sparkjoy

So long, farewell........

2011-01-07T03:27:00.000-06:00

Hi. It's been a slice. I've decided to take a break from this blog. For how long? I'm not sure. I know if I never come back that my little piece of the pie will live on, forever more, in the great wide web world. I still intend to sparkjoy. I sure do. I hope you will as well. For yourself most of all. Remember: sparks light fires. And Joy is what life is all about. Those brief and blissful pockets of Joy in this frickin tough ass life. So off I go to take some time to go inward during these wintery months to take care of myself and move on through another of life's lessons and changes. I think this year will be a real shake up for me. Lots of internal changes going on. Bloody hard work but in the end worth it. I think you know of what I speak. We are all going through this. All the time. Ah, to be human. Hang in there honeys. Be kind to yourself. If you don't see that spark yet - you just wait - honest - take one day at a time - breathe - talk yourself out of being so scared - find that strength that lives in you - and keep waiting..........it will be worth it. Promise. ciao ciao and cheerio dearios!

Merry Merry

2010-12-24T20:33:00.000-06:00

Merry Merry! Wishing you all the best in the coming New Year.....

changes....

2010-12-22T08:20:00.000-06:00

from Geninne's Art Blog

More farting about with color and change on this blog. I did try it 'plain' and white but that just did not do it for me....cheerio dearios!

change - one sure thing you can count on

2010-12-21T19:29:00.000-06:00

Hi. I'm trying out a new and 'simpler' blog. I tend to go to overload so I'm thinking: lets go back to basics and see what happens. It's Tuesday and I plan on doing some shopping Thursday- then just eating ;).

Merry merry all you rascals - may 2011 bring you great things. See you in the New Year!

classic

2010-12-14T17:57:00.000-06:00

o yes - tis the season -

around xmas everything smiles

o sound of music - you da best

o yes, in this weather....o YES!

as one gets older - helps to have a recipe handy......ha

All classics from the wide-web! If you'd like to know from where, do leave me a message and I will investigate the source. Sorry, my butt is just home from work and it is off to have grilled cheese sandwhiches.

snowstorming in Ontario and dear B missed her flight and D is shoveling madly - nuts! Tried to call there but no answer. Hoping they've stayed put but knowing them they are out helping peeps ......stay inside you rascals and keep cosy and wait it out! Don't make us send Santa after you.........xo

10 days to xmas they say. Lord. Dear crumpet and family will be heading south! lucky ducks. well deserved. Cheerio!

shadows and suprises

2010-12-10T08:03:00.000-06:00

Ola sweeties. The first three photos were taken by me - the cool button wreath and trees - Gennine's Art Blog (she is amazing....) - and the last - off the wide web - xmas suprise! ;)

GW and Hub app's and bevvy's and fun on for Saturday night. We exchange a 10 giftie - the 'steal' game usually comes into play - can have some good laughs over who opens what gift....hope to inspire a few guffaws this year...we'll see. Will try and wrap the giftie so it's not obvious what it is. I'll let you know how that went and what I got.

-28 today with windchill. Toque, you are coming with me today. Hair be-darned! Have a cheesy-weekend.....gathering Sat and watching 30 rock/Office/Medium tonite and 'friday night french club' on the agenda. Nice glass of wine and some munchies for dinner........over and out.......

inside....outside

2010-12-08T07:43:00.000-06:00

Inside - chocolate countdowns and giant elves named 'Lucy' (tx Kel: she's become an xmas staple). Outside - snowcakes a-piling all over the summer furniture, gloriously untouched (which amazes me: perhaps a nice butt-print is in order for that muskoka chair.....).

Cheerio dearios........

Tuesday Night

2010-12-07T21:48:00.000-06:00

Sunday night

2010-12-05T21:05:00.000-06:00

From Geninne's Blog

o hilarious - who needs to grow one? Icelandic cap: Cup of Jo

For all those new drivers out there (or if you're having one of those days) from Kate Spade /Cup of Jo

Sandra Juto takes the most awesome pictures of 'love cuppas'

Hi. It is Sunday night. It is close to 9pm. I have nary a joosy book to read: must remedy that for the Holidays. To bury my 'snoz' in a book is a divine pleasure. I'm catching up on reading the weekend paper. The Christmas tree is up. I will post a picture - much better than describing it. It is magic and twinkling and I love all the crazy-ass ornaments that go on every year. Forget about the 'theme' trees: bring on the yearly crazy-ass ornaments. This year I added the 'good luck pickle' - a German tradition of yore (apparently). You hide it on the tree and the first to spot it xmas morning gets to open the first gift. It is a glass ornament and I have tucked it ever-so-sneakily on the tree - I'll get the Huzz to search for it Christmas morning - but don't let him know okay? shhhh. Ha. Another ornament I have that cracks me up is the red glass Lobster I picked up in May of 2008 on our Honeymoon on the East Coast (picked it up in a Drugstore in Halifax). My nephew Max was given a stuffed Lobster as a present when his folks returned from the East Coast. He called his Lobster 'Jackie'. So 'Jackie' this Lobster is for me as well. Too funny.

The Huzz and I were discussing Christmas the other day at dinner: all the expectations and the flurry of everything, especially consumerism, that goes on around this time of year. How people go so in debt to have this 'smash it out of the ballpark' Christmas. And then January comes around and bills start rolling in. Is it worth it?

Home for the Holidays, the movie, sort of sums up Christmas for me. Mix that movie in with some Sound of Music, Elf, A Wonderful Life and ongoing Christmas songs (especially the oldie versions)...o yes, and Baby Jesus/the Christmas Story read by my Pops over the years on Christmas Eve......Eggnog, cookies, Stewbogganing.....red string hung from fireplaces or stove vents (remains of Santa...), the NIght Before Christmas, Pigs at Christmas....traditions old and new.....Christmas is a flurry; of emotions and expectations. Does getting older change that for you in any way?

Goodnite. Be a little naughty. But mostly nice.

snowcakes

2010-12-01T06:34:00.000-06:00

Morning. Another chilly-von-willy day today; so the radio says ;) I haven't ventured out yet. It was quite blustery yesterday. Snow was flying. More 'snowcakes' in progress (snowcakes being the piles of snow on chairs and other outdoor things; they look like cakes to me - or biscuits).

I was early to bed last night. My day went awry. I needed a good sleep. I'm having a cuppa and settling into this new day. The coffee tastes bueno. Muchos bueno.

I need to get on sending some cards out: New Zealand is probably the farthest away. December 1st today! Hola. Our tree will go up this weekend. Maybe some cookie-baking. Making the list for baking...we'll see what gets made.

Stay warm dearies........have a good one out there.

Winterpeg

2010-11-27T15:54:00.000-06:00

xmas tree outside of Pineridge Hollow's grand poobah's house (Jan): lovely! On Xmas 'House Tours'-House Hop - 2010

Poor Bella - frickin' cold out there. Gotta love a cape with 'balls' on it.

New addition to the garden. He bobbles.

Winterpeg. Birds smart: have gone south.

Xmas: ready to countdown December with a choco-a-day again this year! woo woo!

The Huzz and I did conquer most of the Xmas shopping today. List in hand, we did it! woo woo! Costco was nutters. Everyone is so busy looking at everything that many accidents almost occur. Had a nice taste of Nanaimo Bar there - yum. And a hot-diggety-dog lunched upon (thx Huzz). Then it was onto Superstore. Groc-shop, other gifties bought......got outta there in good time. Gone a good three hours I think. Now making Hot Turkey sammies for dinner - gravy a going on the stove right now. I'm hungry. Maybe watch Date Night tonite on the tele (rent). Or see what else is on. Get the jammies on and cosy on up. Have a good one! Anyone send cards out anymore? Cheerio dearios.

O snow

2010-11-25T07:29:00.000-06:00

Ha. Benny. We've been getting lots of snow these past two days. If I'd have let Ben out much longer he would have been the abomidable snowman! He loves this stuff though - this snow. It's in his blood. Still trying to figure out how to attach him to a sled ;)

Off to catch the stinky-bus. Off to get a coffee and warm the cockles of my heart. A day with the Elders today. Then the Library. Hugs ya'll.

minus 25.....knee socks rock in this weather

2010-11-23T07:22:00.000-06:00

Morning. People that winter-bike are staunch. Not sure how they do it, but do it they do! It is minus 25 here with the windchill. Winnipeg gets blustery winds and boy, that windchill can be something. I must go and search for my toque. I've got my knee socks on - those help the legs keep toasty.

I will be cosy taking the Bus. The Bus is awesome come winter - you don't have to navigate all the ice and snow. But, you have to smell the Bus smells which seem to be 'uckier' come winter - I think because of melting snow (wet) and no windows opened to air the Bus out. I have perfected the breathing-through-mouth-and-not-nose maneuver - have been able to do this since I was a kid and it sure comes in handy. O stinky Bus.

Off to catch that stinky Bus now! Keep warm dearies!

craft show (said like 'dog show'/SNL) HA

2010-11-21T22:33:00.000-06:00

Hi. Craft show has been 'done did'. It was what I expected in Venue - but not what I expected in sales. Not so good on the sales front. But lucked out on the '7 year old girl who was over the moon excited about her choices in purple or pink in 'I love bed' mini canvases.....(she chose purple)'. Ha.

So, I have lots of angels in balls and snowpeeps to keep me company until I figure out just what to do with them. I won't be doing this venue again. I'll aim higher next time and have one 'specialty' and not try and make five bajillion things. Or...I will stick with a summery Farmers Market. We'll see. I will live with the ideas this winter and contemplate.

What did you get up to?

Off to bed with this mamajama. I need to catch up on 'craft induced sleeplessness'. It exists. It does. ;) I love bed.

cheerio dearios, stay toasty.

madly crafting in all directions

2010-11-15T08:23:00.001-06:00

Morning. I spent the weekend madly crafting in all directions - and the rest of this week will be the same. I'm in a Craft Sale on Sat. Nov. 20th - Windsor Park United Church, here in Winnipeg. 10 to 3pm if you are in that neck of the woods!

It will be my first Craft Sale so it's all a learning process of what to make, how much to make, how much to sell it for...all that jazz. I'm making stocking stuffer items - 'I love bed' mini-canvases, snowpeep magnets, funky button rings, buttons on a string, gift tags, bags and cards.......angels in a ball....it's all keeping me hopping! Wish me luck.

Off to lunch with dear Belly and then errands for last minute crafting stuff , then a groc-shop, then home to craft some more!

I won't be blogging till after the craft sale so have a great week and I'll catch up next week! cheers!

snow is here

2010-11-11T08:49:00.000-06:00

imagine if snowflakes were this big?

from a cup of jo

Hi. It's Remembrance Day. It is snowing. Imagine wearing the bottom picture 'partial sweatery-thing?'. She manages to pull it off. I just laugh thinking of me in that get up. Like a winter straight jacket....o fashion.

Enjoy your day and take some time to remember. Peace. ;)

Bed

2010-11-10T08:03:00.000-06:00

from Fine Little Day

from a cup of jo

Ode to Bed: Bed you envelope me deeply in dreams and cosy comfort, you are always there when I need you to nap or to lay and contemplate the light or my thoughts, you are the best place to read and make out and jump on. O bed. You da best.

wanna post your own version in my comments? I dare you. ;)

Have a good un. Unfortunately I have to leave bed and go to work. Cheerio dearios. Have a good one out there.

snow

2010-11-09T07:09:00.000-06:00

winter snowflake on backdoor tree (2009)

Morning lil' honeys. No, we don't have snow yet. But I did 'hang some out' last night on the front shrubs :). It was funny-it was about 730pm at night, dark out, and here I am in the front yard, hanging snowflakes - a woman and her dog went by. It was amusing. The night was lovely and warm. And sparkly after I got done with it.

I'm ready for some snow. I really am. Some sparkle. I see in the forecast that Thursday (Remembrance day) may be the day. The snowflakes I hung are like the one in the above picture (been doing this for 3 years?). But this year, I will get some new ones for the backdoor tree. It adds extra magic. The world can always use more sparkle. And notice I did not ask for bitter cold. Let us be clear on that. HA.

I noticed xmas lights twinkling away on several houses in the neighborhood. Yup, I'm ready. I've even started xmas shopping. Very early for me. I am usually a last-minute kind of shopper - which I love - but this year I'm organized and getting my list checked off. Small 'something-something' for everyone this year. You can't take it with you after all. Nice to give a wee treat to people. They deserve it. It's a hard-knock life. Well, cheerio dearios - have a good one.

blessings

2010-11-08T10:21:00.000-06:00

from blog: http://lorijoysmith.com/

Hi. It's Monday. I thought a good dose of 'The Sound of Music' was needed. Climb every Mountain - indeed! We are all doing that every day. Sometimes with sherpa's, sometimes alone.

Blessings to Pat who has passed from the earth and onto a better place. Cancer got her. Hugs to her Albert and her Heather and her D and B. To all those that knew and love her. She was hilarious and a 'corker' of a lady. Angels sent to all those grieving and who need a lil' lovin'. Life sux. Death, to those of us left behind, sux too.

Angels to my mom and to my aunt vel and to lisa,brad,scott, charlie. Lots of hugs as well. I surround you in love.

Ah, people are leaving the planet. Then people arrive. The circle of life. Off to have a 'Sound of Music' kind of day. Be kind to yourselves heh. I'll do the same. ;)

why can't we all just get along?

