December 31, 2009 – Day 365!!!
I finished up the puzzle I started late on December 26th today. I can’t take all the credit though. Ken, who admits he doesn’t have any patience to do a puzzle, helped me. He put together 4 or 5 pieces of the puzzle. :-)
I love the picture on this puzzle; I would love to live there - if I didn't work in the concrete jungle.
And this is it – my 365th photo of 365…the last day of Project 365! When I began this project one year ago, I was apprehensive about taking it on because I wasn’t sure that I could take a picture a day, every single day for an entire year. But it’s thrilling to have completed this project! I don’t have a desire to quit yet though, so I’m going to try doing it for another year.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
The Cookbook
December 30, 2009 – Day 364
About 2 ½ years ago, I decided to type out my favourite recipes so I could pass them down to my children and grandchildren. That was the beginning of a once-in-a-lifetime project and little did I know that it would take me so long to complete! I spent countless hours typing and proofreading my work.
I’ve enjoyed cooking, baking and trying new recipes since I was a teenager so I have accumulated many favourites over the years. Once in a while I would put this project aside because it seemed like an enormous undertaking that may never be finished, or I’d simply lose interest in typing recipes – but I always kept coming back to it because I never lost the desire to pass along a copy of my favourite recipes.
After more than two years, I finally finished typing every single one of my favourite recipes! Once I reached that goal, I decided it would be great to include any others that my kids may wish to include – and I’m glad I asked because a couple of them did have recipes to contribute. Once I added their recipes, I then thought it would be interesting to include favourites from other family members as well, and I began to collect and type up recipes from aunts and cousins.
As I continued to collect recipes from my family members and add new favourites when I would try a new recipe that was fabulous, I realized that this was a project that could very well never have an “end”. So early this year, I set a goal to finish the collection of recipes in time to give to my kids for Christmas gifts this year and that’s what I’ve done.
Although this cookbook is finished, Christine is going to take over and start a new cookbook of our future favourites! I will submit to her any new recipes I try that I would consider a new favourite or any recipes I collect from family members.
I had planned to print a copy of the cookbook for each of my children, put the pages in plastic sleeves and add them to a binder; however, my sister Darlene had a much better idea. She went to Staples not more than a couple weeks before Christmas to see how much it would cost to have the cookbook printed and coil bound. Each was only $32 and change to be printed on cardstock – and could be done in time for Christmas! Darlene ordered four cookbooks for herself and I asked her to order five for me (one for each of my kids and one for myself). It turned out that Staples made an error on the first printing. Instead of printing the heading pages single-sided, they double-sided everything other than the first page of the cookbook. They redid the job as we originally requested it be done and we still had the cookbooks in time for Christmas! My sisters Marilyn and Cathy and my aunt Joan bought the first set of misprinted cookbooks at cost – I guess they didn’t mind some of the headings being on the left hand side of the pages.
Including the index and category heading pages, the cookbook is 271 pages long and is about 1 ¾” thick after being printed and bound. Creating this cookbook truly was a labor of love and feels thrilling to have it done and see it in “print”!
About 2 ½ years ago, I decided to type out my favourite recipes so I could pass them down to my children and grandchildren. That was the beginning of a once-in-a-lifetime project and little did I know that it would take me so long to complete! I spent countless hours typing and proofreading my work.
I’ve enjoyed cooking, baking and trying new recipes since I was a teenager so I have accumulated many favourites over the years. Once in a while I would put this project aside because it seemed like an enormous undertaking that may never be finished, or I’d simply lose interest in typing recipes – but I always kept coming back to it because I never lost the desire to pass along a copy of my favourite recipes.
After more than two years, I finally finished typing every single one of my favourite recipes! Once I reached that goal, I decided it would be great to include any others that my kids may wish to include – and I’m glad I asked because a couple of them did have recipes to contribute. Once I added their recipes, I then thought it would be interesting to include favourites from other family members as well, and I began to collect and type up recipes from aunts and cousins.
As I continued to collect recipes from my family members and add new favourites when I would try a new recipe that was fabulous, I realized that this was a project that could very well never have an “end”. So early this year, I set a goal to finish the collection of recipes in time to give to my kids for Christmas gifts this year and that’s what I’ve done.
Although this cookbook is finished, Christine is going to take over and start a new cookbook of our future favourites! I will submit to her any new recipes I try that I would consider a new favourite or any recipes I collect from family members.
I had planned to print a copy of the cookbook for each of my children, put the pages in plastic sleeves and add them to a binder; however, my sister Darlene had a much better idea. She went to Staples not more than a couple weeks before Christmas to see how much it would cost to have the cookbook printed and coil bound. Each was only $32 and change to be printed on cardstock – and could be done in time for Christmas! Darlene ordered four cookbooks for herself and I asked her to order five for me (one for each of my kids and one for myself). It turned out that Staples made an error on the first printing. Instead of printing the heading pages single-sided, they double-sided everything other than the first page of the cookbook. They redid the job as we originally requested it be done and we still had the cookbooks in time for Christmas! My sisters Marilyn and Cathy and my aunt Joan bought the first set of misprinted cookbooks at cost – I guess they didn’t mind some of the headings being on the left hand side of the pages.
Including the index and category heading pages, the cookbook is 271 pages long and is about 1 ¾” thick after being printed and bound. Creating this cookbook truly was a labor of love and feels thrilling to have it done and see it in “print”!
Puzzle Mania
December 29, 2009 – Day 363
Adam, Michael, Christine and Ian worked on a puzzle on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I love doing puzzles but, even though my kids took turns helping me in the kitchen, I didn’t get a chance to participate because I was busy preparing a bounty of snacks on Christmas Eve and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas Day.
