today is about inspiration

(today's journal page features some wonderful artists -- clockwise from the top left: Michelle Purchase; Alice Jarry; Gillian Farnsworth; Lizz Aston; Beverley Hawksley; Kelly Grace)
(the images in my journal are from the artist's business cards, moo cards and postcards -- the images below are from their blogs or websites)

Today Mr. B and I went to the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. It is my favourite art show and sale of the year. This year I saw so much that I wanted to buy! But we are on a tight budget right now, so I could only be inspired.... But what inspiration it was!

My favourites:
*in brackets is the booth number if you plan on going on Sunday!*
** click on their names to see their websites**

Gillian Farnsworth (Green 352)(I really wanted a piece by Gillian)
Michelle Purchase (Green 332)
Alice Jarry and Jason Cantoro (Yellow 663)
Kelly Grace (Orange 416)
Beverley Hawksley (Turquoise 451)
Sheila Norgate (White 24)

Summer vacation! WooHoo!

Finally -- it's here! Today is the first real day of y vacation (real means that the others in the house have gone back to work-- I'm alone.......)
But the list of things to do is building up.
Here's how my summer is looking:
- make polar fleece mittens for next year's kids (40 pair)
- make felt food for my dramatic play centre
- organize phys ed lessons
- do my Reggio readings (have almost a dozen books)
- make baby gifts for J
- assemble my Christmas themed tip in book -- the last pages are here!
- mount the white 3x3 swap squares (they were in Sew Somerset -- the swap was over a year ago)
- prepare for week at the cottage
- prepare for 2 weeks in Phoenix
- organize the art studio (I could likely do this every weekend for the rest of my life)
- cut the dogs hair
- make some zombie dolls for some certain deserving people
- paint the trim in the bedroom (waiting 2 years)
- finish painting the basement (I started last summer)
- tackle the removal of 100 years of wallpaper and paint off the front hall walls
- battle the slugs!
- buy a new bike and ride to the beach almost every day :)

Today I'm making thank you cards. It's about 10 billion degrees here today. Okay, perhaps I exaggerate a bit. It feels like 10 billion degrees today..... I've also done my income taxes today (yes, I'm a few months late.....) and I did Lauren's taxes too.... and I ordered some school supplies for the fall....

Tomorrow I shall ride my new bike to the swimming pool and swim a mile...... I love summer :)

Canada Day!

If it's July 1, then I'm at the Dominion Day Regatta here in Toronto on the island! It's the third time I've been.
Lauren's first race was the Women's Double.
They won First Place! She got to take home a silver cup (well, plated anyway :)

(That is Lauren on the right)

Then her next race was the Women's coxed Four. They won too! Congratulations to Lauren and her teammates. She races again next weekend in St Catharines!Could I be more proud? Well, yes I could be -- because a few weeks ago Lauren graduated from University (on Tuesday June 15, 2010). She graduated with distinction with an Honours Bachelor of Science. (Her degree is a double major in Forestry and French Literature).

You can see the webcast here. I couldn't get the link to work, but maybe you can (I'm talking to my relatives here, I don't seriously believe that anyone else would want to sit through that ceremony)(Lauren is standing to the left with her back towards us, waiting to go up the stairs)
(Laurence Hill is seated to our left of the Chancellor -- David Peterson)

Lawrence Hill -- the author of The Book of Negroes was the honoured graduand and speaker. That was extra exciting for me -- because coincidentally I was half way through the book! (I have since finished it -- it was wonderful)
Here are some photos of our memorable day (my mom and I attended)



So, my baby is all growed up (that's what the Kindergarten kids say). But she'll always be my baby :)

Read the Printed Word.org

We support the printed word in all its forms: newspapers, magazines, and of course books. We think reading on computers or phones or whatever is fine, but it cannot replace the experience of reading words printed on paper. We pledge to continue reading the printed word in the digital era and beyond.
Join us here.

I love books. But I have also entered the digital age. I love my computer too -- and I plan to get an ebook reader very soon (Mr. B has one -- I can borow his anytime :) I just can't imagine falling asleep at night with the Reader in my hands. Or bringing it into the bathtub -- or to the beach on a windy day.

