snickerdoodles

oh sweet October...

Well friends, I am sure I have shared this quote before in Octobers past but I couldn't resist sharing it once more.  You can find this and lots of other beautiful autumn inspirations on my Autum Love Pinterest board.

Anne of Green Gables was one of my favourite stories growing up and I spent many a summer on Prince Edward Island.  Wonderful relatives owned the Anne of Green Gables Museum at Park Corner and my ex's Grandmother grew up with Lucy Maud Montgomery.

 Georgie always had lots of fun tales to tell and songs to sing and was the best story teller I have every met.   The first time I visited PEI was in October when I was living in Halifax going to school at Dalhousie.  Georgie welcomed us in their old house in Kensington where we spent a weekend.  The huge trees all around were in full colour and absolutely stunning.  It was easy to see why L.M. loved Octobers on the island, it looked so much like the PEI in the Anne of Green Gables movies.

 Here is a really sweet interview of Georgie speaking of her Aunt Maude despite the terrible title of the clip.  She was living in the nursing home when this was filmed in their cozy little room,  and you even see ole Brucey boy come in at one point.  They have both sadly since passed but I am grateful to have found this to share with the boys who loved them both so much.

 

 

  The rest of my years visiting, it was always in the summer. I have lots of great memories of long days at the beach and fun times with a cottage full of family.  At Park Corner we played and took the horse and buggy past the Lake of Shining Waters, through the fields and dunes down to the shore.  

That first visit to PEI Georgie had the same dishes as my Grandma when I was young.  I always loved looking at them and making up stories.  The pattern is Romantic England by J&G Meakin from England and they are really resilient ironstone.  She gave me a nappie from her set to take with me, this is the pattern.

When they sold the house years later she gave me what was left of her set and since I have been collecting it when I see it and we use it everyday.  Seeing it brings back memories of my firecracker of a Babcia (Grandma in Polish) and Georgie.  The two of them would have made a fabulous team had they ever met.  It reminds me to be strong and to cook and bake for my family with love like they did.   I really have no need for fancy china or the trendy new dinnerware because my hodgepodge of iron stone has a special place in my heart.

The maple trees around my new little green house in town have yet to turn, yet autumn is definitely in the air this October 1st.  I am getting over a rotten sinus infection that set me back almost a week and looking forward to lots of days out enjoying the fall air and sunshine.

If you are interested in Prince Edward Island and would like to peruse my posts from visits over the years there are a few below. Since 1994 we went every second year in the summer...

 

 

Yummy Beer and Superman (our 2012 adventures)

Crab Crazy Days at Seaview

A post about Charlottetown

Live  (our 2010 adventures)

The Beach

Apres Holiday recovery  (2008 with lots of photographs)

Farewell Brucey Boy 

 

Enjoy October and crisp fall, orchard visits,  walks, apple cider and pumpkin spice lattes friends.  Now that I am moved and on the mend I will try and catch up with writing here.

oxo

 

 

 

Easter blessings...

 

Easter has always been a very special holiday to me.  Since my family were all over the place this year I decided to take two of my kiddos and do a little road trip to celebrate with some of our dearest friends in Squamish, Whistler and Pemberton.

The story of Easter is based on God giving us the greatest gift anyone could give...their only son.  In the bible on this day Jesus rises and God gives man the gift of eternal life.  It's pretty powerful if you think about it and whatever your beliefs its something to ponder.

I am so grateful for you all friends and this amazing life we have been given here on earth.  Easter blessings to you and yours, I hope your day is filled with love and appreciation and of course chocolate!

oxo

 

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Easter road trip confirmed...packing up the Mini Man Clan and hitting Squamish/Whistler/Pemberton to celebrate with some of the best people I know and bringing the Okanagan sunshine, warm weather, a car full of bunnies and my newest camera lens with me. Wooo Hooo!

p.s. A book review you won't want to miss if you love childrens literature and illustrations as much as I do is in the works with a discount code...stay tuned friends.

