Well it wasn't the butler, it was Ollie Oliver the master chef who wasn't such a great chef!

.

Our Murder Mystery Dinner for 12 went off well, we must have sank about 7 bottles of wine, rum, Limoncello, plus numerous other liquers etc. Everyone had a great time and really got into the spirit of the dinner...

The dinner was focused around a Master Chef award, with a murder. We made up a Golden Whisk trophy and typical Canadian Potluck style everyone contributed something to the dinner.

Donna and Pierre brought some Hors D'oevres (starters for the rest of us) in the shape of Bacon wrapped scallops () and asparagus wrapped in proscuitto with some smoked gouda. John and Heather brought some greek cheese and John dressed in his chef's tunic, dusted them with Oregano and flour and fried them a very nice touch.

.

For a main course Julie prepared two dinners, Duck ala Orange,  and Pork Tenderlion stuffed with apricots and prunes (nicer than it sounds). Roast potatoes cooked in duck fat () and a medley of steamed vegatables (sounds posher than cauliflower, carrots and broccoli).

.

Ceri brought round some Death by Chocolate and Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert.

.

Well everyone got into playing their parts, ate well, drank well and we didnt finish until after midnight. We climbed into bed at about 1:15am this morning, after four dishwasher loads and lots of water quaffing.

.

No Snow Shoeing today everyone was to knackered.  But the forecast is for 30-40cm's of snow tomorrow. Sounds like New Years eve party will be via Dad's 4x4.

.

I wish you all a happy new year and if you are thinking of running a murder mystery dinner just ask and we will give you some tips.

I don't know about everybody but I have this obsessive behaviour about which way the paper hangs on a toilet roll when it is in a hanger. The paper has to hang from the outerside ie away from the wall.

.

If I am sitting in a loo and the toilet roll has the paper hanging down the back. I have a massive urge to take it off and turn it around. Infact I would say that more than 80% of the times I find it on the wrong way around, I will take it off and turn it around! 

.

OK thats that confession over with, I wonder if there is a special name for "Toilet roll on the wrongway around" phobia?

.

Today was my Dr Zed acupuncture appointment. My face is improving after the Bells Palsy attack. Not that it was all that brilliant before the attack but at least it is straightening up and I look normal (until I eat).

.

Today I carried out the very scientific "puff out your lips" test for Dr Zed and she was pleased.  Normally the right side of my mouth just gives up and lets all the air out at the slightest pressure. Today I felt my cheeks bulging as I immitated a hamster without the slightest loss of pressure until I reached Mr Bean Cheek bulging level then all the air came out in a whoosh!

.

Dr Zed still stuck needles in my face, hands and ankles, and left me twitching like the frog leg experiment in a kids biology as she pulsed electricity through the needles. She must have hit the right nerve in my right ankle today because my right foot felt and probably looked like I was trying to tap dance. It was reacting the same way as your dog does when you tickle his ribs and one of his/her legs starts to twitch and try to scratch.

Well I hope you all had a great Christmas ours was average with no snow on Christmas day and with Kathryn coughing for England and not feeling to well. The Christmas Dinner was great I haven't had a Turkey so tender for a few years and everything else was cooked to perfection too.

.

Today it is snowing (forecasting 10-15cms) and it is forecast more tomorrow. I think we are planning to go snowshoeing on Sunday!  Tomorrow night is our Murder Mystery Dinner for twelve people. I will let you know who dies, who is the killer is, best dressed, best actor and generally how it goes.

I am not sure if you all realise this but since 1955 NORAD has helped track Santa every year to ensure that he has a safe journey and doesn't collide with anything. Plus allow children to know when to get to bed to make sure they are asleep when he arrives in their area. 

Well this is our third Christmas in Canada and we have had a busy December socialising, buying presents for our relatives in the UK, then Posting them all by the 3rd December, and preparing for our Christmas whirl.

This year we have been invited to Christmas eve with Guy & Christine at the Chickadee Lodge. Guy and Christine were the first people we stayed with in New Brunswick on our research visit in 2003. They have become good friends and we regularly visit each other and invite each other to different parties / events etc... Christine has a dry sense of humour that works well with my own.

On boxing day we have invited our Geoff and Liz (next door neighbours) to spend it with us as they are alone this Christmas. Geoff is a Brit who's mum and dad emigrated to Australia in the 60's. He has a strong Australian accent but is very firmly British. His wive Liz or Elizabeth is a local girl.

