September

Well, this is awkward.

It's September.

My last post was in March, and I've got some catching up to do.

We went to Mexico.  It was awesome.

I hit the big five-oh.

There were growing up milestones.

Our youngest graduated elementary school.

Our oldest bought a house.

Another one of our boys bought himself a new truck.

It's been a gloriously hot and sunny summer.

 We did Niagara Falls.

Boldt Castle and a Thousand Islands Boat Cruise.

Toronto Zoo.

Camping at Killbear Provincial Park.

And a WEDDING.

Our oldest son is now married, and it was a beautiful, wonderful, magical day.

Then another one of our boys went away to school.  That was hard.


And on the first day of school I realised that my youngest child is in high school.


I have been proud and happy and wistful and sad and nervous, sometimes all at once.


And now that everyone is settled, and the house is a little quieter, I'm feeling strangely adrift.


Time to get back on course!

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Photo a Day

The rain that they forecast for prom arrived... and it didn't let up.  Torrential downpours all day.  Thankfully a local garden centre allowed us to use their greenhouses for photos.  I haven't uploaded my camera photos yet, but I did snap a few with my phone.

There were plenty of floral displays to use as backdrops.  And I was really impressed with myself for managing to capture the 'checkout' sign in the background.

Prom was the fun and memorable event that everyone hoped for.  And the kids all survived the traditional, weekend long, after prom.  It's nerve wracking to send your kids off to a two day, unsupervised party... especially when chances are good that the stories they come back with won't necessarily be the kind of stories you want to hear.  Four down, two to go.

While they partied, we furniture shopped.  Well, window shopped.  We haven't bought new furniture in years, but the kids are outgrowing their single beds and we're looking to see what's out there in the way of full size beds with built in storage.  

Didn't find anything I loved, but came away with some ideas.  Like dinosaurs for our Jurassic World crazed youngest.  Could you sleep with something like this looking at you?

A few other things caught my eye.  We don't have a dining set in our kitchen, we just sit at the island or in the dining room, but I've wanted to put something in that space since we moved in over two years ago.  Like this set, made out of mango wood, which I've never even heard of.  I love that the finished surfaces come pre-gouged.  There's probably a better term for this, something that anyone who knows anything about furniture would know.  All I know is that the first dent or scratch will just blend right in.  Awesome.

And this.  Cool piece, yes?

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Prom Picture List

We're gearing up for another prom.  This will be our fourth.

In two weeks, we'll be celebrating another high school graduate.

But this week it will be all about the dresses and fancy suits.  Up-do's and corsages.  Dinner and dancing.  And the party bus.

As I look back through the photos I took the last three times we did this, I see all of the pictures that I didn't take and wish I had.  I also see that we were blessed with good weather every time.  Unfortunately, tomorrow's forecast doesn't look as promising.

So I give you my lessons learned, in the form of a Prom Picture List.  The photos I took, and all the ones that I wish I'd taken.

• The prom tickets.  Our school comes up with a unique and crafty design every year, and chances are good they'll come home wrinkled up in a pocket at the end of the night.

• Preparation photos.  Dress shopping.  Hair and nail appointments.  Tuxedo fitting.  Getting that tie done up properly.

• Your son/daughter in their dress/tux/suit - alone.  I took a ton of photos of my kids with their prom dates, and they're wonderful, but a few years later they're no longer with the same people.  I treasure the photos, and the memories, but I wish I had a few of my kids by themselves. Try to take a few different poses, showing different angles of the outfit that cost you a small fortune.  The temptation is to capture the entire outfit in full body shots, but try to zoom in close for a few pictures.

• A photo of you with your child.  Every year that we've done this, I've been behind the scenes in my shorts, T-shirt, and ponytail, and I've resisted being in any of the photos.  I regret this.

• Couple shots, including putting on their corsages.  Again, zoom in close for a few.

• Group shots.  And if you're a boy mom, get those girls in a few pictures.  All of those colourful dresses are an amazing sight!

• In the car.  Maybe you rented a limo.  Maybe they're driving Dad's normally off-limits convertible.  Maybe they're all piling into a party bus.  Capture it.