Happy Weekend!
oxo

leaving on a jet plane...

  Tonight I am tying up loose ends and finishing the last bits of packing for a very early start tomorrow.  I am taking the two youngest kidlets and heading to Mexico to visit my folks in Nuevo Vallarta for spring break.

This was last years vacation with my Momma and Ry and Liam, my travelling amigos once again.  We had honor of staying a couple nights in Punta Mita at the Four Seasons while I did a story for a blog I write for called Have Family Will Travel.  Read the Punta Mita feature and see more photos here....

Little things add up to a fab family holiday at Four Seasons Punta Mita

I adore Mexico.  The people, the food, the country in general.  I am so smitten I have a Mexican themed Pinterest board.  Check out my fiesta love board for lots of fun recipes, party ideas and Mexican faves.  You don't actually have to be in Mexico to have a Fiesta!  Crank up the heat, mix up the margaritas and invite some friends over for a fun themed stay-cation party.

Back to packing and attempting to sleep a bit before the alarm sounds, I will be sure to keep posts and photos coming while we are away here, on facebook and instagram of course.

AND don't forget to keep entering to win the Courtnie LaFontaine hair product or service prize from this week...I will be drawing a lucky winner this weekend.

buenos noches friends,

oxo

 

 

 

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a little town gets a big city Canucks experience...

  Liam, my middle kiddo, has played with the Lumby Stars hockey team for several years now.  Life at the rink has become an amazing part of our winters.   Lumby is just a small town outside Vernon but what it lacks in population it makes up in community spirit in a big way.

The Lumby Minor Hockey Association works hard, enters lots of contests an often wins in more ways than one.  It is exciting for our kids and such a blessing for the families involved.   A couple years ago we ate Delissio pizzas and cut UPC codes like nobodys business and our efforts won the association    $50 000 which was put to good use.

This year a few parents entered to win a Canucks package and we were picked.  The prize was a coach bus to Vancouver to see a game and the opportunity for the kids to play a small match of their own between periods.   As well as watching a warm up and touring the dressing rooms and such.  It was a big thrill for them and for us as parents to see our boys and girls play on the big ice of Rogers Arena.

Here is our BIG bus at one of the houses being loaded....our fantastic Team Manager Sherry is hopping out to make sure she didn't miss any of us.

Our departure was early and it was a quiet bus ride down...lots of excited but mellow chatter, snacking, movies and those darn tablets and such that brainwash our poor children but offer so much freedom for parents at times.

The drive down over the Coquahalla Highway was smooth sailing which was a relief as it had been closed for several days before to clear avalanches.    We arrived in amazing time to our hotel which was a  treat for all.   

The Lumby Stars were very lucky to be guests at Four Seasons Vancouver for our night in the city.   Check in was stress-free and we were warmly welcomed after our long drive.  Hockey bags were tucked away and off we all went to our suites.

Scrumptious treats awaited each family that were specially picked for the ages of the kids with parents goodies included as well of course.  Who doesn't enjoy a spot of tea and a handcrafted chocolate in the afternoon?

Each family got settled and did there own thing for a bit.  Some shopped below at The Pacific Center and some hit the pool and some just enjoyed their rooms.  The bus left well before game time to take the coaches and players to Rogers Arena for their tour and fun.  The other parents and siblings enjoyed dinner at YEW in the hotel.

They have a wonderful area for large groups to tuck in around the most beautiful plank table.  Ry and I got settled and waited for whoever joined us.

So fun to have the cocktail list and such on an ipad to view...nice touch.  I always try one of the seasonal signiture cocktails as they are always out of this world.  In November is was the Moose Nog when we came for Pearl Jam, this time I tried the Bella Dama.  

• BELLA DAMA

  TEQUILA, ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR, CILANTRO, GINGER, LEMON = YUM!

