Friday, May 14, 2010

Tis the Season to Grill


Hello my friends,

I hope you all have had a wonderful week, even more I am wishing you all a marvelous weekend.

I am so excited as my niece and her family are visiting this weekend. She is so sweet and very special to me. Many years ago (she is going to like this word many) my brother was in Montreal with his work when his wife went into labour. I had been sleeping over at their home for the very reason that she may go into labour. I was in my teens and trust me will never forget this experience. In fact it was because of this that at 7 months of my first pregnancy that I decided I didn't want to be pregnant anymore, (my husband assured me I would be fine and that our baby was going to come whenever he felt like it, so.out.of.my.control.) I was frightened as I remember how my SIL reacted to labour pains. Now you have to remember this was before the time of spinals or unnecessary C-sections, you just did what you had to do. It was just my SIL and me at the hospital when my beautiful niece was born, and even as I encouraged my SIL through my own fear I have to admit I have loved this beautiful new born girl unconditionally ever since.

This would be my SIL third and last child (I so understood why.) Actually my niece is much like me in many ways but is very much more like her mother. I love them both. They are just 2 of the special women in my life. She has grown into a wonderful wife, mother and teacher. Her husband is a chartered accountant and they live about 2 1/2 hours south of where I do. A very happy couple with 2 beautiful daughters and a home you could see anytime in Beautiful Homes and Gardens. Okay so I am just a bit proud of her as well......LOL

Today I visited my favorite blogs, I love reading how all my friends are doing. Recently I have noticed changes in my being able to read their post. Now last week I had my yearly eye check up and my eyes have deteriorated a bit but I have been having a really tough time reading some of the post. If it is white or light printing over a white or light background I find it so very hard to see each word clearly, if it is a dark background with dark letters.....well it is just about impossible for me to see the words. The verifications words can be a real challenge. So if I write a comment which has absolutely nothing to do with your post then you know I read your post and made up words which I thought you were thinking.

Our weather has been absolutely beautiful.....we have been in the +20's all week and it is suppose to be even warmer this weekend. I have BBQ'd almost every night this week for supper, often I slice a potato, onion, carrot and a hamburger patty, place this in tin foil with a pat of butter then put on the grill for 35 minutes, no fuss, no mess and it taste so good. I usually do 2 or 3 packets at a time, I either have this again the following day or I freeze each packet and pop them in the microwave when I feel like another main meal. I also grilled several turkey sausages this week which are good for breakfast (sausage and scrambled eggs) or I have one for lunch (in a hot dog bun with a zesty mustard). So easy and very tasty. I never waste the heat of the grill, I always cook something on it as it is cooling down, even the marshmallows and chocolate placed between graham crackers that Rebecca told me about last year. Oh these are good but I can only have these as a treat once in a while. I'm sorry I forget the name of these......smors or something like that. (I think this is an American treat) Anyway they are a wonderful treat and my neighbours and I enjoyed them around their propane fire pit one night. I am thinking of getting myself one of the propane fire pits, they are safe and so easy to light. I would place it in the middle of my deck and enjoy the fire on cool evenings. Many of my friends and neighbours have these this year.

Just an update on the credit card fiasco, I have accepted what has happened, am praying for my family member and enjoying the fact that no one has my credit card information. Thank you all for your kind words of support.

Have a great weekend everyone, I am so looking forward to mine.

God Bless...........and many, many hugs.....:-)


66 comments:

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

I hope your weekend is every bit as wonderful as you imagine!

Barb said...

Hi Bernie,
Have fun with your niece - I hope your good weather continues for the visit. Do you wear contacts? My eyes are terrible, but I have worn bifocals for the past 20 years. (They are the kind with no lines and thin lenses - even though my prescription is strong). Does your diabetes affect your eyesight? I must admit that I, too, have trouble with the verifying words for comments - that's why I don't use them on my blog.
Smiles to you.

