Brain Update
It’s been 3 years since the day that I was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumour. March 18th holds a special place in my life, it’s a day that ...
19-03-2018 22:24
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Thailand – Elephant Hills
The very best day that we spent in Thailand was at Elephant Hills. It happened to be my husband’s birthday. Even thought he took me to Thailand for ...
05-01-2018 22:16
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Christmas Crafts – Day 11
It’s the 12th day of Christmas today, or maybe even day 13 but if you are like me then perhaps you have lost track of the days. My oldest saw kids m...
26-12-2017 22:19
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Christmas Crafts – Day 12
Wow, I made it. We crafted through the 12 days of Christmas once again. I had a little help this year from the elves. This final project was made for...
26-12-2017 22:19
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Christmas Crafts -Day 9
The kids and I usually make a gingerbread house from a kit around Christmas. The goal isn’t about the baking, it’s about the decorating and spendi...
24-12-2017 22:10
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Christmas Crafts – Day 8
Wow, today was a day. I’m on an emotional roller coaster and I’m exhausted. Whose with me" I’m ready for that long winter nap I’ve heard so mu...
22-12-2017 22:10
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Christmas Crafts – Day 7
Our Christmas tree is decorated in ornaments that were given to me when I was a child, some were made and some were bought. Each year I received at le...
21-12-2017 22:12
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Christmas Crafts – Day 5
Every once and a while I get the opportunity to use my crafting skills to help others. Crafting skills don’t really come in handy that often so I te...
20-12-2017 22:13
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Christmas Crafts – Day 6
I was making a craft today when my five year old asked if he could have a clear ornament ball which I was planning on using for my project. He was ver...
20-12-2017 22:13
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Christmas Crafts – Day 4
At this rate I might have to change the title to New Years Crafts. It’s only 8 days to Christmas day and I am on day 4 of Christmas Crafts. We will ...
18-12-2017 22:38
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Christmas Crafts – Day 3
On the first day of Christmas my true love made for me?an ornament wreath. On the second day of Christmas my true loves made with me…mugs. We have t...
14-12-2017 22:07
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Christmas Crafts – Day 2
At Halloween we took the kids to a local craft shop to make Halloween bowls. While we were there the kids saw posters for holiday mugs, and they decid...
13-12-2017 22:12
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Christmas Crafts – Day 1
This blog began as a 12 days of Christmas Crafting blog, which has morphed over the years to incorporate whatever was going on in my life. I have kept...
13-12-2017 22:12
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Sampran Riverside Village
As a maker I am interested in crafts so the Sampran Riverside Village was right up my alley. We learned about and tried our hand at some traditional T...
05-12-2017 22:06
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Floating Market
In addition to temples, and tuk tuks there are many markets in Thailand. The Damnoen Saduak floating market was about an hour and a half out of Bangko...
05-12-2017 22:06
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Railway Market
I think that I love to be surprised, but I am not good at accepting surprises. The truth is that I love the idea of being surprised. When we go on vac...
01-12-2017 22:11
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One Night in Bangkok
Today is my 40th birthday. It’s a big deal. Every birthday is a big deal because I am still alive, and that’s worth celebrating (at least in my mi...
30-11-2017 22:10
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Cuddle + Kind
If you have signed up for any retail emails you have probably been bombarded in the last few days. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, 50% off, buy one get on...
29-11-2017 22:17
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Family Crafting
Wow, that was quite the crafting/blogging break. It has been 3 months since I last posted, perhaps that suits my two readers just fine (thanks mom). W...
15-10-2017 21:23
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Canada 150
Canada is having a big birthday tomorrow! 150 years young. We celebrate Canada Day every year but this is a special year so I made special shirts. I c...
30-06-2017 21:27
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May was made for Reading
I haven’t posted much lately because I started a new job at the beginning of May. There have been lots of changes happening at home, and we all need...
05-06-2017 21:25
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5K to end Brain Tumours
On March 18th 2015, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour and it was life changing. I believe that no one should hear the words ?you have a brain tumour...
21-05-2017 21:28
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Ebb & Flow
Two and a half months after brain surgery my husband and I went away over night to celebrate our anniversary without the kids! It was the same weekend...
06-05-2017 21:24
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So what’s next"
Over the past two and a half years when I was asked “what do you do” (for work)" I answered, I am working on my Masters, which usually sparked a d...
01-05-2017 21:27
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Before and After Brain Makeover
As a designer I LOVE a good before and after makeover. Before I went in for surgery to remove a brain tumour named Timmy, I joked about my brain being...
18-03-2017 21:21
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Gryffindor Scarf
I am having one of those “where did the time go moments”. Today is my son’s 8th birthday, and it seems like yesterday that I was swaddling a new...
14-03-2017 21:21
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Celebrating my Women on International Women’s day
I have been blessed to be surrounded by strong women my whole life. Women who believe that they are equal and can do anything. When I was a kid in the...
