2012 DG Sistah's Gathering at Betty's (Ontario, Canada)

Betty - you're right - hosting causes "second guessing". It's an occupational hazard, but....... would you trade all the stressing out for them to NOT come? Of course you wouldn't....

It's 12:45, and I have an 85th birthday party to go to at 1:30, at our Church. Hopefully Bob will get home in time - he's helping a friend (Bob) move some flooring supplies so he can install it next Thurs/Friday. My Bob was to have helped him, But...... my Bob's working - yaaaaaaaaaaay!! lol

Love that picture, you all look so happy!

I saw the picture and before I opened it I was wondering what Betty was doing at Joyce's granddaughters graduation!!!! Betty and Joyce could be sisters!!!!! Sure wish I could be there this year.
And dear Betty----shame on you for wondering if your home is "okay". Your home is lovely, your gardens and yard show all your hard work and if nothing else, you should walk around and "strut your stuff" as you should be so proud of all you have accomplished. Your town is peaceful and pretty which is what 90% of your guests need when they get away from home. So get rid of these "is it good enough" thoughts for they are so unwarranted. And remember - this is the voice of experience talking here!!!!! You are a gracious and lovely hostess who goes out of her way to make her guests happy and we all love you just like that!!!!!

What lovely words to wake up to Barb, thank you!! Let's say I'd be Joyce's older sister but talk about a compliment, she's one gorgeous lady both inside and out!!!

The sun is rising, did my walk in the gardens, always looks so peaceful after a rain (rained all night) and grass freshly cut....it will be a gorgeous day out there! Wanted to finish the back shed trim but imagine now that the wood is wet it's not a good idea to do so, perhaps later in the day if the sun dries everything.

Been up for a few hours, see that Barb is up and at it..is today celebration day Barb or was it yesterday?

Said I would post photo's as the next few weeks progress to show what has already bloomed so you don't miss it...

Here goes

1. wreigelia are all but finished..drats

2. goats beard is now up to 6 or 8 ft. reallyneeds to be moved and divided..not to self for spring 2013

I recognize where the weigelia is located but where is the goats beard?

It's actually where the table and chairs are in the corner, overgrowing so much that it's taking up a section of the patio

My today goal is to cut out sod around the patio stones, I usually use the gas trimmer but Greg says it burns some of the grass..for a son that says sit and enjoy he sure knows how to find jobs for me lol maybe he means I can sit on the lawn and play 'cut out sod' hmmm

You can see the goat's beard to the back left Barb

Cathy dropped in yesterday, her dad got a new cart for his birthday and Father's Day, am sure Cathy will ride it more than he..got to tell you I'm really worried about that girl..she is not listening, she also came later in the day and just below the knee and maybe 6" above the knee her leg is completely black/blue..worry that those clots will do some travelling

Ohhh my vine is finally starting to come alive, honeysuckle I believe..gee whiz planted it 3 years ago..guess it needed to get it's feet well planted and feel at home

Sandcherry in bloom..sure wish all these flowering shrubs would last longer than a few weeks

Thanks Betty! I feel like i"m right back there again!!! Cathy looks great but I'd be worried about those clots too!!! Please tell her I 'm keeping her in my prayers along with all the other ladies I met at your home.

Betty, please tell her to listen to the Dr. We lost a dear friend a few years ago. He fell and bruised his leg, developed blood clots and was gone a month later. They are nothing to fool around with.
Love your flowers, they are so pretty. Pitty they only last a few weeks, we wait all year for them to bloom, then they are gone.

Will do LindaKay, did tell her last night that she won't be long for this world if she does not take it easy and easy being sitting in the house with foot ip! She had a cloth about 5 years ago and was Coumadin since then, think all this came about because doctor recently took her off it..

What flowers do you have in your gardens that stays in bloom much longer than other..going to research and plant some next year!

Was working on a major project, got 5 of 21 done and it's doing me in. Lol
Actually, sat down on back deck for a few minutes and slept for almost an hour, no wonder I'm getting nowhere..think it's listening to birds and sound of water.

