Last Day Of May

This month has passed by in a blur. Seems as if I have barely had time to breath.

Thought I would catch everyone up on our months activities.

The deck project is coming along. My backyard no longer looks like an episode of Hoarders. We cleaned up the piles of rotten decking materials and vines. Still no deck, but at least progress has been made.

New joists and some painting accomplished over the last few days along with the piles of debris removed. Harvey even managed to paint some of the decking this past week.

We seem to be having a storm moving in.

Things are getting darker and darker as I type and there is lightening in the distance. I am hoping for a nice soaking rain. The garden and flowers really need it to say nothing of our lawn.

Tomorrow I plan to let you all know if I managed to meet my goals for this month. Keep your fingers crossed.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Lots Of Endings..... New Beginnings Perhaps

Last night saw the ending of one of my many hats. I presided over the last of the classes for Dogmatic Theology and saw the ending of this ministry for me.

Father Brian informed me that next year all Adult Faith Formation will be handled and taught by Connie. I really don't know how she is going to handle it, but it is no longer mine to worry about and enjoy. I guess I am a bit hurt that I was not offered the position to carry on with this ministry. Should be interesting to see what develops next year as Connie is already over worked and likes to complain about it.

This weekend is also going to be the end of my tenure as Chairperson of the Deanery Pastoral Council. A job (and that is what it came to be over the last year or so) that I will be more than glad to hand over to the next sucker (did I actually say that). This will clean out my house of unwanted minutes and books, something I am looking forward to.

We will also be starting the last month of the school year. While I have 4 days slated to work as an aid I will be glad to see the end of the school year. This subbing made me way too busy!!!

New beginnings just around the corner. More time to spend doing things I love, more time to sit and put my feet up in the evening things I have been looking forward to if I am honest with myself. Hopefully there will be more new beginnings as well. Perhaps new friends and new activities, after all the whole world is open to us now.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Mid Week Update

Once again I am in the midst of a busy week. Between working, subbing and trying to keep the house in order as well as helping with the deck, the days are speeding by.

I just thought I would make a quick post showing how far along I am on the rug project.

Slowly, but surely it is growing. It isn't as big as I would like it to be, and in order to get started on Christmas gifts and other such things, I am going to have to end this project at the end of June.

It will still look lovely under the dining table though and if I get a chance I can always start to add to it once again.

Everybody have a wonderful evening (I am watching for the severe thunderstorms that could be headed our way).

God bless.

Menu Monday

The weeks seem to be whizzing by and soon it will be the end of my second position of Parish Worker with the church. It is going to be strange not to have to go evenings and give a class. Yet I am looking forward to relaxing evenings at home and perhaps the baking of some desserts on those rainy, cooler days we seem to be getting.

Monday

Meat loaf, and the remaining salad.

Tuesday

Leftover Beer Roast made into hash I think.

Wednesday

Soup and Sandwiches. Think I will make egg salad and pull out a container of pea soup.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge night.

Friday

Salmon patties, rice and mixed veggies

Saturday

Leftover ham, mashed potatoes, and green beans (or perhaps yellow beans).

Sunday

This will have to be something Harvey can stick in the oven, I have a meeting about 2 hours away.
So I moved the beef roast we were supposed to have last Sunday here, and had the ham last Sunday. He can very easily add potatoes to the roaster and throw in some carrots as well.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Friday Update

What started out as a replacement of a few boards on our deck has now turned out to be a total dismantling of said deck and the moving of all items from the deck.

Turns out there were a whole lot of rotten wooden boards!!!. I just hope we get it back to normal very soon. This repair could take longer than planned, something that neither Harvey or I had planned for.

Right now I have plants scattered through the yard and they really need to be back where they belong.

I will share a few pictures of where they are now.

My herbs are scattered all over the front patio, not placed nicely at all. I have a few planters that belong on the deck here as well.

 This lovely basket and its mate are the only two plantings placed where they should be, right by the entrance we use daily.

The donkey cart is where I want it, but the flowers around it (all except the long box) are not. They should be up on the deck.

