Paint Party Friday - Trees

Welcome to another Paint Party Friday! This is an acrylic on cardstock (4.5" x 6.5") inspired by a photo I saw on Pinterest. I liked the depth of the trees.

Please visit some of the other talented participants!

A busy time of year

I snapped this photo late one morning, I thought the sky looked so pretty:

Well, our Christmas tree is up a few days early this year and I've made a good start on the Christmas cards. Next, I'll have to start wrapping some early gifts. K will take some chocolates to share at his part-time job. I will also drop some chocolates off at my mom's pharmacist, to thank them for their good service throughout the year. As for our newspaper delivery service, they have been terrible this month, with at least 3 missed deliveries. Maybe I won't tip them this year. I will get my hairdresser of over 25 years a bottle of wine. Yes, it's a busy time of year.

Childhood Memories

Walking at the shopping mall with my son K, I noticed this design on the floor. It's an Xmas hopscotch pattern. Isn't it cute? I started hopping on it and  K quickly moved on, embarrassed at my behaviour! Well, it was just for a moment, do you have happy childhood memories of playing this game in the schoolyard? I do!

Creative Tuesdays - Starry Night

It's time for Creative Tuesdays! The theme this week is 'Starry Night' and this is what I came up with in acrylic on cardstock (6.5" x 4.5").  I think  the dark purple background adds a rich feeling to the piece.  I used a bit of gold paint to add a bit of shimmer to everything.

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Christmas Decorations

Here are some pretty Christmas decorations at the mall:

Have you started decorating your house yet, or done any Christmas shopping? I have put a few Xmas items out and packed away most of my fall decorations. I've started thinking about gifts I might get for others and already have a few purchased.  It snowed here for the first time yesterday and it's been a lot colder.

We went to visit L at her university last week as they weather was mild and very pleasant.  It was great to see her.  We took a lot of groceries down, so she should be set until she comes home for the Christmas break.  Yes, we spoil her!

The past weekend was busy, we went to a few College Open Houses with K and were pleased with the positive information we received. On Saturday night I went for a coffee and dessert evening at a friend's house with a bunch of girlfriends. I hadn't planned on staying too late, but came home at around 1 am, we were having such a good time.  I think the others planned to stay on for a couple more hours!

Sunday Sketches - Sunrise on the Snow

Welcome to Sunday Sketches! I did a  'Sunrise on the Snow' today in acrylic on cardstock (6.5" x 4.5").  I was going to add a quote to the piece then decided it didn't need one.  I just added that solitary figure in silhouette.

Please visit some of the other talented participants!

Zen

I took this photo in a store and thought the arrangement in the foreground looked so 'zen'.

I was talking to an acquaintance recently. She rents a basement apartment in a house. She approached the owner about the possibility of renting the second apartment in that house as it's larger. Well the owner says it would be fine, but he's waiting for the current tenant to vacate. They have missed their monthly payment but they are allowed two weeks to pay it. Even then, they can't be forced to vacate until after about four months of not paying their rent and have to receive all kinds of notices first. So renters are protected quite well these days, and now it's owners who are not protected. Owners may have to pay their own mortgages too!

My Holiday Card

As thoughts turn to Christmas, I have come up with my own Holiday card design. It's more of a contemporary style, acrylic on cardstock (6.5" x 4.5"). I've been wanting to do something with festive circles for awhile and this idea came to me earlier this week.

Linking to Paint Party Friday. Please visit the other talented participants!

The Compliment

The weather has been so mild this past week, I was out walking with my friend S on the weekend and snapped this photo. I liked the yellows on the shrub beneath the tree.  The shadows are pretty too.  It was just after 10 am.

The city of Toronto is very excited about The 100th Grey Cup football final on Sunday. Well, according to M as I'm not a sports fan. He will be attending a Grey Cup party on Sunday. Because of the NHL Hockey lockout, this CFL game is getting even more attention. That and the fact that the Toronto Argonauts are in the final against the Calgary Stampeders and the game is being held in Toronto! The Argos have not been in the final in a long time.

I was driving in dense fog yesterday morning and a lady driving next to me asked me to roll my window down so she could communicate with me. She told me to put my lights on as she couldn't see my car from behind. I put my high beams on and felt lucky for the warning from the nice lady. My car has lights that come on automatically but it was just the daytime lights. They are brighter at night. So much for automatic technology. Then I noticed most people had their high beams on. And some didn't have any lights on at all!

