GRASSLAND DUCKS

I have come up with another excuse to procrastinate on the quilt. I hope that when the time comes, you don't give me any sympathy for having to do so much in so little time. However, I was sizing up the fabric and I do really feel I need something my nephew will like in there. Dad mentioned before how much he loves the movie Cars, so I think I'm going to investigate getting a piece of fabric with Lightening McQueen on it. I just want to give him a reason to love the blanket.

Ok, hunting story.

We drove past a small lake. We saw ducks. Hopping out to get a better view, through binoculars we identify 5 on the other side of the water. Sweeeeeeeet. It was far to walk, we hopped in the truck and carried on down the road to see if we could get any closer.

We did. After gearing up, we began making our way through the woods but got stuck in alder mess. Not getting anywhere. My hunny suggested we go back to where we first spotted them, as the brush and woods weren't so thick there.

Once we got back to the original sighting ground, we double checked and the ducks were still there. It was a sign that they were meant to be ours! hehe. Raining, but warm enough that it didn't seem important, we set out. Hiking our way around the hourglass shaped water. Things were mucky and wet. Alot of bog. But we weren't going this far and turning around.

Overall it looked like an ad for Cabelas. Lake, edged with thick, tall grassland and then bordered by mature forest. Watching my hunny pick his way through waist high grass in his thick woodland flannel, hat and Remington in hand. He might've come to shoot ducks, but I was there to shoot photos and the image before my eyes couldn't have been more iconic.

I pulled out the little canon. Pressed the power button and heard it. The three beep alert of death. *beep* *beep* *beep* - lens error reset camera- followed by a not so pretty *crunch* noise. I almost panicked. I couldn't believe this was happening. I frantically tried to reset, pulled the batteries, powered up and I heard *beep* *beep* *beep* *crunch*. After more frenzied attempts  to get the camera to work, with soaking wet feet and my hunny taking aim in front of me I had to face the harsh, cruel reality. I wasn't going to get this on camera. None of it. I was so disheartened watching my hunny in the most picture perfect, ideal setting I could have imagined. After sacrificing the dry comfort of the truck to get soaked, cold and wet, picking through the woods for an hour - I was being presented with the opportunity any photographer would dream of... and the camera died.

This is what I managed to save of the moment for you. I must say, it almost ruined my entire day.

I don't know if anyone else is feeling this way, but I'm sad to say goodbye to Michaelle Jean as Canada's Governor General. She was beautiful, and not just in her cute outfits. For the first time in my life, I found that I actually cared about the role of this office. Previously, I always though this was a stuffy position for some old guy that had nothing to do with me. She changed that. Michaelle Jean showed all Canadians how the Governor General could be. How great. I'm really disappointed to see her go, am annoyed that our douche of a prime minister, Harper, didn't renew her term, am glad that she's taking up a position with the UN now, and think that the fellow beginning tomorrow has impossibly large shoes to fill.

Source of Photo: http://news.therecord.com/article/490572

Time for me to go get ready for work. Hope you all have a fantastic day!

Xoxo.

Leslie.

WET ANIMALS

Hey hey everyone!

Hope your week is going well. I had yesterday off, and managed to get alot of the things on my list checked off.

On our way to auntie's, the animals and I stopped for a little hike.

It just so happens that it was straight uphill, and then back down again.

The animals were so well behaved. Honestly, they did really well - it made for a happy puppy mama.

Have I ever mentioned Remy's tendency to be a bit of a little hooligan sometimes? hehe, good thing I love her to pieces. She came to me everytime I called her. Wizard!

It was a grey, unhappy looking sort of day, and the forecast was calling for a heavy rain warning. Our goal was to get in the exercise before the wet started falling. We succeeded. In case you were wondering, we were parked down close to the water. Did I mention it was uphill? Go calves go.

After errand running, my hunny and I had the chance to go into the woods. It was raining at this point, but not cold, so we loaded up the truck and off we went! I just have to show you the funniest picture. Remy's head may be cut off, but this is the perfect photo to show you how goofy she can be sometimes.

and I can just picture Bear thinking "Mom, she's crazy...." HAHA

Remy is loving her new seat belt, and we are too. It was nice for her to have the window down and breathe in the wet, rainy air without us having to worry about her leaning out too far or even worse yet - jumping.

