Italian Potluck

It was pretty chilly this morning even though it was just before 9:00 a.m. when I set out. The sun was shining but it was windy and a north wind at that with the temperature at 11C (52F). I walked south on Appleton Side Road to the Trans Canada Trail and then walked west for about 10 minutes before turning around and retracing my steps back to the campground. It took about 40 minutes.

After my morning routine, I read for a while then prepared the ingredients to make my Spaghetti Bake for the campground potluck tonight.

The potluck was a little late starting but there was lots of food. The weather was fairly cool down by the water where the potluck was held but it’s a pretty spot. It’s good that I made a gluten free Spaghetti Bake as the theme was Italian and there wasn’t much else that Gordon could eat. I got a lot of compliments on the recipe including from my husband. I didn't take any photos at the potluck, didn't even take my camera.

We got back to the RV around 7:00 p.m. to a mountain of dishes. This cooking takes far too many dishes!

Another At Home Day (except for groceries)

There’s a new RV/camping site on line now called RVThereYet (cute name). It’s got lots of interesting links as well as RVers blogs, info on finding campgrounds, campground ratings and something called CampFree (you have to have a Paypal account to take advantage of this). Here’s the link:http://www.rvthereyet.cc/

I really didn’t want to get up this morning. I put an extra quilt on the bed last night as my feet have been cold when I wake up but this morning I was warm but I knew I’d have a monster headache if I didn’t get up. It was 16C (60F) and cloudy with quite a high wind coming from the north so it wasn’t all that warm! The radio said there was a 70% chance of rain this morning in Ottawa. We don’t seem to get all the weather that Ottawa gets. Looking at the radar the weather seems to come more from the north down the valley towards Ottawa and we’re west of the city. Works for me!

Around dinner time last night we had more heavy rains so much so that both the internet and TV went out for a short time. We had a few rumblings of thunder and then sunshine so Gordon went out to see if there would be a rainbow. He said there was a partial one and he took some photos but I haven’t seen any of them on pbase yet.

Late this morning I sat outside with my blanket as it was quite cool and windy but came in at lunch time and transferred myself and my book to the couch.

Around 3:30 p.m. I realized tomorrow is our potluck here at the campground and I needed some mozzarella cheese so off to the grocery store. I went into Carleton Place the back way through Appleton and took some photos in Appleton.

Photos of the Mississippi taken from Appleton

I tried to sit outside again when I got home but it can't decide whether it wants to rain or the sun wants to shine so I gave in and came in to do my Nightly News.

An At Home Day

I woke up to rain on the roof. Do I get up and walk or not? So I lazed around for ½ hour, the rain stopped and I got up and walked. Since the skies were threatening I went a shorter ways north, then east and then west so I got my 30-35 minutes in that way. It was 14C (57F) and cloudy but at least it didn’t rain on me.

After breakfast and my morning computer time, I defrosted the freezer. It needed to be done badly but I don’t like doing it when it’s too hot so today was a good day for such things. The owner of the campground mows on Thursdays so when he was done mowing around our RV, I went to get the electric mower to do my usual trim up but it wasn’t there so I’ll do it another day. I did a bit of sewing and washed my cloth purses and hung them outside under the bullnose of the RV to dry. Other than that, it was my usual reading. I’m running out of books. I stopped at the library here in Carleton Place one morning this week but it doesn’t open till 2:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday so I didn’t want to stay in town that long. I’ll have to go back and see what they have. I can take books out on my Nepean Library card which is nice.

We had some thunder rumblings this afternoon and a bit of rain and temperatures reaching 23C (73F) with some humidity. The sun came out later in the afternoon. All in all it wasn’t a bad day unlike what had been forecast yesterday.

More Around the Campground Photos

Wednesday

This morning was 17C (63F) sunny and windy. Below is where I walked this morning, all 5,159 steps of it. I finally remembered to wear my pedometer. This walk takes me about 35-40 minutes.

