the amazing adventures of {rocketgirl}

i. might. pee.

2011-04-24T14:33:00.000-07:00

I love Craigslist. Have I mentioned that before?

My 2am, while on nightshift find...

Pic courtesy of the seller...

What a steal at $120! I go get her tomorrow!
My 50's kitchen vision is coming together!

I CANNOT WAIT to bring her home!

And look at my new prezzie!

A beautiful colourful coffee table book! It's pure 50's goodness!

I'll keep you posted!

Lincoln Beautyware

2011-04-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

My WONDERFUL friend Ms. Cupcake, gifted me these

TO DIE FOR

vintage kitchen canisters from Lincoln Beautyware. (circa 1950)

We originally found them on Craigslist

(an absolute must for the vintage, retro, antique lover)

& KNEW they must come home to me as a part of my vintage

50's kitchen re-do! They are in MINT condition!

Ms. Cupcake was kind enough to go get them and gift them to me! SO sweet!

Oh do they ever look pretty all polished up (thanks to Mr. Cupcake) and next to my new pale lemon walls!

Take a peek! (pics courtesy of Ms. Cupcake)

Pics in their new home soon to come! Thank you Ms. Cupcake!

Take a look at the two dinette's I have my eye on...
love love love the formica & chrome!

(pics courtesy of Craigslist)

I love this set! I love the table but I wonder if it's too much blue??

I also love the 2nd set, I like that it's not all so blue, the white table adds a bit of contrast...

What do you think??? Say tuned!

another sneak peek!

2011-04-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

a SuNnY few days off midweek! love it!

i was attempting to unpack the rest of the boxes...

when i was bitten by the painting bug...

throw open those windows...goodbye dusty-beigy-rose

hello "Pale Lemon"!

The kitchen re-do has begun! Stay tuned!

Hello Sunshine!

2011-04-04T09:11:00.000-07:00

Well, the master bedroom re-do may start earlier than anticipated!

I FINALLY got my long sought after bedding...I promised myself I could buy it once I received my tax return...I went to check every few days to make sure it was there! And yesterday was the day!

It's called Hello Sunshine! Here's a sneak peak!

I think it will look just dreamy with my dark brown antique dressers! Now to pick paint colours! And a headboard of some sort! SHRIEK!

Rocketgirl is alive and well!

2011-04-02T18:12:00.000-07:00

Well, it certainly has been a long time since I posted. OOPSY DAISY!

We had a little..ok, we had a MASSIVE upheaval in our life...I think that we have come out on the other side...and I think we will be ok.

It's been a very busy month. We've moved into a lovely new home that has absolutely NO CHARACTER whatsoever but oodles & oodles of potential. So I'm pretty excited to get started on it's transformation.

I'm going totally & utterly retro. Because I can! Gathering ideas, pictures & taking in all the advice from my personal design consultant ;) Ms Cupcake. I really want a bight cheerful yellow and blue kitchen...circa 1950...can you picture it???

Stay tuned...

2011-02-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

Or packed at the very least.

I hate moving. Hate packing.

Hate packing something I thought I didn't need...

only to have to unpack, and then repack!

Less than 20 days til the big move!

oh anne, you make me laugh!

2011-01-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

Back in Business!

2011-01-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

Well, we weren't OUT of business...just on a lovey little hiatus!

Most of you know that I have a partner in crime, Ms. Cupcake. Her & I have a sweet little side business called TLC, Tasty Little Confections.

Click the link, check out our TLC blog and see what we got up to this weekend! We had a wedding to do...I think it was my personal fave...of all the orders we have ever done...so much fun!

0115h

2011-01-10T01:18:00.000-08:00

Gah! I think I just broke my back tooth. On a carrot. That's what you get for eating healthy. A trip to the dentist. (I need to go anyway...)

It's the middle of the night again. I'm at work. All of my patients are asleep.
Truth be told, it's quite peaceful here tonight. A rarity lately.

SIGH. I just can't get back into blogging. The life of Rocketgirl has been turned upside down more times than she can count in the past 4 months. (Why I reverted to the 3rd person there...I simply cannot explain)

I do pop in to follow you all in Blogland. I would like to make it a regular habit again...blogging used to bring me so much joy! Then again, so did alot of things. Seems I need to re-learn, re-teach & re-allow myself to enjoy those things again.

One day at a time. Be well.

d A b d a

2011-01-06T08:39:00.000-08:00

Two Thousand & Eleven

2011-01-01T18:37:00.000-08:00

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things

I cannot change.

The courage

to change the things I can

and the

wisdom

to know the difference.

days away...

2010-12-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

Last week we did our tree, I sat back as usual...and the tree came to life at the hands of the boys. This year, I have resisted rearranging the decorations when they aren't looking :) They seem to be improving with age! ;)

Hard to believe that Christmas is mere days away. I am quite sad to report that I have literally no Christmas Spirit this year. Been a heckuva year. But what doesn't kill us will make us stronger...or so "they" say...

Tomorrow we'll try & get our shopping done amidst the holiday chaos...listen to carols...Just glad the boys are done school for a few weeks :)

Are you ready yet???

tree day approaches...

2010-12-11T01:46:00.000-08:00

ya...i think saturday is tree day.

drag out the decorations, take the boys out and try our best to get a tree home to decorate....

then maybe some christmas baking...mmm cookies...

Going Back My Roots

2010-11-20T21:10:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, I never lied...I really am a true redhead.

But after many months, many changes,

many many changes,

I come back to Rocketgirl.

For she is me.

Stay tuned.

True Hollywood Divas

2010-08-27T17:17:00.000-07:00

~ Gorgeous Greta ~

~ Beautiful Bette ~

~ Lovely Lana ~

~ Have a wonderful weekend!!! ~

Procrastination...

2010-08-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

I really better get started...

Two weeks til a new school year!

This is the first year in 5 years that we haven't all been going back!

Mr. Rocketgirl was done this past winter.

The boys {crush my little heart},

grade 7 & 4.

WHAT THE HECK??????

And Doula school awaits me...

Can someone please tell me where summer went????

Anne & I are on nightshift...

2010-08-21T04:16:00.000-07:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

2010-08-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

Back to School!

I will miss the boys!

Not looking forward to 5 early mornings a week,

but am looking forward to some me time.

Now I just need to get on that back to school shopping...ugh!

I had a Holly Hobbie lunch kit when I was wee...the awesome metal kind.

Wonder where that went....

Beautiful Judy

2010-08-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

The end is near...

2010-08-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

***

Darling & lovely friends in Blogworld

The Amazing Adventures of Rocketgirl

is drawing to a close soon...

Will keep you all posted.

***

Tuesday Tuesday...

2010-08-10T04:48:00.000-07:00

Well, it has certainly been awhile since a middle of the night post....

nightshift post.

This is the hour I dread.

0400h.

It's the nauseating hour.

Then comes 0500h.

The punchy hour.

The one where everything seems funny. But really, it isn't.

Then comes 0600h...
many things to do before my replacement comes in at 0715h

Then at 0900h the boys have swimming lessons.

And then at 1030h, I can go to sleep!

And then, at 1700h (if I'm lucky enuf to sleep that long)
I get up for work again.

