Our iconic cat is gone: Obi-Wan, 1999 – 2015 It is with deep sadness and sorrow that Bob and I convey to friends and family the passing of our eldest cat, Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan died at 6:34 p.m. on the afternoon of Monday July 27, 2015, secure with Bob and I, in his basket and with love, compassion and mercy at his vet’s. My children, Zachary and Nicklaus, came to the vet’s office to bid goodbye to…
In the spring of 2015, a couple of red-breasted robins decided to build their nest in our crabapple tree along the side. Then along came some eggs, and we had a family move in. That year of 2015, there was songbird music as never before, and Mr. and Mrs. Robin were attentive parents. We saw two little baby birds poke their heads up over the edge of the nest.
Bob went outside on Good Friday, and spent a few hours bringing out the patio furniture in soft and balmy (for April in Ontario) weather. He raked up the entire back yard and uncovered the lawn ornaments, which we cover with plastic wrap each autumn. We were hoping for an Easter Sunday brunch on the patio in moderate weather. This happens about a third of the time in southern Ontario. Not this year, though. Overnight on Saturday, it began to snow, and by Easter morning, the patio was covered with a fresh layer of white stuff.
Ontario got its first major snowfall of the 2014-15 winter on “Groundhog Day,” the day halfway between the start of winter and the start of spring. As the hokey commercial legend goes, if the fabled groundhog (Ontario’s is named Wiarton Willie after the rural place where the mid-winter drink-up is held) sees his shadow, the rodent goes back into his hole, and we have another six weeks of winter weather.
Preserving the family culinary memory Shaaron and Patricia were chatting at Auntie Ione’s party tonight at Lisa and Shamir’s. They felt we should have a family cookbook. Little did they realize that we already have exactly that. And it is on this website! Click here to see for yourself. Now the challenge is on! Who will submit the next recipe? Click the menu above and try one or two of our recipes. Then submit one of…
The wonderful thing about hosting friends and family is not having to travel, and putting on one’s very best for people we care about, and even a few who just need a place to be on Christmas. The other side of that, of course, is that Bob and I work like galley servants for several days leading up to, and through Boxing Day. You’re always cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, taking something out, putting something away, and also trying to make it look effortless while engaging in chatter with the guests. Other than all that, it’s a piece of cake!
Family members can post content Congratulations to Marisa and Shawn on their gorgeous wedding in Ocho Rios! How could you ask for a more perfect evening? We are going to go through our photos and post a collection of people’s thoughts here. Welcome also to Ivor and Serene Seepersaud, and to Donna Karran to the Seepersaud family web site. You can create your own stories if you wish, and perhaps you ought to give it…
It was a very hectic spring at our home. On May 1, the Ontario government tabled its 2014-15 Budget, and on May 2, one of the opposition parties said they would not support it. The Opposition Party, the Conservatives, didn’t support any government bill, so that meant that a vote on the Budget would result in the fall of the government. This was not unexpected. On Friday May 2nd, the Premier called an election for June 12th, and we were off and running!
Want to trade humidity for cold? Winter in Canada began with an ice storm in December, and has just not let up at all! While we did not lose our electricity in the ice storm, this unremitting cold is ensuring that we suffer in a uniquely Canadian winter fashion. Aside from Bob fighting off a head cold, on Friday, the blower motor in the furnace had a bearing fail. Following a grinding sound, the furnace…
The 2013-14 Christmas Holiday Season is now officially in the history books. Over the January 11-12 weekend, we carefully dismantled the decorations and adornments in the house, labelled everything in its box, stored it back downstairs, and then cleaned and vacuumed. All traces of Christmas 2013 are now in storage. As always, the Christmas tree was last to go, its lights signaling the festive season until the very last minute as the Christmas music CDs get one last play while the takedown tasks are done.
