Christmas 2016

 Merry Christmas 
Seasons Greetings 
It has been a very long time since anything was posted. As you know at my place just like many of yours much can happen and distract us from the blogging world.
Hubby went through a bad memory loss spell that brought much anger with our inability to communicate effectively in our household. He is on a new med and has improved enough to bring back some smiles.
Baby grandaughter and parents are here from UK for the holidays. 
Buddy is delighted but he too is showing changes in his love for social interactions. He is way too quiet of late while amongst family or friends. 
However, he did show his usual excitement for tree decorating, shopping for presents, gift wrapping and a quick word with his pal, Santa. 
He waHe very patiently listening to the live performance of Handel's Messiah last eve and while sitting in the car heading home through a light snowfall that coated all things around us he uttered that it was all so fantastic.

This is Buddy's tree for this year. We got a new star that sparkles. It 

makes our hearts feel joyful.

May you all feel special too.

'Tis the season.

Bromley Fun

   We are enjoying time in UK together . I am able to post photos again but now I have issues with font styles and other choices. I guess we are all challenged by the fast changes in technology sent our way almost weekly.
    Prior to our departure I managed to get us relocated into our newst rental home. The move was a challenge but we were back to normal by our departure date in early September. And we are comfortable and happy in our surroundings. The back garden is much nicer than any we've had for some time. The lovely deck encouraged us to have several nice BBQ's during August.
   We only had time for one local event a fair on September 4th the CNE. Buddy loves going each year. This year we even went on two rides; the huge ferris wheel and Mouse Trap, a mini rail/coaster type of a ride. We laughed a lot. I bought a candy apple and somehow it stayed in my bag and made it onto our flight and all the way to my room in Bromley.
   On the 6th we headed to the airport for a pleasant flight to London though none of us slept much. A cab was arranged to bring us from the airport to Bromley where we had booked a hotel room and where our daughter and gran greeted us. The hotel is near to her house and close to some nice parks. Buddy and hubby wanted to sleep there and I went to her house to be with the little one. My SIL works away from home during the week so it is nice to be around to help with the gran who is now 10 weeks old and a lot of fun.
   Our visit has been blessed with awesome weather so far and we are just spending family time with little side trips to eat out or shop. We all needed this quiet time to unwind.
In a few days fall begins and today there's a harvest moon out there.
We are blessed and thankful for this lovely journey.

Horniman Museum

On June 24 I had a chance to visit the HORNIMAN MUSEUM located on London Road in Frorest Hill , London. It is one of the oldest places to be opened for viewing artifacts of the Hornimam family collection. The indoor exhibits I loved best were the stuffed animal including a giant walrus from Canada, the area of a huge collection of old instrument of all categories including a few newer ones and finally the outdoor herb and food gardens. One area was set up for Brazilian festivites for the up coming Games. The area showed assorted recipes along with all the plants one would harvest to create it. I thought it was very creative in concept. There were of course other areas showing many less familiar plants like the pomegranate one along side local ones like red currant plants. I love eating the fruits of both.

There is also a big groomed park area with benches where people can enjoy being in a green place and a gorgeous conservatory that may be book for weddings.

The added aquarium area and a dinosaur one I opted out from as they are more fun with Buddy around.

I left for you to google the history of the place. The Horiman family ran the largest tea business in the mid 1800's. 

P.S. No more iPad app for blogger from Apple has many in the teaching field very upset. I can say I too do not get why Apple withdrew this very useful app. It was great for oldtimers not just teachers and students. Apple will loose followers and revenue from such unfounded decisions claiming it was not used much. The whole field of education that opted to use iPads for classrooms was overlooked. And many seniors loved this app with its ease of use. I thought seniors had some marketing power with their ability to spend and invest in their Apple products. Nope ! News tha Apple is

now trailling may be because they wear blinders when it comes to payimg attention to all their faithful customers. The new music app really was not needed!! Give us back our blogger app. I would even pay to have it. After all it is about making money as well as satisfied folloers.

Maggie

I cannot post any photos here with my iPad so I thought I'd share a movie experience. I have always admired Maggie Smith since her role in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Yesterday I watched her in Lady in the Van and found it very touching. I was surprised that it was based on a mostly true event. The movie won quite a few awards yet I had missed hearing of it. I'm so happy I watched it. I was touched by it. Aging is difficult. This movie shows it in a dramatic yet at times humorous .I hope to watch it see it a second time to capture it more intensely.

The Event

At the moment I am in the London area in UK . I am hoping to be around to see my first grandchild.
It is unusual for me to be away from the rest of my family. It has not happened in 7 years. I am using my latest iPad to post and read blogs. I still haven't figured out how to get photos back on this site. But I have time now so maybe I 'll figure it out?

Happy Times

   It's been a while since I opted to write a blog though I try to visit and read many friends' posts when I can manage it. I am encouraged by your kind words whenever I appear hear. Thank you.
   We had an ice storm for Good Friday and after the green Christmas it just seemed inevitable. However it was short and only a few thousand lost power though some for many hours.
   Today the sun is out and the temperature is rising. We quickly put that ice into the past. We shall have a small family gathering for dinner. Buddy and I colour a few eggs and got some little Easter goodies to share with all. It will be the last one in our present home. Once again the landlord wishes to sell so we are on the move again. More on that some other time.
Have a very HAPPY EASTer or SPRINGIEST or just a SUPER SUNDAY!