Weekly Musings of the 29th

 

So another week slipped by in no time flat.  The week started with taking the car in for both a check up and the snow tires to be put on.  At one point in the day hubby was looking outside and then wondered where the heck was the car then remembered he took it in and it wasn't back yet.  Don't ya just love those memory farts - LOL.  

DD the 1st had a job interview this week and it looks pretty promising and that will be a huge help for her.  She needs to be out and meeting people and doing things.  Job hunting can be a soul crushing job in itself and I am very glad I no longer have to do those things.  

And so the week flew by and I started working through my kindle collection of books, there are over a thousand both in the cloud and on the kindle both fiction and non-fiction.  I decided to clear out those that were a good read, I enjoyed them but I know full well I am never going to read it again.  I don't need to keep them either in the cloud or on the kindle and they get in the way of me looking for a book I do want.  It is a very slow process and I would guess I am about a quarter done.  When I get overwhelmed I put it down for a time and look again with fresh eyes.  

It is the only thing I don't like about kindle and that is that you cannot pass on old books that you know someone else will enjoy like you would with a real book.  It just disappears into the nothingness of the internet.  Guess one can't have everything.

Hope you had a great week and weekend ahead.

Books - A Dickens and Christie Mystery

 

Yup, I have another fun cozy mystery to tell you about but before I get to that I thought you might wonder how I collect them.  Of course, I use our library app to get series to check out but another is my weekly email from Book Bub which is a great website where you can pick the kind of books you love to read and they will send you an email with a list of books that are either free or less than 2 dollars.  Those specials do not last but yes you can pick where you like to get your books from and get free or nearly free books.  Great way to try out new series which is how I got this one.  If you add favourite authors to your Bookbub list they will send you emails for just those authors too.  Now back to Dickens and Christie -

There are 10 books in the series (I got them in groups of three volumes on the bookbub speical) 

She crossed an ocean to start her life over. Can she nab a killer before her quaint village becomes a graveyard?

Recently widowed Leta Parker desperately needs a change of scenery. Pursuing her lifelong dream of retiring to the Cotswolds, she leaves her soulless corporate hustle in Atlanta and moves to England with her talking dog and cat companions—Dickens and Christie. But she’s barely begun making new friends when she stumbles across her housekeeper’s body …

With several villagers pegged for the crime, Leta teams up with a retired English teacher and her sharp-as-a-tack octogenarian mother to track the killer before the trail goes cold. As the not-so-friendly local policewoman elbows them out and scandalous rumors plague the tight-knit community, it’s left to the ladies and their pets to sleuth for the truth.

Can Leta, Dickens, and Christie sniff out the culprit before the cute little town loses more than its charm?

Bells, Tails & Murder is the delightful first book in the Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series. If you like spunky literary women, amusing animal sidekicks, and inviting cultural backdrops, then you’ll love Kathy Manos Penn’s engaging page-turner.

The tenth book keeps the series just as much fun as the first -

When an innocent knock turns up a body, can she step into the dead man’s shoes and put the cuffs on a scheming murderer?

Leta Parker needs a distraction. With her boyfriend temporarily staying in Connecticut, the confident retiree is ready to dive into the design and team-building conference being hosted by her adopted Cotswolds village. But when one of the lead consultants is late to a meeting and she goes next door to wake him up, she’s shocked to stumble across his strangled corpse.

Shut out of the case by the stuffy detective inspector, Leta agrees to lend her well-honed mind to keep the teamwork sessions on track. But with the beloved members of the Little Old Ladies Detective Agency champing at the bit to chase down clues, she can’t resist using her insider position to spy out possible motives.

Can she piece together the puzzle before anyone else draws their last breath?

Puzzles, Purrs & Murder is the charming tenth book in the Dickens & Christie cozy mystery series. If you like well-grounded heroines, original characters, and richly plotted whodunits, then you’ll love Kathy Manos Penn’s bespoke investigation.

The next book will be out in the new  year and of course it is on my wish list.  

On top of sharing my love of books I wanted to take a moment to wish all my American friends Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy your day!

