tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84395205477553616362024-03-04T23:07:37.844-05:001 Glass 2 ManyNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-26751137943860514282010-04-16T16:42:00.001-04:002010-04-16T17:01:00.109-04:00Spring is here.......AND I'M FEELING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD<br />
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I know, I'm sorry it has been a while..... I've even forgotten what's happened since my last blog so this could be rather short!<br />
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So, the snow has melted, Easter has been and gone.... but what a glorious weekend we had. Temperatures reached highs of 29 degrees celsius which made a prefect time to spend outside. Stu and Ruth came over and we had a great time a usual, we took a long walk into the village, took photo's, barbequed and drank, but not too much :) The boys had lots of fun learning to fish with their rods they got at Christmas. They also found a baby snapping turtle that they insisted on keeping so that is now in a tank that they bought in their play room!!<br />
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Apart from the usual everyday stuff not much else has been happening really, I am enjoying the return of all the birds and watching the drab colourless garden starting to bloom with the spring sun and rain!<br />
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I spent a whole day trying to figure out my first tax return the old fashioned manual way and was getting frustrated with them as nothing is easy to calculate when the paper doesn't talk in plain English! Also it was a nice day out and I wanted to be out enjoying it rather than stuck in on my day off, anyway cutting a long story short and after speaking to Ruth about them..... I went online got a program and let that calculate it for me, I just have to look over it, print it and mail it with just a week or two to spare :) I promise myself not to leave it till the last minute next year!!<br />
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Not much happening this weekend, spring showers and sunny spells is the forecast so might be in but might also get my vegetable garden started.... If not I can see it being a small job for Paul, I know how he loves the garden and it would give him something else to do on thier visit :)<br />
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Well that's about all for now.... Be back soonNichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-36085891840499810812010-03-01T08:38:00.001-05:002010-03-01T08:39:32.795-05:00Winter is back .....And I was almost beginning to believe it was spring, (but only a smidgen)!! The buds are starting to appear on the shrubs, the sun was shining with bright blue skies, wildlife coming out of hibernation then.... SNOW!! For most of last week we had snow and lots of it, I suppose it was just making up for the lack of what we'd had. A good one and a half feet of snow fell altogether in just a few days and this meant lots of plowing for Craig and the 2nd 'Snow Day' of the season for the boys on Friday. They had lots of fun playing out all day building an igloo. Which has totally collapsed now as it hasn't been cold and the weekend temperatures reached a whopping 5 degrees :)<br />...... After all my complaining about not having much of a winter I am now ready for the snow to melt and wishing for spring. <br /><br />Well I can't believe it is the 1st of March today..... Where is time going!<br />We have had a few Birthday's in February, including mine and a good one it was too! Ruth, Stu & boys came over for my birthday weekend and helped (as always) with preparing for the 'Party' so thank you for that. Craig had decided to throw a party... mainly as a house warming for people from his work place but we incorporated both our birthday's in there too. Not everyone came that should have done and it was also missing all our friends back in England but I still enjoyed it and was still standing at the end of the night :) Maybe because Sharon wasn't pouring the triple B&C'S!!<br /><br />The boy's have been busy, they went on a skiing trip with the school a few weeks back and also went ice skating with the school... they really enjoyed both events but it wasn't without injury! Brad decided that it might be good to fall without putting his hands out to save him! Smack on the floor he fell (ice skating).... which resulted in a broken front tooth. Thank goodness we have insurance that is all I can say. We have a skating arena in the village and every Sunday it is free public skating. We took the boys this weekend, Michael didn't go on much and as his skates fit me I had a try. I haven't been skating for a good 15 years or so and was a little rusty at first.... Fun though! It brought back memories of when I used to go with Karen and Sharon. Good times :)<br /><br />I was hoping to post something a couple of weeks back now but to be totally honest I really didn't feel like doing anything so I decided that I would do some cooking & baking.... and I did lots of it too! It gives me a little bit of an easier few weeks as I now have enough home cooked meals in the freezer to last a few weeks which equals more ME time :)<br />Other than that life is just running along just fine and not much else going on right now.<br />I do have lots of photo's to share with you and hope to get them organised later but for now I will leave you with this quick scrap page that I threw together yesterday.... not my favourite but I promised myself that I would try and do some new pages this year, I used a template from designer digitals and the kit from <a href="http://www.shabbyprincess.