Eight Days of Sickness Has Not Been Any "Tralalalalala"

I am beyond feeling sick, hopefully getting to my own Doctor on Monday, as I still have fever and extreme weakness, unable to eat much with no appetite.

Happy New Years Eve !  Drive safe by taking a local "Crabby Cabbie" in your area.

This took me to long to type, so I best now be signing off here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Almost Have Made It Through Another Day.

This is my fourth attempt to put something down today, as I found my vision blurred, so short and sweet it will be this day.

My dear thoughtful Cousin Paula, had dropped a gift around to me today, leaving it on the door knob, as I couldn't get to the door in time at all when my "pack" began barking..  It is a beautiful Home Cooking Traditions by Susan Branch ~ A Personalized Recipe Keeper, where I can hopefully some day soon organize my recipes in.  I did take a photo, however with lack of energy that will have to wait for another day.

The weather temperatures seem to be fluctuating the past few days from the lows of -17 Celsius, without a wind chill factor, to on the rise of what I have just read:

Tonight:Periods of snow. Amount 5 to 10 cm. Wind southeast 20 km/h becoming light after midnight. Temperature rising to plus 1 by morning. Friday:Cloudy. 40 percent chance of wet snow in the morning. Periods of wet snow mixed with rain beginning near noon. High plus 3.

At the moment I am sitting here seemly sweating "buckets", draining myself of more energy, so I will end this now whilst I am still ahead of the game here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

The Best I Can Do For A Day That Nothing Could Be Done.

I read this article some time ago, thinking it would be a "good" read after the Christmas and New Year's Celebrations.

The dreaded "Belly Fat", or more commonly ridiculed as being, "The Spare Tire".  Hope there is a bit of this and that in it for some others who take the time to read it:

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/blog/post/34697--belly-fat-10-best-things-we-learned-about-reducing-this-trouble-spot

Not any better here with this being the best I can do for the moment.  I haven't even felt well enough to call and wish my Uncle Basil, The "Smartest Man in Port Elgin", a "Happy Birthday" yet today.   I am heading back to lay down beside my bottle of water, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

NOT My Idea Of The "Love Bug"

The good news is Rob took me up to the Hospital last night, and my airflow is fine with no fluid on my lungs.  The Doctor told me it is a nasty bug, which just has to run its course, and to continue on as I have been with Tylenol, Ibuprofen, gravol and liquids.

The bad news is this bug loves me, and has not yet take leave of my body.  Unfortunately the feelings are not mutual, as it is certainly not my "Love Bug", as Herbie has been, and who still is the only "Love Bug" in my life.

More good news is that I actually managed to eat a half cup of Homemade Turkey Noodle soup, 4 pieces of Havarti Cheese and 4 Crackers.  Tea and coffee are still not acceptable to my stomach, however I have almost made it through a twelve pack of gingerale and lots of water.

My adventures have not been the best since Christmas Eve, especially since I had to cancel yet another invite out for a luncheon today.  *Sigh*  "Happy Days Will be Here Again", as I have faith this bug will tire of me and find out I am not such the lovable type suited to its needs after all.

In the meantime, more liquids please, and thank goodness for old re-runs and movies on TV, inbetween drifting in and out of sleep (so sad I have to have an un-loveable bug to be able to sleep, is it not?), "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Happy Boxing Day Day To Everyone !

Just a "quickie" note to let everyone know I am still alive and kicking, however I have been down and almost out cold, or hot, since 11:30 p.m. Christmas Eve night with one of the worse flu bugs I believe I have ever had since moving back to Bruce County, with it now going into my chest.

One half case of gingerale gone so far, Gravol and Tylenol 2's, along with much gratitude that my Rob has been home the past couple days to help me through this.

We had to cancel and miss out on a fantastic stuffed rib dinner put on by my Auntie and Uncle on Christmas Day, and hoping we do not have to cancel out on a luncheon get-together there with my Cousins tomorrow.

That is that for now as sitting in front of a computer screen with no energy just does not work out too well at the best of times.  Hoping I will be able to catch up with some Christmas stories and activities within a day or two with Family members and Friends.

Off and wishing I was running, although it is more like being run down, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Christmas 2011 Is Here !

MERRY CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO ALL 

From the "Crabby Cabby" Rob, the "Checkerboard Aussies", Bandit, Lexus & Mercedes, & "Just Me", at "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Christmas Gifting Was A Little Early This Year At Our House.

