As summer dwindles....

This is the first summer in a long, long time that I have really enjoyed myself.  I might be accused of being the anti-prep as I am just not much of a summer person.  I was bred for chilly, damp castles, not hot, hazy, humid weather.  This summer I muddled through the wall of heat and went to lots of events and socialized until I started craving alone time.  I am sad to see summer end.  There.  I said it.  I feel like I didnt quite accomplish the perfect tan, drink enough cocktails, swim enough.  We only went to the beach twice...maybe three times.  My house would argue tho - it shows the signs of neglect and is begging me to do a big autumn clean. 

We have one more week until the Suburban Prince goes back to work and I have lots of fun things to cram into my life before Labour Day so I am not even going to try to blog until after then...I have no desire to force myself to stick to a schedule or come up with interesting things to say.  I am sure September and PSL season will bring plenty of inspiration.  The cooler and shorter days will drive me back to my cocoon soon enough.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!  I know I will!


Have a fabulous day!

Lavender Cookies

I have been making these lavender cookies for years and they always disappear quickly!  I use a simple shortbread recipe with dried, food-grade lavender added as well as some lavender extract.  They just taste like summer...in Provence!  They are perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon...even the Suburban Prince loves them!  They came simply from experimenting one afternoon and a classic was born!

Use your favourite shortbread recipe and let me know what you think!  Just add as much or as little lavender as you like, mix it all together and bake as you normally would. 

Enjoy!


Have a fabulous day!

How will I survive?

Happy Monday!  I am writing this post on Sunday because at this moment I have no power at all at my house.  No internet, no puter, no blow dryer, no phone, no tv, no kettle, no toaster oven, no laundry, no hoover...nothing.  Everything I do depends on electricity!  So I am spending today (Sunday) getting everything done to make Monday tolerable.  The Suburban Prince told me to tell you not to worry that I havnt been on twitter, facebook and email all day...there's no need to call the FBI or anything.

If the situation is dire I might pop out to McDs or Sbux to use their wifi for an hour (or 4).   I will miss you all but hopefully I will be back online on Monday night!  And back to work!  All in all it's the next step in the renovations in the basement...the electrician we hire in March (!!!) never finished the job and put us months behind...I thought we would at least have drywall by now!  Sooooo I can suffer for the cause for one day.

I hope you had a faboo weekend!  On Friday I went to see Hairspray with Hermes Scarf Friend - she got us comp tickets from work so we got to see it for free!  We had 4th row seats and it was nice to be so close.  After the show there was a cocktail reception - we got to mingle with the cast and rub elbows with some of the a-list of town. 

On Saturday we went to a 'party' at the home of a guy the Suburban Prince grew up with.  It turns out he lives 15 minutes from us way out in the country.  It was a bit of a surprise to see there were only about 8 adults and maybe 25 teenagers...I didnt realize it was meant to be a kids' party.  We stayed for a couple of hours and then headed home.  The Suburban Prince said it was nice to see some of the guys he knew in school and hasnt seen for 20 years or so but I was bored out of my mind.  Here's a question for you...have you ever been invited to a party you had to bring your own chairs, booze and a dish for the food table?  What do we think of this?   Is this ok when it's a group of people who have known each other for years and get together a lot?  How about when it's the first time you have been invited to someone's house?

On Sunday I did some errands and got caught up on emails then spent an hour in the pool.  It was a bit overcast so we kept our swimming short and got on with productive things. 

The winner of my personalized ribbon giveaway is ... Little Miss Cant Be Wrong!  Wahoo!  Congratulations!  Please contact me so we can discuss your ribbon :O)  Everyone else...thank you so much for entering!  Please visit Royal Ribbons to see what my amazing customers have had designed for them - I cant wait to make ribbon for you!


Have a fabulous day!

The Sound of Silence

It is Wednesday morning.  The house is silent.  I can actually hear my own thoughts.

The Little Prince has been home from school for 2 weeks now while his nursery school has a summer break.  I had no idea how much my child talks.  Non.Stop.  He makes me seem shy and quiet!  Sooo we are having a day sans enfant to get things done, work, clean, tidy and everything else we have trouble doing with a 3 year old running around.  I miss him already.

The other day I made these...well, assembled is more appropriate.  Simply stuff raspberries with chocolate chips and enjoy.  The perfect summer snack!  All those antioxidants will help undo all the summer sun damage we have inflicted on ourselves lately. 

