Little Hearts

When Amelia goes down for her afternoon nap, Oliver and I have been enjoying some quality time together.  Sometimes we do a craft; sometimes we bake healthy cookies (I will post the recipe once it's perfected!); sometimes we read a pile of books in our big white comfy chair.  All of these times are extremely precious to me and I've been trying to soak up every minute.  For in the back of my mind, I am thinking the word "September".  That is when this little boy, whom I have spent most of my waking (and sleeping) hours with over the past 4 years or so, will start going to school.  Seven more months with both of my little hearts at home with me.  Seven more months to make every moment count.

The other day, Oliver and I decided to do a simple craft while Amelia slept.  With Valentine's day coming up in a few weeks, we went with that theme.  Pipe cleaners and beads were all that we needed.

Oliver enjoyed stringing beads onto the pipe cleaners, which I then twisted into heart shapes.  Watching the quiet concentration of this small, yet so astoundingly grown up, boy was a moment that I will cherish.  What I will cherish even more, is what he said to me next...

"Mommy, I love doing crafts with you."





I am sharing this at the Moonlight and Mason Jars Link Party!

Ode to Carrot Juice

I have accidentally stumbled upon something incredible.

Last month, I was really sick with a stomach bug.  The kids had it too.  I have never been that sick before.  It was awful.  Caring for and cleaning up after two little ones with tummy troubles while also feeling so ill wasn't fun either.  My husband Chris had to work, so thankfully my Mom travelled up our way and stayed for awhile to take care of us!

Well, while she was here, we picked up a few Bolthouse Farms fruit and veggie drinks.  They're the ones found in the produce section at the grocery store (I am not affiliated with Bolthouse Farms in any way.  You can read my disclaimer here).  We thought that since my stomach couldn't handle solid food, it would be a good way to get some sort of nutrition.

One of those juices was a giant bottle of carrot juice.

I was a bit hesitant to try it and even put it off for awhile.  I thought it would be on par with tomato juice which I DO NOT LIKE.  I am reminded of the time when my friends were drinking Caesars (similar to a Bloody Mary, for all of the American readers) and I thought that I should too.  It was not pretty.  And it wasn't because of the vodka.

Anyway...
I didn't try the carrot juice until well after the illness left our household and my Mom returned to her home.  When I finally tasted it, I was shocked.  It was fantastic!  It's a little bit sweet and absolutely delicious served ice cold.  This Bolthouse version contains a whopping 380% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A and is only 70 calories per 1 cup serving.

According to my research...
(if you watch The Magic School Bus as much as we do, that phrase may make you smile)

Each cup contains a whole lot of vitamins and minerals too.  These include the aforementioned vitamin A, vitamins C, E, & K,  various B vitamins, potassium, folate, manganese, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc.  While the old adage that carrots improve eyesight holds true (did I detect a slight improvement in my horrible night vision while driving the other night?), particularly if you have a vitamin A deficiency, there are also a number of other health benefits that this super food provides.  Everything from helping dry skin to preventing cancer seem to be on the list of amazing things that carrots can do.  "The antioxidants and phytochemicals in carrots may also help with blood sugar regulation, delay the effects of aging, and improve immune function." (Nordqvist, J. (2013, December 16). "What are the health benefits of carrots?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270191.)

How often does something so good for you also taste so amazing?

It sounds silly, but carrot juice makes me feel like skipping and twirling around like a little girl.  Maybe it's all of the antioxidants.  Maybe it's all of the vitamin A.  Whatever it is, I love this stuff and drink at least one glass a day (remember to check with your doctor before changing your diet, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions).  I've also read that drinking 3 cups or more a day can turn skin orange!  So I try not to overdo it.  Like that episode of The Magic School Bus where Arnold turns orange after eating too many Seaweedies.

Well, I couldn't title this post "Ode to Carrot Juice" without including one.  So here it is...


