Monday February 28, 2011

Beautiful Fairy Lake!

It looks a little cold and uninviting right now but it is an awesome park to have within walking distance. I took Rocko for a walk there today and even he had a few slips.

 Today is the first day that I'm officially done with winter.  Everything melts and then freezes and makes walking a challenge.  The snow has lost its appeal as it is just more ice in disguise. 

Looking forward to heading south in 11 days!

Sunday February 27, 2011

Rachie was in town for a ringette game today!

What a great skater and Jordan ended up winning 5-2.

Cawi ended up surprising us all and joining the team for the day!

Proud auntie and uncle squeezed in on Rach and made her pose for this picture!

I couldn't stop at one photo today since the party left the arena and we headed back to our house.

We had lunch together and then somehow ended up playing guitar and piling on the bed for this photo.

Fun times with the family!

Saturday February 26, 2011

Back to Italy!

I was working on organizing my pictures today and reminiscing.

I love this picture because it shows our sweet and sporty rental car, the crazy, twisty Tuscan hills and the awesome hilltop towns that we visited. 

I really do believe that this was only my first trip to Italy!

Friday February 25, 2011

Huddle Up!

I'm working with a group of students on a bully prevention program in conjunction with the Argos.  The kids are making a stop motion video to kick off the assembly with our football player.  I'm so proud of the work that they are doing and I'm having a lot of fun working with them.  This is only one of a series of photos that will go into the video.  Once it is complete, you must see it!  I'm not sure of my rules around posting video on my photo blog but this stuff is really cool.

You'll see!

Thursday February 24, 2011

Jovi

He's three weeks old!

We get to meet him in another week and can't wait.



Wednesday February 23, 2011

Bath time

I'm ready for a relaxing soak in the tub and then off to bed early...

~what a luxury~

Tuesday February 22, 2011

We call ourselves the pink pickers!

Generally, we like to eat, drink and be merry! 

My two dear friends are coaching me through the steps in learning to play guitar.

In between, we share stories, give advice, listen, sing, play and learn.

I'm so lucky to have such wonderfully talented friends. Thank you girls!



Monday February 21, 2011

My boys!

I love to travel,  anyplace, anytime...but coming home is nice.

Jim and Rocko had a little boy bonding time this weekend while I was at the shower but it was nice to all be together this family day.  To celebrate the occasion, Rocko was allowed on the bed for nap time with Mommy and Daddy.  

Sunday February 20, 2011

The happy parents-to-be!

Had a great day with Laurie and Denis and their friends and family at the baby shower.

Lots of love floating around that room!

Baby T will be in good hands.

Good luck my friends.



Saturday February 19, 2011

Road Trip!!!!

On the road with Cawi, we arrived in Kemptville, Ontario visiting Laurie and Denis!
Tomorrow is the baby shower for bebe T.  Tonight we're hanging out with George and Lucy, Laurie's parents chatting and sharing stories.  Looking forward to the hot tub and looking at the stars before bedtime!



Friday February 18, 2011

Friday night, Sushi and a movie!

It was a very comforting date night after a long week.



Thursday February 17, 2011

Okay, running out of time here...had to go to another favourite from Italy.

This one was taken on the island of Capri.

I'm thinking that falling in the sea at this point sounds pretty good, although, it was +7 in Newmarket today!

Booked my ticket to Texas for March break!!!!

Wednesday February 16, 2011

Mmmmmm Sushi!

I know that you either love it or you hate it and I love it!

This cute little restaurant opened up just around the corner from us and I must say, it's a winner!

Tuesday February 15, 2011

Beautiful tulips!

They remind me of my mom and my dutch side of the family.

They also bring back memories of visiting Holland when Jim and I first met.

The flower markets in Holland are beyond words.  The bouquets are absolutely stunning.

Having flowers in the house reminds me that spring is just around the corner

or at least spring is present in some way even if there is ice and melting snow everywhere!

Monday February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!

A little red wine and chocolate shared with the one I love...



Sunday February 13, 2011

Snow face angels!

This game started with "find the cookie", a game Rocko likes to play in the snow.  Today the beautiful packing snow put a new twist on an old game.  As Rocko dug in for his treat, his head left a cute snow face angel complete with ear prints!  He was happy to play the game over and over until I got a good shot.

Lots of fun!

Saturday February 12, 2011

OK, this is the before shot!

