Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, friends! How are you all doing? What's going on? What are you up to these days? What's keeping you occupied? How's your weather? Are you reading or watching anything interesting? Have you heard or learned anything new? Share in the comments! I'd like to hear all about it.

Our weather has been up and down. We have rainy days and then we have sunny days. We have very hot days and then we have very comfortable days. It's dry and then it's humid. It's been a pretty interesting summer. And one of my most enjoyable. I've done a lot of socializing in the past few months; sometimes with the most amazing man in the world and sometimes on my own.

Saturday evening we were back in Quebec at my bestie's home. She and her husband had a small gathering for dinner and drinks and...the renewal of their vows! We had a wonderful time and the weather was great. We spent the majority of the time outdoors on their deck. It was a very touching experience for me because my best friend and I have been connected since we were four years old. As she and her husband renewed their vows, an abundance of memories went through my head. Good, bad, happy, sad...she and I have been side by side through it all. I hope that we create many more memories together. We didn't get home until 2:30 AM! Both cats were waiting at the door with a look of disapproval. And they woke me up at 6 AM to be fed, the ungrateful beasts.

Since I was up early, I met up with my friend who lives nearby and we went for a 2 1/2 hour walk. When I got home, I tended to the garden and showered up. The most amazing man in the world and I then went for lunch and we also stopped in at a vendor fundraiser for the local cat rescues that was set up at the mall. There were some kittens available for adoption and it took everything I had to keep from bringing one or two...or all of them home! But I resisted. Anyhow, I spoke to a couple of different shelters and offered to volunteer. For cat socializing! I'll be contacting them soon to work out some days and times. I can enjoy the cats without bringing them all home. Win-win.

And that's it friends. I don't have any garden images to share with you because I haven't taken any new ones. I'll be doing that soon. Now let's get to the funny stuff. Enjoy and have a wonderful week ahead.

And this one is specifically for you, Debra. I thought you'd get a kick out of it!

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm late getting to this post today. I have no reason for it other than I just never got around to it. I prepared all my images last night but was too lazy to get going this morning. I think most of it is due to the looooooong walk I took yesterday morning with my friend that I walk with Sunday mornings. This time we managed three hours! We could have kept going but it started getting too hot to go further. I imagine we'll go for even lengthier walks when the cooler weather kicks in. But I'm feeling it today!

So... What's going on with everyone? Share your news in the comments. We're trying to enjoy getting out as much as we can while the weather is still nice. We're not really winter people. Things really slow down for us when it gets really cold. Last Wednesday, the most amazing man in the world had his band friends over to practice because on Saturday they were doing a show in a restaurant about an hour and twenty minutes from here. After they were done, he and I and a very good friend of his who had come down from the city of Laval in Quebec went out to Boston pizza for dinner.

By the way, the show was successful. The most amazing man in the world had a great time hanging out with the boys. I spent the day at home with our two cats. They are so funny. By early evening they began clinging to me. They do that every time one of us is missing for hours on end. It's too cute.

Thursday we met up with a bunch of friends for dinner at a pub a few minutes drive from here. I can't say I'm a pub food type of person. Not really my thing. I'm actually a very light eater and heavy foods just don't do it for me. But we go for the company and my husband and I share a dish. He's a light eater, too, and that works out well.

Other than that, it's been quiet. I'm continuing to enjoy time in the garden and our little hydrangea tree that we've named Odin is in full bloom. Here's a photo of him. It was taken over a week ago, so there are many more flowers on display since then. The tree is only about 4 feet tall and it looks kind of funny. Odin can barely hold up all the large blooms!

And here is a photo of some really pretty flowers. Don't you just love this orange colour?

Okay, enough of the blah, blah, blah... Let's get to the funnies. Enjoy and have an amazing week ahead!

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy new week, everyone! What are you up to these days? I hope you are all keeping well. And if you're struggling, I wish for things to get better for you. We're doing okay. It's been a quiet and laid-back period, which suits me just fine.

