Freitag, 30. Dezember 2011
Snoopy undercover
Apparently it is too bright in the living room in the evenings for our ladyship..., so she goes "undercover" :-)
Mittwoch, 28. Dezember 2011
Rain at 9° Celsius
Well, after it started to melt yesterday... and rained all day today with strong winds, no snow is left anymore :-)
Somehow the weather is weird, one day we are running around with our special ski pants and thick jacket, and then yesterday evening I was outdoors late in the evening with just the pullover and my house shoes... warm... Forecast for the coming days: something like this, some snow followed by rain, dry and warmer temperatures... I have nothing against it, would prefer spring to come right now, as that means we can really get started! :-)
Unfortunately, I was a bit to late to document in pictures a really nice sunset, but here are some good shots:
Somehow the weather is weird, one day we are running around with our special ski pants and thick jacket, and then yesterday evening I was outdoors late in the evening with just the pullover and my house shoes... warm... Forecast for the coming days: something like this, some snow followed by rain, dry and warmer temperatures... I have nothing against it, would prefer spring to come right now, as that means we can really get started! :-)
Unfortunately, I was a bit to late to document in pictures a really nice sunset, but here are some good shots:
I am usually no friend of pigeons, but this poor thing was sitting in the tree, completely soaked and was trying to get dried by the last rays of sun... feeling sorry for it a bit...
Sonntag, 25. Dezember 2011
Merry Christmas Part II
Well, yesterday there was nothing with relaxed dinner at first... Mum cut herself in the finger during preparation and as I could not find the superglue, we had to go to hospital.
Waiting time approx. 1 hour. For some glue and plaster and then back home... But at least nothing much worse happened!
Dinner was then served with delay. Was still very delicious, also without the taste of blood :-)
In the evening we also unwrapped our gift from Germany. My colleagues of MedNet sent me a CD with pictures of the last exhibition and most of all - with pictures of our cocktail evening! Was just great to see everybody again!
And from Steffie I got a lovely tablecloth and this one here as a remembrance to Muenster and the christmas markets there:
What a lovely idea! The parcel arrived here about 2 days before christmas eve and I could hardly hold back not to open it right away. The smell of it was already like christmas! Thank you very, very much for all this! A warm hug to all of you!
This is the present we made ourselves for christmas this year:
Mum's school has sent us a lovely christmas card and by email a picture of the christmas party at school! How nice when all are thinking about us. A very warm thanks for it!
And - very proud of it - our home-made apricot mustard! Very spicy, but very very delicious!
Waiting time approx. 1 hour. For some glue and plaster and then back home... But at least nothing much worse happened!
Dinner was then served with delay. Was still very delicious, also without the taste of blood :-)
In the evening we also unwrapped our gift from Germany. My colleagues of MedNet sent me a CD with pictures of the last exhibition and most of all - with pictures of our cocktail evening! Was just great to see everybody again!
And from Steffie I got a lovely tablecloth and this one here as a remembrance to Muenster and the christmas markets there:
This is the present we made ourselves for christmas this year:
Mum's school has sent us a lovely christmas card and by email a picture of the christmas party at school! How nice when all are thinking about us. A very warm thanks for it!
And - very proud of it - our home-made apricot mustard! Very spicy, but very very delicious!
Samstag, 24. Dezember 2011
Merry Christmas!
Knecht Ruprecht
First published in Unter dem Tannenbaum in the (Leipziger) Illustrierte Zeitung 39. (1862). Since 1864 in Storm’s Gedichten.Saint Nikolaus’s best known companion is Knecht Ruprecht. ‘Knecht’ meaning ‘servant’. Historically Ruprecht was a dark sinister figure clad in a tattered robe with a big sack on his back in which, legend has it, he will place all naughty children. In Storm’s poem, Knecht Ruprecht is featured with a cane with which to chastise such children.
From out the forest I now appear,
To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
For at the top of every tree
are golden lights for all to see;
and there from Heaven’s gate on high
I saw our Christ-child in the sky.
And in among the darkened trees,
a loud voice it was that called to me:
‘Knecht Ruprecht, old fellow,’ it cried,
‘hurry now, make haste, don’t hide!
All the candles have now been lit --
Heaven’s gate has opened wide!
Both young and old should now have rest
away from cares and daily stress;
and when tomorrow to earth I fly
“it’s Christmas again!” will be the cry.’
And then I said: ‘O Lord so dear.
My journey’s end is now quite near;
but to this town I’ve still to go,
Where the children are good, I know.’
‘But have you then that great sack?’
‘I have,’ I said, ‘it’s on my back.
For apples, almonds, fruit and nuts
For God-fearing children are a must.’
‘And is that cane there by your side?’
‘The cane’s there too,’ I did reply;
but only for those, those naughty ones,
who have it applied to their backsides.’
The Christ-child spoke: ‘Then that’s all right!
My loyal servant, go with God this night!’
From out the forest I now appear;
To proclaim that Christmastide is here!
Now speak, what is there here to be had?
Are there good children, are there bad?
Source: http://www.theodorstorm.co.uk/Life/knechtRuprecht.htm
With this, we wish you all a Merry Christmas! We will have you in our thoughts and send you a big hug!
Freitag, 23. Dezember 2011
Snow Pictures
Sorry, I am running a little behind already... We were quite busy the last days, just getting ready to organize everything for a nice christmas dinner for the two of us and in parallel get a push to our business. There are a couple of doors opening up at present, I am happy to see what's all behind... :-)
In the meantime, we had a day of snow, followed by one day of rain with everything been gone and today, everything was white again.