2010-11-06T17:23:00.000-05:00

Hi. I'm having major issues at my workplace and with them being respectful to their employees and their individuals. And it is SO FRUSTRATING! AAAAAH! And it makes me wonder yet again: why can't we all just get along? I am a reasonable person. I am doing my best and resisting drop kicking certain people that are very deserving of a good wrestling move or two. So, a few photos for you, taken by me, starting with Good Street. Good to know that one exists ;) And it is where you head west (of course). Follow the yellow brick road. I've got my red, sparkly shoes on. Ready to tap dance. One day at a time sweet jesus. This too shall pass. Hugs. Send one back. Lord knows we all can use one.....always. Hang in there. Life sucks.

Halloween

2010-11-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

Candy Party

2010-10-29T07:34:00.000-05:00

Calendar by Geninne's Art Blog: November it almost here!

We are hosting a Candy Party for the nieces and nephews on Saturday night. Complete with egg throwing outside - have to figure out exactly how to do that for a nice clean-up afterward. Gate nite and all ya know........Candy is what Halloween is all about in my books :). We will watch the Shrek tv special Huzz recorded and Glee: Rocky Horror Picture Show episode. Eat Pizza. Eat Candy. Play Charades. Send them home after all the sugar. hehehhe. Have a great weekend. Plan to dress up and hand out candy to the wee ones on Sunday. Plan to eat lots of small candy bars.

Bodies

2010-10-26T16:28:00.000-05:00

The BODIES exhibit is in Town. Creepy. This is on the side of the Bus. I hope the Muppets take their place (in MTS Exhibition Place). uck. Some may likey - me no likey seeing pictures of it everywhere.

Much Better. :)

today

2010-10-26T16:23:00.000-05:00

Winnipeg by Bus. Today. Almost Sleety to tell you the truth. Southern MB was forecast for a storm (snow) coming up from Minnesota. Not sure where that stands. But this is what we got. Yeehaa. Get the snowshoes. hehehhehehe

shoes seen on the bus

2010-10-26T07:12:00.000-05:00

Those are some funky shoes. Photos taken with my Blackberry.

Hi. Tuesday and the last week of October. Rain here in Winnipeg. Snow forecast for later this week. We'll see what we get. I'm making my craft-sale-list of what to make and need to giddy-up and make stuff! 3 weeks! November 20th.

I need to go and fish out my umbrella. Hope you have a lovely one. Candy party on the weekend! woo woo! cheerio.

11:26pm....still up......what up

2010-10-19T23:36:00.000-05:00

taken on Portage Ave: right downtown in front of Portage Place.
As I walked by I noticed the fellow had a courier receipt....me thinks he is a Courier ;) Odd picture isn't it. Balancing on the sidewalk or so it looked from the back.

I am still up and it is late. My peepers are feeling it at the moment. Like I've said before: I'm up early and late to bed notta-good-thing for me. I'm will post this and then jiggety-jigg to my beloved bed!

Huzz has alread vamoosed there. I like to get to bed to read before him and nod off before his snorechestra arrives. Tonight, not so lucky. Have tried earplugs and they do work. But if I want to get up earlier than him - don't hear the alarm because: it ticks and is in the drawer and I have earplugs in. ha. Anyone have a similar issue? Also, earplugs come out at night, mysteriously. One will usually fall out. And I get concerned that if there was a fire - would I know it? Silly as the Huzz would hear it (fire alarm) and get me up, but seriously....I've been 'anti-earplugs' this last couple of months. So I try to sneak off to bed to read early - if I can. I have tons of joosy books waiting for me to read them! And not alot of time at the moment to do that.......perhaps they will tauntingly linger on my side-bed-table till Jan/Feb when it is snowy and quiet and we are in 'hibernation'. Ahhhhh......

off to bed. sweet dreams.

monday: smosh of photos

2010-10-18T08:29:00.000-05:00

The Golden Boy

Pirate PJ Pants

our Black Truck - white car is one like I used to have! cool

Geraniums - candycane - that are still blooming

Batty guys from Micheals

Have a great week. What you getting up to? Cheerio.

sunday - must rake today

2010-10-17T08:26:00.000-05:00

It is Sunday and I am off to Breaky with sista K. I have a date with the leaves today. This picture was taken 'early' Fall. Benny is staring down a rabbit-friend that sat in our front yard. Funny. There are lots of leaves on the ground. I am so glad that our yard is small. Laters!

stress

2010-10-16T18:38:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you I love to post pictures but I also love to add text. Some of my fave Blogs have about 4 pictures to one post with a short-text-blurb underneath. I am trying to be like that. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to.

The Huzz is watching the end of a Baseball game (NYY and TExas) and then we have a date with the PVR. We've recorded at least 6 movies that need watching. I also have several magazines and books that need some attention. Stress has been taking up my time I'm afraid. I will change that up this week.

When I get stressed my best remedy: hot shower, git to bed and sleep. Start fresh the next morning.

I had a stressy Thursday - complete with swearing woman on the bus who escalated to bashing grannies surround us (with her words) and then harrassing me......I asked the Bus Driver to do something and remove her from the Bus. He tried to. She wasn't going anywhere without speaking to his 'Supervisor'. My favorite part of the whole scenario: She on the curb, bus doors closing, bus people clapping and we drive away. You reap what you sow. Thursday night found me: eating dinner, showering and hitting the hay early.

I do love bed. Bed, you are good to me. Thank you bed.

How do you deal with stressy days?

Off to watch some PVR'd tele. Finishing off a nice beer . Huzz made yummy Chili for dinner. Fresh bread as a sidekick. Move over Robin.........cheers!

shadow tree

2010-10-16T18:05:00.000-05:00

The tree is magnificent - in shadow. The picture above that is 'gray cement'.....what a flash does to the shadow. Photos taken in our back lane - wednesday night - while taking out garbage.

me and my shadow - a day in winnipeg

2010-10-14T07:08:00.000-05:00

thanks giving - this time with comments ;)

2010-10-13T22:09:00.001-05:00

the kitchen table became...the bar

good ol' fold out chairs ....room to put your drinks in them too.

set table for 9 people...we had 8 in the end. Boarded them to their seats like a plane (said Huzz) Ha.

tables from sparkjoy craft sales : re-purposed very nicely. All squished in well and were good sports.

ode to upcoming Halloween holiday. we also give thanks for chocolate around our house ;).

readying for dinner - smashed taters a must. gravy.

ahhhhh zee turkey. full of wonderful endorphins.

everyone fits. fellows watch big screen (sports of course)

the lovely, lovely salad brought by chef-bro-in-law

zeee buns. side by side buns that now have gone their own way.

I don't think they even knew I took their picture. Me and Huzz up getting seconds for the table.

plant brought by M's aunt Rose. Lovely. Hope I don't kill it. I'm not an indoor plant kinda girl: I need help from mother nature.

hi

2010-10-13T07:27:00.000-05:00

Hi. I'm trying to post some pics. Of Thanksgiving: where we fit everybody and pictures of Winnipeg I took enroute yesterday on the bus. It is slow going so will do it later tonight! happy hump day to you all, hope you are still eating leftovers. we are ;) ciao ciao

the giving of thanks

2010-10-12T08:06:00.001-05:00

thanks giving

2010-10-10T07:15:00.000-05:00

the look says it all

imagine a thanksgiving dinner served here

oooo, giving thanks for the colors that nature gives us..until next season!

Morning. Today we will host a Thanks Giving dinner. 9 people. May be a bit 'clown car' trying to fit everyone in our wee kitchen but we've got Ro and Vi's 8 foot table for just this occasion! woo woo

Frank the turkey is thawed and will be ready to roll on into the oven at 1pm. I bought one of those digital thermometers that you poke into the meat and then it lives on the outside of the oven to tell you the temp. The GW's have talked of this wondrous invention and so we'll try it out today! Gotta love a new gadget. Frank is 14 pounds of turkey goodness. Can't wait to eat you up Frank. We give thanks for you.

Are we not so lucky? I sure feel lucky. It IS a Wonderful Life. Full of bumps and things not fair and things that suck but mostly : it is wonderful to be alive and to be where I am right now. I feel like I'm really just getting-a-going. So Hug your lovies and give big thanks. In that thanking, lies magic.

Thanks to great spirit. Thanks to all my family and friends - I could not do this life without your love and support. Thanks to Huzz for his commitment and hugs. Thanks to Benoit who is always glad to see me. You've been such a wonderful companion all these years. Thanks to GW's, Pie sistas and to ninja and petit fleur, Bron, Nels, JB kooka. You womenfolk bolster my spirit with your strength and compassion and lovingness. To Bet spaghet and D and B and to Romo and Vimo - you rock and are rocks to cling to. Thank you for your faith and love. Thanks to Gram Alice, Aunt Esther - no longer with us but living on in our lives. Thanks to Edna - you corker you. O just thanks for this wonderful, messy life.

Enjoy your weekend. :)

happy hump day

2010-10-06T07:04:00.000-05:00

recipe bowl/taken from the web - cool huh.

Hi. Wednesday already. My application went in for the Craft Sale at the Cre8ery. If I get a table I'll let you know the details. I found out about the Cre8ery through Bron.

Lovely day yesterday. Bus was smelly though. Uck. Winter can be particularly bad for bus-smelly-ness. The heat in the bus seems to bring out smells even more. Ick. So I'm not looking forward to that.

I need to make a plan of what to make for Craft Sales and get a move on - giddyup. October will surely fly as fast as September!

Have a happy hump day. Cheerio dearios.

gumball helmuts and lavendar fields

2010-10-05T07:41:00.000-05:00

lavendar fields in France

this is what I wear getting on the bus

Morning. I've decided to start writing this blog consistently in bigger font. I don't know about you, but my eyes likey-this better. I'm in denial about that fact and won't be changing up my glasses prescription till I am closer to Mr Magoo's style of seeing things (ha). It may persist but I am going to resist this :).

I want to run through that Lavendar field! Imagine how good you would smell afterward? how awesome to farm Lavendar? Purple fields! too cool. And the picture of the gumball headed girly....I think it was on A Cup of Jo - fashionable ladies going to go on moto's or vespas or something. Cracks me up. I'd like to get on the bus in that get up. Just to see what peeps would do. Wear a gumball helmut as an accessory with everything. HA!

as for sparkjoy - I am currently applying to get into the Cre8ery Art and Craft show for Nov 5 to 7th. I should find out this week or next. I think there are 9 tables in total. 12 to 5 on Sat and Sunday and set up is Friday night. I am going to go and look-see Brandon's Big One - weekend of Oct 23rd. Perhaps for next year. And I may go to Scattered Seeds - same wknd at Brandons' Big One. I may also go and check out the Springs Church Craft sale (not sure when) and the Convention Centre Craft show. I am thankful not to have a credit card :). No worries Huzz, we will budget for xmas gifties.

Okay you hoolies, have a good one.

How did the skunk call home?

2010-10-03T10:53:00.000-05:00

....on his smell phone! bahahahah

what do you get when pigs learn karate?

PORK CHOPS!

Were they not worth the wait?

tee hee. Looks like another lovely one out there. Benny has been waiting outside for about 40 minutes while I am on the computer so off I go to walk him around ! Hugs.

crispy

2010-10-02T08:12:00.000-05:00

photo from Camilla Engman

I just let Benny out and boy is it crispy outside. The tree above is as shocked as I am! ha. You can feel the coming winter in that crispy air. Eeeek. September flew by so fast! I'm not sure it actually happened.

Groc-shop is on the list for today and then the GW's will come for a visit! Sista's over last night and we watched Glee. Fun. And Oprah talking to JK Rowling. Good ol' PVR.

I'm making a nice cuppa and will peruse my fave blogs and then head out and get me a nice, big turkey! Every year, when I buy one it is the same questions: how long to thaw? how long to cook? how big of one should I get? I seem to have turkey-amnesia. But not stuffing-amnesia. Ha!

Have a lovely one. Enjoy the day!

boo yah

2010-09-30T20:07:00.001-05:00

taken at Georgia O'keefe's beloved Ghost Ranch in New Mexico
Not her own cabana but where the Museum and Retreat are (and open to the public)
\Photo take by me!

Does Boo Yah not sound like something a ghost would say when making a touch down? Boo - Yah! ahhahaa. I have been reading wayyyyy too many Kids jokes. Kids jokes are only funny in doses of one or two. Too many and it is definite overkill. They are wack. I'll post a couple this weekend. I know you will be waiting........ha.

I had a wack day. It was surely a Monday not a Thursday. All upside down it was. After the initial changing of gears took place and I decided to go with it (which is always the hardest part for me...) I actually had a good day. I met with all sorts of snafu's with traffic and timing though. But, it all worked out. Why? Because I went with it. And the person I was supporting today is a real, darn sweetie. That certainly helped.

I came home and took Benny for a walkabout. Then made some tomato soup. And now I'm watching 30 Rock (it is so funny) and typing away on my laptop, which, is on my lap-top. :) Good self care.

I am figuring out, slowly but surely, that it is my choice how to react. How the day will go. That no one can make me feel or 'be' anything.....without my permission. And I'm not going to give it to them. So there. Boo and Yah to that!

Like everything, I may forget this. But I have a blog to remind me. See, Blogs can be good things! ha. All I can say is: we know everything. And we know nothing. Boo Yah to that! ;)

awesome things found while reading on toilet :)

2010-09-28T12:51:00.000-05:00

http://1000awesomethings.com/

Check out this page. I found out about the fab-fella's site while reading Readers Digest on the Loo.
Go see and see what I am talking about. ;)

keep calm and carry on

2010-09-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

Home sick. Chest cold got me. Bed :). Take care of you and I will do same. Cheerio Dearios.

