Thursday, April 21, 2011
Photography: Baby E
Well this little girl was long awaited by her mama! She had quite a trek into the world and came out perfect. What a sweetheart. She is especially loved by her older sister who looooves to give her kisses and cuddles.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Photography: Brothers G
These two little boys are close to my heart. They are the children of my bestest friend and aunt (youngest of 10), and so I have heard everything about them from the moment they were born. The older one, W, is a sweet little guy who just started kindergarten this year. His interests vary from Mario to Lego...and once he's hooked on something he sticks with it till he's a pro. Little B is a free spirit who definitely marches to his own beat. These are 2 brothers who love each other to bits and we love them too!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Photography: Baby G
These are two of the cutest little people ever. We always have a great time visiting and recently they added a little girl into the mix. I don't know how she does it, always super relaxed and cool. Our boys share a love of all things cars and you will always find one or two gripped in their little paws. We are blessed to have made so many new friends in the last while and these two are no exception.
The props are handmade from Eternally Hooked. Catch her on FB or else here is a link to her shop on Etsy. So cute. Eternally Hooked
Monday, April 11, 2011
Photography: Baby T
Well, I've waited long enough to post these of my favourite little nephew! We anxiously awaited his arrival and like many other babies he came a little late. But what a cutie pie (so not biased!). I can't wait to get some more snuggles. I'm going to invite myself I think! This little guy's 'cry face' is just like my little guys. Cousins!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Reading: The Happiness Project or Why I spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. By Gretchen Rubin
I realize I'm fortunate, and there are many things in my life to be thankful. But with all of my thankfulness something I have struggled with is the word HAPPY. I remember saying to someone over a beer once (classy, I know) - what does that word even mean. How do you know when you are happy? All I know is when I'm not ...sad, mad or anything that isn't happy. And that is pretty much the extent of my deep thoughts on happiness.
So when I was looking for some new reading I stumbled upon this book (cause I liked the cover) and decided it was worthy of a read. And it was! A new perspective on creating your own happiness by changing small things in your life.
The author, Gretchen Rubin set out in January with new resolutions that compounded each month. So for January she wanted to boost energy and this was how she was going to achieve it:
I'll admit, the writer of this book is not of the same mind as I am. There are lots of things I couldn't necessarily relate to (she doesn't like to shop), but that ok because there was much more that I could. An example for the month of February...stop nagging. How hard is that!! But its true, nagging... I feel bad for doing it in the first place, I get madder because I don't always see results and in the end it seems to be an ineffective way to communicate with my spouse. Another one from the month of June was remember birthdays and with that I'm going to include acknowledging births, events in other people's lives. I think I am pretty good at birthdays but sometimes I mess up and forget, get busy, etc. And who doesn't remember who visited their newborn when they arrived? I don't hold it against anyone who didn't make it in the first few days but you don't forget who came either. Gossip. I never feel good about myself after I gossip...so why do it do it?
The writer came up with a few Splendid truths over the course of her experiment:
If I want to be happier, I need to look at my life and think about feeling good, feeling bad and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth.
One of the best ways to make myself happy is to make other people happy.
One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy myself.
The days are long but the years are short.
If I think I'm happy, I am happier.
I'm sure I can find at least 5 things that contribute to my bad days, annoy me that I don't do, bad for my health, bad for my morale that all culminate to feelings of unhappiness. I think I am going to try my own happiness project (small scale) and see how it goes.
So, today I love this book! Here's a link to her website.
http://www.happiness-project.com/
So when I was looking for some new reading I stumbled upon this book (cause I liked the cover) and decided it was worthy of a read. And it was! A new perspective on creating your own happiness by changing small things in your life.
The author, Gretchen Rubin set out in January with new resolutions that compounded each month. So for January she wanted to boost energy and this was how she was going to achieve it:
- Go to sleep earlier
- Exercise better
- Toss, restore, organize
- Tackle a nagging task
- Act more energetic
February: Remember Love
March: Aim Higher
April: Lighten Up
May: Be Serious About Play
June: Make Time for Friends
July: Buy Some Happiness
August: Contemplate the Heavens
September: Pursue a Passion
October: Pay Attention
November: Keep a Contented Heart
December: Boot Camp Perfect
I'll admit, the writer of this book is not of the same mind as I am. There are lots of things I couldn't necessarily relate to (she doesn't like to shop), but that ok because there was much more that I could. An example for the month of February...stop nagging. How hard is that!! But its true, nagging... I feel bad for doing it in the first place, I get madder because I don't always see results and in the end it seems to be an ineffective way to communicate with my spouse. Another one from the month of June was remember birthdays and with that I'm going to include acknowledging births, events in other people's lives. I think I am pretty good at birthdays but sometimes I mess up and forget, get busy, etc. And who doesn't remember who visited their newborn when they arrived? I don't hold it against anyone who didn't make it in the first few days but you don't forget who came either. Gossip. I never feel good about myself after I gossip...so why do it do it?
The writer came up with a few Splendid truths over the course of her experiment:
If I want to be happier, I need to look at my life and think about feeling good, feeling bad and feeling right, in an atmosphere of growth.
One of the best ways to make myself happy is to make other people happy.
One of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy myself.
The days are long but the years are short.
If I think I'm happy, I am happier.
I'm sure I can find at least 5 things that contribute to my bad days, annoy me that I don't do, bad for my health, bad for my morale that all culminate to feelings of unhappiness. I think I am going to try my own happiness project (small scale) and see how it goes.
