March 11, 2012

March came in like a lion [though not a big, ferocious one] and is coasting along like a lamb! I cannot tell you enough how much I have loved this winter! Just enough seasonal change to know it was winter but it was perfect! Mild days, very little snow and March actually feels like Spring is just about here! Almost twelve years we've been in Alberta and I just haven't gotten a handle on our winters, I suspect I never will.

People I talk to who have lived here forever say things like; "We get so much sunshine in the winter" ~true!, "It's a dry cold" ~ true!...my skin always feels like a piece of sandpaper or " as long as there's no wind, -20C can be gorgeous" ~ sorry not buying into that one! -20C is cold! Honestly I never loved winter in the Maritmes either, but a few things differ...it does end! Although a lot more snow falls and it is a bit damp at times, you don't have to shovel in -20C temps! Shovelling although not a fun sport is a good form of exercise...something I often lack in these Alberta winters. It can also be quite social when everyone is out doing the same thing...keeps people connected over the winter when they otherwise might hibernate indoors!

My point being...if I could handpick any kind of winter in any province...I would take the winter we just went through in a heartbeat EVERY YEAR!

As winter winds up, so does hockey. We have 2 playoff games for sure and depending on how we do will determine if more games are to follow. The guys have had a much better time this past round of games as they are tiered so much better. They are now playing against guys that are equal in ability and winning some of the time! This is so needed to boost confidence, now we can go into playoffs feeling like we stand a chance! Go Kings!

Taylor got his learners licence last month and has been getting in some driving time with Bill & I. It opens up a whole new stress for me as a Mom, but I try to stay calm and help him. I think he sees my help as criticism and he gets a bit defensive at times...but we'll get through this. He's a pretty level headed guy most of the time, so I am confident he'll be a great driver...one day! He starts Driver's Training at the end of the month! He wants more practice time before he starts, I want him to develop good habits from the get go, plus they have a passenger side brake if needed! I want one of those!

Here are a few of the pages I have done recently! I look forward to the nicer weather and getting out with my camera some more! It has gotten dusty over the winter, with the exception of our trip to Mexico!

inspired by Jessica Sprague's Photoshop Friday

My take on Canadian Scrapbooker's March Sketchy Challenge

Inspired by Jessica Sprague's Photoshop Friday

Here's hoping March is treating you fine!

February 26, 2012

Only a few more days to get your sketch on with CanadianScrapbooker’s February Sketchy Challenge! I have really enjoyed this monthly inspiration burst from the magazine and hope they will continue coming up with such great sketches!

Here is their sketch for February and my take on it!

Another thing I have been doing this month which has proven to be pretty fun, is an online class called iShot That! It is a quick three week class on using the iPhone’s camera and available apps. We are almost done week 1 and I have learned some things I did not know! To realise that I have a bit of exposure control was worth the cost of the class in itself! I have also learned of a great app called PhotoSync…very easy way to move pictures from iPhone to my computer, social networks, SmugMug, etc. Here are a few of the pictures I have taken over the week:

a little winter snowfall

sundog seen while out walking

squirrel at off leash walk

good carrot cake

hmmm...my son has been morphed!

Who knew my iPhone camera could be such fun!

January 29, 2012

Here we are...two days from the end of January! One more month of winter under our belts and into 29 days of February! Yup...it's a leap year!

January has been a pretty good month! Despite one week of nasty winter cold, the trend has been milder than usual...I LIKE that! The days are longer and brighter and with that my energy seems to be increasing! YAH! I love leaving work at the end of my day and driving home in daylight!

Taylor finished his last exam of his 1st semester on Friday. I know he is glad to have the monotony of studying and writing exams done, I am anxious to see how his marks come back!  New Semester starts this Wednesday...with Chemistry, L.A.,  Social & Mechanics! A  full course load indeed! May he stay focused as the weather starts to improves!

Bill has been busy as usual with work and spending much of his limited spare time practicing on his keyboard! I think he's doing great considering the length of time since he last played {35+ years!}. I can recognize what he is playing...and Camp Town Races rocks our family room most nights!

I have been getting some scrapbooking done after a month or two of very little time! It continues to be a hobby I love! It just falls so nicely in place with my love of taking pictures. I'm happy to have a purpose for new and old pictures, instead of just throwing them in an album to collect dust! Bill pulled out some old albums from the basement a few weeks back and I have been trying to re-purpose some of those memories! Many of the pictures no longer have any meaning, so I have also gotten rid of lots! I love to throw out unnecessary garbage! Feels so good! Here are some pages using the "found" pictures! Way more interesting to look at now than in an old dingy album!

