Embrace Life

Team-Up Thursday: Sport

This week, I chose the theme Sport since both of Shirley's kids, and half of mine, are active in some way shape or form. Shirley has an avid baseball player (which made me miss that this is the very first year in 10 that I have no one playing any form of bat-and-ball) and my Cole is playing his first season of football.

If you are enjoying these assignments and want to see more, head on over to the Team-Up Thursday Flickr Gallery and check out oodles of diptych examples. If you want to join in, you can visit Melody or Megan and let them know you want in on the fun!

What a thrill!

For Wednesday I was getting all set to post about how thrilled I was that my cyber-friend Aud Neal asked me to be a guest blogger on her amazing blog: Fortune favours the AUDACIOUS and I wanted to start it by introducing how we "met". The problem? For the life of me, I couldn't remember.

But she did, thank goodness!

Ding. Ding. Ding.

Audrey, who is a wonderful photographer and story teller, had posted some questions and I answered. It is pretty uncharacteristic of me to write comments on an intimate blog. By intimate, I mean a bagillion people don't visit, a la Pioneer Woman or Ali Edwards. I can answer there all the time and not really be noticed. With Aud, she is popular (for very good reason) and it can be intimidating, but she is not. I have so enjoyed her reviews of Young Adult literature and photography, she also has incredible digi-skills. Along with my very talented friend Jill, she helped me figure out more than a few Photoshop Elements functions that had me stumped. Not only is Aud inspiring, she's kind. Who else would answer a random question about a layered template that wasn't even hers? LOVE HER.

Anyway, last week I received a lovely note from Audrey asking me to write up a blurb about using on-line challenges/memes as fodder for scrapbook inspiration.

So, if you're interested in how that turned out, head on over to Aud's wonderful blog and have a bit of a read, then stay a while. Take a look around, click here and there. You won't regret it. Not for a click. Not for a minute. And, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me here, or ask me there :)

Aud is on my list of wonderful people I "must meet"; but, I'm learning, if that day never comes, my life is richer for having "met" her here on-line.

Thank you, Audrey. I am honoured to have been asked to contribute to a blog where I find so much inspiration with so many guest bloggers who are so lovely and creative.

Because a post is not really a post without a photo, I leave you with one taken by Claire on Tuesday night. You know, it's those wonderful photos you just happen upon when your children take your camera. This is what I found:

which I learned, from Elizabeth Dillow, is a pink moon. Who knew?

Wellness Wednesday: Work

I have to tell you, early retirement is over-rated.

Over a year ago when we lost the baseball business to a combination of the economic downturn and a greedy landlord, my husband Louis has spent much time here at home, with me. He has thrown himself into various ventures and volunteer opportunities, so he's been busy, in the evenings and on weekends. But, during the day he is here.

With me.

All the time.

All day long.

The first job opportunity, one I was very nervous about, fell through. Thank goodness!

Another job opportunity, the timing was not right.

And now, embracing his entrepreneurial nature, he has decided to see what he can do in an area he loves: logistics. Warehousing and transportation is his area of expertise. So, in an effort to show my support, I made up some very simple business cards:

and he's off to explore the market.

So, if you have anything that needs to go from Point A to Point B and warehoused somewhere in between, you know the guy to call :)

Fingers crossed his entrepreneurial exploration turns into something great!

My Best Shot Monday, on Tuesday: Glasses

As Louis and I were headed out to play Euchre on Saturday evening, this was the site which bid us our goodbyes. This was right before Caden hurled himself down the stairs to give me one final hug. The glasses joined us mid-way through A Week in the Life. After Wednesday I don't know that I have many photos of our boy without them on his face.

At any rate, this photo just makes me smile.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

A Week in the Life: Reflections

It was a very strange sensation waking up this morning and not turning over and grabbing my camera!

I learned a few things over the course of my week. The primary one being: I have learned to be open to change. The way my schedule mapped out on Monday is not the week reflected in my A Week in the Life. It is not a better or worse week, just different.

I am working on editing my photos. I take 99.9% of my pics horizontally and the project is set up to better accommodate vertical photos. I knew this going in, but couldn't bring myself to turn the camera around! 

Once I get the kids off to school it should be a quiet day with Louis at the warehouse with "the client". The project became so much more than how it started. I'm thrilled with the small elements, I know I will love the results. I'll share once I have it done!

In the meantime, I took photos of the big maple each day. I think it represents my week perfectly: not too many big changes, but huge growth enjoyed.

MONDAY:

SUNDAY:

I will never get tired of my view.

Did you participate in A Week in the Life? How did you grow?

What's in your bag?

The lovely Sharyn Carlson posted on her blog earlier this week a challenge issued a couple of weeks ago at  PhotoJojo: What's in your bag?

I figured this was a perfect idea for my last day of A Week in the Life project. It is definitely reflective of exactly where I am right now:

I dropped Cole off at dry land training and came directly into the house and dumped my bag on the floor in front of the "best light" window.

All of my goodies are contained in a huge and heavy (even empty) LuLu Lemon bag I bought a few years ago. If I can't fit in the clothes, at least I can accessorize, right?

1. Pads of paper: in this case a sketch pad and my two Moleskine journals. All serve a different purpose.

2. Writing utensils: markers, mechanical pencil and my favourite Pentel RSVP ball point pen.

3. Magazine/book: right now I've got the new copy of Oprah and Katherine Center's new book 

4. My current project: The Happiness Project is my current focus. Love it!

5. My glasses (red case): So I can read. My other glasses which let me drive, watch hockey games and recognize friends is often holding my hair back, rather than on my nose.

6. Mittens: you never know when you can be in a rink, on a pitch, at a field or gridiron and need to stay warm. The accompanying blanket is always in the back of the truck.

7. Keys: to all vehicles and the house, as well as the fob for the chiropractor. Which reminds me, I should go back!

8. Cloth: to clean glasses, screens, lenses. Used all the time.

9. Rubber Band: because I am always in need of one for something.

10. iPod: a waiting mother's best friend.

11. Skate Laces: there because you never know.

12. Hockey Tape: just enough, in white and black, for an emergency stick wrap.

13. Camera: I never leave home without a camera. The little Canon G10 is always in my bag. I love the quality of photos it takes and the metal housing is my life-resistant.

14. Blackberry: keeps me in touch with my world. I don't use it to it's greatest potential, but I can read e-mails and texts, call my kids, have them call me, and I'm good with that.

ETA 15. Aleve: I almost forgot one of the most important things in the bag, my bottle of Aleve. It is the best pain reliever I've ever discovered. And, until last night, I had some Reactine in the bag too, but used it all up. Must replenish!

Since I found this post on Sharyn's blog a couple of days ago, I've seen it on so many more. Very interesting to see what people bring all over town with them! This was fun.

separated

SOOC Saturday: Blackberry

I have to say I'm a reluctant techie. On the other hand, my kids are into everything and I have to do my best to stay in the loop so I know what is going on with them.

Claire has her own phone and it amazes me how quickly she switches gears to input things into my blackberry - a completely different gadget. I still haven't figured out how to even answer her phone! Sad, sad, mama. My kids all know there is a 24-hour rule for activities. If I don't know, they don't go. We've now got to the point where they tell me what they want to do then I have them input the activities themselves - after approval! It works for us.

What is your favourite SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) shot today? You can join in: here! 

Team -Up Thursday: Mornings

My friend Shirley and I share an affinity for mornings. I love the light and the quiet. Shirley chose the theme for this week: "Around the House in the Morning".



