27 days....

I am sure you did not read it here first, as all that has been on TV lately is awards show, and I have so say, I watch, not always do I listen, but oh do I critique...yes the wardrobe choice, not whether or not the winner deserved to to win or the other deserved to be nominated. Actually I am really not qualified for any sort of critique, but my personality leads me to have an opinion nonetheless. One thing my friends know, if I don't like your outfit, and you asked my opinion, I will tell you...if you don't want the truth don't ask. But more importantly, it is 27 days until Oscar Night, and well for me that means walking the Red Carpet, no! in Hollywood, in little old SJ and to be more precise my dining room.


A few years back, I decided that my friends needed an excuse to wear clothes that they had no place to wear them, clothes that made them feel special, if not glamorous...well to my surprise everyone was on board, and the event has grown...why someone has not created a fundraiser based on this who knows, so much better than "Wine Tasting" and much more classy. So now, the issue, WHAT to wear.... Last year was SIMPLE

I wore this amazing dress crocheted by my dear friend Sharon from a Vintage McCall's Magazine...the dress was Oscar Red Carpet, She was my Nora Walker and I was her Catherine, minus the $10,000, but a friendship weighed in gold.


So this year, I am at a loss....I have lots of bling....

But, not sure what to wear with it....another reason not to purge those dresses a talked about a few blogs back...never know when you may have to dig deep. Also, I am not a seamstress, so I am hoping something fits...oh and did I mention that I have been saving my dryer sheets...yeah I have....I might not be a seamstress, but I am crafty....oh and I do have an amazing Sari, I have yet to wear. What I do know is that I will not be wearing a strapless number with wings or fans (not sure what the technical style word would be) coming up from my boobs, they have enough issues without trying to make them fly or creating an opportunity for them to catch all the crumbs from the yummy food we will be eating. All I know for certain is that I am going to have blast, and I can't wait to see what everyone is wearing...it truly is the best part....oh and sharing the night with great FRIENDS!

Sunday Supper....lost tradition

Sunday suppers were somewhat of a tradition, it was the day when Mom made a big meal. Not that she did not make a meal every night from scratch she did, but they were quicker and did not have dessert. Sundays were different, she wasn’t as busy and could have the stove on all day...she would make Chicken, Roast or something along those lines, or spend her time making potato pancakes, imagine she even made long before she had a food processor, can you say “all day event and look out for knuckle skin”. But she was dedicated, unfortunately, I fall very far from the tree in this respect, I could live on Popcorn and Coke, neither I of these I might add would she be caught eating or drinking EVER!

It’ s not that I can’t cook, she taught me well, not too much water in the potatoes, but don’t boil them dry, always have another side, always have bread, always have something of substance, somewhere along the way, I lost the importance of the meal....when Kelton was little mixed veggies and tomato soup, was a MEAL more than once...poor guy no wonder he likes nothing....well that was until tonight’s supper...yup...he went outside his food comfort box...um no he still did not eat rice or potato dressing, but oh my he ate the other items and even tried the sweet and sour sauce, no complaints, but still not going vegetarian. I am so pleased; make my three hours and the use of some 15 spices and 10 ingredients at least later worth it. Oh, and more importantly perhaps is that Jeevan loved my Tofu meatballs, well that means not more packaged ones...still need to tweak the recipe a little, but they were devoured by all including the meat eaters!

Although I still miss the atmosphere created by mom, and I will in no way be able to create it myself, as it she who makes it was it is, I think I created my own today!

Menu:
Rice
Potato Dressing
Veggie Gravy
Corn
Zucchini Patties
Turnip Puff
Sweet and Sour Sauce
Tofu Meatballs
Crispy Crunchy Squares

Creative Saturdays

Today was gallery day...I love Saturdays at the Fundy Gallery of Art.

I probably should have been more productive, but I did get two dolls turned and 2 monsters created. I just love Orangy...one eyed with a flair of an eyebrow and the most awesome shade of green pants...who would not want this guy, I think! The plaid dude is just all mustache and spectacles....A bit of a strong man/geek.

My production was slowed from paying too much attention to the art class that Alma was listening to on the Internet....didn't think the guy would ever stop critiquing and actually teach the class, not that even Alma was painting today...but we both came away with more insight into was wrong with paintings, as the guy really only liked one completely, and I had to agree with him. Also learned a little about powder pastels and their application and about what can be left off a colour palette, very educational day.

Also, I now have in my stash Sharon's discarded project....yup she has started anew....even had to make a trip to Michael's...she is just so funny...but look out Oscars, because she is going to look great....so the piece to the right in the picture is the piece that didn't work, I told her what a great skirt....it might just be a new skirt for one of crazy dolls...who knows! But it truly was a rewarding, creative and educational day.....

