April and Angus Adventures

RIP Randy Pausch

2008-07-25T08:38:00.002-04:00

If you haven't watched Randy Pausch's "Last Lecture" it is worthwhile watching. Its beautiful.

RIP.

Tonight on the menu

2008-07-25T07:31:00.001-04:00

If this humidity doesn't drop we'll be having popcicles for supper. To heck with the diet and feeding my child something nutritious, we'll only have sweet, delicious popcicles. She'll think Mummy lost her mind......

I found it!

2008-07-25T06:36:00.003-04:00

It has been two months since I've been able to use my own camera, without the battery charger it was useless. The battery it has is wonderful, last hours and hours, but is useless without the charger. TWO months. My camera is like an extra appendage to me. It goes everywhere, it takes shots of everything and to have been without it makes my heart break a little every time (and there've been lots of times) I see a beautiful shot. It has taught me to just enjoy the moment, but still saddens me I can't capture it forever. And I've made some delicious cookies and desserts lately that were worthy of a shot.

Well, I call my best friend Amie last week and her fiance answers. He found the cord. In his box of cords. We must have left it there the weekend after we got married. The weekend after that we tore up the old floors from the house and everything was everywhere. That's when I thought I lost it. But I've searched every nook and cranny in vain. Thank you M & A, as of Wednesday I'll have my cord back. Just in time to take photos of my new niece Ava!

I'm happy now. I'm relieved. I'm excited. And you'll have some amazing new pics flooding this place soon.

Have a great day,

April

PS- Day two of raw green veggie and protein diet has started well. Its only 24 more hours. I'm glad I've made it.

Today On the menu

2008-07-24T07:13:00.002-04:00

Breakfast - 2 eggs. green pepper slices. Juice. Black coffee.

Snack - 3 oz grilled sliced chicken. Broccoli. Juice.

lunch - Broccoli. Chicken. Spinach.

Snack - Cucumber slices topped with tuna. Juice.

Supper - Grilled haddock. Green peppers. Broccoli. Juice.

Snack - something green.

Sounds like a rather green day to me.

Two days and I'm back to the regular eating plan. This wont be so bad. Right?

A

Back on track

2008-07-23T14:36:00.004-04:00

Its time for me to focus again on my health. On making the right food choices. To get more exercise. I want the energy boost, the strength and the happiness I feel inside when the weight starts to drop off.

I re-joined LA Weight Loss today. I am a huge fan, and it worked well for me last year, but I fell back into my old eating habits after the wedding and am starting to gain some weight back. I was on my way to get groceries today and took the leap. I pulled into LAWL and sat outside for ten minutes pondering. Finally after a call to my mum, I decided I AM DOING THIS. And I did.

We've already started making better food choices. Its easy this time of year with all the fresh local food. We go to the Farmers Market in Halifax, we have a farm market just five minutes from us. Now to keep following through with the decision.

Tomorrow will be the hardest two days. Nothing to eat but fresh, raw, green veggies, protein (I've got boneless skinless chicken breasts and haddock for tomorrow, chicken, tuna and scallops for the next day) and from then on the plan is really simple, easy to follow and stick to. I just have to commit.

Anyhow, I AM commited. I've got six weeks til summer is over and I'm going to make the most of it!

Hope you are having a great day.

April

faints

2008-07-22T08:36:00.004-04:00

Heater Bailey's online shop is officially opening August 14th, 2008.

You can pre-order now and save 10%!!!

I'm so head-over-heels for her new Pop-Garden Fabric collection and the ability to order directly from her site has me so excited. You can buy her Freshcut fabrics there as well. And scrapbook and paper embellishments. And patterns for aprons, toys, pin cushions and more.

I am in love. I am excited. I am thinking about my soon to be tired fingers that have to get in gear for Christmas.

Thank you Heather for getting this out in time for the holidays. I'm sure she did it just for me. I'm quite certain I'm her biggest fan. Ok, maybe biggest fan in Nova Scotia. But I'm pretty stoked.

This is also a big help for the Shop revamp due reopen September 2008. Aprons, salad tongs, hand towels, dish cloths, everything you need to fill your trendy kitchen :)

Its a GIRL!

2008-07-22T06:54:00.004-04:00

Good Morning!

I'd like to introduce myself. As AUNT APRIL!!!!! One of our best friends in the world and his fiance had a baby yesterday morning and since they are both biological-sibling free, they've asked us to be baby Ava's aunt and uncle. Of course! Considering he has been "Uncle Godfrey" since Amber was born, and we love them as though they were truely our family, of course I'll love her as though she were my niece. In fact, as of this very moment, she will never be known as anything less.

