November 19: New Play Development Brunch
Attended the New Play Development Brunch at By the Way Cafe(www.bythewaycafe.com) for an informal and stimulating meeting with fellow playwrights.
November 26 & 27 December 3 & 4:
The Handmaids' Sale
Co-hosted my annual Christmas Open House and Craft Sale with my fellow Handmaid, Diane Forrest. Lots of friends and neighbours dropped by to eat, drink and shop. We make a variety of decorative and useful items. For a peek at some of wares go to www.wolfbytes.ca/handmaid. Orders accepted year-round!
December 11: My 50th Birthday Surprise
Yes it's true! Despite my youthful appearance, moi actually turned 50 today. I was taken completely by surprise with a fantastic birthday brunch in the country at a lovely little bistro called Chartreuse, (www.chartreuserestaurant.com). Fellow Bombshell Valerie and the Fab Four whisked me off for a lovely afternoon of good food, wine, friendship and lots and lots of lovely PRESENTS! (Including a gift certificate for a spa day at Strawberry Fields - Heaven! We finished the afternoon with a healthy dose of shopping in Kleinburg's wonderful shops before the Valiant Val drove through a raging blizzard to bring us all safely home. Many many thanks to Val, Brenda, Brenda and Diane for a perfect birthday celebration.
December 16: Centennial Celebrations
The birthday party continues. Since my dear old (and I do mean old) friend David Simon was also turning 50 we decided to hold a One Hundredth Birthday Party chez moi. More good food, wine, friends and more lovely PRESENTS! Among the highlights of the evening was - music from a live band in the basement, courtesy of my brilliant and delightful son Casey and his equally gifted friends; and beautiful poem written by my incredibly talented cousin Martin Durkin. Read the poem.
December 17: Heather Lacey's Christmas Party
My good friend and Stage Manager Extraordinaire Heather Lacey (www.lazycatproductions.com) held her annual Christmas party at her uber-trendy loft. Lots of fun catching up with old friends from the St. Lawrence Centre (www.stlc.com, Eastside Players (www.stage-door.org/eastside) and of course Solar Stage (www.solarstage.on.ca) where Heather currently works assisting the Artistic Director, Zenon Skrzypczyk.
December 18: Belleville Pre-Christmas
Off to Belleville to visit Mom, and then on to the Durkan homestead for a delicious home-cooked meal and good visit with my cousins Jayne and Ed. Did NOT get lost in the backwoods of Read, despite the mountains of snow. Narrowly avoided crashing into roving packs of polar bears and reindeer.
December 21: Lunch and Shopping
Did a frantic round of Christmas shopping on Queen East and met my old (but not as old as me!) friend Lori for lunch. Lori works with her extremely talented graphic designer husband Paul at his atelier Campbell Sheffield (www.campbellsheffield.com) on Spadina. Had a wonderful lunch and bought lots of silly stocking stuffers.
December 22: Beki & Rob's Christmas Party
Lovely relaxing Christmas party with my dear friends Beki and Rob Duncan plus their adorable wee daughter Mira and their extended family. Sampled the Duncan Christmas Cocktail - a pretty pink but potent concoction of various liquors and and snow. The family has an annual Cocktail Competition for which every member creates their own lethal mixture. All submissions are carefully tested and the winning drink is foisted on - I mean enjoyed by the party guests.
December 25: Christmas with the Kids
Absolutely lovely lazy Christmas with my wonderful children Byron, Leora and Casey. Perfect! And of course lots and lots of PRESENTS!
December 28: Scooter's pre-New Year's Bash
Casey's hardcore band played a show at the Kathedral opening for Fresh Meat. Fantastic show! My ears are still ringing.
December 31: Happy New Year!
Partied with Bombshell Val and Fabette Brenda et al at Fitzgerald's Pub. Woo-hoo!
