Top Ten Tuesday: Preparing for Autumn

The temperatures have dropped drastically around here over the last week and there are a few things around our household that need to be adjusted to prepare for the arrival of autumn.

1. Swap my flip flops for ballet flats.
They sit at the back door so I can quickly scoot out with the dogs when they do their business and jamming my socked toes into flip flops is getting old.

2. Get some new socks
How have my socks worn thinner by sitting in the drawer?

3. Put away the gazebo canvas
Yes we need to get the gazebo frame naked.

4. Hem the curtains
We have basboard heaters in this house, under every window and my floor length living room curtains won't look so cute with scorch marks on them when the heat comes on... Still unsure of a solution without looking like dorky short curtains...

5. Dig out sweaters and jackets
Gone are the days of wearing a solitary t-shirt all day

6. Unpack autumn decor
More unpacking...

7. Get a hair cut
My hair has been growing for many months and I am not a blow dryer type gal so having really long wet locks is getting chilly. Need an easier to blow-dry style. ( This photo was before my last chop in March, it is even longer now)

8. Switch moisturizers
The lightweight summer stuff is not cutting it on the cooler weather.

9.  Dig out the slow cooker
Craving warm soups, stews and chilis

10. Dump the summer planter
My petunias have gone to a better place and their carcasses are just not that pretty.

For more top ten fun go see Amanda

Top Ten Tuesday: House Wishlist Revisited

After I wrote my house wishlist we went house hunting.  It only took us one day and nine scheduled showings plus one unscheduled (by us)  God showing and we had found ourself a house!

We were up bright and early after a late night flight and a four hour time difference, coffees and breakfast in hand we met with our realtor and hit the road. When we walked into our new house it was oh so apparent that is was the One. No others on the market even compared and our disappointment soon turned to anticipation as we drove back to the office to make an offer. They accepted and in a couple of months we move in!

Now that evening I went back to my wishlist and was so thrilled to see how well our new house did.

1. Bedrooms on a second storey.
Our current home is one-level, it is great and our daughter is a fantastic sleeper but it would be nice to have the bedrooms away from the living area.
Check! Our new home has three bedrooms upstairs and one in the finished basement.

2. A yard.
I will not specify size as we currently have a very dinky backyard so anything larger would be wonderful.

Check! We half a half acre lot with a green space as our backyard neighbour.

3. A mudroom.
I would love to have space for jacket and boots besides our one main closet or the garage.
Check. There is a separate door into the heated garage that leads to a mudroom area as you enter our kitchen.

4. Three or Four bedrooms.
Three is a must four would be nice so that we could always have a spare room.
Check. Three up, one down.

5. A garage.
In the area we'll be living most are older homes so garages are not common but it would be nice.
Check. A two-car attached garage as well as a separate garage.

6. A rec room area.
I would love to have a basement or loft area that could be a tv/toy room away from the living room.
Check. Finished basement rec. room.

7. Space for crafting.
The rec room area or fourth bedroom would cover this. I would like just enough to have a desk for my sewing machine and scrap-booking supplies organized and accessible.

Check. The fourth bedroom will be the guest room and it will also have a special crafting area.

8. A window over the kitchen sink.
Standing at our current sink I look at the wall straight ahead or into the living room to my left, I have always found staring out a window makes doing dishes more enjoyable.

Check. There is my window looking out into our backyard and my mum checking out the under-cabinet lighting.

9. A deep tub.
I love a good bath and though I did turn our overflow drain around so I can fill the tub a little fuller there are still bits of me that are never fully submerged in the bath.

Check. Master bath has a big tub.

10. Little or no carpet.
Our two dogs produce a lot of fur and it is so much easier to keep hard flooring clean.

Check. Hardwood, ceramic tile and laminate.

For more top ten fun go visit Amanda.

Top Ten Tuesday: House Wishlist

We sold our house!! Hurray! The sold sign went up today and now we pack and prep to leave Sunday for our house hunting trip. We're moving 3000 miles across the country back to our family. I'm so thrilled that this next step in our journey is finally here and so anxious at the same time.
We've been aware of this move since October so virtual house hunting began then but I thought I should perfect our wishlist.

Top ten things I would love in our new house

1. Bedrooms on a second storey.
Our current home is one-level, it is great and our daughter is a fantastic sleeper but it would be nice to have the bedrooms away from the living area.

2. A yard.
I will not specify size as we currently have a very dinky backyard so anything larger would be wonderful.

3. A mudroom.
I would love to have space for jacket and boots besides our one main closet or the garage.

4. Three or Four bedrooms.
Three is a must four would be nice so that we could always have a spare room.

5. A garage.
In the area we'll be living most are older homes so garages are not common but it would be nice.

6. A rec room area.
I would love to have a basement or loft area that could be a tv/toy room away from the living room.

7. Space for crafting.
The rec room area or fourth bedroom would cover this. I would like just enough to have a desk for my sewing machine and scrap-booking supplies organized and accessible.

