RAZMATAZ

She Can't Bear to Watch The Destruction

2012-02-10T22:18:00.001-05:00

If you are ever short of blogging material, go out and get yourself a Foster Dog. A 6 year old boy with a shady past and no fixed address. Believe me, it's like having a baby...all the dinner time conversation is about the newcomer. Friends drop by to see him. Neighbors ooh and aah as you pass them on the street. And you, the proud new mama, your'e so proud of your angel. RIGHT?

Wrong! After yesterdays disaster where Hunter ate the box of biscuits, 1/2 loaf of bread and was just tucking into the Bailley's Chocolates, I decided for his sake, the cats safety and the safety of my house, I would put him in the laundry room when I went out. 1st try he was great. 2nd try this afternoon, I opened the front door really quietly and peeked in to see if I heard howling or crying. I barely got my foot in the door and I was stunned to see Hunter in the Hallway. PRISON BREAK. My first fear was for the cat. I ran room to room calling her.In the office, her food bowl that was high on a cabinet was on the floor. Toppled and empty. Books, papers, phone..All on the floor. I ran downstairs.Garbage can overturned in laundry. Laundry soap container on the floor, upstairs in my office it looked like I had been burgled. Papers on the floor. Staples, coffee mug overturned...Finally found the cat..she's fine and went to the kitchen where all the food had been hidden away before I left. Except the one thing a dog would never eat. Bananas. Yep, about 2 lbs (3 medium bananas in a pound). all gone include 3 peels.

I couldn't yell at him. I just looked at him. He knew he was a Bad Ass. He was creeping and shaky and worried. He's troubled. And I did what I would do with a troubled kid. I hugged him, then the cat and thanked God they're OK.Then I cleaned up the mess and gave him the new pull toy I had gone out to buy him.

Hunter only had a light supper tonight. He's resting comfortably on the kitchen floor right now. The cat...she just can't bear to watch the destruction anymore.

Counter-Surfing

2012-02-09T17:17:00.002-05:00

Like any visitor in your house, it takes a while to discover their habits and true nature. When you arrive home from a 10 minute trip to the corner store and your house guest won't even look at you, you know that they broke something, spilled wine on something or ate something they shouldn't have, or drank your booze. Such was the case with my Foster Boy Hunter today. He had a little scuffle with the cat last night. There was a lot of hissing, barking, yelping and screaming.....most of that coming from me. No injuries. Just bruised egos.

So today I locked the cat in the office and popped out to buy bread. Leaving BAD BOY alone in the rest of the house. I arrived home to him creeping across the floor commando style, unable to look me in the face. I got out the camera and he would not look at it. Shameful he was.

A quick survey of the damage led me to the realization that my boy is a COUNTER SURFER. Yep that's a term the Lab Rescue people use. My teenagers were counter surfers too....but at least I could leave them alone for a bit. He ate an entire box of dog treats. And a good thing I went to buy bread because he also ate the last of the loaf. Ace Bakery, Multi grain with pine nuts.

I couldn't photograph the bread as it was gone. photo www.food network.com

I scolded him. Gave him a time out, but he kept trying to run upstairs where I discovered he had been about to have dessert. I had two boxes of Bailey's chocolates upstairs on the top of a dresser. Both were on the floor, one ripped open and the chocolates all over the floor. This worried me as chocolate can be very harmful to dogs. I quickly opened the new box, counted the chocolates then counted the left overs from the opened box. He seemed to have only eaten one.

I think the cat quite enjoyed watching the scolding. He couldn't look at me for half an hour.

He's now had belly rubs, a good walk and he's only getting half his dinner this evening.

Foster Dog

2012-02-08T11:19:00.001-05:00

He's not still enough to get a good photo.

I've been hoping to be able to foster a dog for a few weeks now. And last night I got "THE CALL". I can't imagine how it must be to foster a child because I was a mess of excitement and worry. I worried that the cat wouldn't like him (ok on that front), worried that he would whine and cry (ok on that too). Worried that he would be homesick. He's antsy and follows me everywhere, but is wagging his tail and slept through the night. We went walking at midnight and had snacks before bed.

He is OBSESSED with his ball and bag of toys that arrived with him, and keeps plonking the wet smelly ball in my lap. I am going to have to make the ball an outside thing. Other than that he is in great shape, kindly and a real sweetheart. He needs a home where he can settle in to the routine as he's been passed around a little. He hasn't a clue who his mamma is!

If you want to check out the other labs at the rescue you can go to a www.lab-rescue.ca. But I warn you...once you read their Bio's your gonna want one of these babies.

I've put him to work cleaning up the yard. Oh...and his name is Hunter.

Finding Money-A Challenge for Bloggers.

2012-02-06T08:33:00.006-05:00

The Raz Man and I decided that we were going to save an additional $2012.00 in 2012. And we also decided it wasn't going to come from our pay cheques or from lopping $25.00 here and there from the grocery bill (which is a good idea in itself). It was going to be found money. Money waiting and lying in the wings to be found. We felt there had to be sources of cash that we overlooked or were just too lazy to take a good look at. So all year, we are going to find these sources of cash and CASH IN.

If anyone is interested in this as a Challenge, I can do a Link Up on the first of each month.?????? If you wish to do so, you are already a month behind so you have 11 months less a week to find $2012.00 in your house. But you can do it. Think how great it will feel in January 2013 when you go to the bank to invest your $2012.00.

Over the next few weeks I will post some ideas as I discover them. I also plan to have some guest bloggers, so if you have some great ideas please contact me and we can post them to help us all.

My ideas are mainly to make money on things we do everyday or have lying around unused which are basically money badly spent and wasting away. We will unload on Craiglist stuff we no longer need, make the time to return our beer and wine bottles to the store for the deposit money (I've been leaving them in the recycling bin as I hate bottles in the garage. A fellow comes by and takes them and I thought it was a good idea as maybe he needed the money, but then I saw him outside his own house and it was twice the size of mine. He's just smarter than me) So, I will return my bottles from now on. Saving coins, returning unworn items to stores that allow it past the 30 days etc., Each month I will recap what we did and how much we "FOUND".

