A Colourful Life

Girl Guides, Chocolatas and Pet Peeves.

Girl Guides:

Recently I was fortunate enough to have been asked to teach a group of Girl Guides.  When she was younger, Alyssa was first a Brownie, then a Girl Guide so this was a teaching job that held some personal attachment for me having worked with the Girl Guides before.  Alyssa had a lot of fun as a Brownie and a Girl Guide, diligently earning her badges so she could proudly display them on her sash. I remember selling the cookies as well..... (well the boxes that we didn't eat ourselves anyway!).  The chocolate mint ones were a favourite!  

This particular group of Girl Guides ranged in age from 9 - 12 and they were the best group of students, eager to learn and so very creative.  In many ways, I love teaching the kids just as much if not more than my adult students.  The kids are always so eager to please, always wanting to show me their finished projects, looking for that endorsement from me telling them they did a great job.  And they always do.  I get a lot of satisfaction teaching them.  Here are some pics of my group in action!

 

 

Here are all the projects they made.   

And this is the whole group posing for a final picture at the end of the class.  It was a joy to teach them and I look forward to doing so again in the fall!  Well done, Guides!

ChocolaTas:

In another one of my walks around Granville Island, I found a chocolate vendor unlike any I've seen before.  ChocolaTas is a shop that specializes in Gourmet Belgian Chocolates. Hand-created by Wim Tas, and packaged in unique holiday gift boxes, these chocolate truffles are not only the richest chocolates I've tasted, they also are the most unique looking.   When I visited I was lucky enough to be treated to a taste of their chocolate, famous for their tea flavoured ganache.  The one I tasted was a green tea ganache, and it was delicious.  Inspired  by the flavours of the world, ChocolaTas showcases its unique collection of tea-based ganache fillings: Earl Grey, Rooibos, Kyoto Cherry Rose and Green Tea, as well as delicacies based on Tuscan hazelnuts, Iranian pistachios, Provençal orange peel, and Champagne from… where else? France.  Plus, what a cool name, huh?  ....combining the word "chocolate" with the creator's name, Wim Tas.  Genius. 

Have a look at the chocolate you can buy from this place -- a delight to look at and a feast for the palette.  Indulgence.

 

The packaging is just beautiful as well.  One of a kind.  I've never seen chocolate like this before, truly unique.

Pet Peeves:

 pet peeve , Definition:  is a minor annoyance that an individual identifies as particularly annoying to them, to a greater degree than others may find it.  

What are my pet peeves?  Well, I do have several, but I work in retail so here are my retail pet peeves:

• scrounging for change - some people will take forever to dig into their purse to find change.  Not just any change....but change so grungy and gross, with crushed cereal stuck to it via some sticky substance which I don't even want to know about.  However, change is still currency, so it cannot be refused.  But it drives me up one wall and down the other to have to stand there and wait for them to find 3 measly cents in the bottom of their purse.  People, there is a lineup.....just give me a bill and I'll give you the appropriate change.  Go to the bank and exchange your grungy change for bills there.  That's what they are there for.  Okay, stepping off my soapbox now.  
• Unpreparedness - I work at a post office.  People come in and drop off their "stuff" on the counter and say, " I want this mailed".  Do they think I'm going to package it for them?  It's like showing up at the airport with all your clothes and checking in expecting them to pack your stuff in a suitcase and load it on the plane for you.  So I point them in the direction of our packing materials and tell them they need to purchase the appropriate package, pack their items and then we can mail it.  Then they ask, "what box should I use?"  Really?  I need to tell them that?  I simply don't understand this.  How helpless can one be?  It can be exasperating.
• Useless questions - The last mail pick up of the day is at 5 PM.  All the time.  It never changes.  Yet the same person comes into the post office at least twice a week, at around 5 minutes past 5 with the same question.  "Has the mail been picked up yet?"  She knows the answer to this already.  Somebody, just stab me in the eye with a pencil.  That would hurt less than having to answer this question on a regular basis.  

