Gonna be a hot day for the Canada Day party here. But we are ready for it. This morning ran a few errands and Ma dropped out for a coffee, while things were still pretty quiet here.
Happy Birthday Canada, 145 years old
Shortly after 9 am Erin arrived with the two pigs and they prepped them while the BBQ's got up to temperature.
ready to cook
Lea and Jamie making the signs
John putting the finishing touches on the stage
One of the last things to do is spray the yard and shrubs with a strong garlic mixture for mosquitoes. Apparently those pesky skeeters don't like garlic and it sure works pretty good. The whole yard smells pretty good and garlicky for a while, like a huge caesar salad!
Lea spraying the yards with Garlic
signs posted around town
pool is ready
John making slushies for the kids and adults too!
to pool is great
we found some shady spots
We found a nice shady spot to sit when we did. Chatted with lotsa people here and there, listen to the band just a great time. Now we were beside this one fellow Dave and talked for a very long time about various things and the love of a small town. After an hour or so I just mentioned in passing that I used to have a small restaurant in town for about 10 years. Well his eyes lit up and he asked where. Could not believe it, he said it was named after my daughter (Jessie) and you closed the restaurant to go back to a factory and drive a forklift. And then it all starts coming back, he and a few electrician buddies would come in early mornings just as I opened up, they would put the coffee on and even help a bit while I cooked them breakfast, refill their own coffees and even clear their own tables for me. And quiet often back for lunch or supper for fish and chips, supper special or pizza. Now I closed my restaurant 13 years ago and his new wife of only two years had already heard the stories about Jessie's Diner and the small town atmosphere that he missed.
The band was awesome
the first pig is ready
they used lots of apple wood chips for awesome flavour
so moist and tender
food is served lets eat, losta salads, and veggies
Cake, cupcakes and brownies for desert
after supper with the band
Just before dark as the band was packing up Lea had a draw for door prizes and these are the lucky winners.
door prize winners
Now at 9:45 it was dark enough to begin with the fireworks and we really had an awesome display, that went on for 25 full minutes. Now my point and shoot camera does not do these pics justice, I should have set up my tripod, but was too late when I finally thought of it.
great fireworks
Now its been a long fun day and then a few of us left here lit up a campfire for a bit. When we finally realized that it was actually midnight! Wow way past bedtime, as I knew it would be, that's why am posting this Sunday morning.
Check out the map below to see where we have been this summer
Last night it was hot at 10.pm 88f (31c) and very humid inside our coach. So I disconnect from power, fire up our Genny and our two roof top AC units. 30 minutes later we are nice and cool inside 75f (23c). Now its comfortable can shut things down, plug into our 15 amp power and go to bed. We had been outside visiting with the new owners of our old house and showing them a few pictures of what it used to look like when we bought it. They were amazed, and so were we with all the work done inside since we sold it 6 years ago. Here is a few pics of what we started with then a newer picture taken a month ago, really changed in 21 years. Amber won't remember she is only 20 years old.
1991
1992
2012
This morning Suzie headed off to New Hamburg to pick up a few prescriptions for us and drop by here Gramma's for a bit. In the meantime I proceeded to make a huge pot of potato salad for the Canada day Party here on Saturday (tomorrow), people came and went here all day and preparations were getting well under way.
The port-a-potty was dropped off, as well as the large rotisseries to roast up two pigs (90 lbs each). Getting all ready is a big job here, expecting somewhere around 200 people tomorrow and the weather looks to be awesome! Live band starting about 3 pm and then eat around 5-6 o'clock lotsa salads and pork on a bun. The pool will be filled with lots kids (bring your kids, watch your kids and dogs too). Then after dark a huge fireworks display, a great time will be had by all.
1st roaster in place
drop off the porta potti
2 BBQ's in place and John is pressure washing
We had appointments at the Stratford Hospital for 3:15 pm , just for a few more follow up tests from our yearly physicals.
