Fall..................

Just wanted to share some creations..............so much fun doing the pots.

Need a pirate at this time of year.

 

Which is your favourite?

Brightens up the wall..............

My granddaughter's talent for decorating.............

Enjoy this beautiful weather.

 

Shawl & another Shawl

  Butterfly Dream by Drops Design
Beautiful......just have to decide on colour combinations.
A friend told me about this.

What colour combinations would you knit?

Come again to visit......I haven't been on the porch lately but will be back off and on.

God's Abundance

I sit on the porch every morning with my coffee and watch my garden grow.

The lilacs are blooming............it is sensory overload..........God's Beauty.

God's Abundance

Can you pick out the forget-me-nots and white violets?

Lilac Tree...........number 2

Number 3...........abundance and beauty

Hope you visit tomorrow........come sit with your coffee and see what is happening in my world.......thanks for stopping by.  Mar



CAnadian Women in sports

Distinguished Canadian Women

Clara Hughes - A a six-time Olympian in speed skating and cycling, Clara Hughes is the only athlete to win multiple medals in both the summer and winter games. She is also the national spokesperson for Bell Canada's Mental Health campaign, 'Let's Talk'.

Lorie Kane -  is a professional golfer and won four LPGA tournaments since her rookie year in 1996. She became a member of the Order of Canada in 2006.
 
Hayley Wickenheiser - A four-time Olympic medalist, she is seen as one of the best female hockey players in the world. In the 2002 and 2006 Olympics, she was named as the most valuable player. She is also an active volunteer with KidSport, Right to Play and Dreams Take Flight.
 
Sandra Post - was the first Canadian to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association, or LPGA. During her 17 years on the tour she won eight times. She retired in 1984 and returned home to start the Sandra Post Golf School. She has also been a broadcaster for CTV, ABC, Sportsnet and TSN

Did you know that Sandra Post was a Canadian?
I didn't ..........I thought she was from the US.....amazing what I have learnt about these wonderful Canadian women.

Did you recognise any of these names?
Do you have a woman in sports whom you admire...........it is your mother or sister or aunt or daughter-in-law, or yourself?  Please take a moment and share with us as you sit on the porch.

Come visit again..........the chairs are always on the porch through all the Canadian seasons.  Bring your coffee and sit for a time...............come again.......Mar

Family Time...........

Had to be away for family matters.................my family is very important and health issues come first.
Hope you are enjoying the time on the porch with ice tea as the weather has become very warm.

CAnadian Women........Business

Distinguished Women........Canadian

Have you ever heard the name of the women listed below?
Of course, most of us have heard of  Belinda Stronach because of her time in the political ring.
Did you know that the CEO of Indigo Books is a woman?  Pretty neat!!!

I think it is amazing what these Distinguished Canadian Women have accomplished.

Good for them.

Irene Rosenfeld has been the CEO of Kraft Foods since 2006 and the chairman since 2007. She has changed the face of the company by strengthening its presence in developing markets. In 2011, the company decided to create two independent public companies - North American Grocery business and Global Snacks business. Rosenfeld is leading the latter as chairman and CEO.

Carol Stephenson -  has been the dean of the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario since 2003. She has more than 30 years of experience in marketing, strategic planning, and financial management. Her work experience, both past and present, includes Intact Financial Services Corporation, Manitoba Telecom Services, GM Canada, Ontario Research Fund Advisory Board and the Vancouver Olympic Games Organizing Committee.


Belinda Stronach -  is the president and CEO of The Stronach Group, a consortium that owns, operates and manages a number of businesses. She is the former president and CEO of Magna International Inc., which is one of the largest global suppliers of automotive systems and components. She also has an extensive history in politics, including being instrumental in facilitating the joining of the Alliance Party of Canada and Progressive Conservative Party. She was elected the Conservative MP for Newmarket-Aurora in 2004, then crossed the floor to the Liberal Party and was re-elected from 2006-2008.


Heather Reisman -  is the founder and CEO of Indigo Books and Music Inc., a big-box retailer of books and music. She is a former governor of McGill University and the Toronto Stock Exchange. She has also been on many boards, including Magna International, Suncor and Rodgers Communications and is currently active with Onex Corporation, Right to Play and Mount Sinai Hospital.


