photo friday

RAIN!

That word best describes this past week. Oh.my.word. This is that time of year when we are teased with a few nice days, {and bust out all the spring clothes, ahem} and then are hit with a rainfall warning for most of the week! Crazy wet days, but my allergies are telling me that Spring is coming!

We had a lovely sunny Saturday, and the six of us went to the park. Miles liked the swing, for about 5 seconds. Oh well, the other kids loved it!

I spent some time this week trying to figure out how to ‘customize’ the fabric bunting I’ve been making. Painted fabric circles seems like they will work, and I love the typewriter font!

This boy.

He’s giving me fits I tell you. I turn my back for one second and this is what he does. And he was strapped in, pretty tightly too! He has also taken to standing in shopping carts, and his stroller, oh help!

Noah had his annual allergy check-up this past week too. I’ve learned {the hard way} that it’s best to only tell him about these appointments on the day they happen, otherwise he stresses, majorly. Thankfully having his blood pressure taken was about as painful as it got. No skin pricks with itchy allergy stuff on them this time!

We had a freak downpour/thunder/lightning storm tonight. I was upstairs for a minute when there was a huge crack of thunder. Miles was unfazed, and I came down to find Biscuit hiding behind my mixer, in the very back corner of my kitchen counter, frozen with terror, poor kitty.

I’ll leave you with my favourite photo of the week — my bunting is on display at the amazing Grandiflora Home & Garden!  I’m excited and nervous to see where this may lead…

happy weekend friends!

photo friday

Goodness it was a quick week!

I had a few sewing projects on the go and my pics definitely reflect that! I had to laugh when I uploaded them, I’m such a granny sometimes.

 

A rare picture with these two together. Miles is all about boy time, I see a lot of wrestling matches in their future.

Bunting! I was on a roll this week and made loads {for a plan I have in the works…}

I have a quilt for Miles in my project pile. It started with the bicycle fabric, I saw it and knew I had to make something with it! Then polka dots, {of course}, and soft minky fabric for the back. I found the bunting fabric at a shop in town when I popped in for thread for another project, it brings it all together! Now to figure out how to put to actually make a quilt…

I’m always drawn into the book section at Joann’s. My love of books, glossy photos and projects and lovely fabrics all in one! I have to stop myself from buying them ALL.

I got to spend some time picking out fabrics for bunting {Miles lasted a good half hour before trying to climb out of the shopping cart, over and over again}. I love playing with the combinations of colours, large prints and small prints, I limited myself to eight!

This cat cracks me up. He just couldn’t resist the sound and motion of the sewing machine one afternoon. He kept trying to bat at the spool and any moving part!

And here are some of the finished products! I’m stepping out on a limb and trying to sell some of these babies via consignment at a local {amazing!} shop. Etsy may be my future too, we’ll see. I’m nervous excited. My love of creating is wrestling with my fear of failure {what if no one buys any!?!?!}. But I did it! I tried something new! I’ll keep you posted.

happy weekend friends!

xo

photo friday

This page of ‘mint greens’ in the March issue of BHG *swoon*. I want to paint everything in those colors, if only painting wasn’t so much work…maybe our half-bath.

Miles helped me shop at Joann’s this week. Picking fabric is such fun, waiting to have it cut, not so much. Why does it take so long? every.single.time. Ok, complaining over, I got some fun polka dot fabric, soon to be bunting and my first attempt at a quilt {for Miles, and it’ll be very ‘mini’ I’m guessing!}

I laughed when I saw this sweater, I’m pretty sure I had something similar in grade 6. Long live the 80’s!

I didn’t buy it, but have been thinking about it ever since, I may need to go back for it….

Um, my boot does seem like a perfectly good place for the cat’s food. I was sure to empty them out before wearing them {and I needed them a lot this week with ALL THE RAIN!}

I’m into taking ‘selfies’ this week. They’re so awkward, where do I look? Am I supposed to smile? Oh well. Also, I’m no stranger to shopping in the girl’s section at Gap, but I’ve only just discovered the boy’s section. Take this sweatshirt, I love it! Comfy, the sleeves are long enough {!!} and it was on clearance! The boy’s section always has the best sweatshirt too, and I’m all about the sweatshirt.

If there are steps/stairs/boxes/rungs of a ladder, he will climb it. Bonus if tormenting the cat is included.

Another awkward photo, but I was so delighted to have a latte and my hair done on the same day! It’s the little things I tell ya. I don’t have an after photo {I’m sure you’re dying to see it}, but I’m back to blonde! It’s been far too long…

I LOVE/hate Trader Joe’s. Their food is fabulous, good value and quality. But their treats are too tempting. This week I discovered these ‘speculoos’ cookies. Stella and I managed to polish off the box in no time.

They are perfectly spicy and sweet, and dunked in coffee, don’t get me started.

Happy Weekend friends!

xo

photo friday

Here’s a glimpse of my week in photos…

Saturday night I got to live it up! I went out for ‘rolls’ with a good friend, and then onto Target {without kids, hurrah!} and dessert. The california rolls and ‘lynden’ rolls were delicious, I can’t wait to go back!

