Vegetable, sun, cold

 Lets get the weather taken care of first. 

It is really cold. woke this morning to -16*C however, it feels like -23*C with the wind chill factored in, and it appears we had another dusting of snow overnight.  At least the wind died down in the evening so no more snow blowing all over the place making the drifts even deeper than they were.   I hope the long range forecast which says the weather will be moderating later this month is in fact going to happen.  The sun is shining, so looking forward  to some vitamin D today.

The vegetable. 

My two youngest granddaughters, I say youngest,  K is 28 and  C is 23 years old.  They are both still in university and college, living with a partner and they all love to cook.   They try recipes and different ways to prepare new and unusual foods of all kinds.  It is nice to know they are not filling up on mac and cheese and french fries.

I received a call from K, one day last week saying----grandma have you had rapini aka Brocolli rabe before?  I have heard of it but never eaten it.  She then said-- it is the worst vegetable we have ever had, we made it tonight and it was not good, so bitter, it tastes like Buckleys.  Buckleys, for those who do not  know, it is a terrible tasting, over the counter cough and cold  syrup here in Canada.  The ad for it says " Taste terrible, but it works"  

After using Google to find out more about this vegetable, I read,  the bitterness can change on how it is prepared and the age of it.  I am sure it is one of those vegetables you have to acquire a taste for.  I don't think they will buy, cook or eat it any time soon.  

Have you ever prepared or eaten it?

Have a great day

Cheers.

One done one more to go

The last day of January and I will be so happy to see the last of it.  Why!  It has been very very cold with lots of snow and wind.  The wind making it feel even colder.  As a result I have only been out when it has been absolutely necessary to do so.  It takes so much time to get all of the clobber on so that you can go outside.  Even one piece of skin could get frost bite in a short period of time.  Plus, it is so slippery under foot and I don't want to fall.  Driving my car is very uncomfortable being all bundled up. 

But, we have one more month to go, February which is quite often the coldest month of winter.  How much colder can it get than what we had in January?    At least it is only 28 days.  The first few days we have been forecast moderating temperatures, only minus single digits instead of two.  The daylight hours are increasing by a couple of minutes each day, and hopefully we will see the sun more often than we have.  We do have sunshine today, however, the ground appears to have had another dusting of snow on top of what we had.  

The quilting guild I belong to was given a challenge by two other members and myself.  Members were given the choice of using one of the two pictures provided to make their project.  Thinking of what that picture said to them, they could use any method to complete the challenge.  That challenge is due at our March meeting.   Then in April all of the completed projects will be displayed in a local quilt show.  Yesterday, I completed my project and pleased with the way it turned out.  I will post a photo in March.

Last evening was our monthly potluck dinner in the complex I live in.   It was a smaller turn out than we usually have, I suspect several of the regular attendees are still on their vacations.  We had a variety of dishes, all of which were very good.  Lots of conversation and laughs, I enjoyed the evening.

Today, I need to brave the elements and do a few errands which include a trip to the grocery store for a small shop,  mail a letter at the post office and also to visit a pharmacy.  The laundry basket is looking full again, so taking care of that is on the agenda.

So better get a move on.

Have a great day.

Cheers.

Cold

 After having several days of plus zero temps, we are now back to the deep freeze and the forecast is indicating some snow for every day this week.  The snow removal equipment does a great job clearing the roads and city streets, which I am very thankful for

After doing several errands yesterday, I went to our local area, as they have a walking track that I like to walk on when it is just much too cold, windy and slippery to do that outside.   It was busy, being a Saturday, several young people hocky games were being played, with parents and friends watching.  I managed to do 2 kms.  and planning on going back likely Tues. and Thurs. when it is not quite so busy to do at least the same distance.

Tomorrow our quilting group is having a sewing day, so looking forward to that, on Wed. and Fri I will do yoga and Saturday I go to the theatre with a friend I worked with.

That is my week taken care of, hope yours will be just as nice as mine will be.

Have a great day.

Cheers.

Mid winter thaw

 After  very snowy November and a mix of almost everything weather wise in December, we now have the last days of a January, mid winter thaw.   

There has been some considerable amount of rain on and off for a few days, and along with mild temps some snow has melted in the areas north of me.  The ground is still frozen so all of the moisture has run off into streams and rivers. As I was crossing over the London, Ontario  Thames river yesterday it looked as if it was ready to burst it's banks.   Looking out of my window this morning, there is no snow to speak of,  just a dusting along the path way and in some of the long grass.  That may change in the coming days.

After a month of physical, mental and emotional situations, I can now say things are okay and everything is going right in my world. 

