The happy couple welcomed their first child to the world on October 30th, 2006. Welcome, Baby Ryan!!!

My friends, Jill and Dina introduced me to a neat new site called Shelfari. You can view the books I've read or am reading there. It's kind of a neat way to share with friends who also enjoy reading. I'm still working on adding books to my shelf, but it's taking a while to get them all on there. I've read hundreds and hundreds of books over the years. I majored in English Lit in university, so some of the books were required reading, while others were for sheer enjoyment or general curiosity. Please be patient, as I add books to my shelf :)

***NEW LINK!!!***
Introducing....Current News! The host of this site is a very talented and creative genius. I have had the pleasure of seeing (and purchasing) some of his artistic work while perusing the farmers' markets and other venues of the sort. If you love jewelry and chainmail too, then you will want to check out his stuff. I know those who love anything made on Manitoulin will definitely want to see (and buy!!) his jewelry.
PS.I don't know if he has pics of his jewelry posted or if there's any way you can purchase any online...but his blog is very interesting!

I have a love-hate relationship with my...eyes! Friends always tell me how lucky I am to have "Asian" eyes and that they're "exotic" and "pretty", but to be honest, having Asian eyes is a pain in the butt! I don't go to beauty salons when I have to get made-up for weddings or other important functions, because the few times that I've been to salons for a make-up session, that I've been they don't seem to know how to play up on this particular feature. (and I'm talkin' salons in the city, not on the Island) Luckily, for my wedding, I had my talented and gorgeous little cousin, JEY do my make-up. Jey told me to use three shades of neutral, earthy tones. A light shade like cream, a slightly darker shade and a brownish shade.
*Start by applying the base, and then the lighter, shimmery shade just beneath the brow, but cover the entire eye-lid area. Hard to describe, because many Asian girls don't have that crease or fold that shows so much.
*Apply the second shade, making sure the shade closest to the eyelashes is the darkest shade.
*with the darkest shade, start on the outside corner of the eye, and with short strokes, make a side-ways V formation going inwards. It emphasises the eyes and makes them look bigger.
*a dark brown eyeliner also adds definition. Make sure to stay close to the line where the eyelashes are.
*finish with a good mascara
THANK YOU, JEY!!! (Isn't this girl gorgeous??? Check out her site!)


Other tips for Asian women:
Eyeliner: Asian eyes need definition. Use your eyeliner to extend your eye by drawing it out past the outer eye corner in a "cat eye" look. If you have very small eyes, line only the top. If you have large eyes, you can line both the top and the bottom. Try smudging the eyeliner and you might be surprised how great it looks on you. Good colors to use are charcoal, gray and purples, turquoise and pastel colors.
Eyeshadow: This is the second most important of Asian makeup tips. Asian women look great in smokey color eyeshadows. What color and how you apply it depend on the amount of fold you have above the eyelid.
Fold: You can use more dramatic colors like dark purples/violets, dark turquoise and navy blue. Always be sure to wear a highlighter under your brow bone, and blend these colors up into the highlighter.
No Fold: If you have a small amount or no fold, you may not even want to mess with eyeshadow. Applying too much or the wrong color can make your naturally pretty eyes look hideous. However, if you do want to apply eyeshadow stick to sheer, neutral colors. Use light pinks, light browns or neutral tans, browns and gray. Always be sure to use eyliner.

Yes, you read correctly! Our boys are indeed girls. Oh, what shock it was to learn that our cute little boys were indeed not boys at all! I was at a luncheon and one of the ladies came up to me and said:

M: Hi dear! I hear you got the kittens from the ranch up the road!
Me: Yes, and they are absolutely adorable little boys! So active and so...
M: Oh, dear. I am afraid you are mistaken. They're not boys. They're girls!
Me: Oh, no they aren't. W (the lady who owns the riding stables) told me that they are brothers.
M: You better check again when you get home, dear! (laughing)

I get home and tell Hubby the news, and he flips the kittens over to identify their sex, and sure enough, we've got two little girls! I really thought they were boys! Not that it matters or anything. They're just as cute and just as sweet. That takes care of the worrying about them spraying and leaving their scent all over the house. Now the only thing I'm worried about is when these two little kittens go into heat!!! Soooo not looking forward to that!

