2014: DO SOMETHING PROJECT

The end of year is approaching and instead of looking back and analyzing that which did not happen, I instead am going to choose to look at my experiences, take that which I have hopefully learned and run with it.

The biggest challenge for me this year was an illness and everything that surrounds that.  Whatever it is (as it is still undiagnosed), I spend a lot if my life tired, with migraines, physical pain.  It has left me out for the count most days.  In many ways it angers me how much of life I lose because of this.  Moments full of joy with the babes.  Time with friends.  Mostly, it has left me feeling very unsupported and surrounded by a lack of understanding.  It hurts when people don't check in on you, ask how you are doing or consider it an excuse to avoid social outings.  Unfortunately, I feel like friends have slipped away.  In this time I know it is important to be strong and positive and I am so fortunate to the Papa for understanding, helping and loving and to those few who do ask how things are.  

most days I feel like a shell of my former energetic, artistic and athletic self.  But this year I plan to "Do Something".

This year I am embarking on a personal project, not encouraged or inspired by others or a desire to fill blog posts.  It is a project that I hope will lift my spirits and help me find balance and happiness.  I call it Do Something.

Each and every day I am going to do something: baking, designing, art, walking, reading, SOMETHING.

It is a test to myself to push through the physical pain and lethargy to regain spiritual happiness.  In the near future, I am positive that me and my health care providers will discover the root of my issues but I cannot stand the anguish of waiting.  So to 2014...my year of doing something.
 

Image source: http://charmandgumption.com/products/the-dreamer-collection

BABES: A PHOTO SERIES {2}

littlest babe: walking for the first time

eldest babe: personality shining in those eyes

biggest little: i spy adventure seeker 

 
 

BABES: A PHOTO SERIES {1}

littlest babe:  oh so sick getting her milk

biggest little: a shot from the summer showing me a booboisie

eldest babe: being ever so precious 
 

 

 

FOR THE LOVE OF THREE: KNIT. KNACK. KNOCK.

I'm working on a new series on the blog called FOR THE LOVE OF THREES.  I have three babes whom I love and thought it might be neat to share those other things that I love on threes.  My intention is to start next week from the beginning with those three "A" things I love.  But for this first post I will share some that begin with "K".  See I was thinking about being cozy but couldn't come up with three "C"s I wanted to use and since K and C sound the same I just went for it.  The confusion will hopefully subside.  

knit.

this is just chunky amazingness.  Colours are to dye for and the table is such an industrial feel.

source

knack.

Yes!  I want a Blythe.  I have for years now.  Maybe if I ever make any of my own money I will get myself one.

source

knock.

dreaming of European trips and welcoming new experiences.  So pretty!

source

 

 

DEAR BABES: OUR RHYTHM

My loves.  I feel as though it has been an eternity since I wrote to you from my heart.  Sometimes the pace of life sweeps away the moments of remembering to pause, reflect, share.  These precious days are filled with so much.  Reading, creating, nourishing, loving, establishing and re-working our rhythm.

There is such a calm to our day.  We all are able to marvel in each other and really connect because there exists no pressure to do and be without an expected transition.  Inhale.  Exhale. Repeat. 

The structure of our day is so simplistic but filled with such joy.  Making breakfast is my favourite part of the day.  While you sit at the table doing an activity or hurry down the stairs dressed in your ballet best, I prepare a morning feast of sorts.  To know that I am providing your first bit of energy is really fulfilling.  We sit and eat together.  The conversation is quiet but we are together.  

Immediately we head outdoors.  It is here where I begin to see your spirits set free and minds fill with possibilities.  We venture.  The day continues in such a manner.  Learning and loving, always along the way.

Now, when the rhythm loses its flow it is felt by all.  A sick babe is upset and needs time.  A mama who loses patience and ill herself, needs a pause to reflect.  Mama nature abrupt changes can throw us all into upheaval.  

Let us promise to continue to love each other.  Embrace each other even when the walls are confining.

In several days, we welcome two amazing babes into our home and further into our lives.  Let us welcome them and intertwine our rhythm with theirs.  The outcome will be magnificent.

