It's war

So yesterday was epic. And by that I got epically wet. 

Mark was watering the plants and innocent little me went to say hi, or bug him, minor detail. Mark then proceeds to soak me with the hose. 

Well, I never...

I go inside and proceed to wait. To wait for the perfect moment. Mark goes outside to take care of weeds in the front. I sneak to the back unravel a bit of the hose and run towards the front. The hose kinked. Darn it!

The fight was epic but he got the hose from me. Not before I kinked it and headed for the second hose. 

Ha ha. Could it be. The possibility of an all out war. 

Well it was. But it was a sad pitiful war. Mark somehow wrangled that hose from me and I couldn't get to them and kink them and I got drenched. Soaked. Whatever other word you could think of. By two hoses! 

Game on Mark. Game on. 

Revenge will happen. Sleep with one eye open. 

Love

And kitchen complete part two.

My husband is a minimalist. This is in contrast to my business. So I have been trying very hard not to plaster all of our walls with numerous amounts of pictures, just a few here and there. Cut to the dear kitchen that I just completed one of the pieces of furniture. 

Mark insisted that the buffet would look best by the fireplace. I have to agree but the wall then looked off to me as We had one big piece of furniture on one side and a smaller one on the other. I don't know why but it was not balanced and very off putting to me. 

Then I remembered these wooden frames I bought about four or five years ago. I had intentions of using them in our apartment but funnily enough all the walls were covered (so I may have had a problem but I am toning it down). I bought fabric that matched the wall and the painting and stretch it over the frame, nailing it on. Again I see flaws but I did it not buy it a run of the mill store so it has heart. He he. 

Next I got out the trusty level, a tool that I love. And nailed the work onto the wall. And tada! The kitchen is no longer off kilter. Ha ha. 

I also put a friendship quilt that Casey made for me on the other wall. I figured friends and family socialize and have fun in the kitchen so it was meant to be.

Kitchen complete. Now the eating shall commence. 

Love

It's finally done

So here is what happened.  We moved and I went on Pinterest. My first mistake. I pinned tons of things to do this summer. Piece of cake. Pinterest makes it look so easy. I should have all these projects done in a two weeks right?

Wrong. But one is done and although I see some flaws I have learned a lot. What I took on was this beauty. 

I call it a buffet cause that is what my parents called theirs. Holds all our nice things. The hitch is that we had dark cabinets in the kitchen and this kind of stuck out more than I liked. So I perused some websites and decided to start the process. 

I bought a little sander at Home Depot and sanded away. And then did some more. And more. What was taking so long? I started to read up on it more and people said if the cabinet had a veneer it just needed a 240 grit. I scoff, he he. Maybe my sander and hands were not powerful enough but I just couldn't get it to the grain. I used 80 and then 120 to smooth it out but I found the process painstakingly long as one shelf took me two hours to do. Ugh. Maybe I need more patience. He he. 

Mark's Uncle John and Aunt Marie came by for a family dinner one day and suggested I try a chemical sander. At this point I was willing to try anything. So I bought a scraper and this little product. 

So I went away at it. Smoothed it over all the furniture. Waiting for approximately 3-4 hours and scraped it off.

So what do I have to say about this. It is messy. Seriously. And it can take a bit of time to shave off all of the product. But it works. Really well. And it cut my time to doing four shelves in one hour. I did go over all of the surfaces with the sander to make sure it was all smooth and even. Cleans everything right up. 

So the next part was to clean it all off and apply the stain. The hitch. The first product I bought basically stained the wood the exact same colour I just sanded down. Aaaaaaahhhh. So I searched for this gal's blog. She is my hairdresser and decorator extraordinaire. I knew she had done her kitchen cabinets so I looked up the product and used it.