YES

2010-09-27T22:58:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken in South Dakota, on our journey back home from New Mexico (last Fall). The Huzz and I stopped to see the Black Hills. This is where my Great Grandparents settled and my Dad's Mother came from. This picture is taken where their Homestead used to be. It is now just an empty field. It was a very windy day. It snowed while we were there in fact! We were not expecting that! It is also very close to Sturgis, where all those moto's gather every year (we did stop and check it out - Huzz has a moto).

We drove there and back. I 'kak'd' myself for a good portion of the trip. It was Hilly! I was on the side of the cliff most times! aaa! Funny. New Mexico was so worth the wait. It was a dream come true. I hope to go and visit again some day. The light there was amazing (we visited Taos, Santa Fe; that region mostly......Rio Grande....). Georgia O'Keefe is a fave of mine. I always admire those women who are forces to be rekoned with. I consider myself, especially as I age and come into my own, a force to be reckoned with. It has a wonderous power to it, that phrase does.

Yes, another year older. Where is time going. It is not in my pocket like I thought.

I am off to bed. I should have vamoosed there ages ago. If I have to get my butt outta bed early then it has to check back in early as well! ha! But lately everything is out of whack and trying to balance itself. So off I go. I love bed. I so do. So here I come bed!

My most favorite quote:

For all that has been, thanks.
For all that will be, YES.
-dag hammarskjold-

To this coming year I say YES. Continue to suprise me. I am a force to be reckoned with. Cheerio dearios. Tuck on into bed!

Edna

2010-09-26T16:51:00.000-05:00

from Gennine's Art Blog - she's amazing - check her out http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/
this bouquet is for you Edna

Edna. My grandma's neighbour since late 1960's. She was my neighbour for awhile as well. She just turned 101. I was brave and went to visit her in the CareHome. Long overdue with letters tucked in between. She doesn't remember me, but I do her. She looks like she could go for another 10 years at least. Her hair is like a lamb - all newly permed. Still the same rascally, sparkling eyes and smile.

I remember when I used to go over to her house for a visit she would give Benny (my dog) those round, scotch mints (I think they are the 'scotch' kind...) and he'd eat them. She'd leave candies out on her porch for the mailman - to lure him in to put the mail inside :). She was the neighbour that would stop by to welcome you to the neighbourhood. She is very muppet-like and endearing and has a great sense of humor. She had a beautiful garden and made great 7-up floats.

I especially went to see her because who really knows how much longer she'll be with us. I didn't want to feel bad that I didn't go when I really wanted to, but I also didn't want to get all emotional if and when I did go. She don't need no youngin' blubbering away....and actually there is no reason to blubber after all. Glad that I was brave and went. Even proud of myself. She didn't know me but she held onto me anyway and gave me some lovin' - and I gave it right back. Dear Edna. You rock.

Hi.

2010-09-26T13:26:00.000-05:00

2010 favorite cheery-cherry tomates

Starbucks in Chicago/Merchandise Mall

love the light of the night and fall: me and the Huzz walking in Chicago

Hi. Its Sunday and Huzz is out Shopping for 'grocs' (groceries). I'll be ready for the 'put away' when he comes home.

Had lunch at PH with Bron (brawniness, robustness, muscle, sturdiness, might, power: these are def'n her adjectives - 'Brawn' - or better yet - Broniness....) She's a corker of a girly. Great wit about her and great heart. She is an Artist and inspires me to be: Brave. She puts herself out there and trusts her creative instincts. Balls she has. A walking contradiciton , like all of us. I salute you Bron. Can't wait to see what up for you next.........see her creations here at: http://bronwynart.com/.

I have yard work to do today. It is very, very windy out. I have to unload some sparkjoy stuff out of the garage and find a home for it until the next Craft Show!

Speaking of which: NOVEMBER 20, 10-3pm , Windsor Park United Church Craft Sale and Luncheon (1062 Autumnwood) - sparkjoy will be there - seasonal goodies which I will post pictures of a bit later to lure you, when I make some! 27 tables and a LUNCHEON! Hope to see you there!

It is funny when I say 'sparkjoy' will be there - sounds like I am a clown or something - nope, just me, but sparkjoy stuff will be there - with me of course - perhaps I should say I will be there? I'm not quite sure just what to say! This is all new to me; this crafy/business entity that I am creating.

Off I go to work on that yard. The patio set needs to come in - chairs and umby. The table stays out until the Lawn Mower is through for the season, then it snuggles all winter in the shed with the Mower. They like each other ;). Still snogging away today - but the nostrils are not so stuffed which I am very happy to report about. Sore throat is gone. No chesty-bidness, thank goodness, and cross my fingers that I won't get any of it either. Coughing sucks.

Have yourself a lovely Fall day wherever you may be...........cheerio dearios

Snogs have set in

2010-09-25T09:09:00.001-05:00

image from blog: 36 Shea

O aren't these ladies cute! They are ready for this Fall weather! So very stylish. But they need to add some tights I think :).

I was home sick yesterday. I hoped I would manage to NOT get the SNOGS and fight off this dratted bug, but alas, the snogs have set in. The cold bug has managed to bite me. Huzz has a nice bottle of cold and flu pills that I am popping. I did have a shower this morning and I took Benny on a block-walk.....just to get some air....so I feel rather human-like this morning. (I did not get out of the house yesterday.) I do feel those creeping snogs continuing to descend as I type this. Poop. (oh, that's another kind of flu ....HA).

I was to go to ASL 102 today. I made a plan to jump over to a Saturday class (from Tu/Thurs classes that were cancelled due to only 3 peeps in the class. Yoda-man, I will miss you :)). But with this cold, the plan has changed. I have missed two 4 hour classes already and today my 'coconut' will not allow me to spend four hours in the classroom 'spreading the love.' I will be confused as I am behind and will have to most likely get private tutoring (costs more money too) to catch up. SO...I decided I will pick up ASL 102 in......January. Yes. This makes much more sense to me right now. It will give me more time to practice what I'm already supposed to know. Yes. Goot idee. And this is not the drugs talking. Ha!

So, Huzz had to work late last night. He is still snoring happily away. He will be suprised to see me still here. Suprise Huzz. I will resist putting away the dishes.

The plan today will be to continue laying low. This gives me a chance to watch all the PVR'd shows we've been taping. The new tele-season is wonderful and the PVR has been very busy this past week. Today will be a perfect day to catch-up. Guess the SNOGS aren't so bad after all. Hugs but no bugs (ha) to everyone! Looks like a nice sunny day out there - enjoy! xo

looking at things

2010-09-24T11:58:00.000-05:00

I took this picture last year. I can see snow in the background so it was winter. I also put the stars in the window during wintertime/xmas. Ask Huzz about my star collection. And most of those who know me. Ha. Not an 'intentional' collection I must tell you. Which makes it even funnier to me. And speaking of pictures.....

One of my fave blogs to read is Sandra Juto's. I believe I linked to her through another blog - o, a good couple years ago. I just read an interview on her from a link on her site: http://sandrajuto.blogspot.com/.

She said this in an interview: (in her 'about' section /Milk Tooths Rain)

Me. What is the triggering reason that make you create a blog?

Sandra Juto. Taking pictures. Since i started taking pictures a few years ago, I became a happier person because I started searching for the good and beautiful things around me, which has made me see things completely differently. I love to share what I see, because hopefully I will make someone else see the positive things around them.

And I realize that is what inspires me about her photos and her. I too love to look at the beauty of everyday life. And taking pictures does get you focused on that for sure! I will take photos of 'walk abouts' of me and Benny. Yesterday on my BB, I took a photo of a window display at the Bay - old hudson bay's coat with suitcases etc - admired the display and heck I was sitting on a bus for a good bit of time waiting behind the giant conga line of buses (it was rush hour) to get onto Graham ave (under construction as well.....bah). Reminds me of the ee cummings; the eyes of my eyes are openend. I find sometimes I really ' see' things. And it is marvelous. Because these 'things' are around us all the time - thus making them 'harder' to see really. Ooo but I'm all prophetic today. In that sort of mood. Laid up with sore throat and icks. No snogs yet though - hope to take this time to take care and mitigate the snogs.

Get out your camera. Just take pics of your daily life. That cuppa coffee. The socks you wear today. Or the no socks. The carpet stain. ha. all things of 'beauty' surrounding you. Because:

do not regret growing older
it is a privledge denied to many (from B and D's fridge)

ain't that the truth! Can you tell I am about to celebrate a bday as well? Long live life. viva la vida. Hug urself. ciao ciao

o dear stress.....

2010-09-23T07:16:00.000-05:00

This is what I wish I could do with stress when it descends....make it 'ascend'! Yeah! ha. Nice visual heh. Imagine just letting loose your hold on stress and let it fly off like balloons.....imagining it right now makes me feel much better. I'll have to visualize this in the future. Trouble is to remember to do it. ha

Yeah, I'm a bit stressy. Trying to figure out how some things 'work' at 'work' and getting the run around. O that is so frustrating. Balloons, balloons, balloons......:) Working on not getting so 'worked up' about it. It is a loaded issue for me and so this is why it feels so 'big'. But I'm figuring stuff out. Learning. Letting go.

Off to Elder-place with Pip this morning. I work with Pip daily. Pip = pretty in pink. She transports residents and goes to Church and has lunch. She also helps out with the exercise circle there. Off I go to get ready.

How do you deal with stressy-times? ciao lovelies.

hump day

2010-09-22T05:48:00.000-05:00

picture by Huzz

O, a hump day needs some sunflowers! Aren't they purdy? Huzz took the pics last year. He said the mozzies were swarming that morning as the sun came up. Most of the sunnies are now dried up in the fields....it has been chilly here these past days. The Temp. says '3' on my computer-weather-watcher. Eek. So far, wearing a fuzzy has been doing the trick. But not for long. Mitts have already been worn. Dlee introduced me to some dollar store mitts (last year) that are soft and very warm come winter! Come in all kinds of colors and are....a dollar! Check it out. I need to wash the front picture window on the outside because that is our 'view' all hibernating-winter! ha. I've already put up some white fairy lights in that window and around the door of my 'su-dio'. I've also been lighting candles more often. Cosy.

Here is a little something I found in with my things on the weekend - a little something of a 'cool' saying:

You are a child of the Universe,

no less than the trees

and the stars;

You have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

No doubt the Universe is unfolding as it should.

-Desiderata 1692-

Good one heh? Hope that gets you through the 'hump' day. Lord knows these times can be challenging. So give yourself a nice 'huggin and go bravely on. Have a good one dearies!

hi

2010-09-20T09:46:00.001-05:00

image from Fine Little Day

O, this is where we were yesterday. So quiet. Wind minimal. Buttery light.

Very divine. I miss getting lost in the trees. Birch Trees surround the Fournier 'cabin' (of sorts) used for gatherings of the Family. The huzz and I followed a bunch of peeps through a trail, through trees, to go and see cows and 3 Kleids-horses. Big honken horses. Two of them are Kleidsdales. Charlie is a fave. He is the boldest of the horses. He came to see everyone - even when the kids were yammering and squealing. So beautiful he is. We had a good time and good eats and we were home around 8pm.

I had the best sleep. Today is a day to catch-up. Going to try thick-cut pork chops in the slow cooker for dinner. Ben is looking to get walked so off I go! Sounds like the wind is up again today. I will take down some gardening stuff to put away for next year - the whirly-gigs for sure. The yellow bird house. The bee in the garden....time for things to start the process of hibernation (us included). The leaves we get falling from the backyard humungo trees....not looking fwd to that so much....but you take it all if you're lucky, don't ya? good with bad. Life. Ciao bellas, be gentle with yourselves.......and row merrily on! Ciao

out to the Farm

2010-09-19T07:58:00.000-05:00

photo from Camilla Engman's Blog

Today we are getting out of the 'big city' - ha - and will head off into the Country. We are off to Fournier's Fall Supper. It is on Bernard and Marge's land. It is a circle of trees that they moved their family home to and it is used as a 'clubhouse' of sorts for family gatherings. It is like going to the Lake in the middle of a field. Bernard and his family built on a cabana, which they heat with a barrel stove. The kitchen has an old wood stove - they heat the house with this. You can't go upstairs. It was the Fourniers home long ago. Quite an homage. Dinner is a 5pm so we'll head out around 330 or so. We are bringing buns. Very easy. The Fournier's - brothers and sisters - take it upon themselves to do the main meal. I look forward to it.

I was up at 5:50am today. what up with that? Are the days of sleeping in long gone? Egads. My 'brain' is awake and so up I get. I watched some recorded tele-shows. Now having a nice cuppa.

Shout out to Holly from the Pineridge Hollow Farmers Market - she helped me out yesterday so I could 'skip to the loo'. She watched my booth. So thanks Holly! Good luck with your move! Yesterday was the last Market of the season for Pineridge Hollow. Boy was it chilly out! I got there at 7:45am and brrrrrrr. I brought mitts and a cape to keep me cosy. I met the the gw's afterward for lunch so the Huzz got a day off from Market. I missed him. But it was also good to do it on my ownsome. Putting up the canopy by myself - very proud to be able to wrangle that bad-boy. It was a little tricky. I got some coffee and played around with my display. Huzz found a 5 foot table on Kajiji for me - I've been borrowing RoMo and ViMo's 8 foot one...and it worked well. Was a smaller space to play with. It is heavy! But managed to finangle that as well :). Me strong like ox. Me also stubborn like ox - ha.

