this moment

apples!

We were very excited last night to pick all the apples off our tree. You see, this little apple tree of ours has just turned two years old. In fact, we planted it this time two years ago in honour of Anna and couldn't believe how many apples we might be getting.

Over the past few weeks we've all been watching it and decided now was the best time, and was it ever! We picked, washed (a few ants and such came in with them), peeled, baked and ate the most delicious apple crisp (maybe with the exception of Grammy's) I've ever made. It was so nice, we promptly took it up to share with Scarlett and her parents and enjoyed it on their deck on one of the most beautiful nights in Calgary. That summer we asked for, is still here and we are taking our summer list very seriously.

day 3: gujarati ceremony

Wedding day arrived really early and most of it happened before Jody even arrived. Bib was walked in by all of the female relatives (in fact, it's the women that really impart all the formality and help to keep everyone on track during this part) and the priest continued on with some of the blessings from the night before. Bib's feet were washed by both sets of Jody's parents and then she was walked in by her uncles while a white scarf covered Bib's eyes. Jody's sari was especially chosen for this part by Bib's Mom. The prayers, fire, incense, blessings and many well wishes were given, with all female married women being able to go and bless the couple. Pictures were taken and then we all went down stairs for a delicious vegetarian lunch, complete with cold mango soup, corn breads, a potato and yummy coconut rice dish.

Notes:

Bib's Grandma is in purple, Jody and Bib are blessing their elders

A giant fume hood is over top of the ceremony tent so that the fire can be safely vented, and good thing, Stew tells me it got really hot up close

Stew's parents and Katie also attended the ceremony with us, Jacob and Anna got to spend time with Edwina at the park

We got to toss lots of marigolds onto Bib and Jody, if you ever get to watch this movie, it is very good and is similar to our experience

day 2: puja & pithi

A very important part of East Indian weddings, (as I'm learning) is the Puja, a religious ceremony which is performed before the wedding day. This was conducted by Jody and Bib's priest with many prayers, combined with rice, coconut, wheat, as well as nuts, milk and turmeric. This is done with the mother and father of the bride, as well as all the aunts and uncles. The ceremony was performed at Bib's parents house, where the female relatives carried pots of water on their head and plant a small stalk in the garden to celebrate the union. After the Puja is compete the cleansing ceremony, the Pithi follows. Here both Jody and Bib were pasted with turmeric powder in what I hear was sort of like a beautification process. This part of the ceremony was very moving and it was great to see both sets of Jody's parents so willing to take part, as well as Bib's entire family making us feel so welcome.

day 1: mehndi party

Last night we got to participate in a traditional mehndi party. Technically mehndi means henna and is an artistic way to decorate the bride and female attendants in the wedding. Bib tells me in a traditional arranged marriage this would be the first time the bride and groom would meet, as well as their extended families. They would travel from their village to the bride's home and decorate with henna in the morning, and then have the party at night. The celebration last night was at a local community hall, with many of Bib's Dad's family in from London, India and North Carolina. He also said that the wedding party is really secondary, it's really about getting family all together and celebrating - we can handle that. The smells of the henna, combined with the circle and 'stick' dancing stirred up the most amazing energy and Stew tells me he found the food to be 'spicy' now, that's a task in itself.

Notes:

Katie, myself and Jess had a more tribal henna design - they make their own henna, and my design apparently means 'happiness'

Jody as a more modern henna design with both her feet and hands

I am wearing an Indian top given to me by Bib's Mom

Jess has also apparently purchased a kids outfit for Declan

Bib's Mom is wearing pink, braiding Jody's hair

we're off

To celebrate Bib and Jody Indian style starting tomorrow - I promise to post pic's and give you as much detail and history on this celebration as I can. Looking forward to getting some great photography, stay tuned, there will be three days of coverage!

this moment

special kingston guests

We had guests this weekend - Aunt Pat, Grandma and Ashley came to visit us and it was great spending time with them. Ashley was fantastic with Anna, helping in the bath, brushing her hair, playing in her play kitchen, painting and colouring with her all weekend. Sarah, she's going to be a fantastic babysitter one day, can I sign Anna up now?

Random notes:

Yes, Anna's now really starting to ham it up for the camera

Thanks to Aunt Katie for Anna's new dress - yard sale score for $1.00 (I stand corrected, $2.00!)

Thanks to Grandma for all the paint by water books, they are great for this age

Hipsmatic: Ashley, Lake Minnewanka, Banff

the week is done

Ahhh......hear that sound? That is the sound of me sitting down and putting my feet up. This has been a busy week. Between both of us going full tilt at work, a day trip to Camrose, my Dad finally getting surgery on his arm, and helping friends move, we are tired, all three of us. Fingers are crossed for a sleep in till 7 or 7:30am tomorrow.

summer fun list

At dinner outside tonight we each decided that there are more summer things we still want to do before this so very beautiful weather (hum, how did it get to be the end of August already?) leaves us . So in a very Barrie way, I made them into a summer fun list (and onto the chalk board, lovin' it!). Here is where we landed:

Stew: eat corn on the cob again (bbq with the husk on), go to Heritage Park

Jess: eat more ice cream, go on a picnic with my new lunch tins

Anna: Anna walk, Anna kitty, Anna park (translation... Anna wants to see her kitty at Grammy and Tompa's farm, she wants to sit in the stroller and of course go to the park and go on the swings)

I can handle this, so tonight, we went and got ice cream. (side notes, I love the photo apps on Stew's iphone, Hipsmatic you rock~)