tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-246672767589394382024-02-19T09:01:27.603-06:00Everything is ticketyboo!Creative adventures in the little big city.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.comBlogger564125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-61254430776283220452014-12-08T22:50:00.001-06:002014-12-08T22:50:35.124-06:00Oh, hello.<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you looking for handmade and upcycled goods? </div>
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Visit my crafty blog - <a href="http://smallcraftwarning.ca/">Small Craft Warning</a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-40793920020725072752014-04-15T17:40:00.001-05:002014-04-15T17:46:31.597-05:00Pies, pies, pies.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg0xqasj3iG1-TQAM9fWvDdJrwRNLyKwwb7e5-QQ5SIZKOaGHKOJ7wj-fCwenrNOG3SAOhQmWbTUqZ1ODVDJJdZQiEuRZGNESRAPn1adIEhFMhqphyfpwhH7_gwKsI8A4AxpGlO7e0A/s1600/pie+jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg0xqasj3iG1-TQAM9fWvDdJrwRNLyKwwb7e5-QQ5SIZKOaGHKOJ7wj-fCwenrNOG3SAOhQmWbTUqZ1ODVDJJdZQiEuRZGNESRAPn1adIEhFMhqphyfpwhH7_gwKsI8A4AxpGlO7e0A/s1600/pie+jars.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>photo by Ian McCausland</i></div>
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If you follow me on the Twitter, you've probably been wondering what's up with all the pie-talk lately.</div>
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Since I have a bit of free time on my hands, I have been helping my friend Heather with her pie business, Shut Ur Pie Hole. We are baking out of a big, bright commercial kitchen and selling Heather's pies at the Knox Community Food Market and random events throughout the city. It's been lots of hard work, but also lots of fun.</div>
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This Thursday we'll be setting up shop at The Bay Downtown to sell pie by-the-slice, as well as whole pies and those amazing little pies in jars (above). If you have a hankering for pie and a little history, come down and join us over the lunch hour. And, if you can't make it, give us a holler and we'll bring the pie to you!<br />
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Twitter: @zenbecca or @pielady<br />
Email: zenbecca@gmail.com or hldaymond@gmail.com</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-91733737694512359202014-03-26T10:38:00.002-05:002014-03-26T10:38:51.320-05:00Over the Top - the ArtI just realized that I had not done an Over the Top post-party post! And, really, I have NO excuse. Since the 16th, I have had <i>plenty </i>of time on my hands*.<div>
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Other than the fact that I was completely shut out of the raffle (Boo to that!), I had a lovely time at the party; catching up with my artsy friends and watching my two pieces go to good homes.</div>
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"We lose ourselves..." (above) sold for $90 and "She decided to start living..." (below) sold for $120!</div>
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*Spot the sarcasm!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-69256099015468114632014-03-25T12:16:00.000-05:002014-12-08T22:45:51.879-06:00Amazebites at Taste of the NationLast night, I had the privilege of attending the Taste of the Nation event at the Fairmont Hotel as a guest of the Manitoba Canola Growers. To say that it was fun would be a ridiculous understatement.<br />
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We started out in the VIP room (I know!), with wine, salmon gravlax on buckwheat blinis, tempura shrimp, baked oysters, raw oysters, scallops. It was a great warm-up for the taste-buds and the intimate setting meant that we could all catch up with each other before being unleashed on the wonderful madness of the main room.<br />
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Once we were upstairs, chaos ensued. It's hard to describe - imagine table after table of beautifully presented one- two- and three-bite treats offered up by some of the city's coolest chefs. Ok, ALL of the city's coolest chefs. There was everything from cold-pressed fruit juice (delicious) to beef tartare (did not sample) and about a bazillion wines and spirits to wash it all down. And - breaking news - the big story of the night seemed to be fish, followed closely by beets.<br />
