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| Rollin' in my sweet baby's arms |
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| Lily getting loved up by Luna |
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| I see you! |
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Don't Look!!!
Not for the squeamish...
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I'm telling you...don't look!!
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I won't be held responsible if you look!!!
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IT CAME OFF!!
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My new nail is slowly making an appearance...just a tiny crescent so far...
It doesn't hurt at all. I was getting down onto my yoga mat when I accidentally caught my toenail and it bent backwards and popped off. No humans were injured in the loss of this toenail.
No pain but it still looks kinda gross. I guess it's part of the recuperation process.
*This was the toenail that had a blister in behind it pushing up the nail. Who knew hiking could be so dangerous!?!
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I'm telling you...don't look!!
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I won't be held responsible if you look!!!
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IT CAME OFF!!
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My new nail is slowly making an appearance...just a tiny crescent so far...
It doesn't hurt at all. I was getting down onto my yoga mat when I accidentally caught my toenail and it bent backwards and popped off. No humans were injured in the loss of this toenail.
No pain but it still looks kinda gross. I guess it's part of the recuperation process.
*This was the toenail that had a blister in behind it pushing up the nail. Who knew hiking could be so dangerous!?!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Spring is Bloomin' Lovely!
Today's photos were taken on hiking adventures outside of London Sunday and today. I just can't get enough of the colours, the flowers, the blue skies, the green green grass, any and all indications of spring. My poor seester and friends in PEI and NB are still fighting the good fight with fresh snow fall recorded today - I'm so sorry!!
These horses were so frisky but they still managed to calm down enough to come to the fence for a quick nose rub.
FORSYTHIA!!
May apples
Trout lilies
An eagle soaring overhead!!
Skunk cabbage - I think it's very pretty to look at :)
Bloodroot
C'mon...open up - you can do it!
What a fantastic tree trunk!!
Not sure...
And one more trillium blooming. In a few more days the woods will be filled with thousands of white and red trilliums in bloom.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Racking up the Miles
It was a weekend of walking! I walked and I walked. And happily the weather cooperated. On Saturday we hiked through Killaly Meadows- it was a bit of a slow hike, more like a stroll, but enjoyable nonetheless. The sun was shining and we walked in our shirt sleeves. You can't beat that. We're in that wonderful window of time between snow/sleet/wind/rain and.......................................
BUG SEASON!!
I'm still in pain but not as bad as before. The thing is you have to keep stretching even when you're feeling better. Lesson learned. It's hard to see but there are thousands of blue flowers (my mom called them crazies) sprinkled through the grass and the trees and through the trees you can glimpse the river.
I was trying to get a picture of the colourful red sumac contrasting with the spindly trees and blue sky without any people in the shot (while walking at the same time) but it didn't quite work out - I could edit the guy out but then most of the sumac would be gone. Maybe I'll try it.
Not sure why but a lot of trees in this area are missing most of their bark - it makes for cool pictures but I'm a bit concerned!
Later - Sunday's hike - I know you can't wait!!
Friday, April 24, 2015
Spring Projects Galore
It was another CHILLY day but the sun was blasting down so I decided to make the best of it and head outside. The snow is gone, hopefully for good this time (damn you Mother Nature!), so it was time to tackle my two small flower beds at the front of the house. Yes, I am testing the weather gods, I know! I cleaned up the back patio and it snowed...I clean up the front and perhaps we'll be blessed with hail...any bets?!
There will be several steps to the cleanup process, of course, and today I just started with picking up the dead leaves, pruning the hydrangea bush and moving some rocks around.
Darn, I should have taken some closeups while I was working as I came across some lily of the valley poking up here and there. The bleeding heart bush is up about 8", about the same as last week before it got covered in snow. Same with the daffodils - they're about 4' high - no change from last week.
My other small bed - I cleaned up the dead leaves and moved more rocks over from the other bed. This garden has killed hundreds of dollars worth of plants over the years - nothing grows well here. About 20 years ago it was dug up for some reason I can't recall and then the dirt was put back in with the clay on top. I've tried different bushes and trees with no success. Right now there are a few different types of ground cover and lots of rocks. My plan is to find a "statement" rock/boulder, call it a rock garden and be done with it.
