What about you?

Every week Suzanne, from Quietfire Design sends out a journal prompt. I try to participate, these are private journals. It occurred to me that my kids really know little about ME outside of what I do in relation to them and their upkeep, so I started to write a private journal and I love how Suzanne prompts me into thinking about things. So today I thought I'd bore you with some of my thoughts on this particular topic.

Today's Prompt.
Do you travel regularly?
Have you ever traveled for work?
What is your usual mode of transportation?
Is this mode your favorite way to travel?
If you travel for work, is it all work - or do you take time to "smell the roses" while you're away?

I seem to be traveling all the time. I travel by "Go" Bus. The "Go" system is a series of commuter trains/buses in the Greater Toronto Area, now reaching as far as Niagara Falls, Pickering Milton/George Town, Acton and beyond. I travel by this system to visit family and friends, to Dr. appointments, to painting group etc. Is this work? I wish I was getting paid mileage.

Then again I did travel for work a couple of times. I had opportunity to go to a training session or two in Ottawa. The unfortunate part of that was it was BRRRRRRRRRRRR cold. Not winter yet, but cold. Ottawa is quite a lovely city, the capital of Canada. We were in class most of the day so by the evening, the sidewalks were rolled up and not much sight seeing got done. I did however go to high tea. I arrived in Ottawa via the VIA Train, (Go borrows the tracks from Via). The country graciously booked me on 1st class, well I thought I could easily be transformed to the Orient Express, such service and all with a little french accent. Gaston brought out the wine the minute the little hand and big hand hit 12noon. I only had one glass, just in case the Prime Minister or the Queen was meeting me at the station.

But the ultimate travel for work I'd like to say I did was to tell you all I'd been to Japan, Ohara School of Ikebana. But alas no such luck,...

What about you?
Do you travel regularly?
Have you ever travelled for work?
What is your usual mode of transportation?
Is this mode your favourite way to travel?
If you travel for work, is it all work - or do you take time to "smell the roses" while you're away?

A-Z Wednesday "L" Little Book of Little Quilts

The Little Book of Little Quilts is my choice for A-Z Wednesday. the letter "L".

Synopsis: Thirty exciting little quilt designs. Suitable for absolute beginners and experienced quilters. Perfect as crib covers, small wall hangings, and pillow covers. Ideal projects for learning techniques of the beautiful art of quilting.

After Leslie and I had visited and taken classes at the Creative Festival, and bought all those fat quarters, I hauled out my quilting books. This is a really nice one, not too complicated just enough to keep me awake in the evenings whilst watchin' crappy television.

There have been so many interesting postings from the participants of A-Z Wednesday that I been reading non-stop. Thank You All.

Photo of the book I own.

Mellow yellow Monday

Well today it truly is mellow. Yeah right! It's been an odd back to school time. I feel like I'm running non stop. Well I guess I've been neglecting my household duties and someone finally noticed that I wasn't doing "it". Which of course is not true, I was still doing "it" but not as quickly as "they would like. Well in my leisure (huh) I noticed out my window that my roses were blooming in spite of this bitter cold. So I went out to bring it in from the cold. My young son was after a favourite shirt, which lay clean on the to be ironed pile, His words, " Mom maybe you could manage your time a little today, and do my laundry." Well I'll manage my time alright. I suppose bringing in the roses is considered to be frivolous waste of my time. Anyway... While I was standing and ironing, I was just thinking, look at this dusty mauve rose, it's all tight even when it's fully open, like she's opening up reluctantly,I've always associated that colour with elder ladies. The yellow, all bright and sunny, opens up all free and easy, like the sunshine, a colour I associate with happy young things. I know, I know I need to get back to "it". But a little distraction is not such a bad thing now is it? So how are you managing your time today? I'll be rolling up the rest of the garden, and doing the rest of the things I don't do, just doing "it". Happy Mellow Yellow, check out the rest of the gang at Mellow Yellow Monday.

P.S. Watch for an altered view of that chair in the background, coming soon to an upholstery class near me.

Postcard Friendship Friday

It will all too soon be Halloween. I love this beautiful witch. I don't really believe there are witches, I think there are people who think they are. But you must admit this is a really unusual witch. Greeting everyone.








