Merry Christmas!!

Yes I am late on this one!
Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hopefully all enjoyed a wonderful day with family or friends.

We had our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve day...only because I was working Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the 27th.
Our only opportunity was then and after a family vote, we went with a not so traditional dinner as well. Given the options of turkey or ham, the fam decided they wanted BBQ steak. So thats what we had! We had the usual trimmings of mashed potatoes and vegetables, James made a potato salad and had a yummy blueberry cheesecake and I bought a key lime pie...(which no one even got into as we were so stuffed!!!)
After dinner we went to the Christmas Eve service at church and just enjoyed the carols. There is nothing that brings tears to my eyes faster than Silent Night. I love all the Christmas carols but that one brings my mom's memory to light faster than anything and I usually cannot finish singing the song before I am choked up.
Christmas is a wonderful time full blessings but it does make one look back and remember Christmas' past.
After the service we came home and let the kids open one gift, a tradition going back as long as I can remember having the kids. Off to bed later and Christmas morning we all enjoyed each others company, opened gifts, I made cinnamon buns and just relaxed.
I stayed in my jammies until 130 when I had to get ready for work.
So that was our low key Christmas, (just the way I like it) I hope yours was just as great!

Just to remember...

As much as I try to make my blog interesting, I also want it to be a journal of sorts to look back on someday and remember events or even just little trivial stuff that I chose to write about.
This post is about a situation that brought goosebumps all over and tears to my eyes and it is something that I want to remember when I think my life is so hard done by.....
Back in the summer we learned that my cousins's son and his girlfriend were expecting twins. Normally very joyous news. However upon further testing of the mom, it was discovered that she had a brain tumour. She chose to give her babies life and postpone any treatment so her tiny twins could reach a viable age outside the womb.
I just learned last week that the babies were delivered back in late September. I am not sure how far along they were but they were delivered by c/section and both babies had died in the womb. In further inspection of the mom's uterus it was determined that the cancer had spread from her brain and was in her uterus and not sure where else....
As far as I know now the doctors have not done any treatment thus the cancer is too far gone.
This young mom was only in her early 20's, a full life ahead or her. She chose to give her babies life and it may have cost her her own life and the babies didn't survive anyway.
How completely selfless and admirable is this young woman, I have never met her but her courage has touched me.
Please think about this young woman and pray for her and her family who must be going through the worst tragedy of their lives especially this holiday season. Also my cousin, and her son who lost 2 grandchildren and 2 children without even knowing them.
There are days when teenagerhood overwhelms me and I think about pulling my hair out but when you hear a story like this, it makes me appreciate my kids, all 3 of them and their teenagerhood as I couldn't imagine life without them.

Quickly addicted.....

Yes its shameful I know....

The past week I've been a little under the weather so what better time than to pick up a good book. As much as I love to read, I don't usually allow myself the time and everything I had in the house I had read before.....with the exception of Casi's Twilight Collection of books.
So I started with book 1...Twilight. I have seen the movie so had a good scope of what the book was about and knew what was coming. However the book has so much more detail than the movie and I found myself learning things about these characters that wasn't even touched in the movie!
Alas I finished book 1 and am eager for some quiet time to start book 2. I can see why when Casi first got these books that I caught her up well past midnight reading...they are so hard to put down!
These books are definitely worth the read and all the raves everyone talks about....even if we are not all Teens!!!

Olympic Torch Relay arrives in our town!

On Wednesday the Olympic torch relay made its way to our small town. The schools were let out to see the big event!

Although I was not able to make it there, Brittany did go and got some great shots!

It was evident to me looking at these pics how patriotic we can be! How proud we are to be Canadian! How amazing is the flame has been carried all over the world!

One of the people that ran with the torch has beaten cancer numerous times and he is only in high school. I can't imagine the emotion for his parents watching their son carry the torch!

One of my favourite recipes for Christmas...

We try to do a little bit of Christmas baking for the holidays and one of our favourites is what we call Egg Drop Cookies.
They are simple to make and relatively low fat but soooo good if you like egg whites.
Thought I would share this tastey but simple recipe!