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Standouts:<br />
- Pizzeria Gusto's little eco-spoons - arctic char nestled in with little jewel-toned bits of yumminess (above)<br />
- Chew's lobster/shrimp tacos - in beet chip "shells"! (above)<br />
- Diversity's house-made ricotta and avocado on grilled bread with an anchovy on top (below) AND polenta with mushroom ragout and fingerling potato chips.<br />
- Green Carrot's cold-pressed apple/mint/pineapple juice - Obby Khan's new venture!<br />
- Shawarma Khan's hummous. I told Obby that I would probably never get kissed again, but Kiki G disproved that theory. :blushes:<br />
- Red River College's pike burgers with red and golden beets on gluten-free buns. Yes. Gluten-free. And I loved them!<br />
- Smoked tomato soup and little grilled cheese sammiches from the new place at Kildonan Park. (Opening soon!)<br />
- Everything at Segovia. I don't even know what I had, but I loved it.<br />
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All in all, it was a fantastic evening. Besides all the tasting and sipping, and winning a pile of gift certificates in the silent auction (!!!), my favourite part of the night was getting to hang out, laugh and be silly with the gang.<br />
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It's true what Julia Child said -<i> <b>People who love to eat are always the best people!</b></i><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-73664293165711514912014-03-14T13:35:00.000-05:002014-03-14T13:35:00.273-05:00Spring is... Over the Top!<div class="MsoNormal">
For some, spring starts when the snow begins to melt and the
heavy coats and boots are relegated to the basement closet. For others, spring
won’t start until things start greening up and the patios along Corydon re-open.
For me, the official, non-negotiable start of spring is the MAWA “Over the Top”
<a href="http://mawa.ca/over-the-top-art-auction-and-cupcake-party-2/">Cupcake Party and Auction. </a><o:p></o:p></div>
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What makes it “Over the Top”? Well, about a thousand
cupcakes and a couple hundred of the city’s coolest peeps crammed in a small gallery
vying for elbow room and original art. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This is my 5<sup>th</sup> year donating art and cupcakes to
the party and I think it’ll be the best one yet. First of all, I am absolutely
smitten with the two pieces that I made for the auction:<o:p></o:p></div>
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And, as always, I am super-excited to make my cupcakes. This
year, I am planning a little salted caramel number and something involving
Fruit Loops. (Pictures and recipes will be posted on my other blog after the
weekend.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m also really looking forward to the party itself… and the
raffle! We have been lucky – and I mean REALLY lucky – twice, winning a $1000
camera the first year and a giant gift basket the next. I don’t want to jinx
it, but I think we’re going to come home with something again this year. (I’m
planning to double up on the raffle tickets, just in case.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you are thinking of going, but have heard that it’s a
madhouse, have no fear. This year, the cupcakes, the people and the art will still
be there, but the gallery space will be expanded to give artists and art buyers
more room to mix, mingle and (for lack of a better word) munch. And, if you can't make it on Sunday, or want to get a jump on bidding, MAWA is kicking off the weekend with <a href="http://mawa.ca/over-the-top-bidding-begins/">a birthday party TONIGHT</a> from 5:00-8:00pm. Admission and cake are free, but if you wanna place a bid on any art, you have to buy a $10 ticket to Sunday's event. <o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-52323094928861003252014-02-11T12:30:00.000-06:002014-02-27T09:13:41.090-06:00Power of Movement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I did it. I signed up to take part in the Power of Movement yoga event, in support of Arthritis research. It takes place on Sunday, March 2 and I'm on what looks like a very fun team. (I kinda nosed my way in, but they have been very gracious so far.) I am really looking forward to getting back to the mat and getting my sun salutations on.</div>
