Monthly Archives: December 2013

Day 152 – Monday in Moscow

Day 152 – Monday, November 25, 2013

Susan and Julie and I were the only ones left in Moscow this morning. The rest of the family had made their way back to their respective homes. Julie notes “The place felt a bit empty so we turned up some motivational iTunes. Well the Anne Murray tunes motivated Susan to go have a shower anyway. And some others had us speaking fake German or whistling poorly. Annoying enough to keep Brad working away outside and leaving us to fill the table and kitchen with ‘treasures’.” Julie and Susan continued their cleaning, sorting, and organizing. I began packing and wrapping some things Julie wanted from her mom and dads to take back to Grande Prairie.

One of the items is an old antique very large HEAVY wooden cabinet. One of Jim and Vera’s neighbours dropped by and was coerced into helping me move the cabinet to the deck to be wrapped. I think it must have weighed close to 200 lbs and was a good lift for the two of us but we made it. Julie notes “Suze and I frantically looked for CPR instructions and the number for 911 amongst all the papers we were sorting as we watched from a safe distance. Luckily neither was required. Harley will be thinking twice before he drops in unexpectedly again. I think I heard him mutter WTF? (Wife Too Frail?) to lift WTF? (Weighty Tall Furniture?) WTF! (Well That Figures!)”

Susan, Julie and I were invited to Corrie and Brenda’s for dinner. Their son Robin joined us at their home near Violet, ON. Brenda prepared a delicious stew served over mashed potatoes after our appetizer of salami and cheese. We had a good visit over dinner, wine, and dessert.

Harley and I moving the cabinet to the deck. Julie notes “WTF! (Watch That Frog!) And those toes!”

Harley and I showing our pipes. Julie notes “WTF! (We’re Tough Fellows!) Thanks guys. We realized after that maybe we should’ve emptied the bricks and rocks and shells out of the bottom of it before the move. Don’t tell Harley.”

Some of the sorting, packing and organizing happening on the kitchen table. Julie notes “We kept telling Brad, ‘only the stuff that was on the table’ was going to Grande Prairie, but every time he turned around the table would magically refill.”

Corrie and Brenda in the kitchen. Julie notes “Somebody is getting the finger. I think it might be me.”

Susan and Robin enjoying a drink.

The gang at dinner. Julie notes “Brenda is waving a lovin spoonful of mashed potatoes. Which segues to my reference the other day as we got closer to home, of the Lovin’ Spoonful singing ‘Darling Be Home Soon’. Corrie and Brenda, were good friends with Lovin’ Spoonful band member Zal Yanovsky, who was chef and owner of the Chez Piggy restaurant, in Kingston, where Brenda has worked for many years.”

…over and out, the muleskinner and his sidekick

Julie notes “That is not a polar bear in the above picture. That is WTF (Woolly Tubo Friend) the Samoyed, and by Robin’s side little Jet Li. Not seen, but always present, guarding Corrie and Brenda from crazy family and in laws, is WTF (Willow The Fierce) an old rescue Great Pyrenees who becomes more protective as she ages. We just remember to move slow and steady and no sudden movements and everyone was happy.”

Day 151 – Five Siblings Feast For Fun

Day 151 – Sunday, November 24, 2013

Today, a family get together was planned. Julie’s brothers and sisters and families along with other relatives arranged a dinner at the “Holmestead”. Twenty people and five dogs were in attendance for a great pot-luck meal of pate, cheeses, deviled eggs, cabbage salad, buns, ham, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, brussel sprouts, onion pie, sweet potatoes, squash, and desserts of apple crisp and banana split cake. Delicious!

Below, Peyton is concentrating on her homemade banana muffin for breakfast. Julie notes “Oh what a cute little monkey. She had no fear of Uncle Brad stealing that from her as he is still haunted by a bad childhood banana experience. But I helped myself to one or two. Yum yum, thanks Kelly! We also got to try some delicious homemade applesauce that the Storey boys had made in mass production at their Four Storey Acres. A trial expansion to their Maple Syrup product line perhaps? The taste testings’ were well received. With Brad as his toast wing man, Jim whipped us up a deluxe breakfast as well. And where there are meals there are always dishes so kudos to Ron for being the best and most dependable dishwasher, day in and day out! So much appreciated!”

