…one reason why we’re still together after 45 years
Always Clowning Around
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Category Archives: husband
Making Time for Art Has Been Difficult
….instead I’ve been encouraging my husband to start painting
My husband studied art when I first met him and his first job was as a graphic designer. Over the years he contemplated making art as a hobby but life always seemed to get in the way. In the last two weeks after years of encouragement from me he finally picked up a paint brush and started painting. He’s hooked and there’s no stopping him.
To facilitate his painting I made room for him on my art table in my studio. I gave him my acrylic paints and when he ran out of canvases I gave him mine. Right now I’m looking at a mess and am waiting for him to clean so I can work on my own art. He’s actually been pretty good about cleaning up after he finishes a painting but for some reason he’s forgotten this time.
Before his journey started I did manage to complete a couple of assignments from Carla Sonheim’s on-line class that featured six different artists.
Celebrating 45 Years of Love and Friendship
….our wedding day feels like it happened yesterday and not 45 years ago
This time last year we celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary in the hospital when Kevin was admitted for pneumonia. I was so pleased that his cough wasn’t COVID related or pneumonia and that he was well enough to go out for an early dinner today.
Yesterday Kevin took me clothes shopping to buy a new dress for our anniversary dinner. He planned to take me to one our favourite restaurants along the Port Credit River but because of COVID he couldn’t make reservations and we had take our chances and hope we could get in. We decided on an early dinner but even at 4:00 there was a one hour wait. We decided to check out an Italian restaurant up the street.
Posta was open and readily accepted our request for a table for two on the patio. The service and the food were excellent and the view was fantastic. We now have a new favourite restaurant to frequent for special occasions.
August Photo a Day Challenge – Abstract
….thanks to City Sonnet for hosting the https://citysonnet.wordpress.com/2020/08/01/august-photo-a-day-challenge-3/
I adore abstract painting. Yesterday I paid a visit to the AGO. I spent most of my time viewing the Diane Arbus Photography show but I did walk through the modern art section and took this photo of a Joyce Wieland abstract painting.
In a past post I told you about my husband’s renewed love of painting. There are days that he makes up to three paintings. Now that he’s starting to work on larger canvases he can only manage on painting before exhaustion takes over. Here are some more of his recent abstract pieces.
Art Nurtures the Soul
….encouraging my husband to pick up a paint brush
When I met my husband he was an artist. He studied art at college and his first full time job was as a graphic designer. When computers started to take over his chosen profession he changed careers and he abandoned art in order to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. We both worked until I took five years off to raise the kids. When they were in school full time I went back to teaching and my husband became a financial planner.
Over the years I started to pick up paint brushes and drawing pencils and took many classes and on-line art classes to learn everything I could about art techniques and practices. I love it. I tried to encourage my husband to start his art journey again. He wanted to but he was hesitant to start.
Well he finally started last week and I can’t stop him. The only reason he didn’t make another painting today was because he ran out of canvases. In total he has already completed 15 paintings. He’s experimenting with colour and techniques of laying down paint. I can’t tell you how much this has lifted his spirit. We’ve just finished renovating our garage so that he can use it as a summer studio to make larger works of art.
Here are a few of his completed pieces.
A Trip to St. Jacobs
….a great farmers’ market and lovely small town
Last Saturday the forecast wasn’t great for an outing but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from going to the Farmers’ Market in St. Jacob.
We were actually quite surprised how busy the parking lot was and then we were surprised by how many people didn’t wear masks. Coming from Toronto, we are used to wearing masks and seeing the older people in the crowd not wearing them was quite shocking to us.
On the positive side, people were socially distancing and there were barriers and directional signs to help customers move along safely through the market.
We met up with friends, who are also from Toronto and walked through the market together. There were a lot of great deals on bulk purchases so we split the cost on some items and shared the bounty. Before leaving the market, Max shared some of the freshly made apple fritters with us. I can see why they were a must have item for him.
Dining in here is still a no go in Ontario but it is about to change for some areas later in the week. After buying a variety of fruits and vegetables and meats we parted ways. Max and Monica returned to Toronto and Kevin and I decided to drive north to the town of St. Jacobs and explore a bit.
St. Jacobs is a popular location for tourists due to its quaint village appearance, retail focus and Mennonite heritage. Waterloo Region is still home to the largest population of Old Order Mennonites in Canada, particularly in the areas around St Jacobs and Elmira.
We did see some Mennonites at the market but not in town. The first place we stopped at was the local craft brewery called Block 3.
I loved this wall of mugs where local customers had their own personal mug for drinking beer. We sampled a few beers but because it was raining and we couldn’t sit outside we purchased a dozen to drink at home.
After loading up the car we started to venture out to the main street but I ended up going alone while Kevin waited in the car. (purely for health reasons). I could have spent a much longer time looking through the stores but I knew that my time was limited so I chose one store in particular to explore.
Lens Artist Photo Challenge – Summer
….thanks to Amy for hosting this week’s Lens Artist Photo Challenge
Summer is different this year. So far I’ve spent all of it in the city. I miss the Island and hope to get up there soon.
Even lawn bowling looks different this year.
Swimming off the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto
Growing vegetables in our backyard garden
Farmers’ Markets have opened again
Enjoying a meal on the deck in the backyard.
Friendly Friday – Nostalgia
…thanks to Amanda for hosting this week’s Friendly Friday
Everyone once in awhile Facebook or my Photo Stream appear on my phone and remind me of events that took place in the past. It seems that I have done a most of my travelling in July which isn’t really unusual because the summer was the only time I could get away as a teacher.
Here are a few of my favourite moments from the past.
My husband when I first met him in 1972.
Our daughter’s wedding day, 9/10/11
Hiking up the cliff side in Houth, Ireland 2011
Can you believe this is the same guy but 30 years younger?
My Dad meeting his first great grandchild, Winnie.
At Andrea’s and Josie’s wedding
Travelling with our daughter and granddaughter in Italy, July 2016
The family at Azadeh’s and Brendan’s wedding in Assisi, July 2016
Venice with my husband in July 2020
Gaelan, Winnie and me in Florence in July 2020
Visiting Brendan and Azadeh in London with the girls, 2018
Touring the neighbourhoods of London with Andrea and Josie, 2018
Wordless Wednesday – July 1, 2020
….happy Birthday Canada
Friendly Friday Photo Challenge – Comfort Food
…thanks to Sandy for hosting this week’s Friendly Friday Photo Challenge
Comfort foods during COVID-19 have caused me to gain at least six pounds. Despite walking an average 13 000 steps a day comfort foods which are high in carbs are my downfall.
My husband, when he’s feeling okay, has found a renewed love of cooking. I don’t complain and I enjoy what he prepares immensely. The best meals are the ones we work on together. Here are some of my favourite comfort foods that we’ve enjoyed over the last 10 weeks.
Raisin Scones
Homemade Bread
Roast Pork and Mashed Cauliflower
Homemade Pizza
Lemon Pasta with Pancetta
Cowboy Cookies
Breakfast made by Kevin (vegetable hash under a fried egg)