Born nearly a month early, 6lbs 7oz with a head full of hair, healthy and happy. I cannot wait to hold her. I was talking to her proud parents on the phone. You could hear their voices filled with love, fear, happiness, exhaustion and pride.

Sadly I've got to wait nearly a week to meet her. We'd already planned our vacation up that way for next week. AH! How will I make it!

Hope you all have a great day!

April

PS-- Ava, if you ever read this, I already love you more than you can imagine!

Kiva - lend money, fight poverty

2008-07-20T21:32:00.005-04:00

Kiva - LOANS THAT CHANGE LIVES!

"Connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty"

I just found this site and what an incredible concept. You donate a sum of money, $25, $50 to an entrepreneur in need, get them on their feet, help build independence and an income. They then pay you back when they can, and you donate again to someone new. What an idea!

Here's what Kiva has to say:

Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

The people you see on Kiva's site are real individuals in need of funding - not marketing material. When you browse entrepreneurs' profiles on the site, choose someone to lend to, and then make a loan, you are helping a real person make great strides towards economic independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else in need.

To Read More: About Kiva

My family buys clothing, toys, sheep, chicken, medical supplies and more at Christmas in leu of gifts for one another. Its a great idea, I'm going to research more into this one and think about it!

Hope you had a great weekend, and enjoy the week ahead.

♥

April

Hanging Vases

2008-07-20T18:47:00.003-04:00

I found this simple tutorial for making hanging votive holders. How pretty would they be at night if you put a candle in them?! I'd bought little coloured glass globes for putting tealights in, but I think these would be not only cheaper, but much prettier!

Hanging Vases

Show off your garden posies in these charming hanging vases.

Tools + Materials

• several 4-inch-tall mini cloches or glass votives (found at crafts or home stores) for vases

• 2 feet of 3/8-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon for each cloche or votive

• hot-glue gun

• freshly cut flowers

1. Turn a vase upside down on a work surface. Fold a 2-foot-length of ribbon in half to find the midpoint. Using the hot-glue gun, attach the midpoint of the ribbon to the center bottom of the vase. Glue the ribbon to the sides of the vase and let it dry.

2. Repeat with the remaining vases.

3. If additional embellishment is desired, hot glue any excess ribbon around the lips of the glass containers, smoothing out the ribbon so it lies flat. Let dry.

4. Fill each vase 1/3 full of water. Add cut blooms to the vases. We used white peonies and lady’s mantle. Then tie the ribbons along tree branches for a dazzling, romantic display.

TipsTry this! Tie the ribbon shorter on some vases, to vary the ribbon length depending on how low you want the bouquet to hang.

BHG

Lemon Sugar Cookies

2008-07-19T16:59:00.005-04:00

Something possessed me to turn the oven on today in the hot, humid, midafternoon heat.

But it was worth it!

Lemony Sugar Cookies

Preheat oven to 400°F

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about juice from half of one lemon)
2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon of salt

Extra sugar

Mix butter, sugar, egg, zest and lemon juice until smooth, light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda until blended. Slowly add this flour mixture to the butter mixture while stirring.

Roll into 1" balls and flatten with cup dipped in sugar. Bake 8-9 minutes until lightly golden brown.

ENJOY!

I am DOING this ASAP!

2008-07-18T08:10:00.004-04:00

I'm dancing with excitement (between shivers and coughs) at the idea for revamping a garden shed that Charmaine from HighDessertDiva that she posted on her blog this morning.

What a great idea! We have 1 small shed, 1 medium shed, 1 large shed and a woodshop. I am absolutely certain that with a little bit of thinking, a lot of hard work and a free yardsale or two we could clear enough of our junk to do this. The "tractor" shed that we keep the rideon lawn mower would make a perfect garden retreat. My heart is in an absolute flutter (cold meds or excitement?) over this one! The shed even has those doors.... minus the windows, but that would be easy enough.... right?!

I cannot wait to show this to my husband tonight!

THANKS CHARMAINE!!!

April

More fun suprises

2008-07-17T21:22:00.005-04:00

I can't get pink off my mind these days. Its really not like me to be loving pink this much. Bright blue, lime green, chocolate and aqua have always been my faves. But suddenly I get the urge to paint Amber's "delicious-pink" walls a new pink.