• The surroundings.  All of our graduating classes choose the lakeshore for their pre-prom photos, which makes for some nice scenery.  Zoom out and take it all in.

I've also learned to use the flash, even on sunny days, to cut down on the shadows that surrounding trees can create.

Hopefully tomorrow night I will remember to change up the poses and angles, capture the details and scenery, and have a back up plan for the thunderstorms they're forecasting.

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A Boy and his Dog - and his Sister

It's the perfect time of year for exploring local trails.

And for realising that you're never really too old to climb trees.

Month of June, I have high hopes for you.

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Friday, it's Friday!

Here we are again, with the weekend just around the corner!  The weather promises to cooperate, and we plan to hit the local farmer's market tomorrow morning.

The big kids are finished classes for the summer, and they have been exploring some local trails.  Yes, my son is piggybacking the dog.  Yes, my daughter is in a tree.

I tried a new recipe this week. Ham and Cheese Tortellini from Kevin & Amanda.  It was really good, and I'll definitely make it again.  I doubled the recipe, and next time I may have to triple it.

One of the boys is participating in a dodgeball tournament at school today, which required the making of tie dyed shirts last night.  Good thing the boy has a crafty sister.

As always, there were many treasures to be discovered around the web this week.

This frittata, which I plan to try this weekend.

These lawn games look great for some backyard summertime fun.

Forcing my kids to share when they were small always felt counter-intuitive, but I could never quite put my finger on why.  Now someone smarter than me has articulated my thinking.  Why You Shouldn't Teach Your Kids to Share.

DIY Restoration Hardware Vintage Map Art.  I have lusted over this map, and maybe now I can attempt my own version for a fraction of the price.

Parmesan Zucchini Crisps, instead of chips.  Yum.

California Chicken Flatbread with Chipotle Ranch Sauce.  Double yum.

After reading this, Rob Lowe left me with tears in my eyes, feeling all of the kids growing up feelings.  Who knew this guy could write?

And that George Costanza is a pretty smart guy.

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Photo a Day - Gone Fishing

The fishing rods are out... it must mean summer is getting closer.

Three fish were caught, and one kid fell in.

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Friday, it's Friday!

Another week gone by.  Before you know it, June will be here.  Sweet summertime! 

I picked up a slew of books from the library, which I can't wait to dive into, but first I have to finish reading And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini.

We've had a great week of weather which meant plenty of outdoor time... and, hooray, the CAST is OFF!

I found this great reading list to keep the kids reading over the summer.

If I ever get to plant a vegetable garden, I plan to grow garlic just so I can use garlic scapes.

It was interesting to read about the nine times the Canada Food Guide changed its mind.

I've added Istanbul to my travel wish list.  One day I will have the time and the means.

And I was busy in the kitchen this past week.   I made meat loaf for the first time in about a decade.  I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe for Italian Meatloaf, and it was so good that I should have doubled the recipe.  

Muffins loaded with apple chunks, and mango salsa that made fish lovers out of all of us.

   

Sweet potato hash with spinach and fried eggs.  This may be my new favourite way to enjoy eggs on the weekend.

And Broccoli Salad.  With cranberries, cheddar, and chia seeds.  Crazy good, crazy easy.

Broccoli Salad

2 bunches broccoli, chopped, approx 8 cups

1/2 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing

1/4 cup sugar

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 cup shredded cheddar

1/8 cup chia seeds

Combine broccoli, salad dressing, sugar, onion, and dried cranberries.  Add cheddar and chia seeds, stir to combine.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

** Sunflower seeds!  I forgot to add them this time, but often put them in... a 1/4 cup or so!**

Happy weekend!

Thank you for featuring me!

 

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Photo a Day - Long Weekend

I had strict instructions.  Do not bring your camera.  The boy wanted to hike the creek to the lake, and there was to be no picture nonsense.

So I stuck my phone in my back pocket, and we were off.

I had to be sneaky.

We found a beaver dam.

Trilliums.

And fungus.

It took an hour and a half.  It was hot and humid.  But we made it to the lake.

Just to do it all over again,  head back home, and continue with more long weekend shenanigans.

And more sneaky phone shots.

And ice cream.

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