My photo of Caden enjoying his breakfast is on the left, Shirley's steaming cup of coffee is on the right.

If you are enjoying these assignments and want to see more, head on over to the Team-Up Thursday Flickr Gallery and check out oodles of diptych examples. If you want to join in, you can visit Melody or Megan and let them know you want in on the fun!

Cole is SAM

Do you remember my entry regarding Cole starting football?

Well, it turns out he is a SAM linebacker. You know, the one who eats small children for breakfast.

Cole is LOVING every minute of the sport. They've only had practice, so far, and he is so looking forward to playing in a game. He really enjoys the whole discipline and hard work of it all. The coaches are firm but fair and are anxious to teach. Good thing, because Cole is eager to learn. The most fun Cole had was when the head coach got up in front of the group and explained that "football is not a contact sport; it is a collision sport", boy was he ever pumped after that little talk!

For the most part Louis has been taking Cole to his practices at Appleby and Loyola, our schedule has been so busy it just makes sense. They really like the new Loyola field. I'm hoping to get out and take some photos, of course. It is going to be an interesting challenge, but I figure if I keep to what I know about sport - follow the ball - my photos should turn out pretty well.

In this case, I followed Cole, who was after the kid with the ball:

Got him!

Between football after school and rugby at school, Cole has been pretty banged up an bruised, not to mention the hockey and power skating, but you can't deny the smile on his face. Or the bruises and scabs on his elbows and knees. I'm kind of relieved when he's at play rehearsal, at least I know he's not in any physical danger!

Ah, sport.

Gotta love it.

All Cole, all the time ...

Well, not really, but of all my four children, Cole is the most active in a photograph-friendly way. This is how he makes his way onto the blog so often! I will somehow manage to get Claire, Chloe and Caden equally represented, but right now?

It's about Cole.

It's about rugby.

Yesterday was the first game of the season. Appleby vs Trinity College School. The final score was 47-0. In that score, Cole contributed 7 points (a try) and many incredible tackles for which I have no clue the proper term!

See him, there? #8? Trying to take down a tree-trunk? Yep, that's my boy.

He's still trying!

And trying some more ...

Got him! Do you see the hand? In the middle of the shot? It's attached to my son. Under the tree trunk!

Yep, he's still under him.

Yes, boys, please, move away. Let's see what's underneath. A pancake?

Hello?

Oh, good, there he is!

Oh my!

I don't know if this is really a sport. It seems more like a battle!

Mind you, at some point during the game Cole did manage to tackle a kid and not only dislocate his shoulder, but he broke his arm. Well, he didn't break his arm, the kid landed awkwardly and the arm broke.

I don't know if I can take much more of this, and this was the first game!

I don't know if I want him to take much more!

By 8PM the bruises were clearly visible and he has a bit of a black eye. Battle wounds. He had a nice long soak and took himself off to bed. So much for his science homework! Kind of glad I didn't toss him on the ice as he was supposed to do, that would have been plain mean. 

When asked if he enjoys rugby, his response: "LOVE it!". My response? Save me!

Between rugby and it's equipment-heavy cousin, football, I could spend a lot of time with bandages, gauze and polysporin this summer!

My girl, Claire

Lately, I have been bemoaning the fact that I have very few photos of my girls. They seem to have far more highly developed sense of mama-has-the-camera-lets-hide-now than the boys do. The other evening Claire and I were sitting at the kitchen table so I seized this rare opportunity!

This girl makes me LAUGH! Seriously funny child; think Goldie Hawn - with edge. When she isn't overtaken by the adolescent monster who lives within, Claire can be quite charming and engaging. I do hope she confines that inner monster to share with family only! 

Claire is currently consumed with her photography website over at Deviant Art. She has a good eye and is enjoying the process of taking photos and then playing with them. She laughs that I am still "stuck" in SOOC. But I'm happy - she's happy.

These days she's also just finished choosing her courses for next year *gulp* Upper 2 (grade 10); she's signed up to play rugby this summer; she's been asked to be the counsellor at outrigger canoe camp; she has a YouTube channel and starting her new blog; oh, and the music and music opinions! And, because she's not busy enough, I'll be signing her up to take sewing classes in September because she wants to design and make her own clothes. Between all that and her crazy, zany sense of humour, there is rarely a dull moment with Claire in the room!

Now to get some photos of Chloe. Hmm, wonder where I can find her.

:)

A Week in the Life: Update

What a spectacular week to record! The weather has been glorious, the long dormant leaves and flowers are emerging and motivation has returned with enthusiasm. This should turn out to be a lovely 168 hours in our life and I'm so happy to record it.

My original plan was to update daily my Week in the Life project progress and use the blog posts for my journaling, and photo selections as my picks, but I have been doing pretty well just updating directly in Word and the photos, the photos! How many pictures have I taken? Over 500! So far! Certainly not all will be included, but with so many moving targets in my house I'm hoping to get at least one decent shot of each child by the end of the week!

I've decided my time is better spent living the week, rather than recording it more than once. Though, I have to say, there are some women, true inspirations, who have been keeping up with all of it: Ali Edwards and Cathy Zielske amaze me as they post their daily adventures.

I'm off, to finish the latest load of laundry and (hopefully) find my new gardening gloves and head out to the yard. 

And because no post is complete without a photo:

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Too Much High Wind ...

always turns to rain.

Or at least that is what my grandmother would tell us as we were growing up. It had nothing to do with the changeable maritime weather. The translation is: too much horsing around and laughter will inevitably end in tears. It takes restraint not to say it, out loud, when I happen upon activities like this:

What in the world is Caden thinking? Certainly taking his life into his hands. Really makes it hard to defend him when his big brother does this:

and this

and this

and then Caden does this ... a wet Willie!!

Craziness, I tell you. It went on for at least 15 minutes. Cole, fully aware that he is bigger, stronger, faster allowed his wiley, stinky, dirty-dealing little brother to "win". There were so many squeals and giggles you'd swear they were pigs in mud!

After all the hilarity wore off, Cole finally got the peace he craved:

I promise, Caden was not harmed in any way and will live to attack his brother another day.

Covet This

I don't often want for much, but when I do, it's a doozie!

Isn't she beautiful?

 

I have no idea where I'd put her, but I'm sure I could figure something out if it became a reality! Just click on the photo for the details :) And, if YOU manage to get one, let me know so I can enjoy her vicariously through you.

Are you ready?

Tomorrow it starts!

I'm giddy with anticipation!

What am I talking about?

I'm participating, with many others, in the Ali Edwards inspired Week In The Life project as I mentioned here last month.

