Perfect timing

Saturday June 29,2013

It's Canada Day weekend.

Well, Canada Day is officially not until Monday - July 1
... but listening to the fireworks being set off this evening,
2 days early,
I'm thinking that maybe some follow
a leap calender.

Oh wait.. it's almost midnight...
so that's only one day ahead.

We had our own somewhat explosive fun recently.
The Scouting Rocketfest....

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Blastoff!

  I actually captured my son's taking off!

Pretty incredible timing...

Look... up in the sky...

it's a bird..

it's a plane...

nope

just some clouds

oh - there it is - drifting into the trees!

Actually, that was one of the larger ones that had

a parachute.

There were other fun activities..

Pop Bottle Rockets...

Another perfect timed shot by me...

because I'm just so 

perfect...

and modest.

Except when it comes to chocolate.

And maybe my stitching...

stash that is...

Celebrate good times

Friday June 28, 2013

June.

Summer is here.

Time to celebrate 

Some birthdays.

With Blueberries and waffles...

somewhere under all that chocolate.

Chocolate Ice cream

and chocolate chip waffles and chocolate sauce.

And of course the last day of school is worth celebrating

with a nice breakfast

mom's version of the last day of school...

Send more chocolate.

Soon.

Please.

I'm off to enjoy the last minutes of sanity now...

Life in the midst

Thursday June 20, 2013

It has been a rather sad week. I've received news that four of my friends each lost a parent. 

The latest one has hit me the hardest.  

Gitta, from my favourite stitching store Gitta's , 

passed away yesterday, June 19, after an almost 4 year battle with cancer. 

She was one of the most creative, inspiring, and kind individual I have ever had the privilege of knowing. 
Strong & courageous.

I will never forget her gentle manner, warm smile and words of encouragement  

- and her wonderful sense of humour. 

Words cannot express the sense of loss I feel with the absence of such a beautiful soul. 

She touched so many and will forever remain in our hearts. 

Life is so precious.

Today I rescued a fledgling baby robin. 

It had fallen into our recycle bin and couldn't get out. Pure accident that I found it, as I decided for some odd reason to do some sweeping of the driveway before I went out. 

There it sat, looking forlornly up at me. 

I can only imagine how its' mummy must have felt.

Helpless. 

There is no way it could have gotten out of the bin.

As I carried it up to a nearby tree branch, 

I heard a great commotion of adult robins swooping and calling about. 

Not just 2 of them - but a whole bunch. 

I thought that was so interesting, 

as it seemed not just the parents, but the community of robins had gathered to look over their flock.

So here he is in the tree... waiting for mom.

Too cute.  

What a privilege to hold something so fragile.... so free.

Hope he's OK - when I got back he was gone. 

In spite of everything, there is life.

Maybe Gitta sent him to remind me of a robin pattern I had put aside....

Gitta, I'm sure you're stitching up a storm in heaven.

 :)

Last minute details

Tuesday June 18, 2013

Warning...  not for the faint of stomach....viewing this blog may cause mad hysterical rushes to the nearest pastry shop....

.. or just go to Starky's like I did.

You get choice overload there.

Apparently you can ask for a sample first.

I wonder how many they'd let you get away with...

I thought this was way better than just a single cake.

And to balance it off...

mmmmm....

another Father's Day came and went.

I found the perfect gift for my dad this year.

Of course I know it comes every year.

Of course I'm always scrambling at the last minute to pull it together.

A wreath of birdseeds & a bird caller - he loves birds.

I found it the day before.

My cousins who arrived today, 

but are only staying for 2 days :(

They showed up with flowers for my mom...

Beautiful!

Now I better be off to finish my present for them :)

Nothing like stitching something at the last minute.

Just wish I had one more button...

a beaver.. or a loon.. or a moose.. Canada Goose...

heck even a canoe would do...

imagine that.. 

none in my stashed treasures...

gee, guess I have an excuse to visit a craft store tomorrow.

last minute details

 but that's another story...

ask me tomorrow

Saturday June 15, 2013

It was a busy day with lots of errands... in between I wrapped a wedding gift. I had fun getting creative with the wrapping...

wrapped with 3 tea towels.

wrapped with 4 cloth napkins.

All were held together by small safety pins and a ribbon.

I'm really happy how they turned out.

