Happy Canadian Thanksgiving

Posted on October 12, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…the prep started last Wednesday

I don’t normally work on Wednesdays anymore but we were shorthanded so I went to the Inn to help out.

Wednesday is the day we make the sourdough bread and some specialty breads. The day before we prepped for five different breads so I was surprised that we were making buns and Japanese milk bread on top of the regular sourdough.

Even though some folks thought we made too much bread (over 90 loaves) we sold out in two hours. For our Thanksgiving dinner I purchased a package of the Big Buttery Buns.

Yesterday we had our Thanksgiving dinner at our house. It was a special day since our daughter Gaelan and her family joined us for the first time in five years. Earlier this year they sold their house in New Brunswick and moved back to Ontario. Andrea and Josie joined us as well so we were Seven in total for dinner.

Tomorrow and on Wednesday, Winnie and her dad are celebrating their 11th and 50th birthdays so we also had birthday cake and handed out gifts. Sadly I didn’t take photos.

After the meal everyone pitched in to help with the clean-up. We put the turkey bones in a pot and made broth. Today I ladled the broth into 4 1/2 large mason jars and finished cleaning the kitchen. Kevin went out into the garden and started cleaning out the vegetable garden. He picked more bean and tomatoes.

Today is the official holiday. I have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy this beautiful sunny day.

Wacky Bird Wednesday – October 7, 2026

Posted on October 7, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…Kevin’s latest wacky birds

Monster Monday – October 5, 2026

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…. A super busy summer but Kevin still found time to draw some new monsters

Wacky Bird – September 2, 2026

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…Kevin has been busy on his iPad

Wacky Bird on a Friday

Posted on July 10, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…July 10, 2026

Both Kevin and I have our calendars a bit out of whack trying to get ready for our art show. Anyway I think any day is a good day for a wacky bird.

A Sketch of Church Street in Stoke Newington

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…my favourite made by Kevin during our trip

Sculpture Saturday – In the Outdoor Sculpture Court at the Barbican

Posted on May 16, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…May 16, 2026

Colombian artist Delcy Morelos explores our relationship with the earth in a monumental, site-specific installation made of soil, clay and fragrant spices. The piece is called ‘origo’ which means origin in Latin.

You are encouraged to step inside this massive sculpture and explore the tunnels. It is the first installation in 10 years at the Barbican Sculpture Court.

The Car Kevin Owned When We First Met

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…every time we see a VW beetle Kevin has to stop to take a photo

On this trip it was no different. The only other vehicle he likes more is the VW camper van.

Another Mini Sketch

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…Kevin continues to draw on this trip

A Day Filled with Art

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Mama Cormier

…May 5, 2026

Today Kevin and I decided to revisit an art gallery not to far from our flat, The Estorick Collection. Kevin went on line and checked the hours. We walked to the bus stop to catch bus 73. We got off at Essex Station and after a short walk we arrived at the gallery.

When we got to the gates a very official and beautifully dressed woman informed us the that the gallery was closed to the public because it was hosting a private function. We were very disappointed and I informed her that we had come a long way to see the Alessandro Mendini exhibition. When she asked us where we had come from I promptly told her “Canada”. She asked us a few more questions about where in Canada and we told her that we live in Toronto. Turns out that she’s been there and so had her sons.

I guess she took pity on us and she invited us to join the crowd and help ourselves to food and drink so we looked like we belonged there. It turned out that she was the organizer of the event. For the next 15 minutes we kept hearing her mention the couple from Canada and she even brought over her sons to introduce us to them.

We joined a group for a tour of the gallery. We learned about the history of the place and how the original owners were looking for Italian art from the early 20th century in the futuristic genre.

After this part of the tour, Kevin and I made our way to the Alessandro Mendini exhibition. He is one of Kevin’s favourite designers from Italy. It is a very playful and colourful exhibit. He is very well known for this chair.