Sylvia's Simple Shots

Check out what showed up at the little pond this week.

A cormorant in all it's glory.  Hanging around, staying put. really close.

That was so exciting.  I don't know where it came from.  Was it taking a rest break?

Whatever the situation I am grateful so get some good shots of this bird.

I decided to head out the art walk in Stony Plain.  Several of the members of the AAC will be in attendance so a chance to connect with artists.

I spoke to David who does woodwork.  I was in the calligraphy guild with his wife so I said say Hi from me.

Stopped by to say hello to Rochelle who does colored pencil and Barry who carves.  He had a really nice Viking piece he was working on.

Said hello to Linda who did the Art in the Open in St. Albert a while back.

The weather was very nice and looks like a good time was had by all. 

I bought myself a gift while at the Art Walk.  I have been wanting a piece of stained glass for a long time.

A row of houses made by Carol B - Through the Window Pane.  It is bigger and heavier than the piece I have hanging in the window right now so I have to come up with a plan on how to display it.

I visited the Crooked Pot Gallery where I saw an idea which may help with my flowers in a vase. It was a ceramic flower frog that just sits on the top edge of the vessel. I don't plan on making clay ones but maybe plastic might work. 

I attended a birthday party at the bowling alley this week.  A mile stone.

I did not bowl so I visited in the party room after the bowling.

There was pizza and cake and a visit with some of my relatives and my sisters.

A few of us headed to the thrift store next door after the pizza. Love like minded folks.

After months of trying to find a solution to getting a metal band on my new watch.  I bought that back in May but it had a cloth band.

I had hoped that I could transfer the band from the old Timex to the new one.  After approaching several businesses no one was willing to work to find a solution.

I decided to head to have a visit with a friend who had recommended a business in her small town.

After looking at what I would like to have done they did not feel transferring the band was a good idea.  

But, they had old stock replacement bands.  Maybe one would work.  As you can see this one worked fine.  They shortened it for me.  It had the same clasp as the last band and it is stainless steel and the price was a bargain.  Super thrilled to have the project put to bed.

I purchased a new SD card for my old camera.  The girl at London Drugs suggested that this would be the largest card I could put in my camera.

I have been using 2GB cards and running out of room, having to switch cards which is a hassle.  I lost one for a few days a couple of weeks ago.  Losing shots is very disheartening.

This one will be a big improvement where I will not have to change cards and risk losing shots again.

With the parking lot open at the St. Albert Botanic Park I headed over there so catch the dahlias in full bloom.

Of course, there were many flowers to photograph. Lilies, roses, sunflowers, and a bunch more.

The volunteers were in full force making everything look wonderful.

Of course, I always head out early.

I stopped at London Drugs on my way in and was headed north after some breakfast.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I had planned to attend a local church service on Christmas Eve but it had snowed enough and it was cold so I decided to stay home.  I then headed to the internet to find a Christmas Eve service I could enjoy.

Conception Bay Newfoundland had a great service.  Enjoyed it immensely.  So grateful to the technology available these days.

The Huron Carol sung by Tom Jackson is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

With my plans changing for Christmas Day because my family was sick and turkey dinner was delayed I spent Christmas Day differently than usual.  That was okay with me. A chill day - yes - it was chilly -23C and snow fell.

A pristine layer of snow covered the green space beyond the patio.

The sun shone which was much appreciated.

So far, it has been a gloomy winter and I look forward to more sunny days.  Gloomy drags me down.

I had the last of this beautiful tea that my aunt gave me this summer.

Just look at that color.  Lavender Chamomile.

A chocolate bran muffin.

Turkey is planned for supper.

I worked on Mom's candelabra this week.  I want to convert to LED lights.

I did manage to get some LED bulbs at Rona but they are clear and not yellow.

I did color one yellow with Alcohol Inks by Ranger.

The bulbs are not quite the same shape so they need a bit of trimming.  

Maybe I should hold out for yellow LED which are the same shape. I expect it will happen.

I saved a piece of turkey from my sister's house so I thawed that.  

I bought brussel sprouts and microwaved them some and finished them in the cast iron fry pan.

Veggies and rice were added to the plate.  

Of course, high bush cranberry sauce (pembina) from my sister was the icing on the plate.  

I did make some gravy from my left over Better than Bouillion from house warming soup.

It was delicious.

I made Raspberry Bavarian that Mom always made for dessert.

Served with a white chocolate cookie.

A bit of dark chocolate and a warm large cup of tea finished it off.

The Skystone by Jack Whyte was the book I read this week.

It is set in 367 - 448 AD in the province the Romans called Britain.  The central figures are Roman soldiers Caius Britannicus and Publius Varrus. The Saxons (Germanic people from northern Europe) invade Britian and breach Hadrian's Wall and chaos ensues.

The story is told as a remembrance of Publius when he is very old. 

