Pink Grapefruit Perrier

I am not often one to lend my endorsement to brands on this lil'blog, but with the temperatures rocketing over 40 degrees celcius here, I thought it was the least I could do to let you know about what I think is the most refreshing drink ever. You may already know about it, but I just caught on and I am in love.

Pink Grapefruit Perrier. I like you a lot. Especially today!

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A House, A Home

This summer another birthday passed and it was absolutely one of the best ever. I am not really someone who puts that much emphasis on this day, but man oh man this year was a good one! So many beautiful gifts and kind birthday wishes.

In anticipation of a family celebration for all of the summer birthdays, my cousin emailed to ask what I wanted. Aside from gift cards to Home Depot, I want for nothing so I asked her for something homemade from her sweet little 18 month old babe. A tall order that she blew out of the water.

My cousin took two small canvases and blocked out with stick on letters a sweet message about our home, and then had her babe paint over it. Remove the letters and Voila! a beautiful piece of art that hangs proudly in our home.

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Strawberry Tarts

My family is all about tradition, right down to the dessert you get to enjoy on your birthday (forever and always, so you better be sure to really like it!) For my uncle Peter who's Birthday falls right at the start of Strawberry season, his birthday treat is strawberry pie - one of simplest of the pie family and in my opinion the most delicious.

The other night we hosted some friends for dinner and I needed a quick dessert to make after work, so I adapted the strawberry pie into tart form! Easy and Delicious.

Ingredients:
- Small Tart Shells (if you make your own, you rule! please send me the recipe..!)
- Cream Cheese (I use almost fat free)
- Mint
- Strawberries
- Strawberry or Red Current JELLY!

Steps:

1. Bake Shells until golden brown

2. Add Chopped Mint to Cream Cheese and place a dollop in the bottow of the tart shell

3. Cram in as many beautiful Local Strawberries as possible

4. Melt approx. 1/2 cup of jelly on the stove and while still runny, pour over the strawberries - making sure they are covered, but don't create a pool or the tart shells will get too soft.

5. Sprinkle with a little more chopped mint and Enjoy!

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Family Dinner

Last night my family dined together for the first time in many many months, under the light of candles and in the comfort of our new home. There is such an ease in dining with my family as you know/are each others flow; food is served, wine poured and dishes cleaned without ever having to speak about these details.

My parents sat at the side of the table, an uncomfortable change at first having been so use to them finding their spots at the head - but as they explained, this is our home and those seats are ours in this space. We have definitely entered a new phase, with new conversations and so many exciting things going on - and yet, all still so familiar and the same (my favorite part).

At one point in the night I stepped outside to look in - to feel so fortunate for this dining room full of loved ones. We are very aware that as the new people on the street we have many people trying to take a peak in, and I couldn't be more proud that conversation and love over good food and candlelight is what they will see.

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Construction Chic!

It is not often (ever?) that I post photos of myself on this here little blog, but I thought this one would give you a good taste of the styles we have been rocking during the home renos!
As I mentioned earlier, our first task was to have the whole house re-wired which left us with 150 holes to be patched, sanded, patched and sanded again! That process had us and our new home totally covered in very fine white dust - brutal! So to help manage it we were rocking some pretty classy looks - I call this one country meets construction.

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Happy Monday!

Happy Monday Everyone!
Another weekend in the new house and I think we only fall more and more in love. Thanks again to all the help from friends, we finished painting the hallways - hooray - and only have two more bedrooms to get painted.
I have taken the day off of work to finish a little project with Papa J - building a shed in the backyard. Building, sawing, and hammering are absolutely my idea of a vacation so I can't wait to get it finished today - we only have the walls left to go up (building the foundation was the hard part) and then top it off with singles (probably my favorite thing to nail in!)

I hope your weekend was perfect and that your week is off to a good start.
MUAH!

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Little Helper

For anyone doing house renos like we are these days, I would strongly suggest getting yourself self great friends who make cute babies like this one! She makes painting and housework adorable and fun.

Ps. more to come soon...we are installing very bold wallpaper in the kitchen today. Wish us luck!

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Happy. Tired.

Happy.


Tired.

We are just a whole bundle of super happy and pretty darn tired in our new household. 150 holes patched and painted and a house that was once the color of "cream corn" from top to bottom, has a fresh coat of paint.
We sleep like Kings and feels like that luckiest darn people in the world to wake up in our new home each morning. About once an hour we hug and marvel and shake our heads in disbelief that this place is our home.

The dust is settling and most boxes are unpacked (or hidden in the basement) so I will be back to more regular posting and can't wait to show you our new space.

Happy Weekend.

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