+15C on December 26th 2015

I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked at the thermometer, 59 F/ 15C for you metric people .
Who would believe the temperatures would be in the double digits above zero in late December?


I had a green Christmas but it certainly made travelling alot nicer without the worry of driving in a blizzard.
I had a great day at my son and his wife's home.
His wife made a spectacular meal for 19 people we ate, told corny jokes and had a lovely boxing day together.

               Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of the kid's table it was done up beautifully as well.

                                              Their beautiful Christmas tree.

                                            The kitchen is all a buzz with activity

                                   My son Blair at the door greeting guests and Judith making her way upstairs

My son Blair tells me I am stealing everyone's soul with my camera lol.

                                          Cheryl and her Auntie Lynne in the kitchen.

Cheryl's Auntie Lynne making gravy

My daughter-in-lawCheryl and her Mom Judith

Enjoying a few laughs around the dinner table

Kate  my son Ryan's significant other and bandmate

My son Ryan 

                                         Kate wiping the drool off of Ryan's shirt and Blair laughing at his brother's                                                antics

                          Cheryl and Blair and Ryan and Kate clowning around in front of the tree

A lovely picture of both of my sons with their wives. 

I had a great time away and didn't have to worry about the weather until I got back home again.

Now the weather is not so hot we are in the double digits below zero  -10C or 14F

We are expecting 10-15 cm or between 4 and 6 inches of snow .

I am so glad the nice weather held out so all my long distance travelling was completed before the winter weather set in.

Christmas Celebrations 2015

Had a nice Christmas with my Mom,and most of the family only my eldest son and his wife and my niece's  significant other that didn't make it.
It was nice to have everyone together for a nice meal and celebrate Christmas together.

Melting Moments And Oh How Fast She Has Grown...#2

Melting Moments And Oh How Fast She Has Grown ...#2

Melting Moments

3 cups flour
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup cornstarch
1 softened pound of butter
mix together with fork into a dough
roll 1 inch balls
flatten with fork
add sprinkles
bake 325 F for 7-10 mins until golden brown on bottom edge

This cookie is one of my most requested cookie at Christmastime.
Do you have a cookie recipe that people request you to make each Christmas?

Gretchen is getting excited for Christmas

I thought I would share with you my shortbread recipe .
I do post it yearly for those of you that are like myself and lose recipes if they aren't in a book.
I have pictures of Gretchen baking Christmas cookies with me from 2 years ago and wow I can hardly believe how much she has grown in these past 2 years.

                                                                                                                                                                  

2 Weeks in Jamaica

Well I guess the post title is a bit deceiving.
I did not go to Jamaica but did take a trip to Welland Ontario.

My eldest son and his wife go to Jamaica each year and I get out of town for a break and go to their home in Welland and mind the fur babies and the house while they are away.

I look forward to this time to spend some time to myself  to do the things I want to do for 2 weeks.
This time around I am enjoying the comfort of their new bed, I can't ever remember sleeping as well as I do in this bed, I have been playing my guitar and finding new music to play on my radio show.
I have also been cooking up a storm.
Homemade soups and sauces and casseroles in their freezer for when they return.

I have been venturing out more now I have a GPS although my TOM has played some practical jokes on me , taking me off the highway then telling me to make a u-turn and get back on the highway or taking me to an area that they are building an industrial park and telling me that I have reached my destination lol...not funny!

I will be calling the manufacturer when I get home and tell them that their new update has a few  bugs in it and ask how to take it off.

Have you ever had issues with your GPS like this?

Right-brained

Well, I am often blaming my left-handedness for my way of thinking and learning being so different from others. I am very right-brained.
Only another left -handed person would know the struggles of using a pair of scissors in a house with right -handed people that use all your left-handed  tools and wear them in right-handed and they become a tool that is not as easy for a southpaw to use.
Serrated edges on steak knives are often only on the side of the knife the way a right -handed person would use it..
Can openers I struggle with them and did have a wonderful left-handed can opener which ended up going missing when we moved, great item to have in the kitchen.

I  know a place in Toronto Ontario that is a shop that caters to  us mollydookers called The Sinister Shop .http://www.sinistershop.com/
Great store for your left-handed needs!


Just a little something I thought you may like to read up on what another lefty had to say about it.
Go to:

http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2015/08/what-katy-wrote-terms-for-left-handed-people-on-left-handers-day/

Are you a lefty?
Do you have a difficult time keeping you left-handed scissors  usable for you?
Do you have an example of a peeve about being southpaw you would like to share with us?

