Surviving the flu

I guess one would expect the obligatory Christmas cheer post, and fair enough, but unfortunately, along with the presents, Santa left us with one hell of a nasty flu bug. Someone must have ticked him off, it may have been me, and after I left him cookies, too! So, Christmas eve was spent on the couch and Christmas dinner consisted of chicken broth and ginger ale. We were kind of bummed to be sick on Christmas but since we had opened our presents early anyhow, we decided to spend the time watching Disney movies and getting better. I was super thankful that my house was well stocked since there was no way I could get out for groceries. I put most of the goodies away since they held little appeal for our ailing tummies. When I did get out on boxing day, I went at 3 p.m. after all the madness and stuck to a list. I had a very sick little boy with me and the meds only last for so long. I bought; a case of ginger ale, (I swear that stuff will sustain me through anything) facial tissues, jello, applesauce, apple juice, bread for toast (in case we could stomach it) chicken broth, mr. noodles, can soup (chicken noodle) sanitizing wipes and a pharmacy some medicines. And of course, like every time I go to Walmart, no matter what I end up putting in the cart, it never costs less than one hundred dollars. It's weird, actually. Not your typical boxing day deal shopping, no way I had the energy for that!

We hunkered down for another day until I noticed my son started turning into in an old man. He started blaring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Avengers, ignoring me on his way to the bathroom, and shouting at me to, "Speak up!" then acting annoyed when I apparently wasn't loud enough for him. He was deaf as a stone. That's when I knew he had an ear infection for sure. He's had so many, and he felt so rotten, I guess he just didn't complain, but once the doc looked into his ears, he all but jumped back in surprise, confirming what I already knew. Ears as red as tomatoes inside and nothing for it but antibiotics.

So, after three days, my darling little boy has bounced back, while I, still weak as a kitten, must tend to his returning appetite and protest weakly to his skateboarding in the living room. Please, no skateboarding in the house, honey. He's still ignoring me, but now I know he can hear me! Darn you kid and your resiliency!

Oh what the hell, do an Ollie for all I care, Mommy needs a nap.

How sweet it is.

 I just love when I can get the time to make treats with my boy. He is growing up so fast that I know I need to enjoy these moments while I have them.

He is starting to question The Guy in The Red Suit, (Mom, I saw that he had a mustache under his mustache...) and honestly, I'd be worried if he didn't begin to question the conspiracy we adults have all been running by this age, but he still gets that excited sound, (I call it his tea kettle sound, because it's all, eeee!)  when he talks about him and his homeland The North Pole. I guess it all comes down to erring on the side of caution. You have to believe for the magic to work. My son is, thankfully, willing to suspend his belief for the time being, against his better judgement and that pesky opposing evidence to the contrary.

So, for another year, at least, the magic is strong. I wonder how it will be when there is no more pretense of St. Nick. With no siblings to carry on the fib, will we forget all about him, or continue with the grand charade?

As for myself, I don't think I have ever had a Christmas where I didn't leave the cookies out, plus carrots for the reindeer, and I hope I never do have one like that!  I guess a part of me remembers how it felt when there was so much possibility and wonder in the world. When you don't believe in any dreams anymore, it is a very dreary existence after all. We all have our own version of the North Pole in our heads, mine is a very warm and comforting place to go in the depths of winter. I wouldn't give it up for anything.

So, here is to whimsy, fantasy, dreams and imagination. May they always stay strong in the hearts of those I love, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year.

Oh Dear. It has been a while hasn't it?

Time for a recap. Well, did I tell you I wrote a book? I did, sort of. Mostly, I compiled it. It is a family history for my Grandma's 90th birthday. I had all my Grandma's sons and daughters fill out questionaires and wrote biographies. My grandma wrote her childhood memories and I put them all into a book with photos. It turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. Actually, lots of people said they liked it. I could have picked it apart ten ways from Sunday, but I just published it anyhow.

I used Blurb.com and overall, I was satisfied. You can't tell here, but I made some huge boo-boos and contacted customer support. They were able to grant me the  clemency of a re-print even though the mistakes could have been considered *cough* my fault. I would use the service again, as I was happy with the quality of the book once completed. 

I think my Grandma liked it and that's what matters. It was her present after all.

Hmm, what else has happened? Halloween was fun, Simon dressed as a Skeleton and we carved pumpkins.

I am taking guitar lessons and they are going fairly well. The more I learn though, the more I realize I have to learn. I suppose that is progress. I am working on Christmas music right now.  I have started some gift shopping, and I got some great ideas from the bake sale they had at work as to packaging etc. I raided the same Dollarama and got my supplies. I'm ready to go. Just need to bake now, can't wait to start!

Me with my cousins, son, nephew niece and sister on Grandma's Stairs.

What do you think the Man would say if this was in his stocking?

Oh, and THIS happened. A one day strike at my work place. That's all I will say about that, for now.

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Ciao for now. Bean.

Waffles n' Caramel.

Hello, what's new? Lots of things are new and different. We are in the middle of the school week rush and the weekend wind down. Work is busy, school is busy, LIFE is busy! So we are good. I am taking guitar lessons for the first time in my life and it is exciting and damned hard work. I have to make myself practice which isn't always easy. I have to motivate myself to drill, but if I want to learn it is what I have to do. I am starting with some folk songs from the sixties so I feel a bit hippyish, strumming away in my living room, but it is relaxing. My neighbours probably don't think so, but you should hear what they do. I don't feel a bit bad about my strumming.  We are getting ready for another trip to see the family for my Grandmas' 90th birthday. I am excited because I am fairly sure the whole family will be there. It's pretty difficult to say work or school is more important that your grandma's 90th!

