The Calm before the storm

We are expecting a beautiful day even though we woke to a freezing -20 this morning. We are going to get up to +2 (WOW) We are epecting another snow storm tomorrow and Saturday just like every other weekend. (so it is the calm today before the storm)
Last evening we went to a birthday supper for my HB's Grandmother's 90th birthday. We all enjoyed our evening and the place was so busy. We had the room on the side and I was expecting 20 people for family but Grandmother was busy calling all her family and ended up with over 40. WOW I guess not to many people turn 90. Even her grandson came in on the 5 o'clock flight from out west and shocked everyone. What a nice thing, as know one knew he was coming.
She even gave out roses to the women for coming, and chocolates to the men. (I told you she can do more then most of us put together.
I forgot my camera but my sister in law took lots of photos and will email them to me. When we got home we took some. As it was the girls first rose they have ever got.

Do you think Justin will share those with his sister's?

Today HB is getting off at lunch time as we need to go into town and do some banking, we will also pick the girls up today after school.
NOW FOR THE BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!
HB got the job here at the mines drilling. He starts on Monday and has 2 days of workshops then it is off to the jobsite. We are hoping that it is what we need and  if so then he will stay here. If not he will then leave for the job in Redlake On. awhere he was before. There is also suppose to be 2 other mines opening here in the Spring and he is hopeful that he can get on there,if this one does not pan out. (but for now it is work)
Tomorrow the girls have a busy day. They have a penny circus  with there guiding group from 10 to 3, and then a Birthday party for Jayne's best friend at the pool from 4 to 6. Then Jayne is sleeping over at her house. Justin is going to the in laws for the weekend to make beef jerky with his grandmother. Then off to another Birthday party for Grandmother on Saturday for supper.Jill and HB and I are all alone on Saturday night. So if the weather is good then maybe we will go out.MAYBE!
Well I better get my house work finished up and get some ground beef out for supper as we are having Shepopords pie for supper with toss salad, and biscuits. Tonight is also the girls guiding night.
Take care and I hope all those Storms and wild weather I have been watching on CNN for the states is not affecting any of my fellow blogging friends.

Mid Week Catch up

Well It has warmed up to -13 today and we are expected to reach a high of +2 tomorrow. (WOW what aheat wave that will be) This winter has sure taken a tole on our wood shed. We are beginning to run low and HB has been hauling out wind falls with his skider,when ever her gets a chance so we do not have to touch the rest in the wood shed. We also have our horse trailer filled with slabs.
As for the house I have been doing my usual cleaning. Trying to keep up with laundry and floors. I have not done to much baking lately except for bread and rolls. I have used a lot of the pies and deserts that I had made up this Fall and froze. I should be starting to use up some of the berries in the freezer as well. I think next week I will plan to do that.
We had boneless steak in the oven last night for supper with baked potatoes and string beans. It was very tasty. We had a apple pie for desert too.
After supper we shoveled off my end of the barn where my studio is. (It had 2 leaks in there yesterday.)
HB came home from work yesterday after making a really neat boot and mitten dryer for the stove. (we need to get some BarBque paint for it now) but it still worked great.

It really does not take to long for them to dye this way.

Today is HB's Grandmother's 90th birthday and she is fit as a fiddle. She can do more then most of us put together. We are celebrating it tonight by going out for supper at a Chinese resturant in the city. there are 18 of the family going. We will have to leave as soon as Hb gets home from work as it is a little drive to get there for 6. I got the weeones cloths ready this morning and just have to get them dressed when they get home from school. 

On Another note I noticed my hens beginning to lay again. I was starting to get upset as it costs so much to feed them,and if they don't produce for us then it is a real cost. I find lay mash is sooooooo expensive already, we give them left over greens as well,and oyster shells too. What do you all feed your hens? We pay around $20 a bag and it only lasts 1 1/2 weeks. (So if you do the math that's over $40 a month) 

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 

Any suggestions? 

Take care and stay warm. I wish you all a great day.

Another day of snow

Last evening after supper we headed out to shovel off another roof. This time the garage needed it.

After we finished that I went to feed the pig

Olivia is always excited to see me......As she knows what I am bringing. Yummy Pig feed.

I stopped by to visit the horses, who don't mind the snow

Char always comes over to get her treat of peppermints.

