Tuesdays around the world

Our annual Chinese New Year Party.

The Chinese Connection!

Each year, four families who traveled to China together, each with 2 children from China get together to celebrate. (We actually find all sorts of other occasions to get together too.)

There's never a shortage. Of food nor fun!

The Dad of the house loves to whip up all sorts of goodies. The Mom makes killer lychee martinis.

The only boy amongst 7 girls. He has no chance....but he's awfully cute.

And every year - this Dad runs around in the snow outside, lighting fireworks as we all take front seats in front of the large window.

We just love our little traditions and this great group of friends!!

Tuesdays around the world

On a dark, cold, snowy winter day....nothing gives me more hope than a beautiful flower.

I could spend way too time thinking about my garden, dreaming of inhaling rose petals till they tickle the insides of my nose (my all time fav thing to do with a flower) and generally get into a funk because we are only part way through this winter and I want it over already.

But I'd rather ogle over these beautiful flowers and arrangements that are in my friend Helen's new Flower Shop.

Her Flower Shop - Ermis Floral Studio - is so, so pretty and just full of not only gorgeous blooms of every kind but decadent chocolate,

Felix and Norton cookies, gift baskets and even......a coffee bar!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ermis-Floral-Studio/111384712309001

If you love beautiful flowers - I invite you to visit the Facebook link and like her page.

Thanks

And order you flowers for Valentines day too (If you're local.)

Ermis Floral Studio

2210 Cure Labelle, Laval

450-687-2555

I'm very proud of you...my Helen mou!

You add beauty to this world everyday...through your flowers and your heart.

And I love them both!!!

Have a great Tuesday!

Favorite Photo Friday

Dahlia and Milana have really hit their stride. They play together almost all the time now and Milana is learning so much from imitating (and forced learning - Dahlia is a hard task-master) her big sister.

Nothing unusual about two sisters playing together except there wasn't very much of that happening around here for the first year and even two. But they're certainly making up for any lost time. And it's so much fun for me to just sit back and watch and listen to all their escapades.

Milana obliged her big sister by letting her put on a bunch of dress-up outfits and parade around. Each time I heard the announcement "Ladies and Gentlemen....I now present Miss Milana Malfara as a fairy princess" I'd whip around at my desk and catch a picture or two of the little one....strutting her stuff and practicing her best "cheese"!

And does she have A.T.T.I.T.U.D.E.!!!

She's learning it from the best.

(.....no..ahem....not me......)

her big sister of course.

IT'S A NEW YEAR - 2012

How does the song go?

"So this is Christmas....and what have we done

another year older....a new one begun"

What is it about flipping a calendar that makes us look back and measure the year we've been through? Did we start, accomplish or even attempt all the things we wanted to? Did we have an impact, or any effect at all, on how our world moved and changed this year?

Did we love enough.....listen enough.....give enough?

And what makes us always strive for a bit more with each new year. Never quite satisfied that we made the mark or had any relevance in this crazy world that manages to stay together despite every element working against it.

(I don't have the answers.....I'm just thinking out loud.)

As for me....

...this was a watershed year.

I fell in love with my work - my photography. And though it doesn't have the same satisfaction as painting for me (or even music) it surprises me how much joy and satifaction I get out of every shoot and every picture that I take.

The deep joy I have being a mother can never be surpassed - I will be forever grateful and amazed that I am a mother. My Dahlia asked me today "what's the best thing about being a mom, Mom"? I have no answer because it's a million things - too many to count but just enough to truly appreciate

Wishing everyone a perfectly wonderful New Year!!!

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