What A Beautiful Day

Another beautiful day for a Victoria Day weekend.  Really I should have been cutting our lawns that are growing into hay fields, but alas our Dear John Deere needs a new belt.  That situation will not be remedied until tomorrow.  Maybe we will be lucky to get it all cut then before the rain begins on Monday.

This morning I took notice to the flowers I received from my Son last Saturday for Mother`s day.

``Both the bouquet and the carnation I had received are doing pretty good after 1 week`s time.``

I did the usual chores here this morning.  I should have been out in my flower beds, however I had not seen my Mother since last Saturday and decided the flowerbeds could wait for another day.

I called up to Gateway Haven to tell them I would be there to have Lunch today with my Mother.  I thought I would surprise her.

``Lunch had been very good consisting of Barley Soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bean Salad, Orange Sherbet, and coffee or tea, and a tomato juice for beverages.  Mom smiled on `cue`before I left.``

This week our visit was not as good as last weeks.  Last week Mom was her usual self.  Today Mom was very confused and disorientated.  When we had finished our Lunch at a little side room across from the regular dining area, Mom got up to go across to that area saying she was going to have lunch.  After I had gotten her back to her room and left, she had followed me back down towards the dining room three times to go back for Lunch.  Days like these make me *sad*.

I will be back to see Mom on Thursday as she needs to be taken to the Hospital for a chest x-ray as she has been having a persistent cough for months that the Doctor wants to take further precautions by checking more in depth.

Once I did finally leave, I stopped at a closed Garage Sale where there had been items left out with a `free` sign displayed.  How could I possibly pass up checking out `free`stuff ever.

``I got Tupperware Jelly moulds and containers.  A ruler, 2 zesters, and a wee strainer that are all sitting in the Better Homes Casserole dish with fancy holder.  A knitting book for a friend whose daughter is expecting her first baby with lovely lovely baby afghan patterns in it.``

See there are some things in life Free, if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time and place.... you can always have a *smile* for FREE ! don`t ever forget that.

I had stopped into the Cocoa Vanilla also today.  They have Artist Jennifer Crawley there today and tomorrow doing portraits for a small cost of $40.00 I do believe.

``I had been tickled to see Jennifer in her element as she was doing a portrait of a young man.  My first impression of Jennifer, other then her obvious talent, was her huge wonderful personality.  Really I was happy I did make a point in dropping by to meet her.``

Jennifer is apparently at the Cocoa Vanilla again tomorrow.  I know she had been booked for portraits today, however not certain about tomorrow.  Should you be interesting in learning more, please do so by contacting the Cocoa Vanilla at 519-534-3334.  If I thought Bandit could sit that long, I would surely take him to have his portrait done .. ha !

Oh yes, before I forget one of my most favourite downtown stores, The Cluttered Cupboard will be OPEN for Business tomorrow between the hours of 11 am and 3 pm.

``Should you not have been in The Cluttered Cupboard, really if you are in the area you should as I do not think you would be disappointed.  They are located behind Bennetts Great Canadian Dollar Store behind the Main Street.  Ample parking available back there as well.``

When I did get home everyone needed out, about and back in by that time.  This kept me busy for a bit, but I did manage to get a cup of coffee before I cleaned the Puppy Pen out.

``Surely from this day forward only means trouble for us as eyes have begun opening today.  Into the Recycle Blue Box then all went well I gave their pen a good vacuuming out.  It won`t be long that I will not be doing this much longer either.``

This past week has been such a wonderful week weather wise that I had the opportunity at different times to spend some one on one time with almost everyone here.  Drop over to The Checkerboard Aussies blog to see for yourself by *clicking* HERE.

I am off and running as I do believe that Crabby Cabbie husband of mine is going to try to come home to have some Dinner with me tonight, ``Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard``.

A Friend, Lunch and Relaxation All Go Together

This morning I was awake at 4 am AGAIN !  It was chilly in here with a damp drizzle going on outside our windows.  Dampness that chills the bones.  First things first was getting the wood stove going.

When I went down to the basement to get kindling, I was sure I had witnessed Mercedes inspecting her back end, this being a sure sign puppies were going to be coming soon.  WRONG !  No puppies, or everyone would have known loud and clear by now if there had been.  I called Rob to tell him he will have to come home to give Mercedes a bit of "shake down" to loosen those babies up a bit to help them along .... *smile*.

