Saturday, June 30, 2018

Pests

Son K has been hearing noises in the ceiling for months now, every so often.  We decided to call someone to investigate the problem after K complained again.   The guy couldn't find any holes in the roof area so he ruled out squirrels or raccoons.  We confirmed that the noises are heard at nighttime.  They went up into the attic to investigate.  They saw little holes dug into the insulation.   It seems it is mice in the ceiling, likely field mice, driven there because of all the construction in the area.

The solution was to put a counted number of packets (about a year's supply) of rat poison in one corner of the roof so that it would be easier to keep track of the packets, as opposed to scattering them all over the roof.  This way they would know how many packets were consumed.  Apparently this poison dehydrates the mice so they leave the roof looking for water, and they die outside shortly after.

I am glad we called in the professionals.  They gave us a 6 month warranty.

But now we found a chipmunk tunnel in our garden....

Friday, June 29, 2018

Paint Party Friday - Vignette


I spotted a cute furniture display (vignette) in a store at the mall and decided to recreate it here for you. It is a greeting card (3 1/2" x 5") in permanent marker.

Happy PPF!

Thursday, June 28, 2018

High Tea









Daughter L reserved High Tea for my birthday for the two of us, it was a nice surprise to see my name on their welcome sign when we arrived! It was a lot of delicious food and we ate every bit! It started with a delicious buttery quiche tart, followed by finger sandwiches, cones, clotted cream and various other desserts.  They had a large selection of teas for us to choose from and it was cute using the tea strainers provided!  Why, we could've been in London, England for all you know.


Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Scribble Picnic - Crunchy


Welcome to Michael's Scribble Picnic! The theme this week is 'Crunchy'. I immediately thought of doing tortilla chips, what could be more crunchy? My piece (3 1/2" x 5") is done on card stock in permanent marker outlined with a PITT marker.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Designer sheets



I bought these Kate Spade designer sheets sets at Costco the other day, they were a reasonable price and I did like her stuff.

Thanks to Sue, via Susi and Mia for helping me get my blogger comments emailed to me again with a simple solution!  Yay!


Monday, June 25, 2018

Author and Bank Robber

roses


In church yesterday (it rained a lot), our priest asked us to pray for Croatia (FIFA World Cup Soccer), he has a sense of humour, guess where he is from?

I posted this entry last week by mistake, another post went off right after it that same day, so here it is again for those who missed it:

I came across this interesting story on author and bank robber Stephen Reid who passed away recently at age 68 of heart failure.  This was another article with a few more details.  Reid was a member of the Stopwatch Gang in the 70's and 80's.  They stole millions in Canada and the US.  They were named for a stopwatch Reid wore and were known for their quick robberies.  He received a 20 year jail sentence.  Susan Musgrave was a writer in residence at the University of Waterloo.  While in prison Reid mailed her a manuscript for his novel 'Rabbit Parole' based on his life in the Stopwatch Gang.

 "She read the manuscript, fell in love with the protagonist and married the author on October 12, 1986, while he was still in prison," Musgrave's website says.  It became an award winning novel.  

In 1987 he was paroled and the couple started a happy life on Vancouver Island with Musgrave and her daughter, having a 2nd daughter together. In 1999 drug addiction took a hold and he was caught in an attempted robbery.  He had no idea why he did that.  He got an 18 year sentence and was released in 2015.  In 2013 while in prison he wrote 'A Crowbar in the Buddhist Garden: Writing from Prison' and won the Butler Book Prize.

Well an interesting life to say the least.




Sunday, June 24, 2018

Celebration Cake



Daughter L made this celebration cake for Father's Day and my birthday the other day. It was a delicious vanilla cake with whipped cream icing. I wish I could just order one up whenever but she has to be in the mood for baking, time permitting and all that.  She is usually good for birthday cakes and celebration cakes.

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Trifocals

A friend of mine, just about 57 years old told me she has to have cataract surgery.  It is a complication from a previous surgery she had several years ago to correct a different problem.  She decided to get trifocal lenses which led me to ask what on earth these are.  She said it corrects near, medium and far vision.  Apparently medium vision is a viewing area an arm's length from the face.  Have you heard of trifocals?

