Just thought I should add a thing or two as its been a very long time since I've done a posting. Where do I begin?

First and foremost, please go to www.facebook.com/stagestudiosupply and LIKE the page. PLEASE !! It has something to do with better placement on web searches or something. Apparently more and consistent Likes, places the page higher in the rankings and is supposedly a good thing. Thank you in advance.

As can be seen I'm into something new. What a surprise !!!!! Long story - very shortened,  Stage & Studio Supply is a retail/rental company for virtually all things theatrical and artsie fartsie. As one of the largest retailers of Wolfe FX face paints in Canada, I can assure you I'm kept hopping. Also just finished several courses on life casting and have been accepted as a member of  Life Casters International. What is life casting you may ask? Well, again long story short - think of a sculptor, he or she uses chisels, etc. to carve a hand or figure, etc. A life caster makes a mold of the hand or figure, etc. and then makes a casting. You may, or may not be surprised at what people get cast!!!

Now that the summer is coming to an end, I'll try to post more words and maybe a picture or two. So do keep an eye open.

By the way, my email address is: s.lewis@nf.sympatico.ca

Have a great long weekend and smile at someone today, you'll both feel better.

Cheers

Blueberry Jam

At long last-a NEW ENTRY. Sorry I haven't posted anything since last year but...... I've been really busy and so much as happened. Hopefully over the next few days I'll have some time to bring everyone up to speed. But right now I must comment on "Blueberry Jam". Yesterday, Feb. 28/09 Bruce Day and myself gave a demo on basic bottling/canning techniques. I plan to have some photos posted to Photobucket soon, so keep watching. In the meantime you can go to Bruce's web site at www.downhomecatering.ca to get some recipes/tips, etc.. If I can figure out how, I'll post links to this and the site of the people that sponsored the demo, shortly.

I promised to post the recipe I used to make blueberry jam, so here it is:

8 cups berrys (washed and picked), either fresh or frozen
1 pkg. Pectin - 49g (I used liquid pectin, but powered will also work)
2-1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Put berries and 1 cup water into large pot and mash to the consistency you want. I use a potatoe masher. Be sure to mix well.

Take some of the sugar (about 1/4 cup and mix with the pectin), stir into the berry mixture. While stirring constantly bring to a rolling boil and add the remaining sugar and lemon juice. When you have a good rolling boil time for 1 minute. Be sure to keep stirring.

After the 1 minute boil, remove from heat and skim off any foam that may have formed. Using a funnel, fill hot (sterilized) canning jars taking care to leave a headspace (approx. 1/4 inch) between jam and cover. Put lids on immediately and screw bands on finger tight. For complete safety (especially if you plan to store the jam) - boil the filled jars in water canner for a minimum of 10 minutes.

For variation, experiment a little with different herbs and spices, or try adding a little booze for flavoring.

The above recipe should fill around 12-16 (250ml or 1/2 cup) jars. If you want to increase the size of the recipe be sure to weigh all the individual ingredients in the above basic recipe. Then multiply these weights by amount you want to increase the recipe. Increase or decrease recipes by weight, not by volume.

Now I must go and do a little work around the home. Hope the above is helpful and keep coming back for more. Take care and best wishes.

Merry, Merry Christmas to All !!!

Finally the extension is completed (on the outside), except for painting the trim which will be done when the weather warms up. The newest picture, entitled Dec. 23/07 in the Photobucket Archives, shows a closer, more detailed picture. The extension is insulated, but I haven't started the dry wall yet. The wiring and dry wall should take a few days and I expect to start it after the festive season. I'm sure everyone has better things to do than listen to my ramblings so I'll end here by saying..... Love and Best Wishes for a heart warming Merry Christmas to one and all. Be good to yourselves and others.

Construction Moving Along

Just had to add the latest update showing progress on extension. If the weather co-operates I hope to either start the siding or shingles tomorrow. Totally exhausted now so will go stuff my face and then to bed. Talk to you soon, take care and think Christmassy thoughts.

