round'em up

Just a little Easter round up to get me through this week with a very sick little boy.

Source: piccsy.com via Krista on Pinterest

1. I can imagine Ava cuddled up reading with one of these, these or these adorable bunnies!

2. Check out these Birdʼs Nest Cookies– they look super easy and delicious.

3. Cadbury Creme Egg cupcakes! I have a sister who would just go crazy over these cupcakes from My Baking Addiction… hmm, but does she deserve them?

4. Silk tie dyed eggs, chalkboard eggs and cross-stitched eggs. Yup! All on my list!

5. Would your kids enjoy and Easter egg hunt in the dark? Check out these glow-in-the-dark eggs. GENIUS!

6. Break open the stamp pads to make these adorable fingerprint bunny and chick Easter cards. I just know that my kids are going to love making these!

I hope this short roundup gives you some crafting inspirations for this Easter. I truly am hoping to get to ALL of these projects, but let’s be realistic, we may only get as far as making and EATING the Cadbury creme cupcakes. And that is OK!

I AM the early bird!

For the first time in the history of Ava's life I have finished a dress for her prior to the night before the event she needs it for.
                  
                         I am pleased to introduce Ava in her new Easter dress!

I thought Ava standing in front of this old garage door would be artsy but instead it looks like she is standing in front of a dilapidated building (not to mention the sun in her eyes).

Professional photographer, I am not!

This is currently Ava's favourite pose.... Ava, you are the running to becoming Canada's next top model!

 I used the Oliver +S jump rope dress pattern (pdf version) and an old Tommy Hilfiger sheet that I had in my stash.  I love the way it turned out, but of course Ava felt that "it just wasn't her style".  I plan on making more of these for her whether they are her style or not because I think she looks super adorable in it. 

the real right nows

following Tanya in the "real right nows"

right now...

... I am posting without pictures because all of the pictures I took today turned out blurry without me noticing until I uploaded them....grrrr!

... I have a sink (and countertop) full of dishes and NO desire to do them...any takers?

... I am grateful to have gotten my phone fixed but am a little annoyed that the backing that the man put on my phone had a huge scratch across the lens..... hence BLURRY pictures

.... I am sunburned despite putting on sunscreen.  My children however looked sunkissed and adorable

... I am trying to figure out a cute way to take pictures of all of the bonnets that I am putting on etsy....any suggestions?  I think Anthony is getting a bit old and guido looking to pull off the bonnet model look this year.

... I am praying that my kids sleep through the night tonight

.... I am trying to figure out what kind of lunch I am going to pull together for Ava tomorrow

.... I am regretting cancelling cable

.... I am sad about the loss of my rice cooker tonight.  That is 3 appliances that have broken on me in the last 2 days....sewing machine, phone and rice cooker.  I think my luck will start to turn now...right?

...  I am going to spend an obscene amount of time on pinterest

....  I am hoping that I have a better attitude tomorrow.  I am pretty sure the kids hope so too.

....  I am wondering if we have any jujubes left downstairs

.... I am on my way downstairs to investigate ....wish me luck!

spring equinox

We welcomed spring today in the best way that we know how.  With friends, with bare feet, with snacks and all on the most delightful slice of heaven that I can imagine.... a simpler thyme organic farm.  The kids bounced, we all soaked in the sun, hiked, explored, found green little buds everywhere and just enjoyed.  Today actually felt so much like the first day of summer that the kids spent the afternoon trying on summer clothes and running around the house in ill fitting swimsuits from last year (the pictures were too much to post).  I do hope that spring weather makes an appearance and we don't just bounce into summer.  Bring on the showers, bring on the fog, the crisp days and most importantly bring on ASPARAGUS!  The kids put their heads down on their pillows tonight exhausted after a day of playing outdoors and a much needed bath.  That, I would say, is the perfect way to start off spring!

If you are interested in visiting a simpler thyme organic farm, check out  all the details along with contact information in this post over at the eclectic kitchen.  Let me know when you go...we could meet you there!

