Country Girl's Dorm Room

2011-04-09T00:33:00.000Z

Easter Gardens

This year, Mum and I volunteered to make craft kits for the Easter craft day at our church. I instantly thought of what we used to make at Easter in England. With the children's help we built an Easter Garden outside of Little Tew church, and Mum and I would build one inside Great Tew church. Using stones we'd find near-by, moss from the ground and flowers from the area we built "the way of the cross", and the hill of Calvary where Jesus died on the cross. The one obvious problem I could see with our little idea of making this craft with the kids here in Canada was the issue of snow. In England it's easy to build gardens outside in the month of April: no snow, flowers are out, and the ground isn't frozen and covered in salt. So we brought the outdoors indoors and put it into a shoe box! I assembled little kits including the ground, the hill, the crosses, the flowers, the stones and the shroud. On the day we brought along glue and green paint. The reaction from the kids was great! I loved seeing all the different variations the kids came up with. To how they laid their path, to where they put their hill and their flowers in the box. Every single one was unique, which made them all perfect!

All the kits on the dining room table... if only I'd become a teacher.

My sample that I brought along on the day to show the kids.

2011-03-19T14:07:00.000Z

And Finally, the Tree Moves...

This past Christmas, Mum had said she didn't want a real tree in the house. That when a good friend of our said "well, just put it out on the balcony". (Now why didn't I think of that)

So, half way through December Patrick and I headed out to the Arboretum, bought a tree, and schlepped it back to my house then up the outer stairs to leave it on the balcony. It took a while but I found and set up a stand, put up the tree, and strung the lights. Just having a real tree outside made all the difference I just wish I could have smelled it.

Christmas passed, and so did January and even February. Often during this passage of time Mum would look out at the tree and say "maybe we can start thinking about taking the tree down..." to which I would usually respond "maybe". I loved seeing the tree out there and watching the lights come on every night, I couldn't bear the thought of taking it down just yet. But alas, one fateful Saturday in March the time came. And as usual, it wasn't the only thing we had planned that day so our good friend Rhys got roped in to helping.

After launching the tree over the balcony, dragging it around to the front of the building, hooking it up to the car with bungee cords, I drove it out to a small wooded area and put it in its final home. And of course, Mum was there to document the whole thing!

2011-03-09T22:20:00.004Z

Alien Easter Pig-Bunnies

Mum bought me this really great book called Cake Pops by Bakerella. This woman has taken a fairly easy, pre-existing idea and turned it into something wonderfully playful and memorable. She's been blogging the whole process and has been sharing ideas and changes she makes to her recipes. I just love looking at all the little creations and imagining either when I could make these little colourful bite sized cake treats, as well as thinking of designs of my own. I figured, however before I start making up animals and figuring out ways to make life-like faces out of cake I would see if I could master the basic principles.

Lent starts today, and the Sunday school at my church is holding a bake sale mid lent as a fund-raiser. Mum and I will of course provide our usual army of hilariously decorated cupcakes, however we thought something new would be fun too. Mum and I looked through the Cake Pops book, specifically looking at Spring themed pops. There were options like Easter baskets, chicks (or "chick-on-a-stick", or "chickie-on-a-q-tip" depending on whether you ask me or Mum respectively), sheep, and of course bunnies. I felt the bunnies would be appropriate plus I had most of the materials required already. That being said, I had never done something quite like this before so I took my time, reading the instructions, checking her methods and being prepared to fail... I have baked a cake, yes; and I have dipped candies, yes; however I've never ventured into the unknown realm of combining the two worlds. Here goes nothing!

I spread the steps over four days as follows: bake the cake; crumble the cake and mold into shape; impale with the stick and sip into grotesque coloured dipping chocolate (pastels); "glue" on ears and face with chocolate and draw on face with edible ink. I took one look at them, and before showing them to Mum described them to her as an odd cross between a pig and an alien, if they dressed up to look like bunnies. She agreed, once she stopped giggling. There is much room for improvement, and I intend to try again... never fear!

Don't laugh... I dare you.

I tried to give them all different expressions.

They're even a little pinker in the real.

I felt the need to point out a couple details. First, the green circle shows how I made the little blemishes and bumps in the chocolate coating work for me. This bunny was a little shocked. And secondly, the orange circle is a little homage to their pig-like appearance.

The blue circle is pointing out the little critter that reminded me of The Brain, from Pinky and the Brain. He's a little disgruntled.

2011-01-25T18:07:00.004Z

Happy Robbie Burns' Day!!

Today, we celebrate the birthday of Scotland's most recognized poet, among many other titles. Born on January 25th 1759 his influence lives on, and we can still see his works alive in our modern lives. Did you know he wrote and composed the music to Auld Lang Syne? Give a thought to "Rabbie" next New Year's Eve.

A traditional celebratory ritual on this day is to enjoy a certain Scottish delicacy some have a little trouble with; haggis. I first tried haggis when my parents came back from visiting my Mother's home-land, on the Isle of Skye, about 6 years ago. They brought a few of these odd looking balls of meat home, and popped them in the freezer. My father took great delight in seeing the look on my face as he described what was in it: Traditionally, the contents of haggis are encased in a stomach of an animal. Fear not, nowadays they used casing. Mixed together is a combination of offal (not awful as one could easily assume) including sheep's heart liver and kidney, aka: 'pluck'. These are then mixed together with onion, suet, oatmeal, spices, and salt. Once the meat filling is wrapped up tightly in the casing it gets simmered for 3 hours. Raised in a house where you at least gave one good try to everything on your plate, I of course was obliged to try this strange new food. I am not a fan of offal. I don't like the texture, but when it is mixed with spices the result is a fabulous round sausage. A hearty meal that would satisfy anyone who had had a long day at work, or just needed something comforting. So if you've never tried it and get the opportunity, don't turn your nose up straight away; give it a shot!

There are hundreds of books in our house (we can thank my Dad for that one) and most are in boxes, in storage or just inaccessible. However, I know where there's a small book of poems written by the Scottish Bard himself. Perhaps, by the fire tonight with Mum I'll read a couple. I don't think I could ever do my Father justice, but I'll give it my best.

Happy Robbie Burns' Day, enjoy your haggis!!!!

2010-12-16T15:28:00.000Z

Happy "National Anything Chocolate-Covered" Day!!

I don't feel this day requires any descriptions, or anecdotes from my life. Chocolate is fabulous... things are wonderful, therefore things covered in chocolate: bliss. Enough said.

2010-12-16T00:08:00.002Z

Happy Cat Herders Day

I'm not a cat person. So long as they are not mine, I'll get along well enough with them but my friends have heard me say once or twice before "evil kitty". I prefer dogs; when you leave them they tell you in their special way that they love you, and when you get back their life is complete. Cat's on the other hand, not so much. I heard a comedienne on Just for Laughs describe cats and dogs beautifully. I am paraphrasing, however it went something like this:
"When you leave your house, you dog circles around you as if to say 'you're going to go to work, and I'm going to wait here and when you come back we'll play and I'll love you and you'll feed me, and it'll be great!!'. Cat's aren't like that. A cat looks down at you in the morning and says 'you better get your ass to work.... and don't forget to feed me.' "

Needless to say I have no faith that a cat will let you lead them around, unless they're in the back of the Porsche you're driving at the time. So when I learned that today was Cat Herder Day... I was skeptical. How on earth could this even happen? Have you ever tried to catch/discipline/move a cat in any direction they don't want to go in? It's quite impossible. So how do you herd them? That's exactly the point.

I looked into Cat Herding Day, and that was the main thread. This day sheds light on all those impossible tasks, and shakes the hands of all those who accomplish these impossible tasks on a daily basis. Sometimes it's our job, or our personal life, or perhaps the little things like performing to a crowd or being able to be in a dark room. What ever your breed of "cats", no matter what size they are if you've herded them even in the least, then you've done a good job. You have accomplished something and today is for you!

2010-12-12T03:03:00.000Z

Happy International Poinsettia Day & Worldwide Candle Lighting Day

I would not hesitate to hazard a guess that in any household celebrating Christmas this year they already have one of the following: a fully decorated Christmas tree, garland, lights, animated Christmas paraphernalia on their front lawn, Christmas applications on their phones, perpetual Christmas music playing, and probably many other ritual I haven't even heard of. (Note: I will never resort to having a Christmas themed, rug-hooked toilet seat cover... apologies if you own one, I'm sure it looks lovely.)

Every year right before Hallowe'en, the same complaints can be heard: "They were playing Christmas music in the store today!" or "the store had Christmas decorations right next to the Hallowe'en ones!" How early is too early? It's good to be prepared, but seriously? I adore Christmas and all that it entails as much as the next Hoo from Hooville but I am a stickler when it comes to putting the tree and decorations up... not before mid-December. After all it is the "12 Days of Christmas" and that encompasses the days leading up to January 6th (Epiphany, by the way... when the wise men made it to the manger) . It's for this reason I try to keep the hype down until mid-month, because technically I should only start "celebrating" on Christmas Eve!! However, all who know me, know I'm organised and an over-planner and must be thinking "but you wont get everything done in a day!" You're correct. And it's for this reason I like to have my cards done early December, and I have my baking and meals planned, plus any gifts I need to make or order are done by now... I am a realist, but that doesn't mean I have to acknowledge it's Christmas. That's my chosen coping mechanism.

As we approached the day I consider it OK to start decorating, I was in the car with Mum and we heard the announcer on the radio (on the 24 hr/day Christmas radio station) tell the listeners about a prize to help them "celebrate Christmas", right after they played "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause" sung for the billionth time by the Jackson 5. Mum then asked "what are people celebrating?" A good question, I thought.

I guess what went through my mind when I read what the observances were for today was linked with Mum's question. For some, Christmas is a dark time: no family, troubles with family, no money, no home, stress, or loneliness. The image of bringing the light of a candle into people's homes is a powerful one. Winter is a dark month, so any extra light: Christmas lights, candles, fireplaces, etc., all help us last through the long dark nights. The poinsettia also marries in well with the candle. Plants are new life that needs nurturing and care. I like to think of plants as an example of how little effort it takes to make a very large impact on the life of another living being. Wouldn't it be nice to take that example and use it in the big world? Make someone your poinsettia over the holidays. Bring them the proverbial light of a candle when you make them visit, or bring them some fruit cake. Christmas isn't all bells and treats for people, so if we are lucky enough to have more than two candles worth of light in your life there's enough to share!

2010-11-27T18:11:00.002Z

Happy International Aura Awareness Day!!

It's been a while since I've posted in celebration of a quirky holiday. Today, I felt inspired and after looking up what day we were celebrating today, was glad to see it was International Aura Awareness Day. Whether you believe in auras, orbs, and spirits or not, everyone has an air about them or a presence in a room. So for the sake of argument, you could celebrate people's "presence".

I looked up "aura" on the internet and it talked about the aura being a person's personal glow, or power. And yes, it also mentioned seeing people's auras when you have a migraine but that's besides the point. I like to think someone's aura as that presence someone has in a group or conversation. For example, have you ever looked at someone and thought there was something about them that made them look especially good that day, or you drew you to them? Or have you looked at a stranger and thought they were very attractive and couldn't quite figure out why? Perhaps apart from their physique, you were seeing their aura, or presence and found it pleasing.

When I read that it was International Aura Awareness Day, the first thing that came to mind for me was looking for that glow in people, and seeing their good side. Appreciating them for the beautiful person they are even if you wouldn't necessarily think they were the most attractive physically; Seeing what makes them shine from the inside.

Take today to look extra hard for that glow in people, and enjoy it. Maybe it'll get passed on to you, you never know!

2010-11-27T16:34:00.005Z

Snow!!!!

Toady, I am a very happy girl! Though technically not the very first snow fall of the year, I was nonetheless delighted when upon opening my curtains this morning I was greeted with that familiar white glow that only snow can offer; Seeing the flurries whipping through the sky and then feeling the excitement grow when I saw how much had settled on the ground.

Yesterday was technically the first snow fall but there was no settle-age and and attempts to take a photo wouldn't have yielded a very nice image. Today however, the conditions are perfect.

Ever since I was a kid, snow has captivated me. My favourite colour is green, so one would think that having grass all around me would make me happier, but there was always something about snow that I adored. Snow is not just beautiful to look at, but has its uses aswell that you just don't get with grass. For example, have you ever tried building a fort out of grass, or had a grass-ball fight...? I think not. But best of all, snow (except for February in Quebec) looks clean. Not many things come close to the peaceful beauty of a Wintery scene with the roof tops, power lines, and trees covered in a fluffy white duvet. In England, this scene was always paired seamlessly with the smell of a coal fire wafting through the air.

Plus snow, in my mind, always signals the inevitability of Christmas: my favourite season!! Those who know me, know that my inner Martha Stewart and Nigella Lawson are very busy this time of year as I'm wrapping hand made presents and baking cookies as well as mixing my holiday cocktails and eggnog. Yes, I know it's still November and I promise I've only played my Christmas CDs twice so far, but it truely makes me happy... and who could deny me that?

These are a few of the shots I snapped early this morning. Hopefully the first of many!

Our outdoor parking space... now I know there was someone there!! :)

The snowy view of the Bridge

Further view of the Bridge and pedestrian walk way.

Our balcony and Ste. Anne's in the background.

Not quite ready to shovel yet.

Our usual view is somewhat hindered!

2010-11-09T01:27:00.002Z

Things my Mum Shares with Me...

Though my Mum is still working on how to check her e-mail every day, she has mastered the art of forwarding me funny emails she receives (mostly) from my Godmother, Dorothy. Mum has gotten a few good ones recently, so I feel I need to pass these on and hopefully brighten your day a little.

