100 Years of a Beautiful Soul

My Baba was born in western Ukraine in 1911 into what would become a family of nine brothers and sisters. She is the last surviving member of the generation that formed our entire family.  She grew up on a farm, became a city girl, lived though two world wars, a famine, and was in a German labor camp throughout World War II.  In 1949 she and her family immigrated to the United States to spend three years in New York City, where she cleaned offices in high rises on the night shift.  She adjusted to small town life with a move to Dunkirk, NY and was employed by Kraft Foods for 16 years, where she maintained her staunch work ethic. This also gave her the ability to maintain some financial independence which was very important to her at a time when women were to stay home, cook, clean, and raise children. Well of course, she did that too. Even though she was fluent in two other languages when she immigrated, and entered the American work force, she knew only a few English phrases. Over the years, she sewed, painted, worked in her garden, cooked great Ukrainian dishes, played guitar, sang, laughed and found joy in all she did.  But beyond all that, we have always been astonished by her unbelievable positive outlook on life. Nothing ever unnerved or intimidated her. We are so lucky to have celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday and are blessed by her love.

My favorite quote of the day was when we asked her how she feels about death. Her response was:

"I have no intention of dying. It's a stupid idea."

Sounds good to me Baba.

Thank you so much to everyone who called, sent cards, flowers, and lovely messages. She also thanks you from the bottom of her heart and she said she couldn't believe that everyone remembered "little ol Baba." 

Who could forget? :)

The Tree

There are a lot of renos going on in this little nest of ours (or maybe they are just happening in my head) and because I really feel like a nesting robin I have been inspired by a tree. What said tree you ask? This said tree:

Not sure if it will go over the bed (it's a HUGE space and a headboard just won't cut it) or in the stairwell leading to the roof with pictures of family on it. Family tree, get it???  Right. I am obsessed with this graphic designer so this one could work over the bed too.

Or of course there's always this one of the boys:

But that would have to go right over the piano for inspiration. No painting involved! Love it.

I think I might cry!

So I could have met these two tomorrow:

YEAH. And instead I am working on Blue Bloods  (Tom Selleck stars)...look, I am happy to be working, but I am devastated that I am missing the SAG screening of "The Kings Speech" followed by a talk back with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. I think I might cry. Ok, Jason just read this over my shoulder and said "might cry? you already cried".  My heart is broken!

Brochu, Ball, Babs and Bernadette

I love New York. Have I mentioned this already? Worth mentioning again. I feel like you don't have to do very much to feel like you a part of something much bigger than yourself here. We had a great night with Jim Brochu, his partner Steven, and my friends Zach and Michael last night. Jim was good pals with my comedic idol Lucille Ball so I had to take a picture with her autographed glamor shot.  Yeah, just pals with LUCILLE BALL. Barbara Streisand came to Jim's show in New York and was so impressed with him that she gave him the autographed picture you see on the wall above...and the view from their balcony makes their place in the heart of the theater district quintessential NYC.

Ok. Deep breaths. A Little Night Music was SO SO SO inspiring!!!! I can't believe how I am exposing the musical theater nerd in me on my blog in this manner, but I don't care. Bernadette Peters is Steven Sondheim's girl because she knows, understands, and interprets his music like no one else. She was absolute brilliance on every level. The audience went so insane for the whole production they were on their feet before the lights went up for curtain call. Alright, I might have led the standing ovation but I was very confident everyone in that theater felt the way I did. I kissed her poster. I am a nerd. I love New York.

New Years at Butchart Gardens

 

 Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

We can't get over Christmas being over so we went to the Butchart Gardens Christmas extravaganza on New Years Eve. It was quite magical and they had 12 intricate displays of the infamous song above. Can you pick out the maids a milking, three French hens, and four calling birds? They had cell phones. Too cute.

A Victorian Christmas

My first Christmas in Victoria was every bit as lovely as expected! 

We were talking about Christmas newsletters and how they may sometimes come across as a bragfest and I started worrying my blog is an extended version of a bragfest all year long. But I’m sorry I HAVE to brag. My in-laws rock. 

When I first met them I knew they must be good people because Jason was good people. But every year that I have gotten to know them better they keep outdoing themselves with goodness. We have had lovely breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and been served lovely lattes in between. We went to a lovely service at Christ Church Cathedral with a choir singing Haydn and a candle light ceremony at midnight. I got many lovely gifts, and enjoyed the loveliness of giving gifts more. But the greatest gift Colin and Linda gave me was a card that asked me on the outside where they were going to be on January 30th. On the inside of the card there was a picture of Baba’s house. They want to come to Dunkirk to see Baba for her 100th birthday! Cannot begin to express my gratitude for their kindness, thoughtfulness and pure love for this gesture.

Positivity

I couldn’t think of anything to write today other than the fact that I am UNBELIEVABLY excited to be reunited with Jason in approximately 48 hours.  So I am just going to put some positive thoughts up here to acknowledge goodness and prosperity.

• I am seeing my husband in approximately 48 hrs! I know, I already said that but it is definitely worth mentioning again.

• Love. It is truly everywhere you look. Just open your eyes and look at it’s grandeur. Oh, and turn off the TV. Especially the news. Unless it’s CNN heroes.

• Health. I am totally sick right now, but it is nothing compared with the burdens many have to bear and I am blessed to have all my fingers, and all my toes.

• The Voce. This sounds really weird, but very time I go to sing I think, what the heck is this thing I have in my throat that makes music. I always joke about “the gift” but I really feel blessed that I have been given it. 

• Faith. I don’t care what you believe in, faith of some kind is beautiful. Believe in the unbelievable and miracles happen.

• Family. My family is amazing. So lucky.

• Friends. My friends are amazing.  So lucky.

• Planet Earth. You are amazing. We are so lucky.