The last few weeks have just flown by. Between art class, kids activities, 2 trips to the city, coffee with friends and a whole lot of nuts, it's been a whirlwind.
I'm tired right now, and hoping to avoid laundry. I've got to catch up on that, plus tidying up the house. However, right now, I'm just taking some quiet down time. We all need that some days. Besides, laundry, dishes and clutter will all be there later, when we're ready to face it.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Home grown, homemade
There is something completely satisfying in taking I grew in the backyard and transforming it. Like these pumpkins:
Transformed into these delicious muffins.
I love the down to earth-ness of making something tasty from something I managed not to kill in the backyard. To take a hard shelled vegetable, work with it, and make muffins, custard, oatmeal, lattes....all from pumpkin. In some ways, it makes me feel connected to the pioneering roots of western North America. Tilling one's own land, growing one's own food. Putting up preserves for the colder months, baking with the materials at hand.
Then I remember that I can google myself up a recipe any time I want it, and tips for growing vegetables in my regions clay-based soil. I've got central heat, and indoor water. I don't have to build a fire in the morning, and I have kitchen timers so I can walk away from my baking muffins and not worry about burning them. I'm really not that pioneering, but I can imagine it, for just a little while.
The muffins still taste delicious, either way.
Transformed into these delicious muffins.
I love the down to earth-ness of making something tasty from something I managed not to kill in the backyard. To take a hard shelled vegetable, work with it, and make muffins, custard, oatmeal, lattes....all from pumpkin. In some ways, it makes me feel connected to the pioneering roots of western North America. Tilling one's own land, growing one's own food. Putting up preserves for the colder months, baking with the materials at hand.
Then I remember that I can google myself up a recipe any time I want it, and tips for growing vegetables in my regions clay-based soil. I've got central heat, and indoor water. I don't have to build a fire in the morning, and I have kitchen timers so I can walk away from my baking muffins and not worry about burning them. I'm really not that pioneering, but I can imagine it, for just a little while.
The muffins still taste delicious, either way.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Silly time waster...
RULES:
1. Put Your itunes, windows media player etc on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Gone
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
if I had a rocket launcher
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Sweetest Thing
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Smoke
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
My Lover's Gone
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Hey Ya!
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Hurray!
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Locked Out
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
The 3 R's
WHAT IS 2+2?
I'm Gonna be (500 miles)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BESTIE?
Thou Lovely Source of True Delight
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Don't Panic
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Brand New Love
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Sicily
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Pride (in the name of love)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Forgive them Father
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
In My Place
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Bones
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Buffalo Soldier
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
You Blanks
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Love is Blindness
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Christmas Windows
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Jamming
1. Put Your itunes, windows media player etc on Shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS
IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Gone
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
if I had a rocket launcher
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Sweetest Thing
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Smoke
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
My Lover's Gone
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Hey Ya!
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Hurray!
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Locked Out
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
The 3 R's
WHAT IS 2+2?
I'm Gonna be (500 miles)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BESTIE?
Thou Lovely Source of True Delight
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Don't Panic
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Brand New Love
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Sicily
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Pride (in the name of love)
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Forgive them Father
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
In My Place
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Bones
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Buffalo Soldier
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
You Blanks
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Love is Blindness
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Christmas Windows
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Jamming
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Boo
Somehow, I lost my whole blog template tonight. Boo. Just Boo.
Rebecca made that template for me, like 2 years ago, and I loved it.
Rebecca made that template for me, like 2 years ago, and I loved it.
workout mix
I've joined the gym in town, and am thankful for child friendly policy that allows me to bring my kids. It's working out well as the girls are dropping naps from their agenda, so we hit up the gym most mid-afternoons with sippy cups, granola bars and markers in two - with the occasional dvd to watch. It buys me the time I need to get in a good workout.
I'm working on getting 45 to 60 minutes of cardio a day, plus weight training. I recently created myself a playlist on my ipod for the gym, thanks to the hubby's guidance on how to do that quickly. Today, I decided to splurge a little bit and add a few more songs to the playlist from itunes. I have a couple of songs on there that I wouldn't have picked for myself as basic listening songs. In fact, a couple of those songs on my workout mix might be downright embarrassing.
