Pretty things

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So I was at the doctor's office today. It just so happens it is in a mini, indoor mall. So, obviously, I had to have a bit of a looksie around. There is a gorgeous flower shop at this mall (it's actually the only gorgeous thing in this mall). I saw me some pretty jute wrapped jars, and I want them!!! However, I know darn well that I can just make them myself, so I shouldn't pay the mark up to just have them instantly. Sometimes I just want things instantly. You know what I mean?? I know you do.

To Blog or not to Blog..............

How do you like my Googly Eyed Boy??? We are getting ready to go to a Fred Eaglesmith Event!! Do you know of Fred Eaglesmith? You can check out his site here http://www.fredeaglesmith.com/ He has the most interesting story telling songs ever! Not only that, but he does comedy right along with the whole show. I have been to a few and it is just fun!!! We are taking our kids this time. Thus..........the goggles. Fred usually has goggles on his top hat...........he's fun like that. My son is getting ready to go to his first concert!! There is so much more I could tell you about Fred............but, you can just check out the site and see it. I don't know him personally.......just a fan.

I know................I have been away................a long, long time. I am trying to pull myself back together again. Wondering............do I have anything really worth sharing..............worth reading??? If I take the time to do it right.............I really do, and it could be quite fun.............but........with all the kids running around, I am constantly interrupted and end up wondering where my priorities are. Anyway, I will mull all this over, in the meantime, I am being interrupted, it is soccer playoffs and my son wants a big snack before he goes out there and expends all his energy!!!

Ripley's Aquarium

The kids were thrilled with a morning at the Ripley's Aquarium! Thrilled and scared !! The sharks and the stingrays were an absolute favourite! I thought the unique seahorses were the most interesting!! This afternoon entails a trip to the ocean, a seashell hunt, and then a hot tub warm up for me. Only 58 degrees here today..............just not quite warm enough.

Well, it was a chilly start........but this afternoon we are heading for the outdoor pool. Bought some awesome Easter candy. Bought some treats we don't have in Canada. Just enjoying the cool surroundings. I may or may not talk about the vodka deals.............depends if I remember or not. Sheesh!  Off to the water park right now, and a little ping pong tourney.

On Vacation!!

We made it..............Travel was smooth sailing until we crossed into the USA. Michigan, not bad at all, Ohio, boring but not eventful..........then West Virginia..........UGH, the winding, winding roads, in the dead of night, with heavy, heavy snow squalls!! Awful!! The 16 hour drive took 19...........but, we made it. So far, the kids have seen palm trees, Cole has been thrilled with the look of American money, he thought we were kidding him...........thought it wasn't for real. Now we are in our condo for the night. It is lovely. Can't wait to put them to bed so I can pass out!! The real adventure shall begin tomorrow.

An Unpleasant Realization

Here she is..........Miss Sadie................In the top photo, she is sporting her "rag a muffin" look. I put an end to this look this week, I took her and her brother for haircuts! Quite cute they are!!

 Now for the bad news.............Last week I found out that I had missed Junior Kindergarten sign up. No big deal, I called in and just took her over to the school and filled out all the forms and Sadie is set to go for September 2013. Easy as pie. I am not one of those moms who sobs at the house after a child starts school, it just doesn't bother me, it's the way life is suppose to go along.
  Next, Sunday comes along.......... off to Sunday school we go. River's kindergarten teacher happens to attend the same church as we do. I bump into her in the foyer and mention to her that I am sorry that I missed the sign up for kindergarten, but that Sadie is now good to go. Here it is folks, the life changer................ Teacher replies " Oh that is great. We haven't been pushing the sign up this year as most parents do not want to send them all day everyday". What? What did she say to me? All day, Everyday???? Um, pardon? Teacher " Yes, this is the first year that all the junior and senior kindergartens will go all day, everyday instead of the every other day schedule."

You must understand, I am a mom to 9 kids..............I have not had an empty house, during the daytime (or any other time actually) in over 25 years. What will I do?

Oh dear, now I may shed a tear.

M is for Modcloth....My new Obsession!!

You know when you see IT.......and you know that you must, must have IT..............That is just how I felt when I saw these boots on the Modcloth website, they were a must have item for me. I totally love them. Of course, they are one of those items that you can not wear everyday, they are just too big a statement, but, I want to wear them every single day!!! In my part of the world, there is about 2 feet of snow on the ground, a bit more really. I see my lovely neighbour out there right now, snowplowing our lane for us, while the snow is still falling. This sweater and boots are my ray of sunshine, glinting against the snow. A Cheery Day to You!!

