The Big Day!

Such a busy week...yesterday was Joe's 11th birthday...he's my very own Benjamin Button...I'm sure he's getting younger rather than older! He still had to go to school, but came home with a couple of chums for hotdogs, footie and Nintendo 360...a fun time had by all!

Here he is - thanks for all your cards and prezzies!



Tonight is the BIG night...Black Finger's (Sam's band) entry into the Talent show in front of the school today and parents tonight. He's been rehearsing with his band all week...so black fingers crossed! Steve's working - but Joe, Mum, Dad and I will make up the applauding troops!

We had the most glorious weekend...and all got burnt...I'm calling Steve 'Beeley the Berry' due to his big, red head! Tuesday was 23 degrees (a record since 1979 for April) and then the Wednesday was 4 degrees - just a slight swing of 19 degrees! What's that all about????

Anyway - the constant bird chorus here is sublime...so I've attempted (poorly) to record some of the birds...the humming birds are due anytime - but they are coming from Mexico so we're hoping they haven't got the swine flu!

4 days to Blighty! Realised we have very little to pack...no longer concerned!



Some Great Photos...

Blogger is working fast - so I'm taking the opportunity to upload lots of photos of PEI




This is your typical harbour village












A Nineteenth centry house with wild lupins...in May they are everywhere on the island - stunning.


Canoe Cove Beach











Lighthouses

















































The North Shore (normal coloured sand - not the red stuff down here at the South Shore)














A Town Hall Clock










More beauty












































South Shore Sand with Mussels


















Montague


















Miscouche
































Fir Trees






















Greenwich Beach








PEI - Nova Scotia Ferry































Queen St, Charlottetown




















Greenwich again























Another Lighthouse



















Fishing Bait Shacks



























and a last one of our Cove again!
















St. George's Day

Happy St. George's day!

...we've gone all patriotic since emigrating...a common flaw amongst ex-pats. Steve has raised the St George Flag over the chicken shed - just in case our neighbours had any doubt over our allegiance! It's flying well because we have a windy day.

I've certainly had an industrious week - Monday we had our CCCA fundraising meeting and planned the Annual Perennial sale - confusing that one! Tuesday JoDee and I went over in our truck to a Mushroom farm in Bedeque for mushroom compost and then in the afternoon we all got together and bagged it into 72 bags for the sale. What a glam life I lead...! Wednesday, after food shopping, I made Cream of Mushroom soup with the free mushrooms (I raided the compost heap) and it was deeeee-licious. Even the boys (who hate Mushrooms) licked their plates!

Today is a 'being quiet day' as Steve is in bed (working nights)- but we have the prospect of a glorious weekend - they are predicting sunshine and 20 degrees...so we'll be down at the beach if you're looking for us!
The down side of all this is that I still haven't got the suitcases out, sorted any clothes or organised anything for our trip...which is a week on Tuesday....so no doubt I'll go into panic mode next week.
Steve is feeling ok now and back at work....so bizarre, they gave him a fruit basket when he returned - they must have missed him badly!!
PS Happy Birthday to Alma for Saturday!

Mish Mash

The interview went well yesterday, the company is a small tech firm in Charlottetown. They are interviewing last week and this, and I'll know next week whether I go through to the shortlist. Fingers and toes still crossed!

I didn't mention our trip, no point if they are interviewing so many, I'll see what happens first...

The last few days have been dodgy - intermittent flurries and a cold wind. Steve is off work, not feeling too good and so Easter was a disappointment. Although I can report that the chocolate overfloweth...! Not that I had any...correction...Joseph gave me a Turkish Delight...imported from the UK (he doesn't like em.)

This Friday we are off to a trivia and band night in Charlottetown. We are having a meal at the Hunters first and meeting up with a girl from Scarborough, a bloke from NZ and two Canadians...don't think we'll stand much of a chance with the quiz - but at least we can have a dance...please, please God...no Sweet Home Alabama and Abba....!

Tomorrow I go to get my hair done - Steve is very much in favour of my returning to blonde...but then again, he wants it cut shorter too - which is NOT going to happen.

Sam decided yesterday not to play for the Provincial Soccer U-15 team, we left the decision to him. He said he wanted to concentrate his efforts on Summer Soccer and his team at Eliott River Rangers (last year he was Captain and they came 3rd in the Island Premiership.) Steve has signed up to coach again this year - he really enjoyed it last year and I think Sam was pretty proud of the job he did. It's also a bonding time for them both.

Joe has joined the U-12 team, I hope I can go to all the matches as I did last year, but we'll see on the job front!

I believe the UK has had a gloriously sunny Easter...good on you...but we'll still beat the pants off you in July ;-)

Here's hoping it's similarly glorious in 3 WEEKS TIME...way hay!

They disgnosed what was causing my Mum's drop foot - she has severe nerve damage to one leg caused by.....crossing her legs! She's bought some specially made shoes and is using a tens machine - which seems to be working. The prognosis is that it will take up to a year to recover.

PS....Tarty keep on pushing on...

PPS...What does it feel like living in a fascist state?? *contraversial*

4 Weeks to go

...and we'll be in Blighty! Can't wait...but will have to!

More good news, I have an interview next Tuesday, so fingers, toes, tongues, eyes & words crossed...!

It's bee-a-you-tee-full today...I let the chickens out of the pen for a roam, opened up both sheds for some fresh air and dry them up, and then tidied up the garden...the prodigal sledge has now been uncovered, I've put away the snow shovels and the salt...so no more snow is allowed (crossing some more fingers.)

I've got to put up the insect screens next - hard to believe that in less than a month the humming birds will be back...flying all the way from Mexico.

I've a video from last year - don't blink or you'll miss it!

Fifteen Degreeeeees!

One, five...that's right...fifteen fabulous degrees last Saturday...I almost got a tan...we have disappearing drifts and green, green grass coming through...yee haa!

Only 4 weeks 'til we get to the UK and I'm confident of a heatwave when we get there...early May is renowned for a hot snap after all.

Can't wait - that's all for now

PS...Check out my new recipe blog : http://baked-pumpkin-pei.blogspot.com

The Big Dig & an April Fool


On Monday we thought April Fool's Day had come early...we woke up to snow and then more snow and so on until we had the highest snowfall this year...Spring on the way *April Fool*...!!



The kids had another 2 snow days and so began the 'Big Dig'...



I've come to the conclusion we need a different entrance way to the chickens...the last 2 snow storms have left a 6ft x 6ft snowdrift deposited exactly in front of the chicken shed and hatch door...is Mother Nature 'avin a larf? On Monday I was out there, Captain Scott fashion, digging away in the full winter storm...all for the love of Chickens...tsk tsk...Then to add insult to injury - the drift was back on Tuesday, so I figured the boys should get their arse into gear...and here they are...









...and you thought I was kidding...
















They dressed up SAS style (this is their best soldier faces)and off they went...I followed with a camera...of course...


The drive is still blocked...but we've very sensibly parked at the end of the lane...sensible until the complete dick of a snow plower moved the snow in front of the car...a 10ft blockage no less...more digging...*sigh*...and you thought we had it good here ;-)


The chickens are now liberated and we are back to blue skies...which is nice...but I do miss working on April Fool's Day...so I did my little bit - I dressed up 2 pieces of styrofoam and made them look like kit-kats for each of the boys' lunch...inside it read April Fool



...they weren't impressed...


but you have to do your bit n'est-ce pas?


Over and Out...Digging (and Fooling) for Victory...!


PS +12 forecast for Friday...we'll see, no breath holding required...