Lovely Lucious Lemons!

Our good friend (Matt's oldest friend) Kendra came for a visit tonight with her sweet baby boy Owen.  He is just about a month old...and SUPER cute!!!!!  So we had her stay for dinner.  I went to my old friend The Vegetarian Student Cookbook for some inspiration.  I made the most AMAZING pasta dish - and plan to make it again and again!  I have been trying not to post the recipes from this book because I am not sure of the rules about copyright but I MUST share this one.  I will put it in my own words....

-cook and drain spaghetti (I used linguine)
-while this is cooking heat olive oil with 3 cloves of garlic in it to infuse it.  Discard garlic after 3 mins.
-toss together pasta and oil with the zest of one lemon and fresh herbs.  I used basil, chives, sage and thyme.
-serve with real shredded Parmesan.

MMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!

I served it with lemon poppy seed cake.  It was a super fresh summer supper.  Great meal with great company!!!!

Amelia goes for her second last day tomorrow at Lamplighter.  I am sad and happy all at once.  I am so excited to have my little buddy home!!!!  Today she fell asleep on the couch watching a show.  I went to lay Ruby down for her nap and came back to the living room and I thought she was hiding (something she loves to do) because it was so quiet.  I looked over and this was how she was....

I am off to craft some headbands for photo props...I will share them soon =-)

5 Grateful....

-fresh herbs from the garden (SOON!!!!)

-baby toes

-visits from old friends

-second helpings

-knowing there is only ONE chapter left in the book you are reading

Rolling Ruby!

Our baby girl, Ruby, rolled over today.  I could see it happening and tried to stop her so her Daddy could see too LOL but she went ahead and did it.  Both Grace and Amelia rolled over at Denise's house so we headed on over there so that Ruby could make her mark on the carpet as well.  Before we know it she will be walking!!!!  I will push her over for sure - LOL just kidding!

So I decided today that I would start my "Extreme Couponer" job.  I clipped what I had and ventured to Dollarama to buy an accordian file folder to have with me.  I sorted out everything with labels and set off.  I know it won't be as easy to get as great of deals as in the USA because our stores don't "Double coupon" (so if it is .50c of, you get $1 off) and we don't have e-coupons we can add to a card.  But I wasn't going to let that get in my way.  I was able to get .75c off here and there.  I went to Metro and some diapers were on sale for $10.  I want to have some disposables for when we go camping or on extended trips.  I had a $2 off coupon too.  So the $16 diapers I got for $8.  I also went to the produce section and bought things that were on the discount shelf.  All it means is I need to use it this weekend and not next week.  I saved $2 off amazing mixed greens!!!!  I counted everything up and I saved $18 with manufacturers coupons and in store coupons.  I am learning more each day where to find coupons so hopefully this addiction will work out for us.

Yesterday I set off with my two youngest to Kingston to visit a friend.  I went to Go Green Baby and snagged two Mother Ease (pink :-) covers, two hemp diapers and three ME liners.  It was $60 but I haven't purchased more than 3 bags of disposables yet!  Then I headed over to the Carters/Osh Kosh outlet at Kings Crossings near Division Street.  Sometimes I am really lucky and make out like a bandit.  Today was one of those days!  I asked the sales person how much the 3 pack of onsies were on this certain rack.  $6!  She said "Everything on this rack is $6".  SWEET!  So I picked up 6 diaper shirts (that are ab-so-freaken-lutly adorable, 4 pairs of pants (2 pack for $6) and 2 nightgowns for my friends new baby boy.  YAY deals!!!!!

My lovely husband has offered to take the "night shift" with Ruby tonight.  She is only up once but I have a terrible time getting back to sleep afterwards and I end up loosing a few hours a night instead of just 15 minutes.  I am hoping it works out because I need some catch up.  Wish him luck!!

Grace is off on a PA day tomorrow so I am hoping to have lots of fun with her!  I am looking forward to the summer already.

My 5 greatfuls....
-free samples in the mail
-finding leftover Easter candy
-Ruby's new PINK diaper cover!
-Carters/Osh Kosh outlet at Kings Crossings!!!
-lunch with my Mom

No one thinks about you as much as yourself!

I do my best thinking when I have extended time to myself.  Today for instance I was cutting the grass for well over an hour and I was able to do a lot of thinking.  I thought about people in my life, things I need to do, thinks I would like to do and more.  I thought about my lovely children and all they have to offer.  I did lots of smiling at the sunshine.  I smiled at the smells surrounding me.  I smiled at the quiet life we are choosing to live.  Self reflection is a great thing.

Matt discovered Buy the Grapevine/Mainstay Herbals today.  It is our local bulk food/vitamin/herbals store.  They have so many things to offer!!!!  He picked up a few things and has plans to go back soon to scoop up a few (hundred) other things he discovered.  I highly recommend popping in to see what they have to offer!!!

