by the lakeside

my agenda

2012-01-01T19:01:00.002-05:00

i have a strong feeling that a blog post devoted to what agenda I use is kind of lame...but i can't help myself. i am a list maker, a post it note freak, and a lover of journals and agendas. i love my technology, but i love a piece of paper and a nice pen even more.

a couple of months ago i found this agenda to help me organize my life and i love it.

it is pretty standard as agenda's or day planners go, but i really loved this family version which has perforated sheets at the back to make lists.

I got it at gallery leather.com and would reorder next year too. It's keeping my insane life somewhat more organized.Happy new year everyone!

baby news!

2011-12-14T14:28:00.005-05:00

can you believe we are halfway into december already? i can't. i have had many distractions keeping me away from christmas shopping, baking and planning. mainly this one which is just too cute for words....
she is our new baby in the family (which i never ever ever thought we would have). glen and i have never had dogs. we have no clue what we are doing. but she is so darn cute i don't even care.

she is a maltipoo (maltese+toy poodle). she is a beauty with a heart shaped nose.

instant. love.

hope to be back soon with some kind of creative stuff that has been swirling in my brain, but hasn't made it out yet.

counting my blessings

2011-12-01T16:31:00.001-05:00

this makes the craziest of days bearable....

sharing good stuff

2011-11-18T07:37:00.005-05:00

the lovely leslie makes these awesome placemats. (she also knits like no one i've ever known...takes the most beautiful photos....and bakes too). i've been meaning to order some for ages...i think it's about time.

photo taken by leslie at a friend to knit with

they would be perfect for my little artists- for doing little math problems and practicing spelling. tic tac toe. quotes. hangman. the possibilities are endless.

they'd also make a great christmas gift. you can buy them here.

autumn

2011-11-13T11:43:00.004-05:00

the leaves are so pretty right now.

but why is it that boys always find sticks in the woods?

and then turn them into weapons? happy fall.

love this...

2011-11-08T10:51:00.002-05:00

quotes by gilda radner

charm found here

ahoy

2011-11-04T16:09:00.003-04:00

happy belated halloween!

starting something

2011-10-18T14:09:00.003-04:00

finally, i cast on for something new.
it must be fall.

family

2011-10-07T15:02:00.005-04:00

i have been meaning to get a professional family photo taken for years. i finally had the chance to with an amazing photographer. i thought i would share a couple of the boys.....i don't know why i haven't done this every year. especially with leeann. if you live anywhere near toronto and need spectacular photos, you should call her.

all photos taken by leeann tunzi
check her out on her website here

2011-10-07T09:29:00.003-04:00

smoked salmon is one of my all time favorite indulgences. so when i saw a recipe for a smoked salmon quiche in a new book from chef michael smith, i knew i had to buy it/make it/eat it.

i am so glad i did....it did not disappoint.

it has a puff pastry crust (easy!!), an egg with sour cream base, and it is laced with ribbons of smoked salmon. topped off with gruyere cheese and lots of fresh dill.

we ate it for a late dinner, but i think i will save this one for a christmas or new years day brunch.

makeup is my medium

2011-07-08T19:13:00.004-04:00

in high school i used to paint. admittedly, i was not that good, but i loved painting with oils on canvas. in university, it became fabrics, patternmaking paper and gouache. and now in my day to day job, i get to use illustrator and work with fabrics, lab dips and whatever else lands on my desk. there is not a lot of time to make stuff at home lately, and i am ok with that for the moment. i know these things come in phases with me, and one day i will have more time again.

a new medium has taken the place of that sewing, drawing and painting. makeup and nail polish seem to be fulfilling that creative streak in me. picking out what eyeshadow and blush to wear is kind of like picking which oil paint to use on that canvas.

my makeup collection has grown quite a bit in the last year, and in the evenings when i collapse into bed i find myself watching makeup videos on youtube (addictive, once you find the people you really like to watch). and so i thought i would share with you some of my absolute favorites for the warmer weather.....my summer must-haves

ok, this dior highlight was a huge splurge for me. but i would gladly brown bag it for a month in order to buy this, it is stunning as a cheek highlight without being a disco ball. it's called amber lights. the smashbox am/pm blush is also gorgeous anytime.

benefit's new cheek tint, cha cha tint looks a little scary bright out of the bottle, but adds the perfect glowy and natural coral blush to cheeks and lips.

cream shadows are a huge favorite of mine, especially if i want my makeup to last all day at work, and into the evening. plus, in the summertime, they are fast and beautiful. my faves are benefit busy signal (the brown), birthday suit (the shimmery beige), and makeup forever in this neutral steel grey colour (can't tell what the shade # is on the bottom)

essie's van d'go and chinchilly are on heavy rotation with me.

i didn't photograph them, but essie's topless & barefoot is also the perfect beige nude,

and OPI's i'll take the the cake is the perfect pink nude

i would love it if you shared your favorites with me too. please leave a comment.

20 things i do when life gets crazy

2011-04-23T21:31:00.007-04:00

in no particular order:

1. listen to music

2. take a bubble bath (with lavender oil)

3. let the boys sleep in my bed with me....all night

4. make an on-line purchase i've thought long and hard over

5. try not to worry about why my stove is on the ground like this:

6. call my sisters

7. take the boys out for ice cream

8. read this blog and dream about life on the ranch

9. look through my favorite cookbooks

10. paint my nails

11. daydream

12. watch a diners, drive in's and dives marathon

13. tackle one household chore at a time, no matter how daunting it may seem

14. mentally plan a new garden in the backyard

15. make nigella's guiness gingerbread

16. drink very strong cups of tea

17. play connect 4 with jamie

18. sleep in

19. eat meals like this:

20. slow things down and enjoy every moment i can

current loves

2011-04-04T19:33:00.010-04:00

i love that my boys are still taking bubble baths together, and laugh hysterically almost the whole time.

i love that my dad is able to pick up my boys from the bus stop and my mom has started writing little notes on the snacks she sends over for them....and jamie loves them so much he's started a collection of them on the back of his chair.

i love mint candy apple nail polish from essie. i love that when my dad tried to reinforce my rule of no video games on school nights, camden told him that he's my dad and he should make the rules. even better was that he told grandpa that he should ground me because i am the daughter.

i love my new bike.

i love that glen drove me over 2 hours away to buy it. and i love that i love him even more now than i did when i was 15 years old.

my favorite kitchen things

2011-03-28T19:51:00.006-04:00

i love being in my kitchen. the simplest things in it bring me peace at the end of a day. Tonight, i found myself stirring a pot of soup and noticing all of the things that make me very happy each and every day.

i am really loving the light wood against my white kitchen. especially my new salt pig. and that le creuset pot was the most exciting thing i got this past christmas. i've wanted one forever and found this beauty at a discount store. i never take it off my stove.

what makes you happy in your kitchen?

pleased as punch

2011-03-27T17:30:00.000-04:00

i recently bought this shirt.i recently bought this bag.

i fell in love with this song, which is from an album titled 'anchor'.

and we booked our family vacation for 2011 in one of my favorite places.

can you guess where?

~untitled~

2011-03-19T20:11:00.000-04:00

i got my mama bravo on a while back and made fresh pasta from a Lidia recipe. I have to say, I didn't love it and will stick to the recipe i tried before that from now on.

there is something about this machine that i love so much. i know the kitchen aid attachment is probably better, or easier, but this one reminds me of my mom. and nonna. and zia yolanda in italy who would churn out the most delicious stuff for her housefull of houseguests from canada.

i've felt drawn to the kitchen again. it seems the busier life gets for me, the more domesticated i want to be. it must be my way of trying to feel balance. i don't have a lot of extra time right now, but all i can think about is painting my bathroom, purging the entire house of clutter (a.k.a toys), and cooking new recipes all weekend long. i wonder what project i'll take on next.

sometimes on sunday...

2011-01-16T22:13:00.003-05:00

jamie helps me choose a colour...

have a happy week!

ps. this week we chose essie's mink muff's

happy 2011

2011-01-09T16:10:00.001-05:00

just wanted to pop in an wish everyone a very happy & healthy new year. i hope 2011 brings about everything you wish for.

be back soon!

a bittersweet goodbye

2010-10-02T22:25:00.003-04:00

lately, i've been feeling a little unsure about my blog. wondering if i really want to continue it or not. and it feels strange to let it sit here, going untouched for months without some kind of explanation or closure.
this blog was always a place where i could document & share recipes, sewing projects and mostly just family life. but things seem to be shifting. i am still sewing, but i find it difficult to write about new pillows. again. and i've started some knitting projects for fall, yet i have little new to say about them. basically, documenting my life is starting to feel like a chore. and that makes it no fun right now.
i am very thankful for anyone and everyone who has ever left me a comment, or visited here quietly. i did do this for myself, but i was glad to share with others and appreciate you all. and in order to avoid disappointing anyone who is waiting my next post, i thought i should bow out now. i am not too sure if it is permanent or not. but for the moment i really feel like i need to move on.
i'm focusing on a new beginning in my career. a new phase of working with camden and battling with his autism. and of course, just enjoying my boys (all 3 of them) each and every day.
i wish you all the very best and just want to say....thank you from the bottom of my heart.

the bags of summer past

2010-09-28T14:58:00.005-04:00

i've mentioned before how much i loved being home with the boys this summer. it was different than years past. not only because i was home full time, but because they are at the awesome in between age of still being very little boys, yet so much more independent than a year or so ago. i am not packing up bags full of bottles, changes of clothing, etc. anymore and can i just tell you what a relief that is?

they can't, however, leave the house completely empty handed if i expect them to stay occupied and happy while running around visiting friends or grocery shopping. i tried teaching them this year that they need to be responsible for their own belongings and entertainment. no more star wars figures or lego figurines lost in the bottom of mama's purse.

so i took colour requests and made them each a messenger bag which travelled everywhere with us this summer. camden chose the tan colour, since it HAD to look like Indiana Jones' bag. jamie chose the blue fabric since blue simply makes him happy.

i used a super simple pattern from this book, which i am really enjoying. i used some of my favorite fabrics in my stash that seemed perfect for boys.....the tan bag has a denyse schmidt plaid, while the blue one has a heather ross dog pattern.

the boys loved them, and i think it was the most rewarding project i've ever sewn. i loved seeing them pack their most interesting belongings or collect rocks and sticks outside to be stashed in their bags. if i could make them for every kid i know, i would!

