I've been silent lately. I just haven't been making the time to write. I have so much to update you on..but first I have to write about the unspeakable tragedy that occurred not even a week ago in Newtown, Conn.

I cannot comprehend how something like this can even happen....how ill and misguided a person would have to be to senseless slaughter babies....yes the children were 6-7 years old but they are sombody's babies. I can not help but cry and tear up when I think of the heartbreak of the families of the children and of the teachers who tried to protect them.  During the holiday season, the family traditions and the excitement that comes along with it makes their loss that much harder to bear. I have been holding my own babies a little tighter as this was a sharp reminder that happiness is not guaranteed and that at any moment, the love and life we sometimes take for granted can be taken from us without any notice. In all the hustle and bustle of the season I challenge each and every one of you to take a moment to reflect on your blessings, hug your children and make sure that the people in your life know that you love them.



A photographer posted this on Facebook....I did not get the name but as soon as
I find it again I will give appropriate credit.

 Remember these children and teachers, keep them and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Daniel Barden, 7

Rachel Davino, 29

Olivia Engel, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Dawn Hochsprung, 47

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

Nancy Lanza

Jesse Lewis, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

Emilie Parker, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Lauren Rousseau, 30

Mary Sherlach, 56

Victoria Soto, 27

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison Wyatt, 6

What is the world coming too? How do we protect our children yet not make them fearful of everyone and everything? You do the best you can to raise respectful, independent and loving people. You do everything you can to protect them and teach them and you pray that they will turn out okay. That life will be okay.

It isn't just the gun control system that needs to be looked at, but the health care system as well. Fewer guns would no doubt be helpful, but what would be most helpful is better access to mental health programs and more resources. The shooter was also someone's child, Nancy Lanza's child, and because he took her life as well as his own, we will never know what truly drove him to commit such an unspeakable act. Violence against the innocent and those who cannot protect themselves is possible the worst crime of all.

The Pumpkin patch

I don`t like to be cold and even when fall moves in and the chill comes with it, I put off turning on the heat for as long as humanly possible. Somehow turning the dial on the thermostat is almost like admitting that winter is coming and that I am completely unprepared for the snow. This past Saturday morning I had to turn the dial...and let me tell you I could just hear the money burning in my furnace! (The price of oil these days is a bit nuts.)

The good thing about the crisp air is that it mean the holiday season drought is over and it is time to get festive. Just a week ago we celebrated Thanksgiving and we pulled out the sweaters and shoes that cover our toes and made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.

We had a great time at Dill`s Pumpkin Patch and we came home and broke out Ghoasty (the inflatable ghost that Austin named two years ago) and decorated the front steps with our pumpkin haul. Austin had wanted to bring home the 883lb pumpkin but, unfortunately, it wouldn`t fit in the car. I think it would have made the perfect fall decoration for the front yard...I could have used it to cover my poor neglected garden!

Thanks to our trip to Windsor, I was in the mood to decorate for fall so our front entry way now looks like this:

 

and I`m working on something for the basement.

 

 

I may dread flicking that dial, but it does bring good things....now if only I can figure out how to bring home that massive pumpkin...

 



Four

I can still remember every moment of the day he was born. From the early morning call to the hospital to find out if they could take us, to the four attempts to move me from the recovery room up to the 5th floor. The most important thing I remember is the moment I changed. The moment they place my swaddled bundle next to my head and I breathed him in, the moment I became a mother.

I get to be mom to my crazy, smart, amazing little guy and his fourth birthday was something to celebrate! He wanted a Mario party even though I had been Pinning and planning a superhero party and so Mario was what he got! I started looking through Pinterest for ideas and found some awesome inspiration and some great printables. I took a day off work to get things done and with the help of Gordon and Shelley, we pulled it off. Austin was thrilled and told me that he loved it...and that is why I do the crazy birthday party thing....

We had Mario inspired cookies:

Snickerdoodles (hand shaped into the Toad)

Stars and Yoshi eggs are sugar cookies decorated with royal icing

Printables for the cupcakes, juice boxes and water bottles can be found here

Gordon made three Mario `Karts` out of boxes and set up a course in the back yard. The kids took turns with the karts but that didn`t stop them from all running at the same time! They each got a mushroom coin purse and won gold coins every time they raced.

