Tiny Skater!

November has been a long month but a very THANKFUL one!
I did my best to post everyday but a few days were just not long enough so I didn't get to posting.  That's ok though.

Seems fitting to finish off with posts of my little and big man, what I am deeply thankful for everyday.
A peaceful morning spent skating.  We have a ways to go to tackle this skill, be we will tackle it, slow and steady.
Every Canadian needs to know how to skate don't you think?

#thankfulnovember

Friday favorites..

Well, we are officially one day overdue waiting on the Baby Buggy Bug!

With the waiting, our time as a family of 3 is extended and all good things come to those who wait.

I am so thankful for the last few weeks of just US moments.

My "wee" man, Andrew BEAN around these parts, is sure showing signs of growing up, growing stubborn, and growing brilliant!

It's a bit mind boggling.  Hard to be sad about it though when he is busting out hilarious phrases that make even Mumma belly laugh and singing RUDOLF from start to finish on his own. 

In prep for the holidays ahead and teaching about gifting we have been "crafting".

Translation = copying cute ideas off the internet and using glue sticks, pipe cleaners, pom poms, and glue guns (of course only I use the glue gun!)

He has an intense imagination and no matter what we are building, there is always the need for a digger!  

Not a surprise.  

We go with it, mess and all.  Why fuss?!  (My Mom taught me that rule of life, embrace the MESSES too).

The best part of crafting is deciding who gets each project this year.

We keep finding new friends and family to give to, so our crafting journey will continue.

Tomorrow we build "Ginger Cousins", maybe by Sunday we will have advanced to popsicle sticks?

Teaching the gift of giving is good for all of us.  I'm learning from him each day!

An update on our Christmas tree set up:  it has officially been stretched out already over 5 days.  So far we only have the lights on.  

Maybe this weekend?  

Maybe not?

Eventually it will get done.

The bottom foot of the tree is filled with our collection of Tim Hortons collectable ornaments.  Tacky?  YES!

What can we say?  We support!!

Hoping you have a fantastic and healthy weekend.

Please say a prayer for the safe arrival of our next blessing.

Can't lie, I'M UNCOMFORTABLE as HE#* but excited to meet this little love.

#thankfulnovember

Oh Christmas tree!!

Let's just get this out of the way…
YES. I took my camera to the Christmas tree lot.
NERD ALERT!
I can't help it.  I feel a panic lately to document every little thing we do… but I'm not sure how it is any different than before.  This documenting makes me so proud.
When baby arrives, there will be an even bigger ramp up of documenting me thinks.

It isn't yet Dec and we have our Christmas tree (something I've been TOTALLY against in past years).
In fact, I'm breaking all of my very own BAH-HUMBUG Christmas rules.  Going to blame it on the baby…. we MUST be organized before operation SURVIVAL kicks in!

Nah, I just know once this critter arrives the focus will shift slightly and we really want to offer Bean all we can this season.  So far it's been SO MUCH FUN!  Who knew?!

Waiting on a baby.

Feeling beyond grateful right now as I read texts and emails, listen to voicemails and prayers from family and friends wondering if our little love BuggyBug has arrived.

Not sure what else to say tonight?

Just so danged grateful!!

Thank you!  

 I promise to shout from rooftops when baby arrives.

#thankfulnovember

Daddy's Company Kiddo Christmas Party Part 2!

Face Paints.

Bouncy Castles.

Sugar.

Crafts.

Magicians.

Gifts.

Games.

Car races.

More Sugar.

Balloons.

And a visit from Mr. You Know Who himself! (who by the way wasn't as scary as my pictures show)

This year was a much bigger success.

Some good things that come with age right?

(that is our shy boy standing front and centre!  we are certain he is trying to analyze the tricks.)

All in all a pretty fantastic day.
I came home and slept for 2 hours….
By myself…
In my own bed…
in peace!

But we still wait for Buggy.
I thought for sure yesterday things would happen with all the activity.  NOPE!





#thankfulnovember

Corporate Christmas Take 2!!

Last year was a bit of a bust…

Oh what a difference a year makes.  For all of us that is!

More tomorrow but I'll just leave you with this…. I want to package up the sound of these giggles!