Final a new update !!!

At long last I've got a moment to add an update. If you check the Photobucket archives (at left) you'll see some new pictures. I'll start my comments from pic labelled 'Fixed Driveway'. This shows the driveway that was repaired by Sparfar Enterprises @ 834-2273. They did a wonderful job/great price and the work has stood up through a number of MAJOR rain storms. Finally I can drive up and down without banging the bottom of the car. The next picture shows Sucki puss and her sister Stevie. I didn't name the new cat, she was named when I got her. Both are getting along wonderfully and appear very happy and content. Finally, the latest picture-showing the extension. As can be seen, the upper most windows are in and siding is about to be installed. Hopefully, if the weather holds, the room will be fully enclosed and tight within 2 to 3 days. It will be nice to have it accomplished so I can keep a bit of heat in the kitchen and know the bad weather will stay outside.
I still haven't planted my garlic yet, but maybe the temperature will come back up for a day or so before the real winter begins! We had the season's first snowfall yesterday and I spent most of the day ploughing the neighbour's and my driveways. The snowblower attachment hasn't arrived yet for the tractor so I had to use the front bucket, but the snow was really wet and probably wasn't enough to blow anyway.
Must go and cook an evening meal so, bye for now and take care. I'll try to add more updates soon.

Busy Weekend

Well finally got a little more accomplished on the extension. In the photo archives can be seen the latest update titled 28/10/07. Here can be seen the 2 walls for the dormer kind of thing sticking out from the bedroom (second floor). Above and on each side I have begun to frame in and sheet for the windows that are at the inside balcony level. You can also see that I've started installing the roof trusses and closing in the top side walls. By the way, the vertical opening at the corner lower level, is so I can get in and out. It will be closed in when construction moves along. If you have been following the dates it is obvious that this is a long project, but remember I'm doing it all myself, the weather must be co-operative and I still must feed myself (household stuff, etc.) and do work around the garden before winter comes. It may not look like it, but actually a lot has been done. The lettuce, zucchini and squash beds have been composted, turned and prepared for winter rest. The main garden hasn't been touched yet as there is still cabbage, beets, etc. to harvest. I've also got about half my winter wood supply cut and stacked. The wood shed isn't ready yet, but there's still time and hopefully I'll be able to cut, haul, junk and split the rest of the necessary supply shortly. The tractor will make this a little easier I expect. Must go get some sleep, tomorrow will come soon enough. Bye for now and take care.

Good Meal

Last night I tried a recipe I've been thinking about for quite a while. Pictures to accompany are posted in the archives. In pic labelled 22/10/07A can be seen a 'Boneless Pork Loin Roast' (this was what was printed on the vac pack) that I have sliced 3 quarters the way through length wise. In the opening I placed dried apricots and pitted prunes alternately. On top of the fruit I smeared apple sauce then closed the roast and placed it in a pan which subsequently was roasted at 325 degrees till done. While the pork was cooking I boiled carrots, beets and swiss chard from the garden. The carrots and beets can be seen in 22/10/07B. You can see a piece of leaf in with the beets. The chard was in an un-pretty pot so I haven't shown it, but it still tasted good! For the last half hour or so of cooking I placed potatoes in with the roasting meat. When all cooked, I placed meat and veggies on platter (left chard in ugly pot) and made gravy from meat drippings in pan. Finished product can be seen in 22/10/07C. The black spots on roast are not scorch marks but rather the prunes showing through. Very tasty meal, but next time may marinate pork in apple juice first. Though there were subtle hints of the fruit, it lost most of it's flavour. May also try stewing next time so meat stays moist and flavours won't be lost. That's it for now - have a great day and keep the faith.

People are Strange!!!!

