Feed Your Soul...the free art project

Simple click on the images found here to download them into a PDF then print off and frame...how fun!

The above are some of my personal faves from the site...I am thinking I will print them off and put them up in my ensuite bathroom. Will post pics when this latest project gets accomplished.

Hello Martha

On the weekend we had some friends over for supper. I was super impressed with how my organic Hutterite chicken came out. Just in case you were wondering those are turnips and carrots in the bottom of the roaster. I did the chicken with red wine (Merlot), lemon, rosemary, garlic, onion and salt and pepper.

It was delish if I do say so myself.

10 on Tuesday...for all the pregnant girls out there!

This post is dedicated to all my friends who are due, overdue, or about to have a baby in the very near future...10 old wives tales to induce labour...

1. Cod liver oil
There are reports of castor oil being used to bring on labour as far back as the Egyptians, though how it works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative, and when it stimulates the gut it also stimulates the uterus and so "kick starts" labour.

2. Blowing Up Balloons
The build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.

3. Eating Pineapple
Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help to soften the cervix

4. Spicy Food
Spicy food is often suggested as a means of bringing on labour. There are no scientific theories relating to this, but it may be that it stimulates the gut and bowel and so encourages the uterus to get going by that means.

5. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves putting very small needles into specific points of the body. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, this stimulates the energy within the body to restore balance and boost healing.

6. Red Raspberry Leaf
Raspberry leaf can be taken as a tea or in tablet form.

7. Walking
Being upright gets the forces of gravity working for you, encouraging the baby to move down onto the cervix.

8. Sex
Sex is thought to work in three ways: first the movement may help to stimulate the uterus into action; secondly, sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, the 'contraction' hormone; thirdly, semen contains a high concentration of prostaglandins which help to soften the womb.

9. Fancy Underwear
Wear your best underwear (Murphy's law will ensure that your waters break in them).

10. Jump On A Trampoline
This is my personal favorite as it is what I attribute to my water breaking. We have a small one in our playroom that any of you are more than welcome to come and use. :)

All of the above are simply wives tales and not exactly guaranteed to work but I would appreciate it if all my preggers friends out there would utilize all of the above methods until their babies are born so that I have some new little ones to snuggle and love on!

Things I Love Fridays...

Sarah Richardson: Interior designer, television hostess and textile goddess created this amazing nursery for her new design show "Sarah 101". I am ever impressed by Sarah's ability to mix fabrics and make the most basic of pieces look beautiful, fresh and modern while always still having a bit of a classic vibe. I mean seriously, this nursery was inspired by a paisley wallpaper that they put on the ceiling! Sarah, if you ever read this...would you please come decorate my home!

Anyone wanting to check out more of Sarah Richardson's amazing work check out her website here.

10 on Tuesday...

My 10 favorite books to read with Evalicious...

In no particular order:

1. "Paperbag Princess" by Robert Munsch

2. "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak

3. "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein

4. "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch

5. "Fancy Nancy" by Jane O'Connor

6. "Oh The Thinks You Can Think" by Dr. Seuss

7. "On The Night You Were Born" by Nancy Tillman

8. "Moo Baa La La La" By Sandra Boynton

9. "We're Going On A Bear Hunt" by Michael Rosen

10. "Baby Bible Stories"

Ev loves to read. At night long after we have put her to bed we hear her continue to read to herself by the faint light of her nightlight. Some of the books on my list have a significant meaning (I can still hear my Mom singing "We're going on a bear hunt"), others are just plain fun; who doesn't like making animal sounds and rhyming Dr Seuss style...either way, these are all books Ev loves and book we love to read.

I have a great book to recommend to all the Mommies of girls out there. It is called "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" by Peggy Orenstein

Us Moms have a lot to worry about when raising our daughters; self image, eating disorders and a culture that teaches women that their worth is valued as much, if not higher, if they are beautiful over brainy. Shocking, I know, because I would think in today's forward thinking society we would place a lot more value of being brainy and witty over being beautiful. In this book Orenstein documents her struggle to "raise the ideal daughter". One who is happy, confident and not obsessed with tutus, tiaras and pink chiffon and the ultra feminine messages that come with all of the above.

While I have only read reviews so far on this book I feel like I can still recommend it. I have read books in the past by this particular author and have enjoyed her style and wit. I look forward to reading more about what Orenstein has to stay on a subject I feel is a consistent struggle.

One of the best quotes I read regarding this book is "Orenstein is the first to admit she’s not a perfect parent. But her advice to others is to pride yourself on saying no... Being a princess may seem simple. But raising one takes a whole lot of brains." Jessica Bennett, Newsweek

Look out, the Roys are moving in!

Erin, Shannelle...I hope you are prepared! We now have a permanent spot at Harmattan next door to you! I am quite excited to be your neighbour...hopefully you feel the same.

Aside from having fabulous camping neighbours I am excited to build some incredible memories with my family just as my parents did with us growing up. Evelyn has officially been at camp every year of her life; including while in the womb. Her birthday falls on the first week of August so she will officially celebrate her "day" during family camp for what I hope is many many years to come.

We are already making plans to get some gravel in, build a firepit and hopefully sooner rather than later get a nice little (or big, if I have my way) trailer.

The pictures in this post are some of my favorite memories from camp last year.

Crafty girl

Today we stumbled up a free craft time at Michaels! Evelyn was excited to make a craft a Mike and I were excited it was free...Below are some pictures of Ev's newly crafted necklace. Make sure you check out her incredible fine motor skills. Mike and I were quite surprised how easily she was able to string the beads.

For all you Mommies with kids off school this week Michaels stores all over the place (not just Calgary) are running free/cheap craft times in their stores from 1-3 Monday though Friday. To find out if a Michaels near you is running crafts just check out www.michaels.com