Moved into the little stone house......

Our Location: Little Stone House, Tehkummah, Ontario

 

As you can see from the title we've moved from the Igloo into the little stone house again. It was an easier move this time, we already knew where to put everything. We moved in Sunday, October 24 in the afternoon. Why wait until the afternoon you ask? Pretty much most of the North Shore (Manitoulin Island, Espanola, Spanish, Birch Island, parts of Killarney, and Whitefish Falls) were without power that day. It was a scheduled outage to replace some 'stuff' by Hydro One.  When that happens the small community of Sheguiandah (Shag -a -winda) puts it's generator to use at the Community Hall and cooks up breakfast. For the cost of $12.00 each we (Dad, Riley and I) enjoyed eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, pancakes, toast, coffee/ juice and small fruit cups. I drove, Dad treated us.  Our seating time was 10:00 am. We were home just before noon. So that's why we were late getting started. 

Heavy frost at our summer location this morning.

Since we have been slowly packing things away the outside things for the past month, there really wasn't a lot left to do except hook up and store things for a usual travel day. We were backing into the driveway at the little stone house shortly after 1 pm. We worked all afternoon emptying the rig (except our big chairs) and all evening putting things away. Monday morning we carried in the last few things, chairs and mats, hooked back up and had the Igloo back down to the pit before noon. Winterizing was accomplished later in the week.

 

Ice pellets and frost at our summer location.

This year we brought more of our own stuff as most of Pat's things were sold over the summer.  A bathroom reno is just being finished, new tub/shower was finally hooked up Thursday night, washer as well, the dry wall mudding has been going on for a number of nights but all is well in the world of us. We spent most of Friday afternoon and evening doing laundry. Who knew we had so many clothes and linens! 

The Igloo is parked for the winter.

Halloween was quiet here, 10 kids came along and Riley handed out candy while I made some potato soup. Riley and Dad both like potato soup and so I made huge pot of it. I delivered some to Dad various family members, keeping enough for Riley and soon the pot was empty.

The local dairy farm spread some liquid manure this spring and I do believe it made this mushroom grow to a massive size. 

 

So as you can see, we've settled in for the winter and will be watching all of our friends on their adventures south of the border or borders as some may be the case. We shall soak up all the warmth we can from the photos and the musing of all of you fine folks. So don't be stingy, share lots ! 

 

I wear a size 5 ladies shoe just for reference. 

 

 Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit.

 

Local dairy farmer close to the little stone house.

Until next time, take care, be safe, stay healthy, 

Deb

Fall has arrived....

Our Location: Summer Spot near South Baymouth, Ontario 

 

 

There is a crispness in the early morning air on my way to coffee these days. The night's darkness fades quickly as I carefully watch the path ahead of me for critters of all kinds. A few black and white long tailed critters (or perhaps it's the same one each time) have crossed my path a few times over the summer, a porcupine or two as well. A few deer and rabbits have also been noticed moving away as I wind way along.  (written a couple of weeks ago) Now it's totally dark when I'm strolling along the path for morning coffee. 

With winter closing in and no definite opening of the US land crossing Riley and I have had to make a decision regarding our winter digs and so we have once again agreed to rent the little stone house for the winter. Yes I know the border can open at any time but since we are in Northern Ontario our decisions must come a bit quicker than others.  So as of this writing we will once again be staying in the north for winter. Happy to be able to get the same house again, but not happy to be in the cold all winter. Enough said. 

 

I thought I'd just post a few photos to update the blog. Please enjoy. 

 

Take care, be safe, stay healthy, 

Deb

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year

 

 

Location: Hamlet of Tehkummah, Ontario


It’s been a while since my last update but I haven’t had much to say. I’ve had the best intentions to keep reading blogs but well, we know what happens with best intentions. Enough said.

 

Downtown Tehkummah

Looking down the main street out of town.

 

 First things first, belated Happy Thanksgiving to our American Friends. We were with you in spirit and even celebrated here in our little corner of Ontario with a nice big ham. Belated Merry Christmas to one and all. We hope this holiday season has brought you peace, love and joy. Along with good health, good cheer and almost all that you wished for. I do mean almost ALL, because if you received everything you wished for, what would you have left to wish for in the future? We would also like to wish you all a very wonderful New Year as I doubt I'll be doing another update so quickly.

Ward's General Store, across the street from our little winter house.

 

Our little stone winter home.

Snow, cold, milder temps, rain, more snow, more cold, etc. You get the idea. The weather here is a constantly changing thing. Although we’ve had a few very cold nights we haven’t had any long stretches of such weather and so we will not complain. The Big Dog muscles onward but can be seen shivering late at night when he thinks we aren’t watching, the Igloo is safely tucked away near our summer spot and I’m sure is shivering much more frequently. Hopefully next year we will all be back to a much more normal way of life and we can be in a much warmer place with a lot less snow and enjoying spectacular sunrises and sunsets.


 

The back yard of our little stone house.

 

A few days of work here and there but otherwise very quiet here in our little neighbourhood. We did have daughter Courntey visit for a few days before Christmas. It was so wonderful to see her and spend some time getting caught up. The days whipped by quickly but a few days is better than no days. She had a friend heading westward for a couple of weeks and so we managed to meet them only an hour and half drive away which made her visit much easier for us. A less than easy ride taking her home to Toronto, a quick overnight for me with a much easier ride home to the little stone house here in Tehkummah the following day. 

A bit different view of the back yard.

 

Other than that, nothing is new here, everyone is well, healthy and getting through the winter one day at time. All of the photos today were taken with my phone this morning, Boxing Day 2020. They show the small hamlet of Tehkummah and our little stone house for the winter.

View of the back our little stone house.

 Nephew Jason left this morning for a month of sledding near Revelstoke, BC. We wish him safe travels and good health. A very long drive for a single traveller. Wife Leah didn’t make the trip this year as she is due to deliver their first baby in mid February.

 

Can you see the General Store across the street?

Belated birthday wishes to great niece Isabel, who celebrated #7 on Christmas Eve, to cousin Barry who celebrated a much bigger number on Christmas Day. Future wishes to nephew Jason (Jan 2), cousin Sheila (Jan 7), niece Amber (Jan 9), sister in law Janet (Jan 14), daughter Courtney (Jan 22), cousin Craig (Jan 23), daughter Riley (Jan 28) and cousins Bob and Ruth (Jan 29). Lots of folks celebrating those candle days!!!

 

We are too protected here at the house to know the real weather and so we watch it through the trees in that open field of the dairy farm behind us. We can see blowing and drifting snow, fog, snow and when the trees start bending we know about the force of the wind.

So there you have it folks, a quick update. We do hope everyone out there is safe, healthy and happy. Stay warm or cool, whichever one might apply to you. Thanks for stopping by.

Multiple wind chimes grace the yard, these are just a few.

Until next time…. take care, be safe, stay healthy,

Deb