Happy Halloween

Hope you find lots of candy!!

Raising Hope

From thetvaddict.com

Have you seen this show?!  First I'll tell you that it's not A+ hilarity.  It's not going to win many awards but my goodness if you're looking for some stupid laughs this is the place to go.  The basic premise of the show is that  Jimmy (played by Lucas Neff) had a one night stand with a crazy lady.  Crazy lady killed some dudes and heads to jail. He finds out that she got knocked up and when she's sent to the electric chair he gets the baby - Princess Beyonce (whose name is changed to Hope).  It's a great show, created by the same guy that did My Name is Earl (which is a show I HATE...but I digress...) and although you get some of the same silly situations (how did Maw Maw, the dementia ridden great grandmother, end up going Trick or treating?!) the laughs are good and you find yourself warming to the Jimmy.  He's not very smart, neither is his family, but he's trying hard and you find yourself rooting for him.

So if you haven't seen it, it's on Tuesday right after Glee, check it out.  It's pretty good!

Wedding Wednesday - Pretending I'm a wedding planner!

A good friend of mine recently got engaged.  She is a fantabulous , hilarious, wonderful person and she's getting married about a month after me.  We've been chatting weddings lately and she recently found her venue and  decided on her colors.  I'm pretty excited for this because #1) She's a good friend and I lurves her and #2) I lurves planning thing.  So when we chatted about colors I was more than happy to jump in.  So today I present you with Katie's wedding colors and inspiration; a collection of palates that I have collected for her to use as a guide and to add to.  It's obviously not the be all end all, but I'd like to think I helped her on her way.

Now, Kat's colors are eggplant (aka purple), navy and silver.  First thing I thought of was elegant, classy, a little flirty and plums (I love plums and they're a good purple color so it popped in there too!!).  Once I had some ideas and I chatted with her about it...where it was, when it was, etc etc I went back into my wedding binder (DUN DUN DUNNNNNN) and took a look at some stuff I had found while digging around for myself.  Then I ran to google, and some wedding websites, and grabbed a few more  Here's what I've come up with...

Classy and a little fun.

I thought this one was nice.  It's classy but it's still fun and young.  Kat is a really fun person and although I picture something formal(ish) I think it needs to have fun.

A little classier, more formal but the right colors.

I thought I'd throw this in because it has some different elements (the cake, favours...) and it gives her some more ideas as to where she can go.  It also gives a different feeling than the last one.  This one, to me, is more formal where the first is playful.

Look at the stunning purples!

I LOVE this one.  It's got a  touch of elegance but very fun...look at the BOLD purples and the neat centerpieces! It also shows longer bridesmaids dresses (first dresses we've seen!), which might work better for her considering late October in Nova Scotia is gettin' chilly!

Had to get some more navy in there!

And finally here's the last one I sent her.  This one incorporates more navy into the mix, not quite as much purple, but I thought it was really nice.  It shows how they can be mixed and matched and it's got a nice fun feel to it.

So those are just a few of the boards I came up with for Kat.  I hope they give her some ideas and help her find some inspiration.  I think no matter what she does it will be a BEAUTIFUL wedding.  I'm just so excited that she is going to marry the man of her dreams.  *dreamy sigh*

I could never live in England...

Mornin'.  It's dreary and rainy and gloomy here in Halifax today.  I woke up at 6:10 a.m. to a hear what I thought was my shower running, but it was just the rain outside our bedroom.  Mr. Dan didn't budge.  He kept right on snoring as I hauled my arse out of bed (an hour and a half early) and proceeded to pad around the house in my pjs, looking for somewhere else to curl up.  The pugs had taken over my side of the bed, Mr. Dan was sprawled out and the rain was pounding on my head.  Much to my dismay the couch wouldn't do it, our spare mattress wouldn't do it and so I find myself here sitting at the kitchen table drinking a glass of milk and blogging.