I am generally tolerant of most people's idiosyncracies.  But anyone you talk to who works in retail will tell you that you need an infinite amount of patience in this line of work.  INFINITE.  

Have a good Sunday everyone!

 

La Baguette et L'Echalote, The Claw and a Petite Purse

La Baguette et L'Echalote:

Yesterday at lunchtime, I took a walk around Granville Island.  It was gorgeous outside, a shiny, sunny Tuesday!  There are many shops on the island that I have yet to discover.  Even if I work on the island, I seldom walk around and explore as quite often when the day is over, all I want to do is go home and put my feet up.  But the beautiful, sunny weather was calling out to me so explore I did.  There is a deliciously heavenly store on Johnston Street, in front of the public market called La Baguette et L'Echalote. We all know what a baguette is and an echalote, for those wondering is an onion, specifically a young onion, or a green onion.   This unique shop offers not just breads and rolls, but cakes, tarts and pastries, croissants, danish, cookies and chocolate.  They even offer prepared meals and have a deli.  They also do wedding cakes and will do wedding cake tastings with cakes to suit every style, palette and budget.  I've often gone home carrying  a fresh baguette along with some homemade clam chowder from the market -- dinner, fast and easy.

Bread, bread and even more bread.  Every variety under the sun, freshly baked daily.

Pastry!  Ooey, gooey, good.  The pastry you get from this shop is top notch.  Only the best, fresh ingredients.

Chocolate! Next to coffee, chocolate is probably what I would ask for if I had to be stranded on an island for a month.  I resisted during this visit and only stopped to take a picture....not an ounce or a smidge of chocolate entered my mouth.  *Gasp!* 

I did however, buy  a baguette and some bruschetta at the market.  Both of which were devoured within a half hour of my getting home.  (insert contented grin here)

The Claw:

This is the claw!

Recently, as we were preparing to move all of Trev's stuff into the new condo we visited a recycling centre in Bellingham.  If you look up the recylcing centres where you live you'll be surprised to find out that they will pay you $$$ for your stuff!  Most recycling places will accept ferrous and non ferrous metals including appliances, motor blocks, electric motors, radiators and auto batteries.  During this visit we disposed of a gas stove and some various other metal pieces and Trev walked away with some money that he otherwise didn't realize he had coming.  So next time you need to dispose of stuff, don't just go to the dump, do this  instead!  Here are some pics.

Emptying the truck and hauling the metal onto the huge metal heap at the recycling centre.

We disposed of the metal at Northwest Recycling.  They also take structural scrap steel and car bodies.  See that truck you see in the pic??  Who knows, that may one day find itself in this heap.  Trev just might get a couple (perhaps more....) C notes for that baby. 

A Petite Purse:

This is a brand new product from Stampin Up and I love it!  I will be teaching a class using this ever so cool die in June, so stay tuned.  In the meantime, here's a video from Stampin' Up showcasing this new die.  You will love it as much as I do!

 

Children are Life's Precious Gifts

Children.  Having them is one of the most beautifully irrational acts two people in love can commit.  They bring you smiles.  And they bring you heartache.  They bring you happiness.  And they bring you worries.  They bring you innocent smiles and profound questions that make you scratch your head and wonder how you're going to give them a good answer that won't scar them for life or will one day be the cause of expensive psychotherapy.  Like when Jordan came home from Kindergarten and said to me, "Mom, what's a wedgie?"   Or the numerous times Alyssa jokingly asks me, "Mom, if you had to pick just one kid who would you pick, Jordan or me?  You can only pick one!"  They bring you a sense of warmth and calmness.  And they bring you hurt and turmoil.  They grow up and experience life in all its candor and you feel what they feel.  You're happy when they are happy and you hurt when they hurt.  Like the New Year's eve when your son's first kind of serious relationship comes to an end and he is hurting so bad like he thinks no one could ever hurt.  But what he doesn't realize is that you feel the hurt several times over because that's your baby that is feeling the pain.   And no mother likes to see her child hurting.  Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  It is a vulnerability like no other.  My kids are grown now, Jordan is 21 and Alyssa is almost 16.  When you have brought up kids, there are memories you store directly in your tear ducts.  My kids are and always will remain the highest accomplishments of my life.  