Cleaned up with more rocks. I have a new hose to replace this sad one, you know, for watering the rocks lol!
Inside I am sick and tired, VERY SICK AND TIRED, of the mess of boots/shoes in the foyer.
Time to fill a few bins with the detritus of winter: boots, toques, scarves, gloves etc and CLEAR THE CLUTTER!! Another view - what a mess!!
This area needs some work. We do have a coat closet but Kazi prefers to hang every coat and scarf and throw every pair of boots and shoes she's ever owned onto this coat rack/shoe rack. The two bins on top hold all of our hats, gloves and mittens. Oh, and a bike helmet. Oops...that's mine!
Here's her shoe rack tidied up. I haven't finished the coat rack yet. That involves lots of shifting around from upstairs closet to downstairs closet - I was feeling faint and had to go meet a friend for coffee!
My rack - hiking shoes, Blundstone boots, hiking boots, more Blunnies, and underneath my hiking sandals and my shoes du jour. Much tidier...
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Sluggy's Giveaway #3 for the Year!! Golly she's generous!!
If you would like to participate in Sluggy's giveaway then please go HERE! There's a lot of really good stuff for you to win but I would appreciate it if you sent the Starbursts to me...just kidding...not really :)
It's a Brand New....
SEASON!!!...I think I'll call it "Sprinter" and Spring better just sprint right back here before I have a tantrum!
Poor Dougie the Dodge getting attacked by snow pellets...he did nothing to deserve this...
Aren't I glad I got those free rolls of paper towels when I bought Windex at Giant Tiger...looks like I'll be using them again...sometime...
Sprinter: spring chairs, winter weather.
Today it was even worse as it snowed more during the night. But I was off for a hike this morning and didn't get any photos. Some has melted away but a lot remains. It's pretty chilly out there.
Today brings one week left in April's budget. I'm very happy with how and where the money went this month. The heating bill was down!! The electricity bill...stayed the same (boo, hiss)...well, the bill would have been lower but rates are being raised AGAIN!! As Carla pointed out this week if you live in Ontario your hydro bill is obscene.
However, in spite of that I'm ahead of the game right now by $400.00. Even after tucking $350.00 into savings earlier in the month. April was the month of chairs - 3 zero gravity chairs - 2 have gone to the trailer; and today Canadian Tire had their andirondack chairs on for $16.99 (regular $23.99) so I bought 4 - they're in the back of Dougie waiting for the next trip to the trailer. Other than chairs, tealights for all of my lanterns and a new album on iTunes I kept my spending to a minimum. Oh, and I bought a book.... Oh, and a bottle of wine....oh, and another bottle of wine :)
What really helped is I only went out to dinner once and breakfast once. You can save a LOT of money by eating at home. AND I still have $109 left in my grocery budget of $276. And $87 left in my gas budget. AWESOME!! Obviously I won't have $400 left by next Thursday when April's budget is complete but I bet I have $300. Even $250 would be good. Or $200. See, I'm not picky, as long as I'm in the black I'm ecstatic!!
How's your budget going? Black or red?
Poor Dougie the Dodge getting attacked by snow pellets...he did nothing to deserve this...
Aren't I glad I got those free rolls of paper towels when I bought Windex at Giant Tiger...looks like I'll be using them again...sometime...
Sprinter: spring chairs, winter weather.
Today it was even worse as it snowed more during the night. But I was off for a hike this morning and didn't get any photos. Some has melted away but a lot remains. It's pretty chilly out there.
Today brings one week left in April's budget. I'm very happy with how and where the money went this month. The heating bill was down!! The electricity bill...stayed the same (boo, hiss)...well, the bill would have been lower but rates are being raised AGAIN!! As Carla pointed out this week if you live in Ontario your hydro bill is obscene.