Anyone else find that they exercise better to songs that aren't typical songs for them to listen to? Spill the beans - what are they? :)
I'm working on getting 45 to 60 minutes of cardio a day, plus weight training. I recently created myself a playlist on my ipod for the gym, thanks to the hubby's guidance on how to do that quickly. Today, I decided to splurge a little bit and add a few more songs to the playlist from itunes. I have a couple of songs on there that I wouldn't have picked for myself as basic listening songs. In fact, a couple of those songs on my workout mix might be downright embarrassing.
Anyone else find that they exercise better to songs that aren't typical songs for them to listen to? Spill the beans - what are they? :)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
oh my gosh!
We are out of coffee. This is not good.
I'm kicking myself, because a friend's husband messaged me on facebook the other day. Said he was in the city, going to Costco, did I need anything. All I could think was "nope, I just bought olive oil". I needed coffee!!!
I'm kicking myself, because a friend's husband messaged me on facebook the other day. Said he was in the city, going to Costco, did I need anything. All I could think was "nope, I just bought olive oil". I needed coffee!!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Do we ever get out of high school?
Some days, it's like high school never ended. I always assumed that once I "grew up", that life would be more grown up. In so many ways, it's not. Sure, we're legal to drink alcohol now and most of my friends have mortgages, or car payments, or kids, or a combination of all three....but some things just don't change.
Peer pressure is still there. It's different than it was back in the day, but it's there. What we drive, what we wear, what accessories we have - that's all the same.
The "mommy peer pressure", now that's another beast altogether. I think it starts during pregnancy. When are you due? Where are you having your baby? Who is your OB/midwife? Then moves into birth - home? hospital? c-section? drugs? As your children grow, you talk about what they are doing, what they aren't doing, how well they are doing things.
It's often not a huge issue. Really, it's something to converse about and share in the parenting journey. But there is always a mom or two who is all about how they fit in that range of what everyone else is doing, or what everyone else's kids are doing. Which can quickly turn into a one-upmanship of "your baby walked at 12 months? Mine walked at 11". Or "your child wrote their name at 4, mine was 3". Or the mom who is all about putting their kids in fancy labels (granted, many good brand clothes simply wear better long term, but it's entirely possible to dress your kids well without being all about the labels - I know you know what I mean) Bah. That's the stuff that is annoying, the stuff that makes you feel like you are back in high school.
Then there is the pressure to do what everyone else's kids are doing. Hockey, skating, music classes, soccer. There is only enough time in the day, there is only enough money to participate in so many things. The activities themselves aren't an issue, it's when you get looked down on, or look down on others for not participating in these things, that's when it's silly.
I'm not saying that I feel this kind of pressure. I think I have some lovely friends who aren't all about stuff and doing (shoutout to the mommy friends!). I do, however, have some aquaintences who brush up against my circles (in more than one province) who are more into the labels, the hip activities, the doing, the "stuff". It's often comical to watch the one-upmanship that happens in those groups of moms, or to have those conversations with moms who are more focused on those things than I choose to be.
Not that I'm totally immune to it either. I wish I was. sigh
See, you may leave high school....but it never leaves you.
Peer pressure is still there. It's different than it was back in the day, but it's there. What we drive, what we wear, what accessories we have - that's all the same.
The "mommy peer pressure", now that's another beast altogether. I think it starts during pregnancy. When are you due? Where are you having your baby? Who is your OB/midwife? Then moves into birth - home? hospital? c-section? drugs? As your children grow, you talk about what they are doing, what they aren't doing, how well they are doing things.
It's often not a huge issue. Really, it's something to converse about and share in the parenting journey. But there is always a mom or two who is all about how they fit in that range of what everyone else is doing, or what everyone else's kids are doing. Which can quickly turn into a one-upmanship of "your baby walked at 12 months? Mine walked at 11". Or "your child wrote their name at 4, mine was 3". Or the mom who is all about putting their kids in fancy labels (granted, many good brand clothes simply wear better long term, but it's entirely possible to dress your kids well without being all about the labels - I know you know what I mean) Bah. That's the stuff that is annoying, the stuff that makes you feel like you are back in high school.
