Around the Corner by Charles Hanson Towne

As the year draws to an end I am so thankful for my family and friends. And, for my facebook friends here. You will see in this photo, a homemade decoration, skis and poles on one side (and "Jamie" on the other. ) My friend Valerie Keighan (Maxwell) made this decoration for my son circa 1979. Valerie was diagnosed with cancer and died within months this year. Valerie's quick passing reminds me of the poem "Around the Corner" by Charles Hanson Towne. The poem speaks of the reminder to stay in touch with those we care for because we never know what lies around the corner. If you have the chance read it, I am sure you will agree with the message contained within the poem.

Love

Carol Ann

No pictures today please...

Even when she doesn't want to have her picture taken, Lexi looks good!!

Love

CA

Being thankful for the little things...

Lexi couldn't quite understand it all but her joy with each gift she opened was electric. This toothbrush was in her stocking and she immediately went to brush her teeth.

Love

CA

Reflections on Christmas morning

Very early Christmas morning I watched the sun come up and snapped this photo with the Christmas tree lights reflecting on the living room window.

Love

CA

Snow belt - Midhurst

The beauty in the snow....

Ice storm ...oh my!

Tree tops are covered in ice and roads are a skating rink this morning.  The electrical storms through the night brightened the skies for hours!

Stay inside today if you can. I may go to James' tomorrow rather than today if this weather holds.

Have a gentle Sunday everyone.

Love

CA

An Ice Day...

Even on the 21st floor my balcony is covered in ice. So it's not a snow day it's an ice day and if you say that fast it's a nice day!

Love

CA

Dec 20, 1992

Sitting quietly today and listening to the memories of my mother who passed away on this day in 1992. I think of you every day mom. I am who I am today because of your energy and your courage and your strength.

Love

CA

Jalen 2011 Christmas

Jalen has grown and grown up so much since this 2011 photo   Children are such a delight always and especially during the magic of Christmas I find.

Love

CA

Christmas past...

I am anxious to update this 2012 photo of my family! 

Love
CA

Time Capsule # 4

I have just added a 4th time capsule to my collection for Jalen and Lexi and this will be it!  (Famous last words) 

The origional time capsule belongs to Jalen, followed by the red suitcase for Lexi. The blue suitcase is for both and now the 4th - which is the largest - the black "Halifax" suitcase is for both as well.

This is by far my fondest project!

Love

CA

Snow Day ..

I'm taking a 'snow day' in Toronto today to honour my friends in the Maritimes who are digging out from their weekend storm. NL has more snow to deal with before they can begin the digging out process but they're tough people!

Have a gentle Monday.

Love
CA

Lexi has left the building...

Lexi loves to eat!  She came for the weekend and everything was centered around eating.

It is wonderful to see her love her food so much. Most kids are so picky at that age. Not Lexi!

She read stories to me, we played every game you can imagine and now I am left to clean and rest...hopefully for her next visit.

Love

CA

d'Entremonts

Lexi needed a bit of help finding Nana in this 2004 photo of d'Entremonts gathered in West Pubnico Nova Scotia. JohnD was alive then and it was a wonderful family time.

Love

CA

Creations by Lexi

If you have small children or grandchildren you will understand "Mr Potato head" and his family.  Lexi created these works of art (?) last evening.  Jalen loved playing with this when he was about a year older than she is now.

Love

CA

A stormy day with Lexi

Many years ago May Ocean, OceanArt Pewter, gave me this beautiful pewter Nativity scene.  On a storm day in Toronto Lexi has found "a baby, a mom, a dad and lots of animals to play with" so even when religion is not involved a child can find a happy story.

Family Christmas Album

In 1982 my family began a "Christmas Family Album" and we filled the last page in 2002.

For us, this has been a  great way to capture family history in a more private way than in a yearly newsletter that goes out with cards. This book shares life, death and everything in between.  I will put the book in Jalen and Lexi's time capsule one day but for now I enjoy reading through it each December and am not ready to part with it just yet.

Memories are made of this...

Each year I try to add a red Christmas decoration to James and Tracey's tree...this one seems perfect don't you think?

Love

CA

2009 card from my grandson

Opening this card from Jalen in 2009 created a wonderful memory for me. Rather than write "Nana" he wrote "Carol Ann Cole."  Love it.

Bell team - Fieldway pensioners Christmas luncheon

My friend Maria pretends to be a waiter and pours wine for Diana and Judy at the Bell pensioners - Fieldway team - annual Christmas luncheon earlier today.  Over 150 Bell pensioners brought new toys and food for the less fortunate and then we shared good food and memories over lunch.

I will be forever grateful that I took that job as a typist with Bell Canada in North Bay all those years ago.   What a wonderful team to be on!

From the heart,

Carol Ann

From the Heart - page 27

In Lithuania, page 27 of From the Heart encouraged students and teachers to educate others about breast cancer. I am so grateful!  This little book has made the long journey from Halifax and Toronto to Lithuania.  Anything is possible.

Love

Carol Ann

A Writer's Christmas Tree

I love this tree!!

xoxo

Merry Christmas to you

At this time of year I feel guilty each time I pick up my mail and find another Christmas card waiting for me - I stopped sending cards several years ago.  

So to all of my blogger friends I wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for being my friend.

Love

Carol Ann

OceanArt Pewter

I realize not all of my friends here are on facebook as well. 

But, if you are on facebook please check out May Ocean's new OceanArt Pewter page.  May is beginning again as a one woman OceanArt Pewter team and if you can support her that would be wonderful.

Love

Carol Ann

Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

So much is being said about this great man today.  I have placed today's paper in Jalen and Lexi's time capsule so one day in the future they will be able to read all that was written on the day Nelson Mandela passed away.

A Smile for you today

This always makes me smile!

My sister Lois Cole Young

Today at a special breakfast in Grande Prairie my sister, Lois, was recognized for her outstanding volunteer work!

I am so proud of you sister dear - you are always a winner in my eyes.

Love

CA

Do you have a friend like this?

Do you have friends like this? I hope you do. 

Friends who can sit quietly with you are gifts - treat them accordingly and they will be with you forever.

I am fortunate..........

Love
CA