Space Day January 20,2010

Space day had finally arrived all the kids in preschool were elated as the conditions of the day were that they were all to wear their pajamas to school, bring a blanket and a flashlight. I had offered to help with a couple of the other Mom's we were in charge of making the pancakes while the kids learned about space and the planets. By the time the pancakes were served the kids were in fine form. They all enjoyed their pancakes and juice and after the clean up I grab a delightful coffee and scone at a local coffee shop with Mary one of the other Moms. A day well spent!

Of coarse more snaps in my flickr

Cute website January 16,2010

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Birthday Dinner for Grandpa J January 10,2010

We hosted a birthday dinner in honor of Dad/Grandpa J. We were missing a few kids last night but overall had a great turn out. Once everyone had arrived we were able to sit down and enjoy our lovely dinner. I made Michelle's Dijon Chicken, with a recipe of Roasted potatoes, accompanied by a new recipe Easy Bake Vegetable Twist. Plates were cleaned translating to the dinner has turn out serve desert! I served two cakes one was a Cinnamon pull apart bread and the second was a Gram's Best Brown Sugar Cake, both items were well received and I would make them again.

More pictures in the FLICKR

Michelle's Dijon Chicken

Mix:
1 jar course grain mustard
juice of three lemons
2 cups of water
4 tbsps of garlic powder (not salt)

Put chicken pieces( bone in ) in the baking dish and pour sauce over

Bake at 375 degrees for approx 1-2 hours. If too dry add more water part way through.

Enjoy!

Steak & Guinness Pie January 2,2010r

Our day was full of busy activity. One of our stops was by Grandma & Papa's place to return the truck which we had borrowed. Well one thing let to another, we were asked to stay for dinner. Darren had loosely mentioned that he was going to make a Steak & Guinness pie this week for dinner. We had a few more errands to do and when we returned we came to discover Grandma making Steak & Guinness Pie! YUMMY! We helped do some of the prep and then enjoyed a very delicious meal. This is a must try.

(ps click on link for recipe used)

Happy New Year

If you make it through this I owe a drink.

Happy New Year, all the best to you and your familes.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Scooter Boy November 27,2009

IMG_0033
Originally uploaded by planejayne72

Sam received a new scooter from Auntie Karen & Sarah for Christmas, which came in handy as he also received a new helmet from Daddy. We tried both items out today and they are a hit!

Merry Christmas and much more... December 24-25,2009

Sending Merry Christmas wishes to each and everyone. It has been a busy few days around here. Darren, Sam & I have not been well so we have been moving at half speed we are on the mend slowly but surely. We spent Christmas eve at Darren's family's house it was tons of fun and when we were surrounded with family it was a little easier to feel a bit better. We had a lovely evening and everyone was blessed with laughter and too many gifts.

Christmas morning had us slowly making our way down stairs to see if Santa had come to visit us and he had indeed. Sam was fortunate to have a new hockey net and hockey sticks for him and Darren to play with we had a leisurely morning and enjoyed a overnight french toast once we had completed our gift sharing. After breakfast we go to work stuffing our turkey, prepping our food. We had time to get dressed in our play clothes and head out for a quick match of hockey to try out the new supplies. Auntie Karen was kind enough to stop in and pass the ball around too!

The evening brought my side of the family minus Papa as he was not feeling too well. So we proceeded with our turkey dinner and many deserts.Karen & Darren ate their traditional one brussel sprout moment. We also shared more lovely gifts. Overall a special first Christmas in our new home was had!

We are very blessed and hope that you had your own special moments too!

You will find and assortment of pictures in my Flickr if you wish to check them out.

