Butterfly Day

Today was a special day.  A day to spend with wonderful friends to celebrate all things butterfly and all that represents for us.  Four years ago today I lost a great friend to cancer. 

Every August 14th friends and family gather at his parents house for a "celebration".  It is exactly the kind of thing he would love.  After his death, his young daughters declared that he was now a butterfly. That idea has stuck with all of us.    Butterfly everything has been exchanged back and forth.  

A few months ago, for my birthday, I received the most special gift.  It was a butterfly house for my yard.

What made it more special was that it was a "true family" gift.  This house was given to me by Tim's sister, constructed by Tim's father and painted by his mother.    I just simply love it and all that it represents.



Delicate little forget-me-nots painted along the sides.

A resident of the house perhaps.....

I love sitting out on the back deck and looking at this house. 

As each year passes we share more laughs than tears on August 14th.  We sat around in the sun, and watched the children in the pool, while the adults had a few refreshments.  Even Sasha the dog got worn out from all the people.

Another Day in Paradise

There has been alot going on here in paradise at home.  When I first started blogging I thought it would be a great way to share and deal with the whole package of being a caregiver for an Alzheimers parent.   However I quickly realized that I wasn't comfortable with sharing too much info about Mom as I felt I might be violating her privacy and her dignity.  So I don't talk much about the gory details.

Recently I discovered a blog called Accepting Change. I was immediately attracted to the name first.  Then of course I read several postings and began to follow.  But the name struck a real chord with me.  I have never been great at accepting change.  I like my routines and I like to know what is on the horizon.  However in the last few years, that has gone right out the window.  My whole life has been in constant change.  I am getting better at rolling with the punches.  (But really, when is it enough?) Somedays I feel like Rocky in the movie where he got the crap beat out of him.

I have become an unwilling expert.  Lately I can boast to becoming an expert on every adult incontinence product on the market.  EVERY ONE !   I could do product reviews of what works, what doesn't work, and what REALLY doesn't work.   But I guess this is all part of accepting change.

I suppose that accepting change is a part of life.  We all change.  Everything changes every day - grass grows and flowers bloom.   I try to remind myself that change isn't bad, it is necessary.  I am changing. I have changed.  Change means I am growing and that is a good thing.

Comfort food

The roadside along the Northumberland Shore is now dotted with little garden stands.  This one is just a few miles down the road from the cottage and it is a regular stop this time of year.

"Grampie" meets you in the driveway and if he doesn't have what you are looking for in the tent, he will gladly lead you to the garden and let you select what you want.  We picked our own lettuce Friday. Now THAT is fresh!

All of this leads to my favorite summer comfort food, which was on the menu today - Hodgepodge

New carrots, peas and those cute little new potatoes with the almost paper thin skin.  And of course there is just no way to low cal this recipe without ruining it.  You need real butter and heavy cream to appreciate this dish.  It is true Maritime comfort food.

And we even found some crowsfeet greens being sold just up the road.  These are another maritime delicacy.  They grow mainly in marshy areas.    The finishing touch - Nanny's homemade lemon cheesecake pie.



If I keep eating like this, soon this hammock will not hold me anymore :)

A trip to the pound

A warm summer day, a beautiful beach-front setting, and a trip to the pound.  A perfect way to play hooky from work.

First stop was the pound - - - The Lobster Pound

(Jane would kill me if she knew I didn't crop her out of this pic)

So many lobsters, so hard to choose

There was also a large bag of mussels that looked too good to pass up

so we grabbed them for appetizers. 

Nothing better than sitting on the beach with a cool drink and a big pot of steamed mussels.

Sorry, I didn't think to  take a picture before we ate them.  These are just the shells. 

I guess we were hungry mid afternoon.  They were really good :)

We had a perfect beach day.  Oh, and the lobsters were even better than the mussels.  We ate and ate and there is probably enough leftovers to do it again tomorrow!

Not long enough

It was a gorgeous long weekend, but why is it that on the night before you return to work it never seems long enough??

We celebrated Canada Day with our Vermont family arriving for a month at the beach.  The traditional welcome lunch of lobster rolls, potato salad and strawberry shortcake was pretty tasty too.

