helllllllllooooooo summer!

Summer has arrived and I love it!!!!! The sun is shining. I am out on my bike again with an added little companion being towed behind in my bike trailer. It's wonderful. And on a sidenote...I feel like my bike was meant for a kid. The little baskets have great storage, it only goes three gears...I predict there will be quite a few bike rides in our future...not just the 4 we have had in the last 4 days.

What has happened in the last month....

With the little: she is practicing her gymnastics skills lately. Swinging on any bar she can find (even if it means it's right above the slide (mom panic). Practicing somersaults. And continuing her love of swings and slides, going head first down the latter. Not to mention the independence that she takes doing them. These adventurous skills were taught lovingly by her dad. She is turning more into a monkey as the days go by (and growing up).

Growing up so much that we are finally starting to see more sleep nights than wake up nights. WOW. I never thought I would see that day come and had no idea it would take a year and a half! Phew!

Her favourite song right now is Handclap by Fitz and the Tantrums. So much so that if you play it, it will need to be played over and over and over again or we will get our out "tantrum" ha. She loves it as it is fast to dance with and slow....but obviously she needs a companion, so as soon as it goes on she must grab a stuffy or doll.

As far as words, we are getting lots of no, and yeah's. Mom is definitely being said with meaning like Daddy and doggie. And we are getting the nods and shakes of the head. She really loves to say car and truck and being in both (the front seat playing that is). Whenever she sees a red truck she always points to it and says "Daddy" which cracks me up. Plus little words everyday that I can't keep track of. ABC's is still a fun song to sing and Frere Jaques, Shaker song, 5 little ducks and the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Plus counting to 10 (can you tell her dad is a teacher...good dad).

We have had dates with friends that she particularly loves. Even though she has to assert herself that she is old too and doesn't need to be carried around all over the place. One particular fun day was going to the spray park/park with friends. All the adults got to sit around, eat pizza and talk and the young ones got to jump around on the playground and splash around in the spray park. It was a great night. Lots of geese and poop though...but still fun all the same.

Our gardens are in full swing. The veggies (Mark's passion) in the back and the flowers (mine) in the front. And some future landscaping next year as we tragically lost a tree last week in a wind storm. Crazily so, that we both watched it as it went from slightly bent to all the way over. The ideas now are flowing with some edible shrubs and pumpkins along with flowers and rocks. Next years project obviously as this years is all about the....

Bees. They have arrived. They have a home and it appears that they are producing. All good news and I am sure more to say except I am no beekeeper and really know nothing about it. Except to say that they are extraordinarily fun to watch. When people say "busy as bees" I actually know what that means now as they are busy. The combs look like artwork. And Mark seems to be enjoying it quite a bit which is fun to watch. Oh and only one stung person so far...me as I stepped on one when they first came in. Not bad. In all seriousness they really do keep to themselves and you can go right up to them without fear as they don't seem bothered. Now mess with their home....that's different.

Now it is just time to sit back and enjoy the BBQ's, the ice cream (toddler's with ice cream are hilarious), sport ball (golf last time) and the weather.

My car broke down the other day (oh game of life) and because of summer I am not even bothered by it. Mainly because of my dear bike (going back to the beginning of this post). I love that bike! However picking the car up tomorrow, fingers crossed!

In the news: The oilers are out of the playoffs. Sad night for me as I really started to get into it. Surveys are out to redevelop the playground in our neighbourhood (yay)!

I just finished Girls the last season. Girlboss. Beauty and the Beast 2017. Gifted. All wonderful shows and movies. And I watched Moana again because I love that movie so much! Also saw Love the Coopers...meh.

That's about it!
Happy Summer
xoxo

When I am not a mom

Guess what?! I am not always a mom (well I guess now I am always a mom, ha ha). But I can have a little alone time now and again! And with that alone time I have become super efficient doing things that give me a wider sense of self. I get to expand my role to more than a mom, but again be a friend, daughter, wife, etc.

So what have I been doing?
I have the honour of being a bridesmaid this year to one of my very great fantastic friends. I have already got to see her "say yes to the dress". AND I have to say, she looks fantastic in it. We have done the very awesome Bridal Fair (and sought out all the samples...maybe me only, but come on there were ice cream machines!). AND I got to help make the wedding invitations and just hang out during little one's bedtime (I love anything crafty so I was all over that).

