Happy 2011

I'm starting another photo 365 this year ... Hoping I am more successful than last year!

Was a quiet night last night with some vino at my friend Judy's ... and some yummy leftover food ... always a foodie adventure at Judy's...

Today it's warm and mild out - raining - evening had thunder last night! Another year of no snow on New Years Day - all washed away!

Kids are all still in their jammies and doing something quiet ... me - just setting up my photo 365!

Hope you 2011 is a Happy and Healthy one... mine will be a year of focusing on my blessings and making it my best year yet!

Merry Christmas

from my gang to yours! Although the card's a bit different this year ... as life is a bit different this year ... I'm hoping you have a Healthy and Happy Christmas and that 2011 is the BEST year yet!

Friendship

I like to reflect on my wide range of friendships and how lucky I am to have met so many interesting people throughout my life. I have wonderful friends! I have some I've met online that I later met in person... and we've become very close; I have friends that I have had since Grade School; or High School... not so many that I've kept in touch with since College... Friends from work; through my vw group; church; neighbours... SO many!

For an only child I am very blessed to have so many friends I consider to be my family!

Ah the power of cookies....

I went to my first cookie exchange today... and what a great concept! Especially for those who don't bake!!! I'd like to blame my baking on the stove I have but I'm honestly not sure if it's me or the stove that burns the cookies.

So I decided to make chocolate dipped pretzels... and they were a big hit ... (whew). I in turn came home with a few bags of shortbread, some yummy peanut butter surprise cookies, lemon cookies, chocolate chip ... hmmm what else - some cute Santas... everyone really did an amazing job on their cookies! I was even begging people to save me their cookies because I didn't want to miss out on some of my favs!

But it's more than the cookies ... it's gathering with friends, hearing about their christmas plans and their decorations... taking time through the crazy season to sit back and enjoy for a few hours.

Last Christmas I read a book called The Christmas Cookie Club and it was one of those feel good Christmas books that you love to read over the holiday season. Sheila's party today was very much the same ... people there to lend an ear, a smile and a warm hug. Not everyone is Susie Sunshine over the holidays and but everyone loves cookies :)

I really enjoyed myself and hope it's going to become a tradition in "the hood" for many years to come! Thanks Sheila!

Constance the Caravan

Have you heard of her? Oh my she's so sweet! If you google her you'll come across many links and pics of her on flickr. Her design makes me smile. I would want her in my back yard to read books in and laze around in her comfy splendor.

I imagine Alex listening to his ipod and chilling with a book. (did you notice I called him Alex - it's what he prefers - still AJ to mom though...). I imagine Jessie having tea parties with her American Girl Doll Julie ... with lovely Vanilla Nut Tea and homemade cookies. Or setting up all her barbies and stuffed animals and having a sleepover in the back yard. It would be truly special!

Now don't fret because my Lucy love is still there - she's my dream come true and I'm inspired through Constance to give sweet Lucy some interior love with pillows and a new granny square blanket. Something to go with her funky self.

Check out Constance here

See the cool book she's in? I'm adding that to my wish list too - so very very very cool!

Slow down summer vacation!

How can it be more than half over??? July zooooomed by too quickly and there is so much jam packed into August. We just returned from the cottage that we rent every August in Nanticoke, ON. Next is Grand Bend for a night this weekend ... then back to Port Elgin for the kids (3 x this year)... and also planned this month is high tea at Langdon Hall.

In between we have been enjoying Lucy our VW bus ... and our zoo of animals at home.

I have also taken more time off this summer (more than usual) to enjoy time with the kids... but there was SO much we didn't do that I had hoped. Friends we didn't get to see and places we didn't get to go to. I might have to make September weekends busy too to fit it all in!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer too!!!

Dream Come True!

I have been wanting a vw bus since I was a teenager and I travelled through Europe with my family in one.

I never really thought I would get one but I bought Lucy in November and then it turned out she was a bit of a "fixer upper".

Lucky for me I met Robert who has owned a bus before and knows what she needs and is helping me fix her up. And even luckier for me - he's a GREAT guy and has a son who can hang out with Jessie and Alexander! Win Win!! And he is willing to be our captain until I perfect the "bus driving" skill.

I've met some GREAT people through a few online groups who are from Ontario and have vw buses (or other vw's)... and they are willing to help out with pretty much anything you need!

What's next for Lucy? Oh man - lots! Curtains, body work, a new colour, LOTS!!!
Stay tuned!!