Is it here?

 The calendar says, not yet, but I see signs everywhere.

What is it?  SPRING

Today we did have beautiful sun but the clouds have moved in for the predicted rain tonight and tomorrow.  The temp went up to 18*C and it is a lovely day, albeit a bit windy.  

How do I know spring is just around the corner, there are signs everywhere I look.

The snowdrop blooms are beginning to open, I just love these little flowers, it amazes me how they can grown beneath the snow like they do.  Once the flowers are in full bloom they last for months.

The daffodils leaves on the hillside garden are now about three inches tall now.

I saw lots of flies on the white fence at the back of the hillside garden.

A chipmunk was sitting on the front porch this morning, feasting on the seeds left by the birds.

My sister has had robins in her front yard yesterday and again today.

The Tundra Swans are resting in a pond not very far from us, they are on the way up North and always stop at this spot every year.  Hubby and I saw them last year there were thousands of them.  Such beautiful creatures.

This coming weekend we Spring Forward, by putting our clocks ahead an hour.

So there you go.....Spring is just around the corner.

 At the present time Ontario is starting to vaccinate the 80+ old residents, as Hubby and I will not be 80 years old until later in the year we assumed we would be included in the next age bracket.  Never assume anything.  There is an article in the newspaper this morning, which states,  it is not your age that determines when you are eligible it is the year you were born.  It went on to say, if you were born in 1941, but still not had your birthday this  year, you are considered 80 years old.   Sc this old bird.  lol, gets on the web site and low and behold  I was able to register us and we get our shot later this month. .  We had now problem registering, but there were only a few open times available.  Actually, I am glad we did not know about the fact we could register prior to today, because I am sure there are some 80 year old's in more need of the vaccine than Hubby and I. so it gave them a chance to get there shot before us.

Dinner tonight...left over pork roast,  veg and lemon meringue pie for dessert.

 

Errands

 Have to go and get some errands done today, already done the groceries, but need to pick up Rx's, birthday clothes, soaps from Bath and Body, they have a sale, and I love there hand soaps, also need to go to the bank machine for a bit of cash.  Other, things to pick up, here there and everywhere. 

Worked on my grand daughters album yesterday afternoon, just a few more drawings that she did when she was little and gave to her grandfather and me.  I saved a lot of those drawings for all of my grandchildren.  I also have a couple from my great grands.  One item in particular I am keeping is a rose petal.   When my Mother passed away, all of her grandchildren and great grands, placed red roses on her coffin.  Only the eldest of my great grands was at the funeral, and when it was his turn to place the rose, he noticed that I was crying, and he took one of the petals off the rose before placing where he wanted to on the coffin and then handed me the petal.   "Don't cry, Granny" he said,  "Keep this to remember your Mum".  So I now have this petal in a little box in my guest bedroom.  

He is such a wise, thoughtful young man.  I just hope that in the future he is not on the end of racial issues.   He Daddy is originally from a country in Africa,  so he has quite dark skin  and very curly hair.  Love him to bits as well as all of his siblings.  

We have lovely sunshine this morning and the snow is slowly melting, my snowdrops are free of their white blanket, and I can see  some tulip and daffodil leaves starting to peek out of the soil.  On Saturday next, we put our clocks ahead an hour,  the evenings will be longer but unfortunately will not be able to do much outside for awhile.

Dinner tonight is our usual chicken, asparagus and might do some rice.  On the weekend I made some strawberry turnovers as I had found some puff pastry in the freezer when we were cleaning it, so wanted to use it up.  We have two left so that is dessert all sorted.   Hubby loves that kind of pastry, so another package in now in the freezer.

Lovely

When we woke this morning we were greeted with grey skies, which looked as if that was going to be our weather for today, however, now at 9:45 a.m. we have beautiful blue sky and sunshine.  There is still a bit of nip in the air from all of the snow still on the ground, that needs to melt before the air starts to warm up.

Our patio is at the back of the house and it is protected from the wind, it is so nice we though, lunch would be nice out there today, but I believe that is pushing it a bit.  The weather for the next few days is looking promising, with temps in the low double digits, so we my be able to do lunch outside on one of those days.

This morning we decided to clean out the freezer, this job had been on our to do  list for a long time so today was the day.  It did not take long, not as much ice build up as we had expected.  It is an old chest type freezer, works like a charm, but I cannot reach the bottom of it, so Hubby had to do that.  All spic and span, food all arranged, good job done.

Tomorrow is my second eldest grand daughter's birthday, and I am working on the photo album for her.  Tomorrow, I need to go an buy great grand son's birthday gift, his B-day is the 13th of March.  I also have an I Spy quilt for the little ones in the family.  I sent E birthday card in the mail as he mentioned to his grand mother, he never gets any mail.  

Not much happening around this neck of the woods today.  

Dinner tonight is some left over shaved beef roast, squash, brussle sprouts and I found some pff pastry in the freezer so will use that to make dessert.

Ooops forgot

 As I have mentioned in previous posts, I intend to write the poem etc on the first of the month page in a new birthday reminder book.  So here on March 5th is the one for this month.

Birthstone:  Aquamarine or bloodstone.

Elements:  Pisces is the water sign.  These signs are artistic, emotional and perceptive.

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

Who in this world of ours their eyes

In March first open shall be wise;

In days of peril firm and brave,

And wear a bloodstone to their grave.

