You may remember the waffling I was doing about the beloved treadmill.... well I finally decided to sell it to my sister for a bargain price with the condition that if she wants to be rid of it, she gives me a chance to buy it back.
The good news is that I have the cash from her for drywall (or something like that) and the space in my laundryroom freed up.
I am sad that I couldn't discipline myself to use it (after all it was a very good treadmill), but really if I'm looking to exercise, I should take the dog out!
9.28.2010
Much better now
I had a ROTTEN cold that triggered a severely debilitating migraine this weekend. OMG I wanted nothing more than to cease feeling anything for a while. BUT after way too many hours in bed I felt tolerable yesterday morning and by the afternoon, back to my old self!
I scrubbed our kitchen thoroughly and even cleaned out some cupboards and drawers! And we had an early picnic dinner out in a skater park, so the kids could roll around (Cam on his scooter, Steve on his unicycle.... man that kid is getting GOOD on that thing!). From noon on it was a fantastic day.
(No scrubbing in the plans today though.... they cut off our neighbourhood water because the City is replacing a collapsing culvert. It's weird not having water on demand, at my fingertips)
Above is a much more flattering photo of our investment house. Now that the deal is done I feel like a few tonnes have been added to our shouldered responsibilities and yet elated at the opportunity at the same time. I've always liked that house, it has potential to be very charming (as soon as the bachelor FIL moves out -- in 5 years or so). The photo came from the appraisal report that we were forced to pay for. Even though it was an unexpected expense and after we paid for it we had to ASK to see it, the report was encouraging. Even though it is only in "average" condition, we still only paid what it was appraised at, unlike the comparables in the area that sold for $20-35 G more (and all of those on the "bad" side of the street).
Our new responsibilities include: mortgage, insurance, taxes, municipal services & maintenance costs. The rent we have negotiated with FIL will cover all the expenses (except maintenance) easily and a little left over to accumulate for the maintenance. We may not have a loss to claim on our taxes, and that's okay because we won't have a loss!!!
Apparently FIL celebrated his new landlord's possession by mowing his lawn! (He has mowed it perhaps 8 times in the 10+ years he has lived there so it's a big deal)
He really wants a range hood for his stove, and I want to see an exhaust fan for the bathroom (perhaps on a humidistat so the moisture is under control?). The steps on the back deck are hazardous the way they are so they should be done before the snow comes. Other than that, I want to see the front pickets repaired and front door given a smooth protective coat of varathane or something to protect it's solid wood... after all, that door is part of that home's curb appeal.
I'm blathering on about a house I can't decorate... really I should be updating y'all about the state of my decluttering!
Now that the season has shifted decidedly into Fall, I pared down my summer wardrobe, RUTHLESSLY removing anything I chose not to wear, whether I liked it or not. After all, if I went a whole Summer with very typical weather and temperatures without wearing it, how would next year be any different? And a few more pairs of silly shoes that I can't drive in (thus, never wore). And as I integrated my colder season clothes back into my closet I realised that there were a few familiar pieces missing. At first I felt a pang of sadness that I had already passed them onto charity, then I looked carefully at my closet and realized I was NOT starved for choice, my wardrobe is flattering, functional and full of colour without those things. There. A reality check to make me feel less mopey.
I want to get the laundryroom drywalled before Halloween. That may be a little optimistic since I have to rely on the actions of my husband who is worried about some framing issue around the big closet doors -- he is over-analyzing it and it's paralyzing him. But he IS doing something about our 1/2 finished fence, he has some cedar boards stained and ready to nail up, very nice.
With my cold pretty much over, the house deal completely in the past and a good start on some projects around the house (and major starts with work), I feel SO MUCH BETTER NOW.