 

WHAT THE MAMA WORE: FROZEN AZTEC

Yesterday we had the first snowfall in our small ontario town.  It is a soft blanket of frozen crystals that warms my heart with thoughts of everything "cozy": hot chocolate with a hint of cinnamon and chile, knitting the blanket for the babe I started a week before her birth, dreaming of building snow castles and sliding on icy hills, creating memories while rosy-ing our cheeks.  Winter solstice is but month away but it's presence is welcomed enthusiastically.

black beanie & mittens from

Target (I needed them desperately) // all other items were thrifted // the blue Aztec poncho was thrifted from a vintage etsy shop

 

MOON DAUGHTER: MY CONNECTION TO THE GODDESS

She is beautiful.  She illuminates and lingers.  She chases you on long drives.  Always there, I feel she protects.  She houses the warmth of our closest star and reflects it back to our bodies to be absorbed by our hearts.  She is a goddess.

My relationship with Her has evolved.  As a child she mystified.  As a teen she was a beacon of literary influence and inspiration.  Many a poem and deep thought came to fruition with her strong, full presence.  As a young adult in university she was my companion on late study nights.  She comforted and consoled.

I drifted, although she remained, as I maneuvered my way through motherhood.  It wasn't until this past year that we revisited.  

With the birth of the littlest babe, personal reflection was minimized.  In the throws of loving, I at times, forgot to love myself.  In the wakeful nights, I found myself being reminded to just breathe.  Dressed in my favourite Aztec blue poncho, I would creep out to our iron fire escape and stare in awe.  A conversation would begin from my end.  Staring and spilling my inner most thoughts, She remained still and silent.  I felt heard although no words were spoken.  It was with She that I discovered myself again.

It is absurd to assume that She is real and has supernatural abilities to speak to me, but Her spirit lifted mine and for that I honour.  To know that each being on Earth can look up and speak to Her creates such a joy in my heart.  She connects.  She embodies life.  Without her water does not shift.  Her gravitational pull moves oceans and undoubtedly, us being mainly composed of l'eau, how can one not be moved by Her.

I honour her on this full moon because as I get older her effects have become more noticeable and fill me with a love and positivity that I need to express gratitude for.  

So while I dream, thank you for watching wake fully in my lace covered windows.

REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR ME

This is Ernest Pelletier, my grandfather.  He has been gone from the earth since my first year of highschool (16 years now).  Most memories of him are still so fresh.  I can still feel, smell and hear him.  My sister and I were his baby girls in a sea of male grand children.  We were truly the apples of his eyes.  He was a quiet man and for that it made him so strong.  He kept busy and relaxed well at the end of the day.  

Getting comfy in the worn couch in the livingroom, he would turn on the television ( you know the kind, the ones that were built into a unit where you could put photos of your grandchildren and fake flowers on).  Undoubtedly he would put on the history channel or something of that nature.  He watched.  He never talked.  The remnants of the war were few.  My mom once told me that he couldn't stop crying after he returned.  That he had an insatiable appetite for bananas and apples, after having been denied their sweetness while serving.  His tats were visible but they were part of my grandfather so I really didn't pay much attention to their details.  His legs trembled while he slept at the cottage, possibly some form of post traumatic stress.  

He was my everything.  It was pretty hard for him not to be.  As I matured, I wanted to know more about him from his perspective.  I had never asked him about his war experience but I knew I owed it to him to ask.  So I snuggled next to him while he watched one of his shows and just asked.  I can't remember exactly what he said but I remember him looking at me, with proud eyes and chatting.  It was our only deep talk, the most he had ever spoke to me one on one.  He passed unexpectedly months later.

My hero had fallen but he forever remains in my thoughts each day.  I had a photograph of him tattooed on my left arm so that I could always carry him with me and so he could walk me down the aisle when I married.  He did.

So today, this day of remembrance,I pay tribute to those men and women who served for my freedom.  I am eternally grateful.  I will never forget, I will honour and will teach my children about your courage.  But I also plan to teach my children about peace.  That is, some might say, utopian.  I am no stranger to people imparting their beliefs onto me with regards to teaching my children about the real world.  I choose to honour veterans with the hope for world peace and love.  For this I personally choose to not wear a red or even a white poppy.  I choose to not wear a symbol of blood shed and the most known symbol of remembrance of fallen heroes, not because I am I unpatriotic and disrespectful.  I truly believe that we should honour these brave people.  These people fought for my right to choose and speak and each Remembrance Day, past and present, I do remember but I still wear a bare lapel.  I stare at the seas of red that mask monuments.  I take a deep breath, moments of silence, and cry.  The poppy is a profound symbol that has personal significance for each.  I feel that significance needs to be respected as well for they fought for our personal expression.  Veterans fought for our freedom of expression and it is dishonourable to judge or be intolerant others for exercising our right.  Lest we forget.  

