Grateful Friday

Each Friday I am going to post something I am grateful for.

This idea came from Julie at Moments of Perfect Clarity .

Sometimes in our very busy lives we forget to stop for a moment and verbalize just what we are thankful for in our lives. It always seems easier to complain about the problems we encounter in our journey rather than stopping for a moment and sending a thank you to the universe for our good fortune.

So on this my first "Grateful Friday", I am grateful for the opportunity I was given almost two years ago to accompany my daughter on a trip to Ethiopia to bring home our new granddaughter.

This trip demonstrated to me how fortunate I am to live in a prosperous country with no limitation to an abundance of healthy foods to nurture my health and my body .... to enjoy freedom of speech whether spoken or written with no fear of recrimination or incarceration and to make my own choices.

Wordless Wednesday

This picture conjures up all the thoughts and feelings that describe how I'm feeling lately.

Something New

Check down the sidebar on my blog and have fun with my koi pond.

Right click to feed my koi and watch them cluster around the food.

A little childish, but then who doesn't enjoy being a child once in a while.

Have fun!!!

If The World Could Vote

The United States goes to the polls on November 4th to elect a new President.

POTUS is the most powerful person in the world.

Who would be the President of the United if the world could vote on this historic day?

Barack Obama or John McCain

This site is accumulating votes from around the world to see who the world supports.

Click here ..... cast your vote and then check the results.

Will you be surprised??? Maybe ............ maybe not.

Remember the Craft Room Project

Remember my craft room which was upstairs being painted pink with wall tattoo's, but then had to be moved downstairs as my mom moved in with us, so bedrooms were shifted around and my craft room became my bedroom.

Well, here is a reminder of what it looked like when we started.

And here is how it looks now - not complete yet - but the venetian plaster is finished, the chair rail is installed and painted. As well, I added a few accessories to make it feel more homey when I work down there. It's starting to look like a real room and I can hardly wait to get crafting.

It's not pink like I did upstairs, but because it is in the basement and without windows, I chose a warm plaster colour called Tuscan Sun and then washed the entire wall with a thinned down white wash to accent all the strokes from the plaster application.

The mirror to the right of the picture is actually 5' wide by 3' high, so it picks up the light from the window on the opposite side of the basement and bounces it around the room also adding to the brightness.

The carpet is yet to be installed and also the ceiling is not finished yet, but soon I can finally get back to crafting, since everything has been packed up and not easily accessible since the big bedroom shift.

Stay tuned, the final unveiling shouldn't be too much longer.

By the way, here's how my old craft room looks now ..... a very pretty, very girly room for me - the resident Princess. I can have my dolls, my teddy bears, my girly pictures and I don't have to share them with anyone.

Of course I'm told that's due to my rather loud sleeping voice otherwise known as "snoring".

Just In Case You Were Wondering ............

I could survive for 38 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Created by Bunk Beds Pedia

Something silly for a change ... thanks to Julie at Moments of Perfect Clarity for my silly quotient today.

Happy Birthday Princess

My beautiful grand daughter .... how fortunate we are to call you our own.

How well I remember that first day ... waiting for the driver to take us to the orphanage, pulling into the gates, getting out of the car, wondering which hut you were sleeping in, going through the door, and then that very first moment I saw you, seeing the tears of joy flowing down your mom's face as she held you in her arms, my overwhelming feelings of love as I held you to my breast for the very first time ... the tears that spilled from your mommy's and my eyes as we realized the great sacrifice your Enat (birth mom) made so that we might know the happiness of having you as a member of our family.

Although you are only two years old, already I can see in your face the woman you will become .... strong, independent, beautiful and proud.

Happy Birthday my girl.


She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Lord Byron

Mammy's Cat

So, Harrison has become Mammy's cat. He is going to continue staying with Sebrina, however, he doesn't let Don get away with the fact that HE HATES CATS.

Here is Don & Harrison having a little bonding moment.

Ryan has continued to call Harrison Mammy's cat. The other day Harrison was getting into something on the counter so Sebrina pushed him down off the counter. Ryan came running over and told her not to do that to Mammy's cat, because Mammy will come here and ground you. He then proceeded to tell her that Mammy can do that because she's your mom.

Kid moments like this are so precious.

And here I am giving my boy a kiss goodnight after Gabriella's birthday party.

