Come & Go Celebration

Today was a busy morning, as I had to take my friend into work, then pickup another friend and take her downtown for shopping.  Time flies when you are having "fun", and the morning was almost gone before I had realized.

The Handicraft House is only minutes up the Highway from where we live.

When I returned back home there was time to take out all the Aussies, have a quick lunch, get showered and ready to head on South to my Hometown Southampton for a Come & Go 90th Birthday Celebration.

My friend's Mom turned 90 years old, and her family were having a Celebration for her at the Anglican Church this afternoon from 2 until 4:30 pm.  I meet up with my Auntie Gladys at 2:30, along with her best friend, Marnie.

Happy 90th Birthday Margaret ! 

Margaret was a Scottish War Bride, brought to Canada by her Husband, Basil Shular (now deceased), Mother of six children, Doug (now deceased), Stuart, Ross, Heather, Bonnie and Gord.  Heather and I had been best friends many years ago now, so I had spent many days and evenings at the Shular's home.

I also seen a few other ladies that I had known in years gone by, which is always nice.  Funny my Auntie and I both noticed all the elderly Church ladies serving, and wondered who will do this when they are gone ???   It will then be a lost generation? will we have to rally up people to bring back the Churches?  I wonder .... and yes if I had to I would be one of those people as the Church does bring members of the Communities together I believe.

That was the whole afternoon spent away, as by the time I had stopped for fuel, and again in town to take a couple of photos, it was 5 pm before I managed to arrive back home.

Photos?  of course photos, as Cathy of Cathy's Confections now has her handmade chocolates ready available downtown Wiarton at Rankin River Trading Co.

I LOVE Cathy & her homemade chocolates, and really I can't think of who would not.  If you are passing through Wiarton drop on in to get yourself some, or better yet yourself and more to make a great gift giving idea.  Not in Wiarton? well drop on into Harrington's in Southampton, as you will also find Cathy's Chocolate Creations there too.

Dinner?  that was easy peasy as one, two, three.

French Toast with local home grown Syrup from Dejong Acres Farm.  Oh yum, yum, yum.

I am all in but for my shirttail I am so tired.  My dear Rob worked all day yesterday, all night last night, and is still out working.  He is really tired.  At least I had his Dinner made before he had to go back out again, my poor dear.  No rest for the wicked, or really is it suppose to be "no rest for the weary"?

That all she wrote this day, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Much Better This Day !

Finally a day where I was given a break from Sinus and Migraine headaches.  The morning was cold, however the Sun broke through to save the day !!!

I headed North of the Checkerboard for my weekly allergy shot, but before that happened I had to drive a little further North then Ferndale and Lion's Head, as I had made a Super Duper purchase the other day off the Lion's Head Swap.  I had to go pick up my great find.

Four high back Summer outdoor chairs.  All they need is a new coat of Trim Clad Rust paint and they will be good as new.  Can you take a guess what I paid for these?

If you had guessed $20.00 for all four chairs, you guessed right, and realize how cheap frugal I really am.  You know I was tickled every colour of the rainbow on my purchase.  Also today I scored a "almost brand new" toaster Oven for $5.00 for Rob's driver who had been looking for one.  Really why buy new when there is perfectly good used "stuff" out there.

After I picked up the chairs I could not go by the Ferndale Garden Centre without getting a couple of plants I still needed for our veggie garden, whenever the day might arrive that it will be warm enough to plant as there is going to be frost again tonight.

Half Sweet Green and half Yellow Peppers, as well as some Cilantro.  All ready to rock the garden hopefully some day soon.

I have a girlfriend who is helping me with the Garden this year.  With Rob gone all the time, and I finding it difficult to keep up with everything myself some days, Gayle will help me and also have produce in turn for herself.  It will be nice to have an extra pair of hands some days, not to mention the company a couple evenings a week.

On my way home from the Doctor's office I could not help but notice that the Sunday Market at the Handicraft House Trading Post has resumed Sundays for the Season.