January 12, 2012!

Hello 2012! And look, you're already almost half way through your first month! Go figure, looks as if we are all back on the roller coaster of life! Here's to a good ride this year!

Bill, Taylor and I are all back into our normal routines again. Taylor's will shortly change as he has exams soon and then will start a new semester of subjects! I always remember liking that change in a semester system, a sense of renewal always seems to feel good! I think as individuals we love the "illusion" of new beginnings, new ideals, new motivation...I know I do!

Bill will resume the next level in his Spanish classes this month as well as test his ability with the keyboard! Taylor and I bought him 4 private piano lessons and surprised him with a keyboard to bring home at his first lesson! He is the toughest person to buy for as "practical" is his middle name. He never wants for anything, so I think we pulled the wool over his eyes on this one! Next Christmas we expect him to play us some Christmas carols!

Mexican Mariachi Christmas Band

We broke from tradition this Christmas and spent a wonderful week in Mexico at the Mayan Palace! It was a perfect balance of lounging around the pool, getting out to see some sights and taking in a bit of Mexican food and culture! Bill did a great job at putting his Spanish skills to work, while I worked my new camera to record the memories! Now the process of going through all those pictures is a task on my never ending to-do list! Fortunately it's a labour of love!

Mayan Palace pools were amazing to say the least!

Chips, salsa & margaritas

Excaret

Tulum

I look forward to whatever 2012 wants to share. It will continue to involve coffee with friends, scrapbooking retreats, Taylor's sporting events, work, a trip to Nova Scotia in the summer, good wine and who knows what else! My goal for 2012 is to Move More & Eat Well...no more dieting! I will share this year long goal with a group of like minded people online at Big Picture Classes...our Motivator in Command is Cathy Zielske - a breath of fresh air!

Clearsnap!

No time to spend on a Blog post, but have to share some Clearsnap fun!

November...already!

So here I am again, sitting and trying to put some words to "paper" [so to speak]. I tried to update my blog yesterday a few times but always got interrupted or pulled in another direction, this is lovingly known as "squirlling' by my wonderful friend Cathie Allan! She has adopted this saying from a movie [can't remember the name] and has declared it a verb...I love it! I live it! You should take the time to check out her blog, she is an amazing teacher and artist with paper and ink!

Life has been very crazy for us the past few weeks! Taylor schedule is very busy with hockey, tutoring, drums and work...Bill and I do a lot of chauffeuring from one activity to another. It makes for some crazy nights and a welcome bed at the end of our day! This week we had a bit of a reprieve as Taylor sprained his ankle and was off hockey for the week, this plus a week off school for Fall break lightened our schedule and put a bit of calm into our week! Back to hockey tonight and 2 games early in the week!

We were blessed [ I use the term loosely] with our first snow on Friday night! Not a huge amount, but enough to blanket the ground and stay there. The temperatures will keep it there for a while now. I know at some level I shouldn't complain, we live in Alberta and have had snow and cold temperatures way earlier than this...BUT I have just loved the gorgeous autumn we have had and wish it could stay longer! In my next life I think I will try to come back as someone who LOVES winter...not happening in this life! I will, however; try to make the best of it when I can and get out for walks with the dogs and wait for gorgeous hoar frosts...there are moments that can be breathtaking...too bad they involve COLD! That being said my boots are ready to work for me, my down coat has been brought up from the basement and the gloves...well they have already been put to use! Bring it on and lets move forward to Spring!

For the love of dogs!

With all our running around I have had little time for "play". I did get some Christmas cards made during a weekend away in Pigeon Lake with some wonderful friends, and finished up on a scrapbook page that was taking too long to complete. I am working on an advent project for Christmas right now, and will show it when it's completed...it will be fun! So, I guess some things are getting done!

Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine has their November sketch up, so I am hopeful I will find time this month to work with it: I really like it!

November's Sketchy Challenge!

So, on with my day I must go! Taylor was up early for work and I suspect Bill went to the gym after dropping him off [he's not home yet...good assumption!]. I have lots of little things to get done today to help make our week flow a little smoother. I'll get to the bottom of the laundry hamper [hopefully!] and maybe get something into the slow cooker for tomorrow. In an ideal world I'll get out with the dogs for a walk as well, but not right now...the wind is blowing, it's snowing, grey and looks awfully cold! Bella may just have to play indoors with her new favourite toy!

