Did the blogging stop because the making of things did?
Did the making of things stop because the blogging did?
The classic chicken or the egg question.

Several months since my last post, and a multitude of reasons that pulled me away from this space - let's just chalk it up to breathing space and the chasing of life (and two little people that are livelier than I even wake up with the energy to be).  The only reason that I'll follow for today, is my reason for coming back...I just like this little corner that waits patiently, drawing me back no matter how far I wander from the very inspiration I'm looking for.

Maybe a different approach? Keeping things small and simple?  I'll just take it bit by bit and see if the inspiration starts to shine again.


Taken recently at Ravine Vineyard, St.Davids, Ontario
copyright ©

Sweet Ways to End the March Break

I'd been hoping to make it to one of the local Maple Syrup festivals over the March Break and we couldn't have asked for better weather - warm, sunny and perfect for free flowing sap. (We saw that +5C and took a few steps further to +16C)

I still remember discovering where maple syrup came from when I was around my daughter's age. I also remember a big tin of syrup that would accompany pancake breakfasts for the better part of each year.

This is one of my favourite pictures from the beautiful Mountsburg Conservation Area. Something about the tones and the rings on the tree is really striking and I keep thinking it would somehow translate really well in embroidery. We'll see.

Something that does translate really well - that lovely sweet drop, along with several thousands more lovely drops - into delicious amber syrup.

Weekend Finds

When you take a few back roads in search of the best apple pie you come across the most wonderful things.

1. Fall Finds, 2. Lines 1, 3. Weekend Wheels 1, 4. Shapes, 5. Remaining, 6. Weekend Wheels 2

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Field Trip of Dreams

Well folks, the week didn't make any more sense as it went on (although I did eventually manage to get on top of that calendar situation). And now that Friday has arrived, I don't honestly know what we did with the week? It was busy, it was loud, it was action-packed, but I'm not really convinced that a single thing managed to get finished (including a certain sweater that I was sure would be).

So I'm going to wave the white flag for the day, focus on making it through to the long weekend ahead, and daydream about field trips.

I had a passing thought this morning (somewhere between the shower and my first load of the laundry, and definitely before my first coffee) about a field-trip to here to take one of these and buy some of this and that. New York, here I come. Back in the rat race, I at least had a yearly conference or two to charge my batteries; doesn't Home Management come with the same perks? Oh yeah - lack of an expense account and I am the on-site daycare.

I guess this field trip will have to wait a few more years as well (damn mortgage!). But HOW amazing would that BE!

While I work on coming up with something at least half-as-exciting and within 100km, here are a few shots from one of my favourite Summer '09 field trips - Tobermory, Ontario and one perfect family outing. It was less about what we did and more about needing a sunny afternoon with lots of inspiring sights and sounds.

A Sweet Day

A perfect, sunny, casual, back-to-being-just-us-for-the-day Thursday.

A trip to the library and finding a copy of what I was looking for.

A walk along our small downtown main street with lots of window shopping along the way.

A visit to a favourite culinary shop. A jar of pie weights. A handful of terrific baking tips from a very friendly and very experienced pie maker. (details may follow next week - I'm cautiously optimistic when it comes to pastry though).

A very important stop at the Black Forest Bakery for two of their most divine cupcakes (depending on how tomorrow goes, I may wish I'd bought a pie).

A plan for a very quiet evening staying up late with wine and a good movie since another certain adult in the house won't be working tomorrow (oh sweet backup).

Autumn

Autumn drives are the perfect time for both looking forward, and remembering where you've been.

Vineland, Ontario

Enjoying the sweet warmth of the late harvest vines.

Vineland, Ontario

And the excitement of a new harvest with the promise of carving, pies and tricks-n-treats to come.

Grimsby, Ontario

Bridges between seasons, places and discoveries.

Balls Falls, Vineland, Ontario

And just Monkeying around, doing the (highly transportable) things you love.


Happy Thanksgiving.

That Last Summer (Holi)day

September 1 and the last day of summer holidays.

