0.83

Well I blogged more than I ever thought I would when I started Lil Salmon House, averaging 0.83 blogs per day or 302 with this posting. I have no idea what the new year will bring, perhaps I will switch to Blogger Beta and get out of my comfort zone or start tracking via Google Analytics. I have been fortunate enough to not have any nasty unwanted comments. I think having almost the whole family blogging certainly added to our trip east this past summer. Who knows, maybe we'll spark some interest for others to travel west!

Not sure how, but we volunteered to cook a turkey dinner for our neighbour! She invited us over for a quiet at home celebration tonight and Joe asked about food...the rest you now know! The best part of the deal is we get to keep the carcass for soup! Mmmmm! I made a batch last week from the Christmas feast, had that with homemade bread from the machine Lesley lent us...Aaron you are so right about the evils of bread!!!!! If I plan it right, I should have enough meat to whip up some turkey salad in that handy chopper Heather got Joe!!!!

We had a frozen pizza last night that was almost as good as take-out. We baked it on the stoneware round I received from the Beck's and I'm so impressed. Next Saturday it will be homemade pizza...now I know how to use the stoneware! Another bonus was a certain cappaccino set from M&H...WOW! That was a nice way to finish supper last night....and the glass mugs are the perfect size! Les, Aaron - maybe you want it back!

As you may have guessed, we do enjoy eating well and often! That won't change in 2007 except perhaps the serving sizes!

I hope that everyone has something fun to do tonight and special people to do it with! Party safe and drive even safer! Party on!

Handy dandy chopper

I first seen this @ Heather's, who bought it after talking with Lesley. I tried it out @ Lesley's (she got it from Lucie a past Christmas) and was totally blown away at the ease of use, great chopping action and easy to clean. Heather was looking for another gift for Joe, I recommended this. We love to eat and that means lots of chopping and cooking. Joe has yet to try it out...he got to try the fancy potato masher...but I'm sure he'll be giving it a whirl when we make homemade pizza later this weekend. This is one As Seen on TV product I would recommend to everyone.

This year Joe got me some heat packs that warm up without using a microwave. You simply click the metal disc inside the puch and it warms. You have to 'recharge' them by boiling for 10 mintues, but other than that, they are totally portable. I can hardly wait until the next hockey game in Spruce Grove, so I can try out the hand sized one!

Family tree is growing

I got some more info from Lesley about Aaron's maternal family. Bit by bit, I hope to get more goodies. I'm happy about Jen's new blog...this stuff is contagious!

To answer Lesley's question -

Over the Christmas weekend, she asked the whole family if we were making New Year Resolutions. To the best of my recollection, I don't think I have ever done that...If you disagree, post leave a nice comment! I always thought that this sort of thing was a great way to wreck a new day/week/month/year.

We all know the success rate of starting a new diet on Monday or learning something new tomorrow. I found an interesting blog about this subject at Productivity Cafe Read the blog article (Dec 29/06), some very good points that are attainable.

1. Lose weight
2. Eat better
3. Exercise
4. Get out of debt (or manage my money better)
5. Have more quality time with friends & family
6. Get organized (time management and de-clutter)
7. Learn something new
8. Stop smoking
9. Stop drinking
10. Save more money
11. Find a better job or earn more money
12. Help others
13. Plan a good vacation & take it
    

I think we all think about these things all year round. I don't need a new year to tell me to get off my couch and get busy...Just Do It over and over again...Then go do something else. I'm resolving from this day forward to be Simply My Best!

Please join me, I do like the cyber company!!!!

Lookin' good today!

I'm wearing my new Christmas sweater ( mauve,pink & grey stripes) along with a mauve fleece vest. Heather, Jeff & Jonathan gave me them and they fit so nice...


It got my thinking about my love for sweaters which goes back years. They give with your every move, feel comfy and wash up like a dream with today's new yarns. The oldest sweater in my collection is one Nannie Sample knit me - chocolate brown pullover with a white snowflake design around the neck. She made Joe a matching one in reverse colours. We still have them, tucked away on a top closet shelf for some day when they may fit again! I know this is probably a pipe dream, but what a nice one to have!

Joe's 2 cents...not really!!!!!

Can anybody guess what I got for Christmas?

Yes, I was a extra good boy this year and did not leave the country once.
If I only knew all I had to do was stay home more maybe Berta would have gotten me a new "Ride"sooner. I promised her I would not sleep beside it in the driveway for the first week.

It's a 06 Suzuki Boulevard C90T and I'm sure it will go like snot.
I can almost feel the wind in my hair...

Home again with great memories of Christmas 2006

Well, the great wait is over, we got to meet Jonathan and what a cutie he is! He's a happy baby, likes to look around at the world and doesn't mind everyone taking a turn at holding him, cousins included.