My poor greenhouse. I soon need to more into here.

After getting lots of help from Jill she was pooped and ready to go into the house for the night.

Spring is coming!!!! 

Is February really the shortest month?

Well We had another snowstorm again Friday. The children got out of school at 11 and I ran to pick them up. It snowed all weekend and is still snowing as I look out all the windows here.

Ok I am sure ready for my pool. I think that this is the longest February in history.

All we have done is clean snow. (just ask my back)
besides that everyone is well. I am back to Monday cleanning as usual and for supper tonight is Chicken and dipping sauce with noodles,rice and veggies. Here is my chicken recipe.



This recipe makes 8 servings


4 tsp (18 mL) vegetable oil
1 tsp (5 mL) paprika
3/4 tsp (4 mL) chili powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) pepper
1/2 tsp (2 mL) cumin
1/4 tsp (1 mL) coriander
1/4 tsp (1 mL) cayenne pepper
1 large chicken, (about 4 lb/2 kg)

Combine oil, paprika, chili powder, pepper, cumin, coriander and cayenne; brush over chicken. Truss chicken and marinate in fridge for 1 to 8 hours.

Set chicken breast side up on greased rack in shallow roasting pan. Roast in 325°F (160°C) oven for about 35 minutes per lb (500 g) or until juices run clear when pierced with fork and internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C). Transfer to platter; let stand for 10 minutes before carving.


Dipping Sauce

Serve this easy-to-make dipping sauce with roast chicken. 

This recipe makes 2 servings


1/2 cup (125 mL) chicken stock
1/4 cup (50 mL) prepared barbecue sauce


In saucepan, whisk stock with barbecue sauce; bring to simmer over medium-high heat, whisking. Serve with chicken.



Hb is still working as his job is hanging on for another week or so. He has to make his choice this week on what job offer he will take. He has not yet heard back from his interview so I am guessing it will be out of town. 
Well I here my buzzer for the dryer going off so Jayne bedding is dry. Talk soon. Take care and I wish you all a great less snow day!

Happy Hump Day!

Well it is mid week again. WOW feels great to be up at the top of the week looking down forward to week's end.
Monday and Tuesday we had another snow storm of over a foot. High winds,and freezing cold temps. of up to -30 again. So what did I do while I could not get out? SEW!!!!! I whipped up Jill a new feltie for her bed. (A Owl) and cut out the second one for Jayne. (I will those pics up soon) I am cutting out fabric for covers for doodle books for the girls, and scrapbooking cards for the teachers as it is also teacher app. week.
HB went back to work today, after beginning to feel a bit better. We spent the whole afternoon in the high winds and cold temps. yesterday cleaning door ways, bringing in wood,feeding and watering the animals,and cleaning the driveways and yard. (I feel it in my arms today!)
We had a nice ham supper last night and the weeones bundled up good and spent a half hour up at the sliding hill Dad made in the afternoon.
Today it has warmed up a bit, to about -15 (so I decided to leave the fire go out so we can clean the ashes tonight)
I took out pork chops for supper and will have rice and noodles with toss salad.
It is very quite here today with only me and the dogs in the house. Well I guess it is back to sewing......
take care and stay warm!!!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

All my Valentine's went off to school today. Feeling MUCH better. (they still have a little cough but they are back to norm) They went to school in yet another snowstorm.

HUBBY AND I MADE THIS TOGETHER ABOUT 7 YEARS AGO........... and it still hangs outside our door every Valentines day!


The girls spent the weekend decorating valentines for their classmates and teacher, and even MOM and DAD. There was a lot of painting,cutting,and stamping going on here. We also did some baking of chocolate muffins with pink frosting, and heart cookies.
We had easy weekend Friday night we took it easy with just staying indoors and relaxing. Saturday the girls made breakfast (with a little help from mom) and it was down to business with crafting...........
Sunday I helped Hb put in some hay and do most of the barn work as he still is not feeling well with his breathing. (He is home from work today and is gone to the Doctor. ) then I made a nice Turkey Supper.
Today I spent the whole morning cleaning my bathroom and doing laundry,and dishes. We are having hot turkey sandwiches for supper with homefries and toss salad.
HB has not heard anything back yet on the job interview here at our local mine,so we are beginning to think he might have to travel for work. He are still praying that they will call with a good enough offer for him.
We are expecting 25 cms of snow today and tonight with 80 km winds. So we will fill the tub before going to bed and make sure we are set up for no power.
Well I'm off to get dressed warm to get the weeones off the bus. Take care and stay warm.

