Saturday, May 31, 2008

Favourite Corner #5

After being away for a solid week, I was overjoyed to come home for a couple of days. In fact, I nearly wept when I walked through the door. Javier, Lizzie, Ollie & Rain all got lots of kisses and hugs. Yes, I admit, I'm a crazy person who kisses my kitties. Can't help myself.

This corner is one of my favourite summer spots. It gets lots of sunshine, a bit too much at times admittedly, but I love to spend mornings out here with a coffee and a book. 

I feel like I'm on a bit of a holiday. We have an outdoor festival downtown this weekend and have lots of family time booked. I will have difficulty leaving on Monday so I will enjoy every minute that I'm here.

I hope that you all have lots of fun activities planned too, in your corner of the world. 

Happy Weekend!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Greetings from small town Alberta

I'm a quarter of the way through my rural nursing rotation in my former home town of Pincher Creek, Alberta. It's very strange coming home, familiar yet different. I see many familiar faces. I went for a short walk downtown last week and saw four people that I knew. Rural life is definitely not about anonymity. I will definitely take a shower next time I leave the house!

I'm staying with my mother when I'm not working, which presents it's own challenges. I love my mother. Remember how nice she is? It's just I haven't lived at home for close to 20 years and she has a very small apartment. She's very excited to have me home and wants to take care of me, which is nice, but sometimes just too much. I have a mantra..."just a few more days and I can go home...she means well", which I repeat to myself over and over. I want to stress, I do love this woman, but I do not want to live with her!

This is the type of scenery I grew up with. Most days the Rocky Mountains are very clear in the background. There is lots of ranching and wheat farming in this area. For recreation, there is skiing, nearby Waterton Lakes National Park, and some reservoirs and small lakes. It's a lovely little town of less than 4,000. A little small for a girl who's a big city girl at heart, but it's a hometown one can be proud of!

Our biggest export? Wind. In the form of electricity, course. As you approach Pincher Creek from the highway you will see a row of windmills. Kind of eerie, but neat at the same time. It is extremely windy here at times. I can remember struggling to walk home from school against the wind and leaning backwards supported by the wind. Wind strengths of 100 km/hour are not uncommon. I don't remember the wind as so annoying when I was younger. I guess a person gets used to it.

I miss my constant internet access, but it's kind of nice to be cut off at the same time. I will spend time "visiting" when I get home again, as I'm just borrowing the library's computer. I am definitely more homesick than I'd anticipated. I miss my family and my own bed. I miss snuggling with my kitties.

By the way, Javier thinks the cable guy looks like Vince as well.

Image source: www.pinchercreek.ca; www.picasaweb.google.com; www.municipalredbook.com

Friday, May 23, 2008

Celebrity sighting

Vince D'Onofrio (you know, the really intense guy from Law & Order: Criminal Intent) has a twin and he lives in Medicine Hat. He's also employed as a cable repairman for Shaw Television. 

Okay, so I'm sure the guy isn't really related to Vince, so it's not a true celebrity sighting, but I swear he looked just like him. Maybe a little rougher around the edges, slightly heavier, and the "plumber butt" (eeww) that all many repairmen seem to have. 
 
I got a bit nervous when he interrogated asked me about how many televisions we have in the house. He had that dramatic type of voice.

I got even more nervous when he had a look around my scary basement. Apparently we have too many cables downstairs & the situation is perilous.

However, he has restored our HDTV, digital cable, and given me back HGTV, so I'm happy & apparently innocent of any wrong doings.

But I'm sure this is not the end of it. He said he would be back. Next week.

Note: I really wish I had photoshop because I could have had so much fun with this post.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Cruisin'

I debated about whether to post today as the long weekend is not over yet, but I guess, since I head off to my rural practicum in just a few hours, it is almost over for me. It's been hot and sunny here all weekend. We broke out the sunscreen and I put out the summer furniture. I sat outside and read on the front porch for the second time all year. Lovely. I wish it were like this all the time. We've had a wonderful weekend and I have some other stories to share, but I thought I'd just show you our little roadtrip from yesterday.

