Chocolate update

Pretzel production will drizzle after they have cooled.

Overview

Apricots and spearmint leaves, dipped spoons.

Dates for Rob, candied ginger.

Gummi bears

They are dipped then redipped, with oreo cookie, not the most pretty of dips but yummy!

Christmas tree decorated

White Christmas tree - really ought to take it out of the wrapping.

Enjoy the day

Lady of the Oak

Rain, mosaic, chocolates

Monday consisted of rain, chocolate making and mosaic.  I listened to the rainfall and watched out the kitchen window while I began my chocolate making for the Christmas season.  Spent some time at the gym and came home and plowed forward with the chocolate session. 

Later in the day I roasted a free range organic chicken and it must weigh at least 12 pounds, it was yummy!  Then instead of cleaning up, I headed to my workshop in the garage lit a fire and began working on my latest mosaic.  I began placing glass last night and did some organizing out there as it was becoming quite messy.  With a nice toasty fire burning it felt good to be out there, it has been awhile since I worked on my project.  If I am going to have it finished by Christmas I best get my act in gear. 

Today is pouring rain at the moment, so I will do more chocolates today is dipping day and then marshmallows.  Then off to the gym, then to my workshop get it warm in there then go back out to work for awhile. 

I will post some pictures tomorrow of my in work progress mosaic and of the chocolates I have made to date.

Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak

Prepping

Well yesterday was productive.  Pies for two meetings are finished and on the dining room table ready to be frozen later today.  Pumpkin soup is in the pot and this time I actually wrote down what I added to it, so I can replicate if required.  Yesterday I got some dishcloths made while I caught up on silly programming on the PVR. 

Today is the beginning of chocolate production.  Tins and molds are washed, need to line them and bring the table in from the back deck to use as a prep space.  Snowflakes are first. 

It rained overnight, yet is still surprisingly mild outside.  I am going to try and get out and work on my mosaic today in the garage. 

Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak

Busy Saturday

Saturday is here and the day is a full one. 

a) pumpkin turned into to pulp for pies and soup
b) laundry
c) gym
d) clean the fridge
e) answer emails
f) blog post
g) water in aquarium
h) clean sheet day
i) chocolate making prep
j) find pumpkin soup recipe for Christmas day

That will keep me busy for my first day home in 9 days.  Am hoping to spend some time outdoors as well to take in the warmth of the double digit temperatures. 

Enjoy the day
Lady of the Oak

Home again

Finally home, car unloaded, chocolate in the kitchen for Christmas season, will begin making chocolates on Sunday. 

Updates and photos to follow.

Lady of the Oak

On our way home...

Well today we head for home.  We begin the long journey via the Soo this time around.  It is a bit shorter and familiar but not recently viewed geography.  We used to live up here on the north shore so it is all familiar.  Rock cuts, shore lines of Lake Superior, trees, logging trucks, and more of the same from above.  It is a nicer drive in warmer months due to the water dripping off the rock cuts creating slick conditions with a bit of sunshine, but we will travel responsibly and safely. 

Not sure when I will have a connection next, but when I do I will post. 

Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday my American friends and family.
Lady of the Oak

Oh where, oh where...

Oh where oh where could my Mother be, oh where oh where could she be?  With her hair cut short and her car so long, oh where oh where could she be?

Spending time in the north getting the long term care of my mother in law sorted out and going to catch up with a long time friend today.  We have not seen each other in many moons.  I am looking forward to catching up and getting a fantastic hug from someone who genuinely cares. 

Gotta go,
Lady of the Oak

First Snow of the Season

Well the snow arrived whilst driving on an interstate began with rain, then freezing rain, then the snow began.  The roads were slick from the rain that began to freeze then the snow made them super slippery.  Watched all kinds of cars slide into the concrete median in front of us, beside us, behind us and it was frightening.  Our wipers froze because of the rain that had previously fallen.  We arrived safe and sound at the hotel and we were happy to be out of the car. 

