A Merry "Crabby" Christmas Dinner

Wondering how many enjoyed an "extra" hour of sleep this morning.  Alas, I did not, but what was different was having my husband home with me all night long.  That was really different !!! 

Last evening had been a slow night for the "Taxi Business", and after Rob worked all day long our two drivers had last night covered.  It was a nice break, and trust me had very much been needed since Rob was in bed by 8 pm .

Later today Rob decided to give the little car he bought from Uncle a once over before we headed back behind the barn to investigate the damage to the Willow Tree caused by the high winds this past Friday.  Yes this tree is certainly has seen its day.

Brr, it was really cold today.  Despite the cold I love admiring the ice formations as you can find some pretty cool looking ones at times.

Today I felt bone tired for some reason..  Very bone tired and weary.  Still I managed to do a load of laundry to hang out on the line.  It was a cold day, but there still was sunshine most all day through.

Late this afternoon Rob and I headed out ...

.... dusk was setting in, with the Sun setting in the West over top of Lake Huron as we headed towards Sauble Beach.  By the time we were going over the Bridge in Southampton the Sun had almost disappeared.  By the time we arrived in Port Elgin at 5:50 it was dark.

Today was our "Crabby Cabbie" Christmas dinner out with our Drivers.  We had thought we best be having our dinner together at the first of November since from here on in the Christmas parties for other companies will be starting.  We all met for Chinese Buffet at the Altantic Restaurant in Port Elgin.

Here are our "Crabby Cabbie" drivers, both born and raised Bruce County boys, Ron Martindale of Southampton (Yeah for my hometown), and John McKay of Tiverton.  I think they were enjoying reading their cards more then the Maple Syrup and pair of socks in their Christmas bags.  The card was signed, "Syrup to keep you Sweet, and Socks to keep you Warm",  The "Crabby Cabbie" Rob, & his "Not so Crabby Wife", Cindy."

Truly we could not be more blessed then to have John and Ron working for us, for their personalities and utmost honesty, two characteristics that seem to be hard to find much anymore in employees these days, especially in this type of business.  Honesty is a big thing in my books, as there are two things I detest and that would be a liar and/or a thief, which I think not too many others would care for either..

Fiblets? now those are what I used to call "White Lies".  Those are something I am pretty sure most of us have had to tell from time to time in our lives to protect someone or something that would cause no harm to another, right?  Key Word:  Harmless.

Along with Ron and John's wives, we had a fun evening all together, and hopefully come next Summer we can all get together again some Sunday for a BBQ potluck.  I am already thinking this far head.

This day had a wonderful ending.  Me? I am still bone tired.  Rob? he is in bed already, since it is now after 9:00 pm, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Fall Back I Say, Fall Back !

Day 2 of November and that is exactly how I am feeling ...... GOOD GRIEF is right, Snoopy!  and to top it all off I have to remember to turn back all my clocks tonight, and there is a few of them to be turned back.

Fall back, Fall back, I say ....

Giving this some thought, I really wonder if I would want to turn my clock back to when I was 20?  I would not know life as I know it today, and really I do not know if I would want to change having the husband I have now, the family members who I am close to, or the friends I also love dearly.  I think I will keep all that the way I have it now.

Today I only returned home at 5:30 pm, since being gone from 11:30 on.

First thing this morning I was on my way to Owen Sound, not returning home until after 10:30.  I am pretty sure I got my bed made, entertained someone at our front door for a bit, had all the Aussies in and out, made arrangements with my neighbour to pick her up to go downtown to the Inter-Church Bazaar at the Salvation Army, when the phone rang with Rob on the other end asking if I would make another trip back to Owen Sound for him ...

Before any of this took place I was behind the scenes at the Inter-Church Bazaar before they got going at their scheduled day of 9 am until 2 pm

The room was set up lovely by the four participating local Churches.  The Salvation Army, United , Presbyterian, and Anglican Churches (I hope I got that all right as that really took some brain storming to remember all four on my part).

There were plenty of Homemade Goodies and Handicrafts that would tempt anyone to purchase as they were so original or unique.

.... to continue on from where I got sidetracked, I picked up my neighbour who was happy to keep me company back to Owen Sound.  We did return just before the Interchurch Bazaar was over at 2:00 pm, however we had missed out on the luncheon.

