I'm So DIZZY My Head Has Been Spinning !

"I am so Dizzy my head is spinning .... "

Ha !  Rob said I don't have to sing "Dizzy" as someone just has to look at me to know how dizzy I am ... I am sure I will figure out something to get him back with on that comment later !

"It was an awesome morning with it not as as cold as last week's mornings, nor any frost."

"Northward."

"Eastern sky."

"South East."

"Due South."

"Towards the West."

"Our backyard looking towards the Southwest."

This morning I tided up a few things, but obviously not enough as I am still feeling overwhelmed at how much needs doing, inside and out.  Canning and Preserving really sets me back a notch or two it seems.

I had to go pickup Rob around the lunch hour.  Down to Hepworth I went to retrieve him.  Once he was collected we made a stop on our way back home in Clavering.

Where is Clavering some might ask? well it is on Hwy. 6 almost dab right in the middle of Hepworth and Wiarton.  I have been meaning to stop there for sometime as Bobbi Switzer has purchased a place right there at Clavering's corner, as a secondary business location.

"Check out the Lighthouse ... isn't that cool ?"

I hadn't ran into Bobbi for sometime, so it was nice to do a little bit "quick" catching up on this and that.

"Check out these Kitchen Cutting Boards ... 100% Cedar !!!  never mind the Canadian Beaver."

"Fantastic Gift Idea for a home warming gift, or otherwise ... large boards are only $20.00 and the smaller shown by Bobbi below are $10.00.  Bobbi says they have been selling like crazy by "Word of Mouth", no advertising needed."

"Further up Hwy. 6, North of the Checkerboard, at Bobbi's other location at Cherry Hill, she has sheep and Llamas.  Bobbi also has raw wool for sale to be spun, or crafts, say for something like an Ole St. Nick's beard?"

"Custom orders available on unique Chainsaw Art by Bobbi Switzer."

Bobbi offers a bit of this and that at her new Clavering location.  Even fresh eggs at $3.00 a dozen or Homemade Jams can be purchased, and shelves full of books!

Well worth the stop to have a look see at .....

Edwards Outpost Hwy. 6 (Old Clavering Book Store)

Just South of Wiarton & North of Hepworth

Open Saturday & Sunday 10 am til 5 pm

Visit the Online Gallery:  www.switzersigns.ca

Cellular No.:  519-377-4114

Thanks for the visit Bobbi, I will back again soon, hopefully when not so tired maybe !

Rob and I had to go do some "Crabby Cabbie" business before we headed back home.  First off we treated ourselves to a Tim Hortons coffee;  much needed I may add.  You never know who you might run into at Timmies, now do you?

"Oops, caught again ! my Cousin Brad caught me taking his and Paula's picture as Rob and I were pulling out.  Still he must have been prepared for me, as I did get a smile and a wave."

Finally with business complete, we did manage to get home some time after 2 pm.  Oh man, and I had such great plans for this day.  Before we got our Supper on the table, I got carrots ready for the dehydrators to be turned on at 7 pm.

"I was fortunate enough to receive yet another dehydrator today from a lovely acquaintance.  I have been entrusted with it until such a time, she should she ever need it back.  Great to now have 3 at my disposal.  Maybe some day I will have an extra $300 or so to be able to buy myself one of those State of the Art Dehydrators with the heat temperature and 9 trays?"

With the carrots out of the way, Rob and I got to using the Vacuum Sealer we got from my Auntie Gladys and Uncle Basil, as a couple of our Southampton friends had gifted us some fish yesterday.

"Lucky we were with this huge selection consisting of Trout, Whitefish and Pickerel (Walleye) from from the waters of the Saugeen River and the Great Lake Huron."

I can see a few Fish Dinners in our future .... and I am not disappointed about that fact.

Finally it was time to have our today's Supper.

"A Peameal Roast on top of a bed of garden fresh carrots slow cooked from frozen for 6 hours."

I was very lucky I had checked on it before I went out today, as I had forgotten to turn on the Slow Cooker.  How many times in the past I have gone to check our Dinner at the end of a long day to find out I had either not plugged in the unit, or turned it on .... grrrrrr !

"I am so happy I had caught my almost mishap, as I was too tired to make anything else, and we really enjoyed our Supper tonight."

There is still a basket of tomatoes ripening down in the basement, however I think I am safe to say this week I will be attending to other things rather then canning.  Oh man I have to catch up on all that "Crabby Cabbie" book work I have neglected the past how many weeks now ? ? ?  too many.

I really do not understand how I ever thought I was bored at any time in my life ... bone tired maybe, but never bored .... being very very overwhelmed and dizzy other times.

On that note I am hoping tomorrow brings me a day without feeling "dizzy with my head spinning", Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Making Ready For Winter

"I love the beauty of Fall Colours "popping" out everywhere at me."