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pLpsVtAOsDWX4kKvWM_HePoL1cMbNCHHPpSnyp5ZqxWBDXr8ulGWQECXahFB-KKscw6fyP66_6pLHIZXy5e785z7io_nM_yptsVu2c1SFh8zZaGPPmd3J_6l8QRUT2y3DUPmh5KbADrJ/s1600-h/Frozen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pLpsVtAOsDWX4kKvWM_HePoL1cMbNCHHPpSnyp5ZqxWBDXr8ulGWQECXahFB-KKscw6fyP66_6pLHIZXy5e785z7io_nM_yptsVu2c1SFh8zZaGPPmd3J_6l8QRUT2y3DUPmh5KbADrJ/s400/Frozen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443654395743798690" /></a><br /><br />I have a few things on my agenda for today so I will sign off now but hope to post some pictures at a later date :)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-45660275725356348832010-02-05T15:12:00.005-05:002010-02-07T19:43:33.040-05:00'Brack' Irish Tea CakeJust a short interim post today with a recipe I would like to share with you.<br />This is very similar to the Tea bread that I remember Wendy making, I was inspired to make this after Ruth and Stuart brought the whiskey loaf with them a Christmas, (which I said in a previous post)!!. After a little searching I found this recipe and it worked out just as I remembered it :)<br /><br /><strong>Ingredients</strong><br />300ml cold tea (no milk)<br />4 tsp Irish Whiskey (although I'm sure any would do!)<br />110g Sultana's<br />220g Currants or Raisins<br />55g Chopped Glace Cherries<br />55g Chopped mixed candied peel<br />200g Brown Sugar<br />225g Self-raising Flour<br />1 Egg (Beaten)<br />1tsp Mixed Spice<br /><br /><strong>Method</strong><br />1. Place the cold tea and whiskey in a bowl. Add the dried fruit, cover and set aside to soak overnight.<br />2. Preheat oven to 180 C /Gas 4<br />3. In a mixing bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, egg spice and soaked fruit (with soaking liquid) until well mixed.<br />4. Transfer to a lined loaf tin (1 1/2 to 2lb tin)<br />5. Bake for approx 1 1/2 hours (depending on oven)!!<br />6. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes in the tin, then turn out on a wire rack.<br />7. Store in airtight container.<br /><br />Enjoy with a nice cuppa!!<br />If you can't get the self-raising flour and using all purpose flour instead then substitute approx 4tsps flour with baking powder.... this is only a guess though but should lighten it just enough (hopefully).<br />Sorry I don't have a picture for it.... maybe next time I make it I will remember to take one and add it here!<br /><br />Back later with more updates :)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-30372246090772281442010-01-25T13:14:00.004-05:002010-01-25T13:54:12.121-05:00What happened to winter?We are having a very wet day! Miserable, wet and very slushy!!<br />I hate rain and it hasn't stopped since last night. The temperature is fine at plus 8 but I would prefer a little colder with snow if I had the choice.<br /><br />I don't have much update on last week really so this will be a short blog.<br /><br />As I have my new camera and I need to start learning how to use it properly, I have learnt some tips from Ruth and this <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/">website</a> which has been very helpful. I am learning how to take photo's on the manual setting along with all the other technical details. <br />I decided that I needed to set myself a challenge and I am going with photo's of 'Birds in Flight' which is definitely easier said than done and may take me a long time to get what I want. Yesterday I stood for a long time trying to get just one shot and then finally I got this one below.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMP30t_Un2E8K2QIjdTw569Dp4gt_xoVowTP79heGC2ouyzbEwEDBAIec0iAHia9JeS6YsSNXg95WfNmrYDGBa26qPFg-mtEQy2jFQbm79lv53lwv8m7s-AGHQhL0qtPYMTPw0MbbRdAd/s1600-h/Nuthatch+take+off+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMP30t_Un2E8K2QIjdTw569Dp4gt_xoVowTP79heGC2ouyzbEwEDBAIec0iAHia9JeS6YsSNXg95WfNmrYDGBa26qPFg-mtEQy2jFQbm79lv53lwv8m7s-AGHQhL0qtPYMTPw0MbbRdAd/s400/Nuthatch+take+off+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430745183106939906" /></a><br /><br />It isn't the best photo but it was certainly a good start. The photo is a little noisy so I need to work on my settings some more but I am slowly learning some new techniques and hope that I will get the 'perfect' shot with practice.<br /><br />I hope to be back later with a recipe that I would like to share with you from last week.Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-79716192102182722972010-01-18T10:41:00.010-05:002010-01-18T12:43:37.521-05:00Weather today is.....Overcast and a warm 2 degrees.<br />We seem to be having a real mild spell right now and a little bit of a thaw going on :) Which brings out the squirrels which as you will see get into all feeders possible. I know lots of people find them a pest but I find them quite comical in their ways and enjoy watching their antics :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMqE7GRaMfj5YEtjV1jHgqVvF8IPyAQVp9vMZjFuFgljxkqpLpgfXUfeCHAwnHGCLCaHD1Af96OyHCLWWo3K0jlQIHcRGcxParrgetXT6xkaCcgMXw2lJuy8m95CDYD0PMu9VjC8LVokw/s1600-h/Cheeky+Squirrel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMqE7GRaMfj5YEtjV1jHgqVvF8IPyAQVp9vMZjFuFgljxkqpLpgfXUfeCHAwnHGCLCaHD1Af96OyHCLWWo3K0jlQIHcRGcxParrgetXT6xkaCcgMXw2lJuy8m95CDYD0PMu9VjC8LVokw/s400/Cheeky+Squirrel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428127505935159970" /></a><br /><br />If only it would stay this mild, but from what I have been told it happens around this time of the year and we will get cold snowy days again soon!