden ideas.
I met some really nice people while I was there and I know that part of that was because I was by myself. It was a really different time share experience but it totally worked.
Sunday morning was time for me to leave so I made the ferry crossing, this time in bright sunshine.
After leaving Woods Hole (on the mainland side) I headed for Albany N.Y. I had the great pleasure of spending the afternoon with Nancy and Dean Knight. We enjoyed a delicious meal and I had a really great sleep. Nancy used to live in Kitchener and I know her from my IAAP days. It was my first time meeting her husband, Dean, and they were very welcoming. I'm hoping that at some point they will visit PEI.
I was awake really early the next morning and headed out. I arrived in Guelph mid afternoon. Patti wasn't home, as she was on her way home from Japan. So we went to the store and picked up some stuff for supper so everyone was fed by the time Patti got home.
It was a very busy week. I had lunch on Tuesday with Fran at the airport restaurant. It was just the two of us and it was really nice to catch up.
When lunch was finished I met up with Tristen and we took our bicycles up to Riverside park for a ride around.
Tuesday evening I met up with some some of my old IAAP friends at Fionn McCools. What a wonderful way to end a great day.
Wednesday I met with Linda and Joyce for lunch at Baker Street Station. Linda is experiencing some health issues and I wish her all the best with her upcoming treatments. After lunch I took the opportunity to walk around downtown Guelph in some light drizzle. A lot of changes in 9 years. Wednesday evening I met up with our friend Scott and his fiance Suzanna. I hadn't been to Scott's new condo before and it's beyond spectacular. What a gorgeous place. It was really nice to catch up with him and it would be nice to keep in touch from time to time.
Thursday was a beautiful sunny day. I met up with my old scrapbooking buddy, Helen in Elora. I didn't recognize the name of the restaurant but I knew the place as soon as I got to the door. The name may have changed but the patio where I had my first taste of Foie Gras with Stephan and Trish many, many years ago still looks the same. I had brought James' scrap book with me because I knew she would enjoy seeing it.
Thursday evening Patti, Greg, Meghan, Tristen and I went to dinner at the Keg for an early Mother's Day. A really nice treat. (James was busy off piping somewhere)
Friday lunch was spent at a little Mediterranean restaurant not far from our old house on Rogers Road with Nancy. She had a really busy week and this was the only time she had available to get together. It was, again, nice to meet with her on her own. Usually it's a group so it was nice to catch up.
Friday night was quiet as Patti left for London around supper time and Tristen got ready for his Karate tournament in Stratford on Saturday. I dropped James off at the armoury for his weekend survival training and Meghan was staying over at a friends so it was pretty quiet. Greg had a dinner to go to so it was T and I.
Saturday morning Tristen and I were up early to drive to Stratford. The karate tournament went well and he was happy with his results. When we got back, I packed up my stuff and loaded the car.
I was up and on the road really early on Sunday morning and hit the road. In spite of fairly heavy snow falling (?) I made good time to Brockville and was at Stephan and Trish's by 10:00, just in time for morning coffee. Trish is recovering from surgery yet again, on one of her feet so she's taking it easy (yeah, right). After catching up, Steph and I went into Merrickville to explore the little shops and have some lunch at a small chinese restaurant. It was delicious and a great time to do more catching up. (it seems like all I did for the week was eat, and that's pretty much true).
When we got back we chatted and had wine until time for supper. Another great meal and off to bed. I was up early in the morning and just headed out. I had a long day ahead of me.
It rained pretty much the whole way, but eleven hours later I arrived in Fredericton to stay with one of the teachers from the kids Montessori school. ( I had mentioned to Patti that I might stop part way home and stay over and she said "You can stay at Wanda's!) Wanda and her family moved east last summer and although I've known her as a teacher for a number of years we really don't know each other very well. But they were very welcoming and I enjoyed getting to know her better after yet another nice meal. Many thanks to Nick for giving up his room. Sorry buddy! They are fortunate to live far enough away from the flooding but a week later and record high flood waters have not yet subsided.
Again, I was up at the crack of dawn (well, actually way before) and arrived in Charlottetown in time to meet Lloyd for coffee at 8:00 in town.
All in all a really great trip, a little over 4,800 km by the time I got home. Huge thanks to all those who hosted me along the way. It's very greatly appreciated!
I got home on Tuesday and Tristen arrived on the island on Thursday night (well actually very early on Friday morning) to visit for the weekend. We managed to keep him entertained by giving him jobs that required driving the little lawn tractor. (we did visit Island Hill Farm but more photos from there next time)
In fact on Sunday we were outside by 8:30 and he spent the entire day outside, only coming in to eat and take a break and watch a movie after supper (hot dogs and marshmallows cooked over a bonfire) and then he was back outside playing by himself in the trees and yard until almost dark.
A great day by all accounts. The yard was tidied up and the flower beds cleaned up.The very warm weather helped. We did take a little break and went for a ride in the Miata to the Irving, and then down to the Spirit Spring. He's already planning his next trip, that he hopes will be with one of his friends.
As you know, I did finally arrive in Martha's Vineyard. It was all I expected and even more. It was off season so lots of stores weren't open, but I wasn't there to shop (although I did manage to do some of that). The up side is there weren't as many people. The locals tell me it gets crazy busy in the summer. The beaches are beautiful, although I didn't really explore all of them. I do live on an island after all, and have spectacular beaches all around me so that wasn't such a big deal for me.
 |
| Edgartown Lighthouse |
I was happy I had taken the car as that allowed me to explore the entire island at my leisure. It's not that big a place so I think I pretty much covered most of it. The weather was rainy the day I arrived (Monday) but Tuesday and Wednesday were beautiful and sunny.I was able to explore the area with what's known as the ginger bread houses. (here are just a few of over 300 concentrated in one area)
Mild but a wind kept things feeling a bit cooler. Thursday rained so that was my shopping and driving around day. Friday and Saturday were again gorgeous and warm enough that I could get my bicycle out and use it.
