Middle Eastern, Scream and Downtown

Sorry it's been a few days but we have been super busy here. I finally finished my Christmas cards to be sent all around the world; lots to England, a couple to the US, one to Australia, one to Portugal... Good to get them done and think about those friends and family...

Did you get yours yet?

Friday kicked off the busy weekend as we had a PD day (professional development for teachers). Much to the girls' disgust I took them to the doctors to get their flu jab, then we had friends over to play. We made some lovely gingerbread house scenes.

Do you like them?

A large part of the day was spent cooking for friends who came in the evening. We had a middle eastern inspired meal; hummus and salad, Morrocan chicken and couscous and a honey yogurt cake with caramelised mandarins. I think it went down well, and I loved how the table looked with the festive settings.

Sunday morning began with a scream! Meg had let Joe in (who we hadn't seen in a few days) and followed him upstairs after a few minutes only to find him standing in a huge pool of water staring down at a lifeless little fish... He'd knocked over Tess' fish bowl and the poor fish was about to be cat food. However, SuperMum came to the rescue, scooped up the poor fish, ran to get bottled water and, you'll be glad to hear, the fish is looking as though he'll pull through!

The rest of Sunday was a whole lot quieter. Olly always likes to head downtown at Christmas time to see the huge Christmas tree at Nathan Phillips Square and we took a peak in the windows of The Bay. Here's Meg looking in on Santa's elves.

Very busy week ahead. I'm teaching Kindergarten all week, the girls have their holiday concerts at school, book club, and two Christmas parties... Wish me luck!

Cards, Wreath and Frog

This year I felt like I'd run out of time to make Christmas cards... Previous years I've had them made by the end of November, ready to start writing and send out the first weekend in December. Christmas seems to have crept up quickly this year, don't you think? Anyway, I was playing around with some supplies and came up with very, very simple design. So, there are some Christmas cards on their way to you.

A sneak peak.

Continuing the Christmas theme.

Today at MomVet was our annual wreath decorating challenge. Every year we buy wreaths and one of the members goes crazy in the craft store buying baubles and ribbons and other glittery things and we all stick them together to create something beautiful to hang on the front door. Mine was very simple this year as you can see.

My wreath hanging on our screen door.

And finally, it is with much sadness that I must announce tonight that one of Meg's frogs, Bubbles, I believe, is no longer with us. Over the past few weeks he has been getting skinnier and skinnier (while the other one has been getting suspiciously fatter and fatter...) And tonight... well, tonight he is no more... She is being very brave but is worried the other one will be too lonely...

Goodbye, little friend!

Sprinkles, Roast and Hat

Can you guess what we were up to today?

Here's a clue:

What requires large amounts of sprinkles in various shapes and colours, a ridiculous amount of icing in every colour imaginable and vast number of cookies....?

Yep! The Annual Gingerbread Decorating at Nancy's. And here are some of our results:

Everyone was in their usual fine form (mums and children included), Tess' blood sugar level was scarily high and we all went home happy....

And Tess and Meg and I were treated to a delicious meal cooked by Olly. Roast pork, roast potatoes, broccoli, green beans, sauted mushrooms and onion and, of course, gravy. Not a thing left on anyone's plate... He should definitely do it more often....!

And one more very quick and silly thing to leave you with... Here's Meg and a hat.

Andy, Andy, Andy

[There should be a picture of the Andy Williams Christmas album here.... If you are getting something else, big apologies and please ignore.....]

Forgot to mention that this has made my day. The music of our childhood Christmases... Very, very evocative and very, very dated... Marvellous!

So, so thrilled to have found this on iTunes this morning. I think I listened to it four straight times before the girls finally demanded I press pause....

Costco, Decorations and Elf

Friday's festive fun was a trip to Costco with Christene. Managed to spend alot of money in a short space of time... But definitely made good headway with the Christmas shopping. It was busy, and bustling and actually quite fun. The big problem is where to stash everything away from prying eyes.

Today has been a very Christmassy day. We busted out the boxes of decorations, put up two trees, hung lights outside, went Christmas shopping, made gingerbread...

