November 17, 2008

Roots deal!

Quick!  Shop and save 25% at ROOTS until Tuesday evening.  I just got a message that they have extended their customer appreciation sale until then.  That's even 25% off of already reduced sale items.   Shipping is under $5 anywhere in Canada too!  Take the link on my left sidebar with the Roots logo to shop and save.

They have a great  selection of organic bamboo clothing now.  I picked up this cute Hippie top for under $20.  It is a great legnth and a flatterring cut.  Also a great time to do a bit of Christmas shopping.

IndexCAO7TOG7

Monday madness...

Mondays are a bit of a mixed bag pour moi, they bring a bit of :

mania...getting tired boys who love being home out of bed and out the door

freedom...the start of 5 days of 7 hours of only one boy around

madness...trying to catch up and get organized for the coming week

It's the same every week and I like being home on Mondays to ease into the new cycle.  Today, started out like most Mondays except lil Ryan is starting to really sway things into the madness area...

It started with dumping his whole bowl of mangoes and yogurt on his head at breakie, then spreading it around his tray and giving himself a full on shampoo and facial treatment.  Too gross for a picture.

Then as I washed the breakfast dishes I heard a really weird slurping and found him trying to suck the magnetic poetry off the back door.  This is not easy and he spent quite a long time attempting this feat...so I did manage a quick photo:

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-look at his poor squished up nose...I hope he doesn't have permanent damage, do you like his crusty yogurt hair?

Then a few minutes later I heard him calling out "thad, thad" at the top of the stairs... he had accessorized while roaming the bedrooms

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This kid is killing me with cuteness!  I was forced to stop cleaning and take him onto the front porch for a couple of shots.  I need to remember this day.  We have had this hat for all three boys and I love the way it frames their faces...

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(I need to photoshop these a bit...please excuse the grayness)

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Sorry...I know I post way too much about my kids, I really can't help it.   Plus, who else could I find to torture with my photography practice?  I pay in candy and cuddles and that doesn't work for just anyone.

Later I will post instructions from last week's Make & Take for the cabouchon magnets with some pictures of my sets.    All the girls left with at least five sets for presents.  These are easy gifts to make for the holidays.

November 15, 2008

Corky comes thorugh...

Our guest writer and wine expert Corky Girl heard my cry for help regarding some savoury new wines for these chilly November nights...enjoy!


Winter Wine Top Pics

Get ready to get cozy!  Drink up!

Wingnut -  Zinfandel
Amador County California

 Wingnut_amador_zinfandel_2005

This Zin is just what you want with barbecued burgers, saucy ribs or grilled pizza.
Juicy aromas of - blueberry, vanilla, roasted nuts, cherry, raspberry and spiced mocha. Bright berry fruit on the palate with exotic spices - cardamom, cinnamon, clove - with peppery hints and a chocolaty smooth finish.  Easy drinking and perfect for those chilly nights in!
 
BC Government Stores - $18.99


The Show - Cabernet Sauvignon
P15460


**Don’t let the 3 different labels fool you!  They are all the same wine—just keeping you on your toes!

D
ark night-red color with black fruit and mocha on the nose. Cocoa and chocolate take the forefront and dominate the finish. Cherry, vanilla and bitter tannins lurk underneath. Smooths out after breathing and becomes a rich, lush, wine with considerable muscle.

BC Government Stores - $19.99

 

Thanks Corky GIrl!  Your picks never fail to impress.

I also wanted to add in Meditrina, named after the Roman Goddess of Wine.  It is a perfect marriage of Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel that's juicy, rich and full of fruit.  Plus it has the BEST label and website, so pretty & witty.  The label sings the praises of the letter M,  like MacLeod, our last name...it's very cute.  Play on the wesite and be named as a God or Goddess of something silly...I got named the Goddess of Hamburger Press Mishaps.  Glad I don't have one of those strange gadgets!  The site even created wine tags and name tags to be printed for you and your friends...could be a fun party ice breaker.  That is, if  I ever get my new printer hooked up.  Nasty Mr. HP  sits in it's box and gloats every day - I hate it, it's so damn lazy.  Wish it would just come out and do whatever it has to do to start working!   183 

...hummm, I might need to paint a big M like that somewhere in our new abode next year.

