Random Thoughts

• The weather is changing. I need a light coat in the morning, the afternoons are warm, and the crisp evenings are perfect for opening the windows. We have a tree in our front yard, and one of my favorite things is falling asleep with the bedroom window open, listening to the wind blowing through its leaves.

• I make banana chocolate chip muffins a lot. So much in fact, that I may be a little sick of them. So this week I think I will bake a pumpkin loaf instead - perfect for autumn.

• I went on a rampage a few weeks ago and ruthlessly cleaned out my closet....which felt great. Things are sparse in there now, but in a good way...what remains are clothes that fit my life, things that I will actually wear. That being said, I bought a new dress the other day.....and I have absolutely no idea where or when I will wear it.

• Coffee is one of my favorite things. I will never understand people who do not drink coffee; how on earth do they function?

Just a few random thoughts....have a great day!

The Zoo

We spent this past Saturday at the zoo. The weather cooperated perfectly; after a few worrying raindrops on the windshield as we drove into the parking lot, it cleared up and we were able to enjoy a full day outside marveling at the incredible animals.

The girls were excited and amazed for the entire day. It was precious to watch their faces as they watched the animals, and to see them running from one place to the next eager to see all they could. This was Claire's first trip to the zoo, and the first trip Bridget can remember (we visited when she was 18 months old) so their wonder was completely justified.

One of the highlights was most certainly the Giant Pandas who are currently visiting from China.

We were also amazed to see the Hippopotamus walking around his enclosure rather than sitting submerged in his pool. 

It was a really great day and we all had an incredible time. 

For me though, I was quite saddened by how many animals and habitats I read about that are threatened and endangered. Obviously I know this is an issue, but I don’t think I really grasped the extent of the problem, the horrifying degree to which we are plundering and destroying the earth...it is something that has really weighed on my mind since our visit, something that I am definitely still processing.....

Right now I can only say thank goodness for all the conservation efforts being made, though it sure seems like there should be more done. There are incredible animals on this planet....and they need to be saved, so that future generations can experience the excitement and wonder that comes from seeing them.

10 Random Facts About Me

Today I thought it would be fun to share ten random facts about myself. I always love to read these kinds of lists on other blogs, and never having done one in this space, I figured there was no time like the present. So, here we go with ten random facts about me:

1. I went to German school every Saturday morning for 12 years. I can read and understand much better than I can speak, and even though I did not love every minute of my time there, I am glad that I went  as it made it possible for me to fumble my way through a German conversation, and gave me a greater appreciation for my family heritage.
2. I played the clarinet in my high school band. I was terrible at it, definitely more honking than music.
3. When I was in university I wanted to be a doctor. I changed my mind when I realized that a harried, on-call, super busy lifestyle was not for me.
4. I used to work at Baskin Robbins and Dairy Queen – at the same time. Therein lies the source of my (recently kicked) ice cream addiction.
5. As a child I collected stamps. And Garfield figurines. I still have both of these collections in my basement.
6. After seven years working part time (and loving it), I went back to working full time hours in October 2013. It has been a challenge, to say the least, and I often have moments when I wonder how in the world I will get everything done without losing my mind.
7. I have been eating a mostly plant based diet for the last year and a half – lots of fruits and vegetables, very little dairy, and rarely any meat. I have lost weight, have more energy, and feel better all around.  This has been a very positive change for me. 
8. I love a good deal. I am always looking for a bargain. I’ve always been this way; I even bought my wedding dress off the sale rack.
9. I started getting a lot of grey hair about four years ago. I fought it for a while, but have since decided to just embrace it. There are other things I would rather spend my time and energy on....that is not to say that I never shed a tear when I look in the mirror and see all the arctic white highlights I have...an on-going struggle for sure.
10. One of my favourite movies of all time is “Gone with the Wind”.

Hope you enjoyed this list...I had a lot of fun writing it. Any random facts about yourself that you would like to share?

These are a Few of My Favorite Things:

Coffee

An unscheduled day

A freshly weeded garden

Laundry hanging on the line

The first sleep in a changed bed

Sunny mornings

Baking muffins

Candles

Fridays

The smell of lavender

Using fresh herbs from the garden

Soup

Fresh bread

No spend days

Crocheting while sitting on the deck

Organizing my yarn

Browsing thrift stores

Decluttering

Trying new recipes

Waking up without an alarm

Finding a good deal

Flowers

Polka dots

Autumn leaves

Pants that fit

Fitting It In

Some weeks I feel like all I am doing is going to work, coming home to the endless piles of laundry and housework and then getting up the next day to do it all over again.

But in all of that I am getting some crafting done. A little bit here and there, squeezed in among all my chores and obligations, there are crafty and creative moments in my day.

Thank goodness for this space and being able to document what I have done. It helps to look back and see that indeed I have finished a few projects.