On the 29th Dec we are hosting a Murder Mystery party for some 12 including other friends and neighbours. I will let you know how that goes

I will be writting up our annual "Whelbourn Canada News" newsletter, normally sent to friends and relatives. It is a summary of our last year with all different aspects reported on. I may just post it up on the blog. It may be too long for the blog as it is around 3-4 pages long.

It isn't that I spend alot of time on the computer but I have promised Julie that the computer will be off 25th and 26th  so there will be no more enteries until after Christmas. I am working 27th and 28th so I can log on and give you an update then with some photos.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year where ever.

PS

it is raining here but we still have snow on the ground and the forecast for Christmas day is cold and dry.

You have to love the cold winter for the great food you can get to eat . Things that would be out of the question in any other season become something to savour.

Julie is making Beef Stew and Dumplings tonight  and I thought I would let you all know just to make you drool!

ok back to some serious stuff, I have some photos of us cutting down our Monster Triffid - Christmas Tree from out christmas tree farm backyard. (see more photos below)

Photo Courtesy of Gemma

I know Julie looks like she is doing all the work digging the tree out, but I had to do all the cutting and it looked a relatively small / short tree until you realise that we are stood on about 40cms of snow! (we didn't consider that) .

After I cut it down and dragged it into the garage we counted the rings and it was about 14 years old!

.

Kathryn was hassled at work because of our ungreen approach to Christmas and cutting down a couple of trees. Then typical Kathryn pointed out that their Plastic tree probably caused far more damage to the environment in its manufacture and then even worse when disposed of. (Kat 2 - Tree Hugger 0). Besides we have planted other trees to replace those cut down.

Below are some snapshots to show why we call our back garden a Christmas tree farm.

Photos Courtesy of Gemma

Drive shovellers and trees on the right hand side of our house. All in nice neat rows perfectly spaced out.

View down the lower section of trees.

View from the back deck. You can just see Julie's Clementis Frame (bottom middle of the photo)

OK I am off to check on the beef stew  

.

I hope you have all been good, remember Santa is checking his list (twice) so stay good, and after Christmas you can let rip, knowing you have over 300 days to be good again!

For those who wonder what a triffid is follow this link and buy the book

There was deep disappointment in the house this morning after last nights snow storm. This was for two reasons.

1. The snow fall was followed by rain so the 30-40cm's was flattened down to a 20-25cm with an icy crust.
2. The radio announced this morning that our's was the only school district opening today HAHAHAAHA. The school buses were an hour late, no snow day.

So Gemma was trying to get me to let her stay off school, apparently the Canadian kids would have turned off their alarm clocks and will not be in school today. Being the sympathetic father I am, I listened and thought for about 2 seconds and my response was..... "And your point is?" So no snow day for Gemma.

.

Shovelling was a pain and hard work.

.

I think I could start a new get fit regime which is cheaper than going to the gym. Just filming me digging out wet snow. It weighs a ton, and your double  garage drive that could take 6-8 cars suddenly isn't such a boon. But I stuck with it and Julie and Gemma helped (even if she didn't talk to me). We cleared the drive in about one hour.

Kathryn is struck down with the dreaded lurgy (shame the next two days are her days off).  I am really sympathetic it just doesn't come across on the internet

.

On the good news front, we managed to cut down our Christmas Tree for the lounge and decorated it in the Gold and Red set of decorations. Yes we have two colour schemes for Christmas Tree decorations, plus Christmas mugs, towels, ornaments, cake stands, candlestick holders, pictures, signs, and numerous other bits.

.

Well to cut a long story short the girls decided the tree I had cut down was a little on the small side and seeing as we have another set could we have another tree? So yesterday in the snow storm I ventured out into the tree farm which is our back garden and selected something bigger and cut it down.

We now have two decorated trees, one that nearly touches the ceiling and invades the room like a lurching Triffid, dressed in Silver and Blue. The other, a more runty looking thing, with pretty lights and an Angel on top.