<br />I know I shouldn't say it but so far I have felt a little disappointed in the winter here, not because I like the snow so much but just the fact that I expected it to be a lot harsher than it has been. The temperature hasn't bothered me at all (so far!) and neither has the snow..... Maybe because when in the UK you couldn't go out much anyway because of it raining all the time and the fact that there just wasn't much to do without spending money it doesn't seem so bad but at least with being in Canada and having the land we have got, there are lots of things to keep us busy and lots of walks to take. Every time is different too as you never know what you will come across :)<br /><br />The weekend was just the usual of shopping, cleaning and general day to day stuff!! So nothing much to report there.<br /><br />Tasks for today:<br />1) Make Irish tea loaf (Brack) This was triggered off by Stu and Ruth at Christmas. They brought with them a Whiskey cake which was delicious and remined us of the Tea loaf that Wendy used to make many moons ago. If it is any good then I will be back to share the recipe at a later date.<br />2) Make Saucy Cajun steaks in the slow cooker - Dinner for later in the week<br />3) Vacuum house from top to bottom (or other way round!!)<br />4) Do laundry<br />5) Get outside and see what photo's I can take :)<br /><br />In one of my last postings I did say that I would be back to show you where we had been the other Sunday. Well we went to see this fella<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bplr1Bb8l_PmSUMjFxhMMfWIC6Z6LkeIriOU8dJ_pg_LNJbpzK6PoaRkEcuyL2M-3YewUpojT57OKoSXcxjxRFEAp65hE14z4whttDJUvEs8xwr3hq1LTAreFC6yMKruEE6Xd0UgG3FQ/s1600-h/Nicky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bplr1Bb8l_PmSUMjFxhMMfWIC6Z6LkeIriOU8dJ_pg_LNJbpzK6PoaRkEcuyL2M-3YewUpojT57OKoSXcxjxRFEAp65hE14z4whttDJUvEs8xwr3hq1LTAreFC6yMKruEE6Xd0UgG3FQ/s400/Nicky.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428113608578950978" /></a><br /><br />I emailed a few people before about Nicky but haven't ever posted so I thought I best share him with you. We have been to see him see him quite a few times since we moved here and have taken Shanara there too and she loved him!! He is a three year old Cougar also known as a Mountain lion here! and has been hand reared by Paul who lives just 10 minutes from us.<br /><br />As Ruth had mentioned it <a href="http://alittledotty.blogspot.com/2010/01/hello-2010.html">here</a> it thought I would share the photo with you, and yes they are really quite fun.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQrXJlWZA53UAvEAjHKNgugLkHzVKk_ltH0FWFbT-FM3FaAVtNjR5fe04GXKP-RPDW_JDyuNe9zM3IGEzVnZukHOeZ0DWoylF_hW339g5X7Xt_XovWF_mDDVmfCw3nvVDtBbtLbwRoLva/s1600-h/Play+Often.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQrXJlWZA53UAvEAjHKNgugLkHzVKk_ltH0FWFbT-FM3FaAVtNjR5fe04GXKP-RPDW_JDyuNe9zM3IGEzVnZukHOeZ0DWoylF_hW339g5X7Xt_XovWF_mDDVmfCw3nvVDtBbtLbwRoLva/s400/Play+Often.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428118883544642994" /></a><br /><br />and now for one of myself, this is on the Grizzly though and having a try at plowing the drive after the last snow fall :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRVC1ofO1tUdTt6SxZY1ksa7eSGL44xE1jtJj65nUHWpdwdDGuafmAC42l7ve45ZzUpm8ar6tBnY3NFRFhhWDrpYSmqFLGxsRmPGA-VPtfN28bKihpzlTIWns9WJ8QOpCONTVxEMgMx8j/s1600-h/Little+Miss+Plough.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRVC1ofO1tUdTt6SxZY1ksa7eSGL44xE1jtJj65nUHWpdwdDGuafmAC42l7ve45ZzUpm8ar6tBnY3NFRFhhWDrpYSmqFLGxsRmPGA-VPtfN28bKihpzlTIWns9WJ8QOpCONTVxEMgMx8j/s400/Little+Miss+Plough.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428120181214661266" /></a><br /><br />and just in case you are wondering, I have spelt 'Plough' the way it should be but also included the Canadian spelling as this is where we are and should do things and spell things the Canadian way :)<br /><br />I haven't really said much about my work life but as Lisa had asked in a recent email I will tell a little more about it....<br />I work for a family run business which is a tractor dealership in town. I work part time as an accounts payable clerk, responsible for making sure that all payments are made to vendors on time, statements are kept up to date and invoices posted to the computer system amongst other duties. I have my own office and work by myself and to my own time schedule! We take 2 tea breaks, each 15 mins to 30 mins everyday and an hour lunch, but you don't have to only eat or drink then! The coffee pot is always on and free to help yourself anytime, there is a water dispenser for hot and cold water, a toaster and microwave :) They are flexible with family commitments, which means that if the kids have something going on at school then I am free to take time out whenever I need too without question. It is very relaxed, not stressful at all and it is a great pleasure to work there. I never think I don't want to go to work anymore and have time to enjoy my work rather than feeling pressured all the time which only makes for a bad atmosphere and errors.<br />Best move I could have made..... Wake up UK and give your employee's a break :)<br /><br />Well that bring me to an end once again, time to go and grab some lunch just one last photo to share of our Pileated woodpecker. It hasn't been easy getting a good shot of him and then only managed to get one through the window. They are the large woodpecker with a wing span of 29" and stand at around 17" tall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Yz1824v_SAmP-J7ZKjA59vG131rajkW5GZ5_oApABRLF3eZ8o0_K21dd7wNOxMAGsb3qy5IhuMUm9Nn12b8fXZ85nspzgk2jlbvc74xv3Njm-V00nRZ-NO8pfUUfnEActxfNFdo2lKR/s1600-h/Pileated+Woodpecker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-Yz1824v_SAmP-J7ZKjA59vG131rajkW5GZ5_oApABRLF3eZ8o0_K21dd7wNOxMAGsb3qy5IhuMUm9Nn12b8fXZ85nspzgk2jlbvc74xv3Njm-V00nRZ-NO8pfUUfnEActxfNFdo2lKR/s400/Pileated+Woodpecker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428126519179279778" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-39380714655659614772010-01-04T20:37:00.002-05:002010-01-04T21:06:09.483-05:00Back againAs promised but it will be short and sweet....