One ‘Hairy’ Situation

I was given the gift of treating myself to a lovely hour of bliss at Undines.  In anticipation, I thought that I had better shave my ‘winter’ layer as I figured that by receiving a pedicure it would be highly likely that I my legs would be revealed. 

So, off to the Spa I went.  Light in my step at the thought of enjoying time with quiet and thinking time.  I sat down in the comfy recliner chair.  Was handed a soft blanket and a cup of tea.  A nice soaking tub was placed in front of my be my masseuse.  My pant legs were rolled up.  My feet were ready for a nice relaxing soak and some pampering.

At this moment, some would die of embarrassment.  Me… I could only laugh.  One leg shaved.  One leg not.  Chalk it up for another good story:)

Another Year Gone By

If you would have asked me fifteen years ago about what I thought about being thirty-six, I would have said, “old”.   Now, here I am just turning thirty-six.  Ask me now of what I think of twenty-one years old, I would say, “young”. 

It’s all really a matter of perspective.  I love life. I don’t feel old or young.  I feel just right.  As a matter of fact, if I could choose a ‘forever age’ I think thirty-six just might be it. 

A week prior, Jeremy asked as he does every year what I would like for my birthday.  He got the usual answer, ‘nothing.’  This is not what he likes to hear. But the reality is that when I need or want something, I think about it, then buy it.  So, other than some really expensive things, I really don’t know what to suggest he buy me.

I thought about it some more and realized it really wasn’t fair that I didn’t give him the opportunity to shop for something for my birthday, so I gave him one thing I could use.  Then I thought some more and added another thing.  Thought some more, and added another thing.  It wasn’t long before he really did have a list he can choose from.

My birthday arrived.  Flowers were delivered.  Not on my list, but were appreciated anyways.  The funny thing is, nothing on my list arrived on my birthday.  But that was completely OK.  I was pleasantly surprised with a gift certificate to Undines Spa and Retreat. 

A retreat it certainly was.  As I sat in the comfy recliner chair, wrapped in a nice soft blanket, and my feet being treated to some pampering, I felt very dreamy, sleepy and wonderful. 

I look forward to what might come this upcoming year.  Hoping it is as good as the last!

Remembering The Firsts

Jabbering out of my view was Peyton.  The tone of her jabbering came to a change, so off I was in search of what she might be into. I came to find her attempting and, after a few tries, succeeding in climbing her first step of the staircase.

As I came to see what her excitement was. Followed by a look on her face of ‘oh oh, now what?’  I  quickly went to get my camera to snap a picture of this ‘first’,  but not before I warned her to be careful and not fall, of course.

As I snapped pictures and celebrated her ‘first’,  my thoughts shifted to the death of Dylan Reichelt.  An 18 year old boy who had many firsts, but will have no more.  I think of how Aunty Kathy and Bill will mourn for the loss of Dylan and how difficult it is for them to know that he will have no more ‘firsts’ to celebrate.

I think of my ‘last’ memory of Dylan.  Only a few short weeks ago when he let Cayden drag him from one activity to another when he and his family came out for dinner.  After a few hours of Dylans patience with tours led by Cayden of chickens, goats, trampoline, his room, Lego and XBox. Cayden loved having big cousins like Jesse and Dylan.

I finally was able to tell Dylan it was Ok for him to sit down with us and enjoy conversation and desert with the adults. I still remember the look of appreciation by the invite to the ‘big peoples table’, although he never complained.

Dylan will be missed terribly by his family.  His ‘firsts’ and his ‘lasts’ will always be remembered.  It is a reminder to me to enjoy every minute of my children's lives and record every memory I can.

“I Cried Today Mom”

Today was the day that Cayden came to understand why “We Remember” on November 11. The first thing he announced when he got home was, “I cried today, mom.  It was so sad.  The movie was so sad.  People died and I cried!”

I wasn’t quite certain what he was talking about. Then he shared with me about his school’s Remembrance Day Assembly.

