Five Generations Worth !

Today it was all about getting the 5 Generations together while my Sister Jeanne is here from Nfld., and her Granddaughter, Michelle is here with her Daughter, Deja from B.C..  We wanted to get them all together since everyone was visiting all at the same time ... what a great opportunity it was for this to take place.

Our Mother with Daughter, Jeanne, her daughter, Joanne, her daughter, Michelle, and her daughter, Deja.

One more last photo of the 5 Generations while little Deja was still cooperating, then one including Joanne`s oldest daughter, Erica.  Then Mother and my brother, Allan.  I was making sure to get them all photographed while they were all there.

I could not miss out on taking Phil`s photo with his most colourful personality, and his pink shirt too.  Phil is Michelle`s other half & Deja`s Daddy.  Then before we left a family photo including Cecil before we all parted.

Once the photos with Mom were done, she hadn`t even say goodbye to anyone, she just took off back to her room without looking back .... way too funny, but so Mom.

Jeanne and Cecil headed out with Allan, while the rest of us headed up to Tim Hortons for a beverage before the kids headed back to Brampton.  Michelle, Phil and Deja will be heading back to B.C. on Thursday.  I was very surprised and happy to see that Erika had been able to come along.  It was nice to have 3 generations of nieces with me today.

When I got back home, Rob was not long coming home afterwards.  He stayed home to have a late lunch while I took a taxi fare up to Lions Head for him to give him a break.  He does deserve a break once in awhile.

I got back home to receive a call from a family who had wanted to come visit the puppies.  They arrived for a short visit, or so they had told me it would be, just after 4 pm.  The short visit lasted until 6 pm.  Our dinner ended up being a bowl of homemade soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.  Love those quick fixings as backup Plan B.

This is what the meaning of ``pupped right out`` looks like after an almost 2 hour visit.

I am relieved, if nothing else got done, that my kitchen floor was washed.  It was getting very annoying to walk through the kitchen and almost not being able to get back out .... this is what happens when one gets stuck to a floor.

Another busy day ahead of me tomorrow, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Happy Father's Day

Shared from Facebook

Thirty-two years it will be on the 21st of June, and I still miss my father, "Fritz" Harold Edwin Masterson, as if it was yesterday.  Happy Father's Day, Dad ... Love forever, ME.

Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers, substitute Fathers or otherwise.

Rob was pretty happy this morning when Paul called to wish him Happy Father's Day, and Aiden and Connor also did the same.  Connor, who is not a big phone talker or to Poppa talker, even wished Poppa a nice day.  Will wonders ever cease ... *smile*.  He hasn't heard from any of the others yet ... maybe later.

Of course Poppa Rob got some loving from his hairy son, Bandit.  That is unconditional all year round.

This morning I had gotten soaked as the rain had been coming down in torrents when I had to take everyone out and about first thing.  Thank goodness I do not melt, or I would not be here now to tell the story.

Weeded or not, my flower beds have been filling in quite nicely with the "almost" 2 inches of rain we got this morning.

My darling Rob never rolled in until 4 am.  Needless to say, we all tried to be very quiet to let him sleep.  I had a shower, Jeanne and Cecil had a bite of toast, and .....

.... we headed out North of the Checkerboard to the Sunday Flea Market at the Handicraft House just minutes up Hwy 6 from us.  Not too much going on there as the outside vendors were not going to set up in the downpour this morning.  One of the vendor's doggies was well dressed and  getting him/her a treat of something or another.

Next stop on our way back home was into our neighbours,  Solway's Farm Market.  Oh yes the goodies were all very tempting with baked goods, all kind of fruit and cream pies ... the list goes on and on.  Oh yes they have all kinds of plants, flowers and garden decor as well. 

We took advantage of the background scenery of the flowers and pond at the Farm Market.

It was lunch time when we did make it back home.  Lunch today was Cheese & Onion Sandwiches with a cup of tea and a Pecan Buttertart, as Jeanne had bought some at the Farm Market.

