I got seriously down to organizing myself for my departure on Saturday, filling the suitcase with odds and ends and making sure everything is at hand for a quick final pack tomorrow night. I have an early departure on Saturday - taxi booked for 5:00 a.m. I usually hoof it out to the airport on public transit but the buses and trains won't be running that early.
It has been a mild couple of days - Wednesday was positively Spring like - but today we were promised rain and, guess what, it's now snowing! I hope there isn't much of an accumulation as I am not in the mood to do more shovelling!
Thursday 20 February 2014
Saturday 15 February 2014
Repair Completed
Yesterday was a little different from normal. James was here but we had been invited to a Valentine's Day Party at the Early Years Centre in the afternoon so spent most of the morning at home. We had a brief excursion to the library and Walmart to buy some more seed bells for the birds as they are clamouring for more food and I am happy to oblige.
After lunch we headed out for the party - it was a great success, more kids and parents than usual and lots of activities which James joined in enthusiastically. His favourite thing was "snack time" - fruit, crackers and cheese and a big cake. He had seconds of everything! The local MPP showed up and circulated with her aides promoting her programs. I guess it's part and parcel of what's needed to retain her position. We are expecting a Provincial election this Spring.
Today I had to stay home for the repair man to come and check my gas fire. I was pretty sure I needed a new remote (the only way to turn it on and off) and, sure enough, that was his verdict. It's 5 years old so was past its shelf life (even with new batteries) so I can't complain. However, I did complain about the price - $200 for the remote and $100 for the technician's time. I did ask at the store for a new remote but they said it had to be "re-programmed", thus the need for a hefty labour charge.
It has been quite pleasantly mild for the last two days, and sunny. Maybe we have seen the last of the nasty weather. One can only hope. Dinner tonight is leftovers but I am into the wine and snacks already (smoked mackerel) so will postpone dinner for an hour or two.
After lunch we headed out for the party - it was a great success, more kids and parents than usual and lots of activities which James joined in enthusiastically. His favourite thing was "snack time" - fruit, crackers and cheese and a big cake. He had seconds of everything! The local MPP showed up and circulated with her aides promoting her programs. I guess it's part and parcel of what's needed to retain her position. We are expecting a Provincial election this Spring.
Today I had to stay home for the repair man to come and check my gas fire. I was pretty sure I needed a new remote (the only way to turn it on and off) and, sure enough, that was his verdict. It's 5 years old so was past its shelf life (even with new batteries) so I can't complain. However, I did complain about the price - $200 for the remote and $100 for the technician's time. I did ask at the store for a new remote but they said it had to be "re-programmed", thus the need for a hefty labour charge.
It has been quite pleasantly mild for the last two days, and sunny. Maybe we have seen the last of the nasty weather. One can only hope. Dinner tonight is leftovers but I am into the wine and snacks already (smoked mackerel) so will postpone dinner for an hour or two.
Thursday 13 February 2014
A Busy Afternoon
Quiet morning - just dithered around until 11:30 then went for a walk as the sun was shining. I felt a bit guilty about not heading to the slopes - I've had my skis in the car for the last few weeks - but actually when I got outside, the wind was quite brisk so I was glad to not spend too much time outdoors.
After lunch and a nap I headed to the swimming pool - 12 laps and a dip in the hot tub. Then I headed to Kennedy Commons for the Kitchen Plus store. I was looking for a new frying pan and I found a double deal - two frying pans for just a little more than the price of one! Then I headed to Metro to cash in my Air Miles and scored a stuffed chicken for $4.00 off so it was basically free. Of course I bought other stuff so ended up spending more than I meant to. Who said "never shop on an empty stomach"!
On them way home I dropped into Home Depot to get a new cover for the drain in the basement. However it looks like the wrong size but I will wait until I get the new floor in there before exchanging it. Anyhoo the chicken is now roasting in the oven along with potatoes and I will cook some cabbage in an hour or so. I also got some smoked mackerel on which I am currently snacking with a glass of Cuvee Saint Pierre - it is delicious but I will ration myself to just one glass.
After lunch and a nap I headed to the swimming pool - 12 laps and a dip in the hot tub. Then I headed to Kennedy Commons for the Kitchen Plus store. I was looking for a new frying pan and I found a double deal - two frying pans for just a little more than the price of one! Then I headed to Metro to cash in my Air Miles and scored a stuffed chicken for $4.00 off so it was basically free. Of course I bought other stuff so ended up spending more than I meant to. Who said "never shop on an empty stomach"!
On them way home I dropped into Home Depot to get a new cover for the drain in the basement. However it looks like the wrong size but I will wait until I get the new floor in there before exchanging it. Anyhoo the chicken is now roasting in the oven along with potatoes and I will cook some cabbage in an hour or so. I also got some smoked mackerel on which I am currently snacking with a glass of Cuvee Saint Pierre - it is delicious but I will ration myself to just one glass.
Saturday 8 February 2014
Marmalade
Used up a large orange and two rather wrinkled lemons and got almost three jars of marmalade. For once I managed to reach the setting point temperature so I think I have got the hang of it - finally! I used a different pot and that seemed to make a difference.Just to see how much snow we have had this winter I took some photos of the snow piles along my driveway. I am running out of space to put the snow so I hope we don't get too much more. It is becoming quite an effort to loft each shovellfull over my head to the top of the pile! I also inserted a 30 cm ruler into the snow on my driveway before I shovelled it. You can see the snow is higher than the ruler. Also the windrow that the snowplough dumped across the bottom of my driveway is twice as tall as the ruler!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)