Yesterday,  I started to clean cupboards in the kitchen, ,,, ,Spring clearing has started in this house.  I plan on doing something every morning, finishing up one room at a time.  Behind  and under the stove and fridge was done last week.  Working on the food cupboards today,  The kitchen is not dirty by any means but just knowing everything has been sorted out and cleaned makes everything nice and fresh again.   When the weather improves Hubby will be given the task of cleaning the window.  

Two years ago my Mother passed away, where has that time gone.  It certainly does not seem that long ago.  Miss telling her of all the comings and goings of the family.  She would be pleased, everyone is well.  I don't know how she would have accepted the situation we are presently in.  She was in a nursing home, so none of the family would have been able to visit her and as her eye sight was not very good she would have never been able to see us through the window if we were outside.   So I am glad she has not had to live through COVID.

Dinner tonight:  Salmon, Mushrooms, another veg, salad and strawberry shortcake  for dessert.

Mixed bag

We have had cloudy skies, a brief snow storm that last all but a few minutes, wind to blow that snow all around, now there is some blue sky  white fluffy clouds and sunshine, but it is cool.  Much different than it was yesterday.  

Hope to get more done today than yesterday, as if was a lost cause for getting tucked into doing anything around the house.  The kitchen floor needs attention, and when the sun shines through the windows I can see the dust specks on the furniture.  I have started a photo album for D one of my grand daughters her birthday is coming up soon, so will have it ready for when I see her, masked and socially distanced.  My eldest great grandson E has a birthday of the 13th. he will be eleven years old, and a very handsome young lad.  He is going to be a tall boy, a baskets ball player?  possibly.   I give clothes to my greats  and he is now in size 14-16 size clothes, off to the men's store by the sounds of it.  Will need to do that this coming week.

Better get off of here and get all that work done.

Dinner tonight, not sure at the present time, should think about it soon though.  So that is me off for today.

Sunny

When we woke the sun was just starting to rise and a promise of a nice sunny day,  It has turned out to be just a lovely day, the sun is warm and more snow has melted.

Today, we attended the funeral of A, so pleased it is a nice day.  Rainy days always make a funeral more sad.

Due to Covid, we needed to make a reservation to attend the visitation, so yesterday Hubby made one for the slot of 10:00- 11:15 a.m.  We could not go to the funeral service due to the capacity limits, so will watch it streaming on the computer.  We then went to the cemetery for the service there. 

I have a funny, will may funny is not the right word

As mentioned above, Hubby made the reservation early yesterday, Tuesday, I then needed to go to the store to pick up a couple of things I needed.  I told him I would be back shortly.   I was gone longer than he thought I would be and began to worry that I would not be back in time for the visitation.  He proceeded to get dressed in his suit etc. expecting me to arrive home momentarily.  However, at this point time time, he though that, I was never late for any appointment and that I must have been in an accident and was unable to contact him.  So he came looking for me.   He saw me on the street and it looked as if I was heading home, however, I went to another store.  He proceeded to come home and wait for me.  But, of course that did not happen.  It was getting late, so he decided to go to the funeral home expecting me to realize it was getting late too and I would meet him there instead of coming home and going together.  He pulls into the empty parking lot of the funeral home, and even that did not click in.  He also knocked on the door and asked if A was resting there and was told yes, however, the funeral was tomorrow WEDNESDAY.

In the mean time I had come home and the bag he has his suit in was on the bed, white shirt etc all gone. I do not know why he would be wearing it today, so though he had to do something regarding A. with some legal stuff.  There was no note either, so must assume he left in a hurry.  Still wondering, he returns, comes in the door and said "Get the white coats and straight jackets ready"   He then tells me what he did, we had a good laugh and now he is wondering if his mind is going.  

Not much done today around the house, it seems we have been coming and going all day.

Dinner tonight fettuccine noodles, alfredo sauce and meatballs with a salad.  Too full for dessert  tonight.

Sap and the Dentist

 March 1st

Pinch and a punch the first of the month,  do kids do that any more, I think not.

Things are looking a bit more Springy every day, the snow is slowly melting, there are more birds coming to the feeders and they appear to be more active too.  On my Facebook this morning a friend posted some photo's of the sap buckets hanging on the Maple trees and they look as if the sap is running fast.  She mentioned it was looking to be a good season for the maple syrup this year.   

I have a dental appointment this afternoon, just a regular check up, no oother work needs to be done, that I am aware of.   I have to travel to the city I moved from for this appointment and need to do several errands there also, so a busy day ahead by the sounds of it.

We had a lazy day yesterday, Hubby cooked breakfast for us again, that has become his job for Sunday morning, and it is nice to have a leisurely breakfast cooked for me.   I am thinking he should move on to more time in the kitchen, but he is not that way inclined.   He does lunch once in awhile but it is usually a sandwich, so nothing too involved in doing that.  Two pieces of bread, butter and a filling, some carrot sticks, celery and radish.  Usually fruit for dessert.  To be honest, I rather like just me in the kitchen doing my own thing.  When we have our families over for dinners, (my that seems ages ago), I always like everyone to visit in the living room while I am preparing, once that is done, they can assist in bringing everything to the table.  What is your routine for cooking a large meal for family, same as mine or do you enlist help?

Depending on what time I get home tonight, dinner, might be a "just grab and go", and my Mother use to say.  Think it might be a pizza and a large salad, quick and easy.