I followed the family out to the cottage to help them unpack the car.  To say they had the car packed to the rafters was an understatement.  It looked like they brought everything but the kitchen sink.  And truly, I wasn't sure I wouldn't find it somewhere in the car before I was finished.   Sheesh, I had to cool down and rest with a cool "drink" after all that unpacking :)

Then there was the fireworks display in town for Canada Day.  We can see them from our house, so no need to go downtown, fight for a parking space and get eaten alive by giant mosquitos.  However, once the first 2 exploded, Millie freaks out, climbs up me and attaches herself to my neck.  In fact the fireworks were over for at least 15 minutes before I could peel her off me.  She is such a brave, brave doggie.  NOT

Today was another sunny day at the beach.  I packed up the Golden Girls so they could visit with the family and spent some time on the beach, and reading under the pines.

This photo is just taken using my phone so its not the greatest.  Note the sun flares - if I was trying to do that on purpose, it wouldn't have worked!

I guess I am tired out from all my relaxing all weekend.  So that's all I have for now.
Have a great week

Revisiting the past

I had a really nice afternoon with some family members, revisiting lots of old memories.

As some of you know, I lost my Dad last Fall.  Today's visit was with 4 of his first cousin's at the old family homestead in the country. 

I spent a great deal of time at this old country house as a child.  As soon as I walked in the door there were so many memories.  The home has not changed much at all over the years.  Each room I explored brought back a story or memory. 

Then we started looking at the hundreds of old photos.  Old pics of my Dad's parents who had both died before I was born and some baby pictures of my Dad which I had never seen before. 

This photo is my Dad as a little boy.  I cropped the photo, but the original includes his brother and 2 cousins.  Dad and his brother were both wearing these little sailor suits made by their Mom.  I laughed and laughed, but they were so darn cute.

They also had an envelope of snapshots of me when I was a teeny one at the homestead.

OK, Seriously.....How friggin cute was I?   Lol

Easter Bunny Humor?

An Easter Bunny with a sense of humor?  But somehow when I woke up this morning to discover the blanket of white snow left behind, I was not amused.

I thought the Easter Bunny would leave me a pile of chocolate goodies - NOT a chore to shovel. 

When I was a little girl it was tradition to get a new skipping rope along with the other goodies.  I think I looked forward to the new skipping rope almost as much as the chocolate and candy eggs.  (Well, almost)  You could hardly wait to get home from Church and change out of your fancy Easter clothes so you could go outside and play with the neighbor kids.  That skipping rope would have been a big disappointment this year.

OK, enough weather whining.  I did get some chocolate.  The bunny now has no ears.  Now it looks like a gopher.  In fact, I picked away at junk food all day.  When it was finally time for the big easter dinner, I wasn't hungry.  Nobody was.  Sigh......what a waste of several hours of preparation.

These are the eggs Mom painted and dipped at Alzheimers Day Care this week.  They always find the cutest little crafts for them to complete.

Now  I am ready to reveal the little projects I was making from the scrap basket.  I did actually manage to hook a bit today, in between snacking.  They are small lavender sachet pillows.

I shared all your birthday greetings with Millie.  I think she was quite pleased!  She got lots of extra treats and loving yesterday.  Well, she gets lots of loving everyday.  I don't know if you have noticed, but she is kind of spoiled :)

I hope you  all had a lovely Easter weekend.  I still have one more day of vacation tomorrow.  Yippee!

Still Relaxin'

So, it has been more of the same around here.  And by that I mean lovely, relaxing vacation days.  On Day 2 (Thursday) I dropped Mom off at the Alzheimers Day Care and Auntie and I went to a nearby City shopping.  We had a nice lunch together and we did buy a few little things - mostly new clothes for Mom.   We had a great day - just like old times.  We laughed and giggled as opposed to the caregivers stress fights we have been having lately.

Yesterday I made our traditional Good Friday brunch of Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon.  It is so good I didn't even care about the calorie or cholesterol count.  I could just eat that Hollandaise sauce with a spoon :)  Then the day was capped off with a little gathering of friends.  There were lots of laughs, a few inappropriate stories and a few beverages.  Perfect!

I am working on a few little projects using the bag of leftover wool strips.  It seems that bag of wool strips never goes down.  The strips multiply like rabbits (or Easter bunnies??)

The last thing I am going to share with you today is another milestone.  Miss Millie turns 10 years old today.  It seems like just yesterday she was a new puppy.

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby!



What a difference a day makes.....

Well, this was a whole different kind of day.  Today is all about 2 mysteries.  At least I can say things are never dull around here. 