So, today I love this book! Here's a link to her website.
http://www.happiness-project.com/
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Photography: W Family
This family I re-met when she and I both had our first babies around the same time. Its fun to reconnect since we have known each other since we were kids. They are expecting their second little girl any day now and their first is nearly 2 and speaks Russian! How cute is that.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
mmmm coffee!
One of my many things I've over-thought, over-researched and obsessed over in recent months is my espresso machine. I'm so happy I did though cause I am very very happy with my purchase (it ended up to be my birthday present to myself) and so are many others who have come for a visit! I ended up buying a semi-automatic by La Spaziale that had some really good reviews. Upon coming to this decision I came to learn a bit about it so here's what I know!
Terminology:
Espresso machines comes in 3 main categories:
Super automatic: means you push a button and get a latte. There is lots of automation, some programability and its an all in one, do it all machine. You put water in the reservoir, beans in the hopper and you are ready to go. Some of these machines you use those little prepackaged pods instead of loose beans. Some not so great things about these machines are that if one things breaks the whole thing is broken, lots of the grinders get jammed up by oily beans so stick with a medium roast and it can be hard to get a really great shot of espresso. Not to say its not good, it just won't be easy to get a great one. This type is good for someone who isn't as picky about flavour and loves the all in one type machine.
Semi automatic: With this type of machine you will need to buy a separate grinder. You grind and tamp your beans, attach the filter then push the button to brew. Pretty much all the rest is the same, just that the beans are ground in a different machine.
Manual: I have no idea who would want one of these machines but with this type you actually pump and extract the shot yourself. With this type espresso brewing becomes more of an art than anything else. Apparently if you can perfect it though, you will never get a better shot.
Tamper: Its a small heavy little hammer you use to push the grinds into the filter.
Some of the machines that stood out among the many ...
Super automatic:
Saeco Talea. A great thing about this one is all of the reservoirs are on the sides. So you don't have to pull the machine out from under the cupboard to refill. Not so great...it looks a bit too plasticy for my liking.
Another option:
Miele. They make quality products, and this one is no exception. Downsides though are it needs to be built in and you have to spend extra time cleaning it because the milk runs through the system.
Semi automatic:
My choice if you have the room!
La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi II. Has options for plumbing in and dual boiler system for steaming and brewing at the same time. Only trouble is...its big!
Rancilio Silvia
This machine gets rave reviews and is fairly reasonably priced. It takes a bit of tweaking to get your shots perfected but is a great machine at a good price.
Saeco Aroma
This is similar to the machines that Starbucks used to sell, called Barista. They are a great, small footprint machine. Another benefit...the cheapest!
If you are going to buy a semi automatic the MOST important thing is the grind of the coffee you are brewing. You can have the absolute best beans, best espresso machine and it still puts out bad shots..why? Possibly the grind! A good grind for espresso is to adjust the machine till its grinding the beans and they are just about to clump together. Also they recommend buying the best you can afford for a grinder, here is one that I really like and have had good results with. All of the reviews, message boards, forums I read all talked about the importance of the grind. So take it seriously!
Rancilio Rocky Doserless (doser is a little add on that gives you set amounts of grinds in your filter)
Lastly, here are my favourite beans...
Terminology:
Espresso machines comes in 3 main categories:
Super automatic: means you push a button and get a latte. There is lots of automation, some programability and its an all in one, do it all machine. You put water in the reservoir, beans in the hopper and you are ready to go. Some of these machines you use those little prepackaged pods instead of loose beans. Some not so great things about these machines are that if one things breaks the whole thing is broken, lots of the grinders get jammed up by oily beans so stick with a medium roast and it can be hard to get a really great shot of espresso. Not to say its not good, it just won't be easy to get a great one. This type is good for someone who isn't as picky about flavour and loves the all in one type machine.
Semi automatic: With this type of machine you will need to buy a separate grinder. You grind and tamp your beans, attach the filter then push the button to brew. Pretty much all the rest is the same, just that the beans are ground in a different machine.
Manual: I have no idea who would want one of these machines but with this type you actually pump and extract the shot yourself. With this type espresso brewing becomes more of an art than anything else. Apparently if you can perfect it though, you will never get a better shot.
Tamper: Its a small heavy little hammer you use to push the grinds into the filter.
Some of the machines that stood out among the many ...
Super automatic:
Saeco Talea. A great thing about this one is all of the reservoirs are on the sides. So you don't have to pull the machine out from under the cupboard to refill. Not so great...it looks a bit too plasticy for my liking.
Miele. They make quality products, and this one is no exception. Downsides though are it needs to be built in and you have to spend extra time cleaning it because the milk runs through the system.
My choice if you have the room!
La Spaziale Mini Vivaldi II. Has options for plumbing in and dual boiler system for steaming and brewing at the same time. Only trouble is...its big!
Rancilio Silvia
This machine gets rave reviews and is fairly reasonably priced. It takes a bit of tweaking to get your shots perfected but is a great machine at a good price.
Saeco Aroma
This is similar to the machines that Starbucks used to sell, called Barista. They are a great, small footprint machine. Another benefit...the cheapest!
If you are going to buy a semi automatic the MOST important thing is the grind of the coffee you are brewing. You can have the absolute best beans, best espresso machine and it still puts out bad shots..why? Possibly the grind! A good grind for espresso is to adjust the machine till its grinding the beans and they are just about to clump together. Also they recommend buying the best you can afford for a grinder, here is one that I really like and have had good results with. All of the reviews, message boards, forums I read all talked about the importance of the grind. So take it seriously!
Rancilio Rocky Doserless (doser is a little add on that gives you set amounts of grinds in your filter)
Lastly, here are my favourite beans...
If you are interested in researching...here are some websites I used. There are lots of youtube videos on using these machines so if you are stuck, youtube it!
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