The Ridler sisters, Suzie, Jamie and Shannon, discuss their creative projects, from challenges to celebrations, and support each other's creative lives.

Monday, September 30, 2013

September 30, 2013

Jamie

It was so good for me to spend the weekend on retreat. I did lots of meditating, reading, writing, collaging. I probably could have spent some more time just straight up sleeping but the weather was so delicious and clear and sunny that I wanted to be connected to it as much as possible. One blessing that came from the overwhelming news a couple of years ago that the entire wall of the studio should be replaced was that I got this wonderful door. It was a delight to sit in front of it with a cup of tea and finish The Night Circus, which I adored!


Shannon

The packing has officially started and officially feels real. It's really weird to go through stuff and see what I have and what will be packed away. Of course I'm tracking it, because that's what I do!


Suzie

Auntie Laima has been hard at work teaching me about sewing. We have had many tech issues with the fancy embroidery machine unfortunately but we are using the other machine she gave me to alter a shirt so I am getting the hang of using the manual machine more. It's also been really wonderful to be hanging out with family and the weather has beens superb!

Saturday, September 28, 2013

September 28, 2013

Jamie

I was completely incommunicado this weekend as I went on a virtual meditation retreat with Susan Piver and the Open Heart Practitioners. On Friday Shannon was nice enough to help me prepare by getting out and getting groceries for some delicious, nutritious food for the weekend. Next time I hope to have food prepped ahead of time. That would have brought more relaxation to the weekend for sure! Still, there was lots of yum!

Friday, September 27, 2013

September 27, 2013

Jamie

Justin and I stopped by Shannon's yesterday and I met this lovely guy. He came right over and gave me a lick! I think I'll have to do a cat photo safari in that area. We saw at least 8 wonderful cats - including Norman! I'm sure I'll have lots of photo ops as there is a bunch of packing to do at Shannon's over the next couple of weeks!



Suzie

Yesterday was all about the dentist but I have no photos from that. Turns out I am pretty hard to relax with pills although I know I did watch The Shield last night and can hardly remember it. I guess they kicked in kind of late. Previous to the dentist appointment I put together my green smoothie recipe review. This is the video I was so pissed off with my tripod as I was filming but did my best not to show it. I also dressed up a little more to see how I felt about it. Still working through that. All I know if my tooth is no longer fractured and my cheeks hurt from all the freezing they had to do. They did 3x the amount normally required because I kept feeling things. Ugh. Yay though, it's over!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

September 26, 2013

Jamie

We finally got our taxes complete and in yesterday - yay!! And though taxes aren't fun, getting a very Parisian treat at a nearby cafe is! I was just beaming over my raspberry tart and pellegrino while our tax guy was working the numbers!


Shannon

Whelp, it took 2 long years but I finally finished watching Prison Break! I can't believe it. It's kind of surreal to finally be finished watching it, and although I watched S1 & S2 back in 2011 I rewatched them to watch S3 & S4 and that was a lot to take in of a very intense show. I really enjoyed it, but sadly probably can't recommend it to either of you. I might have muffed up my Supernatural re-watch option this summer but I still might sneak it in while I pack, pack, pack!



Suzie

Of course yesterday was an awesome Hexed day (OMG Shannon, there is so much TV to talk about) but I am also continuing my blender video journey. I came up with a recipe for a cantaloupe smoothie recipe and shot it right before Hexed. I also had to get this video of me using the blender for the first time up onto YouTube. I realized I had been uploading videos at much lower res which is silly so I tried doing higher res. Then YouTube said this was taking longer than usual and put up a low res version instead and said it may be replaced with a higher version. Doing this video took way longer than I had anticipated but the learner curve continues! And it did replace the low res with a high res one. Phew!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

September 25, 2013

 
Jamie

Yesterday was a full and rather exhausting day. I find on days like that walking is a blessing, giving myself some time to clear my mind and also physically tire my body so that I can sleep well. The added gift is photo ops! I just loved  happening by this lovely moment of hope and determination.



Shannon

I tried really hard to clean this tupperware, but it was just too far gone and would not stop being a 'previously had broccoli' tupperware. Oh well! Sometimes you just have to let go :)


Suzie

Of course I had a fabulous time recorded stART with you two! Which is good because I had just finished freaking out over my tripod when we started. You see that lever? It is supposed to tilt the camera head forward, which was essential for filming my video yesterday morning. But it tilted it left and right instead. I was so mad I just did the video which is going to look stupid and swore like a sailor.... But when I called Henry's I tried to remain calm and the guy couldn't figure out what was wrong but I didn't yell or cry even though I wanted to. Reg came home and figured out the problem in about five minutes. Turns out it is even more of a sophisticated tripod than I realized which is why I was so confused. Thank goodness for stART! Helped turn the energy of the day around for me.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

September 24, 2013


Jamie

I had a bit of a not great day yesterday. I think I've just been too busy for too long. That didn't deter me from going out for a run though and what really surprised me is that I felt better when I got home! I used to never take my phone when I was running but now I do and I just love the opportunity to capture a moment like this, when I'm on my cool-down walk, of course!


Shannon

I've had rye bread toast and tea yesterday, and it made me think of Mom and the summer I spent August at her place in Scarborough and had this for breakfast every single day and it tasted amazing. I've been missing her recently. A lot.


Suzie

First thing yesterday I went to the walk-in clinic and got my blood work done. It was very surreal. This clinic it's only $15 but it was very hectic with people walking in and out of the small room. I was nervous about being jostled while the nurse was taking blood and realized that it is a quite personal thing to go through and did not appreciate people just being there. I had to lie down three times yesterday, not feeling well at all. Sucked the life out of me as well as my blood I guess!