It's dreary outside, so dreary that I'd just love to go crawl into my warm bed and sleep the rest of the day away.  I've never enjoyed rainy days.  They make me tired.  They make me feel like I should stay in bed and get to it (whatever it is...) tomorrow.  I just know that I'm going to, eventually, get up and get dressed...then I'll head to work and sit my my dark office (I have lights but it's still dark and gloomy) for 8 hours until I get off work to go get Mr. Dan and then head home.  But today won't be all bad.  We've recently had a fashion photo shoot where I work and the photos will be up today.  We're also finishing up things from our biggest event of the year so that wrap-up will feel good.  I suppose if I lock myself in my office (and try not to look out the window) that it won't be too bad.

The other bright spot in my day is that tonight is the ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW! They've mashed 2 wonderful things together - The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Glee.  So in honor of the wonders of Rocky Horror and Glee I NEED to make it through this gloomy day.  Well I've got 45 minutes until Mr. Dan is up, I'm going to head back to bed and crawl up in between pugs...sounds like the rain has let up for now. Wish me luck!

How do you cope with the dreariness of a rainy day?

New layout

Testing out my new layout today.  What do y'all think?!

Friday Five!

Time for that epic Friday Five, brought to you by Mama M!

1) Whose a better cook, you or your spouse?
Me.  Not because he can't cook but just because he doesn't.  Mr. Dan cooks pancakes and Kraft Dinner...sometimes grilled cheese or hotdogs whereas I do full meals with veggies and all.  I think Dan could be a great cook if he wanted to be but I think he's content with me filling that role.

2) How often do you talk to your mom?
All the time.  I just talked to my mom today at lunch.  We're good friends and she only live 10 mins from my house so we chat all the time.  I also am seeing her tomorrow when we go to get our hairs did and Sunday for Sunday Dinner.

3) Are you adventurous in the kitchen or do you stick to a recipe?
Depends.  If it's something I'm trying for the first time then I generally stick to a recipe...I don't wanna screw it up.  But if it's something that I"m inventing or something that I've done before then I'll head right out and experiment.

4) Is your second toe longer than your big toe?
Yes...?

5) Do you dress up for Halloween?
Yes yes yes!!! I don't know what I'm doing this year but I'm going shopping tonight so I'll let y'all know asap!

Happy Weekend, peeps!!

Applesauce

I'm feeling much better now.  The cold is all but gone, my stomach has returned to normalcy (thanks yogurt) and I spent an entire day just lounging around in my bed.  MUCH BETTER.

Now, I owe you applesauce.  I did make it the other night.  It took me quite some time to peel all those apples but it got done.  But wait, lets start from the beginning: Mr. Dan and I went apple picking about 2 weeks ago. We drove out to the valley and, keeping with Nova Scotian tradition, we picked apples for a few hours.  Now, we only picked about 10lbs of apples...but it was lovely!

Like my shoes? Me too, hot pink and silver/grey...niiiice

So Dan and I spent the afternoon wandering around the apple orchard, picking this apple

Or that apple...

And then, once we had accumulated 10lbs, or so, of apples we paid and hopped in the car to head home.  Now these apples sat for a bit once we got home.  Dan ate some, I ate some, but mostly they sat.  I wanted to make applesauce but had to find the time.  FINALLY, earlier this week I found the time!  So here is my delicious, simple, wonderful applesauce recipe...with pictures to make you crave it!  Enjoy!

Applesauce
1 lb cooking apples, peeled, and quartered
1/3 cup sugar (more if you like it sweet!)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Cut and peel your apples.

Place them in a pot, cover with water, add sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg - boil over low heat for 1-2 hours, until right consistency.  

Once your applesauce is at the right thickness place it in glass jar and viola! Enjoy!

Wedding Wednesday...

No Wedding Wednesday this week, kids.  I'm sick as a dawg.  I'm hoping to post more on Thursday or Friday.  I know I still owe applesauce.  I'll be back soon.

Promise.

I owe you applesauce. But first I want to talk about Pugs.

