Day 360 - 25th December 2012 - Christmas Day

Merry Christmas Everyone!
The big day has arrived, I of course was up way too early but Larry and Lexi are still asleep. Temperature is a little cooler this morning at -3.5. I went to bed last night feeling totally calm and peaceful sure that I would sleep longer but it was not to be. Yesterday was lovely, a light dusting of snow over everything just to put you in the seasonal mood, we delivered gifts in town in the morning, then back home again. Larry put wood in the basement and I tidied up a bit then Lexi and I had a nap. We missed church last night, Larry was late getting the lobsters [fresh off the boat] and boy were they good. A glass of wine, lobster and potato salad rounded off the evening.

From my Grandmother's Journal:
Monday 24 December 1973:
Up early some snow. Bob & Bobbie to M.C. No tracks, not enough snow. Me to work. Afternoon we went to Ohio for part of the afternoon. Down to visit kids and in to Mother's. 
Tuesday 25 December 1973:
Christmas Day - Up at 15 of 5 to go down to see our Grandchildren open their presents. More excited than they ever were, couldn't wait. Lovely morning, cold. Had dinner with them at 2:30 o'clock. Had a lovely quiet Christmas. 
My paternal grandparents came every year to watch us open our gifts on Christmas morning. I think grandmother would have burst if we had been children that slept in, thank goodness we always woke up early [me in particular]. It was my job to call them and say we were up and ready. At any time after 3 am my youngest brother would be sent downstairs to see if we could get up and open our gifts yet. A stern "go back to bed" was usually the response. Thank goodness Santa was wise and left our stockings filled at the end our beds [usually Dad's wool socks], they would provide a bit of entertainment for a while. No later than 6 am we would be tearing off the wrapping paper. Mom always insisted that we keep the tags with the gifts  so that a proper thank you could be given to the appropriate gift giver.  When I read my grandmother's journals I am instantly transported back to that day in time if only for a few minutes. I'm grateful that she wrote her thoughts and feelings down all those years ago, although I'm sure she didn't expect that they would find their way to the Internet.

 A light dusting of snow for Christmas Eve. The morning felt magical as I walked down to the lake.

 The lake was beautiful with snow on the bank and trees hanging over.

 The sun shone bright in the sky as it made it's way up beyond the tree line.

 Sparkled on the ice like gold dust.

 Just a bit of snow on tree branches.

Hoping all of you can be spending at least part of the day with loved ones or friends. Looking forward to our family dinner later this afternoon. Enjoy your day!

Day 359 - 24th December 2012 - Some Christmas Decorations at Our House

Monday has rolled around again, well this week it's pretty special. Christmas Eve has arrived and it's also an important day for Larry and I. We are celebrating our 29th anniversary and hopefully it will be with lobsters for supper, my fingers are crossed. I think I've got just about everything done, we'll zip to town and deliver our gifts this morning and gas up the truck. I think we are safe from having to go into a store today - rah! Temperature is -1.9 this morning, once again I got up too early so hoping there will be time for a nap later if I want to get through the whole day. Planning on Church this evening. It's an early service at 7 pm in our little Church up the road and is done by community members. There will be readings, music, stories and the lighting of candles. Most years there are roughly 100 people - family and friends from near and far, home for the holidays.
Snow flurries most of yesterday, didn't amount to a lot but was a bit chilly with the wind blowing as well. Finished up the the last of the tins, and found the kitchen counter again. Good news is there are even a few treats left for the house, not many but enough to keep Larry from complaining that I gave everything a way! He doesn't really mind, but likes a cookie or two after supper. Walked over to visit with Lois for a few minutes in the afternoon and deliver her gift, had tea and a few laughs.

Our tree this year. I love a pine tree and sometimes you can't be too fussy as good ones are difficult to find.

 We switched to the LED lights a couple of years ago, I'm not in love with them. I still like my clear mini lights but since we traded them in for these at the annual light exchanges I have to live with them.

 One of my favourite tree ornaments is this little old fashion Santa I bought years ago in Halifax at a Christmas Shop in the Historic Properties.

 I often fill items around the house with colorful glass balls for Christmas. This is a piece of Nova Scotia Glass.

 I love this Santa more than any others I own. He belonged  to my Grandmother and is a candle with  a paper face.

A piece I did a number of years ago when I ran my own business. Basically I designed and painted Christmas 12 months of the year. Old world Santa's were always my favourite to do.

















