ON THE PORCH

Today we did a little porch singing. Paul and Connie dropped by and after lunch we sat and enjoyed some of our old favourites ............... some very old favourites.

It was a perfect way to spend a summer day. Hope we can do it again soon.

SHULIST FAMILY FARM

Today Owen had a chance to get up close to some farm animals. The Shulist family in Combermere where we buy our organic meat held an open house today. Owen was thrilled.

The farm is in a beautiful location on the Canadian shield and has been in the family for five generations. We are so fortunate to have excellent organic food so close to home.

Stas (the one carrying his son) was our tour guide and our first stop was to see the cattle. Most fields have stone fences which is typical of farms in this area as most farms grew stones faster than potatoes years ago.

The cattle were not happy when we left and let us know by bawling loudly as the gate was closed. They usually get a treat whenever the farmer visits and that didn't happen on this trip so they were very vocal in their disappointment.  They're just like little kids.

The little pigs were cute but they were more interested in searching for grubs than the visitors on tour.

Boys being boys they thought the chickens would be fun to catch, but the chickens were just too nimble for these boys; still it was fun to try.

Owen was more interested in telling the farmer his own chicken stories and asking questions about the animals.

As you can see he was delighted to sit on the tractor. Sasha had wisely removed the key so no accidental starting today. Reminded me of the fun we had whenever we visited Scott and drove his tractor.

After so much walking, playing and talking Owen was exhausted and needed food. The Shulist family had kindly prepared hamburgers and sausages for all who signed up for the tour. It was a fine way to sample their organic home grown food.

Next stop was an old logging chute I wanted Owen to see.

He had to load his own sticks and watch them tumble down the falls.

We even managed to find a beach and have some fun in the sand.

One final dip in the water and it was time to head for home. Exhausted but delighted with the day I think we will be going to bed a little earlier than usual.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

HE NEVER STOPS

Owen has had a busy day. It started with fishing first thing this morning;

followed by some careful exploring along the shoreline.

Then it was time for a snack, of course he ate the cookie first.

Owen is very cautious, so wearing his life-jacket and keeping Oma close when they took the floating chairs out were very important.

Keeping them tied to the dock also helped him relax while floating down the lake.

This afternoon he has been busy building a chipmunk playground for his new friends.

Now he's enjoying some quiet time watching them play,

and they enjoy searching for the seeds Owen hid in the playground.

Hope your day has been filled with just as much fun.

FEEDING THE ANIMALS

Owen is having a busy week building Lego, tie-dying shirts, and feeding the chipmunks.

Oma and Owen have also gone searching for wild raspberries.

Yesterday he tried to get the chipmunks to eat from his hand; this was as close as they got.

Today he had success!

Can you tell we love having Owen visit.

Now it's time to float in the lake and cool off.

Enjoy your day

ROCKETS

Mary prepared some science experiments for Owen this week. Yesterday they made rain in a jar and tried to launch a pop bottle skyward. First Mary poured vinegar into a two litre pop bottle then added baking soda and quickly forced a cork into the bottle's mouth.

Like many first attempts we didn't have total success but we did have enough excitement to try again. We made some modifications and moved the launch pad onto our driveway. Unfortunately I was busy getting the stove pipe positioned and bottle filled so no pictures were taken. We did have success beyond our expectations; actually getting the pop bottle to fly over the house on one attempt and above the tree height on several other launches.

 Amazing what a little vinegar and baking soda can do to amuse two old folks and a six year old for an afternoon.

Hope you have some fun today.

ALGONQUIN WEEKEND

Owen's cousins were spending the weekend in Algonquin and since we needed to deliver four bottles of maple syrup to Meaghan we decided to join them.

Sand and water and they were busy and happy for the day.

Time on the water was special too. Can you see the yellow cord attached to the floating chairs? If they got too far out we could easily pull them in.

Back at our campsite Owen cooked his own lunch. Since there was a fire ban in the park he used our propane stove to do the cooking. They were so delicious he ate three.

After a short, very short, nap it was back to the beach to build sandcastles with Oma.

Every sandcastle needs water and Owen was happy to get soaked on such a hot day.

This morning he had to have two cups of coffee (hot-chocolate) before we packed and headed for home. He tried to show a sad face but kept giggling every time I took a picture.

It was the best two days of summer so far for us and I'm sure great memories for Owen.

Oh, about the maple syrup for Meaghan; it's still here, forgotten in the excitement of packing Friday. Hopefully we will remember to give it to her mom when she visits in a few weeks.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

OWEN HERE AGAIN

We are so happy to have Owen visit for the next few weeks. He is our oldest grandchild and enjoys having time up here with Oma and Grandpa. Yesterday on the way home, we stopped at the lift-locks in Peterborough to watch the boats go through. It is an amazing feat to see this elevator lift and lower the boats going through the Trent-Severn waterway. The Trent-Severn waterway was originally built back in the 1800's to move British troops quickly through Upper Canada if we should be attacked by the USA.

While we had lunch Owen ran up and down the canal feeding the ducks. He is a speedy runner.

Another favourite activity early in the morning. Later today we will take the chairs and float around the lake. Now it's time to go to town and get some groceries.

No time to relax when you have a six year old to entertain.

WATER BALLOONS

Sherri found these water balloons at Costco last week; the perfect solution for a hot summer day.

You can fill twenty balloons at once and then the action starts. Oma was pretty accurate with her throws. Kate was more interested in the water in the pool.

Owen made sure he had lots of ammunition.

He eventually filled a small pail with as many balloons as it would hold. Now he could throw balloons in every direction and still have more in the pail.

Kate did throw a few but  she only managed to get herself wet. Guess on a hot day that was the whole purpose anyway; get wet stay cool.

Hope you found a cool place to spend the day.

SOFT BOOK

We are off to see Sherri and family soon and yesterday Mary was busy finishing a soft book for Kate. (Sorry the image isn't posted correctly but I don't know how to correct it.)  Hopefully you get the idea.

Each page is made from felt and has movable pieces Kate can play with. It should keep her occupied for hours. (we hope)

Another hot weekend. I think next week we will enjoy the lake with Owen.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER

It's been a busy week. I had to go to Peterborough for a doctor's appointment so left early to avoid delays. They are re-surfacing long sections of highway 28 and Mary had been delayed for forty minutes when she came through last week. I wanted to avoid that.

All was quiet on the road and even the little village of Lakefield wasn't very active when I drove through.

First stop in Peterborough was the scrap yard. Our batteries need replacing so it's time to take the dead ones to the scrapyard.  These batteries weigh one hundred and ten pounds each so I was glad the guys in the yard helped with the unloading.

While I was in Peterborough Mary was busy making some wall hangings. This ocean view will be followed by one from the mountains.  This was all done with fabric and I was so impressed.

Wednesday night is music night in the park. The weather was perfect and the local talent was most enjoyable. This is held throughout the summer, highlighting local talent and it's free for everyone.

Yesterday while weed-wacking I inadvertently kicked a stone and this happened. Nice pattern on the window but not the way to enjoy the view. It's a large, safety glass window so it won't be cheap to replace. I sent an e-mail to the manufacture but haven't heard back yet. Oh well, nothing lasts forever, at least not when I have a tool in my hand.

Enjoy your day and safe travels everyone.