Hebe's Lego Project

 Hebe told me that I can blog her Lego Project.

Below are pictures of the finished product.

The close-up of Snape’s office is Hebe's least favourite part.

She does not like Snape.

She hopes to make a stop motion video now using her Lego.

Christmas Recycling

CANDY BLOX: build 'em & eat 'em

Candy Blox. That is what the package reads. And yes, it is the candy you can play with, and then eat, one of the gifts Duncan is trying to trade off from the magnificent haul of stocking stuffers this year.

If you con't want that consider his Wrigley's Hubba Bubba game -- the instructions for playing are on the back of the package.

The only drink that has appeared for recycling is the Hop Soda.  One can was enough of that.

And then there are two tins of meat:  Spam and Deviled Ham Spread.

I told Duncan, "That spam was a product that we would shred in the '60's, add some mayonaisse and chopped sweet pickle and use for a sandwich spread."

"Well, that was in World Ward II," Duncan replied.

Mmm.  Nowadays, 20 years off is still pretty close.

Arta

What I want for Christmas -- or imagine that others would want ...

From Mary

Off the top of my head, what do I think would be fun for Christmas?

Some cross country skiing with someone who loves coss-country skiing.

And over the holidays, and on Christmas day afternoon in particular?

For Christmas presents?

How about a “gift certificate” that a person can cash in to go cross-country skiing with you, and bring a friend?.

Or a certificate to try snow shoeing one Saturday?

 Do you think a cross-country skier would pick out a new hat or head tube for outdoor activities?

Or a small backpack to wear while skiing for water and snacks.

What I want for Christmas - Hebe

... I really wanted this ...

From Catherine 

My favourite gifts are coupons and notes.

Money is good too with the idea that a child can pick out his own present with you on a date.

In terms of fun activities how about a Christmas movie fest with Christmas Story, the Grinch, Tne Polar Express, Home Alone 1,2, and 3, Charlie Brown and The Sound of Music.

Drink hot chocolate and eat pastries.

Stay in pyjamas all day.

No brushing hair or washing faces.

... and what is inside tastes so good ...

Or eat breastfast cereal all day.

Make pancakes for dinner.

Wow. Some of the ideas on my list sound really good. I think I'm coming over.

Catherine

P.S. For Christmas Activities, carolling is m favourite.

What I want for Christmas ...

Excess is never a good thing.

But what I want for Christmas is excess.

I need a shoe horn at the front door, a shoe horn at the back door, a shoe horn to carry with me when I put my shoes on and off in other people’s homes and I need a shoe horn for my own living room downstairs.


I already have a shoe horn in my bedroom.

A short one.

I left my all-time favorite shoe horn in London at Rebecca’s house.  A long one. To tell the truth it wasn’t really mine.

It was a loaner from Kelvin – a long, slim-handled shoe horn. I am not sure he knows that it is missing yet.

The only shoe horn I own is  heavy weight – made of metal.

Too many ounces to carry on a trip if I am trying to cut down on the weight of my luggage.

Excess is never a good thing. Still, the long and short of it?  What I want for Christmas is shoe horns. Long and light-weight.

Rebecca reminded me of this yesterday when she said she could use some shoe horns as well.

Arta

Old Toys are Good Toys

... you use this lower section and I will build the upper one ...

I like to play with the old toys ... before the new ones come out at Christmas. I need “how to use” instructions with some of the toys in Michael’s toy bins.

For example, I picked up a squirrel today that was attached to a soft fleecy blanket.

... may I have some of my own trains? ...

“Is this a puppet?”, I asked Miranda.

“Nope,” she replied, “a teething ring for Alice.”

I don’t want to make too many mistakes like that. If I can’t identify the toys for a three year old, what is there that I can still categorize?

... let's work together to build the tracks ...

When I was playing with the Thomas the Train equipment today, I was lost as to what to call each of the engines.

Ferdinand?

Diesel 10?

 Duncan?

Miranda and Michael are quick with the names. I have to look quickly on the bottom of the trains for their names. So instead I try to talk about the tracks or the wooden blocks where I can see that what I am playing with is clearly a tree ... or a clock tower ... or a stop sign. I stick to what I know.

... are you sure this little train will fit on the track? ...
The wheel base looks too small to me.

I went to Michael’s house wanting to sing today. I thought I could throw that into the mix of playing with toys. With the Thomas the Train equipment I sang, Choo choo, choo / what’s coming down the track. With the mega blocks I picked up on one of his sing and sign songs, Boom boom, ain’t it great to be crazy. The most I could get out of him was “no more boom boom, gwama”.

Alice is allowed to hold a track for 3 seconds.
Then Michael decides that track is one he needs.
Gwanma replaces that with another for Alice.
Then that one is needed by Michael.
And so forth and so on.

Yesterday I tried to work in Old MacDonald had a farm – playing with the e-i-e-i-o sequence.

 He remained silent until I tried to sing the wheels on the bus, at which point he sang e-i-e-i-o when I wanted to him say that the wheels on the bus go round and round.

That cute playful smile on his face as he tricked me? Fun when a two year old can out think his ... gwanma.

Arta

El Reis - A Porron



Porron

I was up at 3.30 am, excited to see what the Three Wisemen had brought. Like others who slept here last night, I had to wait in bed until everyone was awake, which didn´t happen until 7:30 am.

This is a holiday North American´s might want to give some attention to. Bonnie and I both got new scarves from the wisemen, and Joaquim open his present, a small bottle with a spout.  When I saw him open his present, I thought the wiseman should have given me two presents, his and mine.

Presents are not exchanged between adults on El Reis. Just believe that there will be a gift from the wiseman for you, and that is about it for getting presents. As well, go from one relatives home to another, for the wisemen leave gifts for you at the homes of all of your loved ones.

I was doing the touch test on the present the wiseman left me, because I have been wanting a small cruse to put olive oil in. I had a scarf, from the softeness of the feel of what was inside of my preent. However Joaquim explained to me that what he got was not what I wanted anyway, but something very different. His gift was a Porrón, a traditional glass wine pitcher. typical of Catalonia.

The porron resembles a cross between a wine bottle and a watering can. The top of the bottle is narrow and can be sealed off with a cork. Stemming upwards from the bottom of the pitcher is a spout that gradually tapers off to a small opening. It is shaped such that the wine stored inside it will have minimal contact with the air, while being ready to be used at all times.

Joaquim says its beauty is being able to drink water out of it, and being able to have a number of his friends drink out of it, never having the top of the spout touch anyone´s lips.

And, he further explained, to be really cool one has to hold the porron a long way away from the mouth and have the stream of water that comes out of it, hit your mouth … with no drips on your chin and no stains on your shirt.

I have practised with Joaquim´s gift a few times today. I am good. I hope getting my new glasses will not change how well I can make a direct hit using the perron from a long way away from my mouth.

Arta