What A Great Day !!!

I love the Sunshine, and this morning it was -25 and Sunny.  The Sun however is not always my friend, as you can tell by the amount of dust on my dining room table in the first two photos.  But after a bit of Polish with everything put back as is, I got to enjoy it "dust free" for about the first hour today, as the Sun shone all day long.  Thanks goodness nobody can see the rest of my furniture as the dust is much thicker then what was on my table .... oh my !

I picked up my neighbour, Pari, this morning as she wanted to take me out for lunch today, as my Birthday is tomorrow.  We first stopped in Sauble Beach for my 10:30 am appt. with the Chiropractor before heading down the shoreline road Southampton way.

I am always amazed when I come across Wild Turkeys, as I love watching their antics.  Such funny funky looking characters are they not?

We made our way through Southampton over to Port Elgin where we had a bit of a shop before Lunch.  After the shop I had called my Auntie Gladys who was going to meet up with us.

The Fish & Chips at the Lord Elgin Restaurant in Port Elgin does have about the best Fish & Chips (in my case baked potato).  Auntie had the Fish on a Bun, Pari had Fish & Shrimp with a Baked Potato, and I had All You Could Eat Halibut with Baked Potato (4 nicely sized pieces of Halibut that were melt in your mouth and so flakey).

It hadn't ended at the Fish, as Pari had snuck in a Tiramisu Cake she had picked up at Walmart, and had the Waitresses not only serve it to me, but sing "Happy Birthday" too !  Thank you Pari for such a wonderful outing today, and thank you Auntie for being part of it.

Once lunch was over, Auntie went on our way while Pari and I stopped at the Dollarstore, and in Southampton at Harringtons to check out if Loose Leaves had any Pumpkin Tea.  Alas they only had Pumpkin with Fruit that I did not care to try.  We gassed up the vehicle ready for its day of work tomorrow, then headed on home.

Pari not only treated me for lunch & cake, she also gave me this gift.  I was going to open it, however Rob said wait until tomorrow so I will actually have a gift to open on my Birthday., since he gave me the camera early.  Of course I will wait until tomorrow, but still it is hard to wait.

I can not believe I did not get home until after 4 pm.  Honest to goodness Pari and I were talking how slow time goes when we do something we do not care to do, however when we are out having a good time it just flies by us ..... isn't that the truth !!!

If nothing else today got done other then my dining room table dusted, the bed made, dishes done up and a nice hot shower, I had a Great Day out with my friend, Pari, and an awesome visit with my Auntie.

Pari had said to Rob he will have to serve me up breakfast in bed tomorrow, Rob's answer was, "Cindy doesn't eat in bed" ... I guess he gets out of that one, does he not !

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

Cheesy Salsa Dip Day

 My dear Rob did not get home until the wee hours of the morning, that being 3:30 am.  I honestly did not hear him coming in as I had not went to sleep until after midnight  myself, and back up at 6 am.

It was frigging nippy out there again this morning.  When Summer arrives, if it ever does this Year, I will do my best not to complain once about the heat .... someone please hold me to that.

Rob had a couple of runs to Owen Sound and back today, so that was the whole afternoon gone in a blink of an eye.  I had a bit of a visit with my neighbour, which is always nice.  Since I am busy on my actual Birthday this week, she wants to take me out for Lunch tomorrow.  We have made plans to meet up with my Auntie at the Lord Elgin Fish & Chips in Port Elgin, by the way which was Voted One of Canada's Best Fish & Chips by Canadian Living Magazine March 2013.

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, which was my Mother-in-Law's Birthday, then mine, then my Niece Joanne's, then my Mom & Dad's Wedding Anniversary, and then my oldest son, Chris's Birthday.  Quite a stretch of milestones all in a row.

Rob asked if today I would make one of his favourite dishes for our Dinner tonight.  Since it is something I seldom make I thought what the heck, I can spoil us a little bit from time to time, right?  The only part I am disappointed with was I didn't have my memory card in my camera and the internal memory was not enough to hold the photos I had taken when preparing this dish step by step.  Yes I failed to check before snapping photos ... but all was not lost as some were still captured.

Cheesy Salsa Dip (Served Heated) 

I have been making this Salsa Dip for as long as I can remember, long before Rob and I knew each other and that has now been 22 years (at least).  You can tell by how Rob is filling his plate how involved he gets with this dip, can you not?  Yes it is definitely one of his favourites.  I am also now enjoying using my Homemade Black Bean & Corn Salsa in it rather then store bought.

I had taken this Salsa Dip to the very first Cindy's Recipe Exchange Pot Luck last September and it was a very big hit there.  You can read all about that day by *clicking* HERE.  It was such a FUN DAY !!!  I am looking for our next scheduled get together on the 25th of May 2014.  I am even more excited that we have almost 500 Members, now sitting at 471 Members !

Oh yes Recipe please?  FOR A PRINTABLE RECIPE PLEASE *CLICK* HERE.

Anyhow really that was about how my day was here, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

More Winter AGAIN !!!

 It was a very early start to my day this morning at 3 am when our Bandit was at my bedside crying for out.  The poor boy had done a "no, no" the other day getting into the garbage bin I had left out (by accident of course).  His tummy had not been feeling well all day yesterday, and took until today for him to get back to himself.

