Baking Overrun

   My wonderful wife got creative in the kitchen once again, and once again staff in our office benefit. She rolled up her sleeves, and produced cookies with a caramel topping, and oatmeal and chocolate chip squares

   The orange things are marshmallow pumpkins. She did this as a gift for her fellow workers, and, as usual, there was more than enough for me to bring in to work.
   She also did butter tart squares

   Which I had to try to make sure they weren't poisonous. They aren't. But it also is very evident I can't cut in a straight line. I'm sure everything will be mostly gone by the end of the day.
   Thanks dear!

TTFN

Thanksgiving's Over

   At least in Canada. In the U.S, it's still to come. We had a fairly quiet, relaxing long weekend. Our son came up from Regina for the day Sunday. And rather than a full turkey dinner with all the fixin's, we kept it simple this year.
   My wife did some Cornish Rock Game Hens, I did a risotto, we had asparagus, and desert. Which was my chocolate chunk bread, slathered with tiramisu filling, topped with strawberries. For a change, I did not over-eat.
   Back to work today, and it's going to be busy the next week, with the federal election on the 21st. We went out and voted Saturday at the advance poll to avoid the rush.

TTFN

Long Weekend

   It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada, and I've got the long weekend off. We don't have much planned, really. Our son will be coming up from Regina for dinner Sunday, so I'll be baking another loaf of chocolate chunk bread, which we'll use as a base for dessert. I'm almost thinking of doing a tiramisu base, and adding some fruit to it.
   It means I will most likely over-eat. Again. It also means I won't be back in the office until Tuesday. Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

TTFN

"Mac" Has A New Rack

   And it's the result of a Battle of the Moose between Moose Jaw's 'Mac' and Stor Eldval Norway's 'Storelgen' for bragging rights as the World's Largest Moose Statue. For 31 years, Mac held the title, but was dethroned in 2015 when the Norwegian's built one about 30 cm (1 foot) taller.
   A go-fund-me page was set up months ago for Mac's antler-enhancement, and general repairs, and his new rack was installed recently.
   The Battle of the Moose actually made headlines in many countries, and also resulted in the mayors of both communities involved calling a "truce", with Stor-Eldval Norway's deputy mayor Linda Henriksen paying a visit to the Saskatchewan city.
   And unless the Norwegians go ahead with a plan to build an even bigger moose statue (which had been talked about), Mac will remain the largest in the world. That's because Storelgen is an art-work, and can't be modified.
   So far, there's been no response from Norway on Mac's new rack.

TTFN

Decided

   As regular viewers of this blog will no doubt know, I'm a bit of a fan of Halloween. Especially when it comes to getting into some kind of costume at work. You will also know I usually have the plans set as early as November 1st, giving me a good, solid 12 months to get things together.
   Case in point was 2014, when I came as an Australian for the first time. I even learned, albeit somewhat limited, how to get the correct sounds from a didgeridoo. But this year was a challenge trying to come up with something. It wasn't until this past weekend when we went to Regina, and checked a couple of Halloween specialty stores it finally clicked.
   All I'm going to give away right now is there will be a whip involved

   No, there won't be anything 'kinky'. And no, I'm not going to go as part of the '70's band Devo

   To "whip it". As always, all will be revealed Halloween Day.

TTFN

September's Over

   And it went out like a lion. We got an inch or so (2.5 cm) of snow Sunday, along with rain, a blustery wind and much cooler temperatures. But you won't hear me complaining. At least, not too much, 'cause it could have been worse.
   Parts of Alberta had up to 35 cm, with 60 possible by the time the system moves off. 1.2 meters of the white stuff was expected in other areas, including parts of the U.S. Fortunately, it won't stick around long, even though we could get a few flurries tonight. The forecast calls for a high of 13 Celsius Friday, and sunny skies.
   I'm just glad I hauled the lawnmower down to the basement and covered the A.C while I was at it. My wife also got 97% of her gardening stuff brought in for the winter.
   I know we can get (and have had) snow at the end of September, but I'm still not ready yet.

TTFN

A Special Anniversary

   It was 20 years ago today, I had my last ever cigarette. September 24, 1999, just before we went to bed, my wife and I stubbed out our last smoke, flushed the ashes and butts down the toilet, slapped on a nicotine patch, and called it quits. I did catch my wife sneaking a smoke a few times, but she eventually quit. And we've both stayed off them.
   It was easy to quit, I'd done it at least a dozen times in the past.The hard part is staying off them. I smoked a pack and a half a day, and there used to be 25 cigarettes in a pack in Canada, for at least 26 years. And I can tell you, hand on heart, I have never cheated since. Not even one puff. Ever.
   I still have the legacy from all the years I was a heavy smoker. I have a cough which is, and I'll be honest, rather disgusting to hear. I also have restricted breathing. But that's better that COPD, which is what I thought I originally had, since I was diagnosed in 1989 with what the doctor said was early stage emphysema.
   Have I prolonged my life by quitting? Probably. Will I ever start smoking, again? No. Part of the reason is cost. A pack of smokes (in our area) runs about $15.00. Contrast that with the price back in the mid 90's of $25.00 for a carton of 8 packs (200 cigarettes), and you can figure out why.

TTFN