During the school Remembrance Day assembly he and his classmates sang the song “Hearts Around The World”.  They also watched a short film showing some clips of the  wounded, soldiers and war. It was the film that pulled at Cayden’s heart strings.  He came to a real understanding of the war, the soldiers and remembering the fallen. 

Hearts Around The World

Hearts around the world.
Hearts beating as one
Hearts around the world
Will show the way

Pray for the peace of a distant land
Share in the hope that we’ll understand,
With our heart and soul we will reach the goal
of hearts around the world.

Peace good will t’ward men
Hearts around the world
Will sing as one
Everyone giving the world to see

Everyone living in harmony
Singing one by one
We have just begun
With hearts around the world

Hearts beating as one
Hearts around the world
Will show the way for lasting peace on earth
Of peace on earth

  

Peyton’s Sweet Shoppe Birthday

Our sweet little girl has turned 1! What a fantastic first year of life it has been.  We threw a Sweet Shoppe birthday party in her honor.  She may never remember the event,  but I will never forget it. 

I threw myself into creativity as I planned for this party in my mind for at least a month.  The time finally came for me to put my vision into an actual event to be enjoyed by family and friends. 

I even thought to myself a few times over, “Why am I doing this?  She won’t even remember”.  For which I would remind myself that I would remember and would have pictures to share with her one day.

I made Pom Pom’s, inspired by Martha Stewart, pin-wheels, candy cones, cake pops, marshmallow pops, giant cupcake, mini cupcakes, sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, many appetizers and the icing on the cake… The Cake. 

The one I wanted to make, but feared it also.  I debated over and over whether I would tackle the cake, as I have only ever made one challenging cake for my mom’s past birthday.

I tried to enlist a friend who was experienced to help me but something came up so I was all on my own.  I finally gathered up the courage. Got the ingredients together for a chocolate cake with a ganache filling and Butter Cream icing.   Decorated with homemade marshmallow fondant.  It was quite  a process, but a truly rewarding feeling when I finally got to put it in the middle of the table, high above all the other treats. 

One of the things I will remember was how encouraging and complimentary Cayden was through it all.  He’d appear from playing, see something new that was hanging or created and say, “Good job mom.  That looks really good.”  Over and over through the day as I was decorating and creating all the yummy.

I was telling Cayden about how nervous I was in putting the finishing touch, the Fondant, on the cake.  He says, “You can do it. I believe in you.”  Wow!  What a sweet heart.  The praise and encouragement were music to my ears. 

Peyton had a great time.  She loved all the attention of her guests as well as her presents and cake.  The kids all had a great time as they hovered the treats table and moved on to the sweets table with many happy returns.  Yes,  I sent them all home with glee, hopped up on sugar:) 

Thanks to all our dear friends and family who helped us celebrate our little Blessing, Peyton.

Happy 1st Birthday to our little peanut!

Too bad the camera died right about… now:(

My Cake Discovery

I have never been a cake connoisseur.  If I need a cake, I purchase an ice-cream cake or a Bakery cake.  On demand.  Super easy.  A little pricey maybe and not very original. 

I am currently being a little over-ambitious in my planning of Peyton’s 1st birthday.  On top of all the other fun and new things I am working on to make this a great birthday bash, I have added making a cake from scratch to the list.  Not only making the cake from scratch, but also making the marshmallow fondant myself.  I have been eying up all those beautiful fondant cakes that seem to be the rage and  want to challenge myself by giving it a whirl myself. 

In making this cake, I have discovered that there is a reason that purchasing pre-made cakes cost a lot.  They take a lot of time and a lot of ingredients.  I am currently on stage 3 of 4 in making this cake and am enjoying it so far.  My guess is that if the cake looks and tastes fabulous I will likely attempt this time-consuming creative process again.  Only a couple more days and we will find out:) 

This is not the cake I am attempting.  But maybe one day?