I speak only of this intolerance because of the recent tirade by a Canadian "celebrity" pertaining to the white poppy movement and how moronic those supporters are.  A group mentality erupted and thousands of comments began to stream.  His followers were quick to jump on the wagon.  There were many comments about disrespect but many touching on immigrants ruining our traditions and in particular that these "morons" keep their mouths shut and disappear.  The very emergence of this hate rhetoric and the thrust behind is quite saddening.  I am quite positive that our fallen heroes would be disgusted to know that those promoting peace and the very rights they fought for were being verbally obliterated.  Seems quite unpatriotic, disrespectful and oxymoronic to lead such a "war" of perspectives when these soldiers fought for peace.

Please take only from this post that which is positive.  I am one woman in a

world of millions who dreams for peace.   I never forget and I honour all who have served and will.  I choose to look toward harmony rather than war of perspective.  I choose to teach my children tolerance through love and respect.  These are simple practices for that which I believe were tremendous sacrifices: life.  Let us live together.

 

WHAT THE MAMA WORE: FALL FAVES

The Papa, the babes and I ventured to our cottage today.  The weather is perfectly fitting for early Canadian winter: leaves turned and fallen, fresh and crisp breezes, a warmth that teases, grey skies.  It is the beginning of cozy time so to honour the occasion I dressed in my fall best.

Vintage doc martens // thrifted Dollhouse felted trench coat // black California hipster beanie // sock monkey socks from the Papa // my thrifted black bag - purse // vintage glasses // Vera Moda cobalt khakis
 
 
 

 
 

MAMA SELF LOVE: 31ST ROTATION AROUND THE SUN

Several days ago I turned 31.  It was such a year of self-discovery.  Fully immersed as a mama to three amazing babes, together we have found a rhythm to our day which I cherish deeply.  As each day passes I feel truly blessed that I have been given these amazing blessings and that we mutually affect each other with our love and world perspectives.  Their simplicity, honesty and purity is infectious and calming.

While my babes and I blossomed greatly, other relationships withered.  As time passed an understanding of myself developed and strengthened and I am no longer willing to accept the mediocrity of unsupportive friendships.  If I give my full heart and support, unwavering, I deserve the same.

The year had its hardships.  A group that I had become involved in fell apart. But we forged through as a group, created our own sacred space where women uplift, love, light and learn.  I am eternally grateful to the ladies in this group for in many of my darkest hours I turned to them.  Their brilliance magnified my own.

In other news, I am still working towards answering health questions.  My symptoms have subsided for the time being but I am anxious and positive about he outcome.

The papa and I decided that we will pursue homeschooling with our babes.  The hesitance which surrounded this decision was propelled by my fault in letting others' judgment into my head.  But I have since found an amazing network of fellow unschoolers and we couldn't be more happy with our decision.  Our babes have been happier as well.

It was basically a year full of ebbs and flows, highs and lows, but I prevailed.  

To my babes who make my life amazing, thank you.  Your joy becomes mine and your little lives are so big.  You are the most important beings and I will continue to honour that.  

There are 7 Cardinal Rules of Life that I have followed well this year and I hope for them to govern my life indefinitely:

1. Make peace with your past so it won't disturb your present

2.  What other people think of you is none of your business

3.  Time heals almost everything.  Give it time.

4.  No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

5. Don't compare your life to others. 

6. Stop thinking too much.

7.  Smile

Good night universe, friends, loves. 

I feel very honoured to have experienced such a year of self-discovery. 

 

52 LISTS PROJECTS MAJOR CATCH UP

Lists, lists and more lists.  They are never ending but for me oh so necessary.  Tonight I am feeling the need to play a little catch up on projects that I have abandoned.  One of those projects is creating lists from Moorea Seal's 52 List Project.  I have introduced the readers to Moorea before.  She is a style icon.  She also cleverly creates list prompts to get people really assessing and organizing their lives.  I find it so helpful to write things down.  Plus, admittedly I have been scattered so tonight I will attempt as many of the lists I have failed to complete.  So here goes

WEEK FOUR: LIST YOUR CURRENT & FUTURE GOALS & DREAMS

create a wonderful homeschool curriculum for my babes and implement // make a rockin bunch of diys for Christmas // organize our space to welcome our neighbours into when their babe joins us // draw portraits to begin selling // make dolls for my babes // get a new tattoo  // date nights with the papa // expand the blog and develop it as a place for creating, sharing and supporting mamas with similar interests // homestead on a farm with my babes // learn an instrument // be a vegan advocate // teach art as therapy

