Goodbye parsnip / September 23, 2019 by Suzanne

Making the right decision doesn’t necessarily feel good. I was reminded of this recently when we helped one of our cats die.

We were devastated to learn Parsnip was sick from something of which she wouldn’t recover.

The news was hard to compute. Although she was 16 years old she looked healthy and vital, and was often mistaken for a younger cat.

But an x-ray and a certain behaviour - hiding in the dankest and darkest part of the house behind the furnace - told us otherwise. Parsnip was dying.

A natural death is what I wanted for Parsnip. But the veterinarian advised me my end-of-life scenario for Parsnip was unrealistic. The fluid around her heart meant her death would likely be awful. In Parsnip’s case, allowing her to die “naturally” meant a prolonged suffering, one we wouldn’t necessarily see (cats are very stoic when it comes to pain) or be able to manage.

The vet never said what to do but her opinion rang clear; it would be cruel to keep Parsnip going any longer and we should assist her death.

Euthanasia seemed unfathomable but my discomfort with making the decision to euthanize Parsnip wasn’t the priority. She was the priority. She was suffering and it would only get worse.

After a long phone conversation with a hospice vet and listening to her guidance I felt more assured assisting Parsnip’s death was the right thing to do. But calling to schedule the appointment to euthanize was hard. My thinking got cloudy. Maybe it’s too soon? Maybe we should wait for a more catastrophic moment when we would at least have no doubts?

The hospice vet understood my reluctance to book the appointment and said it was common for people to call and want to cancel. When she said “better a day too soon than a day too late” I knew she was right.

We were grateful for the two women who arrived at our home one Saturday morning to perform the procedure - a sedation-first euthanasia, which put Parsnip into a gentle sleep before administering a lethal drug. I’m happy we could be present and play a comforting role.

They helped us manage our grief, too. We especially appreciated how they left the room after Parsnip was sedated so we could be with her one last time and whisper our goodbyes. Other gestures were thoughtful: they gave us a small stone with her name on it and a sachet of the fur they removed to install the catheter.

Although it was a peaceful end - Parsnip on her favourite blanket, eating cat treats, with us around her, stroking her and expressing our love - it reduced us to tears and we still feel the loss.

She was a beautiful animal, a walking purring work of art, a member of the family, enmeshed in our lives.

This and that / March 3, 2019 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

1. these sponge toffee cliffs

because I loved hiking them last week.

2. these handmade pottery bowls

because they are so beautifully wabi sabi.

3. this feline friend

because he knows how to warm his bones first thing in the morning.

4. these shell remnants

because they remind me of my beach combing nature.

5. these spring flowers

because they remind me what lies ahead.

Noticed elsewhere:

soft allies

freddie mercury’s voice doppelganger

hang a large picture, easy peasy

what it’s like to be enslaved by worry

cleaning hacks

curtains that help clean indoor air

This and that / January 21, 2019 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

this bed

because I’m using bed clothes origami until I find a new duvet cover.

2. this cat grass

because I have a thoughtful cat-loving friend who the sends me seeds.

3. this rose water

because regular spritzing relieves my dried skin.

4. this juice made from tangerines, carrots, ginger and turmeric

because I’m calling on all the elixirs to get me through winter.

5. these pomegranates

because I have finally embraced the mess of seeding them.

Noticed elsewhere:

a passion for photographing cats.

This and that / December 1, 2018 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

these beautiful eggplants

because they were almost too pretty to eat. almost.

2. these calendars

because I designed them myself.

3. this magical place

because it’s looking particularly exquisite this season.

4. these cotton bags

because I love the lightweight and expandable design.

5. these candles

because I’m stocking up for the season.

Noticed elsewhere:

“It’s very, very, very difficult for people, particularly people with a certain level of comfort or privilege, to take in the reality of a situation.”

the best table tennis shot of 2018

gauzy cotton

some birds are “fruit specialists.”

accessories for potted plants

This and that / September 23, 2018 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

these apples

because they were hand picked by a wonderful 17 year-old boy.

2. this smart packaging

because it accepts refills.

3. these items for the mail

because it’s a nice way to express thanks.

