kat's cradle

i've moved

2011-02-01T20:23:00.002-06:00

just around the corner.

it's cozy and nice there.

we like it very much.

hope you'll stop by.

loosed leaf.

stories unbound

a new place to share.

2011-01-17T02:53:00.003-06:00

a decision has finally been made. i've decided to start fresh. for some time now i've been feeling this need to create a new blog. i feel like so much has changed in my life....i've changed! you've read along as i found my way back to myself...and i liked who i found.

as an incurable romantic; my unwavering belief in true love led me to my own true love....how lucky i feel to have finally found him. i want to write in a place that is just ours...

so meet

loosed leaf {stories unbound}

thank you for all the love and support you have shown me here at kat's cradle...i feel like i've built truly special friendships; though miles apart i've found kindred spirits though this little blog and i'm so deeply thankful for each and every one of you.

i do hope you'll still come and visit me in my new place to share...

feeling christmasy

2010-12-01T11:07:00.000-06:00

christmas is sprinkled throughout our home. twinkly lights lend a warm glow inside while outside fluffy white snow gently falls to the ground. winter is upon us though i don't mind the chill in the air when the spirit of christmas is among us; so full of warmth & love.

fur tree skirt. you are special. warm, soft and cozy....the perfect addition to a christmas room and a new favourite spot for luka to lay.

the gathering of more ornaments began at the beginning of november this year and my new favourites are the pretty vintage inspired fawns; can you spot them? aren't they lovely?

adding sparkle here and adding it there.

4 nutcrackers joined our party this year....

and a night snuggling on the sofa wouldn't be complete without sweet luka tucked in too...

ready, set, go!

2010-11-03T10:54:00.002-06:00

no time to waste...company is on it's way!

here i am planning and organizing for the arrival of our company and sweet luka is going about his business like nothing is to happen. should we be surprised when he is over-the-top in his excitement when greeting our guests? he runs to them and then to me as if to say 'i didn't know they were coming' such a sweet little pup that loves everyone...

do lists help or just stress one out? hmmmm

this is what i have to tackle today and the clock seems to keep on ticking away....

~~go to the bank~~
~~drop off mike's suit at the dry cleaners~~
~~go grocery shopping~~
~~vacuum~~
~~wash floors~~
~~bathrooms~~
~~dust~~
~~guest room~~ ~~ready...and her nickname is 'pinkie'...how fitting?~~
~~a little bit of laundry~~
~~prep for dinner (sausage & pepper penne)~~
~~shower & get ready~~
~~and off to the airport we go!~~

no more time for blogging....finish up your coffee and jump into this list feet first...wish me luck!

update: all items were neatly ticked off the list and we welcomed our british company into our home. we had a wonderful visit full of laughs, eating, lots of chats, movie watching, a tiny bit of shopping and relaxing! a beautiful week...i was sad to see tracey head back to the uk today but look forward to future visits...next time with a baby in tow! she is 5 months pregnant....march will bring a sweet little babe into their home....we can't wait to meet the little peanut!

corners of home.

2010-11-02T05:27:00.003-06:00

oh yes...do come in. i hope you'll feel at home here. we do.

::here is where we::

snuggle up under quilts.

watch movies.

relax.

sip coffee.

read papers and magazines.

sit and talk.

nap with our pup.

::here is where we::

can be quiet & still.

can laugh and be silly.

::here is::

home.

together.

i love water. the ocean. waves rolling against the shore. the colours of the sea. it soothes my soul and this inspired the colour scheme of much of our home. shades of turquoise, greens, and blues. hints of creams and browns. it makes me happy.

oh goodie. this girl loves pillows...very much.

love is here.

not her first appearance on this blog...but still i love her so. my painting; you will always have a home with us.

my grandpa & grandma's sideboard. this project has been a long time in the making. it's original state included a heavy varnish which needed to be removed. i stained it, painted the inside white, cut holes in the back for wires, and put new hardware on. it has doors too...but for now i like it just as it is. i love that it was my grandparents. it saw my dad as a boy and felt the love of that home. i hope it feels the love of ours....

chocolate haystack cookies

2010-11-01T16:30:00.007-06:00

this is simple simple simple. you're going to love it if you love chocolatey carmel taste, coconut, and pecans all swirled into one...trust me.