Table Scapes

An artfully arranged and beautifully set table lovingly prepared for the feast, but not before our eyes feast on the veritable cornucopia of delights before us.

Smooth china .. transparent crystal .. slightly nubby linens .. velvety floral petals .. spiky greenery .. the patina of aged silver with the tarnish worn in the pattern, the soft gloss of the wood on the tabletop and candlelight flickering.

Setting the table with fine china, crystal, linen, the silver tea service, flowers & candles.

Before I indulge in the gastronomic delights before me, I let my eyes take in the beauty of the table scape as my mind conjures up names like Waterford, Wedgewood, Spode, Denby, Lenox, Royal Worcester, Mikasa, Villeroy & Boch, Royal Doulton.

Simple but elegant.

Bring out meaningful items to decorate your table. Who says everything has to match? The bunny provides an interesting touch of whimsy to the china, silver & crystal.

A romantic dinner for two by the fire..... Don't skimp here, bring out the good stuff. If it is good enough for company, surely it is good enough for you and your sweetheart.

A simply stunning thanksgiving table.

Classic blue & white paired with a magnificent floral centrepiece.

And, don't forget the candles .... it adds a soft glow making everything look more appetizing.

Look Who's Turning "TWO"

What fun we had today as we celebrated Gabriella's second birthday.

Is this for me???

Poppa .... please, please, please share with me!!

I'm pretty sure I can blow both of these candles out!

Ryan and Jayden put Gabriella's new barn together.

And of course, what visit would be complete without a snuggle for Poppa with his boys.

Now that the fun and friviolity is finished, Harrison can finally get a cat-nap.

How Lucious Are These Colours???

We are most fortunate to live within walking distance of the Rouge River Valley which covers 169.75 hectacres of land in Southern Ontario.

This morning I took a short walk in order to enjoy the beautiful show that Mother Nature and Autumn are putting on for us right now.

It is truly a magnificent, untouched section of wildnerness in Southern Ontario and is teaming with wildlife. It protects two National Historic Sites and a variety of ecosystems joining the post-glacial Oak Ridges Moraine, roughly 50 km north of Toronto, and the City's biggest wetland, where the Rouge River empties into Lake Ontario.

Rouge Park boasts more than:
762 plant species, including 6 which are nationally rare - 92 which are regionally rare.
225 bird species, 5 of which are nationally rare breeding birds - 4 other breeding birds of special concern as well as numerous locally rare.
Area-sensitive raptor & colonial birds
55 fish species, 2 of which are nationally vulnerable.
27 mammal species, some are locally rare.
19 reptile and amphibian species, some are locally rare.

Rouge River is part of Rouge Park and is the largest urban park in North America. It is one of few wilderness areas left in South-Central Ontario, and has been virtually untouched by development since the arrival of Europeans in Canada.

While many exclusive homes and conclaves border this area on the southern tip, it is currently surrounded largely by agricultural land. It is even devoid of recreational development but sports a considerable network of walking or bicycle paths.

Unlike other rivers in the Toronto area, it is allowed to fill its entire flood plain on a regular basis rather than being forced through an artificial channel.

Currently, there is a degree of abandonment in the area, of former farm lands, and historic houses. There also remains many historic houses which are still lived in, some even farmed.

Wordless Wednesday

I'm still here but not feeling too bloggy lately ..... struggling with some weighty issues that are unfortunately influencing my emotional health and leaving me struggling with horrendous headaches ...... tension I'm sure.

So instead of chatting here is a terrific picture that made me smile .... hope it brings a smile to you too.

Too Sweet

Meet Rupert ... who was delivered by Caesarean section on October 1st after his mother was killed by a car. Staff at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire were unable to save the mother due to her severe injuries.

Rupert is just six inches tall and weighs in at slightly over one pound.

He recently turned five days old is receiving his nutrition through a feeding tube. Staff say he is feisty and very spirited.

This lovely story of the kindness of these people at the wildlife hospital just made my day.

Disappointment

Tonight I am experiencing such disappointment and upset that it prevents my ability to sleep.

In my last post, I introduced you to the beautiful Bengal cats that my daughter brought to her home. What I didn't mention was that I had paid for one (Harrison) fully anticipating that he would come home with me. Although concerned about our dog Chelsea and if she would accept Harrison (she's a very jealous dog), I went ahead and bought him, thinking in time it would work out. I never imagined that my husband would be the obstacle over which I would have to climb to acquire this beautiful pet.

