Growing & Evolving...

Yesterday we were hit with a whopper of a winter storm! The winds howled all night, then it poured and then it snowed..a horrible, blizzarding mess!! So much for Spring I guess :( But, since I didn't venture out much yesterday, I did get a lot of work done off my To Do list...and one of those things was some massive upkeep on this here blog.

My cute new lil profile header

Upon your arrival here I am sure you will have noticed that the look and feel of the blog has changed...a lot! I have been thinking about what I wanted to do here for months now and I have to tell you, I put a lot of thought in to every change!! When I first started this blog in 2009 I thought I wanted to share my cards and paper crafts and so I set this blog up specifically for that reason. And then I found throughout the years that I had more to say, more to share and more interests I wanted to write about but I kept telling myself that I couldn't have a blog that encompassed everything, who would want to read that? Gardening? Personal? Crafting? I don't know why but it seemed unlikely to me at the time that I could have just one blog that held everything I loved together in one little set up.

But time goes on, people change...they grow and they evolve. And that is exactly what my blog has done now too. Its still just little 'ol me sitting here, placing my thoughts out in to the world for whomever to read. But now this blog is truly a representation of me, all of me. I have a lot of exciting blog posts scheduled and dreamt up for you and I hope you will stick around! I will still share my cards and layouts on here as well as goodies I've baked, veggies & flowers I've grown, general farm life and personal anecdotes that I'm sure will amuse you.

So sit down, cuddle up and enjoy my small corner of the world as I share with you my little life in the country!! Have a great Tuesday everyone!!!

love,
 dawn

Welcome Spring!

Happy Saturday Everyone!!

Just wanted to stop in quickly to wish you all a great weekend! I hope you are all enjoying the Spring-like weather that we are currently reveling in..its just beautiful out! This morning, we woke up at 7 and I put my rubber boots on and took my boys for their morning walk..it was heaven!

Now, if you remember me talking about Jakey a few months ago and how he wasn't at the farm yet, well, I'm happy to announce he is now FINALLY home and settling in!! After a traumatic first encounter about 3 weeks ago, I took Jake back to my parents' house til we figured out what to do with Simon so that he could accept another male dog on the farm. Thankfully Adams' cousin was here this past week and is a natural dog whisperer and was able to make them get along without even a fight!! Needless to say I am beyond happy and will forever be in his debt for bringing all my boys together under one roof ;)

And now that the boys are getting along famously, we go on our morning walks together in the country and they just love it!! This morning, the temperature was so comfortable, the sun was shining and I felt the happiest I've felt in a while..Spring is coming!!

I hope you all enjoy your weekends :) Happy Crafting everyone!

love,
 dawn

Burning Day!

Hi Everyone!
 I am over at my inlaws so thought I'd create a quick post so as to not leave this blog so dang quiet. I've thought about blogging every day and, if I had internet, I would have posted every. single. day. Hopefully we'll get the issues resolved shortly, but until then..please accept my apologies!!!

Two days ago I experienced my first burning day on the farm. Branches and garbage that had been collected over the last year and a half were piled out beside our dug out and finally, on Thursday..it was time for it to burn!! The heat from the fire was incredible and the photos I captured are definitely going in my Project Life album (still have not received my PL contents, but I am keeping track on my calendar and taking photos none-the-less). anyways, without further hesitation..here are some of my favs from Thursday:

My Father-In-Law (showing us how its done!)

Home

With harvest running us ragged, we haven't had time to unload my belongings since I moved in here 2 weeks ago, nor have we set up a proper home. Now, I don't know about you...but I love being "home" and I miss it so much! I explained to Adam that when I say I miss being home, I don't miss a specific house back in Alberta..I just miss that feeling of being home, the warmth, the comfort, the freedom...that is what I miss

Pinterest

I miss my puppy (he's at my parents' home until I get this farm Jakey-proof), my afghan that mom made me which I like to cuddle up in every night, my PVR, my popcorn (we've been working 12-16 hour days and am too exhausted when we get home to make any. I miss my family - our visits and Sunday night suppers and I miss my friends. But what I am learning here is something extremely valuable:

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Home is wherever I make it. Home is where Adam is. Home is in his arms. Home is waking up with him every morning and falling asleep with him every night - without missing a beat. He gives me love, friendship, laughter, silliness, freedom..he gives me everything I could ever ask for.

