The Beautiful Beast

From September 2017 to March 2018 the Youth of the Kitchener Ontario Stake of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

participated in a production of

Beauty and the Beast, the Broadway Musical.

It was a proud Mother moment for me as my Rémi played the Beast 

and blew me away with his acting and musical talents.

He told well the story and transformation of a 

selfish man 

who

transforms 

into

a hideous Beast

and then

finally transforms into 

a tender, caring and loving man.

His emotional intelligence was on strong display

as he took us on this journey and grasped our hearts with 

fear, doubt, hope and love.

So impactful was his performance that my Dad turned to me and said,

"I just can't believe that's Rémi!"

My Dad was so enchanted by his Grandson that whenever he sees Rémi, 

he now refers to him as

"The Beautiful Beast."

Remi was not alone in the telling of this captivating story.

Along with a dedicated cast of his fellow peers in our church, was the 

supporting roles of his brother, Yvon and sister, Melaia.

Yvon played the "comic relief" character, "Nick" who was a villager and die hard 

follower of Gaston, the self-absorbed vilan.

Yvon showcased his singing and comedy chops and 

also showed the ladies 

his silly dance moves and his muscular lifts (of other characters!).

Melaia dazzled us with her infectious smile while 

dancing as an enchanted fork

or roaming through the village as an old lady & bar maid.

The thing I'm most proud of?

I was so pleased to see my children 

bonding together

as they worked together 

to learn lines or songs,

as they gave each other ideas for their characters and

as they celebrated in each of their successes.

They fight less in the home and uplift more.

I'm in awe and I'm so grateful for this experience that they shared together.

Here are my fave pics from the show. 

The first is a "behind the scenes" view of my boys in the "green room," 

waiting for their cues.

Photo taken and posted to Instagram by @Rachel_Sid

You can probably guess why this is a fave pic of mine too...

Yvon (16yrs.), Melaia (12and3/4yrs.), Rémi, the "Beautiful Beast" (15yrs.)

Evolution

Something's happening in my family.

My kids are evolving into miniature adults and it's fascinating. 

I have no experience raising a teenager, 

I'm learning as I go.

My kids have no experience evolving through teenage-hood,

they're learning as they go as well. 

We're all learning together and sometimes we get it completely wrong 

but sometimes we get it right on.

This was a great moment...

After playing in a riveting school music concert, 

my son came home and had to face the 

#ParentalPapparazzi

It was an epic moment.

Life is good!

Happy Mew Year!

It has been an incredible 

2016 year in

My Fale.

We are reaping the harvest 

from seeds we have planted, 

years ago.

2016 was not even enough time to 

complete the harvest.

It seems 2017 will be another "year of plenty."

I wish you and yours an abundant 2017 year. 

#HappyMewYear

p.s. #Education is power.

Keep Calm

After 4 of 5 members of our family

went back-to-school 

this month,

it felt like my daughter's 

new "meme"

was the perfect phrase 

to sum up our 

month of September...

"Why I'm Cooking So Good?"...

I've learned a few things about myself lately...

Cooking relaxes me,

Cooking de-stresses me,

Cooking bring me so much joy.

(which also, brings my family so much joy as well!)

I'm a pretty passionate person and I also enjoy passionate people.

I've enjoyed learning how to cook Italian food and many other foods from different cultures, via many passionate cooks on Foodtube and Youtube in general. I love it! I love everything about it - especially when it comes to tasting the results. 

If I can do it, anyone can.

Happy cooking!

My favourite cook? Gennaro Contaldo. I never thought that I could ever make risotto and Gennaro (Jamie Oliver's teacher) inspired me to give it a try. 

Mushroom risotto is now a family favourite.

The one when Jamie Oliver's son takes a tinkle..

in the middle of the cooking video... 

(btw, happy 5th baby Jamie & family. Bravo!)

p.s. "Why I'm cooking so good?!" That's a line from Gennaro. It's also a new family tradition now.

Leap into this...

Yvon officially joined his highschool rugby team today but still loves rock'n his cello.
I love this guy!

I'm doing so much writing in my Masters education work 

that I'm feeling like I'm running a little empty 

when I come to my blog.