After Pari had made a couple of purchases at the Bazaar we headed downtown were we decided to have ourselves some lunch at the Green Door Cafe.  Who other then my darling husband called me to find out where we were, and joined us there.  It was a lovely lunch with the three of us that my friend "treated" us to, bless her Heart.

Pari and I thought we would stop into our favourite store before we headed back to our respective homes, The Salvation Army Thrift Store.  Pari got herself a couple of things while I picked up not only one, but two Tea Cups, one that had caught my eye earlier on this week that I had passed up then, but the second time it spoke to me today, I thought I had better not pass again.

The first cup and saucer caught my eye because of its Yellow.  The second was the one which spoke to me for the 2nd time, as the emblem on it definitely has a distinct meaning to it I am sure and it intrigued me for this very reason.  Does anyone out there know what it would represent?  it is stamped OE8, Royal Stafford Bone China Made in England (of course made in England being Royal Stafford).

Rob went his way, and we went ours.  We were about to head home when Rob called to ask if I would head back to Owen Sound for him.  Off we went again.

Once I had finished up in Owen Sound, for the third time this day, I had said to Pari, "do you realize how much we accomplished from when I picked you up before lunch time and it is now only 4:30 pm?"  That was some spent afternoon I would say.

November is not on the beginning of Christmas Bazaars, and Time Changes, it also means Winter Pricing has also came into effect.

What time could it possibly be now? 7:18 present time, tomorrow at this time it will be only 6:18 pm.  I will do that for a couple of weeks until it passes and I have finally adjusted to the Fall Back times again, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Thank YOU Wiarton Chamber

What a "wicked" blustery day it has been here.  High winds and pouring raining all day long.  Had it been snow it would have been a treacherous day this day.  Thank God it hadn't been, that will come all too soon enough without any wishful thinking on anyone's part who likes the "white" stuff (William Kendall, you come easily to mind on how many times you mention that *S* word).

First thing this morning, trying to ignore what was going on outside while I enjoyed a coffee, I heard a huge "bang".  I thought I best investigate.

Apparently our BBQ was not as fortunate as Piglet being grounded by Pooh Bear.  It remains where it is until Rob gives me a hand to right it.

We were not the only one to have damage by resulting high winds.  Before heading out to Owen Sound at 9:30 am, the hydro had gone out shortly before 10:00.

I had just passed Clavering to see some Arcing going on atop the hydro lines.  A tree had fallen on them.  I pulled over to call 9-1-1 for the Fire Department, or whatever authority could arrange for Hydro to take care of it.  Later in the day on my way back out this time towards Southampton, Hydro workers were on scene.  

Hydro at our house was probably out approxmately 4 hours I would estimate.

Down in Southampton briefly today, I was told the hydro had been going off and on all day due to the high winds.

Before leaving Southampton I took a drive down to the Centotaph to take in the breakers out on Lake Huron.  I do so miss this part of my hometown with the Lake so close at hand.

Once again back through Wiarton I made my way to return home.  Yeah ! the hydro was on so I was able to check out my email.  There in my "inbox" was an E-Blast from the Wiarton & District Chamber of Commerce.

Oh my, what a welcome !  Thank YOU WDCC for such a huge welcome.

Welcome Cindy Masterson -Roth Our newest board member to the Wiarton & District Chamber of Commerce!

We are pleased to announce the addition of Cindy to the WDCC board. Cindy has been active with the Chamber since this past May, keeping us up to date & in the loop via our Wiarton Facebook page. She has also spent countless hours helping recruit new membership, and actively promotes local events.

Keep an eye out for her smiling face around town, snapping photos and possibly getting you from A to B with Crabby Cabbie! We look forward to all the great ideas and insight Cindy will bring to the table to assist in enhancing the WDCC. Cheers to building and growing both our brand and community.

That most certainly was an unexpected email, and E-Blast !  Also "special thanks" to Mandy Sebok, Administrative Assistant to the WDCC, for doing up such a flattering write up.

This afternoon was spent doing a bit more "Crabby Cabbie" paperwork, since yesterday was the end of October with at new month upon us already.  Hello November 2013 !  what a start with the blustery windy rain day we have been having.

I actually took a breather while preparing our Dinner to actually admire the one part of my Kitchen Counter I managed to declutter and clean thoroughly this week.  It was a dent, however small of one.