Our driveway is pretty long, and we do not have a Snowblower yet. Our neighbour will take care for the snow plowing for us now, he is doing this for other neighbours already, and the fee for it is pretty alright. So he will clean our driveway now. Otherwise I would have to shovel it free (yes, I do have a shovel and a pusher :-)), but when I start with this in the morning, I may be ready by noon, except it starts to snow in the meantime again...
Our neighbour has one of these plowers that you connect to the front of your truck and move this part up and down. With this you can easily clean the ways. Three or four times back and forth and the way is clean... Our road will be cleaned regularly, as it is an official school bus route. The ways that are taken by the school bus will always be cleaned, so we are happy on this aspect :-) See the story with the snowplower.. :-)
And here a couple of pictures, but not of today, as we have been on the road again... :-)
In the meantime, we had a day of snow, followed by one day of rain with everything been gone and today, everything was white again.
Our driveway is pretty long, and we do not have a Snowblower yet. Our neighbour will take care for the snow plowing for us now, he is doing this for other neighbours already, and the fee for it is pretty alright. So he will clean our driveway now. Otherwise I would have to shovel it free (yes, I do have a shovel and a pusher :-)), but when I start with this in the morning, I may be ready by noon, except it starts to snow in the meantime again...
Our neighbour has one of these plowers that you connect to the front of your truck and move this part up and down. With this you can easily clean the ways. Three or four times back and forth and the way is clean... Our road will be cleaned regularly, as it is an official school bus route. The ways that are taken by the school bus will always be cleaned, so we are happy on this aspect :-) See the story with the snowplower.. :-)
And here a couple of pictures, but not of today, as we have been on the road again... :-)
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| Our entrance to the Irishtown National Park |
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| looks like covered with white icing sugar :-) |
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| Caledonia Road from the Park back home :-) |
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| They are just moving a house... Pic is not sharp, was shot from distance and I tried to zoom in... |
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| Who wants to have shoes with Rudolph? The nose do not light when walking :-) |
Montag, 19. Dezember 2011
Hot Chocolate with Mini-Marshmallows
I did not manage to get any more mini-marshmallows into my cup of hot chocolate! I like it!
Donnerstag, 15. Dezember 2011
Insulating Windows - Window Insulator Kit
As it is too late in the year already for changing the windows, as it simply gets too cold in the house when the windows are out, we decided to go for another alternative in the meantime. This one apparently is done here quite often and seems to really work!
You take a foil and just tighten it in front of the window. You can purchase it regularly in a DIY store and the glue comes with it as well. Just put the glue on the frame, foil on top and seal it by using a hairdryer. After the heating period you can easily remove it again.
Unbelievable, but it really works! Here a picture of the packaging in which you can buy it. If it helps to save heating costs... and there is no draft since then anymore!
Mittwoch, 14. Dezember 2011
Hmmm... Mandarines....
We have been shopping, one 5lb box mandarines for CAD 1.96, we took two of them right away. Snoopy loves them as well, although they are not really good for her...
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| first of all sticking the nose in the box.... |
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| .. and then the teeths, in seconds the box was open... and saved from her hungry mouth... :-) |
Montag, 12. Dezember 2011
A Siegfried wo isn't really one...
Well, Siegfried is actually a bread prepared with a fermented combination of sugar, flour and water and some yeast.
After a couple of days with stirring and feeding with more sugar, etc. you can use part of it to make a bread out of it.
Well, our Siegfried was supposed to become a rye bread today. A rye bread came out of it, but the Siegfried is still sitting in the fridge...
but our trial with the yeast worked out perfectly well, the bread came out really good, so no brick stone! :-D
Herewith the prooof:
And here is Siegfried, who actually should have been in the bread. Well, now we have to do another bread... :-)
So, as this is now no Siegfried, what other name shall it carry? I am open for suggestions!
After a couple of days with stirring and feeding with more sugar, etc. you can use part of it to make a bread out of it.
Well, our Siegfried was supposed to become a rye bread today. A rye bread came out of it, but the Siegfried is still sitting in the fridge...
but our trial with the yeast worked out perfectly well, the bread came out really good, so no brick stone! :-D
Herewith the prooof:
And here is Siegfried, who actually should have been in the bread. Well, now we have to do another bread... :-)
So, as this is now no Siegfried, what other name shall it carry? I am open for suggestions!
News from Snoopy - can I help?
With all our activities, we shall not forget Snoopy...
Here is a discussion between Snoopy and my mother, if Snoopy cannot give us a hand with something... :-)
No comment....
Here is a discussion between Snoopy and my mother, if Snoopy cannot give us a hand with something... :-)
Samstag, 10. Dezember 2011
2011 Moncton Christmas Parade
Sorry, we are a little behind with our updates, we promise to do better :-)
We previously mentioned the Moncton Christmas Parade... we have been there of course and here is the link to our pictures at Picasa:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112291944127677370579/MonctonChristmasParade2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Otherwise, please check the link box to the right :-)
The parade is something you should have seen. For us a little bit odd, I have never seen anything like this happening in Muenster during christmas... :-) That would be an idea maybe :-)
The complete main street downtown was blocked by police. The you could see the first two police motorcycles roll down the road with all lights and the alarm signal on, followed by a police car, also with the full lights on... Not to mention the one that came up the road when we drove to downtown.. But that was the wrong direction ;-)
Little advise: do not look into these lights, otherwise you are blind for a bit... and the alarm is something to get used to...