Bonnie Brooks - As CEO of The Hudson's Bay Company,  she took a step into the limelight in 2008. Many say she has completely changed the look of one of Canada's oldest companies, with her 35 years of retail experience.


Maureen Sabia -  is president of her consulting firm, Mauren Sabia International Inc. She has been the non-executive chairman of the Board of Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. since 2007.

 I walked this morning in the rain and listened to the waves hit the shore.......love the sound.  Hope you were able to sit outside for a time out of the pouring rain. Come visit on Monday and bring a cup of coffee.........any topic you'd like to chat about..........Mar

CAnadian Women....Social Justice

Distinguished Canadian Women

Judy Rebick -  was the Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy until 2010. In the 90s, she hosted two TV shows on CBC and still continues to frequent the airwaves. She is the founding publisher of rabble.ca, an online news and discussion website. She is now an active speaker on women's equality, social equity and civic engagement.

 

Roberta Jamieson -  was named CEO and president of the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation in 2004. Under her leadership, the foundation has doubled the total amount of bursaries and scholarship funding. She has had many milestones in her career, including the first First Nations woman to earn a law degree, the first woman to be appointed an Ombudsman of Ontario and the first woman to be the chief of the Six Nations in Grand River Territory.

I admire both women, especially Roberta Jamieson.  I saw her on TV and didn't know who she was.  I believe Judy and Roberta are inspirations, role models for all Canadian women.

Have you read or seen these women?

It's raining today but the porch is covered so bring your warm drink and sit awhile to think or discuss ALL Canadian women......see you tomorrow.  Mar

INspire

Do something very courageous, very bold, very exhilarating and pass the energy along.

Be infectious.

Breathe in, breathe out, let the energy from your breath flow to another.

Tell another woman how you left a suffocating job---so she knows she can do it.

Tell a young girl about the thrill of travelling --so she knows she can try.

Be healthy, as vibrant, as beautiful, as authentic as you possibly can be, in a way that speaks silently to others.

Smile at other women's dreams and their hopes, and reassure them that they'll survive whatever black hole they're currently navigating.

Tell a young mother, that she has the most awesome job in the world.

Inspire other women by how you live your life.

*****************

Who has inspired you?

Who do you inspire by the way you live your life........your daughter, a friend, even a stranger?

Share your inspirations.........with others and here at my blog.

Is there a Canadian woman who has inspired you in your career, motherhood, or just to be you?

I have learnt that people are inspired by my attitude, by what I do, how I deal with struggles whether it is family, work, community issues or religious or world.  The tone of my voice and my body language are very important senders of messages.........positive or negative.

  Think about how you inspire others.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you were INspired.......come again and sit for a while on the porch.........Mar

CAnadian Women.........Literature and Film

Canada -- Distinguished Canadian Women

Margaret Atwood -  is the author of more than 50 volumes of poetry, literature, fiction and non-fiction. She is best known for her novels, 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'The Blind Assassin', which won the Mann Booker Prize in 2000. She is also currently the vice-president of PEN International.

Sarah Polley - An actress since the age of four, and now also a director, her diverse career has been driven by her choice of films. She has appeared in films such as 'The Sweet Hereafter' and 'Dawn of the Dead', and directed 'Away From Her'. Within Canada she is best known for her performance on 'Road to Avonlea'. She became interested in politics in her early teenage years, which continually inspired her to select independent films.

Deepa Mehta - who was born in India but has become a Canadian citizen, is a voice in world cinema. She started as a scriptwriter in the 1970s for children's films. She moved on to be a writer and editor for documentaries before stepping behind the camera herself to film documentaries in the '70s and '80s. Throughout the 1990s, she created films that challenged societal norms in India.

I'm amazed at the unsung talent, intelligence and inner beauty of Canadian Women.
ALL  Canadian Women contribute to our beautiful country............

Name a woman who you know that has made a difference in our Canadian landscape.
Hope you take time to share her name.

Come tomorrow and see what is happening on my front porch.  So glad you took a minute out of your busy day to stop by and visit me...........Mar

Spirit..............Energy............

What do you see in the photo?
Trees..........picnic table........leaves............sun light..............
Do you see the Spirit of God?
Would you think God's Energy might be in those rays?

