I'm a Godmother

It is an honour to say I've been asked to be Tristan's Godmother, he's now my second Godchild :)

Here's the two of us at his Christening/Baptism this last Sunday.

I only hope that "Auntie" will do justice to what the role asks of me.

Love you like you were my own, little one.

Thought for Today

"Your life is a journey of learning to love yourself first and then extending that love to others in every encounter."  — Oprah

Puppy Update

This past Saturday Kristen & I went to the breeder for a meet-n-greet with our future puppy.

We still don't know which one for sure that we're getting because they were all so AWESOME! We do know that it will be a female.

Here's Mom "Gabby" and all the little puppies

And here's "Blue" (cause he wore a blue collar) who just stole my heart but he's a boy and we didn't plan on adopting a boy. Isn't he just too cute? Kristen & I spent pretty much the whole drive home talking about if we should get two puppies just so we could get "Blue" too but it's just not feasible both financially and on a personal level, I'm not good with training dogs like Kristen is and it would be too much at once :(

This is "pink" who we both loved but I think Kristen more so than me. She almost came right to his hand when he called her but hesitated and changed her mind when she only had a couple more inches to go, here's where she went instead....to sleep.

Then there's Yellow...who's actually much darker than this if it were a better photo, which I LOVE! Who Kristen & I also think is the dog we'll end up getting. For a few reasons....first the breeder specifically asked us if we liked yellow....she didn't do that with anyone else. She also said that she seems to be a bit timid and needs to go to a certain type of home so she can get the socialization that she needs. And then a few other minor things that pretty much convinces us she's the gal we're getting. I personally think she's great (outside of Blue who I still want to adopt as well) ....so we'll see...only 3 weeks to go and we'll be parents :)

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Happy Tuesday!

Jen & Chris Wedding

It is with MUCH pleasure that I present these photos to you today. I apologize there's only a few BUT I have soooo many favourites that it was really hard to choose. These are the ones I picked so you have a "feel" for the day.

Jen & Chris have been together for 10 years (as long as Kristen & I) and when they lived in Ontario were a couple of the friends that we spent most of our time with. From hanging out at their house, which included a lot of scrapbooking, watching hockey and the infamous meals where Jen would literally cook a 'scoff' for 6-8 people but it could feed up to 20 people :)

It was sad to see them move back to Nfld but I'm happy to see things have worked out and they are so content & happier then they could ever be with their lives there.

Now on to the photos....

Friday night, the rehearsal

The day of the wedding, Jen getting her hair done by "Stephanie" the local hairstylist. I'd link her website if I knew what it was??? Sorry Stephanie

Time to put on the dress & the finish touches

One last glance (I think I might re-edit this one to black & white like the above, what do you think?)

Now take me to the Chapel, no wait...beach...."goin' to the beach and we're gonna get married...."

Jen & Chris, the Bride & Groom, the Mr & Mrs...you get the idea

The parents, this is one of my favs of the family. Far left, Chris' Mom, Jen's Mom, Chris's Dad, and then Jen's Dad. Don't ask why they sat in that order, they just did :)

The bridesmaids...now let me tell you...Jen has the BEST sisters. And I can say that because I don't have sisters but if I did I'd want them to be JUST like hers. Far left, Lisa & Tracey. Middle her nieces Shelby & Sarah and back right her sister Charlene, and childhood friend Angie (who she made a pact with as little girls that they'd be each others maid of honours and the both kept it, how cool is that?)

This "was" my favourite pose of the guys until my cousin (who's "like" my sister) made the comment that it looked like a Backstreet Boys photo...which it totally does. Oh well..it's still my favourite of 'da b'yes :)

Jenny....chillin in the water

My favourite of Jen, I think because I tried a new "texture" technique on this one. What do you think? I know that's twice I've asked that in this post now...sorry just looking for feedback.

The pretty candles & white lights on the head table.

The girls.....sooooo happy we got to spend some time together. Short & Sweet!

More photos (and some duplicates) on my photo blog...head on over...but not quite yet...I have to finish this post first.

