Celebrate

Alright here we go again everybody. Christmas in Winfield is happening this weekend! In no particular order you can see above that we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Palm's to see the horses, came home and started getting the ice ready for skating, saw the sheep and the puppy Mona, and have enjoyed a lovely candlelit dinner of tajine and pooris. Can't wait for the brothers and families to arrive tomorrow.

Happy New Year Everyone.

Resolve

I've started going to the gym on a more regular basis

and this week the gym is

totally empty.

I'm enjoying the fact that I have my choice of machine to work out on

and the quiet solitude of the locker room....

but every moment that I'm in there,

I just keep thinking about how

when the new year arrives

my current place of solitude will suddenly be

packed with people who have made up their minds to:

a) get fit

b) lose weight

c) go to the gym

d) all of the above

My friends, when you make your resolution this year,

please consider the wisdom of philosopher Bill Watterson.....

.... and if you do resolve to go to the gym, please don't go to my gym.

I like it quiet there ;)

Boxing Day

Merry Christmas everybody! I hope you had a wonderful time with friends and family yesterday.

Our family won't be selebrating Christmas together until next weekend and so there is more of the season to come for us yet! It's amazing how quickly Christmas is over isn't it? There is all of this running around then POOF! So I'm glad to be able to extend the joy just a bit longer.

A few years ago our mum started keeping Christmas decorations up into January. This week the tree STILL isn't decorated! It seems as if we are cheating somehow, letting the world be crazy on it's own and having a secret Christmas morning later on... I'd recommend it!

I do encourage you to keep listening to those Christmas winter songs as you eat left overs, and to hold off on boxing everything up today. It can wait, this season is to be cherished.

Much love

While Visions of Sugarplums Danced In Their Heads

Sweet Christmas Dreams, Calgary!

Does your mayor read you bed time stories???

Dark & Cold

Happy Solstice everybody, stay warm, stay loved, stay full of light.

Much love from the White Sisters

Music Monday - At Last......... Love

Finally got to light the fourth candle for advent yesterday.
The unlit candles have been bothering me every week,
but they've been a reminder that advent is
a time of waiting.




And now
with the arrival of love
it feels like everything is as it should be
Like even the darkness is a warm cozy hug, and I am surrounded by love



*Many thanks to Brent Tyler and Scotty Hills for this beautiful cover of
A Christmas Song by Dave Matthews

Alberta Roots

I just can't get over Canada <3

A few weeks ago I found this picture and have wanted to recreate this outfit and not take it off for the rest of winter.

What I didn't realize when I first saw it is that it is part of a Travel Alberta campaign featuring Roots Canada. When I went searching I found these...

...and this...



Don't you just love Canada? And being cozy? And that special sparkle that comes from the love of our landscape? I hope this made your cold Canadian winter day just a bit warmer :D

Pirate Babies Make Me Laugh

Okay, okay.
Enough of the crying and darkness already!
I need more things these days that make me laugh!

And thanks to Alisa Burke, I burst out in laughter at the Halloween "costumes"
she, her husband, and her baby, Lucy, "wore" this year......





bahahaha....... the pirate baby Lucy!


all photos from the amazing, talented beacon of light, Alisa Burke

Charlie Chaplin Makes Me Cry...

This is a video decreases world suck, and contributes significantly to increasing the awesome in the world. I cannot stop watching it. The sound and the images go together so well. The song is by the band The Album Leaf, I've loved their stuff for a really long time and it is always nice to see something which you love be used in the perfect setting. I believe this video has done that, with the song, the videos, and of course this speech...

Charlie Chaplin wrote, directed and stared in The Great Dictator in 1940. It was his first ever true talkie movie, and evidently he used this new technology very well. Released just after the first anniversary of when Germany invaded Poland, this feature film satire "...advanced a stirring, controversial condemnation of Hitler, fascism, antisemitism, and the Nazis." specifically in American society which was still formally at peace with Germany.

A daring move to say the least. Although Chaplin was quite famous at the time, keeping the public faith is always tricky business. Truthfully he could have been completely rejected because of this one project. Yet still he followed through with it and above that, The Great Dictator became his most commercially successful film.