Then I got to the gym and the attendant complimented me on my jacket. He said it was nice, and inquired if it was a windbreaker. The girl next to him agreed and said the colour suited me! I thanked them graciously and decided not to mention that I've been wearing this coat for about 20 years. Maybe they are getting training on customer service, but still, they made my day!

Pretty Tree

I noticed this pretty store display at the mall, an all white Christmas tree made of flowers:

And from the 2013 Milk Calendar, I can't wait to try one of these 'Anyday, anytime smoothies'. I already bought some cottage cheese to try the strawberry smoothie, except I'll use fresh strawberries. I've noticed this year they are substituting cottage cheese for cream cheese, and it sounds like a good thing.

Traction Aid

I noticed what looks like a new product on a recent trip to Costco. It's called 'Get a Grip before you slip'. It's a traction aid that you slip over your running shoes. Wonder if this would help in the snow and ice?  I think I'll just wear my boots.

I got the 2013 Milk Calendar in the newspaper and am going to try a couple of interesting recipes in it. One of them is 'Dark and Delicious Chocolate Velvet Cake', it uses beets and cocoa and seems quite healthy and simple. Here is the recipe.

A most interesting conversation

I was at the gym last week, lying on one of the massage machines.  A friendly lady with whom I will often exchange pleasantries lay in the machine next to me.  I would guess that she is in her early sixties, a tall Jamaican of African descent.  With me being Jamaican of Chinese descent, we have a lot in common.  I asked her if she had started any Christmas shopping yet.  She said she had 2 married children and one still unmarried.  She will likely get gifts for her grandkids and maybe a gift certificate for her newly married son.
Her married daughter has asked not to exchange gifts because she really doesn't need anything.

This daughter travelled the world with her husband and two kids for a year and returned this past summer.  Somehow she managed to school her elementary kids under 10 years old.    I had to ask if they were independently wealthy.   It turns out that this daughter is a travel writer and will often get free hotel accommodation from the hotel being reviewed.  They travelled Western Canada, The U.S., Australia, Africa, the Middle East and returned through Eastern Canada.  She was even on some TV shows in various countries!   Her husband has a government job which allows him to take a year off every now and then with some planning.  The kids were schooled sometimes through internet courses, especially in places like Africa.  It was difficult for the kids to return to regular school but the older one has re-adjusted and the younger one  is still requiring extra tutoring.  And they want to do this again in a few years!

Well I must say this was a most interesting conversation.  I will likely never get to visit half of these places, ever!  It must be nice to be a travel writer.  Of course you would have to be a qualified journalist first!

The Leaves Are Gone

I've been inspired lately by all the fall images about the city. This piece is called 'The Leaves Are Gone'. It's an an acrylic on cardstock (4.5" x 6.5").

Linking to Sunday Sketches, please join us!

Festive Special

It's time for the Swiss Chalet restaurant's Festive Special! K and  I had this for dinner recently as M was out of town.  It comes with stuffing, cranberry sauce and some Lindt chocolates.

It's neat that they always give you a finger bowl to clean your fingers after your chicken dinner!

The Leaves Are Almost Gone

I've been inspired lately by all the fall images about the city. This is my latest one called 'The Leaves Are Almost Gone', it's acrylic on card stock (4.5" x 6.5").

Linking to Paint Party Friday. Please join us!
Also linking to Show and Tell Saturday at Artists in Blogland.

Food Find

A friend gave me some of her delicious Hawaiian chocolates with macadamia nuts inside.  I thought they were homemade, almost melting in my mouth. She said she got them from Costco so I checked them out when I went  there recently.   I've had Hawaiian chocolates before when a friend brought some back from Hawaii, but these are particularly delicious.  Anyway this is my food find for the week!

Speaking of homemade, I was at the grocery store with my daughter L while she was visiting the other day.  She noticed these platters of frozen seafood and said they looked exactly like the ones some lady had brought to a party she attended in the summer.  The lady had said she made them from scratch and everyone had complimented her  on how delicious they were!  Lol, I've read jokes about people doing this, but it does happen in real life!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on the weekend. I googled a nice recipe from Canadian Living. You can't go wrong with butter and brown sugar, it's hard to stop at eating just one! Well, I ate four that day!

