February 28, 2014

Jamie

Well, this looks amazingly like yesterday's photo, doesn't it? It was even colder! Justin and I bundled up as much as we could and braved getting to guitar class. It was really hard to fight the urge to stay cozy inside but we really don't want to get behind. The teacher told me that my guitar is actually a bit wide for me. Oddly, that made me feel a bit better. In fact, I tried another students guitar and though the difference was small it made all the difference! Still, I love my guitar. She and I have become good friends.

Shannon
Not the most exciting picture, I know - but exciting result. At the suggestion of a friend I got these cables that give a better picture when I stream film and TV to my TV from my computer. Pretty good result! Although of course then there is the "Cables EVERYWHERE!" moment as well.

Suzie

Since there is very little I can do all banged up, I got inspired to crochet a Cthulu. Just needs eyeballs. Not as cool as yours Jamie but I am going to appliqué this to a shirt!

February 27, 2014

Jamie

I can't believe that I moved my hair appointment because of extreme weather warnings only to head out on a day that was -25 with the windchill! Still, I simply bundled up and headed out. It's sad to brave hat head after a haircut though! My stylist said the better the cut, the less risk of hat head. I told her I'd test her theory and my goodness, I think she was right!

Shannon
We happy that while I was out yesterday I popped into Value Village to take advantage of the 1/2 off winter clearance for cardholders, especially as I was feeling the need for some long sleeved shirts and sweaters. I'm sure these will make their appearance in vlogs (and keep me warm!) soon.

Suzie

No photo for me. I fell down the stairs, got food all over me and downstairs and landed on my lower back. I am sitting upright ATM so I writing now. I am able to breathe with less pain now but holy shit, what a rough day, I can barely walk without Reg's help. Thankfully I got off my clothes before I got completely scalded. Oh, and that was the last little bit of food we have in the house and storms are on their way. Worst day in a long, long time.

February 26, 2014

Jamie 

I have been really focusing on bringing back movement, meditation and morning pages to my life. These practices really support me and my work. This week, I've managed to keep coming to the pages even though it never feels like I have enough time. The way this writing clears and opens up my thinking I'm sure ultimately makes more time than it takes!

Suzie

I actually painted yesterday! Painted WALLS! And it appears to be I painted them the exact same colour they were, LOL. It's just a little brighter/whiter. It was supposed to have a cream tone to it but nope, not at all. Oh well, at least it looks nice and clean now.

February 25, 2014

Shannon
Yesterday Suzie and I recorded our last episode of Hexed! After 4 years and 150 episodes it was time, and I'm so glad we got to record one last ep to say thanks and fond farewell to our listeners. And this pic is from our 8th episode - the first one we posted on our blog way back in 2010. Wow. From talking about 2 shows to way too many, the world of paranormal TV sure exploded. It's sad to say goodbye, but I'll remember all the good times, and all the tech challenges we triumphed over!

Suzie

Yes, yesterday was the last Hexed day. Ironically I choose a recent collage and it shows just how much paranormal TV has shown up since we started. I am glad we got to do a final podcast together like this and look back a bit over the years. It has been quite a run and how amazing we did it for four years?! It is sad to say good-bye though, lots of great talks and memories. Thank you again Shannon for coming up with this awesome idea and being the tech girl who made it all happen.

February 24, 2014

Jamie

I'm so glad that this weekend there was a bit of a break in the action and Shannon and I were able to sit down and have some art play time! We're way behind in Life Book but we're just going to work through as we can and enjoy the process. I ended up liking making imaginary flowers quite a bit!

Shannon

After 2 1/2 weeks, it's sad to see the Olympics come to a close but I had a lot of fun watching many of the events.  I think the Curling was again a big highlight, both the men's and women's teams did so well all throughout the Olympics and the final games were extraordinary.

Suzie

Meet Ellie! This is Reg's brother's golden retriever puppy that we got to meet when we were visiting Reg's parents yesterday. She is so mellow, she might give Mr. Man a run for his money (or lack thereof) for world's most relaxed pet. :) She is a sweetheart.

Random Photo: February 23, 2014

Jamie

Remember when I lost an earring this week? Here's a sighting from Tanya, hehe. Too bad her twin disappeared too!

Suzie

All the cat in the hood photos you have been sharing on Facebook made me want to share this Cat Lady in the Hood photo.

February 21, 2014

Jamie

We are having some crazy weather! There are extreme weather alerts and we're shifting between too much rain on frozen ground and ice, ice, ice. Justin and I braved our way out to guitar and had a wonderful time. We even popped out to the pub afterwards to chat. We got a wonderful seat by the window and were able to witness the weather from a cozy nook inside.

Shannon

Awesome day for Olympics.  Watched most of the curling game (so exciting) and the last bit of the hockey, which was so intense!  Didn't see the bobsledding, but happy we did well there too.  Canadian women rock!

