Catchup. - Nov 18th - Alliston/Barrie

Nov 18th

Ohhhhh what a lovely start to this day!!! ❤️❤️❤️  Relaxing morning after the craziness of leaving London 4:30ish with darkness encroaching fast. THEN my phone GPS would not sync like my contacts did so I had no voice directions, had to keep glancing down to the cup holder where my lit phone map was to watch the car position!!! I only got lost 4 TIMES but made it in 4 hours, not the 3.5 Google said it would take me. BUT ohhhh talk about driving off the beaten path, even gravel roads, but I refused to do the 401 or 403 at night!!!

Their condo is a corner suite, spacious for their larger/antique-type furniture and I love the trees, alongwith the birds n squirrels!!! Plus AWESOME to see my FIRST oil paintings on the wall that Yvonne asked for when she moved from Winnipeg to Toronto with John!!! 🥰

So into Barrie today and I think it's the Mandarin restaurant for supper!!!

Ohhhh what a pleasant day, even if they had an appointment in Barrie. My first time there but no pictures on the way as I had to concentrate on traffic on highways 89 and 400 to return my rental. Then I tried to snap pictures while Yvonne was driving and same thing traffic took precedence so pardon my iffy shots! 

Another beautiful day in Paradise! 

Nancy, Gingko are here too!!!

LINDT chocolate store!

I've died and gone to heaven!

Yeppers Yvonne bought a huge bagful!!!

BUT I totally shocked them when I shouted there's a horse trotting next to a cyclist! Yvonne didn't believe me until they too saw them! It was Ember's turn today for a jog while Orio was at home, both of the Oreo and Ember The Mini Horses FB page. 

Seeeee a horse trotting along the lakefront!

Ember n Chris

Then they took me to the Friday Harbour, a fast n growing lake like residence before showing me where they lived in Innisfil, not conducive to their way of life! 

At the entrance to Friday Harbour.

A long curvy entrance lane!

Then this!  

AND lots lots lots more to come yet!

Decorating for Christmas. 

Driving back to Barrie!

Their condo here in Alliston is much more their way of life and closer to their youngest son and his family. Afterwards it was the Mandarin Restaurant and a fabulous supper before home and relaxation.

My supper, loads of shrimp!

Catchup - Nov 17th - London/Alliston

Nov 17th

Good morning! Another dreary day BUT no snow!!! Manitobans and others stay safe in snow dropped areas!!!

I forgot to mention after our brief stop yesterday at Stitch it Central (no time to really shop), Deana took me to Red Lobster for a SHRIMP dinner, I had mine with green beans, YUMMY!

So just waiting for her to finish work at 10am and then we're off to Mary Maxim and pick up my car 3ish, off to Yvonne n John's, after a quick stop in Kitchener for an online order pick up! That'll sadly be my last leg on this trip!!!

BUT Deana and other tatters I met yesterday are trying to talk me into joining them to various tatting conferences in the US. So who knows, I might fly to TO and hitch up with Deana or fly more direct for one someday!

Deana is a sweetheart! She drove me to Mary Maxim in Paris ON and I got the goodies for the girls plus extras for me. Deana found a lovely sunflower with a dragonfly puzzle for herself. Now heading back to find lunch then get my car. At Wendy's first time taco salad and zero lemonade in Woodstock!

Okay I'm on the road to Kitchener then Alliston in an upgraded Mitsubishi RVR. Yes I got insurance!!!

Phew after getting lost in the dark 4 times and refusing to take the 401 or 403 mega highways I finally arrived in Alliston 7:42 pm just over 3 hours in total. Tomorrow I'll hand back this baby!!!

Catchup - Nov 16th - St. Thomas/London

Good morning! After a slight power failure first thing, coffee and fresh blueberry scone, Orio took me on a slight tour around St. Thomas before dropping me off at Deana's craft sale!

Nature Conservatory on the way.

Deana

And here finally are my orders from Shuttle by Design since April 2022 that stockpiled at Ginny's/Deana's till this visit. AND the girls gifted me a special tatting pouch, needless to say I transferred my stuff ready for the tatting session at the Library this afternoon!

A special get together today at the Library with 12 tatters chit chatting, sharing and tatting together! I was even able to buy two balls of Snow White Lizbeth 20 at a great price from Susan. I'd met her at the Fringe Elements tatting conference in Cambridge and she drove me back to Mississauga. Lovely!!!

Thank you Deana for your hospitality!!!

Catchup - Nov 15th - St. Thomas

Morning! It's dreary but atleast not raining yet!!! But as we drove tiny snowflakes falling, but later turned into rain spit!!!

Today I helped out Maria and her Church group set up for their annual rummage fundraiser being held tomorrow. I kinda took over the one table of Christmas decorations, but as usual too many bosses spoil the pot for others. I just quickly said I'm a visitor so please ask others. 🤗 Also I'm not buying anything!

My decorated table.

Front entrance.

From the far corner.

So today we went for a drive to Mount Brydges and checked out Sew Creative, I bought 3 pieces of fabric, I was good. Then back for supper and some wine too! Now relaxing and watch The Holiday!

Like the extra stitches.

Look what I found Nancy!  I still like it.

Niko, Simon, Bentley and Toby getting supper scraps.

We all want more!