These mini rose bushes should be on the back deck as well. Hmmm, they really don't look that bad on the corner of the entrance deck. Perhaps I will leave them there.

Everything is topsy turvy and it is driving me nuts. I have lots of items on the lawn in the back yard. Hopefully, before my OCD kicks in we will be well on the way to having everything back in it's place and all will be right in my world. Right now however I feel like things are so out of order that I will never find my peaceful place again. I want to be able to enjoy my coffee on the back deck, surrounded by the beauty of the flowers I planted.......

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.
God bless.

Just Some Quick Pictures of Our Holiday Last Fall

I keep meaning to share more of these pictures with all of you. Since it is late and I would like to make a post......

Anne Hathaway's cottage. Look at that lovely thatched roof!!!

The garden at the cottage. I just wish we could have walked through it...... But it was closed at the time we arrived.

Sharing a few pictures of York Minster Abbey.

 York Minster Abbey from the outside.

Some pictures of the inside of the Minster.

Hope you enjoyed these pictures.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

The past week has been extremely busy around the old homestead that I haven't gotten on to post much of visit very much. Getting flowers in, working more hours and having Kris home kind of upsets my blogging time. Hopefully this week will be a bit better in that regard.

Here are the menus for this week. I am using up bits and bobs from the fridge freezer as it is getting mighty full once again.

Monday

Leftover Ham made into a casserole using up the leftover rice from supper yesterday and some peas from our larger freezer downstairs. We have salad to use up as well.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken made into sandwiches and soup as I work all day and have a session at the Formation Room in the evening.

Wednesday

Leftover Beef Roast diced along with a couple of potatoes, some onion and a pepper. Kind of like a Hash.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge or a use it or lose it night for supper. I have another class at the Formation Room so this will be quick.

Friday

Tuna Casserole

Saturday

If it is sunny grilled pork chops, potatoes and carrots in foil packages and some more salad.

Sunday

Beef Roast, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, and salad.

So there we are another week of May down and only one more to go.

I have much more to say from the past week and hopefully will get you all caught up during this next week.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

Beginning of a new week and the beginning of what looks to be more normal temperatures for this time of year. It is still getting cold at night though so planting anything that is above ground will have to wait a bit.

Monday

Baked Spaghetti, sliced cucumbers as a side.

Tuesday

Leftover roast pork made into a pork casserole (lo mein type).

Wednesday

Clean out the fridge. This will most likely be the leftover Baked Spaghetti served with a salad.

Thursday

Grilled Hot Dogs, and macaroni salad along with the leftover salad from last night.

Friday

Youngest DS will be home sometime this evening if every thing goes according to plans.

Lazy Perogy Casserole.

Saturday

This was going to be leftover Beef Roast, but I think I will change and make Chicken Cordon Bleu here. Served with mashed potatoes and mixed peas and carrots.

Sunday

Grilled Steak, baked potatoes (or cooked in foil) and a salad. I might have to pick up a steak for Kris but that is okay.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

The day started off rainy and cool. While it stayed cool, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Came to be a wonderful new day.

Mass was wonderful, we had a baptism today and that always is a treat. What wasn't a treat was while cleaning up one of the other clean up ladies decided that she should boss me around. Having her there made me feel very nervous and unsure. It was like I forgot everything I ever knew about being a sacristy helper and was just a nothing.

The sermon was about forgiving those that make you feel less than you are so I will be working on that this week. Seems to be a recurring thing with me lately.

Other than that little upset, my Mother's Day was wonderful. I got a phone call from both Kurt and Kris and it was wonderful to hear their voices. Kris said he will be coming home next weekend so we should have a nice long visit.

Started to buy even more flowers yesterday.

I bought two of these to put by the front door, but they look so nice hanging by the door we come in all the time I am going to leave them there and buy two more for the front.