End of the week and just beginning

Wow it really has been forever since I last had time to sit and blog.
Well here is what has been going on here.......
Friday after school we left for a evening in the city. We went to the mall to pick up a few things we needed,and the girls went to Zellers to buy some new toys with their money. Jill bought a new LPS Blythe doll,and Jayne a new webkinz hamster. I bought some juice and a few other staples.
Justin stayed home and went to do some finishing touches on his skidoo. Here is his end result of weeks of working on his skidoo.

He even used a blue tarp for his seat.

He still has his cab to paint.

PRETTY PROUD!!!!

Saturday we were invited (WE meaning the girls and I ) to a going away party for 2 little girls that Jill and Jayne go to school with. It was at a friends house on the next road. We had a great time but just as we were getting ready to leave Jayne began feeling sick. And thus begins my story........

Sunday was a day of poor Jayne laying on the couch running a fever, headache, vomiting,and just everything else.
I cleaned up and made up some eggrolls. Sunday evening Jill and Justin and began the same. HB began as well,and ended up going to the hospital at 1 in the morning. They admitted him as his oxygen level in his blood was very low and he was having trouble breathing. He has breathing problems to begin with so when he gets a cold it is so much worse.
Well he got discharged at 2:30 on Monday and had a few puffers to get filled and other meds. (More money and that stuff does not come cheep!)  But I guess if it helps then it is worth it.
I made a homemade chicken noodle soup,and a beef barley soup as well. That is about all they have been eating.
Tuesday and Wednesday were the same except HB went back to work Tuesday afternoon and is feeling better. Wednesday he had a interview here at our local mine and will know more next week. If nothing then he will have to go away to work. (We are keeping our fingers crossed)
Today is another freezing cold morning of -28 and Jayne decided she was ready to go back to school. I felt so bad seeing her off this morning. But she loves school and misses everyone.(even though everyone is pretty much out with the same as well) I told her is she did not feel well then to call and I would go and get her.
Jill and Justin are still home sick with terrible cough and cold.
I am still feeling good,(Knock on wood) besides a little tired from the weeones being up coughing all night. But last night I rubed vicks on their feet and put some cotton socks on and that seemed to do the trick.
Today I am trying to clean and put things back to normal. I am going to make a hamburg casserole for supper,and some rolls. If they rise as I am having a hard time to keep the Kitchen warm today. My mountain of laundry is down and things are coming back.
Well I hope you are all well, and will be back tomorrow.

Quick Catch Up

My family has been sick and are all still home with the gastro flu,and a terrible cough. HB is home with breathing problems and a cold that leaves you with a sore back as well. The bright side is that so far I still feel good,expect for a little tired of not getting my sleep with the weeones up at night. but besides that I am fine.
I got up this morning and made a big pot of chicken noodle soup,and a beef barley soup. I put bread on and am trying to get them into eating a little. They have been living on Gatorade and jello.
I hope to be back to normal tomorrow and get back to blogging. I have a few things to tell you about. HB also has a interview tomorrow afternoon at the mine a half hour away. So we will see what that will bring. Take care and I hope you all are doing well.

Clean up,tummy ache and meatballs

On my Tuesday's post I said I was going to make some oatmeal cookies and also make some with fudge filled. I also said I would take pictures and I was not able to do that due to some tech. problems with my camera that day. However I am happy to post both my families old fashioned oatmeal cookie recipe and the filling recipe as well.
Oatmeal Cookies
1C. B.sugar
1C. shortening
1 egg
1/2 C. cold milk
1t. vanilla
1t. salt
2C. oatmeal
2C. flour
2t. baking powder
1/2t. b.soda
Leave oatmeal shortening egg and milk sit 10 mins. to soak.
My aunt always said to me to add more flour if sticky.
I use a nice round cookie cutter with a scalloped edge to it. I also make mine thick so they are not to hard.