It all started out fine.  A nice normal day.  I had a meeting at work first thing in the morning.  For some unexplainable reason I left my cell phone on my desk when I went down the hall.  I always have my phone with me.  I still don't know why I didn't take it to my meeting.   When we finished and I got back to my desk, I saw my house number as a missed call and a voicemail.  Instead of wasting time checking the message I just dialed home. 

In an eerily calm voice, Auntie asks if I can run home for a minute.  ??  Yes, I reply - but why?   Her eerily calm voice threw me a bit because you may have picked up from some of my posts, she is a tad bit high strung!  She says "Your mother has fallen and I can't lift her up"    I didn't even ask any questions, just hung up and raced home.  She was on the floor between the bed and the closet.  But before you think she just fell out of bed - She was backwards!  We still can't figure it out.   I checked her from head to toe - twice.  Not a mark or bruise on her and not one tender spot.  We have no idea when it happened, as Auntie found her that way this morning.  And she wasn't trying to get to the bathroom as there were no "accidents".  It is a complete mystery but she seems fine.

Mystery #2 - The dog seems to be crazy too. I may need the services of a dog psychic.  Princess Millie spends every meal time, on her special mat beside me at the table.  (Yes she gets table treats - don't judge)  However, since yesterday she is now "scared" of her mat.  She will not go there no matter what I put on the mat.  Not-even-cheese.......so you know its serious.  She now goes and stands beside the stove and barks and whines.   I have picked her up and put her on the mat and she runs back to the stove.   I have switched the mat for a different one.  Nope - runs back to the stove.

What in the beejeebers is that about??  Seriously, I cannot take another bit of crazy in this house.   I took the afternoon off work.  I met two friends for coffee.   I added some "special" to the coffee.  (Again, don't judge)  There was a flask involved - not mine.  Yes, I have those kinds of friends.  (Thank God!  Lol)

I think I pulled a muscle in my back while lifting Mom.  The "special" coffee tasted good.  I think this may be in my future later tonight........I heard Grey Goose can act like a muscle relaxant. Don't judge.  Its been a mysterious day

Christmas Blessings

We had a wonderful day full of so many Christmas blessings.   Starting last evening we hosted some friends after the church service.  Good friends, food and laughter - a great start.

By the time we went to bed we were about ready to drop.  Tired but a happy tired.

Santa  found all of us, even little Millie.

One of the greatest blessings of the day was that Mom was in a great mood.  There were even a few funny moments from her.  This is rare and was a lovely gift for me.   We had a morning visit from my cousin Mike (you know - the boy who killed Santa for me) and he brought a cake. 

I had Christmas Dinner ready at around 1 pm.  I cooked a 20 lb turkey and all the fixings.  Yes, I said 20 lbs - for the 3 of us.  Lol  But that means I get a couple of days off from cooking.  Mom ate a huge plate of food.  Another rare treat, as her appetite is not the best anymore.  She seemed to be on her best behavior for me today and I was so grateful.

I want to show you my most special Christmas present.  Two weeks ago when I picked up Mom at day care the supervisor handed me this package with instructions not to open until Christmas.

 
Despite being curious, I wanted to wait.  I knew this was going to be special.  Their project that week was to make something special for their loved ones.  I am blessed that the staff at Mom's program are caring enough to think of something like this.   What was held inside this little package ?

A simple little beaded bookmark.   A few beads on a simple white ribbon.  But it was enough to bring me to tears.  It has been so long since Mom has participated in holidays, the fact that I knew she actually made this has made it so special. 

Sometimes it just the little things that make a day special - like a small gesture from an angel.   I hope you all had a blessed day and have some angels in your life.

What matters . . . . .

This weekend was full of reminders of what this holiday season should be for everyone.  Its not about shopping, spending, and driving yourself crazy trying to do everything perfectly.

What should be the focus is spending quality time with family and friends.  And that is exactly how I spent my weekend. 

Saturday I travelled to Truro for a family cookie exchange.  I listened to Christmas music in the car for my hour drive and had a lovely afternoon visiting with the Jones family.  My cousin hosted and prepared some appetizers and cider and of course, the table full of cookies.  We talked and laughed and spent way too much time trying to complete what appeared to be a very simple little puzzle.  Nine pieces . . .   How hard could it be ?  Well, according to the box there were approximately 300,000 wrong combinations.  Well, we never did solve it.  (The key has to be in the double club piece . . . .)  It was frustratingly fun though. 

