Christmas Joy

it was busy, it was fun, it was filled with games and food and laughter.
We are blessed!

Norah loved her new rocking horse from Grandma and Grandpa!

I have been staying away from the computer.... mostly because it is in the shop - yes, it died boxing day.
Sigh..... but while this is not good news, the positive side is it died when I was not up to my eyes in my client's photo edits and 90% of my computer is safely backed up on my external hard drive and on Crash Plan. I can't say enough about Crash Plan.  One day I will blog about it.

Yes, I was prepared for this rainy day and, well, it is good for me to spend more time on the couch with a book or with my sweetheart watching some tv, or going for a walk, or cleaning out my office and catching up on bills etc.

a little more dependent on the iPhone and laptop. :)

Cupcakes!

What little girl doesn't love cupcakes?
Celebrating mommy's birthday….. I know not too many photos of the birthday girl because her daughters stole the show! Taken last week. :)

Dancing With Grandpa

Babysitting

And having a hoot!!

The curtsy and the dip! Eva was just giggling away. :) 

Norah just saw this as an opportunity to check out Eva's puzzle…..

It is Christmas Eve….work today and a relatively quiet evening.
Looking forward to Mark's safe arrival home and candlelight service tonight.
Then you know who arrives. :)

My Second Haircut

Took these a couple of months ago. 

SIGH…. she is growing up! 

South Pole Adventure

from the September archives - our trip to Victoria. 

The Royal BC Museum had a great display on an expedition to the South Pole.  

Spoiler: The Norwegians got there first and made it back.

Here is Mark hanging out with a Norwegian ancestor. You never know - he is 25% Norwegian.

Colourful Nassau

I have no idea what these little colourful boxes were for….

And this was one of the stalls in the crafters market - there were about 200 more just like this one with various items for sale, each vendor hoping you will buy something from them. :)

Pool

One of our lazy vacation activities…...

I think that says I lost 40 to 16…… maybe I shouldn't have a martini and play pool at the same time!

Waiting

not for Santa, but for all these people to come home so we can feed them, shower them with gifts and generally spoil them.
Then life will get back to normal.

Wishing there were four more stockings to put up. :(

Frontier Logs

Spotted these in the toy store today and had to buy them.

I know, I have grand daughters and they likely won't have any interest in these. They are into princesses right now.

But 50 years ago a trip to see my Grandma and Grandpa meant getting to build with these blocks when my five older siblings were done with them. These blocks were a favourite for all of us. I don't remember playing with the little figures (maybe they were all lost by the time I got to them), but I built log cabins and loved putting the roof on and then adding the chimney. I remember playing on the floor of the veranda, near the door. I can hear the sounds of summer on the Winnipeg River. I can smell Grandma's perennial garden thru the veranda windows. Waiting to be called to help shuck the corn for supper - we would all eat down on the patio by the river. Grandpa would have his big BBQ going. We would sit at the bright yellow picnic table.

So when I saw them today, and they are exactly the same as the ones I played with 50 + years ago, well   I had to buy them. Got them home and opened the box and the memories all came back. They are exactly the same! And this time the set is complete - no missing logs.

I haven't opened the inside package yet - David says I have to save it for Christmas. And while the tag will likely says to the Cortens grandchildren…… they are really for me. And I just might play with them before anyone else because now I am almost the oldest!

It's Beautiful Here

Sleeping lots! Resting, walking, reading. Trying not to think of work and all that awaits me at home. 

Caribbean Sunrise

Running out the door to catch the boat across to the island for the day.
This is this mornings sunrise.

Heading South

 I bought this hat for David in the Toronto airport. 

He wasn't sure about it at first, but it is growing on him. I love it!!

Looking forward to reading by the pool tomorrow…...

Estiatoria Volo's

Friday night, Last night in Toronto. Another restaurant walking distance from the Sheraton.

And I got my Mojito

 Lamb in phylo pastry

 I had the scallops

Up to catch an early morning flight tomorrow. :)

Little Anthony's

Or LA for short.
A recommendation from Andrew at the concierge. I said "where is  a good Italian restaurant close by - my feet are KILLING me" (mall walking)
It was across the street.
It was fantabulous!!
Except I had my heart set on a Mojito and they couldn't make one. No mint. Not in season. Since when does anything have to be in season in Canada?

But the gin and tonic was really good and my disappointment faded quickly. And I am going to keep my eye out for some of these cocktail glasses. BTW - these shots are at a 2,000 ISO - for you photography people. Which is why I love my Mark III almost as much as my children.

 Truffle Honey & Buffalo Milk Ricotta Crostini

We were off to a fantastic start!

mmmmmmmmm

 Bresota and Beet Salad - with a wonderful smoked meat. 

"Why did I take so long to discover beets" says David.

 And for secondi…

Pan Seared Salmon

Eggplant gratin, Balsamic cippolinis, tomato and Olive ragu

Ate it all! 

 Bill's recommendation. :) 

 Classic Tiramisu for my chocolate lover. 

Italian Vanilla Gelato for me. 

Our thanks to our wonderful waiter - Bill H.

shhh (who is Greek and not Italian)

Now, all my faithful blog followers, stay tuned. 

I am on holidays for the next week (YEEHAW!!!!) and that means I will blog daily (mostly). 

And take a LOT of photos. :) 
probably of food!

The Big TO

We are in Toronto - David is slaving away at some accounting conference where the keynote speaker closed his remarks with not one, but two songs yesterday. Yes! What is the accounting profession coming to!
We have a fabulous view of this very busy city from the 35th floor of the Sheraton where we pay $17/night for internet! And the the room does not have a fridge. But well, the rest is fine.

Walked to the mall. Torontonians walk with purpose here. If you don't keep up you might get trampled.  Just warning ya. It ain't Victoria. I spent 4 hours in the mob yesterday and didn't find a thing I liked - a pair of shoes for David. So this morning I bought a pair of boots and a new purse (Black Friday specials), on line, from the comforts of my hotel room. Naturalizer is so convenient.

So that is my shopping experience in Toronto. I wanted to go to Talbots, my favourite store, but that is a cab ride away. :(   So that will have to wait fr my next trip to Victoria.

Some photos of the trip so far.

Yes, I do think that Toronto consumes at lease 60% of all Canadian electricity. Good thing Niagara Falls is close by! They also work way too late. I know!
I have a 200mm zoom lens. Just saying….
see the cn tower there?

 Good Morning Toronto!!

 Sunrise over Lake Ontario - it is there. Really it is! 

 Looks way more impressive then it really is. 

Came home with a minimally used credit card and sore feet. 

Which is probably a good thing. 

Made up for it this morning. :)