The honest lawyer turns...32!

It was Dave's birthday over the holidays!

We had a nice lunch with his parents at

Ottawa's version of London's

*The Honest Lawyer resto/pub*
it was a nice crisp sunny day with a bit of snow

and it was nice to go down to the market area too!

We then rested up for our funfilled night of Boston-Pizza-triva-action

with the rest of the blackburn gang.

(pictures are to follow)

made with sweet love --want to be a hooker?

www.madewithsweetlove.com/art.html

I was watching late night tv and saw a cool segment regarding Whitney Lee and her

latch-hook artwork (once even shown here in Toronto!)

I thought it was such a creative concept to take crafty latch-hooking and make it new again

in a totally different way.

"What happens when you take some revolutionary sexual politics and mix in a kitch-y craft medium? Besides making an object that is sure to be ultra-hip, you’re producing artwork with a whole new layer of meaning. "

"My work was successful largely because of the giggly irony of seeing a sex-pot image in a medium that you associate with your grandmother. It also embodies a reaction against mass-consumerism, both in the handmade element to the work and the sex-for-sex’s-sake imagery, rather than sex being used to sell a product. In that way pornography is more honest than advertising. "

Want to be a hooker? learn how=

www.madewithsweetlove.com/hooker_learn.html

death of a blazer

2006-OUT=the blazer & hoodie ensemble

2007-IN=the cardigan & streamer ensemble

Happy 2007

Much to our delight, we rang in the new year at Dave's parents house
with a mysterious murder mystery party + fodue pots galore!
I ended up being Lady Caroline Mouton ---THE MURDERER!
I had a great time lying my way through the night as a fashionable socialite
with an illegitimate daughter played by Lara.
Dave was an angry calvinist priest and played the part wonderfully...
all those years of hanging out in the anglican cathedral certainly helped.
But he was innocent....
We also found one of granny & grampy's wedding presents=
*1942 champagne glasses!*
We filled the glasses and rang in 2007
in total vintage style!
We also figured out that they make champagne glasses in *flute* form because they sure don't spill as easily!
Matt & Mary had a lot of fun with their paper streamers they brought over...
tossing them about...especially all over me.
Lara stole one of the tiara's and looked grand in it.
Brandt joined Lara and I as we blew our noisemakers in style.
The Beef stock, Oil, Cheese & Chocolate fondue party was a smash!
We also had creme brulee!
Welcome 2007.

paper hats 2006

Our annual paper hat xmas dinner shot!

got bonk?

Possibly the greatest xmas gift of all time?

Merry Xmas 2006

Merry Xmas 2006

The Crowe family Christmas 2006

Dave, Lola and I had a wonderful Christmas holiday this year in Ottawa!

The above photos were taken on Christmas eve before midnight mass

at Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Bob's place.

Dave & I joked about how small his family is vs mine and how easy it was to

get (almost) everyone rounded up for a nice xmas picture!

Jalen & Kennedy Christmas 2006

Jalen & Kennedy Christmas 2006

(this sure looks like me and my brother!)

Happy 2nd Birthday Olivia!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CUTIE!

It sure was great to see you over the holidays!!!

Love Auntie Patti & Uncle Davey xoxoxo

PET HEALTH ALERT: NO SWEETS FOR THE SWEET THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

from ASPCA:
For many people, overindulging in holiday goodies may result in a few extra pounds—but the consequences for our animal companions are much greater if they accidentally ingest cookies, candy or baked goods containing chocolate. In any form ranging from one-ounce baking squares to hand-dipped truffles, chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both methylxanthines that can cause stimulation of the central nervous system, an increase in heart rate and tremors.
Clinical signs—vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, hyperactivity, and increased thirst, urination and heart rate—can be seen with the ingestion of as little as two ounces of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog.

And while sugar-free sweets may be a healthier choice for you, gum or candies made with xylitol can make your pets ill. Dogs who’ve ingested significant amounts may develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. Data from the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also appears to point to a link between xylitol ingestion and liver failure in dogs.

Please take care this holiday season to keep all candy out of your pets' reach—and don't let them in the kitchen unsupervised if you’re baking with chocolate. If you suspect your pet may have eaten chocolate, candies containing xylitol, or any other potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the APCC's emergency hotline at:
(888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance.
For more information on poison prevention, visit APCC online.

www.aspca.org

Christmas payback

You know, over the last seven years I’ve given Tiffany & Co. a lot of my money.
I sure have contributed to the blue & to the white. In fact, the store on Bloor has actually now seen the last of my business. I am fed up with the crowds and being on waiting lists while I sip champagne. At least at birks I had caviar and was served at the same time!
Toronto being the city in which T&CO madness has reached an all time critical mass is too much for me now. That being the case, I think it’s time that T&CO paid me back for the thousands of dollars that I’ve spent on their trendy necklaces, keychains, and bracelets. And I know just the things that will make me feel better.