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So well yes, I miss my pumpkin spice latte's and my scrapbooking time (which will come once we're set up) ... I know that it is all worth it because I get to be here, with this guy (below), for the rest of my life!

Us

And, just in case you were wondering, we have just 51 days left til our wedding!!!

Have a great day everyone!!! Happy Crafting!!

The Sights & Sounds of Spring!

It is definitely Spring here .. finally!! Every day I take some time to enjoy the fresh Spring air .. I open my windows to freshen up the house and spend time outside with Jakey either playing catch or digging around in my garden. Yesteryday while Jakey and I were chillin on the grass, I took a moment to listen to everything that was happening around me .. it was peaceful, it was inspiring .. it was life!

I could hear the sound of lawn mowers throughout the neighborhood, the smell of fresh cut grass, the sound of a gentle breeze whisking thru the green grass and most importantly the song birds who have finally come home for the season, it was beautiful! And then .. because it was rather warm out .. I heard the sound of this...

*pant* *pant* *pant*

he always knows how to ruin the moment...

Oh well .. back to my story!! Since Jakey here has ruined my beautiful *sounds* of Spring bit .. I just went to shoot some images of the everyday happenings of our life yesterday ...

Yeah, we like to cuddle .. it makes Jakey feel loved and keeps me smiling when my farmer can't be around

and my tulips are starting to bud!! I reckon we'll have beautiful yellow tulips by the end of the week!!

While yellow is my favorite color .. I must say green comes to a close 2nd .. gee, do you think? hehe I never loved color as much when I was younger, I went straight for blacks, navy and the odd white .. but now that I'm a little older and more aware of what I like .. I go straight for color! Can you tell by the color of my kitchen? {love it!!}

What a wonderful day we had *sigh* now today will be more organizing the house & getting it ready to list, maybe work on a few more projects for submission and possibly a chick flick .. as today it is raining out..the perfect Spring weather to bring on my flowers :) Happy Crafting everyone!

Brrrr

Okay..California could not come any sooner!! Last week we were above 0..today, -27 (thats -14 F, I believe)..it is COLD! I'm starting to think I could pull out my Christmas stamps again and they would feel right at home with this weather! A couple of coworkers and I walked 2 blocks for lunch and I honestly thought I would lose an ear..this is horrible! This morning, I let Jakey outside to do his thing and the poor thing (okay, he is a suck, but still!) he was stumbling towards the door, holding one paw up and switching it to another..they were so cold he couldn't walk anymore! He got to the door and just kind of slumped over, I had to pick his rump up and pull him inside! Yes, he is a spoiled 80lb doggy..but I don't care :)

Needless to say my Monday has not started off so well, besides the fact that it is so cold out: a) my car wouldn't start this morning so I had to call 3 coworkers before finally calling my dad to come drive me to work, b) I came to work only to find an error that occurred on Friday needed my immediate attention; and c) I still have this dang head cold! But I'm going to stay positive..after all, a week from today I will be soaking up San Francisco, CA...how many Albertans can say that?!

I hope you are all having a much better Monday than I am and I hope you are able to keep warm if you have been hit by this cold front as well :) I have a busy week ahead of me! I need to pack for our vacation, tidy up loose ends at work and its my Birthday on Friday..I will be 27 and loving it :) Have a great day everyone..Happy Crafting!

Through the Years..

I don't know if its just because the end of yet another year is upon us or I'm just feeling a little nostaligic, but I have been spending some time thinking about what all has happened in 2010 and how blessed I feel for everything and everyone in my life. Yesterday I went through my day planner and wrote out everything significant that happened so that I could create a layout chronologically organizing my past year..and it was amazing! I bought a house, took a fun class with girlfriends, got published in Paper Crafts magazine for the first time, found out friends were getting married/having babies, met "The One"..the list goes on and on!

This made me realize how truly important it is to keep scrapbooking. I've let it slide over the years, but I would really like to keep an updated scrapbook for 2011. Every month review what all happened, create layouts for specific events, etc. Time goes by so fast now a days, and I want to remember everything I can!