  

Then while the parents warmed up with coffee and devoured the nacho dip, the kids ate cupcakes and opened gifts.

 

 

Any day that involves my boy looking that happy is a day that is worthwhile.



Happy Birthday Austin Walter Paul!!

 

 

 

 

Freezer Cooking

This week was rotten… it was wet, muggy and dreary. The weather had me feeling down and out by the end of the day and it is all I could do to manage to get home at the end of the day, let alone cook! So as a result my kids ate out way more than I wanted them to and we spend way more on food that what was in the budget. Weight Watchers is not going well with all this eating out and frankly, we could use the money for better things like a trio to Disney and potential shopping trip to the states for mama and her lady friends!  So on Saturday I planned, shopped and cooked. Just over $200 and 4 hours later my freezer was stuffed with 25 meals and all but two are slow cooker meals. I spent a few minutes meal planning using Eat at Home, My Baking Addiction, Martha Stewart and my own recipe box and then edited my grocery list. Can I just say how much I love Ziplist? All I had to do was add the recipes to my recipe box and then add to my list. Once I had everything decided on, I edited the list to remove everything that I already had and combined ingredients. Made shopping SO MUCH EASIER! Oh and I also love my Food Saver...you need one if you learned to cook from a Newfoundlander and have no idea how to cook for less than 12 people at a time...

This is what 18 meals vacuum sealed and ready for the freezer looks like! (I made more on Sunday)

Here’s what I made:

• Stew- divide root veggies and your favorite seasoning between bags (I made three) and stew meat vacuum seal and you’re done. (add broth on cook day)
• Roast- one roast went in a bag with potatoes and carrots, one went in a bag by itself. Divide a package of reduced sodium onion soup mix between the bags (or use one eat) and salt and pepper, seal and done!
• Chicken stir fry (add sauce when you get home and serve over rice)
• Chicken Shwarma
• Veggie enchiladas (I used 8oz fresh baby spinach, chopped, 14oz fresh peaches and cream corn, and part skim mozza cheese. I added some chili pepper and a dash of cayenne to kick up the spice)
• Pork and apples (this will be my first attempt at these in the slow cooker...everyone but the rice and nuts are in the pool...I hope it turns out!)
• Slow cooker lasagna
• Pumpkin spice muffins (I made half the recipe- used 1 egg, 2 egg whites, 0.5 cups splenda brown sugar baking blend and 0.5 cup sugar. I added 0.5 cups of applesauce and did not increase the oil- perfect little muffins!)
• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Apple pear crisp
• Pumpkin brownies* (no frosting on ours)
• Triple chocolate chip cookies* (I added 1 cup oatmeal, used 1/2 whole wheat flour and threw in whatever chocolate chips we had kicking around!)

{*These were made and frozen to give me a head start on Super Mario’s birthday party…Oh Pinterest will have me drove with that child’s dreams and wishes for his party…so my own fault but I don’t think there will be a 6ft lego Mario at his party…much to the little man’s chagrin! Maybe searching Pinterest for Mario party ideas while he's on my lap wasn't the best idea I ever had!}

So I was exhausted but I figure at about $8.50 a meal for the four of us I did pretty good. I just need to add some fresh veggies with each meal and a way we go! I still have a ham and rice dish to make but I ran out of steam. Maybe I'll just make that for supper tomorrow...tonight we're having Veggie enchiladas and no dishes to clean!

I just figured out another good thing about this...I took a Sharpie and wrote what it was, how to cook it and what to add. So in the event I am not around to throw something in the slow cooker G should be able to do it no problem and my kids will eat something other than scrambled eggs and toast (I appreciate that you feed them honey!)

Time to let go

I admit that I blinked and the whole summer was gone. I tried to make sure that we got plenty of family time in and that we went on the appropriate number of beach trips but it wasn't enough.

