Trying to keep a tradition alive/aflame

 

We planned to have our traditional first fire of this warm autumn once Sophie was home from uni but something is broken... So we switched to candles, supper in a dish, and "crisps" from Mum's recent trip to the land of strange flavours. This year's temptation - a cheese toastie and Heinz Baked beans! 

They really were that taste!

Magnolia tea

Another year of deliciousness

Two kids who indulge their mum

and have some fun

A warm spring and a work trip meant that we were watching the rainy forecast closely but the sky cleared and we were able to sit out and enjoy the blossoms!

 

How to say you're a dog owner without saying you're a dog owner...

post-walk...

 

Thanksgiving weekend with Dad

choosing paint for the condo

the masked gang roaming the halls

siblings 1

siblings 2

Summertime and the living is easy!

What a relaxing and lovely spot the Fern backyard is

Beautiful skies and foliage

 

Fixing it

For an engineering student, there aren't many photos of Seb fixing something but he nailed this wonky cabinet hinge

Some like it hot!

Full house

Both while I am here and away, the house is brimming with people. Yippeee!

Hard at work

Sometimes you just have to give them concrete chores as a parent. He did a decent job.

A range of summer things

There was the full moon

And our flowers

Not to forget the Habs' run to the finals!

Our neighbours breathed a sigh of relief

Our roof has been an eyesore for a few years. Concerned neighbours would even stop me on the street and tell me how I was risking my ceilings and insulation, etc. So finally, the stars aligned and the rains held off, and we have a new roof over much of the house. yay!

It's been a busy 6 days

A new to us sofa, kindly delivered by a neighbour and carried in by another one! The source was a former Grove family and they stencilled that wall themselves - can you imagine, George & Lorraine!! >

A broken faucet in the bathroom that eventually required a replacement and a plumber's visit

proof that our dog sheds and sheds and sheds - but that our new dryer catches it!

With restrictions prolonged again, things are getting desperate around here... Test drove a new to us car & remounted the treadmill with the lad - no photos!

And then today, Persian New Year (happy Nowruz to all!), the tenant's kitchen faucet mysteriously gave up the ghost - so another faucet was rapidly acquired and the plumber is back. Ka-ching! What will Sunday bring...

Same old, same old

I haven't posted much because, well, not much is happening during lockdown 2.0. The main excitement has been the repairs to our back addition and a most welcome new washer & dryer! (We estimate a backlog of 9 loads!!)

And well, someone tried to dye her hair purple again and in the process, the bathtub suffered...

First time for everything?

Seb asked if we could start a new tradition of a Christmas tree; I said "nah". But then, hey, we could have it just once! So we went and chose one at a lot on Roncesvalles. It is 6 feet and then some. And we carried it home on our shoulders (lovely memory).

Here, Seb and our "COVID Winter roomie", Kate are setting it up.

A few days later we did the lights

And then winter came (and went)

and we got serious about decorating it

(I think he looks like a bearded elf in that hat!)

My first tree as an adult!!

 

 

Homegrown and taste soooo good

remember that bag of green tomatoes?

Tossed with zucchini "noodles" and pesto and then topped with Sophie's favourite - halloumi

We did good (even if the squirrel did its best to thwart us!)

 

Essential work

Like the time I took the dryer apart and fixed the scraping sound (still not sure what it was...)

 

Busy work

That's what my friend Ros calls it but it does satisfy and there is lots of it in a house...

 

Dastardly critters

First came a random tomato "wedged" into my window (just 10" from my sleeping head)

Then came a 1/2 eaten stolen tomato left to rot outside my bedroom window 

The next day the culprit came to polish it off.

I swear that at this point my not very productive tomato plants are just a squirrel meal plan. SO FRUSTRATED!!!