I managed to snag some goodies - Lori's booth has coffee and things of yore that I love to look and at buy. She finds the coolest stuff and offers great prices. Her booth is a fave. The fella with Nepal goodies is also a fave - best bracelets! I bought a beaded bracelet a couple weeks ago and can't find it anywhere so I snagged another on Saturday. Nice. I bought some honey and Blueberry jam. Had the jam on toast this morning. If I had more time to shop I am sure over the summer I would have bought something from everyone. So good thing I had a booth :). I do believe that I will do it again next year - but I will most likely commit to doing the whole summer. I've got lots of ideas! Was a lovely market. I had a great time so thanks to all that stopped by, thanks to Huzzy for help and thanks to my fellow marketers!

Time for CBS Morning show. Sunday ritual. It is on from 8am to 9:30am. Then take Ben for a walkabout. And do laundry. ciao ciao! have a good one! (high of 15 here today - went down to 1 last night if not lower!)

o friday....

2010-09-17T07:06:00.000-05:00

from blog: oh joy!

Morning! First off Happy 10th to Max and Happy ___ to Uncle Charlie! These balloons are for you. Have a great, cake filled day! Love ya.

So, Tues/Thurs. ASL classes were cancelled and I've moved to Saturday. I love the teacher we get on Saturday, so that is a bonus, and trying to get the truck tues/thurs and go home and then go back to DCM....pain in da butt. I will also get a full week to fill my noggin with signs. So - things do happen for a reason. Getting that lesson big time in my life right now!

I am looking fwd to meeting the GW's on Saturday after I do my last Market! woo woo! Love to meet the GW's and 'chinwag'(Heathers expression) and go look and see what they've got to buy in the gift shop. Always at least a 3 hr stint. Just right. Catch up with my girly-posse. weeee.

Also taking Bron to Pineridge on the 26th so she can see what I talk about - late 40th bday prezzie for her! Met Bron at my Greenhouse job in the spring. A definite perk of the job.

I am supporting a new person today in my job. I work with pip 3 days now and fridays looks like I will be with this new girlie. She is a sweetie. Today we go to her work at a local Daycare. I'll be loving that ;)

What are you up to? Huzzy says they had snow in Calgary. Really. And it is -7 in Edmonton. Really. Stay away from us for awhile dear snowflakes. We are certainly not ready for you at all. Let us have some Fall first! Some flying leaves!

Must push off to get the bus! have a lovely wknd!

Yoda and it's only Wed

2010-09-15T07:23:00.001-05:00

from web (can't remember....)

Morning! Yes, its 'only' Wednesday. I seem to have magically skipped a day because I keep thinking it is Thursday! aaaa! I even got up earlier this am - because I thought it was Thursday. The good thing about that is that I've been able to blog and to catch up on the ever-loving 'stuff' I have on the go! So I guess everything 'does happen for a reason'. Ha

ASL last night - only two other ladies in class. And Yoda. That's right - we have an older fellow in our class who is Vietnamese and has gone deaf and is so CUTE and reminds me so of Yoday -but a giggling Yoda. He is very silly and jokey so I just love him to bits. He lives in an Apt. for 55+ that is attached to Deaf Centre Manitoba. He can speak but cannot 'hear' himself at all. I guess he takes classes at DCM and has taken the Beg 101 many, many times and now is in 102. He's a hoot. I think he gets to take this class 'gratis'. If more peeps don't show up for Thursday the class may be cancelled OR we may have to pay more for the class. We'll see what happens. Boy, so much to remember and re-learn! My brain will have to get back into how the language works because it is not 'translated English' by any means! Ah! Other ladies very lovely and we had a great time. Our teacher is hard of hearing so makes it harder on us to not 'talk out' what signs are etc. You are not to talk but only use ASL during class and its a challenge to do that when you have minimal AsL-ing skills! But that also makes it fun. Great way to make an 'ass' of yourself - impt. to do that to keep humble heh. HA!

I find myself heading out in the mornings not dressed warmly enough for this crispy weather! I notice other people doing this as well - sandals, shorts etc still out there. But that weather is going the way of the Geese I'm afraid.....My sandals have been put away - if there is a nice day again I'll sneak them out - but I must remember to wear my 'fuzzy'! Brrrr. But I love this weather! The leaves are changing up.

cheerio dearios - have a great 'hump' day!

loving fall

2010-09-13T08:57:00.000-05:00

from blog Beeb Designs

I took Benoit for a walk last night around 8pm. This seems to be a busy dog-walking time in Tcona. I noticed Geese flying in formation overhead. Ooo September! It was so 'gorg' out. Crispy- but not too much :).

I have to gather things for Big Brother/Sisters pickup tomorrow. Re-cycling at its best. So that is on my agenda today. I have to also study up on ASL 101 as 102 starts tomo! eeek. I hope that my memory kicks in with that stuff.......here's hoping! I'll be taking it 7-9pm, Tuesdays and Thursday, 2 hour stints. I took it last year on a Saturday - for four hours - 9-1pm. And I found that after 3 hours my brain was full up and not co-operating. If you ever want to take American Sign Language I heartily recommend Deaf Centre Manitoba-ASL Teaching Services. It is a 10 week course - they have all sorts of options and levels. They do a great job - great teachers! I'll let you know how I do. Eek.

Huzz helped me figure out some computer stuff on the weekend so that is taken care of. September finds me trying to get all my chaos organized. Paper is always the worst to keep track of! It gets out of hand real easy. My Su-dio looks like someone barfed papers everywhere. Ha. I also have all my Sparkjoy loot sitting on the floor behind me, lining the 'wall', so I have to maneuver around that. I think ya'll know of what I speak.

Went to Kidney walk to raise funds with K and wee A yesterday. Saw Goldie - the mascot from the Goldeyes Baseball team here. Got a picture with him. I was excited to do this - lord I am so '5'. hahahhahahah. They had a good turnout. Saw some coolio dogs as well. Couldn't bring Ben as he doesn't go into K's car. Huzz took him on a good walkabout. We have a hill nearby and of course, Ben ran to the top of the Hill and.......pooped. nice heh. I wish dogs could pick up their own poop. uck.

over and out lovelies!

sunday

2010-09-12T07:22:00.000-05:00

from blog la casita

Ooo what a lovely big-ass chair. Can't you imagine curling up in it and staring up at the sun shining through the leaves on the tree? ahhhhh. Lovely.

I'm up early. Huzz got up around 6am because I was 'wheezing'. Good ol' seasonal allergies. I heard him get up but I stayed in bed until 7am.

Coffee is brewing. And I'm up computin'. :)

Huzz helped me figure out yesterday how to get something on the computer figured out. Thanks Huzz. I know you pop in here to read what I've been up to (ha), so thanks. I have no patience for moodling on computers I tell you! I am learning, slowly but surely, to simmer on down and breathe and be patient. That sometimes is a very hard thing to do.

I've decided not to take my wares to Brandon's Big One. I may go and shop and see what it is all about this year, like Scattered SEeds and the Convention Centre - but I will not be partaking in the crafting and selling part of it. I just don't have enough time or money and need to plan things out a bit. Slowly but surely......that figures in this case as well. I will seek out a local Craft/Church Xmas Bazaar. If you know of any good ones in Winnipeg please leave me a comment.

Off to the Kidney ride, glide, stride with K and glee club this am. Shout out to Shwanny who is in the hospital with a torn ligament! poor winky. That's gotta hurt. Hope to get the update on him today from Dlee. Over and out dearies! Have a grand one. Hugs.

one follower

2010-09-11T16:15:00.000-05:00

image from Beeb Designsnice cuppa indeed on this blustery day!

Hi. Its funny on Blogger. It shows you how many people 'follow' you (followers). I have one. Hi to Ria if you are indeed following me. I think perhaps more people read this Blog. I am glad I don't really know as it is less pressure off of me to present things with an 'audience' in mind - even though when I write this I talk to both myself and to the reader out in the wide world of the web. So bizarre these Blogs. Forever to be found via a computer long after I am gone. Kind of cool to think of it in that way too. Leaving my literal 'mark' on the world - as we all do in different ways. Cool 'naners. So if you do pop in to read me - comment sometime as I'd love to hear from you. :)

It has been a blustery day. I took Bernardi (current nickname for Benny my husky-rotty - Dan found a picture of a husky-rottweiler mix while researching what breed Ben could be a mix of and he said that is what he be - vs - German shepherd. Its the square head. )for a long walk and myself as well. I was all hiked up on java. Huzzy was glad I went to vent some steam. Dear Huzzy. I am a force to be reckoned with. I believe Ninja told me this and you know, I LIKE to be a force to be reckoned with. I like to be powerful in my own way. It's in the harnessing of the 'force' that can be tricky :) Lord give us all compassion, empathy and patience. We sure need it. :)

I then came home to clean madly - place needed a good vacuum, floor scrub and tub scrub. Ah. Well done. Very satisfied now. I did this while Huzz went to groc-shop. It is our Saturday Ritual. Gives us both a chance to do our own 'thang' in our own 'way'. I put the groc's away.

I also put the summery flowers at the front door away and replaced them with a wreath of fall-ness (leaves and acorns) and a wine bottle with a black outline of a tree (that is 'naked) with a similar looking branch placed inside of it as the 'flowers' so to speak....and added to that a black cat holding pumpkins that is on a stick and a pumpkin on a stick. That is my table centrepiece. I have a half-table at the front door and I change it up seasonally. The wreath hangs on the wall above the centrepiece. This is what you see when you walk in the front door (which we use seldomly b/c it is squishy to navigate and it is carpeted). I have two yellow chairs on either side of the table that belong to the yellow table this laptop sits on (came from Edna's place when she moved into her room at the Elders' place). I've posted pics of this in the past, I think with an Easter display on it so you can scroll back to check it out. Or I just may take a picture of it right now and post it. Be right back............

There you go. Is it what you imagined? Ha.

Its 4:06 pm already! I've got a pork-loined-long thing (are they called pork loins?) - it looks like a tongue but its pork - there is a visual for you (ack) - anyway, that is a'cookin' in the crock pot. Should be ready to turn on low for the last hour. Pulled pork - perhaps on a bun - with a salad and not sure what else. This blustery and cool weather (12 degrees or so) gets me in the mood for soups and stews and chili and the like. yum. Watch a movie tonight perhaps? Sept 11th today. Dan put the news on this morning - the service being held in New York and around the States for Sept 11th victims. I'm not sure what was going on Canada-side. Still gives me the shivers, as it does most - as well is should. O this world is such a mixed up place.

I also put up some 'fairy lights' (white Xmas lights on brown cord) around my su-dio door (they were on the window but it reflects into the big-ass TV screen and Huzz from his angle sees this big time....)I also bought a spare set on sale last year and so those are up on the window. I like the glow they bring to these darkening days.

I did not go to Market today. Needed a break plus with this wind! and was to rain......so opted out. I am thinking about doing an Xmas show in Brandon. Is it worth the investment - because indeed with a Hotel for two nights, that is what it will be. But 7000 people go. It was recommended to me by Bisou -Angela. She has been in 'biz for awhile and knows what she talks about. I have to get a good grip on what exactly that would mean for my time and energy and supplies and cash flow. Stay tuned. It would be fun though I think. It is October 23 and 24 in Brandon.

Over and out from this cowpoke. Got to go and wrassle that 'tongue' in the crock pot :) Keep cosy.

rainy friday

2010-09-10T06:50:00.000-05:00

taken from trip to Chicago"Luv All"

Hi. Its raining outside. It's Friday. Coffee is a'brewing and it is 6:43am. I was up at 5:30am. I am liking this getting up when the house is all quiet and doing my thang in my su-dio. Nice. I get organized for the day. And I don't know about you, but when I get busy I sure need some downtime to organize myself. Contain the chaos. Ha.

I have Market tomorrow so I have some button rings to make (going to foray into button jewelry I am!). We'll see how they sell. I have a few cards to make as well. Other than that - I am set to go. I packed up a bit slower last week after Market so things are all ready to roll. Good. I am also looking into being a Crafter at the Brandon 'Big One' Oct 23/24th. It was recommended to me by dear Angela-Bisou(thank you for your suggestions!). Only two more Pineridge Markets left. And I have quite a few canvases left. Come and see me if you are in that neck o the woods.

Loving this Fall weather but it is chilly-von-willyburger in the mornings! Socks are often on these tootsies of late. Summer sandals are being left out I'm afraid. I brought out my winter coat and fall coat. Must remember to keep feeding the birds so they can fatten up for months to come.

Have a great weekend. Hope you find some slices of quiet pie and regeneration in there for you. Cheerio!

perogies and a boy in a brown dino-suit

2010-09-08T18:51:00.000-05:00

Hi. I just had perogies for dinner - with cherry tomates from the garden - carrot stix - salsa - sour cream and yum....ha. As I was eating them - in the living room watching ACCESS (I know, crap tv - me sometimes likey crap tv) I see what I think is a brown dinosaur walk by the front window(we have a big picture window in the living room). I got up and see two little boys - 4 or so - run in front of the window. I look to my left, down the sidewalk - no brown dinosaur! what up? The two little boys run back down the sidewalk and sure enough, I leave the room to get a drink and happen to walk back in when a boy (10?) is walking with a young girl down the sidewalk and you guessed it - the boy was wearing a brown dinosaur suit (it was fuzzy like a bear!) with black high sox to his knees. Testing out a Halloween costume? Was it his brothers ...why the tall black socks? ha! how random. How divinely, delightfully....weird. Yup, this happens in Transcona while eating dinner in the living room. Brown dinosaurs walking the streets.

