Shredding Frenzy

Th arrival of a new year means getting rid of all the paperwork that is no longer required, like old electric and gas bills and outdated bank statements and grocery receipts. I admit.... this wasn't all shredded in the last couple of days in my frenzied 2025 clean up.... this bag took most of the year to fill. Out it goes on recycling day. I don't accumulate much paper now as most of my household bills arrive on line. However, I've already started on filling the next bag.  I love my shredder!

In Between

We're in the bit in between Christmas and New Year. The time when we normally visit friends, or take the kids to a Holiday movie, or crowd the stores looking for end of year bargains, or go to a hockey game, or a football game... but this year is very different. The area where I live is in lockdown. People are encouraged to stay at home, and only go out for essential shopping or for exercise. 

Christmas Day was very quiet for me... I was at home all day, and had a very short but welcome visit from OlderSon and family.... fully masked, and following the rules. Just enough time for tea and a cookie and a little gift exchange and then they were off home to their own Christmas. 

But a friend dropped by on Boxing Day with a gift of some fresh figs.... lovely!

I was able to spend an early Christmas with YoungerSon and family a week ago at their country property before the lockdown started. We had a Christmas dinner, presents under the tree, lots of chocolate and snacks, and played our traditional party games. I played far too much Monopoly, Catan and Scrabble. 

One of my special gifts this year was from grandie Isaac. Now that the family has moved to a home 1-1/2 hour drive away, he doesn't see me very often, so he documented all the happy memories of growing up and visiting my house.

Then he said "Turn them over, Nana!"

A thoughtful gift full of love, treasured forever!

Their country property has a large tree.... species yet to be determined.... and the kids have nailed a home made ladder to the trunk and fixed up a tire swing, so I made some sketches and then some lino cut printing plates and now this masterpiece is hanging on their wall. 

Only a few more days until the year 2020 is history, people the world over will be glad to see it go. Lots of optimistic hopes for 2021.... getting the vaccine, being able to gather with family again, restarting activities that have been cancelled, trying to live a "normal" life. This is one occasion where the special words HAPPY NEW YEAR really mean a lot!

2019 Books

“If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” – J.K. Rowling

As usual, a list of the books I have read (or tried to read) in 2019.

January 2019
The Truth - Michael Palin
The Mercy Seat - Elizabeth H Winthrop
Still Lives - Maria Hummel
Scribe  - Alyson Hagy
Beautiful Animals - Lawrence Osbourne

February 2019
The Oracle of Stamboul  - Michael David Lucas
The Last Watchman of Old Cairo - Michael David Lucas
The Feral Detective - Jonathan Letham

March 2019
Vincent and Theo - Deborah Heiligman
The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen - Hendrik Groen   (DNF far too silly)
Dear Sir, I Intend to Burn Your Book  - Lawrence Hill
The Light Keeper's Daughters - Jean E Pendziwol
The Windfall - Diksha Basu
Fruit of the Drunken Tree - Ingrid Rojas Contreras (I loved this book!)
Florida - Lauren Groff    (DNF all the short stories)
My Absolute Darling - Gabrielle Tallent     (DNF)

April 2019
Behind the Scenes at the Museum - Kate Atkinson (2nd time reading this)
Boy Swallows Universe - Trent Dalton (I loved this book!)

May 2019
Girl in Translation - Jean Kwok
Falling for London - Sean Mallen
The Suspect - Fiona Barton
The Gown - Jennifer Robson
Never Coming Back - Alison McGhee (very sad book)

June 2019
Mambo in Chinatown - Jean Kwok
Murder in Matera - Helene Stapinksi
Lives in Ruins - Marilyn Johnson
Becoming - Michelle Obama
Pachinko - Min Jin Lee

