A New Year, thank goodness

Wow, I kind of disappeared for a few months there, sorry about that.  2012 was not my best year, and leaving it behind and learning from it is just what I plan to do.  2013 is shaping up to be OK so far.  If the snow would start to melt again it would be even better.  It was melting nicely and my garden planning and yard improvements were well under way and into the planning stages, until......the dump of the ole white stuff.  I am about done.  Valentines Day came and went and I began dreaming of slightly warmer weather and the possibility of green grass.

(as requested by my February birthday daughter, vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing and pink chocolate heart cutouts)

(my favourite breakfast and my families newest favourite cookie,  the deepdish chocolate chip cookie, the pic doesn`t do it justice, but one is the equivalent of 2-3 of my normal size cookies :-) so yummmmmy good )

Well, that was just what it was, a dream.  My plans for the yard and garden have not been tossed out just yet, but put on hold for the time being.  We shovel off the deck every snowfall, and the remainder melts quickly as the sun struggles to shine.  Our solar panels are craving the sunshine just as much as I am.  I am eager to pull out the deck furniture but alas that is on hold for now as well. 

 

This is just the beginning of a return to my blog for me and I will do my darnedest to return weekly and keep this up to date.  Time flies whether we are having fun or not, so I will put on a happy face and try my bestest to have fun again.

Peace out for now.

 

Where have I been???

Wow I certainly haven't been here in a long time.  Summer has come to an end, Fall has arrived, school is in full swing, and I feel like I haven't accomplished much.  I have not taken many pictures over the last month that's for sure, and crafting and building projects haven't happened either.  I have organized, and I have cleaned and deep cleaned.  I have baked and baked and baked.  Camp has not been visited in a very long time, and I miss that more than I can express.  Hubby has been super busy lending himself out to anyone with a building, demolition, renovation type project there is.  I have acquired a wonderful collection of old doors, I love old doors, and free old doors is even a bigger love.  Pinterest has absorbed so much of my time lately that I am embarrassed to tell you just how much time I have spent searching and pinning so many different ideas, pictures, recipes and DIY things.  I have been working on a little something for myself.  A dream I have had for a couple of years now, and I just lack the courage and self confidence to make that dream happen, and yet I continue to work on it, in hopes that the moment will strike and I will follow thru with what I would love.........

The kids are busy that's for sure.  My oldest is 13 and she is fully involved in her cheer leading. Three times a week plus a tumbling class makes for a busy time, add a school sport or two in there and she really has no spare time to add another activity to.  My other two kids want to do an activity or two, but I'm holding off for a little while longer.  I feel a little guilty in doing so, but they haven't harassed me too much with the nice weather holding out so they can ride their bikes and  play outside with friends, so until the weather takes a turn I will be happy the way things are.  All of my kids are fish like, so swimming will be on the for sure list, plus maybe a trampoline class or hip hop adventure.

The fall is my favourite time of year, and my motivation usually kicks into high speed, but not so much this year.  I am enjoying and over indulging in staying home, I love the comfort and familiarity of my surroundings.  I have been working on a list of things to do in my home, and crafting and redecorating a little are written on said list.  I have made a few sweater pumpkins and love them.  They are easy to make and love how they look in my home.  Fall decor will break out in a full explosion this week when my kids are in school, after a volunteer day at school and another day at the soccer field cheering on my youngest two kids at the school tournament, plus a couple of appointments in there   OK, I am hoping praying that a fall explosion will happen this week.  I know baking will be happening.  My plan is for peach muffins with a streusel topping and lemon coconut oatmeal cookies.  Pictures to follow in my next post.  Maybe that will be motivation enough to get somethings done and share with you.

Happy Fall time everyone
Chat soon

Cool winds are blowing...

I sit here in my cozies, with my Sherpa blanket and a warm cuppa decaf, the window open just a touch as a cool breeze blows in.  I am in denial that the end of August is fast approaching and the first day of school will be upon our family once again.  We have had some fun times at camp, swimming and fishing, laughs with family and friends, memories were made, and now, trying to fit in as much as we can during the last couple of weeks of the month.  I am finding it tough to fit in a family trip for our annual back to school shopping.  It may have to be in September with coordinating the kids schedules and appointments and fitting in a couple of more nights at camp.  The kids all figure that is just wrong and what's the point........*sigh* oh the joys.  Is it really so wrong to do back to school shopping once the kids are already back to school?  I think we may just squeak in a short over night (or two) adventure and purchase a few things, it always works out somehow.......

I 'm going to open up and tell you that this summer has not all been good, fun times.  To be honest, life has shot us some lemons this year and thank goodness lemonade is one of my favourite summer drinks.  (I even bought a couple of glasses from a couple of young entrepreneurs set up along the roadside on a warm summer day.)  I think we were given enough lemons to make lemon tarts, pie, lemon curd, lemon loaf and even lemon bars.  Yeesh........ we have survived and I thought maybe a few humorous pics would about cover my thoughts;

 

As my hubby and I celebrate 15 years married today, and we reminisce about all we have done together, and how much stronger our relationship has become, I realize that the lemons we have been handed really aren't as plentiful as I originally thought.  Life will always have it's ups and downs, and continue to challenge us.  We will survive :)

OK, that's enough, on to smiles and happier thoughts.  I really don't wish for summer to end, but I gotta tell you that Fall is my favourite season.  I noticed a few days ago that the leaves on the maple trees at camp are beginning to change already due to our cool temperatures at night.  That got me thinking.....  I love to wear cardigans cover ups, sweaters and hoodies.  I love comfy cozy clothes and warm blankets, tea or coffee in the evening.  Making homemade soups and biscuits, cooking and baking.  Decorating for fall as the leaves begin to change colours, the smell of apples and cinnamon, pumpkins and basically, all things fall.  I have had too much time away from all things crafty and homemade.  I have collected some furniture treasures that need my attention, and a list of projects that need to be tackled.  So, that being said, once school starts in September I will have more time to myself and more time to get things completed.  Maybe I really do want summer to be over, shhhh, did I really say that?  Oh the fall breeze blowing the leaves and the sunsets at an earlier time, a crackling fire to stay warm with a hot cup of apple cider, mmmmm.  Apple cider, Apple pies, Apple crisp, Apple sauce, and Crab apple jelly.  That's a whole other post.

Stay warm and cozy my friends,