Go RED!

I know Halloween isn't even here yet let alone over BUT I know some of you have started Christmas shopping or is at least starting to think about shopping.....

So this year when trying to decide what to buy for that special someone, why not check out THIS website.

It's the RED website...you know the one that Bono from U2 promotes???

Anyway check it out....lots of really good gift ideas...for example a RED ipod shuffle or nano. Super cute :)

Today's Quote:

"If, after all, men cannot always make history have a meaning, they can always act so their own lives have one" ~Albert Camus

Wednesday Whatevers....

I don't have much to chat about today.....just "whatever" comes off the top of my head

First, check out this post on Zen Habits.....thought it was interesting :)

I'm having a hard time finding a Halloween costume, so many are just not "appropriate" even though the idea of them is great. And I'm just not talented enough to take the idea and make my own :( Hopefully I'll find something soon.

Recipe coming soon.....I don't have step by step photos and wondering if I should just post the recipe without them?

It's COLD here today, some areas even had snow, not us...yet. Thank goodness.

I have a lot on my mind lately and feel distracted, I hate feeling distracted. "Do what you're doing while you're doing it"....yeah having a hard time with that one.

Getting a MUCH needed haircut this weekend.....will try to post photos. Just realized that I was going to do the self portrait once a month and it's almost the end of October and I haven't yet...oops. Need to put that on the "to do" list.

Today's Quote:

"Freedom is choosing your responsibility. It's not having no responsibilities; it's choosing the ones you want" ~Toni Morrison

Happy Wednesday Everyone :)

Grateful for Life

“Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” - Dalai Lama

Girls Annual Pumpkin Carve

It was a nice weekend, Friday night I actually did some scrapbooking. Finally started our wedding album (after a year and some of marriage) I know I'm way behind.

Saturday I had a photo shoot, a peek will be up on the photo blog soon.

And Sunday I had the annual girls pumpkin carve, not sure how many years now but I know it's 5 or more. Here's some photos from the day.

How cute :)

Can't wait to do it all again next year, had a great time girlies :)

Today's Quote:

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same" ~Nelson Mandela

Operation: Mission Possible

My friend Tara is going on a Missions Trip to Guatemala spring of 2009. In an effort to raise funds she's selling photo Christmas cards for the small fee of $10....you send her 10 bucks and a photo, just tell which of 15 samples you would like as your 2008 Christmas cards and voila!

Here's her blog post about it.

PLEASE support a great cause! Even if you don't want the Christmas cards you can still donate....think about it :)

Happy Friday & have a Great Weekend!

Today's Quote:

"As you give love out, it's received and reciprocated--and it grows. That's the beauty of it. Love is an energy. You can feed it to people, and they in turn feed it to others, and eventually it comes back" ~Hill Harper

Just a Girl

I've realized I'm average, and I don't mean that in a negative way. I'm quite content with being average, I can slip under the radar and enjoy my life without too much upheaval.

I'm average height, average weight, average hair colour/eye colour...nothing in particular stands out about me. And that's fine, don't get me wrong I'd love to be told I'm special, unique, one of a kind, amazing...do you need me to go on? :) 

I'm happy and that's what matters. I'm being myself and not trying to be something I'm not. If you don't like it, that's fine, you don't have too. I'm not asking you too...all I'm saying is I'm okay with who I am (sidenote: this is a general statement...there's ALWAYS room for improvement)

A friend & I were talking about having down days and how even though there's a light at the end of the tunnel in most cases, it's still discouraging to have to go through the tunnel before reaching the light. Though I try to think positive and not let life get me down, doing and saying are two completely different things. I get that.

Not even sure why I feel the need to write this today, maybe it's to encourage someone who's having a bad day, you're not alone, we've all been there. Maybe you're not feeling secure in who you are as a person, I just want to say you're lovely the way you are, I mean that. It's what makes the world such a well rounded place ;) Maybe there's a situation in your life that you're thinking how will this ever get better? To that I say take baby steps, don't try to solve it all at once. "This too shall pass...."

This yeas thus far of being quiet and self discovery has been quite an interesting one...and though the end of 2008 is drawing near (a little too quickly I might add) it doesn't mean I'm going to stop, I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even realizing the not so good things about myself.....there's been a few :(

Today I just want to encourage you, just a girl, nobody special, just a girl, trying to make a difference even if it's a small one :)

Today quote:

"It is hope that gives life meaning. And hope is based on the prospect of being able one day to turn the actual world into a possible one that looks better" ~Francois Jacob

Be-lated Weekend in Review

This past weekend I had the pleasure of babysitting my Godson Tristan. Quite the adventure since he's in his "terrible two's" and sometimes the mood was very pleasant and other times not so much. Overall the experience was a good one. But add on top of that a very hyper puppy who get's super excited when children come around. I was by myself with the both of them for a while and even called Kristen asking when he was coming home cause I needed "help" please? .....