1 package of milk chocolate chips
1 can of eagle brand milk
1 1/2 cups of shredded coconut
2 cups chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla

melt chocolate chips in double boiler . stir in eagle brand milk . cook until thick stirring occasionally . add vanilla . remove from heat . stir in coconut and nuts . drop by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet . bake @ 275 degrees for 15 minutes . makes about 3 dozen .

a year ago today

2010-10-31T13:55:00.002-06:00

365 days have past since you said goodbye. so often i have whispered to you my thoughts and when i needed it most i know you gave me strength. i look at the stars when i feel lonely and it gives me comfort. i know you're there looking over us with the same love, guidance & protection you always gave so generously.

i love you grandpa and how i miss you...

a brief recap

2010-10-31T13:07:00.002-06:00

dear maui,

has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are? you with your turquoise ocean; salty waves rolling up onto your golden sand beaches. your island breeze is lovely; carrying the scent of fresh flowers through the air. instantly i made friends with you and i dare say this shall never change....can't wait till we meet again....xo. kat

this trip was amazing. our week away in beautiful maui was a dream come true. i've wanted to go there for so long...to see for myself the beauty and wonder of this special place. it certainly didn't disappoint and i'm already wishing i could go back and lay on the warm sand under the sun's brilliant rays.

mike and i had so much fun together...we spent a great deal of time at the beach. went snorkelling and discovered big sea turtles, amazing fish in all colours and sizes, some sort of sting ray and that...well.....i'm a much faster swimmer than mike. snorkelling was amazing....the life that exists under the sea is stunning. i could have watched the turtles gently move under the water for hours; so slowly pushing away the water and floating about. when the water is wavy, where it meets the air, from underneath it looked like a glorious big turquoise quilt blowing in the wind on a clothesline.

lahaina is a great little town. we liked to shop here and eat here. lots of great shops & restaurants to choose from. the town is located right on the water so it's fun to walk down the sidewalk and hear the waves crashing in at the same time.

a little bit of a drive lead us to la perouse state park. the black rock against the ocean and the blow holes were beautiful to see. i'm glad we ventured out that way. just a bit down the road on the way home we found a tiny little bay and stopped to snorkel for a bit...there was a larger variety in plant life and fish here...happy we had our gear in the trunk.

i loved the time mike & i had in maui. it seems that we find fun together in everything we do....something i truly cherish. how happy i feel to be wrapped in his love....

and we're off...

2010-10-10T23:45:00.001-06:00

my day has come to a close. the luggage is neatly packed and outfits are laid out for tomorrow's flight. travel size bottles have been filled with shampoo & conditioner and toiletries are set aside to be used one last time before they too will be packed away. my list sits on the table alongside the 'you can't forget these' items....you know the ones....passports, medical insurance, us cash, itinerary and flight schedule. as i tucked them into my handbag i'll tick them off the master list too....

i love spending time with mike. together; talking and almost always finding something to laugh at....even the most ordinary things are fun when we find ourselves in one another's company. i'm excited for tomorrow to begin....looking forward to enjoying the journey and not just the destination...

i plan to take a little notebook with me to jot down thoughts as i'm experiencing the sights and sounds around me. laying on the beach...taking in the world around me; not wanting to forget the simple things.

thank you for your maui ideas....i'm excited to share our holiday with you when we return...

and happy thanksgiving my canadian friends....enjoy!

photo credit: big beach (makena) maui hawaii

maui....soon we shall meet

2010-10-06T14:08:00.002-06:00

for years i've been dreaming about hawaii....thoughts of white sand beaches and the turquoise ocean, palm trees and flip flops, snorkelling; seeing ocean life swim and float about in their water-ey world, warm sunny days and cool drinks by the water, a good book and a flower in my hair and most importantly...a loving hand to hold...and in five sleeps it's about to all come true. monday we're jumping on a plane and sailing through the air to our vacation destination. i can't even tell you how excited i am!

in our home the laundry is all caught up, the guest room holds piles of our travel clothes ready to be packed away, lists are being made, and excitement fills the air....

