….this week WordPress is encouraging us to share our less than perfect photos
Some of my long time followers may remember these photos from my birthday in 2014. My husband loves to ride his bike everywhere; however, on that day he learned that not everything transports well over the handle bars of a bicycle. Case in point….my birthday cake….a large, specially made Black Forest Cake, made with real whipped cream and loads of cherry filling.
None the less, it was delicious!
…..Aisla from Where’s My Backpack has challenged us to post photos of fabric
I’ve always loved fabrics. My parents opened their own fabric/wool store when I was 16 years old. They decided on this business partly due to the fact that as a family we sewed a lot of our own clothes and I already knew that I wanted to be a home economics/family studies teacher.
Recently my husband and I went to an exhibit at the ROM where they featured the traditional fabrics and clothes of Mexico.
….thanks to Cee for coming up with four more interesting questions
What would be your ideal birthday present, and why?
I love birthdays and I love to be surrounded by family and friends on my birthday. My ideal present would be a big party with all the important people in my life present
What colour would you like your bedroom to be?
I’ve had grey in my bedroom for years and I’ve hated it. I recently bought a neutral cream colour which I think I’ll much prefer.
Would you prefer snowy winters, or not, and why?
I like snow but I also like it when it melts away in March. Last winter it hung around way too long.
Would you rather go a week without bathing, but be able to change your clothes, or a week without a change of clothes, but be able to bathe?
I think I would prefer to bath every day and wear the same clothes. At least the clothes won’t get as dirty if I start out clean every day. I would probably hand wash my underwear every night.
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Last week I was grateful for a very mild weekend. I managed to get out on Saturday for a walk with the dog and then meet up with my daughters and their families at the Junction Christmas Market. All in all I walked 16 000 steps that day. I also got to spend some time with Miss Winnie. She’s starting to smile more and when I changed her diaper she gave me a huge smile. She makes my heart melt.
Last week, the girls’ basketball team played in their first tournament. They won all three games and have moved on to the West Conference Finals.
Yesterday we hosted our annual Craft Night at the school. We invite the students to bring their parents back to school in the evening and go from room to room and make whatever craft is being featured. This year we had numerous crafts that included golf ball snowmen, melted snowman ornaments, Minion ornaments, cookie decorating and paper crafts. I usually don’t have time to go around and take photos of the different activities but this year I did manage to go to a few rooms close to the library before we became busy. Here are a few of the great things that the children made. It was all over in an hour. It’s almost like preparing a big Christmas dinner where you spend hours and hours cooking and making preparations and then it’s all over in 20 minutes.
For the rest of the week I’m looking forward to having dinner with a group of friends. On the weekend my husband and I are planning on driving to the countryside with our daughters to cut down a Christmas tree. This will be my youngest daughter’s first Christmas tree in her new home. Ideally it would be nice to have some fresh snow but the temperatures are suppose to remain well above freezing so that’s very unlikely.
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Till next time.
Carol
….we’ve had mild weather before but the grass is still green, flowers are blooming and some of the trees are budding
On our walk yesterday we came across a lot of signs that winter is on its way. I love the withering berries on the bushes and the seed heads on the natural vegetation. We’re so lucky to live close to a naturalized park. This is what I expect to see in the first week of December:
As we walking through the neighbourhood I looked up and thought that one tree had been decorated with hundreds of tiny lights. Upon closer inspection I discovered that those bulbs were actually tree buds. Close to the ground I found plants flowering and strange coloured fungi popping up through the grass. Is this unusual for this time of year? or am I just more observant in my advancing years? What do you think? Is this happening in your northern neighbourhood?
…..my husband buys me the prettiest flowers
…..it feels strange to have missed a week so I’m glad to be back to answer Cee’s questions for Share Your World
Are you a hugger or a non-hugger?
I’m definitely a hugger. I like bear hugs from family members and close friends. I’ve read recently that hugs can reduce your stress and the longer the hug the more effective it is for calming you down.
What is your favorite toppings on pizza?
I love kale and sausage (no tomato sauce) and mushrooms, bacon, caramelized onions and cheese (with tomato sauce). My husband makes fantastic pizza.
If you were the original designer of one existing corporate logo, which one would you select?
I love the Volkswagen logo.It is so recognizable.
Complete this sentence: Where I can seek my solace is…
….anywhere where I can paint and/or read. The place that comes to mind first is my cottage.
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 father finally got to meet his first great grandchild. My daughter and her husband made the two hour trip to my Dad’s place. My husband and I picked up lunch and joined them and we enjoyed a simple meal together. I think that this photo says it all.
I’m also grateful for perfect walking weather. I’ve averaged about 12 000 steps a day. My principal was gifted a Fit Bit for her birthday and she has made it very easy to get in my steps for the day. Every spare minute in our day she asks me and anyone who will join her to walk around the school. It really helps. Thanks M!
….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World
What type of popular candy do you not like to get?