~untitled beauty~

2010-09-28T14:55:00.003-04:00

i stopped into anthropologie last week for a few mugs and mini latte dishes. i didn't expect to come out with this insanely gorgeous (and expensive) tablecloth, but i could not resist.i had a moment's hesitation, but it was my birthday. ultimate justification if you ask me!

cooking for the year

2010-09-21T12:00:00.001-04:00

every september, my parents roast red peppers to freeze. years ago, they stopped the massive tomato production, and they rarely do homemade sausages anymore (although i will be trying to change this in the new year). but the red peppers remain. they are an absolute must in our family.

my father roasts/chars them over a charcoal fire, then bags them to let the steam do their work. once they are cool enough to handle, we start peeling off the charred skin. he sets it all up outside so that the bees can swarm your head while working, too. apparently, bees like sweet red peppers as much as we do.

they get rinsed and deseeded. and then rinsed again by mom, inside the house. she is a lot more meticulous with seed removal than carlo and me.

and when we're done, we go inside the house to eat lunch. it was the first time i can remember in years, that i sat with my parents and ate without running after 2 little boys (they were both in school!).

and of course, i was sent home with not only one bushel of peppers for my freezer, but also some most delicious cheese, fresh basil from the garden and niagara grapes. yum!

as for what i do with the peppers, the most common way we all eat them is to slice them and drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and chopped parsely, and add in a whole peeled garlic clove (or two) and let marinate. they are perfect alongside italian sausages, or with bread and cheese, or on any kind of sandwich.

one of my favorite ways to use a bag is in tomato and roasted pepper soup. my favorite recipe for it is here.

it was a good day.

my turn a square

2010-09-19T20:21:00.004-04:00

i started this hat for glen last year. it was supposed to be tucked into his stocking at christmas time, but it didn't quite make it. i had completely forgotten about it (or just lost interest in it, maybe). i am a very bad knitter like that. but i found it this weekend and finished it up lickety split, barbara trick!

it was a really fun project, too. i was completely inspired to make it by melana, who is my knitting hero. just look at her version! i was hoping for a little more of a neutral stripe in mine, but c'est la vie. i do have enough to knit another one, but with my knitter's add, it is not likely to happen this year.

the pattern is jared flood's turn a square. the pattern is available for free here. and his completely awesome blog is here.

camden was my model....

my only disappointment with this knit was that my attempt at a jogless stripe failed. if there is not a youtube video showing me how to execute these kinds of things, i am in trouble.

i am so happy that fall is here. and i can't wait to cast on for the next project!

a friday purchase in my favorite colours

2010-09-17T14:15:00.002-04:00

happy weekend!

peek-a-boo

2010-09-15T02:00:00.000-04:00

i've been away from this space for a very long time. it wasn't intended, but much needed. being home with the boys this summer has been so good, and it really drew in all of my energy and attention.

very little was sewn or crafted. nothing at all was knitted.

family, friends and my home have really been all it's been about this summer. and i've often left the camera behind in order to enjoy it more fully. if that makes any sense. not that taking pictures should interfere, i know, but sometimes juggling too many things in my life becomes overwhelming to me.

i admittedly am not the best kind friend when it comes to keeping in touch. so i guess i am no different when it comes to blogging either. hopefully, the new season will change that a bit.
so, hello from over here!!!

out for summer

2010-06-29T16:42:00.005-04:00

we made it through grade one by the skin of our teeth. and if it wasn't for the most amazing teacher ever, we might not have done so well.

i know that teacher's get so many gifts from their students, and so instead of buying them another gift card or bottle of bubble bath, i wanted to make something from the heart. i've been trying to figure out how to do a simple makeup bag and i think i finally figured it out. this one was for camden's teacher.

i thought the apples were appropriate.

camden has also been very lucky to have an EA (educational assistant) assigned to be with him throughout the school day. he has one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. i made each of those lovely ladies a tote bag.

such small gifts, but so much thanks are in my heart for these 3 wonderful people. they've made camden, and me, feel better in some very difficult times.

directionless

2010-06-24T12:23:00.005-04:00

after a week of feeling super duper productive and actually on top of things around here, i feel like my mind is compensating by doing very little. maybe it's the upcoming changing of routines, or maybe it's been the extreme humidity and weird weather happenings around here, but today i am feeling rather directionless.

don't get me wrong, there are a million things to do. the laundry calls, and even though i cleaned the house from top to bottom earlier in the week, clean doesn't last around here.

last night i took a little break and went to the bookstore by myself. i saw this book which i immediately wanted for the title alone. i should have purchased it, but instead i bought another sewing book with 101 projects. because, you know, i'm weird like that.

i justified it by telling myself that 2 out of 3 teacher gifts are done, and that last one needs to be completed asap. which then reminds me of the impending summer break which i am thrilled about for what it will mean for our mornings. but also a little scared about what it will mean each day around five o'clock when i am calling glen and wondering how soon he can be home. for the record, the time he gets home never really changes, but somehow i feel the need to call him around this time just to confirm.

i think i should make another pot of coffee and get moving. what helps you find direction on these kinds of days?

my dad

2010-06-21T09:23:00.003-04:00

when you are young, you sometimes take your parents for granted. and dads that are very strict with their 3 daughters, like mine was, are not really the most popular. my dad may have fallen into this category when i was a teenager, but i didn't have to become a parent to really appreciate him.

this father's day had me really thinking about what kind of dad i have, and how he still makes me feel like he can fix anything and do anything. here are a couple things about carlo:

he took me on my first roller coaster (called the ghoster coaster), and any other thrilling ride my mom and sisters refused to go on with me

he took us camping every year, and before doing any resting after a long drive there and setting up camp, he would search for our perfect marshmallow roasting sticks

he would take me to the farthest edge of the cliff, or the most distant end of a log perched over the water, and would never ever miss catching me if i stumbled

he is the strongest person i know, and used to intimidate any young boy that came anywhere near our house to ride bikes in the summertime

he would also insist on coming right into the gymnasium at the end of the school dances!!!

he moved from italy to montreal in his twenties, without speaking a word of english, and worked hard to create a wonderful life in canada

he later moved to toronto and stayed with a sweet little french canadian family as a border, where he met my mom and stole her heart.

he was a handsome, italian boy that joined the navy and apparently stole many hearts from one continent to another. at least that's what i've been told.

he can fix anything.

he can also find you the best deal for anything.

and he would still move mountains for his 3 girls, and now his 7 grandchildren.

he is infuriating at times, but he loves his family more than anything in the entire world.

world cup 2010

2010-06-10T09:03:00.002-04:00

can you tell who we are cheering for over here?

i can't wait to watch some games. mark your calendars, they start tomorrow.

change

2010-06-08T09:30:00.006-04:00

i've always been up for spontaneous plans, trying new things and dreaming about new adventures. one of the things about being a mother, especially to a child who falls on the autism spectrum, is that change is not always a good thing. structure and normality keep a happy and calm home. and as much as my inner self craves a weekend or day with no plans, or dropping everything to try something completely new and unexpected, it just doesn't work around here. one of the seemingly small, but huge lessons i am learning to keep the peace around here. a little bit like the whole starting as you mean to end lesson i have learned.

needless to say, change has to happen sometimes. but now i find small ways to add things, as opposed to changing much. even moving furniture around here can bother camden. a new pillow, on the other hand, does not seem to offend. thank goodness. and it was time for my couch to be updated a bit.

it freshens up the whole room. and with all the beautiful fabrics out there, it's hard to choose a print.

on my last trip to ikea, i found these pillow inserts that are much fluffier (and cheaper than those foam things i usually get at the fabric store). in this house, they need to stand up to good use. not just resting your head on, but pillow fights, forts, launching over the staircase railings....you get the picture.

i used an amy butler print, but had a hard time debating over some of these, by anna maria horner, too.

lazy sunday

2010-06-06T11:54:00.004-04:00

i could watch this over and over and over again. it's a spontaneous moment with stevie nicks in the make up chair. her voice captures.
hope you're having a wonderful, lazy sunday.

i found this youtube link through this blog this morning.

cape cod :: a review in pictures

2010-06-03T10:07:00.006-04:00

although i love my home, i really am missing cape cod already. i am almost positive that next time, we should go for a little longer.

pumpkin scones

2010-06-03T09:58:00.004-04:00

i had a pumpkin scone at starbucks once, years ago. and it was a heavenly experience. i found a recipe for it here and made them on saturday.

they were so amazing, we gobbled them all up that day.

so i made more on sunday (a double batch, in fact). i highly recommend them.

north truro, MA

2010-05-18T19:06:00.003-04:00

i have decided i may need to retire here, in this quaint little place called truro. just minutes from provincetown.

i think more clearly here. and everything is beautiful, even when it's raining.

finally!