So what is it that you do to contribute to the amount of awesome in the world... regardless of potential rejection? Something you know to be right? Is it your business to rule & conquer anyone or do you try to help everyone if possible?

...Jew, gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another, human beings are like that. We all want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone and the earth is rich and can provide for everyone.

The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we have lost the way.

Greed has poisoned men's souls, has barricaded the world with hate;
has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed.

We have developed speed but we have shut ourselves in:
machinery that gives abundance has left us in want.
Our knowledge has made us cynical,
our cleverness hard and unkind.
We think too much and feel too little:
More than machinery we need humanity;
More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness.

Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.

The aeroplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men, cries out for universal brotherhood for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world, millions of despairing men, women and little children, victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me I say "Do not despair".

The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress: the hate of men will pass and dictators die and the power they took from the people, will return to the people and so long as men die liberty will never perish. . .

Soldiers: don't give yourselves to brutes, men who despise you and enslave you, who regiment your lives, tell you what to do, what to think and what to feel, who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder.

Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men, machine men, with machine minds and machine hearts. You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts. You don't hate, only the unloved hate. Only the unloved and the unnatural. Soldiers: don't fight for slavery, fight for liberty!

In the seventeenth chapter of Saint Luke it is written:
"The kingdom of God is within man"
Not one man, nor a group of men, but in all men; in you.

You the people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You the people have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy let's use that power, let us all unite! Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power, but they lie. They do not fulfill their promise, they never will. Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world, to do away with national barriers, do away with greed, with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness.

Soldiers! In the name of democracy, let us all unite!

With a Love Like That

More Awesome

The Project for Awesome, is an annual event created by our inspiration, the Youtube vloggers Hank and John Green. Every year on December 17th Youtube becomes a place about charities, raising awareness and coming together as a community to decrease world suck.

People load videos about their favorite charities and then go and find more of those videos, 'like', 'favorite' and 'share' them with everyone. The way that Youtube works, all of this activity tricks the site into labeling these videos most popular in each of their different sections: Entertainment, Sports, Music, etc. Therefore, one day a year Youtube isn't dedicated to providing the world with videos of cats being spun around on ceiling fans, tourists at festivals accidentally washing their hands in the urinal, or (my favorite) adorable children explaining the plot of Star Wars episode IV. No. On December 17th, Youtube becomes the vessel for the publicity of organizations dedicated to making the world more awesome.

SO if you feel so compeled make a video showcasing your favorite charity. If that task seems to daunting then simply go onto Youtube next Saturday and join in simply by watching the videos others post, perhaps you will discover something new.

Here is a quote taken from the P4A facebook page (the official website is currently down as it's being remodeled for next Saturday)

Sometimes the world just sucks too much. This year is certainly no exception. But it’s the time of the year when we have to think about others instead of ourselves. Which is why the YouTube community is excited to band together to promote our favorite charities, and to encourage giving among young and old alike.

Music Monday - Waiting for the Brightside

We're getting there.

We're getting to the darkest days.

It feels like I'm just waiting out these days.

Hoping that I'll survive - and make it to the other side.

I've been thinking a lot about advent, and trying to change my attitude.

Make sure that instead of wishing these days away, I'm spending time waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting for the light to come back.

I'm trying to feel at ease with the darkness...... and trying....

...... to look on the bright side

Destiny is calling me, open up my eager eyes, cuz I'm Mr. Brightside!

Make Life Worth Living

There are many things that make this world dark...

When there are things to be done, that don't get done. Waking up tired. Someone who parks in your spot. The person who forgets how lines work in the grocery store. That jerk who decides that he does not have to signal...

The list could go on. All those little things that seem to add up to a catastrophe of a day.

But the darkness does not exist to take over and extinguish. Perhaps we get so caught up with the darkness outside, that we forget to provide space inside us for our own darkness. Both light and dark have their place and purpose. We are in the midst of it my friends, the darkest time of the year literally. Winter Solstice is a unique day, a time when the darkness triumphs, but of course this is only for a brief moment. From that day until the peak of summer, we turn towards the sun in search of warmth. It's a balance, and from the darkness we witness the birth of light.