I have managed to sneak in workouts. Stroller aerobics was my go to for awhile and it was hard core! But now they are falling in on nap times and mine won't sleep during a music filled work out. So I do a bit at home, dog walks 5 times a week, and have dusted off my most favourite bicycle and started riding it around in the evening. Soon I may add running and the gym to my evening routines if this little one keeps up the sleeping.

I have enjoyed starting my scrapbooking again (2012 album done! Yikes and YAY). Watching lots of movies, netflix. Loving my new computer and using it daily as there seems to be lots to organize in my "digital world".

Enjoyed hanging out in the front and back yard. The smell of the freshly mowed grass, admiring the solar panelled lights as they come on (and realizing I need to hang outside more often during the night). Loving the flowers in the front and veggies in the back.

Hanging out with my friends. Co-workers discussing work life. Going out for dinner with friends. Seeing movies in the theatre (summer ones too, my favourite). Planning events with my mom's group outside my group.

And thinking of other projects, activities that I would like to attend in the summer and fall. Possibly our community league and a church that I think I would enjoy. Doing a photography course. Plan a sign making class. Finish the cabinet in the basement. And of course fitting time in to be with my partner in crime. Oh the plans!

Being a mom is pretty fantastic, lovely, rewarding and a whole bunch of feelings that really are hard to articulate. But it isn't the end all. I am glad that I can stretch my wings out a bit more and be part of a greater home, community and world incorporating my little daughter in it.

xoxox

Spring has sprung

"Smells so green and skies so blue, Spring has sprung and now, me too!"

K. Guilmartin

We did the unthinkable. Yes, we planted plants prior to the May long weekend. 

It started with Mark really. On a January evening he was surfing the internet. I wandered into his midst in my sleep deprived state. "I think I want a greenhouse, I think I am going to build one." I nodded and didn't really think much of it (Did I mention my sleep deprived state).

On a February evening, in another sleep deprived wander, my husband said to me. "I think I am going to build 4 garden boxes for the backyard." 

Then March came along and he found some bay windows. "They are going to be for my greenhouse." At this point I think I was getting 4 hour intervals so I had a bit more wakefulness. I paused. Thought how do bay windows make a greenhouse?! He posed a few ideas in his pre-existing garden. I couldn't quite visualize but nodded in agreement.

The end of March neared and the garden boxes were completed and placed in the back. 

The first weekend of April came upon us and a greenhouse was built and completed with the assistance of a brother in law, Jimi and neighbours for the heavy lifting. Where? Beside his garden bed. My reaction...impressed very much so. 

Soil came in the middle of April...by the truck full. Shovelled in to the boxes. Placed in the greenhouse.

Then the planting began. As the above song says, "It's time for gardening." And the plants grew and grew and grew. The hardier of the seeds were planted in the back and watered with a hosing system in place. 

Then this last week more was planted in the back as the greenhouse was just getting to big. So I guess you could say that I had a baby and so did Mark. Mark had multiples raised from from seedlings. How does he do it? ;)  

All jesting aside, I then jumped in. I bought some flowers and planted them in the front.

So we wait. We wait for no frost. No snow. Sheets are ready and waiting just in case. So May long weekend surprise us. Be good. Mainly cause I am on my own with seedling babies and our little baby!

love

The year so far....

July 1. The year is half way over and my blog shows nothing. But really, quite a bit has happened so far in just over 6 months!

I have been working both the rehab and homecare side of my job and loving the variety of what both has to offer. The learning opportunities have been extensive and I am starting to grapple many new things as I grow in my career. I love it so much that I actually don't mind picking up to a full time position that I often do, or fall just one shift behind of that. It has been really nice to love going to work. And for that I am extremely grateful for!

My parents came to visit in March. We had family pics done, went on dog walks, made meals, went to movies and putzed around. Dad was busy studying to be a fireman and has since passed many tests (and has a uniform to boot!) We also went to Vancouver together for my cousins wedding. A little cool at that time but the ceremony was extremely sweet and touching, with planes flying over head as a tribute to the groom.