I am going to "skip" posting one of the Life Secrets & Tip for today, as I just have too much of my own life to reflect about with the goings on from my Yesterday .... it all began with by a run up "North of the Checkerboard" to pickup my Mother and bring back her for a Family Christmas Gathering.

Before lunch, we decided to open our gifts to each other while Grandma was here with us, so we "got on down" to doing just that ....

 "First a display of a little "brotherly love", which I just happened to capture, thinking I had better get a picture of this display of sibling "love" into a frame for proof further down the line .... lol."

"We got on with the task of turn taking of opening gifts, with Mercedes begin very helpful at times.  I am not sure if Connor didn't like receiving the top as a gift, or maybe it was the colour that didn't suit him?"

 "Paul had  to have a little enjoyment by trying on Holly's gift ..... I am thinking he was maybe a little jealous he didn't get a Hat/Scarf/Glove set?  Next Year Baby Boy, Mama will make sure I get you one.  Beside the point, it looks much better on Holly."

"Something a little more fun then a "shirt"."

"Paul was pretty excited with his gifts of a "Mortgage Jar" and a "white" Roots jacket.  He has been obsessed with having "white" clothing at a very young age, which is any Mother's nightmare ! 

 "Mother was pleased with her gifts of a brooch and slippers from my sister, Donna, & I, along with the Fruit Basket her Church had delivered to her."

"Aiden was really happy with the clothing items he received from Poppa & Grandma."

"The Kids got Dad & I gift certificates to our favorite restaurant, "The Mandarin".  We were both beyond happy with this gift."

"Once the fun of the gift giving was all done, it was "bring on the food" time."

"My two little "Rip-tail Snorters", knew they had to eat up their lunch, as there were Christmas Goodies to follow right after."

"...... and sure enough, there were lots of Christmas Goodies to be had after lunch."

 "The boys were trying out Poppa's Christmas gift from Grandma, before he had a chance to get himself all cleaned up and ready for his "Crabby Cabbie" work."

"My most favorite "Crabby Cabbie" all ready to go out into the World of Cabbies, and hopefully with not too much "Crabbiness"."

"With there only being "one more sleep" til Christmas, I must warn everybody, I did sight Santa downtown Wiarton Yesterday, & I am sure he was keeping an eye out for who was being "naughty or nice", so make sure you are behaving !"

"It was quite a day had by all of us, so it wasn't too late in the evening before we all called it a night."

With Christmas Day Eve upon us, I am hoping the Wiarton Airport Weatherman has a great forecast for the day ahead.

Today:

A mix of sun and cloud. 40 percent chance of flurries this morning. High minus 1.

 

Tonight:

Cloudy. A few flurries beginning early this evening. Amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind south 30 km/h. Low minus 2 with temperature rising to plus 1 by morning.

It is looking pretty good with hopefully a bit of snow for Christmas morning, and great roads for those who are travelling.  Perfect !

I love the show the X-Factor, and enjoyed the Christmas entertainment from the show ...... but then again who wouldn't enjoy listening to a up & rising young Canadian Talent, as well as a famous Guru in the Music irWorld.



With the Christmas Turkey already in the oven since 6:00 am, and my Rip-Tail Snorters up and active, I think it is time I head off into the rest of my day ahead towards a Christmas Day Eve adventure, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A Busy Productive Day With Lots Of Rewards !

Relax!

This one is for you workaholics out there. Yes, work is very important and productive but you need to take some time to chill out everyday or you are going to burn out faster than a candle with no oxygen. Additionally, you need to reward yourself for a job well done. What’s the use of doing all of that work if you can’t have a little fun from time to time anyways?This Life Secret & Tip sounds exactly how my Yesterday went with the rewards arriving throughout .... lots of "fun" was had at the end."The day began in the glory of the Sun with it not lasting the whole of the day."

It carried on with Rob and I working as a team getting floors vacuumed and washed, a Venison Roast with veggies into the Slow Cooker, and a trip downtown to pickup those few things that had been forgotten on the last trip to the store.

 "I am thinking for the 22nd of December, our local Foodland store is getting to be a little bit like the Walmart photo sagas?"

We had arrived back home and pulled into our driveway as our Mail Lady was depositing mail into our Mailbox.

"This is the kind of bill I wish I was receiving in my mail ALL the time !"

"I had also received this beautiful book, I had won on a draw by commenting on the We Are Pet Nation's website, for their weekly Book Draw.  Nice !"

"All the ingredients were gathered together, with the spinach thawing, making sure they were all ready for when Holly arrived to teach her how to make a Classic Spinach Dip."

