Summa Time

Who doesnt LOVE summer? I surely love it...the heat..my garden (which is in full swing) and the trips to the beach...in Vancouver the beach is a staple of summer.

For most of my time in Vancouver I had lived in Kits, a mere 15 minute walk to the beach pictured on the right. About two years ago Dave and I moved to the East Side, near trout lake. We are so happy about the move in every aspect except our proximity to the beach...

Not that I am complaining the beach is only now a twenty minute bus trip, not too shabby! There is nothing more relaxing than a Sunday beach BBQ with friends which is how we spent our last evening of the weekend.

I hope all of you get out to enjoy the water this summer whether its a beach, a lake or a river!

Happy Summer Guys!

e

At Long Last....

Hello!

Long time no write....perhaps its because I am failing miserably on my road to being slim....I have had a few setbacks but it is not getting me down! I am getting on with it and moving upwards and onwards!!!

I have also started a collective gardening blog and you can check it out at:

http://lakehouse-garden.blogspot.com/2010/05/last-year.html

This is an effort to include all of my roomates in a blog discussing trials and tribulations of have an urban garden...it will include weekly updates, pictures, projects, questions, answers and so much more...

It will hopefully feature guest bloggers as well as regular entries from the "Lakehouse"residents.

Happy Summer everyone!!

Inspiration

I am doing well on my weight loss journey. I have lost a total of eight pounds so far. My biggest challenge is staying motivated and sticking to my meal plan. I have been planning out each week on the weekend and have great fun doing it!

I really like to get out the Weight Watchers cookbooks and whip up something delicious! The ones I am liking the best right now are the 15 and 20 minute meals! I am really pleased with outcomes of my meals and so are my roommates!

Here is what they look like on the shelf:

I have been looking at some food blogs as well lately and today I found one that is a treasure!! Check it out at http://www.skinnytaste.com/ and see what you can create!

Take care,

E

...Procrastination...

Procrastination refers to the counterproductive deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite such behaviour as a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision. There are three criteria for a behavior to be classified as procrastination: it must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying.

I am sure you all can guess what this post is implying! I recently embarked on a (nother) weight loss journey, the final one if I have any say in it! Although I am making baby steps I feel that I can do better than I am.

My sister, mother and I are all in this together and have started a support group on facebook to cheer each other on. Its working but not as much as I hoped. I think I was hoping for it to do the work for me...I am smart enough to realize that this will take work and a lot of it. I just cant seem to get myself motivated to get moving! This is what I feel is my biggest issue! I think I have to brainstorm some daily activities to get myself active and work getting fit into my schedule!

This is important to me! The best advice I have heard so far is to not let a setback become a failure! I am sticking to that and will check in early next week!

Until next time,

E

New Beginnings

I am about to embark on a weight loss journey, again. I am excited about this time as I have a goal. I am getting married and pictures will be a plenty. I have dreamed about this for as long as I can remember. I owe it to myself and Dave to make every effort.

My mother, sister and myself are doing it together..from a distace. We have yet to set out a guideline but I think that is coming this weekend as February 8th is our start date. The NEW BEGINNING!!

Wish me luck!

Winter Cooking

My favorite thing about winter is FOOD! Lets face it, food is 0ne of my favorite things period! I do however think that in the winter family dinners happen more often. I am not sure I can attribute it to the colder weather or the many holidays that happen come winter but I love it! I am a sucker for family dinners!

A few friends and I steadily exchange recipes and this year many of them are centering around slow cookers. I must admit I am not too familiar with my slow cooker but the idea is fabulous! I work Monday to Friday and would like nothing more than to come home to a mouthwatering dinner - ready to eat! In our house we have decided to have once weekly dinner gatherings and I am going to commit to using my slow cooker this season as much as possible.

Check out this great site for slow cooker ideas!!!

http://www.canadianliving.com/food/menus_and_collections/slow_cooker_recipe_collection.php

Happy Cooking Folks!!

E

2010 - Oh the possibilities!!

I hope you all survived the holidays and are happily entering the new year! This year is going to be a great one..I can feel it.

It may have to do with what happened in my life over Christmas this year.. My boyfriend Dave and I got engaged on Christmas eve, in Tofino. It was super romantic and everything I'd always hoped it would be. We are thinking that it we will shoot for August of 2011 to make sure we are sufficiently prepared!

This year I am focusing on making goals and attaining them. I have decided to make a short list as well as a long one. I'm thinking six month goals and year long ones, I have never before written down and committed to completing "goals". I think it a great step towards growing up.

Do you have any resolutions or goals for this year?

******Christmas Cards!********

I am a big card giver at Christmas time! Dave and I enjoy sending cards to all of our family, it's a great way to feel close during the holidays as most of our loved ones are on the other side of the country!

