Finding Routine

Routine means snowboarding, swimming, skating, more snowboarding (must remember to take my camera) with a little math and reading thrown in for good measure. Of course, there has been stuff to make as well. Because what is a week without making stuff?

The best creations are those things that are needed and will get plenty of use.

Besides making things...plants are growing around here. Joseph's bean plant has real live beans! I love seeing them in the kitchen in January.

This stunning Amaryllis with FOUR blooms on one stalk and a second stalk growing. I have never had an Amaryllis. Why is that? They are a treat in the window with the snow piling up outside.

Back to Everyday

Today we are supposed to be back in our pre-holiday routine. I don't think that is going to happen. I'm not sure why. Instead we'll take this day to regroup...or figure out what regroup means.

Maybe everyday should just be about enjoying what is aroud us.

A New Year

The way to bring in a new year...spend time with friends at home...or set up home and enjoy an afternoon out where the magic of the day can't be hidden.

Happy New year!

The Perfect Tree

The perfect Christmas tree can only be found at Susan's. At least that is what my experience tells me. Finding this tree requires much searching,

climbing,

and using a look off to see far and wide for where that tree may be hiding.

After being distracted by so many non tree treasures we came upon this spectacular tree.

This is the perfect tree...tall, straight, old, full and most importantly, everyone agrees this should come home with us.

It suits us just right, with a little (or a lot) left for some outdoor decorating).

December fun has begun

When your son arrives home with a gigantic carrot (a memento of a Christmas play), what should a parent do?

Welcome home Christmas carrot!....'cause carrots are festive, right?

This week has been filled with plenty of Christmas planning and preparations. Our house is beginning to look festive.

The preparations also include lots of gift making. Everyone is in on the fun, loving making something special for some special people. Hope the recipients love their gifts just as much.

So much more to come.

So much to do

It's time to think about Christmas. Well...to continue thinking about Christmas. The food in particular. Audrey helped make some molasses toffee.

It's time to start thinking about snowboarding.

Uhm... Emma taking advantage of an empty sofa (and pillow?). Weekends are exhausting for dogs. I guess.

I love the concentration of players on the bench, watching and waiting, trying to remember what their coach has taught them.

Oh the much practiced layup.

Picton Castle

Another day on another boat. This time we had the GRAND tour. We visited the Picton Castle docked in Lunnenburg for the winter. This is a cargo ship that is also being used as a teaching vessel. Those on board learn about sailing from hoisting up anchor (man power), to making and repairing sails and ropes. We were fortunate to have a patient guide and sailor who was willing to show us everything.

Really... every nook and cranny.

If there was room for a body, we went there.

The chain room was a particular treat as the entry was an opening in the cabin floor and going into this space meant we were below water. This is where the anchor chain feeds into when it is hoisted.

For over a year, this ship sails around the world carrying cargo and visiting ports all the while the crew is teaching new sailors how to work on a boat.

No work for us today but plenty of time for fun.