Here is a website with lots of healthy recipes tailored to diabetics, but great even if you are not diabetic. It's in my family although I'm hoping I don't get it.  There is a booklet there that you can download.  I'd like to try the Zesty Artichoke Dip and their Slow Cooker Turkey Chili.

I enjoyed this video a friend sent me, and thought you might too.

He is 17 and she's only 15. But together, they won the
2012 Junior Division National Carolina Shag Dancing Championships.  

They're dancing to Joe Turner's "Flip, Flop and Fly."

Creative Tuesdays - News

It's time for Creative Tuesdays, thanks to MMm for hosting! The theme this week is 'News'. I was inspired by a photo on Twitter that my sister found, it was taken during the Sandy hurricane when it hit NY, New Jersey. It's watercolour pencils on cardstock (4.5" x 6.5").  After a couple of years sketching these art co-ops, I seem to do these very quickly now.  Practice makes perfect I guess!

Please visit the other talented participants to see what 'news' inspired them!

A Toilet Story

So I learned a new word last week, 'Webinar'.  That's a web seminar.  Have you ever attended one of these?  You just need your computer or an Iphone, Android phone, or tablet.  I was invited to a financial one, to teach me how to use some new kind of facility.  All I had to do was reserve my 'seat' at the particular date and time.  I wasn't really interested (didn't attend) but it's a new concept to me, being out of the work force.

Do you notice Google Ads popping up into all the websites that you browse, based upon stuff you have been searching on?  It's a bit annoying really, like an invasion of privacy.


I saw this story in the newspaper and for some reason I find these toilet stories interesting.


Victoria public loo voted best bathroom in Canada


'the stainless steel, unisex toilet provides an eco-friendly, convenient and free service that appealed to the most voters.' ...  'The finalists were selected on cleanliness, innovation, functionality, visual appeal and unique design elements.'

Sunday Sketches - Inspiration

It's Remembrance Day in Canada.  ' the date is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"; specifically, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and all conflicts since then in which members of the Canadian Forces have participated'

The Ode of Remembrance:
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.



For Sunday Sketches, I did an an inspirational  piece today, just a simple sunrise in the background! I found the anonymous quote on Pinterest.

Watercolour pencils on cardstock (6.5" x 4.5")

Please visit the other talented participants.

Low Carb Lunch

I had a low carb lunch the other day. I had been eating a lot of starchy and  sugary things and decided to try to make up for it with this lunch. It was leftover baked chicken with baked zucchini and carrot strips. It was quite filling. The zucchini and carrots are a nice combination if you haven't tried it yet.  That is just a saucer by the way, not a dinner-sized plate!

I also baked my own top sirloin roast beef yesterday. I'll use the leftovers for sandwiches instead of buying deli meat as they are loaded with nitrites and sodium. Well, it's a nice change for however long my momentum lasts! I have a good friend who has always fed her family the healthiest food. For example, they will eat salad without any dressing and actually like that. Wouldn't you know it, she has developed a high cholesterol level in middle age (due to family history)!  The irony of this story is that you can eat badly and live longer than someone who has tried their best to live a healthy life!

And Marie at The English Kitchen is having a fabulous giveaway of Jamie Oliver's new cookbook, 15 minute meals...I'd love to win that.

Paint Party Friday - Fashion

This is a fashion piece inspired by Montreal's Martin Lim's new collection for Reitman. I love colour blocking and changed his design a bit to avoid copyright infringement. It's done in watercolour pencils on cardstock (4.5" x 6.5").

Linking to Paint Party Friday. Please visit some of the talented participants!

Also linking to Artists in Blogland !

Pretty as a Christmas Card

I took this photo in front of my house a couple of days ago. I heard all this twittering noise and looked up and there they were, pretty as a Christmas card!  It was an overcast day and cold with snow flurries.

A nice visit

Sushi Pizza

L was able to visit us this past weekend, she got a ride from a friend at university.  It was great to see her.  We all went out to a sushi dinner on Friday night.  Pictured above is some kind of sushi pizza we've never had before.  It was a bit spicy but L liked it.

We went shopping the next day.  They had some great sales at the mall so L got some attractive new winter boots.  M got some new dress shirts which he needed.  The kids spent a lot of time watching the converted camcorder tapes of when they were little.   They have been recording odd bits with their iphones and sharing them with family on Facebook.  So everyone has been enjoying great memories, birthdays, family gatherings, vacations over the years, reunions.

