Thursday 28 December 2017

Gifts I received for Christmas 2017

 Gifts I received for Christmas 2017:




From coworker:
  • A box of chocolate snowmen (white, milk and dark)
From my mother-in-law
  • $50
From my youngest sister-in-law:
  • Mr Tea's bio teas
From my parents:
  • Pj's
  • 3 bars of Lindt chocolate (hot chili and sea salt)
  • Crochet dictionnary
  • Flat iron for hair
From my niece Kasandra:
  • Beautiful bubble gum ornament
From my brother Eric:
  • Picture blocks of my nephew and niece
From my brother Stephen
  • Homemade kombucha (5 bottles)
Gift-exchange brothers / sisters (my sister picked me)
  • Beautiful yarn bowl
  • L-Glutmate protein (for my IBD)
From my son:
  • Lavendar bath products
From my daughter:
  • Bath bomb with jewelry inside (have yet to use it and get the jewelry)
  • David's Tea classic teas
From my husband (or rather from me to me :) )
  • DVD Walking dead seasons 3 and 4
  • DVD New Year's Eve
  • DVD Christmas switch
  • A wool sweater
  • Cranberry dark chocolate
  • 2 pairs of socks
  • PJ
  • Salt lamp
  • soft-fluffy gray infinity scarf
  • bracelet, necklace and ring set
  • 2 other bracelets
  • Small set of fairy lights
  • Pistachio nougat 
  • 6 silicone muffin cups
  • box of small Lindt chocolate
  • 1 long necklace
  • 1 lottery ticket
  • Pack of bamboo knitting needles
  • Leg ornament from a Christmas story
  • Hampton beach ornament
  • Minnie-Mickey hot-chocolate mug

Great gifts!

Monday 18 December 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-12-18

Last week before Christmas!  I am pretty much ready.  Everything has been baked, wrapped and decorated.  Just maintenance.  I did make a low-fodmap spaghetti sauce during the weekend and made a few casseroles for the freezer in case I have guests over the holidays.

DH's construction site is finished and he has been home for the last few weeks.  we thought it might be for the winter month's but he will know tonight if he starts at another construction sight right after the holidays.  Ooops... thought he would renovate the bathroom over the winter months... it might be delayed!

The weather
We had over a foot of snow last week, roads were slippery... uggg!  Tomorrow is 5 to 10cm of snow and then more snow over next weekend.

On my reading pile
10 adventures around the world from Pierre Dupont - very interesting to learn about people and places - Still reading 

On my TV
Christmas movies! - LOTS of Christmas movies
Finished 6ft under series

On the menu for this week (may be changed)
Since dh is off work - he's in charge. 
I have a rice-meatball casserole ready to reheat for 1 meal.  Some spaghetti sauce for a spaghetti night also. 

On my to-do list 
Wash basement fridge (did that today)
Regular housechores
Laundry (never-ending!)
I'm starting to think 2018 planning...

What I am knitting and crafting
Still working on the scarf - ongoing

Looking around the house
Christmas lights everywhere and a Christmas movie on tv

From the camera

Found this picture on the net... I want a 2-tiered stand for a hot cocoa bar!
I've made one in a tray for this year (1st time) but it doesn't have the 'oumpf' of a 2-tiered one. 

Simple pleasures
Soft pjs and fluffy socks

What I'd like to do
I'd like to ge on vacation right away!! but they are coming up.  I'll be off starting Thursday night and back to work on January 10th.

Quote of the week
Christmas isn't a season, it's a feeling
Edna Ferber

Monday 11 December 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-12-11

I've missed posting last week... it was quite a difficult week.  DD was sick and got exams done at the hospital.  She probably has crohn's disease :(  I've been battling with that for over 10 years and it is quite an ordeal.  She is off work until January 8th.  She is spending part of the week with us.


The weather
Snowstorm in the works for Tuesday and Wednesday.  Then it'll be a cold spell.

On my reading pile
10 adventures around the world from Pierre Dupont - very interesting to learn about people and places

On my TV
Christmas movies!

On the menu for this week (may be changed)
Since dh is off work - he's in charge. 
Tonight was cabbage rolls from the freezer.  