In my research regarding the Solstice on December 22nd, I have found one main tradition: Fighting the Gloom. In order for new life to flourish, and for the sun to rise again, we must "vanquish the darkness with merriment". Schooloftheseasons.com suggests the following

"You should enjoy yourself as much as possible on the Winter Solstice because this will bring back light (and lightness) into the world. Different traditions mention feasting, gambling, playing pranks, giving gifts, visiting, drinking, dressing up, fornicating, putting on plays and staying up all night. During the dark of winter, invoke all the forces of pleasure and love which make life worth living."

So friends, this is what I suggest, December 21st we celebrate. Feel free to dress up, bring a candle with you. There will be feasting and drinking, perhaps some pranks, and we would love your attendance with all of your light, and all of your dark. Celebrate and turn towards the light.

Torn

I want to be here......

but because I can't be there, I will soon be here....

it almost looks the same, right?

Music Monday: Seasonal Sparkle

I spent this past Saturday night at a Sarah Vann house concert. The venue was a dazzling home with white walls, black furniture, punches of colour, beautiful art work and windows providing a breathtaking view of downtown Calgary.

It was the perfect place to start thinking about the sparkle of Christmas time. During evenings like this one always wants to try and capture the moment. I began filming this song, until my camera ran out of battery. I was a bit glad it did though... see I always find it's more difficult to remember events when viewing them from behind a lens. This way you are able to get a taste of the experience, and I was able to be completely immersed in the rest of the song.

I hope this brings you a bit of seasonal sparkle.

More for Aunt Jocelyn

After Kelsey's amazing tutorial on how to tie scarves, we were able to spend some quality tutorial time with Aunt Jocelyn until she mastered the puzzling knot!

Now that you've got that one down,

here's just a few more options and inspiration for all your winter scarves...

Black Wednesday

I'm just gonna say it... today was a sucky day.

You do what you love, and you work to make it happen... Or you work so that you can do the things you love.

Not the same thing. And one is not easier than the other. You have to strive either way.

So regardless of what you are doing have people in your life that support you. That love you. And that make the smaller things in life easier, so that you can do what you love.

Music Monday - This Old Road

Maybe it's because of all the miles we've been covering lately,

but this song about The Road by The Matinee has been stuck in my head for weeks.....

Music to drink to.

Music to dance to.

Music to drive to.

*Photos and inspiration provided by BT

Be Creative

As said in previous blog posts, Ailen has a thing about not picking favorites so I urge you to be open minded while considering the material I am about to present to you.

In 2012 there are two different Snow White movies coming out, and they couldn't get more different! One is dark and action packed while the other is comedic and I can only assume light-hearted.

When I first heard this was happening I thought to myself "Seriously?!? In the same year? Who decided that would be a good idea?" because naturally these two movies will be (and already have been) brutally compared to each other. Not to mention criticized for existing in the same year together.

This is where I go back to the 'not picking favorites' theory, because after watching these trailers I find myself intrigued by both of them for separate reasons. It is already evident that they have individual artistic merit that should be recognized. It is only by these films being so different, and by the creative power behind the two storylines, that they have a chance of surviving against each other in the analysis is sure to ensue.

So here are the trailers... you be the judge ;)

The Oldest and the Youngest

For the second time in two weeks our family has met at the Red Deer hospital

.... on Mondays.

The first occasion was a little more worrisome than the second

but regardless of the circumstances, it's been comforting to spend the time with family

Our Grandpa ended up in the hospital after his stroke,

But he's a strong man, and he's recovering well

Especially because our new nephew is around to keep him company

It's nice to spend time as a family......

...... as granddaughters......

....... and as aunties......

..... but next time we get together, can it NOT be at the hospital???

Music Monday: Ailen

A celebration of life, friendship, and all that makes the world light. A purely wonderful and relaxing weekend... and sister your birthday isn't even until tomorrow!

