Birthday Speech

To my Stephen:

I was there the day you were born.
I have know you your entire life.
I am proud of who you are becoming.
I love you lots.

Happy Birthday!!

Italian Cream Sodas

To die for!! Try it! You will love it!!

4 ounces Italian syrup (vanilla, cherry, raspberry, almond, coconut, etc.)
4 ounces half and half cream
10 ounces club soda
lots of ice

Fill a 12oz or 14oz tumbler with the ice. Pour in the syrup. Add the club soda to about half an inch from the top of the glass. Add the cream. Stir and enjoy!!

Fashion Thursday

My Italian heritage makes me drawn to very rustic accent pieces. I love modern furinture - very sleek, clean lined, tight furniture. Nothing poofy or flouncy or curved in any way. And no bright colours in my furniture. It must be neutral. In contrast, I like my accent pieces to be a bit more fussy. So in keeping with my Italian heritage, I found these few things that I adore and I think would look great in any house!!

These are french roll terra cotta pots. Rustic and modern. And I totally *heart* the mini topiaries. Now this is very French. But who cares!! Works for me!!



Wrought iron baskets. Perfect for that country kitchen. In Italy, all my family members have these types of things on their tables or counters. Why put it away when it is used 10 times a day!!



Iron oblesks. Fantastic for the garden, or for that strange corner in your house that needs something, but you are not sure what.

Last, a farmouse writing desk. I have one that is very similar to this. I also have the same chair. They are in my spare bedroom which functions as a mini office for me sometimes. Perfect place to pay bills or jot down a few thoughts... It is fresh looking, and clean and very inviting.

Have a happy day all.

My tale of woe...

I have this art niche in the great room. It is 6.5 feet long and 4.5 feet wide. Seriously large. I have spent the past year and a half staring at it and literally agonizing as to what I am going to do with it. I don't want to hang a mirror in it. I don't want to hang art work in it (too conventional/boring!!) so finally I decided that I would contact Kat at Skribblz and get her to make me something. So after emailing back and forth for a few weeks we came up with the quote and the perfect length and height. It arrived yesterday. So I went to put it up. And then that is when everything went horribly horribly wrong. Marc abandoned me mid way through the project and the 6 foot long saying fell off the wall (it was tacked in place to get it straight) and curled in on itself and stuck to itself. It was ruined. And you should have heard the words come out of my mouth!! Holy cow. Good thing I speak Italian when I get mad!! But I am sure my grandparents were turning in their graves!! It was bad. And I was mad. Really really really mad. So now I have emailed Kat again, and she is sending me another copy, along with a few other goodies to help me heal my wounds. hee hee Moral of story - DON'T try to hang a 6 foot Skribblz saying by yourself. No good will come of it!!

Ciao all

Not good with change

I like to put on a brave face, but I am really not good with change. I mean drastic change. I like to change things around in my house. Or change up my wardrobe. But I don't like it when my friends change - or more to the point, move away! Our sweet sweet friends Todd and Adrianna have sold their business (which supplies me with all my COOL shoes!!!) and are moving to Calgary. Cry.... And because the business has been sold, we have other friends moving to Utah to start something new. More tears.... Now I understand that life is about movement. You can't sit still. You can't be the same forever. But I don't like it. It makes me feel unsettled, like something is not right. And for an anal person like me, that feeling is the worst thing in the entire world to deal with. So I wish my sweet friends luck, and give them all my love, and tell them that I will miss them very very very much!! Oh ya, and that I will be by the warehouse on Thursday to stock up on a few more things before y'all are gone!!! hee hee heeee (Don't tell Marc!! )

Pictures to accompany weekend

Here is my lasagna, fresh from the oven yesterday!! Mmmm. It was sooo delicious. Still does not hold a candle to my grandmother's but I am getting there! By the time I am a Nonna, it will be the best!!



And here are some pics from my nephew's party.

My sister Laura and her hubby Chris and my nephew Matthew and my niece Emelia. To get Emelia to sit still is a nightmare. This was the best we could do!!



My mom and my niece, doing what my niece does best - eating!! She is an eating machine. Seriously. I have NEVER seen a kid before who likes to eat as much as Emelia, and who is not picky at all!! Makes my mom soooo proud!! Hee hee

And here are the cupcakes I made for Matthew. They were tasty. Oh so very tasty!!

