This is a blue daisy because this daisy is blue. I am now officially in the USA but I am writing this post from the Crown Plaza in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We got our luggage, went through customs, rechecked the bags, went through security (the third time today) and had checked in to make our flight to Richmond when they asked if anyone wanted to give up their seat for a free round trip ticket good until next October, hotel room, dinner and breakfast vouchers and assurance that we could be in Richmond by noon tomorrow.

Mr. Wonderful's hand shot up like fireworks on the fourth of July! So here we are in Minneapolis....tired but thrilled that we will be able to make our spring visit to see our baby and her baby.

It was a well timed trip and a wonderful visit but I do think they will need time to bond with their new baby and to work out their routine by themselves. Poor son-in-law needs some down time without whirlwind Daisy and dynamite Daddy rushing in to overwhelm them with unsolicited advice or totally taking over.

It's a southern thing that we consider quite charming but can be intimidating.

Home is looking better all the time but for tonight I'm bunking with my sweety in a king size bed, with a full stomach and the promise of spring....new life, and a free ticket to Saskatoon. Can life get much better than this?

I'll catch up with ya in the daisy patch.

Labels: Christmas 2006, Daisy

Today is the day I've been dreading for the past 10 days, The day my darling daughter has told me that I can leave but I can not cry. Why not tell the wind not to blow, the sun to shine or Momma not to be sad when leaving soon-to-be first time mom.

Becky and I were up late last night working on her baby's nursery. They had painted in Daisy Chain Yellow ( so you know this Daisy was crazy about the color.) Mr. Wonderful put on his Mr. Fix-it hat and put together the crib, moved furniture around, put together a book case for the baby's room, installed a light over the sink (You can actually see the dishes you are trying to wash now) and lent his expertise on just about everything. He loves wearing the Dad hat and the Papa hat is a good fit too.

Becky is considered full term now so could go into labor anytime now. It has always been my dream to be able to help set up the nursery for my grandkids and this experience was everything I ever hoped for and more. The room still needs some added touches but is perfectly usable now and it will be fun to see what is added.

We got up before 4 a.m. boarded the plane at 6:40 waited an hour on the runway and then the flight was canceled due to mechanical difficulty. After a short wait of 3 hours in line I'm still sitting in Saskatoon waiting to board a 2 o'clock flight to Minneapolis.

We knew we would be spending time in the airport today.....I just never thought it would be in Saskatoon. Of course we made some good friends while waiting in line. We went from the back seat of the plane to first class and from two short hopes to a direct flight into Richmond.

With a good tail wind and Angels holding up the wings I should be back to the daisy patch by late tonight.

Labels: Canada, Christmas 2006

Yesterday was boxing day.....similar to the US "Black Friday" day after Thanksgiving. The biggest retail day in Canada. Boxing Day is a legal holiday in Canada and people actually get together for big family meals.

We were invited to a Boxing Day Brunch by two of Becky's friends Nancy and Heather. Heather has duel citizenship but is originally from California. It was very sweet of them to do this and brunch was wonderful. We had banana buckwheat pancakes with choke cherry syrup, and sausage.

They were delightful and very friendly. We are so glad that our daughter has so many wonderful supportive friends. We also met up with some special people that we adore.

We met the Friesons at Becky and Jerry's wedding reception and formed an instant bond. Both Randal and Laura blog so we have kept up with them through "peeking in on their life" as they record it.

We met at a coffee shop called "The Living Room". It was good to catch up on one and another and Becky swears Randal reminds her of Mr. Wonderful. So you know I had to get a picture of the three of them together.

Becky was able to purchase a small chest deep freeze yesterday. Dear old Dad was instrumental in loading, balancing, and roping it in her trunk till we could get it home. It will certainly be helpful to be able to store pre-made casseroles and easy to cook food for when baby comes.

The days are flying by way to quickly. We will be leaving early Friday morning and there is still so much we want to accomplish. More later.

Labels: Christmas 2006, Friends

Canadian observance

In Canada, Boxing Day is observed as a holiday, except (in some cases) for those in the retail business. Boxing Day and the days immediately following are when many retail stores sell their Christmas and retired model products by holding clearance sales. Some shoppers will line up for hours at night (sometimes before midnight and after midnight on December 26) for retailers to open their doors. Retailers often open their stores earlier than usual, such as 6 or 7 am. Some retail companies internally refer to the sales week after Christmas as the "thirteenth month." (See Boxing Week.) It is similar to Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in the United States. Boxing Day 2005 was the single largest economic transaction day ever in the history of Canadian commerce (according to Visa). Individual big box stores can even gross over $1,000,000(CAN) on one single boxing day.

