I Barely Can Believe It Myself !

Last night I was tired, heading off to bed just after 9:30 pm.

"I obviously wasn't the only one tired in the house, as my Bandit boy was having himself a "head start" on me in the snoozing department."

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I didn't get to sleep as well as I was hoping to last night, but still "some" is better then "none", is it not?  

This morning I had the pleasure of reading an article written by Nathan Patrick Reyolds-Furry of Yass, Australia, which warmed my Heart to get my day off to a wonderful start.  I would love to share his blog post of his own hand.  My response is below in Bold, directly above the link to his post.

Corresponding whether local or abroad gives way to opening many new wonderful doors.. Take up pen and paper, or other means such as email correspondence to open your own door way. There is a whole new person with wonderful opinions and a different life, as you might know life to be, to share theirs with yours. Broaden your horizons through a pen pal.

Talking-Point - The Archives: A Generation without Borderstalking-pt.blogspot.com.au

"Click" on the above link.

Thank you Nathan, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your "take" on taking up a pen and bringing down the Borders.  More so I am forever indebted to you for your kindness of representing me on my behalf.  

I got me some more HAPPY MAIL !!!

"Hahaha ... check out the card I got from my friend, Abby of Miners' Maple Products.  I LOVE me some Humor !!!"

Not only did I get me some more HAPPY MAIL yesterday, I WON me another draw this morning !!!  "I Barely Can Believe It Myself !!! "

"I won this "original" drawing by Michelle Hogan of Michelle Hogan Equine & Fine Art.  This original is titled "Carefree".  With no other true prints,  it is a "one & only" that will be framed and hanging proudly on one of my walls here "Just North of Wiarton"."

Michelle Hogan is one of many talents you will find on the Bruce Peninsula.  A young inspiring artist with an amazing love for horses.  Michelle, I hope some day in the New Year, will do a Guest Post for us here.  In the meantime Michelle does commission work, has artwork available for sale, with more of her work available by going onto her Website by *clicking* HERE.  

Michelle is also hosting some Mini Contests until her Facebook  reaches 1,000 "LIKES".  To be eligible to win one of Michelle's "Limited Edition" prints please check out the details by *clicking* HERE.

"In need of some Gift Giving ideas?  Michelle also has these Note Card sets available for $5.00 per set.  Interested in a set, please Email to inquire further by contacting Michelle at crazypupy@hotmail.com  ."

All that excitement first thing this morning got me off to a "sure fired" start, once I had at least a second third cup of coffee.  As well as looking after all the "Checkerboard Aussies" throughout the day, making the bed, washing and hanging a load of laundry out on the clothes line (yes it was that nice out today), and finishing it up later today in the dryer, I got myself going on ....

Phase 3 ~ Homemade Chocolates:

"The Homemade Chocolates had "set" in the fridge overnight after coating them in chocolate yesterday.  Today I got them all packaged up, after sampling at least one, or had that been two?  They really are "yummy", honest to goodness cross my Heart !"

Once that job was done and out of the way I went full steam ahead with my next "to do" on my Christmas Goodies List.

"Yes an order for Marshmallow Rolls, aka "Stained Glass Windows", had been put in both by my Rob and Paul.  Everything lined up and ready to go with no problems in the melting chocolate department today."

"Icing Sugar meets well beaten eggs; chocolate then added in to be mixed with nuts and marshmallows following thereafter."

"I LOVE me some Waxed Paper, as it makes life so much easier with goodie projects such as these.  Mixed up and ready to roll in the Coconut (yech), then wrapped to set in the fridge.  What a disaster my Kitchen was in with this, that and whatever going on !  My Mascot usually laying in the hallway decided to come in so I could have something to "step over" every now and again along with everything else I had going on ... jeez Bandit !"

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

"When cleaning up from the Marshmallow Rolls there had been a little incident with the Chalkboard and the butter ... oopsie, notice the bearded buttered smiley face?  Once that got looked after it was then onto the next "to do" off the Goodies List, "Mom's Christmas Cookies"."

"All set, ready, go .... sugars and margarine meet up with eggs and vanilla.  Thank goodness for my Braun Mini Processor to chop those cherries up."