The preparations are as complete as they can be, and I think I'm ready to go:

DESIGN:

After much internal debate, I've decided to go with the colour combination I currently love: gray and orange. Maybe not particularly spring-like, but they really appeal to me right now. As a result, with much help from my Facebook friends (thanks Barb, Michelle and Moon) to go with the now discontinued Basic Grey Ambrosia papers. Well, the papers I could find. Here in Canada. Easily. (read: so NOT easy, or economical!). Just one more example of how I never do anything the easy way :)

The format will be very basic, following and repeating after the introductory page each day will have:

Left Side: Large Photo, Daily Journal
Insert: Trading Card Pages with 9 slots for 2.5"x3.5" Photos/Printed Paper/Journal Cards/Ephemera
Right Side: Photo Collage, Weather Report

MATERIALS:

1 - 12x12 American Crafts Album with 8 - Page Protectors
7 - 8.5x11 Trading Card Pages (borrowed from Caden, shhhh!)
8 - Basic Grey Ambrosia
8 - Bazzill Thunder Cardstock
8 - Bazzill Orange (from stash, no idea of colour) Cardstock
16 - Bazzill White Orange Peel Cardstock
Embellishments: Buttons, Brads, Ink, Butterflies
Fonts: American Typewriter, Aquarelle, Eras Medium ITC

I also made up a few journaling cards to include in the Sport Card Protectors, these are based off of the Simple Woman's Daybook:

I am thankful for
I am thinking
I am reading
I am hoping
I am eating
I am learning
I am wearing
I am hearing
I am buying
I am planning
I am watching
In the news
The price of gas
I have discovered
I am enjoying

These will be added in to each day as I think of things, some will be repeated, some may not be used at all.

EQUIPMENT:

I've got my batteries charged for both my goof-proof Canon G10 which will come with me everywhere, as always, in my bag; and for my DSLR Canon 40D which is a little more cumbersome, and more intimidating to those I'm trying to photograph!

I bought brand new ScanDisk cards for each camera. Plenty of memory to fill!

I've got my mini Moleskine gridded notebook and pencil all ready to go in order to take notes of the minutia and details that make my week uniquely mine.

PLAN:

I've developed a list of potential "photo ops" which include things like:

• the convertible - top down!
• kites flying/frisbee throwing
• exercise routine/pedometer
• the tree: daily to see the leafing progress
• signs of spring
• playing in puddles
• garden centre
• weather changes
• spring cleaning
• bags of goods for charity bins
• books we're reading
• kids with faces soaking up the sun
• trip to the creek/park/harbour

I've organized my calendar so meals are pre-prepared, or easier than usual, so that I can focus on this project.

I've pre-formatted all the scrapbook pages - in 12x12 size - in Microsoft Word (I know I have a Mac, but I couldn't give up the Microsoft software) so that they are all ready to go with no messing around with margins or colours. I'm only messing around with journaling and photos.

In addition, I've been going through my last album and tweaking some of my plans for this album. It looks like a few others have been doing the same:

Ali Edwards at Ali Edwards

Aby Garvey guest posting at Ali Edwards

Sharyn Carlson at Living Artfully

Evalyn @ Pieces of Me

Jennifer Wilson @ simple scrapper

EXECUTION:

I am hoping to have the album printed up and put together early next week. I'm learning the longer it stays on the "to do" list, the less likely it will get done. Since I do not *gasp* edit my photos the process should be very quick:

Monday/26: Choose and take photos to developer, start journaling
Tuesday/27: Finish journaling, collect developed photos
Wednesday/28: Crop and place photos, plan the "pretty"
Thursday/29: Add the "pretty" and photograph all pages
Friday/30: Post photos here on the blog and onto the Facebook group

Part of the execution process will include posting selected photos and journaling here on the blog in order to keep my memories fresh - and to share with you, of course! From here I can choose the photos to include, and the stories can be simply cut-and-pasted into the prepared template. Whoot!

GLITCH:

Because there always has to be one or two, right? Late last week I received a note telling me that my order from A Cherry On Top was cancelled because of a miscommunication with PayPal. That order had all of my embellishments, you know, all the fun stuff, for the project!! I finally managed to work it out, I thought only to realize it wasn't, and the order was not shipped. So, now things are "in process" and should be here within 2-6 weeks. Canada is "international" after all :) So much for being organized, nothing ever goes smooth when you have everything in place. 

POTENTIAL GLITCH:

The brilliant and talented Ali Edwards is designing new digital elements for this project! Drat, I've only just re-worked all of my previous project to incorporate the new colours and new fonts. Can I just ignore them? Or will I venture over to Designer Digitals to check them out when they're introduced this weekend? Will I be able to resist? Will I want to? Oh, the temptation!

ETA: I did check out the new design and I have to say, I'm happy to stay with my "old" design. And, THRILLED to see that I managed to come up with my quick and easy journaling cards without even seeing those done by the brilliant Ali Edwards! Okay, it's a small accomplishment, but I'm remarkably pleased with myself.

What do you think? Are you in? Are you ready? Even if you're not, you have all day today to get ready. You won't regret it!

I can't wait. Even my photo-phobic kids are excited!

Project Prep

I have three big projects coming up:

A Week in the Life: April 19 through April 25
LOAD with Lain Ehmann: May 1 through May 31
Sketchapalooza 6: May 3 through May 31

I have been diligently working on my contributions for Sketchapalooza 6 and this is what happened to my work space:

I love the idea of being on a design team, it's so much fun, but boy what a mess! I have to say, I cannot wait for everyone to see the gorgeous sketches the team has created - and the resulting layouts.

At this point I had three layouts, out of twenty, left to complete, and no space!

So, tada:

Once I got that all cleared up, I moved onto reorganizing my printed paper:

Originally I had all of my printed paper organized by colour, by use, but now have realized that I can get away with just having it organized by colour. It's fast and easy - just what organization is supposed to be!

Last week I realized all of my pens were in various stages of dried up, so when I sent in an order to scrapbook.com for the paper I needed for my A Week in the Life Project, I also ordered all four packages of the American Crafts pens, and a few black ones, too:

And then there was all that cardstock:

This pile will have to be incorporated into the Cropper Hopper holders, again organized by colour, but in the meantime, it is just a pile of colour!

I am a huge fan of order and I feel relieved now that my workspace has been cleared up, my paper organized and I have some working pens! There is still plenty to do to get the studio in 100% working order, but this exercise has certainly made a big dent.

I'm excited to be productive! And ready to get started :) Join me?

SOOC Saturday: Scarlet

As my friend Lorraine can tell you, I'm not a fan of birds. But I am a fan of colour, and song:

There is a maple outside our back window. Last week there was a cardinal sitting atop that tree singing it's little heart out. Hard to resist taking a photo of that!

What is your favourite SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) shot today? You can join in: here!

Team-Up Thursday on Friday: Catch Up

I have been trying to figure out how best to incorporate Team-Up Thursday here on my blog. I'm doing fine keeping up with the assignments which is kind of a surprise to me given that my schedule, of late, has been something more than a little hectic! It's been a nice distraction during the day and I have only one person to thank: Shirley!! After all, I just take a photo, she does all of the work. For that I am immensely grateful :) I've been a bit stuck on how best to share our project. So, I've settled on sharing our Team-Up Thursday on Friday.

I posted our first diptych here: Spring. You can find Shirley's post on the assignment on her photography blog: here.

The next assignment was Pastel. I know Shirley, who chose the assignment, thought it would be pretty easy since it was over the Easter holiday but it really was a challenge for me. Everything in and around this house is either bright, primary or earthy. All pretty rich tones. Nothing pastel. Until I remembered the collection of sidewalk chalk that was getting ready to make it's seasonal debut:

Here is Shirley's take on the pastel assignment.

Now for the catch-up:

Since I've been gearing up for a bit of Spring Cleaning around here, I thought a good next assignment would be a household chore we ENJOY since there are so many that are not any fun at all! My favourite almost-daily chore is laundry. Particularly folding:

Shirley clearly enjoys cooking which would not even be in my top ten choices! It's the differences in life that make it interesting, don't you think?

If you are enjoying these assignments and want to see more, head on over to the Team-Up Thursday Flickr Gallery and check out oodles of diptych examples. If you want to join in, you can visit Melody or Megan and let them know you want in on the fun!

