Summertime… and the living is JAZZY!

"Summertime and the living is easy…"
-George Gershwin

"In summer, the song sings itself."
-William Carlos Williams

"Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but it is a gift that America has given to the world."
-Ahmad Alaadeen

A cute picture Jana texted to us while we were in Montreal
my grandkids by the ice cream bus downtown Saskatoon
by where our jazz festival takes place… year after year!

Mariah and Beau after Mariah graduated from grade two…
at their great grandparents by their lovely flowers, with my father in law, Greg.
and purchasing new fish at pet land.

Jazz festing in Saskatoon the week before Montreal…
here with my buddy Ella at two different free venues…
we went several times and enjoyed music together!

Our dear friend, Robin popped by before we left
 for Montreal for a visit
on our deck!

Our talented 14 year old niece… Rowen,
showing a piece of art from school she did,
She and her mom popped by for a visit the night before our trip.

Our trip was filled with lots of fun stuff…
here are a few pics of Brian and me together
in front of our Hotel Ambrose, at a restaurant, out for happy hour at The Hyatt,
and an evening in old Montreal…
we had many different photos together, lots of selfless, too!

I took in lots of JAZZ at the famous Montreal Jazz Festival…
one of the biggest ones of it's kind in the world.
Their's had a free concert by Diana Krall even… among many other
free concerts for it's duration from June 26th-July 6th 2014.
Their emblem of JAZZ CATS were seen every where in Montreal!

Brian and I did a few visits to the famous Old Montreal area…
so fun and full of life and colour ... along with historic scenery and buildings.

The day of the free Diana Krall free concert … I got a few fun photos,
Hard to get a clear one of Diana herself… but there is a great youtube article
on her with some of her performances.
Note the tall beer server in the crowd… his shirt said 7'1" on the back
he really stood out in the crowd… I thought he was wearing stilts at first,
but he wasn't!

We were able to capture many nice photos of my son, Colin and his girlfriend, Caro…
But Colin prefers to not have his face showing up on the internet, so I can't share those ones here!
I did put the one of him and Caro walking from behind in their area of Montreal.
The one with Brian, Caro and me is in Colin's back patio…
the others are in scenic areas near by!

While in Montreal we met with my sister-in-law, Gail on Canada Day for a nice supper…
(she was there from Vancouver, for a work conference)
We met up with Nels's sister, Ingrid, and her boyfriend for drinks one night…
 and also met up with Colin's friends…
Shani, his wife (also named Caro)…
and their adorable son, Sidney.

Clowning around in Old Montreal … they were out everywhere in fun costumes!
I do love a clown!

Something else I love is CHOCOLATE!
Here we are at a place called the Chocolatier…
our two desserts were 17.00 total… pricey but so yummy!

We ate out in many restaurants and places and tried lots of foods…
but our best meals were at Colin and Caros'…
they are such good cooks… meals at their place
 are in lower left hand
of this "collauge!"

Lots to see and do in Montreal… beautiful churches, paintings,
and good company, too…
Here is Caro with her sweet cat, Filou!

From Montreal to home again…
After leaving our hotel on Stanley and Sherbrooke...
We had a lunch with Colin and Caro in Old Montreal before
returning home again… and last night had Jana, Nels and kids over for
a BBQ supper. Mariah loves hanging with Shuffle…
and look… Beau learned to ride a bike!

We picked up Shuffle from the daycare when we got home…
and the little sign they had up in their office said "Home is Where your Dog is!"
Shuffle was as happy to see us as we to see her…
and she is loving her
home turf again!

Yesterday we picked up Mariah from her mom's store where she is reading in photo…
and brought her to hang out with us for the afternoon…
she is growing up so fast… reading
...and playing scrabble now, above
with her grandpa and me!

Beau seems to have grown up in the week we were gone as well…
and riding a two wheeler already at the age of 3!
Last night he was enjoying some watermelon on his mommy's knee…
such a little cutie!

Last night the grandkids enjoyed playing on the swings in our yard…
it's been a while since they have done that…
I sure missed my little swingers, while we were away!

