Microwave extraction

 

Actually it was like a tooth extraction but I didn't feel too much pain. Below I've found that there is a flush mounted board that is holding the busted micro in place and it must be removed before we can get the oven to the dealer for repair. The wood was so tight to the oven that I couldn't see how it was constructed so that we could get the thing out ... short of ripping off the whole front piece.

 

AHA! Above is the repairman/science buff with a new tiny video camera ... see the display on the laptop. I was able to see up into the unit and the small flush mounted screws that could only be reached with a flexible neck screwdriver .... jeez!

And voila, the board comes off and we were able to extract the 50 pound piece of junk from its old home and take it over to a dealer in Barrie.

Here's the resultant new microwave/convection oven below that we must use until the real thing is repaired ... we had really gotten used to the good one and the substitute, while popping the breakers, doesn't quite cut it ...

Now we have just found out that the old one is not fixable here in Barrie as it is an American model only ... so we are waiting for the insurance company to figure out the next step for us.

Happy Father's Day!

(AKA Moving Again)

 

The new wing at the Waterford Retirement Residence where Grandpa Martin lives was completed this spring and the new rooms were really well done. The elder Martin downsized a bit from his prior one bedroom unit in the old side to a studio in the new one, but with much improved amenities. Above is Rick helping with the cart as we old folks slowly slid all of the belongings about 6 doors down the hall on the same floor ... whew!

For Father's Day the local car club brought some really neat older machines over to the Waterford to display and talk about with us older dudes. The picture below is really for Karen Hammond as this one was pretty close to the cars both she and hubby Dave had after high school in Michigan ... a few years ago ... and I couldn't resist sitting in the front of that neat machine.

And some really neat father memorabilia we unearthed in the latest move. Below are a couple of detachable cuffs that fit into his dress uniform ... picture the formal British uniform of the day and the slightly protruding white cuffs that were detached for cleaning ... almost like the collars of some years before.

Finally we did have a nice leisurely luncheon in Dad Martin's new dining facility. Absolutely top notch place that reminded us a quiet meal in the officer's club or any private dining room.

It will take a bit for him to fully adjust to the new routine in the new wing but with the service and facilities he is already feeling very comfortable.

The Chipmunk Whisperer

 

Here's Jo-Anne talking sweetly and stroking our new porch inhabitant. Unfortunately for this female chipper, her name has become Scarbutt due to the large scars on her behind the result of her becoming the dominant girl on the block.

 

Jo can readily pet the little girl but I haven't gotten to that stage yet although the tiny animal easily eats out of my hand in our afternoon Happy Hour stint with the creatures. So far there are three of the guys and girls on the porch but this one is still the most familiar and dominant and will try to keep any competition at the limits of the porch edges.

OK .... sorry. Somehow having lived in the South long enough that seeing the Old El Paso package in French is just a little too far overboard ... don't get me wrong, I like everything about France and the language ... but ... tacos rigides ...

Goulash

 

While in Newmarket on Sunday, we decided to hit the Goulash House for a bite. It's right on Main Street in the old part of town. They have wide ranging menu from their famous goulash to schnitzel and sausage dishes.

 

While waiting for our lunch here is the wine toast of the day which was a nice glass of Bull's Blood Merlot from a local winery.

 

Jo-Anne had the mini-goulash bowl which was actually a pretty good sized dinner portion. Then there was the cup of really nice tomato veggie soup to my left. The combo "lunch" plate consisted of a huge plain pork schnitzel, sausage, cabbage roll, and wonderful sauerkraut. Lunch eh.

While lunching we sat at the "stammtisch" or front, always reserved table and were able to look down the main street of town ...

... and I couldn't resist this picture across the street. The sign was very appropriate as these two blackbirds worked at making more babies ... jeez, not much privacy any more!

Wine Time

 

On Sunday we decided it was time to search out a winery near Barrie if we could. The closest to us is called The Holland Marsh Wineries near the town of Newmarket. Newmarket is an old Dutch settlement and the marsh is a huge area of bottom land complete with canal perfect for veggies and flowers giving the Dutch a good reason to stop and prosper there.

 

This winery is about 3 years old and is into the first batches of excellent wine.

 

We were early for the morning tasting so the host told us to explore the grounds until 11. We did and with a beautiful day wandered about the property.

Below are a set of old doors framing their waterfall and pond ... really well done landscaping. Obviously this setting is used for wedding venues and one was scheduled for later that day.

Inside the decoration was first class. The lighted archways and barrel arrangement was very well done ... even the center barrel was a functional waterfall into the one below ... cool.

In spite of the antics of the pseudo-Thinker, the waterfall, the Amish carriage, and the vineyard stretching into the distance was a perfect setting on a pretty 70 degree day.

We did sample their wines and took home two bottles of excellent dry and semi-dry reds. Neat place and great to find out that it is only about 30 miles south of Barrie.

Lunch Break

 

Last Saturday while we were downtown Barrie doing some shopping we decided to stop for a bite to eat.

 

We were driving on the south side of the bay and had passed this old place many times before. The Farmhouse is just that, a beautiful century old farmhouse and barn now converted into a restaurant.

 

Inside you can see the foot square timbers holding the place up and the really neat sliding stall doors. This is a nice restoration and has a bunch of seating both in and on the two tiers of balconies.

It was brunch time so we decided upon something brunchy.  We got one order of their asparagus and tomato benny and one of a pulled chicken burrito and split the portions  as you see below. This was accompanied by a crisp apple salad and some great home fried spuds ... so good that Jo-Anne, who doesn't really eat a bunch of fries, totally ate hers. With a local malbec and a merlot this was a place worth doing again.

And as we pulled up to the RV site this mama Mallard and her brood walked across our lawn. Yep count em' there's an even dozen little guys ... I was wondering where the male duck was ... but with this bunch he's probably well on the way to Texas by now!