Ugh, Important People

Ideally we leave our house in Bronte at 7:00AM each weekday morning in order to travel the 6 kilometre distance to the olders school. It takes about 10 minutes from the time we open the car doors to get in to the time they open the car doors to get out.

The reality is we manage to leave around 7:15AM.

Ideally I am able to get to the end of the school driveway to make a left turn by 7:25AM because much after that, the traffic has picked up enough and there are enough students arriving from the East side of town making a left into the driveway, it is impossible to exit.

The reality is when we leave our house at 7:15AM the drive to school is closer to 15 minutes long because traffic has picked up and we don't arrive until 7:30AM. As a result, I have to make a right hand turn to exit the school. So, I turn right, go to the lights, turn left, go to the lights, turn left again, go to the lights, turn left again, go to the lights and turn right and I'm on my way. No muss no fuss, just another 3-4 minutes added to my daily drive.

Ideally everyone who can send their kid to this school has also mastered the ability to read signage and tell time.

The reality is that some important person (read: bozo) with an important vehicle (read: Land Rover, Porche, Hummer, Mercedes, Maserati not police cruiser or ambulance) is bigger than the simple sign and has to turn left. As a result, a bottleneck is created and not only can no one leave the driveway, but cars are backed up to the entrance and cannot enter the driveway. All because some bozo is more important than the drivers in the 30+ cars caught in the line.

Ideally someone would speak to this driver and perhaps suggest they get a pair of glasses or learn to read.

The reality is no one from the school wants to piss off some important person driving an important vehicle because that would reflect badly in some way. And, if some housewife, one driving a Toyota truck, but still clearly able to send her children to the same school, gets out of her not-important vehicle and says something said housewife will receive the finger and a big "f-you" - clearly because said housewife interrupted a very important phone call being conducted by a very important person in his very important vehicle.

Huh?

So, instead, we less important people will just hang out in line waiting for some important person making an important phone call in an important car to turn left so they can do their important things.

Ugh.

Wellness Wednesday: Must See TV

I know, in our house, we spend plenty of time telling our kids to turn the television off and I personally complain of the Disnification of my children, Chloe in particular. I don't know how to make them realize that life is not a sit-com, and back-talk to adults is only acceptable in a the fantasy world of a child.

Is there such a thing as good television? Yes! What does wellness have to do with must see tv?

Every once in a while you run into something that captures the imagination of every single member of a household. From the oldest to the youngest. What could this be? We are completely enraptured with Jamie Oliver. I have been quite aware of The Naked Chef for years. Not because I'm a great cook or even a great cook wannabe, but this young man, (not quite young enough to be my child, but young enough to have the energy of youth and the knowledge of some life experience), has made quite a name for himself for the last decade or so. For good reason.

Digression: In our house we have dealt, on a regular basis, with some food issues. Not because, combined, Louis and I worked in the food industry for close to 40 years, which provides a whole different perspective; but, raising children brings many food-centred issues, some big, some small, but many issues which all need to be addressed at some level or other.

• Louis eats horribly: bad choices, bad portions.
• Me, I eat equally horribly. Bonus? I have learned to loathe cooking. I have always been an eat to live; not, live to eat person so the process has become torture to me.
• Claire has immense respect for food and has always chosen to eat the good stuff first. Though she does have a little addiction to Dr. Pepper ... and chocolate!
• Cole has a texture thing. Really. His gag reflex is award-winning. His food choices are limited, and though he understands intellectually what food does and does not do, he eats what he eats figuring he is young and active. Why not. Ugh.
• Chloe will eat anything as long as it meets two criteria: it must be processed and it must be white. Ick.
• Caden is much like Claire and loves food. He will eat anything. By anything I mean, from the time he was a baby he was happy to eat grapefruit, olives, dill pickles, lamb, beets but he hates peanut butter, cheese and potatoes - including french fries.

Everyone in this house is fully aware of the eating issues as it is a constant source of conversation. I do my best to tread lightly and be as non-confrontational (and non-hypocritical) as possible. Cole's relationship with food and his behaviour toward food has been the primary focus, but really, the whole family has some issues - except Caden!

Ugh.

But interesting?

We are glued to Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on ABC, Friday evenings at 9PM. The first one parked in front of the television set? Cole. Viewing it has really family event where every member of the household is glued to the tube . Not only that, but for the last few weeks, as a bonus, we get to see an encore of the previous week's show at 8PM.

Jamie Oliver is attempting to implement his healthy eating model, (implemented 4 years ago) in the UK, in the US. He wants to get the public angry enough to change their eating habits. His experiment, the start of his revolution, for the kids has started in Huntington, West Virginia, statistically determined to be the fattest population in the United States.

I am enjoying watching his process, immensely!

If you don't have time to watch the show, or catch up, or Friday night in your life is still date night, you can get the gist of Jamie's mission by watching his TED Talk filmed in February. Did I mention energy? Knowledge? Jamie Oliver won the TED Prize this year. As a result, he gets $100,000US plus the chance to make his wish in front of the TED audience. Here is his wish:

“I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.”

It is our intention, as a family, to help Jamie realize his wish.

We went over to Chapter's on the weekend and Cole saw his new book in the Best Seller section of the store. I had already had a copy of the Cook with Jamie book. Last Friday, when I mentioned to Cole to go through the cookbook we already had, he managed to fold-over over more than TWENTY recipes he wants to try - with me. Even Caden wants in on the action and has offered to be my sous chef.

The recipes he wants to try include, from Cook with Jamie:

• Macaroni Cheese
• Gorgeous slow-cooked duck pasta (duck? he wants duck?)
• Pappardelle with a ragu of tiny meatballs
• Best stew with potato and arugula pasta cushions
• Spicy pangrattato risotto (without the spicy - he likes the picture)
• Leftover stew risotto
• Ultimate rib of beef with rosemary and garlic roast potatoes
• Rib roast of beef with beetroot and horseradish (without the horseradish)
• Pan fried sirloin steak with simple chianti butter sauce and olive oil mash
• Roast rack of lamb with potato and cauliflower dauphinois
• Overnight slow-roasted pork
• Old-school pork chops with apples and sage
• Blackened barbecued pork fillets (without the blackened)
• Roasted chicken breast
• Tender-as-you-like rabbit stew with the best dumplings ever (rabbit? really?)
• Perfectly cooked crispy duck with spiced plum chutney (what's with the duck already?)
• Pan-fried red mullet with crispy breadcrumbs and a herby tomato salad (it has to be the picture, I don't know that he has realized mullet is not a bad hairstyle but a fish)
• Tea-party cupcakes
• My nan's lemon drizzle cake
• Eton mess (a meringue based strawberry dessert - I'd fold down for the photo too!)
• Homemade ice cream
• The best shortbread in the world
• Doughnuts with Old English spiced sugar

Not a veg to be found in that selection, though there were more than a few surprises as I've noted!

As I was typing out the titles, and reading the recipes, I could feel my own desire to cook returning. I used to be, as in prior-to-children, a very good cook. I took lessons from top chefs and have an extensive collection of cookbooks which range from the pre-marriage days of the "Silver Palette" and my go-to "New York Times" cookbooks to the obviously-we-have-kids "One Dish Meals" and "No Time To Cook" variety. 

What was really exciting to me is the realization that my appreciation to cook good food can now be shared with my kids. And, Jamie Oliver has provided me this brilliant opportunity.

