Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

I got hockey skates! I suddenly feel very Canadian.
My favorite gift this year! Pete got this little one from the vet and tied a ribbon around its neck for me this morning. I was totally surprised! He always manages to blow me away!

We had a wonderful day with family, laughing, watching, remembering and teasing. And we get to do it all again in two days with the rest of the family that couldn't be here today!!!! I am so excited! Two Christmases in one! And my cousin found out yesterday that she and her husband can buy their tickets to go pick up their newly adopted daughter! God is good.

I got him a catnip toy which he LOVES... He licks it and rubs his face on it and chases it around. It's very entertaining!

We got lots of snow!!! About one foot. I tried to take a walk. It was more like a snow-march/slog. I love it when it snows!

The gingerbread house my nieces helped me to decorate.

Crabman has discovered the cursor and is on alert as it makes its way across the screen. But a sniff test has conclusively proven that it's not a swattable prey, how boring! That can only mean one thing. Time to investigate the crevices between the couch and the cushions, scattered with intermittent episodes of bathing.

Crabman, we love you!

More about Canada

I've lived here for six months now, so some of the things that were different before are starting to seem more normal. But I still notice some things:
1. No mail service on Saturdays
2. You can't buy alcohol at grocery stores. You have to go to special liquor stores (at least in Ontario) and are expected to return empty wine, beer, whatever bottles for a deposit.
3. On the same note, there are so many micro-breweries around here that they actually have so many different kinds of local beer. Really quite cool.
4. Fruits and vegetables are about the only things that are cheaper in Canada.
5. Canadians have an identity crisis. There are so many immigrants, each identifying with their originating country/culture. Those who have been here for many generations feel bitter towards the US but also know that a large part of their culture and identity come from their neighbor to the south. Other than hockey and drinking beer, I don't really know what makes Canada different. The monarchy maybe? French?
6. Clothing stores in Toronto offer more hip, European-influence clothing than in Chicago or wherever else I've gone clothes shopping in the US.
7. Everyone knows how to ski and does so year round.
That's all I can think of now...

Mis banderas; My flags; Mes drapeaux

My dietitian stuff finally came through! Praise the Lord, I won't have to do any extra continuing education to meet their requirements. And my former employers finally sent in the employment verification forms. So now I'm a member of Dietitians of Canada, and College of Dietitians of Ontario. !!!!!! My last obstacle is to pass the RD exam in May. And find a job.

I had a job interview on Tuesday with a health care provider downtown. It's only my second interview since moving to Canada. I think it went well, but it was only a preliminary interview, and if they are still interested, they'll call me back for another. If I get the job, I would be commuting by car and subway! ;) Once I get off the subway downtown, it's about four blocks to the building. Oh, and there's some pretty swell shopping down there too ;).

On the way home I met a girl who was a painter. She gave me a flier for an art show she had some pieces in. I love going to art shows. Let's see if I get out and see it.


Right now it's time for me to start studying. I have to re-learn all my lab values as they use SI units here vs mg/dL in the US. And I kind of have to pass the RD exam.

This picture was taken way back when Pete came down to visit me the first (or second?) time. We went to Navy Pier and decided to go up in the ferris wheel even though it was really cold!!! This is taken somewhere near the top. There may have been only 4 other people on the wheel with us that day! I think I was scared that he would try to kiss me. ;P

Crabman

Well, we have officially named our cat- Crabman. (He has a mysterious past and he's friendly). Although he's kind of strange. During the day he naps for hours at a time, and comes out to eat. He's very skittish. Even the smallest movement will send him scampering under the bed. Sometimes he gets so scared that he actually does the running-in-place-thing for a few seconds before his paws get traction on the vinyl floor. At night, he's a different creature. Just as we're trying to go to sleep, he jumps up on the bed and decides it's time to fight with anything that moves, including the covers or any exposed limbs. If we ignore him, he breaks out his repertoire of different-sounding meows. This usually gets him kicked out of the room. Oh well. We love him anyway.

We have a cat!

We adopted a "stray" that was hanging around my sister-in-law's house. It is really friendly, so I wonder if it had previous owners. Anyway I'm very excited to have a new member of the family and hoping it works out ok with no major problems. This is an eerie picture of him.

It's snowing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful fluffy flakes of white snow floating down through the air. I have been inspired to make fruitcake for the first time in my life. It's Christmas season! Wahoo!!! I'm at home in my cozy apartment, I'm going to bake while watching the snow fall outside our windows. Light the candles! Deck the halls! Hang the mistletoe! Happy Holidays everyone!

What makes a friendship real and strong?

Needing each other in some way, big or small. Sometimes caring is not enough. Marriage is stronger when the couple needs each other. But it tends to weaken other friendships. Or maybe that's just my perspective because I've also moved far away from my friends. I don't want my friendships to weaken. The friends I have had up until now are treasures that can never ever be replaced. I don't think I've lost them but it's hard to stay in touch. The friendship grows more slowly I guess. I have wonderful memories of moments spent with these friends, and we were as complete as a family. I love them and I miss them! Here's to many more precious memories in the future! Oh and Happy Thanksgiving America!

Antonia is a "creative" girl. She likes to cook. Creatively. Antonia doesn't always like to follow directions. She is a culinary genius. She puts her talent to work on dinner for new husband. Husband shall be healthy and content after scrumptious healthy dinners each night of the week.
Husband sits down to supper. Gazes dolefully at plate full of creative dinner. Takes deep breath and faces the inevitable. Each forkful is a study in perseverance and silent suffering. Antonia notices long pauses between hubby's bites of food. Starts giggling. Shakes with laughter. Husband laughs, relieved, no longer having to hide his dismay. Antonia has light bulb moment. Realizes recipes books offer untapped potential in realm of creative cooking. Acknowledges the benefit of having a McDonald's across the street. Admits she is a dietitian with years of cooking experience.

