The Simple Things in Life

….are often free or cost very little

My granddaughter and daughter are leaving today and flying back to New Brunswick. We’ve had a wonderful time going to the CNE, buying new clothes for school and Gaelan and I went to the theatre to see the show, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. All of these things were fun to do but when I asked Winnie what her favourite activity was, she said she loved swimming in the city pool and my neighbour’s pool. She also enjoyed our picnic lunch in High Park, walking through the High Park Zoo and climbing on the huge tree stump in the park. Twice she was treated to ice-cream from the ice-cream truck, once from me and then again from her aunt Andrea. You can see from the look on her face how special that was.

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The Infamous Capybara
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Standing inside the hollowed out trunk

Miss you already, Winnie! Love Oma

A Day at the CNE With my Girls

….it’s been three years since the last visit to the Exhibition

We were all excited to be going back to the CNE. For the last two years the Canadian National Exhibition was closed due to COVID.

Having my granddaughter, who is now six, with us made the day extra special. We started the afternoon in the Kids’ Amusement area. Winnie played a fishing game which guarantees a prize for all. Even though she ‘won’ the smallest prize she was delighted. She was very independent and went on several rides and fun houses on her own but on the kids’ rollercoaster she was escorted by her aunt Andrea.

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There was one ride in the Kids section that Winnie really wanted me to go on with her. It was called the Raptor Run and it basically went around in circles but the cars went in circles as well and the platform tilted up and down. It was fun and I screamed like a little kid. Just when I thought it was over it changed directions and kept going.

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We decided to save a few more rides for later so we headed over to the Food Building and the Midway. Andrea had a corndog and the rest of us shared a large chicken and chips basket. Winnie wanted to go on some of the adult rides but for many of them she was too short but she was okay to go on the Tornado. Again she wanted me, her Oma to go on the ride with her. I convinced Andrea to join us but Winnie’s Mom refused. I’m glad Andrea joined us because the cars were high off the ground and I needed a hand to get into my seat. This ride was similar to the Raptor Run but it flew through the air. What I won’t do for my granddaughter!!!!

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Of course I can’t go to the CNE without playing some midway games. One of the big differences this year wasn’t the type of game that was offered (they were pretty much the same as other years) it was the price. Many of the games were $10.00 a pop. We were very selective as to which games we played.

A must every time we go is the Birthday Game. We found one that was only $2.00 to play. Andrea, Winnie and I all played the first game and guess who won?. Winnie of course. She was delighted. Then we went to Whack-a-Mole. We love this game but the competition was very intimidating. One of the guys offered us his spot but I thanked him and declined because I knew I couldn’t win against these young guys. Turns out the this same fellow won and he turned to Winnie and asked her what she wanted. She was shocked and we were surprised. She chose a blue Sloth and we thanked him profusely. What a nice guy.

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I always like the water pistol game where you aim at a target and the first toy to reach the top wins. This time Andrea and I were the only players, so again Winnie won another prize, a sparkly blue dragon. What a day.

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Seventy Years and Counting

I can’t believe that I turned 70 yesterday

I don’t feel a day over 50, until I put out my back lifting a towel out of the laundry basket or wrenching my wrist trying to collapse some cardboard packing materials. That said, I’ve recovered relatively quickly and had a great day at my special birthday party in the garden yesterday. I’m always happiest when I’m surrounded by friends and family and 35 of them showed up.

The weather was absolutely beautiful, if not a tad too warm but when the shade came over the deck and patio, sitting outside was very comfortable. I was showered with love, cards, wine and flowers. There was lots of food and drink and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

For the rest of the week I’m spending time with my daughter and granddaughter before they return to New Brunswick and to get my birthday present from them I have to visit them in Moncton to use my gift ( a day at a Nordic Spa). I see a flight in the near future.

Thanks to my husband for my new patio furniture and thanks to Andrea for helping me put it together so that we could enjoy it at the party.

