Granola Girl

Lots of Rhubarb

We have lots? Want some?

I have been busy this week cooking with Rhubarb from our garden.  For Father's Day, I made a wonderful Rhubarb-Strawberry Crisp from the Moosewood Cookbook and a few days ago, I made a bunch of Rhubarb-Strawberry Jam.  Check out the recipe I used here.  We can't wait until next year, when we actually will have a vegetable garden up and going.  We are replacing our raised beds this summer to get them ready for planting next year.

June I Tunes Playlist

Here is what I have been listening to:

1) No More by Julie Doiron
2) There is A Lght By Great Lake Swimmers (Love, Love this song!)
3) You Remind Me of Something (The Glory Goes) By Bonnie Prince Billy
4) Asking For Flowers By Kathleen Edwards
5) Civil Twilight By The Weakerthans
6) Bleeding All Over You By Martha Wainwright
7) Red Heart by Hey Rosetta
8) Fasionable People By Joel Plaskett
9) If I Live or If I Die By Cuff The Duke
10) Day 4 By Christa Couture
11) Pretty Face By Oh Susanna
12) More Than Alive By Hayden
13) Human Touch by The Be Good Tanyas
14) Blue Morning Kate Maki
15) You Really Got A Hold On Me By She and Him
16) Will It Grow By Jakob Dillon
17) And You Give By Matthew Barber

A Very Happy Father's Day!

We had a wonderful day spent together hanging out, eating yummy food, and finishing it all off with a walk out our back door.  We have found the most amazing little walk that takes us through the woods and into a beautiful grassy meadow.  As we walk through the meadow we are always greeted by a few horses.  Ian loves watching the horses!  We pass through the meadow, cross the train tracks, and end up at the Athabasca River with the Rocky Mountains in the backdrop.  It is absolutely stunning!  After we visit the river, we like to sit on a little hill in the meadow and watch the trains come by.  Ian loves train watching.

Here was our view:

Playing in the meadow

 

Watching the horses

Watching the trains

   

We had one tired little boy after our adventure. He fell asleep in his daddy's arms.

Isn't he Lovely!

Isn't He Sweet!

Picture Published

Last summer on our trip to Newfoundland, I took this picture of Jeff and the little one hiking on Berry Hill in Gros Morne National Park.  I got a call a couple of days ago from my Nan letting me know it was published in the Downhome Magazine, A Newfoundland magazine that I had sent the picture too.  We were elated. We will get to see a copy when my grandparents come to visit in a few weeks.

Happy Birthday Mama!

Today is my mom's birthday and because I can't be with her today, I wanted to let her know how much I love her.

 
My mom and I have always had a special bond.  You could say that I have been attached to her hip since birth.  She has always been there for me through good and bad and is my rock and my safe place.  We are very close and I am so grateful for that.  My mom is my best friend.
Anyone that knows my mom knows what a great person she is.  She is kind and generous and loves to be surrounded my family and friends.  She has a silly side and can't wait to torment us girls when she comes to visit!  She loves kids and is amazing with them.  Just ask her about all of my friends that she has adopted over the years.  She also has a strong following of nieces and nephews that love her to pieces.  Most importantly though, she is a wonderful Nanny to Ian.

If you asked my mom, she will tell you that she had a hand in bringing Ian into the world. She adores her grandson and spoils him rotten with love. Ian is so relaxed and comfortable with my mom.  I like to think that he senses our alikeness in parenting.  I have learned so much from her on how to parent with compassion and I am forever grateful for that.  Thanks mom!

I hope you have a wonderful birthday mom.  I wish that I could be there with you. We will have to get together when you come to visit and go on a shopping date. My thoughts are with you today.

All My love,

Rochelle

It's a beautiful sunny day today.  Ian and I got up early this morning and went for a run.  It feels so good to get out exercising again.  We have been going for daily walks but I wanted to take it up a notch.  It seemed like a good time to try my running program again.  Our Urban Mountain Buggy has been getting good use out here.  We have taken it on the trails and it lives up to its name and reputation.  The only thing that I don't like about it is it it too big and bulky but other than that it has served us well.

We are still unpacking.  It is slow going but my goal is to be fully unpacked by the time my grandparents come to visit from Newfoundland.  That thought should get us motivated to get going.

I wanted to share a picture of the view from our house.  The scenery out here is magnificent.  I can't wait to do some hiking!

Pancakes and Squirrels

It has been an exciting day for the little one.  First of all he got to eat homemade Blueberry Pancakes with Maple Syrup shaped as hearts.  Made with lots of love for my special boy.  It is amazing how you just need to add a bit of creativity to your meal prep to get the little one to eat all of his breakfast.   The recipe for the pancakes came from the Canadian Living Cookbook, a great resource to have on hand.


              
After breakfast, a little squirrel came to visit us. He sure put on a show for us.

Ian was one happy boy.

Harry on the other hand was on alert chasing about 5 squirrels from tree to tree.  I had to make him come inside as we don't want to scare our new friends away.

Letter to Ian: Seventeen Months

Dear Ian,
I know I say this every month but I can't believe how fast you have grown and that you are almost a year and a half.  It feels like you only turned one yesterday. It may feel like time flew by, but you have definitely accomplished a huge amount of things and have gone through a lot of changes.


First of all, we moved to a new community.  You did amazing and seem to be adjusting well.  I was so afraid that the move would be stressful on you, but you remained so resilient. You stayed strong while they packed up our house and in good spirits.  If you miss your new home, you show know signs of it.  You seem to be in love with your new one. You love playing outside and exploring your surroundings.  We can hardly get you inside without you throwing a tantrum.  We love watching you in your new environment and hope you will be happy here.  Roam free little one!



You are turning into one independent little boy Ian.  You want to do everything yourself.  From climbing up and down stairs  to walking without holding our hands.  You don't want any help, you just want to try new things all by yourself.  We are noticing that you also have a stubborn streak like your mommy and daddy.  You won't let us brush your teeth anymore. It is always a struggle. Ass of last week, you refuse to have your diaper changed.  You kick and scream and wiggle.  You cry so hard, but we have to change you.  I wish you did'nt have to put up a struggle.  It would make both of our lives so much easier.


A favorite past time of yours is mimicking your parents.  When we laugh, you laugh.  If I am cleaning the counters, you want your own cloth to wipe the floors.  You love sweeping the floor, helping mama cook, and using daddy's screw driver.  You even make a mess with your cheerios just so that you can sweep them up!  It is so great to see you wanting to help.  I hope this enthusiasm stays around when you are fourteen!



We put together your kitchen set for you a few days ago and you love it.  You love to cook pizza in the oven, boil carrots, and flip eggs in your pan.  It is so cute to see you play.  You are growing up in front of our eyes.


You have become more verbal these days.  Your favorite words are still "done" and "gone" but you have added a few more words to your vocabulary.  Your new words are "moon", "chee" (tree), and bye bye.  You also bah like a sheep now.  All animals either say "bah","woof woof", or "grrr'.  And all birds say "ah ah" (crow sound).


We love you so much Ian.  You are a delightful child and never fail to put a smile on our faces.  Except maybe when you won't go to sleep at night you little night owl!  Until next month.

Love,
Mama

The Most Perfect Lazy Sunday

-A little unpacking, and yard work.

-Listening to the CBC and reading Late Nights On The Air by Elizabeth Hay

-Cuddleing up with a cozy blanket and a warm cup of tea.

-Cooking Lasagna for supper with Jeff

-Watching the little one playing intently with his new wooden Kitchen/stove.

-Listening to the rain falling on the tin roof.