I am not ready for Fall. In a desperate attempt to hold onto summer, Saturday night I invited a few friends over for a campfire thinking that the glow of a fire, warmth of friends and to goodness of a s'more or two would keep the inevitable from happening. Instead of a warm night and a long smoldering campfire, we got eaten alive by mosquitoes, roasted a few marshmallows so that the kids were momentarily distracted from pleading to play Mariokart Double Dash and at 8:04pm it began to rain (and I am very publicly admitting that Jeff was right...it was going to rain at 8pm... I told him he was crazy).

So this morning, after a night of downpours, thunder and lightning, I gave it up and decided to embrace fall. I made pumpkin pancakes for breakfast (so delish and only 2wwpp each) packed the kids up and headed to the corn maze at the Masstown Market. What a great time! They had play structures, bouncy obstacle courses and a bouncy pillow that were all adult friendly so we got to actually bounce along with the kids. I think the Dads had a bit more fun with the pillow than the kids did!

 

 

The corn maze was a hoot and the kids ran through the paths looking for letters and punching their cards. I was amazed we didn't really get lost but we did have a Navy man and a transportation expert leading the way.

 

 

And then we played for another bit before heading over to the market. I got a whole weeks worth of produce (and then some) for under $60! I have our menu plan done and tomorrow night will be cooking time. Lots of fall veggies and fruit this week.

So as much as I hate for summer to be over, I guess Fall isn't such a bad thing...Next weekend we plan on going apple picking and out for a cruise on Theodore tugboat while the weather is still decent. I did come home and move all the summer clothes out into the bottom drawers for next year (yes I buy seasonal clothes a little big for one year and they are the perfect fit the next...got to make the most of my resources!) and made sure the fall clothes was in easy reach. Maybe the change of season will be good for us....I guess I'll have to let go of summer to find out.

A lady like no other

Today is a very sad day for the Halifax community. Personally I would extend that and say for the Canadian community. We have lost a true philanthropic hero with the passing of Ruth Goldbloom.

Picture from the IWK Foundation Telethon 2010..I love this lady's smile!

I met Ruth back in 2004 and I was instantly drawn into her charasmatic personality. She had a smile that lit up the room and immediately welcomed you in. Even if she didn't know you, you would always feel like you had an immediate friend when you were around her. My interaction with her was brief during Telethon, but I was left with a deep impression of her passion for the IWK and for the people who were part of that community.

When I returned to the IWK Foundation a few years later, I had the great privilege to get to know Ruth and her husband Dr. Richard Goldbloom much better. Through coordinating meetings with Richard and Pier 21 business with Ruth, I felt an instant fondness for these two individuals who clearly loved each other, their family and friends, their community and were passionate advocates for charities and causes that made the world a better place to be.

Ruth quickly knew my name and greeted me with a smile, warm hand shake and the occasional hug when our paths would cross. I spoke with her on the phone very often and she would always ask about my life, my family and about my work with Robbie Shaw. I felt that I was important to her and that I mattered to her. Clearly it is this warmth, charm and love that drew people to Ruth. She picked a cause and devoted herself to it and was successful in increasing awareness about many an issue. Ruth was one of, if not the most, successful fundraisers in our community. But first and foremost she was a wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

I was at work today when I received the news. My heart immediately ached for her family and friends. Ruth and Richard were an incredible example of love and devotion. She and Richard were true friends to those in their close knit circle and would do anything for anyone. Oddly enough, I now work at Dal were Ruth and Richard are both former Chancellors. Both the IWK and Dalhousie Communities will deeply feel this loss.

Ruth, thank you for your shinning example of being a leader with a kind heart. You have touched so many of us in ways you do not even know. I have learned a great deal from you and your wonderful family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and those who are left behind. This world is a better place because you had a vision that it could be. I can only hope that we are able to do your legacy the justice that it deserves.

Please consider making a donation to one of her beloved charities in her memory:

Pier 21 Society

IWK Health Centre Foundation

Home

When I graduated from MSVU, I was deliriously in love with my very handsome boyfriend and decided that I would keep my place in Halifax and look for a job in the city. I wasn't sure where my relationship with said boyfriend was going but I was happy and wanted to stay that way.

