New Year's Eve 2025

 Well it's been a long time since I've made a post and I've no excuses other than life got in the way and of course my own procrastination!

This year has been one of moving forward to the future for ourselves and others in our community with the construction of the four town-homes. They're on track with the move in date for February 2026 and wow did we ever go over budget with this one, creating a very  happy outcome. 

Come on, I'll take you for a tour but remember it's still one month before completion! 

The front view upon driving in, the asphalting will take place in the spring and the outdoor sheds behind will also be built in the spring, winter is upon us now.

From right to left it goes...2 bedroom with garage, 2 bedroom no garage, 2 bedroom with garage, 2 bedroom no garage.

The mudroom with garage entry.

The front foyer closet, you'll notice the colour scheme is light, bright, & neutral, making the tenants colour scheme the dominate one.

The mudroom/laundry room, the side by side washer/dryer will be installed after the second coat of painting is done.

The kitchen's custom cabinets have the framework done & cupboard doors are in the making. The hardware that is installed here is excellent quality, making me jealous but happy for the tenants daily use with their kitchens.

This is the granite we chose for the counter top, back splash, and island. Once installed I'll show you how that turned out. Fingers crossed, this will start in early January!
 

The front bedroom off the foyer, the one's with garage have an small bathroom with toilet & sink behind a pocket door.

The four piece bathroom is the same in all four units with a one piece tub installation.

These are the photos for now & I will take more this week and we'll have another visit in the town-homes.

Bill had his surgery done on our youngest son Nick's birthday, a day we'll all remember as Nick was the one to drive him to the Fredericton Everett Chambers Hospital and home all in the same day!

The surgery took longer than expected as the Dr said to Nick 'Ratty and torn to hell.'

What was to be three pins, turned into eight pins and the rebuilding of his bicep muscle.

Bill after is surgery & on strong drugs!

The bandages were & did stay on for three weeks until his return to Fredericton. Surprisingly those bandages stayed on even after his daily showering!

His smile is on on drugs & the next day would let him know how involved the surgery was as the bruising  & drugs came out of his system. He slept in that chair for three nights as instructed.

He healed well and is starting his physiotherapy in the new year. He's also put on the list to have the other shoulder done in the new year or early 2027.

Prior to the surgery day we picked up a Dairy Queen log cake for Nick's 36th birthday to celebrate!

The following week we had a visit from Bill's stepbrother Mike & his wife Deb, Bill was still on the mend but we all had a relaxing, much needed weekend.

Bill and Mike, Bill's right arm should've been in a sling!

Deb, Mike, me, & Bill, we had a great visit and I'd not seen Mike since our wedding July 4th 1987 & the first time meeting his lovely wife Deb. They drove from Ontario, a 18 hour trip to spend a long weekend with us, a special visit as Mike brought memorable belongs of their dad Ernie, who passed away this year.

Christmas has come & gone.

Here's some photos of that special time of year. I fell ill with my stomach pills & very strong iron pills as my leaves are low and not rising much on the pills so Bill said 'stop' you're going down hill fast with them. So I did an starting feeling better when I threw my back out! I was in bed motionless for three days. I'm well now and taking food with iron, like my cream of rice, its 39% daily intake with just one cup and Shreddies cereal is 39% but I think too much wheat/barley in that but good.lol

So we did three little trees this year.

Remember the lite trees Jocelyn & I found on the side of the highway? Bill cemented them into their pots to make them sturdy & not tipping(could be why the owners didn't want another year of them falling over).

One tree went by Baxter & Bridget's crates with all things Boston Terrier's, mostly made & gifted to me over the years. With the white lights Bill installed coloured lights that would glow on a timer at night, bringing back memories for us of our Christmas's past with coloured lights. 

 

The other tree was placed in an old crock & had Jim Shore Santa's that Nick & Leslie have gifted me over the years & hand made ornaments that I made this year.

Bill gifted me fabric for my birthday last September, it was Tilda's Merry Little Christmas & I cut out figures & made them into ornaments for me and a couple of girlfriends for Christmas.

 

 And the flocked white tree that I placed the ornaments with red/white ornaments.

 

We had picked up Butterball's turkey breast for our Christmas dinner but when I saw how cheap the turkey was this year I wanted the traditional Christmas bird with stuffing and Bill put a turkey bacon jacket on it as my diet doesn't allow pork anymore.
 

I made cranberry sauce to go with the dinner, as well as potatoes, gravy, turnip with apples(cousin Ann's recipe), carrots. Finished with tea/coffee & the chocolate log cake.

The night before, Christmas Eve, Nick & Leslie hosted us for our fish dinner and of course, Nick's favourite, the Dairy Queen ice cream cake.

A festive cake it was too, and very delicious!!

