It’s finally here! SUMMER! And it arrives with a blaze in Toronto, reaching temperatures of 41°C with the humidity this afternoon. Hands up if you’d rather be running through a backyard sprinkler today!
I’m putting up my “Out of Office” for the day, whipping up some homemade popsicles for the kiddos and fruity sangria for the adults. Wishing you all a wonderful start to the work week, and to summer!
Family
Wayback Playback: 2010 Edition
This morning, searching through my blog for a recipe (Mangia Meatballs!) and trolling in the archives for a makeup review, I randomly stumbled on a post that I published on October 26, 2010 entitled, “Life is Good.” The post was short and sweet:
“It’s 8:23 PM. I’m getting the boys ready for bed… Life is Good.
Disclaimer: They don’t actually sleep together. Ryder would eat Reid. But they do enjoy snuggling in Ryder’s truck-inspired bed, and Ryder enjoys wearing his truck-themed pajamas. I love my boys, I am thankful for my many blessings, and Life is Good.”
Ugh! This simple post and picture made me weepy to the extreme! First, because they DO sleep together now, and have shared the same double bed for over two years. Second, because just this past weekend, my husband and I were shopping for two twin beds. At almost 6 and 8 years old, it’s time to give them their own spaces (although they still want to share a room, which we’re fine with). …
Making the Most of #EverySecond.
They’re competitive and loud and rarely respond unless I scream. They’re argumentative and ornery and way too sensitive about the silliest things (He’s looking at me, mom! He’s LOOKING at me!). They push my buttons, push for a later bedtime and always push each other.
Yet, they’re the heart of my home. They breathe so much life, excitement and vigor into my day. And when I catch them sitting together – because they just can’t stand to be apart – I remember that beyond the spats and bickering, they truly are the very best of friends. I am truly blessed to share every second of my day with them. …
The MOMent that Lasted Weeks
It’s good to be my boys.
Other than having a seriously awesome mom (yours truly), they seem to have birthday celebrations that span multiple weeks. This year, they had three parties! Honestly, their cups runneth over.
Now before you think they’re completely spoiled (they are, but not completely), there’s good reason they were afforded a few celebrations. First, Ryder had a chance to celebrate his seventh birthday at Walt Disney World, as we were there for the Social Media Moms Celebration. Of course, we couldn’t celebrate Ryder’s birthday at the most magical place on earth without including Reid, whose birthday is a mere 11 days later. So, they were both treated to a memorable birthday, Disney-style.
Upon returning home, they wanted separate parties with school friends, so we had a small shindig with a few neighbourhood buddies. And finally, my family was dying to celebrate with the boys, so we hosted a small barbecue a few weeks later.
Contractually, this is my last post for the Nikon MOMents program. Those who have been following along know that for the last year, I’ve been capturing my most special moments with family, friends and often, a good beach. However, even though this is my last “official” post, you’ll always see my Nikon MOMents, because it’s my go-to DSLR for ALL my blog posts. After all, how else could I capture delicious MOMents like this?
Looking back, I can absolutely see how my photography skills – including my eye for taking the right photograph – have improved with each successive occasion. From a summer retreat in Muskoka to Christmas dinner with my family, I’ve had the opportunity to capture high quality memories that were made possible while using the Nikon D3300, creating stunning 24.2-megapixel photos and 1080p Full HD videos with tack-sharp details, vibrant colors and softly blurred backgrounds. …
Things We Don’t Do
Scrolling through my iPhone, I came across a picture of my husband and I, taken at the Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland Resort, last August. In the photo we posed casually; the epitome of summer vacay mode, enjoying the hot Cali climate.
To the detached observer, the picture is unremarkable. Two thirty-somethings, a sunny local, a side embrace. To us, it’s a little more meaningful.
It was, in fact, the first photo we’d taken together since 2009.
Apparently, there are things we don’t do.
However, generalizing this way is grossly incorrect. It’s true; we don’t take photos together. But maybe it’s just a symptom of a much greater problem, and I should really be describing it as such:
We don’t make time to get in the picture.
We don’t make date night a priority.
We don’t put enough value on capturing our own memories.
We don’t emphasize our uniqueness as a couple.
We don’t insist on acknowledging that our roles as husband and wife are just as important as our roles as father and mother. …
Holiday Memories, and Moments.