Eastbound on the side road

Southbound on the farm road

Westbound on the Trans Canada Trail (the old train tracks)

Northbound on Appleton Side Road

Gordon was nearly out of coffee this morning and as I can't buy Folger's instant in Carleton Place, that meant a trip to Ottawa. I had to go in to drop something off anyway so I headed in around 11:00 a.m. to do a bit of shopping. I stopped at Michaels to see what was new there - nothing I couldn't live without, Hazeldean Mall where I got the coffee and another pair of running shoes. It seems that Zellers is one of the only places where I can buy Folgers instant in Ontario. I think Loeb might have it too but I wasn't going there unless I had to. I then stopped at Walmart to pick up a few things and the Loblaws at Centrum Centre where I had planned to get my 1% lactose free milk in 4 litre size. I can only buy the litre size in Carleton Place. Turns out the Loblaws only had 1% in the litre size as well and I didn't feel like making any more stops so I bought it and will have to stop again Tuesday where I know I can buy it (Food Basics).

Other than trying to find a switch on our hot water heater (our electric switch has never worked), nothing much else happened today. I sent an email to Glendale this morning and was told where it's supposed to be but no luck finding it!

Today was a really nice day for the most part. This morning was really sunny. It clouded over this afternoon and we got a little bit of rain but then the sun came out again. There's no humidity and our high was about 22C (71F).

Thank Goodness for the Wind!

If it weren't for the wind today it would be really hot. It's quite humid as well but even so I sat outside this afternoon under the big tree and read. We're supposed to have thunderstorms later so Gordon put the awning up in preparation for increased winds.

I had walked this morning, done the laundry and gotten groceries so it felt good to relax!

More Campground Garden Flowers

More Appointments and Errands

This morning was quite a bit cooler 17C (62F) and only partly sunny. I walked further than usual this morning. I’ll have to measure it in the truck to see how far it is though.

We had an appointment with our doctor to get the results of our medicals and everything turned out well. After that we had lunch in the Food Court at Bayshore, ran some errands, went to the chiropractor and then came home as it was starting to rain and Gordon thought he forgot to close one of the vents and indeed one vent was open but it hadn’t rained very hard so it wasn’t a problem. That’s something we have to remember to do but as you get older you can’t remember anything!

The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and napping. Looks like the weather this week isn’t going to be very nice, cool and wet after tomorrow late in the day. This is supposed to carry on till at least Friday.

By the way, I finally got another blog visitor counter to work!

I didn’t take any photos today but I’ll leave you with one that Gordon took last night. He actually got up out of bed to go out and take it.

Saturn (dimmest spot), Venus, & the Moon

Baird Trail & Visiting Neighbours

Got up late this morning, about 8:50 a.m. I had such dreams last night, all active with me participating so I feel like I didn’t sleep much. It also rained during the night and I got up to close the window so it was warmer inside than before and I think that contributed to it.

Anyway it was 22C (72F) when I got up. It also looked like rain again so I only walked as far north as River Road on Appleton Side Road and back.

I had a nap this morning and after lunch we found the trail near Middleville that we looked for yesterday. It’s called the Baird Trail and it was quite pretty with a lot of pine trees and a boardwalk through the wetlands. We didn’t see much except for some butterflies but I thought I saw some bear tracks……..

When we got home John & Jean were sitting outside with Sarah so I went over and talked to them for a while then back to make dinner!

Happy Anniversary Margie & John!

and

Happy Father's Day!

To see Gordon's post, click here.

Photos Along the Baird Trail

Breakfast, Ottawa and a Drive in the Country

I got up a little earlier this morning as the campground was cooking breakfast for us starting at 8:00 a.m. So I walked then, came back, got ready and went for breakfast. It was quite a good breakfast for $5.00 – homemade scones, toast, sausage, eggs, bacon, coffee, juice and fruit.

