the dreaming Press.

I love weekends! Don't you? Have yourself a great one...!

 

Some fresh flowers, for you!  Enjoy them.  There is lots of blue around here lately I've noticed. Hence the blog name I suppose!  We all need a little blue every now and then. 

 :)

This weekend I'm going on a long walk (or two with my friend Louise!) with a friend...gardening....cooking...eating burgers!....reading....watching movies.......playing with my kids....and packing!  We are moving soon.  We don't have a house yet, still currently looking, but I'm going to start packing anyway.  That ought to attract a new house in, don't you think? Gypsy Girl Alex recommends an awesome flick, let me know if you go see it!

Whatever you do this weekend do it with your full attention and LOVE.

That's all I ask! :)

What are YOU doing this weekend?  Wishing you all the happiness your hearts can hold....and last but not least...

Add to your read list "A Cup of Jo" from my sidebar, Joanna is lovely! (Chock full of wedding ideas right now, something I can relate to.)  Go meet a new friend!! xo

xo

Channeling my inner smart girl.

Bicycle cabs in downtown Holguin, Cuba.  Taken July 2007.

Go to Paris Parfait and read the essay posted there.  Whether you are American, Canadian, French or Moroccan! Go and read for Democracy's sake.  Tell every American friend you have to get off the couch on November 4th and vote.

The world needs change.  Change occurs when many like minded individuals set their free will on a common task.  It's a little piece of paper.  It requires an X.  Go do it. 

***

And now something for my fellow Canadians; you know those little carrots, the ones that are called "Baby Cut Carrots" that you buy in 1 lb and 2 lb bags at the grocers?  They contain bleach.  They are treated with chlorinated water to keep them from drying out, it acts as a preservative.  Green & Clean Mom tells you more.  Go check it out.

I now buy bagged organic regular sized carrots, and take the time to wash, peel and cut them myself.  My kids are worth it.  Yours are too.

***

A Good Catch, by Jill Lambert, tells Canadians which seafood choices are best for them...and which aren't.

Example; Salmon.  Only WILD Pacific Salmon is best.  Anything else is usually farmed, and swimming in antibiotics and again, bleach.  Mmmm.   So, for healthy recipes and the most up to date information on what seafood is okay to feed yourselves, go pick up this book. Oh, and if the package reads FRESH, it isn't.  Crazy what food labels can get away with.  For example yet again, "Product of Canada" means simply assembled in Canada. As to where the fish was sourced from? or what kind it is? or whether it had three eyes?

Mmmm, yet again. 

***

My beautiful (real life!) friend Lisa from Ruadh gu brath/Red Heads Forever, joined forces with me to help get my lending team at KIVA off the ground.  We are called Shooting Stars, and feel free to join.  If you are interested in joining our lending team, send me an email and I will send you an invite in return.  All money invested is paid back, and your microloan helps those less fortunate get a great start on a home improvement, or start a small business.  For more basic information or to start your own lending team, click on the KIVA badge on my sidebar.  (But I'd like to have you on my team :)

***

No news on the wedding front.  But in the interest of the state of the world economy, and for the fact that we are not profligate spenders by any stretch, we may tone it down and do something completely unconventional. The deeper I look into this, the more I realize that weddings have become another commercialized circus.  Much like Valentines' day.  (Sorry to those who like Valentines' day.) Why should I buy $500 worth of invitations and $10,000 worth of flowers to impress people I barely see on a regular basis?

This is going to be something I would like to discuss with all of you over the coming weeks.  We do know however that we will likely get married sometime in the fall of next year.  I prefer September.  So does Julian.  That is as far as we've gotten. 

Guys, it's just that I'd rather spend $40 or $50 thousand on something a little more substantial than one day...and that would be for a modest wedding alone.  Do you agree?

Much love til next time....xo

another rainy beautiful day :)

From the Book of Questions, by Gregory Stock, PH.D;

Randomly opened and this is what came up...

