Dinner on the beach

Every year we celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends in Hope Bay. It is a little community we are closely connected to. The dinner is a gathering of approximately 40 people, we all contribute and it really is like a big family. Well, this year the weather was so outstanding we decided to eat on the beach by our great host Kathy and Frank! You'll also note that the turkey (three of them) is cooked on a fire, under a bucket outside. Delicious.......

Thanksgiving

Wow, it is Thanksgiving already. Times are busy and life is so fast. We came back last week from a little trip to Bryce Canyon and Zion Park. The weather was excellent and we walked and climbed throughout the canyons. It was breathtaking. The colours and the texture of the rock are so incredible. It is seems to be a part of the world that is not touched by modern life, and yet, of course it is. The erosion is creating many of the effect in the rocks and human behaviour really does leave something to be desired sometimes. However, it was stunning and, while I am not religious in the traditional sense, I experienced something profoundly spiritual. Take a look....

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

Fall

And then it is Fall.... All my family has gone back to Holland and I wish I lived closer to them.

It is a strange time. Zoe has started at UoT and is liking it a lot. She is busy but happy. John is in Salt Lake City for work and so I feel a bit unsettled with these changes and the quiet in our house!

Next week I am joining John for a few days and we are going to Bryce Canyon and Zion Park in Utah. Exciting, one of the things on my bucket list... :)

Here is picture of what we hope to see!

Family and wedding

Last week my nephew got married and for the occasion pretty much all my family from Holland came to visit. It was a lot of fun. We did some sightseeing, made a tour of the harbour and enjoyed time together befor the wedding.

We rented a limo and drove to the wedding in style. Tracey and Steven looked stunning and the party was at the Eglington Grand, the old movie theatre on Eglington West Avenue. I used to live right behind it. It is no longer a movie theatre. It is now used for weddings and it was just beautiful. There was a poster and an announcement on the banner of the theatre. Take a look!

Cirque du Soleil

The other night we went to see Totem, the current Cirque du Soleil. It was outstanding as always. There were so many amazing acts. The music was great. The costumes and choreography were just so beautiful. If you haven't seen Cirque du Soleil, go check it out. It is well worth your time and money. Here are some picture, courtesy of Circque.
The first picture show a Russian group that had flexible bars, held on the shoulders of some very strong men, and on which others jumped and danced. The other shows women on a monocycle with a stack of bowls on their head, that they throw and catch while riding the monocycle.....

Periwinkle closure

I just found out yesterday that Periwinkle will close its doors. Cindy, the owner, is having some personal health issues and has chosen, understandably, to not continue with her store. I hope she will be ok. Therefore, my jewelry will no longer be available there... Once I have some time (Ha!) I will move my items to Etsy. Stay tuned!

Jack Layton

What sad news it was yesterday that Jack Layton passed away. I was moved by that as I think he was a true example of a great person and politician. His quote in his last letter is one I will remember:

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

Bathroom and Art

I am so excited. Our bathroom is done and it looks great. All the pieces and choices work good together and the result is amazing. John did such a good job!

Of course some decorative pieces are also in order and I had just the right piece to hang in my new room:

I have a very talented friend most of you know, Nancy Donaldson. Look how beautifully her piece matches my new interior! Thanks Nancy.

Birthday

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who sent me greetings and best wishes on my birthday on Wednesday. I had a wonderful day and am lucky to have so many great people in my life!!

Bronze

During my vacation I decided to play with some bronze wire. The wire itself looks like brass. Yet, when you heat it up it takes on this beautiful colour. Take a look.



St Lucia continued

Well, Zoe's time in St Lucia is almost up. She is having a great time, but I miss her and can't wait to see her and hear all the stories. Here is the entire camp crew, and a beautiful lake shot and the camp blog link!

Creative Vacation

While on vacation in Hope bay on the Bruce Peninsula, I spent lots of time doing nothing and relaxing. The weather was outstanding and the water even warm enough for me to go in it. (I HATE cold water...:).

I  did spend a bit of time making some jewelry. This was one project. I bought these vintage amber-coloured dudas that were attached  to clothing as decoration. I wanted to use them and so voila! The wire is bronze and the rest is "beadsoup"!

St Lucia

On Sunday Zoe is going to St Lucia as a volunteer with the St Lucia Learning project to help teach little children there and to be part of a group of wonderful people trying to help the people of small town there.

Take a look at the St. Lucia Learning Project here. I am so proud of her!!

Ontario landscapes

This weekend I drove to the cottage for a wedding. The weather was fantastic and the landscape just so beautiful. Have a peek! The wedding was great too. John built a structure to hold the keyboard for the music for the wedding. It turned out to become a white grand piano! It looked so real.

Mahogany Jasper

I love Japser. It come in so many hues and colours. I was asked to make a necklace for someone's birthday. This is what I came up with. Nothing too complicated and yet it worked out beautifully!