Summer has come and gone and I have not told you anything about my beloved truck, Dixie.  After the fuel line replacement, Hubby and I decided to tackle refinishing the boards in the wooden bed.  It took a bit of time to remove them and clean the metal strips that hold each board down.  Hubby sanded the boards, removing the old varnish, and stained them with a medium wood stain.  Signs of weather remained on the boards, which only added character. 

This summer, Mum had an issue with her mower.  A neighbor was using his big tractor to mow her yard, but circumstances prevented him from doing so later in the season.  She needed a mower.  I asked Hubby if we could give her our mower and search for another option for ourselves.  He knows my stubborn nature and quickly agreed to my plan and we delivered the mower to her.  Happy Mum!

Before I get back to sharing my last few days in British Columbia, I feel compelled to share the events of the last week.  Sometimes, adventure lies just around the bend without even looking for it.  Home ownership can be an adventure all on its own.  With the home, there is usually the “project list”.  Some planned, some not planned.

Despite the fact that there is a deep blanket of snow on the ground, the wind is howling, and the temperature is well below freezing, I am thinking of spring.  I am excited about the prospects of getting Dixie back out on the road.  True to form for an old truck, she needs some attention before the first voyage out.

I am in love with food.  That is, of course, the biggest reason I have had a difficult time with maintaining a healthy body.  I love food that is good for me, and unfortunately, food that is not.  Such is the way of a food lover!  I do work hard to do the best I can… hence my journey through the winter months.

When I wrote last week, I was working from my tablet, sitting in Virginia.  Despite the fact that I am writing from home today, I am again writing from my tablet despite the fact that I have a beautiful nearly new computer.

It was another busy chore weekend on the homestead.  While Hubby took on the final touches on Dixie, I took on the job of adding a new coat of weatherproofing on “the trout”.

A few years back, it was decided a large maple tree was growing too close to the front of the house.  I could stand on the front porch and literally reach out and touch it.  It stood well beyond the top of the house, and I could not wrap my arms around the trunk.  I did not want to lose the tree, but understand it could damage the house.

The last adventure for Dixie I reported was the tune up and our friend Young Steve helping us get her out on the road.  We decided to bite off a big chunk and replace all of the wiring.

Did I mention it was a big chunk?

I was not quite prepared for how big.

Last week while the Internet service was down, the rest of country living continued onward.  We have had enough rain to keep the grass growing which means mowing continues weekly. 

Mowing is a form of therapy for me.  It is a methodical routine.  When I listen to the mower, the rest of the world is blocked out.  I can think, or not think.  When I am done and look at the fresh-cut grass, I have a sense of pride of a job well done.  I feel good.

I love “Do It Yourself” (DIY) projects.

This past weekend, my oldest niece, Katie, came to stay overnight at the homestead.  She loves to stay here and we love to have her.  One of her favorite things to do is create via craft projects.  I watched her and remembered my own childhood.