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since August 2006
Its gonna be pretty sunny and warm today and after yesterday's disasters we thought it a good plan to rent the steam clean machine from the store in town and clean our own carpets and upholstery. This was all done by noon and Suzie was able to sit outside and help with cushions and carpets that came out to dry in the sun. After lunch I returned the carpet cleaner then we washed the one carpet that was submerged in the flood, and all of our throw blankets that help keep our upholstery from being soiled. We were able to stay outside in the sun while things dried inside.
Once the cleaning was completed I removed the house batteries from our coach, cleaned them up and topped up the water in the cells, something I do at least twice a year, more preventive maintenance. With all our chores done we still had time to sit in the sun to read and chat with a few neighbours as they strolled by. Then time to whip up a tasty supper of bacon wrapped scallops, rice pilaf and garlic bread w/cheese.
As we were cleaning up Justin dropped by and brought us some chicken legs he had made for supper, too much for him, and told him to bring his supper over and sit with us. After a nice visit we watched a bit of tv before calling it a night.
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New Year's Eve, Stone Island, Mexico
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They say events happen in threes, well enough for us in a 24 hour period. It started Tuesday afternoon when I brought home a 24 case of my favourite beverage. As I opened the door and put it on the floor inside, "clang fizz" one broken bottle making a mess. We cleaned up the mess and carried on.
When we arrived here 2 weeks ago our engine battery in the coach seemed to be dead. So this morning I removed it and checked it out to see if it would hold a charge. During this time I cleaned up the battery in the car and the battery box in the coach. To do this I need baking soda and water. When I disconnected the hose from our coach, I usually open the tap in that compartment to take the pressure off the line. Well when I hooked the water up again I did not notice the tap was still turned on, its connected to our Black water holding tank (toilet for those not familiar with the term). Well a while later Suzie mentioned a bit of a sewage smell and at the same time I went outside and heard water running. OH NO I ran and shut the water off and dumped the black water tank. The water had filled the tank and overflowed onto the bathroom floor, what a mess!! Well I got the shop vac here and cleaned up as much water as I could then Suzie borrowed a mop, and cleaned and cleaned, Pinesol smells much better than black sewage water. And she never even yelled at me!!
After lunch I went to Canadian Tire in Forest, picked up the new battery and came home and installed it in our coach. I took the one floor mat that got soaked and washed and dried it, we tidied up then decided it was time to relax in the shade with a book and a beverage. Now all set up, I went inside to pour our drinks into our travel mugs and guess what, I spilled it! Onto the throw mat in front of the sink. So now outside with the saturated mat and hose it down. Thats three things now, is it safe for me to move or should I be tied up??? By now Suzie is laughing at me, good thing we have a sense of humour.
Now we relaxed a bit and read, chatted with a neighbour, but now its time to cook supper. Is it safe for me to do so?? Well cautiously I lit the BBQ, put on the baked potatoes, and cooked the prime rib steaks, peas and garlic bread all without mishap!
Now lets sit down and watch tv, what kind of trouble can I get into there? I will cross my fingers and hope that by tomorrow this spell has been broken.
Visitor Number
New Years Eve, Stone Island, Mexico
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since August. 2006
Raining all day so we have a Plan!
"Let's Spring Cleaning again!"
The problem with being a fulltime rver is that we live in our coach 12 months of the year and have 2 summers. So that means we spring clean in April-May to get ready for the Canadian summer, then we spring clean again in September-October to get ready for our southern summer. When we had our stick house it was such a huge chore to do, clean windows, wash walls etc... it seemed like a never ending job. Well today was a rainy day so Suzie and I spent only a couple of hours today washing walls, cupboards, wood work, light fixtures and even the ceilings on the front half our coach, until neighbours dropped by for a visit so we had to stop, too bad. We can finish another day, its over half done. And you know its kinda fun because we are getting ready to soon hit the road again for more adventures to exotic places, down south somewhere meeting up with old friends along the way and making new ones. No definite plans as of yet, we kinda do that as we travel, spontaneous like, makes it more interesting. We will go here and there, some places that we have been to before and some new places to explore, it really makes for a fantastic lifestyle. So to spring clean twice a year is such a chore, we plan on suffering with this chore for quite a few more years to come.
chicken noodle soup
But before we did our cleaning, I made a huge pot of homemade chicken noodle soup for lunch, from some of last nights left over chicken, its nice to enjoy on a cool rainy day. I even shared some with Trish and Jordan down the street, they are in training to be fulltime rv'ers. Then a quick trip to Foodland in Forest for a few grocery items and cash in the two $5.00 gift cards that we got at the Plowing Match last thursday.