I was not really too productive this morning as I was tired ... being the good Canadian I am, this of course I blamed on being the fault of the damp drizzle first thing this morning.  I puttered with a bit of cleaning was all and out, about and in with my Aussies three times before I headed out to meet my friend, Koreen, for a luncheon we had planned over 2 weeks ago.

"I apparently have an addition to coats and jackets.  I am certain everyone must have something, and mine are coats, jackets and shoes/boots.  I counted 16 in our hall closet that belonged to ME ! I had to do something about this, so I made myself purge five of them.  I personally think this was a very good start."

I was then off to meet up to meet Koreen's at her place of business, Ram Trophies and Sportswear in Wiarton. 

"While waiting for Koreen I couldn't help but admire all the Wiarton Willie pins on display from 1978 until 2013.  I also was thinking how the Wiarton Willie stuffy was so cute with its little pink nose.  Koreen not only does custom embroidery and trophies, she is also the Official Depot for Wiarton Willie Gear."

We walked up to the Cocoa Vanilla to where we had decided on to lunch today.  I treated Koreen this time, so it will be her choice when she treats next.  We ordered the Luncheon Trio which gives a selection of 3, your choice of 1/2 Panini Sandwich, Cup of Soup, and a Salad.

"Here is owner, Jeff, serving Koreen and my lunches up to us.  Service with a *smile*? you can not go wrong with that, nor the relaxing atmosphere shared with a friend."

"My Turkey Spinach Soup was amazing, as was my Turkey Club Panini, and Greek Salad.  Koreen gave me a taste of her Apple Squash Soup which was also very very good.  After lunch Jeff had been handing out to all the customers each a sample of Chocolate Nut Brownies and an Apple Carmel Smoothie (pictured below).  Nice touch ... "

My cousins had taken me to the Cocoa Vanilla for my Birthday luncheon, so I was very happy to go back to enjoy their food and relaxing atmosphere yet again for a second time.  Koreen and I had ourselves a wonderful two hour lunch, and relaxing chit chat.

Once Koreen went back to work, I headed home to my Aussie gang, and still NO puppies.  I did have myself some puppy cuteness yesterday that I would LOVE to share if you were to *click* HERE.

Pssst .... here I am again, but until the 12th of May I hope I am a lovable "pain".

Because of YOUR support and daily votes we are now at 554 Votes, 44 more then two days ago.  We are averaging about 40 new daily votes.  Remember you can only vote once within a 24 hour period or the vote will not take.

Many thanks to friends who have also been sharing the link to their own personal Facebook pages, what a wonderful gesture on all your parts. 

Hardly enough when I look at some people's Small Businesses with Votes already in the high hundreds, however I still need to try my best.   Once again, please Vote daily for MY "Crabby Cabbie", until the 12th of May, here is the link:

https://www.loveourlocalbusiness.com/base/lolb2desktop?region_id=ca-en&content_id=20580

As always, and forever, Thank YOU !!!  from me and my ....

Serving Saugeen Shores & Area.  

Southampton:  519-373-7700 or Port Elgin:  519-379-7700

The Homemade Spaghetti Sauce I planned on making a double batch of today never did get started, as when I got home at almost 3 pm, I was busy with "Crabby Cabbie" business AGAIN.  I am not going anywhere until Thursday now, so it should not be a problem getting the sauce cooked up tomorrow, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

An Amazing Luncheon Date

Late yesterday morning I got a call from the Owen Sound Hospital's MRI department that they had a cancellation, no surprise with the blustery Winter weather going on here, could I come in for it at 2:00 pm.  I called up my "Crabby Cabbie" to see if he could have his gal cover for him so he could drive me in.  It was a go !!!

"By the time Rob arrived home to collect me I had a lunch made of a Turkey Sandwich & Homemade Oatmeal Orange cookies for him to go.  The roads were really not too bad, with only a few spots here and there."

The MRI only took about a 1/2 hour or so.  I am hoping the results will be up at my Doctor's this Friday when I go for my regular weekly appointment.  It is unplanned days like this when I am really grateful there are leftovers in the fridge to throw together to make something that is easy and tastes great for our Dinner when in a "pinch".  When we got back home I got going on making up a ....

"Turkey Vegetable Noodle dinner for us.  Easy? prepare a few veggies, throw them in a skillet until fork tender, stir in some leftover gravey, or cream of chicken soup, and serve over Egg Noodles.  Season with lots of Pepper and just a wee dash of salt.  Yummy !"