I made Matt some Hummus today.  This recipe called for tahini paste but I used peanut butter.  It tastes fantastic!!  I froze it in serving sizes so he could take just enough to work and not have any waste.

Dinner tonight was canneloni.  It was stuffed with ricotta, fresh herbs and tomatoes.  I smothered it in tomato sauce.  We had Olive Oil Herbs de Provence Bread.  We eat this bread on a regular basis.  The girls call it "Your (my) bread". It is SOOOO yummy.  Matt and I have talked about making our own bread on a regular basis instead of buying it from the store.  I need to invest in more pans if that is the case =-)

Today Ruby was wearing a Wool diaper cover.  I loved it!  And I love that you only have to wash it every 1-2 weeks!!!  As long as it isn't soiled that is.  So tomorrow I am off to Value Village to find some wool sweaters to see what I can fashion!!  I will share photos.  I am heading to Go Green Baby as well to stock up on some covers and liners.  I think it is my new favorite store!!!!

My Three Favorite Girls!!!  XO

My 5 greatfuls....

-GARLIC!!!  My hands smell great from making hummus

-Nannies Muffin Recipe

-Sore muscles - signifying a hard days work

-GLEE!!!!!

-$2 chocolates

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.

~Betty Reese




Our poor Meel is just like her Daddy when it comes to bug bites! She balloons up and is uncomfortable. The other night before bed I noticed that she had a black fly bite beside her eye that she attained when we were participating in the yard sale. I noticed it was swelling. By morning it was swollen almost shut! It got me thinking about how to protect the kids from bugs without chemicals! How can I protect their precious skin from these nasties without putting harsh chemicals on their skin!? And how do I protect sweet baby Roo?! Until we find out we will use the sprays but this summer we hope to find a natural repellant or device to help our girls...and us...enjoy our time outside. Here is a photo of Amelia's eye...she thought it was so funny!!!

Every time I eat meat now - I think of the neighbors.  They are of the 4 legged sort.  Tonight Matt and I watched them frolic and play.  They are like little puppies!!  I can't help but imagine their fate.  I am sure they will end up as T-bone steaks.  Regardless they are destined to be one someone's plate.  Every day I can see how the path of veg starts.  Grace LOVES meat so I would love to talk to other veg parents to see how they handle that without cooking separate meals.

These are our bovine neighbors playing.

Last night for dinner we had some family over.  I LOVE to cook now.  Since we moved to our new house I can't get out of the kitchen.  We had Olive Oil and Herbes de Provence Bread which I make on a regular basis.  I made a lasagna with my amazing veggie packed sauce.  This time I didn't use any Ground Round... just veggies.  I also made a salad with homemade salad cream.  It is from The Vegetarian Student Cookbook as well.  It is soooooo good.  I made a double batch so our company could take some home.  I have learned lately to make double batches of everything!  This saves on time and means I always have something to grab from the freezer that is healthy and homemade.  For dessert Denise brought Chocolate Banana Split Dessert from the Kraft Canada Magazine.  It was amazing and we were lucky enough to have some left over for us to enjoy today.  MMMMMM!!!!!  

Speaking of bread....I have a loaf rising =-)  But first I will leave you with my list of favorites!

-my family

-Ruby's dimples

-Amelia's giggle

-Grace's kindness

-Matt's hugs

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

~Henry David Thoreau


 Sometimes I can't help myself! I try my darndest to sit and watch a movie, laying on the couch all quiet like a mouse. Sometimes I succeed. But often I don't. I can't help the creativity sometimes. Sometimes poor Matt will come home from work and I will have painted a room or moved furniture. It isn't always redecorating that gets me - sometimes it is recipes, sewing or a new hairstyle. He is used to me sending him photos at work of the girls because I "just couldn't help" but go out and find the beauty of them against a brick wall somewhere. Tonight it was my new obsession...hairbands! I LOVE making them. I make them and give them as gifts, my Ruby wears a different one daily - sometimes a few a day! They are made from all sorts of materials....some new and some re-purposed. So I wanted to share a custom order with you.

This set is for a pair of sisters.

This one is for big sis...

This one is for little sis...

I hope they like them.

Today was our yard sale.  It was great to get out and visit with neighbors and enjoy the sunshine.  We made a few bucks so that was okay too =-)  I brought a few things home, donated a few too.  All in all a great day!!

We had veg pizza dinner from Square Boys in Camden East - YUMMMY!!!!  It came with wings - they were delish.  The girls loved them.  I did as well but I couldn't help but think of the chickens....maybe this veg thing will get me yet!!!  Tomorrows dinner is going to be delish as we have company coming.  I will be sure to share the details....