After a break from cleaning, happy hour was in order to celebrate a job well done. Then a quick supper of a simple mac and ham, (kraft dinner, left over ham, peas, and sour cream), very yummy! We relaxed a bit with a book, some tv, then call it a night.
Thanks for stopping by to interrupt our cleaning!
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New Years Eve, Stone Island , Mexico
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since August. 2006
Cool fall weather again and a bit of sunshine, so not too bad thou, it will soon enough be colder and snowy. Hopefully after we leave the country. We had our morning coffees and putter about a bit then off to London to do some christmas shopping, for our 5 grandchildren. We had our idea lists and Suzie jotted down the items we picked up and who they were for. Checking out the many stores in this huge mall and carefully comparing notes, we were finally satisfied that our mission was accomplished. Then back home to sort it all out and relax for happy hour chatting with a few neighbours. In the next week or so we will wrap these gifts and secretly drop them off for our grandchildren to open at Christmas.
oven fried chicken
A little cool for my liking to cook outside so we had some oven fried chicken (shake n bake), and fettucini alfredo with broccoli and fresh sliced tomato for supper, then relaxed a bit with Trish and Jordan dropping by for a visit followed by some tv shows, before bedtime.
With his cool damp weather my arthritis is telling me we need to soon get on the road southward bound for more sunshine, dry and warmer climates.
Thanks for reading and don't be afraid to make comments by clicking on the "comments" just below the date at the top.
Visitor Number
New Years Eve, Stone Island Mexico
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since August. 2006
The colours are starting!
Some nice fall colours starting already, the above picture was taken at the entrance to the resort early yesterday afternoon as we headed out again to the Pinery Fleamarket in Grand Bend. This spot as you probably already know is one of our favourite outings. Its our last visit there until next spring and we have a few books to exchange, and some christmas shopping for our grandchildren. The weather was perfect today, sunny and warm.
But my morning project today was to make a pot of French Canadian Pea Soup (Soupe aux pois). We had a lot of leftover ham from our roast and a nice big soup bone.
Simmering in water a ham bone, some ham pieces, yellow split peas, celery, carrots, onion a few spices and 3 hours of cooking magically turns this into a very hearty soup for lunch, we even shared some with Trish and Jordan.
Returning home, there was a bottle of savory spice on our doorstep, I am sure came from Trish (she denies it). She was the only person that I told this was the only spice missing from my soup. Now we were able to sit outside for a while and read until things cooled down again, then inside to heat up some leftover ham and scalloped potatoes with a caesar salad for supper.
This is the time of year where I enjoy more indoor cooking and a bit more comfort food as the weather cools down somewhat. Walkabouts are a daily thing, as is chatting with a few neighbours in the resort. After supper, a short visit from the girls, we watched a bit of tv then off to bed, toasty warm on a cool night.
Not many Days left now!
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New Year's Eve, Mazatlan Mexico
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since August. 2006
Quite cool all day with very little sunshine so we took the time to do more inside stuff mostly computing, research, travel planning and cooking. I also came across a good article written by two Canadians who have lived in Mexico for a few years and travel extensively every year. Check this out if you are thinking of traveling to Mexico, Mexican Road Safety. Then a few walkabouts and and a short trip to the store.
Small town stuff
Before we retired in 2006, I had lived for 24 years in the small village of Plattsville Ontario (pop. 900), 10 of these years I owned and operated a small restaurant (Jessie's Diner from 1989 to 1999). With this kind of exposure you really get to know a lot of local people and even more know you. Whenever we are at the farm I usually drop by Pettigrew's Garage where I rented some space for my restaurant. The restaurant space is now a store room for the garage but many of the locals stop by the store every morning for a coffee and to chat. One morning a few weeks ago I stopped by the garage and a friend Rick came to tell me that they had just bought a new car in Mississauga from a lady Suzanne. She asked if they knew me and Suzie. Well it turns out that in 1990 she listed my house and sold it as a real estate agent, we became good friends, then on Nov. 21st 1990 she introduced me to her friend Suzie and the rest is history. Over the years we kinda grew apart, she married and moved away. Rick gave me her card and I sent her an email at her work. She replied and we all made contact again, sent a few emails back and forth, and even a phone call in the afternoon. Now when back at the farm in October we will give her a call and get together, for old times sake and a lot of catching up. Reuniting with old friends is great!