9.24.2010
Rainbows and Window Washing
We went to my Mother in Law's for dinner last weekend. It was T's sister's birthday, a great excuse to get together and enjoy some very good food. She has 3 children and is one of those brave individuals that chose homeschooling. I admire her courage, strength, patience and organizational skills -- not only for the homeschooling, but the entire time I have known her. She is classically elegant in beauty and is a strong, quiet force to her personality... I've not heard her yell, she really doesn't have to. I really really respect her. Anyways, just before we sat down to our fantastic meal of baked, wild, sockeye salmon, I went to call the kids in from the playground and was delighted to see the rainbow. Since my camera has a charged battery now (!) I jumped up and snapped a few frames. I love rainbows so much. I mean the real ones only though.... not a big fan of rainbow stickers or other rainbow imitations any more than I'm a fan of likening cherry flavour to fresh, plump, REAL cherries! The real deal of prisms splitting white light into the natural visual spectrum is so magical, so many subtle hues.... very pretty.
And the next morning we got a spot of good weather. What a great time to use child labour! T was working on our gazebo and had Steve hang onto panels for him from the rooftop. While up there he asked if he could pick moss off the shingles (of course!) and then mentioned the skylight was dirty. So I passed him a rag and a squeegie and a bucket of soapy water. He was as happy as could be up there washing away the grime to let the blue sky in! Last year I never would have let him wander the roof on his own. This year he has just blossomed so much! More responsible, more coordinated. So quickly his voice is changing, he is growing so fast, he is just older looking. The whole process is fantastic and he is reaping the benefits with more freedom.
You know I used to panic a little bit when he was very little. How would I know when to let him go on his own to school? When would I know when he could just hang out with his friends for hours and hours without knowing exactly what he was doing? How would I know when the right time was to let him go off on his bike by himself for trail rides, or get a job or be trusted alone in the house???? I haven't had to think too hard about it yet. Either he is ready or he's not, and the answer has been pretty clear. Until he abuses our trust, he will keep gaining these liberties in increments, it was a major stressor for me that I would get the timing wrong, but so far it has come as it comes -- quite naturally.
I think highschool has been good so far. Other than getting a call that he may fail science because he is falling behind ALREADY. She was very receptive to working together to prevent that somehow. I like this teacher, she seems to really care.
Hopefully the Sylvan classes will help prevent failure too. He is taking the study skills program. And it was freakishly expensive for a couple months of instruction! This batch of lessons cost more than my first car did. He goes 2 hours/week. That being said, if it can do what it promises -- teach project/homework organization, time management, note taking and test preparation -- then it will be well worth it. Elementary School failed to teach these skills and they are LIFE skills he can use into adulthood!
++++++
And in more current events, tonight we celebrate the completion of the purchase of that revenue property. I have invited my MIL (financial backer) and FIL (our tenant) over for a lasagna dinner. We will be starting with a vegetable escabeche salad (recipe thanks to Latinaish). I made it yesterday so it should be good and zingy by tonight! I'll also pick up a nice fresh loaf of bread to go with the meal. As of noon today we are "slum lords" LOL. It will be cherry pie for dessert (I know a mocha gelato would go better, but I want pie).
9.22.2010
bummer
Ever had one of those days where you felt like you were being pulled too many directions at once?
Today I feel like taffy,
closing on that investment house,
graphic design work,
HVAC drawings,
new clients, old clients
household chores
grocery shopping
banking
gardening
Steve's bike club
Steve's teachers
homework
Cami's school open house
social calls
trying to be NICE when all I really want to do is curl up and ignore everything for a minute.
etc, etc....
and my back is killing me and my neck glands are swollen.
I think I will go to bed now (but with a sore back that will inevitably lead to pain nightmares....)
poop
Today I feel like taffy,
closing on that investment house,
graphic design work,
HVAC drawings,
new clients, old clients
household chores
grocery shopping
banking
gardening
Steve's bike club
Steve's teachers
homework
Cami's school open house
social calls
trying to be NICE when all I really want to do is curl up and ignore everything for a minute.
etc, etc....
and my back is killing me and my neck glands are swollen.
I think I will go to bed now (but with a sore back that will inevitably lead to pain nightmares....)
poop
9.17.2010
Salsa Revelation!
I'm not talking about sexy dance moves dance here... I'm talking about the tomato-based condiment that's infinitely superior to ketchup (or "catsup" for our neighbours to the south).
I don't think I really "discovered" it until 1990, and then I have to say my taste buds were opened to a whole world of possibilities! I LOVE salsa on fried eggs with a little sharp cheddar melted on top, I love it with corn chips, in Kraft Dinner (using sour cream instead of milk), etc. Mmmmm! Even before we had kids I'd buy the "family sized" jug of the stuff.