I spent today loading composted manure. Actually, I loaded a tandem dump truck twice with composted manure at a local horse stable. The loads were taken to Phillip & Julie's place where I later spread it. WOW! its neet what the tractor can do. Upon arriving home I found that someone had visited and decided to: a; cover the truck with mud, b; cover my steps and house with mud, c; leave ruts in my soft driveway and d; chew up my lawn with tire marks. The lawn chewing can be seen in the latest pic at photobucket archive titled Oct. 21/07. Very inconsiderate!!! I still haven't heard any apology or explanation. But, on to other things. I took the picture of the tractor not to show the lawn chewing but to show the colours of the leaves with the tractor in the evening sun. It was really more spectacular than the pic shows. Hopefully tomorrow, if the weather is with me, I'll get a bit more done on the extension. I've neglected it the last few days. The new toy (tractor) has been much more fun and definately more relaxing, but the pouring rain last night reminded me that I must get the house secure before the weather turns more toward winter. The driveway still isn't fixed and I must see about getting that done. I have been thinking of doing it myself, but it would be wiser to let a professional do the job, also the tractor was built to do farm work not construction jobs. Well must go get something to eat and then to bed. Take care, keep well and remember every day is a new begining.

New Babies

The title might be a little weird, but these are my new babies (see 3 new pics in archive). The first is me climbing aboard 'Other Baby', my new 55 hp tractor parked about half way along the driveway. In the upper left hand corner can be seen the tail end of the Suzuki stationwagon. The second pic shows tractor and again in upper left hand side now can be seen (partially) the lettuce beds. Third picture is of Sucki - my new other baby! She's digging into turkey from Thanksgiving Dinner. A lot has been happening in the past little while, but I haven't time to record it all right now. The weather is clear this morning and I must really be out doing work (ploughing and carpenter type). The extension is slowly coming along and I'll have new pics and post shortly. Farming activity is just as intense, especially since the new tractor. Again, I'll try to have more pics in the next post. Now I must get outside and do some work. Take care and hug someone today!

Wow! October already!!

OK, its about time I added another post! So here goes, but first.....new pics have been added to Photobucket. (See the archive link on left side of this page) The first photo - Sept 30 - shows the new kitchen nook with 1 wall of bedroom alcove installed upstairs. The next 3 pictures all show the nook extension during construction and were taken on Sept. 28. In the one titled Zucchini & Squash, you can see the zucchini bed under the beam overhangs and the squash patch in upper centre of the pic. The shot labled 'Henrietta Supervising' shows the grouse instructing and directing construction. It was taken on Sept. 25. The last several days has been taken up with niddly things that aren't really interesting to show such as filling in around the base, cutting firewood and building roof trusses. I have been totally exhausted from the heavy work and only had the energy for these small jobs. Hopefully I'll get a second wind in the next day or so and will push ahead then on the remaining work. If I wasn't so stubborn, I'd hire a contractor, but then I couldn't say the work was all mine even though the aches and pains would probably go away. Ah well, let's see how it goes? Am preparing to retire the truck. Have got 2 new cars, a Honda Accord as a sporty project car and a Suzuki stationwagon as a practical everyday run about. The Mercedes was nice, but not my type and the truck was too hard on gas and falling apart. In different ways, I'll miss them both.
Well must get some sleep. Tomorrow will come soon enough and if the weather holds as promised I want to get a lot accomplished. Have a great Thanksgiving and enjoy the people that surround you.

Wet Day

Just relaxing a little after a long wet day. Wasn't able to accomplish much today, but I suppose it wasn't a complete waste. I've posted 2 new photos on Photobucket. The first, titled Sept 20/07 shows the foundation, floor and end wall for the kitchen extension. The project is underway, but OH!! it sure has been hard on the body. All the strenuous physical labour is just beeting the life out of me, but atleast I can say I've done it all by myself! The second new photo, listed as Sept. 22/07, shows the initial construction of the front wall and a different view of the zucchini and squash patches. Both by the way are still producing fruit. Today I started installing the ceiling joists, but was unable to get a photo due to the pace of work and the fowl weather. Tomorrow if the day is clear, I'll try to take an update photo. During the construction I have also dedicated a few hours each day to hauling firewood. According to both the Almanac and the long range forecast, its supposed to be a long hard winter this year, so I'm getting prepared. I have a space almost finished for the construction of a wood shed. This will be the next project that I want to have completed before the end of October. Hopefully I'll be able to fill the shed during November before the weather turns nasty. Well, must go and get some shut eye. Till the next time Take Care and be Happy.

