Food Friday: McCains International Pizza

Our meals very rarely come from a box, bag or can.

Everything is from scratch, for example mashed potatoes are real potatoes boiled and mashed. Not the ones that come in a bag, that are dehydrated where you add water and voila.

But every now and then life doesn't allow a meal from scratch.

That's where frozen pizza comes in :)

This week we discovered the McCains International Multrigrain thin crust pizza.

If I remember correctly chicken & tomatoe?

All I have to say it was good.

If you're a bruschetta lover, then you will DEFINITELY like this pizza :)

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Today's Quote

"We live in an age where pizza gets to your home before the police"

~ Jeff Marder

Dog Sitting

The next couple of weeks we'll be dog sitting my cousin's chocolate lab Missey.

So far it's been a great experience.

Boone & Missey are getting along well, we're starting to figure out Missey's personality and how she differs from Boone, and overall hasn't upset our normal routine all that much.

This was the first night they met

Kristen's view in the backyard last night

And my view from inside the house

Will keep adding photos while we have her, stay tuned.

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Today's Quote

“You achieve much once you stop telling yourself you can't do things.”
— Elizabeth Kadetsky

Are Women Born this Way?

While in Newfoundland my Dad showed me this video....it's pretty cute....LOL

 
 

Today's Quote

Life is like riding a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you plan to stop peddling.

-- Claude Pepper

Baby Update: Newfoundland Baby Shower

Today I'm officially 31 weeks pregnant, can't believe I only have approx 9 weeks to go.
So figured today's post would be appropriate to share some photos from the baby shower that my Mom and friend Myrna planned for me while we were in Newfoundland.
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It was amazing. I was so overwhelmed when over 40 women showed up. All with gifts for Baby Hann to be.

I cannot express in words how truly grateful and appreciative Kristen & I are to the people of Bonne Bay who gave so graciously.

Here's all the gifts when they were put at my feet to open, see me just taking it all in. Told you I was overwhelmed.

There's a little story that goes along with this Tigger....
My 9 year cousin Sabrina wanted to give a gift just to the baby just from her. She included a card with a message along the lines of .....
"Tigger was my favourite toy when I was a baby so here's one for your baby"
I'm the worst and remembering exact wording but you get the idea.
It was sooooo sweet of her :)

My mom made this quilt. It has sheep on it. When she said she was going to make a quilt for the baby I requested she make THE quilt for the crib. So in lieu of buying a comforter set, this is the quilt that will be used instead.

I love it....love even more that it's from my Mom and made with tender loving care.

And Nanna is proud as a peacock that she can brag that she made the baby's crib quilt.

The baby shower was held at the Chocolate Moose Bakery & Cafe

Cake made by Myrna who not only is a dear friend but also runs the place :)
This cake was sooooo good...layers of vanilla, chocolate & marble. It read Pink or Blue we Welcome You 

Can't go wrong with that.

Again thanks to everyone.

But especially Myrna & my Mom. You did such a great job with the shower, the food, the games, even the "oh so many" people on the guest list......lol. I know I give you guys a hard time about making a fuss over little 'ol me but I do appreciate it. Even if you sit me in the front of a room so everyone can stare up my dress :)

I love you both!

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Today's Quote

A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.

~Carl Sandburg

Boone's First Retriever Meet

I am exhausted...it seems since I arrived home VERY late Friday night, technically Saturday morning my body has finally told me to slow down and get some rest.

Saturday I spent the day getting groceries, tidying the house a bit, and resting! Which meant not doing much like reading or starting to organize over 3000 photos that I took in Nfld. Just under 2000 of them being the wedding. It might even be closer to 4000 photos, I'll try to get final numbers once I really dig into editing, processing, etc all the shoots.

I was supposed to have another shoot on Sunday morning but that was post-poned due to the thunder showers. However, that didn't stop Kristen, Boone and I from heading out to a golden retriever meet.

It's the first time we've been to anything like this and it was a great experience. Despite the rain and lots of MUD!

Here's a few photos

This is when we first arrived......

Then they gave us a bandana to wear around Boones neck with his name...he's the one on the far left with a red bandana

Meeting another golden...after this photo they proceeded to sniff each others butts :)

Taking a VERY brief moment to pose for us

More running & frolicking

I think this is his half brother.

Same father from the same breeder....pretty neat huh?

Then it was time to go home.....very muddy, wet and tired.

But a great day by all, if I do say so :)

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Today's Quote

Dogs are miracles with paws

~ Unknown

I'm back...temporarily

This is a quick post since I've very little time on the computer while on vacation.

I just cannot believe my vacation is almost over. 

Kristen is back in Ontario and I fly back tomorrow.

I've had a WONDERFUL time in Newfoundland and have so many photos to share once I'm back home and back to the grind.

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But to hold you over until Monday, here's a photo my Dad took a few days ago of Kristen, Boone & myself

Today's Quote

"The place where land, water and sky
embrace like old friends."
Newfoundland & Labrador Travel Guide

Food Friday: Tasty Kitchen

Pioneer Woman has launched another food blog.

And it looks good.....

If you're looking for recipes, here's the place to go. 

