Almost Country Pumpkin

I will admit that I was a tad over-eager to start wearing skirts and dresses again, so as soon as I saw that the sun was shining I immediately dressed for spring. Although a huge improvement over the random April snowstorms we were having, it's still a little chilly and my legs may have been quite cold. Goosebumps are sexy, right?

We went to visit the Country Pumpkin this afternoon, as I've been waiting for it to open for some time now. I was a little disappointed to discover that only the bakery was open, and the fruits and veggies haven't been brought out yet. Unfortunate, because I'm a sucker for fresh produce. I would have bought their entire stock- that's how excited I was. 

Kitchen Poems

" come and be human with me

eat nothing that means us both leaving the house

sit on the floor in strange places

and sleep in familiar beds. "

                                                --keaton henson

Lately

I must admit I've had a difficult time blogging the past couple weeks. I've been feeling particularly uninspired and have no trouble casting blame on the awful weather we've been having (for those non-Canadian's, it snowed yesterday!) I have been itching to start gardening and bring out the patio furniture, and every trip to the store ends with me lugging home some random item in preparation for springtime. Last week I purchased some gardening gloves, today paper plates and floral napkins...I'm telling you, if it doesn't start feeling like spring here soon, I will be planing flowers and hosting BBQ parties in the snow. 

I did snap a few cute photos of my niece while I was visiting home over the Easter break, and took Sage on a rainy day dog walk this morning! 

Kids

I am currently into the second week of my work place practicum at an early childhood education center, and respectively, everything is a learning experience. 

6 things i have learned:

• trying to adopt a cute child who already has a loving family is called kidnapping, and is frowned upon no matter how pure your intentions.
• ladybugs are NOT for pancakes.
• children will spend 30 minutes telling you that they don't want to clean up rather than taking 30 seconds to actually do it.
• four year old's do not care if you are in a room unless they want something from you, and then they are only pretending to care.
• Snowsuits get ruined forever when you swim in a mud puddle.
• Children like to bang on the bathroom door while you're using it, "just to say hey."

Summer Salad

I was given this DE-licious salad recipe while I was living in Montreal, and it became a fast favorite. I recently made it for a game night with friends, and I have a feeling it's going to be popping up a lot this summer. 

yummy ingredients;

-diced cherry tomatoes 

-chick peas 

-cubed mozza cheese 

-corn niblets

-chopped basil / salt / pepper

-tomato and basil vinaigrette (you can use any kind of vinaigrette, or virgin olive oils) 

March Break

I just returned from a beautiful and relaxing Florida vacation, 

and was absolutely not ready for it to be over. This was my fourth trip to Florida and it somehow gets better every time! If you know me then you're very aware that I'm an unbelievably old soul, and my ninety-five year old heart fits perfectly with Florida's retired stereotype. 

trip highlights:

porch drinks

bike rides

manatees and pelicans 

ocean views

sunsets on the dock

family time

golf & reading

friendly people

xo

Restless Winter

Another weekend spent trying to fight off the antsy and restless symptoms of winter. 

Lately I've done more than avoid being outside in the cold. I am beyond ready for a pair of flats and have definitely grown tired of my winter jackets. I did manage to push myself out of the house this weekend for dinner and drinks and a catch-up with my best friend, and a little Sunday brunch and photo opt. 

Luckily for me, Amanda and I are headed to Fort Meyers FL this Friday for a much anticipated week of sunshine. (I may be driving her crazy with all my talk of tandem bike rides, sun hats, dresses and reading by the pool.) 

Sage ++ new lens

Oh, hello. 

I recently traded in my zoom lens for a 50 mm, and am very impressed with that decision.(Hopefully that means I'll be motivated to take more pictures and update more frequently...) I've only had one opportunity to try it out once so far, mostly because the weather has been extremely cold and awful. I've been ready for winter to be over since November, so it's getting a little old at this point. 

Two days ago Amanda and I took Sage on a beautiful snowy trail and she convinced me to bring my camera along! Sage is an incredibly photogenic dog, partly because she's beautiful and partly because she's keeping her eyes on you to make sure you don't do anything shady. 

annnnd...

Wintertime Favorites

I am amazed at how fast Christmas is approaching and how ill prepared for it I am. I still haven't finished my shopping, and it's less than five days away! Despite my pre-Christmas procrastination, the holidays have been filled with good food, good friends, good parties, and good memories! 

(my favorite things of november/december)

green veggies! we've been eating tons of salads and green vegetables the past couple of months, and it's been a much yummier and healthy alternative to eating out and quick frozen foods.

11 am breakfasts! 

we spent an evening decorating the house with christmas lights, stockings, and this sparse little tree. 

i've always been a huge fan of little stocking stuffer gifts, and i recently picked up a few of these dip packages (as well as ultra yummy candy-cane hot cocoa ones) at Wheatons. i think they may become regulars! 

xo-stay warm 

&

merry christmas! 

Montreal and Marily

I recently returned from a short visit in Montreal, and I loved every minute of it. At the same time as I was overwhelmingly happy to be back with people that I sincerely missed, I was sad to see how much had changed in just one short year. Marily has grown up so much that I was worried I would have to get to know her all over again, but as soon as I saw her it was as if I had never left. She is so caring and funny, and I hope she is always a part of my life in some way.