Gorgeous day- feels like Spring. Blue skies, mild weather...perfect for helping Hubby with his workload. I'm pleased to say, I planted my bulbs for next Spring. I hope my Asiatic Lilies and my Dutch Irises turn out nicely! After splitting 2 cords of wood and piling an extra one, I retired to the homestead to do an insane amount of baking!

I have no idea what has gotten into me. I've been asked to bake a few more cakes, pies, squares, tarts, etc for the Fall supper and again for the Seniors' dinner. Apparently, the secret is out and people now know I can actually cook. Darn. So, I get in today and made batches and batches of chocolate chip cookie dough. I usually make heaps of the stuff and then roll them out into plastic wrap and freeze them. That way, whenever cookies are needed for a function, I take 'em out of the freezer, and into the oven they go. Presto change-o...cookies in less than 10 mins!

I find that lately, I have been doing this for a lot of my cooking. I make huge batches of food (not only cookie dough!!) and then freeze the rest for later. It really cuts down on a lot of the prep time. I love it! Meals are ready in minutes!

Hubby was laughing when he saw how full our freezer was with meals already made. He jokingly asked, "What? Are you nesting?" LOL

Oh, since we're on the topic of feeding loved ones, here's a recipe a friend gave me when I commented on how delicious her spinach dip was! It's a guaranteed party pleaser!

HOT SPINACH DIP
Prep: 10 min Total: 30 min

300 g (1 pkg) frozen spinach, chopped, thawed and drained
1 c. Miracle Whip Calorie Wise dressing
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chopped roasted red peppers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix spinach, dressing, cheese and garlic until blended well. Spoon into pie plate or quiche dish. Bake 20 mins or until heated through. Sprinkle red peppers. Serve with whatever veggies or crackers you prefer. I like whole wheat or vegetable thins.

Enjoy :)

Newly married, and I find myself single again. Well, at least for the next few weeks! I'm what my mother-in-law calls a "grass widow". It's this time of the year when many of the men up here get together and leave their wives to go hunting. Bow season started already, but next weekend is when rifle season opens. I am so not looking forward to this!

Last year, because the deer population was so healthy (meaning, we had A LOT of deer on the Island), the MNR increased the number of tags each hunter was allowed to have. I think last year, each hunter was allowed three deer.

This really saddens me. I have always been a nature lover and deer are among my favourite animals to watch, sketch and admire. Every morning, I love watching the deer graze in the fields and valley behind our house. We have about a dozen that bed down behind our house. They're gorgeous animals.

I do know, as hubby explained to me, that the deer population needs to be thinned out a bit because when they get to be too many, they bring disease (like mange) and with that, they bring more predators like wolves to the area. It's still a very sad thing for me to see though.

Hubby doesn't hunt (thank goodness!) but he does have a hunt camp on our property, where a dozen or so guys come and stay for hunting season. Lately, Hubby has been hanging out with the boys, as they prepare for hunting season. The hunt camp is a "manly man" place. I wouldn't go near it if you paid me to. It has all the necessities for these men to live 'comfortably' for a few weeks. They have a wood stove, hydro, 2 BBQ grills, bunk beds, 2 fridges (the kinds stores have for pop- you know, with the glass doors). The men surprisingly cook a good meal for themselves. They had 'beer butt chicken', where they put a half full can of beer up the chicken's *ahem* cavity and BBQ it. Surprisingly, the chicken is really moist and the meat just melts in your mouth. The guys also bring up lobster tails, giant tiger shrimps, and a whack load of good food.

Eventhough Hubby doesn't hunt, I'll be single for the next few weeks. He has been clearing up the area where the hunt camp is, adding crushed gravel to our laneway so the guys don't get stuck...and he's been hanging out with the fellas. He gets paid a pretty penny for renting out the place. It's good money for a week or so of hunting...plus the bonus stuff we get in gifts, so I guess it's not so bad. I just told them that I do not want to see Bambi's carcass anywhere. It better be out of sight. :( So sad, but I realize they eat the meat and use all the parts so nothing's wasted...but still...I find myself whispering to the deer every morning, "Run! Run far, far away!!!" :(

First name? Christine


Were you named after anyone? This is going to sound silly, but I was supposed to be named "Christian" if I was a boy (for "Christ") but I turned out to be a girl. If I were born on Christmas, my parents joked that I'd be named "Christmas". My maiden name, or its Chinese character translates to "Tree" in English. Imagine being named Christmas Tree??? OMG.