However, on Boxing Day, Christine brought out a box of ten puzzles that she received as a gift from Claire (Ashley’s step mom). Ian, Christine and I each chose a puzzle. Christine chose a 750 piece puzzle (the mailboxes); Ian chose a 500 piece puzzle (the waterfall) and I chose a 750 piece puzzle (the barn/farm house), and we began putting our puzzle pieces together. It was shortly after midnight when we got started: I didn’t get much done because I went to bed around 1:00 a.m., Christine turned in around 3:00 a.m., but Ian was up until 5:20 a.m. – just to finish his puzzle!
Ian started – and finished – a second 500 piece puzzle (the wolf) the next day!
Christine had breakfast plans with friends this morning so she let Ashley take over her puzzle after she left. Ashley was sure she’d be able to finish before it was time for them to leave for home early this afternoon but in the end she ran out of time and had to ask Ian to help her with the last 20 pieces or so. They (barely) finished the puzzle before they had to pick up Christine and head for home! Ian and Ashley gave me a couple minutes to take a picture of the puzzle once it was finished (which wasn’t the picture I chose for P365 because the puzzles Ian had put together had already been taken apart and packed away in Ziploc bags) – then they proceeded to take it apart, pack it up with the others and take it home with them (all of which I took pictures of)!
I don’t have my puzzle finished but Christine let me keep it here to finish. Once I’m done, I’ll take a picture, then take it apart to give back to Christine next time I see her.
It’s always so much fun to have my children, in-law children, and grandchildren come to visit but I feel overwhelming sadness and anxiety when it’s time to say goodbye. Even though Christine and her family only live 3 hours away, I had to choke back tears and fight a panic attack when they left today. I immediately turned my focus to cleaning house and went out to get a few groceries to keep myself from losing control of my emotions.
Adam, Michael, Christine and Ian worked on a puzzle on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I love doing puzzles but, even though my kids took turns helping me in the kitchen, I didn’t get a chance to participate because I was busy preparing a bounty of snacks on Christmas Eve and a turkey dinner with all the trimmings on Christmas Day.
However, on Boxing Day, Christine brought out a box of ten puzzles that she received as a gift from Claire (Ashley’s step mom). Ian, Christine and I each chose a puzzle. Christine chose a 750 piece puzzle (the mailboxes); Ian chose a 500 piece puzzle (the waterfall) and I chose a 750 piece puzzle (the barn/farm house), and we began putting our puzzle pieces together. It was shortly after midnight when we got started: I didn’t get much done because I went to bed around 1:00 a.m., Christine turned in around 3:00 a.m., but Ian was up until 5:20 a.m. – just to finish his puzzle!
Ian started – and finished – a second 500 piece puzzle (the wolf) the next day!
Christine had breakfast plans with friends this morning so she let Ashley take over her puzzle after she left. Ashley was sure she’d be able to finish before it was time for them to leave for home early this afternoon but in the end she ran out of time and had to ask Ian to help her with the last 20 pieces or so. They (barely) finished the puzzle before they had to pick up Christine and head for home! Ian and Ashley gave me a couple minutes to take a picture of the puzzle once it was finished (which wasn’t the picture I chose for P365 because the puzzles Ian had put together had already been taken apart and packed away in Ziploc bags) – then they proceeded to take it apart, pack it up with the others and take it home with them (all of which I took pictures of)!
I don’t have my puzzle finished but Christine let me keep it here to finish. Once I’m done, I’ll take a picture, then take it apart to give back to Christine next time I see her.
It’s always so much fun to have my children, in-law children, and grandchildren come to visit but I feel overwhelming sadness and anxiety when it’s time to say goodbye. Even though Christine and her family only live 3 hours away, I had to choke back tears and fight a panic attack when they left today. I immediately turned my focus to cleaning house and went out to get a few groceries to keep myself from losing control of my emotions.
Girls' Night
December 28, 2009 – Day 362
Christine, Ashley, Hope and I had a fun evening together tonight. We used the hand and foot moisturizer treatments that Christine and I bought at XS Cargo on Boxing Day; gave each other back and foot massages and talked about saving our money to go to a spa together one day, and maybe on a trip together to New York City when Ashley graduates in 2 ½ years. We also talked about yoga, being healthier – and shared our excitement about starting Superfoods 365 on January 1st.
Project 365 wasn’t my idea. I think the originator’s site is this one: http://photojojo.com/content/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/ but Superfoods 365 is an idea I came up with based on the 365-day goal. We’ll simply add nutrient dense foods to our diet each day. Dr. Steven Pratt and Dr. Oz have lists of superfoods and I’ve compiled a list for us to use based mainly on their lists. Each of us will decide how many superfoods from the list to add to our diet each day (without obligation to change anything else about the way we eat) but I think the four of us have decided to add 5 superfoods per day. We can have more whenever we want, but not less.
Christine, Ashley, Hope and I had a fun evening together tonight. We used the hand and foot moisturizer treatments that Christine and I bought at XS Cargo on Boxing Day; gave each other back and foot massages and talked about saving our money to go to a spa together one day, and maybe on a trip together to New York City when Ashley graduates in 2 ½ years. We also talked about yoga, being healthier – and shared our excitement about starting Superfoods 365 on January 1st.
Project 365 wasn’t my idea. I think the originator’s site is this one: http://photojojo.com/content/tutorials/project-365-take-a-photo-a-day/ but Superfoods 365 is an idea I came up with based on the 365-day goal. We’ll simply add nutrient dense foods to our diet each day. Dr. Steven Pratt and Dr. Oz have lists of superfoods and I’ve compiled a list for us to use based mainly on their lists. Each of us will decide how many superfoods from the list to add to our diet each day (without obligation to change anything else about the way we eat) but I think the four of us have decided to add 5 superfoods per day. We can have more whenever we want, but not less.
