MAMMACOMIC

New Blog

2009-05-12T10:35:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone.

I am very pleased to announce that my new blog is up and running. Please check it out and update your RSS feeds to

www.lilacwindow.com

Its still in its infancy, but I am hoping it will grow and become a wonderful resource for supporting creative, sustainable neighborhoods. It hopefully will be a bit tidier and more user friendly but have the same joy and personality of this blog.

I wont be hanging around here too much anymore, as its just too crazy having more than one blog...so I'll see you over there.

Thanks for all the support and fun we've had over the past few years at Mammacomic.

(you may still see mammacomic flying around saving babies and such at Second life... maybe I'll see you there too!)

classes finished, now time to work!

2009-05-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

So, my class at Momentum is finished. I had such a great experience there. I would recommend their programs and classes to anyone interested in starting their own business.

I met some great people there who are starting their own projects and developing a presence on the web. I promised I would give you all links to some of their sites, so you can see for yourselves how creative and inspiring their projects are - and to support some local businesses!

Selena's Creations - handmade jewellery. I have seen these pieces she makes and they are truly beautiful. If you want a very special gift made, for yourself or someone else, I would definitely check her stuff out.

fake sweat shop - Serena makes the most adorable plush toys. They are recycled fabrics, pure wool inside and really adorable designs that kids and adults would love. Her site is still being worked on but will be up very soon, so hopefully this link will take you somewhere soon!

Amanda Hawey - Amanda is a personal Estetician. She comes to your home and offers spa treatments and personal care advice. She is also producing a line of handmade Bath and Body products. Her website is still under sonstruction but you can email her at: dayspa.with.amanda@hotmail.com or call 403 399 0356.

So, my business is not exactly straight forward. I have my new blog, but as my teacher pointed out, I need to figure out a way to make money from it, as it takes a lot of time, and, well, we need to eat.

So, I am working on it. I am toying with the idea of art and design classes for the homeschool sector. I love the idea of working with these kids.

Also, I am looking at designing a shopping-list product, that would make grocery shopping more fun, more organized and less time consuming - hopefully allowing us to save money, buy better quality food and eat better. I am developing a prototype just to see if it works as I hope. If you would like to be a tester for it, let me know and I'll send you a mock-up so you can see if it fits with your lifestyle.

Oh, and on the chicken front. Sew liberated - (Meg) just wrote about chickens in Durham (where she lives) I guess they just lifted the ban there too... cool.

blog therapy

2009-05-03T07:10:00.000-07:00

The pic is my sister and brother in Bath. You can go too, and have a costume tailored by her included in the deal. Yeah, its pretty cool. Bath, in September...

so I am here for some blog therapy.

It has been so busy around here. A little too busy. I keep thinking of blog posts I want to write, and then I think - "hmmm, I should really be working on my other blog", and then I think "hmmm, I should really be working on all the house projects I've started"... and theres that painting, and then the garden, and then the crying baby who has learned to crawl, (and is, what I like to call, "a maniac in diapers"...seriously, its insane!)

So, there are the comical things going on around here - like the husband trying to jimmy the broken baby gate to the bottom of the stairs to keep little em' land locked...and of course the rest of us nearly killing ourselves as we try to clamber over it.

Theres the ingenious - where I actually make yogurt on the crock pot with this recipe here... and it actually worked. I have started eating yogurt with my quinoa every day and you would be amazed at how fast I go through it. And this is an issue for two reasons -

1) is that its getting expensive,

2) that the yogurt containers are piling up-like mountains high - and in Calgary there's no where to recycle them! (OK, you can recycle them if you have a blue box program which we do - but did you know that they ship them ALL to CHINA where they are then recycled in a very expensive and un-hippy-happy way??!?! read this article for verification...)

Soooo, hence the homemade yogurt. I reuse glass jars, and really what is prettier than a glass jar of home made yogurt ready to eat with my quinoa?? really, what is? no..I mean...really...

OK, and on the yogurt topic, I have stopped buying bread. because I want to stop eating it. But its hard. And we all like a little melted butter and honey with our tea once in a while...(or maybe a few times in a while...) and can you imagine that scenario without the bread?!?!! - STICKY! I tell you!

SO.