We felt a convertible was needed for the trip. I didn't blow dry my hair and the wind & sun dried it is a matter of minutes. Who needs a stylist when you have the out of doors?

Lizzie enjoyed travelling in the back seat. It was a toss up for her. Use the sunglasses to anchor the hair out of her face, or use the to shield her eyes. Aah, close the eyes...good compromise.

We drove out to Echodale Regional Park, a man-made reservoir about 15 minutes from Medicine Hat. There were lots of church picnics taking place. I felt a bit conspicuous in my slightly sleezy, but completely appropriate for the summery weather, tank top and mini. 

Our late spring means that the leaves are just coming out on all the leaves. It was so pretty out there. It's like a small oasis amidst the cliffs and coulees (note these in the background).

Also on the property are some historical buildings, including this house built in the early 1900s and furnished accordingly.

This child's room was all set for tea. I wouldn't have minded having a closer look inside the dollhouse.

We also got to cuddle baby bunnies!!! I can't tell you how excited this made me. I LOOOOOVE bunnies and having one of my own is a longtime (and quite unrealistic, never to be fulfilled) dream of mine. They were so cute.

Look at this sweet little face (and ignore the cleavage).

Of course there were also some cows laying around. I just love their long eyelashes.

And a few lambs too.

This guy was only three weeks old and not ready to leave mama quite yet. She was very protective about her baby and quite vocal too. They make the strangest noises.

This little calf was quite happy to pose for photos.

Well I'm getting dangerously close to my projected 11:00am departure, so I must go now. My posting may be a little erratic in the next few weeks as I'm doing a lot of travelling for school, but rest assured, I will return.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Finally!

It's a long weekend in these parts and it's supposed to be hot & sunny ALL WEEKEND. Yahoo!

I'm planning to play lots, eat lots & drink lots (& maybe tidy up a little bit).

Have a great weekend!

Image courtesy of www.art.com.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

P.S. I love pie

Javier is away for a few days so I have the opportunity to catch up on my 'chick-flicks'. Not that he wouldn't be absolutely thrilled to watch them with me, but sometimes these movies just have to be a girlie thing, you know.

Night #1 - P.S. I Love You. I've read a few different reviews by bloggers about this movie. When it first came out I didn't think I'd want to see it, but when I heard it was tear-inducing, I know I'd have to rent it. Oh my. I started crying in the first 5 minutes and was still snivelling when I watched the special features on the DVD. Even the deleted scenes were touching! The Irish boys were especially delightful to watch on the screen. Definitely a two hankie, or in my case, two sleeve ('cause I was too lazy to get tissue from the bathroom) movie. My menu to accompany this movie included two slices of toasted cranberry pecan multigrain toast, an iced chai latte, and a really big piece of cheesecake. mmmmm


Night #2 - Waitress. This movie didn't make me cry, but I did smile lots. Keri Russell is just the cutest actress ever. I didn't realize until the end that one of the actresses was also the writer and director AND was also murdered before the movie was released. It made the story more poignant. Plus I can sort of relate to the story. I didn't have an affair with my baby doctor, but I did develop a crush on the cute med student that was completing his residence with my regular doctor. I definitely was not as cute as Keri Russell when I was pregnant, but this didn't stop me from getting all dolled up for my prenatal appointments. I'm not completely sure what was happening in my hormone-riddled little brain. At least I didn't hit on him, thank goodness. I decided that I needed a more sophisticated menu for this movie - small glass of chardonnay, microwave popcorn sprinkled with Louisiana hot sauce, and a large peanut butter chip cookie. Yeah I don't think it quite was as sophisticated as I thought. Maybe I should have just made a pie.

I think I have chick flicks out of my system for a while. I have to turn my thoughts to more masculine movies like Iron Man, grrr.