'Happy Birthday Ailen' sung by Sarah Vann, Ari Neufeld, Peter Stone, Denise McKay, Curtis Glas and Brent Tyler.


You can see this song, and the conversation after it here. This is an unlisted youtube video, and so you can only reach it through the link... all I'm gonna say is that it is a good representation of what the weekend was like :D

P.S. Brent Tyler, I would like to add some of those pictures Jordan took of Ailen listening to this song. Send them to me?

11-11-11, 11:11

One
The 11s behind Rememberance Day: Fighting in World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

Two
One small step: Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the moon.

Three
Gaming 11s: Eleven is a winning roll in craps and an ace in blackjack, if you prefer that game of chance. Eleven is also the number of players on a team in cricket, field hockey, football and soccer.

Four
Oscar-winning 11s: Only three movies have won 11 Academy Awards - Ben-Hur, Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Five
A pair of XIs: Two movie franchises - The Pink Panther and Star Trek - have made it all the way to 11.

Six
Heartthrob 11s: The original Ocean's 11 starred Frank Sinatra; the slick remake Ocean's Eleven starred George Clooney.

Seven
Last century's chilly 11- 11-11 reception: Nov. 11, 1911, marked the Great Blue Norther, a major cold snap in the U.S. during which many Midwest cities set record highs and record lows in the same day.

Eight
Location, location, location: Fusami, Nigeria, is the closest locale to latitude and longitude 11 degrees, 11 minutes, 11 seconds.

Nine
Eleven sides: The Canadian one-dollar coin, called a "loonie," is shaped like a hendecagon (an 11-sided polygon).

Ten
Eleven birthdays: Personalities born on Nov. 11 include former first lady Abigail Adams, accused spy Alger Hiss, World War II Gen. George S. Patton, novelist Kurt Vonnegut, comedian Jonathan Winters, golfer Fuzzy Zoeller, actor Stanley Tucci, actress Demi Moore, actress Calista Flockhart, TV personality Carson Kressley and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Eleven
May all your wishes come true.

Recognize These Women?

Jirka Vaatainen is a Graphic Design student who has recently received wide recognition for his interpretation of classic Disney princesses 'in real life'.

"Really Kelsey?" said my brain.
"What?!?" I replied.
"Recently, received, recognition... You couldn't find any synonymous?"
"Do we really have to talk about this now? I am in the middle of a blog post and you are interrupting me."
"Well if you are going to be so repetitive than it's a good thing I did! I think it's time for me to take charge here."
"What is that supposed to mean?!"
"Step aside Kelsey, and let me do the work..."

These three photos are only a taste of the wonders you will find on Jirka's blog! He started the Disney character manipulation with his favorite vilian Ursula, the half woman, half octopus that scammed the Little Mermaid Arielle into giving up her voice for human legs, with only one shot at making the Prince fall in love with her! The photos will amaze you, ASTOUND you, and perhaps have you wondering "Have I met her before?" only to catch your breath once you realize that you've known her your entire life...

"You really think that was worth it?" I asked my pompous brain.
"Of course! I switch things up, make it more interesting for your readers instead of just the same old 'Go check this thing out, I think it's sooo great, maneneaneamn bla!' I actually get the reader excited about what I'm showing them."

"... I don't talk like that. That is the worst impression of me I've ever heard."
"What? Oh! You mean... (raises voice a bit too high) 'I'm Kelsey and I'm so cool, you should be my friend." Like that?"
"We are not having this conversation in front of our readers."
"Why? Are you--"
"CAN WE JUST TELL THEM ABOUT JIRKA'S BLOG AND GET ON WITH IT?!?!?!"

The pictures are really well done. I hope you all enjoy them, and I also hope these images remind you of childhood... the child inside you, never taking anything in life to seriously ;)

"That's how you're ending the blog?" my brain asked.
"Yes! Do you have a problem with that?"
"No... I actually kind of like it."
"...Thanks."
"Hey! Let's go have a butter, peanut butter and jam sandwich cut in fours!"