I miss #MyFale and the discovery that I enjoy here.

I need to schedule time for a little more freedom here.

My brain's a little tired though, so, for now, a movie recommendation....

Boychoir, directed by Francois Girard 

and written by Ben Ripley

You know it's good if it has 

Dustin Hoffman and Kathy Bates in it.

(It's on Netflix right now! ~ Feb.2016)

Contains many topics under intense discussion within 

my Education journey.

Best movie that I've seen lately.

When you watch it, think Harry Potter but their magic is MUSIC! 

You're welcome.

Happy Leap Year!

Northern Falé VI

We reached three big milestones in our house this weekend:

1. André turned 40!

2. André celebrated his 1st birthday as an architect

3. We completed our 1st family design charrette!

The results?

Voilà!

Conceptual Front Elevations

Conceptual North Elevation

Conceptual South Elevation

We're not done.

Conceptual means nothing is concrete.

Meetings with the city are in our near future.

A progression of drawings are yet to be developed.

Children are anxious to further inspire via minecraft and

the right craftsmen have yet to be discovered.

In the meantime, there's much joy in the journey to behold...

Happy 40th my André!

What a memorable milestone.

Northern Falé's journey: I, II, III, IV & V

Leejay's Guide to the Library 2016

While preparing for an #Architecture #JanesWalk in May,

I met an incredible woman, on twitter,

with a fundraiser benefiting youth.
Since I'm currently working closely with youth in my church,
I felt that this was a perfect community fundraiser to support.

André had just announced that this Janes Walk would be dedicated to
the late Leejay Levene, an aspiring architect.
Shirley is sharing Leejay's story before the walk begins.

I even wrote about it in my May blogpost about #Architecture 

and our family's experience living in Rome.

Since then, I've had the privilege of getting to know

Shirley Levene,

K-W Oktoberfest Rogers Women of the Year 2014 Award Recipient.

From left: Regional Chair, Ken Seiling, Regional radio personality Mike Farwell,
Fundraiser extrodinaire Shirley Levene and Waterloo Region Chief of Police, Bryan Larkin
at the Leejay Levene 2016 calendar launch
Photo courtesy of the Levene Family

 Out of the grief of losing her son,

Leejay Levene,

 in a tragic accident,

 comes an opportunity to provide hope to many more lives.

Shirley, with the loving support of her family
(husband Ron, sons Casey & Elli Levene)

 has spent the past 8 years selling her late son's artwork and 

donating all raised funds to many special local causes.

I'm inspired.

Mother's pizza nourished the calendar launch attendees with their delicious pizza.
(I found André & Melaia in the Levene photos!)
Photo courtesy of the Levene family.

This year, 

the Kitchener Public Library

will benefit from a

Leejay Levene calendar.

Each gorgeous month of the 2016 Leejay Levene calendar on display at the launch.
Each month is sponsored by one of your favourite local businesses.

Proceeds from the sales of this calendar will help build

a Teen Tech Livingroom

at the Kitchener Public Library.

Simply Awesome!

Tech literacy is a significant industry of our 
Waterloo Region 
past, present and future.

I'm excited that so many youth will have the opportunity to explore

technology in a safe environment within the stunning 
Kitchener Public Library.

When I attended the launch, which included a gallery of
Leejay's artwork, 

May 2015 Kitchener Public Library gallery was lined with the works of Leejay Levene.

I discovered a painting 
by Leejay 
that gripped the most tender depths of my heart.

I'd like to introduce you to
Leejay's
"Footprints".

Apparently the original painting is of life size 
Leejay footprints
but the print, with the miniature size footprints,
spoke to me.

You see, they reminded me of some very special little footprints that
walked into my life almost seven years ago.

Our fourth baby,
Isoefa Alofa,
was stillborn and the kind nurses at McMaster hospital
made footprints of my lost son.

Measurement in inches

Not long after we lost him, I found this meaningful quote:

"There is no foot so small 

that it cannot leave an imprint on this earth."

- unknown

Truth.

Thank you to my new friends, 

Leejay & Shirley Levene 

for adding some colour to my grief through
"Footprints".

