All So Different!

I don't know why I expected to have children that resembled me - in appearance and/or lifestyle... I don't look a lot like my mother, and although we share some interests - like travel and crafts... (And we both were drawn to the same profession, teaching) we are oh-so different!

Yet, strangely enough, I did expect my children to be a lot like me...

And, of course, they're not!

Daily I am reminded of this... Like this week, reading my son's blog about a movie I haven't seen, wondering how I (a non-sports non-opera fan) have a son who LOVES BOTH SPORTS AND OPERA!

But I did find it very interesting, so I share it here!

My Latest Sewing Accessory...

My latest sewing accessory is ...this topless thimble, a gift from a friend.














I had never seen one before - but I love it!














Thanks, Kendra!

More Neighborhood Changes

Another house is moving from our neighborhood...














It's become an epidemic trend!














Before the first gaping hole on the block is filled with a new house... We'll have another gaping hole! Moving houses must be big business!

Fig Preserve

I was recently given a gift of fig and black currant preserve from Madeleines Cafe in Toronto... (The official name is Madeleines, Cherry Pie and Ice Cream). And I guess the madeleine referred to isn't the owner, but the dessert.














The preserve was delicious... Just as I remember it from my last visit.














It brought back memories of this quaint cafe - with its china tea cups - the friendly owner/chef and the breakfast we had there!

I think that the owner said that the figs were from British Columbia... I didn't know they grew figs in Canada!

Delicious!

Thank you Natalie and Aaron for the gift and the memory it brought back!

Rhubarb... In November?

My rhubarb begins to grow in May... and by the end of July it has died down again... Which is a pity, since I really love rhubarb.

I thought that all rhubarb was like that - an early spring harvest.














But walking in my neighborhood last week - the last week in November - I was surprised (even shocked) to see... rhubarb growing. Did the plant think that after one snowfall (that disappeared after a few days) spring was about to arrive?

Before I had an opportunity to take a picture, snow fell again - and it too has since melted...

I'd like to think that this little rhubarb plant knows something that I don't: namely, that we are going to have a mild winter... mild enough for rhubarb!

Now, that's the kind of Canadian winter I would truly LOVE!

Road Construction Update...

The construction is finished!!














It is such a pleasure driving down the street - without worrying about gaping holes or construction vehicles that might block the way!














(They are still working on the landscaping - hence the pile of dirt on the road...

You don't appreciate something until you lose it...!

Whatever Happened to PAPER Clothing?

When I was in my teens, I watched a fashion show on TV, astounded that the attractive clothing worn by the models was made of ... paper!

Paper clothing is the way of the future, the announcer informed us.

No need to wash and wear... Just wear and toss!

Clothing made of paper would be useful on a long trip - take along a large package of disposable paper t-shirts and socks - and toss (or recycle) them once they're dirty! The suitcase space opened up by the dwindling supply of disposable clothing could be well-used for souvenirs purchased en route.

So practical...

I did (almost) have another encounter with paper clothing... A few years back, I took a weekend trip with my daughter. We didn't realize the hotel we would be staying in had a swimming pool, so we didn't bring our bathing suits.

No problem, the front desk clerk informed us. You can buy disposable bathing suits in the pool area.

Made of paper?

Yes.

I thought for a moment - and the worst-case-scenario flashed before my eyes: a paper bathing suit disintegrating in the water... I decided to decline the offer.

Actually, there is one place where I do encounter paper clothing... at the lab where I get x-rays and ultrasounds done.














And it falls apart so easily, I know my decision not to try a paper bathing suit was the right one!