Being an inside kinda day I put on a smoked pork shoulder roast to boil and cook for the afternoon By boiling it twice this cooks it and removes most of the salt that it was cured in. After a few hours of this I removed it from the water then baked it in the oven for 1 hour, to brown it and finish it off.
pork roast before cooking
This is a huge roast for the two of us, (it was on sale for $6.00) but was so tasty with some scalloped potatoes/ bacon & cheese and peas on the side.
We enjoy leftovers and will have another meal of this, ham for sandwiches, maybe a casserole and a huge ham bone that I will use make a pot of French Canadian Pea soup, so good at this time of year, or anytime for that matter.
After supper was a nice warm evening to read for a bit then a couple of tv shows.
Visitor Number
New Years Eve, Stone Island Mexico
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since August. 2006
Happy Friday
Yes the weekend is here and almost everybody is ready for the weekend. Finished work for a couple of days, relax, party, family time, travel, yard work, shopping, camping, so much to do in such short time. Well for us the stores are busier so we stay home, too much traffic so we stay home, no yard work in the campground on the weekend, more people here, more noise, its a busy place, friends and relatives arrive and neighbours to visit and we are busy all weekend. Now that we are retired we are busy 2 days a week (the weekend) and look forward to 5 peaceful days, so we are looking forward to Happy Monday, its funny how lifestyles change.
Well today was a very warm humid day with occasional sunshine. The strong wind gusts were dropping some tree limbs on empty campsites (luckily nothing damaged), we don't usually park under trees just for that reason. With a walkabout, putter around, clean the car, sit outside in the shade (out of the wind) and read for a while we rested up for the busy weekend. While I was at the store I saw some nice pork ribs on sale so I picked up a package to make stuffed rolled ribs for supper.
I make a nice bread stuffing with sage, onions, garlic and a few spices.
Put the stuffing inside, roll the ribs and tie with a string.
Then bake in the oven until done (about 90 minutes), while I made some mashed potatoes, cauliflower with cheese sauce, and sauerkraut (should of had a bit more colour on the plate thou).
Regardless of the colour it was pretty yummy and satisfied our craving again.
After a nice relaxing meal was done, a video chat with my oldest daughter and 3 grandchildren, Trish and Jordan dropped by for a coffee and chat, a very nice visit. Then we were able watch a bit of TV before calling it a night to rest up so we can watch the busy people on the weekend.
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New Years Eve, Stone Island Mexico
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since August. 2006
we at the Plowing Match
Today starts with cloudy and a bit cool, but as the sun came out and burned off the mist it became quite warm. A great day to go to the International Plowing Match in St. Thomas Ontario. We left the resort about 8:40 am and the one hour drive there was relaxing. Once near St Thomas we just followed the signs to the general parking area which was part of the St. Thomas airport. Very organized volunteers directed us thru a field and down a paved runway to our parking spot. Once parked we boarded one of the many donated hay wagons pulled by donated tractors driven by volunteers thru farmers fields past some Clydesdale horses getting set up to do some plowing.
Clydesdale Horses
We continued thru the fields on the field highway to the tented city where we were able to get off the wagons and enter thru gate number 2.
tented city ahead
We entered the grounds avoiding the lineups for tickets as we had purchased ours at Foodland in Forest Ontario for a $2.00 each savings. Using our walkie talkies we were able to contact Mike, Trish, Jordan and Trish's father Don. We walked thru the tented city to the Ram Truck display and met up with them shortly after 10:00am then began checking out the vendors in tents and on the many streets within the city.
Food vendors, clothing vendors, flea market style vendors, tractor displays, atv's, solar panels, farm buildings, houses, sheds, live animals, the many tents with displays etc..., antique tractors, cars and farm equipment. Live entertainment in various places. So much to see in the 100 acres of tented city. The weather was perfect, slightly overcast, dry and warm with a light breeze to keep you comfortable. We choose a back bacon sandwich and fries for lunch, some homemade ice cream for desert, free popcorn for a snack, and some fresh chocolate milk from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario tent. Some free fresh apples for another snack and enjoying the sights and sounds of the day. We did stop for a while to rest and watch the entertaining lumberjack show with log chopping, pole climbing, and a two person crosscut sawing contest. Even a log rolling contest where the professional lumberjacks did eventually get wet. The was so much to see but only so many hours in a day and it all shuts down at 5:00 pm. We walked and toured some more then ended up at the Final Furrow (beer thirty) with a huge inflated beer can to mark the way. This is a huge tent with full meals served, live entertainment and beverages. At this spot we met up with our friends again, relaxed and chatted for a while with a refreshing beverage.