we are staying in lahaina, maui, hawaii. have you ever been? oh how i would love to hear some of your ideas on the things we must do and places we just have to see. both of us are pretty laid back so we plan on just taking each day as it comes and really enjoying this trip....we are looking forward to time spent at the beach & touring around in a rental checking out the different towns and beaches. we are excited to go out for dinner....mmmmm...and trying the local cuisine. i just can't wait to spend a week with mike in beautiful maui...oh sweet memories to be made.

today i'm heading out for a few days to drop luka off at brigitte's and get in some visits. our little schnauzer won't be finding his way into our suitcase...though i'll miss him i know he'll be spoiled while i'm away....perhaps luka will get a squeaky whale stuffy toy upon our return? yes, i think so.

saturday's stir fry

2010-10-04T19:30:00.003-06:00

as per my plans to pick out a new recipe to try on saturday i reached for my newest book 'jamie's food revolution' and decided on chicken chow mein. it didn't look like the photo in the book...not even close. no worries though because it tasted pretty good and was easy to put together.

a thumb-size piece of fresh root ginger
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 fresh red chile
1 large chicken breast {i used 2}
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 green onions
a small bunch of fresh cilantro
1 bok choy
mushrooms
2 bundles of chow mein noodles
vegetable oil
1 heaped teaspoon cornstarch
1 x 8 ounce can of water chestnuts
2-3 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 small lime
1 can of mini corns
handful of asian snow peas

to prepare your stir-fry
put a large pot of water on to boil . peel and finely slice the ginger and the garlic . finely slice the chile . slice the chicken into finger-sized strips and lightly season with salt and pepper . cut the ends off your green onions and finely slice . pick the cilantro leaves off and put to one side, and finely chop the cilantro stalks . halve the boy choy lengthways . {i just cut into large chunks because the lengthways wasn't working for me} . cut up mushrooms

to cook your stir-fry
preheat a wok or large frying pan on a high heat and once it's very hot add a good lug of vegetable oil and swirl it around. stir in the chicken strips and cook for a couple of minutes, until the chicken browns slightly . add the ginger, chile, cilantro stalks, mushrooms, and half of the green onions . stir-fry for 30 seconds {due to my lack of organization mine was in the pan for a lot longer and still turned out fine} . add your noodles and bok choy to the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minutes . meanwhile, add cornstarch, water chestnuts and their water to the wok and give it another good shake to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom . add your noodles and bok choy . remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of soy sauce . halve the lime, squeeze the juice of one half into the pan, and mix well . have a taste and season with more soy sauce if needed . {my noodles did not turn - they turned into mush, i have a feeling they were in boiling water for far too long, so i ran to the pantry and pulled out cellophane asian noodles}

to serve your stir-fry
use tongs to divide everything between two bowls or plates, or to life on to one large serving platter . spoon any juices over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the green onions and the cilantro leaves . serve with lime wedges. {due to my noodle 'situation' i just served the stir fry on top of the noodles}

and there you have it....dinner was served.

fabric flower pin

2010-10-03T20:12:00.001-06:00

i made my first fabric flower today....and for my first effort i think it's pretty darn cute! i found a tutorial here and used it as my jumping off point. i modified it by adding tulle into the mix for texture, cutting fusible interfacing a bit smaller than each circle and ironing it on, hand sewing a little wrinkle into a few of the 'petals' to make the flower a bit fuller, and finishing it off with a darling little vintage inspired button.

i saw this little tutu last week which inspired me to sew one...however, as you can see, this little gem found it's way into my cart instead. a decision which totally freed up more time for fabric flowers!