Ode to Carrot Juice

Oh carrot juice!
Sweet orange nectar
As a seed you start
So small.
Within Earth's embrace,
You grow.
Nourished by soil, sun,
Rainfall.
A hidden wonder lies
Below.
Your destiny we shall not
Forestall.
For, your great goodness, now
I know.
Nature's nourishment is the gift you impart
To all.

Amelia's Artwork

The other day, I was writing a list.  As a habitual list-maker, it was likely one of many: a grocery list, a to-do list, an idea list - the list goes on.  Well, Amelia came along and wanted my pencil and notepad. Curious as to what she would do, I gave it to her.  She immediately scribbled on the paper (and the table leg and the floor).

It always amazes me how young children pick up so much just by watching us!

Amelia also came across a sticker on the floor that had lost its stickiness.  I think it was a Halloween sticker (it is now January).  No matter how much I clean our floors, I am always finding stuff that I've missed, dirt, crumbs, and random things in weird places; this usually starts about 10 minutes after I finish cleaning the floors.  If I'm lucky.  Such is life with two kids and a dog!  Anyway, Amelia tried to stick that unsticky sticker onto everything: the couch, Oliver, me.

So when Oliver wanted to make drawings yesterday...

I thought it was about time for Amelia to join in too!

I keep a basket handy with colouring books, crayons and stickers.  That way, we can make drawings at a moment's notice (and the kids can be quickly occupied for a few minutes when necessary).  And if I'm really on the ball, I change out the stickers in the basket depending on the season.

Amelia loved sticking on those stickers, which took some serious concentration!  Now, her very first work of art is hanging on our wall.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Yep, these are just as good as they sound.  So good, that I usually reserve them for special occasions.  This past Christmas, I tweaked the original recipe slightly by switching regular peanut butter for the natural 100% peanuts kind.  Also, I replaced cow's milk (that's what Oliver calls milk now) with unsweetened almond milk.  They turned out better than ever!  And since the changes are healthier ones, they make this little pleasure just a tiny bit less guilty.

Here's my new version of the recipe...

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, soft
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup natural, 100% peanuts peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla
2 tblsp unsweetened almond milk
40 mini peanut butter cups

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix together flour, salt, baking soda.  Set aside.
Cream butter, sugar, peanut butter, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg, vanilla, and milk.
Add flour mixture.
Mix well.
Shape into 40 balls and place into un-greased mini muffin pan.
Bake for 8 min.
Remove from oven and immediately press mini peanut butter cups into each ball.
Let cool and place in freezer for a few min until chocolate sets.
Carefully remove from pan.

Enjoy!



 I am sharing this at...
Moonlight and Mason Jars Link Party :: Tasty Tuesday at I'm Not a Trophy Wife

Go

Happy New Year!

I love the idea of choosing a "word of the year".  A word chosen at the start of the new year to ponder on and provide inspiration throughout the months to come.  I started a list of possible words and chose the word spark for 2012.  A little spark came to life that year - our daughter Amelia.  For 2013 I thought long and hard about a word of the year and revisited and added to that same list of possible words.  I even started a blog post, but never finished it.

Over the past couple days, I've been looking back at 2013.  As I did so, I began to notice that the word "push" had been quietly motivating me throughout the year, which I wrote about yesterday.  I realized that I had made an effort to push myself outside of my comfort zone as well as push past and surpass some of my goals and expectations.

While pondering on a word today to choose for 2014, I came across that old list from previous years and, right smack in the middle of that list, found the word push.

Notice how the word push is the only one all in lower-case letters?  Totally found it that way.  I think push chose me last year and I didn't even realize it.

For this upcoming year, I want to keep the forward momentum that the word push unwittingly provided last year.  My word for 2014 has been popping up in my mind lately and is also on that old list, right at the top.  The word "go".

Oh yeah!  I almost forgot!  I have a 5k race to get to.  Going to start this year off running!
Let's go!

