“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Monday 24 December 2012

Life without energy....how it used to be back in the day!


I think I've got my wish for a white Christmas, but I didn't bank on a 36 hour power outage along with it! 
I mean 36 whole hours without electricity and because we have a well that pumps the water supply to the house, we lost fresh water too! Oh and there's no gas supply to the house either for an alternative option.
The reason for the outage was the sheer amount of snowfall plus trees falling over powerlines. If you'd like to see more about the snow storm then check out the news clips on this link  Power outages
To begin with it wasn't a problem in fact it was a challenge that we all took to, but as the hours began to add up the amusing side of things soon started to fade. Tempers, tantrums and tizzy fits at every turn!
I mean to start with NO CUPPA's!
Now for anyone that knows me they'll know that that is extremely serious. 
To try and alleviate my caffeine deficiency we had to think outside of the box. It seemed a good idea initially and I was really looking forward to trying this new method of boiling some water (that just happened to be left in the kettle) in a pan and placing on the open fire.
We even warmed the cups as any serious tea drinker will know is crucial.
But I can state here and now smokey bacon tea is foul, not a good taste. 
I only managed three desperate sips before I gave up! YUK!

So I had to revert to juice with a muzzy head from my enforced caffeine detox.
Hmm...then after a sandwich for lunch the problem as to what to do about dinner arose. 
Ahh ha....jacket potatoes with their skins washed in the snow (smug grin here) then wrapped in tin foil. 
Once again into the fire. 
This worked incredibly well although some unfortunatley had burnt bottoms but the insides were delicious especially sprinkled with cheese.

But what to accompany the jacket spuds? Why bangers of course (snags, sausages or whatever you call them in your part of the world) with a few rashes of bacon. A feast!
This meal unlike the cup of tea tasted fantastic but we were pretty hungry by this stage. 
Atmospheric candle light too...what more could you want?
Who would have thought we could manage to rustle up a hot meal? We certainly didn't. 
Thinking outside of the box!
 
Then as the hours ticked by and the thought of all the food in the fridge/freezer thawing out we proceeded to pack buckets with snow to keep the produce cold. There are numerous items hidden under the snow in this bucket for instance.
It worked perfectly and there certainly was an endless supply of snow outside....Sorted!

Even the turkey (which I'd bought earlier than I normally would ~ typical) had to take the plunge.
 'Turkey in a Snow Pot' could this perhaps be a new method in the festive preparations?

I wish I could say we bonded whilst playing board games and cards but unfortunately the only card game we could remember must have had some serious fundamental elements missing because it went on and on for hours. A dental appointment would have been more exciting and less painful I'm sure!
We nearly had to resort to the 2,000 piece jigsaw but survived the ordeal without having to succumb...but it was a near thing I have to say.
Reading by candlelight has also probably taken about 10 years off my eyesight. 
The fact that we couldn't flush the toilets became an issue and a whole new trauma which I'll skip over I think. It's not something that I feel I need to share. Nor the fact that my hubby's hair was beginning to frighten me. We hadn't showered in two days! I just didn't go near a mirror to check out my own appearance....ignorance is bliss they say! ;D
I don't think I've ever heard the name 'Bear Grylls' mentioned so much in all of my life. 

I thought that when the power finally came back on there might be a collective cry of 'Hooray' but then I realised it would probably be 'Chargers!'
The kindle, phones, laptops and torches were all near to extinction.


But in fact the power snook back into the house at 1.30am after 36 hours of going AWAL.
But it didn't go unnoticed...well not by me anyway. I dashed downstairs to put on the dishwasher. After all we had gone through every piece of cutlery and crockery in the house...even resorting to washing them in the snow.
And of course I made a cup of perfect tasting tea....ahh...it was so good even at 2am!
I think it made us all realise just how lucky we are that, we live in a time when at the touch of a button or the flick of a switch we have power to do everything we wish and that we at least had a fire and a roof over our heads when so many people are homeless. It was a very poignant lesson for this time of year and one I hope not to forget too quickly.
I can thankfully report that we are all charged and showered now and ready to carry on with the festivities.

 More Canadian capers to come....
Have a wonderful holiday everyone.
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22 comments:

  1. Hi Nessie, Sorry not been around much work is so busy... Just popped over to wish you & your lovely Family (including wee Muffin) A Wonderful peaceful Christmas & A Happy New Year... Lets home the power stays on for the rest of your fabulous trip... Hugs May x x x

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    1. Oh May I'm sorry I've taken so long in replying to your lovely Christmas comments.
      I did intend to get to everyone to wish you all a wonderful Christmas but Christmas Day just arrived!
      So I'll nip ahead of the game for New Year...let's hope that it is the best one yet with lots of productive creativity. :D

      There's a new snow storm heading this way for tonight and tomorrow, so we're all charged up and keeping our fingers crossed that the power stays with us.
      Take care and keep cosy. xoxo

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  2. Oh my dear, I had a suspicious feeling that you'd get to intimately know the ravages of a Canadian winter. It likes to play tricks on newbies.

