Saturday, May 21, 2011

The Potty Dance


So we've started potty training officially as of yesterday. We are going cold turkey on diapers, with the exception of naps and nighttime (until she starts getting the hang of it).
The 'method' we are using is the three day potty training technique. So far so good, we're on day two (although it's only 10:23am) and there has been one little dribble yesterday I could hardly even call an accident and that's it! Otherwise 100% potty-rific success!
We even took the potty with us on the trampoline yesterday, and outside to garden. Ah to be two and sit on the potty in the garden.

Hope you're having a wonderful long weekend, we're headed to the rodeo today! I'm sure we'll be hearing nothing but talk of cows and horses and cowboys for the next three months after this (you think I'm exaggerating - I'm not!).

Cute potty image found here

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Best Pumpkin Loaf EVER

So since I shared one of my favorite lemon loaf recipes (here), and one of my all time favorite zucchini loaf recipes (here) I thought I'd share my new favorite pumpkin loaf recipe. Seriously, so good, I die (can you overdose on pumpkin?).



pumpkin bread

2 cups canned pumpkin

1 cup canola oil

4 eggs

2/3 cup water

3 cups granulated sugar

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly spray three (medium/smallish) bread loaf pans.

In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, oil, eggs, water and sugar. Sift in flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda.

Beat gently until batter is smooth, then gently add chocolate chips and mix until just incorporated. Pour batter into loaf pans until halfway full.

Bake in preheated oven for one hour or (depending on your loaf pan – see note) until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool for a couple of minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely before slicing.


Optional: You can also lightly butter the tops and dredge with powdered sugar.



note: if you don’t have small loaf pans, you can use two medium or one large loaf pan. just be sure that the batter only comes halfway up the sides of the pan. you should also increase the cooking time a few minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


Thanks to Elizabeth Bryant over on her blog "Lizzy Writes" check out the recipe section for some great ideas!


xoxo

Monday, May 16, 2011

i carry your heart



i carry your heart with me (i carry it in


my heart) i am never without it (anywhere


i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done


by only me is your doing, my darling)


i fear


no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want


no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)


and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you


here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud


and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)


and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart


i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)


e.e.cummings



Sunday, May 15, 2011

my hippie


lately life has revolved around getting outside.


and convincing mommy or daddy to stay outside


even at the end of a 65 hour work week

and still wearing work clothes

Friday, May 13, 2011

the greats


(One of my favorite photos right now!)


It was so nice to see my grandparents (Amaris and Jamison's great grandparents) during the wedding. They drove out from Alberta (along with my aunt and uncle and cousin) and it was so great to have all the family around!



Yup that's right, my Grandma can still break it down on the dance floor.


My Dad and his Mom (cue: 'Awww'). Can you believe tihs women has like a gazillion grandkids and two great grand kids?








hot air wall art

So I'm thinking of making my own wall art. My walls are sadly empty. I'm thinking somewhere along these lines:












Too cute eh? Maybe for Jamison's corner? I can't really call it a room because it isn't one, since it connects the bathroom, Amaris's room, and our room. Poor kid it's more like 'Jamison's Hallway area' but it sure beats him sleeping in our room still!

images found here, here and here and here

life so far


Life has been baking cookies,



wearing cool things on our heads,


(and trying new things with our taste buds!)



And posting a few wedding photos!



Okay there are better pictures. But Jamison needs to be fed and we've all been sick all week, so this is all I'm posting!



Erin and her maid of honor, Allison. Beautiful picture!

And me and my man of honor, David. You should've seen the faces he made in the other pictures!


Annnnd a really cute pictures I need to rotate somehow? Can you even do that in blogger or just in Picasa before you post? hmmm annoying!













Monday, May 2, 2011

High Tea, High Fashion, I Do's




This week has been full of events. Royal weddings; full of decadence, beautiful dresses, crazy hats, rich, famous, and titled people. How can you help but be fascinated in the extravagance so far from the layman's life?








Can't say we arn't cultured. We serve plastic food in our pajamas at our house. And our revered guests are large teddy bears.




And we live in the luxury of plastic teacups in bed.


Photo One: Tea with Papa. Photo Two: Swings head back and bonks it = One laughing Papa, One insulted Amaris.



Wedding Photos Found Here