Hi Giggster!
Happy Boxing Day! Trust all continues to go well and that everyone enjoyed themselves over the last two days or so. We certainly did. For a Hayseed, (Kamloops is in the Hinterland, is it not?), Kerry makes a pretty potent milksop! Chloë and I would like a standing, weekly, order, as we had it in our java, yesterday, and it is almost gone by now! What a fabulous brew. Who knew The Sisterhood were closet malt/whisky fiends! Thanks very much and for the anaemic Remy, relatively speaking, as well. I'll put the latter under a bottle sock whenever the NRBC meets so as not to give the wrong impression, going over to the Napoleonic side, so to speak!
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| Misha! |
On Christmas Eve the Jazz Vespers was really a wonderful service with the We Three Queens, Karin Plato, Jennifer Scott and Kate Hammett-Vaugh, on vocals, backed by Jillian Lebeck, piano, Rene Worst, bass and Tom Foster on drums. Rev. Kathryn Ransdell and Rev. Dan Chambers were the Liturgists and read/commented upon the Christmas Story as found in the Gospel of Luke, the Reflections interspersed with traditional carols, both secular, (Happy Holidays, Christmas Time Is Here, Winter Wonderland, We Three Queens), and religious, (O Come All Ye Faithful , Silent Night, congregation; La Jornada, (Venezuelan Carol), The Babe, (Mexican Carol), Some Children See Him and Mary Had A Baby, WTQ, all with an incredible jazz arrangement/interpretation by the marvellous vocalists. The Candle Lighting, (Without mishap! "The lighted candle is to remain upright!" we were told a number of times!), was ruly magical. St Andrew's Wesley is a lovely church, as you know, so to see it illuminated by a bursting-at-the-seams congregation, was a sight indeed.
Home by 5:15 pm to prepare for traditional, more or less, Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner. As you know, we had invited the Swedish Twins and they arrived around 6:00 pm. Started with Clara's borscht, with sour cream, and then moved to perogies, (Alenka European Foods, Ukrainian owners, on Fraser and Kingsway. We have made our own, in the past, but simply ran out of time this year!), and Coriandre's delicioso fish cakes. Finished off with snowballs, (Combined Sisterhood effort led by Rosie-The-Riveter with much protestation, at every step of the way, by both daughter/granddaughter when criticized for various departures from technique of dipping, rolling, etc.) Nevertheless, final result was mouth-watering morish.
Around 8:00 pm we donned our own Freeloader hats and headed downstairs to invade Clan Sutherland. They were hosting their own traditional Newfoundland Christmas Eve fare: cod au gratin as main course. I wasn't aware that although potatoes, prepared "au gratin", are often locally referred to as "scalloped," this classic dish contains no seafood, crab or scallops, other than cod. Had loads of fun visiting with various family members and although we had just eaten a fairly filling meal of our own, didn't stop us from "nibbling" on all the wonderful appetizers/dishes that they had prepared. Around 10:00 pm Vittorio and Patrizzio had to leave to attend yet another Christmas Eve gathering so we bade our friends goodnight and trundled back upstairs, Clarisse and Dusty going to their own place as they were tired by now.
Had a quick taste test of two Aquavits, a comparison of the Norwegian Linie which Patrizzio had brought earlier in week and the Swedish Herr Gårds friend Kjell had given me a visit or so ago. Hard to say which I liked better, almost apples and oranges. Thanking Lads for their other gifts, we sent them on their merry way and set about stuffing stockings. Chloë returned from Sutherlands before we were finished being elves and did her own distribution before she made for the loft. We had suggested she stay overnight but she really wanted her own bed so we said goodnight, arranging a 9:00 am open presents time on the morrow.
Last presents carefully arranged, I sent a few ecards and then it was time for bed, shortly after midnight. Could only keep my eyes open for a few pages of Strange Shores before I was ready to join Cora Lee in Sugar Plum Land.
Great pic by Misha. I'll certainly show it to Dusty. Perhaps they should start the NRPC, Non-Readers Painters Club! But must away as I'm going to try to squeeze in a quick ride. Any interest in going to see American Hustle, Inside Llewyn Davis or Nebraska tomorrow around 4ish. Let me know and we'll plan accordingly. Thanks again for lovely gifts, Cheers, Il Conduttore!
Stats for today's ride:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/420002585#.UrzI22BXmsg.email
Coriandre and Rosita went to see Saving Mr Banks at 2:00 pm and I had thought about accompanying them but since the day seemed to promise fair weather I decided I'd go for a ride instead. Very glad that I did so as it was a wonderful outing. Quite a few people on the Seawall, as you might imagine, themselves enjoying a stroll with friends and family.
