Share Your World (2014) – Week 51

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….thank you Cee for another week of great questions….will there be a week 52 or do we start with week 1?

Would you prefer snowy winters, or not, and why?

I’d like something in the middle. A little snow (maybe one good blizzard) and when there’s no snow I’d like mild temperatures. We had a lot of snow back in November but for the most part by the time December rolled around most of it had disappeared and we ended up with a green Christmas. Today is Dec. 31st and we still don’t have any snow but it’s become bitterly cold. I like to walk but when the wind blows and the temperature drops it makes for a bone chilling experience. What a difference from last year!

So, you’re on your way out and it’s raining. Do you know where your umbrella is or do you frantically search for it all over your apartment/house?

Rain? The umbrella is always in the car. A lot of good it does me when I have to run through the parking lot at school in the pouring rain to get to my car.

Do you prefer your food separated or mixed together?

I like both but when it’s separated I’m not one of those people who can’t stand to have the different foods touching. That’s just weird. Sorry to those people who feel that way. I also love casseroles, soups and stews. When I need comfort food the latter mentioned meals hit the spot.

…..filled with lamb and a side of fesenjoon (ground walnuts with chicken)

What is set as the background on your computer?

On my computer my background is a photo of the city of Toronto that I took from the park west of the city. This is what I see every day when I walk to the park with Frances.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful for having my entire family home for Christmas and being able to spend another Christmas with my Dad.

This week we celebrated the birthday of my twins and I am looking forward to going to my friends 60th birthday levi on Thursday and bringing the family together one last time on Saturday before my son and his fiancé fly back to London, England.

Happy New Year, everyone. All the best in 2015!

Birthday, Brunch, Books and Best Buys

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Mama Cormier

…..Dec.30 is the birthday of my twins, G and B

Today we celebrated a birthday. Thirty-three years ago I gave birth to two healthy children, a girl and a boy. We celebrated at G’s place where she treated us to a wonderful brunch of homemade bread, homemade ricotta cheese, jams, honey, coffee, fresh fruit salad, kale and goat cheese frittata and a delicious green salad. Everyone contributed to the meal but the bulk of the work was prepared by G.

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Gifts were exchanged earlier in the day and then again at the brunch. Our son loves books and our daughter collects cookbooks. Yesterday G ordered B a very special cookbook that he had expressed an interest in and surprisingly it was delivered while we were there. Now that’s service!

After brunch we (our oldest daughter, our son and his fiancé) drove north on Yonge St. and stopped at Super Khorak to purchase some special food items for dinner. Our future daughter-in-law is Iranian and we wanted to purchase some authentic Iranian food. My son and my husband literally cleaned their bowls and the food containers with the flat Iranian bread that we bought. There wasn’t a morsel of food left over. It was definitely a ‘best buy’ today.

One at a Time – WP Daily Writing Challenge

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….today Word Press is challenging us to write on any topic using only one syllable words

Sing, A Time of Love

Sing a song that brings joy

Make it full of whole long notes

High and low, soft and loud

Add a quick bar or two for fun

Sweet babes sing with glee

Dear Saint Nick is on his way

Hum, dance and dream

Of toys and sweet treats

Bless this day so near

Bring one and all home

to share and sing

Sing, sing, sing!

Picasso Portraits as Seen Through the Eyes of Children

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….my kindergarten class just finished their Picasso portraits

After discussing faces and the different parts and how to draw them I introduced Pablo Picasso to my kindergarten class. We talked about the difference between reality painting and abstract painting and how Picasso could do both. I had photographs of some of Picasso’s abstract portrait paintings and then I drew an oval shape and divided it with a vertical line down the centre. I encouraged the children to use curvy or zigzag lines and to add more than one.

The next part was the fun part. They could draw as many eyes, noses and mouths as they wanted. They could use any colour for skin and hair. Each child was given a black Sharpie to draw a shape for the face, the lines within the shape and then all the facial features that they wanted to add. When they were done with that they took crayons and coloured in their Picasso faces and some of them coloured the background as well. I was amazed at the detail that they added. They really took the time to examine some of Picasso’s portraits and you could see how they tried to incorporate some of his design details in their own work. I think they’re fabulous. You be the judge.

Share Your World – 2014 – Week 46

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….6 more weeks before the end of the year

Thanks Cee for four more great questions.

On a vacation what you would require in any place that you sleep?

I require at least two pillows, a clean bathroom with a hot shower, and a desk to write from.

