As I look at the idea of a "New Years Resolution" in the past, the idea has always been a negative one to me. As I get older, I see more things in my life that I want to accomplish, or see a need for myself in simply, accomplishing- the joy of it and the simple purpose it brings.

So in 2012 I hope to... Pick a volunteer project, get more involved in our church, take more pictures and learn how to use my camera better, be more understanding with my husband and see marriage as more of a two-way street, run a half marathon (and work so I can run a full marathon in 2013!), renovate my blog space/name and write more often, create more (crafts, good food, photos; etc), and remember to be thankful EVERY minute of EVERY day and remember just how very blessed I am.


(Image via Ruffled)

Merry Christmas

I'm back! After a highly busy Christmas season, I have returned here on my very last day of Christmas holidays to post a few things we did to get in the Christmas spirit on our very first one of marriage...
The Christmas decorating started with this "mobile". Nikia and I hosted a Stella & Dot Trunk Show so I made this as a nice decoration for our table full of seasonal goodies... (Try these: Hot Chocolate Cupcakes)

Next it was time for a tree. We decided against a full length one as a)we didn't want to spend a lot of money, b) we couldn't find one that was nice for the amount of money we did want to spend and c)a tree on a table means the puppy can't get at it. Since it was already adorned in both pinecones and the lights, all it needed were some decorations. I traded my super girlie decorations (aka my "single" tree) for some pretty and natural decorations. My favourite ones came from Indigo.

I convinced Dustin to make a gingerbread house with me... I ended up doing the "construction" and he did most of the decorating... funny how that was....

I made "snickerdoodle" dog treats for a couple of our friends and packaged them in cellophane bags with some cute ribbon and twine.

I did some Christmas baking: Eggnog Snickerdoodle Cookies, Mint Chocolate Square, Cranberry Bliss Bars, and Oatmeal Toffee Cookies.

I did all my Christmas shopping in the matter of one very busy day and some additional online shopping. Was surprised but happy to find this super cute wrapping paper at Home Outfitters of all places... then wrapped it up with some twine.

We even dressed Jack in his sunday best for the occasion.

Hope you all had a great Christmas, and enjoyed time with both family and friends! I definitely feel blessed this season.

Saying Thanks

-For my (new) little family... Dustin, and of course, Jack.

-For my (old) family... Mom, Dad, Jason, Jocelyn, Grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles...

-For the beautiful home we have.

-For the beautiful summer weather we had.

-For trips we get to take, and have took...Maui,Calgary,Palm Springs...

-For the wonderful friends we have.

-For our new church.

-For the beautiful DSLR I have, and cliental to take pictures of.

-For the awesome food we get to eat tonight.

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD ... Psalm 116:17.

P.S. My thanksgiving recipes... Pumpkin Maple Bread Pudding and Vanilla Bean Ice-Cream

It's hard to think about fall with all this beautiful weather outside... and a upcoming weekend of +29. But, these cupcakes are too good to be only a fall recipe...

Get it here

I picked up this book the other day at Mcnally in hopes of having my own Christmas cookie swap/party this year. Anyone want to come?

Labor Day Weekend

I really did enjoy my three day weekend. After a busy couple of weeks getting back into routine, it was nice to have a break. It was beautiful weather for September! Here are some of the highlights:

Dustin bought me a basket for my bike so we could take Jack along... it's my new favourite outdoor activity.
Shared this delicious French pastry in the lazy Sunday afternoon sun.
Shopped for wine at Cava... excited to try them all out.
Made these yummy muffins for sunday brunch.
Made/had a romantic dinner with my husband. Find the the recipe here.
Picked up this green tray at Home Sense... I love wasting away weekend afternoons there.
Picked up a cozy fall sweater for only $24... love Joe/Superstore.

Happy work week everybody!

Fall Wish List

Tawny Shingle Tote via Anthropologie

Michael Kors Midsized Chronograph Watch

Love & Knit Hand Knit Yellow Slouchy Hat via Etsy

Zara Striped Tunic

O'Neil Heimberg Grey Print Top via Lulu

Gap 1969 Super Lightweight Skinny Bootcut Jeans

Frye Company Caroline Lace-up Booties via Neiman Marcus

A Couple From the Wedding Day

Puppy Parfait

After coming home to a very happy, but stinky-breathed dog, I did my research to find a natural way to get Jack's hygiene back to normal after his kennel stay. It worked great and Jack, of course, loved it:

INGREDIENTS

• 1 container plain yogurt (8 ounces)
• 1/2 cup granola (without raisins)
• 1/2 cup berries, such as raspberries and strawberries, coarsely chopped
• 1 banana, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• A pinch of cinnamon

PREPARATION

Place half the yogurt in a dog food bowl and sprinkle half the granola on top. Top with half the berries, banana and mint. Repeat. Top with the cinnamon.

