Last day of November

A gloomy grey and dark day it is too. This picture was not taken today but I really like it and figured might as well post it:)

I'm REALLY excited for tonight. Decided to go to the Prince concert in town this evening. WhenI first heard he was coming I was chuffed and then sort of lost steam until yesterday when people were talking about it and then.... it was game over when I hit Youtube last night and started watching music videos of his. Great dancing songs and lots of great memories! I Luckily we picked up some secondhand tickets at a discount! We are on the floor.

I'm also REALLY discouraged because I just got a call from the car dealer and the exhaust pipe part I was hoping to have installed on my car tomorrow, so it can clear safety inspection, is back- ordered and they cannot find ANY and don't know when one might be coming in! This sucks because the "rejected but can drive" sticker on my car is only good until tomorrow and after that I should not be driving my car. The wait is indefinite:( I need my car:( My arms are tied because they don't have a part! I drive a 2008 Saturn Astra which I adore. Feeling very frustrated about this and not sure what to do. It is not rejected because of a safety issue but an environmental one:.

EDITED*** They sent it out to Speedy Muffler to be fixed. Cut off bad bit and replaced with a good bit rather than wait for an entire unit to be found. Hooray! No cost to me,Bigger Hooray!***

Night at the theatre!

This was Halifax yesterday! Looks the same today. So much snow and all at once. Instant winter here. Really glad I got my snow tires on.
Last night, my mum and I had some fun. We went out to dinner and then saw Neptune Theatre's Christmas production of Jungle Book! The streets were sparkling,the lights were twinkling and downtown Halifax looked very festive.

My pictures are a bit blurry, I was snapping in a hurry and in low light, but you can see how pretty it looked. We had a bite to eat at The Argyle, which you can see on the lower left.

I am still on my new plant-based, no added oil eating style and eating out can be a challenge. Luckily they make fire cooked pizzas and I ordered a Greek one, substituting sauteed spinach for the cheese. YUM!

We then did a bit of window shopping before stopping in to the Middle Spoon for something sweet. Alas, there was nothing for me so I had a glass of red wine for dessert:)

Then it was on to NeptuneTheatre! This year's Christmas Musical Production is an adaptation of The Jungle Book and was written by Eric Hughes, directed by George Pothitos. Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale tells the story of Mowgli the man-cub. He was raised by wolves in the jungles of India, surrounded by a varied assortment of wild animals. Mowgli learns about friendship and the importance of loyalty as he tries to find his place in the world.

I loved the atmospheric set! The sounds of the jungle piped in as we sat, helped to really set the stage. Lots of song and dance in this play! My favourite characters were the "naughty dancing monkeys!" No really. What a great job they did with their fabulous moment in the spotlight.

Alison Somerville was really terrific as Bagheera the Panther, she had the lovely languid cat movements down perfect. Lucas Meeuse as Mowgli, was energetic and likeable. I think children will really enjoy this holiday production. It was great to have a night out at the theatre!

It's snowing!

And that means.....Snow Cookies!!!

We make them every year on the first "real' snowfall. Easy to make and yummy. Little hands can mush them and mash them and they still turn out great! We write the date of the snowfall in the cookbook, and now have a record going back many years of the first snowfall each season!

Snow Cookies!
(really just sugar and spice cookies)

1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
13/4 cups all purpose flour
1tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 teaspooon nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until smooth
3. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat for an additional 2 minutes.
4. In another bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves,nutmeg,and salt.
5. Stir in dry ingredients into butter mixture in 2 additions.
6. Flatten dough into a disk shape. Wrap disc in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour or up to three days
6. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough into 1/8 inch(3mm) thickness. Using 3 inch cookie cutters, or a small glass upturned cut out shapes and place on parchment lined, lightly greased sheets. You might have to half the doungh or keep putting it in the fridge to firm as you work, it is easier to roll out.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until edges are JUST browned. Immediately move to cooling rack. makes about 50.

Now, the icing! The best part.
Put some icing sugar in a bowl and add a bit of milk to it. Add a splash of almond extract. You hardly need any milk, just a tbsp or so. Keep stirring until it is a thick icing like consistancy. If too runny add more sugar. Glop the icing into a baggie and cut the tip and decorate cookies like snowflakes!

My wee brother

Another fun picture, can't help myself! This is my brother!!!!!!! Taken some time in the early sixties. Kenneth was sooooo cute! There is just something about little boys in ties, and check out those freckles! He had a cowlick that he hated and it was carefully slicked down for this portrait.