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The team has set a fundraising goal of $1000. Should you wish to contribute, you may do so here: <a href="http://beatarthritis.akaraisin.com/POM2014Winnipeg/zenbecca" target="_blank">Beat Arthritis!</a></div>
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Namaste, my lovelies.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-85620220527968353852014-02-07T08:00:00.000-06:002014-02-07T08:00:08.242-06:00Project Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of joining the Project Valentine group to make Valentine's Day cards for people receiving treatment at CancerCare. The event was hosted by the always gracious Claudine and, after just a couple hours of hard-core crafting, resulted in 256 cards!<br />
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I contributed 10 cards to the cause (9 are pictured above), but I am ready to double that next year. I just have to figure out how to talk AND glue at the same time...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-73531629095545693802014-02-06T16:30:00.000-06:002014-02-06T16:30:00.620-06:00Brunch at the River Pop-upMy friend Heather has the best ideas. Last Sunday, she texted me bright and early (full disclosure: I wasn't up yet) to invite me for brunch on the river.<br />
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ON. THE. RIVER.<br />
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If you're from Winnipeg, you know that this is no big deal. We do this sorta thing ALL the time. The river's frozen? Put up a gourmet restaurant. Makes perfect sense.<br />
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Anyway, I spent a few minutes (in my very warm bed) before texting back something like "Ummm...sure." Then I got dressed.<br />
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Tights, jeans, two pairs of socks, turtleneck, chunky sweater (so much for looking like a girl), scarf, mittens, parka, Sorels, and a plaid, faux-fur lined Elmer Fudd hat. And I was worried that it wouldn't be enough.<br />
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We arrived at the tent-cum-restaurant at about 10:30, but were told that we would have to wait until noon for the next seating. Remembering that there were cinnamon buns and coffee to be found inside the Forks market building, we decided to stick it out and put our names on the list for 12:00.<br />
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After wandering around (sitting, drinking coffee, eating, running into friends, getting lost, getting found) for an hour or so, we made our way back to the middle of the river and took our places at the long communal table. Seating was on stumps, which, while clever, turned out to be a little chilly on the bottom. (Tip: if you go, take something warm to sit on. I sat on my hat.)<br />
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Brunch started with Red River Cereal topped with blueberry-apple sauce. It was warm and yummy...and curiously spicy* and it was the perfect way to shake off the chill and warm up the taste buds. (My guess was a pinch of cayenne, but I'm still not sure.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqmGaRKRwIlOCIFcwlWhQIkIedqsUBIsNu3B5Y4GMoeUGC9It2jXpu7ylOpYZA4BJLB6V2Sov7113tSFH659aMtanYVixqQD0f3PjsbaHg99w2lAetkOtmSOwcyYIRC-ZEafrjIACDQ/s1600/20140202_122636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqmGaRKRwIlOCIFcwlWhQIkIedqsUBIsNu3B5Y4GMoeUGC9It2jXpu7ylOpYZA4BJLB6V2Sov7113tSFH659aMtanYVixqQD0f3PjsbaHg99w2lAetkOtmSOwcyYIRC-ZEafrjIACDQ/s1600/20140202_122636.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next up was a big pancake with maple syrup and (for all but two of us) lots of crispy bacon. And communal plates of fruit salad that confused some of us at first (we're sometimes all a little *too* polite), but in the end bonded us as a group. It's all about the sharing and caring, right, Care Bear?<br />
<br />
After the pancake came sharable (heaping) plates of potatoes and corned beef and scrambled eggs, and plates of sliced bannock with yummy, peppery gravy. By this time, we were all good friends and dispensed with any hesitation when it came to passing the plates around. I can say without any question that everybody had their fill.<br />
