April snowstorm

3:28 PM CDT Wednesday 01 April 2020
Snowfall warning in effect for:

• Mun. of Emerson-Franklin incl. Roseau River
• R.M. of De Salaberry incl. St-Pierre-Jolys and St. Malo
• R.M. of Hanover incl. Steinbach Niverville and Grunthal
• R.M. of La Broquerie incl. Marchand
• R.M. of Ritchot incl. St. Adolphe and Ste. Agathe
• R.M. of Ste. Anne incl. Richer
• R.M. of Stuartburn incl. Zhoda Vita and Sundown
• R.M. of Tache incl. Lorette Ste-Geneviève and Landmark

Snowfall with total amounts of 10 to 15 cm is expected.

A slow moving cold front tracking across southern Manitoba will spread snow across south central and eastern Manitoba Thursday into Friday. Precipitation will begin as rain this evening but gradually change over to snow across the Red River valley and Interlake tonight and eastern Manitoba on Thursday. At this time the heaviest snowfall amounts are expected east of Winnipeg where totals of 10 to 25 cm are possible. Over the western portions of the Red River Valley and Interlake, including the City of Winnipeg, lesser amounts are expected with totals in the 5 to 15 cm range.
Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop. Take frequent breaks and avoid strain when clearing snow.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to MBstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #MBStorm.

Possible storm next week

Possible system coming in next week

1.While there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the storm next week, of the many weather scenarios possible, the following three are worth noting:

a.*Most Likely Scenario:* Rain switching to snow Wednesday for southern MB, Slight threat of freezing rain over southern Manitoba late Tuesday into Wednesday. Accumulating snow over northern Manitoba Tuesday, *up to 30 cm*. Snow Wednesday into Thursday for western Manitoba (5-15 cm). Strong winds from the south beginning Wednesday, gusts up to 60 km/h over much of Manitoba.

b.*Most Impactful Scenario:* Ice accretion on below freezing surfaces due to steady freezing rain late Tuesday into Wednesday. Up to 40 cm of snow over central portions of the province (Including Norway house), rain switching to snow across southern Manitoba. strong winds from the northwest up to 70 km/h on Wednesday across much of Manitoba.

c.*Least Impactful Scenario:* The most impactful weather occurs in Saskatchewan, or south of the border. Rain or flurries for western portions of the province with low accumulations. Winds remain below 50 km/h.

2.Potential impacts:

a.Difficult winter travel conditions, especially over northern and central portions of the province due to reduced visibility in heavy falling and blowing snow.

   2. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways, and parking lots may
      become difficult to navigate due to rain or drizzle switching to
      snow
   3. Surfaces at temperatures below zero may develop a slight ice
      accretion due to slight threat of freezing rain

3. *An update will be sent Monday, March 30 with the latest available
  information. This update could be an email or WebEx meeting
  invitation, depending on how impactful the weather forecast is at
  that time. *

Book Review of There Was a Silence by T.E. Mark

This book is a collection of four short type stories. They are written to read like movie scripts, instead of a basic story format. I’m not fond of this, but it’s not going to affect my review and rating.

Story 1: The 3^rd Degree of Consciousness

This story was a bit confusing at times. It was fast paced. Characters were well constructed, as well as the world building. The ending was a bit of a surprise. It was an enjoyable story.

Story 2: There Was a Silence

I found this story to be a bit slow moving. It was good, just slow. It picked up about 2/3’s of the way completed. That’s when everything started to make sense. It was good.

Story 3: Plain and Simple

This story was totally different than the others. Not science fiction, but more of a paranormal story. The characters were likeable, some not. Good world building. The story itself wasn’t overly fast paced, but it had a good pace. It was different, but good.

Story 4: Borders

I think I enjoyed this one the most. It had likeable characters and great world building. The pace of the story was fast. The ending was perfect. It came full circle.

All in all, these were good stories. I’m still not a fan of this format, but it’s always good to read something different than one’s usual.

The Night Before Christmas

 The Night Before Christmas

It's time for the yearly post of The Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

And now, something a bit naughty

THE WITCHER | FINAL TRAILER | NETFLIX

Read the books too.

A Holiday Reunion – Xfinity 2019

This is really good

Two Remebrance Day Poems

Flander's Field

 For the Fallen

Remembrance Day Poem

Remembrance Day Poem:

Freedom’s Cost

What is the cost,
For all of our rights?
Schooling, working,
Calm and peaceful nights.
We need to remember
Those who died.
Who gave us freedom,
In exchange for their lives.
Not only these people,
But those who are fighting still.
Who all pray to come home
If it be God’s will.
Fighting for our country
In what can only be hell,
No matter what the outcome is,
Never again will they be well.
Minds and bodies battered,
For they are shown no mercy,
Nothing must sway them,
For their mission is victory.
So it is today that we thank them,
For sacrificing their lives,
And giving us freedom,
For us to survive.

Remembrance Day Poem

Why Wear a Poppy?

“Please wear a poppy,” the lady said

And held one forth, but I shook my head.

Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there.

