December 28, 2013

Suzie

Reg and I had a blast going out and doing some retail therapy with gift cards. I still can't believe I bought this book Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker with the gift card Dad gave me, LOL. But considering Julie is so into rug hooking it is kind of fitting. I also got yarn or a great deal at Michaels so I can work on my new monster. Oh I will miss retail therapy but tightening the purse strings very soon. At least I can make some fun stuff now!

December 27, 2013

Suzie

It feels so weird to keep blogging while you two don't have internet! OK, well, yesterday I finally had some time to crochet. I made this cowl pattern that goes over the head. Thankfully my head is small and it is still a tight squeeze. The pattern is free which means only the most basic of information and I am starting to believe in paying for patterns. It was quite the challenge to figure out and I'm still not sure I did it right. I added a trim on top and a crocheted edge to the bottom. I think it looks quite spectacular!

December 26, 2013

Suzie

We had the nerdiest Christmas ever and it was low key and pretty damn awesome. Although I had moments where my heart hurt so much, I think Mom sent a little Christmas magic our way with the prettiest snowfall I have ever seen. I hope you all had a good, warm, relaxed Christmas.

December 25, 2013

Suzie

Yesterday was all about cooking. I prepped, I slept. I prepped, I rested… Oh and Jamie, you and Justin started the Archer madness! Reg and I have been watching it non-stop, LOL. I am almost embarrassed to admit it but I am enjoying the chaos so thank you for that. OK, I feel better putting up an update knowing you two are OK. Thanks for calling too. :)

December 23, 2013

Suzie

Oh it so weird prepping this post knowing you both are without power. We are thinking of you!!!

We spent a lot of the weekend stressing about what to buy each other for Christmas. We ended up walking along the boardwalk in downtown Halifax, something I have never done in the winter but it was very mild. We got stocking stuffers but stopped there and just enjoyed the day together and finally put up our tree. 

Hugs to you all at the house!

December 21, 2013

Jamie

Yesterday Shannon and I celebrated our last official "Friday" of the year. To honour the moment, we went to our favourite local Chinese food place and ordered "108." The lovely man who runs the restaurant shooed us away with a free meal. What a lovely gift to receive for Christmas. Thanks, Jimmy!

Shannon
I was excited to sit down and watch a movie, and oddly - this is something I've not done for a while outside the SciFi Surprize Series. I just watched something, just 'cuz. I actually didn't think of it even, Jamie said "Why don't you watch a movie?" and I was like...why don't I? And so I did. I watched Tomorrow, When the War Began which I've wanted to see for years and I really enjoyed watching it and not thinking about anything other just watching it. Not for review, not for recommending, just because I wanted to. Wow. That was sa-weet.

Suzie

I had such a great time Skyping with Auntie Laima and wow, is she ever a good teacher. She got me serging right away and even got me to thread the embroidery machine too. She set up the serger so it did not need to be threaded which I was so grateful for and I am amazed at how fast and easy it is to use. I can see all sorts of ideas in my head now about stuff I can make, it's amazing. It was wonderful hanging out with family on such a dark day and have a ton of creative fun.

December 20, 2013

Jamie 

The weather was less than stellar yesterday and when I was out doing the very last of my shopping the last thing I expected was to have a Catz in the Hood moment! Still, this beauty braved the weather and asked for some attention. You can almost hear the meow!

 

Shannon
Another project I'm working on is the Teen Wolf Countdown to Season 3 (Part 2) Marathon. Wow, that's a mouthful. I'm actually halfway there and look in reasonable shape to complete it (WOOHOO), but this was more to say it's hilarious the thumbnails YouTube picks. On the ones where I love what I'm talking about, I can get a horrible one. And then I get this zinger of a pic for an episode I didn't like. Too funny.

December 19, 2013

Jamie

I had such a wonderful morning over at Tanya's. It was our Christmas celebration, complete with cookies, coffee and great chat. Tanya has three cats and this beauty doesn't always make an appearance but today he did - and that added to the sense of occasion!

