9 Years

9 years ago today we said our vows to each other.

Since then we have built a beautiful life together, full of love and happiness.

We have made our dreams come true.

We are lovers, best friends, parents and equals.

We are strong and united, tested at times but have always weathered through.

We have had challenges and adversities and helped each other through.

Together we have conquered our world.

We have become proud parents and that has had it's immeasurable joys with periodic chaos.

I cannot express in words my deepest love for you and for all that you do, for me and our family.

I know how hard you work, how much you sacrifice and the challenges you face.

I know we are so lucky to be together, to share and support and be there for each other.

You have seen the side of me most people never do, for better or for worse, and you still put up with me.

I have tested you on many occasions, I know, and you are still my rock.

I am not certain what I did to ever deserve such an amazing, genuine soul who loves me for me, but I am eternally grateful.

You put up with my craziness and are always smiling.

You put up with my flaws and are always tactful with me, something I really appreciate.

You are my angel , the love of my life, my devoted husband.

As we have inscribed on the inside of our wedding bands....."Always follow your heart."

It has never failed us yet.

On today and everyday, you are my inspiration and I love you more than words can say.

It Is THIS Hot, Sometimes a Picture Tells the Whole Story

What 34 Looks Like on Me

I remember being about 8 or 9 and thinking, " Wow I cannot believe that one day I'll be 12, a preteen. That will be so neat!!!"

When I was 14 I remember thinking I would never get to 16, the milestone so I could get my drivers licence,(although I had to wait till I was 19 because my overbearing parents wouldn't sign for me.)

I never imagined what I would be like at 34.

I had never thought of it.

26 for some reason was a a hard birthday for me, but 34 seemed inconsequential in the realm of it all.

But for me it is a gift, as I realize the true worth of me.

Dare I say, I feel wonderful.

I am healthy and strong.

I am at peace, satisfied with myself and my existence, my place in the world.

I fear my mortality as probably most parents do, but live everyday to my highest potential so in the end, when ever it may be, I can always say I did my best.

I see the good in most things and most people and don't make a fuss about too many things that aren't important.

I have learned what wisdom is and feel that I am slowly becoming wise.

I have many "Sarahisms" that I can now share, and freely do much to my husbands' humour.

I trust my judgements and think things through, almost to a fault.

I have overcome, as most people do in life and I have seen the other side.

I treasure, enjoy and covet my family, my children and my friends.

I know what is important and what isn't, and find true value in what deserves it.

I am 34 and I am Fabulous!!!

So how did I spend this momentous day??

I was surprised with a day at the spa. Yes a full day.

Pedicure, wrap, facial, massage and lunch in there as well.

J and the kids dropped me off and although I worried that I may stress myself into relaxing and be unable to, I managed to have the best, most relaxing day I can remember, ever.

I was pampered and had time to reflect and be self absorbed, something I seldom get the opportunity to do.

I even fell asleep in a few of the chairs.

Then while I was having my day, J and the girls planned a wonderful BBQ with most of our family and friends and we ate, laughed and had a great evening.

Thank you to everyone for making me feel so special and so loved.

(Sorry to those of you they forgot to call or couldn't find your numbers of, we'll just have to have round 2 soon)

Here are a few shots of the day.

Yes there were 3 cakes, and each one was fabulous.

My Cake Guru made me this spool of delicious thread.

A dear and thoughtful friend made this yummy chocolate zucchini cake and a crown I got to wear.

Can you imagine with 3 young ones and a hectic schedule she still made time to make this for me.

My sweet loving neighbour and great friend must have spent hours making this extraordinary lemon meringue cake. Super delicious and tremendously thoughtful.

Of course I had to sample all 3.

J put on quite a spread.

It came in waves from the BBQ and kept us eating for hours.

A glorious end to a fantastic day.

What Was I Thinking?

My thoughtful neighbour brought over a bucket of Marion berries this morning that she had just picked from her garden.

They are so sweet and juicy, but there was too many to just stick in the fridge.

After we spent the morning at a secluded lake location, the girls and I came home and settled in for a hot afternoon.

So what did I decide to do?

Make JAM!!!

This begs the question, "What was I thinking?"

In 34 degree weather, using a hot stove for over an hour, processing the jam into perfect neat little(hot) containers, while the house is literally melting and I constantly wiping the sweat off my face, as the kids lounge in the living room sticking to the carpet playing play mobile.

The jam is marvelous I must admit, but really did I need to do it today?

I could have just frozen the berries, and the irony is that we really don't eat that much jam around here.

It is not uncommon for me to toss jars of the stuff after it has been opened for months and left to mold in the fridge.

But now it is done and I can check that off my to do list (although it wasn't there in the first place.)

My to do list, however, is looking mighty long in the coming weeks with the garden producing so much goodness.

I am relishing in it immensely and feel that this has been our best garden to date.

