Monday 24 March 2008

Meet our Handfasting Party - Richard


Richard is Graham's young brother and the
only one of three children who was actually born in Canada. Coincidentally, he was born in the same hospital that I was. Richard has a degree in electronics from.............. you guessed it, Ryerson! He plays bass guitar and has been involved with 2 music groups over the years - "White Frost" and "Bugs". Richard has 2 teenage children and will be one of Graham's groomsmen.

Meet our Handfasting Party - Deb

Deb is my "daughter-in-love". She is the mother of my only grandchild - Austin. She is also currently expecting my second grandchild in April. Deb is a Ryerson graduate like her husband (guess where they met). Her degree is in journalism. After graduating, Deb worked in Peterborough for a year and then joined Canada.com where she worked for a few years before moving to the Canadian Cancer Society, developing and writing much of their written material. Deb is one of my attendants and will be wearing red/burgundy.

Meet our Handfasting Party - Krista

Krista is my "middle child" - significant because Graham is also a "middle child" and it is an ongoing excuse for everything! Anyway, Krista is 28 years old and is the very first graduate of the University of Guelph's Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry program. Although her class started out with 4 students, Krista is the only one who graduated. Krista lives in Brampton now and works as a chemist at Apotex Pharmaceuticals. Krista is one of my attendants and will be wearing blue.

Sunday 23 March 2008

Meet our Handfasting Party - Ryan

Ryan is my oldest and my only son. He is (almost)
31 years old. Ryan gradualed from Ryerson
University in 2000 and since then has been

working in Project Management at PCL. He gets
around, having worked on projects in Markham,
Niagara Falls and Mississauga. When he was
working on the hotel at the new Niagara
Casino site, he called me one day to tell me
that he wouldn't have a job the next day

because he turned the hotel around.
Fortunately, he was wrong and anyone who
has been to that new complex knows how
awesome it is. Ryan will be one of Graham's groomsmen.

Meet our Handfasting Party - Jamie

This is Jamie Evans. She is the youngest of my three children. She is 19 years old and is currently in her 1st year of General Sciences at the University of Guelph. Jamie's passion in life is horses and riding (ignoring her addiction to her cell phone and MSN messenger). Ultimately, she would like to become a veterinarian.
Jamie is one of my attendants and will be wearing green - her favourite colour.

Wednesday 12 March 2008

My Last Wicca Post

Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of thinking and life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists. It is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day. It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face. Wicca is the fall of colourful autumn leaves and the softness of winter snow. It is light and shadow and all that lies in between. It is the song of the birds and other creatures of the wild. It is being in the presence of Mother Earth's nature and being humbled in reverence. To be Wiccan is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver and a protector of all things. This path is mine and I walk it with honour, light and integrity.

Tuesday 4 March 2008

The Pentacle and the Pentagram


Contrary to popular belief, these tools are NOT associated with devil worship. (Those of you who have seen DaVinci's Code should already know that).
The Pentacle is actually a Wiccan's tool and is used to bless items brought into the circle or "sacred space" of ritual and worship.
The Pentagram is the five (5) pointed star, popularly shown surrounded by a circle. This is the symbol of the religion of Wicca. It is worn with honour and respect. Each point of the star represents an element that is vital to the creation and survival of all life on the Planet Earth and also represents human need.

AIR: The intellect. To breath and communicate.

EARTH: Grounding, manifestation, bounty. Shelter and sustenance.

WATER: Emotion. Nourishment and cleansing.

FIRE: Passion and action. Light and warmth.

The fifth (5th) point of the star represents the 5th element of Wicca - SPIRIT - sometimes called "Akasha". Spirit can be the life force or the God and Goddess. The circle surrounding the star represents the all-encompassing love and protection of the deity, the binding of all the elements that create life and the never-ending cycle of life.

Menu Tasting




Two weeks ago we spent a lovely evening at the Elmhurst Inn doing our taste testing for the dinner following our handfasting. The food was perfect, the service was attentive and the menu is decided. While we were there, we took the opportunity to take some pictures of the building where our reception will be, at night. This is the front of the building which is separate from the main Inn. Isn't it beautiful???
Anyone who will require a special diet, please let us know.