It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a much cooler morning.

Last night we had some snow.

Nice to have a fresh layer covering the ground.

Unfortunately it will cover the ice so be careful out there.

I am so glad that I removed the majority of ice from in front of my house and my neighbour.

There is the runoff that I could not keep up to …. for that you would have to be out 24/7 and that is not possible.

Suppose to be Zero this week so I will keep chipping away and it will keep melting and the runoff will collect.

That is what happens when the storm drain is in front of your house.

It drains from both sides not just my yard.

I am grateful that my backyard is on an incline as it drains nicely and the only time it is annoying or a problem is when it melts during the winter.

That freeze/thaw thing is most definitely a pain.

But that is okay.

 

Yesterday was a good day.

Alvin and I hosted our friend S’s birthday party and we had a blast.

The crackers, boursin cheese and grapes plus birthday chocolate cupcakes with my special icing and decorate with purple tiny beads (edible) were a smash.

We laughed and almost cried.

I love these girls they are the best.

 

The rest of the day I finished some laundry, some cleaning, preparing for today and then we watched a movie.

It was great to have some down time.

Too icy outside for me and Alvin to walk so we spent some time in the backyard.

A car was turning off the side street to the north of our house when one of my neighbours was coming home on the main street and hit them.

The driver of the car was upset and said why didn’t you stop.

My question is why didn’t you?

She was supposed to yield to the main street.

Luckily they, my neighbours were going very slow about 8 miles per hour so damage was not major.

They were only seconds from home, like three.

I had been in the living room watching a movie but decided to run upstairs to check and see if the photos downloaded (which they had not) and missed the accident.

Luckily no one was hurt and both parties had insurance.

It is very icy, most especially in the residential areas.

Our streets are always extremely icy this time of year.

Basically all winter long.

 

I even turned the channel in time to see the halftime show of the Super Bowl.

Entertainment was great.

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

The ladies have moves.

Shakira does a mean “belly dance.”

I wish that I could do that …..

Good exercise for the core.

 

Well it is almost time to head downstairs.

We are parking in a different spot which means walking for both of us, so my ride is picking me up about ten or so minutes early.

 

I wish you a wonderful day.

Filled with kindness and respect.

Lots of laughter.

If we cannot laugh – life is pretty dull.

 

Happy Monday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. will try downloading those photos tonight.

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