mama. baby. drama: Sunshine Award

mama. baby. drama: Sunshine Award: Isn't it fitting that I noticed this little nomination from a fellow blogger right when the sunshine came up and started shining down on...

Sunshine Award

Isn't it fitting that I noticed this little nomination from a fellow blogger right when the sunshine came up and started shining down on us. It appears spring has finally arrived. We have survived first winter and overcome our disappointment when second winter appeared again and now we are enjoying the sun and I actually got to run in capris and a tank top without a long sleeve shirt, a jacket, a toque and mitts over top! Hallelujah!

So, back to my sunshine award. A fellow blogger who is so sweet and has the most wonderful sharings of life which can be found here http://sandalwoodlife.wordpress.com/ nominated me for a Sunshine award. Karen lives with purpose and balance. It is really inspiring to follow along and see how another Mommy finds balance in her life because let's face it, as a Mom, it is the one thing that always seems to get the best of me!

One part of the sunshine award is that I am to share 11 things about myself so here goes...

1. I ran over 40 km last week. This to me is a huge accomplishment. It means if I break down my four runs of the week I averaged 10km/run. There was a time in my life that I didn't run 10km in a week so the fact that I do it several times a week is quite a testament to how seriously I have taken my health.

2. This past weekend was incredibly emotional for me. I had visits with two friends who have cancer diagnosis right now. It is not an easy journey they are on yet they manage to walk this road with grace. I am inspired by their spirit and tenacity.

3. We lived outside all weekend. The sun was shining and therefore we were not allowed to be inside. I was more than a little giddy to hear all the neighborhood kids playing in the street.

4. I am type A. I like to be in control. This is something that I am perpetually learning to not control. It is never easy.

5. As I have aged I notice things like crows feet appearing on my face. Some days that make me happy, they are attached to memories and smiles. Other days I think they just make me look older than I am.

6. I believe whole heartedly that God has given me a purpose. I try to live a purpose driven life because o f that.

7. I heart coffee.
Chocolate is my other love. Rich, dark chocolate.

8. Sometimes I forget what my life was like PM (pre Mike) then once in awhile I remember and I am so grateful to have found my lobster. He is the perfect person for me and I can not imagine one day of my life without him. Also, he does all the laundry!

9. As I have gotten older I have learned to value the simplicity of  a good friendship. I no longer crave lots of friends or popularity. Instead I am thankful for the few strong friendships I have developed.

10. I wish I had a green thumb and a garden.

11. I like to add a little orange to my protein shake. It tastes like a creamsicle which tricks me into thinking I am having a milkshake for breakfast...lol

I will be nominating others for a Sunshine award in the coming weeks so stay tuned!

mama. baby. drama: 40 in 40

mama. baby. drama: 40 in 40: For lent this year I plan on giving up stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. I plan on clearing out my house one bag at a time, 40 bags of stuff go...

40 in 40

For lent this year I plan on giving up stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. I plan on clearing out my house one bag at a time, 40 bags of stuff gone in 40 days. Want to join me? Here are the rules...if it isn't useful, loved or essential it is not allowed to live in my home anymore. You don't have to clear out a giant garbage bag everyday some days it may just be a small bag of old makeup some days it might be a few big old bags of clothes. I plan on cleaning out a different part of my home each day. The whole point of this is that less stuff equals less distractions. The less time I spend taking care of "things" the more time I can spend taking care of those I love and with less stuff there is less clutter which means less clutter for my mind and less clutter for my spirit.

I can not take full credit for this idea. I heard about it through a thread on Instagram but I think it is brilliant and I am inspired by the idea so I am jumping in and getting rid of 40 bags of things. If you feel inspired join in! Share with me what you are cleaning out. I will continue to blog the clearing out from our home over the next 40 days.

Since we are into the second day of lent I think I should share what I have already begun...

My closet and dresser were up first. I filled two very large garbage bags with clothes I don't wear, don't like and don't fit. The bags are being donated to a center that allows people in the community to come  and "shop".

Second, I cleaned up the fridge. Expired items thrown out and all the extra junky magnets, flyers, and bits of stuff that have been cutting off my view of the lovely pictures we have been given by friends and family are gone. Today was only a small bag but I am happy to walk into my kitchen and actually see my fridge. Oh and we can enjoy Mike's collection of Jesus magnets again.

mama. baby. drama: Haircut for my Diva

mama. baby. drama: Haircut for my Diva: Evelyn's bangs have been obstructing her vision so it was time for a cut. I decided to take her to a new kids cut place in Avenida calle...

Haircut for my Diva

Evelyn's bangs have been obstructing her vision so it was time for a cut. I decided to take her to a new kids cut place in Avenida called Divas and Dudes. The website looked nice and their prices were reasonable so off we went.

