Christmas Day, 2012

Well, this was Christmas Day. Howard's the only one left at the table - guess he ate too much to move right away. When you see the amount of food left on the table, you can see why we never had to cook for almost the past week.  The cabbage is the only thing that didn't disappear in a flurry of meals - and that's because he cooked a great big huge one and not many of us like cabbage.

And yes, Patricia and Roxie, the glass jar on the side has Steve's Scottish Tablet in it, which was enough cause for the blessing on the table.

Because Dominik didn't eat his cabbage, he had room left over for a Chocolate Chipper cookie.

Dear Lizzie spent the majority of the day passed out in our chair. She was so sick, sleep was the best thing for her to be doing, but she missed out on the cabbage.

Nikkie wasn't too enthusiastic about having her picture taken. She wasn't nearly as brave as the two in the background - thankyou, Gabriel and Arianna for your school pictures! They are handsome/beautiful in that order.

And no, I'm not going away.

At last. It's just as well to grin and bear it, and get it over wish. Want some cabbage?

Chris and Tanner had fun playing with Chris's train set. The bed frame Poppy made for overnight visitors makes a perfect train platform, when we take the mattress off and stuff it in my craft closet. Hmmm.

Steve and Shannon sharing a laugh. Sure wish Steve had red-eyes, as I have a red-eye fixer. I don't have a white-eye fixer, as you can see.

And here's Neil and Dominik, playing cars on the floor. Vroom vroom.

Christmas Day was a flurry - most of it was spent in the kitchen, which is why I'm not doing the same thing tomorrow, on New Years Day. To hell with tradition. Besides we cooked the New Years Day ham on Christmas Day, and now it's bone is bubbling away in a pot of Pea Soup, which I just tasted - it's missing something, and I don't know what. There's water, peas, veggies, seasonings - even a nice dash of Garlic Plus, but don't tell Howard that or he won't eat it. 

This is my last post of the year. Tomorrow I'll be starting a new one - an every day one, hopefully, as long as my fingers keep working. 

DECEMBER 21 - The Spirit of Christmas (Concerts) Present and Past

Last night we went to the Christmas Concert at Cindrich Elementary, where Chris and Lizzie go to school. Two older students read (stumbled over) How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and each grade sang a seasonal song in between sections of the story. These are the Grade One classes - Chris is in there somewhere.

It was nice - the little ones were so cute all dressed up in their finest - and it reminded me of many Christmas Concerts in the past - not when  I was a student, but a teacher.

My first was at Holy Cross Elementary School in Eastport, Newfoundland. I was a brand new very young teacher - just a few months past my 18th birthday, and my students were in Grade 5. I'm not sure how or why I decided to have the girls a drill for the concert. Nowadays no one seems to know what a drill is - I know I would never attempt to choreograph another one.

There was a foot chart of some sort in a book, and the girls went on stage from opposite directions, marching to music and forming semi-complicated patterns. But they had it down pat for the big night. The curtain went up, they marched on stage - and quickly became tangled up. So here's me, on the sidelines, whisper/shouting Close the curtains! Then a re-organizing and a pep talk, and TA DA, a perfect performance.

The next concerts I remember took place when I was teaching on the 'school on the hill' in Trinity. This was a three-room school, with no stage for a concert, so we used to head down to the Parish Hall for final practices and The Big Night. And we used to have real Winter back then - we'd be all dressed up in Parkas and Snow Boots, Scarves, Mittens and Toques, slipping and sliding our way down that School hill in the very seasonal Frosty Air. Very festive it was, though, at the night of the concert. Everyone came all dressed up in their Christmas finery, wearing sparkling Christmas corsages (the women, anyway - and by the way, what happened to them? I guess they've gone extinct.) I have two stuck memories of these concerts - one was going up the side stairs to the stage, in full view of a full audience, and tripping upstairs. This was the early 70's and guess who wore the minniest of mini skirts?  And after the concert was over, Santa Claus would come Ho Ho Ho-ing in the door, all the children would get a gift, and the teachers would sit on his knee. These were wonderful days!

When we moved to the 'new school around the arm' there were many more children to participate in the yearly event, but every one got a chance to stand on stage. I only wish I had more pictures - as I was always one of the teachers buzzing about getting everyone organized for 'the next part', I was lucky to get the chance to see my own kiddies perform, let alone take pictures. The pictures below are circa 1984.

