Time to blog.....

Now that all the birthday's are finally over I should really concentrate on Christmas. But as usual I am falling behind with time again! I have to get cards in the post to the U.K. by 1st December (tomorrow) and I have only got half way so far. So it looks like I could be spending most of my evening writing cards.
I have had quite an eventful week which first started with a special assembly for 'Starfish' and 'Terrific Kids' awards. Every month one child from each class and grade is given this special award and they have to meet a certain criteria to be able to achieve this. Well much to my surprise, I received a call from the school inviting me to the assembly last week as Brad was up for an award. He had no idea about it so I secretly went along to see him receive this months 'Terrific Kid' Award - Brad received a certificate and a medal and a bumper sticker for my car - so I can now say 'I am a proud parent of a terrific kid'



As usual the weekend flew by.... Saturday we started to clear some of the fallen trees in the back for a pathway through our forest :) We managed to chainsaw up about 6 good sized trees. This has now been put in the shed to dry ready for next years winter fuel supply! Then later in the evening we drove to the village as it was the annual Santa Parade, and for such a small village the floats were really impressive. Unfortunately as it was dark and as most of you know with digital camera's you can never really get a good nighttime shot unless you use a tripod which I didn't want to take with me so I clicked away and this is just a few of the ones that didn't turn out too bad!



Other than having to try and get motivated and ready for Christmas I don't have much planned for the week ahead and hopefully we will have a quite (ish) weekend too... although that could soon change without much notice :) I am sure we are in for snow too this week, it has been unusually mild (so I have been told) for this time of the year and it has been 70 years since they haven't had snow in Ontario for November. Anyway one final photo to finish of for this week. It isn't very clear as the only shot I could get was through the window as every time I crept out they disappeared.



Don't forget that if you click on each picture they should click bigger :)

Just a quick post.....

It's Brad's birthday and he is having friends over later so I need to make cookies :) That's the best part!! One of his friends has a severe nut allergy and I am really not looking forward to feeding him! I have never had to take care over what is in foods to that extent before so I just hope that the hot dogs and rolls are OK for him to eat! I know the ice cream cake won't be but that is why I thought I would make cookies too.

Anyway the real reason for my 'quick post' is that I have brought myself a new camera and I just had to try it out. I have a lot to learn about taking great photo's but I know I will soon learn. Below is just one of my favourites that I took yesterday out on the deck.....

Our Place.....

I know I said I would be back later with some pictures, well quite a little later than I was anticipating but I haven't had time to sit and create anything till now :)

Last weekend Ruth and Stu came over with their two boys and we had a great time. Ruth and I had to go into town which ended up taking most of the day and by the end we had both had quite enough, so we had to stop (and deserved to stop!) at Tim Horton's for coffee and donuts for the ride home!! At least with us out of the way the 'men' were able to get on with doing what they do best..... cutting down tree's and building a snow shelter for the kid's to wait for the school bus in! Sunday we took a walk out into the wood (back garden!) just because it was a beautiful morning and a good way to burn off breakfast.

I don't have much planned this weekend, just a few odd jobs that need doing and shopping.. again! Xmas shopping needs to be done :) A job I would like to get out the way early this year.

It's Brad's 10th birthday on Monday and they have a PA day, so that is great for Brad! He gets to have a fun day at home..... I need to go and get an Oreo ice cream cake this weekend as that is his request this year instead of me having to make a cake.

Well, I need to go and get the washing in and start the usual Friday chore of cleaning.... I will leave you with my latest collage of photo's all taken from our property. I will be back again soon

The move and more.....

We are only on dial-up at the moment which is painfully slow! and the reason why I haven't been on till now. I decided that I was going to have a lazy morning and spend some time blogging and catching up on emails etc. I do have lots of other things to do but they can wait until later. The last time I had a lazy morning was the last time I blogged, so I have the laptop on my knee, with trashy morning T.V. on in the background, drinking coffee!

A lot has happened since my last post and we have been very busy..... We finally moved into our new home on the 1st October, which ended up actually being the 2nd as we didn't get the keys until 4.30pm due to someone at the municipality office sitting on paperwork for over a year and couldn't put a simple stamp mark on the severance papers, but that's another story! Luckily mum and Paul were still here to help us move, we couldn't have done it without them.