The sun, when we see it, is rising a a few minutes earlier and setting a few minutes later each day, which is fine with me.  After a very cloudy day yesterday, we had a few minutes of sunshine which presented a beautiful sunset.  Which, while shining through my balcony door  revealed the dust that had accumulated on the coffee table.  So, one job that needs to be taken care of today, is a date with the vacuum and the duster.  

During some quiet times in the past couple of days, I knitted a hat for my youngest great grand daughter, she has her 1st birthday in April.   I saw the cutest hat in the yarn shop, so purchased the yarn to make it.  I haven't knitted for a long time and it's just like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget.  So pleased with the way it looks.  On that note, I have decided to knit all of the great grands their Christmas gifts for  2026.  

As I said, I have a date so better get moving.

Have a great day

Cheers.

Welcome 2026

All of the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, and I am pleased it is.  The last two week of 2025 were just a whirlwind of too much travelling back and forth from home, too much food, to much socializing and just too much.  So now glad that I can sit and do absolutely nothing if I want to.

All of the Christmas decorations are now down and put away for another year.  The left over turkey carcass that DD1 gave me, made a lovely pot of soup, which is now all gone.  One small mince tart and one shortbread cookie left which will likely been eaten some time today.  Some better eating habits will start when they are all gone as the scales are reading a number I am not very happy about.  Planning on doing a lot more walking, either upstairs in the gym or on the walking track at our local arena.  

When a new year starts I tidy, tidy everything.  The linen closet looks like it belongs in a shop it's so neat and organized.  Socks and scarves all neatly together and folded in my bedroom dresser,  Closet just inside my entry door is also neat and now I can find all of the winter gloves, scarves etc. without having to rummage through things.  Food cupboards have given a good clean and turn out.  Some items way past their best before date are now in the garbage container.  Note to myself, don't buy it, if you will not use it right away.  Three loads of laundry done and put away.  Vacuum out to pick up all those sparkly bits from the decorations and everything dusted.  Plants watered and all of the dead leaves removed. Two of my orchids have put forth three spikes of flowers, which I am happy about.  When the poinsettia I was given is looking a bit worse for wear, I will pot up my amaryllis,  as I don't have the room for it as present.   

Now that is all done, I am hoping to get my mojo back to do some sewing, as I have not visited my sewing room for a long time.  I need to make a block for the quilting meeting on Wednesday, and also will require a trip to the fabric shop to pick up a couple of things for the challenge our group is doing, which is to be finished for our March meeting.    I have fabric cut and ready for sewing for a quilt I am making for me. 

Have a great day.

Cheers.

I have a vacation booked.  My three children and their spouse and I are all going on a vacation together.   We have never done this before so it may be an interesting trip.  After recently losing my sister, it makes me think life is too short, enjoy yourself while you can, as you never know when your number is going to be called.  

We had a light dusting of snow again last night, and the thermometer is indicating it is -8*C now at mid morning.  Later this week temps will rise and we may have rain.  

Happy New Year

Wishing you all the best for 2026.

Cheers 

Back Normal

Since the passing of my sister on Dec 17, and Christmas, my life has been a whirlwind of constant coming and going.   What day is it? the date? I kept asking myself as all the days melded into one.  Just waiting for the New Year to come and go, so that I have some time to just sit and not have to go anywhere or do anything.   Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have wanted these past two weeks any other way.

Two things these past days I was grateful for was  1 - the weather,  most days when I needed to travel, the roads were good, and 2 - I did not prepare a big meal, I did however, prepared things for each meal and house I visited. 

After all of the snow we had in November, Christmas was green, thanks to some warmer days and rain during a couple of weeks earlier in December.  However, as I write this and look out of my window, we have a blizzard.  Blowing snow and high wind gusts.  I am not venturing out today,  tomorrow though, I do have an appointment, which is in town, so the streets should be good.  I am thankful all of my family members that had to travel are now all safely at home.

Some of the residents in this apartment building are arranging a New Years eve party, in our community room upstairs.  I am planning on going, as we always have a good time at these events.  Then my partying is over and hopefully getting back to a near normal as possible.  

Winter has never been my favorite season,  so not looking forward to January or February.  I have plenty of things to keep me busy.  Photo's need to be sorted, there are just too many of them.  My memoirs need to be completed up to the present time.   And, of course, I have my quilting.  Recently, there seems to be a increased interest in knitting, years ago I did a lot of that, and now feel the urge to start doing some.  Maybe the little great grands is the reason for me to think about that again.

Wishing you all a very Happy, Healthy New Year.

Cheers,