#thankfulnovember

Blog LOVE!

A few blogs I follow religiously and love.

Not everyone posts as much or little as me but I do truly find inspiration from these Mummas in all kinds of ways!

A MILLION LITTLE LOVES:

Mumma to two wild and wonderful boys.

My friend and spiritual inspiration… Love her and her words.  Her photos are everything magical.  

You can check out her Instagram feed too if you look her up under amillionlittleloves!

BUMBERS BUMBLINGS

Today is International Adoption Day!

This Mumma has two gorgeous littles through adoption, an amazing selfless understanding.  Her adorable 4 & 1 year old crack me up. Also an Instagram Mumma at bumberjoy!

ANNIES EATS

Any awesome recipe you'll ever want to make can be found on Annie's site.

She is crafty, a great food photographer and honestly creates the BEST snacks!  DELIC.  If you are a baker from scratch like me you will appreciate her efforts while running a home with two kiddos and holding down a job as a Physician.

ADVENTURES in PINKSUGARLAND

Anyone familiar with the wonderful world of blogging and photography has likely heard of this incredibly stylish Mumma.  Photos, music, crafts, and moments that make you sigh.  The cutest kiddos on the planet and their fun adventures.  CUTENESS!!  andreahanki on Instagram.

TOP KNOT EVENTS

Sara K has an amazing way of making you giggle from your toes.  Mumma to two beauties and creator of her own magic she inspires me to go long and reach for the stars.  Her new venture in wedding planning is pretty much a life dream.  We all need to dream!!  topknotweddings is her Instagram feed.

SEE YOU THERE

Katie is about to be a Mom again this Spring.

I love following her photos and giveaways.  See spends all kinds alone with her wee girl as her hubby works away and she lets nothing stop her from LIVING!  She posts such wonderful weekly photos of her daughter, I love following them.  mrskittymitch shares so many wonderful Instagram adventures!

THE DOMESTIC PROJECT

When I read her blog I have a sore stomach from laughing so hard.  And then I read it again.  Hands down most hilarious, real blog I've ever come across.  I love her to the point manner.  Mumma to two cuties, a teacher, a crafter, and a full on amazing writer.  You won't catch her on a regular basis blogging because she is one heck of a busy lady but you don't want to miss it when she does.  Love her!  

BLUEBIRD KISSES

A hard hard hard working Mumma with a rad sense of style, something I seriously lack and could care less about but completely admire in others.  Her wee man is a little ham and she puts her heart and sole into making fun outings and passing along memories to her littlest love.  She presents weekly features of other Mummas on her Instagram feed as well, it's pretty wonderful to focus on others from time to time isn't it! Check out her stories and giveaways and hard core feelings when you can.  

THE HUT CHRONICLES

Marian has such a special place in my heart.  While we've never met, I've followed her lovely Tasmanian life for a few years and exchanged old school mail and cards.  She is married to an amazing man with crazy skills in the garden and in the home.  His meals look TO DIE FOR!!!  Nearly a year ago they were blessed with beautiful identical twins, very very premature, it was touch and go for many many weeks. Maggie & Elisabeth are almost ONE and I love watching them daily.  They are gorgeous.  The spirit and hope this family has shared with their followers is damned unreal!  On instagram you can look up hazelnigella and follow their family, including two stunning German Shepard critters that are like little people themselves.  Some day I will meet this family!

There are sooo many other wonderful bloggers that inspire and teach me.

I look to many blogs for ideas, inspiration, and generally to help me appreciate who I am, what I love to do, and where I need to be with my home and family.

Have a peak when you have the time.

Gnite!

#thankfulnovember

Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Zucchini Loaf

If my 3 year old will eat this anyone will (he isn't a cookie or sweets fan - not sure how he is my child?)
It is the perfect snack loaf for anyone.
CINNAMON SWIRL PUMPKIN ZUCCHINI LOAF

Ingredients:

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup canned or fresh pumpkin

1 cup melted butter

1 tbsp vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1 cup zucchini, shredded

Cinnamon Swirl:

1/3 c. sugar

1 tbsp cinnamon

Instructions:

Combine eggs and sugar in mixing bowl. Mix in pumpkin, butter and vanilla.

Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Add to pumpkin mixture until mixed. Stir in zucchini.

Mix Cinnamon Swirl ingredients together.

Pour half of dough mixture into two greased and floured 9x5 in loaf pans or eight miniature loaf pans. Divide cinnamon swirl mixture evenly in pans and top with the rest of the dough.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until bread tests done. 

Cool in pans for 10 minutes then remove to wire rack to finish cooling.

Thank you to my pal Lindy for sharing with me.

Wordless Wednesday...

I fell asleep last night early so didn't have a chance to do my daily post.

#thankfulnovember

Timmy!

HE'S HERE!

HE'S HERE!

MUMMA, TIMMY IS HERE!!!!

This was shortly before noon yesterday. He showed up somehow overnight?  WOW! And it took a few short hours to spot him.

By 12:30 we were loading up and heading to Michael's craft store for supplies for an Elf hat upgrade.

Apparently red is so 2012!  Timmy is now sporting a cool BLUE felt hat.  I'll share that with you tomorrow perhaps.

Bless the glue gun is all I'll say.

And Elf hats aren't as easy to make as you'd think.  Trust me.

8 diggers, 2 John Deeres, a flashlight, gluegun, and a few random kitchen supplies and WHAMO, a new hat.

More on Timmy to come but so far our behaviour is pretty exceptional because TIMMY IS WATCHING and will be reporting back to Santa any unkind behaviour, DAILY!  

HA!  Sweet sweet bribery.

I am thankful for Timmy, the fun it has already created in our home and the time to be able to make goofy crafty things with my wee man (if you can call it crafty).  

These are memories I hope he cherishes, I know I sure do!

#thankfulnovember

Afternoon book worm

Cold afternoons are perfect for reading MOOSE books.
Thanks Char!  Wonderful reads!





#thankfulnovember

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Always thankful for good food and the ability and resources to test and try out something new.
We are faithful followers of America's Test Kitchen.  This is a 'version' of their recipe.  Soooo good.  Soooo rich.  Be careful, don't over do it!

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

• 2tbsp butter
• 2pounds broccoli, florets roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces, stems trimmed, peeled, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 3/4cup chopped onion
• 2tsp minced garlic
• 1 1/2tsp dry mustard powder
• 3–4cups water
• 1/4tsp baking soda
• 2cups chicken broth
• 2cups baby spinach
• 3/4cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

• 3/4

  cups parmesan cheese, grated fine (plus extra for serving)
• 
  
  
  1. Heat butter in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When foaming subsides, add broccoli, onion, garlic, and dry mustard. Cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 6 minutes. Add 1 cup water and baking soda. Bring to simmer, cover, and cook until broccoli is very soft, about 20 minutes, stirring once during cooking.
  2. Add broth and 2 cups water and increase heat to medium-high. When mixture begins to simmer, stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Transfer half of soup to blender, add cheddar and Parmesan, and process until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer soup to medium bowl and repeat with remaining soup. Return soup to Dutch oven, place over medium heat and bring to simmer. Adjust consistency of soup with up to 1 cup water. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with extra shredded cheese and home made croutons.

  

  
  

DELICIOUS!




#thankfulnovember

Baby It's Cold Outside!

The snow fell as expected.

But the temps and windchill were a bit of a disappointment.
CRUEL to be exact.

We got out and dug anyway.

GOTTA GET THIS BABY OUT SOME HOW!?

I think Bean was a tad confused on the season?

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!!!!

#thankfulnovember

Mr. Music...

Clearly he has an ear for the beat?!

*insert sarcastic eye roll here*

My recording abilities need some work I think.





#thankfulnovember

My kids!

Lately my photos I've posted have been on my iphone.

I seem to want real and raw moments a bit more the last few weeks with my wee man.

I seem to be capturing a few more of them with the blessed iPhone.

Today we enjoyed a bit of RnR together.

My big boy connecting with his wee sibling to be.

Can't put the words together right now what it means to me to see this.

But it sure is perfect to see these moments unfold.

Beanie & Buggy.

Wow, am I ever THANKFUL!

Love you so much!

#thankfulnovember