Music or silence while working?

More and more I find I like to work in complete silence, especially late at night. During the day I don’t mind a bit of music when I’m doing chores. It helps elevate my mood when I’m working on something I’d rather not do.

If you were to move and your home came fully furnished with everything you ever wanted, list at least three things from your old house you wish to retain?

I would want to retain all our musical instruments, all my art work and my antique blanket box. These are the things that add character to our home.

What’s your least favorite mode of transportation?

My least favourite mode of transportation is a speed boat. I’m fine with larger boats, ferries and sailboats but I’ve never understood the thrill of bouncing over waves in a speed boat.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful for time spent with my oldest daughter, her partner J and her nephew A. We spent an afternoon at the museum and then we all went to one of my oldest teaching colleagues and best friends for supper.

I know I’ve had a good weekend when I can finish a piece of art. Last week I did the last of the assignments for my on-line class, Table Top Drawing and Painting. I’ll post those pieces later in the week.

This week I’m looking forward to some normalcy. I can continue to organize the library. Everything is finally coming into place. The last of the additions arrived today and will be installed this week. I’ve finally deleted boxes of damaged and old books from the computer and processed half of the new books that I purchased during the book fair.

On Thursday my husband and I are going to the theatre to see The Book of Mormons. I’m really looking forward to that. It’s not often that we get out to see a live show.

Cheers!

Share Your World – Week 45

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….week 45?…. are there really only 7 weeks left in the year?

What is your favorite color?

Easy, peasy! Red

In what do you find the simplest of joys?

I find great joy in a good book, quiet time at the cottage, conversations with my husband, getting lost in creating new art and hugs from my students.

Would you prefer a reading nook or an art, craft, photography studio?

If I can’t have both I’d have to choose an art studio. I need a place where I can put out my supplies and leave them out and not worry about putting things away because company is coming or family is staying overnight and need to sleep where I currently do my art.

What is at least one of your favorite quotes?

I don’t know who said it first but I believe in “live in the moment”.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I am grateful for time with family. The memorial for my aunt and my daughter’s birthday brought together the family for two days. Some family members I see regularly but others only occasionally and it was nice having everyone together even if it was only for a couple of days.

This week I’m looking forward to our annual Remembrance Day service at school. Everyone has worked very hard to make the day special and if it’s anything like other years it will be a very touching and memorable day.

I’m also looking forward to spending some time with friends and going to another concert put on by the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto. On Saturday or Sunday I’m also entertaining a young man (J’s 7 year old nephew) by taking him to the ROM. It’s always fun taking children to the museum.

For more Share Your World posts check out Cee’s photography.

A Farewell Celebration Followed by a Birthday Celebration

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….this weekend we fondly remembered my aunt and celebrated my oldest daughter’s 35th birthday

I don’t have a very large extended family. My mother only had one sister and my father had a sister who also passed away this year and he has a brother who still lives in Germany. In total I have five cousins. Three live in Germany, one in Florida and one in Hamilton.

I have two sisters and in total we have 7 children. My youngest sister lives in Calgary with her husband and two children and my middle sister lives in Chatham with her new husband. Her two children live, here, in Toronto. Of my three children, two still live in Toronto and my son now resides in London, England.

This weekend brought some of us together to celebrate the life of my aunt, my mother’s older sister. My own mother passed over 20 years ago at the young age of 61.

My aunt H had two children, late in life and when her husband died in his early fifties she moved to Canada to be closer to her sister and give her children a fresh start.

On Saturday my cousin arranged for a simple memorial gathering at the funeral home. She put together three boards of photos and brought along 5 or 6 photo albums of her mother’s life. While going through her mother’s possessions she found this amazing photograph. We think she was about 19 or 20 when this photo was taken.

Later that evening 15 family members went to a very nice restaurant for dinner together where we could spend more time together and reminisce.

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Today we had all my children together (including our son) to celebrate A’s birthday. I can’t believe that I have a 35 year old daughter. Our good friends B and W also came over to help us celebrate. My husband and daughter, G, made fantastic pizza rolls called stromboli. Unfortunately I didn’t get a picture of it but there is one at the link that I posted.

Later we had coffee and wonderful cake that J brought. The round things on top that look like rocks were called cake truffles (very sweet).

Six weeks before Christmas. There’s been so much food in the last few days that my husband and I feel like juice fasting. Instead we’ve decided to really focus on healthy eating and moving more. I’m actually looking forward to no sweets and carbs and eating more fruits and vegetables and simply grilled meats. Pass the water, please!