5 things I am greatful for...

-bugspray!!!!

-great quotes that are just what you were looking for!!!

-seeing old friends

-sparklers (yay long weekend!!!)

-crickets lullaby

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"  ~Robin Williams

Does this diaper make my butt look big??

We have been using cloth diapers now for a few weeks.  I went to Go Green Baby in Kingston to ask a whack of questions. With Amelia we only used them about 50% of the time.  While we saved a lot of money, it wasn't as much as we wanted to save.  This time around we were given so many disposable diapers as gifts so we had been using them.  When we started using cloth this time we thought "Why are we not doing it all the time?!"  I think if you are going to commit to doing it, you should just go for it!  So that means cloth diapers to bed.  Which was a scary thing for me for some reason!  Natalie from GGB gave me so many great tips on how to layer and which ones work best for night vs. day.  So I gave it a try and was so excited that she went 12 hours and didn't leak!  So then I thought, what about when we go out!!!  Again lots of questions for Natalie.  She gave me so many great tips.  Such as "Make sure you leave a spare in the car because you will always have one there as a back up!".  Just remember if you use it to replace it if you use it hahah!  I wondered about wipes too.  So I have stocked up on wash clothes at the dollarstore.  I read somewhere that (had I started from day one) we would have saved the equivalent of 5 years and 2 months mortgage payments!!!  So the answer for us was easy.  One load of wash a week is all it takes.  There is so much knowledge out there!  Visit Natalie and check out how far cloth diapering has come!!!!

Dinner tonight was Ricotta stuffed Pasta Shells.  They were delish and the girls loved them.  It was from the cookbook I mentioned yesterday.  ( The Vegetarian Student Cookbook ).

Boil large pasta shells
in separate bowl combine 2 cups ricotta cheese, fresh herbs and a diced tomato
Stuff shells with mixture and arrange in baking dish.  Drizzle with olive oil and parm cheese.  Bake at 350 for 10-12mins.  We eat ours with our hands.  MMMMM!!!!  I had some of the mixture left over so I froze it to use in cannelloni.

Wish me luck for the yard sale tomorrow!  I have hardly anything priced at all.  Ruby wanted to stay up late cuddling so I chose to do that instead.  The girls are so excited to spend the day with friends.

Have a great (and safe) long weekend!!!!!

What does a cloud wear under it's clothes?

Thunderwear!!!!!

Grace read a magazine yesterday that had a few jokes in them.  She recited them to me while in the car....I laughed and laughed!  More so about her delivery of them.  She would laugh at herself so hard she could hardly tell the jokes.  We were on our way to the Doctors to have her ears checked and she proceeded to tell the Doctor "Why did the cookie go to the Doctor?  Cause he was feeling crumby".  He laughed - so did she.  My heart exploded with light!

Each of our kids have so many different things to offer.  It is like the three of them make up one amazing and fantastic child!!!

This weekend we are having a yard sale....or shall we call it a "Get your arse in gear and de-clutter your house and sell your crap sale".  It has made us clean out the basement, kitchen and garage.  It has also been like Christmas too!  We have found so many lost treasures from when we moved.  The same for the girls!  they were so excited to see their toys all organized.  The cheers from the basement were wonderful as they discovered many "Favorites" that have been MIA since being packed.

Tonight we are having Mushroom Risotto.  It is a side dish for most but in this house - it is the main deal!  I will serve it with a side salad or veggies.  Grace loves this meal - she asks for it any time we ask her what she would like for dinner.  It is from a fantastic cook book called "The Vegetarian Student Cookbook ".  I use this cookbook pretty much daily.  It is filled with easy and delish recipes that you have most of the ingredients for.  I find veg cooking to sometimes be difficult because the ingredient list can be overwhelming!  The book is a great price - I recommend buying it!!!!

Today we gave notice that Amelia will be leaving her preschool in two weeks.  She thinks it is because she is going on summer holidays and then starts "big school".  Tears were in my eyes!  I love this preschool.  Amelia has really come out of her shell since being there.  She comes home with songs, stories and great play time memories.  I know she will be fine leaving - I am not sure how I will be.  I will miss the amazing staff!!  And I am sad about her little friends.  She always talks about them and their little adventures.  It will be nice to save money - and that is about all I feel is good about it hahah!

Today I took little Roo to the studio for her 4 month photos.  I can't believe how big she is getting.  At 4 months she is almost 15lbs.  She smiles, giggles and coo's.  Looks around, grabs toys, rolls over and tugs on my heart each day.  I love my little family!!!

I leave you with this....what do you call a Gorilla who pots plants............Hairy Potter!  LMAO I love you Grace!!!