Art for the Soul

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….after a very long hiatus

It seems like I haven’t made art for a long time. I feel like I want to do too much and something has to go by the wayside. Unfortunately that something has been my art. Currently I’ve been very busy with baking bread twice a week at Montgomery’s Inn, lawn bowling two nights a week, taking ukulele lessons and trying to practise between lessons, going downtown to the Women’s Art Association of Canada to work in the library and trying to get up to the cottage on weekends.

My father tries to be as independent as possible but there are times that I need to drive him to doctors’ appointments, grocery shopping and the bank. Fortunately my neighbour has returned from the hospital and I no longer have to go next door to feed her cat every day. I did that for seven weeks.

This weekend I stayed home to spend more time with my husband. Unfortunately our plans to go out together didn’t pan out because he came down with a bad head cold. I am very grateful to our daughter and daughter-in-law who invited me to go to the art gallery today. It was a fun afternoon. I’ll tell you more about that in another post.

On Friday, I opened my sketchbook and took a line drawing that I started earlier in the week and filled it in with colour. It was very therapeutic.

I Can’t Believe She Ate the Whole Thing

Posted on June 9, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….it seems that my granddaughter is going through a growth spurt

I was blessed this weekend to have my daughter and granddaughter stay with us for the weekend. On Friday they will be moving to the summer camp that my son-in-law is in charge of and unless I go up there during the summer there’s little chance of seeing them for the next two months. Hopefully I will find the time to drive up and spend a day or two, here and there over the summer months.

So this weekend was very special to me. We started the day with lunch on the deck and Winnie enjoyed a sandwich, juice and strawberries. She discovered that dipping strawberries into almond butter made for a tasty treat.

After lunch Mommy left to visit a friend for a couple of hours so Winnie and I walked up to the Lakeshore where a grilled cheese festival was taking place. Before we got there she was already declaring that she was hungry again so the first thing we did was purchase a grilled cheese sandwich. She didn’t eat it all but she did want to take it home (which she finished later). Then we went to the yarn store and the owner kindly offered both of us a drink of juice with ‘strawberries’ in it. Of course Winnie loved it.

When we left the yarn store Winnie once again said she was hungry so we headed towards the ice-cream store. She ordered a ‘strawberry’ cone and I had a cup of ‘sweet cream’. Her cone had a very generous scoop of ice-cream for a kiddie cone but she had no problem finishing the whole thing.

In between all the treats Winnie bounced around in the Bouncy Castle and played several games where she earned some coupons for a few small prizes. All in all it was a wonderful afternoon that I will always cherish.

The Garden is Taking Shape

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….unlike other years this one is in before July

When I was working our garden sometimes didn’t get planted until the end of June or later. This year, thanks to a burst of energy, my husband was eager to get the seeds and plants in for his vegetable boxes. I’m in charge of the flowers.

The weather has finally shifted and it’s been comfortable enough to work outside in the garden. The soil is no longer swimming in water and is finally dry enough for planting. The family who cuts our grass also seeded it a few weeks ago and it’s looking very lush and healthy. Two evenings this week it’s been warm enough to eat supper on the deck and I’ve been enjoying my morning coffee outside.

Today’s dinner started with this amazing burrata, roasted peaches, prosciutto, tomato and arugula salad.

The main course was a mussel, shrimp, halibut and chorizo stew.

What to do With Old Paint Brushes

Posted on May 18, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….I’ve been meaning to write about this for awhile now

Back in February or March I received a request to donate old unwanted paint brushes, spools of thread and old frames to the Women’s Art Association of Canada. A couple of very creative women had come up with an idea of how to use them as decorations for a major fundraiser that ran over 5 days in April.

I managed to attend the first evening and was delighted to see how Janet and Deniz had used the old brushes. Here are a few of their creations.

Sure Signs of Spring

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….despite the unseasonably cold and blustery weather

Yesterday I saw my first robin. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera or phone handy so I didn’t a picture. However, earlier in the day I did see and photography the following signs of spring.

In Germany they are definitely basking in the warmth of spring. Earlier today my cousin sent me photos of the family and they are actually having a meal in an outdoor cafe. The gentleman in the photo is my uncle, my father’s younger brother.

Dogs of Blogs – Day 4

Posted on March 5, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Jessica for hosting Dogs of Blogs

This is Frances. She is a strange mix between a Dachshund and an Australian Shepard. We’ve had her for over 12 years and she has certainly slowed down over the years. Her favourite place in the world to be is at the cottage. She loves the water but now she spends more and more time sleeping in the shade.

When I’m Not Drawing

Posted on February 18, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….I’m knitting

I’m loving my collage class but sometimes I just need a change of pace. A while back I started a hat for my daughter and I had wool left over so I decided to knit a matching hat for her daughter (my granddaughter). I wasn’t sure there would be enough wool and it did look a tad small when I finished. I opted not to attach the pompom until I made sure it was going to fit.

Yesterday we drove to Hamilton to celebrate our Family Day. I presented Winnie with her hat and it just fit. Of course she wanted the pompom so I got out my sewing needle and promptly attached it.

Weekly Photo Challenge – Comfortable and Cozy

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Travelling at Wit’s End for this week’s Weekly Photo Challenge

When thinking of comfortable and cozy I immediately think of a big puffy blanket or an oversize sweater. It can also be how a place makes you feel when walk into it or an oversized armchair or sofa that you can sink into. What makes you comfortable and cozy?

The Inn in Prince Edward County

A Fire

Reading with Papa

Snuggling with Mom on the Hammock

Cuddling Some of her Favourite Stuffs

The Library at WAAC

Comfort Food – Old Fashion Trifle

Cozy Chair

Pyjama Day at School

Two Birthdays – One Here, Another in Uruguay

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….my twins are 37 years old

Last Sunday my babies turned 37. Our son travelled to Uruguay this Christmas to spend time with his wife’s family. Her uncle rented a ranch house by the ocean and while we were enduring the cold here in Canada they were basking in the sun at the beach. My son was literally burning (at least his feet were).

For his pre-birthday dinner he was treated to a South American BBQ with lots of meat on the grill.

Meanwhile back here in Canada we celebrated his twin sister’s birthday in her home. We decided on a Persian themed pot luck supper. My husband picked up some meat kabobs and eggplant dip from our local Persian restaurant and he made a pot of Gormeh Sabzi (Green Herb Stew). Our son-in-law made a Fesenjan (Pomegranate Walnut Stew) and a Jewelled Rice (rice with nuts and dried fruit). Andrea made a Cauliflower Kuku (cauliflower frittata made with eggs). Everything was delicious. I think Azadeh would have approved.

Winnie insisted that Mom needed a birthday cake so Gaelan whipped up a cheesecake with a hazelnut base. It was outstanding.

Of course it wouldn’t be a birthday without opening gifts. It turned out that some of us also got to open some Christmas presents from our friend who was unable to come to our house on Christmas Eve.

All in all it was a great day.

Happy Birthday Frances

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….December 13, 2018

I can’t believe that our dog, Frances is already 12 years old. We got her as a puppy from our daughter when she got a new job that made it impossible for her to properly train a new puppy. Frances immediately became my husband’s dog. It was love at first sight.

Over the years Frances has brought us a lot of joy. She’s a strange mix and whenever people ask about her breed they’re surprised by the answer. To the best of our knowledge she’s a cross between an Australian Sheppard and a Dachshund.

Here are a few photos of her over the last 12 years.