I was hit!

I have known Cupcake Cowgrrl for a few years now, we have met on occasion but mostly we have connected through blogging. Through our love of being crafty, baking and photography.  I have to say that Cupcake Cowgrrl surpasses me on all levels, but if we had met when I had no kids and lots of free time, I would like to think that we would have been fast friends.  Hanging out at a pub, enjoying a beer and talking about our next crafty project.

I have watched Cupcake Cowgrrl bake for a few years now, admired all the cupcakes she has displayed on her blog and even tried a few icing recipes. But, I had never tasted one of her cupcakes, just admired from afar and hoped that one day I would get the chance to taste one.

Then on Monday Cupcake Cowgrrl was tweeting about having the fixings for some lavender infused blackberry cupcakes.   Or something to that effect.  I told her she was free to drop some off for me, totally joking of course.  Well she decided that I should be hit with her Random Act of Cupcakes and delivered a sweet box of deliciousness right to my door.

The Random Act of Cupcakes started at the beginning of the summer, I think and she has been spreading her love of cupcakes and baking around for others to enjoy. I was so thankful to be a recipient.  Believe me when I say, they are so much tastier than they look.  These are just photos, but honestly they are like little bites of Heaven and I am so thankful that I was hit

Thank you Cupcake Cowgrrl!

 I lie in bed awake.  It is midnight, two hours after I turned out the light and promised myself a good nights sleep.  But every time I close my eyes, sleep does not come.  Instead I hear the sounds of metal on metal, a loud sound like an explosion. Screeching tires and then finally nothing.

As I lie there hearing nothing, I am also hearing everything.  I hear the sirens.  I hear the shouts to call 911.  I hear the panic in the voices all around me I hear it.  But really, I hear nothing.

The minutes tick on and as I lay there panicking I know that something is wrong.  He should be home now.  He has class in the morning. Still, I lie there in silence.  Waiting for sleep to come.

I finally fall asleep, surrounded by silence. Panic has left for the night, I realize I must be dreaming, he is fine, just out with his friends.

Then, the doorbell rings.  It is early, we are confused.  Who could be ringing the doorbell at such an hour. They will wake the children.  We creep down the stairs, as if not to be heard. There is someone at the door, but who could it be?

It is then that we realize a parents worst fear.  The police officer at the door is there to tell us that our son will not be coming home tonight. Not tonight, not tomorrow night, not ever again.  You see he did not make it home and those sounds in the night that I heard? I didn’t hear, I only feared I would hear them but, they were true.

And as I sit in the sunshine I remember him, what he was like as a boy, a teenager, a young man.  Almost his time to graduate College. Almost.  He will forever be that young man waiting to graduate, waiting for his new job, waiting for his first love.  Years have passed and life has gone on.  I can smile now. But sometimes when I turn out the light at night, I lie there awake and wait in silence, for the turn of the key in the lock so I can go back to sleep knowing he is home safe with us.

When I heard that there would be a small trade show before the start of the Workshop on the Waterfront, I was quite excited.  I love getting a look at all the new and fabulous things that are available to us photographers out there.  I also heard that Epiphanie Bags would have a display.  I really wanted to pick one up while I was there, save on the shipping, go home in style, all the good things came to mind.  Unfortunately they weren’t selling any of the bags that day.

There was, however, a drawing to be held at the end of the workshop where they would be giving away one of their bags.  I did my thing and filled out my card.  On with the workshop.

Everywhere I turned I saw Epiphanie. Many of the fabulous speakers had an Epiphanie bag and lots of guests had Epiphanie bags.  There may have even been a couple used to carry beers to a pajama party, not that I saw this or anything.  Needless to say, I had made up my mind to go back to my room and order one.  Except, I ran out of time.  Oh well, I would order it as soon as I got home.

As we were wrapping up the Workshop Marta Locklear, who was sponsored by Epiphanie,  headed up to the front with not one, but two bags for the drawing.  I had pretty much forgotten about it since my head was so full of amazing information and insight.  Marta called out a name and the lady went up and chose the red bag.  I thought to myself, good now there is still a brown one left for me, not really thinking that my name would be called because honestly, that just doesn’t happen to me.  Except that this time it did!

