Tragic Beauty

I love to find beauty in those things and people that are just a little different. Perfection is not as appealing to me as slightly flawed.

I knew this was the tomato for me as soon as I saw it. Field fresh and beautiful and just a little weird. I thought the strange appendage looked like a nose but others in my family saw it differently. Degenerates all of them.

He(definitely a he) was a good tomato. Juicy and flavorful and the perfect ingredient in a mouthwatering B.L.T.

Wake up and smell the Craft Show

Okay..I know it has been some time since my last entry. Suffice to say I had a lovely summer surrounded by friends and family and now it is autumn..

I was very excited to participate in a local craft show this past weekend. It was hosted by the ladies of Vervain Designs. It was a grand afternoon of schmoozing with like minded people and snacking on possibly the best bowl of chicken noodle soup I have ever tasted.

The crowds were not what we all hoped for but I did manage a few sales and even got a custom order from one of my fellow vendors to make a tote bag for her paintings. I also bought a gorgeous necklace for my sis in law's b day.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable day and a great experience. I love the crafty folk. They are some good people.

Happy (foggy)(belated) Canada Day!

I love a parade! Sounds of drums and bagpipes tromping down the street are among my favorite summer sounds. We feted the country with a parade, some cake and a visit to Citadel Hill. Now, if only the sun would make an appearance it might really feel like summer....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!!!

Disconnect and Reconnect

Well...we wanted to celebrate our Fifteenth Anniversary in Italy but financial realites did not cooperate. Instead we climbed in the car, leaving the kiddos happily tucked in with family and drove for about 40 minutes. We had rented a beautiful seaside cottage in Indian Harbour, N.S. for two delicious nights of rest and relaxation. The view was spectacular and literally dripping with atmosphere being cloaked in a blanket of fog. We played the part of tourists in our own province. We climbed the rocks at Peggy's Cove and snapped photos like mad. We enjoyed each other's company without the distractions of telephone, internet and children. We watched in rapt attention as nature unfolded its beautiful tapestries and performed symphanies of sight and sound. Ahhhhh......

One for me

Sometimes (especially when you are a mom) you forget to do nice things for yourself. I love to sew and I love having one of a kind handmade stuff. It stands to reason that I should be my best provider of hand made stuff right? Not so much. I pick out fabric that I love, turn it into stuff that someone like me would buy and then...I put it in my etsy shop. Yoink!

I bought this fun Alexander Henry fabric when I visited Florida last year. I have been trying to figure out something "snazzy" to do with it all year. Finally I realized that the perfect recipient of this custom order was ME!! I ordered myself a tunic, I made it and I love it.

Nice work if you can get it...

Free room and board. Early morning snuggles. Maid and chauffering services. These are the perks of a model here at snazz inc. Your requirements include looking enthusiastic when the camera is pointed at you and negotiating for a higher salary when the blackflies are biting.

Lessons from Mom

As I grow more experienced in Mom hood I begin to realize all the gifts my mother gave to me as a child. Not the least of which is how to be a goofball. This is not to say that she is not also a voice of discipline and self control. She is no pushover.

I remember the absolute glee I felt as a child when my strict and serious mom would pull a face or say something silly and decidedly "unmomlike". This reminded me that my mom was more than just a mom. She was a mysterious figure with a completely different face that was sometimes hidden from me. The promise of a momentary slip of the "mom" mask was a secret that I cherished.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Coming Clean- Confessions of a Soap a holic

Okay, I admit it. I am a little obssessed with handmade soap right now. Shampoo bars, soap, bubble bath, scrubs, butters, cream perfumes and lip balms all made with love in small batches in the homes of talented people.

I love the salt and sugar scrub from the shop of bovinebubbles It has a wonderful exfoliating texture which glides on your skin effortlessly, leaving a wonderful sheen and fantstic aroma.

I love the amazing fragrance left behind on my skin in the body butter fromcarmel soaps

I love the delicious flavors and cool slide tins of lip balms sold by shannon's irish bliss

I recently brought my kids into my soap circle when I ordered them some bubble bath fromdennis anderson soaps

I have also ordered from the etsy seller pixie soaps

I vowed that, after ammassing such a large stash that I would resist the urge to buy more soap...That is when the soap gods reached out to me. I participated in a craft show on the weekend which was also attended by a local soap vendor. I bought one soap. Just one. Its important to support the local economy you know. But then...
She offered a trade. One of my hats for eight bars of soap. The rest of the story is soap history.

Gong hei fat choi!

I am very fortunate to have married into a very wonderful and generous family. They have taught me much about the value of sharing time and many wonderful meals in the company of those you love. From my father in law comes a wealth of wonderful traditions from his Chinese heritage.

Every year we come together to celebrate the Lunar New Year. As any good celebration, this one culminates with a feast shared with the extended family. The New Year is a celebration of good fortune and prosperity which is reflected in the dishes served. There are usually long noodles which represent long life. There are dishes with elements that bring to mind wealth or prosperity sometimes just because of their name or appearance.

This year we had Cantonese Chow Mein , Shrimp stuffed Tofu, Braised pork shoulder with dried oyster,mushroom and fat choi, duck with Chinese yams, chicken, white rice and tea steeped eggs. We also had sweet and sour pork to appease the white people at the table. Those white folk love their red sauces ;)

The children and unmarried people are given a red pocket of lucky money and everyone goes home with a clementine.

More important than all the food and decorations is undoubtedly a leisurely meal spent enjoying the company of family who wish each other a healthy, happy and prosperous new year.

Out with the old

Farewell to 2008! The Christmas decorations are (mostly) put away. The tree has been tossed to the curb. A new year begins. What it will bring we do not know. New resolutions to change old behaviors are always a given. Cheers to 2008! It was a year with many happy moments but not without the loss of some family friends. I remember them fondly and hope the coming year brings healing to their families. I resolve to treasure the moments I spend this year with everyone I love. Life is a precious gift.

Happy 2009! May it bring health and happiness and the grace to deal with the challenges that each year brings. Happy New Year to all!