In addition to the retail aspect of the holiday, Boxing Day also serves as a second day for families to gather for dinner and to exchange gifts. Boxing Day Dinner is, in many ways, just as much a part of many families traditions as Christmas Dinner itself.

Boxing Day has also been referred to as the day that people "box" up their Christmas decorations and put them away until next year

Labels: Christmas 2006

It's official, Christmas 2006 is now a wonderful memory of our Christmas in Canada. It was the Christmas of Expectations!

The first and most important surprise is yet to be revealed. Darling baby is ever present in our minds and its cute to see "expectant mama's tummy enter the room before she does!"

I found the perfect ornament for them this year. The chicken couple .....Dad Rooster reading the "Parents to Be" Book and Momma Hen sitting on her egg on the nest while she knits!"

Mr. Wonderful and I call our little country home "the Nest" and our monthly newsletter are called "News from the Nest". You can well imagine the headlines once our little chick has made their safe arrival into our world. Proud Dad-to-be is an ardent reader (so it's only natural that he would be reading up on the subject) and Becky is definitively in the "nesting " stage of her pregnancy ( and yes, she can knit!). How perfect is that!

Christmas gifting was exactly the way I like.....home made or well thought out gifts that the giver has spent time and consideration to make or purchase. I actually got a cross-stitched master piece from expectant daughter about being a mom (thanks for making me cry Becky!) and I also got a photo album that says "From one Diva to another!" How perfect is that! So this Diva can whip out 36 pictures of new grandbaby at a moments notice. (Great gift Suz!)

Becky also made me a photo calendar with pictures of all of us (yes, you too Boy Wonder!) January's picture is the ultrasound picture of our first grand. I love seeing all my favorite people and my favorite pictures. I certainly will treasure it for years.

We spent a delightful lunch with Jordan and Wendy. Mark (their 6 year old) had gotten many wonderful Christmas presents and he was excited to show them to Becky. Wendy is from Guyana and made Roti quesadillas. Wow, were they ever good too! Mr. Wonderful and Jordan solved all the problems of the world and we ladies talked everything from Babies to Cooking.

Christmas afternoon was spent watching "White Christmas" (it can't be Christmas without watching it at least once!) and keeping with tradition we went out to the movies. We saw a wonderful movie that Becky and I adored called "Stranger than Fiction." You know I'll be doing a whole post about it.

So were my expectations met? Of course, any Christmas spent with family is always a Christmas Joy. I look forward to next Christmas when we can assemble the whole clan together plus having our little one as the star atop our family tree.

Labels: Christmas 2006

It's Sunday afternoon and in just a little while the now quiet house (afternoon naps) will be a busy laughing environment as good smells begin to permeate the house. Christmas music will be playing in the background and after a wonderful meal we will go off to a candle light service and maybe drive around a little to look at Christmas lights.

This evening we will be opening gifts (this will definitely change with the addition of grandchildren) and we will watch our adorable son-in-law with his teeth set on edge while we open gifts (apparently the ripping of paper drives him nuts! ) Knowing this bit of trivia will probably set Mr. Wonderful on a tearing spree unlike anything we have ever seen. (Christmas brings out the playful little boy in him!)

While everyone is sleeping I began looking over my daughter's tree. We did not put up a tree this year as we knew we would be gone. It was hard for me as I always enjoy unwrapping the ornaments that the children have made over the years and ornaments that we buy in various cities that we have spent Christmas. Last year we got a small apple that says New York City 2005. Finding a Canadian Christmas ornament is high on my list for after Christmas (Boxing Day).

Our tree of ornaments is full of picture ornaments. The kids always hide their "ugly duckling" pictures behind the tree so no one will see them. We have the traditional ornaments of reindeer Popsicle sticks, hand print ornaments, pompom worm ornaments etc.

