Sunday, August 28, 2011

Baby Got Fade...

Shep got his first real haircut this past weekend. I say real - he has had others (mostly by me) but this was his first ever cut with an intended style (and one that didn't involve a soup bowl on his head). It was also his first ever trip to the Crow's Nest Barber Shop, where his daddy gets his hair did. The fade is Paul's usual look, his pre documentary look. The current mohawk he sports will stay put for a few more months, at least until shooting for his Punk Rock Big Year finishes up. Paul looks good no matter what - but yes, I am starting to miss the fade. 
Shep starts JK in a few weeks so this was the perfect time for him to shed some of his baby curls. That does bum a Mama out a bit - however I have enough stashes of that boys hair to knit a jaunty fall sweater so I figured it was time. 
(Next weeks craft project perhaps).
He was nervous at first, but with Georgia standing guard he climbed on up into the barber's chair and toughed it out. Big thanks to Jonathon at the Crow's Nest for such a great cut and making him feel at ease. When it was all done he gave Shep a little comb to carry around and Shep in turn spent the day slicking back his new do like a champ. 
Drink this in ladies...











xo


Friday, August 26, 2011

Let Your Freak Flag Fly...

We heart pirates around here, and all things piratey. I also love flags and banners, so I had the idea the other day to make a family flag. Something to hang outside to let the neighbourhood know that pirates live right here on Main St. Orono.
Today's crafternoon activity is going to be an easy peasy one folks (and it is something that the kids could certainly help with). You could add fabric paint, or felt cut outs. Buttons, sparkles...go nuts. 
For the purpose of being hung outside (and subject to the elements) I kept ours simple.


You will need:
1 pillow case
Iron-on ink jet transfer paper
Scissors
Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
Ribbon or trim


Print skull onto transfer paper. I found our skull online, just google "skull clip art".  You could also paint your own right onto fabric with fabric paint. 
Trim paper close to skull edges, follow package instructions and iron picture onto a piece of fabric (we chose a contrasting pattern to the actual pillow case).


Cut out around skull, centre onto pillow case and stitch around edges to secure.


Run a seam around edges of the pillow case to join both sides (and eliminate billowing). I added a black ribbon to create a frame around our skull.


Fold under the right side and stitch along the edge - make sure to leave just enough space from fold to seam to allow a branch or doweling to slide in snugly and stay secure.


You can also get creative and make some pirate "accessories"...a vest.


A hat.


We re-hung the flag sideways so it will always be visible. 
Add one pirate and you've got yourself a party...Aaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr! 


Later maties xo.




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Just a splash...

A little lipstick and rouge for a "chin up" sort of Tuesday.















xo.








Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Love the Love: Mick and Zenon...

I adore weddings. I would attend one a month if invited. I love everything about witnessing someones special day. Heartfelt toasts, drunken relatives...open bar - you get the gist. Mostly I love being there for that one shining day when it's all about love, everyones dressed nice (and there's cake). Coincidentally I would get married once a year - to my current husband of course - but with different themes and colour choices. 
His resounding "HELLS NO"! leads me to believe he feels a bit differently.
Needless to say when my sister Jenna and I received an invite in the post for Zenon and Mick's big weekend in Lake Louise we immediately high fived and booked our flights. Jenna had twins of her own this past January (yup - very efficient family), so yes - we each really (really) needed a vacation.
And an open bar.
Zenon met Mick when he moved to Australia a few years back, and while we were sad to lose him, we were thrilled he had met"the one". 
The wedding weekend took place at the gorgeous Chateau Lake Louise. We stayed for three brilliant days, and although neither of us got any much needed rest, we both had a blast. There were friends and relatives from both Canada and Australia in attendance to help celebrate with the boys, and celebrate we did. 
The wedding day itself was easy going and filled with laughter. If Zenon and Mick can keep that formula going throughout their lives they should be golden.




Looking out of the honeymoon suite...



The Grooms...


The gorgeous wedding party...


My gorgeous sister...


Lot's and lots of laughs...










Gotta love the love...a lifetime of happiness to you both xo














Monday, August 8, 2011

Material Girl...