Cindy said...

bernie, I have been enjoying the weather too, you sound like you are going to have a wonderful weekend.Emjoy. Glad the credit card situation is handled. pleasant thoughts and wonderful days ahead. Sunday I am ordering new glasses...I agree with what your saying. hugs.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you've got lots and lots to look forward to Bernie - I am very happy for you... If anyone deserves it you do :0)

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I love food on the grill. Don't have to heat up the kitchen when it is warm outside and one gets to enjoy the outdoors while everything cooks. Great time to check out what's growing in the garden. So glad your winter is over and warm weather has returned.

Enjoy your family. (I'm a natural childbirth mother also.)

Denise said...

I enjoyed catching up on your life sweet friend, enjoy your weekend.

Valerie said...

Bernie, disregarding the pregnancy fear, this is a really happy post. I so enjoyed reading it. I hope you have a brilliant weekend with your family, especially your niece.
BBQ isn't something we go in for, hubs doesn't like the smell of open air cooking. Silly man!

Brian Miller said...

there is just something about the taste of foos off the grill...not quite as good as from over a campfire, but...glad the cc fiasco is over...smiles.

have fun with your niece this weekend...

Wanda..... said...

Hi Bernie, I'll be thinking of the happy visit you'll be having with your niece, as I plant my small garden, put up the gazebo cover, arrange the furniture under it, plant a smoke tree and do weeding of the flower beds! We had several days of rain which prevented things getting done! :)

Smores used to be a staple around here, when moat of the g/children were between the ages of 2-12! Now it's bagels and cream cheese or my muffins they crave.

Enjoy your lovely weekend Bernie!!!
♥...Wanda

Diana said...

Good Morning Bernie,
Moving on is a good idea, as long as your information is safe now.

We love s'mores too! And like you I always try to have something ready to slow grill after the main meal, usually hot dogs. I like them best slow grilled!

I'm so glad that you will be having company this weekend and I hope your weather is good. It's supposed to be rainy here all weekend!

I'm sorry but I had to laugh when you told about telling your husband that you didn't want to be pregnant anymore. When I was in labor with Katie I remember telling Jake that I had changed my mind. That was it, I wasn't going to have the baby anymore! After he explained to me that it was too late to change my mind, they gave me something to relax me! It seems so funny to me now!
I hope that you can read my blog alright. I always make my font large just for us people that have difficulty with small print!

Have a great weekend with your wonderful company Bernie! Can't wait to hear all about it, and get some photos if you can! Love Di ♥

CiCi said...

Your niece's visit sounds wonderful. I know you will enjoy your weekend with her and her family. I look forward to hearing all about it.
The aluminum foil packets of individual meals is a pretty smart bit of advice. Thanks. I have done just potatoes in aluminum foil packets on the grill but not with other things in each packet. Enjoy your weekend!

Karin said...

It has been a lovely week weather-wise!! I just LOVE the delicate green of the leaves on our trees at present! Have a gorgeous view from my window on the 9th fl! Lucky you, you get to grill! Enjoy! It's all good!

Rebecca said...

I like the BarBQ ideas, Bernie! I'm going to try some of them. I don't know why we don't do this more often.

I'm so glad you get to spend some time with family. Your memories make me chuckle. I remember my young sister being with me when I miscarried. Fortunately, she went on to have three children of her own in spite of what must have been frightening to her (as it was to me).

I know what you mean about having difficulty reading some blogs. I'll check mine out to see how/if I can make it more reader-friendly.

Have a terrific weekend!

Anvilcloud said...

I hope your weather is as nice as ours is this morning. Have a good time with your company.

(You could try Google Reader as a way to read your posts. It always comes up black printing on white "paper".)

♥ Liz ♥ said...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy every minute of it. :0)

Maggie May said...

Hope you are having as much fun with your niece as I am having with my granddaughters.
Hope you don't have a problem reading my blog and I do urge you to get your eyes checked. Maybe a change in glasses is all that is needed.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Have a nice weekend Bernie.

God bless.

The Retired One said...

I am like you, Bernie...I love to BBQ...there isn't a food on earth that isn't better when grilled. ha
Yes, they are called s'mores..because once you have one, you want some-mores...get it???
I am so glad your weather has gotten better and that you can get out and enjoy it and are feeling better to do so.
We are finally warming up here too. We spent the day going to yard sales (which I love to do!) and cutting the grass....love the spring! I hope to post some of my garden photos soon.
Luv and many, many more good days to you ahead!

