Ahhh...The Cottage Life!

What do you see?Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday

2012-01-25T08:43:00.001-05:00

Unusual winter so far this year in Ontario.We are seeing milder temperatures than usual and in central to southern Ontario more rain as precipitation than snow. What little snow we have been getting has melted quickly. 1 1/2 hours north in the snow belt area, they have been getting snow. Good for the ski hills but even they opened late and have had a few too many mild days. Hard to make snow when it is above freezing so the base isn't as good as it may be.

So I am wondering...

What is the winter (or summer) like where you are? Do you notice a change or is it the same as it always is for this time of year? Worse? Better? I am curious to see the results from around the world. Leave me a little comment and I will write about the responses!

More Watery Wednesday here.
For more Outdoor Wednesday here.

End of the world

2012-01-15T12:49:00.001-05:00

Thought this may cheer a few up!

So much for the end of the world predictions!

Happy Sunday!

New Year 2012

2011-12-31T11:35:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!

Out on the back roads the other day. Saw this flock of turkeys looking really glad Christmas was over!

All the best everyone.

Sky Watch Friday, Weekend Reflections, Scenic Sunday

2011-12-16T16:58:00.000-05:00

On a recent trip overseas the fog finally lifted and gave us a gorgeous day to explore the towns.

Hope everyone has a truly joyous weekend!

More skies at SkyWatch Friday.

Good reflections at Weekend Reflections.
Scenes here from Scenic Sunday.

Moon Haze

2011-12-11T15:22:00.001-05:00

The full moon had a haze and rings around it last night. Now I know why. Huge change in weather. It was quite cold last night and during the day. Today? +5. Bonus!

Hope everyone has a great week!

SkyWatchFriday - Mosel Valley

2011-12-08T15:14:00.001-05:00

On a recent trip to Germany it was severe fog for three days and no view from the hills we were staying in. On day four the fog cleared and gave us this magnificent view of the Mosel Valley with the Mosel River and wine village of Krov. Standing way up in the hills looking down into the vineyards with a glorious sky for SkyWatch Friday.

For more SkyWatch Friday and views from around the world click here.

Trip to Germany, Scenic Sunday, SOOC

2011-12-03T18:38:00.001-05:00

I had the wonderful experience of a trip to Germany and The Netherlands to visit my best friend of 30 years. The last time I was overseas was to visit her 5 years ago in Holland where she lives. This time we decided to go to Germany for a few days and act like tourists.

We went to a rented cottage in the Mosel River area. For four days we visited towns all up and down the Mosel. Everywhere were vineyards on the hills and quaint towns below. This is a castle outside of Cochem.

Christmas is a whole season there. It starts in the middle of November in most places with the Christmas Markets. I really enjoyed the decorations and festivities in the different towns.A little Gluwein in the markets seemed to aid in that enjoyment too! Each town had their own special mugs to celebrate the new Christmas season.

Can you think of a cozier way to enjoy a coffee outside in the chilly air?

The bells on the outside of this tower went off as we were admiring the view. Scared the Dickens out of me!

Up in the vineyard hills we found a cave with a cask in it. Private stash of one of the vineyards I assume.

Found this tucked in a back alley. It was a small cafe and this was the patio. In the summer it would be entirely covered in a grape vine over the customers having their coffee.
Scenic Sunday has more views form around the world. Click here.
For more Straight Out of the Camera shots, click here.

Hello! Scenic Sunday

2011-10-29T11:50:00.000-04:00

I have been away. I have been very busy getting my business up and running. Today I can say I am self supporting and doing OK. I have missed blogging and the friends I have made here but needed to give all my attention to work and had little time for leisure. I am going to come back . Not as often as I was but post when I can. Mostly to visit and say "Hi".

So, Hello to all my blogging friends, so good to see you!

It was a marvelous summer although I didn't get to the cottage as much as I would like to.

It turned into a beautiful fall but all too short as now it is quite frosty and we are getting below freezing temps at night already.

A little snow yesterday as well. The sun is setting way to early and the days becoming shorter. Soon we will be into Winter's full grasp.

Stay warm everyone and have a wonderful weekend!

For more Scenic Sunday click here.

PhotoSunday - Soft

2011-05-22T16:23:00.001-04:00

A soft rain gathers on the the new apple blossoms in the garden.

More PhotoSunday ? Click here!

SkyWatch Friday- Cardinal Colour

2011-05-19T10:40:00.001-04:00

All we have only grey skies with a lot of rain. I felt the addition of some colour from this Red Northern Cardinal was in order. A beautiful boy, he and his mate have been nesting.

Have a happy Day!

Click here for more SkyWatch Friday

Watery Wednesday,Outdoor Wednesday - Rain, rain, go away..

2011-05-18T15:30:00.002-04:00

After an exceptionally long winter all we have been seeing for weather this spring is rain. Rain showers, rain storms ,rain drizzle, rain puddles! We have had days on end of rain as have many places on this side of the world. Flooding is occurring everywhere. Many areas have had to have a controlled flood area with hundreds of homes lost in order to save larger areas and more homes. The weather is colder than usual by at least 10 degrees. Home heating companies have made a killing this year as the cool weather never seems to end. My yard is over saturated with water. It can't absorb any more water and as we are on a septic system it has overflowed twice already. After a walk in my back yard a few minutes ago I am very worried this may happen again. With out a doubt the coldest, wettest spring I can remember in many, many years. These are pics from my back yard.

