Rosh Hashanah - We Were Invited !!

"Spreading the word... Everyone welcome at our children's services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Sept. 5 and 14, 9:30-10:15).  Open to the whole community too. At Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom."

So, RHOTO went!!  Jewish New Year

What a NEAT service!!  Lots of singing--Hebrew and English.  The Rabbi carried the Torah around the pews...  with small children dancing & bouncing behind her.  The shofar was blown--of course.  Children were blessed by their parents.

Apples dipped in honey was shared and eaten at home...

The ten (10) days begin..  A time of reflection:  what does one need to improve in one's life?  Any apologies or mending need to be done to others?  What is one's goal to better serve humanity?...

RHOTO will be back for Yom Kipper--to embrace the diversity of our community :D

RHOTO 

RHOTO's 10th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

RHOTO's 10th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY !
 (August 9, 2003)

TONY/TOON and I went to "my retreat" Bed & Breakfast for several days/night ;D There's no place nicer to explore and enjoy than our "home" town, Montreal, eh!! 


We did a LOT of walking!!  Tony ate 1/2 of my food ;D  We went aniversary shopping...  Let's see:  Traditional "tin" or Modern "Diamond Jewelry" ??  We picked my favourite, Swavorski's for earrings.


We went to Church in a Cathedral that has a fabulous, professional choir and organ.

We came home Happy and ready to rest...  We'll re-visit the Museum another day ;D

RHOTO

Happy Easter Sunday!!

van de Ven Christmas FUN !!

Happy Christmas from RHOTO, Erik and some of the Kids :D

RHOTO

Peace on Earth 2011

This digital greeting generated with Smilebox

"Other Mothers" on This Day...

On Mother's Day, I (RHOnda) remember the "Other Mothers" for whom the Day is--perhaps--a dreaded one...

The woman who always wanted children, but never had any... The woman who suffered miscarriage(s)... The woman who had a stillborn child... The woman whose child died before maturity... The woman with a "challenged child" who finds her road difficult... The woman whose baby was given away... The woman who adopted a baby and who doesn't quite feel "complete"... The woman who had an abortion and who now wishes she had not... The woman who is/was abused by her mother... The woman who never wanted children and hears, "Why not? Are you selfish?" The woman whose partner doesn't want children--in respecting him, she sacrifices her yearning... The woman whose mother died this year... The woman whose mother died in the past... *

To these women, I lift up my prayer. That this Day has something redeemable to offer. That new, nurturing rituals are created. That this Day is finished tomorrow...

Love and soft hugs,
RHOnda

* edited to add: I've thought of more women... The woman who is unpartnered--not by choice--and who doesn't want/chose to be a single mother... The woman of lesbian or bisexual orientation who does not feel accepted as a mother... The woman who is estranged from her child/from her mother...

(Disregarding politics and religious ideologies), we woman have a unique opportunity to love, accept, help and nurture each other... Have I forgotten anyone?
RHOnda

Park Picnic and 'Pontaneous Party!!

RHOTO and Tiger, too!! took advantage of a bee-u-tee-ful, sunny day to go on a Picnic in the Park !!
We packed a lunch in TOny's Concordia University backpack, settled Tiger inside, and off we went...
There were LOTS of people in the park... walking, bike riding, rollerblading. Lots of languages, too.
For lunch, we had leftover, cold Portuguese chicken, leftover olives, leftover cherry tomatoes, and leftover Easter chocolate... all yummier the next day, eaten in the sunshine.
We're gonna have MORE Picnics in the Park!! When the weather dries up... :(

Then, life-time friends John and Anna dropped by--with Easter goodies!! 'Stayed. We laughed, we danced, we had a wonderful 'pontaneous party!! Looking forward to the next time they "just ring" our doorbell!! ;)

RHOTO

Easter Greetings...

This digital greeting card generated with Smilebox

"Her Father's Eyes"-- Amy Grant

RHOTO

Happy Valentine's Day!!

EVERY day is Valentine's Day for RHOTO!! <3

RHOTO

(Last photo taken together...)

Happy New Year 2011!!

Greeting card made with Smilebox

"Give Her a Stash!!"

THE NORTH POLE, ROUGHLY FIVE AND A HALF HOURS BEFORE MY BIG DAY,,,,

MY DEAREST RHONDA JOYCE,

YOU HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD GIRL.  AND I, SINT NIKOLAAS, AM VERY SATISFIED WITH YOUR 2010. I TALKED TO YOUR HUSBAND, WHO SEEMS TO BE SOMEWHAT CONFUSED,  IN CONNECTION TO YOUR CHRISTMAS WISHES. THIS IS UNDERSTANDABE, BECAUSE HE IS ONLY 10 YEARS YOUNGER THAN MY SWEETHEART.  AND SHE IS ON THE BALL!!!! WHEN I ASKED HER, WHAT TO BRING FOR RHONDA JOYCE, SHE ANSWERED "GIVE HER A STASH"!!!! STASH, A STASH, HOW MUCH MATERIAL IS THAT? OH NICKY NICKY,, GIVE HER ENOUGH TO DRESS THE WHOLE FAMILY, INCLUDING YOUR REINDEER, DEAR.