It certainly feels good to have a home once more. We have gone from not having much to do living in rented accommodation for 3 months to working non stop! With 30 acres of land there is not a lot of time for rest, especially in the fall :) Craig made the leaf clearing a little easier this week though as he brought a leaf blower which definitely takes away a lot of hard work. The kids love it, especially the fact that they get to ride to school on the bus everyday. It picks them up at the end of the driveway and drops them back at the same place. I also started work, 3 days a week, it is great so far and fits in perfectly with family life. Very relaxed and slow paced compared to the UK, and I have my own office :)
Within a few days of Mum and Paul going home Shanara was here for a week, which wasn't long enough, I started work the week she was here and wasn't able to do as much as I would have liked and also we hadn't even been in the house a week at this point!! The weekend that Shanara went home we had more visitors - Stu, Ruth and the boys, we had a great weekend, and the kids were only seen and heard at feeding times :) they found their own pleasures out in the wood. I wasn't organised enough to enjoy myself fully and was still feeling a little stressed out, but next time I promise I will be more with it, which I think could be next weekend!

This Saturday is Halloween as you know, but it is our 1st in Canada. I can't believe the difference here, everyone really goes to town in decorating their houses up weeks before the event and not only with pumpkins! We will be taking the boys into the village for 'Trick or treat' with a friend and her son. Hopefully it won't be too cold out :)

Now I must really get off my backside and get some things done. I wish I could sit around all day but I need to clean the wood stove for tonight's fire amongst the other cleaning!!
I will be back later though with some new pictures when I have created a layout, it just might take about and hour to load on dial-up :) So watch this space for more....

Not much too say.....

Except we had a great weekend away at Craig's brothers and the 'Corn Roast' on Saturday. We took the parents along too as they are still with us for another 3 weeks and they really enjoyed it, Ruth you did a fantastic job in getting all the jobs on your list done before we arrived, I think I would have given up halfway!!
On the way back yesterday we went to the Nature museum in Ottawa, which we went to 2 years ago, the boys liked it.... although it is still under going renovations and hadn't changed much, next time we will go to one of the others there.
We were going to go into town after but the parking was a bit of a nightmare so we just drove past the Parliament buildings to show Mum and Paul then made our way back home as it is back to school & work for Craig on Monday and the kids need sleep!! They are settling in better now at school and starting to make some friends, so that is a big worry off my mind.

I am having a lazy morning today.... and I am trying to think of a name and tag line for my home cake bakery that I would like to set up. I have thought of a few but could do with your help.... I have come up with 'Yummy Tummy Bakery' & 'Lets Eat Cake' then a tag line 'Home Baked cakes for any occasion' & 'Home Baked goodness in every bite'. I want something catchy, and easy to remember, I am not the best at thinking up names so if anyone has any good ideas let me know!!

Not much else, not really got my blogging head on today but I will leave you with this picture from the weekend at the corn roast.....

Another week passed.....

We have been in Canada now for 7 weeks tomorrow and it has flown by.

I have finally registered the boys in school....it didn't take too long, although I did have to make a trip into town to the school board just so they could verify the passports. All in all and easy process. I was given a list of all the stationery they need to take with them (which I was expecting, thanks to Ruth!).... Poor old Brad's bag is the heaviest as he needed almost every item on the list where as Michael only needed half!! Also we needed new trainers, a pair for indoors and outdoors. I told Michael he needs to stop growing though as he is in the same size shoe as me!! School starts on Tuesday 1st, for a 3 day week only, as we are getting an extra day on Friday for the Labour day holiday, at least they will be broken in gradually, I just hope they cope alright with a 40 minute lesson each day in French.... not something that is taught in UK until year 6 and then it is only once in a blue moon.... I know I will be having to learn over again with them just to try and help bring them get up to speed.
At least now they will start to make some friends and hopefully start to feel more at home. I know it has been hard for them both with only having each others company for most of the summer, but I must admit they have done really well and haven't argued too much.

Bart has not been well this week, he seems to have an eye infection, so more expense at the vets yesterday, $100!! This was just for an examination and eye ointment, hopefully he should start to get better now :)
The rest of the week was busy with just the usual everyday stuff of cleaning, shopping etc!!