However, in spite of that I'm ahead of the game right now by $400.00. Even after tucking $350.00 into savings earlier in the month. April was the month of chairs - 3 zero gravity chairs - 2 have gone to the trailer; and today Canadian Tire had their andirondack chairs on for $16.99 (regular $23.99) so I bought 4 - they're in the back of Dougie waiting for the next trip to the trailer. Other than chairs, tealights for all of my lanterns and a new album on iTunes I kept my spending to a minimum. Oh, and I bought a book.... Oh, and a bottle of wine....oh, and another bottle of wine :)
What really helped is I only went out to dinner once and breakfast once. You can save a LOT of money by eating at home. AND I still have $109 left in my grocery budget of $276. And $87 left in my gas budget. AWESOME!! Obviously I won't have $400 left by next Thursday when April's budget is complete but I bet I have $300. Even $250 would be good. Or $200. See, I'm not picky, as long as I'm in the black I'm ecstatic!!
How's your budget going? Black or red?
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Elvis the Pelvis
Saturday night I volunteered at an event benefiting the Independent Living Centre in London - a place where folks with physical disabilities can go for a number of programs - exercise, work support, financial workshops etc. It was a great evening of music and dancing and we hopefully made a profit!!
The event took place at a local legion, hence the "Lest We Forget" sign in the background - you thought it was about Elvis didn't you!! Who could ever forget Elvis?!?
The Elvis impersonator was a lovely fellow coming into the audience and onto the dance floor to interact with guests.
Some of the band - there was also a keyboardist and drummer, altogether an excellent group of musicians.
After an Elvis set he came back as Johnny Cash (yay!)....
...and then Roy Orbison!
For his final set he returned as "VEGAS ELVIS" to the appreciation of the audience. I'd say he was in a bit better shape than the original Elvis...thankfully :)
I have to say that "Elvis" did a great job at reading the audience and playing songs that got folks up and dancing. The evening also included a silent auction and 50/50 draw. I can't wait to hear how much cash was raised! This was the first ever "big gala event" for the Centre so I really hope it was successful.
In other news...KAZI GOT A NEW FULL-TIME JOB!!! And I have to hand it to her - she did this all on her own. A week and a half ago there was a London Music Awards night held where she works as a bartender. She got to talking (NETWORKING) to a woman who was in the process of looking for someone to be THE FACE OF A NEW MICRO-BREWERY called TOBOGGAN in a building which will also house a restaurant and bar serving the new local craft beers. Kazi said she'd be interested and met the owners a few days later. She found out today she GOT THE JOB!!
I've included an article from the London Free Press about the new business. SO EXCITING!!
I'm so PROUD!!
The event took place at a local legion, hence the "Lest We Forget" sign in the background - you thought it was about Elvis didn't you!! Who could ever forget Elvis?!?
The Elvis impersonator was a lovely fellow coming into the audience and onto the dance floor to interact with guests.
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| Look deeply into my eyes....SWOON! |
Some of the band - there was also a keyboardist and drummer, altogether an excellent group of musicians.
For his final set he returned as "VEGAS ELVIS" to the appreciation of the audience. I'd say he was in a bit better shape than the original Elvis...thankfully :)
I have to say that "Elvis" did a great job at reading the audience and playing songs that got folks up and dancing. The evening also included a silent auction and 50/50 draw. I can't wait to hear how much cash was raised! This was the first ever "big gala event" for the Centre so I really hope it was successful.
In other news...KAZI GOT A NEW FULL-TIME JOB!!! And I have to hand it to her - she did this all on her own. A week and a half ago there was a London Music Awards night held where she works as a bartender. She got to talking (NETWORKING) to a woman who was in the process of looking for someone to be THE FACE OF A NEW MICRO-BREWERY called TOBOGGAN in a building which will also house a restaurant and bar serving the new local craft beers. Kazi said she'd be interested and met the owners a few days later. She found out today she GOT THE JOB!!
I've included an article from the London Free Press about the new business. SO EXCITING!!
I'm so PROUD!!
MICROBREWERY: Brand name inspired by 19th-century winter pastime
New brew echoes heritage 17
By Hank Daniszewski, The London Free Press
London restaurateur Mike Smith (Free Press file photo)
A new beer brand — Toboggan — will soon be sliding into London.
The local beer will be produced by the microbrewery set up recently by London restaurateur Mike Smith.
The brew will be made and served at the Toboggan Brewing Co., the new name for the freshly renovated bar and grill that now houses Jim Bob Rays and is next door to Joe Kool’s, Smith’s flagship restaurant on Richmond Row.