To make matters worse I have had another miserable headache again since the weather has changed up ....

... truly it was another miserable day out there, but not as bad as it was last month.

This pretty much sums up what this Winter has been all about !  does it not?

Since I had barely any sleep, I didn't get too much done here that I had great plans otherwise to get done other then a few basics, and sending off a couple of notes via post.

Rob was busy for a bit cleaning the build up of salt from the floor carpet in the Wiarton Taxi.  I can't wait for a warm, dry Spring day to get started on the vehicles as it is so difficult to keep up with them with the weather being so bad all the time.  Our personal vehicle also needs a really good cleaning too.

Later this afternoon Rob had himself some fun at Bandit's expense.  The poor guy reached over to get to Rob and the chair almost went topsy turvey, and him along with it, as you can tell by the look on his face in the larger photo.

I have been inspired with the Maple Syrup Season, such as  it has been this Season to make yet another Recipe using Maple Syrup.  This time around I used boneless skinless Chicken Breasts.

Once the chicken is dusted with flour, salt & pepper, it is first browned before the Maple Syrup mixture, onions and chicken broth is poured over.  Covered and roasted in a 350*F oven gives you an amazing baked chicken breast 1 hour later with amazing taste and flavor.  Both Rob and I love this dish, although Rob does not care  for onions that I love.  Another keeper in my recipe files.

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

After our dinner, Rob was sweet enough to make me a cuppa tea.  He is off to work shortly, while I am certain Bandit and I will be off to bed since we were up so early.  Bandit had himself a doggie nap or two today, however I was not so lucky, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Melt In Your Mouth

 Okay okay okay, when will I catch a break?  I am thinking I have to sit down and make a plan for my weeks.  This day go here and there to collect photos for the Volunteer Work for the WDCC, one day to spend with a friend, one day to do paperwork, and the rest to clean and organize my life.  There is one problem with this working for me ... there is never any consistency in our life with the beloved Husband having his own business !!! and puppies on the way in April.

Plan "B" ?  carry on the best I can and not worry about it any more (easier said then done, is it not, and me not worry???? hahahaha ).  Overwhelming? at the best of times I readily admit.

Anyhow my day seemed as busy as usual with more running around this morning.  This afternoon I had a 3:30 pm appt in Sauble Beach with the Chiropractor, then it was time for a bit more of this and that before returning home to get our Dinner on the go.

I had received some "Happy Mail" today, and a LOT of mail that will be good for starting the Wood Stove with.

Thanks to my Auntie Gladys & Uncle Basil for the lovely Birthday Card & Timmies GC (I always like receiving & enjoying a Birthday Card prior to my birthday, don't you?).  The stack of envelopes in the last photo? those were all from Bell Canada telling me what changes I made to each and every one of our personal & business mobile phones.  Crazy waste of paper are my thoughts, but like I said burnable.

I was tired by the time I did get back home late this afternoon, however I had been looking forward to making this "Melt in your Mouth" Mustard-Maple Pork Tenderloin since yesterday.  I got to it ...

Once the cooked Tenderloin was resting I made the Maple-Mustard Sauce for it.  Oh my this recipe is not only simple to make, but oh so truly "melt in your mouth" tasty.  One of my favourites.  Perfect timing with Maple Syrup Season just having begun.

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

This morning I could have stayed warm and cuddled in my bed all day long.  I am going to try and go for that same feeling again tonight, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Seriously ? 9:20 PM !

I can not believe I am doing a post this late at night, as it has been quite some time since I have.  Now that I have just done my photos it is 9:36 pm.

I have barely returned home from a WDCC meeting.  It turned into a 3 hour meeting, however we had covered a lot of ground.  You do not mind when there is a sense of accomplishment attached to something.

Today had been another very busy day for me, is that unusual? I think not most days.

First thing I had an errand downtown this morning.  I stopped into our local Foodland store.  I was so thrilled that I had purchased all of this for a mere $22.00, this was after I had given my neighbour one of the cantaloupe and a huge bag of the bananas.   All that fruit, a huge bag of green beans, a box of Lasagna, a package of WW Egg Noodles, one container of Tomato Juice and 2 blocks of cheese.  She scores !!!!  oh yes & a bag of carrots.

Arriving back home I did manage to make the bed, do up a few dishes and actually sweep all the floors before Rob arrived home to sweep me off my feet and take me for a drive with him up to Cape Croker.  I was thrilled to go as I love it there, and had not been for some time.  I wish I would have had time to get out to take photos, but maybe another time when I go up to visit a friend I will do that, but in the meantime....

Not the greatest through the Van's windows, however beautiful just the same.

Today I had noticed two sure signs that Spring is just around the corner, despite the cold temps we have been getting again the past couple of days.

Rob stopped so I could get a couple photos of Mr. Skunk at the side of the road.  He had to back up which had startled the skunk almost resulting in the van being sprayed .... ewwww.  I found it very interesting this guy had a black stripe down his back instead of the usual white one.  They are kind of cute, too bad they are so smelly and have a mean bite too.