And there are so many cute things out there right now and I just can't get my mind out of that Christmas in July shopping spree.... maybe its this deadly summer cold I've aquired, maybe its the pretty blue & yellow pills I'm using to defeat it. Maybe I've got babies on the brain (if you looked at my favorites and all of the pink baby items you'd think I was pregnant... I'm NOT Mom if you are reading this!), I don't know but I've found the most gorgeous items in the past couple days of moping on the couch :)

I love this little bird mobile from EmilieFriday it would just look so pretty in Amber's room.

And then there is this cute little fawn from FantasticToys. How special is that?!

I promise not to become that blog with nothing more than cute toys... but can I just have this week? :)

Have a great day!

April

Love of my life

2008-07-17T11:41:00.001-04:00

Love of my life, originally uploaded by aprildawnc.

"I have learned not to worry about love, but to honour its coming with all my heart" - Alice Walker

Christmas in July

2008-07-15T09:40:00.004-04:00

I can't help it, its my nature, July is the month when I start scoping out ideas for Christmas gifts. This year will not be any different, except that now my husband is in on the action too. It really helps the budget come December when we don't need to be spending money on gifts (oh no, only on massive grocery bills).

Well I've found a few things that I have to get for Amber. She's such a girly girl and loves her "princess house" a doll house we got her last year.

Aren't these sweet? The are from Lollipopworkshop and I'm in love!

TWO HUNDRED

2008-07-14T17:50:00.001-04:00

pretty & fun, originally uploaded by aprildawnc.

Two hundred. 200. Two-frigging-hundred posts!

Can you believe it? I'm not sure how I found that much to say or how you all landed here to read, but I sure am happy that you did and excited to be reaching this milestone.

We've had recipes galore, weddings, crafts, photos, sales, grumpy days, joyful days, heart breaking moments and unbelievable times. And I'm glad you took the time to listen.

So CHEERS! Here's to 200 posts, and 200 more, great blogging friends and thanks for stopping by!

♥
April

Mmmm Peaches

2008-07-14T11:02:00.004-04:00

Peach cobbler, sliced on yogurt, sliced on ice cream, juice dripping down my chin, in my favorite tropical smoothie... just a few of the ways I love to enjoy fresh Ontario Peaches this time of year.

But now, thanks to Martha and her amazing cooking team, I'll be enjoying them in cookies!

Fresh Peach Drop Cookies

Makes about 4 dozen
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large ripe peaches, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1 3/4 cups)
1/3 cup peach jam or preserves
2 tablespoons fine sanding sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375.

Whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda.
Beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Add peaches and jam, and beat until just combined.

Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, drop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment, spacing about 2 inches apart. (If not baking all of the cookies at once, refrigerate dough between batches; dough can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.)

Combine sanding sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle each cookie with 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until golden brown and just set, 11 to 13 minutes.

Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, and then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Outdoor Living.... in style

2008-07-12T19:10:00.002-04:00

We are huge fans of the outdoors. In fact our patio becomes our living room this time of year. We've got a gorgeous patio set, plants, hanging baskets, the bbq. Just down the stairs between two massive pines we have our hammock. I felt life was complete until I saw this photo on DominoMag. Now I know I need a daybed as well!

Company is coming!

2008-07-11T20:24:00.004-04:00

Busy day tomorrow. We're going to the Halifax farmers market bright and early tomorrow morning. I'm on a hunt to find a journal, some scallops, and lots of fresh fruit and veggies. Then I have to finish a project I'm working on for work.

A friend of Angus' is coming over in the afternoon to go golfing at Witch's Ridge golf course here in Uniacke. Its funny, we've lived here for four years. The golf course is across the road from our house and we never really went golfing much until this year. Well, now I'm either going to become a golf widow or join him. I'm thinking its time I learn to golf! Anyhow, the boys are going golfing and then coming back for supper. I made torte for dessert, and I'll serve it with fresh berries, whip cream and a shave of chocolate. I'm thinking steak or chicken for supper, I'd prefer chicken, I'm sure they'd prefer steak. But I found this recipe for a salad on SmittenKitchen today and I think it has to be made.

Chopped Vegetable, Watermelon Salad

Makes 4 servings
1 pound Campari or plum tomatoes, diced, drained

1 1/2 cups diced seeded watermelon

1 large green bell pepper, seeded, cut into 1/3-inch cubes

1/2 large English hothouse cucumber, seeded, cut into 1/3-inch cubes

1/2 cup very thinly sliced radishes

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

10 ounces feta cheese, broken into small cubes (about 2 1/2 cups), divided

2 green onions, chopped, divided

1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh mint leaves, divided

1/2 cup plain Greek-style yogurt

1 teaspoon dried oregano
Toss first 5 ingredients and 2 tablespoons oil in large bowl. Add half each of cheese, green onions, and mint. Mix remaining cheese, green onions, mint, and oil in processor; add yogurt and oregano. Process just to blend (do not over-mix or dressing will get thin). Season dressing with salt and pepper; mix into salad.