Apparently we now need another set of lights and an Angel (who will need to be built like king kong to hang on Triffid tree). Sounds like another trip to Canadian Tire. My favourite shop

Sunday 6:15pm Atlantic Time

Well it is still snowing hard I estimate we have received about 20-25cm and it is still going strong. No shovelling yet, power still one, dinner being cooked, pan-fried pacific salmon, strawberry & plum sauce (not too powerful), sauteed potatoes, petit pois, just cracked another chardonnay to go with whatever I have been drinking all afternoon. I feel pretty happy    looks like a snow day tomorrow. We have a visitor  (Pat) who is visiting my youngest daughter and us. I just suggested he stayed the night and blow me down if he doesn't have several changes of clothes in his car!!! .....Hmmmmm does that sound like it was planned or am I just paranoid?

.

Sunday 1:15pm Atlantic Time.

It started snowing at 11:46am and is now Snowing steadily. The local weather warning is that we will receive somewhere in the region of 40cm's.... Judging by their normal forecast and adding our hill variation we may be in for 50-60cm's. Ran up the generator again (just to be sure) and admired my new snow shovel.

PS I just want to make a point, children as snow shovellers is all part of the growing up deal. Once they have left home I will purchase a snow blower

Saturday 5:57pm Atlantic Time.

.

Seems like most of eastern canada is on a weather warning of some sort or other. There is a storm heading our way coming up from Texas and has already hit Toronto (I think).

.

The Weather channel is talking of 30-40 cm of snow  and they always seem to under-estimate for our hill.

.

Today was preparation day. We have stocked up on our normal shop so today was little more than check torches; (these are Flashlights for non Brit readers) candles; check over the camping stove ; Generator works we need that for the really essential appliances (TV, DVD player, and possibly the fridge)  ; Water because we are supplied via a well and the pump is electric but not wired into the generator, so no power = no water.

.

I have a couple of 25 Litre jerry cans for toilet flushing and another for drinking / cooking. I will have to declare a state of emergency and only allow teeth cleaning on the personal hygiene front.  As an ex soldier I can go for weeks without washing,  but I am not sure about the girls they seem to need to wash everyday.

.

Watch this space for snow updates.

PS I also brought a new snow shovel. We have increased our shovelling capacity by  50%. We now own three shovels for four of us. I figure if needed we can add further shovelling capacity with another shovel.  Note to self, will need to cajole daughters into shovelling, perhaps withdrawl of internet access will motivate them to shovel!

I thought we could all do with something to cheer up the 20 odd  % of Expats who aren't happy with their new life. (if you haven't seen the headline on the expat website here is the link Happy Little Expats).

First a joke to make you smile!

One beautiful December evening Pepito and his girlfriend Pepita were sitting by the side of the ocean. It was a romantic full moon, when Pepe said "Hey, mamacita, let's play Weeweechu."

"Oh no, not now, lets look at the moon" said Pepa.

"Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I play weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pepito begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon."

"Please, corazoncito, just once, play Weeweechu with me."

Pepita looked at Pepito and said, "OK, one time, we'll play Weeweechu."

Pepito grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, "Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, "Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."
.

.

Now something for the Facebook addicts. Did you know that there is a new version of Facebook out to cope with demand from senior citizens. Here is a snapshot of Face Book Senior or as known by its flashy marketing name "Pensionbook"

 .

.

And finally we have uncovered indisputable physical evidence of Global Warming.

.

I have always been a bit of a sceptic myself. I believe in minimum pollution and recycling but man creating global warming sounds like we have a highly inflated opinion of our own importance. But even I have had to admit this looks like conclusive evidence. see below.

.

..

.

Night of 7th December was the coldest so far this winter, a chilly -24c so I stoked up the woodstove and left it ticking over in the kitchen/den. I am amazed at the warmth given off by a woodstove. Our's seems to do more than keep the chill out of the air, last night I woke around 4am because I was just a touch too warm. I lay there marvelling at how our woodstove seems to heat the whole ground floor and upstairs too for all I know. I try not to venture upstairs into "daughter domain" it tends to stress me out (thats all I am saying).

.

Julie has her 2nd craft market 7th - 9th Dec and her booth / stand looks great see photo below.

Photo Courtesy of Brian Hudson

Still visiting Dr Z for my weekly needle sessions. My Bells Palsy is slowly improving my face is about level. I still cannot lift my lip on the right side of my mouth or raise my right eyebrow. But other than that I am busy busy busy, with work and my role at the Newcomers club (promoted to Vice President ....) organizing the christmas party with a quiz night and I still have to cut down the christmas tree yet!

