The first Sunday of Advent...

When my boys were little Advent was such an exciting time for them. I think it was the lighting of the candles that made it so. There is something warm and wonderful about eating by candlelight. Well now I'm HOME ALONE on the first Sunday of Advent, can't find my advent wreath. I turned my usual hiding spots upside down, and I'll be dining by electric light tonight. The challenge I always gave my boys was that they were to come up with an advent prayer each week, (new one) self composed. Wish I had kept them all. I did keep ones they tried to pass off as their own, ones they brought home from school. Daniel at one point really got into it (pyromaniac that he is) and we lite candles everyday. I will not rest tonight until I find my wreath. Take time to enjoy the little video below.

Eurika!

O.k. Now we've done it! You know how Leslie and I have been looking for these small hangers. WELL Eurika. We've found them. Yet another project to do! It will be great when we get to it. We've now decided that we need to get back to our Thursday doing things day. We've sort of got side tracked with life and neglected all these things we love to do. After a lovely trip to the ONE of a Kind show yesterday our inspirational juices are exploding all over the place. Carmi's booth was fabulous. These hangers were found in the most unlikely place. No antique store, just a scrapping wharehouse sale we had not planned on going to. We have a fierce loyalty to Bizzy B's so we thought we should at least check it out. Well thank you Bizzy B's. We'll be back. Can't say that without thinking of Arnold.

I will remember you...

This is a photo of my dad and me. It was my graduation from Secondary School. Yesterday would have been my dad's 95th birthday. Wow! My dad passed away 3oyears ago. My fondest memories of my dad are quite often in conjunction with his friend Stan. I can remember being at Sheridan College and wanting them to build me a sewing machine table with some stability. It seemed my purchased one just couldn't take the moves, the legs were always wobbly and the surface was too small for the things that I was sewing, so the two of them strolled into the sewing studio at the college and were going to check it out. Well security of course was called because two old guys were wondering through the classes. I finally caught up with them and explained things and they took their measurements and I still sew at the table they came up with. I think Barb got one too. We each got a great cutting table as well, but Stan refused to glue cork to the top. He just wouldn't taint the wood that way. As I've been cleaning my mothers home recently, I've come across a few projects they did together, you can tell in their work when they were getting tired of it or maybe just having a few too many tastes of their home made wine. Brings a smile to my face. My dad would have like to be a musician, he was a self made one so I think it's appropriate that I post this song in his memory. Why didn't I post yesterday. Just couldn't.

A briliant find...

Last week, which was book binding Sunday, Leslie dropped off some needlework magazines for me to scrutinize, vintage magazines. She knows I like to use some of these images in my altered books. I thought when she brought them I'm just taking them directly to the recycling bin, I just don't have enough space to keep anything else. Well, this morning with my coffee, I had to be quiet because the Rooster was fast asleep, so I thought "Oh I'll just flip through to see that everything is not what I want anymore. I've been decorating my home for a great many years never seemingly done. I don't know how to go to a furniture store and just pick out a room setting where everything matches. Consequently, I've made our headboard over the years. Well we've either grown, or just got less cuddly over the years and we've managed to change from a double bed in the first years of our marriage to a king and so my upholstered headboard no longer fit and I have not found a replacement. Well look at my photo. Just kinky enough for me. Of course all those circles are embroidery hoops, can't find those anymore so I'll be welding a few together. I'm sure I'll have to make some modifications but then again that would be me, wouldn't it. Thank You Leslie. By the way only about 3 books found their way into the bag for a knitting friend, no books were recycled, they all found a home in my must do something from this book pile. Have a blessed day, I did.

photo of headboard from a book I own.

I think I need a bigger house...