My dear Javier comes home tomorrow. Thank goodness or I'll turn into a rather sizeable couch potato.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Some kind of sewing miracle

This is my apron for the Sassy Apron Swap. The theme was summer and I had lots of wonderful ideas, but I decided to go for simplicity. Though we rarely go on picnics (I regard assembling picnics with the same disdain I have for daily school lunches), they seem to define summer. This was the inspiration for my apron. I really wish I had a mannequin so I could properly show off the apron. Alas, I had to settle for standing on a chair (note my toes in the bottom part of the photo) and pointing my camera downwards at my spread-out apron.



We also had to enclose a dishtowel to match the apron. Always the over-achiever, I included a flour sack tea towel I embroidered and trimmed with matching bias trim and crocheted a dishcloth out of blue cotton to match the ric-rac. I packaged everything up in blue & white gingham & red tissue (because presentation is everything). I hope to mail it today, which really is some kind of miracle because I'm usually struggling to make deadlines, not getting things done early. The aprons must be sent by May 31st and it isn't even May 15th yet!

The recipe I enclosed is for non-alcoholic sangria, another requirement of the swap. I admit to preferring the adult version with lots of red wine and resulting buzz. However, we were to submit 'mock'tails. Here's the recipe for you to try at home, hopefully during a lovely summery day.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria

1/4 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/2 fresh lemon, sliced
1/2 fresh orange, sliced
1 small apple or peach, cut into wedges
4 cups club soda
4 cups grape juice

In large pitcher, combine orange juice, sugar, and grape juice. Add cut fruit and stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate until cook and add club soda just before serving. Enjoyado!

Monday, May 12, 2008

Today is a dreary day outside. In fact that was most of our weekend too. Fortunately, it's helped our the "greening" of our world. All the lawns have become bright green and the trees are sprouting miniature leave. Still it would be nice to have a bit of sunshine. Even sweet Rainy is looking hopefully out the window for some sun.


I've been keeping myself busy working on my submissions to the Sassy Apron Swap. I plan to have it finished and mailed this week. That would have to be some kind of record for me.



I also have been working on a "Top Secret" project. Here's a little glimpse. Hopefully I'll have something more to show off before the end of the week.

I'm also devouring novels. People always ask me how I manage to go through so many books. I don't read them, I consume them. I love to curl up on the couch with a good book, even a mediocre book. Sometimes I'll grab my knitting too. Love that multi tasking.

My post count is nearing the 90 mark. Wow. I guess I like to write (talk) a lot. Keep a watch out for the next few weeks as I'm planning something special for my 100th post.

P.S. For those that asked -  no, my Lizzie is not available for lending out. That kid is one in a million.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Mother's Day

My mom is one of the nicest people I know. She's a friend to everyone in her little town. She a tireless volunteer at the local charity thrift shop. She's there to offer meals to friends in need and to be a shoulder on which to lean. She's a star employee at Walmart, a job she is so proud of and loves so much after being unable to work for many years. She's a caring sister to my crazy aunt. A loving mom to me and my still yucky little brother. She's a sweet, playful, over-indulgent grandma to little Lizzie.

I don't appreciate her nearly enough. Usually after being together for more than a day, I get impatient and probably a little irritable and then I feel so bad. I always dreaded becoming like my mother, but I guess I take after her a bit. We both love thrifting and crafting. She loves to experiment with her cooking (something that never happened when we were young) and we exchange cooking tips. I'm sure there are many other things that I'm unwilling to admit to, though my husband can probably point some out! The one quality I want from her is her lack of judgement. She takes people at face value and genuinely cares for them. I want to be as nice as her one day. She loves people and people respond to that.

I love my beautiful mother very much. I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate me posting this picture of her in curlers, but I just love the picture (plus she doesn't even know I have a blog!)

Happy Mother's Day to everyone out there.

Update: Okay I'm the luckiest mom in the world. Not only do I get to pick where to go for lunch, but my sweet Lizzie just voluntarily cleaned the bathroom for me and now is moving onto the rest of the house. How did I get to be so blessed?