Last night before days off...

HALLELUJAH!

Perhaps I will "encourage" my student to take on another patient tonight :)

Monday Monday.....

2010-08-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

What a PLEASANT surprise!

I woke up today to a Blogger Award for this blog!

And one for Love, Balance, Peace...a journey as well!

This is my award from the ever lovely Joyce over at

I Love Pretty Little Things!

The Versatile Blogger!

Yay!

So it looks like I need to list 7 things about myself, a condition of the award...YIKES!

7 things you may or may not know...

(1) Ms. C & I have our own little baking company, it's called TLC which stands for Tasty Little Confections

(2) I am a nurse, as is Ms. C (TLC...get it? yes? makes sense now?)

(3) I got the name Rocketgirl after a wacky nightshift from R over at Brokeshopaholic's Possibilities and Ms. C (hooligans those two...)

(4) I feel "connected" to the people that I blog with, & some of them I have never even met!

(5) I change my toenail polish at LEAST once per week

(6) I haven't had "naked" toenails since I was young, maybe 10 years old...so about 15 years ago ;)

(7) I. LOVE. COFFEE.

Oodles of thanks for this award Joyce! and now I pass on this blog award...

to 3 more blogs!

Pinecone Camp

Birdie Blue

Every Little Thing

How on earth do I pick three blogs? I love all the blogs I read...

Happy Monday to you!

Matryoshka Pretties!

2010-08-05T21:35:00.000-07:00

SHHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!

All of my freakin live long life, I have wanted, desired and longed for a full, proper and beautiful set of Russian Nesting Dolls. I'm not even kidding.

My whole life.

I would have settled for a perfect set of 6? 5? 4 even....

Ms. Cupcake & I were out thrift shopping on Thursday

(...I'm sorry...I have to shreeeeeeeeeeeek again!)

and we found a glorious & beautiful Matryoshka!

She is blue & gold & perfect. With each doll, we found a new one inside!

Oh the giggles! I was OVER THE MOON!

6 perfect nesting dolls! My heart was racing & Ms. C laughed at me!

So I get home...and gingerly take each doll out...6...7...8...NINE!

Are you freakin kidding me????????? WAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

And then Mason, who is now as enamored by them as I, says....

Mom, this one has a line around the middle.....
with much difficulty,

I opened the tiny 9th doll opened to reveal a 10th,

the most miniature matryoshka I have ever seen.

10 perfect nesting dolls. This set is SPOTLESS, chipless,
she looks virtually untouched.

I would have paid 30? 50 bucks for this? Oh yes.

But do you know what I paid?????

ONE DOLLAR!

(doing happy babushka dance!) LOOK! LOOK!

Tell me, go ahead & tell me how beautiful they are!

No No, you don't have to! I already know!

Happy Friday Pretties to you all!

I hope you stop by and say hi to Joyce @ I Love Pretty Little Things

who hosts this lovely party each week!

for you...

2010-08-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

"There is no footprint too small

to leave an imprint on this world."

I owe, I owe

2010-07-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

WHERE do days off go??? I have to go back already?

Is it wrong that I already can't wait for first coffee??

Friday Pretties!

2010-07-29T23:05:00.000-07:00

Garden Pretties

It's that time of year.

Bees on daisies,
(click it to big it! see the fuzzy bee!)

overgrown oregano

& pretty petunias!

Happy Friday Pretties!

Click -> JOYCE for more!

Book, books all kinds of books...

2010-07-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

I spent a whole lotta dough @ Cole's yesterday...you just gotta love new books! Here is what I picked up;

~ Eat, Pray, Love...for a lovely contest winner :)

~ Three Cups of Tea...for me

~ Reaching Enlightenment...for me (by the Dalai Lama...shreeeeeeek!)

~ The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest...for me

~ Some Clive Cussler (his fave author) book for Rocketboy

~ Diary of Wimpy Kid for Moo Cow

~ Some pre-teen boy adventure book for Q

I still have to get started on The Shack...as soon as I finish my latest, a Gordon Ramsay autobiography...which is obviously so SO GOOD!

I want to know what are you reading this summer? Suggestions?

The New Blog

2010-07-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

I'm enjoying it,

Love,Balance,Peace...a journey

a good vibe for me.

(ps..hey! that's a haiku! woot!)

Mix, mix, stir, stir

2010-07-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

My LOVELY partner in crime, Ms.C and I had a WHOPPER of a day yesterday!

We measured,
baked,
rolled,
stamped,
piped,
iced,
embellished
& packaged...
all day long!

(minor screw ups, minimal foul language, and icing sugar EVERYWHERE!)

Perfection!

What you ask? We, aka Tasty Little Confections, had a wedding to do...

Click on the TLC link above and check it out!
130 cupcakes & a beautiful cake for 2!

So much fun, but so pooped today!

Happy Saturday!

Friday Pretties!

2010-07-22T23:54:00.000-07:00

HELP!

I'm having a Friday Pretty Mental block!

So, I thought I would just share

some of my favourite things...

OWLS!

What's pretty for you this Friday?

As always,

a great big HOOT to JOYCE!

http://iloveprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/

the lovely host of Friday Pretties!

Pop on over & see her for more!

Never Fear...

2010-07-22T13:04:00.000-07:00

Rocketgirl is still here...

I SERIOUSLY contemplated shutting down this blog...for reasons I cannot disclose, but upon careful consideration I have decided to keep it going...she was my first blog baby, and I do love her...

Which leads me to the next order of business...while this is a fun, about nothing & everything blog, I have decided to start another...it's called...

Love, Balance, Peace...a journey

Please pop over for a visit if you feel so inclined!

It's been a very busy week...swimming lessons for the boys, work, my first Board Meeting for Shanti Uganda and TLC has a wedding this weekend so Ms.C & I will be very busy the next few days...my SIL is coming this weekend (yay) and Trifecta on Monday (double yay)

Hope all is well in Blogland!

arrivederci?

2010-07-18T14:40:00.001-07:00

Winna Winna Chicken Dinna!

2010-07-17T22:54:00.000-07:00

I SWEAR!

I don't know how to explain it,

I laughed...really hard.

Not FIXED I promise!

The WINNER of the book,

Eat, Pray, Love

is.....drum-roll please.......

Ms.Cupcake!

(I used the Random Generator....#3, I can't figure out how to show you)

I know...heck of a coincidence!

Congrats Ms. C!

EXCITING NEWS!!!

2010-07-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

No, no baby...simmer down there peeps! (isn't that what most people assume?)

Rocketgirl, that's me...is now a proud nominated and ELECTED member of the Board of Directors for the Shanti Uganda Society! I am PUMPED!

I will give you a brief run-down of the Shanti Uganda Society and you can also click the link to see their website & work, they also have a Facebook page for all you social networkers....

Shanti Uganda is a non-profit, charitable organization started here in Vancouver by a friend named Natalie. Shanti is a Sanskrit word meaning peace, rest, calm...Shanti Uganda aims to improve the physical, emotional & spiritual well being of communities impacted by poverty, HIV/AIDS and war in Uganda.