Well, I thank all of YOU for the compliment. Yes, Betty and I are sisters actually......twins....but she got all the creative talent, and I alas got none. :o(

Betty, is Cathy the girl that came to the house with you when you were passing through on your way back from Florida? Seems familiar to me, but maybe I've just seen you post her picture before.

Bertie and I just got back from a garden tour in the Cinci area. Just when I think my gardens are looking good, I go to one of these things and realize, I've got but a drop in the bucket to some others. Still, one can only do so much! Words to live by, BETTY!!!! :o) Everything looks lovely at your house and I can't wait to be sitting there with you and the others.

Now, Barb, I thought I saw Barb and Norm on the list of people who were coming to Betty's! What happened?

I'm going through pulmonary rehab Joyce, prior to gallbladder surgery. If I miss the rehab dates, it sets operation time back again. I've been trying to get this done since last fall!!! I must get it done so I need to stay home this year. Maybe see you in Florida next year!!!!

Joyce, yes Cathy is the lady that was with me when we dropped in on our way home from Florida. God willing you'll see her on your visit!

Joyce, that's my problem, see everyone else's gardens and am in awe..maybe because I got to see yours and Bertie's..if that didn't do it then the gardens you took us to..now that's not the norm for gardens I'm sure.

I have to remind myself that 7 years ago there were but 2 daylillies here on the property..nothing else..figure in about another 10 years I'll be where I should be by then though not so sure I'll be gardening lol

Had supper at my son's, he just got out of the pool and getting into hot tub when he remembered there was something he had forgotten to do on the outside fencing..heard a scream, think he broke his foot..drats

Don't know where he gets his stubborness from, surely not me...says if not better in the a.m. he will go to emerge. I'm sure he's his father's son!!!!

hmmmmm Betty - you don't Seriously believe you're stubborn, do you? LOL We sure Do lol
But, as my grandmother said "I'm not stubborn, I'm determined!!!" lol
Was that Greg or Jeff that broke his foot? Poor guy........ youch, bet it's swollen and a lot of pretty colours......... !!!

Morning all, just got finished talking to Greg, he did not go to hospital, thinks its just badly sprained..going to try working this morning, lucky he is a boss and can spend most of his day sitting and assigning work. Lol

Melanie DIL decided the group should have fruit slushies so offered to make some and freeze.

Just cut 4 direction marker boards out for the mileage post, packed some paint and have something to occupy my day at work..can't havedg friends dropping in with no sign honoring them in my garden now can I..at the point a 2nd post will have to be added. Lol

What a glorious day it is and will be out there.. Sure would have loved to be home

Time to travel

I know the gardens are not the norms....but I don't want mine to be either! Love my rocks honoring all of the attendees of 2010 (you too, LK) and have them scattered about as well. A couple need to be touched up, as the paint is gone, surely wish I was as talented as Betty!

Barb, I certainly understand and since I was there, I can tell you how much better you're going to feel after that nasty gall bladder is gone! I had only one bad attack, and in less than a week the g/b was out. Whew!

Sorry to hear about Greg...I've been careful, but still worried about my leg this year. I certainly never want to go through that ordeal again!

I'll be glad to see Cathy again, what a nice lady she is.

Okay, off to do a house cleaning. I have 3 to do this week, plus a luncheon here with friends. Meal at Bertie's with garden tour then dessert here and garden tour as well. Supposed to be a high of 78 and 0 chance of rain.....God is good. We're getting a little rain today, and we need it so bad. Everything is dry, dry, dry!

Sorry to hear about Jeff's foot! Hope it is not broken, but sprains can be worse sometimes! Hope he put ice on it!

Yes, LindaKay, Greg had ice on it seconds after he took the fall! I'm sure by end of day he'll likely go get it check out.

Did the paint come off mine Joyce? Thoughts it was sprayed well enough!
Your yards are fantastic..just wish I had equipment to do a proper pond but I make do with the ones I dug myself.Just love the sound of water, so very relaxing..so relaxing I actually fell asleep for an hour or so yesterday.

Are you and Bertie having the garden tour?