Hospitality Tent
After a rest for a while we made our way back to our entrance and boarded a wagon to take us back to our car parked about 15 minutes away at the airport. Once in the car our tired feet appreciated the rest. We made our way out of the area and to Tony's Pizza on Dundas St. in London Ontario where we met up again with Mike, Trish and Jordan (from the plowing match) and Suzie's Mother and Father. With a nice garden salad to start and an amazing pizza we had a nice filling and relaxing supper. Now after supper off to a the funeral home for visitation for a great aunt of Suzie's. After paying our respects we took our weary bones back home to put our feet up finally after a very busy day.
Over a 100 pictures I took today, you can click on the slide show to see them online on our web album, our just sit back and enjoy.
Thanks for dropping by and sharing our day with us!
Visitor Number
New Years Eve 2009, Stone Island Mexico
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since August. 2006
This morning started off overcast and rainy, so we got some computing done for a while. Then it was just a light drizzle but very warm outside. So I thought this is a great time to wash our coach and be rinsed with nice soft rainwater. Once that was done we puttered around for a bit the sun came out and got even nicer. Mike, Trish and Jordan dropped by for a chat and we discussed rving, sightseeing and then they got involved in Suzie's passion Genealogy (need I say more). Well sitting outside in the sun and shade time flew by, so they brought over some hamburgers to throw on the Barbie and with a few chips and snacks had an impromptu supper. Then we continued to sit outside enjoying the fresh air, and as it cooled off a bit our propane fire came out to take the chill off. Well with the fire going Justin (world traveller and membership sales for the resort) stopped by to visit and help us solve more world problems and share travel stories. Before we knew it, it was time to call it a night, too much fun and way past my bedtime. Making good friends in the process.
Mike, Jordan and Trish
Justin
Visitor Number
New Years Eve, Stone Island Mexico
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since August. 2006
Now today is a great day, sunshine and warm up to 85f (30c) summertime is back for a day. Even with the strong very warm south winds it was a lovely day. In the morning I went to the bank in Forest and the grocery store to pick up advance tickets for the IPM (International Plowing Match) that we plan on attending this thursday in St. Thomas Ontario. While at the grocery store I spotted some spaghetti squash and instantly had a craving for it.
spaghetti squash
Back home we had a light lunch then I got the out and finally finished the re-caulking of our coach, which had been delayed many times during the summer by weather, waxing the coach and some annoying back pain. But all is good just like the weather today so it got done. After this I enjoyed a nice soak in the hot tub then back home to find Harry and Jackie had stopped by for happy hour as they had just returned to the resort with their trailer. A nice chat and catchup with them, then relax a bit more reading in the shade. A little later I made a large pot of spaghetti sauce and let it simmer for a while.
spaghetti sauce
Some more reading then prepare the squash and turn it into a low calorie, low carb spaghetti dinner with a homemade caesar salad dressing and a pizza bun on the side (to make up for the missed calories).
tasty light supper
The nice thing about this kind of spaghetti supper is that it does no sit heavy in you stomach (its a vegetable). After supper we sat outside and read some more until too dark, (about 7:40pm) then inside to read more and watch NCIS on tv.
Visitor Number
New Year's Eve, Stone Island
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since August. 2006
Monday morning and it is bright, sunny and warm. We are going for a drive to Milverton Ontario about 1-1/2 hrs to the the funeral home there, for Suzie's great uncle. On the way we made a small detour and met Suzie's Mother and Father at Anna Mae's Restaurantin Millbank for lunch. We all enjoyed a feast of their famous broasted chicken (her father managed a yummy looking slice of homemade raisin pie for desert) and a nice visit with her parents. This is always a busy place in heart on Mennonite Farm Country, seating a 175 people we only had to wait about 5 minutes for an available table and this was at 12:30 noon on a monday!