Dont forget to enter my Personalized Ribbon Giveaway!


Have a fabulous day!

Summer in a glass!

I was reading the May/June issue of Tea Time Magazine and spotted some adorable little desserts in miniature!  My in-laws were coming for a birthday dinner so I needed something special for dessert.

Key lime, Boston cream and strawberry shortcake parfaits!  How cute are they!?  They are all so easy to make and assemble and can easily be prepared with ready made ingredients!

Mine didn't look quite as pretty but then I have a 3 year old boy and any mom of a little boy knows one just gets it in the glass, on the table, in the oven, on the plate or anything else one needs too do with food and then runs off to find out what mischief one's little boy is up to! 

I didn't bother using the recipe...the little boy and everything else I need to manage means a lack of time...so I just used vanilla pudding mix, used lime juice in place of 1/4 of the milk and layered with whipped cream and graham crumbs.

It tastes like a day at the beach!  Just vanilla pudding, milk, lime juice, whipped cream and graham crumbs.  Easy peasy!

For the coffee service I channeled my inner Miss Janice and tied pretty little ribbons to my glass coffee mugs!  Everyone was duly impressed!


Have a fabulous day!

Pink & Green Thursday!

I decided to take part in Trishy's Pink&Green Thursday blog hop!  I had so much fun picking out my favourite images!  They remind me of spring and summer and for a moment take me away from the 400 feet of snow we have here...and the frigid temps!

Dont miss my stationery giveaway!  MCC designs is giving away two personalised notepads from her shop!

Adorable cookies!

These have been on my wish list for a while now!

I should get this for the Suburban Prince so he matches me!

I need a pair of pants in this fabric!

Pink and green pearls!!!

Bunting is always so festive! 

I want to get this for our new fireplace! 

Oh summer...please come soon! 

I miss my toes!

This would go with my entire summer wardrobe!

No one could be unhappy while wearing these!

This would certainly take the edge of any camping adventure!

Have a fabulous day!!

Outdoor Lighting

As the days here shorten and night falls earlier we have to find simple solutions to allow us to entertain while still enjoying the temperate evenings.  To light the way we found these pretty bottle lanterns and hung them from our canopy which covers our outdoor living room.

Each bottle holds a cup for a tealight and hangs from a chain and hook.

The Suburban Prince added more chain and hung the bottle lanterns from varying lengths.  The effect is quite dramatic at night - a wall of candlelight.

Don't miss my Back to School giveaway!  It is in the post below!


Have a fabulous day!

A walk around the garden!

Happy Friday!  My random thoughts will return next Friday - I wanted to get this post up for NewEnglandGirl who just planted pumpkins!

Please also read the post below - we are getting very interesting comments and I would love to know what everyone thinks!

I took a walk around my garden the other day and it is so nice to see how everything is coming along!  Our raspberry bushes are huge and the Little Prince loves to run down there and pick them!  He loves the darkest sweetest ones!  He is so interested in the fruit and vegetables and I am very happy he will be able to see where they come from!

Click the photos to see larger views....

We have these climbing the corners of the gazebo!

Beautiful!

Niagara Rainbow Roses!

Blackberries galore! 

The bush is falling over it is so heavy with fruit!

A tiny little pumpkin working on being a jack-o-lantern!

Another baby pumpkin climbing the lattice!

A pumpkin vine!

We (ok the Suburban Prince) used twoxtwos and lattice to erect something the pumpkins could climb up rather than cover the entire back yard.  In the background you can see the compost bin - everyone here composts and recycles since actually have to pay for each bag of garbage we put out.  The thing at the top is a wasp deterant - they think another clan has already taken up residence and they move on.

A tomato destined for it's turn in a sandwich!

A tiny cherry tomato!

Dont miss my latest giveaway!

Have a fabulous day!

A day with the Scottish Mafia!

This weekend we went to the Highland Games in Uxbridge! 

We go every year and the Little Prince wears his little Glasgow Rangers uniform - personalized of course!  My uncle sends them over and all the Scottish grannies and aunties at the games go nuts for him.  It's fun having our last name on the back of the Little Prince's shirt as our name is well known in the Scottish Mafia so people know it's us right away.  The Suburban Prince often puts the Little Prince on his shoulders so we end up being spotted a mile away!

We got a great table in the beer garden and set up for lunch - we had our cooler on wheels so we were able to keep everyone (especially the Little Prince) happy with snacks and drinks.  The Little Prince LOVES the music and breaks into spontaeous dance from time to time - the rest of the time he claps along!