This is the start of my plants for the deck and some of the baskets that hang from the back soffit. These are baskets that I usually make up myself. Some of these will go on pots that sit on the deck and there are a few tomatoes and herbs mixed in here as well. I have a long way to go before I am finished buying however. Hope I can find everything I want to make my yard lovely for the summer.  Hmmm, my deck needs painting and I hope to get at that this fall after Harvey replaces a few of the boards.

I got a wonderful gift from Harvey for Mother's Day.

A wicker rocker!!! I can just see myself rocking those lazy summer days away with a good book or some handwork. Once my work inside is done of course. I must remember not to spend too much time being lazy and unproductive.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

And So It Begins

This past week weather wise has been very nice. It almost feels like spring has arrived and we will be able to get out and start planting very soon.

I did pick up a couple of baskets yesterday.

This beautiful fushia, I am so tempted to pick up another one. Perhaps a few singles to plant in some pots in the shady portion of my deck.

Next was this.

A lovely hanging basket of double impatiens. I think these look like tiny roses.

I have made a list of flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds. This year we are going to make a concerted effort to attract more of these lovely birds to our yard.

Tomorrow I will go shopping once again, just to see what other lovelies I can find. Wish me luck that I can get the nice bright colours that hummers seem to love.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Up Way Too Early and Feeling Blah

I am just feeling that little bit off this morning..... Not bad enough that I need to miss work (at leas I hope not), but I do wish I could crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head!!

I am working at one of the schools today and will be spending lots of time at the church. Seems they are putting on a musical. Must remember my camera. I hope to take a few pictures of the dress rehearsal if I can.

Tonight is the last weekly session of the Dogmatic Theology course I am giving. Now it is just make up classes for those that missed them. Here is hoping that I can continue this until the end of the month. Then I will hand in my resignation, unless there is something else Father Brian needs me to do.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Menu Monday

 The start of another week and the continuation of clearing things out and using everything to the last little mouthful.

Monday

I am going out for supper tonight with 2 friends, one of whom is moving away at the end of this month. Hubby will be having supper at home.

Cabbage Rolls from the freezer.

Tuesday

Leftover chicken made into Chicken a la King (using up the leftover peas as well). This will be served on toast. Brussel sprouts as a side.

Wednesday

Cabbage bread. A nice quick meal after working all day and then off to give a class.

Thursday

Clean out the fridge. Sure to be lots to choose from.

Friday

Soup and Egg Salad Sandwiches

Saturday

Spaghetti and meat sauce. Think I will make a salad to go with this.

Sunday

Pork roast, roasted potatoes, carrots and the last of the brussel sprouts.

Hopefully a few more items used up and hopefully a lovely savings for the grocery budget again this month.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

Today has been an up and down day for me.

Mass was quite illuminating.... Father Brian talked about how we need to listen to God and follow what He wants us to do, rather than try to get God to follow our directions or listen to us. Hmmm, very strange that this was the homily today as I have been struggling with a question.

More and more I notice parishioners doing what they want, I am beginning to think that the community I always thought my faith gave to me is slowly disappearing. I am beginning to think that it is time to step back and pray about where God is leading me and what He wishes me to accomplish in this life. It is going to take some doing, but I need to do this for my own sanity and peace. What happened today has put a strain on how I feel about protocol and the things that are happening in our parish. Mainly how I am being treated in comparison to some others. It could be that I am just tired as well.

Here it is the beginning of May and what is the weather like????

Snow, and it is even sticking around..... I can not believe how strange the weather is this spring.

My bedding plants seem to be doing quite well however.

I can hardly wait to get to plant them in the boxes and planters. Well if it ever warms up and the snow stops falling........

I also picked out the material and patterns that I am going to cut out sometime this month.

Yes this is the sundress pattern again. This time however I am making it into a nightie. I am using flannel and very wide ribbon and in the winter I could wear a t-shirt under it for extra warmth.

Next.....

A lovely paisley material that I will make into a dress. There may even be enough left over to make a top. It just depends on which length I make.

This diamond light weight material will be used to make a lovely top that can be worn with many of the skirts and pants in my closet.

The last picture shows a group of fabric and one pattern.