And I will deliver, I promise, but first I need to tell you that I won't do it now.  You'll have to wait until this evening because the pictures are on my camera which happens to be dead.  So until the point where I show you these epic and delicious-ness inspiring pictures, you must be content with me.  Lil ol' me.  And my life.  But isn't that why you're here? (Yeah, you, that one in the back...the only one here! I see you!!)  So let's do a quick life update:

Hectic.  One word.  That's what my life is right now.  I've been running on little sleep, taking cold medicine to keep my nose from running all over my desk and just trying to make it through the last week or so.  We've had our biggest event of the year at work, and it went off without a hitch.  Now is the time where I fall down dead tired and sleep for 3 days.  But wait, it was on a Saturday and so I got one day off and now I'm back at the grind.  Oh my.

Anyways, no time to rest - I've got more to do.  This weekend is PUGAPALOOZA!!! Woohooo!!!!!  This is an event that we (Pug Pals of HRM) have once a year and it raises money for the local SPCA in Halifax.  This year I'm taking the reins of organizing the auction for the day of the event.  My living room is full of pug like goodness as well as gift certificates, spa baskets and other goodies.  All things that you can bid on at Pugapalooza!!  Our last meeting is Friday, with the event on Saturday, and it's going to be great.  We're doing a Halloween theme so all the little pugs will be dressed up and I'm sure it'll be a scream! (hahaha, pun intended)  I'm very excited and hope we can raise at least $2,500 for the SPCA.  So if you're interested, or just want to know more about Pug Pals of HRM pop over to our Facebook page : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7570946538

HECTIC!!

That is how I will describe my life right now.  We just had our biggest event of the year at work yesterday...yes on a Saturday, and I was at work for 16 hours.  Niiiiiiice.  Needless to say today was a day of rest.  So in lieu of a regular post here is a teaser for tomorrow night:

APPLE SAUCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's all I've got.  Night night

Wedding Wednesday - Turkey Day Edition

I'm a wedding planning machine.  That's right.  A MACHINE.  I got so much done this weekend, it's not even funny.


We went and visited with my grandpa this weekend.  The Reverend McC has generously agreed to marry us.  Yay for officials!

We also went and visited with Mr. Dan's family for the Canadian Turkey Day weekend.  His mother and I sat down on Saturday night and she offered to grow ALL of our flowers.  She is a gardener (has worked at a green house for YEARS) and has huge beds to work with.  You may squee now.


We're going with a variety of small(ish) sunflowers, red/white/yellow zinnias (in a variety of styles), red/white/yellow asters and red/white/yellow chrysanthemums.  That way, we can work with whatever blooms and go from there.  She's sooo sweet!!  We worked it out together with Mr. Dan's iPhone and her gardening catalogues as references!!  The girls will each have 2-4 sunflower bouquets, just something simple that will really pop with their cherry red dresses and I'll do the sunflowers with red/white accents.  Like so:

Less orange,more red!

I like the way the purple sets it off...but I think we'll use white/red.

Also we went to Sarah aka Mr. Dan's sister aka grower of my niece/nephew.  (Let me just say, I love this woman.  She's FANTASTIC!!)  And we chatted with the whole clan.  We updated everyone, Nanny  and cousin Jennifer were particularly interested in wedding planning.  We also asked his cousin's son to be our ring bearer.  He said that "Mom says only big boys can be ring bears."  So I asked if he was one and he goes "Yeah! Of course I am!!'  So I think he's in.


All in all it was a productive Turkey weekend.  What about you?

Happy Thanksgiving, Eh!

Today is the second Monday in October, that means that it's Canadian Thanksgiving! YAY!!! No work, lots of turkey, pumpkin pie and all things deliciously fall are here!  So Happy Thanksgiving to you all...I invite you to become honorary Canadians for the day (if you're not a real Canadian) and celebrate with me.

Friday Five!

Time for my regular Friday Five, where you get to know my inner most secrets.  Sort of.

1) What do you listen to while driving?
Depends.  I listen to CBC a lot (news radio) during the day.  But generally I like some good tunes so I'll turn on one of the Top 40 stations in town.