I drove back home, singing Christmas carols all the way, to arrive at party #2.  My friend's family hosts an annual Christmas Family & Friends Extravaganza the Saturday before Christmas.  Their home is always packed with people and there is just no end to the food.  Huge pots of chili, seafood chowder, meatballs, rice, noodles, sweet and sour pork.  Then a fruit/cheese and dessert spread on the dining room table.  And lots of Gloria's famous divinity fudge (my favorite).    I'm sure I gained 5 pounds just this weekend.

The perfect end to Saturday night was coming home to discover my favorite movie was on TV -  It's A Wonderful Life.  I'm sure I have seen this movie 100 times, but I can't resist it.  I love those old Christmas movies - the cheesier and hokier the better. 

AND FINALLY - - -  I decorated my Christmas tree this morning.  Yippee - now it actually feels like Christmas in this house. 

And in a tradition that began after losing a beloved uncle about 15 years ago - I hid the "Christmas Frog" within the branches of the tree.   Can you see him ?

Just a few more close ups of the tree.  My overall tree shots were all blurry.  I'll try again another day.

A little Christmas Spirit

It was bound to happen.  Three Christmas parties in 2 days has let a little Christmas spirit creep in to my previous Grinchy heart.

Last night's staff party was great.  The meal was excellent, the performance was very funny and the company was entertaining. 

Now it is a road trip to the Jones Family Christmas Cookie exchange. And as a bonus, the weather is perfect for travelling this time of year.  I think these look great and passed inspection/taste test from Auntie.  (She is quite a critic, so I consider these good cookies)

It has been a few months since I have seen them and I am really looking forward to it.  Then this evening is supper with a group of great friends.  Busy day but all good.  Spending a day with all the people I love. 

CHEERS  (yes there might even be a few opportunities tonight to raise a glass)  wink

Introducing Cousin Emerson

I am so proud to introduce little cousin Emerson

My little sweetie is less than 1 hour old here.  He was born early this morning

in the Netherlands.

His proud Momma is my baby cousin Angela, but I will

be Auntie Kim to Emerson.

Great name, eh  (I picked his name)

This was a very high risk pregnancy and I have been a nervous wreck awaiting his arrival.

Momma and baby are both doing fine.  It is so hard to be so far away at times like this but modern technology makes it a little easier.  I can't hold him but can Skype with them both soon.

Welcome to the world Emerson



Getting reacquainted with my kitchen

I managed to get lots of rest this weekend.  I stayed in bed late both days.  Thank you for all your messages on my last post.  When I get tired I guess I get whiney.   So I took the advice and slowed down.  However, too much of doing nothing kind of gets on my nerves. 

I seemed to be drawn back to the kitchen.  I guess its true that when you are not feeling quite yourself you crave comfort foods. 

It wasn't so much that I was craving certain foods, but I have been so slack with the meals lately.  There has been a lot of toaster waffles and sandwiches lately.

So when I got home Friday night I re-introduced myself to the kitchen appliances.  I think they missed me :)   Friday's supper was stuffed chicken breast, brown rice and sauteed brussel sprouts.  The sprouts are not my favorite veggies but I had them so I cooked them.  I cooked them like Dr. Oz recommended and they kind of carmelized in the pan.  Not bad but normally I prefer them drowned in some kind of sauce.

Yesterday was coconut rice pudding (my favorite), beef and scalloped potatoes.  This morning I opened the freezer and the pie crusts were still in there.  Remember the apple pie that never was??  Those stupid pie crusts were mocking me so I made a quiche. 

I told Mom that I was making quiche for lunch and she curled up her face and announced "NO, I don't like that."   Well, it was already in the oven.  When we sat down to eat I told her it was Breakfast Pie.  She ate it and loved it.  I guess it's all in how you present it.  Lol  I also use this trick with yogurt - I tell her it is melted ice cream and she eats it.   Tricky but effective.  She can't afford to lose anymore weight so sometimes I have to be sneaky.

It was pretty good, if I do say so myself.  I used asparagus, mushroom and bacon with a blend of smokey cheddar and swiss cheese.

For tonight I have a pork tenderloin in the oven.  I feel like I am running out of meal ideas lately.  Does this ever happen to you?  You just get bored with the same old stuff all the time?

I think I need to learn to make more casserole type things.  It is not something we ever had here when I was growing up.  We were a meat and potatoes house.  My grandmother never made casseroles and neither did Mom.   I've been looking up lots of different recipes.  Next weekend might be a casserole weekend.   Any suggestions ?  What is your favorite casserole ? 
 