Last year, Shanti officially received charity status here in Canada and has already done some amazing things in the district of Luwego, near Kampala in Uganda. The highlights of Shanti so far, at least to me, are the Income Generating groups that Natalie started. She trained the women to make handmade beaded jewelry, (see my lovely list post from two days ago to view...), trained them to make bags of all kinds on donated (awesome vintage!) sewing machines...the society then purchases these items from the women and brings them back to Canada to sell, and these women, most of them who are widowed, HIV positive and have no means of supporting their many children, are now enjoying food, "luxuries", medical care, ample savings accounts and the knowing that they can now support their families.

This past winter and spring saw the building of the Shanti Uganda birth house, a place where women can safely birth their babies. The donations that flooded in, and the volunteers that constructed the birthing house...amazing. A place where finally women don't have to travel miles and miles on a bicycle to deliver. There is finally clean, running water, medical supplies at arms length, and Shanti Uganda is training local midwives to safely & naturally aid in the prenatal & postpartum care of women & babes, reducing infant mortality rates & all while keeping with traditional Ugandan therapies and practices.

Why Uganda you ask? Why not! There's plenty of Rocketgirl love to go around. Watch out Abbotsford & watch out Uganda! I have my first board meeting this coming week! Shreeeeeeek! My position is that of Treasurer. I have lots to learn! I do have more news...no, it's still not a baby...but I will keep you all posted...all in due time! ;)

Friday Pretties

2010-07-16T00:21:00.000-07:00

Our Chapel...

“Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one.

Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude;
never selfish, not quick to take offense.
There is nothing love cannot face;
there is no limit to its faith,
its hope, and endurance.
In a word, there are three things that last forever:
faith, hope, and love;
but the greatest of them all is love.”

Happy Friday Pretties!

Pop on over to see Joyce @ I love Pretty Little Things

for MORE Friday Pretties!

summer fruit in blue!

2010-07-15T01:59:00.000-07:00

I LOVE that my co-worker has a

GINORMOUS
BLUEBERRY FARM!

Blueberry BLISS til October!

Thank you "G"

The Lovely List

2010-07-14T17:11:00.000-07:00

Here is my LOVELY LIST for the week;

LOVELY handmade paper beads made by loving hands

my LOVELY boys

LOVELY, strung & ready to wear!

homegrown LOVELINESS

my LOVELY boys :)

What's on YOUR LOVELY LIST?

Pop on over to Cupcakes & Ruby Slippers for more Lovely Lists!

Thanks to Ms. Cupcake for being such a LOVELY host!

i'm getting strange emails...

2010-07-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

that lead me to believe...

yet I am...

for the official word...

& quite impatiently I might add...

too cool for school...

2010-07-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

I kid, I kid!

I received my confirmation in the mail today for my Doula classes, pre-natal & post-natal! Now waiting to hear about the CBE and breastfeeding classes, also waiting for my certification package, assignments & info from DONA so that as soon as my classes are done I can "preceptor" & start attending some births! WOOT!

yeah, reca-nize!

2010-07-11T17:04:00.000-07:00

~ Dandelion ~

2010-07-10T10:14:00.000-07:00

While many people think of the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) as a pesky weed, herbalists consider it a valuable herb with many culinary and medicinal uses. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Its leaves are often used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots can be found in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make certain wines.

In traditional medicine, dandelion roots and leaves were used to treat liver problems. Native Americans also used dandelion concoctions (liquid made by boiling down the herb in water) to treat kidney disease, swelling, skin problems, heartburn, and stomach upset. Chinese medicinal practitioners traditionally used dandelion to treat digestive disorders, appendicitis, and breast problems (such as inflammation or lack of milk flow). In Europe, herbalists incorporated it into remedies for fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes, and diarrhea.

Today, dandelion roots are mainly used as an appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and for liver and gallbladder function. Dandelion leaves are used as a diuretic to stimulate the excretion of urine. As well as its diuretic effect, the roots act as an antiviral agent, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and may help promote gastrointestinal health. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.

Dandelion Flowers are sensitive to light, they open with the sun in the morning and close in the evening or during gloomy weather.

As previously posted, I have recently taken a liking to dandelion print fabrics...and now that I see that the dandelion deserves more respect than we all give her due...I like Dandelion even more! Do you?

Summer...it's finally here!

2010-07-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

I am TOTALLY enjoying not bustling the boys off to school every day. Oh the lounging! No more nagging to get showered, make beds, eat, gather backpacks...bliss! And our hot weather has FINALLY arrived after literally MONTHS of waiting...

Speaking of school, I was digging through some old boxes the other day and came across a box of treasures. This book was gifted to me from my mother...from her mother, from her mother. Therefore, in case you are keeping track, from my Great Grandmother, who was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Saskatchewan.

The book has a publish date of 1936. It's so ratty & darling! A total treasure!

Friday Pretties!

2010-07-09T04:36:00.000-07:00

Remind yourself often...

Don't forget to visit Joyce of I love Pretty Little Things!

Happy Friday Pretties!

Have an AMAZING weekend!

a break in the clouds...

2010-07-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

The fog in my head is starting to lift...finally. Headache still lingers at what, day 6? day 7? I'm losing count...

Here are my newest treasures (pls pardon the abysmal, shadowy iPhone pics...can't find my camera...camera? where are you?)

The vase I picked up at a local thrift store, there are quite a few similar in my Depression Glass "manual" but I am having some trouble identifying it's markings, and the dish on the right is the one I told you about...it's so lovely! (hugs again to Chelsea!) yet to be id' in the manual...

Bit of news for you: I am now officially registered @ Douglas for Doula Certification! Pre-natal & post-natal. Woot!

the 0400 rant...

2010-07-08T04:37:00.000-07:00

OOOOOH I HATE the middle of the night...I'm awake, my patients are not. My thoughts turn pensive & philosophical. I get all these brilliant ideas to/of & for change (why isn't there a triangle key on this keyboard?)

I still have my blooming headache, not for lack of trying...a co-worker & fellow haver of headaches, gave me a magical mint meltaway headache wafer if you will! Not so magical for me...perhaps I need one of these.

(cute yes?)

My calendar is illegible...my July has turned into some raving lunacy of busy-ness (don't judge my literary genius, it's 4am) And one of my favourite daytimers was ruined by a water bottle whose lid wasn't screwed on just right...do you have any idea how hard it is to find a cute daytimer in July???

{PS. tonite @ work, i was gifted a wonderful new piece of depression glass! an avocado green bon-bon dish...which seems to match my egg plate! yessssss! pics to come...hugs to Chelsea for the lovely gift, for whittling down the unsuspecting estate sale host to a cool two - fiddy...(you people have NO clue what you are selling do you?????) i may have shrieked, just sayin.}

Headache Wafers?

2010-07-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

I'm willing to try anything at this point. Day 5. Just sayin'.

Day 4

2010-07-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

Headache from hell. Too much stress? Too much coffee?

Not enuf H20? Too much worry? Change in the weather?

Advice? Somebody fix me please!

I like my rock...

2010-07-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

...and I want to crawl right back under it.

What a TERRIBLE few days. Unhappiness is mine. In fact, I'm not sure if I have seen worse days...but onwards & upwards right? The ONLY thing that kept me sane was the escape into a good book.

