An Abundance Of Colour

Last night, after I had published my blog post of yesterday, I had to deal with the Turkey Stock I had made.

"While a nice cuppa "Calming" Tea was steeping in my mug, I got going on packaging up the Stock to be frozen, leaving enough to be placed back in the fridge for Soup to be made today." 

The "calming" tea must have done its magic as I feel like I slept not too badly at all last night.  It sure makes a different in the day ahead when you have slept the night before, especially since my past few days have been spent with FM flareups and severe muscle spasms thorough my neck, shoulders and arms.

It is an awful feeling, causing alarm and stress to myself, when it first started happening to me 4 years ago, still taking me aback somewhat when it happens. It does pass though so this is a "good" thing.  Not sure about FM pain? here are some explanations found by *clicking* HERE.  On these "bad" days I really try to focus on how blessed I am to not have something worse debilitating disease, truly I do, and appreciate when I do have "good" days, when my neck issues and FM are both down to a dull roar.

This morning I had my Rob home, but after coffee he had a "project" cut out for himself that was a priority.

"Rob's very first "Crabby Cabbie" vehicle had to come out of retirement when the another we had, had its transmission go.  Old Blue got to go back into retirement today, as Rob got New Blue cleaned out and set up to go for tomorrow.  I do LOVE me the colour Blue!"

"Yes he did a great job cleaning it out, even placing the Grey-Bruce VON Piggy for Pennies in her upfront and center spot."

SHOUT OUT to all Saugeen Shores and area residents, please show your support by giving The "Crabby Cabbie's"  Facebook page a "LIKE", just by dropping in there by *clicking* HERE.  Thanks for your support, truly it is hugely appreciated.

What on earth would I be doing while Rob was busy himself?  I was busying myself with adding Colours to our life.  How would I do that you might wonder ... Easy, Peasy as 1-2-3.

"First thing I gathered together all the colours I was going to use, then I got to cleaning and preparing them all, as they were going into a very colourful Turkey Vegetable Soup I was making for our Lunch.  Lots of goodness packed into that Turkey Stock with all those wonderful colours."

"The "hardy" veggies were first to go in such as turnip, carrots, onion and celery, with the chopped up turkey and broccoli  was added in near the end of the cooking time.  When would the end of cooking time be? just when veggies are fork tender when pierced."

"The flavour was "Out of this World" with "an abundance of colour" and all the goodness contained."

.... and as I said, it was as Easy Peasy as 1-2-3, using a Turkey or Chicken stock as your base soup, then adding in your favourite "colourful" veggies.

This COLOUR your soup as been linked into http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.ca/2013/01/foodie-friends-friday-linky-party_10.html

I received a beyond totally awesome "flattering" email this morning.  I responded to its writer, also asking if they would mind if I "shared" it here.  It is something I am proud to share, and again thank you so much again, Jo-Ann for all your kind words.

Hello Cindy,

My name is Jo-Ann and I follow you on twitter. I really enjoy reading your daily blog, and the pictures and recipes that you share along with your daily journey. When I was a young girl my grandmother lived in Wiarton and I spent a fair share of my time there. That was over 30 years ago and there are a lot of changes, progress right? Her house is still there a white 2 storey on the west side of Berford Street just before you come down the hill into Wiarton. There use to be 2 brick columns one on each side of the road with a wrought iron Wiarton sign that spanned between them. My husband and I just purchased a seasonal place near pike bay this fall and one of my favourite topics on your blog is your support and promotion of the small businesses in Wiarton. You are helping me reconnect and feel familiar in a town and area that holds so many memories. I look forward to stopping in to the Cluttered Cupboard ( I love your "winnings" from there) and having a lite bite in the Cocoa Vanilla. I like your kindness resolution, it starts with a smile, I'm for that and I'm rooting for you in your de-cluttering efforts, I've always been a little obsessed in that area. I just wanted to introduce myself, say hello and how much I enjoy your posts. All the best to you and yours "North of Wiarton."

It is people like, Jo-Ann, and all you who read my daily journal,  some leaving many kind comments, either here or by email, ones who participate along in my interests and/or challenges, or those I see in my everyday life in person, that encourage me to continue on with the journey of my life here.  Sincerely it is people like you who have made my "heart" sing many times when there have been times it sure hasn't felt much like singing at all.

Hopefully a very sincere, simple "thank you" shows my huge gratitude for YOU all supporting my journey in life, here "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Onto some more Colour from my day ....

When I had Ashley and Nathan (remember our young visitor from Australia?) over before New Years, we had made plans to go see the movie The Hobbit.  Today was that day, as Rob wanted to go see it too (bonus because, other then the Drive-in, I think this is the first movie we had been to in at least 15 yrs.).

"We arrived at the Galaxy Cinemas in Owen Sound just before the 3:00 Matinee."

"Yeah, got to use the GC we had received 2 Years Christmases ago, bout time, eh?  Really there are machines now to take your money and issue you a ticket?   Wow it has been a long time since  I had been in at a Movie Theatre !  Of course there was a line-up for popcorn ... really who can NOT have popcorn at a Movie Theatre?"

"Did I mention "colour"? or was that an "abundance of colour"?  The graphics in this movie was unbelievable !"

The Hobbit had been filmed in New Zealand.  Beautiful beautiful and more beautiful  I am sure that is why I love any photos I see posted by Susan at Kamo Lady, as the photos she posts are always so lovely, green and lush looking ... New Zealand is another place on my "Bucket List" if when I win a substantial huge lottery amount (dang I keep forgetting I need to buy tickets on a regular basis if this is ever to happen).

"I had to run into the Giant Tiger store for a moment before we left the mall, coming back out to find Ashley and Nathan having themselves quite the "snowball" fight.  Really is there no snow in Australia to have so much fun, or "only in Canada" you say?  Apparently Nathan took a snowball to the head when he had "ducked",  so I would say that was one for the Girl's Team in my books.  *Smile* "

We returned back to Wiarton to drop Ashley and Nathan to their vehicle and headed it back home ourselves.  Supper was Easy Peasy with leftover Turkey Veggie Soup, along with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich .... yummy yum yum.

Before I forget, there are now twelve of us all together participating in the 52 Week Savings Challenge.  Karen, in answer to your message just right click on the schedule and "save as it" to your computer, or shoot me off an email to justnorthofwiarton@live.ca and I will email it to you.  Thanks for all who are "on board" with me, and there is still time for more to join us !

Oh man, I just looked up at the clock to realize it is 9:30 pm already !!  That day sure flew by me in seemingly a "blink of an eye".  

Should you not have seen the movie The Hobbit I would say, "definitely go for it",  and if you have not read the book that is a "must", along with reading the following 3 volumes, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.  I read them all years ago, but getting the "itch" to read them again.

I am off to almost call it a night here, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."