Fall Means Great Hearty Soups!

Fall means great hearty soups in our household.
Today I made a pot of  bean with bacon soup, such a filling tasty soup.
I hope that you like this recipe, it is simple and yummy!



                                                         Bean With Bacon Soup


2 cups Northern White Beans, picked and rinsed.
6 strips crispy cooked bacon with a tablespoon of bacon drippings
3 carrots minced
3 stalks celery minced
1 onion minced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 large potato minced
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 large pinch of red chillies
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce or a couple of  splashes of Liquid Smoke
6-8 cups of water ( more if needed as cooking)
1 small tin of tomato paste
 oook down until beans are soft enough to mash 2 cups and return to pot.

Simmer until beans are cooked then enjoy!

Election Day in Canada!

I hope that all you Canadians are going to ensure you get out to vote today.
The statistics I read state that the number of persons registered to vote in the whole of Canada are less than the population of Toronto!

Come on people! So many gave up so much to fight for our right to vote, to have a say and if you are going to throw that away, you are giving up some of your freedom!

If you want to continue to live in a  country where you have a say, ensure you vote today!

The Weekend Before Thanksgiving!

I am not sure about you but I love Thanksgiving Weekend!
The fall weather, and the colours the trees  and flowers display.

I loved listening to the children passing and giggling as they walked to school, unfortunately these days the children are still passing by but I hear no sound but their feet dragging while they trip along with their faces stuck in their phones.

I really don't know what it is going to take for people to open their eyes and realize that life is passing them by, God's beauty is all around us and it is being ignored along with our loved ones.

I was reading the news the other day and a woman  was fiddling with her phone while her 2 year old was crushed by a car.
How terrible for her, I will keep her in my prayers
Take  away a lesson from this tragedy...put the phone away and pay attention to your loved ones as well as to life going on around you and the blessings in your life.

I

Auction Site Love!

I have been frequenting auction sites on Facebook for the last couple of months and have managed to get 3/4 of my Christmas shopping completed!

While I was on there I fell in love with a set of wall hangings that reminded me of an jewellery box I had as a child that was burned up in the fire when our house burned down.

When I told my Mother that I had won the auction for them she immediately offered up 1/2 the money and told me it was my Christmas gift early!

Well I have yet to hand them up but had to share a picture of these beauties.

The photograph is from the auction site where I purchased them.

They found a good home and will be treasured!

Have you ever purchased something solely due to it reminding you of a lovely memory from your childhood?

Fall is coming !

 
With Fall soon coming, I decided to make a recipe I have made for the last couple of  years. It is definitely a comfort food.
I have Reeni over at Cinnamon And Spice And Everything Nice to thank for this fall go to recipe!
It is lovely, filling and just disappears way too darn fast!


http://www.cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/no-knead-olive-bread-with-whipped-feta-cream-cheese/

First Day of School

Today being the first day of school  in grade one for my granddaughter I can't believe that the years are flying by so quickly!

I know she is looking forward to seeing all of her friends from the last few years .

Today is also her Daddy's birthday and she put in a request for a specific birthday gift for him from her.

It took a bit of looking but found exactly what she wanted to get him...a Batman watch!

I can't wait to see the expression on his face when he opens it.

I believe I mentioned before about him whispering in her ear as a newborn "I am Batman"
hoping that would be her first words...close lol.

Father's Day she got him a t-shirt that said "I am Batman" and now this watch, seems she likes Batman almost as much as he does !

The temperatures here have been soaring and I have been spending as much time in the air conditioning as humanly possible.

What have you been doing to keep cool during this heatwave?

Brown Butter, Bittersweet Chocolate,Pear Cake

I have a few pears on the counter that need to be used up so today I decided to make a cake using the pears and chocolate chunks!

http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/01/bittersweet-chocolate-and-pear-cake/

I have been making this cake since 2009 with great reviews from those that have sampled it.

Thank-you Smitten Kitchen for such a great recipe!

I hope you will try it and enjoy the first of many lovely fall recipes to follow.

Online Auction Addiction

It seems that I have an addiction to online auctions!

I actually have spent the last 2 weeks bidding on different things and have most of my Christmas shopping done.

 Not only do I have most of my Christmas shopping done I have gotten some great deals on signed print artwork, collector plates with authentication certificates and jewellery at amazing prices!