<br />
Of course, there was still room for dessert - homemade sausage corn dogs and the most amazeballs homemade marshmallows. I had room for exactly one marshmallow - any more and Heather would've had to call for a team of sled dogs to pull me out of there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ERjULkZTXrIPEOrM7-nxEdg2prn7M45bMvQyF452KYr1QOzHjIM5MBksKlUCO_MwQzEHy1knXD-HdWQ9TEOrR62I8mhCxnQwN0QA7xxiW-PwwUMdU23_al1iwbi-NRIEmeVDTsKKjw/s1600/IMG_20140204_030220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ERjULkZTXrIPEOrM7-nxEdg2prn7M45bMvQyF452KYr1QOzHjIM5MBksKlUCO_MwQzEHy1knXD-HdWQ9TEOrR62I8mhCxnQwN0QA7xxiW-PwwUMdU23_al1iwbi-NRIEmeVDTsKKjw/s1600/IMG_20140204_030220.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Other than the food being fantastic, which - thanks to the talents of Talia Syrie and her team - it was, the whole experience was a win-win-win. We had a blast taking it all in (People on skates! Chefs in fur hats! Servers in ski-pants! Avi!), our table mates were a hoot, and it felt great to be a part of something so... so... Winnipeg.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-53209670686796576952014-01-09T11:23:00.002-06:002014-01-09T11:23:57.153-06:00Life Hack - Hot White Vinegar<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever use white vinegar to clean your house? Ever use HOT
white vinegar? Let me tell ya, it’s the best thing ever.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6QpTNmCBdwYlZSmw4nu9J6cfVgbeym-vUbM20EB_tByqTHOe_1QYsUA5vcVP9HOG4bZOwo1IRa53gdc8qnwM-PQkwu63r88yftl4OcCejloYFYY-KQut6hM_xwLjyhw8RvTVVG6itQ/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6QpTNmCBdwYlZSmw4nu9J6cfVgbeym-vUbM20EB_tByqTHOe_1QYsUA5vcVP9HOG4bZOwo1IRa53gdc8qnwM-PQkwu63r88yftl4OcCejloYFYY-KQut6hM_xwLjyhw8RvTVVG6itQ/s1600/kitchen.jpg" height="230" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night, I decided to descale my year-old Kuerig machine
with, you guessed it, white vinegar. The procedure is dead simple – you fill
the tank with vinegar, run it through the machine, then follow with a whole
tank of clean water – and well worth the two dollars that you spent on the
vinegar. But, two dollars is two dollars and I can’t help feel a little bad
pouring it straight down the drain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I was standing there waiting for the first cup to “brew”,
I dropped a couple of spoonfuls of baking soda down the drain. I chased it with
the hot vinegar and stood back to let it do its magic while I pushed the button
on my machine for the second cup. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cup number two ended up on the stove top. I let it stand until
it has cooled down enough to mop up with a sponge and, holy cow, did that stuff
ever make my white stove top GLEAM. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ended up using the last cup to give my countertops,
toaster, kettle and the exterior surfaces of the Kuerig itself a good wipe-down.
Sure, my kitchen smelled like a chip wagon* for the next hour, but it dissipated
by bedtime and everything was so darn clean.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With two (three?) jobs, plus a teenager to feed and water,
the time that I spend at home is precious. As much as I love a clean house, I
want to spend as little time as possible scrubbing and scouring so that I can
do more exciting stuff. This little life hack gave me an extra 15 minutes to do
my nails. And dream about chips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
*some might see that as a bonus.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-83753098193264800922013-12-24T09:55:00.000-06:002013-12-24T09:55:15.597-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H-It96wr47QTVZKkL40o9uScES7jv_oVksZOAMrb4ffDnL2IqkZVU5zxxHdDYLs1LjP7TunF0DC1vtYZdJ4JMeGKqq7jPB8lbRDuyXnwW3xlT95x7NiQQwKmeHWXulC8KA3swzpOiQ/s1600/santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H-It96wr47QTVZKkL40o9uScES7jv_oVksZOAMrb4ffDnL2IqkZVU5zxxHdDYLs1LjP7TunF0DC1vtYZdJ4JMeGKqq7jPB8lbRDuyXnwW3xlT95x7NiQQwKmeHWXulC8KA3swzpOiQ/s640/santa.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you are not already tracking Santa, you should be.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And, yes, Virginia... there is an app for that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ho ho ho!