{note:: i still plan on making a tutu...just cause i love them}

a pink onesie and tights in tow and this little girl will be a twirling delight...ballet style!

if you like fabric flowers you must check out emersonmade. oh so pretty....you'll love them...i just know it!

happy sunday

the weekend begins

2010-10-02T06:33:00.008-06:00

mike left for work this morning at 4.30....though i'm not usually a morning person i like to see him off as he starts his day. breakfast for supper was on the menu last night...i made extra; no thought required in deciding what to eat first thing today. leftover pancakes it was...though likely better last night he didn't seem to mind...

the sound of his truck trailed off in the distance and i poured myself a cup of coffee. the air was chilly in the house so i pulled on a hoodie....luka went back to bed; his tummy full from breakfast. this is one persistent little dog....he usually doesn't eat till 6 but was oh so hungry this morning...i gave in and filled his bowl. i tucked him under a quilt so he would be cozy and i found my way to the computer.

after catching up with so many of my favourite blogs and checking out a few new ones i am starting this day feeling totally inspired. i love when creativity hits...i feel so full of energy and excitement over what the weekend will hold. though not all tasks are inspiring they do leave me with a sense of accomplishment....basic weekend cleaning and laundry to be done today; a tidy home and fresh laundry tucked away is the perfect start to weekend creative....making room for a creative disaster to evolve. you know the kind?

oh what shall i do?

::a trip to the fabric store::

feel like sewing something this weekend. been wanting to make a cute vintage apron, a tutu for a toddler, and linen flowers for some time now....will there be fabric that calls my name for any of these projects? while i have the sewing machine out i'll finish up the alterations i have to do on a darling turquoise shift dress i bought a while back.

::write a letter to a friend::

with special paper and fancy pens...nothing else will do.

::go for a walk::

bring my camera...the early morning sun is shining outside; another beautiful autumn day in store for us. must capture the season's beauty before the leaves blow away.

::meal planning::

flip though my jamie oliver cookbook and pick out a recipe to try for dinner tonight. there will be no pancakes for supper today!

hopefully i'll have some weekend creative to share with you soon...

september kitchen & thoughts

2010-09-30T22:21:00.009-06:00

good bye september. hello october.

september brought a month of trying new things and a month of stopping to enjoy.

::on cooking::

after many years of saying 'i can't cook' i have found out that i can cook....or perhaps mike is just very gracious. at any rate i'm enjoying it. i have dusted off my collection of cookbooks. how happy i am as i sit and flip through the recipe's reading the ingredients needed and making a list, examining the photos and wondering if what i make will resemble that at all...

{new favourite cookbook from my brother}

::in the kitchen::

unpacking the groceries and carefully lining up the items that will make dinner, pulling out bowls and knives...a cutting board too. finding it relaxing to chop up the veggies...david gray singing softly in the background.

::at the table::

where we eat and laugh. talk and share.

together is my happy place.

sweet september you were sunny warm days and beautiful colours, brisk fresh air and long walks, meant for knitted sweaters and pumpkin pie....and i thank you for being you.

photo credits: 1. Mini Pumpkin Pie, 2. Autumn Wallpaper, 3. Autumn on the stairs, 4. Found sunlight, 5. orange scarf, 6. White Pumpkin, 7. Harvest Song, 8. A maple leaf made up of maple leaves, 9. small pie pumpkin, 10. Striped tights and a pumpkin, 11. If Grandma only knew what happened to her lost spool of thread!, 12. i now have orange yarn!

because dreams are free

2010-09-29T11:23:00.004-06:00

flipping through october's chatelaine magazine i was delighted to find this perfectly charming & wonderful farm kitchen which belongs to cobi ladner who is the former editor of canadian house & home magazine. it was love at first sight and i've been eating up every detail of this space since it first caught my eye. oh let me just tell you about all the things that i love about this kitchen....

i love the bead board ceiling , the hardware on the cupboards - the dainty top drawer knobs, the open cupboards and the colour behind them, the floors of course, the wood counter top on the island, the light fixtures in between the windows

i love the apron front sink, that the microwave is hidden away, the chandelier...

and well, what's not to love about an eating nook?

this is the start of a new little section on my blog called 'because dreams are free'. why? because it's fun to collect images that inspire me, because it's fun to share with you and because dreams are free so you might as well dream big...

what are you dreaming of today?

autumn thoughts

2010-09-27T20:31:00.004-06:00

blessed with beautiful days i have found myself outside on long walks with mike & luka....deeply breathing in the crisp air and taking a moment to appreciate the colours of nature. the tree tops are covered with shades of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. the wind carries the leaves and they float to the ground and scatter about. i stop to collect some...for they are so pretty i must bring a few home. this makes me feel like a little girl again. i marvel at the sky, the most brilliant shade of blue. only nature can paint such a picture...

the grocery store has extra bins of apples now. i fill up my basket dreaming of warm apple crisp. cinnamon, nutmeg and apples....this thought brings the comforting feeling of home. i gather up a few more apples for good measure. the crisp is in the oven, the dishes are done and the house is quiet. i write a letter as the sweet aroma fills the air. i am overcome with a deep sense of gratitude. all is well in my world.