These men had served the Roman Empire in Africa in early 360s.  Now they are together again fighting the enemy.  After the injuries both men go their own ways - Plubius to the house he inherited from his grandfather who died while he was in Africa. Caius to his Colony - a fortified compound in western Britain where a new society is growing.

When things get bad, Plubius abandons his home and heads to the compound and is warmly welcomed. He meets Caius's sister Luceiia who he eventually marries. 

Plubius' father had found a stone that fell from the sky and learned to melt it and forged a sword where the metal was mixed with iron and a dagger made from the Skystone metal.  It was silver, beautiful and very hard.  Plubius is on the hunt for more Skystones to make some magnificent weapons.  In the hills near the Colony he does find the stones and works to dig them from the ground. 

In my opinion, the name of the book is not indicative of the story told. The skystones do not feature prominently in the story.  

The story of these two men is fabulous.

On the right, I have included a very interesting map of the world in this time. 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

It has been another busy week with travel and health appts and the storms and cold.

This is a bit of snow taken from inside through the window in the lobby.

Christmas cards have been arriving in the mail.

A bit of an icy trip into the city on Sunday to visit my old church. 

During the brunch afterwards I was able to see many of my friends and say hi!

There was sweets on for eats so I did bring home  a couple of Nanaimo bars.

I had a visit with my sister and brother and delivered caramel popcorn while I was in town.

With the weather improving on Monday I headed out to see my sister and brother in law.

They prepared Turkey Dinner for me and I brought stuff to make Raspberry Bavarian that Mom used to make. Used tapioca instead of gelatin so it was ready for supper.

A few more shots from my sister's place. She has a lot of the ornaments we have created for our family Christmas celebrations.  The angel is one I did one year.

Beautiful nativity from Germany.

A couple of Scrabble games after supper.

Turkey noodles for lunch the next day.

Driving home in the sunshine was a blessing.

In the middle of a snow storm I headed out to get vaccine shots.  I had to wait 3 weeks for the appt so I was not rescheduling.  Flu in the left and COVID in the right.  

I took Advil for 2 days for the soreness then I was good to go.

Great to have access to these.

My sister sent turkey leftovers which provided me a couple of meals.  There was one serving of turkey noodles for Tuesday night.  I have frozen one piece of turkey for later.

Thanks sis!

Spoiled is what I am.  High bush cranberry sauce that my sister gave me in the fall.  We normally pick this together but it did not happen this year.

Yummy!

A Log Cabin Christmas Collection by Wanda E. Brunstetter was light reading.

Nine love romance stories set in the pioneer west of the USA in 1800s.  Deep cold winters, warm fires, log cabins, and men and women getting together in several surprising situations.

Faith was a consistent theme through all the stories.

Short enough the read before falling asleep.

Several days of very cold days and the snow on Wednesday ensured a Christmasy feeling.

I am so glad to have seen family earlier.  Now, if I have to hunker down inside because of the cold weather it is all okay.

I decided to get the art shelf up in the front hall. 

This building seems to challenge me with electrical wires in many of the places I want to put a screw.

I did have to alter my plan some what and I had pencil marks all over the wall. I aligned the right hand edge of the shelf with the same edge on the mirror.

I hope to have a plant trail down from the shelf down to the mirror eventually.

I moved all the furniture out which gave me the chance to wash the lace cover while I worked.

The art shelf will allow me to change the art as I want with out having holes in the walls.

Unpacking paintings, photos, frames, and more which I brought home a while ago from my aunts.

I now have Mom and Dad sitting on a book shelf with the fairy light a created in their remembrance after Mom passed away in 2023.

The colors are green for Dad and blue for Mom.

Starting to feel like home.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I have discovered this Youtube channel - Wondering Melodies.

I just love the watercolor art work in these videos. The characters are so cute. Rabbits, hedgehogs, bears, mice, deer, owls, cats, and more I am sure. I prefer the wild animals.

The Celtic music is very lovely as a background for crafting or slow stitching or just chilling.

My Christmas cards went into the mail on Monday.  A lot less than usual since I can't deliver them to church like I used to. 

I was lucky that I made some last year that did not get mailed because of the postal strike.

That means a new church in 2026.

At $1.30 in postage though there will have to be a reassessment of the list.

With the change in weather I needed a rug at the front door to catch the snow and gravel being dragged in on boots.

I am happy with this 2 foot by 5 foot dark grey one I bought this week.  Covers the area I needed.

It's that time of year again.

The low pressure tire light came on the car this week.  I have this happen every year when the weather turns really cold.

I called to OK Tire and headed over and they helped me out.

It took a bit of time this year to clear the light.  The guy told me it could take 30-50 kilometers.  With being so cold I was not going far.  It did eventually clear before I took a long trip.

This is the book on my bedside this week.  The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly.

