Ice Sculptures

For the past few days we had had some very high winds from the S.W. which whipped up high waves on Lake Erie.  Along with the bitter cold temps, the spray from the water coated the pier.   On the news it showed the rough water, so on Monday I went to see if the wind and water had made the ice sculptures again.  Yes, it had, however, as I had previously taken photo's I did not take anymore.    These two photo's were taken in 2022, when the same conditions were making these sculptures.

 

They are actually lamp posts.  

On Tuesday the sun shone most of the day and the night sky was also clear which made the temps plunge.  Along with the cold and wind it felt like -25 to -30*C.  I did not go out to confirm those readings, just took the TV weather person's word for it.  

In the afternoon I went to the library and applied for a new card and check out a couple of books to read.  Then there was a meeting in the lounge with the company that provides the invoices for the utilities in the building.  Apparently some of the residents had been having issues, so some heated loud words exchanged.  The light snacks of cookies and coffee helped to calm those voices down a bit.  In the end it appears everything was addressed and will be rectified in due course.

 Today, Wednesday there is a mixture of sun and high cloud, I needed to get milk from the store and my car temp reading was -13*C and 10:30 a.m so did my 2 1/2 kms on the arena walking track this morning.  Doing some sewing this afternoon and will open one of those books too.

Have a great day.

Cheers.

It finally arrived

WINTER

Around 5:00 p.m. yesterday snow arrived and was blown around by high winds, expecting huge accumulations as it continued for several hours.  However, when I went to bed no snow, rain had melted it into a slushy mess.  The forecast also indicated there was a possibility of thunder and lightening but I saw none.

This morning! snow again and gusty winds blowing it around and it is decidedly colder.  This is what we can expect for the weekend.  This woman is going no where, lots to eat and many things to do, so no reason to venture out,  the walking will be made up in the upcoming week. We should consider ourselves lucky as here we are almost the middle of January and really no winter weather to speak of.  

My son was going to come for a visit today, however, the roads are too treacherous for long distance travel, there is always another weekend with no weather to be concerned about. 

I did do an extra long walk yesterday, I would guess it was about four kms. I don't have one of those fancy phones or watches to tell me, I look at the signs on the trail I walk on.  The weather was quite nice in the morning so enjoyed the extra time outside.  

As I sit here writing this, people are out walking their dogs and others are doing their daily run, I am sure the time outside will be long enough to do the necessary and to get those steps in.

What am I doing today, laundry is currently in the drier, a roast of beef was taken out of the freezer and that will be in the oven this afternoon.  I have two quilts which are in the process of being completed and also fabric for one that I should have had done several months ago.  There is also some recorded programs to watch on TV, so no reason to be wondering "what can I do".

Have a wonderful day, keep warm or cool.

Cheers

Is Winter finally here?

 Could be or maybe not.  When I looked out of the window early this morning snow was coming down quite hard.  A couple of hours later it had stopped so we only have another dusting.  It appears to be very mild hovering around the zero mark so some of it has melted already, and now the forecast is indicating a mixture of light rain and or snow.  

Trivia night was fun, the team I was on had the lowest score so we lost once again.  These trivia nights  certainly makes one feel how much you don't know, or have forgotten over the years.  Or, maybe it is the mind is not quite as sharp as it was.   I think the best explanation is, it takes longer for the information to sift through all of the things we do know and doesn't come through until after the time limit to write the answer down.  An interesting couple of hours was had by all.

This afternoon I am house sitting for DD2 as she and SIL are both working when a new fridge is to be delivered.  There is a time frame of  three hours for the delivery, so I will be taking some hand sewing to do during that period of time.

I hope to get my walk in sometime today, it all depends on the weather, it could get a little slippery underfoot.  If it does, the area walking track is just down the street a few blocks, so will do that to get my steps done.  

Have a wonderful day

Cheers  

One week into 2024

Well, that certainly was a fast seven days, I really don't know where the time goes.   

The weather we are currently experiencing is not January weather as we have had in past years. It is still mild, with a temp at present - 10:15 a.m. of 2*C, however, what wind might be out there would certainly make it feel a bit colder.  Living here in S.W Ontario, it is a milder area of Ontario, further north locations have snow and colder temps.  I am quite happy to be having this weather, unfortunately local ski hills are not able to function due to the lack of cold temps so they can make snow if Mother nature doesn't provide it.  

On January 1st. I noted the times for sunrise and sunset,  today one week into the new year I did the same, so far we have gained seven minutes of daylight, you would never know it though, as it has been cloudy every day.  Hoping when the sun does poke its head through those clouds we can turn on our lights a little later.  The forecast for the this week does not look as if that will happen any time soon.

Lazy day yesterday, did some hand sewing as I had an upset tummy, all good now, must have been something I ate-----could it have been the licorice allsorts-   LOL.  

Housework to be done today, not that there is much to do, it's all taken care of in a short period of time.  A walk is also on the agenda, and tonight is Trivia night in the lounge, so will be  going to that.  

Have a wonderful day

Cheers.