2010-05-12T10:36:00.003-04:00

we're off on a much needed family break to one of my favorite places in the world.....

i'm looking forward to the ocean air, lots of lobster, portuguese sweet bread and spotting a whale or two.

be back soon!

our mountain to climb

2010-05-07T11:24:00.002-04:00

i consider myself a pretty happy and positive person most of the time. but right now, i have to admit that this asperger's syndrome is really kicking my butt.

whoever designed the awareness ribbon for autism is pretty much brilliant, in my opinion.

it really is puzzling, with no standard manual or solution. i suppose a lot like parenting in general. but with a few more extra puzzle pieces that don't seem to fit in and cause a few additional headaches.

i can say that this show is making a lot of sense to glen & i. it's all around entertaining and the storyline involving asperger's syndrome is a lot like the story in our home.

i completely missed autism awareness month (which was april). but i think every month we should be aware.

where i've been :: what i've been doing

2010-05-04T10:51:00.002-04:00

i am around and sorry i've been so bad with posting lately. family life has kind of taken over. sometimes stressful, but mostly good. i have been busier in the kitchen, lately, and should be back to posting more regularly soon.

happy spring!

wise words, mary poppins

2010-04-20T16:41:00.004-04:00

the season of spring cleaning has been plopped on my head, and i am just about drowning in things to do. i stumbled on this quote and found it refreshing.

"With every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.

You find the fun and ...snap! The job's a game!"

mary poppins

thank you, mary

fall rtw

2010-03-30T09:31:00.005-04:00

the fall ready to wear collections have occured, and i'm really blown away by them this season.
the shows seem to be oozing with texture, fur, and a new kind of optimism.

i have particularly loved john galliano since i was 13 years old, and would watch and rewatch him on my vhs recordings of fashion file with tim blanks. how perfect is john's description of his muse for this season as "a traveller searching for a new world, led by the magnetism of her heart. as strong and as fine as the needle in her compass". love him!
and now that i am in my mid thirties, i can only hope to be as his makeup artist described the look of his models this year.... "weather beaten, but beautiful."

here is one of my favorite clips from the shows. and lisa, i think you will appreciate the new spin on pearls at christian dior!

the cookie overflowing with goodies

2010-03-19T12:01:00.007-04:00

my sister made some cookies recently and happened to drop off a few for us to enjoy. just one of the many perks of living on the same street as your older sis.

i knew immediately that these ones were worth sharing. and they made me think of leslie, as i usually do when i find a delicious cookie.

i am not really sure where the recipe originated, as it was through an email sent to my sister from a coworker. i give props to whoever came up with this one because it is so full of tasty morsels that it is difficult to limit how many you eat.

the original recipe calls for regular chocolate chips , but i first tasted them with butterscotch chips and was sold on that rendition. i've heard they are equally amazing with peanut butter chips, too. the skor chips & walnuts are always a must, unless you have a nut allergy in your house like we do, so i just made a batch with and without.

here is the recipe:

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups of semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (or peanut butter or butterscotch chips)

1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

1/2 bag skor bits

mix shortening and butter together.

add sugars and baking soda.

beat in eggs and vanilla.

add flour and then all the goodies.

if you find the mixture a little too moist, just add 1/4 - 1/2 cup more flour.

drop rounded dough about 2 inches apart on a cookie sheet.

bake at 375 for 8-9 minutes and not a second longer than that.

transfer to rack and cool.

enjoy!

scenes from around here

2010-03-11T14:56:00.000-05:00

a new cookbook (and a new favorite nail polish from opi's hong kong collection)a new sugar and creamer, which i adore

some baking

friends gathering

a peek of our newly finished basement kitchen

what's in your purse?

2010-03-11T14:27:00.003-05:00

i am one of those people who love's to know what's in your purse. and after discovering a whole youtube community of beauty lovers doing this, i thought i'd join in in my own way. so here is what you'd find in my purse:clockwise from the top: my bronze sephora makeup bag, sunglasses (gucci-which were a gift from my cousin that works in the optical business), gloves, lip balm, hand sanitizer, mini moleskin and pens for doodling and making notes, business card holder (from target), my gold & purple puma wallet, gum, iphone and wild cherry body butter from the body shop.

inside the makeup bag is: nail file, tweezerman tweezers (you never know), sephora nude lipstick (which is sadly discontinued), bobbi brown pink lipgloss, smashbox nude sparkly gloss, stila concealer, cargo lipliner, clinique eyeliner, bobbi brown blush in nectar, laura gellar face compact & bronzer, a couple of brushes and a travel size moisture surge by clinique.

if i hadn't already cleaned out my purse from the night before, you would have also found my keys, 3 spiderman action figures, 2 nintendo ds's and a couple of sippie cups.

consider yourself tagged and please join in!

jamie (a.k.a james, angel face jamie baby, blueberry pie)

2010-02-23T12:30:00.002-05:00

this past week has been a whirlwind, but a very nice one. we celebrated glen's birthday early in the week, then my littlest guy turned 4. throw in valentine's day and all the school and daycare stuff (like valentine's day cards, birthday cupcakes, etc.) that goes with all that.

but the week is over, and i am now sitting back and thinking about our little jamie (who we rarely call james anymore, by the way).

camden has often been the focus on my blog, since he has such a strong personality and has issues that often require a lot of our attention. but jamie is that constant in our lives that is predictable and sweet and oozing with complete happiness. he is a complete joy, and is never ever forgotten.

jamie is the child that every parent prays for. he is happy, almost all of the time. he is independant. he is gracious and patient with his brother and with us when we need to spend a lot of our energy on camden. he is as content playing alone (and chatters and sings to himself the entire time), as he is playing with others. he is a gem and words are hard to find to express how grateful i am to have his sweetness in my life.

he brings our whole family unimagineable joy and goodness. and he looks so much like glen that i can't help squeezing him daily for it.

i don't think being a brother to a child with autism is easy, or fair at times. but jamie is so supportive and helpful and loving to his big brother. he looks up to him and savors every moment with him. just today, when camden had to have his blood drawn, jamie encouraged him and held his hand the whole time.

if i was guaranteed to keep having children like jamie, i would have 5 more. happy birthday jamie!

my masterlist for spring 2010

2010-02-18T20:37:00.002-05:00

i make lists almost daily either on paper, in my iphone, or in my scattered mind. but about twice a year, i come up with a well thought out and exciting (to me) master list of items i want/need.
the only person i ever really shared it with was my friend and ex-cubicle mate helen, who also makes a list of her own.

basically it is a list of important fashion items i feel i need for the upcoming season. i usually do this twice a year- once in september, and once around this time.

i work in the fashion industry, and i also adore makeup, so it's very easy for me to get caught up in trends and get all wanty. and although i do get excited and shop every now and then, i am not a hard core shopper. i also tend to get flustered in the mornings thinking about what to wear, so this list helps me get organized and feel put together.
this master list has reduced my morning dilemmas a great deal, and actually saves me money because i put a lot of thought into what i need, want and am willing to spend money on. i mull over this list for awhile so i am less inclined for impulse shopping.

what i do first is assess the closet situation and deal with the basics. how are my black pants holding up? do i have cute and comfortable jeans? and are the leg silhouettes dated? do i have my staple pieces like cardigans, white and black layering pieces, etc. answers to these types of questions tell me what goes on the new list. to give you an example of what's on my current list in this area:

skinny jeans (a pant cut that is totally missing in my wardrobe)
a black skirt
boyfriend blazer (casual loose, with rolled up cuffs to wear with skinny jeans or leggings)

i do the same thing for accessories and footwear. here's my current list in this area:

black belt to be worn over a tunic on the hip
metallic skinny belt from the gap

above is where i'd normally have scarves and a handbag, but i picked up some of those last time so don't need them this season.

the next thing i do is evaluate the newest trends which is part of my job anyways, and lots of fun. it's research for finding your best you, really. i admit i am a little slow at accepting some of the trends since i am a classic girl at heart, but i do try to incorporate some aspect of what's current into my wardrobe since it is my career and what i love. this area is where the fun things come in. here's my list for the fun stuff:

a floral, feminine and loose fitting piece (these below are from h&m's garden collection)
one item from the sonia rykiel collection at h&m (i love her, and i love the cute striped jumper with bow). must have!!!

and i usually end the list with a new lipstick or lip gloss, but since i've been on a makeup rampage lately, i feel a self imposed cut-off may be in order. also, i am awaiting the new mac collection (give me liberty) which comes out in march. AND, i have also just heard about the liberty of london line coming to target in march. i am so excited about both.

so there's my must have list for spring 2010. i'd love if you made your own wish list and shared it in the comments, or leave me a link to a post on your blog!

no apologies

2010-02-07T22:53:00.004-05:00

i feel like i've been away from this space for so long. i'd like to be able to say that i've been busy creating masterpieces in my little studio space, but i haven't been. but a new resolution i have for 2010 is to not feel guilty about what i don't accomplish. i've come to realize that i fall in and out of phases (or crazes), and right now sewing and creating have not been at the top of my priority list. the beautiful stacks of fabric will be waiting for me and that's ok.

