Ice Storm

We lost power from Saturday night until this morning due to an ice storm that affected over a quarter of a million households in the Greater Toronto Area alone. Only about half of those people have their power back as of this morning.

Although at first the quiet was restful, it soon got old...and COLD.

Now serving...icicles on the terrace!

 

 

 

I tried to photograph the icy trees, but this doesn't do them justice. It was a dazzling spectacle, until you realized what havoc those twinkly trees caused.

 

 

 

Winter wonderland? I think not.

 

 

We were almost ready to board Echo and stay in a hotel when the lights came back on. Although it was involuntary, the experience gave us a new appreciation for modern conveniences and simple things such as heat, light, food, shelter, warm clothes, and hot water. We have a lot to be thankful for.

 

Happy holidays and keep warm!



Teen Books: A Guide for Families by Robin Prehn

For the past few years, my friend, Robin Prehn, has been reading and reviewing current YA novels. Because she is such a voracious reader, she has a grasp of teen fiction that lets her place them in a wider context.

She has collected and categorized her reviews into an e-book, available from Amazon:

Teen Books: A Guide for Families

http://www.amazon.com/Teen-Books-A-Guide-Families-ebook/dp/B00H8D8162

If you're a parent of teenagers, if you're a writer who wants to write for teens, or if you just want to understand the YA fiction craze, this book would make a nice holiday gift.

"I've looked at snow from both sides now..."

Oh boy! Snow! Let me out!

 

 

 

 

 



Mom! Let me in! It's collllld out here!

 

 

(Repeat and rinse.)



(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: One Of a Kind

owl telephone holder

 

 

 

 



 

owl linen tea towel (somewhat crumpled)

 

 

 

 

art deco vase

 

 

 

I bought the first two items a week ago at the One-Of-A-Kind Craft Show.

 

I bought the art deco vase (my favourite) at an antiques sale, probably in the 80s.