With our love, we could save the world. --George Harrison

Good Morning!

The world didn't end.....my cousin in Austrailia told us it was 'business as usual', as she left us hanging cause she was having a massage! haha

We had a wonderful, cold Christmas!
Would have been better if Kalen was here, but he did call from the ship, and everyone talked to him!

I was spoiled, as usual!
Gotta tell ya the highlights!
I got a $1,000.00 travel vouchure from  my bosses!
When I thanked them for it, I told them it was right up there with the tickets the kids got me to go see Emerson Drive, Doc Walker & Aaron Pritchett!!!!!

I worked Thursday & Friday, and will work Monday!

My mom had called Sunday, and asked about brining the turkey;.......get on the internet & look it up, and call me back....hahahaha!
So I did, we did,

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/turkey-brine/

http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/11/how-to-brine-a-turkey/

turned out great; don't put the stuffing in it, the gravy was awesome!
Didn't have to add anything!
I just used what was in my pantry, and I'd do it again!

Had trifle for dessert!

We ate too much, laughed too hard, played games, and the kids even took out the skidoos Christmas Day, in -30 something with the windchill!
Ya know you're from Canada when...............

 

They got all dressed up, and we asked if they went to the bathroom!

My gf was here, and she said kids should be sent out on the step, before you get them all dressed up, cause when that cold air hits them........................

She's the same gf who said, "You've got Christmas everywhere, and no tree!"

See, no one really missed it!

And one less headache and stresser for me!

(Hahahaha that rhymes!)

 

Vanessa was babysitting her cousins dog over Christmas, her name is Reese!

She didn't stay long when wanting out!

Someone had to dress up and go with her, or she wouldn't get off the step!

I. KNOW!

A dog in the house; she was no trouble!

 

 

Here's Buster at work, knawing on road kill!

I told B there was half a dinosaur out my office window!

Ya know yur a redneck when you give your pet half the animal for a bone!

 

 

Shadow's been loving her heated dog bed already this year I can tell you!

Last year she slept outside, cause it was too warm for her!

 

It's on the upward swing, days getting longer!

I see this morning it's only -6!

OMG, it'll feel tropical out compared to what we've had!

I better go, get ready to go to town.

I'm delivering AVON, and looking after houses for 2 gf's!

Ya, I know!

What was I thinkin!

I hate intensly dislike going to town, on weekends & holidays, unless I'm going to something!

I'll get over it!

 

Ray hurt his back; thinks he's 20;

 pulled something putting a humongous log in the wood furnace!

Yeah, I know you're thinking 'how convenient';

but he really did, he's got drugs & everything!

 

My mission today is to pull some snow off the roof!

(Which was Rays' mission, until he screwed that up!)

We have a handy dandy thing called a 'roof rake'!

It's awesome, as long as the snow is not packed!

 

Anyhoo, I made a card for my gfs stepdad who had a heart attack just before Christmas:

 

 

 

He's a John Deere man!

Farmed forever, still has a tractor or 2!

Hence the John Deere green!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!
Thanks to my blog friends that sent me cards & stuff! You know who you are!
I appreciate it!

Happy New Year everyone......just in case I don't get on here again before then!
Hope you're all well!
Ta ta for now!

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. --Agatha Christie

TGIF!

I keep forgetting to welcome my new follower(s)!
Glad to see you!
I doubt that you'll learn anything here, but you might get a laugh or 2!

I am getting ready for a wine & cheese party later tonight!
One of my BBF's bf planned it. (One of the gf's I spend every Wednesday dinner with)
I guess he figured if the world was ending she might as well be with her gf's!
Smart man, or maybe he's trying to get on Santa's 'NICE' list!!

These are the invitations she gave out!

Ya know ya live in a small town when............hahahaha!
And what's the concensus...Do I take wine for the host when it's a Wine & Cheese party?

Wine & cheese tonight, and dinner out tomorrow with Rays boss & co workers.

I've filled the furnace, cleaned the roof, fed & watered the cats & dog!

Had 2 dinners & gift exchanges out this week.........
One of my gf's said the Hot Chocolate on a Stick didn't even make it to the hot milk!!!

AND it's blizzarding!

I made Kalen a Congratulations card, cause last week he was awarded Sailor of The Quarter, at a small luncheon with the Lieutenant Governor!

I DID ask him for pictures & such!
He found out that morning & thought his crew mates were pranking him!
The US has a great site on the Navy, Canada...not so much!