Email One:

Entitled "How to Start a Fight"

One year, I decided to buy my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift...

The next year, I didn't buy her a gift. When she asked me why, I replied,
"Well, you still haven't used the gift I bought you last year!"
And that's how the fight started.....
______________________________

My wife and I were watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire while we were in bed.
I turned to her and said, 'Do you want to have Sex?'
'No,' she answered. I then said,
'Is that your final answer?'
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying, 'Yes..'
So I said, "Then I'd like to phone a friend."
And that's when the fight started...
________________________________

I took my wife to a restaurant.
The waiter, for some reason, took my order first.
"I'll have the sirloin steak, rare, please."
He said, "Aren't you worried about the mad cow?"
"Nah, she can order for herself."
And that's when the fight started.....
________________________________

My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school reunion, and she
kept staring at a drunken man swigging his drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.
I asked her, "Do you know him?"
"Yes", she sighed,
"He's my old boyfriend.... I understand he took to drinking right after we
split up those many years ago, and I hear he hasn't been sober since."
"My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"
And then the fight started...
________________________________

When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first, the shed, the boat, making beer... Always something more important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point.
When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily
snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for
a short time and then went into the house... I was gone only a minute, and when I came out again I handed her a toothbrush. I said, "When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway."
The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.
________________________________

My wife sat down next to me as I was flipping channels.
She asked, "What's on TV?"
I said, "Dust."
And then the fight started...
________________________________

Saturday morning I got up early, quietly dressed, made my lunch, and
slipped quietly into the garage. I hooked up the boat up to the van, and
proceeded to back out into a torrential downpour. The wind was blowing 50 mph, so I pulled back into the garage, turned on the radio, and discovered that the weather would be bad all day. I went back into the house, quietly undressed, and slipped back into bed... I cuddled up to my wife's back, now with a different anticipation, and whispered, "The weather out there is terrible."
My loving wife of 5 years replied, "And, can you believe my stupid husband is out fishing in that?"
And that's how the fight started...
________________________________

My wife was hinting about what she wanted for our upcoming anniversary. She said, "I want something shiny that goes from 0 to 150 in about 3 seconds."
I bought her a bathroom scale.
And then the fight started......
________________________________

After retiring, I went to the Social Security office to apply for Social Security. The woman behind the counter asked me for my driver's License to verify my age. I looked in my pockets and realized I had left my wallet at home. I told the woman that I was very sorry, but I would have to go home and come back later. The woman said, 'Unbutton your shirt'. So I opened my shirt revealing my curly silver hair.
She said, 'That silver hair on your chest is proof enough for me' and she
processed my Social Security application...
When I got home, I excitedly told my wife about my experience at the Social Security office...
She said, 'You should have dropped your pants. You might have gotten disability, too.'
And then the fight started...
________________________________

My wife was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.
She was not happy with what she saw and said to me, "I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.'
I replied, "Your eyesight's damn near perfect."
And then the fight started........

Email Two:

Entitled: "The Nun"

A cabbie picks up a Nun.
She gets into the cab, and notices that the VERY handsome cab driver won't stop staring at her. She asks him why he is staring.
He replies, 'I have a question to ask but I don't want to offend you.'
She answers, 'My son, you cannot offend me.. When you're as old as I am and have been a nun as long as I have, you get to see and hear just about everything. I'm sure that there's nothing you could say or ask that I would find offensive.'
'Well, I've always had a fantasy to have a nun kiss me.'
She responds, 'Well, let's see what we can do about that: one, you have to be single and two, you must be Catholic.'
The cab driver is very excited and says, 'Yes, I'm single and Catholic!'
'OK' the nun says. 'Pull into the next alley.'
The nun fulfils his fantasy, with a kiss that would make a hooker blush.
But when they get back on the road, the cab driver starts crying.
'My dear child,' says the nun, 'why are you crying?'
'Forgive me but I've sinned. I lied and I must confess, I'm married and I'm Jewish.'
The nun says, 'That's OK. My name is Kevin and I'm going to a fancy dress party.’

Email Three:

Entitled: "THIS IS A BIT ADDICTIVE"

The driving manual says the average driver's reaction time is:

75 seconds................... or 1 car length for every 10 mph......

Test your average reaction time.

Be very careful this can be addictive.

Click on the blue link below and good luck.

CLICK HERE!

2010-10-18T19:23:00.002Z

Happy International Chocolate Cupcake Day!!!

Who wouldn't like the sounds of this day? Though not a recognised holiday where we can take a day off to celebrate, I feel this event should be given the spot light for the day regardless.

The origins of ICCD are a bit vague according to my research. I couldn't pin down a time when it started, but I did learn a little something about cupcakes in general. Silly me, I thought the name "cupcake" stemmed from the size of the container in which they're baked (wouldn't you naturally assume that?). No, but that's too far off. Apparently the "cup" in "cupcake" denotes the amount of ingredients going into the batter mixture. Ie: a cup of flour, etc.. This also explains why we call a pound cake "pound cake". Also according to my research, older recipes instructed the baker to bake the cakes in little cups, hence "cupcakes". So while my original assumptions weren't totally off I didn't know why it was. This only covers the history of the cupcake itself, which isn't long on its own having been "invented" around the mid 20th century. Alas the origins of the day set aside to pay homage to the chocolate cupcake remains a mystery to me. If you have heard/read anything shedding light on it, please do share!

Unlike a birthday, where we celebrate with a birthday cake, what can we celebrate with cupcakes? We could of course celebrate cupcakes with.... cupcakes, although this seems a little ouroboros with the snake getting all the cake! I feel I could branch out and put these little baked bite-sized chunks of happiness to better use. Coincidently, today also marks World Menopause Day! How perfect for women to celebrate something with a chocolate cupcake?

During my studies, we learned a lot about the human reproductive system. I learned that we are the only apes to enter the stage of menopause. Only gorillas in captivity get old enough to start the change. However in their natural habitat other ape's lifespans don't accommodate for menopause. Does this make we naked apes special, or mutants? A little of both actually. Now that we have worked out how best to stretch our lifespans into and beyond the realms of what our bodies can deal with we now have a whole new demographic: Age Dore. The non-reproductive, non-working section of society. In terms of evolution, not being able to reproduce puts you in a category where your role is altered. No longer are your genes being passed on to the future generation, so what contributions can you make to society now? Unlike some cultures in the world where if a woman cannot produce offspring, she is considered male (I wont get into the convoluted anthropological discussion of sex vs. gender), the majority of cultures embrace post-menopausal women as 'guardians' for the future generations, ie: the 'Grandmother Hypothesis'. So essentially, our culture has made being a grandparent extremely important. All the more reason to celebrate the awareness of menopause. I am well aware that World Menopause Day is not a day to rejoice if you are experiencing or are post-menopause(al), but more a day to shed light on the effects it has on the woman's life and body and different ways to make the transition easier. Like eating chocolate cupcakes!

So, today, neatly sort (don't dig) through your Mother's or Grandmother's old recipe books and find a good looking recipe for chocolate cupcakes. Make the cupcakes putting love in every one, and give them to someone whom you think needs their very own personal cake. Enjoy, repeat as necessary.

2010-10-16T21:40:00.000Z

Happy Sweetest Day

I blogged about this 5 years ago in my first year of University, and today I received a card from my best friend saying Happy Sweetest Day! Sadly, I couldn't remember what my first posting said, so I looked it up. This is what I wrote.
I now see it in a slightly different light. It makes me think of a quote on my sister's Facebook wall: "Be kinder than necessary - everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". In other words you never know what someone is feeling, or whether or not they're just having a bad day. That woman who pushes her way in front of you on the metro, or the car that cuts you off, or the woman with the screaming kids assaulting your ear drums in the grocery store; maybe they're just having off days. A day that started with one man giving gifts to those less fortunate than himself, in my mind, translates as that moment of patiences you wouldn't otherwise give to someone you don't know. Because no matter the situation, when you see someone for one short moment- give them the best impression of you, you can give. Show them kindness, and you never know, they may just feel better because of it. As my Mother is always saying to us: "be sweet, Sandra", a family members of hers', and we should be. Especially on a day like Sweetest Day, we should be sweet. En lieu of chocolate give the gift of kindness to someone. If anything, you may just feel better about yourself. I for one will always accept kindness in chocolate form... just so you know...

2010-10-13T02:46:00.002Z

National Moment of Frustration Scream Day (IMFSD)

Today's little celebration brings light to a problem 99% of the population has. That moment when your cool over heats, your calm vamooses and any ounce of civility left 5 minutes ago. That moment you snap, and say that bad word, or shout at your child when you didn't mean to, or turn the air blue as that thing you've been trying to do for hours fails.

Ironically IMFSD is paired with Free Thought Day and National Face Your Fears Day. Does that mean our choice to paint the air around us blue colours, is just part of the National Free Thought day, and our yelling at someone who is trying our patients part of the National Face your Fears Day? I personally would evoke my right on Free Thought Day to chose which suited me best.

If I were to try to amalgamate the three together, I would probably decide of my own free will to confront someone I was fearful of by throwing something at them in a fit of rage... or something like that. However failing that, we could use today to get a few things off our chest, and not bottle everything up. Have you got something that needs to come off your chest, or have you been shying away from something for a while and want to get up the courage to take it on? Today's that day!

2010-10-11T20:21:00.002Z

National Kick Butt Day

My latest little project I'm taking on is to look into little known holidays that pass us by everyday, and give them some of the recognition I think they should have. I am one of those people who sends cards to celebrate the banal along side the big events in life; I remember people's anniversaries and birthdays, which in an age when Facebook has to remind us when our best friend's birthdays are coming up, leads people to think my remembering these events is something special. But I like looking at all the cards in the shops that say "Happy Grandparent's Day", "Happy Hallowe'en" or "Congratulations!", and realize that there is so much more that can go on a card. And I'm not just thinking of grand events like weddings and baptisms, but even those other little events in life.

So why not explore a new avenue of banality to celebrate? When things get complicated, sometimes doing something simple restores faith in the big picture. I.e.: a bubble bath. How often after a busy, stressful, tear inducing day at work do people come home and say "I need a bath"? The act itself is simple but the benefits can be spectacular.

Today's celebration isn't focused on relaxing baths though, it looks at celebrating Kicking Butt. No, we're not looking to boost the self esteem of bullies, we're looking to celebrate when you give yourself a kick in the butt to do something you've been wanting to do for a long time but haven't bothered yourself to get on and do it. Imagine all those New Year's Resolutions you made 9 months ago to paint your whole house using the laws of feng-shui, re-landscape your garden, change your job, or take up yoga. Now imagine all those not-so-valid excuses that kept getting in the way. Today is the day to really "pull your finger out" and get on with it. What have you been saying to yourself "I really should do that"? Or what keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the every growing To-Do list? Or maybe it's that pile of papers that stairs at you menacingly from the floor when you sit in your favourite chair. What ever it is use the rest of today to put an honest effort into tackling it. I decided to take a walk today and finally photograph all the Fall foliage that's around. Because that I would keep sitting around saying "I really should get out and take photos of the leaves" until the day every last leave had been deciduously discarded and I still hadn't taken any photos.

Happy National Kick Butt Day!!

2010-10-10T01:48:00.003Z

Happy Thanksgiving!

As soon as the leaves turn their golden and bright colours and the air freshens up as the temperature drops, I can tell that Thanksgiving is getting closer. Memories instantly return of huge family gatherings with 15 or so people gathered around the table with all 4 of its leaves put in to fit us all round. Mum will have had laid the table, and prepared the veg while Dad was on wine duty and took care of the bird. His two tasks combined nicely as the bird was often fed the same alcoholic beverage that we were! His ritual of carefully basting the bird together with a combination of steaming and roasting always resulted in a succulent roast with crispy skin and killer gravy; writing down every step and time as he went along. After the veg and meat, we'd stuff any remaining space in our tummies with Mum's pumpkin and sugar pie with copious amounts of whipped cream.

Although the dynamics have changed around here a bit, I still carry on with roasting rituals but now I've taken on the veg as well. Good practice I call it. But it's the family getting together again, relaxing, and spending good quality time together that always matters the most. So Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and I hope you have a wonderful time no matter whether you're spending it with given or chosen family.

This was the best pictures I could find to represent our family gatherings. All you keen observers will notice that that is an Advent wreath, and you are quite right. It was taken at Christmas in 1985, but this is what it would have looked like.

2010-08-21T00:47:00.000Z

August Hamilton Visit

Time for another visit with my not-so-little nieces and my sister, Allie. This time the girls weren't in school so we could go see and do lots of things! The weather was perfect for the week, not too too hot but at the same time still feeling like Summer. When I got off the train, I was greeted by two running girls, racing towards me! Talk about a warm welcome. Allie had packed a lunch so we had a pick-nick in a lovely park in The Beach which also had an "awesome" park as the girls were describing it. This park was pretty awesome though- it had a wooden maze, a pirate ship, slides galore; everything to make a kid (or a big kid) feel like playing.

Our next outing was to Valens Beach with Allie's friend Laura who brought her two kids Lily and Peter. Heading out early was definitely a good thing. We arrived and there was barely anybody there! We got a great spot under a tree to hang out, keep on eye on the small humans and also have our lunch. The girls had a great time, swimming and running in the grass. The fresh air gave us all a calm buzz.

I also had the pleasure of seeing both Morgan and Ella at Karate class. Morgan had her first green belt class as well while I was there, she was so focused on her new techniques. Both she and Ella and made Allie and me so proud!