It was written with youth in mind but it is a great book.

Set in the summer of 1899, Calpurnia is eleven turning twelve toward the end of the year.  She has brothers and a wonderful grandfather.  He is a naturalist and putters in his library and shed out back observing nature.  

Calpurnia's mother wants her to play the piano and learn the domestic arts but she would prefer to accompany her grandfather in the woods, streams and meadows around their home.

She receives the book - The Science of the Housewifery for Christmas which a bitter disappointment. Can she be a scientist in the new century?  I will keep the book because the cover is so beautiful. 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Another terrific sunrise this week.

Dramatic, overcast with some sun.

We have had a lot of dreary overcast days since snow arrived which makes winter a little harder to take.

Sunny Alberta is missing so I just had to take a hint of sunshine when it arrived.

It was the first Sunday of Advent on Nov 30th.

The first candle of Advent is HOPE.  It symbolizes hope and the promises made by God especially the coming Messiah.

I need to read my Ann Voskamp book which provides information for preparing for Christmas during this Advent Season.

I had a chance to visit with a couple of my sisters, a brother in law and niece when my sister's grandson was playing in a minor hockey game in a town about an hour away.

I dressed up to sit in a cold arena and watched the last period of the game and his team won!

There were a couple of  options for lunch so we headed to the pub for lunch.

The food was very good and I shared Butter Chicken with a sister.

I was able to get home before the sun went down which I was very happy about.

We had a good visit - Christmas, trips planned, next Christmas which will be a large one, my niece's new job and much more.

I had a few gift cards to wrap this week so I checked out my sister's post and loosely based mine on hers. I did have to ask her about it.

It's a long piece of fabric where you fold in both ends of the fabric. Then press the ends even which folds the remaining fabric in half with a fold at the bottom.

Top stitch both sides closed and your are done. She put ribbon on hers I did not.

I did add some accent fabric on the front piece after I folded but before I sewed the side seams. Needs refinement I would say but I was able to fill mine and have them ready which was the goal.

We had a pot luck meal hosted in the social room of our building.

Everyone brought a dish and we shared a meal with our neighbors.

As always the food was very good and there was plenty. I had one helping leftover of my scalloped potatoes.  I brought home a piece of chicken and chocolate cheesecake.

It was a very good time.

Looking forward to next year when I am sure I will know more people.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

There's more snow this week. 

You can see the bike track in the snow again this week.

It is colder this week as well with temps in the -20C.

Winter has arrived.

That will be good for the coming craft sales because for some folks until it snows they just are not in the Christmas shopping mood.

This was done early in the week and then the weather turned. They steamed the kitchen stack on Monday.  

I had under the kitchen sink clear out in plenty of time. They did have to go and get parts as the PTrap was glued and could not be removed.

As you can see the truck was parked behind the big fence and they were climbing over with ladders.

The hoses came through the patio doors.  

I knew one of the guys that came because the same company did work in the building downtown.

The process went very well. 

DIY project - I took the Dremel and shortened the legs on the plastic shelf under the sink.

It did not fill under the PTrap after it was replaced.

It was about an 1/8 of an inch but it would not clear.  

Good to by handy with a tool.

With the timing I finished a couple of books this week.

The Favored Child by Phillipa Gregory.  It is book 2 in a trilogy and I have not read the first.

A couple of children are being raised together in the Dower House. They are Richard and Julia who are cousins but have lost parents and Julia's mother is raising both children alone.

There a mystical power at play, gender roles that confuse things, deep secrets which will change everything at the end of the story. How things change as children mature. Julie is connected to the land and Richard is not but that makes it difficult to be squire of the Lacey estate. 

Things get ugly and when the secret is revealed the world comes to make more sense.  Big book and a good read.

A Shelter of Hope by Tracie Petersen is the story of Simone Dumas who lives in the Wyoming Territory in 1883.  Her father is heavy handed shall we say and her mother has long been gone. Simone tends house far from town so is mostly alone.

After her father has acted very cruelly, Simone summons the courage to leave with very little.  She finds her way to a place she will not be recognized, changes her name and find employment.

In time the past comes calling.   The police are involved, her true identity revealed, a man steps up to protect her, people die, and her future is in peril.

I always like a strong female main character and Simone lives up to the part.

Great book!

The new computer arrived this week which was custom built as I could not find what I needed on store shelves.

Happy with the speed, the disk space, and the overall performance.

I just love the LED lights on the inside.  That is so cool.

The printer/scanner was set up EPSON 2980 Super Tank.   Windows 11 with its apps has been easier than I thought to use.

I managed to get software in a permanent license.  Wonderful.

It was the reception for the Fire and Ice Show at the Spruce Grove Art Gallery hosted by the Allied Arts Council.

My aunt and I attended the reception for the art show and the opening of the Christmas Store as well.