"Question 169...

How many times a day do you look at yourself in the mirror?"

I love this book, and often just open it to ponder a question for the sake of exercising my brain.

My answer is this, if there is a mirror in the room, I generally look in it.  However, when I am feeling balanced spiritually, mentally, and physically, I truthfully rarely look in the mirror.  Maybe I need to validate my existence by looking, or I worry about how I look in a vain way.  When I pass my reflection I always check, be it a store window or something.  I can't help it! This week I'm challenging myself to let go of that.  I want to be free of the need to look in the mirror, unless I'm brushing my teeth or putting makeup on.  Okay, if after a meal I want to check my teeth.  But other than that I'm working on trusting that I am okay however I look.  What is your answer? I'm curious.

This delightful colourful card was handmade by Lala Ema, in Spain.  For those of you who don't know her, she blogs at My Castle in Spain.  Lala sells her cards, so if you are interested in retailing them like I am (I ordered a bunch!) or just because like me you adore paper and stationery, then you'll love her artistic and fun cards.  They are quite girly in a sophisticated and Mediterranean way!!  Lala sent me lots of six different designs.  But she has more than that! Please visit her blog and shop...even just to say hello if you don't know her.  Who doesn't like meeting new bloggers?  I'm delighted with my cards.  I know you will like them, and her too!

Yesterday I took photos in the rain, which I'll share soon.  I read Pablo Neruda's poetry.  I drank lovely hot Irish Cream coffee in honour of my beautiful friend Madelyn, who adores coffee.  I thought of her in her amazing British Columbia, where part of my heart resides in the mountains and the Pacific...!  I have sneaky plans involving an airplane and myself jetting off for a weekend to a cabin with her so we can chat fireside and discuss important upcoming events, as only good friends can.

Today I have high hopes of growing my eyelashes...(not kidding, I'm trying out a new growth formula, and hoping it works to strengthen and lengthen!)...Googling a Zucchini Muffin recipe, I had one the other day and fell completely in love...they have a spicy, autumn taste.  And the playroom is a disaster, so it must be cleaned.  Ah, it's good to be queen! Sigh...

Don't forget the upcoming Dia De Bloglandia event, go sign up and have fun at the party!  A wonderful, beautiful Mexican celebration.  The badge on my sidebar will take you to the festivites.  November 2nd is the date...have fun!

xo

Wear yourself out living. Flop into bed exhausted each & every night.

My today (spiced with images of the best tea in the world);

I kissed my kids and told them I love them very much.

I participated in a group hug initiated by my three year old.

I washed the bed linens.  Mmmm.  Freshly laundered sheets.

I sang along to a song in the car.

I gave my eight year old a pedicure.

I watered my beautiful (but sadly, on their way out, fall you see...) container plants on the back deck.

I watched CNN coverage of Gustav periodically while preparing hamburgers, pasta salad, fresh watermelon and a blackberry/apple crisp.  (I even sauteed mushrooms and onions for the burgers. In extravirgin olive oil.)

I counted my blessings, while thinking of the Blog Action day post on poverty.  And I realize that the world hangs in quite a delicate balance.  Nothing is promised, not even tomorrow.

Which led me to thinking that yes, I need to respond to emails, pick up the phone, and pop in to visit more often.  Because really, what is more important than people?  NOTHING.

I was remembering yesterday's thoughtful gestures such as Lisa calling me from California and her making me laugh out loud within thirty seconds of picking up the phone.  And Gemma sending me an Indian Bride image, which is so beautiful that I don't know how I'll wear white when now I want to wear an Indian dress in red and cream.  With gold, lots and lots of gold embellishments. 

And looking at the pot Jacob sent me from Oregon, and how it is green and fluted and so beautiful because he made it himself by hand.  I love all things pottery!. 

I cried a tiny tear for Christian, who won season four on Project Runway, and totally stole the show with his designs and his loveable personality.  