2)What is your least favorite thing about Fall?
Colds.  I currently have a wicked cold that is preventing me from breathing out my nose.  Also, it is preventing me from visiting my grandmother at the nursing home this weekend because I can't risk getting her sick.  UGH

3)What does your dream house look like? Inside and out?
BIG white house with black or green shutters.  LOTS of windows.  On 5 acres part of it needs to be fenced for the dogs.  I need a big 2 level deck with hot tub and BBQ.  Just outside the city, within commuting distance.

Inside it needs to have 2 levels and a finished basement.  We need a big kitchen with island, a dining room, big living room with a fireplace and main floor bath/laundry.  Upstairs needs 4  bedrooms(maybe 5) with the master having an ensuite.  An extra bath for the kids.  I want a balcony, just a small one, outside our bedroom so we can sit in the evening and hide from the kids.  The basement needs a rec room, workshop and a den/office as well as someplace to store the deep freeze.

4) Would you ever own a minivan?
Yes.  I want five kids.  I need one.  But Mr. Dan says only 3 kids. I still think a minivan would help.

5) Do you wash new clothes before wearing them?
Nope.  Usually I'm so excited that I put them on that day.  lol

Wedding Wednesday...yes I know it's Thursday.

So I know I'm late on the Wedding Wednesday, but I've been sick for a few days so bed has been my constant friend.  Anyways, today let's chat about my maid of honor and bridesmaids...oh and their dresses!!  I have 1 maid of honor and 3 bridesmaids. 

My maid of honor is Kim.  We've been best friends since we were about 5. She rocks. 

Kelsey is my little sister.  She's been a constant inspiration and great friend since she came into my life as that teeny tiny little baby.  I lurves her.

My other BFF, Maris, is another bridesmaid.  We've been super close since 12th grade.  She's basically my twin.



And last,  but defiantly not least, my really good friend Kaylee.  Kaylee and I met in university and I road trip to visit her and her family at least once every few weeks.  She's amazaballs!



We haven't been dress shopping yet but we've chosen Alfred Angelo dresses.  In a knee length in cherry.  The rest is up to them.  Kaylee will be ordering online, since there are no stores near her, but the rest of the ladies and I will go shopping the first week in November.  Here are some suggestions that the ladies have made.  I'm really open to whatever they'd like. 

Kim likes this...but in cherry red.

Kaylee thinks this is really cute.  I totally agree.

Kelsey isn't really keen on low-cut so I thought this might
be a good option for her.

So what do you think?  Any suggestions?

Just another manic Monday...

This is how I feel most Mondays.  Today was no exception.  I just wanted to lay in bed and not go to work. Of course, I had to go to work.  And then shit hit the fan.  It was BUSY.  We're talkin' media callin', project partners not happy, event trying to get planned and where did my lunch go - BUSY!  And then I went to the dentist.  Ugh.

How was your Monday?

Friday Five!

Time again for the fabulous Friday Five, brought to you by Mama M at My Little Life.

1) Did you have a pen pal when you were little (or now)? Where were/are they from?
We had a pen pal project when we were in school.  We wrote letters to another class in the same city and they wrote back.  My pen pal's name was Erin and she lived about 10 minutes away from me.  hahaha


2) If you could do a different job for one day, what would it be?
I'd want to be a teacher.  I always thought about being a teacher...maybe some day...

3) Do you remember your biggest fear from when you were little?
I was terrified of bridges.  Still make me queasy.

4) What do you think is a waste of time? Why?
I think calling pretty much any customer service center is a waste of time.  You're on hold for 20 minutes then you get someone who can't really help you and most of the time you end up getting frustrated before they get someone who fixes the problem in 5 minutes.  So why did it take 30 minutes to get there? Waste of time.  I just go in to the stores now...if I can.

5) What is the oldest item you have in your closet?
Well I keep my blankets in my closet so if we're talking the physical space then it's a quilt from my grandmother (I think her mother made it..).  If we're talking clothing then probably my Curtis house FROSH shirt from 2004.  GO CURTIS BULLDOGS!!