 

Liam on Santa's lap, I love the look of Santa! LOL Next year may bring a smile to both of them...or not.

 

Santa's not as scary on mom's lap. Nicole, Liam, Santa, & Mitch. The Alberta kid's enjoying their Christmas.

Nicole, Liam, and Mitch, Liam is growing so fast. Bill & I enjoy the face-time watching him play and now running around being a busy boy. Mitch sure was a busy boy...

 

I saw this Mary Maxim knitted pattern for Mrs Claus clothesline and it made me laugh out loud, so I had to entertain the idea & make it!

There was also Santa's clothesline so I made it and they both fit beautifully on the pantry window. 

I also made the elf's clothesline & put it in the laundry room at the apartment to amuse the tenants. lol

I've been trying to get more organized and this room is high on my list since the Christmas season is over and the thoughts will turn to spring soon.

This is my 'organized chaos' aka sewing room but I do so much more than sewing, with different types of sewing from clothes, to decor, and everything in-between. It is my happy place, my kyrotime, a place when I create for myself or for others, time is suspended and my mind is clear for creating. 

Winter is a lovely season but the cold & ice are not comforting to me, the firebox in the great-room is my happy place in the winter. There i hand sew, knit, crotchet,  or work on a puzzle.

Thank you Stefani and Leslie for completing the Ugly Sweater puzzle the other night. Well done!

I saw this tote & loved the pattern, it's a free download!

I modified it to a granny square pattern with the use of my Dollar store cotton yarns, I made this colour version with spring/summer in mind.

I lined it with a William Morris fabric design and will make a zippy bag for the inside as I didn't do pockets with the stress it could do on the yarns. I'll post the zippy when I get the idea out of my head and make it. lol

Well, the bay is frozen the the smelt fishing has begun, it's such a tradition here to have your feed of smelt dinners. The rain has brought a lot of frozen puddles as the ground cannot absorb it right now so there's ice rinks everywhere. Scary.

I asked Bill for a hand railing for the basement & he has installed it. I can go down stairs but I cannot come up them easily, the railing is going to really help! I go up the stairs like a two year old with one step at a time as my right hip is not good to support my weight. The x-ray showed it is my spin not my hip that is weak, the L3,4,5, are deteriorating.

Many things are stored in the basement & during Christmas the stair travel is frequent, now to put all Christmas away has been made easier!
 

 Oh the joys of senior life. I think of what I can do these days not what I use to do. It's frustrating when your mind does not match your body.

I want to wish you a very happy New Year, filled with health and happiness.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by for a visit & I hope to see you sooner than later in 2026.

I've a good feeling about 2026 and I am look forward to it!

Hugs,

Cynthia xXx 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween Is Approaching!

 Halloween is fast approaching and the autumn air has changed to a much needed all day rain. The summer was a drought summer and most of us rely on our wells for water, some have started to go dry! So any rain is greatly appreciated!

The town-homes are now coming together nicely and there is a hum of activity by the tradespeople putting in the plumbing, electrical, the attic fire barriers are now complete too!

Since this photo was taken the all windows with the pencil grid(it helps stop birds from flying into windows) have been installed! The rooms are all framed in too and the garages have cement floors.

The siding has arrived today and soon the exterior will come to life! We're over budget with getting all the interior organs of this building done, the well was unexpected but it's all done & no worries & the functioning electrical/pump room has been made bigger. 

My health has not been the best for a couple of years & the test results are in. I have Intestinal Metaplasia, in short my stomach lining is that of my intestinal lining, this finding came from a stomach biopsy. Then the CT scan showed everything else is good. So I have GERD -Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease  and I'm taking proton pump inhibitors to help with that. My diet had to change also as I was eating everything that would disturb my stomach! A huge change in diet was in store for me.

I feel better just knowing what the gremlin was so now the changes are in place to get my wellness back.

The visit with Mitch, Nicole, and wee Liam was a great one but went by too fast. Liam is such a wonderful little character and such a joy to watch.

Bill got his dad Mitch's rocking chair out that Mr. Kruger made him as a wee boy. Liam was just about walking on his own when visiting & is now in full upright motoring at home in Alberta.

Not too sure of Grandma but was familiar with me by the time he left. 

 

Liam loved the two dogs & really warmed up to Rexton the Manx cat.

 

Liam, fourth generation, sitting on Manama's couch, Bill has fond memories sleeping on this couch. 

It was Liam's first plane ride to see Grandma & Grandpa! 

A mystery unsolved!

 

Our tomatoes plants were ready to start ripening & each stem was loaded!

Bill went out to check on the & ALL had been cut off & taken!!

It was done by human hands not an animal. 

The only thing we could think of was that the neighbour next door had a moving yard-sale that weekend & thought that the garden was the person that had moved? No tomatoes this year!! And a camera & motion censor light will be added to that area of the yard for next spring.