(For the record, though, I thought it was pretty good and I still love to cook. It's just more fun when someone besides yourself thinks it's yummy. Less awkward, too.)

Pete and I were in Montreal last weekend for a Bible conference. The people that my mom grew up around and went to church with were very welcoming to me. They seemed glad that I now live in Canada, and people kept coming up and saying hello and congratulations, and "I can tell you're her daughter, you look just like her." It was a treat to see and talk to some of my cousins too, who over the years I have seen very seldom and don't know too well. I guess I have strong roots in this country, after all.

We just got back from visiting my sister. Being at the beach with my two favorite people was the refreshment I needed. It was lovely!

I am going out of my mind with boredom! That combined with frustration at what I posted about earlier, not good at all!

AAAAAAhhghghghgh

I am unsuccessfully trying to get my former employers to cooperate with me and mail back a very simple form. I've conveniently mailed it to them along with an addressed, stamped return envelope. I need this form to be able to work in Canada. I've even coached them repeatedly by phone. But nooooooooo that's too much to ask. It's better to just blow me off because eventually I'll just go away and stop bugging them, right? WRONG!!!!!!!! Haaaaahaaaa haa!!!! I dare you to not write three words, fold a paper, lick an envelope and walk over to the mail box. If you don't I will be forced to make a trip to Chicago, and guess what? It's Halloween and I shall have to resort to the TRICK. Uh huh. I will smash your jack-o-lantern and take your candy. They're out to get me! Ahhhaa!!!

The adventures of Mr Pumpkin...

Towering branches
Dappled leafy sunlight
Tree cathedrals.

What is up.

It's been a while since I've written here... pictures are worth 1000's of words you know! I have been applying to different jobs, as I have faith that my papers are a green-light for me to start work. So far, though, I have been to one open house which turned into and interview. I learned that they don't have a job opening in my region at this time. However, getting resumes sent out is an accomplishment, for now.

The last two days have been overcast and gray, with no other hint of rain. I have been sick for the past few days, feeling very tired. I am enjoying all the lovely gifts from friends near and far that we received for our wedding. Having time to do house work, explore cooking, read books, and meander around town occasionally is such a relief. But there's this nagging thought that I need to find a job soon...

Last week a friend took me to an apple orchard, where I picked some Macintosh and Spartan apples. Then we just sat in the grass between the rows of trees and talked for a while. My soul has been longing for the country lately, it felt so good just to be surrounded by trees on rolling hills of grass. We stopped by a farm for some vegetables before heading home. I made apple sauce that day. I washed, cored and cut up the apples and boiled them with cinnamon in a small amount of water like the recipe says. Then I mashed them with a potato masher (still chunky). The skin is still in there, which Pete isn't too crazy for, but I think it's delish. In my opinion, most apples are sweet enough for applesauce without needing added sugar.

I'm planning a trip to visit my sister this month... can't wait! She is a fall girl, a gray day girl, a rock, a book and a bowl girl. A weather-beaten wood girl.

Snippets

I made this panini... soooo good!

Salt n peppa

making dessert... what sweet talent!

We went down to "the Beaches" one Saturday. It's where Queen street runs east-west about 4 blocks away from the lake. Along the lake is a lovely boardwalk and beaches. The homes between the lake and Queen street are fascinating... some look like they were transplanted from the Scottish countryside (at least that's what I think). Others are very hip and modern. But all of them tantalizingly well kept, and we just walked slowly and stared at them. We ate at a restaurant called Whitlock's, in an old building that was built over 100 years ago. The floors look like they're original. When we paid, they gave us a post card with a picture of the building on it. In the picture, (taken in 1896), the building stands alone, and you can see a horse pulling a sleigh down the street beside it. Now it's located on a street without an empty lot for miles in either direction. We ate on the patio, as that was my only requirement for which restaurant we chose. Esplendido! The picture of the rocks was taken on the beach after dinner. The second picture was taken on the patio.

What I'm missing these days...

It's raining!!! We really need it here. We have been experiencing drought here and plus there is something fun about being inside when it's pouring out there! The sky is still gray like there is more to come.

happy birthday Brent!

one of my darling nieces.

No one has asked me, but I'm going to share anyway. Here are some differences I've noticed between the US and Canada:
In the US:
1. Trident comes in big packages of like 24 sticks
2. You have to wait for your license plates to come by mail
3. When people say "thank you", the accent in the "thank".
4. IHOP, Dennys, etc...
5. Everyone goes to Walmart
6. Enlightened people recycle
7. If you use the left lane, the person behind you has a 25% chance of getting impatient for you to pull over so they can pass
8. On Friday evening, everyone and their uncles are heading into town to party...
9. When you get your hair highlighted at the salon, you get the foil put in, then sit under a hair dryer for 30 min...
10. Baseball, football, basketball...

In Canada:
1. Trident comes in little packages of like, 12 sticks.
2. You get your license plates handed to you when you register your car.
3. When people say "thank you", the accent is on the "you" (and it goes up like a question).
4. No IHOP, Dennys, etc... sniff
5. Everyone goes to Canadian Tire
6. Everyone recycles... even fast food joints have recycling bins along with the trash bins.
7. If you use the left lane, the person behind you has a 75% chance of getting impatient for you to pull over so they can pass
8. On Friday evening, everyone and their uncles are heading to cottage country for the weekend...
9. When you get your hair highlighted at the salon, they don't put you under the hair dryer at all (yaaaayyy)
10. Hockey, hockey, hockey...

Toronto skyline from the west.

This is Happy, and he holds our balcony door open.

I love basil and mint, as do the earwigs, who have a chowfest each night at the expense of my lovely herbs. I know, it's time I learned to share...