Paige also had another soccer game while I was there. This was her last, so it was extra special. Paige really showed off what she could do and proved that she is going to be awesome when she starts Winter soccer this year! I couldn't help cheering her on every time she came near the ball and showed the rest of the players that she was not backing down! After the game, Laura and her family came over to Allie's and we had a great night chatting away about randomness, and enjoying eachother's company into the wee hours of the morning.

Allie took advantage of the great weather and planned a few outdoor events. We went for a hike in Dundas Valley, taking along Paige's friend Lily. The girls were such troupers hiking the whole time even running up and down hills. Everyone took turns walking the dogs also. Another day we headed out to the woods of the RBC to hand feed chickadees. This was so awesome, because all you have to do is hold out your hand with some feed on it and they come to you. Ella found this a little hard because no matter how much she wanted them to land on her hand, when they did it was a bit of a shock. Still, all the girls get to feed the chipmunk!

But for sure the piece de resistance was our day outing to the CNE for the opening day of Toronto's Ex! The whole week I was there the girls were so looking forward to going on the GO train to get to the Ex, and all the things that they were going to see while there, and of course the cotton candy they were going to eat! I couldn't believe all the rides, games and exhibitors they had there. No matter what you thought was fun they catered to you. They had crafts, animals, clothes, cleaning products, and other events like watching teddy bears going down a zip-line and a dog show. All the girls had a great time and love their rice-in-a-bottle necklaces Allie bought for them, and Allie loves the map that Mum bought her...

Allie and I also found some time for ourselves and went to go see Eat Pray Love. Both of us have read the book so felt we should see the movie (naturally). I loved the book and I loved the movie, it spoke to me and Allie and I are ready to book our tickets to Bali any day now!

Such an awesome visit!! I left feeling big love for my family, and looking forward to the next visit!!

The whole group

Ella have fun in the water.

The girls running away in Dundas...

The whole gang.

An old ruin along the trail at Dundas.

Ella heading along the tracks to the train.

Ella with her new belt!

Morgan, showing off her green belt!

Focus...

Paige working on her paper dolls.

Paige at her soccer game.

Paige at the ready.

Everyone waiting for a Chickadee!

"feed me"

Allie got one!!

Not a chickadee, but really cute nonetheless.

Ella all tuckered out.

On the GO train!!

At the window seat.

Ready for the zip line

My 3 beautiful nieces :)

Dog show!!

So this is how a Great Dane dances!

Looking at the baby turkeys.

Sheep!

Adorable little piglets.

Mummy and Baby Llamas

Eying up the emus

Bye bye Ex!

Morgan

Paige

and Ella!

plus sugar....

2010-06-20T19:47:00.001Z

Happy Father's Day!

I still feel the importance of acknowledging this special day, because I still know lots of great Dads worth celebrating. In honour of my own wonderful, late Father Mum and I dined on a juicy T-bone steak with fried onions and red peppers. As Mum sat down to her portion the first thing the said was "he would approve". Esteemed praise considering his great love and appreciation for a well cooked steak (or any other form of meat).

It's still a bitter sweet day as I watched family taking out their Dads or showering them with lawnmowers and power tools, and feeling like I'm missing out on something wonderful. My best course of action to brighten the day is to make sure that every Dad I see gets a smile and a "Happy Father's Day!"... you'd be amused to see how surprised most of them are.

Daddy with his three girls c. 1989/90

2010-06-12T23:41:00.001Z

Canoe Restoration

The old family canoe is among the many things I have inherited from my dear old Dad. A piece of equipment that was enveloped in a certain amount of intrigue and respect on my part. We had two canoes growing up, the "ancestral" canoe (as I've come to call it), and the Sponson. The Sponson seemed a little more durable and was able to withstand the trials small humans learning how to paddle in it. Meanwhile, the elusive ancestral canoe remained at home. It was almost epic; hanging in the garage, never coming down from it's ropey hammock, gathering dust and staying just out of reach. I can remember when Dad said he was taking it down from its resting place on a Summer's afternoon when I was 14, as he and I were planning a trip to Algonquin Park and he wanted to take the ancestral canoe his feeling being that the Sponson was too heavy. He ran several tests, putting the canoe in water to test its sea-worthiness. First test revealed it needed a bit of patch work... and by "a bit" I mean almost re-canvasing. It must be said that the ancestral canoe deserved to need a bit of repair, after all it was rough 90 years old at the time.

As I can remember being told as a kid, the canoe was made around the same time my Grand Dad was born, 1914. I now know that it arrived in the Conway family when it was presented to Grand Dad as a thank you from the Montreal tanning company in the 1950's. After being carted up to Algonquin several times with the Conway boys, and eventually making its way back to Montreal to be with our family, it continued its journey heading over the Atlantic to live in the Vicarage's garage in another ropey hammock and again to Bloxham, and finally coming back home where it's being kindly looked after by my Uncle Paul.

After Dad made it adequately sea worthy when he and I took it up to Algonquin, we put it through its paces; tracking and chuting rapids, going on a 25km portage in Dad's old stomping ground, bringing the epoxy with us as needed. The evidence of this trip is still visible on the body where the grey epoxy scars rest on the scraped forest green paint. Seeing these scars, and watching the gunwale wood slowly rot made me sad knowing how much care Dad took to make it sea worthy 10 years ago. Now that it's safely ensconced on this side of the ocean, I've decided it's time to restore it to its original state. Therefore I have taken on the epic task of repairing the rotten wood, stripping the old canvas and replacing it with new and giving it a new coat of green paint. With the loving help of my Uncle I've set out on a symbolic journey; Every moment I'm spending with the ancestral canoe, is a wonderful reminder of the trip with my dear old Dad and
how much he loved Algonquin park and everything it stood for.

These are a few photos of how this journey started and I will post more as more progress is made.

Uncle Paul strapping down the canoe for its journey into Ontario.

All ready to go!

On the "operating table"

The Algonquin scars...

The rotting wood I'm facing.

Removal of the gunwales, thwarts and rusty screws...

...therefore exposing the rotting ribs.

Once the gunwales have been removed, the canoe want to become a "wooden door mat". So in order to prevent this, we keep it held together with webbed strapping.

Stripping back the canvas revealing the cedar planking underneath, which luckily is in pretty good shape!

Tools of the trade.

2010-06-10T15:40:00.002Z

June Hamilton Visit

As a little treat for me, and to give Allie some company on her drive back to Hamilton, I came back to visit for a few days. ("Wasn't Morgan in the car??" I hear all you observant readers ask. She was, indeed in the car but not in a keep-Mum-company type of mood. That's where I came in.) I helped pass the time by singing along to Destiny's Child, John Denver, and Hannah Montana (nothing random about that selection).
Throughout the week Allie kept apologizing that the schedule was so busy, but I enjoyed just following everyone around and fitting into the normal family schedule. Plus Allie and I had the change for some "Sistor" time, going to a movie, and also meeting up at Catherine and Mark's house for dinner. It's true, it was a busy week but Allie had everyone so organized that it all moved smoothly. And I loved seeing the girls at school, and doing all their normal activities. So often when there's a guest staying in the house the routine changes, but I was happy to just slot into the rhythm of the house and be a fly on the wall... or in the car.

Ella and Jack chilling out in the car. They were holding hands just before this, but they got shy!
Morgan, Paige, and Nolan playing hockey at Nolan & Dillon's house.
Ella and I sneak a quiet moment together.

Ella showing she's a big girl on the scooter.

Ella and Jack playing nicely in Nolan & Dillon's back garden.
Morgan practicing her violin.
"Honey"...
...and her best friend "Jaxie".
Jack, one of Allie's extra kids.
Paige taking a water break at her soccer practice.
Soccer star!Paige as a "Strawberry Shortcake" ballerina.
Paige is second from the left.
Again, Paige is second from the left.
Paige is the one almost in the center within the gap, with her arms out to the side.

2010-06-06T00:24:00.000Z

When Allie and Morgan Came for a Visit

As Mum and I are enjoying seeing Allie almost monthly, we're going to get to see the nieces also! This visit Allie brought Morgan with her so we had lots of fun things planned for her while she was here. We were hoping for better weather so Morgan and I could plant some seeds or go for walks around the island however due to foolish rain we had to go to plan B. On the Saturday, Morgan and I went to our friend's Church sale and picked up a few interesting items. On top of the muffins, cookies, and fractions game we got, we also bought "mall madness". For those who have never encountered this game and know someone who shops think seriously about getting it for them. For $2 we had a good few hours of fun as "the voice" told the people on the board where to shop and where all the sales and clearances were. Just as with Monopoly you have paper money, but to step it up a notch you also have an ATM card for making purchases and getting money out of the ATM. The only thing we had trouble with was getting started. Upon opening the box we learned that the $2 purchase price didn't include instructions. Not deterred, I headed to the internet to search for and print off a copy of the rules, despite Morgan insisting she knew the rules though never having played it (the confidence of a 9 year old!!). Now with rules in hand we laid out the game and played at least 2 rounds!
The original plan had been for Morgan and me to go swimming, but alas I learned that in the Summer timetable the pool is closed during the weekends. Nana came up with a great solution: "go for a swim in the bath!" That's exactly what Morgan did. She donned her bathing suit, my cap and goggles and proceeded to "swim" in the bath. Again, to be 9!! Morgan and I also stretched our artistic wings and painted miniature bird houses for her sisters.
The next niece to accompany Allie will probably be Paige, and I hope Paige enjoys herself here as much as Morgan did... I know we'll love having her here.

Nana playing the fractions game.
Morgan building her pizza also.
The "pool" is filling up.
The "Olympic swimmer".

2010-06-03T16:13:00.001Z

Mummy's "Garden"

Coming from England where the whole country is a garden, we had to have something of our old life here on Ile Bellevue. But when Mum bought the condo one of the appealing aspects of it was the fact that there was no garden to maintain; no grass, no weeds, no over grown trees, etc. But something was missing. Our white wicker chairs seemed lonely. But instead of going over the top, Mum kept it contained and only filled her blue pots and a few hanging baskets. Something new she added to her garden was a hanging basket of cascading strawberries that have found a home in our bird bath. So Mum got her bright, happy flowers, but no weeds, or grass to cut!
We love looking out onto the once plain balcony and admiring Mum's hard work. The morning sun shine warms the plants but they aren't scorched as the sun moves around and out of the direct line by the time it heats up. We especially love watching the grass and begonias resting on the air conditioning unit, dancing when ever the unit turns on.

This is Mum's side of the balcony, she sits in the left hand chair with her feet up on the foot stool (the orange and yellow things).

This is my side.
One of the hanging baskets with geraniums, and lobelia, and ageratum.
Another hanging basket.
The Hanging basket, that's not hanging...
The strawberries! You can see a nice fat, juicy one growing just above the right hand rim of the bowl.

The dancing grass and begonias on the A/C unit!

2010-05-09T23:27:00.000Z

Happy Mother's Day!

We woke up this morning, and after I put on my glasses I realized that it was snowing and not just foggy. Imagine, the 9th of May and there are fat flakes falling from the sky when all winter we had about three snow falls and none of those large... go figure. What better way to celebrate the unpredictability of Motherhood than with an unexpected snow fall?

2010-05-08T17:08:00.002Z

When Rhys Came to Visit

I have been busily blogging posts about when Rhys spent the weekend here...way back in March. For quick access, here is a list of links to all of the posts in descending chronological order. (Obviously As they run in the blog, they seem backwards).

I love reading your comments, and knowing you're reading, so feel free to leave some!

Rhys Goes to the Biosphere
Rhys Visits the Redpath Museum
Rhys Likes Poutine!
Rhys Visits Montreal's Olympic Stadium
Rhys Eats a Beavertail!
And then Rhys Climbed the Mountain
Rhys Learns to Skate
Rhys Eats a REAL Bagel
Rhys Visits the Sugar Shack

2010-04-09T20:17:00.000Z

MAC Fashion Show

You know you're old, and "the next generation" when you go back to your old high school and nothing looks the same, you don't know any of the kids and you get little too excited when there is still a teacher you recognize. However change is good, and the addition of this Fashion Show into the school Leadership program is a good thing. They started the idea when I was still there *mumble*years ago, but it never took off for what ever reason. There wasn't the Leadership program then that they have now, so it may have been too much of an extra activity. Nonetheless, the organizing committee did a great job putting it all together, and I was thoroughly impressed by it! If I were part of this event, I would have been very proud with myself, and so should these girls. It takes talent, and patients to pull an event off and I can just imagine all the prep work, design, planning, coordination, and choreographing the whole production involved, not to mention organizing the clothes. However, it came together wonderfully, everyone looked great, and they all walked confidently down the catwalk. Best of all, I am good friends with one of the organizers, Alycia, so I had great seats!

The girls lined up for the "Pragai" line. Alycia's the the one in the middle standing on the box.

Alycia strutting her "Pragai" outfit.

Alycia showing off her "Tiger Distribution" outfit.

...and walking away.

And finally, some of the grad couples wore formal wear from "Christina" and "Moores", only a couple more months and they'll be wearing them for real!

2010-04-07T01:48:00.004Z

Chapter 13: Next Time, Lie!

Note to all: I am not promoting lying, in any circumstance. This was just the exhausted conclusion we came to at the end of our day...

Some of you may have heard that Mum and I have been going through the exciting process of trying (emphasis on trying) to exchange her UK license for a Quebec one. For myself this was easy: I phoned, made an appointment, brought all the necessary documents they wanted and voila! I had a Quebec license. My Mother on the other hand had a slightly more convoluted route to take. Mum started this whole process which took me a day to complete, way back in November. And it still isn't over.