8. A window over the kitchen sink.
Standing at our current sink I look at the wall straight ahead or into the living room to my left, I have always found staring out a window makes doing dishes more enjoyable.

9. A deep tub.
I love a good bath and though I did turn our overflow drain around so I can fill the tub a little fuller there are still bits of me that are never fully submerged in the bath.

10. Little or no carpet.
Our two dogs produce a lot of fur and it is so much easier to keep hard flooring clean.

Stay tuned for an update as to how many wishlist items we are able to find in our new home.

Go see Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday fun.

Feeling the wrong kind of crafty: Top Ten Tuesday

I've been feeling super crafty lately, like fabric crafty but I need more fabric...I wish I was feeling scrapbook paper crafty because I have a ton of scrapbook paper (thanks mom!) and then there would be more pages in my 14 month old's scrapbook than just the one of her baby shower from the summer of 2009.

Here are the top ten crafts that I have bookmarked to do. At some point. When I have more fabric. 

1. Rolled Flowers from Snazzie drawers (the tutorial link is in her right sidebar)

2. Fitted cloth diapers, haven't decided on a pattern as of yet but have been looking at several.

3. Dragon slippers, how cute are these!

4. Love letter? Toadstool? Jam Jar Topper?  So many options

5. Ruffle pillows for the living room, our bedroom, Isabel's room...

6. Wool soakers to cover the fitted diaper I make.

7. Yo-yo's would look great with some rolled flowers.

8. So what if it's a Valentine craft? A cute wreath is still a cute wreath right?

9. Leggings for Isabel with some flare.

10. A diaper sewing job I really actually NEED to do more then want.

Join the top ten fun with Amanda

Top Ten Tuesday: Christmas Links

I can't believe Christmas is so soon! Living across the country from family means we seem to be less busy than most at this time of year. This gives us lots of opportunities to enjoy time with our little girl, each other and our close friends. Oh and to type lists like this. Here are my top links in my Christmas bookmarks folder.


1. Advent Conspiracy  A great reminder and challenge to 'Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All'

2. Etsy has some fantastic sellers with money going to great causes check out Twiggie, all the money she makes goes to Compassion International. Love is raising funds for adoption. 




3. DIY ornament wreath made by Lisa Leonard. So cute and easy...looking. She makes beautiful jewellery too!




4. If you are looking to make a stocking for someone special here is a great round up with some really great designs.




5. Homemade bath fizzies oh Martha Stewart.




6. Fantastically delicious and simple to make fudge. Aha! Writing this just reminded me that I have a full container of this stuff in the deep freeze...uh oh...




7. Home for Christmas: A list of shops and websites supporting adoption and orphan care.




8. Holly napkin holders. How cute would these be at the Christmas dinner table.




9. Love this reusable ribbon garland. 




10. The Etsy listing for the template for our Christmas card this year.

Linked with Amanda

Top Ten Tuesday: Pick My New Glasses

So my glasses got broken last Saturday. By my dog. While I was wearing them. My 80 lb dog.

We were heading out the door so that our real estate agent could show our house. I had finished tidying, vacuuming and was leashing our small dog when our super boisterous 3 year old chocolate lab smashed into my face, breaking my glasses.

So my glasses that I didn't plan on replacing anytime soon now need to be replaced. Here are my current top ten choices, please please help me choose!

I know glasses choice all depends on face shape, glasses shape, size etc. but let's say that these all fit my face and it is just a matter of preference...

1.  Love L702: They are purple and pink and black and fun.

image from www.lensway.com

2. Just Cavalli 126: Brown and stripey: kind of reminds me of a rugby shirt or maybe a root beer float.

image from www.coastalcontacts.com

3. Just Cavalli 063: They are blue. I love blue. My wedding dress was blue.

photo from www.coastalcontacts.com

4. Modo 5006: Simple and brown but still a little fun.

photo from www.eyeglasses.com

5. Kam Dhillon 3017: Pink inside, how girly and fun is that?

photo from www.coastalcontacts.com

6. Modo 5005: lilac and texturey.

photo from www.lensway.com

7. Love L703: Reminds me of bamboo.

photo from www.coastalcontacts.com

8. Jones New York 608: Olive like my eyes.

photo from www.coastalcontacts.com

9. Love L704: They say Live, Love, Laugh. Kinda like having tattoo but not permanent and without pain.

photo from www.clearlycontacts.ca

10. Cynthia Rowley 228: Remind me of Mardi Gras somehow.

photo from www.lensway.com

Go visit Amanda for more of Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Maritimers

In light of Amanda's post on being a true Southerner I thought I would do something similar.

