Our House in the Middle of Our Street

view from the top of Salt Spring Island, BC I always love making an intentional list for the year ahead, but as I've been reflecting on the past year in my personal time, along with reflecting on our past half of our homeschooling year thus far, I've staretd to jot some 'things' down for this year as in years past, but I haven't been able to fill up the whole list and I have no idea why.  Maybe it's that I don't feel I have the brain space, maybe because it's nearly Feb. 1st already and I'm feeling behind already, or maybe it's because I just haven't let it sit and stew enough. That's ok. I'm learning to just go with it. I have about half.  I add to my list in my bullet journal, I more than likely won't remember to edit this post but (shrug), Oh Well. Such is life!  19 in 2019 (or, ahem, a few less) 1) Watch Lo & Behold technology docuseries with Lukka. We watched Cosmos last year and that was a wonderful ex...

a lavender cart using the honor system  My friend Susie and I tooled around a new-to-us place, Vashon Island in Puget Sound, this past weekend for a very quick (but very full!) girls' trip. Susie comes stateside once a year and I'm lucky to live close to her husband's family, so I often get a visit, too, though she's usually with her family in Nebraska. We had both heard about Vashon Island but had never been, and found really cheap accommodations through airbnb.com. I read this article and this one in preparation and rented a car, while she communicated with our hostess. It worked out brilliantly. We headed down to the Faunterloy ferry in West Seattle and got there around noon, and although we had a bit of a wait going out, the price was so cheap! Something like $20 for the two of us and our car roundtrip . We had reservations at The Hardware Store for dinner that night and very little expectations for the rest of the time. Lighthouse on Point Robinson ...

crisp January morning in Vancouver Every year I make a little goal list of fun things I'd like to try; things I've never done, or just things I want to be intentional to make time for. They're fun (books read to the kids!), often simple (make an intimidating-to-me ethnic food), or they could be things that I've wanted to do, that with some strategic planning, will happen within the year(specific travel/outdoor goals). You can see my 15 in 2015 list HERE and then the final " What Happened, What Didn't " after the year was over.  Here's my original 16 in 2016 list I made at the beginning of last January. I like to keep one or two lines blank, because I can't always think of everything by Jan 1! 1) We got a dog!! Copper joined our family in August and he's been a great addition. Although we're still working on his struggles with other dogs, he's such a happy guy. He's always ready to play, go on a hike, walk, or bike ride...

As the kids start to get older I'm putting a lot of energy into finding excellent resources to teach my kids that are affordable and interesting outside of picture books. Cooked , a 4-part series by Michael Pollan on Netflix, is one of those resources.  As an American in Canada, I sometimes feel a bit snobbish turning my nose down at the options found here. My pitiful, first-world-problem attitude of 'there's nothing on this Netflix'! led me to this series, which I'd never pick in a million years if I could watch Parenthood, Nashville, and New Girl back to back. Such is life, and I'm glad, because watching this--a show I was only marginally interested in--became a full supply of conversation between myself and my kids when we watched all four parts together.  I own one of Michael Pollan's foodie books , but I haven't read it yet. This documentary series is four parts named after elements used in or with cooking: Fire, Air, Water, and Ear...

 The 30 ft. pool at Lynn Canyon The list that I've tried to come up with has been a little harder than in years past but as I let it sit and brew for a bit, I had plenty of fresh ideas. The yearly lists (you can see 15 in 2015 , my 29 before 30  birthday list here , and 28 before 29 here ) help me focus on small/big, personal/family/friend, and creative/mental goals I have in any given year. Sometimes they are silly and sometimes I get them done before even writing them down, as you'll see below. They are just things I want to try, things I want to do, or things I want to enjoy with others. Some are big Bucket/Lifetime goals (1 below!) but most are pretty small things that niggle the back of my mind and writing them down helps me attain them quicker than forgetting about it 3 times.  16 in 2016 1) get a dog! (this didn't happen for various reasons last year, this year we're still considering it) 2) make ' sweet treat ' hair clips for the gir...

Just a simple way to update family and friends of kid pictures, and what's going on in day-to-day life. Inspired by Kara's weekly journal day book entries.     Ani & Lu with their chosen pumpkins at God's Little Acre Farm field trip Outside my window: It's 4:51 and it's nearly dark. The blackness will set in within the next twenty minutes. The last night hovering just above our property tree line. I am thinking : The kids have 8 minutes left of quiet time, and I need to get dinner started. I am thankful: for the quiet of afternoon rest times and cold nights at home Ani and Lukka riding a scooter in "The Philippines" (or the Seattle Children's Museum) I am wearing: About 5 items I've had for almost 10 years. I need new clothes.  I am creating : this blog post and Christmas bags (for sale next week!) I am going: to make butter chicken for dinner. Thank you Costco sauce. Ani working on lace-up cards on the fr...