<br />I got too busy doing other things today but I managed to put together just a few pictures from Christmas. I couldn't find the photo's Craig took though and he has a few others I would like to of used so maybe I will change the picture at a later date!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK874Q6h5zPvCEPsOq59wefEjQ148UqTOnh-z4hFBIG1mda6NNEoTsfvnFT0hzjvn5u6JvzNtUybY5PwycM3dtfrRXjLck2nIZHN_PbaywTSGNiI6r-NIRIf7u8NYuAK8wNeiwZ5Dw_6bD/s1600-h/Christmas+Joy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK874Q6h5zPvCEPsOq59wefEjQ148UqTOnh-z4hFBIG1mda6NNEoTsfvnFT0hzjvn5u6JvzNtUybY5PwycM3dtfrRXjLck2nIZHN_PbaywTSGNiI6r-NIRIf7u8NYuAK8wNeiwZ5Dw_6bD/s400/Christmas+Joy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423070788557954306" /></a><br /><br />The boys were back to school today and it wasn't easy for them to turf themselves out of bed at 6.30am. I can't say that I liked it much either :)<br /><br />It snowed for the most of Saturday and yesterday and then started again this afternoon so another covering on the driveway!! I really need to go and buy the plough kit for the ATV tomorrow so we don't have to shovel anymore, as that is no fun at all. Tempreture today actually rose to about -10 which was a nice treat and the sun showed up for a while too :)<br />Anyway I did say short and sweet.... Hope you like the pictures, back with more soon as lots to post.Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-67793872438077501012010-01-03T09:50:00.019-05:002010-03-01T15:24:42.564-05:00Happy New YearAs I am late and didn't get a chance to post anything at all before Christmas I will start by wishing all my Friends and anyone else who comes across my blog a very happy new year for 2010.<br /><br />I had all good intentions of blogging but never seemed to find the time. Just when I thought about it something else cropped up! But I am here now and I will try and fill in the missing gaps of past events!! I know what will happen though, as always start of detailed then trail of with scatty blogging with not much info and as most of you who know me, will know that I am not a person of many words!! (On paper anyway!)<br /><br />Winter seem to arrive a month late this year, we were told that generally by mid November snow is already well established but this year it didn't happen until the 9th December when we had a snow storm. We had had a few flurries before this but never much. Then this particular morning a storm came and the roads were very tricky, the snow ploughs were out in force trying to clear what they could to make the roads safer.... All school buses were cancelled so the kids enjoyed their first snow day. A good six inches had fallen overnight with already 2 inch on the ground. It took us an hour to get into work when it only usually takes a little over 30 minutes! A drive I didn't enjoy but something I would have to get used too! The temperatures fluctuate between 0 and -22 but sometimes feeling more like -28 with the wind chill. I like the snow though, it makes everywhere look so beautiful. Luckily just before the snow storm Craig and I had got an electronic garage door opener, so we can just hit the remote in the car and in we drive! Perfect.... we don't have to get out the car until in the garage now and then straight inside with having to bear the cold outside!<br /><br />I didn't feel organized at all this year for Christmas and it seemed to come around so quickly... I was late in sending out cards for those that I did send, I didn't even wrap any gifts until Christmas eve which is not me at all. I would have normally finished a week before this so I could concentrate on baking all the Christmas treats.<br />I did make a Christmas cake this year which I don't usually as it is only me that really eats it but as we were having Stu and Ruth over for Christmas I thought it would be a nice treat, I found the recipe <a href="http://bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/72621/snowtopped-holly-cakes"><strong><strong>here</strong></strong></a>..... I didn't bake it until a week before but it turned out well and tasted good too, one that I will definitely make again.... I just did a simple decoration too as not much time to do it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDop8QY6AmE5RceVTjkee7VrhSGyo28jd2AigW6iVwbul37klGwUxcUU1oxuFofSXMNLKBwxNdGFVZCokZld67Oc96WBJ2xZucd53zoJCMr2KC0FC9PE6v2HjL_R1zQQiH2DBKx1ASegJ/s1600-h/Christmas+Cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSDop8QY6AmE5RceVTjkee7VrhSGyo28jd2AigW6iVwbul37klGwUxcUU1oxuFofSXMNLKBwxNdGFVZCokZld67Oc96WBJ2xZucd53zoJCMr2KC0FC9PE6v2HjL_R1zQQiH2DBKx1ASegJ/s400/Christmas+Cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422548833798454514" /></a><br /><br />My other favorite from last year is Nigella's Christmas Rocky Road. Trying to find ingredients here though is not easy.... they either just don't stock the items you need or call them something totally different! I am sure this is something else I will get use to. Recipe below, sorry no photo for this one!<br /><br />Ingredients<br />250g/9oz dark chocolate, chopped<br />150g/5oz milk chocolate, chopped<br />175g/6oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing<br />4 tbsp golden syrup<br />200g/7oz amaretti biscuits<br />150g/5oz shelled Brazil nuts<br />150g/5oz red glacé cherries<br />125g/4oz mini marshmallows<br />1 tbsp icing sugar<br />edible glitter, to decorate (optional)<br /><br />Method<br />1. Place the dark and milk chocolate pieces into a heavy-based pan. Add the butter and golden syrup and cook over a low heat to melt and combine.