Yesterday I went for a very long walk with a friend. We met up at 7:30 AM and covered 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), which added up to about 17,000 steps! It was a gorgeous morning and the time just flew right by. We aim to meet up every Sunday morning, weather and availability permitting.

The highlight of the week was on Wednesday. I drove to my hometown to meet up with my oldest and dearest friend. I parked my car outside of her home and she drove us to the most incredible spa. We spent the next few hours there where we enjoyed their numerous baths, saunas, meditation rooms, and so on. You pay $50 for fours hours and you have access to every room indoors and the entire outdoor area. The property is on the shores of a river and the most stunningly gorgeous place I've ever seen. Here's a link to the spa for those who are curious or for anyone living close enough to it and looking to visit such a place: Spa & Hotel Le Finlandais

After the spa, we went for a late lunch/early dinner. She then drove us back to her house where I picked up my car and headed home. It was one of the best days I've had all summer. The only downside of the whole spa experience is that someone swiped the bathrobe that I had brought along with me. Someone thought it was nice enough to steal and decided to make it their own. That they were entitled to it. Ah well, that's people for you. I wasn't going to let that ruin an otherwise perfect day.

I don't have many garden photos to share with you but here's one of a daisy; my favourite type of flower:

And here's a photo of our cat, Chupa, who posed so nicely for it:

Now let's get to the funny stuff! Enjoy and have a wonderful week ahead!

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy new week! How are you doing? What's going on? What have you been up to? Share in the comments! It's been another socially busy week for us. We joined up with a few friends last week for dinner and that was a lot of fun. Yesterday morning, I met up with a friend at 7 AM and we went for a long walk. And yesterday evening, we drove to our hometown to meet up with my bestie and her husband who had invited us over for dinner at their place. What an amazing time that was! My friend and I have known each other since we were four, so you can just imagine how many memories we've created.

The garden continues to bloom. I love the time I spend there. Some plants are done flowering while others are just getting started. Below are just a few images.


I planted a morning glory from seed and it is now preparing to put on a show.

Look at this colour!

Doesn't this endlessly-blooming perennial go perfectly with my little gnome house? I certainly think so.

I also want to share a photo of my adorable cat, Kazee, snuggling up with me. She lies across my lap and sleeps peacefully between me and my computer desk. She does this just about every day. Sometimes several times a day. Look at the way those paws are curled up!

And, of course, I place a blanket on my lap for her to sleep on because her comfort is a priority!

Now, shall we finally get to the funnies? Yes, let's do that. Enjoy and have a terrific week ahead!

Chuckles and Chortles

Happy August, everyone! A new month begins and I hope it's a good one for all of you. Whenever August kicks in, it stirs up nostalgic feelings. I think about the school season approaching when my kids were little and of my own when I was a youngster. And then I am once again stunned by how quickly the time has gone by.

So...what's going on with you? Share in the comments! Last week was socially active and it looks like this one will be, as well. Thursday we were invited to a small house party with a few friends. It was such a beautiful evening that we sat outdoors for the entire time. Saturday we met up with another couple for dinner in the small city of Vaudreuil, which is about 40 minutes from here. And yesterday morning I met up with my walking buddy at 7:00 AM. This introvert is exhausted!

The garden continues to thrive. The spray I used to get rid of the Japanese beetles has worked like a charm. Eva, our variegated maple, is free of them. Now she can focus on looking beautiful. And our hydrangea tree, Odin, is developing blooms We are going to enjoy a phenomenal autumn display! I'll make sure to take pictures. Our two giant sunflowers have grown in leaps and bounds. They are about 4 feet tall now. Can't wait to see the huge flowers! I didn't take many photos this week but below are a few for your viewing pleasure.


This plant just keeps on blooming! I can't get enough of it. Daisy-style flowers are my favourites.

The image does not do justice to this plant. The flowers are much more impressive in person.

This is an annual but it adds a beautiful touch to the garden, don't you think?

And finally, I can't resist sharing yet another video I took of our favourite garden visitor.



That's it for today, friends. Enjoy the funnies and have a wonderful week ahead! Wishing you all an amazing August, too!