I'm not going to tell you yet what happened in the woods. It's a good story, and I'm going to save it for tomorrow.

No I haven't started the quilt yet (*sigh*), but I did pick up the brown broadcloth! One step closer... one less excuse to keep procrastination...lol

Have a great day!

xoxo

Leslie.

DARKNESS

Have any of you ever hemmed a pair of pants? I figure it can't be that complicated. I'm adding it to my list of things to do today because my hunny needs his new work pants fixed up. He rarely asks for anything and this has come up maybe a few too many times. The only reason I haven't actually gone through with it yet is because I'm not sure how and small fears that if I make them too short he's screwed.

I noticed something last night. When I walk Remy in the morning it's pitch dark. After supper, when we take the dogs for a walk it's dark. This is only September. Basically, we have perhaps up to 6 months of this trend before we get to dog walk daily in the light again. Can I hear a big UGH ?!

We also have a rainfall warning, and may receive up to 60mm in the next 24 hours. In fact, the weather is calling for rain as far as they can forecast....into the weekend. Jerks.

Ok, I need to get going. I'm just debating what to do first.... There are the things I want to do and things I have to do, and it looks like I'm starting with a trip to the grocery store and then a jaunt down to see auntie and pickup Lily's birthday present from her.

Keep smiling!
Xoxo
Leslie.

DOVES ROAD

I took a picture for you and somehow forgot about it all together when I did my post last evening.

That was my street saturday morning. Picture taken from standing in our driveway. In fact, we are the last house on our side of the road. There used to be one more house next to us before the street ended, but it burnt down before we arrived and nothing was put back there. So, all those houses on one side, just us on the other.

Hope that everyone has a lovely monday, I'm going to hop in the shower. I'm off work tomorrow but have a ton of things to do. Think you could help me remember them all? Brown broadcloth, return to Urban Attic, Post Office, call whscc, scrub house, visit auntie down in york harbour and pickup Lily's birthday present, wrap it and mail it along with Nikita's gift... what am I forgetting? hehe something...

Xoxo.

Leslie.

FALL HIKE BLISS

How does time go by so quickly?! Does anyone have a trick to make it slow down? Let me know...

We seem to be having camera issues lately too. Both of our cameras are the same make, and have exceeded 5000 pictures taken. Both our cameras seem to be losing their auto focus abilities. A disapointing amount of photos have been turning out blurry lately. It's not going to stop me from taking them, but it's a bit of a downer when I look at the photos after and see they aren't clear.

My hunny and I were off today, and the sun was out! It was a perfect fall day, so even though we had things to do - I just had to get out into the fresh air. Cabin fever! The dogs need walking everyday anyway, so why not take them on a little fall hike. PERFECTION.

We weren't prepared enough for a long hike, and we knew that once we made up our mind, if we went home there was the chance we would get distracted and not get out in time. Plus, we had plans to be at mom and dad's for sunday lunch. So, we just took off with what we had in the car (ourselves and the two animals being the most important).

Remy had so much fun! You should've seen her bouncing in and out of the bushes. Bear was a trooper, I brought my pack in case I needed to carry him out. It was rough going in some parts, and I wasn't sure how his leg would make do. He did great! I wish you could've seen how much fun they had. It really does my heart good.

Don't you wish that you could be there with us?

We stuffed ourselves at lunch, came home and had one dirty nap. I can't remember the last time we curled up on the couch, under a blanket and slept for an hour and a half. Awesome! Once we woke, it was time to get to work. We spent the afternoon stacking wood. In this weather it couldn't have been more perfect. Just the right temperature, the sun was shining and we got the shed cleaned out. All ready for moose, as soon as my hunny hits one. Maybe tomorrow morning, fingers crossed!

I hope you all had a perfect weekend like we did!  

I also just realized that Dad is coming in two weeks! YAY! It occured to me that if I could get some of my Christmas shopping done before he leaves, then I could save quite a bit on Canada Post. He agreed that he would gladly bring things back with him. There are also a few Halifax birthdays between now and then. However, that means I had better get my little butt in gear on Max's quilt. Yikes.... I have almost all the fabric, just need to pickup some brown broadcloth. Tuesday perhaps...

So much to do, so little time! Sounds like my motto lately....

Xoxo.

Leslie.

PHOTO UPDATE

A photo quickie today....

