Coffee Machine Cleaning, Blog Catch-Up & Horses on the Lamb

We managed to sleep until 9 today before settling into our usual morning routines. I had to get the horses’ feed soaking ASAP, as B is working evening shifts this week and would be out earlier than usual. With the blogs falling behind again, I got busy catching up, and Friday’s snow-day post finally went live.

After coffee, I gave the Nespresso machine a descaling clean before moving on to another job that had been waiting for attention. I used hot vinegar water to tackle the inside of the dishwasher door, which was definitely in need of a deep clean. It's amazing how those little cleaning jobs can take over once you get started!

B came out and made quick work of feeding and caring for the horses before heading home to get ready for her evening shift. We had leftover soup for lunch, after which S settled back in with his laptop while I repaired a couple of nails that needed some attention.

Horses enjoying the hay B put out and after lunch all were napping but 1 on guard and Hank behind the shelter.

S took Harley for a walk in the brisk 5degree high while I continued working on Saturday's blog post. Mom sent a text to let us know everything had gone well with her eye surgery, which was great news!

Silly me, I did not take a photo of all the flowers vases up yesterday but these are my beauties! XOXO

Once S and Harley returned, I squeezed in my workout, and S went right back to his laptop on the couch. I spent some time sorting through photos and posting larger pieces of furniture that I might want to move along, while S perused his phone.

I fixed the two nails to the left and once in the bright bedroom I saw the middle finger was missed last night or we did not topcoat it and it washed off. But the chrome Kaylin did looks lovely!

That was when I spotted five horses running loose in the yard along the east side. It seems S had forgotten to shut the gate! Out he went with Harley to get the horses sent back out to the field. 

I put a roast in the instant pot with vegetables for supper while S worked the phone, trying to get his upcoming bison order organized. It turned out delicious but I had enough potatoes and carrots for 10!

Mom joining the Squardele puzzle squad as she relaxes after surgery.

I finally finished and published Saturday's blog, and completed Sundays ready for tomorrow feeling a little better about getting caught up. S, meanwhile, was getting frustrated trying to find the Flames game despite having six sports channels subscribed to. After giving up on that battle, we finished watching the series Below instead.

I read for a while before calling it a day. Between cleaning, blogging, horse wrangling and the usual household jobs, we managed to fit quite a bit into a day that started with a welcome sleep-in.

Skinny Pancakes, Pink Flowers & a Baby Shower Celebration

Renn popped into my bedroom just after eight with a cheerful, “Good morning, Nana!” Harley shuffled in shortly afterward and received her own greeting. Renn climbed into bed for a cuddle while we played a little I Spy, but it wasn't long before she had a request for pancakes for breakfast.

But first we did art and I was amazed how she copied my rendition of Mickey Mouse with such accuracy! She does say she is an artist. :)

I suggested skinny pancakes instead, and she agreed, so off we went to the kitchen to make them. Renn made sure Grandpa and Mom knew what was happening, and soon they joined us for breakfast, too. 

Kaylin got ready for the day, which also included Renn needing some eyeshadow applied. There was a little beauty routine for everyone!

And we found a great use for the display case with all the Peppa Pig characters and friends.

They eventually had everything loaded up and headed out just after 11 dropping Renn at Paetz's. She was going to join them to watch Archie's hockey game and experience life at the arena, concession snacks and all. 

I jumped in the shower and started getting ready for the day myself, but the daily brain puzzle distracted me when I found Sheldon working on it on the couch. I also had a new challenge with my magnetic eyelashes. It took about four attempts per eye, but I finally managed to get them on!

Plans changed a little, and Sheldon came along with me, meeting Matt and Shaina at the station. Sheldon and Matt headed off to watch Archie's hockey game too while Shaina and I went in to the baby shower.

Kaylin and her friends had decorated beautifully, with shades of pink everywhere and loads of fresh flowers. It made for a lovely afternoon celebration, and the decorations really added to the occasion.

When the shower wrapped up, Shaina and I headed back to the ranch. Sheldon and Matt had returned before the hockey game was over, as Matt wanted to do some target practice to see how he shot before purchasing a gun. We had a chance to visit about Japan, hearing a little more about their travels, and it wasn't long before Kaylin and Renn arrived home, too.

I sorted the 40 bud vases Kaylin had made for the shower into several bouquets, with some to give to her sisters and me and others to brighten up our homes. It was a lovely way to share the flowers after the celebration.

S got supper underway, and B came out to feed the horses and joined us for the meal. Shaina bundled up and headed outside to try catching Mac, but Mac was being elusive today. Perhaps another day!

Just as we were getting ready to eat the sausage, Kraft Dinner and salad meal Sheldon had prepared, Mom arrived at the gate. She said the code wasn't working, but when Sheldon drove down to let her in, the gate miraculously opened! She joined us for supper, and the visiting continued.

Renn can sing the rhyme but not eat the 5 veggies a day LOL

Kaylin also chromed my nails, trying out some new things she'd purchased to add to her home nail kit setup. Between the shower, flowers and nails, there was certainly plenty of girl time today.