Sleeping Beauties
December 27, 2009 – Day 361
Christine, Ian and Austin sleep in our guest room when they come to visit. Ashley and Hope either sleep on a queen size air mattress or on the couches in our bonus room. On this visit the girls have been sleeping on the couches. I snuck in this morning and took a few pictures of the girls while they slept. The noise of my camera and the light from the flash woke Ashley up but Hope continued to sleep – although she later told me she was dreaming that I was taking pictures.
Christine, Ian and Austin sleep in our guest room when they come to visit. Ashley and Hope either sleep on a queen size air mattress or on the couches in our bonus room. On this visit the girls have been sleeping on the couches. I snuck in this morning and took a few pictures of the girls while they slept. The noise of my camera and the light from the flash woke Ashley up but Hope continued to sleep – although she later told me she was dreaming that I was taking pictures.
Boxing Day Shopping
December 26, 2009 – Day 360
I usually stay clear of stores on Boxing Day but this year I went out and even had fun shopping with Christine and Ian for a few hours.
Ian wandered off to the electronics section while Christine and I were shopping at London Drugs. When we finished our shopping, we found Ian playing the Xbox 360 NHL 2K10 hockey game. He was quite happy to let us know that his team (Calgary Flames) beat the Edmonton Oilers 9-5.
If I could post more pictures for Project 365, I’d photograph the purchases I made today but since I limit myself to one picture a day for this project, I’ll just write about them, more for my own record than because I think anyone is actually interested. :-)
London Drugs had a beautiful set of cutlery (for eight settings) on sale for $24.99 from $60.00 so I bought the last three sets that were on the shelf, ten boxes of icicles at 60% off the regular price of $1.49 each, a green olive oil bottle for $1.99 that was marked down from $9.99 and a package of 12 AA batteries for $6.99. I also bought myself a new shiny purple metallic pen with my name on it at London Drugs but it wasn’t on sale. I paid $5.99 for it. At XS Cargo I bought the Guitar Hero Aerosmith game for PS2, that comes with 2 guitars, for $29.99, a set of Revlon hot rollers for $10.00, a hand moisturizing kit and a foot moisturizing kit for $3.99 each. At Michael’s I bought two rolls of wrapping paper; both were 60% off the regular price of $10.00 each.
I usually stay clear of stores on Boxing Day but this year I went out and even had fun shopping with Christine and Ian for a few hours.
Ian wandered off to the electronics section while Christine and I were shopping at London Drugs. When we finished our shopping, we found Ian playing the Xbox 360 NHL 2K10 hockey game. He was quite happy to let us know that his team (Calgary Flames) beat the Edmonton Oilers 9-5.
If I could post more pictures for Project 365, I’d photograph the purchases I made today but since I limit myself to one picture a day for this project, I’ll just write about them, more for my own record than because I think anyone is actually interested. :-)
London Drugs had a beautiful set of cutlery (for eight settings) on sale for $24.99 from $60.00 so I bought the last three sets that were on the shelf, ten boxes of icicles at 60% off the regular price of $1.49 each, a green olive oil bottle for $1.99 that was marked down from $9.99 and a package of 12 AA batteries for $6.99. I also bought myself a new shiny purple metallic pen with my name on it at London Drugs but it wasn’t on sale. I paid $5.99 for it. At XS Cargo I bought the Guitar Hero Aerosmith game for PS2, that comes with 2 guitars, for $29.99, a set of Revlon hot rollers for $10.00, a hand moisturizing kit and a foot moisturizing kit for $3.99 each. At Michael’s I bought two rolls of wrapping paper; both were 60% off the regular price of $10.00 each.
Christmas Day
December 25, 2009 – Day 359
This is the group of us that spent Christmas Day together this year. Back row: me, Michael, Adam, Ian and Hope. Front row: Ken, Little Bear, Christine and Austin. Travis and his family went to Amanda’s mom and dad’s (in Grande Prairie) for Christmas and Ashley was at her dad’s.
We had a wonderful day together.
This is the group of us that spent Christmas Day together this year. Back row: me, Michael, Adam, Ian and Hope. Front row: Ken, Little Bear, Christine and Austin. Travis and his family went to Amanda’s mom and dad’s (in Grande Prairie) for Christmas and Ashley was at her dad’s.
We had a wonderful day together.
Tim Tam Slam
December 24, 2009 – Day 358
Christine and Ian introduced us to the Tim Tam Slam tonight. Ian demonstrated as Christine explained, then we all gave it a try. To enjoy a Tim Tam Slam: bite off diagonal corners of Tim Tam cookies and suck coffee through one of the bitten ends. The cookie melts from the inside out and you quickly eat it before it dissolves completely. Fun! The Tim Tam Slam is an Australian tradition.
Christine and Ian introduced us to the Tim Tam Slam tonight. Ian demonstrated as Christine explained, then we all gave it a try. To enjoy a Tim Tam Slam: bite off diagonal corners of Tim Tam cookies and suck coffee through one of the bitten ends. The cookie melts from the inside out and you quickly eat it before it dissolves completely. Fun! The Tim Tam Slam is an Australian tradition.
Ashley
Wrapping Gifts
December 22, 2009 – Day 356
I usually take vacation time to have the week before Christmas off work so that I have time to prepare for the big day but this year I took the week after Christmas off instead. I thought it would be nice to have time to relax after Christmas but having had to work this week has really made my days hectic. I had errands to run tonight and last-minute groceries to buy before Ian and Christine arrive tomorrow. I also started wrapping my gifts before heading to bed around midnight.
I usually take vacation time to have the week before Christmas off work so that I have time to prepare for the big day but this year I took the week after Christmas off instead. I thought it would be nice to have time to relax after Christmas but having had to work this week has really made my days hectic. I had errands to run tonight and last-minute groceries to buy before Ian and Christine arrive tomorrow. I also started wrapping my gifts before heading to bed around midnight.