I know I will soon have to stop purchasing due to space issues....guess I could always rent a storage locker :p

I Sure Could Use Some Advice

I sure could use some advice on how to handle this situation.

I have been in love with a man for almost 16 years now and we have had a great relationship.

We have been together through thick and thin.

A few years ago his  boss passed away and his son sold the business and moved to Germany.

That left my significant other without work , he has been doing odd jobs but refuses a regular job .

I have put up with this for the last 3 years and have been paying the whole shot other than a few

groceries here and there.

I have asked him to get a job and he doesn't don't get me wrong I love him, he treats me well, he does

alot around the house and cooks and cleans but that is not what I asked him to do.

I am so frustrated about this as I love him and can't picture myself with anyone else but it seems he is

not willing to get a job and when I ask he walks away from me and doesn't talk about it.

Any advice?

Mom Has The Measles

 Mother made it 75 years and then got the measles this past week.

They say that the German Measles are known as the 3 day measles, she has had hers for a week now and still covered in spots so I would say she is sporting the Red Measles.

I feel so bad for her,it seems like it has been one thing after another for her as of late.

She is now on the mend and not so itchy and  the spots are clearing up nicely.

Mom was so covered she had them on the palm of her hands and soles of her feet, on her scalp...

She and I never got the chicken pox until my boys got them about 30 years ago.

I am hoping that this will be the last of her health issues for a while, the poor dear .

Have you gotten the measles as an adult or did you get them as a child?

The Heatwave

Well if you lived in Ontario for the last few weeks you know that we have been experiencing a heatwave.

I am happy to say that this morning it finally has broken and the temperature is sitting steady at 21 C and the nice cool breeze is feeling extra special.

I have spent the last few weeks trying to avoid going out in the heat if I could but as we all know that is not possible to stay in for weeks at a time when you have a busy life.

I did however find lots of ways of cooling off.

I took a slide down slide street in Port Hope with my granddaughter, what a fun day that was.
I also went to the beach and over to the splash pad at the park with my granddaughter.
I spent alot of time inside loving the air conditioning.

Today I plan on going outside and going on a long walk now that the air is cooler and there is a lovely breeze.

How did you handle the heatwave?

The Years Sure Fly By!

I can't believe how quickly the years fly by.
My eldest son will be 38 this year and my youngest son 35...just wow!
 I truly am thankful for the blessings the Lord has given me over the years 2 healthy and happy Sons and a beautiful, healthy Granddaughter.
I am blessed to still have my Grandmother and my wonderful Mother.

I volunteer at the local radio station and have my own radio " Wednesdays With Laurie"  8am- 1pm on CKOL Radio 93.7 FM in Campbellford  and 100.7 FM Madoc Ontario .

I volunteer for Community Care doing volunteer driving and also respite care.
My days are quite full and I enjoy the time I share with everyone that touches my life.

I treasure each moment shared with my family, life is too short, don't  waste it...

Fat Shaming People

I was out with a friend shopping yesterday in Madoc Ontario.
We went out to find some clothing that will fit me.

Over the last few years I have been unable to control my weight gain and have an extra 80 pounds on my frame.
I always have had to watch what I eat ( I eat healthy) .
I have a terrible time dealing with my poor body image thanks to being teased as a child and teen about my weight.
After being so careful about my weight it was heart breaking to watch the weight gain and being unable to do anything about it.
I have a thyroid disorder that is not yet under control, I have medication adjustments every three months and will until my blood levels are satisfactory to my doctor.

Back to the shopping incident...

I was in a store with my friend and mentioned that my capris were falling down I said I didn't think they were too tight maybe just a bit loose, then a woman I was not even speaking to piped up " Well you need to lose weight and are just not willing to admit it or do anything about it!"
As she pushed by me with a disgusted look on her face.
Not only was I shocked that she said this I was hurt.
I know what I look like and can't stand even looking at myself , I hate getting dressed each day and shopping for clothes both of these things drive me to tears on a good day.
I went out that day due to being upset and needing something that fit and my friend was trying to cheer me up.
Very hard to go from a size 10 to a size 22 (3x) and have everyone judge you when you eat or drink anything or just by walking by them these days.
I never said a word to that woman standing there judging me on my appearance as I know I would have cried (too sensitive? I can't seem to help it, as this was not the first insult of the day I had shot my way.)


