A dozen roses for Christmas...

Today I braved the crappy roads to go to my aunt's to drop off something she wanted me to pick up. When I walked it - I was taken aback by the stunning roses on her table.

When I asked her who they were from she said "they are from my guy". Well I was a little confused because my Uncle Ken passed away in June 2007.

She then explained that she found an envelope of money in a drawer tucked away and when she found it she decided to do what Uncle Ken would have done. Bought herself a dozen red roses and a bottle of her favourite perfume.

I was all teary eyed looking at the roses - I do believe they were from my Uncle Ken to the love of his life at Christmas.

And another message from above... this story makes me really believe in Christmas miracles

Missing woman, 55, found alive and buried in snow!

Hey Mom - who's Gloria?

That's what Jess asked me on the way home from church today as we were listening to Angels We Have Heard On High........Glooooooooooooooooooooooooooooria in excelsis deo...

LOL -I explained to her about "Gloria" - and she sang along with her sweet sweet voice.

I was so proud of my two beauties today in church. Nothing makes me happier then when I can hear them boldly singing a song at church - praising God - not caring if they are in tune or who can hear them. Today it was the Desert Song... they know it's one of my personal favs and they sang it loud and proud today and it just warmed my heart!

Here's a link for those who might want to hear this amazing song!

Click here to see and hear an amazing song

and the lyrics in case you'd like to sing along...

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow.

Does your tree tell a story?

Every year I am excited to open boxes and see ornaments from years gone by - each with it's own story and memory... whether they are from my childhood; handmade with love by friends, family, my children. Each year as I decorate the tree I tell my kids stories about the ornaments and why they are special to me...

This year as Jessie looked at the tree and told me her memories from the ornaments it made me think I should take some pics and write down some thoughts - and remember why these ornaments mean so much to me (and us!)

I wanted to share with you!!! Click here to see/read my story

Merry Christmas 2008

This is the 6th annual Family Xmas Photo Card. This year we decided to include our bloopers since life is full of them and our family is no different...

Trying to get everyone to smile and look ahead and cute all the same time results in some fun shots! Enjoy! Wishing you and yours a Safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2009!!!!

And remember to enjoy the bloopers that life throws you ... (click the photo to make it bigger!)

So according to the countdown to Santa...

it's 24 sleeps, 15 hours, 16 minutes & 36 seconds (well at the time I started this post) til the big man comes to visit... will you be ready??

I seem to have a bit more christmas spirit than some years... actually thought of putting the tree up today... we'll see - if not next week for sure.

I've purchased some of my presents - done quite a bit online because shipping is sometimes cheaper than driving... Kids have written their letter to Santa too so that part's taken care of. And now that AJ's bday is over we can see what he has received so far and purchase some other things...

Alexander's birthday was a great day! He woke up and opened his ipod from mommy and daddy and grandma and grandpa ... and then his hockey gloves from his sister... after he had pumpkin scones for breakfast and off to his Enrichment school. When the bus dropped him back to the house - Grandma and Grandpa (Maggie) were here waiting to whisk him off to Chapters for a hot chocolate and a new book! He chose the Warriors series. I love that he loves to read - just like his mama!

Then it was off to dinner at King's Buffet with his family incl. Gillian and Collin (Jess calls him Oliver)... lots of FUN!

Still find it hard to believe it was 10 years ago... and he's grown into such a sweet boy!

I believe in Santa Claus!

The Santa Claus parade in my town was on Saturday... and it was a miserable rainy day. I don't go to the parade usually ... we used to when it was downtown Preston - but since they moved it we haven't gone since.

Anyhow I was watching it on tv ... and felt sorry for those poor people in the pouring rain but kept watching it. Waiting for the big guy to make his appearance.

The minute they said Santa was coming up next - no word of lie - the rain turned to fluffy snowflakes. I called Jessie and we watched Santa and Mrs. Claus on TV speaking to the reporter and we were in awe of his power to change rain to snow!!

Beautiful U R

was told to listen to this song ... and then listen to it again...

sometimes friends see us differently than we see ourselves.... thanks!