July 2019
The Lost Art of Walking - Geoff Nicholson

August 2019
The Perfect Predator - Steffanie Strathdee and Thomas Patterson
The Book Worm - Mitch Silver
Still Mine - Amy Stuart (did not finish)
Lady Macbeth - Susan Fraser King
Truevine - Beth Macy
The Orphan's Tale - Pam Jenoff
Finding Me - Michelle Knight

September 2019
Edward VII - Catharine Arnold
The Casual Vacancy - J K Rowling
The Redeemed - Tim Pears (DNF it was just not interesting at all, sorry Tim)
Welcome to the Goddam Ice Cube - Blair Braverman
At the Wolf's Table - Rosella Postorino

October 2019
The Calligrapher's Daughter - Eugenia Kim
The Storied Life of A J Fikry - Gabrielle Zevin
Down the Nile, Alone in a Fisherman's Skiff - Rosemary Mahoney
Walking the Nile - Levison Wood

November 2019
The Night Before - Wendy Walker
Magic Hour - Kristin Hannah
Secret Son - Laila Lalami

December 2019
Big Brother - Lionel Shriver
Once Upon a Time in England - Helen Walsh  (I could not put this book down!)
North Korea Journal - Michael Palin
Skeletons on the Sahara - Dean King
Currently reading The Post Birthday World - Lionel Shriver. I'm really enjoying this book and I think I'll try to read other books by this American author.

Lots more books to read in 2020. Happy Reading everyone!

Twentynineteen

Remember all that panic and fuss about Y2K? Was that really nineteen years ago? Crikey!
Twenty nineteen is definitely here, and it's time to look forward to the year ahead.
My New Year Resolutions? Well, if I tell you, I'll have to make sure I complete them, so by keeping secret I have a way out. But I do have a list of Hopes and Possibilities.

• I'll be peeling potatoes and mashing turnips and heating up the haggis as usual for the Robbie Burns Night in January. DONE. The Robbie Burns Night was a great success, and the potatoes and turnips were delicious, of course.
• I'm taking an acrylic art course on Wednesday evenings for the next 8 weeks. I'm hoping for some improvement with my ideas, designs, colour management, brush work.... well, improvement in everything really. DONE. or at least started.
• Planning to go to Aquafit at the local pool. First I have to pick up the weekly swimming schedule to find out the days and times. DONE. Picked up the schedule but haven't gone to Aquafit yet.
• If I'm going to Aquafit, I'll need a new swimsuit. The necessary elastic has definitely lost it's reliability in the current model.
• Drink more water. Not at Aquafit though.
• Summer holiday? Lots of possibilities. Rent a cottage on a lake? I've always fancied a trip to Iceland. Perhaps this is the year. Or Britain to visit cousins?
• Walk more, and use the car less.
• I want a robot vacuum cleaner. Any recommendations?
• Finish a quilt that I started 18 months ago. DONE! Finished.
• Finish another quilt that I started 14 years ago. (Don't hold your breath on that one.)
• I'm thinking about a renting a plot in the community vegetable garden. But that sounds like hard work, all that digging and weeding. The jury's still out on that one.

Happy New Year to my Blog friends.... and keep Blogging despite all the competition from the likes of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. and all those other social media thingummyjigs that I have no idea how to use.

2018 Reading List

As usual, the list of books I've read this year of 2018, although I may have missed noting some of them, like the cookbooks and the art books. Have you read any of these? And also as usual.....   Canadian authors in BLUE, British authors in RED, American authors in GREEN, Australian and New Zealand authors in PURPLE.

