As I go through the weekend papers, scanning articles, readying them for the recycling box, I just found a nearly full page write up on Fuzion in the Life section of the Saturday Star - what a crazy coincidence! According to the paper, the 2007 bottle ranks at 88 and is comparable to a $15 bottle of wine, while the 2008 rated at 87 and closer to a $10 bottle in quality. And it is flying off the shelves in Ontario at roughly 1,000 cases a day!

Another inexpensive wine to tempt your palate in these recessionary times.

Fuzion is medium bodied wine produced from a blend of Shiraz and Malbec grapes it's smooth with good concentration and a long finish. The tasting notes are prunes with spicy sweet vanilla flavour.

Price: $7.45
Type: Red
Varietal: Shiraz | Malbec
Vintage: 2008
Region: Familia Zuccardi; Mendoza, Argentina



Available at the LCBO but grab a couple, it goes fast as its fan base grows!

Christmas came late this year for the kitties. Today I braved the snow storm for two catnip bananas to help them cope with their feelings of confinement (plus one bag of fisherman lozenges, 3 bottles of wine and 1 bottle of cosmo mix - not for me Preppy Pauper, I've learned my lesson!)...and I now have two very happy, very stoned cats.



Now for the post-stone entertainment: Arthur has the munchies and Hamish is licking his bottom frantically.

I have a love affair with Taschen (http://www.taschen.com) they produce the most beautiful and crazily affordable books on art, architecture, design, furniture...the list is endless.

The one that I have currently been on the hunt for is The Polaroid Book: Selections from the Polaroid Collections of Photography by Barbara Hitchcock (contributor) and Steve Crist (editor), $17.00. Yes, you read that correctly $17.00!

Since the recent demise of the manufacturing of polaroid camera in favour of all things digital this is an exceptional book for anyone's collection... if you can find a copy. After a brief history of the polaroid camera and the relationship between the inventor Edwin Land and Ansel Adams and Land's desire to elevate photography to an even higher, more widely accepted art form you are presented with nearly 300 fantastic images.

So yesterday, after meeting with my allergist who took a more forensic approach to my reactions and doesn't believe that I'm reacting to food at all but gave me a prescription for epi-pens just in case, I hooked up with my sister-in-law for dinner. To kill time I stopped by a small book store and on a whim asked clerk about the book and they had ONE COPY left and it was only $15.25! I bought it, walked over to a pub, ordered a pint of Caffrey's and settled down to pour over the images. Having never even held the book in my hands, having only read a review in a magazine, it does not disappoint.

Here are a couple of images to wet the appetite:




I'm off to St. Thomas to visit my mother this afternoon, returning on Sunday. I am not looking forward to it. I'm hoping to convince her that an assessment would be in her best interest and any extra help we can bring in would only improve her quality of life. And also go determine if she should move to a retirement home of sorts.

I am looking forward to seeing my sister, enjoying the smuggled bottle of wine I'm bringing - not taking the chance that St. Thomas has a liquor store with an acceptable selection of bottles to choose from - and the two hour train ride back to Toronto where I can sit back in silence, read my book and yes...order another glass of wine which I will so deserve.

NOOOOOOO!!!!! Rogers just bounced back my submission photo for the washer/dryer contest seven days after I emailed it and six days after the contest closed!

Looks like the pair of unfortunates will continue living in the basement for a couple more years.

Nothing screams winter like having to scrape the windows on the inside of the car.

The past couple of days have revolved around the decline of my mother's mental state and the frustration of living over 2 hours away and her new habit of leaving the phone off the hook.

And sadly, I don't think I won the washer and dryer from Breakfast Television. I have no idea who did win the pair but seemingly my fetching picture of the Bobbsey twins in the basement did nothing to stir the ice cold hearts barely beating in the chests of Kevin and Dina.

Now interestingly, my contractor has finally promised to come to the house beginning of February to take care of the last items under the long expired warranty of our renovation...for he seems to think he does have a heart. This brings the timing to about one year since we really started bugging him to come over and he would continually blow us off citing busyness, vacation, baby, baby's health, timing with other jobs, those jobs falling through...or just plain out ignoring us and pretending he never got the emails and/or phone calls. I want to be encouraged that he will honor his commitment this time and I can finally change the name of my voodoo doll to something else, maybe stab a few less toothpicks in it...but how many times do you have to be burned before you stop playing with fire?

I feel emotionally exhausted. I have entered the difficult years I think - and not just the ones involving my beloved brain-changing pre-teen, or my tricky-but-lovable 7 year old who's favourite word is ASS - but that time in your life when you now have to deal with the health issues of your much older parent. The icing on the cake of a life filled with your own personal health issues and a fragile economy where every second friend seems to be losing their job.