Last night was our first major snow storm this winter. Infact I would have to say it was the biggest snowfall we have seen in the last two years.  We had an official snowfall of 30-40cm and on our hill I think our garden has received about 40-70cm of snow. It didn't drift much either, despite the strong wind.

Obligatory photos below.

Kathryn and Gemma's WHITE car, buried in the snow on our drive.

Snowball fight starting

 The Snow Shovelling Crew

Me up to my thighs in snow

(I can now manage a smile, I still can't grin without looking like mad eyed moody)

.

Our neighbour has been out for the last couple of weekends fixing the cross country trails in preparation for the winter. We have about 25km of trails just behin the house you can see in the back ground of the photo above (if you look close you can see John with his snow blower walking along side his house). We are looking forward to the next snowfall so we can get out on the skis or the Snow Shoes. The girls have also dug out a 20x 10 feet square to make our own ice rink . Who knows I may just try to skate this year.

.

Well time to go dig some more the snow plough man has just ploughed the street and blocked the end of everyone's driveway.

.

Several more photos to finish.

Bird Table nearly snowed under!

Woodpecker ventured out in the snow

Snowman called Chris

Julie in her famous red ski jacket

It is sunday morning and the wind is whistling around the house with bright blue sky and sunny outside. However it's about -12c and with windchill it feels more like -18c (according to the weather channel and it's website). Snow is forecast for tomorrow and Tuesday click here for a fourteen day forecast. It looks like a white Christmas is on the cards even if it is just lying snow.

.

We have just about sent all of our Christmas presents off. I like the way we are (well Julie is) forced to buy and send presents and cards early. It leaves a more relaxed family christmas atmosphere. 

.

OK I have to go an do something towards dinner I am getting the "LOOK"  I may update later after we have been for a walk! Yes you heard right a walk..... I you don't hear anything in 24 hours call out International Rescue   or perhaps Spectrum if you have their number.

. Updated at 5:33pm Atlantic Time .

We arrived home safely after trekking 2km of the 3km walk. Very invigorating  no need to call out IR or Spectrum.

Well I found the septic tank cover, it was about 2 foot to the left of the big hole I had dug in the back lawn.

.

Septic Tank Man came and emptied our high quality waste. He complimented us on our timing and removed 500 gallons of septic tank stuff. He proceeded to tell Julie how we had called just in time because we had a deep crust ?  (sounds like a pizza hut pizza). Cost $200

.

So now the temperature is -12c and the soil is frozen and I cannot shovel it back in the hole. I suppose I could cover the hole with branches and leaves and use it as a bear trap.

.

On arriving home from work our water pressure dropped to nearly nothing. I put a call in to the company who installed our new water tank in March ($476) and hoped the warranty would cover it. The Water Filter Guy came out (on call) promptly and pointed out our filters were clogged and should be changed every 4 months (we have been here 2 years and never changed them ). So he fixed the problem and left after 2 hours ($200) ..... His parting words were, start saving the pennies your well pump is 22 years old, and they normally have a life of 15 years (apparently another $500 + installation).   

.

What an expensive day I wish I had stayed in bed! ...oh well thats the christmas presents for the girls gone down the drain(no pun intended).  I will just have to pray that Julie has a sales rush on her next Christmas Craft Fair (7th - 9th December).

.

To cap it all I have just been told the forecast is snow or freezing rain tomorrow and temperature forecast at -9c for Sunday. The Bear trap may be our best option because we won't be able to afford a turkey this christmas, Anyone fancy a leg?

We spent the weekend finalising our winter preparations.

• Putting the mower and strimmer into the shed after draining all the fuel and spraying some good old WD40 into the spark plug holes and turning the engines over a couple of times.
• Storing the last of the woodpile in the garage
• collecting kindling from Mataquac dam where it is washed up and dried by the fall winds.
• covering plants with straw, sacking and mulch
• Bringing camping stove and gas out of the shed into the garage just incase we lose power during the winter
• Storing the BBQ in the garage as back up to our back up cooking system
• Storing garden furniture in the shed

Plus my septic tank (remember that) digging has halted because after a few days of -10c the ground had frozen and I couldnt dig below about 1 inch. Hopefully I can dig out the cover so I can get the tank emptied before winter. Today is warmer so I will be trying this afternoon.