After lunch our brother, Al, came to collect Jeanne and Cecil to spend a week at his place.  His son, Trevor, was up visiting for the weekend, so it really was a treat to see him as we hadn't for quite some time.  Time to take some more Family Photos.

Trevor with Allan.  Trevor, Allan & I.  Trevor, Allan, Jeanne & Cecil.

Then the "big squeeze" from Rob for Jeanne and Cecil before they headed out.  I had to get Bandit in on the shot too, as he kept everyone company too while they had been here the past week.

I had a good weeks visit with my Sister and Brother-in-Law.  It was a long trip for them to fly up from the "Rock".  At least it has been nice weather since they have arrived.  Speaking to friends in Newfoundland last night it was cold and rainy there.  Brr...they can keep it.  We had rain, but at least it was warm this time around.

This afternoon Rob did up his paperwork and headed back to bed.  He went back at 4 pm and he is still there now with it being after 8 pm.  He needs all the sleep as he can get that way he might not be such a crabby "Crabby Cabbie" tomorrow.

At 7 pm I got the puppies in and everyone else out & about before this had rolled over.  Thunder, lightening and huge rain drops.  It passed over with the Sun out in full force now.  Reports and photos of Hail over Owen Sound way now.  At least we only got huge rain drops rather then the huge hail they got.  It is a beautiful photo though, or so I think it to be.  I love this time of year when everything is so lush and green.

I will be very busy, again, this week as I have lots of housework, yardwork and paperwork  to catch up on, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Phew ! Another Full Day Almost Over

Up and at em this morning, but not until 7:50 am.  I was amazed I had still been in bed at this time of day with not one peep out of our gang of Aussies, nor the Everything 8 Litter of puppies.  Truly amazing on all counts.

Rob never got home until 3:30 am, so I let him sleep until almost 10:00.  He had wanted to get up at 8 to go look at vehicles about 9, however I thought it better he sleep, so left him be.  Somebody has to look after him some of the time.

After coffee we headed out down the road to look at some possible vehicles for backup Crabby Cabbie vehicles.  When we got where we were going, we had looked at three vehicles to give us some food for thought to sleep on before deciding.  Hopefully we do not end up with lemons as our last couple of purchases we had made ended up being.  Lemons is something we, or anyone for that matter, can not afford.

Across the road from where we had been there was a Ginger Cat in the Window.  Its colour had caught my eye.

After we had finished up our business, we headed over to my Hometown of Southampton.  My sister, Jeanne, had been wanting to try out Gerrys Fries since she had been at her daughters.  Until the Season really begins they are only open weekends at present.

Rob and I split a Medium Fry, thank goodness as medium was huge, as did Jeanne and Cecil.  They were good, but definitely needed Salt, Vinegar and Ketchup on the side (no ketchup touching mine please).

We never did get back home until almost 2 pm.  I got vegetables out for Cecil for him to put together a Newfy Cooked Dinner for our evening meal while I went out to cut the lawn.

5:00 pm our Jigs Dinner was ready with Salt Beef, Cabbage, Onion, Carrot, Potato, Parsnip and Turnip.  We never had any greens, however if beets in the garden had been up they surely would have been in the pot !  Dinner was very very good.

After our Dinner, I went back out to finish cutting our lawn.  We do have a very big lawn.

With the lawn finished, Dinner cleaned up from, Rob is going to give me a hand giving the Everything 8 puppies their worming medicine before he heads to work away from, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Breakfast For Dinner Anyone

Up and at it first thing this morning.  YIKES ! I could barely get out of bed as my muscles did not want to cooperate but I made them.  After Aussie chores and coffee I got myself ready to head up to my weekly Doctors appointment North of the Checkerboard. My sister went along for the ride.

Before we had left, I heard one of the puppies being very loud.  It had not been a playing loud, as it had been a stressed loud.  Straight downstairs to inspect I found the one little guy with his head through the kennel run wiring.  Geez do you think I could get his head pushed back out to the other side... of course not what when through did not come out as easy.  I was feeling a bit of panic for him as I could not hold the wire open wide enough while pushing his head back.  Jeanne got Cecil to come down.  I went in the other side to get the other puppies away, and while he pulled the wire a bit, his head was out without a problem.  