The salon is bright and cheery with super friendly staff. Evelyn had her choice of four vintage looking metal cars, naturally she chose the pink one. Unlike other kid salons they don't have tv's playing movies. Instead, Evelyn was handed an ipad mini loaded up with games. This is brilliant, it kept her head down and her hands busy. It meant she she had a lot nicer cut that she has had in the past. When the cut was finished Evelyn got to choose from an assortment of hair mascara colors to have some "highlights".

On top of having four haircut chairs the salon also features a kids spa. I got a little sneak peek of the room and it is beautiful! There is a shimmery pink flowered wallpaper on the walls and a lovely chandelier. There is a long bench covered in fluffy cushions for the girls to sit on for their pedicures and pretty little chairs for the manicures. It is completely designed for kids even down to the teeny bopper magazines. Pedicures last 20 minutes, perfect for a little one to enjoy but not get too antsy and each month features a different ice cream scent for their spa time. Strawberry Shortcake is the scent for February and it smells delicious! We will definitely be coming in for some spa days.

Below is the salons price list for haircuts. Divas and Dudes offers many services beyond basic haircuts. From updos to birthday parties you will find lots of choices and prices to suit your needs.

1^st haircut - $19  Your little diva or dude will receive and 1^st hair cut certificate and a keepsake box for their precious locks.

Little Diva or Little Dude Hair Cut (7 yr & under) - $18  A buzz or trim finishing the style with streaks of color or a spritz of glitter.

The Big Dude's a Buzz (8 yr & up) - $22  A clipper of a cut for a cool short look.

The Diva and Dude Cut  (8 yr & up) - $28  You’ll love being the main attraction with a shampoo and trendy cut and style.

Add some style to that cut and blow dry - $15

Bang trim - $7

mama. baby. drama: The Moment When...

mama. baby. drama: The Moment When...: It is that embarrassing moment when you are working out in your living room with no music and only one other person in the room, your traine...

The Moment When...

It is that embarrassing moment when you are working out in your living room with no music and only one other person in the room, your trainer (who is a man I might add) and you are doing sumo squat jumps and you hear your thighs clap together. Yes, I said thighs. clap. together. Someone kill me now!

mama. baby. drama: Keeping it real...

mama. baby. drama: Keeping it real...: I have a 5 year old and 2 year old. They love each other dearly but they fight...a lot. Some days are great others not so much. They have be...

Keeping it real...

I have a 5 year old and 2 year old. They love each other dearly but they fight...a lot. Some days are great others not so much. They have been particularly miserable lately fighting over toys and being told "no". Some days you would think they had never been told no before. Here is a snapshot into some not so cheesy happy moments in our home.

sigh...she is 2. These moments are frequent. This particular moment I told her she couldn't have a bag of chocolate chips.

Apparently when you can't play with your sister's new toy it also mean you can't play with anything in the entire house and you have never had any special...ever!

mama. baby. drama: Evolution NOT Resolution...

mama. baby. drama: Evolution NOT Resolution...: It's an Evolution not a Resolution... I saw this saying at a Jugo Juice store recently and it struck a cord with me. I have spent many...

Evolution NOT Resolution...

It's an Evolution not a Resolution...

I saw this saying at a Jugo Juice store recently and it struck a cord with me. I have spent many years struggling with my weight, slowing gaining more and more. About a year and a half ago I decided enough was enough. I was going to be strong and I was going to be healthy. So I took up some good habits like regular exercise and eventually running. I love how I feel after a good sweat sparkle session. It is easy for me to workout because I enjoy it. I like trying new workouts, I like pushing myself and I find it easy to make fitness a priority. However, I suck at food. I like... no... LOVE food. If I ate nothing but cheese and olives and dark chocolate for the rest of my life I would be happy (fat but happy). The idea of being on a "diet" is just something I could not even stand. I have tried very unsuccessfully in the past to reduce, not consume and starve myself and inevitably failed every time.

I am at this point where it is so intensely frustrating to work out so hard and not see the pounds come off as easily as I would like so I decided late December to make a complete food overhaul and see what would happen. January has come and gone and I have made big changes. I have reduced or taken many choices out of my diet. No wheat, minimal dairy, major sugar reduction. I think before I eat and I do my best to follow through on my menu plans. I lost 13.4 pounds in one month. I am not hungry. I am not deprived. I am just limiting my treats and watching all the rest of what goes in my mouth. I believe the reason why this time I am doing well is because I have figured out what works for my body. I am exercising AND eating right. Some days it is tough (read: I just really really really want sugar) but I stick it through because I know come the weekend I get my cheat meal and it will be worth it! It will mean I get sweet potato fries and desert! So because I plan and because I know that a treat is coming I am able to more or less do well on the non cheats.

