Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Building the Mood
Everyone is busy everywhere decoratating for Christmas or x-mas if you prefer. But to remember how certain decorations were done the previous year even if simple is never the same the year after. So here we go again having the idea of last year in mind but somehow changing it a little.
Before Dave started putting lights at the back of the house, I did the little tree first. When I started breaking good branches in that tree, I had to come up with a better solution. Then the idea of using an old broom to deposit the lights on the desired branch came to mind. It was a success. Now I hope to remember using that idea next year.
The wings of the chikadees could be heard as they were flying so close. At times, I had to stop to admire their bravery.
It was getting darker and Dave wanted also to finish decorating the front. The balcony was started but not finished. Today was the day to put the lights on the railings. All that needs to be done now is to plug it in.
Another of those beautiful sunset again. But that's okay. Who can get bored with such a warmth. During our walk though Osker and I heard a machinery heading our way. Here is what we saw.
A big combine going through the village for the selected corn field. These machines are on the roads everywhere at this time of the year. Harvest time is still going on.
Today was so beautiful. A bonus 17 warm degrees send us all for a walk in town. When Osker sees people, he doesn't want to walk any further until we stop to greet them. So we did. But not the dog that was coming towards us as he is not that friendly. But Osker wanted to meet him anyway but we did not let him.
Meeting our new neighbour along with her family who so kindly accepted to be photographed for this post.
Exciting isn't it to see so many nice decorated houses. Later on what will be seen will not be a green lawn but snow covering it.
Before Dave started putting lights at the back of the house, I did the little tree first. When I started breaking good branches in that tree, I had to come up with a better solution. Then the idea of using an old broom to deposit the lights on the desired branch came to mind. It was a success. Now I hope to remember using that idea next year.
The wings of the chikadees could be heard as they were flying so close. At times, I had to stop to admire their bravery.
It was getting darker and Dave wanted also to finish decorating the front. The balcony was started but not finished. Today was the day to put the lights on the railings. All that needs to be done now is to plug it in.
Another of those beautiful sunset again. But that's okay. Who can get bored with such a warmth. During our walk though Osker and I heard a machinery heading our way. Here is what we saw.
A big combine going through the village for the selected corn field. These machines are on the roads everywhere at this time of the year. Harvest time is still going on.
Today was so beautiful. A bonus 17 warm degrees send us all for a walk in town. When Osker sees people, he doesn't want to walk any further until we stop to greet them. So we did. But not the dog that was coming towards us as he is not that friendly. But Osker wanted to meet him anyway but we did not let him.
Meeting our new neighbour along with her family who so kindly accepted to be photographed for this post.
Exciting isn't it to see so many nice decorated houses. Later on what will be seen will not be a green lawn but snow covering it.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Between two cultures - East meeting West
Here we are in Canada and here is Nara thousands of miles away and yet with today's technology it's as if we are bringing continents closer together. Between two different cultures there are similarities. For instance the sun rises and sets with the same wonder and interest at its beauty no matter where you are. 
Across the river the beauty of this sunset reflected on our house.
At this time of the year that warmth was beautiful and yet deceptive since we couldn't feel it's rays.
This was the magic of that moment captured right away and then it was gone. Clouds were darkening the sky for the rain to come.
And now meeting the East which this time is everyone's favorite. FOOD.
Sent over from South Korea, Nara wanted us to taste meals that she makes. So, instead of a usual brunch this Sunday, Dave prepared the dish.
Looking for once and maybe memorize the recipe and instructions on how to make it.
It is almost ready. Hmmmm the new aroma coming from these spices is interesting. So foreign and yet welcoming. I can hardly wait to taste it.
The moment long awaiting for has finally arrived. We even are using the bowls that Nara also sent. And I must say we both really really enjoyed this dish. There was a trace of spiciness that was good until the end. We will definitely make that dish again. I am sure that Winston will enjoy it too.
Across the river the beauty of this sunset reflected on our house.
At this time of the year that warmth was beautiful and yet deceptive since we couldn't feel it's rays.
This was the magic of that moment captured right away and then it was gone. Clouds were darkening the sky for the rain to come.And now meeting the East which this time is everyone's favorite. FOOD.
Sent over from South Korea, Nara wanted us to taste meals that she makes. So, instead of a usual brunch this Sunday, Dave prepared the dish.
Looking for once and maybe memorize the recipe and instructions on how to make it.
It is almost ready. Hmmmm the new aroma coming from these spices is interesting. So foreign and yet welcoming. I can hardly wait to taste it.
The moment long awaiting for has finally arrived. We even are using the bowls that Nara also sent. And I must say we both really really enjoyed this dish. There was a trace of spiciness that was good until the end. We will definitely make that dish again. I am sure that Winston will enjoy it too.Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Working and then having fun
So goes the week. Preparing for lessons at school and then home tutoring.
Monday after school Emma and Grant walked over from school to be tutored for an hour. A fun an relaxing activity before serious work is what they wanted to do first.
And then there is Wednesday also with another group of older children this time.
Kate and Ross walked from school and wanted to do this project while waiting for Reed who was coming from another school.