January
The German Girl - Armando Lucas Correa
The Valley of Amazement - Amy Tan

February
The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter - Theodora Goss
Small Admissions - Amy Poeppel
The Good People - Hannah Kent
The Sealed Letter - Emma Donaghue (DNF)
Into the Water - Paula Hawkins
The Wonder - Emma Donaghue

March
Commonwealth - Ann Patchett
Minds of Winter - Ed O'Laughlin

April
Galore - Michael Crummey
Half the World Away - Cath Staincliffe
Smashed, Mashed, Boiled and Baked - Raghavan Iyer
The Almost Mood - Alice Sebold
Men Walking on Water - Emily Schultz
Alphouse - Carl Sever (DNF)

May
Gone Astray - Michelle Davies
The Book of Lies - Mary Horlock (DNF)
Victoria - Daisy Goodwin

June
Boy, 9, Missing - Nic Joseph
The Stowaway - Robert Hough
The Kingmaker's Daughter - Philippa Gregory

July
The Keeper of Secrets - Julie Thomas
Eva Moves the Furniture - Margot Livesey
Small Great Things - Jodi Picault

August
Fifteen Dogs - Andre Alexis (DNF 2nd attempt at reading this but it's horrible.)
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell (3rd time reading this)
Slade House - David Mitchell (2nd time reading this)
Life after Life - Kate Atkinson (2nd time reading this)

September
The Ready Made Thief - Augustus Rose
Do Not Become Alarmed - Maile Maloy
That Old Ace in the Hole - Annie Proulx
First Snow, Last Light - Wayne Johnstone
The Italian Wife - Ann Hood
Her Every Fear - Peter Swanson

October
Mr Peanut - Adam Ross
All the Beautiful Lies - Peter Swanson

November
Brave Deeds - David Abrams
A French Wedding - Hannah Tunnecliffe
Perfect - Rachel Joyce

December
Transcription - Kate Atkinson
Erebus - Michael Palin
Home Fire - Kamila Shamsie
A Circle of Wives - Alice LaPlante
The Orenda - Joseph Boyden (second time reading)

And to start the New Year off, The Truth by Sir Michael Palin (recently knighted in the Queen's New Year's Honours List, Congratulations Michael!!) is on my bedside table. Actually I'm already on chapter 4.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! See you in 2019.

Twentyeighteen

Did you stay up until midnight with a glass of champagne to welcome the New Year? Or perhaps you were freezing your toes (and pretty well everything else) at one of the outdoor celebrations around the country? It was certainly a bit chilly here.... around -24C (-12F) last night. That's too darn COLD!
Or did you do what I did, stay in the warm, and collapse into bed at around 11:00pm, and wake up ready to face a new day and a new year?

I spent New Year's Eve doing what I love to do best, relaxing with my family. We enlisted the help of grandchildren to complete a really complicated 550 piece "Where's Waldo" jigsaw puzzle, then we played a few hands of Isaac's new Skip-Bo card game, trying to learn the rules.
A movie from 2003, "Daddy Daycare", kept the kids laughing at the antics of Eddie Murphy and Jeff Garlin running a disastrous daycare, while YoungerSon skipped out into the freezing cold weather to bring home a tray of assorted sushi from the local Maki Sushi restaurant.
Sushi in front of the fireplace, then an early Netflix New Year's countdown for the kids at around 8:30pm. After standing on the bed and watching the New Year fireworks from the bedroom window (too damn cold to watch in the park), the kids were tucked into bed and sleeping by 9:00pm, and I was at home getting into in my jammies by 9:45! A successful New Year's Eve!

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! New Year Resolutions? Well, I'm not telling much but I know there are a few things planned on my list:

1. Robbie Burns night in January.... I'll be peeling spuds, mashing neeps, and heating up the haggis as usual. DONE! and it was a great evening.
2. Hip replacement surgery later in January. Now I'll have a matching set. And this time it will be a new procedure, DAA, Direct Anterior Approach, which will allow faster recovery than the previous method. Or so I've been told. DONE!
3. Broadway show "Come From Away" in Toronto in April.... I already have my precious ticket pinned to the fridge so I don't misplace it. DONE! It was a terrific show.
4. Concert trip to Scotland in July with the local men's chorus "Men of Note". And a possible week or two in England too, if I can arrange it. DONE! A week in England then 2 weeks in Scotlad, and then a week in Newfoundland!
5. Four dates for local art exhibitions... not sure if I'll have enough pieces for display but I'll try. Better start painting. And I actually sold a painting! I was dead chuffed.