09-03-2017 21:21
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With all my heart
Happy Valentines’s Day! I am a celebrator, I celebrate everything. Including Valentine’s Day which my husband lovingly calls a Hallmark holiday. O...
14-02-2017 21:21
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Surprises in the Mail, Part 3
Every once in a while a package from my mom arrives with a surprise inside for the kids. Once it was these little cuties, and another time it was Star...
23-01-2017 21:22
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Yoga Socks
With every new year comes resolutions and I seem to make at least one similar resolution every year. Last year I resolved to listen to more music, and...
16-01-2017 21:21
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Listening
As a student and a mother, I am often studying in odd places. I am regularly in the local recreation center studying while my kids are in an arts or s...
09-01-2017 21:21
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Caron Cake Cookies Cream Shawl
When I decide to knit, or crochet a new project I can be inspired by an image on Ravelry or Pinterest or by the yarn itself. Believe it or not, I am k...
03-01-2017 21:22
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Christmas Crafting – Day 12
On the last day of Christmas Crafting my sister made for me…a Messy Bun Hat. Right now there is quite the knitting trend happening, with the creatio...
23-12-2016 21:21
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Christmas Crafting – Day 11
I have been on a knitting binge recently, which means lots of leftovers. I haven’t been feeding my family leftovers because of my knitting obsession...
22-12-2016 21:22
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Christmas Crafting – Day 10
I have made many gingerbread houses over the years and I am getting much better at it. By getting better I mean I now buy them assembled. Not just pre...
20-12-2016 21:20
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Christmas Crafting – Day 9
It has been a busy few weeks here, and today is the first day in a long time where we didn’t have any commitments. I am spending the day in my jammi...
19-12-2016 21:21
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Christmas Crafting – Day 8
For a while I was on a sock knitting kick. When I determined that I had enough pairs of knit socks, I moved on to finger less gloves. Same yarn differ...
18-12-2016 21:20
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Christmas Crafting – Day 7
We are in the midst of a cold spell on the island, and I am struggling to stay warm and cozy. The wool socks, and sweaters just aren’t cutting it. I...
17-12-2016 21:20
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Christmas Crafting – Day 5
Let me tell you a little secret, I make a lot of crafts from scratch but I also craft from kits. It’s even better than baking from a box because eve...
14-12-2016 21:21
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Christmas Crafting – Day 6
Today, I am turning the crafting over to the kids. They make ornaments for the family each year, and this year its melty bead ornaments. As they are g...
14-12-2016 21:21
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Christmas Crafting – Day 4
“He’s making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out whose naughty or nice”…on day 4 we are making a Naughty & Nice sign. I bought a naug...
13-12-2016 21:21
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Christmas Crafting – Day 3
On the third day of Christmas my true love made for me…JOY. For a few years I have been photographing my friends and their families for Christmas. I...
10-12-2016 21:22
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Christmas Crafting – Day 1
For years I have been doing the 12 days of Christmas crafting, and will continue this year too. The 12 days of Christmas Crafting historically has bee...
09-12-2016 21:22
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Christmas Crafting – Day 2
On the second day of Christmas my true love made for me…A Santa pillow. I saw one of these in a store and it was more than $50.00, which is a little...
09-12-2016 21:22
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Capilano Suspension Bridge
I mentioned in my last post that we traveled to Vancouver as a family for a week. My husband had a conference and I though that it would be a great ti...
29-11-2016 21:23
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Vancouver Aquarium
My “Making A Life” philosophy to living includes creating a homemade life but it also embraces making memories. When my husband announced that he ...
25-11-2016 21:24
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Remembrance Day
As I was making Christmas Sock monkeys (on a Saturday night after most of a bottle of wine) I got to thinking that if the socks had meaning the monkey...
10-11-2016 21:24
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Soc-tober
October is the month that the wool socks come out. I don’t like wearing socks, I am convinced that it’s genetic. My dad has gone so far as buying ...
06-11-2016 21:24
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6 Years for Better or Worse
I have become a celebrator, I celebrate everything post brain tumour. But a wedding anniversary that is a super big deal. Being married is hard, which...
29-10-2016 21:22
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Spider Web Cookies
I love Pinterest, I pin lots of projects and even make some. BUT it?s very misleading. That whole perfect pinterest thing is a bit much, even for a de...
28-10-2016 21:25
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A Light in the Storm
Packing up this piece today, to send it to the ?Inner Workings? art show at The Gerry & Nancy Pencer Brain Tumor Centre in the Princess Margaret in To...
26-10-2016 21:23
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Pumpkin Patch
On the first day of Preschool the teachers announced that we would be going to the Pumpkin Patch. Each and every day for a month and a half, upon waki...
21-10-2016 21:23
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Crock Pot Bread
Making my own bread was something that I did years ago before having kids, when I had a smidge more time and no one holding onto my legs while I was c...
19-10-2016 21:22
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Carrot & Lentil Soup
Full disclosure I made carrot soup with homemade bread for dinner, but fed my kids McDonald’s for lunch. In my world that is balance. I don’t like...