~what has been on my list this month is this:
~decorating the basement and organizing the entire house (still not done, but i am enjoying the slow process!)
~jumping back into work and the new fall 2010 collection (love, love, love that part of my job)
~spending every spare moment hanging out in the cozy new basement
~spending every spare moment after that, watching youtube videos on makeup

this week should be a good one. we'll be celebrating 2 birthday's in the next 5 days. more to come on that soon.

i realize there are no pictures with this post, which is a real drag. but in keeping with my 2010 resolution, i am forcing myself NOT to apologize for it.

a brilliant collaboration

2010-01-22T16:03:00.003-05:00

two of my favorite worlds are colliding this spring with a collaboration between liberty of london and mac cosmetics. it could be the most beautiful packaging i have ever seen and i can't wait for it to hit the stores this march.there are a few more gorgeous pictures here. beautiful, isn't it?

~untitled~

2010-01-20T14:16:00.007-05:00

i'm having a bit of a post christmas vacation. work is very scarce this month and will resume in full force very soon with a new fall line and fashion show to start it off (i can't wait for that!). in the meantime, i've been trying to organize after the basement reno and spruce up some corners.

last week, i was pulling out pictures from magazines for my inspiration folder and found a back issue of house & home containing the most beautiful pale blue end table. i figured it was a lost cause since it was from a 2008 issue, but decided to run into home outfitter's anyways. imagine my surprise when in a clearance section i found the one lonely last box containing the very same table. it's now my new bedside table.

notice that beautiful ball of yarn is now being used as a prop. i just want to stare at it all the time.

i've also been sketching a lot, which has been really soothing and familiar. kind of like an old friend. camden thinks i drew myself in this one, but i've just always drawn girls who happen to all look the same (so said pretty much every art teacher i ever had). i call it my signature style.

i've also been making a lot of lists. one of which is finally some goals i have for 2010. i made sure to put some that are very doable, as well as a few more challenging ones. nothing like a little feeling of accomplishment to kick off the year.

right na na na

2010-01-11T12:30:00.001-05:00

as akon likes to say, this is what's going on 'right na na na':

~ i am redecorating half of the house in my mind. i do this every so often and am having one of those moments where i wished i painted every room white and could start all over again. i may start with my bedroom.

~ i am reorganizing the entire house and purging as much as possible- i think this is normal january behaviour, isn't it?

~ i am feeling organized since i put the chicken parmesan in the slow cooker before noon.

~ i am setting myself some important, but doable goals for 2010 that not only challenge me, but make me very very happy, too.

i found this quote recently and thought it was worth sharing:

"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.”
- Martha Washington

happy monday!

a little of this, a little of that

2010-01-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

i am almost giddy this week because i actually have peace and quiet around here. all of the christmas stress is over. no lingering wrapping or worrying about forgetting anything. the tree is tucked away, camden back in school, and jamie is at daycare 2 days a week.

i am only baking glen's favorite christmas cookie now. and i think i finally have some of my energy for cooking back. maybe it has something to do with this magazine i love, or these books that i recieved as gifts.

before christmas, i had ordered a couple of things for myself which have finally arrived. i can honestly say i love this yarn more than any other one i've ever seen. it's from folktale on etsy, and i am so grateful that Abby was able to get this one to me. it is stunning and although i really want to make myself a pair of mittens with them, i just want to keep the ball intact a little longer so i can keep admiring it as is. is that weird?

this batch of loveliness arrived, along with some sweet felt and a mini pattern for a turtle pin cushion. all adorable and perfect. heather bailey's collections always inspire me.

i hope you are finding lots of inspiration this january also!

january eats

2010-01-07T12:18:00.004-05:00

i stole a moment with my sister to do a late night makeup run at shoppers drug mart a few nights ago. we both had some gift cards and wanted a new eye shadow. we left with some really nice new cosmetics and this little magazine called the best of slow cooker recipes from prevention magazine.

i admit i already have a couple of slow cooker books and magazines, but after a quick flip through this one, i knew it was a must have. it is overflowing with pictures and yummy looking recipes that don't call for a lot of ingredients i don't have on hand. as a cookbook lover, that is one of my major pet peeves. the recipes in this magazine have limited ingredients that are high on flavour. i've already had success with the first recipe and have tagged dozens of others to try.

the crock roasted chicken with rotisserie rub was to die for. seriously simple and melt in your mouth good. and right now, i have the hungarian paprika potato soup bubbling away. other recipes that i am super excited to try are the orange beef & vegetables, brown sugar BBQ chicken, orange chipotle BBQ ribs and peanut butter cup cake. did i mention that it's filled with 136 comfort food recipes?

i'm a big believer in meal planning and also love my crock pot to death. i find assembling a recipe in the morning so much more enjoyable, not to mention possible, than trying to cook at that exact time the boys seem to need my full attention (from 4-5:00pm). I am treating this little magazine as my guide to better meal planning and cooking this year.

i know so many blogs i love have posted topics on family meal planning and new recipes to try. a couple of my favorites are here and here. and if you need more inspiration to get you through the cold, dark winter months, you should consider picking up this magazine too. if you couldn't tell, i really love it.

ben 10 and kevin

2010-01-04T10:37:00.004-05:00

last week i had a craft day with my nieces and some friends so that they could make themselves a doll. after the girls saw camden doll and jamie doll, they each wanted their own, so we set out to make them. the boys had been asking for a ben 10 and kevin doll for awhile, and although i hoped they would forget about them, they did not.

i was a little stressed about the amount of detail needed for the ben doll, especially since camden's eye for detail is sharp. much like a designer that can see a missing paillette or sequin on an evening gown. but he was patient with me and allowed me to eliminate some stripes. the omnitrix was not negotiable though.

so here they are, using the wee wonderfuls make-a-long patterns.

not too bad, minus the "dead eyes" my sister pointed out on kevin.

the boys are thrilled and i have to admit I am thrilled they are done!

2010-01-02T18:10:00.005-05:00

it's already january 2nd, and i'm just starting to reflect on the past year and focus on the new one ahead. i love this time of year. there is nothing i love more than the feeling of a clean slate; a fresh start. it's one of the few times of the year i give myself a break when it comes to unfinished projects and a disorderly home. i am soaking up the january issues of magazines focusing on organizing and cleaning with a vengeance.

we learned a lot in 2009, and dealt with some major milestones. it was the year camden was diagnosed with autism. and the year i lost a job. but so much good has come from both of those things, so i feel like it was a good year for our family.

the basement renovation is almost over. there is still a lot to pull together, but we managed to set up the new family room, with superior surround sound i might add! right now, the boys are watching the original batman movie with adam west. they are now referring to this robin as "old school" which i find adorable.

our holidays were excellent. i didn't cook as much as i'd hoped, nor sewed as much as i planned. and glen's hat is still not complete. but all is good.

there were family gatherings, delicious food, and some movie nights with glen which involved roasted chestnuts and new cookbooks to browse.

i'm looking forward to a calm and happy january. happy new year!

december at the speed of light

2009-12-22T13:32:00.004-05:00

as always, the holidays have crept up on me so quickly. without realizing it until today, i took a much needed blogging break. a complete computer break, actually, and i missed a lot of my favorite blogs and websites.
but the basement reno along with a sewage problem (again!!) demanded most of my time.

i thought i would pop in and post some pictures of what's been going on around here this week.

a big old mess from the reno.

lots of playing and laughter.

a very special birthday.

still to do before christmas:

bake some holiday cookies

spend some time with my favorite cookbooks and plan some special meals

wrap, wrap, wrap

watch bad santa and elf

finish the one handmade gift i am making this year for glen

what do you have left to do?

wishing you a wonderful holiday and happy christmas!

thank you

2009-12-03T10:54:00.005-05:00

every once in awhile, i have this strong sense that everything is just right. even though the messes of everyday life are still there, there is a feeling that life is good. i'm naturally a content person, but i'm talking about a stronger sense that a wave of something great is swirling around my home and my heart. it could have to do with these little ones....

and of course, glen that has been working so hard to finish our basement off in time for christmas.

for the longest while, i've been searching for some of my creative energy that i felt i let go of when life got the best of me. i know it's still there, deep down, and now i am trying to find the right outlet for it before it bursts out of me! good friends and this sweet guy have encouraged me, and that means more than anything to me. my flickr friends are also a constant source of inspiration to me, too. so, thank you!

fast face

2009-12-02T09:46:00.003-05:00

i love makeup! even thought i don't wear that much, and need to be reminded somedays to put it on, i thought it would be fun to post about my favorite 'fast face' items of the moment.

i always start with a good moisturizer and under eye concealer. currently, i like clinique's redness alert cream and lise watier's portfolio concealer (i never use the green or blue shades, but the others work well on my skin).

i absolutely love bare minerals foundation and my handy buki brush. i am very sensitive and dry, and this still seems to work well for me. bronzer is a must for my fair skin, followed by blush (the bare radiance and glee are great!). if i have time, i use benefit cream shadow in birthday suit (not shown), and liquid liner. mascara and lip gloss or lip stick and i'm somewhat presentable.