Around noon we went into Ottawa. One of the stores where I buy gluten free things is Rainbow Foods and when I was there last week they were advertising a gluten free day which was held today. We got to sample different foods and all of them were very good including a bread and pizza. They were out of the bread mix so we’ll have to go back in later next week. It was also very hot today and the pizza was frozen so we’ll have to take the cooler in and get some as Gordon has been missing pizza.

We did a couple of errands as well and then started back taking a detour through Almonte and trying to find a nature preserve around Middleville. We never did find it. We’ll have to get instructions to get there another time.

The photo is one I took this afternoon on our little jaunt.

Low Key Day

More campground photos

View from my lawnchair

My neighbour, Jean walked with me this morning. We walked down the side road (Cram Road) eastbound, then south and then west on the farm road back to the Appleton Side Road. As we got back to the campground entrance we saw another couple walking south toward us. They had just been to see the turtles that are laying their eggs along the gravel shoulder. We chatted for a while. He still works at Nortel and works for the Northern Telecom part the same as I did. He said it’s not as great a place to work as it once was and hopes to be able to pack it in in a year or so.

After my usual morning routine I went outside to sit and read and was out for over four hours. I also walked around the park and took more photos. It was so beautiful outside today, no humidity and nice sunshine with blue sky and fluffy white clouds. It’s very peaceful here.

A very low key day!

A Hawiian Luau in Ottawa!

I’ve been eating too much of the pie I made lately so I’ve been combining running with my walking. Today I walked/ran the 2 km. to the lights at Hwy 7. It still took ½ hour. The day was beautiful with lots of sunshine a southwest breeze and (67F) when I started out. By the time I got home it was (71F).

Dave (owner) was mowing the lawn this morning so after he did what he could I mowed around the RV again. Our neighbour, Jean came over and wanted to borrow the mower after I was done and instead we sat outside and talked till about 1:15 p.m. Then I had to come in and get ready to go into Ottawa to our Hawaiian Luau sponsored by our financial advisors, Canada Retirement. They have a couple of these get togethers yearly, one in June and one in December which we’re never around for anymore. They are always well put together with lots of free food and booze. They have a band and dancing, not that we ever take advantage of the dancing part. It’s really very well done.

We didn’t stay long. We usually don’t know anyone although I did see someone that used to work at Breconridge today. On our way home we stopped at Bruce Pit where we used to take Bib for walks. It’s a local doggie spot where you can let your dog off leash to run although we never let Bib off leash. Gordon saw a heron on our way by so had to stop and take photos.

We arrived home and had a piece of pie. It’s almost gone, thank goodness! As long as it's here I have to eat it! I've been asked by someone who commented on my blog for a recipe hint. It's made with brown sugar, milk, and butter. I use cornstarch instead of flour because of the gluten. Don't know if that helps or not!

This is our neighbour, Sarah

The pig on the spit

We were to dress in our best Hawaiian outfit, everyone received a leis at the door

My Hawaiian outfit - my nephew gave one of the leis last year and I got
another one at the door

Visiting at My Former Office and "A Bear"?

It was about 10 degrees cooler this morning than yesterday but I also walked 1 ½ hours earlier than usual.

A few weeks ago I had made arrangements with Najat, one of the admins I worked with to come in to the office to visit and have lunch so today was the day. Thanks for lunch, Najat! I went in a bit early as I had some things to do and arrived at the office a little before 11:00 a.m. I got to see lots of people that I hadn’t seen since last year and one that I hadn’t seen for two years. Quite a few people are no longer there, some on maternity leave etc. I didn’t get to see Peter, my former boss but might go back again later this summer. I left around 2:00 p.m., stopped at the Real Canadian Superstore that I hadn’t been in before and picked up a few things.

On my return to the campground there was a sign on the gate “A bear has been spotted in the campground”. Wow! Who would think there would be a bear around here. All I’ve seen the last few days are turtles laying eggs in the gravel on the shoulder of the road and of course, lots of robins and red winged blackbirds so now I’ll be on the lookout for the bear!

