A Christmas without mass produced products

Christmas is over and life has gotten back to reality - somewhat. So I am just reflecting on the past two weeks of family gatherings, presents, movies and breakfast in bed, friends over for visits, parties, and really good food. And the one thing that has really stayed with me is that I am so proud I never once set foot inside a big box store for any christmas gifts, etc. I proudly bought a few things through Etsy and the One of A Kind Show (supporting really wonderful and talented artisans), I picked up a few items at a locally owned toy store that only sells really high quality (Read: not made in China crap) toys and games at their store, Lu and I made some cookies and bath salts and gave those out as gifts and we also painted up some bird houses and wooden ornaments and gave those away too. We shopped online at World Wildlife Federation and made donations to World Vision and Medicines sans Frontiers - all three are such important organizations and we are proud to sponsor them - and I also did some last minute shopping at our local 10,000 villages store (money goes directly back to the third world artisan).

All in all it was a very "global" christmas and I am so happy I never once had to step foot in a Wal-Mart or other equally annoying large box store. I kept hearing people complaining about line ups and raging customers and low stock and dirty stores and I just had to laugh to myself and say... there is a better way... an easier way and a more important way. I think now is the time we have to stop looking at cheap solutions -- buying cheap toys, eating cheap sources of food -- it is just such an easy way out (or seemingly easy way out because the consequences are enormous). Just plan a little, think down the road a little and justify your cheap, easy purchase -- was it worth it? Really? Look beyond your safe reality and think long and hard about where that cheaply made toy came from, or the inexpensive steak on your plate... these are global issues now and we all need to start thinking globally as well and to stop taking the perceived easier way out!

Skiing

Winter has arrived with plummeting temperatures, wind, ice and a dusting of snow. But this is all good when you love winter activities.

Skiing rules our household: I love cross country skiing -- the serenity and empowerment of gliding across powder fresh snow, experiencing a quiet calm and being alone with my thoughts (all the while getting a great work out) has always inspired me to get out for a ski even when the wind is gusting across our back field with reckless abandon!

The husband and Lu prefer downhill skiing -- so this past weekend we headed out for the first ski of the season. The sun was out and the hill wasn't overly crowded and, most importantly, I had packed an amazing lunch. We got a couple of runs in before 'hot chocolate' time.. but poor Lu wiped out just as we were heading into the chalet to warm up by the fire. Luckily she just dusted herself off and didn't think much of her fall.. better luck next time!

Countdown to Christmas

Ok... aside from the stray kitten who showed up at our door a week and a half ago... life has been pretty busy with christmas preparations, parties and other mundane stuff (work, housework, etc.)... but this month seems to be flying by and I am not ready for the big day!!!

It almost seems like December 25th is going to be here any minute and I just don't feel quite ready yet!!
We put up the tree this past weekend and Lu did a great job of helping me put up the decorations; the tree looks pretty good if I dare say so! I have most of the indoor decorations done and am almost finished with outdoor swag and lighting. And best of all... we had our first snowfall of the season... and it was the perfect kind of snowfall.. nice big, fat flakes floating gently coating trees, the road, our lawn, gardens and cars with a good amount of fluffy whiteness. The weather is still fairly mild so you can get out and enjoy the snow and revel in its purity and confirmation that the seasons have indeed change.

Shopping is almost complete; except for a few odds and ends... did most of my shopping online at LLBean and MEC (free shipping from both - -yeah!)

Christmas party invitations have been arriving fast and furious. We have already attended a number, with many more to come... specifically the Northumberland Women's Business Network (www.northumberlandwbn.com) Christmas Gala, which takes place tomorrow evening... am really looking forward to it!

But for now.. it is back to work... and the kitten is crawling all over me... and Lu is calling me from her bedroom because she forgot her favourite blankie.... and the husband has forgotten that it is his turn to clean the litter box... so I better gently remind him!

