19 years later

Jason and I are going to Graham's social this weekend. Our "generation" doesn't really do socials anymore, but this is more of a reunion and excuse to get together and celebrate. Graham and his girlfriend live in Brazil where the wedding will be. This weekend will be a bit of a trip down memory lane. Which got me to thinking about the differences between when I used to go to socials (once a month? maybe twice?) and now (never, haven't been to one in at least 10 years?).

Then:
Never (ever) worried about getting a table. What did I need a table for? I was dancing and mingling all night. Tables were for old people.

Now:
I want a damn table.

Then:
I carried my drivers license so I could buy drinks.

Now:
I carry it in case I have some sort of medical emergency.

Then:
I hated that my curfew was midnight.

Now:
I wish my curfew was 10 p.m.

Then:
Mrs. Pollock had to approve of my outfit.

Now:
I ask my 26 year old friend if she approves...

Paint Booth

So, I used the paint booth today. Ok ok, let's back up a titch.

First I broke the paint booth. Then Jason came home and fixed it, adding some reinforcing brackets. THEN I used the paint booth and the $10 sprayer he bought at Princess Auto. Took a little figuring out, but I think we got the hang of it. I painted the second end table (I hadn't painted that one yet b/c when I was painting the other one and the coffee table it was holding up the tv). I think it looks good except there are a few drips. I think I can learn to avoid that, I was just getting a little trigger happy and kept spraying and spraying. If I could learn to control myself and use just ONE coat at a time - shouldn't be a problem.

Mom, you are definitely going to wan to get Dad to build you one of these.

Future spray paint projects:
- Maddie's bedroom furniture (ivory white)
- our bedroom furniture (a colour, but I don't know what. I'm open to suggestions)
- some lamps (going to get those at the Warman Thrift store, or maybe my new Favy Fave - Rose's)
- the little teeny table I have in our entrance. It's pretty scratched so I think a coat of paint will just liven it right up.
- also hoping to help Emily paint some items for her Urban Oasis (aka Broadway Patio)

my perfect day

This morning, after a teeny tiny bit of guilt, and a few heavy sighs (all on my part), Jason agreed to go to the Farmer's Market with Madge and me. We left the house at 10 a.m. - BEFORE NOON. GASP. (note: Jason doesn't do a whole lot before noon and what he does do does NOT involve leaving the house)

Anyhoodle, we packed the backpack with some bags, water, and snacks and headed downtown. We parked about a block away and walked which provided an opportunity for me to discover My New Favorite Store: Rose's Auction! YES! A whole store of awesomeness. I saw so many great lamps, I can't wait to go back. Frankly, I saw a whole lot of fabulous little treasures. I will be back.

The market was great - just the right amount of busy. I had some yummy veggie pakora at Taste of India and i'm happy to say Maddie loved it too. I am actually perseverating on it and want to go there tomorrow and get more. The restaurant is closed on sundays (welcome to saskatchewan)....but I wonder if they are at the market on sundays. Hmmmm....hadn't thought of that until just now.

ok. Well, I've been working on a little surprise tonight for Em and Kurt - almost done but I'm out of steam and out of podcasts so I'm going to call it a night.

Oh, BTW - new podcast discovery (courtesy of Emily): Love+Radio. It says "explicit" on itunes, but so far I haven't heard anything to make my innocent little ears ring.

nighty night, kiddies.
j

Birthday Girl

So, did I tell you about Maddie and her online shopping experience? She wanted this (overpriced) doll and I told her she had to do chores to earn it. So she did chores for two days, then we had the bright idea to count her piggy bank.

$93 in the piggy. For real.

So she had enough to buy the doll, she bought the doll online, we waited 11 days for it to arrive blah blah blah. (NOTE: she still does the chores everyday when we get home from school: 1. let dogs out of kennel, 2. let dogs outside, 3. feed dogs).

So anyway, she was excited about this doll and named her Alyssa. The doll is 3 years old and had her birthday after she arrived at our house (this is all according to Miss Madeleine Jane). I had the (not so bright) idea to make real cupcakes to celebrate.

Great. 2 dozen cupcakes. In my house. Jason doesn't eat cupcakes. That's a lot of cupcakes for Mommy and Maddie. Good idea.