And unfortunately I don't have years of closeness and wonderful memories to draw from as comfort while I listen to my Mom's escalating confusion - made worse by her love of bad food and sweets (she's diabetic) and not taking her necessary medication. I liken her situation to that of a schizophrenic who takes their meds regularly, feels better, stops taking their meds because they don't think they need them and then spiral out of control - only for my Mom, her cycle is eating well, taking medication, maintaining reasonably good blood sugar levels and then cheating and then spiraling out of control with elevated sugar levels and terrible confusion.

But I will go visit her as mentioned in my slightly masochistic new years resolution list in a couple of weeks to spend the weekend. Sigh.

Well, enough moaning. My nesting tables came in and are now in my living room and they are perfect! Even Paul loves them...as much as a straight man can love a nesting table set I suppose. Satchel was so excited over the box that they were packaged in that he asked to keep it and promptly dragged it up to his room where I'm positive he sat it in while playing xbox 360 games. Violent bloodied zombie killing games while sitting in a cardboard box. I suggested we watch a movie tonight since both Jakob and Satchel had no homework so he dragged it downstairs. Jakob was so jealous of Satchel's box - but no way would Satchel share, he owned that box - that fortunately I had one outside waiting to be dismantled that Jakey could have. So I dusted off the snow and brought it inside, keeping my fingers crossed that half the neighbourhood cats hadn't claim it for their own by spraying it.

So here are my boys, watching Godzilla, owning their boxes.


And here is my beautiful nesting table.

This truly does not make sense to me and breaks my heart a little bit because I want it:

Besta Burs from Ikea Canada: $429


Besta Burs from Ikea US: $299


But how do you validate that kind of insane price difference - even with the dollar difference. Will have to rethink my misplaced passion.

Breakfast Television (http://www.bttoronto.ca/) has a contest ending this Friday - supply a photo of your decrepit old washer/dryer and have the chance to win a beautiful, brand new, front-loading pair!

Mine are beyond disgusting (see below, if you click on the photo you will get an enlarged version to more easily read their pleas), so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Mind you I have won only two things in my entire life: a hairdryer from our local drugstore when I was 12 (the fancy kind with a base, a tube and a bag that fits over your head) and when I was 30 a pair of return flight tickets to Montreal. So 14 years have gone by and NOTHING. Perhaps it's finally my time - seeing as the many lottery tickets just aren't working for me.

WINE ALERT!

A fantastic deal to share with everyone:

Montalto 2006 Nero d'Avola Cabernet Sauvignon

As stolen from Toronto Life: A clever idea to combine fragrant, high-strung cabernet with the rounder, softer nero d’avola. The result is a bargain red with sweet, savoury cassis, plum aromas, some celery and mint, and a smooth but vibrant palate. Very good fruit persistence.

http://www.torontolife.com/guide/wine/italy/montalto-2006-nero-davola-cabernet-sauvignon/

Price: $9.70
Type: Red
Varietal: Nero d’Avola-Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2006
Region: Sicily

Available at the LCBO for just under $10 - a wine that will not disappoint as it ranks in at 86...but if left to breath for even half an hour tastes like a much more expensive bottle.

First I must wish everyone a very happy new year and that 2009 brings health and happiness and something extra fabulous of course.

My hopes for 2009 include staying healthy with no surgery (preferably ever again) and no drama. A calm year spent getting myself in better shape physically and emotionally. A year where (if possible) I am more present rather than racing through my life. I will attempt yoga and/or pilates (I've done neither but am getting A LOT of encouragement) or perhaps even Wii FIT (once I raise the chandelier which still hangs in the same spot since switching the living/dining rooms around - that would only be dangerous because with my extendo-arms, shiny glass and mirror bits plus pieces of peacock would be everywhere!).

Meanwhile as I type this, my head pounds hard with a near migraine and I think I'm going to throw up - not an auspicious start to the year.

I want to spend more quality time with Paul and the kids, building a stronger and happier family bond.

I want to curb the television or internet surfing (my guilty pleasure) and read more and to travel this year - as a family and separately with Paul. Paul and I definitely need to spend more time alone.

I also hope that my contractor stops blowing us off and comes to the house and spends the one day necessary finishing up the deficiency list so that we never have to think about him again. That our next reno project - the garage will begin in the summer - which will then open up the opportunity to finish our basement and move the children down there...forever.

And finally, try to spend more time with my mother. Probably the most difficult task (and it is a task, she takes a lot of work) of everything that I set out before myself.

I could probably keep adding to my list for the rest of the day but it would be better for all if I moved on and instead wrote about what I adopted and brought home from Pottery Barn yesterday (for 75% off!) and that I did order the nesting tables for the living room from Crate & Barrel.

