Let's visit the sugar shack!

I don't know about where you come from, but here in Quebec spring is all about the sugar shack.

It's a place where friends and family get together to eat a maple syrup inspired brunch.

From your great grandma to little 2 year old johnny, the "Caban a Sucre" has something sweet for everyone.

I wanted to share some sweet tooth highlights with you!

This was my little "brunch date" since Mike is back at school.

We even shared our bread with each other.

So we always start off with pea soup and bread...

Then move on to ham (with syrup), hot dogs (with syrup), eggs (with syrup), and so much more sweetness!

Before we end our meal with sugar pie or pudding au chaumar the servers bring out these crispy "pancakes".

Of course syrup is drizzled on top...what else would you expect?

The texture of these pancakes is hard to describe. 

They are crispy and soft at the same time.

Does that make sense?

Coffee and sugar are served throughout the brunch.

Milk and sugar are a MUST in my coffee cup!

Once the plates are cleared and our tummies are filled, you can either enjoy a stroll through the woods or ride in a horse drawn carriage.

Have a lovely Sunday everyone

Before I get stuck with a walker...

Before I turn into an old lady, there are some adventures that I want to have.

I want to visit Paris and get my picture taken in front of the Eiffel Tower. I want to eat at a real French restaurant, not one for tourists. I want to shop in a French boutique and walk out with a treasure of some sort. I want to visit the Louvre and see famous artwork.

I want to create a cute home for Mike and I. I want to browse the internet and magazines for just the right decor. I want to spend my weekends painting walls with my sweetheart. I want to decorate a baby room and buy a wooden rocking chair to go in the corner. I want to have a cozy craft room where I can get crazy, but have a soft carpet so the kids can be with me.

I want to scuba dive in clear waters and see colorful fish and reefs. I want to feel like I'm flying, but underwater, and I want to spy on a starfish. I want to be able to see things close up like they do on the discovery channel. I want to see my swimming shadow along the sandy bottom of the ocean.

I want to grow a vegetable garden from seeds. I want to serve a meal with my homegrown veggies and share food with my neighbors. I want to work hard, get dirty, and see it all pay off when I pull a giant carrot from the ground. 

I want to crochet something awesome. Awesome enough I get published in a craft magazine or even get to be on Martha Stewart! Maybe this one is a little big...but these are just dreams.

Stay tunned for the sequel "After I get stuck with a walker..."

I want a Llama

source

Why?

Why not a fluffy little dog, why not a cuddly kitten, why not a fat hamster or spastic bunny rabbit?

Because a Llama can be all of those at the same time!

I truly don't know why I have recently fallen for the animal; maybe its like a trend but the only one following it is me. 

(hmm... I can apply that to  a lot of things in my life)

Perhaps it will go just as quickly as it came.

But for now...

I'm crazy for Llamas!

Source

Source

Source

Tell me if this isn't the awesomest picture of a Llama there is out there...

Did you know?

Llama's are related to camels?

They can live 15-29 years?

Their grease-free and lightweight wool is used in making yarn?

They communicate by humming?

They actually do spit!

I found this crochet pattern on Etsy!

I just wish that I had the mad skills needed to make it!

She's Back!

Hello dear readers.

First off, thanks for sticking by me while I needed a little break. It's so encouraging to see that the number of followers didn't diminish while I was away. You're all awesome!

I am feeling better and ready to get back on schedule.

1. I've been working out regularly and eating healthy foods every day

2. I'm now working part time so I can...

3. Take my online course so I can finish my degree before I get married (yay!)

4. Planning my wedding

5. Crocheting all sorts of goodies! (click here)

Today, I got to go to three museums (pictures coming soon) in Montreal and eat at a Mexican restaurant. It was my first meal out in a while and my beef quesadilla was mouth watering good.

I picked up a couple of things from the museums boutique...

These measuring spoons will go perfectly with the measuring cups I got last month!

(see my product review here) 

Sorry, but I can't tell you what's in this box. It's a little present I picked up for my fiancée.

<3

I love you Mike!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!

I absolutely love this day because I get to see everyone walk around wearing my favorite color.

Did you wear green today?????

Did you know...

Every year the Chicago river is dyed green on St.Patty's Day?

The fountain, in front of the white house, flows green water on St.Patrick's Day?

Originally, everyone wore blue on March 17th?