Hope I get time to whip up a few cards this weekend!
My gf's stepdad had a heart attack......she said he 'needs' a 'Gail card'!

Vanessa & Shawn will be here on Monday; I think they're staying until Wednesday!
Hope it's not too cold for skidooing!

I go back to work next Thursday! Yay me!

Here's a Thank you card I made for the local theatre.
They are very generous with coupons for the kids for Daddy & Me!

 

I also gave them some Poppycock and Hot Chocolate on a Stick!

 

Better go, gotta start the van & stop at the liquer store!

Have a great weekend!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

December Challenge over at CCAYR!

Over at Christmas Cards All Year 'Round the challenge is:

 

To celebrate the arrival of Santa later this month our theme is of course Santa. Create a card that includes Santa. Now this can be an embellishment, paper or image so long as Santa is somewhere on your project.

 

 

Here's my  card:

 

 

Have a good evening everyone!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!



Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. --J. D'Angelo

Hello peeps!

Christmas has exploded all over the Luck house today!
Except for the tree; sadly there won't be one this year!
After getting 2 e-mails today with this Flash Mob, saying Isn't this What Christmas is About?
I'm over it!
I can't get it to go past 3:10, but it's very moving!

I've also made muffins, fired up the snow blower, vacumed & dusted, and I'm having popcorn for supper!

I might even make a couple cards!

This week was wonderful!
I had dinner with the gf's, and dinner & a gift exchange with other gf's.
I helped Thursday night at Daddy & Me at the Library.
Last night was our Christmas Party at work.
I DID go, cause my mom & aunt got on my case!
It's not a staff party, it's for everyone we do business with! Nough said!

And I start all over on Tuesday!

I finished the ornaments I made for Vanessa, hopefully she's too busy to lurk before Christmas!
She got her very first Christmas tree, it's white!
So I did the ornaments in; you guessed it....blue!

 

I had some metalic blue tinsel just begging to be used!

This next one took quite a few nights, cause I wanted the curls to be just so....

 

 

Too bad you can't see the glittery sparkle!

I added blue & silver glitter!

Note to self: DO NOT TURN UPSIDE DOWN TO SHAKE UP THE GLITTER!

 

These ornaments are all over the internet!

Why, even Michelle Zindorf did some!

 

I forgot I took these next pictures!

My friend Barbara will be thrilled!

He/She was snacking in a field on my way home from work one day!

 

 

 

 

 

Better go, so I can have some me time!

hahahaha

 

Hope you're all well, and hold your kids/loved ones close.

The shooting in Conneticut is affecting us up here too.

How senseless, and horrific.

Sending hugs to my US followers.

 

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

Hot Chocolate on a Stick!

I kid you not!
Just had to post!
I've tried it........A MA ZING!

I found this here (Caution: Sad Story)

http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2011/01/06/hot-chocolate-on-a-stick/

I used a double batch of my own fudge (cause it works, and I can!), and used 1/2 mint chocolate chips!

Five Minute Fudge (Never Fail) and that folks is why I like it!

2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1tsp vanilla
1 pkge (6 oz) Chocolate Chips
1 2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 diced marshmallows (cut them in 4)....just do it!
(You can use little marshmallows, but you won't have the right amount!!!)

Mix evaporated milk, sugar and salt in saucepan over medium heat.
Heat to boiling, then cook 5 min. stirring constantly.
Turn off, add marshmallows, chocolate chips & vanilla.
Stir until marshmallows & chips are melted, and pour into 8 X 8 sprayed pan.

Here's a teaser!

 

I DID use the marshmallow recipe, but I didn't grease everything in sight!

As a homemade marshmallow eating family,

I put water in my 8 X 8 pan when I started making these,

and dumped it out before putting the marshmallow in!

Cut with a wet knife!

Ya gotta keep the knife wet!

Lookit!

 

 

And here's the finished product.

I'm thinking these will keep for a couple weeks in the fridge.

Not sure if they can be frozen;

 I'll be finding out on Tuesday when I put some in my vehicle to take for a gift exchange!

Oh, and I kinda dipped the marshmallow part in icing sugar,

cause I didn't want it sticking to the bag!

What's a little more sugar I say?!

 

 

In other news, Vanessa has her first Christmas tree, so I'm making her a couple ornaments!

I'll show you when I'm done!

 

These next pictures are for my friend Barbara!

I'm trying to send her more snow too!

 

A polite moose, looks both ways.......

 

 

 

Crosses the road.

 

 

 

There ya go!

