Happy Sunday Friends!! 😊😊😊
How is everyone doing? How's your weather? We're still having beautiful summer weather here in the Maritimes of Canada. It's quite foggy and humid in the mornings when I wake up and take the dogs for their morning walk.
Usually by about 10 or 11 am, it clears up and we have sunny skies. This is the Forks Stream, it runs for miles and feeds into a larger river in this county, people around here call it the stream. My neighbour told me I could cut through his property to access it. Isn't it beautiful? Alex and I checked it out a few times, we are on the lookout for a second hand canoe now! It's not even a five minute walk from home. I'm so thankful for finding this place!
 |
Bill, Mike and Alex moving cement blocks |
Bill and Mike came back the other day to finish up the heavy work. They finished sawing the concrete wall that was putting pressure on the house. Mike also sealed the crack in the foundation and it took all three men to move out these large cement blocks that were just hanging around in the backyard.
Mike cut up the concrete from the old wall to make us stairs for the front door. I have a few ideas on how to decorate them, and I'll post the before/after when I get all of that done.
Of course my job was very important - supervisor! 😁
Actually while the boys were doing the heavy work, I was making a picnic feast for them. Pinwheel Sandwiches with my Homemade Cheez Whiz, potato salad and Coleslaw with Old Bay Seasoning.
 |
| Jack always has an eye on me! |
I spend many hours a day walking the dogs now. At my last place, I had to drive to the woods because people would leave their dogs loose all of the time so I wasn't motivated to go out walking too often. Here I'm blessed. Actually on a sad note, I can't walk Marlene (right of Jack) with the others anymore. She is really slowing down and she can't handle the long walks. I'm sad about it. I walk her alone just around the property, then I grab the "black and whites" and walk them along the logging road. We all have to age don't we? 😡
A rare photo of the three cats hanging out together! (The photo is a bit bright, sorry about that!)
It's blueberry season so I made Blueberry Pancakes for dinner last night. The blueberries that are growing in the backyard are tiny, so I bought a few pints of local berries. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can harvest from the blueberry fields next season!
I hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend! And please join me on Thursday for our art date, the theme is Abstract. 🎨
On the other side of the world we are getting fog too. Winter fog.
ReplyDeleteI would certainly work for you if those treats were involved.
And yes, we do all get old, but it hurts to watch some days.
Stay safe, stay happy, and continue to revel in your new home.
Thanks for the update things have progressed so nicely!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you fed your workers well. Yum.
ReplyDeleteSorry your one pup is getting too old for walks, that is sad.
And that stream! Yay, so happy for you.
I'm sure the guys appreciated the meal from you. Glad everything is going well and love how you're so happy in your new home and area.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are settling in and things are being ticked off the to do list one by one, and good to see you spending time in the kitchen again and making lovely food. Sorry Marlene is getting older and slowe - I know that feeling! Have a great week ahead, you have both achieved so much in such a short time - fabulous! Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful landscape and we have no fog but there are often strong winds for cloud cover. Summer on the coast we don't have to sweat much more inland.
ReplyDeleteYes, unfortunately, the animals are also becoming frail!
Sweet to see your cats on their sleeping places and your three dogs. I always find your animal world beautiful.
You made delicious food for the hard worker!The stairs are there now too, great!
hihi rain the boss so it must be!
Happy August week and all the best continue like this, hugs Elke
What a beautiful area you have moved to. No fog here, though. I haven't seen fog in at least two years. And I'm still awake early in the morning because it's nearly my bed time.
ReplyDeleteYour new stairs look good. A bit of cement and bricks, tiles, or flat stones will turn that into a wonderful entry. Allow me to caution you. Before you do anything, I suggest you check with your local area for requirements. I learned when I had a new porch installed that I had to add rails to the steps. Had I not learned this, my entire project would have been rejected until I put railings on the steps. The theory is, as we age (just like Marlene) we need rails to steady ourselves. Existing steps can stay as they are, but anything added must now meet code.
LOVE your Cheez Whiz recipe. You certainly created a fabulous spread for the guys. That potato salad looks like something I could devour myself (grin).
I always enjoy seeing your menagerie and I really enjoyed seeing all your cats together.
Stay safe and healthy. Bleubeard and I will see you on Thursday, dear.