Mum and Paul are coming over on Tuesday..... so really looking forward to that, really missed them since we have been here. They are staying for about 5 weeks and then I have a 3 day break before Shan arrives for a week! So I am going to be very busy and might not get to post for a while but that is nothing new as I don't post that often anyway :)

So my plans this week:
Monday - Bake cookies for school
Tuesday - Cleaning ready for the Parents and then pick up from train station later :)
Wednesday to Friday - See what happens, no plans yet!
Saturday - At Kim's for 'Pot Luck' end of season party
Sunday - Again, see what the weather is doing and go from there!!

I am going to leave you with a picture of our latest visitor..... Craig was brave getting so close with camera, I know I wouldn't have risked it!!

Quick Post.....

Thursday is here already and another week almost over, Craig has gone to work for the day.... hopefully it won't be too long before he starts full time so we can finally get some income.... I am still looking for work but no luck yet.
The boys have took themselves to the park and won't come back till they want lunch so I should get done what I need to today ready for the weekend...

1)Washing
2)Cleaning
3)Blogging - As I have a day almost to my-self I thought I best do photo layouts as promised....something quick!!
4)Prepare curry for supper tonight
5)Make cookies (yum!)
6)Relax.... (Now I'm dreaming!)

Here are just some pictures of the wildlife we have seen since we have moved to Canada, mainly here in our garden, but there are a few from Westport. I am still working on a few others but will be back with more soon!! If you click on the picture it will enlarge (slightly!)

The Big Move.....

Well it finally happened, Friday 3rd July all our furniture and treasured belongings were tightly packed onto a 20ft container bound for Canada!! The removals company came on the Thursday and started to pack all we were taking, we were left sleeping on camping mats for the night until they put the last few items away the following day. It was the first time we had ever used a company to move us and we have moved many times.... but never a move as big as this.
After all was gone we went to stay with my mum for about 10 days, this would give us time to meet with friends and say our final farewells and relax a little after all the stressing, but as you know things never really go to plan! With just 6 days to go, thoughts continuously going round in my head.... 'Driving Licences', I didn't remember seeing them with all the other paperwork I had to keep aside to take with us, so after a frantic search we resorted to ordering replacements online, at the end of our order it said 'please allow 10 working days for delivery'. We didn't have ten days so the next morning we called DVLA and explained the situation. They arrived to us on the Friday, two days later. So that was one hiccup over, relax now? No! 'Homer' the cat decides to come in from being out over night with a bad limp. It wouldn't usually have bothered me for the first day or so but as we were due to fly I needed an emergency appointment with the vet and as you probably guessed he came out the basket at the vets walking fine! But an antibiotic and painkiller injection was given just in case, but was fit to fly! Now all we had left was our 'see you later' farewells. I don't like goodbye as to me it is almost like you will never see them again so to me it is always 'see you later' no matter where you might be going. Which is always hard to do, knowing you are leaving behind family and friends.

MONDAY 13TH JULY was finally here we were all packed and ready to leave for Gatwick airport. My mum and step dad Paul took us in a mini-bus, which wasn't going to be an easy day..... Lots of tears later we were boarding the plane with a great journey and a new life ahead of us.
When we arrived at Ottawa airport about 6.30 pm (local time) we were sent to the immigration office where we had to answer a few questions pass over our immigration paperwork and within 15 minutes we were welcomed into Canada and sent on our way through to customs to clear our 'goods to follow' and collect the two cats which to my surprise were silent, but all was OK, then it was on to Stu and Ruth's for a few nights. We were welcomed with Champagne and supper and the boys settled right in and went off playing with Adam and Oliver, while the cats found a hiding place in the garage!