No worries as the little guy was not hurt one bit, but was stressed as he could not go anywhere.  He had been very happy when he first seen me and had stopped his screaming then, so there was no pain involved thank goodness.  Just like having 8 children around at times.  What a lot of work that gets to be some days, as it keeps me on my toes.

Finally we made it up to my Doctors in Lions Head.  I did not only get an allergy shot, I also got a shot of B12.  Energy I am always lacking and welcome anything that will help give me more then warranted to me most times.

Once back home we all got ready to meet my niece downtown Wiarton, as we were going to go to the Friday Farmers Market.

We stopped by Miners Maple Products to pickup the bottles of Maple Syrup we had ordered for Jeanne and Joanne.  

Yes that is Abby Miners bootlegging her Maple Syrup.  Nastasha of Colopy Creek Farm & Bakery is right beside the Maple Syrup with all of her baked temptations, and there is Anita of Dejong Acres having herself some Rhubarb Strawberry pastry goodness.  Anita was selling their homegrown lamb and eggs.  Drool ... lamb is so good.

Before Joanne had to head out to full-fill the rest of her day, Jeanne and Cecil took us girls out for an early lunch at the Green Door Cafe.

Oh my you must try the Green Door Cafes Loaded Chicken, as it is not only loaded it is really good loaded !  We all had the same, however Joanne and I shared our fries and salad with each other instead of ordering the same sides.

When we got back home my friend, Gayle, was there finishing off the planting of the garden.

Gayle and I had the biggest laugh at this last row on how crooked she had made it.  I am to tell Rob the Row of Sunflowers will add creative character to the garden.  Sounded good to us.

Later in the afternoon Cecil needed to go back downtown for his lottery tickets.  He needed an excuse to go other then just for the tickets so Jeanne suggested we go for ice cream.  Shame for shame on us, ice cream two days in a row !

The Wiarton Rotary Club has their annual Dream Draw on.  You can find them in front of the Royal Bank every Friday, and at the Foodland Store every Wednesday.  What a nice Kia vehicle to have a chance to win by purchasing a ticket.

Ice cream Cecil did treat us to.  I had a Triple Chocolate as you can see.  Sinfully good it was.  Bruces Best Homemade Ice Cream at Lloyds Smoke Shop .... YES YES YES, I totally agree with the sign in their window.  I will be going back to sample more at a hopefully much later date then tomorrow.

I needed a bit of a rest when we returned back home for the ..... 3rd time today.  Once I got a bit of a second wind I went to clean out the Everything 8 puppies.  Boy oh boy those puppies do not care where they do their business one bit.  Then it was off to take Bandit, Lexus, Mercedes and Buddy for a run about before Rob got home for Dinner.

Breakfast for Dinner Anyone.....  Cecil and Rob had Eggs over Easy, while Jeanne and I each had a toasted Bacon, Egg and Cheeses Sandwich.  I really do love breakfast for dinner some evenings.

It did not take long for the clock to be after 8 pm by the time I cleaned up the kitchen and sat down to download my photos for this evenings blog post.  Rob left for work, and the company is watching Canadian Pickers on TV.

What am I happy for today ... that I spent a great day with my sister, Jeanne, and BIL, Cecil, and my Niece, Joanne, got to spend some of the time with us.

I still have 8 puppies to get put to bed for the evening, as well as 4 adult Aussies out and about for the last time before I call it a night myself, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Almost PLANTED, Hooray !!!!

It would not surprise anyone, never mind myself, that I had another really busy day.  It didn't begin so well as I didn't think I was going to get out of bed as every muscle in my body hurt.  I did though as there were four Aussies plus needing my undivided attention first thing this morning.

When I did get my first coffee I opened an email that "spoke directly to me this morning".  For those of us with Fibromyalgia I think some might appreciate the article as much as I did.  Here it is by the Spark People:  

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1823

After networking and emails were taken care of I got to stripping the bedding to get it washed and out on the line before 9:00 am.  Next I had one call to make on behalf of my Crabby Cabbie then it was off to Owen Sound to pick up a new phone for the business at the Bell Centre.  

