Happy 16th Anniversary Joseph and Rachel

Happy 10th Birthday Athena!

You are now double digits, just like Grandpa Frank.

I actually wrote this post yesterday. "They" say that we should have a decent day and we want to spend as much time outside as possible.

Back on the 7th, Kathleen got a new puppy.  You can't see him? He's right in the middle.

 Nap time.

On the 9th we had enough snow that we had to clean the solar panels.

Do you don't see what I don't see? BUGS!!!

So, no bugs means I can do my walk abouts again. No ice on our side yet, although Josie reports some in her bay.

Yup, the boat is still in. Every year we say that we won't wait until the last minute. Maybe this year will be the year we take it out early. Last year it was Dec. 6th.

Bill's point. Nope, this is not one of those black and white challenges. It has just been dark and dreary lately.

The off ramp from the Don Fraser Bypass.

This picture reminded me of this song. Click

Since we put on the metal roof I will use this ladder to clean the chimney this winter. This was where the snowmobiles came to visit. I know that some of you might have troubles negotiating around the ladder. So .....

We made a new trail. You will come off the snow ramp and go straight.

Do not go left like you used to.

Looking back towards the snow ramp.

 Pass the wood pile.

Again, no colour this morning, (yesterday morning, remember?)

We haven't seen deer or deer sign on this side of the lake all year. But two deer were just ahead of me this morning.

Our ermine is back.  The little bugger is too fast and never sits still for long to get a good picture. He is almost all white already.

You know what to do. 

 and while yer at it, check yer batteries.

 

So, back on the 26th I started installing the vent protectors that Razor made for me. Grasshopper was at Bedrock while I installed the brackets on the wood stove chimney and the composting toilet vent. After I brought Grasshopper home I decided to put the last bracket up before the rain started. It was misting a bit so I had rags to dry the roof before I put on silicone caulking. As I stood up to start drilling, with the bracket in one hand and a driver in the other, I stepped on a rag and started sliding off of the roof. Then, I finished falling off the roof. I landed pretty much flat on my back. It knocked all of the wind out of my lungs and I passed out for a few minutes. Grasshopper heard me fall and came out to see me starting to come to. I ended up with a little kink in my neck, a sore shoulder, a cut on an elbow, a nasty bite on my tongue, and a sore left side. The only things bothering me now is the side is still a bit sore and my tongue is not quite healed. Yeah, I know that I was lucky, very lucky. 

Friday I put up these 2 ladders for safety's sake. I know, a day late and a dollar short.

This is where I landed. It was where I had dug it up to fix the grey water system, so it was a much softer landing there. 

Getting ready to put up the last bracket.

Ya gotta git back on that horse that threw ya.

I don't look nervous, do I?

There, all done.

 

The wood stove chimney.

We have had so much wind the past month. This tree fell on the trail to the Don Fraser Bypass. Another one fell in behind the garage and one more at our gate.

Sunday Razor came over to install the snow guards as I was still a little dented on the corners. It sure is great to have neighbours that look after each other.

A LITTLE HIGHER! THAT'S GOOD RIGHT THERE!

Thanks Razor! Looks good!

For dinner that night I made bacon wrapped shrimp and pan fried halibut fillets. This is something that I have become a fan of lately, cooking on a cast iron frying pan inside the BBQ. Frying and roasting at the same time. Steaks come out really good.