Moving On

Well, twentysixteen is on the way out. All in all it wasn't a terrific year for the world.... so much political unrest, terrible war in Syria, destruction of Aleppo, Isis, closer to home was the fire destroying much of Fort MacMurray. The caustic election surprise of Mr Trump, with possible assistance from Mr Putin, if we are to believe the news. The unexpected shock of Brexit. Loss of so many global figures in the arts world: Prince, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Carrie Fisher, and then Debbie Reynolds.

On a personal level, there have been sad times, funerals to attend, hospitals to visit, but I have much to be thankful for. Successful hip replacement surgery, completely recovered now and better than new. A wonderful summer cottage holiday with my family. My four beloved grandchildren are happy and healthy and growing like weeds! Friends to visit. Theatre trips with the local seniors club. Line dance classes, My lovely art group.

Twentyseventeen.... WOW! Lots to look forward to this year. I don't usually make the traditional New Year Resolutions, but if I do, I don't tell anyone, just in case I can't follow through!
But here's my list of Hopes and Possibilities.....

1. Wedding plans in June for J and K, the Bride's lovely sister and her handsome fiance. I'm so excited about this!
2. Get back to volunteering at the theatre. I stopped after hip surgery, but I'm ready to start again.
3. Leave the car in the garage and walk more. Again..... hip surgery stopped me for a while.
4. Blog more. Even though blogging seems to be losing out to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
5. Spending lots of creative time with my growing grandchildren. A Dinner Date with Nana once a week.... they take it in turns. "Is it my turn yet?"
6. Art. Loosen up! Forget the details. Splash paint around. Go crazy. Experiment!
7. Iceland. I've wanted to go there for ages. Perhaps this is the year?
8. New friends. New activities. New discoveries. 

May 2017 be good to you, bringing Good Health, Happiness, Shelter and Sustenance. And Love and Caring and Companionship and Peace.

Mayor of All I See - UPDATED

We went to the Mayor's New Year Party in the park to welcome 2016. It's an annual tradition.... free hot chocolate and hot dogs, music, bonfires, a fire-eater for entertaining the kids (and adults), face painting, horse and wagon rides, and fireworks.
Did I mention ice sculptures?  This magnificent ice throne was adorned with a black velvet cushion to provide insulation for the tender nether regions. My grandies all sat in state to have their pictures taken, so why not me too?

And the Mayor decorated me with his Chain of Office, just because he can!

UPDATED January 7:   Front page in the local paper! Fame at last.... see below.......

photo borrowed from http://www.yorkregion.com/yorkregion/

Germ Alert!

This is me today. Except I don't have a cat, that's the only difference. Coughing, spluttering, sneezing, can't breathe. Better buy shares in Kleenex tissues, I'm getting through so much of it. I have a sore throat and my arms and legs hurt.
I think I'll snuggle down in my favourite chair in front of the fireplace and read my book. And sip on some hot honey and lemon drink.

Yes, you guessed, I'm feeling rather sorry for myself, as I HAVE A HORRIBLE COLD! I'll be back in 2015, germ free I hope.

Twentythirteen

The first day of Twentythirteen has dawned sunny and cold here in Southern Ontario. There are a few ice particles suspended in the air, and a light breeze is stirring the branches of the trees outside my window. 

My morning coffee tastes so good.

Now's the time to make a list of those pesky New Year Resolutions.... you know the ones. The good things we are going to do to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. Lose weight. Stop smoking. Eat healthy. Help others. Save money. Those actions that we follow faithfully for a few days, weeks, sometimes even months.... and then we revert back to our previous lives! 

That's why I'm not making any resolutions today.... well, none that I'm letting on about anyway.  But I'm looking forward to 2013. Lots to look forward to. Spending time with my four lovely grandchildren and their mums and dads. Travel. Perhaps another holiday with cousins? New friends. New activities. New discoveries.

