Appetizer - Name 2 things you would like to accomplish in 2008.
A better balance of work and family. I spend too much time not being with my family and I need to see them more when we are able to be all together. The second is taking bigger, better steps towards being environmentally responsible and eco-friendly in our home.
Soup - With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?
Miss Piggy. No, wait. She is a puppet and I suppose that doesn't count. I love to sing though and am pretty headstrong so she works otherwise. Are there any cartoons like that?? Donald Duck I would have to say.
Salad - What time of day (or night) were you born?
2:45 p.m. I think.
Main Course - Tell us something special about your hometown.
My hometown is a small, Scot-celebrating location in southern Ontario. Fergus hosts the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games which people come to from all around the world. It also has one more special connection for me; with Doug being of Scottish ancestry and my being from Fergus it seemed fitting to name our eldest child: "Fergus."
Dessert - If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?
As long as the content was positive and friendly, Leanne Hall-Willier. She and I went to Belgium together 20 years ago this spring and I would love to know what is going on with her now. I think she lives in Ottawa and I heard she has a son, Hunter maybe?, and I would love to have a chance to reconnect. I haven't seen her since Doug and I were in university.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Benazir Bhutto
I wept as I heard the horrific news yesterday. It was a shock to my heart and my head that this womyn would be assassinated. I understand, as has been pointed out by a very smart man I know of, that she was not without her skeletons. I just think she was the best of all of the options available. She was a womyn who wanted what was best for her country.
She knew she was putting her life at risk by returning to her beloved home country but she took that risk and ran with it in order to be able to work on something she believed in. She stood up for her beliefs. More of us should be willing to do that.
Go in peace, Benazir.
She knew she was putting her life at risk by returning to her beloved home country but she took that risk and ran with it in order to be able to work on something she believed in. She stood up for her beliefs. More of us should be willing to do that.
Go in peace, Benazir.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Our Yule/Solstice Celebrations
This morning's was a FANTASTIC ceremony. We met at the sacred space in Guelph at 6:30 (I even got up early enough to bake a quiche to take with me - can you BELIEVE it???). Fergus is a true kin to me and is also quite a night owl. That said he was able to get out of bed at 5:45 (after going to bed at 12:30 this morning when our friends left our Yule party) and got himself ready to go.
Once everyone had arrived we went outside and chanted in the parking lot. Once it was certain that all of us knew the words to the various song and chants that we would be using we walked down, chanting/singing all the way, to the river's edge. We stomped out a circle in the snow (there were about 20-25 of us) and welcomed the elements. Two members of the circle acted out the meaning of the Solstice. We went around the circle stating what, in our lives, we were grateful for that sometimes also causes us challenges. Fergus said he was grateful for technology. It was sweet because I think everyone can relate to the idea of technology being wonderful and yet a challenge too.
Once we finished and closed the circle we walked back up to the sacred space (UU Fellowship Hall) and feasted on all of the food that everyone brought. I LOVE a good breakfast pot luck. It was YUMMY!
Anyway that was our celebration this morning. It followed a WONDERFUL evening, after sunset, when we spent time as a family exchanging our holiday gifts. The boys each got one big gift this year from us instead of a series of small gifts. They are now the proud owners of Sony PSP's. Other's knew they were getting them so they also have a few games to play too.
After the gift exchange a few of our friends came by and celebrated the holiday with us. We managed to light the house with candles and holiday lights. It was great fun. We kept the red candle remnant from this year (as we had last year) to light next year's candles. That's the best I can do for honouring the Yule Log tradition.
It has been since before Fergus was born that I was able to take part in ritual that involved fellow wiccans/pagans, outside of my immediate family. It was amazing. And to have Fergus there with me, loving every second of it . . . it wasn't just amazing . . . it was MAGICAL!
Once everyone had arrived we went outside and chanted in the parking lot. Once it was certain that all of us knew the words to the various song and chants that we would be using we walked down, chanting/singing all the way, to the river's edge. We stomped out a circle in the snow (there were about 20-25 of us) and welcomed the elements. Two members of the circle acted out the meaning of the Solstice. We went around the circle stating what, in our lives, we were grateful for that sometimes also causes us challenges. Fergus said he was grateful for technology. It was sweet because I think everyone can relate to the idea of technology being wonderful and yet a challenge too.
Once we finished and closed the circle we walked back up to the sacred space (UU Fellowship Hall) and feasted on all of the food that everyone brought. I LOVE a good breakfast pot luck. It was YUMMY!
Anyway that was our celebration this morning. It followed a WONDERFUL evening, after sunset, when we spent time as a family exchanging our holiday gifts. The boys each got one big gift this year from us instead of a series of small gifts. They are now the proud owners of Sony PSP's. Other's knew they were getting them so they also have a few games to play too.
