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Archive for April, 2013

Today is our 25th Wedding Anniversary

April 29, 2013 | Filed under: Uncategorized

Hard to believe that 25 years have gone by since we were married. We had a very small wedding in 1988, and so thought about having a large party to celebrate our 25th, but then decided a trip to Paris was what we wanted instead. Good Decision! But what we did do was start our celebrations this past Friday, with a dinner at the Winchester Pub in Dundas Then breakfast on Saturday at the West End Diner. Saturday night was the piece de resistance with dinner at Quatrefoil which was superb. My brother and sister-in-law joined us. Their 25th will be in November of this year. It was a busy year in 1988!
We are thankful to Georgina and Fraser and their gracious and professional staff for a wonderful evening. Started off with oysters and champagne. Then on to appetizers and delicious yellowfin tuna. My daughter sent us another bottle of champagne, and then on to dessert. It was so much fun and of course the food was exquisite. We are very lucky to have such a quality resto in Dundas.
Last night, the couple that stood up for us, came in from the U.S. for an overnite and we were able to reminisce. Today, another dinner out at Boston Pizza. I know, I know, not too glamorous but we haven’t been there in a while and the pizza was excellent…. and now we are done. And I am back to work. The Beyond the Valley Studio Tour – May 25 & 26….coming fast and furiously.

Posted by Stephanie @ 7:01 pm | Comments

Back from Paris, France……..

April 12, 2013 | Filed under: Uncategorized

We are back from 6 days in Paris, France.  It was a full and wonderful trip, felt like we were gone for much longer.  Our favourite restaurant was Les Pipos on rue de l’Ecole Polytechnique.  Fresh oysters from Brittany and tartar…..fabulous food.

We visited the George Pompidou Centre for Modern Art…which I have decided is my favourite period.  Art work there dated from about 1905 to the present.  The building itself was an artwork.  Went to the Paris flea markets, one of which is the largest antique market in Europe with over 2000 vendors.  I love Lea Stein pins and came back with 2 but there were so many more.  Lea Stein who is in her 80’s designs resin pieces that are wonderful.  Paris, france 002Pictured is one of her 3 dimensional cat pins.  I also found a cicada which I had never seen before.  Only budget restraints kept me from getting more if these wonderful pins.Paris, france 003Click on images to enlarge.

I arrived home inspired and with some wonderful stones to work with.  So begins my Paris collection.

Had an unusual experience in Paris.  We were participating in a food tour which was called “a Market Tour with a Chef”.  We are foodies and have done these tours in Chicago, San Francisco and New York.  Lots of fun and great food!

This was billed as an escorted tour with a French chef in the Batignolles quarter….there is a market street there.  Then followed by a tasting in the Chef’s atelier.  Sounded great!  This was booked through a Paris tour company that offers local walking tours.

Well, we did meet the chef for about 2 minutes.  Then were taken on the tour by a Theatre Arts student who had an “interest in food”……but definitely not much knowledge.   Called a zucchini a cucumber, said that jerusalem artichokes were only grown in Jerusalem and didn’t know what celery root was……I think that you get the picture.  We did visit a Fromagerie(cheese)…..a disinterested owner who didn’t know our guide and didn’t have time for us, a Boulangerie (bakery), more interesting and we got samples, and toured the bakery to see how the bread was baked….also info about what type of bread Parisians buy during the week and on week ends (there is a difference).  Then on to a Charcuterie for meat.  Here the owner was very enthusiastic and his shop was so filled with wonderful food that I could have stayed and sampled for hours.

Instead of going to the Chef’s atelier for our tasting, we were led to a wine shop down the street with a separate room that was cold and very dusty.  There our guide cut up the food on plastic cutting boards, all the while sniffling, and we were invited to partake along with some wine.  Napkins only, uncomfortable stools, wires hanging down……just a real mess.   There was nothing to talk about and naught to do except to taste and begone.  The tour was to last 3 hours and we managed 2 only.  For this pleasure our fee was 179.CAD per couple.  Now you may think how sad and bad and yes it was at the time but this story does have a good ending.  Our contact at the tour company that we had made arrangements through was absolutely shocked!  Deleted this tour from their website, (only the 2nd time it ran), cancelled their contract with the chef, apologized profusely, of course, and refunded our entire amount.  Now this is an ethical company owned by an astute businessman.  Also offered another tour gratis upon our return to Paris.  So we had an unusual experience and ended up with an amusing story to tell.

 

The Dundas Valley School of Art auction is tomorrow.  I have a number of pieces there and I am happy to say that almost all have bids already.  Scott Barnim, Paull Rodrigue have pieces in the live auction and Angela Sirrs has  jewellery and glass work in the silent auction.  These are members of the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour as I am – coming up May 25 & 26. I hope that they do well and thereby benefit the school.  We are going to go to the auction and hopefully get some artwork.  I was there yesterday for what I call my pre-preview.  Today, another visit for the preview and then tomorrow for the main event.

Posted by Stephanie @ 10:15 am | Comments

APRIL……SPRING IS HERE….or is it?

April 2, 2013 | Filed under: Uncategorized

My Spring Open House was a month ago….it is hard to believe…..the time has passed so quickly.  And I have been remiss in my postings but it does take a while to recover from the activity and excitement of an event such as this.  Thank you to everyone who came out and took many of my creations home.  It is always gratifying to know that my work is appreciated and never ceases to amaze me.

I have started working on new pieces for the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour coming up May 25 & 26.  If the the flypast of the last month is any indication, the studio tour will be here before we know it.  Once again the group is working with Brent and Amanda Kinnaird of Inspire Marketing.  They did a fabulous job for our fall tour and we are looking forward to another excellent collaboration.

There is lots going on….The Dundas Valley School of Art Auction is coming up April 13th.  As always, I have pieces there in the silent auction including one of my orchid petal necklaces…..a real petal covered in resin…..unusual and quite lovely.  The DVSA is a wonderful facility that my family has always enjoyed.  We are lucky to have it.orchid

Circle Arts Gallery in Tobermory will once again represent my work.  This is a wonderful gallery with outstanding artists and I am so pleased to be a part of it.

Easter has come and gone.  My family always has a traditional Easter Brunch consisting of boiled eggs, with shredded horseradish and drops of vinegar, kabasa, ham, paska (Easter bread made by my mother and divine), potato salad, kapusta (fried sauerkraut), blood sausage (not a favourite with all), and a family favourite, Ambrosia salad which is jellied.  Everyone contributes and it is a wonderful way for our entire family to get together.  The dessert is especially good with my daughter-in-law making the best carrot cake ever and one of our best friends brings chocolate brownies and cookies.  We are lucky that we have bakers in the family.Shiny sterlingl EaringAnd now back to work.  I have some interesting new silver pieces and of course always some new gemstones.  I sold out of the aquamarine in March but will have different designs for May, so if that is on your list, not to worry.  Pictured is an earring that comes in different sizes and embellishments.  Click on the image for a closer view.  These earrings can be worn with anything and are a favourite.  Great for gifts.

Posted by Stephanie @ 10:03 am | Comments


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