I don’t like most candy. I’m not fussy on Twizzlers Red Licorice or gummy worms.
What do you feel is the most enjoyable way to spend $500?
I’d like to spend $500. on a spa treatment (facial), a manicure and pedicure, lunch, hair cut and a new outfit.
Where do you eat breakfast?
I eat breakfast at home at the dinner table. If I’m running late I’ll pack my breakfast and sit in the staffroom and eat it during my prep period.
Would you rather ride one of the worlds longest zip lines or bungee jump one of the highest in the world? This will come with a 5-day all expense vacation.
I would never go bungee jumping but I would like to try a zip line. The five days all expense vacation would be a bonus. I’ve heard that Costa Rico has some great zip lines through the rain forest.
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 a wonderful day spent with my husband last Saturday. We had brunch at a new local cafe that hosted a special musical treat for people that made reservations. A string trio, consisting of three sisters, entertained the patrons with a selection of Sound of Music scores. It was definitely a family affair. The restaurant, Sugar for my Honey, was filled to capacity with young families and older folks like us. The Quintessence Ensemble (the Cacciacarro sisters) also performs classical and sacred music for numerous events, such as wedding showers, receptions and private parties.
The food was Austrian in origin and absolutely delicious and the coffee is outstanding. The owner, Will Weiss, is a young entrepreneur. He is hard working and a very genuine person. We’ve been there three times now and each time he takes the time to come and speak to us. My husband dropped off a jar of his homemade plum jam last week and in return he gave us some of his homemade liverwurst.
I’m also grateful for the most incredible weather we’ve had this month. You’d hardly know that it was November. I think that’s about to change but up until today it has been unseasonably warm.
I’m looking forward to spending time with my daughter and our new granddaughter this weekend. She’s already 5 weeks old, over 10 pounds and according to her doctor she’s already surpassed all her one month milestones and most of her two month milestones. When I asked my daughter what that meant she told me that Miss Winnie is already lifting her head, cooing, smiling responsively, following objects, lifting her head and rolling over from her tummy to her back.
……part of my birthday bouquet
……thanks Cee for four more great questions
What are some words that just make you smile?
Ice-cream, babies, wine, family and friends are some of the words that will bring a smile to my face.
You’re given $500,000 dollars tax free (any currency), what do you spend it on?
I would pay off the rest of my credit cards and then take some of that money to renovate my house and cottage. I’d also put some money aside for travelling. That would still leave me with a nice sizeable chunk and I couldn’t enjoy any of that money knowing that my children also have debts so I would probably give each of them $50 000. and put the rest away for our retirement.
What subject would you like to study in depth, if given the time to do so?
I’d love to study visual art in depth. I’ve contemplated going back to university after I retire, just for the fun of it.
Would your rather be stuck in a small plane with bad turbulence for 2 hours or be a passenger in a car racing the Daytona 500?
I’d rather do neither but if I have to make a choice I think I’ll put up with two hours of turbulence. But wait! You did say ‘in a small plane’. Hmmm? Maybe being a passenger at the Daytona 500 would suit me better. I don’t know! I’m a terrible passenger in a car that is travelling at high speeds.
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 husbands surgery is over and that the prognosis looks good. Will know for sure in a couple of weeks. I’m also grateful that our youngest daughter was able to spend some time at the cottage last week.
I’m looking forward to spending the weekend at the cottage with my older daughter and her partner. It will be the first time that they’ve made it up to the cottage this summer. I’m also looking forward to spending some time with our friends D & D, who I haven’t seen much of this summer. Hopefully the weather will be good so that I can get in some swimming and of course lots of walking. Maybe I’ll even start running again.
….a trip to the doctor, relief, enjoying the rest of the day
This morning my husband woke up with terrible pain in his foot. A quick trip to the clinic confirmed that he was suffering from gout probably brought on from the morphine he had been given after his surgery. Luckily the problem was quickly fixed with another medication.
We had planned, earlier in the week, to visit our daughter in Hamilton. K could feel the pills were starting to work so we took a chance and made the trip. It was raining when we left but by the time we drove into our daughter’s driveway the sun had come out. G suggested that we take a short drive to Dundas where we could walk along the quaint main street and take in some of the unique stores and enjoy a coffee in one of the popular cafes.
Dundas is a formerly independent town and now a constituent community in the city of Hamilton. It is home to about 27 000 people and is nicknamed the Valley Town because it is located at the bottom of the Niagara Escarpment on the western edge of Lake Ontario.
We spent a couple of hours walking around the area and enjoyed a light lunch on a wonderful outdoor patio. Here are some photos of our day trip.
We headed back to Toronto during rush hour but traffic moved fairly well. After a simple dinner of sausage and a couple of salads that we purchased at the local butcher shop in Dundas I took Frances for a much needed walk. It was another beautiful evening and we walked through the Humber College grounds. Total steps for the day: 10 500.
Mama Cormier 