On Saturday, I started re-finishing some furniture finally, the weather tried its best to cooperate. But it felt...I dunno...not right. It wasn't peaceful & fun & tranquil. And you don't get any pics cuz it turned out terrible. Today, I went to a new yoga studio, but again, no peace, no tranquility, it just didn't feel right.

I think I'd like to just put the last 5 days behind me, maybe crawl out from under that rock, and stick those days under there instead.

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger right?

Finale

2010-07-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

It's over, the book is over.

Eat, Pray, Love. By Elizabeth Gilbert.

What can I say? This witty woman travels the globe stopping in three pre-determined places around the world. Italy, India & Indonesia. Each bringing her personal & spiritual journey closer to reality.

That's all I can tell you. A witty, easy read. Poignant, thought-provoking & liberating. If you have read it, I would love to hear your thoughts & views!

Anyone who knows me well, knows that AS SOON as I finish a book, I re-read it. I get so excited when I read, that I read rather quickly...the 2nd time through, I seem to read things I didn't read the first time!

So I'm starting over, and cannot wait. I thought this book was truly amazing. They say "people" come into your life, at certain times, for certain reasons. That is what this book was for me....

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Happy Reading!

Book Club Update...& a GIVEAWAY!!!!!!

2010-07-02T09:48:00.000-07:00

So here it is, my first & promised update on the new selection for Rocketgirl's Book Club; Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

OH, are you kidding me???? IT IS SO GOOOOOOOOOD! I can't get enough of it, if it weren't for being so tired from my last set at work, I'm sure I would have finished it by now...I'm expecting to on my set of days off.

So briefly, it's a true story, written by Liz herself. It begins with her life unravelling...of course I can't do a full reveal or there is no point in you reading it...

I can tell you that this book speaks to me! WOW! She is SO witty a writer! A fabulous sense of humour, wit wit wit all around. It's just feels so relevant to me in my life right now...An easy read...

Ok, I just have to do this! My first ever giveaway!!!! Ta-daaaaaaaa!

I am giving away a brand new copy if this book to YOU! Well, to the lucky one of you...I want people to read this book, it is THAT fantastic!

To win a new copy, 2 things:

Become a follower of my humble little blog (if you already are a follower, just leave me a note!)
Leave a comment letting me know you are following and leave me your blog link so I can follow you too!

The winner will be chosen by Random Generator! and you have until next week, Friday July 9th!

Stay tuned for more book updates!

Friday Pretties!

2010-07-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Friday Pretties! Thank you lovely host...Joyce of the lovely I Love Pretty Little Things hosts a wonderful Blog-hop...check her out for more pretties! This is my weekly contribution!

The other night, during a long night shift, all the patients asleep for once (woot!), my lovely co-worker J & I were talking dreamily about places to have High Tea! Sigh.

We both agreed that Serendipitea in Abbotsford was THE place to be. But she said she has heard people tell tales of an English Tea House somewhere in Vancouver called The Secret Garden? (anyone? reviews?) and she says it apparently trumps Serendipitea like it ain't no thing! J gets this far away look in her eye and tells me that "they have those fancy sugar cubes that my Grandma used to serve." I say whaaaaaaaaa? Pretty, decorative cubes she says...

Never in my life have I heard of this. Have you? Rogers sugar cubes, in a box, that's what I know...so naturally I googled, and I am smitten! I SO need fancy sugar cubes! I know of this great little confectionery company TLC...I wonder if I could talk the AMAZING ladies who run the show over there into a new range of goodies...

One lump or two! Bliss!

Happy Friday Pretties!

143 years young!

2010-07-01T01:45:00.000-07:00

That's right! 143! Happy Birthday to our wonderful country!
Pleading & begging WHOMEVER is in charge of the weather to throw a little sun our way for the day....

Agenda; Canada Day Parade, head into the city to catch some fun & festivities, evening baseball game at the historic & famous Nat Bailey Stadium to cheer on our locals & future MLB stars! Fireworks! Shazaam!

Don't forget your Rocketgirl History lesson...you didn't think I would let you get away did you? Nat Bailey...baseball fanatic, entrepreneur, started the White Spot chain of restaurants that we know & love. Canada Day...1867, Queen Victoria signs the declaration that allows Canada to be an independent country of Great Britain. Short but sweet, got it?

What are YOU doing to celebrate Canada Day?

The Lovely List

2010-06-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

It's Wednesday already & here is what made my Lovely List this week ~

~ Hot Dogs ~ Pompeii Purple by OPI ~ Oil of Olay Scrub ~ Entourage ~

Pop over & see the ever lovely Ms. Cupcake of Cupcakes & Ruby Slippers, the lovely host of The Lovely List! I promise you will find many other lovely things!

Have a LOVELY Wednesday! ;)

A new book!

2010-06-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

It's time! A New Book!!!! Here it is...

Another recommendation, & now officially a Rocketgirl's Book Club selection.

And a gift from my lovely Mr. Rocketgirl. (aaaw)

I will try to keep you posted this time...

as opposed to last time where I promised updates...

and then there I was, finished the book.

Have you read this? Comments?

Happy Reading!

it's happening! it's happening!

2010-06-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

my tomato plant...at long last...

It seems like yesterday...

2010-06-27T09:50:00.000-07:00

But it was one year ago today

that one of my besters married her absolute bester.

Much love to you both!

Happy 1st Anniversary "Cupcakes"

(sung to T-Pain's I'm On A Boat)

2010-06-26T00:15:00.000-07:00

I made a dress!
I made a dress!
Take a good look at me I made a....well you get the point... ;)

McCall's M5425. Easiest summer dress ever! Well ok, I'm a novice seamstress, but I'd definitely categorize this as easy. It's basically the adult version of the pillowcase dress!

Material is a vibrant kelly green cotton and the accent/ties is a Michael Miller.
Now we just need some sun so I can wear my frock!

PS. I made this! HA!

Another Friday Pretties!

2010-06-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

It's that time of week again!

The time of week when Joyce over at I Love Pretty Little Things

calls together all her faithful followers for a blog-hop!

Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!

Today I chose to do my "pretty" on my pretty charm bracelet!

I got the idea from reading one of Miss Janice's posts...

she blogged about some of her pretty charm bracelets and so I thought I would do the same.

My bracelet is not like hers, but a charm bracelet nonetheless.

Some of my besters have them and we enjoy picking each other up a

pretty little gift aka charm, every now and then!

Here is my pretty bracelet that I pretty much totally adore!

It's called a Pandora bracelet...

(Sorry the photo quality isn't the best...)

My charms are as follows from left to right;

~ murano bead, turquoise with white dots, a gift from hubby

~ cutie pie "scroll" spacer

~ "scrolls" clip, they hold your beads/charms in place

~ pretty little silver bead adorned with many shimmery white hearts & gifted to me (xo to you Ms. C)
~ silver stiletto (ode to mona!! hee)
~ murano glass bead in white with turquoise polka-dots, a gift from hubby
~ beautiful bejeweled sparkly bead, a gift from a Trifectess, the whole Trifecta has one (xo to you Brokeshopaholic)
~ a teacup! cutie! gift from hubby
~ matching scrolls clip
~ murano glass bead, turquoise with navy dots
~ owl bead! oh glorious owl! i love owls! hooooooooo!
~ daisy charm...love daisies, of any kind

Happy Friday Pretties!