And as Marta called out my name, I actually said, “are you kidding me?” to which she replied, “no!”.  I really couldn’t believe it.  What a fabulous way to wrap up an already fabulous Workshop.   I have already been out shooting with it and if I took off the little camera tag, you really truly wouldn’t know it was a camera bag unless you looked inside.  My camera, lenses and flash all fit nicely with extra room for my wallet and all the little stuff you need to have tucked into your bag when out shooting.

Thank you Epiphanie, both in sponsoring Marta so we could learn from her and in sending along a couple of bags for gifts.  I appreciate it very much and rest assured, I will be telling all my friends about your fabulous camera bags.

Beverly (on the Right) pictured here with J’lene Bradley (left) and Dawn Maracle (center) at the EM Ottawa Launch.

At the EM Ottawa Launch in January, I met Beverly Sunday.  A gorgeous, charismatic woman who is working towards opening an Aboriginal Dance and Fitness studio, HAWK,  in Hintonburg in April.  Although I was walking around trying to get photos of each member, I was also drawn to Beverly with her sunny smile and enthusiasm.

Yesterday, through Twitter, I found out that Beverly and her husband, Joseph, were in terrible car accident on Friday, February 19th.  They are both still in the hospital with head injuries, collapsed lung and broken bones.  Beverly had just been to the Olympics dancing at the opening ceremonies and now she is fighting for her life.   Please include Beverly and Joseph in your Prayers, she is Mom to three children and I just can’t bare the thought of them growing up without their Mom or Dad.

We are thinking of you Beverly.

Back in December, I wrote about how my Dad, Sister and I take care of an elderly Brother and Sister.  Apple and I went and put up their Christmas Tree.  J and Apple brought them some homemade cookies.  And my Sister took it all down after New Year’s.

The care for them continues and each time my Sister decides to go on a little trip (she is almost 26 and has zero responsibilities), I fill in for her.  Which means that I have to go once a day, make sure that the Sister, H, is up and at ‘em ready for breakfast. G can get himself up and ready and then proceeds to make breakfast, lunch and supper all day long until it is time to retire again.

Usually, I leave Apple with my Mom, it makes it so much easier to help out when I am not chasing a two year old through a big house, but I had to bring her yesterday and today.  Yesterday wasn’t a good day, H was a little confused and didn’t seem to know what was going on.  And she kept wondering who Apple was and why was she bouncing every where.  But, today, today was a good day.  When Apple and I arrived, H was bright-eyed and raring to go.  We talked about our swimming lessons this morning, which thrilled H to bits since she once was a Mermaid (Synchronized Swimming Club in Toronto) back in her day.  She also taught swimming to high school students in addition to English.

Apple helped H with her clothes, shoes and walking stick, which really seemed to please H.  And Apple well, she isn’t afraid of old people, which is great because next week H will turn 87.  Apple was running and dancing all around H’s bedroom. Singing songs and telling her stories.  Then, it was time for H to brush her hair.  So, I sat down in a chair and put Apple on my lap.  And then there was a moment.  One of those moments when you realize that you love somebody.  Here I was helping them (H&G) out.  Just wanting to make sure that they can continue to live on their own as has always been their wish.  And now I find myself loving these guys.  As H was watching Apple and brushing her hair, I just broke my heart to think that she may not be with us for much longer. And then what would G do without his older Sister?  I really am not sure how everything will play out.  But, I do know that slowly and surely this Brother and Sister have made their way into my heart and it really breaks every time I have to think about the reality of the situation.

Time will tick on and we will continue to go and hang out with them (an expression H just doesn’t understand given that she was an English teacher, “What do you mean we will just hang out?”  she asks me.) and make sure that they have what they need to continue on their own.  And should the time come for one of them to move out of the house, I hope I have the strength to keep visiting, I have never been very good with nursing homes, but I have also never been very good at saying good-bye.

 Tonight at 5pm, out of the blue our doorbell rang.  When the doorbell rights at that time of night it usually means a door to door salesman of some sort.  I won the draw to answer the door.  And was I ever thankful that I did!  A girlfriend of mine was standing there, with a plate of Chocolate No-Bake Cookies.  She remembered that I told her I loved them when I was a kid.  So, when she made some today she packaged some up for me and dropped them off.