My world has been rocked once more now that I have found the recipe for Sra. Lopez Salsa, it is marvellously easy to make and the fresh flavour kicks butt on the store bought stuff! I did take the liberty of putting my own mark on the recipe however, so I dropped the Perrins sauce and added a squirt of lime juice to customize it (her recipe is perfect, I am just adding my twist -- we love lime salsa).
THANK YOU LATINA-ISH!
She has single bloggedly introduced our household to the joys and simplicity that is Salvadoran Cooking. And my whole family loves it so much! I have even taken to making cheese-stuffed papusas to dip in my homemade cheesy soups (totally a saturated cheese overload, but oh so good!) And for the record, the Curtido salad is completely fantastic with a bratwurst sausage wrapped in a naan bread (how's that for mixing culture foods?)!
mmmmmm..... homemade salsa..... mmmmmm......
I don't think I really "discovered" it until 1990, and then I have to say my taste buds were opened to a whole world of possibilities! I LOVE salsa on fried eggs with a little sharp cheddar melted on top, I love it with corn chips, in Kraft Dinner (using sour cream instead of milk), etc. Mmmmm! Even before we had kids I'd buy the "family sized" jug of the stuff.
My world has been rocked once more now that I have found the recipe for Sra. Lopez Salsa, it is marvellously easy to make and the fresh flavour kicks butt on the store bought stuff! I did take the liberty of putting my own mark on the recipe however, so I dropped the Perrins sauce and added a squirt of lime juice to customize it (her recipe is perfect, I am just adding my twist -- we love lime salsa).
THANK YOU LATINA-ISH!
She has single bloggedly introduced our household to the joys and simplicity that is Salvadoran Cooking. And my whole family loves it so much! I have even taken to making cheese-stuffed papusas to dip in my homemade cheesy soups (totally a saturated cheese overload, but oh so good!) And for the record, the Curtido salad is completely fantastic with a bratwurst sausage wrapped in a naan bread (how's that for mixing culture foods?)!
mmmmmm..... homemade salsa..... mmmmmm......
Goals Acheived
(photo credit)Yesterday's goals were achieved before noon. Wha
t a nice way to start a day.
t a nice way to start a day.Today I kept Stevie home, a 13 year old boy with a nasty cold is a grumpy mess, believe me. (it was a short day anyways, so I'm hoping he doesn't miss much).
The investment property thing seems to be coming together despite all odds! The insurance is arranged and the property was assessed for the lender yesterday (though we still don't know for how much). I did a mini spread-sheet for the property's expenses. It will take about 3 years to recoup the closing costs from T's dad's rent. By then we should probably NEED a roof and a back deck and then there are the other sundry maintenance costs like paint, a plumbing project, and the request for a range hood kitchen exhaust -- none of which I have factored into this. So maybe more like FIVE years to pay back the closing costs, and at that point T's dad thinks he may want to retire and find cheaper lodgings somehow. By then we'll be able to either sell the property or rent it for more?
I have invested a truck-load of time into this and endured some serious stress. I now appreciate how much work is involved with real estate, and am not eager to do it often.
There is a new goal I have set with OUR house though.... I am setting the goal of the laundryroom being drywalled, painted and trimmed by Halloween! That's a little over a month. I'm pretty sure it's do-able.
Task #1 empty laundryroom. (((Should I rent a storage unit, or live in chaos?)))
Task #2 get husband to hang board
Task #3 hire drywaller to mud and tape
Task #4 prime and paint
Task #5 hang T-bar ceiling
Task #6 consider flooring or at least re-paint the concrete to a nicer colour
Task #7 trim out the door, closet and baseboard (and get the master bedroom done at the same time (no it's still NOT done from Christmas!)
Task #8 Put everything back IN the room
TA-DA!!!!
9.16.2010
Today is the day!
Yesterday I had a near-catastrophic breakdown around my scanner/printer and it's moronic "features". Just when I thought the veins were going to burst through my throat and the hulk-like huffing and puffing was going to make me throw the bulky equipment out on the lawn... it miraculously started doing what I wanted it to do (just in the nick of time too). Still heaving and stressed, I answered a phone call from my beautiful sister.
