sunny and bright...........and cold!

This has pretty much been our view this week.  At the moment there is a bit less snow on the trees and hedge compared to this photo.   Today's high is -3 C.

Here is a better view of the hummer corner.   There is an umbrella secured to the maple tree, bowl covers for the feeder and bubble plastic on the feeder base, sheets of insulation as buffers at the hedge sides and one hummer perched on a branch.  Even with the very cold weather hummers appear each day.  It means having the feeder out in the morning by 6:45 am (yes it is still dark) and leave in place till 4:45 pm (dark again).   So it's not like they are catered too....

More snow is predicted for overnight on Saturday.  After that there is a glimmer of hope for early next week..milder temperatures and good old west coast rain.  I'll take it!

And now it's back to arts and crafts.   I'm working on a crochet checkerboard.  At the moment I'm on the last 8 block panel. After that, weave the blocks together, make some checker discs and it will be done.  I'm still deciding on a backing.

wishing everyone a good weekend, stay warm and safe!

it's beginning to look like ....

A very cold winter's day!   This past week has brought three heavy dumps of snow and now we're headed to colder temperatures.   It looks beautiful.   The last storm that hit overnight Sunday left some unique sights.  I don't recall having seen the overhead traffic lights covered in snow, mind you only the ones facing east from where the storm must have come.   Trees look like they have been brushed in white sparkle.  And there seems to be no end in sight to the cold weather.  So it's nice to be indoors, enjoy the simple pleasures....warm coffee, comfort food, Christmas music and good company.

It's been a long year.  Things are moving forward in a good way.  There are still wistful moments, even some sad ones but there are so many more reasons to smile and just be happy.

Stay warm, share a smile.................

all hearts come home ......

................for Christmas. 

winding my way...............

It's been a long gap since my last post, definitely not planned, it just happened.

This morning I finished winding up the last part of a skein of yarn.   Most of the winding went smoothly, then some twists.....and  then a  plate of spaghetti yarn to unravel.  This pretty much covers my summer.  The time has been productive, a bit creative and thoughtful.

Are you ready for Fall?

July and where is summer????

For July most days feel more fall like.  Compared to the extreme temperatures and water restrictions of previous years this is just fine.  Mind you it means fewer patio days as the winds gusts through and it gets cold....and there is something just wrong with sitting in longs and sweaters in July!

And my blog friends no I haven't forgotten my blog, just sidelined with other things.  It's all good.


Friday was fun.  We met our daughter, son in law and grandsons at the zoo.  Of course before the animals it's straight off to the playground for some exploring.

Time out for snacks.   The benches are re-purposed from  Expo 86. 

The crew headed for the reptile house.  I stayed outside and collected some beautiful feathers, took photos and people watched.  It was a definite no thank you to looking at snakes.

The zoo has changed over the years, owners, name, animals and how much it costs.  Way back when as the Vancouver Game Farm  the entry fee was modest.  Things change.  It's now the Greater Vancouver Zoo, no longer family owned.   Not as many animals but kids enjoy it just the same.  Now it's either foot, pedal or mini train to go around the site.  In year's past you could also drive through the site. This is no longer the case, so all aboard the train.......

to view the sights and sounds of the zoo.  Things change, things stay the same.  Definitely a good day.

All for now.

Happy Father's Day

Remembering Dad.

Happy Father's Day.

June welcome

I'm a bit late with a June post, it's already the 7th...the days seem to fly by.  Last week it was damp and rainy mid week and by the weekend, hot, very hot (low 30's C).  We pulled out the portable ac and set it up to discover that a very important piece was missing...a clear length of plastic hose.  Now I recall seeing it during the garage clean up/clear out....no points for remembering because in the meantime the water coming out  of the ac port would mean emptying the temporary cup way too often.  An old hose and duct tape worked, well sort of till DH headed to the store for the correct hose tubing.  All is well, no puddles and it's humming just fine.

As much as the benefits of ac are lovely, the early morning quiet with the open door to the cool air is bliss.  That and a fresh cup of coffee. Well the silence is broken as the puppy of the house has decided that the Dad of the house should be up, let's get this day started!  Life through the eyes of a puppy, eat, play ,make noise .. repeat then nap.