Pop on over and see Joyce for more Friday Pretties!

PS. Do YOU have a charm bracelet???

What's on it?

Anne Imposter? I like...

2010-06-24T07:43:00.000-07:00

The LOVELY List!

2010-06-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

The ever lovely hostess, Ms. Cupcake

of Cupcakes & Ruby Slippers

is once again hosting the Lovely List!

Here is my weekly list,

a Lovely List;

of things I LOVE

RIGHT NOW!

~ my Scentsy...esp my Perfectly Pomegranate ~

~ dandelion print fabric ~

~ the republic of tea | tangerine orange green tea ~

~ my iPhone (i really wasn't sure at first...) ~

~ balsamic vinegar & evoo. mmmm! ~

What's on YOUR Lovely List this week?

Be sure to pop over & see Ms. Cupcake for Lovely Lists o'plenty!

I didn't even write a speech!

2010-06-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

I don't even have a ballgown picked out!

If I had KNOWN I was up for an award,

I think I would wear something like this...

Thank you! Thank you! to Roses & Rutabagas

for bestowing upon me,

my FIRST BLOGGER AWARD!

I feel honoured! No serious!

So honoured that I can have such a great effect on someone...
who incidentally, I adore....

Thank you Thank you adoring FAN! ;)

This Inspiration Award shall be displayed with pride!

Happy Summer Solstice!

2010-06-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

namaste

2010-06-21T02:38:00.000-07:00

i'm trying out a new yoga studio on wednesday.

yoga did wonders for me last year, in so many ways.

this year, it's been sporadic, i have been going on & off...

now it's time to make more of a commitment again.

for me.

i'm so excited.

i feel SO good when i am on my mat.

Update...

2010-06-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well, not really an update...sorry! The book is finished. My intent really was to check in here and there during my read...offer little bits of goodness, you know, parts of the book, what I thought...likes & dislikes.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it...every spare moment I had since I started the book was spent reading it! Hey hey now, don't judge me! I went to work, the children are fed & clothed, the doggies bathed...ok there are laundry piles, dustings of...dust, Mr. Rocketgirl seemed confused at some of our meals this week (hey...I was READING!) but I couldn't help it. You know how you just get LOST in a book????

Secret Daughter. A VERY easy read. The story itself spans about 20 years. It's more like two stories that run parallel to each other throughout the whole book. Each story is about a different family, one that lives in California USA, and one in Mumbai India. Both stories intertwine and I cannot tell you how. Hee hee, you will have to read the book! There was nothing I disliked about this book...except the one thing that I thought would happen, that I wanted to happen, did not...but I guess that's the "romance" of a story...the what ifs and the sheer imagination and where it can take you...

Many parts of the book "spoke" to me if you will...and truth be told, I spent the last few chapters BAWLING! Now I don't mean misty-eyed, or a few tears rolling silently down my face, I mean uncontrollably bawling, having to put the book down and not being able to pick it up! I'm such a softie!

Rocketgirl says "A" for Amazing! I will keep you posted on my next book choice! Happy reading!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

First off, you know how I love the particulars and the reasons "why" behind everything! Here is your next history lesson tid-bit...I will keep it brief.

Father's Day! First recognized & celebrated in 1910, started in Spokane Washington! WOOOT! That's right next door! Now, onto MY DAD!

His name is Barry
He is exactly 20 years my senior
A total kid at heart. HEART. OF. GOLD
Talks alot...ALOT
Used to always get mistaken for Harrison Ford
Top of his field, has "built" almost every highrise & skyscraper in the downtown core of Vancouver
Loves astronomy
Would bend over backwards for anyone especially his three children and his grandchildren
Worked his ass off, long hours when we were small so he could give us everything he never had
When I was a baby, he was pushing me on the swings, I let go and went flying....he feels bad to this day! HA!
Made it to every game, performance and begrudgingly accepted every boy I brought home
Cried tears when I did as a wee kid and a teen & when I had my first child
Taught me to be strong & independant and always speak my mind. No matter what.

Athough sometimes it was tough love, I feel very lucky to call him my Dad. I'm thankful it meant something to him to raise confident, happy children with values. I thank God everyday that my children get to know him too. He has always supported me and he even let me drive his vintage corvette! ONCE. But only once.

This is my dad on the very left....I'm not sure what year...early 60's? mid 60's? and his sisters & brother.

My Dad & his mom...

Dad...

My very proud father and my husband on our wedding day in Las Vegas 2 years ago...I love this pic!

Which leads me to my wonderful husband....who is THE GREATEST step-FATHER EVER to my two boys...who has accepted them from day one, when they were oh so very small, and loves them like his own.

And lastly to my ex-husband, who is SUCH a good Dad.

I am so thankful that my boys will one day grow up to be fathers with all of the wonderful qualities that each of you instill in them each & every day.

All you Dads out there, the step-dads, the Grandads, Grandpas, the father-in-laws, uncles, brothers and every father figure in between, lots of love to you, I wish you a very Happy Father's Day!

She does NOT look like me!

2010-06-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Friday Pretties! Week 4!

2010-06-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

Lovin' Fridays!
Lovin' Friday Pretties!
A big shout out to the lovely Joyce @ I Love Pretty Little Things! for hosting this "blog hop"!

My youngest son is quite focused on the fact that it is 2 months til his
"half-birthday"
which does include a wish list....WHAT?????????

Which led me to thinking, hey!
I JUST passed MY half birthday 2 weeks back...
which also means we are 6 months til Christmas...(sorry).
Therefore, my post for Friday Pretties this week is,
all about the colour of my birthday! er, birthstone!

Aqua, Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite...seems us Sagittarians have not QUITE decided on our OFFICIAL birthstone!

This is my "Friday Pretty Wishlist"
(remember? 6 months? birthday? cough cough)
of items in my birth colour....
PRETTY!

I SO enjoy this colour...even though as you know,

I am in a green way these days.

But whenever I am blue,

(no pun intended)

this colour does the trick for a quick pick me up!

Happy Friday Pretties!!!

So confused!

2010-06-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

WHERE do my days off go???? It seems I just finished my set...and I have to go back tomorrow already! BOOOO! HISSSSS! Good thing I like my job...

And on that note, I better go polish my shoes...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Ya right...check out this awesome vintage advertisement! C'mon nursing buddies! Let's go polish!

Actually I think I did polish when I was a student nurse...those were the days!

A beautiful morning...

2010-06-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

This past week, Ms Cupcake & I went out...Our dear new kindred, Rosie, extended a lovely invitation to join her at her home for tea.

* Oh * My * God * (think Janice on Friends...)

I have NEVER been to a home like that. My absolute dream home. Just pure bliss. Her home was built in 1902. And like any home from that era, it's built with wonderful little quirks, doorways, pillars, nooks & crannies. Rosie & Mr. Rosie have restored their heritage home into the charming & elegant masterpiece it is. The gardens, the woodwork, the chandeliers...Of course she has a flair for decorating...in fact if you looked that up in the dictionary, I'm sure you'd find a picture of her.