  I know it is a crazy mess but it is my office/craft room and I dumped everything in here knowing that I would re-decorate it but now... it is driving me crazy.  I need help.  Serious help.  I'm not sure where to start.  I know some of the things that I like and I even know a few colours but I really want it to be fantastic!  I would love chocolate brown and light blue as my main colours but am wondering if I can keep my office furniture or will i need to replace it.  It's not out of the question to replace it with what will work but it's knowing where to start.  One of my strengths is working hard but sometimes knowing what to do is the hard part.  So if you have a flare for decorating (Judy) or a keen interest in planning or organizing (Laurie) 

I'd love to hear from you! 

All ideas are welcome...and yes, I will post the final product...eventually! 

Friday February 11, 2011

Reading for the Love of It!

Breakfast with Melanie Watt and lunch with Jian Ghomeshi!  Two very different stories and a great way to spend a Friday!

Surprisingly, Melanie is very shy and reserved but shared her life story and how she became so successful with writing children's books. 

 (Scaredy Squirrel and Chester are her main characters-- for all the non-teachers)

Jian made me really regret not bringing technology with me today.  He spoke about embracing multi platform media and pop culture and announced to a very surprised audience that Mubarak stepped down and the people of Egypt were celebrating in the streets. 

Lots of food for thought and a very enjoyable day with my fellow teacher-librarian and dear friend Cindy!

Thursday February 10, 2011

It's reno time!  Jim's been away all week so I took on the project of re-decorating the guest bathroom.  What was I thinking?  It looks like a small space and a quick job but it took me 3 full nights!

In the end, I love the colours and it really freshened up the space.

And with owls and squirrels and trees on the shower curtain, you can't help but smile!

So who will be the first to try it out?

Wednesday February 9th, 2011

Anticipation is an interesting feeling.  It's really exciting waiting to meet this little guy and yet it feels a bit weird knowing that he's born, he's ours and he's not with us.

I'm sure his mom, Pudge, is taking good care of  him and his brothers but still, we're counting down the days until we get to meet him in person.

Tuesday February 8, 2011

I love the way the icicles look like water flowing against the blue dusk sky. 

It was so warm yesterday at lunch, +1 but today, -21 with the windchill!!

Monday February 7, 2011 PART 2

Okay, here's a first!  This is my second post of the day!

Puppy pictures were just posted on our breeder's website and I wanted to show everyone our new puppy!

We're not sure which one he is yet, but he's one of the 6 black ones.

The mommy, Pudge, is doing her duty feeding the little ones.

Three more weeks until we get to visit!

Can't wait!

Monday February 7, 2011

I love to see traditions evolve.  It is a true Holubowsky tradition to make a funky superbowl cake.  They usually start off with a really great idea and then either the icing runs or the edges burn or the lines squiggle.  Whatever ends up happening, everyone loves the cake and rarely will you ever find a piece left over the next day!

Thank you to our fantastic Superbowl hosts Heather and Paul.  We had the most amazing Superbowl food this year from spicy chili to crispy potato skins, chicken wings and carrot sticks.  We begged them to stop bringing out the food!

Packers victory, tonnes of fun!!

Sunday February 6, 2011

Voices for Africa

My friends Heather and Jamie started this movement to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation to help children and grandmothers in Africa.  Over the past 5 years they've raised over 100 000 dollars!

Last night at Orleans in Newmarket the Thursday Night Jam Band (Dave, Steve, Trish shown here) treated everyone to some dancing music.  We held a raffle and raised money getting ready for the big student concert that happens on March 30th.

Saturday February 5, 2011

Here's one of our favourite cross country ski trails.

It gets pretty narrow and uphill after this point so I really know I'm alive!

Fortunately, there is a nice downhill part after that so I can cool off.

It was a great day for skiing and with another 5-10 cm in the past couple of hours, tomorrow should be another great day on the trails!

Friday February 4, 2011

Winterlicious 2011

Enjoying a glass of Amarone during our awesome dinner at Reds Bistro and Wine Bar!

Highly recommend this restaurant and its extensive wine list.

I like this picture better than all the foodie pictures that I took during dinner!

Thanks Mojo!

Thursday February 3, 2011

Warmth and light on a cold winter night.



Wednesday February 2, 2011

How big are your snowbanks today?

The big groundhog day storm was fairly significant.  Buses were cancelled, 

the roads were messy, the patio doors were difficult to close

even after I shovelled the snow away from the door.  I guess this means an early Spring.

But the biggest news of all...Rocko's little brother made his entry into the world today!

Pictures will definitely follow...:)



Tuesday February 1, 2011

This is Rocko disguising himself as a cat!

He's trying to teach us to be silly and make faces once in a while!