I am definately feeling the crunch this year! I am handmaking all of my cards this year and having so much fun! I think that handmade cards are so special, giving your time and making something personal for each family is an extra step that i just love to take! I am almost done all my cards now and just in the nick of time, according to the Canada Post Holiday Suggested Mailing Times I will be going to get envelopes today or tomorrow in anticipation of my deadline on the 16th!

I added these cards to this post to give you some ideas and maybe you will pull out your craft stuff and get your creative juices flowing! I also check the kwerner designs blog for inspiration its FABULOUS!!

Happy Crafting !

E

TGIF - Four Shopping Weeks Left!!

This weekend its all about Christmas for me! I am decorating the house, the office and finishing up my Christmas cards! Have I mentioned I LOVE Christmas?

I have been thinking about the supplies I need to get down and dirty making every ones gifts! I have so much to do and so little time...a much heard seasonal chant. I have also been thinking, as usual around this time of year how can I help?

This season is famous for massive spending and consumerism..lets take a moment to just be thankful for what we have! Our Families, near and far, Our health, though we may have challenges we are here to enjoy yet another Christmas.

So many people around the world have little or nothing and its times like these that we must cherish our many gifts and think of those in need. Keep them close to our hearts and in our minds and be aware that if we are in a position to help those less fortunate, now is as good a time as any to give all you can.

Be it sponsoring a local Charity dinner, lending a hand buying presents for a family that you know needs it, or just offering a smile to someone having a bad day - Each one of these things keeps the spirit of the holiday alive.

When I was a nanny for children aged 3 and 5 we decided that at Christmas time we would go through all of their toys and choose some to give away to children in need. The kids were so generous and had so much fun delivering them to the shelter, they really felt that they had made someones holiday that much brighter and I encourage each family to do the same. Teaching your children the value of sharing and caring is something that will stay with them throughout their lives and hopefully bring an end our our often selfish ways...



Cheers and may your holiday season
be magical!



E

Make it - Vancouver!

This weekend I went to a lovely little craft/gift fair....

Make It!

The Handmade Revolution

was showcasing local talent and I went to peruse the merchandise.

I was pleasantly surprised by the selection and there were quite a few things that caught my eye!

Here are a few photos that give you an idea of just what treasures could be found...and remember this was all about being local so these wondrous gifts are all around the city! Keep your eyes peeled!

Take care,

E

'Tis The Season

38 Sleeps, 13 Hours, 35 Minutes till Christmas!!!

Hello all and and may I say that I for one am SO excited for this Christmas season. I can already feel the cheer building up! I am among the many that consider Christmas time magical and just LOVE everything about it. I have long since started on my Christmas gifts and am well on my way to knowing just what everyone is getting form Dave and I this year.

I do try and make something special for each of my friends to go along with the customary baking that is expected each year! This year I am downsizing our gifting commitment as we are going to be out of town for the holiday. We are going to visit Dave's brother Brian and his girlfriend Mindy in Tofino! We are expected around December 23rd and will stay till Sunday the 27th then head back to the mainland for work on Monday the 28th.

I have quite a few projects I'd like to get underway in the next little while like....I am going to make braided rugs from random material found in the house for our laundry room! I'd like to re-learn to crochet, learn to do needle point and perhaps even cross stitch! I am also tossing a few homemade gift ideas around as well like...change purses, slippers, pj pants, jewelry...

I am going to document my Christmas preparations this year in a mini scrap album called Countdown to Christmas. I got this Fabulous idea from good friend and fellow blogger Sheila Ho at Life's Like That..check out her progress here.

Until next time folks,

E

Eat, Live, Pray

I have started my "smart" reading for this year off with a bang. This charming book has made it a smooth transition from smutt to smart..let me explain.

I have some strange ideas about silly reading versus smart reading. Books that make me think and punch out the sides of my proverbial box are considered "smart reading" as apposed to romance novels and the like that are just fluff and for fun, great they are, but they do not make me ponder lifes questions.

Each year during the summer months I fill my head with fanciful stories from swashbuckling pirates to ladies in distress..by reading historical type romance novels. Among my favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Julia Quinn and Hannah Howell. I like to think that I transport myself on vacations of sorts. Then in the Fall when school begins again I revert to my so called "smart books" and try and read current novels that may come up in discussion at a dinner party, in a local coffee or may invoke a question from a fellow bus rider.

The first of my books this fall is Eat, Pray, Love a book recommended by a lovely lady I went to school with. It follows a strong womens adventure to Italy, India and Indoniesia to find herself. It's very well written, witty and easy to follow. I found myself almost immediatly at bat for the books main character, Elizabeth. I am almost done the novel now and I am looking forward to seeing how she does! I was refreshed by her open attitude and the raw vulnerability she so vividly displays throughout the book! Good for her for taking the leap most of us only dream of.

