Posts in Category: Lifestyle & Travel
Plant a Seed: Pictorial Progress of My 1st Big Gardening Adventure
I skipped over most of the veggie aisles last night at the market, (except for tomatoes, which are bursting but not yet ripe in our garden.) It felt a little surreal (not sure why), and absolutely wonderful. When I started this whole affair back in March, I had little knowledge about gardening outside of building upon and maintaing our perennial english and cottage style gardens. I knew I wanted to start from heirloom seeds.
I knew that we had to have raised beds built in our front yard because our backyard is happily and beautifully dominated by maple, cedar and birch trees. And patio. Shade friendly perennial gardens. Putting my worries aside on what the neighbours might think, (yep it’s a reality – especially in small towns) even though I totally got approached with wonder by many of them and ignorant sarcasm by but one. No need to get into detailing that. So putting all of that aside, because we sure weren’t going to let ‘neighbourly’ reactions dictate whether we grow food for our family or not, we entered into a trade agreement with some good friends to help us design and built it all, who know way more about all of this stuff that we do…
Easy DIY: Repurposed Plant Table
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It’s taken 2 years, 2 spring, summer and fall seasons; to actually USE our second floor balcony. There are 2 reasons for this. One, being that I was a tad bit over-protective in letting my little ones actually step foot out there.
I read far too many headlines about babies and toddlers falling to death or serious injury. That such a thing could happen in the blink of an eye. In the presence of any of us, not just neglectful parents. Which is how I rationalized my irrational fears about our balcony.
Then I grew up as a parent a little bit. As in I’m slowly becoming a less obnoxious helicopter parent as the years go on. So this year? This year we’re actually enjoying this space. I’m just not letting them out there by themselves…
That Time We Went To Mexico & Spoiled Ourselves: Pictorial
* Disclaimer: Be prepared for lots and lots of pictures!*
So. We went to Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) in February. The first time we’ve taken a real, full-on all-inclusive vacation together as a couple during the entire tenure of our relationship!
I have excused our over indulgencies for this fact.
Obviously, I had time to take lots of pictures (kid-free!) and we even did that cheesy couples photo shoot thing that many all-inclusives offer with a promotional discount. Yea, we DID THAT.
Enter The Singer Songwriter I Fell In Love With
Look! It’s that bearded bass player dude from the band Digging Roots! This is how I remember him from how we met…when he was strumming his guitar, a stranger sitting across from me singing songs with lyrics to make you melt or laugh in earnest at their dark and ballsy ways. (Which, as you will note, dark and ballsy this song is not). Many thanks to our friend David Sheffield for shooting the video!
Sick of Feeling Blue
If you’re someone like me, who struggles with felling like that – then you NEED TO HAVE THIS ALBUM. Music is a powerful tool in healing;, in learning, in experiencing joy.
It’s not just about a party. (Which, as many of you know – I have no qualms against. I love me a good party). It’s just that I’ve mainstream media shines this shallow light on music. It lifts up the kind of popular music that may have a good beat (arguably), to get your booties shakin’ (again, have no qualms with this, I love me a good booty shake) to the masses.
PREST-O CHANGE-O…BIRTHDAY GIFTING FROM THE HEART
My sister in-law …(well, officially…not really. Someday – when we decide to officially get hitched it’ll be all officially official for ya). As I was syaing, my sister-in-law….
She turned 40 this past weekend and we had a grand weekend of family gatherings coupled with somewhat debaucherous shenanigans. The mister and I racked our brains on what to get her for this momentous day. It didn’t take long before it struck me.
Love For The Win
It’s been a couple of weeks since we came home from Mexico. The whole reason for the trip being my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s wedding to a charming, top-notch fellow. I was the official (or unofficial? I’m far from a profesh.) photographer for the weeding, as well as the co-host of the reception with the mister.
Today I spent much of the day (and last night), finally wading through all of the photos I took. Editing and choosing, and grinning much of the time. Don’t even get me started. How much do I love photography? How many jobs do I already have? Oh boy. Don’t even think it, right?