One more "oh isn't this cute" purchase!

2008-07-11T20:19:00.004-04:00

I had this little onesie custom made for the C&D's baby coming next month. Of course I had to get her a little dress, but her daddy also happens to be an amazing drummer (he and Angus used to be in a band together) and of course she needed to represent.

Isn't that sweet?? I asked Shelly from Atisketatasket to make it around 10am. She had it designed and finished for me by mid afternoon. I'm impressed! She was great to work with, has awesome ideas and I love the finish product. I'm sure the baby will love it too :)

THANKS SHELLY!

♥
A

Isn't this adorable?

2008-07-11T06:45:00.003-04:00

This gorgeous dress came in the mail this week from BabyElleBoutique. Isn't it sweet! I was her first sale, but I have to say this dress is so well made, so pretty in person and though I bought it for a friend who has a baby on the way, I'm considering pregnancy just so we can keep it. *KIDDING* Check her out though, great quality, super fast shipping and very good customer service.

busy, busy, busy

2008-07-10T06:48:00.002-04:00

Well I'm back. The party went off without a hitch. I promise I'll post pics as soon as I find my camera cord....

The turnout was great, the food was fabulous, the decor was beachy and romantic, the company brought great laughs and a few stories. The evening was even better, sitting under the twinkling lights, watching the fire, drinking wine, reminiscing with friends, drinking wine.....

It was everything we'd hoped for and so much better than we imagined it would be. Thanks for all your ideas and tips!

On another note, Canada has been exceptionally warm this past few weeks, nearly 40 degrees C with the humidex. I love it, I really do, we have so few days in our year this warm, and I have access to a pool. But I got it in my head I should..... BAKE.....

While I think I had a temporary lapse in sanity, maybe the heat got to my brain, the Almond Torte I made turned out Fabulously. (Thanks K!)

My husband thinks I'm cracked, my daughter thinks I'm awesome, and my belly is begging for more.

ALMOND TORTE
Combine:1.5 cups sugar
3/4 cups melted butter
Add:2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp salt
Mix in:1.5 cups flour
Pam two medium pie plates, divide the mixture between the plates. (You can do a big honkin' one too, but I fine it cooks better when you do two).Bake at 350 for 22 minutes. Your oven might need a bit more time, but don't over cook it!

I just baked it and gave the family a piece as is, but wouldn't it be delicious with fresh sliced strawberries? Maybe as a base to a lemon torte... oh the possibilities.

Another side note, my health has been acting a bit funny again lately, so I've been taking some extra time to rest and be with my family as opposed to working, answering emails and being on etsy as much as I felt necessary. I've closed my etsy shop I expect til the fall. I'll be back in time for Christmas. I don't imagine I'll give up the blog, but the stressfulness of running the shop I'm plenty ready for a vacation. The benefits and stress wasn't outweighing the negative side.

Anyhow, I miss you all!

A

Where have you been?

2008-07-10T06:46:00.002-04:00

Dear Blog,

I miss you. Its been a while. I've been thinking about you longingly and intentionally pushing you aside. Please forgive me. Its not so personal as you might think. There were bigger fish. Not better fish. Just bigger and more time consuming.

Please forgive me, I promise to love you a little more often next week.

April

Happy Canada Day!

2008-07-01T15:08:00.002-04:00

Light it up!

2008-06-24T12:29:00.002-04:00

I love lamps! I own far too many lamps. But now that I've found these on UrbanOutfitters I think I could give them all up for a few news ones (don't worry Angus, I wont go on a shopping spree)

Monday's Menu

2008-06-23T17:05:00.005-04:00

Tonight for supper, we're having pan fried haddock, sauteed cremini mushrooms & snap peas and cornbread. Oh my house smells so good.

Miss Amber and I may have sampled the cornbread already and its delicious!

Muffins
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, cooled slightly

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 12 regular (1/3-cup) muffin cups. Sift cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into medium bowl. Whisk buttermilk and egg in another medium bowl; whisk in melted butter. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients; stir just until incorporated (do not overmix). Divide batter equally among prepared muffin cups***. Bake muffins until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 15 minutes (muffins will be pale). Cool on rack 10 minutes.

***I put it in a small cake pan, it took 17 minutes and was perfect!

***I also lowered the sugar to about 1/8th of a cup and it was still delicious!