What I wasn't too happy about this morning was when I was hanging laundry on the line with the Sun out in full force and the rain starting pouring down on me .... this is just how my day began.  I left it as the Sun did show again later today drying it somewhat with the drying of it finished in the clothes dryer.  Can you imagine I used the clothes dryer?

I had to run downtown as I needed a couple pounds of ground pork.  I couldn't restrain myself from coming away with ....

"... all of this for $29.00, with $8.00 of that for the 2 pkg. of pork, not on sale."

I would like to try and get over to the Zehrs store in Owen Sound this week, as they have Butterball Turkeys on for 99 cents a pound !  and Walmart is matching their price on them.  Can't loose on that deal, where else are you going to get a meal, plus how many in leftovers for that price???

I was feeling pretty overwhelmed today, as any other given day in my life, seemingly with too much on the go and not enough time, energy or "mojo".  I had it in my head to do it, so got to it I did.

"I am in desperate need of a Summer Kitchen for Preserving and Canning needs only!  The mess drives me crazier then I already am some days!"

"Regardless I plowed onwards."

"With the stuffing well on its way, I tackled the preparation of the peppers.  I don't know if it was the pain in my neck at this point or still the smell of the cooking onions causing tears to flow down my cheeks.  Maybe a bit of both ... it was just that kind of day I am having."

"While four beautiful stuffed peppers were cooking in a 350*F Oven for our Dinner, I got going on the assembly line with the remaining peppers.  As usual I was the only worker on the line."

I lined the containers with Saran wrap, then wrapped each stuffed pepper with Saran individually.  You will find a good article on Freezing Tips HERE.

Then it was time to reap what I had sown ....

"The Pyrex Casserole Dish I had purchased the other day for $4.50 suited my purpose perfectly.  The last few minutes of cooking, old Cheddar Cheese was added on top.  I have to admit Rob and I were far from disappointed in how flavourful and tasty these Stuffed Green Peppers were."

I multiplied the recipe by four giving me a total of twenty-one stuffed peppers.  Two for Rob's Dinner, one for my Dinner and one for my supper, with the remainder in the freezer for those days I am too busy to cook, or just have no idea what to make.  Making ready for Winter .... to try and keep on top of things.

Recipe Please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE.  Thanks to my friend, Debby, over at Nanny's Place for suggesting Paula Deen's recipe for Stuffed Red Peppers, as I used it as a base recipe adding my own touch with what I had on hand.

I surely hope the "Printable Recipe" feature is working well for those who use it.  Any feedback on it would be most appreciated by leaving a comment here (if anonymously, please include your name as it is nice to see a name), or by sending me off an email at justnorthofwiarton@live.ca  .

Thanks in advance, all and any comments are appreciated, as I look forward to each and every one.

"This is all that was left of the stuffing.  I could have used 2 more Peppers, but I heated this back up and put it in a Thermos for my "Crabby Cabbie" to have for his supper tonight."

"Never any mind to the rest of the house, but there was a bit of light eventually at the end of this tunnel.  I am getting there, slowly but surely."

"The tops of the Peppers were sliced and are now dehydrating.  I am sure I did 4 sinks of dishes this day ... *sigh*."

Now to a story that has really pulled at my heart strings.  A while ago I began a Facebook Group called Pet Lover's of Bruce County, Buy, Sell or Trade.  The past month there has been a couple of sad stories with a  pets needing new homes, not by choice of their owners, but by choice of life circumstances.

"Let me introduce you to "Lucky"."

This is Lucky's story ....

This gal is still in need of a Forever Home to live out the last few Years of her life with someone who will love her. Should you know of someone who would do this, please let me know ... thank you.

Her Name is "Lucky"... and she originally lived in the Lucknow area but now resides on a farm not far from Holyrood. It's such a sad story, her owner was a single man that was developmentally delayed..however able to drive, owned a horse .. nice man. Lived at home with his Mother until she died about 2 years ago. He ended up in low income housing, and with bladder cancer. Had his bladder removed only to find out that the cancer had spread to limph nodes. He passed away last Sunday. "Lucky" needs a home.

I am a 11 year old spayed female black lab with a few grey hairs. I would be happy on a farm or in town. I'm living on a farm now but came from in town where I was walked frequently. I'm happy sitting beside you while you watch tv and keeping you company whatever your doing. I doubt I'd be happy with other animals or young children because I've never lived with any before. Currently, there's a young pup. a year old, where I am and she's always wanting to play which is too much for me right now. If you know of someone who might be interested in my company for whatever years I have left, I'd be happy to give them the best I have.

There are two ladies, Marilyn and Kathy, who have been actively looking for a new home for Lucky.  The one is fostering her right now, but her circumstances can not allow her to keep Lucky permanently.  Kathy is a member of the Pet Lover's of Bruce County Group.  I, as well as Angel Arms Rescue, are also putting Lucky's story out there in hopes she finds a new Forever Home soon.  

Please contact me should you or someone you know would be interested in keeping Lucky's remaining years "lucky" for her.  Many thanks in advance.  Again, please contact me at justnorthofwiarton@live.ca .