We had Recitations - Christmas themed poems recited by brave girls and boys ...

Lots of Christmas music. These little boys and girls sang about Baby Jesus as well as Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It was good that He was allowed in our schools back then.

We had skits - very short plays...

And we had lovely voices ...

These were times for the kids to feel special ...

A time for the boys to 'seem' angelic - after all, Santa was on his way ...

Getting all dressed up - and turning shy ...

There is nothing so beautiful as childrens' voices as they sing Away In A Manger ...

Of course, each concert was the result of hours of practice, and hours of making props. We started in early November, and the biggest chore was deciding what our class would do for its contribution. Some kids wanted speaking parts, some did not, some were shy, and some wanted to take part in everything. We teachers searched through worn out Christmas concert books for ideas - the ones we had were so old and probably out of print even then.

And of course the props. There were  props to be procured ...

There were props to be made ...

Flowers to grow ...

And letters to draw and paint - oh my, over the years, how many letters?

One of the most memorable concerts was a musical directed by our music teacher, Miss Howse. She built a camel in the staff room for a prop - this became our 'pet' and was loved by all.

 After meeting Mr Thompson and Mr Pond, however, it left on a search for Wise Men.

I'd love to thank all the little stars that passed through my classroom doors, from 1972 through 1994 - the memories you have left me are priceless. I hope you all have the Merriest of Christmases, and the Happiest of New Years!

WINTER? You've Gotta Be Kidding ...

Our world is white, a wonderland                        
Of laden trees and covered grass
Whoever thinks that this is fun
Can stick my shovel up their....

Can’t seem to find a rhyming word
It seems I’ve tried the whole darn spectrum
So if you still think this is fun
Your shovel can go up your ...

Oh dear the rhymes are hard today
The world is white, my mood is black
So if you laugh in far off lands
Your shovel can go up your ...

I’ve never felt such deep despair
My poems always come with ease
But here I sit in shorts and tee
Do something with your shovel – please.
........................................................

Car horns blow                                                                        

Hey, you’re skidding                                                  
Going fifty?
Must be kidding
The cars swerve and sway
The Vancouver way
Driving in the winter wonderland.

People slip
In the city
Aren’t my boots
Very pretty
They’re smooth as can be
No snow boots for me
Slipping in the winter wonderland

In the backyard we can build a snowman
And pretend that he’s a Starbucks guy
When you cannot get your frappucino
All you want to do is sit and cry

Furry scarves
Silver sandals
Light the fireplace
And the candles
We’ll freeze and complain
And long for the rain
Shivering in our winter wonderland

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weather again – snow, snow and more snow it seems

Well, this is highly ridiculous
In fact it’s making me sickulous
To wake up again
With snow and not rain
The weatherman is but a prickulous.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Tis winter, out the window see                                                                          
There’s snow on every single tree
The roofs are white, the car is too
And still it falls, it falls.

I have to go to work quite soon
I wish it were a day in June
With grass of green and skies of blue
And still it falls, it falls.

So now I have to find my boots
So nice and warm will be my foots
My hat and scarf and mittens too
Because it falls, it falls.

The reason I’m so out of sorts
They'll look so funny with my shorts
But I don’t want to catch the flu
Because it falls, it falls.
...........................................................................

On this cold day in December
I walked under one big tree
And it dumped many snowflakes
Onto me

On this cold day in December
I bussed my way up town
And I saw two old people
Falling down

On this cold day in December
I walked so carefully
And a bus sloshed a slush puddle
Over me

On this cold day in December
On a crosswalk I stepped out
And two cars screeched their brakes
And spun about

On this cold day in December
I went into the mall
And didn’t need my winter duds
At all

On this cold day in December
As I was heading home
I got this great idea
For a poem

On this cold day in December
I sit here in the warm
And wait for yet another
Winter storm

Now this day is almost over
I’m going to stay in
And get friendly with my little flask
Of gin.

DECEMBER 9, 10, 11 - Once Upon a Time there were Rainy Days at The Blue Canoe

Since I haven't kept up to date much in the past week or so, here's a mish-mash of Stuff to rob you of a few minutes of your life.

Sunday was the back-to-work day, and I was lucky to get a ride to work. You can see one of the reasons I felt lucky below - it was a rainy day, and my ride didn't make me wait at a bus exchange 10 minutes in the wet. 