"Dry met wet, then by the teaspoonful, batter meets cookie tray ... before I knew it, how many trays later, there was 114 of my Mom's Christmas Cookies at my fingertips ... I think I had myself, one, two, three ... was that count up to six???"

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

There are many Christmas memories attached to Mom's Christmas Cookies for my siblings and I.  Our Mother used to make tins upon tins of these.  Through the night, when we thought Mom and Dad had been sleeping, we would "sneak" down the steps to grab handfuls to greedily consume back in our beds.  Ha ... with the age difference between us all, it is funny how each our account of these cookies escapades are so similar !  They really truly are one, "yummy" old fashioned very much so "tried, tested & true" throughout the Years by our family, Cookie.

"Could I interest anyone in a "treat" or two?"

My kitchen is semi-back to normal, with 2 sink fulls of dishes done, and one more yet to go; one side of the counter cleaned off with the other side still a clutter.  My laundry is dry, folded and put away.  I have just taken 1 1/2 hours to complete this blog post, including photos and recipes.  I have officially ran out of "steam".

On that note, I believe I will be having myself a cup of Java, take out my "Checkerboard Aussies" for their last time tonight in the next hour or so, have myself a nice hot bath and say "goodnight", "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

The Winner of The ....

" ..... Christmas Table Runner is "drum roll please", Toni with an "i" Vary !!! "

Okay I know Toni with an "i" won my last Give Away, but honest to goodness the draw was not fixed, it was done "Beagle Legal" with the Random.org generator.

Congratulations Toni with an "i", please contact me to make arrangements for delivery of your prize.

"I had more HAPPY MAIL !  This time a lovely card from one of my readers all the way from Massachusetts.  Enclosed in the card were these 3 Post Cards for me to use when I send off to someone through Post Crossing.  Thanks Bess, you are so kind and thoughtful."

Last night I actually had a pretty good sleep so I was feeling like I could go "full steam" ahead this morning.

"First things first, once my usual "Checkerboard Aussie", coffee and make the bed routine was done, I got to making my "Crabby Cabbie" some more Gift Certificates, then found the recipe for the Best Ever Peanut Butter Cookies I was going to make for our friend."

Then it was time to get down to business ...

"I usually always start with lining up everything I need.  Peanut Butter then meets butter and sugars, with eggs and Vanilla directly after."

"Wet all ready to go meet with dry.  Rolled into nice little balls then very gently pressed with a fork."

"A double batch later after how many pans in and out of the oven ... gave me some pretty dang "awesome" Peanut Butter Cookies, if I do say so myself.  This tin goes to our friend, and another full tin I will send along with my "Crabby Cabbie" to treat some of his Taxi Customers next week.  I hope this will put a *smile* on a few people's faces."

Recipe Please?   PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

After quite a few rests in-between all of this cookie baking, as by the time the third tray was going into the oven my neck was complaining, I took a big break after they were all done before I went on to finishing what I had began yesterday.

Phase 1 - Homemade Chocolates (see yesterday's post):

Phase 2 - Homemade Chocolates:

"It didn't get off to a very good start as I am certain I had the water too hot under the double boiler when I had placed the chocolate in the pot on top.  I don't know why, but this how it begins every year for me .... I suppose we all have our "famous" Kitchen "bloopers" to tell about, do we not?  At least I am consistent with this one."

"Back to the drawing board with great success, less heat and my non-stick T-Fal pot over top a pot of water on the lowest heat possible.  Ta Dah !  I was off to the races."

"Two trays later I was finally done!  Now they are back in the fridge to "set" before placing them all in an air-tight container for some gift giving and Christmas  goodies enjoyment."

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

By late afternoon I was finished up with all the baking and Christmas goodies I was going to do.  There is still about 4 more items I have on the "to do" Christmas Goodies list that yet need to be made.  This is only the beginning.

I am certain those who know me well enough, know how I suffer with allergies.  I have no idea what had been setting me off the past week or so (more dust mites then usual maybe with the wood stove and house closed up), however the reactions have been most unpleasant.

