Almost Over

You know those hot summer days filled with kiddie pools, parks, and bike rides?  Yah they're almost over and I'm more than a little sad....

Little Toy Pouch Tutorial

I'll admit, I've been working on this tutorial for a couple of months already.  I started it a long time ago and then promptly forgot all about it!  Well, I've remembered and so here it is.

Basically, it's just a little zipper pouch for your little dude, or little girl to carry all her toys or crayons, or papers or whatever in.  My guys love to take some cars and other toys with them when we go to the grocery store so this is a perfect way to make sure they carry their own stuff and my purse doesn't get too heavy.

I did it up in google docs again to make it easier to print, so all you have to do is click on the link below to access it!

Little Toy Pouch Tutorial

Shop Love

Since I featured Lindy's fabulous shop last week, I've decided I'd like to do the whole "Shop Love" feature a little more often.  There are so many amazing artists on etsy and I spend far too much time searching for them all so I might as well share them with you too!

So next up I give you Stacey of Creashines!  Stacey's shop is pretty much the best, everything she has is so adorable and her photography is nothing short of amazing.  I love how how her stuff ranges from uber cute to slight spooky, to down right awesome.

this Chocolate Kiss Ring makes me hungry every time I see it.

okay so maybe these make me a little bit hungry too.

I keep thinking how much much my kids would love Stacey's Farm Fun Magnets

and well I love this one just because it's a Camping Ring!!

Once again, Stacey has no idea I'm doing this feature, so surprise Stacey! I hope you love it!

Shop Update - Skirts!

See them all here

Never Too Early

A couple of weeks ago Ara decided she wanted to learn to shoot a bow just like the rest of us.  I'm pretty sure it was one of those insanely proud parent moments we all have now and then, but it was probably THE proud moment for Dad.  She did great, Daddy helped her put the arrow on, then pull back, and she would let go.  I think she's the youngest f the kids to start shooting, at only 17 months.

And here's Ara's proud moment, finding all her shot arrows and carrying them back to Daddy.

Seventh Generation Giveaway Winner!

Well folks, the Seventh Generation Giveaway is over, and the winner is comment #11....  ( I used random.org to generate the number, for those of you wondering!)

KBisshop!

KBisschop said...

I make my own laundry detergent which is super easy, cost effective, and really cuts down on packaging waste! It only takes a few simple ingredients (ivory soap, borax, washing soda, and water, cleans well, and is gentle on my kids' skin.

Fruits of Fall

 

Saskatoon berries to be made into Saskatoon syrup.  The berries were given to us by our lovely neighbours!

Fresh BC peaches made into lots and lots of jam!  YUM.

I've also been freezing beans, zucchini, and a few other jams and syrups.  What have you been preserving?

Shop Love

Some of you know my lovely friend Lindy, her fabulous blog and perfect shop, but for those of you who don't, meet Lindy!

Lindy runs the best blog ever if you're looking for inspirational ideas, cute etsy shops, or anything to do with cupcakes (she makes a mean cupcake herself). 

She also has a fab stationary shop on etsy and sells the best note cards, perpetual calendars, wall art, and cards.

 love love this chevron wall art

quite possibly the cutest Christmas card around!

So go visit Lindy, she's a great friend and she really is super talented!

P.S she also has no idea I was doing this post ;)

Christmas Came to My Shop!

See them all here

2011 Calgary Highland Games!

It's become a bit of a tradition for us as a family to go to the Highland Games each year.  They always put on a good show, there's lots to see, and it's outside so we like it.  This year we finally had perfect weather and if it weren't for the kids being a bit sick it would have been a perfect day.  Either way we still had fun.

having some lunch

Ara in the plaid skirt I made her and her Red and Black Plaid Booties

watching some medieval fighting

said medieval fighting

entranced

caber toss!  (my favorite)

this year we even got to see Rick Mercer tape one of his shows.  Here he is with a caber.

Lamb's Quarters Omelete

I think I've mentioned before that Travis has really been getting into foraging lately and I have to admit I'm really enjoying it too.  One of the things we've learned about is a "weed" called Lamb's Quarters.  It grows all over the place in our garden and yard and it's surprisingly good.  I've been cooking it just like spinach and it really cooks and tastes very similar to spinach.

I've used the Lamb's Quarters now in salads (although I prefer it cooked), on pizza, in stir fry's, and my favorite in an omelet.  Here's a recipe for an omelet I made a couple of nights ago.

One egg per person served (I used 5)

Whatever kind of veggies etc. you want in there.  I added yellow peppers and mushrooms I got from the Farmers Market that morning.

Lamb's Quarters!  My only complaint against these greens is you've got to pick a lot to get a decent amount.  Just like spinach it wilts and shrinks when you cook it so you need several handfuls to get a fair amount.

I take all the stems off and toss in the leaves.  The leaves are so small I don't bother chopping them.

Tomato!

Green onions from our garden...

And I added ham but you could easily make a vegetarian version of it.

I threw all the ingredients in a bowl and whisked it up, added some shredded cheese, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt and poured it into a hot cast iron skillet.

Once the omelet was almost all cooked I put it in the oven on broil until the top browned up nicely.  Then, we ate! Yum!