Egg Drop Cookies

3 lg egg whites

1/2 c white sugar

1/8 tsp Crm Tartar

1/4 tsp salt

1 c Mint Chips

Beat ingredients minus the chips until peaks form.

Add Chips

Spoon onto foil lined cookie sheet and bake @ 250 degrees for 1 hr.

So good!

The chips I don't know what they are called but we can buy them at our local bulk food store. They are white mint chocolate with red and green sprinkles on them.

Because there is not alot in them, I would think they are somewhat low fat especially if you compare it with some of the other goodies that are available during Christmas!

Try and let me know how you like them. I have members of my family that do not like egg whites so if you don't...think is not a recipe for you. Enjoy!

Just some random doggie pics...

Just bored and playing with my camera...took some random doggie shots about the house!
Here is Tye showing off his sexy new shirt. The boy has not so much hair and we have had a cold snap lately. He is really not a "killer" as his shirt states but Brittany thought the black shirt would be better on him!
Quite comical as we put it on him and he didn't want to move....and for this JRT not to want to move is SOMETHING!!!
This pic is self explanitory...Olivia has figured out that Bella is quite warm and snuggly to curl up against! Actually all of the yorkies have discovered this and more often than not there is at least one or more curled up with her.

My Autumn with her girlie....she has been a fantastic mom...oh how I love these ladies!

Hard to believe but Olivia is 8 weeks old tomorrow!!! She is a sweet girl and full of kisses. I have so much hope in this girl!

Only time will tell!!!

As Olivia is the 3rd generation born to me I have high hopes for her! Her great grandma was Lexi who i bought back in 2000. Lexi was a great gal but with each generation I see how my dogs have improved and gotten more correct to breed standard. As I am hoping that Olivia will be more correct than her mother Autumn (who is just about perfect in my eyes), Autumn is more correct than her mother etc etc. That, to me is what an ethical breeder does, each generation should be better than the last.

Likely in the new year I will get together with the owners of Olivia's father for an extra set of eyes and hands on her for their opinion. I highly respect these people and their opinion and hope they see what I see in my newest little girl!

Keep ya posted!

Loved it!!!

Amidst all the hype and publicity about the new movie in the Twilight Series, I was able to get in line and view the much talked about movie New Moon.

I had seen Twilight and loved it as it is such a great forbidden love story.
New Moon did not disapoint, it was fabulous! Would it be policitally incorrect to comment on amazing good looks of one of their cast...am I too old for that?? Whatever...anyway..Jacob..aka Taylor Lautner ..WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..nuff said...
Casi went with me and it was a great girlie night out.
I havn't read the books yet, got me thinking to maybe I should...I kept bugging Casi all the way home..."does he bite her, does he do it?"
Interesting ending to the movie...didn't see that coming at all!
If you like love stories, this is one to see. Some action for the guys but really a primarily girlie movie.

Tis the Season!

Yes the season is upon us! To date I have got NO shopping done...yep..zilch, zip, notta....
I have started decorating a little just here and there. I do love the whole anticipation of Christmas. I also love the season as I am able to buy eggnog!!!
Have I mentioned before that I love eggnog! Well I LOVE EGGNOG!!
This stuff is like a drug to me! Can't get enough of it!
It is really not that healthy and loaded to the hilt with calories but it is such a short season that I throw caution to the wind and drink up!
No need even to add rum, I love it just way it is!

This stuff is the BEST!! How wonderful that it is pretty much made in our back yard too, even Torontoians rave about our Kawartha Dairy products! I was even able to find a Facebook fan club of this stuff! Here is how the group describes this tastey stuff!

FOOD OF THE GODS-KAWARTHA DAIRY EGG NOG

You think you've had egg nog. Meh you say - its ok with about 3 fingers of rum in it. Well here is the worlds finest food in liquid form. Pure ambrosia, it has turned eggnotters into eggnoggers

Yes this stuff is heavenly!! If you love eggnog and are able to get this stuff, I highly recommend trying it!