Moving on

Yesterday was our final day of classes. The very last time all 45 of us we will chained to uncomfortable desks be forced to be in a classroom listening to lecture. It's a bittersweet moment for many of us. Some will not see each other again until graduation. Next week we all disperse to our rural placements. Many will not be returning to Medicine Hat next fall for senior practicum. The next seven months will largely be independent study. 

One of the benefits to being a mature student is that my life is already pretty much established and things aren't going to change much for me. I'll miss the interaction with the other students, but most of the girls I am closest with will remain here and I'll still get to see them fairly often (I hope). Plus I still have my very full life outside of school.

A bunch of us went out for lunch yesterday at our favourite little cafe to celebrate.

I've struggled with the social aspect of school for the past three years. I felt hurt when I was not included in the invitations to go out on weekends and such. But what I just realized is that even if I had been invited, I probably would have stayed home. This was extremely evident last night when it took me two hours yesterday afternoon to convince myself that I should indeed meet everyone at the local pub for celebratory drinks last night. I did go and I had fun, but I was awfully glad to come home to my wonderful little nest. I'm not 22 years old anymore and I prefer to spend my downtime with my family.  My favourite social moments from the past years are the impromptu lunches and get-togethers. I didn't spend my time as a social butterfly, but will walk away with some cherished friendships. It's bizarre to think that three years ago I didn't even know these girls, but now I can't imagine life without them.

In less than 7 months we will don our crisp white nursing uniforms and march across the stage to receive our pins and nursing caps. 

I realize that I sound more than a bit maudlin today. It's a weird sensation, this moving on. But I'm excited too. I just can't wait to really be a nurse. It's been so long. I'm looking forward to going to rural practicum and getting the hands on training. However, mostly right now, my tired little self is looking forward to doing NOTHING even remotely school related for the next week!

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

A tale of two grammies

I was fortunate to be surrounded by extended family for my early childhood. My parents relocated our family once I started school, but I have wonderful memories of spending many afternoons with both my grandmothers. 

This is my paternal grandmother. She turns 86 today.

She lived in Ottawa during the war and did secretarial work while waiting for my grandpa to come home. She was my grandfather's sweetheart when he served overseas. He kept her picture in his pocket the whole time and courted her with songs like "Let Me Call You Sweetheart". She was a stay-at-home mom while my dad was young. She travelled with my grandpa when they were older in his big transport truck. She kept him company on long trips hauling cymbals, doing her crafts while he drove. 

She spent the whole year preparing for the Christmas craft fair. She could make anything out of plastic mesh and some yarn--jewelry boxes, tissue covers, tote bags, you name it. She also did a lot of work with beads--beautiful snowflakes and ladies in ballroom gowns. My grandfather must have had the patience of a saint. One time he had to stop suddenly and beads ended up all over the cab of the truck. He helped her pick up each bead and put it away. Of course, she also made many afghans, two of which I have on the couch in my living room, and sewed lots of things. She taught me how to knit when I was four years old. I remember sitting with her picking out the stitches. She was always trying out different types of crafts and introducing them to me.

I don't see her often because we don't live close. However, I know she's always praying for me. And I love her, even when we don't agree on things. I always assumed that she was a simple housewife, but now I know who really wore the pants in the family. She remains a strong willed lady that loves her family ferociously. Maybe she intimidates me a bit. I forget that she was once a young mother like me.

My mother's mother was a war bride. She met and married my grandfather when he was stationed in Britain. He wooed her with chocolate and pantyhose. She travelled to Canada, leaving her family behind, to start a new life with her husband. And what a life she had. My grandfather was away quite a bit, so she basically raised 3 children on her own. She cleaned houses to make ends meet and was always able to make something out of nothing. Her bleach and detergent bottle roses were legendary. I wish I still had a few. She sewed clothes for herself and her family. Everything from underwear to wedding dresses. She was a substitute mother and grandmother to everyone in her small community. After experiencing the lean war years, she made sure that no one in her presence ever went hungry. A piece of pie was literally half the pie. My favourite memories of her were sewing doll clothes at her dining room table, making a fort on the couch when the power went out, and of the wonderful voices she made up for my dolls with her Canadianized British accent.