Speaking of crap tv - Big Brother is on tonight. Last week was really good as it seemed like things were 'really' happening vs 'cut/shown/staged'. Bring it on! I hope that Brittany wins or Enzo. You?

ciao ciao - come see me at the Pineridge Hollow Farmers Market on Saturday! I've got some very very punny joke cards and bookmarks! ;)

ah back to work

2010-09-07T07:23:00.001-05:00

{photo courtesy of Cup of Jo}

Ah Gone are these days of summer.

Not that I ever 'swang', in heels, on a hammock. But it sure looks 'fancy' and fun doesn't it? Best way to wear heels in my opinion: you can see them and admire them and they don't hurt the tootsies. Ha.

Ready for work. Bags packed for the day. Coffee half drunk. Toast with Chokecherry jam awaits my lips. Have a great Tuesday. Busy week for many as all things 'Fall and Winter' begin again.

Cheers to new beginnings. Ciao bellas.

monday - last day of 'holidays'

2010-09-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

O but aren't those lovely, stripey feet? Ha!

I've been wearing the same sandals all summer. Crocs. Thanks to Pam for the recommendation on them because indeed they are great for support/bounce and they do not stink! yeah!

As you can see, I earned my 'stripes' walking in them all summer. I took this picture in the bathroom at the Holiday Inn at Chicago. I will be sad to put the sandals away for the season. I did buy some nice walkers in Chi-town - new balance. They will await the 'switch off' but until then....sandals all the way.

The weather has been crispy and sunny and my absolute FAVE! I love coolio days but SUN. Get all cosy in sweaters and pants and socks and shoes. Take walks in the golden light......

I was at the Farmers Market on Saturday and it was great. I had a good time and chatted up with lots of folk. One of my favorite things is the kids that come by. Huzz and I show them the 'old toys' - buttons on a string. What a hoot. Believe it or not, most get excited about doing it - being able to do it! Most are also 5 to 8 I'd say. :) Older folk 'remember' playing with them and comment on all the gram-re-purposed things I have out in the display. I figure that is my 'mission' with Sparkjoy: to inspire creativity and sentimentality and 'spark joy'. Because we can surely all do that. We are all unique and creative and need to share that with the world in the way we know best! Booo yah.

I will be at the Market (Pineridge Hollow) Sat Sept 11 and Sept 18. Sept 18th is the last market of the season! It is smaller but still good stuff to see/buy and check out. Come by and say 'hi' and play with a button on a string. I think I will do this next year again! I'm having fun with it and getting better at how much to make and learning alot. I've always wanted to run a small side-biz of some sort or make that my 'job' so I'm proud of myself that I took the leap and have made it 'real'. Yeah!

Today is a holiday and I'm a bit 'body achy' so will lay low and watch some good movies on the tele that I PVR'd. Some old John Wayne movies and an old comedy/musical and a documentary on Marilyn Munroe. Also, check in on work emails (ugh) -ha - and do a bit of a clean. Weinni roast for dinner tonight. So garden may need a bit of a clean up too. Our monster tomato plants need a bit of taming :)

Cheerio all you dearios. Take care of you. Sparkjoy.

Rains it Pours (so the saying goes...)

2010-09-01T10:19:00.000-05:00

True that! Honestly I feel like that generally. I was in a funk and now I am non-funky (in a blue kind of way) and I feel inspired again and well, it rains and it pours! I am emailing and blogging and generally making-up for the time when I was cocooning from the wide world. Bring it on! I'm ready for you. Fear can be such a disabling thing. It is easy to get caught up in that tangle of fear. Remember tapes of yore - the kind that held music? I imagine fear to be like unraveling one of those babies - you pull on it a bit and then all hell breaks loose and before you know it you are tangled in a pile of it with a mission to get out of it on your hands. And you can't put it back once you've started.

I saw this poster, advertising re-cycling, in Chicago. We were staying at the Holiday Inn - smack dab downtown. Our morning ritual, me and the Huzz, was to take the elevator to the Merchandise Mall - we were linked and right next to said Mall - and get breaky. Coffee and a muffin or breaky-sammy. One morning I could not sleep anymore and it was early (5am) and so off I went to get breaky. I took my camera (got a new one! bit more fancy Canon that the one I dropped and broke......). On this am walk I took a photo of this poster. Good reminder that things happen in small ways to actually make a big difference.

From the Merchandise Mall - very fancy place of design - two floors open to the public - stores mostly for kitchen/bathroom design. The rest of the building (it was say, 12 floors high or so?) was offices for designers etc. Their was a food court on the second floor/McD's, Dunkin' Donuts....First floor was Starbucks and other assorted stores (wine store, kitchen gadgets, newspapers and mags, hair salon....). My but doesn't this fellow have nice abs? You see what I mean by 'fancy'? cool displays.

This is the Hallway you walk along in the Merchandise Mart. Art Deco. Coolio old elevators to your left.

Ah the Starbucks - guaranteed goot coffee. My fave is an Americano 'roomy' - room for cream. The Huzz and I find most coffee served in restaurants in the States is 'too weaky'- McD's and Starbucks faves in the 'count on coffee' category. Consistent no matter where you go. We like to make a stronger cuppa at home. Don't you love the fellow in the background? It is like he is posing. I didn't notice him until I looked at the pics on my computer. Ha. I did try to get some people shots as I walked about on our trip - tough to do b/c you can't make it obvious you are taking their photo.

And here is a tub I'd love to sink into. There was a store with bathroom 'fixins' of all kinds - taps, showers, tubs....nice heh. Wouldn't that just be a good soak and a whole lotta water used up? (rainbarrel would come in handy for that).

So that was my Merchandise Mall Experience.
Benny is at the groomers as he stinks from being at the Kennel and it is time he got a good brush out/bath and nail clip. I'm going to do some sparkjoy stuff and wrap my head around that again. Perservere. :)

Perhaps a tea-visit with sista dlee as she'll be in the City. And just enjoying the day while it is not raining. We've got some wasps to take care of -they have made a nest in the wall of the house somehow (outside) and jeepers, don't know how to banish them. They are irritating. What a weird place for a house!

Tomatoes are in and red-ing - cherries especially. the bigger ones seem to have some sort of 'rot' so not sure what is up with that - could be all the rain we've been having. Too much for them I think. I notice a front peony has a similar 'mildew' so will cut that back to take care of it pronto. We have three bushes out front and they are just in their beginning growth stages - had them 2 yrs..... Have a lovely one.

Happy 3rd anniversary K and R!

Chicago

2010-08-31T22:51:00.000-05:00

Back from Chicago. Windy city my buttocks - should be called the best Pizza city ever! Ooooo the deep dish pizza was so scrumptious. We ate pizza twice for dinner in one week. Good thing we were doing lots of walking - we still managed to gain 'holiday' weight anyway....ah but so worth it :)

I'll have more pictures to share but right now, it is late. We got back late last night. Bed calls me. And as you see from the top of this post - I Love Bed.

Well, my mojo returned from vacation with me. I am newly 'chutzpah'd'. I am grateful for that. Was in funky-town there for awhile. Perhaps it was getting away from it all. Perhaps it was hormones adjusting themselves to just the right mix. Perhaps it was just time.

I find it so hard to go with the 'ebbs and flows' of life. To put up with 'the rain' to get that 'rainbow' (right Dolly Parton?). Egads. Why is 'wisdom' such a fair weather friend? Never mind if a tree falls in the forest.......when you learn something - where does it go? Because I seem to lose the 'learning' and then, its like: oh yeah, I remember now......but go through that whole process again to learn it (not in the same way mind you - but sometimes it is....). I can't even explain it! Or maybe that IS the best explanation because it makes no sense!

anyway, dreaming was on overdrive - subconscious trying to figure it all out for me. So I was trying to sleep alot to escape and also to figure things out.

Time away helped that. Huzzy planned Chicago so divinely and I threw in my own twist and mix of things and well, it was grand. Lovely, lovely city. What we saw in one honkin' week. Thanks Chicago. Thanks Huzzy. Thanks Dolly ;)

I shall perservere - my word o-the-mo and one grand life lesson for me. I give up too soon. Much too soon. I'll be brave and have courage and ride out the waves.

I Have more Sparkjoy-marketing to do - Pineridge Hollow Farmers Market Sept 4/11/18. ASL 102 starting second week in September. Friends and Sista's and Neices and Nephews to catch up with. I'm back at work next week. For now, on vaca and will savor every moment.

What is new with you? cheerio! Deep dish pizza dreams I wish you......xo

louisiana hot sauce

2010-08-08T22:21:00.000-05:00

I love me a nice bigass chair. Has nothing to do with the title of this blog. I just love me a bigass chair (photo taken from the wide world of the web)

It is hot here. No breeze tonight. Usually the windows are open at night. But I think tonite: not. Took Benoit for a spin around the block and it's like Louisiana out there - or so I'd compare it to (because in actuality it is most likely WAY hotter in Louisiana). I'm a fall weather kind of gal. And that is a'coming. So I'll just deal with what is dealt me. The theme o my life right now.

I was at the Market on Saturday. Busy and nice day. Breezy. Had the new canopy up and it did a smashing good job. I had a better display for the cards and sold more and had a long table which also helped with display as well. It brings me joy to hear people laugh at the corny kids jokes I put on the breadbox or comment how they know about buttons-on-a-string or giggle at my 'I love bed' sign and say they love bed too. I love to set up the display. I like to talk to people. I like to mill about the market (if I get a chance). The cinnamon buns were very yum (tx dlee). And huzzy as a sidekick is working out grand - I get a good giggle myself when I leave him there to go to the loo - him amongst all the dream books and button magnets...he's a trooper. I do sell some wares. Learning alot about the whole process. And wondering what to do with my wares at summers end......

I still feel like my chutzpah is on vaca. I feel back in a 'figuring out' place and of course driving myself 'naners trying to figure it out NOW, when as you all know, life just doesn't work that way. Me, I never wanted to be a career woman. I wanted to have a family and do something I was good at and enjoyed. So now that family is out, now what do I focus on? How to figure this out for once and for all? Does it ever get figured? See what I mean?

So off to bed with a book I go. Get my mind off my vaca-ing chutzpah and to a nice and mindless place. A place with no monkeys (aka monkey-mind). Hugs to you all. Hope you are good.

bittersweet

2010-08-02T13:38:00.000-05:00

Mmmm. this looks like a good place to have a sit. :)

Hanging out inside, away from all the humidity. Cutting out clay 'things' to put on 'strings' for the Market next weekend. Gram's Bday was this wknd - hard to believe she's been gone since 1999. I was going to go put flowers at her grave but you know, she lives in the things all around me - like the peonies in front of our house. Like the typewriter I use for display at the Market. Like the old glasses of hers and gramps that sit on top of a stereo speaker (display...). I think in the fall I will craft something to leave on her grave. Something with buttons. I dunno if I'm just not a grave-visiting person. I so believe in remembering people but I think I like to do it a different way. I love the idea of planting a tree for someone you can go and visit or plant in your yard. Anyway, continuing being carried along on a bittersweet wave of remembering.

Bittersweet wave of dealing with the reality of not being a mom. Of having that dream come to an end. So I'll be finangling with that for awhile, grieving and coming to a place of acceptance with it. I just don't want to be a mom at any cost you know? Some people choose this option. I feel if it doesn't happen, it is not meant to be. A door closes and somewhere a window opens. But right now I've got that door in my face. And wouldn't you know it that blogs I pop into - they are expecting?

So, I'm going to take my cuppa and go sit in the picture above. Feel the breeze on my face and be grateful for what I do have because it is alot. But I will also allow myself to feel all the things I need to feel to deal with my losing the dream of being a mama. Sucks balls man.

O Friday!

2010-07-30T07:51:00.000-05:00

Nice and Sunny Yella-Kitchen - Ikea of course.

Beam me here scotty. Eggs Benedict please.

It's raining here. I'd rather be butt-smack-down on the couch I must say - reading a good book or watching an old movie. But alas, jiggety jigg to work. I've been dragging my heels all week. My chutzpah is still on vacation ;). It did send a postcard.

Have a lovely loooooooooooooong weekend. An early happy bday to Kel-bo-belly. Hugs.

cheerio dearios!

open: tomato season

2010-07-29T07:17:00.000-05:00

Dan has harvested about 6 cherry tomatoes. He is happy. Here comes the tomatoe season! The plants are all producing flowers and some tomatoes are a redding-up. Very exciting.

Off to work today. Slept poopy. So nap will be in store later today. Off to catch a bus lickety-split. Huzz just brought me a half a tomato. Mmmmmmm. goooooooood.

bye.

Summer Reading

2010-07-26T12:28:00.000-05:00

photo from Sandra Juto
http://www.sandrajuto.com/blog/

Imagine that being one's stack of summer reading! I go to Sandra's blog Daily. She is an awesome photographer and artist. This was a recent picture posted. Love it.

Another hot one here in Winnipeg! We're off to a BBQ at the Circus' tonight. Huzz out doing a mini-shop. I removed myself from Facebook yesterday. Had enough and the whole privacy issues.. Honestly, I've learned these tidbits of info on there that I just would rather not be privvy to so si-o-nara Facebook. I'll stick with this very private blog (ha) and my email.

Off to make a couple cards for some peeps. Staying inside and cool.

Pineridge Hollow Farmers Market........I'll be there August 7, 21 (which is customer appreciation day with free corn and marketers to give out stuff!) and September 4 and 18. On a tent quest and better display-ing quest. Better get on my clay making stuff too.

I've been feeling overwhelmed by the world of late and really just want to turtle. So I will give in to that need a bit so may not be posting quite as much. Ciao ciao bella's.