On my to-do list 
Clean up bathroom drawers.  
Clear out entry closets
reread my 2016-2017 Christmas notes to see what needs to be done
Prep the Saran-wrap gift for games

What I am knitting and crafting
Still working on the scarf

Looking around the house
Looks lived in ;)

From the camera
The girls are doing yoga

Simple pleasures
Christmas movies and knitting

What I'd like to do
Plan 2018 goals, 2018 word, 2018 crafts,....


Quote of the week
Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.
Dr. Seuss

Monday 27 November 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-11-27

Happy Monday!  Less than a month left before Christmas.  I'd say I'm 85% ready, maybe a little more.


The weather
We had our 1st snow last Friday.  Still some of the white stuff on the ground (barely).  Today is -6 with some winds.  Week is to be around -3 and 4C on Friday.

On my reading pile
10 aventures autour du monde Pierre Dupont - seems a bit long (over 600 pages) more like a documentary so we'll see if I read it through.

On my TV
DVR is almost empty.  So Christmas movies this week.  Yesterday was Max Lucado's The Christmas Candle.  Today I have a few Little House in the Prairie christmas episodes.

On the menu for this week (may be changed)
DH's job site closed last Friday so he will be home to cook this week :)  
Yesterday he made 3 chicken pot pies and 1 cherry pie.  So one supper will be chicken pot pie.  the others will be frozen for the Holidays.
DH will be making sheppard's pie for Monday night.
Hamburgers
Don't know about the other days but dh is in charge :)

On my to-do list 
Wrap, wrap, wrap.
Finish & mail Christmas cards
Christmas cookies, fudge, skor squares and rice-krispie squares were baked yesterday and frozen.
Regular housechores

What I am knitting and crafting
Scarf
Socks
Crochet discloths

Looking around the house
Yarn, knitting needles and crochet on the LR table.
Dark chocolate, teacup, ebook and tv controller on LR side table.
Wrapping paper, ribbons and gifts on the kitchen table
Christmas decor everywhere

From the camera
Pictures of my 2018 Christmas decorations









Simple pleasures
A snow day!  When you don't have to drive and go out

What I look forward to this week
Essentrics and stretching classes.  Lunch with cw's.. we will each bring our lunch and play some games... we are starting our Christmas stretch.

Quote of the week

Sunday 19 November 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-11-30

The weather
Lun.20 nov.
Nuageux avec éclaircies
-6°C
 -13
 -11°
 30 %
 -
 -
 25 km/h O.
 1
Mar.21 nov.
Ciel variable
6°C
 6
 2°
 30 %
 Près de 1 mm
 -
 8 km/h N.
 3
Mer.22 nov.
Risque d'averses
3°C
 -1
 -10°
 40 %
 Moins de 1 mm
 -
 18 km/h S.-O.
 2
Jeu.23 nov.
Généralement ensoleillé
-1°C
 -2
 -4°
 20 %
 -
 1-3 cm
 11 km/h S.-O.
 7
Ven.24 nov.
Averses de neige isolées
-4°C
 -8
 -9°
 40 %
 -
 Moins de 1 cm
 20 km/h O.
 9
Sam.25 nov.
Neige
2°C
 -2
 -5°
 70 %
 Moins de 1 mm
 10-15 cm
 17 km/h N.-E.
 0
Dim.26 nov.
Plutôt nuageux
-4°C
 -10
 -10°
 40 %
 -
 -
 22 km/h O.











































On my reading pile
Anders de la Motte - Buzz - book 2 of the game

On my TV
Regular tv programs are ending this week before Christmas, so I'll watch these.  Christmas movies will be watched this week, just haven't decided which ones yet.  I have a whole box.  Grand finale of our local The Voice for kids.

On the menu for this week (may be changed)
Tourtière
Steak, potatoes and carrots
Cabbage stuffed rolls
Chinese noodles
... Friday?
This can be changed

On my to-do list 
Regular housechores
- Laundry & ironing
- Sausages and bacon - DONE (dh just made them) for freezing
- Italian sausages to be cooked and sliced for freezing
- Mini-pizza muffins for freezing
- 1 or 2 desserts for freezing
- Prep half Christmas cards
- Wash oven
- Menu plan
- Wrap

What I am knitting and crafting
  Continue with scarf and socks
- Start crocheting dishcloths
- Make some felt ornaments

Looking around the house
Full Christmas decor with lots of lights everywhere, so nice and cozy.

