February 9th - Making Valentine's With My Senior Friends

From time to time, mostly around major holidays, I am contracted to teach crafts to local seniors. I really look forward to these visits, and I know they really look forward to seeing me and my kiddos. Today I brought my 8 month old to make Valentines with them. I brought an example card I made and lots of cut out hearts and supplies. I love when I give everyone the same materials how they all make something different. I mean, that is generally what happens but it always amazes me. Sue, the woman who works with them regularly, and whom I work with when I visit, also gave them roses which were donated by the local grocery store. And we made chocolate dipped strawberries, which tasted AMAZING. Strawberry prices have been so high I feel like I have not had them in FOREVER!


Here is my card and the rest are a selection of what these fun women made... I get so inspired by them. I feel it is very valuable to be around our elders and to hear what they have to say. They are so generous with their wisdom and are happy to share. I always leave with memories. Today's include being invited into the apartment of one of the residents, to see her MASSIVE teddy bear collection, and photos of her grand kids. She was packing for a trip to Edmonton to see her gentleman friend for Valentine's Day. So sweet! She gave Emmanuelle a tiny stuffed bear. Also, another resident, Sophia, GAVE me a two vintage cases that are filled with her mother's sewing supplies!! I almost didn't know what to say. She said she could not bear to get rid of them but that knowing I will use them makes her happy! I will do a more indepth post on that soon. I better go, I have some thank you cards I need to write...

Our Favorite Handmade Christmas Gifts

It is always nice when someone remembers you during the holidays. It is extra special when someone makes you something, whether it be food for nourishment, a clothing item to keep you warm, or a toy to feed your imagination. We were lucky to received many handmade items this year...


Handknit Gloves
I have no idea when Aunt Julie took up knitting, or if it is something she used to do and started to do again, but I am sooooooooo impressed! I have written here before that I leave knitting to the experts. These are beautifully made and one of our favorite color palettes. Thanks, Aunt Julie!


Coconut Bites
I have a weakness for coconut cake and these little bites are amazing! I have asked for the recipe, as we ate them all in a couple of days. Thanks, Annie!


Felt Baked Goods and Handmade Apron
I got these for Quin from a friend who makes them. Quin loves both the real kitchen and her play kitchen. I am completely enamored with felt food and plan to start making it. These are so well done and we have already had a birthday party and a dinner party where they took center stage. We will get a lot of use out of these. If you want to know more, please go to Anna Laura's Etsy shop. As you can see from the photo below they came in real baking dishes and were eco-wrapped in reusable tulle. The goodies will go well with my favorite gift that Quin received, a handmade apron. I could tell right when Quin opened it that someone had made it. Then, I found the business card in the pocket. I can't take my eyes off of it, it is so pretty hanging in our kitchen. If you are interested the only contact info I have for the woman is an email address. Leave a comment and I will get it to you... Thank you, Grampa Wally, Aunt Tillie, & Gramma Kiki!




Pendant Made from Poppa's Tie Tack
This is the most thoughtful and surprising gift I received. My mother's father, the only grandfather I ever knew, passed away in August. When we were in Minneapolis for the funeral, I did take some of the items in my grandfather's jewelry box, but have yet to decide what to do with them. My Aunt Jackie took one of his tie tacks and had it made into a pendant for me! It is very thoughtful and came with a touching handwritten note. I will keep this Tiger Eye pendant close to my heart, as she suggested, and the note will live with the pendant, and it will all be handed down to my girls. Thank you so much, Auntie!




Glass Tile Pendant Featuring Original Art
My friend and fellow artist, Serena, made both this pendant and the art work on it. It was a pleasant surprise in her very adorable Christmas card. I love art you can wear. If you like this, see her Etsy shop, HeavensEarth.


Eco Friendly Recycled Notebooks
My Secret Santa, a fellow team member on the Alberta Team for Etsy, sent me these wonderful notebooks. It was perfect timing as I need to make some goals for next year and I prefer writing on paper to typing on my computer. They are available from Lisa Smithson here. I am starting to feel like an advertisement, but I think it is pretty cool that I know so many people who sell their great work and I like to pass that info on. As a professional artist I know that word of mouth is a wonderful thing.


Cookies for Santa and His Reindeer
We gave mostly handmade gifts this year, but one of my favorite is the cookie plate and note that Quin put out for Santa. We kind of down play the whole Santa thing, with one visit to see him, and then mostly talking about him on Christmas Eve. Quin is three and a half and she is pretty balanced as far as knowing the holidays are for family and that we do get some gifts from Santa. She was so excited this year! It made my heart swell when she wanted to give something to Santa. And it was adorable on Christmas morning to hear her coming down the stairs behind me asking "Do you think Santa took all the cookies to share with his reindeer and Mrs. Claus?"

Happy December! And I Just Caught My Breath Enough to Realize I am a Year Older!!

Bonjour Decembre! How can it be time for you to appear?! My year starts out slowly in January, meandering along until spring, picking up speed in the summer, taking my breath away in the fall, then racing along into the new year... and every year it gets faster!!

This year, on my birthday in mid November, I am officially became closer to 40 then 30 but I still feel like I am 20. I love my birthday and am suspicious of people who say they don't. I like to do my best to have a birthday week or couple of weeks. I love belated birthday wishes and I am still eagerly awaiting one card that got lost in the mail, a package that was just sent, and a promised birthday phone call (and I am happy since until these all arrive or happen my birthday is not over)...

I am grateful to my beloved friends and family who sent thoughtful cards, emails, and Facebook messages, who showered me with gifts, meals, and treats, who took the time call (which to me is a treat since in this world of email it is becoming more rare). And to my man, who arranged a sitter to watch the kiddos for 2 hours while we went out for Indian food. And to my kiddos who went out to lunch with me at a local creperie (see adorable photo above). I love you all!

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

And happy Columbus Day to all of my family in the states. We had a lovely dinner last night with friends and are headed to our next door neighbor's house in a little while. We are far from family and many friends but we are very lucky to have a lovely social circle here. I think that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. You get together with friends and loved ones to enjoy each other, to eat a big meal, and to reflect upon what you are grateful for. Unlike Christmas, there is no emphasis on presents, not that I don't love gift giving, but it is nice to not have to think about that. Today is a day to count our blessings as we do each and every day. It is important to be grateful every day, and I think that Thanksgiving is a good reminder of that. Best wishes to you, all!