I must say we just experienced some more very excellent Customer Service, once again, from Bell Canada's Customer Service people.  The phone we wanted was not in at either of the Owen Sound Bell Mobility locations.  I called the Bell Mobility Store in Hanover, an hour drive away, to find out they had the phone in their store.  The Sales Rep was putting our name on it until I figured out when we could get down there to pick it up.  I received a message from her yesterday afternoon letting me know she would be in Owen Sound today and drop it off at the centre there.  Now that was Excellent Service.  The Staff at the Mall Bell Mobility centre were equally as accommodating.  I went away a happy customer, once again, with Bell Mobility.

Finally back in Wiarton we came home to first me taking care of the Aussies then making lunch for my sister, BIL, and myself.  Leftovers were used up, which made me a happy camper.

Early afternoon Jeanne and I went downtown to get a salad to go along with Dinner I was making for tonight.  Jeanne wanted to go for an ice cream cone.  We never told Cecil either *blush*, us sneaky sisters.

Minding her own business enjoying her cone, Jeanne realizes I had my camera pointed at her.  Dirty look, then I got the sweet sisterly *smile*.  We had stopped in for ice cream at Northern Confections.  Ice Cream in a waffle cone is very very good.

Back home it was time to get our dinner started.  I had no ham to make what I had first planned on making, however I did have broccoli in the fridge.

Broccoli, Mushroom & Cheese Quiche it was.  With a side Chef's Salad it was another perfect Dinner served up.

Recipe please?  I used the recipe HERE, but changed the ham up for the broccoli.  

We were just finished dinner a bit before 6 pm when a vehicle pulled in our driveway.  Tonight was the night my friend, Gayle, and her husband, Jeff, were coming over to help with the garden.  YAY !!!!

Jeff manned the tiller while Rob gave the garden another scuffle with the cultivator.  Gayle and I had "almost" gotten the whole garden planted tonight.  Doesn't it look fantastic?  tomorrow we are going to finish it up by planting one more pkg of beets, some green & yellow beans, zucchini and Sunflowers.  

With the cold and wet weather we have had throughout the past month's time, I had been getting worried we weren't going to even get a garden in this year.  That would have made me *sad*.  With Rob so busy with our business it sure will be nice to have Gayle and Jeff helping us out with the garden this year.

I have missed out on a few days of what has made me happy each day, but I must say getting the garden "almost" in was most certainly an easy happy for me today.

Need a wee "chuckle"? then check this out HERE.

YIKES ! here it is almost 10 pm and my bed has not yet been made up.  I am off and not exactly running to get that looked after right now, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Day In The Life of a Cabbie

I was up early and at it.  I had 3 loads of laundry out on the line by 10:30 am.  The first load had gone in at 6:00 am.  I needed to get things done, and today had been a perfect day for clothes to be dried on the outside line.

My brother had swung around to bring Jeanne, Cecil and I a Tim Horton`s Coffee at 9 am.  That had been a nice treat.  As soon as he had arrived I am certain the phone had rang three times within a half hour of him being here.  Business I had to attend to.

The puppies are getting old enough they are at the age of almost 5 weeks old where they need a little more stimulation then each others company.  Today they were introduced to a couple of colourful rope toys.

This sure kept them amused for a bit.  Poor little guy had his taken from him by his big bad brother.  When I am in town tomorrow I will be picking them up some balls to put in with them.

Once everyone else was up and moving around, we headed out the door down to have Lunch with Mother at the Gateway Nursing Home.  Mom was happy to see us all.  There was no confusion today with the visit going very well with Mom being quite talkative making it fun and relaxed for all of us.

The Cream of Celery Soup we all had was very good.  Jeanne had the cold beef plate, while Cecil Mom and I had the pork pie with broccoli.  Dessert was Chocolate Mousse with a dab of whipped cream.

Mom made a few requests from me while we were there, one being a Tim Hortons coffee for her the next time I go to visit.  I am certain she is as addicted as my Rob is.

Before we left we had some family photos taken together.