To give you a rough idea of the "flow chart-esque" direction all this has followed, this is what we've done so far:

Brought papers to SAAQ; ticked "MS" box on declaration form, got sent away to see the Dr. ---> Made appointment with Dr. for letter saying "OK to drive" ---> found out the wrong appointment was made, we made another one ---> came back weeks later, then had to wait a week for the Dr. to fill out the form ---> brought it back to the SAAQ, where the form was sent to Quebec for approval ---> they say they'll mail Mum the result ---> Quebec says on of the parts wasn't filled out, which means another appointment downtown ---> which leads us to today.

So far, Mum and I have been to the SAAQ 4 times between the two of us, just once for me. That's 2 times too many, but we know the way really well now! Today's task was to get a Dr. to say Mum's brace was OK for her drive with. This sounds easy enough, if you can find the place the first time round. After arriving at the right building, we proceeded to turn up a one-way street...oops, then decided to go around the block and come down the road the right way, finding a space. After a nice lady came out and warned us about the traffic cops, I moved the car...twice. Second time into a space we had been told was for blue-badge holders. More of that later.

Once, parked and inside we were told the Dr. was in the adjacent building. Now that we were in the right building Mum finally got to see the Dr. All was well...no oops. He gave Mum a prescription for a brand new brace, and we set out to make that next door (first building we had gone to). They said they could take us today which was good because it would save us another trip out that way. So about 2 hours later, we left...to find a ticket on the windshield. Poop!

Moving on, we decided to go on a merry drive up to the SAAQ to finally get this done! So, confidently with the form in hand we went in and waited to be seen. A nice lady helped us - she faxed the form to Quebec, and again an hour later, we hear back from them...they need more time; Mum will receive word through the mail. Darn. Guess this means another trip to the SAAQ!

Success list so far: letter from Dr, check. New brace, check. QC license....no. Feeling deflated and hungry (remember it's 3:30pm at this point, and we'd left the house at 9am) we headed to Tim's for soup and a coffee. This was much needed, except for the blue-badge door button that wouldn't work going in (I wont take that as an omen).

Now we are home, and calm, and not hungry. After a day like today, and knowing there's still more to do until Mum does actually have her real license in her hot little hands, you can see why sitting in the Tim's laughing from fatigue, eating "cream of noodle soup", you can understand why both Mum and I came to the conclusion that all this could have been avoided if only she'd just lied in the beginning!!

http://www.saao.ac.za/~wpk/gallery/signs/nowarning.jpg

2010-04-04T02:22:00.003Z

Happy Easter

Tis the season yet again to O.D. on chocolate, wear your Easter bonnet, and decorate numerous locations in various egg-bunny-spring theme. On top of the sweet treats associated with the Easter season I enjoy the religious traditions as well. Being a Vicar's daughter, Easter was spent in a church. Shrove Tuesday kicked things off for Lent which followed, and it all escalated from there: Lenten discussion groups, increased church services, Easter gardens, etc. Until finally we reached Holy Week, the week before Easter. The bells were silent for the whole week, and in England we had a service every day of the week taking us closer to the event of the crucifiction. And finally my favourite service, the First Light which takes place in darkness and light is slowly re-introduced by candle light. Many of us get wrapped up in the bunnies, and eggs and chocolate and often loose sight of why we're marking this day in our calendar. For me, it's new beginnings...that new light. Admitting that you've gone off course and that you're not perfect, but that you want to do better and be better. How many times do we make resolutions at Christmas, and half way through the year realize we kept them for about a week or that you only went to the gym once in the past four months, or you couldn't really stop eating ice cream as you thought. What if you had a second chance? A chance to say "I admit it, I failed" and someone said "no problem, just try again." Easter is our second chance; A time to reassess, and see if you maybe with a second go you can get where you want. Or just choose another goal. Whichever, every time you're unwrapping the pastel-coloured foil on those little milk chocolate eggs think of it as your second chance being hatched, and that you're celebrating your decision with chocolate!

As part of our Easter celebrating, our family makes Easter eggs of our own. Mum taught us to make them our of home made fondant, and Dad taught us how to dip them. These are definitely worth a post of their own.

Happy Easter!

This year's crop of eggs: this year, I made chocolate, vanilla, and butterscotch. I would have made pistachio but they didn't have any :(

Clearly, when Dad was teaching us the delicate process of dipping eggs he needed a beer for support!

2010-03-21T15:44:00.000Z

Rhys Visits the Sugar Shack

To round off Rhys' Canadian visit and introduction to Montreal we took a little trip to the Sugar Shack. This time, my best friend Cheryl joined us for the outing. I've known Cheryl since I was 8 so if anyone does, Cheryl represents my life before England so I'm glad Rhys got to meet her.

We all piled in the car and drove out to Morgan Arboretum where I can remember going to visit the sugar shack on school field trips in Kindergarten. It was so nice to be back there, with Rhys on his maiden visit. We arrived and decided to wait for a trailer to take us out to the sugar shack as the first one was over flowing with small humans. While waiting for the second trailer, we headed over to the pic-nick tables, and I got a sausage in a bun, while Cheryl and Rhys waited for our trays of taffy on the snow. At first, Rhys looked at this with a furrowed brow as he tried to work out the mechanics of actually consuming this strip of amber deliciousness. After a brief tutelage from Cheryl and from me: take popsickle stick in hand, place flat over the taffy strip, and begin to roll, he got the hang of it and was right in there digging in. In fact, he loved it so much, we got a second tray.... oh boy, the sugar pulsing through our veins. In an attempt to let some of the sugar settle, we hopped (precariously) onto the next available trailer and went out to see where the magic happens. Though they weren't boiling while we were there, there was the Sugar Master to tell us how it's done. We then stopped off at a small cabin for some hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows to warm our chilly hands before heading back to the car.
Rhys definitely came away with a new love for maple syrup and taffy...signs that he will be back!!!

Oh good....more sugar :)

2010-03-21T14:46:00.000Z

Rhys Easts a REAL Bagel

While staying in Montreal, how could Rhys not eat a fresh Montreal bagel?? There is a huge debate: Montreal, or New York bagel? Not because I'm biased, but I believe Montreal wins that one hands down! They're doughy not cakey, they taste fresh, and their outer edges crisp up perfectly in a toaster. Luckily, these such bagels are made locally in Montreal in an area called St. Viateur so I just had to take Rhys out to the bagel bakery on his penultimate day.

I can remember driving out to St. Viateur with my family, late at night on hot Summer nights when it's 9:30pm and is still 25 degrees and humid. We'd always buy 2 dozen bagels; one dozen for home, and one dozen for the car. We never actually made it through the whole dozen in the car but because the bagels are made right there in front of you in the wood burning bread oven. You see the whole process right from mixing the dough, forming the bagels, dipping them in sesame (most popular flavour), baking, and finally removing with a long wooden paddle. When you buy the bagels, they're still hot and soft on the inside, and crisp a lovely on the outside. We would sit in the car and eat our delicious bagels, I would slowly work my way through eating the inside first, then working on the outside after.

This heavenly delight has to be enjoyed for the first time fresh! So, Rhys and I headed out early and hit the metro system for the last time in Rhys' visit. (Consequently this meant he had now traveled on all the lines of the metro!) I hadn't been to the bakery in a good decade so when I walked in and smiled, and Rhys walked in and said "wow" I knew it was worth shlepping all the way out here just for bagels.

2010-03-20T16:05:00.001Z

Rhys Learns to Skate

When Rhys originally said he wanted to come up to Montreal for a visit I started thinking about what we could do. Keep it local, and very Montreal/Canadian, and try to do things I've done all my life just to give Rhys a taste of who I was before he met me in England a couple years ago. One of the things that sprung to mind was naturally going skating (subtitle: ice skating) at our local rink. As many other kids growing up in Canada did, I learned to skate mostly on a frozen patch of water in our town. I've gone through minuscule pairs of skates eventually graduating to the current pair I have now that I was given for Christmas when I was 15. Rhys on the other hand did not have a pair handy to pop in his hand luggage....more on that later. Rhys didn't exactly turn me down flat when I suggested we go skating, more there was a pause then an "ummm". Rhys delicately explained to me that the last time he had taken to the ice was on a not-so-successful date about two years after the time I got my skates. I reassured Rhys he didn't have to worry about me abandoning him in a far off corner of the rink, and that if he wanted to cling to the wall the whole time that was fine too. He made a pledge to not take hold of the wall once, all I had to do was find him a pair of skates. Right...as my friend pointed out rinks don't often rent out skates because every Canadian owns their own pair. So, after considering a few options I happened to come across my Dad's skates in our storage room. Skates: check!
Rhys lived up to his promise and did not cling to the wall, and though he didn't clock many miles on his speedometer going around the rink, he certainly clocked quite a few for confidence! I was worried that the little kids whizzing around him might actually run him over, but telling him "just stay put, they'll go around you" was the safest option. The smile on his face when we got home as he asked if we could go back again tomorrow was really great. Not only does he love poutine, now he wants to skate more! I'll make a Canadian out of him, yet :)

2010-03-20T16:00:00.000Z

And Then Rhys Climbed the Mountain

Because traveling to the top of the Olympic Stadium wasn't enough in the day, Rhys and I decided to take advantage of the break in the weather to head up the mountain to see what the city looked like from the other side (practically) of the island of Montreal. About 3/4 of the way up the mountain on the South-East side there's a lookout. This was our goal to get there. Neither of us like stairs...less so now. I should have counted, really, because when we got to the top it felt like we had scaled the side of the mountain without the stairs... What's crazier is there were runners running up stairs next to us as we wheezed our way up. It was worth it, though!! Getting to the top just as the sun was coming out and seeing all the landmarks, and where we had just come from, was magic! So Montreal.

That's the Art's Building, right next to where the Redpath Museum

2010-03-20T15:24:00.001Z

Rhys Eats a Beavertail!

One of the other (many) things I figured that Rhys needed to do while he was here was having a beavertail. Now, for everyone pulling out their "poutine face" I assure you they are scrumptious, and not made of meat. Beavertails or "queues de castor" are very Canadian, and particularly Quebecoise. Therefore, Rhys had to try some while staying here...naturally. Luckily enough, there is an establishment that sells them right here in Old Montreal's Old Port, so to kill two birds with one metro ride we went to The BeaverTails Co. for a bite to eat after leaving the Olympic stadium on our way to climb the mountain.
Old Montreal's Old Port is as the name implies; old, and is the one of the oldest parts of Montreal. Very reminiscent of England with its Ye Olde Streetes and cobble stones. This is where we chose to enjoy our queues de castor, people watching...

2010-03-20T00:34:00.004Z

Rhys Visits Montreal's Olympic Stadium

Our next excursion brought us way out towards Montreal's East end to the Olympic Stadium. Affectionately known as "The Big O" because of its shape, it was built for the Summer Olympics help here in Montreal in 1976. Unlike many Olympic stadiums built for past games, our stadium is still used daily. I, even in my day swam here at competitive swim meets, so this visit was a real treat for me as it's been a decade since I last competed. We had two parts to our visit. After spending what seemed like an extremely long time on the metro we made our way to get our tickets for the guided tour and a trip up the funicular to the top of the tower. The tours stop over the Winter, but lickily this was the first day they were back, so our tour guide confessed she was a little rusty but was grateful for a small tour group (made up of Rhys and me). After learning about the history of the stadium, we were brought into pool where there was a meet taking place, then we saw the main stadium, and then out to see the tower. There's something very eerie about an empty stadium, so echo-y. The tower was really interesting not only because it's very unique in a stadium, and not just because it wasn't finished in time for the Olympics, but also because of the roof's structure. The roof of the main stadium is made up of a weather proof fabric that is retracted by cables into the tower to make the stadium open-roof. This design has not been without its problems...like snow (which we get a bit of) making the roof cave in. As a result there have been several revamps upping the price of the roof. So in 1976, the QC government imposed a tobacco tax to help pay off the roof, which was happily fully payed off in 2006 (no that's not a typo).
After our tour we went up to the top of the tower to get a better view of the structure which gives the The Big O the 'O'. Though it was a rainy day, the views towards downtown and back towards Ile Ste. Helen were amazing, and I never tire of seeing places from high up! I think it gave Rhys a good perspective of the city, and the mountain. Plus I'd never been up the tower and considering I was born here, it was about time!

2010-03-19T23:50:00.001Z

Rhys Likes Poutine!

How could Rhys come to Montreal and not enjoy one of our very own delicacies? However, this combination of deliciousness is a better experience knowing the provenance: Although there is no one written record stating that poutine was born "here" in the year "xxxx" there are several claims to its origins within Quebec. One such claim is that a man named Ferdinand Lachance from Warwick, QC said in 1957 "ça va faire une maudite poutine" ("it will make a damn mess"), and thus giving birth to the blessed poutine. Though some try to adulterate this sacred dish with meat, herbs, or different types of cheese/sauce, the classic remains the (and my) personal favourite. Poutine is made up three simple ingredients: fries (neither too thick nor thin), curd cheese (or "squeaky cheese"), and finally (usually) chicken gravy although pure "poutine sauce" can also be bought. Any variation on these three components and even though you will feel the spirit of the poutine, its true value cannot be appreciated. To give Rhys a full-on poutine experience was very important because (much like Richard Gere's explanation to Julia Roberts about a person's appreciation of opera in Pretty Woman) the first experience is crucial; a bad serving and you will never really enjoy poutine, however given a first rate serving and your love will be eternal. This was my aim with Rhys. A non-Montrealer's usual reaction to seeing this plated loveliness is 'disgust' displayed by a frightened, wrinkled up face, but I encouraged Rhys to have an open mind. The result couldn't have been better...Rhys is a convert and now makes poutine at home in Florida, as long as his packets of sauce don't run out.

