Snow and Hyacinths

We didn't get as much snow as expected yesterday, but it was more than enough for our poor backs to shovel! AC borrowed our neighbours electric snow blower to "shovel" the drive see picture here, and I cleared a path to the door. This pic doesn't really show you how much snow we got, but enough to completely cover the steps leading up to the door. Because of the icy drizzle we had before the snowfall the snow was heavy, heavy, heavy!!! Groan!



Around supper time the sun actually came out so a faint bleating of the lamb was heard after the roar of the lion. We set off for a walk to enjoy the sunshine, but the roads and sidewalks were clogged with the thick, slippery, sloshy snow which made it too difficult to walk. We made it two doors down the street when our neighbour, who was just finishing clearning his drive, offered us the use of his snow blower. It was an offer we couldn't refuse, so we turned around and worked on the walk and drive instead of walking.

No icy rain hitting the window woke us up this morning, but we are getting "snow globe" snowfall right now. Very pretty I must say. This kind of snow will be fun to walk in later. Oh joy!

It is winter outside, but inside the hyacinth is blooming, filling the house with the delicious fragrance of spring. Snow and hyacinths, what a wonderful combination.

Lamb and Lion

Earlier this week AC and I enjoyed a springlike walk in the park. Snow was melting, grass was showing, geese were floating in open water and AC and I didn't need hats or heavy coats. What a treat! We walked leisurely along sipping our cafe mochas while we enjoyed the sunshine and mild temperatures. It looked like March would come in like a Lamb this year for sure.



Nope, not be be. The Lion showed up this morning with an earth shattering roar. We awoke to the sound of icy pellets hitting the bedroom window and news that all school buses were canceled. The icy downpour should end around noon, only to be followed by 10-15cm of snow. Sigh! I hope this is the Lion's swan song and the Lamb is just around the corner. I like winter storms in January and February, but when March arrives it is time for Old Man Winter to take his leave.

I am going to make an extra pot of coffee this afternoon and spend some time changing my house from its winter theme to the spring one. The winter village and snowflakes will be packed away and the tulips, pansies and hyacinths will take their place. Maybe I can pave the way for Fair Maiden Spring to enter and Old Man Winter to exit.

I hope you hear bleating rather than roaring in your corner of the globe today, but think spring whatever you hear and have a great day.

"If you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy a hyacinth to feed your soul."
Anonymous

Still Struggling

AC's laptop sits on a nice cooling tray and has had a memory upgrade, but neither of these things fixed the problem. Sigh! So, onward and forward we go, limping along with his sick laptop. I guess the next step is an extended visit to the repair shop. Groan!

Before he takes over my laptop to work on a Photoshop lesson this afternoon, I thought I would post a quick note to say hello and share this picture taken on one of our walks this week.



The sun has been shining all week and there is that feeling of spring in the air. Ahhh, glorious indeed! We sauntered along on the other side of the river on Monday and got this different view of the Town Hall and Old Church spires. Yesterday we picked up a café mocha at Tim's and headed for the park on the other side of the river. Geese were frolicking in the water and chickadees bounced around in the trees overhead. Yes, a definite feeling of spring was in the air. We sipped our café mochas along with that delicious taste of spring, and enjoyed every drop. Mmmm good!

Today is a day for errands, and more snow is forecast for the rest of the week, but that little foretaste of the feast to come gives me hope and will sustain me through the up and down days of March.

Hope you are walking in the sunshine today and there is a "spring" in your step as you walk towards that most wonderful season.

Talk to you all again soon.

P.S. – AC has posted his recipe for Zucchini lasagne! I must add my two cents worth and tell you how delicious this lasagne is. Of the three he makes, this one is my favourite, but all three are super scrumptious. I wouldn't have even looked at the recipe because of all the work involved, but he said he enjoys the "zen" of doing all the steps to complete this dish.

The first time he made it I could hardly believe my eyes when I walked into the kitchen and saw what he was doing. He had paper towels all over the counters and kitchen table. Thin strips of zucchini were lined up on all of them and salt was everywhere. When he told me he had to turn each strip and salt them again before he could use them to assemble the lasagne, I just shook my head in amazement and walked away. He seemed to be enjoying himself though and has made this lasagne many times, and each time received rave reviews. Yum, yum, yum!

A few more shower pictures

Just a few more shower pictures to share with aunties and friends out of town who couldn't make it to the shower.