"We ARE A Pet Nation !"




Did anyone recognize Bandit and Lexus in the video ... I am still very proud of their International debut, as well as the blue eyed Blue Merle Checkerboard Aussie puppy with his tongue out?  from our very first 2011 Litter.

I really don't think I would surprise anyone should I mention I am "tired" and "sore", now would I?  More then likely there is a whole mixed bag adding to one's emotions at any given time I should think.

"Some days she looked around and all she saw was worry, fear and anxiety. But when she looked for goodness, she found goodness everywhere. And she vowed to look more often. ~ Queenisms™"

~ Elm St. off Berford Street, Wiarton ~

Tomorrow is another day, another day brings with it more hope, more hope leads to living a good life, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

My Mojo Has Left Me This Day

Was it 3 am? then maybe again at 5 am, with it finally just before 6 am; it was then "what the heck might as well haul my butt out of bed", as there was no going back by that time.

I headed on up North of the Checkerboard earlier then my normal time this morning, as I had a couple of stops along the way to make.  First stop was in Ferndale to pickup a fan a friend of mine had purchased, second was a stop in to see my Mom at the Golden Dawn Retirement Home, as I had a Birthday Card from my sister, Jeanne, for her, then it was another stop to see about a Pine cupboard I had inquired about ... all of this before my Doctor's appointment at 9:00 am..  I still had a couple of minutes to take in a view I had been wanting to .....

"Lion's Head looking out towards the point with the Marina behind me.  It really is beautiful, as the whole of the Bruce Peninsula is ... and now with the colours of Fall arriving it is more alive and vibrant  then ever."

Back home again I had to head on over to drop our Van back to our Mechanics to have a tie-rod replaced.  *Sigh* .... Rob was already there, so I had a ride back home.

Rob had left with his "Crabby Cabbie" hat one once he had dropped me back at home.  It really didn't seem too long at all before my friend, Lisa, picked me up for my Van and I was back home again for the second time today.

Really I pretty much had an uneventful day as I am afraid my Mojo has left me this day.....

"My friend Cathy had returned my Rice Cooker she had tried out before purchasing one herself.  On returning it, she had also gifted me this lovely Delicata Squash.  I am looking forward to trying it this Sunday, as I have never eaten one before.  The method I have decided I will be trying is this one HERE."

"Does this give anyone any ideas as to what I will be doing with my day tomorrow?"

"There is a whole World of recipes to be "googled" out there, however I choose to .... "

".... go back to the two recipe books I have been depending on for Years.  The Encyclopedia of Creative Cooking and The Purity Cook Book."

"I haven't made Stuffed Green Peppers for sometime.  Rob and I both enjoy them so I will be making a Batch x 3 in order to have some at arms reach in the freezer for those days I am too tired, or at loss for what to make."

Anyone needing some Freezer Tips for Stuffed Peppers, I found this website HERE to have excellent guidelines.

"It was such a lovely day, Lexus and I thought we would do some inventory on our wood supply for this Winter.  A little bit here ...."

"Some here.... "

"Not too much here ... I hope it isn't a really long Winter like two Years ago, as it might be pretty "touch & go" on the wood supply."

"I did sit back on the big rock to watch Bandit and Lexus have a go at it.  I especially love this action photo with all their feet barely touching the ground."

"There are days I am totally surprised Bandit has any neck left the way Lexus gets tugging at him.  My poor boy."

Once they both were a bit wore out, I gave each of them a manicure by clipping all their nails.  Next out for a run was Mercedes ... her nails were perfect, no need for a manicure to be done on that girl.  I will have to wait until Rob is home to do Buddy's nails as he is way too much of a handful for me on my own.

"What in the heck is this kind of funky looking bug?  Colourful, however sinister it looks to be ... ewww I really don't care too much for bugs at the best of times."

"I almost forgot, today I had also dropped some Tomato Powder I had made off to my friend, Abby of Miners' Maple Products, down at the Wiarton Farmer's Market.  Look what I got traded back !  Yummy ... Rob is going to love this Maple Mustard, this I am pretty sure of.  Thanks Abby !"

Rob and I had the pleasure of first meeting Abby when were were on the Kemble Maple Syrup Tour this past Spring.  Abby is very involved with many local Farmer Markets, so I have kept in touch with her through these sources ... the pleasure of doing so has been a delight.  Check out Miners' Maple Syrup's page on Facebook by going HERE.

"I also labeled all my Black Bean and Corn Salsa jars this afternoon.  They always look so nice when put up in the Pantry, do they not?"

"I had a few tomatoes on my counter needing my undivided attention, so they had to be looked after today.  The switch was turned on just after 7 pm, the magic hour when the hydro rates drop to their lowest.  Our house now has a most pleasant smell of tomatoes throughout it."

"I am sure hoping by tomorrow I too will be singing, "I got my Mojo working" .... "



... as I am going to need it for what my head has my body planned to be doing, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".