We are all exhausted and all we can mange this evening is the final festive fun of the day which is to watch our favourite Christmas movie, Elf.

If you haven't seen it, it's worth a look; it's very silly, but we love it!

Advent, Nativity and Santa

So it's been a really long time since I've posted but the beginning of December seemed like a good time to share a few photos and thoughts...

We're continuing the tradition of the advent calendars, but with alot less chocolate this year. The girls were thrilled to discover the calendars hung on the fire place this morning; their number one was a little Christmas doodle book. (Though I think they're more interested in tomorrow; chocolate Santa!)

As it is the 1st December today we allowed oursleves to delve into the Christmas boxes. I wanted the music (John Lennon's 'So This Is Christmas' hit the spot for me), Meg wanted the books and Tess was all about the PlayMobil Nativity set. I really can't believe it's only been a year since we saw all these things. Where, oh where, has this year gone?

Christmas preparations are well and truly started here and we have had about 2 weeks of writing stories, lists and making cards. Tonight I found this on the computer after Meg had been working on it....

I really think this is a dilemma for Meg; Is Santa real? Not a dilemma for me... I KNOW he's real!

Fly in the Ointment, Appreciate and Beauty

What a busy week we've had here. The new rhythms of the family, with me working, are kicking in and things are not feeling as frantic as last week. I now have less time to get things done during the day, but that's just the way it is, I suppose!

The added 'fly in the ointment' (though it could be a good fly) is that there is a possibility that I will be doing further Smartboard training at a school in the area. This time I could be paid!!! Still waiting to hear the outcome.

As a result of this I have been doing lots of research on the Internet looking for exciting ways to incorporate technoogy into the classroom via the Smartboard.

There is so much out there and my creative juices are flowing and I find myself full of inspiration. I cannot wait to try some of these things out in the classroom

My current favourite is Wordle. Wordle creates word clouds out of selected texts and presents them in a beautiful and fascinating way. I created this one out of dictionary and theasaurus definitions for my One Little Word which is Appreciate. 

I have almost completed my January assigment for the OLW class (as my page protectors finally came from Two Peas in a Bucket). I am, however, moving very slowly. My friend came for a day of scrapbooking on Wednesday and I barely got a thing done; still, very good for the soul! When it's done I'll post it here so you can see what I'm talking about.

Today is a PD Day (an INSET day, to you Englishers) so the girls and I have been hanging out. The weather has been very snowy again so they're both outside playing. We built a tunnel in the front garden and these are the pictures of Tess and Meg playing in it.

Sheer beauty, don't you agree?

Subway, Proud and Good

Despite not being too thrilled to be working three days a week at the moment (as I would much rather be at home pottering), I am loving going to work on the subway. It always makes me feel part of the city when I ride the TTC, even though almost everyone around me is slightly miserable or asleep, it always feels very real. I'm appreciating the walk to the station, the special little tokens and even the little bit of annoyance when the driver announces a 'slight delay' at Davisville... I wonder how long this will last!

Just after I waved the girls off into school this morning I was approached by another mum on the yard. She had helped in Tess' class last week for Scientists in School. I was very, very proud to hear that Tess had found this mum on the yard after school and thanked her for spending time in the classroom. Isn't that nice?

Sometimes it's lovely to be surprised by her behaviour in a good way.

Talking of good. Our curent book club pick is a good one.

Really looking forward to discussing this one at book club tomorrow night.

Inches, Macro and Time

This was the beautiful scene that greeted us this morning. The first real snowfall of this winter. The girls couldn't wait to get out in it and by 8 o'clock we were outside with snowthings over our pyjamas.

We used the tape measure to show how much. Around 6 inches (about 15 centimetres) - lots and lots of lovely fluffy snow!

I wanted to try the macro setting on my camera to take some close up shots in the garden. I think these photos are quite good. 

Anyway, not much else to say tonight.

Today I appreciate time to myself (Olly has been in Las Vegas) and the feeling of looking forward to him coming home.

Happy, New and Year

Just have to share some Christmas videos with you.

These clips show two very happy girls, make me feel very happy and hopefully will make you happy too.

