A lifestyle blog, with lots of photography, creating and pretty things.

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July 27, 2014

Here and Off Again

Swimming.
Hiking.
Laughing.
Eating.
Reading.

Check, check and double-check!


And most importantly, a week of family connections.

Now I'm off on a solo trip to New Jersey via Philadelphia for some Project Manager training. This time my laptop is coming so I can blog.

Have a great Sunday all!

P.S. Sunday Links will return next week.

July 18, 2014

The Lake 2014

I have such fond memories of going to my grandparents cottage in New Brunswick every summer. Ahhh, the familiarity, the routine the swimming (I could do without the leeches though).

It makes my heart burst that we are providing these same memories for our boys even though it is across the country and at a different lake.

Here's to our 3rd annual week at the lake. I can't wait to share our new adventures.

See you in a week!


July 14, 2014

A Jumble of a Post

Here's an assortment of odds and sods to catch up on from the past week.
  • I cannot wait until these are ripe. Our long driveway is lined with blackberries and they are my perfect summer berry recipe ingredient. 
  • We are beyond excited for our week at the lake. I have already started to gather the important stuff for packing (books, games and yarn).
  •  I have harvested most of my garden and when we get back I plan on reinvigorating it with some mid to late-season veggies. The weeds right now are winning but I am coming for them. (this sunflower is 5 feet tall!)
  • I functioned on less than 4 hours sleep and went to work. Not something I want to make a habit of.
  • Cleaning out your fridge makes all the food inside look more appetizing (or is that just me?)
  • I am not a big fan of devices for kids but if you are going to sit outside under a tree with your iPod, I can manage that - for a while anyway.
  • None of my cucumbers made it. I need to buy some as I still want to make pickles.
  • Going outside still in your PJ's and on the front porch I guess still qualifies for my "You can play on your iPod as long as your are getting some fresh air" rule.
  • I plan on bringing my laptop to the lake and working from there today so life is good.

July 08, 2014

Getting Bigger


I don't know about you, but once they get those big front teeth in they all of a sudden have grown up. I love the in between phase before the new teeth come in though. I savor the last moments of them being little and the little lisp that comes along with it.


"Mom do I look creepy when I smile like this?"
"Yes, yes you do."

July 06, 2014

Sunday Links No. 24 - Tourtiere, a Friendly Fox and Stains = Art


I'm on countdown to vacation time, can't believe it will be here in less than 2 weeks! I can't stop daydreaming about sitting on the dock at the lake. But for now, here are the Sunday Links:

Love this cute and friendly fox.

I love Tourtiere but I have never made my own. This recipe from my friend Julie looks perfect.

The perfect touch for a pair of folded up jeans in the summer.

Stains = art!

This method to declutter your home is a good way to ease into the process.

If you are looking for more links to browse, you can find some here.

July 05, 2014

A Great Start to July


Ah July, my favourite month of the year. It isn't just because my birthday is in July, it's more than that. It's the heat, the excitement of no school (and no school lunches), days at the lake and everything in it's prime.


We have a few watering holes we go to that aren't that crowded or ones we go to at off times so we can get the place to ourselves.


We explore, hang out and just be.


We also have fun. On Canada Day we took these Happy Notes and placed them in random spots around our city. Then we had to drive around again because the boys wanted to see if any of them were taken. A few were and that created waves of excitement.

Happy July!

July 01, 2014

Shorts or Pajamas?

I've had a pretty summer fabric in my stash for some time, a very long time. When I first bought it I also purchased a dress pattern, I had a plan for this fabric. I made the dress, it fit, I wore it to work. And then I donated it.

I felt like a picnic table. It didn't help that I worked in a law firm at the time and everyone else was wearing their conservative lawyer-type stuff. (No pictorial evidence is available of the dress.)


But on the weekend I found this tutorial for toddler shorts with a free pattern. It was time to redeem my summer fabric.

Instead of using the supplied pattern (um, because they wouldn't fit), I made my own by tracing a pair of my shorts that have a nice fit. Then I followed the step-by-step instructions on how to assemble the shorts, I chose the version with pockets. I traced around my hand giving a 1 inch allowance all the way around to make sure they would be roomy enough.

The instructions were easy to follow and I was super-impressed with myself as I have never made shorts before.

Now my only conundrum is I feel like I am wearing pajama bottoms in them.

SO, what do you think? Are they for the beach or the bedroom?


PS Here is a great round-up of some more short tutorials.