Toddler Fun

Playing with my granddaughter brings back memories of the days when my children were young.

The games she enjoys are the same her father and his siblings liked to play...

Crawling through forts and tunnels...

Trying to climb the stairs...

Everything is an adventure!

Eiffel Tower Scissors

Occasionally I see something I really must (or should I say, "really want to"?!) have, even though I don't need them!

That's how I felt when I saw these "Eiffel Tower" scissors...

I immediately ordered them online!

Haven't been to Paris in years, but just looking at the scissors brings back lots of memories!

Enjoying (Snowless) Toronto

Last weekend Terry and I were in Toronto, where we enjoyed warmer weather...

And roads and sidewalks free of snow...

(Though there were a few puddles the first day we arrived!)

We walked for hours every day, in different neighborhoods.

Pushing a baby stroller at times...

Not quite like being in Hawaii...

But a lot nicer for walking than the weather we left (450 kilometers away) at home!

Making Spaces

I read recently that, when most people "downsize," they need to get rid of two-thirds of what they have in their house. We're not planning on downsizing any day soon, but the time may come - and I don't want to be overwhelmed when it does.

I don't think I'll mind getting rid of furniture we no longer need. But little things, like books, papers and souvenirs could be a problem. I don't want to get rid of things that still give me joy, or that I use. But there is a lot I could get rid of and not really miss.

So one of my goals this winter has been to "make spaces" in the house... in rooms, closets and shelves. We've lived here for 35 years, so, in that time, we've accumulated a lot!

I regularly take clothing, books and other odds and ends to a nearby thrift shop. This winter I also listed some furniture items on Kijiji, like this drafting table my daughter hasn't used in years. I was pleased to see it go to someone who will use it...

I still have a long ways to go until I see spaces on shelves and in closets! But I am taking tiny steps in the right direction!

Now when I walk into a room and it looks messy, I ask myself: Is there anything in here I no longer need?!

An Interesting Diet Book

I am in the midst of reading a recently published (2015) book on "the real science behind what we eat."

"The Diet Myth" by researcher Tim Spector summarizes recent studies on how we are affected by food...

I should probably explain that food and dieting are not really my interests - but, for years now, I've been trying to keep my blood sugar as low as possible through food choices. Since being told that I have high blood sugar a dozen years ago, I've read a wide variety of diet books.

The author has spent years studying identical twins and has discovered a similarity in their weight and how food (or even over-eating) affects them. The discouraging fact is that a lot of this is genetic, so there is only so much we can do about how much we weight or how food affects us health-wise. Even our likes and dislikes of certain foods may be genetic!

On the positive side, there is something we can do. The author claims that eating a variety of foods enhances health. The more microbes in our digestive system, the better, as different foods provide different "flora." Not only probiotics, but "pre-biotics" like fiber are important, as they create an environment that enhances microbial growth.

I'm trying to finish the book quickly - I borrowed it from the library and half a dozen others are waiting to read it! (I could buy my own copy, but discoveries in this area of food science is constantly changing, as more discoveries are being made. How long before these ideas are outdated or modified?!)

In the meantime, I'm trying to eat more unprocessed foods and keep my diet fresh and varied. A good excuse to eat out more often in my two favorite restaurants - one an organic vegetarian restaurant, the other an Indian restaurant where food is fresh and spicy. Both serve foods that are totally different from what I prepare at home.

Pottery - Hand Building

For the past few years, I've enjoyed doing pottery in winter.

This winter I go to a nearby pottery studio two afternoons a week, once to create bowls and cups on the wheel.

Once to do "hand-building." 

.

Both are very satisfying, though I find hand-building easier... 

After a clay shape is built, the wet clay has to dry slowly, so it's wrapped with plastic and left for a week or two, to dry.

Then it's unwrapped and left to dry further, uncovered, before being put in the kiln.

Most potters reach a point where they start selling their pots - they simply have too many!

I haven't started selling yet - but I'm starting to think about it! I'm waiting to perfect my craft a little more.

Digital Drawing Fun

I've been playing around with a free drawing app on my Ipad.

With it, I have access to a variety of drawing tools.

I've drawn a few sketches by tapping or simply running my finger along the screen...

I wonder how much better they'd be if I used a pointer... (I wonder if they come with fine points as well...?)

Printer Dilemma

A few years ago, we bought a color printer that still works well. Photographs come out beautifully. We can even print remotely through our WiFi.

One small problem emerged a while back: We have to prop a book against the door of the compartment where the ink cartridges go, to get it to work. (Without that pressure, the door pops open and an error message appears.) 

Now we have a second problem: Locally they've stopped selling ink cartridges for our printer. (I can only assume that they want us to buy a newer model... Built-in obsolescence rearing its ugly head!)

So I've been hunting online for ink cartridges that might work...

I could get a box of ten compatible cartridges for a few dollars more than one of the "official" HP cartridges.

So I've ordered them. I hope they work. If they do, there's another potential glitch. What to do when these run out?!

Both the vendor and the official HP site claim that there's a limited number in stock! I don't want to stock up on expensive cartridges in case the printer does break down. At the same time, I don't want to get rid of a perfectly good printer simply because the manufacturer decides to make it obsolete...

To think that my mother had two typewriters her whole life long - one manual, one second electric. And she ran those same typewriter ribbons back and forth dozens of times!!

Fresh From the Kiln...

I recently brought home my first pottery of the year...

Two batches...

One yellow (a glaze called "Lord Jim")...

