Turkey Dinner

I got my one Turkey Dinner for Christmas.

This is our seniors group at church, who served a wonderful turkey dinner.

It was wonderful to visit with friends and enjoy a great meal.

I skipped the concert afterwards because of having to walk at night.

 

Sylvia's Simple Shots

This Christmas featured 2 big events in one day.  First in the morning was the 4 Sunday of Advent.  We light the LOVE candle.  

We are so loved by God that He sent His Son for each one of us.

May we truly take that in.

I spent most of the afternoon and evening on Christmas Eve with my sister, her husband and my brother.

It was a casual affair where we browsed food - shrimp, ribs, and pyrohy like Mom used to make them.

We caught up on our lives with all the good and bad and it was lovely.

We had blueberries, honey and cream for dessert.  

I headed home about 9pm with  my heart full.

Late on Christmas Eve we lit the Christ Candle which is the middle one.

I just love the sparkle that crackle glass brings.  

Unfortunately, one of the inserts is broken and so I plan on replacing this Advent Wreath next year.

I will keep my eyes out.

I spent Christmas Day at home.

I purchased sourdough cinnamon buns from Freesons for breakfast. They were delicious.  They came highly recommended and did not disappoint.  

Turkey with all the trimmings was on the menu for supper. 

This was the first Christmas without either Mom & Dad.  I missed them a lot.

I headed to my sister's and brother-in-law's on December 28th to have turkey with them.

It was a good drive with good temps, little traffic and a pleasure.

I decided that I would stop and visit a thrift store to get soup bowls to match my white dishes but they were closed till Jan 2nd.

This is how much snow was on the ground for Christmas this year.  Not a lot at all.

The deer came to visit in their neighborhood and I got a decent shot.

They always have a natural tree.  It is covered with personal ornaments each with it's special memory.  I don't think there was a commercial bauble of any type.

The Nativity under the tree with a stable of olive wood made in Germany and the Avon white pieces of the holy family and the additional members of that night.

I did not remember that we have the same Avon white set.  Mine has few pieces.

The birthday party was great.  

This is one of the gifts received.  A vintage Fisher Price tool bench with all the accessories.

A bench press, a drill, a hammer, wood that cuts on the table saw.

All in working order after 20 years in service.

It will be enjoyed for a few more years.

I rode with my sister and brother in law which was appreciated.

It's great to have like minded family that value something vintage and would prefer those to consuming something new and not as well made.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I took a walk around the lake with my sister before lunch.  This is a female Bufflehead. It is a duck.

It was a beautiful day.

I had started out early in the morning so I had skipped my morning exercises so it was good to have a bit of blood flowing before sitting for another couple of hours.

I travelled south with my sister and brother-in-law to spend Thanksgiving day with my nephew and his family. This is their first Canadian Thanksgiving as they have been living in China for the last few years.

The buns on this plate were made by my nephew and I have to say that when we walked in and smelled bread I was so reminded of walking into my Mom's house.  He had inherited her way with bread.  It is just delicious.

This is Turkey Dinner my sister prepared for me as a take home meal when we got back from down south.

It was nice to have a meal ready after all the driving.  I was lucky that my brother in law did half of it.

We did have a short visit with my niece/goddaugther. She was swamped on the weekend so she did not join us on Monday for turkey dinner.

Where the Wind Blows - Caroline Fyffe was a nice light read.  After a weekend of travelling it was nice to just dive into a good book for a while.  I just read it almost in about 3 sessions.  A good cup of tea or 2 or three. 

Set in Wyoming in the horse and buggy days.  Chase Logan has come to deliver news to Jessie Strong that her husband is dead.  Jessie has been living at the homestead alone for months as her husband was working further west.  Jessie was raised in an orphanage where she met a tiny little girl named Sarah.  She has arranged to adopt Sarah who arrives 1 day after Chase brought the tragic news. She knew they would not allow her to adopt if she was not married.  She asks Chase to pretend to be her husband to allow the adoption.  As it is they have brought along a 13 year old boy, Gabe,  they would like for her to take on as well.