After the gift exchange a few of our friends came by and celebrated the holiday with us. We managed to light the house with candles and holiday lights. It was great fun. We kept the red candle remnant from this year (as we had last year) to light next year's candles. That's the best I can do for honouring the Yule Log tradition.
It has been since before Fergus was born that I was able to take part in ritual that involved fellow wiccans/pagans, outside of my immediate family. It was amazing. And to have Fergus there with me, loving every second of it . . . it wasn't just amazing . . . it was MAGICAL!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday's Feast
Well, the person who writes Friday's Feast is taking today off, and who can blame them? So, I have decided to try my hand at writing one. We shall see how it goes.
Appetizer: What is your first thought upon waking in the morning?
Is it sunny? I always want the day to start sunny and then if it has to rain, fine but I prefer a sunny start. (my second thought is always: are the boys awake yet?)
Soup: What do you do when you finally have ten minutes to yourself and know that no one is looking?
raid the cupboards for chocolate and check my email - not very adventurous I'm afraid
Salad: Of all of the "alternative" therapies available, which is the one you have most trouble believing actually works?
Therapeautic Touch. I know that it *does* work because I have seen it yet I still can't imagine it working when there isn't even a laying on of hands anywhere.
Main Course: Name something that you never told your childhood friends because, at the time, you were totally embarrassed about but now are not so afraid of.
That I was scared of the dark. In all seriousness, when I am home alone I am STILL terrified of the dark.
Dessert: If you could subscribe to one magazine and only one, what would it be? (It can be out of print if you need it to be.) And do you subscribe to it now?
Ms. I used to buy it all of the time but have fallen out of the loop. I don't even know if it is still in print. When I read it I felt completely invincible and that I mattered. I love Mothering magazine but these days reading it is more because of the work I do than because of my role as a mom. I am still a "Ms." and I always will be. Never to be a MRS.
Appetizer: What is your first thought upon waking in the morning?
Is it sunny? I always want the day to start sunny and then if it has to rain, fine but I prefer a sunny start. (my second thought is always: are the boys awake yet?)
Soup: What do you do when you finally have ten minutes to yourself and know that no one is looking?
raid the cupboards for chocolate and check my email - not very adventurous I'm afraid
Salad: Of all of the "alternative" therapies available, which is the one you have most trouble believing actually works?
Therapeautic Touch. I know that it *does* work because I have seen it yet I still can't imagine it working when there isn't even a laying on of hands anywhere.
Main Course: Name something that you never told your childhood friends because, at the time, you were totally embarrassed about but now are not so afraid of.
That I was scared of the dark. In all seriousness, when I am home alone I am STILL terrified of the dark.
Dessert: If you could subscribe to one magazine and only one, what would it be? (It can be out of print if you need it to be.) And do you subscribe to it now?
Ms. I used to buy it all of the time but have fallen out of the loop. I don't even know if it is still in print. When I read it I felt completely invincible and that I mattered. I love Mothering magazine but these days reading it is more because of the work I do than because of my role as a mom. I am still a "Ms." and I always will be. Never to be a MRS.
Our personal plans for Yule
We are going to a sunrise ceremony tomorrow morning (well, Fergus and I are going while Doug and Quinn stay in bed) with some wiccans from the UU fellowship/congregation/place we have been going to. We have to be in Guelph for 6:30 a.m. and will walk to the river, observe the sunrise and then walk back to the fellowship to enjoy a potluck breakfast feast.
Tonight though, we are trying something new and have invited over some of our local friends (who honour the changing of the seasons with us although it is not their path). They are coming over for snacks and a party and we will light our home by candlelight.
We will start things off before our friends arrive with a small gathering of just our family. We have always done the gifts on the eve of the solstice and so the boys are vibrating with excitement about what they will get tonight. Fergus is old enough to know that he is supposed to be more excited about the giving than the receiving but is too young to let that win over. (In fact, many of us as adults have trouble with that too, don't we?) It is so much fun to watch him grow and mature.
Have a great celebration everyone, however you celebrate.
Tonight though, we are trying something new and have invited over some of our local friends (who honour the changing of the seasons with us although it is not their path). They are coming over for snacks and a party and we will light our home by candlelight.
We will start things off before our friends arrive with a small gathering of just our family. We have always done the gifts on the eve of the solstice and so the boys are vibrating with excitement about what they will get tonight. Fergus is old enough to know that he is supposed to be more excited about the giving than the receiving but is too young to let that win over. (In fact, many of us as adults have trouble with that too, don't we?) It is so much fun to watch him grow and mature.
Have a great celebration everyone, however you celebrate.
Our reason for the season
What follows is what we, in my immediate family, honour about this season. An explanation of my faith.
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Yule: the Winter Solstice, Yuletide (Teutonic), Alban Arthan (Caledonii)
Around Dec. 21
This Sabbat represents the rebirth of light. Here, on the longest night of the year, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun God and hope for new light is reborn.