And her face was old and lined with care;

But beneath the scars that years had made

There remained a smile that refused to fade.

A boy came whistling down the street,

Bouncing along on care-free feet.

His smile was full of Joy and Fun,

“LADY” said he, “MAY I HAVE ONE?”

When she’d pinned it on he turned to say,

“WHY DO WE WEAR A POPPY TODAY?”

The lady smiled in her wistful way

And answered “This is Remembrance Day”

And the poppy there is a symbol for,

The gallant men who died in war.

And because they did, you and I are free-

That’s why we wear a poppy you see.

I had a boy about your size

With golden hair and big blue eyes,

He loved to play and jump and shout,

Free as a bird he would race about.

As the years went by he learned and grew

And became a man - As you will too.

He was fine and strong with a boyish smile

But He’d seemed with us such a little while,

When war broke out and he went away,

I still remember his face that day

When he smiled at me and said “GOODBYE’

I’ll be back soon, Mum, so please don’t cry.

But the war went on and he had to stay,

And all I could do was wait and pray

His letters told of the awful fight (I can see it still in my dreams at night).

With the tanks and guns and the cruel barbed wire,

And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.

“Till at last at last, the war was won

And that’s why we wear a poppy son”.

The small boy turned as if to go,

Then said, “Thanks lady I’m glad to know.

That sure did sound like an awful fight,

But your son – did he come back alright?”

A tear rolled down her faded cheek;

She shook her head but didn’t speak

I slunk away in a sort of shame,

And if you were me you’d have done the same,

For our thanks, in giving, is oft delayed,

Through our freedom was bought – and thousands paid!

And so when we see a poppy worn,

Let us reflect out burden borne

By those who gave their very all

When asked to answer their country’s call

That we at home in peace might live,

THEN WEAR A POPPY! REMEMBER – AND GIVE!

Jelly Roll Cake

So, I decided to try something different today with baking and made a jelly roll cake. The recipe I used was found on the internet, so I wasn't too sure on how it would turn out. I ended up having to make some adjustments on it once I was finished. Here's how it went.

The ingredients

Next, I put parchment in the cookie sheet & sprayed it with PAM, so it wouldn't stick

Next, start beating the eggs

Hmmm...needs more beating. Not quite there yet.

That's better. Now gradually add in the sugar

Next, add in the vanilla & water

Mix that up. Then, gradually add the flour, baking powder, salt mixture

Great! Now it's ready to go into the pan and oven.

Baking time! Recipe says 10-15 minutes. I'll bake it for 10 minutes. While that's baking, time to prep the towel with icing sugar.

Out of the oven & onto the towel. Take off the parchment & roll it up. Let it cool for about 30 minutes.

Time to get the jam ready. Mix it up, so that it'll spread easier.

Oh crap! 10 minutes was too long. Looks like my cake burnt a bit. Oh well. Shit does happen.

Spread the jam over the cake anyways.

Roll it back up & add some more icing sugar on it. I just used what was left on the towel.

Doesn't that look good? It turned out pretty good.
After awhile, it's time to cut it up & give it a try. Mmmm....look at all that jam.

2 thumbs up! It still tastes good. With my jam being a bit tart, it's not overly sweet.

Here's the recipe that I used.

Jelly Roll Cake

Soft, sweet, and full of jam, this sponge cake is easy to roll and makes for a simple yet impressive dessert!

Ingredients

3 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Powdered sugar

About 2/3 cup jelly or jam

Steps

• Heat oven to 375°F. Line 15x10x1 -inch pan with waxed paper, foil or cooking parchment paper; generously grease waxed paper or foil with shortening.
• In medium bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer on high speed about 5 minutes or until very thick and lemon coloured. Gradually beat in granulated sugar. Beat in water and vanilla on low speed. Gradually add flour, baking powder and salt, beating just until batter is smooth. Pour into pan, spreading to corners.
• Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately loosen cake from sides of pan and turn upside down onto towel generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. Carefully remove paper. Trim off stiff edges of cake if necessary. While cake is hot, carefully roll cake and towel from narrow end. Cool on cooling rack at least 30 minutes. *This needs to only bake for about 7 minutes. At 10 minutes, it’s already starting to burn*
• Unroll cake and remove towel. Beat jelly slightly with fork to soften; spread over cake. Roll up cake. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Expert Tips

• Increase eggs to 4. Beat in 1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa with the flour. If desired, fill cake with ice cream instead of jelly or jam. Spread 1 to 1 1/2 pints (2 to 3 cups) slightly softened ice cream over cooled cake. Roll up cake; wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze about 4 hours or until firm.
• Make jelly roll cake as directed adding 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel to batter with flour. Omit jelly and spread cake with 2/3 cup purchased lemon curd or make Lemon Curd. Roll as directed. Store covered in refrigerator.
• Make jelly roll cake as directed substituting 1/2 teaspoon almond extract for the vanilla. In small bowl, whip 1/2 cup whipping cream, 2 teaspoons powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract to stiff peaks. Spread over cake and roll as directed. Store covered in refrigerator.

I hope you enjoyed reading this.