Shannon
While doing one of the prompts for Kickin' It Old Skool, I was surprized to find that my "Box Count" note was tucked in my purse and I've not been carrying it around with me for about 2 months! Amazing to see the amount of time that has already gone by and I've only wished for 1 or 2 things that are in storage instead of with me. I hope that mean I chose what to put where, well.

Suzie

Had a rough night not being able to sleep and ended up reheating homemade comfort food for lunch. My first attempt at my own Ramen! Super salty but it was tasty. Not perfect yet but I'll get there. Really fighting the chronic fatigue, it was almost completely dark as we got another snowstorm. Vitamin D helps a bit but I spent most of the day on the couch asleep. At least I wasn't hungry!

December 18, 2013

Jamie 

Yay we got out to the movies! And you know it's holidays when you manage to do that on a Tuesday afternoon. I didn't love The Hobbit as much as I'd hoped to but it was still a wonderful time and a magical way to spend the afternoon.

  Shannon

I think it's so awesome we all ended up at The Hobbit on the same day!  Woohoo!  I didn't enjoy it as much as the first one, but it was great to get out to the movies (even though I forgot to bring cookies!).

Suzie

The big news is we went to see The Hobbit last night (loved it!) but I didn't want to take my camera out in the cold. This is what you need to make a homemade teriyaki sauce. Poor Reg, he's not using to being home when I make stuff and the simmer vinegar had him hiding in his den.

December 17, 2013

Jamie

Yesterday was my last full day at work. The Wishcasting e-course is out. I had a meeting with my intern Ginny about a Year of Dreams (my new program based on Full Moon Dreamboards) and had a MAJOR breakthrough about its form and that opened up all sorts of energy and creative kapow. What's amazing is that it was only much later that I realized all of that happened under the influence of the Full Cold Moon! That feels like an auspicious sign.

  Shannon

Nothing say Christmas like COOKIES!  Well lots of things say Christmas, but these cookies have been a staple of mine to make although I've taken many years off of them.  That might be noticable considering these are my first batches and look drastically different.  I am happy I made them.  And the second go might be a bit more even :)

Suzie

This is more symbolic than literal of my day yesterday. I took this of Reg wearing exactly the same colour as the walls at Target a week or so ago. Maybe it was the full moon or something but emotions ran very intense and I just wanted to reject the world. I think I am putting too much time and energy into other people's projects than spending time doing what I want to do. So many product reviews and failed interview attempts. All I really want to do is screw around in the kitchen playing with food doing my own thing. I am scared though. Totally scared that when I stop accepting opportunities I won't have money to do my own thing. OK there. I said it. 

December 16, 2013

Jamie

The snow arrived! What a perfect weekend to be able to stay indoors, rest and crochet - and that was pretty much what I did. Well, when I wasn't finishing up the Wishcasting course or Kickin' It Old Skool!

Shannon

Another season of Survivor comes to an end!  And I'm not going to say anything about who won because reality TV is the hardest to avoid spoilers from (even though I'm posting this late...I don't want to spoil it for anyone).  I enjoyed this season more than others of recent years, although I did find it hard to follow with the Redemption Island piece.  Not my fave season, but had some good moves and memorable players, which is what the show seems to aim for.

Suzie

If I had known it was going to be -25C with the windchill on Saturday, I would have never said yes to going out with the Star Wars ladies. OMG, so cold. But we had a great time and it was clear. Sunday we got hit with mega-snow and stayed inside. I slept a lot of the snowstorm away. I don't want to go anywhere anytime soon.

December 14, 2014

Jamie

With completion of the Wishcasting e-course in sight, it's time to start transitioning into holiday mode! What better way to do that than with a puzzle?! I can't remember the last time I did one and we have such great family memories of sitting around the living room table, drinking tea and doing a puzzle! I thought it would be so nice to do that this season. I picked one that so could of been mine when I was 16 - a beautiful wolf among the birches. Unfortunately Shannon and I found out pretty quickly, this is going to be a toughie!

  Shannon

It's getting close to the end of the year and I'm still trucking through the SciFi Surprize Series, and now with this 40th film (and another Hercules one!) I'm closer but not sure if I'll make it all the way.  I'll keep going though! 