I have just finished reading www.wake by Robert Sawyer. Definitely a GREAT READ. I will be reading the sequel as soon as it arrives from the library!Caitlin Decter is young, pretty, feisty, a genius at math—and blind. Still, she can surf the net with the best of them, following its complex paths clearly in her mind. But Caitlin’s brain long ago co-opted her primary visual cortex to help her navigate online. So when she receives an implant to restore her sight, instead of seeing reality, the landscape of the World Wide Web explodes into her consciousness, spreading out all around her in a riot of colors and shapes. While exploring this amazing realm, she discovers something—some other—lurking in the background. And it’s getting more and more intelligent with each passing day...

Far Enough Farm

The name of the farm on Centre Island in Toronto is "Far Enough Farm". It is in the middle of Centreville (a children's amusement park). I love to visit it!

(this boar looks just like our dog Andy)

(Honey, who shrunk Ray?)

Aaaahhhhhh, summer

Today we got up early and took the ferry to the Toronto Islands.

Bye bye Toronto!This was my view for the day.I love my city.

Time with Friends.

I'm playing catch up. This is my longest post ever, I'm sure. A few weeks ago I spent the weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake with 6 wonderful friends!
Sandy
Maija
Amy
Natalea
Vivian
and Jenny (no blog, but has a beautiful flickr site and a great etsy shop!
(and Jenny must have hid a lot -- I don't have pics of her! )

(photos by me and everyone above)

Our theme was "birds"
This is the house we rented:

Sandy made it so beautiful!

We shopped and were silly:

(Maija and me)

(me, Nat and Sandy)

(M is for mouse loving Maija)

(Vivian and Amy)

We made each other lots of mementos:

(i made the zipper pouch)

(Natalea made these necklaces for us -- mine is the "colours outside the lines")

(Nat made these peat pots too)

(Amy gave us little kits so we could make these nest pins!)

And we made awesome cool stuff (thank you Viv and Jenny for the tutorials):(Jenny taught us how to make these fabulous mobiles!)

(Vivian taught us how to needle felt)

(Amy made the bluebird)

(Amy made the big one and Jenny made the little one)

And we drew names for our trades (this is what I got from Nat -- it's already up in my kitchen!)

Thanks for beautiful memories girls! I miss you!

back to the land of the living... maybe not!

I have (FINALLY) finished my report cards.
Tonight I will be able to relax with Sookie and Bill. Because, YES! True Blood Season premier is tonight! WooHoo.My school year is winding down. I still have to prepare for a presentation on Tuesday and then our Welcome to Kindergarten Night on Wednesday. I'm tired.......

bikes

Did I tell you that our garage was broken into last week? And ALL of our bikes were stolen? Our insurance won't cover my bike or Ray's because we can't find the receipts and we don't have pictures of them. Or of his leather jacket. Or his tools......
SO -- if you have a picture of me in the last 10 years on or with my bike -- let me know! I can't believe that I don't have a picture of it. It's a blue and white gary fisher mountain bike. A "tarpon". I am SO annoyed.
It looked exactly like this. It wasn't expensive at all (kind of "bottom of the line") But it was mine and I managed to hold onto it for 8 years!!!

Hooking in progress....

I have had so little time for myself lately, but last weekend we went to visit my family-- so I had a bit of time in the car to play. I am really enjoying rug hooking. This is a small panel -- the hoop is a 10" hoop. The hooking class that I took was less than spectacular. I'd like to take another some day..... (This is the traditional east coast technique -- not latch hooking)

I have so many things due/happening in June, so you are not likely to hear from me much. I have some art to finish for next weekend that may not get finished...... I have to finish all of my report cards (37) and also have to finish a research paper by June 1. I am still taking evening classes -- and have the last of my weekend classes tomorrow.

Beautiful Blog Alert

I just can't keep up with all of the beautiful blogs around! And this one is Canadian!
It is called A Day in the Country and it belongs to Heather Cameron. She's a magazine stylist and story producer for home decor and gardening magazines. She owns a blueberry farm in British Columbia. Go and check her out!

Sweet Paul

New Online Magazine Alert!This issue of Sweet Paul has 74 pages of goodness.
In Paul's words it will have "Easy and elegant recipes, fun and stylish crafts, exciting crafters, entertaining ideas, and much more"

It definitely has yummy yummy recipes (Apple and Chevre Salad with Honey Vinaigrette ... mmmmm....)
Amaretto-baked French Toast with Pecans!
Tasty Treats for your puppies (Peanut Bone recipe!)
It's not all recipes either :)

It kind of reminds me of what Martha Stewart Living used to be.......