Recipe please?  FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE PLEASE *CLICK* HERE.

I still have not manage to get out of this nasty "funk" feel I have been buried in the past couple months.  It is really beginning to get to me with not sleeping well, nor getting much of anything accomplished around here which seems to bother me even more.  The new pain pills do not seem to be doing their "magic" I was hoping for.  Energy is a big thing, and no sleep does not help in that department either.

I am managing to go through the motions with our Aussies, puppies included.  Thank goodness they keep me moving and somewhat limber lately, or I could really be in "big" trouble.  

Today I did however have a another little "boost" which made me happy.  My Cousin Suzanne's daughter, Krista, had invited me out to lunch today.  Her Mom, Suzanne, and sister, Paige, also were able to join us.

Where did we meet? somewhere not one of us four had ever been for a meal yet, which was The Cocoa Vanilla downtown Wiarton.  Suzanne and I had met up there back in January for a coffee, where you can see and read lots more about the Cocoa Vanilla by *clicking* HERE.  

Once we all got settled in, we finally did go up to the counter to order Lunch and some beverages.  Suzanne had her usual beverage of coffee, while Krista and I ordered ourselves each a Chai Tea, and of course there is someone who has to be "right out" there and order something out of the ordinary ....

"That would have been our Paige girl ordering up not a regular Chai Tea, but a "dirty" Chai Tea.  Hahaha ... Krista and I actually had a taste of it, and thought we had obviously ordered the "wrong" tea for ourselves.  Paige won out and it was really "yummy" !

"Lunch was equally "yummy" and "amazing".  Suzanne, Krista & I order the lunch "trio" combo, which was 1/2 Panini Sandwich, Salad & side of soup.  From a nice selection of sandwiches, we ordered Chicken & Cranberry Chutney Sauce for two of us, and the third was a Turkey Club.  All with a side of Greek Salad and the Butternut Squash Soup.  Oh my these Combo Trio were not only "out of this World" good, but only $10.00 each per person !!!  Paige, once again having to be "different", ordered a thin crust Grilled Chicken, Tomato, Pesto and Cheese pizza.  She had LOTS to take home for her supper and more.  I think the Pizza was about $15.00, and would have been enough lunch to serve 2 to 3 people."

Darn, how could there only be photos of Paige, Krista and myself? how did Suzanne manage to wiggle out of that one?  Thanks again for lunch, Krista, it was so much fun to get together again.  You made my day.  xx

How would us four gals rate our lunch at the Cocoa Vanilla?  A definite 10 * plus in my books, and I am pretty sure I am safe to voice this as being the other girls opinions too.

Driving up for a weekend to the Bruce Peninsula?  some Saturday to take in The "Cluttered Cupboard" , which is located right behind Sadler's Home Hardware Store, or some of Wiarton's other little shops, drop in for a beverage or some food fare at the Cocoa Vanilla while you are in town.

When I returned home just a bit after 3 pm I busied myself with Puppy Clean-Up duty and getting everyone else out, about and back in again.

The weaning process has been going amazing well with their very first feed of hard kibble puppy food today. They all seemed to LOVE it, with Bindi even taking to laying across the dish while she ate from it.  Of course I did not have my camera with me for that shot, but I did get a great shot of Sprite having her very last suckle from Mama Lexus which you can see by *clicking* HERE.

I was also very excited to learn my friend, Carla of My 1/2 Dozen Daily, has put up her very own Facebook Page, Carla's Creations.  Carla does "custom" sewing orders that are beautiful in handiwork, pop with colour and give to a variety you could only imagine by going to her Facebook page and giving it a really big "LIKE" by *clicking* HERE.

Pssst ... while you are at it, maybe a great big "LIKE" would be loved by my "Crabby Cabbie" HERE, or our "Checkerboard Aussies" HERE.  Trust, you and me, your support and love is always appreciated.  And really? who couldn't use a whole lots of loving most days?

I always find it is most easy to give support for those we LOVE, who show us the same LOVE back, don't you?

A little feeling good music with one of my favourite "Blast from the Past" bands ....

Pssst again, don't tell anyone but I am calling it an early night here before I fall over, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard."

Hello Cocoa Vanilla Wiarton

... I have heard you have had your doors open for the past few months now, and I have been missing out all this time.