Inside was a teapot and matching set of cups.

(The tea towels were for the groom.)

The couple loved it. They are so sweet together.

I wish them many years of happiness.

I went on the hunt for a perfect Father's Day gift...

 for my dad who has everything he wants.

I think I found it.

Some I found in the pastry isle.

Maybe I should put a lock on the fridge door 

to make sure it lasts until tomorrow.

Not sure if the lock would be hubby proof though.

I may let him have some tomorrow...

Unless I get a case of the munchies.

You see, some of the pastries are chocolate.

Father's Day starts at midnight doesn't it?....

Colour me Hawaiian

Friday June 14, 2013

It was a colourful evening last night. The theme was Hawaiian ....

Some really interesting characters...

A pineapple tree

or a fancy headdress...

depending on your point of view

BEARS!

in swim rings no less

There was also authentic Hula dancers,

a Hawaiian fire juggler

jazz, tap dancers

I  learned how to Hula and did some Zumba

(my camera was in hiding at this point, sorry...)

and a singer,

country and pop singer Kate Todd

Beautiful and very talented lady with an awesome voice!

I didn't mention that the party was held on the tennis courts. 

I'll never look at those courts the same again.

Our team should order some tennis skirts like those Hawaiian dancers...

now wouldn't that be distracting....

that,  and throw in some Hula moves....

Happy Birthday Teresa

Wednesday June 12, 2013

It's been a while since I posted a finish.  Scouting stuff seems to be getting in the way.

I finished another Sweetheart Tree...

silly question... of course it's a scissor fob...

for another pair of giant scissors.

A birthday present for a special friend,

an inspiring friend who is one of  the most caring people you'll ever meet.

Friendships come and friendships grow

With years that seem to fly, 

In the blink of an eye

The dreams you share, the way you care

Can never be forgotten.

A memory made of an evening spent,

With laughter, stitches and tea

In the blink of an eye

The time we share, they words you say

Can never be forgotten.

Not knowing what the future holds

With so many things uncertain

In the blink of an eye

Of this be sure, my dear sweet friend

You'll never be forgotten.

Mr Bubbles

Tuesday June 11, 2013

How can you not smile back?

:)

I has a big happy...

but that's another story

Just not sure...

Monday June 10, 2013

After all the camping recently...it would be so nice to have a stitching weekend.
Not sure if that's going to happen any time soon though.

There must be a way to pack a bit lighter...

Do you know how much this thing can hold?

Lots of camping gear

Not sure if it could hold all my cross stitch stash...

well..., maybe enough for a weekend.

There was plenty of seats down by the lake yesterday

Not sure how comfy these would be.

Besides they were all taken.

Some big wigs were there...

fire chief, police, marine police, MPs MPPs

and even this lady

Yes, that's me and Mayor Hazel.

(In spite of everything some might think), 

she's a pretty amazing woman.

It was the opening of the sailing season.

My son moved up to Sea Scouts ...

So we'll both be learning how to sail this summer.

Not sure the sail boat would be 

a great place to stitch.

Not sure if I'm going to finish a few gifts I'm stitching.

There are deadlines.

One's overdue.

Another is way overdue.

One is due this Sunday.

One is due in a week.

Not sure if  chocolate might get in the way.

Uh... wait a sec....

Not sure if I'm going to beat the level of Candy Crush I'm on.

Well, I thought that about the last 2 levels.

Not sure who this is....yet

Alberto or Ricardo?

Well, that's another story...

Last but not least...

Friday June 7, 2013

Yesterday was a day of lasts.

Last Cub Scout meeting. Ever. I'm going to miss working with the other cub leaders, but I know we'll still see each other, as we've become good friends.

On to Sea Scouts - and learning how to sail! (and hopefully not how to get sea sick)

We had some snacks and learned how to make a survival strap bracelet. What else would you do with a huge bag of really long and thick shoe laces?

It's basically a macrame knot tied onto another string.

When you need a rope, 

(perhaps in an emergency situation),

you have one handy on your wrist.

You just unravel it.

Pretty cool.

I think it needs some beads though.

Not sure what I would do with the beads in an emergency.

hmmm...

or...maybe I could make emergency bead bracelets.