She offered to come visit (sans kids) and then offered to take me to the local tea house for the most delicious mushroom soup in the known universe! I of course accepted.
After all if your blood pressure is as high as mine was at that moment, it doesn't matter how many things are in the in-basket, nothing is going to get done properly anyways! Best to clear out and take a stress-leave for a bit.
Delightfully, one of the red hat society chapters was meeting at the teahouse too. It was packed to the rafters with outrageously dressed 50+ ladies in their flamboyant red hats and purple outfits. It was fantastic to see them all being a little silly, loud and genuinely enjoying the experience of the teahouse and each other. That's where I want to be when I am 50+, out and about with "my girls" supporting each other and having a good time... and I'll do it too, just see if I won't!
After our fantastic looseleaf tea from an antique bone-china teapot, drunk from mismatched beautiful REAL teacups and saucers (and of course the best mushroom soup in the known universe), my sister and I went to the local drugstore. Doesn't sound too exciting, but ever since we were young teens my sister and I liked going to the fanciest drugstore in town and checking out the cosmetics and grooming products together. Honestly it's the only time I go to the cosmetic department --with my sis. This time was as good as any. We talked about night creams, lip plumpers and exfoliating masks.... very different from the hairspray and blue mascara talks we had as teens. The topic may be different now but the goal was the same - braving the seas of products together to find the right features and the right results together. We usually end up getting the same product and both reporting back to each other the results. After the last trip, Sally Hanson's Lip Inflation Gloss was a huge hit with both of us.... oh man I love that stuff! Usually there is not such a unanimous agreement about the products. It is a bonding time for me and my sister where we are all completely self-absorbed - together! Sometimes I don't buy anything and just support Sis on her colour choices... other times it's me that needs something, but it feels good and there are no apologies for it.
Then we wandered a couple doors up to the Salvation Army "boutique" that opened a short while ago. It's where the "good stuff" gets sent. The prices are higher than the SA mega store and there are fewer departments, but there are usually a nice selection of name brands and lots of stuff with tags still on, and of course the prices are still a fraction of the mall prices. I found Steve a NEW motocross jersey (It's too big for now, but was about 80% off retail and he will NEED that size eventually)...
... and I found a very nice Liz Claiborne handbag with a luxurious interior for $8. I never though much about handbag interiors until I went to Paris with my sis. The outside looks of the bag are only 1/2 the deal with her. She insists upon quality INSIDE her bag as much as the outside. Checking seams, edges, closures, liner fabric quality... it's crazy how she works it over before even trying it on! But I did pick up on some of that. And now the only bags I have KEPT in my collection are decent quality through and through. My collection is smaller, but they are all a pleasure to use.
I came back from our outing in a much-improved mood and was able to buckle-down with work and get enough done to feel as though my day was not a waste. That and 3 glasses of wine while making dinner got me all rosy for the evening.... not something I do often, but yesterday was an exceptional day.
That was yesterday.
Today I am in the mood to set some goals!
Goal #1: Today I WILL find my camera's battery charger!
Goal #2: Today I WILL clear my desk!
and after that, I will continue business as usual with meal planning, cleaning and doing my freelance work....
She offered to come visit (sans kids) and then offered to take me to the local tea house for the most delicious mushroom soup in the known universe! I of course accepted.
After all if your blood pressure is as high as mine was at that moment, it doesn't matter how many things are in the in-basket, nothing is going to get done properly anyways! Best to clear out and take a stress-leave for a bit.
Delightfully, one of the red hat society chapters was meeting at the teahouse too. It was packed to the rafters with outrageously dressed 50+ ladies in their flamboyant red hats and purple outfits. It was fantastic to see them all being a little silly, loud and genuinely enjoying the experience of the teahouse and each other. That's where I want to be when I am 50+, out and about with "my girls" supporting each other and having a good time... and I'll do it too, just see if I won't!