Then there is the pressure to do what everyone else's kids are doing. Hockey, skating, music classes, soccer. There is only enough time in the day, there is only enough money to participate in so many things. The activities themselves aren't an issue, it's when you get looked down on, or look down on others for not participating in these things, that's when it's silly.
I'm not saying that I feel this kind of pressure. I think I have some lovely friends who aren't all about stuff and doing (shoutout to the mommy friends!). I do, however, have some aquaintences who brush up against my circles (in more than one province) who are more into the labels, the hip activities, the doing, the "stuff". It's often comical to watch the one-upmanship that happens in those groups of moms, or to have those conversations with moms who are more focused on those things than I choose to be.
Not that I'm totally immune to it either. I wish I was. sigh
See, you may leave high school....but it never leaves you.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
a little whine with dinner
I've got some sort of head cold/flu thing right now. I'm achy, have been feverish, and am just ill in general. Blah.
In any case, I've had time to sit and ponder over the last couple of days a bit, because I have no energy. This can be both good and bad.
Good: I was really ready for Sunday School this morning. I really like the new book I'm using for curriculum. I'm really glad that we may have picked up a new family with 3 young children.
I really love seeing my kids interact well together. They can be so loving and sweet to each other.
Running a yard sale isn't too hard when you live on my street. Traffic is steady, and it's nice to clear out some junk...I mean treasures.
Less than great: running a yard sale is a bad idea when your husband isn't home. Otherwise, your 4 year old can get stuck on the toilet for an undetermined amount of time waiting for you to come wipe her up. There will be tears.
My kids don't always play well together. There can be tears.
My inlaws (parents in law in particular) have managed to frustrate me yet again. There might be tears.
Seriously though, they are going to Disney with my SIL, BIL and their kids at Christmas. Nice. Yet, they don't even so much as send a card when my middle child turns 4. To use an expression I don't particularly care for, WTF? Wait, make that WTH, I should keep this G-rated. Is it wrong that this bothers me? I mean, they haven't even called us since we got home from vacation, yet they told us that they miss us. Funny way to show it, if you ask me.
In any case, I've had time to sit and ponder over the last couple of days a bit, because I have no energy. This can be both good and bad.
Good: I was really ready for Sunday School this morning. I really like the new book I'm using for curriculum. I'm really glad that we may have picked up a new family with 3 young children.
I really love seeing my kids interact well together. They can be so loving and sweet to each other.
Running a yard sale isn't too hard when you live on my street. Traffic is steady, and it's nice to clear out some junk...I mean treasures.
Less than great: running a yard sale is a bad idea when your husband isn't home. Otherwise, your 4 year old can get stuck on the toilet for an undetermined amount of time waiting for you to come wipe her up. There will be tears.
My kids don't always play well together. There can be tears.
My inlaws (parents in law in particular) have managed to frustrate me yet again. There might be tears.
Seriously though, they are going to Disney with my SIL, BIL and their kids at Christmas. Nice. Yet, they don't even so much as send a card when my middle child turns 4. To use an expression I don't particularly care for, WTF? Wait, make that WTH, I should keep this G-rated. Is it wrong that this bothers me? I mean, they haven't even called us since we got home from vacation, yet they told us that they miss us. Funny way to show it, if you ask me.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
After - lots of pics
This is actually a "during" shot, because it was taken before the backsplash went in. Note, new dishwasher that doesn't have to be rolled across the floor and hooked up to the sink. Also, a hood fan! yay!
New cupboards, new paint, new countertop, new sink, new floor....new layout!
Our new pantry. It's HUGE!
My repurposed pantry, turned computer desk/art supplies storage
The old pantry, too small to hold anything much, now painted and cute!
The new pantry, all organized and stuff
The new backsplash. Not the prettiest pick of tiles, but it's hardly a designer kitchen... it's a well loved and very happy kitchen!
New cupboards, new paint, new countertop, new sink, new floor....new layout!
Our new pantry. It's HUGE!
My repurposed pantry, turned computer desk/art supplies storage
The old pantry, too small to hold anything much, now painted and cute!