AND SO IT WILL BE DONE, AS EVIDENCED BY THIS LETTER OF PROMISE,

GIVEN AND SEALED AT THE NORTH POLE DECEMBER 24, 2010

UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYE OF MRS NICK.

Love, Your TOny

(Cartoon, I couldn't resist!!  Click on Santa to activate ;) --RHOnda)

Cozy Winter Days...

Oh, the weather outside is delightful...  especially from our kitchen windows!!  RHOTO's hibernating quite often these days ;)  Reading books aloud, drinking tea, discussing newly discovered ideas.

Today we're going to make paper chains to decorate our wee (artificial) Christmas tree. 

Simple, sweet and homemade.  Another day,  we'll write some Christmas cards to Holland.  (To those who haven't joined the e-mail gang yet :-0 .)  We have Rocky Road to "cook" for our closest neighbours (don't tell 'em, ok!).  And ons Erik just called, asking for our Christmas List.  His list is peppered with "chrome"--must be "in style', eh!

I, RHOnda, have been sewing gifts.  FUN!!  (Will tell you'all later, in case a recipient is a reader...)

We have a Christmas concert on Monday at Grace Dart Hospital.  A good portion of the singers are residents, themselves!!  How neat is THAT!!

And, I got the best Holiday news of all today--my favourite friend (the ONLY kind I have!) whose name starts with "M" is coming to visit!! ;)

Hoping that YOUR Holiday Season is quiet, peaceful, reflective... and quiet...

RHOTO

I've Tagged Myself!!

Sooo, Connie BJ of "Couturesmith " was tagged....  and then said, "There, that was fun!  Now it's your turn...  I tag any fellow blogger who was at the PR Weekends in either Philadelphia or Montreal to answer the same questions!
Well, as you'll soon see :/, I am a blogger who was at the Montreal PR Weekend...  (For now, that's a secret, OK!!)
Sooo, off we go...

1.  Which pattern/vintage style have you been thinking about lately? I really LIKE vintage styles ;).  Unfortunately, my "middle" doesn't fit their tiny circumferences well... :(  Did these women not EAT in "those days"??  I do ave an '80's pattern coming in the mail...

As my sweet friend Anne-Marie ("Mahler") would advise, "Pick EITHER the frilly top OR the frilly bottom".  I CAN'T, Anne Marie :0!!  I'm a frilly girl!!  I WILL "petite" the ruffles down to my proportions, though ;)  When I saw this pattern, I GASPED!!  "That's ME/MOI!!" Much more so than the classic/sporty looks I actually R-T-wear...

2.  What is the one place you want to visit that you've never been before?  Oh gosh!!  That's most of the World!!  But especially the quiet villages where one can encounter and share life experiences with the local women ;).


3.  How do you relax?  I withdraw from the maddening "loud" crowd--either to a quieter outside "environ" or to my Sewing Studio! ;)


4.  What is your favourite holiday/vacation?  RHOTO sometimes succeeds in having a "Sabbath Sunday"--a day set aside to BE and not DO.  To relax, snooze, read, visit friends.  A day to set the table with finery, candles and COOK :O.  A day to say, "If it's not done by now (the laundry/ironing!), it can wait for Monday!!"  Sooo, we have the potential to have a favourite holiday/vacation EVERY week!!

5.   What sewing skills do you want to learn/try out?  I've just started learning how to FIT a pattern with my DF "Margaret".  It's FUN!!  I want to learn how to make clothing that not only expresses "moi", but also fits "moi's" figure ;o.

6.  Can you knit?  Crochet?  Other crafting talents?  Well, I TRIED to knit at seven-years old...  (There's a story behind that one!)  Ended up with a triangular square :o!!  Don't have any other "crafting" types of talents... TOny find me quite "crafty" at times, though... ;)


7.  What garment/accessory do you wear most often?   My beautiful marriage rings...  AND gorgeous French lingerie--oh, la la!!  Highly recommended to enhance your... self-esteem!!  Oh, yes...  And Chanel No. 5--daily/nightly.  Not for "special occasions".  LIFE is a special occasion, non??


8.  How much time do you spend reading blogs (per day)?  I check in several times per day to see if one of my "Wonderful Blog Friends" has recently posted.  I DO keep my list of "WBF" down on purpose 'cos there are other websites that attract my attention:  PatternReview.com !!, Facebook, e-mail, the weather forecast...


9.  What is your Motto/Mantra?

I can't be contented with yesterday's glory

I can't live on promises, winter to spring.

Today is my moment; now is my story

I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing.

- "Today", sung by John Denver  *

Sooo, there, that was fun!  Hopefully you enjoyed our cuppa tea together.  Now it's your turn...  I tag my Wonderful Blog Friends to answer the same questions and share about yourselves!!