Do you think Butterfly got enough diaper wipes? We didn't even have these things when my kids were munchkins. However did I manage?


I had lots of fun helping Butterfly arrange all these cute things for this picture.

The Teddy Bear quilt hanging from the front of the table is all hand quilted in tiny, tiny, tiny stitches by a dear friend of mine. The quilt is backed in plain yellow and the pattern is clear and detailed there too. What a treasure! Right now it is on the crib, but Butterfly might hang in on the wall. Decisions, decisions.

Just one more shot of the outfits we couldn't fit in the other pic.


OK, that's it!

Shower

AC managed to post these pics for me last night, and now he is busy exercising so I have a few minutes on this laptop to add a word or two. Both of us trying to get time on this one computer is tricky to say the least. Slowly but surely AC is getting his files transferred over to my laptop and stored on the external hard drive, but it is very tedious and frustrating when his machine keeps crashing. It is going to the "hospital" tomorrow. Sure hope it won't be in for a long stay!

Anyway, on to important business. Butterfly's friends had a Baby Shower for her on the weekend and it was a heartwarming event. Old high school chums drove across province to share in the joy of this pregnancy with her, and friends and co-workers from the city gave up a Saturday afternoon to be there too. My wonderful circle of friends who had a Grandma Shower for me, also sent gifts to the Baby Shower. Last week, every time I went to the mail box it seemed like there was a gift there from an Auntie or out-of-town friend who couldn't make it to the shower but wanted to send a gift. Yes heartwarming indeed.

Butterfly has posted pics here on her blog and I have more ready to post tomorrow if AC can access them on his laptop tonight.

Delicious Shower Cake made by a friend.


Some of the gifts before the unwrapping


High school chums having a good visit


Oh so "Pretty in Pink"


Toys for the new tot


And we can't forget the Beautiful Hat picture.


That's it for now. Talk to you again tomorrow. I hope.

Looking Back

It is a sunshiny Monday outside, but there is a dark cloud inside. AC's laptop is sick! Oh dear. Not nice at all. He is trying to back up files on mine so he can take his in for repair but his keeps crashing and crashing and crashing. I don't know how he has managed to keep from throwing it out the window!!!!!

Anyway, because AC is working a lot on my computer I don't have much time or opportunity to write or post anything new, but did want to check in and let you know I am still here.

Mary posted a blog about Chickadees here and that made me think of our wonderful time with the feathery wonders at Riverwood one Christmas. I thought I would post a couple of links back to those blogs for those of you new readers who might have missed them, and for the rest of us who might enjoy another look back. That was a magical visit to Riverwood for us.

Both of our blogs have lots of posts with pictures of our winter adventure during that trip, but I will only link you to this one and this one for now. You can check out a few more blogs during that month for more pics if your heart desires. AC has posted some great ones. Enjoy!

I'll talk to you all later and post some pictures of the baby shower when we get these computers up and running smoothly again.

Everything old is new again

A busy but fun week just zipped by and February is disappearing in a flash! Oh joy! It has not been the snowiest February we have ever had, and we haven't been able to spend any of it at Riverwood, so I am glad to see it move quickly into the history books this year.

I took a walk down memory lane yesterday as I helped Butterfly decorate the entrance to her future path, and it was heart-warming indeed. I could feel my mom and dad in the room with us, and hear their laughter echo down through the halls of time as they helped me prepare for the arrival of Butterfly, as I was now helping her prepare for the arrival of Smudge!

You see, yesterday was the day to decorate the nursery and I was invited over to help. What fun! We hung curtains, pictures and hooks; sorted through diapers, creams, outfits and blankets; made up the crib and decorated the cupboard doors. We sipped café mocha as we chatted, worked, laughed and reminisced together. The day was overflowing with memories of days gone by and hopes and dreams of days to come.

The furniture in this nursery was my baby furniture. Yep, it is over sixty years old and still looks good. Thirty five years ago my dad refinished it for me to use for Butterfly and Bug, and now The Boy refinished it to use for Smudge. The crib didn't pass safety standards for today, so the wood in it will be used to make a bench or toy box, but the dressers are still wonderful old solid pieces of furniture, full of character and memories.

Let me share a few pictures of the fun we had yesterday.