<br />2. Place the amaretti biscuits into a freezer bag and bash with a rolling pin to make crumbs of various sizes.<br />3. Place the Brazil nuts into another freezer bag and bash in the same way. <br />4. Take the pan of melted chocolate mixture off the heat and add the crushed biscuits and nuts.<br />5. Add the glacé cherries and mini marshmallows. Fold the mixture carefully to coat all of the solid ingredients with the syrupy chocolate mixture.<br />6. Pour the mixture into a 25cm/10in x 30cm/12in greased and lined baking tray and smooth the surface as much as possible (although it will look bumpy).<br />7. Refrigerate for two hours, or until firm enough to cut. Dust with icing sugar, then sprinkle with edible glitter if you wish.<br />8. Remove the block of rocky road from the tray and cut into 24 rectangles.<br /><br />Then on to making the stuffing for the turkey..... This is another of my favourites taken from Gary Rhodes 'New British Classics' <br /><br />Enough for a 10-12lb Turkey <br />A knob of butter <br />2 large onions, finely chopped or grated <br />Grated zest of 2 lemons (juice may be needed) <br />1 heaped tbsp chopped fresh sage <br />675g (11/2lbs) good-quality pork sausage meat <br />100 - 175g (4-6ozs) roasted chestnuts, chopped <br />2 apples, grated <br />100g (4ozs) fresh white breadcrumbs <br />2 eggs <br />Turkey liver (optional)<br />Salt,pepper and ground mace <br />The stuffing is best made 24 hours in advance and chilled, allowing the flavours time to mingle. <br />Melt the knob of butter and cook the onions for a few minutes until they begin to soften. Add the lemon zest and sage, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Once cooled, add the onion to the sausage meat along with the chestnuts, apples and breadcrumbs. Season with salt, pepper and a good pinch of mace. Stir well and season with salt, pepper and a good pinch of mace. The eggs can m<br />now be added as the binder, to hold all together. Check for seasoning. Pan fry a small amount of the mixture so that you can taste it safely-you may find you need to add a squeeze of two of lemon juice. The turkey neck can now be filled with the stuffing. I like to leave some out and make into ball and bake on the side for a nice crunchy stuffing!<br /><br />And that is my few recipes shared.....remember for this years Christmas to give them a try :)<br /><br />Christmas was a good one this year, not only because it was our first one spent in Canada but we had great company. Stu, Ruth Ad and Ol came to stay..... I don't think we ever got to have a Christmas with them when they were in the UK. It was a really good time to be had by all. The boys all enjoyed playing out on their new toys....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JGHcuwN-lbGDjD6aMWTCs5uBrYMaYvRJ6RQwKM2jId-kcKS7SzgqRzHdXnWIGbnvB_rzROZjCXq423zR3u4ltpfjMexMSMb4po3pliZKA0juQBZN-MC_WdGE7SfRTwMb77yAr46x7z8R/s1600-h/Fun+new+toys.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JGHcuwN-lbGDjD6aMWTCs5uBrYMaYvRJ6RQwKM2jId-kcKS7SzgqRzHdXnWIGbnvB_rzROZjCXq423zR3u4ltpfjMexMSMb4po3pliZKA0juQBZN-MC_WdGE7SfRTwMb77yAr46x7z8R/s400/Fun+new+toys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422558972900393890" /></a><br /><br />I think Ad and Ol enjoyed them too!! They also spent many hours playing on the Wii and watching DVDS.<br />We had a few walks out in the wood tracking footprints of deer, coyote, fox etc. in the snow. We haven't seen any on the property yet but there is definite signs of them being around. The one thing that we did find was two porcupines in this tree, I couldn't get them both in on the same photo but here is one of them anyway....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXSfU40GLIA2RFmoCW915jjIem_13urEHD6xisHOtGTu65VCJGUNG_mkJx3uI8pfzLvVYM_kKDiXO3ZaeNur0S83TVJZDsLHEDYXhyphenhyphenOQKZXd7GAXqEan1xOhR5ncdntPTo0L8MaxGcw-P/s1600-h/Porcupine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXSfU40GLIA2RFmoCW915jjIem_13urEHD6xisHOtGTu65VCJGUNG_mkJx3uI8pfzLvVYM_kKDiXO3ZaeNur0S83TVJZDsLHEDYXhyphenhyphenOQKZXd7GAXqEan1xOhR5ncdntPTo0L8MaxGcw-P/s400/Porcupine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422621150217680530" /></a><br /><br />They had torn the bark off the tree and had been there for a good while by the looks of the base of the tree!!<br /><br />Unfortunately we don't get a great deal of holidays here so it was back to work for most on the Monday..... I had an extra day as being part time and returned back on the Tuesday :)<br />New years eve was quite with just the four of us, we watched the new movie '9' and played on the Wii fit, ski jumping was the favourite and I believe I am still top of the leader board on this one :)<br /><br />I am going to call it a day now on this one but I will be back (promise) hopefully later or tomorrow with some snowy scenes and where we went today, and also to fill in any other gaps that my scatty blogging has missed!!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-71615096039303297442009-11-30T19:38:00.004-05:002009-11-30T20:40:21.327-05:00Time 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.<br />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'<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMyJJ5orrhmVJ-CXi5hSNnoymHp0Fhk1Nq7ZfW1fVxMCxvSuzAbmP_SvALnh8WR6rWcIzcWrZnfflXfWVqDRXZnU88Qel2aisvUITfWpipWrYf4oOD8VWaM-VrxoxH6Io9ktxsKjT7dfh/s1600/Terrific+Kid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMyJJ5orrhmVJ-CXi5hSNnoymHp0Fhk1Nq7ZfW1fVxMCxvSuzAbmP_SvALnh8WR6rWcIzcWrZnfflXfWVqDRXZnU88Qel2aisvUITfWpipWrYf4oOD8VWaM-VrxoxH6Io9ktxsKjT7dfh/s320/Terrific+Kid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410069502617964386" /></a><br /><br />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!