Black Licorice with Papa

 

Now Papa always kept a big 4 ply kleenex in his pocket and a roll of salted black licorice.  Now I was and probably still am a candy loving person.  I love candy and will sneak it, ask for it, and do anything else I can think of to get it.  When I was about 5 my eagle eyes saw a roll of what I knew to be candy in my Papa's hand.  I looked up to him with my biggest love-filled eyes and asked - Can I have one of those? Papa replied that I would not like them as they were salted and did not have sugar in them. 

I didn't care and was now determined to have one of those mystery candies from his pocket.  He asked if I was sure, like very sure I wanted to try them.  I said of course I would.  I love that kind of candy.  Papa knew that I had never had one and so he probably figured that I would try to spit it out at the first chance and never ask for one again.  There was an unspoken rule that if you asked for something, you had to eat it all and not spit it out.  

He gave me one and I popped it in my mouth, black licorice with a huge amount of saltiness.   He was watching me carefully.  I knew he was waiting to say 'I told you so' and I was just as determined that he would not get the chance.  These things you could never just swallow and they were a hard chewy candy so it took time to deal with but I kept at it.  

Papa waited to see me make a face and try to get rid of it but I just smiled and said - this is really good.  I like them a lot.  There was no way that I would admit that these things were awful and that I had finally been given a candy that I didn't like.  

I ate it all and Papa just shook his head and then asked if I wanted another.  I politely told him that I didn't want to spoil my supper and said I would wait for another day.  Of course he thought I would never ask again but he didn't know how determined his granddaughter was.  Every time we were in the garden together I would ask if he had a licorice candy and he would pull out the roll from his pocket and hand me one which I would take and eat.  Funny thing was that over time I came to not mind the salted licorice at all and actually enjoy them.  I can say that every time I would have one, I thought of my Papa.   

I can still find them today if I wish but honestly I don't very often anymore - LOL.

Recipes - Mamie's Crepes

 

When I was growing up, Mamie would have what was called pancake dinners.  These were on days such as New Year's Day or Pancake Tuesday and I am pretty sure there were other times too.  They were her crepes not just regular pancakes.  She would start making them after lunch and keeping them warm would make them until the plate was nearly a good 6 inches tall filled with them.  

The table would be set with every possible thing that could go on pancakes, all the jams that she made, maple syrup, brown sugar, icing sugar, lemon, butter and I would want to have one of everything on my crepes.  I knew that my stomach wouldn't allow me to have more than three, so I would layer jam, brown sugar and maple syrup with butter on each one.  Yup, pretty sweet combo but I needed to go for the maximum amount of stuff.  I would cut all the way along the pancake and then roll up the piece, it got tough to do in the middle but I was pretty determined and that would be when my cheeks would be completely stuffed.  Mamie's crepes would be the stuff of dreams and I couldn't wait until she would announce that it was time for a pancake dinner.  

2 cups milk approx. (use a heavier milk such as 2% or homogenized milk, thinner milk is not as good)

1 tbsp sugar

2 eggs (large)

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

Sift the flour, salt and baking powder. Add well beaten eggs and sugar. Mix all with milk until the desired consistency (which for the crepes is fairly thin). Put a small pat of butter in hot frying pan then add batter in spoonfuls. One fills a medium-sized fry pan. Cook both sides to desired golden brown. Serve with powdered sugar and a squeeze of lemon, or syrup, or jam, or brown sugar and combinations thereof.

This recipe would make a stack as big as you see above, Mamie's stack was huge and would be at least 4x's the amount of ingredients.  I seemed to remember an empty carton of eggs in the garbage can.  Knowing how tricky crepes are to work with and how long it takes me to do one batch, I know she was way more patient that I am ever going to be.  

Mamie 

Have a great day!

Now Called the Canadian Museum of History

 And you know what?  It is every single country in the world that would offer to help.  

Anyway, enough of politics because that is just futile.  I am sharing an old video of what was called then - The Museum of Civilization but they decided that walking the streets of history was not fun anymore (probably since everyone is rewriting it) and changed it completely as well as changing the name to the Canadian Museum of History.  I thought I would share once more my pictures of the museum when you could walk the streets of history.  I was told it isn't as interesting since they completely changed the layout of the museum.  