Olivia at 4 weeks!!!

Hard to believe that she is already 4 weeks old and hard to believe that she is only 4 week old at the same time!
This puppy is very advanced for her age!!
She is already quite accustomed to being handled and already is used to running around the kitchen!

She was out of her pen this morning and found a sunny spot on the floor under the table and decided to lay out and sun herself!

I just love this little girl! She is super friendly already and gives non stop kisses.

She weighed 1 lb 11 oz at 4 weeks. Which is an awsome weight for a young puppy but seeing as she was a singleton this is normal to have a larger weight. She should slow down as she is getting bigger and moving around more.

This girl holds alot of promise for me. So far so good! Only time will tell!

She is certainly following in her mothers footsteps and is the princess in training! She is already way spoiled!!!!

Martha Stewart needed!!!

Help!!!!
Any ideas of what can remove ink spots from the dryer??

James did his laundry over the weekend and while on the go, I did hear something clattering in there but really did not pay any attention until he opened the door and went "uh-oh"......
Ya...uh oh is right...the inside of the dryer is spattered with ink.
Trying not to be too upset as it was an accident but it was so preventable if he had taken 5 seconds to check pockets....

However he did try to clean it, we googled some tips on getting ink out of a dryer, like hair spray, nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol etc...but so far nothing has worked???
Anyone else had this problem?? Anything that was sucessful???

Touch wood, so far nothing has tranferred onto clothes that have been in there since but...I would still like to get it off.

We were going to try Mr Clean Magic Eraser and see if that worked.

Oh Martha Stewart..where are you when we need u???

Yes...I know...

I havn't been here much in the past few weeks. Quite simply there hasn't been a whole lot going on to blog about.
Busy yes but the everyday mundane things that would just bore you....
Things should pick up in the near future!!

Hard to believe....15 years ago...

My beautiful baby girl came into this world! Born by c/section (not planned) my mom was the first one to see her and I am so proud to have shared that special moment with her.
Casi was 6lbs 5 oz and for the size of her, she certainly gave me a not so typical labour and delivery however....she was totally worth it! Casi was the calming quiet member of our family. She rarely cried and amused herself for hours as a baby with the simplist things.

Yes, I am aware that the cake says Brithday but how was I to know that the girl at DQ didn't know how to spell??? Regardless, the Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard Cake was awsome!

Casi, you are a joy in my life and I am truly honoured to have you as my daughter! I can only imagine what life hold for you and what dreams and goals you will accomplish! The past 15 years have flown by!

I Luvs You So Much!

Abby has my vote!

If any of you are into "The Biggest Loser" this year and have seen any of the contestants or watched them on their journey to self discovery, you will have seen this lady.

Her name is Abby and like all the contestants on the show, she is overweight. What makes her different that all the other contestants on the show is that she has suffered the most unimaginable tradegy in her life.
2 years ago she lost her entire family. Her husband, her beautiful red headed 5 year old daughter and a gorgeous infant son. They all died in a car crash caused by get hit by another driver who was driving too fast.
Her story came up last night on the show and it was absolutely gut wrenching watching this poor woman relive what had to be the most horrible day in her life.
I just wanted to post about this remarkable woman who not only survived that but came on the show with determination to reclaim her life.
In last nights episode, her team members were called to vote one of their own off. This amazing woman sacrificed her chance to win the prize and asked them to send her home.
2nd prize is the biggest loser who can do it at home and my vote is for this amazing selfless woman.
I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to have your entire family wiped out in an instant, my hat is off to this woman who has managed to come back from that and is now an inspirational speaker to young kids and teachers.

Olivia @ 1 week old!

Hard to believe the week just flew by!!!
We(I) had a hard time deciding on a name for this show hopeful girl! I wanted something unique but pretty like her mama!!
I was undecided between my top 2 choices of Olivia and Lara....I love them both but in the end I could only go with 1 name and choose Olivia...