Suzie

So proud. So heartbreaking.

February 20, 2014

Jamie

Now, this is the way to start your day! I went over to Tanya's to co-work and was greeted with coffee and a red velvet cupcake - the first I've ever had! It was the perfect start to what became an insightful day.

Shannon

Origami adventures continue, and I tried to do this one too fast (it's a seagull) and kinda flubbed it up but then Justin helped me!  Apparently it's a very paper airplane like one...and those have never been my strong suit.  But here it is!

Suzie

Yesterday we found out we are getting screwed over financially big time so I insisted we go out for a hot brunch and eat our sorrows away. Not that we could afford it. Not that it was a smart idea. But we are learning that we seem to have absolutely no control over anything these days, might as well have full stomachs.

February 19, 2014

Jamie

My studio has just exploded into creative chaos! I spent some time tucked into my journal and also creating some farewell packages to some dear friends.

Shannon
I was really happy to do a vlog that was just about whatever I wanted to talk about, and that I had actually seen some new films and finished a book and could share about it. And I made some cards for The Hose and The Maze Runner, which was fun to do. I think I might keep that up.

Suzie

It was awesome shooting stART with you two yesterday! And how wonderful my crafts room doesn't look like a completely disaster anymore. We're getting close to having to move everything around again for staging so I will enjoy my crafts room while I can.

February 18, 2014

Shannon

Dinner!  Ah, what an adventure...the store was closed, Jamie found soup mix in the pantry and everything green (that's suppose to be green) in the fridge + chicken + pasta and ....voila! Casserole!  Yum!

This happy face, mocking me as I took the photograph, cringing...

Suzie

I took this photo from inside the car while Reg spent at least 30 minutes chipping off layers of ice and snow that could only be ripped apart in giant chunks. I felt so helpless, like I was suffocating. Three days of constant rain and snow and rain and ice and snow… Getting out to dump off more donations ended up being such a huge deal. Everything is hard here. Everything. The effort to just live is too hard. I am feeling more at peace with trying to sell the house now. I just don't want to feel oppressed by the weather here any longer than we have to. Gravity is about 20 times stronger here. I'm so done.

February 17, 2014

Jamie

My first "Cat in the Hood" picture of 2014! When I took this picture, I totally thought this was the beauty I always think of as the Interloper's daddy. Looking at it closely now, I wonder if this one isn't younger and a brother. Hmm....

Shannon
I can't believe I was able to do a selfie pic on my phone...it's been acting up and had limited functionality for a bit and then randomly got better.  Thank you phone!

Suzie

We had storms forecasted for the entire weekend so we didn't really go anywhere or do anything. I woke up today late (rough night) and was greeted by mega stress so all I can share right now are the mini pot lid grabbers I made when I had the chance to work on them.

Random: February 16, 2014

Justin and I often celebrate Valentine's just before or just after, not always liking to be a part of the throngs. Last night we went to our local restaurant and it was such a treat! They had some amazing specials, including a delicious crustini with pear, a soft cheese and a generous drizzle of lavender honey. Mmmm!! And then Kim Harris from Halifax took the stage and she was just a delight to listen too. We left with her CD and I am so looking forward to getting to know it. You can hear her here. Maybe you'll get a chance to hear her out on the east coast, Suzie, hehe. Wouldn't that be wild?

Shannon

Really random pic.  It was going to be a cat pic, but he moved out of frame!  I don't think I can get more random than that.

Suzie

I don't know if you remember this car Jamie but we saw it when we went to the neighbourhood garage sale. With my fifth year anniversary of food blogging coming up, I've been doing a lot of reflecting, questioning and overall assessing the situation. Reg always says, "Keep your motives pure" which helps a lot but also asking, "What would Picard do?" is another great adage as well. Is this just a hobby? Should I put so much time and effort into it? No idea what the answers are yet but that is my random pic and thought of the day

February 15, 2014

Jamie

Well... the picture was a second to late but it's still can mark the occasion: Shannon placed #1 in Just Dance yesterday on the World Stage. Yes, #1 in the world! A Dance Olympian!! Yay, Shannon! It was a treat to dance after a really tough tech day. I pretty much lost the day to trying to figure out if there was another problem with my site. Luckily, there is not a problem there - though apparently there is one on my computer. Yes, all of this in the face of trying to get my new site up. I'm just sticking with it, step by step.

Suzie

Yesterday was weird. It was our first day as civilians and Valentine's Day. I put away laundry, finished taping the bathroom for painting, did paperwork for getting ready to sell the house, made dinner… Not a relaxing day but a day focused on the next phase of our lives. And we ate this chocolate cake. And… It was good.

February 14, 2014

Jamie

I am so loving going to guitar class in this beautiful environment! This week we started working with picks and learning strumming. Our next song is Have You Ever Seen the Rain. Justin and I are feeling more and more hooked on guitar! Tonight I even pulled out Mom's guitar, tuned it and gave it a go. Now that I can play a couple of things it made all the difference!

