Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 24th day of December, 2018.

Well here we are on Christmas Eve Day …. about 8:00 a.m.

The party that I held on Saturday night was more of a success than I could ever have imagined.

Only one out of nine did not attend.

 

We were showered with gifts of: bottle of Jacob’s Creek Moscato white wine, treats for Alvin, bouquet of flowers, poinsettia plant, Christmas hat and collar for Mr. Alvin, Christmas cookie for Mr. Alvin,

tin of cookies, bath bombs, and a candle.  I hope that I remembered everything.

One of the girls also brought in addition to a gift – a homemade black bean brownie (which was so yummy).

So sweet of the ladies.

 

One of the girls brought her dog “Sadie.”

They have met before and when Alvin was a little excited (understatement) – Sadie was chill.

Nice of Alvin to have some company.

 

When giving the girls a tour of our house – in the basement – in the family room – just before the door into the furnace room – our socks became wet.

There was a bit of water lying on top of the green foam block by the door.

No where else.

One of the girls who is much taller than me – felt around the vents etc.

We checked everywhere including the ceiling.

Nothing.

Later before the last gal left – we checked and the carpet/rug was dry.

I guess that will be one of those mysteries.

Still dry.

 

We had enough food for 30 so more than enough for 8.

Everyone loved the new “Hot Cheese Dip” that I made.

Which tells me I need to try more new “dishes.”

Sometimes we get in a rut and keep playing the same old tried and true because we are confident in the results.

But life is all about trying new things and this was a good reminder to me.

 

One of the attendees was rear-ended when she was literally less than five minutes from my house.

She called to let me know.

The young man that hit her car had been drinking (not good for him).

She called the police so it ended up being almost one hour before she arrived.

Thankfully not hurt but shaken.

She had just bought her new car a few weeks ago.

It can be fixed.

Thankfully they were not going fast.

 

We did not drink any alcoholic beverages and instead opted for: Steeped Tea’s Winter Sangria Fruit Tea steeped in Ginger Ale (big hit), Steeped Tea’s Peppermint Hot Chocolate,

Steeped Tea’s Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate – both served with your choice of mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and whipped cream from can and Vanilla Hazelnut coffee.

Much to my girl’s surprise I had never used or tried the whipped cream from a can.

My Sugar Cookies always a hit.

 

We laughed and chatted all night long.

Stopping briefly to play the “All Things Christmas Game” that I put together with some help from one of the girl’s who had arrived early.

Great idea and I definitely will add to the game.

Went over well.

 

What a great evening.

We decided that we must do this again.

Looks like my house in the spring/summer when we can hit the deck.

Potluck BBQ.

Without the BBQ.

Mmmmmm

 

Everyone had left by about midnight and I was wide awake.

So I decided to watch the season premiere of “TIMELESS.”

It was two hours long …. so sometime after 2:00 a.m. – me and Alvin went to bed.

It was just after 7 a.m. when Alvin first woke up and wanted to go outside.

Then we hit the sofa for a bit more sleep.

I was shocked when we woke up and I checked my watch and it was …. wait for it ……

11:35 a.m.

I haven’t slept that late since I was a teenager or young adult.

Could not believe it.

WOW.

Yesterday was a quiet day.

I was still in my pyjamas upstairs on the computer when there was a knock on the door …. it was Teddy and his Mom.

They came in for a visit and some refreshments.

Then I quickly got dressed as one cannot go for a walk in their pyjamas.

Well I guess one could but why would one – especially in the winter.

Finally after over one week – we had a nice long walk.

YAY.

Yesterday was quiet …. did some laundry and just relaxed.

 

So here we are at Christmas Eve.

Teddy will be staying with us today from 1-6 p.m.

Miss Aspen and Baby Milo (grand-pups) are arriving between 4:30 – 5:00 p.m.

(They will stay with us while my daughter & son-in-law go to his family’s for Christmas Eve party).

The kids will return later when we will open gifts and they will sleep over.

Tomorrow will be eating and visiting.

I am also spending time with Humphrey while his Mom is at work and then away.

Cannot forget Cinder, the gecko.

So I am going to the four legged babies.

They will be mainly my company, today.

In between will have a quick visit and cup of coffee with one of my young friends who lives near by.

I will do that early in the afternoon when there is just Teddy and Alvin here.

 

So Christmas.

Here we are.

 

I would like to take this time to Wish each and everyone the most delightful Christmas.

May you be surrounded with love and kindness.

May you laugh and cry with joy.

May you have more than enough food to eat.

May you have all that you need.

Perhaps you will share that joy and food with someone less fortunate than yourself.

Share your stories and your recipes.

Merry Christmas.

 

From us, me and Alvin, Alvin and I ….. Merry Christmas.

 

Special Hello to: all my family and friends all over the world.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 and it is the 7th day until my 60th Birthday.

WOW, just a few days now.

 

This is one of my all time favourite photos.

Not because it is a particularly great piece of photography but more because of the uniqueness.

Just the way the light shone and was captured by the lens.

Almost feels like a religious moment.

Most times it is the small things in life that have the most impact.

Just a moment captured in time.

One I will always smile and remember.

Shadow looks like a candle

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 25th day of May, 2017.

It is a BREEZY one here in Edmonton with clear blue skies.

The sun is SHINING.

Makes me happy.

 

Yesterday it rained all day and was so WINDY.

I was soaked through and through by the time I arrived home to find my summer door wreath laying face down on the porch.

Thankfully it did not blow away but it was soaked through and through.

Have you ever seen silk/artificial flowers WET?

Not me.

But this morning they are dry again …..

Also when I arrived home I found that the electricity was out.

Not certain how long it had been out and I could tell that Alvin was a bit “freaked.”

So outside he went quickly to do his thing.

I gave him his supper while I ran upstairs to get out of my wet clothes and into something WARM.

When I got back downstairs, Mr. Alvin had not eaten as yet.

STRANGE (he loves to eat).

I ended up hand feeding him his supper.

But at that point I had nothing to do ….. because it was raining and overcast it was actually quite dark in the house.

So we just cuddled on the sofa debating what to do.

I decided to get things ready for today just in case the power did not come on before it was totally dark in the house.

So had clothes ready and stuff.

Also not knowing how long it would take the power to come on I decided that I would only open the fridge twice.

Once to grab my leftover quinoa dish that I had made on the weekend and decided it was better to have something cold than nothing at all.

The second time I opened the fridge was to grab the Black Cherry Greek Yogurt (which by the way I am in love with).

I do not remember the brand but it was so good.

It was thankfully on sale as it is the most expensive one in the store (of course).

Poor Alvin ….. I caved and gave him a treat of a bit of yogurt off my finger.

Just a little.

We just sat and looked out the window.

We were lucky the only things damaged in the wind were some of my flowers from the front flower bed and the wreath which has fully recovered.

Finally I lit a candle ( had one left from my Bath & Body Works Days ).

It gave off a warm glow or at least felt like it.

Just as we were getting settled I heard a noise …. the power was finally on.

It was just over 1.5 hours.

Which seemed like an eternity but a good one.

It was refreshing to just sit there with only Alvin and my thoughts for company.

No sounds other than the wind blowing outside and our breathing inside.

Well time to get this show on the road.

I was grateful when the power came on so that I could have a cup of hot tea.

I did drink some hot water from the kitchen tap but it was not really the same.

 

Happy Thursday.

Be safe.

Be kind.

Have fun.

 

Special Hello to: all those lovers of life …. rock on.

Always, Carol & Alvin