...and there it is (on the right)

2010-03-19T22:00:00.000Z

Rhys Visits the Redpath Museum

How could Rhys visit my home of Montreal and not see one of the places I have such fond memories of and now work at? The Redpath Museum is the oldest building in Canada built specifically as a museum. I used to have birthday parties there because I loved the dinosaur bones, and all the displays. Though not as large as London's Natural History Museum, the Redpath reflects Montreal's essence; culture in a compact space. I never tire of walking around the museum and looking at the exhibits, and I often do to rest my eyes and take breaks. While we were there I showed Rhys behind the scenes in the lab where I work, and also one of the rooms we keep the majority of the bones I'm working with. It's a bit different than when we worked together at Serco...

The Redpath in the somewhat-sunshine, with students warming themselves.

Me with some turtle and some hippo bones behind the scenes.

The view of the main entrance hall from the first set of stairs.

The main bone room with the Albertasaurus in pride of place.

Me taking a picture of a polar bear skull....

...and the skull!

This is the "physical anthropology" section of the museum...I see development potential here.

The bone room from the top floor.

2010-03-19T21:28:00.001Z

Rhys Goes to the Biosphere

It's been years since I've been to the Biosphere so naturally I was very much looking forward to going with Rhys. It's located on Montreal's Ile Ste. Helene a man-made island that was created using the leftover rubble when the metro system was built starting in 1962. The island served to house several of the pavilions from the Man and his World Expo '67. These pavilions weren't build to be permanent so only a few remain. For example, Montreal's Casino was the French pavilion, and Habitat 67 still remains which was an example of modular housing. One of the more well known and popular pavilions that is still standing is the American Pavilion that is now used as the Biosphere, Montreal's Ecomuseum. I thought it would be good to bring Rhys here for him to see the pavilion but also stand on the man-made island and of course to see the museum.

Upon arrival, our luck started when they announced that entrance was free due to a computer malfunction. So we were able to enjoy the pleasures of learning about conservation and wildlife free of charge!

The Biodphere from the outside. Originally, the metal structure had glass in all the "windows".

Rhys filling up the "tea cups" learning about water pumps.

The man who designed the Biosphere, Richard Buckminster Fuller, had several other futuristic designs including this "Urban Utopia".

The inner structure of the Museum within the sphere, and though you are within the sphere it's all in the open air. It gives you a sense of being safe but free...

A view of the casino (the French pavilion) in the center-left of the picture, taken from within the sphere.

2010-03-13T23:39:00.004Z

Cabane a Sucre

Tis the season for sugar overdose :) I have very fond memories of being in pre-k and going to the cabane a sucre in the warmer Winter days, having a ride on the tractor-trailer out to the sugar shack where they poured boiled sap into troughs of snow, and would made us wait impatiently while is solidified long enough for us to roll this strip of sweet loveliness onto a popsicle stick. It was a true sign that Spring was knocking on the door and that Winter was starting to pack its bags. This year, I had the pleasure of going to a sit-down cabane experience; we had a meal and taffy on the snow! I was invited by friends to celebrate a birthday at the Cabane a Sucre, so how could I resist? We enjoyed pea soup to start then ham, sausages, beans (no, I didn't have any), eggs, tourtiere, bacon, mashed potatoes, meat balls, chutney and pickles. Then for dessert pancakes and tarte au sucre... great feeling of fatness follow! After coffee, we stretched our legs and headed out to the cabane where they were serving the taffy on the snow. I love how memories come flooding back when given stimulus. I had a great day, and am looking forward to next weekend when I have a friend visiting from England and we do it all over again!

Our tractor ride!
View from the trailer
Where we had our meal. I liked the cross-cut-saw over the fire place...
So Canadian...
Fiona and Me getting our taffy!!!
Taffy on the snow :)
The cabane a sucre
The sign above the door read "Cabane d'Amour".... I am so naive.
The gift shop...essential

2010-03-13T23:25:00.003Z

While searching "Pygmy Hippos"...

Several times, I have found myself searching for pygmy hippos in Google, and while I do find interesting articles on them that will be useful for my project I also find some images which just make me smile. The images are not of the same type of pygmy hippos I'm studying, however I can call them inspiration. Just thought I'd share...

2010-01-19T01:07:00.002Z

"When Animators get Bored"

This was sent to me by a friend a while ago, and I came across it again in my in-box. I felt it would be worth sharing with you, faithful readers. So, if you're in need of a bit of a giggle or a good wheeze this will do just the trick.

Enjoy!

Click HERE for a snigger...

2010-01-13T22:56:00.000Z

Visit to Ontario

One of the benefits of now being just down the road from our Family in Ontario, is that we can plan a little get-away at fairly last minute. Mum and I did this for the first time this month. We booked a hotel room on hotwire.com in Burlington so we were close to Catherine and Mark, and in between Allie and Co in Hamilton, and Mum's family in Toronto. It was also the first time that we met all of Mark's family in one place for a family dinner. Therefore we had about 17 people all together at the same table! Mum and I also had a great time with the grand babies, and spending time with Catherine and Allie.

Given that we are so close to all of them now, I definitely know we'll be planning another visit soon!

The whole family at a local Greek restaurant.
Nana teaching Paigie to knit.
Ella styling Auntie Catherine's hair.
Morgan striking a pose in her karate uniform.

2010-01-01T22:27:00.001Z

Bring in 2010!!

Unlike the past 4 years I couldn't spend New Year's with my Handsome Man. So in the mean time I had a great time with good friends of mine on this side of the water. Daniel was hosting the party, and had invited a bunch of his friends along, so I brought the famous eggnog and the chips and dip (always important). We had a blast playing card games, and Scene it, and generally having a great time with one another. We all stayed over, and Daniel treated us to a great fry up in the morning. I had a great time ringing in the New Year as I was able to implement some of my New Year's resolution; spending more time on myself, and with my friends. Have a happy and healthy New Year, everyone!!

2009-12-25T21:57:00.000Z

Christmas on the Island

This Christmas was our first in our new home. We wanted to make it special, but not to over the top, after all we were still recovering from the move and there are still a couple boxes sitting around, so we kept it simple but stylish. Instead of a huge whole turkey, Mum and I found inspiration in the food network and bought a rolled breast of turkey stuffed with veal. And- we could cook it from frozen so no thawing! I made the famous shmam potatoes, and our balsamic brussel sprouts with steamed carrots. And for dessert plum pudding and (not home made) rum sauce. We had Julie down from up stairs so she joined in with our merriment, and she helped make it a fantastic evening. Happy Christmas to everyone!!

2009-11-29T16:43:00.003Z

My Beautiful Canoe

It's not everyday you have to plan where to house your canoe, let alone a 16 foot voyageur canoe. Ever since my Dad died, I think my Mum has seen this canoe as a burden, something she's had to deal with. I'd keep reassuring her that I would make arrangements and plan out what to do. Afterall, it would be I who would be using it in the future. This weekend has been several weeks in the planning, trying to coordinate my Uncle Paul's schedule and mine. Finally, we settled on a date; this weekend. Up until now, the beloved canoe has been sitting in our in-door parking space wrapped up in bubble wrap. And now, it's on it's way to my Uncle's house. Last night Uncle Paul and I headed out to buy the appropriate rope, and we gathered our thoughts. Under Uncle Paul's careful tutelage we brought the canoe out to his car, hoisted it up over the car, and strapped her down well. Once we were finished, I was confident with the results. What was an added bonus to this whole task is that Uncle Paul is so similar to my Dad it was very reminiscent of when Dad and I took the canoe out last time, going on 10 years ago. Now I can look forward to the Spring when Uncle Paul and I will take on the task of stripping the canoe, re-covering, then painting it. I feel a bit of research coming on!

2009-11-24T03:23:00.003Z

Pygmy Hippos

Did you know that the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis) actually exists? I assumed that they were made up when Global came out with a commercial talking about the 'Pygmy House Hippo' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TijcoS8qHIE. However, I learned today they are real... sort of. The real pygmy hippos are critically endangered and live in Western Africa. Through loss of habitat they are dying out. In the past, pygmy, dwarf, and common hippos existed, but sadly only common hippos and a few number of the pygmy hippos are around today. The main reason I am looking all this is because I have a new project! I am taking on a challenge at the Redpath Museum to clean and prepare a collection of finds, then I can have the opportunity of doing a research project on a specific portion of the collection. This is the first step towards working in my field. I've had my degree for a year and a half and haven't had the chance to use my skills during that time. It's all very exciting, and I shall keep you posted!

2009-11-20T03:53:00.002Z

Who Can I Yell At?????

It has been a while since I've used this blog as a venting board, however this is the time. You know that feeling when you think to yourself "all I want is to get home and have nothing to do, nothing to worry about, not to complete". Well forget that for tonight!! Baahhhhhh. I went out to get a couple groceries. Luckily it was a short list and for the most of the items, no problem. But the next time I have to go searching through the entire grocery store to get bloody hummus, I'm taking a map. Ask me where the hummus is in Sainsbury's in England and it's fine...next to the sandwich fillers and taramasalata. But in IGA?? I certainly got my exercise for the day walking from the frozen section to the fresh veg, and back again...twice. Short of calling my Mother to ask where the hummus was I finally found it 30 minutes later. After this experience, I head back to the highway....the flashing yellow lights should have been an indicator. I get to the exit I need to turn left at and I wait...and wait...and wait. Finally a figure arrived next to my car uttering in French "you should have gone the other way, now you're blocking all the traffic!" I exclaimed, I'm trying to get over there, indicating the way to my house. No, he says I cannot turn, I'll never get the light. Bugger!!! Fine, I say "can I do a U-turn?" to which he replies "I can't give you permission...." so I do it anyway. I was so mad that basically when I was almost at my door he says I can't go that way. After a 20 minute detour I arrived home. This sucks! I hate construction and stupid traffic people who stop me from going home, without any notice.
I feel marginally better. Though, knowing that I'm not going to proof read this leaves me with a sense of dread thinking of all the typos and grammatical errors.

2009-10-03T16:54:00.004Z

We Made It!

What a wonderful welcome we had at the airport from our wonderful friends! One of whom we're staying with. Julie has kindly offered her spare room for us while we get over jet-lag, buy all our electricals and wait for the condo signing to happen. Julie's condo is only the floor above Mum's condo, so hopefully our view from our balcony will be as spectacular as this!

2009-09-10T16:14:00.000Z

Going to Cheltenham

For years, my family has been in the possession of a portrait of my great great great grandfather Charles Dalenger Chenery. The first I remember of it was when it was hanging at my grandparent's farm in their living room. The next was when I was a little kid, when I remember a large crate arriving at house in Montreal. The portrait then hung in our dining room, and we got a new sand box in the garden! "The portrait" would watch over us eating dinner, especially when we would stir our ice cream. Nonetheless, he looked handsome on our wall between the sconces, so naturally he looked right at home in the Vicarage in our dining room there. The sconces came along as well, so they fit in too. When Mum and I moved out of the Vicarage to Bloxham we took the Portrait with us, and he got a new home at the top of the stairwell; where he greeted us every time we went upstairs. The reality was that when we move back over to Canada we couldn't take him with us and it would be better to bring him back to his 'stomping ground' in Cheltenham. Before Daddy died, he wanted to donate the portrait to Cheltenham College where Grandpa Chenery taught as a founding master in 1841. So this is what we did. Mum, Dorothy and I packed him up in the Volvo and with Dorothy's directions we drove out to Cheltenham on a beautiful, sunny day. The archivist at the college had arranged to meet us there and after presenting her with the portrait she gave me a tour of the campus and up to the archives themselves. She explained how they are always happy to receive any information on the early days of Cheltenham as they were missing quite a lot. We were all made to feel welcome and they were all so appreciative of the donation it really was quite touching to know the portrait would be well looked after in his new home.

Charles Dalenger Chenery, M.A.
A Family photo of sorts.
"Farewell!"
The College reception.
Inside the Chapel
The room Grandpa Chenery would have taught in over a hundred years ago.

2009-09-09T17:45:00.000Z

Emeralds!!

You may remember my 2 year anniversary ring that my handsome man bought me, but that was two years ago and it was time for a new one another 2 years on (pine sap killed the last one). Ed and I trolled through hundreds of pages of rings on eBay, and looked in various shop windows looking for the best. Eventually we both spotted one on eBay, and with Mum in the background drooling over the prospect of new emeralds, we bought it! I waited for several days as the post man would come to our house with no package for me, and yesterday he did have one. I love looking down, seeing my 'bling', and instantly thinking of my fabulous handsome man. I will miss him terribly while I'm in Canada and he's in South Korea, but I'll have a wonderful reminder of him whenever I see my shiny green emeralds!

2009-09-07T16:39:00.000Z

Hook Norton Brewery

For the past four years I've been telling Ed that we had to go to the Brewery. I didn't specify when, though. With 3 weeks until we flew, Ed and I booked a tour of the brewery and a tasting session of the beer. I had gone on the tour once before with Dad but I still enjoyed seeing the history of the brewery in action. They used gravity throughout most of the brewing process, which isn't widely used in the country so is something special to see. And they are one of the last to use a steam engine to pump the 'brewer's liquor' (spring water) up and into the system. The tour takes you right up the whole 5 floors of the brewery and out side where they keep their horses. They used to have 20 horses at their peak, but now use a combination of 3 horses and lorries to distribute their beer. 'Hooky' beer has a very good reputation, and is well loved by many including myself. I'll just have to find a way of getting some when I'm in Montreal!!