January

Ad Sense. I put a lot of effort into my blog, and although a lot of people hate ads on blogs, I decided that Blogger was going to pay me for my material. I signed up for AdSense, placed it as un-obtrusively as possible on my sidebar and let it run for the month of December. In December I made about $12.00. But in January I made over $21.00. Found money. Money we didn't have yesterday.

We needed a new washer and dryer for our Florida house. The set we had there were apartment sized and far too small to handle loads of sheets and towels that people staying at the house needed to do before departing. Lowe's takes away your old appliances for free when you buy new ones. Normally, I would go for convenience and let them haul it away, but I was curious as to where they went. I asked the sales guy if they went to a charity and he said NO. They sell them at auction or to used appliance shops. So Lowe's makes money on my old goods. Which is fine because who wants to lug a washer and dryer yourself?. I called a local church to see if they had an Outreach program and someone who needed them, but they didn't. We were out driving and spotted a place called Nu to Yu Appliances. The sign said "We buy your old appliance." I called them and in 20 minutes, David was at the house with a dolly and hauling them out (with a bit of help from me). Gone. $100.00 in my pocket.

So January finished with an extra $121.15 in our pocket. At they end of the year, we are going to put this into a Retirement Savings Plan which means we will save the % of tax owed on it in that year and the return on investment in 10 years could be around $526.09. If we can do that each year for 10 years, when we are 65 we will have an extra $25,000. Now I know the best way to save is to spend less, and we plan to do that too, but this is an interesting experiment in realizing how much money you can find without working that hard.

February is off to a great start. I will recap this month on March 1 and if any of you would like to join in (although we are a month behind in starting ) I will do a Link Party on March 1, so keep track of your found money.

Super Bowl Sunday

2012-02-05T21:07:00.000-05:00

Entry way of Suzanne Dimma home photo HERE

It's Super Bowl Sunday in the USA. And with our close ties to America, it's pretty well become our day too. All the bars are packed for the 4 hour show. If you don;t like football, there's always Madonna on the half time show. I always seem to end up at the supermarket around 2:30pm on SBS and it's always fun to notice all the men out shopping. Carts loaded with veggie platter, salsa, chips etc. The stores even make it easy for the blokes to get a pot of Chile on by having all the ingredients available at the end of one aisle. Cans of beans, tomatoes, sauce etc, all en guarde in one convenient shopping station. Fridge freezers full of sour cream dips with pile of chips around. And today they had inflatable balloon footballs hanging over all the "snack stations" so the guys could find their territory quickly amongst the female shoppers.

I have been abandoned by the Raz Man and Girl Child who have popped off to their respective parties and I am at home cooking soup and a big Chile for the week. And while it's cooking, I'm not watching the game, but rather reading Canadian House and Home online. I am somewhat obsessed with Editor Suzanne Dimma's style and have been perusing photos of her and hubby Arriz's home. I've been most pleased with the direction H & H has taken since she became editor. I loved Cobi Ladner at the helm, but really enjoy the spice Suzanne has brought to the magazine. Her style has a crisp perfection to it, that is neither contrived nor complicated. These photos are from her blog which you can see HERE.

Kitchen. Gorgeous rug. Photo source HERE

I absolutely love the sofa fabric photo source HERE

Her den photo source HERE

Suzanne's amazing cottage. source HERE

cottage kitchen HERE

Simple with impact. image HERE

Exquisitely simple accessories at her cottage . Image HERE

Go fetch a lemon....

2012-02-03T18:33:00.001-05:00

Dead trees in the swamp at Lettuce Lake Park

I took my 7 minutes this morning before I got out of bed (as per speaker Barbara Williams from the Gospel service I went to last Sunday) and had a good hard think about my week. Actually it was more like and hour and 47 minutes as I woke up at 4:30 am, because I had a morning flight and no alarm clock, only my I phone which has been know to be unreliable. So I lay there in the dark with the french doors open listening to the sounds of a Florida dawn. There were twigs snapping and morning doves and later the blue jays were screeching for the peanuts I've been treating them to all week.

I am so happy that I was able to join my new daughter in law and her mum on their week away and feel so lucky that the three of us get along so well. We are all so different but complement each other so well. We did girl stuff like outlet mall shopping there we bought Asic running shoes for 60% cheaper than in Canada. And one of us may or may not have told a waiter we write a restaurant column for a blog. We made a valiant attempt to get Steve Yserman's autograph for the Boy Child, but his assistant turned us away. We walked a few miles of beach and beach towns, we breakfasted at the Vinoy Hotel, where you can get the best Hotel breakfast with impeccable service...my favorite meal. (see I mentioned a meal on the blog). We had our share of laughs including a good belly laugh over dinner last night. I am so going to miss these girls/ladies. I am so going to miss saying "Tracy.....go on outside now and pick us a lemon for our gin".

We may not have missed the weather back home, but boy, did we miss our husbands and other kids and siblings. We kept saying "oh I wish so and so was here" "wouldn't so and so love this. And that's what else you do in your seven minutes, you think about the ones you wished you could have shared it with.

Tranquility

We made a trip out to the most glorious nature preserve call Lettuce Lake Park. Miles of boardwalks through tree lined swamps full of turtles and frogs and birds. The only sounds were birds chirping and gentle splashing. And Mama H saying, "you can't look for nature, it has to come to you" And baby did it come. Luck was with us and we spotted this handsome gator soaking up the sun.

Come to mama.....

Because we weren't planning to go alligator hunting/spotting, I left me camera behind so these pics are all courtesy of my daughter in law...pilfered from her blog Life of Three Speaking of which, on of the Life of Three girls was feature in the Huffington Post this week. earing her Banana Republic Mad Men inspired Muff. Check it out HERE. What you don't own a muff? What....you don't know what a muff is?

What's going on in Florida Today .....The Florida Primary

2012-01-31T19:58:00.000-05:00

Flying over the Bay in St. Petersburg.

What;s the news today in Florida....the Florida primary of course.....Political enthusiasts will be glue to the telly tonight to watch the goings on. Although it's not about Obama right now, we walked by the Obama office here on Central Avenue and picked up an Obama 2012 sign. I wanted one of those 4 years back, but better late than never. We are all a bit vague on American politics so we are have a pizza night around the telly to get the gist of what's going on.