Naming God---------- Jesus, Abba, Father, Divine, Spirit, Creator........is extremely difficult.  When I was at university I took Religious Study course where we discussed that people thought that God must have a name, a certain name.

Well, I've been praying lately using The Energies of the Spirit of God.
 Everything contains Energy.
Spirit is the unseen, for me.


On page 76 of Joyce Rupp's book May I Have this Dance? , these are prayers I read each morning...........

When we come face to face with the challenge of self-giving, when we are asked to go the extra mile, to take the risk of reaching out to another, to offer forgiveness to the heart that rejects us............

Response:  Spirit of God, fill us with the energy of your love.............

When our world seems bleak, when we walk with sadness written on our soul, when we have days in which everything goes wrong.........

Response:  Spirit of God, stir the energy of your joy within us.

As I pray these words, they filter into my mind, my spirit and I believe my body making me aware throughout the day of my reactions to situations.  They are my reminders to treat others kindly.

Hope you take a moment to pray/read these words at some point during your day and the days to follow.

Let me know if a change Happens?

Thanks for stopping by and having a quiet spiritual moment with me........that is where I am today as I sit on the porch with my coffee.  See you on Monday..........Mar

CAnadian Women..........Provincial and Civic Politics

Can you name these INspiring Canadian Women?

I could name some of the women but certainly not all of them.
Great to learn about what other women are achieving so I may have certain privileges.
In New Brunswick, the Civil elections will happen this month and I admire any women who steps into that field of battle and remains their for the term.


Alison Redford - Alberta's 14th premier has been active in the political landscape many years. She worked closely with former prime minister Joe Clark and later worked in the Prime Minister's Office. Her international work experience includes human rights litigation in Africa, International Election Commissioner for Afghanistan's first parliamentary elections, and as an advisor to the Privy Council for Canada's future involvement in Afghanistan.

Hazel McCallion -  has been the mayor of Mississauga since 1978. At 84, she is the longest-serving mayor in Canada and has kept her city debt-free during her time in office. She received the Order of Canada and was named the runner-up as World Mayor in 2005.

Dianne Watts -  has been the mayor of Surrey, B.C. since 2005. She has won three consecutive terms and in the most recent election, she won 81 per cent of the votes. She was the first female mayor of Surrey and placed fourth in World Mayor 2010.

Christy Clark -  was elected to the British Columbia legislature in 1996, and in 2001 was appointed Minister of Education and deputy premier. In 2010 she sought and won leadership of the B.C. Liberal Party, after then-premier Gordon Campbell announced his retirement from politics. She has worked as a newspaper columnist and radio personality, hosting 'The Christy Clark Show' on CKNW radio. Clark won Vancouver riding of Vancouver-Point Grey and was sworn in as premier on May 30, 2011.

Kathy Dunderdale -  was elected to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in the province's 2003 general election. She served as Minister of Natural Resources, and in December 2010 announced that she would seek the leadership role in the Progressive Conservative Party of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was sworn in as party leader in April 2011, and in October 2011 led her party to a landslide victory. With her re-election and her party's big win, Dunderdale became the first elected female premier in the history Newfoundland and Labrador.

Eva Aariak - Prior to her election to the Nunavut legislature, she served as Nunavut's Languages Commissioner, the body which monitors the Government of Nunavut's use of the Inuit language, French and English. In 2008 she was elected to represent Iqaluit East, and was subsequently selected as the territory's premier under its consensus government system. She is the fifth woman to serve as a premier in Canada, and the first female premier of Nunavut.

I salute these women and suggest that if you meet a women in politics that you 'thank' her for stepping into that arena.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you visit tomorrow so we can sit on the porch and think about what is happening

TEa Cups & Bruschetta..........

Welcome to my porch at 71 Sunflower Lane.

I've been sharing my thoughts on INspiring Canadian Women but like life, I believe we need a change.  On the weekend, I served lunch to four wonderful women. 

I want to share how I presented the appetizer ...which was Bruschetta.

Instead of serving the Bruschetta on baguette I used a china Cup & Saucer.

The Bruschetta mixture was heated, spooned into the cup and served with toasted baguette that had been topped with cheese.  The women spooned the Brushcetta mixture onto toasted baguette and Enjoyed!

Presentation is everything.