December 13, 2013

Jamie

Despite being tremendously tired, I am so glad that I got out to visit with my friend Sabine yesterday. I just love her. Even when we don't see each other for a while, it's so easy to slip right into meaningful, thoughtful, loving conversation. I treasure our friendship and am so glad we got some time together.

Shannon
Oh foiled by similar packaging! I often buy "Fruit Parfait" at the store (yogurt, granola and fruit), but recently they've also been selling "Decadent Fruit Parfait". And the difference is, instead of granola it's crumbled up cookies! Talking about making a healthy snack into...something else! Jeepers! I have to be more careful next time.

Suzie

Reg and I went out into the freezing cold last night for our last Christmas party with his "company". It was a bit bittersweet, especially for me. I think it was important we went though and it is the only holiday celebration we are going to this year. After Reg gets home tonight, we are officially on holidays.

December 12, 2013

Jamie

I seriously don't know what it is about this crazy laugher but I just couldn't get enough of him when we were out shopping yesterday. Every time you get close, he starts to roll on the floor and laugh. It was just the tonic I needed!

Shannon
Ha d a lot on yesterday, but it was all good stuff and was happy to see it though. And then ... it was time to chill out and watch some Shipping Wars! I really had missed the show, it always entertains me.

Suzie

Before and after Hexed I worked on my 5 gifts video and it is now up! I had gotten very emotional towards the end of the video and was not sure if I should keep it in. I decided it was relevant and left it but put a warning up before it. It actually hurt my heart to watch it for editing and so I just threw it online and am hoping for the best. So warning to you both if you watch it that it might bring on a case of the weepies.

December 11, 2013

Jamie

What a revelation finding this crazy wooden spoon way of getting all the seeds out of a pomegranate! I watched Tanya do it and thought it was amazing. Shannon and I checked out this video for details and then we got to whacking! It took a while but then we had a whole bowl of absolutely beautiful pomegranate seeds! Of course, they're already all gone!

Shannon
I"ve been having so much fun visiting the Kickin' it Old Skoolers, and one of the fun things that comes up on occasion are these automatic avatars when you leave comments like this one :)

Suzie

Before we did stART I also did a video of my top 5 foodie tools picks for the holidays. I have such fond memories of using the milkshake maker! I have to get into the habit of making milkshakes on Monday again.

December 10, 2013

Jamie

It was wonderful to take some time to clean up the house get it ready for the holidays. The tree is so pretty and fills the whole house with a beautiful scent, not to mention the magical lights! Clearly Jinx is enjoying this setup!

Shannon
You know it's the holiday season when you can enjoy tea and popcorn while you do your morning pages well into the afternoon. :)

Suzie

There was zero sunlight yesterday but I couldn't wait anymore. I tried the hot chocolate mix I made and it was AMAZING!!! Super sweet though so I am going to try a sugar substitute for product testing with it but wow, delicious. I had no idea that homemade mixes could be that good. Don't think you save much money but you get a much better product.

December 9, 2013

Jamie

I had a magnificent birthday! French toast for breakfast, a cold and beautiful walk along the beach, a relaxed afternoon, amazing Hakka Chinese food and then a glorious night at Les Miz!! I couldn't believe it when I saw it was playing on my birthday! The voices were extraordinary - as was the company!

Shannon
It was such a pleasure (and tear-fest!) to go to Les Miz for Jamie's birthday! What an extraordinary experience. It's been so long since I've seen any live theatre, let a lone a musical performance of this magnitude. Absolutely magnificent.

Suzie

We had a crazy-busy weekend! On Saturday we went to a Christmas party where Lorraine lives. We had just enough time after that to stop by Target which did not have any pillows I liked. Then we went to Canadian Tire and got a humidifier because it is so dry here I am wheezing and coughing all the time and Reg can hardly breathe at night. Then we went to the new Hunger Games movie! We had popcorn for dinner. I am still in recovery mode. Movie was great though.

Rewind: December 8

Jamie

The holiday mood has arrived so I thought I'd share this rewind! What a wonderful, cozy celebration at what was one of our favourite spots in our hood.

December 7, 2013

Jamie

It was a day of tucking in and getting a whole bunch of work done, including organizing the blog-a-thon swap, which is going to be so much fun!