This school year is almost over now.  As each year goes by, I like to look back at what the past 365 days have brought.  This past year has been a good one for my kids.  Despite many changes at home, they have thrived and proven to me time and time again just how outstanding they are.  They make my heart swell with pride.

Today, Jordan is in his third year of university, specifically in Honours Biotechnology  at UBC.  It was quite an accomplishment for him to get into this program,  as only a few per year are chosen.  And currently he is working full time in a company called Stem Cell Technologies as a mandatory prerequisite to graduation.  Stem Cell is  a privately owned company based in Vancouver.  They  sell product to more than 70 different countries, specializing in tissue culture (Human / Animal Cells growing a Petri Dish sort of thing)  and media (the stuff you put on top of the cells so that they can grow).  He is enjoying his job thoroughly and I am very proud of him.  He is determined to succeed and studied hard to get to where he is now.  He definitely earned his way to this job.  

Alyssa is in grade 10, earning excellent marks and making her mark at school in her own unique way.  She has big shoes to fill.  Attending the same High School as her brother who earned top marks and is well known to the teachers, she was always known as "Jordan's little sister".  In her firstr year at the school, her teachers would call her name in roll call, stop for a second and then say, "is Jordan your brother?"  And she'd say yes, and they would say, "are you as smart as him?"  Well, this was all the challenge she needed.  There was no way she was going to not accomplish what her brother did.  She studies hard.  And she has been doing very well, earning excellent marks.  She is also active in dance, going to the Richmond Academy of Dance and representing the school in competitions, both in group dances and in solo performances.  Competitions for this year are over now (much to my relief!) and she won 2 gold and one silver this year.  Dance has been a great outlet for her creativity and she is good at it.  Watching her light up on stage is a joy to watch.  My little dancer.

My children are grown now.  But as I've watched them grow, so have I.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself.  And they have taught me to do that.

Tunnel Vision, Whistler Gastronomy and some Crafty Goodness

Tunnel Vision:

"Tunnel Vision" --   loss of peripheral vision with retention of central vision, resulting in a constricted circular tunnel-like field of vision.  What am I talking about?  Let me show you in pictures.  First, tunnel vision:

See that vehicle?  Okay, so I'm in a lineup at the U.S./Canadian border waiting to cross into Canada and I see this truck.  With no driver.  And it is MOVING.  And I'm so intent on the empty driver seat with NO ONE in it that I fail to see the overall picture.  Which brings us to peripheral vision:

If we only stopped and looked at the "bigger picture", life would make so much more sense, wouldn't it?  This of course is an oversimplified example of "life" -- but you get the idea.  Look at the bigger picture, and everything will make sense.  Vehicles don't move on their own....something else has to be happening to create movement.  The same is true with our lives.  I've always maintained that life is what you make it.  We all create our own existence.  

 

Whistler Gastronomy:

This past Friday  we drove up to Whistler to spend the night.  Jordan was up there with his friends at our timeshare at Club Intrawest on getaway time, so we went up on Friday to  check them in.  Whistler has been a yearly getaway for the family and while there is so much more to do there other than just ski and snowboard (zip lining, tree top adventure, dirt biking....) this post will be about the gastronomic experience.  So here we go....in pictures of course!  I always take pictures of food and Trevor jokes that he doesn't really mind even if he ends up eating cold food.  I have to say that I did bring my Nikon DSL camera up to Whistler, but I kept forgetting it in the hotel room so unfortunately all the pictures I took where using my Iphone.  So I apologize in advance for the picture quality.