When customers would come in the store on rainy days, rain dripping off their noses, they would say, 'What a horrible day.' And I, Ms Platitude, would always reply, 'No, it's a wonderful day - just horrible weather.' It's a wonder I never got slapped. Because there really have been some horrible days lately (weather-wise, that is.)

And that was Sunday, or at least all I can remember of it. It was really busy, and there were two  best parts - one was our favourite Sunday lunch of Spring Rolls from Sushi Ten, and the other was coming home and having my delicious Chicken Soup for supper.

On Monday the weather was dry, but chilly. I left home at 9:30, as my shift started at 11:45 - but after a commute of 'just missing' the next mode of transportation, I  actually made it there about 11:44: 59. Two hours and fifteen minutes sitting and standing and waiting and moving makes a Monday seem even more Monday-like.

I strolled around a little bit during my lunch break, and found a few more sets for Once Upon A Time - they were getting ready for some shooting action on Tuesday.

I wonder who will be here? Alice? Or probably Cora, the wicked Queen of Hearts. Part of the reason she is wicked is the ability to actually steal hearts, and not the wicked stealing-your-husband's-heart-while-you're-home-changing-poopy-diapers type of stealing, but the wicked-shove-her-hand-into-your-chest-and-rip-out-the-beating-organ type.

But regardless of that - want to go on Tuesday? They have 2 for 1!

Howard was happy eating my wonderfully delicious Chicken Soup Sunday evening - I'm not sure if he tasted it at all, as he was watching One Last Schooner on CBC's Land and Sea at the same time. This is the story of his dad, Henry Vokey and the 44' foot schooner Leah Caroline he built, which was launched in July. If you want to see a truly happy man - click on the link above.

And that was Monday. The worst part of this day was the commute, and the best was watching Howard watching his dad on TV.

Tuesday was another pouring-down day. Steveston was a-buzz with film crew and princes and other miscellaneous but less handsome actors, but it was so wet I only ventured out for some soup from the next-door cafe. I have never had any bad edibles from Steveson Cafe before, their lattes, mochas and hot chocolates are fabulous, and I love their veggie sandwiches and bagels - however, the Spanish Tomato soup was awful and ended up in the garbage. To me it tasted like hot pepper water. Yech. I am really glad I shoved a couple of my fabulous Blueberry Muffins in my purse this morning -

However, I would have been gladder if I hadn't squashed the shit out of them on the way to work. Maybe I shouldn't have also packed a hard cover copy of my latest Stephen King reread - The Dark Half.

It may have been a good thing that my lunch was small, as we had our staff Christmas dinner after work. We went to  The Blue Canoe, a restaurant on the pier, also in Steveston, and we had ourselves 'a time.' Our server (sorry, don't know his name - should have asked him) was great - even though he'd be half-way across the room, when he heard me say to Pauline, But I don't like green beans.... he came over and offered a different veggie. I figured the pepper pot was bugged. When our entrees were brought out, everything looked so good I forgot to take pictures - it was like eating at the Food Network. And the taste was out-of-this-world. When he picked up our plates - just a step away from being licked clean - I said to him, 'Hope you pay your chef well! The food was amazing!' and he said, 'Yes, very well.'

I did take a picture of my Creme Brulee though - except for the kumquat, I scarfed it down, every last spoonful. Oh, man.

While we were having our desserts, we were honoured by a visit from the executive chef, Danilo Ibarra -

Danilo Ibarra discovered his passion for cooking at a young age, profoundly spurred on by his roots as a native of Managua, Nicaragua. A lineage of Latin influences was as much a product of Danilo’s career inspiration as it was his upbringing in a predominately Spanish-speaking household. He went on to pursue his vocation after high school in the Culinary Arts program at Vancouver Community College, one of the most highly respected culinary training programs in the country.

His training has landed him in such acclaimed French restaurants as Café de Paris, La Regálade French Bistro, and Hermitage where he also apprenticed and achieved his Red Seal certification.

A promotion to Sous Chef at Hermitage later opened the door to Sous Chef under the direction of Karen Barnaby at The Fish House in Stanley Park, and afterwards to Executive Sous Chef at Horizons on Burnaby Mountain, alongside Executive Chef John Garrett.

Danilo’s future is continually shaped by working with influential chefs of the culinary industry who in turn have helped propel his depth of knowledge, while forging the development of his own distinctive style and culinary philosophy: no matter what you are cooking – always take great pride of your dish; make it personal and with love.

