…my husband’s lates creation for Monday, Dec. 14
Monster Monday – Meet Fuzzy Toes
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Category Archives: Happiness File
Blessed With Another Beautiful Day
…I’ll have to stop saying this is the last of the nice weather
Just when you thought you couldn’t get anymore nice days you get a nice day like today. Sunny, mild and no wind. A perfect day for a long walk. We even met someone who was pulling his canoe along the road and we thought he was just putting it away for the winter but he had actually been out on the lake with it.
The Greenest Christmas Tree Hunt Ever
….with very little snow on the ground
On Thursday the family who reside in Ontario all travelled to a Spruce Meadows Christmas Trees near Hamilton. It was very mild, sunny and there was little snow left on the ground. When Kevin and I arrived in our car we were the first of the family there and in fact we were the only people there for a short while. Apparently the weekend before the place was so busy that the entire field was filled with cars.
It didn’t take long before the rest of the family arrived, all wearing masks and ready to trek to the tree field. My daughter, Gaelan and her husband, Brendan were looking for a tall tree to fit into their Victorian style dining room while the rest of us were more content with much smaller trees.
After Brendan cut down the tree for their home Winnie was content to find any small patch of snow to play and chase after Olive.
Once we all cut down our chosen trees we headed back to the bundling area, had the trees netted and then loaded onto and into the cars. Normally we would have all gone back to Gaelan’s house for refreshments but this time we all went our separate ways.
Later that evening Winnie put the finishing touch on their tree. I hate to admit it but our tree is still in the back of the car.
Monster Monday – December 7, 2020
..…I think I’m two weeks behind so today you get two monsters for the price of one
So happy that my husband is back making these cute paintings. This time around he’s using watercolour paints instead of markers.
December Came in Like a Lion
…after those beautiful spring like days at the end of November
I love the first snow, especially when there’s a lot of it. The first snow this year was just a dusting for us back in mid November but the snowfall on December 1st was magical. Most of it has already melted but it was nice for the first two days. Here are a few shots from my garden.
These snow tires were installed the next day.
Thankful for One More Splendid Day In November
….Nov. 29th proved to be an awesome day for a walk
I’m so happy that my husband and I could enjoy one more mild day in November and get out for our longest walk yet. We were in good company. I think half the neighbourhood decided to take advantage of this good weather.
One pleasant surprise was seeing the para sailors out with their kites on the water. I’m sure the Lake must be very cold but that didn’t deter these hearty souls from enjoying skimming across the water and flipping through the air.
I said earlier that this is the longest walk we’ve done in awhile. My husband managed to make it all the way to the point and back which is approximately 4.6 kilometres. The cyclist, dog walkers and even the fishermen were out on Sunday. It’s a good thing we all took advantage of the good weather because the last day of November turned out to be cold, grey and rainy.
Monster Monday and Tuesday Birds are Returning
….now that the weather is colder and painting outside is no longer an option my husband has decided to work on smaller pieces
One of the things that Kevin is particularily good at is drawing or illustrating fun creatures. He initially started making drawings for our first granddaughter over a year ago and then suddenly stopped. This week he decided it was time to bring back Monster Mondays and Tuesday Birds. Here are his first two drawings.
Ink, marker and watercolour
First Snow and Christmas Lights
….pulled out the lights and strung them on the outside tree
On the weekend we cleaned up the garden and put away the lawn furniture. We took out the snow shovel and snow blower and put the garden tools and rakes back in the garage. I also found the outdoor Christmas lights and dragged them out as well.
On Saturday our eldest daughter came over helped me put up the lights. This has to be the earliest I’ve ever put up the lights. I’m usually the one who gets to it a few days before Christmas. This year because of COVID we decided to try and make the Christmas season as cheerful as possible seeing that there will be no Santa Claus parade, shopping mostly on-line or curb side pick-up and no family gatherings.
We’re planning on a Zoom Christmas for now. In Toronto we’re in lockdown again for at least four weeks. To keep our spirits up we’re planning on decorating as normal, doing a cookie exchange and doing drop off deliveries of presents and goodies.
Our first snow was pretty slim down by the lake but other parts of Toronto and north of the city there was quite a bit of snow. Most of it has now melted but I’m sure there will be lots more to come in the next few months.
I’m glad we got the lights up when we did. It was probably the last nice day for awhile. Now that they’re up it helps boost my mood and I’m starting to pull out more decorations.
Another COVID Birthday Celebration
….thank goodness for the beautiful weather we’ve had in November
The last two days have been more normal in terms of November weather but prior to this we’ve had the most glorious, warm and sunny days. Our eldest daughter celebrates her birthday in November so we were thankful that we were able to get together with the family and have a small celebration on the deck in the backyard.
Blowing out the candles has also taken on a new format. I lit the candles on the cake and then we removed them one at a time and my daughter blew them out individually away from the cake. Well that was the plan but it turned out that the candles had burned down too far so she tried to put the candles out by waving her hand over them.
That didn’t work very well so she tried to extinguish the candles by snuffing them out with popcorn. That worked somewhat but the popcorn caught fire.
In the end no one was harmed and the cake was delicious.
My Favourite Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake
….a small but mighty winery
Part 2
You know a winery is good when the local restaurants all have their wine on the menu. We were introduced to Marynissen years ago when we first started visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake. On our last trip we learned that Marynissen was the first winery in Ontario to plant the cabernet sauvignon grape and now 48 years later they are celebrating the 30th anniversary of their cabernet sauvignon wine.
While there we sampled this special wine and I have to say it was spectacular. The tasting room is very unpretentious but the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We walked away with a case of wine. Hopefully we can hang on to some of it for the holidays.
Mama Cormier 