Sunday Links No. 28 - Lino Cutting, 100 Year Old Man & Inner Excavation Along

I hope everyone had fantastic Canada and Independence Days last week. My fireworks photo look like a nebula - love it!

Here are some links that caught my eye last week:

This video has inspired me to get my lino blocks and tools out today.

I have been catching up on Project Life and am getting ready to start a new album. I am going to use this idea as my cover page.

Sometimes (okay, a lot of the time), I forget to go back and look at all of the amazing things I have pinned. Here is a round-up of unique ways to wrap gifts.

I took this book out of the library on a whim and am enjoying it immensely.

I have had the Inner Excavation book by Liz Lamoreux for some time but haven't really done anything with it yet. I am going to follow along with Liz's Inner Excavation Along and I am sure some of the exercises will be shared here on the blog.

Have a great week!

Take It All In

I have been going, going and not stopping to listen to the "mom, come play with me!" pleas. Yesterday I said yes. Yesterday I stopped to take in all the joy that is running through a field of long grass with my boys.

The picture and words are in response to the prompt "take it all in" over on Focus on Everyday, a  collaborative photography blog. Hop on over to see Gabi's take on this week's theme.

Sunday Links No. 27 - DIY Papertowels, TV Magic & Science Inspiration

We are in full heatwave heat right now. Time to break out the homemade frozen treats, sprinklers and trips to the lake.

But before I go get my summer on, here are the Sunday Links:

We as a family try to reuse and reduce (and recycle) as much as we can. We don't use papertowels; this tutorial would get my sewing machine out of its hiding place.

I don't believe in full-on homework during the summer vacation but I do insist on a bit of learning every day. I can be a cool mom and try to make it fun. This list of science inspiration will be put to good use.

I have a guilty pleasure of enjoying Family Guy. And Seth MacFarlane cracks me up. Couple that with Jimmy Fallon and you have TV magic.

So smart, why is this not already a thing? Samsung - make this happen!

Right now, Facebook and I are on a break. Sorry Facebook, it is you, but I know I will be back for more. When I am back, I am going to check out these groups that promise to have:

1. No icky spam

2. Useful, correct advice

3. Helpful, engaged people

My Week

This week:

• Gabi and I revitalized Focus on Everyday. The above picture is my response to the prompt "ready". Click through to read the words that go along with it and see Gabi's picture.
• I had my first emergency visit to the hospital with my oldest son. I was 45 minutes away, he was at a friend's house and they couldn't reach my husband. Not a situation I want to find myself in again. He is fine - 9 stitches and a story to tell.
• Finally feeling caught up in my work. So caught up that there is time for this blog post and to shut the work e-mails down for the weekend.
• My blood sugars are slowly getting under control. I am still increasing my insulin dose every 2 days but I am getting closer to where I need to be. 
• It feels good to be in this space again.

Welcome Summer 2015

Welcome summer! You have been missed and I can't wait to get reaquainted.

I kicked-off the season with some pictures. These 2 decided they didn't want to be photographed today, but allowed me these few.

I hope it isn't a trend but a one-off. I have to respect their boundaries. They love to take pictures so maybe if I let them take pictures of me they will let me take pictures of them. It would be a double-win as I am sorely lacking in the pictures of mom department.

Picture template credit: Paislee Press

Sunday Links No. 26 - Funny Tweets, Grandpa's Sweater & Popsicles

In honour of Father's Day, check out these tweets that sum up what it means to be a parent. My favourite, "Apparently I pack an apple in my 5 year old's lunch so it can get out of the house for a few hours."

With summer vacation looming, I am going to use these questions as journal prompts for the boys.

I never knew grandpa's sweater could be so cool. This has been added to my knitting to-do list.

Lava flow popsicles!

I want to dedicate a wall to pictures using this method.

37 Things Before 38

Over 2 weeks ago now I turned 37. We were on vacation at the lake and it was perfection. Just me and all my boys, I couldn't ask for anything more. As I tend to mentally age myself early (I've been calling myself 37 in my head for a few months now) I was already adjusted to the age change.

One of my goals on the 36 Things Before 37 list was to write my 37 Things Before 38 list ON my birthday. And I did it!

I can't say the same for everything else on the list. I didn't make it to half of them, but:

• as a weak excuse, I created the list 6 months away from my birthday and didn't have a full year to complete them.
• I didn't put a lot of thought into all of them and they weren't what I truly wanted.
• some things made it onto this year's list as I still want to do them.
• I am okay with all of the above.

37 Things Before 38

1. Take a pottery wheel class
2. List 100 items in my Etsy shop
3. Do the de-clutter challenge (I started this on August 1)
4. Create a blogging schedule
5. Take pictures with my DSLR every week.
6. I need to listen to my doctor and get down to my ideal weight to help with my diabetes and high blood pressure
7. Try my hand at some Fair Isle knitting
8. Go to yoga once per week
9. 5 new date night adventures
10. Sign Connor up for the babysitting course
11. Take boys to Whistler
12. Book dentist appointments (done, we go this month!)
13. Make my bucket list
14. Play new song on the piano
15. Print out the family mantra I created
16. Sleep outside with the boys
17. Go thrifting with Gabi
18. Organize the playroom
19. Make new kick-ass workout playlist
20. No snacks after dinner except on family movie nights
21. Work through all my old personal training plans
22. Drink 4L of water per day (this is going well 2 weeks later)
23. Finish my first Project Life Album
24. Climb Golden Ears
25. Go to the gym 3 times per week 
26. Refinish the filing cabinet I scored from work
27. Go for a family bike ride on the dykes
28. Book our 4th Shuswap trip
29. Donate all the clothes I haven't worn in a year (be brutal)
30. Organize my craft desk (that new filing cabinet will come in handy)
31. Paint my bedroom side tables
32. Get my piano tuned
33. Buy a paddle boat or kayaks for item number 28
34. Brush off the children's stories I have written and start submitting them again
35. Send in queries to magazines for some new articles
36. Create and implement a chore schedule for the boys
37. Write my 38 things before 39 on my birthday

 It's a good sign that I'm exciting about this list. It is going to get DONE!

