Times are indeed tough for all of us these days, but because we are adaptable creatures, we rise to the occasion and carry on, bravely encouraging our children and grandchildren to do the same. There is no giving up.
But I do miss the hugs!
Personalized Happy Birthday Wishes
Yes, I am addicted to “playing” with images, whether there are my own photos, or images in the public domain. This is especially true when I can personalize a card to mark an event like a birthday. It’s fun and rewarding. And, what’s more, with every creation, I learn new skills.
Brilliance on the Small Screen
Off and on over the past year or so, I have watched bits and pieces of Schitt’s Creek, but have never gone out of my way to view it regularly. Just yesterday, though, I was mesmerized by several back to back episodes, and have concluded that this is a brilliant production, featuring extremely talented actors.
Now that we are supposed to spend more time at home, I will maybe find time to check out what I’ve missed — on the smaller screen.
Ann was Created in 1915 — So of Course She is Raggedy
The Ann featured here came to life for my daughter in 1974. Two weeks from now, they will both turn 45!
Truth Be Told
The drive to know possibly has something to do with my seven decades. It has, though, for a good long time, been a quite-intense-work-in-progress* — made so much easier with the accessibility of the internet. I remember stressing on my students — time and time again — that, with this tool, they had a wonderful free gift of knowledge right in front of them, and all they had to do was unwrap it. Be curious, read, research, dig, question, study, learn, cross-reference, reject, start again, …. I told them there was no excuse to be in the dark about anything. The responsibility to look for the answers, however, was theirs alone. Thankfully, my retirement has given me the opportunity to continue to fulfill my responsibility and be a life-long-learner.
Winter is On its Way!
March 2016
This time of year requires an adjustment in our thermostats. Indeed, even when it’s only -5 °C, we sense the temperature as bitterly cold. A friend of mine swears it is because our blood has not yet thickened adequately enough to deal with the below freezing numbers.
He might be right.
In any case, the views can be beautiful.
Speak Slowly and Clearly; Face the Person You Are Addressing
No matter how independent we like to be, we all occasionally need to receive social services, including medical examinations and treatment.
‘Tis the Season!
Send these delightful vintage-illustration cards to the young (or young-at-heart) recipients on your list.
In the Red!
Chez moi, at Audities’ House of Cards, when I’m not taking photos, or designing greeting cards, I tend to dabble in experiments with fermented foods.
To date, I’ve mastered kombucha quite well, and drink it regularly. I’ve also successfully fermented beets, made beet kvass, and most recently, produced some delicious white cabbage sauerkraut. So now, I am on to a new venture: red cabbage sauerkraut.
For your enjoyment, I’ve documented the process from two days ago.
I added about four healthy teaspoons of coarse gray sea salt to about two and a half pounds of coarsely shredded red cabbage, and blended it together with my hands. The salt made the cabbage glisten with moisture almost immediately.
Water Treatment on 11th
I’ve decided to make a few greeting cards using the designs from the walls of my friend’s house. On this one I’ve added a water filter as a sad reminder of the events of May 2017. Unfortunately, I have not been able to conclusively nail down the artist responsible so cannot give him credit for his unique creation.
Join us at Terrasse en Art on November 18th to see this card and others featuring scenes from Terrasse Vaudreuil.
Self-Promotion Time
Voici Audities’ Cards on Facebook.
Montrez à vos êtres aimés qu’ils vous tiennent à cœur avec des cartes d’Audities’ Cards!
Des cartes de haute qualité, uniques et abordables, faites à partir de photos de ma collection personnelle, de photographies d’illustrations antiques et de gravures. Ces charmes en image ont droit à une seconde vie au lieu d’être enfermés dans des livres où personne les voit.
Toutes les cartes en inventaire sont seulement 3 $ ou moins.
La plupart sont sans texte à l’intérieur.
Pour toute commande de 10 cartes, il me fera plaisir de vous inscrire un message personnalisé sur le dessus ou à l’intérieur de la carte et ce, selon vos préférences.
Venez la rencontrer de 10 h à 15 h
au Centre communautaire
78, 7e Avenue, Terrasse-Vaudreuil
Can You Help Me?
I’d like to give credit to the gentleman who decorated so many homes in Terrasse Vaudreuil some thirty-odd or more? years ago — even if he is no longer living. Unfortunately, I am having trouble finding the information I need.
The initials appear to be F.K. and I have heard the name Fred Kliner or Kleiner. Can anyone confirm this for me, please?
Much appreciated.