{this apple crisp recipe had pecans added to the topping....oh pecans, i think you made this dessert extra special!}

checking in

2010-09-25T10:24:00.004-06:00

i was delighted to wake up to bright blue skies and the warm sun shining down on us. where did the time go? i can hardly believe the date on the calendar is telling us september 25....and i am reminded of my lax-a-daisy blogging. oh but this past month has been busy with some road trips, company coming to stay, and more organizing. my adventures in the kitchen continue...photos soon to follow...

today we are off to visit mike's sister....the most perfect day for a drive together.

see you tomorrow....this is a promise! in the meantime cheers to beautiful saturdays spent with those you love....

a regular tuesday

2010-08-31T22:16:00.005-06:00

the air is brisk....fall feels very close this final day of august. i stayed tucked under my feather blanket a little longer this morning. i slipped on a sweater. i pulled out my slippers. still i hoped that the sun would show her face and indeed she did...though it took her some time to make it through the clouds. i felt a little like the sun myself today...

my blue skies started to scatter my rain clouds this afternoon as i took luka out for a walk...the sun was warm and together we dodged puddles along our path...i smiled as i looked down at him prancing along much like a little show pony. i later ventured to the grocery store filling my basket with basic necessities; eggs, butter, milk but also made room for some juicy nectarines. i decided that tonight i would make a ham and brought one of those home with me as well.

brigitte showed me how her mom used to make a ham; filled with garlic cloves, boiled in water on the stovetop with bay leaves....and today i made my ham the same way. i welcomed the warmth that spread throughout the main floor from the simmering ham and the aroma it lent to our kitchen. my first ham....an evening project that will be packed with care into lunches for mike.

i liked cleaning the kitchen once the ham was sliced. quiet & calm kitchen. wiping down the counter tops, putting away dishes and straightening up miscellaneous items that always find their way to the island. i turned out the lights, the dishwasher humming, content with my tuesday kitchen adventure.

i carried warm clothes up the stairs from the dryer and intentionally laid them on my sleeping pup who rested on our bed. i remember when i was a little girl, sometimes mom would do the same and i thought it was just the best....a warm fresh pile of clothes. luka let out a big sigh....i think he liked it too.

i hung some lovely little pictures in our room, with measurement calculation help over the phone from my mom 362 miles away. i struggle to get the calculations just right and have a mini moment of panic before the hammer hits the nail. mama was right on and they look great. now i can't wait to climb into bed tonight.....taking a moment before i turn out the light to look around...to appreciate our home, and thank god for our life together.

not an exciting day...nothing fancy about it...but it was my tuesday. just a girl with her pup...happy the sun pushed through the clouds...

fall memories - my journey back to me

2010-08-29T23:39:00.010-06:00

the weather felt chilly here today, as though fall is creeping in. this made me feel sad. sad that our summer is drawing to a close and sad because it reminded me of where i was personally last year at this time....it was a hard time. rejected by my husband as i mourned the loss of the baby i had wanted for so long. i have said before, and meant this, i am thankful to have made my way out of a rather dark relationship. i forgive him. genuinely i can tell you that gratitude fills my heart; i moved out of our life together...and i did so finding myself again in the process. i feel that deep down he knew that he never treated me the way a husband should treat his wife; but what i feel is he never treated me the way a human should treat another human being....regardless of any titles. it's odd to think back; to remember it all and it's painful, though i believe, to feel everything is necessary to continue to move in a positive direction. it's so much easier to clean off the surface and tuck away the dark memories; but far less productive for the soul. now, i invest in my soul.

