Xmas Eve

Christmas eve started with coffee quick before S, Mom and I jumped in her truck and headed to town to Paetz's to watch the kids open some presents after 9. Shaina joined us around 10 then she was off to train Sharon at 11. We were off not long after to fill Mom's truck with fuel on our way over to Britt's for her condo viewing. It was a short stop before we headed back to the ranch.

Had to stop quick and put the slinky back in place LOL

S jumped in his skid steer and quickly rolled out a bale to the herd and a partial to the two in the barn paddock while I started to make butternut squash soup with the roasting portion then a quick making us a sandwich. I ran to the gate quick to pick up my paint parcel that was delivered.

After his Tuesday nap, S and I routered the valet piece I had made double checking design with B who had just arrived.

nice right?

S plowed the road with again fog rolling in late afternoon. Shaina picked up a few items we need before getting back to join us. I finished the black waxing of the painted portions from yesterday, painted the newly routered piece and left to dry. By end of the night I had another coat and the black wax on it; complete.

A fire was built and the evening was spent eating the yummy soup and appetizers (B made a great nacho dip too) and playing some games. Kaylin's plane was delayed but made up time getting back to Calgary. She ran to their home, showered, loaded gifts and made it to the ranch to join us around 10:30. B and Cooper headed back to town later on to sleep there for their first condo Christmas.

Last minute jobs

The fog remains thru the night and most of the morning. It was -1 thru the night and looks like same today. With my morning caps I made a new Facebook cover photo and wrote a Christmas email to my Creative Moments subscribers.

I had the dresser at the garage door for pick up when the customer and her 17 year old brother arrived to pick it up. Of course in true style there was a minor accident as I was moving it which required a panicked touch up! We got it loaded in the back of her SUV and it fit with zero room to spare.

I painted the first coat of black milk paint on valet then ran to town to pick up a turkey. I had ZERO luck at the first two stores I went to but Co-op had a big stock. However they were either small 10 pounders or large $5/lb butterballs. Small it is :) I let Cooper out for a pee and grabbed a Starbucks on the way home. This used up my gift certificate and my new years resolution is to not buy them anymore. They taste great for the first few sips but quickly cool and turn to a cup of sugar ;( I will stick to my homemade cappuccinos and my chai teas.

I think I made a great replica piece!

look at Britt's little tree with all her years of ornaments ;)

Back home I unloaded quick then went out to give horses pills and an apple treat seeing them followed me to the house as well as lock them in the paddock for easier catching later today. I shovelled all the walks and parked the truck and trailer out of the way for Mom's arrival with her trailer.

The valet was painted a second coat then I hauled the silverware chest inside to paint a navy milk paint. I was just finishing when Mom pulled in close to 4:30. I parked her truck and unloaded Jessie to her pen before we visited and ate some pizza. The fog rolled in soo after she arrived creating a cool landscape.

Before 6:30 we headed out to catch the crew of 4 to go: Jessie, KD, Pepper and Bandit. It was an occasional fog patch drive with us arriving about 7:15. Britt followed us in to his yard. We were the only ones for the evening so Murray took his time working on the 4 and explaining. We loaded them all up after 9 and headed back home. B went to her place. At the ranch after they were unloaded, I put Daisy's slinky on as the cold temps are to return. I tossed a bale for Jessie and Bandit (who I put in with her for company) opened their paddock gate and was inside just before 10. The valet was touched up a bit having to wait now for the routering.

Shaina arrived not long after as we visited over a tea with Sheldon making it home thru the fog, it was for Shaina's drive home too. We all visited before calling it a night before midnight.

I built a missing piece on my own

It was snowing big heavy flakes at 1 am and lasted for over half an hour. When I awoke we had a fresh covering of thick chunky snow. Time for the usual cappuccinos and marketing.

All the bathrooms were scrubbed  then the main floor was vacuumed. Presents were wrapped and sorted. B wanted a valet for Dave so I scrubbed up one I had that had a missing upright.

I had a piece of cedar that was similar shape that I thought I could replicate. B came up with the idea of dowels which I simulated with chopsticks. Out in the barn I cut it to size then drilled holes to fit the chopsticks that I cut and glued in. I painted the interior 2 coats of his favorite green to update the yellow velvet.

 power tool queen

Green, Dave's favorite color.

While I was outside cutting the wood and giving the horses their pills it was melting. A really nice day just above freezing. I decided to shovel all the sidewalks.

Daisy seems to have a shorter worn patch

At 4 the snow started to come down, so much for my sidewalk shovelling ;) And it continued to lightly snow for hours. I worked on blog posts, cooking a nutritious supper while watching another Netflix true crime series call Don't F**K with Cats. It was very disturbing. I do remember only a few parts of it in the news.

Organizing the dresser pick up which was to be today, has taken a bit out of my day with plans changing a few times. The plan is now to pick up tomorrow at noon.

Winter solstice and Mom's birthday

Of course since the lady was to pick up the tray at 8 I woke thru the night at every hour checking the time. At 3 am I saw the fog had socked in and was still here when I awoke after 7. I decided I should give the tray another coat of wax. Of course I would half hour before she is to pick up but that is just what I did.

I even got dressed and ready for the day and turns out she did not arrive until after 8:30. But she bought the tray and after a visit was on her way. I brought up the similar grey tray, staged it for sale on Etsy and added another coat of wax to it as well.

Today is winter solstice (shortest daylight hours day of the year), first day of winter officially and Mom's birthday. I had a nice chat with the birthday girl on this special day. Happy cake day Mom!! XOXO

Then it was time to get the ruler done. The gal wanted the smaller script numbers but they did seem a bit small scale for the wider board. I finally went with the larger numbers and have fingers crossed she likes them. Then it was touch ups before stencil and brushes scrubbing.

Britt dropped Cooper off before 2 and was to head to Edmonton to Dave's Xmas party but with the weather snowing at that end she changed her mind after heading back to town for his food she forgot to bring out. She gave the horses their pills on her way out of the yard. THANKS!

Now it was time to sage out house. It took over an hour to cover the 4000+ sq feet but I did it. The day was sunny but right around freezing most of the day. The fog rolled in fast at 4 surrounding the ranch. Good thing B did not travel the QE2 today.

B returned after 4:30 bearing Opa chicken wraps for supper, what a kind girl, THANK YOU! After eating and packing up her bedding to use in her now spare room for company tonight she and Cooper were headed back to town after 5.

I spent the evening writing blog posts and tutorials while watching a few more Shine On epsisodes.