Also recently enjoyed sipping some Dona Paula Los Cardos 2007 Malbec and 2 up Shiraz 2006. The bottles are quite boring aesthetically speaking, not that that should matter...but it kinda does to moi.    I got them recommended at the liquor store and served them at our Make & Take nights both were nice.

 

Whistlerites vote today...

Just a reminder to all my Whistler readers that today is election day.  Vote at the Telus Conference Center from  8-8 pm.  You only have to vote for the people you want.  We have a good friend running for council who is committed to improving Whistler...  VOTE JACK CROMPTON!

November 14, 2008

think about it...

On May 3rd I did my firsts post called Follow Your Bliss, it's filed under the Snickerdoodles Goals category now...in many ways this blog is about that journey for me.  One tool that helps me daily is the Q & A I get every morning from Carrie & Danielle's awesome site.  A simple question that makes me think,  and digs out details of what I am all about.  After all, how can you follow your bliss,  if you don't truly know what brings your bliss?    As a guest writer for their site, Danielle asked me to create a question to get readers thinking.   I also want to present that question to you...  think about it for a minute, jot down your answer. 

 Congratulations!  You just fit in one of the thousands of little puzzle pieces that can be joined together to create a beautifully perfect puzzle picture of you!

Daily Q&A 30 people participating

  • What items from your childhood make your heart smile with fond memories?

  • Ahhh, the chatckas and trends that bring you right back to way back then…today’s question comes from our Snickerdoodles writer, Kerry MacLeod.

    Carrie says: My sewing machine, at which I spent hours making my clothes. My first Adidas track suit (felt so cool). The Elton John album from Jude and Sandy.
     

    Danielle says: The full collection of The Little House on the Prairie books, my Andy Gibb battery-operated microphone, and unicorn stickers. And I can’t forget about Donny & Marie (’cause I’m a little bit rock ‘n roll).
     

    Kerry says: I grew up in the 70s and I will delight forever in whimsical things like Sesame Street, Richard Scarey books, Weeble Wobbles and Holly Hobbie… Pepsi Cola shoes, Dr.Scholls clogs and Hush Puppies! I still get a little excited when I find Love’s Baby Soft or Kissing Potion lipgloss (remember the glass roll ons?). As for home décor…just yesterday I was perusing the Anthropologie site and was completely tempted by their new Seventies Collection! But really, the last thing I need is a macrame owl.

    My greatest childhood treasure is a little porcelain deer figurine that sat on my Babcia’s bric a brac shelving when I was a little girl. I spent hours admiring her chatckas and I feel as if she’s still with me when I see that little sculpture on my dresser. These things make me happy, they stir up my memories, they bring out the little girl in me…I like that.

     

November 13, 2008

Wookie day...

Wookie as in hookie, like skipping school.  But since I love Chewbacca I didn't have the heart to correct Liam when he yelled "yeah, I'm playing Wookie!"  Sometimes I think kiddos just need a down day (don't we all?), and today Liam had his.  It wasn't all fun and games though, he had to practice piano, do his reading homework and walk fast with me and Ry.  It was sunny and we headed to the park for PB&J sandwiches and oranges, we were the only ones for the afternoon and it was wonderful.  The time slipped away and we actually had to power walk home to meet Noah at the bus stop.  Unfortunately Liam is not capable of walking without his Star Wars action figure playing in branches and making endless light sabre sounds so we were a little tardy.

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When you play Wookie it's important to jump rocks in tunnels...and it seems take off your socks.   Some stinky little socks are sure to surface oan the couch later, shoving them deep into the cushions is his specialty.

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When you get to the park it's important to start running and cheering.


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Whistler is so beautiful, we've been so blessed to have lived here.