I had the morning off (yay!), which also means I have to work later tonight. It's a fair trade off, gives me a chance to try and take some photos for you. The rain is beating off the patio doors now, but we managed to get a couple shots off before being sent inside.

First off.

Bear is getting his haircut today. Look at this little furball!

He hates when his hair gets this long. It never used to bother him when he was younger, but I suppose that's a privilege that comes with age. Or perhaps with Remy's teasing. Either way, he'll be happy as a lark later on when he's all shaved off and chipper.

I snapped a photo of Remy's fancy new car seat belt harness:

She doesn't seem to mind it at all. Our little girl has outgrown the kennel in the car, and has graduated to the big girl harness. Makes me giggle, like a milestone. Now at least I don't have to worry about her getting into anything, or for that matter jumping out an open window. She can sit, lay and look around without issue. We both think it's the cats meow. But for dogs...

Remy and I also ran and played some fetch this morning. She cried when I took bear into the groomer and came back without him. I think she's not used to being left behind without her big brother. She was in need of a good run anyway. I got you some photos there too!

Ok, now I have to run and finish getting ready for work. Hope that you all have a great day!

Xoxo.

P.s. Today I'm wearing my newly won Mavi Serena's to work. Yes, those are black skinny jeans. My hunny says they look just like leggings, and he never would've guessed they were jeans at all. All the stylish women I work with assure me they are cute as a button. It's a good thing I don't have a full length mirror at home, or else I think I probably would be too chicken to step outside the door. Wish me luck? hehe...

p.p.s. I just noticed that someone from Florence, Italy recently viewed my blog. HOLY CRAP! They must have been lost....

FLOTSUM AND JETSUM

I have this friend, he has a programmable coffee maker. He uses it to make coffee, sure enough, but doesn't bother to program it. Just works it manually each day. Now, this friend wakes up the exact same time every morning, and most likely makes his coffee about the same time too... give or take 10 minutes. Yet, he still doesn't program it.

It makes me wonder, would I be this way? Do all the people out there with programmable coffee makers not bother to program them?

and most importantly, do they make a programmable tea maker?! If I bought a programmable coffee maker, and never put coffee in it - just tea- would it work?

Cause if you try to make tea in a coffee maker that has been previously used, your tea tastes like coffee and is gross.

There has to be something to this. Right now, I'm not-so-patiently waiting for my tea to cool. My issue here is I don't tend to remember my tea until I realize I want to drink one. Then, once I make it I have to wait too long for it to cool off enough for me. So if I could have it programmed to make the tea ahead of time, then by the time I want it - it's already drinkable! Sounds brilliant.

oh, and I need it to cost about $29.99. I'm sure anything is available for $300....haha

We live in a wasteful society. I'm guilty. I'm not pointing any fingers, although I can recognise it in myself. We went to the grocery store last night, and I needed a cucumber. They were buy 1, get 2 free. Who needs 3 English cucumbers? Honestly.... I took them - because they were free. I offloaded one on my hunny's parents, and I'm going to try to eat the other two myself before they go bad. I felt it was a bit ridiculous. I would've been MUCH happier if they just took 60% off the price of one cucumber. I hope I can get them both eaten in time...

Ever have an explanation for something just suddenly hit you? Wondering what I'm talking about? I was Remy walking this morning and I suddenly realized the cause behind my lack of photo-blogging. When I get up and on the go in the am now, it's dark out. When I get home from work, eat supper and then leave the house, it's dark out. This will be continuing for about 6 more months...

Not very photo-taking friendly.

I know, I know. I could take indoor pictures, however that's never been much of my thing. Montreal is amazing at turning the everyday regular interior shots into extraordinary images of photo art. My inside pictures are often lacking. I'm inspired by nature, what can I say? So now life all makes sense again.... it's not my fault, the lack of light is to blame. I will try to work around that for you. Here is a random photo just so I feel less guilty ...

Have a great day everyone! Hunny, thanks for leaving that photo for me to find.... hehe

Xoxo

SOUP FOR YOU

My friend in Alberta had snow last night.

Seriously.

I'm jealous. Hehe.

Just watching the track of Hurricane Igor on the news, to see how it will effect us here in Newfoundland. It looks like right now the Avalon, and east coast, are going to get it moreso than us. Up to 110mm of rain in St. John's tomorrow, imagine if that were snow!