Procrastinating............That is what I am doing................my procrastination  makes Sadie very happy. I am suppose to be sewing.............there are many, many items cut. Everything from little doll clothing up to clothing for my "little doll". However, I'm just not in the mood. But, I can't just sit and read a book.........why not??? Well..........my mother-in-law decided to pay us a visit.............she thought 9 days sounded good......anyway, I can't have her going back to her home and telling all the other relatives that I am a lazy butt and just sit around reading and typing on my computer. So....I have been "playing" with Sadie instead. Sadie  couldn't have been more pleased.........

Little Bit of Help Here.......

Dear Lord... 

So far today, I am doing all right. 
I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self indulgent. 
I have not whined, yelled, cursed, or eaten any chocolate.
 I have been patient, loving and kind.
I have not charged anything on my credit card. 

However, I am going to get out of bed in a few minutes, and I will need a lot more help after that. 

Amen.

A Little Love For Frosty

Remember your favourite holiday shows? Was Frosty the Snowman one of them? This photo was taken last winter. Sadie was 2. I would pop frosty in and then I would go get dressed or put a load of laundry in. He was (and still is) capable of holding her attention for the whole show. However, as you can see, she could not get close enough to her dear, cold friend. When I would leave the room she would hop right up on the table to be with him. What are your holiday faves?

Frustrations lead to Happy Memories....Sometimes....

Thankfully this is one of those times that the frustration does lead to a happy memory................
You moms out there.....with school age children..............will likely know exactly what I am talking about........I am sorry if you instantly feel stressed and annoyed when I mention the word "homework". Not only is this a stressful thing in and of itself........but.....add to this the broken pencil. Yes, you read me right..........the broken pencil and let's just add, for frustration sake, that the eraser is also non existent on the end of the pencil. Of course, there are no pencil sharpeners around, the boys look at me like they do not even know what I could possibly be talking about.......a pencil sharpener? What? They, honestly, just stare at me blankly.

Blood starts to boil right about NOW.

This happens at least 3 times a week. Now, do not think that I do not have pencil sharpeners, because I do. But, each time I give them one, it somehow disappears, or it just plain does not work.

Here comes the happy part. Last week I was wading through another cupboard filled with "stuff". We call these the cupboards of death. Why? Because as soon as you open them everything falls out and you drown in the "stuff". I have a few of these.....tupperware anyone?
Anyhow, in this cupboard I found the old telephone pencil sharpener from my grandparents home. It hung on the wall in my Nana's kitchen. They did not have a lot of toys for us at their house, but I played with this endlessly. As you can see, on the one side there is the piece that you can put up to your ear and pretend you are having a real conversation. Side note: this must have been when I first started talking to myself...........
Anyway, I have had this sharpener for years now, it is truly vintage. It even has a removable tray for the "shavings". Guess what? Unlike my vintage NUT post, this one actually works.........and works well.
This one shall be hard for them to lose............as i am screwing it to the wall this afternoon!!! One less headache come homework time!

I'm "MISS DECEMBER" !!!

WHOOT WHOOT!!

Sarah, from Journeys of the Zoo, asked me if I would like to be her December Feature!!

I prefer to think I am "Miss December"

I, of course, was so excited. Sarah thinks I must not get out much..............

Anyhow, you may or may not have noticed that I have not been posting much this week.......we have been fighting the flu and other ailments ..................sorry for that..........you have no idea how sorry I really am..............trade places anyone???

Come visit me at Journeys of the Zoo and check out all that Sarah has to offer!! She is amazing at keeping up with all the latest and greatest giveaways...............check it out............she'll even link yours up!!

You Can Always Use One More Cupboard!!

Finally it is completed!! I say finally because it is one of those things that needed to be made and put in place 2 years ago. However, it remained in my head up until a couple of weeks ago. You see, my stove is meant to be a built in gas range..................but, when we moved here, there was no place for a built in appliance. So, it just looked unfinished. And be all observations one would think this did not bother me.....................but it really, really did. Still I delayed in getting the measurements to my dad..........he's the carpenter you see. But, I finally did and after lots of measuring and re measuring and phone calls back and forth.............it arrived! Then it was my turn!! I am the finisher...........not the cabinet maker...............Some paint here and there, a vintage knob, some chalkboard paint and voila!
The kids have a wonderful place to draw and leave notes for Santa............

Cyber Sale at Sadieloohoo!!

Two new "big dolls" have been added to the shop this week!! Lucy and Bonnie are their names and they come with their own little "non shedding" pets.
Sadieloohoo is having a sale this week. Use Code cybersale15 to receive 15% off your purchase!!

