a few of my favourite things

Fall is slowly beginning to show her colours here.
Outside, the smell of wood smoke fills the air when I take my walks through the forest. The scent of pine needles fills my nose, with each step I take along the path.
The golden rod, is the most beautiful jewel rich amber colour, and the bees are ravenous for it's nectar. The maples are beginning to turn bright red, orange and yellow. Acorns and fallen apples dot the sides of the roads. The colours are just marvelous.
 Pumpkins, sunflowers and delicious veggies are abundant at the market stalls, tempting me to to take them home to decorate and cook with.
Inside the home, hot rich soups are being made, and stored away in the freezer. Today I made an Italian chicken-tomato-autumn vegetable soup based off of this recipe. It was very filling and nourishing.
Just yesterday I stocked up on teas for my tea cupboard. I chose warming teas, such as, chai, apple spice and chocolate hazelnut.
Candles are being lit to add warmth, scent and light.
Each morning, from the breakfast table, we watch the birds at the feeders, busily pushing their way in for some food. They know what is around the corner, and are planning ahead too.
This is my most favourite time of year, where my senses are treated to an abundance of gifts and warmth is created to compensate for the dipping temperatures.

~

These are a few of my favourite things ...

Trips to the farmer's markets, walks in the woods, apple orchards - full of beautiful red apples, front porches decorated with pumpkins, wreaths, mums and swags of colourful corn. Sweater weather, layered scarves, bonfires at the beach, hot apple cider, a warm blanket and a good movie. Wool socks, pumpkin baked goods, the smell of cinnamon, the twinkle of candle light.

xox

slow and simple

I know that the term "simplicity" is such a trend word. It's seen on magazine covers, product names and more. Why is it that we are so drawn to a more simple life? And how can it be achieved?
In the never ending quest for a more balanced and peaceful life, I have been making a concision effort to make little life changes. Some are small efforts, that at once, don't seem to make a big impact, but I know they add up to make a difference.
Simplifying our family life, comes in many forms. From the purging of old things that are no longer needed, to creating a weekly meal plan, to keeping a family calendar in the kitchen, where all our appointments, shifts, engagements are seen in one place. It's these little things that once all put together, make a pretty big impact in  how our rhythm pans out.
Then there are the bigger decisions towards simplifying. Such as deciding not to put Noah into any summer camps this year. It costs money we don't have. He doesn't thrive in a busy over stimulating environment. Katia will have a guaranteed playmate all summer long. Our schedule is freed up, for us to go on any daytime adventure we want!
I'm trying hard to find moments in my day to feel present and grateful for what I have. To take notice of the simple things and welcome them into my heart.

Simple things that I am grateful for....

~ a walk in the woods with my kids and my dog. A way to recharge. A way to find quiet. A dog, so joyful and happy to be off leash and bounding through the woods.
~ 2 days of cool wet rain. Permission to slow down. To stay inside. To drink tea, eat popcorn, read books and watch movies.
~ homemade chicken and rice soup for everyone, including Wesley.
~ the summer reading program at our local library. Free programs. Motivation to read.
~ sweet U-Pick strawberries
~ hanging out on the soccer field, watching the kids run around and chase balls in the summer heat

So here's to simple and slow. May it's rewards be easy to find.

a holiday wrap-up

The holidays this year were a little bit crazy and a lot special. With wee Wesley joining our family on Dec 15th, we did our very best to continue on with the festivities, while still honouring our need for a quiet and slow babymoon.
Instead of recounting all the details that I can barely remember, I will leave this post with a list of the lovely things that happened over the last few weeks, and an assortment of photos from the occasions.
Special memories to remember from the 2015 holidays:
~ Katia's preschool nativity play
~ Noah's school concert
~ Christmas Eve dinner of seafood chowder, very down East
~ Christmas Eve church, Wesley was quite popular with everyone in the congregation
~ Noah and Katia making each other Christmas gifts. Katia made Noah a robot T-shirt and Noah (with help) made Katia an Elsa (Frozen) cape (with material from our old table runners that we used at our wedding!)
~ An exceptionally warm and green Christmas Day. We went for a walk at Hall's Harbour and got our first family pic on the beach
And that wraps up the holidays! Sending a special wish to all for a Happy New Years! May 2016 bring love and adventure to you all!
xox

november and beyond!

The last few weeks have brought much excitement and busyness to our lives. 

Halloween, oh Halloween, how I love you and hate you all at once. Making costumes, getting kids to their respective Halloween celebrations (preschool, Beavers),dealing with the aftermath of too much candy, and the excitement. Let's just say, it is not my most favourite holiday, yet I love to feel the excitement that the kids have for it. I love to see what limits they have for scary things (we keep things pretty tame and more on the sweet and magical side). I love to watch them venture out into the night, fully aware that this is a special ritual of going up to neighbours houses and getting treats. All in all, I do enjoy parts of it ... but I am happy to see that it is over. 

We had my mom come over for a week to visit us and it was nice to be able to share our lives with her for a bit. I enjoyed showing her around our new town and taking her to the bay of Fundy. We also had some fun meals out and a coffee date/Starbucks date. I know that it was special for her, which was what I was hoping for. 

We are now full force into November and all the fun that comes with it. Katia's birthday is just a few weeks away, and I am busy planning the party for it. I am trying to keep it on the small side, but as always, things start to trickle along and get bigger than expected. Noah wanted to have a friend come to the party, which then meant adding more children to the mix ... but at the end of the day, I want the kids to be happy and to have a special time. 

This year Katia wants a mermaid party and I am excited about the possibilities that this theme will bring. We have plans to do some fun crafts and maybe a few games. I'm looking forward to see how it all turns out, and mostly, to celebrate our artsy, creative, sweet little girl, who will be turning 4! 

In other news, I am plugging away at getting ready for the holidays. I've been making my lists and am happy to be ticking items off those lists. Christmas cards, shopping (online shopping is amazing when you are 34 weeks pregnant), our Christmas book Advent, freezer meals, baking .... I'm getting along and am happy that I won't be stressing out about it in a month's time. 

The days lately seem to be moving along so quickly. It feels like just yesterday we were starting the school year and getting ourselves situated here, and now we are well into November, with the holidays are just around the corner. Just the other day, Winslow and I had a hospital tour of the labour and delivery ward, it's  hard to believe that soon we will welcome a new family member into our lives. And while life seems to be moving at warp speed, I also am trying to be in the moment in my day to day life. I'm trying to be present when doing the everyday things, like cooking a nice meal. I try to slow it down, by lighting candles at dinner, or setting up a nice bath for myself. I know that by being more present in my daily actions, I will find more joy and happiness in my life. Hopefully I will find more patience too. 

xox

ps. iphone pics, not as great quality.

for a new day

The return of a good friend, means I have company once again. Long phone calls with people who truly care, I am so thankful for the support. Hot water with fresh lemon, a burst of fresh - when everything seems so stale (winter is dragging on). A dog curled up next to me, I am thankful for this loyal companion. 

For a new day. For second chances. For a little girl who fell asleep in my arms this afternoon (this rarely happens anymore). For a sad song, that speaks to my heart. For crying, deep, real tears, because of love for my RCMP family. For day dreams of the East Coast and the beach. For a letter in the mail. For a lunch time upgrade (took a can of lentil soup, added sauteed onions/carrots/curry and threw in a can of coconut milk). For a better day than yesterday. 

I am feeling better today.  Isn't it good when that happens? 

xox