Yule is a time of awakening to new goals and leaving old regrets behind. Yule coincides closely with the Christian Christmas celebration. Christmas was once a movable feast celebrated many different times during the year. The choice of December 25 was made by the Pope Julius I in the fourth century AD because this coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. The intent was to replace the pagan celebration with the Christian one.
The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule celebration. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung in the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present.
Food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree.
The colors of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is the custom of exchanging gifts.
A solar festival, The reindeer stag is also a reminder of the Horned God. You will find that many traditional Christmas decorations have some type of Pagan ancestry or significance that can be added to your Yule holiday. Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of a Yule log. Many enjoy the practice of lighting the Yule Log. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log of oak or pine (never Elder). Carve or chalk upon it a figure of the Sun (a rayed disc) or the Horned God (a horned circle). Set it alight in the fireplace at dusk, on Yule. This is a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the Mother Goddess. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining within it and think of the coming warmer days. Traditionally, a portion of the Yule Log is saved to be used in lighting next year's log. This piece is kept throughout the year to protect the home.
*************************
Yule: the Winter Solstice, Yuletide (Teutonic), Alban Arthan (Caledonii)
Around Dec. 21
This Sabbat represents the rebirth of light. Here, on the longest night of the year, the Goddess gives birth to the Sun God and hope for new light is reborn.
Yule is a time of awakening to new goals and leaving old regrets behind. Yule coincides closely with the Christian Christmas celebration. Christmas was once a movable feast celebrated many different times during the year. The choice of December 25 was made by the Pope Julius I in the fourth century AD because this coincided with the pagan rituals of Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun. The intent was to replace the pagan celebration with the Christian one.
The Christian tradition of a Christmas tree has its origins in the Pagan Yule celebration. Pagan families would bring a live tree into the home so the wood spirits would have a place to keep warm during the cold winter months. Bells were hung in the limbs so you could tell when a spirit was present.
Food and treats were hung on the branches for the spirits to eat and a five-pointed star, the pentagram, symbol of the five elements, was placed atop the tree.
The colors of the season, red and green, also are of Pagan origin, as is the custom of exchanging gifts.
A solar festival, The reindeer stag is also a reminder of the Horned God. You will find that many traditional Christmas decorations have some type of Pagan ancestry or significance that can be added to your Yule holiday. Yule is celebrated by fire and the use of a Yule log. Many enjoy the practice of lighting the Yule Log. If you choose to burn one, select a proper log of oak or pine (never Elder). Carve or chalk upon it a figure of the Sun (a rayed disc) or the Horned God (a horned circle). Set it alight in the fireplace at dusk, on Yule. This is a graphic representation of the rebirth of the God within the sacred fire of the Mother Goddess. As the log burns, visualize the Sun shining within it and think of the coming warmer days. Traditionally, a portion of the Yule Log is saved to be used in lighting next year's log. This piece is kept throughout the year to protect the home.
Monday, December 17, 2007
from (almost) ZERO to 60 - centimetres that is
Here are a series of pictures that I have and that I had. The summer shots are from two years ago so the gardens look very different now (well, this past summer I mean). I just thought it would be fun to show the comparison.
We hardly had any snow (a couple of inches but that was about it) until yesterday. We got between 20 and 30 centimetres (8-12 inches) in a 14 hour period. WOW! The boys are totally excited and we have plans to go out and spend the afternoon tobogganing while the school children still have classes.
Have a great day!!!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The boys play outside
This is an old series of pictures but I found them on my desktop. Fergus and Quinn are often gifted with the presence of their friend, Liam. These images were taken after our first big-enough-to-go-outside snowfall this year. We have had lots of snow now though. Not as much as my friends in the US but quite a bit for early December none-the-less.
Have a holly-jolly holiday season!
Friday, December 14, 2007
We have another new web site
My business partner has, thankfully, a tech background and found a template that we love. This site template has the colours we have been using for our business cards, postcards and folios. It looks better in my opinion and hope that people find it equally easy to navigate. We are averaging 40+ hits a day to the site and want it to be spot on.
Life has been incredibly busy as of late (which is why I posted so many entries here today, when I had some time) and I don't know if I will get to post again before the holidays. If not, please have a wonderful time with family and friends.
Much love to all!!
Life has been incredibly busy as of late (which is why I posted so many entries here today, when I had some time) and I don't know if I will get to post again before the holidays. If not, please have a wonderful time with family and friends.
Much love to all!!
Friday's Feast December 14th
Appetizer - Make up a word and give us its definition.
Childrience - that is to have patience with your children as they do things in their own way, on their own schedule; even when you are already ten minutes late.
Soup - What is currently your favorite song?