Have a great weekend & Happy Friday!

Weekend In Review

This past weekend Kristen & I went to Nfld!!!
It was one of my best friends' wedding and it was beautiful, perfect, such a great time :)
We weren't going to go, but things worked out with Air Miles so we booked it and off we went.
Thursday we left directly from work to go to the airport, we finally arrived in Nfld and showed up at my Mom's & Dad's door un-announced at 1:45am ...it was pretty funny hearing my mom on my cell going "hello...." because she was half asleep and the reception poor. It was a happy surprise though. My parents stayed up til around 3am with us then bedtime, Kristen & I were pooped.

Up again at 7:30am to spend as much time as possible with the family. Then after dinner we headed to Rocky Harbour for the 6pm rehearsal. Kristen was a groomsmen, that evening Jen, Myrna & I spent some time together catching up, spending time with old co-workers/friends, then met up with the guys and more family that was home visiting for the wedding. To bed again around 3am.

Up Saturday at 9am, relaxed most of the morning had a couple cups of coffee. Then Kristen headed out in boat with his Aunt & Uncle and I started getting ready for the wedding. I then spent the rest of the afternoon with Jen, her sisters and the rest of the family. Ceremony was at 6pm (I think we were a bit late?!?! I honestly don't know because I feel like I was going around in circles...lol) and was amazing. It was on a beach setting at Western Brook that I didn't even realize existed in Nfld. It was just like a beach down south! Everything was perfect....sunny, warm, light breeze. After lots of pictures, it was time for dinner and then the dance. After the dance some of the bridal party (not the bride & groom) went to an 'after party' finally made it home at 5:30am I think Kristen would have stayed out later but I was exhausted :(

Up again at 11am on Sunday to head back over to Bonne Bay to spend some more time with the family. Up to this point Kristen hadn't even seen his Dad. And Monday at 1pm was headed back to Deer Lake airport. Quite the whirlwind of a weekend, little sleep, and too little time. But sooooo worth it.

I'm working on the photos....you'll see those soon! I promise :)Til Tomorrow!

Pontoon Day

Last weekend, Kristen, Blaine (my bro) myself & some friends rented a Pontoon for the day. We had a great time! It didn't cost "that" much and was well worth spending the day on the water.

Here's Kristen being the Captain...ahoy!

Here's Reed taking his turn :) (not really, we were anchored here) Cute though isn't he?

The whole family - enjoying the day
My bro! Who caught some big fish by the way :)
Jason & Holly

And the group shot! I almost need to re-edit this picture because I don't like how the 'burned edge' makes Kristen's face so dark. Oh well...you get the idea.
And the surprise....I don't have a photo BUT....I'm not longer a blonde. Well...sort of....I had my hair appointment last night and told my hairdresser, let's go dramatic. I've been slowing getting up to this point for a while now, and the last time the dark didn't take as well as we hoped it would. This time it did, the dark brown is so dark it almost looks black (it's not)
So I have dark brown side bangs, blonde low & hi-lights on top and all the rest is the same dark brown. You'll see photos next week, as of today I'm taking a mini vacation until Tuesday.
Have a great weekend and lots of great photos next week!
Happy Thursday :)

People at the Cottage

I guess you can see we really enjoyed our time at the cottage. I personally love going on Sea-doo with our hostess Patty :) She loves taking those waves!

Here we are zooming up alongside the boat that Kristen and others were on

The money shot...looks like it should be in a magazine....he he :)

This was the Saturday after much fishing and a whole day on the water.

But just before this, I went to our cabin to get showered up and heard music ...this is what I saw

It sounded so nice in this setting, acoustic guitar lightly playing along with the harmonica. Doesn't get much better than that.

Must say the boy has talent.
Happy Wednesday!

Scenery & Things at the Cottage

Now the scenery photos....Kristen took this shot. It reminds me so much of Nfld.

This was the view from the deck of the cabin where we stayed. Lovely sunset :)

Kristen's a fan of the "macro" photography, thus this Lure photo. Looks kind of funky huh? Only fitting with all the fishing that he did while we were there.

