French Jam and Iced Tea

Call it thrifty or good recycling, I like the sound of 'clever domesticity'!   A little inexpensive solution for at home is always a treasure of a find when it is a pretty solution as well! 

Bonne Maman has become our jam of choice (first spotted it at Safeway).  It tastes very much like home-made and is a product of France.  Originally I started purchasing it because of its simple and understandable ingredients, but the pretty jars have turned out to be great drinking glasses, adding to this jams appeal.

I just couldn't throw them out once emptied.  In a family of six I long ago gave up on sets of glasses.  We smash threw them pretty quickly.  Jars of smaller stature have been my solution.  I have traded the controlled and appealing idea of a set of drinking glasses for the whimsy of a myriad of drinking jars.

Tip- Save the lids when you save the jars, as they do come in handy; for example:

Summer means a fridge full of a selection of home-made iced teas.  I save large glass jars from juices we buy for the summer teas specifically.  From steeping to storing to serving; the jars make it all more lovely.  Smaller jars, like the jams, are kept with their lids so we can put ice, some lemon or milk, sweetener and tea in them, then give a good shake.  Much like making a martini, our delicious summer teas are prepared that easily :)

And YES I prefer my home-made iced tea shaken and not stirred!

TTFN

Contacts

(Contacts mean sunglasses, and sunglasses mean WAY less migraines, which means I am happily out doors more!)

And the contact adventures continue!  I ran into too many snags getting my first order from Costco, as had been the plan, so I went with the wonderful shop that sold me the new glasses and shades I am enjoying.  No fuss and in no time they had my first six months worth for me.

I am truly amazed at how capable I have turned out to be in the area of pocking ones self in the eye!  He he he, there are days I have to try and try and try to get the contact in, but I like to think I am getting better and it sure doesn't feel weird like I thought it would.

Optometrist was correct and I see much better with contacts then I ever did with glasses.  I must have stared at all the preliminary videos, before the movie I went to the other night, harder and with more awe and passion then ever before.  It was like going to the theater for the first time... again... the first time again!

Learning little lessons like don't play with the contact or it will fall out of place... don't sneeze too hard or it will blow out, get crumpled and stuck at the corner of the eye...

Getting used to wearing contacts (or in my case 'a contact') has made life more interesting... not that I needed MORE interesting with a husband, four kids, a dog and a fish... but the better vision is super awesome!

TTFN

A Study of The Mother's Day Tulip :)

I am willingly swept off my feet by the man who brings me home grocery store tulips!

	Bring the tulip and the rose,
	While their brilliant beauty glows.

~Eliza Cook~  

Mother's day or not, I enjoy their arrival to my table top and am all the more thrilled to watch their awakening in my perennial beds.

TTFN

Moments With My Three Year Old

Lovely moments in time, specifically today, but everyday, are in beautiful abundance when you spend so much TIME with children!

My three year old has been very chatty today:)

Morning Moment 

"My cars are on your mark and engines ready!" says my three year old as he lines up cars in front of my breakfast. "The blue will win because he is blue! RRRRRRRUMMMMM!" Watch out mommies toast! I had somehow gotten in the middle of a crash derby race!

After Our Walk Moments

My three year old picked his first ever bouquet of dandy-lions for me on our walk this morning! He then told me he couldn't get me a lady bug cuz a lot of them where dead on the grass... awe :)

The street sweeper and cleaner went by and he screamed "OH BIG TRACTOR for me, for me!!"  We had to stand and watch every time it went by.

After Snack Moments  

There's an old computer keyboard in the basement, three year old is pounding on it "I working on my puter... I don't know why but we need a new one upstairs Mommy."

"Can I watch a movie?" I said for sure.  "Ya an adventure!" The joy with which he throws himself onto the couch and under his favorite blanket, just for a half hour cartoon before lunch, reflects how he throws himself at everything in life.  Kids are excellent examples of GUSTO if you let them show you!