The recipes that appeal to Cole from the Jamie's Food Revolution book include:

• Chicken Fajitas
• Classic Tomato Spaghetti
• My Sweet and Sour Pork
• Hardly-Any-Prep Shrimp Stir-Fry
• Super-Quick Salmon Stir-Fry
• A Cracking Burger
• Meatballs and Pasta
• Ground Beef Wellington
• Pot Roast Meat Loaf
• Bolognese Sauce
• Good Old Chili Con Carne
• Basic Stew Recipe
• Perfect Roast Beef
• Perfect Roast Pork
• Perfect Roast Chicken
• Roasted Potatoes, Parsnips and Carrots (he, like me, doesn't like cooked vegetables, but realizes that some are just better cooked, particularly root vegetables - he will no doubt make gravy to cover them!)
• A Consistently Good Gravy
• Yorkshire Pudding
• Baked French Potatoes
• Mexican Style Corn (without the Mexican, which translates to corn on the cob with parmesan cheese)
• Pan-Fried Glazed Pork Chops
• Crunchy Garlic Chicken
• Parmesan Chicken Breasts with Crispy Posh Ham
• Grilled Lamb Chops with Chunky Salsa
• Tomato Salsa
• Shrimp and Sweet Corn Chowder
• Frozen Fruit Smoothies
• Scrambled Eggs
• Omelets
• Ice Cream
• Quick Steamed Microwave Pudding Cakes
• Baked Apples

Each and every recipe is very basic, using simple ingredients, tools and techniques. I'm more than a little excited to write up the shopping list and get food for the next couple of meals. The one thing, in order to embrace this new lifestyle, is to buy less and shop more often. I'm okay with that, though I don't know that Louis will be thrilled since he's the one who does the shopping! The bonus to this whole process is if I teach the kids to enjoy the process of cooking, perhaps I won't have to do it. What do you think?

The one thing I wanted that I was unable to locate in the new cookbook was the stir fry recipe he uses on the show. I'm fascinated with the concept of stir fry, and as it turns out so are all of the kids, but I'm totally intimidated. I checked the site and it is not included in the recipes section, so I'm now on a search for a steak and noodle stir fry - with easy to follow instructions!

Now to keep us all on track, check this out:

It turns out the brilliant Cathy Zielske has her own issues with her own Cole. Maybe there is something in the name? Last week, inspired by the program, she developed and shared her Discernible Palate Progress Tracker. I love the points system! It's like a big-boy/big-girl star chart system. I have printed off a blue version for Chloe and an orange one for Cole. Based on Cole's food and recipe choices, we'll see how many points they get this week. Bonus: they are very competitive, this could be fun! To get your own trackers, head on over to her Bits and Pieces blog and download a blue, green or orange version for yourself, or even one of each!

What do you think? Is Jamie's wish valid? I've read in many places complaints and winging that it is a small start and I think many miss the point: it is a small start, but it is a start. So many of us have been programmed to passively sit around and wait for things to be done for us. Well, this has been done, it is up to us to execute the change.

Layout Lifting

One of my favourite past times is visiting the blogs and galleries of talented and creative (mostly) women who inspire me by their ability to design, capture photographs and tell stories. I have a pretty basic get-it-done approach to scrapbooking.

Much of my creative time is spent on the recording the memories: in words and photos rather than the creation of the design. For the most part - at least 80% of the time - I leave that to the experts. I have always loved photography, architecture, painting and design, enough to know what I don't know and I make every effort to educate myself where I feel I am lacking. One of the best courses I ever took was Cathy Zielske's Design Your Life when it was offered at Big Picture Scrapbooking last year. It validated many of the non-formal education ideas I had already formed, and provided me with the right words to describe what I like, and do not like, about a photo, a painting, a magazine, an outfit, a scrapbook layout.

There is no shame in lifting a layout! Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, right? The shame is not giving the credit when it's due. So, I make every effort to remember where I saw a layout, provide a link, or the original layout when posting. There are so many women I want to thank for their endless inspiration, here are just a few:

Melanie Louette

Jody Wenke

Ann Costen

Molly Irwin

Ali Edwards

Monica McNeill

Jill Conyers

Sharyn Carlson

Barb Wong

Tina Cockburn

Jody Dent-Pruks

There are so many talents out there, but those who appeal to me tend to share the same aesthetic I appreciate:  with emphasis on the photo and the memory. I thank each of these ladies for making my process quicker and encourage me to preserve our family memories by giving me time to enjoy creating those memories rather than creating the layouts!

I found this layout on the American Crafts blog on March 26th:

As a result, I created this layout:

It is a memory I want to preserve. Thank you Kathy for your design, as a result this layout took me about 15 minutes and better yet ... it's done!

Thanks to all of the ladies listed above, I'll be participating in LOAD with Lain Ehmann and a bunch of incredibly supportive and talented women throughout May and will be using plenty of their layouts as inspiration! I've been scouring their sites and have found a treasure-trove of gorgeous ideas!

Much of my non-lift time is spent creating equally simple and meaningful designs for others to lift! Along with Becky Rico, Jayne Jones and Tracy Kosofsky, we are putting the finishing touches on Sketchapalooza 6 over at Feeling Scrappy. We have each contributed to the 20+ original sketches and it has been a ton of fun re-living the memories represented on each layout.

12 of 12: April

*WARNING*
Absolutely nothing interesting happened today!

But, this 12 of 12 is very representative my life 90% of the time. I love our simple, quiet, existence; all calm and drama-free. Until it isn't!

We have had some pretty nice days for a while now with the temperatures in the double digits - during the day. At night? Brr. When I walked into the kitchen this morning the cracked window and the freezing floors greeted me. What a way to wake up!

Every morning the mama-alarm (me shouting up the stairs) goes off at 6:30AM. Unfortunately, this particular alarm is expected to go off until they get up and come down the stairs. Grr.

Yes, olders, be advised that it is 12 of 12 today. Anyway, they were ready to go as soon as they heard that announcement! So we were off.

Every morning we drive by Coronation Park. Today we were treated to a bright and clear sunrise.

 

I got home in time to make sure the youngers ate their breakfast, packed their lunches and then I signed off on both school agendas. We were quickly out the door. Since Louis was not driving today, the kids got to school on time! (I forgot the camera, so no pics!)

 

Once home I was able to get down to business! Check Google Reader, write a blog post, visit friends via facebook ... until the call of the laundry ...

 

I'm trying to get all of my laundry done in one day. Well, all the clothes and towels. The sheets are another story! Oh, and the stinky sport stuff. So really, I'm still doing laundry every day, but one day for the bulk of it: I am happy to say that everything got washed, dried and folded by the end of the day!

First order of business when the youngers got home was getting Caden ready for power skating. He looks so cute in his "skin"! He's taking power skating to take power skating, not because he's trying out for anything. Busy is better than bored, so no matter how much he complains, he has to go. Well, the more he complains the more he has to go!

It was quite late before I had to collect the olders ... 6PM! Claire had softball practice and an hour to study while Cole had play rehearsal. I'm thinking the Mama Bus should have only one departure time at th end of the day. As always, Claire was out first.

 

Logistically busy evenings like this one usually results in a quick pasta for dinner. So today we had a very simple farfalle in marinara sauce.

 

Here is our Moe doing her "job" of emptying the dishwasher so the dirties can be loaded up. Since it's Monday, Caden will be going through the house collecting all of the garbage and recycling for collection in the morning. Cole has his art sketch to finish which he is planning on putting off so he can watch the "hot ESPN lady" on DWTS tonight. Claire is spending her time updating her Deviant Art site now that the extra hour at school waiting for her brother was used catching up on her homework.