Here's a couple of photos when both of them were calm and getting along :)

I put the cushions on the floor in case Tristan rolled and I didn't catch him in time, when I looked here was Boone thinking they were put there for him.

And one of my puppy alone who is growing like a weed and hardly looks like a puppy anymore :(

Today's Quote:

"I trust that everything happens for a reason, even when we're not wise enough to see it."  ~Oprah

Goodlife Zen Article

Head over to Goodlife Zen and read THIS article called Lifestyle Makeover: How to Simplify Your Life in 5 Easy Steps.

Today's Quote:

"It is up to us to invest our lives with meaning, hard as that often turns out to be... It is not a question of days and hours. That is the time of the clock! I mean to point to that other time that is programmed into our psyche, our mind and hearts." ~Matthew Ies Spetter

Post/photos tomorrow of weekend in review....

Today's Quote:

"Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent." ~Parker Palmer

Boone: Before & After

Kristen & I really didn't know much about crating a dog until it was time to adopt Boone. We thought "how could you leave your dog in a cage all day?" But it goes to show how ignorant and un-educated we were about crates.

First the crate is a positive place for the dog. It's his den, his safe haven, his place to get away when he wants some quiet time. He's fed in there, he receives treats in there, sometimes he even get's a timeout in there but overall it's positive. Even in the morning when I'm about to leave for work Boone is in the crate even before instructed to do so. Because it means the days routine has begun and it also means he is getting his tasty Kong as a treat :)

Secondly, it's important to know a crate cannot be too big or puppy WILL go potty inside. Thus why Boone's oh so big crate currently is paritally blocked off to make it smaller for his puppy size. We'll extend the length as he grows.

And third, it's for his safety. He's a puppy, he doesn't know everything that is okay to chew or not okay to chew. If left alone I'd be terrified to go home in the evening out of fear if Boone were still alive and hadn't choked on something during the day. He's a chewer and does eat anything he can if not supervised, not to mention he's teething.

Here's Boone, just chillin' in his crate

One night this week I was fixing Boone's crate, he has some blankets and a pillow inside. We haven't purchased a "bed" yet since he's still growing and we'll invest in a full size one when he's bigger.

I call this the "before" photo

There's a reason I call it the before photo, that's because Boone IS a puppy afterall and he has spurts of energy and playfulness

Let me show you what the playfullness results in......

Yes, this is the "after" See how EVERYTHING is taken out of his crate.

See how he's looking oh so innocent? Like "what, what did I do?"

Just look at those big brown eyes!!!

And then he goes and does things like this.....I swear he did this all on his own. I have no idea how he manage to get so snuggled in. Makes me want to snuggle in with him.

And that's your Boone update for today :) Isn't he just the cutest dog ever??? I might be biased....just a little.

Happy Friday!!

Today's Quote:

"What counts is the ideals..." ~Robert Frost

Feature: Joe Girl

I discovered this blog Joe Girl from the Smart Canucks website.

In a nutshell her blog is about interior decorating...and who doesn't have a roof over their heads that they want the inside to be an expression of themselves with a touch of what's in style :)

Check her out!

Today's Quote:

"Great indeed is our need to love" ~Julia Hartwig

Disappointed

I am thoroughly disappointed with the Canadian voting population as a whole, the LOWEST turn out. Seriously only 59% of us went out to actually vote, a right & priviledge that people died for and you can't take 10 minutes out of your oh so busy schedule to have a say?

And what happens...another minority government so in two years were probably back to the polls again, spending more of our tax money. You should be ashamed if you didn't vote...you really should.

Don't say "well I dont know anything about each candidate", it's YOUR responsibility to educate yourself, you're an adult, still need mommy to hold your hand? Anyway enough ranting and going on about that for today.

Today's Quote:

"Be real and unashamed. Even of your faults" ~ Amy Bloom

Election Day

Today is the big day, the Federal Election, if you haven't voted yet I hope you're going too.

On the website Smart Canucks they even have the things you need to do to be able to vote. Click here to check it out.

Other news....newborn session posted on my photography blog.

And....

Today's Quote:

"If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart." ~ Oprah

Giving Thanks

So much to be thankful for....

Husband

Family

Friends

Home

Job

Passion for Life

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Thanksgiving Stuffing

Thanksgiving is on Monday so today I'm going to share my version of stuffing that I LOVE. It's made on the stove top so no need to stuff the bird before hand. Make this about 10-15 minutes before serving your Turkey dinner and you're good to go.

My friend's mom used to make this stuffing and she taught me how to make it. Over the years I've tweaked it a bit to my own liking.

Seasonings you will need:

Pepper, Celery Salt, and Savory (it's a herb easily found at the grocery store)

Veggies you will need:

Chopped green onion, regular white onion, and celery

And bread crumbs. I cut up slices of bread in to cubes. My friend's mom used to freeze leftover bread crusts (most people throw them out) then soak them under warm water. Squeeze out the excess water then she added the seasonings. It's sooo good and moist. My version is the dry version.