 Have a great week!  

Weekly Musings of the 22nd

 

Foggy morning this week but more about that later as I want to write about DD the 1st and our trip to Waterford last Friday and mention some fun shopping places.  

First one is The Belching Barista which is a wonderful coffee shop and if you have a tea drinker with you (like me) there is a really great Chai Tea Latte too but DD the 1st is a Barista and a coffee snob and she really fell in love with this place and the lady behind the counter was friendly and helpful.  Just a great place to go for a coffee break or to get some wonderful coffee beans.  Oh and in case you wonder about the name Belch is the family name and they figured they might as well just make it fun for their business.  I think it is just great.

If you wanted to learn more about how they roast the beans themselves and how it all came about just give the link a click to read about their journey.  Certainly a local business I want to support.  

Next place I love to visit is the The Waterford Girl which is my place to go for all my soap and bath needs plus a few more things too that she makes, with some great gift baskets as well.  

Such a great place in an old house to check out and find a special something for a friend (as well as some new stuff for yourself) 

Another special shop that has the tradition of closing for a day to put out all their Christmas items and puts away  some of their regular stock is Brushed Designs.  One of the reasons I love to check out this shop besides all the interesting items is their rude Christmas and Birthday cards for those friends who has a interesting twisted humor like my own.  You know, the kind that just peeks out from time to time and surprises you.  

This store is one that you seriously have to walk around at least three times to see everything that is there, plus time to read all the rude cards and laugh out loud.  

Lastly is one of my most favourite stores and that is Nifty Gifty Norfolk who has lots of local artists bring their work in to sell.  There are lots of sales and well as items priced from low to higher end but all really fun and beautiful.  

Of course it is another store that you have to walk through at least three times to see everything.  There is also a downstairs with even more to see and walk around three times too.  

Waterford also has an Waterford Antique Market that is beyond huge if that is where you love to look around and shop.  

I would also say there are probably several other shops that we just haven't discovered yet but we will in the future and post them here too.  

Morning walks had lots of cloudy days this week and one morning completely foggy as you can see.  

Hubby was super delighted to see some snow falling from the sky that you could just see in this picture.  Of course it didn't last nor stay on the ground but it was snowing, which hubby loves to see.  

One last piece of fun this week was DD the 1st took a fall picture and sent it into the local TV station CHCH and that night it was on their news broadcast.  She was just tickled pink by that.  

And so that was our week and although gloomy in some ways, a lot of fun in others.  

Have a sparkly weekend!  

Books - Cat in the Stacks Mystery

 

Another series that I really have fallen in love with is the Cat in the Stacks series, more in point is that I fell in love with Diesel, the Maine Coon cat.  

Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows Charlie Harris, the good-natured librarian with a rescued Maine coon cat named Diesel that he walks on a leash.  He’s returned to his hometown to immerse himself in books, but soon enough he’s entangled in a real-life thriller...
 
A famous author of gory bestsellers and a former classmate of Charlie’s, Godfrey Priest may be the pride of Athena, but Charlie remembers him as an arrogant, manipulative jerk—and he’s not the only one. Godfrey’s homecoming as a distinguished alumnus couldn’t possibly go worse: by lunch, he’s put a man in the hospital. By dinner, Godfrey’s dead.
 
Now it’s up to Charlie, with some help from Diesel, to paw through the town’s grudges and find the killer before an impatient deputy throws the book at the wrong person. But every last one of Charlie’s friends and co-workers had a score to settle with the nasty novelist. As if the murder wasn’t already purr-plexing enough...

Such a fun read and lots of fun learning about Diesel and how he trills instead of a straight meow.  Just finished the 16th and enjoying the series still, no word of the next one but perhaps in the new year.  

Librarian Charlie Harris and his ever-intuitive feline friend Diesel must catch a killer in a deadly game of cat and mouse where no one is who they seem to be...