After our fantastic looseleaf tea from an antique bone-china teapot, drunk from mismatched beautiful REAL teacups and saucers (and of course the best mushroom soup in the known universe), my sister and I went to the local drugstore. Doesn't sound too exciting, but ever since we were young teens my sister and I liked going to the fanciest drugstore in town and checking out the cosmetics and grooming products together. Honestly it's the only time I go to the cosmetic department --with my sis. This time was as good as any. We talked about night creams, lip plumpers and exfoliating masks.... very different from the hairspray and blue mascara talks we had as teens. The topic may be different now but the goal was the same - braving the seas of products together to find the right features and the right results together. We usually end up getting the same product and both reporting back to each other the results. After the last trip, Sally Hanson's Lip Inflation Gloss was a huge hit with both of us.... oh man I love that stuff! Usually there is not such a unanimous agreement about the products. It is a bonding time for me and my sister where we are all completely self-absorbed - together! Sometimes I don't buy anything and just support Sis on her colour choices... other times it's me that needs something, but it feels good and there are no apologies for it.
Then we wandered a couple doors up to the Salvation Army "boutique" that opened a short while ago. It's where the "good stuff" gets sent. The prices are higher than the SA mega store and there are fewer departments, but there are usually a nice selection of name brands and lots of stuff with tags still on, and of course the prices are still a fraction of the mall prices. I found Steve a NEW motocross jersey (It's too big for now, but was about 80% off retail and he will NEED that size eventually)...
... and I found a very nice Liz Claiborne handbag with a luxurious interior for $8. I never though much about handbag interiors until I went to Paris with my sis. The outside looks of the bag are only 1/2 the deal with her. She insists upon quality INSIDE her bag as much as the outside. Checking seams, edges, closures, liner fabric quality... it's crazy how she works it over before even trying it on! But I did pick up on some of that. And now the only bags I have KEPT in my collection are decent quality through and through. My collection is smaller, but they are all a pleasure to use.
I came back from our outing in a much-improved mood and was able to buckle-down with work and get enough done to feel as though my day was not a waste. That and 3 glasses of wine while making dinner got me all rosy for the evening.... not something I do often, but yesterday was an exceptional day.
That was yesterday.
Today I am in the mood to set some goals!
Goal #1: Today I WILL find my camera's battery charger!
Goal #2: Today I WILL clear my desk!
and after that, I will continue business as usual with meal planning, cleaning and doing my freelance work....
9.14.2010
What the Heck?!
Okay the faith in my mortgage broker has taken another hit.
Last year when we renegotiated out mortgage, our mortgage broker assured us that I could easily be put on title with my husband, just sign the deal for now and the lawyer would fix it for us. Uuuummmm.... nope. The lawyer didn't get the memo, and after the legal stuff was settled (as per what we signed), we were told that we'd have to RE-OPEN the deal and pay the $800 worth of fees over again to change it at that point.
We learned our lesson, and when the papers came around for the investment house I told the mortgage broker I would NOT sign it until it said what we meant as far as payment schedule, etc.... making extra work for the dude writing it up -- boohoo.
Today I have the papers with the terms I want, and I'm reading along, initialing the endless stupid pages of legal jargon, TRYING to make sense of it when a few words pop off the page at me....."does not finance private sales"
WHAT?!
This is a private sale, we said all along that it's a private sale, what's going on? I phone to complain and he says that company WILL finance private sales with high-volume brokers (which he is) so it's okay. I have to say I'm a little leary of this whole thing now.....
As I read farther in, I realize I can't provide all the documents that this contract is asking for, they simply don't exist!
BAAH!
Last year when we renegotiated out mortgage, our mortgage broker assured us that I could easily be put on title with my husband, just sign the deal for now and the lawyer would fix it for us. Uuuummmm.... nope. The lawyer didn't get the memo, and after the legal stuff was settled (as per what we signed), we were told that we'd have to RE-OPEN the deal and pay the $800 worth of fees over again to change it at that point.
We learned our lesson, and when the papers came around for the investment house I told the mortgage broker I would NOT sign it until it said what we meant as far as payment schedule, etc.... making extra work for the dude writing it up -- boohoo.
Today I have the papers with the terms I want, and I'm reading along, initialing the endless stupid pages of legal jargon, TRYING to make sense of it when a few words pop off the page at me....."does not finance private sales"
WHAT?!