I think AC is posting this pic on his blog too, but I thought I would post it also because it gives you a good shot of one of the dressers. I think AC altered his pic though. Can you see the difference?


The Boy is called on to hang the pictures once we decided where we wanted them.



Oh the joy to feel that little one give Grandma's hand a kick


Butterfly chose an outdoor theme for the nursery. Cute huh? It feels so fresh and bright and happy there.


Grandma and Grandpa still standing after a busy day of work.


Butterfly sure looks pleased with the way the whole room is coming together.

Most Memorable Blog

Swampwitch over at Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes has posted a list of bloggers participating in this week's Fun Monday activity - Most Memorable Post. Be sure to check the others out too.

Sharks, Loss and Snowflakes came to mind instantly when I saw the assignment for this week.

Start here with my blog Feeling the Sunshine Again to give you some background about what I was going through when I read Mel's blog, Sharks, Loss and Snowflakes and you can link to Mel from there.

Most Heartbreaking Post- We're Having a Baby It doesn't need any explanation, speaks for itself. Grab your kleenex.

Desk Decoration

And so we come to the end of another busy week. Not much time to write, but I just had to take a minute to post a picture of how Rocky is helping AC break in the new desk. It's a tough job, but Rocky is doing his utmost to help.

Kid Cuppa

Erik over at The Electronic Firefly decided to have a Fun Monday and get some bloggers to post kid pictures of themselves for us all to enjoy. Fun indeed. Be sure to check out his blog and get the list of all the others participating. I am glad AC invited me along for the ride too.

My mom smocked this dress for me 58 years ago, and 32 years ago she smocked one just like it for Butterfly. She loved to sew and was so talented with needle and thread.



Here I am with my best friend Sheila. My mom also made these matching cowgirls outfits for us. Cute huh? My mom and Sheila's mom were best friends, and Sheila and I carried on the family tradition. I am only a month older than Sheila, but oh so much taller. I remember always feeling like a giant beside her.



We lost touch for years, but got together for a tea party in 2005 and I blogged about it here and posted some pictures. It was so nice to get together with her again and catch up on old times.

The Sunshine of Friendship warming me on this new "window sill"

A year and a half ago AC and I ripped up roots and moved across Province to start life anew in the Ottawa Valley. It was rather traumatic to be ripped out of my old comfortable "pot", transplanted into a new one and placed on this new "window sill" on the other side of the province, but it feels like home now. You can read more about some of the trauma of the move in old blogs written June through August of that year. Tiara Day, and Unwelcome Visitor and RRRRIIIIPPPPP give you an idea of the roller coaster ride of emotions I was on.

We lived in Southwestern Ontario for over thirty years and raised our family there. When AC retired we had no family left in the area, but friendship roots went deep and were tightly wrapped around our hearts. It was a tough decision to make, but we felt that if we were going to move closer to family in Eastern Ontario, we had to do it while we were still healthy and young enough to do it together and put down new roots once we got there.

So, now that I have given you some background of the trauma of our move last year, let me share with you what happened on Friday morning. I went out for coffee with a group of ladies that took me under their wing and offered me friendship when I was feeling lost and alone in this new corner of the world. They met each Friday at Tim's for coffee and one day one of the ladies invited me to join them. I sat on the fringes of their group at first, but soon felt a part of it and looked forward to our time together each week. We solved the problems of the world, shared heartaches, and enjoyed laughter with each other over cups of coffee. What a gift this circle of friends was to me.

I walked out to the car on Friday and noticed that one of the ladies was carrying a big bag, but didn't think much of it. We got to Tim's and made a bee line for our favorite table in the corner. One lady was already there, so we greeted her and lined up to get our coffee while she held the table for us. Pretty soon everyone arrived and they were all carrying bags – everyone but me. Hmmm, this had my curiosity piqued now. Once everyone had their coffee and we were all seated around the table one lady opened a small bag and took out a carnation. As she handed it to me she said this was a New Grandma Celebration Day, and each lady wanted to celebrate and share this joy with me. I was speechless with joy and overwhelmed with the love and acceptance these ladies were giving me.

Each lady gave me a heart-felt card and cute gift for the new baby. I was thrilled beyond words. The cards and baby gifts were wonderful, but the most precious gift of all was the Sunshine of Friendship warming me on this new "window sill" of my life.