Since our Wiarton driver is otherwise occupied, I have a call to go out on at 8:30 pm yet this evening.  I am hoping it does not take me too late as I am looking forward to a hot shower and the comfort of my bed this evening, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

HAPPY Halloween !

I LOVE Halloween !!! truly it is my most favourite Holiday, if you could class it as a Holiday, out of the whole Year.

It is the time to dress up to go along Trick or Treating with a child, whether your own, a grandchild, or a "borrowed" one.  A pot of chili, or Spaghetti Sauce simmering on the stove for a "quick" meal before going out for the fun of going up and down the town streets collecting lots of goodies.

The high light of the night returning home to sort and count all the goodies, and luckily be shared with if there is something the child might think they have too many of, or think they might not like ... oh goodie is right.

Childless again this year, and every year since a few ago when my Great Nephew, Riley, got to big to go out "Trick or Treating" with his Auntie.

No photos of my Grand Boys this Year, however I still got photos of my girls & one boy !  Thanks Liz for emailing me photos of Chloe, Briar, and Josh & his friends.  Hopefully next Year maybe I can make the trip down to visit everyone for this Holiday Halloween night.

Aren't those little darlings scarrrryyyyy in their costumes?  really they would get lots of treats from me should they have came to my door.

How was my day?  it was busy with decluttering the inside of our telephone desk, cleaning the sideboard off of Crabby Cabbie clutter, going out on a call at 7 am, to ending the day with a last call at 7 pm.  Can I say, "tired"? of course I can and do it quite loudly if I had the energy to do so.

A quick meal has been put in my mouth and consumed in the form of a bland pasta....certainly nothing to write home about.  Bed? oh you look so very good so watch out as I will be heading to greet you very shortly, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

A New Hat To Wear

Last night was again not a very restful evening.  My day today, not as eventful as I had it planned out in my mind, as far as housework goes.

Today I, once again, found myself doing what I have been finding myself doing more often then naught, being covering for my dear "Crabby Cabbie".  What I did find time to do this afternoon was something I have had on my mind to do since processing all these pie pumpkins the past couple of days, that being making a batch of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies.  

Yes, Chocolate and Pumpkin does go together quite amazingly well together.  I was also much more fun to make cookies then to do housework, or dreaded "Crabby Cabbie" paperwork.

Chocolate meets Pumpkin filled batter.  Cooled Chocolate Chip Pumpkin cookies meets Cookie Tin.

This Rose adorned cookie tin belonged to my Mother.  I would hate to have to take a guess on how old this lovely tin is.  It is one of my favourite of the two I still have in my possession of my Mother's.  Both tins held many of a Christmas Cookie in them made by my Mother, the recipe being my Paternal Grandmother's.

 ..... Sweet Memories, very sweet indeed.

Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe please?  PRINTABLE RECIPE *CLICK* HERE.

How did I spend my evening? it was not spent in the kitchen preparing Dinner for myself and my "Crabby Cabbie" husband, Rob, but attending a Wiarton Chamber of Commerce Meeting.   I now have a "New Hat to Wear", since I was inducted as a Board Member for the Wiarton Chamber this evening.

What "hat" will I wear on this board?  I will continue to update the Wiarton Facebook page, since setting it up in May of this Year, as well working on drumming up new Chamber Memberships.  Are you interested in learning more on being a Chamber Member?  please let me know as I would love to drop around a package to you.

To this evenings meeting I took along the Rose adorned tin of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin cookies, and happily returned home with an empty tin.  Truly they are a very good cookie I am sure you will find out when you make them yourself.

How am I now after a long day behind me?  a sinus headache menacing me, my neck feeling like it is ready to snap, and very very tired.  How am I feeling in my mind about this past day? very grateful that I am alive and well enough to have lived it as full as I could.

What made me smile this day? this did ....


What really spoke to me this day?  Thanks to Queen of Your Own Life, this did ...

On that note, I think I need to love myself by getting "me" to bed for some much needed rest, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Another Reason To LOVE Sunflowers

This morning was very cold and frosty when I first opened the door before 8 am to step outside.  Cold enough that I did not want to stay out in it any longer then I had to.  

Finally by 8 am the Sun began making a more noticeable appearance in all its Glory and Beauty.

Last night I thought I would try a little bit different method of slow cooking a pumpkin in the Crock Pot.