The Handicraft House is approximately 15 minutes North of Wiarton on Highway 6.  Somewhere to stop in at when you are out for a Sunday drive to the outdoor Market, or any other day to the Trading Post.

Today I also made a quick stop downtown Wiarton at the Farmer's Market, as I had been craving one of these since I had spied them last week while there.

The Market had gotten off to a cool start this morning, however the Sun came out and saved the day.  Check out this Raspberry Cream Brownie ... oh my it was to "die for".  Truly I could have eaten a whole pan of them myself.  Trust me I really did have to retrain myself and protect my hips from further growth.

Lots of baked delectable goodies can be found at the Wiarton Farmer's Market every Friday from 10 am to2 pm.  These Brownies, as well as many many other yummy baked goods, are made by Colpoy's Creek Farm and Bakery.  Check them out on Facebook by going HERE.

My day only got better ....

Thanks to my Auntie Gladys for bringing Aunt Pearlina up for a visit, and a nice visit it was.  My Auntie Pearlina is 92 years old and still lives on her own ... oh to be like her at this age I will be so lucky.

Wow coffee with my Mom yesterday, and coffee with my Aunties today, how much luckier could a girl be.

Pretty lucky as Auntie Gladys brought along a whole set of bedding for me for the double bed in our Guest Room which her friend no longer had a use for, or barely had used for that matter.  A Duvet Cover, Shams, Bed Skirt, Sheet Set, 2 Decor Pillows and two sets of curtains.  Yes lucky girl I am and oh so grateful too.

I truly do appreciate anything I have ever been gifted, or any deals I might have been able to come across.

Lucky lucky and very much loved, as you can tell by this next photo ....

Really does this look not say, "I love you Mom?"  How could I not love our Bandit boy with that look on his face? Ever ...

I am really fortunate to have Family and Friends who care so much, and who I care about so much.

Speaking of friends and helping others, my friend Gill, That British Woman, is supporting her Son who is doing the Cancer Relay for Life and is in need of supporters.  Even the smallest amount would be appreciated, as it all helps towards the bigger picture.  Please drop over to Gill's blog HERE to lend your support, as I know she also truly appreciates it herself.

Do you live on, close by to, or plan  to visit the Bruce Peninsula? there is a whole Schedule of Events for 2013 to check out HERE.  Always something for someone on the Bruce Peninsula !  I LOVE living here.

Life is so much better when I do not have to spend most of the day in bed.  I was very happy to be much better this day, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Annual Auntie & Cousin Christmas Luncheon

Morning began just after 5:00 am.  Up and at it heating some homemade Beef Stew for Rob to take along in his Thermos today, a coffee, Aussies, fed, in, out and about, bed made, dressed and out the door heading "North of the Checkerboard" to Lion's Head.

Befpre 8:30 am or so I was in at the Golden Dawn Nursing home to drop along a Christmas Pin my BFF, Colleen, had sent for my Mom and to have a bit of a visit with her before heading on over to my 9:00 am "shot in the arm" appointment with the Good Doctor.

Once home it was to attend to all the Aussies, make some "Crabby Cabbie" Gift Certificates that had been ordered, and get ready to go out again.  My Niece, Joanne, came to meet me at the house so we could head out together, as today was the Annual Auntie Glady and Cousin Christmas Luncheon we have been doing together for ?????? long now?

We arrived at the Green Door Cafe, downtown Wiarton, at the "reserved" time of 12:00 Noon, with Suzanne arriving there after which was a huge surprise as she is always really ever only minutes late, and never beats the Auntie and Cousin Vi !

My Cousin Vi had also been along at the "Open House" held at Dejong Acres Farm last Saturday, and also having had won a Door Prize too !!!

"Vi was more then pleased and surprised that I had her winnings for her of a hand painted saw blade of a  Cardinal on it.  Is it not lovely?  Vi really appreciated having it, as she, herself, does such beautiful hand paintings, appreciating how much time and love went into this one."