Thank you dear "coffee circle" friends! Joy shared is doubled, grief shared is halved. My joy was indeed doubled on Friday and has even bubbled over onto AC and Butterfly too.

What fun to share the joy with my "blog circle" friends now and let it bubble over into blogdom too.

Winter Walk

We didn't get the fresh snow we were promised the other day, but Mother Nature did lower the temperature so what we already have on the ground is sticking around. Oh joy! We set off for a walk this week, and it was so cold the snow squeaked under foot with each step – neat huh? Don't you just love that sound?

Hands and face can't take exposure for very long in this weather, but I tuck my camera in my mitt so it is easy to whip it out quickly and snap a picture or two along the way to share with you.

Enjoy...








It was an invigorating and wonderful winter walk but my face was sure stinging by the time we got home from our trek. Oh well, I soon warmed up and then enjoyed the added benefit of having a nice rosy glow on nose and cheeks for the rest of the afternoon. Mother Nature is a great make-up artist.

Mount Everest

There is a task in everyone's life that seems like climbing Mount Everest when you have to tackle it. You know, the kind of task that looms like an insurmountable obstacle in your path. I don't know what yours is, but mine is putting a piece of boxed furniture together. As far as these items go, Ikea seems to have the easiest to follow instructions, but I still find them a tough climb!

When we moved here a year and a half ago AC wanted to get a new computer desk, but couldn't find the right one. In the meantime he made do with an old table that was much too small, especially when Rocky wanted to share it with him, but at least it was the right height.

The other day we went into town to do errands, one of which was to pick up tea-lights at Ikea. We went in to get candles and came out with a computer desk. I do love serendipity shopping, don't you?

The desk was the perfect size and height and, even better than that, it was on sale! We folded down the seats in the car and managed to squeeze it in for the trek home. It just fit. Whew! Butterfly and The Boy were coming over for dinner that night, so The Boy helped us unload it and carry it upstairs. So far everything was working in our favour. The Boy said he would come back later in the week and put it together for us, and we left it at that. He and Butterfly are in the middle of a major project at home though, so we thought it was best if we tried to tackle the job ourselves. Oh dear, Mount Everest!

We let the box sit in the guest room for over a week. We would have to tackle it soon, but we needed to build up our strength first. Deep breathing, meditation, and other relaxation exercise had to be practiced in preparation for the task ahead.

Weather conditions seemed to be perfect for the climb on Saturday, so we took advantage of this window and planned for the ascent first thing in the morning. After coffee and an energy boosting breakfast, we cleared the old furniture out of the work area in the den and then bravely entered the guest room and firmly grasped the box so we could drag it out into the hall. It was time to set off on the climb.

Step one - sort out your gear and get it in order.


Step Two - always use the right tools, and enlist the help of friends - big and small!


Step Three - be calm, stay focused, just take it one step at a time,

and....

Before you know it the mountain has been conquered, you are at the summit, the task is complete. The descent is always at bit challenging too, but in no time at all we were back on level ground again, the gadgets all plugged in and the laptop ready for use.


AC looks a bit weary after the climb, but the desk looks great doesn't it?

Snow Week

I think Mother Nature was watching when AC put our new templates up because since then, we have been gifted with marvelous winter weather. I am lovin' it!!! I don't know what kind of snowfall Riverwood is being blessed with, but if it is as much as we have been getting here, we might be able to have a winter snowshoe holiday up there in February after all. Hope so anyway.

The pictures on my template are of the Old Barn at Riverwood viewed from the frozen river. We love to snowshoe along the river and see the farm from this new perspective in winter. The picture on AC's template is of the trees across the road from the front gate at Riverwood. That place is heaven on earth. A big old farmhouse on 120 acres of forested land with a river running along one side of it! Yep, heaven on earth. Sure hope we get there for a few weeks in February.

But for now, we are enjoying cold and busy, busy, busy winter days here at home. I am totally enjoying my Tai Chi classes and look forward to getting the first few moves set in a memory pattern so I can move through them fluidly. I try to do at home what I have learned in class each week, but can't quite get my feet, hands and arms all going in the right direction at the same time. I can Grasp the Bird's Tail with ease, but smoothly moving into position to Strum the Pei Pa is a bit of a challenge. I seem to learn line dancing routines quicker, but I have music to help me there. Each activity is a challenge but oh so enjoyable in its own way.