This is a private sale, we said all along that it's a private sale, what's going on? I phone to complain and he says that company WILL finance private sales with high-volume brokers (which he is) so it's okay. I have to say I'm a little leary of this whole thing now.....
As I read farther in, I realize I can't provide all the documents that this contract is asking for, they simply don't exist!
BAAH!
I don't have a thing to say
At least that's how I feel right now. I'm not exactly burnt out on blogging... I have just been wanting to focus my blog a little more, and I can't decide where it's going.... so it's kind of stopped. I LOVE how Amber has beautiful themes ("what I learned this month", "crafting my life", etc...) as regular and thought provoking posts mixed in with sweet snapshots of her daily life experiences. I also LOVE how unclutterer has "workspace of the week" and "Unitasker Wednesday" regularly delivered, motivating and funny.
I guess I am just suffering from blog envy. I'll get over it.
My general malais for the experience is not helped in that I seem to have misplaced my camera's battery charger. I feel creatively hog-tied without my digital-wonder-camera!
Meanwhile, while I sulk creatives, I read my virtual friends' entries, laugh, cry feel inspired by their words and keep slogging away at what life throws me: endless meals to plan and cook, housekeeping chores, commitments, work... all of it drudgery and responsibilities mostly, gloriously punctuated by sweet lovey cuddles, shining moments of motherly pride and victory over each project.
OH! While I'm thinking of it.... CURRENT EVENTS:
High school is going okay for my oldest -- DRUG FREE! He likes the movement from class to class and the more interesting variety of teachers to break up his day. His expensive tutoring started last night... unfortunately his initial additude was not great, but maybe it will improve as the meat of the lessons are revealed? We can hope.
AND the subjects came off the investment house on Friday. So we are going through with it for sure.
AND I got to see all my very best highschool friends together in the same room for several hours this weekend! (Hey, it's hard getting us all in the same town at the same time these days). Wolfgrrl, Spider and Tai and I all hung out, then went for a walk and enjoyed a coffee in a cool cafe in the small town where we all met and went to Junior High.
I seem to be doing a whole lot more driving than usual. I love my car, but she has expensive tastes and only takes the highest octane fuels... $$$... I have burned through more than $50 in less than a week, I'm not feeling very environmentally kind right now because of that.
BUT my clothes closet has EMPTY SPACE in it! My dresser drawers can close comfortably! And I can put away groceries! The laundryroom's floor is STILL visible a week after T's brother vacated it as a guest room! So my decluttering efforts are indeed showing results. (Just don't look at my office right now)
9.09.2010
Bikes of Italy
As we arrived at the beautiful hues and relaxed lifestyles of the Cinque Terra(on that most wonderful expedition to Italy), I realized that bicycles are an important part of life there. And they are beautiful and functional ways of transport, especially on the tiny streets and among the throngs of pedestrians it really seems like the way to go!
Cell phones (complete with talking with their hands) , cigarettes, shopping bags, wearing high heels have all been accepted as something to do while pedalling the streets and avoiding the many obstacles.
I was enraptured by the simple grace that these machines were employed, and the stunning settings in which they were so casually parked. Here is my photo journal of just a few of the bikes I saw there in Italia....
Cell phones (complete with talking with their hands) , cigarettes, shopping bags, wearing high heels have all been accepted as something to do while pedalling the streets and avoiding the many obstacles.
I was enraptured by the simple grace that these machines were employed, and the stunning settings in which they were so casually parked. Here is my photo journal of just a few of the bikes I saw there in Italia....
Amost a done deal
Not much to look at right now (terrible picture), but it's got potential for serious cute-ness.
I spent ALL day today throwing together the last minute subject removal crap. On the phone with lawyers, mortgage brokers, insurance providers, surveyors, roofers, the city, etc, etc, etc. And running out to the house to meet a roofer (and conveniently the surveyor at the same time) . While there I collected about 10 pounds of Gala Apples and some Seedless Green Grapes. My FIL doesn't believe in yard work, so these are going to go to waste otherwise. On my way home I stopped by the insurance place to make sure it really was insurable.... they said yes -- except the roof -- so if the roof leaks, we aren't covered for that until we prove that it's been replaced.