Red Curry Chicken Bowl: from Milestones -- curry coconut cream sauce over Jasmine rice and Asian greens.  Just the right amount of spiciness.  Yum.

Butternut Squash Ravioli: also from Milestones.  Roma tomato sauce, goat cheese, fresh basil and spicy glazed pecans.  Yum again.

Dessert Shots:  Heaven on earth, also from Milestones.  A variety of desserts (5 different ones) served in shot glasses.  We got key lime, apple crumble, cheesecake, chocolate mousse cake and my sugar induced coma must have kicked in after I tasted the 4th shot because I cannot remember what the 5th one was.  But whatever it was, it was delish.

All this food of course is washed down with good ol' Whistler beer.  Of course.

The next day we took a walk into the village and ate at Crepe Montagne.  This  place is a yearly visit for us -- each summer in July when my entire family goes to Whistler, we never leave without at least one visit to Crepe Montagne. French inspired, Whistler style -- it is the place to go for crepes, fondues and swiss raclette.  

Ah, les Belles!  This is the Belle Marie -- crepes filled with sweet strawberries and vanilla ice cream, then topped off with rich chocolate sauce and whipped cream.  A perfect ending to any meal.

It was a relaxing and wonderful getaway to Whistler.  We are going back again in 2 months, in early July with the family.  A yearly tradition.

 

Crafty Goodness:

I am in Bellingham right now, and while I don't have majority of my craft supplies with me, I always try to bring something to do while visiting.  So for this visit, I brought my markers and will be colouring up a storm.  Followed of course by some serious cutting action.

I'll post the pictures of the projects I will make with the above flowers when I'm done.  In the meantime, have a good Sunday and hopefully you have sunshine where you are.  It' sunny here so I am trying to enjoy some of it.  I've already been out cleaning my car and spent some time enjoying some lemonade on the deck.  The movers are arriving later to bring the rest of the furniture, so we will be spending the afternoon arranging, re-arranging and moving stuff around.  Enjoy your weekend, what's left of it.

Glovebox Woes, Moving and a Technique Video

Glovebox Woes:

About 2 months ago, I bought myself a new car.  Well, not new necessarily, but new to me.  I purchased a 2005 Nissan Sentra from a local dealership who for the moment shall remain nameless to protect the innocent and in an attempt to not assign blame.  I'm hoping the problem is fixed, as they are still working on it.  First, a visual.

Isn't that beautiful?  I'm betting you guys are jealous of me and wish that you too could drive around town with no glove box but a gaping hole in your dash instead.  It really is the "piece de resistence" and is the object of many envious looks from people walking past my vehicle who have been lucky enough to glance in and wish they owned my car.   And look what's in the back seat!

Yes, people....not just ONE, but TWO....count them....TWO glove boxes.  Neither of them happen to fit the gaping hole in my dash, unfortunately.  I should have listened to my gut and paid attention to the sense of foreboding that I felt when I first sat in the car before the test drive, with the salesman beside me.  I opened the dash and it fell right on my foot.  I looked at the salesman and he looked at me sheepishly and said, "OH!  Not a good start to the test drive, huh?".   UHHMMM......NO, it absoluely is not a good start to the process.  But I went ahead and test drove it, liked the feel of it, offered a price lower than asking, went back and forth several times between  myself and the Sales Manager....and 3 offers later, I owned it.....with the confirmation that the glovebox problem was minor and would be fixed as soon as a new glovebox was ordered.  Fine!  I drove off happy in my not so new, shiny Nissan Sentra.  Albeit with no glovebox.  Fast forward 2 months, 2 gloveboxes and 2 visits later  and I still have no glovebox.  They just can't seem to figure out why none of the gloveboxes they order seem to stay shut.  And now they're thinking, there's a problem with the dash.  THE DASH!?!?!??   What to do?  Well, now I have to take it to an actual Nissan dealer seeing as they would be better qualified to figure out what's wrong.  I am doing that next week.  I am hoping that by this time next week, I will have an answer to this conundrum that seems to have put the entire service staff at this local dealer into a tizzy.  Cross your fingers for me....I really don't want to be driving around with no glovebox for much longer.   Stay tuned...I will let you know how this all plays out. 