This is an adorable photo Jana texted to us while we were in Montrel
to let us know the kids were missing us, too!
I may be biassed… but I think they are pretty darn cute…
right down to their candy necklaces.
They are so precious to us and they help JAZZ up our lives
all year round!



Once again thanks for popping by to read my blog...I believe this is my longest lapse between blog posts, which is the reason for so many photos this time!


We have enjoyed our summer so far from our Saskatoon Jazz Festival to the bigger one in Montreal last week, too…
Summer time and the living is JAZZY!


We did enjoy our trip to Montreal and as you may or may not know… I do enjoy taking photos… but take so many it is hard to narrow it down to just a few… so this is only a handful of the many I have taken since my last blog entry.


We had such a nice time visiting my son, Colin and his girlfriend, Caro, while there, too. In fact our very best meals were ones they cooked for us while there. I did miss our Yahtzee… or YUM as they call it in Montreal… last year we played many games … this year no games were played, which left more time to just visit!


I did more JAZZIN' it UP then ever before in Montreal. Brian didn't come to much of it… but I went on my own…and also met some new "SOUL" mates in Montreal while festing!

Brian enjoyed going to places he likes to see and just simply enjoyed people watching while I was out Jazz Festing!… so whether we were together or doing our own thing 
we both had fun!


I mentioned above the free Diana Krall concert… but I saw many free concerts of many great artists, both ones I had heard of as well as some new ones. I had really wanted to see the concert featuring the band dating back 42 years… named "EARTH, WIND & FIRE"… I don't really consider them a jazz band… but they have always been a favourite dance/soul type band for me. We had checked the Jazz website before travelling to Montreal to find their concert was sold out. However I checked on the day of the concert and luckily so... for tickets became available hours before the show. They apparently save tickets for special dignitaries and family of band, etc…and release them when they know they will not get used… so I ended up getting the best seats in the house by just being in 
the right place at the right time!!!
I also met a new jazz buddy named Pat there, too. She not only sat beside me at the "E, W, & F" concert… but we Jazzed it up all night together and met another night there as well!… Fun… another new jazz buddy for me!


My love of Jazz music originates from my parents. They instilled it in me, and we shared so many Jazz festivals together when they were still alive. I felt their presence on so many occasions at the festivals in both Saskatoon as well as Montreal… it was like they were right there enjoying it with me, at times. I heard many tunes that remind me of them, too, including their favourite, "Satin Doll!"


It is funny that my kids and hubby don't really have the same passion for jazz music… but we all have different interests and tastes in music I guess! Jana and Nels did attend a concert at our Jazz festival… but it wasn't Jazz… they went to Lauren Hill and really enjoyed it!


I think the jazz festivals are becoming more and more diverse in their genres of music these days… they are quite a bit more of a MUSIC festival! I did hear many kinds of Jazz though and I loved it all! 
I think being right there to whiteness it "live" 
is the best part…
and fun to people watch, too!


I think it is fun to get away … but I am such a home body that it is so nice to return home again after the holiday is done. We were happy to have our good friends, Ella and Vern pick us up at the airport. We were also grateful to have our neighbour, Heather taking in our mail and watering our plants, along with our nephew, Sam, 
mowing our lawns while away.


It is always fun to reconnect to our family and share all our good times with them when we get home, too.I went to the gym again this morning and even that felt good, too… although I did get lots of exercise while in Montreal by walking a lot in their very hot humid weather.

I thought of my mom on her birthday in Heaven on June 29th. I did some jazz and had some ice cream and chocolate in her honour, too! I thought of my Auntie Mary last week too as she celebrated her birthday on July 4th.


We celebrated Canada Day in Montreal… we attended a parade for that there. There were many other eventful things going on while we were there. Another funny thing that happened... on our second last day there… we were out eating at our favourite little salad bar called Mangia…on their patio, when about 50 nudist bikers drove by… I did get some pics… but chose not to share those ones!!! wink wink!


Today I am remembering this date 42 years ago when I was a bridesmaid at my oldest brother's wedding.
So I want to wish BOB and ARLEEN a "Happy Anniversary" today… and hope they have many more years of 
wedded bliss to come!