While I write the blog mostly for myself, I know there are those of you out there who enjoy reading it and I like sharing it with you all. What I write comes quickly from my mind to my fingertips some mornings, yes sometimes there are typos, grammatical mistakes, etc. but guess what, it doesn't really matter to me. I'm not writing this for resale.  However, it appears there is one person who feels the need to police how and what I write. Well sir maybe you shouldn't bother to waste your time reading my dribble. I have no time for rudeness or arrogance.
Sorry for the rant this morning, but I decided it had to be. I'm ready for another coffee and a little me time before the day gets rolling. For those of you travelling to family, be safe. Enjoy your day!

Day 358 - 23rd December 2012 - Deer and Christmas Lights

Sunday and the temperature is 0.9. Quite a change from yesterday when I got up. As I've said before it's Nova Scotia and the weather changes frequently and rapidly. We go with the flow. Larry plans to put more wood in the basement today, I'll puddle around here, organize gifts to be delivered etc. and try to get the house to remain clean looking for more than 5 minutes. Won't be able to get the lobster until tomorrow afternoon, that's Larry's department and I'm leaving it to him. It's been too windy for the boats to go out but our lobsterman says he's going Monday so all is good. It will be a bit rushed since he won't get in until around 4 pm, then there is the cooking and shelling and we have church at 7 pm.  Since the price is right for purchasing I may try to put some in the freezer for later rather than gobble it all up.
Yesterday was very productive. Couldn't believe I got the grocery shopping and a few errands done with out a complete melt down. Normally the last few days before Christmas the stores are nuts but it was pretty good Saturday morning, maybe I just timed it right. Then it was back home to get some of the house straightened back up again, floors scrubbed etc. Larry tackled the outside of the kitchen window and since I had banned he and Lexi till the floors were finished I noticed him scrubbing the house siding as well. Then it was on to putting wood in the basement for him and me sorting out the last of the gifts for me. Then it was another dash to town to toast the bride and groom [friends who had tied the knot earlier in the afternoon]. Wishing them many years of happiness. Back home to a quiet night.

We saw these little guys on the way to town yesterday around supper time.

 Very alert, ears up, tail moving.

 And they are moving.

We were fortunate to be able to watch them for about 10 minutes.

They crossed the road in front of us, then hung around in someone's front yard, crossing the road again behind the truck.

 A few Christmas lights in town.

 This one looks festive.

We both really liked this one.














Time to kick start myself with another coffee. Enjoy your day!

Day 357 - 23rd December 2012 - Decorations, Bark, Ferns and Ducks

Saturday...temperature is +8.2, not bad for this time of year for sure. Seems that the rain has stopped, lets hope so. Off to town this morning, for what I hope will be my last trip to a store for a week and I'm betting it will be nuts. I don't need much, got the bulk of my groceries last week, a few more stocking stuffers and that should just about be it. I'm thinking optimistic that all will go smoothly and I will remain calm not frazzled at the end of it. Larry has to check in about our lobsters and go to Gunning Cove to pick those up. Around supper time we've got to go to a little wedding get together for a couple we know who are getting married this afternoon. Best of Luck! So it's going to be a day on the road. One of those trips I'll do a few gift deliveries as well.
Weather remained overcast most all day, the sunrise was  bright red in the morning. I should have gone taken some photos but was in the middle of something so opted out. You know the old saying "red sun at night sailors delight, red sun at dawn sailors be warned". Lexi and I got out around the neighbourhood, stopped and visited with Lois for a few minutes and got some work done around the house. Oh forgot - for some reason I must have been tired, laid down and slept for almost 2 hours, that's quite a nap.  It started raining and blowing hard just before supper. Lasagna for supper and a lazy evening in front of the tv.

 The neighbours have finished decorating their gate.

 They always put something fun and festive out.

 A little bit of birch bark peeling away.

 Was really surprised to see some green ferns still hanging on, not sure how I missed them before.

 Lexi brought the ducks in.

 Once the realize it's her they aren't bothered. Although she's not a duck dog, but I guess a herding dog can herd anything.

They get tired and start to move off.














Time to get a list ready for town. Enjoy your day!