The picture is of a clothespin angel that Becky made in kindergarten. The face is drawn on by Becky. The gown is now a very fragile white doily and the wings are gold doilies. There is a yellow pompom for hair and a silver pipe cleaner for a halo. It was hard for me to give up this ornament as I remember the day she brought it home and gave it me for safe keeping. It has always been prominent on all of our trees. To see it on her own tree as she expects her own little one is seeing life in full circle.

In my mind's eye I see her opening a oddly wrapped present proudly presented by an active 5 year old that is a mirror image of his or her mom or dad. I see the pride and look of adoration in my grandchild's face as he or she proudly announces, "I made it myself!"

Memories are made of these.....may all your memories be warm, and with those you love.

Labels: Becky, Christmas 2006, Monday memories

Can't believe that today is Christmas Eve Day. My daughter Suzy and Son -in-law Tim leave for Texas today to spend the holiday with Tim's family. Boy Wonder will be alone in New York.

We did get a chance to talk with each of them briefly tonight. It's hard to be away from family on Christmas. On a good note, they all got their Christmas cookies......on a bad note everyone starts dieting the day after Christmas!

Mean while we were riding the range here tonight ( the range as in oven) as we prepared some meals to put in the freezer for easy use once our darling baby arrives. Even Mr. Wonderful was pressed into service as a sous chef as we prepared Lasagna , Chili, and Chicken, Mushroom Noodle Casserole.

More casseroles and the a turkey to follow tomorrow. It should be a busy productive day.
I adore peppermint ice cream, now there is a new twist to a familiar treat....peppermint Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunks. (Wow, it's so good it will make you smack your granny!) I'm totally hooked on it.

Another Canadian treat we have been enjoying is Mandarin Oranges from China. We've been through 2 five pounds boxes in just the last few days. Looks like none of us will suffer from survey this winter.

Yes, you've guessed it.....my Christmas present from darling daughter was a blog revamp. I totally love it and think she did a wonderful job (I'm slowly going through old posts 700+ to categorize them...can anyone one say OCD?) Can't tell that I gained anything through this switch to beta. With big blogs it has to republish everything not just the index.

Here's hoping that you are surrounded by friends and family this Christmas.

Labels: Canada, Christmas 2006

This evening we are going to the Enchanted Forest Light show in the Saskatoon Forest. I love lights at Christmas. We will get to see the lighted Mountie (not something you see everyday in Virginia.) All the bridges are lighted up too.

I become an absolute child when it comes to light shows and fireworks. We will be able to drive through the displays. I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm looking forward to taking pictures but if you are interested you can see more pictures of the display here.

The nursery is coming together now. The baby clothes are all washed up and several items have been put on a baby registry. Becky is some what overwhelmed at all the items that must be assembled before the baby arrives. One of her friend's is planning on throwing her a baby shower in January.

Doing baby laundry is so much fun. The little sleepers, socks, caps, shirts, and gowns are so tiny. We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat at the doctor's office yesterday and meet the doctor. Corina is about Becky's age and very personable and accommodating . I liked her instantly and told her I've already started praying for her as she delivers "our" baby. She is a family practice doctor so will follow through with their care as the baby grows.

Speaking of friends, we were able to meet Adrian (Girl Guide Leader with Becky) and her 4 year old daughter Jordan. Jordan drew many pictures of Becky with pictures of her baby inside her. She drew one picture with the baby inside her using a pillow and purple blanket. We are so thrilled to know that Becky and Jerry have some wonderful friends that will be able to give them sound "baby" advice. Adrian offered to come to the hospital during labor if Becky needs "a girl" to help her through.

Life is good and we are happy to spend time with our Canadian family.

Labels: Becky, Christmas 2006

We arrived in Canada Monday night. We were literally about 15 minutes from missing all our connections throughout the day. Our flight left late from Richmond so we were literally running from concourse to concourse to make our connection to Minneapolis. Fortunately that plane was also running late so we were able to board without too much stress.


Mr. Wonderful waved down a golf cart to transport us to our international connection or we would have never made it. As it was, we were the last on the plane and the last to leave once we did get into Canada. It was wonderful to see smiling faces waiting on us once we got through customs.

Yesterday we met some of our daughters coworkers from the university for lunch. They were all very nice and really genuinely fond of our grrrl. (Makes a mama proud!) I love meeting my daughter's friends and seeing her world. Later that same day we were introduced to a wonderful couple (Jordan and Wendy with their 6 year old son Mark). We laughed that our daughter is so controversial that she has to display her very conservative parents to her friends.

