Wordless Wednesday

 

Christmas preparations, shopping, and oh snow!

For those wondering, the wordless Wednesday was an experiment. D and Eli have been trying various experiments over the last week. This one started with three glasses with water and two empty. They added food coloring to the water, and then placed folded paper towels in the glasses. D explained to Eli how plants get water from the soil around it, seeking out water from a distance through their root system. Interestingly, while they started with different water levels in the three glasses, all five ended up with similar amounts through the transfer. We also wondered how the colours would blend (they did, but not as we expected). The experiment continues as she is using the project to explain evaporation too. 

Another week in the rear view mirror and with it, winter is drawing closer. We did have a few snow flakes on the weekend but nothing stuck. The day time temperatures are staying above the freezing mark, which is appreciated at this time of year. We haven't seen a lot of the sun either, and the "dark" hours being earlier in the evening and extend into the morning. I heard my daughter asking Google how many days until the winter solstice. She really finds the dreary days difficult.

As a result, we've started the winter/Christmas decorating. There are ornaments like icicles, snow flakes, even snow men that can be put out now and remain out until spring. We put up the tree on Sunday, fluffed out the branches, but didn't start to decorate it for a few days to allow it to settle. This tree holds only ornaments that D had - my ornaments remain in a tub as they don't match her silver and blue theme. We've talked about a second tree, but I don't know where we'd put it. I don't need/want a small tree in my bedroom, as the cats use my dresser for watching out the windows. The big tree is currently in the office with the French door, allowing it to be seen from the living room but out of reach of interested kitty paws!

Wednesday was voting day for the municipal elections. We dropped Eli off at school, and drove over to the community center to vote. It was a short walk upstairs to the walking track where we spent a half hour walking with a few regulars. This is the third or fourth time we've walked and I'm starting to recognize some individuals. The hockey team was exercising on part of the track today, so we would walk one way as far as we could without interrupting their work-out, and then turn and walk the other direction. A couple of the other walkers weren't as cautious and walked along the edge of the track. Some of the exercises had the young men jumping over low pieces of equipment on one leg or from side to side...we didn't want to chance being bumped if someone lost their footing. Besides, they smelled funky! They were clearly putting effort into their work-out.

I've started working on Christmas ornaments for Eli's teacher, teacher's aides, principal, and counselor. There are six ornaments needed this year, and I decided to make crocheted gingerbread ornaments. I found a couple of patterns, tried one - didn't like it, so used the second one. It can be made a single or double layered ornament and I chose to do the double layer. I changed the pattern slightly to include the white edging, added safety eyes and a bit of stuffing, and enlarged the little bow. Of course, I learned a bit with the first one and Eli has asked to keep this one, so I'll continue to tweak the pattern and finishing as I go along. 

Once those are complete, I'm planning to make trolls for my niece and nephew. What my brother and his wife will get is still to be determined. The more I look through possibilities in Pinterest, the more suggestions I get so I know I'll find something.

Grocery day was Thursday, which normally means sticker shock here in our small town. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that the sale price on many of the items was as low as I find in the city. I tend to buy our groceries based on what is on sale, with a few basics thrown in. But even the basics seemed to be a bit lower than I remember from this summer. I know it won't last, so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

We dropped Eli at school on Friday and went to the walking track. We walked for just over 35 minutes before heading home. My right knee has been giving me grief, and while I'm sure the walking is good for me, it does irritate my knee. My daughter has issues with her hip flexors and needed to stretch when we got to the house. Clearly, we both need to keep moving!

That afternoon we got a call from the delivery company - they were on the way with our new fridge and stove. We had about 15 minutes to clear out the old appliances before they arrived. After removing the doors from the old fridge and taking off the back door it was removed from the kitchen and the new one was brought in. Switching out the two stoves was much easier! Then it was time to return all of the food items into the fridge. The old fridge was a side by side, while the new one has French door fridge on top and the freezer on the bottom. The new freezer had just enough capacity to hold what was in the side freezer, however the new fridge capacity is much larger than the old one. D baked that afternoon to try out the new convection oven - it also doubles as an air fryer, though we'd have to buy a special pan. D has a double air fryer so I don't think we'll bother. She also set up the app on her phone as both appliances are WiFi enabled. I won't bother...