Anonymous said...

I too have trouble reading some blogs. The light print seems to be the trouble. That is why I always use large type. So great your are having visitors. It is raining again here. So damp and muggy. This has been an uncomfortable spring. Hate to complain but that is the facts. Blessings to you dear lady.
QMM

Holly, the Old Western Gal said...

I like your dinner-in-a-packet idea very much! I will ask my husband to try that on our grill, he enjoys grilling.

Your niece sounds so delightful. Like her aunt!!!

Cheryl said...

Sounds like a most delightful weekend! Having such special visitors is wonderful...I too would like to have a fire pit, looks so cozy, sitting around it in the evenings, sipping a drink and listening to the night sounds. And s'mores, yummy! A standard item on a camping trip indeed.

Donna said...

Bernie,
We had barbeque today on the grill! YUMMY!! I love anything that can be grilled it always tastes better. We had a campfire last night and roasted marshmallows. S'mores are delicious!
Blessings,
Donna

Bernie said...

I had a wonderful Elizabeth as I hope you did.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Barb, I had so much fun with my niece and her family, and what a beautiful family they are, ...Hugs

Bernie said...

Cinner our weather has been so lovely, and yes I did have a great weekend.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

ED, I had a great weekend and I also have company the next two weekends......love the spring and summer, people finally come out of their houses.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Julie, the weather has been amazing and I love it....great weekend with family and the next two weekends are filled as well. Oh life is good......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Denise, I did have a great weekend and I so hope you did as well.
........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Val, our weather has been fantastic and I grilled all weekend. I think it is more poplar in US and Canada than the UK.
Hope you had a great weekend...Hugs

Bernie said...

Brian, all is good in my world. Grilled again this weekend Brian.
..........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Wanda, hope you were able to plant your garden. I had a wonderful weekend and yes we had s'mores and I love them.....not good for the diet for sure.....big hugs to Alivia.......:-)

Bernie said...

Hello Di, more grilling and s'mores this weekend which was wonderful. My niece and her family are such a lovely family, the girls are so cute. West Edmonton Mall was wall to wall people. I don't know why people worry about the economy the way the money was being spent there. Hope you had a great weekend.....:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

TechnoBabe, please try the packet with the hamburger pattie you won't believe how good it is.
Had a great weekend with my family, hope you did as well...Hugs

Bernie said...

Karin, oh we have had such beautiful weather haven't we, everything is beginning to look so green I love. Yes and I grilled again this weekend......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Rebecca I have no problem reading your blog sweetie, its fine.
Doing up packets of food on the grill is great, I love it, and I'm sure you would love it.....:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

A/C how do I use Google Reader, I would love to try it. Our weather is beautiful and has been all weekend.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Liz I did have a wonderful weekend, sure hope you did as well sweetie......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Maggie, I have no problem reading your blog at all, it has only happened to me on very few.
I just had my eyes tested and they have hardly changed so it is just the colors that make it hard for me to see the words......:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

Victor, thank you, I did have a wonderful weekend, sure hope you did as well........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Joan, our weather is beautiful and I am so enjoying it. Grilled over the weekend again, I love it especially when it is nice outside.
So glad baby N is doing so well.
.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Pwggy sure hope the humidity has gone down, I hate that damp feeling. Hope you had a wonderful weekend, I really did....:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

Holly you will love the taste and no clean up....its great....:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

Cheryl, nothing I enjoy more than sitting around a fire with friend, I love it.......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Donna your weekend sounds much like mine was and mine was wonderful.......:-) Hugs

Eileen said...

'Hope you had a wonderful weekend with your family members!
We've been grilling outdoors too, it's really a nice treat!

Thanks for sharing that story and the special relationship you have, your love reads in every word!

So sorry about your eyesight. Is that because of the diabetes? I hope something can be done.

Love the idea of the fire pit! We have a wood-burning chiminea but I like the sound of the propane fire pit much better!
We spent much of our weekend outdoors, going for walks, cleaning the deck, and cleaning out the sandbox for the grandkids and running all over trying to find 'safe' sand for it!