One of the most interesting trips was the short (527 feet) ferry ride over to Chappaquiddick Island and a ride to the infamous bridge. An absolutely lovely place to bike.
I had seen the movie of the same name, that just opened that week so it was really interesting to see it there. There's a lovely Japanese garden over there that isn't really open as yet but I was able to stroll around the grounds. I can only imagine how spectacular it is in the summer. Lots of great inspiration for garden ideas.
 |
| Mytoi gardens |
I met some really nice people while I was there and I know that part of that was because I was by myself. It was a really different time share experience but it totally worked.
 |
| Back side of the Harbourside Inn |
Sunday morning was time for me to leave so I made the ferry crossing, this time in bright sunshine.
After leaving Woods Hole (on the mainland side) I headed for Albany N.Y. I had the great pleasure of spending the afternoon with Nancy and Dean Knight. We enjoyed a delicious meal and I had a really great sleep. Nancy used to live in Kitchener and I know her from my IAAP days. It was my first time meeting her husband, Dean, and they were very welcoming. I'm hoping that at some point they will visit PEI.
I was awake really early the next morning and headed out. I arrived in Guelph mid afternoon. Patti wasn't home, as she was on her way home from Japan. So we went to the store and picked up some stuff for supper so everyone was fed by the time Patti got home.
It was a very busy week. I had lunch on Tuesday with Fran at the airport restaurant. It was just the two of us and it was really nice to catch up.
When lunch was finished I met up with Tristen and we took our bicycles up to Riverside park for a ride around.
Tuesday evening I met up with some some of my old IAAP friends at Fionn McCools. What a wonderful way to end a great day.
Wednesday I met with Linda and Joyce for lunch at Baker Street Station. Linda is experiencing some health issues and I wish her all the best with her upcoming treatments. After lunch I took the opportunity to walk around downtown Guelph in some light drizzle. A lot of changes in 9 years. Wednesday evening I met up with our friend Scott and his fiance Suzanna. I hadn't been to Scott's new condo before and it's beyond spectacular. What a gorgeous place. It was really nice to catch up with him and it would be nice to keep in touch from time to time.
Thursday was a beautiful sunny day. I met up with my old scrapbooking buddy, Helen in Elora. I didn't recognize the name of the restaurant but I knew the place as soon as I got to the door. The name may have changed but the patio where I had my first taste of Foie Gras with Stephan and Trish many, many years ago still looks the same. I had brought James' scrap book with me because I knew she would enjoy seeing it.
Thursday evening Patti, Greg, Meghan, Tristen and I went to dinner at the Keg for an early Mother's Day. A really nice treat. (James was busy off piping somewhere)
Friday lunch was spent at a little Mediterranean restaurant not far from our old house on Rogers Road with Nancy. She had a really busy week and this was the only time she had available to get together. It was, again, nice to meet with her on her own. Usually it's a group so it was nice to catch up.
Friday night was quiet as Patti left for London around supper time and Tristen got ready for his Karate tournament in Stratford on Saturday. I dropped James off at the armoury for his weekend survival training and Meghan was staying over at a friends so it was pretty quiet. Greg had a dinner to go to so it was T and I.
Saturday morning Tristen and I were up early to drive to Stratford. The karate tournament went well and he was happy with his results. When we got back, I packed up my stuff and loaded the car.
I was up and on the road really early on Sunday morning and hit the road. In spite of fairly heavy snow falling (?) I made good time to Brockville and was at Stephan and Trish's by 10:00, just in time for morning coffee. Trish is recovering from surgery yet again, on one of her feet so she's taking it easy (yeah, right). After catching up, Steph and I went into Merrickville to explore the little shops and have some lunch at a small chinese restaurant. It was delicious and a great time to do more catching up. (it seems like all I did for the week was eat, and that's pretty much true).
When we got back we chatted and had wine until time for supper. Another great meal and off to bed. I was up early in the morning and just headed out. I had a long day ahead of me.
It rained pretty much the whole way, but eleven hours later I arrived in Fredericton to stay with one of the teachers from the kids Montessori school. ( I had mentioned to Patti that I might stop part way home and stay over and she said "You can stay at Wanda's!) Wanda and her family moved east last summer and although I've known her as a teacher for a number of years we really don't know each other very well. But they were very welcoming and I enjoyed getting to know her better after yet another nice meal. Many thanks to Nick for giving up his room. Sorry buddy! They are fortunate to live far enough away from the flooding but a week later and record high flood waters have not yet subsided.
Again, I was up at the crack of dawn (well, actually way before) and arrived in Charlottetown in time to meet Lloyd for coffee at 8:00 in town.
All in all a really great trip, a little over 4,800 km by the time I got home. Huge thanks to all those who hosted me along the way. It's very greatly appreciated!
I got home on Tuesday and Tristen arrived on the island on Thursday night (well actually very early on Friday morning) to visit for the weekend. We managed to keep him entertained by giving him jobs that required driving the little lawn tractor. (we did visit Island Hill Farm but more photos from there next time)
In fact on Sunday we were outside by 8:30 and he spent the entire day outside, only coming in to eat and take a break and watch a movie after supper (hot dogs and marshmallows cooked over a bonfire) and then he was back outside playing by himself in the trees and yard until almost dark.
A great day by all accounts. The yard was tidied up and the flower beds cleaned up.The very warm weather helped. We did take a little break and went for a ride in the Miata to the Irving, and then down to the Spirit Spring. He's already planning his next trip, that he hopes will be with one of his friends.
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