25 Ways to Wear a Scarf

If you are like me, you need all the help you can get

sometimes when it comes to fashion.

This video is fantastic if you need help figuring out 

how to wear all your beautiful scarves.

I love it!

Fill in the Blank Friday

Hey, sweet peas, it's Fridaaaaaaaaaay!

Our weekends these days are filled with

swimming lessons and soccer

and more soccer.

I am spending the afternoon

with my hubby today,

no kiddies!

Just for a short bit but I'll take it.

Here are my fill-ins today!

1.   My favorite place i've ever traveled to is Hawaii.  I love warm places and beaches.

2.  Australia is somewhere I'd love to go someday.  I MUST get there someday!

3.  I pass the time on a plane (or bus, or car ride or train) by  reading, sudoku, listening to music, crosswords, watching movies.

4.  My three must-haves when I travel are  my ipod ,  snacks and my travel blanket and pillow!

5.  My favorite travel companion is  the hubster!  We travel so well together.

6.  The craziest thing that ever happened to me while traveling is (I have 2, coincidentally one is similar to Lauren's!) Landing at Heathrow Airport in London and having to hightail it outta there due to a bomb threat.  #2 was flying through a tropical storm on our way to Florida, the turbulence was INSANE.  Scared the bleepin' crap outta me.  We were diverted to Austin, Texas.  Good times.

7.  The most exotic food I've ever tried while traveling is hmmm...thinking....  Maybe soft-shell crab in New Orleans.  It takes getting used to (texture-wise) but it was good!

8.  If I could live anywhere else, I'd live in Hawaii.

9.  I have been to  12 (I think) 

states in the U.S. And since I'm Canadian I am adding that I have also been to 5 provinces (out of 10 provinces and 3 territories...geez, I better get traveling!!!)

Happy weekend everyone!!

xo

Journalling

Hello.

My name is Sheri,

and I am addicted to journalling.

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Or really, I should say journals.

I have a tonne of them.

They are just so darn pretty.

I have always been a journaller.

*Is that a word?*

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I think that's why I enjoy blogging so much.
It's basically an online journal.

I have journals from when I was a young teen

(so embarrassing to read NOW), 

all the way up to present day.

I used to journal much more than I do now.

I just don't have as much free time as I used to.

I started a journal for each of my girls when they were born,

to record funny things they say,

or things that I want to remember to tell them.

I am SO glad that I have done this.

When I read entries from when they were babies,

there are things that I forgot about 

and having the journal reminds me of those precious

moments.

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I have a journal as well for day to day,

a journal for health, where I keep yummy, healthy recipes,

or articles from my fitness magazines,

or pics of my favourite yoga poses.
I also have a travel journal where I keep a diary of what we did
on our travels, where we ate, what we saw.
And I include photos.

I would love to start an art journal, where I can 

doodle or try fun lettering (that I hope to learn in an upcoming course I am taking).

There is so much wonderful inspiration out there.

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If you have never journalled, I highly 

recommend it.

It is therapeutic, relaxing and something you can look back on

or hand down to your kids.

Do you keep a journal?
xo

Hearty Lentil Soup

There is nothing I love more than a simmering pot

of soup on the stove in the wintertime.

Ok, I love summer more.

And margaritas.

And...

Digressing...

Back to the soup.

My Mom made this soup the other day and I had one taste

and went out to get ingredients to make a pot.

It's super easy.

Takes maybe 20 minutes to half an hour of prepping but

it's so worth it!

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 onion, chopped

4 celery stalks, chopped

1 clove garlic, chopped

4 carrots, chopped

1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed

1 bay leaf

1 tsp. salt (I used a bit less)

1/2 tsp. pepper

8 cups chicken or beef stock (I used all chicken stock, my mom used 4 cups of each)
  - I use low sodium stock

1/2 cup vegetable juice if desired

1 1/2 cups dry lentils, rinsed and drained

Dash of hot sauce

Dash of lemon juice

In a large saucepan, on medium-low heat, warm up the olive oil.  Add onion and celery and saute for 5 minutes. 

Add garlic, saute 3-4 minutes longer.  Add carrots, saute 1 minute.  

Make sure you rinse your lentils really well, especially if you buy them in bulk.  I bought them in a bag.

Add oregano, bay leaf, salt, pepper, stock, veggie juice and lentils.  

Bring to a simmer, cover and simmer til lentils and veggies are soft and tender. ~30-40 minutes

Finish the soup with a dash of hot sauce and a dash of lemon juice in your bowl.

 It smells SO good in my house right now!

Gung Hey Fat Choy

Happy Chinese New Year!

This is the year of the Dragon.

Click HERE to find out more about your Zodiak sign 

(just enter your birth year to find your sign)

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I was born in the Year of the Rat.

Here are some traits!

Gung Hey Fat Choy, everyone!

