Fall is Summer!

Hello all,

What a weird year. It did nothing but pour rain and stay cold and miserable all summer, and now that it's FALL we're getting above average temperatures, sun and dry weather. We'll take it!

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lindsay (and her friend Anulina) from Finland today. They will be in Saskatchewan for two weeks before heading back to Finland via Montreal, where they will stop to visit Leslie and Trevor.

In spite of the weather problems, the garden took up a lot of our time this summer. Along with that, we purchased a fishing boat, motor and trailer, and have been out a couple of times:

We have managed to get in a few rounds of golf, and have done lots of work on our yard. We re-landscaped the front yard completely--it was a very good year to lay down sod and get it established! We introduced some goldfish to the backyard pond and had great success. We put four fish in the pond and will be taking at least six out!

Lew has kept up his 3-day a week schedule of playing Bridge, and is on the Club executive--sometimes a rather thankless task. Meanwhile, Phyllis has tried to keep herself fit by going to the gym regularly.

We made a very quick trip to Grand Forks, B.C. in July. We spent a couple of nights in Canmore with Janet and George, where it was very cold and we could see it snowing on the mountain tops. However, the day we left to head West, the weather changed and it was well over +30 while we were in the Interior. Cherries weren't quite ready, so we came home empty-handed.

Although our own apple tree didn't produce at all this year, we managed to raid some neighborhood trees and do our annual pie/crisp/sauce/wine fest.

Once we had all the garden produce under control, we did a bit of a reno in the kitchen. We purchased a nearly new dual-fuel range (gas cook top with electric convection oven), so that meant cutting out a portion of our cabinets and countertop (where the old cook top was) and revamping a door and drawer in order to accommodate the new range. As well, Lew built 4 lovely roll-out drawers where the old wall oven used to be. In order to make all the materials match, we decided to bite the bullet and paint over the original oak. That was a bit scary, but it has turned out quite nicely, we think.

Before After

We also worked on the landscaping at the side of the house, taking out all the crushed rock, and digging out the black earth so that we could put in sand and interlocking block. By the time we did that, our muscles certainly let us know about it! However, we now have a "third" retreat outside where we can sit and drink tea with the neighbors.

The next thing in the JOB JAR is to pack up the trailer with a cabinet and countertop and several other things and drive to Montreal to visit with Leslie and Trevor, and to help them renovate the guest bathroom. While there, I'm sure there will be some yardwork to take care of, and I hear there is to be a basement waterproofing project as well. We have no definite time of return, but hope to get back before the middle of November. We'll leave here the day after Lindsay and Anulina fly to Montreal. They will be on their way home to Finland before we invade the kids' house, since it takes us three full days' driving to reach there.

Meanwhile Grandma will come over and look after the cat and the house. We are very fortunate that both our "little old ladies" are doing very well this summer. We only hope it stays that way, as we have travel plans after Christmas.

That's an update on the Heuchert/Johnston lives. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Christmas Time 2009

Hello,

This is an experiment on my behalf. Not sure if these videos will post, but it's worth a try.

To Phoenix and Back

Thanks again to Carolyn and Gary for hosting us on our 5-day holiday in Casa Grande. The weather Gods did not hear our plea for heat and calm, but the vacation was great nevertheless. It was great to meet the Kirkwood's, and for me to meet Sue and Rob after hearing so much about all of them. The trips to the Flea Market, Savers, Saguara National Park, and even the Golf course were memorable. We managed to get all the "bargains" home safely last night. Today has been a catch up day of pulling stuff out of the suitcases, doing laundry, and reading all the papers and mail that arrived in our absence.

The cat was glad to see us home, even though "Grandma" had done a wonderful job of keeping her bowl full and letting her in and out in our rather balmy weather. It feels warmer here today at +5 with no wind, than it did on the golf course on Tuesday! Oh, well, that is an adventure to remember.

Starting tomorrow it's back to the treadmill and the gym to grind off the extra pounds that always come with a vacation. Then into the Bridge for Lew and the Choral work for me. I'm looking forward to the end of May when all my "responsibilities" are done and I can puddle in the garden at my own pace. Hopefully I'll have sense enough to say "no" to any volunteer positions and become entirely my own boss!