I am hoping that I can make three tops. I have decided that this could quickly become one of my favorite patterns.

This is a new pattern and I hope that it is  an easy to sew one. I will be making the sleeveless style.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sharing My Life Pt.1

You know something. In all the years I have been blogging, I really don't think I have shared very much of my life. I think it is time to take care of that deficiency.

I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia

I am the oldest of four children, three of which were born in Vancouver. The youngest was born in Ontario.

At the age of 4 we packed our bags and moved east. My Dad worked for the Hudson's Bay Company and he had been transferred to the Toronto offices. I remember flying and having my Uncles help my Dad get us off the small plane.....

Our home was a three bedroom bungalow on Graylee, just off Brimley, south of Eglington. Our backyard faced the creek. We had wonderful views and lots of space. Well that is until 3 large apartment buildings were built behind us as well as a few townhouses. Those all were entered off of Danforth. It was also down Danforth where my favorite of all places was located.... The public library!!!

I started kindergarten at Glen Ravine Public School about 8 blocks away from where we lived.

Not quite how I remember the school. For some reason I remember lots of trees surrounding the playground. I attended this school until the end of grade 3.

My next school was Knob Hill. This school was only a couple of blocks away and I never could figure out why we had to go to Glen Ravine first..... Actually I would cut through our backyard, walk a narrow lane beside the creek, go through the park and be at the school in minutes.

This is the kindergarten end of the school. The elementary end is a bit to the right. However the office was pretty much right inside the front doors pictured here.  I attended this school up to and including grade 8. I had some wonderful teachers two of which I remember with great fondness.... Mr. Story and Miss. Watson. I made some great friends here and attended my first boy/girl parties here.

At the end of grade 8 about 1/2 the students left to attend David and Mary Collegiate. The other half (which included me) attended Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute better known as M.A.C.I.

Not the best photograph of a place that I remember very fondly. I loved high school, played basketball, volleyball, took part in track, played badminton, and of course made many friends. I hated to leave, but at the end of my grade 11 year, my father quit working for The Bay and we packed up once again.

This time we headed back west, to the area where my parents came from.

 I ended up taking my grade 12 year in Yorkton at the Regional. Hmmm, imagine moving from a province that had a grade 13 to a province that did not understand what in fact grade 13 was. I ended up taking classes over like physics and chemistry that I had already taken. Boring year that I only did what I had to do to pass. I did make a few good friends though.

I will share more of my life in a couple of days. Hope I did not bore you all with my trip through memory lane.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Spring????

I think I may actually have seen signs of spring beyond the robins and doves being back.

A few days ago there was no sign of these tulips. Today, after a nice rain and a few days of sun they are breaking through the soil.

Look carefully and you can see the daylilies starting to come once again.

Soon I will have flowers in my garden once again. So looking forward to having some colour surrounding us once again.

I am slowly gathering together the items for my goals this month.

Beside my favorite recliner (along with the rug project), I have placed my cross stitch project and the threads.

 All ready to start perhaps tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow morning I will be doing some more wardrobe moving and picking out the material to cut out some patterns for sewing next month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

The Beginning Of A New Month, New Goals

I did manage to reach my goals for last month. I feel very good about that and have a feeling this monthly goal thing is really helping me to complete unfinished projects and get projects finished that I start.

This month my goals are:

1.    To start working on my angel cross stitch once again. I usually put it away come the fall and winter because the light is not as good as during the spring and summer. I find it much easier to do counted cross stitch in natural light.

2.   I will continue with the rug project. I am not giving up and making it smaller than I want just because it is taking a bit (okay a lot) longer than I had planned.

3.   I will sew the jacket I cut out last month, the ninth of the patterns I cut out one day at the beginning of the month.

4.   I will continue adding two blocks each week to my morning walk.

5.   I will cut out another 6 patterns to sew and have them ready to go for next month.

6.  My plants will be in their pots by the end of the month, weather permitting. 

Those should keep me busy along with subbing and my work at the church for the next month.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.