Last Weekend in Review.....

yes last weekend, because I didn't do it last week and this past weekend I didn't take any pictures.

Last weekend we went to St. Jacobs Market to buy some fresh bread, fruits & veggies. We also ended up buying some YUMMY all natural tea leaves. We're already out and wanting to buy more.

On the way home Kristen asked if we wanted to detour to a town called Elmira. We decided we'd check out their farmers market too (not much there though) but where we parked we saw this!

And this....

I had to put the "vintage" look on them cause I thought it was SO COOL to see the horse & buggy tied up at the local grocery store :)
Apparently there's a lot of Amish people who live in this part of Ontario. I found it so intriguing since it isn't something you see everyday.
Oh to live such a simple life :)

Bet ya the amish people aren't complaining about gas prices!

Updates...

First I apologize for no post yesterday, things have been very busy both at work and at home and my blog is what suffers. I'm sorry

Second....I still don't have last weekends pictures uploaded so no weekend in review post.

Third I do have some updates!!

We're parents!! Our puppy was born on June 21st...we'll be getting a female from the litter in August. Here's a picture of the Mom Gabby and all the little puppies. If it looks like some have spots on them, they do. Blue for boy, pink for girl. Since this photo they've now each been given a ribbon to determined what sex they are.

And the bunny is STILL in the backyard, much to Kristen's dismay...eating our vegetable garden! He's put chicken wire around it, he's put boards where they're might be a small opening for the bunny to get in and the little critter still finds a way to get in. We "think" we've found & covered all the holes last night so we'll see.

However, I must say he's awfully cute and I would love to keep him as a pet. Probably won't happen but I can enjoy him in the mean time.
And that's it for today. Happy Wednesday!
Keep smiling :)

Weekend in review - postponed!

Can't post photos so weekend in review will be tomorrow instead.

Today's Quote: Do What You Have To Do, so you can DO what you WANT to do

Happy 1st Day of Summer

Happy Summer! Officially at 7:59pm
I can't believe that we literally have every weekend booked, with something, from now until Labour Day weekend. Seems to happen every summer, but I'm not complaining because our weekends are booked with "great" things. Monday 'weekend in rewiew' posts should hopefully have lots of hi-lights and photos.

These are a few "scenery" photos from our camping weekend at Sibbald Point.

What plans do you have for the summer?
Happy Friday and of course Happy Summer :)

Recipe - Ana's Macaroni Salad

In keeping with the theme of my Summer Salad Series, today's recipe is a cold pasta salad from a co-worker of mine. It's yummy!

So let's get to it:

Ana's Macaroni Salad

1 pk macaroni or baby shells
1/2 red pepper
1/2 green pepper
1/2 red onion
1 carrot
olive oil (1 time around the bowl approx)
1/2 cup of Mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
**secret ingredient the juice of pickles (a very small splash)**

In a large bowl finely dice up your peppers, onions, carrot, then add your cooked pasta drizzle your olive oil and mix. Add your mayo and sour cream mix and then add the secret ingredient....

Place in refrigerator over night and serve.

Goes well with smoked ribs!!! Mmm.....

The Great Bunny Rescue

If you recall we had Rabbits in our backyard most of the winter.

A couple of weekends ago Kristen discovered THIS in our backyard.....

To be more specific, in our window well of one of the basement windows. Somehow the little fella/gal fell down and obviously was too small to get back out.
So Kristen came into the house and said what are we going to do? I said, get a blanket and we'll get them out. Here's the rescue....
We have since seen the little guy in the backyard...all alone. So we're not sure if she/he was abandoned while trapped or not. It seems to be growing and eating lots of our grass. I do have a recent picture but I forgot to upload the photo. Soon :) I promise.

Happy Wednesday!

Weekend In Review

This past weekend we were camping at Sibbald Point, on Lake Simcoe. Friday night it was Kristen & I, it rained most of the night but luckily Saturday it cleared up and it was sunny & hot the whole day. Early Saturday afternoon Steph, Ed & Tristan joined us and Kristen was thrilled to show Tristan how to fish

First he showed him fishing from the little "pond"

Only little fish in the pond but still proves a point :)

Then flip sides to the Lake to try the fishing....Tristan's turn (with some help of course)

I think it's the making of a pro :)

Later that evening Kristen and I headed back to the lake for the evening fishing.

OH....I think he has a big one!

You can do it, show me those muscles!

Almost there.....

And here it is the big fi....oh wait.....nevermind. Maybe next time hunny :)

Sunday morning we packed up, went for breakfast and headed home. Thankfully since we got hit with Thunder storms!

While relaxing I noticed this in the backyard!

A Momma Robin with a worm.

And on one of our patio chairs, a BABY Robin!!!

Who is sitting there, chirpping away to the momma, "come feed me!!"

Here's LUNCH! Yum!

Then off she flew....the baby Robin with a full tummy

We also watched the movie The Water Horse, which is kind of a loch ness monster story for older children. Both Kristen & I liked this one :) Check it out sometime. And that's the weekend in review, I do have a few more photos but that'll be another post for another day.

Happy Tuesday!

Kristen's Bee's

A while back Kristen & I watched Jerry Seinfeld's "Bee Movie" even though it's a cartoon for kids, it's not only entertaining but very educational about how important bee's are to us and the environment as a whole.

This new understanding & appreciation of bee's along with Kristen's desire of macro photography lead to his Bee Photo Shoot last Sunday.