No words, just feelings.

It's an honour to have this painting in my home.
It gently hugs & warms the tender depths of my heart.

For now, "Footprints" is displayed above my piano.
Interesting note: Leejay adopted an almost identical cat as the cat that we just adopted
in January and is pictured here.
This one's for Leejay's Lola, from our Katara.

Everyone would benefit from the thoughtful & moving art by
Leejay Levene.

When you purchase his calendar, 
you have months of inspiration through his artwork,
in combination with inspiring quotes 
from local and national citizens and celebrities.

Leejay's 2016 calendar can be purchased for 
$10.00 
at 
any Kitchener Public Library location,
Westmount Pharmacy
or
directly from
Shirley Levene.
Just tweet her!

I would also be more than willing to hook you up with your 
2016 Leejay Levene calendar.
Comment below or tweet me.

These calendars bring personal reflection and inspiration,
make meaningful gifts
and contribute to an incredible 
#community cause.

Go grab your calendar and I look forward to meeting you at the new
Teen Tech Livingroom
at the Kitchener Public Library.

Thank you Levene family,

with Love,
Daisy

Christmas in July

Dear July,

thank you for blessing my Dad with his

76th birthday.

(I'm glad my Dad's here to witness everything below.)

Croc family

Thank you for the gift of

an incredible first young women's camp experience

as a leader with stellar young women.

(I feared that role for years!)

Thank you for my acceptance to be a 

Masters student

at

Wilfrid Laurier University

in the

Masters of Arts in Community Music Program.

(That was completely unexpected)

Thank you for my André,

for inspiring me to apply for school 

and seeing me through the application process.

(That was completely expected)

Thank you for granting 

André's

architecture license 

on my birthday.

That was one of the best birthday gifts!

(especially after many birthdays of working hard towards this together)

Thank you for granting me my 39th year on this earth.

(After cheating death many times,

I couldn't see anything in my life past 30.)

Thank you for surrounding me

with incredible 

friends (old & new), family & animals

that support me in so many different ways.

(I'm beyond blessed in this area)

Teaser for my next blogpost. 

With much Love & Desire

to give back,

Daisy

Northern Falé IV

School has ended and home school begins.

In our house, that means ample room to

create, create, create.

My kids and their house-dreams.

Their dreams are big but helpful in understanding 

their desires for our new home.

The kids have been having fun creating their 

house-dreams in Minecraft

I asked Melaia, 10yrs. old, to send me a few pics

to post on my blog. She sent me 30.

Here's a few: 

We'll start in Melaia's room(s).

Reading/Library solarium attached to her bedroom. Trust me. It's only the beginning!

Two perspectives of Melaia's room. The 1st floor. Yup, she created two floors to her bedroom.

Melaia's bedroom. 2nd floor. Glass floor. Yup. You can see down to her BEDroom.

Melaia's 2nd floor bedROOM. She created so much space, she doesn't know what to do with it.

In-house Architect's critical analysis:
(by André Arseneault)
The extra room creates a nice vista of the beautiful landscape.
Melaia clearly enjoys the freedom of movement
with a simple palette of materials;
clean and modern.

Kitchen table in Kitchen

In-house Architect's critical analysis:

A homey and warm feeling with the wooden chairs.

A very different feel than her bedroom. 
There's not as much wood in her bedroom(s).

Lots of room for guests.

We'll most likely need a few more posts for Melaia's other pictures.

It was quite the extensive collection of perspectives.

To be continued...

Northern Falé journey continues... I,  II,  III, V & VI 

Northern Falé III

We have a century old double brick home.

A past owner painted over the brick. 

Depending on how the sun is shining, the paint can look white. 

Our kids would describe our house as white. 

Truthfully, the paint colour is an extremely pale mint green.
To me, the colour screams
"beach house".
We either need a beach implanted on our street
or a new colour. 
(I want the beach!) 

The brick has made for an awesome backdrop to some amateur photography that I've taken of my family.

I've always wanted to re-paint it.

In-house Architect says that's a no-no.

Painting deteriorates the brick quicker.

You can see clear evidence of that here:

Model: In-house Architect, André

Under the paint, the brick is greyish. 
I actually like the natural colour of the brick.