Into the bowl, your breads crumbs and seasonings. I would say about 1 tablespoon of savoury, 1/2 - 1 teaspoons of pepper and a dash of celery salt (I don't like it too salty)

In the pan goes about 4-5 tbsp of butter, yes it's a lot but it adds a lot of flavour to everything.

Then add the veggies. Saute til soft.

Then add the bread crumb mixture. Mix well and turn the heat on low. Cover and stir occassionally.

Here's a tip, if you like a bit of crunch to your bread crumbs leave the lid off. If you want it softer turn the heat off and leave the lid on. I like crunch cause then I smother it in gravy :) Mmm...getting hungry just thinking about it.

And here's the finished product!! Delicious.

This same stuffing can go in the turkey and roasted. The only difference is no need to fry anything before hand. Add seasonings, raw veggies, bread, room temperature butter, in one bowl...mix WELL and stuff the bird...voila :)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Today's Quote:

“If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it.” - George F. Burns

Feature: Up-Rooted & Re-Planted

Today's feature is the blog "Up-Rooted & Re-Planted"

I met Angie through Jen a few years ago and I think you'll enjoy the honesty and bluntness she puts forward in her blog. It has happy, sad, the reality of small town life, and then a touch of humour.

For example this quote from her blog....

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." - Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

Struck me funny :) since I'm trying to be all Miss Positive these days.....

Check it out!

 

Today's Quote

“The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.” - Bertrand Russell

Apple Picking

My Godson Tristan went to Chudleighs apple farm this past weekend with his Mommy & friends.

Here's a few photos that she shared with me, I just had to show you cause he is SO DARN CUTE! I love that kid so much :)

Picking his first apple

Thoroughly enjoying his apple. Don't you just love that expression? :)

Today's Quote:

"Be grateful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." ~Oprah

They're Expecting

Who you ask? Jen & Chris!!!

Not long after being married, they're sharing the good news that they're expecting a little one into their family.

I couldn't be happier, Jen (well both of them for that matter) have wanted children for so long and agreed that once tying the knot they would "start trying" and try they did apparently....LOL....she's very early still, but she said it was okay for me to share :)

I wish you all the best and good luck that everything goes okay with your pregnancy.

Love you both, congrats!

Today's Quote:

"...we know from daily life that we exist for other people first of all for whose smiles and well-being our own happiness depends" ~Albert Einstein

Don't Vote.....

THIS video is for American voters but the message still applies to us Canadians. It's of celebrities (such as Leonardo Dicaprio, Halle Berry, Courtney Cox) trying to get out the message of the importance to VOTE!

For more information about voting on Oct 14th check out the Elections Canada website....click HERE!

Sweaters, Scarves & Self Portraits

I love sweaters, maybe its why I love fall so much. They're comfy, warm, cozy, go with jeans or dress pants, I could go on. This is my latest find at Suzy Shier (LOVE that store by the way too)

I had purchased a tunic type dress to wear with leggings in hopes to be a bit more stylish, but when I got home and put it all together....umm....no.....Christa will NOT be sporting that fashion style. The word to describe me....frumpy...seriously! These legs do not pull off leggings :( So the dress is to be returned and the sweater replacing it. The purse is cute too...hmmm...no no I don't need the purse.

That being said, I also LOVE scarves and I'm tickled pink! that scarves are "IN" right now. Most people are sportin' pashmina's which I'm not opposed too I just haven't added one to my collection. I do however, have some dressier, sheer, type scarves. They just add that little bit of extra "punch" to a plain outfit. Maybe I'll post a couple of pictures of myself in the near future wearing them....I've realized I haven't had a picture of myself since Holly took one of me at the wedding we did in August (see profile pic)? Always a photographer these days ;)

I read a blog where a photographer is doing the "photographers 52 week challenge" where you (the photographer) take a picture of yourself once a week. I thought it was interesting, but is it conceited? Am I being a snob to want a picture of myself once a week? Maybe I'll do the "Christa's 12 month challenge" one photo of MOI once a month. That I can handle...not once a week. Ugh I can't even take that much of myself....lol.

Anyway.....those are my Friday ramblings. Sweaters, scarves & self portraits.

Have a GREAT weekend :)

Election 2008

Are you Canadian? Are you a proud Canadian citizen? Do you vote? Just so you don't have any excuses as to why you can't vote...here are the links to each parties website.

Conservatives

Liberal

NDP

Green Party

Bloc Quebecois

Educate yourself, make an informed decision based on your convictions, VOTE! It's your right, your duty! And if you don't, you have no right to whine, complain, and so on when things (healthcare, taxes, etc) aren't they way YOU want them to be!!!

And my last rant for the day...don't get so caught up in American Politics...tonight OUR leaders debate is on TV. Watch that, form an opinion and make an informed VOTE! Got it yet?!?!? :)

Happy Thursday!