Today we went to the university so dad could peruse the engineering library and then we met up with Angie and baby Hayden. Hayden is 7 months old but was born a preemie. He weighs in at 14 pounds now from his 2 pounds birth weight. Becky loves to baby sit with this special young man and he was all smiles when he saw her. (Sigh, can her baby get here any sooner)

We were able to do some baby shopping this afternoon. We bought some much needed items and I oohed and awed at all the adorable baby clothes and items. I was good though and only bought this one little sleeper being modeled by adorable son-in-law Jerry. Becky bought a few items for the nursery too. It was so much fun and baby shopping is something that I've been waiting to do for a very long time.

We are going to some more looking tomorrow and possibly get her to register for some items so her grandmother and Aunties have an idea what she would like for her nursery.

We are enjoying our time here. It has been unseasonably warm but there is still snow on the ground. Mr. Wonderful has been quite the gentleman in walking me over the icy spots.

Tomorrow we will meet more friends and some time in the next few weeks we will be going to the enchanted forest ( light displays). Hope all of you are surrounded by those that you love and and that your days are filled with laughter.

Labels: Canada, Christmas 2006

The bags are packed, the kitchen is clean, the animal care is all lined up thanks to my good friend Beckie. Mr. Wonderful already has our etickets, the car is gased up and last minute Christmas cookies are being dropped off at post office before we hit the road.

By this time tomorrow we should be in Canada with our very pregnant daughter and handsome son-in-law. The camera is charging as we plan to take lots of pictures and I'm already so excited that sleep will be almost impossible.

We are taking the laptop as Mr. Wonderful knows I love to keep up with my friends as well as my other kids. Baby Grrrl and hubby are taking off for Texas and Boy Wonder will be all alone in the Big Apple. I was spoiled last year with having everyone together.

I'm not a good flyer so I'll be putting a death grip on Mr. Wonderful's arm during takeoff and landings. Looking forward to being there! Catch ya on the other side!

Labels: Canada, Christmas 2006

I've been a busy little elf this year. Mr. Wonderful and I have just about finished mailing out our Christmas packages and we are almost through with our Christmas mailing.

Several of you will be getting our Christmas epistle complete with pictures of Mr. Wonderful, all of the wonder kids, and even my mom! We are sending out new prayer cards to put on your refrigerator (complete with a magnet on the back) as well as the mission's Christmas letter.

I've sent out 24 Advent Ribbons and still have several more to make and mail.

The Christmas music is playing, I've had a dish of peppermint ice cream and have already watched countless Christmas movies......so I guess it's time to get back to the workbench.

Labels: Christmas 2006

For those of you who have emailed me wondering where I've been.....I'm still here just buried in paper work.

As the Christmas season approaches our work load increases rapidly with end of the year reports and newsletters for the mission as well as our own personal mailings.

We are thrilled to be able to go to Canada on the 18th of December but in order to go we need to get all the month's work done in advance. So....life in the daisy patch is moving much too fast for me to keep up.

Mr. Wonderful is an "A" type personality so any spare moments we've had together has been filled with "To Do" items on his never ending list of home improvements or obligations. (....and you thought Santa had a big list !)

So I may be deglecting you terribly for the next few weeks but you know I'll sneak over as often as I can.

Labels: Christmas 2006, procrastination

It will cost your true love 6.1% more

Estimated price of '12 Days of Christmas' gift list up sharply due to gas, gold prices and bird flu.

A partridge in a pear tree will cost $104.99 this year, up 12.9 percent due largely to higher delivery costs.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The price tag of the shopping list laid out in the classic holiday song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is sharply higher this year, hit by such modern-day woes as higher energy and gold prices and concerns about the avian flu, according to an annual survey unveiled Monday.

PNC Advisors, which has charted the cost of the gifts laid out in the song for the last 21 years, put the price of the items this year at $18,348 in 2005, a 6.1 percent increase over last year.

Some presents will be difficult to get at any price this year. The threat of avian flu has restricted the international shipment of birds, thus preventing the purchase of three French hens from France, although there are domestic breeders of French hens which helped keep that gift's cost in line. But all the fowl mentioned in the song cost substantially more this year due to the increased delivery costs from higher energy prices.

Labels: Christmas 2006, Fun