Moving:

Well, I spent sometime this past week helping Trev pack up and move his stuff out of his place and into storage till we get into new diggs.

mov·ing -- [moo-ving]
adjective

1. causing or producing motion.
2. involving a motor vehicle in motion.

3.actuating, instigating or impelling: the moving spirit behind the party.

4. annoying fact of life that we all must face at some point in our existence involving a lot of boxes, packing tape, sorting out, donating stuff, throwing out and toward the end, sleeping on a mattress on the floor.

In our case, #4 is the definition that describes "moving" for us.  Here are some pics of part of the process.

Trev, arranging stuff onto the pickup.  Note the beautiful pick-up Trev got for a song.  It has a beautiful two-tone paint job of silver and rust.  Truly one of a kind.  I'm pretty sure it was a limited edition. I'd tell you more about this wonderful vehicle, but that will be a blog entry all on its own with pictures of the flashy truck that I believe garners just as many, if not more jealous stares as my glovebox-less car.

In goes the carpet.  See the fringe that goes all around the carpet.... Trev has threatened to cut it all off completely.  So one day I'm guessing that carpet will be fringe-less.  (kinda like my car which is glovebox-less).

All loaded up.  "Now, get in the truck so we can deliver this load and do another one!".  Oh, the joy of moving. 

A Technique Video:

I am teaching a class this weekend at the community centre down the road from my house.  See all my kits, ready to go!

I am getting everything all packed up tonight because Alyssa competes both days this weekend, so I won't have time to do so after tonight.

Finally, here's a technique video from Stampin' Up Head Office.  Enjoy!

Spring Cleaning, Dinner at Dad's and a New Class.

Spring Cleaning:

It's April.  The sun has tried to come out on some days, and on others we've had a mixed bag.  You think it'll be sunny and you head out and you find yourself in the midst of a sun shower.  Yesterday, we drove down  to Trev's dad's place transporting a dining room table, chairs and couch.  The furniture was loaded up onto Trev's truck sans tarp or any kind of covering because the sun was out.  The drive was no longer than about 40 minutes and before we got to Edison, the rain had started and the furniture got a dose of good ol' Bellingham rain.  It made it into the house fine, though a tad damp.  However, despite the wishy-washy weather, Spring is definitely on its way.  That means it's time to spring clean.  I've been systematically going through the house, sorting things I need to throw away/donate/keep.  Spring cleaning is a yearly ritual at my house, a chance to declutter and get things in order for summer.    For those of you who have also started spring cleaning, here are 3 of my all time standby cleaning tips:

• Ceiling fans - Put an old pillowcase over the blade and drag it along as you pull it off.  All the dust will fall into the pillowcase.  Then just wipe the blade with a damp cloth.  Once cleaned, put a coat of furniture polish on the blade.  Less dirt will stick to it and it will be much easier to clean next time.
• The dishwasher - did you know that you should regularly clean your dishwasher?  I didn't think this was necessary either, till we had a problem with ours and the repairman mentioned it.  I use  Kool-aid to clean ours.  You can clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty) dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to.
• Windows - Vinegar and water as a spray and then wipe down with newspapers.  No streaks! My favorite recipe is to combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. That’s all there is to it. (Make sure to label the bottle and keep it out of the reach of children.)

Dinner at Dad's:

Yesterday we had dinner at Trev's dad home in Edison. I love his home there, and I've enjoyed my visits there.  Dinner was delicious, starting off with a romaine salad.

I've never had a salad like this before.  Made of romaine hearts, drizzled with a balsamic dressing then grilled over heat.  Before serving, it was sprinkled with fresh grated parmesan, almonds and some pancetta (italian bacon).   So very tasty.   For tips on how to grill romaine hearts, click here.