How simple and pretty is that?   And it was loaded with flavour and one was enough for this lightweight in drinking.

A beet salad and calamari made for the perfect pre-game snack and Ry enjoyed his kids meal.

Keeping kids happy there is easy when they get a complimentary fruit snack, wikki sticks and colouring stuff to keep them occupied.  Kids under 10 years old also eat for free when staying at the hotel and everything on the Childrens menu is delish.

Grabbing a cab and getting to the game was easy and quick from our central location.  Finding our sections and seats was a bit of adventure but that's another story!  I blame the Bella Dama.

We hoped to meet Fin and Ry and I were lucky to have a private pow wow with the big guy that involved lots of head biting and random orca sounds!   So fun but I had to wonder about Fin having lice in his mouth after constantly chomping random heads!

Then of course the reason for the adventure...the NHL game and seeing our kids on the big ice.

So cool for all to see and the people beside me likey thought I was so strange being so excited between periods...probably more excited than when the Canucks and Wilds actually played!

The next day I squeezed in breakfast with city friends at YEW;  and then as a team we went to Fly Over Canada which was beyond words amazing.  A must see if in Vancouver.  So grateful to Grandma Joanne for treating the kids and coaches to this attraction.  I honestly liked it much better than the Soaring Over California ride at Disneyland and it was one of the ones I went on several times.  

Ry and I lost the group afterwards but enjoyed a play and walk back along the Seawall.  See some of our images on my Instagram feed.

 

Back at the hotel the kids went for a final swim and play in the indoor/outdoor pool and I headed back to YEW once again for one of their perfect lattes and some fresh baked mini donuts with a dear friend I rarely get to chat with in person.  It was a quick visit but fantastic before hopping back on the bus for our journey home.  

It was a snowy ride back, but Norm the bus driver did amazing.  We watched movies and stopped for food in Merritt.  I had the most delish Indian food from Queen India Food 2 Go, you must try it if passing through town.  We arrived home late but not too late to get up bright and bushy tailed for our playoff game the next morning which we won.  Likely as the kids were inspired by the adventure we just had.

 A million thanks to the Vancouver Canucks, Four Seasons Vancouver and everyone else who made this NHL experience a reality for our Pee Wee hockey kiddos.   Some pretty special memories were created for all.

oxo

 

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so hard to leave the Four Seasons Vancouver...

  Here is the final installment of our girls getaway trip to Vancouver.  I am a glutton for pictures and a quick one night trip has blossomed into three posts, so I hope you enjoy the visuals as much as I enjoyed creating them for you...

After the Pearl Jam concert we woke up bright and early and I zipped down to the lobby to get us some fresh coffee as we were too lazy to make our own in the room...luckily the coffee station is right outside the elevator so my morning beauty didn't scare any other guests.

Back at the room we chatted again as girls on girls getaways seem to do and then we headed down to the new Red Cedar Suite for some divine pampering.

Rather than having to go into a large space with strangers it's a very discreet and serene space with a small waiting area and two massage rooms so you can relax and not worry about how you look and if your robe is gaping!

There was water, tea and light snacks of dried fruit and quinoa bars to nosh.

The decor is clean and soothing, yet simply stunning,  and so perfect for the West Coast relaxed vibe.

The treatment rooms were gorgeous and easy to let your mind be quiet in as if felt you were in another world...like in the middle of the old growth forests of Stanley Park.

Another wonkey tilt shot for you, I couldn't resist.  LOVE the natural elements and nature photography everywhere in the Four Seasons Vancouver.

As for the treatment it was blissful.  The therapist was strong and talented and I slipped away under her able hands and melted into la la land.  

Afterwards we stumbled into the sitting area from our respective rooms and nibbled some dried fruit and drank infused water till we got our bearings again to face reality.

more of the girls getaway at Four Seasons Vancouver...

   So of course after the long drive to Vancouver our first day passed very quickly.  After our little shop we went back to our room to visit and clean up for the main reason of the road trip...the PEARL JAM concert. 