More to follow when I find another connection in the north of Minnesota. 

Lady of the Oak

Going to District

My little blue beaded doily I made with an Elder from Neskantaga that I won first prize with at our local fair is on its way to the district for judging. 

It will be fun to see what happens at this next level.  I am excited!

Lady of the Oak

Banks

Here is a bit of a rant:

Went to bank as per hubbies request to do some machine banking.  Go to machine, get money as per instructions.  Go to counter to do exchange and she refuses.  Now hubby has a frozen account.  Oh he is happy.  So, I have visions of the bank reviewing their in camera footage and checking me out.  Great!  Lovely thought! 

Lady of the Oak

Hunker Down

They say it is on the way and that the unseasonably warm temperatures are about to come to an end this week.  Enjoy the balmy weather and get ready for a blast of much different air by the weekend. 

We cannot complain about the weather, it has been sunny, warm and lots of soft breezes.  The seasons much change that is what makes the world go round. 

Enjoy the day
Lady of the Oak

Fantastic Weather

November is gray or is it?  I have a couple of cosmos in my flower bed that are blooming again due to the unseasonably warm temperatures.  The leaves are all off the trees at our place now due to the windy days that have swept through our area off the nearby lake.  But the temperatures are just fantastic for November. 

Pretty sunrises just a few days ago.  The sun is shrouded by clouds this morning and it is a gray day.  However, the temperatures are balmy once again. 

Enjoy the day
Lady of the Oak

The Party

Well Friday was the big party for Mal's 50th.  I stopped in and peeked at the cake here in town...WOWZA!!!  The day began with a trip to the city to pick up my Mom and head to the Armouries hotel for check in.  We walked to the cenotaph and met up with Mal, Rob, Denise, Gary and then April.  We applauded the Veterans as they marched past and listened to the ceremonies.  We returned to the Armouries and unpacked then headed to the Victory branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.  We had lunch and conversation and then headed back to the hotel for a quick nap.  Then off to home to pick up hubby.  We stopped at a local Thai restaurant for dinner and then to the hotel to change for the big event.  We arrived about 7:45 and the whole gang was there.  The cake looked STUNNING!  It smelled so yummy!  Mal loved the cake and Justin had found poppy balloons it was perfect! 

Here are some photos:

It was a great day and fun party.  Happy 50th birthday Mal. 

Lady of the Oak

Ode to Service

I would like to take the time to thank all those who I have known who have served.  I would like to begin by thanking my Grandfather - my Mom's Dad he served in World War II, my Grandfather - my Dad's Dad - who also served in World War II as a Captain.  I would like to thank my Uncle Ron - my Mom's brother who was in the Navy - I do not know what he did - but I do know that he is a certified scuba teacher.  I would like to thank my Uncle Alex - who was my Aunt Joan's husband for many many years -who was a part of the North Korean war and served for many years prior and after.  

A few folks I grew up with served they are Rob who did six tours of duty as part of the United Nations - he is a Sargent, his long time friend and my acquaintance Scott, Mal who was Air Force.  They served and are now safely retired and safe at home. 

Now a younger generation is serving and I know a few that are on active duty.  First Raymond is in the Army and serving Canada.  Ray is near and dear to my heart and will always hold a special place in my life.  John - is a Marine and is currently stationed in Japan.  Nathan who is on course in Kingston and is loving his career as a member of the Canadian Forces. 

It is my hope that these youngsters will be kept safe from harm and closer to home than farther.  We need to be sure to salute them when we can and our opportunity is coming on Friday.  So take a moment - even better take a few hours and spend time at the cenotaph Friday and then follow it up with a Legion visit.  Tis our annual pilgramage. 

Respect the day and our fallen Heroes, our world would be a much different place if not for their sacrifices. 

Take time to visit a few of these sites and spend some quality time remembering. 