Then, for the main dish Trev's dad cooked some lovely pork topped with a spicy/sweet fruit dressing.  This was served on top of some fabulous polenta, cooked by Sally, Trev's dad's girlfriend.  It was a wonderful meal, made even more special by the fact that there is no real recipe for the pork -- it's just a concoction thought up by Trev's dad.  It's all in his head....and I think those are the very best recipes of all because they can never, ever be copied!

 

New Class:

Time for yet another class.  This one uses the stamp set called "Mixed Bunch".

Here are some close ups of a couple of the cards featured in this class.

If you are not on my class email list and would like to be, drop me a line and I'll make sure I add you.  

Before I go, please remember that this Sunday, April 22, 2012 is Earth Day.  What have you done lately to protect the planet we live on?  It doesn't take much to help out, small changes in daily habits i.e. using energy efficient lightbulbs, riding your bike to work, or even just switiching to electronic statements and bills in your monthly banking will help.  Change starts with one small step.  And change always starts at home.  If you haven't yet thought of how you can contribute, this year is as good a time as any.

A Boat Ride, A Card, and Happiness : )

A Boat Ride:

A couple of weeks ago, we took the boat out for a ride out onto the bay. 

Here we are arriving at the Marina at Squalicum Harbor.

Launching the boat onto Bellingham Bay.

And we're off!

Trevor -- so serious as he drives the boat.

Knotty Bay, on the other side.  There was a beautiful, tiny  waterfall that looked like it disappeared underneath the beach into the bay.  Very cool.

So beautiful.  Nature in all its glory.

Trev testing the downriggers.

Before heading back into Bellingham, I practiced what I learned at Hypnotizing School on Trev.  It worked brilliantly.   It was a lovely afternoon out on the water.  It did start to spit a bit of rain on the way back and the ride was bumpier than it was heading out, but we had a wonderful trip, all told.

A Card:

As always, my blog posts are never complete unless I share a card.  So here goes.

The card, in its bare bones stage.  These are the layers before I stamp and embellish them.

Now comes the stamping.  I stamped the flower image from the "Mixed Bunch" stamp set, available in the current Occasions mini catty. To use this stamp set fully, it's a good idea to purchase the matching Blossom punch as well, as seen above.

Next, I punched out coordinating flowers in Bashful Blue and Pear Pizzazz using the Boho Blossoms punch.  These will go in the centres of the flowers I punched in the prior picture.

And this is what the final card looks like.  It will be one of the cards featured in an upcoming class.  Stay tuned for the deets -- and if you're already on my email list, I'll be emailing those deets to you.  If you are not, and would like to be, drop me a line asking to be added to the list.

 

Happiness:

I am a happy person by nature.  I've always been that way, even as a young child.  In High School, I remember getting into trouble one day because I was laughing so loud in the hallway while some kids were writing an exam inside a classroom.  And once in the middle of a yoga class the instructor told me if I couldn't stop snickering, I had to leave the class.  I left, much to her surprise.  I knew I couldn't stop snickering, so why test the water.   And as an adult, I've been asked by many friends if I ever get angry or am I happy all the time.  Well, the answer to that is yes, I do get angry and I get frustrated at certain things, but all in all, I try not to sweat the small stuff. 

How do I stay happy?  Well, I think the correct question is how do I stay as happy as possible....cause that's what I try to do.  Stay as happy as possible.  So here are some things I like to focus on that I think help me stay positive and happy.