I spent some time crocheting and have the bodies of three more gingerbread stitched. Once I've got all of the pieces made, I'll put them together and do the finishing. There is football today and tomorrow to watch so I hope to have them all done by the end of the weekend.

Though I hadn't planned to return to the city until mid-week, my plans have changed as we're getting snow and rain in the next few days. (5 cms./2 inches expected today). I'm scheduled to take the bus trip to Bismarck for Black Friday shopping on Thursday. And no, that isn't the trip I hinted a month ago. This will be my first winter driving in the SUV and I'll admit, I'm a little nervous. Monday seems to be the best option. Since I'll be away, there won't be a post next Saturday. CORRECTION: Thanks to Cheryl for reminding me that Black Friday isn't until Nov 29th. I would have been 10 days early for the trip. Plans have changed!

Have a great week ahead everyone!

Friday Funny

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Get my shots, some good news, and a oopsie mistake

I really need to write a bit of my post every day, because looking back I often forget what happened. The big moments of the week were: getting my Covid and Flu shots on Monday, staying up wayyyyy too late watching the results of the US election, waking up to snow one morning, and a trip to the larger community nearby. 

The latter was primarily for Eli's dental appointment but, of course, we did some shopping too. While D and Eli were in the dentist's office, I went to Walmart to pickup some groceries. I discovered on the weekend, I'd forgotten the bag from Costco and we are out of peanut butter and mayonnaise.  I have peanut butter on toast almost every day. We had identified other needed items so I left the store with several bags and a lighter wallet.

D texted me, just as I got back in the car after loading the back, saying they were ready for pick-up. NO cavities, hurray!!  She booked his next appointment for another check and cleaning in six months. 

We left the parking lot and headed to Dollarama and Value Village. As we got closer, I realized that there had been an accident in the major intersection ahead. One semi had rear-ended another, hard enough to cause the trailer to run into the tractor ahead, damaging the tractor and the load on the trailer.

D took these photos from the passenger seat so there is a bit of glare. There were no apparent injuries, the driver of this vehicle was out on the street talking to someone on his cell (his boss, I suspect), and we later saw the offending semi being driven away. I'm surprised it didn't have front end damage as it must have hit this one pretty darned hard. (Eli calls accidents oopsie mistakes and this was definitely due to a distracted driver.)

We had to make a detour to get to the stores, but that wasn't a problem. D had a coupon for 30% off clothing and found t-shirts and pants for both she and Eli. I picked up a few household items: a muffin tin, a 4 piece mini-loaf pan, and three drinking glasses. The latter are for an experiment that Eli and D will do over the weekend. 

Earlier in the week, I had my Covid and flu shots. Since I'm now 65, I was offered the "high-dose" flu shot. I had no idea such an option exists, but I took it, with one shot in each arm. Both were tender, the Covid arm more so for a couple of days. Otherwise I had no reaction to either, though I decided to relax and take it easy on Tuesday...it was a pajama day for me. :)

I finished the 10th pair of mittens, and sent them off to the school with D. I have one more pair to finish that are adulte sized, that my daughter asked for - she liked the yarn colour. Then, it is time to turn my mind to Christmas crocheting. I'm going to test make a gingerbread man ornament as they may be the gift for Eli's teachers. There are also my brother, his wife, and two adult children - I'm thinking trolls for the kids but not sure what their parents will get. 

D is anxious to get into the Christmas season, while I wouldn't mind waiting a few more weeks. We went through the Christmas tubs, eight of them plus a box, and put some items away for donation, a few pieces need to be mended, and a few items were tossed in the garbage. We'll be down to seven tubs, assuming we don't buy anything more! It was fun going through things, as I didn't do much decorating last year at C's house, so some of the items I haven't seen in nearly two years. We talked about where things might be displayed because this is a new place for both of us. I'm sure we'll change our minds on some things and I won't be surprised if more ornaments make their way to the donation bin. 

The television coverage of the Grand Slam of Curling started on Thursday, and I've caught a few draws. The latest draw starts at 10 p.m. our time, far too late for me. I'll be watching again today, but will interrupt the curling to watch the Riders in the West final. They are matched up against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, our nemesis. I'm certain it will be an entertaining game, though if it is a blow-out, I'll like turn it off and watch the curling instead. 

Have a good weekend everyone, and a great week ahead! 

Friday Funny

 

Wordless Wednesday