It doesn't matter what I like because André is 
planning on going all-out Modern.

Apparently, the cost & environmental impact of peeling off that paint is worth the transformation into modern century home.

No worries. 
As depicted in the pic above, 
in-house architect has thought about this long and hard. 
He's come to a final decision. 
Modern cladding. 
Right on top of the brick.

What's cladding? 
The clothes you wear are cladding over your birthday suit.

This ancient brick bod of a house will be fitted & dressed 
in a fine, brand spank'n new suit.

André gave me a little sneak peak 
at what cladding is inspiring him lately:

3333 SW Marine from Bentley Images on Vimeo.

I'll gladly take the car & garden with the new suit.

Northern Falé

Northern Falé II
Northern Falé IV
Northern Falé V
Northern Falé VI

Architecture Throwback & Forward Again

In 2004 we had two kids, boys, 2yrs. old & a 1yr. old.

André was in his 4th year of Architecture at the 

University of Waterloo, School of Architecture.

There's a Rome term during the 4th year of studying architecture.

We were barely scraping by as students, with two children, while in school but André's professors encouraged André to go to Rome. This incredible school supported us every step of the way. Professors advised André to gather money from all possible resources - savings, loans, family, etc. They encouraged us to make the sacrifices needed to go and partake of the 
invaluable education that was the Rome term.

We begged our families to support us. 

Our families helped us get to Rome. 

They were hesitant, as it was a significant sacrifice on their part but they did it.

We made it to Rome because of our incredibly supportive and trusting family.

Rome changed our lives forever.

History came alive. Ruins told stories of people, their lives and their communities. Layers of life lessons, both individual and collective, gushed out through the study of architecture within the layers of new buildings growing out of the old. 

Rome was a cultural feast.

We drank deeply from it's historical waters.

We played where the Romans played,

We walked where the Romans walked.

Our family changed forever in this historical playground.

Today, we reap the rewards of such a rich education and personal sacrifice. André has completed his architectural exams and as of February, has successfully passed each of the intensive exams.

He has achieved his goal of becoming an architect but we know that it didn't happen without the support and sacrifice of many people along the way.

This is part of why we love community.

We know what community has done for our family 

and we're determined to pay it forward.

This weekend André will be hosting another Jane's Walk in Uptown Waterloo.

This year's Jane's Walk will be dedicated to Leejay Levene, an aspiring architect, who tragically lost his life during a routine wisdom teeth extraction. Leejay was only 18 yrs. old and was on his way to the 

University of Toronto school of architecture. 

I have no doubt that he would've been a successful student and architect.

How do I know?

You can see it in his art - 

which will be on display at the Central Library Art Gallery 

from May 7th to May 27th, 2015.

All proceeds from sales of Leejay's Art & $10.00 calendar will benefit the Kitchener Public Library's future "Teen Tech Livingroom" at the Central library.

How else do I know that Leejay would've been a successful architect?

Look at his incredibly supportive family & friends.  

Like Rome, they continue to build on the successes & tragedies of the past.

Northern Falé II

To say the least, 

my kids are very excited 

to build our new home.

After living in our "student villa"

for over 12 years,

we're all feeling ready 

to make the

house of our dreams

a reality.

My kids have house-dreams too.

I've asked them to

design their dreams for our home

in Minecraft,

a popular kids building game.

First up is Rémi, 12yrs. old:

Rémi's redesign of the front of our home.

In-house Architect's critical analysis:

(by André Arseneault)

The front entry and generous porch space 

is obviously important to Rémi.

Réminds me somewhat of Frank Llyod Wright's 

style of Architecture.

Rémi's redesign of our kitchen.

In-house Architect's critical analysis:

Clearly lots of space for guests

and 

lots of space for eating.

A very social space as Rémi included books.

Nice view out to the landscape beyond.

Rémi's redesign of our kitchen table in a new diningroom.

In-house Architect's critical analysis:

I just see table.

Here's someone who likes to eat.

Clearly a Hobbit!

More to come!

Stay tuned!

Northern Falé journey: I, III, IV, V, VI