Yes, you too can have beads handy,

whenever you are faced with a 

bead emergency...

in the middle of the woods...

hanging off the side of a cliff...

stranded in a lake...

Until then...

I'll have a treat...

One of the guilds I belong to had the last meeting

until the fall and

it included lunch.

And dessert.

It was a very interesting meeting .

Everyone was asked to share a bit about themselves - 

something they do, an interest/hobby or made that is not 

what they usually share.

Many brought in samples of  their creations.

Some of the talents revealed included

a level 4 hockey coach and teacher 

published author (that also translates Native Indian stories)

doll maker who brought in an adorable realistic toddler called 'Ben'

miniatures artist who brought in an exquisite room in a box

painters

pencil artists

beaders

a flute and piano teacher

a fabric sewer who also sews for theatres

paper box sculptures

3-D cards with string designs

a metal sculpture artist

silver jewelry including some from antique cuff-links

and the list goes on and on...

The talent in the room was just incredible.

I shared that I was a Scout leader 

and I had wanted to bring in a sample of that

- but there wasn't really enough room to set up some tents

(They did happen to be in my trunk though)

Not enough space to whack a tennis ball around either.

(Besides maybe hitting something... or someone)

I brought in some of my jewelry creations instead.

Someone shared a new use for something I only used for camping...

a head lamp

It never occurred to me to use it for stitching!

Wonder if looking up at someone might cause a bit of blindness...

If the weather is lousy tomorrow, 

I may just use it as a beacon

 for the big wigs...

but that's another story.

Perfect amount

Thursday June 6, 2013


There was exactly one cup of peanut butter left. Imagine that.

Just add the egg and sugar right into the jar. How convenient... and easy.

Partially burnt... just the way I like it.

And the mixed dough in the jar is in the fridge.

Perfect night time snack.

Just for me

Heck, they can bake their own.

when things glow....

Wednesday June 5, 2013


Oh sure... during the day things seem tame enough in the woods...

uhhh... maybe that's scary even during the day.

We were one of the first ones to arrive at the camp.

 Must say I have never used one of these when it was so 

new and clean.

Heck even the toilet paper was still wrapped.

Now the Kybos in the woods were a whole different story.

Even in daylight it was a wee bit of a scary sight.

I didn't take a photo of the inside....

it might cause mass fainting.

Let's just say it was not for the faint off heart.

Or those scared of spiders.

(...like a few friends I might happen to know)

(don't worry... no spiders pics here)

Did I tell you we made some meals on the campfire?

This was the best corn I've ever had.

It was almost

orgasmic.

 (I can't believe I actually said that to my co-leader)

Potatoes, meatballs, carrots and onions.

Yummy.

(Ok, not quite orgasmic.. 

but would have been if they hadn't hid the chocolate sauce)

So what do a campfire and Kybos have in common?

Well, it all had to do with this...

Sitting around the campfire after the kids had gone to bed,

a perfect campfire ghost story came to me.

What if...

there were a Kybo ghost.

And what if you told this Kybo ghost story

around the campfire

to a bunch of 8-10 year old kids.

And let's just say you 

happened to have dropped a glow stick 

down the kybo.

Would that freak the kids out 

just a wee bit

if they used the kybo before bed?

Could you imagine...

I decided this was one story I won't tell.

The kids were afraid of using the kybo as it was.

This was my limo ride back to civilization... or my car.

back to a world with electricity...

cross stitch...

and just the perfect amount of peanut butter.

But that's another story...

Celebrity guests

Tuesday June 4, 2013

You know it's a sign... when the birds are flying away...

Yup, it was a mighty wet weekend.

Let's just say there might have been a few pools around.

We did have some dry spells and at least it wasn't cold.

And the showers didn't stop 

a few celebrities 

from making a surprise visit at the camp

Lady Gagaga

Here she is with Justin Beaver

Is was a bit breezy ...

I think she liked the way it blew her hair.

She even got in on the action...

Agent training boot camp.

There was a Celebrity shoot op

Barbie didn't stand a chance

Even the army couldn't stop the onslaught

of elastic bands.

Not to be outdone,

Shelly Dusnail paid us a visit.

The Beatles didn't quite make it

but sent a replacement...

He didn't quite make it either.

Non stop excitement in the woods.

Just wait until dark.

That's when the real fun begins...

But that's another story...