4. this house plant

because it reminds me, always seek the light.

5. this fence

because our backyard will never be the same.

Noticed elsewhere:

gardening by moon philosophy

tomatoes as decor

“It’s an icon, it’s a goddess — this very powerful feminine presence in a very masculine environment.”

a subtle kiss of sunshine

terry naps with cats

Tomato, corn and avocado salad / August 29, 2018 by Suzanne

This hearty salad is a feast for the eyes (all those colours!) as well as the appetite.

But before you get to enjoy it you must chop!

Maybe it’s a chore you dread and prefer to delegate. Or you might decide that chopping is part of the beauty of life. Using gorgeous fresh produce and a good sharp knife improves the chopping experience, too. I'm beginning to notice, when focussing on this simple task, a sort of peacefulness.

Serve this salad as a chunky guacamole with a large side bowl of corn chips or as a salad to accompany a main dish.

Throw in a can of rinsed black beans and you've got yourself a complete meal.

Tomato, corn and avocado salad

4 ears of corn (or the equivalent amount of cooked frozen corn, approx 2 cups)

4 ripe avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced

4 tomatoes, 1/2-inch diced

8 green onion, thinly sliced or 1/2 cup diced red onion

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander (or other herb of choice)

Salt and ground pepper to taste

Microwave the cobs in their husks for 3-4 minutes. Once cool, remove husks and chop the kernels off with the cobs lying on their sides.

Chop remaining ingredients.

Gently toss the all the ingredients in a large bowl with lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and chopped coriander.

Garnish with extra coriander. Squeeze a couple of sections of lime on the salad right before serving.

This and that / June 29, 2018 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

1. this homemade yogurt

because it's made with almonds by my friend and neighbour.

2. this cake

because decorating with berries and flowers is my new thing.

3. this chamomile

because it's homegrown and handpicked.

4. these petals

because I have specific plans for them.

5. these aromatic leaves

because sage does more than just add flavour.

Noticed elsewhere:

garden ideas.

the kindness of strangers.

something round, functional, pretty and pink.

tall and beautiful.

escaping.

How to move a peony bush without upsetting the fairies / June 14, 2018 by Suzanne

I’m excited about our backyard make-over but nervous about the fate of two spectacular peony bushes.

I need to move them before yard work begins. But peony plants, especially mature ones like the ones in our yard, don’t like to be moved. Autumn, when peonies are entering dormancy, is the ideal time to do it but I can’t wait until then.

In the Victorian age it was considered unlucky to dig up a peony bush. If you did the fairies would curse you.

I don’t want to upset the fairies or invite curses and yet I’m determined to save the peonies before yard work begins, even though the odds of a successful transplant - a plant that continue to bloom - aren’t necessarily in my favour.

The time for transplanting may not be ideal but there are factors I have control over, which might make the move less traumatic.

When it’s time to dig up the bush dig as wide and as deep as possible to minimize disturbance. It’s a challenge to transplant a mature peony without causing root damage so i plan to proceed respectfully,

Replant as quickly as possible and in a sunny location, taking care to replant no deeper than they were growing before. The more shallow the better.

A little added compost will help.

Even if all goes well the peonies might be resentful; it's normal to lose a couple of seasons of blooms after a transplant.

It might be awhile before these bushes flower again and, since peony season is so fleeting, here are a few tips to help you really enjoy these elegant blooms while they’re here:

Bring them inside and place them in single stem vases or in bunches in larger vases.

Cut the buds before they’ve fully opened but after they’ve started to crack.

Give stems an angle cut.

The more foliage you strip off before you put them in water, the more the water will hydrate the flower heads and cause them to open quickly.

Ants love the sticky syrup that appears on the buds. They usually parade off but if the ants haven’t left and you want to bring cut flowers inside, cut the stems and place the flowers in a water-filled vase, place it in the shade and leave outside overnight. The ants should vacate and then you can bring the flowers inside without bringing the ants in, too.

Peony blooms dry beautifully. Attach a rubber band around each stem or bunch and hang flowers upside down. Allow to dry for one to two weeks or until they are no longer limp when turned right side up.