Santa
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas Music
December 20, 2009 – Day 354
Adam came over for a visit today and brought one of his guitars with him. He was practicing some Christmas songs that he and Michael are learning.
I used to want to learn how to play the guitar and even took lessons but it just never “clicked” for me but I’m thrilled that Adam, Michael and my granddaughter Ashley play. I love guitar music and Adam did a great job of the Christmas songs he was playing today.
Adam came over for a visit today and brought one of his guitars with him. He was practicing some Christmas songs that he and Michael are learning.
I used to want to learn how to play the guitar and even took lessons but it just never “clicked” for me but I’m thrilled that Adam, Michael and my granddaughter Ashley play. I love guitar music and Adam did a great job of the Christmas songs he was playing today.
Christmas Baking
Friday, December 18, 2009
Glow Domes!
December 18, 2009 – Day 352
Before I even left the house this morning, I phoned around to see if any stores had the Glow Dome in stock, or got any in with their overnight shipments. I wasn’t surprised when every place I called said “no”, “no” and “no”. I was disappointed but not surprised after my luck, or lack of it, yesterday. I asked the person who took my call at one of the Toys R Us stores that I phoned if they had an Easy Bake oven and they were sold out of that as well. I was beginning to wonder if an Easy Bake oven was going to be as difficult to find as the Glow Dome!
I went to several stores and all I found was a spoon rest, salt and pepper grinder, a couple candles and a frame for myself :-) before I ended up at Superstore to do my grocery shopping. When I got to the store, I headed straight for the toy department just to check if they might have the Glow Dome in stock but I didn’t see any on the shelves. Before leaving the toys to shop for groceries, I saw a girl stocking shelves and asked her if they had the Glow Dome in stock (in case I overlooked it). No, she didn’t think so but remembered that she may have seen “something”. She hurried a couple aisles over and down to a stack of unopened cardboard boxes of toys. As she rummaged through the boxes I was thinking, “Oh please, please, please” but no luck. “Hang on” she said as she rushed away, down another aisle and around another corner to a second stack of unopened boxes. It took me a couple minutes but I caught up to her and watched as she rummaged through that stack as well. Nothing, nothing, nothing – but then she found the box she was looking for and pulled it out from the stack. She sliced it open with her exacto knife and showed me, as if revealing a newborn baby, or should I say babies – it was twins – two brand new packages of GLOW DOMES in all their glory!! I was ecstatic and took them both! Even though Christine found me a Glow Dome at the Walmart in Cold Lake last night, I was sure someone else could use one – and after the stark realization of how difficult it was to find a Glow Dome in Edmonton, I just couldn’t leave the second one behind.
It turned out well because Travis and Amanda want to buy the extra one for someone else they’re buying for!
Great marketing Crayola!
Before I even left the house this morning, I phoned around to see if any stores had the Glow Dome in stock, or got any in with their overnight shipments. I wasn’t surprised when every place I called said “no”, “no” and “no”. I was disappointed but not surprised after my luck, or lack of it, yesterday. I asked the person who took my call at one of the Toys R Us stores that I phoned if they had an Easy Bake oven and they were sold out of that as well. I was beginning to wonder if an Easy Bake oven was going to be as difficult to find as the Glow Dome!
I went to several stores and all I found was a spoon rest, salt and pepper grinder, a couple candles and a frame for myself :-) before I ended up at Superstore to do my grocery shopping. When I got to the store, I headed straight for the toy department just to check if they might have the Glow Dome in stock but I didn’t see any on the shelves. Before leaving the toys to shop for groceries, I saw a girl stocking shelves and asked her if they had the Glow Dome in stock (in case I overlooked it). No, she didn’t think so but remembered that she may have seen “something”. She hurried a couple aisles over and down to a stack of unopened cardboard boxes of toys. As she rummaged through the boxes I was thinking, “Oh please, please, please” but no luck. “Hang on” she said as she rushed away, down another aisle and around another corner to a second stack of unopened boxes. It took me a couple minutes but I caught up to her and watched as she rummaged through that stack as well. Nothing, nothing, nothing – but then she found the box she was looking for and pulled it out from the stack. She sliced it open with her exacto knife and showed me, as if revealing a newborn baby, or should I say babies – it was twins – two brand new packages of GLOW DOMES in all their glory!! I was ecstatic and took them both! Even though Christine found me a Glow Dome at the Walmart in Cold Lake last night, I was sure someone else could use one – and after the stark realization of how difficult it was to find a Glow Dome in Edmonton, I just couldn’t leave the second one behind.
It turned out well because Travis and Amanda want to buy the extra one for someone else they’re buying for!
Great marketing Crayola!
Barbie
December 17, 2009 – Day 351
At Christmas time I only buy a gift for my 6 grandchildren and give my two youngest boys money (and will until they are married). Ken and I don’t usually bother with gifts for one another but this year I found a couple small things that I picked up for him. And this year I have even less shopping than usual to do because I’m only buying gifts for 4 of my grandchildren; instead of buying for Ashley and Hope, we’ll give them money to put towards a Christian concert (YC) they want to go to in the spring.
Christine usually helps me buy the gifts for my grandchildren but she wasn’t in Edmonton to help me this year and I’m kicking myself for leaving this so long – but I did go to a few stores after work tonight. I was in search of two Crayola Glow Domes, one for Hannah and one for Faith but the stores I went to were completely sold out. One of the stores I stopped at was Toys R Us and even though I wasn’t looking for Barbie products, it’s my favourite aisle in any toy store so I took a quick look at all the beautiful Barbies that I would have loved to own when I was a child.
