I don't know... is it too soon to start talking about this?

Holiday Homebody

In the midst of the holidays and I love that we are being holiday homebodies! We've been thoroughly enjoying the time just being home. I especially love where I live this time of year. It is so beautiful to pull in the drive-way and see our house all aglow in it's own space with no other distractions. Not to mention how much I am loving tobogganing out the back door and our long hikes up the hill to the woods and stream that await our adventuring. Just love it!

We've had our share of family time and company and we've loved having that special time with everyone too! Gavin especially loves the company!

But for this holiday, we are homebodies. We are all about long coffee moments in the morning and hot chocolate in the afternoon, and happy hour by 4:)

Cabernet Franc or Cosmo?

Longing

So love this outfit at http://www.net-a-porter.com/!

Blogging Inspiration

So, I've been lacking some good blogging inspiration lately. Don't get me wrong there are tons of things happening around here- good things. Gavin is playing hockey & loving it! We've decorated for Christmas and we're loving Gavin's anticipation of what's to come! But really what's got me excited today is all about me! I've been online browsing & giving my hubby some great gift ideas! So here's a peek at what I'm loving lately! All of these lovely things can be found at http://www.bluefly.com/!

Sunday Sweet Sunday

I so loved today! We got up and puttered around. I did a little school stuff. Gavin played Wii. Shawn worked outside in the trailer- winterizing. Then we headed into town to go see "Where the Wild Things Are". Gavin so loves this book and he listens to it on tape too! It's definitely one of my faves. So, when the previews started I absolutely loved them. The music, the scenes from the movie- the whole bit just evoked some sort of sentimental feeling inside me.

So, we were all so excited to see it. I'd heard it was pretty deep and had some darker moments. It is PG but I have to say, Gavin was a great age because he didn't understand, nor even realize the deeper stuff, but just enjoyed it on a purely entertaining level. Shawn and I were quite the opposite. Maybe it was our mood or I don't know but we both left feeling like that movie brought out a whole lot of emotions. It's quite emotional near the end- I don't want to give it away- but we were all quite teary eyed. Poor Gav was downright devastated. He gets pretty sensitive to that kind of stuff and he just couldn't hold it in- which made things even harder for us!

The way the movie is made, the characters, the soundtrack and the story all made this movie absolutely fabulous! Definitely provoked some good discussion in the car afterwards.

So then we were off to do some serious grocery shopping- still talking about the movie, of course. I love a good grocery trip. We were all really into it and bought lots of fun and yummy stuff. I get all happy when the refrigerator is all full and colourful. I love all the fresh fruits and vegetables. We cooked a delicious seafood dinner with trout, catfish and noodle wrapped shrimp, accompanied by pancetta vinagrette and brussel sprouts- oh and fresh multigrain italian bread. Did I mention the wine? Our new favourite- Sandbanks WAVES! Loved it.

Shawn & Gav carved the pumpkin tonight. It was super cute to see him drawing out all his designs prior to carving. We saved every seed- to roast, naturally!

Anyhoo, great Sunday night television. Relaxing on the couch. The only thing that might have made it a little better was the sound of good ole football game going in the background while baking up some pumpkin bread. Save it for next weekend!

What makes me smile...

It's been a few weeks but Gavin has discovered that he actually can read words in a real book. He's quite a little sight word reader! He found that level 1 readers had enough words in them that he could actually read and understand the book! He has a whole set of Hot Wheels books and he just loves the success he feels when he reads one of those to us!

It just happened. One Sunday afternoon, he just started finger tracking and reading! You can only imagine how proud his literacy lover of a mother was! He was pretty proud too! It was super cute to see his little grin when he realized what he had accomplished. Love that face!

So tonight, I snuggled him into bed with the ususal story routine and left him for his 10 minutes of "lights on", when he gets to read his books quietly in bed. After a few minutes he was at the top of the stairs, super excited! "Mom! Guess what Mom? I can read lots of words in level 2 books! I just read the new "UP!" book that Daddy bought me! Listen!" And that's when he started to read to me from the top of the stairs. I could've yelled to get back into bed but instead, I seized the moment! I called him downstairs, by the fire, with me.

He read the book to me! I almost cried. Again, he was so proud that I wish I could keep that look on his face for a lifetime. It made me smile. It's still making me smile.

Still the Rocker I Once Was...

