just percolating...
At 6pm today, Canada's National Arts Centre announced the line-up for English Theatre's upcoming season. I was particularly curious to see what this year would hold because it's Peter Hinton's last season. Love'em or hate'em, one thing everyone can agree on is that Peter Hinton, as Director of the English Theatre program since 2005, really shook things up. Sure, I didn't enjoy all of his choices, but he certainly made a mark and I love that he … [Read more...]
Spring fever is real. SO real for us Canucks! The weather was so gorgeous this past weekend that all the neighbours were out front of their houses washing cars, kids riding bikes, and big smiles all around. One big way that spring fever hits me is my wardrobe. I look at it and think -- it needs a complete overhaul! But, alas, I looked at my budget and thought -- nope, not gonna happen! However, I did pop over into our local Superstore and … [Read more...]
Just outside of Smuggler's Notch, a bright yellow building beckons you in for a coffee. Naturally, we accepted! We walked in the door and entered into a hallway. To our right, we could peer into a window and see a yoga class taking place in a lovely looking studio. To our left, we could see a homey cafe to grab some brunch. As we opened the door, three children's faces glanced up at us. All three faces then returned back to the laptop they … [Read more...]
I have a colleague in my office who spoils us with special treats throughout the year. Yesterday, she brought in the cutest cupcakes for St. Patrick's Day. It's the small things that really make a difference sometimes, isn't it? Cupcake by Andrea Larose. Photo by Leslie Bayford. … [Read more...]
When you're a blogger, you don't really know who reads your blog and who doesn't. But when a man enters my house and comments on my front hall using the word "vignette," well I just *know* he's a reader! This happened a few weeks back when our friend Tim came over. Today, he popped in after work and glanced at our cabinet and asked if my most recent vignette was titled "Daily Life." From left to right: Lone owl, sample baseboard, ornery … [Read more...]
I've been meaning to tell you about this book store for ages. Ever since I returned from my October trip (Month of Me!) trip to New York City, that is. I already told you about Spoonbill and Sugartown Booksellers, but Kerry and I also visited another independent book store by the name of McNally Jackson Books. Photo credit: Yvonne Brooks. Photo source: McNally Jackson Books. McNally Jackson Books is in the NoLita district of Manhatten, … [Read more...]
When I turned 40, I had a celebration with my girlfriends. There were no gifts allowed, but a girlfriend gave me a gift in what she wrote in a birthday card. She wrote: "Remember when you were 30 and looked back on the photos of yourself when you were 20, and thought - wow, I looked great. You will be thinking the same thing when you're 50 looking back at yourself now." At first at thought ... "Gee, thanks for the reminder of how much I am … [Read more...]
Growing up, I loved to dance. Most days after school, I grabbed a bus and headed to the studio for a class. Some evenings, I had two classes. I simply couldn’t get enough of them! When I was about 17 years old, I stopped taking classes and then moved away for university, where there were no classes offered. I didn’t realize then how big a loss that was … losing my true love. Since then, I’ve tried rugby (played winger when they let me off the … [Read more...]
In our North American society, children are often considered to be annoyances in air travel, restaurants, grocery stores, and even when they are quietly feeding. I think that as a parent, now used to life with young children, I have far more tolerance than I might have had when I was child-less. In fact, it barely even registers with me that a child is making loud crying noises unless it is the specific crying that I recognize as one of my … [Read more...]
There is a huge influx of new babies arriving at our office. The first arrived last week. A beautiful little girl, who arrived early at just over six pounds. And I saw her. I touched her little toes. Oh my ... And there are more babies arriving! Three more on the way, to be precise. I can clearly remember being a young 20-something gal and rolling my eyes so hard it hurt when the women at my office would rush out to greet a colleague … [Read more...]
It's Sunday, but I've already got the Monday blues. It's not that I don't like my job, it's just that the longer winter goes on, the more I just want to do nothing but curl up with a book and a fresh pressed coffee. A beach sure sounds nice right about now. But I digress ... I'm actually here to write about the taxes. I kid you not. I really am. Specifically, Canada's newly introduced Children's Arts Tax Credit. You've already likely heard … [Read more...]
Dear Cassie, Okay, so it's no party. Or at least, it's a party no one wants to get invited to. And it kicks off today. But let's get this chemo started up and get that cancer out of you. The sooner you start, the sooner you can "Ring the Bell." The tradition of ringing a bell when your final chemo treatment is complete is something I didn't know about. But I watched this short docu-video created by a Andrea Ross and Mark Blevis, a local … [Read more...]
This is a post is a continuation of a short series on Smuggler's Notch. To catch up, you can find the first post in this series here, and the second one is here. Our family's accommodation and activities were provided by Smugg's, while extras like food and whatnot were paid for ourselves. (Image below, credit: Smuggler's Notch, Vermont.) Gooooood morning Smuggler's Notch! In contrast to the first morning, when the kids had been up early and … [Read more...]
Have you ever read The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton? The year before I graduated from high school, this book on personal finance hit the bookstands with a storm! Over two million copies have been sold in North America, and I think that’s because of its unique fictional format. Here’s how Wikipedia describes the book: The book is structured around a story of three people in their late 20s visiting Roy, the title character, for lessons in … [Read more...]
This past weekend, we were hosted at Smuggler's Notch Resort in Vermont. The whole family had been eagerly looking forward to this trip -- some family time is always welcome, and Hubby and I were very keen to share some great outdoor winter experiences with the kids. Since Smugg's is known for its award-winning children's programs, we thought this would prove to be the perfect place to be able to do so. Below, I've tried to note down as many … [Read more...]
Dear Grammys, I'm not sure what message you're trying to send. But I can tell you what message I received from your show last night. For all the young and impressionable young people watching the Grammy's yesterday, one thing was made clear: If you can dance and sing, we're willing to turn a blind eye. Well, at least if you're a man. Dancing and singing trumps all, people. Chris Brown, who in 2009, was brought in on criminal charges (and … [Read more...]
Cassie, this is for you. Stay strong; keep your faith alive. I know you love this song, and when you listen to it, always remember there's strength in numbers ... think of all of us behind you. We've got your back -- so you just focus on looking forward. You'll get through this. xoxox … [Read more...]
As I sit sipping a coffee and enjoying some mellow time on a Saturday morning, I take in a deep breath and recall how much I have craved this -- and for so long, it seems. The kids, now 9 and 3 1/2, are so much more independent and are happy doing their own thing until we leave for Stella's drawing class at 9:30 this morning. The days of early wake-ups and diapers to change are now in the past. And knowing that they are in the past, makes me … [Read more...]
Back in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I shared my thoughts on pink-washing in a post called "Don't Drink the Pink Kool-Aid." In it, I questioned all the pink ribbons being slapped on everything from cell phones to chocolate bars; and wondered out loud about corporate profit-teering from an illness that is hurting so many of us. I didn't have any easy answers, and instead decided that rather than promote one of the many pink … [Read more...]
In the post "Impractical Purchasing, NYC edition, part 1," I had intimated that Hubby did not like it (at all!) when I went grocery shopping. However, the other day we were in need of some milk and bread and he asked if I could pick that up on my way home from the office . Naturally, I said "Oh course, sweetheart," because I am a perfect and lovely wife. Then I rubbed my hands together in glee because who knew what slickly-packaged, over-priced … [Read more...]
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