Happy Birthday!

Today is my brother's birthday...

This is a picture of him and my dad when they were 2 and 41 years old respectively.

Both are looking good! It's one of my favourite pictures of the two of them together.

It's Winter!

Last Friday Terry rounded us up - Earl, our neighbour, me and a son who happened to call to say "hi" on his day off - and was asked if he could join us, too. (We need at least 3.)

The car tent needs to go up TODAY! Snow is coming this weekend!

So - like an old time barn raising - we were all pitching in!

Just in the nick of time!

On Sunday, it started to snow!

Keeping Busy in Almonte

Several weekends ago, my son invited me to see a musical about the history of Almonte's textile mills.

The play was really well done. It shared a lot of historical information about the woollen mills that were a major industry in the town's early years. At one time, there were 15 working mills powered by the Mississippi River in Almonte. Not sure if they were all related to textiles - or if  flour mills and the like were included in the total. I learned that the khaki fabric used for Canadian military uniforms during the two world wars all came from Almonte.

It occurred to me - as I was watching the musical - how effectively a play can convey the spirit of the times, though it's hard to have a story line that spans 150 years.

Then last weekend, we attended the town's pre-Christmas festival called "Light Up the Night."

My granddaughter was again a "Twinkle Fairy" - and we were there to cheer her on!

The evening ended with fireworks...

Lots of fun for all!

How Children Learn

Grandma, do you know what I want? I want a Barbie car. A purple car with four seats - for four Barbies.

I didn't know there was such a thing, I replied. Let's check if there's one on Amazon. 

I picked up my cell phone did a search. Sure enough, a purple Barbie car appeared. It had four seats.

I'll take a picture of this to remember, I told my granddaughter, clicking on two buttons to copy my screen.

How did you do that? she asked. 

If I press these buttons at the same time, I said, it takes a picture of the screen.

Can I try?

Sure, I replied and handed her my phone.

A few minutes later, I looked over..

Look what I did, she said. Don't erase them. I want to look at them again later.

I stared at the dozens of screen grabs she had done in just a few minutes!

That's how children learn: Willing to try something new, they go at it - FEARLESSLY, willing to make mistakes. Adults, especially older ones, born before smart phones were invented - would be FEARFUL, HESITANT - afraid something might break!

(Is there something in between...? Fearless ... but careful?!)

Healthy... Stew!

One of the things I look forward to at this time of year is making slow-cook meals in one pot. I usually make a large pot full - so, for the two of us, there's enough for several meals.

Our first of this winter season was beef stew. I was particularly happy that I managed to add lots of veggies. The carrots and potatoes are most visible , but there's also 

• Onions
• Garlic
• Celery 
• Mushrooms
• Red peppers
• Salsa - with all the veggies that contains

So at least 7 vegetables in all! I'm trying to eat more veggies these days - and one pot meals make it easier to do.

Poured Painting Class

A few weeks ago, at the studio where I do pottery, I took an afternoon class in poured painting.

It's not hard - but it is messy!

First you choose your colours. then you pour the paint on top of the canvas. The paint flows where it will - sometimes creating interesting bubbles. Eventually you have to pick up the painting and move it... (and there's paint dripping everywhere!)

Maybe I'm messier than most, but I came home with my hands and arms speckled with paint. It took a week for some of it to disappear. Next time, I'll wear rubber gloves!

It's messy and drippy...But definitely a lot of fun. On each of my pours, I tried to focus on a different colour from my palate.

Looking at paintings that others made, I want to take the class again - next time using different colours! (It would be too messy to do at home.)

I should add that my inspiration was this poured painting my granddaughter did at art camp a year ago when she was only 6!

Retirement

Our family enjoys discovering new bakeries.

Recently, we had brunch at a new one in Arnprior, where I noticed this hanging on the wall.

Hmmm... That's a great definition of retirement! 

(Well, most of the time!)

The food, by the way, was delicious!