And to prove that I'm still a rocker-girl... we're off to AC/DC in Buffalo this weekend! Seriously! Sadly, Gavin would absolutely LOVE to join us but no such luck. Not really a kid thing! He listens, sings and watches AC/DC almost daily. He has stickers, hats and dvd/cds. He just loves their music. He will often comment that dad's truck has rockstar music. Ya know the song..."dirty deeds"? Imagine Gavin singing this, "dirty deeds, thunderchief!". It's so darn cute because the words are "done dirt cheap" not "thunderchief"! Oh my! I laugh out loud everytime! So anyway, this weekend we will head out to prove that we can still rock! And rock we shall! I'll get the concert t-shirt to prove it! It is one of "the hundred" things every stylish girl must own!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Yep... can ya guess? That's right folks! Another DISNEY CRUISE is coming our way! Great deal really- couldn't resist! Kids travel free! It was a limited time offer to past cruisers and I could only book 2 rooms. So, we jumped on the deal! And by "we"... I mean, The Fillmore's too!

That's right! The story goes... on a last minute whim, Shawn asked DJ to come here to hunt! And they actually came! He came here for Thanksgiving and so did P and the kids! It was a fabulous fall weekend with lots of last minute plans! Winery tours, shopping at Lulu, pizza at Woodenheads and turkey dinner! Does it get any better? So, we got to talking about March Break and thought maybe we'd look into a few things together. So, we played travel agency for and finally came up with the cruise as the best option, by far! So, we are planning a third cruise and I couldn't be happier!

What's better than a Disney Cruise?

A Disney Cruise with great friends!

152 days to go!

Preparing

Found this great image of an autumn centrepiece over at Great Bones Great Pieces. LOVE this picture. So, I think I might just whip this up this weekend. It's time to prepare for fall, friends and October!

Mixed Emotions

Gavin starts SK tomorrow . I am so happy for him. He is so looking forward to getting back at it. He's so ready. Just last week, he started reading all on his own. He really does need to go and be around the kids. But then why do I feel so sad? It's just a whole lotta mixed emotions. It's just another sign that he's getting older (& me too!). I just wish I had a little longer with him home. I hope he's happy and content with our summer. I hope we did all the things he wanted to do. I hope he knows how much we love him.

Fall

Fall makes me sentimental or nostalgic or something wierd happens. I get all emotional and start this crazy nesting thing. It's just wierd. I start to feel totally different than I did in the heat of summer (or should I say the "not-so-hot" summer). Either way... it's started again! I began a bit of a flirtatious affair with fall a few years back when I confessed that I may actually like fall, despite my LOVE of summer. Maybe it's the return to work or Gavin going off to school or just the cool nights. I don't know. I just know that it's a odd sort of feeling I have- this fall thing.

Mad About Mad Men

Have you seen it? I've been on a Mad Men binge lately. I've been catching up on Season 1, with full episodes online at ctv.ca!
I am so loving this show! Like I need another show

Summertime Tunes

There is nothing I love more than a great summer playlist. I don't always put the most current or popular on my list but just the songs that make me happy. I'm kind of a country girl come summer. It's funny because I'm a rocker and I do love a little jazz too! Really, I love all music! So, here it is- the songs I'm listening to this summer!


Petra Haden- Don't stop Believin'
Weezer- Troublemaker
Depeche Mode- Just Can't Get Enough
Billy Talent- Rusted from the Rain
Jack Ingram- Barefoot & Crazy
Black Eyed Peas- I Gotta Feeling
Rascall Flatts- Summer Nights
Toby Keith- God Love Her
Pitbull- I know You Want Me
Stereos- Summer Girl
Kenny Chesney- Out Last Night
Billy Currington- People Are Crazy
Johnny Cash- Ring of Fire (for my Mags!)
ACDC- TNT, She Got the Jack (for my boy and M)
Loretta Lynn (I warned you!)- You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man, Don't Come Home a Drinkin', Mad Mrs. Leroy Brown (and the list goes on!)
Tragically Hip- Love is a First
Kings of Leon- Crawl
Lady GaGa- Just Dance
Johnny Reid- Darlin'
Ray LaMontagne- You Are the Best Thing
Cat Power- Naked, If I Want To


So grab yourself an italian soda (with a little Grey Goose?) and enjoy.
Happy listening- if you dare!

Star Wars + Snack

It's a date night for Gav and I. Yep. Star Wars + snacks! I'm enjoying a cold Bud Light Lime and cracked black pepper popcorn. Gavin is munching down some cold white milk and Doritos! Guess what is on tv? Star Wars! It's perfect!