Deborah cox - beautiful u r
It's your life
Things may not always go right, for you
In those times
Just leave it behind
Cause sometimes you gotta play the game
Just to survive
Without losing yourself
It`s a fight, it's true
It takes time
Don`t have all the answers
No matter how hard it gets
Hold on to what`s inside
(chorus)
Don't never let nobody bring you down girl
Don't never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirrow and see who you are
Beautiful u r
In the dark
The paint chips have waited your heart
So deep
Can`t you see
See the light in the distance
Open up your eye, look, look to the sky
And believe
There`s much more to life when you free
That`s the key
And in time
You will find all the answers
Don`t have to lose your pride
Wondering what`s inside
(chorus)
Don`t never let nobody bring you down girl
Don`t never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirrow and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Don`t never let nobody bring you down girl
Don`t never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirror and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Don't care what they say anymore
There's no time to be insecure
I leave it all at the door
She stearing at him in the face
She's taking it day by day
I'm finally on my way
(chorus)
Don't never let nobody bring you down girl
Don't never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirror and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Don't never let nobody bring you down girl
Don't never let nobody tear your world apart
Look in the mirror and see who you are
Beautiful u r
Beautiful u r
Beautiful u r
Beautiful u r

Monkey hugs

When I was little my friend Donna broke her arm. When she got home her mom got her a pair of hugging monkeys. I wanted those hugging monkeys!!!

I haven't thought of this in years but today I was on a mission to see if I could find them on ebay. I found these guys - not quite the same but cute!

I have a bit of a fascination with monkeys. If I had my way I'd have the cheeky monkey webkinz and the monkey from build a bear - in addition to all other stuffed monkeys - especially sock monkeys - how cool are they?

I met a lady this summer ... and she had a whole room FULL (and I mean FULL) of monkeys. I was in monkey heaven. She even had those monkeys called monchichi... they sucked their thumbs - I loved those when I was little!

I am making Jessie a flannel quilt with a monkey theme - passing the monkey addiction on to her ...

Lisa's BESTEST day ever....

My daughter has a bestest day ever - it was the day she swam in her undies with her friend Jaime in Lake Ontario...

Mine is not so daring but it's the day I went shopping in the US with Jaime's Mom - Steph!

We left early in the AM - headed to Target - easy drive... and we successfully shopped! Bought lots of stuff - for the kids, for us, for Halloween... just because LOL! Then we went to JoAnn's where we shopped more.... and then to Walden Galleria for - yup you guessed it MORE SHOPPING!

We had a lot in common with our purchases - kids the same age - both love sewing, etc. It was SO much fun!!!!

I won I won I won

I just won a gift certificate to go to a spa.............. me!!! I can't wait to indulge in something - what should I get done?!

Two of my favourites things - Coffee and Reading Blogs

I love coffee, especially Monday morning..., originally uploaded by albaflickr.

What's in your google reader - this is what I try to keep up with... most of crafty/sewing blogs, some are of friends IRL or Virtual, all are just fun to read!

A Dress A Day
A Mom, a Blog, and the Life In-Between
Angry Chicken
Anna Maria Horner
BubbaChic
c h i l d r e n's - b o u t i q u e - f a s h i o n s
Carina's craftblog
Frank Notes
Genesis of a Cook
Grosgrain
Habitual
HER HAPPY HIGHNESS
journal
Just Tutes
Lisa's Thinking Spot (me)
Little Gorjuss Things
Little Munchkins
Material Mama Podcast
My Little Slice of Pie
My Whim is Law
Old Red Barn Co.
Portabellopixie
Runs With Knitting Ne...
russiansweetheart
Scrampologist
Sew Inspired
Simply Recipes
Sisters of a Different Order
splityarn
The Handmade Dress
The Princess and the Monkey
Trillium
Two Scrapbook Friends
Wee Wonderfuls
Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog

Thumbs UP!!

skater, originally uploaded by angelvanilla2008.

Today was Jessie's first skating class... Learn to Skate. She was very excited about it! She's been on the ice a few times just a few minutes here and there ... but this time she was going to be on the ice 50 minutes!!

We had signed up for skating before but had misjudged the level of the class and she ended up going home sad that she couldn't skate with that group.

This group was perfect! Lots of helpers on the ice - ready to divide the group up into different levels and get started! She fell a hundred times and instead of giving up ... she got up each time and gave me a thumbs up! I got a hundred thumbs up from my determined girl which made me SO PROUD!! And her little striped mitts made with love by grandma with the white thumbs made the thumbs up even more special.

Way to go Jessie!!!!!!

Holy Fundraising Batman!!

I can't believe it - I have NEVER had this many things to fundraise for .... there's cookies for sparks, popcorn for cubs, raffle tickets for hockey, regal and mcmillans for skating and don't forget magazine subscriptions for school - it's INSANE!! I don't even know where to start.

I am lucky enough to work in a place big enough to hit up some people there but I can't bring ALL that fund raising to work - they would ban me from the lunch room LOL!

The Friday Night Knitting Club

no I'm not finally getting off my butt to do some knitting ... although now that this cold weather is upon us I might.... this is a title of a book. Run to the nearest bookstore or library - it is SO good!!! I am a book girl as it is - love my books but this one was great.