Rat

Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rat are quick-witted, clever, charming, sharp and funny. They have excellent taste, are a good friend and are generous and loyal to others considered part of its pack. Motivated by money, can be greedy, is ever curious, seeks knowledge and welcomes challenges. Compatible with Dragon or Monkey.

Tricky walk

So if you think you had it rough

walking to school,

many miles,

uphill,

both ways... ; )

Check out these kids...It's sad and amazing all at once.

Read more about it HERE.

Somethin' Yummy

Today I am making this for supper

My Mom sent me the recipe.

At first I was all

'nuh uh'.

I reaaaaally don't like cauliflower.

I will eat it raw with dip.

If I have to.

But cooked cauliflower makes me want to

heave ho.

*sorry I wasn't calling you a ho*

You know what I meant.

So it turns out it tastes super super good!

I just made some for tonight's supper.

I highly recommend you give it a whirl.

Then I proceeded to pour boiling water on my hand

while making jello.

I recommend you leave that part out.

Curried Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1/2 lb. (225 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

4-1/2 tsp. minced gingerroot

2 tsp. curry powder

1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin

3 cups small cauliflower florets

1 can (28 fl oz/796 mL) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (14 fl oz/398 mL) no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed

1/4 cup water

1/3 cup chopped cilantro

1/4 cup Miracle Whip Calorie-Wise Dressing

make it

HEAT oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken, onions and garlic; cook 3 min. or until chicken is browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in ginger, curry powder and cumin; cook and stir 1 min.

ADD next 4 ingredients; stir. Bring to boil; simmer on medium heat 10 min. or until chicken is done and cauliflower is tender, stirring occasionally.

REMOVE from heat. Stir in cilantro and dressing until well blended.

~ Courtesy of Kraft Canada

Smurfy Hairdo

Hey sweet peas!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

We had M's 6th birthday party.

Just at our house, it was a Smurf-themed party

but she dressed up like Cinderella.

Alright!

*Pics of the table*

I wanted to try a waterfall braid on M and I curled each 'waterfall'.

I love THIS blog for hairdo ideas for my girls, and some for me too!

I think it turned out cute...

It was a fun weekend and the end of our 'warm' spell.

Today it is SO COLD.

-26

°C

• °C
• °F

Ice crystals

for all you farenheiters that is
-15F!

BRRR!

I hope it's warm where you are, lovelies!

Have a happy day!

Fill in the Blank Friday

Hi sweet peas!

It's Friday, are you happy?

My hubby took the girls to school this morning

so I got to sleep in!

Then he brought me breakfast in bed.

Wow.

It was McDonald's breakfast but still.

My fave.

Better work out later.

: )

I have missed a few of these fill in the blank Fridays but let's do it today, shall we?!

Go visit Lauren too.  She is 5 days away from her due date!!

1.   The last thing I ate was an egg mcmuffin and orange juice from McDonalds.  Not healthy but oh well.  It was soooo goooooood!

2.   The last song I listened to was the new one by Adele.  I can't remember the name.

3.  Using the letters in my name I can spell  ummm...Sheri...he, she, hi, that's all I can come up with!

4.  If I had to dress in one color for the rest of my life I would pick  oh man, one colour?!!  I love purple!

5.  If you were to look in my bag right now you'd find  my wallet, receipts, gum, my phone, lipgloss, lipliner, snacks for my kids, a pen, sunglasses, water bottle.

6.  When I finish filling in the blanks I'm going to  have a shower and get dressed.  Yes, lazy Friday!

7.  My all time favorite song to dance to is Walkin' on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. haha..I LOVE this song and everytime I hear it, I have to sing and dance by butt off!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, sweet peas!

xo

Who's Your Favourite?

This video cr-ACKS

me up!

New basement

So my hubby has started developing our basement!

I am super dooper excited about it.

For one thing, it's FULL of junk right now.

Well, not ALL junk.

Stuff.

And junk.

We are forced to clean up and get rid of things we don't

need anymore which is nice.

PLUS we will have a brand new space to

enjoy which I love and it's much cheaper than 

moving.

Although I am always on the lookout for a house that will

suit our 3 growing girls who are increasingly

in need of privacy.

The twins share a room right now but I would love for

them each to have their own room.

But anyway, for now we'll work on getting the basement done

and enjoying that!

The problem is I have about 10 different rooms I'd LIKE to have

down there.

Craft room, bedroom, theater, spa bathroom, storage, 

wine cellar, workout area,

playroom for the girls.

Ain't room for it all, lemme tell ya.

But we are for SURE putting in a bathroom and that is what hubby 

is working on first.

Yay!
He does it all himself too.
The framing, wiring, drywall, painting, plumbing.
You name it.
I married a gooder.

Now to find some deliciously, delightful,

spa-ish photos to inspire him.

: )

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Do Try This at Home

I LOVE to eat out.  

A few years ago my hubby and I took a little 

trip to Victoria, BC and we ate some amazing food.

This was one of my faves from a restaurant called Lure -

partly because it was deeeeelicious but mostly because it

was pretty!