 

I was tremendously excited to see Katherine Center's new book at Chapters while we were there on the weekend. My plan once this April version of 12 of 12 is posted: read it!

Do you participate in 12 of 12? The blog had been disassembled and re-located to Facebook. I'm still not familiar with the new locale, but I have to say that Susan Keuter is lovely and it's been a joy to get to know her. I've really enjoyed this project, as have my kids. That's the whole point, right? 

My Best Shot Monday: Dirt

The girls have been *hmm* absent from my photographs lately ... they seem to be nowhere to be found when I have my camera in hand! Must remedy that for next week :)

Cole was just back from his crack-of-dawn rugby practice on Saturday and he was coated in dirt. The light was coming in at such an angle it really highlighted the strength in his legs. Of course, I had to take a shot!

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

Today is also the 12th of the month which means I'll be posting my 12of12 by the end of the day today. I hope to get a few shots of the girls. Wish me luck!

Excuse the grubby fingers

But I have to say, of all the toys the kids have in the Mama Survival Kit, this has proven to be my favourite.

There have been many versions over the years and they have kept the kids, and the adults, in our house highly entertained. It has entertained us from Cape Cod and back. It has entertained us on many occasions.

This time, it had a sense of humour!

Caden was playing with it on the weekend and, as boys are wont to do, he wanted to "trick" the game. After choosing "unknown" he continued to answer all questions with the response of "no". The answer?

HANGOVER

Really? A kids game? A hangover?

I laughed so hard. So did the kids. They thought it was hysterical. 

Sometimes that inappropriate line is a bit blurry in our house.

But we just laugh!

(Barb, stop shaking your head and wondering about the future of my kids!)

SOOC Saturday: Sunrise

This was the view out our back window when I came down to make coffee yesterday morning. I love the hint of pink in the sky and the silhouette of our big maple tree.

What is your favourite SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) shot today? You can join in: here! 

Time for some reducing

I don't know what it is about winter but there seems to be many more piles of stuff in my house. There has clearly been some hanky-panky going on as these piles have multiplied over the last few months! There is a counter above my microwave in the kitchen which is perpetually filled with school forms, photographs, articles, notebooks, keys, earbuds, schedules: all manner of odds and sods collected over the last few months, it is filled to overflowing.

I have not quite figured out how to manage order with the comings and goings of four kids and an active household.

This is what I aspire to:

The beautiful quote above was found over at one of my favourite blogs: Simple Mom. She has a post today to gear up for Spring Cleaning which is just about one of my most favourite seasons. It's all about purging and culling. And she has a funny video clip. Head on over and check it out. 

As for me? I'll be spending the next few days reducing in order to get ready for Spring Cleaning week!

Team-Up Thursday: Spring

I was thrilled to receive an invitation from my good cyber and IRL friend Shirley, who is an incredible photographer, to participate in the Team-Up Thursday challenge offered over at Shutter Sisters last week. The idea we came up with was to capture an image representing "spring" and send it to Shirley to create a diptych of the two images we shot.

This is the diptych we created:

Shirley's shot is on the left, mine on the right. A great example of the pace of Spring in the US Mid-West and Southern Ontario! You can follow along these exercises on Shirley's photography blog: here.

This was a fun exercise. We're going to continue on with another theme to be posted this week. What about you? Are you in for the challenge? Need a bit of a creative kick-start? This was a lot of fun.

Wishcasting Wednesday: Bloom

How do you wish to bloom?

I wish to remind myself each day that the actions and words of others are completely in relationship to their life experience and world view. It rarely has anything to do with me, my actions or that of my family. I wish to bloom by remembering this and letting it not effect my reactions or judgment. I want to be not a victim of my insecurities and past experience but to bloom by absorbing the experience and criticism of others without reacting in kind but with patience, self control, acceptance and love.

What is your wish? Each Wednesday morning, I eagerly anticipate the assignment from Jamie at Jamie Ridler Studios. If you're looking for a bright spot in your day, head on over to check her out.

You can be a maker of magic and a tender of wishes. It’s easy. Answer the wish prompt above on your blog and then add a direct link to your post in the box below. Support wishes by visiting other participants, leaving a comment saying “As (insert name) wishes for her/himself, so I wish for her/him also.” It’s that simple. There is great power in wishing together.

LOAD: You don't want to miss this!

Are you interested in getting 31 scrapbook pages done in 31 days?

If you are like me you have plenty of layouts in various stages of completion: still in idea form, unprocessed photos; processed photos lying around, sketches in a pile, embellishments you love but don't know what to do with them; half completed, journaling ideas on post it notes, then you need to join LOAD! Just GET THEM DONE. Unless you are a pro, not every one of your layouts is publish-worthy, so take a deep breath and get started, get finished, just get them done. You will be amazed at how good your layouts get with daily practice. Who knows, by the time the end of May rolls around your layouts may just be publish-worthy.

Not only that, it has to be one of the most lovely groups of encouraging and upbeat ladies on the internet. Why don't you have a listen to Lain, she is our lovely host and can tell you all about it:

So print your photos, get your adhesive, organize your supplies, and if you need a bit of a "push" be sure to join the Sketchapalooza 6 class over at Feeling Scrappy. This time I'm on the design team with Becky Rico and Jayne Jones and I have to say the layouts and ideas we've been working on since February are really, really wonderful. 

Oh, and if you sign up for LOAD before April 15th you might just win one of two opportunities to take Sketchapalooza for FREE! And, if you sign up for Sketchapalooza before April 15th you might just win an opportunity to pariticipate in LOAD. Nice!!

I'm in both, so let me know if you're joining in and don't forget to say "hi"!

On a binge

One of the many charming aspects (read: flaws) of my personality is my tendency to binge.

I'm happy to wait and prepare and mull and wait some more and then I go silly. The one area where this is most obvious is with my scrapbooking and crafting. I spend a great deal of time mulling, and then I immerse myself, hours and hours and hours on end with photos, sketches, adhesive, printed paper, paper trimmers, card stock and embellishments. Oooh! Such good stuff. I think it is the delayed gratification that gives me such joy: seeing all of the projects completed from start to finish in one sitting.

I have just embarked on another creative binge. 

This time I am more mindful of my process, and I'm sharing it with you:

This is the file I started a couple of weeks ago:

In order to get all of this accomplished my next step was to select all of the appropriate photos which I keep stored in iPhoto:

Since a number of my current projects are based on specific outlines: a 4x6 album, a sketch class, a blog entry to be turned into a mini album, preparing for an upcoming week-long project, I print off the design outlines and assign the photos/story:

Now, I love scraplifing and find it a very effective way to get layouts DONE. Not everything I do is based on a pre-done layout or sketch, but my current lifestyle requires me to implement the 80-20 rule. That means 80% of my layouts are based upon the brilliance of others and 20% of the work I produce is completely original.

Once the photos are selected and matched up to the projects, in this case there are 25 individual projects) the photos are burned:

I take my photos over to my local Fortino's, along with the project outline, and use the Kodak machine they have there to submit all the photos and different sizes. I get perfect prints in an hour:

 

though I have a printer that can handle photos, I really do not like how they turn out at home, they take forever, if ever, to dry; and, their durability is questionable. I realize it is so nice, and convenient, to size things in Photoshop and print them immediately, but I'd rather deal with the inconvenience and cost effectiveness of taking my photos down to the store.

