St. Hubert Chicken

The great debate raised its head once again this summer. Swiss Chalet vs. St. Hubert. Who serves the best chicken - or is it really the sauce that counts.

Dad and I were on our way home after attending a conference in "Brown's Flat", New Brunswick - down the Saint John way. Part of that journey involved crossing the river on a small ferry that held maybe 6 cars. The ferry ran on an underwater electric cable. Actually, we got lost and had several "small ferry rides". But I digress. We "hit" Moncton about lunch time and decided to do the St. Hubert thing.

As we left the restaurant, I couldn't resist taking a picture. This picture will need to be archived for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren - so they will know the great St. Hubert chicken sauce debate was for real. If anyone wants a copy, just let me know. It was a nice meal. But was the sauce worth it? We'll leave that hanging for the next discussion on the St. Hubert sauce question.

Actually, I think Julee and Natalee bought a package of St. Hubert sauce to do a comparison taste test while they were here this summer. I am not sure if there was a clear winner.

For the price - I'll take Swiss Chalet any day.

Love
Mom

Spinning on Grandma's chair at the office

After Chris arrived for a short holiday, he took our car into the dealer to have the bolts installed so that the car seats could be switched to our car. This allowed Julee, Chris, Natalee and the 3 kids to be in one car.
So while he did that, Julee, Nat and the kids came to my office for a visit and a picnic on the floor in a spare room. Afterwards, they had a few spins in my office chair. Better than a ride at the fair anyday. Note the similar outfits. And of course, the visit brought smiles to everyone in the office.

Spring is peeping around the corner

Red Tulips and white crocuses among the dead leaves. Springtime is such a time of renewal - physically, mentally and spiritually. When I see such beautiful colours, flowers and leaves coming up out of the cold ground, growing from deadlooking bulbs and seeds - it just never ceases to amaze me.

What joy to suddenly walk around the corner of the house and see the red and white colours. I just wanted to do cartwheels - now that would be a sight.

These are the 36 geraniums started indoors at a cost of 35.00 (seeds plus soil plus containers). At the garden centres, these cost $3-4, so about 1/3 the price. I never used to like geraniums, but they are hardworking plants that seem to take the early spring, hot summer and cool fall and still look good.

But they don't smell so nice when they are growing indoors. Oh well, soon they will be outside. I will just have to splurge and get a grow light system, as I am running out of window sills and I still need to start my tomato plants. Everything needs to be started indoors as we basically only have 182 growing days. Don't you love the use of the rebounder for holding the trays. Actually, I am just watering them and putting them back on the window sill.

Love you,

Think I will look into growing a satomi dogwood - apparently they do well here. Look that one up Karen! I believe they are all over BC.

Love you all

Mom/Grandma

The Wood Burning Stove

It never ceases to amaze me how we romanticize the past. As I am loading armloads of firewood into the shed - I am thinking about the pioneers who had to burn wood to heat, cook and bathe. The wood would need to be cut, split and stored and aged.

Then I have to carry the wood into the house to burn in the woodstove. I can carry only about 5-6 pieces at a time - so I make about 15 trips in and out. I am sure that task was given to one child in the pioneer family. But since, our children are grown up and gone - I have to do it myself - sigh.


I am not sure what kind of wood I used the other day, but it was smokey and then the smoke alarm went off. So I stood in the hallway (which acts as a chimney) and waved my arms to stop the smoke alarm. That was harder than bringing in the wood. Our neighbour said it was probably a "punk" piece of wood. It was black and just smoking rather than burning. So what does one do in that situation. Close the door and let it die out? Open the door and get it out somehow to the outside? Any experts out there?

But most of the time, I can get a pretty good fire going. If I leave the damper open, I can get the family room heated up to about 26 or 27 degrees. Dad is sweating - and I am basking. I get quite cold in the evenings. It may be the only way to experience summer here. What a long winter! But I guess the water tables are being restored. And that is a good thing!

We are off to Truro this morning and will be meeting with a house church there. Dad is doing a Daniel/Revelation study with them. Afterwards, we are going to a maple syrup farm to have lunch and walk around. Right now it is snowing again, but suppposed to get sunny by this afternoon.

Work is going very well. I am very happy there. Pray that my evaluation at the end of April goes well. I don't expect any problems - they are a really nice group of people to work with.

Take care of each other. Hug and kiss all the grandchildren for me!!
Mom/Grandma

New Job but same old snow pictures

Hi family:

How do you like this night picture? The tree branches were just drooping with the weight of the snow and everything was so fresh and clean looking.


Just thought I should write something since it has been so long since updating our blog. I am enjoying my new job with an archaeology company. Very interesting and very laid back. I resigned my previous abusive job and finished it on Friday, Jan. 25. On Sunday, John and I were visiting the Halifax church. At the end of the service, I was visiting with a friend whose parents are going through the same things as my parents. She asked me how my job was going and I told her I resigned. Apparently she was just a-hopping on the way home and told her husband that their prayers were answered. Of course, I knew nothing about any of this. I received a phone call from her husband on Monday am and he indicated that his wife was all excited when she heard that I was looking for another job. He wondered if I was interested and I sent in my resume. He interviewed me on Tuesday and offered me the job. It is such a nice environment. He is the owner/president and senior consultant. There are 3 other full time archaeologists and from about April to November there can be up to 20 or 30 other field workers/crew. Anyway, he changed the title from office assistant to office manager and I will have 3 weeks vacation and the freedom to leave early on Fri or come in late on Mon if John is travelling and I go with him. Such a different atmosphere compared to my previous job. John B. was so supportive when I decided to quit. He keeps saying how much more relaxed I am now with this new job.



This is the picture from my kitchen window. Those are daffodils and a mini rose on the window sill.

I just planted my geranium seeds. The ledge around the family room comes in handy. I miss my grow lights in the laundry room in Belleville. I have to find a place to put some grow lights here - maybe in the laundry room - except that it still is a catch all right now and needs to be decluttered.

Guess what this picture is?

A close up of snow flakes landing on the roof of our car.

I know, get a life. But it was so pretty with the sun shining on it.

Stay tuned for the next blog installment. I will have pictures of my seeds sprouting. :) Love Mom/Grandma