Museum

Canadian Great War Project

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amidst the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved ; and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

John McCrae

Lest we Forget



Lady of the Oak

Thursday

Well the weather is beginning to change yesterday was balmy and calm.  As the day progressed the wind began to pick up and it became quite blustery as the leaves swirled around your feet near doorways and got caught in your hair. 

Yesterday was spent making chocolates for the special party on Friday for a veteran friend.  Today is being spent with a friend on a special girl run.

Enjoy the day
Lady of the Oak

Balmy Temperatures

WOW! What a fantastic few days of balmy weather we have been experiencing.  Yesterday was 15'C and today is likely to hit that again. last nights low was 9'C.  It was gorgeous outside yesterday and I spent a portion of it basking in the sun and enjoying the soft fall breeze while listening to the rustle of the leaves.

Today is a also a sombre time for me in my little part of the world.  Three years ago today at 6:15 p.m. I lost my childhood best friend to breast cancer that had moved to her brain and then her liver.  A valiant fight was fought but in the end we lost.  I miss her each day and think of her just as often.  Take a moment today and talk to your friends and be sure you let them know how you feel about them. 

Lady of the Oak

Asteroids

As you may or may not know there is a LARGE air craft carrier sized asteroid passing Earth today. 

Read more here

Asteroids pass near us all the time and eventually one large enough to take out the planet will likely collide with our planet.  But, this one will pass us by and just be a passing asteroid.  Nothing to fret about or be concerned.

Lady of the Oak

Moody Monday

Today being Monday and all I thought I would pay homage to the day of the week most of humanity seems to agree to not like.  Why do we not like Mondays?  Is it because it signals the beginning of yet another week of work?  Is it because of the songs stuck in our heads?  Or is it just because we would rather patter about on our own time and do things to our own beat?  I think it is the latter.  We would still accomplish lots of fantastical happenings in my opinion, but we would do it in our own time. 

Well, it is Monday, like it, leave it, not like it, you cannot lose it, no matter how hard you try.

Lady of the Oak

Sunrise

The sunrise this morning is delightful and cheery.  The sky is brimming with colours and the birds have not yet peeped.  The air is crisp and the frost light.  Tis the time of year when you reflect on what was and what may be. 

Enjoy the days before the weather turns and take each day as a new beginning.  Time is not on our side, it marches along if we are in step or out. 

Lady of the Oak

The Moon - what a wonderful part of our sightline

I have always been fascinated by the Moon.  As a kid I recall watching the Man in the Moon for long periods of time to see if I could catch him moving about up there.  But, nope, just him smiling down on me and watching or'er me. 

Why are some of us so fixated on this part of our sightline?  For me the Moon is an integral part of who we are as a planet.  I believe we are in sync with the Moon and when we are not, it is there is help realign us and get us back in sync with the pull of its gravity. 

Here are the Moon phases for the month of November - the skies this winter season are going to be amazing to watch - begin now so that you are able to identify the nifty shows soon to be appearing in a sky near you - and why not - it is FREE!

Lady of the Oak

Night Sky

I have always been fascinated by the night sky.  One of the perks of not being in a large center is that you can view the night sky with pretty good odds of catching a glimpse of some very cool and completely free entertainment right in your own backyard. 

Jupiter is making an appearance this fall.  Have a peek at the link Jupiter is rising, you will be able to see the moons of Jupiter quite clearly with a small telescope or with a decent pair of binoculars. 

Be sure to check the night sky for the next rising planet this season.

Lady of the Oak

Local Horticultural Society Photo Competition

I entered some photos in the competition and here are my results:

Four Seasons of the garden, any garden
3rd place

Garden Whimsy/Statuary
1st place

They are everywhere - flowers wherever you find them
3rd place

1st place

Rain, rain go away...honourable mention

 3rd place


Quite happy with the results of my entries.  I hope they are interesting for my readers.

Lady of the Oak

The months just keep rolling along

I have been under the weather for too long now and still not back into my normal routine - whatever that is for me.  I have some pictures that I wanted to share and then it is back to bed with me for the day. 

Lady of the Oak