This whole process to health for me has been an evolution. It has literally taken years to figure out how to take care of my body. To learn how to push it and how to fuel it. I am still learning, I still have a looooong ways to go but for the first time I have the right people supporting me and the right mentality in place. I am so excited to see what my body can do for me now that I am fueling it properly.

So, if you have any great protein filled recipes that don't use gluten or dairy please share! I am always open to trying new flavors.

Now, if you will excuse me my stomach is growling which means I am not bored but actually physically hungry so I am going to have a snack.

mama. baby. drama: Local. Handcrafted. Delicious. 4th Spot.

mama. baby. drama: Local. Handcrafted. Delicious. 4th Spot.: Over the weekend we went out with friends for lunch at one of my fave places, 4th Spot . I discovered this place by chance with my SIL ab...

Local. Handcrafted. Delicious. 4th Spot.

Over the weekend we went out with friends for lunch at one of my fave places, 4th Spot. I discovered this place by chance with my SIL about a year ago after a mani/pedi session and have been back several times since. This is the first time we have brought our kids along and it will not be the last!

4th Spot is located on 4th street and 26th avenue NW. It is an old house renovated and converted to a restaurant. With decor celebrating the community and our city it is fun to look at the big Calgary maps on the walls covered with stickers from customers who have marked out where in the city they have travelled from to enjoy this lovely restaurant that celebrates supporting local producers. They have a great list of daily specials drawn onto the wall which include everything from a free beer with your burger to half price pizzas. 

There are two levels to 4th Spot. Don't take your kids to the top level, it is the lounge and they aren't allowed to be up there. There are no distinguishing signs telling this but the staff is friendly and kindly let us know we couldn't sit where we were. We moved to the main level and quickly settled into a large booth with our friends. There are lots of traditional style wooden high chairs and the waitress brings each kid a little coloring book with kids menu in it and a handful of crayons. The kids beverages come with lids so there is less chance of spillage. The restaurant is lively and the staff are friendly so don't worry if you have noisy or busy kids, chances are they won't ruin the experience of the other diners. There are several traditional choices for kids food. Pizza, chicken fingers, spaghetti...all priced at $8.99 they are well done and taste great and include a drink. I do wish there was some veggie sticks or something healthy on the side so my kids were getting a more balanced meal but I remind myself that it is our treat meal and we don't eat out often. I had gluten free fish tacos with a side of sweet potato fries. The tacos were fresh, full of crisp veggies and delicious! They sweet potato fries were a real treat, I particularly enjoyed their spicy mayo dip. My husband took advantage of one of the great specials and had the SUPERbowl in honor of the day's game. Our friends raved about the inhouse made hot sauce so if you like a little spice make sure you try it out. We ordered a few deserts and shared with each other. The apple pie has a layer of custard on the bottom that is beyond fabulous! 

Unfortunately they have no choices for a dairy or gluten free desert so if you have allergies or kids with them and plan on ordering desert come prepared. The menu however has a large selection of gluten and dairy free choices. 

Gluten free fish tacos

mama. baby. drama: Feeling Sick...

mama. baby. drama: Feeling Sick...: Our little Harps gets sick...a lot. She did really well through November and December. No ER visits, her specialists were very happy with he...

Feeling Sick...

Our little Harps gets sick...a lot. She did really well through November and December. No ER visits, her specialists were very happy with her development. After starting a new medication for her allergies in October we had what I would say is about a 60% improvement in her GI issues (which are all allergy related). Harper has what the doctors call 'Delayed Anaphylaxis Allergic Colitis'. This means that if she has milk products they will do a lot of damage internally, specifically in her bowels and colon. This is largely why we have moved to a cleaner style of eating in our home. Most restaurants do not take care with their food and if I make it I know what is in it. Outside of her improved GI issues Harper was kicked out of neurology! Her myelin sheath delay seems to be improved and they were no longer concerned with neurological issues. However, she has been referred to an orthopedist to help with her pigeon toe and gait issues. These seem minor compared to a neuro delay so a happy dance was done in the hospital!