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-24214778943131539792013-12-22T18:00:00.000-06:002013-12-23T10:22:34.879-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 22<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCILZHFyKYdmS_YgZb4mj4HGVAZY6VkGTGN6twm9Zx2WlUN5XqDDYR2QuJP-7QWrnKl2_eiswbMwMEb7yqjcPcxWLnTZ-slRYTwMDhqVu7eBRJGdd5ZeVhk4q3Ssq181rhUkWr2iX0A/s1600/horsies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCILZHFyKYdmS_YgZb4mj4HGVAZY6VkGTGN6twm9Zx2WlUN5XqDDYR2QuJP-7QWrnKl2_eiswbMwMEb7yqjcPcxWLnTZ-slRYTwMDhqVu7eBRJGdd5ZeVhk4q3Ssq181rhUkWr2iX0A/s400/horsies.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, this was pretty awesome.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was on my way to pick up my fella this afternoon,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and had to pull over to let this horse-drawn wagon pass.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's not something that you get to say every day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Giddy-up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-83702056310087396562013-12-21T09:00:00.000-06:002013-12-21T09:00:00.702-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCrCQ9vaXEnWKtJh8uWG58bBnnjU4Vz_yobhIf1M7DrutPe748uSQuLS1a-tk__CpgI48pvTvNqkSKxVmxzSdCacTYue0t9StUrEZ3z-TNXDAR6lzShRQ541AUQmHpkpT8UTeqXuXrg/s1600/good.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCrCQ9vaXEnWKtJh8uWG58bBnnjU4Vz_yobhIf1M7DrutPe748uSQuLS1a-tk__CpgI48pvTvNqkSKxVmxzSdCacTYue0t9StUrEZ3z-TNXDAR6lzShRQ541AUQmHpkpT8UTeqXuXrg/s400/good.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When flour comes along, you must whip it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When butter comes along, you must whip it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When sugar comes along, you must whip it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://zenbecca.blogspot.ca/2013/12/whipped-shortbread.html" target="_blank">Whipped shortbread.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's not too late.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I say whip it. Whip it good.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-36896562470300072472013-12-20T08:30:00.000-06:002013-12-20T08:30:02.416-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 20<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/125179492&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matt Nathanson's cover of The Kinks "Father Christmas".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Click through to the Soundcloud page to download.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now you can take it with you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You. Are. Welcome.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-46897006958801182652013-12-19T08:00:00.000-06:002013-12-19T08:00:06.556-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 19<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr09SBiMgcJzidzLu3RE_EotcMianMHs1qENlwuwcPtUmpwLq_zbKzCx0BwYVKlMKyM7-uZnmEsbdv5u1qY4zsGIOCpSQBcCFlDY2IAoHWvXqDK40gIui35ahUgfPLFQ3VHvObBCkCw/s1600/caroling.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr09SBiMgcJzidzLu3RE_EotcMianMHs1qENlwuwcPtUmpwLq_zbKzCx0BwYVKlMKyM7-uZnmEsbdv5u1qY4zsGIOCpSQBcCFlDY2IAoHWvXqDK40gIui35ahUgfPLFQ3VHvObBCkCw/s320/caroling.png" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This. Is. Cool.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Android users can take their phones caroling with this little holiday feature.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just type "let's go caroling" into the Googles, and a magical, karaoke-esque app opens up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then, all you have to do is sing along.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Loudly.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-47708415341024388242013-12-18T10:17:00.002-06:002013-12-18T10:17:39.808-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUAgjT1vL_-psyK_39FbOFi_IXHCpe-z1d4DDz1kWlO8FPgS4Z-b-ESFDWNLXv6KH24S2ezQWGfE8lW-I7wR4yGONpXIxqIaaTc69QuSrfG1Wn6R_z1GjLaKY4mL1YID6VO3mBjduZA/s1600/sweetboxcircle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUAgjT1vL_-psyK_39FbOFi_IXHCpe-z1d4DDz1kWlO8FPgS4Z-b-ESFDWNLXv6KH24S2ezQWGfE8lW-I7wR4yGONpXIxqIaaTc69QuSrfG1Wn6R_z1GjLaKY4mL1YID6VO3mBjduZA/s400/sweetboxcircle.