Weekend recap

It has been a busy one. And it flew by! Why does that happen?? Anyways, Saturday was my nephew's 5th birthday party and so we went to my sister's. I made cupcakes for Matthew. My sister did not want a cake. So she bought "Cars" cupcake holders and candied Lightin' McQueens for decorations, and I went to town. And you know what, they were FANTASTIC! I made homemade vanilla cupcakes and buttercream frosting! Delicious!! And I even went to Michael's and bought a Wilton basic cake decorting kit and bags, so I piped the icing on the cupcakes. It was all so very professional looking. I truly amazed myself. But they tasted even better. And really, THAT is what counts! Yeah. We had a blast. All my family was together. I love spending time with them. And my sister has this huge play structure in her yard, so the kids were in heaven.

Today at church I received a new calling - I am the 2nd Counsellor in the Relief Society Presidency. Now this is my third time around in the Relief Society Presidency. But I have always been the 1st Counsellor, in charge of education. This time I am in charge of enrichment = all the artsy/crafty/party/home making things! Totally up my alley!! I am excited. And the women I associate with are just amazing. I am the youngest on the board - so far! I have a few changes to make. It is all good. So I celebrated by coming home and making a lasagna from scratch. Oh boy was it ever delicious!! And then my little family and I went for a walk around our neighbourhood after dinner. I like to snoop. There are tons of new houses, unoccupied, so I look in the windows and wander the back yards. Gives me inspiration. I have soooo many plans for this house. I like to look around.

Good weekend. But another busy week is upon us. I have tons on the go this week. It never ends.

Ciao all.

You know I am bored when...

On a whim I decide to clean out my pantry. Gee, like I don't have a million other things to do right after dinner, after a day of being at work and out of the house all day. But nooooo. The pantry annoyed me, and so began the clean out. An hour later, it looked like this. Yeah. Now, the really sad thing is how totally excited I am to have such a clean and organized pantry once again! What has happened to me?? ha ha haaa

Congratulations!!

To JennD and her hubby on the birth of their healthy son Angelo!! He is gorgeous!! I am sooo happy for you!!

My Surprise

Well, my hubby deserves a medal for the surprise he pulled off for me last night. Originally he said that he had arranged for me and my friend Kim to go out to dinner. I was totally excited for that. Kim and I have been friends for 5 years now, and she is amazing. I adore spending time with her, and I thought we could eat and then head to Liberty (hee hee). So last night at 5 pm Marc starts bugging me about getting ready to go out. Ya, ya, ya... My sweet Kim is not punctual, so I was not worried. But Marc kept at me. So I went upstairs and got all gussied up. The door bell rings and there standing are my two gal pals Lauren and Lisa! What the heck?? I was totally confused! Marc pulled off a surprise party for me without me knowing anything!! When we got to the restaurant, there were 11 of my best friends sitting there waiting for me!! It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me! I was crying. All these women are super busy with families and jobs and commitments. They all took time out for me to help me celebrate my birthday. And it did not end there! They all got together and gave me a gift certificate to Spa Utopia! Heaven! I am totally blessed to have these women in my life. And I am beyond blessed to have a husband who loves me so much and cares for me so much that he would go through all this trouble to get 13 women together for a night! Thank you Marc. And thank you to my friends. I love you all.

Which one?

My parents tonight took me out to dinner for my birthday and gave me money. They always spoil me. Thanks mom and dad!! They are amazing. So tomorrow I am off to Liberty (my absolutely FAV store in the entire world) to buy my gift - another Sid Dickens tile. I am addicted to these things. I don't even know how many I have - they are spread around the house. My goal is to be able to do an entire wall, like in Liberty, all with Sid's tiles. Now, there are knock-offs out there, but they are crap. And I can sooooo tell the difference!! Don't think you are fooling me!! If you want a memory tile, it MUST be the real thing = Sid Dickens (www.siddickens.com). So, my question is which one would you choose?? The theme I have going on right now is Parisienne. I have the "Paris" tile and a fleur de lis tile. And I am looking for one more to add to the wall below where I have the first two hung. But I am really diggin' the "Vienna" tile... Choices, choices, choices... His new Spring 07 line has some really different tiles. And he has added a gorgeous blue to his repetoire - really like that little punch. Oh well, we will just have to see what strikes me when I am in the store. Oh, and my most favorite gal pal Kim will be with me. Now this woman has a flaire for design!! Wow. She inspires me. Amazing. Her home truly belongs in a designer magazine, and she is just as psycho about her house as I am about mine. We are two peas in a pod and deadly when we are out together. I think I should have asked for more $$ from mom and dad!! hee hee

Ciao all.