At last, Charlie and Helen Louise’s wedding is only a month away. They’re busy preparing for the big day, and the last thing Charlie needs is a new mystery to solve. Enter Tara Martin, a shy, peculiar woman who has recently started working part-time at Helen Louise’s bistro and helping Charlie in the archive. Tara isn’t exactly friendly and she has an angry outburst at the library that leaves Charlie baffled. And then she abruptly leaves a catered housewarming party Charlie’s son Sean is throwing to celebrate his new home in the middle of her work shift. Before ducking out of the party, Tara looked terrified and Charlie wonders if she’s deliberately trying to escape notice. Is she hiding from someone?

When Tara is viciously attacked and lands in the hospital, Charlie knows his instincts were correct: Tara was in trouble and someone was after her. With the help of his much beloved cat, Diesel, Charlie digs deeper, and discovers shocking glimpses into Tara’s past that they could never have predicted. Will they catch the villain before Charlie’s own happily ever after with Helen Louise is ruined?

I think another reason I really enjoy this series is there is nothing supernatural or paranormal about Diesel, he is just a cat, a smart cat, which most cats are and this makes them seem supernatural but no, just a great cat.  Not putting down those books that use that kind of twist but it is refreshing to read about a regular cat.  

Memories of Grandad

 

Now Dad's parents I only saw three times in my life.  They came to visit when I was nearly 5 at the house we lived in before we moved to our home on the highway.  The second time we went to England when Mom was pregnant with my sister and the last time was about when my sister was 2.  

We did hear from them through letters and parcels and magazines from England but to actually speak to them and get hugs, sadly that was not to be more than those times.  Overseas long distant calls were very expensive and not an easy thing to do either.    

Grandad thought it was funny that I would say 'Hi', each time I saw him and he would reply with 'Low', and smile.  He was a master carpenter and learned his trade from his father, Samuel.  Strange tale was that Grandad had no middle name because when his older brother was born after several sisters, they thought he would be the only boy and so gave him all the boy names they thought of.

I heard he had at least three middle names, and then his mom had another boy and neither parent could think of another name besides James and so that was his name - James Broomfield.  He worked his whole life for a funeral home in Enfield, a suburb of London, where he made coffins with all hand tools.  When we visited England I got to see his workshop there where coffins in all the stages of construction were standing along a wall.  Grandad was wearing his work suit, grey pants with a white shirt, his tie and jacket were hanging on a peg and his sleeves of his shirt were rolled up and had those silver sleeve holders that made sure they didn't slip down at a bad moment.  He also always wore a vest, either beige or grey, which had two pockets.  Over that his carpenter apron made of a heavy material such as a soft leather.   His vest held his silver cigarette case and his matches.  He always rolled his own cigarettes, and because Grandad was so very frugal they were the thinnest cigarettes you ever saw, Dad would remark there was only a strand of tobacco rolled in a paper.  Of course though, Grandad had see both the first and second world war as well as the depression too and both he and Gran were very careful with their funds.

Grandad, when we visited England took me out for an Walls ice cream each day after he finished work.  It was the best and richest ice cream I had ever had to this very day. 

This picture was the last time we saw them in 1969.  It was a pretty hot summer that year that they came and Grandad actually took off his tie and vest, but not to the point of wearing sandals or shorts.  There were limits to modern styles - thank you very much.  

To me, Grandad was a very quiet man, steady, strong and firm in his beliefs in life.  He loved his family and had a quiet sense of humor and smile.  I knew that he loved us, loved his wife with his whole heart and could always be counted on when needed 100%.  I may not have seen him often, but he was always in my heart.  

      

Recipes - My Baked Beans

 

Now first off with this recipe the beans are not made from scratch, I wouldn't even begin to know how to do that but I did get this recipe from a dear friend who has long past away and although I have made a few changes to his recipe to make it mine I do remember him when I make it.  He was very set in his ways about his recipes and never ever shared the full one and how I ever got it from him is a mystery to me.  He did regret passing it on and got angry thinking I had already shared it with others, which I didn't until he had past and so here is my version of Bob's Beans (not my darling hubby but another Bob)

4 cans of beans in tomato sauce (but not Heinz as it is too ketchupy)

1 cup Heinz ketchup (this makes a difference as others make it taste differenct)

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 bunches of green onions, chopped (white part only)

1 green pepper, diced

1/2 tbsp garlic powder

1/2 pkg of regular bacon (not maple flavoured)

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

3 tbsp HP sauce, regular

Preheat oven to 350F

Mix all together and baked covered for 2 hours at 350F. Remove and stir well at 45 minutes 2Xs and once at 30.

