Keegan's Family

Three Legged Red

Just before Christmas while surfing the web I happened to stumble up on a wine called the “Three Legged Red”. Of course owning a three legged dog this sparked my curiosity and I clicked through to the Winery’s web site to learn more. To my surprise not only was the wine named after a real canine tripod but it was named after a tripod named “Port”. We have had Port for over 6 years and after meeting hundreds, if not thousands, of dogs in countless dog parks and walking trails this is the first time we encountered another dog named after the left side of a ship. What are the odds that the first and only other Port that we have encountered would also be a three legged dog with the same missing leg?

 My immediate speculation was that they had named the dog after Port wine but the bio of the dog revealed that he was in fact named after the port side of a ship; both remaining legs being on the port side. Unfortunately, the bio also indicated that Port had passed away in May at the age of 13.

Being a wine enthusiast and proud owner of my own dysfunctional three legged dog I decided to write the Director of Wine at Dunham Cellars; Eric Dunham, who was Port’s owner and share the story of our Port. Despite being a successful artist and wine guru who hangs with celebrities, Eric did in fact reply promptly to my email and seemed to truly appreciate the story and picture of Port.

It is nice to see a successful business like Dunham Cellars incorporate their dogs into their business and celebrate the unique relationship that we have with our 4 (and sometimes 3) legged friends.

Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress

Over the holidays, I finally got around to reading a book my friend Sandra recommended: Hypocrite in a Puff White Dressby Susan Jane Gilman.  I thought it was pretty good. Basically she describes growing up and the lessons she's learned along the way. There is no cliff-hanger in this book, but I laughed out loud in parts, which is always a good thing. I'd give it 3 stars.

I have to say though, one of they best quotes about marriage that I've ever come across was in this book. I just love it!

The decision to pledge your life to someone is such an enormous leap of faith. You grab each other's hand and jump, hoping you'll manage to navigate together whatever life hurls at you. It's crucial to be good to each other, to feel supported and endorsed.

Isn't that the truth?

The more I think about this quote the more I like it. Ask yourself this question whenever you are pissed-off at your mate. Have you been doing your part to make them feel supported and endorsed? I bet the answer is no. Change your attitude; change the situation.

It's a great quote. It made me think.

 

These are a few of my favourite things...

We had a really nice Christmas, and were surrounded by a lot of wonderful people, both on the phone and in person. Christmas Eve we were spoiled by great company and an amazing seafood linguine with lobster in butter on the side. Delicious! Everyone stayed up much too late. We didn't leave until 10:30 p.m. Nick, Chris (2 of our friend's 3 foster boys), and Keegan had a great time, and Ken and I certainly enjoyed the company.

On Christmas Day we went to our surrogate family's for supper. The Bergs moved to Fredericton about 3 months after we did, and are the step family of Mum's cousin Janet. They are just so much fun, and we've really enjoyed getting to know them over the last year. 

Again we were spoiled by some great company and wonderful food. Liz and Jason made a wonderful turkey dinner, and we were treated to some very tasty treats made by Abby. I really did take my camera and brand new zoom lens with me to take pictures, but I promptly forgot to take any. :o( I know Liz took a group shot, so I'll try to remember to ask her for a copy, and I'll post it later. 

Keegan had a great Christmas! I think he is very happy with the gifts he got his year. These are a few of the goodies he received Christmas morning:

   

A remote control Wall-e. Now how cool is that!? (BTW, in case you can't tell, Keegan is jumping up and down in this picture.)

 

A Lego police dog. It was sooo cool. I had to show Mum, and make sure she saw the police man and the police dog. It was just what we made our own poster of on Lego.com. 

A Club Penguin igloo. The stickers were the best, but I couldn't talk to grandma on the phone and put stickers on at the same time. That was a problem. Mum had to intervene and make sure the stickers got put in the right spots.

  

Bionicles...ta da!   

Yep!   Already built!  I think Keegan and Dad had this built by noon. 

Star Wars for the WII and a WII light saber, which Keegan's been playing with the entire time I have been creating this post. I'm not that fast. ;O) 

The entire goods. There's lots more on the couch! 

Merry Christmas!

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

The third storm of the season was a doozy. (Last year the schools were closed for 11 days due to the snow, and we had many more storms that happened over the weekend. I really hope this year is not the same!)

We had received over 30 cm of snow by 4:30 a.m., and it didn't stop snowing until around 10:00 in the morning. Most of Fredericton just shut right down. The buses didn't start running until after 1:00 p.m., all the daycares, banks, and doctor's offices were closed, and two malls closed until the evening. Ken manged to take a few pictures before our camera battery needed to be charged.

Our front door. At this point there was no snow on our driveway. The wind had either blown the snow down the street or onto our car.

 

As you can see, our car got snowed in pretty easily.

   

The privacy wall on one of our decks blew down in the middle of the night.  I don't think mother nature understands we are trying to sell our house not renovate it!

Keegan's Christmas Party

Yesterday was Keegan's Christmas party at his preschool. They made some crafts: an ornament, a wreath, and a cookie. Sang 4 songs: Jingle Bells, Rudolph, Up On The Roof Top, and Reindeer Pokey (hokey-pokey with a reindeer theme). Here are some photos I took. I have to admit this wasn't my best photo shoot ever. 

I was told to come at 2:30. I did as I was told, and got there promptly at 2:30. Apparently the other mums and dads know better. 

 

I was sitting in the room with the kids, by myself, for 10 minutes while the teachers got the crafts ready. I felt like I was on display.

   

The boredom sets in. Keegan hamming it up for his mom.

Keegan's wreath.

 

The cookie decorating. Yum! 

    

The singing

  

  

    ...or maybe not.

The beautiful smile.

Happy Birthday Mom

The morning converstation went something like this:

"Keegan do you know today is Mummy's birthday?"

"How could that be, it is so close to Christmas?"

"I know, but it is. Some people even have their birthdays on the same day as Christmas. Can you imagine?"

You could tell he was thinking and digesting these new facts of life. 

That afternoon I picked Keegan up at his preschool. I got the biggest hug I've had in a long time from a pickup. (I usually get "I'm not ready yet.") And the best present of all...

"Happy birthday Mom" 

Happy Birthday Tracy

That's right, today is Tracy's Birthday.

Happy Birthday Tracy, hope your having a wonderful day (despite the fact your husband is far away in another province).

  

Here is the link to Santa's video to Keegan

Santa's Video to Keegan Keegan got a special treat this year from Santa!

Keegan's Letter to Santa

 

Easiest Indian Stew

A new favourite dish

I absolutely love Everyday Food magazine from Martha Stewart. We have found some absolute gems and this receipe is from the December 2008 magazine. It's yummy! Completely vegetarian. Oh, did I forget to mention that it was fast? Yep—as long as you are organized (not always the case for us)—you can have this ready in under half an hour.  I copied the recipe from the web site, but here's the link if you'd like it.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon curry powder, plus more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 cups homemade or best-quality store-bought tomato sauce
• 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish
• 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

Directions

1. Cook rice according to package instructions; cover, and keep warm.
2. While rice is cooking, heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add curry powder and ginger; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Add tomato sauce, chickpeas, and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve stew with rice and yogurt, garnished with lime wedges and a pinch of curry.