My hunny snapped a picture of me last week. I got my hair done (before falling ill), and seeing as how it never looks like this - I thought we'd better find a way to share. I don't like getting my picture taken...

At Harbour Grounds yesterday, I tried to discretely snap a photo of my lunch while waiting for Peggy to join me. It turned out well for a quick blackberry picture, and I wanted to share the cuteness with you...

Doesn't that look cozy? Wouldn't you want to join us?

My sleeping dogs make me want to curl up and cuddle with them. But alas, I must go jump in the shower.

Have a great day!

xoxo

p.s. Don't you absolutely LOVE this new song on my blog? The one playing right now. If you can't hear it go turn on your speakers because it's marvelous!

"When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change, because you're amazing just the way you are. And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for awhile, cause girl you're amazing just the way you are."

Listen and Love it!

Cause you're amazing, just the way you are!

I'M BACK!

I'm finally feeling better.

Have you wondered where I've been? Had I disappeared or forgotten all about you? Hardly...

I've just been very under the weather. When one is sick, what energy one has seemed to be reserved for the top of the priority list. This for me includes work, dogs, and my hunny. Just barely. So.... sorry I've been absent. But now I'm back!

As a result, no I still haven't gotten to that darn fabric store. You may remember, friday morning was my opportunity... however I really was not very functional. I managed to make it as far as taking the dogs out and going to the store to pickup some bottled water (we are still under a boil order)... then I got to work.

I'm watching a movie with mom now, while the men are up getting their hunting gear together. She loves her movies, and boy do they make her laugh. I'm sitting here typing and she's just giggling and chuckling away. I love it!

I splurged this weekend and got new walking sneakers. I was desperate. I used to walk Remy in my hikers, but they started to hurt me. Then I switched to my old court shoes.... which got rid of the problem. I thought. Nope, so finally I buckled. Realistically, I do walk Remy twice a day. I have a history of leg issues. You'd think I would smarten up and get myself a real pair of walkers? Well, my wallet was content with letting me go without.... my legs were not. So, I finally buckled and got a pair - and they are miraculous! Remy and I went on a marathon walk all over town, after we finished cleaning this afternoon. She was a dream angel. You ever see someone walking a dog.... and it looks too perfect. Well that was us today! She walked directly beside me the entire time, sat at the stop lights and enjoyed the occasionally offered treat. We were the perfect team.

This morning we went fetching. The sun was still low, and the grass was drowned in morning dew. It glittered, and was beautiful. When we arrive, the dogs know exactly where we are. Remy gets so excited, she bounces around until she sprints over to our spot. There she sat, waiting for us, in the sparkling morning sunshine and it was picture perfect. I had no way to capture it for you, so you'll just have to imagine with me.

Oh, and this afternoon Peggy and I went for tea and homemade soup at Harbour Grounds. I must tell you, I love it there. I truly do. Part of me wishes it were mine, and the other part is glad it's someone else's responsibility so I can enjoy it purely for the experience. You must go, and if you come to visit me sometime  I promise to take you. It's conveniently, just down the road.

I know you've been denied pictures lately. Not intentional. I promise ya soon that you will be photographically updated in the near future.

Love you and miss you. Sorry I have been out of touch, but I'm back in action!

xoxo

DIDN'T HAPPEN

I didn't get there. I was distracted. As soon as I wrote that I heard my hunny's voice in my head going...

"Who you? Distracted? I don't believe it.....!" hehe...

But it's true. There just wasn't time to get to the fabric store. Truth be told, I could've probably squeeeezed it in. However, that's not the experience I was thinking of. I'm looking forward to not rushing, to perusing the shelves, to feeling the textures, and to hopefully not cringing at the prices.

Plus, as I told my hunny, I am not at the point in my new quilt where I need anything I don't already have. So, I will wait until my next opportunity friday morning. Once I finish this quilt, and provided it has no major lessons left unaddressed, I'm hoping to begin the girls' Christmas blankets.

Our little Remy and I had a great walk this morning. Being so dark now, we both have to strap on our reflective strips. Twice now, in the last week, we have 'tested' Remy to see how she makes out with freedom in the woods. When she was younger, she was good at pushing her luck and ending up back on a leash. All summer, her off-leash time was spent at Marble playing fetch. Really there aren't the same sights and most importantly, smells. Both times she was wonderful. On this coming friday, we expect her chest protector to arrive. It's blaze orange, because this is hunting season here.  Remy looks incredibly like a fox, which I know is her breed characteristic - but that doesn't help our nerves when there are people, with guns, in the woods.