"Here we are after placing our orders.  Funny as it was not too long ago at past luncheons we had been passing photos of our families/grandchildren, and today phones were being passed around with photos of Grandchildren on them."

"Once we had all finished up with our lunches, Cousin Suzanne's daugther, Krista, popped in on her lunch break from work.  How nice was that for her to be able to join us.  Here is my Cousin Vi, Krista, and to the right my "don't bother taking my picture" Niece, Joanne."

"Suzanne had ordered the Lemon Blueberry Cream Pie (I hope I got that right).  I had a wee smidgeon off the end to taste, and it really was quite good."

"Look at all the goodies I received !!!  Homemade Gum Drop Cake and Nuts & Bolts from my Auntie, and a Snowman she had also made !!!  is it not the cutest?  There is my Cousins Vi, with her "evil twin" grin, and Krista with her beautiful *smile*."

"Had I mentioned Cousin Vi hand paints?  Look at this amazing hand painted Christmas Ornament she made for me, and a couple of others who were also there.  I think this has to be several she has made over the past few years for me.  My own personal Christmas Collection by Vi."

Once we had left the restaurant, we headed next door to do a bit of browsing at the Rankin River Trading Company.  They have a lovely selection of a bit of everything you might love or need to have for yourself or your home.  Just a little bit of everything from high quality clothing, to children's toys, homeware, etc ....

"Cousin Vi had found a very stylish dress top she was in trying on, while of course I waited for my "prey" to come out !  Ha !"

"See the lovely Christmas decor Rankin has to offer for sale?  and my favourites, Snowman !"

We all said our goodbyes and headed on home our separate ways..  As Joanne and I made our way back towards my Van, I was not only surprised, but delighted to see ....

"My friends, BJ & Paul really are Grandparents as seen by my very own eyes !  For some reason why had I gotten the feeling Paul was trying to avoid me?   Ha !  caught ya anyhow, Paolo !"

I am telling you those little Grands of Paul and BJ's are an absolute delight !  The little guy was explaining to me exactly where they were heading, and pointed to exactly who was going with him there.  The sweet little girl gave Joanne the biggest "hug" ... ahhhhh, way too sweet those babes are.  Oh yes, even Ruby was excited to see me, more then I can say for "some", Paul !  Oops did that "slip" from my keyboard?  xx

Before we went off to lunch, and then again when we had returned back to my house before Joanne headed home, she had crocheted up at least eight Granny Squares for my friend, Lynn, for her Optimist Club Fundraiser project.

"Joanne just chatted away while she whipped these up in no time at all.  I use to be able to do these like she at one time."

I had ordered something a few weeks ago from Proprietor, Nancy Davis at the Handicraft House, which is minutes up the Highway from our home, a little bit "North of the Checkerboard".  Joanne headed on home while I went to go pickup my order.

"Here I am at the front of the Handicraft House.  Check out the "retro" Santa greeting everyone coming in."

"I haven't been in for some time, but after being back today, I am itching to return as there is so many nooks and crannies I wanted to look into but didn't have time to do so.  Lot and lots of Gift giving ideas for a "special" someone, or better yet maybe yourself?  Nancy even had some gift giving packages made all ready to go !"

"The Handicraft House is Open Year Round.  Well worth your time to stop on in for a look into all those "nooks and crannies". "

Straight back home with my purchase I was able to package it up all ready for the mail with a couple other items I had to post, then headed on downtown Wiarton for the 2nd time today to post everything.  I wanted to get it done and out of the way, as I don't want to be leaving the house tomorrow, as I have way too many dust bunnies and floating dogs that need my undivided attention. *Sigh*.

"There was some Happy Mail in our mailbox for me again today.  Here is the card I received from another member of Cindy's Recipe Exchange.  Is it not lovely? as I most certainly think it is."

Before I sign off here for the evening, please take a moment if you haven't already to drop on in at my Post of Yesterday to see how you could contribute to the "Granny Square" project and to "Enter in to Win" my Christmas Gift Give Away.  You can go there by *clicking* HERE .

That is all she wrote, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".