#57 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE SUNFLOWER

Oh the Fall in Ontario with the Sunflowers abounding in the gardens.

In duets!

Or in nice clusters on lawns and gardens.

With barn boards in the background!

Buying bouquets for those festive fall tables.
The happy flower.

In Italian- Gira al sole- turn to the sun. Even art work on buildings like the York Farmer's Market.

So as Fall is upon, perhaps I will seek out more pictures and images of the lovely Sunflower for this 150!

NANA SAYS YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

New clothes, books, markers, lap tops- the kids are back to school with a bang. You made it as parents! Traffic for the worker bees is horrendous again! Buses delay all. So take your time. Get up a little earlier every day to accommodate. Make some new routines if the old ones did not work. September with the start of school is always an opportunity to review routines, habits, rituals. Nothing is engraved in stone. So change can be made just as easily as slipping into old ways.
Ask yourself these questions?
Do you enjoy getting up in the morning with your children?
What works? What doesn't?
Lunches- have you found some ways to organize and make them easier.
After school- again- what works? Snacks before dinner. What time is dinner?
Homework- how much and who really does it?
Night time family rituals. Lessons do get in the way but how to make them work around the family time.
Can you find 20 - 30 minutes before bed to quiet every one's energy and to say something good about everyone and yourself as a parent!
The first day of school becomes the first month, and so on and so on.
Make it work! No life is perfect but it can be enjoyable and manageable.

THE CANADIAN FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

As children, teens and university/college kids head back to school today across the country, there are certain rituals. Pictures of those little ones in their new clothes will be posted on Facebook, Instagram, Tweeted, Texted etc to family members galore. The first lunches are special because there has been a summer delay in making them. The backpacks are pristine. The pencils sharpened. The markers new and clean. The notebooks waiting to be used. Yes traffic is back. The school buses are back. The vacationing staff are back. The workplace revs up too. Hopefully every body's mood will be good and happy. September that new beginning of the school year. Back to the normal routines. Back to lessons and meetings and planning and evening classes. The first day of school with all the expectations of doing better and enjoying the year. Teachers brace yourselves!
#firstdayof school#teachers#backpacks#children#pencils#markers#notebooks

#56 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- 1917 WOMEN GET THE VOTE IN ONTARIO

Although women got to vote in Manitoba first in Canada in 1916, follwed by Saskatchewan and Alberta, woment in Ontario got to vote in 1917. 50 years after Confederation. Only 100 years ago. So the vote is an important part of democracy. Whatever the election, always get out and vote. Teach your children the importance of voting.

#55 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

As a child the CNE- in downtown Toronto on Lake Ontario- was the trip anticipated for the whole summer. Getting a free pass at the end of the school year, it was a coveted prize. Since 1879 it has pleased Torontonians and visitors. So a September 2, 2017 outing with one daughter and two grandsons.

At the east end the Princes Gate greets everyone. So many pictures taken under it, by it, in the arch way.

Yes straight through the arches and the EX is there!

Colourful signs for a huge variety of food everywhere.

And drinks!

Games!

And more games!

Many buildings- but of course the Food Building was still very popular! A delicious but messy porchetta sandwich and some poutine fries was my lunch.

In the Arts and Crafts Building we found the Quilt of Belonging.

It was showcased here in 2009 and has travelled around the country and world to return for this special 150 celebration. The Enercare Centre had lots of dealers and events. Every building housed something. Lots to see and buy!

The sky ride gave a good view of the EX and makes it easier to go from one end to the other.

150 signs everywhere!

The Dufferin Gate at the west end with the CN Tower visible to all.

Kids love signs and to be part of the memory!

The smells, the games, the crowds,  the memories and listen carefully the last weekend of the EX for the jets from the Air Show.
#CNE#foodbuilding#games#PrincesGate#CNTower#DufferinGate#150#Toronto#Ontario
#let'sgototheEx#fun#family#children#crowds

#54 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150-REVISTING THE QUILT OF BELONGING AT THE CNE

In 2008, I first saw the Quilt of Belonging. A wonder art textile project originating with Esther Bryan and friends.

My postcard from that visit bookmarked the remarkable book.

So visiting the Canadian National Exhibition 2107 was a chance to expose a daughter and two grandsons to the project. It had not been back for 9 years. What a wonderful way to celebrate 150!

It has travelled the world. It is not in any museum. But often has timeouts so the fabric has a chance to breath.

It is more impressive when seen in its whole.

The Canada block is above the rest. The quilt is the spirit of Canada. If an opportunity arises to see this amazing work of art, see it.
You can visit Esther Bryan's website  quilt of belonging to learn more about the project. If able buy the book and read the stories behind each hexagon. Every one has a culture, so find yours! 263 blocks representing all the nations of the world and the First Peoples of Canada.
How Canadian eh!
#quiltofbelonging#estherbryan#nations#textileart#theinvitationproject#art#canada

FIVE THINGS TO EMBRACE IN SEPTEMBER

Here we are- September 1st. Summer feels over but hello- we still have 3 weeks left.
So how to embrace the month.

1. Labour Day weekend can be a last hurrah of fun. In the GTA, there is the EX and the famous air show. Weather permitting, a beach trip.

2. Organizing for back to school. To the dorms for college and university students. But take time with organizing clothes and the house. Weather may make us need warm clothes in the morning and less layers by noon. School supplies- some to start but remember each teacher and course may have its requirements so be prepared for more trips to the store or even online shopping.
School lunches are a drag. How to make them easy. Get everyone involved with helping to make them and pack the lunch bags. Pretty lunch bags that are easy to clean always helps.

3. See September as time to begin activities again. Outside meetings. Indoor projects. A renewal of sorts. Go at them methodically.

4. Yes an exercise program. Mine is simple- more walking! Be real! We all eat extra over the summer. The barbecue. The ice cream. The fun summer foods. The drinks with little umbrellas. So along with exercise if wanting to get back on the healthy horse, September is a good time.

5. Thinking about enjoying the month. Farm trips with the kids to pick those farm fresh vegetables. Taking advantage of the summer sales which may help with some early Christmas shopping. For the empty nesters, helping out with the children and grandchildren. How to help them ease back into the month. The first few weeks back to school can be chaotic or see how it goes. Depends on one's attitude.

Of course the traffic is back, the school buses, the little and big ones crossing streets. Be vigilant! For me two family birthdays to enjoy. Yard work cleanup begins. Helps with the exercise program. Low impact yard work does work every muscle! But it will take until November. Slowly and methodically- remember.

                                              Hard to see the forest for the trees sometimes!
Oh September, bring it on!!
#September#backtoschool#activities#labourdayweekend#organizing#schoollunches#exerciseprogram#sales