Sleep over @ Auntie Karen's December 19-20,2009

While Darren & I enjoyed an evening up at Grouse Mountain. Sam spent the evening with Auntie Karen & Sarah. I am assuming fun was had by all as Sam didn't even want to come home the next day. While Sam was with Auntie Karen & Sarah they all went to visit Santa. I have to say with such shock not only did Sam visit with Santa he sat with Sarah and had his picture taken. I say shock because earlier in the month he was telling me it is Daddy's Christmas and that was that. Well I guess fresh people to a situation and all is well. He had a nice chat and spoke of a hockey net that he might be wanting. Now we wait and see whether he had been bad or good?

Thanks again to Auntie Karen & Sarah!

In addition to picking Sam up on Sunday I asked to be a part of Karen's bake exchange as goodies from my exchange were already eaten up. So I baked my five dozen cookies printed out my recipe and headed over for a lovely time. Thanks ladies for letting me participate and a big thank you for more yummy baking! Delicious!

Wedding of Greg & Bev December 19,2009

On Saturday we had the honor of attending at wedding at Grouse Mountain. An evening event was planned and all went well. The lights of the city shone in the distance, snow fell and Greg & Bev exchanged vow in the beautiful Timber Room at the lodge. The bride was adorned a platinum gown as the groom was sporting his dapper military suit. We had the chance to meet many new people who had flown from around North America to attend the nuptials. We dinned on fondue both for our main coarse and desert. A lovely evening was had by all. All the best to Mr. & Mrs. Zweng!

More Pictures

First Christmas Concert December 18,2009

We attended Sam's first Christmas concert. It was truly a sight to see. I am sure all of you parents can identify with all the feelings I was having as they commenced the concert. In my head I was chanting do what you practiced, stay still and enjoy! Well he did what he practiced to a degree, stayed still for most of it, and he surely enjoyed himself and so did we.

Sam's role was a shepherd and his duties included sharing the messaged that Jesus was born and blowing his horn, and his final task was to clean the barn where he was born. These little moments were great well until he was jumping around while they sang Jingle Bells. All ended well and I am grateful that Darren & I could both attend together.

Hope all of your concerts and pageants have gone as planned.

Smile December 15,2009

This post just made me SMILE(click on link then look for handbells improv).

Busy, busy and fun, fun! December 6,2009

So here I sit with a glass of wine wrapping up our busy but very fun weekend. Friday was Sam's actual birthday. Four years ago I gave birth to my miracle baby at 12:15pm, all nine pounds of him(yes it was a blessing he was breach). Darren & I are very grateful for every moment Sam is in our world even the not so good ones.

So Fridays activities included making gingerbread house at school, which I was fortunate to volunteer to assist that day. It was wonderful to see all the children take something very cookie cutter and place their own personal, creative touches on.

Saturday became slightly more hectic as I had offered my services to host our annual bake exchange. Our day began with a regular trip to my favourite place COSTCO, to pick up the remaining didn't know I would needed items. Then back to prepare for the Delta girls gathering. Darren was kind enough to take Sam and a couple buddies to the Santa Claus parade, to give us ladies a few hours alone. You know to giggle and talk about our husbands(come on you know it happens LOL). I can speak for myself that I was honored to have this group of friends in for a evening I feel very blessed to have each and everyone of them in my life!

Sunday also began with a jump start as I invited our buddies, family and more friends in for an 11:00 am open house/4th birthday party. Again we are privileged to have surrounded ourselves with such fabulous people to make such an event go very smoothly and enjoyably.

Thank you to all who send birthday wishes to Sam and to all whom attended this weekend activities!

SMOOCHES!

A walk in the crisp morning air December 3,2009

This morning after our coffee & breakfast and a few items on our to do list we all headed out for a lovely walk. I love days like this crisp air, tons of sunshine what more could someone ask for on a fall day. We headed out to our new regular haunt Derby Reach.

Bronwynne ran, fetched and swam in the very cool waters. Sam wanted to play tag and well I got to take some pictures because the sun was shining! Yay. It is always nice when Darren is home we all smile just a little more.

