Day Two Hundred and Ninety - Logitech Radio

Dear all,

It's minus 28 and time to close down the shutters, stoke the fire and tuck into some warming soup.

Darren had bought a new Logitech radio for himself for Christmas and we took the new cold snap as a golden opportunity to crack it open!

Logitech radios wirelessly stream music through the air waves and allows you to pick the music you want from [in theory] an infinite play list. You can stream the music through your 'squeeze box' and take music from internet radio, Itunes or your MP3 player. And if you have never investigated the possibility before, Internet radio is truly INFINITE! The main problem is that there is so much choice! http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/wireless-music-systems/devices/5847

Another great highlight of the radios is the extensive array of morning alarms. I am still in the process of picking my favorite so I have taken video footage of a sample for your delight. Please do feel free to let me know your opinions.. how would you prefer to wake in the morning..???

1. Ahhhh, the gentle sound of Waves Lapping. What a lovely way to start the day...

2. Fancy an early rise next to a 'Babbling Brook'?

3. 'Good Morning' from your friendly cricket. As Darren wisely points out in this clip, it is unadvisable and extremely anoying to keep a cricket as a pet.

4. One of my favorites... it's like waking up in a stable.

5. Slow to start.. but a refreshing wake up call from our feathered friends...

An amazing selection to name just a few! Let me know your thoughts everyone. We are currently using 'violent waves and storm' in the morning ( it's hard to get up at 6:30am when you know it's minus 30 outside)

Day Two Hundred and Eighty Nine - New Star Sign

Dear all,

SO, It appears that all those years of analyzing my daily 'Virgo' updates were, in fact, futile. Who'd have thought it...?!? Turns out, I am actually a Leo ( which, I hasten to add is much more suitable for my personality type).

Over the past 3,000 years, the Earth’s shift on its axis has changed the 12 astrological signs as we know them. Astronomers from the Minnesota Planetarium Society have discovered that because of the moon’s gravitational pull on Earth, the alignment of the stars was pushed by approximately one month... [rather embarrassing for all those heavily involved with astrology and the like, but I am sure they will offer up a 'cosmic' explanation for all this.

For all those inquisitive about their new sign and subsequent personality type, love compatibility and the meaning of life, here is the definitive list!

Capricorn: Jan. 20-Feb. 16.
Aquarius: Feb. 16-March 11.
Pisces: March 11-April 18.
Aries: April 18-May 13.
Taurus: May 13-June 21.
Gemini: June 21-July 20.
Cancer: July 20-Aug. 10.
Leo: Aug. 10-Sept. 16.
Virgo: Sept. 16-Oct. 30.
Libra: Oct. 30-Nov. 23.
Scorpio: Nov. 23-29.
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29-Dec. 17.
Sagittarius: Dec. 17-Jan. 20

So I have switched from the loyal, perfectionist and meticulous girl I was two days ago...

into the feisty, gregarious and ambitious lioness, Leo! Quelle Change!

I feel remarkably similar but I am sure will start to recognize my feline characteristics as time flies by. I may have to start up a new blog counselling those traumatized by the 'sign-switch' and offer online support.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty Eight - Egg Nog Muffins

Dear all,

I am back into baking! After a brief hiatus post-yule to cleanse the palate, I had a sudden and urgent need to bake some muffins. Wonderful Mary-Lou had given me a fabulous Muffin Book for Christmas and I was itching to start churning through the recipes.

As a final tribute to the holiday season, I picked the delicious looking, Rummy Eggnog muffins as my first outing from the book. Darren was extremely excited by my choice, himself having a deep love and appreciation for egg nog in all its forms.

It was a surprisingly simple recipe and I decided to blend 'by hand' as a result. The recipe called for egg nog, rum and spices so I was quite excited as to how the muffins would end up tasting. It was potential a life-partner recipe!

I blended all the ingredients and threw them into the oven for about 15 minutes.

And look at the end result! These things are tasty, oooo la la. The only comment ( From Darren, the taste-tester extraordinaire), Is that they might be improved by some booze-laden raisons to plump them up a little. Only a minor comment as he loved it.

Thank you so much Mary-Lou for the book, many more muffins to come!

Day Two Hundred and Eighty Seven - Maclaren Art Centre

Dear all,

Amidst the madness of art school application, I decided today to take a trip to Barrie to visit the esteemed, Maclaren Art Gallery. http://maclarenart.com/

The gallery is located on the corner of Collier and Mulcaster street in Barrie and is distinguishable by Rodin's, 'Thinker' holding fort at the front of the building.

It's a gorgeous building with a lovely shop and cafe and was virtually empty when I tiptoed in for a quick look before my interview. It certainly maintains that wonderfully serene atmosphere that one finds in galleries world wide and prides itself of celebrating Canadian art as well as international artists alike.