I would recommend this book to anyone! It's a definate page turner and implores you to live life in the now and search for yourself, your true self, amongst all the nitty gritty that life throws at you!

Take care of yourself and each other,

E

Giving Thanks!

I LOVE the holidays! Any excuse to gather together, cook and enjoy each other is tops in my books! I celebrated by making a few seasonal treats..

The apples were falling from my tree with mad abandon and I couldn't let them go to waste so....

I made a yummy batch of Candied apples!!!!!

Everyone came out to enjoy one, they were such a hit!! I thought they would be difficult but they were unbelievably easy!

The ingredients are few but you would never guess with the taste!

I know this will become a tradition in our house and it should be in yours too...

There is nothing like picking apples and then using your imagination to turn them into something yummy, not that they aren't yummy on there own! This year we have made: Apple Crumbles, Apple Pies, Applesauce, Candied Apples and even some Apple Jelly.

The other thing I made this thanksgiving is my very own Pumpkin Pie! As you know I have a great garden that I adore and this year we grew some pumpkins, and they turned out great! I saved two to carve up for Halloween and used two to make some delicious eats!

The pumpkin pie was a real fun one! I made my very own pie filling, thinking it would be difficult I proved myself wrong yet again. What a treat it was to have after thanksgiving dinner!

For a garnish I made some sugar cookies and sugared some cranberries..it looked so pretty! A great, simple way to dress things up using things I already had around the house.

As I live across the country from all of my family, every holiday I miss them dearly but it is nice to make things that remind me of them. This year I did just that and I felt closer to home.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope your thanksgiving was as special as mine!


Take care of yourself and each other!


E

...Family Visits...

It's always so special when family comes to visit! Especially when there are young children to join in the fun. It has been a wonderful week for me! My family who lives in Ottawa have made the trek cross country to visit with me for my birthday this past weekend. The best gift!

I miss my family terribly living in Vancouver, although I love my life here it would be much better if I were close to the ones I hold most dear. I recently (Feb 12, 2009) became an aunt to the most gorgeous of nephews Mr. Ewan Lynch. My sister Hannah's first son and first grandchild to my parents. It has been so special having him in my home, being able to be around him even only just for this week. Children are oh so amazing and every moment spent in there company is a great one.


The family is heading home tomorrow and it will be a sad day for me. It is always hard for the first week or so of them no longer being close. I look forward to the time when we wont be so far away.

Take Care of yourself and each other!

e

Long time....no post...

Hello everyone,

It's like I fell off the planet! I have been so unbelievably busy..I had to let something go..unfortunately it was the blog..BUT...Im back and SO excited for the fall!



Fall is my favorite season and when it starts to get cold..we spend more time indoors meaning more time crafting! I have a plan people. This month or next I will be joining with Stampin Up to become a demonstrator. This has taken me a long time to commit to and I am now so ready!



Please bear with me during this transition time and I promise..there will be lots of new and exciting things to see on my blog!


Keep it Classy!



E

Happy Anniversary

Today I am celebrating 9 amazing years with Dave! It's been such a trip, moving from our home town not long after we started dating and travelling to Vancouver, BC and setting up our lives here. I am so proud of our years together and hope there are many more to come! I love you baby!

Golden Ears Adventure

Dave and I went on an adventure this weekend!

We left Friday after work and drove up to Maple Ridge. There is a gorgeous park there called Golden Ears National Park, such a magical place so close to the city!

We parked our van, geared up and hiked the Canyon trail for about 5km and then set up our tent on a sandy beach right by a beautiful river!

We woke up Saturday morning and had a delicious breakfast of croissants and fruit. Once full we got our water bottles and the camera and headed out to explore our surroundings.

We headed up the river and found some really gorgeous areas! The water was a little cold and the weather wasn't the warmest and although Dave took a dip I was not so inclined!

On Sunday Morning we took a look on the other side of the river, The water was much more shallow and just perfect for a tube ride! We both mentioned that we would have to bring up a group of friends to truly get the MOST of this spot!

Such great way to unwind after a busy weekend! Dave and I will definitely be doing this one again!

FUZZCAT

An amazing local band...great tunes, awesome message and an all around good time! They have profiles on My Space and Facebook..check them out..befriend them..and listen to the music that is so loved by the masses!

Vancouver’s funk-filled reggae rock attack, has been exploding Western Canadian dance floors since 2006. Danceable rhythms, infectious lyrics, and provocative musical arrangements have earned them a growing reputation as one of Vancouver's most exciting emerging bands.