Welcome to this weeks Postcard Friendship Friday! If you're visiting and would like to join in the fun we would be thrilled;) It's easy! All you need to do is:

1. Have a blast with this mail theme! Examples include: any type of postcard, a photo of a mailbox, mailman, a stamp image, postcard altered art, or simply a photo of something that you find 'Postcard Perfect' etc etc etc!
2. Link in with Mr.Linky at the bottom of this post
3. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what a blog party is all about!
4. Link back to the party from your post so that your readers can come and see what everyone else is talking about today! Please grab the badge if you'd like to add a bit of PFF colour to your post:)

A-Z Wednesday, K.. Kite Runner

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday.
To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

Today's Letter is "K". The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini



I read this book, shortley after I read "The Breadwinner". I think what impresses me most is how the lives of children of war is so devastatingly altered.

Mellow Yellow Monday, Yumo

The rules are pretty simple:
1. Every Monday post a photo with a little or a lot of yellow.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a Mellow Yellow Badge or a link to this blog in your post.
4. Leave the link to your Mellow Yellow post below on Mr. Linky.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

When to Post:
Mister Linky will be available every Sunday at 5:00 pm EST and will remain open until Wednesday.



After reading Marie's the I've had quiche on the brain, and in my dreams, etc. So it only stands to reason that I would see Bisquick in my cupboard. If you hop over to Irene's Kitchen I'll share my devious methods with you.

Photo of a box of Bisquick I own.

When I can't sleep/or even if I can.

I just finished this book last night in the wee hours. I started it on Thursday and just needed to know what happened. I can't remember who suggested it on the A-Z Wednesday, but who ever you were if it's in the TBR pile pull it out, you will not be sorry. Do read it, if you're a dog lover or not...

photo of the book I own.

Friday 56... Blue Jelly

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*Post a link along with your post back to this blog. Story time with Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.



3. Wipe the jar rims clean with the tip of a towel dipped in the boiling water bath. Place the hot lids on the jars and screw the rings on firmly. Process in the boiling water canner for 10 minutes. Don't tighten the screw band afterward or turn the jars upside down. Give the jelly away when you're done.





I started to read this book for no other reason than it was not as heavy to carry around as the Josephine B triology, the next volume. I thought I would look less insane if I was laughing out loud on the train, than crying. (too often the case for me). I'm not sure I'll be trying any of the recipes for a broken heart just yet. Happy Friday 56.

I cannot seem to link storytimewith tonya. blogspot.com please try just typing it in. So sorry I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Maybe tonya and friends just don't like me?

photo of the book I own.

A-Z Wednesday, "J" Josephine B, Trilogy

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!
To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "J"


The Josephine novel a sweeping tale of love and loss, political intrigue and revolution during one of the most tumultuous periods in European history.

This is part of another challenge for me, and I'm loving it. can't wait to get on to the next one.

Mellow Yellow Monday

Welcome!
I chose yellow for this photo meme because it's my favourite colour and I think the world is always better with a splash of yellow ... whether it's in your home or in nature.

The rules are pretty simple:
1. Every Monday post a photo with a little or a lot of yellow.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a Mellow Yellow Badge or a link to this blog in your post.
4. Leave the link to your Mellow Yellow post below on Mr. Linky.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!



Sunday, October 11, 2009
Mellow Yellow Monday #39 Apparently some of my family finds it quite amusing that I participate in Mellow Yellow Monday. It's harder than one thinks. I know when you have a blog, you think about things around you that you could blog about. But putting your thought in a strict lane really is quite a challenge. I LOVE a Challenge. I'm walking a 100 miles challenge, I'm reading A_Z, and 3,4,5 and I hope I'm losing 10lbs, by Dec. 31st. So Mellow Yellow is a pleasure, no work, just thinking. Enjoy my orchid from a very warm greenhouse.

Friday 56... Cooking School Murders

1. Grab the book nearest you right now.
2. Turn to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like).
5. Post a link with your post to Storytime with Tonya and Friends.


The closest book to me at the moment is:

The Cooking School Murders. Virginia Rich
"What you don't understand Eugenia, is that I need to know about every single detail." Jack took a long swallow of iced tea, then continued.



At this time of year everyone seems to be hungrier. I bought this book for the recipe on the inside cover. I love the idea of carrying the "theme" of the book throughout the presentation. It has a wicked recipe for fried green tomatoes in it. How cool, haven't read the story yet but the food is great.


I must add check out my Irene's Kitchen Blog for a interesting recipe.

Happy 56 Friday.

p.s I'm sorry but my links are not working, no idea why?

Happy Post Card Friendship Friday

Long before there were scrappers, there were photo albums. This particular one I brought back from Poland, originally for my photo's from my trip. Most of those photos were mistakenly put into one of those sticky photo albums, most of those photos went golden yellow. I should have put them in this album. It's old fashioned, black pages with no plastic covers, just tissue/onion skin paper between pages. Oddly enough the photos would have been "photo safe" in it.