Sometimes You Just Need Comfort Food

I grew up in a home of "homemade" cooking............seriously, my mom even baked loaves of bread. I was one of those kids who took the homemade cookies and muffins to school and traded them with the "lucky" kids who got vachon, or those mini packs of raisins. I grew to be quite proud of all the things my mom could bake, cakes she could decorate and all the other yummy things. On the walk home from school, as we got close to my house, we could smell the cookies baking and my friends would want to come play at my house.
There was one thing that my mom made that was not so "healthy".............turns out it is my favourite meal. I would request it on my birthdays. It is so simple and so yummy. It's homemade macaroni and cheese, where the cheese is Cheese Whiz!!!
Here's how you make it:
Cook up a pot of noodles ( I usually do 2 cups of raw macaroni noodles)
one small chopped up onion
half a jar of cheese whiz
a half can of diced tomatoes
the other half of the can of diced tomatoes you blend up
salt and pepper
Add all the ingredients to a pot and heat slowly on the stovetop so the onions go soft. Maybe half an hour.
Or, you can cook it in the oven at 350 degrees for an hour.

On a side note, I grew up to be that mom that sends homemade goodies in the kids lunch everyday. When we moved away, all the kids I used to look after, told their moms how much they missed the dough balls and cookies that I would make for them. What goes around comes around.

Thankful for Parents and their Skills!!

My dad came by this weekend! He had made a cabinet for beside my stove. In my old house, the stove was a built in gas range.............however, when we moved, there was no "built in" area for the stove, so............it's just been sitting there with one side unfinished. Dad worked long and hard and came up with a lovely cabinet to make the stove appear "built in".  I will show pictures of it after I have finished the things I need to do to it!! Thanks Dad!!!
My mom sent a few treaties along with dad..............YAY!!! First is a lovely brown bag filled with spice cookies. Everyone enjoys these. They are in a lovely glass covered dish............so I can hear when the boys are trying to sneak them!!
Next is a lovely crochet yoke. I found the pattern on etsy and knew that I had lovely material to go with the yoke. However, I do not crochet right now........in comes my moms expertise. She crocheted this up in a day and sent it over too. I added the paris fabric to it this afternoon and now Sadie has a lovely new dress. Thanks Mom!!

I've Been Farming???

Let me start by saying that it is a hectic week here. Two of my sons have birthdays this week. So many cakes and meals and one party must be planned and executed. Dinner and gift giving number one was tonight. Spencer turned 15. Yay him...............he can now be hired by McDonald's !!! Whoot , Whoot. River turns 5 tomorrow............5.........what...........not happy about that...well he is happy...me, not so much. He is having his first "friend" party. Oh the cakes have been baked, the prizes wrapped and the treats bags are ready...........I' sure there is fun to be had!! Now to the important matters at hand.....
So, I've mentioned that we bought this fun, yellow brick house, out in the country. It used to be a chicken farm. It hasn't been for many years now.....Many people in our house are "gamers". This happens when there are pre-teens and teens going on................and they are all boys. I am not a gamer. Many years ago, my parents bought one of the first home computers..............a VIC 20............oh yes they did!!!! I became a pro.......learned every screen...........could beat every game. It is terribly addictive. Last week my husband brought Farm of Dreams into my world.....I resisted...........yes I did.............In a weak moment I played screen one................I am on screen 48 now..............good luck resisting...........Farm of Dreams

Teaming up With Jellibean Journals with a Giveaway!!

Jelli from Jellibean Journals recently contacted me and we decided to team up and do a little giveaway! You can win this sweet peasant top from Sadieloohoo! Just go to Jellibean Journals to check out the requirements.
1. Check out Sadieloohoo and leave a comment telling what your favourite item is in the shop.
2. Follow Sadieloohoo blog via gfc.
3. Follow Jellibean Journals via email.

The peasant top that is up for grabs is available in sizes 18 months to size 6. Ends November 16, 2012.
Good Luck!!

Dear Santa Project

I saw the pattern for this penny rug in a sweet quilt shop and  knew I had to make it. There are many children in our home, thus many things that they need to "explain". I often find myself saying "now why did you do that" or "what on earth are you doing". The answers I receive are like this "I don't know" or "what do you mean mom" or "I'm not doing anything". Since they can't explain their craziness to me, I doubt they would be able to explain it to Santa...............But it is a cute project to stitch up!

More Chalkboard Paint..............

Chalkboard Coasters!!

Buy What?

Buy natural stone tiles at Rona

Buy Martha Stewart Chalkboard Paint

Buy Corkboard

How To?

Paint the tiles with the paint, sides and tops

Do two coats, 2 hours between coats

Cut cork to fit backs and adhere.

Wrap with jute and a piece of chalk.

DONE

Makes an awesome hostess gift!!