I was out in Roosters Retreat yesterday,(the garden shed). Originally my husband(Rooster) wanted a shed so he could get a snow blower. Well that was probably 5years ago, no snow blower to date. My husband is frugal. So the shed was designated as a storage space for garden things. Of course this was when Daniel was still doing pond related things. Now that the pond is well established and the garden is perennial I only need a few tools to maintain. Still no snow blower. So the shed was slowly becoming a further car parts storage. Well yesterday I needed to move some things around and Roosters Retreat has the large tools in it now. But what to do with everything else. Well.... My friend Leslie has been looking for a child's wooden hanger for a project she's working on. I offered to help her look in the antique stores on my life's route. So, I've come across some interesting items, but dare not even think about it since I have a full house and some items coming from our family home that I cannot part with. Today I saw a most interesting rocker that would look great someplace. But where? I've already moved all those things people keep in the garage into the retreat, all those things people keep in the basement into the garage. And I'm still struggling for space. Maybe it's time to move. I'd really like a house with a conservatory. I think I might need another husband then as well. We all know how well a Rooster does in a conservatory.

I can't believe it....

I can't believe I've published over 100 posts. I know I always have too much to say, but I've actually taken the time to say it in writing. Today is no exception. My sisters and I did a scrapping session at my mother seniors residence, she was terribly uninterested. All she wanted to do is complain about the very small desserts she was getting. She told me that she told them they could keep their little cookies, she has boxes in her room. But, I got some serious sorting done. I should be working a little harder at that and today seem like it got me on track again. I have this fear of not living long enough to finish scrapping my photos. I'm off again on a cleaning and sorting binge tomorrow. How sad. Hope I find some treasures to tell you about.

The Third Sunday of the Month is bookbinding...

The Third Sunday of the Month has just become bookbinding Sunday. And Yesterday was no exception. Carolyn Disher once again patiently instructed us in our "Little Fat Book". I wish I had a digital camera to show you mine. I had decided to keep a gift journal. Since my memory is sometimes not at it's peek, I've decided to write down what I buy for whom. I hate missing a birthday, so this is the way I will have to remember. The little fat book has twelve signatures. One for every month. I can not only record birthdays, but check off what I bought as a gift or if I only send a card, to the celebrant I can check that off. The little fat book can stand on my nightstand so I can check what's happening tomorrow. It also has a woven spine with fibres and coloured ribbon and beads. It's not only decorative and functional but was a fun project for seven very nice ladies. Sometimes you can do a class with just the right kind of participants, you sometimes get to know people and are introduced to some great careers and the discussion goes into many territories. Yesterdays was Coronation Street. Apparently, according to Juliette (one of the participants) not everyone in that British town lives that way. We talked about pets, and health and much more whilst creating. Looking forward to the next time ladies. By then Santa will have brought me a digital camera and I'll post a photo of my creation.

I never went to kindergarten...

I never went to kindergarten. In Canada, Hamilton, Ontario to be exact the kindergarten program did not become part of the educational system until after I was four by December 31st. So consequently I did miss out on a lot of things my nieces baby will soon enjoy. But that doesn't stop me from spreading a few words of wisdom that I read about in Annette's blog this morning.

1. You don't need a financial planner to help manage your milk money.

2. Napping isn't a luxury... It was mandatory!

3. Forget working out... you had recess.

4. Two words: SNOW DAYS!

5. Coming out top meant getting picked first for kickball.

6. You knew your work was a hit when it made the refrigerator.

And every bodies favorite...

7. Even the toughest day ended with milk and cookies.

Adventures with Nancy

The last year or two or three have been sort of a blurr with my artwork. I've decided on my 55th New Year to do something about that, and even though I start out great saying O.K. Wednesday is painting, and Thursday is scrapping, and Friday is something new. I just don't get to it. Other very heavy responsibilities have gotten in the way. Well yesterday I didn't let that happen. Leslie and I drove out to Nancy Donaldson's. Nancy was a very enthusiastic, talented and organized instructor. What a pleasure it was to be in her class. I would love to steal a little of her energy. So what great therapy it was to hammer this "fence wire" into my beaded heart. I shall keep my promise to myself every once in awhile. Check out Nancy's etsy buys.

And now in English...

I know for me regular readers you know I'm a research junky, and family history is something I've been trying to gather for years. Unfortunately neither of my parents ever wanted to talk about details. So it's been a long and winding road, not many records available after the war. But I'm still trying. So a salute to my mother country today in Rememberence. When I was in grade two in Polish school our wonderful teacher told us this legend of why this melody us unfinished, it intrigued me so much that when I went to Poland I'm sure my cousins were not too happy with me as I insisted we go to Krakow and listen, they were wanting to shop. I did hear it for my own ears. Apparently legend has it that the bugler was shot with an arrow in the throat and was therefore unable to finish his tune.