With that in mind, I went to my besties' house last night for our gift exchange with each other, as well as with my niece Makiya. We've done this every year, but the last three years has been even more special with the birth of my niece. Now that she is 2 1/2, she is SO much fun at Christmas and so excited for Santa (it helps that you can tell her Santa is watching when she starts pouting too!). I went home and downloading my pictures from the night on to my computer and realized I have captured a photo of her and I every Christmas since she was born..and it mystified me as to how much she has changed! And with that, I give you my 3 year Christmas with Makiya in review:

Here she and I are for our very first Christmas together! She was born in August, so would have been 4 months old here...awww :)



And here we are in 2009, she turned in to such a munchkin so fast! I love her goofy little grin here...gosh I hope she knows how much she is loved!

And finally, our annual photo, taken last night:

Poor sweetheart has had the flu bug that's been going around, so last night she was allowed a couple of chocolates from her princess advent calendar..just so she could catch up! She has an amazing personality and my Lord she is busy! Running and playing and laughing! There are still moments when I have absolutely no idea what she is saying, but at that age you can nod and play along with them and they won't know the difference ;) She warms my heart and I love her so much..and I'm so excited for next Christmas, where she will be the big sister to a little boy or girl!!! ;)

Happy Crafting everyone...I hope you are taking in everything that the holidays has to offer and cherishing every moment!

Countdown to Christmas

Its the 21st...can you believe it?! This month has completely flown by! In fact, this entire year has gone by so ridiculously fast..I can hardly stand it! In just 10 days it will mark a YEAR since I officially bought my new home that I am now in! A YEAR?!? Jeez...time really needs to slow down now..

But since it is only 4 days til the most wonderful day of the year arrives we are busy putting the final touches on presents, buying those few last minute gift ideas, baking cookies and watching holiday movies. My favorite holiday movie by far is - Elf. Who doesn't love Elf? "I'm singing...I'm in a store...and I'm SINGING"..hehehe, love it ;)

Adam will be home on Friday and will be busy wrapping presents to place under the tree..and we are so excited to start our holiday festivities!! Its pretty dang cold out there but it makes me happy to know that means we'll have snow for Christmas!!

I'm off to continue my merry making...hope you are all ready and settled in for the holidays!!! Happy Crafting everyone!

It's Christmas Time in the City..

Officially in countdown mode..only one more weekend to finish your Christmas shopping!! Adam and I will be spending our weekend in Calgary, visiting a Christmas filled Heritage Park, going shopping and visiting with his best friend and his wife. I'm really excited to get away for a mini holiday with Adam..we both love just disappearing for awhile!

This past weekend was another busy one for us. Friday night we visited with mom and dad over beers than went on a date to the movies to catch, "Due Date". The movie was funny enough, but nothing I would see again unless it were on tv. I am always so disappointed when all the funny scenes are shown in the previews!!

Saturday morning we had visitors over, my cousins and their 6 month old daughter as well as my parents came to visit while I did a photo shoot with the little girl..she was such an awesome poser for me..just sat there, all content..not one tear all morning!

Then we headed out for lunch with mom and dad, ran some errands and got ready for my office Christmas party! Before we knew it we were at a friends' house for pre-party drinks, hopped in a cab and away the party went! We went to bed around 3:30 that morning..and let me tell you, I'm still paying for the lack of sleep today!

Needless to say, yesterday was full of laziness. We laid in bed til 11:30, had a quick breakfast and ran some errands that Adam needed to do for the farm, grabbed lunch and ate it while watching "Fred Claus", had a nap and before I knew it, it was time for my beau to leave me again :( I always get a knot in my tummy when he goes to leave..but I'm thankful that in just 4 more days he'll be back for our weekend in Calgary!!

Now tonight I'll be finishing my wedding photo cd and starting the edits on Jaelyn's first photo shoot..very excited to see these!! Hope you are all having a wonderful start to your week..take care everyone and Happy Crafting!!

Holiday Train

Last nights' Holiday Train was awesome! Jodie picked me up after work with Makiya and we made our way down through the mass of people to find our spot in the crowd. Makiya was amazed at the lights on the train and for the first time since I was a little girl, I remembered what Christmas was like through the eyes of a child...and it was amazing. When the train door opened and Santa Claus appeared she was beaming and waving "hello" and my photo's captured a sparkle in her eyes that makes me melt!

