voice, bribe and my husband is hot!

1 I'm happy to hear my friends voice. Our conversation covers many topics. Wow that was a a quick hour.


2 We are bribed at work with doughnut holes. Apparently it worked.


3 The lumberjack jacket has a new designation....around home, for gathering firewood but not for dress up. yay He's smokin' hot in his new suede overcoat. 

creative, company and love

1 We are creative in the kitchen tonight. Oyster and Wild Mushroom Stew.


2 Our company is finding time to relax and unwind. They've been busy with craft fairs, work and looking after their beloved dog.


3 Much love being sent for Rupert to be well and active again soon.


Oyster and Wild Mushroom Stew
·         2 Tablespoons butter

·         1 leek, white part only, finely diced

·         1 shallot, finely diced

·         1 rib celery, finely diced

·         1/4 pound wild mushrooms, cleaned and chopped

·         1/2 cup white wine

·         24 oysters, shucked, liquor reserved

·         1 cup heavy cream

·         Juice of 1 lemon

·         1 plum tomato, peeled, seeded, diced

·         12 French baguette or sourdough baguette toast rounds

·         Tarragon, chopped

·         Chives, chopped

 In a medium saucepan, melt butter over med heat. Add leeks, shallots, celery and mushrooms. Saute until tender but not coloured. Add wine and oyster liquid and reduce by half. Add heavy cream and reduce until slightly thickened. Add lemon juice, oysters and tomatoes. Spoon onto soup plate and arrange toasts around. Garnish with chives and tarragon.

work, friends and super powers

1 Work is all about catch up. It's a Monday and quiet so we can.

2 Our friends take us out for a nice dinner. Lots of laughter and fun, good food too.


3 Their drinks arrive and are doubles! I ask him if he can drive home and he says, "I can drive. I feel like Superman" Needless to say I drove home.

adventure, meandering and thankful hands

1 Our grand daughter had an adventure. Desitin cream everywhere. Thankfully it's not a permanent lotion application but is water soluble and very difficult to get out of her hair. She still manages to be in good spirits when we Skype.


2 We take a drive up island today. Beaches, winds and meandering roads.


3 My hands are doing a lot of work these days but today they thank me for keeping them moving and hurting less.

its full, less and making

1 It's full of interesting bits of things to get done.
2 Sometimes it's best to say less.
3 I'm enjoying making gifts this season.

she says, another she says and empty

1 She says to me, "It's always a pleasure working with you. I'd love to have you here all the time. You do a lot of work"
2 Another she says, "You have a great voice. I'm happy to talk to you anytime."
3 Each little piece of chocolate is savoured and soon the container is empty and stomachs are full.

visitors, rupert and russ

1 Tom, Shannon and Rupert are here for a visit. Smiling faces and warm hugs start our visit.
2 Rupert has more energy tonight than he's had in months...yay for a fenced yard and cat to chase.
3 Seeing Russ in his office chair surfing the 'interweb' for tires.

awakening, java and forecast

1 My eyes flutter open and I realize it's not as dark out as when I usually waken. I like sleeping in.


2 Hot coffee with just the right amount of cream and sugar.


3 Our forecast today was slow with a high probability of doing very little. 

training, leaving, and loving

1 Training in Excel and Word today. Not much new but I enjoyed the refresher.


2 Leaving early so I can warm up the house for my husband's arrival.


3 Having him home for good. Yay!

winds, drool and yum

1 Super stormy night yet again.  Up to 80/km hr winds....sounds awesome!
2 The cat enjoys snuggling on my lap. She's purring so hard she's drooling.
3  Stormy outside but 24C inside and I'm eating ice cream!

♥, sustenance and waiting

1 Isabelle ♥


2 Stew; hot and delicious on a cold November night.


3 One more sleep and he's home, finally. This has been a long 21 days but almost done. 

Isabelle, loves and clickety click click

1 Isabelle goes bananas when she sees me on the tv today for a Skype visit. She laughs and jumps and tries so hard to pull me from the screen. We laugh at each other and she and I give each other kisses.

2 My tears are full of gratitude for her love and my love for her.

3 Knitting...

gone, noise and wood

1 The headache was given its eviction notice and left. Thankfully it chose not to occupy my head any longer.
2 There is snow on the ground and it makes a crunching sound when someone drives or walks on it. The cat however is still silent when she delicately makes her way along to the woodshed.
3 I'm so incredibly thankful for the dry wood so neatly stacked waiting for me to burn.

joy, snow and family

1 The school is incredibly noisy and full of chaos. I'm wondering how this environment has helped to form such lovely children, because they were a joy to be with today.
2 Large snowflakes fall reminding me of the Kootenays. 
3 Nick and Sara call me from China. It 's wonderful hearing and seeing them. Yesterday I talked to Chris, Michie and Isabelle (and Russ every night of course). I am blessed.

