For Daniel on Frugal Friday

Last summer when my sister and two of her boys were out from Ontario for a visit, my nephew Daniel could not get over the amount of groceries that I seemed to be able to find with a half price sticker slapped on them.  He joked that I must surely have my own roll of hot pink half price stickers that I discretely slapped on something I fancied.  Ha, I wish!

The small grocery store where I shop occasionally has some amazing bargains sometimes.  A few years ago a brand of detergent that I used was reduced in price, then the half price stickers were slapped on it.  I bought enough to last me until just recently, and just after I ran out, I found a different brand at half price.  Now if I find something extra special that is half price, I'll make a joke about how Daniel would be so impressed.

This week I got a few different things.  Yes, I'll buy something that is different, something that I wouldn't ordinarily buy, because it's fun to try something new, and well of course, because it only costs half as much as it would normally.

I actually picked up the pancake mix because I thought it was the Decadent cookie mix, but then thought what the heck, I'll try the pancake mix.  That was $1.74.  The syrup was $1.50 I think.

We ended up having the pancakes for supper last night.  Oh, I had something else planned, but I was tired out, and kept putting off getting started on supper, and finally just decided to make the pancakes.  All I had to do was add water.  They turned out great.  Not overly sweet, and a pretty decent ingredient list.  It made 21 pancakes.  Three of us had them for supper, and I finished them off for lunch today.

I ate mine with the caramel sauce on them, and some lemon yogurt.  I did have to pay full price for the yogurt, but there have been times I've found that for half price.  The combination was delicious.

Daniel, I wish you had been here to share them:)

PS  Here's proof that I got my Spring plants potted up, and they won't fade away in the flat.

This one could have used a few more plants.  I did have a couple of unhappy primulas that I'd brought home from my mum's warm room at the care home.  They looked happier already, out in the cooler air.  I also added some Tete a Tete daffodils that I had bought in pots last year, and had left to lanquish at the side of the house, unwatered, on their sides.  Some of them look like they are determined to try to bloom.  We'll see.

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Well that's me, not being organized and actually being able to wish my daughter a Happy Birthday in front of  the world   my ten readers, on the day of her birth.  

Meredith though, was not a day late, but was 10 days early, and cost me a week's work.  So I guess I'm more than a dollar short.  Oh, but she made up for it....I think:)

All 8 lbs 3 1/2 oz of her then, (thank goodness, at that weight, that she was early)

and all 5'10" of her now.  I'll leave off the weight part, she'll love me more if I do that.

She loved to read at an early age.  And speaking of reading, did you know, Meredith, that we incurred some library fines due to your early birth?  We were occupied with things other than returning library books.

She started to drink at an early age, but we put an end to that.  On the bright side though, due to those early experiences with alcohol, she mostly got turned off the 'demon drink', and can now be counted on to be the designated driver.

And speaking of drink, what goes in, must come out.

She could be a bit of a princess sometimes

Meri, Meri, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells, 

and the corn all lined up in a row.

And I don't think I was ever able to convince her to do any gardening for me again.

She was an animal lover

Bridie (Lab) and Megan 

And she started riding at an early age, shown here with cousin Daniel

Sorry Daniel, I don't seem to have received my pay-off.  I do have the full monty picture too.  Just saying....

I think this photo was taken the day we made the HUGE mistake of taking her into Vancouver with us to do another tour around Expo 86.   How hard could it be, we thought, we'll take the stroller and she can ride in that.  After all, she had been a pretty easy baby, and wasn't a difficult toddler.  Well it was hell!!!  I can't remember too many details, other than she insisted on pushing the stroller around herself, wouldn't take a nap, and can't remember anything about the exhibition, other than how awful the whole day was.

Smudge , oops, age related memory loss, that's Muffin above and 

Mama Pussy below.

Yeah, it was kind of embarrassing to have to give that cat's name at the vet's. 

She was a stray that showed up and had three kittens, so we took her to be spayed.

And since you are such a cat lover, Meredith, it's real handy to remember that in cold weather like this, when we have to put out a litter box for Smudge, that she really is your cat. 

Enjoy your birthday present.

Happy Birthday!  Love Mum xxxxxxx

Degrees of Daniel

Today in Ontario it was a very special day for my sister and her family.  My nephew Daniel  received his Bachelor of Computer Science with Honours degree.

He has gone from this 

( I had to include this photo, because he's wearing an outfit I made). 

 Daniel, just be thankful I didn't include any of the nekkid photos, I have a few of those. 

 I could be convinced to destroy them with the right bribe.  Just saying....:)

To this

And he exchanged this gown

For this one

Here's a few photos my sister sent of the ceremony, and afterwards

That's Daniel stood up there

 With his proud mum

And younger brother

And even younger brother, wow, he's tall now!  

...and proud dad

Congratulations Daniel, from your aunt, uncle and cousins on the west coast!

A job well done:)