Osker was excited to see them on the floor and started licking Reed first and disturbing their work. I had to ask him to get his squeaky toy. He did reach his target though haha by licking Ross by surprise and getting him on the mouth. There was a good laugh from everyone.
And now to more serious work. An hour goes by quite fast to the children's amazement.
Now after working for a whole week, it's good to balance that with a bit of fun on the weekend.
We were invited at a friend's house for some musical entertainment and food. A very talented and known violinist played a few tunes and then we also heard this young bagpiper. Five students from Ottawa who are learning Celtic history were also present.
Among them was this 19 years old talented caricaturist whom I enjoyed talking to. Here are a few of her drawings.
Unusual style and yet refreshing to see.
I am pretty sure that Stacey would be honored to have her drawings on my blog to be viewed.
That's one way to enjoy a weekend.
Monday after school Emma and Grant walked over from school to be tutored for an hour. A fun an relaxing activity before serious work is what they wanted to do first.
And then there is Wednesday also with another group of older children this time.
Kate and Ross walked from school and wanted to do this project while waiting for Reed who was coming from another school.
Osker was excited to see them on the floor and started licking Reed first and disturbing their work. I had to ask him to get his squeaky toy. He did reach his target though haha by licking Ross by surprise and getting him on the mouth. There was a good laugh from everyone.
And now to more serious work. An hour goes by quite fast to the children's amazement.Now after working for a whole week, it's good to balance that with a bit of fun on the weekend.
We were invited at a friend's house for some musical entertainment and food. A very talented and known violinist played a few tunes and then we also heard this young bagpiper. Five students from Ottawa who are learning Celtic history were also present.
Among them was this 19 years old talented caricaturist whom I enjoyed talking to. Here are a few of her drawings.
Unusual style and yet refreshing to see.
I am pretty sure that Stacey would be honored to have her drawings on my blog to be viewed.That's one way to enjoy a weekend.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Church supper
Every year at this time it's the church supper that everyone is eager to attend. No cooking will be done that night nor washing of dishes either.
While twelve long tables have been set with bread, butter, cranberry sauce, coleslaw, milk, sugar etc., a lot of people are now at church waiting for their number to come up and then to walk at the hall for the meal. 
The kitchen is bursting with activity. From mashing potatoes to making gravy, to carving the turkey, mashing turnips, warming peas, stuffings and cutting pies. Boiling water for tea and coffee for men to pass around. Dave and I were working from 4:00 until 6:00. He was serving coffee while I had to attend to no. 2 table.
Andrea, our minister, was also there with her husband Bill and their two children Sam and Cody.
Now the stage is set. The food is on the table ready for the first group to walk in. We are at our post ready to serve pies and refill any dish that needs to.
And here they come all famished and ready to have a good meal.
After the main course comes the decision of what kind of pie to eat. I've heard tonight that a man last year ate 5 different kinds of pie. He must not have had much of a supper and kept his appetite instead for dessert.
The line against the wall is getting longer. People are also meeting friends they haven't seen for a while. It also becomes a meeting place to chat a little.
Dave is already serving coffee. He wears a tag around his neck to say what he is serving. Others have a tag with tea marked on it. Jay Woolven is ready to walk back to church as he is assessing the number of people already in the hall.
Here we are before we started our shift. Jay took pictures of us for the church website and I handed him my camera to do the same for my blog.
This bouquet was on top of the piano near the pies. This is where my bottle of water and my camera will be while working. Then at 6:00, it was our turn to have supper. We ate with Jane and Eric and their family. They arrived just on time for us to eat together.
While twelve long tables have been set with bread, butter, cranberry sauce, coleslaw, milk, sugar etc., a lot of people are now at church waiting for their number to come up and then to walk at the hall for the meal. 
The kitchen is bursting with activity. From mashing potatoes to making gravy, to carving the turkey, mashing turnips, warming peas, stuffings and cutting pies. Boiling water for tea and coffee for men to pass around. Dave and I were working from 4:00 until 6:00. He was serving coffee while I had to attend to no. 2 table.
Andrea, our minister, was also there with her husband Bill and their two children Sam and Cody.
Now the stage is set. The food is on the table ready for the first group to walk in. We are at our post ready to serve pies and refill any dish that needs to.
And here they come all famished and ready to have a good meal.
After the main course comes the decision of what kind of pie to eat. I've heard tonight that a man last year ate 5 different kinds of pie. He must not have had much of a supper and kept his appetite instead for dessert.
The line against the wall is getting longer. People are also meeting friends they haven't seen for a while. It also becomes a meeting place to chat a little.
Dave is already serving coffee. He wears a tag around his neck to say what he is serving. Others have a tag with tea marked on it. Jay Woolven is ready to walk back to church as he is assessing the number of people already in the hall.
Here we are before we started our shift. Jay took pictures of us for the church website and I handed him my camera to do the same for my blog.
This bouquet was on top of the piano near the pies. This is where my bottle of water and my camera will be while working. Then at 6:00, it was our turn to have supper. We ate with Jane and Eric and their family. They arrived just on time for us to eat together.
