Pink and Pastry

The last few weeks have not been going according to plan around here.
I was going to watch the royal wedding with my best girl and bake scones. Instead? I held her and coaxed a fever down to acceptable levels.

Mother's Day? Well it was time for Mr. Jack and I to fall victims to the flu. Several days spent in a Tylenol induced fog.
Anna was most distressed. The girl loves nothing more than an excuse to celebrate and my lack of energy put a real damper on her plans for Mother's Day.

But like any good pint sized event co-ordinator she adapted and made me a constant stream of cheerful cards full of sunshines, flowers, bunnies and family portraits.

This weekend? Another party, my birthday. And while it was gray and dismal outside, inside we enjoyed being healthy over a pink breakfast full of my favourite pastries and fruit.

And later? An afternoon spent baking a giant cupcake to be enjoyed after dinner.

But, honestly, all this is just a dress rehearsal for the real party in two weeks.

Miss Anna is turning six and preparations need to be underway, according to her anyways.

Pinata, paper chains, candy, cake designs, games, goody bags and invitations
The girl is in her element. Perhaps I should hire her out...

May the Fourth

Happy May the Fourth!
"What?" you might say?
May the Fourth, Star Wars Day!

We have a very happy Jedi in this household.

Jedi Jack spent most of the day in his Yoda ears.
The produce guys at IGA were particularly impressed.

We had an epic battle between good and evil on the front lawn and snacked on a few chewy chocolate stormtroopers.

A grand day was had by all.

Easter

Yes, I know Easter was last Sunday. Time just keeps escaping me somehow.
Excuse the blurry pictures, but apparently there is just no time to slow down and pose for Mama when you're in the middle of an egg hunt.

Jack was thrilled that the bunny brought Lego, and Anna, of course, is all about the candy.

Round the day out with some egg colouring, and we had a lovely peaceful Easter on our own.

April Fool

"Good morning Sunshine" I say as Anna comes strolling into our room bright and early yesterday.

"Guess what Mama?" she says "I gave myself a haircut!"

Pause, notice large pair of scissors in her hand, notice oddly askew hair, panic "You WHAT?".

Dawning realization.....

"April Fool's Mama!"

Pranked by my five year old, with the help of her daddy (who pinned the hair back in a bun).Next year, revenge on both of you.

Of Fish and Kids

I have a love/hate affair with places like the aquarium.

The ghostly beauty of huge dark tanks alive with sea life.

The wonder in the littles eyes, trying to take everything in all at once.

The barely containable excitement of just wanting to know about everything.




And then there's the crowds and the not listening and the "please can I have it!".

Big adventure days are important, but oh so exhausting.

What a great time we had, though.

The dolphins and belugas were the favourites.

Pressing their noses to the glass, as curious to see us as we were to see them.

The underwater viewing area dim and (relatively) quiet.

The haunting sounds of the ocean depths filling the air.

On the ferry trip home a pod of thirty or more dolphins passed us by. Pacific White-sided dolphins, as we had just learned. Boy do I love our wild and natural west coast.

Irish Cake Bombs

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

So you might be wondering what cupcakes have to do with St. Patrick's Day.

I wanted to make something to celebrate the day but what? Corned beef or stew was out of the question given our whole vegetarian thing, soda bread didn't seem that exciting and minty green was too predictable.

Then I found these over at the Smitten Kitchen and had to taste them for myself.

The Irish Car Bomb is a drink involving a shot of Bailey's and Jameson whisky dropped into a pint of Guinness and chugged before the foaming mess erupts everywhere.

The Irish Cake Bomb is a chocolate Guinness cupcake with a chocolate whisky ganache centre topped with Bailey's buttercream.

Oh my heavens, I think St. Patrick would approve.

The stout adds an earthy dimension to the almost fudgy chocolate cake. The ganache is smooth and intense. And the Bailey's buttercream made my toes curl in a very good way.

May the luck of the Irish be with you. Slainte!

Ordinary Day

I haven't posted for a while, busy days, colds and not much to say.

But days like this are the backbone of life. Not exciting, not unusual. But the core of who our family is.

Play, laundry, cuddles, cooking. Today I embraced our ordinary and while doing so, I found something more.

A future photographer.

Anna's still life of juice. She figured since I take pictures of food, she was going to as well.

Cinnamon swirly bread and a heavenly smelling home.

An impromptu birthday celebration for Anna's imaginary friend, because who doesn't love a party?

And, of course, every birthday needs a pinata or two.

Our favourite lawnmowers on their daily rounds.

Play, laundry, cuddles, cooking.

Breathe deep the ordinary magic of everyday.