Fashion Thursday

Today I want to talk about runners. Well, actually, athletic inspired shoes. I don't run. If I did, I am sure I would buy New Balance. That is a shout out to my 'cuz Anthony who works for New Balance and keeps my family in fine shoes at wholesale cost!! Thank you baby!!

Anyway, I digress. My absolutley FAV athletic shoes are Sketchers (www.sketchers.com). I have been wearing these things for 10 yrs now. They are fun. They are made well. They last a long time. I have the first pair pictured below in choc brown/pink. Totally cute with absolutely everything. The skull and cross bones pair appeals to me also, but I don't think I will be going for those particulars ones in the near future. Somehow, don't see myself toodling around Italy with those on my feet... So make sure you own a pair of athletic shoes that you like. And that are fun. And that are made well!! Remember, I don't like to throw away money, and you get what you pay for!!

Ciao all.

36 Things...

About me at 36! Well, today is my birthday, so I thought I would share a few things about me. Some you may know, some not...

1. I hate public speaking.
2. I am very shy in new crowds, so in order to compensate I take over.
3. I have a messy Tupperware cupboard. And I am okay with this!! It is an organized mess!
4. I never sit still.
5. I go around the house at least 3 or 4 times a day picking up and re-arranging things.
6. I collect designer hand bags. I still don't think I have "enough".
7. I could shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and never get tired or bored.
8. My brain never stops working. Even in my sleep I make notes about the things I need to do, or want to do.
9. I can carry on at least 4 different conversations at once.
10. I am a huge multi-tasker. Why do just one thing when you can do 5 other things at the same time?
11. I can speak 5 languages. Originally, I wanted to be an interpreter for the Canadian Embassy. Should have probably stuck to that plan... Law sucks.
12. I drink milk or juice from the container. Especially if I have done all the dishes and the dishwasher is going and my sink is clean - I WON'T dirty another glass for just a few mouthfuls!!
13. I am a perfume snob. And my hubby buys all my perfume.
14. I am addicted to shoes. Designer again. And no one else can have the same shoes as me.
15. I am married to my high school sweetheart. I have only ever loved him. No one else.
16. I was 28 when Ethan was born.
17. I was 32 when Isabella was born.
18. I was married when I was 23.
19. I am the first born child on both sides of my family. And I am the first to graduate from universtity and marry and have children. I set the "standard" of what is expected. Ooops.
20. I only have one sister, and I love her to death!! And she is a teacher and she is amazing.
21. My children are the same age difference as me and my sister, and my sister's children are the same age difference as my children. And we both had a boy first and then a girl. And we are both done.
22. I am 100% Italian and proud of it.
23. I want to live in Italy. I don't expect to stay in Canada my whole life.
24. I plan on quitting law and going back to school for my degree in design.
25. I don't want my children to grow up and leave me. I want them to be with me forever!!
26. I plan on building a huge huge house in the next 5 years.
27. I am very religious.
28. I expect perfection from my family and friends. And I am angry when they let me down.
29. I have a bad temper. Working on this.
30. I am quick to judge. REALLY working on this!!
31. I am loyal to a fault.
32. I like to sleep.
33. I don't like movies.
34. I am not a big TV fan either.
35. My perfect day happens often - it is when I get to spend time with all my family members just talking and laughing. Just happened at Easter. I live for those times.
36. I am extremely grateful for my life. I had a wonderful childhood that provided me with everything I could ever need or want. I have a husband who is devoted to me and only me. And I have two children who are beyond intelligent and funny and kind. I am one lucky lucky gal!!