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There are those who always buy the best gifts and those who need a little help.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you are in the latter group, have no fear!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My friend <a href="http://giftsbyshel.com/" target="_blank">Shel</a> has shopped for you and she has the perfect gift for everyone on your list.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Visit <a href="http://giftsbyshel.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> for gift ideas, and check back daily. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There's so much amazing stuff, like the silver pendant (above) from <a href="http://www.citrussilver.com/" target="_blank">Citrus Silver</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I haven't seen anything on there that I wouldn't want.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ahem.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-31341952013256945852013-12-17T15:38:00.000-06:002013-12-17T15:38:03.743-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNabTv6coIeSgae3Tw8TYmIImTBm8WyDtcvjQSCcMfvuwJA43PpxYttUe4R8kNCaT4mGNwVhJYq3DHMHRkSqRhMFaX4nxpyzLWgaxh5AM1-PI-RqulI54f4d1Scl7ckI1bysN50Og2w/s1600/treats!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNabTv6coIeSgae3Tw8TYmIImTBm8WyDtcvjQSCcMfvuwJA43PpxYttUe4R8kNCaT4mGNwVhJYq3DHMHRkSqRhMFaX4nxpyzLWgaxh5AM1-PI-RqulI54f4d1Scl7ckI1bysN50Og2w/s400/treats!.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Homemade Christmas treats.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
'nuff said.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-9220874230338317542013-12-15T16:00:00.000-06:002013-12-18T11:11:58.790-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Cr9qV09_97PSkyuMqkxUPXH8wDdRBLeJty2ppK0q9Gib_PCjnJKVlmVBSHvFgWdzTVZPTa6yF5eAjcHO3qAg-0FpYVPFhGh9TdDPYZ-aJjL_R4td2mLr_VaE6uuNQPzh-T8hdlahoA/s1600/robe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Cr9qV09_97PSkyuMqkxUPXH8wDdRBLeJty2ppK0q9Gib_PCjnJKVlmVBSHvFgWdzTVZPTa6yF5eAjcHO3qAg-0FpYVPFhGh9TdDPYZ-aJjL_R4td2mLr_VaE6uuNQPzh-T8hdlahoA/s400/robe.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fact: you don't need to go away to get away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Especially during <strike>crazy season</strike> the holidays, even a night in a nice downtown hotel is enough to recharge the ol' batteries.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After our night at the Fairmont, I think I am ready to face the next two weeks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-49108047809123397252013-12-12T08:00:00.000-06:002013-12-12T08:00:03.473-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW3CqLge8YWMh989-mpE4zpQxlAPk3XX2HV_l_5IuS3p2t7EMu_a-MZRhEyi8hvOEu0NdgnNBXo3ubU34_cH3ZvhkzEFn_9ht8lusKCG-Ob731wwc_3PVgm70Pktronx-1biIdtgkNw/s1600/vista.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW3CqLge8YWMh989-mpE4zpQxlAPk3XX2HV_l_5IuS3p2t7EMu_a-MZRhEyi8hvOEu0NdgnNBXo3ubU34_cH3ZvhkzEFn_9ht8lusKCG-Ob731wwc_3PVgm70Pktronx-1biIdtgkNw/s640/vista.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not too late to order custom holiday cards.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just upload a photo, choose your design, add a greeting, and you're done.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's really that easy...and it's cheap!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Use the code CHRISTMAS to receive 50% off and free shipping. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then just sit back and wait for your cards to arrive.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Maybe have a cookie or two while you wait.)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-17956126658566429432013-12-11T08:00:00.000-06:002013-12-11T08:00:00.406-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCejJPJhEDHisYBIvjh7ZJGKyNQxG99A4V6MzjrC8Nzs3TBA1Njz1jiMNN9IFUuHrYruxNmxF_S4JMjtd-4otmssqHGr_pN-5Vax31HD5EhFLdz2wP6SmZfpJ6RMcbb5eSDQCRZjLLg/s1600/DSC_4643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCejJPJhEDHisYBIvjh7ZJGKyNQxG99A4V6MzjrC8Nzs3TBA1Njz1jiMNN9IFUuHrYruxNmxF_S4JMjtd-4otmssqHGr_pN-5Vax31HD5EhFLdz2wP6SmZfpJ6RMcbb5eSDQCRZjLLg/s640/DSC_4643.