On that note… here is my rhyme of the day…


Another blog… another rhyme…
All about JAZZING in the summer time!
So many bands and singers, too,
Lots to see… and hear … and do!
Travel is always a lot of fun,
I love coming home, when it's all done.
Family and friends... we have quite a few,
I have even more now, I met new ones, too!
I love JAZZ FEST… I love it when it's hot,
I love all the sunshine that we got.
I wish summer time could really last,
But every year it just goes so fast.
I live in the moment and enjoy what's great,
This summer has been really fun to date.
My home, my family and all of my friends…
I love my life… and all of it's blends!

Singin' & Dancin' in the RAiN!

"Whoever said happiness comes with sunshine, has never danced in the rain."
-Author Unknown

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing."
-William James

"Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain."
-Author Unknown

Mariah dancing through the rainy puddles on Saturday when she helped
at the Dog Adoption again… here she is with doggie named Riley.

Bev and Mariah have been helping out lately with
the dog adoptions held at Cowtown…
by the WANAR K9 Rescue.

Friday night we babysat the grandkids… and the rain didn't stop us from
a trip to BP for supper!

Last week we managed to go out for a little ice cream treat between the
rainfalls!
Also my sister-in-law, Arleen, hosted a nice cousin gathering for us
to catch up on family news… (She also took the photo!)

Wednesday, my neighbour, Heather and I stopped by my friend, ella's for
a coffee and visit! It happened to be Paul McCartney's birthday so
in his honour I wore my shirt from the concert of his we went to in
2012 in Edmonton!

Saturday we went to a baton fund raiser…
Here are Brenda with her Canadian champ twirlers to represent
Canada at the World's in England in August…
Congrats and good luck to the girls, Heather and Brittany.

The centre pieces on the tables had photos of the baton twirlers…
this photo on our table happened to be from 2010…
Supper was delicious, too…and included a chocolate fondue for dessert!

Sunday was a special birthday celebration for our friend, Jacquie…
we put a candle in a cinnamon bun and sang her happy birthday at our breakfast!

Our table guests grew in numbers as the breakfast progressed…
ending in a group of 9 by the time we were done… fun little celebration!

The birthday girl on her way with
her presents cards and flowers!

I was doing a happy song and dance when my friend Linda joined our sunday
group this week…and then her and ella and I did a little shop at Winners…
Linda found lots of fun finds and then was doing her happy dance, too!

our fun continued as we went for a girlfriend bond over a starbucks,
following our breakfast and winners shop!

Ella and I went to some free jazz in the park next…
we managed to hear about 5 songs before the skies opened up once again!
I have been listening to Bobby Klassen and his octet at the Jazz festival
for many years now…and the traditions continue!

Got out some old archives this past week leading up to JAZZ FESTIVAL!
I found an old t-shirt from my studio days… with JAZZ on it.
I found a fond memory of mom, my friend, linda and I jazz testing in the SUNSHINE
back in 2009… and I have a pic of the group who sported the JAZZ t-shirts
in my 1998 RECIAL where were tributing lots of JAZZ!


It's monday… blog day… and another week's worth of events have gone by since my last blog post!

It has been a very rainy and wet week… but it hasn't put too much of a damper on my activities… still managed to fit lots into my week as the pictures display. I usually take the pictures on my iPhone and collage them but my phone is full again… so many photos have been taken on my camera, and today when trying to load them all into the computer… there were some issues with that… therefore a wee delay on my blog posting, too!


I did manage to get out for more free jazzing in the park today with my jazzing' buddy, Ella.
We started at the "Pocket Park" by
Lulu lemon with a band called
"Hot Club Saskatoon"… then got a coffee and walked over to the bigger free venue where there was a band called
"this is The Shoes" (from Vancouver) playing.
I kind of felt my mom's spirit today… she used to always come to free jazz with me back in the day… I liked the first band I heard… but not the second band as much… and I could kind of visualize my mom covering her ears for that one, too!!! hehehe (it wasn't really jazz… it was more like a Janis Joplin style!) Yesterday's free jazz was stuff my parents would have both loved… and more like the stuff I enjoy too!


