I'm in Macleans Magazine, feeling so excited and giddy!!

This is an article written in Macleans Magazine that came out of friday in digital and will be in print available on Tuesday.

I feel so excited and really happy.

I can't believe it really.

National Magazine writing about little ol' me.

Since I have started the Restless Raven Art Lab I have had so many positive experiences and such a huge amount of support for what I am doing.

I feel the flow so to speak. 

This is just an extension of me and it works so well in our day to day life.

I get calls all the time about doing one thing or another.

I am happily extremely busy.

I feel blessed.

Thank you to all who love and support me to make this possible.

Scratch and Wins DIY

K made some special scratch and wins for a party she had.
These are really easy to make and super fun to do with friends.
I can see this craft being used many times.

Meet Chaz

Went to a Frat and Brat party.
I miss interpreted it at a Fraternity with "sausages" ;-)

Brats meant kids, but there was a BBQ full of sausages.

So i rocked out a costume full of attitude and brought on cheese-ball Chaz.
Total creep!!

It was so fun to stay in character.
I had a few people guessing who i was.
I thought that was the best part.

The kids keep asking for more Chaz!!

Ladybug Cake

Buttercream icing.

Moist cakes.

Decorate.

Happy Birthday!!!

Little niece turned two!!

Grabbed a fondant lady bug.

Tasted it.

Second thought...not so yummy.

Put it back.

No-one  will ever notice.

Pet Shop Cake for a Dear Friend

A feeble attempt the morning after a very late night.
Creating cake magic was not in the cards that day but I think it turned out pretty cute non the less.
The birthday girl was happy and thats what matters most.

Shabu Shabu

We had company for dinner tonight.
I was so excited to try out our new induction hot plate.

I cut up a platter of various veggies.
Made 3 dipping sauces.
Simmered a lovely broth for the afternoon.
Bought beef sliced paper thinned from the butchers.
Grabbed some udon noodle from the store, and we were ready to Shabu Shabu!!

We spent almost 2 hours sitting, cooking, eating and visiting.
I highly recommend it!!

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.

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.