Sorting through some of Vera’s handy work. Julie notes “Isaac is saying ‘WTF? (Where’s The Fleece?). We were choosing treasures from what was left over from the ‘Vera’s Table for Martha’s Table’ fundraiser that the community had had the week before. It was a sentimental journey for us all, feeling and touching and trading and collecting and sizing up gifts for others. Suze will set up another ‘Vera’s Table for Martha’s Table’ at the community breakfast coming soon with the remaining items to sell for a good cause.”

Around the kitchen table again. Julie notes “Peyton is still working on that full course Playdough meal so we had to supplement with cheese and amazing pate and such to keep the rumblies away. Get cooking Peyton!”

Visiting and storytelling during Happy Hour. Julie notes “I seem to be looking confused in these last two pictures. What do you suppose is going on in that little pea brain? WTF? (Where’s The Fois gras?) or is it called pate?”

Our special guests, Aunt Hazel (Vera’s sister) and her daughter Cindy, made the drive from Pickering to join us for the day. Julie notes “Aren’t they beautiful? And I am not just saying that in hopes that they will adopt all five of us orphans. Cindy is the gal who made and donated the beautiful quilt for the silent auction at the above mentioned Vera’ Table last weekend. She is also the main chauffeur, body guard, and dessert maker extraordinaire for our precious aunts Hazel and Elsie.”

Susan and Ron’s daughter, Randi, and her new family addition. Julie notes “One of our 5 canine dinner guests today. Have a good look at the cute little 10 week old puppy now because based on his gene pool she may be able to get a saddle and ride to Moscow once he gets growing. Sweet puppy and all the gang played nicely, most of the time. The same could be said about the humans as well.”

…a great celebration day with family, over and out, the muleskinner and his sidekick.

Julie notes “WTF!(Wonderful Time Family!) But WTFWH. (Wish The Folks Were Here.) Love you all. And keep gathering around the kitchen as much as you can.

Day 150 – Moscow Games

Day 150 – Saturday, November 23, 2013

I started the day out with a trip to the Wilton Cheese Factory to stock up on some delicious products; fresh cheese curds, extra old cheddar, gouda, blue cheese, and some sweet baby dills. Julie was busy cleaning various parts of the house. Julie notes “Many spiders were injured in the making of this blog. To the ones that escaped my duster and vacuum, there is always tomorrow. I don’t like WTF (Webs Touching Face).” More family were scheduled to arrive this afternoon. Susan, Ron, Julie, and I had a great lunch of cheese and crackers, grapes and condiments. MMMM Good. Julie notes “Yum! Squeaky cheese! WTF! (Wow That’s Fresh!)” Ron made a big pot of chili for supper. We all enjoyed the chili and hot dogs with some fresh buns, garlic bread, and salad.

The Wilton Cheese Factory goodies.

Julie’s sister Krista, and her husband Jim along with their children Adam and Harrison arrived as planned. Julie’s brother Quentin and his wife Kelly and children Isaac and Peyton arrived later in the afternoon. Julie notes “WTF!!! Welcome Terrific Family).”

Here are some random family shots of the day.

Visiting in the kitchen.

Around the table just like in Julie’s poem.

Cousins watching a movie and playing games; Harrison, Isaac, and Peyton. Julie notes “WTF movie (Way Too Funny)”

Julie photo bombs a Quentin & Kelly Holmes’ family moment. Julie notes “I don’t remember doing this. Maybe I was trying to stop Peyton from some play dough faux pas. Or catch flies? Now that the spider population has been reduced.”

Peyton doing some crafts in the footsteps of her Grandma Vera.

…over and out from Moscow, the muleskinner and his sidekick