Better Late!

Their superhero capes from Little Ra's.  They loved them!

I spent the first 7 years of my life in the Caribbean on a little island called Dominica.  I had never heard of Halloween and when we moved here we still didn't celebrate it.  So when I had kids I struggled with this whole idea of Halloween.  I am still not sure what my thoughts are - so I went ahead and used the amazing costumes that my friend gave us.  Just perfect for our family.  I guess it was time to hang up the Spiderman pyjamas my son had been using as a costume!  

Yes! I know I am a little late in posting this but these pictures disappeared for a week and I just found them.  When they vanished I thought it was a sign or something! Crazy- I know.

The spicy little pumpkin!

Best Zebra face-ever!

All the candy they didn't get to eat!

She Made It!

Last night I was invited to a trade show where women shared their products and services while I sipped on a girly drink.  It was really lovely.  I am in the midst of planning my own trade show with a similar concept.  Lately I have been feeling a little unmotivated and discouraged about my newest venture.  Last night I was reminded why I started this in the first place.

I love meeting women who have a story.  And because every woman has a story, I couldn't help but want to soak in every bit of it.  As I went from booth to booth I heard the stories of how women got inspired to start their business and what keeps them going.  There were a few that didn't sell much but that didn't seem to hinder their passion and joy for their craft.  I learned that sometimes pursuing your dream takes hard work that doesn't always pay off right away.  Listening to theses women I saw that creativity bursts through life in so many different ways.  I was reminded about why I started Marmee's Circle.  Women with creativity and determination are awe-inspiring!

Meeting Melissa from Mummy Nuggle was one of the highlights of the evening.  Melissa has twin girls and sews beautiful aprons (for both ladies and girls) along with some dresses and other pretty things.  We chatted about the late nights and desire to constantly defend our choices.  Both of us left the teaching world to stay home with our children.  We also share a common faith.  Meeting Melissa was the highlight of the evening because she had such a pleasant attitude that radiated from all the sweet touches on her products.  This is what I call awe-inspiring.  I look at these women and their determination (with twins, careers, tight budgets, late late nights) and I am in awe and inspired to do more and do it better.

So I am going full speed with She Made It!  Because when a woman makes it, it makes such a difference in so many lives!

What dream are you reminded to hold on to?

Planned to the Plate

I posted pictures of my old kitchen a few days ago.  It was so easy to be presentable with those perfectly white planned to the plate cabinets.  When I designed it I made sure everything had a place and there was not much to distract anyone from it's beauty.  I remember when we first completed the kitchen I would come down the stairs just to stare at it.  The white cabinets and nearly naked counter tops gave me such peace.  They were little pats on the back that I was doing something right!

Now I find reminders of my inability to find a place for everything- even egg carton creatures!

 We had another home school family over for the day.  It's great when you meet people who you can just hang out with.  While the kids (all 7 of them) played (very well) the moms chit chatted about home school, church, cooking, home decor... I apologized continually for my lack of "perfect nestiness" and my getting sorted while she was over.  I was a little distracted because I felt that I should have had the chocolate-banana-coconut-walnut (exhale) bread baked before they arrived.  I was initially thrown because I wanted to have the fruit washed and set out in my white matching trays.  I was a bit off put because I wanted the croissant sandwich station to be sorted and plated before the kidlets were hungry.  So I apologized, heart sinking and disappointments lingering.

I asked my friend why I couldn't be like The Nester or the Pioneer Woman or  any other perfectly held together bloggy mom on the planet.  Why do I have stacks of stuff, piles of papers, and baskets of crafts laying about.  Why can't things find a home in my home.  I felt like a two year old throwing a tantrum...Why? NO FAIR! HMMM!

So the grace fell out of her mouth and drifted on to my heart.  She reminded me of the baby that still cried for me, the other 3 that can't be left out of sight and the banana bread that shared a little of itself through my oven vent.  She gave me permission to live in a little chaos- for now.  I needed that. Thank you Ms. S!

Cooking B.K. (Before Kids)

My old kitchen...Oh how i miss thee! I almost forgot we have napkin rings!

Remnants of my B.K. life!

When I visit the Pioneer Woman's blog I salivate, not only because of her delicious looking food but because of the seemingly domestic bliss she lives in.  I love cooking, trying new recipes, creating menus that require pen to paper and numerous trips to grocery stores that crisscross towns.