"Then onto the preparation of two Lasagna for Friday's Dinner."

"After the Crabby Cabbie had left for work, somebody took a "relaxing" break, while I sat for a bit enjoying a coffee before I headed out for a walk with my friend, Sharon."

"Through Wiarton's Bluewater Park, looking out towards this day's calm over Colpoy's Bay."

"Along the "boardwalk", should this couple not be gone South by now?"

"Arriving back home after a most "relaxing" walk, a surprise was at our stair top.  I had thought Rob had maybe surprised me with an unexpected Christmas gift, only to read the tag to find out if was from our Mechanic and his wife !  I am gratified to be so kindly thought of to have received such a "astounding" gift !  Wow the totally unexpected gesture, along with an amazing kindness attached.  One of my favorites, an "Angel Bear"."

 "Once I settled from the excitement of receiving such a thoughtful amazing gift, I got back to business at hand by getting an Apple Pie prepared and baked for after our Supper."

"The moment finally arrived when my "Crew" all showed up, with Mercedes welcoming them all in, one by one."

"Holly's *smile* was a good indication that she was happy to be here!"

"Holly even came bearing gifts of Holiday Pretzel Treats, with Mint M & M centers."

After a supper of Venison Roast and dessert of still warm Apple Pie, we all had some "down time" before it was "shut eye" time.

"Mercedes & Connor right into the Artwork."

"Aiden layed all back "relaxed" and "chilling" out."

"Here is my boy, Paul, with his famous "knock it off with the camera, Mom" look."

Not long after this, we all called it a night.  A day full of productive accomplishments, along with many unexpected and expected rewards.  The best of the best kind of day my Yesterday was !I am thinking there might be some "snow" for Christmas, as snowing it was around 5 am, when little Missy Mercedes and I were out this morning.  I will check in with the Wiarton Airport Weatherman to see what he has to say about the "snow" situation.

Today:

A few flurries ending near noon then a mix of sun and cloud. Local amount 2 to 4 cm. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light this morning. Temperature steady near minus 7.

Tonight:

Mainly cloudy. 30 percent chance of flurries late this evening and overnight. Temperature steady near minus 7.

Not the usual picture of the weather forecast, as I am not in my usual "blog spot" this morning, as my "spot" has been otherwise occupied, by the "Rip-tail Snorters".  There it is though, in black and white, "flurries" maybe to stay for Christmas ...... "Do You Hear What I Hear?"Lot of plans and fun hopefully in my day ahead, with a new adventure I am looking forward to embracing, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Christmas Time Is Not Exempt From Every Day Living !

Learn to control your emotions

The only person that can make you unhappy is you! You are the one that decides to be affected by the words and actions of others. Realize this so that the next time you experience a negative emotion, you can find the strength within yourself to overcome it.This Life Lesson & Tip today could not ring truer or come at a better time for me then now.  Yesterday I caused a worry for myself that first off I did NOT cause and second of all I could NOT control.  All for the time spent worrying of what others would say or do.  Silly me, but then again this goes back to breaking those "old" thought patterns, now doesn't it?  The email I had received and opened, quite the normal thing to do, had something which I am hoping was only SPAM attached to it, then unbeknownst to me, attached "itself" to everyone on my email contact list, sending it off to them.  I spent most of my yesterday morning fretting over whether people were going to place "blame" on me for this "Internet bug" I had no control over?Well  two hours wasted by dwelling on the situation, I realized I had no control over what had happened, and what other people thought or did about it was out of my control, with me just having to accept that.  Should someone not be able to think "outside" the box, and realize it was NOT directly from me, then I suppose it is best such a person go on there own way, as I probably didn't need such a person in my life in the first place.  Hopefully this is not the case with any of my family, friends or acquaintances though, as I find them all to be "special" to me in each of their own ways.My Yesterday continued on with Rob and I dropping off the "Crabby Cabbie" mobile to have the rear brakes and alternator replaced.  Just before lunch, about the same time I was realizing I shouldn't be worrying about the other matter, we received a phone call from our mechanic explaining the used alternator was not compatible, and not only the back brakes needed replacing the whole of both drum units did as well.  *Sigh*  I was thinking to myself,  here we are trying to get a new business off to a start, only three months into it, with a couple of major vehicle repair expenses, then having Computer problems all in the same day, with Christmas Holidays at our doorstep, was there something more going to happen?  I tried to put into respective what I could control, and what I could not control.  I decided to put a *smile* on my face and carried on with thoughts of persons and things that make me feel good.  There are much worse things in life then the mechanics of vehicle faulting, with the timing arriving at usually the most inopportune time, or worrying over something you had no control over in the first place.  As far as Christmas?  well I am not going to stress out over wanting to enjoy this time with my Family & Friends, so worry to the back burner where it belongs and on with enjoying living life as it should be.

