Christmas & Holidays in Guelph

Christmas this year was great! Now that I live away from home, I can savour and cherish my family time even more than I did before. I had lots of great food and meals shared with my family and nights together over movies or board games.

Someone got a Barbie Camper-Van!

On Christmas day we went over to my aunt's house for an all round multi-family celebration. Around 10 pm I took scamp out for a walk and we discovered an injured mourning dove! These birds have a knack of falling into my care. I took her home in a shoe box and let her dry-out from the melted snow in Icicles old cage, ironically replacing hers on Christmas. The little bird's tail feathers where missing and she is now spending the rest of winter and spring at a bird sanctuary in Rockwood, Ont.

I never ended up naming her, but if I could now, her name would be "Snow-Drop"

For Christmas my aunt and cousins got my a round knitting loom set. Its been great, I've made four circle scarves/cowls and a few other things since I started looming. Its so easy to pick up and do while I'm watching TV or reading. Lastly I've been so lucky to catch some of Bronwyn'sfigure skating while I'm home. Each time I watch her she is getting better and better, she truly loves this sport, I'm hoping to start sewing her some dresses, and expanding it into a hobby-job.

Look at that stride!

The Photoshoot & My last Derby

This photo was taken for the Royal City Roller-Girls 1st Annual fundraising calender. Each set of girls was given a decade set to the theme of "Roller Girls Through the Ages". My group of Angela, Myself and Meredith Brown got the sizzling 80's. The expected release date of the calender is late October.

Last night was my final roller derby in Guelph for a while, it's sad to leave all of those lovely ladies and all the fun I had. But it's time for a new adventure, besides there is plenty of derby in Montreal! My best wishes to all the Royal City Roller girls and their upcoming games this season. For more information on the R.C.R.G. visit www.royalcityrollergirls.com, see schedules, photos, events and fundraising.

Here is some stretching from my last derby practice, it was great to help teach the beginners some old tricks. Malibu Brawler goes to the big city!

Scamp's Happy Tail.

Scamp enjoying some morning sun.

Scamp has adjusted very well in our home and we are all starting to love "adore" this little mutt. We couldn't have adopted a sweeter and more docile pup as our first dog. Unlike a person, Scamp doesn't seem to have any emotional baggage. Other than his early depression-like state, He just wants to be loved, and with five people in the house that isn't hard. Last night there was a huge thunderstorm and he slept peacefully the whole night, unlike everyone else who was restless and kept up by the bright flashes and drumming of the storm. Scamp is very quiet, he makes small gnarls when he yawns and whimpers when he can't run over and smell another dog, but other than that, we've heard less than a handful of barks and hours of happy tail wagging. Check out the Guelph Humane Society's Happy Ending page, for Scamp's cameo in the next few days. Adopt on! I don't think this will be my last adoption.

My friend Maddy found a stray in Chachapoyas, Northern Peru and is trying desperately to get her back to Canada on a flight. This is a photo of Scamp campaigning for her fundraiser.

New Family Member!

On Thursday we brought home a new addition to our family. We spent all week going back and forth to the Guelph Humane Society, and finally we adopted Scamp! A three year old Chinese Crested mix (Powder Puff variety). He was believed to be from a puppy-mill, purchased at a pet store and surrendered about 10 days ago by a divorced couple who couldn't decide who would keep him. He was shaved down due to the poor grooming his previous owners had provided. They also didn't realize he had a food allergy and was breaking out in little blisters all over his body. But don't worry! He is happy as happy gets now, with his reaction stopped and healing and his silky coat growing back, he is cozy and curled up in his plushy dog bed. He has a great temperment and is a very smart boy. Aidan is thrilled to finally have a dog and the two of them love to cuddle and watch a movie. We are all loving the daily walks and can't wait to see what kind of adventures we will have, as a complete family!

Gone to the Goats!

Bronwyn and I spent last Sunday on a local food adventure. We went out to St. Ignatius Farms in the north end of Guelph, where they were hosting an open house and The Guelph Wellington Local Food Festival. The hot topic around Guelph these days is Local Organic Produce. We always take for grant it what is in season in our local area. It's not like a grocery store where you can just walk in and get apples, berries and carrots year round. Not only does it help local farms, thus stimulating local economy but you get to enjoy top-of-the line organic vegetables, grains, cheeses, fruit, meat and fibres. Ever since Headwaters this has always been on my mind, to think more consciously about where are food comes from, it's environmental impact and the quality of taste, colour and texture. Sure, it's a slow and inconvenient way of preparing meals sometimes, but I love the idea of slowing down and going back to the old way of life and respecting the nature of small scale farming and the organic processes. I love food, and what is better than going out on a hot, muggy Sunday to enjoy it. One thing in particular that is fresh right now is garlic scapes! The tender beginnings of the garlic flower bud, found in the curl of the plant, sweet and 10x stronger than garlic its self, you chop it up like a fine herb and use a small amount in stir-fry, marinades, roasts, sauces, preserves and soups. After listening to some local folk music, enjoying some rhubarb lemonade and playing with hula-hoops, we drove to a local goat farm in Arthur. There Bronwyn and I met several cute goats with personalities, learned how they gather milk, made cheeses, spreads, ice cream, yogurt and meats. We also met two dogs, pigs, chickens and a pony. Bronwyn loved every minute and is always asking "Can we get a goat for the backyard?" She and her friend Sol, fell in love with a goat named "Thor" who they climbed around in the barn with. I loved two baby boys named: Baby New and Baby Poo, they followed me around trying to suck on my figures.

Re-cap! Mother's day, Roller-Derby and Prom!

I feel like there has been allot of events that I have skipped over. First, is the wonderful mother's day my family and I had. We all went to my aunt Paula's and played outside in the great May weather. My cousins introduced there dog, Clara, an adorable black Shi-poo puppy. Aidan was especially happy this weekend and had a great time with his little cousins. The food and company were great!

Secondly, I joined my local Roller Derby Team! Roller Derby is a female-only contact sport, where two teams with roller-skates go around the track in a pack, while two other players, one representing each team, skates from behind the pack. This "scoring" player is called the Jammer. They must pass blocking players from the pack that could throw "booty blocks", "hip checks" or shoulder crunching blows. Don't worry about me though, I feel like I was made for this sport. It's the perfect combination of rugby, ringette, and figure skating. Our team is called The Royal City Roller Girls: The Killer Queens and Violet Uprising! My derby name is Malibu Brawler, a play on Malibu Barbie (my player alter ego persona). When I move to Montreal, I plan on playing there as well.

Finally, in mid May I had my prom! It was a great event hosted at Guelph Place, a very nice banquet hall. I spent less than 100$ overall on my prom experience. I edited my own photos and got all of my friends together before prom to take photos at Bernardi Precast, a cement statue manufacturer with pillars and Greek gods by the truck load on property. We then carpooled over to The MacDonald Stewart Art Centre for photos in there sculpture park. I wore an iridescent pleated purple dress, cut right above my knees. It was strapless, handmade and eco-friendly and I wore great little reflective heels. My aunt Albie sent me one of a kind earrings that complimented the whole ensemble, so many people asked me about them! The prom was super fun, and the after party with friends was even better! We all slept over at my friends eco-house in the country and had eggs, pancakes and fruit in the morning.

For more prom photos click here!