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILQiSnuEm5ZPxW1CM29ydnCmrQHnnP_b71f1-5dXpjV-uiKq6WCsAE1DCAzrapny1-Zqvqrp1vVlKhjFTHPn4oxc_Uo39XqdF3t_rNdMV9E2WUm0JqJyw-GyhLcP56ENBxJZlqIpXfdB1/s1600/Madoc+Santa+Parade.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILQiSnuEm5ZPxW1CM29ydnCmrQHnnP_b71f1-5dXpjV-uiKq6WCsAE1DCAzrapny1-Zqvqrp1vVlKhjFTHPn4oxc_Uo39XqdF3t_rNdMV9E2WUm0JqJyw-GyhLcP56ENBxJZlqIpXfdB1/s320/Madoc+Santa+Parade.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410069498321580130" /></a><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWVNX6JnUoK5QmkVYHYHOnWg6ICEh6V7FG2UikdYc20Id338AdrG1-jt_zV2HEV-myjB74qQlpSKHwYpDfwCFEsGjEzeA442MNsXkK21-P_oAg3bp9SzPzifnaB7tiuJyVaGc9xfgvsAy/s1600/Blue+Jay.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWVNX6JnUoK5QmkVYHYHOnWg6ICEh6V7FG2UikdYc20Id338AdrG1-jt_zV2HEV-myjB74qQlpSKHwYpDfwCFEsGjEzeA442MNsXkK21-P_oAg3bp9SzPzifnaB7tiuJyVaGc9xfgvsAy/s320/Blue+Jay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410069494669305266" /></a><br /><br />Don't forget that if you click on each picture they should click bigger :)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-47103421393266997312009-11-16T09:44:00.004-05:002009-11-16T10:13:03.524-05:00Just 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.<br /><br />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..... <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EWiZLkDqRdyjFQuElZDbM9JFVMGnf-5NRTZcuztpUtcYPH8a-wBNAgekpJ0WzHzLDpULmfNIi1wOINjFanEZpe8cPVb610c5n6iNhpLW0ncHSA3GZ9zk5pDfmh0Zs7tO7wLe3_PCV5Mw/s1600/Nuthatch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EWiZLkDqRdyjFQuElZDbM9JFVMGnf-5NRTZcuztpUtcYPH8a-wBNAgekpJ0WzHzLDpULmfNIi1wOINjFanEZpe8cPVb610c5n6iNhpLW0ncHSA3GZ9zk5pDfmh0Zs7tO7wLe3_PCV5Mw/s400/Nuthatch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404715882101928354" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-89224771575791920842009-11-13T10:20:00.006-05:002009-11-13T11:24:07.801-05:00Our 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 :)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFMeZ1TvRvRNM-sdPy0yD0Q1Iuj1638PEMJxgFrlyrJu2f3Fh5K7Nd0kIrObRQ-vNpm1jobfskYyik3PZB20q7vV0Vzgoen_dnLdsUFYNJVok8qr9DLgerTQBN3nHHJaYKep1_ahDQlFM/s1600-h/Fall+2009+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFMeZ1TvRvRNM-sdPy0yD0Q1Iuj1638PEMJxgFrlyrJu2f3Fh5K7Nd0kIrObRQ-vNpm1jobfskYyik3PZB20q7vV0Vzgoen_dnLdsUFYNJVok8qr9DLgerTQBN3nHHJaYKep1_ahDQlFM/s400/Fall+2009+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403623094071352306" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-69727275251958425282009-10-30T09:37:00.001-04:002009-10-30T11:22:19.980-04:00The 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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 :)<br />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!<br /><br />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 :)<br /><br />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!!<br />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....Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-18453110501007032422009-09-14T10:00:00.005-04:002009-09-14T10:42:53.617-04:00Not 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!!<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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!!<br /><br />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.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBtnvwLYcJvSOPFCusrWjZkkOjl77WX0FYrinSBQUPdd1H4JBzSIVgSxCem16UVJr39KIZhMtkQjcyPxQGt5QYlX-K5hD1jiq-5JEio66FXNR0n_zhTt8fOzgHPJIE9uml8DKadaRNZoQ/s1600-h/Pool+Fun+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBtnvwLYcJvSOPFCusrWjZkkOjl77WX0FYrinSBQUPdd1H4JBzSIVgSxCem16UVJr39KIZhMtkQjcyPxQGt5QYlX-K5hD1jiq-5JEio66FXNR0n_zhTt8fOzgHPJIE9uml8DKadaRNZoQ/s400/Pool+Fun+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381330017631895666" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-26279675658452539582009-08-30T16:07:00.005-04:002009-08-30T16:54:55.286-04:00Another week passed.....We have been in Canada now for 7 weeks tomorrow and it has flown by.<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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 :)<br />The rest of the week was busy with just the usual everyday stuff of cleaning, shopping etc!!<br /><br />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 :)<br /><br />So my plans this week:<br />Monday - Bake cookies for school<br />Tuesday - Cleaning ready for the Parents and then pick up from train station later :)<br />Wednesday to Friday - See what happens, no plans yet!<br />Saturday - At Kim's for 'Pot Luck' end of season party<br />Sunday - Again, see what the weather is doing and go from there!!<br /><br />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!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn-yd4isqC2Lri0c1Pg47ReQTHOIhRPu91A_N_VAj7PAcrEH0LosPE5Q94CpEVLjE8tpUmgtzYPlRbIxfbrXSRdz93l9GM5AGSRQOO2rPtyF2_jaJSKnc9vDyxQzrkhjF4ydzEWgYRd-G/s1600-h/Skunk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicn-yd4isqC2Lri0c1Pg47ReQTHOIhRPu91A_N_VAj7PAcrEH0LosPE5Q94CpEVLjE8tpUmgtzYPlRbIxfbrXSRdz93l9GM5AGSRQOO2rPtyF2_jaJSKnc9vDyxQzrkhjF4ydzEWgYRd-G/s400/Skunk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375860499688987634" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-54142180847114345502009-08-20T11:56:00.007-04:002009-08-20T16:38:33.898-04:00Quick 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.<br />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...