He did a great job! And please be sure to watch Bee Movie if given the chance. If not check out the movie's website.

Happy Monday...tomorrow weekend in review photos.

Stolen!

My brother's snowmobile, photo below was from my Feb. 2nd post in 2007....was stolen!

His baby, his pride & joy, Gone!

He feels pretty bad about it (obviously) but I tried to remind him that things could be a lot worse, for example, someone could have been hurt or he could have been un-insured. Any number of 'worse' possibilities.

Just can't believe that people are so dishonest & bold, to do such a thing. My brother hasn't spoken with the police yet since the officer that filed the report is on vacation, so we'll see if there are any further details or if it'll be just another insurance claim.

On a Happier note, it's Friday! And Kristen & I are going camping. Friends of ours will be joining us tomorrow, but I'm definitely looking forward to some quiet time outside (even if it is supposed to rain) to read, enjoy nature, and Kristen's company of course :)

I'll have pics on Monday for my weekend in review post.

Hope you all have a great weekend & Happy Friday!

Myrna's Visit

Myrna came for a VERY breif visit last weekend, we were able to go to the movies and stay up until 3am Saturday night/Sunday morning chatting & catching up.
Sunday before she left we decided we'd get a couple of photos. Obviously I can't take them if I'm in them so we asked Kristen.
This guy is very seldom sensible...here's his picture taking process...

First here we are sitting down and getting situated, probably talking about how the flowers are blooming so nicely.

Then Myrna's explaining something....."well you see Christa...."

"Yes I see Myrna...."

Now let us think & ponder this new knowledge

Okay picture time....oh wait! Jamie get out of the background....!! Geesh!
Ahhh...here we go...it's about time
Miss you girly....it was awesome spending even a little bit of time with you.

Our neighbour (who's also a photographer) saw the picture taking session and said, how about one of the 4 of you?

Sure, why not?

It's not all bad eh?

Today I leave you with this quote to ponder, just like Myrna & I were pondering in the above photos.

...it is always the simple that produces the marvelous. -Amelia E. Barr

We bought a NEW car!

Yep we did it, we bought our very first new car. Kristen nor I ever owned a new car (even as kids living at home) So this is a pretty exciting purchase for us.

It's a 2009 Toyota Corolla CE

If you care about those details... I just like that she's black, yeah I know but I love black.

And that she's a 4 door for future family purposes. It was time that we move up from a 2 door, even though we still have the 2 door cavalier as our 2nd car. We traded in the Golf (she was older and I preferred the automatic)

Lots to blog about in the following days so stay tuned :)

Also working on a quick/new post for my photo blog hopefully this afternoon or tomorrow, if you want to check it out.

Happy Hump Day!

Quote for the Day

"Appreciate now so that the next hour and the next year don't slip away unnoticed. Every moment matters." - Oprah

Birthday Wishes.....

................going out to Jen! Happy Birthday!

Hope it's a good one :)

Recipe - Patti's Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Over the next few weeks any recipes that I post are going to be salad recipes in hopes to do a "Summer Salad Series"

This one is from the wife of a former co-worker of mine, I've only had it with romaine lettuce and it's VERY good.

Patti's Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Ingredients:

Romaine Lettuce

1/2 cup Kraft Miracle Whip

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup milk

2 tsp vinegar

2 tbsp poppy seeds

1/4 Red onion chopped or sliced

Fresh Strawberries sliced

Almond slices

Wash and chop lettuce

Mix miracle whip, sugar, milk, vinegar and poppyseeds. Mix well!

Lightly toast almond slices in un-greased frying pan with a bit of salt. Watch carefully and do not stop stirring. They burn easily.

Add to lettuce with strawberries and red onion.

Add dressing and mix all ingredients well.

Serve with your choice of side. Grilled scallops or steak come to mind :) ENJOY!

Happy Friday & Have a Great Weekend!

Latest Sneak Peek....

........is up on my photo blog head on over and take a look! :)

Eco Shopping

Here's a couple of websites that might interest you if you want to shop for accessories (mainly purses) that are eco-friendly:

Matt & Nat

They're Canadian and don't use any animal by-products. They're also cruelty free, amongst other things.

Ecoist

Their Plug:

"We offer accessories made from mostly repurposed and sustainable materials and are produced in fair trade, sweatshop-free environments. We hope to inspire more people to become "Ecoists" and think differently about the things they buy, how they are made, where they come from, and vote for a more sustainable world"

NOTE: They have purses made out of gum wrappers but it's not what you think, check out their site!

Ideal Bite

A friend of mine introduced me to this website....http://www.idealbite.com/

It's called Ideal Bite

A website that has tid-bits (or bites....lol) about everyday 'green' living.

Sign up for the daily email tips :)

The Secret

I finished reading the book "The Secret" with some difficulty I might add. I loved the idea of the book, it's basically to think positively, always focus on the good and what you want rather than what you don't want. And whatever you put out will ultimiately come back to you, so if you put out bad, bad will come back. If you put out good, good will come back.
And this is the exact reason why I struggled with the book, I found it a bit repetitive and kind of "common sense" however, with that being said, I am glad I read the book. I am working on trying a few of the ideas in the book, such as a vision board. Where you paste a picture of what you want for your life and wait for it to happen. I'm not going to tell you what those things are right now, I will when they happen, come true, I receive, etc.

If you're interested in learning more about the secret without reading the book, check out the official website http://thesecret.tv/

Happy Monday!