Shuffle, Clink & Snowy Playdates

Last night S was tossing and turning, but eventually we both drifted off. Sometime before 1:30 a.m. I heard it — shuffle… clink…shuffle… clink… shuffle… clink.

Harley with a toy? Nope.

A tiny shadow appeared in the doorway — Renn, inching along in her sleep sack, the zipper tab gently tapping as she walked.

“I sleep with you, Nana.”

Well. Obviously yes.

She climbed in and proceeded to chatter,  and wiggle for a solid 45 minutes of bum-taps, before finally surrendering to sleep again — right until 6:30. So… morning it was.

First order of business was socks - while in Kaylin's room she was looking thru the toy box and found an EDC outfit so had to put it on cracking me up

Renn and I started the day with yogurt, Nana’s applesauce, a few peeled orange slices, and I a coffee. We played quietly until Grandpa surfaced for his own mug.

mommy finger

Dr Renn is in the house

Fresh snow covered everything — the kind that makes the world look scrubbed and new. After 10, S headed out to shovel and attempted the leaf blower again. He maintains it feels wildly cost-ineffective for snow removal, but he gives it a try anyway. Ranch science experiment.

quite a singer

Renn grazed all day like a tiny free-range human. Grapes disappeared at record speed. She also enjoyed a freezie while waiting for her little buddy to arrive.

Before 11:30 Amanda dropped Aislyn off for the long-awaited playdate. The castle was stormed, puzzles assembled, colouring pages created, towers built and dramatically knocked over, cars raced around the island. Pure chaos. Pure joy.

Dance party

Lunch was hamburger soup (Aislyn’s favourite — solid choice) while Renn chose cheesy noodles. Puffed wheat squares made another appearance — still not winning Renn over.

After lunch S hit the bed with his book, and I slipped out into the brisk -10 sunshine to remove the horses’ blankets. Bright and beautiful but still sharp on the cheeks.

Amanda returned before 2 — quick visit, There was only a small morsel of a puffed wheat square remaining I was saving for her then off they went since Father Christino was stopping by their place. 

Kaylin requested a couple photos of her around 6 so I found a few.

Renn was crushed when Aislyn left, so we pivoted to fresh air therapy. Bundled up and walked Harley to the gate, Grandpa joining us. I carried a 26-pound backpack most of the trek — great strength training.

 This is as far as she would walk, 20 feet :)

Back inside: snack for Renny (ice cream, naturally), then more play. I cracked a beer — S had his first in almost three weeks and joined me just as B and Cooper arrived. Renn was thrilled. She even helped Auntie B mix the horse feed and insisted on bundling up to go out and help distribute buckets. She promptly fell into a snowbank, which ended that adventure. B returned her inside, said quick goodbyes, and headed home before 5.

S was back to reading when Renn and I snuggled up with a bit of Little Angels for some down time. Then he remembered the Flames played at 5 and disappeared to the TV room. Renn had a PB&J, more cheese (always more cheese), and then came the bedtime negotiations.

The bath was a hard sell — exhaustion plus second wind is a dangerous combo. But we managed a quick soak, lotion, clean PJs, and a goodnight to Grandpa in big brown. Into bed with more Dr. Seuss, chatting, rocking, storytelling… and more rocking. She absolutely caught a second wind.

Still — by 6:45 she was out again. I tucked her in and we headed upstairs for leftover supper during intermission.

He returned down other the game; I caught up the blog, watched a bit of another new Bridgerton. Up from the Flames loss, S and I then watched 2 more The Last Thing He Told Me episodes. All caught up till another new one released next Friday.

These full, snowy, little-feet-pattering days? They’re very busy. And they’re everything.

Snowy Sleepover & Grilled Cheese Debates

We woke to soft snow drifting down — not the dramatic storm they warned about, and not terribly cold at -6… though the temperature did start sliding as the morning went on. I made coffees and delivered them back to our warm nest where we did our usual parallel scrolling — me on Instagram, S on X. Two coffees in bed today. Zero regrets.

Looks a lot different than last night's photo

Protein challenge day three (I think?) kicked off properly while I finished and published yesterday’s blog. S made his trusty porridge and relocated to the couch with his book — routine is comfort. 