I am always grateful for Monday. After a long weekend of work at the market it is so nice to work from home! I have a long list of "to dos" that never seems to diminish. Time to get cracking. Have a great week!

old snap

My grandmother Isobel, Auntie Jessie and my mom! Niagara Falls. circa early 1960's. Love, love, love this picture. I've come across a treasure trove of old negatives and prints and film. This was scanned from a negative strip that had been printed, it was tiny and I enlarged it. Hope to find the real negative in that trove.

He's here!

"So Much for Muffin's Bad Boy Personna", my first mini painting by Meaghan Smith!

I LOVE him. My morning was turning out to be one of those frustrating, "Gee whiz I can't seem to get ahead of myself days," when I heard the clunk of the mailbox and mailman leave. Ah respite! I popped down to see what sort of mail day it was going to be and I spied a wee white parcel from M. Smith. "M. Smith? Who in the world is that?" I had FORGOTTEN all about this little painting! Hooray, what a lift to my day. Isn't he an adorable fellow in a feisty, pissed-off sort of way? Place of honour on my mantle. Thanks Meaghan.

Monday!

Ever wonder what your paintings might look like large and in a gallery? This is an old app but a fun one. Dumpr.net Poking around my photos, I found this one. Quite like it in that gallery:))

Today is one of those mild, damp, grey November days. Actually, the colours outside are grey, with rust and a few splashes of yellow. The leaves are now mostly on the ground but a few determined stragglers are still hanging on. We've got a few days of rain ahead of us and I am ok with that. I have a lot of work to get done and inclement weather is helpful. Easier to keep my nose to the grindstone. (Quite a horrible saying, when you think about it, and what does that mean? MEANING: it comes from the practice of knife grinders when sharpening blades to bend over the stone, or even to lie flat on their fronts, with their faces near the grindstone in order to hold the blades against the stone and keep a close eye on what they were doing!)

I enjoy Mondays. The week is a clean slate, ours to embrace and make the most of! Have a good one!

November 11

Wilfred Owen was a young soldier during the first World War. He died aged 25, Nov 4th 1918, shot just seven days before the war was over. A fervent poet, he was incensed by the non-combatants who wrote sentimental poems glorifying the war.

Anthem for Doomed Youth ( 1917)

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles’ rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells,
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—
The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls’ brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

Need some photography inspiration?

Last day to register for the Sensational Snap Society! Starts tomorrow:)

who are you

I have a fascination with this young lady.... every time I pass by the window of Lady Luck Boutique in the Hydrostone, I have to stop and take her picture. Weird huh. Really. I wonder how many people over the years have paused to admire her? I'm thinking she's about 75 years old. I wonder if mannequins were based on real people or just a creation of the designer's imagination.

Seaport Market Dawn

Isn't this just the perfect gull in flight? I was taking a picture of the rosy dawn last Saturday at the Seaport Farmers Market and this wee gull posed absolutely perfectly as he sailed past the window! I snapped just as he flew into my frame. One of those happy accidents. This time of year I get to see all the sunrises across the harbour as I set up for the day. Each one is different and they are all lovely.... even the grey ones:)

Here are just a few of my market morning views:)

ALWAYS beautiful...........

Don't forget to turn back the clock tomorrow night.


This is Hangman's beach....see the tiny lighthouse at the end of the spit?

Golden hues


Just last week

Don't forget, my Photography e-Course starts on November 11th.
Still time to sign up:)

computer break

I love finding paintings I don't remember doing. This is an old one from the archives. I must start some more of these bordered gardens. So many options! Love these colours.

I'm taking a quick break from cleaning. Moving mountains of clutter from one spot to another:) Things always look worse in the middle of sorting. Kind of discouraging but I must soldier on! Time to step away from the computer:)

Photography e-Course

Yesterday I had to make a quick run to Truro. On my way back home I was compelled to stop and take some pictures. The last hurrahs of Autumn were calling to me. I took a little detour and then got lost in the pleasure of taking photographs.

Really, it is my passion. I lose track of time and all that exists is me and my subject. Sometimes I get so "focused" (excuse the pun) on what I am doing, I forget my surroundings and who might be around. Luckily nothing untoward has ever come of that.

Photography is probably one of the best de-stressers I can think of. At least for me:)A true escape. Of course it can be a bit of a pain for anyone with me, because I always have my camera and when a shot "presents" itself. I HAVE to snap. My family and friends are used to it now:) I am sure a lot of you feel the same way.

and....speaking of photography......( funny about that) .......

My next Sensational Snap Photography e-course starts on November 11th and runs for 6 weeks. It is a "no pressure" let's have fun with taking pictures and try some exercises to improve our photographic eye, sort of course. You can do it alone or participate.

Only $40!

PS If you are here via Suzie's, leave a comment letting me know!

Snap Scrapbook

Now that I have your attention.....

I'd like to direct you to the Nova Scotia Archives Flickr Collection.

There are some really GREAT photographs to be seen!