Then you could see all the various organizations, schools, associations and companies. All with their own cars. And the opening was done by Majesta. That is the leading brand for washroom paper and paper napkins. You can see it on the pictures.
The car of Home&Hardware was the best, you did not need any extra road lights, but very impressive ...
My favourites, however, were all the various mascots and figures joining the parade. For next year, I would love to participate for just being able to wear one of these costumes!
We previously mentioned the Moncton Christmas Parade... we have been there of course and here is the link to our pictures at Picasa:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112291944127677370579/MonctonChristmasParade2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Otherwise, please check the link box to the right :-)
The parade is something you should have seen. For us a little bit odd, I have never seen anything like this happening in Muenster during christmas... :-) That would be an idea maybe :-)
The complete main street downtown was blocked by police. The you could see the first two police motorcycles roll down the road with all lights and the alarm signal on, followed by a police car, also with the full lights on... Not to mention the one that came up the road when we drove to downtown.. But that was the wrong direction ;-)
Then you could see all the various organizations, schools, associations and companies. All with their own cars. And the opening was done by Majesta. That is the leading brand for washroom paper and paper napkins. You can see it on the pictures.
The car of Home&Hardware was the best, you did not need any extra road lights, but very impressive ...
My favourites, however, were all the various mascots and figures joining the parade. For next year, I would love to participate for just being able to wear one of these costumes!
And of course these two gentlemen had to be at the parade as well... :-)
To round this up, here a picture of the light decoration in front of the city hall:
Drip - Drip
In the middle of the night I was woken up by Bianca, who stood there and said: do you hear that as well? It is dripping!
The whole day it was raining without a stop and in addition it was windy. You could hear the rain on the metal hose that is connecting our gas insert at the fireplace with the exit on top. That was not really the problem, but on top of the chimney to the roof, there is a cover and from there you could see and hear rain coming through. It came from the outer right corner. So we were running around in our sleep dress to put bowls at the place it was dripping to. We had to get a roofing guy to fix it.
Most probably the wind was lifting up the cover from the chimney to the roof and the pushing the wind through from there.
Here a picture from the inside, our chimney going through the roof :-)
The whole day it was raining without a stop and in addition it was windy. You could hear the rain on the metal hose that is connecting our gas insert at the fireplace with the exit on top. That was not really the problem, but on top of the chimney to the roof, there is a cover and from there you could see and hear rain coming through. It came from the outer right corner. So we were running around in our sleep dress to put bowls at the place it was dripping to. We had to get a roofing guy to fix it.
Most probably the wind was lifting up the cover from the chimney to the roof and the pushing the wind through from there.
Here a picture from the inside, our chimney going through the roof :-)
After a pretty short night by this activity, today is a wonderful day. The sun is shining and if you are not standing in the wind, the sun is very warm. Unbelieveable that it is December already..
We called a roofing guy, who was here already before at the first inspection of the roof before purchasing. So he is gluing the cover to protect the corner chimney / roof by a silicone - tar mixture. I hope that it is done by this, otherwise we have to have the chimney painted with a special cover. Then it should survive the winter and we should think about taking the chimney down in summer. This should solve the problem.
We don't need it really anyway, as we do not have a wood heating. The hose for the oil heating is going through the chimney, so it would not be recommendable... :-)
And the Pellet Stove could also be used this way. That will be our wish when the propane tank is empty. It is nicer, has more feeling of a wood heating :-)
Furthermore, we got the good news that our clients of the garden portion of our property now got the notice to arrange payment. So, in the next week we shall hopefully receive first portion of our money. The house is still under discussion but it looks good that it ends well soon.
Freitag, 25. November 2011
My nose does fit...
"Ouch, my head... "
"No, your nose has to be higher..."
"am I in the hole?"
"I cannot find the hole..."
Whoever heared us today has to think something weird about is.. :-) We only tried to build up our Ikea Pax wardrobe... That can result in our communication sounding a bit strange.. :-D
My mothers comment while I was holding the cordless drill between my knees in the absence of a possibility to place it anywhere better: " you need a tradesman belt.." - my simple answer: "no, not a belt, more the tradesman.." :-)
However, at the Home & Hardware I have also found pink screwdrivers, maybe I can find something nice in pink there as well :-) The belt, not what you are thinking of right now...
Well, basically all is now where it should be, my bed and my wardrobe will still have to be moved a bit, you only find out after some time if things are at the right places or not. But this is the next step, then we can keep to get rid of our boxes :-) Not highly modern, but functioning.
In between I have to try and repair the computer, hopefully only a plug got loose during the transport. Otherwise I have bigger problems. It is - unfortunately - the computer of my mother with all the important data on it, so it has to work again..
The problem is if a technician over here has to look at it, all reports will come up in German :-)
So, now we keep going...
"No, your nose has to be higher..."
"am I in the hole?"
"I cannot find the hole..."
Whoever heared us today has to think something weird about is.. :-) We only tried to build up our Ikea Pax wardrobe... That can result in our communication sounding a bit strange.. :-D
My mothers comment while I was holding the cordless drill between my knees in the absence of a possibility to place it anywhere better: " you need a tradesman belt.." - my simple answer: "no, not a belt, more the tradesman.." :-)
However, at the Home & Hardware I have also found pink screwdrivers, maybe I can find something nice in pink there as well :-) The belt, not what you are thinking of right now...