 WEEK FIVE: LIST WHAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR

my body and the spirit and strength it houses // my babes, for each day they amuse me with their intelligence, test me with their curiosity and push me to be the best // the Papa for helping me navigate my mind, supporting my lofty ideas and being my best friend and partner // the moon for it is she who guides and pulls me // food that nourishes my mind and body // the earth upon which all life exists and for the amazingness that it has provided // the sun for

warmth // my fingers although they have been broken and ill because with them I can rub my dear babes foreheads, tickle their bellies, touch the Papa's lips, write my perpetual thoughts and do.art // the beautiful mind // my friends who love me unconditionally // the Papa's family that love me as though I am their own // coffee

WEEK SIX:  THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN LOVE OTHERS

tell them // give them gifts from the heart and personal tokens of affection out of the blue // hold them tightly // cry and laugh with them // keep your promises // surprise them // commit  // go on an adventure // indulge their dreams // be part of their dreams // get matching tattoos // put everything down to just be
 

WEEK SEVEN:  THE THINGS THAT MAKE ME FEEL HEALTHY. MIND. BODY. SOUL.

talking with those people

In my life that I listen and do not judge // cardio  // amazing vegan food // cleansing when need be // crafting // art // creating // nature // dance // green tea // journaling // finishing goals // the  thought of homeschooling // running // flexing my body  // strength // serenity // hugs from the Papa

 

WEEK EIGHT:  FAVOURITE ALBUMS

(I will have to spend more time on this one but for now some of my fave artists)

sucre // Robyn // Tchaikovsky // Donna Summer // Crystal Gail // Johnny Cash // Hedley // Madonna // MJ // Frou Frou // Imogene Heap // Lana Del Ray // MUmford and sons // The neighbourhood // the lumineers // Florence and the Machine 

WEEK NINE: THE PLACES I WOULD LIKE TO GO

Europe but specifically London, Paris // the Baltic Sea // South Korea // Hawaii // west and eastern canada // New Zealand // Australia  // anywhere my babes are
 

WEEK TEN: THE WAYS TO CLEANSE FOR SPRING

(To accomplish at a more appropriate date)

WEEK ELEVEN:  MY ESSENTIALS

water // coffee // oversized bunny sweater // Mary's crackers // maple syrup // tiny brush // black paint // black nail polish // skulls // French provincial furniture // my library card // my Salvation Army black purse-bag // my doc martens // my iPhone // lip chap stick in tasty flavour // black eyeliner // Pinterest account // warm socks // decorative pillows // tattoos
 

 

 
 

 

REVIEW: MAD FAUX CHEESE

 

This year my favourite craft show announced that they were doing a food show and I of course wondered if there were vegan vendors.  Yes!  Mad Faux Cheese.  I was destined to meet Madison Conlin and her artisanal vegan cheeses but alas, timing and life made my meeting impossible.  So in the meantime, I added Madison as an instagram friend and drooled over her amazing vegan recipe results and cheeses from afar.  

I just had to try them.  A nut cheese sounded awesome.  This past week the lovely posted an offer for a trio of cheeses for thanksgiving.  Here came my opportunity.  I placed my order and drove into ottawa at 6 in the morning to arrive at vegan bakery extraordinaire, auntie loos to pick up this deliciousness.

Yesterday evening I set out all the "cheeses" with some plain old crackers and prepared to have my mind blown.

Little backstory regarding the taste testers.  I use to love chèvre...until we became vegan and you find out how bad cheese is for your body and for les animeaux.  My babes are picky eaters.  Dips are usually a no go.  It is terrible trying to get them to eat my homemade hummus and vegan cheese brands.  My hubby cannot stand cheese and has not had cheese in a decade.

I put the board down and these guys just devoured it.  My eldest babe avoids all vegan packaged products but she just went for it.  The beautiful colours of the cheeses were so enticing.  Cranberries in the lemon cranberry chèvre.  Real basil and sundried tomats in a beautifully coloured cheese.  A smoked Gouda.  A creamy Brie.  She dove in.  The papa could not help himself and the taste reminded him of that real cheese taste but oh so cruelty free.  There were not enough crackers to go around.

We were amazed.  I vowed never to eat any other packaged faux cheese again.  The papa agreed and a decision was made to make this a staple in our home.

Why is this faux cheese really so great?