I though of Anna and Tara, two of my favourite bloggers having dinner in PARIS! together last Thursday night, and how I am happy they were able to meet finally.  What a beautiful thing this internet can be...

I am thinking of an innovative way to pack up this gorgeous green dress from India that Madelyn sent me a few months ago (I'd like to send it back to her...she MUST be missing it)  I've got a few ideas and along with the dress will go some surprise goodies...

I am relishing the thought of creating a garment entirely out of PAPER for Project Blogway...and that it will be a splendid moment or two to spend with my eight year old daughter...yes, the same daughter who today painted my toenails a flawless purple, called ON THE PROWL.

I am mulling over delicious ideas for a painting I'd like to do, my inspiration coming from this months Domino magazine.  It involves chunky paint and abstract forms.  I am psyched and excited!

Lastly, I am eagerly (if nervously) awaiting talking to the delightful team of the Divine Design show. I hope they like me, I hope they really, really like me!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing you all a delightful, crispy, fresh Fall.  Bake something.  Drink some Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea.  (No, I'm not paid to advertise for them! I just ADORE their product.)

Those of you who read my blog have done so for a few years, as I have been blogging since September of 2006, a direct result of my mother introducing me to it.  Prior to that I had no concept of what blogging was. Well you'll be delighted to know that she is back, with a new blog called September Song, and she is in fine form.  Her focus is her writing and we all enjoy it sooo much.  Thank goodness she's back, baby!  Please go have a read.  You'll enjoy it.

xo

My sweet sunset surprise.

This glorious sunset will forever be my favourite because it happened last Tuesday July 29, 2008 at approximately 7 p.m.

I was clicking away (true to blogger form) trying to capture the best glimpse of her. 

It was then, that this man...Popped the question.  Yes, the question.

I had to take a moment to respond.    Shock was taking it's time wearing off you see.  Never have I been so happy to actually be in shock though.  I would imagine it had gotten quite chilly in parts of hell, as it does when freezing over.

It was on this bountiful, beautiful island that I finally got what I was looking for.  A big shiny ring the size of a chick pea! My true love asked for my hand.  I gratefully gave it.

We have a history that spans 18 years.  Save a three year break for both of us for sanity reasons.  But when it is true love, even a three year break cannot slow you down.  So, in 1998, we met up again, in a lounge, over a drink, completely by accident.  That night we were an item again.  After not having seen or heard from each other in so long...fate had lovingly stepped in.  Both of us having our stubborn streaks, and our pride, we needed someone like fate to nudge us back to reality.  We bought a house.  In October of 1998, I nearly burnt our new home to the ground.  I went to sleep with candles burning on the fireplace.  True love is mine, and this I know even without the proposal, because we were still a couple after the "incident".  I was forgiven.  'What kind of man is this?' thought I.  I nearly killed him, and yet he forgives. 

So we went out and bought a dog.  Our first baby...perhaps he felt I would be more observant about safety if the life of a dog were at risk.  ;)

So Sylvia our Jack Russell Terrier joined the family.  (We love that dog!!!)

Then, pregnant.  A girl.  8lbs, 4 oz...of pure sweetness and light.  She had green eyes, and a smart look to her, yup, this kid would definitely NOT burn any houses down.  She was pure Julian.  Boy was I proud.

Then wow! We moved.  New house.  You know what they say!!! Another baby! Another girl. (New house, new baby.  You know the saying!)  7 lbs 13 oz...of pure sweetness and light.  She had brown eyes, and she came into the world with a gleam in her eye and a talent for swearing.  Yup, this kid will definitely burn something down.  She was pure Gillian.  Boy, was I proud.

Content with life bobbing along it's tidy little stream and not expecting much more than save to grow old and ring-less (but happy!), I couldn't have been more ecstatic or joyous when the ONE MAN I have loved in my life, count that on ONE finger, asked me to be his wife.

Yes,

I do.