More Pics

Well, I've finally got a few minutes to add a post. The stove (range) is installed and working, and I've got 2 new pics in the photobucket archives showing the unit in action. The first photo, titled 'Stir Fry' is just that. The wok has mixed veggies (some from the garden) waiting to add the shrimp sitting in the small stainless bowl to the left. A small wisp of steam may be visible rising at about the 10:00 o'clock postion of the wok. The various colours seen around and about the stove are shadows, reflections and cast iron that hasn't seasoned yet. The stir fry is the second meal I've cooked on the stove. The first was a pork curry that I did in a cast iron dutch oven. You can seen the dutch oven and the water heating (in a white Corning Ware pot) for rice, in the second picture titled 'First Meal'. Clearly visible in this shot is the blue flame under the Corning Ware. Speaking about the stove reminds me, if you want propane appliances, service or gas supply and you live on the Avalon Penninsula, check out "Eastern Propane", 912-924 Topsail Rd., Mount Pearl. Call: 709-747-5501, or view the web site - www.easternpropane.ca . These are the people that did the installation and supply my gas. Superb service, excellent prices and super friendly to talk to. I highly reccomend. The kitchen extension is coming along, but the wet weather is slowing things down. A few good days and great strides could be made. The weather is clearing a bit so must get back to work. Will post more soon. Take care and be good to each other.

Some KUDOS

Visited 2 wonderful restaurants this morning and they took my green and Phillip's yellow zucchinis. Its hard to explain how impressed I am with these establishments. Both had emaculatly clean kitchens and knowledgable staff, they wanted to be sure the veggies were organicly grown! Obviously they are concerned about providing only the best to their clients. One is 'The Sprout' on Duckworth Street west, near City Hall and the Delta Hotel. The other is 'Get Stuffed' across from the War Memorial, also on Duckworth Street and just down the road from the Fairmont (or old Newfoundland Hotel). I won't go into any more detail because you should really check them both out for yourself. I assure you a pleasurable experience at both.

Yesterday I contracted a locally owned company 'Eastern Propane' to install the gas lines and fuel supply for the range (stove). Everything will be working later next week. Also yesterday, the spices and casings arrived for my sausages. The house is now full with the wonderful smell of fresh herbs and spices. I can't wait to begin experimenting. I will complete the frame work for the kitchen extension this afternoon and over the weekend may pour the cement. Slowly everything is starting to fall into place. I just wish I had another pair of hands and more hours to the day.

Well, must get back to work. Have a wonderful day and take care.

Another day, a new post

The backhoe machine has gone back and the foundation hole has been dug. I also fixed the sewer line today. Last night we used the machine until 22 minutes past midnight. Well actually that's when Phillip brought it back. He used it to do some work around his place. Anyway, I've added some more pics to the photo archive. Here's some descriptions: Aug 28-07 o1o is of pea plants, with peas, in the veggie garden. The next pic (009) is looking accross the garden at the pea plants and showing the tool shed with truck cap as roof. The third picture in the row is 008 and here you can see the foundation hole/s and the new white sewer line that was just installed. The second row starts with pic 006 and shows the 2 lambs (white and black) up at Phillip's and Julie's. Next can be seen the flea market set up as mentioned in yesterday's posting. The last pic labelled Aug 28/07001 is actually the same pic as can be seen further down the page labelled July 29001. I don't know how I added it a second time. Sorry! I don't have anything else very exciting to say and it has been a long day, so I think I'll end here and go to bed. Be good to each other and take care.

What a day!! What a week!

