a Montreal New Year

I am here for New Years at my son and family's - but my camera cable is back in Nova Scotia - so no pictures. Last evening, well this IS a family with 5 boys, we went to see Avatar. I know people who wouldn/t go to see this because it was science fiction. I suppose that there are others who would not see it because it is violent. Forget all your scruples - this is an amazing experience. Make sure you see the 3D version. And I'll post again next year (in a day or two). And tonight there is a blue moon! What could be more cool than that!
Official Avatar Movie

grey day

Boxing Day, a grey cloudy day, it seems that we have hardly seen the sun for days, and I am recovering from the family Christmas. My solution to a grey day when I am down the Valley, is to stroll through the lush green of a local greenhouse. I took these photos a few weeks ago. I haven't found a greenhouse here for my green shot in the arm, and periodically I really do need such a fix.

alb

A friend trying on his first alb before he takes his first Christmas service: I was giving ceinture lessons. We have a family service early this evening and then an eleven o'clock communion service,and then tomorrow morning early it's off to Halifax to open our stockings. Somehow the secular and the sacred all mesh together into the holiday season. Merry Christmas!

looking good

We're just checking things out and it's looking good. What they don't know is that they are going to spend a few days (long days) with Lola, the rabbit hound, starting Christmas morning. That should make their holidays. Lola often confuses cats with rabbits.

two stockings

This year there are two stockings. I never would have thought it last year. Life holds many surprises.

temptation

I yielded to temptation. It came in the form of a gift of fudge. In Quebec we called it "Sucre a la Creme". It is sinful in either language, and I plunged off the diet waggon. I tested one, and then another and then another.. And tonight is the staff party at the very best Chinese restaurant. What am I to do? Mea culpa, mea cula, mea maxima culpa.

Christmas baking?

Whatever made me think that I could bake? The children wanted me to make shortbread. I found that the Nova Scotia Tea Room and Emporium made good shortbread. I bought it. But I have a guest arriving that needs gluten free stuff, and I found this recipe that used either corn starch or potato flour. I had corn starch. They were supposed to be thumb cookies - bake for around 15 minutes - here is the result after seven and a half minutes. Melted and spread. I wonder what would happen if I used potato flour? Why don't I just accept that the Universe has conspired against me ever baking?