For a better explanation about this website from Pioneer Woman herself, click THIS LINK

But if you want to skip thatn and just find the yummy food then.....

Click HERE to go to the website

Today's Quote
"One of the delights of life is eating with friends, second to that is talking about eating. And, for unsurpassed double whammy there is talking about eating while you are eating with friends"
~Lori Colwin

Vacation Baby!!!!

T minus 4 hours and I'm Newfoundland Bound baby!

So excited.

I'm normally excited when going to Nfld but this trip is going to be so awesome on so many levels.

Can't wait :)

On the agenda....

5 Photo shoots

A wedding

A baby shower

Visiting with friends & family

Lots of good food

More visiting with friends, even one from Calgary that'll be home at the same time.

Yeah totally awesome.

As I write this Kristen and Boone are boarding their flight to Nfld. Long story as to "why" we're on separate flights.

But anyway.....I'm a bit nervous on how Boone will do other than that all is well.

Oh and since no official baby update post this week, I'm 29 weeks. Doing really well with cutting out the extra sugar in my diet since last weeks mid wife appt and feeling good. 

I'll do my best to keep the blog updated while on vacation but if there's not much going on, you'll know why!

Christa...OUT!!

Today's Quote:

No man needs a vacation so much as the person who has just had one.  

~Elbert Hubbard

Conversation Set

Well here's our conversation set....it's really comfortable

Flowers in our front yard

And my dog that I bought last summer from Home Sense....Love him :)

Today's Quote

Where flowers bloom, so does hope

~Lady Bird Johnson

OH....I almost forgot....a VERY Happy Birthday to Myrna

Boone Likes to Swim

Last Friday Kristen was off work and decided to take Boone swimming.

It's a new thing he's been working on since Boone hasn't really been exposed to the water or swimming. But since he is naturally a water dog he thought it would be good for him.

Well Boone did not disappoint....look at these awesome photos Kristen took of him enjoying the water

Today's Quote

If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do all the rest have to drown too?

~Steven Wright

Weekend in Review

What a weekend!

Friday night I headed out to Applebee's with a couple of girlfriends (one that I haven't seen for quite a while) for great food and conversation.

I don't know how many times I've already said this, but I seriously LOVE girl time :)

It's good for the soul!

Saturday was a completely wasted day...honestly...I didn't feel motivated to get anything done. I did get a bit done but I felt I should have been so much more productive.

We did however get a deal on a new conversation set (picture patio set with a coffee table instead of a dining table) which was meant for the backyard but we loved it on our front porch so much we ended up keeping it there. I'll post a photo of that this week since I haven't taken one yet.

Then Saturday night Kristen, Blaine (my brother) and I went to Shoeless Joes for a late dinner (I swear I never eat out this much) and to watch UFC 100 and later on another friend met up with us as well

Now I like UFC but I don't love UFC...if I never watched it again I wouldn't be upset.

However, once I get watching it, I get really in to it. And Saturday night was no disappointment. I thought all the fights were really good.

Then on to Sunday......

I was up bright and early to cook breakfast, finish painting the spare room in the basement which is now officially completed...again will have photos of that next week and a WHOLE story about the paint colour. All Kristen has to do is move the furniture out of the nusery and that room is ready to paint. So exciting how it's all coming along.

Then Sunday afternoon I had the opportunity to photograph my friend Holly....please please please check out the photo blog as I'm quite proud of these photos and I think she looks so great :)

But in the meantime here's a couple of my favs

Today's Quote

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

~ Unknown

Christa's Mozza Bacon Burger

So I decided half way through making these burgers that I should take photos for my blog.

Before we get to the photos I had already mixed:

lean ground beef

1/2 pack onion soup mix

2 tbsp worcestershire sauce

(I like to keep things simple)

Form the beef into patties and onto the hot grill

In between flipping the burgers, I'm in the kitchen doing the following..........

Frying onions

I hate raw onions and LOVE fried onions

Frying some bacon and cutting up mozzarella cheese

When the flipping is just about done, I add a small amount of a hickory bbq sauce

Don't forget to toast the buns!

Then start layering.....

**Sidenote: I SHOULD have put the cheese on the patties before removing them from the grill so it would have melted all nice and gooey....but my pregnant brain caused me to forget this step**

See? Would have been so much prettier if this was a gooey mess

Mmm.....fried onions

And what's a summer grilled burger without some Heinz

Happy Grilling :)

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Today's Quote

A life without love is like a year without summer.  

~Swedish Proverb

Baby Update: 28 weeks

Hey everyone...I know I know I'm behind on belly pics. 

But a lot has been going on. Kristen has been working like crazy to complete the spare room in our basement so we can officially start the nursery. I've been helping too, in my limited way.

I've had lots of photo shoots. And then yesterday I had my mid wives appt.
So to hold you over here's a photo my brother took almost 2 weeks ago while we were visiting our Uncle and family

Everything is good, I received all of my paperwork to do my follow up ultrasound, a glucose test and a letter saying that I "should" be okay to fly. They can't say for sure that I am cause really "anything" could happen but IF the airline tries to give me a hard time next week when I go on vacation, at least I have something to back me up.