And my shot, sandals on the dock. This is the life :)
Happy Tuesday!

More Cottage Pics

So I'm way behind on blogging, editing, etc, etc, etc......

Today's post is of some of the animals we saw while there, this is just 'some' there were LOTS!

First...a rattle snake, and yes it's poisonous! It's the first poisonous snake I've "seen in real life" Notice he's on the rocks trying to soak up the warmth of the sun.

Then a baby raccoon, this one was under the dock and Kristen was the brave soul who ventured out in the water to 'make the shot' sorry about the blurriness but it looks great doesn't it?
Also in the water there were schools of itsy bitsy baby catfish, so many in fact, that you could scoop you hand in the water and voila!!
And this is my FAVOURITE picture and I didn't even take it. Kristen did...the boy has talent. What do you think?
Tomorrow scenery pics, Wed people pics, and Thursday a surprise!

Life Goals

I've referenced the blog "Zen Habits" before and I'm still a big fan. A little while ago there was a post about life goals and how to set them. Today I wanted to start you off on the right foot with choosing life goals based on an excerpt from that article.

"How to choose life goals

There is no perfect answer here. Some people have known for awhile now what they really want, but just haven’t pursued it, and for them, it just takes a little contemplation to realize what they’ve wanted all along. Others will have a more difficult time, as they have never figured out what their dream is, or what they’d like to accomplish. For them, I’d make a few suggestions:

-Take some time for quiet contemplation.
-Think about what’s important to you.
-Think about what you’d like people to say about you when you die.
-Brainstorm — make a list of all the things you’d like to do in life, things that sound fun and exciting and wonderful, and then choose the best of the list.

You don’t have to come up with your life goals right now. You could just think of something you’d like to achieve over the next 6 months to a year, and continue to explore different things until you find your dream."

To read the article in full, click here

Happy Friday!

Pointe au Baril - 2008

A former co-worker of mine owns a cottage on Sturgeon Bay, it "used" to be the location of our infamous girls weekends. Well last year there wasn't a girls weekend since times have changed, girls moving, having babies, and so on. This year our friend invited Kristen & I to spend the weekend with him and his family. We accepted.

Today's post are of "L" his daughter and Winston who for the ENTIRE first night Kristen thought was named Whiskey...LMAO! I wonder what was on his mind?!?!?!

First heading out in boat :)

Feel the breeze in your hair...er...fur?! :)
Then show the love
But back on shore, on the dock, it's time to relax & chill
This one's my favourite, "It's a Dog's Life"
Happy Thursday, more photos tomorrow.

Recipe - Simple Spinach Salad

This is probably one of Kristen's favourite salads, which is kind of suprising since it's a "sweet" salad and this is the guy that puts hot sauce or vinegar on everything for the extra bite.

Simple Spinach Salad:

Ingredients:

Baby spinach (you can use regular spinach but I don't recommend it)

Feta Cheese

Raspberry vinaigrette

Directions:

Per serving/person take about a handful of spinach (approx 1-2cups) and place in small salad bowl.

Top with approx 2 tbsp of crumbled feta cheese & 1 -2 tbsp of raspberry vinaigrette (really don't need much since it is sweet)

SERVE :)

Mmm...told ya it was simple!! Goes well with pork. Also if you don't like feta, I've used fresh grated parmesan (not the powder stuff in a Kraft jar) and that tastes good as well.

Kristen's Fushia

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pickled Asparagus

Kristen & I discovered pickled asparagus at Costco once. Loved it! I don't really like anything pickled, and I definitely do not like aspargus but for some reason I loved this costco version of the stuff :) Then they discontinued it :(

So we decided....let's make our own.

We bought some asparagus spears (tips removed) and boiled them up. Then immediately added them to ice to stop the cooking process.

While doing that we had a small pouch of pickling spice boiling up in some water
Don't forget a clove of garlic in the mason jar....
In goes the asapargus
Then you add the brine, seal and let sit for 3 months before opening. Not sure how it tastes yet but will let you know in the fall.