One of the best things in life is when you can connect a moment to a memory. Like, the smell of coconuts and thoughts of your favourite beach vacation. Or, biting into the sweetest strawberry in the dead of winter, making you long for lazy summer days. The sounds of children giggling at the same jokes you laughed at as a child.
The moments and memories you bring together over and over again because it’s food for the soul.
Yesterday, I picked up my new glasses, which happened to be a Christmas gift from my husband (they cost him an arm and a leg, but I’m worth it). Do you love them as much as I do? It’s my first foray in handmade frames… and these happen to be handmade in Paris by Caroline Abram. Worth. every. penny. I wear glasses 90% of the time, so it’s nice to feel fabulous!
As I put them on, I thought about this past holiday season, and how it always seems to fly by. Do you feel the same way? I feel like there is such a momentous build up lasting all of December (or, according to retail stores, 10 seconds after Remembrance Day ends) and then poof! December 25th happens, and it’s gone.
One of the best things about being a Nikon MOMents blogger is the reminder to capture those moments, which of course, helps to preserve the memories. And so yesterday, as I had a chance to enjoy my Christmas gift for the very first time, I once again thought about the holidays, and the food, family and love that made it special. Today, I’d love to share some of those moments with you. …
Merry Christmas!
Dear Friends,
May the holidays refresh your spirit and bring you new inspiration and happiness. May the splendor of the season fill your heart with peace. Wishing you the joy of family, the happiness of friends, and the love of Christmas!
Today, I’m unofficially setting up an “Out of Office Alert”. Over the next several days I’ll be enjoying food, family and the festivities of the season – and hope you’ll be doing the same. (Of course, I may not be able to stay away long. In fact, I’m sure I’ll be back sooner than later.)
I also hope you’ll partake in a Christmas carol, cookie and cocktail! After all, ’tis the season! My recommendations – O Holy Night, Shortbread and a Peppermint Martini.
Have a wonderful week, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Because Sharing is Caring: Be Generous
Generosity. What does it mean to you? Defined as “the habit of giving without expecting anything in return”, it can involve offering time, assets or talents to help someone in need. However, through the years, the word “generosity” has often been equated with charity as a virtue; that is, a generous person is someone who donates monetary aid. When one states, “He’s so generous!” it’s quite natural to immediately assume the tone of the statement somehow involves a generous donation, offering or financial contribution.
Yet generosity encompasses so, so much more, and Canadian parents are in overwhelming agreement that raising caring and generous children is one of their top priorities. Of course, one of the easiest ways to instill a behaviour in our children is simply to model it ourselves. A Minute Maid Moments poll conducted earlier this year showed that more than half of parents demonstrate generosity through spontaneous good deeds such as shoveling a neighbours’ driveway, holding the door for a stranger, or giving gifts to friends and family including homemade art and baked goods.
This is the true definition of generosity; giving a piece of your time and talents to make a difference.
The poll also shows that an overwhelmingly high number (83 per cent) of parents want their children to show generosity, including:
• Random acts of kindness, like writing friendly surprise notes for friends and family (77 per cent)
• Offering to help neighbours in simple ways, such as carrying groceries (67 per cent)
• Acknowledging their friends /family birthdays with gestures like a phone call or handwritten card (53 per cent)
• Making gifts for others, including baked treats and homemade crafts (43 per cent)
…
It’s Time to Have “The Talk”.
My boys are only about a month shy of their 4th and 6th birthdays, so I’m a little surprised that it’s already time to have “the talk”.
Truthfully, I assumed I had at least a few more years. My sons are barely out of the toddler stages! I had convinced myself that the the dreaded conversation would take place sometime in the distant future, so I did little to prepare myself – I gave it little thought and importance. Let the parents of tweens worry about it, I thought, I’m still PVR’ing Disney Junior shows!
But it happened. It happened and I was caught off-guard; silently cursing the acceleration of childhood. And it happened at the most inopportune moment; I was flustered, disorganized and trying to accomplish about a thousand things at once, and there stood Ryder, hovering in my doorway. I could tell he wanted to ask me something, and I turned to him, my face dripping with annoyance and expectation. “What is it?” I snapped.
If I had known this would be the pivotal moment, the moment I had both feared and dreaded would come eventually (but not now!), I would have been better prepared. I would have had all my key points of love, nurturing and most of all, quiet authority and instruction, ready to dole out with calm, maternal intelligence. I would have called out to my husband, who, as the man of the family, would’ve been able to delve from his own experience.