As for dinner last night it went quite well.  The menu was:

Creamy Pumpkin soup with Curry and homemade croutons

Braised Fennel Pork Loin

Orzo with Feta, Pine nuts and Spinach

Browned Cauliflower

Apple Crisp and Vanilla bean ice cream

 Choosing to try three new recipes, clean the whole house and deal with a cranky babe wasn't the best idea.   Here are some other important lessons I wanted to pass along...

 Croutons and pine nuts burn fast!

-DO NOT try and sneak in a load of laundry while they bake...you will soon find your house is as smoky as a cheesy night club  

Balsamic vinegar is a good substitute for tear gas

- If you ever make balsamic croutons do not look in the oven right away after opening the door,  you might as well pour vinegar in your eyes - not pleasant. 

A Food Processor is a divine luxury when you are making creamed soups

-I baked the whole pumpkin and was quite pleased at how well it went.  Just throw the whole thing in on a baking sheet for about an hour and a half on a rimmed cookie sheet, then peel and scoop out the flesh

-I do not have a Food Processor so then I mashed by hand , strained and did six batches through the blender...very time consuming and messy!

Gloating over your perfect desert will send bad Karma your way

I made two apple crisps with fresh Mutsu apples, raisins and a scrumptious oatmealy top and was very pleased, I left them in the oven with the door open to cool .  Feeling very Martha-ish until later in the day when I set the oven to broil getting ready to sear the roast.  I soon smelled a funky burning sugar smell...you know the rest.  I salvaged them but it was a sad lesson.

Read the whole recipe through before plowing through

After brining the pork roast for two days in fennel and onions (yummy), I realized that I bought the wrong cut of meat and should have bought the roast with the fat on it still

I boiled the orzo and then read that I could have just simmered it in the broth...then did the rest of the recipe backwards!  Kinda complicated by that point as our friends had arrived and I was trying to chat and revise the recipe.

Cauliflower is an easy, and popular veggie side

Chop it in big hunks, heat some oil in a large covered skillet, brown it, add a dab of water, cover and steam a bit ...then just toss with some butter and bread crumbs and season with salt and peppa.  Everyone gobbled it up.

Chopping in front of a chef makes your feel like a DORK!

Just before dinner I had to dice the feta and chiffonade the spinach in front of my friend the Chef...next time I'll just pass the knife.  Awkward, c'est moi!

Rosemount Traminer Reisling is amazing with pork!

I love this new wine find.  Fruity, spicy and crisp...perfect.   It's up there with Orofino for me now.  I will be doing another wine feature soon too under Corky Girl...she needs to send us some cosy choices for November nights.

Gotta go it's So You Think You Can Dance and Grey's Night!  My TV weaknesses.

November 12, 2008

another contest!

Sara from Organomics has generously donated one of her home organizational guide disks for a giveaway.  Here is an outline of the CD from her website Organomics:


Organomics Introduces the Organizing Templates CD

This new CD contains 12 templates in Microsoft Word format for you to print, copy, and use to make your life easier.

SAVE TIME: Be more efficient with grocery shopping, menu planning, to-do and password lists. Know what you want to do and when to do it with goal setting and time planning sheets.
SAVE MONEY: Create your own personalized planner or diary for a fraction of retail price. Choose the layouts you need. Undated pages mean you can start a diary whenever you’re ready, without wasting extra pages.
REDUCE STRESS: Never spend time searching for your birth certificate again. Keep track of your documents with the important information sheet.



Simply comment on your clutter issues or whatever else you feel motivated to vent about and I will pick a winner at the end of the month.   Also, if you are home and near a TV Oprah is featuring Peter Walsh today as he goes door to door helping people get rid of their clutter.

I will be watching over my shoulder as I prepare a feast for friends tonight.  It's always a little hairy preparing food fo this family as he is a Chef!  I love how it challenges me to try new recipes though...I'll let you know how it goes.

 Good luck on the contest!

November 10, 2008

cupboard of mass chaos...

Most every home has one, it's an evil place that brings terror to all that live there.  BUT we go back to it time and time again, as it is filled with things we need.  The more we go back, the worse it gets, each time we need to be a little quicker at slamming the door to prevent the terrifying contents from escaping.  Last week after months of moaning and groaning, and spastic slams I faced my demons...   I cleaned out my corner cupboard.