i will never forget the way it felt; such rejection and hurt. he broke my spirit....but once i was on my own the work of re-building began. there i was; this time last year, pouring myself completely into a relationship that was wilting. trying, trying, trying to make him love me....and here i am a year later; i'm in love. i'm happy. i'm content. i'm fulfilled. i'm loved back. i'm appreciated. i'm respected. i'm needed. i'm wanted. here we are sharing our dreams and hopes....mike and i. it's us now. i'm so blessed. i have stepped back and looked at my life in awe. awe in the the power of god's grace and his love for me. would i be the same person had i not walked this journey? i don't believe so and i love who i am. who i've grown to be and to be loved for exactly what and who i am is something i don't take for granted as i've never had that before in my relationships.

i'm good enough. i'm good enough...words a year ago i couldn't even speak in a whisper....but i believe it now.

is falling in love again easy? it was easy in the sense that my heart and soul immediately knew, before my head could ration it out, that i belonged here with mike. that was a strange feeling. what's not so easy is to trust someone with your heart again, though i broke down any walls that existed. i would rather throw every ounce of my being into this relationship and this special person than hold back and live to regret it later. as i existed in my previous life, i never knew how it could be, and now that i am so fortunate to experience this incredible love i can't help but feel saddened that i gave someone permission to treat me that way and for so long. i appreciate all that god has given in this fresh start. never will i take mike for granted. the way he treats me. the encouragement and support he provides me. the love he gives me. his smile when he walks through the door and finding myself in his warm hugs. i look forward to a life with mike...i'll let my soul guide the way....

i saw this song on the ardent sparrow and as they say, it spoke to me. though i am a statistic....i can't help that. i want you to know that i understand what marriage means, i believe that solid beautiful marriages exist, i have seen that in the example of my parents, my grandparents, and my friends and i look forward to mine...

'it was harder than we dreamed but i believe that's what the promise is for'

muffin madness part: II

2010-08-29T11:11:00.001-06:00

introducing a scone muffin hybrid....the perfect quick breakfast bite!

i'm only beginning my journey on the love to bake so my inexperience caused a bit of panic when this muffin mix was thick and dense...but they turned out lovely. my favourite of all the muffins i've made to date...

it's a rainy day here...maybe it is where you are too. don't rainy days just make the best days for time spent in the kitchen whipping up some home baked goodness? in case you think so here's the recipe...

::recipe::

all-purpose flour - 2 cups
granulated sugar - 3/4 cup
baking powder - 1 tbsp.
salt - 1/2 tsp.
large egg - 1
sour cream - 1 cup
butter, melted - 1/4 cup
fresh or frozen blueberries - 1 cup

measure first 4 ingredients into large bowl. stir. make a well in the centre. combine next 3 ingredients in small bowl. add to well. add blueberries. stir gently until just moistened. fill 12 greased muffin cups 3/4 full. bake in 375 oven for 20 to 22 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. let stand in pan for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool. makes 12 mini loaves.

{recipe from jean pare's company's coming mostly muffins cookbook}

have a fave muffin recipe...do share. i love to give them a go....

pull on a warm sweater, curl up with those you love and have a happy sunday!

muffin madness part: I

2010-08-26T19:22:00.004-06:00

what's better than snacking on a sweet treat warm from the oven...for me it's sharing with someone you love. i've been having the urge to bake....mostly muffins. i ~~wanted~~ needed a mini loaf pan for my latest obsession of muffin making so off to the store i headed to pick one up and can i just say...i love it. i do.

these are just a basic banana muffin recipe with chocolate chips....from company's coming cookbook by jean pare. {as a side note...jean is from my home town. when in high school i worked at the grocery store and would ring her cooking supplies up for her. my brush with fame.}

milk chocolate chips that is...

tied them up with a bow just because i thought it would be pretty...

and then using jean's variation i made these little peanut butter delights...

because mike loves peanut butter...and i love him.

pop in tomorrow for muffin madness part: II

our guest room

2010-08-26T15:22:00.001-06:00

please come in! i would love to show you the little guest room i created to share with our visiting family & friends. when i walk by i think to myself 'oh what a pretty little space'. girly to be sure...but i think this is just the room in a house where you can have fun decorating and add a bit of whimsy!