Other than a few banners it's quiet around town. We went to the Orange Grove Winery in Pasadena today. We had a nice tour and then a sampling.....All the wine here is made from fruit/veg other than grapes....such as bananas, mangos, carrots and tomato......now I am no wine buff......but.....but .....umm......hmmm.

A long stroll around the Bay in gorgeous sunshine...........when it's snowing at home you soak up the rays and appreciate every minute. We look every time we are walking for manatees....but no luck. We are also on the lookout for alligators...Will keep you posted on that one.

In the market there is always a cast of characters.... buckneers....

And something I have never seen in Canada.....dogs in strollers.....yep LOADS of people take their dogs out in strollers.....

With bows of course......

And this woman....I love this lady...she's there every week partying it up with the band...God love her.

Artists at work....

And my new favourite Jerk Chicken.....Jerk anything really.......except JERKS.

At least they are honest.......

Cuteness........

This gorgeous glass sculpture is right outside the Dale Chuhuly gallery.

Loving this bug....

The best hotel in St. Petersburg Florida....The Vinoy.

I took my "7 minutes" (what the Sister at the church said to take every morning to start your day right).

I sat in my jammies outside with my coffee and camera and fed my blue jays peanuts. They are going to miss me when I leave next week.

Ringing the Bell

2012-01-30T09:34:00.000-05:00

Here I am in the South again (business), joined by DIL and her mum. Yesterday, being Sunday, we wanted to find a church service to attend. On the advice of a taxi driver the night before we showed up at the Bethel AME church. Welcomed by the pastor outside, we headed in and discovered immediately that AME stood for African Methodist Episcopal. We were the only white people in the entire church. Which, coming from the melting pot of culture that is Canada, was a bit of a surprise to us. But here in the South, things are different. We've noticed that there are still clear divides in town with regards to neighborhoods, even bars and restaurants. So I was a bit worried that we wouldn't be truly welcomed here in this church. I couldn't have been more wrong.

The first thing we noticed was how fancy everyone was. Ladies, mostly dressed in white, with pretty hats, and big jewelry, children in their Sunday best, gentleman in suits and ties. At home people are getting a bit slack in the church attire department and jeans are a common site. What ensued was a three hour, YES 3 HOURS of praising and singing and shouting out, dancing, swaying, drums, guitar, the most amazing singing, and speakers that were so powerful and had so much passion and such amazing messages People in the congregation were moved to shout and praise and nod in agreement. It was contagious. We as the "Sisters from Montreal" were mentioned 4 times during the service. We linked hands, watched 2 baptisms, listened as the Pastor broke out in song, watched the elderly ladies dancing and being honored at the front of the church. I was so moved I had goosebumps. 3 hours seemed like 30 minutes. I have NEVER felt such passion in a church EVER. And I am the great grand daughter of a Church of England Minister.

After the service the Pastor walked through his packed congregation and headed straight for us and told us that when we were back in town, this was our Church. I felt completely at home here, I would definitely go back. I was educated and enlightened in many ways. We had a lot of discussion after as to whether we are truly welcome or if they would prefer we went to church in a different neighborhood. What do you think. If a Church is African American should white people go? I don't want to be disrespectful at all to the Pastor or Congregation and I would really love to go back.

One of the speakers at the Church was Barbara Williams. She talked at length about the value of a day. At 12:01 am you have the gift of a new day. The previous day is now gone and either wasted it or made the best of it. This hit home to me in many ways....her message made an impact.

That evening we walked for an hour on the beach towards "The Pink Hotel....the Don Cesar pictured in my first photo. We returned to the beach hut snack bar where a band played as the sun went down and people gathered on the boardwalk to watch the sun dip behind the ocean. And when it was done, they rang the big brass bell....a tradition at Passe A Grille Beach. That was a perfect way to put emphasis on what Barbara Williams had talked about that morning. A day ended.....and it was marked with the ringing of the bell.

Truly a Spiritual Sunday.

Newest Favorite

2012-01-25T10:19:00.001-05:00

I wanted to you see the colour so I painted lips with the Lip Tint.

I am totally not a lipstick person....if I had gorgeous full lips like Angie I would happily slap it on...but I don't....and I'm 50, and a woman has to be careful about her lips when she's 50. Nothing worse than bleeding lipstick. I don't like bare lips so I am always trying tinted lip products like Burt's Bee's, Covergirl outlast stain and the likes. I recently found Bene Tint by Benefit.....a bottle of gorgeous red dye that you paint on your lips. It comes in a bottle like nail polish with a soft little brush. I applied it and really liked it, noticing the likeness to food coloring in general and Cochineal in particular. My Granny never used Red Dye #2, but always had a little bottle of Cochineal in her pantry. After wearing it everyday for weeks, I decided to check the ingredients...water, rosewater, carmine and quaternium-15 (a preservative) . Carmine is a form of Cochineal. So there you go. After hundreds of years woman are still prettying themselves up with Beetle paint!

3 Ways to Gift Wrap Caramels

2012-01-22T09:09:00.000-05:00

Now that my caramels are all made, (see THIS POST) I've been packaging them for gifting. I picked up 3 different kinds of packaging to see which worked best. I prefer to recycle wrappings, however with food items you need something fresh and new unless you have tins or jars around the house.

The first one is a take off of a Chinese Take Away box......do you notice on TV, Chinese food always comes in these cute little boxes with the metal handles, but in reality it comes in foil pans, floppy boxes or plastic containers? It looks so much more authentic in the movies. I found these at Solutions....a large chain of organizing solutions, but you could find similar at a craft store.

I filled the bottom with some bits from my paper shredder (OK because the candies are wrapped), then tossed in a dozen caramels. Topped off with an orange polka dot grosgrain ribbon. This box was 99 cents.

Next is the corrugated cardboard box with window. Again I filled the bottom with shredded paper and tossed the caramels on top. Same ribbon. This package was $1.25.

And my last try was a simple jar with a clamping top. Simple and re-useable. This was the more expensive packaging at $3.49 each.