When I got home I phoned several stores to see if anyone might have the Glow Domes in stock but every place I phoned was sold out. The guy I spoke to at Walmart in St. Albert said they did receive a shipment of 150 but sold every one of them in two days!
Christine and Ian were in Walmart in Cold Lake tonight and found one Glow Dome so they picked it up for me. If I don’t find another one for Hannah, I may look for an Easy Bake oven for her because that’s something else she’d like to have.
I did find gifts for Austin and Owen tonight though so that felt good.
Team Photo
December 16, 2009 – Day 350
Each year after our Christmas potluck at work I like to get a picture of our team. Everyone is used to me bringing in my camera and they willingly let me line them up for what reminds me of a school “class” photo. My team co-workers are all good sports; some even “know” their places and get in formation before I even start posing them. We always have a few good laughs while setting up and taking the pictures. I also bring my camera to work whenever we’re doing anything out of the ordinary and print off some of the pictures which I keep in an album at work. It’s interesting to look back to see the changes that have taken place over the years: people come and go - and we all change as time passes.
The women from left to right are: me, Sherri, Sheila, Brenda, Holly, Shirley and Apryl. The guys from left to right are: James, Dale, Jim and Shaun. There is usually a person or two that is unable to attend the potluck and this year was no exception; Stacey, Lana and Ellen are missing from the team photo today.
Each year after our Christmas potluck at work I like to get a picture of our team. Everyone is used to me bringing in my camera and they willingly let me line them up for what reminds me of a school “class” photo. My team co-workers are all good sports; some even “know” their places and get in formation before I even start posing them. We always have a few good laughs while setting up and taking the pictures. I also bring my camera to work whenever we’re doing anything out of the ordinary and print off some of the pictures which I keep in an album at work. It’s interesting to look back to see the changes that have taken place over the years: people come and go - and we all change as time passes.
The women from left to right are: me, Sherri, Sheila, Brenda, Holly, Shirley and Apryl. The guys from left to right are: James, Dale, Jim and Shaun. There is usually a person or two that is unable to attend the potluck and this year was no exception; Stacey, Lana and Ellen are missing from the team photo today.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Perogies to Go
December 15, 2009 – Day 349
Perogies to Go
When I got home from work today, I spent a couple hours in the kitchen getting ready for our team’s Christmas potluck at work tomorrow. I cooked (from my freezer) 50 perogies – Ken got three of them and looks are deceiving but there are 47 in this bag. I also chopped and sautéed an onion and fried a pound of bacon, which I whirred into bits in the food processor. Then I had to clean up the big mess I made. I took one of my crock pots in to work today which I’ll use to heat the perogies and I won’t have so much to carry on the bus tomorrow.
I’m exhausted tonight and ready for bed early.
Perogies to Go
When I got home from work today, I spent a couple hours in the kitchen getting ready for our team’s Christmas potluck at work tomorrow. I cooked (from my freezer) 50 perogies – Ken got three of them and looks are deceiving but there are 47 in this bag. I also chopped and sautéed an onion and fried a pound of bacon, which I whirred into bits in the food processor. Then I had to clean up the big mess I made. I took one of my crock pots in to work today which I’ll use to heat the perogies and I won’t have so much to carry on the bus tomorrow.
I’m exhausted tonight and ready for bed early.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Cookie Dough
December 14, 2009 – Day 348
I’m not planning to do a whole lot of baking for Christmas but I do want to do some. I started today by baking a batch of 56 good-sized chocolate chip cookies. I took quite a few pictures of the process from beginning to end but I kind of like this one of the cookie dough.
I’m not planning to do a whole lot of baking for Christmas but I do want to do some. I started today by baking a batch of 56 good-sized chocolate chip cookies. I took quite a few pictures of the process from beginning to end but I kind of like this one of the cookie dough.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Homemade Perogies - the Finals!
A Favourite
December 12, 2009 – Day 346
About ten years ago Ken and I saw this nativity set displayed in the window of a quaint little shop on (or just off) Whyte Avenue. I loved it the moment I saw it so we went in to have a closer look. The set in the window was the last one and even though it was $150 (which was a lot for us at the time), we bought it. It represents what Christmas is really all about to me – and it’s one of my favourite things.
About ten years ago Ken and I saw this nativity set displayed in the window of a quaint little shop on (or just off) Whyte Avenue. I loved it the moment I saw it so we went in to have a closer look. The set in the window was the last one and even though it was $150 (which was a lot for us at the time), we bought it. It represents what Christmas is really all about to me – and it’s one of my favourite things.
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Annual Physical
December 11, 2009 – Day 345
I had an appointment to see my doctor this morning - time once again for my annual physical checkup. I went out in last Friday’s snowstorm to get my routine blood and urine tests done in preparation for today’s visit.
The bad news is that my cholesterol is up again. Blech. It was much better when I last had it tested in 2006 but I really haven’t been eating healthy so it shouldn’t be a surprise to me. However, I thought the salmon oil (omega 3) pills I’ve been taking faithfully every day would negate the effects of my unhealthy diet. I was wrong. But I have started making some changes: I’ve been riding my bike (3-5 times/week) for exactly a month now and I’ve also started eating healthier. A few of us (family and co-workers) are going to do a super foods 365 project that I came up with after having completed almost a year of Project 365 with my photos. Essentially, it’s a commitment to add nutrient dense foods to our diet for an entire year. The list of daily choices I created is mostly based on Dr. Steven Pratt’s and Dr. Oz’s lists of super foods. My doctor was very excited about our project and she wants me to come back at the end of April so she can monitor my progress. Eventually I know she’s going to want to put me on meds if I can’t get my cholesterol under control on my own – and I don’t want that.
On a positive note, the worst part of the annual physical checkup for women didn’t happen for me today! My doctor said that “we” (I think she made reference to doctors in Alberta) are only going to do pap tests once every three years for women who have had normal test results in the past! I had one last year so I won’t have to go through that again for another two years.