Bubbles

2010-07-25T14:12:00.000-05:00

(from Cup of Jo)

Oooo dontcha just love a good bubble? Magic, pure magic.

Its a nice and hot day here in Winkie-peg. I am doing laundry and playing catch-up on all things paper and fall-ish in my su-dio. I seem to now have to make lists to keep track of what I need to do. Or I completely forget. Indeed.

D and B are out and about - had a loverly visit with them! They are here for only a couple days more then they blast off home. They will be missed. Good folkies that they are.

I do believe that I shall be making some choco-chip cookies today. I do believe so! I want to eat some. :) The Huzz is at work. Big Brother is on tonight. Such crap TV but so watching it anyway. Well, la-la-la-la-lovelies - enjoy the sunny-sun-sun if you are near and if you are far....too bad (ha). What up in your neck o the woods? Cheerio! (our tomato plants are monsters again this year! I spotted a red one today even! A cherry one! woo woo)

want to by a letter 's'........

2010-07-24T08:22:00.001-05:00

Morning. I am looking back at my market-pics post and it reminds me of the Sesame Street episode where the muppet goes around asking people if they want to buy a letter - which is hidden under his coat I think - and he's like a 'spy' and keeping it all secret.....I tried to find it on You Tube but came up with this one instead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCFD9pRw4iE&feature=related

You'll have to follow the link as I am not sure how to put the video into my text as of yet.

Anyway, (ha) me being at the market reminds me of that episode because I feel like that is what I was doing - my little set-up beckoning: pssst, wanna buy a.........

It is still early. I had about 5 hours sleep b/c the Huzz and I were up talking till 1am after RoMo and ViMo and NiMo left after a fire and the D and B went to bed as did we.....we had dinner and fire outside last night. Out there till at least 11pm. Woooo, late night for all of us. Aren't we just living life on the edge?

I must get myself into the shower. Wake up a bit more. I think an afternoon nap will be in order. Huzz is off to work for 10am and we are out to Pineridge to eat and shop. ciao ciao cuties......

Hi

2010-07-21T21:37:00.002-05:00

Hi. I'm wanked out this week. My chutzpah has left on vacation. There it is in the second picture, driving along a prairie highway. So I'm re-energizing this week (and next...ha). Have dear D and B in visiting. They will come and stay here friday and saturday. Bonfire friday and nice joosy steaks and some mushrooms and taters. Yum. Its all about food and good company no?

And napping. And pip wearing a pink cowgirl had everywhere. And people on the bus with wackadoo tshirt sayings on them. And lots of summery kids everywhere (day camps running amok!). And a lady on the bus with hooters really a-hootin to jump out of her top - she almost took out a kid on her way down the bus aisle! yikes! And short - shorts with a overflapping tum-tum to go with those hooters. Oh my. Who needs reality tv? Off to bed dearies - I love bed. Go love yours. Sleep tight (what the heck does that mean anyway? sleep drunk? sleep tucked in so bedbugs don't get you (in the olden' days?) Anyone? Night ;)

to market, to market.....

2010-07-19T09:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, the Pineridge Hollow Farmers Market was fun! We drove up around 745am with the loot. Huzzy came along as a sidekick (and it turns out - best 'button on a string' seller.....) We parked in our designated spot and then proceeded to set up. We waited a bit because it rained. Luckily we had RoMo's two raincoats in the truck so I grabbed one and gave one to Huzz - who looked like the incredible hulk in his in that the raincoat had seen better days and one arm was partly ripped off. Kept us dry anyway. It eventually cleared off - for a good hour anyway, and then intermittant rain = so out came the two plastic drop sheets and clips I'd bought at zee dollar store. The plastic got tucked in behind the table as we had to keep covering stuff up and then taking the plastic off when the rain relented. Most of my stuff was in plastic but gram's old typewriter and my dream book and such - needed to be kept dry. The last hour, it was constant and relentless rain. So didn't sell alot but part of the whole experience! People thought those were napkins in the plastic in the bottom photo (in the suitcase). Nope, they are quotes on canvas. Apparently better signage is needed. So I've got four more dates booked!

On my list: to get a tent or borrow a tent to keep off hot sun and also if it rains. I was one of , I think three people, that did not have a tent covering. ;) All apart of the learning experience. My faves of the day: my family and friends coming out (and buying a few things) Thanks dearies, you made my day! I loved how sidekick huzzy sold about 10 buttons on a string to a group of kids and spent time showing them how to 'work' the gizmo. I love how people remembered said buttons on a string from their parents, grandparents (sentimentality!) and commented on the re-purposed bread box and on the old typewriter. I love how kids really got into the button magnets - one little fellow had a great time talking about the buttons as he pulled them off the display - talking about how they work and being all 'wow' like (he was 4 or so?) - and how most of the kids had to peek into the bread box to see what was in there (must remember to put something interesting in there......it held extra cards ....). I loved talking to the other marketers - those who sold stuff or who bought stuff...made some new friends! So it was a success for me! I'm ready to go for next time. Will tweak up the signage and display a bit (another colored chair for the other suitcase of mini-canvases). I have to figure something out for the cards as they need to be seen. And make sure all is wind friendly in the end. I must also remember to bring a sidekick to hang with me. Makes going to the bathroom much easier and also someone to talk to as they day goes by!

This has been a dream of mine for sometime and I feel mighty awesome about taking the risk to put my silly-wares on sale. I'm not sure what will come of it, if anything, but slowly and surely my creative spirit grows bigger and bigger! Ciao Bellas! What did you do on the weekend.

crafting madly off in all directions

2010-07-16T07:36:00.000-05:00

Ha! I love bed. This is me laying in bed after a long day of crafting. That is a bandaid on my beauteous toe. Cracks me up.

One day left in which to finish up all crafting to be ready for the 'morrow! I am about 3/4 done. Need to fine some bigger buttons and stamp up a few things and figure out a way to display my canvases (in old suitcases I think). I have to get a float after work. It is so unknown as to whether anyone would want my wares. That will be the fun of it. But also: what to do with all stuff if doesn't sell? Hmmm. Merry xmas to everyone! bahahahha

Happy bday to pops. They arrived yesterday from the moto trip so the Huzz is home and snoring away in the bedroom. We'll have a BBQ at K and R's tonite in celebration and have a bigger BBQ when B arrives next week. Cheerio dearie-o's - I'll let you know how I did at the Market. Will post some pic's taken with Huzzies camera. ;)

Gongshow

2010-07-14T07:52:00.001-05:00

Good reminder for today. I'm having issues with the gongshow of work and messaging system and would really love to punt and drop kick a certain someone.....bah! So to remember to be kind, that we are all fighting a great battle, is a good thing. But I also still want to battle. Arrrgh. Off to try and contact the gongshow yet again. May your day have a better start. This woman needs a nice 8 hour block o sleep - busily crafting stuff and thus later nights and early morns are catching up to me. And deep breathe....;)

take your umby's as its a raining out there pretty good! have a good one!

a crafting I will go.....

2010-07-12T16:02:00.001-05:00

I love the above! It is from a book available on Amazon. Will post the title and author - right now it is on my wish list and I found it at the blog love.life.paper. I'm so doing this right now. Can'ts into Can's and dreams into plans. Love it. Bravery shine down on me! Keep me a-plugging away!

I've got a @#$% load of crafting to catch up on. I just wrote out a list of 'to do's for the Market and its like: snitzles. Have I got a lot of stuff to do. I may be burning that midnight oil. But maybe not. I will pace myself. Good thing the Huzz is out and about - the kitchen table shall be chock full of things drying. ;)

Met up with a dear spirit M for lunch today - thanks M! You look so marvy! So glad we've kept in touch. And so glad I finally booked you for lunch! Gosh, how long was I thinking about it.....perfect timing I must say! Hugs to you girl.

Off I go to Craft! O bejesus!

over and out from this nutball. :)

side garden

2010-07-11T07:33:00.000-05:00

Here's a pic of the side garden - taken the same time as previous post - b4 camera got mucked up.

Don't you love our 'runway' sidewalk?

I've been noticing more bunnies around and in the yard. The two terracotta pots of pansies in the front - yestererday I put the pots on top of two stumps of wood - hopefully the rabbit won't sit up and try and eat them. Make it a bit more challenging. The pot closest to the sidewalk is the most 'mowed' by rabbit teeth. Reminds me to feed the birds - the rabbits eat the spilled seed and have been leaving our garden alone ....

ciao ciao!

sunday

2010-07-11T07:21:00.000-05:00

Well, these are the last photos I took before I came in the back door and somehow dropped my camera on the floor. Needless to say I wasn't awake yet. Dang it. This is what the garden currently looks like. The tomatoes are actually bigger though. I think it was last week I took these photos. Don't you love the frog? Tx to GW Kelly-bo-belly. One of his eyes bends forward and makes it look like he's winking. Yup, I'm like '5' - always will be - in touch with my child spirit I am ;). The firepit area is much used. We've created a nice 'lake-like' yard for ourselves I think. My inspiration is certainly 'cottage'. The fence in the photo needs replacing and so one year hope that is done - just for a bit more privacy.

So, it's Sunday and the Huzz is off on a moto-trip. Looks like a scrumpy day out there - not tooooo hot. He's watching the 3 Stooges on TV right now. We have a sunday-am ritual of watching channel 4 from the States - a morning show - from 8am to 9:30am - filled with all sorts of stories about people and places and goings-on. CBS Sunday Morning. It is on in about half an hour.

I'm off to Groc-shop today. Off to the Circus for dinner for Devyn's Bday if that is still going on. Finish reading the book I've started - good story! Very unexpected story and I do hope it ends well. I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

O , we went to the Pineridge Hollow Farmers Market yesterday to check it out. I was not disappointed! Lovely and Quaint. Charmed. Love to go and look at stuff. Bought an old 'bachelor' table from a very cool 50's old-things dealer named Lori. $10 it was! It is white, has 'flaps' you can put up for more room - and underneath the best: a towel rack for tea-towels that you can remove. Now, who'd have thunk? I love this era of stuff! check her out ! She's at the market all summer. I have a feeling I may collect a few more things this summer ;). I spotted a cool ice bucket. anyway, said table will be for my stint at the Farmers' Market - next weekend! I shall be madly making stuff this week. I'll be there JUly 17th - 9-1pm if you are out that way ! come say hi. I'll show you the table. ha.

what is up in your neck o the woods? enjoy your day! Cheerio.

happy bday july babies!

2010-07-10T19:27:00.000-05:00

o cute happy lemons! (photo from blog: babalisme!)

Happy Bday to all the July babies (of yore....;) ) 'Crumpet' or GW-Heather - Devyn-skye-apple-pie - is 16 today! (and hopefully has been WELL kissed...ha) - Pops is coming up and he'll be here for it and taking a maiden - moto- voyage to get here! - and the end of the month will be Grams - she's passed but lives on daily in my life! So all you dear july babies - I love ya and hope you celebrated yourself! Hugs all around.

So, ASL Immersion is completed. Boy I was brain-fried on Friday. I so hate goodbyes! I do my best to try and avoid them (why, I wouldn't want to get all emotional as I am want to do....o, that would never do - unless I have a hanky handy.. run for the hills is much easier...;)

It was really awesome. Take some ASL classes. It is a beautiful language and culture. Indeed - one of the biggest things I learned: it is not English put into 'hand' language. Nope. Not at all. It is a language unto itself and it's expression varies across Canada and the World.

As I drove home everyday I thought about what I'd learned and people I'd met. How ASL has enriched me. One thing for sure - it will make me a better communicator. I think ASL helps us hearing-folk communicate better. How so? The language is so expressive and visual. If you can't 'find the words' you can use your face and body to relay what you mean. It is like living in your body - putting on your face what you mean. You let the person know you are talking to that you are listening and understand - you have to pay attention to what they are saying with their hands and body for one thing and since you can't 'grunt' or say 'ah ha' - you nod that you get it or ask for is and so visual. You certainly do have to 'mean' what you 'say'.

anyway, pork chops cooked and lettuce from RoMo's garden in a salad on the table. A nice glass of wine is calling my name. More later dear lovies. Cheers!

rain whiteout

2010-07-06T06:43:00.000-05:00

I came upon these two dogs sitting in the truck when I was working at the Greenhouse. I took the bus and was walking by, and here sat these two, cracked me up, it was like they stopped and were having a coffee. What a hoot.