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As far as awesome events go, Help Portrait was right up there as a highlight of the year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I realized this year that in addition to selfies, the Mascot and I needed to have some <i>real</i> pictures taken.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I heard about this great project, I knew we had to do it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last Saturday, we went down to Aspire Studios and had a fun session </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with the talented and incredibly bubbly <a href="http://www.trishpalud.com/" target="_blank">Trish Palud</a>.</div>
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It was a great deal - for $60, we got three great pictures (including the one above)</div>
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and 100% of the proceeds went to <a href="https://www.siloam.ca/" target="_blank">Siloam Mission</a>.</div>
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According to my calculations, that sixty bucks will provide a hot meal to 20 people.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-78744052371079553772013-12-10T11:38:00.001-06:002013-12-10T11:39:02.975-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdWdeFRbhpnmU2q2VFMQY0C-4Mqg0wZp1Bz54scAoNt4miKuiC1A5wNK8_g5ZRnCcICxHmA7MKN9Fu8rRzlDoc-94kiaYf61gLYnokR5uQSwtvcPs6MAeXGzzT7Ths_zxoIDNqADdhg/s1600/momentum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdWdeFRbhpnmU2q2VFMQY0C-4Mqg0wZp1Bz54scAoNt4miKuiC1A5wNK8_g5ZRnCcICxHmA7MKN9Fu8rRzlDoc-94kiaYf61gLYnokR5uQSwtvcPs6MAeXGzzT7Ths_zxoIDNqADdhg/s400/momentum.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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This is my most-favourite magazine in the whole world.</div>
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Page after page of drool-worthy bikes and tons of info on active transportation...</div>
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and they're Canadian! What's not to love?</div>
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If you have someone in your life that lives to ride or rides to live, consider a gift subscription.</div>
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Right now, you can get <a href="http://momentummag.com/features/give-the-gift-of-momentum-mag/" target="_blank">a whole year of Momentum for $12.95</a> to give to your favourite bikey person.</div>
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But, don't worry about me. I sent the link to Santa ages ago.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-13591707460423104132013-12-09T08:00:00.000-06:002013-12-09T08:00:00.828-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf4MrCUSafW39DVrjmj03gImHa8piFhIfyFz238_7wyWzEF-dQKOUf2ybfFSvWZmXZSBzY_Ye64pngN02WjiAr-whC80XtNqqmjq0Loy3QR3atLRPJw_RnCeTC1Onm-ddUUJbtZSwlA/s1600/advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf4MrCUSafW39DVrjmj03gImHa8piFhIfyFz238_7wyWzEF-dQKOUf2ybfFSvWZmXZSBzY_Ye64pngN02WjiAr-whC80XtNqqmjq0Loy3QR3atLRPJw_RnCeTC1Onm-ddUUJbtZSwlA/s400/advent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the Mascot's advent calendar.</div>
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Twenty-four bags of treats strung from a festive little garland.</div>
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The bags contain everything from chocolates to lottery tickets to soup.</div>
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(It's ok, he doesn't read my blog.)</div>
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We had to hang it above the kitcken cupboards this year </div>
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because it was too long to go anywhere else.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-1635838366373603802013-12-08T10:00:00.000-06:002013-12-08T10:00:03.211-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TKc7v7CNIlqwdhOv4GOQw2_sRUsgjLTdYTkAZkC02WyuDkt8E4RKy5LpxYjbZw7v4Sad2ofyfJx5R1yxkWzLtEETy27Gp-9AreKgUHWNX1TWoncqEclgpzIH0ZD2KFyoxZfjFplHj_4/s1600/puppy-chow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TKc7v7CNIlqwdhOv4GOQw2_sRUsgjLTdYTkAZkC02WyuDkt8E4RKy5LpxYjbZw7v4Sad2ofyfJx5R1yxkWzLtEETy27Gp-9AreKgUHWNX1TWoncqEclgpzIH0ZD2KFyoxZfjFplHj_4/s400/puppy-chow.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