A NEW LIFE is beginning but again not without some stress, although we have spent several holidays over in Canada nothing can ever prepare you for a life changing move. Our second day here and we were in our own rented accommodation and sleeping again on camping mats until the furniture arrives..... Our first week was hectic driving back and forth to town for bits and pieces. We wanted to buy a car as soon as we could so we were looking for this also. We didn't want to have to pay for a rental car too long. Luckily we were able to get some Internet connection so we could hook up with the necessities, home phone, hydro, bank accounts etc., and places to check out. The boys were very patient being dragged back and forth but they did get to check out the local sprinkler park which kept them cool :) which they take themselves off to now on a regular basis.
Our furniture arrived last week so we can now live in some comfort, although we have left a lot of it still packed as I really didn't want to unpack just to pack again when we eventually move to our own place.
The wildlife is great lots of different birds, a resident Marmot in the garden along with foxes, squirrels raccoons and skunks! Craig likes to put food out for them all which keeps them coming back for more.
I hope to be back in the next few days with some pictures :)

Countdown.....

I know it has been a while since my last post, but I have be busy :)

We have just under 3 weeks to go before we move to Canada, and we still have so many things to do.....

I finished work on Friday, and I had a good day!! I couldn't believe my desk when I walked in as you will see in the picture below.... I wasn't going to get much work done with good luck confetti on my desk and chair!! I would like to thank everyone for my perfect send off along with pressies and cards. I will miss working at Joules, and the friends that I have made. I have enjoyed 'Living the good life'.

I soon fell back into old routine that I have missed and that started Monday morning by taking my boys to school and then straight out for a run, which I haven't done for sometime. It was a warm and 'muggy' morning which made it harder but I still (just) managed to run 4 miles.
The rest of the week will involve lots of sorting out of years worth of bits and pieces that you wonder why you kept it to start with, we have made a big dent already but still have some more to do.
I will get some me time also as I am going into town to the new shopping centre, which I haven't been to yet (it opened last year!) with Sharon, and I'm sure we will stop for lunch :) Again something I miss working full time so I am going to take full advantage before I go.

I have organised a 'Picnic at the park' for the boys as a farewell get together with their friends for Saturday, then Sunday is our open day at home for our friends to say farewell.... Hope the weather stays good!!

I will update more after the removals next week.... Hopefully :)

At last.....

The little brown envelope finally arrived a week last Saturday with request for our passports so the embassy can issue our PR visa's!! The last hurdle is finally nearing the end. I will certainly be jumping for joy when we have these back. The letter from them has stated a maximum turn around of six weeks.
We still haven't had any luck selling the house, but this won't stop us from making the big move.
I need to make a list of all the things I need to do in final preparation. I am continuously thinking about what we need to do and along with work I feel like my head could explode, I don't think I can take much more info right now and every day things are starting to get forgotten like birthday's for example, sorry Oliver, the card is in the post... Hope you had a good birthday.

I mentioned before that I want to get fit again and wanted to at least do something at 3 times a week, well I failed. I didn't do anything for two weeks so I need to try again, so last Thursday I went for a 4 mile run which was a hard slog but I did it, then I tried again on Sunday morning, a little easier going in the morning but still hard. I will try and get out again tomorrow, but as I am a fair weather runner it will all depend on the rain!

Anyway, I have decided to share with you one of my daily recipes. For over a year now I have been baking my own bread. Not in a bread maker but by hand, well nearly I do use my Kenwood chef for the kneading which helps a little!!

All you need for the perfect loaf:-
250g Granary Bread Flour
250g White bread flour
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp fast action yeast
2 tsp Sugar
300ml tepid water

Put all the ingredients above into a large mixing bowl in the order shown above and knead for approx 10 minutes.
Leave to prove in a warm place for 2 hrs, until doubled in size
Knock back and either shape and place on a baking tray or use a loaf tin.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees C, and leave to rise for another 30 minutes.
Bake for 30 minutes, remove and leave to cool on a wire rack!


Once you've tasted real bread and see how easy it is to make you'll never look back.... Enjoy :)

A Great long weekend....

Although it was a wet weekend until today that is, I have still enjoyed having some time off from work!

The car had to go to the garage for it's M.O.T so we couldn't go out anywhere on Friday, but as we are trying to sell the house I spent the day tidying up! Behind the sofa area was in much need of sorting out as all the papers magazines etc. seem to get put there 'out of sight', a dustbin bag full of rubbish later it was done. The boys are good at entertaining themselves and went out to play in their den area just down the road, this kept them occupied for most of the day.
Then to finish the day off and as it is Easter I baked some chocolate chip cupcakes which went down a treat!!