I am hoping the rain stays away now long enough for the JAZZ FESTIVAL and for people to enjoy it!

Along with the photos above… and the outings, etc… I want to congratulate  JANA and MELISSA on their fifth year anniversary of their store…
SWANK SHOE LOUNGE… hard to believe 5 years have passed already… and one good thing about all this rain is they are selling lots of their HUNTER RUBBER BOOTS these days!


This weekend… Brian and I look forward to our annual trip to Montreal to see Colin and his girlfriend, Caro. We will take in lots of the Montreal Jazz Fest too while there.

Also this weekend… I will be thinking of both my uncle Charlie and my mom sharing birthday cakes in HEAVEN together. Charlie on the 26th and mom on the 29th.
They may even be singing up there a little too!

On that note… here is my poem of the day…

The weather has certainly been kind of wet,
We are grateful for any sunshine we can get!
Whether going to the jazz fest or being outside,
It is much better when we don't have to hide,
Under umbrellas away from the rain…
Please Mr. Sunshine… will you come out again?!
Good thing for Friends and family, too…
And many fun things that we can all do!

CELEBRATIONS… of Fathers...Dance, Family & Friends!

"You can't have a positive life with a negative attitude. If we think positively sounds become music, movement becomes dance, smiles become laughter, and life becomes a Celebration."
-Author Unknown

"A father's legacy is not riches, possessions, or worldly goods of any kind- it is the way he lived, the lives he touched, the promises he kept… it is the kind of man he was. "
-Author Unknown

"I am surrounded by great friends and family. I don't know what I would do without them."
-Emma Roberts

A nice photo taken of Brian on Father's day with Jana…
and a lovely photo collage of family she created for him as his gift
to go with his very heartfelt card.
There is really something special about the bond
between fathers and their little girls!
I know this first hand… as I, too, was my dad's special little girl!

A closer look  at the FAMILY photos here… and a special frisbee
Mariah created for her PAPA!

Although this photo is a bit blurry and dark… the Father's Day Brunch was
a memorable one yesterday at The Willows.
We enjoy times we share with family when ever we can… and in fact
we shared two outings with them yesterday… later having supper at Earl's!

After our Brunch yesterday…
Mariah had her "Silks" lesson to get to, but we brought Beau to
see his great Grandpa and to give him this book as a gift.
Something so special about this photo…
with the oldest and youngest members of our
family together!
Beau looked through this book page by page, too,
with his Great Grandpa… a memory to cherish forever.

When looking through old photos recently, I found this gem…
 of my dad and my father-in-law, together sharing a drink
on boxing day of 1992… TWO of the BEST DADS around!
Above are my crafted father's day cards for
Brian, Greg and Nels… the 3 special dads (still living) in my world!

Last Thursday we popped by Blanche and Greg's for a visit.
The grandkids were there, too… the photo with Greg and Mariah
is the one I selected to use on his card.
I love the other two photos, too… the one with the Grand kids and
their Great Grandparents...and the one
with the 2 grandpas behind Beau!

Mariah popped by Wednesday night briefly…
and she always loves doing stuff with Shuffle!
Later when I looked outside to see where Shuffle was…
she was sitting by herself
out on the lounge chairs enjoying the good weather!

Friday night we shared more good times and food with our dear friends…
Vern and Ella.
Brian made a very delicious supper and
we all watched the Stanley cup hockey game together.
I know had my dad been alive… he would have been watching it, too…
hockey was always a big part of his life… intact he played hockey right
up until the day before he passed away in 2000.

Another throw back memory in the upper left is dance student Kelly Woodley…
in the year 2000 with my dance mentor, Brian Foley, who created a scholarship
in my dad's honour the year he passed away, and chose Kelly as the first recipient..
On Saturday night I watched Kelly along with another student of mine,
Andrea perform in a local company called Abiding Lines Dance Company.
I attended the show with good dance buddy, Joanne… and we both loved the show.
I am always so PROUD to watch dancers I have taught succeed and continue
to stride in DANCE!

I continued to enjoy more great dancing yesterday with my two
girlies when we attended the La Danse Production  at
at TCU… dance is a celebration for all 3 generations of us!
WE will always love dancing… and I love that it continues to
pass through each generation!




