Category Archives: About Me

Where Do I Stand With My Weight?

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.…. the truth be told I don’t know

Two days ago, after the Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to face the music and get on the scale. Even though I didn’t overdue it, I certainly wasn’t perfect. I half expected to be up 2 or 3 pounds. If I had stayed the same I would have been delighted.

Normally I weigh myself every morning but for some reason I hadn’t stepped on the scale for over a week. I’m not exactly sure why I changed my routine. When I did finally step on the scale Tuesday morning the display window flashed the message “Lo”. After years of almost daily use the batteries finally decided to die. I opened up the back and removed the 4 double A batteries that had served me so well for such a long time.

The solution of course is simple. Replace the old batteries with new ones. If I had 4 on hand I would have done it right away but all my batteries are at the cottage. Once I’m at work the last thing I think about is stopping at the store on my way home to pick up batteries. My husband can’t even remember to pick up milk and we’ve been without it for two days.

It might be an avoidance strategy on my part. I’ve been back on track since the weekend and people continue to compliment me on my weight loss. I don’t want to gain my weight back and I can’t afford it if I did. I’ve literally gotten rid of all my ‘fat’ clothes. Logically my brain tells me that I should be able to eat more than I have since I started on my weight loss journey and still maintain the weight that I have lost as long as I don’t go overboard.

I’ve been here before. I lose weight, people notice and compliment me, my clothes fit better and I like how I feel. I become complacent and maintain my weight for awhile and then slowly start to gain it back.

There is a big difference this time. I’m not done losing weight. I haven’t met my next goal. I’ve made this journey very public and I don’t want to fail. It’s time to start moving again, drink more water and refocus. Oh… and I guess I need to get out there and buy some new batteries.

Where I’ve been and never want to go back.                                      Where I am today.

Picture taken on the weekend.

My official ‘before’ picture taken in March 2012 just before I started my weight loss journey.

Reflections on What I’m Thankful For….

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…. as the Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close

It’s been a wonderful weekend with family and friends. I have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to.

I’m thankful for:

• the support and love of my 3 adult children and their significant others

My son is coming home for 4 days this month – something else I’m thankful for.

Thanksgiving dinner at our house.

• for being able to celebrate my father’s 86th birthday this weekend

• for my husband’s renewed health and the strength to fight his cancer

Celebrating the end of K’s cancer treatment.

Middle sister, CJ and baby sister, CS

• for the love of my sisters and the open communication we have regardless of the miles that separate us

• for the freedom to spend time with my friends

• for my new healthier body and the commitment I have to keep going on my weight loss journey

• for having a job that I love

• for a roof over my head, food at the table, clothes on my back and the freedom to voice my opinion

• for this new adventure called blogging and all the new people I’m meeting as a result – it’s literally opened the doors to the world for me

…. and finally

I’m thankful for 37 wonderful years with my husband and best friend. We have our ups and downs like many couples but it’s mostly ups and when it’s good it’s great.

My new favourite picture of the two of us.

Colours of Autumn

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….. summer left by the back door

It seems like yesterday when we were experiencing warm sunny days. I was still wearing my sandals to work and by noon sweaters and jackets were abandoned because of warm temperatures.

Today,  cold winds and grey skies firmly established that summer is no more and that winter is not far behind. On our daily walk we now step over smashed walnuts and chestnuts and push through multi-coloured fallen leaves. The dog’s tail is picking up burrs and she’s finding the most disgusting things to roll in.

It’s the colours of autumn that I am enchanted with. The red of the sumac leaves against purple wild flowers and fading green to yellow grasses excites my senses and makes me want to get out my paints and play with colour washes.

Today, on our walk, I purposely looked for colours from foliage not often photographed when one thinks of autumn. The soft textures of tall grasses and milkweed pods to the spiky thorns of burrs and seed pods is like a magnet for my imagination and camera lens.

Enjoy!

My husband and Frances. They were always ahead of me because I stopped so often to take pictures.

Despite the difficulties….

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…. the children produced beautiful pieces of art

After last Thursday’s disaster with my art cart I spread out the latest finished pieces of art and took joy in the freedom and beauty of my students’ ‘masterpieces’.

My inspiration came from the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. I love the message in this simply but beautifully illustrated picture book. The main character Vashti laments over the fact that she can’t draw and her teacher encourages her to make a mark on her paper and see where it takes her. She jabs the paper with her marker and makes one small dot. Her teacher makes her sign it and when she arrives for the next art class she discovers that her dot has been framed. She is moved to improve on her dot and she begins to experiment with dots of all sizes.

I knew that I wanted to share this story with my students to encourage them to take pride in their work and take ownership for it by signing it.

While browsing the web I’ve come across some great art blogs and I found one that gave me the idea for this next project. Pamela Holderman’s blog has a great project where the children paint circles using lots of colour. They can add collage, stamps, and add detail with marker. When each child has finished their piece it is cut into 4 equal squares and they keep one and share the other 3 squares with their classmates. Then they put the 4 pieces together to create a new piece of art and they continue adding more personal touches.