{this moment}

Joining amanda and friends in "this moment"...capturing a moment from the week that I want to cherish and hold onto.

Have a great weekend!

march madness

This week we....

:: rode this horse at the arcade a few too many times

:: until it started going out of control. Notice I chose to take pictures rather than rescue my son....shame on me!

:: went bowling

:: and looked adorable doing it

:: took advantage of the fantastic weather and went hiking

:: went to a rock concert?

:: nope... just the Toronto Zoo.  We waited 1hr 45 min just to get in

:: wrestled a komodo dragon

:: melted down

:: located the most important part of the zoo

:: really?  I don't think this needs a caption!

:: let Anthony have control of the camera for a half hour and this was the best pic of the bunch

::overdosed on jolly ranchers and NEVER got tired of taking pictures of our stained tongues

I have had so much fun this March break...can't we have just one more week?

winner winner chicken dinner

We have been going crazy in this house making our own scratch tickets.  Check out my guest post on how to create your own.  It is so easy, fun and makes you feel like you have won the lottery each time you scratch!

my two new friends

I would like to introduce you to two of my new best friends.  They are the kind of friends that you are instantly attracted to but when you get together you just know you are not going to be on your best behaviour.   They are from South Africa and were introduced to me by my friend Yvette.

Friend #1                                   KOEKSISTERS

These are like bready, sweet, syrupy, coconutty, DELISH donuts.  I am not kidding you when I tell you that Sri and I are already anticipating a huge fight for the last one....I am pretty sure I'm going to win that one.  I am going to eat this one with some warm ginger water....PERFECT!

Friend #2                                               MELKTERT

 This tart is as simple as a handmade pastry filled with custard and topped with cinnamon but let me assure you the taste is amazing.  The custard just melts in your mouth and the pastry tastes sweet and savoury at the same time.  Didn't I tell you that my new friends were bad influences... not a good situation over here!

This is Yvette, the baker of these decadent treats.  She says that baking is her hobby, but if I were her and had 2 small babes running around I think that I would have chosen sleep as my hobby!   You can tell that love and care are put into every batch made and Yvette claims that the desserts are so authentic that just smelling them transports her back to South Africa.
We are so grateful that Yvette shares her baking with us and because she bakes more than she can eat (oh how I wish I had that problem) she is willing to share with others.  The cost of Koeksisters are 12 for $10 and a whole Melktert is only $8 (both exceptional deals!!!).  If you are interested in buying locally, exploring something new, and eating something delicious, then I suggest contacting Yvette through Facebook  and picking yourself up some new friends.

the three miracles

This past week I have witnessed 3 true miracles in this house.

MIRACLE #1

 :: remember this green smoothie (banana, spinach, frozen strawberries, almond milk, ginger and hemp hearts) from a couple of weeks ago?  The kids only make a small groan now when I put a very very small amount if front of them.  This is a huge improvement from the tears, gagging noises and in once case a full on tantrum including collapsing to the ground and writhing around.


MIRACLE #2

















:: Our dear sweet Captain Hook was found Wednesday morning floating upside down at the top of his tank.  When we opened the tank to scoop him out he started fluttering around and spent the whole day swimming around on his back with only partial movement of his fins.  At first I diagnosed him with a stroke and then after some intensive internet research we discovered that he in fact was suffering from swim bladder....who knew?  Ava suggested we pray for him (thank you Catholic School) and low and behold the next morning he had made a full recovery!    He seems a little more aggressive than I remember him....maybe it was a stroke after all!




MIRACLE #3

:: these delightful children have been playing with each other relatively fight free for the past 2 hours.  This is the most magical miracle of them all!  I was able to sit and read, look through flyers, make a grocery list, TALK ON THE PHONE without having to stop the conversation to tend to a crisis.  HALLELUJAH!


Let's hope next week is full of miracles as well... or maybe just a bit of quiet time.