Things go from pretending to maybe there is something between them, to a neighbor finding out that Chase has been living at the homestead and insists that a wedding take place. 

Chase decides to take his "family" back to his property in Logan Meadows. He has wired his friend to make the shack ready for when they will arrive. Then there is a 2 week journey in late fall with snow on the ground. Chase, Jessie, little Sarah, Gabe and his friend Jake who was looking for an adventure.  They arrive to find a pleasant surprise and land and accommodations.  Great book!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

 

Thanks to my sister who has a bird feeder outside her living room window I got the woodpecker and the chickadee.  The house finch was found on my walk outside in the river valley.  

I am so happy to be walking outside again.  The legs are strong and spring is here.

I finished this book a early this week - The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce.  It is a companion and followup to her other book. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.  Queenie is in a hospice facing the end of her life on earth and Harold's letters and postcards start arriving.  Once the cat is out of the bag, everyone in the building is taking an interest.

She has support from her fellow residents and the staff also take in interest.

It's been 3 years since I read the Harold book so some of the details are a little fuzzy.  Would have been nice to have it to refer to but these days I read books and pass them onto the little library.  I don't hold onto them anymore.  It's okay.

Would recommend both of these books.  The author has a few more so I will keep an eye out for those.

The sutures from my tooth extraction came out on Thursday! I was so happy.  They were very loose and long and sometimes I felt I was going to swallow them.

With turkey on the menu for Easter it was a true blessing to eat normal.

The wound has healed wonderfully.

I am back to taking the stairs.  I started taking the elevator during the pandemic so I would not have to touch handrails. 

The stairs at my sisters' houses, the stairs here at home, the stairs in the river valley are all giving me the workout I need to key my legs and knees in good shape.

Wonderful feeling

Sophie's World by Joosten Gaarder was originally written in Norwegian and then translated to English.

I should have paid more attention to the tag line - A novel about the history of philosophy.  I would have been better prepared to read about ancient history.  It was very interesting.

I did not read all of this book.  When I got more than halfway and the philosophy continued I just went to the last 2 chapters and read those.

Sophie and Hilde are in different realms and share the same birth date. They try to figure out who is the other.  Teachers come along to help with the understanding of the philosophies and the history.

A different kind of book but very informative about ways of looking at things, religion in our world, art, and much more.

We celebrated Easter with as many of us that could attend.  My sister hosted.  It was the first celebration without Mom or Dad in attendance. We all brought sometime to share with the others.

We went through Mom's stuff which was all brought to my sister's place when Mom passed in January. There was clothes, jewelery, CDs and DVD's, and a bit more.

We each took what we wanted, then some was donated to second hand stores, some was garbaged, and some will be passed down to the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We had to go through ALL the pockets.  We found little pouches of money, combs, and her name and address on little pieces of paper.

It brings closure. The funeral and interment was discussed 

Have a great week!

Family Christmas

We celebrated our family Christmas on January 6-7-8 2023.

We rented a ranch house so most of the out of town folks could stay for the weekend.  

The weather was great for driving - the sun shone and the highways were dry.  The place was still decorated for Christmas.  There was a large tree and fire place mantel had seasonal decor.  The house has 6 rooms with their own bathrooms.  We visited, played outside, prepared and ate food, enjoyed our potluck supper on Saturday evening. There was enough time to touch base with my siblings that were there.

I believe we were just about 30 for supper which was wonderful. 

Mom was not able to leave hospital to be with us. She was close so with the use of Face Time and 2 Ipads we were able to each have a bit of a visit with her a few at a time so she could recognize those she was seeing.  Thanks to those who made that possible.

