2021

Good Morning ALL! Hard to believe we are now at FIVE sleeps until Christmas EVE. I am starting to get SUPER excited for Christmas. Later this afternoon our little neighbour Cookie is coming over to spend the next two weeks with us. We are preparing for her arrival. I got most of the laundry done yesterday. Spare room bedding all washed and changed, should someone other than my kids spend the night. I made a double batch of fudge as somehow we ran out of fudge and we cannot have that. I had to make a bit of change to it as I was short of chocolate chips so I added a bit of peanut butter. So will see how that goes over. I sure hope that no one has any allergies to peanut butter. It is the only item made with peanuts. I did my last shopping which included gifts for Mr. Alvin, Aspen, Milo and Cookie. That took two hours and I will say quite a lot of money, things should have increased over the past year or so. I am grateful that I did in fact have the money to pay for them although I was a bit disappointed that Shoppers did not honour the President’s Choice Gift Card that I received from my Employer. Oh well.

Last night I wrapped the gifts for the pups and one extra item that I picked up for my son-in-law’s stocking. Alvin was sniffing around the table where I was wrapping as he did smell in the shopping bag some little peanut butter treats that I picked up along with their main gifts. I added ribbon and secured the treats for the pups and put them into the fridge. Once the gifts were wrapped I debated about putting them under the tree as we know what happened last year. I had them on the kitchen counter and then thought that would be four more gifts under the tree which would look nice so I went to put them under the tree and guess who was in there like a dirty shirt? You got it, Mr. Alvin. So back to the counter they went. Last year I was in the kitchen working and I heard this rustling in the living room so I quickly went to check things out only to find someone had found his gift amongst all the presents under the tree and was starting to open it. OMG. I did not wish a replay of last year. So the gifts will remain on the counter in the kitchen.

This morning I will vacuum, dust and clean the bathrooms and the floors. Hoping to get out for a little walk with Mr. Alvin before our company arrives. It is to be minus 12 celsius this afternoon which is the warmest temperature according to the long range forecast for awhile. So we shall see. I have shovelling to do because it snowed more overnight. Thank you to our neighbour Steve for shovelling the front walk decreasing the amount that I have to do. There is snow in the forecast so I will have to stay on top of it. The sun is shining which energizes me. The coffee has perked so time for a coffee break. Lots to do before 4:00 p.m. and luckily there is pizza left from Friday for more leftovers tonight. Planned that right, yes, I did.

Happy Birthday to my great nephew LEVI who turns THREE today. I cannot believe you are three. We wish you a wonderful day and year to come.

Have an awesome day everyone!

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding and gratitude.

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Friday Morning.

One step closer to Saturday.

 

Do you have a favourite day of the week?

I would say that mine is Saturday.

We can sleep in a bit if we choose.

Breakfast is always toast and that is my weekend treat.

Sometimes with Cheez Whiz.

I know that it is not really a healthy choice but I love the taste.

Most times it is peanut butter and saskatoon jam.

Sometimes just peanut butter.

Other times it may be cinnamon and sugar (brown sugar).

I can listen to music or the television as I run (okay walk) up and down the stairs doing laundry and cleaning.

Even though I could be more busy than work sometimes – it is wonderful to be busy at home.

In my very own house.

I love my house.

Did I mention that before to you?

Nothing fancy but yet it is to me.

The phone just rang downstairs so I made a mad dash down to see an unknown area code.

I answered but nothing.

Yikes.

That will get your heart pumping.

Back to the weekend, to Saturday.

Usually if Alvin has an appointment with the vet it is made for Saturday.

Otherwise the day is spent mostly at home.

Sometimes there is baking.

Other times I may have a coffee date with two of my friends in the neighbour.

Sometimes I sip on my coffee and just look out the living room for a bit of time.

Taking in my neighbourhood.

Sometimes I look out of the office or kitchen windows.

Taking in my neighbourhood.

We can stay up later although we seldom stay up very late.

 

Tomorrow my daughter, son-in-law and pups are coming for a visit after lunch as their pups have vet appointments with our Dr. Karen.

We started to go to see Dr. Karen as my first grand pups were clients of hers.

It will be wonderful to have a visit with them.

Also we are looking after Mr. Humphrey for the weekend.

He will be with us during the day and go home for the night.

I will have to ensure that he is home during the pups visit.

Aspen and cats do not mix.

Well almost time to leave for work.

One more trip outside.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

A reminder to me and to you, be kind and respectful.

Some days when folks are yelling and mean-spirited it is difficult.

But we don’t know their stories.

I am saying this for me not necessarily for you.

I have to be reminded as well.

I am human and sometimes I falter.

Perfection is in the learning every day.

 

Happy Friday.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

PS: we did manage to get a pretty good walk in and surprise we walked on the other side of the street.  I wanted to check out the path that I will take to the bus this morning.

Luckily it is pretty clear.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 10th day of October, 2016.

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone.

It is snowing here in Edmonton.

Very fine snow.

As soon as I am finished my cup of coffee I am going for a walk with Mr. Alvin.

That fine snow may turn to much heavier snow as the day progresses.

Yesterday with the sunshine it was quite nice and we so enjoyed our walk.

I am so grateful to have had a wonderful long weekend.

We were not able to go and have a Thanksgiving meal with the kids due to my son-in-law having the flu and icy roads.

But we will get together next weekend for a meal.

My ear became unplugged this morning and I can once again hear properly.