Fast forward 2 months and I was working for Marine Atlantic and spending one week off in Halifax and one week off in Corner Brook. It was hard and I didn't really like dividing my time. Then boyfriend got down on one knee and tried to be all poetic telling me about love and life, and I was blinded by the diamond ring that the sun was making about 5 times brighter than it looks in the shade. After several "Oh my God"s and a few "Really?"s I gasped out a yes and thus began my love/hate relationship with the word Home.

I love my husband and don't regret moving to the mainland to be with him. I have a good job, great friends, a nice house and a large selection of activities and destinations to keep us busy. But sometimes, a lot of times since Amelia arrived, I really miss home. It was hard not being able to have my family be present on a daily basis for my kids and for me. Don't get me wrong, Skype is wonderful and this blog and Facebook have kept everyone up to date, but it isn't the same as being there.
I would love nothing more than to be able to call my family and get together for impromptu gatherings at a moments notice. 8 days and we will get two glorious weeks with Nanny and Poppy and not long after Aunt Janice and Jordan will join the mix. Thanks to Ashley's boyfriend getting down on one knee we'll get some over the top family time and I cannot wait!

Home is where your family is...

Photo: eighteen25

Sew Mama Sew!

A² Designs has been doing amazing! I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive and who has purchased my designs. I've been trying to find my groove and once the littles are in bed, the sound of the house changes. The shift from laughter, squeals, screams and running feet to the humming of the sewing machine. And here is what has been coming together!

Peasant tops

Pillowcase dresses and coordinating ties for the boys!

Peasant dresses

Shirred Twirly dresses

The Rainbow Collection

Time to monkey around!

Pillowcase tops



Sew much more is on the way (hee hee hee)!

Stayed tuned to see what A² Designs has in store! Available now at Grasshopper Kids Creations.

The Quiet Changes in a Chair

It's a warm summer evening and as I sat in Amelia's room watching her settle into sleep I can't help but think of how much has changed since the first time a rocked a baby in this very chair.

Austin needed to be rocked. And I remember spending hours rocking him in the wee hours of the morning, falling sleep in the rocker and waking up much later with a sleeping baby cuddled in my arms and a sore neck. I sat and rocked for hours and hours and sang to my boy, breathing in his sweet baby smell.

Just over a year ago, Amelia's colic started and I spent so much time walking my little around the house and in the neighbourhood to keep her calm. While the rocking chair would do when I just couldn't stand any more, it was not her favorite place. Constant motion and bouncing was what she craved, what she needed to settle her down. I walked and walked, inhaling the sweet smell of the top of her head while her crazy hair stood on end, singing folk songs, old and new favorites and, for some reason, the Ode to Newfoundland. Something about that song soothed her, and her cries would soften and sometimes, if I was really lucky, they would stop all together and Amelia would finally drift off to sleep.

Amelia now sleeps in the very same crib that Austin did and every now and then I get to rock her in in same rocker that I rocked Austin. And now the hours of walking and rocking have been replaced with bubbles and baths, stories and nights of sweet dreams. And while we still have the occasional midnight wakening, our nights are mostly quiet and I find myself missing the rocking and walking. I wished away some of those moments, when sleep had eluded me for far too long and the cries tore at my heart. And now when the curtains are closed and the littles are asleep I remember those nights that were not so silent and actually wish for those moments that I rushed through back. Crazy I know...

In just a few months, the same rocker will find a new home and rock my cousin's new little and give a tired mama a resting place to nurse, cuddle and soothe. I'm so thrilled for my dear friend. I would never have made it through the sleepless days with Austin (or some days managed a shower) without her time. Andrea sat in my hospital room with me the day after Amelia was born and stayed for hours snuggling my baby, knowing I needed her there. Knowing that the same chair that rocked Austin and that gave Amelia motion and my weary feet a rest will rock their cousin makes me happy.

Rock on baby, rock on...

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl

Better late than never! I had a really hard time selecting pictures and making this fit to one song. So here you are....I hope she bring some beauty to your world be ause she brings so much to ours.