When did you last cry? The other day when I heard a song on the radio that just moved me so much. I think it was Edwin McCain's "I'll Be"

Do you like your handwriting? Most days I really like my handwriting.

What is your favorite lunchmeat? I don't eat lunch meat

If you were another person, would you be friends with you? I think I would be friends with me. I know I have some bad qualities, but I think the good ones are more than the bad.

Do you have a journal? I sometimes keep a journal. I used to keep one and write in it all the time, but since Jill introduced me to blogging, I haven't kept a journal much.

Do you still have your tonsils? Yes.


Would you bungee jump? I tried once, but when I got all hooked up and ready to go, I looked down and changed my mind LOL. I crawled down and when I got unhooked, I received a "chicken" card. Ah well!


What is your favorite cereal? Hot oatmeal with sultana raisins, a bit of flax seed oil and just a touch of brown sugar.


Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Sometimes, but most of the time I'm too lazy and just slip them on.

Do you think you’re strong? Physically, I am now. I help my hubby around the farm and with our firewood business. I have to lift 60 lbs of body wood for customers sometimes. Emotionally, no. I'm weak emotionally and I know it.


What is your favorite ice cream flavor? sometimes chocolate and sometimes strawberry. Boring, eh?

Shoe size? depends on the shoe, but usually either a 5 or a 6 (I know, I have tiny feet)


Red or pink? I used to not like red and pink, but now I kind of like both.


What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I sometimes don't think before I talk.


Who do you miss the most? My maternal grandfather. He passed away when I was teaching in Japan and I wasn't allowed to leave my job because I had just started it. He was a very important person in my life. I also miss my paternal grandfather, but he died when I was 4, so I don't really remember too much of him.


What color pants, shirt and shoes are you wearing? LOL. Cream colored tank top and white lacey boy short-type undies. Yep, I know, it's 9AM and I'm still in my sleepwear! It's Sunday...I'm allowed to lounge around for a bit, aren't I? :)

Do you want everyone to send this back to you? Yes


Last thing you ate? oatmeal and a bowl of fruit (cantaloupe, strawberries, and red and green grapes).

What are you listening to right now? Our kittens going nuts-o. They're chasing each other around the house, jumping over furniture and trying to climb the walls (seriously-there's one hanging on the curtains right now)!


If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue. Indigo blue. So calming and peaceful.

Favorite smell? Freshly baked bread...right out of the oven!


Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My mom.

The first thing you notice about people you are attracted to? Weird, but I notice eyebrows first! Then eyes, followed by lips.

Do you like the person you stole this from? Well, of course I do. Would I read her blog if I didn't? (I even copied her answer here!)


Favorite drink? Vanilla flavored soy milk.


Favorite sport? To watch: hockey (duh, I'm Canadian, eh) but I only like to watch if the Habs are playing. I'm a Montreal girl. I also like watching women's figure skating and men's beach volleyball (hot, sweaty, topless men on the beach...c'mon, who wouldn't wanna see that?) To play: tennis, squash, raquetball, softball...

Eye color? brown

Hat size? No idea!

Do you wear contacts? I'd love to, but I'm scared of putting stuff near my eyeballs! It freaks me out! You know how long it took me to be able to put on mascara???


Favorite food? hmm...chicken parmesan or lasagna are my comfort foods. I also like anything Indian, Japanese, Greek, Thai, or Caribbean. LOL

Scary movies or happy endings? Happy.

Summer or winter? BOTH!


Hugs or kisses? both

Favorite dessert? Tiramisu, but I haven't had it in YEARS!!!

Who is most likely to respond? Ms. Mamma or Curiosity Killer if they have time.


Least likely to respond? Stephen and Elisabeth, because I don't think they like doing these things :)


What books are you reading? a bunch of books on the Amish. Oh, and a bunch of books about the zoo, since 'going to the zoo' was our theme for the kids' story time at the library.

What’s on your mouse pad? no mouse pad. I have one of those 'no need for a mouse pad' mouse thingy. It's cool.