After a wonderful tour of her home during which Ms. C & I shrieked the ENTIRE time! (see her beautiful blog post for some sneeks into her home), she treated us to tea with homemade scones and English cream, a tea party fit for a queen. We then retired to her charming living room to sit by the fire and chat. I think I speak for Ms. C when I say this: We both adore Rosie, it has been such a joy to meet her. Thank you blog-land for bringing this beautiful soul to meet us! She is a wealth of information when it comes to antiques and such and she has the gentlest soul & heart of gold....Her stories are witty & she has this infectious, never-ending energy...Thank you Rosie for a WONDERFUL morning...(offer still stands if you want to trade homes...)

Did I mention the strawberry butter??? Jealous yet? I kid. A beautiful morning.

Rocketgirl's Book Club! (Move over Oprah!)

2010-06-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know I just promised a few posts ago that my blog wasn't about keeping up with the Jones' but I want to do something fun on my blog too! A regular featurette...

I was thinking, since Oprah is almost done with her show, I'm a tad worried that no-one is up to the task of taking over her book club! {enter Rocketgirl} WHO ME? Little ole me?? Ohhhhh I very graciously accept! ;)

I'll tell you what I am reading, give you an overview, keep you updated, then the big Rocketgirl yay or nay!

Please, join me! I would love it if you kept me up to date on what you are reading! Title, author, brief synopsis, likes & dislikes. Oh, I could read all day long! (in between blogging of course...) And all night...and day...and well, you get the point.

Here is the first book from Rocketgirl's Book Club. It was actually recommended to me by a lovely gal, and it sounds fantastic.

I introduce you to....

Have you read it? Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda...stay tuned!

The Lovely List

2010-06-16T00:15:00.000-07:00

The LOVELY Ms. Cupcake, of Cupcakes & Ruby Slippers has invited me to play a lovely "game".

It's called "The Lovely List", a list of things you love RIGHT NOW! Anything at all, no matter what, so here it is, it's simple like me...

A list of 4 things (in no particular order), that I LOVE right now...

~ Green Glass

~ Costume Jewelry

~ Gordon Ramsay

~ San Pelligrino

Stop & smell the Roses!

2010-06-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

Or you can just wash your hands in them!

Ahhhh le joli savon! Merci Rosie!

Depression Glass

2010-06-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

What do YOU know about Depression Glass?

Here's what I know...During the time of the Great Depression, companies such as Quaker Oats and Anchor Hocking, used to try to entice you to buy their products by offering a piece of glass for free...usually part of a larger collection or set. Some stores or movie theaters offered you pieces as well for frequenting their establishments. Just a nice easy way to attract consumers during a financially unstable time...

Quite the collectible item this Depression Glass. Although I am getting good at recognizing some of the more familiar patters, I would like a Collectors Guide to Depression Glass...so fascinating!

Right now I am really into the darker green glass and I really hope that my next find is a green Juice Reamer.

ps. have you seen the Vaseline Green? It's frighteningly space age for the 1930's! Yikes!

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

2010-06-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

My husband is so clever. This is EXACTLY how a husband should show up at home from work after his wife has just worked 4 nights in a row :)

What a girl wants...

2010-06-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

Only $4.95! AND SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN!!!!

Looks like not much has changed. Except I don't think that Spanx is scientifically proven so perhaps we have taken a step back?

Take a little look at the ad....instantly flattens front bulge. Who says front bulge??? ok, so I laughed. Then in small print...available from sizes 22 to 37. Then I REALLY laughed. A size 22 with a front bulge? For real? Apparently so, after all, it was 15 years of research. And the simplicity of it all, order by mail, send coupon.

Ok, so maybe alot HAS changed. :)

Happy Monday dear blog friends!

Punchy

2010-06-14T01:47:00.000-07:00

Urban Dictionary's definition of punchy; silly in a manic sort of way.

Yep, that just about describes me tonight. My poor co-workers. I plead the 5th. Do we do that here? Is it the 5th that I plead?

Mundi mundi to sushi pants, it's almost unbearable. I've about cried all my make-up off from laughing. No body is laughing with me though. They are about to send me to Baker 1. I guess that's what four 12 hour nights will do to you. I didn't think I could do it...

T minus 5 hours til days off! WOOOT!

This isn't a threat, it's a fact.

2010-06-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's a lie. I have had TWO cups of coffee so far. There will be more, oh yes, there will be more as I mentally prepare myself to go in for my THIRD night shift in a row. Third of four (cue violins).

Having said that, my return to work has been easy peasy lemon squeezy. (knock wood)....just feelin a bit vampirish...is it PC for a nurse to say don't make me kill you? Poor taste? Just back away from the coffee pot & everything will be juuuuuuuust fine. Mine. My coffee.

Happy Saturday to you all!

I blog. And I love it.

2010-06-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

I always fret & worry.

WHAT is my blog about?
What is the PURPOSE of my blog?
What exactly IS a blog?

Definition; Blog, the word, is derived from the whole term, web-log. An online journal, diary, log-book.

I made a comment the other day how blogs are so self-serving...and yes they are, I think that's the whole point, it's not a bad thing, I think that's a good thing! Sometimes other people enjoy them, read them & even follow them! I think that's fantastic and I am so thankful that others do enjoy mine for I have met some wonderful people here in blog-land. (a big shout out to Brokeshopaholic & Ms Cupcake for introducing me to blogging)

But sometimes, I need to remind myself that it isn't a contest. (Rocketgirl... it isn't a contest.) This is MY blog, it doesn't have to be prettier than the others or wittier than the others. I shouldn't be out to impress people, it's my outlet, for anything I want. And yes, that is ok. It's my journal, diary, log-book for everyday musings, chatterings, and my time to enjoy...all to myself. I am however, lucky enough to get to catch up with all the lovely people I have met along the way! And am honoured that they come to keep tabs on me!

So I guess I answered my own questions;

Q: WHAT is my blog about?
A: ME! Anything & Everything! How amazing!

Q: What is the PURPOSE of my blog?
A: Personal fulfillment! A way to document, share, verbalize, educate, vent, create, learn & grow.

Q: What IS a blog?
A: Pure comfort & joy. A third space, a place to escape. A place to connect & re-connect, offer & receive support, meet wonderful peeps with similar interests. Bliss.

THIS is me, my blog. Welcome!

Is it too soon for a countdown?

2010-06-12T04:24:00.000-07:00

43 more sleeps...

Friday Pretties! Week 3!

2010-06-11T00:54:00.000-07:00

Just a short Friday Pretties for me this week! I know, weird right??
First off, blog-land friends, if you have never discovered Etsy...please do. Etsy.com. I know, I know, you probably already have it bookmarked and check it several times daily hunting for treasures.

The picture above is a beautiful necklace that a lovely lady in the US made for me. Her Etsy store is called West Byron. Every piece she makes is hand-made and unique, I just fell in love when I saw it, and she inscribed it on the back for me with the names of my boys...It's casual yet elegant and I love the antiquey feel it has! It's my new fave piece! I don't leave home without it!