The 2nd sign was all the yucky dead flies inside on my window sills.  The vacuum cleaner will be working overtime tomorrow sucking them up.  Ewwww factor for sure.

By the time we had arrived home from Cape Croker, and the time it was for me to leave for the meeting was a small window, so not too much of else was accomplished this day.

One other very important item I also accomplished today was following up with a defective Bluetooth Headset product Rob had purchased July 31, 2012.  It had literally fallen apart, and I had been certain there had been a 2 year warranty on it.  After contacting The Source in Port Elgin where we had purchased it, we were told we had to go back to the company for the guarantee.  I contacted Blue Ant Wireless online, who are out of USA and Australia.  The online rep was amazing to deal with.  Today I had emailed him the receipt, product Serial No., an a photo of the damaged headset.

After sending all the information along with the attached photos below I had an almost immediate reply telling me our claim was approved and we would be receiving an upgraded Blue Ant Q3 Wireless Headset within 1 to 3 weeks.  Thank you for great Customer Service & awesome product guarantee.  Wow 2  great experiences with companies within days of each other !

My long time friend of over 20 years, Bob, lost his Mother, Dot, today.  My son had just dropped him off a the hospital where Bob had gone in and she had passed peacefully within 10 minutes of him being there.  Dot had been in her 98th Year.  I had met her over 20 years ago, when she was 76 years old.  I will never forget, Bob and I had pulled into his parent's driveway, and she had been outside after just changing the oil in the tractor.  She is one woman who I totally admired and respected.  And bake? she was one of the best bakers I have every met, always having something fresh out of the oven when we went to visit.

I am happy to know Dot you are now with your beloved husband, Vern, and the Angels will be singing sweet songs to you both now under God's watchful eye.  You will be dearly missed by many.  

Am I tired? of course, as that would not be my middle name otherwise if I wasn't, besides it is 9:59 pm now,
 "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

Happy With The Guarantee !

You would think Mr. Relaxation Bandit was having his Birthday in 6 days from now, and these early Birthday Greeting Cards were his !  Thanks to my Cousin Paula for thinking of me, and of course to my Sister, Donna, who goes to great pains to find me the funniest cards she can.

I am happy to report I have finished entering the Months of January & February onto the Crabby Cabbie's Books today !!!  YAY me .... then this afternoon I picked up my neighbour, Pari, to drive over to Sauble Beach with me to the Chiropractor appt. I had late this afternoon.  After the appt. I took her down to the Beach (Lake Huron) to show her how much snow they still had, even after the balmy warm day we had yesterday.  Amazing is it not ?

I posted my old worn out Microwave Tupperware Bowls of almost 20 years not too long ago and ...

The new area Tupperware Girl showed up today with the Brand New replacements !  You might think Tupperware is a little on the "expensive" side, but really? you have to LOVE not only the product bu also the Lifetime Guarantee !!!  Are the new ones not lovely ???  I am a happy Camper.   Should you need any worn, chipped or broken Tupperware, or wanting to order some new, please give Lindsay a call, as she is serving the Wiarton & surrounding area with a big *smile*.

I am feeling a tad on the ill side with a bit of an upset stomach, and a headache coming on.  Rob is going to take care of our "Aussie" Gang the remainder of the evening, and I am now going to head to a nice comfy bed with hopes of this passing real soon, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".

No Time

Another bad night of sleep lead into a no time to get anything done at home as today I headed out by 9 am to ....

- stop at my friend's place to go over a bit of upcoming WDCC business;

- stop in at Rankin River Trading Co. to exchange a pair of long underwear to a smaller size for Rob (I had gotten him a pair as I think it is better to have something underneath his pants in the cold damp weather for his arthritis. Rob agreed);

- stop at the Thrift Store to catch up on a couple things there with a friend, who is also part of the Wiarton District Optimist Club;

- at this point I met up with Rob, and both of us stopped into the RBC bank then headed on up to the Wiarton Home Building Centre;

- Rob then went his separate way, first stopping in to get one of our kids a Gift Card for Subway, as I went to drop in again to see my friend on some other business that goes way back before Christmas !  Oh man !;

- last stop downtown Wiarton was at the Foodland store to pickup a potted flower for a most wonderful customer of ours who recently had surgery;

- stopped in to deliver the flower and have a wee visit with our customer.

FINALLY, I did eventually arrive home around the Lunch Hour.  I barely had lunch, gotten some Crabby Cabbie book work done when Rob called asking if I could go back downtown to do an errand for him.  While I was down there I managed to stop in at the Post Office to mail off a couple Birthday Cards.

I never did get back home from the second outing until 4 pm !!!!  was I ever happy I had put a Chicken in the Crock Pot this morning.  Potatoes, Creamed Corn & Chicken completed our Dinner this evening.

When I had been out this afternoon on the "Rob Errand", I did stop to take in the beauty of Colpoy's Bay ... it was a peaceful moment that I had needed.

No time today was right ....

)

And really, can you  believe we have another storm front moving into Ontario ???  other then hearing it from friends and it being on the news, I can feel it coming on ....

On that note I think a hot Epsom Salt bath would be in order, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.