TTFN

Jewelry Box

The other day a friend was chatting about how her girl friend had had all her jewelry taken in a home invasion.  None of it was of great value, except to her, and she was so upset since it wouldn't add up to much for them anyhow.  She had expressed how each piece had memories for her, and there in was her sorrow.

My jewelry box is full, but all items hold little 'cash value'.  I really like hand made or wooden pieces.  Colorful stones or beads win over diamonds or jewels every time for me.

I was able to understand her feelings as I have stories attached to each piece.  When I put on the earrings Grandma Smith used to wear I remember her.  The pieces my husband picked out carry fuzzy feelings with them as I wear them..  The necklace in the above photo is worthy of a photograph BECAUSE my sister made it for me.

The end of the tale told was advice to HIDE even your cheep jewelry and I decided that just didn't connect with me.  As much as I enjoy my accessories they aren't something I need to fear and fret for...

While you can't replace even the cheapest of jewelry, if it holds memories, you can have and make more memories with the people that have left their mark on your earrings or necklaces.  More cheep jewelry can be given and receive by the people you love, reflecting the new memories made.  The only thing of real value in this world, that absolutely can not be replaced in any acceptable way is YOUR PEOPLE.

I am thankful for the lingering effect that my Grandmother has had on me, the continuing growth my husband builds onto my soul and the eternal change Christ's love has given my spirit.

(My sister also made this shell & bead jewelry set, for me!)

TTFN

Delightfully Different Daughters

My five year old just got a 'salon' cut and she is thrilled.  Perhaps a stylist in the making, this girl was pumped just about getting to watch the hairdressers do their work, let alone getting a new look herself.

For weeks she has been asking to have a 'bob' and insisted she genuinely wanted short hair.  I didn't know what to think.  My eldest has had such a flip out thing about getting her hair cut.  The last time I got her hair cut shorter, many many years ago, she almost had a panic attack.  Well my little lady is entitled to be her own person so I decided to go for it.  She is anything but conflicted.  Absolutely tickled about her cut and really looking forward to showing it off to her Daddy tonight.

She looks adorable, I am thrilled about the style too.  Bobs always reminds me of Christoper Robin from the A.A.Milne stories, back when bobs where more commonly on sweet little English boys.

While I clearly know my girls are different persons, it can be hard to know when to learn from the experiences I have had with eldest daughter and when to just drop them because they don't work with my youngest daughter.  Same struggle has been going on with my parenting of my two boys... sometimes I use the old saying 'boys will be boys' and other times that doesn't work for them both.

With two girls and two boys (the same sex siblings being about 5 years apart with each set) I learned long ago that no matter how experienced you are as a parent, or how many children you have, you still have to work with their personalities.  No cookie cutter kids in my house.

Their uniqueness is a treasure to this mother!


TTFN

Change of Face

Well, not a complete, or drastic, change of face really...  Today was a big day for me though.  A little bit of new! 

I had been talking myself out of contacts for years, holding onto a favorite pair of frames.  With an opportunity to go to a large glasses outlet, ALONE for a couple hours, I had my chance to change my own mind.

Walking in I had a set goal in mind.  Nothing less then what I was thinking could make me put my faithful vera wang frames aside.

"Cat eyes," was my blunt explanation at the clerks request to aid me.  Well she didn't disappoint.  Back in a flash she had some bling bling cat eye frames that made me feel all glam librarian!  My next response was equally as to-the-point, "Sold!"

I almost talked myself out of contacts one more time.  Thanks to a very good clerk I stayed, went through the introduction to it all and discovered I am very capable when it comes to touching my own eye.

I walked around a bit, to make sure I was fine with the contacts in.  As I strolled back to get the washing kit I spotted a pair of REAL sunglasses!  They were BIG, pretty shaded glass and actually in style.  Could these be my first pair of sunglasses since I was a child?!  Casually I handed them to the lady at the desk, squealing inside, then strolled into the contacts office to get my supplies.

With that I had new glasses, contacts and sunglasses!


TTFN

Spring Activity

Spring makes family time SO easy!  

All of a sudden our yard, front or back, is a wonderful place to be!

