trying new glop

It is an absolutely glorious day! At -5C, it's the warmest it's been in ages plus there's barely the hint of a breeze. After doing my morning walk, then making hummus, roasted chickpeas, and a giant batch of glop, we dressed up Lupa and headed out on the snowshoes. None of us really wanted to come back into the house! When we did get inside, Lupa's legs were covered in snowballs - at least where her outfit didn't cover. Adia was fine without a coat, but she should have one by Wednesday anyway :-)

Chapter 13 Cato and Bailey Try New Glop

It was still morning time, but after 'third breakfast' when Laura told Cato and Bailey that she was going to make them a new batch of glop. They weren't too sure about this as they like the one that Ruth makes but thought they'd see. Laura told them that it would have butternut squash that she grew in her garden which they thought was pretty cool. Laura showed them out the window where the garden was but they could only see a white expanse. They didn't really believe her but then they knew that everything outside looked different when there was snow.

Laura also told them that it would have red pepper and red lentils. She said that she'd put paprika in it for flavour which they thought was a good idea. There would be lots of red and orange things. She told them that she didn't have all the ingredients to make it like Ruth so they'd just have to see if they liked it.

While it was cooking Laura played a song for them. It talked about today being a good day which they agreed with. There was sunshine and Laura told them that Ruth was starting to feel better. This made them feel very happy.

https://youtu.be/H_GeXvPtp4s?si=KVwVumq9Z1B-HFwT

Cato and Bailey could smell the glop cooking and were anxious to try it. Finally it was ready so Laura took some out and gave it to them on a spoon. Cato thought it was good but maybe a bit too thick. She liked to eat it off the spoon but wasn't sure about having it spooned into her beak. She ate lots though. Bailey loved it and gobbled down tons. Grace liked it too. They thought it was warm and filling and that maybe they could taste a bit of summer from the butternut squash.

Laura told them that she made lots and lots of little cubes of glop that she will put in the freezer for lunches. That made them happy so they had a nap.

Awesome!

"a gorgeous afternoon outside"

"birds liked the new glop"

"leftover carmalized onion lentils, butternut squash, broccoli, kimchi, and sardines for lunch"

"grated tofu airfried till crisp"

chapter 12 reminising

Sunny morning again. Quiet day. I did manage to walk for an hour which exceeded my expectations… should have gone outside for a snowshoe too but was too lazy! I did manage to hammer out a bit of story at least!

Chapter 12 Cato and Bailey Reminise with Grace

The house was quiet, except for the occasional howl from the dogs. Cato, Bailey, and Grace thought that they were ridiculous as they knew that Laura and Carm would come home in time for supper. At least they hoped so.

With the people gone from the house there was plenty of time for Grace, Cato and Bailey to remember the summer that Grace came to stay with them years and years ago, in fact it was so long ago that it almost seemed like a dream. Laura and Carm had gone on an adventure without Grace. She was sad that they didn't take her with them, but Laura had told her that they would be in the truck driving for days and days. She wasn't keen on the idea of being in her little travel cage for so long so was happy to be staying with Ruth and John.

Grace, Cato, and Bailey remembered how much fun they had being outside where they could see the lake. Sometimes there were birds swimming in the lake - they all thought it was weird for them to be wanting to be in the water for so long. They all liked to take a bath but only to splash around for a while. They didn't understand how those birds could float on the water and thought that maybe it was magic.

Grace remembered how much good food she had that summer. She thought that Ruth was a good cook. Cato and Bailey agreed with her. They also agreed that the food was good here too, except Bailey thought that he would like to have more snacks.

Grace told them that when she got home from her vacation with them at the cottage, Laura would play a song for the dogs which would make them all excited and happy. The dogs told Grace that Laura made them listen to that song on their adventure.

https://youtu.be/XWVVFetjz8w?si=r3OM-3kC_XQlk80X

They were all happy when the dogs started barking like crazy, shouting that Laura and Carm were home. The dogs were really excited, but Cato and Bailey knew they'd be back so didn't think it was quite the miracle that the dogs did. They asked Grace if we never came home and she told them that sometimes a nice lady named Pat came instead which was fine because she thought Pat was nice too. Cato and Bailey wondered when they would meet Pat. Grace thought it would be soon.

Awesome!

"another sunny morning"

"quiet day"

second christmas

Last day of January… I've done well with walking and haven't missed one day yet in 2026 although there were days of only 30 or 40 minute walks. It's all good though as I caught up on other days for a total of 194 kilometers! If we hadn't had plans for the afternoon I would have tried to make it an even 200. I have to watch myself a bit though… I can get too competitive with myself and love streaks!

Today's story is a stretch! John reads them to Ruth every day but says she doesn't remember from one day to the next… She's still hanging on by a thread but I hope these little stories about her beloved birds will keep her going.

Chapter 11 Cato and Bailey Wonder About Santa

Cato and Bailey had already gobbled down their toast, (Grace too), when Laura and Carm started rushing around piling things into a box. They wondered what was happening. Laura told them that they were going out to their Christmas celebration. There seemed like a lot of things in the box and some things seemed to be food. Bailey thought that the food should be for him and reminded Laura that he might be hungry and want supper, even though it was still early.

Laura told them that they were going to her family's house but that there would be too many people so they couldn't come. They thought that was unfair and wondered if Adia and Lupa would get to go. Then Laura put the dogs in a room down the hall so they knew that no one else but Laura and Carm would go.

Cato and Bailey remembered their dad Buzz telling them about how Santa Claus grabbed his legs one time so they decided that they were glad that they'd have to stay home, just in case he was there. Laura told them that he wouldn't be there, but they were happy just in case. Cato reminded Bailey that it was Christmas just a few weeks ago so this was like a second Christmas.

https://youtu.be/uXK4rD3Jg2U?si=UWBLaVyXBtyiKE-Y

It was a quiet afternoon at home except sometimes they could hear the dogs making a loud howling sound. Cato thought that they were being silly and that they should just play with their toys like she does. Bailey agreed. Grace told them that the dogs always did that when they were left home alone.

We celebrated Christmas with my family today - every year the party gets a bit bigger as the young kids (in their 20s!) start to settle down with long-term boyfriends and girlfriends. They are all lovely additions to our expanding family. It was our first gathering since Graham's funeral so there were moments of sadness and loss.

Adia and Lupa only partially trashed the bedroom - only half the covers were on the floor! I think our little trip out on the snowshoes this afternoon before we left may have worn them out a bit. I should have put the spy camera in the bedroom so I could see what they are really up to! 

Awesome!

"family together"

"laughter at gift exchange"

"home in the light (barely)"

"dry roads"