Day 356 - 21st December 2012 - A dusting of Snow, Lexi , Wreath and Leaves

Sure wish I could stay in bed until 5-5:30 am, would make for a much better day. Temperature is -0.1 this morning, roads could be slippery. I guess today I better pick up where I left of yesterday with getting the house sorted back out again and I need to make a list of what I want in town tomorrow.
Lots done yesterday including a few walks around the neighborhood. Thank goodness the weather was decent for a change but now we have a rainfall warning in effect once again. Blah! Exercise class last night and we all brought munchies and had a little get together after. Good thing Cindy worked us hard before we ate as everyone had really tasty things, dips, cheese balls, sweets, etc.
Time for Grandmother's Journal:
20th December 1973 - Overcast and cold. All around us snow and very miserable (Toronto, Montreal). Lovely here, milder tonight. To school for kids programme. Mike and Sid in singing and chorus. Kids cute. Overcast tonight. Milder. No rain yet. 12 o'clock. 
21st December 1973 - Good morning in store. Overcast and light showers. High winds, Bob stayed home today. 
22nd December 1973 - Overcast high winds at times. Snow flurries just a dust. Bob & Bobbie to M.C. Home early. Bob and I drove to  Upper Ohio. They were glad to see us. Miss Jim. 

 Snow capped trees up the lake.

 The sun was trying to break through.

 A bubble or two close to shore.

 The snow showed up in a few places but didn't seem to stick everywhere.

 One of the neighbors has finally got his wreaths out.

 A few oak leaves still hanging on.

Never quite sure what she has on her mind sometimes.













Time for another coffee and get things started. Enjoy  your day!

Day 355 - 20th December 2012 - Sunrises, Ducks and Chickadees

I'm up way too early this morning, but that's my own fault. I was tired and cold last night so went to bed earlier than normal. Maybe Lexi and I will try for a nap this afternoon and get me sorted back out again. Please tell me it's not going to rain again today, although we did get a bit of snow last evening. Temperature is 0.8 so it could probably go either way. I've got to spend  a couple of hours whipping this place back into shape again, doing laundry etc. Have some more tins that need to be packed up for delivery tomorrow and Saturday then I think I'm done with that part of the season. I better check out Larry and Lexi's stockings to make sure I have enough to fill them. Ok, so I'm not seeing a lot of nap time but once I get in motion things will move fast...I hope. Exercise class tonight and then a little social after Cindy works us to a breaking point. That's something to look forward to. HA!HA!
So Wednesday passed - thank goodness. I truly hate wet Wednesdays. I was wet most of the day - there were 2 runs to the post office, 1 to the garage to pay a bill, the insurance office to pay a bill, the bank, the bookstore, lunch... got the idea. I usually enjoy running around doing errands and things in town but not in the rain this time of year - cold and miserable. And I'm thinking I've caught the "man cold", seems I'm doing a fair amount of sniffling, but like any good woman I don't have the time to put up with it, too much to do. I think I'm ranting too much. According to the Mayan calender the world ends on the 21st but have faith the Oreo cookie says no. Well with all that rain I didn't get anywhere with the camera, am beginning to go through withdrawal, so back into the collection I go.

 I always find sun rises a comfort - a new day begins.

A little mist rising off the early morning lake.

The faithful ducks, will miss them in the lake once it freezes over. They tend to stay in the river more, then.

Catching lunch at the feeder.

Time to see how bad Susan is beating me in Scrabble. Enjoy your day!

Day 354 - 19th December 2012 - More Sunrises and Sunsets

Well it's Wednesday and my town day. Would really rather stay home. I can hear the rain and wind this morning, temperature is +6.5. Got lots and lots to do today and nothing I dislike more than running around doing errands in winter rain - it's so cold and miserable. The forecast is for rain changing to snow this evening, that sounds like lots of fun too [not] and more rain the rest of the week. I can see some flooding being an issue in areas. Our basement will take on a little bit of water enough that the bottom of your feet will probably be wet but not much more, I hope. We are between two lake but not close enough to either to be a big problem. Some newer homes are built to near, but folks who build our house about 150 years ago knew better. Nice to have water close but not too close.
Some more shopping yesterday and then homeward bound. So it was a great trip - good company, shopping and lots of giggles. Sometimes it's just nice to get away for 24 hours and not have to worry about anything and that's what I did. We were lucky and didn't run into the rain until around Lunenburg. Stopped and had a great meal at the "Happy Cooker" which is right around the Mahone Bay/Blockhouse area on the highway. Their Haddock burger platter was fabulous, nice big piece of fish with just the right about of fries. Back to reality and home by 4 pm. Spent the evening packing up a few more tins, etc. for delivery on Wednesday. A miserable evening for weather - they have predicted 40-50 mm for the next 24 hours - build the boat Noah! So no new photos, diving back into the collection for those.

Just a glimmer of the sun rising behind the island.

Pink and cloudy.

Sunsets are nice this time of year.

A little fast water on the river.

This will certainly rise over the next few days.













Time to get things ready and go to town. Enjoy your day!