Preparations for Christmas and Weekend Progress

One of my tasks, while Henrik was climbing up on the scaffolding, was to wrap Christmas presents!

Une de mes tâches, alors que Henrik est monté sur l'échafaudage, consistait à emballer les cadeaux de Noël. 

One of my other tasks was to cook a very large chicken from Mrs McWhirter. I had ordered 4 free range chickens and I came home with 6; instead of weighing the usual 6-7 lbs, they were all 10 - 11 lbs. Workerman was happy to have roasted bird after scrambling up and down the scaffolding all day.

Une de mes autres tâches, a été pour cuisiner un très grand poulet de Mme McWhirter. J'ai commandé 4 poulets, et je suis venue a la maison avec 6. Au lieu de l'habituel 6-7 livres, touts les poulets étaient vers 10 livres. Le travailleur était heureux d'avoir poulet rôti, après escalade l'échafaudage tous les jours.

Preparations for Christmas parties include cooking chicken wings. There is a pound of butter in this recipe and I think I've gained 5 lbs this weekend.

Préparation pour les fêtes de Noël nécessite la cuisson des ailes de poulet. Il y a un livre du beurre dans cette recette, et je pense que j'ai gagné 5 livres ce weekend.

Beer, chicken wings and Christmas chocolate, appetizers fit for the finishing carpenter. 

Une bière, quelques ailes du poulet et quelques chocolats de Noël, sont des amuse-gueules pour un charpentier.

I've definitely gained 5 lbs this weekend. There is chocolate everywhere.
J'ai certainement gagné 5 livres ce weekend. Il y a beaucoup de chocolats partout.

I spent a few hours on Sunday finishing emptying out the old kitchen. It's now ready to be removed and it will become my walk in closet in the new master bedroom (after Christmas). 

Dimanche, j'ai passé quelques heures à vider l'ancienne cuisine. Maintenant, elle est prêt à être enlevé et il deviendra mon placard dans la nouvelle chambre à coucher (après le Noël).

Coming Home to a Cozy Nest Full of Friends

I arrived home from Ottawa to a living room full of friendly neighbours by the fireplace.  I took their picture from the loft :)
It was really wonderful to come home to such a welcome and a warm house. It was -10C on Vancouver Island and not exactly what I had expected.

OK, so I have to throw out the pumpkin on the front doorstep. On Saturday morning when I went to get the newspaper I found this note on his head " Hey, how about some punkin love? it's feckin' frigid out here" 

I got presents when I got home. These bowls were made by Debbie Paltzat at Inspired by the Sea Pottery. 

These will contain Creme Brûlée before you know it! as soon as I learn how to make them of course.

Preparation for Finishing off the Big Windows

Henrik is working on finishing the cherry wood that will line the big windows.

Work goes on day and night on the prepping, staining, wet sanding and varnishing. 

Pretty Cherry finish!!

Our Christmas Present Arrives

The new couch has arrived in time to ensure that Christmas visitors will all have a comfy place to hang out by the fire. 

We're going to need a few cushions, blankies, a new carpet and a coffee table or two to finish off the space but we're getting closer to cozy.

Henrik is quite comfy in the new digs :) 

Further Kitchen Finishing Details

Two more cabinets have been added; one with a glass door next to the sink and one above the fridge. A little more finishing work has been done around the oven as well as on the island.
The window finishing, backsplash and computer workstation still have to go in….in our spare time. 

Fall Chill is in the Air

Morning dew is still on the grass at noon, and a chill hangs in the air all day. It's a good day to curl up by the fire.

The Japanese Maple dropped its leaves in a single blustery day. Vivid red against the pea green periwinkle makes a carpet of contrast.

The bachelor buttons continue to bloom, and somehow, they continue to evade the roving ruminants.

Red clover is working as a cover crop this winter to keep the weeds to a dull roar. It will be dug into the earth next spring for it's organic matter and nitrogen nodules that will nourish the next batch of pretty flowers. 

Horse Chestnuts hoping to fall on fertile ground; they will not find enough earth beneath them in which to sprout. 

Toadstools on the forest floor; the moist fall has resulted in thousands of fungus friends. 

A toadstool fit for a frog king. 

Puffballs have released their spores underneath the honey locust. 

Kitchen is almost ready for guests to arrive

The kitchen is as ready as it is going to be for Thanksgiving!