There was turkey, brocolli salad, pyrophy (perogies), holopchi (cabbage rolls), tourtiere (meat pie), brussels sprouts and asparagus. Homemade buns made by nephew.  Wild cranberry sauce which is what we grew up with.  Baked and mashed potatoes. Yummy gravy!

A chocolate torte, fruit salad and much more.

I brought my famous Caramel Popcorn for snacks.

It was a great weekend and the first with out Dad who passed in May 2022.

We have been so blessed to have our parents for so long and be so constant in our lives.

I received food gifts for Christmas which are always appreciated.  I  have come to appreciate linen tea towels so those will be great.  Watercolor paper will be used in my family cards this year.

The yellow sunflower bowl will live on the dining room table for a while.  The silver trivet fits in really well with  my silver tea pot and accessories. This beautiful teapot ornament was part of my gift with the sunflower bowl.

I was limping around that weekend because on my way to wash my car on Friday, Jan 6th something happened to my right knee but more about that later.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

My sister cooked turkey for my visit following our Thanksgiving here in Canada.  I am lucky that my brother in law will eat turkey anytime.  They were with their daughter for the celebrations so there were no precious leftovers so it was good to cook a bird at her house.

I am very grateful for the thoughtfulness and willingness to do it on her part.

Of course, it was delicious and I brought a take away meal home as well which was fortunate because I was caught in a traffic jam on our biggest highway and got home two hours later than anticipated.  Someone died in the accident that caused the jam I was again grateful to be home with just the gas tank a little lower than expected.

I have spent the last few weeks reading non fiction for at change, not deliberately but it was interesting.

I was intrigued by the title so I brought it home.  If They Say No Just Say Next! by John Fuhrman. It is a sentiment I have come to appreciate to live a happier life. A no is an opportunity to change directions, change my mind, rethink where I am at.  It's not fun but the quicker I accept and move on the better for my mental health.

This book was written for a multi-level business model so there were parts I just skimmed over.  There were some good life lessons I was reminded of so it was worth giving it a read.

 

Chicken Soup of the Soul - O Canada - Jack Canfield Mark Victor Hansen Amy Newmark was the next book.  These are always uplifting stories.  I knew for sure that I would relate to some of the stories but I have to say though after the 6th hockey story I just started skipping the hockey ones.  It was likely half the book but the other half was good as usual.

Dropped Threads - What We Weren't Told - Edited by Carol Shields and Marjorie Anderson.  Again, the title intrigued me so I brought it home.

Stories of Canadian women from various stages of life and many walks of life.  I did read all the stories but some I really could not relate to.

It broadened my understanding of the lives and struggles of women not like me.  Those who were mothers, those who had high profile careers, and those who suffered injustices.

Definitely worth a read as I am sure there are universal women themes which will likely be relatable.

I am ready for a great novel.

I picked up this pretty daisy shaped watercolor palette in my shopping trips for unique diffuser containers.  

It was very inexpensive and I did think of making it a diffuser but no inspiration came of it so it has been moved to the craft table.

I went to visit Mom on the weekend.  She is doing so much better.  She has a ways to go physically by I felt I had my Mom back.  

We had a good visit and played a few games which was really nice.  I ran the necessary errands and she had a nap.

I stayed over at my sisters and we woke to heavy frost on the world around us.  It made all things sparkly and bright.  It was cold at -5C.

One the drive home I saw fog for a while but then the sun burnt it off the the rest of the few hours was great.

I saw Snow Geese up close for the first time!  In years past, I have seen them in fields in the spring on their way up to the Arctic. Earlier this month, on a trip see Mom I had seen them on one of the lakes but it is a busy highway and there was no chance to stop plus I was due someplace.

I went for a walk while Mom rested and I heard this cackling and looked around to see the source.  Across the lake I could see a sea of white.  I hurried back to the car and drove around the end of the lake to the other side. There they were!  All bobbing in the water, some slowly descending to the water surface.  Their distinct white bodies with black wing tips. The sound was loud.  The flock stuck together as they have been traveling in a groups for days already with a long ways to go.  During the hour that I spent with them they flew up into the air en masse a couple of times.  It is truly amazing. I am so glad that after glimpses I was able to experience them up close.  