Yet my perfect vision of “the talk” crumbled at my feet when out of mouth of my sweet, young and naive son, the dreaded words flowed: “Can we get a dog?” Unprepared, I blurted out an unintelligent, garbled response that only the most practiced ears would understand and interpret as no f*cking way.
So, my friends, the hour is upon us and it’s time to have the “No Dogs Talk”. As an aside, I blame my best friend for the premature timing of the discussion, as she recently acquired the most adorable puppy I’ve laid eyes on and I’ve been showing the boys his photos. So I suppose I’ve had a hand in this debacle after all, and now it’s time to set the record straight. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stand firm – and that troubles me. In fact, my husband is fairly convinced I’ll eventually give in. But for the time being, I will only take care of two babies, dammit.
Do you have pets? Were you convinced by your children – or, as a child, did you convince your parents?
Dear March Break…
While it’s bad enough that I’m not on a beach right now (I can deal), and those games that I ordered for the boys got held up at the border (I can work around this)… I simply cannot… and WILL NOT… stand for 10-15cm of snow after we have “sprung forward”.
*Shakes fist at Mother Nature*
Blizzard-like conditions could make for dangerous travel in Ontario! screams the headline on The Weather Network.
“The snow will become heavy at times and continue east into the Kingston to Cornwall region through the day with total snowfall amounts of 15 to 25 cm expected by tonight,” warns Environment Canada in the statement.
Snowfall will be somewhat less from southern Lake Huron across the Greater Toronto Area to Ottawa, where up to 15 cm is possible. In addition, strong northeasterly winds with gusts up to 70 to 80 km/h could result in near blizzard conditions in some places.
“The heaviest snow is expected to fall late morning through the afternoon hours, with the strongest winds likely around 2 pm,” says Soderholm. “That means the snow will be blowing around, which could be a huge hazard for commuters.”
In a funk too? S’okay. The day can be saved, as long as you have a few staple ingredients on hand, Martha Stewart’s recipe for Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a deliciously cute kid who can strike an angelic pose. Though I’m still giving Mother Nature the stink eye.
If you need me, I’ll be under a pile of warm cookies. Send milk.
How to Be a Cool Mom
This post is a collaborative effort from the Cool Moms I know. It includes advice and tips on how to stay hip. Of course, no cool mom would ever use the phrase “stay hip” so now I’ve effectively lost my credibility, OMG.
Anyhoo, a few weeks ago, while chatting with a fellow mom, she let me in on a little secret:
“Our ‘coolness’ lifespan is getting shorter and shorter,” she said.
(Of course, we have to assume that we were ever actually cool, but that’s another conversation.)
She went on to explain that, generations ago, parents were first considered an embarrassment when their child turned about 13-14 years old. Later, by the age of 10, an outward cringe was necessary when hugged by mom in public (I think I was in this generation). And now, in 2014, the same mom confided that her 8-year old rarely spoke to her for more than 2 minutes at a stretch – preferring to chat via Facebook or text emojis to her little girlfriends instead.
“I’m just not cool anymore,” she complained. “I mean, I knew it was coming, but I didn’t think I’d be the dweeb parent for at least a few more years!”
Yikes. Ryder is almost 6 – how much more time will I have with him? When will he begin to walk 5 feet ahead of me – barely looking back as I hurry to keep up? What or who the heck are Skylanders?
Now I know my coolness lifespan is sadly out of my control – I’m really not willing to bleach out the tips of my hair, sport Justin Bieber nail polish or follow Lil Wayne on Twitter. At the same time, I don’t believe parents have to ride off into the sunset – there are less dramatic ways of connecting with your kids and tapping into their world (without changing the pre-sets on your car radio).
So I polled the experts – moms of tweens who make a concerted effort to connect with their kids. And a very interesting trend arose early on – it seems that in today’s crazy world (parents working, organized sports, music lessons, round-the-clock computer usage, etc.) – the only time these moms were really having a conversation with their children was via the little pockets of time they had strategically carved out: in doctor’s waiting rooms, on the way to hockey practice, while dinner was being made (not consumed, contrary to popular belief), and during television commercial breaks. In essence, while “waiting” for other, more essential tasks to take over. After hearing the suggestions, I was inspired to share their relationship-building techniques.
(Family game night? Puh-lease. It just does not exist outside Hasbro’s marketing department, according to my sample group.)