Betty - I'm still dealing with my sprained knee after more than a year (April 2, 2011), so please tell Greg he needs to let it totally hear and do exercises so it doesn't come back to "haunt" him............
I know I need to lose weight, and that will help. I know HE doesn't have that problem lol

Something new in a little village about 5 miles from my home.. The Keewatin will arrive a week Saturday, we'll take a drive over when you are visiting just to see her!!!


In 12 days, Titanic-era Vessel S.S. Keewatin docks in Port McNicoll, ONOriginal crew member at the helm with 10,000 expected at the community welcoming ceremony!

TORONTO, June 4, 2012 /CNW/ - An illustrious and rare example of Canadian maritime history is finally coming home.

The S.S. Keewatin — the crown jewel in the Canadian Pacific Railway's once-mighty Great Lakes Steamship fleet — is being repatriated by Skyline International Development Inc. (www.skylineinvestments.com/) and will arrive at its original home in Port McNicoll, ON, June 23, 2012 as part of a community celebration.

In 2011, Skyline's Chairman and President Gil Blutrich announced an agreement with Peterson following four years of negotiation to purchase and repatriate Keewatin to its original home in Port McNicoll, where the R.J. and Diane Peterson Great Lakes and S.S. Keewatin Foundation will operate and maintain the vessel as a maritime museum. The Keewatin will be moored in a new waterfront park in Port McNicoll — steps from the original location where it was originally tied. The park will feature a replica of the town's original train station and surrounding English Royal gardens. Once there, restoration work will be completed to return the ship to her original early 20th century grandeur.

"This vessel is one of a kind," said Eric Conroy, author of the book A Steak In the Drawer, which details his experiences working on the Keewatin as a 17-year-old. Conroy, a long-time Keewatin volunteer who worked with Blutrich to negotiate her repatriation, will chair the R.J. and Diane Peterson Great Lakes and S.S. Keewatin Foundation.

Constructed five years before the ill-fated voyage of RMS Titanic, the Keewatin is the last surviving vessel in the Great Lakes Steamship fleet and features many of the same design and construction features of her cousin Titanic, including a quadruple expansion steam engine and "Scottish" boilers, as well as a grand staircase, Edwardian dining saloon, hand painted Italian glass and oak trim throughout. Strict regulations were imposed on wooden cabin steamships on the Great Lakes after the 1949 S.S. Noronic fire disaster killed 118 passengers and one crew member, making the financial viability of the overnight cruiser difficult. New modes of transportation also made the vessel largely obsolete.

Launched July 6, 1907, the Keewatin was retired in 1966 after almost 60 seasons ferrying passengers from Port McNicoll on Georgian Bay, to Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) on Lake Superior.

Built by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company in Scotland as Hull No. 453, the 350-foot long Keewatin carried 288 passengers with a crew of 86, and cruised at a top speed of 14 knots. Along with her sister ship S.S. Assiniboia, Keewatin was the first Great Lakes ship to boast radar.

here is the media blitz taped last year..now it's less than 2 weeks away from it's arrival..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM4YB_80dJw&feature=relmfu

This message was edited Jun 11, 2012 10:58 AM

This message was edited Jun 11, 2012 6:21 PM

way to go, Scotland!! I know, I know........the Titanic was built in Scotland, but some of the specifications weren't met by the other people cutting the budget...... not the Scottish lol

Morning all, calling for Thunderstorms today, was raining when I left the house, I'm 45 minutes from work, sunshine when I arrived in Barrie..I'm saying let it rain, let it rain! Want sunshine starting 14 days from now...

Did my walk around the gardens, more in bloom, drats those plants are not listening to me, told them to wait a few weeks before blooming..wonder if there is anything like Miracle Grow that does opposite, Miracle Grow encourages growth, anything to stunt growth???

