I'm so glad you could stop by. This is my personal blog of daily life and my journey through life. You will find a strong emphasis on family and friends as well as finding my ancestors through genealogy. Unlike my other blogs this blog is more of a catch-all so any topic is fair game.
My blessings this week were centred around family and food. During the week I stocked the pantry with a lot of home canned foods then Friday we headed out to celebrate an early Thanksgiving feast with our kids at their home. Traditionally the Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated the second Monday of October. All of our kids gathered there as well. We brought the turkey that was roasted in our traditional manner starting in the oven just before 10 am. Once the turkey was in the oven, we headed to an amazing apple orchard then after a short stop at the grocery store we headed back to their house. The grandbaby in true form was the centre of attention. Her favourite spot is in the kitchen so was underfoot for most of the food prep but in a good way. At nine months of age, she scoots up the stairs and gets into everything. She's perfecting her evil eye look that is just hilarious to watch! Our son and daughter-in-law arrived with the first pictures of their soon to be little one aka our second grandbaby. After a very filling meal of turkey with all the fixings we settled in for an evening of simply enjoying being together. Life as always is very good when surrounded by those you love!
These are anxious times for me. Things have been in an uproar with the fridge, carpet cleaning, kitchen disruption and idiot neighbour. But the main anxiety is coming from the baby shower I'm hosting for our soon to be born granddaughter. I got caught up with the planning and getting things sparkly clean that somehow the baby shawl got pushed to the back burner. I thought it would be a quick knit except the knitting machine is refusing to co-operate and I don't have time to fiddle. So yesterday, I grabbed a crochet hook and the yarn to start on a baby shawl with very limited time and a very ambitious project. I'm frantically crocheting while reminiscing all the times I made homemade baby shawls for my own kids. The picture is gorgeous so now all I need to do is focus and finish it before Sunday morning. Things get more complicated from here as my husband is leaving for hunt came on Tuesday which mean there are certain meals like a lasagne and venison chili that need to be made. Too many things to do and not enough time.
This time of year my mind tends to be more focused on my ancestors who served in the wars over the years. Because of them I have the freedom to enjoy my family and host parties and simply just be. So I thought I would share a couple of stories of a couple of my ancestors who made notable differences but to me they all made a difference.
Some of my ancestors were Soldats du Carignan so perhaps that set the pattern for future generations. One ancestor went to Fort Detroit and has been rumoured to be the first white man in that area before Cadillac arrived. He was a very notable person being not only a friend of Cadillac but also for community endeavors. His sons followed in his footsteps. During the war of 1812 - 1814 one of them dressed in a English uniform and solely saved the Fort and Amherstberg, almost across from Fort Detroit. This story in itself is truly amazing! But the story doesn't stop there. Throughout history, my ancestors have answered the call of Canada.
My great uncle fought in WWI. He was reported as missing in action and presumed dead. I can't imagine how my great grandparents felt over the news. They even had a memorial service for him. Later he was found alive at a hospital in France, came home and went on to a successful life. His story had a happy ending yet many that answered the country's call did not. Many gave their lives for our freedom. That's why we wear a poppy! Given the ultimate sacrifices, wearing a poppy is the very least we can do.
Home Fires
I had an idea for today's entry but then decided on this. The day is grey and dull much like many November days but this time I have an inner spirit to brighten the day. Our new grand-daughter is scheduled to arrive by C-section the first week of December. I'm hosting a baby shower this weekend.
Things are still in an uproar. The new fridge is in but the water line to it is being installed this morning. It hasn't gone smoothly! Once it finally gets in I can return the cabinets to their original over stuffed state and at least clear a path in the kitchen. Can I just have a little more chaos please?
Onto the baby shower. What I want is balloons outside on the one tree maybe two trees. I want the inside lightly decorated. I think I have the menu basically set but I still need something sweet and I don't do sweets very well. I still need some baby shower games. My DIL is a total godsend! She lives in a city so can get things I can't get here and she is helping with the planning, giving me ideas and picking up things. I want healthy foods that will keep well over a 3 hour period. So I think I have the menu relatively set but other things need to come into place.
It is especially important right now to keep the home fires burning. We need a bit of peace and calm to get away from the busy days. Yesterday, I made a cheesy cream of cauliflower soup. It didn't seem like much by my husband loved it so I'll post a picture and recipe on my cooking blog.
Things have been in a turmoil here for a couple of weeks. The new fridge is scheduled to arrive tomorrow between 2 and 5 pm. The problem comes in that it was supposed to be delivered last week and I scheduled the carpet cleaners for the Friday. Since the only way to get the fridge in is over newly cleaned carpets, I have a problem BUT that is not the worst of it. In order to hook up the fridge a contractor has to come out to install the water line. That means one cabinet under the sink and the corner cabinet with lazy susan has to be cleared.
I'm hosting a baby shower for one of my kids. It is the first grandbaby on both sides and their first so a very special event. I know diddly squat about hosting a baby shower. I'm always a good host so I'm thinking I can pull it off ok as far as food and hospitality goes. The invitations have been sent out so all that is left is the final planning. Apparently if the last shower was any indication you need games. Now, this is just smacks of being a huge problem so I go to google and find a bunch of baby shower games. Some are possible others are just "no way". I'm learning the quick hard way how to scan images and make a DVD. I think that showing in the background will be a nice touch.
Needless to say, my book has taken a back burner although I did work on it for an hour or so last night in the wee hours of the morning. Until the grandbaby arrives safe and sound, I doubt a lot will be accomplished yet sometimes I just have that urge to write. My ancestors would be proud of the way my kids matured and kept the family honour. They would more than welcome a new little one. It seems like such a little thing. After all it is only a baby BUT it is our future!
