norman

What a treat it was to visit the

Norman Rockwell 

exhibit which is being featured at the

Winnipeg Art Gallery 

for the next few months.

This is its one and only stop in Canada.

I came away appreciating Norman for more than his whimsical style -

he was a true artist in every sense.

His preparation for each and every painting/illustration was intense and

even more intense was his stamina, illustrating the covers for 

The Saturday Evening Post

for more than 4 decades...

not to mention all the other paint pots he had his fingers in.

It was a wonderful outing and a great day to visit the gallery as

numbers were minimal and lingering time was at its max.

spring break

 It's spring break in Hanover School Division

and I'm happy for the break.

I was in school every day this past week and the kids were

definitely ready for some time off!

Of course our weather has been fab and the tulips have been in the stores

for awhile already - making it feel even more springish.

I finally took the plunge and bought some blooms and tried

not to think about how much more they cost here than in Germany.

Having them on my table has definitely eased the pain of the price.

looking back again

The art auction at Missio Dei was a huge success again this year.

 More money was raised to help with the project in the Dominican Republic -

this time to send kids to school.

 Katy worked overtime creating works of art to sell.

Once again they were a huge hit.

We are amazed at her creativity.

spring has sprung

 We continue to enjoy incredible weather.

Yesterday we sat outside on the deck for several hours

just basking in the warmth.

Today wasn't exactly the day they predicted it would be but tonight at 9:30

it's still +20C out there.

Tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer.

If it is what they say it will be, it could be 25 degrees above seasonal

normals for this time of the year.

Spring officially arrives on Tuesday.

We're not sure it could get any better but we're okay if it does!

what a difference a day - or two - makes...

March 4

 March 14

catching up

 For "Missio Dei" at the girls' college this year

we decided to make Brazilian "pasteis".

 The decision had to be made early as Howard was responsible to pick up the "shells"

in Brazil when he was there in the fall.

 He did just that.

We stored them in the fridge

and I was pleased to see that they were still fresh 

when I opened them in February.

 The process to make "pasteis" is very simple but it does require some

time.

 Each little shell is separated by a fine piece of plastic

that you leave on until it's time to fry them.

 This keeps them from sticking together

once they are filled with cheese or meat or whatever else you might like.

 The frying goes very quickly and you have to watch that they don't get

too brown.

 I snitched one fresh out of the hot oil and boy was it good!

The Brazilian table was a huge hit, as usual, and all our food was eaten gobbled up.

precious memories

 

I stopped in to see my friend, Wendy, yesterday afternoon.

On my way out the door she asked me if I wanted something.

This is what it was.

Katy's birth announcement.

"I've arrived!"

 We decided to call her "Katy" right from the start

but as you can tell, we didn't get the spelling the way we wanted it

right from the start.

"I hope my arrival brings happiness to the world"

Yup. 

Sure did.

And still does.

snow - or as canadians love to say - "the white stuff"

 After enjoying so many winter months without snow,

it was a bit of a shock to have several rather significant storms 

seemingly out of the blue.

 The one that caused the most impressive change in the landscape

came in last Friday afternoon while I was teaching in Steinbach.

 My usual 20 minute commute became 45

as the roads were glare ice and visibility was rather reduced.

This car was sitting in just the right spot to collect enough drifting 

to almost bury it completely.

By today much more of it was showing as the temps continue to be mild.

Now our "unusually" mild daytime temperatures have become normal

for this time of the year, and we join in with Canadian Tire in saying something like...

"Spring - bring it on".

beth is 22

 Today is Bethany's 22nd birthday.

Doesn't this look so fun?

We found lots of great used stuff at the Thrift Store - which we knew she would love -

so it was fun wrapping up all those little treasures.

Plus there were a few "real" gifts too that filled things out quite nicely.

 Katy had the same idea for Beth that Beth had had for Katy.

Lots of friends wrote lovely notes and letters to Beth

and Katy whipped off a cover for all the wonderful messages

 featuring Bethany's fav Winnie the Pooh scene.

 

Lots of special memories in those pages.

 And Katy created one of her masterpiece journals just for her sister.

She made it from an old book called 

"The Home at Bethany".

Absolutely gorgeous.

 A postcard print from friends in Germany caught Bethany's eye

so at her request that was framed for her.

I found the perfect frame at - you guessed it - the Thrift Store.

It really was perfect - if I do say so myself.

 The standard "loot pose".

Cake for two birthday girls.

and the winner is...

Bethany entered 3 piano competitions this past week.

She came first in the Awards Recital at the college

as well as in the Modern Composers class at the Music Festival in Steinbach.

Now her next big competition will be against herself - 

Grade 10 Royal Conservatory Exam in May.