8 years later and whole lotta chocolate

How the world has changed in 8 years.  My world has changed.

Happy birthday sunshine

signed, the willow

Birthday Wish

This year for my birthday, I wish for world peace and for maternal health throughout the world.  All women deserve their god-given right to nurture and love their babies.

And all women deserve to gain some weight, put some fat on their breasts, hips, to feed their babies.  Yeah.  We've had our chances to be young, slim, pretty.  Now we need to have fat on our waistlines to hold our children and watch our daughters be young, beautiful and give them the confidence we have now - you know, the confidence we didn't have then.

and yes, I made the latte.  And then I drank it.  With that little baby in it.

signed, the willow

Birthday Suits

signed, the willow

Hike and a Birthday

This past weekend was Thanksgiving for us in Canada and also my husband's birthday.  Here's some of the highlights.  Enjoy!

We had a little roaring fire after dinner.

 

And then there was this major sporting event that couldn't be missed!  It was the Winnipeg Jets vs. Montreal Canadiens.  I was torn being a Habs fan, but all those years I spent in Winnipeg, and they got their team back?  Sorry Montreal.  You took the win, but Winnipeg deserved those cheers!  And *Steve* parked the TV in a window so we could enjoy this beautiful weather.

Waiting for some marshmallows?

On holiday Monday, we took *Steve* for a hike.  Here he is proudly holding the caramel latte I made for him.

We packed a picnic basket filled with goodies (and candy bracelets, oddly enough) for a little tailgate party.  We turned down the wrong road, saw cars parked everywhere.  So we acted like Disney's lemmings and followed the crowd.  We thought we were lost until we spied a familiar creek.  Turned out the landmarks we  were now looking for?  Well.  We'd been there about 50 times.

The forest was utterly Carolinian and amazing.

All hardwoods and very much reminded me of a place to have a fairy-inspired wedding.

Maybe one day?

I don't even know what to say about this tree stump stripped of its cloak.  Interesting.

A place to stop and enjoy Tiffany Falls

This lady had some serious gear.  Jealous?  Yes. Until I saw that she couldn't bring a dog or child with her.  Instead she had to bring a husband to carry said gear.

This is the dog we brought.  We overheard some girls say "Oh, that's the kind of dog I want to get.  I love those dogs."  What?  Random mutts?  Croatian highland sheepdogs?  Corgi shepherd mixes?  Where have you ever seen this "type" of dog before?  Maybe here, on my blog?  I bet that's it!

He's very proud to be out on his birthday.

See?

Posing, even.

*Mila* took a call from her grandparents.

and then we let *Steve* have the camera.  Our turn.

She has my calves, and actually has ankles.

The water here is so sulfur filled, that it's grey or silvery at times.

The camo-like bark of the sycamores.

Happy Thanksgiving was had in Canada.  Aren't we smarter to do it before the snow falls?

signed, the willow

Closet Space

This would be a great post on my anniversary, not my husband's birthday.

...happy birthday *Steve*....


I've dreamed of a dreamy closet for the longest time.  Haven't you?  Somewhere to put everything?  Somewhere to hide out?



This one is all too elegant.  Maybe too elegant to share with a man.  Oh well, perhaps I'll keep it to myself?

Source: None via Patti on Pinterest

O, this one he'll share.  Sophisticated closet.  What's that?  A library off the closet?  Yowza!

Source: srgambrel.com via Helena on Pinterest

This would be my ideal dream.  However, I don't have a monotone wardrobe and I'm far too messy for this beautiful closet.

Source: google.com.br via Helena on Pinterest

I think it's the space that I love the most here and perhaps the image in my head that this could actually be my real closet.

Source: stylizimo.com via Helena on Pinterest

Perhaps a bit too masculine for me.  I love the window in here with a view!

Source: closet-shelf.com via Helena on Pinterest

The sexiest of all closets by far.  

Source: home-designing.com via Helena on Pinterest

They had me at the framed bags and the tutu.  Perhaps this is a NYC apartment closet?  

Source: dirtylittlestylewhoree.tumblr.com via Kate on Pinterest

Organized and pretty.

Source: bhg.com via MissBRath on Pinterest

Do I have all these items to wear?  Yes, I probably do.  I certainly don't have all those shoes and boots.  I love my boots.  I also love the coloured rainbows of folded sweaters.  

Source: closetcouture.com via Smiley on Pinterest

Which one is your fave?

signed, the willow

A Birthday Comes but Once a Year

Imagine losing your tooth on your seventh birthday!  At Wally World, no less.  This kid has never lost a tooth in a regular spot.

I had this great big plan to make ice cream sandwiches with homemade sugar cookies.  Miss *Mila* changed the plans to dolphin cupcakes.

Decorating

*Dance Party*

Happy 7th Birthday, my one and only little superstar!

signed, the willow