I wrapped the ribbon through the metal band which kept it nicely in place.

A double batch made enough for 5 presents....They keep fresh for a long time so I can keep these in my cupboard ready for birthdays, thank yous or other celebrations.

Each gift is about $4.00 to make. So with an inexpensive package you're looking at about 5 bucks.......

Homemade Caramels

2012-01-20T14:53:00.000-05:00

I recently came across a great recipe HERE for homemade caramels.

I had tried the Barefoot Contessa recipe for Salted Caramels at Christmas, and although they tasted great, I think I didn't cook them enough and it was soft....really soft. Impossible to cut and roll into pieces. And I also realized that even though it's a big trendy thing right now, I really don't like salt on my caramels.

So yesterday I came upon another recipe and decided to give this a try. It worked beautifully. The Caramels are very soft, easy to chew, maybe could be a little firmer, so next time I will cook a bit longer.

Sliced into Bite Sized squares.

Simple wrappings.

Poured into a parchment lined pan. The cut edge is from the endless samplings.

All you need is condensed milk,butter, brown sugar, vanilla and corn syrup. A candy thermometer (I used by digital turkey thermometer) is a must and a large saucepan and cookie sheet or 9 x 9 brownie pan. I doubled the recipe because I have a few birthdays coming up so I used the cookie sheet. This recipe is super easy, but I really wouldn't let kids do it as the boiling caramel makes for serious burns if there is a mishap.....don;t even stick your finger in to try it.

After it was cooled, I cut it into bite sized squares using a sharp knife. I cut several rows at one time, however I found it was easier to cut one row at a time because when you slice the second row, it slightly pushes the caramel into the previous row and you need to slice it again to get a clean edge.

After they were all sliced I wrapped them in pieces of parchment paper and twisted the ends shut.

Old fashioned and very delicious.

Toss them into a bowl and you could throw these on the table for desert along with some fresh fruit and cheese.

This wonderful recipe is from the most delightful Web site called GiversLog.com. AmberLee creates the most amazing gifts, flood and fun mailers. Take a look here www.giverslog.com

AmberLee's Recipe for Homemade Caramel (or caramel dip)
Yield: about 60 caramels
Prep and cook time: 1 hour (not including time to cut and wrap caramels, save extra time for that)

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, unsalted
1 cup light corn syrup (11.5 oz)
1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk (or substitute two cups half and half or light cream, I almost always use sweetened condensed milk b/c makes for shorter cooking time)
2 1/4 cup brown sugar (14.5 oz.)
1 tsp. vanilla

Equipment:
candy thermometer
heavy, 3-qt. sauce pan, or 6-qt. if doubling the recipe, which I always do (having a heavy pan is important, if your pan is too thin it can heat the caramel unevenly and make it separate)
parchment paper (how I love parchment paper, i’ve never found anything that sticks to this stuff)
8×8 or 9×9 pan (or large jelly-roll cookie sheet if doubling recipe)
wax paper for wrapping caramels

Method:

Every time before using a candy thermometer, clip a candy thermometer onto a pan full of cold water and bring it to a boil (make sure the thermometer is not touching the bottom of the pan). I cheat on a lot of things, but I never cheat on this. Boiling water should read 212°. Once the water is boiling, make note of any difference in your reading, and adjust your reading accordingly when you make the candy (for example, if thermometer reads 210° in boiling water instead of 212°, then take caramel off at 242° instead of 244°).
Line pan with parchment paper, even up the sides. Prepare any apples, pretzels, or other things you’ll be dipping. Chop any nuts or prepare any candy you’ll be sprinkling on top.
Cut butter into smaller, even sized cubes for even melting. Melt over low in sauce pan.
Carefully add sugar by pouring it into the center of the pan. If any sugar crystals stick to side of pan, push them down with a damp pastry brush so they do not crystallize the entire batch and make you want to cry. Stir slowly until well combined with melted butter.
Add and mix in corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk (or cream).
Cook and stir on medium for one minute, then to med.-high until boiling. You want to change temperatures slowly so you don’t shock the candy. Once boiling, clip on your candy thermometer (again, don’t let it touch the bottom of the pan). By the time your caramel is boiling, if you have been stirring well, you should have the butter fully blended into the caramel mixture, not separated.
Reduce heat to about medium, adjusting so that you keep a moderate, steady boil. Stir frequently. I’m serious about the stirring. If you let your caramel go too long without stirring, you’ll end up with a separated, greasy batch of caramel. No good.
Temperature does not raise at a steady rate, so watch thermometer closely. If you have any doubts about the accuracy of your thermometer, periodically do a test bydropping a little in cold water. When your thermometer reaches thread stage (230–233°), take out any caramel that you would like to use as dip. When thermometer reaches late soft ball stage (234–240°), dip in a few apples for caramel apples(UPDATE: Click here for a great pro tip for perfect caramel apples.)
When thermometer reaches 244°, remove caramel from heat (this is low firm ball stage; reaching this stage from boiling takes me about 30 minutes with sweetened condensed milk and longer with cream, though I have had a reader reach it in less time, so watch closely).
Stir in vanilla. If dipping, start immediately. If making caramels, pour the caramel into the prepared pan. Either way, take care not to burn yourself, this stuff is so so hot.
Allow to cool for several hours and use a butter knife or kitchen shears to cut pieces (UPDATE: a clever reader suggested a pizza cutter, another preferred preferred her trusty Santou knife, lightly buttered, thanks Susan!). Wrap in wax paper. Or to save on cutting time, just leave the whole batch out on the counter with a knife next to it and watch it gradually disappear. RECIPE from GiversLog.com

Thank you AmberLee for this fantastic recipe.

Kicking January's Butt

2012-01-18T14:06:00.000-05:00

As soon as January arrives and the Christmas trees and garlands are tossed to the curb, the house takes on a vacant appearance. Dim Winter light and short days rob the house of personality and vigor. Or is it me who loses my enthusiasm?