This is also my last post of pictures from our summer escape - so it only seems right to post pictures from the last day of our vacation.

We drove to Wiarton (home to Willie) and enjoyed a quiet sunny walk around Colpoy's Bay complete with the absolute coolest playset Julia has ever explored.

From the end of this long angled pier, you can actually see a large shadow below the water which is supposedly part of a sunken ship (or a case of tourists having their legs pulled - we're not entirely certain). Tall tales or sails, it was a gorgeous sight and the sort of spot that just makes you feel a little more relaxed.

So relaxed in fact, that while walking by myself on the pier I was actually observant enough to catch the first Monarch Butterfly I've seen all summer.

If you want to see a few more favourite pictures, click on the Explore button or Flickr badge in the sidebars.

Enjoy the last of the long weekend and I'll be back tomorrow with a very long overdue knitting update!

And the vacation went on...

As the driving continued a side-trip led us to Inglis Falls, about 20 minutes from Owen Sound (Ontario). As if the spectacular waterfall wasn't enough, we discovered the absolute peace and magical light of the escarpment trail.

And throughout the day we found lots of country corners and rural this-and-thats.


But I'm still saving a few moments of serendipity for Monday. You'll just have to be patient.

Sharing Moments

Today's installment of our vacation tales: 'Sharing Moments'

Enjoying a good book.
Well, Matthew enjoying fondling my good book.
Me enjoying Matthew more than I got to enjoy reading.

Discovering new textures. Matthew's first exploration of sand.

The thrill of HUGE amounts of water to run in.

Enjoying new playgrounds (perhaps a little too much). Quiet resistance - 'If I just hold onto this post then they'll have to let me stay'


Conversations
(and apparently some secrets being whispered by the trees - we're still investigating that)

Coming Up for Air

There hasn't been much Spin from this Home - it's been crazy days as we ease back into a routine, catch up from our short time away, and adjust to all of the new excitement that accompanies life with a 10 month old (pulling on everything, standing with the support of anything and chewing absolutely all objects in reach).

But the laundry is finally finished (for the next five minutes at least - deep breathe and enjoy), bedtimes are back on track (adults and children alike) and at long last about 300+ pictures have made their way off of my camera and onto the computer.

So, while I get back into my blogging groove I'm going to use the next few posts to share some pictures and quiet moments from our trip to Owen Sound last week. Only three hours drive from where we live, but getting away from the city, phone, computer and regular to-and-froing, it felt like a huge leap out of the daily grind.

Summer Reading

Oakville Public Library - Central Branch

Does anyone else remember the Book Mobile? It was a bookishly pimped out cube van that would appear each summer in random neighbourhood parking lots.

I grew up in a library visiting family and always thought it was a most excellent place (especially since the library was a pretty fair distance away for a kid). It was a special spot filled with windows, row upon wooden row of books and most memorably, a huge octagon shaped table deep in the heart of the children's book section.

I still have a very clear memory of standing in the library around the age of 10 and contemplating the possibility of reading every single book in the library, one by one ( for the record, I never came close).

But every summer the Book Mobile brought books even closer to home and gave us kids an easy chance to explore a scaled down selection on our own. In the late afternoon heat, parked like a mirage just beyond the public swimming pool, was this oddball vehicle filled with books and manned by a lone library gypsy (and her date stamp).

Another great seasonal ritual was the summer reading program. You read a bunch of topical books throughout the summer, collected stamps to mark your progress and...well I can't honestly remember what happened at the end...which must mean that I really enjoyed the reading part of the program.

And with all of these great summer reading memories, it's really no wonder that I took my own kids to the library for the start of summer story time this morning. There was lots of storytelling, dancing and singing to be enjoyed; no octagon table, but plenty of computers (which admittedly seemed to be a main attraction). But after all that stimulating and updated library action, my little reading gal still came home with a stack of books. Our ride home was enlivened by her systematic reading of Jonathan London's Froggy books (Froggy Plays in the Band, Froggy Learns to Swim, Froggy Goes to School, you get the idea).