Blues Traveler's "Christmas"
Salad - What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
I don't have a Christmas list. I would like something for Yule though and that is for my family to join me for the sunrise ceremony at the river in Guelph on the 22nd. So far it sounds as though it is something they are considering; even though it means being up and ready to leave home by 5:45 am.
Main Course - Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.
Ombre Rose reminds me of my mom. I don't think she has worn it in years but whenever I smell it I turn and look for her.
Dessert - Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?
Barney the Purple Dinosaur. He is just creepy.
Childrience - that is to have patience with your children as they do things in their own way, on their own schedule; even when you are already ten minutes late.
Soup - What is currently your favorite song?
Blues Traveler's "Christmas"
Salad - What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list this year?
I don't have a Christmas list. I would like something for Yule though and that is for my family to join me for the sunrise ceremony at the river in Guelph on the 22nd. So far it sounds as though it is something they are considering; even though it means being up and ready to leave home by 5:45 am.
Main Course - Name a scent that reminds you of someone special in your life.
Ombre Rose reminds me of my mom. I don't think she has worn it in years but whenever I smell it I turn and look for her.
Dessert - Who is someone on television that you feel probably shouldn’t be, and why?
Barney the Purple Dinosaur. He is just creepy.
Friday's Feast from Dec. 7th
Appetizer - What was the last game you purchased?
For me or for anyone? The last game we bought that we all play is "Uno Spin." Bought it when we were in Germantown (having the time of our lives with AMAZING friends and creating memories to last a lifetime) and we played it there a few times. The games we played helped to create a few wonderful memories too.
Soup - Name something in which you don’t believe.
A higher power (God, Allah, whomoever) who sits in judgment.
Salad - If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Probably Julia Roberts or Gwen Stephani. Most likely the former though. I love the way she puts parenting first and wears her children and mothers from her heart instead of from the pages of mainstream thought processes.
Main Course - What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
Things are more rapidly accomplished when I don't nag about them.
Dessert - Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
Dimly lit, music with fond memories attached playing in the background, candles, incense, snacks, water, my children with me as well as Doug, somewhere we can all veg together and just hang out without phones or other outside influences.
For me or for anyone? The last game we bought that we all play is "Uno Spin." Bought it when we were in Germantown (having the time of our lives with AMAZING friends and creating memories to last a lifetime) and we played it there a few times. The games we played helped to create a few wonderful memories too.
Soup - Name something in which you don’t believe.
A higher power (God, Allah, whomoever) who sits in judgment.
Salad - If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?
Probably Julia Roberts or Gwen Stephani. Most likely the former though. I love the way she puts parenting first and wears her children and mothers from her heart instead of from the pages of mainstream thought processes.
Main Course - What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
Things are more rapidly accomplished when I don't nag about them.
Dessert - Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.
Dimly lit, music with fond memories attached playing in the background, candles, incense, snacks, water, my children with me as well as Doug, somewhere we can all veg together and just hang out without phones or other outside influences.
Friday Feast from November
Appetizer - What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?
I don't do rides very well. I am kind of a stable, two-feet-on-the-ground kind of gal. If I am going to ride a ride then I like it to be entertaining without any big ups or downs.
Soup - How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?
I look for a familiar face and latch on to that person, almost stalker-like. If I don't see anyone I know then I find a chair in the corner and try to make myself invisible.
Salad - On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?
8-9 if it is something I know about, understand the thought process behind and if I am not trying to convert. One thing I truly cannot abide is proselytizing and I am not on this planet to convert other people to my way of thinking. That said, I have extremely strong opinions and will share them when I am asked.
Main Course - Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
Nope. Why break a perfect record. I believe I am to be introduced to various viruses, etc. in everyday life and that doing so helps keep my immune system strong. I like to have a strong immune system.
Dessert - Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?
Depends on the week. I usually don't watch anything at all until about 11:00 at night and then I sometimes don't watch any and I sometimes watch 2 hours. As I say, it depends on the day.
I don't do rides very well. I am kind of a stable, two-feet-on-the-ground kind of gal. If I am going to ride a ride then I like it to be entertaining without any big ups or downs.
Soup - How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?
I look for a familiar face and latch on to that person, almost stalker-like. If I don't see anyone I know then I find a chair in the corner and try to make myself invisible.
Salad - On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?
8-9 if it is something I know about, understand the thought process behind and if I am not trying to convert. One thing I truly cannot abide is proselytizing and I am not on this planet to convert other people to my way of thinking. That said, I have extremely strong opinions and will share them when I am asked.
Main Course - Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
Nope. Why break a perfect record. I believe I am to be introduced to various viruses, etc. in everyday life and that doing so helps keep my immune system strong. I like to have a strong immune system.
Dessert - Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?
Depends on the week. I usually don't watch anything at all until about 11:00 at night and then I sometimes don't watch any and I sometimes watch 2 hours. As I say, it depends on the day.
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