<br /><br />1)Washing<br />2)Cleaning<br />3)Blogging - As I have a day almost to my-self I thought I best do photo layouts as promised....something quick!!<br />4)Prepare curry for supper tonight<br />5)Make cookies (yum!)<br />6)Relax.... (Now I'm dreaming!)<br /><br />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!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRob_y_YzfRT1UYlJPbJ7cWTDmfpVoruCP-kD8I4W6iAKIiTNTtzq29aFeSLI-DS3V3c3ptlFlMi9lK8XljLbfYu9pkIkAoDxq775QxhxcMnwg6ECklhx9cbVtd-pQV8pLu95EiIzPw7Z/s1600-h/wildlife+canada+2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRob_y_YzfRT1UYlJPbJ7cWTDmfpVoruCP-kD8I4W6iAKIiTNTtzq29aFeSLI-DS3V3c3ptlFlMi9lK8XljLbfYu9pkIkAoDxq775QxhxcMnwg6ECklhx9cbVtd-pQV8pLu95EiIzPw7Z/s400/wildlife+canada+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372078333887928450" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-14336437768680016442009-08-10T21:30:00.000-04:002009-08-10T21:50:23.596-04:00The 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.<br />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.<br /><br />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.<br />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!<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />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. <br />I hope to be back in the next few days with some pictures :)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-56940045538805535622009-06-23T14:42:00.006-04:002009-06-23T15:24:44.697-04:00Countdown.....I know it has been a while since my last post, but I have be busy :)<br /><br />We have just under 3 weeks to go before we move to Canada, and we still have so many things to do.....<br /><br />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'.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAkUIh0BD0X45mJ1Bc1763sPFcKaJch5DHjkplzqRtMOZpp1yHSeYLheSCz77Tc4zps0mlmvNCOeRHb5lQ9AD7w-kgUx6AQIJASJ3B8vImX3roAGP7bZYRsBmKMtiM5pTzBP8BLV_b9DN/s1600-h/Last+Day+copy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350598253232448178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAkUIh0BD0X45mJ1Bc1763sPFcKaJch5DHjkplzqRtMOZpp1yHSeYLheSCz77Tc4zps0mlmvNCOeRHb5lQ9AD7w-kgUx6AQIJASJ3B8vImX3roAGP7bZYRsBmKMtiM5pTzBP8BLV_b9DN/s400/Last+Day+copy.jpg" /></a><br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />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!!<br /><br />I will update more after the removals next week.... Hopefully :)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-29486250469752196102009-04-28T14:54:00.004-04:002009-04-28T16:16:10.334-04:00At 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.<br />We still haven't had any luck selling the house, but this won't stop us from making the big move.<br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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!!<br /><br />All you need for the perfect loaf:-<br />250g Granary Bread Flour<br />250g White bread flour<br />2 tbsp Olive Oil<br />1 1/4 tsp salt<br />1 1/2 tsp fast action yeast<br />2 tsp Sugar<br />300ml tepid water<br /><br />Put all the ingredients above into a large mixing bowl in the order shown above and knead for approx 10 minutes.<br />Leave to prove in a warm place for 2 hrs, until doubled in size<br />Knock back and either shape and place on a baking tray or use a loaf tin.<br />Preheat oven to 200 degrees C, and leave to rise for another 30 minutes.<br />Bake for 30 minutes, remove and leave to cool on a wire rack!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtuqLy4lBRsnlgippl0nbnhohR1TbdbdnRiDcDQBqOXVxsvdribvBrRWo_rpOcPVzuMBN_gKOTO_z5zXAuzzGLxrohVt_aZfr-WsFZnMjCL3jfPsWVnfByI64-LSBap6_oSvseG_U_IrM/s1600-h/The+Perfect+Loaf+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtuqLy4lBRsnlgippl0nbnhohR1TbdbdnRiDcDQBqOXVxsvdribvBrRWo_rpOcPVzuMBN_gKOTO_z5zXAuzzGLxrohVt_aZfr-WsFZnMjCL3jfPsWVnfByI64-LSBap6_oSvseG_U_IrM/s400/The+Perfect+Loaf+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329835729828072866" /></a><br />Once you've tasted real bread and see how easy it is to make you'll never look back.... Enjoy :)Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-47641898910082560392009-04-13T13:27:00.006-04:002009-04-13T14:29:29.558-04:00A Great long weekend....<span style="color:#666666;">Although it was a wet weekend until today that is, I have still enjoyed having some time off from work!<br /><br />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.<br />Then to finish the day off and as it is Easter I baked some chocolate chip cupcakes which went down a treat!!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5ZMyy26sUTusUXHLbRWsLc6Lla7nX0m3d5ovGKX8jBpEx4S_5vFf1f-SzeAvAbBiphly5Zf94rrYCSJ0UXW6fPATKeJiqTe7Ou6WCthcPMkYX811bnOZ_55rGJL39SasDHbZGCDxeg1Q/s1600-h/Easter+2009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324231672290690434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM5ZMyy26sUTusUXHLbRWsLc6Lla7nX0m3d5ovGKX8jBpEx4S_5vFf1f-SzeAvAbBiphly5Zf94rrYCSJ0UXW6fPATKeJiqTe7Ou6WCthcPMkYX811bnOZ_55rGJL39SasDHbZGCDxeg1Q/s400/Easter+2009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!!<br /><br />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!<br />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!!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-397090383788494802009-04-05T14:18:00.006-04:002010-03-01T15:20:13.557-05:00How 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.<br /><br />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......<br /><br />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.<br />Meds done and now just waiting for the final lap..... Passport requests for the visa's, I hope that this comes through as quick :)<br /><br />Spring is finally here, and after winter along with an office job is not doing me any favours on the waistline.