Life is always hard, for the belle of the boulevard.

Wow, I haven't posted in weeks.

Been busy getting ready for Christmas. We are working extra hours to be able to afford gifts (for each other and our families). I am anxiously waiting for my mom to arrive - in less then four weeks. I haven't seen her since March, and I miss her like crazy.

I really hope the next three weeks fly by, but I'm not sure that they will. I have to work alot, and I've been sick and exhausted and I don't feel like working, at all. At least I'll have almost a week off, when my mom's here for Christmas!

We bought a new 7 foot fake tree, and decorated it last week. It looks great, especially compared to our old, apartment-sized tree, which missing branches and such. I used to be one of those people who didn't like decorating for Christmas until December arrived - but now I like it get the tree up early and we have even already started wrapping gifts and putting them under the tree. After all, there's less than a month til Christmas!

Is this how a toy feels when its batteries run dry?

Today I'm feeling... heavy-hearted. A friend of mine - that I met on a message board for brides getting married in August 2009 - is going through a really hard time right now. It's not my place to tell the details here, but I am still very sad for her and her family. I'm not really one to pray, but if you do, please keep her in your prayers in this very trying time. Emily, you are in my thoughts everyday - I know you have the strength to keep your head up and get through this. Your angels were (and still are) very loved and we will never forget them.

Halloween Flashback!

This will be our forth Halloween "together", but only our third actually dressing up and celebrating it.

In 2008, we were invited at the last minute to a Housewarming/Halloween party. We went out that same weekend and got costumes half-price from Wamart. I don't have a picture of Paul (he was Freddy Krueger), but I have a few pictures of me, and Ruby.






I was a Pirate, and Ruby was a Skeleton.

Last year, 2009, we hosted our friends' Stag and Doe, on the Saturday before Halloween. It was Halloween themed, of course, and everyone dressed up and looked awesome. Paul and I were Zombie Doctor and Zombie Nurse.



Ruby was a normal doctor... Dr. Ruby VonRubenstein, actually.


Olivia was a cute little bumblebee.


This year, the dogs didn't get new costumes. They aren't going to the party we are going to on Saturday night, but I'll dress them in last year's costume for Sunday, when the kids come to the door. We'll see how long that lasts.

Our costumes this year are actually a surprise, but there will be many pictures of the awesomeness. I'll give you a hint, though. We are superhero partners. You have to check back on Monday for pictures!

The wind went and pulled me into the hurricane...

Seriously, how is it already almost the end of October? I feel like the days and weeks and months are just speeding by me, barely letting me grasp at them - nevermind enjoy them. I feel like I'm missing out, though I don't know what I feel like I'm missing.

Halloween is next weekend, and we haven't gotten anything to decorate the house, we haven't gotten costumes... nothing. It's our first Halloween in a house together, and we're basically missing it. When I was a kid, my dad put up the Halloween lights and we filled up the Jack o'lantern garbage bags full of leaves and put them out on the deck - as soon as October arrived. We started thinkng about what we wanted to dress up as (though we didn't go out and buy costumes, my mom made them). My dad hated Halloween, as it was his birthday, and he got teased when he was younger about it. But he always put on a good face for us. I miss my dad, alot. He would have been 54 years old next weekend.

I know that it's Friday today; I know this because everyone says it is. But to me, it feels like Wednesday. I only worked three days this week, and I work tomorrow. So, I guess tomorrow is my Friday. I hate when my work schedule gets messed up - I get messed up right along with it.

I drank a cup of coffee when I got home from work, at five p.m. I was tired, and I had alot of stuff I wanted to do this evening. Instead of waking me up and doing as I planned, now I have a headache. Potato Broccoli soup is cooling on the stove and as soon as I'm done here, I'm going to make myself dinner - grilled asparagus on toast, with a creamy cheese sauce. Paul will get home around 9:30 p.m., then we'll head over to our friends' place to watch a movie. I hope this headache is gone by then.

I turned the heat on the first time when I got home today, too. It was cold in the house. Olivia was shivering, so I knew it was time. The house heated up quickly, which was a nice surprise. I might turn it on again before bed tonight, as our bedroom stays pretty cold. Although last night we just added a second comforter and we were fine (actually, I woke up sweating).

Okay, now all I can think about is asparagus, so I'm off to make dinner and eat alone... wait, do Ruby and Olivia count as dinner guests?

Another recipe post!

Every Saturday, Paul and I go out to the Farmer's Market. Sometimes we just go to walk around, have lunch and check stuff out. Usually, I end up bringing home a couple bags of vegetables. This past weekend I got alot, including butternut squash, onions, red peppers, tomatoes and zucchini.

