tears

there is a sacredness in tears. they are not the mark of weakness but of power. they speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. they are the messengers of overwhelming grief... and unspeakable love. ~ Washington Irvining

image: vantiani

home

lots of thoughts and feelings whirling around right now as i prepare to move house and take a step forward but not so many words.

image: sweet william

canine companion

we've been busy. and to add to all the new things we have going on we have a new addition to our family.

this is India and she is O's best friend. she is a beautiful two year old beagle that was looking for a new home and we couldnt resist her sweet face so she joined us over a month ago now.

earth

this is the most wonderful book that i have picked up in a long time. it contains so many useful ways to create a peaceful and rhythmic family home and is based on the waldorf philosophy. author sharifa oppenheimer also has a website with more information and reviews about the book.

my favorite part of the book so far are evening meal blessings to say with your children, it is a simple ritual that i have overlooked because i wasnt sure how to do it without it being based on a religious tradition.

it has also helped me with some more ideas with a bedtime routine. O has always gone to bed without too much fuss but i always hoped for something even calmer and very rhythmic. making a few minor adjustments is already making a difference and that will only get better when he has his new space in our new home. with all the changes that have gone on lately he has done so well with very few hiccups, children are resilient but i cannot help be a little amazed with my little guy.

image: amazon

m.i.a.

i have not disappeared off the planet rather just been so relieved that M and i are finally together that i have been too preoccupied to post. we havent got around to doing too much, M is just getting over the jetlag and settling in. we have a few to do's and hopefully some time to catch up with friends and a day in the mountains is sounding pretty tempting.
i am off again to enjoy the sunshine, everything seems a little brighter since he has arrived.

images: slgdesigns

six.

today i moved the balance of my things to my parents home from my house. i have until monday and then it is no longer mine. i have been so busy preparing for the move and all the goes along with it that i havent had an opportunity to think about how sad it is that i am leaving the home that O and i shared together. it was the place he was born and his home for the last two years.

as last night was the last time we would sleep there and the house was virtaully empty it seemed a little strange. i am glad to be in a house with furniture again (my parents) and so i begin to daydream about decorating a new home. only fun times ahead.

images: design*sponge

eight.

i have been telling M that i want a bicycle, perhaps that is what i will request for my birthday present this year.

i love this image, its just make me want a bike even more.

image: cicle

ten.

so the actual count down begins today because it is getting oh so close to M arriving and i have finally allowed myself a moment to let the excitement creep in.

one sweet love by sara bareilles

and i listen to songs that remind me of us to keep my mind occupied.

its not goodbye

for the last four year i have shared a little corner of the world with a handful of very lovely people that are my neighbors and also wonderful friends. i am not sure how it is that such a group of like minded people were placed together but i know it was for a reason. on friday evening we all got together for dinner as this is really my last weekend in my home before i head over to my parents house before i leave. 

i know that this will not be the last time our paths cross but its just as i have mentioned before i wish i could just keep all the good parts of now and take it with me to what the future holds. 

image: boho photography

sixteen days

M arrives on the 25th and will be spending a week in calgary before we head back together. i cant say enough about the fact that he is coming here to bring me home with him. besides being completely romantic its going to be wonderful to have help with the almost two year old O on the way back.

i am having one of those days where i am day dreaming a bit more than normal. i believe it must coping mechanism as my to do list seems to be getting longer but really its not long now and this list will be a thing on the past. 

image: irene suchoki

snails

one of my favorite songs that i have played and attempted to sing to O since he was a tiny baby is snails by the format. 

this song still has the power to stop O in the middle of what ever mischief he is getting into for a little wiggle dance. 

party planning

O's second birthday is fast approaching and with all the other planning i have to do i thought i should get a head start on a theme for this year. for his first i made a rocket ship cake which was a huge hit and because of how successful it actually was i have pledged to make a cake for him every year. i needed a bit of help with inspiration this year and of course the perfect blog appeared.

this is such a cute theme. since we will be in Oz by then and in the midst of winter i have to find an indoor theme that i love. and so the planning begins.

images: party perfect

house hunting

of course as i always tend to do i am getting ahead of myself and attempting to find a new home before i am even in the country. patience is definitely something that i need to work on. M tends to keep things in prospective more than i do but a girl can dream and so I will...

this is what i hope to find. i like the simplicity in mid century modern but i think it works well with my admiration for rustic and pretty as well.

images: unknown

best of both

today was a perfect sunday and a reminder of why i have been able to live here in calgary all these years. 

i have been lucky enough to have my home extend beyond just the four walls that are my townhouse because of the wonderful neighbors that surround me. and it is not just one set but a handful of truly kindred spirits that adds to my sadness about moving away. O and i enjoyed the morning playing outside with other children and catching up with friends. some of which i wish i had an opportunity to know better and others that have been here just as long as i, but wonderful just the same. 

our afternoon was spent with family and of course included more play, a bbq and just time together in the sun. although things are about to change drastically i can see the good that will come of this too.but i still pose the question why is it that i have to give up this only to gain something else. and my wish is to continue to share the journey with them which will be the case but just from afar. 

mothers day

today we honor our mothers as the ones that give us life, support and love us unconditionally. and say thank you for all the many other things that have given us throughout of lifetime. also a reminder that we are connected. 

more history about the day and how other countries celebrate. 

image: thehauntedhollowtree

law of love

the law of love could be best understood and learned from little children.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

image: sharon montrose

8,683 miles

my beau and i are separated by a great distance for what has seemed like an eternity. to deal with the additional issue of the time difference we frequently email each other little findings on the net or whatever is on our minds so when there are hours between other methods of communication we still have that. 

one of the recent finds is a website zen habits which contains alot of lists (which i love) of ways towards simplicity etc. but there is so much information that i havent had a chance to even scratch the surface. however i have my personal sifter as M sends me links to the pages that he finds that might be of mutual interest. the most recent was just what i like to read a simple reminder but so effective.  it makes me feel not so far away when we read the same words and have the same focus.

image: kristybee