The new pantry, all organized and stuff
The new backsplash. Not the prettiest pick of tiles, but it's hardly a designer kitchen... it's a well loved and very happy kitchen!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Kitchen "before" shots
These photos really don't do the awfulness of the kitchen justice. Really. Hard to see the buckling and missing chunks of countertop. Not to mention the big marks on the floor, and the dents in the cupboards. Did you catch the missing cupboard door? Tried to fix that too. Oh, and the sink was leaking and the faucet was loose. These are slightly older shots, as the baby in the corner is almost 3. 48 shades of beige kitchen is no more!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
good/bad
What's good:
kitchen renovation going well, and looking good. I can't wait to post "after" pictures!
What's bad:
the hubby trying to fix the upstairs bathroom sink. We've hit an impasse and have no faucet in there right now. Further proof that I did not marry a man with good handyman skills. Good thing he's cute.
kitchen renovation going well, and looking good. I can't wait to post "after" pictures!
What's bad:
the hubby trying to fix the upstairs bathroom sink. We've hit an impasse and have no faucet in there right now. Further proof that I did not marry a man with good handyman skills. Good thing he's cute.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
on being content
While we were on the West coast, we had the chance to visit with a family we've known for years The husband and R went to school together, and we attended church together. They had two little girls back then, now they have a son and another daughter too. Those little girls are now preteens and look SO grown up. The husband (RR as a nickname) is also an Anglican priest in a small town, in a slightly isolated area, like us.
I really am thankful to be where we are. The more we talked to RR and his wife (JA), the more we could see just how good it is where we live. Our church generally doesn't eat us alive. R hasn't been working under a bishop who likes to intimidate. Our home is in much better shape than it could be. Our kids aren't getting bullied on a daily basis at school, resulting in having to make school changes. We're making friends, good friends even.
Much as I have complained (frequently *blush*) about life here...I really need to be thankful. Not thankful that I am where RR and JA are - that would be missing the point. I'm thankful for all that is good here, and there is a lot of good here. There are many blessings to our little family to be living where we are, in the situation we are in. I am thankful for those blessings, and am ever mindful that things can always change. I'm praying for change for the friends I mentioned, and offering prayers of thanks for what is our life here.
I really am thankful to be where we are. The more we talked to RR and his wife (JA), the more we could see just how good it is where we live. Our church generally doesn't eat us alive. R hasn't been working under a bishop who likes to intimidate. Our home is in much better shape than it could be. Our kids aren't getting bullied on a daily basis at school, resulting in having to make school changes. We're making friends, good friends even.
Much as I have complained (frequently *blush*) about life here...I really need to be thankful. Not thankful that I am where RR and JA are - that would be missing the point. I'm thankful for all that is good here, and there is a lot of good here. There are many blessings to our little family to be living where we are, in the situation we are in. I am thankful for those blessings, and am ever mindful that things can always change. I'm praying for change for the friends I mentioned, and offering prayers of thanks for what is our life here.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
ahhh....
the sweet feeling of returning home. It's nice. The last day of vacation spent wanting the road home to be shorter, the pressure to drive faster to get there sooner, the excitement of wondering what is in the mailbox, what you left in the fridge.
We're back after more than 3 weeks away, and it's nice.
Oh, and the kitchen is mostly reno'ed too!
We're back after more than 3 weeks away, and it's nice.
Oh, and the kitchen is mostly reno'ed too!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
if you can't say anything nice...
why do you have to be competitive? Seriously. If you feel the need to be competitive about whose kid is better, or bigger or whatever, at least pay attention enough to get the names of my kids right.
GAH
GAH
Sunday, August 10, 2008
On Vacation
Yeah, I know, I'm on vacation. Should not be blogging. We're at the BIL and SIL's house, they are at the family cabin. It's a nice place, and a good size for us to visit (as opposed to living in full time). However, I just can't figure out where their stuff is. They seriously have NO stuff. I've never seen such empty kitchen cupboards, closets and clear surfaces. It's kind of mind boggling.
I guess that's what happens when you have
A) two less children, all younger
B) more closets, you know, a linen closet
But still...I'm both awed and disgusted with myself.
I guess that's what happens when you have
A) two less children, all younger
B) more closets, you know, a linen closet
But still...I'm both awed and disgusted with myself.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
leave a message at the beep...
