I've been telling you robots would take over the world...

Hi All,

Well, my DH and DD went to see the movie Wall*e a couple weeks ago. We met up with friends after work to see the show -- honestly, I was exhausted and really wasn't interested in watching the movie at all. So, my plan was to hunker down in my comfy-cushy theatre seat and have a bit of a snooze.

The movie opens and my sleepy eyes start getting droopier by the minute. But after a short time, something in my subconscious told me to sit up and take notice of what is happening on the screen. Much to my dismay, I soon realized that the "helpful" space robots in the movie are actually taking over for the human race. I leaned over to my husband and said (in my best I-told-you-so voice), "I told you robots would take over the world." From that moment, I watched the rest of the movie making mental notes on what I must do to protect myself and my loved ones from the onslaught of the impending robot invasion!!!!

Oh...you laugh now, but you won't be laughing later my friends...

Have a great weekend,

B.

Getting Back to Basics

Hello Babies,

I am back...and getting back to basics. A lot has been happening for us lately and so returning the the "basics" has slowly become an essential for dealing with everything.

First of all, we are moving...back to Saskatchewan. Arron got a call to serve three parishes there, so we are off at the beginning of August.

Secondly, I've been missing my knitting and spinning. Yep...there you go. I was sitting on the couch the other night and the breeze coming in through the window was so cold, it actually felt like fall. I promptly headed downstairs, grabbed some wool and sticks, and headed back upstairs. After I snuggled in under a blanket with a movie playing and my favourite bevie beside me, I proceeded to knit with some handspun I made quite some time ago.

It was wonderful and I've missed it a lot -- I forgot just how relaxing and therapeutic it is for me. I've been wanting to spin too, but since I am no longer part of the Spinner's Guild in town, I haven't been renting a wheel. I do have my drop spindle, so I think that will have to suffice for the moment. At least until we get moved. Then I would like to save up for a wheel.

I'd better go -- tah tah for now!

B.

Have You Missed Me???

Well, not sure who's even out there anymore, but I shall blog nonetheless!

I had another great friend contact me on the weekend indicating she missed my blog entries. So, for all you who miss me out there...I'm back.

I've been pretty busy since Christmas. I finished working at the portrait studio -- long story short...I was mislead on some key things regarding my employment. But shed no tears my pretties because I am currently working on setting up my own photography biz. Once I have the website up and running, I will be sure to post that.

I haven't been doing a lot of knitting as of late -- was so busy working into the evening that by the time I drove home (25 min drive) I spent the remainder of the evening with my family. Also I have been doing a lot of photography lately. It has been quite a therapeutic outlet for me. The joy it brings me far exceeds anything else (hobby-wise). *gasp* ... even knitting!!!

I didn't join the spinners' guild this year because I was always working on the evenings they have their meetings. So, therefore, I no longer have a spinning wheel -- which I really do miss. I love how relaxing it is. Well, I have a job interview tomorrow, so if I get the job, I can always save up to purchase my own wheel.

Madeline is taking piano lessons -- me so happy! She seems to be enjoying it emmensely. She practices without me even asking...I'm sure that will end.

I have so many blogs to catch up on!!!! Reading and writing. Well, hopefully there are still a few of you out there...look forward to hearing from you if you're still checking in.

Merry Christmas, Friends

Hello Everyone,

Yes, it's been a few weeks since I've last written, but the busy season at the studio is over for the moment.

I have a story to tell you all. Now, hunker down in a nice warm blankie...you're going to love this one. In fact I'm sure that future generations will write legends about it.

As most of you know, my dear hubby is a pastor. So, as a result, we live a long distance from family and friends. Ever since my baby girl was a baby (she's now 8yrs old) we have pretty much been on our own for Christmas. The first Christmas we were on our own, we decided to start a new family tradition. I really didn't want to cook a huge traditional turkey dinner for just the two of us (baby girl was only 6 months old at the time), so we began our first annual "Traditional Non-Traditional Christmas Dinner". We decided to have anything but turkey for our Christmas dinner. Over the years, we have cooked everything from chicken breast to BBQ'd steak. But never turkey.

This year, a couple of days before the 25th, we thought maybe we should just buy like a turkey breast. But when we realized that would cost us almost $25.00 we figured it was cheaper to buy a whole turkey for the roastin'. So, we ventured over to the turkey section of the meat dept to check things out. My dear hubby, whom many of you would know to be ... frugal ... starts to rummage around the freezer full of turkeys. Wouldn't you know, he found a turkey that was mispriced. As we danced around in glee, truly believing this to be a Christmas miracle, we decided to feast upon turkey this year -- after all, turkey was no longer a Christmas traditional meal for us. So it would definitely fall into our "Traditional Non-Tradition Christmas Dinner" category.

So, you're all wondering how much this 13lb bird set us back???

It was priced at $0.13, but with our Club Card, it only cost us $0.07!!!!!