what are your favorite cosmetic items and colours?

super scrummy snack

2009-11-26T11:04:00.004-05:00

i took a short break to have a bite in between scrubbing bathrooms and fighting dust bunnies.

nutella + bananas are really one of the most awesome combinations. ever. don't believe me? i just dare you to try it. and if you're feeling adventurous, put them inside a fresh, warm crepe. heaven, i say!

ps. happy thanksgiving to my american friends!

reflecting

2009-11-16T21:33:00.006-05:00

i can remember the day camden arrived and the flood of emotions that came with him. mostly, just pure love.

he was the easiest baby you could ever imagine. after a few months, some even said he seemed like a man, trapped in a little boy's body. his eyes were so full of thought and light.

and then one day, that easy baby turned into a not so easy baby. one moment so happy and full of love, and the next he seemed to have the weight of the world on those tiny shoulders.

many sleepless nights, and more heartbreak and tears than i care to remember, until one day an explanation. sensory processing disorder...autism spectrum....asperger's syndrome. all things we have become very familiar with in our house. and then everything started to make sense to us, and then most importantly, to him.

some days i just watch him in awe. his ability to connect with people is beautiful. his use & understanding of words so impressive. i fear he will outsmart me any day now.

his love has no bounds.

when he makes a wish at a fountain, he doesn't wish for a new toy, he wishes for all the people in the world to be friends.

when he says a prayer at night in bed, he says he is thankful that God put him in my tummy.

when i didn't know what was going on with him, and was consumed by frustration and fear last year, he told me "i believe in you, mama". i will never, ever forget that moment and the limitless strength it gave me.

if he was in your child's class, or you saw him at the park or a restaurant, you may not notice anything different about him at all. he would probably strike up a very interesting conversation with you and make you laugh. most people that know him well, have a hard time believing the diagnosis. but it is real, it just has so many faces. or should i say disguises?

i've been thinking a lot about the boy he is lately. and how proud i am of his leaps and bounds this year. this obviously effects our family immensely every day and i felt like sharing a little bit of that here.

better late than never

2009-11-13T14:25:00.005-05:00

i started making the boys pajama pants a long time ago. i remember sewing them on christmas eve day last year, and getting a little stressed that they would not be ready in time to go under the tree. i tore myself away from the sewing machine before they were done because i thought my time was better spent with my boys and family in a peaceful way during the holidays, rather than alone in the sewing room ridden with anxiety.

camden found them the other day and asked if he could wear them. i am not sure why they fell by the wayside for so long. they were the cutest bandana print fabric.

but the good thing is i didn't even have to hem them since camden had grown taller. in fact, i think they may even be floods by christmas.

chocolate :: easy

2009-11-13T13:59:00.002-05:00

the november issue of everyday food has a fabulous cake recipe on page 154. it's from a new book, by lucinda scala quinn, which has me very intrigued called mad hungry. it's a book geared to feeding men and boys and i think based on the title, and the outcome of this simple chocolate cake which you mix in the pan it's baked in, it's going on my christmas list.

the recipe is here, if you like chocolate and you like easy.

and i found a little video here, too.

have a wonderful weekend!

thoughts on me & knitting

2009-11-02T15:25:00.004-05:00

i have been spending a lot of time lately, perusing ravelry and all it has to offer. my interest in knitting seems to come and go, and right now it is definitely a part of my everyday. juliet, the sweater i am knitting for myself, is still on the needles and almost complete. i am a little torn about it though. it is beautiful, but i very obviously made some mistakes early on in the lace pattern that i didn't catch until now (and i am only a couple inches from being done).

i know if i was a better knitter, i would rip it back and correct it. but i just can't. i am too eager to move on to some other projects.

i quickly completed these hats for the boys. the pattern was extremely simple, and i used a nice (but not spectacular yarn). i'm pretty happy with them.

during my recent knitting blitz, i have learned this....

1~ knitting is not an inexpensive craft.

2~ the yarn i like is not widely available, even in my local yarn shop. boo.

3~ if i make a mistake, i have no idea how to go back and correct it.

4~ i really need a knitting mentor that lives next door.

5~ if anyone decides to chat with me, i must put the needles down immediately (or stupid mistakes will occur and then i deal with point #3).

6~ as much patience as i have in everyday life, i have very little with myself when it comes to knitting and get so easily discouraged.

if you are a knitter and have any tips for me, please do share. or if you are looking to move, there are a few homes on my street for sale, too.

breaking news...

2009-10-22T17:08:00.004-04:00

i made a pie, completely from scratch.

i've made plenty of desserts before, some included home made pastry. but for some reason, making a real fruit pie seemed different. i served it to my parents after a perfect roast beef dinner with yorkshire puddings. it was so nice to cook for my mom for a change.

other breaking news.....

~ i chopped off a lot of my hair

~ i've already decided what i want for christmas from this site

~ i spent a lot of time in ikea today with my mr. and we enjoyed a lunch date in the caf. (we had no kids with us, but i wanted to help every other mother in the store by holding or feeding their screaming baby- of course, i resisted)

~ swedish meatballs are really yummy

~ fall is pretty amazing

dutch baby

2009-10-15T09:18:00.004-04:00

i admit that i had never heard of a dutch baby before spotting the recipe in this book. and i may have made it simply because the name was so cute. but oh my gosh, i am so glad that i did! it was the easiest 'pancake-like' recipe ever.

and it made the most perfect sunday breakfast which the boys gobbled up.

this book is so good!

patchwork love

2009-10-12T11:13:00.004-04:00

i just finished a new table runner for our kitchen table, and i am totally in love with these fabrics. so much so, that i think i may need all new pillows in the family room which is just off of the kitchen.

i used amy butler's pattern for the truest triangle table runner which is on her softwares disc. it was easy enough to complete, although my triangles may not be the truest out there. but that's ok. i feel like a pretty good sewer when it comes to garments, but my quilting is definitely not perfect. i've come to accept that and almost like it.

the fabrics i used were mostly amy butler's (a combination of a few of her collections), with a bit of anna maria horner thrown in there too. i have a lot of green in my home, and i think this touch of blue really compliments the green. it's funny how one project can turn into another. i'm off to plan more pillows now.

thankful

2009-10-08T12:52:00.005-04:00

i felt like i was handling october so well...and all of a sudden i feel a little like the balance is off kilter again. it's such a tricky thing, finding that right balance, isn't it? but in the spirit of thanksgiving (which is this weekend in Canada), i thought i'd recap what is really good about right now.

1. my laundry is almost caught up (although there is a lot of putting clothes away in my very near future)

2. i feel like my crock pot and me have made nice

3. i love my new best friend- the cast iron skillet

4. i started a new patchwork project for my kitchen table with those fabrics above

5. even thought my little guys start the night off in their own beds, by the morning they are snuggled in bed with us

6. i received 2 new prints to hang from lovely design. and they are even more perfect that i imagined.

7. thanksgiving is this weekend which means pumpkin pie and family gatherings

happy thanksgiving!

soup's on

2009-10-05T18:37:00.005-04:00

what's better than a crisp fall day that involves soup? not much that i can think of. i was happy to join in the soup swap happenings over at turkey cookies today. if you like soup, you should really check jessica's blog out. you'll find lots of very nice people sharing their favorite soups.

i made a new soup today, based on one that i had bought for lunch one day a few months ago. it was so good, and after looking for a recipe on-line, i realized i'd have to just make it up. i think it turned out excellently so here's my contribution to the soup swap:

Asian Chicken Noodle Soup

1 TBSP Vegetable Oil

2 Chicken Breasts, cut into slivers or cubes

1 large carrot, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1 TBSP minced garlic

1 TBSP finely grated ginger

4 Cups Chicken broth

3 Cups water

8oz Sliced muchrooms (white, button or shitake)

1/2 package of egg noodles

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

juice of 1 lime

2 scallions chopped

1 can of baby corn, cut into pieces

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Heat oil in a large pot and cook chicken until lightly golden. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Discard any juices and saute the carrot and celery until soft.

Add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 2 minutes.

Add the broth and water to the pot, add the mushrooms and put the cooked chicken back in the pot. Bring to a boil and add the noodles. Reduce heat and simmer until noodles are done.