  Space needle on a clear day in late October One of my best friends came up two weeks ago to spend time with me for 6 days. We did a couple fun things; I took her to Crescent Beach , we went to Stanley Park later in the week, but the majority of the time we just spent catching up on the past year and a half and had a non-stop verbal stream for about 72 hours minus the time we were sleeping and taking bathroom breaks. Towards the end of the week another friend flew up for the weekend, and we took off to spend three days together in Seattle. Aside from my Malibu trip over a year ago, this was the first time I'd been gone from the kids for any long period of time. I needed this trip so badly . With grandparents still living back in Nebraska, it's been over 2 years since Stefan and I have been able to go somewhere together by ourselves since moving, and we are going to be getting creative next year with this because we realize what a detriment missing out on that actual...

Started off the year with lots of walks outside in the freezing weather, and plenty of goals. The kids began their winter art projects (or 'what's in the art box'). In February, apparently there was no snow and the kids were able to dig in sand, albeit frozen. We also celebrated Anikka's 2nd birthday with a little family party. March saw plenty of cousin time... and the beginning of Float for Life lessons for Ani. Easter was celebrated in April with easter egg hunts at the grandparents' houses... and our first try with square foot gardening. In May the kids often were brought along to the farmer's markets to sample the wares... and in June, we celebrated Father's Day (without, apparently, a photo of their father!) with a backyard bbq. In July there was plenty of trips to the zoo, Ani's first time seeing fireworks, Lukka's chance to stay up later than everyone else (kids) to *play* with fireworks, both children's first experience wit...

Source: Uploaded by user via Cami on Pinterest Yes, I know this isn't my picture, and ahem*, I'm working on it! Every stinkin' time I make this, I try to remember to take a picture of it for the blog, and every time there is almost none left...when I remember. Anyway. What you need to know : This is a mix between baked apples, baked oatmeal, and apple crisp...with fruit. Yeah. I'll try to remember to publish a photo when I make it again, you work on making this crowd pleaser. This dish is great because it: 1) makes your house smell good 2) is pretty darn healthy 3) it's easy peasy 4) Who doesn't love apples in the Fall? This recipe was adapted from The New Better Homes and Garden Cook Book. Ingredients: 4-6 cooking apples (I used Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith...because I like them) 1/2 cup+ raisins 2 tblsp brown sugar (or sucanat, or honey) 1 tblsp cinnamin 1 tblsp nutmeg 1/2 cup apple juice 1/2 cup thick oats 1/3 cup slivered or chopped nuts (al...

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Source: cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest We are now at CSA box #12 this week and we still have about two months left (8 weeks) worth of produce to collect. Now that we're getting to late summer, our box is full of more 'substantial' produce rather than just a bunch of herbs and greens. This week we got: potatoes, tomatoes (regular and gold cherry), okra , green onions, onions, shallots, raspberries (golden and red), a shimam, arugula, eggplant and jalapenos. I always need some help with the arugula, because it's just so darn bitter. Let me know how you like it (and no I will not put it on pizza). Here's what I plan to do with the rest: The tomatoes and jalapenos, and some onions (including green) will find their fate becoming a lean mean and amazing salsa. My husband is the salsa king. Seriously ! The potatoes, shallots, and remaining onions (+ other store bought potatoes, needed more ) will become a delicious side of creamy mashed p...

Who knew a lemon kolache could be so fun? { Join } the fun.

Join the fun.

This {Visual Monday} is inspired by our local Farmer's Markets around town. Right now in our little city we have 4 or 5 going every week. I've gone to the first two weeks, but have only made it to one of the markets, this one to be exact. I love the atmosphere, the music playing on the street corners, the fresh smells, and of course my kids and I love samples and just-picked-this-morning food. Of course it's still early for crops here, mostly radishes, eggs, and asparagus are the main offerings. Give it a month and the stall spots will be crammed and people will be struggling to find a space to step aside and eat their kolache. And hey! Even my friend, Owl People to you, is there sellin' her beautiful kid wares! Do you go to Farmer's Markets? What do you like best about them? *All images found via weheartit.com*