Before any concert or show it's so important to fuel up on some yummy eats and cocktails.  We just had to slip down to the lobby to YEW for the perfect atmosphere, delish appies and their holiday feature Moose Eggnog cocktail.

 

Watch how lead bartender Justin Taylor creates this on Breakfast Television with house infused bourbon and locally made egg nog.   Seriously the best eggnog drink I have ever tasted.   It was perfect for a cold evening.  We also shared the tastiest calamari I have ever eaten, so fresh and lightly batterred, crispy and savoury chicken wings and a trio of dips with warm bread that was divine.

Then we rolled down to grab a cab and a quick $5 ride got us to the main event.   The opening band was very heavy and so we did some people watching till it was time to take our seats for....

and the greatest sexy voice ever...

and the sweetest songs with his ukulele...

The show was fabulous...they played for a solid three hours and we had a fun bunch of people in our rows to enjoy with us.   We stayed till the bitter end then enjoyed the late night city energy and chatting with some funny folks on the walk back to the hotel.

Back at our room we found the perfect after concert treat that was so thoughtful...

 Pretty peppermint and scrumptious hazlenut macaroons made by the pastry chef.  My thirsty drink of choice coconut water and some of the famous Yew Power Cookies.  Everything was quickly devoured as pyjamas were put on and tired bodies hit the beds.

We chatted and relaxed a while but we had a wonderful reason to rise early and sleep was hard to resist in the crisp sheets and dreamy beds.

I will share the final morning at Four Seasons Vancouver tomorrow friends,

hope you are enjoying your weekend,

oxo

 

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How do you find purpose?

Do something, anything. Do anything that is the opposite of what you are doing right now.

Get uneasy, get scared, become a beginner again. If you think you know it all, find something you know nothing about, and learn it well.  -Rebecca Lammerson

DO SOMETHING, ANYTHING.  This is something from a recent article I read that really stuck with me. Take a read, it's life changing.  How To Find Yourself, When You Have Lost Yourself .

 I have a great pal who is partner in being spontaneous lately.  We had both chatted a while back about a concert we would love to see but we just couldn't pull it off.  Two days before things changed in our schedules and all of a sudden the concert was a possibility again...we jumped on board and it was surprisingly easy to pull off our little last minute city getaway.

So the night before the concert we hopped online and grabbed tickets.  The morning of the concert we got up early, got the kids organized and hit the road for Vancouver...wooo hooo!

A quick latte, gas stop and then we just kept going all the way to Ikea!  When you live several hours from Ikea it's not an easy place to drive by as I rarely make the trip.  I got off lightly with some new grey knitted throw pillows with wooden buttons.

Next stop our hotel.  Staying at Four Seasons Vancouver was an easy pick for convenience.  When staying in the city there is beauty in being central and parking and not having to drive anywhere at all.

Christmas in the city is pretty special.  Be sure if you find yourself in Vancouver you stop by Four Seasons Vancouver and check out the Festival Of Trees, it runs till January 2.  It is a tradition they have hosted for 27 years!  The lobby has been transformed into a forst of gorgeous trees all decorated in themes by different sponsors in support of the BC Children's Hospital.  Stroll around and vote for you favourite one.

Marnie and I both agreed we like the playful Despicable Me tree the best...

Up to our room we went for a quick freshen up...

Marnie was a doll and did her thing while I did some token room review shots once we got up there.

A perfect size for three gal pals to spend a night in the city.

Two beds and a sofa bed so we all got our own cozy sleeping spot.  The sofa was also awesome for some relaxing and chatting when we could on our quick trip.

I have been having fun playing with angles lots lately, hope you don't get dizzy.  I love the soft watery palatte at Four Seasons Vancouver and the art and the non showy elegance that makes you feel at home and able to relax.