Yet another friend decided to do a DNA test to trace her ancestry and health.  She said it took her a good 2 hours to collect half a test tube's worth of saliva which is required for the test.  That was surprising.  I wonder if most of us would have that problem?

Friday, June 22, 2018

Paint Party Friday - Water Lily Greeting Card


Welcome to Paint Party Friday! I did a water lily greeting card in permanent markers (3 1/2" x 5").

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Longest Day of the Year


Okay, so it's my birthday today, the longest day of the year, I love that.  My sister sent this pretty gift so I will get it opened.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Scribble Picnic - Plump




For Scribble Picnic's 'Plump' theme, I thought of doing plump little girl. The piece is done on cardstock (3 1/2" x 5") in permanent marker, outlined with a PITT fine point marker.

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Birthday Offer



I seem to get a Menchie's birthday ice cream offer every year close to my birthday. This year was no exception, so husband M and I went to get ice creams.  I always get the chocolate and vanilla swirl with lots of hot chocolate sauce.  Sometimes I will add their brownie topping.

Monday, June 18, 2018

Birthday Lunch



A good friend took me to lunch recently in honour of my approaching birthday. We went for a walk before lunch and I took this photo of the perfect day we were having.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Ready Made Pasta





I received this booklet in the mail, it is a coupon and some recipes for a new ready made pasta product.  The product costs $2.27 in the grocery store so with the $2 coupon I will try this offer.  It came with recipe suggestions as well.  Although it seems easy enough to make one's own pasta. It may be suitable for busy people who need to save time on meal preparation,or maybe for people who don't cook. Mind you, there is still work to do to make a pasta salad out of it.  What do you think?

And Happy Father's Day to the dads out there!

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Alaskan Cruise


Mendenhall Glacier


slide chute

My sister who likes to travel recently did an Alaskan cruise on the brand new Norwegian Bliss cruise ship. The food was outstanding. Pictured above is a slide chute which hangs over the side of the ship, 17 stories high.

Friday, June 15, 2018

Paint Party Friday - Birthday Greeting Card



Welcome to Paint Party Friday! I did a birthday greeting card in permanent marker (3 1/2" x 5"), a naked layer cake in pretty colours, complete with celebratory candles.

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Rabbit spotting





I spotted a couple of rabbits in the backyard, they were nibbling on the flower leaves. Can you see the one I caught peeking out in the photos?

Our grass is really nice this year, husband M has been over seeding and fertilizing, and of course I am always out there weeding.  We actually got a compliment from one of our neighbours.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Scribble Picnic - 3 Colours



Welcome to Michael's Scribble Picnic! This week's theme is '3 Colours', aiming for a limited colour palette in our pieces today. I did a portrait (3 1/2" x 5") in permanent marker and watercolour pencil on cardstock.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Concert Night

Downtown Toronto

Train Opener

I met a friend downtown last week as we had tickets to see the Hall and Oates concert. First we had dinner at a nice restaurant.  Unfortunately, due to security regulations I couldn't take my small backback into the concert area and had to check it into a secured area.

The rock group Train opened for Hall and Oates, they sang for about an hour until finally Daryl Hall and John Oates came out. They are now 71 and 70 years old, legends really. The entire show lasted about 4 hours so we got our money's worth!  It was a nice evening out. 

Are  you a Hall and Oates or a Train fan?

Monday, June 11, 2018

Tall, Dark and Undead

My blog friend and author Sandra Cox has a new book release 'Tall, Dark and Undead' which I would like to help her promote.  She sent me the following info:



Tall, Dark and Undead

Blurb:

Gutsy, kick-ass Suzanne James has no intention of complicating her life by falling in love…especially with a vampire. But it’s hard to stay objective when a drop-dead gorgeous male rescues her from three assailants in a dark alley. All but unconscious, she could swear her hero has glowing red eyes and two sharp, pointed teeth.
Adrian Caine has spent the past hundred years, in vampire parlance, a vegetarian. When he rescues a beautiful blonde in a dark alley, it takes all of his formidable control not to backslide. Attraction turns to desire. Even though it’s not in Suzanne’s best interest, he can’t stay away.