Rain, A little bit of pruning work and fertilizing in January, and your blueberries will come back again a nit larger next year. That is unless, they are the small variety. Even so they'll be sweeter after some TLC.
ReplyDeleteI know you must be both happy and relieved with the progress on your place.
ReplyDeleteBeing in the Maritimes, does that mean you'll have a (slightly) milder winter?
i always feed my workers. they love it! i am so happy that you guys found that place. it seems perfect!
ReplyDeleteThe weather looks so lovely Rain. And the progress looks great!
ReplyDeleteAnd the blueberry pancakes look nice and fat and delicious.
We're having a rainy morning here in Ontario. That's great that you have this help to improve your property and take away unwanted things. What were the steps before the concrete ones? Your lunch looks wonderful! Maybe they keep coming back to help you because of the food you make them! ;) -Jenn
ReplyDeleteWow. So very, very beautiful and I wish I could reach thru the screen and grab some of those pancakes!!! Happy Sunday.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing and look so healthy. All that hard work.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, we're all getting older. It takes grace to age, I think, having to accept new limitations.
There is rain headed your way. We're in the middle of it.
Take care!
Why weren't those cats out in the yard supervising the work? Isn't that their job, LOL?
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous scenery, Rain! You picked a great place to move to.
ReplyDeleteYou have NO clue how HAPPY I am for you!!!! I love the house, I love the new steps up into the house. I am happy you are getting it all pulled together before winter. Will it be worse where you are now compared to where you were? Do you have a basement to store your cheese and canned stuff in? How are your gardens going? Maybe make a compost bin or bed and next spring pour it around the roots of the blueberries. I have access to Misfires POOP for compost but it requires dragging and hauling buckets, which is not a big issue since my flower garden is so small and I only have the one but I am thinking of doing a compost bin here, mainly for the veggie and fruit peelings and things like that. Did I tell you I love those shutters. I have been wanting to make some close to that but then that would require getting someone to remove my old ones, and installing the new. The old could be painted even though they are siding and the issue is, I really don't want to go install more with screws and holes in the siding. .....but who knows, if I think about it more I might just go for it. There are things I need to be doing and not things I want to do....haha....Love the area that you have to walk and its great the neighbor said you could pass through his land. Seems like people are really helpful and friendly. I know you and Alex are both loners so to speak but its nice having caring folks around if you were to need them.
ReplyDeletepretty pictures Rain. It's sad when one dog gets slower... It happened with each of my dogs when they hit a certain age, and always surprised me. The vet said more frequent, shorter slower walks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful area you live in. So nice to see your house is getting all done outside. Those steps are perfect. Will look forward to seeing how you spice them up. Oh, how I hate thinking of my dogs getting older and yet they are 13 and 10. Marlene is such a pretty baby too. I am sure she likes her short walks with you. Your cats look quite content in their new home. You feed your workers so well. I am sure they look forward to helping you guys out anytime if your scrumptious food is involved.
ReplyDeleteRain it's so exciting - getting a canoe - there's no stopping you! you're such a free spirit and ready for adventure. Shame indeed about Marlene but she will be a home dog and look after things when you are out and I'm sure she understands. I can't wait to see how those steps turn out -what a brilliant idea - to me the concrete wall was like a huge shadow hanging over your house and now it's gone I am sure you are going to have better karma, spiritual intensity and awareness - my goodness I feel you have a very special place here now that heavy oppressive form in concrete has been lifted! I don't often say stuff like this but had to get it out!
ReplyDeletePancakes for dinner work for me! That's great that your enjoying your property and that your neighbor will let you access the stream ~ I would get a sit on top tandem kayak ~ That would be really fun to explore! Enjoy
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see how you decorate the front stairs. And those blueberry pancakes look awesome. I want a pancake!
ReplyDeleteYour home looks so lovely and cozy. Nature is so lovely. Your lovely dogs and cats are precious. I'm so happy for you! Have a lovely weekend! much love and happiness. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post today. Sad about your one doggie. But I feel like I am slowing down also. :( Nice that you fixed a lunch for the fellows that did that fine job. Stay safe on your adventures. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteFoggy morning are mysteriously beautiful but if I lived out in the woods then I'd be apprehensive about getting out for walks. You just never know what you'll run into. Oh gracious, those blueberry pancakes look amazing! Now I want some! I hope you made more than that photographed stack. DH would have no problem putting that pile away. lol
a kayak for the stream and a horse for that field. I would love riding there. I used to ride when I was a teen. But then I started working and, well, no time for horses.