It is Monday once again… which has recently become my weekly blog writing day of the week. It is a nice way for me to review the previous week in photos and remember the fun things I did! I actually find it kind of like  
my weekly therapy session!!!!


This past week was full of fun and celebrations for generations of us… with my friends and 
families in life and in dance!




I have noticed over the years of my involvement in the dance world… just how many great dance friends I have… and it brings me such pleasure to watch many of them in performances all over… whether in dance recitals or just performances of any kind. Us dancers… are like one big dance family… our paths cross in many ways… and we all share the common bond in life of DANCE!

I loved both shows I attended this past weekend…
Abiding Lines Dance Company's performance of their show called "Behind the Flapper's Fringe"…
and the La Danse year end production as well.
Their quality in work has held the test of time.
It was particularly fun to watch third generation dancers perform in their show… I saw daughters of dancers I once taught now performing and the beat goes on and on…
Generations and Celebrations
of dance families in my world!

I also shared a Starbucks coffee with a dance friend, Barb, from Moose Jaw on Friday, as well as a drink with dance friend, Joanne on Saturday night. I happened to run into another dance friend, Kristy, last night when out for supper... Too bad I did not capture those outings… 
be but enjoyed the visits, none the less!


In between the big celebrations the past week… I managed to make it to the gym 4 times… so that in itself is a celebration… and a much needed one, too! hehehe…
as well I enjoyed several walks with my dog Shuffle… and not only did the exercise and fresh air do us both good, I love when I can listen to my favourite tunes randomly play on the iPod as I WALK ON… and ROCK ON!


We had a delicious supper here on Friday night…. I am always ever grateful for my hubby, Brian… and love that he loves to cook! He BBQed up a roast and all the trimmings and we shared a fun filled evening of food, friendship and hockey on Tv with our good friends…
Vern and Ella.


Father's Day is always somewhat bitter sweet for me…especially since my own dad is in heaven now, however, his spirit was ever so strong as it always is and he DANCES
on in my heart. I've heard that raindrops, like snowflakes… are like kisses from heaven… so if that is the case… I consider my self KISSED over and over again this past weekend, with all the rain we had!

I did celebrate the dear fathers near and far but the 3 that are close to my heart besides my own dad… are my hubby, Brian, who was not only an amazing dad to our two kids, Colin and Jana… but he is such an awesome grandpa to our two grandkids, Mariah and Beau, as well.
My Father-in-law, Greg… is also a one of a kind DAD, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa… such a kind and gentle passionate and proud man.
My son-in-law, Nels… is a fun filled daddy for my two grandkids… he is always a hands on dad who shares so much with his darling little kids…. so fun to watch as history repeats in generation to generation!

My brother, Bob is a great dad… as are my brothers in law, Ralph and Mark. I did feel somewhat of  a special spirit coming from the skies, too ,from my brother-in-law, Bruce and my Uncle Charlie, who spent their first
Father's Day in Heaven this year.
We have so many friends who are fathers… far too many to mention in this blog post… but I hope they all had wonderful celebrations, too!



We heard from our son, Colin on Father's day… he is so good at remembering the special occasions and calling on those days. He is looking forward to us coming to see him in less than 2 weeks when we go see him and his girlfriend, Caro in Montreal. We are pretty pumped for that trip, too…something of a celebration for us on many levels.
I'm excited for their JAZZ FESTIVAL and ours too, which begins this Friday.

I always think of my parents when Jazz Festival season comes… we spent many times CELEBRATING together there. My parents are the reason I have such an appreciation for JAZZ music in the first place.
My dad especially as he could play many of the jazz tunes of their era and more on the piano... One that always comes to mind for them is the Duke Ellington classic…
"Satin Doll"… people associate that song with them as much as they associate "Polka dots" to me!!!!! hehehe

My favourite BEATLE, Paul McCartney celebrates another birthday this week… on June 18th. I notice he has been sick and has had to cancel many of his recent tour dates… I do hope he recovers soon… and is able to CELEBRATE on his special day, too.