Another dark blue (called "denim")...

My new system is to glaze all pots the same color, on any one day. That saves time having to mix glazes. All these pots were glazed on two different occasions, but fired in the same kiln.

I'm happy with these two "stands" I created in hand-building. The bigger one can hold my Ipad, the smaller my Iphone or Ipod.

If I were into selling my pottery, I'd probably make more of those. They could be handy.

Reflecting on ... "Stability"

One of my goals, when I retired, was to travel. Another was to study the history of Christianity. (I've done both, so I can't complain... in case this sounds like I'm complaining!)

Hawaii is my favorite winter destination. If I could escape winter again this year, that's probably where I would head!

In my religious reading and studies, I've been mulling over the Benedictine way of life - named after Benedict of Nursia, the 5th century "Father of Western Monasticism," who wrote a famous "rule" book for living peaceably with others.

One of his principles is "stability" - being rooted, not running around looking for a better place to be. Just staying put.

I'm not ready to stop traveling, but this winter, my normal travel companions aren't willing to go anywhere, so I've been left wondering if I should travel alone, like I used to. Or focus on staying put, on "stability."

Wind and Snow

It's amazing what wind can do to snow!

One recent windy night, snow was blown off this Sedum plant. In the morning, I was surprised to see it "blooming" again against a white backdrop.

The same storm swirled the wind off our house, I assume, and mounted it high on the roof of our shed!

All over the yard, snowy "waves" were created by the wind.

Writing Tip

I recently came across this writing tip from Stephen King...

I had to tear it out!

I've never read any of his horror novels, but I did love (and find amusing) his book on writing, aptly called On Writing.

King is actually pretty funny. He could probably have been a comedy writer - or maybe he is, under a different name!

Another Snowstorm!

Yesterday morning we were in the midst of another snowstorm!

Terry ate breakfast, then headed out to clear snow from our driveway and walkways around the house.

The branches in our yard are heavily laden with snow.

Snow drifts block basement windows - and upstairs ones overlooking a lower roof.

Around noon, the sun showed signs of breaking out from behind the clouds...

Hard to believe that next week temperatures are predicted to be above freezing...

Much of this may melt and compact all this fluffy snow.

Skiers will be very happy...

But I, for one, am looking forward to spring - when I can walk on bare roads and sidewalks again!

Mid-February Snow Storm

A major snow storm came our way a few days ago...

It dumped about a foot (30 centimeters) of snow on Ottawa...

Reluctantly Terry headed out to clear a path for the car.

Next week temperatures are supposed to rise above freezing and some of this snow will melt.

But - in our part of Canada - I don't expect to see spring flowers any day soon!

Valentine's Day

No matter how old I get...

Valentine's Day never loses its charm.

We all need to be reminded we are loved!

Yarn Memory

Knitting up my mother's yarn scraps, I came across a "memory" from my teenage years:

One half-used ball of French Pingouin yarn still had the label still on it... And the price sticker from Fumerton's Department Store, the only department store I remember in Kelowna when I lived there as a teenager. (Does this say 79cents?)

After googling the name, I discovered that the store no longer exists... But those of us who grew up in Kelowna in the 1950s and 1960s all knew Fumerton's! According to this historic website, Fumerton's existed on Bernard Avenue until the 1980s.

I haven't been able to find Pingouin yarns online either, so perhaps that company no longer exists either!

Ottawa City Hall in Winter

Not far from the Rideau Canal, across from the ice sculpture park, Ottawa's city hall provides a warm respite from those who want to come in from the cold - or find a public bathroom!

For those overwhelmed by the size of the Rideau Canal skateway, the artificial skating rink outside city hall provides another smaller place to skate.

Inside I was impressed by the acoustics - this live piano music reverberated throughout the large lobby.

I never noticed these corridor-bridges before. They allow workers to cross to another wing of the building without coming downstairs.

I don't come to city hall often... In fact, I don't come downtown that often. But now that winter is here, I'm reminded that it is a welcome public place where everyone can come in and rest, when they need a break from the cold.

Rideau Canal Skating

Ottawa's winter skateway - the Rideau Canal - is now open for skating.

It's a temporary treat...

One never knows how long the weather will be cold enough for the ice to last!

Failed Recipe: Corn Crisps

A while back, I came across an interesting recipe for homemade crackers made of oatmeal crackers. Looking through my cookbooks - and even online - I couldn't find it!

(Was it perhaps in an old recipe book I tossed?! As my mother used to say, You never need something until you throw it out!)

But I found another recipe for "corn crisps" made from water, cornmeal, butter and salt, so I tried it instead...

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in 3/4 cup of water till the butter melts.

Then add 1/2 cup of cornmeal and 1/2 teaspoon of salt - and stir. The mixture will thicken.

Drop teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. (I used Silpat and parchment paper, so I didn't coat the cookie sheets.) Bake for 10-15 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

When I realized that the first pan full wasn't going to flatten on its own in cooking, I flattened the second batch.

The result? A soft (not crispy) cornmeal blob... Very bland. Not a flat cracker. Fresh, they tasted like cornmeal baking powder biscuits.

If I were to make them again, I'd add herbs, spices and Parmesan cheese to the batter. Then I'd bake them in larger mounds.

Then they'd be cornmeal biscuits - with no baking powder added.

Snowy World

These days the world outside is mostly white.

So it's no wonder I enjoy early morning skies and the sunsets...

They provide brief but glorious splashes of color to otherwise drab winter scenes!