Kung Hei Fat Choi

The Chinese New Year of the Dragon started on Monday 23 January with celebrations throughout the large Chinese community in the Toronto area. I went to Pacific Mall to take in some of the local culture.

Pacific Mall is huge, I mean really huge. And there are over 500 individually owned stores selling anything and everything. Cell phones, computer parts, clothing, shoes, Chinese medicine, Chinese DVDs, jewellery.... you name it, it's for sale. (Most of the time legal, sometimes not so legal, as in the case of pirated movies for sale. Just ask the local RCMP.)

 

 

 

 

 Lots of places to get Asian food and drink. And lots of Chinese families enjoying lunch in the second level food area.

 But I didn't go there to shop or to eat. I wanted to see the New Year celebrations. The stage was set with a large golden dragon hovering above it.

After some Chinese pop songs that everyone but me knew, and some encouraging words from local dignitaries and government representatives, the show began with Chinese drumming.

And then, the stars of the show, the Lion Dance, accompanied by loud drumming and clashing of cymbals to frighten away any evil spirits that might be lurking.

The lions danced to the rhythm of the drums, eventually being fed lettuce leaves symbolising good luck and a new start to the New Year. Hidden in the lettuce is the red "Lucky money" envelope. The lettuce was scattered among the crowd for good luck, and then the God of Good Fortune arrived to give out more red envelopes. That's when I left.... I just didn't want to be caught in the crush.

People born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be confident, hardworking and always strive to be at the top. They are full of energy, determined and will inspire other people, dislike routine and are excited by new projects. They show loyalty to friends, and are popular and fun-loving.

Are you a Dragon? Not me, I'm a Rooster. Kung hei fat choi!

Two Thousand and Twelve is here!

Well, it's here.... Two Thousand and Twelve. WOW! Or is it Twenty Twelve?
Can you believe it was TWELVE years ago that we were all so paranoid about Y2K? Amazing!

My girlfriend G came over, we went to visit YoungerSon's family (G insists on having her baby-cuddling fix) and then we headed off to dine in splendour at Swiss Chalet. OK, maybe not actual splendour, but the food is always good there. And I had a Swissie's gift card to use up which made the food taste even better.

And then we went home to open a bottle of wine, leaf through some quilt and sewing magazines, and watch a movie. And the movie? One of my very favourites.......

It may be almost 20 years old but it's still a brilliant piece of movie making, and G hadn't seen it before (I have seen it at least 10 times) so she hooted with laughter all the way through. Maybe we could make Priscilla a New Years Eve tradition????

Then we toasted the New Year in with another glass of wine, watched the shenanigans in Times Square on TV for a while, and then bedtime. Then a leisurely bacon and eggs breakfast this morning before G headed out to pick up her granddaughter.

A great way to start the new year.... didn't have to drive in bad weather, didn't have to avoid drunks on the road, just relax, put your feet up on the coffee table and enjoy. Happy New Year!

Auld Lang Syne

Just a few hours of 2011 remaining for me, but somewhere in the world it's already 2012 and people are joining hands and singing Auld Lang Syne.

Another 12 months gone by and I'm still "above ground", that's good news isn't it? It's been a good year for me. I've lived a full year in my new home and I don't miss the old one at all. I've enjoyed good health (fingers crossed, knock on wood, it will continue). I've had a great trip to Disney with my family. My sons and daughters-in-law are happy and employed. My grandboys are thriving and just as cheeky as ever. And sweet twin babies joined the family safely in the summer.

But not everyone has had such a good year. My heart goes out to the people who lost homes and family in the terrible Japanese earthquake and tsunami  in March, the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the riots and demonstrations in the Middle East. And I feel for the families of Canadian and American servicemen and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Tradition says it's time to make some New Year Resolutions. Resolutions are easy to make and just as easy to break, so I'm making New Year Possibilities instead.