.

Dr Z is very happy with my face's progress in the Bells Palsy war. She pokes me in the cheeks and mutters "ah looking better, more lines, here, here and here". I should point out that Bells Palsy does remove all your wrinkles, it is a free Botox treatment. Today there was no fumbling with the waistband of my underpants or rolling up of the tee-shirt .... oh well it was fun while it lasted. She still managed to make me twitch like a frog on a science table when she turned up the electrical impluse machine. 

.

She finished by telling me that in the cold weather I should wrap up my face to keep my cheek warm... I just mumble agreement and think "there is no way I am wearing a Balaclava for anyone, the local police would think it was their one great chance to catch a terrorist and I would be tasered in a blink of an eye!

.

I will update you on the Septic Tank battle that will start about 3pm today when I start digging in the trenches again.

Yes I did say I would get this posted on our 2nd Anniversary but life was hectic around the 5th November and the following Saturday was our Bonfire Party and we are only just coming round to somewhere near normal life again.

.

So I sat down with the girls and asked the following questions:

• What don't you like about living in Canada and more specifically Fredericton NB?
• What do you like about living in Canada etc...?
• What do you miss about the UK?
• What would you advise people to do if they are coming over or what would you do differently if you had the time over again?

I also asked an extra risky question: As a percentage express how happy you are with 1% being downright miserable and 100% being blissfully estatic.

.

So here are the answers.

.

What we don't like about living in Canada or more specifically Fredericton NB?

• Fredericton drivers (appalling roadsense and positioning)
• Frumpy fashions (thats not from me I am more than happy with mine (Dad))
• No swimming pool on the south side
• Lack of leisure centre facilities (to be fair they have built one on the North side and one is due to open next spring on the South side)
• Lack of teenager venues
• Poor road lighting around the edges of town. No cats eyes, and lines are generally worn out by the time spring comes around. (This is to be expected as winter really takes it's toll on the roads. Also less light means less light pollution)
• Lack of tourism signposting

.

What we DO like about living in Canada or more specifically Fredericton NB?

• The wildlife, birdlife and nature is amazing
• Weather, we love the hot summer's and freezing winters and snow
• Scenery
• Lower cost fo doing things such as learning to drive, swimming, skating etc...
• Pace of life we have more time as a family to do things
• Our house and garden (Mowing 1 acre seems more fun with a petrol/gas powered mower ... I dont have a sit on mower, I need the exercise)
• Having campfires in the back garden during the summer autumn evenings
• The different seasons allowing us to do different hobbies or activities. We brought an above the ground pool this summer it was great and we have a kit for an ice rink for this winter as well as x country skis and snow shoes.
• Social life - we seem to have more friends here and more time to enjoy socialising. Between the Newcomers club and neighbours we had 46 people come to the bonfire party.
• Fresh fruit and the varieties, there does seem to be more than in the UK
• Fresh seafood (licking lips)
• My job, I really enjoy what I am doing and enjoy going to work. (Dad)
• Organised Summer Events - movies under the stars, free concerts in the parks and down town
• Outdoor leisure facilities such as tennis courts, free ice rinks in the winter etc
• Our cars (sounds trivial)

What do you miss from the UK?

• We do miss food like baked beans, branston pickle and other foods that are not available here, or only occassionally.
• We miss the variety of restuarants that stay open until late
• Good curry house
• Good Chinese take away
• Hearing all the please and thank you's

What don't you miss from the UK?

• 2 hour commute
• Crime and the feeling of the threat of crime
• M25 Traffic and road rage
• Constant noise in the background
• Lack of privacy both in the house and outside in the garden
• Seemingly never ending job of making ends meet  without an end in sight.
• Walking home in fear during the dark winter months and sometimes in broad daylight

What would you advise people to do if they are coming over or what would you do differently if you had the time over again?

• Come earlier so that both girls would have been at high school it would have been easier for them to settle and make friends to have through high school and to go out with.
• Have minimal visitors for the first 12 months. It is amazing the financial drain on your reserves when you take people around sightseeing, feeding, etc... You tend to have a holiday at the same time and spend like you are on holiday. Be aware of that.
• Gemma would have liked to complete her GCSE's (see first point on this list for conflicting points put forward)

OK the biggy question on happiness, "As a percentage express how happy you are with 1% being downright miserable and 100% being blissfully estatic"

• Kathryn = 65% and happy
• Gemma = 75% and happy
• Julie = 90% and happy
• David = 95% and very happy

Our conclusion is, that it always takes alot of time to fit in where ever you move to, and after two years we are now beginning to feel settled and happy.