It's about a single mom who raises her daughter while owning a knitting shop and the friends she makes from her Friday Night Knitting Club - and their stories all intermingle (woven) into hers.... read it - it will warm your heart in this cold cold weather... and while you're at it - grab some yarn and some needles and knit yourself an afghan to keep yourself warm!!

Here's a whole website about this book - go for it! http://www.fridaynightknittingclub.com/

and LOOK if you read it now ... you'll be ready for the sequel Nov. 25th. I'm off to request Comfort Food at the Library right now!!!!

MMMMMMMMMMMM Muffins

100_5974, originally uploaded by angelvanilla2008.

my kids are always bugging me to make muffins and it's not like they are hard to do ... I just don't always do it. Yesterday's concoction was a big hit so I thought I'd share! (I didn't add the topping but I'm sure it's good!)

BANANA PUMPKIN MUFFINS

1/2 c. pureed banana
1/2 c. canned pumpkin
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. vegetable oil (I use applesauce)
1 egg
1 3/4 c. flour (1/2 of it was whole wheat flour for us)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt

TOPPING:

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. chopped nuts or oats
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Puree banana in blender to make 1/2 cup. Mix pureed banana, pumpkin, sugar, milk, oil and egg until well blended. Combine flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Spoon into greased muffin tins.

Top each with 1 tablespoon of the sugar-spice mixture. Bake in
preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted
into muffin comes out clean.

Makes 12. (made 9 bigger ones for me)

Enjoy!!!!

Martinis and Sex and the City Movie

In honour of my good friend Judy's birthday - I picked up some yummy sushi and new martini glasses. We ate sushi and drank some wine... and then for the entertainment... we made martinis (with cranberry juice the first time and mango juice the second time)... and watched the Sex and the City movie.

SATC (the movie) - was a good chick flick movie. I quite enjoyed it! I didn't like the clothes as much as I usually do in the tv series... I didn't watch the series when it was on tv but I did watch the whole series over the summer back to back ... and I was hooked!

If I had to pick one character I think I'm most like - I'd like to think maybe a mixture of them all... but mostly Carrie Bradshaw (minus the fashion sense LOL!)

I heart bluebelle

I haven't told you about Bluebelle!

My 40th birthday in July sucked. Luckily enough I celebrated a few weeks before with some great girlfriends in Michigan (complete with an impromtu lapdance from some stranger at our restaurant)... but I digress.

The big day came and went with no hoopla - 40 should have hoopla I think. Anyhow I did have a great lunch with my friend Steph who also got me amazing sunflowers (my fav flower)... but after that... nuttin.

At the time of my bday I was reading The Beach House by Jane Green - if you haven't read it - READ IT! It's an awesome book and the main character ... Nan - has a beach cruiser type bike in Nantucket. Well I wanted a beach cruiser type bike in Nantucket too... or at least the bike. So I got Bluebelle - and I picked out a great basket for her for my kids to buy me too!

She's a supercycle one speed from Canadian Tire. And that same great friend Steph made me awesome stickers for her in an array of colours to fit my hippie chick personality - and some of them went on Bluebelle to make her unique. (thanks Steph!)

Here's more pics of her!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mamabluebelle/sets/72157607289310798/

Sometimes they like eachother

I love this pic - shot it with my blackberry while at the mall. Jessie was supposed to go skating but I signed her up for the wrong level.

She was all bummed out because she wanted to learn to skate so badly but her brother helped cheer her up. They really do have moments when they can tolerate eachother LOL!

Finally some big tv coming up for me - Season Premieres of Grey's Anatomy and Ugly Betty. Although this year I'm not as geared up for Grey's. The whole Meredith and Derick thing is getting old for me.

Mom on strike

The mornings have been awful this week! They cannot look at eachother without picking at eachother ... without Jess bursting into tears because AJ breathed wrong or looked at her wrong. They know how to push eachother's buttons and love doing it!!

So I told John to please take them to daycare today - that I was at my wits end and it was his turn to deal with it. Of course nothing was learned because he's a) more patient than me b) the kids were MUCH better for him and c) I was still there to help if needed...

But ... I did have time to get my Starbucks on the way ... and take some stuff back to Zehrs - and I'm not nearly as stressed this morning ... will tomorrow be better?? Who knows... but today was good! Thanks John!

Do you see this sweet girl

she is the reason I want to sew... I want to make her dollie dresses and yummy outfits and pj's. I want to make her quilts and aprons and everything!

I bought a new machine - and never used it. After meeting my friend Steph - I dusted it off and thought I'd give it a go. I asked the sewing mamas (sewingmamas.com) for help and guidance and tried making simplicity 5118. Everyone said it was simple - for me - not so much. But I muddled thru it and finished it up - only to find it was too small for my princess to wear. I was heartbroken.