Tomorrow I look forward to a little cousin- sister-in-law, coffee gathering at my sister-in-law, Arleen's house… always fun to catch up with the relatives on the latest family stories!


On that note… here is my rhyme of the day…

I have lived through many generations…
And through very many special times and celebrations.
From the dads in my world, to family and friends,
And dancing shows of many different  blends.
Father's Day joys shared with the ones I love,
The ones here on earth and the ones up above.
From dining in… to dining out…
 Lots of fun stuff and dancing about!
We sure didn't wait for the rain to pass,
We danced right through, and had a gas!
We weren't bothered by a little rainfall…
Life's what we make it, after all!

SuNsHiNe & RaiNbOwS!

"Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make it's colour appear."
-Author Unknown

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."
-Maya Angelou

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."
-James M. Barrie

Here are my little rays of SUNSHINE under the double RAINBOW
across the street seen on Saturday night!

Last Monday the SUNSHINE was bright and warm for Mariah's
Bike Rodeo at school. We were happy to go watch her in it too
on her bright Sunshine yellow bicycle !
She did all the tricks and got a perfect score, too!!!

Following the Bike rodeo…
we enjoyed more SUNSHINE in my friend Ella's beautiful backyard.
Ella had her dad in from NB for a Dr. appointment
and we had a get together
 while Vern and Brian
met Ella's 99 year old dad for their first time…
fun visits, wonderful weather!

Friday we did a little impromptu lunch outing with Brian's sister, Bev.
We went to the Willows and there was a Beatles poster I noticed
on way out of restaurant!!!
BEV adds lots of sunshine to our lives and is always willing to
help out in so many ways with us and our grandkids, so we enjoyed this
little outing with her.

Friday night Mariah was having some girlfriends for a little belated birthday
sleepover… so we picked up Beau and took him to Dollarama, Boston Pizza
and back to our house for a little Beau night  and sleepover here.
Mariah had a fun party and we enjoyed Beau, too…
so it was a win-win all round!

Beau loves cookies…and he couldn't get enough… in fact he ate 6
on Friday…and more on Saturday…
maybe Shuffle got a hold of some of them, too!!!
I love my little Cookie Monsters!!!!!

Beau had fun with the smurfs… creating a pool party for them…
He also ate cookies and had chocolate chips and fruit loops for breakfast!
What a kid… he is our little RAIN-BEAU in life!

Beau got 3 cars on route to Boston Pizza on Friday night…
then for good behaviour he got 3 more right after supper…
Saturday he convinced us he needed maybe 2 more cars…  and he did get his way,
so off to Dollarama one more time…
 he loved his little rainbow coloured array of cars out on the driveway!

just across the street from us was this beautiful double rainbow on Saturday night
I grabbed my camera right away to capture the beauty…
Life really is special when there are rainbows in it!


I had another week filled with all kinds of weather in it… along with many fun filled adventures, too!
It seems summer just barely gets going and then the weather turns chilly again… I am sure hoping summer comes for real soon!!!! But along with the SUNSHINE we did get some RAINBOWS, too this past week.


As always I am grateful to spend any time with our grandkids that I can and this past week we did share some special bonding moments with both of them. Mariah had a little bike rodeo last Monday and because her parents were both at work, we were able to go cheer her on. She did really well going through all the manoeuvres she had to do. She seemed so happy to have us there, as well and even blew us both a kiss as we pulled away in the car… so that added extra sunshine to our already sunny day!


This last few years I have considered my self very lucky to have a good friend like Ella to hang out with. We do so much together… such as going to the gym and going shopping and for coffees, meal outings etc. We did share a special little impromptu backyard party on Monday with her and her dad along with our good friend, Vern who was in town for the day as well. Soon he will be back in town more once his farming is all looked after.


We had other things going on this week as well and also enjoyed a visit with my inlaws, Blanche and Greg. I also stopped by my sister-in-law, Arleen's for a brief visit last week, too. I was able to connect with my nephew Brad as well that day, as he was nursing a sore back… hope he is better soon.


My Sister-in-law, Bev, has been so helpful to us this past year with many things including babysitting Jana's kids on many occasions. We have always wanted to do something special for her too… so we took her for a little lunch outing on Friday to The Willows. We enjoyed the food and the visit there. It is always nice to spend some quality time with family whenever we get the chance to.


