Brilliant Weekend

Sofia

This past weekend, just as last year, we hosted an International Student who is currently attending the University of Toronto.  We were lucky enough to host the wonderful Sophia from Bologna, Italy who is working on her Masters in Women's Studies.  No one I know loves the snow as much as Sophia as she told me she would rather walk on snow than on a beach full of sand.  I wish I could agree but right about now that sand is sounding pretty damn good to me.

The International Student Weekend brings together 31 students from 31 different countries  for two days of outdoor activities like skating, tobogganing, snow tubing etc.  Some of these kids have never seen snow and  in many ways seeing it through their eyes is like seeing it for the first time all over again.  I can't tell you what an experience it was for my girls  to learn and to speak with students from all over the world......Australia, Turkey, Iran, Denmark, Egypt, West Africa, Ukraine, Russia, England, Mexico etc.  For two days I had the pleasure of watching all these countries together coexisting, having fun and it gave me a taste of what world peace could be and believe me, it was so very sweet.

I was so thrilled to find out that Angie and Mohammed, my friends from last year were participating again this year.  Angie and I have kept in touch and sometime this spring we'll be heading down to Toronto for one of her homecooked Egyptian dinners.......can't wait!  Here's some pics from the weekend.

Me, Mohammed & Angie

                                    The girls and Yin and Yin from China

                           Sophia's First Ride on  A Snowmobile

     The girls and Simon from England, Sophia and Lilly from Portugal

                                           Sierah and Yin

Final Group shot before getting on the bus and heading back to Toronto

Where's My Discipline When I Need It?

The Path

16"x8"

The sun is out this a.m. and it looks like we are in for some milder temperatures over the next few days which is just fine with me. Although I must admit I have enjoyed skiing with Kelly and Joan on Sundays. Rather a nice ritual we have going!

We have a couple different routes we take just to mix it up. Unfortunately last Sunday I suggested the lake route and poor Kelly had to really do some serious trailblazing since the path hadn't been packed down yet. Sorry Kelly!

On the studio front I've still not been as consistent as I would like to be. What happened to my New Year's resolutions? Fallen by the wayside I'm afraid. It's that damn Facebook which I check out every morning to see what everyone else is doing when I should be concentrating on what I'm doing. Where's my discipline? And while we are on the topic of discipline............if there was ever anyone I could take lessons from it would be Lisa Call. I've been following her blog since long before I started mine. Here's a woman who holds down a full time job, religiously updates her blog on a regular basis, has children, is a single Mom, is in the middle of house renovations and sells and markets her work to perfection. Just reading what she's up to and watching her home come together exhausts me. But I'm sure if I asked her where her discipline comes from she'd probably tell me to just "get in there and do the work" which would then mean the ball is back in my court. Check her her blog and take a look at her beautiful textile paintings.

And hey Lisa, slow down a bit cause your making me look bad.

This & That

Haven't been posting all that often lately as there just hasn't been much to say. I've been off and on steady in the studio working on some larger pieces for the show I'll be doing at Ridge West Gallery sometime this year. I'm also in the middle of working on a few small 6"x6" paintings in acrylic. One is of my nephew and if I don't completely screw it up I'll probably give it to his parents as a gift.

I've also been crosscountry skiing with my friend Joan during the week. She's writing her thesis so is home most days around lunchtime when we head out. Nice to have someone else to ski with.

My friend Steve the abstract artist and brilliant singer/songwriter was over last week and we had a blast. He is such a fun guy, knows so much about art and is simply "good people". He is really spontaneous when it comes to painting and I admire that trait. I, on the other hand seem to be too tight and controlled. He was desperately trying to get me to throw some paint on the canvas when he was there but I was hesitant. I emailed him later that day to thank him for his time and he emailed back...."have you started yet?" Nothing like a good friend to keep you on your game.

John and I took a walk in the park yesterday. Although it was cold the sun was out and I desperately needed to get out of the studio for awhile. Sundays just happen to be my favourite day to work and listen to CBC but then again I listen to CBC everyday while I'm in the studio. Another post for another time which I shall entitle "Me And Jian Gomeshi"...... don't ask.

I'm digressing again!

I'll sign off with this picture I snapped in the park yesterday of a little dog named Stella wearing a pink coat and fur collar. Just had to take the photo because how many times do you see a French Bulldog wearing a get up like that.