FOSTER PARENT.....I've been mourning the dogs again...strongly feeling the void of them not being with us. They forced us out into the Winter with such pep and joy, no matter what the day was like. Constant companions and company for me who works from home. Someone to lunch with. I've been scanning the lab rescue site and completed an application to become a Foster dog parent. Because we travel a lot, we can't own a dog, but a happy home and loving care for a few weeks may be just the thing. So please Lab Rescue....bring me a dog this January.....

Until then, I've been shuffling my bits, trying to bring my favourite colours like pink and plum and rhubarb into the house. Other months, I can live with neutrals and whites, but Canada demands some rich colours at this time of year. I moved some books and discovered pretty covers, brought out my sock wool....perhaps I shall attempt a pair...or a scarf.

And I've been tempted by the Valentines Candies lining the grocery store aisles since Boxing Day, competing with the Quality Street and Black Magic leftovers. An old sugar bowl filled with hot pink kisses adds a little zip to the coffee table.

There was actually a glimmer of sunshine this morning than shone briefly on my coffee table and perked up the bunch of sweetheart roses I purchased for myself. Most months I can pick from the garden some sort of bouquet, but January forces my hand to buy fresh flowers.

Tonight I am swimming at my friends indoor pool at her condo...a first attempt since I wrecked my knee in November paddle boarding. Followed by a hot tub and sauna and of course long conversation with the girls. One has to work through January I think....a tough month in the Northern Hemisphere. It needs a firm hand.

Fellow Blogger makes CNN and Asking a favor of my American friends.

2012-01-17T20:16:00.002-05:00

I am posting tonight because I am asking for my American blogging friends for a favor. One is to write a letter to the officials listed below. The other is to post about this on your blog, especially if you are a big blog or can get a big blog friend to post it. You can read all about the plight of Mark and Fred HERE. They appeared on CNN tonight and here is that Interview. Here is the link if you wish to post it. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2012/01/17/exp-nr-1p-couple-fights-doma.cnn

I mentioned the other day that fellow blogger Mark Himes and his husband Fred are in a bad situation with regards to Fred's immigration. Fred and Mark are married and are the parents of 4 adopted kids. Fred is French and under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Mark is not allowed to sponsor Fred for a green card. Fred had used up his visa and student visa, and despite being recognized as a family in order to adopt their family, a same sex spouse is not permitted to sponsor a partner for immigration. If they move to France, Mark will have to surrender his rights as a father as France does not recognize same sex adoption. A dilemma and their family is stuck in the middle. They need your help as Americans to help convince officials to allow Fred Green Card status. Under DOMA, the application cannot be supported, but other circumstances could sway their case.

If you could please write a letter to the 2 people listed below, it would really help Mark, Fred and their children. Help this deserving family continue to live in the USA and be the good Americans that they are. I truly believe that the more people that write, the more influence will be placed on the decision makers.

Thank you so much.

Please write to:

Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.

393 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

P: 202-224-6324

Toll Free: 866-802-2833

Fax: 202-228-0604

Secretary Janet Napolitano

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528

202-282-8000

I'll tell you what I'm not missing.....the Lawn Guy

2012-01-17T09:11:00.001-05:00

The crisp morning light in the living room

I'm completely smitten with St. Petersburg Florida. In just a few months of owning a property there, I am dying to spend the entire Winter there one day. However, work beckons at home and our life is really in Ontario, so we will continue to plan as many visits as we can over the next few years until we can actually Winter down there. Ontario is beautifully hot in the summer with bright sunny days, but Winter brings extremes. Minus 20 Celsius one day and then 4 degrees and raining the next. And lots of grey skies. I am missing the sunshine spilling gorgeous light into my living room and ever present greenery on the palm trees.

The colours pick me up....

What I don't miss is the Lawn Guy. We hire a lawn service because we are absent and someone has to maintain control of the jungle (see below). So I hired a guy.(guys actually) Once a week 3 men descend on the garden and we get 15 minute of clipping, mowing, raking etc. For $20.00. A bargain in my eyes. The guy never sends me a bill. I have to try and catch him when we are staying at the house. Last week I sent the Raz Man outside to pay him. Lawn Guy asked Raz Man if he was "the son". Raz Man chuckled and I just about SPIT. Now Raz Man is not a tall man and often people think shorter people are younger people, but GOOD GRIEF. Would he not have to look about 25 to make me look like his mother? Or would I have to look 70 for him to look like my son? To say this threw me is an understatement. I was horrified and immediately retreated to my bathroom to examine my wrinkles, hair style and attire....

The Jungle and the now MISSING elephant

And then I did what any sensible, confident woman of 50 would do. I starting asking everyone how old they thought the Raz Man looked. Followed by how old do they think I look. A very loaded question. A delicate and tricky question that really shouldn't be asked, but I did. And often. Of course the responses were carefully chosen and delicately worded. And the results were obvious. No one dared state I looked older....oh the wrath if they did.

The City Beach, St. Petersburg.

I moved on. To dinner the next evening with some new Floridian friends and work colleagues of the Raz Man. The Wife commented that she liked my new hair style. Now I haven't changed my hair in 5 years. Wild, messy, blonde....the Bed Head look. Easy as pie and I am maintaining this for life. Despite insisting my hair had not changed she insisted it had, and stated it made me look "MUCH YOUNGER" than I did the last time she met me. So of course the 50 year old woman brain starts thinking...."how old did I look last time?" "how old does she think I look?" It doesn't stop...a woman's brain with a seed of doubt.....

I once called a woman the mother when I worked in a retail shop. She was the wife and she walked out and the shop lost a HUGE sale. Have you ever mistaken someone's age. Or had your's mistaken. Plus or minus.?

Snell Isle

The best thing about St. Petersburg is the architecture. House from the late 1800's and gorgeous mid Century homes, cottages, Spanish Villas. A walk along Coffee Pot Bayou is the perfect start to the day with views to the mansions on Snell Isle.

St. Petersburg home.

Hands down my favorites are the Spanish Inspired villas with the Clay tiled roofs.Stucco and arches...lovely.
The neighborhood is sprinkled with renovated cottages..all cute as can be.

Pretty Cottge

Gifted...Anthro Tea Towel and Marmalade.