We are always happy to help out with Jana's kids as well… and this past Friday night we had Beau here for a little one on one time! It was his first time of having a sleepover here without his big sister… so he did feel special for sure!  Mariah was having a little sleepover party with some of her little girlfriends for her  belated 8th birthday party. I know the party went much smoother without the little brother in the way… and we enjoyed him, too. He certainly had fun and lots to eat and in spite of a little tumble out of our bed, he actually slept pretty good otherwise!!!


I am reflecting on this time of year a year ago when our son, Colin was home. It was nice to have him here for Father's day last year. What a difference a year has made in our lives. We now look forward to our trip to Montreal later this month for more visits with Colin and his girlfriend, Caro.
We have been researching the Montreal Jazz Festival and looks like some good stuff there, even though many concerts are already sold out. They do have an amazing 
FREE VENUE as well and this year I am more than excited about one of those being with DIANA KRALL…
she has been a long time favourite of mine, and I have seen her in at least 6 concerts before… 
but will certainly attend this FREE one, too!


Last night I really enjoyed the TONY AWARDS on TV… and was happy to see so many shows including TAP in them! TAP always adds SUNSHINE to my RAINBOWS in life!!!
 I love NY and hope to go back there one day… 
but until I get that chance, watching the Tony Awards is my way  of getting a glimpse of some of the special stuff Broadway has to offer!


WE have sure enjoyed our sunny backyard once again and often just sit outside there as if on our own personal little get away. I do look up to the skies and remember all our loved ones as well. This weekend I will sure be thinking of my dad who has been gone since 2000, 
but still dances on in my heart.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD… love you forever!


I will be sharing Father's Day wishes with the dads still here with us…  Brian, who is the most amazing dad to our kids and grandpa to our grandkids. And my father-in-law, Greg… who is such a loving dad, father-in-law, 
grandpa, and great grandpa.


On that note … here is my rhyme of the day…

Summers are filled with some sunshine and some rain.
Also with fun times... again and again!
I hope the warmer weather comes soon for real,
And that the cooler outdoors quit that sun steal!
But so long as there's rainbows after the storm,
And the sunshine comes out to help us feel warm,
We just learn to dance through all kinds of weather,
And keep sharing love and fun times together!

DaNCE… DREaM… CELEBRaTE!

"Everything has rhythm, everything dances."
- Maya Angelou

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!
Live the life you've imagined"
-Thoreau
(This quote is on a lovely journal I received as a gift from my daughter, Jana, on the occasion of my final dance recital as a dance teacher in 2008)

"Celebrate endings- they proceed new beginnings."
-Jonathan Lockwood Huie

This is a favourite little photo memory for me…
This was taken on Mariah's 2nd birthday, with her and Brian
walking our pug, MOCHA!…
Sadly Mocha went to doggie heaven  2 days following this….
May 2008.

Here is another throw back photo…also from that same week,  May 2008,
which was my final year of my dance teaching career.
This was my final Sr. Tap group… and I hold so many fond memories
of this dance and all the celebrations revolving around it.

More CELEBRATIONS!
Above Ella treated Vern, Brian and me to a fabulous supper at Red Lobster
in honour of Vern's belated 65th birthday which was in April.
The next day Vern treated us all to pizza on our deck…
and the celebrating just continued… good friends are always fun to celebrate with!

This past week… Mariah was CELEBRATING
"WACKY HAIR DAY" at school… so her mom did a fun job of her hair style!
Mariah is also featured on this poster for
'Move and Soar's' summer camp… for silks…
(she is in bottom right  circle of the poster.)

Friday I travelled with my friend, Ella to North Battleford, to
meet her 99 year old dad… as well as to cheer on her 16 year
old niece in the Dance Connection year end dance recital…
another fun filled day of celebrations!

Brian is one special grandpa… always worth celebrating!
He took the grandkids to the circus this past Saturday…and I'm sure the circus saw him coming…
he bought several treats and souvenirs for the grandkids…and they had a fun afternoon together!

