LIVING OFF GRID

This blog is about our travels in our solar powered "Airstream" and living off grid, in our passive solar home, near Bancroft, Ontario, Canada.

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Monday 28 August 2017

GATHERING of the CLAN

Yesterday was special. It was brief but wonderful to have everyone here for a rare get-together. With Jim on the west coast, us in the north and others scattered throughout the GTA and beyond this was indeed a special day for everyone.

As always the food was delicious and everyone helped get the meal ready.

A toast to celebrate the occasion.

Pictures of recent family events were shared. Here Jim shares photos from Emma's wedding.

Owen enjoyed meeting everyone but feeding the fire was a greater attraction for most of the day.

A trip to the ice-cream parlor was the perfect way to end the day. Does anyone but Owen like "candy cotton" ice-cream?

Today everyone heads home and the house will be quiet once again. We will miss the fun and excitement but especially Owen who has been such a delight all week.

Safe travels everyone, thanks for coming and all the memories.

Saturday 26 August 2017

PAINT DAY

Owen is a great helper and loves to paint. Yesterday we needed to get some of the boards for his tree-house painted before installation. It was also a good time to get a new coat on my trailer floor.

We used the trailer as a work bench and didn't worry if any paint got spilled.

Getting comfortable while painting is important and Owen tried every position.

Once done it was time for a campfire and he was so delighted to get it started without a match; just found some coals that were still warm from yesterday. I told him his Mom used to do the same thing when she was a little girl.

Supper was the best pizza in town; Oma's homemade pizza made from scratch with all the best ingredients imported from Italy. We ate way tooooooo much.

Last job of the day, bringing in the laundry and he is still smiling. Another fun day at Oma's place.

This morning we head north to Maynooth to the farmers' market then home to get ready for all the aunts and uncles arriving later today.

At the moment everyone is sleeping and the house is quiet but that will soon change.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

Friday 25 August 2017

CONSTRUCTION

Yesterday was construction day so the first job was to head off to the lumberyard for some 2x6 to make Owen a tree-fort.

Lots of lumber choices.

Owen helped Oma bring the boards down to the site.

He even took a picture of us working then he .....


................ practiced his drilling.














He was a big help clearing the brush under the tree-fort.

After all that work a hearty supper was appreciated. Owen cooked the sausages over the fire you see behind him. He also had fun throwing rocks in the fire.

Today we need to paint some of the boards before we continue with our construction.

Time for breakfast then off to town for paint.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

How are things in Switzerland Carol?

Thursday 24 August 2017

WATER PARK

Peterborough has some of the best water parks in the area. Yesterday Owen spent time at one while Oma had her ultrasound at the hospital.

Can you tell he was pumped? He had a blast and could have stayed the day.

To dry off he simply ran laps around the splash pad, he loves to run.

Before leaving we had to explore the woods and he found the perfect tree to climb.

Lunch with Oma, then back on the road heading home. Although we were on the road for seven hours the frequent stops and opportunities to run around made it quite enjoyable. Owen also likes to watch the boats go through the locks so that has become a must stop on our travels.

Today we are off to the lumberyard to get wood for his tree-house. There is always a job waiting to get done when you have a five year old around.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.


Wednesday 23 August 2017

FUN AT THE PARK

Off to have some fun at the park.


Even Kate enjoyed the swings.













Oma, Kate and Owen enjoying time on the swings.

The climber is a great way to build your muscles and keep your balance.

Reaching the top is no problem for Owen.




Back home Kate wants to learn about the computer. Right now she is content to just bang the keys. In another few years she will be like all the kids today, a wiz on the computer.




Now we are home with Owen and looking forward to a few days together. He is such a delight to have around.

Tuesday 22 August 2017

PLAY TIME

This morning we are having fun pushing Kate in her musical car; noisy but fun.

After breakfast ........

Owen joined in the fun.



Saturday 19 August 2017

GARLIC FESTIVAL

We love Farmers Markets. When the kids were little we often got them up early and headed to Elmira on a Saturday morning; now we head north to Combermere, ......... no  kids.


Dave is our farmer of choice who is popular with many other cottagers who wait for him to arrive. His produce isn't priced, simply displayed in pails and sells for a dollar a handful. He sells out before the market is done.

This is where we buy our organic meat, the Shulist Family Farm. We just signed up for the monthly meat share program which runs December to April and delivers a variety of meats the first week each month.

Bob the baker is another popular stand who makes delicious homemade breads that sell quickly.  We make our own so don't buy from Bob very often. The Combermere Market is definitely worth the drive.

Maynooth is holding their garlic festival today so we stopped and enjoyed the market and bought Kimchi from one of the vendors. We grown our own garlic so no need to buy more.

The official start was a poem read by Jill in commemoration of garlic.

If you are up this way be sure to enjoy the many markets throughout the region.

Time now for our Kimchi.

Thanks for stopping by and keeping an eye on us.

Sunday 13 August 2017

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

This morning we had frittatas for breakfast. They were delicious. Baked in a muffin pan, the strip of bacon forms the frittata.

On your plate they look like a muffin with bacon forming the base.

Each mini frittata is full of swish-chard, tomatoes, onions, red pepper, parsley, eggs, bacon and cheese.

Mary picked the swish-chard from our garden just outside our kitchen; so close, so convenient.

Now it's my turn to get busy. Mary cooks. I do the dishes.

Thanks for stopping by and safe travels everyone.

Wednesday 2 August 2017

HE'S ON PATROL

This has been the perfect summer for a garden, warm with plenty of moisture. Our gardens are doing very well.

We use netting to keep the deer from enjoying all the greens. Haven't see any deer but this guy comes around regularly.

He has a routine and follows the same route regularly. Usually around 3 he shows up outside our window.

Judging from his size I think he is a first year kit, just learning the skills to survive on his own. He covers a lot of territory but seldom finds what he is looking for.

Tomorrow looks like another wet day so no need to get the garden hose out.

Stay dry and enjoy the day.