a pony hair

This has been Anna's favourite look of the week. Apparently after snack at daycare she requests a 'pony hair' and her teachers know how to do some good hair - braids, clips, pony's in the front, back and even on the side. They love doing Anna's hair because it's long, there is lots of it and she's very agreeable. I got one for myself last night during bath, and she's still working on Stew, 'Dada, pony hair?'

outdoor painting

Here is how it went...take off as many clothes as you can, get your brushes ready, explore the paper, start painting yourself, get into the 'foot' washing tub, wash your brushes, and continue to stay in there until it pretty much gets dark. The washing up part was fun, Stew and I had to bribe her with a trip to Scarlett's house to put her clothes back on. What does this little painting experiment tell me? - we need a bigger pool for the backyard, the cat's litter box is just not going to cut it next summer - ha!

right now

:: going to my favourite rummage sale and running into a dear friend - Mrs.McNally helping us find the cutest 'farm' sheet set for Anna's future big girl bed

:: excited for an upcoming wedding - yes, Scarlett's parents are getting married!

:: growing out of every size 2T item in your warerobe and needing 3T and beyond

:: learning the word 'fall' and what it means

:: enjoying the comfort, space and quiet of our new car, realizing how really worn my car was getting, shocks and all, and knowing we can transport many more people together for years to come

:: letting go of an older car and realizing how attached I get to my vehicles(!)

:: trying to make carmel and a few desserts from this book for the first time

:: hoping this next week is easier than the last, Anna challenged both Stew and I this week in ways we have never seen before and we know she's going through a big developmental phase at the moment

:: praying for friends that are going through difficult times, and knowing the struggles of miscarriage and how that feels

:: raising early on a Sunday and wondering why I can't sleep?

:: taking advantage of another beautiful (hot) fall day, I wonder what the sleeping people upstairs want to do today?

happy first day of fall

This is how I started and ended our day - all outside, enjoying the most beautiful sunrise, glorious warm weather - a lovely +29 and with all the leaves turning different shades of yellow, it is the most beautiful fall I remember living in Calgary. We celebrated the coming fall season tonight with friends, playing soccer in the park with our usual boxes of pizza. Hello fall, it's nice to see you.

this moment

A successful purchase from my Montana shopping trip - overalls! (yes, she loves them)

our 'cashup'

What kid doesn't like ketchup? Well, we have one very big fan here. It's hard to go without a meal with it being on the table. That's okay with me, but when I started doing the math on how much we were using and started to question, what's really in it, I began to think that making my own might be worth at least a try (the first time anyway). So, funny enough on my last road trip I picked up this magazine from Alberta Health Services (and despite these road trips taking time away from Stew and Anna, I've done well, I must say!) on how to make your own. The chef was Julie Van Rosendaal, who happens to live a few blocks from us, and my mouth waters every Tuesday morning she's on CBC with her delectable eats. This recipe was so easy, and a snap to can afterwards. The first night was a huge it with Anna, (and Stew and I) so I'm very glad I've got 11 more jars in the freezer to keep us going until spring (hopefully). For those interested in trying, I would recommend it, here is the recipe, enjoy!

Apple - Fall 2011 - Page 27

Ingredients:

2 tsp canola or olive oil for cooking

1 small purple onion, chopped

9-11 medium tomatoes (about 3 lbs) roughly chopped (I used Roma)

5.5 oz can of tomato paste

1/2 honey

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

Prep:

In a large pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, honey, vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer. Stirring occasionally, for an hour or until very soft and thickened.

Using a hand-held immersion blender (the best tool I have!) puree the mixture right in the pot (or cool and transfer in batches to a blender). Seal in jars according to the manufacturers' directions or store in the fridge for up to two weeks. Can also be stored in freezer up to 6 months. Makes about 6 cups (is also great on pizza as sauce, and in pasta if in a pinch).

Note, I roasted some of my tomatoes while I was doing this to make batches of tomato soup, and that was good too!

wheelbarrow fun

On my most recent work trip, I found this mini wheelbarrow at our Red Deer farm store for a super good end of season price, and with my employee discount I was giddy about how fun this could be for Anna.

So, you can guess after assembly took place who got the first ride....that's right Andy. He did well, except during the turns and ended up taking a tumble, which, as you can see from the expression on Anna's face she was quite upset - but never fear, he got right back up again. And today, we cleaned out the front gardens and it got put to good use (and thanks to Dylan and Erin for the garden tools, they are coming in really handy!)

more of anna and andy

Stew recorded this video of Anna and Andy just before supper last night, check it out. He used a new app on his phone called 8MM. Turn up your volume, as you might be able to hear her 'reading'....

anna and andy

He has worked his way into needing food in the morning (also known as supper, all meals are called supper apparently), a diaper change at night, as well as maybe a trip to the potty. He sleeps on the chair in her room with a blanket, but he's been told, 'no school', so he sits and waits ever so patiently until she returns home.

that summer list

We are taking it very seriously around here. Luckily, mother nature has really helped and given us a bonus 2 weeks of very nice weather...

Stew and Anna took in Heritage Park and Spruce Meadows on the weekend while I was away, apparently the all girl bugle band and bakery were a huge hit.

it was great

Great Falls, Montana that is. My friend Lisa and I (she also works at UFA) went over the border and did some major shopping this past weekend - great deals to be had (no duty or tax!) plus a good time to pick up birthday, Christmas and fall wearables.

We were down in Lethbridge on Friday night for a work event (actually Raymond, for those that know of it) and crossed over early Saturday morning. We hit up the big ones....and if you ever get a chance to visit - Hoglunds, Big R, Target, Big Horn, and Western Ranch. A bit of a work research trip, a little r and r, girl time and the open road, just what I needed to jump back into the swing of things. I was also glad to return home today to these smiling faces.