1.  You can pronounce every ingredient and it isn't soy based.  

2.  The presentation is awesome.  I even cut out the labels and stuck them in the cheeses for a great display.

3.  All picky eaters in my house jumped at the chance to eat this amazingness.

4.  The cheese tastes similarly but better than real cheese... No joke.

As for the cheese favourites.  We each had our own.  We all loved all but I personally love the lemon cranberry for a bagel, as a dessert or on Melba toast.  The eldest was all over the Brie.  The papa loved the smoke Gouda, sharp but not overwhelming and the littlest big loved the sundried tomato.

Go on ahead and order this loveliness. Unfortunately only ottawans are lucky enough to taste this magic but please like Madison on Facebook at Mad Faux Cheese and on instagram with profile @madisonconlin.  She had mega #veganfoodporn.

(Note:  this is not a sponsored post.  I have asked Madison about her cheeses and I paid for the amazingness and told her that I would do an honest review.  I was lucky enough to get to sample all her choices as she added in one extra cheese as an added bonus, so not only does it taste amazing, she is a sweet mama too!)

 

 
 

A MANIFESTO

I have a one year old babe now.  She is precious, perfect, enjoyable, amazing, far from challenging.  I am a mother of two other babes who rock my world daily.  They love our interactions and encourage me to be the best.  Hilarity, cleverness, curiosity, happiness and health permeate.  And to me emotional intelligence is far more important than other "intelligences".  I fill their day with play centred learning, affection, good food, love.  

My vision for my children may not fit into the mainstream.  I want to homeschool with a nature-based unschooling approach.  I want them to be taught to navigate through this "real world" of commercialism, greed, technology, with an understanding but also with questions.  I want them to value the earth, our greatest gift and cherish all its gifts which we destroy each millisecond.  Mainly I want them to love.

These are all  simple desires.  For some, surprisingly those closest to me, these are absurd.  My decision to unschool by some is considered outlandish.  They site anti-social behaviour, have had the audacity to imply that my children are unintelligent and that their ways of mothering are better.  They seem to also imply that I am intentionally trying to harm my children.

Let me begin with the fact that I've heard it all before.  My babes are Vegan.  Okay...are you over it yet?  Well I am.  Everything I do, I approach from a place full of experience, education and research.  To ever imply that I would go out of my way and harm my kids implies that I am uneducated and basically a selfish monster.  So thanks for that.  Secondly,  if you don't know anything about veganism, research and then maybe ask me about it.  I'll be happy to inform you.  Because I am confident.

 

So back to the homeschooling thing: IT IS MY THING!  It is the one thing that I am passionate about. It is the one thing, next to veganism, that I have researched extensively and implement daily.  And for those of you who don't know, or know and choose to ignore,

Or still judge or whatever, I am educated.  I graduated top of my class. I am well read and for that which I lack I seek assistance.  I love learning.  

I am writing this post to basically get it off my chest because quite honestly it hurts when those closest to you, those who are supposed to support you in your passions don't.  It hurts even more so when those same people who you have supported unequivocally and have never talked smack about, don't afford you the same respect.  And quite frankly, I'm tired (physically and mentally...ask the papa how ill it has made me) of explaining our decision and having my confidence kicked in the butt.  So this is the last you will hear of my thoughts on homeschooling.  I'm going to carry on my confident way and love my babes.  

(Any grammatical errors I chalk up to the old I phone)

VEGAN MOFO: COMFORT FOOD SERIES - ASIAN TOFU SLIDERS

It is getting cold outside.  Autumn in Canada is my fave season.  It brings about thoughts of harvest, cozy socks, tea and chilling with a blanket.  It is when I get most of my crafting done and recipe development.  Vegan Mofo has begun and I am too exhausted to come up with a clever theme.  So I thought..."this is the season of comfort so why not blog about comfort food!"

I plan to post all the deliciousness prepared over the next month.  There is no set schedule but if I'm feeling like a little home cooking is necessary and it is infused with nostalgia and taste, I'll be sure to bring it!!!

Tonight I was craving sliders.  I've actually never had one but for some reason the end of summer weather is making me yearn for a good tasting burger, fresh and sweet.  So I came up with Asian sliders with homemade guac and grilled pineapple.  

Asian Tofu Sliders

1 block of tofu (if you like a more raw tasting burger... If you like a mild more solid burger go for two blocks)

1/4 cup parsley

2 cloves of garlic minced

1/2 a bunch of green onion finely chopped

2 tbsp of soya sauce

1 tsp of ginger and curry spice each

2 tbsp of maple syrup

1 tsp of lemon

1.  Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until desired consistency.  I prefer very smooth.