No photos today. I was going to take my camera into the office but decided against it.

Tuesday Accomplishments

• Walked quite a ways considering it was already 25C (77F)
• Went into Ottawa to pick up Gordon’s repaired camera lens (after 6 weeks)
• Dropped by to see my sister at her work
• Went to take photos at the Ornamental Gardens (part of the Experimental Farm)
• Stopped at Bayshore and got a price for my glasses and decided to order them
• Picked up a prescription that I had phoned in last night
• Picked up a couple of things at the fruit market
• Returned home to Tranquil Acres
  

The truck thermometer was registering between 31C and 32C (88F and 90F) on our way home this afternoon. It was a hot one in the sun!

Photos taken at the Ornamental Gardens

About the Pie

The pie had to cool at least three hours so we just tried it - it was really good, it set pretty well but it was very sweet! I got a thumbs up from the pie taster (Gordon)!

Pie.......and Other Stuff

This morning was cloudy and humid and 20C (68F). Although I haven’t felt up to par the last couple of days I managed to do my morning walk.

We reached a high today of 28C (82F) with sunny breaks off and on.

This morning I packaged up the meats that I bought yesterday into freezer bags (the containers they come in usually take too much space in the freezer). I also made a bunch of hamburger patties.

I’ve been getting bored with lunch meats so decided to experiment with chickpeas. They actually make quite a good sandwich filling. I mash them, today I used garlic salad dressing instead of mayonnaise (that I used a couple of weeks ago) and some seasoned salt and finely chopped green pepper. I used finely chopped onion last time too but I’m not a big (raw) onion fan so didn’t use it this time. It’s quite nice for a change.

Gordon made an appointment at the Dodge dealer in Perth for our 126,000 km checkup and was able to get one this afternoon so while he was gone I finally used the gluten-free pie shell that Michelle had given me when we were in Columbus in April and made the world-famous butterscotch pie. There seems to be a problem with the butterscotch setting enough so we’ll see how it turns out. Just taking it out of the oven it didn’t feel as if it was set. The only thing I can think of is that we substitute cornstarch for flour. I’m wondering if using amaranth flour might work. I’ll have to do some research, not that I plan on making it again. My oven just doesn’t heat up well enough or hold the heat to bake. My husband looked happy when he came home and saw it cooling on the counter!

Good news! They even washed the truck at the dealership. That's a first for us with the truck!

Laundry, Groceries, Reading

Today was another beautiful bright sunny day with no humidity. We reached a high of 26C (78F). I had a nice walk this time going south on Appleton Side Road and then down the side road that runs along the campground to the river. There’s lots of shade there and it was quite warm by the time I walked around 9:00 a.m.

After breakfast and doing my morning reading of blogs, I got the laundry ready and went into Carleton Place to the Laundromat. There was no one there when I arrived which I thought was great for a Sunday. I was thinking I’d have to wait for a machine. After that I stopped at the two grocery stores in town to get what I needed and was back home shortly after 2:00 p.m.

The rest of the day was spent reading, outside at first till the mosquitoes started to pester me and then inside.

Here are more photos of the flowers around the campground:

A Walk Along the Mississippi

Today was a beautiful day, no humidity, just a lot of bright sun and 23C (74F).

I got a fair bit accomplished this morning. I coloured my hair – light ash blonde this time instead of golden and got the place vacuumed. I consider that a ‘fair bit’.

After lunch we decided to go into Carleton Place and see what we could see. From a Vacations magazine for the area I saw that there was a walking trail along the Mississippi but no directions of how to get to it so my husband found it all on his own. It’s a very nice trail, paved part way and then gravel but wide and level. It also has a boardwalk which reminded us of Six Mile Cypress in Fort Myers except without all the birds although we did see ducks and two large white geese. It was a lovely day for a walk. We then drove to the end of Lake Park Road. There’s a campground there called Hayshores. Sounds like he’s just enlarging it but they had a couple of transient spots right on the water. Too expensive though and not as pretty as Tranquil Acres!