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Crack.</div>
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It's horribly addictive.</div>
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Don't suffer alone - make a double batch and share.</div>
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You can find the recipe <a href="http://zenbecca.blogspot.ca/2011/12/crack.html" target="_blank">on my blog</a>.</div>
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I'm sorry.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-36573442181576266032013-12-07T10:00:00.000-06:002013-12-07T10:00:05.939-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oun2JSAvcoXUnWP3q2XMH_IOL50_hymmnErGDzvPBmVPNGCZ_s8DExUal_F2ngHtt5MnVkHs9W257DZRnBXKMl0MPyg4QgJjCB4u3ijx6OFI9F2ydn2Qog1BUmG0S7qQQnhbboCjow/s1600/ale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oun2JSAvcoXUnWP3q2XMH_IOL50_hymmnErGDzvPBmVPNGCZ_s8DExUal_F2ngHtt5MnVkHs9W257DZRnBXKMl0MPyg4QgJjCB4u3ijx6OFI9F2ydn2Qog1BUmG0S7qQQnhbboCjow/s400/ale.jpg" width="373" /></a></div>
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Do you like beer?</div>
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Do you like dessert?</div>
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Do you like beer that tastes like dessert?</div>
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This ale is smooth and chocolatey and vanilla-y and so, so good.</div>
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If you are going out tonight and want to try something a little bit different, </div>
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I strongly recommend that you try one of these.</div>
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Cheers!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-35529059231863049362013-12-06T08:30:00.000-06:002013-12-06T08:30:00.600-06:00Twenty-four Days of Awesome - Day 6<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lwxsnRbz4NY" width="420"></iframe></div>
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This song breaks my heart every time I hear it.</div>
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I used to think kd lang did the best version, but I think these guys have her beat.</div>
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Sorry, kd.</div>
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For my dad.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24667276758939438.post-5074668121039480552013-12-05T17:00:00.000-06:002013-12-05T17:00:03.830-06:00Ad Astra 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQA3bB_zNiQkfOe3kEztqwSYAzUQPOmoUNseq-BwU0dMEA3aHX4ExQLMBR_oJmlhvTgezpHOjOeB2vWC6s07N-bd7vOSTfEHlXBj0E9Qo3JsDIdDFWBeQStLw-2zs0y3GXkFeTCwHng/s1600/adastra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQA3bB_zNiQkfOe3kEztqwSYAzUQPOmoUNseq-BwU0dMEA3aHX4ExQLMBR_oJmlhvTgezpHOjOeB2vWC6s07N-bd7vOSTfEHlXBj0E9Qo3JsDIdDFWBeQStLw-2zs0y3GXkFeTCwHng/s400/adastra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Trust me - the Mascot is in there. Somewhere. </i></div>
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"Ad Astra" is Grant Park's annual performing arts show, which features hundreds of singing, dancing, acting teenagers, giving their absolute all in front of family and friends. In past years, the show has clocked in at just shy of 13 hours (or, so it would seem.) This year, however, they trimmed the program drastically, split some of the numbers over two nights, and got it down under two hours including a 15 minute intermission. That meant parents got to see more of their own kid and less of everyone else's.</div>
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The Mascot was in three out of 10 numbers - a song, a dance, and the finale. You can accuse me of being biased all you want, but I think he was awesome... especially during the ballet piece when he was lifting the girls. I even had one of those "Oh, my big, strong boy!" moments. It was all very, very* awesome.</div>
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*The second very is for the Grade 7s, who did "What does the fox say?", complete with strobes, black lights and smoke. So good.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12717066177920150554noreply@blogger.com0