    The first week we were in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, (I was 8) mom sent me out to a beautiful sunny winter day, gorgeous and bright, just a winter coat, no gloves or hat. She turned on the news 15 minutes later only to learn it was one of the coldest snaps that year, the temp had plummeted down to about -30 degrees!! All schools were closed and I had walked, my first day to get to a closed school. Mom frantically drove the streets trying to desperately find me, who was now lost, lol. I got to keep my fingers and ears thanks to mom and hot chocolate and a hot water bottle. Hehehe.
    Ahhh, Canadian winter, gotta love it. ;o)

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    1. Yep it got us good! ;D
      Bless your Mum coming to your rescue like that. I know she was one of the best!
      Hey...minus 30 is a little too much though surely. -18 is the coldest we've been in so far and that's enough I think.
      New snow storm on its way tonight so we'll be fully charged up, logs at the ready and lots of Christmas cheer on hand to keep us cosy.
      I hope you're all snuggled up over on your side :D
      Chat soon...I'm dashing about trying to get up to date. Hopefully I'll be able to nip to you soon.
      In the meantime have fun xoxo

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  3. What an ordeal! From the sound of it you survived pretty well, all things considered. In the days before electricity people were prepared for such things, whereas it came to you by surprise, without the opportunity to make your plans. I hope you don't get a repeat performance tomorrow! Best Wishes to all, from Mark.

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    1. Thanks to Bear Grylls and all the programmes that we've watched over the years we did okay really.
      It wasn't fun though especially without fresh water. I'm certainly not one for camping so this was really close to the edge and as near to it as I'd like...thank you very much!
      We are expecting another snow dump in the next 24 hours so lets hope the power stays on...but we're more prepared this time.

      If it all goes quiet then you'll know we lost it! LOL
      Happy Boxing Day to you and all of your family :D

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  4. A Christmas you will always talk about ;o) We experience power outages at our camp in the Adirondack Mountains, and it isn't too much fun. But it does test our survival skills ;o)

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    1. You're not kidding Debbie...it certainly does put you all to the test but we managed to survive it. It was touch and go at times though. I'm not one for camping so I feel I did really well. ;D

      My son was very twitchy at times too with having no access to the internet, phone or tv! It's a good lesson though and makes them realise just how lucky they are to have all of this at the touch of a button.

      I apologise for my late response...I hope you had a wonderful Christmas day and are having a fantastic holiday season.
      I'm trying to catch up and hope to nip over to you soon.
      In the meantime have lots of fun and laughter. :D

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  5. Sounds like a holiday you will never forget! Have a special time together now you are all charged up and ready. Enjoy your white Christmas.
    Margaret

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    1. Hi Margaret,
      It certainly has been a holiday of a lifetime so far. Just like a Christmas card...all very surreal considering just over a week ago we were in the middle of an Australian summer!

      I hope you had a lovely Christmas day and are now enjoying your Boxing Day. Sorry for my late reply...but I'm catching up...diddledeedee....diddledeedee :D

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  6. Oh my gosh - lawdy missy, what fun (not). But, I bet you'll look back and laugh in years to come. Merry Christmas dear Neesie and family - and a cuddle for Mufty (home alone eh?). If so, probably being totally spoiled. LOVE the squirrel!! Hugs, Di xx

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    1. Hello Di,
      I'm not so such we'll ever laugh about it and I'm a little nervous because there's another snow dump on it's way tonight!
      We're just hoping that we don't have to relive those 36 hours again. Please keep your fingers crossed for us. ;D

      As to Mufftypup...do you really think I'd forget her?
      She's having a fine time with Zac by all accounts. I've got a photo of the two of them which I may post because she wanted to send all her fans a Christmas greeting ^..^

      Enjoy your boxing day and I'll try and get to see what you've been up to soon. I'm scooting through all the comments that I never replied to first.
      Toodleloo for now xoxo

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  7. So glad you got your power back - it's interesting how dependent we all are on electricity. It affects everything we do. Sounds like you were pretty resourceful. Merry Christmas

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    1. Interesting...hmm...yes I suppose so Gina, but at the time I had a few other colourful words at the tip of my tongue. ;D
      I'm just hoping that tonight's new storm won't take the power again!
      If all goes quiet then you'll know that we lost the power.

      Have fun and enjoy the holidays :D

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  8. Replies
    1. Oops I missed sending you Happy Christmas wishes so I'd better send Good Luck and all the Best Wishes for the coming New Year!
      I hope 2013 is the best one yet!

      Enjoy Boxing Day and I'll try to visit you soon. :D

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  9. Hi Neesie
    brilliant post...very funny.. ok I know that it probably wasn't funny at the time. just shows what you can do when you have to. The bangers look delicious.
    you wont forget this Christmas will you
    janet ( from a very wet England!)

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    1. Hi Janet,
      I hope your Christmas festivities went well and to play although the wettness probably wasn't on the plan ;D
      We are having the time of our life here even with the most snow that Canada has had for 40 years!
      Typical eh? It waits for us to come but we've had no more drama's since the power cut so it's all been good.
      Been on the slopes today in -14 degrees which was rather chilly because the sun didn't come to play too.
      There's talk of -23 for next Friday but we'll think about that at a later stage!

      Have a wonderful New Year and I wish you all the best to you and yours. ENJOY!
      xoxo

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  10. With all that fresh snow and a fireplace you had an endless water supply, though, and didn't have to worry about food spoilage. There are some advantages to having snow to your knees--LOL! You have truly experienced a northern winter you'll never forget. What an adventure!! Merry, merry Christmas!! :)

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    1. An adventure indeed Rita but not one I'd like to repeat too often thank you very much ;D

      Happy New Year to you and Karma...I've missed Christmas before writing this so I'll just steam ahead to new year!
      Have a good one :D

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  11. Wow, inventive or what? Bet they tasted good (bangers and bacon) and who could resist potatoes baked that way.
    Thanks for these brilliant posts.
    Hugs, Neet xx

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    1. I know...we really had to think outside of the box.
      Other than a little burnt bottom (on the potatoes I hasten to add) everything tasted wonderful. We certainly didn't think we'd be having a hot meal but never say never eh?
      All those Ray Mears and Bear Grylls tv programmes paid off after all!
      Have a brilliant New Year celebration Neet. Whatever you have planned I hope it goes well. Best wishes :D
      xoxo

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