I took the advice of Sara from Organomics Professional Organizing again and approached the job like I did my studio in June (after photos June 12), in steps.  Here are Sara's steps:

1.  Empty everything out

2. Sort through and purge unused, broken or mismatched items...

3. Designate zones and plan the new space

4. Containerize the items and label if possible

5. Put everything back

Here are the horrifying BEFORE pictures:

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How the hell did I get all that stuff in there?  Corner cupboards  are extra nasty because you literally have to climb in to reach the stuff in the back.  If we didn't need the storage they would be a nifty hiding spot for hide & seek, or a little nap while dinner is cooking.

An hour or so later here is the result of my efforts:

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I admit it still looks quite full and stuffed but I have to store quite a bit in there.  We are committed to not ever buying bottled water so we have a whole container of water bottles to fill up and keep some in the car, stroller, and our bags at all times. 

Next project is my junk drawer...it's started off quite nicely but has filled to the brim quickly with a vast assortment of clutter.   Not today though...the boys are off school and we are having a Shrinky Dink festival.  Noah has been making them non-stop since last Friday in the little oven we got at a thrift store.  Later I might treat them to the new Madagascar, Escape 2 Africa movie that's playing.

 Happy Monday friends!

November 09, 2008

the frost...

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Young man,

Seize every moment

Of your time.

The days fly by;

Ere long you too

Will grow old.

If you believe me not,

See there, in the courtyard,

How the frost

Glitters white and cold and cruel

On the grass

That once was green.

-tzu yeh


We walked last Wednesday and it was fall...the next day the snow had come and you could see your breath.  Wishing for more fall days, more walks with little blue rain boots tapping along the trail.  By next spring these will no longer fit and we have had such fun wearing them.  These boots mean going outside to Ryan and outside makes him dance with joy.  As you can see I am a little melancholy about the whole winter thing and my boys growing up...I spent an hour or so tonight looking at photos of them from the last couple of years and it really puts things in perspective.   It's a four day weekend and we had a wonderful afternoon of crafting, playing and just being together inside...days like this make me wish I had it in me to home school.   May your Sunday be filled with love and time with your family.


p.s. Speaking of photographs, most of my favorites are ones taken by my dear friend Anastasia, her work is full of vibrant colour.  She has a true gift for capturing the realness of families.  See more of her artwork by taking the link under my Inspirations sidebar.

November 07, 2008

Gorgeously Green cleaner recipes...

I found the recipe for this cleaner on the Oprah site.  She featured Sophie Uliano the author of Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life.  A wonderful book and website for all things green and pretty.  I recently picked up some small stainless steel spray bottles at a dollar store with intentions of making some general cleaners...this formula looks perfect!  It is a versatile, grease cutting blend of non toxic ingredients.

GGbook


Gorgeously Green All-Purpose Spray
  • 32-ounce plastic spray bottle
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon pure castile soap (peppermint is a favorite)
  • 3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
  • 20 drops tea tree oil
  • 20 drops of lavender or lemongrass essential oil Simply fill a large 32-ounce plastic spray bottle with the water. Add the vinegar, castile soap, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil and lavender or lemongrass essential oil. Lavender is lovely for the bathroom spray and lemongrass for the kitchen, so make two separate bottles at the same time. In the hot summer months, add about 10 drops of citronella essential oil to the spray, as it is an excellent insect repellent.

    This spray is suitable for acrylic, ceramic tile, wood, marble and granite.
  •  
     
    Here is another recipe from the book that sounds great....making these might even be a good Christmas gift idea.  Martha Stewart has some lovely craft paper adhesive labels that would be perfect on the steel bottles.
     
    Sophie Uliano's Veggie Cleaner Spray

    If you can't buy organic produce, you need to make sure you wash it thoroughly. Use this spray to make sure your fruit and vegetables are squeaky clean.


    Ingredients:
     

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup distilled white vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon baking soda
    • 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
    Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce, and rinse thoroughly after 5 to 10 minutes.

    *Grapefruit seed extract is available at your local health food store.