This and that / May 21, 2018 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

1. this method of seed starting.

because eggshells are biodegradable, the perfect size and can be planted directly into the soil after being cracked a little.

2. these purple harbingers of spring

because they're here for such a short time.

3. this beauty

because I'm plant sitting until the end of summer.

4. this simple solution to increased well being

because pure celery juice is delicious and most definitely underrated.

5. this breakfast for one

because saving leftover batter from three days ago was a good idea.

Noticed elsewhere:

time for a new one or two.

animal comfort.

good for your teeth and the earth.

the quest for happiness can do more harm than good.

serving plates as light as leaves.

taking risks.

New life for an old room / April 7, 2018 by Suzanne

Houses, unless properly cared for, fall into a state of disrepair.

Our house is 120 years old. When we bought it 14 years ago we noticed the floor in the room at the back was slightly sloped. It was strange to see water in a glass, sitting on a table, resting at an angle.

Although the sunniest room in our home - it faces south and catches all the afternoon sun - it’s rather chilly in the winter, especially the floor. That’s because it doesn’t sit on a foundation.

Despite its quirks and deficiencies, we managed to live in and make the most of this room until its flaws could no longer be ignored. Indeed some investigation revealed wood was rotting and something needed to be done.

Rather than tear it down we opted to correct and repair. We set out to level the floor and remove any rotting wood. The exterior was then newly shingled.

We also installed a new door and upgraded windows (newly configured).

As for the floor, ceramic tiles that resemble wooden planks are heated from underneath when the temperature drops. Our toes need never be cold again.

I gave the room a fresh coat of paint - a blush colour I’ve been eager to try.

Rather than buy new furniture right away or invest in re-upholstering, we are making do with what we have elsewhere in our home and garage.

Furniture with fabric ravaged by cat claws is now disguised. I stitched a slip cover (very challenging!) for an old tub chair and draped the chaise longue with painter’s canvas.

I also used painter’s canvas (which I dyed years ago) to make the curtains and lined them with white cotton bed sheets. It surprised me to see how perfectly they match the wall colour, as if I somehow knew.

Even the light fixture is a hand-me-down from another room in the house, which we previously spruced up with new lighting.

Look out the windows and you will notice a yard that needs some love and attention too, which is next on our agenda.

This and that / April 4, 2018 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

1. these yellow beauties

because they remind me spring is inevitable.

2. this vibrant textile

because it brightens up our dining room.

3. this shade of pink

because I love it so much I bought another gallon.

4. this "room warming" gift

because I have a creative and thoughtful friend.

5. this attempt at slip covering

because it gave my brain a work out and to this torn up tub chair a second wind.

Noticed elsewhere:

what a character!

elevated leggings

when you share something, you risk losing it

addiction as a learning disability

the real iron man

me, elsewhere (page 10)

How to cherish sentimental items / February 1, 2018 by Suzanne

I'm not very sentimental but I love living amongst things that hold special meaning.

There's no right or wrong way to live with items that hold memories and stories. But if you’re asking me, I say the best way to treat sentimental items is to make them part of your daily life. Or at least put them on display where you can admire them and they in turn can regularly spark your joy.

Hiding away objects of sentimental value may extend their shelf life, for sure. But it strikes me as an odd way to cherish something or to honour someone's memory.

I inherited a bowl when we were clearing my parents' home several years ago. It was a gift to my mother from one of her sisters.

Now the bowl is part of my daily life and I use it all the time. I know it would be safer stored away or left on the shelf unused. But then it wouldn't provide the same joy and meaning from using it.

Anyway, I've already come to terms with knowing things break. Plus, if anything unfortunate should happen to the bowl I now have photos as souvenirs!

Here are a few more inherited items of sentimental value and how I put them to work on the rgular.

Read about how to cherish common household objects here.

My mother's china tea pot is for more than just serving tea.

I painted these egg cups and gave them to my parents years ago. Now they're mine and do double duty.

Made more than 30 years ago from squares my grandmother knit and my sister crocheted together, today this old blanket provides comfort to feline family members.