Readers are popping up all over the yard, following the sunny spots really.  The front step is a favorite place to sit.  Just the other day my mother (in law) and I sat upon it and enjoyed tea in the sun together.

All the sports equipment is reappearing.  It emerges from the garage and is instantly spread all around the yard.  Catch with Dad is a favorite.  In the above picture we are enjoying the front yard, during a part of the day with more sun there.  My littlest man is wearing his biking helmet, though he didn't bike much.  It just happens to be a favorite outdoor fashion accessory of his.

Our drive way takes up the whole west side of our yard.  It, the driveway, is taken up by a large collection of pine cones.  They are forever falling, thus providing forever fun.  My five year old collects them like nobodies business.  One minute they are eggs, next minute she is just the maid trying to keep this yard clean (by golly) and later they became newspapers.  She would pass them off to her older two siblings who (TRUTHFULLY) then bike up and down the block throwing a pine cone into each yard; calling at each stop 'NEWSPAPER'!  I laughed so hard and didn't want to ruin their fun but kept my fingers crossed that the neighbors would forgive us...

Speaking of bikes, you bet the bikes are out and busy!  All four of our crew are now puttering around.  The bigger two are so good at it they could motor all over the city, if they where so inclined.

(The kids working on a dinosaur excavation toy in the back yard.)

Back yard fun has included a lot of clean up, all the winter gunk seems to collect there.  But, there has been fun too.  Just today the kids where digging up dinosaur bones ( an Easter present from their grandparents).  The other day they got to dig in the backyard sandbox for the FIRST time this year and it took a lot to talk them back out.  Of course the back yard is home to the famous apple trees and my eldest is often up there pushing her monkey child limits.  She likes to go up high enough to see her friends house (two blocks up in our crescent) and then try to signal her to come over and play.

Neighborhood kids are popping up left right and center.  They zero in on our yard like puppies to bacon.  I smile, set my limits, enforce my limits and let them enjoy the yard with my children as long as they behave.

Basically I know it is spring because I have gone from demanding the kids "Get out side and get fresh air", to demanding they "Get inside ALREADY"!

TTFN

Slowing It Down

Had one of those days, well almost... I managed to slow it all down and cut myself some slack just in time.  Disorder was the perfect word to describe how my brain woke up yesterday, maybe it never completely did wake up!  I messed up a planned play date and just couldn't get my self caught up.

Finally I realised it was 'one of those days' and so I STOPPED trying to run the ship as I always do and put it on coast...  Stopped worrying about the play date failure, the dishes, the floors, the filthy play room and all the rest... stepped away from my to-do list... and then my littlest man and I went for a walk instead.

Sunshine and spring, greeted us.  We marched, at a very three year old like leisurely pace, down to the corner thrift store and puttered through there.  Stopped to say hello to the bearded dragons at the community center and applauded for Bonny (of Bonny and Clyde) who is now expecting EGGS... BABIES!  We then slowly walked back home, examining every newly thawed rock, slightly frozen over puddle and crack in side walk.  Hoping most of the way home, we where fully prepared when we found a collection of freshly chalked out hopscotch sets (thank you neighborhood child) and even Mommy had her turn.  We found our yard and played in the last of the snow in the back.

Tea with my friend worked out... still managed to babysit my niece later that day (for a couple hours) and even managed to introduce my crew to my newest niece.

Supper, day before last, was wild salmon and an amazing salad...last night... I knew better then to try and just threw beans, wieners and toast at the kids.  Still a success in my books if it means we don't order pizza or something even more pricey.

While I hope my head is back in the game today, and I stop spilling everything I pour for myself, I am especially thankful for a lovely day when it was shaping up to be 'one of those days'.

TTFN

Thrifty Finds

(They're just waiting to hold tea and crumpets!)

Yes, it is a wise choice to frequent thrift shops when you are a stay at home mom, however it isn't pure practicality for me...I learned to really enjoy the process involved in thrift shopping long ago.  It is a very different kind of shopping, compared to mall and retail stores.  I was raised on thrift shopping thanks to two frugal ladies, Grandma Smith and my mom.  Both let me tag along on regular thrift shopping adventures and taught me how to hunt for the treasures.  Now it is I who lets the child(ren) tag along.

