Wooly Bear Caterpillar

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Deborah

Known scientifically as ‘Pyrrharctia Isabella’, the Wooly Bear Caterpillar is the larvae of the Isabella Tiger Moth. Abundant in Canada and found as far north as the Arctic, the Wooly Bear hatches in the Fall and overwinters in its caterpillar form, literally freezing solid only to thaw out in the Spring, then pupating into its adult stage.

I went for a walk yesterday and this fellow was in the middle of the road, aimlessly wandering in circles. I moved him to the side of the road lest he become flattened by a passing car.

Common folklore has it that Wooly … Read more...

Signs Of Fall

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Deborah

The Autumnal Equinox officially happened yesterday at 4:44 p.m. Prior to Sunday though, it had already felt like Fall the past couple weeks. The sun has been much lower in the sky with the days noticeably shorter, and cooler.

The cheery summer warblers, thrushes and sparrows have all vacated the north, departing at least 2 weeks ago for a warmer climate. The last hummingbirds were seen at the feeder a week ago Sunday. The feeder has since been taken down and washed, replaced by a suet feeder for the chickadees, nuthatches and woodpeckers who live here year round.

The leaves … Read more...

Next Week’s Menu

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Deborah

The first full day of Fall is Sunday. I am sad. Very sad. After Sunday, you will find me buried under my duvet with my cherished pillow refusing to come out until next Spring. It seemed like just a few weeks ago I was planting my tomato and pepper seedlings. Now I am harvesting the last of the fruit and composting the remains. I even put my canning pot away the other day, although I will probably haul it back out next week or so if the Green Monster offloads more tomatillos before a frost hits.

This weekend will hopefully … Read more...

Greeting Cards…

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Deborah

In my quest to find the missing vehicle ownership the other day, I expanded my purge zone to my bedside night table. I keep lots of stuff in there. Stacks of photos in those paper jacket/envelopes from the good ‘ol days of print photography, an MP3 player (apparently passé in technology), a pile of old pay stubs, new cheques, and greeting cards.

Lots of old greeting cards.

Mostly Anniversary and Valentine cards. From me to hubby and hubby to me.

I don’t know why I have kept them.

So this prompted a question to be thrown out to the masses. … Read more...

Toss? Or Keep?

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Deborah

The change of seasons spurs me into purge mode. Each new season (or at the very least, twice a year) I pull all the clothes out of my dresser drawers and closet and fling them onto the bed. I inspect them. I try them on, I yank them off in disgust wondering how I could have purchased such an item, then toss it onto the floor. Though I go through this ritual with most of my clothes, I have never actually gone through my ‘unmentionables’ drawers. Typically stuffing any new items in while pushing the old to the back.

Purging … Read more...

Having a Stocked Pantry is….

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Deborah

like having your very own grocery store in your home. Minus the outrageous prices and hard to pronounce ingredients that belong in scientific experiments.

I am winding down on canning season, my big ‘ol canning pot will soon be put away for another year. It is time to enjoy a well stocked pantry and take pride in knowing the food we will be eating is actually that – food. Not genetically modified, disease resistant and/or hormone filled products that the government deems safe. What is safe about ingredients that have more than 12 letters in its name?

Me, I prefer … Read more...

Random Weekend Stuff

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Deborah

Busy. Busy. Busy.

That just about sums up our weekend. Saturday’s weather was gorgeous, so hubby took advantage of the sun and warm temps to continue on with fixing the dock that was damaged during last April’s freak ice show put on by Mother Nature.

First was making a 33′ long side section that will sit on top of the frame timber on the left side of the dock. Fashioned from a double set of 2′ x 10’s screwed together, the beast weighed a TON. It sure looked purdy sitting up on the blocks….but then we had to haul it … Read more...

Next Week’s Menu

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Deborah

First off ~ Happy Friday the 13th!!!

I didn’t realize it until yesterday that today was going to be another Friday the 13th. Port Dover, Ontario will be swarming with bikers as well as the curious to see what the hubbub is all about. If you are not from Ontario and are wondering what the fuss is about, more on the spectacle that started in 1981 and continues on every Friday the 13th here. Google images has some really great photos of the event.

Now on to this week’s menu board….last weeks wasn’t bad for just getting back to … Read more...

Muskoka vs Adirondack

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Deborah

Chairs…

Spurred by a website article from www.cottagelife.com, and knowing there is indeed a difference to the two chairs…. I set about googling images of both, to confirm what I already knew.

That there is definitely a difference in the two chair types, with the descriptor being used by the country of origin, sometimes fiercely too.

The Adirondack Chair has thinner arm rests, the height of the back rest is lower as well as the top edge of the back rest comes in a variety of shapes. All the back boards typically have the same width with only minor … Read more...

DIY Plastic Bag Dryer

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Deborah

Necessity is the Mother of Invention they say. Lots of everyday items have been ‘created’ simply due to someone thinking outside the box to solve a problem.

The pacemaker, penicillin, the colour mauve, plastic and even Coke (as in the drink, not the drug!) were all accidents as a result of something being mixed incorrectly, forgotten or grabbing the wrong part.

Our DIY plastic bag holder was a result of necessity, with a sprinkling of problem solving skills utilized. We reuse and recycle as much as possible, especially plastic bags. There is far too much plastic in our society, we … Read more...