As she is a singleton she has no actual litter mates so we improvised with stuffed toys. That way she has something to snuggle up with!

Once she decided to nurse on her own there was no looking back, she had doubled her birth weight by 6 days old and at 1 week she was 285 grams!

So far so good! I love her domey head and the rest will be a wait and see! The big fat tummy is a great site!

They've Arrived!!!

They've arrived!!! On Saturday we met a truck that had arrived from the west carrying our goats!
Yes, I can't ever imagining being excited about goats but I was plenty excited to get these guys home! These guys are super rare in Canada and the fact that I was able to acquire a herd of mature myotonic goats is just amazing!
I am really stoked about being part of something that will preserve this breed and as I love exploring bloodlines and who goes where ....this is right up my alley!
So these guys were loaded up in Saskatchewan on Thursday afternoon and after spending 48 hrs + on the truck we picked them up in Cookstown!
Meet our new goats!

This is Ember...

Blaze
Cassidy

Daisy

Monica

Fancy

Continued next post...

More Goats!

These are our new boys!

This is Hershey

The Messenger (Messy)

And more of the girls...This girl met the truck in Manitoba, she is just a doeling (born this spring), this is Cracker..

This is Splash..

I am super excited to get everyone together as right now they are in quarantine pens until I make sure that no one is sick. I will start early December pairing some of the girls up with boys in the hopes of having May babies. My waiting list has already started with requests. This is all very exciting for us. Just to give you an idea of how few breeders there are in Canada, the main registries for these guys list only 12 breeders in all of Canada..(myself now included)...

Stay tuned for news on arrivals of these guys!!

Autumn's princess

Yes my Autumn is a mama!!! My princess has her own princess!!! This "single" bundle of joy was born Sunday evening at app 8:30 pm via c/section. Autumn started labour about 2 am Sunday morning, and by 6 pm sunday evening her contractions were no closer together and it seemed that they were not strong enough to get things going. I had already done an xray the previous Thursday and knew that there was only 1 puppy and it looked pretty large on the scan and also it was breech......
So not wanting to take any chances with this single puppy I called the vet and by 8 o'clock we were on route to the vet. We arrived and they prepped Autumn and started IV, got her cleaned and reshaved and by 830 pm we had a baby! The vet and her tech were speed demons for sure, I don't think I have ever had a section go that quickly! Hoping that because I hadn't waited too long the puppy would not be compromised I expected baby to fare just as well as mom....
Coming out with a super strong heartbeat, for whatever reason the little princess crashed and her heartrate became dangerously slow. With lots and lots of stimulation, some atripine and epinephrine to jump start her heart again, her heart rate was coming up. It was really tense for a bit.
However, long story short we got her going and by 1030 or so we were home. That night the little princess found her voice and wow...did she use it. She was cranky and irritable and Autumn was not sure what this tiny thing was?
I was up and down most of the night, getting baby to nurse and getting her to pee/poo as Autumn was still not sure what to do with her. By 4 am Autumn figured it out and man did little princess get a bath!
These pics are mom and baby post 15 hrs after surgery...

This is mom and baby at 3 days old. Baby has gained 25 grams in this short time and is doing extremely well. She finally started to look for and latch on the nipple yesterday afternoon, before that I was putting her every chance I could!
It is totally a labour of love, which I do love. Seeing them flourish and thrive before your eyes is an unimaginable feeling and worth all the lack of sleep!

Little princess is unnamed at this point....I am looking for suggestions?? Something pretty and unique?? The vet and the tech wanted to name her Turtle after her sluggish start but I just don't think that is a very elegant name for a show prospect puppy!!!!
So far all I can come up with is Lara or Alia .....
Any help would be great!!!

They're BACK!!!!

Well the mighty moose hunters are back! Britt and I had a quiet week with 3 members of our family way WAY up north moose hunting.

I had to chuckle when they arrived home and the washing machine was going non stop cleaning up all those hunter orange clothes.

They did bring home some moose this year. Not a total fan of wild meat but a moose steak every now and then is a great change!