I'm not sure which protector my hunny ordered (I simply can't remember, and going to check seems like alot of effort right now - ha!). However, some of you may have no idea what I'm talking about. So I've borrowed this picture, just to give you an idea.



Source: http://www.gundogsonline.com/dog-vest/dog-chest-protector.html




Hope everyone has a great wednesday! It's September 15th already, can you believe that?! Crazy..

xoxo

WAKE UP IN THE MORNING

Best. Morning. Off. Ever.

Well, maybe not ever but it has been so wonderful.

The new quilt has been started! Until you jump in the pool, the cold water around the edge is a pretty good deterrant. You know that once you get in, you'll have a lovely time. It's taking that first chilly step. I did it this morning. I believe that I have uncovered a tiny mystery. If before you go to bed, you make the decision to do it first thing when your alarm goes off int he morning... then when you do wake up you just do it. Your brain isn't awake enough to think, your fingers just dive right in. Then, the next thing you know, you have the beginnings of a new quilt and are happily engrossed.

Until, of course, you have to stop for a tea break.

Making my morning even better, I've rediscovered a favorite. I know that before I told you how much I love the movie You've Got Mail. I'm going to say this right here and now, get it in the open - I'm not a huge fan of "girlie" movies. I find so many of them just rediculous. There is, however, another I love. I have been searching for a copy, my old one has been missing for a long time... and no one seemed to have any in stock. Until now! So here I am, on my morning off, with some work done on my new quilt.... a perfect cup of tea (whose flavor is named "Simple Pleasures", btw), and Under the Tuscan Sun playing on the tv.

I love this movie. Love it!

The premise is a woman (a writer, yay!), who has a terrible divorce from her cheating husband and when push comes to shove, ends up spontaneously buying an old villa in Tuscany. Take it from there. Maybe I love the movie because I could see it being me in some other reality. Or I relate to her personality. I just love love love it! Plus, there's a character in it that reminds me alot of auntie, and another that remind me alot of my friend Matthieu. Except my friend is french, and the movie character is italian.  Anyway, Watch it !

Later on this morning, I plan on going to check out a fabric shoppe. It is the only one in town I haven't been to (we only have two...ha!). Rather tucked away and hidden. I have high hopes, as I find the other more public craft store a bit expensive. Will keep you posted! But I'm excited to wander the aisles, feel the fabrics, see the colors and patterns, and look for treasures.

I will leave you with a wonderful quote from the movie. I hope that you all have a fantastic day! xoxo

To be happy, "You have to live spherically - in many directions. Never lose your childish enthousiasm."

FIRST FALL BREATH

Maybe you have not really noticed,

or perhaps have been too busy listening to my cool soundtrack .....

but just in case you missed it

I LOVE FALL!

and it's here!

Now, I'm going to warn you. There are alot of photos in this post. I just can't help it, I'm excited and the camera has been on the go. Some of you are not lucky enough to be here, so I'm sharing all the wonders with you through pictures. Or at least some of them.... hehe

Today we were both off work, and the sun was out. We decided to take the dogs for a run at the park, what better way to spend a morning?

We went to the Humber Arm South Day Park. The place was empty, but delightful. The dogs were off-leash, and Remy got to run, play and explore in freedom.

Plus, one really nice thing about this park is the view. Welcome to the Bay of Islands! I love living here.

Did I mention that my hunny bought me an absolutely amazing new purple hat? It actually covers my ears! Perfect for today, paired up with my Dirty Jobs tshirt - because it was my day off work, it suited perfectly.

Anyway, back to our day. Does anyone happen to know what type of berries these are? We could smell squash berries in the air, however when my hunny squished these between his fingers, he said the pit wasn't right for those. Thoughts?

Either way, we've had an absolutely fantastic day.

And I saved the best picture for last. Now I know, you're starting to wonder if this is a blog or just a photo gallery. How many times in one post can I possibly say I love something and am excited? If I don't entertain with pictures, I figure my lack of substance today just won't hold your attention. And yet... knowing that there is only one more picture, and that it's the best one.... hopefully it'll give you the smile it gave me. I am pretty sure it's our first real family photo since Remy came along. Hope you had a great weekend! xoxo