That was one of 4 wedding/celebrations we had. Next was onto Calgary to celebrate Mark's cousins nuptials. Exposure to a different cultural celebration was quite fun and educational for myself as I was googling things long into the night after the wedding. Once in Calgary we had to see my Great Aunt Elizabeth and cousins Joanne and Greg. We talked about their upcoming trip to New York where they happen to be right now!

The other two weddings were a little more informal but just as fantastic and fun as we were not present for both couple's nuptials but BOTH decided to continue the celebrations in a local way at a hall. One was my friend Nikki as she got married in Vegas. They hired a food truck, had salads and pop and we all just sat around and gabbed until the late evening.
The other was another of Mark's cousins. They got married in Ottawa that we unfortunately couldn't attend due to Mark's school trip being neck in neck with the dates. But we were fortunate to celebrate here, where there were family competitions set up from bean bag toss, kite flying to crossword puzzles. We had the added bonus of sitting with the bride and groom so we were set for answers! Plus an ice cream truck! Who can go wrong with that!!!!

Mark is finally done work. Lots of hard work this year, plus he got to go on a school trip to New York and Red Deer. Work but still had fun experiences.
Plus on the homefront, lots of dog walks, market time, gardening, spending time with friends, seeing movies, watching Netflix, AND of course we are expecting our first child this October. SO many big changes ahead!

We will see what the summer brings. From all this hot weather the veggie garden is a growing. Mark may go hiking with a friend of ours and I have a less cardio trip planned with a friend of mine.

Until next time!
Love

The gardener

So I have learned to accept (and love) the fact that I married the gardener and that he loves gardening. Remember this. Well the completed back meant that the side was free to do. And guess what? This is what the gardener loves so much! He loves loves loves growing food. And I have been the lucky partner to reap the rewards!

Mid May, while I was visiting my parents, a big chunk of dirt was delivered to our driveway (sadly, some still remains, ha ha ha). That was the beginning of the project. 

The gardener was busy away planting little seedlings of lettuce...three kinds, swiss char, corn, radishes, onions, shallots, green beans, peas, beets and potatoes. And under the heat lamp he fostered little cucumbers, squash, watermelons, pumpkins, and cantelope.

And then one warm spring day, we started to see growth. 

And then we went on holidays. While away the brother came by and watered the garden (and thus taking partial credit for the result). Why? Because we came home to this. 

Craziness. Then the days got hotter. The gardener tended to his veggies. Watering. Weeding. And making multiple trips daily to the back to see the progress.  He could even be spotted at night with his headlamp on checking to see the growth progress. 

And so far this is what we have been lucky to receive. 

Fresh salads, raw veggies, cooked veggies and even some to pickle. Exciting. 

And even the dog has been lucky to snag a few veggies. 

Love

My husband's project

While I spent my summer in the garage sanding, sanding and sanding some more, Mark spent his summer outside in the hot sweltering sun constructing his garden. As you could see it was a diamond in the rough. Myself having no vision whatsoever really had no opinions with regards to what he should do, shocking I know. So Mark headed to the computer for some research. 

In our lovely back we have a grassy hill that climbs towards the TUC. It was a pretty pathetic hill to tobbaggon so I didn't care what should happen to it. Mark thought of building a retaining wall to grow fruit, perennials, herbs, and some trees and shrubs. 

Our side of the house really had nothing except weeds weeds and more weeds. This is a to be continued project as it will be the vegetable garden and we moved in to late to grow any veggies. 

After a bit of research Mark started digging out the trenches sort of speak. First levelling out the ground and digging it out. Once that was completed he layed out road crush for the cement blocks to go down. 

And here they come. Let me say. It was a wonderful July day when I found out that the new driveway/garage that we had just acquired was out of use as two planks of cement blocks, a pile of dirt and a pile of road crush were now in the occupied spot. Sad times. But I was happy that no one tried to recruit me to do the project. Yes, the only victim was my brother. 

Once the cement blocks were in place Mark filled them in with road crush. To ensure the stability. Look at that hot beaming sun. 

And along the blocks was piping that had holes in it so that when it rains water won't pile up on the wall and push it over. Gravel to cover and hidden by dirt. 