Jocelyne &  I attended The Miramichi Quilt Guild this month & I was taken away with a hand embroidered Dutch quilt that spoke to me, at I purchased it from Bev Campbell of the guild.

It is a queen sized embroidered quilt and is hand quilted as well! Such a beauty that can be viewed year round with Christmas in just 65 days and then Valentine's Day, and Canada Day, see year round!

I've been working on my fine motor skills with Kathy Schmitz with Very Little Christmas ornaments. Each finishes at 2 1/2" and there are 100 different designs to embroider! 

I also made the cording, it was so easy with the gizmo! With the 2025 charm on the ornament I'll always remember when I made them. lol 

Bill & I were at a yard sale & I saw two small trees that would work just right for these and they were 2 for $13. I moved over to where Bill was & told him I wanted to get those trees. He said no, we have enough Christmas stuff & I said not that size! I walked up to get them but they had sold! Rats, I was so upset losing that find!!

Then coming home from the Miramichi Quilt Show  I saw two small Christmas on the side of the road. I hit my brakes to go back to them & told Jocelyne to get out & put them in the back seat, she had not seen the faux trees on the side of the road & was surprised at what good shape they were. We tried the lights when we got home & what a bonus, the wee lights worked! I told her the story of my wanting of the trees at the yard sale & then Bill came home & we showed him the trees. He smiled & said 'Look at that, you waited & saved yourself $13!' We all laughed at that point.

I saw crochet trees from a granny square & gave it a try, I liked it & will make more sewing on some beads & adding the 2025 charm. Great little trees that were found, someones garbage is another ones treasure, I love them!

Rexton the Manx is feeling the cold & enjoys being on the soft furnishing when the fire box is burning.

Or to be right with the fire box when Bridget doesn't know the fires burning, Baxter does & enjoys the radiant heat given to the area.

I had a quick visit from 2 cousins from Hamilton ON that were travelling out east to PEI then to Cape Breton and home to Ontario again. This was our first meeting in person since cousin Jo found me on 23andme in 2020. I was glad her sister Ann Marie came with her to the east coast on a much needed vacation, their mom died this year & a vacation together was much needed. It was wonderful to meet them & I'm sure we'll meet again as I do live in the drive through province in the Atlantic provinces and they want to see more. It was a fast trip here, they arrived at 2:30pm Thursday & left at 10:30am Friday it was a whirl wind day!

 Cousin Jo, me, and Ann Marie aka AM.

The days are shorter and the mornings come later, the hens are even noticing the bedtime and breakfast times moved to their change of habits.

The sunsets have also moved off Bay Du Vin Island and more to the west, they are still stunning if the next day is going to be a good one!

Thank you for stopping by for a visit at Beaver Moon, I'm so happy you did and stay tuned to more events happening as we approach my favourite time of year, Christmas and yes it's just 65 days away!!

Take care during the cold & flu time.

Here's a saying I found cleaning an area in my sewing room. Until your next visit...

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss, pen name for Theodor Seuss Geisel  

  

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

Time Has Gotten Away From Me! Grab a Cuppa, lots of Show & Tell!

 The time this summer has just  flown by! 

I was commenting to Bill the other day that this is by far the fastest summer ever! 

Since your visit here, I entered the Napan Agricultural Fair in the Handicraft section & out of the nine items entered I won 8 first place ribbons. It was a great fair this year with no rain & that in itself was very unusual as it always rains on that event. I was  asked if I would be interested in having a table to sell my things as many people were interested in my crafts. I said yes, so next August will be a busy time for me again.

I'm also doing the Nerdy Little Christmas with Miracon this year on 29th of  November with some space & fantasy items that I'll stitch up. It's a one day event at The Rodd in Chatham, we went last year & my table will have different items that were not there. I'm hoping people will be Christmas Shopping! 

Here's a sampling of some items!

Useful & cute, nerdy things
 

I've posted the wins through the year, I know I should have taken photos...next time.

 

The main happening this year is the building of four townhouses.  It has been a big job & Bill is wonderful helping with keeping things organized and moving. The water well is now installed & that was interesting with the drill breaking & waiting on a part to get it fixed. The well is 245ft deep with 110ft steel liner, we went over budget on that step of the construction. Water is needed & there's a lake size at that depth!

The new telephone pole for the extra 400amp needed is now installed & the electrician has  now wired in what is needed with extras like electricity at the island area.

Bill & I at the start of this grand event!

The shade of the trees helped during the very hot drought season.

The views from the kitchen/bedroom windows, to the nature outside will be restful. I really feel connected with nature around me.

 

The outlined footings were done a couple of weeks ago.

And this is how far it has come today. The cement for the living area should happen later this week! Then the two garage floors will be poured. 