Bruschetta Recipe

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

2 medium tomatoes, halved, seeded and finely diced

1/4 chopped olives

1/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

 1 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. basil

Combine all ingredients and heat in a saucepan on the stove.

When heated through, spoon into cup.

Baguette.......Slice diagonally, butter, top with grated mozzarella cheese.

Toast until cheese is melted and edges start to brown.

Place on the plate.

Serve immediately.

My years of catering have taught me to look around my home for different ideas to serve food in.

Enjoy the Bruschetta!  Hope you make a batch to serve to those women who INspire you........mother, daughter, friends or community leaders and the list continues................

Come again.........bring your cup & saucer or coffee mug.........sit on the swing and tomorrow I'll share the Canadian Women who I'm INspired by.    Mar

CAnadian Women..........in Finance

As you view the photos, you probably can name Arlene Dickinson. 
Am I correct?

Why are these other Distinguished Canadian Women  in the photo?
What are their accomplishments?

Take a moment out of your busy schedule and leave a comment about these Canadian Women who are profiled in the news.

I always think of the month of May as the month to honour women...........especially Canadian Women.  I admire the accomplishments of these women and wonder what they have had to sacrifice to be leaders.  I wonder if they have families and find time to nurture their own spirits.  I wonder how they cope in a masculine world.  I wonder how they Balance their mind, body and spirit.  Questions that may not be answered and not really important.....it's just that family is important to me.

In your life, what is important to you?
How do you balance your life?
Do you know a woman who works in the world of finance and is accomplished?
Think about those women in finance that you may have dealings with?


Thanks for stopping by and enjoying your tea.........hope these women inspire you.
Come visit tomorrow and see who is sitting on my porch.   Mar

INspiring Women..........Canadian

Canadian Women...............Can you name these women?

Probably easy to name the women as they are in the news as Canadian Talent in music and dance.

distinguished Canadian women

What are their accomplishments?

Hope you take a moment to share your answer.

 There are many Canadian women who have accomplished much in their life that are briefly in the news.  Then, there are many women who have extraordinary accomplishment that live in small towns or cities or rural areas.

Can you name women in your community who are accomplished in the music and dance field that don't have their photo in a National paper?
Are these the distinguished women that volunteer their talents of music and dance in local schools, churches, theatres, and other areas in the community?
Would you share the name of an inspiring women that you know in your community?
Let her know how much she is appreciated.
I'm not searching for  correct answers.....I want to make women aware of the numerous talents of Canadian Women.

 In my opinion.........Mothers are at the top of that list.
Think of what mothers Accomplish every day and don't have their photo published.

Hope these  Canadian women, in the photos, inspire you.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a moment to read about Canadian women......come again tomorrow to see other inspiring, distinguished women -- bring your tea and sit on the porch.

A Way to Begin the Day

The way of the Three Steps

Native American Way to Begin the Day

Stand on Mother Earth.  Race any direction you choose (take one step forward, as you look about, up and down)

O Great, Holy Spirit, I take this step into the day you have given.  I embrace all I see – the season, the wind, the fragrances, the weather.  Let me always accept the day given with a grateful heart.

(take one step forward)

O Spirit of Life, I put my arms around myself, all that I am, all that I can be.  I stand here in my own history, with all my mistakes and victories.  I hold all those I will meet today, in my journeying and in my work.  I try to walk gently on this earth.  Let me walk gently through the lives of my work companies and friends and family.  Though they make way for my passing, may they spring back, neither broken nor bruised.

(take one step forward)

O Glorious Spirit of Mystery, I put my arms around you.  I do not know what will happen to me today, but I accept it.  Give me a heart of courage and believing, so I may put my trust in you and fear nothing.

From the Plains Tribes – Native American

From the book Woman Prayers:  Prayers by women from throughout history and around the world    --by Mary Ford-Grabowsky

Every morning I say this prayer and think about my day.  I think about the Spirit of God that blesses me each morning with a new day, the four seasons and living in Canada, who would know what the weather will be like.

Then I think about the people I encounter........how do I greet them.  This prayer is a reminder to be gentle with all those I meet, whether I like them or not. 

Finally, embracing the Spirit of God to help me accept this day.......to not act or react out of fear but to act out of love.

Do you have a special prayer?