Well, basically all is now where it should be, my bed and my wardrobe will still have to be moved a bit, you only find out after some time if things are at the right places or not. But this is the next step, then we can keep to get rid of our boxes :-) Not highly modern, but functioning.
In between I have to try and repair the computer, hopefully only a plug got loose during the transport. Otherwise I have bigger problems. It is - unfortunately - the computer of my mother with all the important data on it, so it has to work again..
The problem is if a technician over here has to look at it, all reports will come up in German :-)
So, now we keep going...
Donnerstag, 24. November 2011
Business Set-up
Today we had a meeting in Moncton with Business Enterprise Moncton, a non-profit organization, who helps business "greenhorns" to make the first steps. We met our contact, Denis, a couple of years ago already and he was guiding us to the right direction. Now we have been there to ask how to continue the best from here with the respective paperwork, as we are not able to build our Bistro at present - wintertime - and instead, want to start being known in the region for our catering.
He established a contact for us to a company, whom they helped as well a couple of years ago, and who can help with business set-up and all the paperwork as well as the book-keeping. Let's see how we can continue from there...
Then I have to contact the Ministry of Health, get a meeting and see which regulations I will all have to follow for catering from our home. For home-based business it should not be that difficult, let's hope for the best ... :-)
We made already a couple of people happy with our first baking trials, giving them away for free. Home & Hardware has offered to be our guinea pigs, and of course also Denis got some of them. Well, when we start from there with networking we shall better have him try them as well.. :-) He told me, as soon as we have a menue card ready, we shall hand this in as they have christmas parties coming up and further meetings for which they need some catering. Well, we better hurry up!
If only a small part of this all will become real business, then it should be a good start. The word-of-mouth advertising has started already, and we do our best to keep it going! When I was at Home & Hardware today to get the snow shovel and pusher :-) I met with Sophie - who is becoming my main contact there :-)
Nearly all her colleagues had tested the samples we left there before already and when she was cleaning the plastic box I left them with, I only heard from various of her colleagues seeing the box: "hmmm, that was sooo good, it did melt on the tongue" ... "whoever made these, they are great! I want more of it!" I could not get the smile out of my face :-)
Then I went to check for light bulbs, as one in the living room is gone and the front door light shall become an energy saving version... when one of the other colleagues there walked up to me saying "the lady with the black hat (I was wearing a black peaked cap... ) made these lovely cookies? I just have to tell you they were sooo good!" Hihihi... Now my phone number is known there, who knows when the first requests for orders will come :-)
For sure also my bank agent Adam has received a bag of cookies, I promised him some, as he has done a couple of things for me recently... :-) He went on asking what all we would to for warm food... I can hear the gras now... :-) And the Information about how the cookies tasted will probably come on Saturday. There is a Santa claus Parade in the city and the bank is handing out hot chocolate :-D
If I only had the license by now, I would see if there is no chance to hand out our cookies for the hot chocolate as well ... :-D
He established a contact for us to a company, whom they helped as well a couple of years ago, and who can help with business set-up and all the paperwork as well as the book-keeping. Let's see how we can continue from there...
Then I have to contact the Ministry of Health, get a meeting and see which regulations I will all have to follow for catering from our home. For home-based business it should not be that difficult, let's hope for the best ... :-)
We made already a couple of people happy with our first baking trials, giving them away for free. Home & Hardware has offered to be our guinea pigs, and of course also Denis got some of them. Well, when we start from there with networking we shall better have him try them as well.. :-) He told me, as soon as we have a menue card ready, we shall hand this in as they have christmas parties coming up and further meetings for which they need some catering. Well, we better hurry up!
If only a small part of this all will become real business, then it should be a good start. The word-of-mouth advertising has started already, and we do our best to keep it going! When I was at Home & Hardware today to get the snow shovel and pusher :-) I met with Sophie - who is becoming my main contact there :-)
Nearly all her colleagues had tested the samples we left there before already and when she was cleaning the plastic box I left them with, I only heard from various of her colleagues seeing the box: "hmmm, that was sooo good, it did melt on the tongue" ... "whoever made these, they are great! I want more of it!" I could not get the smile out of my face :-)
Then I went to check for light bulbs, as one in the living room is gone and the front door light shall become an energy saving version... when one of the other colleagues there walked up to me saying "the lady with the black hat (I was wearing a black peaked cap... ) made these lovely cookies? I just have to tell you they were sooo good!" Hihihi... Now my phone number is known there, who knows when the first requests for orders will come :-)
For sure also my bank agent Adam has received a bag of cookies, I promised him some, as he has done a couple of things for me recently... :-) He went on asking what all we would to for warm food... I can hear the gras now... :-) And the Information about how the cookies tasted will probably come on Saturday. There is a Santa claus Parade in the city and the bank is handing out hot chocolate :-D
If I only had the license by now, I would see if there is no chance to hand out our cookies for the hot chocolate as well ... :-D
Mittwoch, 23. November 2011
Snow...
We are again having a day of winter here... Came with the wind from the USA, but as of tomorrow it will become warmer again and the next days it is supposed to have 9 degrees Celsius and even 12 degrees.
This could become our christmas tree... just throwing a large chain of lights on it... :-) But not in blue, like our neighbours are using for decoration... :-(
Our little shed in white... when you pass it on the right side into the trees, you will enter directly the Irishtown National Park which is starting right behind it. We only have to cut a trail out there, so that we can get into the park directly from our property, without having to walk up the street for the official entrance. But this also means that we have deers in our backyard. Fresh first tracks could be found there already.