My eldest daughter was hoping to find a purse, so we went to 'villa village'.  She found her 'new to her' bag... And I found two purses, two tea cups, with those marvelously extra large saucers for snacks, and two sweetly vintage-esk tops.

Been admiring this skirt like style of bag, that purse number one is, for years, but never could talk myself into the price of a lot of leather-esk bags out there so.... This one is soft, easy to open and easy to fish stuff out...when I spotted the price tag, 4$, it was sold. 

(Purse One)

 Purse two caught my eye right away, I would like to say it was my Scottish blood that drew me to it.  My Dad would say it was my Scottish blood that put it in the cart when I realized it too was only 4$.  I had to laugh when I got it home though.  My soft imitation leather summer purse is exactly the same but a light blue color and no plaid!  I really like the wide mouth clasping style instead of a zipper for the main pocket of the bag.

(Purse Two)

I was hoping for a dress but spotted these two laced tops instead.  Together they where ten dollars.

My girl went away with a couple books and a shiny black shoulder purse... successful treasure hunting on a quick night out with my lovely daughter.

TTFN

Moose Jaw Treasures

 I enjoy finding treasures with character, and I found character in Moose Jaw INDEED.  Feel free to check out the link to my post on our girl's weekend RIGHT HERE!

Yes the phone in the photo above works.  This candle stick corded phone is an original.  Something this special deserves to be used so I have it set up in the kitchen and have put the cordless phones in other locations.

Winter is a fact of life here so why not cozy up with style?!  I was going to buy the pink cup cake mittens but thought these owl ones where way more mature (wink).  I do so like owls!

 So not a huge hall from my last trip, but all very special.  Most of the items where found in a cute little collectible antique place that I will have to visit every time I return to that wonderful little city called Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.

Happy treasure hunting!

TTFN

On A Quiet Day

Rough start to the day, but these chocolate drop cookies, I had whipped up last night, where a slightly sweet invite back into the world of appetite.

The recipe is from my 'Salem Church' cookbook... a book that means so much to me personally (used to be my home church). Each recipe holds a name I usually recognition, a woman I know or knew of, this makes me smile and feel like they have shared them just with me... Never do the recipes taste as good, prepared by myself, as they did at the church functions, prepared by THE holder of the recipe...
It is a not much kind of day.  My littlest guy and I are in our pj's and I am working on feeling better.  

Iron-man is keeping him company.  He is a big superhero fan and although we have cut down on most of the toys around here he sure enjoys the ones we kept.  His iron-man toy used to be his big brothers, but my bigger guy never was as into the whole superhero thing.   

So my boy and his toy have been doing everything together.  Morning cartoons, 'iron-man armored up' of course.  Breakfast was together.  They wanted oranges, yogurt and honey toast.  If I ask my little guy to come up stairs he has to fly iron-man the whole way, with sound effects and all.  Iron man has been really busy shooting the bad guys all over my house and I appreciate that, gotta clean out the riff raff.


You can't find better company then a boy and his superhero.


Such a different time of my life this is.  I choose the do nothing days, slowing things down is up to me.  Used to be with babies and toddlers all around slow and not much was the normal kind of day.  Now the nothing days are the special days.


TTFN

Hit and Miss

  (When baby boy and I got up today we noticed it was CANADA outside!)

Snow has been hit and miss this year, so we where happy to see such an intense snow fall that it left drifts and stuck to the trees, windows and siding of the house.  No complaints here as we have been waiting for this.  It was beautiful and not actually too cold to be out.  We spent a good part of the day shoveling.

Took a lunch break from pushing snow and noticed a neighbor going out of his way to come over and do the street part of our walks with his snow blower!  Must get to know this neighbor, a thanks is in order as I am thankful!  Feeling very blessed.

Enjoy the photos, it is pretty isn't it?!  Even if you are not a winter fan I think everyone can see the beauty in it.