I will upload my photos this evening and add them to this post, I can't wait to see them all myself! Also, a photographer from the Medicine Hat News took our photo last night and now we are in the local newspaper today!! I tried to scan the image in to share here today, but alas, it won't work :( But trust me, its cute!!

Now today I'm meeting up with a friend of mine that I've known since Grade 3 but due to our lives being so crazy lately, we only get to see once every couple of months..and we have SO much to catch up on!! I just love the holidays, don't you? Take every day in and make it worth remembering...you'll be glad you did!!

Randomness

Just a few random things today, nothing important..nothing prolific..just pure randomness:

1) I started something on Saturday that has now become a full blown obsession of mine: watching "Keeping Up With The Kardashians". There was a full day marathon happening on the "W" Network and I started watching it and could. not. turn. it. off!! So I PVR'd it and have been watching episodes ever since!!

2) I can't sleep at night lately..must be due to late nights this past weekend talking to Adam, editing photos and watching tv/movies. Let me tell you, this sure makes my 7:30-4 day job totally suck!

3) My best friend and I are taking her 2 year old (my niece) to watch the CPR Holiday Train tonight at the local train station. Those of you outside of Canada, or those Canadians who don't know about this, the Canadian Pacific Railway decorates some of its cars up in twinkling holiday lights and pulls in to cities and towns across the country to raise money for local food banks. I was there 2 years ago and it was great! Once the train pulls in to town, a car door opens and musicians sing carols for the crowd while we drink hot chocolate and marvel at the lights. When I was there 2 years ago, Johnny Reid performed and I started to really love his voice!

Photo Courtesy of CP Rail

4) I'm officially getting LOTS checked off of my Christmas list lately!! I may have a few stocking stuffers left for Adam, my mom, my best friend and Adam's parents are all I have left to buy for and I already know what I'm getting them, which is half the battle!

5) My house is a complete wreck. There are messes everywhere from the front door to my reading room and kitchen..it stresses me out! But, of course, Keeping Up With The Kardashians (Refer to point #1) is taking up much more important time in my life (oie)

6) I just found a local photographer today that I can absolutely say I want to shoot my wedding..whenever that may be ;) since I am always the one behind the lens I thought it would be really difficult to find someone in town with a style that I loved and believed in, but I was proved wrong today when I stumbled across her site, pretty much accidently! I emailed her for pricing and info, just so I had it and now I know I want to hire her..for every photo of our future family that I do not take myself! In fact, since I've started this photography journey recently..I would seriously be honored to shadow this lady and learn from her..I wonder if she would take me?! Hmm..need to check that out!

And that my friends is pretty much where my head is at today! Wow, what a mess of thoughts!! Anyways, off to the Holiday Train!! Have a great evening everyone!! Happy Crafting!

Still not wrapping my head around...

the fact that its already November!! I keep thinking about Christmas, as it is my favorite time of year and then I feel completely shocked when I realize its only a month away now!! December is going to be amazing! I am so excited!! Is there anything better than a month full of Christmas magic?!?

This weekend Adam and I are taking off on our romantic trip to Niagara Falls, ON..we fly out on Saturday and will come back home on Tuesday..needless to say, I'm just a little excited ;) I have no idea what flights we are on, what time specifically we are leaving or arriving, where we are staying...nothing!! Its all planned by Adam and I am l.o.v.i.n.g it!!

Next thing on the agenda? Christmas lights!! I haven't used them in 3 years and I am soo excited to bring them out of the basement and make them sparkle again in all of their candy cane glory! But before I get too ahead of myself..I thought I would share with you a little of my Halloween weekend!!


I just love being a "good witch" for the holidays!!



Our pumpkins this year that Adam carved!! Aren't they fantastic?



And of course, my favorite trick or treater in the world..my niece Makiya..isn't she adorable?!

Another fantastic Halloween season has come and gone..now its time to put the spider webs away because Christmas is on its way!!! Happy Crafting everyone!!

'Tis Near Halloween..

