monday

18 years together today.

found these hiding amongst the hedge today. 

i'm now enjoying them in the kitchen.

love the smell of greenhouses.

need some sunshine to go.

supper tonight. 

ball night.....again.

before & after.

a darker hair colour, fresh cut & new (retro) glasses.

(the new specs are screaming gr. 9 all over again).

yikes.

 

later,

jill

outdoor colour-lift

my front patio can see the light of day now that the snow has all melted (there's actually still a tiny patch just east of the deck).

on saturday, we hauled out the outdoor area rug, the patio set & the brooms from the shop and dusted everything off.  it's looking better -- and more promising of the summer that is coming -- but i'm still aching for some colour.  it feels so lifeless as i look at these photos.

the talk of adding a simple pergola is still up for debate.

i'm in favour -- and i have a vision -- but there are "some" that don't share the same vision.  this will not be a place to lounge.  that's saved for the back patio.  we have a large dog & several cats who, let's be honest, will make themselves right at home on anything more comfy than a solid chair (these are the facts with living on a farm).

the lilies in the front bed will grow and add some colour, but for now, everything looks pretty blah.



i imagine colour.

something not as playful & bold as below -- but definitely hits of colour that will spruce up the outdoor space.

make me smile.



(sources:  www.pinterest.com)

am i dreaming?

now i'm wishing i would have painted my front door bright yellow........

 

keep creating (indoors & out),

jill

 

you're kidding....right?

 

 

 

the little birds are wondering why they came home so early.......?

it's April 15th........why is it snowing & blowing outside?

i actually had to check the bus schedule this morning on the school division website to see if school was cancelled.

 

{i'm speechless}.

 

pouring another cup of coffee.

 

create something warm indoors today.

jill

Life of {us}

The last month has been crazy.

Here's a little glimpse into it.

 

 

We have purchased (and watched) 2 new movies, which we highly recommend.

 

photo source: http://collider.com/life-of-pi-movie-clip/

 

 

photo source: http://meetinthelobby.com/more-winning-less-miserable-les-miserables-film-review.html

 

My patio cushions have been recovered with fabulous fabrics.  I can't wait until all this snow melts so I can "dress" my patio and enjoy the new BOLD look.  Who said I was afraid of colour & pattern?  I just couldn't decide on ONE specific fabric, so why not mix & match them all.

 

 

Carter's hockey team hosted their Provincials and won the Consolation Trophy.

We are now knee-deep into extended season with another team, with tournaments every weekend.

 

 

All three of our kids played in the Piano Festival. 

Daria is sitting here with my nephew Colin.  It was his very first year playing and he won a trophy!!!!!  So proud of him!!!

Now we are gearing up for the Vocal Festival in 2 weeks.  Fourteen different songs are being practiced in the house these days.

 

 

Daria went with an EF Tours group to New York City during spring break.  If you are not the parent of a teenager yet...........don't judge me.

She had such a blast!!!

 

Carter played one of the lead roles in his middle school drama:  the villian "Sleazy Tab Lloyd".  He did such a great job.  He enjoys acting so much & it shows.

 

 

My "baby" celebrated her 9th birthday on Easter Sunday.

Happy Birthday, Asha!!!

 



 

And today........

I decided that my domestic skills have had a serious holiday so I made chocolate chip banana loaf (x2).....

and homemade soup for lunch.

(no applause needed).

 

come back soon to see me again.

keep creating (layouts, cards or loaves),
jill

dreaming of junk

Yesterday was the official first day of Spring.

I'll let you in on a little secret:

{it looks nothing like Spring here in MB}.

 

So....I'm looking forward to Spring when I can go junking with my bff again.

Last summer we went just across the line and discovered this little treasure-of-a-farm where they were holding an auction sale.

yippeeeee!!!

 

We were in heaven.

Rows & rows of junk.

love it!!

We had driven the van, but definitely should have gone with the truck.

What were we thinking?

We filled the back with these treasures.

Already planning more adventures for this summer.

Can't wait!

 

keep creating,

jill

i {love} ....

as Valentine's approaches,

loving a few things around the house these days.

 

the little wire dress form & ruffled apron in my office.

this book.

this little buddy on my piano -- my latest purchase from HomeSense.

and.........

this new crochetted bunting my bf whipped up for my barn door.

thank you, friend!!!

i loooooooove it -- such a perfect detail for all year long.

i actually may move it after february around the house.

thinking it may look cute above our bed as well.

 

keep creating,

- jill

vacation highlights

There is no doubt that our family loves Costa Rica.  Now....it's not like we've seen the whole country....yet (but we look forward to enjoying that in the future).

There are so many things about this last vacation that hit the top 10 list, but I thought I'd share just a few with you today.

 

#1 - our view

This is the view from just outside our front door.  We had palm trees for those whole like shade, hammocks for those who love to lounge & read a book, sand for those love to build sandcastles, sun for those who love the heat & waves for those who love to surf & boogie board.  It was the best of ALL worlds.......and we lucked out and rented this one!!!  It truly was paradise.

 

#2 - surfing

Ron & the kids managed to take surfing lessons this time at playa grande.  They've wanted to for a while, and this time we made the time.  Ron & Daria ended up renting a board for the next four days and surfed everyday during high tide.  It was so much fun walking down to the beach with them and watching them ride the waves.  Definitely a huge highlight for them......and me.

 

#3 - Swords at Sunset

Just like out of a Magic Treehouse Book, the four younger kids would pull out their magical swords (palm tree leaves) at sunset and "dance" around the deserted beach in front of our house.  It had always cooled off by then (+28, instead of +36 degrees) which made them happy to stay out longer.  And, don't kid yourself, it was a pretty cool setting to play a quick game of pirates.

 

#4 - family time

No schedules, no structure, no homework, no work (period).

Just time for us.....together, at our favourite place in the world.

 

images editted by: http://pixlr.com/o-matic/

 

Come back soon to see more.

And (possibly) some layouts?????

- jill