What a wonderfully thoughtful thing to do for me.  It brightened  my day for sure.  They are like little drops of heaven and bring me back to my childhood when we would make them all the time.

I am not sure if this is her recipe or not, but this is the one I grew up making, straight from my Mom’s recipe card. And if you decide to make some, perhaps you should drop a plate off for an unsuspecting friend or colleague just because.

Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

• 2 c. white sugar
• 1/2 c. margerine
• 1/2 c. milk
• 6 tbsp cocoa

Bring above to boil & add

• 3c. oatmeal
• 1 c. coconut
• 1 tsp vanilla

Drop by teaspoon on wax paper.  Refrigerate and Enjoy!

Last night I received the most delicious treat from a girlfriend of mine for Christmas.  My girlfriend lives in the Cayman Islands right now and I only wish we could make it there for a visit, but for now we share emails and phone calls and we get to visit when she comes home to see her Mom.  And while we are complaining of -20C temperatures, she is feeling the heat, sometimes too much to bear, but I still love her.

Now to tell you of this fabulous treat.   The courier handed me the most  beautiful little box.

And inside this little green box are the most delicious handmade chocolates, I have ever tasted.

A little map of their chocolates.

Now, look at this!

And if you think they look beautiful, just imagine how they melt in your mouth.  It was killing me to take these photos, and not gobble them all down in one shot.  However, they are not gobbling kinds of chocolates, they are cup of tea (or coffee) chocolates, where one is all you need to last you a little while.  They are chocolates to savour and enjoy.  They are Koko Chocolates.  A local (to Ottawa) company.  I loved them so much that I called immediately this morning to see where I could get some for my Mom’s stocking.  Unfortunately she is finished her Christmas chocolate batch, but there is a special little coffee shop that I love that carries little 3 packs, so I will be over there to pick up a couple tonight. Mmmm….

And yes, this truly was a little bite of Heaven.

p.s. I have tasted two more since I photographed these chocolates this morning and am still floating on a cloud.

If you were turning 92, wouldn’t you love it if your Grand Daughter asked her friend to bake you a yummy cake because she herself lived in the Cayman Islands and couldn’t be there with you?

That is exactly what I did today.  Dropped off this wonderful Moist Almond Cake with Dessert Wine Syrup (Donna Hay - Food and Wine Magazine - Issue 9) to a very greatful 92 year old woman.  Apple and I surprised her and her husband this morning with Birthday wishes and a cake that is so yummy I cannot even tell you.  Well I can, but I won’t bake one for myself right now because it is so not good for my waistline.

I know it meant so much to them that their Grand Daughter planned ahead and thought of them, even though she lives so far away.  My girlfriend is very good at this, she has asked me to drop off a few things now for her Mom and Grand Parents and I really think that it makes a huge difference.  Even though she couldn’t be here herself she made sure that her love for them was known by going that extra little bit and having me drop off something homemade with love and care just for them.  And you know what, they all love having visitors, so if I swing by with my kids or even by myself then it just makes their day a little extra special.  If they can’t have their Grand Daughter there, at least they had a visit with someone who knows and loves her and is the same age.

I should also add that my Girlfriend and I have known each other since 7th grade, so it isn’t like I am a stranger showing up with baked goods.

Happy 92nd Oma!

Last Tuesday an old friend from High School passed away. He had been quite sick for a year or so and finally his body could just take no more.

I feel terrible because despite being a photographer at school for yearbook and slideshows, all the photos I took (which I am sure there were some of him) remained at the school. And I didn’t carry my camera like an extra limb back then as I do now. So I have none to share of this man who was truly larger than life.

I will be the first to admit that I was not his best friend, but more of an acquaintance. His brother was actually more of my friend back in school but if you were friends with one you were friends with the other. They were a mere 11 months apart and inseparable. Together with two (and eventually a third) other guys they formed a band. I remember the first concert they performed at a local mall. We all got our parents to drive us out there to watch the guys perform. The mall was packed. To watch a bunch of fifteen and sixteen year old guys playing their hearts out to songs by U2, the Beatles, AC/DC and more as well as a few of their own. Over the years I went to countless of their concerts and saw them every day at school.