Our care, just shoveled out of the snow, but it keeps snowing... And we do not yet have a snow shovel :-)
I have heared the best would be to get a shovel and a "pusher", so we can move the snow to the side without having to shovel it ... :-)
I did not even have to walk the dog to get help with cleaning our driveway. Our neighbour was cleaning his driveway with such a pusher mounted on the front of his truck. I asked him for a shovel to clean our driveway, when he mentioned that he could do it this time for us and come by in the evening to clean the driveway off. This he did now, but since then it started piling up again... But now the snow is getting more wet, which means the temperatures are climbing up and they should be in the plus area as of tomorrow, same as the coming days, so the snow shay not stay for too long. As payment he got some Nussecken :-)
Now I also know which neighbours can do the cleaning officially, the neighbour on the left has a pusher, and an official license to push snow, while the other to the right has a blower, and the official license to .. blow the snow :-)
I have to look into who of them is so nice to take us on as new customers and pricewise interesting as well.
Well tomorrow will be Home & Hardware again, getting a shovel and pusher and also markers to identify where our driveway ends. This is needed to know where snow shall be pushed to...
This could become our christmas tree... just throwing a large chain of lights on it... :-) But not in blue, like our neighbours are using for decoration... :-(
I have heared the best would be to get a shovel and a "pusher", so we can move the snow to the side without having to shovel it ... :-)
I did not even have to walk the dog to get help with cleaning our driveway. Our neighbour was cleaning his driveway with such a pusher mounted on the front of his truck. I asked him for a shovel to clean our driveway, when he mentioned that he could do it this time for us and come by in the evening to clean the driveway off. This he did now, but since then it started piling up again... But now the snow is getting more wet, which means the temperatures are climbing up and they should be in the plus area as of tomorrow, same as the coming days, so the snow shay not stay for too long. As payment he got some Nussecken :-)
Now I also know which neighbours can do the cleaning officially, the neighbour on the left has a pusher, and an official license to push snow, while the other to the right has a blower, and the official license to .. blow the snow :-)
I have to look into who of them is so nice to take us on as new customers and pricewise interesting as well.
Well tomorrow will be Home & Hardware again, getting a shovel and pusher and also markers to identify where our driveway ends. This is needed to know where snow shall be pushed to...
Sonntag, 20. November 2011
First baking trials :-)
The first chocolate pudding and the first baking trials went well.
Sorry, the chocolate pudding did not last long enough to document respectively, but the Vanillekipferl I could put in the spotlight before they are gone :-)
This is the proof:
First tasting tests have shown: we need more vanilla and a couple more almonds. So, time to re-do it again :-)
Sorry, the chocolate pudding did not last long enough to document respectively, but the Vanillekipferl I could put in the spotlight before they are gone :-)
First tasting tests have shown: we need more vanilla and a couple more almonds. So, time to re-do it again :-)
Freitag, 18. November 2011
Snow!
Who wanted to know if we are having snow?
Yesterday it started with rain and rain and then ended with some light snow. These are some pictures from around the house.
But, the sun is out already and the snow is melting heavily. We will have a beautiful weekend here with about 9 degrees Celsius and sunshine, lovely for long walks.
So, no need for a shovel or salt at present :-)
Yesterday it started with rain and rain and then ended with some light snow. These are some pictures from around the house.
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| View from our porch to the backyard. |
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| And yes - we have neighbours :-) |
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| All these trees are still our property, behind is the National Park. |
So, no need for a shovel or salt at present :-)
Donnerstag, 17. November 2011
Garbage pick-up
Through the internet I found out that garbage is sorted here by "WET" - green bags - and "DRY" - blue bags. In very basic, similar to us, everything that is compost and wet goes into the green bags and everything else into the blue. Drink bottles and cans can be collected separately and brought to a bottle depot where you will get a few cents for them, as you also pay a deposit when purchasing them. Not as advanced as in Germany, but they are on the way :-)
So, we went to buy these two types of bags, Home & Hardware was the cheapest for the moment :-) I was wondering though, as on the website of the city of Moncton, at garbage disposal, you will find the note that the garbage has to be outdoors by Wednesday at midnight the latest. Strange, but must have a reason... Well, right. I woke up at 00:30 tonight and heard a truck outside, with flashing lights on top. Now guess what - right, the garbage pick-up! I could hardly resist to go and grab the camera to document this :-)
So, we went to buy these two types of bags, Home & Hardware was the cheapest for the moment :-) I was wondering though, as on the website of the city of Moncton, at garbage disposal, you will find the note that the garbage has to be outdoors by Wednesday at midnight the latest. Strange, but must have a reason... Well, right. I woke up at 00:30 tonight and heard a truck outside, with flashing lights on top. Now guess what - right, the garbage pick-up! I could hardly resist to go and grab the camera to document this :-)
Mittwoch, 16. November 2011
Montag, 14. November 2011
Saturday, November 12th - Flying postboxes
Now that we moved in here, we will need a postbox outside. As we are not living downtown, we cannot have our postbox at the door, but need to have it outside on the road. There are on the opposite side of the road these typical postboxes. Directly opposite of our house we could not find one with our number on it, so we thought, it would be time for us to get one and put it out there as well. Could have been that the former owners had a postbox with the post itself instead. So we went to the famous "Home & Hardware". You do not have a large variety of postboxes there, basically one style in silver, black and green... This metal box will be put on a 4" x 4" pole, with a base plate of wood to fixate it onto the pole. This pole then has to go into the ground.
