Return to Winter

Woke up to a 100 degree difference in temperature from last Sunday!  We were in Mexico last Sunday and it was 80F degrees.  Today, back in Canada, it is -20F.  Yes, that is cold.  Don’t ask what it is in Celcius that is just too scary to contemplate.  The sun is shining and the sky is very blue but we are inside by the fire.  Even the  animals look at us with a very confused expression when we ask them if they want to go out.  Should we actually let them out they are very quick to turn around and bark to come back in.  The cats have no interest at all and no need to go outside.  The dogs occasionally do.  While we were away our animals were well taken care of by a community effort.  Our friend Devon and her beau stayed in the house with them but they both work long hours so our friend Jennifer came over twice a day to check on them and let those who needed to go outside out.  We thank them all for caring for our fur babies while we were gone.

Happy Valentines Day

In the fine tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day, flowers abound in the house.  They make a wonderful contrast to all the white that is outside the house.  It seems so very white now that the lake is frozen.  There is a huge expanse of white that goes from our front yard all the way across to the other side.  I don’t know how wide the lake is here, often wonder, but I guess it would be a half mile anyway.  That’s a lot of white.  So, we love to add some color into this white world thus beautiful flowers and greenery.  Plants are very healthy for you and some are recommended for specific issues.  The best part about houseplants is that they give off oxygen while consuming carbon dioxide.  So if you live in the north where the windows are closed most of the winter, try adding house plants to where you live most of the time and enjoy not only their greenery and flowers but their health benefits as well. For a website that has some recommendations Click Here .

Happy to be back to home cooking

While a holiday away is a good thing it is very difficult to eat as well as one can when you are at home and cooking for yourself.  It was so good to get back and to cook a meal at home this week.  We don’t have a lot of fresh fish here so we buy frozen and this week’s try was Mahi-Mahi.  John marinated it in some soy sauce and ginger and cooked it on the grill (yes in the freezing cold) and it was delicious.  It was strange that while we were away I lost my taste for fish but as soon as we got home that was all I wanted.

My 91 year old mother is here for the week which is wonderful.  Her Montreal care-giver is on vacation so she is happily ensconced here with us.  A nice break for her and for us too.  At 91 she is a wiz at crossword puzzles.  She often tells me they are really good for your brain and since she is as sharp as can be I believe her.

Is there anything good about February?

Yes, the days are getting longer and it is followed by March and we get to eat John’s famous “Sausage Minestrone soup for lunch.  Here is the recipe we are having it for lunch today.  Perfect.  Have a wonderful week everyone and try and stay warm.

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