Even when you feel ill Saskatchewan in wonderful

The storm clouds from yesterday were very worrisome to our hosts who decided that the tractor needed to stand between the Rpod and where plough winds enter the farmyard.  

For good measure he chained the Rpod to the tractor.

It was a stormy night with little sleep and no wind events however I have started to come down with a cold.

The morning was spent at a local market where we took our time looking at the local produce.

Than back to the farm to spend a quiet afternoon and early the cloud gave way and the sun came out.

With the sun out once again the ditches came alive with colour.

The peas green and tasty upon our arrival are not dried up and ready for harvesting.

Buddy dropped by the Rpod to see how I was doing, drawing my attention with is almost lion like roar.

All the clouds are gone and clear blue skies marshal in the evening.

Thank you for coming along.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2019 twosnydergirls

Another wonderful day in Saskatchewan

The temperature dipped low last night and required us to start the heater just to take the chill off the trailer.

Cold temperatures are not welcome here in Saskatchewan where an early frost would bring a staggering end to a canola season where the crops have struggled against drought.

There was a strong breeze this morning and as we walked the grid road the grain waved in the fields, reminisced of waved on the ocean.

We shared the grid road this morning with Saskatchewan Energy trucks who respectfully slowed almost to a stop as they passed us on the road.

Our walk this morning included Baxter where his agenda to chase down every scent and small rodent ran counter to mine of taking great photos.

Baxter, with uncanny regularity pulled on his lead just as the camera focused on a shot.

Baxter and I did come to an understanding early in our walk.

Back at the farm the smoker was lite and supper was started.

Maple smoked ribs.

Slow cooked in a smoker for 6 hours.

Smoked corn-on-the-cob.

Cornmeal muffins.

Once again we dinned well on the farm.

Thank you for coming along today.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2019 twosnydergirls

Visiting with Saskatchewan Pen Pals

Cool nights are harbingers of a restful night’s sleep and on August 6, 2019 we woke well rested and excited to visit with our young pen pals.

Our day started with a quick walk and a dip in the hot tub.

Then off to Regina we went to say a quick hello to our great niece and nephew, our little pen pals.   They were thrilled to show us their garden and plants that are growing from the seeds we sent them.

While the men went off looked at farm equipment and run errands Carla babysat her grandchildren so that Charlotte and I could get pedicures and in my case a manicure.

Prior to leaving I asked my great nephew what colour I should get on my nails he said pink sparkles and I now have pink sparkly nails, just a little out of my comfort range.

It was wonderful to spend time with my niece and catch-up on her life and what her children are doing.

Once back at their home I played and coloured with our niece and nephew.  They talked about the things that we sent them in the mail and what we will do at our weekend camping trip together.

I felt great joy when our great niece ran to her bedroom and came out with one of the storybooks we had sent her and asked her Grandma to read too her.

Our great nephew presented me with two homemade mazes that he created for me to solve and in true junk journal fashion re-purposed his happy mail in the creation of my new mazes.

We left after about an hour to have a fabulous dinner at the Teppanyaki Japanese Steak House.  This is a small unassuming store front the reveals an authentic Japanese restaurant and amazing food.  

We have been to this restaurant on at least two previous occasion and each time has been as enjoyable as the last.

Thank you from coming along today.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2019 twosnydergirls

Sister Time

A cool Saskatchewan evening ensured a wonderful night’s sleep and after simple breakfast we went for a beautiful morning walk.

 As we walked the breeze carried the scent of canola and ensured a comfortable walking temperature.

All around us butterflies of orange, yellow, white and black flitted from wildflowers, flowering weed and purple clover growing along the ditches.

The clover gives off an intoxicating sweet scent and brings back memories from my childhood and walking to school.

The sounds all around us were those of running shoes crunching on gravel, birdsong and the rustle of the wind through the bulrushes and willows that grow in wet areas.

Saskatchewan is experiencing a drought and many of sloughs normally featuring bright coloured ducks are this year dried up surrounded by dead brush. 

Our typical sojourns west happens in June and early July then the ditches resemble a Monet painting with ditches coloured by wildflowers and blooming weeds.

While in August the ditches have been cut, bailed and are green with just a smattering of colour from resilient wildflowers.

After a lunch of bacon and eggs featuring Saskatoon Berry Jam and homemade Flapper Pie. 

Carla and I went for drive into the Fort where we pasted fields of wheat and canola.

With shopping done and a quick nap Carla had us eating again this time an amazing Italian Supper.  

Homemade; Eggplant Parmesan, Ham Pineapple Pizza and Mushroom meat sauce spaghetti. 

If we keep eating this well, I will need a new wardrobe.

The highlight of the day was not the beautiful vistas or the food it was spending time with my sister talking, laughing and just being present with each other.

Thank you for coming along today

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2019 twosnydergirls

The Kampsville Ferry

This morning started as all our days due when visiting Great John, with a wonderful breakfast then Great John went to read his newspaper while Paul and I went for a walk.

Barnes and Noble in Springfield is getting to know us by name and order. 

Next we took a driving tour to take the Kampsville Ferry.  Great John wanted to take the Ferry during our June 2019 trip however the Ferry was not operating because of flooding.

Today the ferry was running and the lift bridge in Hardin was closed due to the flood.

Taking the ferry was something Great John and mother enjoyed doing and Great John recounted the many things he and mother did on their trips into Hardin to have Catfish at Barefoot.

Barefoot remains closed as a result of flood waters that crested at over 10 ft and stayed for a month.

We did enjoy Catfish this time at the Hardin Drive-In and then took our second ferry ride of the day as we returned to Jacksonville.

Still full from lunch we decided to skip supper and go to Dairy Queen later in the evening.

It was a wonderful day and we thank you for coming along.

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2019 twosnydergirls

A day of travel

We pulled away from the house at 6:00 am under a morning sky filling with clouds.  

At our first stop I pulled too close to the gas pumps and with the help of a Good Samaritan I was able to back up enough to clear the pumps.  

We crossed into the US at Port Huron, this took 30 minutes as we waited our turn.  Our interview at the boarder was swift and painless.  

As we traveled through Michigan we saw new vistas as we rarely travel in August.  We passed fields of swathed grain golden brown in colour and at the rest areas grass turned brown with summer heat.  Only tended flower beds and weeds remained green and colourful. 

All day clouds gathered and we knew that at some point rain would challenge our journey. 

When the rain finally came it did so with wind and heavy downpours, so heavy that we had to pull over for about 5 minutes. 

We arrived at our campsite at 3:30 and had supper listening to a gentle rain on the roof and The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters on recorded books. 

The induction plate and instant pot made short work of supper without adding heat to the trailer.  

And Grandpa did dishes.  

Thank you for coming along today. 

Grandma Snyder 

©️2013-2019 twosnydergirls