Our cat sleeps in these crazy positions, all curled into a ball, half on his back, half on his side, with his paw over his face. I find this fascinating and adorable.

Sunday night was Downton night, I had heard the finale was intense, so I was prepared with wine and chocolate. It WAS intense and traumatic and a really beautiful episode {until the last 5 minutes anyways}. It’s going to be difficult to wait a whole year for the next season.

I picked up this mug on clearance this week. I had been eyeing it before Valentine’s Day. The ‘ampersand’ is one of my favourites and I just love this mug, I’ll be drinking my morning coffee out of this one for awhile I think.

Monday the kids were off school, so we went in search of doughnuts. Our favourite place was closed, so Safeway it was!

I got to volunteer in Stella’s class this week too. We painted American flags, which I felt rather under-qualified to do, seeing as I’m not actually American, but the kids didn’t seem to mind!

Miles used to simply empty this drawer out {on a daily basis}, now he prefers to just sit inside…

I dusted off the sewing machine this week, and made a cover for my machine. Since it’ll spend a lot of time out on my craft table/desk, I figured it needed a cute cover! {made from one of my favourite Cath Kidston fabrics} I’m thinking of adding some ricrac or pompom trim this week…

I almost took Miles to a play/song group at the library this week, instead we stopped in afterwards for a bit of play time. I just can’t seem to bring myself to go to a playgroup….maybe next week?!

This week seems to be all about pictures of Miles, I do have other kids I promise!

Thursday morning I caught him eating oreos out of his brother’s lunch box. He is always up to something that Miles! And it turns out he likes oreos..

I noticed these lovely owl prints at Target this week. Upon closer inspection I realized they are made by  ‘paperchase’, one of my favourite paper sources from Scotland! I’m trying to think of a reason why I need those owls.

I’ll leave you with my favourite shot of Miles this week. He now has a ‘i’m-doing-something-naughty-face’ and this is it. He continues to crack me up on a daily basis! {Although next week I’ll try and includes some pics of the rest of the family!}

happy weekend!

hello {monday}

I like the idea of saying a friendly hello to monday, instead of dreading the busyness and tasks of the week ahead, facing it with gratitude and anticipation.

Everyday is, after all, an adventure.

So this week I’m saying hello. Hello to a Monday without school, and to taking on the day slowly.

Hello school runs and making lunches and naptimes and gymnastics.

Hello trying to create a craft space, where I can freely create, adding a bit of bunting surely can’t hurt.

Hello finally making the time to e-mail far away friends.

Hello new week and everything it may hold!

{I’m linking up with Lisa Leonard, maker of some of my favorite jewelry!}

photo friday

Here’s a glimpse into our week…

Saturday mornings have turned into craft mornings around here. The girls got these beads for Christmas and spent a large part of the weekend making colorful creations. My favorite part is that Stella calls them “McKenna” beads, and I have no idea why!

Date night! It doesn’t happen nearly enough, but we had a great time trying out a new place. Honestly, it felt like being back in Glasgow, at a slightly larger version of Velvet Elvis. It was our effort to celebrate Valentine’s Day, since Mike worked 12 hour shifts this week and we knew we’d never have the chance to celebrate later in the week. {do you remember last year’s Valentine’s dinner disaster?? this year was much better!}

Fish and Chips and Pulled Pork, delicious! And water served in mason jars, love!

Spent 2 hours watching Downton Abbey later Sunday night. I’m so sad that the season finale is this week, and I’m really nervous about what’s going to happen next, I sense disaster looming…

I had the great idea to make and decorate cut-out cookies for the kids to take to school for Valentine’s day. They had a half day Wednesday so I figured it would be fun. I’m not sure what made me think that mid-week {sleepiest day of the week}, in the afternoon {my sleepiest time of the day}, I’d have enough energy to do that. Temporary insanity? Overzealous Mom? Well, we compromised, I made chocolate chip cookie dough, chilled it, pressed it between parchment, cut into heart shapes, baked & voila! Valentine’s cookies! It may be our new tradition.

He really is a snuggly and sweet cat, and is destroying all my prejudices about felines in general.

Ah…., the perfume Mike bought me in Paris 2 years ago. It seems like another life, where we could escape to Paris for a few nights. Some days I get all nostalgic and wonder when we’ll get there again, someday soon I hope!

Happy Weekend!

photo friday — is baaaack!

Well, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? Let’s see, a quick recap… Miles dunked my phone in coffee and the camera stopped working {hence the abrupt end of photo friday}. We moved house, adopted a cat, celebrated Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, repainted a huge red wall, had at least 1 or more child sick at a time for two weeks straight, gymnastics {Olivia}, basketball {Noah}, phone camera miraculously starts working again, and here we are! Go big or go home right, that’s how we take on life around here. Anyways, more on that later, here’s a glimpse into the past week…

Can you see that lovely sun shining in?? I LOVE a cold sunny day, reminds me of childhood. Since we eat all most of our meals at the kitchen bar/island now, our huge table has become the permanent drawing station. I love it! {unless I’m on a ‘clear the table surfaces’ kick, then it’s really bothersome}

Noah’s playing basketball at the Y! I can’t tell you how much humor and pride I gain from this. First off, little kids playing basketball is hi-larious, some kids can barely dribble {ahem}, while others can zoom down the court and shoot from the 3 point line! Noah is having a great time, and I’m so proud of him for doing something new that’s maybe just a tiny bit scary too.