Anyway, here are the pictures. I'm sorry if I told this story already. A review is always nice, isn't it? If I did tell it, well then just consider this post a "best of"

Sunshine Muffins

These are from "The Best of The Best" (Best of Bridge Series). If you don't own this cookbook - go and get it now! 1 orange 1/2 cup orange juice 1 egg 1/4 cup oil 1 1/2 cups flour 3/4 sugar 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1/2 cup craisins 1/2 cup chopped nuts (I haven't tried this yet) Cut orange into 8 pieces. Put cut up orange (that's right - the WHOLE orange), orange juice, egg, and oil in blender (my food processor works great too). Blend until smooth. Add flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Blend. Add craisins and nuts. Blend just until mixed. Pour mixture into muffin tins and bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes. Makes 16 medium muffins. Note: So, I'm not sure if muffins are just that different from cupcake, but these suckers don't rise for me. I think I would suggest filling your muffin cup up or else don't set your timer past 15 minutes b/c that's all mine seem to need. I'm not adding a picture b/c frankly, they taste better than they look. Enjoy. Keel - will you email me your honey rhubarb muffins and I'll put them on here? Thanks.

If I had to pick one image...

If you told me to choose one image that represented inner calm, it would be this. A full and completed list.

Today it rained. Lih-trally chucked rain all day long. That meant I HAD to stay in. I HAD to read my book. But I also baked 2 dozen cupcakes (more on that later), orange cranberry muffins (ask me for the recipe - they are delish), AND oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (Allison's recipe with just one addition - my secret weapon: cream). And that's not all kids, I sorted, photographed, and posted an add on kijiji for some of Maddie's toys. (Anyone want some toys?)

Oh and I played Guess Who and Barbies.

It's been a good day.

Baby Wearing.

Maddie created this wrap completely on her own, all I did was provide a bigger scarf b/c her first attempt wasn't working (scarf was too small). This is baby Alyssa pictured here...but...we have exciting news. Alyssa has very recently turned 3! We are celebrating her birthday tomorrow with cupcakes and candles. I'll be sure to post some pictures.

With Alyssa's milestone birthday comes many physical changes: she now has beautiful blond curls, and she no longer needs a diaper.

WHAT?

ok - here's the real story. I tried to teach Maddie about saving money to buy something important. We started a chore list and she could earn money for certain jobs. Blah Blah Blah. That lasted two days, and then we had the (not so bright?) idea of counting her piggy bank. Only to discover she has collected over $90 in change. I say collected - hustled might be more appropriate. Anyway, the kid was loaded.

She really wanted to buy and "American Girl" doll (google it). Long version: these are very overpriced, fussy dolls with lots of over priced, ridiculous accessories. Short version: I would have LOVED one of these when I was little. Anyway, she had enough to pay for the doll, I chipped in for shipping. "Alyssa" arrived yesterday. Very Exciting Day.

The name? When we were waiting 8-12 business days for the doll to arrive I said "Maddie, you should pick a special name for your new doll". She gave me this 'are you for real' look and said "She already has a name - she is Alyssa". Alyssa is her current doll, Sarah, who has now grown up. Also, Alyssa is Keely's daughter and Maddie's hands down hero.

Sorry, long winded and rambly tonight. I drank coffee after supper so I would have enough energy to get my jobs done.

Result? I have enough energy to get my jobs done, BUT I STILL DONT WANT TO DO THEM.

sheesh.

Guess I'll go troll through pinterest.

Menu Planning

About a million years ago I used to menu plan. You know, write out the weeks meals, then go and get the groceries for those meals. All organized like. That seems to have come to a grinding halt lately. We barely even buy groceries it seems.

I was talking to Patti awhile ago and she reminded me of this lovely concept. Well, that was a couple of months ago and TODAY I am going to GET BACK ON THE TRAIN. For. Real.

So, I sat down to make a list of the meals that I can make. I said to my family:
"ok, what do I make that you like?"

Jason: "Shake and Bake"
Maddie: "Chicken Noodle Soup" (from a can)

Ladies and Gentlemen this would sum up my culinary talents matched to the high dietary standards of my family.

The Mark of a Good Mother:

"Noticing the family's milk supply was dwindling, the mother diluted her own meager amount with ice and Baileys to ensure her boys did not go without."

- Treena

Sleeping Beauties

This is what I found when I went to check on the girls Friday night. Photo credit to Jason.

First Fish

Here is the fish Maddie caught when we were in Roblin a few weeks ago.

midwife? fortune teller?

Mackenzie has just announced Sammy (our beagle) will be having a baby in 12 months.

Sleepover

What happens when you have:
- one orange
- a camera
- three clowns

Wanna know?  Here, I'll show you...