Happy Halloween from Our House to Yours!

When Did the Problem Start?

When did you start having trouble reading my blog?

Sometime within this last week I started having trouble posting pictures. When I browse my photo album, click on a picture and then ask it to upload the image, I get lots of code but no picture showing in the draft. When I click on "publish post" all of a sudden the picture shows. I'm wondering if that's the same time you all started having trouble reading the print.

Anyone have any suggestions as to how this can get fixed?

Having Trouble Reading My Blog?

Yesterday my dear sister told me that she was having trouble reading my blog with the new background. Is anyone else having that problem? As far as I know, I didn't change anything. I've checked my blog from home and from work and here it still looks exactly the same as before. Anyone else seeing a new background that's making it difficult to read the print?

Halloween and Jack-o-Lanterns

This evening was the second time that I participated in a newly formed English Conversation Group for Korean people who rent worship space in our church. The group was started at their request. Last week I just went to observe, and then decided to join. Tonight we discussed the North American tradition of Halloween. And then while carving pumpkins into Jack-o-Lanterns, we practiced words starting with "p" and "f", - both difficult sounds for Korean speaking people. We had a lot of good laughs, and I learned how to roast pumpkin seeds. So now I have a cookie tray covered with drying pumpkin seeds. Tomorrow I'll try roasting them in a frying pan with a little bit of oil. Hopefully that will work better than the oven method I used years ago. That dried the seeds out so much that they tasted like cardboard. I'm looking forward to better results this time.



The results of our pumpkin carving. The guys did the one with the big smile on the right and the women did the one on the left. This was their very first time actually carving a pumpkin so it was fun to watch them in this new experience.

How Do You Like These Bathroom Windows?

This morning I attended a meeting at St. Paul's Bloor Street church. The first time I was there my fellow worker told me, "You've got to check out the ladies' bathroom!" Well, normally I don't need to be told to go and find the bathroom. I think I know where the bathroom is in every building I've ever entered. But her comment piqued my interest so I went to check it out right away. Can you believe these windows?! in a bathroom?!!! They've installed a sheet of plexi-glass in front of each window to keep people from touching them, I'm guessing.



They have done a lot of renovations in this very beautiful building - in which different sections were built in 1860, 1913 and 1928 - preserving all of the old and incorporating and blending it in with the new. I guess that as they re-arranged some of the interior space, two of the old stained glass windows ended up in the ladies' washroom. I've never seen such beautiful bathroom windows!

Monday Morning...

Well, it's Monday morning and I'm feeling a little lost after a busy weekend of planning, visiting and socializing. All of a sudden I'm in the house by myself with no plans because I was so focussed on getting ready for and experiencing everything this weekend. The sun is shining. It looks gorgeous out. Think I'll go outdoors to enjoy the sun and maybe I'll pick the last tomatoes and pull out the plants that are looking rather sad by now. Gardening always gets me back on track.

On Saturday morning my co-worker, Linda, got married and we attended the ceremony.



My parents arrived in the afternoon for a weekend visit. We spent Saturday evening with our chairs pulled up around the fireplace, enjoying apple crisp and catching up on each other's lives. They were eager to see where our kids live now, since they've moved in the last few months. So on Sunday afternoon we jumped in the car and made the rounds. First to Henry & Melanie's. The proud new home owners took us on the grand tour, but we didn't stay long because they had other commitments for the afternoon.





And then we headed into the core of the city to a totally different setting where Mark & Rosemary live in a highrise apartment. Mark graciously hosted us with tea and cookies (Rosemary was off to a wedding shower), and proudly showed off their new home.

For the rest of the weekend we ate, talked, drank coffee and tea, did sudoku's and puzzles and just enjoyed time together.

Bloorview Wood Carvings

A few days ago I was attending a meeting at Bloorview Kids Rehab and ran across these beautiful wood carvings in a basement hallway. There were eight in total, hanging side by side, with lighting behind them. Each one is probably about seven or eight feet high. I just couldn't resist taking pictures so I could share them, because I think they're so beautiful!

