Music Is...

"Mama dancing."

Paul politely disagreed: "No, that's not mama's shape."

But this time I didn't mind. OK, not the most flattering of body shapes -- but that is my hair (and face?)... and it's almost like Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face with, you know, a few (dozen) more pounds.  And me in a book?  Got to love that!  :)

Music Is... by Brandon Stosuy, illustrated by Amy Martin is one of James's favourites right now. 

He gets Paul to read over and over this page: "cymbals that splash and ba-da-ba bass and rat-a-tat-tat drums on a rumbling stage".  I understand, it's super catchy, and my Cantonese translated version doesn't do it justice at all. 

Below is a page that makes Paul and me laugh, because of who James says the french horn player on the right is.  I can kind of see it.  Can you guess? 

Snow-vember (Part 2: Pumpkins in the Snow)

(Right: The brown snow is "ew!")

James was happy to run through the snow, insisting "Hold hand!"*  But I wasn't confident I'd be able to stop him when he would inevitability let go.

It was tough getting home.  The snow was thicker than I expected and partially melted.  It stuck to and jammed the stroller wheels.  Big puddles and slushy snow.  We were splashed once too.

Miserable with wet feet... but nope, not going in yet.  There was too much snow on the porch and sidewalk to ignore.  I shovelled away, while James "helped" (redistributing the snow back onto the cleared path).

One good thing: I saw the new neighbours.  They're going to do some painting over the weekend.

And... another good thing: seeing James play reminded me of how I used loved playing in the snow too.  And it is fun to be outside with him (until I get too cold).

*A choice I'd sometimes give him when we were a block away from the daycare -- instead of being strapped into the stroller.  

Snow-vember!

I know, we were really lucky to have such nice weather for Hallowe'en... but still!  It's wet and slippery and cold (OK, only slightly under zero) and I don't like it.

Chris's voice is in my head: "In the spring, you'll be happy for this.  You'll think it's warm!"  Well, it's going to take a few months of weather for me appreciate it.  I'll complain in the meantime :P

Second Snow

The snow didn't melt immediately on falling.  Instead, it collected heavy and wet on the still green lilac leaves, bending the branches.  One tree looked like it was peeking into our bedroom window.  The one with the bird feeder sagged out of view*.

It's warm though, so likely it will melt.  In the meantime, someone knew what he wanted to do.

James refused the stroller and ran to the field.

He kicked at the snow and picked some up to throw -- reminding me how much I used to love playing in the snow.

I don't think he felt cold at all.  And he's a pretty good shot with snow balls.


Eventually I had to wrangle him in and take him home.  He certainly slept well.



* I know, it should be for the birds, but it's also meant for me to look at!

Snow sharks!

Old MacDonald had a Ma-Ma...

"Ol' Ma-Dawno ha Ma-ma.  E-I-E-I-O!  With a fa-fa dere, fa-fa dere, fa-fa dere, fa-fa dere..."

(James's rendition of Old MacDonald had a Farm)

Yes!  Despite my neglect, the garden is in bloom -- thanks to perennials.

Right: The other lilies have faded, but this tiger lily (though plagued by lily beetles) just opened.

Below: Surprise sunflowers!  OK, I did have to plant these, but since I "found" (collected) these seeds on walks around the neighbourhood from dried out flowers, I didn't really know what they'd look like.  And it's always a miracle that seeds work.

1. This dwarf, branching, pale yellows with dark centers are currently my all-time favourite (of the ones I've grown).  (Is there such thing as a "dwarf Lemon Queen"?).  Behind it are some Scarlet Runner beans.

2. This little / medium one has gorgeous golden-almost-orange petals and a light center.  Look at all that bee-attracting pollen.

Below: Monkshood and hydrangea that seem to be thriving in only partial sun... my only guess is that they're not dried out as fast and have some protection from the side of the house. 

The same hydrangea are in front of the house and yesterday James picked one flower (from the cluster) and said "Bay Popo".  Aw, he wanted to give it to her.























But the flower he loves and he keeps for himself is this one (below). Good thing (:P) we have lots of them (that's partially why there's no full pictures of our whole yard).

Wild Times at Taipan

"Are you Yeti to party?"  


There was a change in plans (the noodle place had an impromptu vacation day) and we ended up at Taipan.  It remains a greasy spoon despite all the upscale renos. 

Go wild!  

Kevin tells me he and his friends had ramen and karaoke on the weekend for his birthday. Sure!  Sounds like fun (if not wild). 

James stole the show, spitting out a decent "Happy Birday", and then play eat with Celina.

It was a pretty tame and early night for a party.  But it was a Tuesday. 

I was happy, though they, Kevin and Veronica, technically "ditched us" for dessert.  Now that sounds like the right thing for a birthday. 

Things / words James learned / worked on: 

- Bui Gaw, Yee Jerng, Jai-jai (for Veronica) 

- Foods: hor-fun (flat rice noodles), gnow lam (beef brisket), dow-fu (tofu), cauli-fler (cauliflower)

(Above: What a spread!  But oh so greasy.)

Great Crepes! Earth Day

Chris, who's this who got married in 2017?  And, who's the kid?  :P

So, we managed to honour the Earth in one way today: we took a walk outside!

But not before having a nice big breakfast brunch.

James and I were spoiled with freshly whipped up crepes (Chris, Claudia, and Steph slaving at the hobs).  Though truth be told - James and I were pretty happy with just eating all those delicious fillings.

(Below:
1. Crepe Pig
2. Cucumbers are hard
3. Chocolate sauce? Yes.)

Chris (still planning out hosting Sunday Brunches) got us to brainstorming about other food ideas.  Crepes were certainly scalable, but I'm partial to a pancake.  Both, seemed to be similar, but not quite as awesome as his favourite Sri Lankan street food: hoppers (a version here).  Though I suspect (like crepes) it's almost all down to the delicious fillings.

(Below: Stare down!)

Eating in Sri Lanka takes us into stories about being the only white person in the whole room.  I've not experienced it.  I half wonder if it's the other side of the coin of how I felt when I was in Hong Kong...

(Right: See it's a chair and a drum!)

Chris had laughed at me when I bundled James (and myself) up for the walk in "the woods".  But see there (below): icebergs!  Vindicated!

 (Below: BASH, BASH!)

(Above Left: Nothing happier than a boy with a stick.  / Above Right: Anyone home?) 

(Below: Our beautiful hosts)

And since we were in the neighbourhood, we drop in on Celina and Theresa.  They were studying and cleaning up, and definitely up for a giggle break.

(Above: The sleepy Shaolin monk that I think looks a lot like *someone*)

I drop off James for his nap and head home for my own cleaning session.

Life can be really nice.