He did get into the trees & look back as if to say

WTH; is she still there!?

 

 

Also my friend Elaine had this on her website!

 

We thought we would give you another chance to win a mystery prize

and all you have to do is spread the word and leave a comment now and again on this blog

Once we get to 150 followers one lucky person will win!

 

It really is a cute snowman!

 

Aren't I just a wealth of information today!

 

Gotta go, started addressing my Christmas cards (late I know),

and some don't have sentiments!

WTH!?
What was I thinking!?

 

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge

* * * Let it Snow * * *

Create anything that reminds you of SNOW and lets have some fun with some Magical Winter Weather. Please remember to use challenge code HMFMC134 when uploading your projects to any online galleries to help us find your work easily.

 

I needed a Christmas card for my mom, and she loves the HM so

I've played along with the wonderful people over at House Mouse & Friends

and here's what I came up with!

 

Not only is the picture crooked, the lighting's not the best!
It's glittery & snowy IRL!

The sun shone the other day for a minute, and my gf said;
"It's so nice to see the sun; it's not as much fun living in a snow globe as you might think!"

Now I'm going to check out the House Mouse DT creations!
They have hidden Christmas blog candy!
You have over a week to play!

Have a great weekend!
Talk to ya later!
Ta ta for now!

 

Don't expect a great day; make one. --- Author Unknown

Hello everyone!
Hope you're well!

Got a few cards to show you!

Finished Vanessa's Christmas card...of course it's blue!

 

Gonna send it right away, cause I've already 'lost' Kalens!?

 

This is the card I made for Kalens room mate!

I bought a bunch of  Bugaboo stamps from Stampalicious.

I'm not 'into' digis....I have done them;

I don't have a good program, so it's painful to resize them etc.!

 

 

The inside says "He Knows Where You've Been on the Internet."!

I decided I don't always have to do 'cute' & 'nice'!

 

In other news...the weather report!

 

 

Still snowing!

Visibility was crappy, I can't even see 2 power poles down the road!

 

I need to fire up the snow blower again!

I might have a minute Thursday night!

 

I have to buy another flag from the county office, so the nice grader man can come again!

It must have snowed 6 inches this evening!

 

Dinner with the gf's tomorrow night/ one is in Trinidad,

and one just got back from Florida and a cruise!

I'll bet she's wishing they stayed!

 

Craft sale again on Saturday.

Meeting some peeps there for lunch!

Then next week the fun begins with Christmas celebrations with friends;

Daddy & Me at the Christmas Tree at the Library........

I've volunteered since they started....I help the little dumplings e-mail their letters to Santa!

That's always good for a laugh!

 

I keep forgetting to ask if we're having a Christmas party at work this year!

Should put that on a list for tomorrow!

I like to be prepared; they always send me shopping!

 

Better go, I'm working on a House Mouse card for the Monday challenge.

It's not too late to join in!

 

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

Light tomorrow with today. --Elizabeth Barret Browning

Hello peeps!
Hope you're all well!
I have a minute, maybe 10; and I am drinking a beer, but thinking about going to blow snow!
I did get the Advent baby gift delivered this week!
It was a BIG hit, and they were excited for the weekend (today) to start!!!

Monday this week I had an FCSS (Family & Community Support Services).
It was short & sweet so did dinner with a friend!

Tuesday was a FOML (Friends of the Manning Library).
That was short & sweet too, and afterwards we had a whine wine & snack get together with the Library Board.
This was my contribution + a bottle of Two Colors wine from Dr. Zen Zen.
These are 2 Bite Cheesecake, and Rum Balls

 

Earlier this week I saw this guy!

 

Not the same as the Hogwarts Owl last year, but maybe someone's cousin!

 

Buster thought I was working too hard one day, and strolled into my office,

and flopped his head on my knee!

Or maybe he just wanted a little TLC!

 

 

WE let him in the office to thaw out on cold days, cause he won't go in the shop.

 

These guys were on the road!

It's SNOWING again, so the least snow is on the road!

 

 

 

The weather forecast shows no snow for Thursday!?
THURSDAY!? SERIOUSLY!? 
WhooptyFreakinDo! OY!

I did Happy Hour at the Old Folks Home last night. And it WAS happy!

This morning was a funeral for one of my old friends from the OFH!

He was the one who took an alarm clock to a picnic, cause his watch broke.
The alarm wouldn't shut off!