Then, High School was over. A few years went by and I did not see any of them. Until one night (possibly 1993/1994) when a girlfriend and I went to see a cover band play, and low and behold it was them! This was the last time I saw all of them together. Little did I know the only one I would see again and again over the years was Kirk.

Kirk and I would run into each other at the grocery store, the mall, around the neighborhood. We always chatted it up and found out what was new in each others lives. Never once did he say he was in a rush and had to go, he always had a moment to spare and check in. And always, always had a smile and a laugh to carry you through.

On Friday night, I got into the car and drove to say a last farewell. I was nervous I tell ya. I knew I was going to see people I haven’t seen in twenty years. Yes, TWENTY YEARS people!!! I am that old. I figured, I would go have a few words with his brother, Keith and his Mom and go on my way. Little did I know that I would run into and be recognized by half of our class. The turn out was amazing. Many of the old group have stayed in touch over the years, but I didn’t quite hang with that group all the time. One of the things that I found truly amazing on Friday night was meeting up with all these people that had their lives touched by Kirk. Touched in some way that, like me, made them feel like they should go. I didn’t know if I would be able to make it to the service on Saturday, so I said my good-byes and headed out.

I talked with Hubby about Saturday. We had to rejig some plans, but I was able to get out. I asked if he wanted to come as he had jammed with the guys years ago in his heyday of guitar as well. He was set to stay with the kids as he didn’t think it was fair to get my Mom to watch them after her three week stint with my nieces and nephews.

I arrived just in time, to see even more people from our class than the previous night. Kirk was involved in the Ottawa Music scene and had been Managing or Producing (not sure which is the appropriate title) a hot new band out of Kingston named Everlea who he had signed in this past year to a record label. His brother Keith not only played and sang for his brother but arranged for others who Kirk had worked with to sing. It was the most beautiful tribute I have ever seen. Not only did Keith tell us all how much he loved his brother, but he showed us as well and had us laughing just a little bit.

I could probably go on an on but, I should end here. I have been trying to write this post since Sunday morning and I just couldn’t get it out.

Kirk you were a great guy. You were kind, gentle and loved by many. You touched the lives of so many people and it was evident by the crowds that gathered for you that you will surely be missed.

And this Church is still standing. It is located in Laurel, Delaware, not far from my Aunt’s house. I have been to Laurel many times over the years, but I never noticed this little Church. If you didn’t know it was a Church you would think it was a barn and keep on driving.

One of the days that we were at my Aunt’s house and heading out to do a bit of shopping, Hubby remembered seeing this Church in a book on my Aunt’s coffee table the year before. Hubby loves old buildings and Churches and is always wanting to stop and look at them. We looked it up in the book and got the address onto his GPS and headed over. It was beautiful. Not that it is fancy or anything, but the sheer fact that it was built 300 years ago using timber from the land and iron from the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. And the fact that it has boxed seating and the interior has remained unpainted for 300 years is amazing.

I guess you are wondering how I know all this? Well, after Hubby took a walk about, I got the kids out and wanted to take some photos. When I was finishing up and we were getting ready to pack everybody back in the truck a little red car pulled up. I was thinking, that we were going to be in trouble for parking on the land or walking around or something, but no. The couple that pulled up asked us, “How would you like to take a look inside?”. How would we, we would love it!!! They were the keepers of the Church! They attend the Christ Church in Town and nobody had been taking care of the Church for a few years, so they offered to do it. There are at least four weddings a year, one of which was theirs some 20 years ago, and every Sunday the Pastor holds services there during the summer.

Here is a photo from inside the Church.  Each box was owned by a family, the pulpit is on the right wall (This photo has it cut off a bit), and there is a balcony for visitors, which is where I took this photo from.  The couple wanted to open all the windows for us, but I stopped them at one.   It was such a treat to be able to see inside this piece of history, we felt blessed.  For all the years I have been going to Delaware, it was nice to see a little something extra.