The shamrock was originally worn on St. Patrick's day so represent the Holy Trinity?

One of the longest running St.Patrick Day parade's runs in Montreal? (hey! that's where I live)

St.Patric wasn't Irish...he was born in Britain to Roman parents?

More Irish people live in America than in Ireland?

I tried desperately to follow the instructions in this book and make a shamrock...but alas! I gave up and made my own pattern!

I guess that's all for now. Since I spent the whole day in Montreal, I still have a class to get through before bed.

Once Again, thank you for sticking by me and being the best blog readers eva!

Till Tomorrow...

Self Improvement Plan: Written in 2011

If you remember my goals for this year post, I said I wanted to be healthier and lose a little weight before my wedding (yay). I haven't been toooo bad since that goal was made. I haven't been working out EVERY morning but I have been eating better. 

Anyway, as I was browsing around the internet looking at things from the past (1950s) I found a youtube video with a 10 point plan to follow for one week involving self improvement. Yes, diet and exercise are on the list but there is so much more. Things that we all should be working on every day...but a journey begins with a single step so will you take this weeks challenge with me? I know it's Wednesday but let's take these 10 points and work on them until next Wednesday. Let's see what we can do!

Take it away Jack!

And for your happiness... I've made the 10 point plan ready for you to print out and stick to your mirror!

Just right click and "save image".

Our Engagement Story

The Monday right after Christmas, Mike took me on our best date ever. 

We went ice-skating. I know that may sound rather simple to some girls who always picture themselves going out to dinner at a nice place, then some other random activity...but I find joy in the smallest and simplest of things.

Ice-skating is one of them. In fact...it's just about my favorite thing ever!

So we went ice-skating, and have a lovely time except for the part where I landed on my knee...on the ice...ouch...

Mike was taking a bunch of pictures which is rather unusual for him because he's rather camera shy. After about an hour and a half of holding hands while gliding across the ice, we decided it was time to go. 

We took off our skates and left the rink to wait for our ride outside. Mike spotted a bench not too far off so we braved the knee deep snow and the cold as we climbed up to the bench. 

A pile of snow has made the bench it's home, but that was no obstacle for Mike and his gloves. We sat, chatting a bit, for a few minutes when Mike began telling me how much he loved me. He made a sweet speech and reached into his pocket as he knelt down in front on me (in the snow)!

Then he pulled out the most gorgeous ring I've ever seen and ask me to marry him. I started crying and don't even remember if I was able to blubber out "yes".

We quickly took a few pictures and afterwards he picked me up and twirled me around like a little girl. 

It was so perfect, and I'm pretty sure I was still glowing the next day!

Current plans are to set the date in the summer of 2012!!!!

Wrapping Presents!

It's almost Christmas! Are all of your gifts wrapped and under the tree? No!?

Thats OK cause I've rounded up a bunch of tutorials, videos, and ideas on how to make your gift just as special on the outside as it is on the inside. 

First Up is the paper....

You don't need to use traditional wrapping paper if you don't want to. Here are a few ways to get creative!

Source

Source

Source

Source

I also found a video series with step by step instructions on gift wrapping with newspaper. Go ahead and click on the tapes to watch.

Now...What about the bows? Or maybe you just wanna go with a creative topper for your gift... 

Source

Source

I also found a few videos on how to make a bow to top off your gift. Check them out!

How to make a curly bow

How to make a twisty-tie pom-pom gift topper

How to make a traditional bow

How to make a missyellowshoes bow 

(this is mine!)

Don't forget that you don't neeeeed to tie up your gift with ribbon! You can also use yarn, twine, thread, or whatever else you feel like!

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

One year, I wrapped all my gifts like this...

Source

I once collected stamps (not that what I have is ever going to be worth anything) so I wrapped all my gifts in brown paper. Then I made up fake addresses with the recipients name on it. After gluing on the old stamps I used a pen and markers to make the stamps and symbols that the post office makes when you mail a letter or package. I also wrapped some of the boxes with twine and yarn. 

Needless to say...they looked awesome!

Hopefully this post has inspired and helped you out a little bit. If you need a little more I made another video about the gifts that I've wrapped so far. You can see that here. (and if you really need help on the basics of gift wrapping check out this video here) 

I'll leave you with this cute picture I found while browsing the internet for gift wrapping ideas....

(Mike this is for you)

Source