After 12 years of extensive experience and knowledge of Latin, West Coast, and French cuisine, while working his way through some of the finest kitchens in Vancouver, Danilo continues to set epicurean standards as an Executive Sous Chef at Glowbal Grill and Executive Chef of his own company Sabroso- Personal Chef and Catering Services. (bio 'borrowed' from Cooks 'n Corks website.

What a talented man. Marina tried as hard as she could, but she couldn't interest him in knitting lessons at Steveston Crafts. I think he's happy with his craft of choice, which is casting on amazing ingredients and casting off amazing food. Thanks to Chef Danilo and the staff of The Blue Canoe for an ... yes, you got it .... amazing evening.

I even had a drink - some kind of Sunset cocktail - it was so good you couldn't even taste the alcohol in it. Even at the end of the evening I had a little bit left - sipping it slowly throughout the meal kept my knees from getting swirly. The reason mine is the only glass on the table is that the others just glutched theirs down ...

Marina, me, Pauline, Penny and Chris

And that ties up my Three Days of Work. I'm glad we had a little Play time - keeps us from being dull!

DECEMBER 6 - No Bates, No Malls, No Peeking, and ABC Country vs White Spot

I thought I had captured the Lower Mainland lifestyle of not letting rain get in the way of my plans - after all, rainy winter weekends are always full of little tykes playing soccer (only the parents get to use umbrellas), and if they can weather the weather, then you'd think I'd be able to also. However, not so much today, it's a grey pouring-down windy kind of day, and my pre-scheduled trip to Walmart has been washed away. No home-made rolls to go with tonight's fish and potatoes - and to tell the truth, maybe no potatoes either. Which reminds me of the old classic If I had eggs, I'd have bacon and eggs, if I had bacon.

However, with a whole - well, most of a whole - day stretching ahead of me, I may get some housework and other chores done. Or at the very least, some tapping.

A few days ago, when I saw the film crew setting up shots for the  Bates Motel TV series, I decided to check out their main set at Aldergrove, and then explore nearby Fort Langley.

Since yesterday started out being blue-skied and sunny, I thought it would be The Day. However, when I checked Google Transit, I found out that meant a 1 1/2 hour bus ride there, and the same back. A bike ride would take the average rider 5 minutes less, which means it would probably take me about 1 hour more, but that seemed preferable to another 3 hours on a bus. However, the forecast called for rain in the afternoon, so I postponed both methods of transportation, and decided to drag Nikkie to Newton for some Christmas shopping instead.

We had to walk to a corner store for bus change, and then bussed down King George Boulevard to 72 Avenue, where I had seen some cool old-fashioned-on-the-side-of-the-road-shops. I had already decided that I was not going to the malls for my Christmas shopping. I hate malls.

The first shop we visited was Beach Basket Giftware, and it was chock full of treasures. No wonder it was voted #1 in Surrey/North Delta by the the Surrey Now newspaper readers.

We could have spent hours wandering around the aisles here, and I'm sure we would have found something different each time. And yes, some lucky people will unwrap something special from this store on Christmas Day!

So on with our hunting expedition. We couldn't pass by this place - anything with sweet and sugar in its name is going to attract me like a magnet.

The inside was a treat to sight, although we didn't taste anything. At least I didn't - the kids chomped down on green sugar sprinkled trees for their 'zert (dessert, for those who don't know kidspeak) after dinner.

Now, you may wonder who is getting the gift of tanning-induced melanoma this merry season - no one, actually.

What caught my attention here were the incredible chairs in the window. I sent my photographer inside to take pictures -she's a lot bolder than her timid little mouse of a mother-out-law.

Dear Santa,
I want six of these for Christmas. I have been a (relatively) good person this year. Sort of kinda.

And on we walk. Now, what do you think is behind this door? Only ladies, obviously.

It's actually a hair dresser. Go figure. One would think maybe a gym, or a washroom, or the back door to a strip joint, where the word ladies would be a bit dubious.

By this time, something below my chin decided it was time to eat lunch, so we headed to ABC Country Restaurant for some vittles.

Our table was under the watchful eye of this rocking Santa, which added to the Christmas spirit.

I am really glad I hadn't checked urbanspoon's review of this place before I went - we had been there just before last Christmas and found it fine, and this time was just as good.