Enjoy your family!
Love to you,
Eileen

beth said...

even though my eyes were just tested and i was told they were fine....there are still some blogs that i can hardly read due to the coloring or the font size.....

yikes !.....i hope you can read mine....now i'm nervous :)

Bernie said...

Eileen, I had a wonderful weekend, love having family around. Your weekend sounds like fun. Did you find the sand you wanted, I always worry about attracting cats to the yard......big hugs to Jayden and Mia........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Beth you absolutely right, with me it seems to be the coloring that is my problem. I have no problem reading your blog Beth.....:-)Hugs

Unknown said...

BURRRRRRRRRRRRRR that still sounds cold to me! Huhoney opened up the pool for me yesterday and heated it up in the 80 degree temp so I could do some exercise for my arthritis. I hope I have the energy to do it. People would die to have a pool in their back yard and it takes everything out of me to get in it and exercise ARGH! I am happy to hear you are doing better! Stay dry and warm! my friend! hugs and smiles.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, I hope you had a fabulous time with your niece!! She sounds simply wonderful! And I also have trouble reading certain posts...think I need to make that appointment and think about new reading glasses...sigh. Love you so much and wishing you a wonderful week! ~Janine XO

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Wishing you well and hoping your weekend was as grand as mine! God Bless!!! Cathy

Mary N. said...

I hope you had a fun visit with your niece, Bernie. My daughter LOVES Smores, we make them when we stay at the beach on vacation. Like you I can only have them occasionally.
I'm sorry your eyes are giving you trouble. All your comments make sense though :)
About the labor thing: After 12 hours of it I cheated and got an epidural. I tried to make it through without but they wouldn't let me stay in the shower because I had gestational diabetes. Lying down makes labor unbearable I think. My mom told me labor was just like having bad cramps. My mom was WRONG!
Hugs to you, Bernie. I forgot that you all spell labour with a u up there :)

Bernie said...

Linda, our weather has turned absolutely beautiful here now, really hot! I love it......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Janine, I had super fun with my niece and her family and what a beautiful family they are. I hope they come back real soon....:-)Hugs

Bernie said...

Cathy, I did have a wonderful weekend, so happy you did as well. Nothing better than spending time with family......:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Mary, yes we still use the "u" in words like neighbour, labour etc. seems strange we don't spell the same way doesn't it. Labor for baby 1 was forever but baby 2 was quick and even close to easy. Enjoy your Tuesday.....:-) Hugs

Rinkly Report said...

I'm on the hunt for 'diary' bloggers and I've stumbled on you. (Sorry! I didn't mean to kick!) I'll be back.

Joanna Jenkins said...

What a special bond you have with your niece. Being at the hospital with your SIL when she was born is a great gift. Have a wonderful time together!
jj

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Sounds like ya'll have a right to be proud of your lovely niece. Hope ya had a wonderful visit.

This old chick loves to cook things in the masses and freeze the entrees in two servin' packets. I've done this for years freezin' larger packets when I was teaching and the kids were home. I always can pop an entree into the microwave, bake a potato and toss a salad...wah..la...a meal in no-time.

God bless ya sweetie and have a beautiful day!!!

Bernie said...

Rinky, thanks for stopping by and please come for visit again...Hugs

Bernie said...

Joanna, she is a wonderful niece and I have to say is a bit of a favorite.........:-) Hugs

Bernie said...

Hi Nessy, so nice to hear from you. I too will cook more than I need and then freeze for a later meal. Since I live alone it makes it much easier for me. Have a wonderful day sweetie....:-) Hugs

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot for visiting my blog.... god bless

Tranquility Speaks said...

Hi Bernie! I am late for this post, but I had so much fun reading the descriptions of what you eat and how you cook it :-) Sounds wonderful :-)

I am so sorry to hear of your eye sight though! Would a change of glasses help? Has the power increased by any chance?

I've got to read more about the credit card fiasco!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

these are great pics of your family...we wanted to go to the Edmonton Mall. Especially my youngest. It sound totally fun. Have a great weekend. Sarah

Joey said...

I love your blog.

When I'm reading, it's like I'm hearing your voice.