<br />My body does not know what has hit it this week... Fitness has begun starting Tuesday last week with one of my favourite fitness <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kates-Cardio-Combat-Kate-Lawler/dp/B00007J34U">DVDs</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.foxtonlocks.com/">Foxton Locks</a> 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!<br /><br />No pictures to post as I haven't taken any for a while and not done any scrapbooking either.<br />I will try not to leave it so long next time between my posts.... I will aim for once a week for now!!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-56912659730872527922009-02-16T10:34:00.007-05:002009-02-16T11:08:14.176-05:00Long Weekend....The snow has now all gone and today has actually felt like a spring day......<br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.bobolirestaurant.com/">Italian</a> 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!!)<br />Then of course came Valentines day, which is always pretty low key, no traditions here!<br /><br />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!<br /><br />I will try and post some pictures later.... I haven't arranged any yet as been too busy playing on my new red DS!Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-63857052489882061712009-02-08T13:31:00.001-05:002009-09-14T11:11:00.075-04:00Happy 40th CraigJust a few photo's from Craig's 40th , The first one is at the restaurant 'Boboli' in Kibworth. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__r-ns2xuQqg/SZsIIPvPw1I/AAAAAAAAAGk/i8j3d-i0vHc/s1600-h/40TH+Birthday+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303841923915563858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__r-ns2xuQqg/SZsIIPvPw1I/AAAAAAAAAGk/i8j3d-i0vHc/s400/40TH+Birthday+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__r-ns2xuQqg/SZsIII5Q_MI/AAAAAAAAAGc/UAjuCFfW-wg/s1600-h/40TH+Birthday+1+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303841922078538946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__r-ns2xuQqg/SZsIII5Q_MI/AAAAAAAAAGc/UAjuCFfW-wg/s400/40TH+Birthday+1+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__r-ns2xuQqg/SZsIH6UF2GI/AAAAAAAAAGU/QhATOo6KSwE/s1600-h/40TH+Birthday.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303841918164523106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__r-ns2xuQqg/SZsIH6UF2GI/AAAAAAAAAGU/QhATOo6KSwE/s400/40TH+Birthday.jpg" border="0" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-47665003793895514292009-02-05T15:22:00.008-05:002009-02-08T08:40:49.532-05:00More 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.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqtLLLB6lTDnDwL9sL-rewe9ferxrSaUhNMe69Uw7Ore0rz6guVEFqpp9_y_DD4fX62rovjqfD6k-B0UO0tAoMBZ7vsZ3IBejCds8i4eYmlJazf-IPy_RT_YIdFv5kzG1x5TVZWQzKs06/s1600-h/More+Snow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqtLLLB6lTDnDwL9sL-rewe9ferxrSaUhNMe69Uw7Ore0rz6guVEFqpp9_y_DD4fX62rovjqfD6k-B0UO0tAoMBZ7vsZ3IBejCds8i4eYmlJazf-IPy_RT_YIdFv5kzG1x5TVZWQzKs06/s400/More+Snow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300420698108195458" /></a><br /> Just a few pictures from our day at home in the snow and not forgetting my very own snow angels below <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbsowp_x5AUTMcXrVQmNjag-0Zv8id9DHLLUE5VXDbuA19G3t5UR4eJUsMq1tV9wIKsj3JucznqyuFvyRSVJtInA0jrMVsrloXCso2wRtaSNzkvXgPoUbHAl4_wzNHrP__vWkyMYCHTeY/s1600-h/my+snow+angels.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbsowp_x5AUTMcXrVQmNjag-0Zv8id9DHLLUE5VXDbuA19G3t5UR4eJUsMq1tV9wIKsj3JucznqyuFvyRSVJtInA0jrMVsrloXCso2wRtaSNzkvXgPoUbHAl4_wzNHrP__vWkyMYCHTeY/s400/my+snow+angels.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300420949789091058" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8439520547755361636.post-49906795561797506192009-02-02T14:09:00.002-05:002009-02-08T08:48:11.583-05:00Snow....Welcome to my 'blog'.....<br /><br />I thought I would start with some photo's of the snow we had today, which caused chaos with only a few inches!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8mceP5IBMdwyRL60AySvxuqb4r5Umkx3ogOBvE1MiJdKko6OFxtWWfXBEju5ymTR9SxDEF-MLbJVE7OsRmjaIUb44xWsSPeBlGO8xfm52MQr150aX-mHg8aPEAmQpb_n5oadTByXfGhH/s1600-h/snow+feb+09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8mceP5IBMdwyRL60AySvxuqb4r5Umkx3ogOBvE1MiJdKko6OFxtWWfXBEju5ymTR9SxDEF-MLbJVE7OsRmjaIUb44xWsSPeBlGO8xfm52MQr150aX-mHg8aPEAmQpb_n5oadTByXfGhH/s400/snow+feb+09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300422887773258098" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwjNRmSebODGNtVigpKTqAyjUsB1FIbCYzcAbcmktT5hurUMITa6JDeE9ZDFBfRfBdiuzWph-sv-IpWOgeaycsLrkRRatvzz41sWbHAipVdQscrV8dee8B-Cf_0swOQHbrAIR7Y6rZZpa/s1600-h/snow+feb09+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwjNRmSebODGNtVigpKTqAyjUsB1FIbCYzcAbcmktT5hurUMITa6JDeE9ZDFBfRfBdiuzWph-sv-IpWOgeaycsLrkRRatvzz41sWbHAipVdQscrV8dee8B-Cf_0swOQHbrAIR7Y6rZZpa/s400/snow+feb09+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300422884134426274" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40yZLmnPaWieDqIM27h6qS7DC3C5tYpMBzhihK_FYpq1Ff7ajjyfkq2EYm2V7ncpGXjGkXQPxW8sloo11x4lrmg0EWp03fJKQRx7GbYT9Yqa1kLawYpmvf6oEGHNfffcT4Ull2I9zaMVu/s1600-h/snow+feb09+2+copy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40yZLmnPaWieDqIM27h6qS7DC3C5tYpMBzhihK_FYpq1Ff7ajjyfkq2EYm2V7ncpGXjGkXQPxW8sloo11x4lrmg0EWp03fJKQRx7GbYT9Yqa1kLawYpmvf6oEGHNfffcT4Ull2I9zaMVu/s400/snow+feb09+2+copy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300422885105528002" /></a>Nichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06463452211442659372noreply@blogger.com1