• I'll try to blog every couple of days through January. I don't think I'll manage every day. I may not even manage every couple of days. But I'll try.
• Walk more. It's so easy to jump in the car and drive.
• No more junk food (unless absolutely necessary).
• Get out and meet more people.
• More volunteering at the local theatre and possibly the local radio station.
• Aquafit classes at the pool. I used to go then I stopped.... I need to start again. 

Meanwhile..... I'm wishing everyone a Happy Hogmanay and a Happy New Year. May good health, comfort and happiness, warmth and shelter be with you throughout 2012. See you next year!

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

A Fresh Start

It's rainy and foggy and damp and drippy outside my window today, but the good news is that the snow is melting fast and giving us a fresh start to the New Year! I can actually see some green grass out there.

And more good news... my rotten Christmas head cold/flu is mostly gone, my 2010 bills are all paid (which is what you're supposed to do every First of January), and I only have a few more unpacked boxes languishing in the basement waiting for my attentions.

So now it's time to think about those pesky New Year Resolutions.

Well, I don't smoke, spit, drink to excess, swear like a trooper, commit violent acts towards helpless furry animals or otherwise misbehave myself (obviously, I'm really boring), so there's not much there to promise to reform.

However, I have a feeling that 2011 will be a good year. So many changes in my life have taken place in the past few months. Some happy, some sad. Some of the good things..... I'm living in a nice new house, I'll be meeting new neighbours, making new friends. My family are all well and remain employed (thank goodness), my two little grandboys are thriving. YoungerSon and his family live within walking distance. I have good health (apart from that nasty Christmas cold) and I am so thankful. Some of the sad things.... a good friend moved away, but not so far that I can't visit, and there were funerals for people who passed away much too young. I wonder what this year holds in store?

Wherever you are in Blogland..... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Reflections on the Start of Another New Year

Are we going to call it Twentyten? Or Twothousandandten? I prefer the former. It rolls off the tongue easier.

Some people are saying that midnight on New Year's Eve brought the start of a new decade, especially the dad in this story. But other people insist that the next decade starts in 2011. Who's right?
Whatever decade camp you belong to, there's no doubt that a New Year provides a fresh start to many people.

But it can also bring endings.
I was told yesterday that the former Space Cadet passed away suddenly on Christmas Day. A sad day for his family.
And I heard today that a childhood friend in England lost his fight for life a couple of months ago.
Canada lost another of our brave soldiers in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve, and four more Canadian soldiers and a reporter were killed by a Taliban bomb three days ago.
My heart goes out to all bereaved families.

Good things happen too.
OlderSon and The Equestrienne just installed a new wood-burning sealed unit fireplace that will enable them to heat their home at minimal cost. They're spending lots of time sitting by the fire!
YoungerSon and The Bride have only a few days of packing left before they say goodbye to their home of the past 2-1/2 years and make the move to a bigger house in this small town. They'll be closer to work, and closer to me!
My little grandsons Callum and Isaac are thriving.
And I'm planning to make my own move later this year.... maybe.....

Here's to 2010! Good Health, Happiness, and may you be surrounded by good friends and family.... and keep buying those lottery tickets, you never know your luck!

Byebye 2008, Hello 2009.

Only one more day until I can wave goodbye to 2008. So many good things to look back on.... performing in our local Variety Show in April, a trip to England in June, and a vacation in Florida in October.

For me, the highlight of 2008 was the birth of my gorgeous grandson, Callum, in February.

But 2008 hasn't been good to everyone. Lost jobs, shrinking savings, stock market fraud, failed mortgages, reposessed homes. War in Iraq, war in Afghanistan. Lets hope 2009 is more hopeful.

I'm welcoming the New Year with open arms. Why? Lots of reasons.