Excerpt:

My shoulder hurt like a mother. One of the dickless wonders had managed to dislocate it.
A sensual slide of sharp teeth moved along my throat. A breath as sweet as peppermint hovered near my mouth. Cool arms held me, one carefully placed beneath my armpit. Thank goodness it didn’t rub against my throbbing shoulder. “You’re not one of my attackers. They stank and had sour breath. You smell nice, like peppermint, night air and lemongrass.” I gave a loopy smile and snuggled closer. Ouch. The body against mine hard as stone.
The arms tightened. Again I felt that damp, sharp slide along my neck.
I pried open sticky eyes then promptly shrieked and shut them tight. My head whirled. Several faces wavered in my line of vision. Every one of them had red eyes and fangs. “Put me down. Go away.” I tried to yell, but unfortunately the noise from my throat was no more than a whimper. I pushed frantically against a rigid chest wall.
His arms locked around me. I could barely breathe. “Let me go or I’ll kick your ass,” I wheezed. Not that I had a prayer of caring out that threat.
He stretched out his arm, cradled me against him, his fingertips resting lightly on my left breast. My eyes closed, I fisted my hand and raised it to his jaw. Pitifully weak, I barely made contact before my arm fell slack at my side.
I tensed but the hand over my heart didn’t move. Electricity pulsed in his fingers and thrummed in perfect sync with my heart. Even though nothing happened, it felt strangely erotic. Every bone in my body went limp. The pain that incapacitated me receded.
He sighed and moved his hand. I whimpered.
“Relax. I’ll get you to a hospital.” His voice held a velvet quality. It stroked and pleasured.
“If I relax any more I’ll be dead.” My heavy lids refused to open. Laughter that sounded like bells rang through my head.
A rush of air hit my skin. Moments later bright lights blasted my eyelids.
A buzzer sounded, then the rush of hurried feet. “Oh my God, it’s Suzanne James.”
“You know her?” the velvety voice asked.
“She works here. What happened?”
“She was attacked,” he answered. Like a drug, his voice calmed me.
“Attacked! Suzanne, can you hear me?”
“Umm-hmm.” I felt as if I were floating. Any minute my bones would ooze out of my body. I wrinkled my nose at the scent of alcohol and sterilizing soap that wormed into my ethereal haze and ruined the ambience. “Yup, I’m at work.”
“Just a minute—I’ll get a gurney.”
“Must be an orderly,” I mumbled under my breath.
“It is,” my fanged rescuer responded.
“Your hearing is exceptional.” Hospital sounds surrounded us—voices hushed and not so hushed, hurried footsteps, low moans and the creak of carts.
“Yes it is.”
It seemed like mere seconds before I was transferred to a cot and the cool, hard arms that had held me fell away. Pain returned.
“Where are you going?” the orderly asked.
Where is who going?
“You can take it from here,” that sensual voice responded.
Somehow I managed to open my eyes to slits. The man who was leaning over me fragmented into several pieces. The pieces wavered and spread before they popped into one perfect specimen of manhood minus the fangs and crimson eyes I could have sworn he’d showed earlier.
“Where’s the fangs?” I shook my head back and forth as I tried to convince my tired eyes to open the rest of the way.
“What’s she talking about?” the orderly asked.
My rescuer ignored the question. “Her shoulder’s dislocated and she hit her head.” Whoosh. A light breeze danced on my skin and ruffled my hair.
He was gone.

About Sandra Cox:

Sandra’s a vegetarian, animal lover and avid gardener. She lives with her husband, their dog and several cats in sunny North Carolina. (A picture of one of the menagerie is included.)
Besides paranormal, she also writes historical and time-travel romance, young adult fantasy and non-fiction.

Buy Link: https://tinyurl.com/TallDarkUndead


Belle

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Summer Festival 2018

Girl Guide cookies

It was time once again for the annual summer festival in our city. We had been to the casino the night before the parade so I didn't get up in time for the parade, however husband M and I went over in the afternoon. The weather was sunny and not too hot.  It is a lot busier in the afternoons. There were many food trucks, a martial arts demonstration, musicians, art stalls, clothing stalls, many people out walking their dogs. I was happy to visit the Girl Guides stall and purchased 2 boxes of their chocolate and vanilla cookies. Their mint cookies are also delicious, but those come out in the fall.

I was glad I didn't miss out on the annual summer festivities.  