Ed and I outside the Brewery
"Not another picture"!
Me by the steam engine
This is the "mashing" process, unlocking all that loveliness!
One of the carts they still use to get the beer to the many pubs they own.

2009-09-01T16:52:00.000Z

Haying

Mum and I are currently living right across from a field that seemed to be left fallow, or so we thought. We can see the field from the window on the landing, and one day when I was walking down stairs I saw the tractors working out in the field. The previous week I had noticed that the grass that had grown very tall had been raked into long rows. This week, they had three tractors total: one to run over the rows of grass collecting it underneath to compact it into rectangles, one to run around collecting the blocks once they'd come out from the first tractor, and a third to carry the hay away. Mum and I stood and watched as the entire field was organized in a matter of minutes!

The first tractor
The second tractor, carrying the hay.
All three tractors working together.

2009-08-27T16:58:00.001Z

Lunch in London with Kayleigh

Since leaving University a year ago, I haven't seen my friend Kayleigh once! We spent many an hour in the cafes on campus mulling over the great and wonderful issues of life, complaining about work, and so on and so forth. It was a moment to put our work on hold and be silly or whatever we needed at the time. Naturally, I felt I needed to get together with her once more before moving back, so we met half way in London. Grabbing a Subway sandwich, and finding a nice space on the grass in St James Park, we chewed our sandwiches and "the cud" for a good few hours. In between, we had a visit from a pelican, people looking for the London Eye, and several tourists with cameras. The weather was perfect, with wispy clouds in the sky shading us occasionally from the sun shine. This weather seemed a perfect back drop for an ice cream, so after grabbing one from an ice cream vendor by the stream, we went and listened to a band of bag pipes who were playing in aid of charity for the homeless being collected by Morris dancers dressed like those from Mary Poppins! I will miss our little chats, but Kayleigh and I will simply have to catch up in a Tim Horton's in Montreal on a snowy day.

The Pelican!
He was very friendly
The bagpipers and morris dancers
The London Eye behind the Foreign and Common Wealth Office building
Buckingham Palace, the flag means she was in!
Me, in front of the Canada Gate!!
And, to continue on with this Canadian theme: Canada Geese!!
And finally, Kayleigh and me with the Palace behind.

2009-08-26T20:48:00.002Z

Ringing at Windsor Castle

Listen to the bells ringing!! (click here)

When I was asked to ring at Windsor Castle, I was amazed! The chance to ring in a castle? How could I resist? Plus it was on the anniversary of my Dad's death, so what better way to remember him, and honour him by doing something he loved doing - bell ringing. We drove down to Windsor on a rainy evening, so we couldn't see it at it's best, but the building is still impressive nonetheless and I still felt in awe when we pulled up outside. We waited to be let in by the guard after we were issued with ID badges, and I took the opportunity to be a tourist for a tiny bit. We were led through several quads and corridors and finally came to the ringing chamber. Because the ringing chamber was an after though, the bells weren't hung in a traditional square tower. These ones were hung in a round corner tower of the surround of the castle. The bells wouldn't be described as 'wonderful'. I believe I heard them described as 'lumpy', 'odd struck', 'tough to ring', 'anti clockwise', and 'out of tune'. I guess the romance of the fact that they were in the castle didn't make up the tone of the bells. Tonight however, they were rung for the Duke of Gloucestershire's birthday, as they do for every royal birthday, Christmas, Easter, Ascension day, and the Saints Day. After we rang the bells, we were taken all the way up to the bells. To get there we had to clime up at least 5 stair cases, and hoist ourselves up ropes to get right to the top but it was well worth it! We were right up in the roof at this point and the wind was whistling through the shingles. We also saw the clock chime, as it played St. David's song. I was really, really pleased to be able to get the chance to ring at Windsor Castle before moving back. Though the bells weren't quite as nice sounding as I'm used to, I still felt it was a privilege.

The Castle from the outside.
This is the type of tower we were ringing in.
St. George's Chapel
Inside the ringing chamber.
In the ringing chamber again.
These are the weights of the bells. The tennor (#8) is 26 hundred weight which is approximately 2,912 lbs.
One of the bells in the frame.
One of the bells from the top.
This is one of the sets of windows where in the 'olden days', you would simply have had a rope tied around your neck and would have been thrown out of the window!
The clock mechanism, we were told dates back to the 17 hundreds.
This is the 'junk' from the chapel. This is how it was described to me, I thought it was wonderful!
More of this so-called 'junk'
The cannon.
This is a peal board from 1748. I had to read it twice to notice that it took two men to ring the tenor (8th bell). And that was for the whole peal.
Notice anything strange.....?
The group making noise!

2009-08-19T17:06:00.004Z

The Buddleia

I was out in the garden one day, putting the laundry on the line. The weather was beautiful; sunny but not too hot, and a light soft breeze. I was sorting out the socks from the knickers, and pairing the socks before putting them on the line (you'd understand if you've ever seen my laundry out) and my thoughts were drifting. As I got to hanging up the shirts, half way up the line I looked up and was face to face with a gorgeous butterfly resting on the buddleia. Otherwise known as a butterfly bush or tree, the bunches of flowers are like tightly packed lilac flowers. You can always tell when you're around a buddleia because there is a distinct smell of honey in the air; Hence why butterflies and the like are highly attracted to them. On this occasion, there were about six different varieties of butterfly on the tree, among them the white cabbage butterfly, and the peacock butterfly. I couldn't resist trying to get a picture of the latter because the purple-blue on its wings matched the buddleia.

2009-08-15T22:51:00.000Z

The Reunion

Though it was a short visit, I had a blast with my friends! A lot of sight seeing, and driving plus a few chuckles and wheezes over drink at the pub. Hopefully the frivolities will continue on the other side of the pond when I join them at the beginning of October!!

2009-08-15T22:17:00.000Z

Fun Times in Oxford!

Of course, another place we had to visit was Oxford. Though Cheryl had already been before it was Krystle's first time so I tried to get the most in without breaking the bank or our feet. We managed to go into the covered market, the Alice Shope, looked at Christ Church, walked along Corn Market street, shopped in some of the Varsity shops, shopped at Primark, and ate our lunch in the Botanic gardens while watching the funny punters. The weather decided to be on our side and we actually got some sun shine! Though it was all packed into a short space of time I feel we at least managed to get a flavour of Oxford, and did see most of the things we'd planned.

Corn Market street with a billion people on it.
Cheryl and me in front of the Bridge of Sighs.
View of Magdalen College and one of the green houses in the Botanic garden.
Magdalen through the gardens.
Cheryl eating lunch.
Krystle says cheese!
Our camera shy duck :)
Oxford sunshine.
Krystle and Cheryl riding in the front of the double decker.

2009-08-14T21:49:00.000Z

The Uffington White Horse

One of the things that the girls said they'd like to see while they were here was the White Horse. So of course, I obliged as I had never been there myself. What a perfect opportunity to see something so monumental before moving back. Plus, it was only a short distance off our route home, so it worked out quite well. As per usual I did my home work and printed off the page of information from the link above and gave it to Krystle to read on our way there. After a few scenic turns along the way, we finally made it! Luckily the weather was on our side so we didn't have sheets of rain to compete with, just a bit of a breeze. But when you're that high up what else would you expect? Again, the views were stunning and we had a lovely walk up to the Horse itself (despite not being able to see the whole thing) and also to the Dragon Hill. The web page had a good history of the legend behind Dragon Hill, as well as the White Horse which made the vista even more enlightening.

Krystle and Cheryl on top of Dragon Hill.
Krystle marching her way up to the White Horse.
I think this looks like a dried up river or lake. Plus the ridges on the left look like a glacier passed through there at some point.
Dragon Hill. The white on top of the hill is supposed to be the blood of the slain dragon.
The White Horse (up side down) and the Dragon Hill underneath it.

2009-08-14T20:22:00.003Z

Cheryl, Krystle, and Sarah do Avebury

It only took Cheryl 7 years, but she finally made it over to visit me in England! Krystle came with her so it was a double treat. Cheryl has family down in Dorset, so I went to go and pick them up from the near-by village of Avebury which is located half way between where she and Krystle were staying and my house. Luckily, Avebury is an historic village so before sweeping them off to the White Horse, we had a wander around the Avebury Henge. The link takes you to a website which goes over the history and the modern story of the henge. I couldn't word it any better, so I highly recommend you have a noodle through the the site. If you search Avebury using Google maps you can clearly see the ditch surrounding the ancient henge. Even if the archaeology goes a bit over your head, the walk is still wonderful, and you get great views!

Cheryl and Krystle wave hello!
Some of the ditch, and some of the ancient stones.
More of the stones.
The ditch and some of the stones from up on top of the mound.
More of the ditch closer up.

2009-07-22T17:40:00.003Z

Ever Take Your Man Shopping??

My Mum forwarded this email to me, and I thought I just had to share with my readers. I have to say I never came close to this with Ed, nor with my Dad, but never knew what some men would do to keep themselves entertained while their wife/girlfriend shops. Bring new meaning to the term "now just amuse yourself for a bit, I'll only be a minute." The particular Tesco's grocery store they refer to is only down the road from where I live at the moment...I'll have to be a bit vigilante in future. Hope you enjoy a good giggle and wheeze!

"HOW MEN AMUSE THEMSELVES IN TESCO'S"

Proof of what can happen if a wife or girlfriend drags her husband or boyfriend along shopping. This letter was actually sent by Tesco's Head Office to a customer in Oxford :

Dear Mrs. Murray,

Whilst we would like to thank you for your valued custom and use of the Tesco Loyalty Card, the Manager of our store in Banbury is considering banning you and your family from shopping with us, unless your husband stops his antics...

Below is a list of his actions over the past few months all verified by our surveillance cameras:

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's trolleys when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off a 5 minute intervals.

3. July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to feminine products aisle.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official tone, 'Code 3' in housewares..... and watched what happened.

5. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

6. September 15: Set up a tent in the outdoor clothing department and told shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring sausages and a Calor gas stove.

7. September 23: When the Deputy Manager asked if she could help him, he began to cry and asked, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'

8. October 4: Looked right into the security camera; used it as a mirror, picked his nose, and ate it.

9. October 10: While appearing to be choosing kitchen knives in the Housewares aisle asked an assistant if he knew where the
antidepressants were.

10. November 3: Darted around the store suspiciously, loudly humming the Mission Impossible' theme.

11.November 6: In the kitchenware aisle, practised the 'Madonna look' using different size funnels.

12. November 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed, yelled 'PICK ME!' 'PICK ME!'

13. November 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, assumed the foetal position and screamed 'NO! NO! It's those voices again..'

And; last, but not least:

14. November 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited a while; then yelled, very loudly, 'There is no toilet paper in here.'

If this sounds familiar to anyone... you might want to consider leaving your partner at home.

2009-07-21T20:29:00.000Z

Making the Upholstery Less Dirty

Before we moved, I wanted to clean our sofa and matching chair. We use them everyday and the grub just seems to sneak up on to them! So I rented an upholstery cleaner and had a go. The air turned a bit blue and the carpet and I got quite wet. I'm still not convinced the upholstery is any cleaner, but at least they look less dirty. D'you think?

The Rug Doctor! Starting with the back, but only getting wet in the process... Before, and..... ...after....I think :)

Before, and....
...after! More of a difference with the chair.

2009-07-16T21:44:00.004Z

The Dining Room Chairs!

As one does when one is moving house to another country, one should reupholster their dining room chairs....so we did. For as long as I can remember, our six dining room chairs have been unique: One was upholstered, and the rest were not. I always assumed that this upholstered chair was my Mum's, the one with the arms was Dad's, and the broken one went to me and the rest were for our guests. And often when going through Mum's craft supplies we would come across a piece of folded fabric, and Mum would say something like 'ah yes, this is the fabric to do the dining room chairs'. A while back we even planned on buying the foam we needed to finish them, but then we didn't quite make it to the store and we couldn't find the staple gun so the project was postponed. And now finally when all the components have come together and the staple gun was found, we have six completed, and matching chairs! I am particularly proud of our accomplishment, and hope you're equally as impressed!

Before.....

And after!!

Ta da!!!

2009-07-05T22:38:00.000Z

Henley Royal Regatta

My sister Catherine lives with her fiance Mark in Henley-on-Thames, the home of the Annual Royal Regatta. As Catherine and Mark were just moving in a year ago this weekend, we weren't able to actually see any of the regatta. However this year to tie in with the English Summer Theme, Ed and I planned a weekend away visiting Catherine and Mark. It was a mix of celebrations: the Regatta, one year since the two of them moved in, Catherine getting her Gold medal in the choir (more info on her blog), and Mark's *muffled*th Birthday! The weather wasn't promising to be perfect the whole weekend, so as with Wimbledon we planned for all occasions. I also came equipped with my summer dress, a light jumper, and my Father's boater hat. Though we wouldn't be buying passes to go into the 'holding pens' where the really posh people would be, I still wanted to play along and blend in. Therefore, I did my research. Though the rules are a bit more relaxed if you aren't holding a pass into the Stewards' Enclosure, they do wish that people maintain the long standing traditions of appropriate dress. For example, ladies are required to wear a dress or skirt suit with the hem line falling below the knee, trousers will not be permitted; shoulders must be tastefully covered, and they are encouraged to wear hats. The men on the other hand must come appropriately attired in lounge suits, jackets, or blazers, and of course sporting a tie or cravat. Jeans would not be acceptable under any circumstances! I love the idea of dressing up and mucking in with the hob-nobbers, not being one myself. It's quite like a wedding at our church with the fabulously well-connected. I saw similar hints of this at the church service on Sunday. Catherine and I sang in the choir, and watched from a safe distance as all the hats twitched in the congregation. After the boys joined us, we had a birthday brunch for Mark at he Catherine wheel, and we continued our observing at the water front. I brought my binoculars and gazed at the rowers across the river warming up and milling about. Catherine and I sat by the dock, and the boys stood as we enjoyed a thoroughly English ice-cream! To add to the decadence, we headed back to Catherine and Mark's just as the rain was threatening its presence and enjoyed Catherine's fabulous devil's food cake to celebrate Marks' Birthday. I must also add that on top of all this very grown up dressing up and socializing, the four of us stayed up late playing Scrabble (not very well), Cranium, and Hearts the card game. I'm really pleased I got to see this quintessential English event before I head back to the home land, and look forward to the next bit of fun!