Anna Mae's Restaurant
After a delicious meal we followed her parents vehicle thru some beautiful farm country and stopped to look at the one room school house her father had attended over 70 years ago. Hardly recognizable, having been turned into a family residence with a garage, siding and new windows and doors. But the north wall was still the yellow brick exposing the octagon shaped window high in the peak.
one room schoolhouse
After a short stop here we took the country roads about a mile to the house in Milverton where he had been raised in the 1930's and 1940's. Not a lot of changes to the yellow brick house other than electricity has been added, the trees have grown huge and the barn had been repaired somewhat. And in the yard was 5 or 6 young mennonite children, running and playing.
the barn
the old house
Now from here we followed them thru the village to the funeral home to pay our respects. After a bit of social time and reuniting we got in the car for the nice country drive home to Arkona thru the scenic town of Stratford Ontario, famous for the Stratford Shakespearean Festival Theatre. We arrived back to our campsite about 4:00 p.m. in time to relax in to warm sun with a book and chat with a few neighbours.
Well after such a filling lunch, supper was not on the agenda for tonight, but, we did do desert, a piece of, "the melt in your mouth fresh chelsea bun" we purchased at Anna Mae's Bakery after our lunch. Then we read until dark and watched a couple of shows on TV.
oh so good chelsea bun
Visitor Number
New Year's Eve , Stone Island, Mexico
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since August. 2006
Gonna be an awesome sunny, warm day today, not as warm as I would like, because I have to put more clothes on now, around 16c (64f). After our morning coffees we took off to the Pinery Flea Market in Grand Bend with friends Trish and Jordan. This is a favourite sunday outing for us and many other people as well.
lotsa stuff
Just one of many book vendors
We walked the market checked out the vendors, with lots of bargains to be had. A nice stroll in the bush with the sun peaking thru occasionally to keep us warm. Suzie did manage to pick up a few more books to top up our book case and keep us in reading material. It was then time to stop and have a light snack, (the smell of homemade fries just kinda grabs you) a rest and enjoy the easy listening music of Brian Dale.
Suzie, Trish and Jordan
Then of course we had to have a picture of us as well.
yes we were both there
After the fun morning we went back home to the resort where we can putter about, even sit in the sun and read for a while, walkabout and chat with a few people, another great afternoon. Then a favourite supper of chicken wings, fries, with veggies and dip.
food court
Visitor Number
New Years Eve, Stone Island Mexico
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Join us as we travel North America in our Holiday Rambler Vacationer,
since August. 2006
Happy Birthday Suzie!!!!
Today is Suzie's birthday and we can do whatever she wants. So we start the day with English crumpets, coffee, and computing. But its raining most of the morning, so we compute some more, open our map programs and begin to plan our winter migration. A few hours of this then a roast beef sandwich for lunch, and the sun came out so we can walkabout a bit. There was supposed to be a car show and cruise at Rock Glen Falls across the road in the morning, but with the rain and all, not too many cars were there so we did not even check it out.
Now she can sit outside and read for a while as I repaired a couple of our lawn chairs then a chat with some neighbours and read a bit more, while I prepared a special appetizer of coconut shrimp.
yummy coconut shrimp
A little while later Trish and Jordan stopped by and I helped them set up their TV to get more channels from their antenna, then try to solve the problem of a huge ant invasion that appeared on their patio. No pictures camera battery was being charged.
Now back home I made some of my special home made caesar dressing, and prepared a birthday supper for her of Alaska King Crab legs, melted butter, baked potato with cheese and the caesar salad. Then I even did the dishes today, because it was her birthday, while we chatted some more. Then a bit more reading and some tv just to round off a perfect day.
very tasty supper
Thanks for dropping by on Suzie's birthday.
Visitor Number
New Year's Eve, Stone Island Mexico
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since August. 2006
Sunny and warmer today! Love the sunshine and fresh air, a walkabout in the morning and a few items at the grocery store. Chat with a few neighbours and generally hanging out. After lunch, a swim in the pool and soak in the hot tub for a while is very relaxing. Then another walkabout and sit in the shade for a while with a book, just because we can. Followed a visit from Trish and Jordan for happy hour.
After happy hour I whipped us a tasty chicken stir fry and caesar salad for supper, then we chatted for a bit and watched a bit of tv, and all of a sudden its bedtime. The day just seemed to fly by!!
Oh yeah and don't be afraid to check out the adds on this blog, it is one way that we can earn a few pennies, to help balance our budget.
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Mammoth Caves, Kentucky
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