i adore the margaret muir duvet set i happened upon. the embroidery is so light & pretty. i squealed with delight when i found it....truly i did.

the jumping off point for this space was a cherry red carpet that mike loves and wanted to keep...these sheets pulled it all together with the little cherry rosebuds. not being a fan of red, i was a little nervous of how i was going to pull this off but i think it turned out brilliantly!

little guest room, to me, you are

. pretty. pink. lovely. soft. white. girly. light. fresh. sweet. fun.

hope you enjoyed this little tour. tomorrow is all about muffins....i'm obsessed!

food thoughts

2010-08-18T14:26:00.002-06:00

{loving cucumber}

sliced up with cottage cheese

with a little salt & pepper

sometimes a dill dip

or just on it's own

::simple & fresh::

further to my thoughts here i would like to add that the fresh mild flavour of cucumber inspired me to add some sticks to my water & lemon. i like the results; so refreshing.

and every since i saw christina's post here i have been craving a blueberry muffin. yesterday afternoon i gathered up my ingredients and went to work. i like how they turned out...especially the sugar topping.

it would seem that mike is quite a fan....which makes me happy. i've so been enjoying my time in the kitchen this summer; trying new recipes, being brave. never before did i have an interest in cooking or the confidence to do so...but it makes such a difference to cook for someone who appreciates it. i love setting the table and sitting down over a home cooked meal with mike sharing in the simplicity of our life.

it's an overcast wednesday here. makes one almost want to pull on a cozy sweater...almost. i'll tough it out though, as in my corner of the world there will be ample opportunity for sweaters soon enough.

::come on sun....shine a little ray on me::

squeeze.

2010-08-16T17:25:00.000-06:00

image

can't seem to get enough lemon these days. i've been loving squeezing them into my water. it seems to me that water just tastes so much better with them....don't you think? i know i need to drink more water but can't seem to choke it down with nothing added {unless i find myself very thirsty of course} luka and i just got back from a big walk. i find myself sitting her with lemon water in hand, which is what has prompted me to share with you this rediscovered love. out and about today were a girl and her pup just checking out our neighbourhood and all the lovely paths available to us in our new city. the sun is warm and the skies are blue. it's a pretty day. i signed up for a outdoor bootcamp and will be attending my first class tonight...hmmmm. not sure what to really expect but i'm open to experiencing new things....wish me luck...i have a feeling i'll need it!

artsy fartsy

2010-08-15T12:26:00.011-06:00

i was so inspired when i saw the darling illustration that johanna at birds on a wire did the other day of a fellow blogger, dawn. i love the sweet face and the style of her illustrations. i went to my dusty collection to see what treasures i had tucked away....it seems all i have is stern looking girls. no smiles. no cute factor. i really would like to work on stylizing my illustrations differently and bring the harsh factor down a notch. inspired by johanna i am putting pen to paper to see what i come up with. many moons ago, i chose fashion design for post secondary education. i adored the illustration & sewing classes; certainly my favourites....and now i'm trying to think of how i can put to use the skills i gained to practice....career wise. any thoughts? i'm still not sure what i want to do when i grow up!

just playing around one day i thought that i would try and illustrate theatre or dance costumes. i enjoyed the freedom of no rules...the crazier the better!

i draw on water colour paper and use prisma colour markers to finish off my illustrations. they work great as they just melt across the paper creating a fairly seamless end result; though i have been dying to take a water colour class. i have tried to work with water colours but i end up with a wet wrinkly piece of paper with none of the results i was hoping for. i love the soft layered effect that water colour produces....love. i so want to be a part of the watercolour club; layering soft colours across paper. sigh.

check out some watercolour etsy finds that i came across...oh so pretty!

silver ridge studio is a lovely shop on etsy that specializes in fashion illustrations..and they are beautiful!

lillydove & chou chou creates simplistic & lovely illustrations. i love the french writing behind this thistle...charming.

at a gallery of work by jody edwards she creates amazing pieces of still life art. i love this feather...the colours, the shadow; so soft & pretty. hmmm....where could i hang it?

what is inspiring you today sweet friends?