Check out all the Friday Pretties with Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things! Happy Friday Pretties to you all!

Back to the Grind!

2010-06-10T17:30:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been about 7, yes, countem', SEVEN weeks already since I injured my back. Tonight I go back to work full strength. I hope my patients ease me back in gently... in other words, I hope they SLEEP all night for me! No bell ringing! (I can dream can't I????) Wish me luck!

I need more string.

2010-06-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

My days off are running out! And I can't fit everything in that I need to! I need to make a list so I don't forget...so much to do!

Back Injury update: cleared for work, Facet Joint Injury at the T3,4 & 5. Pishaw! Ain't no big deal.
We, the lovely ladies of TLC , were busy getting samples out to our bridelings today.
My house still isn't as clean as I would like it to be. **rolls eyes**
The baby project has been started, stitch-picked, re-started, more stitch-picking and started yet again. AAARGH! (I mean it's super easy Ms. C!)
Trifecta is tomorrow! WHEEEEE! Scentsy party! WHEEEEE!
Thursday is TEA! aaaaaand then back to work...

Oh and PS...please submit your deviled egg recipes IMMEDIATELY! I need a good one for tomorrow to show off my green egg plate with! Heeeee!

Weight, what's that? Is it new?

2010-06-07T18:59:00.000-07:00

So, Rocketboy BROKE the bathroom scale. What the heck? How do you break a scale? I know what you're thinking, well he was obviously too heavy. No, it was probably just a cheap crappy scale but nonetheless he broke it and I am NOT happy.

It's ok. MCC to the rescue. Pure blissful vintage land. SO. I find this hot pink....yes hot pink & gold to boot, scale for 3 dollars. The covering was peeling but hot damn it was cute. And I had a plan.

I peeled off that pink and gold...I wish I didn't have to as it was CHOICE!
I glued some hot pink felt to the surface of the scale, and covered it all with a clear mac-tac.

Then came the glue gun...(thank you ms.c) O glorious glue gun, you burnt my finger, those long stringy glue bits are everywhere, wait, those actually may be blisters on my finger, but you embellished my scale in the nicest way. Gold baubles and pink rope trim.

Rocketboy says...What? I have to use that??? Yes, I said, please feel free to step on my beautiful new old retro hot pink & gold scale, if you'd like a private meeting with the hot glue gun.

Scale: 3 bucks, pink felt: 1 buck, mac-tac: 2 bucks, trim: 8 bucks. Hot pink & gold scale, wait for it...

PRICELESS! ;)

well there goes THAT....

2010-06-06T11:59:00.000-07:00

A little bit of a hallelujah, I have officially completed my Gradual Return To Work program after my back injury. Four more days off until I get to return to work for real. Thank goodness...12 hour shifts on modified duties made me want to stick a fork in my eye. My back is feeling alot better, especially after the night shifts...thank goodness for that too.

So what's on the agenda for the next four days? Well, I plan to ;

give my house a good clean, blech.
start a baby project (& finish it) for a friend who has a new baby boy
do some baking for TLC, we have to get samples out to our brides...
TRIFECTA! I SO look forward to monthly Trifecta
a Scentsy party @ Ms. Cupcake's house
get to R & R , there is a green purse there with my name on it...

This is of course, in addition to tending to the children, the dogs, continued physio appointments, light gym workouts etc, it seems like a pretty decent list to me though. No complaints here.

Blog buddies far & wide, and everyone else in between, I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday! xo

ps. all this rain, which can stop anytime now, has done wonders for my garden and grass patches! look! look!

Presents for me. From me.

2010-06-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

There are a few things I love to do after my last night shift in a set...coffee, sweatpants, thrifts shops! Yeah baby!

Normally it's Ms.Cupcake and I that hit our fave thrift store, but she was working today (boooo!) and I just couldn't resist the urge! Well thank goodness! You see, I was secretly hoping that an item she told me about last week was still there... and it was!

SHREEEEEK! LOOK! My green egg plate! It's SO freakin' gorgeous! The pic does NOT do it justice! (A big thanks to Ms. C for her eagle eyes!)

My besters know that I have had my eyes peeled for one of these for some time! Last week, Gloria, of Gloria's Little Cedars, who I met thru Friday Pretties, taunted me with tales of her green glass collection! And this week she taunted me even more by Friday Pretty-ing about it!

But look! It's mine, all mine! It does have a wee tiny, not very noticeable chip that I think only adds to it's charm. And I found a darling little depression glass dish to match! I couldn't pass it up for fifty cents!

My green glass collection is really coming along! Bliss!

Friday Pretties! Week 2!

2010-06-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

I have so much anxiety over Friday Pretties! I want it to be, well, you know...pretty! Thank you again to Joyce at I Love Pretty Little Things for hosting this fun friday blog party!

So there I was sitting at my laptop, hoping it would just come to me...in a vision...when my adorable 9 year old son says to me "Mom, when can you make chocolate chip cookies again?"

PING!! I promised him that we would make some this weekend, thanked him for my vision and in return he gave me a strange look...vision???

So here it is, I would like to introduce to you, Ruth Wakefield.

Ruthie was the inventor of the Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie. Ruth was a dietitian professionally in the mid to late 1920's. In the early 30's, Ruth and her husband purchased a tourist lodge, better known in those days as a Toll House. (Similar to a Bed & Breakfast of today.) They called their lodge the Toll House Inn.

Ruth, being the cook & baker for the Inn accidentally stumbled upon her now famous Chocolate Chip cookies having run out of bakers chocolate for a completely different recipe. She opted to crumble up a Nestle chocolate bar that was gifted to her by the Nestle Chocolate company. What a hit! The FIRST EVER chocolate chip cookie was born! In fact, her cookies became so popular, that her recipe "Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies" was published in all of the Boston newspapers.

Impressed by the marked increase in sales for chocolate bars as a result of the published cookie recipe, Andrew Nestle, knew he must repay the favour, and so a deal was made. Nestle agreed to print Ruth's Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe on the back of it's new "Chocolate Chips" package and she in turn, would be supplied with a lifetime supply of chips for her baking!

So go ahead, put on your best apron...make sure it's pretty!

and grab your recipe!

With little fabric squares, ribbon & a mason jar, just layer the dry ingredients inside and attach the recipe for a pretty little gift!

Pretty them up with ribbon, just the way they are!

Put them out when the gals come for tea!

Or keep them for yourself! Go ahead & indulge! Bliss!

Nothing beats homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies! Happy Friday Pretties!

Om Shanti

2010-06-03T02:35:00.000-07:00

I really really REALLY wish that I was going to see this man speak on Friday. I could really use some of his calming wisdom these days...Do they do scalpers tickets for this sort of engagement?

The less you open your heart to others,

the more your heart suffers.

~Deepak Chopra

Night Owl!

2010-06-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

Hoooooooo! Hoooooooooo! Whoooooooooo is going to prop me up tonight?

Going back for my first night shift since I was injured, so....6 or 7 weeks ago? I had a nice long nap this afternoon in preparation, and I'm gettin' all hopped up on the juice...er...coffee. I've been spoiled only having to do day shifts...so here goes nothing...

