Melt

Oh daughter, your curiousity inspires me.

Tea for Two

Tea for the little girls; tea for the big girls. A happy way to spend the morning.

Orange

We saw a squirrel, two chickadees and a surprise blizzard, and shared supper with a most beloved uncle.

Horizon

A walk in the sunshine does my heart good.

Abacus Beads

Broken glasses; frustrated toddler; extreme cold; 

I wished for Friday on Tuesday.

Toddler hugs; conversations with friends; a generous husband; it's Friday night.

All is again right in my world.

The Little Shadows

The Little Shadows by Marina Endicott

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Well-developed characters including a whole mix of personalities: it is clear the author spent considerable time creating these people. I especially appreciated the nuances between the sisters--their deep bond but their clear individual spirits.

The book is good and thick with a long enough plot to really develop a story and capture my interest..

Finally, it was a really interesting setting (the Vaudeville theatre world) and time period (pre and during the First World War) about which to read.

A Canadian author and a story that takes place in my home province. A joy to read.



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Twenty-five Below

Long blue shadows offset by golden sunlight that pierced the cold.
Frost on her eyelashes; she sang the entire time, bundled in blankets in her stroller.

Out My Window

A busy sunny morning and an afternoon putting things in order;

counting the minutes til Daddy comes home.

Hands and Feet

Dishes is a favourite chore for small hands these days, 

and on short gloomy days, it is a fun thing we can do together.

December in Ten

Advent  and cookies and snow and coffee and knitting and Christmas.

Awake My Soul

On this Winter Solstice day, a song for you:
"Where you invest your love, you invest your life."

November in Ten

November was brought to us amidst knitting, first snow,

a terrific box house built by Daddy, a much-loved Halloween costume, 

and many hours of play for two little girls. 

It was a steadily rhythmic month,

in which we watched the light dwindle 

and eagerly awaited the beginning of Advent.

  

 

 

 

 

Knitting Norwegians

55 Christmas Balls to Knit: Colorful, Festive Decorations-Tree Ornaments, Centerpieces, Wreaths, Window Dressings by Arne Nerjordet
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book wins a prize for oddest cover and is also in the running for a prize for strangest subject matter. That said, the designs for said "Christmas balls" are quite beautiful.

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A refreshing [British] Christmas commercial

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the most brilliant books I've read lately. I loved the format (letters, rather that fluid story). I enjoyed the range of characters. I appreciated the characters' normal foibles and everyday problems. In combination with the format and the depth of characters, the setting of Guernsey during the war just completed the brilliancy. And now I have a new destination in my places-to-visit list.

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We've Made It

After a year and a half of work we've finally gotten our final appraisal done on the house, in other words, today marks the end of the official renovation of our house.  There are some small projects I'd like to tackle, but the majority of the work is all done.  Here are some photos I took before we did any interior renovations, and some photos I took today.  I'll take some exterior photos sometime soon and post them.

October in Ten Photos

In which we travel, play with friends, garden, carve pumpkins and be rather bear-like.