Please share your morning spiritual ritual.

Come again............bring your coffee, sit and read and hopefully leave a comment.  Love to hear from you........Mar

MAy BAskets

May Basket  for May 1st

Supplies------- tissue paper and scissors, brad or tape and candy.

Take one sheet of tissue paper, unfold and smooth out.

Fold one corner over to create a square.

Cut the excess piece off of the top, this later becomes the handle.

Set the handle aside.

Take one corner and fold over to another corner.

Continue to fold , corner to corner

Keep folding.............

keep folding until the tissue paper is about 2 inches wide at the top

Now cutting................DO NOT CUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH or you won't have a May Basket.

Start cutting about 4 inches or so from the botton point.  Cut one side just close to the fold but not through the fold. now.............

Turn the Tissue Paper around and cut the other side........not all the way through.

I have cut all the way through and either ended up with a basket that doesn't have a bottom or a short one.  Just have to remember that not all things line up evenly so just be careful as you cut.

Cut till about 2 inches or so from the top.

Gently unfold.

Your May Basket.

Gather the four corners

Fold the piece of tissue paper that was set aside for a handle

 

Attach to the top......I used a brad but the handle can be stapled or taped.

Glue a decoration over the sharp points of the brad.

Gently open up the tissue paper, place Candy in the very bottom.

Now you have a May Basket.

As children we hung the May Baskets on the doors of older people or someone you loved, shouted "May Basket" and ran as fast as possible.  The other person was to try and catch you and give you a kiss.

Have Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by.........glad you could join me for the making of May Baskets.  Bring your tea and come again.........Mar

EAT...pray....love

Love this photo.....................

Rachel Snyder writes about EAT from her book 365 Words of Well-Being for Women

Break bread together, share meals together, feast and potluck and dine and wine together!
Cover the table with your salads and your pastas,  your tricoloured casseroles,
herb muffins,
homemade chili,
watermelon, grapes,
and ice creams and yogurts.

Feed each other big, drippy spoonfuls of lasagna, kimchee, fried chicken, borscht.
Handfuls of key lime pie, rugelach just like your grandmother made, flourless chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and
anything at all drizzled in chocolate 

Taste everything together, and say Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm and Aaaaaaahhh and Ohhhh and lick your fingers and lick somebody else's fingers, too.
EAT  as much as you want--or as little---and know that there will always be somebody who really, truly, more than anything else, wants to do dishes.

Do you enjoy eating some or most of those foods?

Thanks for stopping by and hopefully you had a piece of cake.............come again soon.

eat.....PRAY............love

  I love to Eat.
I take time to Pray.
The Love of my family is different than the love I have for friends.
Did you see this movie?
Did you read the book?
I have many times and plan on watching it again. 


Who doesn't love to eat...............but do we eat for the pleasure of enjoying the flavors of our food?  Are we mindful while eating?
It depends on the food that I'm eating.  After cooking a meal, I'm not always in the frame of mind to enjoy it.......cook, eat and then let's get this kitchen cleaned up so I can sit down and relax or read or knit or whatever.

My morning starts with prayer........my rosary.........until lately that is. I don't like some of the wording that is in the rosary so I decided to change it, well that hasn't worked either.  So I tried another way of praying and that certainly didn't inspire me.  So what do I do now?  I quit.  Who needs prayer?  How many people do you know or think you know that do not pray? That was my reasoning as to why I don't need to pray.  That wasn't a good thing for me.  I ended up feeling empty and no sense of direction.
Has this ever happened to you?
What did you do to turn your prayer life around?
eat.pray.love cover
I love my grandchildren unconditionally.
I love my husband, who is so kind and gentle, and my children, whom I've always believe have been such a wonderful gift from God.
Do I love others like we are taught as children?  NO.
I haven't reached that state of perfection like Jesus, whom we are taught to believe that Jesus loved everyone.  I'm not Jesus.  I try and I fail.

eat.pray.love...another cover

I know I deserve something beautiful..........my life is filled with beautiful things.......family, friends, events, knitting, painting and nature and the not so beautiful things help me to look at life and change so that the beauty can be created.

Thanks for stopping by and sitting on the porch............I've been away for a few days baking for other people to enjoy...........stop by again and enjoy the Beauty.