Here's to sleepy, quiet patients. It's all good, and besides, you know how I love to post crazy talk at 0300h...

Happy mid-week to you all!

a day behind...

2010-06-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Better late than never...ok, I was just too tired & lazy to post yesterday. I cite long 12 hour work days, physio appts, tending to sick kids & sick dogs, Hell's Kitchen and yes, still back pain. Blech.

So Happy Belated Birthday to America's Original sweetheart, Norma Jean Baker. You are one of my very favourites.

All About Eve, Some Like It Hot, Something's Got to Give...total & utter classics. As was she.

Sure she had some problems, don't you? But wasn't she just gorgeous in every way??!! Her only "fault" if you will, was being linked to a (albeit one of the greats) NY Yankee ;)

Marilyn Monroe

June 1 1926 - August 5 1962

Rest In Peace

2010-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

It is with great sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of Pink Blackberry, on Saturday May 29, 2010 at the age of 1 year, 5 months.

Pink Blackberry will be fondly remembered by her mama. She is survived by Motorola Razor, LG something-or-other, and Nokia-something-or-other. She was a loyal & faithful Blackberry and is greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please forward iPhone advice.

Oh Anne, you make Mondays better...

2010-05-31T20:35:00.000-07:00

WINK!

2010-05-29T22:15:00.001-07:00

then & now...

2010-05-29T01:30:00.000-07:00

It was my oldest son's birthday yesterday. 12. TWELVE.

I'm not really sure how exactly that happened, but it did. Growing up before my eyes & without my permission. Sigh. Ya, you know I'm going to say it...I remember it like it was yesterday...I was (and am) so fiercely proud of him! He was such a funny character, a beautiful boy & such a good baby. And now, (he happened to mention to me just the other day that he is "practically an adult now you know...") his character is amazing, his beauty is astounding (minus the skinny jeans...) and he is still a really good boy. KNOCK WOOD!

I went and grabbed him from school @ noon, his little friends all green eyed, and we went to lunch and went shopping, which was his desire for the afternoon. He very proudly made purchases like a little grown up with all his birthday money, very carefully checking his wallet every 15 seconds or so. It was so lovely...reminded me of the days before Mason came along...just Quinn & I during the day...toodling around town.

The following pics are two of my favorites. Not like I can narrow it down but...little baby Quinn is 9 months there...

I just need to survive the birthday party today...there are more 12 yr old girls attending than boys. HELP!

Friday Pretties!

2010-05-28T01:57:00.000-07:00

Ooooh, I'm participating in a little blog-land funbit! It's called Friday Pretties!

Joyce, over at I Love Pretty Little Things, has put together a lovely collection of Pretty Little Things in blog-land, and every Friday is your chance to check out all that is pretty!

Here is my first Friday Pretties post (oh the pressure....) I couldn't decide...so 4 Pretties MUST be better than one...

A beautiful pretty, that smells prettier than it looks! From a very pretty lady who has a very pretty store...

Pretty treats from TLC, the Prettiest Bakery in Town!

Obviously, this is just Pretty...

And lastly, the PRETTY AGGRAVATING ;) pretty little wedding cake again by TLC, aka myself and Ms. Cupcake

I had fun playing Friday Pretties...I hope I did it right!

I wouldn't exactly call it Eden...

2010-05-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of hearing about my mini garden yet?

My flowers are all still alive! Hallelujah! My grass seed is finally doing what it's supposed to.... LOOK!

So I was sitting here watching American Idol...(i get the eastern channels so i can watch it early...) and I glance out the window at my large bushy tomato plant and shreeek! To what do my wondering eyes should I see??? Omigosh! Could it be? Is it true? What are those wee little red things hiding under all the leaves? Are there finally tomatoes on the plant???

Naturally, I rush for my camera, so excited, (baby tomatoes would be a HIT on Friday Pretties! yessss?), hit the PVR button on Idol and burst out onto my patio despite the misty rainfall...

I kneel down , get riiiiiiiight in close, push some leaves aside...proud baby tomato mama...and what exactly do I see?

The tag. The tomato plant information tag. Le Sigh.

herb herb herb, herb is the word

2010-05-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

So, the little herb garden is proving fruitful....er...herb-ful I guess. Last week I picked a bunch, dried them all & mixed them all together. I sure did! It was rosemary, cilantro, parsley, oregano, basil & dill. All dried up it amounted to about 3/4 of a cup...herb heaven!

The entire bowlful went straight into my secret spaghetti sauce tonight...on the insistence of Rocketboy. Not bad...not bad at all. And the best part is...I'm drying another plateful of herbs as we speak!

GREEN with Envy...

2010-05-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hobnail Perfection

Depression Glass = GORGEOUS!

Lemon-Lime Love!

Wine Glassware Glory!

{thank you DecorGreen for the gorgeous green images}

Happy Victoria Day

2010-05-24T00:52:00.000-07:00

Rocketboy & I hit the Farmer's Market in little downtown Abby yesterday before heading out to the in laws place. I believe in trying to buy local if you can help it, sometimes you can't but hey, try & support the little person eh? Usually what you get is better service, better product, better quality and a real sense of community not to mention satisfaction.

So, we thought we would troll the lane for goodies for Rocket-ma-n-pa-in-law, 34th wedding anniversary you know. We ended up with a handcrafted planter, we filled it with local goodies, bbq & hot sauce made from Abbotsford peppers, cranberry honey made from some busy Abbotsford bees, some local wine , some artisan breads and the most gorgeous flowers I have ever seen. We think they loved it.

Short ferry jaunt and we are in lovely Gibsons!

My in-laws have the BEST view EVER! Truth.

There is one thing we do well in Gibsons....EAT! My FIL is the best chef, and the seafood is never ending...good laughs,(I ADORE my inlaws) too much wine, my wonderful boys doting on their adorable cousin...

Today, I lay low. My FIL squeezed me goodbye too hard, and looking for rare sea glass with my babes @ the beach took more out of me than I expected it would. I know...whine whine whine sore back whine. Not ready for work on Tuesday...maybe it could stay Monday for a while longer????

Trifecta Friday

2010-05-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

I wish Trifecta Friday meant us hopping on the local Allegiant plane back to lovely Las Vegas. For Ever. (and to those of you who thought we went to vegas????? hellz no, this was last summer. le sigh)

Trifecta days are always wonderful. Today we went to the Serendipitea House on Montrose for lunch & tea. And scones & cream! MMMMM! (Good thing I went to the gym this morning....did I tell you? Ms. Cupcake & I joined a new gym...I LOVE it there...)

We went to R & R,, Quilt Essentials, Fanny's and of course our Trifecta fave, Homesense!

I totally look forward to Trifecta days...bliss. Love you my Trifectesses

I take 2 steps forward, I take 2 steps back...

2010-05-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

No, don't worry, I won't break into song...even though it was totally pure early 90's hip-hop bliss!

I can't break into song. A) I don't sing that well, even though I THINK that I do. B) My back, has set me back, I kinda feel like I am back where I started with my back! C) Always ask for ranitidine or some pariet with toradol.

Owie. One more sleep, 6 hours of work and one hour of physio til days off.