I am a maritimer. Except for the first 22 months of my life and the past (almost) 3 years, I have lived in one of the wee provinces on the east coast of Canada. My parents are both from the maritimes as well as my grandparents and I'm pretty sure my great-grandparents were too so it's in the blood.

Moving out west nearly 3 years ago made me realize just how maritime I am. Maybe not so much in my accent as some, although I have my moments. (Care for some saaaaaaahlmon anyone?)

Top Ten Things I've Learned About Maritimers by Living on the West Coast

1. We are alll about family. That is our major reason for wanting to move back is to be closer to family. There is always some kind of family event happening. Birthdays, baptisms, graduations, weddings, I got a good deal on lobster....always some reason to get together.

2. Some of us have a bit of a...twang. We drive carrrrrrs hard on the 'r' and eat saaaaaahlmon.

3. We drink tea (hot tea) or iced tea (sweet tea). There is no such thing as unsweetened cold tea, gross.

4. We don't tend to have fenced yards. Some do, and maybe it's just where I've lived, but out west just about everyone has a fenced yard.

5. We have yearly inspections on our cars. Could be because the salt air and salt on the roads in winter eats our vehicles but we have to have them inspected every year to have them on the road.

6. We use snow tires. That's not necessarily a maritime thing but all seasons are not all seasons.

7. We use salt on our roads in the winter. Where I live now they use sand on the roads (read: gravel) because it gets too cold for salt to work on ice....

8. We rarely have to replace our windshields. Out west it's a yearly thing because of #7.

9. We are very friendly and respect is huge. Funerals are usually large events and when a hurse drives by on the street all oncoming vehicles stop right where they are and pedestrians stop and remove their hats until the procession has passed. I may or may not have been nearly run over the first time I saw a funeral procession here...

10. We have fog, lots and lots of fog.

I'm sure these things are not unique to the maritimes... anyone?

Go see Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday fun.

Top Ten Tuesday: Canadian Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving this past weekend and that means we spent time with some great friends, family and ate some delicious food so here it is, top ten Thanksgiving foods.

1. Turkey, obviously! Never had a deep fried one but would love to try it.

2. Sweet Potato Casserole. Different from yams so I learned 2 years ago and pure yumminess especially when mixed with butter and brown sugar and topped with marshmallows... (okay so every photo I found appears to be made with yams...hmmm) googled the difference

3. Yams...yes they're good too especially when baked in orange juice, mmm.

4. Potatoes and gravy. Yes they must go together, they are one entity.

5. Cranberries. I could eat my weight in these, seriously.

6. Carrots and other vegetables. Really these are eaten to even out the turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce and to soak up some of the not so good for you stuff.

7. Stuffing/Dressing. I detest the stuff but I understand it really isn't turkey dinner without it.

8. Pumpkin Pie. Again I'm not a fan but it is very thanksgiving-ish dessert.

9. Ice Cream cake. Okay not traditional but we had it and it was scrumptious.

10. Rolls. Mmm so buttery and good.

We took a lovely walk with the dogs on Thanksgiving Sunday and enjoyed the crisp air, blue skies and crunchy leaves. I LOVE autumn!

 For more Top Ten fun go visit Amanda.

Top Ten Tuesday: Things I Did This Summer

1.  Visited with far away family and friends. Oh how nice it was to be able to spend some quality time this summer catching up and introducing Isabel to everyone from back east.

2. Saw places I've really been missing.

3. Camped across the country and then some with my best friend, our daughter and our dogs in our tiny trailer.

yes half our roof top carrier is missing but that is a whole nother post.

4. Drank yummy Java Moose drinks. Hello Reese's Pieces Peanut Butter Mocha.

5. Shopped in stores that don't exist where I live.

6. Combined #1 and #3 for a family camping trip.

7. Watched my baby girl learn to sit, wave, crawl and pull to standing.

8. Ate entirely too much good food...

9.  Missed my own house but not the smoke from wild fires

10. Flew by myself with the babe for the first time...across the country 

Fr more top ten fun visit Amanda

Top Ten Tuesday: Cutest "Vacation Homes"

We love camping and do so in our Boler trailer. We've been working hard on its interior to make it all spiffy and cute but now it's time for the exterior to get some love. In my searches I have come across many many photos soooo here are:

THE TOP TEN CUTE BOLER/FIBERGLASS RV EXTERIORS 

1. A cottage, just needs a porch

2. A cozy honeymoon

3. Cute as a bug

4. mellow yellow

5. Awesome matching paint job!

6. Ruh-Roh!

7. Firefighter Boler

8. Similar to what ours will look like

9. Meow? 

10. Starry starry night

I'm thinking we're going  to go with a solid colour and have it done in truck bed liner for durability...orange perhaps

Please go visit Amanda for more great Top Ten lists