It would be nice if my brother and younger sister would have been there, however it was still nice to have the oldest and youngest taken with Mom.  There go the love birds, hand in hand, as we make our way back to our vehicle.

This afternoon we had a bit of a rest before I got our dinner of spaghetti for when Rob arrived home at 5 pm.  After dinner my friend, Gayle`s hubby, Jeff, showed up to give Rob a hand to get the rototiller going.  I sure hope it goes, as I really would miss having a garden this year.

It must be getting too tired and old like the rest of us maybe.

While the guys worked on the tiller, I took Jeanne and Cecil down to the Bluewater Park for Cruise Night that is there from June until October every Wednesday evening, weather permitting.

Finally a beautiful evening for the Cruise Night since beginning 3 weeks ago.  The first week it had been rained out, with the following week so dang cold it wasn`t funny.  They had a great turn-out this evening with lots of cars, some trucks and motorcycles.

Back home I was pleasantly surprised to get a notice from blogger friend and author, William Kendall, that he had blogged a Day in the Life of a Cabbie.  I sure had a myself a couple of laughs, as I am certain Rob will too when he gets to read it.  Thanks William !  I loved it.

Here is the link to William`s blog, Speak of the Devil:

http://williamkendallbooks.blogspot.ca/2013/06/a-day-in-life-of-cabbie.html

Truly I have some of the best blogging friends going out there, I am pretty certain of that.  And William I do know how much time it must take for you to put your blog posts together with them always so well thought through.  Thanks again.

Wednesday evening it is.  Master Chef is airing right now, so I am off and running to watch it NOW, `Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard``.

A Luncheon Fit For a Queen (or King)

It was a very early start for me this morning as I had been wide awake before 5:30 am.  I took care of everyone and quietly puttered around.  Rob got up at 7 to leave for work.  I puttered some more, had a shower until my sister and BIL rose before 9 am.  

They had needed a good sleep.  

We had been invited to my Aunt Gladys & Uncle Basil's for a luncheon today with a couple of the Cousins and our Aunt Pearlina.

The morning had a bleak beginning, however had cleared by the time Cecil was saying his "good-byes" to us around 10 am.  He still wasn't feeling the greatest deciding to stay behind to get rested up some more and feeling better.

Rob had one of our cabs in getting a new windshield.  I met up with him so he could go along to the luncheon with us.  Rob is not one to miss out on Auntie Gladys lunch gathering.  He is always ready for one of her Egg Salad Sandwiches.

Here we are all gathered for another of Aunties amazing lunches.  I do not know, but for some reason her sandwiches always taste better then what I make myself.  Why is that?  Whatever reason it was a "luncheon fit for a Queen (or King, as my Rob fancies himself to be from time to time, as does my Uncle Basil too).

A Lemon Dessert was another hit made by Auntie Gladys, to finish off lunch with a cup of coffee.  This Lemon Dessert Recipe was Aunt Betty Gateman's.

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

After cleaning up from our lunch, we headed on back home to Wiarton from Port Elgin.  Our afternoon was spend resting for about an hour after I had feed the puppies and looked after the adult Aussies.

While I was making our Dinner, Rob took the tractor out to scuffle up the garden to make it ready, hopefully, for it to be planted this week.

Cecil was looking on by leaning over the railing, as Jeanne sat back in an easy chair.  It had turned out to be a beautiful day.

One of my new favourite meals is a Broccoli Divan.  This time around I made it with leftover Chicken instead of Turkey.  Equally as yummy.  Photos are before going into the oven, and after being plated.

Recipe please?  *CLICK* HERE.
NOTE:  I used Cream of Chicken Soup rather then the Cream of Broccoli in the recipe.

I brought all the puppies in from the outside Kennel Run, had taken Bandit, Lexus and Mercedes all out and about before it had started to rain.  Buddy and I were not so lucky, as we got to stroll out and about in a soft steady downpour of rain.

Tomorrow is another busy day.  Rob will be off to work, while Jeanne, Cecil and I have made plans to go visit Mother to have lunch with her.

Another hour or so with me then calling it another day, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".