My FIL wore his kilt - the Suburban Prince didn't as it was about 45 degrees here with the humidity and the thought of being out in the heat and humidity, wrapped in 6-8 yards of wool didn't appeal to him.  This is why Scottish holidays start in October!

It was pouring rain most of the day which further reinforces my theory that if you gather enough Scottish people together, it will rain.  The higher the ratio of Scottish to everyone else, the higher the odds of rain....I kept my wedding to 40:60 Scottish:everyone else...the odds were in my favour and it did not rain!  On the other hand I have never been to a Highland Games that didn't invoke rain.  I have been soaked while singing Scotland the Brave more times than I can count!

Another interesting fact....Scottish people are not bothered enough to give up their seats in the beer garden or leave an event just because of a little huricaine downpour. 

Some country dancing - similar to a square dance.

Pipe bands were playing all over the place at random times in the middle of intersections - verry cool!

This event has the only Scottish all breed dog competition in North America (or so we were told).  The Dandie Dinmont Terriers are the sweetest dogs - when you pick them up they just flop in your arms - they LOVE cuddles!

I swear these dogs just sleep and cuddle all day long!

Highland dancing competitions - we had to pull the Little Prince off those stairs twice!!  While the girls were dancing!  Yes, my child is that child *sigh* The Highland Fling was originally done by male warriors before and after battles.  It used to be done on a targe which is a round shield.  These days it is mostly performed by girls and the occassional boy who, let's face it, has the odds is his favour!

Of course there are sheep shearing demos!

Mmmmm deed fried Mars bars!  YUM! 

Just like with haggis, don't say it's gross until you have tried it.

The military bands doing their last big performance for the afternoon.  There are different types of bands - a military Tattoo is for technical/traditional bands...the videos below are of the Highland Creek Pipe Band who are the ultimate performance pipe band...it's like watching PipeBandRockBand...

About halfway through they play Auld Lang Syne (the ultimate Scottish song followed closely by Loch Lomand) and the people around us all started dancing - or what might be called dancing after an entire afternoon in the beer garden.

This is the same band marching out - check out the pipe/drum major's mace skills!

We didn't get to see any of the heavy events (sheaf, caber toss etc) because of the rain.  Next year!

Have a fabulous day!

Friday's Random Thoughts

Happy Friday!

I don't have a post ready today - life is just so busy!

- The Little Prince has started putting his tiny little finger to his lips and whispering 'Shhh quiet' which just cracks me up!  He counts to 13 at least and his teacher told me that is phenomenal for his age.  Yes I am a bit smug about it.

- People have been speaking to me like I should have children's services monitoring me when I tell them the Little Prince doesn't eat candy, I have never given it to him and have no intention of starting.  I really don't think the girl working at First Choice Haircutters really needs to give me parenting advice - especially when she told me her child loves candy and has to be on medication for her hyperactivity.  Anyone see a connection?

- I have decided to go ahead with my book.  High Heeled Life showed me a way to publish it so my goal is to have it ready to buy by Autumn.  Feel free to pre-order now!

- I wish people would take word-verification off their blogs.  It just means lots of extra clicking and extra time spent trying to leave a comment.  I end up sometimes not commenting because I can't be bothered or dont have a lot of time.

- I found an amazing gluten-free bakery so I have been able to eat tomato sandwiches again!  YUM! They also sell their flour which means I am able to make all of your delicious cupcakes!

- I joined Twitter and now see what all the fuss is - but my goodness, there is so much to learn about!

- Someone I know is always whinging about her money problems and how she just wants someone to give her money.  I love making her look like an idiot for not taking control of her own problems - she owns a big house she could sell and she could find a better paying job since the economy has recovered and their are lots of jobs out there.  No, I'm not always so passive-aggressive.

- I am putting together a surprise 50th anniversary party for my inlaws.  I asked a friend of theirs to give me the names of a FEW couples I should invite - he emailed me and cc'd every single person he knows and told them.  Sooooo 30-40 people now know about a party they are not invited to but will no doubt assume they are invited to.  That's also 30-40 people who know about the party that I have no control over - meaning I dont know if they will keep their mouths shut!  Guess who is no longer invited!  The Suburban Prince hit.the.roof.  I emailed everyone he cc'd and told them I have no idea why they were emailed about this and apologized for the intrusion.  No one has emailed me back. 

