LEATHER CARE

Mary decided her leather gloves needed some TLC. They were dry and looking a little ragged. Since it was a snowbound day and we weren't going anywhere it was a good day to do some research.

First job was to melt the coconut oil on the wood stove.

Add the beeswax.

Stir until everything is melted.

Remove from stove and stir some more.

Once the solution solidifies you are ready to apply it.

Gloves, boots, handbags, everything got a treatment and they look so much better.

Can you tell which one hasn't been treated?

All polished and ready for the dance floor.

Thanks for stopping by.

CLEANUP

Today is Friday our usual dump run day. The dump is open Friday to Monday so we do have some options. It is close to town so not a big inconvenience to drop off out garbage and recycling stuff.

Earlier this week I helped take down the sets for the Trek. 

It was an easy job and a good crew to work with. 

In Just a few hours the job was done and everything properly stored for the next production in 2015.

We are keeping an eye on the weather this weekend. Ontario is to be hit with two storms with freezing rain and the possibility of 30-40 cm of snow. The actual path of the storms won't be know until they arrive so the best we can do is be prepared, sit back and enjoy. Folks around here were making sure they had extra fuel for their generators since freezing rain usually means power interruptions.

Hopefully we will get our walk in before the storm arrives. We have enough wood to last all year and food to last for three months so no real concerns about the weather or severity of the storms that come our way.

I'll post pictures so you can see how badly or softly we get hit.

Update 9 am

Walking our road this morning.

Safe travels everyone and thanks for stopping by.

WINTER SOLUTIONS

Living four hours north of Toronto is different. For one thing it's colder. Recently our temperatures have been in the -30*C range. When it gets that cold, ears freeze, my bobcat won't start, and the car doesn't want to move.

Since we are living off grid it's not a simple solution to just plug it in and let the block heater warm up the oil. That would put us in the dark very quickly. Another solution .....................

........... hot coals under the oil pan. 

Mary was afraid  her car might not start at -34*C for her 9 a.m. appointment. I placed a pan of hot coals under the oil pan. An hour later I tried the ignition and the car fired up after a couple of tries. 

Yesterday we did the same with the bobcat, hot coals under the oil pan for an hour then a boost from Mary's car. I'd run the battery down a few days earlier trying to get the bobcat started so needed a boost as there just wasn't any power left in the skid steer.

Another problem is frostbite. Mary noticed a dry itchy patch on my earlobe and suspected frostbite. A few applications of alovera gel right from the plant and the ear was soon healed. Obviously my trusty toque wasn't doing the job up here. 

Now the solution isn't flattering but it does protect my ears completely and up here no one worries about trying to make a fashion statement. So, no jokes, no comments, no laughter; here is the solution ......................

Not cute but no more frostbite.

Another concern is the vent pipe for our battery box. I noticed that it was covered with ice so I sent Mike our installer, an e-mail. 

After a few e-mails back and forth Mike called to discuss the problem.  That's why I like dealing with local businesses, prompt service.  

Since I'm not about to go up on the snow covered roof the temporary solution is to leave the window in the mechanical room open a crack and then modify the vent pipe in the spring.

 Interesting side note: Mary had been suffering far too many allergy bouts recently. With the window opened a crack......allergy symptoms disappeared. What is that about?

I suspect the vent pipe was plugged last winter as well but since I wasn't very mobile I didn't notice it.

Life in the north; we are making adjustments and learning new skills every day but we both agree, we wouldn't trade it for anything.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

MAYNOOTH CRAFT SALE

Last weekend was the Maynooth Craft sale. We always enjoy the outing and make plans to attend regardless of what else is going on. It's just 20 minutes north of Bancroft so an easy visit with plenty of time to get home for other activities.

There we about 40 vendors squeezed into every available space, even some up on stage and others in the kitchen, it's that popular.

Mary took her time thoroughly inspecting all the quilts and sewing items but came away with very little. I bought some home-made chocolates, yummy and chocolate lip palm. Can you tell I like chocolate.

In January the monthly farmers' market begins in the same building and it's another event we always look forward to attending. 

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Birthday Carol.

CINNAMON BUNS

I had prepared an entirely different post for today but then Mary decided to do some baking. When we were kids my Mom always made cinnamon buns for Christmas. It was a tradition to have warm, fresh delicious cinnamon buns before we were allowed to open our gifts.

Last week my sister wrote and said she was busy baking cinnamon buns and that inspired Mary to do the same.

Don't they look good enough to eat right off the page?

These buns are slightly different. You mix up the dough, make the buns up into the pans, then leave it in the fridge until you are ready for some buns. Take the pan out of the fridge, bake and voila .................... fresh out of the oven cinnamon buns.

We did a batch right in our kitchen counter oven. On sunny days we use solar power to do our baking.

Tragically those buns didn't last very long. I simply have no willpower when it comes to Mary's delicious baking. 

Today we will use a smaller pan and only bake four at a time; two each ........... much more respectable.

The outside temperature as I type is -31*C or -24*F Another reason to stay inside and do some baking.

Enjoy your day and think of us enjoying those cinnamon buns.

BUNS

See those buns in the top header? Check back tomorrow for a delicious treat.

TREK to BETHLEHEM Last Night

From 6 to 9 it was non-stop with groups arriving constantly on the hay wagon from the church. The time passed quickly and at the end I managed to dash around and get a few shots. 

Enjoy the pictures. We enjoyed being part of the production. If you click on the picture you get a larger version.