Remove from heat and add the scallions, lime and cilantro. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

I hope you like it as much as we did.

if you've been looking for me, i've been in the kitchen

2009-10-05T09:06:00.005-04:00

i feel like i've been hibernating in my kitchen lately. we had to put the furnace on this week, and i am getting acquainted with my new cast iron pan, my good old slow cooker, and some new recipes.

i made a lasagne in my slow cooker that was very good. it surprised me, just how good it was. and camden had 3 man sized portions. i also made a one pot chicken casserole thing in the slow cooker which was ok but i'll probably not make again.

i finally made rachel's chicken enchiladas and they were delicious. i've already copied the recipe onto a small index card to go into my recipe box- a sure sign they are a winning recipe.

i tried a recipe from the cast iron skillet cookbook (which i mention below) and it was fantastic.

moist cornbread, which I think will be perfect with soup tonight if I can get myself together to participate in Jessica's Soup Swap over at turkey cookies.

this cornbread is delicious.

and i finally managed to make glen his favorite cookie which has only ever been made at christmas in our house....chewy chocolate gingerbread cookies from martha.

these cookies involve a few extra steps than the average cookie recipe, but they are so good they are worth a little extra work. and i think i got some extra wife points for making them on request.

happy monday!

october and cast iron

2009-10-01T09:18:00.005-04:00

there is a chill in the air this week and the comfort food bug has bitten me. i have been spending any spare moments i have on the couch with a blanket and cookbooks all around me. some of my old favorites have been pulled off the shelf to get better aquainted with. and a new one has quickly made its way to be one of my favorites.

at the end of summer, i bought myself a cast iron skillet which i am very excited about. and when i saw this book at crate&barrel yesterday, i could not resist. the recipes look fantastic. i have flagged so many pages already....dutch babies, buttermilk breakfast scones, monday night meatloaf, moist cornbread, baked apples and so many more! can you imagine baking banana bread in a skillet? oh, i can't wait for all the goodness this book will bring to my table (starting tonight). they're all from the cast iron skillet cookbook, by sharon kramis and julie kramis hearne.

i haven't tried any of them yet, but this quote from the introduction makes me very happy:

"our well-seasoned cast iron skillets connect our family history with love, from one generation to the next."

and while i was at crate&barrel, i finally found a table cloth that fits my large round table on sale. who knew a 90" round would be so hard to find? it was a very good day.

this is what i do

2009-09-17T11:08:00.004-04:00

when people ask me what i do for a living, i find it difficult to answer. i usually tell them i work in fashion and leave it at that. but it often sparks interest and more questions. the answers to which are not always easily explained by me.

as i mentioned recently, i have started a new job, primarily based at home. it's given me more time to focus on home life, but also on work which i really love. i consider myself very lucky in this regard. so in case you were wondering what it is i do exactly, i'll tell you a little bit about it.

i am a technical designer, which means i deal a lot with fittings, samples & specs. after the designer creates the collection and sources the fabrics and notions, i am responsible for getting the fit just right. i make any necessary changes of measurements, small adjustments on patterns, and ensure the grading is correct. i go back and forth with the sample makers overseas to ensure the final garment fits well and falls within the company standards.

i've done other things in the industry, but right now, this is what i do. what do you do?

lots of new

2009-09-07T13:06:00.006-04:00

i started my new job last week and it kept me a little too busy to blog. a little too busy for cleaning and much of anything else, too. but it's all going very well so far. and did i mention a big renovation at home also? yep, we must be crazy.

we're finishing off our basement, and we decided one bigger window was in order.

and when things get busy, i seem to get more inspired than ever. at the moment it is amy butler doing the inspiring around here. i have pulled out some of her fabrics from my stash, and ordered the amy butler softwares (projects on cd). and since my birthday is next month, i thought it was about time i seriously added to my fabric stash. I practically run to the mailbox every day waiting for it to arrive.

camden had his first week of grade 1! he's been a little overwhelmed, as I have been, but it's all pretty exciting. hopefully i'll settle things down and start blogging a little more often again.

summer's end

2009-08-26T07:57:00.004-04:00

around here, we're getting ready to start grade 1. i am a little nervous and excited at the same time. i can honestly say that this was my best summer ever, being home with the boys and not having to even think about work was a dream. i was able to step back and really see just how stressful and chaotic our lives were before. and i am determined to not let it get that way again.
but the end of summer is just about here, and i am also starting a new job. next week. how did this happen so quickly? i'll have to change gears and get focused on work again, but i am thrilled that it will be based from my home (and still in the fashion industry). i'm already having a lot of fun fixing up my home office. here's what else is on my to do list:

~~go to the beach~~

finish up the back to school shopping

reorganize the boys clothing for school/fall

get a haircut

play around with my new iphone (yay!)

finish sewing 2 gifts that are very overdue

finish quilting and binding my lap quilt

i've also ordered this as a little congratulatory gift to myself. i can't wait for it to arrive. of course, there will have to be some kind of fabric purchase in the very near future to use with all of the new projects found on this disc. life is good!

a 13th birthday and some added cute!

2009-08-21T15:07:00.004-04:00

my niece turned 13 this week, and after consulting her on her favorite colour (hot pink), i made her this tote and pencil case.

i love that little button i added to it- it's from green leaf & owl.

i am clearly obsessed with making simple totes for gifts, and i should probably stop before they take over this blog. but they are fun to make and I really liked this fabric combination.

and this picture is totally unrelated, but it's too cute not to share. it's glen with my sweet niece eva, who is possibly the cutest baby ever.

too much cuteness in one photo!

happy weekend!

a must read

2009-08-16T11:44:00.005-04:00

i think this is such a great article, that every person, parent or not, should read it. even if you do not have a child with autism, you likely know someone that does. and speaking from experience, the one thing you really want for your child is for him or her to be understood and accepted for who they are.
please read it here, at http://www.cookiemag.com/.

a christmas tradition in august

2009-08-13T07:54:00.004-04:00

every christmas eve, my mom prepares a feast of fish and seafood. sometimes, there are new dishes but there are always a few traditions that remain the same. baccala, or salted cod, is one very important one that appears in a few variations every time. this one here, is my absolute favorite.

it is baked in the oven until golden and lightly crispy around some edges, then flaked and dressed with the most simplest of things: olive oil, garlic and some parsley. it's not everyone's cup of tea, and it usually sits in between my father and i on the table since we are the biggest fans. I could really eat the whole bowl.

i made it last week and the smell and taste honestly made me feel like it was christmas around here. if you'd like the recipe, you can see mama lucy's handwritten one in the picture over here.

now...back to summer!

summer is...

2009-08-08T10:27:00.005-04:00

ice cream sandwiches:

playing in the grass

a new (amazing!!) book

bliss

grown ups play make believe too

2009-07-31T19:39:00.005-04:00

i've spent way too much time on the computer today. i discovered twitter, found a million knitting patterns and yarns i want, and quite a few other things that i have no business getting right now. allow me to share with you some discoveries.....

this coffee table is exactly what my family room neeeeeeeeds! and you can have your choice of it in 40 luscious colours from maine cottage. this necklace from foundling is so sweet and understated.

this photograph from charmaine olivia. so beautiful.

and saltwaters. i have loved these sandals for more than one summer, but have serious doubts that they are 'me'.

photo from here.

what are you loving right now?

handmade gifts

2009-07-29T16:02:00.004-04:00

my sister julie celebrated her birthday last week. she's had quite a year bringing twins into this world while gracefully managing her 3 year old (not to mention her home, part time school and everything else she does). when i asked her what she wanted for this birthday, she politely asked for handmade gifts. i started with this pillow (times 2) which will sit in her entrance.and i just finished this tote bag. i made her another one a while ago, but she requested a second one because, you know....twins equal a lot more stuff to carry around.

i feel like i've made more tote bags than anything else for people, but that seems to be my go-to gift. it's been good, but i think i need to find my next go-to item.

time is a funny thing

2009-07-28T07:13:00.005-04:00

in case you thought my little absence here was due to some exotic summer vacation, let me just inform you, it is not. i've been here, at home, enjoying the ridiculously mild summer weather and my time. and even though time is in abundance right now (and i am still pinching myself and foolishly grinning about it), the days are zipping by faster than i can believe. in the last couple weeks......

~ i finally started waking up before the boys to have my morning coffee, see glen off to work, and gain a little head start to my day. it's making a huge difference in 'starting my day as i mean to end it'.

~i've seen my best friends and their children after much too long. so much has happened in everyone's lives, including some new babies, yet we just seemed to pick up where we left off. i am so lucky to have them.

~i've been devouring the last 2 issues of gourmet magazine. they are incredibly good and have rekindled the love affair i have with my cookbooks and new recipes. august may be a very exciting food month around here.

~ i've been on a huge knitting kick lately (i only wish i could knit those long juliet rows a little faster as i have about 5 new projects i want to cast on for next).

i hope you are enjoying your time as much as possible.

campity campout

2009-07-15T15:38:00.006-04:00

we took the boys on our first family campout last week. here are some of the highlights.....

the famous head squeeze/hair twirl from camden (a sure sign of his love)

collectingexperiencing a REAL s'moreshowing off battle scars from his first camping injury

making friend's in the nature centre (jamie loved the turtles)

camden had a favorite 'animal' in the nature centre also. he took a shine to a parasite which lives at the bottom of lakes and sucks the life out of innocent fish. he thought that was pretty cool. here is the disgusting sea lamprey which i've had to explain to camden we cannot have a pet.

stealing a brief moment together

i can't wait to go back.

a keeper

2009-07-08T15:16:00.003-04:00

once in awhile, you come across one of those recipes that are so good and so easy, that you wonder why it took so long to find it. sour cream ice cream is one of those recipes. i've made it twice in one week, and it's found a home in my recipe card holder that only houses tried and true recipes.
the recipe is from gourmet magazine. i would purchase this magazine for that recipe alone, but in fact it has so many that look good. here is the recipe:

sour cream ice cream
from gourmet magazine (july 2009)

1 tub chilled sour cream
1 Cup Chilled Half & Half Cream (I used Light Cream and it was fine)
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Chilled Heavy Cream
2 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Puree all ingredients with 1/8 tsp of salt in a blender until smooth. Put in your ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's instructions.

