Sunday, January 15, 2012

backyard play

With such a great lot of snow we hit our own backyard this afternoon. We had the sled and the GT Snowracer out and had fun making snow angels. The snow is too powdery for a snowman, but maybe it will be more suitable in a couple of days.



Phoebe

Liam was impressive going down the yard on the Snowracer, even right down to the back fence on which he was snared!! Unfortunately his final run was cut short by a submerged tree stump. His face plant was spectacular (for the spectators!).


Liam made it to the back corner!









Snow snow snow!

Yesterday we happily made our return to Harper Mountain for tubing with Louise and Nico and their family. It has been unseasonally warm, so there was less snow than last time, but we still slid superbly and enjoyed a weiner roast afterwards. On our return to town we adjourned at our place for some Blackwell Dairy Eggnog with spiced whiskey!!


Playing near the lunch area
Alison, Louise and Nico cooling down











Late in the day it started to snow, and when we got up this morning there was about 5 inches of snow on everything and it was still snowing! Later on I looked out the window to find our neighbour Gary on his quad bike with snow plough attachment clearing our driveway for us! We were most thankful!



Our deck.
The snow looks like cushions on the stools!!
Gary ploughing. What a great vehicle!!














The forecast for the week ahead is ominous, with more snow and maximum temps on Tuesday and Wednesday of -17 and -16!!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Moooooose (and other delicacies)

Well, it is now less than 2 weeks until we leave Kamloops and while we are still right into our regular life, packing is now on the agenda, and I wonder how I will get 11 cases worth of stuff into 8!!! We will see....

Frank is busy at work getting end of semester things finalised. Liam is right into school. The junior classes went to a brass performance at the Sagebrush Theatre yesterday and he enjoyed telling me all about the instruments. His reading is such that he passed a library test to be allowed to borrow from the 'chapter book' section. He borrowed a Pokemon novel (!!).

Phoebe has grown and her snowsuit is now too short in the arms and legs. Unfortunately we are in a cold snap, and she gets very upset if her feet are cold...... She is speaking really well. She was playing with a cup this morning and saying, "Upside down, upside up. Upside down, upside up!" I thought it was pretty cute.

We had a very pleasant and delicious weekend seeing friends and catching up on some things we wanted to do before we leave. On Saturday we brunched at Hello Toast before doing some final souvenir shopping at the gallery. That night we had a great beef roast at Tom and Teresa's place. Liam had a great time with Ian, Eric and Ben playing video games. Phoebe enjoyed feeding Millie (the dachshund) cheese!!


At Hello Toast
Tom, Millie and feeder Phoebe










On Sunday we brunched at Nico and Louise's. Nico does a great Sunday pancake brunch! We enjoyed our pancakes with a range of sweet and savoury toppings. My pick - home bottled peaches and cream. Nico very kindly offered to look after Liam and Phoebe while Frank and I did a Costco shop.




Nico on the bacon
Phoebe, Liam, Adam and Sean


At the table

We cooked up a moose steak last night! After some discussion with others I decided to marinate it in a homemade BBQ sauce (recipe courtesy of Kim) and it was delicious! Notoriously tough, the meat was fairly tender and the flavour was great! Liam was somewhat bemused at the idea of eating moose, but not put off!!! Next will be burgers made with another game meat that is in our freezer....we have forgotten what it is, but Frank thinks it might be elk.

Frank cooking the moose on the BBQ.
It was only 10 below!
The moose meal.


Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy New Year!!

We saw the new year in quietly at home....a Tia Maria at midnight and we were done!

On New Years' Day we were busy preparing for our drinks and appies scheduled for the late afternoon.


We were ready and relaxed in plenty of time and had a great evening! It was so nice to have our friends at home and we really enjoyed their company and had some good laughs!! Our resident photographer was so busy preparing drinks we only got a few photos!!