Summer Lovin'

SASHA & ROLAND my little Summer Lovers.

This is why we live here in the blistering 8 months worth of Winter/cold/wind/snow/rain. For this. We take what we get, 4 months worth of pure bliss.

Love
Marcia

SLOW Summer

With the last days of school nearly behind us I am excited to have my little chickens home with me for the summer. I have declared this our good old fashioned slow summer. A summer with no major agendas, no major organized sports. The plan is to enjoy the summer and enjoy each other, literally take time to smell the roses.
Now with saying that there is no agenda does not mean we have no plans, on the contrary, we have assembled a list of activities we would like to do this summer and we have a few activities that we have booked but in general it's pretty loose.

* Explore the Bruce We are going to Explore our community and surrounding area maybe once a week or every two. Fun.
* BEACH BUMS We are sooooo fortunate to live so close to beautiful beaches, a 10 minute walk from our house. (half an hour with kids in tow) The sunsets are breath taking. The water is warm and clear, the beaches are sandy. This will be our main playground for the summer. And with not having evening planned up we can stay as long as we want. woo hoo.
* WaterPark in Goderich for a change of scenery.
* Parks and Pic-Nics in Kincardine. We have has lovely spots for pic-nics and play time, Tiny Tot park, right by the lake, Lions Park @ Davidson Centre (this one is a favorite, lots of shade, pic-nic tables and of course the coveted Skate/Bike Park. Geddes Park is another lovely spot along the river.
* Library time, I have a feeling we may need some quiet afternoons or rainy days. We love going to the libary (and as always *FREE*)
* Port Elgin Skate Park. Our second home. Again *FREE* Pack some food, plenty of water, and bikes and skateboards. FUN. (Lawn chair for yourself)
* We are setting up an art studio at home, we have all the supplies bought and ready to go for some exciting creations.

Project Driveway

I am so mad at myself...I just finished writing a post about an hour ago and for some reason I erased it. Bugger, shit, damn, darnit, cuss, blinking, flip. I won't do that again, I'm still stewing from it...and...now...I'm done.

Remember Me?....

Ya? No? Well I'm the dining room set that has been in the family for 30 odd years, that Marcia absolutely loves and was in the middle of redoing when....
VOILA! This curvy legged, sturdy, comfy seats dining set entered the picture. What ever happened to me? I'm sanded, repaired (by Rick) cleaned and ready for a fresh coat. Maybe one day she'll love me again.

I'm thinking of painting the hutch a glossy white...what do you think?

It's true Dalton and I fell in love with this new set, how could we resist. She was 50% off and we really liked her. We were so seduced by the "Business closing 50% off" But when we saw her we knew we had to have her.

Lovely Peonies in celebration of our 8th Anniversary. Merci Mama et Papa, they are gorgeous and smell delightful. They will always remind me of my Wedding Day.


I am smitten and have been bitten with inspiration from Holly at White Berry in Western Canada. I have never been into Shabby Chic, but her take on it is so lovely I am going to incorporate it into my Contemporary Glamorous Minimalist style. So I believe that would read "Shabby Glam with a side of Contemporary Minimalism" Yes, that is my style and I like it. If you like something make it work. So the other day I found this beauty on kijiji, I swooped down and bought it, today I sanded, cleaned and primed it, tomorrow I paint it. Oh and I bought lovely new pewter drawer pulls I think will work just nice.


Finished project updates soon.

A family picture gallery I have been wanting to do FOREVER but have not gotten around to it because of my Major disease...Procrastination. Don't worry it is not contagious but it is terminal and I live everyday with it, it's who I am and I'm not going to fight it anymore. Some days are better than others, those would be the days I actually get stuff done and most people wouldn't even know I have it.
Anyway, I really like the way it turned out, I love seeing these pictures everyday, each one of them brings a smile to my face.




So, what have you been working on lately. I'd love to know. Don't be a strange and drop me a line.

All my love
Marcia

Remember me?....

Ya, I'm the dining room set Marcia was going to refinish because she LOVED me so much. Well, apparently not enough cause...
Voila, I've been replaced by this curvy number. She liked the curvy legs and the sturdy comfy seats. Nice. She even got me all taken apart, sanded and repaired (by Rick) She is so flighty.

It's true. I was in the middle of redoing the dining room set when Dalton and I walked into a furniture store going out of business and we saw this set for 50% off and absolutely love it. It is the first dining set we have bought...ever...we are officially grown ups buying dining room sets. What next...driving a mini van. (not that there's anything wrong with that)


This lovely bouquet of Peonies in celebration of mine and Daltons 8th Anniversary. Merci Mama et Papa. They are gorgeous, and always remind me of my wedding day.


New project, I bought this solid wood, Canadian made (in Quebec) dresser and Mirror off of Kijiji. I love it. As soon as I saw it I knew it would be the perfect first piece to redo. I have been officially inspired up one side and down the other by this lovely lady Holly from White Berry out in Western Canada. I was never into Shabby Chic but I have been bitten by this bug and I love her take on it, and I think I can incorporate it with my contemporary/Glam/minimalist style. So that would read "Shabby Glam Contemporary Mini". I like it. That's my style fo'shizzle.

Sanded, cleaned, now primed. I bought lovely new pewter drawer pulls. And I will be painting a very light grey/white.

finished project to follow shortly.
Family picture wall. It only took 3 years of wanting to get organized and up on the wall.

I really like the way it turned out.

What are you working on these days?

Have a lovely day
Marcia

Rainy Wednesday

Sass with her lined up racing hotwheels.