This is my favorite photo from the weekend - Jonathan with his Papa. I know this is a favorite of Joe's as well.

Now, where are my traveling tunes?

We'll be hitting the road in the morning, first to meet Jonathan and then say hello to Joseph & Alex. And respective parents too! Christmas dinner will be at Lesley's, other than that we will play things by ear. I know Jeff has a wee project for Joe. Me, I'll be rocking the baby, making playdoh stuff with Alex and playing UNO with Joseph!

See you all on the blogs after Boxing Day! Be good to yourselves and travel safe!

You can't plan good luck or can you?

The only ones crazier than me are the ones who leave their gift shopping until the last minute! I almost ran out of TP today!!!!! Anything less than 4 rolls in the house is a crisis waiting to happen.

So I trudged on down to wallyworld...got there early so I could get parking within visual site of the front doors! The last time I went was post lunch and I almost had to park at Save-On Foods, 2 parking lots away!

Today I was pleasantly surprised, the aisles were fairly clear of shoppers and worker bees re-stocking shelves. I zipped in, got my TP,more pet food, & milk for next week. Got to a checkout, 2nd in line...everyone was calm, in a good mood...it couldn't have gone smoother if it was late January! Little did I know that the REAL line up was at the car wash!!!! Oh well, I had some nice tunes on the radio to listen to while I waited!

I do believe that this was better luck than management! But remember the old adage...

The harder you work, the luckier you get!

Birch or Maple?

This is my start at tracing Jonathan's family tree. I haven't gotten very far but I'm excited about this software...I'm using the trial version and am impressed. I haven't even peaked at the price of the full version...maybe next year! Before I do buy, I am interested in anyone else's software like & dislikes. This means you - PAUL!!!!! We never did see your family tree, did we?

Joe 19 Berta 21!

Advent chocolates, that is!!!! Hey, I even reminded him but he still forgot!

Love & Hate

I love Christmas - carols, baking, smiling faces, kids sitting on Santa's lap, people's generosity.

I hate New Year's -resolutions, expectations, loud obnoxious drunks, slobbery kisses.

I think December 19 is as good a time as any to announce my intention to walk outside for 30 minutes every day for a whole year! Maybe more.

I miss my walking. I can talk myself out of it very easily...too hot, too cold, too tired, too LAZY!, sidewalks are icy, Oprah is on ...you know the routine!

Walking gives me a chance to reflect & put my life into perspective, relax,check out my community. It keeps my back strong which I need and I sleep more soundly, which is a big challenge these days.

We first make our habits and then our habits make us. ~ John Dryden~

I'm going to make a new habit and see what unfolds. Do you want to join me?

ps - I had 1 really outstanding New Year's Eve...Joe asked me to marry him!

pps - Lesley, you must be really excited...lots of comment posts! :)

Fuzzy brain!

Gosh, I don't know how many times I've gone downstairs for something only to forget to do it!!! It just happens to be my laundry! Here it is mid afternoon and I'm just getting my first load into the dryer. I used to pride myself at having all that stuff of routine housework done before lunch so I can enjoy the afternoon doing fun stuff. I think I may just have to sit down and have a talk with myself!

In case you are wondering...I didn't exactly lay in bed with a good book and a box of bon-bons! I went out for a haircut so I look cute for my new grandson! That was quite a wait, but I enjoyed chatting with a spy guy of 79+! He was waiting for his lovely wife at the hairdressers.

Well must go...now, er... where was I going?????

Mommy & Jonathan

This was minutes after delivery...Heather looks good but very tired. Jonathan looks very alert, much like his Mommy was! Under that cute hat is dark hair. More photos to come over the next few days...or as the new Papa says, the next 20 years!

December 17, 2006

Jonathan Robert Angus

December 17, 2006

7 lbs 6 oz

20.5"

Daddy Jeff reports Mom & Baby are doing awesome!

Congratulations!

Why tonight????

Joe surprised me last night with tickets to the Alberta Ballet's Saturday evening performance of The Nutcracker. Was I ever impressed, those tix have been sold out for weeks! I have always wanted to see this but have never been fortunate enough to get tickets.

So here I was reading everyone's blog updates, when the phone rings...it's Heather...her water broke!!!!! I am going to be so distracted, it isn't even funny!

In one way it would be nice if she had a nice leisurely labour but in another, more "Motherly" humane way, I wish her a speedy delivery! Looks like we will be setting the Christmas table for 1 more special person.

Stay tuned for updates...!

Happy Dance!!!