I'm not available right now, and will be mostly off line until Labor Day. Please leave a message, and I'll get back to you when I can.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
now I shall complain
There could be some news on the horizon for me, health-wise. What's frustrating about that potential news is that I *could* have had the right dx a couple of MONTHS ago if the doctor I had seen had not discounted me off the bat for frivolous reasons. "You can't have X because you don't look like it, and your obstetrical history says otherwise". Um, yeah. Maybe if he had *read* the blood work *he* ordered, I could have saved myself a couple of tanks of gas, and a lost day overnighting in the city. Crank, crank.
On a lighter note, for my fellow Jane Austen fans:
The Jane Austen Drinking game, for all the movie adaptations of the books.
On a lighter note, for my fellow Jane Austen fans:
The Jane Austen Drinking game, for all the movie adaptations of the books.
that was a new experience
Yesterday, the hubby officiated at a wedding. This was the first wedding that he "did" that our whole family was able to attend, ceremony and reception.
The ceremony was lovely. Even including the extra entertainment from the couple's 4 year old son waving his grandfather's cane around in the air, and my middle child asking why the Catholic church's stained glass windows look like pizza pepperoni.
After the ceremony, I took the kids home for naps/rest. Just in time to head out to the ceremony, it started POURING rain. Nice. We made it out to the reception without getting too wet. The reception had some elements I've never seen before. I've never seen a gift opening in the middle of the reception, before the dancing. I've also never seen a wedding supper catered by KFC, with only coleslaw as a "veggie". One for the scrapbook. We came home and snacked on snap peas. Although, I'm still feeling a bit queasy from the grease.
The ceremony was lovely. Even including the extra entertainment from the couple's 4 year old son waving his grandfather's cane around in the air, and my middle child asking why the Catholic church's stained glass windows look like pizza pepperoni.
After the ceremony, I took the kids home for naps/rest. Just in time to head out to the ceremony, it started POURING rain. Nice. We made it out to the reception without getting too wet. The reception had some elements I've never seen before. I've never seen a gift opening in the middle of the reception, before the dancing. I've also never seen a wedding supper catered by KFC, with only coleslaw as a "veggie". One for the scrapbook. We came home and snacked on snap peas. Although, I'm still feeling a bit queasy from the grease.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Worst Toothpaste EVER
There is a bit of a debate going on in my home right now regarding toothpaste. Last time we were in the city, I picked up some new toothpaste. It was on clearance at Sobey's. The fact it was on clearance should have been a sign. It's Aquafresh Extreme Clean with PowerWhite. I don't know what PowerWhite is, but it sucked me in. I like the idea of PowerWhitening my teeth. It sounds appealing. PowerWhite. Say it three times, it's fun!
Anyhow, it's orange and white. It's bold, it's big. It tastes like brushing your teeth with a cough drop. A combination of cherry and traditional green mint Halls cough drops to be precise. It's nasty.
I declared it the worst toothpaste ever. The hubby informed me that, although the toothpaste does indeed make him somewhat ill, this wasn't the worst toothpaste I have ever purchased. What? How could there be something worse than this? Apparently, the time I bought a vanilla mint toothpaste in a squeezy bottle, *that* was the worst toothpaste.
I'm pretty sure that he's wrong though. In any case, this will teach me to stray too far from the old favorites. Really though, it's toothpaste, how wrong can you go?
Well, my mom currently does have something purple and fruity in a squeezy bottle at her place. That's pretty wrong too.
Anyhow, it's orange and white. It's bold, it's big. It tastes like brushing your teeth with a cough drop. A combination of cherry and traditional green mint Halls cough drops to be precise. It's nasty.
I declared it the worst toothpaste ever. The hubby informed me that, although the toothpaste does indeed make him somewhat ill, this wasn't the worst toothpaste I have ever purchased. What? How could there be something worse than this? Apparently, the time I bought a vanilla mint toothpaste in a squeezy bottle, *that* was the worst toothpaste.
I'm pretty sure that he's wrong though. In any case, this will teach me to stray too far from the old favorites. Really though, it's toothpaste, how wrong can you go?
Well, my mom currently does have something purple and fruity in a squeezy bottle at her place. That's pretty wrong too.
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