We have had forest fires this summer, very close to where the kids live and this was terrifying for many as the fire was out of control & had jumped across the main highway. We drove on the highway on Sunday to view the devastation from the Oldfield Fire. It is still very dry here and we were blessed with two days of rain which will be helpful & the temps are cooling with single digit nights.

Bill surprised me with an electric golf cart  to move around our 5 acres here and it will be a people mover for sure. I've trained Baxter to sit next to as we drive up/ down the lane-way, Bridget wants no part of it. She's such a silly dog. 

The used electric golf cart as seating in the back when the holding area is flipped up. This is so useful with moving landscaping equipment around.  

The Boston Terriers got their rabies/distemper shots a few weeks ago and Baxter weighed in at 14.5kg/32lbs, with the vet commenting on how muscular he was for a nearly 9 year old dog.  Bridget weighed in at 14.3kg/31.8ozs, with the vet saying, "Oh my, she's round" we all laughed & I told the vet she takes after me. They both had a good health report, although Bridget should just eat her food and not everyone else too, she does have a large appetite and with winter she exercises outside a lot less. More throwing the ball down the hall in the evenings is going to be needed. 

This is Bridget getting the afternoon sun on her, sleeping in the foyer.
 

This week Bill was so mad at Baxter for upsetting his wood pile trying to get at a chipmunk that was hiding from him inside the wood. lol

 

 

The flowers are gone, just the sweet peas flowering & then changing to pods. The blueberry bushes did well, and the wild strawberries are done too. The Donny Apple Tree has done very well with all the watering that has had to be done during a drought.

I made Gluten-free blueberry grunt that was delicious from the New Brunswick blueberries that Rose C had picked!
 

 

 

About a dozen & half apples this year.

Bill picked on to try.

And I finished it, it was sweet & tart all in one bite! 

This plant was noticed for the first time to us at its colour is what caught our attention, beautiful!

The Chatham kids, Nick & Leslie gifted us this holly bush that is gorgeous & I hope to decorate with it in the coming months!

Yes the Chatham/Miramichi kids, they are engaged!

This was the celebration cake from Dairy Queen.

Nicholas waited for Leslie's mother & sister from Brampton to be here & he proposed to her walking in our woods. August 4th was a day to celebrate here. They're planning the wedding in July 2028. 

Liam has had his first birthday September 5th & I mailed out his Winnie the Pooh 100 Acre Woods quilt, with a project bag with the Winnie the Pooh chapter books, and his first addition, 100 years old now, Winnie the Pooh book printed in Canada.

Nicole,Liam, & Mitchell, Liam's first birthday. xXx

The quilt turned out bigger than I thought! This is a queen-size bed! I hope he has years of enjoyment from it & the books. 

The outer border & the backing are the same 100 Aker Woods fabric. I lucked out having a Kona in gold that matched the dyes perfectly!

With the Alberta kids coming in later this month, I made Liam crib sheets & a bear quilt for his crib. Thank you Bev H for the crib your grandson slept in & now mine will. Thank you Linda D-M for the loan of your grandson's highchair whilst Liam is here. It's so exciting having a grandbaby visit for the first time!

 

Rose C, you do such beautiful longarm quilting! I added a black satin blanket binding around the edge.

The three crib sheets for Liam's crib & he'll take the quilt & sheets home to Alberta.
 

The Farm Fresh Sampler by Art East also has been finished!

I really like this whimsical farm quilt! And I made the quilt from my stash or as Bill calls it - inventory. I did have to purchase a backing & feel in love with Kathy Schmitz's fabric. I use her fabric a lot & have done may of her patterns. This winter I'm working on Merry Mimi Christmas embroidery. I'll post next visit!
 

Rose's lovely quilting again! I did a sliver of black piping around the outer edge, which I though finished it off nicely.

Another double yolked egg!! When the eggs come in in an extra large size, this is usually inside. I've had three this year. The hens are all doing very well and the new ones are the size of the old girls now.

 

Ten hens is my limit, I have several egg customers enjoying their eggs!

 

Bill extended the size of their area again. It goes into the canopy area of trees along the walkway into the woods.

You can see the hens fencing on the left & their hen run/coop in the background on the left. They are happy hens & bring us enjoyment having them.

It will be a busy weekend with a lasagne dinner planned for our eight apartment residents at our home. I had one several years ago(the apartment was opened Nov2018) and it was enjoyable for all. It's long overdue & the weather looks good too! I will be able to use the people mover to move them (they are all seniors) around the property to show them some of my favourite spots. It's an unusual outing for most of the new tenants & the ones that have attended are so looking forward to Saturday.

Thank you for coming by for this visit & I hope to be here soon with more to show & tell you!

Remember...You don't grow old and stop playing - You grow old because you stopped playing! xXx 

Hugs,

Cynthia