A side note, Michelle who helped me at C&B told me that they will be raising all their prices - perhaps next month - because the Canadian $ is no longer on par with the US and they feel they are underpricing the product. If there is something you truly love and do not want to live without, it would make sense to pick it up sooner rather than later.

My impression with Pottery Barn was that the sales seemed to be better then in a long time and I assumed it was partly because of the economy and also because for the first time they had Crate & Barrel (in Canada) to compete with. The pieces I picked up were mostly floor models but fantastic deals: such as this set of 2 orange Natalie nesting tables for Satchels room that I have been eyeing for a while: $48 (reg. $200), they do have a few chips on one side of the small table, but he's 12 - the things will be ruined in 2 weeks;

Eton cube in green apple - not a floor model, brand new ($400 for $95) for Satch to rest his bottom while gaming for hours upon hours until I turn it off and make him cry (not a good representation of the colour, in fact it's really not as hideous as it looks in the picture - it's not beautiful but it is for a 12 year old boy's bottom after all);
and finally a beautiful little woven seagrass stool (no picture to be found sadly) which will be moved to the bathroom but for now makes a handy little table to place my coffee while waiting for the nesting tables from Crate & Barrel.

Now off to rummage through my left over Tylenol 3 bottle (there are some perks to surgery) and poor myself another cup of coffee while I ponder my 2009 resolutions.

I am addicted to Cadbury Popping Mini Eggs and for the sake of my children, I really hope there is a 12-step program out there to help me work through it.

I think it's time to refocus on the South Beach diet too, well maybe after New Years - after all there is much indulging to do to finish this year off properly!

I took the kids to the Royal Ontario Museum today which is always a painful exercise but one I like to subject them to every so often. Fortunately they had interactive computers for the kids to use and a GIFT SHOP which saved Jakob's sanity but only by a thread. Many bitter words were muttered under his breath, and not so quietly muttered as we approached the diamond exhibit. But we survived and made our way to Paupers for a family meal of grease and questionable meat products and a pint of beer for me to wash the whole salty mess down with. Paul met up with us - poor bugger is having to work this week but is currently unconscious on the living room couch and has been for quite a few hours now.

So on to more exciting news...a love letter from Elte came in the mail today - their big end of year sale has started, discounts on everything until January 31st! I have made a promise to myself to get up early and head out by 10:00 to see what I can find. Just in case they too have the perfect nesting tables for an even better price than Crate & Barrel and perhaps a rug for the living room. Do I dare even say that out loud?

Tomorrow is a day of Elte opportunity and potential and then it's off to the Rushton with Pat & Beth for lunch and and finally we will finish the day/year ringing in the 2009 with Kim & Scott and many good friends.

I went to my happy place this afternoon with a few hundred thousand of my closest friends: Crate & Barrel (http://www.crateandbarrel.com). The sun shone brighter the day they made their way north and this was my first time visiting. All previous attempts THWARTED by the lack of parking at Yorkdale Mall. I would drive up enthusiastically, becoming increasingly bitter the more times I circled through the various parking lots and then in absolute frustration, drive home. Today I took the subway.

The problem with taking the subway though is that it amounts to dangling a carrot in front of a mule. Sure I could see all the beautiful things they had to offer, but could I take them home with me? So home I headed armed with discounted decorations and tea towels. But I will be back, oh yes, I will be back. For there are Nero Nesting Tables I am considering. "What?" says Paul. "What the #*$& are nesting tables?"

These, I say, are nesting tables. Feast your eyes.


And look at the description, how could you not want them?

Handcrafted in striking detail, natural black fossil stone and antiqued nickel form modern rounds in two nesting sizes. Each unique tabletop is a patchwork of subtly varied, rustic black stone. Hand-forged bases of hot-rolled steel with hammered corners and ball feet are nickel-plated and hand-antiqued for added individuality. Larger table base is open to accommodate its smaller counterpart.

* Natural black fossil stone with heat- and water-resistant polylite seal
* Hand-forged, hot-rolled steel bases with antiqued nickel plating and poly-vinyl top coat
* Large table measures 19"dia.x24"H, small is 15"dia.x22"H

Something to ponder as I drink a glass of wine and watch Futurama with the boys.

One last note regarding finding the fabulous circle stickers I decorated Jakob's room with: if you live in Canada check out DeSerres, a Toronto-based art store (http://www.deserres.ca) for a really good selection and they will ship (perhaps to the States as well, I didn't dig that deeply).

Here are a few shots of our Christmas between the hours of 7:30 and 7:35. Just kidding, the presents took 7 minutes to open and as you will see, it was a bit of a retro Christmas for Jakob complete with gumball machine and lava lamp.