I feel so lucky to be able to offer our family such wholesomeness and eat fresh produce everyday. Actually every meal of every day.

We have enough to last us for the year in most thing, but that means processing it all.

Tomatoes are just about in full fling and I can sense lots of fresh salsa and soups coming our way.

Fun in this Sun

I just went outside to shut off the garden sprinkler and was amazed by the setting sun, the heavy pinkness of the sky was wild.

It says there is a chance of a thundershower tonight....that would be welcomed and neat.

All the evening flowers were in full action and I had a mini holiday doing that simple chore.

A perfect end to a wonderful day.

Today I got the ladies up early and we garaged saled in the AM then set up a lemonade stand at Ashberry Farms for their local foods farm tour.

The kids had so much fun.

The sprinklers were on, mud and fun to be had and yummy berries galore.

And of course the pigs!!!

The tempurature rose quite high so we hid inside for an hour after lunch, then peeled ourselves from the couch and headed to a local lake to enjoy the water.

The girls were so excited to find newts there and that the other kids had already caught over 40.

Bobbing around in the water looked so nice but I wasn't properly equipted to join in so I melted on the sidelines taking photos.

Tomorrow I will be in the lake, a reprive from more of the heat wave coming our way.

Getting Messy

I believe that kids are meant to get dirty and up close with nature.

My girls live in a constant state of such messiness and they thrive on it.

Animals, crafts, dirt, and fresh air are all big parts of our days.

Today was an ode to messiness.

We hosted a Messy Party and invited a bunch of kids to join in and get messy.

I put out an array of stations; painting, sand art and goop to name a few, and let the kids run-a-muck.

And they did.

Although nobody dove or rolled in the paint like I secretly hope they would , fun was had by all.

On this hot day the pool was also a main attraction.

And the poor kitty got more than its share of handling.

I learned alot and can't wait to host another messy party next year.

Maybe it will be on our annual party rotation.

Name the Food Giveaway Answers and Winner(s)

I know I said a week and that it has been more than that,
but here I am with the answers to the Name the Food Giveaway.

Here goes, in order as seen:

Cabbage
Pumpkin
Green(spring) Onion
Kohlrabi
Mint
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Potatoes
Dill
Blueberries
Cukes
Oregano
Zukes

Thank you to all who took the time and played along.

For those who didn't, come on get into the spirit!!

And the winner is...Well its a tie!

Nobody got them all right, but 2 people got 1 wrong.

SO I ask you should I do a tie breaker, do I give out 2 aprons, or just call it a draw??

I am so unsure.
Please give me your feedback.
Thank you.
I have the next giveaway ready to go.
I am quite excited.

Deliciously Fun

Everyone knows that I love aprons, especially pretty ones.
I enjoy making them and so most people at some point or another receive an apron as a gift.
This one is no exception.
Although I adore this one,the colours and the bows are so sweet, and almost kept it.
I can hope that for my birthday she will make me one of her famous cakes!!!
If your reading this, ....Hint Hint T.

The girls were all nestled up in my bed last night and they woke up quite late.
As they slept in I managed to sew up these two little cuties for a morning treat.
It is the first time I have ever made anything matching for them, but these are worth it.
Not sure if you can see but there are actually skull and cross bones on there, for my rocker girls.

I love to dehydrate fruit.
We go through a tonne of apples ever year.
This year I feel more adventurous and tried raspberries(not so good, think tart space food), but much better than the watermelon I tried a couple of years back.
Bananas are always a hit especially fresh off the heat.
And mangoes,....well the girls didn't go for them this time round so now I am stuck with a mother load of dried mangoes.
I better start looking for some new recipes.

Here is a new idea I found that I feel in love with, Avocado Fluff.

Topped with toasted coconut and with the pineapple juice in it, it has a pina colada taste and a pudding like texture.

The other day at a birthday gathering, I was tasting the yummy sample platter from Locals, a local amazing restaurant and was treated to chocolate covered cherries.

OMG!!!

Never have I had these splendid morsels and never will I be without (during cherry season anyways.)

You have got to try to make some, super simple and a divine way to treat someone special or just yourself.

Enjoying the Heatwave

What would summer be without the sun?

Even though we are melting, and in no way am I complaining after our crazy long ugly winter.

We have found some great ways to cool off and stay sane.

And I must admit the pool is a big bonus we have all benefited from.

Dare I say I am so happy to have it, even though I was so incredibly scared and nervous to own one.

I dare say..yes I am.

Refurbishment of the week:

Do you rememeber the great bed I found for free a couple weeks ago?

Here it is if you don't.

Now look at it!!!

AAHHH!!!My summer haven. My tranquil place.

The view from my day bed.

I ordered some outdoor foam and it will be here this week.

I bought some great outdoor fabric today and I will cover it up to enjoy for years to come.

To wrap it up for the day:

Here is cutie cupcake Bella, a shortened version of the original Jezebell, and thankfully has seemed to have stuck.