I chose espresso for my colour as you will see. And it worked just as she described it. I did about four coats overall. And loved it as it has a nice sheen to it too. My only issue was my painting technique may not always be the best as I had some drips that escaped and dried. Grrrrrr. I need to apply a thinner coat next time I believe. And because I had a cat and no matter how hard I cleaned I still found strands of hair at times. He he. He is permanently etched in my furniture. 

New hardware after that as there was no way I was going to paint the wooden knobs. 

I then applied grey scrapbook paper on the back to match the back of our kitchen wall. And maybe hide some mistakes. He he. This was not before I put glittery silver paper on it and Mark said in his "I am not going to insult it directly but I am making it known I don't like it" voice of "oh it's sparkly". The next morning I looked and it did look like a giant disco ball. Grey paper it is. 

Obviously I did all this before putting all the things back in. But I wasn't smart enough to take the pictures. 

And here is the finished product. And I like it. 

So what do I have to say about the next projects. I need a break. Really. I am thrilled with the result and am eager to do another one.  Maybe next year as I want to do it in the garage it can get a little colder in the later months. Plus the car wants the garage back. He he. 

So this is my big DIY for this year. This is the reason that I will not be doing the half marathon as I can barely get past 11 km and I have to double that in two weeks. Sigh. But it was worth it. And the kitchen is back in use. 

Love

Steak in the sun, banana boats in the rain

The title was set...

By the dinner companions. 

Corn, steak, and potatoes on the BBQ. 

Salad, pre-made. 

And the sun beating down. 

Very hot hot hot. 

Dessert by the fire

S'mores with oatmeal cookies...

(Watch out they may burn if left too long.)

Banana boats...

And thunder in the background. 

Then rain. 

And then a downpour. 

All in the presence of good company. 

Good laughs. 

Good times. 

Mark and I are getting the hang of this hosting thing. 

Love

Here is the blog post, Jimi

Lets talk about my husband

I talk about him at times on this little diddy. I was driving in the car and heard a song and thought of him. It was a song that he downloaded before it became radio play. And it is a really good song. A socially aware song. And then I got to thinking how much I admire Mark.

You see I am the type of person who seeks out entertainment to escape. Sometimes I have guilty indulgences that I find fun to watch. On the other hand Mark looks for entertainment to inform. Shows that don't strive for conflict. Songs that don't have messages that are undesirable. He tries very hard to be socially conscience of what is out there. 

I am not saying one way is right or wrong. But I am in awe of things that Mark finds and likes. Because really they are good things. Like this song. 

Love

Oh marathon training i.e. motivation where are you?

I had a really good day today. And the day before that and that. I get to spend my days with Mark while he is on summer break. We have been eating good meals. Enjoying our porch. Sitting in the sun. Going for walks at night. It has been pretty fabulous. And I have loved every minute of it. 

But...

I kind of forgot about this marathon that I signed up for in less than a month. 

Now you may be wondering. Well Tracey. You do have the day to train. Absolutely. But then I decided to do a side project with one of our furniture pieces. And what I thought would take a week (oo Pinterest you deceptive site you) is now working on two months. 

Sigh. So I am writing this in hopes of motivating myself for the next month. If not I may not make the marathon alive. ;)

But I can at least say that I have had a most excellent summer being with someone that I adore and love. Wink wink. The other project....the jury is still out. 

Love

july's month in pics

i used to be so good about taking pictures but i am finding myself getting a little off track. alas. here are a few of this month...some may be from repeat posts!

 Mark and I redeemed our cooking class gift that we received from Wendy and David at Christmas. We made Jamaican patties, Jerk Chicken and Johnny Cakes and so much more. Lots of fun and delicious eats!

We took a drive to the greenhouses and I couldn't help but notice how beautiful the canola is with the dark clouds in the sky. 

First green onion cake of the summer at the Taste of Edmonton. I later went on to have about three or four...;)

 We went with Mark's mom and they had the candied bacon on a stick. So fun.

 Met up with the girlies after the K-days parade. Casey had to leave cause of work but I hung out with Jeaninne and little P.

Cheese!