In the meantime, once the design is selected, the photos/theme determined, I start writing out, in various Word documents, all of the journaling for the layouts and projects. I really love that I can utilize my time efficiently by saving up all the projects and do all the writing at one time.

I have various journals I bring with me to some rinks, which I transcribe when I get home, and if I have space and time I drag along the laptop to other rinks. I much prefer the opportunities to bring the laptop! Once the documents are proof-read a few hundred times, they get printed off and ready to incorporate into the project design.

It is at this point that each project or layout can be started. And, as they get done, I post them here to show them to you!

Right now, the scrappy-project list includes, but is not limited to:

• Album: Going Away Gift
• Status: Completed and posted
• 
  
• Layouts: Sketchapalooza6
• Status: In progress. No layouts (20 in total) will be posted until Sketchapalooza 6 is completed. Have you joined up? You really don't want to miss it!
•  
• Mini-Album: 10 Things That Make Me Happy (based off this blog post)
  
• Status: Preparations completed. Photos printed, Journaling written, Album chosen, Printed Paper selected
•  
• Album: A Week In The Life
  
• Status: Preparatory stage. Album, Printed Paper, Cardstock and Design selected
•  
• Mini-Album: Hockey Cole Tyke - PeeWee (6 Years so far); Caden Timbit - Minor Atom (3 Years so far)
• Status: Preliminary Collection. Collecting photos (mine, team & pro), collecting stats
•  
• Altered Tin: Affirmation Collection (for Mother's Day)
  
• Status: Preparatory stage. Affirmations downloaded, tins purchased, materials collected. 

There are more things in the works and on the list, but for now, these are the immediate front-burner scrappy/photo things I'm anxious not only to start, but to get finished. I've also signed up for another dose of LOAD which is starting May 1st and going through the whole month so much preparation is required to accomplish that particular test of scrappy-stamina!! Though, to be honest, the challenge with LOAD, for me, is not in the creating 30 layouts, it's creating it one-day-at-a-time. I could easily prepare and make 30 layouts in a weekend, but throughout a month. That's hard.

Because, I'm a binger. I have to immerse myself completely. Attack a project from start to finish with tons of enthusiasm and as few interruptions as possible. Once all of the elements are in place and I can start, look out, I'm in full create mode and nothing will get in my way!

How about you? Do you binge or are you more orderly?

 

March Lessons

The kids (in this case Claire and Cole) decided the kitchen was the best place for fun. Eek! You want to know double eek? Cole can now lift, with very little effort, his sister, up and over his shoulder. Crazy!

March was unseasonably snow-free and very busy; there was something happening every day and my Blackberry was constantly buzzing with reminders to go here, there and everywhere. The month came in on a viciously negative note which managed to dissipate as March wore on much to my relief. Our family handles things much better when common sense prevails and positivity reigns supreme. And it does now! Whoot!

• Cole got the part of "Chad" in the school production of High School Musical!
• Chloé and the Oakville Children's Choir enjoyed an afternoon performance at the Oakville Centre where Cadence performed.
• Caden had a wonderful season with the Red Knights and made many friends on his team. They didn't win the season, but he learned a lot this year. Thank goodness for patient and kind coaching.
• I'm enjoying the Feeling Scrappy Facebook Group. Have you joined? If not ... head on over, have some fun with us! I'm also posting on the blog. 
• Spring Break arrived for the Olders on March 5th and lasted a remarkably long time, until I took them back on March 23rd!
• Broke out the flip flops. I know Spring is not really here, but it feels like it is. Well, it did through the first of the month, we've been dipping below zero the last few days!
• Read, no ... ABSORBED The Happiness Project - as a book, as a website/blog, as a reading group.
• I have kept up with, though not posted (next project) all of my Photos-of-the-Day for 2010. This has been such a brilliant exercise, it's my second year in and I enjoy it more now than ever before.
• We so enjoyed the Oscars, LOVED Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin and Neil Patrick Harris. LOVED watching Sandra Bullock win. Sad for her current troubles but not in the least bit surprised. You know, that leopard-spots thing.
• LOVED being able to go to the park ... in MARCH! The kids really enjoyed the monkey bars, the swings and watching the skateboard boys.
• I am becoming increasingly mindful and certainly more focused as the days go by. Yay for productivity and having fun.
• Dancing with the Stars is fun; American Idol is not; Survivor and Amazing Race is on and I haven't seen either all month!
• Finally figured out Podcasts in iTunes and on my iPod. Just loaded up all of the Ted Talks. Yay me! Now to find the time to listen to them all.
• Claire wore me down ... side bangs. And she looks GREAT. Do you know why? Because she's 14 and looks great in anything with any haircut :)
• Not only am I participating on the Feeling Scrappy Facebook page, but I've managed to design 6 brand new sketches and layouts for Sketchapalooza 6 in May. Have you joined yet?
• Cole is now a certified babysitter. All day at a course with his buddy Aidan. And the class was mostly made up of boys. So much for meeting girls over March Break!
• The girls enjoyed a wonderful week in Florida with my parents!
• Claire really enjoyed the Marianas Trench concert with her friend Marley. Such a great band!
• Man Month was only a week, but it really felt like a whole month. Love my boys, but I like the calm (and the clean) the girls help provide when they're around.
• Cole and his Ranger hockey team won the Tri-County title and with that the season is over.
• I started planning my Week In The Life project. LOVE planning goodness!
• Chloé participated in the Toronto Choir Festival and had a wonderful time. The girls (and boys, but mostly girls) left Oakville at 8:30AM and arrived back at 9:30PM after a full day of singing and shopping.
• Earth Hour was a bit of a dud with half the kids away. It was nowhere near as much fun.
• My step-sister and husband bought a house here in town and will be moving their family up from Chicago by mid-May. I am thrilled to have family here in town for the first time in ever, and our kids are thrilled to see their cousins.
• Caden loves his new do, and I love the fact we now have our own clippers and I can clean him up anytime I want. Even better? He will let me.
• I re-introduced myself to my artsy-crafty side and it was kind of nice, more than kinda, it was energizing and such a thrill! I will have to do much more in the very near future. Plus, I'm determined to master that &*%#^ glue gun!
• Caden and Chloé attended a bunch of birthday parties. Was everyone born in March of 1999 and 2000?
• Cole is now a defensive lineman on the Titans football team, or at least, that's where they've put him right now. Other than the rugburn he gets from the turf, he really seems to be enjoying himself. Not only is he playing football and rehearsing for the school play, he's joined the U14 Rugby team as well as playing 3on3 hockey, hockey conditioning camp and dry land training. Busy, much? This kid thinks he's an only child :)
• We watched Up in the Air and it was incredibly, scarily, reminiscent of our lives then before our life now.
• Both Claire and Cole are required to earn volunteer hours each school year. Claire was well on her way, but Cole, with his crazy hockey and sport schedule was well short of his target. So to fix the problem, they spent most of Saturday and Sunday of MOHA Awards Week getting food donations and helping the on-ice activities over at River Oaks arena.
• So cool to be featured on a blog I love so much. Carolyn Rubenstein is such an inspiration.
• As part of an experiment I made an effort to get into a sleep/wake routine - 5 days in a row. Until I got sick, I was going gangbusters for two days :) I will endeavour to attempt the experiment again when this cold goes away with one change: I'll get up at 6AM rather than 5AM. I really need that extra hour!
• The boys enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie. Everyone enjoyed Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland!
• I love finding new songs on my iPod. I know they're there because I get an e-mail from iTunes telling me that my kids have downloaded and gives me my remaining balance. This month, I found and enjoyed: this song, this one and this one. It is so nice to share a love of music with my kids, er, Cole. Claire listens to much more edgy stuff.