Can you believe it? A 7-cent turkey! Well, you can see where the rejoicing took place, especially when the store gave it to us for that amount for being honest in telling them about it. There was singing and dancing throughout the land! And, as I said before, I'm certain legends will be written about it some day....

So yesterday, after the Christmas service at church, we rushed home and had a quick lunch. My baby girl got back into her pjs and we finished unwrapping our gifts (we usually open a few on Christmas Eve and we open our stockings in the morning before church). After the gifts, I went to the kitchen to prepare the sacred bird for the roastin'. Several hours later, the three of us sat down to a Christmas feast we had only dreamed about...turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and more! We ate so much we decided to bundle up and go for a walk outside to get rid of the overstuffed feeling.

Such a fantastic day! And the topper...I got a new lens for my camera!!! EEEEEEEE!!!!!! So excited!

Bye for now -- I wish all of you a VERY Merry Christmas (don't forget, it didn't end on the 25th...there are still 12 days of Christmas left!!!). God's blessings to you all!

P.S. My hubby pointed out yesterday that wasn't it coincidental that our $0.07 turkey was purchased for Christmas '07...hmmmmmmm...

Happy Advent Everyone!

Today is the first Sunday in Advent. As per our family tradition, today after church we decorated our home for the upcoming Christmas season. It is always a fun day filled with decorating, remembering, and snacking on our favourite appetizers to end the day.

However, I need to back the day up for you...starting last night.......

Yesterday the snow began to fall -- truly a beautiful sight! Light fluffy flakes slowly cascading down covering the ground with a beautiful blanket of snow. Evening came and the snow continued to fall slowly to the ground. A quick peek out the window before bedtime and I fell asleep with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head (...in case you haven't noticed, I LOVE snow...it is truly beautiful! I couldn't imagine living somewhere like California where snow is an oddity!!!)

I woke up this morning to the sound of my hubby chuckling to himself. His comments about the snow had me scrambling to look out the bedroom window. We got at least 15 inches of snow...and it was still coming down! I quickly dashed outside with my camera to try to capture just how much is out there. Enjoy!

(Our driveway leading to the church parking lot)

(BBQ anyone?????)

(Backyard was thigh-high in most areas)

(I kinda felt bad that my new baby, Bella, was all nestled and dry in the garage while everyone else's car had to be cleaned off and dug out...NOT!)

Well, after that I showered up for church. We had record numbers out at church today. We live out in the country beside the church. Including my family of three, there were five of us in total!!!! I guess most people were snowed in. But it was a wonderful service this first Sunday of Advent.

After that we headed home, changed into comfy clothes and, after a quick lunch, began our annual "Day of Decorating". The following are a few images of our wonderfully decorated house. I LOVE Christmas lights! I would have them up all year round if people wouldn't look at me so funny -- not that I care, really. Have a wonderful Advent season everyone as we prepare for the season of Christmas!

(Fontanini Nativity Set)

(Even the Littlest Pet Shop creatures came to love and adore the baby Jesus!!!)

(Ornament on our craft tree)

(Our slowly growing Christmas village)

(Angel on Fontanini Nativity Set)

Hello Out There...

...Is anybody still out there? I have been rather negligent in updating my blog as of late. Christmas hours at the portrait studio are crazy for the next few weeks. So I haven't really been on the computer at all lately. I checked my e-mail today ... over 400 unread messages!!!! Yipes!

Also need to knit -- spinning hasn't even been in my thoughts (I've missed the last three meetings!!!!) Just too crazy right now. Be patient with me. After Dec 13th, things will slow down a lot. Until then, I will probably be away from the computer. I need to also update my pictures (organize them). They are sorrily misfiled right now and undated!!!

Better go -- I've been sick the last few days with a sinus infection so I've been off work. Back to work tomorrow, Sunday off (we'll be decorating the house for Christmas), and then back to work next week. Take care and stick with me!!!!

Still Here...

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it has been awhile since I've last posted. Work has been keeping me pretty busy -- but I'm no longer hauling bread...

I got a job as a portrait photographer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hello...dream job!!!!!!!! :D

It has been quite busy since Christmas is coming and most of my shifts have been from 11am to 8pm (the only negative side to the whole thing). I miss having dinner with my family during the week. But it's only until the new year. Then the studio goes back to it's regular hours (10am to 7pm).

I have really been enjoying it. I love working with the kids and babies. It's a lot of fun and I'm so thankful this opportunity came up for me. It's been a real blessing.

The dark side of it all is...I haven't picked up my knitting for a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yipes! By the time I get home from work, I just want to hang out with my family before Baby Girl has to go to bed. Then I crash on the couch with hubby to catch a couple of sitcoms, CSI, or a reality show (Survivor & Amazing Race) and I'm out like a light.

I have tomorrow off, so I'm hoping to pick up the sticks while hubby watches football -- Go Riders!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!! Riders rock!!! :D

Have a great weekend everyone...I'll try to keep in touch more regularly.