TTFN

Kathy

Been going to a series of conferences for the last while, on my own.  In general I appreciate getting time alone.  The plus to this time of learning alone has been plenty of head space to take it all in.  The downer has been it is often nice to have someone to bounce off that new and expanded info.

The Lord sends encouragers at the simplest of times.  I sat down to eat at the lunch provided and a lady I had only recently met made sure to come over and sit with me so I wasn't alone.  We found we had a connection in the church we attend and I was enjoying getting to know her bit by bit.

More people filled up the table and as we chatted I realised I was siting with neighbors!  On my left sat a couple that lives on the same crescent as us.  We had been getting along so well talking about gardening, organic eating and dogs.  We connected over Riddick (this isn't the first time he has made my family recognisable).  They indeed knew my dog and recognised my eldest children that trailed around after him daily.  They too felt this was a real blessing to connect at such an unforeseen location and numbers where exchanged, plans for tea put in motion.

I now stood at the entrance to the conferences lecture hall, if you will, the sanctuary of a west side church.  Most people had come with someone and had spread out making little room for those of us who where flying solo.  Out of the blue Kathy, whom I would learn was her name, asked if I was looking for a seat.  She lead me to her spot and pointed out the available space next to her.  We chatted and found many a point of connection in why we where at the conference.  Both of us where finding great joy in learning as older women who have done the family thing for years.  A friendship seed was indeed planted as we ended up doing the courses practical application with one another; as we worked on our prayer ministry tools, together, a connection of the Spirit in us was lit.

I smiled to myself because I had just started to feel down about going to all of these lectures on my own when the Lord expanded my social circle so easily.  If I had decided to be uncomfortable and withdrawn, which in the past I was pron to do at such events, I would have missed out on a blessing.  It really drives home the point that there are people all around us to bless and be blessed by in the simplest way possible, sharing a little conversation and kindness.

TTFN

Showing Off My Dad's Way With Words!

A weee POEM it is then... 

Well I am greatly encouraged.. Up is still up and down is still down and last time I checked I had both feet on the ground.. I`m pullin up my collar so I can stay warm and bendin my head as I lean into the storm. Just another day, they say, as I sally forth.. with some trepidation into the Great White North... It`ll not be too long, if I stay on the track.. on the narrow straight road and I`ll soon be back. I`m done with this place and I`m headed for home .. like I said I`m encouraged cause The Lord is STILL ON HIS THRONE.. Blessings to each and all.

~~~

So, when was the last time you went through all your jeans and removed all that grayish/blueish lint that accumulates in the pockets... ever wonder how it all gets there, in the first place. The odd thing is why am thinking about this type of thing, more often than I used to.. am I becoming disengaged from life? .. To some degree I think that may be happening. I seem to spend more time now sitting in a chair at home.. with my jaw hanging, slackly open, with a distant stare , on my face. When someone breaks in I usually answer with  some wise utterance like " HUH."  Let me be the first to tell you that " The advantages of Old Age have been greatly exaggerated.  Oh well.. sometime I think we live in a very weird world ..I mean you should see some of my friends.. Let alone any of my opposer's.   Fact is most of us could all  give weird  a new definition and that in a myriad of ways..Thank God it's going to be so much better in the next.  So Do Not Lose Heart.. The Good Book says ' He that endures ALL THINGS until the end comes.. the same shall be SAVED.. and am I ever glad about that.. Hey??

Papa Munro

Thrifty Treasures

 Two different thrift shops in one week, and among many lovely deals, I found a couple treasures.  The above shawl is a light creamy brown with a lovely flower pattern and a beautiful thick tasseled edge at the bottom.

The mirror shown below is definitely a vintage item.  I am thrilled to hang this heavy golden piece but will need a really strong hook.  It is sturdy and yet looks very feminine with the flowered frame.  The rounded glass makes it a purely decorative mirror as images are fish eyed, but it also shows its beautiful age.

Feel free to share some of your lovely thrift store finds or 'steal of a deal' items with me.

TTFN