On my first PPH Loop I was delighted to be passed by a series of vintage cars. I was near the Vancouver Rowing Club when the first of about 15, I think, drove by. Please excuse, Dear Reader, my descriptions but I couldn't identify all, with certainty, but there were, to my inexpert eye, some of the following: two 1940 Ford Coupes, one a convertible, top up; a 1959 Caddie, (I know this for a fact as our landlord, in Winnipeg, had one, when we lived t 696 Spruce Street. At the time, I never really liked it as it was salmon pink and so gigantic that our two-door, two-tone green 1957 Ford Fairlane could barely squeeze into the double garage beside the behemoth!), followed by two or three late '50's Lincolns, I imagined, the ones with the gigantic tail fins, one a convertible, top down; a smattering of other later model cars, one a T-Bird, from the early '60's, but I'm not sure; a finally a Cougar with the sequential tail lights which always fascinated me. At any rate it was a delightful bonus to an already deliriously enjoyable ride. I had not thought that I'd be able to ride on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day but I suppose I must have been a very, very good boy this past year!
Back home to shower and change and have a tasty meal of overlefts from Christmas feast. Clarisse and Dusty joined us, as well as Chloë, so it was lots of fun. Chloë had to work on Friday so she left around 8:00 pm. Dusty wanted to paint and Clara wanted to read one of her new Xmas books so Coriandre and I were left to watch Season Three of Game of Thrones!
P, thought you might want to show this to Dusty.
Michele Darrow-Sutherland:
My heart is heavy for my sister who just lost her beloved husband and my Niece Melanie who lost her loving father
Patrick James Dunn Sincere condolences and much sympathy, Michele.
Wayne Sutherland On our way home. No fun to come for this reason.
P, just went up to visit
father and he had died about 30 minutes before. A relief as you know
all to well but bewildering just the same -- hit some unexpected
emotional depths. Hope you rode on this day. We will connect soon,
W
Hi George!
Sincere condolences and much heartfelt sympathy to you
and Charlie and the rest of your family. As you say, most bewildering
to have to deal with the sudden reality of death and certainly
floods/wellsprings of emotion. It has been an extremely difficult
journey/time for you of late and it probably isn't over yet, either. For
my part, I chose to take comfort in the fact that Sharktooth had a
terrific, full and exciting life and though much diminished in her last
few years, she remained a wonderful individual to the very end. I
suspect that much the same can be said of your Father. Anyone with such a
moniker must have been quite a character. (The Clank as in the clank of
the The Slammer as it closes behind the unfortunate individual so
sentenced to spend the next X days/months/years in The Clink?) He and
Annie will make quite a pair Upstairs.
Corinne sends her
condolences to you and everyone else, as well. Well, Dear Friend, be
strong but remember that The Brotherhood isn't afraid to weep either.
Much Love, Patrick.
P, Thank you for your eloquent and gracious words.
And yes, he and Sharktooth both had a great run in every way --
except maybe the exit. I hope they do meet on that other plane. I think
they would make good bridge partners amongst other things.
This may take a few therapy rides - hopefully soon.
On
our way to Nova Scotia. MyBrother in Law Gary Novelli died this morning
after a short battle with cancer. Second trip home for a funeral in six
months. My sincere condolences for Melanie Marie Novelli and Linda for there loss. It is never fair.
Hi George!
Sincere condolences and much heartfelt sympathy to you and Charlie and the rest of your family. As you say, most bewildering to have to deal with the sudden reality of death and certainly floods/wellsprings of emotion. It has been an extremely difficult journey/time for you of late and it probably isn't over yet, either. For my part, I chose to take comfort in the fact that Sharktooth had a terrific, full and exciting life and though much diminished in her last few years, she remained a wonderful individual to the very end. I suspect that much the same can be said of your Father. Anyone with such a moniker must have been quite a character. (The Clank as in the clank of the The Slammer as it closes behind the unfortunate individual so sentenced to spend the next X days/months/years in The Clink?) He and Annie will make quite a pair Upstairs.
Corinne sends her condolences to you and everyone else, as well. Well, Dear Friend, be strong but remember that The Brotherhood isn't afraid to weep either. Much Love, Patrick.
P, Thank you for your eloquent and gracious words.
And yes, he and Sharktooth both had a great run in every way --
except maybe the exit. I hope they do meet on that other plane. I think
they would make good bridge partners amongst other things.
This may take a few therapy rides - hopefully soon.
On
our way to Nova Scotia. MyBrother in Law Gary Novelli died this morning
after a short battle with cancer. Second trip home for a funeral in six
months. My sincere condolences for Melanie Marie Novelli and Linda for there loss. It is never fair.
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