Saturday was a dance celebration
 when BSOBAD hosted their 31st annual
year end show called
"WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE"
The back stage was full of celebration and excitement …
and balloons following the evening show.
Mariah and my niece Rowen were happy to connect, too.
I received these lovely flowers and gift
for my role as social director of the studio!

This past week I did my annual "WRAP-STRAVEGANZA"…
for the BSOBAD year end show.
I have traditionally wrapped the staff  year end gifts since May of 2001.

This year's gifts were lovely engraved frames…
which I also added photos to, for the 60 gifts I wrapped…
Thanks to Brenda for her ongoing generosity…
 loved my beautiful flowers, too! 

Other celebrations this week…
we enjoyed time on our deck in the sunshine.
Above with sister-in-law, Bev with her dog, Jake
and our dog, Shuffle.
We had more pizza on the deck with Ella and Mariah
before attending the BSOBAD show Saturday.
Yesterday at Fuddruckers…
Mariah and Beau enjoyed colouring at our breakfast.
Last night we had a delicious supper
on our deck… again in the sunshine!


This past week was another 
one of many reasons to 
DANCE… DREAM… and CELEBRATE!


So many things going on once again… from gift wrapping to travelling out of town for a day... to celebrating birthdays…and watching dance. I was remembering this time of year 6 years ago when we lost our pug, Mocha right at the start of my last week of teaching. It is such a memory for me… 
the end and the beginning of new things to come.


I have traditionally helped Brenda with gift wrapping for her year end show since the season before I closed my own studio and joined her staff.  Brenda and I have many things connecting us in our lives… besides dance… we are such good friends and continue to be. I am always happy to help her wrap up her year end at her studio, even though I no longer teach dancing. I consider it an honour to still be included on her staff as her social director!


We did a belated birthday celebration for our friend, Vern this past week. He turned the milestone age of 65 in April but has been out at his farm this past couple months, farming.
So it was nice to finally celebrate him with a couple friendly supper gatherings .


I still love dance recitals and year end shows…
I think once a dancer… always a dancer…
I enjoyed the DANCE CONNECTION show in
North Battleford on Friday night with my good friend Ella. Her niece, Amy was one of the beautiful Sr. Dancers in it… and we both thought she really stood out in the show with her radiant smile and awesome dance technique. The show was excellent from start to finish, too!



I also enjoyed meeting Ella's 99 year old dad for my first time. He was so sweet… we took him for ice cream, went to their family farm, and also took him for supper at A&W before dropping him back to his place 
and on to attending the dance recital there.



Saturday Ella joined me along with another friend, Joan… and Mariah, too, to watch the BSOBAD year end show at the Auditorium. Brenda puts on a spectacular show year after year… and this was no exception… in fact I think it could very well have been her best one yet!
She has so many talented teachers, and dancers and together they were the team to create the dream show!
I enjoyed seeing my nice, Rowen and my cousin, Gwen both performing in the show too!


We seem to be always celebrating something or other! Saturday Brian took the grandkids to the circus. They had a fun time together. Mariah also had a sleepover here that night. We then met Jana, Nels and Beau when going out for our weekly sunday breakfast at Fuddrucker's.
We were also joined there by our friends, as well.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of a phenomenal woman this past week. Dr. Maya Angelou was a person I first heard about on the Oprah Winfrey show years ago. I really liked her and thought she had a lot to share and contribute to the world. Last night on the Oprah OWN TV channel she was featured in a couple of special broadcasts. I enjoyed watching those.
Although she will be missed…
her words of wisdom will live on.


I love this time of year for so many reasons… the nicer weather is well worth celebrating. We do lots of celebrating just day to day life… and lots out doors in our yard.
Soon the jazz festival will be here… another favourite thing of mine. We also plan to do our annual trip to Montreal soon… so lots to look forward to.


On that note…
from the Rhythm of life… to the Rhyme of the day!

This is that special time of year,
Dance recitals and summer's now here.
Lots to do and celebrate…
Presentations all so great!
Sitting on the deck in the sun…
Lots of things, all so fun,
Happy hours and BBQs, too
Celebrating many dreams come true!