Push

Hi there!

It has been well over a year since I've stopped on by to this, my little corner of the internet.  As we all know, a whole lot can happen and change in just a year's time!  A new year is just about to begin and I find myself not only looking ahead, but reflecting back upon how far we've come.  I've thought of all you lovely readers and this blog many times along the way.  I even wrote a few posts, but something kept me from clicking that "Publish" button.

Photo by Rebecca Leigh Photography

In November 2012 we welcomed our sweet baby girl, Amelia, into the world.  She is pure joy.  The first few months of her life included some major adjustments on my part as I learned how to become a mother of two.  Now, a year later, I can't imagine our family any other way.

Amelia (we often call her Millie) is a very happy girl who never stops moving unless she is asleep!  Whenever she hears music, she does a little wiggle.  She knows what she wants (usually food) and isn't afraid to let you know too (usually by pointing, waving and saying "mmm").  In fact, she isn't afraid of much and I can already see a feisty, daring side to her!  She loves her dollies, snuggling, and giving amazing hugs.

Oliver will be turning 4 this coming Spring and is growing up right in front of our eyes!  He loves big trucks (with doors that open), Buzz Lightyear, and building with blocks.  He enjoys doing puzzles and is very good at them.  He operates tablets, smartphones, and iPads like a pro and I'm sure he could teach me a thing or two about them already.  Even though sibling rivalry shows up from time to time, there are many sweet and caring big brother moments that melt my heart.

Photo by Rebecca Leigh Photography

When I think about why I didn't post here for so long a few reasons come to mind.  I was busy with a new baby and an active little boy.  I wasn't taking quality photos with my good camera.  I was focusing on "real" life, not a "virtual" one.  But when I'm truly honest with myself, I think the real reason was fear.  The fear of how my on-line posts will affect my children.  The fear of possibly exposing my family to unsavoury individuals.  The fear of sharing too much with the outside world.

While fear can be a necessary emotion that keeps us out of harm's way, give in to it too often, and we miss out on so many good things.  And fear is just that... an emotion.  It doesn't have to control us.  In choosing how we react to it, we control our fear.

In 2013 I pushed through many fears...

The fear of sickness, disease and not being around for my kids pushed me to strive for a healthier life.  The way I eat and how I view food have changed. I stopped eating processed food and now try to eat mostly "real food".  We built and grew a vegetable garden in our tiny backyard.  Through this, I discovered a passion for plants and growing things.

This past year, I joined a gym, took yoga classes, and began working out with a personal trainer.  All things that a shy, quiet, and reserved person like myself find a little bit intimidating.  Now, I'm 25 lbs lighter, physically and mentally stronger, and have gotten to know a lot of great people who I wouldn't have met otherwise.  Oliver and Amelia love the kids room and the staff at the gym too.

Recently, I completed a little 5k race while visiting my home town.  Many friends and family members helped to raise $380 for charity by sponsoring me (my goal was $200).  I ran a personal best time of 34 min that day (my goal was to be under 40 min).  Pushing past those goals felt amazing!

I even pushed myself to drive a little bit on the very busy 401 highway this year (a couple times)!  Being in a car has been an intense fear of mine that I've dealt with for several years, so that's pretty huge for me!

So I guess there is one more fear to push through before this year is over - clicking that "Publish" button.

Well, here goes nothing...

My Disclaimer Pinned Down

So I've known for quite awhile that every blog should have a disclaimer.  Today, I've finally finished mine (that I started way back in April 2011).  It's my little legal letter to you, my lovely readers. 
Find it in this post below as well as at the tabs along the top of the page.
While writing it, I found these websites to be extremely helpful...
http://www.blogherald.com/2007/10/02/writing-a-blog-disclaimer/
http://www.myhappycrazylife.com/blog-disclaimer/

So without further adieu, here it is...