Heartaches and Goodbyes
Watching a home be demolished
and then be trucked away
was something that stirred my adrenaline —
I don’t see this every day.
I was awed by his skill with the shovel —
that operator worked so well.
But the emotions that grew as I watched him
Made the pain in my stomach swell.
How can this family recover?
How can they turn the page?
How can they feel that justice was done,
Or feel anything other than rage?
Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently
This is the book that is stealing me away from Audities’ Cards these days. In between designing, computing, gardening and yard work; volunteering, family, and daily household tasks, I dive full force into this book. And I’m convinced there are benefits!
One Laundry-Day in the Hood
I hang laundry while standing on the bench so I can reach the line. I feel a bit rebellious since someone once told me I should be careful.
I admit that I do have a preference for using the same colour pegs for each item — I even back-track and change the pegged colour if I’ve messed up. I also choose the peg colours to suit the colour of the item I’m hanging. Where does that come from? And why?
It’s very comforting to hang according to some order/some personal rules, whatever they may be.
I choose to put the heavier items first because they take longer to dry. I hang pants from the cuff, not from the waist which is often too thick for the pegs. I like to hang shirts and t-shirts across the middle of the torso so they leave less evidence of being captured by the pegs. I like to avoid ironing.
Nine Years and One Month Ago
When the rain stops, I’m sure we will have more lovely scenes like this. Without the snow.
Classic Literature on the Lawn
“Momday’s” St. Paddy’s Day Card
Of course, I added some hearts, some x’s and o’s, and “Mom!” and then drew a leprechaun inside — just for fun — for Mom!
A Card For Mom — Memories For Me
This photo was one of many taken on a trip to Bayfield in September 2010. I like it very much but, at the same time as it soothes me, it reminds me of a sad time.
Read more
I’m Vending My Wares
I’ve just recently begun offering to display and sell Audities’ Cards in seniors’ residences. To date the cards have been well-received by the residents, so I will continue.
This choice has given me yet another excuse to design a sign to promote my craft.
If you have suggestions and contact information for me, I would be grateful. Thank you.
Nine Months Later
Actually, there are quite a number of rounded bellies in my yard, leading me to worry. Where will all this snow go? There is only so much that sublimation can take care of, right? How much will be left to melt in the spring? And where will the melt water go?
I’m guessing that if we get a lot of sun and wind, and the weather stays cold, then a lot of this snow will disappear before we get to the melting stage. Hmmm. Does anyone know? Google, here I come.
Mood Swings For My Niece
If you are not a fan already, you might like to check out Two Cents’ blog. There you’ll find a woman who speaks her mind — eloquently — some times straight from her soul. 😉
Plans Becoming Routines = Success
This post has been jiggling around for awhile, so today is the day! 😉
A Tough Decision — But I Made It
I thoroughly enjoy my three hours of volleyball every Saturday morning! Thoroughly!
But with the weather and road conditions today, I have decided to stay out of the traffic. And away from the unnecessary risk of fender benders or worse.
Thinking For Myself in 2018
As I go about my busy life, I get many reactions:
- “What?”
- “You’re kidding!”
- “Why?”
- “That’s just weird.”
- “I don’t understand.”
- “You had better be careful!”
And, every summer, when I spend a week with my five sisters and their hubbies, I hear many variations of the same surprised reactions. And the reason is simple: I think for myself, and once I reach my conclusions, I act on my beliefs — no matter how unconventional. Unfortunately for my brothers-in-law, I also share most of these ideas with my more adventurous sisters. 😉 Some of the men call me a witch; they blame me for getting their wives into things they consider “weird.”
Systems & Whatnot — Why not?
The insomnia of the wee hours in the dark can trigger such ambitious and lofty plans! And, when we’re lucky, these moments trigger an amazing clarity of purpose and even a detailed visualization on the procedure required.
Colour Me Happy
According to some researchers, there are health and psychological benefits to spending time on a childhood activity we once loved: colouring.
Sneak a Playful Peak
My inner child delights in these illustrations, so this Audities’ Cards for Children gallery is not playing hide and seek – it is growing. Why don’t you stop by and have a look? And then tell me which one speaks to your childhood memories.
MHM1
C$3.00
Families Know How to Show They Care
At Terrasse en Art this past Sunday, Audities’ Cards was truly fortunate to meet and talk with many delightful people. Thank you to all for being there with us.
Terrasse-Vaudreuil en Art!
Terrasse en Art November 26th! Yes! Be there, or be square! 🙂
And speaking of square, Audities’ Cards will be there — with a Square!
Audities' Cards 