• Appreciate life - Be thankful that you woke up alive each morning.  Make the most of each day. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
• Choose friends wisely - I try to surround myself with happy, positive people who share my rosy outlook on life. Friends that have the same ethics as me who encourage me to achieve my dreams. They help me to feel good about myself.
• Forgive - Holding a grudge will hurt no one but you. Forgive others for your own peace of mind. And more importantly, and this is key --  when I make a mistake – I own up to it – learn from it – and FORGIVE myself.
• Gratitude - I develop an attitude of gratitude.  I count my blessings; All of them – even the things that seem trivial.   I'm  grateful for my home, my work and most importantly my family and friends.  Every night before I go to sleep, I say a prayer of gratitude with 4 main constants:  I am thankful for a roof over my head, food in the house, a family that I love and loves me back and health.  
• Self care - I take care of my mind, body and health. I make an effort to eat healthy and work out.  I strive to  exercise my mind by continually energizing it with interesting new knowledge.
• Be Proactive - Accept what can not be changed. Happy people don’t waste energy on circumstances beyond their control. Accept your limitations as a human being. Determine how you can take control by creating the outcome you desire – rather than waiting to respond.
• Mind my own business - I try to concentrate on creating my life the way I want it. I take care of myself and my family.  I don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying and I don’t get caught up with gossip.   I don’t judge. Everyone has a right to live their own life the way they want to – including me!
• Take responsibility - Happy people know and understand that they are 100% responsible for their life. They take responsibility for their moods, attitude, thoughts, feelings, actions and words. They are the first to admit when they’ve made a mistake.
  
  Most of all: BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.

Well, that's it.  Hopefully you've been able to glean some information from what I've shared to help you in your search for happiness.  Remember, it takes 72 muscles to frown, only 14 to smile. (Note: I don't know if that really is accurate.....you know it's one of those sayings that everyone seems to throw out there..... you know a snippet of wisdom that is passed on from friend to friend.  Is it true????  I don't really know!  But I choose to believe it because it makes me HAPPY!)

Have a good Sunday all.

 

Fitness, Easter and Bordering on Romance

Fitness;

If you are a follower of my blog, you already know that fitness, strength and working out is a major part of  my daily life.  I started going to the gym about 4 years ago, got myself a personal trainer, adjusted some of my eating habits and have not looked back since.  All told I've lost about 40 pounds, but it's all in the way your clothes fit more than it is the number of pounds lost.  If you can feel the clothes get loser and you start to feel better overall, then you are winning at the losing game.  Because pounds lost is not really an accurate portrayal of success in fitness.  As you lose fat and gain muscle, you will find that your weight loss will slow down.  This is because lean muscle weighs more than fat....so if you are getting rid of fat, but gaining muscle you may even find the that you will weigh more.....but you will also look awesome!  Toned muscles instead of flabby fat......it's a no brainer.   I like to do mixed martial arts i.e. boxing and kickboxing with my trainer, but I also like to spin and do zumba.  Quite often on a sunny day, I'll just run outside or hit a trail with uneven terrain to exercise my legs and build up cardio.   Spin classes are also fun, and I have my favourites.....cause spin class for me is all about the music and if the instructor doesn't have the music I like I find that I don't attend their class a second time....so I choose who I go with.

It's important to adjust your bikes properly before spin class -- make sure the saddle is just at the right height so you don't hyperextend your muscles.  Your feet should always be flat when cycling, never pointed.   Spin classes are wonderful to really test your endurance and you can adjust the bike tension yourself to as high as you want to really push yourself.  An hour of spin class can easily burn upwards of 800 calories if you really work hard.   Side note: can you spot me taking thi pic?

My other favourite class is Zumba.  I love to dance and again, it's all about the music.  There is choreography involved in this class, but as you attend more and more classes, it becomes easier and so much fun.  For those of you who are beginners and have never tried zumba, below is a vidoe of zumba basics.  This video breaks down 3 of the basic steps....step by step.  When you go to an actual class, it will be fast and more complicated but this video does an excellent job of teaching the basics.

 

If you ever have a chance to try zumba at our local gym, do!  It is fun.

Easter:

That time of year again.  You know, the time when everywhere you look in the mall all you see is chocolate!?!?!!   And it gets worse because after Easter, the chocolate is usually still at the mall, excpet this time it's cheaper!  We are meeting this Sunday for Easter lunch and also to celebrate my nephew's daughter's birthday.  Little Emma is turning 2!!  