Smith said the toboggan is a authentic Canadian icon and the name was suggested by a family member who has researched the history of tobogganing in London.
Two huge wooden toboggan ramps were constructed near Richmond Row in the 1880s.
Smith is working on perfecting several different brews that will be marketed under the Toboggan brand.
“London used to be a big tobogganing centre. The beers will have their own name, but it’s a good name for the company,” said Smith.
Smith is working on acquiring a provincial licence that will allow him to sell Toboggan beer at other local bars and restaurants.
The microbrewery has been installed in the basement of Jim Bob Ray’s, but renovations to the bar and grill upstairs are still underway.
To bolster the menu of the new establishment, Smith will move his P.Za.Pie operation into the Toboggan location.
The restaurant has been operated at Richmond and Piccadilly streets for six years. The staff and pizza ovens will be moved into Toboggan in the coming weeks, Smith said.
While Jim Bob Rays’ has been a favourite watering hole for students, Smith said he hopes the renovations, and the menu, featuring P.Za.Pie pizza and locally sourced products, will broaden the establishment’s appeal.
“I want people of all ages. I want people to bring their kids in,” he said.
Toboggan will join two other local small breweries, Forked River Brewing Company of London and Railway City Brewing Co. in St. Thomas.
Railway City recently scored a coup, getting distribution for Dead Elephant brew at 13 Beer Store outlets in London, St. Thomas, Woodstock, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Burlington and Toronto.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Thames River Cleanup
Saturday was a day of volunteering involving both coyotes and Elvis. First I spent the morning cleaning up along a portion of the Thames River. Once a year there is a big event where members of the Thames Valley Trail Assoc. help cleanup along the river. Why oh why people have to discard such large amounts of garbage along the river banks eludes me. Just lazy I guess. And NOT nature lovers.
My helpers, Michelle and Miriam, were bold and eagle-eyed! When I spotted a broken recycling bin down in the ravine the 3 of us climbed down and hauled up all kinds of discarded treasure including a mattress, a seat from a car, tons of barbed wire, plastic bottles, glass bottles, coffee cups from Tim Hortons (TONS), windows, lots of broken glass, broken buckets etc etc etc...
Our first pile, then we went down into the ravine again and found lots more...
We found several animal carcasses, we think they were coyotes because of the long and shaggy hair and their shape was dog-like....
Apparently farmers are allowed to kill coyotes if they find them on their land...(I guess the coyotes aren't aware of where their land ends and the farmer's land begins!!
There was a total of 43 people in our location and we easily filled a large bin with our collected garbage...plus we recycled all that we could...
A peek inside the bin...
Men with trucks came along periodically to collect our garbage which we just piled along side of the road...
There's a better picture of the bin.
It was a glorious day - warm and sunny. The camaraderie was apparent and lots of laughs were had.
Can you find me?
Some big bird's foot!! Poor thing! Maybe a coyote got a hold of him. I thought it looked a bit like Woodstock, the bird from Charlie Brown. Some macabre humour to lighten your day!
Stay tuned for an Elvis sighting!!
My helpers, Michelle and Miriam, were bold and eagle-eyed! When I spotted a broken recycling bin down in the ravine the 3 of us climbed down and hauled up all kinds of discarded treasure including a mattress, a seat from a car, tons of barbed wire, plastic bottles, glass bottles, coffee cups from Tim Hortons (TONS), windows, lots of broken glass, broken buckets etc etc etc...
Our first pile, then we went down into the ravine again and found lots more...
We found several animal carcasses, we think they were coyotes because of the long and shaggy hair and their shape was dog-like....
Apparently farmers are allowed to kill coyotes if they find them on their land...(I guess the coyotes aren't aware of where their land ends and the farmer's land begins!!
There was a total of 43 people in our location and we easily filled a large bin with our collected garbage...plus we recycled all that we could...
A peek inside the bin...
Men with trucks came along periodically to collect our garbage which we just piled along side of the road...
Some big bird's foot!! Poor thing! Maybe a coyote got a hold of him. I thought it looked a bit like Woodstock, the bird from Charlie Brown. Some macabre humour to lighten your day!
Stay tuned for an Elvis sighting!!
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