We had a lot of snow fall Sunday night, so on Monday afternoon it was time for a walk. We bundled up and set off for the library with books to return. The snow was thick and fluffy but we soon discovered that it was very icy under all the fresh fallen snow. Drat! We had to slow our pace and walk very gingerly. Even so, I made one wrong step and before I knew it I was doing a Triple Lutz in the air which quickly turned into a Flying Sit Spin. Kerplunk! Down I went. One minute I was upright and the next I was flat on my back in the library parking lot. Ouch! Luckily nothing was broken or seriously hurt, so after collecting my wits, getting upright again and dusting myself off, I hobbled home. We had a few more near falls, but eventually arrived home without further mishap. I could feel my hip yelling at me during Tai Chi and Line Dancing on Tuesday, but nothing more than that. Whew!



Yesterday was sunny and bright so we set off on another walk, but no city streets this time, only the Trail would be considered for this walk. We met people walking dogs, and lots of snowmobilers. Everyone was in high spirits and we greeted each other with enthusiasm as we passed. At the end of our frosty walk we returned to our warm home and treated ourselves to a mug of steaming hot chocolate laced with Bailey's. MMMMM delicious, such a yummy way to end a snowy week.

The sun is shining this morning, and more snow is called for later this afternoon. Yahoo! I think I will go dust off the snowshoes and get them ready for a work-out later this week. Maybe a snowshoe walk along the trails at the Mill of Kintail will be possible. What a treat that would be.

Enjoy the sunshine today and walk in it every chance you get.

Snow Day

As you can tell by the lack of blogs lately things have been pretty busy around here. I like to write first thing in the morning and it seems like every day I have some place I had to be first thing in the morning so not much writing has been getting done.

We are having a most glorious snow day today, and AC just told me he set up our new winter template so I just had to take two minutes to post a short note and at least say hello.

I spent the whole morning catching up on email, and now it is time to make lunch, go shovel some snow and then set off on a walk and maybe take some pictures to post later. Oh joy.

I hope you have a "snow day" full of fun too.

I thought it was funny…

The New Year has begun and so I embark on another new adventure – Taoist Tai Chi classes. I have only been to one class, so I can't really tell you what I think of it right now, but I am intrigued with the beauty of the Tai Chi movements and hope to find a relaxing form of exercise in these classes. I'll keep you posted.

During our instruction last week the teacher stopped and asked us how we were feeling and if we were comfortable doing the movements. We all agreed that we were quite comfortable, but one lady said that her joints were popping during some moves. The instructor quizzed her on what was popping and if she was in pain.

"No, no pain" the lady answered, "but my shoulder, hip and knees are popping."

The teacher went on to explore this strange phenomenon and once she determined that the lady was doing the movements correctly and was not hurting herself, looked around to see if anyone else in the class had anything else to say before she resumed the class.

In a joking manner I said that perhaps the lady shouldn't eat Rice Crispies before attending class because Snap, Crackle and Pop might be getting carried away. Tee Hee! The classmate didn't crack a smile, look at me in a puzzled manner and said quite seriously "I didn't eat Rice Crispies this morning."

Snap, Crackle, Pop, it went right over her head. Sigh! I thought it was funny. How about you?

December Roses

Benmar gave us this cute pair and I just had to take a picture before I tucked them away in a storage box until next Christmas. Thanks Benmar I love them. Don't know if you can see them clearly, but the male has antlers and the female has her ears tied in a bow. Too cute!

I have been up to my ears in packing boxes and storage totes this week, putting Christmas decorations away. Sure isn't as much fun as putting them out, but I do relive all the happy times of the season when I take everything down, and I really enjoy that time of reflection. If a decoration was a gift, I have boxes marked with the person's name and date received. As each trinket goes back into the box I take a delightful walk down memory lane with that person.

"God has given us our memories that we might have roses in December.”
J.M. Barrie

Time marches on, children grow up, friends move away or pass on and I enjoy the fragrant roses of December each time I pack up the Christmas decorations in January.

When this pair goes into their box this year, memories of line dancing at Riverwood and walks in the Byward Market will go with them.

Gather a bunch of December Rose memories close to you today and enjoy the rich fragrance during the cold days of January.