Lest we forget...

It's a particularly emotional day for me today. I'm not sure why? You know all those soldier marching past. I think there was even a fly by in Hamilton today. I just happened to be there in time for the parade and placement of the wreath. It makes me think of my dad and my uncle, and how they must have looked in their uniforms. Just thought I would give you all a glimpse. In Polish.

What to do with those few left over tomatoes from your garden.

If you're like me you don't want to let go of summer, if only because of the taste of the tomatoes. Well I have a few ripening all at once on the window sill and what should I do with them when they are all ready at one time. Well I like to serve them as a warm vegetable. I know, I know they are not a vegetable they are a fruit.(Or so Mr. Science in my house keeps telling me, I wish he could tell everyone else.) Any way I cut them into rather thick slices of about 1 inch, spread them out on a good nonstick type jellyroll pan drizzle them with honey, pushing the honey into the hollows. Proscess 2 slices of not too fresh bread into breadcrumbs (not too fine) combined with 1 tbsp. of tarragon (dried) 1 1/2 tsps. salt and 1 1/2 tsp. pepper spread evenly over the tomatoes dot with butter and bake in the oven at 350 for about 30 min. or until the tomato skin wrinkles. Broil 5 inches from heat 5 minutes until tops are golden. Serve warm. *I have skipped the tarragon when I didn't have any. The measurement covers about 8 med. size tomatoes. for easy clean up you could line the pan with tinfoil. Mmm good.

I should just weld that...

All these parts, I should just weld them together and drive away. But before I can do all that I need to clean them. A little vim ought to do it. I've been looking for that Natura Cloth that Leslie recommended, that ought to help as well. I've decided to dedicate the whole garage to car stuff. I'll be moving out my project to be, not sure where, maybe Roosters Retreat will be available, I may sell the lawnmower, after all that thyme is still so fragrant. I'm thinking of assembling the Christmas lights just in case we have another nice day. I'll be clipping some evergreen and putting the Christmas Tree stands in their spots in anticipation. I think I might even assemble my Christmas Card list, must send some this year, I don't seem to get those out on time usually. I love Christmas music but, I really get sick of it when that's all you hear in the malls from Halloween on. Now all I need a little energy.

Oooo my aching body...

Having blitzed my garden clean-up yesterday, my body is aching. I had planned to clean the car parts today, but my hands and butt will not permit. So when all else fails, go shopping. I thought I might get started on Christmas shopping. Well I'm so glad I'm not Santa. I'd do o.k. if all the kids were little. But it's those big ones. Well my big one will probably get gift certificates for Sobeys or Fido, but the little one ?????????. My husband?????I'm thinking a long trip, oh there you go I've just got myself something too. I'll have to compose a wish list. I'll be putting an Anvil on that, and a butane torch, maybe a fire extinguisher. Well happy shopping.

Thyme is on my side, yes it is...

Don't you just want to sing when you hear that phrase. Well, I'm in the garden at long last today, we had a little slice of spring in Ontario this week, and I thought I would let my neighbor have a good winter, so I cleaned up. I was almost out of steam when I got round to clearing an clipping around the pond. I just love the look of leaves on the ground, it's so Canadian. But, I can't leave them on the ground or they blow around and end up in the pond, then the pond scum in the spring is brutal. So reluctantly I raked. I might add that my husband was playing on the computer, and I mean playing majong or solitaire. Oh no that brings another song to mind. Anyway, as I was racking and trying not to think of my aching back, I smelled something wonderful. I guess the scratching action of the rake triggered my thyme. I've had so little time to spend in my garden this year, I really enjoyed this little treat. I think I'll be planting much more. I only have an area of about 4 x12 so far. At one point my plan was to replace my lawn. I may think about it again. I lost my patience last year when it wasn't spreading a quickly as I had wanted it to. But there is always next spring. Now on the topic of my husband if he keeps playing solitaire... Well he didn't play for long, I pulled the cord, and took his laptop to the shed, so if he wanted to connect, good luck.

