Whyte Ave Art Walk

Hello Again,

I'm so happy to have a sunny day; for the last week its been constant cold drizzle. The rain and storms have been relentless, and we even got a tornado warning a few days ago! Thank goodness there were no sightings or I'd be hiding downstairs under the staircase for the rest of the day.
As it is, today was gloriously sunny and warm. A perfect day to kick off the "Whyte Ave. Art Walk."

The art walk is basically local artisans who have displayed their wears on the sidewalk outside shops that run along Whyte Ave. A well-known 'artsy' section of the city. Not only do they sell their artwork, but the majority had easels up and were painting right beside the passersby.

Jeremie and I, as well as Vince and Paula (dad and mom-in-law) walked along the streets for a good few hours. Although we did lose each other a few times and would suddenly spot each other, wave like mad-people and dodge across the street to meet.

There were so many things I would have loved to buy - but most paintings were approx. $80-$400 dollars. So not happening any time soon.
However, I did get this lovely necklace for $15.00.

It's hard to tell, but the pendant is actually a domino piece. It's painted on one side, stamped then varnished.

I loved it right away.

It was so much fun talking with all the artists about their work. Finding out the mediums they use and how they do it.

I found a really cool artist who did "Altered Books" and I wish I could post a photo here, but, as a courtesy, I didn't take along my camera, as most artists prefer not to have their work photographed.

It's basically an old, fabric book turned into a journal by painting over pages and decorating the page before journaling.

I'm hoping to take a class in Fall - though I will probably try it by myself before then. ;)

Tomorrow we drive Vince and Paula to the Grayhound station for their long bus-ride back, and then work tomorrow!

God Bless,

~ Jenny

Hello Again!
It seems there's never a dull moment at my house! The in-laws are visiting, and it we're dog-sitting a little westie by the name if "Rigby" - well, technically "Elenore Rigby" - but Rigby, Riggers or Rigger-Roo for short.



She's a cute little mutt - but having been raised in a condo - means she has some trouble with remembering to do her business outside. Thankfully she has little "puppy pads" that do a pretty good job when she does forget.

More exciting events! Both Jeremie and I received employment in our fields in the same week!
Jeremie is back in a welding shop, doing what he does best - and I'm back among my books and loving it!

It's amazing really; both Jeremie and I were so stressed about money, especially since he was almost done his EI and my meager earnings in retail wouldn't cover our expenses.
We prayed and prayed - and stressed.
Well, really it was me who stressed the most. Jeremie was calm as ever, he admitted worry of course, but always ended it with: "God will provide, Jen."
To which my response was always scoffing or depression.
And sure enough, 3 weeks before EI finished we both got phone calls asking for us to work right away.
I was amazed and demanded how Jeremie knew this was all going to work out, he just shrugged and gave that grin that half drives me crazy and I half love, and said: "I just knew."

Go figure.

I'm pretty sure now that God is trying to teach me trust and patience and I keep ignoring the lesson. I hope this time it got through my thick skull and God can stop testing/teaching me!
A break would be nice! :)

Speaking of breaks - my new job is allowing me to have more time at home, and I'm starting to cook regular meals again.
Something I realized, had to change.
I had grown up on rich, healthy, grown right from the garden food (or in the field) for most of my life and since getting married and moving, I had fallen, like most people, into the hole of convenient instant food.

It's so horrible for your health and I knew it - I just didn't know quite how to make the change.
My mother-in-law is a homeopathic doctor and quite knowledgeable in nutrition and healthy eating. Between her and my own mother's wonderful, home-grown advice, I was able to come up with a new eating plan:
Basically a mix of "The G.I. Diet" and "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon.

I like the simplicity of the G.I. diet and the natural recipes in Nourishing Traditions. So far I've been going by some simple rules:


- 5% or less of fat per serving.
- 5% or less of sugar per serving.

And following the "green light" food.
Jeremie, who wants to lose weight as well as get healthy is only eating from the green section; because I don't want to lose weight, but get healthy, I can eat from the green and yellow section.
He's doing so well giving up sugar and his salty cravings.
But we're in this together - and I am trying to cut back on my own sugar intake (the main culprit in my diet) and have gone to skim milk.
Not quite the 2% I'm used to - but not horrible either.

I bought organic sugar cane granulated sugar and it seems to be doing a great job.
Lunch foods consist of:

• whole wheat bread
• 1/2 fat mayo (with no trans or fatty oils)
• roast beef
• Swiss or mozzarella cheese
• mustard
• alfalfa sprouts
• boiled eggs
• sugarless yogurt
• sugarless applesauce
• fruits
• Kashi granola bars

Etc. So we're certainly not starving, but even making those few small changes can help you lose weight and get rid of all the nasty junk you've got in your body.

I got this at my new Library, we're selling them for one dollar even. They're wonderful bags and I love what they have printed on them.
My new goal besides eating healthy, is to try to buy only fair-trade, sweatshop-free items.
Jeremie was more than encouraging - and it took me a moment to wonder why the enthusiasm, when it hit me: This would reduce my shopping habit immensely, and save more money.
Ahhhh...it all comes together now. Lol!

