Backyard Fun

I finally finished planting our little veggie garden a couple weeks ago.  We have lettuce, zucchini, tomatoes, basil, parsley, strawberries, carrots, beans, and chives.  It's nice to go out to the garden for some fresh lettuce for sandwiches.  Can't wait for some of the other goodies to be ready too.

The other day the boys were playing at the neighbours while I watered and deadheaded the gardens.  When they came back we set up an outdoor kitchen using clippings from the garden and pots and  pans from their play kitchen.

And I actually got tot this for a few minutes while they made me flower soup. :)

Then it was time for some "real food" so we had a little picnic in the backyard.

Sometimes it's so nice to spend a sunny day at home in the backyard.

From One Paradise To The Next...

On the last week of August we went on a family camping adventure set out to find one thing; a nice sandy beach.  There was no set destination or planned schedule (because where's the adventure in that?) we just took it day by day and ended up discovering our beach paradise just south of Nakusp (B.C.) in the West Kootenay's.  It was beautiful, quiet and just what we wanted.  Plus it had hotsprings!  Although I didn't get any pictures of our little adventure up to the hippy St. Leon springs.

There's too many photo's to share...if you'd like to see the full slide show version click here. :)

Canmore Folk Fest Market

It had been over two years since I last put my sewing into a market.  Then, just out of the blue an opportunity came about that I couldn't refuse.  A week prior to the Canmore Folk Fest my friend Oriana scored a last minute space in the artisans market and asked me join her.  So, for a week straight I sewed my heart out (during the early morning hours, nap times and late at night, that is).  I basically turned my house into a one woman sweat shop leaving our house in shambles...

This is just one corner of the chaos.

 It was a lot of work but worth it to see my hats sitting pretty on the folkies heads.

Me and Oriana along with a gentleman that bought this lovely red hat made from a wool skirt.

It was so much fun, the weather was great and we had the perfect spot with a view of the main stage.

Plus it was nice to get out of my "sweat shop" and do some sewing in the sun...

 I had a few other goodies for sale as well including hand made fabric buttons, wall hangings and some felt mustaches.

 Couldn't put a price tag on these two though!

At the very end of the last day it poured rain on us while we tried to pack up.  The rain didn't last long though.  So when we were all done, Rob and the boys and I all got to sit and relax and watch Bruce Cockburn top off the evening.  It was the perfect way to end the festival.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Last week we got a little crafty and eco friendly too boot.  We turned a regular old milk carton into a beautifully handcrafted stream-worthy sailing vessel...

Liam pretty much claimed the boat as his own once we got down to the water.  You'd think a mother of twins would know by now to make two of such a thing (and that thought did cross my mind) but our time and resources were limited.  The reality of it was, Jack (the dog) was out on the deck banging his paws against the door begging to get out for a pee and in turn rushing our whole operation...That, and the fact that I only had one empty milk carton on hand.  Luckily Casey was fine with it...he had his car to keep him happy.

Nature Walk

Yesterday morning we finished off a carton of eggs which reminded me of a great little idea I saw on pinterest.  I painted each compartment of the carton a different colour and then cut it in half so Liam and Casey each had their own.  Then we headed outside for a nature walk to look for the colours in nature that matched the colours inside the egg cartons.

Nature Boys Liam and Casey

First we found something Purple...

"Showy Wood Aster"

 Then we found something green...

Grass and Clovers

And then we found something brown...

Only the "brown' was too big to fit into our little egg carton...I'm just glad we saw a brown elk and not a brown bear!

We called off the nature walk after seeing the elk to give them their space.  Maybe we'll try to find the rest of the colour's another day...

1st Camping Trip of the Season

Last weekend we braved the mosquitoes (for as long as we could) and camped out at Waterfowl Lake just off of the Ice Fields Highway.  The plan was to stay two nights but the bugs drove us away the next morning.

But the bugs didn't take away all the fun.  We played in the water, had a campfire and went on a little hike in the evening.

The next morning before heading out we enjoyed some yummy carrot banana blueberry pancakes...

After breakfast we packed up and made our way back home making a little pit stop at Bow Lake to throw some stones and stick our feet in the water.

Have a Happy Weekend!