Don't forget to check out Sweet Paul's blog too!

Happy Mothers Day

Remember to celebrate all mothers -- not just your own :)

I love you mom!
(don't worry -- I'm keeping my phone -- just for you :)

(sterling heart -- work in progress)

This morning I was off to ikea for $1 breakfast! Really -- you get scrambled eggs, sausages and hash browns (really they are french fry squares) -- all for $1! And today it was done to perfection (sometimes you get runny eggs -- yuck). It tasted better than it looks......I was a shopaholic -- I bought a new outside lounger to replace the one that broke last year (ikea gave me my money back)(I think that I'm too fat for ikea -- if this one breaks they will really hear it from me). but I didn't buy cushions for my outdoor furniture -- the cushions were so expensive -- it was going to cost me $160 to buy cushions for my bench and 2 chairs. Now I'm going to try to make my own. I know that in a few weeks I'll be cursing my decision!And I bought some little things like tea towels and a new bath mat and new trays.....
And lots of things for my classroom (cups and plates and toys for the sand and play dough centre). I can't wait to make play dough cones and sundaes!

My life in lists -- Things I don't like

Lists really do drive my life.

Todays list:

Things that I don't like
1. Fluorescent lighting. Even the compact ones. Ray changed most of our lights to them when we moved in. I am working on changing them back. Yes, I realize that they are better for the environment. But my mental health suffers. And if Martha is crabby, everybody is crabby.

2. Green candy. Green is my favourite colour (light green). I love candy. But green candy is yucky. Closely followed by yucky yellow candy.

3. Yellow. Pale butter yellow is okay. maybe.

3. Mashed foods. No, I don 't like mashed potatoes. Mashed food is for babies. It's a texture thing.

4. Telephones. I'd rather walk a mile down the street with a stone in my shoe to tell someone something than to phone them. I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of my phone altogether. Email rocks! Bring on the iPad, people! See, I'm no luddite!

5. Cars. I hate getting into cars. I'm a public transit gal. And I like to walk, and to ride my bike. Actually, I'd be most happy if I never had to leave the house. and garden.

6. Public speaking to anyone over the age of about 13. Although once I get going, it's hard to get me to stop. Get out the hook!

7. Bathrooms that I've never been to. I hate going into new bathrooms. Even in private homes. I think that it's the finding them that stresses me out. I know that I can't get lost in someone's house, but the opening of wrong doors really bothers me. This one is the closest to a phobia that I have.

7. Showers. I'm a bath girl. I don't like the feeling of water falling on me. I stood under a waterfall once, and yes, it was pretty, but I still didn't like it.

8. Panty hose. They are SO UNCOMFORTABLE. I only wear skirts when it's warm out. With bare legs. Although this year I've been wearing skirts with leggings and my Blundstones.

9. Walking the dog after a long day at work. I love the dog. And he is SOOOO happy to see me when I get home. BUT. I hate that feeling on the way home that says"yes, you'll be home in 5 minutes, but you have another 45 minute walk ahead of you" It's enough to make me not want to come home.....

10. Worms on the street after it rains. I hate the smell, and they look yucky. I don't mind them in the garden though. I just hate walking through them......

Kale chips

Ray made kale chips. They feel like light crispy ruffled wings that melt in your mouth. They taste just like what I imagine salty dried pond scum tastes like. I've asked him not to make them again.(I didn't take this photo -- but they looked just like this)

Waking up in the Land of Glitter

Have you read this book??? -- it's a light, cute chick-lit novel. I quite enjoyed it.Here's the blurb from Amazon:
With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary . . . especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella "Star" Esteban's family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. La Pachanga brings people together-even when it looks like they couldn't be further apart.

One ill-fated evening, Star jeopardizes her family's business, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her future career. To redeem herself, she agrees to participate in a national craft competition, teaming up with her best friend, Ofelia-a secretly troubled mother whose love for crafting borders on obsession-and local celebrity Chloe Chavez-a determined television personality with more than one skeleton in her professional closet. If these unlikely allies can set aside their differences, they'll find strength they never knew they had, and learn that friendship, like crafting, is truly an art form.

I'd like to hear what you think of it. And if you haven't read it, and you'd like to borrow it from me, you're welcome to!