Share Your World – June 11, 2018

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World

If you could choose any person from history to be your imaginary friend, who would it be and why?

This is a tough question. The more I learn about famous people the more I realize that many of them were ruthless and unkind or so narcissistic that they would make terrible friends. I think I would have liked Eleanor Roosevelt. She was politically active and pretty much her own person.

60s, 70s, 80s, 90s: Which decade do you love the most and why?

Another tough question. I loved high school so the 60s hold fond memories of friends, parties and clubs. In the 70s I found my voice. I went to university, moved away from home, travelled to Germany, met my husband and got married. At the end of the 70s I had my first child. In the 80’s my family grew, I went back to teaching and started building our cottage. In the 90s I took on more leadership roles, explored new options in teaching and started to dabble in art. I can’t pick one decade.

When you die, what do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as a kind, fun loving and creative person who helped others and inspired young people to grow up and be the best person possible.

What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

This week I had my first art showing at the WAAC gallery and met some wonderful artists. I also went to the museum and took in an exhibition on fashion design and architectural design.

On Thursday I drove to Hamilton to visit with my daughter and granddaughter. We took a walk to the Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre. The building used to be the old Customs House where imports coming into Canada were processed before being released into the Canadian market.

My granddaughter loved playing with all the levers, buttons and cranks and climbing up the old staircase.

On Saturday I went to a friend’s 50th birthday party and on Sunday I met my friend Liz at the Trinity St. Paul United Church where we attended a concert of children’s choirs. As you can see it’s been a very busy and joyous week.

Tudor Style Roof – June Squares

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Becky B for hosting June Squares

June Squares – Roof Over the Oven

Posted on June 11, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Becky B. for hosting June Squares – Roofs

Outside of Montgomery’s Inn sits a beautiful brick wood-fired bread oven. It can bake up to 50 loaves at a time.

Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge – June 10, 2018

Posted on June 10, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Cee for hosting the Odd Ball Photo Challenge

From a headless sculpture of a hanging man to lawn bowling bowls to odd bird feeders….

Silent Sunday – June 10, 2018

Image

Sunday Trees – 343

Posted on June 10, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Becca Givens for hosting

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Arch, Domes or Half Circles

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for hosting the Fun Foto Challenge

Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge – June 8, 2018

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Cee for hosting the Which Way Photo Challenge

This week I’ve included a brick pathway, a hallway, stairs (modern and old), a brass plaque, a worn path through the grass and a construction site walkway.

My First Gallery Show

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…..it all happened so quickly

Last week I was informed that I had won a membership to the Women’s Art Association of Canada (WAAC) and when I went for a tour they asked me if I had a painting to submit for their New Members Art Show. The theme was ‘flowers’ and I knew that I had at least one painting that would fit the bill. I submitted the painting on Monday and the opening happened today.

When I arrived downtown I was greeted by three friends outside the gallery. They were very excited for me and I was touched that they wanted to be there. It’s not a huge show but the work was beautifully curated. I met some of the members and was made to feel very welcome. Here is my submission: Floral Abundance

Here are a few more pieces from some of the artists who are members of the WAAC. I really liked the teapot but it was already sold.

Baking Bread – Using New and Old Methods

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….two weeks ago I started volunteering at Montgomery’s Inn

Twice a week I go to Montgomery’s Inn to bake bread. On Tuesday we prepare the dough using an industrial mixer, proof the dough and then store it in the large commercial refrigerators. On the following day we prepare the sourdough bread with a sourdough starter and then shape the dough we made the day before.

Each week we make about six different bread doughs plus two sourdough breads. So far I’ve helped prepare rustic white, whole wheat, light rye, Frankconia, thyme and garlic, rosemary and garlic, oatmeal bread, red wine and walnut bread and date and walnut bread.

We shape the dough into rounds or loaves and some of the sourdough goes into loaf pans. Some have different toppings and each bread has it’s own signature cut on top.

I’ve also helped start the fire in the large outdoor brick oven that can hold up to 50 loaves of bread. Once the oven gets up to about 530 degrees the coals are swept out and then it is quickly swept with a wet mop. In about 25 to 30 minutes delicious hot bread comes out of the oven and is quickly transported to the Farmers’ Market at the Inn.

Each day about 3 to 4 of us work on making the dough and baking the bread. I’m quickly learning the ropes and am thoroughly enjoying the experience. Presently I am the only woman in the group but my fellow bakers are making me feel right at home and allowing me to experience every aspect of this bread making process.