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The Chaos of the Artist Studio

….some artists thrive in chaos

My husband doesn’t like it when I try to clean-up his work space. I’ve learned to leave his art studio as is. He knows where everything is (most of the time) and what many people would consider an unorganized space, it’s a space that sparks his creative juices.

I can’t say I’m much better. My art studio is smaller and is currently cluttered with papers, bills and unused art supplies. I can only take the mess for so long before I have the need to clean and reorganize the space. I’ll share my space down the road.

Welcome to Studio K. Cormier:

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Whatsoever Is Lovely Challenge – July 17, 2022

….thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting the Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge https://xingfumama.blog/2022/07/17/whatsoever-is-lovely-challenge-2022-week-28/

This weekend I finally opened my cottage. It is truly my special place. I normally open sooner but I was so busy with my art show that this was the first opportunity I had to go up with my daughter. Opening up is always a big job and I knew that I couldn’t do it on my own so having Andrea with me made the whole process so much easier and more fun. Here are a few images from the north shore at Big Sand Bay and from the dock.

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One Word Sunday – Summer

….thanks to Debbie Smyth from Travel With Intent for hosting OWS https://travelwithintent.com/2022/07/10/draft-one-word-sunday-ows/

Summer for me is the cottage. With preparing for the my solo art show, hanging the show, attending the gallery to greet people and now closing the show I have yet to get to my summer home. There have been other issues as well, such as not being able to get to the island because the the ferry broke down, was repaired and then broke down again. Even though the passenger ferry is running and a barge was provided I couldn’t bring myself to open the cottage on my own. This coming weekend, my daughter and daughter-in-law are able to help me. In the meantime I’ve enjoyed ‘Summer’ from the city.

As many of you know I live down by Lake Ontario and am blessed with a string of beautiful parks in my neighbourhood. Here is summer so far, this year, for me.

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Watching and playing lawn bowling down the street
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Walking to the little beach at Rotary Peace Park
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Enjoying the flora along the lake shore on my walks
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View from the park at the bottom of my street

A Busy Weekend Starting With Canada Day

Friday, July 1st was Canada Day

Friday morning I started the day at the lawn bowling club where we had a fun time with a 4,3,2,1, game of lawn bowling. After a couple of hours we were treated to a BBQ of burgers, hotdogs and salads and of course cake. Everyone was instructed to wear red and white.

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After lawn bowling I attended a garden bridge party with another BBQ after the game. Great company and great food. Thanks Mary.

On Saturday I went back down to the art gallery where my show is being held and I welcomed 15 more friends and family members to my exhibit. Another successful day with four more paintings being sold and lots of cards. I have one more week at the gallery starting tomorrow. Here are some of the paintings that have sold.

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On Sunday I went to visit a friend to pick up a book and we ended up having lunch together in her lovely backyard. I picked up some yarn from her to pursue a new hobby. I’m going to attempt to do some weaving to add to some of my new art projects. The rest of the weekend is pretty much a blur.

Plans for this week? Not sure but I am going to go back to the gallery on Wednesday with a friend who didn’t have a chance to get there earlier. I don’t need to be there for people to see the show but I’m happy to make the trip for anyone who’d like me to be there. Thanks to all who have already made the trek downtown to see my show. I loved seeing all of you.

Carol

At Last – My Opening was a Success

after months of work my show finally opened

Thanks to all who encouraged me to keep painting and then supported me with a visit to the gallery and/or messages of love. I couldn’t be happier.

Those little red stickers were the icing on the cake.

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The first big piece that sold yesterday
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The two pieces that made up this trio were sold
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My curator, advertising designer and loving daughter
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My wonderful daughter-in-law
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My Biggest fan and supporter – love you to the moon and back

Thursday Trios – June 30, 2022

coming down from a high after my first solo art show opening

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Three of my art pieces from the show
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A trio of friends – we’ve known each other for more than 30 years

If you have any photos with trios I’d love to see them. Just copy the link from this post and paste it into your blog and I’ll be sure to leave a comment.