Not no more !  Last night my Cousin Suzanne send me off a text, "would you like to meet for coffee tomorrow at the Cocoa Vanilla?"  Since I had been in to meet Owner, Jeff Leonard, just before Christmas saying I would be back, what a better time then today to do so.

Let me carry on with the excitement of the day, and leave the hum drum daily stuff of my life until the last, will I?  of course I will.

"Main Street Wiarton, there it is ... Cocoa Vanilla.  Inside I venture with no other then my Cousin Suzanne all settled in and comfy like already in a very inviting atmosphere."

"Suzanne had a "take out" menu in front of her that she had been perusing, with her Vanilla Cafe shortly served up to her by wonderful smiling male, who just happens to be Proprietor Jeff Leonard.  Um, Suzanne you are to go up and order your beverages, how did you manage to wangle the owner into delivering yours?  no mind as he is so nice, he even delivered my double cream coffee over to me too !  Service with a *smile*, it doesn't get much better then that now does it?"

"Not only is there lots of comfy places to seat yourself with a beverage or food item(s) of your choice from an selective menu, along with some good reading material, you will find there is also a corner spot in the Cocoa Vanilla for some entertainment in the way of blues, jazz and/or a bit of unplugged music.  Nice, very nice ... never mind how warm the decor makes you feel."

"I like the "chalkboard" style.  You also might be tempted by some homemade goodies once you have approached the counter to order, so beware of the impeding temptations upon entering."

"Cocoa Vanilla has WiFi service "free" for their customers.  Now really who would not want to go have a beverage, grab some great food and be able to read the "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard" Blog?  Really anyone ?  I think NOT. "

"The Mosaic ~Arts, Entertainment & Lifestyle in Grey-Bruce, did an amazing article on the Cocoa Vanilla.  I am really excited to have found out through their article that Jeff's daughter, Victoria,  was in London's 2010 Iron Cupcake Challenge,  now the baker and chef for Cocoa Vanilla.  Being an admirer of cooking and baking myself I can not wait to meet her in person !!!  Wow !  I am excited to go back just to meet  Victoria."

I LOVE Cocoa Vanilla !!!  I am sure anyone would love it as well, and can find way more about it being a Family run business, as well as being able to peruse their menus by checking out their Website by *clicking*  HERE.

Are you a Facebook Account user? link up with Cocoa Vanilla by *clicking* HERE.  

As I said, I am very excited about returning, much sooner then later as it seems I had been so busy talking I had forgot to pay for my coffee *blush*.  I will be back Jeff !!!

Okay I don't know how I am going to follow that act with how the rest of my day went, but my "Crabby Cabbie" can ....

"Rob had to drop by someone who had taken the "Crabby Cabbie" New Year's Eve.  They had also handwritten him a "note".   It is really nice to know when you are appreciated and people realize "only the Name is Crabby"."

The "Crabby Cabbie" really appreciates all the "LIKES" he is getting from friends and customers on his Facebook page.  Should you have a Facebook Account he would LOVE your "LIKE" on his page by *clicking* HERE.

I never did get too much done around here today, except make up the one spare bedroom with fresh bedding.  I never did get my Turkey Soup made, but what I did do was ....

" ... some more decluttering !!!  YAY  "me" !!! "

Just a lil' bit, but any bit is better then no bit *smile*..

Is anyone up to a Money Challenge with me???? the first contribution is coming up the end of this week.  How Easy Peasy as 1-2-3 is this Challenge?

"... and really can it be that hard to do? the end results are amazing and just for YOU, or you and him, or her and him, or you and a friend .... the combination of possibilities are endless !"

Up for the Challenge?  leave me a comment on my Blog and/or email me at justnorthofwiarton@live.ca , and I will compile a list of persons who are in on this challenge with me.  I will periodically do a post, checking up on how well we are all doing on this, with a finale at Year end.  May the best women/men make it too the end !!!

Here is a little trivia to end today's post.  Did you know when Charles Schulz retired the Peanuts Gang?

Who didn't love Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang?  I can imagine no one.

A huge welcome to Tracy Boone of Life, Cupcakes and Life, who has recently started following me here for my daily journal and ramblings.  Thanks Tracy !

Things to do, "Checkerboard Aussie's" needing my attention, so here I go, once again, off and running, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".