Spring Lemon Cake

Despite the fact that I'm trying to get fit, and despite the fact that my husband and I have given up after dinner desserts and snacks for lent, I've had a lot of baked goods in the house recently. 

It's actually been a good test of my willpower! 

Learning to say no to after dinner snacks is not easy, but breaking my rules is a lot more tempting when there are fresh desserts on the counter every night. 

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Easter Egg Lemon Cupcakes

Lemon is the flavour of the Spring. 

Am I right? Or am I right?

Lemony goodness screams Springtime. 

Or maybe its just the colour yellow that screams Spring…. but something about the prospect of sunshine coming out, leaving the house without a coat, and pulling out my rain boots makes me want to bake lemon treats. 

So I made some cupcakes :)  

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Washi Tape Easter Garland

As time flies by, my love for washi tape only grows. 

Its nothing special, really. I envy the person that came up with it! It's just decorative tape! 

But it has so many simple uses to spice up your life. 

If you don't believe me, just check out my washi wonder Pinterest board. 

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Spring Mantle

Prepare yourselves… here comes the first of many Spring and Easter posts! 

This past year I began decorating my mantle to represent different times of the year (see my Fall mantle, or St. Patricks day mantle).

It's an easy and effective way to get me excited about each new season and holiday. 

Plus, it usually adds a new splash of colour to our living room :) 

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Lent 2014

Anyone else out there observe lent?

I've been fasting things during the left period for years. 

This is there first time that my husband and I decided to practice lent together. 

We are fasting from evening snacking (including after dinner dessert!) and only allowing ourselves fruit in the evenings.

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Gardening Week: The Finale

Thought I would end my gardening adventures with a note about the tulips we grew this year. 

My husband loves tulips and so do I - I think because of the dutch connotation. 

So we planted some last fall and hoped for the best this spring. 

When they started to grow we were so excited! I was very anxious to see the buds come up!

Then the deer came by and munched on some of our tulip buds, so a very upset husband of mine (upset at the deer, not me!) had to put pegs and fence around the tree to keep the tulips safe until they bloomed.

And bloom they did!! So we got to take the fencing down :) Now we have a few days to enjoy them before we have to cut the tops off so that they don't seed for next year. 

And so ends my gardening week. Hope you enjoyed it! There will be planty (haha) more posts too come as the gardens continue to grow and take shape.

{grow}

Busy Bee

Mr. A, what a busy life we lead!

Sometimes when I look back on my week through these photos, I can't believe all of the things I've done in such a short time. I'm grateful that the weather is finally getting nice enough to go outside too! 

I may or may not have given myself a small sunburn today... 

I need to take care of my body (i.e. not turn myself into a tomato)... but I'm sooo happy to have sunshine!! Here are some snippets from our busy life: 

Baking birthday cupcakes with a friend, for another friends birthday!! 

Found this beautiful heirloom of Dad's when we we looking through some old stuff with mom.

Lots of baking :) For friends with new babies and for husbands. 

And here's the finished product for taste testing! Rolo cupcakes with caramel filling! 

If you want the recipe (which you do...) it's found right here. 

Flowers are starting to grow indoors at mom's house! 

Up to my usual craftiness.

Photo wall is coming together nicely! 

He's got his own projects to be working on! 

Post-run stretching with the dogs... obviously they are very helpful with this. 

Going for several walks in the warm weather :) And here are our tulips popping up!! 

Spring has sprung!! 

{love}

Spring Fashion Wish List

Spring is ALMOST here. 

It's SO close. 

Flowers blooming. Birds singing. Snow melting. Sun shining. 

I can't wait to wear something other than a sweater! 

Speaking of which... here is my amazing spring fashion wish list: 

1. Coral Skimmers - Or maybe another similar colour... but I'm definitely looking forward to some bold pants or shorts this summer! 

2. Jean Jacket - Pretty self-explanatory. This is a spring classic that I've never owned. I may even peruse one of the local thrift stores in search of one that's been given away

3. Grey Toms - Love the Toms! Had a pair last year that are almost worn out now. Love the fit and the style! Perfect for Spring in GP because it's not overly warm yet, and we don't get a ton of rain. The other bright side is that they are close-toed so I can wear them to work. 

4. Mint Green Cardigan - Or mint green anything really.... I can't WAIT to wear this colour! It looks great with my hair colour (dark brown) and skin tone (pale, yet rosy) and will look even better once I have a tan! I'm thinking cardigan, but I could be persuaded into pants, shorts, shoes, jewellery... 

5. Floral Pants - Save the boldest for last! I LOVE these. I'm not sure if I can pull off bold floral prints yet, but I'm willing to try! I recognize that this seems crazy to most people (except the select few that wore them in the '80s), but I love the bold patterns. It's just going to be fun to wear them! 

Thoughts on my fashion choices?!? 

Everyone in agreement? 

Enjoying the Small Things

I'm overwhelmed these days with gratefulness. Grateful for my life, my husband, our life together. The weather. My dogs. I'm just grateful.

It's beginning to feel like Spring here (despite the fact that there's still snow on the ground!). For me, that means more time outdoors and more time playing with my puppies. Here are some pictures from our Easter weekend walk :) Just enjoying the small things...



Tazo Chai Tea Latte :)



My man and his princess



Post-walk dirty feet!

[side note: I just realized how crazy it must look for some of you to see people in t-shirts in April, while there is still snow on the ground. I guess I really am starting to adapt to Grande Prairie because it doesn't seem strange to me!]


{joy}