"Once I shook off the "worry" I got back to the task of "living" by making Rob and I a Beer Cheddar Cheese Bread to go along with our Dinner of Homemade Chili.  This Bread Recipe was the "Recipe of the Month" for December in Cindy's Recipe Exchange, and I can testify myself it is a wonderful hearty wholesome bread, a complimentary side to any main dish of stew or chili."

I know I have posted this recipe for the bread before, however until I figure out how to embed the recipes within the sides of my blog, under proper headings, I will just have to make due with what I know now on how to do things, so I am sure here it is again.Quick Bread Recipe ~ Submitted by Tammy Brough-Middleton to Cindy's Recipe Exchange
 
Ingredients::
 
3 Cups of Flour
1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
12 oz (1 bottle or can) of dark beer (Rickards Dark or Guinness are good!)

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients together
Add cheddar cheese.
Add Bottle of beer and stir in (not too much)
Transfer ingredients into a 5 by 9 pan (spray first)
Drizzle 2-4 Tbsp of butter over the top. Put in a 375 degree oven for 40 minutes

*NOTE:  Tammy states it is amazing toasted ! My oven must be a little less heat intense, as the bread was not fully cooked at the bottom.  I think 50-60 minutes would work much better in my oven, as we all know Temps can vary from oven to oven, so please note this fact when trying out this recipe.  I often wonder if people ever try out any of the recipes I post to my blog, as I never hear from any if they have, and would love to do so any time by way of comment at the bottom of a post or by email.Yesterday I got the spare bedroom/computer room, our bedroom and the bathroom, as well as a few other little things done.  After I came home from my walk last night, I gazed around enjoying the clean and organized feeling I usually get after I have mastered such an accomplishment all in a couple of days time.

Yes, I must drink this all in while I can, as after 7:00 p.m. tonight, it will not be long after these pictures will no longer be my reality once the "Rip-tail Snorters" have made their entry through our doors.  LOL."








I am pretty sure I got a good handle on things the past couple of days, left with only the floors to be dusted and lightly mopped, two pans of lasagna, along with an apple pie made for tomorrow's Dinner, and something thrown in the Slow Cooker for tonight's Supper.  Once that is all done, I think I can call it a "day" !Weather for the day?  I best be checking that out since my Crew will be making their way up here at some point late in this day, long after our "Crabby Cabbie" has left for work I would think.

The rain will cause not so much a problem, with hopefully the flurries being light, and also not causing to much havoc for my "Crabby Cabbie" out on the roads tonight.It won't be long now before I will be singing out to my two "Rip-Tail Snorters" ....

Aiden & Connor will have fun dancing around to this "rockin" tune, and since their parents think I am nuts already, I guess they will be having no fun and just have to sit it out ..... lol.

Lots to do, with yet another trip to the local store to be made, as I head out towards a new adventure in my day ahead, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Some Interruptions Can Turn Out To Be The Best !

Visualize daily

It has been said and proven time and time again that what you focus on is what you get. If you complain all of the time, you will run into more of the things you complain about. The same goes for good things like health, wealth and happiness. So spend some time in the morning imagining yourself achieving whatever it is that you currently desire. Focus is key in this exercise, so choose a quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed. If you’re having trouble focusing and continually find that your mind has wandered to something else, read about meditation in the following life tip. I am thinking this Life Secret & Tip by the author is pretty much along the line of "positive thinking" as well.  However I do recall a few times in my life focusing on a particular thing and it coming to pass.  Maybe I do not totally understand what the author is relaying, but that is "okay", as I think I got the part about the complaining all the time, and hope I, myself, do not constantly do this, contrary to the beliefs of others, no names to be mentioned at this time ! LOLWith Christmas being just around the corner, with my baking and presents all looked after, or so I hope they are, I thought it should be the time I tackle the task of some routine, or not so routine, cleaning chores yesterday.  When my plans do not go according as planned, I find I am starting to get much better at not being too disturbed by that happening.  For instance, when a trip downtown was apparently necessary before I got started on "my" plans, or a little someone needing let out when I have been right in the middle of something...... then there are the unexpected interruptions which put a smile on my face.  My Yesterday, just before the lunch hour, being one of these same unexpected moments I speak of ....

