Just Me

Nothing fancy. Nothing Inspiring. Nothing really...

Thursday, February 28, 2008

A Gift Accomplished.

Not Christmas 2007, but Christmas 2006, my youngest sister Becky got me a gift certificate specifically intended for the sequel to a fantastic childrens book I read called 'Inkheart'. We both loved it and I love when people give gift certificates with something very specific in mind. She even printed up a teeny tiny copy of the cover so I'd know what to get. Last night I realized there was a Coles right where I was AND I finally had the certificate with me. I really do love children's books and Cornelia Funke is a fanatastic writer. If you have kids from 9 years up who like to read-I am confident they will really enjoy it.

In Inkheart, Mo, a restorer of books, has the ability to read stories into existence and characters out of their paper-and-ink worlds into ours. In my newly acquired book, Inkspell, Mo's daughter Meggie, barely recovered from past events, goes on another unforgettable adventure when she is read into the pages of the book that started all the problems in the first place.
(a little recap taken from daphne's blog-thanks daphne!)

Apparently it was an unplanned trilogy that will finish up next year-I surely hope becky gets my name again for Christmas! Yes, they are of course making a movie of it, but after seeing a preview, I have less doubts that it is all about making money and a little more hope that someone saw a wonderful story they'd like to tell visually-and I'm always okay with that!


Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Strawberry Banana Yogurt Granola Bars

Today as I huddled by the heater in my office (trying to forget about the -48 temp outside) and cracked open my snack, I remembered the last time I had one: sitting on a rock in the whiteshell next to the water lying back in the sun, licking the melted 'yogurt' out of the package marvelling at how wonderful life can be. So to remember summer (before I begin to believe it never did exist) here are some memories to once again look forward to:


Carrying Canoes...


Finding baby turtles in the mud..

Trying to catch just one fish...

Finally catching that fish...


All the men eating the fish...


Taking a leisurely paddle...


Taking a swim...

Doing the washing up...



Taking an adventure to see the new growth
growing in a burned out forest...

Making lunch on the fire (quesadillas!)...


Finishing a portage into yet another beautiful lake...


Making a tasty breakfast...


Kim & Nick having some camera fun...


Sitting around the campfire...
Ah Summer, can you be so far away?

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The hardest list I've ever made...

Thirteen reasons I don't mind Valentine's Day:

1. Basically it's a holiday that involves a LOT of candy. Most holidays centre around chocolate, but valentines day has two of my very favourites: Cinnamon hearts & conversation hearts.

2. It's not a busy time of year-like most other holidays.

3. People don't go crazy over it...well not anyone I know. Most don't give a crap.

4. I bought a bargain book of happy bunny valentines.
(see this for one example of many)

5. I have fun each year thinking up what I would like to see on conversation hearts-- YOU SUCK, SHUT UP, I H8 U, BGGR OFF, GET LOST....a few examples. I also like to dream of the hundredaire I would become if I marketed & sold them.

6.Needless to say-this one day of the year allows for nearly unlimited sarscasm hence my last two points.

7.Although I hate pink, hearts & lovey-doveyness, I always have a good time making simple heart cookies each year to give away to various people. It must have something to do with the sugar rush. This year we (me & becky)had extra fun & made these:




8. There is always a high influx of movie releases this weekend and while lots are crap there are usually some contenders..especially the ones they release for the male population. They are usually much better than the romantic comedies aimed at my age & gender.

9.My mama usually gives us little treats and while they are nothing expensive or crazy fantastic they are as straight from the heart as you could ever hope to get.

Uh-oh. This is getting tricky...

10. I have always had friends who are willing to mock it right alongside me.

11.Um...it gives me a chance to wear my pink shirts?? (I'll just admit off the bat, that's lame.)

12. What is better than a candy themed holiday?
CRAZY CHEAP Candy Sales the following day!

13.Let's see...I'm terribly grateful it happens only once a year.
Just like my lists...apparently!