Due to our full young family and single income I find it difficult to indulge in my favourite past time.  The feeling of excitement as I anxiously poured through my various cook books and magazines is indescribable.  I loved planning a meal based on deliciously frivolous criteria.  For a shower for a colleague during the holiday season I decided to make a green and white menu.  Everything had to be naturally green and white.  I even found fresh white asparagus!!! Good times!

Another favourite before kids cooking memory was taking cooking classes at the local LCBO.  For my American friends that is where Canadians get their alcohol.  My friend and I learned how to cook an entire menu Parisian style. 

My favourite spot...I had to leave behind!

Holidays were especially delicious at our house.  I used to make Valentine's dinner for my husband which included mini lemon meringues in lemons! Oh the good old days.  Then I had a year where I was obsessed with creme brule.  I even bought a mini hand held torch.  I was intense!  That same year I made  a ice cream cake covered in baked meringue icing. (Another Martha Stewart favourite!)  Then I decided to make homemade ice cream for Christmas gifts! True joy!

There was the Julia Child baking phase where I baked croissants, focaccia, cinnamon rolls, bagels to my hearts and my husband's content.  These required trips to the back rooms of grocery stores to find fresh yeast.  I had to do a lot of convincing to let them sell it to me.  Fun times! Truly! One day I will be able to indulge in real vanilla beans, unbottled Parmesan cheese, and black truffle oils again... one day!

Pardon my trip down memory lane but I just miss the good old days where I could go to great lengths to make a meal spectacular. For now the basics will have to do. 

Just Wading Around

I try to get some quiet time before I get the kids up to reflect and pray- a little.  Today I came across some words of wisdom.  Each morning I visit the Proverbs 31 Ministries.  I usually find inspirational devotions that motivate me to stay on track.  Today was no exception! I just wanted to share this simple but true statement form Marybeth's post.  

I wanted to be a mother but I didn't want the sleepless nights and being stretched to the point of breaking. I wanted to be married but I didn't want to learn how to get along with another person day in and day out, to discover what sacrifice really means. I wanted to be a novelist but I didn't want to have to work so hard to make it happen. I wanted to lose weight but I didn't want to exercise daily or control my cravings. I wanted what I wanted, and God used those desires to build my character along the way, and draw me closer to Him in the process.

Sometimes when you are in the middle of a storm your only focus is how to get out and survive that storm.  Lately that has been my mindset.  How to I get through marriage difficulties, challenges with my children and financial worries.  I just want to get to the other side unscathed!  Marybeth reminded me that the wading is where I will learn the most. I have the potential to grow some fruit and nourish the lives that rely on me.  The opportunity to really shine is greater in this darkness.

I am looking forward to coming out the other end today but I am also going to take a new look at my challenges! How about you?

Swimming In Our Pyjamas!

Have you gone swimming in your pyjamas lately?

I am sure you have but you don't even know it.  Our sons have swimming on Thursday nights.  So naturally I wanted to make bedtime on that night easier.  My eldest son suggested that I dress them in their pyjamas.  What a great idea.  I guess he has gotten use to me bringing pyjamas with us when we go to parties, small groups - well anywhere.  So this has become our thing.  I am sure it isn't anything new to most of you.  but swimming in our pyjamas is phrase that I use when we have thought of something that saves us both time and aggravation.

How do you swim in your pyjamas?


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Sleeping Mommy & The Beast: Lessons Learned

I am a bit delayed in writing about how my week of sleep went.  Well I slept well for 5 out of the 7 days.  Most days I went to bed before the 11:00 deadline.  (Right now it is 10:51 PM so we will see if I make it tonight.)

What I discovered:

-more sleep equals greater memory
I didn't seem to forget things as much and I didn't have a million thoughts racing through my mind.  (Even though I had a million children racing through my house.)

-I didn't really get more done but I enjoyed what I was doing!
Usually I stay up to bake, blog or tidy.  I blogged less and didn't do much baking.  Even though I have felt a little down lately, it didn't feel as overwhelming as it normally would.  I could really "sleep off" some stress.  Now I know why my husband loves sleep so much!

-I actually had more motivation to do stuff WITH my children instead of doing stuff to or for them.  
We read a lot more books together.  We went for walks and outings.  It didn't seem like as much of a challenge.

AND the BIGGIE!
Even though you could hear me yelling  talking to my kids from across the street  I could muster up some patience to speak to Cohen with out losing it.  (I'm still working on the other two.)

Well it is exactly 11:00 so I must click out!  See you in the morning!

How was your sleep?