I might add that when we were putting up the shed, (piece of crap that it is) I suggested an electrical outlet, (my husband fancies himself an electrician wantabe), he sort of flipped I'm sure he would have appreciated it with the laptop out there in Roosters Retreat (the shed)

Getting sorted

When my husband retired he brought home 30 odd years of stuff. I set him up in the garage with folders and filing cabinets and lockers. And what did he do? He just threw a bunch of stuff into the drawers and locker, boxes and all. Well when we needed to get to something or when we needed to find space for car parts, I sat in the garage, with my boys and sorted and made my husband discard things. Well we were down to just a few drawers in a filing cabinet and the rest was SORTED. Imagine putting your whole career into a few drawers. Well that's what I'm doing to my mom's career, and mine too. We worked together for a few years. I can remember most times when she would talk about her fabric as if it were an extension of her family. I think my sister and I did the right thing with the things that were left. Some young lady will be learning to sew with the tools provided from this retiree. I wish I could be in the classroom with her. I could tell her some of those scary stories my mother use to tell us to keep us awake, when working to a deadline. So my advice to all of you, don't pack up too much, leave something for your kids to pack, just to remind them what you use to do. My kids didn't know their father played volleyball and water polo and was at the Olympics with the water polo team in 1972 when terrorism happened in Germany, he was in the army at the time, but I'm sure he would have preferred to be playing in the water with the team if only... They only know about him now, in his large form, displacing water in the pool. I can tell you we are discovering a secret life my mother had too. I have plans for my kids already, I'm sure they will be shocked. So get sorted but not too much.

It's no coincidence

I don't believe in coincidence. A few months ago when my mother became very very house bound I thought I would like to enable her to continue in the practice of her faith. My mother was a daily mass person. And all of a sudden November 2007, she couldn't even do that. So I went through the proper channels to become a minister of the Eucharist to the home bound. I approached her parish priest about this with positive results. However, I felt I needed to partake in the celebration before I could share it. The mass was at 8 a.m. in Hamilton. That means me starting from home at 5:30 a.m. I just couldn't do it. One day, I'm not even sure why, I was walking up the hill from the Hamilton Go Bus Terminal and discovered a church that had a mass at 9a.m. Perfect I thought, I get off the bus at 8:45a.m. and I'm there. I approached the priest and was very warmly greeted, and not just by him but also by the daily mass goers. There are usually only 7 or 8 people there. They soon discovered that I was Polish. On Friday one of the men who have been so kind started to talk about how old he was and his life history. It seems he was in Italy with my DAD! at the battle of Monte Casino. His ride arrived and I was unable to get into the thick of things, but just when I thought I would be doing research on line forever, for this portion of my scrapbooking, I met a live participant with a memory. I'm not sure if anyone will appreciate all this research but I'm sure feeling good about it. So my next scrapbooking Tuesday should be very interesting. Coincidence you say, I think not!

Where does time go indeed!

A Million years ago this was me, and my assigned partner was my now brother-in-law Rick. As I recall this was a performance of the Polonaise at some Mayor's gala, Mayor Victor Copps (father of Sheila Copps) at the Connaught Hotel in Hamilton. Well Victor Copps is now long dead, Sheila is a retired MP, and the Connaught is a dump. I'm 55 years old and my brother in law, although he still has brown hair (ha, ha )is also in his 50's. We are both much, much heavier, and I'm sure we wouldn't remember how to do the Polonaise if we tried. Yes it's my birthday today. If I could freeze time, I think this is the age I would like to freeze my appearance at, I would love to wear those gowns daily, and I most certainly would like to continue to dance the Polonaise, even if it were just occasionally. Those were good times. My dad would drive us around from practice to performance, my mom sewed all the costumes,my friend Mary did our hair. As I passed through the decades(don't I sound old) I'd have loved to freeze time when my boys were younger, my husband happier and me with more energy. Alas it is not my gift to freeze time. So I shall delight in the fact that I'm healthy enough to eat a lot of cake on my Birthday, even if I have to bake it myself, I'll play in my studio, while the wash is being done, and I'll eat out with my favorite men, even if I'm related to them. I'll go to bed when I feel like it, with an nice nightcap of course. Listen to my favorite music and reminisce. So happy birthday to me.