Check out the beautiful cookies made by Cindy I believe. Almost too pretty to eat. Gorgeous work.

I bought another small wood star from Val E at the Christmas Store.

Wonderful evening.

It's that time of year again.  Time to make Caramel Popcorn for family and friends.  I was up early because my friend was coming for lunch.

I made a lot less this year as it is not our big family get together this year.  I will deliver these as I see family of the next few weeks.

When my friend arrived we headed to Tims and bought lunch and brought it back to my house to eat and have a cup of tea.

It had been months since I saw her and my house was in a more organized state than when she visited in late August.

We decided to head out and hit a craft sale before heading to visit the Spruce Grove Art Gallery and Christmas Store at Heavy Metal Place in Spruce Grove.

After our outing we came back for another cup of tea and she headed out a little later to be home before dark.

My friend and I dropped by this sale in the PERC building in Stony Plain.

There is nothing I need, my Christmas list is very short, so I came to realize that I don't need to attend craft sales.  

I had been feeling like I was missing something special but my circumstances have changed a lot and I only need to attend if there is a reason to.

Interesting how time marches on and I am not the person I was. 

Learned a valuable lesson.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

The first snow arrived this week.

It was not much but it is time if there will be snow to protect the plants and provide moisture in the spring.

The guy with the bike has been through.  With the snow he has left evidence of his passing.  I have seen him a couple of times but he goes by more often than I thought.

The Firebrand by Susan Wiggs is the book I finished this week. This novel is set in Chicago in the 1870s. The central historical event is the great fire of October 1871. 

Lucy Hathaway was at a party and decided to flirt with a married man. On her way home that night she could see a warm glow in the distance and as she gets closer she can see fire.  Chaos reigns as you can imagine. Many people died, buildings burned and countless people were left homeless.  As she passes at hotel, a baby is tossed from an upper window and Lucy catches it as it falls. The building those inside are lost.  When she approaches her home she sees that she has lost her home as well. 

Her mother, Lucy and the baby start over.  She sets up a bookstore and the child grows. The parents of the baby are distraught, the father is badly burned and hospitalized for a good while.  When he recovers his marriage has ended and his baby girl is gone! He must pick up the pieces and carry on.  

He does well in banking and five years later Lucy meets the man from the party as the bank manager who will decide about her bank loan. A photo on his desk of a baby girl makes her realize that this is the father of "her daughter".  The romantic plot is predictable.  Susan is a good author and it was a good read.

I did a lot of work on sorting out what neutrals I could use to paint furniture in my place.  I generally, prefer natural wood tones with clear finish or tung oil.  I have a bench that my Mom made for me which was painted pink for the place I had in the 1980s. Now I would like to change that color. 

These are the colors I have selected that would coordinate with the floor, the counter in the kitchen and the Queen Ann Lace paint on the walls. Love that color.

I have chosen Intellectual for the stool and will paint that when I have time in then next few months.  I have chosen BEHR brand because I can get it locally.

It was a good week at the thrift shops this week.  There are several I visit on a trip to the city.

I picked up this Stampin Up stamp set called Papillon Potpourri.  Papillon is butterfly in French.

With my commitment to butterfly cards for IWin this will add another piece to my options to make cards for this charity.

I do not have the butterfly punch that coordinates but stamping them on tags or circles or label punchies will work.

There also a good variety of sizes as well in the set.

I got rid of all my large plates from my turquoise dishes before I moved.  I knew I would have less space but I did not understand how small the lunch plates were.

I found this set of white glass dishes at MCC this week. Two of each dinner plate, luncheon plate and soup bowl and all stack nicely.  They fit nicely in the bit of space I had in the cupboard.

I have misplaced my timer for the grow light in the office to keep my plants alive in winter. 

In a bag of electrical things I found 2 Westinghouse timers which are way easier to use than the old push clip version.

I replaced both the one in the bedroom that turns on my Starry Night Light an hour in the evening.  The grow light comes on for 3 hours in the morning before it gets light outside.

I can leave my curtains open now that snow has accumulated next to the fence. We have snowbanks there now the the bike man is no longer going by.

The plants I hope will survive and eventually thrive.

I replaced the outlet extender in the living room which is designed to go behind furniture so the plugs can have a lower profile. 

With the new extender, I get 3 plugs, I can still plug something in the lower plugin, and I can use the front facing one for the vacuum. 

Very happy with these upgrades all for $5.

I found this cutting mat with something stuck to it. I was not sure I would be able to remove it but I took a chance.  It was likely white glue and with a bit of soaking it all came right off. 

Now I have a cutting mat for the craft room and I know where it goes back to.

I have been on the look out for a couple more cobalt blue water glasses and the fit the bill.

When I got them home though and washed them I see that they have some dishwasher damage on them. 

I will continue to look.