This and that / January 22, 2018 by Suzanne

Here are five things that caught my attention lately:

1. this fresh turmeric root

because it's a wonderful anti-inflammatory i've been blending with my juices.

2. this inexpensive grocery store find

because it's both culinary and cosmetic.

3. this light fixture

because it's a functional work of art.

4. this ice

because I finally got out for a long skate on the world's largest skating rink.

5. this bedside space

because I'm only now realizing how nice the morning light is.

Noticed elsewhere:

I see a blush coloured room in my future.

a wardrobe of jeans and tee shirts is appealing.

love his moves and how he ends this speech.

an apology offered and accepted.

believe in six impossible things per day.

thoroughly loved watching this.

How to host an ornament exchange party / December 14, 2017 by Suzanne

Last week, I attended an ornament exchange party with about 20 other women. My friend Cindy has been hosting it for more than 10 years and I've never missed it, yet. Four years ago, I started bringing my camera with me to try and capture the magic of the evening . See here, here and here.

A cookie exchange party is a good idea too but it requires more commitment from guests. It's fine if you love to bake, have a fail-proof cookie recipe up your sleeve and ample time to bake more than a few dozen cookies. But there's no denying the potential for stress in preparing to attend.

An ornament exchange party demands much less. Bringing a wrapped ornament is very doable and unlikely to get you frazzled. For starters, an ornament is affordable; it's easy to find a nice one for $10.

Plus an ornament is a potent symbol of the holiday and shopping for one can help you tap into the spirit of the season. I know it helped me. Browsing a selection of ornaments and finding one you fancy (and think someone else might fancy, too) is a pleasant experience. It's also fun to spot the trends. Felt ornaments continue to be popular, at least here in Ottawa.

There's no one way to host an ornament exchange party. However, after watching Cindy do it year after year I've gleaned a few things on how to make it a good one.

Set the date. and create a guest list. I read somewhere that the number of guests should be large enough so everyone stands or small enough everyone has a place to sit. Cindy invites at least 20 women.

There are no guidelines for the time of day. In the early years, Cindy hosted the exchange on a Friday afternoon while our kids were in school. The party ended just before the bell rang and we'd hurry out the door to collect them in the school yard. Now it’s in the evening, which has its own set of charms.

Send out invitations. Cindy created her invite with a photo of the wreath on her door using Pic Monkey and sent it through email. A good rule of thumb is to send the invitations two to three weeks before the event, especially if you expect replies.

Remind everyone to bring a wrapped ornament. You can state a budget but my experience is people intuitively know a reasonable price point.

Decorate your home before the party. There's something magical about being in a home decorated for the holidays. Giving guests an extra sensory boost with holiday decorations creates a wonderful atmosphere for socializing.

Have arriving guests place their wrapped ornament under the tree but don't do the ornament exchange immediately after everyone arrives. Allow time for guests to have a drink and enjoy the food and conversation. This is the only time of year some of us see each other so it’s nice to have time to say hello and get caught up. Initially we gather in the kitchen around the beautiful walnut-topped island.

Good food and drink are a must. They elevate a party, especially when thoughtfully presented. For the last few years Cindy has served a signature drink made with champagne, cranberry juice, orange juice and lemonade, with lemon, cranberries and rosemary garnish.

Be sure to write a number for each guest on individual small slips of paper and put them in a hat or vessel. We know it's time to for the ornament exchange part of the evening when the hat appears and gets passed around. It's the equivalent of flickering lights at a theatre to signify intermission is ending. Everyone slips their hand in and pulls a slip of paper with a number on it, which tells you when it’s your turn to select an ornament from under the tree. Then we gather in the dining room around the dessert table and Christmas tree.

Call each number and take turns choosing a gift from under the tree. Watching as each ornament is unwrapped and revealed for all to see (there's lots of oohing and ahhing) is a highlight and a nice way to end the evening.

Everyone goes home with an ornament (and maybe a napkin full of desserts!) and the anticipation of doing it all again next year.

I always leave with an enhanced sense of belonging, too. Gathering at Cindy's for an annual ornament exchange always helps me find my holiday spirit but it also reminds me I belong to a community of mothers, even if we only see each other once a year.