So the new year has begun and I have deliberately not made any new year's resolutions (though in my head I've made the usual ones about losing weight, being better at keeping in touch, you know the sort of thing...) because already I would feel let down with myself.

Instead I've decided to go with Ali Edwards and opt for a word of the year. Her One Little Word project over at Big Picture Scrapbooking seems a great way of making some changes without it being too obvious. Plus it's a creative project which I need ('cos another one of my secret, I'm-not-telling-anyone-else resolutions is to do more scrapping...!).

Anyway, for the record, my word is going to be appreciate.

Tonight I appreciate listening to the girls playing contentedly in the basement while I cook dinner (and the cold glass of rose wine that is helping...)

And the new year has already brought change to the Horton household. I started work this week (a little part-time job at a little insurance office while I wait until I can apply for teaching jobs for this September).

I was supposed to start on Tuesday but in true style Tess was sick Monday night so I had to phone my new boss and tell her that I wouldn't be in work on my first day.... Ha! Not a great phone call to have to make.

Ho hum - onward and upward!

Apples, Raspberries and Pie

What a busy weekend!

Friday: Cosmic Bowling (bowling in the dark with neon lights and loud music!) with the girls and Enrico.

Saturday: Football for the girls and dinner with friends in the evening.

Sunday: Chudleigh's Apple Farm....

This has now become a tradition (Right Jill - if you've done something more than once....?) with the Hortons and Klugsbergers. [And we've managed to get ourselves lost both time...!) It's a great day out. Playing among the apples.

Playing among the hay bales.

And generally enjoying fall fun with our friends!

Tess had a need to create in the kitchen on Sunday and brought plans for a delicious dessert to me first thing in the morning.

The concoction included raspberries, raspberry coulis, vanilla ice-cream and some yummy pastries made with vanilla, butter and brown sugar. She was very proud of herself and the results were fantastic.

And finally....

I've just finished my book club's choice for September; 'The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie' by Alan Bradley.

A very easy and entertaining read and a very likeable main character. It's basically a murder/mystery which we don't usually choose for book club, but it was great fun and didn't take me long to read. I will definitely be reading his next one which will also 'star' Flavia de Luce, the 12 year old heroine...

Shoes, Spinning and Sunshine

Every now and then I become completely obsessed with scrapbooking.... This is one of those times. (Probably because the girls are at school all day, I'm not working [yet!], and I'm in no routine with school commitments / home etc.

The result is that I'm able to create.

Here is Mission to Create #26:


I only managed to use 4 of the 5 concepts but I love the layout.

1) at least 3 bright cardstocks

2) decorative edge scissors (Raided the girls' craft box and cut around the black cardstock.)

3) Use sheet music (which I printed off the internet and is, rather sadly of me, the actual music from the Paolo Nutini song...My sister-in-law will be laughing at me for this... 'Too much time on my hands...')




4) something shiny (the label holder at the bottom)

5) And just didn't have the right rub-on alphas for this... Oh well!

Anyway, loved completing this one as I loved, loved, loved those shoes of Tess' and wish that her feet hadn't grown so quickly...



So, to the rest of today. As it's proving very difficult to find work I'm using my time to get a little fitter and have discovered 'spinning' classes at the YMCA. Let's just say I hope it's doing me good. I sweated so much today it was actually dripping off me but not as much as the guy in front of me... I think his pool of sweat (great subject, huh?) had me so mesmerised that I managed to complete the majority of the class. Yuk, but yeh!

When I pick the girls up from school, ready for the weekend, we're off Cosmic Bowling. It's a shame we organised an indoor activity as it is such a beautiful day here. Hot, hot, hot and the sunshine is streaming through the backdoor... I do love autumn here in Toronto. Hope your weather is as nice.

Back, Background and Back To School

Ok - so it's been a while but we're back to carry on with the blog because it seemed to be working out so well.

I've also been neglecting the old scrapbooking lately so I've been very determined to sort the basement out so I could get to my stuff. I created this layout for Mission to Create #25.

