just percolating...
A few months ago, our neighbour had a large appliance delivered. The big cardboard box that it came in was brought out for all the kids on the street to play with. Despite having a garage full of fancy ride-on toys and other delights of suburbia, the kids just never tired of the cardboard box! I suppose then that it's no surprise that my kids were so intrigued when the "My Pretty Playhouse" arrived to our house. This playhouse is produced by … [Read more...]
When we moved into this house, we'd promised Stella that we'd decorate her room right away. She was feeling upset about leaving our old home and neighbourhood and we thought that a special room of her own would help. We followed through on that promise and her room is pretty darn cute, if I say so myself. But for Max, a toddler with no real emotional ties to the old house, we simply plunked his existing furniture into the new bedroom. We … [Read more...]
This time last year, I had already completed two whirlwind trips to Toronto as well as a more lengthy stay in New York City, followed by a huge family dinner and celebration. Yep, remember Month of Me? I really lived it up, and enjoyed every minute of it. Last night, Hubby asked what I was going to do for my birthday this year. The answer? Not much. I've booked a vacation day off at work and I think I will sit around and blog and drink coffee … [Read more...]
Unlike every "reality" television show, I have concluded that unless you are extremely well-heeled, creating a home in a decor that you love takes a very long time. In our old home, I never bothered because we had always planned to reno the place and I didn't want to invest in something only to find it didn't work after the reno. But now, Hubby and I are in agreement that with this home, we will take the time to invest and surround ourselves with … [Read more...]
No, I'm not talking about the Christmas decor slowly seeping into the malls ... I'm talking NOW. Autumn. Fall. And more specifically, October. It is THE most wonderful time of the year. I've always loved the Fall. As a child, this was easy to explain -- it is my birthday after all. As I got older, there was a birthday plus the family gathering of Canadian Thanksgiving. But there's also the crispness that comes in the air. That feeling of … [Read more...]
Today, Hubby is 40. Unlike moi, he does not seem to be suffering any kind of middle aged crisis requiring a month-long celebration nor any angst about aging. I think that means that he's perfectly content ... he's happy. And that makes me happy. Because I love him more than anything. So for this Friday's music video inspiration, I've picked The Cure's "Lovesong." The lyrics seem just right for the occasion, even if the video makes me wonder … [Read more...]
I've been making my way through Adria Vasil's book Ecoholic Body. In it, she quickly identifies what she refers to as 'Ecoholic's Mean 15: Top Body Care Ingredients to Shelve for Good." This is fine and dandy as a list, but as I noted in my post last week, I simply don't want to have to spend the time reading all the ingredients and cross-checking them against Ecoholic's Mean 15. That's why a store like Terra20 is very appealing to me. You … [Read more...]
This Friday's music video is dedicated to the Dads who read here. But I'm sending out happy weekend vibes to all of you! P.S. That long string one of the guys wears to avoid losing his sunglasses? Hubby wears one of those. Hawt. … [Read more...]
When we had a family gathering a little while back, I got inspired to try a couple of vignettes with some flowers that had been given to me. They didn't turn out terrific, but I really enjoy doing them. They are far more difficult to get "just right" than it would seem ... mostly they seem to come off over-done or amateurish. So far, I'm in the amateur category! This is the "Happy Flower" vignette in the front hall. I used a tarnished silver … [Read more...]
On Friday night, I watched a very interesting episode of CBC's Marketplace. In this season premiere, the show examined products that purported to be "green." You know the kind ... you see them everywhere nowadays -- the label includes something green or has been re-branded with a beige colour and includes words such as "natural," "non-toxic," and "biodegradable." I'm sure I've been duped countless times by these products because I want to do my … [Read more...]
So, I think it's about time I pull away from my melancholic haze and come back to some happy-happy-joy-joy. And one thing that is really making me happy these days is coming home to my art wall. An "art wall" or "gallery wall" is something I've been lusting after for ages (fellow lustees are welcome to drool at my Gallery Wall Pinterest board). Ignore the couch, coffee table, lamps, old trunk (yes, okay, that is everything in the room) ... … [Read more...]
Today, September 10th, has been dedicated to preventing suicide around the world. The intent, according to a news release issued today by Suicide Prevention Canada, is to: "Support those bereaved by suicide, remember and celebrate the lives of those who died by suicide, support those who struggle with living, and renew our commitment to helping all Canadians reconnect with their reasons to live while building lives with dignity, purpose, and … [Read more...]
It could be the constant rain today. Or because last week my son started junior kindergarten. Or that the week before that my daughter turned 10 years old. Or it could even be because Hubby turns 40 this month. Or that in the month afterwards, I turn 41. Time is slipping away on me. And for whatever the reason, it's weighing on me heavily these days. It's as if I feel the minutes ticking away more now. The time I should or could or … [Read more...]
It's been a busy summer at our house. And it will culminate this weekend with a massive family gathering. Among the guests will be my father's two brothers -- all three boys, all in one spot! It doesn't happen often because one is in Ottawa, one is in Toronto, and one is overseas in Germany. Photo taken by my grandmother of her three boys. 1961. In fact, the last time I recall seeing all three brothers together was at my grandmother's … [Read more...]
You know how when you watch Sarah Richardson (of Sarah 101 fame) she always manages to find some beautiful fabrics and have throw pillows and custom curtains made? Well, I always wonder: Is that actually a realistic option or is that just something designers can not only know how to do, but also, afford to do. In the end, I decided to find out for myself. I mean, why not, right? I'd already taken the leap into throw pillows, so I'm practically … [Read more...]
I would like to have more time alone with my husband. This weekend, I'm in luck. My in-laws are watching our kids and Hubby and I will have TWO WHOLE NIGHTS alone. I am struggling to recall the last time we had two nights alone. I think it might have been four years ago when we attended a friend's out of town wedding. But even then, it might have only been one night. I just can't remember. Do you ever manage to get time alone with your special … [Read more...]
I don't want to shock you or anything, but I've expanded my cooking repertoire beyond Bananaberry Bomb muffins to now include a quinoa salad. That keen-noa, people. Don't make the same mistake as me and go around called it key-no-ah for at least a year before figuring out that you're pronouncing it all wrong! For a while, I've been trying to sway the household into eating quinoa instead of pasta and rice, but with only limited success. … [Read more...]
I have hair issues, people. I think this is because I was spoiled by good, thick hair when I was younger -- hair that I could do anything with -- but now it will not cooperate with me at all. (Oh, woe is me, right? Trust me, I'm fully aware that this is a petty problem, but let's continue anyhow, shall we ...) So, for a long time, wearing a short pixie cut worked for me. It was super quick, but it still looked like I had a "style." Here is a … [Read more...]
Hello loverlies! I am back from my vacation out to Eastern Canada and will collect photos and notes to share with you soon. In the meantime, I was contacted a while back about a guest post sponsored by Projects Abroad, an international volunteer organization. Many young people take "gap years" these days -- I know I certainly did! In fact, in my family, three out of four of the kids chose to travel overseas after graduation: I left with a … [Read more...]
Have you been caught up in the Olympic spirit yet? Although our family doesn't really follow sports and you won't find us watching any "big game," the Olympics draw us right in! And the advertising and marketing is no different. I've shared this one on Olympics and mothers already, but have you seen this one on The Super Humans yet? I've watched this video over and over again. I love how it's gritty, and not sunshine-y. Forget Everything You … [Read more...]
Recent Comments