From the Estate of Ernie Winter

Earlier in the fall as we were in the unpacking state we received a phone call from the niece of Ernie Winter informing Glen that he had been left a water colour in Ernie's will. She had it packaged and a few days later it did indeed arrive. We were very surprised and pleased to find that it was the mate for the water colour that Ernie had given to us years ago. They are the perfect pictures to hang above our sofa in the living room. Mind you it was a challenge to ensure that theu were hanging level...lots of measuring and calculating to make this happen!!!
I have tried on numerous occasions to take a photo of them...but the sun always cast shadows. Yesterday seemed the perfect opportunity as I had the camera out at the right time of day. We smile every time we catch a glimpse of them.  

View from our Living Room

This is the view that we see each morning as we enjoy our coffee in the living room. We know that the school bus picks up Maria and Michael at exactly 8:10 and that Irene passes by our window on her way to work at the Credit Union at 8:17. I think we are adjusting well to small town Saskatchewan. We have to make a conscious effort to remember to collect the mail each day.  

St. Francis in the Snow

Brr! St. Francis is finding it a might brisk these days. We have had an inordinate amount of snow for November. Seems these unusual weather disturbances follow us around. Remember Hurricane Juan and White Juan both descended upon Halifax during our residency.
Michael shoveled us out this morning...all three bays of driveway. I spent the morning reorganizing the garage so that we can use the door closest to the house. This will really cut down on the shovelling. It is soft light snow...there is just a whole lot of it.
We were planning to go to Yorkton yesterday as Glen had an appointment with the eye doctor. When we saw the blowing snow and the state of our driveway we changed our minds. We have rescheduled the appointment for Friday so we are hoping that the snow will hold off until we return home.
Last Friday we went to Sacred Heart High School's fall musical performance of Anne of Green Gables. Michael's sister Maria had a part in it. It was very well done and brought back memories of the summer we took my sister to Prince Edward Island and went to a matinee at the Confederation Theatre and then to Green Gables.  

The Regina Adventure

We started our morning early...and should have had an inkling of the day that lay before us by our icey driveway and frozen garage door. Glen's workshop was to begin at ten o'clock...so we were confident that by leaving at seven o'clock we would be able to make the two hour drive and have time to spare. The next 140 km were like driving on a skating rink. Needless to say the school buses were cancelled that day. We perservered in the hope that the road conditions would improve. There were six transports off the road and one completely turned over in the ditch and a car accident on a side road. By the time we reached Fort Qu'Appelle a thick fog had settled in so we didn't make up for any lost time in the valley either. We arrived in Regina at All Saints about ten thirty......it was indeed a harrowing drive.
A great friend from my growing up days in Regina picked me up at the church and we spent the day together. Marian and Trevor have recently retired so there was lots of catching up to do. We had lunch with Marian's Mom....she is an amazing lady for her 87 years...it was such a treat to touch base with her again. She was like a second Mom to me whilst I was attending the University of Saskatchewan in Regina and my parents were in Ottawa. Marian and I did some power shopping for the Christmas parcels...and talked!!!
Glen and I met my sister Rhonda and Reg for dinner at Joey's Seafood for all you can eat fish. My niece Anna and her family joined us so we got to chatter with three year old Mahalia and admire five month old Ezekiel....he is a healthy, happy boy!!!
Following dinner we made a quick stop at Cosco! We found Christmas cards and wrapping paper...it was a very productive tweny minutes!!!!!
Reg and Rhonda offered us over night hospitality. They have a great home off Prince of Wales Drive. It has a huge yard with a wonderful deck. We hope it is the first of many visits.
On Wednesday we had a quick visit with Jean [Grandma Jean] before striking out....this time we encountered blowing snow on top of the already icey roads for the last leg of our journey. We are definitely considering hibernating for the winter.
Saturday we wended our way to the Recreation Complex where we partook of a great fall supper...cabbage rolls, perogis, turkey, turnips, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, and pie for dessert. It was a delicious feast. The complex is very impressive...they have a very modern kitchen, a steam table for serving....we met many community members. There is a skating arena as well as curling rinks....very well maintained.

The Fireplace

Thanks to a generous parting gift from the Gordon Group, some birthday gift certificates and some Canadian Tire money...we were able to purchase this elegant addition to our recreation room. It makes the room warm and cozy. It is electric and the fire box is very realistic. We love it!!!!
This last week has been somewhat uneventful. Trying to find a place for everything captures it all. I took on the challenge of the kitchen desk which has been an open the drawer and shove it in receptacle for all our bits and pieces for the past four months. The contents now reside in a series of ziploc bags each labelled and organized alphabetically in a basket. Glen has been working on his space downstairs.
Emil has injured his back so the garage door opener is not yet installed...nor is our new side door. We still have to put together the wardrobes we purchased for the downstairs workspace and bedroom.
Tomorrow we are off to Regina. It is about a two hour drive. Glen is attending a workshop at All Saints Church and I hope to do some visiting and shopping. December will soon be upon us!!!!! We will stay with my sister Rhonda and her husband Reg overnight. It will be an adventure!!!!  

Visitors Be Forewarned!!!!

Happy All Saints Day!!!
It is so hard to believe that it is the first of November. Our October snow has left us but November snow is trying to make its presence known. It is cold and blustery today and we are glad to be inside.
Last week we had guests. On Tuesday Aunt Lu and Uncle Murray from Kindersley...about a five hour drive....arrived. Much busyness preceded their visit. We were anxious to have the recreation room in an inhabitable state. It truly is a comfortable room. The fireplace makes it very cozy....and our gold corduroy sofa is so comfy. Great place to curl up and watch television or read. I think it will be a room that we really enjoy.
Glen has made great progress on his workspace. The computer is now hooked up and operational. It required several cables and some deliberation on Glen's part...plus a conversation with our nephew in Peterborough...but both of us can be on line at the same time. The printer now lives in the office downstairs and the good news is that we can open the closet door in the guest room!!!!!This is indeed a bonus as that is where all my warm clothes are and I am soon going to abandon the layers and switch over to WARM clothes.
Aunt Lu and Uncle Murray took on the project of scraping the wallpaper off from behind the kitchen cupboards in preparation for the installation of the lino as a back splash. So even guests get involved in the renovations. This past week Emil has been busy in the garage installing two new garage doors. The former doors were wooden, old, very worn and very heavy. The sheer weight of them contributed to their frequently jumping from the tracks. So we decided to bite the bullet and get new doors. The one closest to the house will be fitted with a door controller.
Friday mid day Aunt Lu and Uncle Murray departed for Kindersley and that evening my sister Rhonda and Reg arrived from Regina. Of course the Friday ritual is Steak Night at the Pub....a great meal was enjoyed by all. Rhonda and I never cease to have things to talk about...and it has been a while...it gave Reg and Glen an opportunity to get to know one another!!!! [Rhonda and Reg were married a year ago in July]
The house is feeling more and more like ours.