Our Hearts

Since my beautiful tulips last year, I have come to think of fresh flowers as integral to Valentine's Day.

A sweet gift waiting at the breakfast table for the kids. Yeah, major sugar intake before 8:00 AM, but it's that kind of day.

The art of heart-shaped pancakes.

Yes, even heart-shaped pizza. Go big or go home, I say.

Cinnamon Bun CAKE, to top of the sweet day.

"My Heart Wanders"

I have plenty of my own hearts to share with you tomorrow, but today I will share someone else's: A truly unique photo project by Pia Bijkerk. I love this kind of thing. When nature offers up odd visual moments. I once found a tiny rock by the river that was shaped like a perfect little teddy bear. I don't know why this pleases me so much, but it does. I think it's because it makes you very aware of what is around you, even if for only a little while, before we continue on in our higher velocity, destination-oriented, wanderings. Here are some of the photos Pia has collected so far:

I decided to send in my own contribution, though very humble. I posted this picture on September's Apple Day post:

I can't wait to see the project finished, with all of it's hearts exposed.

Powder Room Passion

And so another room in our house has been given some attention, and has arisen from the drywall dust to shine. I love this bathroom. I know, it's a bathroom! But I love it. (It is also a room that has become increasingly important as I find it more and more difficult to climb stairs.) I think what is most satisfying about it is that is was almost cost-free. The cabinet set was gifted to us from Aidan's brother, fixtures were purchased on SALE. And all of the other trinkets are, and will be, garage sale finds, altered pieces and homemade art. Yeah! for cheap beauty.

So passionate about my Pier 1 "Flower Medallion Rug." Birthday gift certificate purchase!

My very own Jasper Dale

When my husband begins to gleefully design and concoct inventions such as this. . .

. . . A pivoting mailbox,

I begin to think of a certain mister Dale from good old Road to Avonlea. And I find that I am exceedingly proud of his cleverness.


By the way, the rotating, fully-loaded, spring-action mailbox was invented out of necessity. We are currently being serviced by an overly zealous City plough driver. He bombs down the road after a storm and moves for nothing, including mailboxes. Ours was seriously wounded after the BIG storm, (see above), but was completely beheaded after the last snowfall.

Speaking to our local Post Master at the post office the other day: "Oh yeah, that guy's been knocking mailboxes off left, right and center this year! I've had more complaints about this than you'd believe!"

Saturday in Photos

Morning Bible story after a breakfast of french toast & fresh fruit.
Sledding at the local hill. (Struggling to get my 8-month belly onto a sled.)

A bit of crafting.

A bit of baking. Something classic and tasty.

Gotta love those Saturdays.

Everyday in Photos #23

My kids make their beds!
[Elijah's new quilt from Aunty Karin]

Psalm 4

Psalm 4A
v.8

I will both lay me down in peace
And quiet sleep will take
Because Thou only me to dwell
In safety, Lord, dost make
In safely, Lord, does make

The other day Caelah and I were reading a library book. In it the father sings the little girl to sleep. At this point Caelah piped in; "He must be singing 'Now I lay me,' right mom?" I felt such a sense of rightness about our nighttime ritual. My children have been sung this song since day one, and it sends them off to sleep knowing that they are being watched over and cared for even beyond their understanding.

Little brother

The day marking his ninth year closed with audio-electronics, strawberries, pretty green fish and lots of love.

"Tiny Houses" Stamp

I sold one of these yesterday. The buyer is a stamp collector from the U.K. and is "a keen stamper-- always on the look-out for new designs." I will have plenty more to offer. This stamp carving things is way too fun.

Everyday in Photos #22

Elijah's Animal Hospital

Day of Delivery

I met with my surgeon yesterday. It was a much anticipated visit that resulted in bitter/sweet revelations. The sweet: I, and baby, are doing brilliantly. Everything looks good. He remarked at how well I have healed from past surgeries. . . The bitter: I heal too well. Thus, he didn't put a rush on baby's delivery date which is now set for MARCH 13th at 8:00 AM.

My actual due date is two days later! I was so counting on baby being taken on the 1st, or maybe some time that week. Sigh. Early delivery is truly the ONLY perk associated with C-sections and I have been stripped of it. I do wonder what would happen if I did go into labour? I don't know if I would recognize it. What would happen to my body? The lack of concern, on my surgeons part, about the dangers of early labour should bolster my courage, but it hasn't tempered my disappointment.

Everyday in Photos #21

Through the looking glass

Baby One, Two, Three. . .

Baby Number One

Baby Number Two

Baby Number Three

How identical do they all look?!!!

It never occurred to me until now, looking at all of these photos. They are all little Aidan's! I guess we know what baby #4 is going to look like. . .

Hand carved stamps

Yes, a NEW craft endeavor: hand carved stamps. This is my first attempt and I am very pleased with it. It's a very hard rubber, so while it was trickier to carve, it will last much longer and wash well. And, unlike my previous projects, this one will be useful in it's prettiness. Cards, notes, gift tags, scrap booking. . .

Sweet solidarity

Just a plug for a very cool concept: Roundtable topical discussions on being a woman. Here's how it works: Get a bunch of women, all ages and all manner of stripes and colours, to meet once a month to discuss a pre-determined topic relevant to life as women. All are welcome to contribute tidbits of wisdom, bring along photos, articles, demonstrations. And everyone comes away a little bit wiser.

Tonight, I walked way knowing a bit more about how a dozen women keep their homes organized. One woman shared an article full of helpful tips. Another brought a photo of her newest piece of furniture, meant to store crafts supplies. Another gave out a website concerning home organization. Not five minutes went by without a joke and bursts of laughter. Everyone was candid and open. We were all very different, and yet. . . all women. Trying to run our homes as best we can. Eager to swap advice and soak up encouragement.

I liked it. Sweet solidarity.

Pizza Party

Mmmm. For a friend's belated birthday celebration, we decided to throw a pizza party- adult style. We four couples decided to top one pizza each with our favourite things. If Aidan had his way our pizza would be absolutely heaving with meats of all kinds. Ugh. But since I was the one doing the baking. . . Here's what I chose to create, and I HIGHLY recommend it:

The "Big Red" Pizza
Food & Drink Magazine


Crust:
I make my Dad's perfect pizza crust. It's all about beer and basil. Once you've found the perfect crust, you never go back.

Cheese Topping:
12 oz mozzarella
12 0z Provolone
4 oz Romano
4 oz Parmesan

Pesto Sauce:
[to be blended in food processor]
3-4 Roasted Red Peppers
1 Garlic clove
2 T Olive oil
1/2 t Balsamic vinegar
1 cup of the cheese mixture above
1/4 cup Fresh Basil or Parsley

Topping the Pizza:
Roll out the crust
Cover with Pesto Sauce
Sprinkle with cooked shrimp and finely sliced red onion
Top with more of the cheese mixture

I can't tell you how good this was. A very grown up pizza.

Everyday in Photos #20

Tired mama couldn't stay wake for the movie.

Tiny Kingdom

I've been working on something new. Or, rather, expanding upon something old: A complete template for my Fairy Lantern. It was delicious project, allowing me to indulge in all of the whimsical scraps tucked away inside me. If you want to see the "Tiny Kingdom" template, check HERE.

I hope to make a number of lanterns and start a new project based on these drawings. Hopefully I will strike gold with all of the escapist, fanciful types out there.

Everyday in Photos #19

Hodge-Podge Kinda Lunch