6 Weird Things about Moi!

1. Money -I'm totally anal about this. I scrutinize bills etc, compare my utility meter readings, balance every month. Bills have to be smoothed out and faced in my wallet. I strongly believe in spending change. My philosophy is, if we don't use the pennies, the government will remove them & retailers will round prices up. And ...Always ask salespeople if the marked price is the best they could do, especially on the big things. Joe calls this, asking for his veteran's discount!

2. I still have my stuffed elephant toy, I called Jumbo. My favorite Aunt Bebe made these Christmas 1960...Before my sister was born. Jumbo has had many button eyes over the years and now sports a scarf tie.

3. If I go clothes shopping by myself, I can never find anything. I pre judge things on the hanger and never even take any of the trendy things into the change rooms. If however I go shopping with Lesley, I can almost be assured of spending ~ $300 on lots of stuff.

4. I can't eat a PBJ sandwich without marg on the bread, even under the PB. It goes down better.

5. I still have some Mother's Day gifts from May 1995. Heather gave me a huge spider plant, full of babies and I still have about 4 pots of them around the house. Also, I can't remember who gave me these, but I have an unopened package of STRESS SAVERS. They look exactly like Life Savers. They were for me when things got really out of control while Joe was overseas. Gee, as long as I've had those, I've always felt 'I'm doing OK, I can get through this' and I have.

6. The wierdest thing is how I keep my kitchen counters. A few summers ago, a dear friend from Victoria days came to visit me... The first thing she commented on when we got into the house for a cup of tea, was how clear of clutter my counters are! Right now, all I have out are the coffee maker, kettle and microwave, knife block and my tea thermos. I guess some things are just naturally ingrained in you!

So now I have to tag someone else....mmmmmmm

1. Heather
2. Krista
3. Alli

OK - who's switched over to beta version?

I'm thinking this is why I can't post to Lesley's blog and a few others. Can anyone tell me the difference with the new version and any other quirks?

So far, I think it's Lesley, Krista, Jen and Brenda...am I right? Do I win a prize Bob?

In the mean time I shall sit and quietly read sniff sniff. Does that make me a lurker?

Christmas Favorites

Thirteen Christmas Favorites, Past & Present 1.The aroma of turkey, slow roasting, through out the house 2.Uncle Ray's Gumdrop Cake that Nannie Sample used to make 3.The latest Nancy Drew book 4.Checking out the Christmas lights - great ones & an annual Griswold one! 5.Auntie Kay's butter tarts...no raisins in Heather's! 6.Advent calendar chocolates...especially if Joe missed a day & I get to scoop it! 7.Mandarin oranges 8.Nuts in the shell 9. Hudson Bay porcelain bell ornaments (2!) from Santa in the 50's 10.Centerpiece from Ethyle MacDonnell - thank you gift for making her a ceramic tree 11.Christmas cards with family newsletters 12.Opening 1 small gift Christmas Eve before bed 13.The smell of a real Christmas tree Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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Alli got me thinking

She blogged about not accomplishing anything on a particular day. I just read a business article about the difference between a productive day & a busy day.

There really is a difference. We can all fill our day with busy work, you know, cleaning, cooking, just puttering around the house/work.

But let's face it people, if the phone rings and your Mother-in-law says she'll be dropping over after lunch for a little visit...You can get your motor running and do what is necessary to get the house presentable. A quick dusting, vacuuming and a quick wipe of the bathrooms,put out clean towels, open a few windows, then head into the kitchen, clear away dirty dishes, wipe down the counters and maybe get the tea things ready to go. What would this take if you were really motivated? An hour?

Let's switch into the work world. I can remember Heather working at the Officer's Mess with Lori...And both girls were the darlings of the whole staff because they were always busy! Busy was the word...They knew if they didn't look busy, someone would find them another task...Peeling 100 lbs of potatoes or cleaning the sliver candelabra covered in wax drips. So they would always be walking around, wiping something down, putting something away. You get the picture.

So with all this fresh in my mind, I am going to aim to have a productive day, not just a busy one! Thanks Alli!

___________________________________________________________________________

Busy or productive? Both! I have dusted & vac'd the whole house, cleaned both bathrooms, aired the house, planned supper, updated blog and checked email, done a load of laundry, wrapped presents and parcelled up 2 boxes for the mail. I am now on my way to the Post Office, bank & library, with a quick stop at the hardware & grocery stores. I should be home for lunch @ noon! Ya can't complain about that!

Is this just my problem?

I can't seem to log in to add comments to other posts...is anyone else having a similar problem...As you can see, I have no problem adding new posts to my own! Am I the only special one?

Proud Nannie

Friday & Saturday, I took a few photos of the grandkids as they went about whatever they were doing. Here are my favorites.