- I am sad about my tan.  It is nowhere near as dark as usual and I feel like summer is speeding by.  I need more time at 'the office'.

- I have given up on the sorority.  I never really felt comfortable in the chapter I was rushing so I have decided not to join.  They weren't keen on the idea of t-shirts with Greek letters appliqued in Lilly fabric anyway.

- I have decided to check out Rotary.  A few people I know belong so I am looking forward to it.  They seem to do more and the kind of people I would like to meet belong to it. 

- I am going to attempt to make raspberry dark chocolate ice cream this weekend.  I have lots of Dove chocolates I can chop up and about 4000lbs of raspberries in the garden.  I just need a few more ingredients and I am good to go!  Now to learn how to use the ice cream maker!  I know it is going to taste so yummy but it makes me a little sad that showing it off sharing it will be impossible as it is about 38 degrees with the humidity - I doubt my ice cream would survive the short walk from the front door to the driveway!

- I may be one of the few preppies who doesn't live for summer.  I have been daydreaming about pumpkin spice lattes a lot lately.  Yes Ali, I know...wash my mouth out with chocolate.

Have a fabulous day!

Outdoor ideas for summer!

Please check the previous post for the giveaway winners!

As I was looking for ideas for our annual summer cocktail party I came across these on the Martha site.  They are all very easy and inexpensive to make!  The links to the instructions for each project are in pink!

Silk Flower Lights!

You could make these in any colours you want! 

The dollar store always has lots of silk flowers which makes this a budget friendly idea!

Shell Lights!

Perfect for a beach themed party!

Leaf Candles!

I can see these at a garden wedding with a green colour scheme!

Origami Lanterns!

My personal favourite!  I think these are just so whimsical!

Velum Shields!

So easy to make!  I think I will make these for my summer cocktail party!

Nautical Garland!

How cute is this?  You could make these in any colours you want to go with any theme!  It reminds me of the Barefoot Contessa episode when she took lunch to the boat!  I tried to find a video of that episode but sadly it isn't online.

Have a fabulous day!

Very important child safety information - Please Read!

As most of North America is experiencing high tempertaures it is very important to put the safety of our children first.  Another blogger posted about yet another small child who died because they were forgotten in a car in hot weather.  This is happening too often!

Here are two ways to ensure you remember your child is with you - we are all busy and it is all too easy to walk away from the car forgetting a child is with us.  This is especially important if you share child transportation with another adult.

1.  Keep a stuffed animal in the carseat and when the child is put in the seat place the animal in the front with the driver.  Make it a rule to put the animal back in the car seat before leaving the car - this will ensure you know your child is there.

2.  Place your purse or briefcase in the back seat as a reminder that you have your child in the car.  I always put my purse under the car seat so I actually have to open the back door to get it.  I have to come face to face with my child in order to get my purse.

I found this alarm system that fits on the harness of your car seat.  A keyring comes with it that will alarm if it is taken more than 15 feet from the car alerting you to a child still strapped in the car.  I think this is a great idea and will be looking into getting one for myself.
 
Please feel free to blog/facebook/twitter/email this post to all of your contacts.

Let's refrain from posting negative comments - we have no idea what is going on in anyone's head when they walk away from their car.  If you have ever forgotten your purse in your car it could be just as easy to forget a child.

Cheeky Little Chipmunk!

Please enter my Flower Power giveaway!

Yesterday we were at my in-laws' house enjoying the nice weather in the backyard.  My MIL puts seeds out for a little chipmunk who skitters about all day long!

MIL figures if she puts seeds out the critters will stay out of the lettuce!

Besides the chipmunk...what an ingenious way to grow lettuce! 

They have been eating it for about a month now just cutting what they need each day!

Have a fabulous day!

How a can of hairspray can save a life!

I was diagnosed with a severe bee/wasp/hornet allergy when I was in my 20's and since then have had to carry an Epipen with me at all times.  One of my biggest fears is finding a stinging insect in the house which happens more often than I care to think about.  Twice in the last week we have discovered one of these deadly little creatures flying around the kitchen and den!

Did you know aerosol hairspray will disable a bee/wasp/hornet?  A few sprays and then insect will drop to the ground where it can be easily dealt with.  Knowing this is very important in my house.  I always keep cans of aerosol hairspray in the house in case the Suburban Prince is out and I have to be brave and deal with stinging insects on my own.

If you know anyone with stinging insect allergies please pass this info along!


Have a fabulous day!