True to my word, for the past month and a half all my purchases have been fair-trade, sweatshop free.
I got this little coupon holder for a dollar-fifty, and have started keeping it in my purse to hold all my receipts, lists and papers. I has come in handy more then once! Not to mention, I feel so organized! ;)


This shirt I bought at "Ascension." A local clothing/accessory store that sells only sweatshop-free products.
The shirt was made by the "Ark" company - a fair-trade company based in Nepal. I already own several items from them bought in Drumheller and was happy to find a source here in Edmonton.

Cost: $25.00
100% cotton

I love this shirt to death. Even on the hottest days, this shirt stays cool because of the cotton fibers.

Even Jeremie wants this fabric in a mens shirt - which I'm almost positive they have. :)

This little guy is a frog in case you're wondering. He's made in Africa and is fair-trade. *yay!*
You run that stick over the bumps on his back in an up-ward motion and it makes the most convincing frog sound I've ever heard.
It reminds me of being home in Ontario and driving through the road by the swamp and hearing all the peep-toads singing.
I just couldn't resist.
He's pretty big too - probably about the size of a baseball.

Well I better get to bed! Almost 10pm and I have work tomorrow.

God Bless!

- Jenny

Ugly room

Today I got a good reminder from my mother to keep blogging.
I know it has been awhile, but at least this time I have a good excuse.
Since I last blogged we were thinking about moving; well, we up and went to Edmonton.
Right now we’re splitting a house with my sister-in-law and her hubby. It’s a lovely house – three bed, two bath, half finished basement.
However it has been without tenents for a year and does need some serious TLC.
There’s one master bedroom and two smaller ones. Right now Jeremie and I are in the smaller room, as we gave the master to SIL and hubs since he’s going to be in school full-time and will need the study space.
Our small room, however, is proving too small. It’s seemingly impossible to keep clean, I clean it and the next day someone puts a shirt on the ground and the room is a bomb again. (It’s really quite amazing.)
The third unused room, we affectionately call it “the ugly room” for a reason.
Apperently the previous tenent decided to start a home salon in her house and turned that bedroom into a hair studio.
Horrible blue and flaked white linoleum covers the floor, stapled in even in some places. A large yellow ring sits dead center in the middle of the room, apparently where the styling chair was, and for some unknown reason, she spray painted the closet doors that textured black, so that it looks and feels like asphalt.

Hence the “Ugly room.”

Previously it was full of unpacked boxes, toolboxes, a keyboard and several suitcases, but we’ve since cleared it all out and scrubbed every inch of our ugly room.

Thankfully our landlords agreed to pay for (almost) any renovations we decide to do. We have been given full permission to fix up ugly room and paint the house, all out of their pocket.
So Jeremie and I are hoping to clean up ugly room and move in there before too long.

Right now it’s an ugly guest room.
Thank goodness that it's family who is visiting right now. My mother-in-law and father-in-law are down right now, and they can overlook the 'ugliness.'

God Bless!

~ Jenny

Moving and Working

I am currently in Edmonton, using my sis-in-law's laptop to write.

Jeremie and I are looking to move down here, and he is dropping off resume's all this week. Thankfully Jeremie's sister Emilie, and her husband live right downtown and are letting us stay the week with them.

They visit us quite a bit, even though Edmonton from where we currently live is a good 3 hours away. We like taking turns coming over and visiting at each others houses.

It's a little different now, looking more at living here, rather then visiting.

Brad (Emilie's husband) grew up in Edmonton, which is a blessing, as he'll be able to help us look for housing in good areas and know which areas of the city to avoid.

Right now, Jeremie and I are just doing a lot of praying. Praying about work, moving, money - all those earthly things that can bother us so much.
It's a huge relief to know that our loved ones are praying just as much!

Just thought I'd post a note. I know I'm overdue for a good, loooong post. And I will! You'll see!

God Bless!

~ Jenny

Time To Bake and Make

Dear Friend,

Today I did more Christmas baking - with the help of my friend Rachel; we made: Chocolate 5-Minute Fudge, and my family's Chocolate Truffles.

Jeremie and I got our Christmas tree and decorated it all prettily. It's slightly "charlie-brownish" but then again, we're not spending Christmas in Alberta anyway.

I am just happy that we were able to get a tree for my first Christmas as a married person anyway.

My mother and father have a tradition where every year they buy a new ornament together; I decided that I would like to follow this tradition as well! Jeremie and I bought that little knitted stocking as our first ornament together. The reason we picked it is because...well...it was the only one we could agree on. *laugh*

I adore my nativity set, it's by the "Willow Tree" company, and I have been able to collect it over several Christmas' and birthdays as gifts. The only thing I'm missing now is the stable.

Christmas is coming quickly upon us, and I'm thrilled. If I don't post before Christmas, Merry Christmas to all of you, and God Bless in the coming year.