I know, I'll go buy artificial flowers, you know how realistic some of those can be, so gals, don't look to close at the plants lol

Lordy, came home last night and found side yard filled with fencing (aged timber).. thinking it's a big chore to do it this year, guess behind the shed they will have to go, but included was a piece of driftwood,yikes about 6' long by 3' high, have no idea where I shall put it, perhaps near the old planter shed I built a few years ago..Darlene's sister Sue had this material, had hoped to do something with it but didn't, I remember Darlene asking if I wanted a piece of driftwood and I said yes but had no idea on the size.

Quiet here this morning, have 5 mileage signs to finish painting, very primitive, hoping to screw them in on the DG Mileage post tonight if rain stops..

Got your bags packed???

a driftwood fence would be awesome Betty! Wish I had some of it here - could use it to make a fence for our Church's Stampede BBQ on July 8th!

I have rail fencing on each side of the shed, this would be used for very back of the property line..should have delivered supplies on Mother's Day when I have my family work day 'to do' list..lol

Yep, Betty... started packing my bags already.
I love the driftwood along the property line idea. Even prop it up on a stump and let a vine grow on it.

Well whatever you forget I'm sure I'll have lol

Great idea..if not raining tonight I'll take a good look at where I can put it, just really doesn't go with country gardens

Stand upright and put bird feeder in it....or some little critters. Also good to have a plant use it as a trellis...morning glory?

Maybe I'll wait until you both arrive and we can find a location and purpose lol
Nope, can't put you all to work now can I???

Ah finally a moment to come say hello!

Waiving to all...haha, funny you should ask, because i did just now gather my clothes...Have to pack light which is such a weird thing for me. All my stuff has to fit in my backpack, no problem. Packing steve's will be the big chore since his is so much bigger...

LOL, As I was doing this, was laughing to myself, not too excited am I...Woohoo, we leave in 12.5 days!!!

Ahhhh Judy, loan you some clothes..I've enough sizes something is bound to fit...

Under 2 weeks and yes I'm anxious as well to get you all in one place and squeeze the dickens out of you all..

Bring something for cracked ribs lol

Missing a few names on the DG sign post so tada, nothing fancy but names and mileage done and will add them tonight!!

Love Love Love the signpost. Betty, you're so creative.

LOL, about putting us to work. When they showed up at my house... the rule was, "if you see a weed, pull it... if you see a ripe veggie, pick it... if you see a pretty flower, don't touch it." Of course, Joyce picked all the beans, and they never made it in the house... she ate them right on the spot...LOL.

No veggies to pick, hmm strawberries will be in season, could take them up the road so the could pick dessert!

Just getting the drill to add them to the mileage post before I put them somewhere and forget where..

Bored here at work so doing my grocery list..

anybody have any allergies????

food dislikes????

I have allergies.....

Major allergy to .peppers (red, green, hot, paprika, chili) black pepper seasoning is ok. Allergic to soy...but can live with a bit of soy. Also to Coconut....

Then when I make spaghetti sauce I'll keep a container out before I add the peppers...

Thanks Debbie, would hate to make anyone's visit not enjoyable...within days of leaving here Barb started to not feel good,gallbladder.. Hopefully it was Tim Hortons and not my cooking..

Speaking of cooking, just burnt turkey and gravy, well more the gravey than the turkey..drats and more drats and yes loss track of time, was making an arrangement for ontop of Roger's grave for Sunday, guess I got thinking and there went supper..wish my smeller worked when my mind is a work...not good

You all have to stand close to me and remind me foods a cooking when you visit otherwise I'll be gabbing and socializing and we won't have to worry about allergies , there will be no food to eat...somebody PACK a fire extinguisher please!!!

so Betty - what did you end up having if supper was burnt?

Burnt turkey and baked potato

yummmmmm lol
I tried something new - Jicama. It looks like a large turnip (4x the size) and tastes a bit like potato. I sliced it like french fries, took some olive oil and spices, covered the fries in the mixture and baked it. Tasted good. Better for you than potatoes! I saw it on Dr Oz's show on keeping yourself young......

Dearest Betty - In no way are you responsible for my gall bladder problems. It had evidently been building up for years and just took that time to give me some pain. Both Norm and I had nothing but the best while we were at your home. And it could NEVER have been from Timmies!!!!!