For those of you who want to compare our feelings at the end of year click on this link to year one lessons learned.

As an update from my last entry: I received lots of compliments on my haircut. Well to be more accurate people noticed enough to comment "You have had your hair cut", which in my "Man book of noticing things around you" counts as a compliment. 

.

The drive to Moncton on Wednesday went reasonably well. Fredericton to Moncton is about 180km from our house and it was only the last 40km when my right eye started watering and it it was feeling tired.  The trip was a major step for me and my return to work, up until now I had only driven to and from Fredericton (about 16km each way). Then while at Moncton I delivered two 45 minute presentations! (the first since July). They understood me, and as a bonus they liked the content  .

.

OK the septic tank emptying didn't go to plan. First I have to dig out the pump access cover which is buried some 12 to 14" under the back lawn. I know roughly where it is and started digging the evening before the Solid Waste Removal Operative was scheduled to come and suck it all out. But alas I only found the edge of the cover after digging a 24" x "24" hole a foot deep. I called and left a message to cancel for Thursday and I will reschedule for next week when I have located the access cover.  When I rebury it I am going to put in some sort of marker (copper pipe or something) so it is easy to find in 3-4 years time.

.

The weather is cooling down quicker than in our previous two winters, now I am starting to wish I brought more wood this year. I guess we will just have to chop up the old chairs, beds and wardrobes in February when it gets down to -30c

.

One last thing, as we have been her two years now, I ran through the same exercise of asking what the Girls, disliked, liked, and would do differently if we were emigrating again.  I will post the results on here later today or over the weekend.

Well it has been pretty chilly here the last few days. Night time temperatures down to about -14c and high's of 0c to 4c Brrrr. 

.

Because of the cold we have the lit the woodstove and watching the logs burn has made us all feel in the Christmas mood. In an annoying way I searched out and put on some christmas CD's. Not content with listening to the groans I generally drove everyone mad singing Slade "it's CHRISTMAS" song. I love that song well I do now but I expect to hate it  about 10 days from now.

.

Dr Z gave me some more of her needle work this morning and again I promptly fell asleep after she told me to relax. I am sure she looked disappointed when the buzzer went in and she came in to tell me to relax again and I smiled (ouch that hurt)  But I could barely open my eyes. As she snoozed me for another 10 minutes.

.

I had my pre-christmas haircut today at Clippermans barber. Pete Clipperman is the fastest barber I have ever come across (or my hair is taking less time to cut). I asked for a grade 4 on back and sides and I will swear it was like watching a sheep shearing competition. Pete was a blur of action and huge chunks of hair fell away. Voila I was done in about 5 minutes and total cost $8.50 so I passed a $10 bill and in unusual gesture of generosity told him to keep the change. It must have been the christmas CD's!

.

Tomorrow I drive to Moncton (one of the other two cities in NB) to give a presentation. This will be the first since returning to work, so fingers crossed I will not look too much like Mad-eyed moody or sound like Popeye. Especially with my new military style short back and shoulderblades.

.

Thursday is going to be an earthy first for us. Our house is not on city sewerage and on thursday someone if coming to empty our septic (cost about $200). I cannot imagine how you pick up girls if you are a skilled septic tank emptier.

"Hi my name is Glenn and I am a solid and slightly solid waste removal operative".

Nope doesn/t cut it for me, you ladies will have to let me know how it works for you.

.

I will let you know how Moncton plays out, and the Septic Emptying Episode probably in not to much detail .

Today we have been running though our preparations for winter.

1. Putting garden furniture away in the shed
2. Raking leaves
3. Winterising the petrol lawn mower and strimmer
4. Booked both cars in for pre winter service and asked them to put Julie's snow tyres on.
5. Collected a bin full of kindling for the fire
6. Run up the generator for 30 minutes
7. Filled the bin with sand and salt mix for the path and steps

Busy day indeed, the wind is blowing hard and tomorrows maximum temperature is forecast to be 3c.

Brrrrr, I love the winter  I keep eyeing up the snow shoes and cross country skis.

