Dec 15, 2013 - Jan 5, 2014 Photo A Day Project

Oh, how I hope your holidays were lovely this year. 

Probably similar to many of yours, our season was laced with ultra-cold weather, oodles of plates, bowls, and glasses of deliciousness (some of which you'll see below), and enchanting social gatherings. It was great fun and...  exhausting! Not sure about you, but I'm ready to get back to normal life.

The Photo-a-Day project continues to grab me, so on we go... wee glimpses of my past three weeks:

15 - Lights

One of the many lit up homes in our neighbourhood.
Still love the blue and white!

 

16 - Makes me feel merry

The LOML

17 - Tree

And snowflakes! As much as I love the trees in full leaf,
their sharp winter blackness against the white snow and sky
also makes me smile.

18 - Big

Now THAT'S a snow blower!

Nearly 100 people on that giant stage filled the room with the glorious sound
of Handel's Messiah! Thank you, Nadine, for the wonderful gift.

19 - 'Tis the season to ...

Bake! Indulge! Give away!
These made our mail carrier and recycle guy VERY happy. :)

20 - I'm listening to ...

Who can resist Nat King Cole at Christmastime?

21 - On the door

Christmas Party at our house!!!

22 - Sparkly

Lots of love on my left hand... and...

also on my right... Gramps and Gran's 50th? anniversary ring

23 - Tradition

First Annual Christmapuck!
Had a blast at the Senator's hockey game with P's son and the bro's

24 - Wrapped

No wrapped gifts this year, but we did have these
delightful Christmas crackers!

25 - Best bit of your day

Just home from a fabulous Christmas day lunch with the Bogan clan!
(Forgot to take photos there... silly me! Thanks, again, Val and family.)

26 - Where I slept

Heaven
(and clearly one of Penny's sleeping spots, too!)

27 - What you're doing now

Eating artichokes -- BIG surprise!
Hi, my name's Patrice, and I'm a choke-aholic....

28 - Something awesome

Fabulous prezzie: 3 month membership! Yes! (Thanks yet again, Val.)

29 - Reflect best bit of 2013

Best Birthday EVER! (and I've had some great ones.)

30 - You

The Permanent Residency Packet, she is on her way.
All prayers and good thoughts welcome.

31 - Celebrate

Another great party where (for some unknown reason) my camera stayed in my purse.
Thanks, Jenn and Don for the delightful New Year's Eve party!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2014 is going to be WONDERFUL!

1 - Lunch

Yummy kitchari (brown rice + mung beans + turmeric)
topped with Greek yogurt -- a staple of this post-holiday 8-day cleanse

2 - Begins with G...

Another batch of Pierre's current favourite soup: Gumbo!

3 - My town

Too cold to be out in it, but here are some photos :)

4 - Word to live by

A gift from my dearest friend, Vickie
(who is in my thoughts and prayers every day)

5 - Found

It took a little hunting, but he found them
right where they'd been patiently waiting for the past two years.
And we're back on the ice! Yeah!!

Nov 25 - Dec 14, 2013 - Photo A Day Project

'Tis the season to be busy. Fa La La La Lahhh, La La La Lah!  :)

The past three weeks have been such fun! Although I was only one of a team of 12 awesome set-crew folks at Ottawa Little Theatre's production of Christmas Belles, my co-crew-chief status kept me engaged in some capacity each day of its three-week run. 

There were fill-ins and prayers for ill and injured teammates, worry over mystery lighting problems, and concern that the great cast may actually have meant it when they teased us about attempting to upstage them. There was pride as we watched the actors become their silly, Texan characters, and bewilderment as audiences laughed at and actually applauded our simple, frozen poses. But mostly, I felt the warm fulfillment of being a part of a creative production that brought a bit of lightness and cheer into what is often a stressful time of year. 

Last night was closing night, so -- at least for awhile -- it's back to "normal life." Bravo to old and new theatre friends! Hope to work / play with you all again soon.

Here, now, is my three-week catch-up of daily snaps. :)

Nov 25 - Quirky

My delightfully eccentric best GF!

 

26 - Message

"Brrr! Letting me in now would be good."

27 - No!

Poor White Pine couldn't handle the first heavy snow this year.

28 - I am Grateful for ... 

Home with my dear Pierre, Copper & Penny.
Snow. This glorious life. :)

29 - Black

Meeting my new friend, Marta, and her pups,
Monty & Mylo at the dog park.
At 8 + months pregnant, she was feeling
like a big, black wardrobe!

30 - All Done

Patrick, my stepson, finishes
U.S. Thanksgiving Chinese dinner.

December!

1 - Red

The front door gets festive.

2- Where I Stood

The motivational speakers at MoMonday Ottawa. We joined them
on stage at the end of the talks for a round of "All You Need Is Love."
Yep. I sang on stage. lol!

3 - Silver

Mary Beth / Rhonda Lynn sparkles onstage and off!

4 - Tiny

Christmas Village where Catzilla regularly naps

5 - In the Cupboard

Penny checking out the paper recycling

6 - Shadow

Wonder whether the neighbourhood Zellers will become a Target?

7 - Six O'Clock

We three crew chiefs carpool to the theatre

8 - Where I Shop

Picked up dinner after working the matinee
from our favourite Ethiopian Restaurant: The Blue Nile

9 - This is the Weather Today

Another layer of lovely snow!

10 - R is for ...

Roses ... dead and alive! (By the way, those mini-roses
flourish outside! They even over-winter in Ottawa.
Hearty little fellas!)

11 - Green

Our buddy, Grey, bundles up to head home after the show.

12 - Joy is ...

Building Christmas Traditions

13 - Composition

The sound and light boards and their designers and
operators who help create the magic.

14 - Drink

Cheers to closing night of Christmas Belles --
a toast to all with Peppermint Schnapps and Cocoa!

July 2013 Photo A Day Project - Week One

It's been nearly a year since I snapped a photo-a-day and wrote blog pieces based on those photos. That was a fascinating project (for me, anyway!), so when FatMumSlim's daily prompts showed up on my FB feed on July 1st, I decided to take on the challenge again. This time, though, I will be posting weekly, and will write much less. Life has been beautifully full, you see, and I'd like to record a smattering of the blessings that surround me.

Here, then, are this month's daily themes:

 

July 1 - Happiness is...

Spending time with the Love Of My Life:  Pierre

July 2 - Shoes

Comfortable feet = happy girl

So grateful for air conditioning during hot-and-muggy summers

July 3 - Cold

 July 4 - Red, White, or Blue (but I chose "and")

Ottawa Little Theatre's gorgeous red curtain

White mask sculpture, part of the ever-changing
art display in the lobby

Striking a pose. Red, white & blue!

July 5 - Love

Spa Day for our beloved beasties, Copper and Penny

 July 6 - Fave Smell

Intoxicating scent of summer flowers

 

July 7 - Where You Are 

My favourite reading and writing spot