Without a smile, the sales person said: be careful where to put the postbox out there on the road. Do not put it too far back on the property, as then the postman will not be able to reach it from the car. You should also not put it too close to the road, as when the snowblower comes in the winter, you may have to re-do it all in the spring...
When he said that, Bianca did not smile, but when she gave me the translation of it and I started to laugh like crazy, she had to laugh as well. I was crying tears for laughter on the way home. Thinking in pictures... :-)
To the car situation, we are trying to get an financing for this until our money finally arrives from Germany. So, after the postbox issue, we stopped there as well to find out where we stand with it. Waiting for the financing manager she chatted with the sales person - Matthew, son of our real estate agent. A friend of him must have had the problem with the postbox and the snowblower as well, it seems to happen here more often... So he has lost a postbox to the snowblower as well. In order to pay back, he apparently used a lot of concrete in a big hole in the ground, but unfortunately, again at the same location as the previous one.. Next winter, snowblower... the rest you can imagine ;-)
This time, the thing did not disappear together with the snow, he could get his mail a couple of meters away from the ditch on the other side of the road. Plus - a couple of days later he received an invoice from the city government... :-) I am still crying tears of laughter when thinking in pictures about this :-)
But this is canadian! The snowblower is loved here ;-) Airmail becomes a special meaning in this case.
In the meantime we found out that the postbox on the other side at the height of our neighbours and us (so not directly opposite), carrying only a 3 as address, must be ours. Pure guessing, 431 is further at the beginning of the road, followed by 408 and 428 and then the 3. We have to renew the 4 and 0. However, the 3 will not survive much longer.. Maybe waiting for the snowblower :-)
This postbox must have survived the last winter, but in case the snowblower will come too close to our postbox this winter, we will already have a replacement :-)
Without a smile, the sales person said: be careful where to put the postbox out there on the road. Do not put it too far back on the property, as then the postman will not be able to reach it from the car. You should also not put it too close to the road, as when the snowblower comes in the winter, you may have to re-do it all in the spring...
When he said that, Bianca did not smile, but when she gave me the translation of it and I started to laugh like crazy, she had to laugh as well. I was crying tears for laughter on the way home. Thinking in pictures... :-)
To the car situation, we are trying to get an financing for this until our money finally arrives from Germany. So, after the postbox issue, we stopped there as well to find out where we stand with it. Waiting for the financing manager she chatted with the sales person - Matthew, son of our real estate agent. A friend of him must have had the problem with the postbox and the snowblower as well, it seems to happen here more often... So he has lost a postbox to the snowblower as well. In order to pay back, he apparently used a lot of concrete in a big hole in the ground, but unfortunately, again at the same location as the previous one.. Next winter, snowblower... the rest you can imagine ;-)
This time, the thing did not disappear together with the snow, he could get his mail a couple of meters away from the ditch on the other side of the road. Plus - a couple of days later he received an invoice from the city government... :-) I am still crying tears of laughter when thinking in pictures about this :-)
But this is canadian! The snowblower is loved here ;-) Airmail becomes a special meaning in this case.
In the meantime we found out that the postbox on the other side at the height of our neighbours and us (so not directly opposite), carrying only a 3 as address, must be ours. Pure guessing, 431 is further at the beginning of the road, followed by 408 and 428 and then the 3. We have to renew the 4 and 0. However, the 3 will not survive much longer.. Maybe waiting for the snowblower :-)
This postbox must have survived the last winter, but in case the snowblower will come too close to our postbox this winter, we will already have a replacement :-)
Sonntag, 13. November 2011
Friday, November 11th - Internet yes - Telephone no :-)
So, today is the first day we have spent completely in our new home! With the chaos here yesterday, there was no thought about sleeping here, especially: in which box is the bedding?
We have found mine by pure coincidence, but not the bedding of my mother, which is most probably in one of the other 50 boxes remaining in the office... My mother is fighting her way through in the kitchen, while I am trying to solve the technical problems...
Internet is working, but unfortunately, not the phone. According to the technician yesterday it is apparently a problem at the side of Rogers, that affects all new set-ups, but that was supposed to be solved today. Not true, as at present it still does not work. Reset already tried.
It is fantastic, for nearly everything there is a technical hotline on the internet. But not for the phone... :-) They ask you very kindly to call the hotline! I hope I am not the only one laughing out loud right now! With internet problems, however, they would be very willing to help you out, no problem :D
I am trying to check at the neighbours where there would be the next public phone. Who knows, maybe I'll find something. The first neighbours I met yesterday already. I met him (he is running a car repair shop) outside while waiting for the container crew. In the evening, I went to the home and hardware store for new locks, and somebody was tapping on my arm - it was my neighbour with is wife, he just wanted to introduce us :-) How cute! If there is anything, I should let them know and they would be glad to help out! All neighbourhood should be very kind and friendly and everybody would watch out for the others and help when needed. Well, this would be great!
Locks: well, as I am not sure to have all keys for this house, I tried to get new keys. But this is not necessary! It is easier to get the locks new keyed, which means the lock stays the same, the fittings will only be adjusted to other keys. A new lock would be at least CAD 25,- for the simple model. By this method I now have two lock with keys, plus 4 keys for a total of CAD 9,-. Just had to take them out and bring them with.