"My brother-in-law, Al, was up from Tara, around the Wiarton area, and just thought he would stop in to see Rob & I.  What a most pleasant surprise !  Coffee and goodies were served as we enjoyed our visit together.  As you can tell, proof I was making an attempt at cleaning is evidenced by the vacuum cleaner cord still laying out across the floor !  LOL."

Once Al had headed out for his home in Tara, lunch was made easy for Rob and I by just heating up Shepherd Pie leftovers from the day before.  After lunch was cleaned up from, I thought I had better be gathering up the recipes and such, I had laying across the loveseat beside where I usually sit with my laptop.

"I couldn't believe I had such a pile accumulated in the past couple of weeks.  This pile of recipes has some pretty good stuff in it, so I am thinking when I do get around to organizing it, there isn't going to be too much "tossed" from it."



Since we didn't do a Christmas tree this year, as I was thinking it would be too much with limited space in our living room area having little Missy Mercedes, I still found a spot to hang my gift I had  received the other day from my friend, Colleen.

"Isn't it "unique"?  "Side by Side or Far Apart, Friends are always in your Heart".  Each side of the saying, as my and Colleen's name inside a Heart.  My Heart was touched."



I did manage to get out this afternoon to go for a walk with my friend, Sharon, also making a find at a local Wiarton Store of a red Christmas tablecloth to have its festive colours in place for our Christmas Dinner.  Not getting home until at least late afternoon, I made myself a light lunch of eggs and toast, before I started getting at the spare bedroom.  I am please to say that other then all the Christmas presents still on the bed in there, I "got 'r done", so bring on the Company !!! not until Thursday night of course, as there is still more, and always, cleaning to be done !!!"This is my little "niche" in the spare bedroom where I have spent my most every morning since the Month of March 2011, and where I sit this very moment."

That was pretty much my Yesterday, with me feeling it was full and rewarding in itself by way of the people who were in it, to what accomplishments and dents I made in my cleaning "plans".I received the coolest email yesterday !  It totally amazes me how creative people out there are blessed with so much talent and knowledge ..... I can't wait until I get our grandson, Aiden, to try this out when he is here for Christmas.http://www.drawastickman.com/ Very clever, very clever indeed.  Never mind our grandson, I am going to get Rob to try it out today, as it was fun when I did it.  Thanks to our Port Elgin friend, Bob, for sending me this one, as I so enjoyed doing it !I had also received a weird email yesterday from my Doctor's email address, with nothing of importance coming to mind in the link attached to it.  Should anyone have received such an email from my address, it was NOT sent by me, and is more likely SPAM (advertisers looking for a free ride via someone else's email contact list) which has attached itself to my email address.  I have done two complete full virus scans on my computer, and happy to say I have not came across any viruses, so I am hoping this stands true.  One of the unpleasantness of the Internet, as unfortunately there are many "evil" doers out in the World of computers too.Oh man, there is still the livingroom to be dusted and vacuumed, the bathroom to be gone over, the floors to be mopped, and goodness knows what else I could find that needs doing before the arrival of our "Rip-tail Snorters" this Thursday evening.  It will ALL be in need of redoing once they take their leave Saturday .... lol, but will have been all worth it having them here with us.I have reserved today for cleaning and tomorrow for preparing the Lasagna I am making for our Dinner on Friday.  Hopefully I will be somewhat organized by the time they get here.Best be checking in with my Wiarton Airport Weatherman guy to see if I will be going for a walk or not later on today.

Walking might be touch and go, according to this forecast.  I will have to see if there will be sometime late in the day if there should be a rain cloud taken up residence elsewhere before I go walking. Hopefully there will be at least a "skiff" of the white stuff here before Christmas ? 


I have actually been getting "butterflies" in my tummy, I am getting so excited for the arrival of Christmas.  I am not sure how my morning "blog" routine is going to work out for me, but I am sure such as it will be there will be something or other posted each day.  What or when, who knows until the time, as one can never be sure when they have a house full of Rip-tail Snorters !  Lots to do, with hopefully people to see along the way, as I head towards a new day and adventure, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Goodies Are Packed & All Ready For Delivery !