The day after the day after

Yesterday, Boxing Day, skulked by in a fog. I thought I might write a blog, catch up on my reading of your blogs, answer a few email, and write some snail mail, but I took one step forward and two back all day, so eventually I gave up. I just couldn't get the cobwebs out of my head and make any progress at all, so I shut the laptop, put my "to do" list aside and picked up my new book of poetry, Thirst, by Mary Oliver. Ahh, it was just what the doctor ordered. I sat quietly and drank deeply there then listened to music for a while. Yes, that was what I needed to do.

Let me share one of Mary's poems with you.

When I am among the trees

When I am among the trees
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, "Stay awhile,"
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, "It's simple," they say,
"and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.

Oh goodness I can't stop at just one, let me share another with you -

Mozart for Example

All the quick notes
Mozart didn't have time to use
before he entered the cloud-boat

are falling now from the beaks
of the finches
that have gathered from the joyous summer

into the hard winter
and, like Mozart, they speak of nothing
but light and delight,

though it is true, the heavy blades of the world
are still pounding underneath.
And this is what you can do too, maybe,

if you live simply and with a lyrical heart
in the cumbered neighbourhoods or even,
as Mozart sometimes managed to, in a palace,

offering tune after tune after tune,
making some hard-hearted prince
prudent and kind, just by being happy.


Ok, I'll stop there.

The cobwebs cleared a bit today and I made much better progress with my "to do" list, but at noon I put it aside and went out for a walk among the trees to find some light that I might shine; all the while listening for a few notes of the finches' song.

After our walk AC and I sorted through some pictures of our Second Christmas to post on our blogs. Let me share a few of those with you now. AC has also posted some on his blog be sure to stop by and have a look here.


Butterfly prepared a Christmas Eve Buffet to munch on while we played Trivial Pursuit, after which we watched Dickens' A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim. Here I am helping prepare the buffet by icing the cream cheese with Apple Rum Chutney. Yum!


We arrived back at Butterfly and the Boy's house about 10am on Christmas morning to nibble on toasted crumpets slathered in butter, and sip coffee while we opened the gifts Santa put in our Stockings during the night. Yes, he still visits our house and leaves goodies for us. What fun. Hmmmm, I wonder what Santa is trying to tell me with this gift?


Butterfly and I spent lots of time in the kitchen on the weekend and had fun working there together. Work is always more fun when you take time for a hug


and a kiss. Yes, The Boy and AC helped out in the kitchen too.


Ahhh, the relaxin' side of Christmas. I love it. How neat to enjoy a hot cuppa whilst watching A Christmas Carol.



Butterfly is in gales of laughter while The Boy tries to talk to Smudge.


And finally a Merry Christmas picture of Mr and Mrs. C.

Early Christmas

Today is the day to cook the turkey, so AC and I were up early to prepare the stuffing and get the Old Bird ready for the oven. We make a really good team. AC sits at the kitchen table and chops bread, apples, onions, and celery while I bustle around gathering spices, broth, butter and other assorted things to add to the mixture. I stuff the bird, AC pops it in the oven and we both enjoy the aroma for the rest of the day. MMMMM good.

Christmas music is playing, turkey is cooking, and AC just went out to get our lunch so I have a few minutes to relax, say hello, and post a few pictures of the Early Christmas celebrations we enjoyed with Puff and Bug last weekend. AC has posted lots more pictures here.


Bug and Puff wanted to try their hand at playing the fiddle and the bodhran. They actually did ok.

Don't you love the hair dos? They both had dreads (sp?) put in just before they left Thailand. Puff had very long dreads woven with blue threads on either side of her head and Bug had short dreads woven with yellow and red orange looking wool on top of her head.


Daughters number one, two and three. See the fingers?


Bug got a new Batman T-shirt for Christmas. Quite the high fashion pose huh?


Butterfly is really pleased with a new blouse she got for her birthday.

Oh, AC is home with lunch. Must run. Will try to post more thoughts tomorrow.

Peace

Whilst I was shopping with Butterfly last month this delightful duo caught my eye, and I fell in love with them. They made me smile just to look them, and portrayed peace so beautifully I was tempted to buy them for myself, but I was Christmas shopping for others, so dutifully put this cute pair back on the shelf. Sigh.

What a nice surprise it was to find them all wrapped up and waiting for me under the Christmas tree this past weekend. Thank you Butterfly!

I long for a time when enemies around the world will become friends and wars will end. Will there ever be a time when the lion will lie down with the lamb? I hope so.