BUT I think (knock on wood) the whole thing is do-able for what my FIL wants to pay in rent! Hoorah!
9.07.2010
Whirlwind Wedding Weekend
My flower girl got married, and it was lovely! It was an early day since we had to catch the blasted ferry. After no wrong turns we got to my MIL's hotel and got her set up for the wedding. Back on the road we made it out into the farmlands.
Under a fir tree on the groom's family farm there were well over 100 people, lots of beautiful things to look at everywhere they got hitched! The ceremony was very long for my taste, but everyone looked amazing and happy and comfortable -- no a stupid wedding drama in sight!
Between the ceremony and the reception all of us were left to our own devices, but they thought of everything. Not only was there live music gently in the background, and lots of places to socialize, there was a "kids tent" with a big screen TV and DVD player and markers and blocks to play with! There were fun things to do for us grown ups too. A gorgeous apple tree with empty antique picture frames hanging from the boughs by gold ribbons and a backdrop of shimmery drape for your own photo opportunities. Another apple tree with a table below provisioned with pens and ribboned cards so you could write pretty wedding wishes or memories or draw something to hang in the branches like ornaments for the newlywed couple to collect. Refreshments of juice or coffee and deluxe veggie plate, fruit plate, cheese plate and warm finger foods.
Then we were allowed to sit under the 6 enormous reception tents, and more food in the form of appetisers were provided... really good stuff like roasted red pepper antipasto, little breads, boccaccini on tomatoes with drizzled oil and balsamic vinegar with fresh basil, Bree cheese, grilled eggplant salad, aged salamis, etc, etc, etc!!!
They also gave each guest a glass pebble to use as the complimentary bar ticket (only 2 out of the 13 of us actually drank, so the kids just kept theirs). The non alcoholic bevvies were complimentary anyways. And there were a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine on each table.
Already stuffed and happily listening to announcements as they came, our tables had to write a brief, fictional story of how the couple met (which was later read aloud before our table could go to the buffet dinner).
DINNER!?
Oh yes, it was fine fare as well. Under the candle-lattern-lit tents we ate lemon roasted potatoes, corn grits, more roasted vegetable salads, pistachio and grapefruit salad, real Caesar salad, and briquette roasted quarter chicken that was smokey and moist and OH so good!
While we ate, there were games being played with the newlyweds and some speeches, but we were forced to leave early in at only 8:30 pm to drive all the way to catch the last blasted ferry back to the Island.
We finally crawled into our own beds at 1:30am.
It was a long day and it was full of good food, beauty and family.
The whole thing was much fancier than I expected, but still relaxed -- nice combo!
Too bad I forgot my camera!!!
Under a fir tree on the groom's family farm there were well over 100 people, lots of beautiful things to look at everywhere they got hitched! The ceremony was very long for my taste, but everyone looked amazing and happy and comfortable -- no a stupid wedding drama in sight!
Between the ceremony and the reception all of us were left to our own devices, but they thought of everything. Not only was there live music gently in the background, and lots of places to socialize, there was a "kids tent" with a big screen TV and DVD player and markers and blocks to play with! There were fun things to do for us grown ups too. A gorgeous apple tree with empty antique picture frames hanging from the boughs by gold ribbons and a backdrop of shimmery drape for your own photo opportunities. Another apple tree with a table below provisioned with pens and ribboned cards so you could write pretty wedding wishes or memories or draw something to hang in the branches like ornaments for the newlywed couple to collect. Refreshments of juice or coffee and deluxe veggie plate, fruit plate, cheese plate and warm finger foods.
Then we were allowed to sit under the 6 enormous reception tents, and more food in the form of appetisers were provided... really good stuff like roasted red pepper antipasto, little breads, boccaccini on tomatoes with drizzled oil and balsamic vinegar with fresh basil, Bree cheese, grilled eggplant salad, aged salamis, etc, etc, etc!!!
They also gave each guest a glass pebble to use as the complimentary bar ticket (only 2 out of the 13 of us actually drank, so the kids just kept theirs). The non alcoholic bevvies were complimentary anyways. And there were a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine on each table.
