Baby Announcement

I am thrilled to announce the arrival of the latest addition to our family...isn't she ADORABLE??  I have loved the little Scion xB since I first saw one about 5 years ago.  We just got her 2 days ago and I love everything about her!  Fun to drive, peppy, I even like the sound her blinkers make!  She turns on a dime and didn't cost us an arm and a leg!  Given a name it would be 'petit amour'  I guess that's enough gushing for one day.
I'm not sure how much driving Gord will get to do...that's me behind the wheel. :)

Family is Love

The table was set for 24, the turkey was stuffed and cooked, carved and set on the platter.  The house was filled with hugs and love and laughter.  What a blessing to have an extended family of people who enjoy being together.   I must say, Mr Turkey looked lovely!  Golden and juicy and delicious!

We had a fun gift exchange for all who wanted to participate and there were many creative and 'unexpected' gifts.  I made my sisters each a little primitive x-stitch hanger.  My older sister made us each a primitive spool head plus an antique quilt block and tin tart pan from France.  My younger sister gave us each 3 humongous gourds that are perfect...scruffy and grungy with lovely long stems.  Thank you for these absolutely wonderful and thoughtful gifts!  And thank you family for a day we could spend together!

I happened upon this.  What a concept!

Christmas Day 2010 is just a wonderful memory.  We enjoyed a delicious brunch of croissants, french crepes and yoghurt with our family and then opened gifts.  I have come to realize what generous children we have.
These are some of the gifts I opened from our kids.  Love them!

Today was more relaxed.  We took a long walk in the rain and then I knitted the afternoon away.  I am making a baby blanket for the 3rd grandbaby due in June.  I had hoped to have it ready to give yesterday to our son and his wife but, as you can see, its only about half-done.

Tomorrow, the entire extended family will be here for our family Christmas dinner.  I have a 25 lb Mr Turkey thawed and ready for stuffing and cooking early tomorrow morning.  We expect about 25 so the house will be bursting at the seams.

A Merry Christmas to all...

I still wake on Christmas morning with some of that sense of wonder I had as a child.  That moment when you realize...its Christmas!  It's magical!

We hosted our traditional Christmas Eve party last night with wonderful family and friends, many old and some new.  It all began almost 30 years ago.  We had moved back to the West Coast from Winnipeg. We had a 5 month old baby and decided to have 2 couples over for the evening.  From there it has grown, friends have come and gone, children have been added and have grown up and now show up with boyfriends and girlfriends or spouses.  Our kids have invited their friends over the years.

Everybody brings a contribution of food but we also have some dishes that we've made every year...our maple appetizer meatballs are always a hit.

This morning we will have brunch with our 4 kids, 3 spouses and 2 grandbabies.  Then open gifts and maybe play a game or two before everyone goes on to their next family gathering.  I am so excited, especially for one gift I made for one of my daughters-in-law.  It was her request months ago but I hope she'll still be surprised.

This is one of my sister's designs from Country Quilts, Santa in the Photo Booth.  It's been a hit at all the Quilt Markets we've attended.

And so, wishing all a Joyeux Noel and a blessed Christmas Day!

DANCE TRAIN STATION BELGIUM do-re-mi The Sound of Music - Julie Andrews

'The Green Men' doubles

With hockey season soon upon us, the green men will once again be appearing at most of the Vancouver Canucks games.  Last season these two look-alikes also started to appear on the streets of Abbotsford and even made it onto the Vancouver tv news.  15 minutes of fame was more like 15 seconds but very fun for a mom of one of these wannabees.  Smile.

Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Falling Slowly

The Power of Words

My dad just celebrated his 81st birthday!  I called him on the day to wish him a very happy birthday. It was a day or two later I stopped by to pick something up from my mom and dad's and when he carried it out to my car for me, he gave me a big hug and told me how thankful he is to have me as a daughter.  My response was, "Well, I wouldn't trade you for anything"  I think that meant more to him than "I love you."  I could see it in his eyes.
I need to remind myself to say words of love and appreciation now instead of regretting later not saying them!

...and the greatest of these is love...

I am so blessed to have 7 beautiful nieces, inside and out.  This summer the first of them got married and my younger sister called upon my 'talent' and 'experience' to help with preparations a couple of days before the big event.  It was held outside in a park and kept very simple and done so creatively (thanks mostly to my sister's boundless energy and ideas)  The day dawned absolutely gorgeous. This is us 3 sisters, Cheryl, the quilt designer extra-ordinaire, Janet, mother of the bride, Tessa, and me.  I've been through this 3 times already myself so it was wonderful to be able to sit back and enjoy the beauty of the day without all the stress.

"Free?" Weekend

So the husband and my two youngest sons (23 & 20) have flown across the country for the Thanksgiving weekend to see 'dad' and 'grandpa' who will turn 95 this month and still lives on his own.  I'm thinking, goody for me, and immediately a list is already growing in my mind of all the 'important' things I will be accomplishing over the next 3 days.  No distractions, no meals to worry about.  This is going to be real good.  Being a person who enjoys her own company, actually thrives on 'alone' time, I looked forward to this ever since the tickets were purchased.  After dropping them at the airport, I head home.  I have a sleep-over planned with my precious 4 year old grand-daughter.  We spent a wonderful evening first washing the dog, Rugby.  Ama (me) had promised to do something 'special' and this was 'it'!  She squirted shampoo and I rinsed and rinsed until we ended up with a fluffy and sweet-smelling schnauzer!
Then, cuddling down to watch 'Snow White' and eating popcorn.  By the time she snuggled down into my bed, she was ready for sleep.  I had no idea how much room a 4 year old can take up in a queen bed!  In the morning there is nothing sweeter than waking up, opening your eyes only to see those baby blues looking right back!
By noon I left for Vancouver Airport to pick up my daughter-in-law from a week in England.  Remember, my son is in Winnipeg so I was called upon.  I took along my daughter for company and we did a little shopping, got to the airport in time, and by the time we got home it was time for supper and a glass (or 2) or wine and a chick flick, just me and my 3 'daughters'.

So far, I don't think I've crossed much off my list, but the blessings received are PRICELESS!

Oh that we were still in France...July 2010

Monet Gardens at Giverney

It seems that the more I travel, a little piece of my heart stays behind in each of the places I visit!