Helen's Home World: April 2020

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Saturday, April 25, 2020

So last night we had homemade pizza again except I don't make the dough; I just use a store-bought crust. So really I don't make any of it, just put it all together. That makes having pizza a very quick tasty meal. This was a pizza like we've never made before. We got the idea from Molly and her Mum and the blog post they did called In Purrsuit of Flavours.

Ours was a little different. I didn't have mozzarella so I used provolone. I also didn't have Parmesan Reggiano but rather I had Pecorino. Pecorino is a hard cheese made from sheep's milk and is saltier than Parmesan Reggiano. The olive oil that I drizzled on my pizza was garlic olive oil.

Ready for the oven

Ready to eat

It was a very good pizza. I think next time I make a pesto pizza, I will add asparagus and black olives, maybe artichoke hearts too. Thanks to Molly and her Mum for the great idea.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Choir!Choir!Choir!

So in this crazy time while we're all apart but trying to do things together, I've been joining in the online sing-a-longs with Daveed and Nobu from Choir!Choir!Choir! What is Choir!Choir!Choir, well Daveed and Nobu started it as a weekly singing event at a tavern in Toronto but now they do concerts where they turn the audience into a choir.

Don't Stop Believin'

They have a FaceBook page and a YouTube Channel that you can like or subscribe to. During this pandemic lock down, since most of their tour dates have been cancelled, they started doing online sing-a-longs. I've joined in on three of them now as well as singing Hallelujah for the people of Nova Scotia. Below are links to me singing with Choir!Choir!Choir!. I'll warn you I'm not a great singer.

It's a Wonderful World

Hallelujah

This Friday, 24 April at 6:15 pm Central Daylight Time they will be doing an All Texas Sing-A-Long. I've put a link to the event below

Here is the list of artists they'll be celebrating...

Buddy Holly, Steve Miller, Beyoncé, Kenny Rogers (& Dolly Parton), Roy Orbison, Big Mamma Thornton, Seals & Crofts, ZZ Top, Glen Campbell (Not Texan, but close enough for some) and last but definitely not least... WILLIE NELSON, the ultimate Texas musician!

Choir!ntine, Y'all: The All Texas Social Distan-Sing-Along!

The lyrics for the songs that we'll be signing can be found on a Google Drive.

Texas Sing A Long Google Drive

Choir!Choir!Choir! was supposed to have a show here in Ottawa. I wanted to go and asked my friends if they wanted to go with me, at the time, only one person did, but now whenever they can have concerts again, I think I'll have four or five of my friends who will go with me.

I hope all ya'll will join in the sing-a-long, but you can just watch if you'd rather.

Never Stop Singing!

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Party Of One Dinner

So in this crazy time when we're all supposed to be self-isolating and staying home, not even visiting with close family, I decided to have a fancy Easter dinner. I saw a post from a friend of mine where he took his wife to dinner; he made dinner then dressed in a mix of Mess Kit and civilian clothes and picked his wife up from the room where she was working by going around to the sliding door. That gave me the idea to dress in my Mess Kit as well for my fancy Easter dinner.

The Chef

The chef prepared a wonderful menu. Dinner was poached salmon, roasted asparagus and scalloped potatoes au gratin. The potatoes were amazing, the chef told me it was the first time she had made them from scratch.

Scalloped Potatoes au gratin

Poached Salmon

Easter Dinner

For dessert, the Chef brought in lemon squares from a local bakery and served them with raspberries and lapin au chocolat (chocolate bunny). The dessert was accompanied by Chocolate Raspberry Truffle wine. The dessert and the wine were extremely good.

I have to say the Maitre D' was very good too. The table setting was elegant and the service was fantastic but unobtrusive.

The Maitre D'

Table setting

The meal was served very quickly after I arrived. I totally enjoyed the meal, the atmosphere and the music that was being played.

Being greeted by the restaurant staff

Dinner attire

Enjoying wine with dinner

Dessert

Chocolate Easter Bunny

I have to say the dinner went rather smoothly. The only little difficulty was getting dressed. I had forgotten how hard the shirt studs are to put on. They are quite small, only have a short pin and the back piece has to be screwed onto the pin. You can see one of them in the picture below. Good thing there are only three of them to do.

Logistics Shirt Studs

Also the kitchen staff was rather slow in cleaning up; the dishes didn't get done until after 7 pm and then only after they were promised more wine.

Hope you all enjoyed your Easter (or whatever observance you follow)!

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

First? Third?

Well in these crazy times, I'm trying to have a routine and do normal things, so on Monday, 6 April, which was Teddy's birthday, we had a pawty. I was going to write about it yesterday but I had a busy day with blood work in the morning and I had to do some essential shopping at the liquor store. And it was a beautiful day so we went on a couple nice long walks and I got the patio furniture out. Of course, now we are supposed to have some snow tomorrow.

Back to Teddy, he turned three on Monday so it was his third birthday but only his first here with Keltic and me. Yes, I think he'll be staying. He is very reactive to noise but we're working on that. Between him and Keltic, it's only when they're sleeping that it's quiet around here. It's not really that bad but sometimes it seems like it, they bark at different things.

For Teddy's birthday I made salmon cookies, on some of them I used chive cream cheese for icing and put carob chips on them for decoration. Teddy got a new toy and some beef tenders for gifts. I'm thinking I'll order him a new collar and some new tags online. Teddy will inherit some of Beckett's collars for those tags.

Another unique thing about Teddy is that he has dew claws on his back feet. I once read that Shelties have Norwegian Puffin dogs in their ancestry, maybe it's a bit of his heritage showing.

Link to Puffin Dog Information

Happy Barkday, Teddy!!!

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Wordless Wednesday

Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Air Force

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Wordless Wednesday

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Flavourful Friday

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Choir!Choir!Choir!

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Party Of One Dinner

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

First? Third?

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Wordless Wednesday