And how cool is it to discover that the TD Summer Reading Program (that's right, it's stepped all the way up to corporate sponsorship) still lives on.

http://www.opl.on.ca/summer_reading.php

So what's on your summer reading list? I'm firmly committed to finishing a certain book this week (um, yes, I'm still on The Master, yikes). Then I`m looking for something highly entertaining (because it`s taken me far too long to read The Master).

Canada D'Eh

Ours included lots of sunshine. Lots of sunshine calls for lots of ice-cream, and luckily this was opening week for an amazing new ice cream shop in town. They make their own incredible line of flavours on-site and blend in some pretty awesome treats (peanut butter cups, fresh fruits, candies and cookies galore). My family of purists enjoyed Chocolate (with gummy bears for Princess) and Vanilla Bean (and nothing but for Big Daddy) while I gobbled up Cheesecake Cream with cherries (no picture of mine since in a photographing vs. eating situation, eating always wins).

Another walk along the waterfront and the downtown main street. Lots of shops open and lots of shops closed.

But everywhere we looked there was plenty of red and white to be found.

Hope you are enjoying yours.

To Market, To Market

Yesterday we made a morning trip to our nearby farmers market.

Who knew we had a local farmers market? I'm still amazed by the wonderful local weekday things that I was completely missing in my 'at work' life. Maternity leave in the summer is *sweet*.

Breathtaking colours, the freshest and sweetest tasting vegetables, and some great inspiration to try out new recipes over an extended weekend.

Enjoy yours.

26 Post Challenge (W)

W is for the wonderful weather we had on the weekend. Two great days filled with...

Walks along the waterfront.

A web abandoned by a very busy spider (the latest topic at the pre-school and Julia was fascinated).
Wildflowers (although I'm using the term a little loosely since these are more likely a case of wandering flowers that have wound their way beyond someone's garden and into the most unexpected little patches along the Waterfront Trail).
Ways to battle the waste that litters communities.
It's funny how letters just seem to appear when you start looking for them!

And finally, W is for Wrapping-up projects. The placemats are finished and ready to find their way to a new home on my sister's table. *smile*

26 Post Challenge (L)

L is for Lounging! After yesterday's post I feel like popping in a movie and catching up on the knitting which has only been getting attention on a 'row here, row there' basis lately. The only other thing on today's to-do list is making a pot of Potato and Leek soup (and then curling back up with a bowl and resuming the lounge position).

L is also for Local and here is a quick shout-out to some local favourites.

Kerr Village Organic Farmers Market (returning mid-June 2008) - This is a very small market so it's worth arriving early if you are going for produce. There are lots of great vendors there throughout the morning as well. There is a call-out for vendors going on right now if you are anyone you know has something to contribute.

Spun Fibre Arts - Great variety in a warm, friendly atmosphere (and a really good Roti shop a few doors down). They also carry a great selection of organic yarns. Read their Spring newsletter for some more information on this popular topic.

Stoney's Bread Company - Just typing those words made me hungry. The smell of fresh artisan bread hits you the moment you walk in the door. Delicious pastries, pizzas, sandwiches, smoothies, salads...oh it's all just good good good.

Oakville Jazz Festival and Oakville Waterfront Festival - Dreaming ahead towards these sure signs of summer.

Oakville Trails and Bruce Trail - I'm looking forward to some outdoor time with the family this Spring/Summer.

Abbozo Gallery and Cora Britten - A terrific local gallery and the place where I first discovered works by this amazing and imaginative local artist.

Have a great weekend!

26 Post Challenge (B)

B brings us to butterflies. Colour. Movement. Nature's perfect patchwork on display.

These pictures were taken at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. I have a special sewing/crafting project in mind that is inspired by these and several other pictures taken that day. You'll have to stay-tuned though while I commit to finishing things already on the go (more ideas than time - yikes!).

I'll B Back on Monday with another installation. Keep finding and sharing your B until then.