I am sorry

I am sorry that this is a world where a grown woman collected assault weapons and felt it was her right to keep them in a  place where her grown son could access them.

I am sorry that this is a world where a murderer had access to assault weapons, which was more readily available than the help he needed.

I am sorry that this is a world where we glorify violence on tv and teach young children to shoot via video games.

I am sorry that this is a world much different than the world I grew up with.

I am sorry that this is a world with weapons.  All of them unnecessary.

I am sorry that this is a world that let those children lost their graceful innocence .

I am sorry that this is a world let them see, feel, hear, and witness this.

I am sorry that this world left the moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, emergency teams, and a world that feels this heartbreak.

I am sorry that this is a world that has come to this.

I am sorry that this is a world with someone who violated the security of schools.

I am sorry that this is a world where we feel let down.

I am sorry that this is a world that I haven't made into a better place.


I am sorry.


for my *mila*

signed, the willow 

vintage ski attire

So, just what will this turn into by tomorrow?  Look at those knickers on those NW Ontario dudes.

signed, the willow

She kilted her lily

The goat is the Capricorn.  And yes, that's her kilt.  Where on earth did this come from?  Um, the creative genius that crawled from the fireplace.

signed, the willow

Kilted Lily

She's a Kilted Lily.  She's a Lady of the Lake.

So, my challenge again will to pull my creative genius from within the wall and create a piece of art from this inspiration.  Look at that dress...it's oh so familiar....


signed, the willow

And just what happened with the girl who ironed?

This:

signed, the willow

Learn something new

I'm stuck.  In a funk.  Routine is shot.  Life is odd that way.  We define ourselves with how we earn our money, what we studied at University, or through our relationships with who we know.  We don't define ourselves enough by our passions.

I am learning a new skill.  Starting today.  Breaking the old habits and finding the things that make me happy.

No, I am not ironing.  I was never happy ironing (ask my husband).  Nor did I create this scrapbook page.  I suck at that too.  I am taking this time in my life when I feel like I was happy and recreating it in my creative mind.  Turning 6.  I had a moose shirt, a pair of jeggings from the 70s and bangs.

I'll share with you tomorrow what this has taught me.

What makes you happy?

signed, the willow

A muffin to cure all that ails you

When *Mila* woke up and felt "oh, not so good"; there is nothing better than some Bisquick (R) muffins for the soul.

Ingredients:
2 cups Bisquick (R)
1 cup milk
1 egg
2 tbsp sugar
* I add some vanilla or cinnamon or lemon peel depending upon the season

Topping:
3 tbsp butter
Cinnamon and sugar mix

Preheat your oven to 400F.  Mix together the milk, Bisquick (R), egg, and sugar.  Grease and flour your muffin tin or use some handy cupcake liners (so easy for lazy people, like me, and a inpatient patient).  Pour the muffin mix about 3/4 fill in each cup.  Bake the muffins for about 10-12 minutes.

Melt the butter.  Dip the warm muffins in the melted butter and the cinnamon/sugar mix.  Mmmm.  All better.

signed, the willow

@ the lake

This summer we went to the lake.  

*insert lake photo right about here*

Some grampas had naps during the Olympic coverage

Some grammas read bird books

Some kid made a snack

and even a fashion show!

back to the lake again....

Ah, the gratuitous sunset photo.

We made friends with a duck

We made some art

and sandcastles

We went for a boat ride and let the teenager drive (he had the boating licence)

Some of us went in a tube

...and most of us went to a party!

 and the best part is cousins and grandmothers and aunts and uncles....otherwise known as family.

My heart longs for home every moment, it cures all ailments.

signed, the willow

We had a photo shoot

all photos were taken by Zekar Photography...and you can find them if you click thru the link

signed, the willow

:( Facing our Realities

The past few years have been tough.  I cannot lie.  Releasing my truths to the Universe has always set me free.  Welcome to my blog, Universe.  Er, Internet.

Life doesn't get easier and we all know that we'll face death of a pet, a grandmother, or a parent of a childhood friend.  It happens.  Living in the moment and accepting the fact that it's okay to be sad, it's okay to cry, and it's okay to accept mortality - is life.

So, have a belly laugh.  Love your mother, your father, your children, your pets, your spouse, your friends.  Love the air you breathe. Love the steps you take.  Whether you take the steps outside for a run, or inside your head for a new challenge.  Love the steps.

and now for a belly laugh....

signed, the willow

Welcome to the Anniversary Par-tay

We married 10 years this past June 8th.
The same day my grandparents married, but 62 years earlier than us.

So we hopped in the car

 ...headed down the QEW.

and over the Burlington Skyway.

saw a bit of Lake Ontario

Love the signs that mean so much more in summer.

A splash of wine country.

 We made our first vineyard stop and were questioned by our 8 year old chaperone if we'd be stopping at every vineyard to buy "boring old wine".

and then we stopped at Jackson Triggs.

and fast forward to Niagara-On-The Lake

 Where *mila* had this idea that we should go for a carriage ride.

 and it was a great idea.

 a few vantage points later....

We met with General Brock

He saved Upper Canada....as did Laura Secord and all those who fought for this country.  It was well worth the efforts.

Let's pack that Brock monument up and ...

 One tourist at the Falls?

There they all are.

 I know the next ten years will be just as wonderful.  I love you *Steve*

signed, the willow