Already stuffed and happily listening to announcements as they came, our tables had to write a brief, fictional story of how the couple met (which was later read aloud before our table could go to the buffet dinner).
DINNER!?
Oh yes, it was fine fare as well. Under the candle-lattern-lit tents we ate lemon roasted potatoes, corn grits, more roasted vegetable salads, pistachio and grapefruit salad, real Caesar salad, and briquette roasted quarter chicken that was smokey and moist and OH so good!
While we ate, there were games being played with the newlyweds and some speeches, but we were forced to leave early in at only 8:30 pm to drive all the way to catch the last blasted ferry back to the Island.
We finally crawled into our own beds at 1:30am.
It was a long day and it was full of good food, beauty and family.
The whole thing was much fancier than I expected, but still relaxed -- nice combo!
Too bad I forgot my camera!!!
9.03.2010
September is here!
The leaves are starting to change on the maple trees.... just around the edges.
The late blackberries are sweet and amazing (more jam to be made tomorrow).
Weddings are all around! The flower girl from my wedding is getting hitched herself this weekend... and I'm not sure how that makes me feel about how much time has gone by.
Anniversary season is here too! Spider's Wolfgrrrl's and MINE in particular! I can't beleive it's been almost 16 years already since that important stroll down our front lawn with family and friends as witness... sigh.
Lots going on in preperation for back-to-school too.... AND,
We will be buying a revenue property this month.
That's right, a revenue property.
T's dad lives in a tiny, little house in the old-city quarter of our town.
(If I was single, I'd love to live in that area, it's very vibrant, social and artsy.)
Anyways he's been paying rent there for 12 years! And now his landlord needs to liquidate some real estate -- he over-extended his investments to the States and it's been a scramble for him to stay a float lately, something had to give. He offered the tenant (aka: my father in law) first dibs at the house at an as-is, where-is price. It's a great opportunity and there isn't a realtor (or HST tax) in sight to make it more expensive than it has to be. The father in law has some money that he can give us for the downpayment (with the condition that we share it fairly with the siblings in the event that we sell it). For some strange reason he doesn't want to be on title at all. He said he'd like to live there for another 5 years at the current rent (and with the downpayment and a 5 year fixed mortgage rate, that shouldn't be a problem) No need to get greedy, right? As long as he covers what it costs us to have the property, we will accomodate him in any way we can.
I think it may be a good thing for everyone.
The house has always given me a happy little vibe (even with the overwhelming bachelor mess). The house is familiar and after 12 years I don't think there will be any surprises.
cool, eh?
The late blackberries are sweet and amazing (more jam to be made tomorrow).
Weddings are all around! The flower girl from my wedding is getting hitched herself this weekend... and I'm not sure how that makes me feel about how much time has gone by.
Anniversary season is here too! Spider's Wolfgrrrl's and MINE in particular! I can't beleive it's been almost 16 years already since that important stroll down our front lawn with family and friends as witness... sigh.
Lots going on in preperation for back-to-school too.... AND,
We will be buying a revenue property this month.
That's right, a revenue property.
T's dad lives in a tiny, little house in the old-city quarter of our town.
(If I was single, I'd love to live in that area, it's very vibrant, social and artsy.)
Anyways he's been paying rent there for 12 years! And now his landlord needs to liquidate some real estate -- he over-extended his investments to the States and it's been a scramble for him to stay a float lately, something had to give. He offered the tenant (aka: my father in law) first dibs at the house at an as-is, where-is price. It's a great opportunity and there isn't a realtor (or HST tax) in sight to make it more expensive than it has to be. The father in law has some money that he can give us for the downpayment (with the condition that we share it fairly with the siblings in the event that we sell it). For some strange reason he doesn't want to be on title at all. He said he'd like to live there for another 5 years at the current rent (and with the downpayment and a 5 year fixed mortgage rate, that shouldn't be a problem) No need to get greedy, right? As long as he covers what it costs us to have the property, we will accomodate him in any way we can.
I think it may be a good thing for everyone.
The house has always given me a happy little vibe (even with the overwhelming bachelor mess). The house is familiar and after 12 years I don't think there will be any surprises.
cool, eh?
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