I had an appointment to see my doctor this morning - time once again for my annual physical checkup. I went out in last Friday’s snowstorm to get my routine blood and urine tests done in preparation for today’s visit.
The bad news is that my cholesterol is up again. Blech. It was much better when I last had it tested in 2006 but I really haven’t been eating healthy so it shouldn’t be a surprise to me. However, I thought the salmon oil (omega 3) pills I’ve been taking faithfully every day would negate the effects of my unhealthy diet. I was wrong. But I have started making some changes: I’ve been riding my bike (3-5 times/week) for exactly a month now and I’ve also started eating healthier. A few of us (family and co-workers) are going to do a super foods 365 project that I came up with after having completed almost a year of Project 365 with my photos. Essentially, it’s a commitment to add nutrient dense foods to our diet for an entire year. The list of daily choices I created is mostly based on Dr. Steven Pratt’s and Dr. Oz’s lists of super foods. My doctor was very excited about our project and she wants me to come back at the end of April so she can monitor my progress. Eventually I know she’s going to want to put me on meds if I can’t get my cholesterol under control on my own – and I don’t want that.
On a positive note, the worst part of the annual physical checkup for women didn’t happen for me today! My doctor said that “we” (I think she made reference to doctors in Alberta) are only going to do pap tests once every three years for women who have had normal test results in the past! I had one last year so I won’t have to go through that again for another two years.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
More of Christmas from Work
December 10, 2009 – Day 344
Another picture from work today; this one captures a co-worker’s decorated station. Sherri went all out with Christmas decorations and I hope she wins the first place prize in the individual category for her effort. As another co-worker said, “It looks like a winter wonderland”!
Another picture from work today; this one captures a co-worker’s decorated station. Sherri went all out with Christmas decorations and I hope she wins the first place prize in the individual category for her effort. As another co-worker said, “It looks like a winter wonderland”!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Decorating the Office
December 9, 2009 – Day 343
We put up our Christmas decorations at work this morning. The tree goes in our small boardroom but we also decorate the walls on both sides of the hallways. It all looks so pretty but since I’m limited to only one picture per day for Project 365, I chose this one of Lana and Apryl (two of our lawyers) decorating the tree. James brought in donuts and the mood was festive. What a fun morning to be at work!
We put up our Christmas decorations at work this morning. The tree goes in our small boardroom but we also decorate the walls on both sides of the hallways. It all looks so pretty but since I’m limited to only one picture per day for Project 365, I chose this one of Lana and Apryl (two of our lawyers) decorating the tree. James brought in donuts and the mood was festive. What a fun morning to be at work!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Ahhhhhhhhh
December 8, 2009 – Day 342
So after going on about the blanket I came home with from the party on Saturday, I thought I would show it to you (front side and back). It would be great if our technology was advanced enough to allow me to capture a rub and feel picture but you’ll have to take my word that it is as soft and cozy as I imagine a fluffy white cloud of lamb’s wool would be intermingled with love in tangible form - and it’s the newest addition to my list of favourite things!
The book is another that my coworker-bookworm friend Stacey loaned me to read. It’s interesting but nothing like “The Book of Negroes”, which is the last book Stacey loaned me. That book captured my heart and soul from beginning to end and I’d have to say it is one of the all-time greatest books I’ve read in my lifetime. I’d highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys reading.
So after going on about the blanket I came home with from the party on Saturday, I thought I would show it to you (front side and back). It would be great if our technology was advanced enough to allow me to capture a rub and feel picture but you’ll have to take my word that it is as soft and cozy as I imagine a fluffy white cloud of lamb’s wool would be intermingled with love in tangible form - and it’s the newest addition to my list of favourite things!
The book is another that my coworker-bookworm friend Stacey loaned me to read. It’s interesting but nothing like “The Book of Negroes”, which is the last book Stacey loaned me. That book captured my heart and soul from beginning to end and I’d have to say it is one of the all-time greatest books I’ve read in my lifetime. I’d highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys reading.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Homemade Perogies IV
December 7, 2009 – Day 341
Today was another perogie making day. I made 132 cheddar perogies and they all went straight to the freezer. For the last few years I’ve been cooking my perogies before freezing them but I find that the perogies are more soft and fragile than I’d like them to be when I cook them before freezing so today I went back to my “old” way of freezing them without cooking them first.
So I have 156 perogies in the freezer. I need 3 dozen for a woman at work; she’s going to make me a pine bough centerpiece in exchange. I need about 3 dozen for our team’s potluck at work next week and the rest will be for Christmas dinner and the days that follow. Christine, Ian and the kids will be here for about a week so it’ll be nice to have lots on hand. I still want to make one batch of cottage cheese perogies sometime before Christmas.
Our power went out for two hours this afternoon; it delayed my progress but the job eventually got done.
Little Bear likes to sleep in the kitchen when I’m busy in there so I’m including him in this shot today and I’ll also include my busy-messy kitchen in the background just to make this a little different from the other perogie-making pictures I’ve taken recently.
Today was another perogie making day. I made 132 cheddar perogies and they all went straight to the freezer. For the last few years I’ve been cooking my perogies before freezing them but I find that the perogies are more soft and fragile than I’d like them to be when I cook them before freezing so today I went back to my “old” way of freezing them without cooking them first.
So I have 156 perogies in the freezer. I need 3 dozen for a woman at work; she’s going to make me a pine bough centerpiece in exchange. I need about 3 dozen for our team’s potluck at work next week and the rest will be for Christmas dinner and the days that follow. Christine, Ian and the kids will be here for about a week so it’ll be nice to have lots on hand. I still want to make one batch of cottage cheese perogies sometime before Christmas.