Summer Reading List

So here it is... my summer reading list. Crazy to be so late but it really has been one busy summer so far. I love to read! It's a great way to get lost in the summertime. So here's the rundown... The Flying Troutman's is a great, easy read. The characters are so well written that you really do feel like you know them. It's kind of a dark comedy but good god I thought it was fantastic! That nights on air book was a gift from Shawn. Highly recommended by some but not a favourite of mine. The Thirteenth Tale was hard to get into after the Troutman's but oh my! What a great book! I could barely put it down. Very different but a great story. In the mix, I've been totally addicted to decorating magazines. I am loving these two because they are Canadian! The best for last- I bought 3 copies of this book- The Hundred! Two I bought for friends and one for myself. What a fabulous guide to all the stylish things one should own. Dangerous for a shopaholic like myself! I have loved flipping through this book time and time again. I might add, I even own a few of the items. LOVE this book! Finally, I am just beginning the newest Wally Lamb. This guy never lets me down and I am in need of at least one more great read before fall. I'll let ya know what I think but I'm counting on a sure thing!

Here I am!

Just in case you were wondering... I'm still around! I know it's been awhile but just wait... I am planning a blogging extravaganza real soon. Stay tuned.

Memories of May

Here's a glimpse at some of the things we've been up to...

Camping May Long at Emily Provincial Park
Fishing
Great Wolf Lodge
Niagara Falls
Gavin's 5th Birthday

It's all good! We had a great MAY! But where did the time go?

Getting Back to Good....

I am tired of waiting. I'm tired waiting. I am tired.
So this past weekend was The Tragically Hip concert.. which was great. But honestly, I was so excited to finally see The Trews! God I love them! I have been so worn down and not really feeling like myself lately. But I tell ya... a night out with great music, good drinks and great friends made all the difference.
I haven't been blogging because I get so overwhelmed by everything I need to do that I feel guilty doing something like blogging. It feels like a job instead of what I enjoy. Tonight I finally felt like a blogger again.
It's taken me awhile but I think I'm finally getting back to good.

Contentment

Here's a list of things that are giving me the greatest feeling of contentment...
watching Gavin play hockey outside
drinking a glass of wine outside on the patio
bundling up in cozy clothes and rubber boots and walking around our property
sunsets at 8pm
snuggling in bed with my laptop and some good tv
BBQ steak and a spinach salad
dressing up all cute in spring clothes
pink lip gloss
watching hockey playoffs with Shawn... really, it's true!

Home Alone

So, this is officially the first-ever weekend that I have been home totally alone! Seriously, I am home alone! Shawn took Gavin and Faith to the camp for the weekend. This is Gav's first weekend at the camp with Daddy. He was pretty excited because with this adventure came many new things. He needed a new four-wheeler helmet, a four-wheeler seat and Daddy even got a new four-wheeler trailer! Imagine all the excitement!
But with the excitement came a little anxiety and sadness for me. I know... silly. But I felt a little sad when they pulled away. I always talk big about all "yahooing" and what not but when it comes down to it, I wish they were here. I'm at my course all weekend anyways so I guess it's no big deal.
And so, for now, I will snuggle up with a glass of wine and some PVR fun!

Donald Duck

Seriously, as long as my peeptoe shoes are still holding cold toes then I am gonna relive that cruise as much as I can! So there! Love this shot of Gav. He was super excited to see Donald on Castaway Cay! Me too!

This boy....

This boy is too funny! He makes me crazy but I can't help laughing and smiling when I think of all the crazy things he does and says. Tonight he told me I was hilarious. But not like in a "you're so funny mommy" way but in a "I'm gonna say it like it's an insult" sorta way. You know? Like the teeth are clenched, voice raised and he growls "you're hilarious!". I really wasn't trying to be hilarious... I think he is mistaken. Anyhoo, he is the hilarious one. He doesn't even know it yet!

Escape to the cruiseship once again...

As long as it is icky outside I'm going to keep on dreaming about the cruise. These pictures were all taken on the island of St. Thomas. We loved Magen's Bay, which is one of the top ten beaches in the world. I can almost feel the hot sun and sand! Gavin made a few friends on this beach. They were from Italy! Ahhhhh... bring on summer!

Yearning for some green!

This blah brown grass is getting to me. Seriously... can we get some green around here?? Until then, over at Making it Lovely, I found this little bit of sweetness! It made me happy! Happy Easter!