I ordered the Pulled Pork Chowder, which came as part of a special which included Corn Bread and a Tossed Salad, and Nikkie ordered Chicken Strips and Fries.
The soup was so yummy, just right for a cold rainy day. Yes, the forecasters were right, it had started raining already. The salad was large, with mixed greens (love the spinach), tomatoes, carrots and amazingly good croutons, and the Thousand Islands dressing was the perfect match. The Corn Bread? Well, I love it, but so does Lizzie, so I decided to bring it home for her, as I just couldn't fit everything inside me at the time.

So let's see - a comparison of ABC and White Spot:
White Spot: Pulled Pork Sandwich - very very yummy, a bit HOT as in seasoning - but good
ABC - Pulled Pork Chowder - delicious

White Spot's Chicken Strips are not nearly as good as ABC's, according to Nikkie

White Spot has only cold running water in the Ladies room, which does not go well with arthritic hands, let me tell ya. ABC has nice hot water - lovely!

ABC keeps offering coffee top-ups, but White Spot left me with my original cup of coffee becoming quite cool and scarce by the end of the meal.

So all in all - I would choose ABC over White Spot anytime.

However, our expedition didn't end there - we found Sue's Book Shelf and some cool items as well as lots of books. More Christmas gifts!

photo by yelp

And nowadays, where a lot of grocery stores, liquor stores and yes, even dollar stores, have security guards by their doors, it was a nice change to see a store patrolled by two cats, even if one of them had a powerful interest in the 'doggy bags' from ABC Country Restaurant.

Drop-in visits to Michaels and the Superstore were next on the schedule - Michaels because one cannot pass by a craft store, and the Superstore because it's home to my favourite BLT Chicken Salad, and then a bus ride home finished our outing. 

Now to wrap gifts - where's the darn Scotch Tape?

DECEMBER 3 - JR FM's Basics for Babies Concert, and A Day Spent Playing Hooky!

Monday - and the sky trains were running at least half an hour late, which would probably have really bothered me - if I had been going to work as usual. But no, I was playing hooky. There was something more important planned for the day.

It started with an early morning walk to City Central with Nikkie, after she dropped the kids off at school. She moved really quickly when she thought she saw  a mole  poke its blind little head out of a molehill, but I'm sure she was just imagining it. Actually the groundhogs I went on and on about a few weeks ago  were actually moles - another of my amazingly large number of bloopers.

 And yes indeedy, I went to the mall. You may know how I feel about malls, and may be wondering why I'd take a day off work to spend the day at one. But I had a reason - it was a JR FM's Basics for Babies fundraiser, highlighting 3 country artists over a 4 hour period. Crystal Darche, one of my favourite JR announcers, hosted her show on site, and lots of Surreyites showed up to donate to a great charity.

While we waited for the show to start, we walked through the mall to the Post Office, which was paired with - wouldn't you know it? - a Dry Cleaners.

We also found lots of things to buy-when-we-get-some-money at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and stopped for a coffee/muffin/coke combo at A&W, before we went back to the bandstand neat the SFU entrance.

We listened to 3 singer/songwriter/musicians during the morning. The concert started out with Kylee Epp,  a beautiful young gal with a great voice, then Hayley (McLean), a terrific singer and a really good guitarist - I found this on YouTube that proves it. She was touring with Chad Brownlee this summer, and she joined him with his songs, singing back up and playing guitar. Pretty amazing.

The videos I took with my phone were pretty bad - when he started singing I realized that I was standing right in front of one of the speakers, which left me with a bit of a ringing ear. (I'm still shaking my head a bit to loosen up the sound waves that I'm sure are still hovering just on this side of my eardrum.) However, he sang Love Me or Leave Me and a couple of other songs I've heard him do on JR FM. There was huge line of young girls waiting in line to get his autograph after he was done - at $5 a shot that raised a lot of money for Surrey babies!

How wonderful of these talented people to donate their time and talent for this worthy cause!

As we were leaving, Nikkie just HAD to have her picture taken with Crystal - she said Crystal was really tall, but I noted that, next to Nikkie ... etc etc.

After all was over, we headed to Pricesmart for burger stuff for supper, and then stopped in a fancy restaurant for a snack.

And then we had another mile and a half walk before we got home. On the way we found this amazing mushroom. I considered frying it up for Howard's hamburger, but Nikkie was concerned that I might get a manslaughter charge if it turned out to be poisonous.

And I decided it was too pretty to kill.

 So there you go, the reason I booked off work today. I just can't wait for the next exciting event to come along so I can put another big x next to my name on the time sheet!