BOW LESSONS

Diane and Linda came over this morning and Diane showed us how to make a nice bow out of the ribbon the Hunters left me.  I had explained to Diane that I had no idea how to make a decent bow and my previous attempt was less than perfect.  Linda came along for the lesson too.  Diane is very talented in so many areas and bow making was just one of her specialties.  We had so much fun!  Linda was going to use her for a fascinator for New Year's Eve.  I made one by myself that didn't look so bad and I added it to my original bow on my wreath outside so now it looks pretty good - with the Shirley Temple curly ends.  I still have one more to put on my mailbox down by the road along with some pine and cedar boughs.  Pictures later.

KINECT NITE ON CHENEY

The hunters brought up a 10 pound spiral sliced honey ham and they never got around to eating it.  I decided to have some friends over to enjoy it and have a fun nite of Kinect.  We finished eating at around 6:30 and everyone was full and started to slow down.  Rejean got the Kinect bowling game on and the fun started.  Only four can play at one time so the other two people were the rowdy crowd.  We took turns and had a great time.  We then got the Kinect dart game going and had even more fun as the game does the scoring for us - no one has to keep that nasty score.
It certainly kept us all from falling asleep after such a great meal (if I do say so myself)!!

THE BOYS BE HELPING

Even in Abu Dhabi they are putting up Christmas Trees and look who's right in there helping Dave and Jodie trim the tree.
Can't wait to see the results...

SO CREATIVE

My one and only outside Christmas decoration - I added the "bow" today.  Not quite the look I was going for - it looks funny festive.

STASH OF STICKS

I found this nice stash of sticks leaning against Rick's shed.  I think he may be hoarding sticks!!!
I have a pile going down by the garage...

SNOW AT LAST

It is late this year but we finally got some snow last nite and a bit today.  There is even some ice forming on the lake altho the temperatures haven't been really cold - yet.  The Blue Jays are circling looking for the food I haven't put out yet and I have seen some squirrel activity too.  But the best thing is that I saw some fox tracks on the driveway.  I have my fingers crossed but I don't think it's Poopsy who I haven't seen in months.  Sooo much goes on around here that you never even know of.

THIS ONE'S SAFE

Spotted this little guy wandering around our place the other day.
I just watched him for a little while and got some pictures - I have no idea where he is now.
But I didn't shoot him.

JANNIE OAKLEY

It was going to be a beautiful day - maybe one of the last ones - so we decided to head up to Hinkler to get some birds.  We headed out early and were on the trail by 9am.  The first bird was not too far down the trail.  The limit is 5 per person and we eventually got our limit.  But what a good time we had.  We saw a lot of birds and we were the only ones around.
I have a 20 gauge shotgun pump action and I always put in two shells when I am preparing to shoot.  Rejean spotted the bird for me and I loaded up and quietly approached to find out where the bird was - he was to the left.  I slowly moved forward a bit to try and see him  Then a bird came out from the right and I shot it.  Immediately another bird came out from the right and started across the trail.  I quickly ejected the spent shell and then shot the other one.  I wasn't too sure I got the second one but I did!!!!  Wow!!  First time that has ever happened.  I was so excited I forgot to get a picture of those two birds.
I now have a good supply of partridge in the freezer for the winter.  I am going to make some partridge soup this weekend!!
And out trusty temperature gauge at the wood pile showed how really hot it was today - 80 degrees - I wish!!!

ROAST BEAR

I usually do a Deer and Beer dinner for the hunters at the end of the hunt but since I didn't have any venison, I did a roast bear dinner.  I had a couple of roasts from the bear Rejean shot and a good recipe so I attempted it.  You marinate in red wine, olive oil and Italian seasoning for 24 hours.  Then in the slow cooker with mushroom and onion soup and mushroom pieces and stems on low for 7 hours.  I made a gravy with the liquids.  I put the potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker with the roasts and it turned out pretty good.  I still have my cold so I didn't get the true taste of the meat.  Everyone else said they enjoyed it.  It was so tender it just about fell apart.
By the time I put the food on the table and grabbed my camera, people had helped themselves to the platters already so that is why it looks a bit empty.
I have a couple more recipes and a lot of bear in my freezer so I will be experimenting this winter.  The bear pepperonis are delicious by the way...

WESTERN SKIES

I forgot I had this picture on my camera.  As I was coming home last Sunday, just past Wharncliffe, I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw this.  I had to pull over and take a picture.  It was magnificent!!
Not the sunsets at St Pete Beach, but still beautiful.

THEY BE WALKIN'

Doesn't take them long to realize they like puddles.  They are both walking and I must say Jodie kept us right up to date with their progress - all the falls and trips and wobbles.  Loved every single video she sent us.  That's Charlie on the left and Monty on the right - with the saggy diaper; but I am thinking it is from falling in the puddle and not from other things.  lol

Now the fun has really begun...

GOT WATERMELON?

These little boys just love their watermelon!!  They get right in there - seeds and all.

A TASTE OF THE FINER THINGS IN LIFE

My cocktail of choice is usually a vodka and tonic with a splash of cranberry juice in it and up here I usually am not too picky about the vodka I buy.  But when the Sistas went shopping at the liquor store in Florida we got Grey Goose Vodka - in the 1.75 litre bottle.  You see 2 bottles in the pictures because we ran out and had to go back to buy another one!!  That is 3 1/2 litres of Grey Goose Vodka between 4 ladies in a week plus beer and wine and some frozen slushies.
We know how to stay hydrated in the sun and heat of St Pete Beach!!

I don't think Keith carries Grey Goose at the Post but I am sure he'll get it for me…now that I like it.

MY TOES

Those are my toes - they enjoyed the sand and the water very much.

COOLING OFF

It was amazingly hot last week in St Pete Beach - record setting as a matter of fact.  It hit the 90s during the day and even at night it was still hot.  We were left some beach chairs by some guests who left and then borrowed the other two from the office.  We set them up right at the water's edge and enjoyed the breeze and cool waves on our toes.  We had our cocktails with us in our sippy cups disguised as water as you are not supposed to have booze on the beach but we did.
I miss the beach...

NEW BACK PACKS

When the "Sistas" get together, we buy each other little gifts - usually the same thing for each of them.  I got them bracelets and Susan gave us all "Grandkids" picture frames as we are all Grandmas now.  Deb painted a beautiful Sister scene for each of us.  Joanne got us all these neat little backpacks for us to wear.  They are really handy as they are light and they allow us to be hands free.  They fit everything we needed to bring on our daily breakfast walks.
Great idea!!!!

FUN AT THE BEACH

Did the slide but no photos to prove it - actually we all did the slide.  We all met the height requirements - even me.  Paid our $4.00 a slide and started up the "ladder" - I was first - why?  I have no idea but I think it was because it was my idea.  I have a slight fear of heights and even the ladder was giving me a bit of a problem - don't look down or up - just keep climbing.  Susan thought it was an escalator!!!  I got to the top and looked down - not so bad.  I took a leap and down I went!!  You really pick up a lot of speed at the top and boy do you feel it.  They spray you with a hose before you make the climb (I think the guy was having too much fun spraying us with the water) and then a guy at the top is spraying water down the slide so you are sure to slide far.  At the bottom I started spinning and didn't slide as far as the other girls did.  But I certainly screamed as loud as they did.  What fun!!  Susan was yelling she wanted a day pass!!  But we will save that for next year.
Next year we are going to rent the skidoos for a half an hour and zip around for a bit.  Can't wait!!!