Shannon
Sorry I haven't been playing much this week, but this was my view for a lot of it! 

Suzie

I feel like we have spent a ton of our week at Long & McQuaid (I love the sea foam guitars!!!). Reg had some tech issues that were a bit heartbreaking and stressful but with the staff's help got stuff work again so Reg can rock on!

February 13, 2014

Jamie

It was so great to get back to co-working at Tany'as yesterday. It's a grounding point in my week and also a treat to be around creative family activity like these amazing creations!

Suzie

I finally did it! I truly started my path to sewing. You know I am serous about learning something when I iron paper! You both know how I feel about paper. I am also in between two sizes so I did a lot of head-scratching trying to figure out what to do about that. I haven't done all the cutting yet but I am getting there and will soon be working on sewing a floral skirt! Having the Craftsy video was such a help too. No way I could have figured this all out without watching someone show me how to do it.

February 12, 2014

Jamie

It's been one of those times when I'm so tucked into the computer that I'm not taking lots of pictures! But yesterday I got out in the 'hood for my dental hygienist appointment and was delighted to see the moon. It's the Full Snow Moon on Friday and you can see it coming! You can also see the progress on the condo nearby. Suzie, it's moving along since you've been here! I also have to say how much my dental anxiety has improved since going to this new location. I even try to time my appointments so my hygienist and I can watch Chopped together. It's the perfect pace.

Suzie

Ugh! On Tuesday I had total tech issues with Flickr and so I just focused on making my DIY Pretty in Pink Glitter Bombed Shoes video. I got 20+ minutes down to 2+ minutes. I hope it's clear enough. I think it's a fun-watch at the very least.

February 11, 2014

Suzie

I didn't get much done yesterday, wasn't feeling very well, but I started designing and creating my own copper pot lid cozies. I am also going to be making one for the handles too. The pots are such good conductor of heat they get so hot so I thought, why not???!!!

February 10, 2014

Jamie

With all the Olympics watching this weekend, I bounced back and forth between working on the website and working on this blanket - with a little bit of Pinterest thrown into boot. When the games weren't on, there was dancing and guitar practice. All in all, a lovely weekend!

Suzie

Reg wanted to take me on a horse-drawn sleigh for my birthday but chronic blizzards made it impossible. Yesterday was the perfect day: no snow, cold but not freezing and it was only $8 a person!

February 8, 2014

Jamie

I am so excited to be making a start on my website refresh! And look at what I did! I'm feeling really emotional just looking at this and feeling so excited about what's possible. My intern Kim suggested just the right Wordpress Theme and I have been digging into it all weekend and seeing what I can do. I just feel so proud of myself, my heart is so full and I could seriously just put my head down for a week and focus on making this happen!

Shannon

I am having so much fun watching The Olympics, and haven't even seen any actual sports yet!  The opening ceremony I enjoyed flag-spotting, and seeing the contingents from each of the countries as well as the amazing use of the huge space of the arena/location - but I didn't anticipate them sharing the story of War and Peace!  I still hope to read that one day!

Suzie

Yesterday was video day! I tried Mom's poultry shears on a chicken (which did not go well), I made chicken broth in the Instant Pot (which I think went well) and of course I did the video tag too, even with all those boxes behind me. It was fun and is making me look at doing live videos a little differently now. Thanks for the inspiration!

February 7, 2014

Jamie

We had our second guitar class yesterday and again, it was great. We received great feedback and, in fact, the teacher encouraged Justin to study classical guitar and that was such an affirmation! This week we're moving from plucking to strumming and learning Brown-Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. I'm so looking forward to it! And you know what's wild? Our teacher shared with us that he's in a scene of the new Robocop film - with Gary Oldman! How cool is that?

Shannon
Just to show not all the flag's I've created ended up being winners.... I've had a fair few misses along the way but I just keep trying!

Suzie

One great thing about the change in our "situation" is I can get out to the library again and got two books out about paper dolls. I still shake my head at this new interest but as you both have reminded me, my art is none of my business.

Febraury 6, 2014

Jamie

Wow, what a winter's day! I think we must have got a foot of snow. I wasn't looking forward to having to go out in it but it ended up being quite a treat. It was quiet, people were friendly and it was truly beautiful. Sometimes even a winter storm can surprise you.

Shannon
I'm continuing my quest to make flag flash-cards and I jumped over to start doing flags of Europe. I might be running out of juice in my red marker though! It's by far the most used colour in flags out of the ones I've done so far.

Suzie

Clementine now has a friend but it's all temporary! Yesterday I finished making this monster for Michelle for her birthday, a special request. It is still so shocking how you are working with "components" and then all of a sudden, the character comes to life. It is going to be hard to let this little one go, he is just so adorable!