"Not only is my whole body feeling "itch" mode, but my feet too have broken out in hives.  Into the cupboards for antihistamine I went, "pronto".  Even with weekly allergy shots I get "outbreaks" more often then naught."

I try not to be on the negative side with my daily aches, pains and such, but there are days where I think to myself, "I might as well be in a "bubble", as John Travolta was in the movie "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble", however the title being, "Don't Break the Woman's Bubble", she might seep out !  Hahahaha.

Just yesterday my friend, Koreen, lent me a book.  I very seldom read anymore, and I do love to read but find my neck can't take the amount of reading I used to do (it was nothing for me to read 3 large paperback novels while we were away Camping in a week).  

"I really am going to give it my best effort to try and read this book in the New Year."

Should anyone like to learn more about the Wheat Belly, there is a Wheat Belly Blog I came across and you may check it out yourself by *clicking* HERE.

I am not saying I am going to do it, but what I am saying I am going to attempt to read the book.

There is a very beautiful display of Christmas lights every Year over in Bruce County's Sister County of Grey in the City of Owen Sound.  It is called "The Festival of Northern Lights".  It is amazing should you have never seen it.

In 2010 my friend, BJ, along with her little dog, Ruby, had the pleasure of seeing these lights by way of "Water and Paddle".  Thanks for sharing BJ.  Rob and I have drove through the streets to view "The Festival of Northern Lights", but this experience you had gives way to a completely different and most wonderful perspective on how they are viewed by way of  The Sydenham River.

Wasn't that amazing? did you see little Ruby in the canoe out front with her Mistress, BJ?  Thanks for sharing BJ, I loved watching it.

More on Owen Sound's "Festival of Northern Lights" may be seen by *clicking* HERE.

I would love to extend a warm welcome to Sue, who has joined me here as a Follower via subscribing to my daily blog posts through email.  Thanks Sue !  I do look forward to you being here with us, as well as any comments you might leave behind.

Before I sign off for this day, my prayers go out South of the Border to Connecticut where there was a horrific shooting at a school this day.  I can't even think about it without myself feeling sickened, never mind ever beginning to imagine how those families and community are feeling.  Please also keep them in your prayers tonight and for many nights after, as we know they will need them.

On that note it has been another day in my life, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Friends Never Forgotten

A bright dark and early morning I was up and at it heating up some Homemade Beef Vegetable Soup before  my "Crabby Cabby" was on his way out the door ...

"Getting ready to get out the door barely after 6:00 am.  Later in the morning, my protector sits at one of his "spots" at the top of the stairs in ready for any intruders that might happen his way."

Last evening my friend, Diana, and her husband, happened along to drop off some Pennies for the VON Piggy who has partnered up with The "Crabby Cabbie".  Should you "pop" in to take the "Crabby  Cabbie's" Taxi down in Saugeen Shores, make sure you feed the "VON Piggy" as I am certain she is always hungry."

"Diana thank you for all these pennies, as we know they will be going to an awesome Non-Profit Organization as the Grey-Bruce VON just happens to be."

Last night a friend had sent a few things home with my "Crabby Cabbie" for me which he no longer had any use for.  I was a "happy camper" and who wouldn't be when they received all of this ....

".... especially when all it is going to cost me is a batch of Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies.  *Sigh* friends are so thoughtful aren't they? that is why they are friends I suppose *smile*.  Hopefully I will get to making them tomorrow as today I had been making .... "

".... Homemade Chocolates "Phase One" !  Yes that is all it takes to start making Homemade "Yummy" Chocolates.  Peanut Butter, Margarine or Butter, Icing Sugar and Rice Krispies."

"The recipe makes these many ... Easy, Peasy as 1-2-3."

I made one more batch after these.  They are now sitting in my fridge to be nice and firm for tomorrow when they receive their chocolate coating.  

Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.  Stay tuned for Phase 2 tomorrow.

With that all done and cleaned up from, I had to head back downtown Wiarton today, as I had left my Memory Stick in at Karen't Creations yesterday when I had some photos printed.  I also had a parcel awaiting me to be picked up at the Rankin Outpost depot.