Heather's Baby Shower highlights

Auntie Heather needed a helpful hand opening all those presents! This was good practice just before Christmas! Joseph was only too willing to jump right in!



Alex hard at work to get the box open and reveal some lovely outfits for baby Jonathan.




Lesley posing with Mommy to be and the practice baby! It was about the right size!




The most decadent chocolate cake from Auntie Pam that you will ever want to eat! January is a new month/year...excerise and better food choices can wait until then!





Mommy to be and the gracious Hostess - AKA Heather & Lesley!

What would I do with a lot of money

Pay off 3 mortgages, ours, and the girls

Get the best darn nurse/companion for Dad

Buy Joe his orange Harley Davidson

Build a sunroom off the family room so I can look out onto my greenhouse & yard year round!

Install a new kitchen with stainless appliances, gas stove top, electric wall oven, refrigerated drawer in free standing island

New carpet

Pay someone to work out for me!

I simply want the best and in looking back, I have the best - Joe!

Griswold's Christmas

Seeing all the holiday lights & decorations makes me want to get our house Christmas ready. I'm not sure if Joe will be putting his outdoor lights up or not. In the past they have been strung around the balconey railing and trellis. But coloured lights against a salmon house gives a very distinct orange glow...more like Halloween! I've thinking that maybe we could string them around the back deck - where we could enjoy them from the family room.

Our old faithful tree, with it's lights still on will get unfolded and plumped up. We relive our past Christmas when we hang the ornaments...the girls made different ones almost every year. The favorites have to be the peanut reindeer they made in Girl Guides. I always look forward to hanging my 2 porcelain bells from the Hudson Bay Company, circa early 60's. I haven't made any new ornaments this year. Depending on the price, I may slice up some oranges and dehydrate them. I did that is past years, and they look quite nice, just don't keep well, too fragile.

We'll be watching the National Lampoon's Christmas before heading out to find a Griswold home in our own town. One family across the road went all out, every surface covered with lights etc. But the last time I walked by their house, they hadn't put up any so maybe they have moved on. Oh well, it's always fun checking out the creative spirit of our friends and neighbours.

Doing so well until the aches & pains hit!

I'm at Heather & Jeff's finishing off the painting in the nursery. Why aren't baseboards etc at eye level? Why must a person get on their hands and knees with their nose 6 inches off the ground to paint these silly things! TWICE! One coat just didn't cover as well as I would have liked...so let's go around again. At least 2/3 of the doors are at a comfortable level!

Heather is in her last week of work before starting mat leave. I will try and get some pics to post of her in all her blossoming glory. Jeff has been having some technical problems with his digital camera & USB port...so will give mine a try and if that doesn't work...I brought Joe's too! There are times when having 2 of everything comes in handy.

Thursday night is the Beck second Annual Cookie Exchange. I have my baking done but guess what Heather & I are doing Tuesday night after she has her weekly baby check-up! Yup...we're in the kitchen. That should be good for a couple of photos...Heather trying to stand at the counter only to be a belly away! Oh well...that's what Mom's are for.

Dr Oz anyone?

Last January I checked my Real Age vs calendar age and was pleasantly surprised. I just updated my score and am not quite so pleased. I've been a bit lax in the exercise department and I need to get back on the vitamin regime. Baaad me!

Long story short...I scored -3.9 years! I can work with that.

How do you compare????

I'm running away from home!

After many days of icy roads etc, I'm off to the Valley Saturday. Joe is even going to drive me. I ventured out in my front wheel drive yesterday and the highways were awful. Cars & trucks flying off into the ditch and 1 flipped over in the centre median. Scary...so I just putt-putted along and got home safe and sound. I woudn't want to have to white knuckle it all the way south though!

I'm trying to remember all the stuff to take with me - baby stuff, painting clothes, digital camera in case Heather has the baby early, Christmas gifts, cookie exchange goodies, Aaron's share of the moose, a book to read, maybe a craft project, food, leash and bed for Cody,clothes for all kinds of weather...oh and 4 steaks for Saturday.

While Heather is working, we are going to stop in and see some of Lucie's home renovations. She's got a ton of projects underway including a future one that I think I did...my kitchen island! We are going to do a quick BBQ and have a pre Christmas visit before everyone heads out in different directions.

I may or may not have house guests while I'm gone, so I've freshened up the guest rooms. I'll try and figure out Joe's work clothes for the week but I think he may have to figure out his own lunches/suppers. By the time he gets home, he doesn't have the time or energy to do laundry!

I will leave a huge note on the frig to feed Chow and clean her kitty box. She does have standards you know! I may even leave Joe the mailbox key...he can pay the bills! On second thought, maybe not!