RHOnda


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp0I5N0yeXE  *


PS  See Sue's TAG on "Sew, Stash, Sew" !!

Happy Easter Sunday!!

RHOTO

How Do I Love Thee, TOny?

How Do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways:

1. You are a generous man—to everyone, but especially with me. Generous with your time, attention, caring, $ and your love.

2. You are a man of wonderful character, ethics, values. EVERY ONE has your interest and compassion.

3. You are funny and witty!! Especially in your spontaneous reactions to events and ideas.

4. You are smart!! You “pick up” ideas and concepts easily—like with KIA and at school.

5. You are loved by EVERY BODY!! It is a joy(ce) to be with you as a Partner and Mate.

6. You are ALWAYS in a good mood!! (OK, sometimes that “drives me nuts” ;)

7. You bring MUSIC to my life!! Different kinds!!

8. Sure, you like sports (hockey, especially)!! But, you’re “not married to it” ;)

9. You are interested in everything I do. You know more about sewing than many “sewers” ;) (See #1.)

10. You keep yourself in good shape. For your health and longevity and for your great quality of life ;)

11. You spoil your Valentine (me!) with lovely presents. This year with a wonderful book, Chanel No. 5, Swarovski bracelet, tea cups, Godiva & Lindt chocolates!! (See #1.)

12. You are my co-therapist. You listen, encourage and fully support my mental health team.

13. You like your own self. Your own company. You don’t look for me to “make you happy”. You ARE happy and we share that happiness—together.

14. You LOVE me!!

Happy St. Valentine's Day, Darling TOny!!

Love, RHOnda

TOny's Story Scarf

Santa came!! And TOny just loves his Story Scarf!!

Once upon a time... There's TOny... He has his headphones on, comme d'habitude... But, this time, they are made of HOCKEY PUCKS!! ;) His radio/iPod has ended up on the floor, which happens frequently. He's ready to shoot--at his square puck (!) with his hockey stick at an "inside out, backwards, but not upside down" angle... Just like TOny's clothes frequently "land" on his body. We laugh!! And then "straighten him out"!! ;)

Merry Christmas, TOny!! You've been a "very good boy"!!

RHOnda

Christmas Card 2009 - Smilebox

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Holidays Around the World

"The Dean of Students Office and Multi-faith Chaplaincy invite you to share in Holidays around the World.

See, taste and celebrate different cultural and religious traditions!

Experience Hanukkah, find out about Kwanzaa, hear the story of Christmas, learn about Winter Solstice, explore Muhurram, and others...

Enjoy new tastes and sounds with entertainment provided by an Inuit singer/drummer, Carolers for a Cause, Hanukkah Music and more..."

SO, RHOTO went yesterday!! What a warm, sharing, caring event!! We learned LOTS about other Holidays and cultures. We ate yummy, yummy food!! Our "favourite" parts were the Inuit lady and the Hanukkah latkes. This occasion is in our "Top 10 All-Time Holiday Events" category.

Happy Holidays to YOU, however you celebrate/don't celebrate!!

RHOTO

'Enrolled in Holiday Contest!!

"Margaret" and "Rhonda in Montreal" have sewn together, written a Review, entered the PR Holiday Contest & delivered scarves and bookmarks for Christmas!!

Oh, what FUN it is to have a nice friend who also enjoys sewing together, too!! ;)

RHOnda

December 6th-Sinterklaas Dag

I--TOon-- came to Canada from the Netherlands in 1954. So, I've been living here in Montreal for 55 years now (!!) and I still have sweet memories of various customs/traditions of Holland which are burned in my soul.

One of these traditions is the celebration of "Sinterklaas" (Sint Nicolas). Sint Nicolas was a Bishop who lived in the 6th century in Spain. He loved--and was loved--by the children. Hence, he is remembered on Sint Nicolas Day, each 6th of December. This is the day, not Christmas Day, when Dutch children receive a visit and gifts from Sinterklass. Grown-ups have a party the evening before, at which time they exchange gifts accompanied by rimes/poems, etc.

I remember one Sint Nicolas Day when a brother and I (there were 11 children) both received a scooter. That was very special!! And, on another occasion, when I was already in Canada and on vacation in Holland, I attended a Sinterklass "surprise evening" with Family. I had asked for a four-colour pencil. I received a poem wrapped around two (2) carpenter's pencils--one red/one black--glued together at their flat backs!! That was a funny one!! Ten (10) minutes later I got a "real" four-colour pencil ;). Needless to say, these gifts were accompanied by our favourite beverage--Heineken.

Sinterklass usually arrives in the cities by BOAT from Spain!! With his white horse and "Zwarte Piet" helpers. Of course, only good children receive gifts. Naughty children are put in Zwarte Piet's bag and carried away!! To my knowledge, this never happened because I was always good and so were the other children ;)!!

TOny