As the year wanes...

We spent the last days of 2018 with Mona & David and their gang. One of the highlights - besides a delicious 4 course NYE dinner and dance party - was seeing Anthropocene at the AGO. Are you supposed to be admire the beauty of the images or be appalled their content.? It's an uneasy mix, as were we - 1/2 the group blast through in 30 minutes while the other 1/2 wanted 90...

Squeezed in there was menu planning for New Year's Day

And the 2nd huge shop of the season!

Cozying up over the holidays

Where Darwin and his "master" are spending as much time as possible over the winter holidays...

But there must be board games over the holidays (of course, Seb - on first playing - knew how to explain the best strategy to each of us and win - until Marc took over someone's hand)

This puzzle did my head in, but the others finished it off easily!

And then there was the jumbo Globe & Mail crossword puzzle that Lorraine and son (and grandson and daughter-outlaw) did over many evenings - in front of the fire

Christmas tidings - and feasting

Christmas Eve, the stockings were hung and the presents arranged (Dawg slept with us that night!)

The ornaments were hung too!

Christmas Morning dawned bright and healthy!

Well, not too healthy! (though we have traded the butter and brown sugar syrup for maple syrup)

A teen elf helped with the presents

And then got all dolled up in his Grandad's Ports jacket and some side of the road leather loafers (plus dress slacks purchased the thrift shop 36 hours before!)

Someone loves her dad

And her bro

And we know these two love each other

Boxing Day we squeezed in a matinee of Mary Poppins Returns, which was delightful. And then Jo braved the not so big downtown bargain-hunting crowd

Before having the traditional full Christmas Boxing Day meal

Topped off with Xmas pud served with our shared silver set.

Preparing for Christmas

Readying to watch the Grinch - our annual tradition

Readying to roast chestnuts for the soup that G&L chose

over an open flame

Many hands make light work

Gym on the move

Sebastian's gym needed to move - yet another victim of sky-rocketing rents in Toronto

The new site

all those chalky mats

He worked hard for two days leading into the holiday break, but admitted that it kept him busy and off the screens. He is becoming a CIT (coach in training) at the gym/trampoline club, so it was good for him to dedicate some time for the team.

And yes, more 50th gifts.

We finally struck a deal with Mum and Mr M and I joyfully received a gas fireplace for the front room. It's been in use several times a day every day since it was installed!!

We have entered the Edwardian era!

It's making Christmas all the more special (though it's not on here - thinking of the chocolate!!)

More 50th treats

A gorgeously wrapped

and made present from dear Emma (who else with all that colour!!)

Japan - yes, Japan!

Months ago, I jumped at the chance to work with Save the Children Japan. And finally my trip rolled around. I struggled with the jet lag a bit at the beginning. But I made it to the Ido-Tokyo museum (the municipal museum).

Children's play

more play...

Men playing in the snow

I was very interested to see the museum's depiction of the natural disasters over the years.

Lantern to indicate where you could register your missing relatives

Diaroma of a neighbourhood in ruins

and then its very dense rebuild

The chrysanthemum throne

Traditional dinner with my colleagues 

The famous Harajuku neighbourhood - Tokyo's counter-culture; check it out!

A Japanese and Mongolian colleague

Crepe culture!

Breakfast was included at my hotel but at Japanese Denny's!

A more preferred meal 

Mount Fiji. With snow!

Sulphur from the hot springs in this volcanic area

The traditional house where I stayed

My room - with a soft, cloud-like futon

vending machines in the village

Flushed after soaking in the village baths

which were in this factory-like building!

The amazing museum of outdoor art

The museum had its own hot spring where patrons could bathe their feet

so I did!

Henry Moore

A tower of stained glass into which you climb

It was late autumn there - crisp but with some lovely remaining leaves 

Ever feel like this?!?

pop art

and what first visit to Japan is complete without a shot of their complicated / hi-tech toilets...