Its been ages since I've posted, so here's a little update. Today I rented a backhoe to dig out for the kitchen extension. Of course in the process I dug through my sewage line. It can be fixed but, after that I went around the house and past the truck up the driveway to dig a trench for a wall at the top of the driveway. In the process I somehow managed to knock the track off the machine. Now I've got tons of clay and rubble piled in the driveway and a disabled machine at the entrance and... no pipe for the sewage line. Obviously the truck is parked down by the house, but I can't get out the driveway. Ah well, I'll just have to wait till tomorrow, but I did want to do a little bit more digging before the machine has to go back. But what will be, will be! The stove is finally in the kitchen, but not hooked up yet, I'm waiting for the propane man to come and install the piping before I move the thing into position, hopefully in a few days. Last week my Victorio strainer arrived so now I can start mashing stuff for jams, jellies and other purees. Maybe in a week or so I'll go blueberry picking. The berries are ripe, but the commercial picking season hasn't started yet so I still have a little time. It will be nice to have a freezer load of plumb berries. On Sunday past (Aug. 26/07) Phillip and I set up a table at a local roadside flea market, but it turned out to be the worst day this summer. There were several women also at our location and they confirmed the fact. Unfortunately we had to dump 40 lbs of lettuce and about 10-12 lbs of zucchini into the compost at the end of the day. I've kept the herbs and will dry them. Phillip sold none of his produce, but I did sell 1 bottle of last year's pickled beets. I honestly don't believe I've seen such a slow Sunday afternoon before, hardly any traffic.

Bet you couldn't tell, but I've been gone for an hour. Rod, the next door neighbour arrived home and he put the track back on the digging machine. Of course he also had things that needed digging up so we've been out doing that. His 9 year old son tried the machine and he's a natural at it. Put us both to shame. Tomorrow I'll finish what needs to be done around here (move the stuff out of the driveway) and hopefully I'll get a few pics. Its now 10:22 at night and time I suppose to get a bit to eat! So that's it for now. Take care of yourselves and enjoy nature's bounty. Talk to you soon.

Yahoo-moving range ???????

I know I've neglected adding any posts but, I've been really busy. Took pics today of a robin's nest(with babies inside) on my porch and 2 of Henry/Henrietta. Still don't know which one it is. There is also a family around. I went outside the other day and there were 5 or 6 of them around. They ran off into the undergrowth though when I came down off the steps. All the birds looked identical and about the same size, so I don't know if one or other of them was Henry/Henrietta. Anyway, I've got a bunch of new pics but I can't get them to post to Photobucket. I really should take some time and figure out how to use the software. The alcove is ready to accept the new stove and a crowd is expected later this evening to move the range into the house. I won't be putting it into the alcove yet though. It has to be cleaned and the gas line/s have to be installed. Then I've got to re-install all the pieces taken off for the move. Yesterday the lumber arrived for the kitchen extension. I don't know if I mentioned it before but I'm adding a 10 by 20 breakfast nook onto the kitchen. The window and space below where the stove is coming through will eventually become an archway to the nook. This additional space should free up some of the dining room and kitchen. The garden is moving along and the zuchini is in full production. I lost 1 of the zuchini plants to the wind and rain several days ago. Shame, it was the one that produced the "baby zuchini" shown in the pictures. I still can't keep ahead of the lettuce production though. Now that the blueberry harvest is almost upon us I've ordered a Victorio strainer from Berry Hill. So, not only will I have a stash of frozen berries, I'll also be able to make blueberry juice and jellies. If I had the time I'd contemplate trying to make wine, but I've got a full plate already and if I wanted wine I can easily buy a bottle of the Notre Dame Wineries vintage. Phillip and Julie have a new addition to their family, a lamb. It is the cutest little black sheep and follows Phillip wherever he goes. They have also increased their flock of chickens. Hopefully the egg production will increase. Well better end here and go prepare for the stove moving. Hopefully I'll post again shortly. Enjoy the bounties of nature and take care of yourselves.