I am so grateful for that.

Yesterday I decided to go through my fridge and pantry and use up more things making Carol’s Thanksgiving.

I whipped up a batch of cookies that I fondly named “Carol’s Thanksgiving Peanut Butter Pumpkin Raisin Cookies” and also “Carol’s Quinoa

Thanksgiving Casserole.”

My neighbour tasted the cookies this morning and agreed they were yummy and I gave her some of the Casserole to take home to try.

I am very pleased with the end results.

Considering I just threw them together.

To give you an idea of what was in the main course:  Cooked up in separate pot some Quinoa.  Also some carrots in a separate pot.

I sautéed two large yellow sweet onions, garlic, pepperonis, large tin of diced tomatoes (crushed),

previously made black bean burgers that had been frozen – cut them into small bite sized pieces,

spices: three of my favourite spices:  cumin, turmeric and coriander and chopped dried cranberries.

After all it is not Thanksgiving without the cranberries.

simmered away …..

threw in can of sweet corn niblets.

Once everything had simmered and heated through.

In large bowl threw in the cooked quinoa and then the pot of goodness.

Mixed together.

Now I may have missed something as I was just tossing things together as I went.

My favourite way of cooking.

If I have something that I knew would work I just tossed it in.

The combination of the black bean burgers which fell apart and became this rich amazing backdrop for the sweet onions, corn, spices and tomatoes.

It was so good.

It tasted like Thanksgiving.

Well as I figured the snow has already turned to larger flakes so I should get this show on the road.

I hope that on this day …. this Thanksgiving that you try something new.

Use your imagination.

I should have posted some photos of my dishes.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Special Hello to: all my family and friends all over the world, have a great day.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 26th day of November, 2015.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Neighbours …. have the best day.

It is actually quite nice outside this morning.

Supposed to be on a warming trend for the next few days including the weekend.

That is great.

Well I have unfortunate news ….. the rogue “guest” has finally made an appearance after November 11, 2015.

I have a trap that is not set in the bottom of the pantry.

There was peanut butter on it.

I thought that it was getting less and less and surely enough this morning it is all gone.

There are a couple traps set in the basement so hopefully we catch it.

I was starting to feel more at ease but with a cautionary ease.

I knew Mr. Alvin was sniffing something over the past couple of days.

I just wished that “mouse be gone.”

Go somewhere else, please.

 

I want to send hugs and prayers to my friends who had to put their cat down yesterday.

They had the cat for 15 years, I believe.

A member of the family.

Rest in peace, Pinkie…..

 

Well I guess I had better get this show on the road.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Thursday.

Remember to be kind and respectful to everyone.

Special Hello:  YOU.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 26th day of July, 2015.

It is a glorious perfect morning …. sun shining check ….. blue sky check ….. cool breeze check …..

Absolutely perfect.

My neighbour is taking me to Costco to pick up a few things, okay more than a few things.

So as on Sundays I am usually making pancakes at this time or some Sundays.

I wanted to share my “Chocolate Pancake Recipe” – what could be better than chocolate for breakfast.

“Carol’s Chocolate Pancake Recipe”

2 cups flour

6 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

2 cups milk ( I use coconut milk beverage – the one in a box)

2 tbsp white sugar

1 tbsp cocoa  ( make it a heaping tablespoon)

1 tsp vanilla extract

Simply mix ingredients together.  Pour pancakes onto a hot skillet.

Makes enough for two people and enough for leftovers for one for a week …

Best with butter and good old maple syrup.

***  Try taking two cold pancakes and spreading peanut butter on them.  Makes a good “sandwich” for lunch.

ENJOY.

Well time to go to Costco.  No pancakes today.

Let me know what you think.

Happy Sunday Everyone.

Special Hello to: my sister ….. soon …. Pooh, soon.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 8th day of March, 2014

HERE WAS MY POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR YESTERDAY WHICH I DID NOT POST AND WISHED WOULD HAPPEN.

YAY, we finally caught the MOUSE …… it is gone forever and may it rest in peace.

At least it had lots of good meals.

I am so grateful that we no longer have a mouse in our house.

It was a long nine days.

Thank you everyone for your support and ideas.

Now the sensors will keep future ones out.

A few bars of Irish Spring soap cannot hurt either.

YIPEE YIPEE YIPEE ….

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you.

What a great start to my weekend …..

Well unless it is in one of the five traps that are hiding behind every big object on my main floor away from Alvin’s reach …. it is still here.

I am at a loss ….. I simply want “it” gone ….. it has dragged my life for long enough …… I feel like it isn’t my house and I feel like the outsider …. gently and carefully making my way around each room so that I do not come in contact with it.

Nothing seems to work ….. woe is me.

It does seem to be eating all the peanut butter ….. 

Well I better get downstairs as it is going onto 10:00 a.m. and I have lots to do …..

I am brave ….. I am bigger than it …. I am going to catch it today …. not me personally …. I will have my house back again.

I hope that the sensors are working and keeping them outdoors where they belong.

Now if it was Mickey or Minnie that would be another story but it is not.

I know this has been a lot of strange and woeful blogs but I can only write what is going on and how I am feeling.

So thank you so much for reading and the support …..

Maybe I need to bring in the big guns “a cat” …….

Have a great Saturday my friends …..

Special Hello to:  Dave and Baby, my sister’s cats …. oh, how I wished that Dave could come for a visit!!

Always, Carol and Alvin