This is the perfect summer dessert. With pie would be even better, but alone is perfectly alright too.

around here...

2009-07-02T12:19:00.005-04:00

after lots of sewing for other people, i felt the urge to make something for myself. i thought a new summer bag was in order with one of my absolute favorite fabric prints. i've been saving this one for awhile, never really wanting to cut into it. but after seeing a cute bag on this blog, which directed me to these patterns by ali foster, i just decided it was time. (i've been constantly inspired by Blair's blog and projects lately.)

i'm really happy with the outcome, it's the perfect size and actually was fun to make. minimum pieces, and i love sewing bias binding. it's also reversible!

now, onto my next project (more like obsession) sprucing up my home. i go in and out of phases like this, but since i am home full time now, i think i've caught the home dec bug again. first of all, my bedroom needs a serious sprucing up. we have some beautiful dark wood pieces we were lucky to inherit and find at super discount prices. but it feels pretty drab. i found this photo in elle decor (july/august 2009) and am completely inspired. i am now on the hunt for those night tables! and the lamps too.

the bedroom is from the home of monelle totah. the rest of her home is just as beautiful, take a look:i'm going to scour craigslist and hit the local home sense store this afternoon. i suspect there will be some upcoming posts on home updates very soon.

summer is finally here!

2009-06-26T15:35:00.004-04:00

the last day of school was today. i am breathing a big sigh of relief. summer finally feels here and we have the humidity to prove it.

we will now have a lot more time to spend with our sweet mia (james is most happy about this).

and with her twin brother and sister who are getting more adorable each day.

i get to spend a lot more time with my younger sister (who is stealing a moment to actually eat in this picture- those 4 month twins and mia keep her pretty busy right now).

she is such a good mom.

and camden really likes their backyard so if we're not home, we'll be a few blocks aways at their house.

happy summer!

'start as you mean to end'

2009-06-18T17:41:00.005-04:00

glen's late nana used to tell me 'start as you mean to end'. I was 16 years old at the time, and i really didn't understand the meaning behind it. she would repeat it occasionally through the years, but it wasn't until i was married that it truly resonated with me.

being a mom has led me to new interpretations of it. specifically with how i start my day. now that i am home and caring for the boys all day, i find myself easily distracted and without focus. if i haven't accomplished much by lunchtime, i feel that my day is lost. and there is usually no getting it back at that point.

but if i start my day with unloading the dishwasher, clearing the kitchen counters and perhaps even a plan for dinner that night, then things are much different. if the toys are in their place (reasonably so, at least), then i think more clearly. if i manage some of this early in my day, i find myself able to spend more time with the boys reading and playing and maybe even spare some moments of quiet alone time with my coffee.

all this being said, i am not sure why those days of starting off poorly creep in. today, i had one of those days and i can just hear nana with her thick scottish accent telling me 'sandra, start as you mean to end!'

i wish she was here to see me finally get it. and also to remind me of it when i forget. because i'd rather the boys remember the days with me as being organized and calm, with as little stress as possible and with a mama who was really present. so, starting tomorrow, i will be starting the day as i mean to end it....with purpose and a clear head.

week 2- update

2009-06-12T13:26:00.007-04:00

i'm 2 weeks into being a stay at home mama, and so far it is going very well. i was a little ambitious and booked every single appointment i've neglected for the last year into these few weeks, but finally things are slowing down.

camden is in school for another 2 weeks, so i am enjoying the quiet mornings and gearing up for the long summer days. he did graduate from kindergarten this week.

there are days that i am feeling a little frazzled, but i just remember how hard it was being at work and i am quickly over it. i am aware, however, that it has only been 2 weeks and by the end of summer with 2 boys around all day, every day, i could be completely insane. i am taking preventative measures and have already started yoga classes with a friend.

with my new found domesticity, i made a share worthy cake. i was craving one of those chocolate snackin' cakes my mom used to make from a box when i was a kid but they're no longer available. thanks to the wondrous internet, i quickly found this recipe and it is fab-u-lous!

i get a lot of satisfaction in making a cake that fills up a 9 x 12" lasagna pan. i will be making this one often.

teepees, sandboxes and summer

2009-06-06T22:18:00.004-04:00

now that i will be home with the boys full time, i am seriously organizing and preparing for the summer. particularly in the backyard. camden has a few more weeks of school, but after that we will find ourselves with lots of time on our hands.

i remember loving my backyard as a kid, but when i look around our background now it feels kind of empty and i wonder what they can do back there.

i don't want to fill it up with plastic toys and junk, but I am trying to find something that will encourage them to stay and play out there as long as possible.

if i had large trees, i would start with a hammock. but we don't have any. and i've been thinking of this all day...

image is from cookie magazine blog

except i'd want one meant for the outdoors and they are crazy expensive. i'm not feeling up to making one either.
i am also considering a sandbox. but glen is convinced it will be a mud pit, and get dragged in the house. so we're not sold on that idea either.
what's in your backyard? what keeps your kids, if you have any, busy and occupied? help!

weekend sewing

2009-06-01T14:31:00.004-04:00

i received heather ross's weekend sewing for mother's day, and it is a really inspirational book. i love the fact that someone out there understands that some of us only have weekends to sew. sometimes life doesn't allow for much more than that.

the projects in here are very straightforward and often times quick, too. take this checkbook cover, for example. i made one for a good friend of mine and then followed up with one for me since I liked it so much.

next time, i might add some stiff fusing to make it a little more sturdy though.

very fast, very easy, and very fun to make.

this dress was the first thing i made from the book for my niece, Mia. sometimes i wish i had a daughter just so i could make things like this. luckily, i have 3 nieces to curb any thoughts of trying for a girl. my hands are full enough as it is. i did get a few kicks trying it on jamie for a proper fitting though (oh, i wish i took a picture of that).

i did try making the travel case/cosmetics bag, but it turned out completely skewed and ridiculous, or abstract, a term that sounds much better. instead, i made this simple pouch for my friend's birthday.

just thought i would mention that blunder so no one is under any illusion that i am constantly creating beautiful things around here. there are some hits, but many misses and usually i don't feel the need to post about the failures. although that may make a good post one day, too.

happy monday!

occupation: full time mama

2009-05-29T20:00:00.004-04:00

on wednesday of this week, and as a result of poor economic times, i was laid off from work. i know i should probably feel some disappointment, but right now i am just looking at these two faces and feeling that it is right. at least for now.

as of this week, i am officially a stay at home mom. it may not be a permanent status, but at least for the foreseeable future, i will be with my boys. and i couldn't be happier. (although a visit to the spa for a facial, mani-pedi and a consult with a master stylist would boost my already happy self to one of pure bliss).

sunday cooking for the week- take 1

2009-05-25T08:48:00.006-04:00

this sunday, i tried cooking for the week. maybe not the entire week, but a few things that will help ease the strain at dinner time most nights, along with some lunch and snack options.
i actually started saturday night with a rhubarb loaf. i picked my first batch of rhubarb from the garden and searched for a recipe. I was excited to see just how many rhubarb recipes I found in my collection. I love the fruit and can never have too many ways to prepare it. but for this night, i wanted something simple that would sit in my cake dome for the next few days just there for the taking.
As the day wound down and the kids were happily tiring out, I popped it into the oven with almost no effort at all. It was our Sunday afternoon snack and it is packed in my lunchbag today too.

my sunday cooking for the week included:
Beef Stroganoff in the Crock pot
Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup
Baked Tofu (for salads, sandwiches and maybe fried rice)
Rhubarb Loaf

I meant to also make some chocolate banana muffins for the kids and one bean/veggie salad but i didn't get that far. i have started accumulated recipes and next week will add some grilled chicken (to use in salad one night, and quesadillas another night) and some kind of quiche.
for my first round, i am pretty pleased with what i made. i think next week i'll increase it by one or two dishes and that should help get us through the week happily. at least when i get home, i'll be able to breathe a little easier knowing dinner is half way there.

if you have any good plan ahead/keep in the fridge recipes, please send them to me!