We have some snow

While I was out walking yesterday snow flakes started to fall, not the big fluffy ones, but, they were flakes just the same.  There is a light covering on the roof tops and the grass, however, the parking lot and walking path are all clear, so it appears another walk is going to be OK to do later today.

I have managed to keep one resolution of walking every day,  however, "the not buy any fabric" resolution was broken yesterday.  I purchased a collage pattern last year, and intend to get it started and hopefully finished during the winter.  It uses batik fabric, of which I have very little, and of course none of the colours needed.  A fabric shop which carries only batiks, not too far from me was having a sale,  who can pass up a sale of fabric!   Three other members of the guild and I went and had some retail therapy.  The shop was quite busy, and I did not find all of the colours I needed, so will have to go back.  

Another resolution was broken last night while watching TV.  Licorice allsorts was a Christmas gift,  I love them, and as I am trying to eat healthier, decided to only have three in the evening.   Have you ever tried to consume only three of your favourite sweet treat?  It is almost an impossibility.  Previous evenings have been OK, last night, well not so much.  

Must get back on the straight and narrow starting tomorrow.

After the Christmas dinners I had at my two daughters homes over the holidays, leftovers came home with me and popped in the freezer, needless to say not much cooking has taken place in my kitchen for the past week or two.  Unfortunately, all those dinners which were frozen are now gone, so will need to prepare dinner tonight.  Due to the wintery weather, something warm and comforting should be on the menu tonight, will have to look and see if anything fits that description.  

Have a great day.

Cheers.

What was that in the sky!

In my neck of the woods, recently I have had dark clouds, some full of cold rain showers, others just rushing by, those I hope were carrying the snow flurries which were predicted but thank goodness did not empty out over my city.  Having said that, we did have a little dusting of snow that had settled on the roof tops overnight.  But, early this morning that big ball of fire in the sky was warm enough to melt it and we are now back to dreary looking skies again.  These last couple of weeks have been mostly cloudy,  I do miss the sunshine.  

Went to my first quilting meeting of 2024 yesterday, as in past years, all the members make a block which is then sewn together to make a quilt for a facility which helps homeless people get into an apartment and make a new life for themselves.  There is always a "show and tell" where members have finished a quilted project and brought it to show everyone.  Unfortunately, not many were shown, not much sewing was done of the holidays, that also applies to me too.  

Had my hair trimmed this morning, I was beginning to feel like a shaggy dog, all neat and tidy again for a few more weeks.   Then I needed to visit the grocery store to stock up on perishables, fruit,, veg, milk and a loaf of bread.  I don't think a lot of people have been grocery shopping this past week, I am sure they have been cleaning up leftovers as I have been doing.  Anyway, there were a lot of fruit and veg on the clearance rack, and I picked up a bag of bananas, two great big bunches which were in great shape.  I will eat them until they start to get overripe then they will be turned into banana bread or muffins.  It was such a great deal, I couldn't pass it up.

Also made a quick stop at the arena where there is a walking track, as I wanted to enquire about the opening and closing times, as that is going to be an alternative place for me to walk when weather conditions are not favourable outside.  Hours of operation 8:00 a.m. to 8:p.m. so lots of time to get in a walk, when I went there years ago, it was always quite busy in the early morning hours, I doubt I will be there at that time.   

So now, as I have just wrote about a walk, I should get all togged up and get moving,  walking in the southerly direction will be OK, it's the return north which will see me walking into the wind.  I keep telling myself, it's new years resolution to walk every day, you will not freeze to death and there is always a nice warm drink of tea I make when I return to warm me up. 

Have a great day.

Cheers.

Happy New Year

Every day since Christmas Eve, I have been out either during the day or the evening, being with family and friends.  The food and late nights finally caught up with me, so last night I stayed in.  There was a shindig upstairs in the lounge but, decided I needed a quite evening for a change.  Quite enjoyed it too.

This morning was cloudy but the sun finally poked through for a short period and has now disappeared again.  It was quite cool when I went for my walk,  3 kms today, will be increasing it after the week, (a resolution - to be more active)    The sun shone on my face walking south but when I returned to my starting point the slight wind was in my face.  As it was coming from the north, it had a bite to it.  Note to myself, wear thicker gloves, as the only part of my body that was cold were my fingers.  When the weather becomes colder and more slippery under foot, I will be going to the walking track at the arena, not the best place to get some exercise but the safest one for me.  Don't want to end up falling at this stage of the game.  

All the calendar's were changed to the 2024 ones, I like to use the ones which have a large space under each day, using it to jot down appointments etc.  I also use that feature on my phone to, however, still like to see the written word for dental appointments etc. which are scheduled for much later in the year. 

No need to prepare dinner tonight, as I am going to use some of the frozen meals I accumulated from my two daughters left overs from Christmas meals.  Just pop one in and nuke it.

A slow day of news, not much activity anywhere, stores and businesses closed for the holiday, and I am sure not many people are out and about do to some excess partying late last night.   

Have a great day

Cheers and health and happiness for 2024.