Cottage Fun..

I had the chance of using this and took it. Twas really, really fun.

Winnie is Back!

The cuddly bear born in 1924 cuddled his way into the hearts of our grandparents, parents and those of my generation. The little chubby, stuffed bear with an endless longing for honey reminds me of simple days as a child, watching his adorable adventures with friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Eeyore, and one mustn’t forget Rabbit. The two original volumes of Pooh’s adventures are Winnie-the-Pooh published in 1926 and The House at Pooh Corner in 1928.

Call me crazy, but I find something freakishly weird about Dora, Spongebob, the Wiggles. These characters don’t have the charisma nor the soft spot in the hearts of young children today. The Winnie the Pooh series showed a gentle “moral of the story” through clever antidotes and funny character plots. Television shows today seem so in-your-face and “happy, happy, happy” and “sharing, sharing, sharing”... in an eerie sort of way. I personally think back to the days of Winnie the Pooh with great, innocent memories. Pooh getting stuck in Rabbit’s tree hole, Tigger getting lost in the Hundred Acre Woods, the bees constantly chasing Pooh Bear around, and Rabbit’s beautiful – but often trampled on – garden.

While recently others have had mixed opinions about the new Winnie the Pooh book, I am personally very excited for it and truly hope that it will encourage the return of that ever so lovely group of friends so many of us have grown to love.

"Natural" Woman?

Romance is a beautiful thing.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a helpless romantic. I love love, I love Frank Sinatra, I love little notes written on the bathroom mirror and I love dimmer switches.

While I’ve always loved romantic stories, listening to adorable marriage proposals and Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movies, something recently stopped me in my tracks that got me thinking: Aretha Franklin’s A Natural Woman.

I’ve always loved this song: it’s got a great rhythm, great orchestra, great voice... and let’s face it – it is the mother of shower-time belt outs. It wasn’t until I was listening to it today with open ears that something about it made me stop humming and start “hah-ing.”

Looking out on the morning rain I used to feel uninspired
And when I knew I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you, life was so unkind
But your love was the key to peace my mind.

Now, I am definitely not a feministic person, far from it actually, and this opening verse really manages to get under my skin. Aretha sounds undoubtedly pathetic and helpless before she “met her man.” And while that plays a common factor in many fairy tales such as Cinderella or Snow White, I thought we were past the whole “knight and shining armour thing.”

I feel like a woman is really only ready for a relationship when she can entirely adore and love everything about herself as a single individual. Know yourself completely, make your own decisions – make up your own mind, values and beliefs... and then find someone that fits with you.

It is doing this that really makes the natural – and deeply respected – woman.

Goodie Drawer

Spare change; your old fake Ids; nail polish; old, wrinkled pictures; birthday cards; cell phone case; old movie stubs; grade four retainer; free NYC condoms your friends and you picked up for fun... these are the ever so personal items that belong in your nightstand... also known as the Goodie Drawer.

Now, I’m not a hoarder but anyone who claims they know me knows that I am very sentimental. I hold onto things. Not big expensive gifts or flashy possessions... but small things that remind me of a time I love to look back on. All of the belongings in my goodie drawer hold sentimental value. Through times when I’m feeling troubled, or can’t seem to focus on an essay these tiny treasures encompass and produce many memories and nostalgia. Reminiscence which I hold near and dear to my heart... and bed.

Hockey Season

Today was the first game for my brother's hockey team and immediately I am feeling the new season's beauties. Hot chocolate, mittens, scarves, sweaters, coats, hockey mom screaming, angry hockey dads, dressing room smells *holds breath* and Timmie's runs... ahhhhh... The hockey season has officially begun! Goooooooooo Applewood!

Home Time

On a rainy day like this, although I had previously been playing with the idea of going away this weekend , I really love staying in. Waking up to the pitter patter of rain on my window, cloudiness and dim lighting makes me curl into a ball in my bed and feel ... "homey." Putting on my slippers and house coat, picking up my dog and getting snuggled in the family room under a huge blanket seems like the only proper thing to do. After carefully choosing the perfect Full House episode from my collection, I lay my head against a pillow and watch the simple lives of a family I grew up with - the Tanners. Soon my mom wakes up and joins me with a cup of chocolat chaud and a few cookies.

After a few episodes, we decide to do some work. Each of us brings up a drawer from the kitchen and begin to clean them out, while still watching Full House. I even do some construction to my blog... and soon start to do homework. So here I am, taking a break from my homework, readjusting my Snuggie, sipping apple cider with my pajamas still on, finding myself loving today.

And although I love getting all dolled and dressed up while blasting Black Eyed Peas as I go out to party, there are days like these when I can curl up by a fire listening to Henry Mancini, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall all day and feel even more satisfied.

Happy October 1st!

This quite possibly, is the only month (of course excluding July) where those around us wish us "Happy October 1st!" There's something incredibly exciting about October. It's the opening of a whole bunch of traditions that we wait all year for...

Thanksgiving Dinner... Your mom and aunts busily cook in the kitchen while whipping mashed potatoes, shaving carrots, picking bean tops, mixing stuffing and basting the turkey. All the while, all the cousins are watching Thanksgiving episodes of Friends in the family room. The house is warm and cozy and everyone is wearing big, wool-knit sweaters.

Halloween... while people often remind me that I am too old for Halloween movies, there's nothing that can stop me from watching the Family channel during the last week of October. Hocus Pocus, Double Double Toil and Trouble, Halloween Town... there are too many to name. Something about these movies makes the child inside me excited and joyful at the thought of ghost, goblins, talking cats and witches coming out on this special night! The spooky feeling of Halloween night lives on in my home as small children come trick or treating to our well-decorated house, while my mom and I play "Spooky Mood Music" on the outside stereo.

November is the month of Remembrance day, which in our country is much too little celebrated. The celebration that we do participate in however, always gives me goosebumps as our entire nation stands in silence together for the brave soldiers who gave their lives for us. November, on a lighter note, is also the month where we are just itching to pass by so that we can begin our festive holiday traditions in...

December! December 1st is a big day for my best friend and me, as it is the first day we allow ourselves to listen to Christmas music and start decorating our houses. This month, by far is my favourite. I love everything about it. I love the snow, I love the Christmas music, I love the Christmas movies, I love the atmosphere, I love the shopping, I love the decorations, I love celebrating my faith, and oh golly, do I ever love the Eggnog and cookies!

WELL... I have clearly lost myself in the moment, but again would like to wish you all A Very Happy October 1st! Enjoy this holiday season in great health!