My House: Backyard Bliss, pt 2

Check out my new favourite spot in the house, our new fancified deck!




We found the umbrella for FREE courtesy of Mike's parent's neigbours. They were moving and had one of those glorious "free stuff" signs on their driveway - I just couldn't say no to this baby. It's been sitting around Mike's parent's house since last summer (thank yoooou) till we found furniture and got things together this year. It matches perfectly, love it when that happens.



And of course, we can't forget Morton. He actually keeps an eye on things from the other side of the deck along with our swing and rain barrel. Keep up the good work, Mort.



On the to-do list (most likely next summer) would be to paint the deck. I'm not sure what the previous owners were thinking when they picked this um, orange(?) colour. Maybe they were going for a "wood coloured" look, I don't know. Either way, we'll probably paint it a grey/charcoal colour of some sort next year to tie in better with the house. Husband also has some great plans for a privacy screen along the side. But for now, I am loving it as is and hoping to spend lots of time out here.

What do you think?

Christine

My House: Backyard Bliss, pt 1

We recently purchased some new patio furniture for our deck and it's quickly become my new favourite place. I'm hoping the weekends stay niiiice and sunny so I can spend more time outside hanging out with this guy.

Meet Morton:

More photos of the deck Morton proudly looks over coming soon...

Happy Tuesday!
Christine

Blog Love: Paperhearts Studio

"Two hands, two hearts creating letters of love with nibs and inks." *sigh* How can you not love that?

My lovely friend, Justine along with her partner in crime, Sophia have started a new company called Paperhearts Studio offering custom designed paper goods and the dreamiest calligraphy you'll ever see.  Justine has forever amazed me with her talents (especially when she gets a pen in hand) and Sophia's style is equally as beautiful.  I'm so happy and excited for them!

all images above via paperhearts studio

Isn't it dreamy? I want them to write me love letters.

Go check out their brand new site and blog for some more eye candy:
Paperhearts Studio
Heart Letters by Paperhearts


Christine

Bring on the Sunshine

Hello, summer, it's so nice to see you.... happy first day of summer everyone! 

Out enjoying the sunshine today on a lunch hour walk *sigh*

Christine

oh baby! Halfway

Okay, I am officially dubbing this the month of the baby and apparently baby week on this here blog. Don't worry I won't start talking about diapers or poop or a yucky combination of both, but two of the people who I am closest to both had a beautiful baby only 8 days apart and these kind of life altering events just can't go unmentioned.

First, with my little niece and now my best friend Taryn has given birth to a beautiful baby boy. Ya, it's been pretty exciting around here. Lots of love, lots of joy and lots of cuddles.

Me, Baby Sydney, and sister Michelle

And in baby news of my own, I have officially reached the half way mark. woot!

Thanks to my friend, Sherrie for the photo :)

20 weeks pregnant and currently loving...
- baby's new drop kicking tricks
- feeling baby kick for the first time on our 3rd wedding anniversary
- my new belly button trick - innie, outie, innie, outie
- my snoogle (much to my husband's dismay)
- frosted flakes

I'm hoping to get the ball rolling on the little munchkin's nursery soon so stay tuned!

Christine

Must Eat: Cry Baby Cookies

Thank you all for your sweet congrats on my new niece. I just couldn't wait to hold her so I hopped on a plane and spent most of last week in Manitoba with my sister. She is seriously the sweetest little babe and I loved every second just hanging out and snuggling.

In honour of baby Sydney, I whipped up a batch of our family favourite cookies, cry babies. My Grandma Wild makes these delicious, cakey cookies and they are a favourite among me and pretty much all my cousins. We spent many days "sneaking" into the deep freeze to sneak one (or five) of these babies.



They are a soft, gingery, cake-like cookie with the perfect touch of sweetness. My grandma says they're called cry babies because of the way the icing melts like tears across a fresh from the oven cookie. * Icing them while hot is a definite must.



The recipe makes a lot of cookies, my mom and I were baking and icing pretty much all afternoon. You might want to consider halving the recipe, but they do freeze verrry nicely. Man, why didn't I take some home with me???

Cry Babies

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups margarine
2 beaten eggs
3/4 cup light molasses
1 1/2 cups hot water with 3 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp salt
6 cups of flour

Mix all ingredients together until well combined.



Drop from a spoon (or one of those handy dandy melon scoops) onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Frost while warm with icing sugar and milk frosting. Just add milk to icing sugar until you find the right consistency - smooth but not too runny.


I wasn't exaggerating when I said a LOT of cookies - the table was covered:


I was happy to see my bro-in-law, Adam, using the adorable, err manly plate I got him for Christmas. But, trust me, there are no leftovers when cry babies are involved.


I'm thinking I might start a new tradition making these every time someone close to me has a baby. Next up my best friend Taryn who is due in a week! Can you tell we have baby fever around here??

Hope you enjoy!!

Christine

Beautiful Baby Girl

She's here, she's beautiful and she's already brought my family so much joy. I can't wait to hold my new little niece in my arms. Just look at those little toesies, they turn me to mush :)



Congratulations, Michelle and Adam - love you guys!

Aunty Christine

Fresh Mountain Air

Happy Friday, friends! Mike and I are off to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary in Canmore/Banff. We figured since this is the last anniversary "sans kids" we might as well be spontaneous and take off for the weekend... while we still can.

This is us on our first anniversary celebrating where we got engaged at Lake Louise. It SNOWED that weekend. Yes, in June. So, let's hope we get some sunshine this time around.

Have a great weekend!

Christine