Since Renn was coming for a sleepover, I got my Pilates done early, followed by a neck/back/shoulder yoga stretch that felt so good it launched me straight into vacuuming mode. Stairs done. Kaylin & B's rooms done. Shaina’s room… well… vacuumed from the door to the bed. The rest resembles a climate-controlled storage facility. Shaina had text this week asking if I had kept their chaps from Grandy & Gran.. of course.

Kaylin and Renn arrived just after noon — roads good, no Calgary snow drama yet. I whipped up grilled cheese for lunch and tried the mayo-instead-of-butter trick. Verdict? It’s fine. But salted butter still wins. Even Renn ate half, so we’ll call that a success.

Renn and her Harley

getting her some toys

of course she always needs at least 3 toys in her mouth at once

Snow picked up again after 1 as Kaylin headed back to the city. Renn was in full entertainment mode all afternoon. We made a pan of puffed wheat squares together — she enjoyed the process more than the eating. Tough crowd.

checking out the Renny frame :)

I thought chocolate and sugar would have had her loving them

I had a pot of hamburger soup simmering for supper — absolute perfection for a winter day. Renn had cheesy noodles and only 1 bite of Grandpa's sausage which she usually likes. By then it had dipped to -11. Renn was clearly running on early-morning fumes according to her parents. After supper, ice cream, teeth brushing (she firmly declined a bath despite already wearing her swimsuit — she did have to open the door to see why no hot tub swim), we snuggled into bed with a couple Dr. Seuss books. Lights out by 6:40. She sang me a little song, chatted for a few minutes, and was asleep in about two. Fingers crossed for an 8 a.m. wakeup… but I’m not betting money.

Alternate hot tub swim plans

All day she wanted to get to my water jug, finally she had success. It is as big as her.

I was upstairs making tea when B arrived before 7. I sent her home with a puffed wheat squares for the road and a hot bowl of soup — sick-day care package style. She says she’s feeling a bit better, but I suspect the weekend off will help even more.

this was date night - golfing in the snow :)

Once S emerged from his soak in the bath tub, we watched two more episodes and finished season one of The Last Thing He Told Me, pausing between for a yogurt bowl intermission (obviously). Then lights out — hoping to bank some sleep before Renn decides dawn is a suggestion.

Winter days feel softer with a little one in the house. Even if morning may come very, very early.

From Spring Tease to Storm Watch

The wind howled all night but with temps above zero most of the snow has officially surrendered. I delivered our morning coffees for a slow, cozy scroll with the first one, then hopped in the shower. With coffee number two I published Tuesday’s post, scrubbed my poor neglected yoga mat (how has it never been cleaned??), and settled into my puzzle zone.

S alternated between scrolling and the occasional head-nod nap — a very committed rhythm.

Just after noon — puzzle complete. Another one bites the dust.

After lunch I hauled out the big vacuum and gave the main floor a proper once-over while S claimed the couch with his book. Domestic balance at its finest.

The afternoon was for accounting and setting up Sheldon’s new phone plan (yet another 1/2 hour of my life spent on phone with tech support). By the time I wrapped up after 3, the wind had finally calmed, so Harley walk plans were made.

B is still under the weather but powered through to feed at 3:30 just as I was doing a glamorous poop-scoop loop. And oh — the weather! +9 and no wind felt like a full personality shift from Mother Nature. S joined me and the dogs and we did our full loop, arriving back just as B and Cooper jetted home so she could properly convalesce. The wind started kicking up again not long after — impeccable timing.

hard to believe tomorrow is to look different than this beauty weather

Back inside, S returned to his book, I to mine, after publishing yesterday’s blog. Supper was the final roll of our 2025 deer sausage — which now officially forces production of the 2026 batch. 

We watched a bit more of our new series until 8 when S headed downstairs for the first Flames game in over two weeks. I stayed in bed finishing today’s blog as the wind ramped up again. Forecast says 15–30 cm of snow overnight into tomorrow — full storm mode. Honestly, how does our weather pivot this fast?

I squeezed in a new Bridgerton episode and wrapped up the Project Makeover series before lights out at 10. S popped up to announce the third period had started, I listened to a bit more of a dermatologist skin podcast… and promptly fell asleep.

Turns out the Flames won. Small mercies before the storm.

forgot to upload this cute video from last Saturday

Sunshine, Skid Steers & Season Finales

I woke just after 7 — sun technically up, sky technically cloudy, but a respectable -5 and heading for +6 later. Practically tropical by our standards.