But, there is something with me and keys over here :-) When we wanted to open our postbox, there were already problems as the keys just would not fit. That resulted in laughter without end. So I am known to this one employee who tried to open the postbox, as we had to do things all over about 3 - 4 times. We always have to smile when we see each other :-) And then, I had to go to the store again as the new locks were only possible to lock from the outside, but not from the inside :-) I would have had to lock them in the evening from the outside and then try to get back into the house through the window. This proposal got some laughters in the shop! So, she saw me again, took me in her arm and said: don't tell me you are having problems with the keys again!
This will soon be a running gag here :-)
But after I knew what the trick was behind all this, I could get them set-up correctly and - they work! So we can stay here the first night without having to worry that somebody will try to steal us, except through the windows :-)
So, now walking the dog now and then ask the neighbours. Nobody will be able to catch us by phone, but who wants to reach us knows also other ways, right?
We have found mine by pure coincidence, but not the bedding of my mother, which is most probably in one of the other 50 boxes remaining in the office... My mother is fighting her way through in the kitchen, while I am trying to solve the technical problems...
Internet is working, but unfortunately, not the phone. According to the technician yesterday it is apparently a problem at the side of Rogers, that affects all new set-ups, but that was supposed to be solved today. Not true, as at present it still does not work. Reset already tried.
It is fantastic, for nearly everything there is a technical hotline on the internet. But not for the phone... :-) They ask you very kindly to call the hotline! I hope I am not the only one laughing out loud right now! With internet problems, however, they would be very willing to help you out, no problem :D
I am trying to check at the neighbours where there would be the next public phone. Who knows, maybe I'll find something. The first neighbours I met yesterday already. I met him (he is running a car repair shop) outside while waiting for the container crew. In the evening, I went to the home and hardware store for new locks, and somebody was tapping on my arm - it was my neighbour with is wife, he just wanted to introduce us :-) How cute! If there is anything, I should let them know and they would be glad to help out! All neighbourhood should be very kind and friendly and everybody would watch out for the others and help when needed. Well, this would be great!
Locks: well, as I am not sure to have all keys for this house, I tried to get new keys. But this is not necessary! It is easier to get the locks new keyed, which means the lock stays the same, the fittings will only be adjusted to other keys. A new lock would be at least CAD 25,- for the simple model. By this method I now have two lock with keys, plus 4 keys for a total of CAD 9,-. Just had to take them out and bring them with.
But, there is something with me and keys over here :-) When we wanted to open our postbox, there were already problems as the keys just would not fit. That resulted in laughter without end. So I am known to this one employee who tried to open the postbox, as we had to do things all over about 3 - 4 times. We always have to smile when we see each other :-) And then, I had to go to the store again as the new locks were only possible to lock from the outside, but not from the inside :-) I would have had to lock them in the evening from the outside and then try to get back into the house through the window. This proposal got some laughters in the shop! So, she saw me again, took me in her arm and said: don't tell me you are having problems with the keys again!
This will soon be a running gag here :-)
But after I knew what the trick was behind all this, I could get them set-up correctly and - they work! So we can stay here the first night without having to worry that somebody will try to steal us, except through the windows :-)
So, now walking the dog now and then ask the neighbours. Nobody will be able to catch us by phone, but who wants to reach us knows also other ways, right?
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011 - We do have a house!
I know, I know, we did not post anything here for quite some time now, but the order of events was just so quick.... We will post something on the farewell party and all other events later. Oh by the way, who wants to see some pictures, we will post some here in the coming time, such as:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112291944127677370579/SackvilleWaterfowlPark?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeYtreQo97amgE, I hope the link will work... - > have changed something, should work now to see the other pictures as well...
Good news first: We do have a house! Today we have been at the house the first time by ourselves and Snoopy is absolutely happy, although the electricity is not yet working again and so the heating neither... Today it was nearly warmer outdoors than inside. But - our first belongings are in the house! In the basement you can now find the flight box of Snoopy.
Our new address now is Caledonia Road, no longer Langestrasse :-) Pictures of the house will follow later, promised!
Tomorrow our container will arrive. Actually, it is already in port in Halifax, Nova Scotia, since Saturday last week, but today, they picked the container up there and tomorrow I have to be at customs in Moncton at 10 am to release it. After that, the driver will follow me to our new address to meet with the crew for unloading. Jippieh! Keep your fingers crossed that everything will work out weel and our belongings did not get damaged.
Of course, we also have our difficulties and problems over here... Some of you might have heared about it already. We have not yet sold our house in Germany, but we are quite positive that we shall manage this until christmas. On the rest - we are working at present. This means, however, that we have to finance our house here we by means of a mortgage, which was not easy to obtain, as here you do not get any loan without a credit history, not even a credit card for an account that has money in... But without borrowing money and paying it back, you cannot obtain a credit history, so this is like the cat chasing her own tail! But who knows us will know - we do not give up that easily. And by now I have managed to break in nearly every door ... :-) Otherwise I have to open a fund :D "Save Doris and Bianca"
My mother is laughing, at the RBC Bank in Moncton I am known by various employees. When I got in there last time, it was calling from various offices "Hi Bianca, how are you?" Is not the worst thing that could happen, ey? ;-)
https://picasaweb.google.com/112291944127677370579/SackvilleWaterfowlPark?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeYtreQo97amgE, I hope the link will work... - > have changed something, should work now to see the other pictures as well...