toes, bed and asleep

1 Warm toes
2 Soft bedding
3 Restful sleep

frost, singing and talking

1 Outside it's a winter wonderland of frost.
2 I have some great songs to sing along to on my drive home.
3 Tonight is for good conversation with some of my most favourite people.

wood, purrs and runs

1 Gathering wood in the dark...adventurous.
2 Kosha purrs so loud it sounds like it's coming from outside!
3 The new car runs like a dream. So nice to drive a car without a shaking tranny!

visit, life and I wonder

1 Our visit is great! Vietnamese dinner followed by wine and hot tubbing last night followed by brunch and mostly window shopping but with a few treats thrown in.
2 She tells me about her life including the ups and downs. Through it all she is accountable for her actions, not a victim and is looking for ways to move forward. I'm so proud of her.
3 The third package has an assortment of everything in it. Looking forward to hearing what the recipients think.

threes

1  A surprise visit from my niece. I think it's been close to 3 years since we've seen each other, so looking forward to it.
2 Another box is packed and ready for the bus. 3 care packages in a week for those special people.
3  A few texts today from 3 of my favourite people.

storm, storm, storm

1  The wind howls and swirls eventually creating chaos. Power goes out, tree limbs are snapped and the rain pounds on the windows from every direction. It's exciting to watch especially as I'm inside warm and dry.
2 The quietness of the house is soothing and i'm soon napping in front of the fire.
3. Candles light the room, giving it a warm home glow until the power is restored.

birthday, singing and last

1 One of the girls from the office is having a birthday. She loves the scarf and the chocolates we've given to her!
2 The drive home is dark and gloomy but the songs on the radio are upbeat and get me singing out loud!
3 The last of the leftovers for dinner. 

apples, cake and exception

1 Our apples are crisp and ready for eating.
2 Once a month the social fund at work get a cake or some sort of sweet to celebrate birthdays in the office that month. This month's treat is a light white cake with lemon filling and frosting.
3 There is one little girl in the kindergarten class who is very excited and yet so polite. Most of the children don't thank us but she was the exception.

The Big Cat

‎"Remember, I am the brightest star on a winter's/summer's night."

RIP Quarky 

 

gone but not forgotten, wind and dinner.

1 Today was a bit of a rough day, we lost our sweet male cat. I'm grateful for our time with him. He'd like to roam about but always came home. Now's he's at a new home, without dangers and is hopefully at peace.
2 The wind rattles the panes and screens lulling me into a strange sleep halfway between awake and dreaming.
3 Cold lamb and greek salad.

cleaning up, why and lamb

1 Bit by bit the garden is getting cleaned up. One more trailer load filled.
2 It's November and there are still a few flowers blooming. Is it denial or perseverance that makes them bloom so late?
3 Lamb!

ok, quiet and soup

1 My daughter in law is experiencing some troubles in her pregnancy, but today the Dr says it's  nothing serious and mom and baby are doing well.
2 It was quiet in the neighbourhood today.
3 Butternut Squash Soup

    * 2 tablespoons butter

    * 1 small onion, chopped

    * 1 stalk celery, chopped

    * 1 medium carrot, chopped

    * 2 medium potatoes, cubed

    * 1 medium butternut squash - peeled, seeded cubed

    * 1 (32 fluid ounce) container chicken stock

    * salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Melt the butter in a large pot, and cook the onion, celery, carrot, potatoes, and squash 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. Pour in enough of the chicken stock to cover vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender.

2. Transfer the soup to a blender, and blend until smooth. Return to pot, and mix in any remaining stock to attain desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

more, dinner and fire starter

1 She gives me a lot of praise today. It motivates me to do more and I do.
2 Chicken Caesar salad with extra chicken, parmesan and extra crunchy croutons.
3 What was I thinking of trying to make kindling tonight? Dunno, but the small blow torch worked just fine!

newletter, skype and for me

1 I've created a newsletter out of nothing! What a great way to spend the morning at work.
2 A skype call from a friend I've not seen in years. She looks great with her new cut and colour and has lots of good things to share.
3 My second skype call is from Russ. He's back to working 12 hr days but still takes the time to call. His face, his smile for me make the long night easier.

stickers, suggestion and call

1 The kindergarten classes are full of vibrant busy children. My favourite is the little girl who has had her hearing tested last year but says in a shy quiet way that she just really wants a turn. No time for a turn, but she liked the stickers.
2 A suggestion from a friend to meet for coffee at Chapters soon.
3 A telephone conversation with my daughter in law is open, honest and loving. 

warm, attitude, stillness and cat in the hat

1 The house is still warm from the wood heat. I put a large log in before I left for work and when I got home, it still had some embers glowing for a new blaze.

2 He appeared to have the right attitude towards finding out the legal information I need. He asked questions, stayed on topic and had a plan of action.
3 There is a stillness in the house. The radio  is softly playing in the kitchen, the fan whirls while the grandfather clock chimes and the wood stove crackles. 
4 She's a little under the weather but still manages to enjoy her Cat in the Hat music.