So how does a busy mom keep in touch with her kids? By making every moment count. And that means creating bonding opportunities in 10-minute intervals. Here are some tips and tricks that I’ve put aside for when my coolness factor wears thin:
1. Buy a teen magazine. Take it with you when you’re stuck in waiting rooms with your children, are attending a sibling’s sporting event, or have a few moments alone on a quiet afternoon. And read it together. Ask your daughter to explain the fascination with Harry Styles. (Is that his real last name? Cause it’s awesome.) Giggle as you read each other’s horoscope. And let her know which mini skirts are approved – and which are definitely a no-no. You’d be surprised where the conversation goes, and many topics you come across can actually serve as an ice breaker for things you’ve already had on you mind.
2. Let your kids know more about their elders by playing “Guess Who”. The next time you’re in a car ride, tell your kids a tale about yourself, their father, uncle, grandma, etc. and have them guess who did the deed. I tried this game with a friend’s 10-year old son and his eyes literally popped out of his head when he learned that his father once shaved his legs after he lost a bet. He retold the story to his siblings, and the whole family had a laugh at poor dad’s expense. The point is, it’s just as important to talk about yourself as it is to try to get your children to open up. …
And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor
Hello Friends!
So wonderful to have a moment to chat with you. With the hustle and bustle of the season, I realize that it’s been a long time since I’ve had an opportunity to just write for the pure enjoyment of writing… which technically, is the reason I’m blogging today.
I took a peek at my site this morning, and was pretty surprised by the amount of sponsored content. Normally, I pride myself on having a good balance of organic posts (fashion boards, beauty reviews, my boys’ exploits and more) to sponsored (brand-driven) posts. However, with the holidays right around the corner, it’s no surprise that many companies are jostling for advertorial space on popular Canadian blogs, including my own.
So here’s the deal. I know that I’ve been talking about brands lately. Between Twitter Parties, sponsored posts and reviews – not to mention home renos, shopping experiences and travel – I agree that my organic posts are sorely lacking. However, sponsored content pays my bills, gives my children experiences they wouldn’t normally have, and enriches my life through product and service discoveries. Hence, I’m asking you to please bear with me during the holiday season as I navigate through my list of “to-do’s”. I too am looking forward to the new year, with a less crazy content calendar, and more time to write simply for the pleasure of writing.
In the meantime, please know that I put the same dedication and creativity into writing sponsored content, always with the aim of making the article entertaining and informative for you. Thanks for sticking with me through the busy holiday season! When things settle down, I promise to post a colourful beauty board (did you check out my Radiant Orchid roundup?) and share those predictable, unavoidable “Only Lena!” moments. Hugs and Kisses, friends!
P.S. I’ve made the monumental decision to spend every evening watching holiday specials with the boys. Hence, if you find me MIA on social media this week, it’s because I’ve treated myself to a peppermint hot chocolate, fuzzy pink slippers, and two boys who believe in the magic of Christmas. Sounds like the perfect way to savour the season!
What Fills You Up Inspires Me
This evening, I sat at my computer with one goal in mind: to respond to comments that have been piling up. Long time readers will know that I am obsessed with replying to comments; but lately, life has been kicking my a**. With two jobs, two kids, one home renovation and zero time to stop and smell the roses, I’ve become somewhat of a machine – barely slowing down even though I know I’m close to burning out. So, I decided to dedicate this evening to catching up with my online friends.
However, the very first post that popped up – and one that I’d been meaning to follow up on – was What Fills You Up? from a few weeks ago. And instead of responding to comments, I found myself opening up a new window and writing this post, to tell you all… WOW.
I am wowed. Reading what fills you up is touching, life-affirming, and most of all, incredibly beautiful. And human. And inspiring. From family and friends to Swiss chocolate and classical music, it’s a nice reminder of all the blessings we have in our lives. I realize now that I can add another thing to my list of fulfilling things: reader comments.
But how did this all start? It’s all thanks to Kellogg’s Special K Protein Cereal. If you haven’t had a chance to enter my awesome giveaway, please do! Because while being emotionally fulfilled is one of the greatest feelings in the world, so is feeling fulfilled nutritionally. According to the Special K Protein What Fills You Up Survey, recently conducted by Angus Reid Forum, 1 in 4 women confessed that if their breakfast doesn’t fill them up, they find themselves more tempted by cravings throughout the morning. And, when the urge to snack arises, one third admit lack of willpower causes them to stray from their healthy habits.