First coffee in bed scrolling Instagram for more exercise and healthy food inspiration (because apparently I am now that person). Second coffee followed once S woke after 8 and immediately dove into X for his morning news fix.

Pets fed, humans semi-functioning, and I got myself ready for my routine diagnostic testing in the city. Of course I squeezed in a few puzzle pieces first — priorities — and started Monday’s blog but had to abandon it just shy of done to leave by 9:30.

My tests were completed in just over an hour and a half, which was good. I then visited Costco to fill a cart and spent a leisurely hour and a half at Winners, trying on clothes and finding some success before heading home.

Back home at 3:30 to a full ranch scene: Britt walking Cooper to the gate, S preparing to bathe Harley in the garage, and me unloading all my city “treasures”. Then straight back to the puzzle table for me. S settled into big brown with his laptop. B fed the horses and quickly jetted home to bed still feeling sick.

I took a productive pause to call about an internet promo (why must these always require a phone call), submitted my application for the spring market — eek — and finally wrapped up Monday’s blog.

While I was away, S had a surprisingly industrious day: skid steer work, a walk with Harley, and even a load of laundry. 

And yes — it actually hit +6. Glorious. Perfect weather to BBQ white tail tenderloin, paired with roasted Brussels sprouts and baby potatoes. A proper ranch-meets-bistro supper.

S had a bath while I worked on my puzzle, and around 7 I rolled out my mat for Pilates — every second day as per Coach ShainaKfit. Let’s just say consistency is the current goal, flexibility to follow.

We officially finished Peaky Blinders (finally!) and now wait for the sequel show The Immortal Man dropping March 6. Until then, after assembling our usual oversized yogurt bowl, we started The Last Thing He Told Me.

As the wind picked up and whipped through the night, we tucked into the new storyline.

Winter still here… but softening.

Seeds of Optimism

-14 to start the day but the forecast promised mercy later. Happy cake day to Riley Jo!

Somewhere in the middle of the night — during one of those wide-awake stretches — I listened to a podcast about the 30-30-3 health rule: 30 grams of protein first thing, 30 grams of fibre throughout the day, and 3 probiotic foods. So this morning I attempted virtue in a bowl: cottage cheese piled with frozen fruit. Apparently raspberries and kiwi (with the skin on — Dale was right) are fibre powerhouses. And cottage cheese? Protein queen. No wonder people are sneaking it into scrambled eggs and everything else these days.

With coffee in hand I did a bit of marketing before moving into full pet-care mode, including the dreaded kitty litter after sending them all outside. Ranch glamour at its finest.

S woke up in pain after going off his painkillers yesterday, so back on they went. Sometimes you think you’re ready… and then your body votes otherwise.

By noon it was bright and beautiful, so when B asked if I could pick up Cooper I happily obliged. Dump run first — trash tossed — then into town. I stopped at Home Hardware for shop towels and of course got completely sidetracked in the seed aisle. Came home with vegetables and sweet peas seeds. Because clearly February is when optimism blooms.

Grabbed Cooper next, and on the way back home,  I stopped to pick up Opa. This led to a visit with Kristy, Bonnie, and Jaylene who were there having lunch. It turned into a lovely little catch-up. Onward home with a Tim’s tea detour because why not.

Back at the ranch S was in bed watching TV, so I started a new puzzle before I went stir crazy. After a bit of sorting pieces I convinced him to walk the dogs out to the gate. By then it had warmed to zero and with the sun shining it felt downright glorious.

Home again, S settled into big brown with his reading, and I worked away at the puzzle. Mom called and I walked her through booking flights to Vegas for Robby’s wedding — tech support daughter on duty.

Kitchen help hard at work

B showed up before 5:30 and I teased her asking if she’d been fired. Turns out she’s just sick. Quick feed, then she took Cooper home to rest.

Seems the downstairs thermostat quit working. He was online pricing a new one when I suggested maybe the original upstairs thermostat might still be around after we swapped to the Ecobee. Lo and behold — in a box in the garage. We do not throw out working things. Ever. He replaced the downstairs thermostat while I cooked supper. Supper was healthy salmon and S's beloved mini wontons. 

We tried to finish Peaky Blinders tonight but came up an hour short. One episode left for tomorrow.

Cold start, sunny middle, productive finish. Not a bad little winter Tuesday.