While most things have been going well Harper still struggles with getting sick. It seems to be a never ending cycle of croup and pneumonia. January had three ER visits for us. One for an allergy attack (Harps got a hold of a sippy cup of milk at a playdate).The other two were croup and pneumonia. What started as a simple cold turned quickly into croup. After two and half days of grumpy croupy time Harper got blue lips so I took her to the Children's Hospital. She was given her normal routine of steroids and epinephrine and we were sent home. Two days later we were back in the ER. Sigh. This time because she had run a 40 degree fever for what was now 4 days and even tylenol and advil were not helping anymore. Combined with the fact that Harper hadn't had a wet diaper in nearly 12 hours I figured it was time to go back. Harper's cough was no longer croupy but still really bugging her. My Mommy instincts told me something was going on. At the ER the Doctor checked her over said she was dehydrated and that the would rehydrate her and monitor until she started having wet diapers again. As Harper rehydrated her fever still was not going down so the Doctor decided to do a chest xray. Sure enough there was pneumonia there. Some of it looked bacterial so we began a round of antibiotics and went home. Harps is doing immensely better but at night she is coughing away and anytime she gets worked up, busy or running around she coughs and coughs and coughs. I feel so bad for her everytime she goes through this being sick sucks yet everytime we go in she loves on all the Doctors and nurses, makes two year old toddler jokes and entertains every one possible. She has a smile that can light up a room and a hug that can warm even the Grinch's heart.

mama. baby. drama: Not Delicious

mama. baby. drama: Not Delicious: I often make our own almond butter. It is ridiculously easy and a fraction of the cost of the stuff at the grocery store. Every once in awhi...

Not Delicious

I often make our own almond butter. It is ridiculously easy and a fraction of the cost of the stuff at the grocery store. Every once in awhile I like to think I am a masterer baker and get a little creative in the kitchen. A master baker is something I can occasionally pull but not often. I should really just leave it to the professionals (read: my sister and sister in law who really and truly are master bakers).

Here are my instructions for a not delicious made up almond and hazelnut butter.

First make sure you underbake your almonds and hazelnuts so they won't release oils properly in the food processor

At this point I should have just taken it out and had a gluten free flour but alas I kept on.

Insert cute baby in a ridiculous outfit because she wants to help. At this point you still think you are doing a good job because the baby calls is "chocolate peanut butters"

Still processing but it's not getting very creamy so you should definitely get creative. Add some coconut oil and honey to cream it up a bit. When that doesn't work go crazy and add in some hemp seeds and chia seeds because hey! they are good for you and if you are already breaking the mold why not go overboard. Finally add some coconut milk for a dash of extra recipe crazy. 

In the morning serve it on toast to your five year old.

When she makes this face you shouldn't be surprised because there is a whole container of some ridiculous made up almond butter stuff that your children and husband will hate...except for the 2 year who is currently asking for more "chocolate toast butters"

mama. baby. drama: Tune My Heart

mama. baby. drama: Tune My Heart: Tune My Heart is a little business I have started with my childhood friend Becky. We named it for our favorite hymn, funny how we shared t...

Tune My Heart

Tune My Heart is a little business I have started with my childhood friend Becky. We named it for our favorite hymn, funny how we shared the same favorite. Becky and I refinish furniture, make wooden signs and recreate old pieces into new and lovely home decor. We are amazed and shocked and unbelievably excited at how well our little business is doing. We have big dreams for the future! For now, I wanted to show off some of my recent pieces...

By far my most popular piece to date. I listed this sign on a few facebook groups and promptly sold 11! It has been ordered in all sorts of color combos and even been turned horizontal. The customers will all receive their pieces next week. My house will be a disaster zone while I finish them all up so don't expect cleanliness or fresh baked goodies if you come to visit. lol

Made for my sister in law from an old thrift store frame this piece was done in my favorite color combo this Christmas. An apple green, black and a deep red. Finished off with a saying from her favorite Christmas movie 'Home Alone'.

Such a lovely sentiment about love. This piece has been reodered in so many colors! I am excited to deliver to all the customers who ordered it. 

This lovely piece started as an old cedar jewelry box. It was lovingly refinished for a Mother in Law to give to her son's girlfriend. The color requested was turquoise but this piece has so many layers of color peeking through. It was refinished with a local bees wax and feels smooth as silk to the touch. I am so in love with the copper hardware! And inside the box is still it's original cedar so it smell delicious.

Made for my Dad. He has been a Nazarene Pastor for 17 years and every sermon is finished with this saying. I am surprised no one thought to give him a sign with these words sooner but I am grateful that I got to be the one to do it. If I am correct he has this piece hanging in the church.

This piece has a bit of a funny story. As I placed the vinyl it peeled and pulled and looked terrible. It was my worst vinyl nightmare come true (that and when the vinyl folds back into itself...ahhhhh!). I thought this piece would be trashed and I was not impressed, I was so in love with the colors of it. After much pouting I decided to do a tan and copper wash over the letters, let it dry and peeled the letters off. It is amazing how mistakes can still be so beautiful. I love this piece now more than I did in it's original state.

This old cupboard door would have been long in the trash but instead it now serves as a lovely little serving tray. 

Isn't the hardware on this old farmhouse window amazeballs! I did nothing to this hardware except for clean it.