Have a great day!

Grey Cup and Christmas Cards

 

So last night was the Grey Cup (like the Super Bowl for Canada) and although neither of the teams were a favourite and the Eastern one the most disliked of the bunch, Eastern one - The Toronto Argos won the cup and really they did deserve it.  Their playing was excellent and even with their main QB injured, the second QB really stepped up and did a great job.  So, well done Argos!

Usually watching the Grey Cup is my time to do my Christmas cards but this year, for the first time in about 40 years I didn't.  I didn't for two reasons and the first one is the postal strike. 

Now I think they are shooting themselves in the foot, considering that their business has fallen completely to a all time low between the internet, computers, etransfers, cell phones and of course Amazon, who uses other companies to ship their stuff.  Yes, remote places need the postal service but being remote I am sure they have done with less in the winter when it comes to deliveries.  Sure, I send Christmas cards and some do send a few out but really not too many do anymore.  It is becoming a lost art, so what will happen is that people will make adjustments and whatever they use mail for they won't for a time until it is up and running again and life will go on.  End of my little rant on postal strikes.  

The second reason is my arthritis, although I manage to push through lots of things, my hands are not as strong as they were and they really cannot manage a lot of writing when it comes to cards, so I am sticking to writing a Christmas greeting letter here on my blog, emails to those who are not on Facebook, lots of Facebook Christmas posts and really, leave it at that.  No cards this year!  I am done or at least my hands are.  

So have a great day, my friends!

   

Weekly Musings on the 15th

 

Yesterday morning's walk the sky looked on fire - heard in my head 'red sky in morning sailors take warning'  and since the day got pretty rainy it was true.  

Another pretty quiet week which was okay by me.  We did have to head out to fill up the car at the Reserve and found out that at a certain point the car starts to flash on the dash - fill car now.  We knew we had enough for the last mile to get there but it still made you wonder if you would make it.  It was the lowest we had let the car get since we got it - LOL but a trip to London and back twice will do that I suppose.  

In the morning walk I see some have started putting up their Christmas decorations now and they are glowing in the early morning light but the temperatures are still nice for the morning walk, some mornings cool and some still pretty warm.  

That morning picture I thought was pretty cool.  Clouds above and cloud below with a strip of sunshine between.  

So, doing a bit of exploring and errands today with DD.  Her cat and ours are still separate as we are just not sure if they will leave each other alone.  Good news is that DD's cat still seems pretty content in their room and Tigger... well, Tigger is happy to be left alone.

A couple of funnies for a smile today.

Oops - LOL

Well, thank goodness for that and I think too old to be kidnapped either - LOL.

Have a fun weekend!

Books - A Coffee House Mystery

 

Second to the Miss Fortune series in my favourite series is this one, The Coffee House Mysteries.  Where Miss Fortune is lots of fun, the coffee house collection are more of a puzzle and has really various plots and twists with a lot of New York and coffee history.  

The first charming mystery in the New York Times bestselling Coffeehouse Mystery series—where caffeine and crime are always brewing...

Clare Cosi used to manage New York City’s historic Village Blend coffeehouse, until she opted for quieter pastures and a more suburban life. But after ten years away she’s back in action and back to the grind, serving up steaming hot caffeine one cup at a time.  

With a sprawling rent-free apartment directly above the coffeehouse, her cat Java by her side, and plenty of redecorating ideas, Clare is thrilled to return to work—until she discovers the assistant manager dead in the back of the store, coffee grounds strewn everywhere.

NYPD Detective Mike Quinn finds no sign of forced entry or foul play and deems the whole thing an accident. But despite the attractive investigator’s certainty, Clare isn’t convinced. Now, if she wants to get to the bottom of things she’ll have to do some sleuthing of her own—before anyone else ends up in hot water...