So, day one of ASL Immersion down. I will be there all week. Excellent day. Meeting very cool people. Drove home on the Perimeter - rain like crazy! I 've driven in a winter whiteout and this is the first time I have driven in a rain whiteout! crikey. Loads of rain on the highway not to mention the wind.....I was whiteknuckling it as well I will tell you! Had the radio on. Lights on. Windshield wipers were working to full speed. Rain continued till I was almost home. I am amazed at how people drive in these conditions...like nothing is going on at all. What the heck! On the plus side: truck got a mighty good wash! ;)

Having a java then will get ready for the day. I opted in for lunch provided so that takes off that 'to do'.....coffee there not that great so will also plan to grab a cuppa. Huzz readying for moto-trip. New front lawn looks awesome - full and lush and we so have the rain to thank for that......We've got cherry tomatoes on the vine! and the Fantastic has a tomato greening! cool! Huzz plucked some multiplier onions out of the garden. Reaping the harvest already! What's up in your neck o the woods? cheerio!

hiding out

2010-07-03T13:44:00.000-05:00

image from Camilla Engman: feelings of 'nakedness' come summer

Hi. I'm hiding out from the humidity today. It gives me headaches and makes me crabby. I'm not a naked-summering-kind-of-girl. Fall is my fave time of year. Beach peeps will be loving this weather. It is to storm this afternoon and tonight. I saw two lightening bolts in the sky when traveling west to take Benoit to get his nails cut. The sky was hardly dark! Wackadoo this weather. Truly is. Exciting too. Especially when you are tucked away behind a big picture window watching :)

I'm getting ready to sell some wares at a local farmers market. July 17th is 'c'-day (craft day). So gathering my bits. Gathering my wits. It's something I've wanted to do and finally free 'brave' enough to do it. I'm keeping my expectations in check: meet peeps, see what its all about, expect not to sell a whole lot. I'll grab the huzzy and go for a look see next weekend and get a better idea of what I need for setting up my stall space. Huzzy will provide 'practical asides' to my crafty-idee's. He'll also have an idea of what I'll be speaking of when I talk about the site's etc. I also hope to shop myself next week - rhubarb jam please! I so love rhubarby-anything in the summer. Love the tartness and the color of rhubarb. My splice of rhubarb from RoMo is doing nicely in the garden. I'm resisiting the urge to pull up the small stalks - it needs some growing time. Perhaps later summer or in the fall I can snag some. I can also buy some at the market too yes?

what are you up to?

cheers!

questions

2010-07-01T12:02:00.000-05:00

listening: 'come on get higher' on replay - sugarland(love on the inside)

eating: nada thing
drinking: hmm, some red joose in the fridge sounds good right now (berry something or other)
wearing: garden wear - brown cargo pants and old navy 'flower' print top - great to pull weeds in

feeling: creatively inspired
weather: windy (but lovely wind) and cloudy
wanting: some of that red joose in the fridge....ha

needing: a hug from huzzy
thinking: red joose....hahahhahaha
enjoying: the moment
wondering: what to do later today.....hmmmm.....

happy canada day

2010-07-01T07:16:00.000-05:00

Is there a better picture than this to express 'happy canada day'? awesome

that is my niece in the picture above. I'm very mindful of not posting pic's of family etc on the internet but in this case - nothing says 'o canada' better than this - thanks tissa and R for such a glee club that you've created. That is surely what she is: a glee club! She will be one in a month! Holy smokers.

I'm up early. I went to bed last night to read but me eyeballs got heavy pretty quick - I guess my eyelids would be more appro-pro...;) It was deliciously quiet and a breeze was coming in the window....ah. Best sleep.

Looks like it is going to be 31 degrees or something nutters like that today. It is supposed to rain later. Not sure if we'll head out anywhere if the weather will be cruddy.......but we'll be waving our flag. Our Canadian flag. Canada is a blessed place to live. I read in a pamphlet yesterday that we need to consider ourselves a 'fruit salad' vs a 'melting pot' - each unique person/culture contributes to our fruit salad of a country. Love that 'analogy' - 'metaphor' - 'similie' ? So all you dear fruities - happy bday Canada. You are beautiful and big and full of lovely people. (like the wee one pictured above). I am Su and I am Canadian. I am so lucky.

early

2010-06-30T06:47:00.000-05:00

(photo from blog: 36 Shea)
I wish I could take some pics but my camera was dropped - I see what the strap is for now, dang - and the lens is all bunged up so will most likely have to buy myself a new one b/c the cost of fixing the one I have will most likely be: the cost of a new camera! poop. Good morning, what are you up to today?

Kids last day of school. There will be mayhem at the malls and on the streets in weeks to come. I love that about where we live - kids playing on our street. I take Benny for a walk and the kids all know his name and come to give him a pet and say funny things. There is a little gang of kids about 6 houses down - they are transcona's version of the Little Rascals.

I'm up early today - 5:30! goodness. Coffee is tasting mighty fine. I didn't go to bed that early last night. K - that book is really good! I love how it does grab you from the get-go. What topics it throws in there......;)

Benny is up and grumbling at the door to my su-dio. I hear mr mo a-stirring as well - its not 6:44am. I'll go and let Ben out. I have to take a bus to a new place today - meet up to shadow a consumer and a worker - I'm not quite sure where I'm going - this job certainly is an adventure - that I will tell you! And very often, a Gong Show!

The clematis in the picture above - is it not so lovely? Apparently this purple version is the hardiest......bought one for RoMo this year - when we are more 'yard settled' I'd like to buy one as well. A new fence will magically appear in the yard one year and after that happens I think the clematis will also magically appear ;)

Bye o - have a happy hump day. O momma's out there - whatcha going to do with your kids this summer?

evening.......mozzies.......I love bed..........

2010-06-29T20:35:00.000-05:00

(from the blog: fine little day)

O what a scrumpy picture: when a door shuts, somewhere a window opens. That is what this picture says to me. Also says: mmmmmm, naptime. I remember being young and taking naps and the best were when the breeze blew in the open window. I still love to take naps. I do indeed. With windows open (if a breeze does blow).

And evening.....having windows open - bedroom in particular - with the train-travel noises in the distance (trains whistle? honking? ha). You?

In Manitoba, you can count on some great winds as well - love the days with winds that clean out your soul - I'm not talking about the ones that will blow you down the street and muss your hair and make it go all squirrely - but the ones that seem to pick up and refresh you. Winds of change. Perfect laundry drying winds.

I'm just in from the garden. Huzzy mowed our new sod for the first time! It looks so 'gorg'. Thick and rich and greeny-green-green (that green!). If I was a leprachaun, I'd live and dance on our lawn (lordy, it's growing mushrooms as well with all the rain we've been having). He also watered his grass-seeded side lawn with water-barrel-water - we're having fun with that. Our can (main watering one) doesn't quite fit under the spigot so we'll have to raise it up a bit - if it stops raining long enough for us to 'heave-ho' it up. Good summer to get water barrels I do say! WE've had tons of rain. The rain barrel out front is a leaning-tower-o-pisa at the moment since the new dirt has not settled and the rain barrel got heavier with rain....and 'a la leaning' barrel. But it's not too 'lean-y' and the Huzz will hopefully concoct a solution to the dilemma. Good ol' Huzz. I'm sure he will ;)

Our tomatoes are looking mighty fine as well. Our Fantastic plant has one green tomato on it! It sure 'do'! Exciting! Our multiplier onions are going gangbusters as well - anyone grown these before - it says to pull from the middle - but the whole plant wants to come out - so what gives? Must find out from somebody what up with that. Pull once - all come out - plant done? Or pull and some more grow in? hmmmm. If you know, do message me.

While I was out watering the backyard area, mozzies were finding me, yes they were. Dang buggers. Still itching as I write this. Can always be alot worse but its been so blissful having them NOT around for a long while (then it rained......alot......). Dolly (Parton) says: ' if you want a rainbow, you've gotta put up with the rain'. Well dang right Dolly! I like to talk about the weather. It seems alot of Manitobans do. Can always talk to someone about the weather can't ya? And really, we are so lucky. In all sorts of ways. So on that note I will say that I am off to bed. K gave me a book to read and it seems very good (tx sista....) and I love bed so there I head. Nighty-night dearies. ps K - mr bojangles is ready to dance again!

ola

2010-06-26T08:54:00.000-05:00

Well dearies, the rain has stopped pouring. Continuous rain is out and sporadic rain is in. ;)

I thought it appropriate to post this poster - taken from the blog Cuppa Jo. I like what it has to say. Especially in lieu of the clouds and rain we've had this past while.

It has been a busy-ass-week. I'm not the best at multiple-banana-juggling I'm afraid. I get too overwhelmed. Drop bananas. Shelve bananas and go to bed. Bed is best when overwhelm comes upon me. A little immersion into a good book then lights out and sleep. That is my RX. If I'm really overwhelmed it is head to the spare room in the basement for complete(almost) silence. Cocooning. Then I feel better the next day. I find that the world is so busy and noisy and ....well you know.......Nature is also a good one to go and get lost in. Be in the moment on a good walkabout. Remember what Life really is: magic.

I'm having my first cuppa this morning. Groc-shop on the list for Saturdays. Huzzy usually goes out and brings home the 'bacon' - ha - then I put it away. I may go along - depend on if he wants a side-kick or not.

If you go back in posts - the painting 'Garnish' by Bronwyn Thorndycraft - tis hanging on my wall! woo woo! Its awesome. Go and check out her other wares. She is also has some paintings hanging in Cafe Carlo's on Lilac/ (Corydon) if you live in Winnipeg.

Hope to have a slow-mo weekend. Slow-mo-er than the week anyway. That is my intention. Huzz has the angry bee show on (fifa soccer) HA! later gaters

rain rain..............

2010-06-21T17:46:00.000-05:00

Image from Fine LIttle Day (which it is so not here.....)

I know, 'B' with what is. But honestly, enough rain. Enough (for a couple days). We have tix to dixie chix/Eagles tomorrow night. I have a handy rain-cape ready but really! hours of standing in the rain don't seem so fab my dears. bah. I won't have to worry about what to wear......;)

That's all I got for you today. toodles

happy pappy day

2010-06-20T14:57:00.001-05:00

I can just see D taking his B about in this - or perhaps B doing the same for D! HEE

(photos from Cuppa Jo)

Happy Pappy Day

Ode to my pops: you do the best pancake dance. Have the best xmas bed-head hair and beach blown hair. You make a mean lasagna, lemon pie and yum johnny cakes (if he makes you this - you know you are in his denys-club - it is an honor). You work hard. You give back to your community and love to be apart of it (did this in your job as well). You have a big heart. You love people and prize making a difference. I love how you eat and lay on the floor afterward (thanksgiving). I love how one father's day you drank the coffee me and the sista's made you with floating grounds in it (we were in elementary school....attempting breakfast in bed). I love how you adventure and drive anything you can (planes, trucks, boats, moto's.....). I love your sense of humor. Your humble-ness. Your rascally spirit. I think your devotion to your mother was something to behold. She loved you big and you loved her back big. You did your best in a challenging marriage and found love again when the timing was right. You risked starting over again and it's paid off with dear B. You write the best from the heart letters and tell me that you love me. That I have never doubted. Thanks for being my pops. You've been there for me in your way through the years and I thank you for your patience and your love. Thanks pop. I love you.

three cheers to all the papa's I know (and don't know) near and far: shout out to R on his first Father's Day and always to Shwanny with his family circus. I also send a special message of love to my dear huzzy: we may never get the chance to be parents ....and this is bittersweet and we are doing are best to navigate that land-o-feelings....but I married a man who would be an amazing Pops. You can spread that lovin' to all those kids we know. It may not be the same, but know it will make a difference. Love begets love. Love DOES make the world go round. It is what life is all about. So Huzz, happy father's day to you too. Now, go hug your poppa's and your honeys!

raining friday - grass is happy

2010-06-18T07:37:00.000-05:00

(photo from the wide world of the web)

It's been raining since yesterday. New grass is muchos happy.

Drama-lama on the in-laws front - which brings the question: why can't everyone just get along? But alas, non. It seems to come with making decisions on how to do things: compromise is apparently not looked upon as an option so they refuse to play at all. Boo. Took up most of last evening, discussions on the topic (centered around Father's Day and what to do for dinner). It is crazy making. I'm not sure how to deal with it - when its 'our way or the highway' ; where is the room for other possibilities? So perhaps things just do need to be done differently -separately. Where is a wisewoman on the mountain when you need her? Poop.

I've got my ASL story together: Jack and Jill. I've done my own version. Hope I can make it stretch for 5 minutes - and if she asks me questions! ay yi yi. G-dubs and Hubs over tonight for games/munchies (see you soon gw's!) I think the fire will be out of the question b/c of all the rain - and surely all the mozzies that will bite us! their population has increased rapidly with the rain then sunny bits and now more rain. Wpg shall start fogging this coming week. Summer is officially here ;)

Have a lovely wknd - celebrate your poppa! Cheers to all Father's out there!

not really thursday is it?

2010-06-17T07:08:00.000-05:00

(from Life.Love.Paper: berry, berry good)

So, it's really thursday already? eek. This week has gone by on the fly. Without me realizing it. Landscapers showed up yesterday with rolls of grass to lay on the dirt and we now officially have a front lawn! woo woo

Now, I will be requesting some rain because we need it to get this sod-a-settled and rooting it's way into a nice lush, green place for Benny NOT to pee on. No peeing allowed by anybody. It will most likely become the neighborhood bunnies playground and as long as they don't pee on it, I'm fine with that ;).

Pip and I are off today to an elder-home where Pip works her magic with the oldies. Then to the LIbrary where we'll make some cards. I have to lug around stuff to do this; drives me nutters. This is the bad thing about being on the go all the time with no 'set' desk space or 'home' space; you lug it about. All the mama's know of what I speak most definitely....diaper bags and all that. I may just break down and get a Burro -ha. I am not sure they will let him on the bus though.

That's it from my corner of the world this fine morning. Huzzy continues to watch 'buzzing' soccer. I'm going to go look out the window at our lawn! have a good one!

ballyhoo

2010-06-15T07:46:00.000-05:00

(breakfast here please! photo from fine little day)

I love that stripey swing in the picture. I love how the cuppa sits there, waiting for me to sit down and drink it ;)

What are you up to today?

Google has added a bunch of bells and whistles to the blog options so you may be seeing me try out new things over the next while. Writing this way is one of them.