My plan was to make muffins and dog treats with the zucchini, and soup with the rest. So far, I made a cheesy potato and onion soup, yesterday. Today, I plan on making another batch of my favourite butternut squash soup. I found the recipe online and modified it a bit to suit my needs and to use up some stuff I had here already.

Here's my new recipe, that I made up:

Butternut Squash Soup, with Potato

Ingredients:
2 TBSP unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
3 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded and diced
3 med potatos, peeled and diced
3 cups veggie chicken stock broth
1 TSP thyme
1 TSP nutmeg
2 TSP minced ginger
1/2 cup heavy cream
Pinch of salt and pepper

Preparation:
1. Melt the butter in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about five minutes. Stir in the squash and potato, broth, and seasonings. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about twenty minutes.

2. Puree the soup in batches in a blender or food processor until smooth.

3. Return the pureed soup to the pot. Stir in the cream. Bring to a brief simmer, then remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.


Mmm, I know what I'm having for lunch again today. I love fall, and soup!

Doggie treats!

I know, I haven't posted in a long time. And today isn't really a real post, but... I have been busy. We had a really busy weekend, including the farmer's market, Thanksgiving dinner, going out to the bar (and getting far too drunk) and a wedding. And we had to fit our usual weekend errands and groceries in there, too.

Today I worked all day, and then decided I had to be productive. I made Cream of Potato and green onion soup, some dog treats, and a strawberry oreo cheesecake, plus vacuumed and cleaned up a bit. Whew, now I'm wiped out.

My friend Dani asked me to post a few recipes out of my organic dog treat recipe book, so that's what I'm doing here.





Hopefully, you'll be able to just click the pictures above to get the bigger image and then save them. All I did was scan the image from my book and save the image.

I'm off now to start on dinner - Veggie ground round taco salad!

Wash away the pain, and give me back control.

I never thought I was a jealous person. I am usually pretty good at congratulating, and being happy for other people, whatever the circumstance. I have always been happy with what I have/don't have. I don't consider myself very materialistic, either. I like to have nice things, but they are not important in the grand scheme of things. I am generally glad to be happy and healthy. I have an amazing husband, good friends and loving family. I am very blessed.

But today, I feel the exact opposite of those things. I am having a hard time being happy for people, who have what I don't have. I feel like snapping over the smallest of things. I really only want one thing right now and lots of people I know are blessed with it - but not me. I'm feeling sorry for myself and I hate this feeling. I would love to just go back to bed for the day, hopefully wake up tomorrow with a better perspective. But, of course, I have to go to work in half an hour.

Paul got a new phone this morning - the new Blackberry Torch. He's wanted it since he heard about it months ago, and it was actually all he wanted for his birthday. I'm happy that he's happy with it. But I'm jealous that he has a new, shiny phone. My Blackberry is still "new", I've only had it a few months. I love my phone. But out of nowhere, now I have this feeling of wanting a new phone? I don't get it. I don't want to feel this way. I don't want to be that kind of person.

Now, I'm in a bad mood. I tried to change this by taking the dogs for a walk, but since I haven't been walking them every day recently, they didn't behave very well, which put me in a worse mood. I know it's my fault for not walking them every day, and I plan on changing that starting today. At least they are tired out now, and snoozing on the couch. At least they can always make me smile, even when they are bad.

I think, on top of all of this, I miss my family and my friends, back home. Usually, I don't go this long without seeing them. This might be the first time since I moved away, that I've gone nine months without going home to visit. And, this year, my mom's coming here for Christmas. I'm excited and happy about it, but it means I don't get to see my best friends this year. I still can't believe it. I feel like we are drifting further and further apart, and eventually we will only talk once or twice a year, send birthday and Christmas cards... I so don't want that to happen. I feel like I should try harder. I don't know what to do.

Okay, my pity party is over. I have to go get ready for work. Happy Thursday?

In a crooked little town, I was lost and never found.

I've been a busy bee today. While I woke up exhausted, after a good seven hours of sleep, I wanted to go back to bed after Paul left for work. But I also wanted to clean the house, make muffins and make lunch all before I have to go to work at four. So, I forced myself to get moving, instead of laying down on the couch. I'm glad I did.

In the last two hours, I've cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed the whole main floor of the house, made delicous Zucchini chocolate chip muffins, made Zucchini bread treats for the pups, and tided up the living room. Now I'm making lunch (veggie burger) and then I'll have a shower before I head off to work. Whew.

Last night, we went over to Paul's parents' house after work. Paul's mom ordered me a new (second) Kitchenaid Stand mixer bowl, through her work, well over a month ago. It was supposed to take one week to be in, but finally yesterday it arrived! Now I have two bowls, so I can do the cupcake batter and then the icing without having to empty and wash the bowl in between! This makes me so happy.