19-10-2016 21:22
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Moat Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Florida has been on my mind of late with all of the news about Hurricane Matthew. While we were there earlier this year we visited the Moat Marine Lab...
13-10-2016 21:21
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The Royal Visit 2016
This past week the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with their children, were in BC for a visit. I am not normally a Royal fan but since there were...
07-10-2016 21:23
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Hey, Are You Guys Sisters"
This past summer I was able to spend some time with my youngest sister. She lives in Ontario and I live in BC, if you are not a geography buff that is...
01-10-2016 21:22
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Alaska
Originally posted on Sarah Patterson Photography: I don’t know about you but when I go on vacation I always bring my camera. I take a million photos...
28-09-2016 21:22
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Knitting Season
Today is the first day of fall and the first day of knitting season. I don?t know about you but I take a hiatus from yarn based projects during the wa...
22-09-2016 21:22
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So Long Summer
Originally posted on Sarah Patterson Photography: Today celebrates the last day of summer. I can?t think of a better way to close off an excellent sea...
21-09-2016 21:22
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Victoria Fly By
Originally posted on Sarah Patterson Photography: I had the opportunity recently to do a fly by over Victoria, BC. It was a beautiful day even with th...
15-09-2016 21:23
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Fourth Birthday
I really don’t know where the time went. One day he was a baby and the next he is 4. When I was in the midst of diapers, nap-time, breastfeeding, an...
12-09-2016 21:23
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Kayaking with kids
We are so fortunate to live surrounded by so much natural beauty. Thetis Lake is one such place just outside of Victoria. We made it to Thetis twice t...
08-09-2016 21:23
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Date Night Apple Pie 2
A wonderful friend dropped off a big bag of apples and pears on my doorstep recently. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but fruit flies not so ...
07-09-2016 21:21
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Pickle Pub Crawl – Victoria
Last weekend, I got pickled. I spent Sunday with a group of moms on the Victoria Harbour Ferry Pickle Pub Crawl. Unfortunately, we picked the only r...
05-09-2016 21:20
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September Reading List
Another summer break has come and gone. The kids are heading back to school in a few short days and I am too. My reading in the next few months will c...
04-09-2016 21:21
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My brain-iversary
 On August 7th 2015 I went into the hospital to have a meningioma tumour removed from my brain. The experience was no picnic, but I survived and a y...
02-09-2016 21:21
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Third Times A Charm
After the first disastrous camping trip three years ago, I didn?t have it in me to try for a second time. When my husband decided to give it another g...
31-08-2016 21:21
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A Few of my Favourite People
We see my sister and her kids once a year. Each time we see them we have a little photo shoot. It?s challenging to get a 1,2,3 and 7-year-old to look ...
24-08-2016 21:20
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Butchart Gardens – Victoria
Last week, I was writing about being a tourist in my home town, so it’s only fitting that today I write about exploring Victoria. My first trip to t...
23-08-2016 21:21
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Living in the Age of Airplanes
Yesterday, I took my kids to see ?Living in the Age of Airplanes? at the IMAX theater. The movie provided a history of travel and got me excited to se...
21-08-2016 21:21
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Northwest Deuce Days
As a mom, I find myself spending my time doing things that I have no interest in. I don?t mean cooking dinner (which coincidentally I have no interest...
18-08-2016 21:21
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Safari Niagara
Lions, Tigers and Bears oh my. While we were on vacation in Ontario we spent a day at Safari Niagara, which is home to many animals including Lions, T...
15-08-2016 21:21
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Tourist in my Hometown – Welland
  It has been years since I lived in my hometown of Welland, Ontario. In truth, the second I had the chance I moved away. I packed my bags and hea...
14-08-2016 21:22
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August Reading List
I am a little late to the party this month, as I was on vacation for the first week of August. I had four books listed on my July reading list but I o...
13-08-2016 21:22
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Peach Crepes
I am a big fan of eating local in season food. Fresh local fruit just tastes better, especially when I grow it myself. Before you get the wrong idea a...
11-08-2016 21:21
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Taris on the Water – Welland
I grew up in the small town of Welland Ontario, recently I returned to visit family. During my stay my mother pointed out a new restaurant and suggest...
10-08-2016 21:23
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Blackberry Jam
Who loves FREE food" I sure do. We have blackberries growing in our yard but after we picked all of the ripe ones my oldest suggested we go in searc...
30-07-2016 21:21
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Bursting Bubbles
The other day my son asked if we could paint. My answer to that question is usually an astounding YES. I wanted to switch it up a bit because I am run...
26-07-2016 21:21
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Kayaking
When I was young, single and childless I would escape to the cottage frequently stopping along the way to pick up a rental kayak for the weekend. To g...
25-07-2016 21:21
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Cupcake Sliders
If you are heading to a BBQ this weekend, or hosting a BBQ what are you serving for dessert" How about cupcake sliders" These are a great conversatio...
21-07-2016 21:22
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