Hey everyone! Just want to let you all know I appreciate that you spend time reading the blog... ESPECIALLY on days like today when I get a bit carried away :) Enjoy the princess, and make time to revert to some child-like behavior every now and again. CHEERS!

Music Monday - It's Time

It's been hard to not talk about this.
It's not that we wanted to keep it a secret (it's hardly a secret)
But we've had to exercise patience if only to keep the anticipation and suspense high for ourselves.

Today, it's time to share

We sisters have already had numerous dance parties to this new song by
Florence + the Machine
and are both inspired by it's beauty and hope

play this one loudly
dance along
shake it out




I am done with my graceless heart
tonight I'm going to cut it out and then restart

Murmuration

So I did have a brilliant blog post planned for today, where I talked about the meaning of life and such, but then I found this video. I really must share it with you. It is incredible, Dustin (and anyone else afraid of birds) do NOT watch this video... everyone else, it is the DEFINITION of

majesty.

"A chance encounter and shared moment with one of natures greatest and most fleeting phenomena. "

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

HATS!

After Kelsey's brilliant display of scarves last week, I thought I'd show off a few hats I'm considering wearing for an upcoming wedding.

I love the mysterious look of the veil across the eyes



Modern twist on a classic top-hat



I think this one is (sexy)...



Still undecided.... input welcome!

Music Monday: Nerdtastic Halloween

Back in June... perhaps it was before then... my friend Kirstie announced that this year her house would be turning into a Harry Potter Haunted House for Halloween! Well today is the day my friends. Halloween is here, the Harry Potter Haunted House is built and ready for action, and in honor of that I give you a Wizard Rock/Pop Love Song... enjoy and Happy Halloween :D

Who Has Seen the Wind

According to urbandictionary.com

a Chinook Wind is:

"a warm wind that comes

in over the Rocky Mountains and

melts the snow in Calgary,

much to Edmonton's chagrin."

and this is what the wind looks like...

Beauty.

For Aunt Jocelyn

SCARVES!

Back at Thanksgiving our Aunt Jocelyn asked if we could give her some tips on how to wear her scarf. Unfortunately neither Ailen or I had the chance to do so before Jocelyn left the farm. So although it is late Aunt Jo, here are some of my go-to styles for a variety of scarves... just in time for a shift in the weather ;)

There are four basic types of scarf in my closet... The Classic Knit ~ The Perfect Square ~ The Smooth Pashmina ~ and The Giant Rectangle...

Let's start with the Classic Knit... Step 1: wrap it around as many times as possible, and leave some ends to work with. Step 2: tuck one end through a loop to keep it warm and cozy. VIOLA! Easy. Warm. Lovable.

With a few more steps we have the Perfect Square... Step 1: fold in half diagonally. Step 2: place the 90 degree angle in the front. Step 3: wrap the ends around neck, and tuck them under the front (if you find that the ends continually stick out you can always tie them loosely together under the front). Adjust as you like and DONE! Cute. Practical. Fun.



Now I am going to reveal a trick my sister taught me years ago! This one goes best with the Smooth Pashmina, stay with me... Step 1: drape around neck as shown. Step 2: wrap one (longer) side across front, around neck and back to the front (not shown). Step 3: reach between wrapped loop and one hanging end and grab other hanging end. Step 4: Pull through and adjust for show, because you just made a scarf braid! MAGIC! Clean. Sophisticated. Puzzling.

This next one is probably what I use the most. The Giant Rectangle may or may not be my favorite ;) ... Step 1: fold corners diagonally creating two 90 degree points. Step 2: Pick a point to put in the front. Step 3: wrap the other side around the back of neck. Step 4: bring second point into the front and tuck the end in the back. Now you have two points in the front! Cozy. Dynamic. Fascinating.



Typically with this last one you'll catch me taking advantage of the extra folds in the back to make myself a little covering over my head...


Like I said this one is dynamic, and probably my favorite because of that!

So Aunt Jocelyn I hope this helped give some new life and inspiration to your scarf wearing habits. And I hope all of you enjoyed today's little tutorial. As an extra bonus here is Ailen putting on the Giant Rectangle ...free-hand style! :D