I got out of bed to see our first snow Tuesday morning it was about -4c and still snowing (7:20am).the forecast was for it to turn to rain later in the morning with a high of 5c. Which it did then promptly frozen making driving hazardous for the Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. I thank god for my ABS brakes yet again after another black ice episode Tuesday night. I really should learn to skate.

.

Pretty uneventful week if you discount Gemma's announcement that next year after graduating from high school she will be going to Toronto to be a teenager,   of course Julie was instantly worried about her baby in the big city.

.She is only half heartedly trying to get a job it will take alot more effort on her side. Plus what can I say as I left home at 16 to join the Army and Julie was 20 when we were married? I do wonder how my mum coped with me coming home and saying "OK I'm all grown up now and joining the Army" at 16. I was about 5' 4" and didn't even have a bum-fluff moustache!

Personally I am not too worried because before she can go she will have to accumulate some of the green stuff and as she hasn't a job and her list of things she is going to buy with her pay check is longer than two orangutan’s outstretched arms. 

.

Counted up the sales from Julie's craft show and she covered her show costs(excluding the initial investment in building the booth which will be used for the next shows)..  So thats good news as we had low expectations of selling enough in the first couple of shows. Who knows I may be able to retire in January  (not sure which year).

.

I suppose you are wondering about Dr Z's needle work and pain delivery sessions? Well on Tuesday she announced that I was much improved and only needed for a pain session once a week.   Secretly I think it was because I didn't flinch when she inserted the needles and after she told me to relax I promptly fell asleep.  My face is returning to normal (if there ever was such a thing).

I love the Autumn or Fall whatever you like to call it. The colours, bright blue skies and clear crisp mornings or evenings. The last couple of days have been very crisp with nighttime lows of -10c and day time highs of 3c but down to -8c with windchill brrrr Christmas is coming.

These are my final two Fall photos for this year. I was walking around the grounds (I still cannot get used to having a acre plot ) taking stock of jobs to do before the snow comes when I looked up and saw our Larch tree in all it's golden glory. I couldnt resist getting a couple of photos and then I had to share them with you all.

Larch or Tamarack  depending on where you come from. Beautiful golden yellow needles, mind you the whole tree looks dead in the winter as unlike other fir tree's it sheds its needles.

Hard to believe it only cost 118,000 GBP isn't it?

OK this is nasty and perhaps anyone with young children should cover their eyes (the children's)

.

Gemma has been snapping us as we rest up from the Party on Saturday evening. When she asked me to do my Mad-Eyed Moody impression.

Just to jog your memories here is Mad Eyed Moody from the Harry Potter film.

Now completely unaided by makeup or special effects here is my Mad Eyed Moody impression.

Bells Palsy has stopped the right hand side of my face responding to commands to smile or wink. But it is slowly improving (my previous impressions were quasimodo like) it can take upto a year to recover fully and my attack was 25th July this year. Joking about it is my way of dealing with the inconvience of not being able to deliver presentations and communicate the way I want to.

More needle work with the mysterious Dr Z on Friday. I think she must sit and wonder "how can I keep  him guessing this week?". I have needles inserted into several new places at my latest Acupuncture session on Friday. I now also know that on my forehead she pushes them down rather than just in. I guess the skin on my forehead isnt thick enough to give them a good hold . They don't hurt much but when she hits the right spot - PING. it feels the same as when someone gently squeezes a pressure point, it doesn't really hurt but you know it really could!

.

Anyway Bonfire Night and 2nd Canniversary party was held last night (10th). It was suppose to be a pot luck but Julie always panics and starts to worry about everyone only bringing 4 chicken wings or 6 cookies. POW off she went and produced 1 x Full blown traditional chicken curry (our new crockpots hold 6 litres and it was full), 1 x Beef in Red Wine Casserole (another 6 litre crockpot worth), about 2 litres of Mushy peas, Brandy Snaps and Bonfire Toffee. Then I topped it off with 6 litres of Mulled Wine! (Yes we really do have 3 monster crockpot's). 50 Beers, 6 bottles of wine and 4 2 litre bottles of pop. Not to mention the six crusty loaves for dipping in curry and stew and then Kathryn decided to make naan bread.......... Yes you heard right there was ONLY 40 people coming around and they were bringing some food too!

.