Now I've chosen to use this particular book for my postcards. The front and back covers are I think wood burnt if that's the correct term. I haven't decided what order to put them in, but I'll figure it out.






The Initials on the back cover, are my cousins Lucina's , this was a gift from her. I so loved the book that she took her photo's out and gave it to me. I really appreciate that now. I even have a label with my name on it(which will not come off) this book was in a heritage display and I wanted it back so every piece had to be labeled. Won't be doing that again.



Happy Post Card Friendship Friday.

A- Z Wednesdays "I' Indian in the Cupboard

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!
To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week.
Post: 1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Come back here and leave your link in the comments.
If you've already reviewed this book you can add it also.
Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment.
(We all love comments, don't we?)
Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.
THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: "I"

Many years ago, I volunteered at our local elementary school library, and that meant book fairs and reading groups. Since my boys loved to be read to it was easy, The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks, we must have read the whole series 5 times. All that knowledge about Lynn Reid Banks got both my boys into a "who wants to be a millionaire" type challenge, who knew? When I think of those days, I remember being really tired, Not unlike now, and hurrying them off to read so we could get them to bed and I could crash. If you know my Daniel you know there is no such thing as hurrying Daniel off to anything, it would often take me 3 or 4 hours to get him to sleep. Yes 3 or 4 hours. On many occasion I was asleep before he was. Any way. This weeks letter is "I" if you haven't read this little book do.. and read it with someone you love preferably who still thinks your the smartest,most beautiful women around and who will snuggle up and listen in awe.

photo of the book I own.

Wow, I know I'm never at a loss for words.

I know I'm never at a loss for words, sometimes perhaps the right words, but never speechless. Yesterday I did my 300th post. I don't believe that I have had that much significant stuff to say. Thank you all for reading and mostly for commenting. So onto today's happening. I spent the late morning and early afternoon with my mom and my lovely niece and her sweet little boy. I say little boy, because even though he is only four months old, he looks like a little boy, not like a baby of no specific gender, he's a boy. Anyway we enjoyed our "kopitka" for lunch and Squash Soup. I shall post the soup recipe on my "Irene's Kitchen Blog" tomorrow. I'm too tired to think of the appropriate words to describe my process. And I need to pack for tomorrow's adventure in painting. Bon wee.

I can't believe it!

Today I received this little game from my friend Kim. It goes like this.


QUESTION: If you saw ME in the back of a police car, what would you think I got arrested for?

The idea is that you answer your first impulse answer and reply it back to the sender, just to see what everyone thinks you are capable of doing.

Well I can't believe at least three people think I'm capable of "finally killing my husband". I never thought I put out an violent vibe. But then again these people have met my husband. So it's understandable. I like the "cat burglar" title, and the best yet was "cooking with too many calories". Guilty as charged.

My crime for today was not getting out of my PJs. That doesn't mean I didn't do anything. I did 8 loads of laundry, cleaned my room (dusting walls and ceiling and under bed, and vacuuming mattress, and switching my closet to fall/winter from summer, changing to winter bedding). Made a very large pot of chicken soup, and a medium pot of squash bisque, and "kopitka" and supper. Labeled my "Read for a Cure" books and my "Large Print" books. Now I'm showered and back in clean PJs and crashing on the couch, with a book and a large tea. I could go through life in my PJs.

Kopitka are a potato dumpling. check out my Irene's Kitchen for the recipe. I don't know why my link isn't working, but I'm too tired to think.

Brenda's Photo Challenge- Pets

O.k you all it's Brenda's Photo Challenge Time, this weeks subject is pets.


Lucky is the absolute correct name for this large feline. Lucky was my mother's cat. She wondered over to my mother's home when she was expecting a litter. It was darn cold out, so needless to say my mother fed and gave her shelter in the old dog house. After the babies were born, my sister Barb (aka mother nature) took them to a pet shop and lied through her teeth to get them adopted. But, Lucky stayed. She was then spayed and became my mother's companion for at least seven years. She got very fat.





When my mother had to go into a long term care facility, we had no idea what we were going to do about Lucky. Even though I love cats I knew my cat would be not very accepting. Then wonderful Katie came along and adopted Lucky. These are photo's Katie took of Lucky now known as Ducky. She is well cared for and loved.







So that's the story of Lucky/Ducky with an awful lot of luck.