Everyone started heading home to their respective places shortly after seven. Shaina drove Mom's car and her to the city to stay as Mom is staying with her tonight as they attempt to get her eye surgery done again tomorrow. Hopefully, things go smoothly this time.

Once the company had gone, I got the vacuum out and cleaned the floors. Sheldon and I then sat in the living room to finish today's brain puzzle before heading to bed. We started a new series Amanda had recommended, Below, with a bowl of yogurt I'd made for dessert. Three episodes later, we finally called it a night.

From skinny pancakes with Renn to a pink-filled baby shower, family visits, flowers and a new TV series, it was a busy day with plenty of catching up and celebrating along the way.

A Town Trip, a New Nail Colour & an Evening with Renn

After another coffee and brain puzzle start to the day, thanks Debby for hooking the entire Kuhn family as well as Amanda on this daily challenge. I published Thursday’s blog post and spent some more time working on the family tree. I also had a FaceTime call with B to help her fill a bobbin and thread her sewing machine while she worked on sewing surgery caps today. Sometimes a little Mom tech support is in order!

S took something down to the storage room and returned with the house HVAC air filter. It was just as gross as the air conditioner unit! Off to wash it up well and let dry overnight before replacing back in the unit.

We headed into town to pick up another library book, then decided to try PJ’s Diner in Strathmore for lunch. In all these years, we'd never eaten there, but S had heard good things about it. They use real beef and turkey in their sandwiches, but the decor is well worn and dated.

Our next stop was Tim’s, where Leonard met us. I took my tea across the road to my nail place while the two of them sat and visited. I chose a soft purplish nude colour this time, although, as usual, there were plenty of other colours and designs being sported around the salon. It's always interesting to see what everyone comes up with.

Walmart took care of the shopping and grocery stop, followed by a quick liquor store visit and a fuel fill before we headed home.

We pulled into the yard right behind B. Once home, I got busy preparing the hamburger for supper, and B was soon on her way again after feeding the horses. Bird was eating quickly today, which is always speeds up this chore.

Kaylin and Renn arrived at 5:30, and the evening immediately became a whole lot busier. Everyone enjoyed the soup for supper except Renn, who opted for a variety of other things. She even tried some Christmas milk (AKA eggnog) and liked it! Ice cream was another choice, with her banana served separately while Grandpa added one to his own.

Renn drawing Ada - ponytail and bow in her hair, 2 bracelets and a water bottle with straw! She then had me FaceTime the family to show them and visit ;)

While Kaylin and S worked on putting a banner frame together for tomorrow's baby shower, Renn got busy cooking up some sugar skull cookies. Naturally, they had to be served warm! She also made sure to bring Jenkins inside for his usual helping of pets. He certainly knows how to get his share of attention when Renn is around.

more cookies by Renn

I settled in at Big Brown to write up both yesterday's and today's blog posts while S continued his sports viewing and Kaylin got Renn ready for bed. Before turning in himself, S popped out for a hot tub.

I started my new library book and became absorbed enough to keep reading until midnight. Between the town errands, a few family jobs and a lively evening with Kaylin and Renn, it was another full day—and I was happy to finish it with a good book.

Thunder, a Power Outage & the First Real Snow Day

The wind howled through the night, blowing so hard and loudly that I even resorted to trying earplugs. At 7, the sky lit up with a flash of lightning, followed by a tremendous crash of thunder and the start of the rain. By 7:30, the power was flickering, making all sorts of start-up noises before going completely dead. It stayed off until 9. And the rain turned quickly to snow!

That certainly makes you think about how much we rely on electricity. With only our cell phones, an electric stove and a fireplace that doesn't heat the house, there wasn't much we could do without power. No coffee made, and even the daily brain puzzles were a different experience! Thank goodness for mobile data, which at least let us keep a little of our usual routine going.

Once the power returned, I turned on the furnace and delivered coffees to bed. A much better start to the morning!

It was a crazy, snowy day, although the snow did ease up as the hours passed. S drove out to the winter pasture gate and let the five horses in with the other two. All seven took off toward the far paddocks, bucking and kicking up their heels. Apparently, they had plenty of energy to burn off despite the weather!

B wasn't feeling well when she woke and called in sick, and once she saw the storm, staying home made even more sense. She came out to feed the horses quickly and then headed back home.

Kaylin and Renn picked Shaina and Matt up from the airport and had made this sign and had flowers awaiting them. <3

A a Japan montage

The snow made for a perfect sports day for S, with something to watch throughout the afternoon and evening. I spent my time working on the family tree and tackling brain puzzles, keeping myself occupied while the weather did its thing outside.

For supper, we reheated the chicken from the night before, then returned to our respective interests. S settled in with his sports, eventually moving to the big TV in the bedroom, while I joined him with my book and carried on reading.

After the wild wind, thunder, power outage and snow, it was certainly a day to stay tucked inside. The horses got their chance to stretch their legs, B was able to rest at home, and we settled into our usual evening routines once everything was back to normal.