Photo creds: Andrea Heard, Sue Siri Photography, Nancy Snow Photography & the Mamarazzi

Remember me?

I'm back to work full time and my writing has suffered. I feel guilty that I don't take the time to sit and write and share our lives these days. It's summer and I am desperately trying to spend as much time with my littles as possible in the evening and weekends and once they are safely tucked in bed, I sit and sew my creations to fill the orders as timely as I can.

The summer days are flying by. It's been hot and we've had wonderful adventures.

Enjoying showers and rainbows at Bedford Days

Saturday mornings at the market

a trip to the Fire Station down the street

We're gearing up for our first mini vacation in just a few days. We're heading to PEI to enjoy beaches, golf (for the men) and good friends. I'm thankful that we still have time to enjoy the summer and while the days are anything but lazy they are filled with love, laughter and memories!

Happy Birthday Amelia!

Amelia had a wonderful first birthday party. We were so lucky to be joined by our NS family and friends. Her Godparents (Laura and Dan) and little cousin Sarah made a trip down from NB to be here with us. Our Official Family photog, Andrea captured these great shots.  Austin refused to cooperate so he's not in these but no worries...we've taken more!

What?! June's over?!!

I can't believe that it is Canada Day weekend.

This past month has flown by in a blurr and I feel like I've been so busy that I'm not sure I've managed to capture every moment possible. Adjusting to the new normal hasn't been as hard as I thought it would in some respects. We've fallen into a relaxing routine that goes a little something like this:

12:05am- Amelia wakes up
12:07am- Baby still crying...stumble in dark, pick her up, bring her to bed
12:10am-5:29am- toss and turn, trying to keep from rolling over on Amelia
5:30am- alarm goes off. I smack G in the head just like a snooze button
5:31am- Snooze button doesn't work (what a surprise) G gets up
6:00am- G nags at me to get up
6:10-7:25am- Passes in a blur, comforters wrestle as I get Oz up, little socks, shirts, shorts and cloth diapers fly through the air and somehow we all manage to get to the car, looking somewhat presentable, and head to the Elly Day Care

At 7:30am I drop my babies off and pull myself away to head into the city. I think that is the hardest part of my day...Amelia is up in my friend's arms and blowing slobbery kisses at me. I try to make my goodbye short because I just make it worse the longer I stay. So with one last hug and kiss from each little, I get in our car and focus...on getting coffee...seriously I envy those who do not depend on that steaming hot cup of java to start the day...

Once I'm at the office I hit the ground running and the days are flying by. (There is so much to do and if June is any indication, September will be here way before I want it to be.) Then 4-5pm comes and I'm flying back to my littles. The evening is full of feeding, washing, reading, tucking the littles in and then sitting down to the sewing machine, giving up and going to bed when my eyes start to see crocked.

And here it is Friday night. I'm finally getting a chance to write and feed my pinterest addiction. I've got some great things planned for this weekend and I can't wait to spend 3 full days with G, A1 and A2 and a great group of friends. I'll catch up with pictures, videos and fun stories... Here's a little something to keep you interested!

A little Newfie party to get things started

Are you still here??? Have I lost you?

I know its been awhile. I've allowed my littles and the need to make memories and messes take over my life and I haven't made much time to write. More so because if I write the words that means that time is passing and my littles are getting older. Well since I can't stop that from happening I should share the most recent milestone. We're celebrated Amelia's first birthday with family and friends in Newfoundland!

The sun was shinning, the babies were smiling and the air was full of laughter. Even though a number of folks were picked off by the flu that is going around, we still had a great time.

Playing with Sarah's Sophie

Time for presents!

Sarah's gorgeous eyes!

Momma's girl!

Looking like her big brother

Soon it was time for cake and Amelia did not disappoint. She was so funny, not sure if she should touch the cupcake or eat it but then...

No one's taking this from me....quick get it all in there!

For real? I can have this??

Big brother sharing in the fun

Hard to believe that in less than 2 weeks we'll do this all over again and then she will actually be one!