April brings with it better weather, I hope, as I'm anxious to drive the convertible without a sweater! It also brings the deadline for tuition for the olders to attend their school next year and taxes. Conditioning camp will bring me to Canlan Ice Sports ... daily! I'm also starting a weekly photo challenge with my on-line friend Shirley. Even more fun? I've been asked to take photos for Cole's football team and I hope they move outside, I'm anxious to try my hand (or train my eye) at a new sport. Plenty of pleasant distraction. Distraction from what? With April we also welcome full-blown silly season where parents get NUTSO about their hockey playing kids. Yes, it is tryout season. This year I think I'll let Louis go to the tryouts and I'll just stay home waiting for the phone call!

Happy Easter!

Chloe had her little forever friend Olivia stay overnight on Friday. During the day they managed to create a dozen eggs and invited Caden to join in the fun. The olders, of course, had to play too.

Ah, family togetherness.

There was so much silliness here yesterday I ended up taking close to 200 photos. On of my favourites was Claire in the cow hat. Yes, really.

The cow hat:

Pure silliness.

I love laughter in my kitchen.

Have a wonderful Easter!

SOOC Saturday: Ukulele

Claire really makes me laugh. She's taken it upon herself to figure out how to play the ukulele. She brought it down to the kitchen to play "Something" by the Beatles. Claire is nothing but a silly delight, with a ton of smarts and ability. I'll keep her!

What is your favourite SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) shot today? You can join in: here! 

Quick Album Project

One of the families on Cole's Ranger hockey team this past season are moving away. The dad was one of the coaches and his son, a fellow defenceman who ended the year brilliantly, learning and improving a ton over the season. All of the players did.

We are unable to attend the big "going away" bash for them Saturday night.

What were we to do? A gift was in order, but a bottle of wine didn't seem enough for all of the hours and hours of together over the course of the last 10 months! So, I did what I know how to do:

I made an album!

Lucky for me, as team photographer, I had oodles of shots from which to choose, but because I don't have permission to post their photos, I'll just outline what I put together.

A simple, 24-page 4x6 album. The perfect quick project.

I'm typing this all out with specifics because I plan to do a couple of more albums similar in format for some special friends - and maybe it can give you some structure for your album!

Cover Page: Photo of Subject, in this case, pee wee hockey player :)
Page 1-2: Team Photo (top) Team Roster (bottom)
Page 3-4: Off Ice Conditioning Photos
Page 5-6: Social Events (in this case summer party and garage sale)
Page 7-8: Season in Review (tournaments, regular season and playdowns with all stats)
Page 9-10: Team Photos with trophies
Page 11-12: Team Photos with trophies
Page 13-14: Lined Card (top): My memories of this season with the Oakville Rangers for player with a photo of player bottom
Page 15-16: Lined Card (bottom): My memories of this season ... for coach with a photo of coach on top
Page 17-18: Lined Card (top): My memories ... for mum with a photo of mum below
Page 19-20: Photos of player
Page 21-22: Photos of player (top) A few game details (bottom)
Back Page: Note to family from us!

A few notes on the project:

In the case of this album I used a Creative Memories PicFolio. The sleeves are a big bigger than your 4x6 photos, so each had to be mounted on a 4.5x6.5 piece of cardstock. All stats and information was typed onto 4x6 Bazzill white cardstock and also mounted to create consistency.

Total supplies used:

• 1 album
• 1 sheet Bazzill white cardstock
• 8 sheets Bazzill red cardstock (4.5x6.5 is a brutal size!)
• Thickers for title
• 24 Photos (all extras tucked behind mounted photos)

The beauty of this kind of album is that, due to it's construct, there is not enough space for a lot of embellishments. I really prefer a streamlined and clean album and this kind just forces you not to stray too far from that idea.

What a sense of accomplishment when it was finally done. Not only that, but when I delivered it on Thursday, the look on Marilyn's face - and the tears in her eyes, let me know that it was the perfect gift. So much better than a bottle of wine!

ETA: Permission Granted (Thanks Marilyn & DiBenedetto men!!)

These photos were taken not to be posted, but to remind me of the album order and idea so they just happen to be shot in a very sunny window with tons of shadow, but you get the idea. If you're a visual person, like me, this kind of thing always helps!

Bursting Free (or cracking up!)

The image above reflects how I've been feeling this past month.

It is scary.

It is invigorating.

It is about time.

:)

*8 Things: On-Line Magazines

Once I heard the news that the brilliant Ali Edwards was being featured in the April edition of Real Simple magazine, I knew I had to buy a copy. Why is this a big deal? I've not purchased a copy of that magazine since my subscription ran out almost two years ago. I just wasn't getting a lot out of it. As a matter of fact, with the exception of the odd purchase of a scrapbook magazine (which are getting worse and more redundant each month) I haven't purchased a magazine in a year or more. I tend to read my magazines on-line in some form or another. It appeals to my need to reduce the paper consumption in my house!

As for the questions "how do I remember everything?" or "how do I file everything?" or "how do you store everything?" the simple answer is: I don't. If I can't remember it, it's not worth remembering. Or, if instructions are required, I bookmark and file it. See? No physical clutter! Whoot :)

The Online Magazines I read, or have sent to my e-mail are:

Real Simple: though after reading the April special edition (which had a measly one column dedicated to Ali Edwards) I may pick up another copy to keep in the car. Mind you, it was the 10th Anniversary edition and there was a ton of brilliant stuff inside.

Martha Stewart Living: I was "off" Martha for a while, too much perfect. I couldn't even try to keep up! But you know, she has an incredible team and my kids are loving the recipes I've taken from her site and I love her book on crafts.

Canadian House and Home: I receive this in hard copy as a Christmas gift from my step-mum. I love reading it for the Canadian content as well as one of the girls with whom I attended elementary school is now the Editor!

Oprah: I love Oprah. I know many don't, and you're entitled, but she is really amazing. I used to get her magazine until I realized they were just being stacked in piles. Once you consider purchasing baskets or any other container to store magazines you have to throw them out!

Body & Soul: Is such a wonderful publication. The paper used, the photographs, the design. I feel like I've gone on a holiday while sitting still! Gorgeous. And, plenty of great content, too!

Prevention: Yes, because I'm that old. Great articles with solid advice, whether I take that advice or not is a completely different story!

Vanity Fair: has been, consistently, my favourite magazine for years, since way back in the early '80s. The articles are fascinating, the columns controversial and thought provoking and the photographs are delicious!

Canadian Scrapbooker: I do wish there was more content on-line since the magazine is so incredibly difficult to find here in town. I might just be forced to get a subscription. It is a quarterly magazine, much like my loved Artful Blogging. I don't know if they qualify as magazines, but they're both wonderful and filled with information I find helpful and engaging. (I know, #8 is a bit of a cheat, but since they're quarterly, it's kind of not, right? I'll use it as my first mulligan since golf season is almost here!)

Hmm, I think I'm going to have to re-evaluate. Now that I've typed it all out, I've realized just how much I've missed the tactile thrill of flipping through the pages of each publication! The portability is also a plus. Maybe moderation is key, not elimination?