 I completed a book that I have been working on since the spring, with my family's help. We all contributed answers to fifty questions about family history and with photos and biographies together, it made a spectacular book. It was a lot of work and I stressed about doing it just right. I hope she will enjoy it. I am pretty proud of it.

We are looking forward to some long held goals coming to fruition. It is satisfying when you have completed a goal and then you can set new ones.

I made an amazing, enormous apple crisp at work and served it with ice cream and a drizzle of Bonne Maman caramel.  Oh Em Gee. I bought this sauce on a whim and I think I am in love. It was sooooooooo frickin' good. I was sad to have had to leave the remainder of the jar at work, although that was probably a good thing because I may possibly have licked the jar clean if I hadn't. I highly recommend it. Yum.

My latest thing is my waffle maker. (Must. Buy. Caramel!) I bought a really nice waffle maker and got a bottle of maple syrup free with a coupon. I used to only make waffles at Christmas because they were a pain on my tiny waffle iron/sandwich maker. Now, we have had them twice. I'm sure the novelty will wear off, but right now, waffles rock!

Well, off to enjoy the rest of my Saturday. Later, Dudes.

Autumn Abundance

Just got back from Smokefest and we had an excellent time, as always. This was the ninth year it has been going but only the sixth for me. We ate, we sang and we were merry! My Aunt had me make these jelly salads, which is something I have always wanted to try but just never gotten around to. They turned out fantastic and tasted pretty good too. The peaches against the red jelly sure makes a nice contrast. It was such a fantastic feast, as it is each year. With everyone contributing, it makes it fun and festive, too.

My uncle is in charge of the fish and he gets help to get it ready for the smoker and the grill. Somehow his fish is the most tender, melt in your mouth salmon I have ever had. There is nothing to compare to it. This year, I brought cherries and peaches, which were late this season and they were at the peak of deliciousness. I put some in a fruit salad and some in the jelly salads.

The rest we just ate.  

 

I also made a batch of peanut butter squares, which were gobbled up. I changed the recipe a bit, as follows: Most of 1 small jar Skippy crunchy peanut butter (2 cups) 1 bag mini marshmallows, 1 cup rice crispy cereal, melt together and pour in the bottom of a 9x13 pan lined with parchment. Melt a half a big chocolate bar from Walmart (about 8 oz) and spread over your peanut butter layer. Put in freezer until firm. Take out the whole block and cut into squares. OMG. So good, and no bake!

I could write a book about Smokefest, and someday, I probably will.

 For now though, the constant battle for organization. My closets are winning and taking over the house. I canned a bunch of apples and made apple butter. I got a baker's dozen jam jars worth. Not bad for free apples! How do you like them apples? (Sorry, I had to.)

I also have become a Watkins associate # 397322! I am the Watkins man! (woman!) I have a separate blog for that so don't worry, I won't turn this into a Watkins home party, though knowing me, my projects tend to overlap, so you may hear a thing or two about it now and then.

School is back in and I'm running like a chicken with my head cut off. It's good to update the blog though. I'll talk to you soon.

Here we go!

It's that time when trips to the beach seem like the norm and the sun seems to shine every day and this little grasshopper thinks that summer will never end. I have been back to work for a few weeks now, after my glorious Vancouver Island holiday/Anniversary surprise getaway, but it still feels like play time to me. I have managed to squeeze in a trip to the outdoor pool and the bowling alley, which were promises made and kept for summer outings. I had a long list of outings but when it came down to it, we were either too busy, or too tired from all the other fun stuff we have been doing! We have managed to get the most out of the summer and I think it's wonderful. I did get my school supplies organized and bought a few clothes, so even if I do nothing else, I think I can manage the first day of school. One day at a time right? Chalk one point for only having one kid to worry about!

Sea life at Ucluelet Aquarium

AAAH!

I am also working on a project for my Grandma's birthday and finally I feel like it may actually come to fruition, now that some key pieces of information have come my way. It will be a furious push at the end to get it done the way I want it, but I think I have it under control. I sure hope it comes out as well as I expect it to. Smokefest is just around the corner, I am super excited for it. I just love when my family gets together and this party has become the social event of the year! With so much to look forward to, it's hard to stay in the every day and get the basics done, like laundry and dishes. I just want to sweep it all it the dumpster and buy new dishes and clothes. That's not very frugal, is it?

Happy Trails!

Strawberry in my Aunt's garden

Grandma after her dip in the Shuswap August 2012. I sure hope I look as good in a bathing suit at her age!

We heard a bear going down this trail and saw his leavings!

We had a little adventure this long weekend in the Shuswap.
My aunt and Grandma along with my little cousin came from the North to visit my aunt at her cabin. We brought our tent and stayed two fun nights. The lake was absolutely to die for. On the second night we all went for a night swim just before bed. That was wise thinking because temperatures were in the high thirties. We also had a water gun fight and numerous trips to the beach due to the heat. Suppers were potluck affair with everyone contributing whatever they had. We had some nice salads, wraps and beans.


 My aunties and I were in charge of about 12 lbs. of moose meat which we formed into meat loaves and meat balls (mooseballs, hee) and patties. We had more food than we needed but I'm sure it all got divvied up. My other Aunty drove in from Kamloops for the afternoon and we all had a game of string golf. Sunday we all had a game of bocci which was good fun, before a last trip to the beach for a picnic and an ice cream cone for the road.



What a fun time with my three aunts and my Grandma.

Million dollar view.