I thought....hey, I could do this at home!

Wouldn't your guests be delighted at this little gem of a plate....

I cannot tell you how tasty it was.  Ok, I will.

It consisted of a variety of

olives, sausage, prosciutto, roasted peppers,

marinated red onions, roasted tomatoes,

goat cheese, pate, a cheesy spread

and scattered pistachios.

And garnished with an orchid.

Drooling yet?

I could do this.

I have square plates and everything.

My baby

Well, today the girls are all back at school.

We are back to the soccer practices,

swimming lessons,

you know, the general chaos that is our life!

I had such a wonderful 2 weeks with my girls at home.

Yesterday I spent half the day baking cupcakes

for my baby girl to take to school.

Today she is 6 years old!

I had this photo taken of her on her 6 month birthday...

I cannot believe that little peanut is mine.

Happy Birthday, sweet pea!

Mommy loves you more than you will ever know.

Art work

One of my New Year's goals is to do more creative things.

For the past couple of months,

I have been doing a mother/daughter online

art class with my girls

courtesy of

The Brave Girls Club

I have mentioned the Brave Girls before on my blog

they are very inspiring and 

are all about making girls, young and old

feel empowered, special, loved and brave.

I was super excited to see them offer

online courses last year.

I took one that was called Soul Restoration.

We made our very own Soul Book.

Here are a few pages of mine

It was a work of art and I was so excited that I,

an totally UN-artistic person,

could actually do art.

; )

I love colour so my book was colourful and over the top girly.

It's all up to you how you want to create your book.

But they give you LOTS of guidance for those of us who need it!

So right now, my girls and I are finishing up 

the mother/daughter course.

We made books to tell each other how we feel about one another.

We made Truth and Love boxes to hold beautiful truth rocks

that we made each other.

And we made beautiful 'I am becoming...'

canvases. 

These, we worked on today and I think they turned out so pretty.

They won't ever hang in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

but they were so much fun to do.

Plus this entire course really gets you to talk to your daughters, 

to let them know how you feel about them and 

you get to hear how they feel about you too.

The good parts. : )

It was a hugely bonding experience.

And FUN!

I am taking another online class that starts

February 1st from a different website.

She does a lot of journaling which I also do

so I am SUPER excited to get started.

This one will be harder I think.

I'll let ya know how it goes.

: )

Hello, beautiful...

My new craft cabinet!

Isn't it a beauty?!

All labeled, all pretty-like...

With loads of pretty stuff inside...

Oh my gosh, I love organzing!

And I love crafting.

Now I guess I better get creative.

2012 goals

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So usually on New Year's day, I cozy up with a blanket,

a pillow and my journal,

and write out my goals for the upcoming year.

I also review the goals I set last year,

to see how I did.

 I actually review them throughout the year,

to make sure I am on track.

I like having goals for myself,

because it's so easy to

get caught up in the day-to-day 

craziness of life,

it sometimes feels like we are spinning our wheels,

right?

Just going through the motions, trying to 

get through the chores, 

the never-ending lists of things to do.

So.....I said usually I do my goals on Jan. 1st.

But yesterday my hubby ended up at Urgent Care.

So that was fun!

He's ok but it took hours.

He had to miss going to a production of

Beauty and the Beast with

me and the girls.

So my Mom came with us which was so lovely

and everything worked out fine.

But it was a crazy day.

So I am going to work on my goals today.

I have never blogged my goals before.

I'll just share a few.

1)  Be kind to my hubby - I always put this one on my goal list to remind myself not to take him for granted.  Sometimes we treat those closest to us, the worst.  We take our day-to-day frustrations out on them.  So I try to remember that he loves me and supports me everyday and deserves to be treated wonderfully.

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2)  Have more patience with my kids - this one is similar to the #1.  I absolutely hate yelling at my kids

and I'm sure they don't enjoy it either!  I try to remember that they need my attention so instead of saying,  'later, I'm busy!' I try to at least show them that I am listening, even if it's in the midst of trying to prepare dinner.  They have fragile egos and I don't want to be the one to hurt them when I am the one that should be building them up to be happy, healthy wonderful girls.

3)  Get a job - I have been off work since May.  It's time.  I need to make this a priority.  Ick.

4)  Take a photography course - this has been on my goal list for a few years now.  Maybe this year, it'll happen.  But I doubt it.

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5)  Work on nurturning my creative side - in the past few months, I have been doing lots of arts and crafting.  I have never been any good at creative stuff (meaning...really bad)  (except I have always enjoying writing).  So it has been so FUN trying new things, making jewelry, painting with my kids.  And I cannot believe how much peace it brings me.  I absolutely love it.

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6)  Try to see the positive in everything - this is an ongoing goal for me.  I want to be a positive energy in the world and for my family, although THEY are the ones that inspire me to be positive and love this life we are living together.

These are fairly general and I do have more specific ones (like maybe a trip this year...!)

For now, these will keep me busy!
Shine on, sweet peas.
xo

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