Bella giving her new toy some lovins!

October 23, 2011

We are nearing the end of October, which means my birthday and Halloween are just around the corner! I am loving the fact that our weather has been very Fall-like...which means NO SNOW! Sadly I have experienced too many cold Alberta Octobers and anticipate snow on Halloween! This year could be an exception! We have had lovely mild temperatures and sunny skies, great weekends to get out with the dogs or tidy up the yard and deck for what is to come!

Bill has been busy putting things in the garage and raking leaves to be composted. The dogs are enjoying the long walks and off leash runs they have been still getting...life is pretty good!

Ball obsessed Bella!

As usual I try to get in some creative time whenever I get a chance, it is what I love doing in my down time! Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine has put out another sketch for the month of October. I look forward to them posting other peoples take on the sketch...it's always amazing to see how different all the entries are.

Here is my take on October's sketch:

Enjoy the rest of October and have a great Halloween! Keeping my fingers crossed that the snow stays away!

Canadian Scrapbooker » It’s a Sketchy Challenge

Canadian Scrapbooker has come up with a new Sketchy Challenge. You can read more about it at this link: Canadian Scrapbooker » It’s a Sketchy Challenge:
Basically they have provided a sketch for people to work with and then submit to the magazine for a chance to be published in an upcoming issue! who doesn't like to see their work in print! The catch is to use at least one product from a Canadian Manufacturer. I love that they keep coming up with great ideas to keep this magazine very Canadian!
Here is a screenshot of the current sketch:

Here is my take on the sketch:

My Canadian content is a rubber stamp called "Happiness" from Local King Rubber Stamps. I have used it to create the butterfly paper behind my photo mat.
I look forward to more sketch challenges over the months. It is a great way to get the creative juices flowing!

Scrapbooking update

Trying to stay on top of things while time allows, so you get another Blog post so close to the last one!

Before going on holidays I was fortunate to be asked to join in on a scrapbooking class at Treasured Memories, my favorite store in Edmonton. A friend was not able to make it and I gladly filled her spot as this class filled up very quickly. It was taught by Ingvild Bolme who is a Prima instructor. The supplies were primary from their line of products, which are always beautiful. Although the style of this page is not what I would typically do (it's a bit too flowery and bulky for me), the techniques learned and the products used were awesome. Ingvild introduced her line of scrapbooking tools and ink and they are great. I look forward to their introduction to the stores in the Fall. Her distressing tool is the best ever! and her ink colors are beautiful-can't wait!

Since being back from holidays I have managed to get two pages done. It was nice to hunker into my craft room again, it's a happy place for me! Bill and I bought a small TV for my room and got it mounted as the one that was there was about 25yrs old and didn't work so well when the TV stations switched to digital broadcasting. I actually get great reception now and a couple extra channels...no need for cable for my needs!

webster's pages, Coredination card stock, Harmonie Mosaic Tiles,
Stampin Up heart stamp, Glimmer Chips, Souffle Markers & misc. inks

G.C.D. Studios Zen Garden paper, Cricut for title & softballs,
Bazzil cardstock, Tattered Angels Glitter Glam

Always look forward to time spent in my room. With all the pictures I have from Nova Scotia this year and last, I have lots to keep my busy.

September

Well we are back from our holidays in Nova Scotia and have quickly resumed our routines! How does that transition happen so fast?

Taylor has started grade 11 this year and (so far!) seems to be happy with his courses and teachers. As the semester progresses we'll get a better feel of things. I am hopeful that he stays focused in an effort to improve his marks from last year

Bill is off to Winnipeg today for a quick overnight work trip. I am off today and have managed to get lots of paperwork updated and bills paid this morning. I will not feel any guilt this afternoon when enjoying what is shaping up to be another gorgeous day!

September weather is the best! The days have the potential to be warm and sunny, but the nights cool off so sleeping is so comfy! Sadly, it is what follows autumn that sends my head spinning! Today is supposed to reach 30C and the rest of the week is hot and sunny! Bring it on!

I have been slowing working away at going through my many pictures taken while in Nova Scotia. It takes so much time to weed through the best ones and get them ready to print, share, store. Fortunately it is a labour of love! Here are a few that I have uploaded to my SmugMug account:

preserves in the Tangled Garden, Grand Pre

gorgeous barrels of flowers at the Tangled Garden, Grand Pre

sunset at Black Rock Lighthouse

hummingbirds at our neighbours

I have so many more to go through and that means more to share. Hope everyone enjoys a fabulous day!