Happy Thanksgiving Canada

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….and Happy Birthday Onkel Günter, Winnie and Brendan

It’s been a busy weekend. Not only did we celebrate Thanksgiving here in Canada but we had four birthdays in the family on the same weekend. In fact in October we celebrate birthdays for my husband, my father, my granddaughter, my son-in-law and his brother, my father’s brother and my cousin. I’m sure I’ve missed someone.

This weekend our granddaughter turned four. Andrea, our oldest daughter volunteered to host Thanksgiving and the birthday party at her house. I was most grateful for that, especially after spending five hours in emergency with my husband on Friday. Before you become too concerned let me just say that he’s much better and gets better each day. Thankfully I had made my contribution to the dinner the day before.

The other thing that I did before going to Andrea’s for dinner was volunteer at the Inn to help with the outdoor oven for a workshop that was being put on by George Brown College. At the workshop the students were instructed in baking pizza in the wood fired oven. Everyone got to make two pizzas, one to eat and one to take home. I couldn’t stay for the whole event because I had to be at the dinner. After I left they also baked pita bread and a cranberry loaf. Dale manned the oven and took the pizzas out when they were ready.

Dinner at Andrea’s and Josie’s was spectacular but the highlight, especially for Winnie, was celebrating Winnie’s 4th birthday. Seeing all the presents was too much for her so we decided to let her open her gifts before dinner.

All in all it was a wonderful weekend, with way too much food and drink. I gained about six pounds but I’m determined to take it off as quickly as possible.

The Big Draw

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….an art event sponsored by the Toronto Historical Museums

Last weekend I was surrounded by art. On Saturday I spent the day at WAAC downtown, selling used books from our library. It rained off and on so we decided to hold the sale inside the gallery where a beautiful show was on display. It is called ‘Artists Choice’. My only regret is that I didn’t take any photos to share with you.

On Sunday I volunteered to man the chalk mural outside of Montgomery’s Inn. It was only one of many art activities that was taking place at the Inn. Some of the rooms were set up with paper and pencils for patrons to sketch the still life arrangement that had been created for the event and other rooms had brown paper on the tables with crayons for anyone to draw on. One of the highlights at the Inn took place in the Briarly Room where an artist was supervising the painting of the windows to look like stained glass. Adults and children alike enjoyed painting this very large piece.

All in all the Big Draw was a big success at the Inn. On Saturday they had about 80 people show up and on Sunday close to 140 took part in the activities. I spent a good six hours there creating art with chalk on the walls around the patio. Sadly the rain in recent days has washed much of it away but we knew that would happen going into it.

Inside the Inn there were plenty of activities for those who didn’t want to brave the cooler temperatures outside.

Artsy Lines

Posted on October 1, 2019 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Becky of The Life of B for hosting this month’s Lines in Squares

This square comes from the Big Draw that was held on the weekend here in Toronto. The square was created from chalk pastels and was drawn on the wall next to Montgomery’s Inn.

Wordless Wednesday – September 4, 2019

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The Colours of the Pride 5K Race

Posted on June 22, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….today our son, daughter and daughter-in-law all took part in the Pride 5k Race

There is probably no race more colourful than the one that takes place during Pride Week here in Toronto. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine, warm temperatures and colourful decorations and runners.

All three of our children did very well. Of the three Andrea arrived first at just over 22 minutes.

Brenda came in next in just over 24 minutes. Not bad considering he hadn’t trained in over two months and only had four hours of sleep the night before.

Josie wanted to break 35 minutes and came in at just over 33 minutes. Congratulations to all of them for a job well done.

Next year I promised I would do the run with them. I better start training now. I’d be happy to break 45 minutes.

Happy Victoria Day

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….to all my fellow Canadians

As far as long weekends go this one was pretty uneventful. Daughter number two went up to the camp to continue cleaning out their cabin that they’ll be living in this summer but they only stayed one night. The black flies are pretty bad this time of year and it was cold.

On Saturday I got some gardening down and cleaned out part of a flower bed and trimmed back the Rose of Sharon and the ornamental grass. Even though it was warm enough to garden without a jacket it wasn’t warm enough to sit outside without a jacket to enjoy a cup of coffee.

On Sunday daughter number one and our daughter-in-law came over to drop off their dog, Olive so that they could camping in a yurt up in Tobermory. While they were there my husband felt well enough to make a fabulous dinner that he had seen on Jamie Oliver’s show, Dinner in 30 Minutes. This is a photo of the salad he made with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted peaches, olives and salad greens.

Olive seemed to settle in quite nicely and she certainly made herself right at home when her mommies left. Unfortunately night time was a bit rough and I ended up sleeping on the couch with her until 4:30 in the morning and then my husband took over.

Today started out promising but the winds picked up and the temperatures were well below normal. Later in the day I bundled up and took the dogs for two separate walks. Frances would only let me take her around the block but Olive went five times as far. We ended up in Col. Sam Smith Park. The water levels are still high and one of the pathways was completely under water.

No sunburn or tanning this long weekend but the good news is that I walked over 13000 steps today. How was everyone else’s weekend.?

What a Difference a Week Makes

Posted on April 29, 2019 by Mama Cormier

….from isolation to a crowd

Last week I posted a story about people who live in a ‘bubble’ in their boats all winter long here in Toronto. This week when I walked by the bubbles were gone and the docks were overflowing with activity.

Last Week

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Mama Cormier

…. my journey to a healthy life, making new memories and so much more

Category Archives: weekend