2.  Preheat the oven to 375•

3. Heat a skillet with a generous amount of oil on medium-high heat.  Place a heaping tablespoon of the "batter" in the hot pan and press down. Cook until brown on both sides and place on an non-greased cookie sheet. 

4.  Once all patties are on the sheet place into the oven and cook for approx. 15 minutes.

COMPOSURE

Grilled pineapple

Guac

Greens

Ketchup

Sliced shallots

Sweet relish

Dijon mustard

I found that all of these components out together make the best tasting slider.  Enjoy!!! And happy vegan mofo!!!

 

VEGAN MOFO: BAKING WITH BABES

As vegan parents to vegan babes it is important to model our veganism as well as involve our babes as much as possible in the preparation, gathering and making of food.  We live in a great community surrounded by local Farms and gardens which I am hoping to be involved in the upcoming growing season, but for now we cook and eat with our babes and to us, it is important.  This morning the Littlest Big Babe helped the Papa in the kitchen with making his Sunday morning pancakes (today is a holiday so we are making them instead).  It is so fun to watch them make messes and feel the ingredients.  I think there is great satisfaction in making something.

Here are my top tips for baking with babes:

1.  If you are new to the idea, pick a day and time each week to bake a simple cookie recipe.

2.  Have all ingredients gathered beforehand and read the recipe so you can better guide them in the process.

3.  Let go of the idea of containing the mess.  It may get messy.

4.  You can write down the recipe for each child and put pictures of the ingredients beside the measurements to visually guide.

5.  Ask them what they enjoy doing.  Everyone has tasks they like.  Let them do those.

6.  Get down to their level or bring them up to yours.

7.  Invest in some baking tools for little hands.  They would definitely enjoy that trip.  

 

VEGAN MOFO: CUPCAKES AND VISITS

Today was our official day in our new home after frantically moving and cleaning the old apartment.  It has been exhausting.  For me, I am so worried about getting everything in its place.  I cannot sleep well until this and that are just so.  As I look around at the piles of boxes, the realization that my desire to settle easily may take a long time.  The Papa is exhausted for other reasons.  He literally moved our entire contents of our apartment in eight loads.  I helped a lot with our first but after that I was on baby duty, which is a bit much in itself, considering that nothing is baby proofed yet.  He also was the one who had the pleasure of going back to the old apartment (which I have separated from weeks ago).  He was the one to bid it a fond farewell.  He said goodbye to the home our babes grew up in, the room my babe was born in and their recorded heights on the doorframe.  There was no looking back as he said goodbye.  He left to new memories but it is hard to say goodbye to a place you called home for soooo long.  

Well, the house is a work in progress but today is the start of the most awesomest month of the year VeganMoFo.  Basically it is a month where bloggers dedicate their posts to veganism.  Some people have themed blogs, others share recipes. The support for being vegan is there.  I believe this is my fourth one!!!  So WELCOME!!!  All of my contact information is available on the blog if you wanna connect.  Follow my instagram and also leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you.  

For today's post I am gonna talk about the best housewarming gift.  We live in a small town as some of you know.  We love it, except for the fact that amazing vegan fare is hard to find.  You have to travel about an hour to get to Ottawa to experience vegan heaven.  Today we happened to head to Ottawa for business (which I will talk about shortly), so vegan restaurant hopping wasn't in the cards.  

We did our thing and rushed back to meet our friends Em (who is starting a blog soon eeek! ) and Graham.  These two are awesome!!!  Anyways, we ended up stopping at a tool store for my hubby and guess who was there too.  Yep!!  I fell in love with some boxes and Em did too.  I had the idea of putting them up as bookshelves.  We went ahead from the store because the babes were bugging out.  Our friends were close behind.  Next thing we know they are in our foyer with the box I adored full to the brim with vintage finds, handmade aprons for the babes and vegan Thimblecakes cupcakes: tiramisu, double chocolate, s'more, cookie dough and a baby cake.  Yum!!! 

I think we will keep them around.  In other news, I bough this:  

 

 

ON BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME

In one week exactly, we move into our first home.  It has been quite an interesting process to say the least.  I had planned to write in detail about how the entire process works but Savannah Wallace from Maiedae captured beautifully and efficiently the process here.  

So instead I will just write about our individual process.  

Before we were even pregnant with our Eldest Babe, we went looking for the dream home.  On a country ride, we believed we found the perfect spot.  An old one room schoolhouse on an acreage.  We would renovate the inside and convert an outbuilding into an art studio for me.  We would keep bees and create our own garden with hopes of eventually living off the land.  They were big dreams but nonetheless they were ours.  And we held on to them.  