Best of Couture

Once again my friend Sharon has outdone herself on my Christmas gift. Some may remember my Oscar dress that she made me last year; well this year I received the most adorable and practical granny square vintage inspired skirt. I cannot contain my excitement....nor my desire to wear it....we all know what I am wearing to the Fundy Gallery of Art tomorrow , this piece of art....

I love the triangle hemline, is that not the coolest...it was suppose to be fringed to make it even, but I could not have that, it was it was suppose to be a little longer, but knee length is more my style. Oh and I mention that there is orange in it...this is better than any Pj’s people leave the house in, I can now go out wear the “lap” blanket and I know it is going to be oh “wow” not the disgust people give at wearing Pj’s, but I will have the same comfort....now to find the right shirt or sweater ....I am so spoiled, but really there is more to the story....

Originally, she gave me another granny square skirt that I fell in love with in a magazine earlier this past Fall and I knew I had to have it, so I bought and passed it over and said “I need this, I love this” and from there the saga begun....my Christmas gift in the making, the colours were perfect, purple, grey and black...she worked tirelessly, it was a lot of work....it got bumped by some other projects, including those awesome Angry Bird hats she made my boys, and the head warmers that she made both Mary and I, and those snowflakes for her daughter to give to her co-workers, and the breads, and paintings she made, but alas she presented me with my skirt just after New Years, I was so excited....and then I put it on and ...it was too big, I wanted to cry...this was not like a material skirt where you could just put it under the needle of the machine and zip up the side, no these were individual squares that were put together, these modern patterns did not compensate for a decreased waist size....people are suppose to be built straight or pop out, and even a ribbon or tie would not work...just too much bulk. I hated to break the news to her, but she took it like a grain of salt and found another pattern within hours it felt, and here we have the do over....and a magnificent piece of couture...once again the story of the Friday Night Knitter Club rings true....I am privileged to have such a wonderfully talented and loving friend.

Renforth Winter Village

Every morning when I drive Jeevan to school I look at the New Winter Village that has developed at the Renforth Wharf. It had grown over the past couple of weeks, more “shacks” being added, adding more colour and texture to the icy landscape; the essence of winter culture in the Maritimes. What a community that is built, close knit, cozy but freezing at the same time, all with a common goal in mind...Smelts.

For those who are new to this winter phenomenon, Smelts are little fish and not ones to be eaten one at a time; no you need a “feed” of them. I never liked them as a child, although my dad couldn’t wait to get a feed, and my mom dreaded their presence. These little things, that you gut using your scissors (cut off the head and slit down the belly) really aren’t worth the effort, gutting them is a pain and eating them is worse given how boney their backbone truly is...for a small fish way too many bones. I am wondering why my Dad loves them so much; all I can say is Yuck! It must have to do with the purity of the fish, given that they are small, it is not about freezing his butt off, as he doesn’t go to the shack, he get delivery...it can’t be the light coating of flour Mom puts on them....but it is something, but be about the culture, the season, the thrill of how many will be in that pound, as you will not just eat a few of these fish, they are way too small.

To those in those fishing shacks, I wish you great daily yarns; new friendships and a prosperous season and I will miss you all once the thaw of Spring arrives.

My Knits!

Mommy, I need my Knits....A couple of months ago while shopping at The Hospice Shop, Jeevan spotted knitting needle in a basket. Mommy, I need these knits, I said are you sure. Yes, I need to knit...I am thinking this will not last. So after lots of shopping and checking everything out, and a lady who worked there telling me, that needles were dangerous, I confirmed with him that he needed them, Yes, I need. Would you rather have a toy, no, I need these knits...home ward bound we go....

Today, he discovered, my purchase from this past weekend's adventure. Red, Briggs and Little yarn, hoping it will work for a project, not that it is what I had in mind at all...but what's a girl to do after all it took to get to the wool event in Florenceville. Jeevan proceeds to tell me that he will knit this yarn, Red is his favourite. Without a doubt he did his best!

He claims he needs lessons, so look out Auntie Sharon, you can't knit and crochet in front of me on Thursday nights for the past 3 yrs and not expect me to want you to teach me how to knit, as it does not come naturally, and Mommy can't help!

Rainy Day Suprise!

Today the rain made me think that it was time to surprise Jeevan at pick-up with the bear he is has been asking me to make for almost 3 weeks. Well today was the day. I stuck him in my pocket and off to school we went....and Jeevan was elated...and of course commented on its bow tie, as that was a very important part of the creation. He fit in his coat pocket too...and I was met by a wonderful note at his cubby....

It was just a perfect day and glad Jeevan had the best day at school and that little bear met his expectations.