I got to see my dad on Saturday as he was back from Spain for a quick visit, I haven't seen him since I went over last October, it was great to see him, if only for a few hours. And of course he had Easter eggs for the boys, which soon brightened up there day.

It was lunch at mum's on Sunday, roast pork and turkey with all the trimmings followed by plum tart..... very nice!! It is always good when someone cooks for you, I always enjoy it more.

My last day at home for the long weekend was spent gardening. First a trip to the local garden centre for some 'flowering' plants then we had some cutting back of trees and bushes, which Craig did most of so I had to do the trip to the rubbish tip! The garden is nice and bright now and ready for next weekends 'Open House'.... Wish me luck we need to sell fast!!

I was planning on doing some scrap pages over the weekend as I have loads of pictures that I want to use and I haven't done any for a while, but nothing seemed to be working for me, no inspiration!
It's back to work tomorrow, so back to usual routine except for the boys who don't go back to school till next Monday!! ..... Enjoy while you can boys, you don't get this much holiday in Canada!!

How Time flies.....

Well, it has been a while since my last post and I told Ruth that I would update later so here I am.

As my blog was originally a place where I could tell my story of our plans for immigration I thought I would start now with a quick update of our progress so far......

Back in November 2006 we applied for immigration to Canada . We received our AOR February 2007. The estimated time before they were going to process the application was 36 months..... well much to our surprise we heard from the embassy with a 90 day letter in November 2008 (a year early) for an update of our information. After much hair pulling and lots of paperwork later we sent this off February 2009. Thinking we would now have to wait at least another 6 months or so for an update we were called for our medicals just one month later. This was great, things were finally starting to move.
Meds done and now just waiting for the final lap..... Passport requests for the visa's, I hope that this comes through as quick :)

Spring is finally here, and after winter along with an office job is not doing me any favours on the waistline.
My body does not know what has hit it this week... Fitness has begun starting Tuesday last week with one of my favourite fitness DVDs, I have tried lots of others but this one always seems to do the trick. I ached for a few days after and was still recovering when I decided that a quick 2 mile run was in order, this was Thursday, what was I doing, my legs felt like led and the route I run was uphill most of the way. If I hadn't punished myself enough I ran the same again on Friday... Saturday was a much needed rest day but as the boys were staying at my mums for the weekend and the weather being nice on Sunday.... you guessed it out again but this time for a bike Ride to Foxton Locks this was just over 13 miles and my legs felt like jelly! We did stop on the way home at the pub for a quick drink (sparkling mineral water!) Then home. Not a bad start... I just need to keep it going now and get myself moving again, my aim will be at least twice a week but would like to say 4!

No pictures to post as I haven't taken any for a while and not done any scrapbooking either.
I will try not to leave it so long next time between my posts.... I will aim for once a week for now!!

Long Weekend....

The snow has now all gone and today has actually felt like a spring day......

The past few weeks have actually been quite busy, first with Craig's 40th Birthday a week last Sunday, which was celebrated on the Saturday evening with some close friends, we went out to a local Italian restaurant, which was very nice but also expensive, but special birthday's don't happen that often so it was worth it. My birthday closely followed on Friday 13th. I booked the day off work (this wasn't because of superstition!!) which was good as I was able to take the boys to school. I don't get to do this very often now with being at work. Craig and I went out for lunch and friends came over in the evening for drinks. We played cards, and I won, I don't know the name of the game but Stu and Ruth showed us this when we visited them the other summer. (Not blob, the other one!!)
Then of course came Valentines day, which is always pretty low key, no traditions here!

I booked a couple of extra days of work as the boys are now on half term this week so we went bowling today with my mum and dad, I came second to last place as usual!

I will try and post some pictures later.... I haven't arranged any yet as been too busy playing on my new red DS!

Happy 40th Craig

Just a few photo's from Craig's 40th , The first one is at the restaurant 'Boboli' in Kibworth.

More Snow....

Well..... yet another day of snow which is very unusual for us! The boys got to have another day off school and I got to stay at home too. Although I was working from home in the morning, I got to play in the afternoon.
Just a few pictures from our day at home in the snow and not forgetting my very own snow angels below

Snow....

Welcome to my 'blog'.....

I thought I would start with some photo's of the snow we had today, which caused chaos with only a few inches!!