Dear Neighbor . . .

 

ESTATE LANE, N.S.
-5*C feels like -25*C
(23*F feels like -13*F)

overcast and obviously still dark

Dear Neighbor,

The whole of Eastern Canada has been snowed upon. I don't think we really got as much here as had been predicted, but it is cold and very windy now and so it will be drifting.  The kids had a snow day yesterday. I am not sure about today. It is expected to be very blustery, so a lot of dry snow blowing around. For the most part this year they have had a couple of young men with shovels going around shoveling the drives, but last night just about the time I was getting ready to go to bed they did bring in a proper snowplow and dig them out.  We are expecting snow, according to the forecast, every day from Saturday until next Friday. I don't know how they can actually predict that, but we shall see. Cindy and I are supposed to be meeting our cousin Sheri for lunch on Tuesday and I would hate to have to see us cancel that as the three of us don't get together very often.

I could see that Toronto was really digging themselves out yesterday and Monique had posted some beautiful photographs of her snowy little corner of the world. It is definitely very Wintery all across Canada's Eastern parts! This is probably the worst of our Winter so far and it should improve from here on in, but I hate to say anything for sure as I have seen it snow in May before. So never say never. Anything can happen!

 

(source)

For now, it is hunkering down weather for sure. I hope you got your storm chips in!  Storm Chips. They are an Eastern Canada phenomenon.  Covered Bridge Makes them.  They are big bags of potato chips that contain all of the flavors mixed into one bag.  BBQ. Dill Pickle. Sour Cream. etc.  All in there, mixed up together.  I bought them once, but I didn't really care for them. It was a bit too much for me. I prefer to taste my chip flavors individually, and I am not overly fond of too spicy or vinegary chips these days.  

When I was a girl my friend and I used to go to the local convenience store which was called Hillcrest. They had built on a small cafe, and we would go to the store side and buy a bag of plain chips and then go to the cafe side and order a coke. Then we would sprinkle vinegar into our bags of chips and eat them while we drank our cokes. I think they only had a couple of flavors of potato chips back then. It was not like today where we are spoilt for choice.

In the U.K. they had really different flavors for their potato chips.  Prawn Cocktail (not a fan) were very popular.  Malt Vinegar, BBQ, Cheese and Onion, Pigs in Blankets, etc. Usually around Christmas they would come out with seasonal festive varieties like Turkey & Stuffing or Ham & Mustard.  I think another one was Beef & Onion.  Of course they called them "crisps" not chips.

 

(source)

I had the letter to say my Mammogram checked out fine, come back for another one in a year's time.  Cindy hadn't gotten her letter yet as of yesterday, but she had not had a mammo for over 20 years, so they did not have a base one to check it against. Perhaps it takes longer in that case. Hopefully all will be well.  Our brother David has had his MRI and will be having an appointment soon with the Oncologist to see how they are going to move forward. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

Dad is sporting a black eye but the contusion on his cheek has gone down. I am so grateful that he didn't break anything in his fall.  Lots of scrapes, but thankfully nothing broken. God is good.

He really likes going out for his afternoon tea.  It is a much-needed change of scenery for him, and I get that. He would be more than welcome to come here and have it with me, which would also be a change of scenery, but then as my sister says, I would not have pretty girls coming in and out for him to look at. He is a man who enjoys looking at the pretty girls. He has always been a lady charmer with an eye for the girls, and I doubt that will ever change.

 

(source)

I think the newest season of Love Is Blind is supposed to come out today. I could be wrong. I have been watching Love Island All Stars on Crave.  I quite enjoy these kinds of shows. They are my soap operas, I guess.  I get invested in the couples and root for them to make it through to the end. For true love to triumph. It only ever rarely does, but I live in hope. Not a lot happens except some heavy-duty kissing, which surprises me actually as the girls are always very scantily clad. And of course, all very pretty.

I do see that it is the thing now for young women to have their lips really plumped up, and they are very well made up as well.  I never experienced that type of thing.  I think the most we ever wore when I was younger was maybe mascara and blusher.  And of course, once I got married and had children there was no time for applying make-up. I used to wear it if we went out, but that was about it.

Our mother wore make-up every day and went to the Hairdressers to have her hair done every weekend, once she started working fulltime. Mom always looked a picture. In fact, one of the ladies from the next street over mentioned to me not long ago how well-turned-out mom always was. Hair done. Make up.  Well dressed.  

Oh how I miss my mother. I think you always miss your mothers. Sometimes I feel her close, but not often. There are many moments when I wish I could just sit down and spend some time with her one last time. 

She and dad always exchanged Valentines and small tokens. Mom loved teddy bears.

This is my lover and about as cuddly as he gets. I snapped this yesterday afternoon while he was cuddling next to me on the sofa. I was crocheting. Every once in a while, he will look up and I will give his ears a little rub, but on his terms, not mine.  He can be so sweet when he is not being a little devil.

 

This was a little bit later on and they were both napping. She in her basket, and him, once more by my side but not as snuggled in. They have their routines and their favorite spots.

She is my bedmaking helper, although she is not really much help, more of a hindrance, but she does love to be in there when I am making it.  I have a little cardboard box that I keep her pipe cleaners in, and she loves to dig them out. It is a bit of a game for her.

They neither one of them are all that playful anymore. I suppose they are older now.  They sleep a lot.  Cats do.  Dogs also. They live in the moment.

 

I had bought this pattern on Etsy yesterday. Not too expensive, but it ended up being probably one of the most expensive patterns I ever bought. I went to print it out. Big mistake. It used up all of my ink. I had no idea.  Every single page had that same border around it and there was like 25 pages.  But once I started printing it, I couldn't really stop.  I was invested. That is pretty for the first page, but really not practical for every single page after. Of course, you don't know what the pattern is going to be like before you buy it.  She is cute though.  And I will know in future not to buy patterns from that seller, unless I plan on using up a lot of ink.  

Nobody mentioned it in their reviews. Maybe I am the only one who is bothered by things like this.

Anyways, my two little girls wish each of you a very Happy Valentines Day.  Whether you are the kind to exchange gifts or pleasantries with a special loved one, or share a special dinner together, be blessed.  I hope you all have a beautiful day and know that you are loved.  I got a valentine in the post from my friend Glenna. She only lives across the road. That was very thoughtful of her. I may take her over some cupcakes today. It all depends on how blustery it gets!

I am also going to make some bread today.  Mine is a week old now and getting a bit stale!  I doubt I will get out to the shops so I will simply make some. Finger's cross it turns out. I made Belgian Buns the other day and they all ended up in the back yard as a treat for the jays and the crows.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for today  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *.˛.There is no charm

equal to tenderness of heart.

~Jane Austin  ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In the kitchen today, One Pan Oven Spaghetti.  Everything gets put into the baking dish, including the uncooked pasta. It all bakes together in the oven.  This was simple and delicious. No meat, but plenty of cheese. 

Do have a beautiful day. May it be filled with the people and things that you love most of all.  Be happy. Be blessed. Stay safe and stay warm. Don't forget!

═══════════ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═══════════ 

⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════  

And I do too!