janice's mash-up

career crossroads

I have been thinking a lot about what I want to be when I grow up in the last few weeks. Events that have precipitated these thoughts include my big summer project, the whole back to school thing and a friend's exciting new job. I'm feeling a bit in limbo right now and am not really sure what is next for me.

On our drive home from fencing tonight, I mentioned my conundrum to Colin. I think it's good that the boys know that people continually grow, evolve, change, learn etc. Colin was quiet for a moment and then replied, "Mom, you're going to have so many options once you finish your ____. You just need to choose something. You want to make a difference and you want to enjoy your work, otherwise, what is the point?"

Exactly, my wise 11 year old, exactly right.

moustache day

As part of spirit week at his high school, Adam wore pj pants yesterday and last night was trying to figure out what to do about a moustache for today. He had a big debate to take part in for his English class so didn't really want something drawn on. I've seen these "photo booth props" all over the internet and thought this could work. This example is from this etsy site.

Adam put it together himself, he's clever like that, and I took a photo of him with his 'stash before he headed off to school.

Fun times they have in high school ;)

ooey gooey cozy smores cobbler

Wow. Did the rain ever come down today and the wind...geesh! It was stormy like November here today. I decided we needed something cozy to eat for dessert and was going to make a berry cobbler but then remembered a photo of a smores cobbler I had pinned on pinterest. 

It was definitely warm and cozy and smoresy...

Not really baking...pudding mix, graham wafers, chocolate chips, cake mix, butter and marshmallows basically all thrown together. 

But an ooey gooey sweet treat for sure!

weekend wrap-up: by the numbers

I am always drawn to the "by the numbers" features in the Vancouver Sun and in National Geographic Kids so thought I would give my own version a go this weekend...

2 hockey games for Adam

1 soccer game for Colin 

1.5 hours spent driving to above soccer game (long story)

1 library book finally finished

263 dollars spent grocery shopping

1 long distance call with my sister

24 peanut butter bars made

1 hockey practice

1 round of soccer photos in the pouring rain

6 cupcakes from Bell's (bought with a groupon) for dessert this evening

1 long walk with a good friend

1 roast beef, 3 potatoes mashed and about 30 green beans cooked for family dinner this evening

5 different homework assignments completed

3 episodes of Criminal Minds watched

27 emails sent

and lots of hours spent outdoors and with family.

Life is full...and good.

being in the stands

Both of our boys usually do both a team sport and an individual sport during the fall. Neil and I think this is important as they both offer important things on both the athletic and personal levels. Either Neil or I are are at their games and practices either watching or helping out where we can. Whether the boys say so or not, I know it is important to them that we are there for them. On Saturday, Colin had a soccer game and Adam had a hockey game at the same time. So although I missed seeing Adam score two goals in his game, I was there to see Colin run his little heart out and be hard on the ball as he helped his team to a big win against a rough North Van team.

Being in the stands...a favourite place for me to be.

This is this week's The Simple Things photo.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

 

first day of autumn

Some autumnal images from around here...

lovely flowers from a friend

quince almost ready to pick in our backyard

the birch leaves are falling in the backyard

 Happy first day of autumn!

sunday night bakefest

Sunday night ended up being a bit of a bakefest for me. Colin helped a little and I felt all prepared bake-wise for the week!

There were backyard berry scones made for breakfast...

and apple peanut butter cookies for lunchbox snacks...

 and apple-spice cupcakes for a study group session.

We'll see how long all of this actually lasts. I put the extra cupcakes in the staffroom so I'm sure they'll be gone by the morning and the cookies are quickly disappearing at home ;)

weekend wrap-up

This weekend was a typical September weekend for us...sports, housework, homework, time with family & friends and weather confusion (is it going to be rainy or sunny?). When there is weather confusion, as there so often is here this time of year, you learn to seize the sunny moments and get outdoors and do the things you need and want to do.

Unfortunately, when you play outdoor sports, you really don't have a choice. Colin was out on the soccer field at 8:30am on Saturday morning. It was pouring. Welcome to fall soccer!

We got Colin home and warmed up and the sun started to come out. I decided I would do the fall garden clean up today while I could. I always leave it to late and then the ground is too soggy or frozen and it is just not very fun to be out there. I pulled everything out that needed to be pulled out, turned over the soil, put the hanging baskets away, etc. I would love to do a winter planting but I am realistic. I know once our fall routine is on, I just don't have time backyard gardening. It was fun to find a few last garden treasures...a handful of strawberries and a baby radish!

On Sunday morning I met up with Gillian to walk to the market and ended up joining in the Terry Fox run/walk. We walked by the Steves farm and the "oreo cows" (Belted Galloways) were out and about. Last time at the market, the Steveston Cookie Company had cookies iced just like these famous cows! The market had lots of great fall produce...love this time of year!

 

Later on Sunday, Adam had his final balancing game for hockey. I caught the last half and saw him score a great goal. As he came off the ice, I said "great goal!" and he said "which one?!" Turns out, he scored 4 goals in the 7-3 win for his team ;)

I'm really working on finding some things that the boys can get started for dinner on the days that I am at work. This afternoon, I taught Colin how to make chili in the slow cooker and then while I was out on a walk with Sarah before dinner, Colin made some bacon-cheddar cornmeal muffins. It was great to come home and have dinner all ready to go!

homemade pickles

So two weeks ago, I made my first ever batch of homemade dill pickles. They were easier than jams and chutneys which I have canned before but was a little unsure if they would have a strong flavour and was worried they might not be crisp. Yesterday, Neil and I opened a jar (they had to "pickle" for at least two weeks after canning) and gave them a try. The garlic, hot pepper and fresh dill definitely gave them a punch of flavour and we got big crunches as we bit into them.

Pickle success...made me smile yesterday!

This is this week's The Simple Things photo.

Check out other "simple things" photographs on Rebecca's blog.

 

 

banana whoopie pies

Because we had so much leftover chicken pot pie from yesterday, I didn't really have to make dinner tonight so thought I would try something new for dessert. Whoopie pies have been on my "want to try and make" list for awhile. I've seen them alot on the American shows on the Food Network. Apparently they were originally an Amish treat, from the east coast. I think the original was a chocolate cake with a creamy vanilla filling. When I was scrolling through the Martha Stewart Makes Cookies app on the iPad, I found a recipe for banana whoopie pies. We happened to have one very ripe banana in the fruitbowl that was calling to me! The cream cheese filling balanced the sweet cake-like cookies nicely. 

Yum all around.