No car today. Dalton had to use it for work today. I don't mind though, it gives me a chance to slow down and just "be" at home with Sasha. (Don't get me wrong I love going to Wednesday morning playgroup aka coffee talk with friends, while our kids play)
We are still in our jammies, well, I am, the more responsible of the two of use got dressed. Sasha and I had a lovely breakfast, then I put the kettle on for tea and biscuits while we read books. Sass did some drawings. One of me and her, she is walking a dog, and her and I are holding hands, I have a circle around one eye. I said to Sasha "oops you forgot the other half to mommy's glasses." She said "you're not wearing your glasses, its a black eye, you walked into the corner of a wall because you were not watching where you were going." Me "I should have had my glasses on."
I think while I am secluded to our house I will actually make all the beds, actually empty the 3 baskets of folded laundry and actually play on the floor with Sasha.
We aren't totally trapped though. I am going treasure hunting at the Dumps Re-Use it section with a friend today. I am after really large gaudy frames and what ever else catches my eye.
Enjoy your rainy day too
Marcia

Me and My Beau

Big "D" and Me.

This is us all ready to go out for dinner with my parents, Auntie Judy and Uncle Bob, and another lovely couple (not sure if they would like there names on here). In honor of Mama's B-day. Happy Birthday Lanny!

I love going out with Dalton on my arm. He is a lovely husband, best friend, wonderful provider and support, oh ya and a great dad. Plus he's not to bad to look at.

Here's to date nights with your beau!

Love
Marcia
xoxoxoxo

Boys

(nice hair Dalt)

As the poem goes "Little boys are made of...Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails". First of all how gross. Second of all I disagree, at least mine aren't. My boys are made of "Two wheels, bike chains and Fox wear".
I often write my posts on food, decor,communty, Sasha,family and the childrens behaviours etc. This post will mostly be about my little boy and my big boy. Rolie and Big "D" if you will.
You'll also notice there has been a big lag in my writing. For good reason, the weather has been absolutely scrumptious. We have done more summer activities in the last month then we did all last summer. I have barely been at my computer, but that's not to say my brain has slowed down with writing ideas, my poor brain is back logged so sorry in advance if this post gets a little jumbled.
As promised "MY Boys". It has taken me awhile but for all the little things Rolie does that drives me bananas most times I am finally in the position to let most of it go and accept him for who he is and not for this weird idea of who I sometimes want him to be. For instance, he LOVES his skinny jeans, with holes and all and that he will wear them every day (if I do not kidnap them for the laundry) when he would wear these jeans to school or out it made me feel really anxious and feel like everyone would see this as a direct reflection of my poor parenting. I imagined teachers, friends, parents (anyone really) would think I don't care about my son, or that we can't afford to cloth him in sensible pants etc. I know this to be so untrue,I couldn't care about him or love him more and he has a closet full of sensible, fashionable clothing. But he chooses to express himself through his cloths. He has been this way since he was 3, it has been 4 years of clothing battles and I am waving the white flag. For all you parents out there that can just lay out an outfit and your child will wear it and wear it all day with no wardrobe changes, bravo, good for you, that works for you and your child, no offence, but it's not just because you "trained" him that way, it's because he just doesn't care what he wears, it's just not his thing right now (and this is a good thing)Rolie, just happens to be a Diva in holey jeans. *sigh*. Even though it may not look like it, A LOT of thought has gone into each outfit he wears, every outfit takes him on a journey, or event, be it real or imaginary and I for one think it is pretty neat. Sure my Grandad would not accept this "behaviour", but times have changed, so must our thoughts and expectations of our creative little ones.

My two boys Rolie and Big "D" love them some bikes. BMX, Mountain, Motor anything with two wheels, they will ride it, modify it, fix it, dream about it, race it, talk about it, pray to it. Not kidding, biking is their church, it is where they get great joy, peace, solitude, community and time to meditation. They are always more clear minded when done biking, not to mention more tired and very hungry too. I am almost dreading the winter already, where will they ride, they need an indoor track.




I have a confession. I am not a morning person. By golly I wish I was though, I completely love the feeling of early morning, the fresh crispness of that time of day, but for petes sake I cannot get my butt out of bed that early. I sleep to 7:30-8:00 most mornings but I day dream about sleeping until 9:00. Anyway, wow long story to get to this short one. The other morning as I lay in bed I hear some action going on in the kitchen. A few minutes later Rolie comes into the room and says "Girls get up, time for breakie, I made breakfast for you guys." We get up and Rolie has my favorite cups at each of our spots, orange juice poured, bowls with spoons, napkins, 3 types of cereal out, Almond milk, and fruit all set up neatly on the table. Double *sigh*. Isn't he the sweetest. He has a flare for presentation and he really loved the praise from preparing such a lovely treat. He will make a good husband someday.

Big "D" is the bike master. If he cannot have his two wheels, I don't know who he would be. And that's the truth. Before we even started dating I would see this crazy looking tall guy, wearing a lime green bike jacket, tight black riding pants, long dreadlocks hanging out the back of a bike helmet going like 9o down Richmond Row in London with his pitbull running beside him. I remember thinking "what a nut", who new I would marry that nut. Anyway, he has passed the bike bug onto our Rolie and it is a match made in heaven. It has been a wonderful way for these two men to bond and I believe it is a gift of a lifetime passion.

In other bike news. Sasha is riding two wheels now too. The run bike was a huge success. She never needed training wheels. She simply got on two wheels, Dalton held the back for like 5 seconds and she was gone. Within 2 weeks she has also started standing and riding and riding "one hander".

My little family is growing up.

Bike on friend, bike on,
Marcia
Me and Big "D"