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter and that you don't O.D. on the chocolate.  I remember past Easters when Sunday afternoon was spent on the couch in a chocolate induced coma.  I plan for that NOT to happen this year!!  

Bordering on Romance:
 This of course, is the name of the stamp set featured in my next class.  Here are 2 more pics of the projects in this class.

Well, I hope everyone has a fantastic Easter weekend.  Saturday's forecast calls for sun here in Bellingham and Trevor & I are planning to take the boat out and sail to Friday Harbor.  At least, that's the plan.  So let's hope the weather stays nice!

 

Thanks a Latte

I certainly have a lot to be thankful for nowadays.  Most importantly of course would be family and friends and of course, the presence of love in my life.   Those are the major things I am thankful for.  However, there are many smaller, incidental things I am thankful for on a daily basis, i.e. a sunny day, ice cream, Ghirardelli dark chocolate, take out pizza.....you know what I mean.  And of course, there is coffee.  My drug of choice.  Lately, Trevor has been spoiling me with the best homemade lattes on a regular basis.   See what I mean below.  The pictures tell the story.

He starts  of course with whole espresso beans from Black Drop Coffee House in Bellingham.  He uses their Alectrona espresso beans -- awesomeness!

Trevor is such a pro at handling his espresso machine, he can do it with his eyes closed.

First step of course, is to measure the right amount of milk to froth into your stainless steel cup.

He then froths the milk using the steam from his espresso machine.  Doesn't that steamed milk look good?

Next, grind the espresso beans.  Freshly ground coffee is so much more flavourful than ground coffee.  Once you've had fresh ground, any other way is just slumming it.

Freshly ground espresso -- it looks so good, you can almost smell the coffee goodness by staring at the picture.

Use your tamper to apply pressure and compact the ground coffee before continuing on to the next step.

See that coffee?  Premium goodness.  Awesome doesn't even begin to describe that little shot of espresso.

Pour the espresso shot into your steamed milk and watch the magic.

Pour the homemade, steaming good, delicious lattes into mugs and enjoy!  Lattes can be expensive if you buy them everyday -- at about $4 a pop.....you know what I mean.  So the ability to make it at home is a bonus.  Thankfully, Trev does that for me all the time : )

Now......classes.  I do have a new one coming up -- info on that will be posted in the next couple of days.   But here's a peek.  I am using the Bordering on Romance stamp set.

Stay tuned!

20 Lessons I've Learned

So....I am sitting here in my studio.  I should be making kits up for upcoming classes, but have started daydreaming.  Life has changed for me but I am in a very happy place right now.  I really couldn't ask for anything more to make me feel more complete.  Usually when I get like this, I start to think.  I become pensive.  And I started to think of lessons learned.  So here are 20 lessons life has taught me.  I challenge you guys to think of at least 20 lessons life has taught you! 

Lessons Life has Taught Me

1. Life isn't fair, but it is still good.
2. Winning every argument is not worth it.  Agreeing to disagree is healthy.
3. Don't compare your life to others.  No one will ever know what the other's journey is all about.
4. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
5. Life is too short for long pity parties.  Don't waste any time being a victim.
6. What other people think of you is none of your business.
7. Growing old beats the alternative.  Dying young.
8. If you don't ask, you don't get.
9. All that matters in the end is that you loved.
10. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
11. Strive for progress, not perfection.
12. You are stronger than you think you are.
13. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you deal with it.
14. You can learn great things from your mistakes if you don't waste time denying them.
15. Don't dwell on the past or worry about the future.  Right now is life. Live it.
16. Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.
17. Ask yourself on a regular basis, "What would you do if you weren't afraid?"
18. Laughter is the best medicine.  Laugh everyday.
19. The best is yet to come.
20. Believe in miracles.

Now go and make your own list.  Email me so that I can check yours out!