So, as much as I needed a shower there was no time to waste.  We quickly cleaned up and took advantage of one of the hugest benefits of staying at Four Seasons Vancouver...the shopping.   An elevator to the lobby and an escalator to the lower lobby and out one door and you are right in Pacific Center Mall!   We hit a couple stores then got lost in the deals and overwhelming selection of inexpensive and hip stuff at H&M.   I got myself four dresses, a long sleeve t, and Ryan four pairs of skinny jeans and four organic cotton shirts and a cute crocheted beanie all for the $200 I had tucked aside from a job for spending money...walked out with a gigantic bag of wardrobe staples to freshen up my sad closet.

Stay tuned for the main event later that evening...Pearl Jam!

oxo

 

 

 

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bits of beauty on a road trip...

 Vegas?

No thanks, that would require fighting crowds.

 Five star resort where I have to wear real clothes and comb my hair?

Give me a month. 

European tour?

 Can I have a rain check?

Throwing a laundry basket full of comfy things to wear, and a bag of random eats in the truck along with some good company and loud music to drive to somewhere in the forest or by the water...

YES PLEASE.

I love to travel and want to see so many places and things.  But right now I long for impromptu, almost effortless, and free escapes.  Give me barren highways and gravel roads and simple cabins with wood stoves and people I love and I am a fulfilled soul.  

So, when my old friend Tanya invited me to join her family with a couple of my kidlets in Rock Creek I was on it.

Here are some of the things that I saw that called me to lift my lens to my eye and just capture a little bit of beauty for the sake of it.  Colours, shapes and pieces of nature that led me to breathe deep into my belly and let the complications of life flow out with a snap of the shutter and a long exhale.

I am not ashamed to say I have a bit of a pinecone fettish.

 

As for birch trees, it's a given.  

A

Not natural but even a pile of rejected tires offers something to behold.

November can be damp and dark and chill you to the bone but the intensity of everything is worth getting frozen fingers for.  

Natures' last hurrah before a blanket of snow lays her to rest till spring.

Me and my travel buds on the sandy bank where I could build a yurt and be a happy hermit....just before my Nutkin Ry decided to leap into the river and give us all a big laugh.  In pyjamas because he already managed to soak his jeans...oh to be a careless kid again.

Of course this adventure never would have happened without these amazing friends from our Whistler days...The Goertzen family (minus Rod who we left on the slippery, wet metal roof doing some man stuff, he's a great fellow)

Being the dear she is, Tanya has also agreed to allow me to squat on her property and set up camp in one of her many sheds for a summer of fishing, sandy toes, campfires, river swims and of course paddling.  I will be showing my appreciation with bottles of chocolate wine and picking through rusty piles of junk in the back corners of her shed to find her precious antiques to hawk.

happy weekend friends,

oxo

p.s.  Don't get me wrong...give me a few more weeks of winter and I will be longing for a beach, bikini and a pina colada and I would never actually say no to any trip but simple roadtrips will always make my heart sing.

Liam's awesome adventure...

  Just logging online for the day and I couldn't help but smile to see my daily Liam report.  Looks like he got to stop in Ottawa to visit Parliment!   I had the opportunity to go once with my family, once with my grade seven class and once just before getting married to visit Ottawa and the Parliment Buildings was always a highlight...glad my Little Bear got to see where all the government mumbo jumbo goes down.

Tonight he spends the night with my sis and her family...he was so excited.  

As for us we took a visit to Davison Orchards to load up on Honeycrisp apples, barlett pears, asian pears and hit the pumpkin patch.   I can't wait to make a big batch of caramel to dip our new treats in.

Hope you had an amazing weekend friends.  I haven't been writing much as I have been working really hard when I can squeeze in a few hours to finish my past jobs to get ready for the October onslaught of work.   ALSO...have a fun collaboration project in the works we are shooting Tuesday and I am the guinea pig so it's been a bit of prep.   Can't wait to share.

oxo