A view of the river from our perch.
There weren't just row boats, but even old steam bots moored.
In this steam boat's wheel, there were a few duckling squeaking away. I've circled them as they blend in with the water.
This boat wasn't on fire they had a coal fire inside.
The ominous clouds....
Catherine guarding her ice-cream.
The boys with their Mr. Whippy Flakes.
Mark's birthday cake, and candle! (That's Pimm's in the glass by the way, not beer)
The boys playing with a very grown up game.
I thought this bear was great, cause he had the same hat it did!

2009-06-27T18:04:00.000Z

Wimbledon 2009

This year, I thought it was a good time for Ed and I to go to Wimbledon together. Ed had never been, and I hadn't been in 4 years so before I headed back to Canada and Ed to South Korea we made plans to go see the tennis. Friends of ours, Chris and Serena very kindly allowed us to stay at their house which is actually in Wimbledon. Ed and I had a great time visiting with both Chris and Serena and their children so that was an added bonus to the tennis. The weather seemed promising, so on the Saturday morning we headed out with a packed lunch, sunscreen, a hat and an umbrella. From past experience and advice from the marshals, I knew we were in for a good old shlep waiting to actually get into the grounds. We arrived at about 8:30am, and got in at 5:07pm. And there were still people queuing behind us! My last experience of the Wimbledon Queue left me horribly burned so I took extra precautions this time; for one thing I applied my 60+ sunscreen way more often supplemented by hiding under my hat and big red umbrella. Secondly, I took frequent naps while in the queue. This queue is not just waiting in line, it's an event of its own! The English are well known for their queues so if you must be in one, be in the queue for Wimbledon. You get stickers saying you queued, news papers with free stuff, and best of all you meet great people. For instance, Ed and I spent most of the time chatting with an Irish teacher, a teacher couple from Kent, and a Law intern from Purdue University. However once you cross the bridge and enter the grounds you shake hands and go your separate ways. Ed and I grabbed a Pimm's (£6.30 a glass!!) and sat and watched some doubles matches. We thought of going and sitting on Murray Mound (or Henman Hill) but there wasn't a blade of grass to be spared! Nonetheless it was a wonderful experience and one I intend to repeat in the years to come. Perhaps though I'll splash out on a ticket for one of the bigger courts, or maybe I'll just get to the queue a 5am??

Welcome!!
The Grounds at 8:30am, our first glimpse.
The Queue!!
Note the Sticker (The strawberry)
Inside finally.

A Ladies' doubles match. Cristea is on the left, I saw her play on TV too.
Their score board.
Me with my pricey Pimm's!
Yes, this is a picture of Federer on a TV screen...but it's the closest I got!!
Me with Ed in the stands :)

2009-06-26T19:38:00.001Z

Bluewater

For a while now, Ed has said that he would take me to Blue Water shopping center. Blue Water is Europe's largest shopping mall, and I had to see it for myself. It's located in a abandoned quarry and has hundreds of shops, restaurants, and a cinema all within the complex. The decision to go was made absolute when Ed's friend said that A&W Rootbeer was available at a sweet shop in Bluewater. I absolutely love A&W's, and have been deprived of it while living in England. I have also been trying to convince Ed that A&W doesn't taste like dentist's mouthwash (?!). After going a bit mad with the pick & mix we came away from the shop with that plus a couple cans of A&W, and a bag of Hersey's kisses. If you ever find yourself in Bluewater, I suggest using a map. I was lucky Ed knew his way round; if it weren't for him, I'd probably still be there!

2009-06-25T19:11:00.003Z

The Beautiful M40

Yes, alright not your typical blog material however I felt this one deserved a special post. You may recognize the sides of the motorway from The Vicar of Dibley. Feel free to sing along!

"The Lord is my Shepard....
...I shall not want" :)

2009-06-07T21:16:00.000Z

The Rollright Stones

This weekend, Ed told me he had never been to the Rollright stones! In the almost 4 years we've been together I'm very surprised we haven't been there before now especially seeing as we live less than 30 minutes from them. So after finding Dad's handy little guide book from 1977 we headed out to have a look. Both Ed and I had a go at counting the King's Men stones within the circle. The legend is that no man can count the stones three times and end up with the same number after each count. Any man who does can be granted any wish he wants. A skeptical Ed went round three times and counted 71, 69, and 70. While I counted 76, 75, and 79 so I guess the Witches win again, and non of our wishes will be granted! The weather forecast wasn't optimistic, but luck was on our side because we had bright sun and a light breeze the whole time we were there. I hadn't been there in a couple years, and actually the last time I was there was with my Dad. I guess now I have to brush up on my tour guide spiel, so this was good practice! Here are just a few photos of our little outing.

Ed in the circle of King's Men stones.
A Gorgeous view looking into the South of Oxford from the circle of stones.
Me standing in front of the Whispering Knights.
The King Stone. There's a lovely tale that goes with this one... but I'll let you look it up.
Me with my Eddie in front of the King Stone.

2009-06-05T22:15:00.001Z

Congratulations Ed B.A.!

This month marks the end of Ed's University career! It's taken four years of dedication, hard studying and some help from Dad's books but he did it! I though that it was highly appropriate to celebrate the momentous occasion with a cake (surprise surprise!). So what better type of cake then a Norse helmet made out of cake (of course)? Well, any trouble I went to was well worth it cause I'm so proud of Ed. It's hasn't been the easiest thing he's ever done, but he got through with flying colours. Well done, Sweety!!

2009-04-15T20:25:00.000Z

My 23rd Birthday!!

Today, my Mum had to come to terms with her Baby turning 23. And I had a wonderful day to help her along with it! My day started when I arrived at work and was sung Happy Birthday by two of my colleagues. My work was painless and went by quickly, which was a treat. At the end of the end of the day my colleagues surprised me with cake and gifts! Ed was spending the week at my house, so came to pick me up from work. Mum had invited Gill and Sara with Polly, Graham and Dorothy, and Catherine and Mark for dinner, so we had to get a few things done. Mum had got a crown of venison, so it was roasting in the oven when I got home and it smelled gorgeous. I made shmam potatoes, and Ed served wine to all. Catherine provided the cake- She made her famous black forest gateau, and it was sublime! After dinner, we all enjoyed coffee and tea, and chocolates in the living room while I opened my pressies :) I really enjoyed myself, and felt very satisfied after the house was quiet. However things didn't end there. Thursday I went to the quiz night and met my friends there as usual, only this time bringing Ed with me to meet them. Much to my surprise they had baked another cake for me!! This one with our team logo on it, Gus the Orangutan! Though we didn't win the quiz, it didn't matter I had a great time nonetheless. The following night, Ed treated me to a Chinese take out (my favourite of course) so we ate that at home with Mum, who had an egg, while watching one of the movies Ed got me for my Birthday. I had a wonderful Birthday, every moment of it, and thank everyone who contributed!!

2009-04-12T20:03:00.000Z

Easter 2009!

Happy Easter and happy new beginnings to all! This is a tricky season for us now as it was always one that revolved around church services and therefore reminds us of Daddy. However instead of cutting out church completely, we tried something different. For the first time in a few years, Mum and I went to a Sedar supper at Bloxham church, and it was lovely. It reminded us both of the good times we had at St. George's Sedars. On top of that, we had our own version of the First Light service when the power suddenly went out on Saturday night, plunging us into darkness. We brought light back into the house with candles spread throughout the livingroom. Easter Sunday instead of lamb, we ate whole salmon Mum had baked in the oven, accompanied by lots of fresh veg and new potatoes. And of course, what would Easter be in our house without the army of Easter eggs we've traditionally made throughout the years. As you may know, Mum started making these years ago as a fund raiser for the church. A few years ago I took over, but just made them for our friends and ourselves so made significantly fewer than Mum did! In the end another year done, and another year enjoyed! Hope the Easter Bunny was good to you all.

2009-04-05T19:55:00.000Z

Squatter in the Bath

One fine sunny day, Mum called down to me from up stairs saying "quick Sarah, look out at the bird bath!!" So, I went straight to the window and saw a humongous pigeon consuming the entire width of the bird bath, and looking very pleased with himself! He remained there for sometime, too. I couldn't resist getting a couple snaps of the latest bath resident, and thought I'd share them.

2009-04-01T19:44:00.000Z

Spring Time Blossoms

I will never get over how amazing Spring is in England. All the rain this country gets sure does help when the foliage wakes up again after winter. Already there are blossoms all over on cherry and apples trees, and tulips, daffodils, snow drops, forget-me-nots, lobelia, grape hyacinth, regular hyacinth, blue bells, wisteria....and so on and so on are over flowing in gardens and on road sides. The air smells of pollen and nectar and if a breeze picks up it takes thousands of petals from trees with it. Lawn movers are busy everywhere and hedge trimmers are joining in now too. Best of all though, the birds are in full song chirping in the warm sunshine. If only I could show you all of this, but unfortunately I'll have to settle for giving you a glimpse.

2009-03-04T19:19:00.001Z

Catherine's 27th Birthday!!

Another year....wiser? That'll come later.

To celebrate Catherine's birthday, Mum and I joined Catherine and Mark in Woodstock for dinner at the Woodstock Arms. Everything about the meal was wonderful: the ambiance, our waitress, and of course the meal. Our waitress even managed to find birthday candles especially for Catherine's dessert! The four of us had great catch up, and we got a couple of nice photos to mark the occasion.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THING!!!

2009-02-24T17:41:00.003Z

Shrove Tuesday

Easter and Lent in our house are always filled with many traditions including a meal on Shrove Tuesday. Within our Christian household we saw this as one of the days leading up to Lent, and a time when we should start thinking about what we can do without for Lent. Originally, the name Shrove Tuesday came from the verb shrive, or obtain absolution from sins by making confessions and doing penance. So in order for English Christians to start Lent complete absolved, they were require to shrive. Shrove Tuesday is given other names in other households such as Pancake Tuesday or Mardi Gras. But whatever you decide to call it, the idea behind the celebration is very similar: Mardi Gras of course is a celebration where you eat rich foods, wearing wonderful costumes, playing music and being joyful and thankful for what you have in life. Pancakes are eaten on Pancake Day as they use up ingredients like fat, sugar, and flour that were often not allowed during the Lenten period.

Pancakes are a classic dish in our family, as we ate them for our Sunday lunch, therefore we gladly ate them on Shrove Tuesday as well. Mum would get out Aunt Jessie Lapworth's electric frying pan, and make the pancakes from a recipe that was taped to the inside of the cupboard door above where the batter would be mixed. There are pale circles in the corner of this frying pan where four pancakes would be poured out to cook, and once tiny one fit perfectly in the middle. This would usually be thrown to us children, to keep us quiet while the rest of the meal was being prepared. All the ceremony surrounding the meal and its meaning are ingrained in me, and I was very much looking forward to our pancakes this year! Mum and I certainly enjoyed our pancakes and Oscer Mayer bacon (you can't usually get that brand over here in England so it was a treat!), but regardless of what you call this day and even what you all do on it, I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