Filling for oatmeal fudge filled cookies
1c. brown sugar
1/4 c. cream
2T. butter
boil together 2-3 mins. beat well add sifted icing sugar until stiff. Just a little at a time till you get it thick and not runny. (I have never had a amount for my icing sugar I always just keep adding till I get it where I want it)

I also made some changes the other night. We were suppose to have meatloaf for supper but instead we made fries,hamburgers and I made up some mayo and we made a potato salad.
We took out on Sunday 6 older roasts of beef out of the freezer and left them overnight and then Monday night HB and I deboned them and put them through the hamburger machine. I then had 20 pounds of hamburger to cook up. We had those hamburgers,yesterday I made meatballs,meatballs and more meatballs. I cooked all of them on cooking sheets in the oven,then made a sauce for last night for supper.
1 bottle of apple jelly
1cup of ketchup
2T. butter
bring to boil on stove until dissolved. wisk and then pour over meatballs and I then heat in the over at supper time. We had rice and veggies with it for supper.
I froze the rest of the cooked meatballs in bage of 50 and ended up with three more bags. (Please remember that  I cooked my meat after unthawing it I did NOT freeze then refreeze. as that is a NONO!)
I have enough ground beef left to make egg rolls.
Wile I was cooking my meatballs I got a call from Jill she had a tummy ache and I had to go and get her at school. She is still home with me today. She still says her tummy hurts. (I think she got the groundhog flu we have been telling her) LOL
besides cooking I have finally gotten 2 pairs of mittens done for Jayne and Jill and  Jayne a new scarf. I think my knitting is finally caught up. Except just when I thought I could start something else Justin informs me that we needs new socks. HUM! I guess a mom's knitting is never done!

Today I did my housework and spent sometime with Jill reading. I went to get my camera cord in my basket in the pantry that I keep all our chargers in and thought ok enough is enough time to get it cleaned as well.

                                                                              I went from this

                                                                   TO THIS!

WITH THESE GREAT THINGS!

Yep my day is better now. Have a great day.

Tuesday Tib bits

Good Morning. It is yet another chilly -30 here again. We had some warmer temps. over the weekend, leaving us to be able to work outdoors a bit on Sunday. Saturday I spent the day indoors with the girls getting some baking done. A friend was kind enough to drop off some apples they had that needed to be used up and 4 lemons.(People always bring us fruit and veggies and bread for feed for the animals as they like to compost this way instead of putting it inti the garbage. They know we have a pig). But sometimes there are still fruit and veggies that are not gone bad yet. Like these. So I decided to get busy with the girls and make some pie crusts as we only had 2 left in the freezer. We then made a big apple pie,and then a apple crumble and still had 2 apples left over that I baked for them. I also made some worms out of the left over pie crust.(I grew up making these with my family,so my weeones love it too) I use up the left over pie crust and roll it out and spread butter on it. Sprinkle some cinammon and sugar and roll up and bake. YUM! just like the good old days.
We made 2 lemon breads and a batch of lemon muffins. Everything turned out great and we had desert for 2 nights. We spent the rest of the day sewing with felt. Jayne made a cute toad stool,while Jill made a new pillow for Hayden. Saturday night we watched a movie with the family. Open Season 3. CUTE!

Jayne wants to make a smaller now to go beside this one and she wants to put then in her window in her room.
Justin spent the weekend painting and fixing up his skidoo. (I have have yet to see it)

Sunday we spent the day outdoors shoveling, cleaning off my car. Moving it,and clearing more snow. We tidied up the barn put hay in and moved a few animals around.
I put a beef stew on the wood stove to cook for the day and bread to rise and we had a nice salad with it. Yummy! after a day outdoors.
Monday I had to go to a funeral for my HB's uncle. He was a well known business man in town who owned a paint store most of his life along with a true farmer,Husband,Father,and Grandfather. We will be sadly missed.
It as a huge funeral and I met friends that I have not seen in 20 years. I also met a new Friend a lady from the states who now resides here with her 6 children and her Husband who also is a Pastor. I will post another day about this special woman that I have learned about. She is a very nice person.
Anyways to is back to normal around here. Cooking,cleaning, and laundry. I am making a meat loaf loaf for supper, and am making some oatmeal cookies with fudge filling. (Another recipe I grew up with) I will post the recipe with my pictures tomorrow.
Well I wish you all a great day and I hope you all are not getting to much snow. It is so cold here,that it is to cold to snow. Take care.