I'm part way through a sewing project for an exchange.  It's coming along quite nicely.  Hopefully I can assemble and mail the parcel by the end of the week.  It is nice to have some time to make things.

Our big pictures plans at least for now see us staying where we are.  The real estate market is over the top and prices so out of reach for most folks. We are very fortunate to live on one level ground floor unit.  We're near to everything yet still enjoy a faraway feel while sitting on the patio.

For me there are more better days.  The sadness is being replaced with memories and happy thoughts. Finding reasons to smile and laugh, it is a work in progress.

in the early morning

4 bells and I'm up and enjoying a cup of coffee.   It's not even light outside and the birds are going through a chorus or two of morning song.  And inside all is quiet....the stillness is a time to ponder...

Yesterday marked the close of the sale.  #207 awaits new voices and visitors.  And it was five months ago to the day that this whole journey started with Dad being taken to hospital.  It feels like a lifetime ago.  As much as I'd wish different, there is no going back.  Today, tomorrow and always I will miss my parents.

Today we start the next chapter, a new page.....and where to begin......     De-cluttering will continue. In the past few months it has been use it (or find it a home) or lose it (donate it) and for the most part the process is working.  Working well in fact till I rediscovered  my wool/cross stitch/craft area and then progress stopped.  Much easier to put the lid(s) back on and move on to other stuff for the moment.

Outdoors we've managed to make changes on our patio.  DH rebuilt the gazebo from my parent's balcony.  We have yet to decide on a sun cover.  In the meanwhile the outdoor drapes have gone up along with a string of mini solar lights around the top.  As for the growing garden there is more to do. Last week I did splurge on a mini water garden arrangement.  The half barrel is plastic.  It's been placed on a wheeled platform (thanks Dad) so moving it is much easier.  Not sure if we'll add goldfish but I'd still like to find a mini water lily.  Everything takes time and planning....and moving from a to b to c ......akin to moving the furniture indoors.  

It's rained overnight.  The air is fresh and it's getting lighter now.  I'm ready for my second cup of coffee.

welcome to a new day!  Make it a good one.

mid week and almost done

This chapter of our journey is coming to a close.  With only storage bins and planters to move from my parent's garage to our garage and one last clean through we will be done.  The entire process has happened in just a month. My list for the month is looking a bit care worn.  Our goal of being done by the 20th has been reached.  Now we can shift focus to putting our place back together.  The second bedroom has become a holding area.  Anything/everything to do will get done in due course.  We're heading for a long weekend so it's time to unwind and take stock.

We've done some rearranging on our patio as well.  As there are lots of large planters available I'm potting up plants and grouping things together.  And so long as I don't move the hummingbird feeder (again) all will be fine.  Apparently the hummers prefer their spot and the night it was missing caused much noise and complaints.   Of course I put it back.

Sully still makes it his mission to find every leaf, twig, worm, slug, bits of dirt and now ants......The life of a soon to be one year old  and still puppy.

By the end of this month things should be at a better pace and a new normal.   I've missed blogging.

Meanwhile, now that it's all of 5:30 am, it's time for some coffee.

Another Friday

 Happy Mother's Day!

This week has continued busy and productive.  And there were some hiccups (again) along the way.  How is it possible to sort keys, keep the 'right' ones and still end up with one missing.   Yesterday after failed attempts to open the storage room door (and many words) we finally called the locksmith this morning.   In short order he picked the lock, made an adjustment to the door knob and cut three new keys.  For a mere $143.00 (ouch) the job was complete and we could carry on with emptying said room. We're getting there.

So now that it's late afternoon that's it till Monday. A weekend off  (lol)  and some time to move boxes at home.  Errands were done a bit earlier so that leaves planning lunch for Sunday.  Burgers, hot dogs and salads, nice and easy.   Not sure of what to make for dessert yet.  The weather continues sunny and mild through next week.  A bonus for Mother's Day weekend.

A nearby church has an annual sale this Saturday.  They have everything priced very affordable.  We took over over items last evening to donate.   And of course I plan to go tomorrow morning.  It's always fun to look ......

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.