I love animals ..... have always had a great admiration and respect for BIG cats, and in fact have many pieces of art showcasing leopards, tigers, etc.... This little fellow having been breed many generations back with the Asian Leopard Cat simply captured my heart. The physical beauty of these cats is unsurpassed ..... simply stunning leopard like pelts.

Historically due to allergies, standard domestic cats never entered my mind as a possible pet. The Bengals who are virtually hypoallergenic and extremely friendly did not give me the opportunity to stay aloof as I usually did with cats.

Harrison & Brahm cuddled up .... entertained me for hours and, completely oblivious to the fact that I am (or so I thought) not a cat person demanded my attention and my love.

Unfortunately, my husband made it quite clear that he "hates cats" and absolutely does not want a cat in the house. Remembering the old piece of advise to "choose your battles" .... I swallowed down my disappointment and left Harrison there last night after we celebrated Jayden's 7th birthday.

Happy Birthday my love!!!! I can't believe it has been seven years since I watched you make an entrance into this world.

Historically, I have always covered my feelings with a "whatever" attitude - joking and making light of what is deep down, so that is exactly how I handled my disappointment yesterday.

"Never let them see your weakness".

Don has absolutely no idea of how devastated and disappointed I really am. Actually, I myself am struggling with why I am so disappointed ... after all I have only known Harrison since Wednesday, but am totally in love with this beautiful boy. Sometimes there are animals that touch a heart string, my boy Jake (a Schnoodle who died 3 years ago) was one of the very few animals I have had in my life that did this and it would appear that Harrison seems to have done it too in a very short time. He's a little timid and just touches that protective instinct in me.

Fortunately I can still see him at Sebrina's but will miss the affection and bond that could be ours alone were he to live with me. But it won't be the same. The bond that I shared with Jake was deep and I still keenly feel his loss after 3 years. Jake used to lie with his body pressed against my thigh whenever I sat down ... oddly Harrison did exactly the same thing when I stayed at Sebrina's this past week reminding me of Jake.

It really seems quite silly to be so upset over not getting another pet. Is it because I did not get my way or I am truly upset because Harrison will not be coming to live with me. Something I must examine within myself over the next few days as I accept my disappointment. Of course every time I go to Sebrina's I will be reminded of what I lost.

Well, back to bed to try to sleep .... I apologize for using this forum to rant .... but it actually feels better to write my feelings down rather than hold them inside.

Fun, Fun and More Fun

I just came back from spending two days with my daughter and two of her four children.

Her husband was on a business trip, so she asked if I would stay to help her out.

What a lovely time I spent with her and two of my four grandchildren. The two older boys spent this time with their "Grandma Bubbles".

We lazed around drinking coffee, Bloody Caesars, enjoyed Sebrina's great cooking and baking, camping out in the loft with Zander watching a veritable cornucopia of movies - Ironman, Enchanted, Nim's Island and Spiderwick Chronicles, talking, sharing and enjoying my grandbabies ........ but, the most interesting part of my visit was these two boys above.

There was quite a lot of excitement at their home with these two new Bengal cats who joined their family on Wednesday. It was fun watching all the posturing of the other cats trying to establish territorial rights and interesting to see the different stages the two new boys went through as they adapted to their new surroundings and the other animals in the house.

BTW, the one on the left is Brahm and on the right is Harrison.

The first night, Brahm spent the whole night meowing, growling at the other cats and pretty much preventing Sebrina and me from sleeping. Harrison hid under a bed and we didn't see him at all that day or night. The next day Brahm still enjoyed his position, growling, hissing and letting the other animals know that he (or so he thought) was king. Harrison decided to poke his head out of the door around noon.

These lovely boys are very different from any cats I have ever known, quite a bit more like a dog, very affectionate, love water - Sebrina got some great shots of Brahm playing with the water stream from the kitchen tap.

I have never been what I would call a cat lover, never had much interest in owning a cat or even bothering with them, but these two beauties have won me over with their physical beauty, their gorgeous personalities and the piece de resistance ......... I'm not allergic to them. Reason for no allergy is that they don't have fur, they have a pelt like a large cat (they are a domestic cat derived from the wild Asian Leopard Cat), and no underfur.

Their markings are striking and it looks like their personalities are going to add some interest to this household.