Share Your World – Week 43

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….talk about last minute for this post

What is your favorite time of day?

I love early mornings when the sun first comes up but here in the Northern Hemisphere that is happening later and later. So I’d have to say that in the summer mornings are my favourite time of day and in the winter I’m more of a night person. I seem to get re-energized late at night and it’s when my creative juices flow. I’m trying to get to bed earlier so this is a bit of an inner conflict that I have.

What’s your favorite charitable cause and why?

I’ve never really thought about a favourite cause. I like to donate to the Daily Food Bank and support causes that help the hungry and homeless but I also am very actively involved in the Heart and Stroke campaign called Jump Rope for Heart. This is where we encourage children to get active by skipping to promote a healthy heart and at the same time raise funds for heart and stroke research.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

Curled up with a good book and a cup of tea.

When writing by hand do you prefer to use a pencil or pen?

I prefer a nice pen to write with, one that doesn’t smear or leave my fingers blue. I find that with pencil my fingers always smudge the lead as I write. I’m left handed.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

As some of you may know my aunt passed away earlier today so I’m grateful that her suffering has finally ended and that she’s in a better place. I’m also grateful that the book fair is over and that we raised a substantial amount of money for the library and classroom libraries.

This coming week I’m looking forward to getting my library back but even more I’m looking forward to seeing my son when he comes for a short visit on Sunday. I haven’t seen him since last Christmas.

For more Share Your World posts click here.

Share Your World – Week 42

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Mama Cormier

…..time to put on my thinking cap to answer Cee’s Share Your World questions

What would be your preference, awake before dawn or awake before noon?

I don’t like sleeping in that late. Sleeping in for me is 8:30. If I can squeeze in enough sleep I’d prefer waking before dawn.

If you could choose between Wisdom and Luck, which one would you pick?

I would choose wisdom. With wisdom one rarely needs luck.

If you were given the opportunity for free skydiving lessons would you take them? Why or why not?

I’m not into skydiving. I’m afraid of heights. I don’t even like roller coasters. It’s the first drop that scares me, after that I’m okay.

Is the glass half empty or half full? What is in the glass?

It’s all about perspective. If I’ve poured half a glass, it’s half full. If I poured a full glass and I’ve sipped half of it, it’s half empty. What’s in the glass? A good red wine, of course.

This glass is just empty.

Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?

I’m grateful that my husband’s ordeal with surgeries and hospitals is finally over and knock on wood, he’s good to go for awhile.

I’m looking forward to a successful book fair at school. It starts on Monday and goes till Friday. I’ll be busy but it will be worth it. The kids love it and are so excited about opening day.

Closing the Cottage – A List of Last Times

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Mama Cormier

….last time for the season that is

On Saturday my husband and I drove to the cottage for the last time this season. It was an absolutely beautiful day but we were on a mission and that was to close the cottage for the season.

Every year we say we’re going to spend more time at the cottage in the fall but it never seems to happen. This year we closed extra early because of my husband’s upcoming surgery.

As we were cleaning up and packing the car we both wished that we were staying for more than the day but I had a run to do with my daughter in the city on Sunday and there was no way that we could get back in time if we stayed over night.

We packed a nice lunch which we enjoyed on the deck; our last meal at the cottage for the season. K and Frances went for a walk on the beach; the last one for the season. The closing of the cottage went smoothly and without any drama or complications. After screwing the plywood over the back door we made one last drive to the garbage bins and headed over to the top of the hill and got out of the car to take a few pictures of the fall colours. Unfortunately the colours will probably we better next week but we had to make due with the changes that were presented to us. We’ll probably take a drive, closer to home in the next week to take advantage of the autumn colours at their best.

When we got to the dock I backed the car onto the ferry for the last time this year and once we got to the other side we stopped off in Lafontaine and enjoyed a coffee at Wendy B’s. Her little shop/bakery was always a must stop destination before heading to the ferry docks.

Another stop on most of my trips to the cottage was the Dubeau Family Farm where I would stop to pick up fresh berries, beans, corn and other vegetables and fruits that were in season. On Saturday’s visit (the last one for the season) the pumpkins were on display. In a couple of weeks there will be 10 times that number. I took a chance and bought my pumpkin early and for the last time this season handed over my money to Jason, the young man who has lovingly bagged my purchases all summer.