Hockey on the street! November 26,2009

Sam has recently been bitten by the hockey bug. He was intrigued at our last house as I purchased some hockey sticks his size but cannot wait for Darren to come home from work so they can head outside and pass the ball around. Our dilema seems to be that the dog ball is the same as the hockey ball and the numbers are running low a trip to Canadian Tire to stock up is in order for sure.

MORE PICTURES

A ride to school November 23,2009

On another rainy day here we found ourselves on the way to school.I turned around to answer a quick question to find this cute kid in the back seat! Some days I wonder could it get any better!

Sam has had a touque fetish since our kind nieghbour has knitted yet another set for Sam. I find him at all times of the day and night sporting such accessory.

Here's hoping the sun finally comes out to visit us!

Girlz night November 14,2009

The girls got together last night for the evening. Words can not express how much fun we had. We were missing one of our friends due to the flu but hope that she is on the mend. Laughter and more laughter was on the agenda for the evening. It is always lovely to see each other and catch up on our lives. I feel so grateful knowing I have these ladies on my side!

New Hat November 10,2009

Well not only have we moved into a safe & wonderful house, we apparently gain more great neighbours. Our new neighbour not only confided that she enjoys knitting but she whipped up a hat in one evening and delivered it tonight for Sam. How lucky are we?

A few more pics

Fall Wreath November 9,2009

So in between painting and unpacking a few stray boxes we gathered some fall leave and made a wreath. Isn't that what you do on a Friday night? LOL!

So Darren, Sam & I sat on the kitchen floor gather leaves in small bunches to form this nice full wreath. I am pleased with the outcome and next year I would try and do two. If you are wondering where I borrowed this fantastic idea.

Baking, Birthdays and More... October 28,29 & 30th, 2009

All is well in our world. Now that we are becoming a little more settled we are finding a normal pattern during our days. Sam & I got right to business the other day making Pumpkin Pound cake it turned out very well. Sam gobbled up his piece as soon as it was cool enough to cut. So we have officially christened our kitchen. The following morning brought a birthday for myself. I was overwhelmed with birthday emails throughout the day. Sam & I managed to get out and run a few errands after our morning of pumpkin pancakes and a latte for me of coarse. We split a late afternoon lunch at A&W with a baby burger each! Yum! The evening was followed with a visit from my lovely sister in law Donna, Brandon and Mom & Dad J. They came bearing well wishes, cake & ice cream. Darren finally returned that evening with more Bday wishes.

The following day found us attempting to convince Sam to don one of his Halloween costumes for Party Day at school. At the last minute we compromised on a Superman shirt and cape! Choose your battles hey! So we were entertained by Sam and his classmates displaying the songs and knowledge learned for the month of October. It was lovely and quite cute.

Hope this finds you and your gobblins enjoying a great evening!

Pumpkin Pancakes from Parent Magazine Oct 2006

1 cup flour

3 tbsp sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 egg

1 cup plain yogurt

1/4 pumpkin puree

1. Preheat nonstick skillet on med-high heat. In bowl stir together all ingredients.

2. In a large, beat the egg for 30 sec. Add yogurt, pumpkin puree beat well.

3. Stir in dry ingredients and beat until combined.

4. Great skillet lightly with butter. Pour 1/4 cup batter per pancake, flip with spatula when tops bubble and edges are slightly dry. Cook until other side is golden brown.

Enjoy! This recipe is a staple at our house I actually bake a few pumpkins before the season is over and freeze some in our freezer for enjoyment throughout the winter season.

What we have been up to. October 25,2009

Our days have been filled with many activities from unpacking and getting sorted. Sam attending preschool, Darren going to and from work, and just plain or everyday activities. And just for fun my car decided to have some major issues and is at the shop as I type. Oh well that is life!

So here are a few pictures from a walk in the park yesterday when the sun came out, Sam sleeping while we waited for the tow truck,one from an afternoon of building towers and the last two pictures are from Sam's school preschool we were at a local garden learning about our surroundings.

Hope this finds you and yours enjoying fall.