2012-01-15T14:33:00.002-05:00

Anyone who gets a gift from me knows it's unlikely to be wrapped in a gift wrap or gift bag as it is against my rules to buy gift wrapping. I will reuse wrapping if it's gifted to me, but I can always make do with using the reverse side of a grocery store paper bags and pretty boxes and papers from other discarded packaging. I also like to gift handmade things when practical. You can see some other gift wrapping ideas of mine HERE and HERE. In 2012, I will not buy a single piece of gift wrap. Not one penny will be spent on this throwaway item.

My neighbor Disey did me a favor last week and I wanted to gift her a little something to thank her. While in Florida I found this gorgeous appliqued tea towel at Anthropologie. Because Di loves to bake and especially loves cakes, I knew she would LOVE this towel. Plus she is a laundry queen and I know she can keep it white.

It has lovely chain sttiching and embroidery

I wrapped up a marmalade for her breakfast.

I thought a nice pot of my homemade marmalade would be a treat for her breakfast. I simple placed it in the tea towel gathered the edges and tied it with ribbon. No tape, no paper, no garbage. She can return the jar to me for a refill.

A Dad Threatened with Deportation

2012-01-14T18:45:00.002-05:00

Photo from Mark at Our Simple Lives HERE

This is a blogging buddy of mine called Mark and his husband Fred and his adorable family of four children. They are a large family with close ties to grandparents, siblings and many close and supportive friends. Although I hate to add that these kids are all adopted, it is part of the issue I am about to explain, so I mention it only as a need to know with respect to the issues. Adopted kids shouldn't be called that. They are Mark and Fred's Children.

They met over twenty years ago, married in California and then started their family. The problem is Fred is French, in the USA first on a visa and then on a student visa. Which expires. Soon. Because of certain US laws that discriminate against same sex partners, Mark cannot sponsor Fred as a spouse like most married couples. With no sponsorship, Fred could be deported. Mark and Fred could move to France. France will not recognize that these children belong to a same sex couple. Mark would have to give up being the official "dad" of these kids. They are in a catch 22. And it's serious. A family is in great distress over this. All they want is to be allowed to legally sponsor Fred as a spouse in the USA, and to keep their family together. Fred is a hardworking teacher, student, citizen and father. He has contributed a lot to the USA, as a Resident and to society in recognizing the needs of Adopted children in America. This is a true American family, all the kids born and raised in the USA. My opinion is America needs this man. An American family needs this man.

They have met last week with immigration officials hoping for their application to be allowed. Their case even got the attention of CNN news. I wish them the best. Mark has some info on his post about how you can help HERE. Equal right have been won on many fronts...this one now needs your attention.

Thank you.

Friday Photo Challenge-Sparkle

2012-01-14T09:22:00.000-05:00

I came across a new blog a few weeks ago.The Simple Things by Carly Robertson. Carly is hosting a weekly photo challenge and having hosted one for while myself (now fallen to the wayside) I decided to join in with her challenge. This week the challenge was SPARKLE. I had photographed this box of pretty crystals when my new chandelier arrived. Every piece was hand wrapped by the Etsy seller and I had to unwrap them. I placed them all on a glass tray before I hung them, and then snapped some photos of their vintage luster completely taken with how beautiful they looked all bunched together.

To Join Carly's challenge or view the other participants go HERE.

Large Wood Rosary

2012-01-12T08:51:00.001-05:00

I have been a long time collector of Rosary Beads. Although I am not a Catholic, my Catholic mother in law used to make Rosary Beads for her church. My kids used to help her. They enjoyed that. Especially making the black ones for Prisoners.....I still have some of the beads they made in my collection.

Recently, Rachel Ashwell came out with a massive set of Rosary Beads for her Shabby Chic collection. Hers are $188.00. Far to expensive for me to purchase. I thought about making a set, but couldn't find the right size cross. I was most surprised to find this gorgeous rosary at a second hand shop. $25.00 with 20% off.

Not sure what this writing is. I believe it is a name. I keep them hanging on the wall in an odd nook along with a large candlestick...it's beginning to look like a shrine.

Crown Jars

2012-01-09T18:39:00.000-05:00

We 7 for 7 with sunny days here in Florida.....a wonderful treat for us Canadians in January. All through this house, lights streams in and highlights the everyday. I am an avid collector of of old jars, especially the turquoise ones. We were gearing up for Gin and Tonic cocktails and then noticed how pretty the lemons were next to the turquoise glass and the yellow mixer.

Although I have a few Ball and other jars, my favorites are the Canadian Crown Jars. These jars were made from 1880 to 1965. I have several from the early 1900's. You can tell by the pontil (round knob of glass on the bottom) the shape of the top and lid, and also by the actual crown on the front. Over the years Crown changed the motif which makes them very interesting to collect.

I line them up on the kitchen window where they serve no purpose other than looking pretty.

You can see the one on the left is marked 1958. The second one cost me about $30.00 as it is the oldest.

A close up of the crowns....

St. Petersburg, Florida

2012-01-08T08:57:00.000-05:00

I think this is bougainvillea

The days of our family vacation are drawing to a close...Girl Child leaves today and Boy Child and his Wife tomorrow....They've heard us go on about Florida now for six months....and we wanted them to love it as much as we do. It's a different feel being in the USA...very similar to Canada in many ways but also very different. On the day we arrived we laughed at ourselves in our massive Yukon SUV doing a late night run for food at an all night Walmart. Groceries are really cheap here, liquor even cheaper...and wine and beer is sold at the drug store too. We find clerks in stores to be friendlier and we find that no one is really from Florida....everyone seems to have migrated here...and who can blame them. It's winter and the coldest it's been is a sweater day. 360 days of sunshine.

Apparently there is a house full of monks on the next street over....they have a fabulous Zen garden with this magnificent bamboo...about 25 feet high. We've been to Tampa to the aquarium and Anthropologie and to Sarasota and Siesta Key...always looking for the best beach which is actually Passe a Grille beach a 10 minute drive away.