I was frustrated but did try to make a three tiered skirt for Canada Day... it turned out "ok" - my gathering was wonky at best but she wore it ... so in my mind - success!

But now I'm stumped - I want to make more - I have lots of fabric... but I'm scared! I want to find flannel monkey fabric and make pj's.... I want to buy a charm pack and follow Devida's tutorial... (a cool sewing mama) http://www.bubbachic.typepad.com/

What do you do when you lose your mojo? How do I get back on the horse??? Help?! (and do you know where some yummy flannel monkey fabric might be?!)

100_5973

100_5973, originally uploaded by angelvanilla2008.

it amazes me how much yummy wool I can find in my room when I decide to clean - remind me I don't need any new stuff for a while yet .. (maybe)

Very cool and talented women!!

http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/

so many great fun things to do and sew ... paper dolls, etc.
freebies and things to buy - I LOVE LOVE LOVE this site!

her dollies are simply amazing!!
http://flickr.com/photos/hillarylang/sets/463804/



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and http://www.gorjuss.co.uk/


this artist is amazing! Her name is Suzanne Woolcott!

Our beloved kitty is missing

please say a prayer - I have two very sad children (and 2 sad parents) in our house!

(update - silly bugger was hiding in the garage the entire time while we all went to bed scared out of our wits!) Crazy cat - we love you!

My package came today - new planner/agenda

from a great lady on etsy! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=36307 (Mrs. Kwitty's Cottage)

It's sooooooooooooooo pretty and so me!!

Hungry?

well I know I was after reading this blog... check out the recipe for homemade pop-tarts - or the banana cookies look delish too - always looking for recipes to use up my brown bananas!

http://asweetfantasy.blogspot.com/

Cool digital scrapbooking site!

http://www.scrapblog.com/
You HAVE to check it out! It's like doodling and stickers and photo fun ALL online!! And you can link it to your facebook, myspace, photobucket, flickr, etc. It's SUPER fun!!!

oh the weather outside is frightful

and comfort food is delightful...

and my morning didn't quite start out so great... but I thought I'd turn it around and have something warm that sticks to my bones - yup - oatmeal. I LOVE oatmeal - esp. on cold grey days... and I know my neighbourhood Starbucks is serving some and even though it's pricey - it's darn good! And you can get dried fruit, nuts and brown sugar to put on it. http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_freshfood.asp
I think I'm going to make an effort to make my own in my crockpot this week - and see if I can get the kids to eat it - would be so good for them to have something that sticks to their bones!
http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/crockpot_oatmeal_recipe
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Pumpkin-Oatmeal/Detail.aspx

Blythe dolls - creepy or cool?

who can teach me about Blythe Dolls? I became hooked on them from etsy.com (one of my fav sites)... with all their handmade dresses for these big head/eye dolls...
The dolls are SO expensive ... and at first I found them creepy but now they have grown on me - and I want one!! I looked on ebay and they are very expensive but I don't know where to begin.
http://www.thisisblythe.com/
http://flickr.com/photos/carolichan/466476504/

so after church on Sunday- I trekked over to the next city to go to Bath and Body Works. As a Canadian I am THRILLED that we are getting a sprinkling of these stores in Ontario. One not far from me - even better! Sadly - even though I did read this and it didn't register with me ... it opens Monday LOL! Oh well - that's ok too.

So since we were there - me and my mini-me went to Starbucks to get a coffee for me and a hot chocolate for her... and share a pumpkin scone (MMM)... we admired the school supplies that are all over Chapters... journals with covers as beautiful as fabric ... pens... funky paper clips - you name it!

And of course Jessie cannot walk by the stuffed animals without falling in love with them all - telling me how they should join our family of stuffed animals (which is HUGE by the way). Well I am a big kid - I love stuffies just as much - I have a bunny from Build a Bear and whole other collections of bunnies (my fav). Jess's 6 cabbage patch dolls, who knows how many care bears, and 23 webkinz are mostly because of me I'm sure.

So two things caught my eye - one was a stuffed hedgehog - I really liked him and then there was a bunny in a dress. She reminded me of a bunny I have had since I was little - in a dress my grandma made - baby and twobaby (a bear) sit proudly on top of Jess's shelves ... lovingly worn out - by years and years of adoration.

I talked myself out of the stuffies and walked to get my coffee but couldn't get my mind of the bunny. So after our treats we walked back to the stuffed animals and saw her there - different from all the others and upon closer inspection - saw that she was 50% off (meant to be?). So we happily bought her and Jess named her Bunnalina - the newest addition to our family.