Good news first: We do have a house! Today we have been at the house the first time by ourselves and Snoopy is absolutely happy, although the electricity is not yet working again and so the heating neither... Today it was nearly warmer outdoors than inside. But - our first belongings are in the house! In the basement you can now find the flight box of Snoopy.
Our new address now is Caledonia Road, no longer Langestrasse :-) Pictures of the house will follow later, promised!
Tomorrow our container will arrive. Actually, it is already in port in Halifax, Nova Scotia, since Saturday last week, but today, they picked the container up there and tomorrow I have to be at customs in Moncton at 10 am to release it. After that, the driver will follow me to our new address to meet with the crew for unloading. Jippieh! Keep your fingers crossed that everything will work out weel and our belongings did not get damaged.
Of course, we also have our difficulties and problems over here... Some of you might have heared about it already. We have not yet sold our house in Germany, but we are quite positive that we shall manage this until christmas. On the rest - we are working at present. This means, however, that we have to finance our house here we by means of a mortgage, which was not easy to obtain, as here you do not get any loan without a credit history, not even a credit card for an account that has money in... But without borrowing money and paying it back, you cannot obtain a credit history, so this is like the cat chasing her own tail! But who knows us will know - we do not give up that easily. And by now I have managed to break in nearly every door ... :-) Otherwise I have to open a fund :D "Save Doris and Bianca"
My mother is laughing, at the RBC Bank in Moncton I am known by various employees. When I got in there last time, it was calling from various offices "Hi Bianca, how are you?" Is not the worst thing that could happen, ey? ;-)
Monday,September 5th, 2011 - Farewell Party
Farewell Party
We are still here, and still the final departure date for us is not fixed, but we anyhow decided to have our farewell party soon.
Our real estate agent in Germany is pretty sure to have our house and property sold by the end of September, we still hope for the best :-)
On September 16th it will be time to party, bring enough paper towels :-)
Location: Albert-Schweitzer-Schule Muenster, Manfred-von-Richthofen-Str. 49, 48145 Muenster
Time: beginning at 7pm
We are still here, and still the final departure date for us is not fixed, but we anyhow decided to have our farewell party soon.
Our real estate agent in Germany is pretty sure to have our house and property sold by the end of September, we still hope for the best :-)
On September 16th it will be time to party, bring enough paper towels :-)
Location: Albert-Schweitzer-Schule Muenster, Manfred-von-Richthofen-Str. 49, 48145 Muenster
Time: beginning at 7pm
Friday, August 12th - applications after applications
Our real estate agent for the sale of our house in Germany is on holidays at present and his vacation replacement is not making us happy, but what is the common saying at present: Think Positive! Somehow everything will turn out well. We have already achieved quite a lot and completely without hurdles it would be boring, right?
To distract myself, I had a look into what all further applications I will have to fill in, in order to have our Bistro ready to go. Who has ever stated that only Germany is bureaucratic?
The construction of the business into a bistro alone means several applications, one for the construction, then for electricity and water, another one for sewege, and so on and so on. The same with the license for alcohol, one for the general allowance, another to use alcohol for cooking, another one if you also want to offer it in the bistro and another one if you only sell it to go... Oh my dear! I believe I need some help again from our contact at Enterprise Canada to clearly understand what I need to fill out.
Unfortunately, I cannot do all this from here in Germany at present, as for all this I need a tax number and this I will only receive when I have a firm address in Canada.... So this means, I have to be patient and wait at present, which is not one of my strengths :-)
Friday, August 5th - how everything began
How everything began...
We are having the wish to move to Canada already for a long time. Various members of our family have moved to Canada over the years. For several years our summer holidays brought us to the various provinces, we saw a lot. Provinces we covered in this time were Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI for the east, but also Alberta and British Columbia in the west. What we found out is that the more european influenced east part of Canada is what fits us best, specifically the Maritimes.
After various plans, which were later cancelled as not being practicable or worthwhile pursuing, we decided for the Provincial Nominee Program of New Brunswick, specifically in the category Entrepreneur. Should mean: we will be self-employed!
Our business will be a german Cafè & Bistro. By acquaintances we learned that german cakes and sweats are of interest in Canada. We ran some investigation on this and found out that this really seems to be an opportunity. Furthermore this is an opportunity how we both (mother and daughter) can immigrate. Now many of you will say: do you have experience with such a business? No! But in Canada you can have the courage to try something like this out. The only thing we know: everybody has been satisfied with the food and the sweat dishes we prepared. And that is encouraging. Of this we will need a lot in the coming future!
After a very short processing time, our immigration application was positive and we now do have the hoped for visa in our passports. Now we are selling our house. As soon as this is done, we will order the container and book the next possible flight. Our wish is to be in the plane end of September :-)
Quite optimistic, but our real estate agent is optimistic about this as well, so: everything will turn out well!
The name of this blog will also be the name of our business. Why "the-kiepenkerl"? Very simple, we are from Westphalia, so the name fits perfectly. And it should also be possible to pronounce by english speaking guests. It has a relation to us and our past, as although we immigrate to Canada, we will still stay what we are and what makes us what we are.
We are heading to the greater Moncton area, in the province New Brunswick. This city is very central, is a very active larger city here and still close to the water. From the landscape, it is a mixture of various regions, cultural mixture between former scotish settlers, acadians and different emigrants. This alone makes it very attractive.
By this blog, we will keep our family, friends and colleagues informed about the status of this project, in the coming weeks and months, so make sure to stop by here regularly!
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