old red wagons

Sometimes you just cannot improve upon a classic.  Like this old red wagon we found at the Great Grandparents.  Jake enjoyed being pulled along, and even tried to do a little pulling on his own.  He thoroughly enjoyed the visit, as did we all, and spent almost every waking minute exploring outside. 

We were also spoiled rotten with homemade goods: cinnamon buns, pickles, perogies (unbelievably good!) and a dinner fit for Christmas.  We had such a nice visit. 

the prairies

Here is a bit of our drive through the Prairies.  So pretty.  I am still always so surprised by the flatness of it all.  These pictures were taken before we hit a massive thunder storm.  The weather here changes so quickly.  We are enjoying our time with Billy's family and these flash Prairie storms. 

birthday girl

Happy birthday Kaitster. 

I am so glad you were born!

Wishing you a wonderful day and

sending bundles of love.

a quilt

My Mom and Dad made Jake the sweetest gift.  

Together they made him a quilt.  My Dad cutting, my Mom sewing; both of them piecing it together little by little.  It is so pretty.  A vintage-y zoo animal print in baby boy blues and brown.  It is also huge.  Great to cuddle with, or just right to put down in a play area, or to eventually top a big-boy bed.  

We love it and are so thankful! 

a must have

Seriously.  a MUST.  Jake received this cute Mally bib for his birthday and I have not used another bib since.  I use it three (plus) times a day, everyday, and just wipe it down with a damp cloth!  Prior to this, we were going through bibs like crazy.

It was one of the best gifts we have received.  I probably wouldn't have ever splurged on a bib myself and didn't realize how easy leather bibs clean-up or how durable they are. 

Mealtimes are simpler and it has really cut down on laundry.  Plus, it's reversible and fastens with a magnet so you can stick it to your fridge.  So handy.    

Image courtesy of Raspberykids.com 
(which is also where Kaity purchased it). 

granville island

We walked from Kait's apartment along the sea wall to Granville island.  Before heading to the market we stopped at the playground.  It is complete with big play structures, sandboxes and a water park but we stuck to the simple stuff and just watched the kids fly around. 

Jake gave the slide a try but hasn't quite warmed up to it yet.  Same goes for the swings.  He prefers collecting rocks and pointing out interesting things to us.   

Then we continued on the checkout the Market.  We enjoyed macron's, an instrumental performance from a Peru native and some food.  You can find anything at the market there: fresh fish and chips, homemade perogies, teas, fresh fruits, vegetables, soups and cheeses... 

I would've like to spend a lot more time exploring but we took turns sitting outside with Hailey and while the group of us were inside, she would howl outside.  She was quite a disruption to the musical performance.  It was more then a little embarrassing.  

kitsilano beach

We spent the weekend with Kait and Tim in Vancouver and had such a great time.  Kit's beach is always a huge highlight.  A favourite for me, since my old little studio apartment is only half a block away.

It is such a vibrant place.  Swimming, volleyball, tennis, biking, rollerblading or just walking along the sea wall.  It is in constant motion.  And the park is so green and so lush.  It always makes for a great afternoon.   

Jake loved walking in the sand and collecting rocks and shells.   He loved the birds and the waves too, and maybe next time we are visiting we will bring swimsuits, shovels and pails. 

baked french toast

In my opinion, the very best way to make French Toast!  No standing around the stove top, dipping and flipping individual pieces of bread.  Instead you can sit down with your family and all enjoy French Toast together.  You can also prep it the night before and bake in the morning.  Perfect for brunch.

You will need:

1 loaf bread
8 eggs
2 c. whole milk
½ c.  cream
¾ c. sugar
2 tbsp. vanilla
½ c. flour
½ c. brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tsp. cinnamon
sprinkle of salt, optional
½ c. cold butter, cut into pieces
……………………………………..

Grease 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with butter. Tear bread into chunks and evenly distribute in the pan.

Mix together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread. Cover tightly and store in the fridge several hours or overnight.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add nutmeg if desired. Add butter pieces and cut into the dry mixture until it resembles fine pebbles. Store in a Ziploc in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle crumb mixture over the top and bake for 45 minutes for a softer, more bread pudding texture. Bake 1 hour or more for a firmer, less liquid texture.

Scoop out individual portions. Top with butter and drizzle with maple syrup.

 

bunting flags

I have been seeing bunting flags everywhere and think they couldn't be any sweeter!  They are perfect for parties or as room decorations.  I sewed some blue pendants for Jacob's birthday which now hang in his nursery.

I think paper bunting flags are just as sweet and they couldn't be easier.  You can use any pretty patterned paper or check out these downloads...

This printable alphabet bunting is from Ruffled and they even have a couple different patterns for the popular letters.    

 Or sweet mini-bunting flags like these.  Just print, cut and attach to string!  How perfect.   

davidson orchards

On Thursday we met my parents in Vernon at Davidson Orchards.  The orchard has been there since 1933 and is still family owned.  Their specialty is apples but they also grow all kinds of other fruits and vegetables.  

Outside you can take a tour through the orchard, see some animals in the petting area or play in the gigantic kids playground.  Inside you can buy any type of preserve you can think up, fresh apple pies and their famous apple juice.  

If we had visited a little later in the summer, their fruit stand would have been open and full of fresh produce.  Or you can choose to U-pick your own apples, tomatoes, cherries...  

Apple butter was just one of the many homemade goods inside.  

 Cute little barn filled with goats and bunnies.

The critter corral.  First stop, chickens.

 Second stop, goats.

And third, the sheep.  These sheep would not be forgotten.  They were really vocal about wanting some attention and some feed pellets. Their bleating was almost frightening. 

We met a farmer and Jake was really happy to sit with him on his quad and show off his wood chip. 

A cool Spring here means that apples like this are two weeks behind schedule.  This orchard grows over twenty different varieties of apples and soon enough this one will be big enough to eat.

 

Jake liked the chickens, goats and sheep but most of all, loved all of the wood chips.  I think he carried this particular one around all afternoon.  

We even brought some apple juice home.  Delicious.  Tasted just like fresh apples.

 

After all of this we stopped at Auntie May's Deep Dish Cafe for coffee, apple pie, apple crisp and apple cinnamon buns.  We clearly over did it, but couldn't resist all the fresh baking.  

The Cafe is the cutest thing.  It is Aunty May's actual house.  Originally built sometime in the 1940's and converted into a cafe with it's original hardwood floors, cozy fireplace and huge wraparound deck.  We really enjoyed ourselves at the orchard. 

gyro beach

We are still having a really cool Spring here, but last weekend we decided to take a little walk along the beach anyways.  Jake walked really tentatively in the sand and didn't quite know what to make of it.  He preferred holding onto a hand which Kaity didn't mind at all.

Hopefully the sun and warm weather is on it's way so we can enjoy a little swimming.

currently reading

Half Broke Horses by Jeannete Walls

 I read Walls memoir The Glass Castle several years ago and, as a result, had high expectations for this book.  I was not disappointed and would place both books in the MUST read category.  

The story is based on her Grandmother Lilly Casey Smith's fascinating life - "a mustang breaker, schoolteacher, rancher, bootlegger, poker player, racehorse rider, bush pilot and mother of two".  Truly captivating.  Lilly is a character to love; resilient, fearless, progressive and full of gumption.  And this book will leave you thinking closely about the past, a time long before automobiles and what it was truly like to be a pioneer.

(If you haven't read either book, I would recommend reading Half Broke Horses first and then reading The Glass Castle.)