Thankful and Overindulgent

Thanksgiving dinner 2011 is now just a memory.  I had enough food prepared for all of you, but there were only 4 of us.  We ended up with an extra at the table.  One of Mom's friends plans fell through so I picked her up and brought her here.   It's a good thing I cook like my Grandmother

and prepare way more than I need. Lots of leftovers for tomorrow. (So Michelle, you can come over)

I didn't make the pie yet.  Yesterday a friend called after lunch and said she had the coffee pot on and a fresh bottle of Baileys.   So obviously sitting out visiting her on the deck took priority for a few hours. 

And when I got home another friend had dropped off a pumpkin pie and a pan of pumpkin squares with cream cheese icing.  I figured that was enough dessert for now.

That picture is pretty much the scene here.  We are all stuffed to the max.  But poor Millie is worst of all.  It would appear that some people at the table (not me) were sneaking treats under the table.

Miss Millie has been sick twice so far.  All her blankies are in the washer.

Poor little thing is lying here looking all sick and pathetic.  

Aside from that little glitch it was a wonderful thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for - wonderful friends and family here and away.  I am especially thankful for the family members who were with me last week at a difficult time.

We shouldn't need a holiday to remind ourselves to be thankful.

It should be a daily mantra.

Thanksgiving equipment and a flashback

This is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada.  I think it is my favorite holiday.  Completely non commercial - just family, lots of food and beautiful autumn weather.

As the preparations get going for the big feast tomorrow, it's important to check out the necessary equipment.

First - the guest of honor

 

Next, and almost as important........

And lastly, the Thanksgiving pants........

Stretchy and with a drawstring (in case I over-indulge)

I want to share this Thanksgiving flashback with you.  Today I was thinking about my very first Thanksgiving on my own.  I was in my mid 20's and living and working in P.E.I.    For some reason, which I don't remember, I didn't go home that year and decided to invite some friends over and host the thanksgiving dinner. 

I had never cooked a whole chicken or turkey before but had seen it done.  It didn't look hard.  But when it came time to clean the bird I began to have second thoughts.  "I can't stick my hand up there".   I tried for a second and after gagging and being completely grossed out about touching all that yucky innards, I knew I was in trouble.

Hmmm, what to do, what to do........   Being the incredibly resourceful girl I am, I decided to spread open the legs and fill the cavity with water and then turn it upside down and shake it.  My hope was that all that "stuff" would just fall out.   Now, stop laughing - I really thought that would work!

OK so that didn't work.  I even briefly considered cooking it with the stuff inside but feared it might poison my guests.   Then I had a brilliant idea.  I had baked chocolate chip cookies the day before.  I put some on a plate and knocked on the door of the older couple who lived in the upstairs apartment.  After presenting them with this lovely plate of cookies (AKA a bribe), I embarrassingly asked them if they would clean my turkey.  Yes, it was a little humiliating but they thought it was hysterical.  And they very graciously did the dirty deed.

Oh, but it gets worse.  After the turkey was in the oven I started to get the vegetables ready.  I was attempting to cut this large turnip when the knife slipped.  The next thing I know is my finger is covered in blood - a really gusher.  I got all woozy and my knees got shaky.  I am squeamish with blood, especially my own and this was bad.   I got to the bathroom where I sat on the edge of the toilet, put my head between my knees and hung my hand over the sink under cold running water.  (yes the bathroom was THAT small - I didn't even have to stretch)   I kept thinking I had to get it together quick or my friends would arrive and find me passed out in a red puddle.   

I eventually  got the first aid kit and bandaged it up.  It really should have had some stitches, but the only thing worse than blood is stitches.  In case you are wondering, I didn't serve the turnip.  It looked a bit like a crime scene from CSI.   And of course it was my middle finger......so once it was all bandaged up it looked like I was constantly flipping somebody off.  Lol  Nice.....

So that was my very first Thanksgiving dinner.   Luckily, they have gotten better over the years.

Some quiet time

It has been more than a week since I had a new post.  I have been blog absent but I hope to catch up with you all over the next few days.

In the middle of last week things went sideways.  I needed to take an unexpected trip, but that's all I am going to say about it.  Monday evening I needed to clear my head.  I left the hotel and found a short nature trail near a farmer's market.  It was just what I needed.