I make these biscuits where, in a bowl, I magic up some flour, baking soda, baking powder, crushed flax seed and other bits I can find. In another bowl I mix up an egg, and yogurt and mix it with the dry stuff, till its just wet, then add cheese. Cook on 425 for 12 mins.

yeah, Im not so good on details. but we have these everyday, and so one cant be fussy. Sooooo good with butter and honey with tea. (when you have no bread in the house they also become, sandwich holders, burger buns, peanut butter snacks...you know, whatever!)

then there's the dahl I made, which tastes so much better with yogurt...and the chipates which are better made with yogurt too. I am nearly out of the first yogurt batch already!

OK, so enough already - (even if I didnt get in the home renovations, the camping trips planned, the amazing kids who just dont stop..my class at Momentum...the coming spring...my knitting...my latest paintings... but all that will have to wait, its time to get out the bikes...)

getting warmer

2009-04-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

Its warmed up and we are bike riding again. We have a double bike trailer that is actually a miracle in itself. When we bought it Marcel was still a baby and we were wondering if we should buy a double or just a single for him. We were considereing having another kid, but you know, so much can happen in between . You wonder: will you actually have two kids the right distance apart that they can both sit together?

...but then, a few years later and there it is.

They sit so comfortably together, Marcel explaining the sights to Emery as they roll along. its so adorable...

I want to make a website that is a content base for creative sustainability. Since my class was today I wanted to choose a name and have a site ready...

so...

my domain name is;

"Lilac Window"

This name is personal. It conjures a fragrance that inspires me. It inspires an image of home, warmth and beauty. Mark says its a bit feminine, but hey, thats cool.

I'll link it up once its ready.

Its going to be much more organized and specifically about sustainability and creativity. I want to write and promote articles and information on that topic. I also want to have information about education, and the courses I want to offer.

2009-04-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

yeah, there are adds on my site. I know, it seems so cheese, but I am learning all about the web and making money online and I am learning how to do all this, so bear with me... a whole new blog is in the works...

too much

2009-04-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

hi all,

the pic is of some bits and bobs we made (jewelry really) out of home made air dry clay. check this recipe....

well things have been crazy. I have not been feeling so well. Sorry about the big blog break. Unannounced absences are always inexcusable.

yeah,

so,

back to business.

I have been having so much fun at my class at momentum. Its such a good course, excellent instruction, really cool people. Its all I could ask for...specially when I have to give up two hours with my babies...

So, I have learned that I need to get a domain name if I want to start a business on the web. The problem is I am not so happy with the name "mammacomic". I started that name back when I was actually doing comics, and even then it was more of a placeholder...and now I want a huge mega-website that includes everything that I love, and hey "mammacomic" isn't hitting it anymore...so here are some names I am thinking of. This name is really an overarching name, that then I can branch out from - when I start all my sub companies, and take over the world...

my favorite - Purple House Studios
arty and ambiguous - Burnt Umber
and some more:

little house studios
mamma's paint

anyone have any other ideas????

and then I need to think of names that are not already used. "purple house studios" is not yet a domain name, so I could snag it now...

Anyways, I am going to go have some fun at iweb, and see if I can design a funky page and get it up on the nets some time soon. I'll keep ya posted.

Oh, I met Stacy over at one tiny suitcase, who has started her own business and website and is really doing a great service here in Calgary...

encouragement

2009-04-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

yesterday, at 7 am. Marcel crawled into bed with me, put his arm around my neck, and snuggled in. With smiling eyes, he most seriously said...

"you are such a good woman."

words of encouragement from a three year old are always appreciated!

meals matter - meal planner

2009-04-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

this is all the paintings in the set on my wall... so you can see how big they are and all that. I put them up so I could really look at what I had done, and figure out where to go. Its interesting that the larger paintings are all deviations from the original set, and thats when I realized I need to do some big works for a while to get into the whole scale thing.

On another note, I have been using the meals matter online meal planner lately and and finding it really useful. I hate grocery shopping so this program is basically used by me to make a decent grocery list. I usually spend a lot of time on my list, as I try to buy enough for a few weeks, so I dont have to go back to that horrible land of windy parking lots, carts that dont roll, crowded produce section, and crying babies....ahhh the grocery store....

This program lets me put in recipes and create a shopping list for each week. I do that and one weeks worth actually usually lasts two weeks because there are leftovers, and nights out, and other such things. I found the first time I used it I spent half the time in the store because the list allows you to organize items by type, so things are grouped together and I spent about half as much money....and over the last two weeks we have really eaten well. Its taken the guess work out of what to make for dinner, and frankly I just don't have the brain power these days...

So, I like this program, but Mark just installed another one called "sous chef" which is supposed to be good too, so if it is better, I'll let you know.

