Summer 2017

We had many lakeside bonfires this summer and they were all great. Some had guitars and singing, some had meteor showers, some had camp coffee; they all had good company.

 

Some more about July here and here.

Having fun with shapes:

I volunteered at the fair gates one night to help get a donation to the Girl Guides. Kevin watched the tractor pull, Darcy slept over at Nannas's and Cam had some freedom to roam around the fair grounds.

The view from the Boathouse Inn

Mom made this delicious pie when Pat came to visit.

Some of my feathered friends. Hummingbird, Goldfinches, Red-breasted nuthatch, Hairy woodpecker, grosbeak and a chickadee.

Great Blue Heron

I also spent the summer doing three gardening contracts and coaching Darcy's baseball team.

 GEN!!! OMG!!! It had been at least 10 years since we last saw each other in person. It was like time never passed. I don't have a lot of pictures, but I will have wonderful memories. I wish the day could have stretched on much longer, but alas Gen is popular woman and had other visits to make on her short stay in Canada. 

Our daughters hit it off immediately. Darcy still talks about her and has become pen pals with her. Genevieve and her family live in Burkina Faso.

WOW! Those eyes!

Sometimes it looks like a marina here!

We all participated in the regatta.

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Kevin and I have been helping his mom redo her patio. She had the backyard sodded and all the patio stones were removed and left in stacks in her driveway.

Of course, we can't work on the patio when it's wet and when we are available to go work on it, it has to be one of the hottest days of the summer.

Almost done.

Evidence of fun!

Kevin saw the Snowbirds fly by when he was working on a rooftop one day.

How many men does it take to beach a boat?

January Freezing Rain

The view on the way into Nanna's to bring her hot food and water.

The view from inside Nanna's kitchen. The tree bent, but did not break.

Pretty

Ice crystals on the way home.

Icy road!

The next day we went back again.

Kinda pretty.

Ice is melting now.

Nanna was without power for about a day and half and we were lucky to only loose it for 12 hours.

Snow flakes.

When you look at one little, beautiful and fragile snowflake it's hard to believe the it could so much - amazing! These wee snowflakes accumulate and work together to bring both good and bad. The same goes for people - never think the work of one person is not enough!

My first football game

October 30, 2016

Today Cameron and I went to an Alouette's football game with Charla and Amelia and friends. This was a first for Cameron and me.

Not Cam's first time on the train, but the first time in a LONG time.

We were early and had a little fun in Dollarama.

 

We had lunch at A&W - eating out is such a treat!! Here's Cam and me at lunchtime.

Walking to the game we passed through McGill Campus - memories!
In the top left corner there is a Quidditch game.

 

 

Here is a video of our day:

https://youtu.be/Q7EnoDMfCqI

 

 

Pizza dough

 

Here is my favorite pizza dough recipe:

 

Pizzeria Pizza Dough

 

1. Into a large bowl, measure 1-½ cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour. With wooden spoon, mix in 1 tsp (5 mL) quick-rising (instant) dry yeast and ½ tsp (2 mL) salt.

2. Pour ½ cup (125 mL) hand-hot tap water into liquid measuring cup; add 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil or canola oil. Pour over flour mixture and stir until all dry ingredients are moistened and dough looks shaggy.

 

3. Dust hands with flour and gather dough into ball. Dust counter generously with flour; dump dough on counter.

4. Folding top half of dough over bottom half, push hard against double layer of dough with heels of your hands, then give dough a quarter turn.

 

5. Repeat the folding, pushing and turning for about 8 minutes or until dough is smooth, springy and stretchy like an elastic band.

6. Keep hands and counter lightly dusted with flour if dough is sticky (but the trick is not to add too much flour). As you knead, the flour absorbs moisture and dough becomes smooth.

7. Brush dough very lightly with olive oil or canola oil and place on counter; cover with bowl and let rise for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

8. Uncover and gently stretch dough (or roll with rolling pin) to a circle about 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Dust 12-inch (30 cm) pizza pan with cornmeal and place dough over top.

 

9. Starting at center, gently press dough to fill pan and form a little raised rim. If dough becomes too stretchy, let it rest for a few minutes before continuing.

 

10. Cooking instructions: Spread pizza base with sauce and cover with toppings. Bake in bottom third of 500F (260C) oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crust is golden and slightly puffed.

Makes one 12-inch (30 cm) pizza base. Double ingredients for 2 bases.

NOTES: 

The recipe is listed above is the recipe as first posted by Canadian Living. They have since modified it slightly, since they always test until perfect. The new recipe does not include baking instructions, but I have found 450F for about 10-15 minutes works. 

 

 

Source: The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

 

Closing the cottage Fall 2016

Starting to put things away for the winter (Sept 25)

Just a wee bit of laundry to do:

This is the second load like this and there's still about one more load up there to go get.

The wharf is secured for the winter, the chairs, kayaks and BBQ's are all stored and the water is drained and closed...sad time of year despite the beauty.

Fall Foliage

My handrangea

The colors are stunning this year.

Putting away Mom's Tiki Bar, too.

The Tragically Hip

OMG!!! But OMG at the same time.

I am going to see my favorite band, but most likely for the last time. In December Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Like I said, OMG.

The full message from the band: An Important Message from The Band

How will Gord and the band be come August? Will Gord still be healthy and be able to perform? It's kind of strange to feel such strong emotions for a man I don't even know. I feel like I do know him though. I have listened to his voice, his words, his poetry and music for so many years, tgrough so many ups and downs. I have studied the band for school projects and for my own interest. I actually took a bit of interest in history because I wanted to know all the things they refer to in their lyrics. So, yeah, I do know him and he's been an important and fun influence in my life. I respect what this man does with the power he has due to his fame and fortune. He sticks up for those who cannot speak out for themselves and I respect that. I wish him well and I will truly miss him when his time comes.

August 18, 2016: My last Tragically Hip concert. Ever.

Great show, heartfelt, bittersweet. 

Tragically Tragic. Despite a teleprompter Gord forgot some lyrics and/or was too overcome with emotion to sing. Scary, sad, yet inspirational.

A great moment.

Watching the final concert live stream with friends around a fire...how very Canadian for a very Canadian band. 

Gord signing his heart out via my ipad. 

My aunt took this picture for me as The Hip have a great song called Three Pistols

The Hip

You will forever be Tragically Hip, Gord. Rock on. 

 Since the tour ended Gord has been focusing his influence to help victim of residential school in Canada.

The Secret Path

He gave this interview in October 2016 (2 months after the tour ended) to Peter Mansbridge: http://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/gord-downie-exclusive-interview-1.3804422

R.I.P. Gord 10-17-2017

Statement

October 18, 2017

Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by.
Gord knew this day was coming – his response was to spend this precious time as he always had – making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss… on the lips.
Gord said he had lived many lives. As a musician, he lived “the life” for over 30 years, lucky to do most of it with his high school buddies. At home, he worked just as tirelessly at being a good father, son, brother, husband and friend. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. No one.
We would like to thank all the kind folks at KGH and Sunnybrook, Gord’s bandmates, management team, friends and fans. Thank you for all the help and support over the past two years.
Thank you everyone for all the respect, admiration and love you have given Gord throughout the years – those tender offerings touched his heart and he takes them with him now as he walks among the stars.
Love you forever Gord.
The Downie Family
I looked up to the Gord above and said, "Hey man, thanks."