It's interesting, I didn't feel that sadness I usually get whenever L leaves again.  I must be adjusting to the fact that she is all grown up now and has a wonderful life of her own to live.  Either that, or it's because it was such a quick visit!  Indeed I have my own daily stresses to keep me busy!  Most of L's friends won't be home again until Christmas.  One mom will be driving over to visit her daughter this coming weekend.

The stores here seem to be all ready for Christmas, they are certainly selling Xmas decorations already!

A Snippet Worth Remembering

There is a teacher's strike looming in our region. It's such a scary thought as K is in his Grade 12 year and we want it to be a successful year culminating in his graduation from high school. The fact that he has a learning disability makes it even more stressful. As a parent, I can't sympathize with teachers at this point, as public servants, I think they have secure and well paying jobs with help from substitutes, etc. I believe they have good pensions. Children's lives shouldn't be put on the line to help settle the issues (with which I am not familiar, to be honest). Again I'm speaking just as an affected and concerned parent. I suppose we will manage, what choice do we have?

On a change of topic, once a month, I take my mom for a blood test to check her blood clotting factor, something to do with her blood thinners. Lately, I've been timing that with a monthly osteoporosis medicine that the doctor prescribed. She has to fast in the morning before taking that pill. Then I will take her for something to eat and perhaps a walk in the mall for a bit of exercise. I might buy her some extra wool as she likes to knit to pass the time. She lives nearby with my sister and her family.

It was a bit busy at the lab that morning, and a kind lady gave my mom her seat. I noticed they now have a DNA test for HPV, the human papilloma virus. As we sat there waiting for her blood test, I asked my mom what she thought about these new DNA tests. She said, 'in this case, I would probably have this test done as I think I would want to know as then something could be done about it'. I thought this was an excellent answer and have to say that I agree with her. Mom is suffering moderate memory loss and is repeating herself more and more these days, but these little snippets are worth taking note of, I think. She told me she remembers things that interest her, as opposed to every little thing. Hmm.

When I took mom home, there are a few steps she has to climb to get to her front door. She says quite seriously 'I'm acting like an old person, going so slowly up these steps'. Young at heart, that's my mom! We've had our disagreements in the past, but we have to take the present one day at a time don't we?

Some Fresh Guacamole

I found this interesting article in the newspaper last week, it discussed some interesting studies, such as  how exercising makes you happier.  It also touches on how positive thinking beats loneliness in seniors and how diabetes is linked to Alzheimers. 

They had some nice large avocados on sale at one of the grocery stores, so I was inspired to make some of my own fresh guacamole. I was surprised at how quick and easy it was to make. I found a nice recipe here.  I decided I liked it much better when it is chilled.  The added bonus of making it yourself is that you can use just one avocado if you want.  It's great with lightly salted tortilla chips.

Leaves by the curb of the road

Here are some "Leaves by the curb of the road" for you today, inspired by the season!  It's outlined with a black fineliner marker pen and coloured with watercolour pencils.  (6.5" x 4.5") cardstock.

Linking to Sunday Sketches, thanks to Alexandra for hosting!

Some Saturday Photos

I thought these trees looked so pretty the other day, I took these photos for you.

So have you been to any Christmas sales or craft shows yet?  They have already started!

I found this wonderful article in the newspaper where 'Girls learn skills, make friends at YWCA Girls Centre'  -  'Chicks rule at the YWCA Girls Centre in Scarborough where young ladies are speaking their minds, sharing opinions and exploring the world around them.'


Have a great Saturday!

Paint Party Friday - Fall Glory

Here is some 'Fall Glory' for you today! It's acrylic on cardstock (11" x 8.5").

Linking to Paint Party Friday, please visit the other talented participants!

Sectra Microdose Mammography

My friend S and I went to a breast cancer fundraiser this past weekend. We noticed they had done a Firetruck all up in pink!  We bid on a few of the silent auction offerings and I brought home some 'melt in your mouth' shortbread cookies.

My mammogram a couple of days ago was done on new sectra microdose mammography machines.

The new machines will detect smaller tumours and are great for women with dense breast tissue.  It has a lot less radiation and only one take is necessary.  With the old machines, you had to wait 10 minutes to see if the first pictures were good enough.  The government is no longer paying for manual breast exams that the nurse would do at the screening.  You will have to do these yourself preferably monthly, or have your doctor do them.