Without going into too much detail, because in doing so I would be sharing stories that are not my own – I’m here to pronounce, with all the weight of my voice and belief in my soul, that blended families? They are so much more than the media gives them credit for. They are twice the love. They are twice the support. They are twice the unity. They are twice the work, sure; in many cases.
I am a firm believer that we are the masters of our own destiny and that while life is never perfect and it throws cataclysms our way that we can’t control, our reactions and how we deal are purely our own. Leading a life with integrity – holding your relationships up high; with respect and taking responsibility for ones own actions goes a long way. Which has everything to do with humanism and nothing to do with perfectionism.
This extended family that I have been blessed into, inspires me. It gives me hope and heals the jagged tears of my mind that once (partially) defined what family meant. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, brides and grooms…to my new(ish) family, to Sarah and Jon the honeymooners – we are all living the dream. Aren’t we?
Some photo’s from the wedding…
The Baby Whisperer
By The Glow of The iPad: It’s Like Magic!
Love For The Momma
More Love For The Momma
& Yet More…
Ladies & Gent
Joyous
Family
Kiss Kiss
Yeow!
Mother & Daughter
It’s In The Small Moments…
Lift Up
Jump Up & Get Down!
Happy Family
a True Magic Moment
The Whole Family & Then Some! (Minus our little babes in daycare).
Too see the rest of the pics, head on over to my Flickr page!
10 Summertime Outdoor Activities: Toddler & Baby Edition
I’m all about merging the age gap between my 11 month old and 2 1/12 year old. When it comes to activities that is. There are enough times that each of them have their own personal play, or activities just for them, specific to their stage in development and skill. That stuff is important. Fo the most part though, we try to blend. Things aren’t always harmonious, as those of you with toddlers and babies know.
Although I am sure the same could be said for most siblings, regardless of their age. However, the baby toddler times are succinct to that of pretty much constant surveillance. Until the object launching, pushing and other forms of bodily contact become less so. Those wily little bohemians!
The summer is such a carefree, luxurious time with little ones wherein you can get messy, creative and a tad bit wild. I mean, a water table in the house? Not so much. I’ve rounded up my favourite fun and inexpensive outdoor activities to engage your littles with, during the sweetness of summertime, what are yours?
4 Sleeps Till Mexico: Baby,Toddler & Family Checklist
Whut whuuuuuut.
Lately I’ve teetering on this edge of a precipice leading to doom. The kind of doom that smells distinctly of burning. Or rather burn-out. Which is why I can barely contain my anticipation to borad a plane bound for the Riviera Mayan. It’s our first vacation as a family of four. It’s the first time the mister and I have ever ben to an all inclusive resort together. So thanks sister-in-law for having a destination wedding!
Packing up for a week of sun and sand with two littles is no easy feat, that which I can more or less glean. We’ve packed up our van many a time fore more local road-tripping, camping or touring with the mister with his band when accommodations and locations allow. This trip however – logically calls for some extra special organizing and planning. Which should all start from a list, right?
Lists are shiny, golden paths to success. For those who don’t know that…y’all get with the program! So, this shall be my own personal list that I share with all of you momma’s out there who are about to embark on a similar journey with smalls in tow.
Wee Wears
Big changes over here. Ones that I can’t share quite yet, as it involves other people we care about and delicate dicisions. Let’s just say we’re mixing things up over in our little world, to better suit our babies, our lifestyle and our careers.
I’ve much to catch up on…Blissdom, The One of a Kind Show and this nifty little blog collective I’m way behind is launching.
It’s just that life has gone and snatched me right up from thinking I can be such a busy-body. What’s most important – our family- they, we – are taken care of. Theere is joy in our home, stories being read, crafts being made, snuggles a constant, delicious spoonfuls being eaten and love just flowing. I’ve been taking time with my children. Hours of it. To the detriment of my business goals maybe – but for the better of our family.
In the meantime, let’s have a look-see at what Wyndham and Abigail are wearing today, because they look dang adorable. And that’s got to put a smile on your face. If you want to check out Lil’ Abner starring in her own fashion show, jaunt on over to the Babbles – that’s where she is.
There is a story to be told here. Of torture, complacency, love, joy and self-awareness.
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER
CONNECT WITH SELENA
