Nothing.

That's all I've been doing. Nothing, nothing, nothing. And it's awesome.


Ok. I'm still working. And cooking (sort of). But I'm taking it very slow for a few days. We've had a crazy(ier than normal!) few weeks!

Evan is completely better. We did get his test results from the state lab on his spinal labs. Apparently, his meningitis was caused by a strain similar to the chicken pox. Same family, or something. Seriously. I got the phone call while at a rehearsal dinner, so I got as much information as I could while ducked out into the hallway. I'll be following up with his doctor cause, well, it sort of blows my mind.

This past weekend, the whole family was in the wedding of some very dear friends. The rehearsal dinner was at Dinosaur BBQ, ceremony at Clarks and the reception at the zoo (hence the lion above!)  The weather, which has been cold and rainy for 2 weeks, cleared up beautifully. The wedding was gorgeous and everything went off without a hitch. Except of course, when I spilled my drink on the photographers laptop. Yes, I really did. They were incredibly gracious, and I was incredibly mortified.

 soon after the laptop incident.

I should have seen it coming, since earlier that week I spilled a full cup of coffee all over the couch and myself and then days later kicked an entire cup of tea across my living room carpet. I do have a hard time holding on to drinks. I'm notorious for breaking glasses and throwing cups of coffee about. I don't know how! One second they are in my hand, the next second they are literally flying about the room. I broke a glass all over the dance floor at another friends wedding two years ago. But this was by far the worst drink incident I've ever had (and hopefully it stays that way!)

Ellie Blum Photography

Evan's birthday was Sunday. We had a very quiet day - cooked up a big breakfast with some friends who had spent the night (they were also at/in the wedding the day before) then kind of lounged about for the day. I made just spaghetti (per Evans request) salad and bread sticks for dinner. Everyone LOVED the sauce. It was the basic pasta sauce, mixed with crushed tomatoes, sauteed peppers and onions, some seasonings, meatballs and sausage. It was basic (I thought) but our parents really liked it. Because we're at the end of birthday season, Evan didn't want cake. So I made these brownies. Oh, nom. Make them. I made them using half sucanat and half sugar and half white/half whole wheat flour.


Also, I'm sick of tomatoes and really glad I don't have any more to can. Till next year anyway. Apples next!


All the pictures are from the rehearsal dinner and wedding. Cause, well, that's all I had the motivation to upload since Sunday!

Kind of loving doing nothing, for at least one more day!

quote for the week.

 It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself.  ~Joyce Maynard

Happy 12th birthday Evan. 

Birthday Season

I must have been tired last night, after the kick off to Birthday Season since I posted the homemade treats without the vanilla ice cream recipe. Don't worry. It's up now - so go read it and try it. You won't be sorry. Unless of course you've already discovered home ice cream making, in which case you're probably on to better and fancier things than plain vanilla.

Anyway. Birthday Season - it's begun. 6 birthday's in 6 weeks. My mom's started it off yesterday. It was nice - we just went over for dinner (basic bbq - hamburgers, corn on the cob, macaroni salad) and cake.

We're on a, um - tight, budget so I picked a couple flowers from the garden and added in some basil and parsley for green put them in an old milk carafe and tied a little ribbon on. I also gave her a bottle of the strawberry wine. Even though it's not ready to drink yet!

My birthday is next (followed days before by my friends who is not included in our birthday season count)

Colin's comes next - poor guy. The problem with his, is that it falls during my mandatory overtime and so it's always a scramble to get his put together. It does always come together, but it's hectic. This year we are also moving the day before we planned his party. Or not planned his party. We have no idea what we are doing yet.

My sisters is the last one in August.

Evans is mid-September, and my father's is the day after - officially ending birthday season.

Just in time to start planning Christmas! Heh.

I've been eyeing these birthday flags I keep seeing - and I'm thinking about trying to put together some before Colins birthday. I know that's kind of crazy. I still have a quilt I have to finish. It's just a tiny one though. And we're gone 5 days next week. And we're still packing.

But I really like these. And really want some for this year. So I think I really need to find the time.


Here's what I'm talking about:

A Birthday Banner, at Soulemama

Happy Birthday Garland on Etsy

Even More Garland Examples


So, you see - I just have to make something like this. I mean, c'mon. We have a Birthday Season. I'm pretty sure we need these.