Let me go back a few years ago.  My friend, Holly of Morning Meadows Farm, who is a wonderful person I had met about 14 years ago or so when we befriended each other thorough an AOL computer site, as we both had a a common interest with our love for animals.  Holly and I have periodically kept touch with each other throughout the years, somehow or another, our most recent through Facebook (thank goodness for Facebook, although some curse it I know).  

Rob and I actually had been to Holly's at Morning Meadow Farm in Corbeil, Ontario when we had drove all the way up there from where we lived in Waterloo at that time, to deliver two of our Minature Goats.  

Just a few short weeks ago, I believe after Holly had read one of my blog posts after I had been suffering some pretty constant Fibromyalgia flare-ups.  She had posted to me on Facebook she had something she was going to get off in the mail for me to try, hopefully giving me some relief.

I headed into pick up the parcel and OH MY GAWD !!!  will you look at the size of the parcel that had been there waiting for me !!!  My dear friend, Holly, do you know how much that sucker weighed? of course you do, you paid  the postage on it.

"Everyone LOVES getting HAPPY MAIL don't they? as I most certainly do.  I opened it up to see first all of the items on top as set out in the bottom photo to find yet another layer below."

"Then there was all of this to unwrap !!!  Oh my it felt like a Christmas moment for me.  There is a "Hard Day" balm good for body aches, pains, arthritis, headaches and sinus relief (not that I would ever have any of those problems.  Ha !)  A therapeutic Moldova Lavender candle.  A Lavender Roll to apply on my wrists to relief stress (me? and stress? really?).  Body Butter for my poor dehydrated dry skin.  A Stress Relief Linen Spray to spray on my pillow when I go to bed to promote sleep (Really sleeping problems too?), or to be used as a room spray.  That wasn't everything, as there is lip balm, glycerin soaps, and anti-dandruff shampoo .. just to name a couple of many."

"Then this lovely note from my AOL Friend, Holly.  Thanks friend, as you sure know how to make a girlfriend feel special by having a Sixth Sense to know exactly what I needed.  Big Hugs from "Just North of Wiarton" to you up there at "Morning Meadows"."

I must confess I when I opened Holly's parcel my arms, wrists and hands were still experiencing "shooting pains", as they do most days then naught.  The very first thing the lid came off of was the "Hard Day" balm, and Let Me Tell the World it gave me relief almost, as Holly had stated, within 5 minutes.  I sure could have used this the night before to rub on the bottoms of my feet as my whole body had multitudes of pain shooting through it.

My friend, Holly has been making these these products for almost as long as I have known her, first starting out with soaps, now having branched out into the balms, body butters, creams, shampoos and others afterwards (hope I got that right Holly *smile*).  Holly doesn't know I had received her package this day, or even that I am blogging about it, so I am hoping this will surprise her as much as she surprised me today with her generous gift.

Holly, does take orders for all of her wonderful products she makes (she makes everything herself I might add).  Please drop by the Morning Meadows Website to learn a little about Holly, just recently retired after many years of being a RPN, and what she has been doing in-between caring for her Son, Jonathan, her many animals, each and every one cared and loved equally, along with her husband, Don.  Holly is one person I  have always admired for her hard work, and love for family and animals.  She started with nothing, persevered and is where she is today, a very "proud" lady, who I am honored to know, besides that she makes a damn good Chicken Pot Pie which I am still after all these years waiting to get the recipe for !!!

You may find the website for Morning Meadows Farm by *clicking* HERE .  Please also drop on by their Facebook Page HERE to give them a big old "LIKE" !

I LOVE me some Friends Never Forgotten, don't you?

Now to put a *smile* on everyone's face as much as Holly's gift to me put on mine this day ... a video my Cousin Vi had shared on her Facebook page, that I am sharing with everyone who happens by ....



I couldn't seeing anyone not *smiling* after watching this video, could you?

Lots to do ahead of me again tomorrow with just the beginnings of the Christmas Goodies being started today.

~ Get done what you can do, and the rest will wait for you; live your life, as time will not stop to wait for you. ~

On that note it is a wrap as I sit back to enjoy the remainder of my evening and my life, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".