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I headed out during the golden hour on Christmas Eve.

This is the grounds where our Government House is located.

I loved this face highlighted with the setting sun.

Ksan Totem Pole
Master carver Earl Muldoe with Chester MacLean and Victor Mowat

At the bottom of the pole is the Strong Man, who holds all the world's peoples united on his shoulders.

We are all in this together and things will be OK.

This is the North Saskatchewan River just west of Groat Bridge.

I love the reflection of the trees in the open water of the river.

It's been pretty warm here which explains the water still running in December.

My latest choice in snacks. Salted sunflower seeds in the shell.  A quarter cup takes 1/2 hour to eat and the calories are minimal but I feel I have had a treat.  Win Win.

I have to say that my cooking skills have improved during the COVID isolation.  There is a lot less take out food so I am doing steak, hamburger, chicken, shrimp, and fish.

With being home alone for Christmas I decided I would have turkey.  I baked a large turkey drumstick, put yam and brussel sprouts in the cast iron in the oven, and napa cabbage coleslaw. 

I had a butter tart for dessert which I was gifted. 

It was pretty nice!

My mosaic includes a candle bubble ornament, a red with swirl pattern hanging in a tree outside, and a silver with hexagonal pattern reflecting the colors surrounding it.

The challenge at Flickr Macro Monday was Redux 2020 which means we can choose any of the theme of the year.  I missed 3 challenges this year.  I chose "hook" which is the one I missed when I was not feeling well.  The photo on the right was for "one color".  Check my photostream (SMDPics) to see the shot I submitted.

Sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #111 and Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #272

Looking forward to 2021!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I took a walk yesterday with extra layers on just to get out of the house and see something other 4 walls and give my leg some exercise.

There are a lot of leaves on the ground and they make a lovely sound when I walked through them. 

There were big snowflakes falling for a few minutes.  In my neighbourhood we don't have snow on the ground yet.  I am surrounded by many areas that do have snow on the grassy areas.

I took this shot from very near the ground to have some good depth of field. 

Love the few snowflakes captured at the same time.

This is "Frank the Owl".  He is a multicolored glass figurine from Piers 1. He was rescued by my sister from the trash and donated to me. 

I love his big blue eyes.  He is very cute and has no chips or damage of any kind.  Thank you sister. His body is multi - colored glass with orange feet and beak.

I love glass despite that at times it is hard to photograph.

The navy yarn arrived with my sister from my Mom's house.  This is what I will assemble my new afghan when the squares are complete.  

I checked my old files this morning. Wow, I did a lot of crocheting in my twenties. Many were given away as gifts. I have 2 which stayed with me.

I have documented what yarn I used but not the size of the crochet hook or the pattern.  I will have to get started and do some sample squares to get them to 6.00 inches.  

Thanks to my sister again I have had 3 meals of turkey dinner.  Turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and dressing with garden fresh carrots. 

It was very good and another thank you to my sister.

On my walk yesterday I stopped at the recycle center and rescued these 3 books from a box.  I will quarantine them for a couple of weeks.

I have been reading a lot being at home so much so I need a regular injection of new ones.  I think our libraries are open but I have not been visiting them.

Winter has come very quickly to our area.  These flowers were still around.  The first is Pink Yarrow, the middle is a dried Echinacea or Cone Flower and there were still roses and buds.

 

"String" is the challenge for Flickr Macro Monday today.  The photo on the left is one of a few I took for the challenge.  It is a clay button with a jute bow.

You can check my Photostream SMDPics to see which photo I submitted. 

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #101  and Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #262.

Happy Thanksgiving - Turkey Day!

I took this photo at Fort Edmonton the other day.

I wish you Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I am grateful for family and friends and that I will be spending the day with dear ones to me.