Something Mark and I have really been enjoying is exploring the outskirts of our neighborhood. Especially the river valley on this side. The bugs can't keep us away!

Happy Anniversary to us! Delicious meal!

 Is it love or exasperation? Or a bit of both? tee hee

 Berg Lake Trail on the bridge right before Whitehorn

 Beautiful flowers, wild and all.

 Hottie! At Tabbagon falls.

love

Beautiful Berg Lake

A wonderful hike that I had on my bucket list is complete. Mark did it last year before our wedding and I remember feeling a tinge of jealousy as I had really wanted to do it. Well it came for me this weekend!

I was lucky enough to have some time off so we packed the car for an undetermined destination. Mark checked online the night before and it looked like the majority of hikes that we wanted were booked up (Berg Lake included). We got to Mt Robson and on a whim decided to check out if there were any cancellations. There weren't but they had spots reserved for walk ons! Yippee!

Camped in Mt Robson one night. Had a hot dog roast, drank a bit and snacked on sweets, saw critters. Loveliness.

 

The next day we were off. Not before my hiking boots started to fall apart. Luckily they could make one more round, but I think they have found their end on this trip. Any who, we saw gorgeous lakes. A stop at McKinney for a washroom break and under the shelter at Whitehorn for coldmeat sandwhiches. The only thing that annoyed me was the massive amount of bugs that seemed to be only attracted to us. Horseflies, deer flies and mosquitoes. Yuck! 

 
Once we left Whitehorn we made the ascent up to Emperor falls. Probably the hardest but there was a beautiful reward up top. Reason? Did I mention that it was 28 degrees and it was hot hot. At the top was an unbelievable waterfall. No bugs. And an amazing cold spray. Mark and I would just stand as close as we could and get sprayed (drenched) when the wind hit the fall in the right way. It was by far the biggest highlight I have ever had on a hike. Everything for me in that moment was perfect.

Next we trekked up to our campsite named after the waterfall, Emperor falls. We had a nice site with a bench and table. Right by the lake. We ate, played cards and read.

The next morning was a short trek to Berg lake where we had the view of the multiple glaciers. Took a day hike to Robson pass, and tobbaggon falls. Had a bit of a nap and played multiple games of crib where there was an undeniable winner. But she is ever so gracious and doesn't like to gloat. He he. Talked with quite a few hikers in the heated shelter (lovely when it started to rain).

We were potentially going to stay another night but because we aren't really the day hiker kind of people and it was a little rainy we took the 22km trip down. Left at 8 and got to the bottom at 3. Not going to lie. The last three km I was not in a happy place and contemplated the possibility of getting helicoptered out. A little ridiculous I know but the feet and hips were feeling quite a powerful burn. Good thing I have a good partner to cheer me on and keep me happy. When we saw the end I may have tempted a foot race but clearly Mark was the winner as I had nothing.

 

Then home again. Not before a stop in Jasper for famosa pizza. Yum. 

Fun times. 

Love

Work week over

It started off as a pretty rough work week. Nothing really in particular. I just was a bit over emotional, *wink wink*. 

But it really perked up near the end of the week. I managed to do a couple of firsts in my work and was kind of proud of myself overall. Also was pleasantly surprised again at the excellent teamwork that occurs in the profession I chose. It's one of a kind and am eternally grateful to all the help I receive. The understanding and compassion, the listening to my concerns and lead me in the direction to find answers help me so much in gaining confidence and understanding of the workings of my environment.

And my ever understanding husband who listens and gives a twinkling laugh. Helping me not to take everything so seriously and perking me up. You are amazingly awesome!

Now the work week is over and we are off for a little mini vacation. Just driving and seeing where the car takes us!

Love

Happy anniversary to us!

I got spoiled.

Badly. 

I have a pretty cool husband. 

I go to work. 

And I come home to a wonderful surprise. 

He made me dinner. 

Not just any dinner. 

He recreated the dinner he made for me on one of our first dates. 