Saturday, June 9, 2018

At the Casino

Great Blue Heron Casino

The Great Blue Heron Casino is offering a great deal. All you can eat prime rib and snow crab dinner for $19.99 on Fridays and Saturdays. If you don't have a membership the price is $24.99. It is about an hour's drive out of town. Prime rib and crab are probably my favourite food, so husband M and I decided to go to the casino, daughter L and son K joined us. We all signed up for memberships and it included $15 of free play on each card. It was about 6 pm when we lined up for dinner and waited about an hour. According to the waiter, Fridays are usually dead but for some reason it was really busy that evening.

It was worth the wait. The food was excellent including the wonderful desserts at the buffet. There is no charge for soft drinks, tea or coffee.

Then it was time to head to the slot machines. Son K won $160 and daughter L won $20. M and I broke even. We all had so much fun!

Gambling can be dangerous but the casino provides employment to a lot of people.  The best thing is to try not to go too often with the idea that it should be fun and not an attempt to actually make money.  

Friday, June 8, 2018

Paint Party Friday - Single Carnation


Welcome to Paint Party Friday! I have a single carnation on a textured greeting card for you today
 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") in permanent marker.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Pharmacy Talk

elderflowers

I spotted some elderberry bushes on a walk and noticed some of them were in flower, so here they are, the elderflowers.  These are very topical, thinking of the recent Royal Wedding.

Needing to refill a prescription, I went to the pharmacy.  I mentioned to the pharmacist that he seemed to have a lot of new people working there lately.  He said it's the summertime and he hires a lot of students for internships.  I said they seem to be getting younger every year to which he replied that he didn't know if it was them getting younger or him getting older.  Chuckling, I said 'let's leave it right there and go no further with that thought'.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Scribble Picnic - Classic!


Here is my 'Classic!' piece for Scribble Picnic today. It's done on textured red cardstock (6" x 6") in acrylic, outlined with a PITT marker. What could be more classic than the 'Mr. Potato Head' toy, a fun take on our theme.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Mushrooms compared to humans

neighbourhood greenery

I read this fun fact purporting that 'mushrooms are more closely related to humans than to plants'.  This prompted me to do some research via Google.  I found this article which explains it very well.

It turns out that mushrooms are fungi which help with decomposition in the forest.  Life on earth is currently classified into 5 kingdoms: plant, animal, fungi, monera (such as bacteria) and protista (such as algae).

Modern technology has been able to analyze genetic relationships.  They discovered that animals and fungi go back to a common ancestor a billion years ago.  So mushrooms are not plants.  Plants use chlorophyll to make food.  Fungi exist on decaying matter, have no leaves, roots or seeds.

Indeed the taste of a portobello mushroom is meaty.  It is considerably more difficult to treat a fungal infection as opposed to a bacterial infection.  We have a closer genetic link to fungi so the body may not be able to distinguish it as easily as bacteria which has a more simple cell structure.

I don't think I will look at mushrooms the same again.  How about you?



Monday, June 4, 2018

Legend of the Chocolate Lava Cake


I was browsing this recipe for Chocolate Lava cake, curious as to how it is done.  The website explains:

"Legend has it that this dessert was the result of a major catering disaster. The dessert for this particular event was to be individual chocolate cakes, but someone took them out of the ovens too soon and the centers were not cooked enough and still liquefied. Well, there was no time to take them off the plates and bake them more, so the chef simply had his wait staff introduce the dessert as Chocolate 'Lava' Cake! Brilliant!"

So a chocolate lava cake is simply a chocolate cake baked just enough to cook the sides, while still gooey on the inside. Did you know that?

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Good One

Let's see how clever you are :

A rich man needs_______.  A poor man has_______.  If you eat_______you will die and when you die you will take_______ with you! One word fits all 4 blank spaces! It's a seven letter word. What's the answer ? Send this to all your contacts and see how clever they are but first answer me.

This is a good one! I had to get the answer from my sister who sent this to me

Saturday, June 2, 2018

Early summer bounty



We are getting the sweetest fruits at this time of year! Peaches, cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple and the vegetables aren't bad either.

Friday, June 1, 2018

Paint Party Friday - Carnation



Welcome to June!

This is a carnation on a textured coloured greeting card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") in acrylic and outlined with a permanent marker majenta coloured marker.  Happy PPF!