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At my last mid wives appt, the mid wife from my team and I agreed I wouldn't do the glucose testing. Everything had been completely on track up to that point. Then yesterday I had a replacement mid wife, since the girls on my team are on vacation. 

Since my last appt I've gained too much weight, or more than the mid wives would like to see. Not extreme but enough. Enough that this "fill in" insisted that I take the glucose test. 

I know I know, its a standard test and not a big deal but I know I've had a sweet tooth this past month and I know that's exactly why I've gained the bit of extra weight. I just had hoped that they would have given me a bit more time to get on track before insisting I do the test. 

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It's hard enough taking time off work for the mid wives appts as it is, but now I have another ultra sound to do, a glucose test to do, I need to take time somewhere to register with the hospital and do their required tour, and on top of that my dentist office keeps calling cause I'm due up for a cleaning. 

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All of these things have finally gotten to me and last night as I was about to walk the dog I just had to go in my bedroom, lie on my bed and cry.

I just had to get everything off my chest. You seriously have NO idea how upset I am about this weight gain and the guilt I have about it possibly affecting the baby in a negative way.

But steps have been taken immediately to correct everything I've been doing wrong and the mid wife did suggest trying to replace my sweet cravings with protein, another thing that I'll be trying today....so wish me luck that by my next appt (even with vacation) everything will be as it should be....**fingers crossed**

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Otherwise, everything is on track. The baby is healthy, moving lots, and I'm loving every minute. Even the sleepless nights. The experience so far truly has been a blessing....and if I get a chance to take belly pics tonight I'll post them tomorrow...okay? Okay :)

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Today's Quote

“You know it's a bad day when you put your bra on backwards and it fits better"

~Author Unknown

Boone's Sunset Photo Shoot

Saturday evening Kristen wanted to go fishing.

I wanted to practice using our 50mm manual lense.

So while Kristen fished, I snapped photos of Boone (and some of Kristen too)

Here are a couple of my favourites

I love this one :)

And a couple of Kristen...again he won't be sensible when I take a photo so the silly one gets posted as well as payback :) Now next time you might smile nice Dear!!

Today's Quote

Fishing is the sport of drowning worms.  

~Author Unknown

I won! I won!

Yeah baby!!! I actually won a contest. 

I'm always entering contests that are on my favourite blogs and I finally won!

Woo-hoo!

I follow a blog called Dingbat Press

It's basically custom designed stationary, invitations, recipe cards, you name it, if it can be printed on paper then Adrienne at Dingbat Press can probably design it for you. Yeah she's good.

I've been following her work cause I'm considering using her for some stationary supplies when it's time to officially launch my photography biz.

So where do I begin....I know first I'll begin with the PRIZE!!!

Here's the BLOG POST of the contest

And here's what I won.....gift tags/enclosure in 3 yes I said 3 different patterns/designs

Aspen trees with yellow envelopes

Then these lovely red enclosures....the red/grey combo may have inspired me to do something with a red & grey theme. How classy is that?

 

 And my absolute favourite of the 3

The lace pattern with brown envelopes

I LOVE LOVE LOVE these....if it wasn't for everyone doing the blue & brown theme these days I would be all over this for so many different things.

Now I'll be not so patiently watching my mailbox!

Please please please....check out the Dingbat Press website by clicking HERE

To check the Etsy site to buy already made items click HERE 

 

And for the blog, click HERE

Hint....there's another give away going on RIGHT now!

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Today's Quote

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking  rules, making mistakes, and having fun.

~Mary Lou Cook

Weekend in Review

I had such a nice weekend. 

Friday night had a late dinner, walked Boone & then just relaxed. 

Saturday morning we did our usual garage sale routine, I bought a couple of books :) Paid $1.50 total

Then Saturday afternoon it was sunny with a really nice refreshing breeze, I took advantage and was able to get all of my laundry done. I love that I was able to dry it all on our clothesline....

 

Saturday evening we headed out to Dairy Queen for some ice cream.

Then we went for a drive so Kristen could do some fishing and I was able to get a couple of AWESOME sunset photos of Boone but of course I forgot to upload them, so tomorrow will be the photos of Boone :)

It really cooled down Saturday evening, which meant the perfect time to have our first backyard fire of the year. 

And yesterday I had a photoshoot, that sneak peek will be up on the photo blog later this week.

I can't say enough good things about this past weekend, busy enough, relaxing enough, productive enough, and enough time to spend with Kristen & Boone :) 

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Today's Quote

"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you."

~Oprah

Food Friday: Twice Baked Potatoes

Sunday Kristen & I had baked potatoes.

I made too many.....

So on Monday I made "Twice Baked Potatoes"

Cut your baked potatoes in half.

Scoop out the inside and leave the "shells"

Fry some bacon

Grate about 1 cup of cheese, put half in a bowl with the scooped out potato

Leave the rest for later

Mix the cheese, bacon (including grease) and potatoes well and put in the potato shells

Now sprinkle that leftover shredded cheese on top

Bake at 350 til golden :)

YUM!!

Happy Friday

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Today's Quote

“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.”

~Jon Hammond