• The annual Robbie Burns Supper in January. I'm on the potato peeling team again.
• Watching Callum learn and grow. He'll have his first birthday in February. Should it be chocolate cake or vanilla?
• Our 49th Music Mania Variety Show at the end of April. I'm Co-Producer this year.
• Learning to enjoy living on my own. The Space Cadet is no more. In orbit somewhere.
• More travel... I haven't decided where yet.
• 2009 is the year of decluttering the house. More on this ambitious enterprise later in the year.
• And the best of all..... another grandchild is on the way! YoungerSon and The Bride are expecting a brand new family member in May. Whoopee! Just call me Nana x 2.

May 2009 provide good health, happiness and fulfillment to all of you out there in Blogland!

Looking Back.... and Looking Forward.

2007 has only a few more hours before it passes into the history books, and in fact, somewhere in the world it's already 2008. Not everything on my 2007 list actually happened.... we didn't make it to the UK for a holiday or to Gettysburg for the reunion, but we had a wonderful family wedding, and then enjoyed a month in Florida sunshine while friends back in Canada dug themselves out of snowdrifts. Sad things too... the loss of our much loved Wendydog, but YoungerSon and The Bride adopted bouncy puppy Tessa to join the family.

So bring on 2008. I'm ready!

And the biggest treat to look forward to in 2008?

I'm going to be a grandma! I'm so thrilled. OlderSon and The Equestrienne are expecting the patter of tiny feet in February. Only six more weeks! There was a baby shower at the other grandma's house yesterday.

Friends and family, yummy sandwiches, excited conversation, hugs, kisses, cake, a shower hat made from a paper plate decorated with bows and ribbons, and lots of prezzies to open. This baby is going to start off life very well equipped and very well dressed. And probably completely spoiled by Nana (that's me!).
And I wonder what else 2008 has to offer? Whatever you are wishing for, I hope that the coming year will bring health and happiness to you and the people close to you.

Happy New Year!

Gung Hei Fat Choy

On Sunday February 18, the Chinese New Year 4705 began. It's the Year of the Pig, but not just any pig, this year is the Year of the Golden Pig, an event that happens every 60 years. It's reputed to be an auspicious time to have children, as babies born during the year will be prosperous and wealthy. Watch for a baby boom in China!

To welcome the New Year, the local Chinese community celebrated their traditions and culture.

This Chinese artist painted a beautiful traditional landscape on rice paper using black ink, and a bamboo brush. He told me he learned to paint when he was a small child, and now teaches his craft to others.

The finished product....
The Lion dance is a very important part of New Year celebrations, to chase out the old year, and welcome the new, and bring Good Luck and Happiness.
A display of Chinese pottery, crafts and symbols to welcome the New Year.
This man is playing the ERHU, a Chinese violin.
Playing the YANGQIN, a Chinese hammered dulcimer.

and the GUZHENG, rather like a zither.

The children were making delicate bookmarks with dried pressed flowers.

The Money God gave us red envelopes for good luck.... supposed to contain lucky money, but these had a "buy one, get one free" coupon for a Chinese travel agency inside! Never let tradition get in the way of commercial enterprise.

Looking Ahead

Can you believe it's 2007 already? Remember all that Y2K panic and dire warnings of the end of the civilised world? People stocking up on propane and candles and tinned Spam? That was SEVEN years ago???? Seems like only last week.

2007 holds a lot of promise. To start with, 7 is definitely a lucky number. And 007... well, the implications of the triumph of good over evil are obvious.

Here's my list of good things that I'm looking forward to:

• Sitting, no, LOUNGING, on my new leather sofa.
• Robbie Burns Night (I have to deliver the Response to the Toast to the Lassies)
• Trip to UK with The Space Cadet, he hasn't been back to the land of his birth since he left at age 12 (not saying how long ago that was) (that didn't happen)
• Family Reunion weekend in Gettysburg PA (that didn't happen)
• No2Son and his Beloved are getting married in October!
• I shall become a Mother-In-Law for the first time.

to be continued....