Things are getting real out there with the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Calgary has declared a state of emergency, as a measure to slow it's spread, but the overall message is 'let's not panic!'
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In the past, I was never one to make a gratitude journal. I’m weird and always tried to start one when I was in a funk or very depressed. It’s hard to write what you do have when you are in a mood that makes you reflect on what others don’t have. You think, “Sure. I have that but it means that this other person in a less fortunate situation doesn’t. I’m spoiled.” This is not the right way to start a gratitude journal. (Obviously. As I have learned, the hard way.) So I was skeptical that it even works.…
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I have been doing a lot of crafting for my Etsy shop…..and so while I write up patterns and plan or crochet, I watch Netflix in the background. Not a documentary, but I was watching “Demetri Martin: Live* (*at the time)” and in his comedy special he goes, (I’m trying to remember the exact wording), something like, “Crafts, cuz you can’t just call it “sh*tty art”.” That made me laugh so hard. So, while I work on my “sh*tty art” I watch documentaries. Haha. Here are some of my favourites so far: The Mask You Live In: This documentary explores…
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It is COLD outside, here in Calgary, and I am so grateful that I have an indoor herb garden blessing me with a bit of green to cheer me up. Outside is a beautiful white blanket of snow! I prefer to be insider, finding it prettier to look at than to be in-haha. The temperatures make it unbearable to be outside! When it is white, white and more white outside, it is nice to see a bit of green and smell the uplifting scent of basil in your kitchen. My succulents and cacti are cheerful, too, but I love the fact…
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I love my potted plant garden that I have inside and want to keep it going all winter so that we can continue to cook with fresh herbs. I used to have a “black thumb” because I refused to put in the research and work to keep my plants going. Now, I do the necessary reading and research the plant thoroughly if something isn’t working. I take shortcuts whenever I can, but I have been mostly successful with my experiments, and I am happy for that. My biggest hurdle this winter will be basil. I used to buy them from…
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On this cold day that feels like it will snow, I am inside doing laundry and reflecting on the state of my house, which I successfully ignored during the warmer months. It is a cluttered mess. Maybe not by some’s standards, but by mine it is. Even trying to find the right winter clothing has been painful….and, by the way, I can’t believe I have to think about that already!! My mom in Saskatchewan already has a foot of snow. Oh, Canada. So what has being stuck inside on cold days made me think about? DECLUTTERING! And saving money because…
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Inspired by my own outdoor garden success and urged on by pretty Pinterest successes….I decided to jump in to indoor herb gardening! Little teacups and tiny terracotta pots filled with scrumptious homemade herbs? Count me in. I told my dear friend that I would love an indoor herb garden and, that sweet soul, she set one up for us while we were in Cuba for a wedding. I came home to an indoor growing light installed with a timer in my cabinet. I was overjoyed. Some plants were all set up! I ended up not knowing how to take care…
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It’s September already! The blur of summer has already passed, which may be a relief if you live in Calgary, AB, like I do, where summer was just a string of thunderstorms. The leaves are starting to change colours which always makes me want to begin change in my own life. The transformation of the natural landscape spurs me to transform too….and not just physically. I find myself reflecting on all of the ways my life could be different and I start to prioritize. This year my kids are both in full-time school. My daughter began Grade 3 and my…
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If your kids are anything like ours, they always want to move. We try to encourage it as much as possible. This being Calgary and it being “only” May, it ended up snowing and then raining and then snowing and being miserable all day yesterday. (Today the sun is out, because, Canada.) Of course, that was the night Hunter wanted to go for an after-dinner walk. Although none of us were up for it, we did set up an impromptu floor hockey match in the basement. We live in a townhouse where the levels are split up by stairs and…
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This summer we went to the prairies, twice. Once to Northern Saskatchewan and one to Southern Saskatchewan. The one to the north was to visit Spiritwood, Saskatchewan and to stay with my best friend and her family. If you have never been to the prairies you should at least once. I know that the mountains get all of the fame, but it is really relaxing on the prairies- especially on the lakes and at farms. There is a sense of peace as you look over rolling hills or endless fields. When you can stare out at land and trees for…