There are currently two fabulous exhibitions by Meryl McMaster and Luke Parnell on show; both which include incredible and inspiring works ( including this piece by Parnell below).

I only has a few minutes, but even a 10 minute scoot around the gallery was enough to inject me with a hearty dose of artistic culture and I left with my chin held high, a spring in my step and a frothy cappuccino in my hand.

And in other news:

1. In my attempts to find that hallowed parking spot, I stumbled across one of Darren's old friend's art studio on the lakeside downtown in Barrie!

Darren had mentioned Jill to me before as she has recently moved to Barrie and I was extremely excited to meet her after accidently stumbling across her studio.

http://www.jillpricestudios.ca/

Sadly, Jill was not home, but I immediately called Darren in high excitement and we vowed to go back and visit another time.

A lovely day in Barrie!

Day Two Hundred and Eighty Six - Mckee Muffler

Dear all,

I love my car but she is getting on in years and despite being reliable to the last, several people have mentioned that my exhaust pipe has been looking rather precarious, hanging down below the framework of my car, giving the impression that it might, at any time, fall off. Not ideal during the winter months.

So, I took myself over to Mckee Muffler on Highway 124, http://www.mckeemuffler.com after being told that this was the hot spot in town for exhaust repair.

When I arrived, one of the nice men working there told me to drive 'into bay 3' in order that they could give my car a proper inspection. This immediately sent alarm bells ringing when I noticed the 'ramp' that I was going to have to navigate onto, but I took a deep breath and turn n the engine.

I tried to take a video whilst driving but due to the challenging nature of the task in hand, I thought it best not to.

So I borrowed this photo from the internet. I think it gives a good impression of what I faced in front of the wheel.

I made it up [with guidance] despite not really knowing what I was doing. Turns out the problem was slightly more terminal than a 'droopy tail pipe that needed clamping on' and I needed a new 'flexi-pipe' installed. It involved a welding machine. I gave them my card and ran...

... literally, went for a 90 minute trot around concession 10 and when I arrived back at Mckee's, with rosie red cheeks and full of the joys of -18, my car was ready to go; all fixed up and looking fancy as can be!

Many thanks to the boys at Mckee Muffler as I avoided a MUCH bigger problem having the work done now, rather than wait for my exhaust pipe to fall off, probably in the middle of a snow squall on a road very far away and devoid of network connection. Now, touch wood, I am fine, hurray!

Day Two Hundred and Eighty Five - Angry Gandalf

Dear all

It's the new year and time for making new year's resolutions, turning over new leaves... in the world of the Reindeer, it is most certainly the time for a major new change of wardrobe: New Antlers!

Gandalf has been in the most dreadful mood of late. He tried to kill me yesterday ( most unsavory) by trying to pin me against the fence. After a *brief* examination, it came to my attention that the cause of his exponentially increasing grievance was the fact that his left antler was falling off. I would think that is plenty reason to get annoyed but I still avoid close contact. Woe betide anyone who gets in the way of a reindeer about to lose his reindeer-hood.

So, we are nearly at the end of Gandalf's antler cycle and along with more horn-work to adorn the inn, it signifies the beginning of winter.

And in other news:

1. Please send your comments as to what you think Mac is 'searching' for in the snow..

HINT: Mac received the newest in rabbit-detection technology from Angus for Christmas. A sensory micro chip that enables Mac to find the rabbits 'through the snow'. Here we have the new hardware in action.

2. Hurray! We have survived the storms, then the melt, then the snow and now it's gorgeous!

Despite the temperature gauge settling on a 'fresh' -19, the sky today couldn't have been more blue. Absolutely stunning.

More, more more. I feel I must embrace this beautiful weather while it lasts.

Day Two Hundred and Eighty Four - Robe

Dear all,

I am stil basking in the glory of our shopping trip to Cookstown mall and today I cracked open [possibly my favorite purchase of all time], my 'Vie en Rose] Robe! http://www.lavieenrose.com. I now wear my robe all the time ( apart from work, I haven't taken it off for 24 hours) and here is pictorial evidence of the robe in action. It is soft, durable, comfortable, awesome and my new favorite thing. I intend to wear it all the time ( which will now replace my green bo-ho dress and blanket I wear as a kimono. I know, I am weird)

1. Robe whilst tending to the fire.

2. Robe while standing outside in -15 degrees Celsius ( please not the significant thermal qualities)

3. Robe whilst on computer.

4. Robe while pruning.

And in other news:

1. It's Candice's birthday! Here are Karla and Adam prepping the 'cup cake cake'.

And the reveal! Wonderful to pop in on Karla, Jay, Adam and Candice before they hit the town. Happy Birthday gorgeous Candice!