Stone Soup

Bernadette and I saw the movie tonight after work.  I arrived at Scarborough Town Center first, looked for some books I have been wanting to read, didn't find them, got sore feet and settled down on a bench in the mall to watch people--that never fails to entertain.  Time passed quickly!  I found Bernadette, we shared the 2-Mama-Burgers-and-a-Large-Fries-Special at A&W in the food court then went in to the theatre.  We thoroughly enjoyed the movie.  Meryl Streep was fabulous, that woman can do anything!  I think she should get an Academy Award for her performance in this movie.  She was outstanding!  We laughed so much, I had to keep wiping my eyes.  This movie is not just for women, not just for cooks, I really think there are ingredients in Julie and Julia for everyone: two lives with striking similarities, neither could cook in the beginning, both loved good food, two marriages two women from different eras searching for a purpose and experiencing similar victories and defeats, two great husbands.  I remember Julia Child well, I watched her on television.  Seeing Meryl Streep in her role, I forgot it was Meryl Streep and felt like I was watching Julia child again.  She "nailed" it!  I enjoyed the movie so much I think I will go back to see it again!  This is the first time I have to say I enjoyed the movie MORE than the book.  Speaking of books, now I want a copy of Mastering The Art of French Cooking.

My mom had another stroke last week; with this one there is bleeding in the cerebellum.  She had been back in her residence only a couple of weeks after convalescing from the last one.  This one is not good, it will be a long road back to any kind of recovery.  I am not getting very much news and the trip to Montreal is long and it is difficult to get hold of a doctor on weekends if I get there and then there is the language problem if I do find one who is dealing with her.   Prayers appreciated.

I never knew this was available on Youtube...it shows a more normal side of Michael Jackson, a lighter carefree side.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

I came upon this flower at the curb today, tiny but blooming.  I liked the photo but after looking at it a while, the flower seemed a bit lost against the texture of the cement and asphalt.  I selected the flower and plant with the pen tool and adjusted the hue, light and saturation, then adjusted the curve slightly.  Blurred the background one pixel.  I like the effect, the flower stands out a little more. jewel like.

Peach Cobler, Peach Salsa, Peach Preserves, Peach Almond Tart--so many ways to serve them.  The best way to enjoy a sweet, juicy Ontario peach is raw, washed clean, peeled if you must.  Bite into one to experience fresh incredible taste!  They are in season now!  Oh so GOOD!

I used to have a big garden, it was impressive--80 thriving tea rose bushes, a large vegetable garden, Big compost bins in the corner ner the cedars, a lovely rock garden across the front of my home, larger perennials along the side and a pretty plum tree right outside my dining room window.  I was a stay-at-home mom and spent many happy hours in the garden while my sons played in the back yard and on our quiet street with neighbour children. 

Over the years, my garden grew smaller and smaller as my sons grew bigger and my time and needs shrank.  I am now reduced to container gardening; all my herbs and vegetables grow in a few pots on the patio.  Today I was looking them over, wondering if there might be any sign of a ripe cherry tomato.  A quick glance was disappointing but as I bent to look underneath the leaves I found one little bright red ripe tomato at the back.  I plucked it, took a few photos (of course) and popped it into my mouth.  The tender skin broke easily between my teeth and gave a delicious squirt of sweet tomato juice.  I closed my eyes and savoured.    

Here is a full view of Lucy Maud Montgomery's house from across the street.  When I got home and downloaded it to my laptop I saw the wires, a big horizontal hydro wire right in front of the house.  I never noticed it when I shot the photo...I was distracted by the traffic and trying not to backup into a ditch, and my son insisting that I hurry up. 

After a few tries, trying to find the right spot to use as a source, I "healed" that wire right out of the photo.  How cool is that!

Daytripping again yesterday, I set out with no plans but to drive north on the back roads.  Just north of Uxbridge Ontario, I discovered the small community of Leaksdale.  I stopped to visit the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery where she lived for 15 years after she married and where she wrote 11 of her novels.  I had always assumed she wrote them all in Prince Edward Island where she was born and grew up.  As you can see, the house is not in very good repair but it is undergoing restoration.  Across and down the street a little, is the church her husband pastored.  It now hosts occasional weddings--how romantic-- and it has a gift shop. 

My grandmother introduced me to Anne of Green Gables when I was a young girl.  She brought the first book out one afternoon when I was visiting and told me a little about it--a teaser to whet my appetite.  I took it home and loved it, actually, I think I began to read it while I was still at her house.  She had the complete series and she shared them with me one at a time.  We talked about each book when I returned it and then she gave me the next one.  

This fond memory of my grandmother is bringing more of them back to me.  Good feelings here!

Two things, I keep forgetting where things are, and  I forget how to do something I have done before but the secret is to do less, and do the same thing more often adding new things very slowly.  This is the absolute most challenging software I have ever tackled.

Hey Grace and Glenn, too bad you didn't think of doing this at your wedding in May!

Ben enjoyed a bone last night.  I took many shots but could not get even one in focus because he was working on it so diligently.  It was just a rawhide bone; he eats them so we took it away from him after he had eaten half of it...too much gives him gas!  Too much information, hmm?

I have been playing with this doll in Photoshop all evening.  Not really satisfied with the results but at least it is something.  My eyes are sore and my neck hurts!  It must be time to stop. ;)