2009-02-22T16:21:00.004Z

Studio 64

Have you ever felt like everything in your path is preventing you from getting where you need to go? Like someone's telling you should go? That's sort of what yesterday felt like. For months now I've had this makeover planned. I won it one day after filling out a questionnaire on the street. Not expecting to win, I was thrilled when I got a phone call saying I'd won. I decided to drag Ed along for the fun of it. When the day finally arrived, I couldn't wait to be pampered, and made to feel pretty. As per usual, I had researched which Tube we'd need to take to get to the Studio, and how long it would take get there. I also planned which bus I'd take in, and where to meet Ed. Well you can plan all you want but if the great London Underground wants to be difficult there's no stopping it. The day started going askew when I realized I didn't have enough for a day return of the bus which was £16 (shock horror), so I had to get a single instead which was £13. This also meant I would have to buy another single on my way back! After worrying that I wouldn't get on a bus to London because they were all so full (was everyone going to London??), I thought I'd be late because of the traffic. Ed was having his own trouble trying to get his hair cut so he was running a bit late. After we finally met up in Victoria station there was the issue of getting a ticket for the Tube. In the past we've always been able to buy the tickets for the Tube downstairs by the entrance. This was not the case this time... so we queued with the other 100 people to get a ticket, and once I got to the card kiosk we got our tickets. Theoretically, it takes 20 minutes to get from Victoria station to Farringdon station...so long as the Circle line is running!! It was only when we'd be waiting for 15 minutes thinking how odd it was there hadn't been a Circle train in a while, that we figured out they weren't working. Not because the announcement said: "work on the line" or a sign saying "no service on the Circle line 21-22 Feb," more because there weren't any trains. So, plan B: take a District line and transfer onto another line to get to Farringdon. Nice thought, if there hadn't been planned works on District meaning there wasn't service between Embankment and Blackfriars stops, despite the destination on the boards all saying otherwise. Luckily we didn't take one of those trains, and moved on to plan C: taking the Victoria line to St. Pancras and changing to get to another line to get to Farringdon. This plan actually worked! So at Farringdon, and after Ed finally got his ticket to work to get out of the place, we set out to find the studio. I had phoned ahead to say we'd be late but the receptionist seemed to think I'd take the opportunity to take my time now, I mean really. I said we'd be there in half an hour...our half an hour was up in 2 minutes. Charging through the empty roads of Farringdon, Ed and I walked in circles for a bit until we finally found the Studio: a discrete grey sign, and chrome door. No one answered the buzzer and when another pair of people arrived to have their appointment we stood there waiting for 5 minutes. That was until a man wandered up to the door, looked at us curiously...and pushed the door open and walked inside. I bet they'd all had a great time watching on the camera standing out there when all we had to do was push the door! So anyway we were finally there, we had made it despite everything trying to stop us. The rest of the day went extremely well. As I was getting my makeup done, glad to be sitting there, Ed was sitting behind me getting his hair done. With my eyes still shut I heard one of the stylists say to Ed: "Well, that's your hair done, won't be long until someone comes and does your makeup"... to which I heard a shocked reply "Makeup?". Poor Ed thought he'd be getting mascara and red lipstick, but you couldn't even tell he had any on wen they were done. It was all for the photos, really. And that was an experience too! I don't really like my photo taken, but the photographer was really cool and made you feel relaxed. After the photos Ed and I had a private viewing of all the photos. I would have bought them all, but no can do. So we picked three that we liked, and left it at that. Although we almost didn't get there and I nearly broke a window to get in, but sitting and being made pretty was certainly a treat. Getting back to Victoria station had its troubles attached to it. We descended into the Tube station, and were greeted by a mass of football fans that had been recently released from an Arsenal's game. Luckily we weren't going through the same gates as they were, however we did share a train back to Victoria with them. So naturally space was scarce, but we managed in the end. Ed and I finished the day by having a burger at a pub in Victoria station. It was the end of the day, so I paid for my second single ticket of the day, and then slept all the way back to Oxford. Being "glamorfied" is tiring!! :) Here is the result of the day....

After the photo shoot...taking advantage of the background.

The cute couple :P

My Handsome Man!
Guess :)

2009-02-16T19:29:00.002Z

Happy 3rd Birthday Ella-Bean!

My sister's little rugby-player-in-training turns three years old today!! And although she unfortunately had the sniffles, I believe it was a good day. We expect wonderful things from Ella, and she hasn't disappointed us once!

:D Happy Birthday Ella :D

2009-02-16T18:09:00.001Z

Valentine's Day

This year's Valentine's Day was sort of squished into a tight schedule, but it was wonderful nonetheless. I drove down to see Ed on the Saturday, and was greeted by a wonderful steak dinner with sauteed potatoes and a nice glass of wine, all cooked and poured by my Handsome Man. The original plan was to go out for a meal and then for a movie, however all the restaurants we wanted were fully booked and the film we had wanted to see wasn't showing until the next week! So, we both decided on having a meal in and to watch a movie we'd both never seen. Then we polished off a tub of cookies & cream Haagen Daaz :) The following day, Ed got dragged shopping with me, and we celebrated Sunday with a Chinese takeout lunch. We don't get a lot of time together while he finishes his degree, but this was definitely time well spent together. I had a wonderful time being wined and dined and relaxing. Happy Valentine's Day all!!

2009-02-07T18:26:00.005Z

Let it Snow!! (Just let the Grit Last)

All of this week, I'm sure you've seen on the news, there has been a major snow fall by this country's standards. They say it's the most snow they've received in a short space of time for 18 years! Though, not true for my past I know there are many people who've never seen this much snow ever! Furthermore, they've never driven in so much snow...

I have in my car, a long handled scraper, a shovel, and a cloth for the inside of the windshield. The only thing I don't have is kitty litter for getting myself out of a jam. The shovel did come in handy when I helped a man get out of parking lot! Also when I needed to get of the driveway. The latest trauma is that some of the councils are running out of grit! (this word always makes Mum and me laugh...we think of the Grit Busters!!)

Almost each day this week we've been able to go home early from work, so Friday I went around the village taking pictures of snow, and scenery. Once back at home, I used the last of the daylight to play in the backyard a bit. I thought of making a snowman, but thought I'd try something different this year. So, I built an Igloo! I had to remove the four inches of powdery snow to reveal the two or three inches of good packing snow. The Igloo is hollow, and has an entrance and all. Today, I wanted to go up to the top of Tew Church tower, mostly to get a look at the churchyard, but found that it was the perfect day for seeing the fields and surrounding villages under their picturesque blanket of snow. I've taken a few shots of the places I've been, and I hope you like them! I think they speak for themselves :)

2009-02-07T17:47:00.003Z

Mapping of a Churchyard

Ever since we moved here, I wanted to map the churchyard at Tew. It is the only church within the benefice of four churches that doesn't have a map. Several people have requested to know where certain people in their family are buried, and sadly all we can say is "...sorry, we don't know." Now that I've finished my degree and I have some records from the 1800s, I have took on the responsibility of putting a location to these names. While the oldest part of the churchyard is not covered with nettles and daisies I'm taking this opportunity to map the oldest part of the churchyard. Eventually I'll move to the second oldest, and finally onto the part of the churchyard that is still being used. It's a long and cold process as at the moment I'm mostly outside for hours at a time writing down details, then when I'm back at home I enter the details into a spreadsheet. The research is turning up very interesting information about who's buried here, how, how much they paid, where they lived, etc. Some families are still living in the villages, others have all moved on, but hopefully when it is all done people can find their families, or even just enjoy knowing a bit more about the villages' past.

A view of the oldest section of the churchyard

An example of what I have to decipher! The date at the bottom read 1699!!

Some are a bit buried, so will be near impossible to read.

2009-01-25T19:09:00.000Z

Robbie Burns Day

This is a concept that is slightly new to me, but Mum knows more about it. The description of the Burns Supper Guidline according to the Burns Country website is "The annual celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Celebrated on, or about, the Bard's birthday, January 25th, Burns Suppers range from stentoriously formal gatherings of esthetes and scholars to uproariously informal rave-ups of drunkards and louts. Most Burns Suppers fall in the middle of this range, and adhere, more or less, to some sort of time honoured form which includes the eating of a traditional Scottish meal, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the recitation of works by, about, and in the spirit of the Bard. " Although we couldn't find the haggis Mum and Dad had brought back from Scotland, we still went out for a pub lunch with our friend Sue. Unfortunately, they didn't have any haggis on the menu so alternatively Mum and Sue enjoyed slow roasted ox tail, and I spinach and ricotta cannelloni. Mum was telling us how when they would get together with their friends to celebrate today, my Dad would read out the "Address to a Haggis". Apparently, Dad had a great Ayrshire accent and would recite the whole address in it. This version and translation were taken from the Robert Burns World Federation website:

Address To A Haggis

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o' need,
While thro' your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An' cut you up wi' ready sleight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like ony ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn,
they stretch an' strive:
Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve,
Are bent lyke drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
"Bethankit!" 'hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi' perfect sconner,
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him ower his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank, a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro' bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread.
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll mak it whissle;
An' legs an' arms, an' heads will sned,
Like taps o' thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o' fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu' prayer,
Gie her a haggis!

The Translation

Fair is your honest happy face
Great chieftain of the pudding race
Above them all you take your place
Stomach, tripe or guts
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm

The groaning platter there you fill
Your buttocks like a distant hill
Your skewer would help to repair a mill
In time of need
While through your pores the juices emerge
Like amber beads

His knife having seen hard labour wipes
And cuts you up with great skill
Digging into your gushing insides bright
Like any ditch
And then oh what a glorious sight
Warm steaming, rich

Then spoon for spoon
They stretch and strive
Devil take the last man, on they drive
Until all their well swollen bellies
Are bent like drums
Then, the old gent most likely to rift (burp)
Be thanked, mumbles

Is there that over his French Ragout
Or olio that would sicken a pig
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust
Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion
On such a dinner

Poor devil, see him over his trash
As week as a withered rush (reed)
His spindle-shank a good whiplash
His clenched fist.the size of a nut.
Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash
Oh how unfit

But take note of the strong haggis fed Scot
The trembling earth resounds his tread
Clasped in his large fist a blade
He'll make it whistle
And legs and arms and heads he will cut off
Like the tops of thistles

You powers who make mankind your care
And dish them out their meals
Old Scotland wants no watery food
That splashes in dishes
But if you wish her grateful prayer
Give her a haggis!

Two Scots celebrating by eating :)

Mum with Sue.

2009-01-23T22:35:00.002Z

Pudding Club Evening

Tonight, my Mum and I went to First Annual Pudding Club in my Godmother's village. It was fabulous! The evening comprised of seeing 8 puddings paraded in front of us, after which we sampled each pudding in groups of 4. In the first round we had a portion each of: sticky toffey pudding , treacle tart, Windsor pudding, and bread and butter pudding. The second round included: chocolate fudge pudding, winter crumble, sherry trifle, and boiled apple pudding. While eating the puddings we had to fill out an evaluation for each pudding based on the presentation, the taste, and the overall satisfaction. This was not an easy task as I would have put the maximum point value for every one! Though our tummies were very full at the end of all the eating, we were very satisfied. There is talk about another one in a year's time. I wonder what they'll come up with then??

2009-01-11T21:43:00.004Z

Offertory Burning

Today was a day both Mum and I weren't too sure what to do about. A man came and evaluated some of Dad's books in the hopes that he would buy some of them. Not that either Mum or I enjoy having Dad's books down from the shelves and being looked through knowing that the man who bought them isn't here to tell us where he got them, but at the same time the books have to be taken from the Vicarage as they're wanting to start structural work on the house. In other words, they have to be dealt with. We had our good friend Flo here to help us offering her expertise so Mum and I didn't feel out of out depths. Once the man had gone, the three of us ritualistically burned some of Dad's old teaching things in the study fireplace. This was a process we thought would be appropriate. In total we burned a model medieval village, an Anglo-Saxon model chapel, a model Viking ship, all of which couldn't just be thrown into a garbage bag, and also several books we though he'd like to read. Some German, some French, Latin, poetry, and many other flavours. Mum and I have plans to take some of the ashes from the fire place and scatter them over Papa's grave. To keep him out of trouble ;P

Flo, getting things going.
The Village, burning strong.
Me, feeding the boat into the flames, as is only appropriate.

2009-01-01T21:17:00.000Z

Happy New Year 2009!!

As it has been the tradition for the past couple years, I spent New Year's with my Handsome Man in Kent. We saw some friends of ours in Canterbury then spent the rest of my visit at his Mum's house with Ed's Mum and brother Jack. Instead of going out and spending way too much money we didn't have on drinks, we spent the evening in with a bottle of champagne and Jules Holland on TV. Jack, Ed, and I also had a good time playing GTA on the XBox. I don't play very well but I like to think I amuse. Ed and I also went out on a few excursions: We went to see a film, and on another evening we went bowling with friends. I have to say the Wii had certainly helped my game ;P It was a great start to a new year, so let's home it's a foreshadowing.

Because I love you :P
Ben in action pose...
Jack in action pose...
Ed in action pose....
...and a shot of my bum!
We played pool after too. Ed and I won the double game, go us!!

2008-12-26T20:27:00.000Z

Boxing Day Frivolities!

Our Boxing Day was spent eating what was left over from our Christmas dinner and enjoying more of Mum's home made pudding. Catherine and Mark joined us for the meal, where we dined on sliced beef in gravy, quiche, sausages, tourtiere, "shmam potatoes", my special brussel sprouts, carrots. And after pudding and some of my holiday baked treats, we spent the rest of the evening playing Wii (in attempts to burn off the calories gained during the meal). Mum turned out to be the star bowler, and we spent most of our time trying to perfect the technique to knock down the most pins possible. A good night was had by all, but the decision is clear...the diet starts tomorrow!! :) I have pictures of the bowling, however they're on my old school camera so I'll put those up when I get them developed.

Catherine and Me- Catherine dressed as a present.
Catherine, and Mark with me by our fabulous tree.

2008-12-25T09:58:00.003Z

Happy/Merry Christmas!!

To all and everyone, I wish you a very happy and healthy holiday season where ever it takes you! I heard a sermon given at the midnight service on the BBC, the Right Rev'd giving the sermon explained how "Merry Christmas" was meant as a term to describe an occasion filled with drinking, and late nights, and general extravagances. He explained that "Happy Christmas" is more acceptable to describe a season of good cheer, family, and time honoured traditions in a more sensible context. I see where this comes from, however I still interchange the sayings freely given that the Christmas holiday season holds so many different meanings for different people, it can mean both! Some gather with platoons of family, have children running all around them, and eat until they pop. Others go to 5 different church services, and carol services and nothing else. Whatever we get up to, the aim is the same: maintaining or creating family traditions, and to feel that magic we all felt as children. In our house, we have a tree, we go to church, and eat copious amounts of food. But lately, we've had to change a few things. I still maintain that we need a tree which I decorate, and I wrap gifts in garish paper and ribbons, I bake millions of cookies and sweets, and Mum and I write what seams like a hundred Christmas cards ... and I wouldn't have it any other way. The only down side (and I know all of you who are forehead deep in snow might object) is not having a blanket of snow, and the smell of salt on the roads.

So whatever you do, whether it's with family, friends, or tucked up on your couch watching old films - have a good and happy holiday season.
With Love!

The Vicarage fire place, Christmas 2007