I have been collecting material without purpose for years. I have baskets and cupboards filled to overflow with new, old, vintage table cloths and bedding, felt and cotton. I make sure I have all the colours of the rainbow covered (again, without purpose but just in case). I am not a quilter, nor do I plan to be. Quite simply I like it, and figured someday I would find a use for this hoard. 
Some of you may be familiar with my art (I sell posters online in my Etsy store), and work in advertising as an illustrator when I can find five free minutes away from the tiny dictators. I primarily draw in pen and ink, and then finish up on the computer - which is great - but lately I have been wanting to add a bit of depth to my work. 
Joining a weekly stitch-n-bitch gave me the idea of skipping the computer ending and taking the sketches straight to a canvas. Some pics of pieces completed so far, along with samples of my usual work.


I started with a piece for my husband. He is shooting a documentary this year about birding and punk rock. A little something to commemorate it.




Big fan of pirates, especially girl pirates.




My organized(ish) work station for sewing. 




Two completed, many more to come. By mid fall I hope to have made a considerable dent in my stash and perhaps a new line of art for sale.
g'night peeps xo


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Potty Mouthed Girl - Pt. 1

If you are not a parent the subject of potty training is snore inducing. Three and a half years ago listening to someone blab on about how brilliant Jr. was for pooping in a pot would generally cause an eye roll followed by a snarky thought..."big deal, I pooped in a pot twice yesterday and nobody threw me a parade". That was then.
I am now responsible for training two kids to 1. eat or perish, and 2. deposit what you eat somewhere other than your pants. It can be incredibly nerve wracking. My daughter is a champ, and although I would love to take credit she basically did it herself. My son, not so much. Georgia responds well to praise, and still insists on a big to do for every offering (which I happily oblige). Shep is hit or miss. He likes praise, but it does not make or break his day if he gets a whoop whoop "HELLS YEAH"! and round of high fives from his mama. I think he is vaguely embarrassed by my hollering and rock star kicks. Buckle up son.
When we are having a miss sort of day and I ask him what the deal is I am usually met with the statement "I just don't wanna". Not walking around with a pant load (if you have another viable option) seems like no brainer logic to me. "I just don't wanna" is a hard one to argue if you are obviously cool with it...sigh.
The girl who used to roll her eyes at parents discussing these issues publicly is now dropping in on conversations like a ninja. Just trying to glean some insights, tips or even solidarity here peeps (cue fist bump). 
My mothers and sisters assure me that he is just a boy, and thats how they roll. The doctor said a similar thing during our annual check up. She did mention that an increase in water and fruit and veggie intake would help to ensure things are moving along as they should. And because I am now viewing this situation like it's my job I am taking her advice seriously.
Water intake has been an easy one. Four servings of fruits and veggies are proving to be a bit more challenging. They like what they like - bananas, apples and broccoli. Hard to finesse three things into appealing meals day in and day out. They don't like berries (mind boggling - I know). So I have started to hide things in smoothies and muffins etc. 
I picked up the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld (yes, that Seinfeld), and so far it has been great. The recipes are appealing and easy to follow - although the prep is a bit involved and time consuming, in the end it saves time and your nerves. 
I am a bit conflicted hiding food in food. My logical brain thinks "Oh for God's sakes just eat the frigging strawberry". If you are a parent you know just how hard it can be to make a 3 year old eat something they don't want to. My daughter sat with a strawberry in her cheek for four hours the other day, now thats will.
So, I am going to segue from the bathroom into the kitchen gracefully - or as gracefully as I can, and share one of my favourites so far - Spinach Brownies. I altered the recipe slightly, (we don't use margarine or cooking spray).


Brownies (with Carrot and Spinach)

3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup carrot puree
1/2 cup spinach puree
1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp butter (more for greasing pan)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup of oat flour or all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat the ove to 350 F. Grease the bottom of an 8x8 baking pan with butter (or cooking spray if thats how you roll). PLEASE NOTE: we used mini muffin moulds, cause, well they are more fun. Also - for both purees you steam or boil the veggies, then puree them in a blender or food processor. It is easier if you do a bunch ahead and freeze them into serving sizes.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or over a very low flame.

In a large bowl combine the melted chocolate, vegetable purees, sugar, cocoa powder, butter and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and creamy (1 to 2 minutes).

Whisk in egg whites. Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt with a wooden spoon.

Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.













These turned out rich and moist and the kids (and grown ups) loved them. 
Can I get a "HELLS YEAH"! (cue rock star kick).
xo