As much as I love having family join us for brunch (no one could make it this year) I have to admit that having my boys to myself, listening to music (currently Radiohead but have also listened to Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Barenaked Ladies), drinking coffee, hanging out in my pajamas until noon and beyond...has made this the most wonderful Christmas morning.

The pictures are a little out of order, Blogspot treats my uploading of pictures like a deck of cards that gets thrown up in the air and lands randomly around the house with some making their way to the cat box.

Merry Christmas everyone - may 2009 bring you good health, love and much happiness.
Love Meg, Paul, Satchel and Jakob






Bambi all decked out for the holidays.

Note to oneself: never drink more than ONE cosmo made by Bob. NEVER.

And definitely not three, which is what happened yesterday at a fabulous afternoon cocktail party thrown by Bob & Joe and left me in bed by 7:30 pm. Thankfully with the help of a lot of water, gravol, 2 tylenols, and 12 hours of sleep (I owe Paul BIG), I'm feeling not too shabby this morning but think that in future, I should swear of hard liquor except for the occasional French martini.

Oh but I had such a good time! Bob & Joe are two of my most favourite people in the world and make me laugh harder than most people really should in public situations. I still keep laughing thinking about yesterday, sounding a little bit like an aged Bette Davis.

This is what I am facing and will be facing until January 26.



Pure frustration.

Wow - it's really snowing hard outside. To think that only 10 minutes ago I shovelled the walk and now I can't see the walk.

On December 16th, Jakob the fabulous turned 7!



We had a small party with his best friend Zach, Kim & kids, Pat & Ridley and William, Brenda and Aidan. And unlike last year, not one present was ASS! A.S.S.! Everything was awesome and he was really happy - especially with the gigantic chocolate caramel cake. He has presents and a hot $10 bill in his wallet just waiting to be spent on pokemon cards. And I have already been told that we WILL be going to ToysRUs this weekend so he can buy his cards and then I can fork over another $60 to complete the pokemon play set we gave him because it is a REALLY GOOD DEAL. I love Jakob - he is the funniest, most dramatic and intense, and also the most caring person. Because this is blog post is to celebrate all things awesome about Jakob being 7, I won't mention the trying stuff, the stuff that has me rummaging through the liquor cabinet by 4pm most afternoons.

Because Jakob turned 7, over night he outgrew his winter boots and most of his clothing.

Finding a pair of size 3 boots in downtown Toronto this late in the year is not for the faint-hearted. And then to bring them home, find that they are EXACTLY THE SAME SIZE as the size 2 he outgrew is enough to push the sanest person over the edge. Then returning to the madness yesterday to hopefully exchange for a size 4...well, where's that poster about booze and pills again because it pretty much sums up my mental state.

I took yesterday off work because I was walking around in a state of perpetual anxiety and hoped that having one day off before the kids are out of school (today, last day until next year so help me god) might help make me feel like I'm on top of all things Christmas. Unfortunately our back door no longer works - worked fine on Wednesday at lunch for Satchel, by 3pm no longer worked. Can't open it from the inside or outside. That became my first project of the day (after making coffee and showering - a girl MUST have her priorities) - spending the first of 90 minutes trying to find all the paperwork for our Pella products (and cursing contractor for NOT calling us back) and then the rest of the time on the phone with Pella convincing them we are legitimate customers with $10,000 worth of their product in our house and are desperate to get our back door working again UNDER WARRANTY. Sadly we will have no working back door until January 26 which is not putting me in my happy place.

What's also not putting in my happy place is that my two cats do not understand the door doesn't work and will stand at the back door staring me down and crying to be let in so that I have to leave the house from the front, walk around to the back, pick them up one at a time (usually Arthur first), walk to the front of the house, throw Arthur in, go back and get Hamish and begin again. Yesterday it was while in a white terry robe, wet hair, and biker boots...scaring the poor man dropping off a 2 pound roll of flyers.

But I did manage to get all my presents wrapped (while watching ALL ABOUT EVE - love that movie - and drinking flavoured coffee), boots exchanged for the last pair of size 4 in all of Toronto, books bought for Jakob for his stocking (Bad Kitty Gets a Bath! I love Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel - a fabulous book based on the alphabet which still makes laugh so hard I weep tears of joy especially while holding a French martini and would recommend to all parents who have kids age 2-4 and over 40) and work on my final assignment for my final class.



And as of last night, my indesign class is over - I feel so free!

I am completely hungover (see following) but rather than sleep in preparation for tonight's party and tomorrow's hangover I finally dusted off my camera and took a few promised shots.


Here is the most fabulous gingerbread man (far superior to the feeble attempts at creating blood splattered zombie men by the boys in my life):



and the (best spent $33) circle stickers used to transform Jakob's room:



Now, time for a nap.

Changing brain equals HONOUR ROLL!

Satchel came home with the certificate today - there will be celebrating this weekend!