Just like a day in Fall

This morning started out overcast with a little mist, but now is blue sky and a little cool. You'd almost swear it was October weather, but at least it isn't the torrential rains of the past few days. The garden is still moving along. Last night I harvested and ate the "baby zuchini" that is shown in the pics. It had grown tremendously in just a few days and was really too much for 1 person to consumer at a single meal, but I did anyway. YUM! Fried it with a few onions and garlic. Today is a civic holiday in the city, it is Regatta Day (the longest running sporting event in North America, this is the 185 annual running of the races). I went to town and picked up rum and blackberry wine, obviously some stores were open. Of course I couldn't resist and also bought 3 more DVD's. This afternoon I'm measuring for and calculating the requirements to install a stairway to upstairs. I'll order the lumber tomorrow and hopefully will do the construction sometime next week. I'll complete gutting the kitchen tonight so tomorrow I can plaster and paint the alcove in preparation for the stove (range) installation. I can't wait to have a normally working kitchen again. Right now I've got pans and pans and things spread all over the place and it makes for a hard time getting food ready. I was planning to write more, but have decided to do a bit of work outside while I've got good weather. If I get a chance, or the mood strikes I'll post some more later. Take care.

My, my, my the HEAT

It must have been a hundred million thousand degrees out yesterday and today. Just scorching! Right now at 10 minutes after nine pm its still 78.8 degrees f in the house. I don't know what that is in c degrees. Usually the house is cooler than outside and believe it or not it still is. I just went out and checked. The thermometer outside shows 84f and 28c. It has dual scales. Think I might stroll down to the pond for another swim. Yesterday the neighbours were away camping so I had a little dip au natural. It was superb!! and in a way very peaceful. It was really too hot to do much of anything either yesterday or today, but I did remove the section of kitchen wall in anticipation of moving the stove (range) in. Phillip was hoping a crew would be visiting this weekend and thought the move could be accomplished. Unfortunately, no one showed up. I did get a bit of weeding done and installed siding on two walls of the tool shed. Last evening I watered the gardens and I assure you they needed the moisture. Today I took a few shots and they have been added to the photo archive. Here's a description: picture entitled 'Rose' is of a rose plant behind a rhododendron bush and small spruce tree. It is near the driveway and lawn. The second pic is row of Swiss chard in veggie garden. The sun light hasn't completely washed out the stunted row of cabbage and brussel sprout plants to the left. 'Zuchinin bed' is supposed to show the size of the zuchini plants but sorry there's no reference, but they are about 2 ft high and virtually all plants either have fruit or are in bloom. The next pic shows a 'baby zuchini' fruit. It is actually about 5 inches long, but not mature enough yet to pick. The smaller fruit are usually the best for flavour and texture. The last picture, marked 'Lettuce' is obviously the lettuce beds. You may find this hard to believe, but I have been religiously harvesting these lettuces. Growing them in beds certainly appears to be a good method. I need to thin out the Romaine. They're too close together and having trouble bunching, but the individual leaves are excellant. Have concluded that next year I shall return to getting my seeds from Vessey in PEI. I've had good results from their seed in the past and judging by what's happened to this years crops its not such a great idea to get seed from box stores. I can only assume they were old seed because everything else was optimal. But then again, we did have a poor start to the season. What bothers me though is that everyone else's gardens seem to be doing so much better. Maybe its just the ' grass is greener' syndrome? Well, blah, blah, blah I've probably bored you to death. Must go have a swim and then probably to bed. A new week starts tomorrow so have a great one. Take care and enjoy the pics.

New Photos

Ok, before we get in to this I'd better warn you it may be a short or long post depending on how the weather changes outside here. At the moment it is so overcast I have to turn on the lights inside. This morning (its presently 2:46pm) there was sun, but even by 11:00 o'clock you could tell something was coming. Anyway on to the pics. Sorry they are lumped in with the garden ones, but I still haven't figured all this out yet. If you want to see some pics of the inside of my home, click on the link marked 'photobucket' to the left of this screen. To read descriptions of the garden pics, you'll have to search through previous postings. Sorry, I don't remember when they were posted! Anyway on with these new ones.