What did you watch last night on TV? Sadly, I was exhausted and crashed right after supper. The very last thing I saw on TV was Grey's Anatomy on Thursday night though.

Favorite sounds? My puppy sleeping. My dog sort of snores a bit. It's so cute.


Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles

The furthest you’ve been from home? Japan, the Philippines, Bali, Singapore...

What is your special talent? I'm very creative, artistic, oh and I can speak 4 languages.

Where were you born? Toronto...well, actually Scarborough.


Who sent this to you? both Jill and Dina surprisingly said I'd be the first to respond to this. How right were they!?! LOL *sigh* Am I that predictable???

Does anyone reading this get the flu shot? I have a confession. I have NEVER gotten the flu shot...ever. I know I probably should have, seeing that all the students I'm in contact with probably carry germs and icky stuff. I don't know. I just never bothered ever getting it. I didn't feel it really necessary and I haven't had the flu in over three years.

My SIL called me from the hospital (where she works), and said she booked us all for our flu shots. How sweet is she? :) She reminded me that if I'm to care for her kids or be in contact with my Dad, I'd better get the shot. People who have illnesses or weakened immune systems aren't supposed to be in contact with people who can make them sick.

I suppose this is true, but I always thought that one needs to be exposed to all sorts of germs and colds and stuff in order to build their immune system. I'm the type of person who won't even take Tylenol if I have a headache! I try not to take anything unless I absolutely need to. Anyway, back to the topic of immunizations...I do realize certain immunizations are necessary, but if we don't subject ourselves to germs and common colds and the occasional flu, won't our immune systems be weaker? What do you think? Anyone???

PS. Perhaps one of the reasons I'm so resistant when it comes to getting the flu shot is because I just hate needles!!! LOL

It's confirmed. I am the 'cool' aunt. LOL! Yesterday, I picked up our nieces after school and we hung out, they helped me make supper, and they slept over. They came with me to the library today, as I was doing 'story time' at the library. Afterwards, we rushed over to the hall, where the Christmas tea and bazaar was held because I was asked to donate some of my baking.

After looking around for neat Christmas gift ideas (all handmade by some of the local ladies!), we (my SIL, my nieces and my MIL) sat down for tea, sandwiches and yummy treats. In our famiy, our nieces are lovingly called 'Toad' and 'Pook'. E is known as Toad because when she was born, the way she was positioned looked like she was a little frog. C is known as Pook because....she used to puke a lot when she was little. Anyway, at the tea today, Toad looks at me, leans over and says, "We've been discussing this a lot lately, and we have decided that if my mom and dad die, we want to stay with you and Uncle J." I was kind of surprised and all I could say was, "What?? Why would you guys talk about such a thing?" Toad replies, "Well, Auntie C, it's important to discuss matters like this." I'm thinkin' "Do 9 and 11 year old kids think about these things???" Apparently, they do.

My SIL laughed and said that yes, J and I are the chosen ones. The girls just love staying at our place and have lots of fun with us. The most important thing is that they feel safe...meaning, with all their food allergies, they feel safe because we know what they are allowed to eat and not eat. We also know how to use their epi-pens. Since becoming their aunt, I've done so much research on Celiac disease and nut allergies. Usually when the girls go somewhere, they always bring their own food and utensils, but haven't had to at our place because I make sure to have different cutting boards and working surfaces in the kitchen so as to not cross-contaminate their food. So far they have never gone into anaphylactic shock (crossing my fingers and knocking on wood) while at our house or in our care. It's scary business taking care of kids with such conditions.

Anyway, I just thought it was funny that Toad thought to mention to me that we are the chosen ones. I asked her if we were her first choice and she said we were her second!!! I jokingly said, "Ah, I see! We're your second choice! Who was your first?" She said, "Grandma, but she's old and it's better not to choose old people because, well...they have fewer years left to live. We need to choose a young couple to live with if our parents die." Oh my goodness! It's nice to see that these kids actually think things through thoroughly! LOL Funny kids!

My gorgeous SIL and my brother are expecting their first child in March. I am so excited to see my little niece or nephew!!! Doesn't my SIL look stunning???

BTW, someone said that it looks like she's having a boy because of the shape of her belly and the fact that the belly is sittling low...is that true or is that an old wive's tale?????