It is lovely and green but far too wet.

I can't even get in to cut the grass. It is growing like mad in some areas and dieing in others.

We get a small respite this weekend for a day or two. I am fervently hoping so!
Click here for Watery Wednesday.
Click here for Outdoor Wednesday.

Scenic Sunday, Shadow Shot Sunday - Cheltenham Badlands

2011-04-09T19:51:00.003-04:00

The Cheltenham Badlands are a bizarre geographical spectacle. This area consists of bare, windswept red hills and gullies that are very similar to that of the Alberta badlands. What makes them so bizarre is that they are found in Ontario.The reddish hue of the Queenston Shale in the Cheltenham Badlands is caused by iron oxide, while narrow greenish bands show where groundwater has transformed the rock from red to green iron oxide. The cause of this phenomenon was poor farming practices in the 1930’s which caused overgrazing of this land and the resultant exposure of the Queenston shale that supports little or no vegetation.

Go see Scenic Sunday for shots from around the world.

Great shots at Shadow Shot Sunday.

CRTC Gouging! Calling all Canadians!

2011-03-22T13:08:00.000-04:00

This is where Canadians take a stand against price gouging by big phone and cable companies

Phone and cable companies are about to put a pay meter on your Internet use.

This means we're looking at a future where big telecom companies will charge per byte for Internet use, the way they do with smart phones. If we allow this to happen Canadians will have no choice but to pay MUCH more for less Internet. Big phone and cable are obviously trying to gouge consumers, control the Internet market, and ensure that consumers continue to subscribe to their television services.

These Big Telecom companies are forcing small competing ISPs to adopt the same pricing scheme, so that we have no choice but to pay these punitive fees.

This will crush innovative services, Canada's digital competitiveness, social progress, and your wallet.

We urgently need to send a clear message to decision makers in Ottawa that we refuse to be gouged by big phone and cable companies. Enough is enough.

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Supermoon!

2011-03-20T11:31:00.000-04:00

This looks like the sun coming up through the trees. A sight I see on sunny mornings. Strangely though this is the moon rising last night. A "Supermoon".

Earth's closest celestial neighbour appeared to loom larger and brighter than usual on last night, due to a cosmic event called an "extreme supermoon".

Scientists say the natural phenomenon — in which the moon reaches its closest point to this planet — will cause abnormally high and low tides worldwide.

The occurrences, technically known as "lunar perigees," were previously visible in 1955, 1974, 1992, 1993 and 2005. But what makes this one particularly special is that it coincides with a full moon, which hasn't happened since 1993, according to Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C.

Astrologers have been quick to blame last week's disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Japan on the supermoon.

But Dr. James Garvin, the chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, said in a release Friday that the effects of Saturday's moon should be minor.

"According to the most detailed studies by terrestrial seismologists and volcanologists, the combination of the moon being at its closest to Earth in its orbit, and being in its ‘full moon' configuration … should not affect the internal energy balance of the Earth since there are lunar tides every day."

The full moon should appear to be about 15 per cent larger and up to 30 per cent brighter than usual on Saturday evening, U.S. scientists said.

The moon was so bright I even got a photo of the brilliance it was putting off.

It was indeed a beautiful moon!

SkyWatch Friday

2011-03-17T10:10:00.002-04:00

We are seeing a lot more sun now. Temperatures are on the rise and snow is melting. The birds are returning once again, singing in the morning. I am on the lookout for the first Robin. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets at this time of year. With the time change we are seeing a lot more daylight and I am looking forward to spring this Sunday!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all!

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter.Lullabies, dreams and love ever after. Poems and songs with pipes and drums. A thousand welcomes when anyone comes... That's the Irish for you!

For Skies the world over go to SkyWatch Friday!

SOOC

2011-03-12T11:52:00.001-05:00

Lots of ways for the animals to cross the creek with fallen trees to guide them! The creeks and streams have been wild with all the melting snow and heavy rainfalls and then heavy snowfalls we have had.

Go see more Straight Out of the Camera shots!

SkyWatch Friday

2011-03-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

If you see the light, should you go?

Sun-dancing!

Love seeing what's in the skies? Go to SkyWatch Friday for many more!

Watery Wednesday- ice formations and a little creek.

2011-03-08T13:06:00.001-05:00

There are many little creeks and streams in this area. I love walking along the banks and listening to the tinkling of water on the ice in the winter. It really is musical!

The ice can make some beautiful formations in the frozen creek.

This one looks like stalagmites from a cave.

Go over to Watery Wednesday to see many water pics from all over the world!

Muddling along...

2011-03-08T08:53:00.000-05:00

I am in a bit of a mind swamp, all muddled up with various thoughts. I think winter has done me in.

Here's what I'm thinking.....

I wonder what the new single male neighbor will be like.

My son thinks he knows everything. Then why doesn't he know to put down the stupid toilet seat?