After a while Mark derived a system with a ramp for the wheel barrel to drive up on and to unload the haul of dirt. Before the dirt was laid he ripped apart the grass that previously occupied the ground. 

Looks like it is almost done! Most days Mark chose to do this work in the evening when the sun was slightly going down.  Even though it was going down on that side of the house. But the days and nights were hot, plus the bugs. He he. I did not envy him but he was happy with his iPhone music and headphones. 

Side of the house did get weeding done and a mock layout of what will come. Stay tuned next years post. 

Now the fun part, for Mark. Looking for plants. He had his heart set on Alberta grown plants. I think he succeeded for the most part. Although I may have just picked flowers that caught my eye. He he. 

So once home he got some landscaping fabric, and poked holes to let the flowers, plants, grass out and stuck them in the cement holes. He is unsure how these will hold out next year but he has some proactive plans if they don't hold out. So far they are doing pretty good. More dirt may be needed in the back and a little sprinkler system to ensure they get healthier doses of water, but we will see. 

There is the whole wall in a nut shell. Ooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaa

And up top are some cranberry, Saskatoon, and other various perennials. I think there is dreams of pies in the future. 

And this future garden had two singular raspberry bushes for the future. Poor things all by their lonesome. But the food will be coming next year!

There you have it. Mark has been working hard and thus ends our busy summer. It will be nice to veg out in the winter. As I feel planting, harvesting, pickling and pies in my future. He he. Well maybe not the first two. 

Love

kitty grass revisted

remember this: click here.

well here it is today:

it really is true. i can't keep a plant to save my life. mark comes into my office every so often and looks at this poor kitty grass in dismay. i think he is still trying to salvage what little remains...i will keep you posted on the progress...

love

harvest time

yesterday was the first time i went grocery shopping and didn't buy a veggie. no, i didn't go to the market. mark's veggies are full grown and ready! potatoes, carrots, beets, green beans, celery, garlic, lettuce, and multiple herbs...its really quite amazing. looks like his first year with his garden was a success! :)

a snapshop of some of the veggies...little did i know more would be
appearing the next week...interested???

love

flowers

flowers. for a girl that has absolutely no yellow, blue, or red thumb let alone green thumb i have to say that i love love love flowers. half the time i have absolutely no clue what the related name is to the colourful arrangements. it doesn't matter. i just love what it brings to mind. spring, summer, fall and winter there is always a relatable flower to signify the changing seasons. with those changing seasons are emotions and feelings welled up inside. PLUS they add a punch wherever you see them. whether you have them in a vase or in your backyard, it brightens anyone's day to look at them. here are a few pics of our current flowers!

sunflowers. one of my favs. the signature autumn flower for me. so beautiful, bright and big!

 

a mixture of wildflowers. i know that the red are poppies for sure...the others i am at a loss but don't they look wonderful together....

 

and a lovely surprise that i came home to one evening. those are the best kind of flowers. the flowers of surprise! *heart*

love

a garden story

there once was this rabbit...we will call him peter.

he loved to eat.

he would eat many things like carrots

potatoes and beets

and don't forget about the peas

even the lettuce was not safe.

however the farmer (loving to all animals) was getting mildly frustrated.

so the farmer built a fence of chicken wire.

peter, although sad he could no longer eat, enjoyed the many flowers from the other side.

and maybe some of the blueberries

the end

p.s. the farmer's girlfriend was busy scrapping but she took the time to smell the orchids from the farmer's sister's bridal centerpiece. so pretty! :)

painting and gardening

a beautiful day to paint. i had decided this year that i wanted to brighten up our apartment. i didn't really want to paint the walls as our place is a big room and i didn't want to commit to one colour. however we had a couple of things that i could brighten up with just the right paint colour. i chose a wall decoration to be lime green or zesty lime. and CD case to be the same colour with some silver highlights. the planter i chose a safety blue to match a frying pan we have (its on the wall). i shall see how it looks in the place, as i await for it to dry.

mark has been working fairly hard on his garden. i swear i should buy him a straw hat and trousers to fit with his farmer role. he finished a chicken wire fence (with the help of his brother and dad). peter rabbit will not nibble on his food this year! it actually looks really good! pictures shall come soon!

must go finish my jobs!

love