Whatsoever is Lovely – Week 6

Posted on February 21, 2022 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Kate for hosting the Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge https://www.thesquirrelchase.com/2022/02/14/whatsoever-is-lovely-2022-week-6/

One week after Kevin’s hip replacement surgery he decided he couldn’t let Valentine’s Day go by without doing something special for me. So he got on his phone and ordered a special Valentine’s Day dinner that was delivered to the house. It was beautifully boxed and only required some reheating or final minutes in the oven.

I set up the little table in the basement kitchen, where Kevin was recovering, with a cloth and candles. A day earlier I went out and picked up a special wine that Kevin wanted to have with the dinner. Since the beginning of COVID we have had date nights where we would get dressed up and share a gourmet meal at home. Kevin wanted this to be one of those date nights so he insisted on putting on a white shirt and one of his bowties.

It was an amazing meal. There was so much food that we saved our dessert for the next day.

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Random Acts of Kindness Day

Posted on February 17, 2022 by Mama Cormier

….and in Canada it is Random Acts of Kindness Week

Kevin is back at his drawing board but in the basement apartment and not in his studio. After I did all the cooking for the last 10 days Kevin treated me to a dinner last night that he managed to cook. He’s doing it again tonight. He just can’t help himself. He loves cooking so much that he climbs up the stairs from downstairs. I’m sure that he’s calling it part of his physiotherapy and he seems to be managing well.

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9-CDB9-AF4-C9-B7-43-D1-809-C-A7-AA5-B1081-D9 — Shrimp and Chorizo

On the drawing board, Kevin’s mice returned to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day. Did you reach out to someone today to do a random act of kindness? If not, you have till Sunday to do something kind. For that matter you don’t need a special day or week to perform a random act of kindness. Give it a try.

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Monster Monday – January 24, 2022

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Mama Cormier

….we still need a name for this drippy fellow

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….and Kevin’s mice helpers came by to help celebrate Sevin’s second birthday

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Friday Was Squirrel Appreciation Day

Posted on January 22, 2022 by Mama Cormier

….sorry that I’m a day late

It’s no secret that my husband is not a fan of squirrels but he isn’t completely heartless. Back in October of last year he heard this strange noise coming from the outside of the house. It was heart wrenching to hear because it was clearly an animal in distress. He quickly ascertained that the noise was coming from the downspout. Somehow a squirrel had managed to get stuck.

Kevin quickly removed the bend in the spout and lo and behold a tail popped out. There was no doubt that it was a squirrel but even after removing the extra bit of downspout the little fellow was still stuck. I suggested that he get some gloves on and gently pull on the tail. Unfortunately in doing so the tip of the tail came off. We knew that we couldn’t leave him like that so Kevin grabbed the tail higher up and pulled again. This time he was able to free the squirrel. You never saw a squirrel move so fast.

Over the next few months we’ve kept our eyes out for Stubby (Kevin even named this squirrel) and we knew he was okay when we saw him around the bird feeder. I’m glad to report that the tip of the tail is growing back.

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In honour of Squirrel Appreciation Day, Kevin has painted a picture of Stubby.

Wacky Bird is Celebrating Poe’s Birthday

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Mama Cormier

…on January 19th Chester is celebrating Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday

….and his favourite book is The Raven.

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A Festive Opening for the Small Gems Show

Posted on November 21, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….Saturday, November 20, 2021

What an exciting day! The Small Gems Show opened and the turnout was amazing. It was so nice to see the gallery full of people (all vaccinated and wearing masks) and the art work was spectacular. Here are a few images from the show.

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New Flower (November 11, 2021) – Poppy (Remembrance Day)

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….today is the 100th anniversary of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance Day

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Happy Hallowe’en Everyone

Posted on October 31, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….a very satisfying Hallowe’en night

Last year our doors were closed because of COVID. This year I noticed in our block that more homes were shelling out than I’ve ever seen in the 43 years I’ve lived here. It was a perfect night. I had made up 50 bags of treats and had another 20 chocolate bars left over. It all went and I had to close shop early.

In total we had 64 kids come to our door. I felt badly when I ran out because I know that there would have been more. One of the things that I loved about Hallowe’en this year was the sense of community with those that participated. We walked up and down the street and talked to our neighbours and chatted with the parents when they brought their children up to the door. My husband and I both shelled out the treats and we were able to sit outside because the weather was so mild.

Did you participate in Hallowe’en this year?

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The Neighbourhood is Ready for Hallowe’en

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Mama Cormier

….looks like we’ll have more doors open this year for Hallowe’en

Last year Hallowe’en was a bit of a bust because of COVID. Some people left candy outside on the honour system and many families had small costume parties with people who were in their bubble only. This year it looks like the rain will stop just in time for Trick or Treating and many people have decorated their houses with spooky decorations. I’m looking forward to opening the door again to all those lovely little kids (and some big ones too) all decked out as ghosts, witches, princesses and their favourite super heroes.

As an added precaution I’m prepackaging their treats in individual bags so there will be less handling of the food. Tonight I will clean out the pumpkin and let my husband do his magic on our Jack o lantern in the morning. Are you ready for Hallowe’en this year or are you going to give it a miss for another year?