Markdale pics

PICT0820.jpgSo after a week we have heating, hrv system, hot water heater, big propane tank, electrical roughed in and barn ready for metal cladding. As all of us can concur, our weather sucks. A neat electrical device installed though… by sending its signal through the main panel wires through the switch box, there is a switch installed that will control four assigned circuits. It means I can look outside from the house and turn on or off the barn lights, tractor block heater etc. No separate wire/circuit required.
Take care and stay indoors.

Give Thanks

enlarge thanksgiving prime rib roastHappy Thanksgiving Day everyone. Today we celebrated by bbqing this honking big Prime rib roast. The weather was magnificent so we cooked and sat down to eat in the late afternoon. It was so nice out that we could have actually eaten outside but I chose to set up at the dining room table. We surrounded ourselves with harvest vegetables and enjoyed the picture perfect roast. The mandatory pumpkin pie followed and now it is off to hockey practise for the boys. Have a wonderful day tomorrow and best wishes from the Bako’s. Continue reading

That Colgate Smile

nicoleYou can’t miss that girl with the Colgate smile , wearing Maroon #3, playing D for the Colgate Raiders. She plays strong and powerful and looked great out there. We drove down to Niagara University this afternoon to watch Nicole play. We were so excited and were thrilled at the opportunity. We even got the chance to see her in the penalty box, twice. You go girl. The game ended up a tie (1-1) and we had a nice visit after the game. I slipped my niece some candy and chocolate for the bus ride home and got a GIANT hug that wouldn’t let go. Thankyou. Continue reading

NIFTY FIFTY

karen_hot-50.jpgHappy 50th Birthday Karen. You may have thought that you could hide from the famous Blog, but you can’t. We all wish you the very best and are thinking of you today. It was fun yesterday imagining that you were 49 and doing the count down to the Big One. I hope that you had a wonderful day today and that it is the prelude to the next half century.

Cottage Retreat

canninglakeNick and I were invited up to Canning Lake near Minden in the Haliburton Lake district. Our Friends Keith and Cathy have just completed the construction of a beautiful dream cottage. They tore down their old trappers styled cottage to build this modern two story, post and beam cottage on the same lot footprint plus some. The weather was typical for fall, the colours were magnificent and the food, wine and company grand. Nice getaway for us. [Weekend Pictures] Continue reading

“I Am 16 Going on 17”

hockey_cake.jpgWell what I meant to say was “WE”. Happy Birthday Peter and Brian. The weather in September is usually glorious with blue skies and warm sunshine. This must be the first rainy and cool birthday that you have had in 17 years. The boys are in an earlybird Hockey tournament and the first game is tonight. So that is how we are going to spend the evening. Typical eh!

Mickey Mantle World Series

MMWSlogo.gifPeter was in McKinney Texas over the past 7 days participating in the US National 16 and under Baseball World Series. His Ontario Blue Jay Team earned the coveted spot by winning the Long Island New York, Northeast Regional Qualifiers. Off to Texas they flew. A different species of Snow birds this time and all eyes were on the Canadians. They played in 110°F heat and competed with the best teams in the US. They beat out Florida and lost to Texas and California. A dream come true for any young baseball player. They were treated to a real Texan BBQ at the Craig Ranch and Peter stepped off the plane proudly wearing a Stetson. :cowboy: Continue reading

Beautiful Bowen Island

Martha, Laura, TeenyLaura and I were welcomed at the airport with royal waves and smiles by Mo and Jo. Our visit was short as we made the car exchange, then Laura and I were off to tackle traffic across the Burrard Street Bridge to Horseshoe Bay. David had given us great directions and we did a little sightseeing along the way. We caught the 3:30 ferry and found ourselves crossing the Salish Seas with blue skies and calm waters towards paradise! Continue reading