Our power went out for two hours this afternoon; it delayed my progress but the job eventually got done.
Little Bear likes to sleep in the kitchen when I’m busy in there so I’m including him in this shot today and I’ll also include my busy-messy kitchen in the background just to make this a little different from the other perogie-making pictures I’ve taken recently.
The Pook Toque
December 6, 2009 – Day 340
The gift I took to the party was a Pook Toque. It wasn’t the hit I was hoping it would be with the kids (kids meaning up to about 30 years old). Marg was the first to choose the gift from the pile and unwrap it; she's 86 years old and I knew it wouldn’t be her style. I hoped someone would steal it from her but nobody did. Not right away anyway. When I had a chance to pick a new gift or take from someone, I took the toque from Marg so she would have another opportunity to choose something she liked. In the end Christine ended up with the toque and she gave it to Ashley. It “grew” on Ashley and today she had a lot of fun trying the different styles with it. This style is called the Shrek. My favourite is the Princess Leia; you can see it here: http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00039/purchase25lf1_39261gm-a.jpg
December 8th: I should add that Stephen liked the toque but he didn't get a chance to steal it during the course of the evening.
The gift I took to the party was a Pook Toque. It wasn’t the hit I was hoping it would be with the kids (kids meaning up to about 30 years old). Marg was the first to choose the gift from the pile and unwrap it; she's 86 years old and I knew it wouldn’t be her style. I hoped someone would steal it from her but nobody did. Not right away anyway. When I had a chance to pick a new gift or take from someone, I took the toque from Marg so she would have another opportunity to choose something she liked. In the end Christine ended up with the toque and she gave it to Ashley. It “grew” on Ashley and today she had a lot of fun trying the different styles with it. This style is called the Shrek. My favourite is the Princess Leia; you can see it here: http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00039/purchase25lf1_39261gm-a.jpg
December 8th: I should add that Stephen liked the toque but he didn't get a chance to steal it during the course of the evening.
Family Christmas Party 2009
December 5, 2009 – Day 339
Our third annual family Christmas party took place at my nephew Shayne and his wife Sandy’s home tonight. Shayne and Sandy go all out at Christmas time; their home was beautifully decorated – inside and out. Outdoor decorations included a Christmas arbor decorated with plastic candies, Christmas bells, greenery, and lights – with a nutcracker standing guard on each side. Garland wound with multi colored lights outlined the garage door and was finished off with red velvet bows. A row of individually decorated mini trees lined the sidewalk to the house; and even the front doormat was a snowflake design. The interior included six elaborately decorated trees, 2 lit-up villages, a nutcracker that was about 6’ tall and three TVs (including Shayne’s 92” screen) with images of logs burning on a fire! The tables and place settings were extravagant with burgundy silky cloth tablecloths, large square plates and white cloth napkins folded to perfection. Above all, the mood was festive and fun!
Each person (or family) attending brought along a dish to contribute to a potluck dinner and the combined efforts were a feast for both eyes and palette! Appetizers, main course dishes and desserts – each category was overflowing in abundance.
After dinner we had a Chinese gift exchange. Gifts were chosen from the pile (according to the number each person drew from a hat), traded and re-traded amongst the group. The gift I opened was a soft cozy blanket that feels like love in physical form but it wasn’t mine for long before it was taken from me by my sister Darlene and traded a couple more times during the game. Once the game was over and all the trading was complete, a few of us did some “black market” trading of our own – and I ended up with the blanket that I became so attached to in the few minutes that it originally belonged to me.
Twenty-one family members attended the party. My son Travis, his family, my sister Marilyn, her guy Cleve and her daughter Amy were unable to make it. Ken and Barry both had to work so they were also missing from the party but everyone else was there. Because of the snow storm that we had on Friday, Ian and Christine were unsure whether they would make the three hour trip from Cold Lake and in fact hadn’t decided until about 11:15 Saturday morning that they would come down. It was wonderful that they were able to be there!
It was a magical night!
Our third annual family Christmas party took place at my nephew Shayne and his wife Sandy’s home tonight. Shayne and Sandy go all out at Christmas time; their home was beautifully decorated – inside and out. Outdoor decorations included a Christmas arbor decorated with plastic candies, Christmas bells, greenery, and lights – with a nutcracker standing guard on each side. Garland wound with multi colored lights outlined the garage door and was finished off with red velvet bows. A row of individually decorated mini trees lined the sidewalk to the house; and even the front doormat was a snowflake design. The interior included six elaborately decorated trees, 2 lit-up villages, a nutcracker that was about 6’ tall and three TVs (including Shayne’s 92” screen) with images of logs burning on a fire! The tables and place settings were extravagant with burgundy silky cloth tablecloths, large square plates and white cloth napkins folded to perfection. Above all, the mood was festive and fun!
Each person (or family) attending brought along a dish to contribute to a potluck dinner and the combined efforts were a feast for both eyes and palette! Appetizers, main course dishes and desserts – each category was overflowing in abundance.
After dinner we had a Chinese gift exchange. Gifts were chosen from the pile (according to the number each person drew from a hat), traded and re-traded amongst the group. The gift I opened was a soft cozy blanket that feels like love in physical form but it wasn’t mine for long before it was taken from me by my sister Darlene and traded a couple more times during the game. Once the game was over and all the trading was complete, a few of us did some “black market” trading of our own – and I ended up with the blanket that I became so attached to in the few minutes that it originally belonged to me.
Twenty-one family members attended the party. My son Travis, his family, my sister Marilyn, her guy Cleve and her daughter Amy were unable to make it. Ken and Barry both had to work so they were also missing from the party but everyone else was there. Because of the snow storm that we had on Friday, Ian and Christine were unsure whether they would make the three hour trip from Cold Lake and in fact hadn’t decided until about 11:15 Saturday morning that they would come down. It was wonderful that they were able to be there!