Dear Readers,

This is a personal blog. The views and opinons expressed here are purely my own. The content found here is in no way associated with any past, present, or future employer, association, organization, agency, or group. Being that we are all individuals, each with different perspectives, my views may or may not agree with yours... and that's ok.

It is not my intention to offend, libel, or defame anyone. If the translation or interperetation of content, language, bad grammar, or punctuation does so, it is definitely unintentional and I will not be held responsible. Furthermore, I am not responsible for defamatory statements bound to government, religious, or other laws from the reader’s country of origin.

I am not a professional expert on anything, nor do I claim to be. I am simply a human being who is figuring it out as I go along. Perhaps you are too.

Since I am a human being, I will make mistakes. The content of this blog is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no rights. I will do my best to provide accurate information and links at the time of posting. A blog, by nature, is always in transition. Over time, my thoughts, ideas, and opinions will likely change and evolve. Please keep in mind that the validity and accuracy of past posts and links may also change. Also, I cannot control, nor am I responsible for, external sites that link to this blog.

If you find any tutorials, advice, tips, or information on this blog to be useful to you, that is great! My intention is to help and do no harm. Use any information found here with caution, common sense, and with the understanding that you do so at your own risk. I am not responsible and will not be held liable for any loss, damages, or inconveniences that may result from what is written and displayed on this blog or downloaded from it.

Feel free to offer constructive critisism, differing opinions, and your two cents worth in the comments section available at the bottom of my blog posts. Please be polite and remember that you are responsible for any comments that you post on this blog. I reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason, including, but not limited to profanity, abusiveness, rudeness, or spam. I am not responsible and will not be held liable for anything anyone says in the blog comments, nor the laws which they may break in any country through the content, implication, and intent of such comments.

Unless otherwise noted, photographs and images are my own. I always try to give credit where credit is due and will provide links to my sources of inspiration and information. Please offer me the same courtesy if you use my ideas on your own blog or website. You may not use anything from this blog for commercial purposes without my permission.

Overall, I hope that Charcoal & Crayons will be a place where we can all share and celebrate great ideas, while inspiring and encouraging each other.

I truly appreciate that you are here, spending a little bit of your valuable time with me and my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Just the Cone, Please!

During our Summer trip to the cottage, we made some sandy memories, spent some time simply messing about in boats, and even found ourselves in the hole.

And while at the cottage, it's always nice to meet up at the local ice cream shop.
Oliver doesn't really like ice cream (maybe it's too cold), but he does like the cone!

He was also quite impressed with the tent and chairs that were just his size.

He sat with Grandma Bonnie...

...just like last year...

My, how much he's grown!

Thanks for stopping by.

In the Hole

While at the cottage earlier this summer, we made some sandy memories and spent some time simply messing about in boats.

We were also able to spend some time at the beach with nearby family.  Oliver had a blast playing in the sand with his cousins Katie and Justin.

They dug a big hole which became Oliver's favourite place to sit.

And he shook with delight every time that Katie poured in some water!

Splash!

Even Roxy was able to enjoy some beach time...

...and dashing Daddy too...

Oliver also found some fun with a football.

Catch, Daddy!

The beach is a great place to practice those football skills in the sand!

Touchdown!

And even though playing football is fun...

The best place to be is...

...in the hole!

Thanks for stopping by.

Simply Messing About in Boats

So yesterday I shared Oliver's recent adventures in the sand with you.
Today, let's get into the water... without getting wet!
While Ollie wasn't too keen on swimming in the lake this year, he sure enjoyed his very first rowboat ride.

Here he is all ready in his lifejacket...

The lake was incredibly calm that evening.

Grandpa Gary got the rowboat ready.

Now, we just have to wait for Daddy.

Time to set off.

It's just like the Chi-Cheemaun!

What a beautiful evening for a boatride.

Looks like it was lots of fun too.

Let's go back in the boat!

"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing

- absolutely nothing -

half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

- Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

Thanks for stopping by.