I wish you all, dear blog friends, Peace during this holiday season and for the year to come.

Sanity Stroll

The world continues to tilt and whirl at an ever increasing speed as the holiday draws closer, and some days it spins so fast I want to yell – STOP, let me off! I can't make the world stop, but I can choose to remove myself from the hustle and bustle for awhile and that is exactly what I did the other day.

AC and I bundled up, grabbed the camera and headed for our walking path near the river. I always find tranquillity there.

It was very cold, but we dressed for it and were snug and warm in spite of the blustery winds. Ahh, I could feel the peace and calm soaking into the core of my being as we walked in the quiet woods. The sweet sanity of nature washed over me and I returned from our walk refreshed and energized.


Above is a picture of the place along the path in the woods where the river overflows its banks when the water is high. Pretty isn't it?

If the pace of the season is threatening to throw you off your feet, grab Mother Nature's hand and go for a walk in her woods. It is amazing what she will do for you if you will let her.

Barley Shaker Concert

AC and I "donned our gay apparel" on Sunday night and headed for a most unique concert at the little Community Centre where the Celtic Jam's are held throughout the year. AC wrote a blog about the Jam's here. This concert featured The Barley Shakers group. Don't know where the name comes from, but they shook the rafters with their music and we had a blast. It was toe tapping hand clapping fun from beginning to end.

The main room of the Community Centre was all decked out with a huge decorated tree standing to one side of the stage at the front. A garland of white lights and greenery was draped across the ceiling and red and green garlands, bows and mittens were place on walls and window sills here and there. Very quaint indeed.

The Band was set up on stage and right at the front was a rocking chair draped with an afghan. When the show started a lady came out and sat in the rocker and knitted while the band played. She got up at certain intervals and lead us in singing a carol or two, and then she sang a solo or two and in between she sat front and centre in her rocking chair and knitted. While she was knitting she looked out at the audience and smiled and had a grand old time. It was....I am not sure how to describe it....let me just say it seemed to fit the evening perfectly.

Before the show started they sold 50/50 tickets to help raise money to keep the Community Centre open, so everyone bought tickets. One for $2 or $5 would get a roll of tickets as long as your arm. AC bought a roll of tickets as long as his arm and we won part of the pot. Four people won $20 each, and the rest of the pot went to the centre. They also had a draw for a door prize and AC and I won one of those too! Neat huh? We got a gift bag with two mugs, hot chocolate, and two boxes of chocolates in it. Wow!

The music was fabulous, the crowd warm and thoroughly into the show, the knitting lady very interesting, and the soloist...well, she tried hard. One lady in the band got up from time to time to step dance, and we clapped and cheered her on each time she did. What total delightful fun.

The evening was very Christmassy and made me all nostalgic for childhood Christmases past. I felt like I stepped back in time and it was a heart-warming memory filled step. Thank you Middleville for this most wonderful and unique Christmas Concert. I loved it.

Holiday Train

I finished the gift wrapping this afternoon and have a few minutes to spare before I have to get ready to head out the door for our Line Dancing Christmas Pot Luck dinner tonight, so thought I would take advantage of this time to post a few pictures of the Holiday Train's visit this past weekend. It arrived in our little town on Saturday night and AC and I were there to greet it with toe tapping joy.

It was a cold cold night, but we bundled up and had toasty warm toes in spite of frosty cold noses.


Above is a shot taken through the crowd as the light of the train approached. I think the whole town was there.

Below you can see some of the lights on the cars as it got closer to us.



Again this year we lucked out and happened to be standing right in front of the stage car when the train stopped. When the stage car doors opened and the frosty air cleared there was Santa singing us a song. The crowd clapped and cheered and Santa rocked on in song.


AC and I both had our cameras at the ready and snapped pictures with abandon. Because of the low light not many of them turned out, but we both managed to get a few shots to share with you. Be sure to check out AC's blog for more pics.



We had fun singing and dancing along with the performers on the train, we met friends and neighbours there and wished them a Merry Christmas, and most importantly the local food bank got a generous donation to its coffers. It was a great evening.

After the train pulled out of town we headed home for hot cocoa laced with Bailey's. It sure hit the spot and warmed us up beautifully after we had been standing out in the cold for two hours. MMMM good!

Well, I must run now. Hope you had a sunny day of the heart and found something to bring a smile to your face.

Talk to you all later.