Easter Monday

We were in White Rock today celebrating Easter with my family. And part of our tradition is to do an egg hunt on my aunt and uncle's property. The kids just LIVE for this!! And boy oh boy do they ever get into the hunt. Bella was like a crazy woman, running around and finding the eggs, and picking up anything that anyone else was careless enough to drop or leave behind!! That a girl!! In the end, Ethan was the winner, again. He won last year also... He found the most eggs/treats. It is great fun. And I really enjoy the time we get to all spend together as a family. I am extremely blessed to have all these people in my life.

Hope everyone had a good Easter Monday. Back to "normal" tomorrow.

Night all.

Happy Easter!!

Have a blessed day all!!

Ciao

Another layout

Marc took this picture of Bella a few days ago. It is so her. That crazy hair... That sweet smile... That sitting still for only one second and posing before she takes off after her brother again... Totally Bella. I am trying very very VERY hard to use up all my scraps. I think I am making a dent in it - finally. I can't justify spending the money on more scrapping supplies when I have sheets and sheets of papers never touched, and embellishments not opened, and stuff just hanging around... Wow. Marc would just die if I actually applied this kind of restraint to shoes and clothes and handbags!! We would be millionaires!! hee hee

And on a more serious note, I just watched Oprah's show on Autism. I am dumb founded. I never knew that 1 in 150 children are affected. And it is on the rise. And I never knew the daily struggles and heartbreaks and triumphs that families face with children with this disorder... I have so much respect for these families. You are angels walking among us. I know that I will never look at children the same way again. I am sorry. I WAS one of those parents that gave the judgemental look at the child having a temper tantrum in the store when they looked old enough to "know" better. I am sorry. I am sorry. I am off to educate myself more on this subject. I am convinced that Marc's oldest brother David is Austic. Now, he is 41 yrs old, and he is highly highly functioning. He is incredibly intelligent but has absolutely NO social behaviour capability what so ever. And is extremely inappropriate with his speech. He has no sense of timing - actually he has no "common" sense what so ever... But of course Marc's family would never admit to this. He is just "special", and it is too late for him now. Literally. And dealing with David has been quite an experience over these past 15 yrs... Well, it is time for me to change and be educated and understand and be compassionate.

Fashion Thursday

Good morning all. As you can see, my focus today is on lounge wear. Now, I was not a fan of staying in my jammies. Found it all a bit silly really. That is until last month Marc's sister in law brought me to my local Superstore and introduced me to JOE brand lounge wear. I am hooked. Seriously. I have 4 pairs of lounge jammies that I now happily don when I get home from work, or late Saturday afternoons when I am done all my errands and I am home for the night, or Sunday after church when I know I am not going out anymore... Out come the lounge wear and I am one happy camper. Check it out. www.joe.ca. Oh, and did I mention how affordable they are?? WHO needs to spend $50 on a pair of jammies?? Not me. I can spend that kind of money elsewhere!! hee hee

Ciao.

Scrappin' up a storm

Pic from last month when Ethan got his blue belt in Taekwondo. I am on a roll now!! I have another layout cookin' in the background. Stay tuned.

Thank for looking.

Ciao

PS: The "library card" is a clip art image I found browsing the net. Totally works for this layout. And it saved me like $5 from having to buy a package from 7 Gypsies. No thanks. Can make one on my own!! I *heart* being crafty!! hee hee

Tuesday Ramblings

Okay, well, this weather has got to go!! So yesterday morning we wake up to snow and freezing temperatures! Yes. Snow in Vancouver in April! Where do we live??? And then by about 9am it was a full blown blizzard. By lunch time, the snow had stopped and the entire ground was covered and snow building up on the fence. Then by 3pm it was all gone. The sun had come out and it had warmed up to 9 degrees. Insane!! Now today it is sunny and bright out, but freezing again. And it is supposed to warm up to something like 11 or 12 degrees. I just don't know how to dress the kids?!! Make up your mind weather!!

So instead I am going to focus on some fabulous fabrics that have come from the UK. They had their Designer Week back in March, and these are a few snapshots of the incredible talent out there - all from ROMO designs. Would these not make the most fabulous throw cushions?? I am drooling... I really REALLY need to move to Europe.

Ciao all.

Sunday Layouts

Just something about Sundays that makes me feel creative.

Two layouts I did today. Using up my scraps that I have around.

Thanks for looking.