Had a taste of the Saguaro honey this morning, and it isn't a whole lot different from regular Canadian clover/alfalfa honey, but quite nice anyway.

All for now. Safe driving for all the RVer's as they head back to their respective lodgings next month.

Happy New Year

BEST WISHES FOR

2010

The first day of 2010 has passed, and so far it's been a very good year! We awoke this morning in the all-season Hawood Inn at Waskesiu, Sk. after a wonderful New Year's Eve party in the dining hall. After having breakfast, we meandered down the "Scenic route" in the minus 32 weather. However, as we reached Saskatoon, the wind changed and was coming from the Southeast--hopefully a harbinger of better weather tomorrow.

Christmas was special this year. We had Leslie and Trevor home for four days, and it was great to have "kids" here for the holidays. They arrived late on the 23rd and were ready to chow down on a dinner of ham, homemade cabbage rolls, homemade sauerkraut perogies, and homemade Saskatoon pie.

Our main Christmas dinner was on the 24th so we cooked up a major feast for ourselves, the kids, and the two "little old ladies". The day was laid back and quiet. The most exciting activity was doing a jigsaw puzzle late into the night.

Next morning we popped over to Grandma's house for a brunch of tortiere, then off we went to the cabin in the bush. Roads were good, but temperatures were cold. We arrived there about 4:00 p.m. and got the fires stoked. Lew attempted to get the quads and the snow mobile running, but didn't have a lot of success. So we spent the evening chewing on leftovers and playing cards. It was toasty and warm and we all enjoyed our rum and eggnog in the glow of the lights from our forest-cut Christmas tree.

Boxing Day was bright and sunny and not quite so cold, and the men got all the machines going. Leslie and I went for a long walk around the subdivision before packing on all our extra clothing and joining the guys on a trek by skidoo and quad into the woodlands. We hoped to see some wildlife, but there was nothing but a lot of tracks. (Tracks don't make good soup.)

That evening we ate up another round of leftovers before the men went out for a night-time ride. There was just enough moon so that they could travel without lights. It is almost surreal when you can get away from the ambient light of the city, sit on the quad in the silence of the wilderness and breath in the quietness. I think this was the hi-lite of Trevor's visit.

Next morning we packed up and headed out of the bush toward Winnipeg. Trevor's Mom and sisters were anxiously awaiting their guests, and all of us were feeling the need of a nice, warm shower. We dropped the kids with Trev's Mom, gave them our hugs and kisses and relinquished them to his family for their four days. A quick stop at the motel to shower, shave, etc. and have a bite to eat, then we were off to Betty's for a few hours visiting.

We were lucky to have time with Gord and Sharon, Erin and Brian, David and Michelle and their little ones Lachlan and Taylor. Mustn't forget the bulldog cross "Marley", and of course Betty's lab "Toby".

Next morning we popped up to Deer Lodge for some time with Auntie Merle. She was surprised to see us, and we had a great time with her. She is just in fine form, and was so excited about having been "home" for a few hours on Christmas Day. Her family it to be applauded for making her outing possible. She certainly enjoyed it.

While we were visiting, Kathy and Bruce arrived and had pictures of Bobby's wedding to show. The marriage took place on Boxing Day at the Air Force Base in Winnipeg, and the bride and groom made sure to go to Deer Lodge in full wedding attire to show Aunt Merle.

We look forward to the annual trek to Winnipeg in early February to celebrate Merle's 101st! We have several minutes of video from our recent visit with her and will try and share it if we can figure out how to compress it and get it onto the airwaves. All this technology is a bit mind-boggling. Thankfully we can always ask for help from Gary.

So that's a recap of our past couple of weeks. We are anxiously awaiting our trip to Phoenix in March to meet up with Carolyn and Gary and get some sun and warmth. Best wishes to everyone for the coming year. May your cup run over with good health and prosperity.

Phyllis and LEW