{Virtual Coffee} #2

Hi everyone ~ I'm back to have a virtual coffee with you again, so grab your coffee, curl up on the couch and let's talk.

Today I'm opting for tea because last night I felt like my throat was getting a little scratchy. This morning it felt almost like the beginnings of a sore throat, so I am drinking Honey & Lemon Tea. I also downed a clove of garlic, some Vitamin C and Cold Resist (Zeller's more inexpensive answer to Cold-FX) ~ I'm quite the pill popper, eh? I already had a cold this winter, so I don't really want to have another, thank you. I used to have a ginger drink that was quite good, maybe I'll check my cupboards for that ~ it's pretty strong, so it may just do the trick. So what do you do to stave off a cold?

Oh, how do you like my fun coffee mug? It reads: Life is too short to cook for you people.

Hey, did you do anything for Valentine's Day? I watched a romantic comedy (Music & Lyrics) with my husband and son. We ingested supermarket pizza (which wasn't great) and popcorn and Coke ~ talk about health nuts, eh?

Today is what we affectionately call Ukrainian Valentine's because it's the day after Valentine's when all the chocolates go on sale for 50% off. My husband will likely buy me a box of chocolates which he (and my son) will eat a majority of. For my chocoholic hubby ~ Valentine's ranks right up there with Christmas! I won't be overly disappointed if I don't get any chocolates though, because I already bought myself a Valentine bouquet yesterday and signed the card like this: Happy Valentine's Day ~ I love you & you love me! then I gave it to my husband. Isn't that romantic?!

Thank you for stopping by for {Virtual Coffee} ~ please check out the other folks too! I hope we can meet again next Tuesday.

Sketch Club 1

Recently, I came up with an idea ~ Sketch Club.

The ideas is simple.

Once a month,

a location and time will be announced.

then people will be asked to join us, and to

bring a pencil, sketch book, pencil and eraser with them.

(All skill levels are welcome)

Today's location was at Steeps the Urban Tea House on Whyte Avenue.

Four of us showed up for the first Sketch Club gathering.

What a perfect way to spend a Saturday morning ...

good friends, unstructured art making and tea!

{Virtual Coffee}

Virtual Coffee time Folks ... if you were having coffee with me today, you'd share it with my dear art friend, Nicolette. All those cups of coffee and tea weren't ours ... honest. (Nic had a Venti Chai Latte and I had a Grande Passion Tea ~ just in case you're curious). What would you have indulged in if you had joined us?

Every time we meet up, it's a grand opportunity for us to discuss art, family, work, and did I mention art? We leave encouraged, and ready to create some more!

Thank you for joining me for Virtual Coffee ~ check out all the other links too!

Weddings and Tea

We had a tea for my niece, Thina,

at Leduc's Dr. Woods Museum, yesterday.

The museum's current feature is

Bridal Fashions Throughout the Years.

Isn't it unusual to have both

a wedding gown and bridesmaid's dress (this dress was amazing!)

still in perfect shape from 1959?

What a treat.

I loved this gown.

Circa 1920s

Intricately beautiful headpiece.

I couldn't help but wonder if there is fruitcake under the sepia icing.

I think these shoes would have fit me ~ they were so cute ~ I really wanted to try them on!

Simple, crisp, pretty.

This gown had an exquisite design on the dress ~

unfortunately it doesn't show up in the photo.

These two gowns were some of the oldest in the show

from the early1900s.

Discussing wedding fashions

Thina with a bottle of Mrs. Stewart's Bluing.

Her maiden name was Stewart, so she had to have her photo taken

with the likeness of her mother :)

Another pretty headpiece

What a splendid way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Reminds me of my dad ...

I came across this poem by Canadian poet, Edna Jaques today. It stirred some happy memories of my dad (1912-2005) who was always an early riser.

Growing up, his cheerful voice was always the first thing that I'd hear hear every morning. Often, he would sing a little ditty about the greatness of getting up in the morning, and how good it is to stay in bed. By the time I'd drag my sleepy self to the kitchen, he would have his cup of tea (always in a china cup, because he insisted that there was no other way to have a good cup of tea), and breakfast would be ready on the table.

EARLY RISER

He rises in the still and quiet dawn

Before the trucks and buses start to run,

Sweeps off the sidewalk ... sprays a little bush,

Turns his old face and watches for the sun.

He sees it rise beyond a clump of trees

And something in his heart is strangely stirred,

As rosy tinted clouds bedeck the sky,

And morning news is passed from bird to bird.

He starts the fire and puts the kettle on,

Putters around the kitchen, dries a cup,

Brings in the paper ... listens to the news,

Calls up the stairs for others to get up.

The peace of night is still upon his heart,

The fragrance of a dream is with him still,

The mystery of half remembered sleep,

Like purple shadows on a distant hill.

All these are his ere other folk arise

A fortress in his heart, serene and strong,

A spring of water softly welling up,

That feeds his thirsty soul the whole day long.

***

Love you Dad.

Miss you!

What makes you happy?

It's usually the little things, isn't it?

Afternoon tea served in a china cup and saucer ...

Vincent ...

Making art with a friend ...

Fresh flowers ...

Gnomes ...

Twinkle lights ...

The Alberta wild rose ...

Delicious food ...

Lava lamps ...

Playing in the leaves ...

Watching an old movie ...

Spending the day with your someone I love ...

So what makes you happy?

Please leave me comment, and/or go to your blog  with a link back here and 

tell everyone what makes you happy!