Happy Monday!

back to work

2009-05-22T13:26:00.002-04:00

after a 3 week hiatus from work, i am back at my daily 9-5 with not a lot of my to do list accomplished. i suppose being sick played a big part in that and i am trying not to feel too guilty since my body really needed the rest.

and so even though the steps were small, some steps were made and that is definitely something to be happy about.
we cleaned our garden and lawn. well, i watched the cleanup and glen did the real work.
i signed up for a yoga class and have decided to make this time for myself a high priority.
i watched season finales of House (oh my, i love this show!) and 24.
i used my crock pot a few times and found 2 new excellent recipes here and here. they are really really worth trying if you have a slow cooker.

i sat on the couch and cuddled with the boys a lot and really, there is nothing much better than that.

and something that made me really excited while I was home wallowing in my sick self was being featured here, on one of my favorite interior design sites Apartment Therapy!

and so my peaceful 3 weeks at home are officially over. (sigh)

easy smiles

2009-05-13T21:18:00.001-04:00

I saw this posted on another blog and have watched it, with a smile, 3 times already.

friday

2009-05-08T14:42:00.007-04:00

this friday i find myself listing things i should have done by now, while trying not to feel any guilt over my lack of accomplishments.

this package should have gone out weeks ago. actually, months ago. it's for one of the dearest people i've met through blogland. i really hope she likes it. she is a crazy cool mama that inspires me all the time.

instead of racing around trying to finish more tasks, i decided to just relax and soak up some of the stillness around me. i found nooks and corners that make me happy.

bits and pieces that are inspiring and refreshing.

these beautiful bits are from the workroom!

i'm gathering energy for the weekend ahead and the coming week, too.

my to do list includes:
~ visit a local yoga studio and finally sign up for classes
~ mail that package
~ tighten up my plans for sunday cooking for the week
~ spring clean closets and donate unwearable clothing
~ paint a tool/book box for camden's room
~ knit some of my juliet each and every day

there is more, but i'm trying to keep it attainable. what's on your to do list this weekend?

finding a plan

2009-05-02T17:45:00.004-04:00

i was having a pretty good april when all of a sudden i was hit by an annoying cold that would not go away and turned into pneumonia. after the first few really bad days, i've settled into this middle zone where i'm not feeling horrible, but just not feeling great. i am home from work, and will be for a couple of weeks, which would normally be a time to jump for joy and craft, cook and socialize. but i haven't had the energy to really accomplish much of anything.

i've been using the time to really think about my approach to our busy lives.

i know i talk (or complain) about it a lot, but it's really been my biggest challenge in life. to be a good mother, wife, woman, and also work such long days. there are so many daily stresses and constraints on us, that i get frustrated and angry with myself which doesn't do anyone any good.

i'm evaluating my approach to everything, from dressing the kids, scheduling, and what we cook and eat. one thing i am planning on doing as soon as work starts up again, is sunday cooking for the week. i have 2 friends at work who do this- spend their sunday morning or afternoon cooking many dishes for the week to come. and i was reminded of this technique when i stumbled on a new to me blog the other day here. i remember my mom doing this during the few years she worked while i was a teenager. it makes a lot of sense, and i'm hoping it will help my weeknights because they need a lot of help at the moment.

i've started a new binder to keep all of the recipes that are good for this kind of sunday prep cooking, as well as a few super quick ones for nights in question. I have a kazillion cookbooks in my collection and enjoy cooking from them on weekends, but weeknights are vicious with time and do not allow too many ina or nigella recipes.

while i was home this week, i pulled out this book again, since it is pretty brainless to keep dough in the fridge and make this at any time:

it's so very delicious and completes even the simplest of meals.

while i was in this baking mood today, i also made my favorite cake (it's definitely the most often made cake in my kitchen). it's a pumpkin bundt cake and it makes a great mid-morning snack. you can find the recipe here. most of the time i add a cup of chocolate chips, but i didn't this time because i feel like we're still coming off the easter sugar rush around here.

i have a lot of good books to look through while i'm home. and a lot more planning and structuring to do. i am determined to find a way to better use my time (for housework, cooking, etc.). if you have any tips, i'd love to hear them.

this week, in between all of the bed rest, i am hoping to clean out the kids clothing, and my own. serious clutter clearance! if i can manage that, i hope to work on some sewing projects from Weekend Sewing too. i really love this book!

and of course, juliet needs tending to.

have a great week!

girls wear pink to make the boys wink

2009-04-19T19:02:00.007-04:00

at least, that's what my mother in law tells me. i fell in love with this pink fabric from joel dewberry's line over a year and a half ago. i ordered enough of it to make the built by wendy top (simplicity 3835) but only managed to sew it this weekend.

i think i procrastinated because i worried the fabric wouldn't be right for a garment. i had only seen it used in quilts and other crafty projects, but not a shirt. it was a simple enough pattern that i decided to just try it and hope for the best. and i'm pretty happy with the results.

it's a little boxy, but i kind of like that about it. and i think the fabric was a perfect choice. i wish i made this a lot sooner. maybe i'll make up for that by making a couple more. and there's also that summer dress i've been meaning to make myself since last year too!

my favorite cookie

2009-04-17T07:50:00.004-04:00

these are my absolute favorite cookies. i love them so much and have handed out the recipe so many times, that they are now commonly referred to as Sandy's Shortbread Meltaways. i can't take credit for the recipe though, only the passing around of it.
everyone that has tasted them has asked me for the recipe. it comes from here which is also the place where i discovered the brown sugar buttons (also very good, but not as meltingly delicious as these shortbread meltaways).

they have become a staple with my christmas baking, but i also make them for no reason at all.

my lovely friend kate makes them often and has passed samples of them around new york, england, and who knows where else! she is quite the traveller, you know.

i think it's time you tried them too! especially you, leslie (a.k.a the cookie queen).

i think it's my duty to share something so good. enjoy!

happy easter

2009-04-12T08:36:00.004-04:00

more pictures here.

pattern for fetching found here.

and even more here, if you're on ravelry.

mmm, goat's cheese

2009-04-07T08:28:00.004-04:00

i really don't understand when someone tells me they don't like soup. what's not to like about a delicious bowl of warm, comforting soup? and if it has roasted red peppers which were roasted over charcoals by my Dad this past fall, it just doesn't get any better.

this roasted red pepper and tomato soup is so good, and I usually make the version found here regularly. but over ther weekend i was browsing through some back issues of delicious magazine and found a version with some goat's cheese crumbled in. i also found this very interesting recipe for spinach and goat's cheese muffins, which although looked very nice alongside the soup, left a little to be desired. they were good but a little dry and ended up being torn up and used as croutons in our soup.

and no, the boys would not eat the muffins, even though spinach is pretty popular around here. i guess they like their muffins with chocolate chips in them and i can't blame them for that.

silhouettes

2009-04-05T10:59:00.005-04:00

i've been seeing silhouettes pop up all over the place for over a year now. but seeing them here, on this blog which has given me so much inspiration in so many ways, is what made me want to make them for my own family.

i love them, and especially love seeing my boys' profiles like this.

it's a beautiful sunday, so i am off to enjoy the little bit of sunshine this weekend has finally provided.

pasta....but not really

2009-03-23T16:30:00.005-04:00

if i had to name one type of food most familiar with my childhood, it would have to be pasta. it was present at almost every evening meal, in some form or another and usually as a starter. it was elaborate on some occasions (lasagna or cannelloni) and simplistic on others when comfort was needed (with butter and parmesan).

if the fridge was empty, mama lucy would whip up her olive oil with crushed red pepper flakes version. when there was leftover spaghetti, my dad would fry it up with a beaten egg and turn it into a pizza. on birthdays, i would often request her gnocchi. it was so much work for her to roll them and I remember the damp towel covered trays dusted with flour that i could not wait to be dumped into the boiling pot.

obviously, i love my food memories and really enjoy reading about others' too. it's why i love new cookbooks, especially ones that offer me a peek into someone else's family kitchen. i recently picked up this book by david rocco who shares his experiences and recipes growing up in Canada in an Italian home. reading it brought a great sense of familiarity. but since italian cooking is so regional, there were many recipes very new to me including this fabulous one for gnudi.

it was the first recipe i tried from the book, and i am so glad that i did. i spent a bit of time rolling the little balls of ricotta and spinach, but it was well worth it. there was no stuffing of shells, and the end result was tasty but without that sometimes heavy feeling you get after a pasta dinner.

the ricotta balls are nestled in a dish with a fresh tomato basil sauce and blanketed with parmesan cheese and more basil. pretty much heaven with a chuck of crusty bread to soak up all that extra sauce on the bottom of your bowl.

i've been successfully trying at least one new recipe a week and this one is definitely my favorite so far. if you can, you should try it. recipe here!

march madness

2009-03-17T16:20:00.004-04:00

can you believe it's march 17th? i can't. i'm not sure where the time has gone lately, but i have most definitely been enjoying it. we spent the better part of the last few months worried about camden for too many reasons to list here. but we've finally got some answers and good shoulders to lean on. it's amazing what knowledge about something can give you. i have no doubt that everything will work out.

the last few weeks have been busy and full of fun. glen & i managed to get away for a weekend to niagara falls (plus a little shopping visit across the border). i was torn between the blissful calm we found and missing the boys silly. i did visit a target and purchased a most fabulous pink bobbi brown blush. oh, and there was maple fudge too! in my books, that makes for a great trip.

as for today, i'm happily staring out my window at the sun. it's a glorious 9 degrees here, and although a little soggy in some corners of the yard, i can actually see spring.

i made these new pink pillows to welcome the new season.

what have you been up to lately?

sunday beauty

2009-02-22T16:37:00.006-05:00

it's been a very emotional week. actually, it's been months. but this week even more so. i've spent some time this sunday observing things around the house that offer a little bit of brightness.

this hamper is just about empty. a very good thing.

these balloons are a remnant from james' birthday party last weekend. jamie turning 3 is a very good thing too.

these teacups are from my mom. i love the colours so much, i keep them in my bedroom to hold some jewelry.
and speaking of complete beauty, my newly expanding collection of jewelry makes me so happy.

i hope you're finding beauty in your sunday too.

unfinished business

2009-02-16T16:25:00.004-05:00

I had this apron from "Seams to Me" cut out and started months ago. I had lost touch with my sewing room mostly over the holidays, and since today was a holiday I decided to finish it off. I've been wanting to make myself a cute apron for so long, and I absolutely love all of the patterns I chose to use. The main portion, and the polka dot are from Anna Maria Horner's Garden Party while I think the stripe is an Amy Butler print. I'm really happy with how it turned out.