The first one is labeled 'Range home'. This is where the new gas range is going. See the floor leveller at bottom of picture. The metal shelves with pots and pans and such will be going to make way for the range back splash. The space to the right under the shelf of bottles was where the electric stove was located. This should give you an indication of how large the new range is. Do you see the range hood just over the stock pots on top shelf?
The next pic titled '013' is of front porch. The bright green thing on the left is actually the front door. I had to go out onto the deck to get this pic. Here you can see the knitting machine, some shirts, coats, etc. pieces of the loom and boxes/bags of other sewing/knitting/looming parts and supplies.
Picture 'Loom/DVD's, is just that. Here you can see the semi dis-assembled loom, stacks of dvd's and of course some of the books. Picture taken just inside door to front porch.
Sorry the pics are not in order. Don't know why they jump around. Pic '011' is of bath tub showing the new faucets and shower rail as described in another post sometime last week. Sorry also that I didn't clean the tub before taking this pic. When leaving bathroom looked out the door and took 'Pantry' pic. This should be self explanatory. From here we go to pic '009' which is room supposedly to be the dining room. Right in middle can be seen hanging from support, a light used to start seeds. Again of course, is another collection of books and in middle of pic, back near the wall can be seen sausage stuffer, grinder and meat mixer. On to '008' which was taken in kitchen. I'm standing back on to the microwave which is to the left of the range alcove. We can see the old electric stove, some cookbooks above and one of the freezers behind. Looking to the right can be seen a Kitchen Aid mixer, old frig and other misc. goodies. In middle of picture is table with bottle of "Screech" rum and things I haven't put away. Above the table is a rack for hanging things. The space under this (where table is now) is where island is to go. '007', now I'm standing by table and looking at soon to be hole in wall where the new range will come through. Also can be seen is evidence of my collecting problem - witness the spoons! In '006', I'm standing in the living room looking down hall toward kitchen. We can see the cookbooks and freezer mentioned earlier. Also looking to right can be seen stacks of more books. All of these will be going upstairs to master suite when that is ready. Sorry, no pics of upstairs yet. I was just too lazy to climb the steps. Immediately to left past few books is hallway leading to back section of house (laundry, utilities, pantry, bathroom). My little office looking toward bedroom is '005' and '004' is the opposite direction. See, MORE books!! Now I'm outsde my bedroom door in '003' looking toward door of front porch and '002' is by door of front porch looking toward wood stove and hall ways to back of house and kitchen. Of course, '001' is by wood stove looking at loom and door to front porch.
Wow! Wondered if I'd ever finish this. Hope you could follow all the explanations. Must end here and go get a coffee then start to prepare a meal for tonight. I think a stir fry is in order. Had a salad for lunch, fresh out of the garden of course. There's blue sky again now. Must go, take care and keep well.

What a day !!

Weather started as overcast and cool but became brilliant blue sky and warm by mid morning. Around lunchtime it turned overcast and certainly appeared as though rain would begin again. Spent the morning working on tool/potting shed, then went to "The Old Bookshop" and, you guessed it, bought a few more books. Must stop or at least slow down doing this. I really am running out of space. When I came home a little after lunch decided to take pictures of self and progression of garden. Got tons of wonderful garden shots and one terriable pic of me straining to keep camera at arms length and squinting into sun. Makes me look ancient, but decided to post it on a lonely hearts web site anyway. This unfortunately was a bad idea. Somehow in the process I was able to totally lose all the other pictures. Sorry no updates till I get around to taking more pics. Hopefully by then I'll have this picture uploading thing figured out better. In the meantime be advised that strawberries are now starting to become ready to pick and most of the berry farms have them available. That's it for now, be good to one another and take care.