Charismatic, high-energy performances draw comparisons to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Manu Chao and Sublime, but the band has diverse influences which range from hip-hop to punk. Fuzzcat is a mainstay at Vancouver’s Media Club and Railway Club and has made four tours of the Rockies, playing Sun Peaks Resort Mountain Bike Festival, and venues such as The Drake in Canmore and The Rose and Crown in Banff.







They also organize their own shows at the ANZA Club, the (old) Sweatshop, and other venues playing sold-out nights with local favorites Freeflow, Los Furios, The Dreadnoughts, Mongoose, as well as bringing in international acts like La Severa Matacera from Bogota, Colombia and Maskatesta from Mexico City. Fuzzcat also hosts a monthly Monday at the legendary Railway Club where they showcase their acoustic side alongside stripped down versions of great local acts ranging from hardcore punk to singer-songwriter. The Lads have performed on 'Live from Radio Thunderbird Hell' on UBC Radio and on Radio Bandcouver on 102.7, Co-op Radio, both electric and acoustically.

In the spring of 2007, Fuzzcat released their first album, Impact!, with a sold-out show at the Media Club. Two songs from the album were featured in the 2007 documentary The Five Ring Circus, a Work Less Party production about the 2010 Olympics. 24 Hrs. newspaper in Vancouver describes the band as having “...hooky grooves, catchy lyrics, and rug-cutting riffs.” You can own it NOW..by visiting CD Baby or coming to a show which is, I think the best option! See you there!

Mace from Ronatron.net writes, “Fuzzcat had their mighty legion of fans out of their seats with the quickness. Moreso than any other band of the night, Fuzzcat seamlessly shifted gears and tore through a plethora of genres, all the while mixing up a crazy mix of very tight and technical instrument solos with one-wheel-in-the-dirt jam sessions.”


Check them out at these shows which promise a night filled with dancing and mayhem! Come out and get DOWN!

August 10th at the Railway Club in Vancity...Fuzzcat Presents: Pernell Reichert and The Elders.

Takin' it on the road for August 13th, 14th and 15th at the Rose and Crown in Banff, Alberta.



August 20th at the Shark Club in Vancouver with Island boys, The Kiltlifters.



Till next time,


E

VANCOUVER PRIDE!!!!!!!

This weekend was PRIDE Weekend here in Vancouver and Sunday was a glorious and sunny day perfect for walking the streets of downtown taking in the PRIDE Parade! My housemates put together a float for Canadian Federation of Students and it was outta sight!! Here are a few photos that show just how much PRIDE we have in Vancity!!

These folks worked really hard Saturday morning/afternoon to get this Student Debt Lifeboat a float! Props to everyone who helped out! Gay, straight, purple,red or green most students have such a hard time with the debt load that is almost common place when embarking on their life's journey upon graduation! It's time we take a stand and lower tuitions, offer more education grants and help out the people who are looking to better their own lives and the lives of those around them by furthering thier education!! Let's have PRIDE in our students!

Till next time,

E

Cupcake Confidential!

Last weekend I went to a class held by my favorite Stampin Up demo lady, the amazing Sheila Ho!!

This class was themed after her most favorite things of all time......CUPCAKES! We made a series of three cards with an extra special card holder..That is what she's got her fingers on in the photo on the right!

We were lucky enough to have a mini card maker attend as well. Isabella is my friend Jennifer's daughter and what a gorgeous little lady she is!

Jennifer and her mother Cathy joined us in the class and tried to maintain focus but the baby was just too cute, all of us women lots our marbles over her..cooing and making odd baby noises.

It's funny that babies brng out the "crazy" in people! I must admit I went a little camera happy and snapped more than one super cute photo!

Isabella is almost a year old now, her brithday is quickly approaching it's on August 25th! Man...seems like just yesterday her birth was announced!!

I am attending her cute little princess party on Sunday August 23rd and have already made her brithday card!

Here are the cards we made! They are all using a great stamp set called Crazy For Cupcakes! It's a must have..I know it's on my list!

My favorite card we did is this first one, it has a cute little pocket on the inside for a gift certificate! LOVE IT! It looks like a mini cupcake store!

The next one is a simple and sweet pink card using the Razzleberry card stock from the "in colours" collection!

I am so excited about the ribbon sharing offer that Sheila just started!

Check it out:

http://daisyfleurs.blogspot.com/2009/08/announcing-my-first-ribbon-share.html

The last card is also fabulous and uses the BIG SHOT! a really cool tool that helps with al your die cutting needs! Check it out in the Stampin Up Catalogue, page 194! Its a must for serious crafters! We used the big shot to cut the cupcake top, the sprinkles and the cute little accent heart! It was so easy and quick. No fuss, No muss..ya know what I mean!

Another great class with Sheila! We had so much fun and the cards we made are top notch! I love lazy Sundays with the ladies crafting up a storm!

Till next time,

E