I am crying as I am writing this post and didn't sleep all night thinking of how rude she was and mad that I didn't say something back to her  and hating myself even more.
I didn't find anything to fit that would hide my belly so I have to go out again and the prospect of that is making me ill just thinking of it.

How do I learn to harden my heart to all the hateful, hurtful comments I have had directed at me as of late?
Even when my meds level my blood out, I still have the task of losing all of this weight which seems hopeless.

I find I am struggling just to get up each day as I hate to have to find something to wear and try to face the world .
How do I deal with this?
I pray daily for the Lord to heal me and I stick to a strict diet and the doctor tells me I don't eat enough...very hard to want to eat when I know I have to try to fit into my dress tomorrow...again.

I can't even walk video

 What a beautiful video I just had to share with you all today.

I Can't  Even Walk
Posted by Carmen Gainey Hodge on Sunday, July 19, 2015

Drive-in Opens This Weekend!

The Havelock Family Drive-in opens this weekend for the season and I am so excited!
I have my beautiful little earth angel for the weekend and  there is going to be  a child appropriate movie on and  I plan on taking her to her first drive-in movie!

The movies they are playing this weekend are Home, this is the child friendly movie about an alien on the run the stops by Earth sounds cute!

Furious 7 is also on as well as Unfriended.

I imagine she will be sleeping before the end of the first movie so will bring be able to watch the other two movies if I can stay awake lol.

Havelock Country Jamboree, The Ranch Resort and CKOL Radio

I had the pleasure of seeing some great talent at the Ranch Resort In Bethany, in the months of February and March for the Next Country Music Star Search Talent Contest.
Each week the acts that were seen were judged and winners were sent through and it was a difficult task judging the talent but in the end there could only be 3 winners going to play 3 different venues.
Below is what was on the  Havelock Country Jamboree's and the Ranch Resort's websites about the talent search contest.

The judges declared Instant Rivalry the first place WINNERS of The Next Country Music Star Talent Show. They receive:

• A one hour stage performance, Friday August 14th, 1pm, at the 2015 Havelock Country Jamboree.

• From Metalworks Production Company, a 1 day Studio Session to record an original song of choice with a producer and engineer at Metalworks Recording Studios valued at $5,000.
• From Heather Ostertag & Associates, a one day “Strategy Planning Session”.

The value of this package is $1,500.

• A 3 hour photo shoot from Anita Bell with 12 finished and edited photos, and with full artist rights to use the photos.
• A TW-JF Tanglewood Java Series Guitar, donated by The Guitar Boutique, PETERBOROUGH & Whitby.

Second Place WINNER, Henry Norwood, receives:

• A  full spot on stage at 2015 Marmora Fall Jamboree.
• A ½ hr set at the 2015 Havelock Country Jamboree on Sunday August 16th starting at 1:45pm.

Third Place WINNER, James Barker Band, receives: 

• A spot on stage at 2015 RPM Recreation & Performance Motor Show.
• A ½ hr set at the 2015 Havelock Country Jamboree on Friday August 14th at 12:15pm

In addition, Kaitlin Kozell has been invited to sing the National Anthem at the opening night of the 2015 Havelock Country Jamboree and Kansas Stone has been invited to be part of the line-up for the 2016 Havelock Country Jamboree.

More offers are continuing to be developed, so that all finalists and many other CONTESTANTS of The Next Country Music Star Talent Search will be given a chance to perform at prestigious summer jamboree festivals around Ontario. Please keep following the website or Facebook/The Next Country Music Star for continued updates.

Thanks to the CONTESTANTS, the judges, and all the sponsors & supporters of The Next Country Music Star Talent Search. Many thanks to Andy Tough of RMS Events for videotaping the semi-final and final performances and most importantly thanks to the audience. All of your enthusiastic support made it a huge success!

https://youtu.be/u76s-Yq75Cg   -Instant Rivalry

https://youtu.be/8kGktdmK41M -Henry Norwood

https://youtu.be/s9c2iRsJxus -James Barker Band

I had such a great time there,not only was The Ranch Resort a beautiful place , the staff was very friendly and the service was great...the food and entertainment was spectacular!

I look forward to interviewing more of these talented performers on CKOL radio 93.7 FM / 100.7 Fm

I definitely look forward to seeing more talent at the Ranch Resort, The Havelock Country Jamboree,

The Marmora Fall Jamboree and of course the RPM Recreation and Performance Motor Show!