Other ways we are reducing money on food - is to buy organic chickens in bulk - along with our ground beef. see the link on the side bar for locals. Also I have been saving veggie ends when I cook in the freezer, and making stock weekly. I am not buying bread or milk and am going to try making my own yogurt (we eat a lot of yogurt...). I am trying to make most things from scratch. All this is in an effort to spend less money so I can shop at the store I really want to shop at - community natural foods...I think we are well on our way...(oh, and its also healthier to eat like this so yay!!)

A baby eating quinoa

2009-03-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

This is a baby eating quinoa. I think a baby eating quinoa is really, really cute. so I put it on my blog. I realize that you may think that is a little indulgent. But I am allowed to indulge, its my birthday. now, enjoy the cuteness!

art, design, education, and dreams....

2009-03-25T07:12:00.000-07:00

Hi all.

so. I told you a while back that I am interested in starting my own business. Well, thats still true. I think many moms think that it would be a good idea to work their own hours, and be in charge of their own time. Also, being a mom you become pretty darn good at time management... and stuff...

Anyways, seeing as it has taken me...oh, around 12 years to almost be an architect, one may think I want to open my own design office. Well, fact is, at this point that doesn't seem so appealing. Its high risk and a lot of responsibility. Also, there is not a tonne of work out there and there is a lot of competition from more established people. so, no thanks, not my idea of fun...

So, what then? (and on second hand why are you writing about it in your blog???) well, I am firstly trying to pump up my business savvy by taking some courses at momentum. The first one I am taking starts this April, in business on the internets. I think it will be great. Then, in the fall I am going to take another course to develop my idea further. I will do all this while working and raising my family. yeah, I know.

I want to register as an architect and gain more skill in the industry before breaking out... (for those of you who work with me... just so theres no surprises!)

Then! I am thinking about combining my love of design, art and architecture, with my love of kids and education. I am taking Ruhi book 5 this month, which is a training course in working with "junior youth" or kids in that sticky age just before becoming teenagers. I am stoked about it and think that this age group would be perfect for my idea. I want to develop an after school program for this age group in design, sustainable living and art. (some urban agriculture would be good too...) Somewhat like the mad science program...only design and living...and probably much smaller scale (at least to start...)

Anyways, the idea is to run after-school programs, and workshops for kids, and to be able to promote the stuff I love. I'm pretty stoked about it right now...and I'm writing about it because its on my mind, and because I am open to ideas, suggestions, references, networking...and all that jazz...I mean maybe it already exists and I just dont know about it...

PS aren't those some pretty buildings? from the fall - wood design and building magazine.

all a twitter

2009-03-23T18:41:00.000-07:00

its addicting. I am not recommending it, but Ive started "twitting" and I cant stop. You may see the widget added to my page. We will see how long this lasts, but I thought I might as well unite my web-fronts so to speak, so you can get more of me, more often.

OK, so this painting is the first of a few coming up that are attempts to replicate the mood and technique of my small paintings, but larger. If you are not a painter you may not have experienced the challenge of scale in a painting. Its not like photoshop where you can just hit "zoom" and the picture grows. Actually that's one thing I love about painting - it exists in the real world, which is influenced by such things as the size of paint pigment, paper sizing, and water molecules. So, I also have to deal with larger compositions, which usually dont bother me except Ive been working so small that its a totally brain shift to paint bigger. Earlier attempts have resulted in me leaving the image and subject matter all together as in here, here, here, here and here.

So far I am not so happy with my last few attempts. But that's how one learns eh? And aren't you privileged that I made myself a promise to post my whole journey - the ones I like and the ones I don't. Mostly so I have a painting for each post, and also so that you can enjoy my successes with me.

I am in the process of planning an art show in a Yurt on Vancouver Island, with a live marimba band and gourmet food in July. (I cant believe I just wrote that - its my idea of heaven on earth!) you are welcome to come! I'll keep you posted...in case you didnt catch my tweet...yo.

hands - working

2009-03-19T15:58:00.000-07:00

This painting is of hands kneading bread. yup, its that obvious.

We have been doing some cleaning around here. It feels good.

Actually, its not really "cleaning" as per our usual, its more "CLEANSING". Yup, we've put our home on a cleanse...(well, it is the Fast you know...)

whilst on a small vacation I woke up in a cold sweat. I imagined going home and having boxes and boxes of trashy stuff falling on my head, and being unable to move in it all. It was a little melodramatic, but the truth is our house is bursting at the seams. Our living room a shining example - what do you mean you dont have a train table, a full telescope and tripod, a yoga swing bags and bags of toys, furniture, three guitars, three computers, mountains of books and cameras in your tiny living room?

