SURPRISE!!!

It had been in the planning stages for a few months - a surprise 70th birthday party for Roger.  Ute let us know well in advance about the plans for the party and it went off without a hitch.  John and Rejean took Roger to the Legion from 3pm til 5pm while Ute finished off the decorations and Linda and I went over at around 4 to lend a hand.  I was in charge of the cheese "butcher block" tray.  Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.
I met a lot of new people from town - people I have seen but never knew who they were and a lot of friends from up the highway.
There were lots of munchies and the catered food arrived just at the right time.  Delicious!  My first time eating a Turducken - turkey, duck and chicken all rolled into one.
Roger enjoyed his gifts as a lot of them were bottles of booze - which he likes.  I gave him a biker t-shirt from Florida and he liked that - because there was also a bottle of vodka wrapped up in the t-shirt.
Such a fun time with friends especially at this time of year.

LADIES LUNCHEON

The monthly Ladies' Luncheon was held today in beautiful downtown Blind River at the 17 Restaurant in our own private room.  26 beautiful local ladies showed up to enjoy each others' company.  Plus there was a gift exchange which we got out of the way first thing.  I picked number 9 (or 6 but Linda already had number 6) and I received two beautiful Christmas ornaments in a nice reusable bag and some nice new paper that I will reuse.  Considering how many there were of us, we all received our food fairly quick.  My toasted Western on their home made bread was delicious.
After lunch we walked along the main street and looked at other stores in town.
When I got home Rejean told me about some ice formations on the lake by the beaver dam.  I went down to get some pictures - they looked like feathers had been dropped all over the little bay.  I am sure they won't be there tomorrow so got some nice shots.  It has been cold here - this morning it was -30 in Wharncliffe - all the lakes are making ice.

TRANSITIONING TO WINTER

We put the last of the 4 wheelers away and got the Snow machine in the garage ready to go out when the snow gets a bit deeper.  We got a snowmobile trailer last year so hopefully this year we will be able to transport our machine to the trails we purchase Trail Passes to so we can use the trails.
And a picture of one of our "crop circles" that we have on our lake.  It is freezing up nicely after today when it is still -16 out there with a good stiff wind.  It was cold walking to get the mail.

WINTER HAS ARRIVED

It is -10 outside and the wind is blowing the snow and ice around - looks a lot like winter up here.  The lake was frozen over about 80% last week but with the rain we got and the milder temperatures, the ice has sort of shrunk.  But with these temperatures it is making ice.
I have my show tires on and all my winter hats and scarves and gloves are handy so I am ready.

A CHRISTMAS TRADITION

It is a Christmas tradition that my M-I-L Claire,  bakes/cooks tourtiere pies and gives them out as gifts to her children and grandchildren and D-I-Ls like me.  This year they set a record of 36 pies in 4 1/2 hours - all hand made and home made pastry in a home with one oven.  Talk about a production line.
This year Matthew helped out Anne, Nikki and Claire.  I hope to make the team next year if they give me about two days notice to make the trip down to Windsor.
And usually earlier in the year they make a good batch of chili sauce to accompany the meat pies.
It is a gift of Love that you can eat and enjoy and savour every mouthful.

I look forward to Christmas Eve for my first taste of this year's pies.  They will be delicious!!

THE SISTERS

On our shopping day in Florida, Joanne came across this picture in one of the stores.  She didn't buy it at first - she had to tell us about it and we made her go back and look at it again.  Needless to say it was an easy sell.

It is us

I have actual photos of us like this on the beach but this picture says it best of all.  It is why we go to Florida.  We all enjoy the beach so much and our time together spent at the beach is so blissful.  So relaxing watching the waves and the people and the birds and the boats and people floating in the air behind powerboats held aloft by a big parachute.  Our toes in the sand or the water.  Our matching drink cups filled to the brim before we came down because it is a long walk back for a refill.  All in our different colour bathing suits sitting on colourful hand me down beach chairs left by last weeks guests at the hotel.

 We will have to work on our hats for next year, ladies.  I think straw would be nice to have.

Susan said she was the one on the left checking her phone and Joanne was on the right in her new blue bathing suit.  I guess that leaves me in the middle - right where I belong - surrounded by my Sisters whom I love very much.  I can't wait 'til next year

LOVE THE BEACH

Well it is all over for this year - our annual Scott Sisters' St Pete Beach vacation.  Two weeks of beautiful weather, delicious food and thirst quenching drinks.  The beautiful sunsets every nite we viewed with our cocktails in our new drink cups courtesy of Charlie and Monty who sent us some money to buy them from the resort.  They are Tervis thermal cups which kept our drinks very very cold.  Thank you Charlie and Monty!!
Mornings were spent walking - or trollying - to breakfast then back to the Bon Aire for our sun bathing which we did all afternoon.  It was glorious.
Mitch came with us this year and he worked out very well and is welcome back anytime.  Altho he didn't get us too many drinks or carry all our purchases for us.  But he did drive us shopping one day.
We scooped some beach chairs early on and made good use of them down by the water where it was much cooler with the breezes and it afforded us the best place to people watch.  We also got some tubes that Susan and Joanne played with in the water.
The last picture is of our feet showing our pedicures - Susan has the blue toes and Joanne has the pink toes - I am the coral colour with the ankle bracelet on - which goes on the first day and comes off the last day.  Just a tradition I like to stick with.
Reservations are all made for next year same time and same place but a different section of the resort for our room.