The Pursuit of a Good School

One of the downsides of living in the country is that you don't have access to all the great schools. Well.. we do.. we just have to drive and drive and drive. We are doing that right now though with Lu's preschool... she goes into town with daddy 3 x a week for preschool.. and I am on stand by to pick up/drop off when the husband isn't available. So far it has worked out pretty well.

But Lu starts Junior Kindergarten September 2010. I know.. wow... where has the time gone? But we are on a mad dash to get her into a school we feel will be best for her. Our local country school will do in a pinch... but not sure if we are 100% happy with Lu attending; mainly due to the potential school mates she would have -- not of the best gene selection! (I know that is awful, but is sometimes true when living in the country!). Now mind you, our local school is undergoing a new build. So starting in September 2010 there will be a brand new school -- which potentially means new opportunities, new teachers, new enthusiasm. But we aren't quite sure yet, although is still an honest back up.

What we would prefer is for Lu to either go to the school where she is presently attending preschool.. or to the only French Immersion school in the area. Again... we would be committed to a lot of driving...but considering this is Lu's education I guess it is a small sacrifice to make!

A Perfect Fall Day

It is already the second week of November and the weather is still incredible; warm, sunny and beautiful!
I wish it could just stay this way... but alas... one of these days winter will arrive with all its cold, bitter, snowy attributes!

Today I took a little break from work -- I have been busy for months and haven't had much of a breather so I quite happily accomplished a little bit of filing this morning and then took to the out of doors. Chelsea and I went for a walk (Lu is at preschool today) and we cut down some dog wood for festive exterior decorating. I love the look of dog wood and cedar mixed together in outdoor urns -- just lovely! Next on the agenda - I actually washed some of the windows on the outside -- too many to complete in one day... but I was able to clean off some summer grime on a number of windows... finally.

I will be leaving shortly to pick up Lu from school... then we are heading right to the gym. I am trying to stay on track with my fitness plan and unfortunately that means that this week poor Lu gets dragged to the gym with me. But she does enjoy going. There are lots of crafts to do in the play centre, so I know she has a good time. I just feel badly taking her in the evening because lately she has been coming home from preschool so exhausted. But I figure if we get there early... we can get home early. That is my plan at least.

Tomorrow Lu and I will attend a local Remembrance Day ceremony. I never miss a ceremony... I think it is too important to miss - lest we forget.

We MISS you Dear Angus

My beloved Angus. I miss him terribly. We were together for 15 years and were inseparable.

I knew the day would come. I knew it would be brutally hard; and truth be told... it is still brutally hard one year later.

We miss you Little Buddy. I miss your soft, silky fur and your expressive eyes. I miss how you loved to chase squirrels, frisbees, sticks, ducks and wheelbarrow wheels. I miss your slightly intense nature but loved the fact that in your eyes -- I was the best and only person alive on the planet.

How you loved when we went biking and hiking, or roller blading at midnight when we all lived in Kingston. You loved to snuggle in bed with us and you always positioned yourself close by -- whichever room we were in -- you were there to protect us.

Even though you were part Border Collie - you were deathly afraid of sheep (but that is our little secret). You loved your neck massaged, your belly rubbed and you just loved being with us; it made you feel secure and loved.

We spent virtually every single day together from when you were a mere 8 weeks old. You were by far the cutest puppy, the best companion and most loving senior dog in the world.

A part of me died with you last year. I will always remember you and love you.

Say hello to Tiamo for us.

We miss you dear Angus. Life is not the same....

An Autumn Walk

We went for a walk in the forest to enjoy the fall colours. Lu loves walking Chelsea, so we let the two of them run along ahead of us - bounding down the trail, stopping occasionally to peer down a hole, or in a rotted tree stump, way up a tree and under dead fall. The walk was lovely, although a little damp -- but I think the dampness added to the intensity of the fall colours.

We collected leaves along the way; brilliant reds, intense golds, bright orange and various combinations of all. We also identified mushrooms and fungi, woodpecker holes, seedlings and possible faerie homes. Lu swears she saw a faery when she had bent down to take a closer look at some foliage... I am going to believe her... because you just never know!