When witches go riding and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, "Tis near Halloween". Ah, I love that sentiment..it makes my heart beat just a little faster in anticipation of the ghoulish fun to be had in nearly a week's time! Last night I was out decorating my front porch with all things pertaining to witches (at Halloween I'm obsessed with witches!)when, to my surprise I realized I had inadvertantly locked myself out of the house! Yup, Jakey was inside, the oven was on cooking my supper, rice cooking on the stove..it wasn't good! Quickly I ran behind to my lovely neighbors who graciously let me in to use their phone and once again my dad came to the rescue a mere 10 minutes later!! I'd like to say that will be the last time that happens..but I know myself too well!

But it was fixed in minutes and I got back to prepping for trick or treaters! I hung my witch window cling from Martha Stewart on my front window (she looks so cool at night!) and this weekend, Adam and I will be making a cauldron full of bubbling brew (thanks to BHG!) I'll post my house photos once everything is up and decorated!!

As for myself, I will be dressing up next Friday for the office..as a witch, of course. I have my long black dress, my spider rings, striped stockings, witch shoes and of course, my pointy hat! I think its great to have one day to be whoever you want to be..young or old its never boring on Halloween!!

On another note, I recently found the super fun application of Poladroid..and with that I'll leave you with my latest creation..happy weekend everyone!!

Thursday Randoms

The original title for today's post was "Friday Randoms", yup..nothing worse than thinking its a Friday and realizing its only Thursday!! My crafty mojo is...nowhere to be seen, it's left me high & dry! I have many things on my crafty to do list but something is missing. Hopefully it'll be back in time for all the new PTI goodies I plan on ordering at tonight's release!! ;) Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas over at PTI, have you seen it? My shopping list is ever expanding..I just love this time of year!

This weekend I'm heading back out to the farm, there is so much going on out there! The dome home is steadily coming along, I have photo's on my camera, but again that just hasn't been done yet. Also, its my BF's Birthday this Sunday, he'll be 28!! Also on the list for this weekend is the town's annual Fowl Supper..I'm a little nervous to attend, it will be the first time I meet a lot of people from town and well, its never easy being the new girl..keep your fingers crossed for me please!

Then next week I plan to go in to full Halloween mode. The spider webs will be strewn across my front porch, the witch shoes for my costume will be dug out and the Halloween candy will finally be purchased (every year I purchase bags of candy and eat it all myself before I buy more for the kids..this year I figured I'd take a much healthier approach!) Are you ready for the spookiest time of year yet?!?

Speaking of Halloween..I thought I'd leave you today with this too cute to spook image, courtesy of Flikr



Happy Crafting Everyone!

Update

Hello friends and happy Friday!!

Just wanted to give the ol' blog an update and let everyone know I myself have been down for the last few days this week, doctors say I have a slight case of vertigo! Woke up at 3:30 am on Wednesday morning and the room was spinning! Ran in to a few walls, laying down made it worse, closing my eyes made it worse..it was not fun at all! I'm on some medication and feeling much better, just in time for Thanksgiving this weekend (we celebrate it in October here in Canada). I'm so excited for spending the weekend with loved ones, eating turkey and feeling grateful for all that I have in my life.

I will be back next week with more creations and even a LO! Yes, I actually sat down on Tuesday and made my first layout in about a year..I'm very proud of myself ;)

Have a great weekend everyone!! Happy Crafting!!

We have a Winner!!

Good Morning Everyone!

Did we all survive World Card Making Day? It was such an exciting day for me, blog hopping and seeing what everyone was up to! Great job to everyone that participated!! As for my little corner of the world, I printed off the comments from yesterday, cut them up & placed them in a cup and the winner that was randomly selected is none other than:

Cokie Pop Paper Boutique said...
Those little snowmen are adorable. Love the colors. Great giveaway:)

October 2, 2010 4:40 PM

Congratulations Angi!! Can't wait to send these goodies off to you!!

I'm off to set up a table at Bustin Loose: The Race to End Breast Cancer. I've been volunteering and participating in this fundraiser for the last 3 years and it still amazes me every year at the sea of pink and just how many participants come out in full force! I'll be sure to take photos and post them tomorrow. Enjoy your Sundays everyone!!

