mi

Happy Birthday Bob!

You're 40! I think we met when you were 31 but that is still a blur. You get better looking and I just age, lucky bastard! Kind of George Clooney-ish in my books. Let's party like it's 1984 and screw the rain! I love you.

Happy Birthday Canada!

Cheeky bum is trying to watch television.

more indulgences

We've been eating well. Tonight I have never seen Ophelia eat so much: Beets and new potatoes from a near-by farm and locally caught halibut with a fresh dressing of garlic, capers, lemon juice, zest and olive oil - definitely a favorite way to eat fish in the summer heat.

 

An abundance of hand-picked strawberries, local raspberries and blueberries were eaten with fresh cream and leftover shortbread cakes from last night's dinner party - a first in our new place "in the country."

I will never be able to go back to living in an apartment that is for sure. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the weather has been nice and we have been able to take advantage of the yard.

Tomorrow is Canada's birthday and hopefully, we will find some face painting and balloons for bub, as promised. Wednesday is Tobin's birthday, the BIG 4-0, but the big bash is on the weekend - I will be busy fretting about the menu and the blinking weather - can you believe it is supposed to rain!

bloesem

to bloom. into a beautiful girl. 

no more plastic!

Blue Thimble

Malisia

M.Patrizio

Drum Bone Art

Modern Radar

ladybird, ladybug

Ophelia got her face painted at the Farmer's Market this weekend. The sparkles had been smudged away by the time these photos were taken but she was just as thrilled to have a ladybug on her cheek.

She's off to daycare this morning while I catch up on some housework and maybe some procrastinated designing of my own. Normally, I would be heading into the city in an hour's time to work on someone else's designs but the contract I recently got, fell through. I was disappointed and perturbed that the possibility of the previous graphics person coming back full time was not mentioned but was somewhat relieved that I hadn't got in too deep. Next month was going to suck as I would have had to bus in because my husband is principal of summer school at another school this year, one that is farther away and would require him to have the vehicle. Plus, I was feeling anxious about having O in daycare three days a week - I know, what a wimp! - even though she was perfectly fine. 

It's nice to have the time to myself as well, which I keep having to remind myself of. I have this crazy guilt that I need to be doing something productive with my time while she's not here. My husband always says, why don't you just read a book or go to a yoga class or forget about having to do anything. Easier said than done when there are so many distractions. 

We set up a hammock in the yard on the weekend so maybe I'll sneak in a little siesta if the day warms up. I've been looking through this book lately. Anyone other summer reads on the go? It might be time to start another novel.

strawberry season

Straight up or adorned with a glob of Nutella, dip of sugar or whipped cream.


Sliced atop of a small scoop up vanilla bean ice cream, drizzled with balsamic syrup.

Mountains of local strawberries picked by us.

Buttermilk pancakes, made from scratch, with leftover balsamic strawberries, cream and maple syrup.

splashing. links.

Splashing and cooling off in the morning sunshine.

Toe-sies colored in by, ahem, Grandpa. 

I did some research, and found some reputable recipes for French macarons. They look delectable enough to attempt - see previous post for sources.

I must add a foodie list of links to my sidebar when I can find some time to gather up my favorites. There are so many great food blogs with fantastic recipes included along with mouth-watering photos. Do you have a favorite food site? Here are a few I frequent:

Orangette

Chockylit

101 Cookbooks

Chocolate & Zucchini

recent treasures

Caramel, green tea and pistachio French macarons from here. Recipe that looks just as sumptuous here and helpful tips and French recipe here, one more here. Fabulous article on demystifying the macron plus recipe and instructions here. And look at these colors and these flickr photos to drool some more!  I must try out a recipe myself... the green tea was the best flavor I've tasted so far.

Go Go Train, Little Red Riding Hood, Happy Friends - Shinzi Katoh tape.

Kiki paper doll designed by Elsa Mora - who is a completely mind boggling artist that I adore.

well, golly gee

Thank-you all for your compliments on my new hair style. I have been embracing the new look and, much to do on your part, have left my hat at home.  However, someone else I know, is in desperate need of a trim or a barrette - and I can't see the latter happening anytime soon - and has been sporting her hat a lot these days, especially with the sun finally showing its sunny face in the last couple. 

The weekend was spent spiffy-ing up our "deck" with some paint and potted flowers.  It's starting to look presentable enough for a little shindig I am planning for my husband's 40th birthday next month.

My little bub is growing fast.  We met up with a friend today who had her second baby recently - li'l peanut - and I also attended a baby shower for a close high school friend on the weekend who is due next month. Babies, babies, babies. I think I might be getting the itch... again.