She died almost 10 years ago. And the whole community came out to send her off. She was a remarkable women and I see her in my Lizzie, even though they never had a chance to meet. I see bits of her in my mother as well, when she gets on her hands and knees and plays with Lizzie. Just like she did.

I'm so lucky that I had such strong influences early in life. I picked up many talents from both ladies, once that I realized I had much later in life.  

Shadow puppets

I love how this picture turned out. It's me taking a picture of my shadow on the wall. Maybe it's only interesting to me? Oh well.


Sadly, it's back to school this week for me. I do have a few projects that I will be showing off later in the week. 

Happy Tuesday friends.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Rare Javier sighting

Much like the fabled Sasquatch or Lochness Monster, little evidence exists (at least on this blog) of my beloved Javier. Today he consented to having his picture posted on this blog. Isn't he cute? No wonder I talk about him so much, hey? Of course, he is in disguise. No one would ever guess the identity of the guy behind the sunglasses.

Sweet Lizzie is enjoying an equally sweet slurpee after a grueling, but fun softball practice, with Javier, co-coach of the team.

I am a very spoiled birthday girl. We spent the night in Calgary & woke up fairly early to go to the Calgary Farmers' Market. What an amazing place! I've been there so many times, but I just love to go & so up the atmosphere. So many colours & beautiful artisanel goods. I treated myself to 2 loaves of my favourite cranberry-pecan bread. Heavenly... We went to the mall to purchase Lizzie's spring/summer wardrobe & ran into some wonderful old friends for lunch. Completely unexpected, but it made my birthday even better. 

These photos were taken with my NEW camera--a most handy Nikon Coolpix. It's cute & pink & perfect to tuck away in my purse for spontaneous photos shoots. Very similar to the one I put on my fantasy wish list. You know, the one that I posted as a joke? Unbelievable! Little Lizzie bought me a sweet little case to store it in, using her own saved-up allowance. What a kid.

I also received the most divine Le Creuset brasier in luscious lemongrass green (also on the fantasy list) from my in-laws, along with a Martha Stewart cookbook. I've already picked out several recipes which I'm excited to try in my new cookware!

Am I spoiled or what? 

Saturday, May 3, 2008

37 things


Today I turned 36 years old. Not a bad age, just not one I really ever thought about before. I never sat around thinking, "hmmm, wonder where I'll be at 36?".

I've decided I really like where I am. I'm married to a wonderful man and we are raising the most precious little girl. I've got a wonderful life filled with many people that give me all the support and love in the world. I'm sooo close to fulfulling my career dreams. My 20s were very tumultous (love that word) career wise. I wish that I'd decided on this career path ages ago, so I'd already be working now, but I guess everything happens for a reason. I have just few little wrinkles, and the body is not so scary, nothing that a little exercise still can't handle anyway. I can still pass for under 30, as some kind folks tell me, though I haven't gotten carded for a few years now. My health is reasonably good and, of course, I'm just way too cute! (I know, shameless self-promotion).

I tried to think about what I'd accomplished in the last year and couldn't think of anything other than having survived another year of school. This year I've decided to take a cue from Hula Seventy & Mighty Girl. I've compiled a list of 37 things I'd like to accomplish before I turn 37 next year. I've gotta say. Coming up with 37 items was much more difficult than I'd anticipated, but I did it. I will print off this list and tack it up on my bulletin board to remind me. I'm not sure if I'll actually get everything done, but that's okay. Everyone needs goals to work towards and if I don't get them all done, I'll just roll them over into the following year.