We were young, lofty, but never naive.  We were always humbled by heritage and the prospect of living with nature.  

The years went on and we continued looking and dreaming.  Weekends at the cottage were spent doing crosswords and perusing the Homes Section.  Some of those weekends took us on short roadtrips to check out land. Our income was minimal so the idea of building our future home entered our minds.  Sketch books began to fill with clippings that would make any pinterester jealous.  

Somewhere along the way, events happened which shifted our focus from searching or thinking about building.  It even became a point of contention.  Realizing that financially, owning a home didn't seem viable, I would get upset when I would see the Papa on the mls just searching.  I thought he didn't feel satisfied in the "home" we has created and that he was teasing with what could be but wasn't.  We agreed to stop looking and torturing ourselves.  But we couldn't.  

Finally, this year things started to financially come together.  We hadn't accrued debt, our credit looked amazing and we had enough savings to put the mandatory 5% down payments required by CMHC.  We tried our luck with a lender and we were pre-approved, for more than we were expecting.

It was great to finally have a concrete number to work with.  A value was placed on our head, in a way that made us jump for joy.  It was a modest amount, but I love modesty!!!

(Going to interject for a moment here on why buying a house was important to me because obviously owning a house doesn't make it a home.  And renting is fine too...look at the majority of Europe. But to me a house represents safety.  Although I had a childhood home, it was a frightening place.  Renting has always made me felt hostage to the demands of others and the possibility of having our residents taken away by a landlord or circumstance always lingered.  So for me, buying a house turning it into our home gives me so much comfort.)

We went to a house in town that my friend had told me about coming onto the market.  It was the first house we looked at.  I fell in love.  But the agent was sketchy.  He gave us a terrible vibe.  He was wanting to represent us as well as the seller.  (Buyer beware:  please when looking for an agent look for one that deals only with buyers to avoid scum and conflict of interest).

It was at the second house we looked at, that was a little underwhelming, thanks to the HD manipulated photos, where we met our amazing agent.  She was personable, and definitely working on our behalf.  She had lost her husband years before and was concerned about the potential to resell any property we found, as we are a small one income family.

Our agent spent a month and a half taking us to showings, booking viewings, meeting here and there.  We thought we were going to be looking endlessly.  And then we viewed the house I fell in love with initially again, because it was still on the market and put an offer on it.  This time we countered and a deal was met.  (This was a whirlwind as you are given time constraints to reach the deal and you and your partner go back and forth trying to figure out numbers.)

Then the fun began, which Savannah described in her post and we will own a house.  

There is more to come regarding our move so please stay tuned!

(The image of the house was provided by rebekka seale)

 

THE WEEKEND REVIEW, BLOGGING REMOTELY AND THOUGHTS ON MOVING

As most of you know, we recently lost our second Mac book.  It was a great loss (boo hoo hoo) and
comes at a time when soon we will be transferring the majority of our financial assets into the home we are to purchase, hence when the funds will take a quick dive.  The Papa and I have taken to really enjoying our evenings watching Netflix on our two mini computers (our Iphones).  It is quite pathetic and yes...we have become those people whom I detest.  You know the ones who got out to dinner and instead of talking to each other are busy working on their phones instead.  Okay, we really haven't gone that far yet, but we may be teetering on the brink of relationship disaster.  (Insert dramatic tone here).  Okay, exaggeration.  We are rock solid.  But I need my computer!!  You see.  Working on a computer for me has so many benefits which I enjoy.  It allows me to type my crazy thoughts really fast.  Hence, I can complete my reflection time quickly.  And having three babes, an impending move to worry about and maintaining my sanity, it really helps.  I also love my computer for it allows me to research potential homeschooling resources for the girls and possible future schools for me (thinking about heading back to school ;).  It also allows me to do my art.  I love portraiture and I require a screen to serve as reference when people send me images.  We don't have a working printer so drawing from the computer is what suffices at present.  I hope on working on art more than ever once we move.

