So This Is Winter

I really liked the fall-like weather lasting through most of December and into January. Eventually though, winter caught up with us and it zeroed in on the day I was preparing to hold a special party for my daughter by marriage, Miss Lorrie.

That girl got cheated for years because she was born into a family who celebrated the Ukrainian New Year falling two days after she was born, so she was lucky if she saw a birthday cake.

This was going to be a birthday-only celebration,and hats with with "Happy New Year" emblazoned on them were firmly excluded.

I found a great slow cooker recipe for a loin of pork heavily laced with barbecue spices mixed with jellied cranberry sauce. Oven roasted mini potatoes, fresh green beans with toasted filberts, a killer home-made coleslaw and a fabulous Black Forest birthday cake. A feast.

However the morning of the big day the snow fell, the ice pellets fell and it wasn't a time to seriously consider driving anywhere, especially when there is a puppy left at home who has to go out to pee every four hours or less.

We postponed until next Sunday. I called in the troops up the block to slide down the icy street and come eat what was already cooked but I froze the custard/cherries filling along with the cake and they were a demonstrably sad about that.

I feel a bit like Miss Faversham as the table sits pristine with only visits from the cats who like to curl up for a nap around a place setting.
Until I discover them.


At least there aren't any mice.

My House Guest The Carpenter

My son Steve came to visit and not only is he the greatest company but he's a carpenter.

Let's see-- my son the carpenter is coming to visit. How can I keep him busy? He sort of thought that visiting the kinfolk would be nice and perhaps tour the town, things like that.

I assured him he could do those things but first would he please take a minute to install laminate flooring in the living/dining room and while he's at it just do the stairs as well.

Before he arrived my faithful helper ripped up the broadloom in the living/dining room and we smoothed out the sub floor, removing all staples and wayward nails. Harry liked sleeping on the rolled-up carpet.



The she ripped up the carpet stairs. I hated that came-with-the-house carpet even before I saw it in a movie theater lobby and I'm positive it haunts many a funeral home.



The family room took the overflow of livng room debris and we had to pick our way around carefully. I still got the tree up though.


This is the weather the day we drove to the airport to pick up Steve.It took us two tries before we dared to attempt the highway. We’d had fall weather up to then and the next day was fall weather again. I hope he didn't see it as an omen.



This is Steve’s first day visiting me.



He departed yesterday and when the furniture is back in place I'll show you the results.

Okay, he didn't tour the town but I did have the relatives over to visit with him while the glue was setting.

God bless amiable children.

Now This Is My Kind Of Winter

This was the temperature around nine this morning. Remember people, we are talking the Canadian east so it's the 63 F that should be impressing you..

I had tossed the green spiky plant when I thought summer had ended. It continued to flourish lying on its aide behind the globe cedar so I plunked it into the iron planter for another reincarnation. Now it's a Christmas decoration.





The fish are swimming around aimlessly, no doubt wondering why they aren't hunkered down under a sheet of ice. I'm continuing to feed them since I have no idea what's around to nosh on in that pond.