When I wanted to start this project I discovered that I didn’t have enough sheets of large paper for painting but I did have small squares of watercolour paper. I cut them all to 7 x 7 and I had each child make one circle piece of art that they could keep. It was a great way for them to experiment with the paints, markers and stamps. When we’re ready to do the larger piece for our cooperative art piece they will be more confident and less reluctant to share their work (hopefully).

Every piece is different and when put together they make a beautiful wall quilt. I think that’s how I’m going to display them outside the classroom.

These were done by my grade 3 class.

Papers Fluttering in the Breeze, Paint Boxes Strewn Over the Pavement and Blocks of Foam Flying Like TumbleWeed

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…… the flaws of doing “art on a cart”

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

I do “art on a cart”. I don’t have my own classroom to hold my art classes. So I load up a cart with all the supplies that I need for each class.

Today was no exception except that the cart had to go outside and travel to the portable at the far end of the colas area. This isn’t the first time I’ve done this but for some reason I had one disaster after another today.

I had loaded the cart with bins filled with pots of tempera paint, paint boxes and brushes. It also held containers for holding water and cleaning brushes, a tray filled with hand made stamps glued to blocks of foam, paper for the next project and the unfinished projects from last week. I also carry a bin filled with markers, scissors and examples of art and books that I use for the lesson.

On top of that I also have to carry water to the class. As the bell rang one of my colleagues needed me to open the computer for the library so that her class could exchange books. She volunteered a few of her students to transport my art supplies to the portable while I set up the computer for her.

The students eagerly pushed the cart towards the outside doors. From the library I could hear the brushes fall to the floor. I wasn’t too worried, they were only brushes after all but when I got outside the students were only half way to the portable. The bin with the pots of tempera paint had fallen off the cart and the jars were rolling about on the pavement. I’m sure one of them broke because there was paint on the outside of one of the jars.

As we got closer to the portable the papers started to flutter in the wind and I grabbed them before they took off. The waiting class rushed into the classroom as soon as I opened the door and left me and the supplies outside. Normally they’re very helpful but today I had to go into the class and recruit help to bring all the supplies inside.

The next problem occurred when I tried to find surfaces in the classroom to put all the supplies. The table I had been using was filled with light experiments. So now I’m placing bins of supplies wherever I find a modicum of space.

Once the lesson started I was fine but I did have some difficulty finding things because my bins were spread out around the classroom. The worst part of the day was yet to happen.

As I was loading up the cart to bring things back into the school a huge gust of wind came up and my foam blocks literally flew out of the tray and immediately tumbled over the playground in all directions. My students quickly took up the challenge trying to retrieve them. I think I’ll be finding stray little blocks for days to come.

I carried the papers and the projects to keep them from suffering the same fate while a group of students pushed the cart. I was slightly ahead of the cart when I heard a crash. The bin with the paint boxes fell and they were strewn over the pavement. Again the kids scurried to pick them up but in their haste they weren’t properly stacked and when they resumed pushing the cart  the bin fell out once again.

When I finally got inside I was ready to pull out my hair. Some the staff couldn’t help but laugh when I described my afternoon. The OA immediately got out the catalogues looking for a new cart that had bins that are securely fastened to the cart. However that won’t help me tomorrow when I have to do this all over again in the other portable that I deliver art to.

What about the art you say? Well that’s what makes all this worthwhile. I’ll share some of the new work in tomorrow’s post.

Loading this up, keeping it stocked and pushing it back and forth from the library to the class I teach is a bit of a challenge, especially when I have to go to the portables and lug buckets of water with me.

Happy Birthday, Kevin

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…. today we celebrated K’s birthday

After spending most of the day at the cross country meet with the kids, it was nice to dress up and put on a little make-up. My two daughters and their significant others met us at a very nice French restaurant to celebrate K’s birthday.

Earlier in the day my father phoned K to wish him a happy birthday, my aunt gave him a new book and our son phoned from Rotterdam. Apparently he’ll be coming to Canada on business in a couple of weeks. I wish we could see him but he’ll be in Montreal and I don’t know how long he’ll be there or how busy he’ll be. The good news is that he’ll be home for Christmas for about 4 weeks before he has to go back to the Netherlands.

The restaurant where we had dinner is called Merlot’s and is situated in the west end of Toronto in the Kingsway. Our waiter was fantastic and the food was wonderful. It was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday night. Reservations are highly recommended.

My appetizer, smoked salmon on a bed of mixed salad.

“Make a wish!”

Today I put on a dress that I haven’t worn before because it was a little tight over the hips. It fits perfectly now and I think it looks great. Back on the diet tomorrow so that I can continue to wear it. Cheers!

 

 

Sugarless Apple Butter

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…. 30 hours later not including the canning

Last night’s salsa. 12 jars of spicy goodness.

It took a long time but because this apple butter recipe is cooked in a slow cooker you literally can walk away from it and leave it. It’s not a bad idea to stir it every once in awhile.

I love apple butter and I’ve purchased a sugarless variety a number of times. It took me some time to find a recipe that didn’t use sugar. Apples are naturally sweet and you don’t need to add more sugar. They also have a lot of natural pectin in them so you don’t need to add that either.