The latest one is book 20... 

When a film crew's location shoot delivers an actual shooting, Clare Cosi finds herself at the scene of a true crime in this showstopping entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

Only Murders in Gotham, the smash-hit streaming program, is famous for filming in authentic New York locations and using real New Yorkers as extras. For its second season, they've chosen to spotlight the century-old Village Blend and its quirky crew of baristas. Shop manager and master roaster Clare Cosi is beyond thrilled, especially when her superb bulletproof coffee lands her a craft services contract for the production.

Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the landmark shop, reveals an old kinship with the star of the show, comedian Jerry Sullivan. Now a Hollywood legend, Jerry frequented the Blend during his early years performing in Greenwich Village comedy clubs. But the past may hold more than nostalgia for Jerry. Suspicious accidents begin plaguing his shoot. Then a real bullet is fired from a stage gun, and Clare becomes convinced something sinister is afoot.

While Jerry's production moves to exciting new locations, Clare keeps the coffee flowing—and her investigation going—even as a murderer lurks in the wings. But can she root out the rotten player in this Big Apple production before the lights go out on her? Includes a stellar menu of surefire recipes.

And in the wings is book 21, slated to come out April 1st, in the new year and it is, of course on my wish list. 

In my case it is my morning tea, but I appreciate the love of coffee too.  

Have a great day and happy reading.

Statues Around Ottawa video

 

One thing I really loved to do is find interesting or just weird statues in the places that we explored.  Ottawa has some pretty interesting ones and over time they kind of come and go as different people in charge feel the need to take some away and put something different out.  

My three most favourite of all time is Tree, Bush and Shrub girls at the British High Commission building.  If no one has moved them you can find them tucked behind some bushes on the right side facing the building.  They kind of remind me of minions.  

So, thought I would share again my love of interesting statues around the city of Ottawa.  

Have a great day!

Today's Anniversaries

 

Today is the date of our parent's anniversary and although their marriage had a rocky ending I still like to remember it because if it wasn't for mom and dad meeting and marrying my sister and I would not be here.  

So, I remember my mom and dad and their lives together.  There were good times and in the end some pretty bad ones but the good must be remembered always and not drown out by the end.

Remembering Lucille and James Broomfield with love. 

The other anniversary of this day is the date for my baptism in Delhi at what is now Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. 

This picture here was taken that day.  Of course, the date on the picture was the next year but, in those days, pictures sat in cameras until all the pictures were taken and you could afford to have them developed.  

I thought it was pretty interesting that I was baptized on my parent's anniversary.  

My godparents were my grandmother - Joanne Verhaeghe and my godfather was Bobbie Osaer, who was a friend of the family.  November 12th a special family day. 

  

The 11th Day of the 11th Month in the 11th Hour

 

I have many memories of Remembrance Day.  Dressing in first my brownie uniform and then my guide's and taking my place with my grandfather and my father and walking in the parade to the park to put the wreaths.  

Papa was in the first world war but other than the one story of his escape from a prison work farm he never spoke of it at all.  Dad did a tour in the British air force before he came to Canada.  

I remember when the government decided kids had to stay in school and take part in school services instead of with their family because they thought we would forget and it would just become a holiday.  I missed walking with my family on Remembrance Day.  

I remember Bobby, our doctor's son playing the trumpet over the PA in our high school at 11 o'clock.  It wasn't the same though.

I remember standing on a snowy day at the war memorial in Ottawa, shivering and being there for the ceremonies in our capital city.  It still was not the same as the those moments spent with father and grandfather in my little uniform walking from the legion to the memorial park to place wreaths.  My girls never had those moments and I wish they had.  Sure they were at school and they took part in ceremonies in their gyms but it wasn't the same as three generations walking together.  

Today we shall watch the ceremonies from the War Memorial in Ottawa on CBC Gem because standing in the cold wind isn't something hubby and I can do anymore and I will remember my grandfather and his story of escape and the sad look in his eyes as he remembered people that he lost and memories he would never speak of and I will not forget.