By Andrew Kaplan via Rachael Ray

Saturday Sweets

My sister and I had a wonderful but indulgent day today- we decided to spend our Saturday morning at the farmers market, followed with some shopping, followed with an stop at Calories, our favourite Saskatoon dessert stop. We picked up praline macaroons, lattes, mini chai cupcakes and sweet vegetable chowder and some fresh roma tomatoes to try a zucchini quinoa lasagna recipe I have been dying to try at the market, splurged on some makeup at Mac, bought jeans half price at the Gap and and another pillow for the living room and basket at Home Sense. We ended it off sharing toffee and a lemon Saskatoon berry cheesecakes... I love Saturdays...

I have been searching Pinterest the whole morning... now after seeing a couple of my friend's beautifully decorated homes I can wait to start on ours. Since I moved into the new house in April, we have been slowly collecting furniture but much as been done in the accessorizing department. No pictures have been hung, or basically anything else for that matter. I have been stuck on colors.... the walls are a gray-beige, hardwood and cupboards a dark expresso, a feature wall in dark gray. I found this light blue, orange and brown living room and thought orange and light blue would be the way to go. (No zebra print rug for me) I can't wait to get home from our Maui honeymoon and start on the house.

Waskeisu: July 24, 2011

Honeymoon Purchases: Maui

Care of: Anthropologie, Steve Madden, Forever 21, Lulu, and Lucy Hatha via Shopbop.

Yesterday, I had the absolute PLEASURE to be Chrissy's maid of honor for their beautiful wedding at Forest Grove/The Bessborough Hotel here in Saskatoon. I can't say ENOUGH how happy I am for the two of them- I know there is nobody better for each other and I wish them all the best! I had such a fun day sharing in that joy, getting to know the bridal party and dancing the night away. Congratulations guys! Hope you have a lovely time in Mexico!

My lovely mother bought me "Quinoa 365" recipe book for my birthday. I have always been careful about eating (but enjoy a good piece of cheesecake) and although I have always been "active" my upcoming wedding is definitely a great way to stay more on track. With that being said, I have started at the Crossfit gym, running actively (Running a 21k in September) and also trying to eat more healthy.
As far as I have cooked with quinoa, is a couple salad recipes to spice up my lunches at my desk. This book is amazing- there is definitely so many things that sound delicious and a lot of them are gluten-free if you are using gluten-free/tapioca flour. Next up I want to try the pizza crust, but I decided to try the Cranberry Orange Loaf, with the substitute tapioca flour.

I have that feeling.
Of complete and utter nostalgia.
That hope and rise in my chest that comes with a time before me.
I close my eyes as the buildings go by, the lights: they just blur together and I remember...

That time when everything looked beautiful: the colours vibrant, the sounds clear, the night before us.
We didn't know what was to come, we didn't really know each other, but we knew that there was something different about this night. And although the allure of the emotion was there, we didn't have anything to hold on to.

But yet I sit closing my eyes. The rise of my chest is there, the sounds, my heart skips a beat.
Still, for not you dear, but that night before us.

Things I Have Been Busy With Lately...

There is an excuse to my lack of blogging lately. Feels like another day keeps on going by and my to-do list just keeps on getting bigger. Here are a few things that have been keeping me busy lately:
Wedding stuff (mostly BUYING wedding stuff like the cute banner I picked up from Etsy above... the financial part is definitely taking a toll at us, and thank God when it will be over).... but it all seems more real now- less then 6 weeks to go!

Jack. We got this fun-loving, eager-to-please, little brat 9 days ago. Although he is not quite yet potty trained yet, I wouldn't trade him for the world.



Entertaining, which has been one of the most fun parts! I made amazing cakes off What Katie Ate, baked brie and my first gluten-free recipe: Blueberry Struesel Muffins. I am so, so thankful Bulk Barn moved into my neighbourhood- making cooking gluten-free ten times easier.

Planning Chrissy's stagette! I made these easy (and very plain) invitations for cheap with my awesome 50% at Michaels coupon.

Wedding invitations! Although that time has passed... my desk is looking similiar now with the task of bridal shower thank-you cards. Better get back to that...