This was exactly the same method I did yesterday, other then I did not peel the pumpkin or cut it into smaller pieces.  I was quite pleased with doing it this way as well.  

I found this method through google, finding it over at Happy Housewife,  HERE.  I have another pumpkin in the Crock Pot on LOW to cook tonight, with about 4 more or so pumpkins to go.  I can see Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies in the future.

I absolutely truly LOVE Sunflowers.  They intrigue me in almost every way imaginable from their thick stalks, huge flowered faces, droopy leaves and their amazing heights.  

Another reason to LOVE Sunflowers is what they attract at this time of Year, with the deep blue of the Blue Jays adding colour contrast to their stately beauty.  They keep my attention captured for many many moments from the time they sprout until they have fallen for the last time.

Despite how cold it was this morning, I still stripped our bedding and hung two loads of wash out on the line with hopes the Sun and breeze would dry it thoroughly.  I did not want to waste a day of Sunshine since the forecast holds more rain in the days ahead.

Early afternoon I was coming in with an empty laundry basket, when Bandit decided to come down the stairs knocking a Lily I had sitting at the top to be disposed of.  Immediately after this had happened Rob called to see if I could go do a run for him, and please leave right away.

Oh man, as I looked at the mess I was to come back home to, and then at the face that said, "you were the one who left the plant there for me to knock over".  Talk about adding "insult to injury" .... geesh, there was no way I could blame this one on Bandit.

I no sooner got home, nicely getting the "mess" cleaned up when I got called out again.  I called Rob to ask if he was home could he please collect the laundry from the line for me.  Thank goodness he did as I did not arrive back home until at least 6 pm.

We forged for ourselves for our dinners tonight.  I have the bed made up fresh, and am about ready to go enjoy it shortly, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Pumpkin & Pooches

Really there was nothing too much in the way of any excitement in my Life this day.  I was covering for the "Crabby Cabbie" today and I could barely keep up with all the action I had ... that being pretty much next to none this day.

I did get a load of laundry done, dried, folded and put away, as well as a couple of sinks of dishes washed up, some vacuuming and dusting done.... surely this has to account for something?

What was my wonderful husband doing? well he was on his way to Kitchener.  I had thought since we got such a wonderful deal on a box of Turnips this past Saturday, I put it out there for some of my friends that if they would like a box for themselves, to let me know and he would stop to pick them up.  The only condition to this was they had to meet Rob at Tim Horton's in Southampton to pickup around his work schedule, or here at our home in Wiarton, as not to us out on any time or gas by running around delivering to anyone.

The poor guy picked up 8 boxes of Turnips at 50 lbs a box.  That was a lot of slugging.  Thanks Honey for acting on a gesture of Kindness.  You are the BEST !!!

Last night we had prepared a Pie Pumpkin to make Pumpkin Puree in the Crock Pot.  This was the first time I had ever attempted this.  

Into the Crock Pot at LOW the peeled chunked Pumpkin when with a cup of water.  The setting on this SMART Crock Pot on LOW runs the longest time for 10 hours.

This morning the setting had re-set itself to KEEP WARM.  I removed the pumpkin from the Crock Pot to leave cool.  Once cool I mashed it, after consulting my blogging friend, Karen of Living In My Valley (as she had already tried this method).  This one pumpkin yielded me 4 Cups of Puree.  A Pumpkin Pie Recipe calls for 2 cups.  NOTE:  It was not watery much whatsoever that I did not have to drain any off.

This evening I am going to try a wee bit different method in the Crock Pot by leaving the Peel.  This method I found HERE.  Since this Pumpkin Puree making is all new to me, I thought I would try a couple different methods and keep the one I like the best for next time.

This afternoon I had to slip out for a bit on a couple of errands.  When I returned I went out to the kitchen to seen a turned over container where I had left a bit of Roast Beef in.  Putting two and two together pretty quickly I called out to Bandit, who never came but hightailed it downstairs as quick as he could go.  This is our Bandit Boy who "does no wrong" almost NEVER in his 8 years.

Our Poor Bandit Boy  wearing his "I Got Up on the Counter and Stole Food" Sign of Shame, very shamefully.

It has been really a long day, but I am feeling pretty good that I did accomplish a few things in our home.... few is much better then none.  I am hoping tomorrow brings more things accomplished, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".