1. Complete a half marathon in less than 2 1/2 hours.
2. Learn how to swim
3. Take a really good photograph
4. Complete at least 4 things on my household "to do" list
5. Hike the Crypt Lake Trail
6. Complete my Bachelor of Nursing Degree
7. Write the Canadian Registered Nurses Examination
8. Get a job
9. Go sledding
10. Learn 52 Spanish words or phrases
11. Read a classic novel
12. Organize my photographs
13. Make 75% of my Christmas gifts
14. Bike to Echo Dale Park
15. Go berry picking
16. Make a perfect pie crust
17. Set foot in Saskatchewan
18. Fall in love with one poem
19. Plant tulip bulbs in the fall
20. Stop drinking coffee for one month
21. Participate in a non-apron blog swap
22. Send Christmas cards
23. Sew a quilt
24. Volunteer for one day
25. Take an art class
26. Learn to play a new song on the piano
27. Make curtains for at least one room in my house
28. Get my visa balance down to $0
29. "Repoof" the "poof" cushion
30. Knit a pair of socks
31. Teach someone how to knit
32. Reconcile with my father
33. Laugh so hard my stomach hurts
34. Do absolutely nothing for 2 hours
35. Stop using plastic shopping bags
36. Attend bible study
37. Host a themed dinner party

Friday, May 2, 2008

Addiction

A few weeks ago I made a pledge. It was a pledge to take a break from buying magazines. I hoped I could hold out for a few months, but I think I made it about a week. 

Yes, Vogue Knitting was my undoing. I picked up up rather nonchalantly thinking that I could just walk away. The patterns weren't that great. Until I came to these.

I walked away that day, but I couldn't stop thinking about these sweet little cardies. My biggest mistake was to write a post about them. For a solid week, I was faced with these pictures every time I looked at my own blog.

One day I just couldn't take it anymore. I snapped, headed out to the store & bought the darned magazine.

Of course, then I had to order the yarns too.

It was a slippery slope that led me to this.

I am a very bad woman. 

Perhaps with good intentions? A nicely decorated house and patio is always welcome. And Glamour always has good advice on, er, love & sex of course.

Yes, I know. I need help and lots of it.

On a completely different note, a few posts ago, I mentioned that I was thinking about revealing my name on my blog. I'm still on the fence about it. Let's just say that MJ's guesses were very, very close & leave it at that for now. 

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Child's play

A most hilarious Saucy over at bloggedy blog blog participated in a "Remembering Your Childhood Toy" event today hosted by Scrappy Jess. Her post prompted some reflection on my own favourite toys. I had a look through my old photos & invite you to join me in a little reminiscence.

My parents obviously had strange ideas about what babies like. Red plastic fish? I don't look overly impressed. Check out that pile of Christmas presents. Can you tell I was an only child & grandchild for a while? Until my yucky younger brother came along four years later, that is. Obscene.

For most of my early years this little dolly was my constant companion. She had the most gorgeous chocolate brown skin. Apparently I spied her at the store and we bonded from the onset. Rumour has it I threw a bit of a temper tantrum when they tried to take her away to pay for her, and was even worse when they tried to put clothes on her. My dear grandmother hand sewed her clothes. I still have her, though for some reason she's missing a foot & all of her clothes. Interestingly enough, many of my baby dolls were missing feet. Hmmm, maybe had something to do with the yucky baby brother.

My maternal grandmother built this playhouse for me when I was about 4 or 5. I was visiting my other grandparents one afternoon and thought the greenhouse they were building was a playhouse for me, which gave grandma the idea. I spent so many hours playing in this house. I had shelves and a table & chairs. My mom planted a garden out front & surrounded it a white picket fence. In later years, it became a shed for my grandma, until it was sold to another family with a little girl. I think it's still around somewhere. Hopefully being used by some wonderful child. 

I have the best memories of building this dollhouse with my dad. I had furniture for every room. The real Barbie furniture, plus odds & ends that we picked up. My mom & I papered the walls with pages from old wallpaper books. I loved this dollhouse. Unfortunately, after I moved out, my mom downsized to a smaller home. The dollhouse was left outside & didn't weather the elements well. I think all the furniture & dolls were sold in a garage sale. I wish it was still around. I'd be playing with it still I think.

I tend to think I was a pretty indulged little girl. Not spoiled exactly, but very, very loved. 

Thanks for indulging me on the jaunt down memory lane. Happy May Day everyone!