ReplyDeleteI love to see the progress you guys are doing at your home. :)
That "stream" looks awesome especially if you can go canoeing on it! I remember when the girls couldn't take our long walks anymore and now it's me! LOL! I go around the block and that's about all I can do. Of course, the humidity doesn't help but I'm definitely not the same as I used to be. YOur food spreads always make me hungry! Those blueberry pancakes are beautiful! Were you a food stylist? It always looks so inviting. So glad those guys were there to help you and I can't wait to see what you do with your front stoop! Your house looks so cute and I love those shutters! Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you are settling in so well.
ReplyDeleteThe blueberry pancakes look delicious :)
Enjoy the week ahead.
All the best Jan
i enjoy reading about your life at the new place, seeing the animals, and what you cook. That stream will be such fun especially if you get a canoe or small boat. home made cheeze whiz...i think you are a whiz in the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteAwesome progress, Rain! Everything is coming together! Have an awesome week!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elephant's Child :) I've seen winter fog, it's especially nice when there is a lot of snow on the ground. I'm definitely reveling every day! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) This will be a long-term project I think, to get our home the way we want it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammie :) I'm SO happy to have access to that stream! It's going to be really nice once we get a little boat. The dogs will love it on a sunny day too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Stefanie :) Those guys devoured the food! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Valerie :) It feels good to have some things ticked off the list. I feel the aging process too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elke :) It's very rare for me to get a photo of the cats together! They don't sit and stay like the dogs do! Yes, Rain the boss lol! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Elizabeth :) It really is a beautiful area and each day as I discover new things, I love it even more. Thanks for the cautionary advice! We live in an unzoned area so we don't need permits or anything like that, but we will definitely pay attention to safety and code! :) I could eat potato salad every day...I love the stuff, I made it with my homegrown chives too. See you and Bluebeard on Thursday! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo :) I'm not sure what variety the blueberries are...I'll have to wait and see next year. I guess I could try to fertilize them in early spring because we get snow in January?
ReplyDeleteThanks Leigh :) We are very happy despite the challenges. We love our home and we really enjoy doing work to make it more comfy and functional. According to neighbours, the winters should be milder and there should be less snow, we'll see! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joyce :) It does seem perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks TB :) The weather here is really nice, it's very Maritime-y and I love it. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn :) The steps used to be the "concrete-wall-to-nowhere" that was just sticking out of the foundation at the back of the house. Our assumption is that when the previous-previous owners poured the foundation, they extended a wall on one side to somehow make a deck, but they never finished it. That wall was being pushed by earth on the other side and caused the house to shift a little so it had to go.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mimi :) We do live in a beautiful area and those pancakes were so good! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jenn (Jilks) :) I'm working on my grace lol...Marlene definitely has it! Yup, we're getting that rain this morning actually!
ReplyDeleteLOL Debra, they actually hired me so they are supervising from the air conditioning. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandi :) We had our doubts for a while, but this place is turning out to be our spot! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam :) I wish I had some horse poop for the garden! Actually one of my neighbours told me that a neighbouring farm will sell a dump truck full of manure for $20, so I'm going to check that out next spring. The garden is just so so...it's my first time planting in raised beds, I may not have put the dirt in deep enough, we'll have to see. I'm thinking about a compost bin for sure, we have to wait a few years to see how we want to landscape the place and where the driveway will actually end up. I have plans for a lot more raised beds and possibly a greenhouse. The winters should be a little milder with less snow, SHOULD be! :) And yes, we do have a basement but it's not finished. It may take us a few years to build a pantry down there. I hope you make your shutters! These came with the house and they're really cute and cottagey! Yeah, we are definite loners, but you're right, it's nice to meet friendly helpful people!