From the camera

Picture taken of Le Château Frontenac in Quebec city this summer

Simple pleasures
Waking up and realizing you have the day off

What I am wearing today
Old jeans, comfy sweatshirt, crocs slippers


Quote of the week
Cold night
large sweater
warm tea
good books
soft socks
and box of chocolate

Monday 13 November 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-11-13

Well I knew I would skip sometimes and I did last week as it was a frantic week.  I usually work 4 days a week with Mondays off, but had to work on Monday (took Friday off instead), which upset my schedule.  I had taken notes of what I wanted to post about, so will add more this week.  I had Thursday off (2 exams at the hospital - nothing to worry about) and Friday, so it's been a nice 5 day weekend.

Halloween - we got 299 Halloweeners (road was closed with animation in the street).  I would have probably needed an extra 100 bags of candy.  It was fun to see all the small ones.

Here is a picture of me at work for Halloween


On Nov 4th we visited the Haunted Village D'antan with both children and their girlfriend / boyfriend, my sis and brother in law- it was nice but the wait to see the different houses was way too long.  we were there from 6:45 to 10:30... at 0C... when you wait in line it gets cold!  We all slept over at my daughter's appartment.  We had brought our inflatable mattresses, blankets and pillows.  My parents joined us for breakfast next morning.
We also got to visit with my uncle who is in a facility (he has Alzheimer's).  He did recognize me.

Last Saturday (nov 11) invited a few of my husband's cousins and their wives over for supper, as well as brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  I had made a big batch of ragoût de boulettes, some veggie soup. Appetizers was cheese, olives, crackers and grapes.  dessert were frozen profiteroles.  We played mime during the evening.

The weather
Today is a cold - 8 this morning, should warm up to 2 C, I think.  Around 1 to 4C all week.

On my reading pile
The game - Anders de la Motte.  Will read book 2 as I finished book 1 last weekend
Coup de Pouce magazine - Christmas edition.

On my TV
It - from Stephen King (the old version)
I'm thinking it's time to watch more Christmas movies.  Regular programs are in their last week before the Holidays

On the menu for this week (may be changed)
Chicken Tournedos
Stuffed bell peppers
Smoked meat sandwiches
Spaghetti

On my to-do list 
Order mini-tourtières for the Holidays (buying them from a local organisation this year)
Christmas decorating
Check dentist appointment
Updated gift list
Regular housechores

What I am knitting and crafting
Restarted my knit scarf
Started a new pair of knit socks

Looking around the house
Christmas boxes in the LR and a few Santas are up in my corner armoire.

From the camera

A picture of me and my husband taken at brother in law's 60th bday

Simple pleasures
Christmas movie + tea!

What I am wearing today
jeans, running shoes, sweatshirt.  An indoor day today.  

Quote of the week
There is beauty in simplicity

Monday 30 October 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-10-31

The weather
Today is 15C with lots of winds & rain... a Fall storm they are saying.  In some places (where my cousin lives in Abitibi) they are having it all in snow.

Have not watched the weather channel so don't know about the rest of the week but I do know it'll get colder.  Hoping for better weather tomorrow for the little Halloweeners.

On my reading pile
Mississippi by Hilary Jordan

On my TV
Started a new series Kidnapped

On the menu for this week (may be changed)
Monday - Stuffed bell peppers
Tuesday - Halloween so has to be fast and easy.  Crockpot veggie soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Wednesday - Chinese noodles
Thursday - smoked meat sandwiches

Last week nothing on the menu was eaten.  Monday I ended up in the hospital for a kidney stone and had to go back on Tuesday to be sure all was gone (it was).  Wednesday I was out for a haircut , Thursday we went browsing for a new washer (not bought yet) and Friday was groceries.... so no menu plan was followed.

On my to-do list 
- Regular housechores
- Schedule an echography - DONE today & switch lung RX so I only have to go once for all at the hospital.
- Wrap some stocking stuffers
- Pay bills
- Reserve supper & evening at a haunted village for next week
- Get the kitchen ready to receive Halloweeners
- Get Halloween decorations down and back up in the attic
- Put away Halloween costumes
- FB chat with 2 friends who have health problems
- Friday trying a new therapy for my stomache problems, so will be missing half a day of work.