Shannon
Had a bit of a haphazard day, so sharing this pic of different socks (which I didn't realize I was even wearing til halfway through the day) and my slippers with only 1 pompom between the two of them. Plus, the pic self rotated in the wrong direction all on it's own. Altogether, it feels like a very good representation of the day!

Suzie

Happy Birthday Jamie from me and Reg! :) I sense a trip to the Beaches today and maybe some French toast? I hope so! Whatever you do today, I hope it rocks. Miss you! Lots of Love. ~ Suzie

December 6, 2013

Jamie

What a joy to get out and pick up a tree! It was a wonderful experience. They are always so friendly and warm at the place we go. They even delivered it to our door! The house now officially smells like Christmas.

Shannon
I seem to be really centred on food-ish-pics these days!  And here is the one and only step I could not complete last night to make dinner: opening cans!  Thankfully Jamie came to my rescue!

Suzie

I got totally caught up in catching up with emails (although still not caught up) and then all of a sudden, there was no daylight left. I still put together a batch of homemade hot chocolate mix and hope the sun comes out today so I can get some nice photos of it. Would make for a great gift but mostly, well, I ran out of hot chocolate mix and I'm cheap! I wanted to see if homemade from scratch was better. And less expensive. I will let you know. I couldn't have any because I had to wait to take photos today!

December 5, 2013

Jamie

Well, yesterday ended up being quite the day! When I discovered my site had been attacked, everything just kind of ka-chunked into chaos. Luckily Shannon and Justin were there to be wildly supportive and I got the recommendation for Nathan Briggs and I was able to hire him to step in and get it sorted. What a panic and a relief! Earlier in the day, when I was cozying up and co-working at Tanya's, little did I know what the day would bring. It was good to chat, hang out with cute cats and even have some Christmas cookies! I'm glad that's the part of the day I can share a picture of.

Shannon

This pic is a little fuzzy, but it was certainly a tasty dinner!  This was kind of before the chaos of the nigh exploded.   Good thing we were well fed to deal with it!

Suzie

I finally put together a video and a post on my first sausages. This actually took me two days to put together. I am so grateful I got to share it and have it done. My hair is still reddish in the video, it was that long ago! That is when all my batteries decided to completely die on me all at once. I am so glad I had enough footage to cover the basics. It was a challenging foodie project to make sausage seem like fun, tasty and not, well, not "rude". I hope I did a good job!

December 4, 2013

Jamie

Yesterday ended up being such a lovely day. I went to restorative yoga with my art picnic gang and it was absolutely amazing. Then I was able to meet up with Shannon for scones, journaling and reading. I also managed to work in some time to visit a hold bunch of Kickin' It Old Skoolers, which was awesome. I am SO loving the blog-a-thon!

Shannon
It was awesome to get a phone call from Jamie early in (my) day and invite to go out for coffee and scones and journalling.  It was absolutely the best start to the day and so nice to break my not-going-out-for-coffee-bad-habit that has gone on to long.  Great company and good scones, what else do you need?

Suzie

I wasn't planning on going out yesterday but we ran out of milk and instant brekkie and then next thing I know I am carrying home way too much stuff. This time of year is so challenging. It's like if I go out, I have to get everything done. I think I might have hurt my right shoulder carrying stuff home. That said, I was excited that it was warm enough for me to go outside for a walk. BTW, got a 2-for-1 deal on spin toothbrushes for me and Reg.

December 3, 2013

Jamie

The blog-a-thon is being so much fun! Yesterday it inspired me to spend some time colouring - and that's always a good thing!

Shannon
The weekly Monday morning (*cough*afternoon*cough*) paper explosion o' planning. It always starts small, and then...explodes! But I always clean it up! And this week I got a bit further on some of my longer-term goals, which felt really good. I hope I can keep that up!

Suzie

Thanks to my Vitamin D drops I did not lose consciousness in the afternoon (as I have been for months now) so I could bake! I made the PC Nanaimo Bars which took a while but probably a much easier way to make them than from scratch. They are so sweet! But pretty good. I don't remember them having coconut in them though?