I would like all of your new pretty legacys for my Christmas tree please, Mr. Tiffany.

one per branch! Thanks a bunch. RE: Comments. Don’t care anymore. Do your worst, asses.

Jalen dec/06

A new picture of my nephew Jalen!

What a handsome fella!

Kennedy dec/06

My latest photo of my tiny niece Kennedy!

What a beauty!

Maui Christmas everybody!

Maui Christmas everybody!

my 'do

baby its cold outside!

Mama, it's cold outside!

Don't I look awesome in my new winter coat?

We went out today wearing our warm winter coats.

No more wool coats and naked doggies!

yes -brrr its finally winter over here now.

Its about time right?

so time for coats of down and berber linings (that fuzzy lining)

They have salted the sidewalks so much at our building I almost thought about getting Lola some winter booties, but then her and I both agreed that that would be total insanity!

She is a terrier and has a little wirey coat, so she actually requires

her new plaid coat. Her sweater doesnt have a hood like this one does.

Plus if she is the dog of a fashionista, she must dress the part.

The other day we met "Nola" and she was wearing a powder pink

bubble coat with snaps, Lola thought it was lame -so did I.

And "Nola"? she was trying SO hard to be LOLA.

We also ran into a scruffy little dog and he was wearing

a colbalt blue fleece Paul Frank hoodie, nice for Fall weather, but not suitable

for the -10 icy elements today.

Nor as chic.

Lola and I are actually anti-Burberry right now as they still use fur in their lines,

but we hope they realize soon that fur is not cool or fashionable.

Burberry continues to use fur in its designs despite the fact that leading clothing retailers like Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Ann Taylor, Polo Ralph Lauren, and others have pulled fur from their stores forever.

http://www.bloodyburberry.com/

"When plaid goes bad"

Ok I promised to keep this light and friendly!

sorry folks!

I also told Dave this year I should try to attempt to go full out vegetarian

as I care so much for my animal friends.

eitherway, I will be called a hypocrite or a Uber hippy. Whats the nicer of the 2?

I have gone 4 years without major fastfood chains (a $20 bet/joke started in college)

Anyway, I will try and report the progress here at the Pblog. Maybe that will help.

For my brown belt karate training I went a year without

ice cream, all types of cheese and all pizza! -yes pizza. Ok and all junk food.

I guess the Guinness made up for my stressful diet though? ha!

Somehow I got to a size 4 through diet and insane training.

But I can honestly say that I felt amazing and it worked wonders cutting out garbage.

New year, back to all that good stuff. (but more veggie pizza's though for sure!)

Ok back to peta, yes I have been bashed for supporting them in the past, and I DO find their methods a tad on the extreme side, but if you watch the below you will see why fur is awful.

I used to work with it and also with leather (aka: "skins") and have seen enough rabbit pelts and pig skin to make anyone sick.

http://www.bloodyburberry.com/videos.asp

enjoy!

Welcome Gianluca!

CONGRATULATIONS STEPH AND BEN!

WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HEAR THE GREAT NEWS!

Gianluca Hubbard, arrived two days overdue on Steph's birthday Nov 28th.

Miraculously, Steph was only in labour for 6 1/2 hours and he arrived at 9:25am (which is the same time Steph was born!) weighing 8lbs 9oz. He's absolutely beautiful and we know you will love him to bits.

We can't wait to meet you and visit your proud Mom & Dad!

Lots of love, P&D

Little Lola

It has been decided that Lola's birthday will take place this Christmas eve

December 24th.

She will turn 4years old.

Even though we are not sure just how old she is.

But her teeth are pretty white, so she is apx 3 years old.

Last year was our first year with her but we were in Edmonton so we were unable to celebrate Christmas with her and couldn't figure out the best date for her birthday.

We also don't know when her REAL birthday is so we thought that because she is a rescued dog that her life has become somewhat of a miracle in the making, so christmas eve being the "happiest" time of the year will suit the little snuggler just fine.

Congrats brandt!

Congrats Brandt on your new job!

Too bad we all couldn't get together here in Toronto when you were down for your short trip, but we will be in Ottawa next week -for a small visit!

I hope Leroy is ready to see his beloved playmate Lola!

We should all go to Bark & Fitz and grab a big stiff starbucks coffee

-would that be yuppie enough for you gov't man?

I always wondered who actually reads the pblog, besides Brent bugging me for the Crannie wedding pics --yes they will be posted tomorrow...they need some "re-touching"

Readers, please feel free to post comments of what you are "waiting" to hear about.

I'm not that psychic!