Sunday Links No. 25 - 55 Movies, Make-up & Hair Clips

This is the real behind the scenes of me trying to get a group shot. Maybe this is part of the reason I love my lifestyle/candid style of photography. Please note that my husband is holding the sign upside down and I took many shots past this one before I noticed.

After a brief hiatus, here are my Sunday Links:

I am trying to grow out my bangs (after having them for less than a month). This clip is perfect for when I am on job sites!

Those who know me, know that make-up isn't something I do a lot of, or well for that matter. But this tutorial is something I can get behind.

We bought a projector yesterday so we can watch backyard movies on a giant white sheet. These 55 movies are a must.

This bookmark is going to be my new method of tagging great parts of books. Move over post-it notes.

I came home to over 1200 unread posts in my blog reader. I ended up clearing them all (sorry, I just couldn't justify the time to spend a day reading blogs). I am so glad I read this post before I hit "mark all as read".

My boys love pierogies. I am going to give this recipe a go and make our own.

And here is the final picture of my family that I got (even though I had to photoshop the face of one of my boys in from another photo as not one shot was "perfect").

PS I pin a lot of photography tips, including posing guides and photoshop tutorials here.

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.

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!

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.

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."

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.

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!

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.

Sunday Links No. 23 - Veggie Cream Cheese, Lemonade 3 Ways & A Summer List

We went on our first picnic dinner of the summer last week. It is a favourite activity in the warmer months around here We arrive at the lake just as everyone is packing up to go home, eat our dinner and then swim until the sun goes down.

I made this veggie cream cheese to go on our baguette. Definitely a recipe that will be repeated.

I'm horrible at buying vegetables with the best of intentions to use them up and then they die in my fridge. Maybe these tips will help.

I'm going to fill in this free printable summer list today and get all of my boys to fill in their own too.

I used this tutorial to sew a lining into a crocheted purse I made for myself.

And speaking of sewing, I don't think any dress or skirt should be without pockets.

Another braid tutorial I am loving (meaning it is easy enough for me to do).

My boys are past the alphabet magnet stage. I am going to upgrade to these pretty ones.

3 lemonade recipes.

And make sure you have these 8 things.

More Sunday Inspiration can be found here

A Shop Update (sort of)

I was gearing up to post a shop update this week, but then my dear friend Gabi went ahead and wrote this post.

I think it sums it up rather nicely, don't you?

Sunday Links No. 22 - Say YES, Pretzel Buns & Summer To-Do's

We celebrated the first day of summer by being outside as much as possible and doing very little of anything. The perfect combination. My favourite season is here and I intend to soak it all up.

This summer check-list will start me on my way.

I'm going to make some of these for the many picnics we have at the lake.

And while I'm at it, I might as well make a big pitcher of this to bring with us.

Want pickled carrots in a hurry? Try this recipe. (I tried them for the first time and love them).

Soft. Pretzel. Buns.

I absolutely adore these and will be making a bouquet of them for myself.

Don't forget to Say Yes!

I'm not looking for work right now but it is always a good idea to keep your resume up to date. These ones are eye-catching and fun while still remaining professional.

Browse the Sunday Links archives here.

Where do you Find the Time?

When everyone says "I don't know how you find the time to do everything you do", I don't always have a great response. But the other day while driving home I was thinking about that statement and I recorded my answer.  So here it is.

Well I make time for it, but most times it is at the expense of other things, whether it be spending time with my husband or with my kids or doing the laundry. But let's be honest, most time the laundry loses the attention battle when I'm really into one of my projects.

So that's just it, you can't do it all. But you have to pick what you want to do and that is where a lot of people come from when they're saying, "I don't know how you do it all". They're putting the items on their to do list that really aren't that fun and that they don't want to do first and then they don't have time for the things that fill up their cup.

But for me, I'm okay with leaving the things like the laundry and the dishes. Sometimes I do feel guilty if my boys want to play and I'm in the middle of something that is inspiring me and I say no to them. What I do to balance this out is that I make time for them a bit later. This helps them learn as well that I have passions and goals and it encourages them to entertain themselves (an important skill for kids as they get older - my boys are 12, 8 & 6). I love myself enough to make sure I'm happy and when I do that, my time with the boys is even more fulfilling  because they get a better me.

What do you think? Do you get this statement a lot, or perhaps do you say it to others? What can you do to balance your life and fill up your cup?

Sunday Links No. 21 - PSE Tutorial, Cornbread Muffins & Summer Challenges

A very Happy Father's Day to all of you dad's out there! I hope you are spoiled with lots of love and attention.

I am starting off our Father's Day celebration with these muffins. Jeremy mentioned cornbread muffins about a month ago and I filed it away for today.

I am absolutely horrible at styling my hair. It is either down or in a pony tail. I saw this tutorial and gave it a shot. My hair has been sporting a side French braid all week!

This idea! My shop is going to be full of hats this winter and I am going to jazz them up with embroidery!

When I did my photo booth for the boys' school it was so hard to get the background sheet wrinkle-free. Now I won't sweat it with this Photoshop Elements tutorial.

I am going to print these out today and get everyone to fill-in their Summer Challenges! Stay tuned for mine later this week.

Horrible Adorables. Enough said.

Looking for more links? Check these out!