So we have started a cleansing process. Every Thursday for the last three weeks we made a trip to the recycling, thrift store and consignment store. A by-product is that we sort through and organize cupboards in search of things to purge. wow. I tell you. it feels good!

In her book "the creative family" Amanda talks first about how creativity is easier when we dont have too much stuff. Well, here's a toast to that, and to all future purging Thursdays, when we feel cleaner, healthier and happier! And have more time and space for doing things like making bread...

a video of ...us

2009-03-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

OK so this is sort of a geeky experiment to see if I can actually put this video on my blog. I made it today for my husband's birthday. I emailed it to his iphone. yup, he really digs stuff like that. The song is my favorite by Ane Brun. Called "treehouse song". I actually made this video entirely on my mac. I used the little camera and iphoto to do the video and imovie to edit the film. Super easy, and I did it during the day, while breastfeeding and doing other insane things.

Try it, surprise your spouse too!

It was well received.

on art, and fasting

2009-03-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

sorry for all the food talk during the fast. My friend over at mudspice included a link to a site called "nineteen days". Its beautiful and inspirational. I find not fasting, with a family and a husband who is, just as precious. March is such a gift after February. We've even had days with all the windows open...and at moments it smells like spring! (oh, if you didnt know, Baha'is fast for 19 days from sun rise to sunset, every year... more info here...)

OK, to change the subject, here is the painting.

Its bigger. Its a different sort of style I was experimenting with. I like the way it looks like a wood cut. I love wood cut...did I mention my major in school was printmaking? I miss it so, and, well, this is a homage to it.

So, I did this painting and there are things I really like about it, but found I am moving quite far from the feel if the little paintings I was doing - and there is something there that I want to really soak in... you know, just delve into.

I started this project with some really stringent constraints. Uniform studio talks about that in her post about a painting she did with her kid. Its sort of a thing us architects love...the more constraints the more creative we can be.

Anyways, this series was based on a series of simple ideas I had sketched. I was to use only earthy colours, and simple compositions. I wanted the content and subject to be united, and to evoke a feeling of history, nostalgia, and mystery of the unknown future.

but now I am finding there's not enough constraints! So many directions and options! Its all so exciting. I feel I could spend my entire life exploring just one painting, one colour, one idea...sigh.

Oh "Art"... Thou art so...

big.

Yay vancouver...

2009-03-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

So I dont know if all of you know, but us calgary chicken lovers are a little jealous of the Vancouver chicken lovers..check this out.

yup, chickens are now allowed in Vancouver. Thats a pretty big deal. There are quite a few nay-sayers. Particularly the poultry industry who are afraid of avian flu. I dont quite understand how a few backyard chickens are a problem - I'm not saying there may not be a problem, I just dont see how. If some backyard chickens get the flu from wild birds, and sadly die, how would the disease would get to a poultry farm? But maybe I'm missing something. Anyways, urban hens... this as all great progress.

Us at urban agriculture have also been talking about this article. Its interesting as these are all things I buy regularly. (big pat on the back here...) but I know people dont eat these things because every time I get swiss-chard, the check-out teller doesnt know what it is.

I'd also like to add Kale to this list, as I have a big crush on kale and eat it a lot. this is how I love it:

first fry in hot oil till crispy, then fry a little hot sauce in a pan, add the kale and a can of coconut milk. and let it boil a little. Mmmmmm - delicious.

Also I found this recipe for cookies. - awesome. except we never have pecans just lying around, so I made them the second time without, and added a cup of oats, some coconut, and chopped pumpkin seeds. I think that pumpkin seeds cannot be eaten in a more decadent and delicious setting...

Oh, and though its been mentioned before, the best way to eat canned pumpkin, in my opinion, is in a pumpkin pie. Which happens to be Marcel's favorite food, as I always say: when you cant get your kids to eat vegetables for dinner - serve them for dessert! We are making one today!

Oh, and this painting is of wheat...and an urban scene. These, along with the last one, are studies for a larger painting I did...(which I will present in my next post...cue suspense music now...) The paintings have taken a little turn in direction, but have no fear, I am turning back as we speak. such a journey...

a new hat, a painting, and a birthday

2009-03-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

Today is a very special day. Its the birthday of the most important man in my life. Hes warm, loyal and happy. He always looks to the bright side of any situation and can always make me laugh. I trust him absolutely. Happy birthday my love.