The Papa and I will be getting a computer.  We have decided that we want a Mac desktop deally-oh.  It will serve some amazing functions that will benefit my blogging, my art and our family.  Having it at a stationary place allows us to go to it rather than us carry it around with us.  We will have to think about what we will be using it for instead of searching mindlessly and aimlessly.  The large screen will allow me to see my artwork and work on my art better.  Blogging at a desk will be amazing for my posture, which will make my good ol' friend Christine proud.  So not sure when it will happen.  But it is happening. There is also a store in Ottawa that can take our murdered computers and we can use the parts to put towards a new computer.  So maybe we will in fact save some money;)

In the meantime, I have taken to blogging here at my fave place in the entire world, next to any space my family occupies.  I must sign up for a computer in an hour time slot.  It is the perfect getaway.  I can write in peace and comfortably.  Mind you I need to make it to the library and find an open computer.  But we live in a small town so it isn't that hard.  The downside, I can't upload any of my pics to the posts.  So for the next little while, I will use my Blog on the Go App and upload some instagram photos to that.

At present the Papa is with the Babes watching boat races so I will leave you with some thoughts:

image courtesy of kellimurray.com/blog

Reading.  The Eldest Babe is being tutored at the library.  She goes each day for two weeks.  We decided it would be great for her to have some different teachers before going in a year to an earth school whilst being homeschooled.  She absolutely loves it.  Although, hesitant at first, she is dying to go each day.  The Biggest Little Babe loves it as well.  They both have a different experience and tell each other about it.

Eating.  Vegan baby!  I am so committed to veganism this time around.  I think it may have helped that instagram has a lot of vegans taking photos of amazing food and the fact that I have been working out a lot and respecting my body.

Thinking about.  The impending move.  My art.  Getting in shape.  The end of summer.  Educating the babes.  The Littlest's first birthday coming up.  I've got a lot in this little old brain of mine.

Dreaming about.  Decorating this new space that will be mine.  I definitely have been pinteresting for a while about Our Future Home.  I think we are going to settle first, but I really want white walls everywhere.  I would prefer I rustic and whimsical theme.  I would love my house to look like Kelli Murray's.  Let's see!

Loving. Kelli Murray's new blog.  She is my style icon (I think she may be for a lot of us).  She has changed the blog up and I love it.  Being at the library is actually the first time I get to view it in full because I could only view it on my phone.  It is amazing.  Her style is what I would love our new house to look like.

Understanding.  My style finally.  I am nerdy and love black.  I am not vintage amazing.   I am Gwen Stefani.  I am always drawn to the black and the nerdy.  The California beanie style gets me.

Until the next post!!!

The above image is of Moorea Seal's new shop items.  Isn't it the perfect feel for a new house.  I think so!

ON BEING AWAY FROM THE ELDEST BABES FOR THE 1st TIME

This weekend the Papa and I headed to Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal.  The trip had been planned as a birthday present for the Papa.  We had fallen in love with Mumford and Sons.  They were a headlining show.  We had to go.  

The Babes were initially going to all come.  The daunting task of trucking them around the metro and the festival didn't even register.  But when the g-units offered to take the Eldest ones I jumped at the offer.  I have had many years to relish in my Babes.  There will be so many more.  But after a year without vacation, the exhaustion and sleep deprivation that comes with raising three amazing, spirited babes, I think I am in an emotional place to leave my babes without anguish or despair.  I truly believe that the Papa and I deserve it.  And quite frankly, although I plan on homeschooling my babes concurrently with their education at a more natural school, the desire to fulfill my heart and desires has been occupying a lot of my thoughts (but I will explain that at another time).

The Eldest babe is my most sensitive babe.  She gets anxious easily.  She doesn't do well with sudden change.  As the day approached, we made little mention of our leaving.  The morning of their departure the Papa and they packed their little suitcases (soup cases as the Biggest/Little says).  The excitement of a journey eased the transition.  For all of us, it was the first time we weren't sharing an experience. The fact that we each were going to be embarking on our own adventures that we could talk about later (oh and the prospect of Hello Kitty gifts from China town) sweetened the deal.

The Papa and I, along with the Littlest, had the best weekend ever as a couple.   We didn't stop moving.  Metro, festival, tours of the Notre Dame cathedral, vegan eats at Bonny's.  We packed a lot in.  When the weekend ended however, we were craving our Babes.  The g-units offered to feed them dinner and being them home but the realization of not seeing them the entire weekend dawned on us and we drove an hour out of our way to see their little faces.  I'm glad we did....

They had an epic time.  When they saw us they immediately ran.  The Eldest Babe had presented me with a bag full of literally 30 drawings, her best yet, as a gift.  There were hugs, love, kisses and an appreciation for each other.  It was amazing.

And while I am not sure how other mamas feel leaving their babes, our voyages of independence truly did bring us closer and help us grow.  It was lovely and I wouldn't mind making it a yearly tradition.