~ Jenny

Moroccan Chicken and My Relaxed Weekend

I have officially fallen in love with my crock-pot. It makes meals so much simpler, and I have not come across a bad crock pot recipe yet!
I took out a bunch of books from the Library on slow-cooker recipes, and have now tried recipes from 2 out of 3 books, and they've both been awesome.

A few nights ago I tried "Moroccan Chicken" it was flavourful, easy and went wonderfully with some hot couscous!

I've been asked to supply the recipe, so here it is! :

Moroccan Chicken:

• 1 Tbs. Oil
• 1 Onion, thinly sliced
• 1 Garlic clove, crushed
• 2 Carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground Turmeric
• 1/2 tsp. ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground Ginger
• 1/2 tsp. ground Black Pepper
• 1 large can of Chickpeas, drained
• 12 oz. Sweet Potatoes, cut into cubes
• 2 c. Chicken stock
• Finely grated rind of 1 Lemon
• 1 Tbs. lemon juice
• 8 Chicken thighs, skinned

Heat oil in large saucepan, add the Onion and garlic; cook for 5 min, stirring occasionally until beginning to turn golden brown.

Stir in Carrots, Salt, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Ginger and Pepper. Add the Chickpeas, Sweet Potato, Stock and Lemon rind. Bring just to boil and transfer to slow-cooker.

Arrange the Chicken on top of the veggies, pushing them gently into the liquid.

Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Stir in Lemon juice just before serving.

I then just served it with some couscous and it was a lovely meal! Also, a great leftover; re-heated it almost tasted better!

I am very excited! Jeremie and I have our tickets to go back to Ontario for Christmas! We'll be down for about 2 weeks - a nice long visit, perfect for visiting all of our relatives and friends.

The house finally stopped smelling of paint, and I'm hoping today I can get my painting re-hung on the wall. I also dug through my photo's and I'm putting out more photo's of my family. I have hung a few on my fridge and I'm going to use up some of my many, unused frames and hang some nice ones on the walls.

I have also finished my Christmas shopping! YAY! All finished and it's not even December yet! My mother would be proud. :) I even started Christmas baking.
I had some girlfriends over to help, and we made "Butterscotch Confetti" , a wonderful Christmas recipe from my Mother. It freezes beautifully and keeps well until that busy December season.

My Husband, however, found out that he quite liked Butterscotch confetti, and now I need to make another pan! But I can't really point fingers, as I'm just as guilty....They just taste SO good!

Today is a relaxing Saturday. No plans this weekend, just hanging out and vegetating. Jeremie took me out for Breakfast this morning to our local Mennonite restaurant: "Country Cousins." It was a nice treat.

I just took this photo - Jeremie is trying to watch his Ottawa Senators (hockey) play, a rare treat out here in Alberta. Normally we just get local games. Notice the intense attention he's paying to the game. Lol, he loves his Hockey.

Have a good weekend, and God Bless!

~ Jenny

Painting Day!

Well, it's November. Cold winds and snow have already visited my small town, giving warnings to the freezing winter that is starting to settle around us.
I decided this would be a good time to paint my little apartment; we're in a sub-level apartment, and I knew that once winter was here - I'd go squirrely with all the white, bare walls. I painted my living room and half the hallway a bright not-quite-neon green. I absolutely love it, getting a tinted primer really made the difference.

My kitchen I wanted bright and cheery, so I got yellow. In truth I wanted it more golden, but I'm still happy with the result.

My dining room and other half of the hallway is a rich Burgundy. I can't wait to see our Christmas tree against it in just a few weeks!

I wish I had taken a photo of the "painting crew" that showed up at my house. It had started with the youth pastor at my church offering to help me paint. (which is awesome, considering he used to be a professional house painter!) He then enlisted the help of another young man, whose wife I am good friends with.

Lance, the youth pastor helped me buy the right paint and primer as well as the proper amount - he said he and Paki (the other young man) would be by at 8:30 am to start painting.

Sure enough, they showed up at 8:30 on the dot and got right down to business helping me move furniture and clean the walls.

Jeremie, unfortunately had to work that day and missed out on the painting adventure.
A few hours into the painting, Lance got a phone call from the Pastor, who offered to help as well.

Now I had three people painting my house! Lance wouldn't even let me paint, he said they "got it covered."

A few hours later I got a knock on my door, happily I invited another mutual friend of all of ours, James, who had heard I was painting my house, and as he "wasn't doing anything" decided to come over and help as well!
I had four men painting my house - my only job was coffee runs and making "man-wiches" for them at lunch.

None of them would accept any payment, instead they all agreed they'd like a hot curry dinner instead, at some point....So! I told them that I would be happy to feed them dinner next week.

They painted and put all the furniture back in the time period between 8:30am to 5:30pm.

It was absolutely amazing! I love my apartment so much now, and Jeremie really liked how it turned out as well.

Today I did my grocery shopping and took care of Jeremie who is suffering from either food poising or the stomach flu. He's been so sick and has no energy, as he was up almost all of last night. I made him some chicken noodle soup and bought him the proper drugs, as well as easily digested food like applesauce.

Oh! Speaking of dinner I should check my soup!

God Bless,

~ Jenny