Both my cats have cabin fever. I have cabin fever.

My energy left me sometime in January.

Why has time been kinder to some people than others?

I have procrastinated calling for a doctor’s appointment because I hate going.

I think I pissed off all my friends and family. No one has called me in a week.

My house plants need water. Sucks to be them.

Why is my cat only comfortable sleeping on me or my keyboard?

Rum is in favour this year.(month, week, day, hour)

I want a dog. My cats don’t.

I NEED spring to arrive.

I need more coffee than I am allowed to have.

I need time away from myself.

Snow is just another word for nasty.

I am an impatient person being forced to be patient. Grrr…

Is there ever any good headlines now or are they all asinine.

And how are you feeling so far this week?

A day for the slow cooker!

2011-03-07T14:33:00.000-05:00

I have several meals that I like to cook this way but hands down my favorite is Chicken Sausage Gumbo! I have it cooking now and it smells so good I can hardly wait. I promised the recipe a while back and here it is. I think you will really enjoy it. You can change around the sausage to your liking. We often use Oktoberfest sausage. The taste goes well with everything else. Really any Smokey or Spicy sausage will do, andouille or kielbasa are recommended.

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

1 pound smoked sausage, such as andouille or kielbasa cut crosswise 1/2-inch thick pieces

4 large chicken breasts, skin removed cut into 1 inch-4 cm pieces(can use legs)

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 lb Okra cut crosswise thick slices ( if you can't find fresh, frozen works great!)

1 large yellow onion chopped

3 stalks chopped celery

1 red or green bell peppers seeded and chopped

1 salt to taste

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

2 cups chicken broth

1 can Diced plum tomatoes (14 1/2 oz or 500ml)

White Rice, for serving

Cook the Chicken

In a large frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned about 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker, then add sausages. Scatter the Okra, bell pepper, celery and onion on top.

Make the Roux

Return the frying pan medium-high heat and add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Sprinkle the flour into the frying pan and cook, stirring slowly and constantly for about 4 minutes, to make a golden brown roux.

Stirring, slowly add the chicken stock and tomatoes with their juice , and cook, stirring, until well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat. Season with the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the cayenne pepper and then pour over the vegetables, chicken and sausage in the slow cooker.

Cook the Gumbo

Cover and cook on the high heat setting for 4 hours or the low setting for 8 hours. Season to taste with salt and cayenne.

Serve with fresh bread or buns.

Optional- Spoon rice into the bottom of deep bowls or large cups and ladle the gumbo on top.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do. It is a great meal to put on in the morning and when you come home it is cooked and ready to go!

Scenic Sunday

2011-03-06T09:37:00.000-05:00

Belfountain is a beautiful park and walking trail in south Ontario. There was a flour mill on the river many years ago. This large grinding wheel was from that mill.

The waterfalls that drove the paddle wheel for the mill.

So many more places to see at Scenic Sunday!

Sunday Bridges

2011-03-05T15:11:00.002-05:00

Burlington Bay Canal Bridge: Burlington, Ontario, Canada: October 19, 2008: There were five different moveable bridges located on this site since 1830. The present bridge was opened in 1962 and carried two lanes of vehicular traffic across the canal. This structure originally had tracks for the Hamilton — Northwestern railway which were removed in 1982 when the road way was widened to four lanes. The bridge structure is a tower driven, vertical lift and moveable bridge. The lift span is 380 feet long, weighs 2200 tons and has a vertical lift of 110 feet. A system originating in the towers contains machinery, sheaves and wire ropes is used to move the lift span. There is one 150 horsepower drive motor in each tower to supply power to the machinery and one 150 horsepower motor in each tower to synchronize the drive motors.

The bridge from a distance looking over Lake Ontario.

Many more bridges to see at Sunday Bridges!

Scenic Sunday

2011-02-27T09:48:00.001-05:00

Old Man Winter woke up again last night giving us 7 inches of white fluffy stuff. The forecast is now for freezing rain tonight through tomorrow. Such is February in Ontario!

Scenic Sunday has beautiful scenes from the world over. Go take a look.

Sunday Bridges

2011-02-27T09:40:00.000-05:00

I posted this a few days ago but was encouraged to post it for Sunday Bridges. This is part of Silver Creek, just outside of the town I live in. The creek is engorged with runoff water created by the last snow melt a few days back. If you look closely there are four waterfalls. It is a historical reminder of the great craftsmanship that once was. Very few bridges like this left to see.

Here you can see the road goes over the creek by way of a one lane bridge. This is such a lovely old bridge. I hope they preserve and repair it, not remove it for something more functional.

Sunday Bridges - Go look!

Waters Rush

2011-02-26T10:55:00.000-05:00

I have always had a great affinity for water. Thats one of the reasons I love being at the cottage so much. Just to have that body of water near me, I find so calming. The sound of water rushing down a stream has the same effect. I could stay and listen for hours.

The valley cries through the hills up high

The stream is Rushing down the falls

at the Waters Rush......

It is full of Passion,

a forceful rushing down the stream

at the Waters Rush......

A wonderful ending by the side of the beautiful stream

of the cold beautiful stream

at the Waters Rush......