It was a magical night!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Snow Day!
December 4, 2009 – Day 338
Today was a snow day! It came down hard and fast all day long – creating a slippery mess of the roads. I had a 9:10 a.m. appointment to get some routine blood work done in advance of my annual physical next Friday and also wanted to replenish my supply of “superfoods” (veggies and such :-) so I dared to brave the storm.
While I was out, I came across this fender bender – and I bet there were many similar accidents on the slick city roads today.
Today was a snow day! It came down hard and fast all day long – creating a slippery mess of the roads. I had a 9:10 a.m. appointment to get some routine blood work done in advance of my annual physical next Friday and also wanted to replenish my supply of “superfoods” (veggies and such :-) so I dared to brave the storm.
While I was out, I came across this fender bender – and I bet there were many similar accidents on the slick city roads today.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Snowman Family
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I Have a Gift for the Party Now!
December 2, 2009 – Day 336
Yahoo and hooray! I have a gift for the family Christmas party I’m going to on Saturday!
In the lunchroom at work today I spoke of the difficulty I’ve been having thinking of a gift to buy for the party. A coworker friend made a suggestion that I thought was perfect so I went out for a quick afternoon break to pick one up (thank you Laura)! I can’t show you or tell you what it is though because family members that will be at the party on Saturday visit my blog!
We each bring an anonymous gift; they are all placed in a pile and we draw numbers to pick a gift. The person who picked the number 1 begins by choosing a gift from the pile and opens it. Number 2 then chooses a gift. He or she will open it and either keep it or trade gifts with number 1. Number 3 opens a gift from the pile and either keeps the gift or exchanges with number 1 or 2 and so on. At the very end of the game, number 1 gets a chance to either keep his or her gift or trade with anyone in the room. I think it’s called a Chinese Gift Exchange – and it is so much FUN! I can’t wait! :-)
Yahoo and hooray! I have a gift for the family Christmas party I’m going to on Saturday!
In the lunchroom at work today I spoke of the difficulty I’ve been having thinking of a gift to buy for the party. A coworker friend made a suggestion that I thought was perfect so I went out for a quick afternoon break to pick one up (thank you Laura)! I can’t show you or tell you what it is though because family members that will be at the party on Saturday visit my blog!
We each bring an anonymous gift; they are all placed in a pile and we draw numbers to pick a gift. The person who picked the number 1 begins by choosing a gift from the pile and opens it. Number 2 then chooses a gift. He or she will open it and either keep it or trade gifts with number 1. Number 3 opens a gift from the pile and either keeps the gift or exchanges with number 1 or 2 and so on. At the very end of the game, number 1 gets a chance to either keep his or her gift or trade with anyone in the room. I think it’s called a Chinese Gift Exchange – and it is so much FUN! I can’t wait! :-)
Colloidal Silver
December 1, 2009 – Day 335
Last week it looked like Little Bear’s ear infection was coming back; he was beginning to scratch and shake his head again. Rather than go back to the vet and pay at least another $183 for treatment, I thought I’d see if the health food store had anything that might help. The woman who helped me said that this is product, colloidal silver, is their best selling product. She said farmers come in and buy it all the time for their animals. And not only farmers but all kinds of people buy it – for all sorts of things. She told me about a time that her contact lens tore and scratched her eyeball. She put drops of this colloidal silver in her eye and it healed up before her doctor’s appointment rolled around. She also mentioned other uses for the product and I did some online research of my own. Although it doesn’t appear to be popular amongst the mainstream traditional health system, it seems like an amazing product – if it does even half of what people claim it does! Why haven’t I heard about colloidal silver before? Actually, I might have heard of it when I had post nasal drip that lasted for ten months (Dec 2007 - October 2008) and I was desperately looking for something to help me but I think a negative report I read about colloidal silver scared me off before I gave it a chance.
I’m curious to know if any of you have heard of colloidal silver. Do you use it? Or does someone you know use it? And if so, what do you (or they) use it for and do you (or they) have a success story?
It definitely seems to be helping Little Bear’s ears and it only cost $17 and change!
About halfway down this page http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/collsilver.htm there's a list of uses for colloidal silver (for both pets and people). Says it's good for things like clearing up diaper rash, acne, strep throat, cleaning cutting boards...and lots more.
Last week it looked like Little Bear’s ear infection was coming back; he was beginning to scratch and shake his head again. Rather than go back to the vet and pay at least another $183 for treatment, I thought I’d see if the health food store had anything that might help. The woman who helped me said that this is product, colloidal silver, is their best selling product. She said farmers come in and buy it all the time for their animals. And not only farmers but all kinds of people buy it – for all sorts of things. She told me about a time that her contact lens tore and scratched her eyeball. She put drops of this colloidal silver in her eye and it healed up before her doctor’s appointment rolled around. She also mentioned other uses for the product and I did some online research of my own. Although it doesn’t appear to be popular amongst the mainstream traditional health system, it seems like an amazing product – if it does even half of what people claim it does! Why haven’t I heard about colloidal silver before? Actually, I might have heard of it when I had post nasal drip that lasted for ten months (Dec 2007 - October 2008) and I was desperately looking for something to help me but I think a negative report I read about colloidal silver scared me off before I gave it a chance.
I’m curious to know if any of you have heard of colloidal silver. Do you use it? Or does someone you know use it? And if so, what do you (or they) use it for and do you (or they) have a success story?
It definitely seems to be helping Little Bear’s ears and it only cost $17 and change!
About halfway down this page http://www.lowchensaustralia.com/health/collsilver.htm there's a list of uses for colloidal silver (for both pets and people). Says it's good for things like clearing up diaper rash, acne, strep throat, cleaning cutting boards...and lots more.
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