Be the person that makes others feel special

Be known for your kindness and sympathy.
This is one Life Secret & Tip, I do NOT believe I fall short of.  All my life I believe I have strived to be a "good" person by showing kindness, compassion and sympathy, even towards those who I have felt at times have not been deserving.  Showing all of these emotions towards others, can be made in the way of the smallest gesture such as a "smile", or spoken out in a "good morning".  It does not always have to be in the way of a huge display of hurrah and giving.Being there for someone by lending a listening ear, or even offering acknowledgement of a good deed someone has done for you, are only a couple of ways one can show kindness and/or return kindness.  Accepting of one's situation, should they be going through a "rough" patch in life, is a small way of showing sympathy with maybe an act of kindness to go along with it.  It is not a difficult task for any one of us to be kind and sympathetic towards others.  A lifelong rule to try and keep close to memory is, "one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself".

I kept myself busy yesterday with the usual humdrum chores of everyday living such as folding clothes, doing dishes, you know those "have to be done" things.  One thing I did do was bring out all the containers containing  the Christmas Goodies up from the downstairs fridge, so I could get some packaged up for gift giving.One could possibly imagine how time consuming this all was ? as I am sure it took me over an hour from start to finish, clean-up included !  As one can see I "got 'r done", and do the containers containing all these "said" goodies, not look festive ?I had it all done in time so I was able to place a gift of goodies out in the mailbox before the Mail Lady dropped around with our mail.  Her container was not in this photo, as it had already left the building at this point ....   I also included a "note" in her card saying "I hope your "hubby" shares YOUR goodies with you this year" !  LOL, last year she had given us a card with a note included, telling me how much her husband had enjoyed my goodies.  I can't wait to see her response when she drops off her Christmas card to us.I decided I needed some fresh air, so contacted my friend, Sharon, who was available for a walk this afternoon.  I got myself ready and off I went.  Usually it has been little Miss Mercedes going off on walks with me, however since she is getting to be a big girl now, I have decided it is time for her to learn about taking turns.

"The "big" guy, Bandit, got to go along on the walk this time.  As you can tell by this photo, it was serious business going on a walk with the "straight ahead" let's get going look".  The walk was a little more lengthy this day with Bandit along, as for the life of me, I do not understand how this guy can manage to "squeeze" out a little drop at every tree and post we passed !  Must be a "guy" thing ?  LOL."

The walk was revitalizing, even though Sharon, Bandit and I got a little wet as it had rained a bit on the way.  Once back home it was time to get the Supper show on the road, as my "Crabby Cabbie" has been working every third Monday days, and this had been that time of the month rolled around again.Since there were leftovers from the day before Slow cooked Roast, it only made sense to make up a Shepherd's pie with them.  I got the potatoes on to boil, the carrots and onions as well, along with a separate pot of garden beets (have I mentioned before how much I loved cooked beets?  LOL).  

"Once the gravey was reheated with the leftover beef, cooked onions and carrots added, along with the mashed potatoes to top it all off, and heated in the oven for 1/2 hour, it made a great Supper.  Easy peasy as one-two-three.  Rob had two helpings of the Shepherd's pie, with me having a single serving, and two helpings of the beets, of course."

Yesterday I had also received two emails from two different persons, containing the same information.  Did you know ......
The Red & White kind of gives it away, but one never knows now a days ....... LOL !  What would you think?I also came across some tips on "How to Avoid Holiday Family Stress" from the Everyday Health web page.  I enjoyed the read, finding there to be some valid points within the article.  Here is the web link should anyone like to read the same article for themselves:http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-holidays/how-to-avoid-holiday-family-stress.aspx?xid=fb_EH_20111213_family Most importantly I have to keep in mind that .....

...and even less time now since 6:25 am, when I had  first captured this "countdown" image.Time to be checking in on what the Wiarton Airport Weatherman guy has to say about today's forecast.

Okay I am liking the show of Yellow, however having a bit of problem with the "risk of freezing drizzle" part, for obvious reasons, as my most favorite "Crabby Cabbie" will be out in it !Ha,ha,ha, my long time Facebook gal pal from Australia, Jiba, also emailed me yesterday with Christmas greetings and Blessing from herself and her family.  She had read "Crabby Cabbie" so many times, she wanted to make sure "Rob" was still his name !  Yes he is still "Rob" part of the time, and always "Crabby Cabbie" the remainder of the time ..... but is still dearly loved, lol.I so enjoy getting "regular" correspondence via email, rather then the flooding of jokes and sayings all the time, as I find I don't always have the time for some of them.  I do always find time and look forward to the emails I receive which are on a "personal" note.  Should anyone ever like to drop me a note of such, or need a copy of any recipe I might post at any given time, please feel free to email me at justnorthofwiarton@live.ca , as I would love to hear from you.Always lots to do, with maybe some people to see along the way, as I head out towards a new daily adventure, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".