I made this painting, its a grain mill - if you didn't know. I also made a little hat. Its really for Marcel, but its so small, it fits little Em pretty well, and he can grow into it. I made it with a knitting loom. Someone at the parent link gave it to me. Its fun to make something so quick.

boys at the table

2009-03-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

I am sure that one day I'll take t for granted that my boys sit up at the table together. But today when it was for the first time...It was the cutest thing.

a bunch of stuff...

2009-03-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

does anyone else out there have a problem with getting flour in their paint??? One would think I would move the paint... or the flour, but they are in just the right place - relative to their uses... just not relative to each other...

the virtue sun, a clock that we can determine our own time with, and the alphabet string...

a pink painting brightening up my kitchen right now. by Marcel.

The new Ayyam-i-ha traditions are all experimental right now. I have a son who LOVES chocolate, so to make the holy day special, I made chocolate cake. Then we made cookies and took them to neighbours and family with little cards we made from pictures of the kids and ripped up paintings of mine. Yup, that's where paintings I don't like end up.... I stamped "happy ayyam-i-ha" on them with my new text stamp set. That's so fun.

We painted a banner, on a piece of canvas with the kids tempra paint. That worked out well. We had a potluck party and had gifts for the kid every morning. (a pair of binoculars, a compass and a headlamp - all well received and useful for camping trips!)

And we made presents for a few friends. They are there in the photo - they are little boxes made out of cereal boxes. I used watercolour tape to hold them together, and stamped the kids names on top. We put little things in like water balloons, bouncy balls and key chains. The kids loved them...especially the boxes with their names on.

yeah, so, that's why we have been busy... I am not sure which traditions will last to next year, but it will be lovely to see what is remembered and cherished.

It was so warm out today, the whole world became a crumbling, rushing, dripping river.

This music video is cool, for at least 2 reasons:

A: because it is for the CBC
B: because she is playing a tenor recorder in it. I LOVE tenor recorder. I was trying to start a recorder group a while back, with very little success. I was really quite surprised you all are not out there just waiting to join a recorder group.

I mean...I am.

I visited my friend who is an artist living in northern Ontario. He is a Bahai and a mentor. He gave a good critique of my work - lots to think about. He has some amazing work, check out his website. He was asking if there is a website, or online space for Bahai visual artists... I dont know of one...but perhaps I am not in the loop.

Thats it for now...I think.

happy ayyam-i-ha!

2009-03-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

we have been busy.

trying to make a holiday out of four days.

trying to find new traditions.

eating cake, opening gifts, sharing love and prayers.

chickens in my backyard

2009-02-27T15:01:00.000-08:00

Another chicken painting. This time I went all out with the frisket love. Its this sort of weird rubbery stuff that you paint on to a dry painting and you can do washes over it, and rub it off when everything is dry. It is key to remove it quickly though as it can stick to your paper if left over night.

This is my condo backyard. I'm imagining chickens in it. That would be cool.

We went hiking yesterday and found our limit for outdoor adventures. It was really cold. Like 15 degrees below. We have great winter gear and wanted to go try it out. We went to Kananaskis, and though we were all warm, it was just too cold to relax and enjoy. I think -5 is about cold enough. But we are learning. Now when we go it doesnt take all week of planning and a whole morning packing. Actually we can up and go in about an hour. And thats pretty cool when you are going with two kids and a car load of stuff!

Some things I have learned:

1) have pancakes the morning of. (we have a mix that uses whole wheat flour so its not a big deal to make them) I make a double batch and pack the left overs for the drive and on the hike. That way we all eat a big breakfast and have energy, plus they are light, filling and easy to take on the trip.

1a) have dinner ready for when you get home. Crock pot it, or have something to heat up. Arriving home cold, hungry and tired, you wont feel like cooking! (and usually no-one feels like waiting!)

2) Do everything possible to keep the big kid awake on the drive home. A few times he has fallen asleep and it has nearly killed us as he is then up so late. And we would rather not be!

3) bring the neck warmer! Even at 0 degrees Marcel complains that his face is cold. Actually this goes for all exposed parts. We have mitts from MEC and these are a life saver.

4) Always pack the toboggan. Marcel may not hike for that long, but we can go farther if we know that we can pull him home. Plus we can always ride down the hills on the trail. We have a very light, inexpensive one that just trails along behind us - till we need it!

5) I have to remember to take it easy and have fun. Though I need a work out and would love to take it to the limit, I have to slow down, remember the little guys and take a look around me...

6)always bring chocolate.