The first night we arrived, I went to bed, and then got up. I came downstairs, told the kids I thought something was missing. I walked around the house, checked the side porch and then went back to bed. The next day I realized that there was indeed something missing and it was my beautiful elephant water fountain from the back yard. It was a very old stone statue and when we bought the house, the owners said we could have it since I loved it so much. It was going to be the fountain for the pool one day. It makes me sad as it was one of a kind and likely not replaceable. I may have to get TOM to come to Florida and carve another one. Anyway, I was most put out because it wasn't visible from the street and someone obviously knew we were gone and possibly unplugged the security camera in the yard to steal it. I have my suspicions...but it's gone and I can't do anything now. But that could have happened anywhere in the world, so I am just annoyed that my beautiful elephant has gone AWOL.

A stroll through the neighborhood reveals beautiful churches and heavily laden fruit trees........

And Spanish moss hanging from the old oak trees. At home we pay about $8.00 for a small cello bag of Spanish moss at a craft store....

Although about 70 F you can't keep vacationers off the beach. Below is Siesta Key beach...even a few people in the water which makes me think they must be British and this is a warm sea for them.

January beach dwellers

Sand sculpture on Siesta Key Beach. DIL took these pics for her BLOG. St. Petersburg has so much to do...a constant hub of activity in a small and manageable city. The first Friday night of the month is Get Downtown. A street festival with live music and cheap beer. $2.00 for beer (imported too). Crazy. Loads of fun. I love to sit outside and watch a busy street of people. Like any city, there's nothing more fun than the to watch the locals.

Yesterday we took a sail boat cruise around Boca Ciega Bay from St. Pete's Beach. A gentle, non-narrated cruise to spot dolphin. We were lucky to see them immediately, even a mother and baby. They are so hard to photograph because they never come up in the same spot twice.

Last night, our last night together, we ate at Civichi's in downtown St. Pete. A tapas restaurant with amazing food. We sat outside on the porch (they have heaters) and had some of the best food of the week. We did the corny thing that the Kardashians do on their show. They go around the table and said their peak and pit of the day. My peak was having my kids around me all day. Since they live in other cities and we don't often share a week with all of them, I am truly enjoying their presence here together as a family this week. I have an added sense of contentment when my children are with me and that now extends to my new daughter in law. She is such a part of the family and we fit together all so well, it's like she's always been with us.

Since Real Estate prices have dropped significantly in Florida, I thought I would show you some waterfront property where you can watch the dolphins from your back yard pool.

About 4 million we were told......

These are all gated communities on the waterways. Not sure what today will bring, except sunshine...

Ancient Sea Shell

2012-01-06T09:45:00.000-05:00

We're in Florida with the family.....the first time they have seen our Florida House. They seem impressed. They seem even more impressed with the price of liquor in Florida.....about half the price to Canadian booze. Most impressive is the California Champagne (oxymoron) that we buy at Walmart for $4.97. We are a family of sparkling wine lovers, so we stocked up.

We have a house full, so while surveying the late night damages around the kitchen and living room this morning, I noticed the morning light captured through this beautiful ancient sea shell. We met some people who liquidate estates and they let me buy this for a dollar...thinking no one would want it.

It has bit of seaweed fossilized within the shell...which show up beautifully when back lit with sunshine.

And barnacles......dotted with barnacles ...............................

A simple window sill vignette. I love the old metal 1930's windows in this house with the deep ledges and tiled ledge.

Florida has been chilly....12F but compared to the minus 20C back home, we'll gladly enjoy this. Especially the sunshine. The sun shines in St. Petersburg 360 days a year.......

I love the gentle lines underneath the shell...nature is really so incredible...who could design this better?

The glow only lasted about 10 minutes...the sun inched around the trees and it was gone.........................

I hope you all can capture a bit of sunshine today wherever you are......the weekend is near............

Wrap up

2011-12-30T17:14:00.001-05:00

My best pic of 2011...Interior Design Show in Toronto

I hope everyone had a really nice Christmas and are gearing up for 2012. We had a lovely time in Montreal. I fell asleep on Christmas Eve to the sound of horse hooves clopping along the cobbled streets of old Montreal and woke to snow falling lightly all around. It was magical lying in bed watching it, hoping the Raz man would wake up and go get me a coffee. We stayed at Le Petite Hotel...a quaint and charming little boutique hotel, very well priced in winter and with complimentary fruit, croissants and coffee for breakfast. I just hate going downstairs to get it when my hair is all crazy and I have no make up on. So I wait for him to wake up and get it for me. My son made a cooked breakfast for us alter and we enjoyed a fabulous evening at his In Laws...loads of people and noise and music and fun fun fun....

IDS Show Toronto...love this photo

Of course now it's almost done, we need to reflect on 2011......the good, bad and ugly of it. I was very fortunate this year. The highlights of my year were

We sold our cottage up North and bought a house in Florida for our family and hope to make many happy memories there in 2012....
We went on a business trip to Vegas and I ditched the business part to meet up with Suzan from the Old Grey Mare blog who took me sight seeing and to buy cowboy boots.
I took Girl Child to Mexico for reading week. She went back to college to get another diploma and has had 2 great internships this year. 4 months to go until she graduates.
We went to Florida house hunting.....bought a house...fell through...went back..bought another one.
Traveled to Montreal for bridal shower
Traveled to Exuma for the most magical wedding (son's) and week of festive mingling with the new in laws and friends.
Back to Montreal for the reception
Hosted my brother and nephew in Florida...tried paddle boarding.
Met a new friend from the UK
Met my father's brother for the first time.
My sister bought a house.
Christmas in Montreal...the first escape for me in over 30 years.
Dinner at friends tomorrow.

So many to choose from in Vegas

So that's quite a list of fun and travel, but I was most lazy in many other respects. I haven't lost as of today a single pound in 2011....a complete disappointment for me, but hardly surprising since I've been a bit of a sloth. I also made no progress in moving my business ahead in 2011. SO...for 2012, I am planning the following.