When I went to the farmers’ market on Saturday I asked which apples would make the best apple butter. They recommended MacIntosh or Royal Gala or a combination of both. I opted to try the combination. I used about 40 apples in total. The original recipe called for 25 to 30. I think the overall amount will depend on the size of the apples and the size of your slow cooker. The one I used was one of the bigger slow cookers on the market. Here is where I found the recipe:

http://eatingrichly.com/07/sugar-free-apple-butter-recipe/

The apple puree after the first 10 hours.

Placing the apples on top of the mash after the first and second 10 hour cooking period.

The final product. This recipe produced 10 small jars like the one you see in the photo and 2 pint size jars.

Not only is this recipe healthy but also relatively cheap to make. I spent about $19.00 in apples and ended up with the equivalent of 14 x 250ml jars of product. That’s about $1.35 a jar.

 

 

 

It’s Been a Huge Canning Day

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…. sugar free apple butter and spicy salsa

Actually the canning hasn’t even taken place yet.

I started the apple butter last night and it’s still got another 8 hours of cooking in the slow cooker. I’ll post the recipe tomorrow.

After I added the second batch of apples to the the slow cooker I decided to start the salsa. I’ve made this salsa one other time and loved it. It didn’t last long so I decided to double the recipe. I think doubling the recipe also makes it necessary to cook it longer.

I’ve adapted the recipe slightly. Not only did I double the ingredients but I changed the variety of peppers. A word of warning. If you have sensitive skin you might want to consider wearing gloves as you prep the vegetables. The acidity in the tomatoes left my hands burning.

Here is the original recipe: Peppy Salsa recipe – Canadian Living.

It is recommended that when you chop jalapeno peppers that you wear rubber gloves or at least wash your hands really well before touching parts of your face with your fingers.

When choosing tomatoes for your salsa make sure they are very ripe and free of blemishes. Blanche them in boiling water for 30 seconds and then shock them in a bowl of ice water. The skins will slip off easily.

The tomatoes after they blanched, shocked in ice water and then peeled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I chopped the peppers in small cubes. I didn’t have enough yellow peppers so I added so I added some green ones.

A pot full of chopped peppers and tomatoes.some green ones to the mix.

 

 

 

 

I hate chopping onion. My eyes sting so badly that I usually have to leave the room and wash my face before I can continue.

I chopped the onions and garlic last. The cilantro is added in the last 5 minutes of cooking.

 

 

 

I’ve tried holding my breath but as soon as I breathe through my nose my eyes tear up.

My solution: I get my husband to chop the onion.

 

 

I’ve had to let my sauce cook longer than the recommended time. Use your own judgement. Adjust the seasoning before adding the cilantro.

I put the salsa into hot sterilized jars and then into a water bath for 20 minutes. In fact the jars are in the bath as I write. I will post pictures of the finished product tomorrow along with the directions for the apple butter.

Cheers!

Running for Terry

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…. and Kevin, Marcia, Kathy and anyone else who has or is suffering with cancer

Terry Fox was and is a Canadian hero. I say was because he passed away over 30 years ago just before his 23rd birthday. Diagnosed with a rare bone cancer at the age of 18 and after losing his right leg above the knee, Terry was determined to do something to help raise money to fight cancer and eventually find a cure.

In 1980, after secretly training on his artificial leg, Terry started his Marathon of Hope on the east coast of Canada and was determined to run all the way to the west coast. Everyday Terry ran 42 kilometres and along the way he collected money from the Canadian people for cancer research. His goal was to raise one dollar for every Canadian.

Unfortunately, just outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, Terry had to give up his journey because his cancer had spread to his lungs. Inspired by Terry’s dream, Canadians continued to raise money while Terry endured more treatments. Just before his death, Terry realized his dream when over 24 million dollars was raised.

Every year since, Terry Fox Runs across the country and in over 50 countries around the world have raised over 600 million dollars for cancer research. For the last 11 years at our school the children, staff and the community have raised over $22,000.

Thursday of this week we had our annual Terry Fox Run. After a short assembly and raising the Terry Fox flag, over 300 students, staff and parents ran around our cross country course. It was a beautiful day and full of emotion. Everyone wore large stickers this year with the names of loved ones they were running for.

Raising the Terry Fox flag before the run.

The whole school running around the yard and adjoining park.

Even our school trustee came out to join in.

My friend and colleague, G, who has organized this run at our school since 2001.

Running for her aunt.

A picture of me in my running gear. A picture I couldn’t even imagine 8 months ago.

Running for 3 people near and dear to me.

Fungi…having fun with the macro setting

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For some reason, for the last two years, I have these huge mushrooms, fungi, toadstools (or whatever you want to call them) growing in my front yard. Last year I waited too long before I took a picture. They seem to get bigger everyday and then without warning they whither and fall apart.

Today, as soon as I got out of the car, I pulled out the camera from my purse  and switched to the macro zoom setting. I’m sure my neighbour across the street thought I was a little crazy as I got down on my hands and knees to get these shots.