A wonderful country drive
And by the time we were back home it was about 5:30 so we can head to the Trails Edge in town for a full supper tonight. I got more wings and fries, Suzie a Chicken Quesadia and caesar salad, then a little pitcher of Bud Light to wash it down, oh so good !! Yes we love our chicken and even a very cold beer in this hot humid weather.
Then back to John and Lea's, sat on their new deck for a bit and Suzie even got her dog fix. Got the brush out and went to work on Buddy for a while.
brushing out the burrs
After this a few people kept dropping by bringing things, hanging out on the deck a getting acquainted, just a great social time. Meet old friends and make new ones, love small town country people.
We had a great day again, but a late night again.
Thanks for stopping by and the read.
Tomorrow will be the BIG Canada party and we will be going all day long, BBQ two pigs, live Band, lotsa people, swimming, games, great food, meeting lotsa people, then a huge fireworks display after dark.
I am afraid Saturdays posting will not happen until sometime Sunday, will just not time tomorrow. This sure is a tough lifestyle, but somebody has to do it and we are still able to.
Have a great Canada Day weekend if you are Canadian the weather will be awesome. Next weekend the Four of July for all our American friends.
Check out the map below to see where we have been this summer
Yesterday was Suzie's Mom's Birthday and today my Mom's birthday, so today we taking Ma for lunch. We do that eat a lot, that is, but always a nice way for an outing and time together. Nothing we can buy each other so this is what we do.
Today a short trip to the Village of Wellesley and Schmidtsville Restauarnt and Gift shop. We get there early, as always aline up for lunch, great home cooking at very reasonable prices.
Suzie and Mom
Now Ma she don't eat much and usually just orders a toasted western sandwich and take half home. Today a BLT with Peameal Back bacon (Canadian eh!)
BLT
Now Suzie ordered the senior portion of the pan fried fish, twice baked potato, fresh steamed veggies, coleslaw, fresh baked bread, dessert and a coffee only $10.99. a fantastic deal!
wonderful fish dinner
fresh made strawberry pie
Then there was me, I had to try the fried chicken dinner, with fries, veggies, and coleslaw, and it was awesome too.
yes love my chicken
nice gift shop
Back home to John and Lea's hopped on John Deere and another couple hours finished up the lawn mowing. It's now pretty hot so jumped in the pool for a bit to cool down, it was wonderful.
yep its getting warm, love it !
John busy power washing the deck
Lea got back from her final school bus run and we relaxed on their new deck with a nice frosty beverage. The they decide to go to the Trails Edge in town for supper and we absolutely have to go, their treat. So off we go for a snack a few escargot and half dozen chicken wings to share. Not real hungry after that awesome lunch with ma. But it sure was tasty.
Here we had fun there running into a few local people and their daughter, son in law and grandson stopped by for a bite to eat as well. So we all had a nice and wonderful light supper. Thanks guys.
Now you have to remember it's a small town, so on the three block drive home we passed our old house and people are sitting on the porch. We had been invited to stop by and Suzie's cousin and wife are sitting on the awesome wrap around porch we built, with their daughter (Suzie's second cousin). So we stopped to say hi and they gave us a tour, wow! We did a lot of reno's and a lot more was done since we sold it six years ago. It just amazing what time and money can do to an old frame house over 100 years old.
This young couple purchased the house a month ago and got married on the front porch. A relative, and the house is still in the family. Such a nice young couple. They came down the road to our coach and we showed them a whole mess of pictures we took during our renovations from 1992 until 2006. Then chat for a while such a nice visit.
Amber and Dan in our old house
We just had another awesome day of retirement hanging out in our old Village of Plattsville.
Thanks for the read!
Oh and, today we would like to welcome aboard a new follower, Jessica Wagler, too bad she does not have a website for us to follow. But I believe she lives in Plattsville and maybe even be related, Suzie needs to check into that.
Check out the map below to see where we have been this summer