Swimming at the Y...Aquafit and lengths.
Yoga at the Y.
Weight loss goal of 12 lbs. Although that is not enough, I think it should be attainable.
Despite working for an Orthopaedic Surgeon for ages, I'm not keen on them seeing them as a patient. I have a really bad knee and need to see one soon...which will help me lose weight if knee was more stable.
Paddle boarding both in Florida and Ontario
Kayaking..easy on knee
Make an effort to make huge batches of jams, jellies, clay tags, cards etc for November 2012 craft market.
Start felting again
Knit something
Find a book club
Plan a girls dinner once a month
Get out more
Advance my Internet business with new products
See more live performances
Make Lemoncello...I was given a homemade bottle by the handsome Italian boyfriend of my sons sister in law....can't wait to make it.
Make more time for my sister
Find and shop at a farmers market consistently
And the number 1 thing........SPEND LESS, SAVE MORE.

I've written down here so I can look back next year and see if I can check them off the list. I gained 3 followers in the past few days....some interesting folk....which was nice as I lost a few the week before..what is it about blogging that make losing a follower cause doubts? I've dropped blogs that I followed for various reasons, then dumped because they weren't my thing, didn't post enough, too many posts on babies or perfect husbands or whatever, or just too many to read.....Face it, a good percentage of those smiling faces are not real followers anyway.... Two blogs I dropped because they were mean and encouraged people to write in and say mean things about fat people or people with bad hair cuts. GONE WITH YOU...I SAY.

So the ones that I do follow are all on my sidebar (I think). I have a great mixed bag of blog reading there so pop over to have a look...Happy New Year to All.

My Beautiful Ky.

My handsome son and his gorgeous bride

Florida Dining Room

Florida Living room

Happy Christmas

2011-12-23T17:54:00.000-05:00

I woke up in the night in a fit of worries. We usually have my mum for Xmas dinner and she is going to my sister's this year. Last night as I watched my boy Chris Rene lose X factor at her house, I noticed that my sister's front steps are high and steep for a wheelchair. There was no way my sister would be able to yank the chair up the steps like the Raz Man does. And the wheelchair taxi drivers can't do it. So I fretted half the night and has visions of mu mum not getting into the house. This morning I went to the wheelchair store (not the most exciting place) and found I could "rent a ramp" which I did and is now installed at the house.Pheww....

As the week winds down and things are winding up for the weekend, we find ourselves with an empty fridge and our bags packed.......and it's wonderful. I am all for changing things up and I am so revved up for tomorrow when we fly to Montreal. Boy Child will pick us up and we will settle into our hotel quickly so we can join our daughter in laws family at church and then Christmas Eve is an open book. I would like to roam the streets of Old Montreal in the snow...and drink champagne with the "sisters" and sing carols with my appalling voice. Glad I sent my parcels by UPS because the airlines are saying no wrapped gifts....

All day today Girl Child has been checking her phone for messages. She was to hear about an Internship she had interviewed for at a Fashion magazine. They said she would know by today. The publisher called her today at 4pm and SHE GOT IT.....we were so excited ,,,she's going to be styling for photo shoots and something to do with Pop Up shops, which is a new thing to me. I am so proud of her. We can't wait to celebrate with her brother and SIL tomorrow.

Blogging has brought me some lovely friends this year. One I actually met in Vegas and so enjoy her friendship as well as the cowboy boots she helped me to pick. Some have made big changes, many have reached great personal and professional goals. Some have big worries and I hope these will resolve in the next year. A couple of my favorite bloggers have lost beloved people recently. It's a hard time for them right now, and I just wish them the best they can manage this Christmas. Some company, some laughter, shared love, and a little peace despite the heartbreak.

We've gotten to know each other a little bit, what makes us smile, cuss, frown and ponder. I so look forward to another year of all your adventures and antics. I wish all of you a Happy Christmas.

Chania (and yes that is my real name...someone asked me the other day)

Trend Alert

2011-12-21T12:01:00.000-05:00

www.countryhome.com

I've noticed a new trend around the blog and design worlds lately....(besides red and white butcher twine)

Angel Wings...on the back of chairs, doors, earrings etc.

I do love this sculpted Raphael's Wing - an original art piece from www.anthropologie.com

http://www.etsy.com/listing/32260603/black-angel-wings-soap-palm-free

Angel Wing Platters from www.vivaterra.com

Tattoo http://foottattoosdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/angel-dog-wing-tattoos.jpg?w=210

Cropping up everywhere.....I predict some feathery creations from bloggers and artists alike in 2012. I am pondering making my own art piece from handmade wool felt....(we'll see if I actually get that done).

image from HERE Earl from Saving Grace

Speaking of angel wings...have any of you watched the series Saving Grace with Holly Hunter? It is my absolute all time favorite show....

Gifted.....Marmalade

2011-12-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

I may be predictable and boring, but every year I give the gift of marmalade. To me a jar of homemade marmalade tells my friends and neighbors how much I care about them. I want them to have something special made by me. I am trusting that if they are sick of it, they will drop me a small (or big) hint. I've met so many really lovely people on my blog, I wish postage of a 2lb jar wasn't just plain ridiculous or I would send you a jar.

Each year I change it up just a little bit...one year old mason jars, last year clay tags (you can see those HERE). This year I decided to go Old School, so I used Ball jars, a simple brown paper lid wrapping cut out from left over wrapping paper. You could also use brown paper grocery bags. A silver shimmery ribbon and a little robin stamp on the top. No further wrapping needed.

I've just boxed some up in my parcels heading to Montreal. My son's new Grandmother-in-Law, is a big fan of my marmalade. Her 83 year old husband bring her toast and marmalade in bed...so I need to keep George well stocked.

I made a double batch which gave me nine 16 ounce jars. I tried for many years to get real Seville oranges (the best for marmalade) here in Canada, but if available the quality sucks, so I use Marmade...a tin of fresh Seville Oranges, already peeled and ready to go..it doesn't get much easier than that. You can see my post on Marmade HERE if you are wondering about it.

I know some people think making jam or marmalade is a daunting task, but it really is simple and makes a really inexpensive and old fashioned gift. If you have any questions about making a batch, just ask me.

COMPOUND INTEREST
Principal		Months 1 = .08 2 = .17 3 = .25 4 = .33 5 = .42 6 = .50 7 = .58 8 = .67 9 = .75 10 = .83 11 = .92
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Years
Amount
Interest