Along the Mississippi

When we came home I sat outside for a while and walked around the campground to see what there was to see. That’s about it for today!

Baby robins nesting under our main slide

Nice Day Except for the Rain

At 8:30 this morning it was 21C (70F) with hazy sun so pretty warm for a walk. I did walk but no running today. It was quite windy all day so I sat outside under the awning for about four hours and read. I’ve read two books in the last two days.

The day was pretty uneventful but we were in line for a severe thunderstorm this evening. The rain started shortly after 7:00 p.m. but the severe thunderstorm, tornado and hail warning didn’t materialize. We did have some heavy rain but there were other days this week when it was heavier. The weather passed over quickly dropping the temperature about 10 degrees and taking away the humidity. I really enjoyed my outdoor time today.

Our high today was 30C (86F).

More photos of the campground gardens

Rain, Sun, Lawn Mowing

This morning was cloudy with a couple of sunny breaks and 12C (54F) as I was walking. Jean wasn’t home this morning so I went on my own. By 11:00 a.m. it was raining again which foiled my plans to mow the yard around the RV so I resorted to reading.

This afternoon the sun came out and dried the grass and by that time Dave had mowed around the RV on his tractor so I borrowed the hand mower and got closer to the RV and under the steps so it looks tidier. He sure does a good job with the tractor though.

The temperature reached 18C (64F) this afternoon when the sun came out and it was quite pleasant. The good thing about the cold weather the last couple of days is that the mosquitoes go somewhere when it’s cold. They were back this evening though.

Wildflowers along the road on my morning walk

The prettiest iris in the garden

A Day of Errands in Ottawa

It was 7C (44F) this morning but partly sunny. I went by myself this morning as I went earlier since I had to get ready to go into Ottawa as I had a chiropractor appointment early this afternoon and I wanted to make the most of my trip in so I had a long list of things to get done.

First thing I wanted to do was price lenses for my glasses. I got four quotes. There are so many different things to get from thickness of lenses to less distortion and all kinds of coatings. I still want to get one from Lenscrafters. Since I only get (up to) $200 back from my insurance, I want to get the best price that I can. The highest price I got was $946.50, that’s with the thinnest lenses, designer frames and the lenses with the least distortion with all the coatings. The best price was about $550 but I’m not sure what the thickness of the lens is as Sears just give you the best they have.

The lens shopping took up most of the time. I also stopped at Rainbow Foods to pick up some gluten free stuff and got some groceries. I got to my sister’s house just after she got home from work. Her husband filled up my six water jugs so now I have good Ottawa water for drinking. Danica was there playing her trumpet and I gave her the soccer ball that we had gotten at the Dodge dealer in Kingston. I had forgotten about it. Nick also dropped by as he was off today. He was meeting his wife at her job for 5:00 p.m.so I dropped him off there and headed west to Carleton Place. From the time I left Margie’s to the time I arrived at Tranquil Acres it took me an hour in rush hour traffic but that included dropping Nick off.

Although I had a chiropractor’s appointment today by the time I got home my back was not happy with me!

I took a couple of photos at Margie’s but they aren’t that great so I’ll just say – No photos today!

More Rain

Another cloudy morning and18C (64F) but no rain so Jean and I went for a long walk. It took about an hour. That was the highlight of my day and also the highest temperature we saw today. The forecast is for 4C (39F) overnight tonight but it should be warmed up again in a couple of days. Hopefully this cold snap will get rid of the mosquitoes.

About all I did today was make potato salad. I had cooked a lot of potatoes last night as we hadn’t had potato salad for a while. It’s more the weather for stew than potato salad but oh well, we’ll eat it anyway. That’s all that’s on the menu!

Other than that more reading, napping, internet surfing and watching TV!

Since I didn’t take any photos again today, I’ll leave you with photos of a warmer place with lots better weather – our time in Florida in March.

Captiva Island