Hello October!

It's here, my favorite month of the year!! Add that it's Friday and you've got one giddy lady ;) If you've been reading my posts lately, it comes as no surprise to you that Autumn is my favorite time of year! The cozy blankets, the cool, crisp mornings, raking the leaves and coming in for a nice mug of hot chocolate, the pumpkins and changing colors of trees, the scarecrows and dried cornstalks..ugh, its just magical!!


Photo courtesy of Flikr

And if you remember this post, today I begin recording my month's adventures! I have my journal, my binder & sheet protectors..can't wait to get started!! So, what are you up to on this beautiful first weekend of October? Tomorrow I will be participating in the World Card Making Day celebrations, can't wait to see what everyone has in store for us! And then Sunday I will be at the Bustin Loose Race to End Breast Cancer event..this is an amazing local fundraiser that my coworker began with her friends 5 years ago to support breast cancer research. This year we are expecting 500 participants..a sea of pink! I will be posting photo's of the event on Monday..don't miss it!!

Have a great Friday everyone, I'll see you tomorrow! Til then, happy crafting!!

Random Friday Thoughts

So I'm sitting here..thinking I should post something, but not sure what to post..so I'm going to write out my random thoughts and send them out to you in blogland! I have a few new creations from my studio to share, but haven't taken the photos to upload them yet..so I guess that'll have to wait til next week now! I'm headed back to the farm to visit Adam after work today..funny how 5 days can leave you missing someone so much! So excited to hit the road and drive to that farm and see him and Simon their retriever standing there, waiting for me, tail wagging (Simons, not Adam!)

On my mind today? Hmm..Autumn, pumpkins, changing leaves, the colors of yellow, orange and red, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks, fuzzy warm Ugg boots, Gilmore Girls and sunshine..it all makes me very, very happy


Photo source unknown

Also I'm trying to decide if its normal that every year around this time I always wish I had a black cat as a pet. Not sure why considering I'm allergic and, well, they kind of scare me with their creepy yellow eyes..but I always think to myself that it would be nice to have one..hmm, maybe I can convince Adam to have one on the farm?!?

What do YOU love about Autumn? I'm getting pretty excited to start my October journal next week..so much ahead of me next month..Bustin Loose race for Breast Cancer next weekend, mom and dad's 32nd wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving (here in Canada), Adam's Birthday and, of course, Halloween!!

Have a great weekend everyone!! I'll be back on Monday!!

Autumn 2010

Last night I came home from work, loaded my camera and Jakey up in my car and took off to take some pictures of the changing leaves around me. It's been years since I went out with the main purpose of photographing things and let me tell you, it made me very happy! I drove in to the same parks I've visited for years, walked around and gathered images that spoke to me and made a plan to visit these same spots once a week for the rest of Fall to capture the season in all its glory



Taking the time to stop and photograph these images was good for my soul. Besides fighting with Jake over which direction to go in to, my mind was still and peaceful and just like any other time I'm creating, I really felt like I was in my element



So, here's the plan: every Thursday I will be back to post pictures of Autumn in my neighborhood..I'll document the changing of the seasons and reflect on how quickly things can change in a week's time..until next week, I'll be curling up with a good book, clean up the remaining foilage in the yard and indulging in one too many pumpkin spice latte's..

Recording October 2010

It's halfway through September already!! The leaves are changing and every day on my way to work I make note of the trees I want to photograph and am hoping I don't forget about it before its too late! And since time has a way of slipping away from me easily lately, I've decided to take a page out of Kelly Purkey's book and document my month of October. I'm going to find a super cute binder to hold all of my documentation in, get a large plastic baggie to hold all of my papers and found items in and this binder will hold everything that occured in my life for the month of October. Pictures, receipts, memories..all there for me to record.

I'm hoping this project will get me to slow down and realize what actually occurs on a day to day basis. I'm always jealous of all those bloggers who get amazing photos of every day life when the truth is, I could do the exact same thing, if I just took the time!

And since October is my favorite month of the year, what better month to stop and smell the changing leaves? Wish me luck, I'm going to need it! I'll share my progress with you all next month!!


Photo coutesy of Kelly Purkey