He sat behind me on the bus, and told EVERYONE that would listen that I drove 100 mph.
We're metric here people....he just didn't get that memo! We had a talk!
He also didn't get to sit in the seat behind me anymore!

I have a ton more stories; I tried to be sad, but we'd just get the giggles.

He had a tiny framed picture of him & I that sat at his place in the dining room when I quit!
He showed it to me one day.
Me: "Where are we?"
Him: "Idunno"
Me: "What are we doing?"
Him: "Idunno"
Me: "Well we're sure happy!"

The family's going to give it to me!

I was an honorary pallbearer, and it WAS an honor!
I think he was autistic (somewhat), also obsessive compulsive, I learned a lot of patience with him;
he was exasperating at times, but always made me smile!
I'll miss him! He was 84.

I came home and made 3 batches of poppycock!

One of Vanessa friends in Vancouver wrote this about it earlier this week!

Yaaay!!! Haha. Gail, are you making poppycock this year? If so, I would love to place an order. Its not Christmas without your poppycock!! Xo
You're the best! I rave about your poppycock here!!!
That's how much I love it. Whatever you can do...no pressure. I'll live without if you can't. Totally OK! :-)

I left out the part about how it must be laced with CRACK cause that's how addictive it is!
GAWD!
Anyhoo, as you can see, there's no pressure (yeah right), so I got right on it!
Gonna mail it out on Monday, cause he's not coming home for Christmas.

Finally we got the snow removal flag down to the end of the driveway, BEFORE the grader went by, and here he is!!!!

 

I was so happy to see him, I ran outside with a bag of poppycock for him too!

Tis the season after all!

 

I DID make a card this week; when you ask?

.........Must have been in my sleep!

I have to make the kids different Christmas cards this year (usually I make them the same);

they post them on Facebook these days!

Not sure if it's a competition or what!

 

I still want to make a Thank You for Kalen & his friends for hanging out with me while I was there!

 

Anyhoo, here's the card!

 

 

I got the inspiration over here!

I have a few more cards in my pointed little head,

but I really think I'm going to fire up the snow blower!

 

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!

I've Had an Adventure!

Hi everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving to my peeps to the south!

I left Grande Prairie on Thursday afternoon & got to Victoria Saturday night!
OY!
Edmonton & Calgary got a dump of snow, and flights were delayed and/or cancelled!
The airline put us up at a hotel for 2 sleeps, and I made the best of it!
Not dressed for the blizzard, some friends rescued me for Friday afternoon!

This post will be picture heavy, and not a crafty thing in sight, so you can stop reading now if you like!

We went to the Remembrance Day celebration at the parliament building.
There were a lot of uniforms!

 

Kalen...we're on our way somewhere!

 

This was a deer on the Naval base.

That's about all I was allowed to take a picture of there!

I got to tour Kalens ship/ which is still being refurbished or something,

and is not on the Navy website yet!

 

Kalen lives 1 block from the harbor!

You can see the water down there if you look hard!

 

There were some really cool houses on his street!

This one has got a lot of TLC!

 

I trotted down to the harbor every morning to watch the float planes!

 

And the ferries!

 

And check out the neighborhood watch!

 

We were on our way to Sydney for Fish on Fifth!

These poor pumpkins were drowning!

 

This was our ride some of the time!

Yes, I DID sit in the back!

 

Holly, REAL HOLLY!

My favorite plant in Victoria!

 

We went to a Salmon Run!

It was sad, but interesting!

 

LOOKIT!

The Whomping Willow from Harry Potter!

 

That's a lot of firewood!

 

 

Hahahaha, this made me smile!

 

The Empress still impresses!

And YES, I've had tea there!

 

We did Dim Sum!

 

I DID get to Michaels!

 

We went to Breaking Dawn Part 2!

 

We went to Spinnakers Brew Pub!

 

It was a great visit, and I was sad to leave!

The day I left, the ferris wheel was opening downtown.

It was the Santa Claus parade, and there was a wine tasting/ appetizer thingy somewhere!

 

Look at the ivy covered building!

 

Now I'm playing catch up at work!

Because my trip was delayed 2 days, I stayed another 2 days!

 

I'm making Christmas tags for the Stollery Childrens Hospital!

 

Saturday there's a Christmas Market, and I'm going!

 

I have to fit in wrapping the water lines this weekend, and getting out the snow people!

And baking....something!

 

Next week I have 2 meetings and I'm doing Happy Hour at the Old Folks Home!

 

Better go!

Hope you're all well!

Talk to ya later!

Ta ta for now!