*second* visit to the doctor’s office

Oh my word — when 1 of 4 kids gets sick, it’s a loooong process for the bug to pass through all of the children, and then the adults! Noah came down with ‘the fever’ first, then Olivia, then Stella, and you guessed it, then Miles. Poor Stella just couldn’t kick it though. She had a fever for over a week, and then once it broke, she broke out in a rash! Two doctor’s office visits later, no antibiotics needed {thankful for that!}, she now seems to be mostly back to herself now, still a bit rashy though.

#4, well he’s trouble. I should have known. I can’t leave him alone for a second, or he’s in my shower {getting all wet}, unraveling the toilet paper rolls {it’s his mission in life}, or climbing stools to get on kitchen islands to steal candy. I am in for it. Seriously.

Stella, Miles and I snuck down to Seattle to see some Scotland friends this past week. It was a treat to see them and catch up. We got to talk about adjusting to life back stateside, and about loved ones in Glasgow, and about how life goes on. It was good for me, and Stella loved seeing Hazel!

And I’ll leave you with my favourite shot of the week. He can be such trouble, but his little face melts my heart every time.

Happy Weekend!

photo friday

Well it’s been several weeks without photos and I’m sure you’re dying to know what we’ve been up to, here goes…

Miles discovered the joys of the toilet paper roll, he’s hooked.

Stella had a pumpkin party, as always it was fun to hang out with some kindergarteners.

My wee monkey.

First time doing proper trick-or-treating. At first they were a bit unsure about going up to a stranger’s house to ask for candy. It didn’t take long for them to get the hang of it, however.

Red cups are back! Stella helped me celebrate.

We went down to the American Girl store to celebrate Livi’s birthday. Such a girly experience!

Noah started taekwando. Watching him do sit-ups for a minute was hilarious, he loves it!

Miles has been teething, not fun. I seem to have forgotten this part, or my others didn’t have as hard of a time, not sure. There have been a quite a few nights on the sofa, and he always gets crazy fuzzy hair!

I made a quick trip down to Portland earlier this week. This is Hurley, I wish I wasn’t allergic because he was adorable, and so snuggleable.

My dear friend Kate & I went to Cannon Beach for a few days for a prayer summit {more on that later}. It was so beautiful!

Happy Friday!
x

my baby turns {1}

How can it be a year already? seriously, I don’t understand it.

 

Here he is, brand new, minutes old. What a sweet boy.

When I look at this photo it takes me right back to that moment. Life was so full of unknowns. We were moving, I was waiting on an immigration interview, our flat was packed up, good-byes were looming. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was completely in love with this boy. Caring for him helped me, steadied me in the midst of all that chaos. He still steadies me! As I venture into unknown territory with my just-about-10-year-old daughter, Miles is the one that I know how to parent. I know what a baby needs. I ‘get’ babies. Pre-tween girls, that’s another story…

The week before his 1st birthday, Miles was sick. High fever, runny nose, drool, he was completely miserable. So we decided to delay his party for a week, instead we had a little family celebration.

I was feeling sentimental about it being Miles last week before being a big one year old. I was rewarded with a week with a sick baby who needed to be cuddled 24/7. I enjoyed the cuddles, but not how miserable the little guy must have felt. He’s back to tearing up the house, so he must be feeling better.

I was given a pack of monthly onesies for my baby shower, and I have loved having them. Comparing him in the 12 photos is amazing. He was such a peanut when he was born, so tiny and wrinkly. Over the months he has changed so much, I just love his cheeks!

I was hoping to write a lovely ‘dear miles’ letter, putting into words how much I have treasured his first year. How much he has steadied me when all was chaos and change around me.  But, alas, a week with a sick baby, and a few sleepless nights have turned my brain {back} into mush…

Well Miles, we are so thankful you are a part of our family. You are the perfect completion to our wild bunch. We love you, and can’t wait to see all the ways you’ll change and learn and grow this year!

photo Friday {two week edition}

Well I’ve been completely housebound this week with a sick Miles. Most photos would have been of tissue boxes, baby Tylenol & coffee {for me}. We did, however, discover that the backyardigans can keep an almost 1 year old entertained for a few minutes, long enough to make more coffee.
The week before was a bit more exciting, here are some photos…

Last Saturday Livi got her turn going to a Husky game with Mike. If course she was SO excited.

One my dear friends came up for a few days with her adorable little guy. Graham and Miles are going to be best friends. I love the progression of the photos above, they got along pretty well, I promise.  It was such a treat to have them here!

The cousins got a puppy, we love her!!

I may have busted out the Christmas music this week, desperate times…

Triple shot after a mostly sleepless night with baby? Yes please.

Doesn’t he look so sick? Poor guy, & it’s his birthday soon & everything.

Thankfully he perked up a bit this morning.

Happy Friday!