I just got a call from new-work that my lady 'pip'(my nickname for her: pretty in pink) is sick today. So I'm to go into the head office to do paperwork. The only thing concerning in regards to this IS - my hours will not be consistent AS I was told I may get sent home early once paperwork is done. Hmmmmm. New to all of this and I think usually they plug you in with someone else, but so far I'm not trained to be with anyone else. Hmmmmm. We'll see what shakes down. I was all ready to go to the gym. Ah well. Pip get better soon!

The sun was out this past weekend - glorious! I cut back the tree in front and the tree on the side of the house - and the tree in the back come to think of it......did some gardening.....didn't have to water ;)......It just lifts my mood, seeing dear sun and basking in him. Don't you find this? You don't realize how affecting it is until the sun peeps out again and it's like: oh yeah!

I have an ASL story to make up this week and practice - final on saturday! eeps! Its got me belly a bit squiggly - nervous! But I will push on through that and just make sure I get lots of sleep and study time. GW's and Hubs will head over on Friday night for some games/firepit action. Looking forward to that! Huzzy took his pops to physio this am so left early. I've got Sheryl Crow on the 'boombox' and am doing emails. Tis my am ritual. I feel like I'm getting into a way of doing things with this new job - I get things more organized the night before or first thing in the morning and then can do my 'usual' emailing, breakfast, chat with Huzzy, go out and garden a bit.

Have a lovely one! come on over for a cuppa ;) We'll sit in the picture above.......

change is a coming......this you can always count on

2010-06-13T11:05:00.001-05:00

Hee! new 'watermelon' design added to my blog. New picture - will continue to play around. I'm finding this site a tad slow-mo so it is hard to change likety-split in the time I usually have to do such things.

Note to Bron: do it. I can show you how - what I know anyway which is pretty basic. But basic is good. You can do this blog biz however you want to.....daily, weekly, barely.....ha.

okay now into the sun - Black Eyed Peas play on the stereo and huzzy home. peace out.

sun-day!

2010-06-13T09:49:00.000-05:00

(from 36 Shea)

O green wonderful! The sun is out. And so shall I be when I wash my hair! not sure what bedmonster I was fighting but I've got a grand case of bed-head.

Ooooooo thanks mother nature! Sun! glorious sun!

hmmmm

2010-06-12T07:38:00.000-05:00

(from Fine Little Day)

O what to title these blogs.....escapes me today I'll tell you! I'm up listening to Sheryl Crow's greatest hits on CD with my old stereo headphones on! Excellent album by the way. HMV is a goodie - now Huzz will download for 'free' off the internet but I veer towards the money going to the peeps that make the music (or so they say). I don't buy music often but the spirit struck yesterday. I've got the music in me.

New job is going great. Went swimming at the Y and Bowling in the afternoon. Imagine! I am home early enough to feel I have a life. And I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile and not selling things for moolah. Bye bye retail, never to return again (except to shop). I feel like ee cummings: the eyes of my eyes are open.

More ASL to tuck in my pocket - hope to finish this beginner class and start again come fall - possibility of taking an ASL one week Immersion - I need to get past this 'embarrassing' stage of language learning and also to USE it so it sticks.....request in at work to see if I can make this happen.

I was practicing the alphabet waiting for the bus yesterday. Great way to use up waiting-time. Got some funny looks. Not sure what they thought I was doing! ha. I have class in an hour - must hit the shower - hand-spelling-power - my courage will not cower.........have a good 'un (insert handspelling of :come out to play sun!) :)

home again home again jiggety jig

2010-06-07T17:23:00.000-05:00

(art by Gennine from Gennine's blog)

O home. I've missed you. Huzzy and Benny too.

Laundry is a turning and garden is a flowering and sisters were by for a visit.

I was in Vancouver tending to my mom who is not well. It felt good to be able to help out. I feel very grown up. HA. Useful for certain. My mom is not one to ask for help OR take help......and in her roundabout way, she did both. So I'm just back and glad to be HOME. It certainly is where my heart is though Vancouver was so lush and lovely. The mountains and Ocean......got some sun so as to be able to see both of those things - as well as some rain.

Getting my noggin back into action and just going with the ol' saying: one day at a time sweet jesus. Hope you are all goot. ;)

where HAVE I been.......I'm wondering too ....

2010-05-31T21:45:00.000-05:00

(photo from wideworld of internet....sorry....don't remember where I got it from...)

O I'm just a going too fast these days. So many bananas to jubble (guggle, juggle...) see what I mean - that I am having trouble keeping up. All the newness of job plus mamajama scenario, vimo just home from the Hospital after 'ticker' complications and knee surgery and then throw in the rest of life and Huzzy working 10 days straight and bajillions of new vocab at ASL and that wrapping up for a final test ina couple weeks AND......whew. I'm off to bed.

So you'll have to pardon my laxadaisy blogging at this point....will peep in here and there when I"m not in a tizzy. I'm in the middle of creating a new way of doing things - new schedule - so that will take awhile to kick in - I give it about a month. And does summer not bring with it all sorts of goings on? In the best of ways?

sigh-o-nara dearies - happy bday to ninja and deedaa and upcoming Nels and Ria! All the dear June babies!

I love the picture of the tree don't you? I want to go and lay in it and soak the golden sunny-sun-sun. Not sure if you are in MB or heard but we've been getting quite the rain.............keep dry dear duckies - over and out from this chickapee!

new

2010-05-27T06:23:00.000-05:00

(yet another IKEA image....)

Oooo I'd like to be sitting by this fire. Sleeping. Hee. It's way too early to get up - my eyes are sandpapery so that is a good sign that it is way too early to get up ;). Getting used to the new job - learning curves to navigate. Trying to give myself more time this am as yesterday was a bit of a morning gong show.....but all I feel like is going back to bed. zzzzzzzz. My alarm was ringing for who knows how long in my drawer this morning. It is a 'ticking' alarm so stays in drawer as the ticking can drive one bananas. It took me awhile to realize what the sound was. Funny.

What is up in your neck o the woods? This cowpoke is going back to bed for a bit. Will get up and have a shower to awaken. Have a lovely one........

new-ness

2010-05-25T06:39:00.000-05:00

(image from IKEA)

O new-ness. I start a new job today. Excited and feels very 'right'. I'd rather swing in these chairs...but lots of summer for that to happen ahead of me. If I happen to see these chairs in your yard, I'm coming in for a swing! hahaha

I managed to plant the cosmos yesterday - some beets, onions, hollyhocks and poppies. A bit of rhubarb plant from RoMo (who also gave us 5 hand-tenderly-raised-tomato-plants that need to be planted as well)and some compost dirt was put into the garden box (yeah Huzz!).

We've been using the rain barrel water and it is fun and looks kind of like 'beer' (not quite sure why this is but think it's because it is being funneled through the eavestrough....). I haven't seen if it tastes like beer - ha - plants don't go woggily so.......can't wait to have the rainbarrel outfront as well! We'll turn this place into a little cottage by gum! Waiting to hear from Kevin our landscaper dude as to when he can come and save us from the patch-ass-front-lawn-show - and make it purdy. Hopefully this week. He did mention a Saturday, coming for 10 hrs and getting all done. woo woo. That would be fabulicious. Anticipation.

I think I may take these legs and Benoit and go for a walkabout. I'll change out of my polka-dot bottomed pj's first though. Huzz still tucked into bed. I went to bed last night - read a bit - did the head bob - turned off the light and had the best sleep ever. Heard not a thing and dreamt not a thing. Deep sleep. Needed that.

Over and out dearies. Enjoyed your weekend? Have a good short week!

cool

2010-05-23T17:28:00.001-05:00

(http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/realestate/commercial/17limelight.html)
Pictures from Paper + Cup)

What a coolio Church turned into something else! Check out the link.

Boy the wind is marvelous today. Blows into one's soul. And the sun shining down. Planted most of the garden and plants. Tried a 'Beef Mater' tomato - first to go into the garden. Mr Gnome guards it. I see he's made toast.....hmmmmm. hahahhaa

I need to plant cosmo's and some multiplier onions and beans. Tomorrow.

Got some 'crumps' going on. Had a wack sleep last night - dreamt of moving plants around to tables (like work....). Last day at the Greenhouse. The people there are marvy - what a treat to meet them all. Beautiful surroundings to work in - was neat to learn and work there. so long greenery! I will spend time in the yard now. A 'lake' away from a lake. Need to get a wee wading pool to have a real 'lake'. ha. Pretending is the best and commute time even better ;)

Over and out from this cowpoke! Have some lovely windy days! Happy bday to dear JB KOOKa. Waiting for your magical stories in a book!

saturday

2010-05-22T07:46:00.000-05:00

Ha - this is one fine scooby-doo getaway van......snapped a picture on a dog walk with Benoit. I am sure they will be using it this weekend to camp out in. Fun.

Tis Saturday and my last day at the Greenhouse! I'm glad to say that via nosespray my 'snogs' have gone away. I can actually breathe through me nose at night sleeping! Huzzy says I still whistle but honestly how he hears this through his snorechestra I don't know. He put in one ear plug last night he said. The other went missing some time ago. So he put in one....bahahahhaa. Funny. I guess it sort of helped? ha.

Rainy day here today. High of 25 - will be mugasaurus out and in the Greenhouse.....super mugg. Ugh. How to wear my hair? I am SO NOT a hair do-er-upper person. I do try, bless my attempts, but they just aren't purdy. I feel like a bull frog with 'shrek' hair (those little side knots - pony and make into a 'ball' of sorts by folding over the elastic....). Bah. It makes me feel better to think I am some sort of character then I can go with it and have a good giggle. O vanity! Gets ya nowhere. So, I think perhaps the 'mock braids' are in order today. Pony my hair and then add elastics under the pony at intervals to keep all in a lovely 'line' of hair. We'll see. Bald would be nice but too big a change for me ;)

ViMo is re-cooping nicely from knee surgery (replacement). We visited last night. He was punchy and making jokes. He has mostly male nurses (poor guy) HA.

K is camping this weekend so it will be A's first campout! They are staunch. I don't think I'd attempt it with a babe. But if anyone can do it......they certainly can. Next up - A with papa R in a deer hunting 'thingy' up in a tree, waiting.....ha. Can't wait to see that lil A and give her a good squeeze. I need a dose of glee club (for that is what she is!).

Okay, over and out! So long Greenhouse, you've been swell. I've learned to grow myself alongside alot of those fleurs. Something healing in that - working with things that are alive. Seeing them come into the greenhouse so small and now be blooming! Bring it on life, bring it on. I embrace you joyfully. Hugs all around to you cowpokes. Go plants your plants outside. ;)

Garnish

2010-05-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

(image by Bronwyn Thorndycraft: http://bronwynart.com/)

Oooo I love this picture. And the title: Garnish. I met dear Bron at the Greenhouse. LIkeminded soul that she is. Brave. Her name reminds me of some highland scottish kick ass lass - she has the best laugh and wit. Best songs that she'll make up on the spot. Dear Bron. Do check out her link as above. She has a couple shows going on in Winnipeg and well, inspires me to put it out there. This is where the bravery comes in.....Art is a soul-expression and so to create something and have it live out in the wide world....and make a living from that.....courage. Bravery. And a need. If you are an artistic/creative being you need to make art in your daily life or you shrivel and whither and die. I believe that all peeps need to be in touch with their creativity, however it expresses itself. It reflects 'you' back to 'you' and lets you be in the moment AND process things (whether you are aware of that or not). So exciting. Anyway, shout out to Bron today. You go girl.

Two more days at the Greenhouse. I felt like anne of green gables cousin yesterday with my 'mock-braids' and straw hat on. Hot as satan's bollocks in that Greenhouse! Esp. in the Geraniums section where I found myself. I stocked Portulaca and Geraniums and played 'fill in' in the Cosmos. I wonder if it will be busier today (friday) than Saturday. Forecast is for rain in the weekend. But who knows?

So, being creative is on my brain. Being creative and putting it out there is my mission. And believing in what I create - no matter what the 'vote' is. I will create things that bring me joy. Sparkjoy.

Have a nice long wknd...may it be nice and may it be long and if it rains - go dance in it! cheerio!

a whole lotta bread

2010-05-20T08:11:00.000-05:00

(photo from Cup of Jo)

O that's a whole lotta bread. Loaded in there like lumber. cool.

I'm all snoggy my friends. I'm taking allergy meds but am snoggy since yesterday. Huzz does have a cold - is this a cold? just in my nose? no other symptoms? I'm off to the Allergist today so maybe she can say: yes it is a cold. HA. I've been taking allergy meds since the beg. of March. Tried one of huzzies 'breathe right' nose strips last night for some relief - and they do work - somewhat.

I planted most of the garden-goodies yesterday am. Took me two hours. I completely lost track of time and then it was 8am and I had to get ready to leave for work for 830 (or thereabouts) so boy was I in a flurry and not to happy about it either. I so hate to be rushed about! My own doing of course. Got so absorbed in planting and on a mission to get it done. I just have the cosmos to plant. I think I will pip out and water right now. My allergist appt is at 11:30am so some time to moodle (but not toooooo much).

Check out this link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-AbPav5E5M&feature=player_embedded

Bike rush hour in the Netherlands. Fun. From cup of jo as well.

So, Greenhouse job ends Saturday - after what I'm sure will be a nutters day. New job starts Tuesday - Community Development worker with adults that have special needs. Looking forward to it! I won't continue to pursue the Educational Assistant thing but put it on a backburner for future possibilities. I need to get a go-on with crafty stuff for the Farmers Market! ay yi yi. get a going girl! yeehaa.

Shout out to Bron for inspiration and bravery to put things out there.

Have a lovely long wknd - most likely will be 'crickets' on this blog till next week! hugs