What I am knitting and crafting
Knit scarf is on hold - have to see the knitting lady before I continue
Need to start a knit pair of socks
Halloween felt cones will be for next year

Looking around the house
Ready for Halloween tomorrow night!  Cat-stuff (bed, climbing tree, food, and toys) are all over the LR as we are babysitting the kitten Keisha until Tuesday night.  It belongs to my son's girlfriend.
Christmas wrapping paper, scissors and scotch-tape.  Wrapped elf gifts, stocking stuffers for the kids and mom's stocking stuffers :)

From the camera
Disco night Halloween party



Simple pleasures
Rainy weather and candles

What I am wearing today
Jeans, cami, comfy gray sweater and croc slippers.

Quote of the week

“Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” 
From my favorite film.... You've Got Mail

Monday 23 October 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-10-23

The weather

lun.
Partiellement couvert
20 °
11 °
mar.
Pluie
19 °
14 °
mer.
Averses
16 °
9 °
jeu.
Partiellement couvert
13 °
4 °
ven.
Ensoleillé
14 °
4 °
sam.
Ensoleillé dans l'ensemble
15 °
7 °
dim.
Pluie
12 °
9 °

Unseasonably warm once again.

On my reading pile
Still reading Into the Blue – Robert Goddard

On my TV
O', District 31, OD Bali, Unité 9, Mémoire Vive, L'imposteur.
There is a Halloween special from Oct 25 to Oct 31 on Ciné Pop, will record a few old horror movies.

On the menu for this week (may be changed)
Monday - 20C so it'll be Steak and potatoes on the grill
Tuesday - Pasta with ham
Wednesday - Soup and grilled cheese
Thursday - smoked meat sandwiches

On my to-do list 
- Regular housechores
- Massage therapist appointment on Monday
- If we are going to the Halloween party on Saturday I have to figure out Disco costumes
- Extra chores (might or might not get done) - wash oven, jennair, and fridge
- Finish Halloween bags
- Menu plan
- Pay bills
- Get a hair cut

What I am knitting and crafting
Continuing my knit scarf (have 1/2 done)
Halloween costume is DONE
Might start on felt ice cream cones

Looking around the house
All exterior stuff is put away except for 1 chair on the patio for those warm sunny days that are left.  Laundry needs to be done and a few things need to be picked here and there.

From the camera
Picture taken last spring of my parents, me and my sister.


Simple pleasures
working in my Chritmas, Fall and Happiness journals

What I am wearing today
Jeans, black sweater, running shoes.

Quote of the week

There are times when you realize that simple things are wonderful and enough.... Jill Badon Sky






Monday 16 October 2017

Happy Homemaker 2017-10-16

The weather
Monday is 10C with sun and some clouds
Mar.17 oct.
Risque d'averses
10°C
 8
 8°
 40 %
 Près de 1 mm
 19 km/h S.-O.
 6
Mer.18 oct.
Généralement ensoleillé
14°C
 13
 8°
 10 %
 -
 14 km/h O.
 9
Jeu.19 oct.
Risque d'averses
17°C
 16
 7°
 40 %
 Près de 1 mm
 25 km/h S.-O.
 7
Ven.20 oct.
Ensoleillé
14°C
 12
 6°
 0 %
 -
 24 km/h O.
 10
Sam.21 oct.
Ensoleillé
16°C
 16
 8°
 10 %
 -
 13 km/h O.
 10
Dim.22 oct.
Ensoleillé avec passages nuageux
17°C






























On my reading pile
Still reading Into the Blue – Robert Goddard

On my TV
Finshed 1st season of blue moon (excellent!) and season 2 of Nation Z (so-so).  Plodding along with season 2 of 6 ft under.
Sunday was H.Potter Movie Marathon with Val.

On the menu for this week
Monday - Sausages and mashed potatoes
Tuesday - Ham-egg quiche
Wednesday - Spaghetti
Haven't yet decided for the other days

On my to-do list (last weekend)
Wash outside basement windows - DONE
Deep clean all kitchen cabinets and declutter as I go - DONE
Deep clean linen cabinet - DONE
Change bedding in dd's room - DONE
Regular housechores - DONE

What I am knitting and crafting
Continuing my knit scarf (have 1/3 done)
Need to finish felt cookies for Halloween costume

Looking around the house
Beautiful Fall colors outside the windows.

From the camera
Hampton Beach summer 2017



Simple pleasures
Sitting down with a cup of tea and knitting.

What I am wearing today
Jogging pants, running shoes, cami, long sweater... housechores uniform!

Quote of the week

Don't less the silly little things steal your happiness