That is pretty spectacular. 

He also got me flowers. 

From the colours of our wedding. 

And similar styles of the wedding. 

And cupcakes may have been involved. 

One lucky wife. 

Happy one year my love. 

Thank you for another fabulous year of love and adventures. 

Positivity

Mark said something to me the other day that I truly appreciate and am doing my best to take to heart.  He said more over than not it is very easy for people to be negative, to complain and to see the bad. He admitted that he is a victim too. 

He thinks that is takes a great deal of skill but completely worthwhile to see the positivity in things. Lots of times people may get trapped in ruts with regards to their work and or school that they cannot get past those negative emotions to focus on the good that they are doing everyday. 

I like it when he says things like that to me. As I too can get stuck in the funk of life even when there are spectacular things around me. So I am going to practice a little positivity right now and tell you one positive aspect of my job, as I felt it today. 

I work shift work. And more often than not they are evening shifts. I don't mind evening shifts but I have noticed while mark works I don't see him for quite a few days. However while he is on summer holidays it had been fabulous. We get up. We hang out. We go do greenhouses, libraries, shopping or go to festivals when they are not crowded. When the sun is shining and the day is bright. I have to say, I find it very fantastic. 

Thanks for the positivity lesson hun!

Love

Familiness

I love family dinners.

It is one of my favorite things to do on a weekend evening.  

And it's a double bonus when you get to do it twice on a weekend. 

This weekend was one of my glorious weekends off. 

And not only did we have family dinner on Sunday evening. 

But we had a family lunch on Saturday afternoon. 

I love to be there. 

I love to listen to the going ons of everyone's days,

Weeks, months

I love to watch the interactions of people. 

Additional double bonus was seeing two special visitors.

All the way from Guelph. 

One that we have only seen once before. 

And my has he grown. 

He has become chatty. 

He likes to move around.  

He likes to play games. 

And he enjoys listening to his granny sing. 

Good times had these past two family dinners. 

Love

Musical madness

I love Anita.

There are many reasons that I do. 

One is that she enjoys musicals as much as me. 

She watched the movie les miserables 

and loved the story as much as I. 

She also agreed (and wanted to) see the play when it came to our city. 

She enjoyed getting dressed up like I. 

She knew fun facts that I didn't. 

She didn't get annoyed when I lip synced to the play. 

And she said it was one of her favourite musicals. 

And loved it as much as I. 

Not only that but she wants to follow the loveliness to the original city. 

And watch a lot of plays. 

Another adventure begins. 

What I did this week

We went from all this rain to all this hot. And I am loving it (and at times loving the air conditioning).

This week I managed to go for a long run and finally find the river valley. It took me about 6km to get there and I really only wanted to run 12 so I turned around to go back but I found it. One of my longer runs I may take the plunge and go farther. It was pretty nice. But you could feel all the heat off the vegetation. Yikes.

Mark has been busier than ever working on his landscaping and I have to say it is looking pretty fab. Very impressed. So much dirt is on our driveway right now and he mentioned the other day that roofers that are coming may need it.  Sooooo. The race is on. He he. 

We also had a chance to take some cooking lessons tonight. We got it as a Christmas gift from Mark's parents and redeemed it for a Caribbean cook off. Jerk chicken, kale, beef patties, and Johnny cakes. Anything but healthy and all delish. Loads of fun. 

Since we were in the downtown area we paid a visit to our old home and the parents. They weren't around when we got there initially so of course "we" had to say hi to the dog. And by "we" I mean Mark. And then "we" had to walk the dog. I think they were both very happy with the reunion. Had a little chat and some laughs with Wendy and David and back home again. 

Summers really are grand. 

Love

Summer nights

Tonight Mark and I decided to take a walk to the convenience store a few blocks away for ice cream. 

It was my idea. We have worked pretty hard this weekend on out little projects and deserved a sweet treat. 

