My lovelies, it's been this kind of week: Everyone's wiped, but there are still 3 weeks of school left before the winter holidays. 19 days until we pick up our dog, Mac. The four-year-old is sick and I've been at home with her, cuddling and reading and taking 2 hours to measure and mix a simple cake. And in this season of countdowns, we've just set up an advent calendar that has, most … [Read more...]
Inventing tradition
Merry Christmas, to those who celebrate it! Right now, I am frantically wrapping presents and mumbling nasty things about my to-do list, so here's a re-post from December 2009, about Victorian Christmas inventions. Hope you enjoy it, and have a wonderful holiday! Quick: name three Christmas symbols. If you’re like me, the first things you picture are Christmas trees, a red-suited Santa Claus … [Read more...]
Toronto’s Harbourfront
Hello, friends. I've been in Toronto for the past few days, gadding about. This is a bit of a March ritual for my family during which we see dear friends, closely compare a range of cafés, and walk until we're footsore. I have a long list of favourite things and places but I made a couple of discoveries along Queen's Quay and the Harbourfront this year that I'm especially pleased with. - Pearl … [Read more...]
Shopping (the bookish kind)
Hello, friends. It will probably not surprise you to know that when I go on holiday, I like to bring home books as souvenirs. I love plucking a book from the shelf and remembering both the book and the place where I bought it. For me, the combined memory becomes that much more precious, and I seem to remember more details about the holiday when they're paired with a book. Here's our family's … [Read more...]
Negotiating with tradition
Hello friends! We celebrate Christmas in our house, and we're still figuring out our traditions. I come from a family whose only tradition is to not have any traditions (even the Christmas tree was hit-and-miss throughout my childhood, and I doubt we've ever eaten the same Christmas dinner twice), and my spouse, Nick, is from a family with very strong, sentimental rituals. He and I have talked … [Read more...]
A Bear in the House
Hello friends, and Happy Hallowe'en day! It's cool and raining here in Kingston, and we're all very grateful that Hurricane Sandy lost momentum before getting here. It's strange to think of so many communities still without power, still scrabbling for basic needs, while we here contemplate costumes and candy. It'll be a bittersweet Hallowe'en, for sure. I thought I'd show you what I'm up to … [Read more...]