Countdown to...Emergency

This last week has been crazy.  Like many of you, it's all about baking..

Baking in my adorable new apron, that is...

I dare say, I`d wear this over my jeans in the summer.

Baking with my girl, who eats more of the icing than she applies...

No, I'm not outside, I'm inside.

 This week also included a lot of glittering...

Ugly old candlesticks are now sparkly and new...

My girls very first Christmas play.  She's the first one on the left.

This meant..you guessed it, more baking. 

School pressure - anyone know what I`m talking about here!

And this is pre-school.

Also, trying to be the perfect festive mom.  Decorating, crafting, gingerbread houses, shopping, festive light tours, train rides..

But how can we not do these things.  This is what it`s all about.

On top of all that, a lot of styling jobs, multiple 3am jam making nights, deliveries and shipments, holiday luncheon parties, craft fairs, and of course, more baking.   

By tuesday morning, I couldn't breathe. 

Off to the emergency.

I have pneumonia, bronchitis, and I tore the muscles between my ribs from coughing.

I guess that would be my wall.  It`s taller than I thought it would be.  I hit it hard.

Super mom/super career gal fails.

But the drugs are swell.  Now, I can fly.

An Early Gift...

Yesterday, while she was in school, I shopped.

I shopped for pink mats, pink towels.

A pretty hairbrush, some Evian misting spray...

Clippies for her hair, puffs to wipe her cheeks...

And now, she has her very own bathroom.

The guests and daddy are now banned from this space.  It's hers.

All hers.  Yes, she is three.  I may have gone overboard.

But the utter joy on her face..the happiness and pride of having her own place. 

The....well, perhaps excessive hair brushing, use of lotions, lipsticks and mists...they make my heart melt.

Bath time is a breeze now.  She can't wait.

I'm sure this will pass, I'm no fool.

I designed this bathroom for her two years ago. 

And, though I took out most of the bits - you know, the bits you put in so guests say,

"Sweet Mother of Pearl, this is fabulous, she thought of everything!!!!"

I left some of my favourite bits.

Oh, and this isn't the red project.  It's the spontaneous pink one.

Homemade Vanilla...

I don't know about you, but I love vanilla. 

Let's make some... 

Split 3-6 beans in half.

I did five.

Mason jars..

Split beans in mason jars...

Fill jar with vodka.

Now, I know some of you may have trouble parting with your vodka - after all, it 'tis the holidays.

But there is always rum, so just get over it.

And, if you need any more convincing to part with your vodka, look at the happy gift idea you can do with your homemade vanilla. 

Ahh, now I have your attention!

The vanilla needs to sit for about two months, and then, when it starts to run low, you just top it up with more vodka.

I'm keeping this one - so don't expect to see it under your tree.

Red...

There is a lot of red in my life lately. 

Not just because of the season.

Though, that is definitely contributing to the scene.

I've been working on a very large project here at the house.

And I'm down to the final touches.

Red touches.

My sweet little holiday assistant 'Pip' is back too.

He's really the best mother's aid over the holidays.

Little dude wields a mighty power!

The Festive Nest ladies are holding a second sale in the country barn this weekend.

For those who maybe missed out, or need to buy more, it's the 4th and 5th of December

10am - 3pm

632 192nd Street (off 8th Ave), South Surrey

I believe they have made new items!

Choking on my Spit...

We had our first snowfall.  About 5 inches. 

Very pretty.

Last week, I was told an interview I did about a year and a half ago was starting air all over the US.

Yikes! 

It was for Roadtrip Nation - students looking to speak with people who have followed their dreams.

Looking for inspiration..looking direction.

I was one of those people.

I didn't think I would share this with all of you. 

Nerves, fear, doubt, resurfacing stalkers from the past.

But then I went back to visit the interview today.

I found another section under the media tab.  It has three other short interviews.

One was titles titled 'To choke or not to choke`

after I watched this clip, all about how I choke on my spit when in front of a camera, I thought ..

ok, this is something to share!

click here to go to the interview

Have a laugh, get to know me a bit, and please, be kind.

Hello Sweet Friend...

My first Holiday treat. 

A gift from a sweet lady and fellow blogger.

Card said Enjoy!

So...what's a girl to do!?

 As she's told. 

Sometimes! 

Visit my friend 'Rosie' for the recipe

Earl Grey Tea Shortbread.

So very yum.

Sneak Peak...

I dropped in on Angela - the hostess to the Festive Nest "Christmas in the Barn" sale this weekend.

OH!!!!  What a happy handmade sale this will be.

I do believe, it's something you shouldn't miss!!

Paperwhites - love them.

handmade linen bags..all sorts.

A wreath made from musical sheet paper...

Happy little snowy nests...

Adorable gifts for kids...

And of course, glitter!!  Glitter, Glitter, Glitter!!!

What else did I see..

white painted furniture, antique jewellery, chalkboards on old silver serving trays, stockings, candelabras,

so many things.  

Angela is serving hot cider to guests, and I believe I have talked her into a bon fire out front!??  Have I Angela?? 

November 13th and 14th 

10am - 5pm

632  192nd Street (off 8th Ave), South Surrey

*Wait - I will be there with the new Missing Goat blueberry syrup too!!!  

Planning a Birthday..

Three.  My girl is three. 

A week before her birthday, a package arrived.

From Europe - Austria to be exact!! 

A present from a sweet blogger and etsy designer Kiki La Rue.

A gift for my girl on her birthday.

A festive cake bunting - which inspired the days decor.

A bunting bonanza!

My friend Janis over at Pinecone Camp (who has been photographing Midge since day one) sent me this.

The best gift ever.  

Thank you Janis and Kiki for making the day so special.

One of These Things...

It's like the farm is on fire these days.

The blueberry bushes are blazing red.

The Japanese Maples are spectacular.

The dried echinacea and  sunflowers are beautiful.

Even a missing goat has to stop and look back.

And if you have to search for slugs, what prettier place than under blazing red bushes.

Hmm.  It was taking this shot that lead me to a few epiphanies.

1.  Taking pictures of ducks is really hard..and...

2.  One of these things is not like the other!

It's that wee curl in the feather - do you see it.  It doesn't seem like much.

But believe me, it is something!

That tiny added volume on Poppy's behind ...well, it doesn't mean she's been up early using a hot iron or rollers.  It means only one thing.

Poppy is a Pepper.

Or in more simple terms - she is a he.