Our Very Own Colourful Maple

We planted this small maple in our front yard about two-and-a-half years ago. If we had done this when we moved in 30 years ago, it could have been huge by now! We inherited an old apple tree from the previous owner. It was rotting and so were the apples that dropped from it. So then we replaced it with a birch tree which looked beautiful! However, it was very susceptible to disease and gradually died back. Next was a mountain ash. I chose it because it reminded me of my childhood visits to grandparents. Their street was line with mountain ash. Little did I know that they also were not doing well in Toronto and so a few years we had to cut it down. Which tree to get next? I had my eye on some gorgeous colourful maples and did my research. The arborist at the nursery assured me that this was the little tree that matched the trees on the pictures I brought in. As it turns out, I don't think it's the same one, but it is starting to get gorgeous colours! Our very own colourful maple tree!!!

Living Room Bowling Alley

Last night we were at Mark & Rosemary's to help them pick up their new little chest freezer with our car. After the unveiling of the new freezer and some dessert, Mark suggested we try Wii bowling. (Wii is a video game that is shown on a TV screen and then you use a remote control to simulate moves you would make in a real sport). With a click of the remote their living room turned into a bowling alley - complete with the competitive spirit (provided by us) and the sound of falling bowling pins and cheers (provided by the sound on the game).

"OK, Mom, so here's what you do.... Make sure you keep this strap around your wrist because there are too many stories of holes in TV screens caused by flying remotes."

Gerard getting into the game.

Hey, this is fun! I think I'm starting to get the hang of it!

Garden Art

Some interesting garden art up the street.

Peacock Feathers

Here are some peacock feathers (and some pea seeds from the garden) that I found at the Centre Island children's farm last month. I have them in a bowl on my desk at home and love the colours, especially when the sun shines on them.

Gerard's Birthday - The Evening

Henry & Melanie hosted us for birthday dinner. What a treat to spend the whole day out and then getting invited for a special meal! Melanie served some of Gerard's favourite foods - All sorts, honey-covered peanuts, spaghetti, chicken, garlic bread, blueberry pie... Yeah, Melanie!!

Hamming it up for the camera. Good family time! All in all a wonderful day!!!

Gerard's Birthday - The Afternoon

We had hoped to see salmon on our morning hike along the Rouge, but didn't find any. So after lunch and bringing some food from the Thanksgiving food drive at church to The Lighthouse foodbank, we headed over to a trail along the Humber River, which is conveniently close to Henry & Melanie's - our destination for dinner.

We found a picnic table in the sun. While Gerard nodded off I entertained myself with all these odds and ends that someone left behind on the picnic table, and by taking pictures of myself, the two of us, and our surroundings.

And we actually did see some salmon in a number of places in the river! We're still hoping to see them jump up the "stairs" in the river one of these years.

Catching a few late afternoon rays.

Gerard's Birthday - Morning

Last Friday we celebrated Gerard's birthday in a way we celebrate many special days - by going hiking. This time we took a trail along the Rouge River which is near the eastern boundary of Toronto.

It was a clear crisp day - perfect for hiking and for enjoying the fall colours!

As we were walking, I realized what a priviledge it is to be out there on a Friday morning just drinking in the peace and beauty of the place and soaking up the warmth of the sun. And what a blessing it is to be able to walk and to be able to see. and to share this experience with someone you love.

On our way home for lunch. ... to be continued.

Check out Your Own City!

Have you ever read a tourist guide book about your own city? It's really interesting! I borrowed this book from our local library and learned a lot about Toronto!

Morning Frost

Yesterday morning was the first time this fall that the frost actually hit the ground. Until now we had only seen it on the roof tops. It looked beautiful on the grass and the weeds!

Thanksgiving Dinner Preparations

Preparing Thanksgiving dinner was a communal effort, which made it the easiest Thanksgiving dinner I've ever hosted. We had a good time of fellowship over a delicious meal!

An Eventful Day

It's been an eventful day! First I enjoyed the bright crisp morning air on my walk to church.

Saw these hens and chicks growing on a rail fence, on my way. Then choir practice, church service, sorting and packing food offerings for the food bank, home for lunch, played piano at the nursing home service and then went for a hike with friends.

It really feels and smells like fall! After a good hike in the fresh air we came home and visited over some coffee, hot chocolate, and apple pie with chocolate crackle ice cream. Lots to enjoy and to give thanks for!

Just covered up some plants to protect them from potential frost for one more night. And now I'm going to curl up with a good book for the rest of the evening.