ReplyDeleteThanks LeeAnna :) You're right, it is a surprise about Marlene. It's like she was fine one day then the next day just too tired. When I walk her, we walk very slowly, I let her sniff each blade of grass lol and she really enjoys it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marsha :) Bill and Mike loved the picnic spread, it was nearly all devoured lol! Yes, it's hard to watch the pets age...the cats don't show their age as much as the dogs do, at least ours don't. But Marlene is really slowing down, she's such a sweetie, it's hard to watch but it gives us more reason to spoil her! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Betty :) I LOVE your comment about the concrete wall being a shadow...I really do see it, that and the industrial steel staircase that Bill and Mike removed too. Those things are just not organic and didn't belong here. I feel as though a huge negative aspect of our home is gone. Very cool of you to mention that! :) Yes, Marlene is a home/couch dog now!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen :) I'm with you, I like the sit-on-top kayaks. I had one many years ago and it was great. We're going to see what we can find, a canoe would be good for me and Alex to go together but eventually I'd love to have a kayak too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi :) The pancakes were really good! Nice and fluffy. I hope I can get those front steps done this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria :) We got very lucky here! I hope you find a beautiful home surrounded by nature too! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie :) I can't kid myself, I'm slowing down too. My body doesn't recover quite as quickly as it used to.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathy :) LOL...usually Alex would eat the entire pile of pancakes but he could only eat three of them, I was having trouble with two! They were really filling. I kind of like walking in the fog! Alone though, I don't know...having the dogs with me is kind of like having a live alarm system!
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica :) Just down the road there are lots of farms with cows, horses, pigs,sheep and llamas...I love living in the country! I wish I had room for horses and larger livestock. For now it's dogs and cats! :) I'm so lucky about finding the stream!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sam :) It's sad that Marlene can't do the long walks. I know she wants to come, and she starts out with a spring in her step but I end up having to almost drag her home. Every other day I'm bringing her with us and we go a lot slower, just so she doesn't feel left out. We are so thankful for Bill and Mike...they are really hard workers, and they enjoyed the food! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan :) The pancakes are so good and filling. I'm going to try a different fruit in them next time...maybe apples with some cinnamon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy :) A whiz :)) The homemade Cheez Whiz tastes just like the storebought, but without the fake stuff in it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dino :) The progress is slow but very rewarding!
ReplyDeleteLiked seeing your photo in this post, Rain, and of course the dogs and cats as well. Looks like everyone, humans and animals, are settling in quite nicely to the new home. Nice to read that things have settled down. The new steps are nice and so was all that food. You will surely have repeat help as long as you feed them! The blueberry pancakes looked great for dinner too! And I do like a foggy morning.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! That stack of blueberry pancakes looks amazing. And the foggy field looks really charming. I'm glad you have so much opportunity for getting in walks with the dogs. What a lovely place to walk, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dorothy :) I'm happy that things are settling down a little, it was so crazy there for a while! I hope I have time to do something with the steps this year!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Becki :) I love this area so much. I'm so grateful to have such a lovely place to walk the dogs.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place you have chosen to live, and the house looks very welcoming. Its good to settle in and get acquainted with your surroundings and neighbours. That stream looks very canoeable! How are all the critters adjusting to their new digs? The walking situation is so much better!
ReplyDeleteHi Rosalea :)) Oh yes, the pets LOVE living here...not only do the cats have their own loft upstairs (no dogs allowed!), the dogs enjoy the walks and see lots of wildlife...and now the stream. It's amazing. I brought them there this morning to cool off after a long hot walk on the logging road! And your comment about the wasp nest, omg that made me laugh so hard, I can't imagine THAT much snow and I used to live in an area that had major snow from October through May!! Apparently the winters here SHOULD be milder with less snow, but time will tell! We are saving for a snow blower for this winter, NO MORE SHOVELING!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I missed this post. I love area you moved to. It reminds me very much like the land I moved from to come to OR. (not by choice) Lot's going on there and I thought supervising is suppose to be our job. LOL Great feat too. Looks like everyone is settling in. Gosh you are the best cook. We have tones of blueberries too.
ReplyDeleteSee ya later for TAD
Thanks Nicole :) I do love this area, more and more each day! Thanks for supervising! ;) See you on Thursday!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love foggy mornings...that river is sooo beautiful. I am sure it wont be long and u will be sitting in your canoe.
ReplyDeleteWow what a great job the guys did !!! And u too on the snacks :) I bet u they wont mind coming back for another job ;)
Thanks Sis :) those guys were very thankful for the food! They deserved it! :) I can't wait to find a good used canoe...probably will go to next summer though!
ReplyDelete