Of course, if you take a peek at the handy little infographic on the right, you’ll see that 63% of women say time with family fills them up. Well, looking at the reader comments left for me, I’d say that closer to 90% of y’all feel that way. And you know what? Couldn’t agree more. Some may have closer relationships than others, but for the most part, we feel fulfilled from spending time with those that love us most.
Please, don’t take your family for granted. Love them. Tell them you love them. Be good to each other. Be fulfilled.
Tonight, I’m celebrating all the little moments that fill me up.
What Fills You Up?
The strangest, most unexpected, most satisfying thing happened a few nights ago.
While folding laundry, I heard my little guy holler from the staircase. Since I regularly have visions of the boys tumbling down the steps, I hollered right back, “Get off the stairs! Either up or down, make a decision!”
“But Mommy”, he complained. “I want you to come here.”
Since every battle with a 3-year old has to be carefully considered, I decided to go see what he wanted. I found him on the landing of our staircase, ready for bed in his pajamas. He looked up at me, eyes alive with excitement.
“I want you to take pictures of me,” he said. “I want to model for you.”
At first, I was taken aback. Reid is the worst person to take pictures of – yep, he’s one of those kids who never looks at the camera. So the fact that he willingly asked to be photographed was a surprise in itself. Second, I have no idea where he learned the word “model”. We’ve never mentioned it, and I questioned if he even knew what modelling meant. Still, I decided to play along, and grabbed my iPhone from my dresser.
“Okay,” I allowed. “What should I do?” I asked.
“Just take a picture when I say so,” my wise-beyond-years little guy responded.
And then, he struck a pose.
Our resident Baryshnikov gave me his best Travolta-esque stance. And just like that, he grew years in my eyes; I no longer saw him as my little baby. He became my little boy. And although the lighting was poor, the flash caused owl eyes and he was decked out in his old pajamas, this instantly became one of my favourite photos of Reid ever.
In this moment, I was fulfilled.
What fills you up? Satisfaction goes beyond just eating food; it’s about being fulfilled, feeling energized and, for 63 per cent of Canadian women, spending quality time with family. (Interestingly, men do not place as much emphasis on family, with only 48 per cent saying that time with their loved ones is what fills them up – a 15 per cent difference.)
Kellogg’s Special K Protein Cereal took to the streets and asked, “What fills you up?”
According to the Special K Protein What Fills You Up Survey, recently conducted by Angus Reid Forum, a remarkable 94 per cent of women know that eating protein in the morning will help satisfy their hunger. However, nearly one in three admit their breakfast doesn’t provide them with enough of this essential nutrient. To provide Canadian women with a protein punch, Kellogg’s has introduced NEW Special K Protein Cereal with 10 grams of protein and nine grams of fibre to help satisfy hunger and keep Canadians filled up.
Okay, so a photo of my budding disco king brings me satisfaction. Tell me… what fills you up?
Random Milestones on a Wednesday Morning
Last night, I was tinkering around my website trying to adjust my security settings. (Side note, when was the last time you refreshed your passwords? I do so at the beginning of each quarter – it’s a good habit to get into!)
Anyhoo, I came across an admin setting which showed that I had published 2,499 posts. Hence, this post… the one you are reading at this very moment… is my 2,500th post. Woo hoo! And since my 5-year blogiversary is just around the corner, my elementary school math skills tell me that I publish just over 500 blog posts per year. Crazy, right? That’s a LOT of words on paper. Er, on screen.
So I began thinking that this post should have some significance; I should write something heartfelt and poignant in an effort to immortalize this milestone. But when it came down to it, the only thing I wanted to write about is how proud I am of this little guy.
My Ryder, who grabbed his lunchbag off the kitchen counter and fearlessly jumped in the car. My Ryder, who when we reached his school, waved goodbye without a backward glance and followed his teacher inside. And when school was over, my Ryder greeted me with a smile, running down everything he had accomplished that day. He was happy.
This is the same little boy who cried hysterically on the first day of school last year. This is the same little boy who has crippling social anxiety. This is the same little boy who is growing up.
And… this is the same little boy whose grandma had to let out the hemline on his pants by two inches. Two inches of growth since the same time last year. Two inches of growth, measured in maturity, emotional development, an evolving personality, and a morph into boyhood.
My 2,500th post is dedicated to Ryder, who inspired the creation of this blog in the first place. Because if he hand’t been such a great napper when he was six months old, I’d never have had the opportunity to begin putting thoughts on screen.