7) when in doubt, just go...as my mom would say "you'll love it once you're there!"

chicken painting

2009-02-23T15:06:00.000-08:00

So I bet you thought I'd stopped painting eh?

No sir-y-bob.

I'm still painting up a storm. So, truth be told, I have used up my painting reserves, you know the back logged pictures. Now Im going in real time. Well, almost.

This is a chicken. (If you didnt notice). The little paintings I did are meant to be little idea sketches (a parti for all you architect types). Then I plan on developing those ideas in larger images. There is something so wonderful about painting a big piece of paper after you've been confined to a certain size. Oh, and I dont even think about the ecstasy of using blue (or red...)... everything in due time.

For now I am painting chickens and such. Im enjoying using frisket which is a resist type substance. Its got some cool effects.

Our week of fun is now over as Mark is back in school now. We are heading back out to Bragg Creek tomorrow. We've been baking cookies from Smitten Kitchen and Orangette. its all good.

snowshoeing with babies at West Bragg creek

2009-02-18T19:12:00.000-08:00

what better way is there to spend a balmy 0 degree day in Alberta's winter?

FYI: this was awesome! We went here, rented shoes at MEC, and had a wonderful day in the snow.

remember summer?

2009-02-17T08:55:00.000-08:00

same place, different season.

another february day

2009-02-14T15:53:00.000-08:00

sorry if you are sick of this topic by now, but I have just experienced a break-through, and so I'm going to sap it for all its worth.

I'm starting to enjoy winter.

Did I just say that? For all my complaining I have to admit that I didnt really know how to do this whole February thing. And this time around its going amazingly well.

For one, the man is around more, which makes a HUGE difference. I dont know if I would be so interested in bundling up and trudging around in the snow if it was just me. For two, we did invest quite a bit into outdoor gear, which will be used in the summer and I realize that the right gear sure helps. especially when its cold. especially when you have kids.

So, we could take out shares at MEC. I cant endorse this store enough. It is a little consumer heaven in a mall happy world. Atleast at MEC you buy stuff to get you out and about, and forget about buying stuff! The other night we went there to check out hiking boots and we got info about where to try out snow shoes, and Marcel got a turn on the climbing wall!

We tried out the boots, and warm clothes this morning. When we woke up to a cold morning we (wisely) decided to stick close to home. We have to figure out how to keep the big kid happy while we are out...hanging out at the play ground did that trick!

Though it was close to -20 degrees with wind chill, it felt great to get out. Somehow at that temperature even your own backyard is an adventure!

(And, Emery was so toasty he slept the whole time in the back pack...so good!)

So, we got to spend the rest of the day, in our long underwear,

swinging in the yoga swing, making hearty cookies and housecleaning by a cozy fire.

February? Im diggin ya'.

(Oh, and I downloaded this album by Andrew Bird. I'm diggin' that too.)

Hiking in Calgary with Kids

2009-02-13T07:39:00.000-08:00

This painting is about growing grains and baking bread. It would seem the art of growing grains in a small scale for organic bread has been lost. I was reading about this in a previous post. I would love to get my own mill to mill my own grains. There are many health advantages to doing that as well. Maybe when I get a little more sleep!

So. We have yet to be out again in any significant way. But we have been more inspired to walk and be outdoors. We walked across the River in Okotoks for a cuppa hot chocolate at what my mom calls "the hippie store". That was just beautiful.

Then, yesterday, we planned a walk at Edworthy park.

That was actually quite comical and a good lesson learned. After spending a morning cleaning, and napping (Emery still is having a rough time at night) we didn't get to the parking lot till 4:30. And that's when the weather changed. IT got cold snowy and dark. Hmmm. We also drove across the city for said walk, causing Marcel to fall asleep in the car, which meant he would be up late. erg. But we bundled and trudged across the bridge. Emery was happy though. We got him a fleecy snow suit at the thrift store, and invested in an 18 mnth rain shell from MEC. He was toasty in that! Marcel cried most of the way, having just woke up, and thrown into a cold dark evening...we wernt so popular!

So, after a few minutes we trashed the idea we had to cook our dinner on the little stove at the park, and headed over to the "Lazy Loaf and Kettle". What a great place! We warmed up with soup and enormous sandwiches and home we headed; over-stuffed, wide awake and rosy cheeked. (and well, not so fit as we never really even walked more than 100 meters!)

I think we'll head out early tomorrow. Snowshoes or not!

Life is good.

Oh, and we recorded this little song. Marcel's first singing debut. (for those of you who know the song, I know I got the verses messed up - just assume I did that to add variety!)