The dog sitting was over and I realized this was the first walk we had taken without the dog. And I noted that. 

Mark replied after, "We may have to start taking just 'couple walks'. I have noticed that people do that around the neighborhood."

"Really?" I replied. It got us thinking. 

We don't have a wedding to plan. We don't have summer jobs to fill up our time during our breaks from school. We don't have school to worry about or exams to study. We have just come to the realization that this is the first time in our lives where there is nothing that is needed to be completed on a set date. 

We get to relax. Have fun. 

We get to take walks at night. 

Grateful. 

Love. 

summer: are you coming my way?

i think so. this week it has been slowly escalating to hot hot hot. and i am loving it. and when i need a break from loving it. i hop down to my beloved basement where everything is cool and refreshing! fabulous!

anyhoo...mark is officially on summer break! whooo hooo! i don't think he could feel any better right now. we spent our first official holiday day (well mine was just the weekend off but regardless) at the St. Albert Farmer's Market. so i have never been. HUGENESS and LOVELY! apparently it is one of the biggest outdoor markets in Western Canada. and it lived up to it. plenty of lovely food and other delights. we got ourselves some tasty delights including lovely cinnamon buns, green onion cakes and pasta! yum! definite carbo loading if you ask me!

then mark went to work on his big landscaping project. i on the other hand lazed around (i.e. napped) and then attempted to do some sanding projects. a little frustrated with my project as i don't think it will be what i would like it to be (and it turns out it is a lot more work than i though) but i have to wait and see. future posts on both yard and mine later when all is completed.

speaking of beautiful projects. mark's uncle john made us the most fabulous-ly beautiful bookcase. i don't think we could have imagined it being any better than it is. it is fantastic. wendy, david, and john all joked asking if it was enough space for us. and yes it is. and it is full! as well as our bookcase upstairs. what can i say. i married a husband with a book addiction. i think there are worse things in the world?

i am kind of in half marathon training right now as well. but not doing as well as i should as my motivation is in other places and although there are places to run, i do miss the beloved river valley...that is presently very wet (although with the sun, probably drying out). jimi and i were suppose to do the colour me rad in Calgary today and i was quite pumped about it...unfortunately do to all the floods Calgary had other worries to think about than a little five km race.

AND lets just say that all of southern Alberta is doing a great job in handling this massive disaster...and on top of that the amount of generosity i have seen from Albertans, Canadians and people world wide have once again astounded me. its pretty awesome to see. and to be able to see it again on social media...really shows the positivity of these kinds outlets!

i think that covers it all for me. here are a few pics that i haven't posted this month.

a fire-pit in the summer. is there anything better? it makes for an easy but great meal of hotdogs, banana boats, and cherry pies and mixes in with mark's favourite pastime of making fires.

sibling love on this lovely evening of food.

graduation day with my fellow nurslings!

all dolled up for the lovely occasion. our next stop? home depot of course!

 the grass is back and wilder than ever! and yes it grew once again.

 

 i think mark is in heaven right now as he not only has his yard to play around in but he has "his" dog. we are dog sitting while wendy and david are on vacation. i am assured that this is only temporary. ;)

 i saw my long lost friend jeff who i hadn't seen since may and really didn't even get a chance to talk to all that much! so lovely. and yes this is jeaninne protecting her hair from getting wet as she didn't want to "frizz" out.

lovely friends

 "let's go thrift shopping," i said

"it is the perfect day to do it as it is rainy," i said later

"holy it is really wet," i said even later

"remember the whitemud flood that we got stuck in, in 2004, i think we better go home cause i think its going to happen again," i said lastly

he he. yes jeaninne and i went shopping and i guess some of the roads did flood but not really where we were, all was safe! but we did see this die hard fat franks guy selling hot dogs. we just had to stop and see him. cause really...in torrential downpours he deserved our business!

 ahhh hot dogs so worth it!

 

 no finds for us...but one lucky lady found a cute little toy!

till next time...

love