That’s all. Random milestones on a Wednesday morning. And now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
At the Table: Easter Traditions
Growing up, our strict Catholic family celebrated Easter as all good Christians should – with church and chocolate.
(In that order, of course.)
However, when it came to the celebratory meal, there was no “Easter Feast” per se; we just ate what we normally ate, but on a slightly grander scale. Hence, sometimes my mom would make one of our favourite dishes, or she’d put out a larger spread of the regular foods we ate. But as traditions go, it was as simple as 1) go to church, and 2) eat lots of chocolate.
So when I married into an Austrian family, I was quite intrigued by their traditional Easter meal – a tradition that my husband has assured me has been carried on for as long as he can remember. It goes something like this:
Hard-boiled Easter eggs are carefully dyed and presented to the guests. This is the first food that makes it to your plate; traditionally, you’re supposed to crack the egg on your head for luck!
…
All the Highlights: Old Navy Family Day Festival
If you missed the Old Navy Family Day Festival in Toronto on February 18th, BOO to you! An amazing time was had by all, and I daresay it was the most fun festival yet!
I was anxiously waiting on pictures from the event to share the experience with y’all, but Bunch Family did one better – they sent this awesome little video. You’ll see that I quickly introduce the event, and then it’s all family fun and games from there on in (and, of course, a little bit of shopping! The deals were crazy that day).
My two little munchkins make an appearance at 0:24 (Ryder) and 1:17 (Reid). And after watching this video, I FULLY expect that my readers in the GTA will put the Old Navy Family Festival in their calendars for 2014! Too much fun!
Come One, Come All: Old Navy Family Day!
If you live in the Greater Toronto Area and are currently scratching your head over your options for Family Day – boy, do I have a solution for you.
Come join me – I’ll be hosting Old Navy’s Family Day Festival: a FREE wild and crazy party for families to celebrate Family Day from 1-4 pm!
This is the second year for the Family Day event, and if it’s anything like last year’s party, you will not be disappointed. Come on down to the Old Navy Etobicoke location – just minutes from downtown Toronto, the store is across from Sherway Gardens and offers free parking. Once inside the party, the whole family will enjoy:
3 Craft Stations
Cookie and Juice Bar
Twister-style Dance Floor where kids can show off their dance moves!
One-on-one wardrobe consultation with a stylist
A gift with purchase while supplies last
Plus – a coupon for $10 off when you spend $50 or more! So, if you haven’t yet stocked up on some Kidtacular clothes during the Kids & Baby Sale, here’s a perfect time to SAVE EVEN MORE.
Hmm… great shopping for you, tons of activities for the kids, a gift with purchase and further discount… all in a family friendly, incredibly fun environment? Yes please!
If you do join us, be sure to come find me and say hello. I’d love to meet you! I’ll be the gal walking around and chatting with everyone… while putting clothes aside for the boys, and trying on some of Old Navy’s fabulous new lightweight patterned shirts. Hey, it IS a shopping event!…
Ryder, The Four-Year-Old Face Bomber
If there’s one thing I sorely need in 2013, it’s a camera with a faster shutter speed. Because really, it only takes 1/8 of a second for Ryder to face bomb our pictures, and apparently I’m not taking pictures fast enough.
Case in point: pictures from our recent family vacation to Walt Disney World. Sifting through the lot, I shuddered at the sheer amount of photos Ryder managed to face bomb. I swear it’s a skill; I’ll say, “Smile!” and I’m expecting to see something like this –
But then, the moment my finger hovers over the trigger for a second shot, THIS happens –
For lack of imagination, we call it “Ryder’s Ugly Face”. And boy oh boy, does he pull out that ugly face often. As soon as the picture is taken and I see the final result on the camera’s LED screen, I normally shriek and threaten Ryder within an inch of his life to stop ruining the family photos. He’s repentant for about 45 seconds… allowing me to snap an album-worthy shot or two. And then… BOOM! He drops another face bomb. For the love of God….
Be Merry! Be Bright!
It’s just about time for me to unplug for the holidays, but I couldn’t leave without posting a little message to my friends online. This Christmas, may the holidays refresh your spirit and bring you new inspiration, and may the splendor of the season fill your heart with peace. Wishing you the joy of family, the happiness of friends, and the love of Christmas!
Today, I’m unofficially setting up an “Out of Office Alert”. Over the next several days I’ll be enjoying food, family and the festivities of the season – and hope you’ll be doing the same! I’ll be back later this week with some shop talk :)
Merry Christmas All!