We had to use:

1) beige or cream (I used a cream background)

2) a doilie (which I didn't have, so I used doilie-like trim)

3) an envelope (which contains a letter to the girls I wrote on their second day of school)

4) something clear (I added a clear heart)

5) polka dots and stripes (self explanatory)

I loved doing this one and am feeling very creative again, which is great.

And finally, because I haven't yet done it, here a picture of the girls on the first day back to school.

Meg has finally started Grade 1 and Tess is now in Grade 3. The start was a little lukewarm, but I'm very pleased to report that they are both now settled right in and enjoying school.

Hurrah!

Artwork, Earthquake and Humid

Today I've begun taking down some of the artwork dotted around the house; the kitchen, dining room, my wardrobe door, the girls' bedroom walls. I will, of course, be filing these very carefully but just in case they should get lost I've taken some photos.

So here's a selection:

This is just a very, very small selection...

And now for some news.

Yes, it's true. There actually was an earthquake here this afternoon. I just thought it was a truck going by. but there are reports that it was a 5.5 on the Richter Scale....

The girls are fascinated, but terrified by the reports that there may be tornadoes tonight...!

The weather is funky here. Very, very hot and very, very humid. The girls are desperate for a sprinkler in the garden and we've prmoised it will be the first thing we buy for the new house.

And Jill, glad to hear you're home - can't wait to see you!

Graduations, Flowers and Boxes

We have had a week of graduations here in the Horton household - and what a busy week it has been!

Olly is finally able to close the books on his Executive MBA. He has worked incredibly hard and we're very proud of him. The weeks away, the late nights and slightly stressful times have been worth it and his official graduation was Thursday night.

On Wednesday I watched in wonder as a lady struggled down the road carrying the most enormous basket of flowers. I was astonished to find that these plants were destined for our house. It was a thank you to the grads and their families from Walmart - a thanks for all the effort and support.

Orchids, lilies, primula and lots more that I can't name.... Not sure what I think, but nice to get an acknowledgement.

The other grad in the house is Meg. A slightly kooky Canadian tradition but here they like to mark the 'graduation' from Kindergarten to Grade 1.

So here is a little excerpt from Meg's little presentation.



And here are my two graduates....

With only 10 days to go before we move I did some panic packing this weekend and the boxes are beginning to pile up. We are now at the stage where there are boxes half packed in every room - it's very chaotic looking but I'm certain I'm actually organised... yes - I'm organised... Do you believe me?

And Jill, whenever you get to read this we are / have been / will be sending love, good vibes, positive waves and hugs and kisses... Speak soon.

xxx

Turtle, Frog and Mosquitoes

What a brilliant weekend we've had! Although the weather was so-so here in Toronto we had glorious sunshine all day Sunday and reasonable warmth on Monday up at the cottage on Lake of Bays.

The girls absolutely love it there. As soon as we pull up outside our place they clamber out and disappear. That is the beauty of a place you return to time and time again - they are familiar with it and know the drill.

There is always a highlight of each trip and this time it was the creatures we encountered. Before we'd even arrived we'd spotted a fawn at the entrance to Blue Water Acres.

On Sunday morning, while the girls were paddling a canoe on the lake they reported sight of a turtle. We all dashed down to the dock to check it out but couldn't see anything in the water. All we could see was a rock. We were disappointed - a turtle was something we were yet to see. We were discussing how much the rock looked like a turtle... "You can see how they thought it was a turtle... That bit looks like its head.. And the ripples in the water make it look as if it's moving..."

Suddenly the 'rock' started to amble towards us!!!! It really was a turtle. A huge turtle. Over half a metre in diameter. It was a snapping turtle and would have given someone a nasty nip if we'd got close enough.

They look something like this.

And listen to this video:

This is what is making the racket - a grey tree frog.

While we were roasting our marshmallows around the campfire we literally could not hear each other speak as this little beauties were so loud.

And no visit up north at this time of year would be complete without a few bites from mosquitoes and other nasties like the deer fly and black fly. Despite lots of bug spray and long pants and long sleeves none of us got away without quite a few itches; Tess, it seems, has come off worst and Meg just a few...

Perhaps casting spells with sparklers helped.