This weekend is going to be nice and relaxing. We don't have any plans, other than watching a movie with friends tonight, and having a bbq at Paul's parents' house either Saturday or Sunday night. I'm going to make a big fancy cake, for his mom's birthday, which was yesterday. I'm super excited!

I'll stay here, as long as it takes.

So, first, an update. On my last post (which was, I know, too long ago), I talked about a cake a made, for an order. It was for a birthday, and Paul took it to work and gave it to the person last Friday. The party was the Saturday, and I had to wait until Tuesday to find out what they thought! Anyway, they loved the cake and even told Paul they want me to do a cake/cupcakes for their daughter's wedding/wedding shower next Spring. How exciting!

Secondly, I decided to branch out a bit from the Cupcake World this weekend. I made a couple batches of soup last weekend - Butternut Squash and Red Pepper tomatoe. They were both delicious. Today I decided to try my hand at making muffins. My first batch turned out great, and really tasty. I made Oatmeal chocolate chip. They didn't rise as much as I would have hoped, but still they were really good. Then, since we got a bunch of fruit from the market on Saturday, I made Apple Cinnamon Crumble. Paul tried one and really liked them; I'm not a big fan of apples so I didn't try one. He'll eat them for breakfast this week.

Here they are:



THEN, I went one step too far. I decided to try Mixed Berry muffins. I'm pretty sure the recipe I got online just sucked (or maybe I did something terribly wrong), but they came out horrible. They didn't rise... actually, they sunk in a bit. They are super small and chewy. Paul ate one, but I threw out the rest.

Round two of the Mixed Berry Muffins, with a new, better recipe, turned out pretty good, and really tasty.



Next time, I won't put them in the liners, because they stuck to them a bit. But otherwise I'm happy with them and I'll make them again.

No cupcakes this weekend, which is fairly strange for me. I've been baking cupcakes every weekend for months. But when I get home from work tomorrow, I'll be baking at least 80 mini cupcakes and a Red Velvet cake, so I'll be busy enough then.

ON another note, we had a super busy weekend. Yesterday (as I already mentioned) we went to the market and I got lots of fruits and veggies. Then we had some friends over for a movie in the evening. Today, we got up early and headed to a big dog party to raise money for the Humane Society. It was an off-leash area at a Water Park - the dogs got to play and swim in the wave pool. After that, we picked up lunch and headed home to get ready for our Trash the Dress photo shoot. I won't say much more than that, as the pictures will explain it all. I hope we get them back soon!

We've been home since about 7pm, and I've made dinner (veggie burger for me, chicken burger for Paul, and homemade sweet potato fries), did two loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, had a shower and gotten groceries (from across the street). I'm now exhausted and finally sitting down, for what feels like the first time today!

And, to end this already-all-over-the-place post, here are some cute pictures I just took of my pups and husband - the loves of my life.

Open up your mind, and see like me.

I'm feeling a bit anxious today, and I'm not sure why. It might have to do with the fact that I sent a cake with Paul to work today, that I made yesterday. It was a two layer white cake with choclate frosting. It turned out looking pretty good, in appearance. I'm just a bit nervous as to how it will taste and look once it's cut into and all that. I've gotten pretty good at cupcakes and I don't generally doubt my abilities there. But for some reason I feel worried about the quality of the cake. Oh well, it's done now. I hope I get good feedback!

Here's the cake, as well as some recent cupcakes I've made:







Paul and I also started eating healthy and working out a few times a week, to start. We bought an Ab Lounge 2, which we've been using daily.



Yes, it lives in our living room and it's annoying huge, but if we put it downstairs we would probably hardly ever use it.

---

I'm really excited to get a much-needed haircut tomorrow morning, and then relax the rest of the weekend. We will probaby spend time with friends and do the usual errands and such. I also want to make it to the dog park this weekend so the dogs can run and play, now that the weather has cooled down a bit. I love this time of year most, even though I'm not ready for summer to be over. I love wearing jeans and hoodies and not sweating my butt off all the time.

Now I'm off to eat lunch, walk the dogs, then head to work. Happy Friday (and weekend) everyone!

Happy birthday!

To my amazing, awesome, handsome, loving husband! Today, he is 25 years old. Last weekend, we (me, his best friends and his parents) threw him a surprise party. He had no idea and he was super surprised! It was a beautiful day and an awesome party with all of our friends. Paul loved it. I didn't bring a camera because I didn't want Paul to question why I was bringing a camera to a regular BBQ at his best friend's place. I will post some pictures as soon as I get my hands on some.

Tonight, I have to work late, but I'm off all weekend. We are going out for dinner with his parents on Sunday, and tomorrow we're going to have a quiet day of running errands and doing whatever Paul wants, since it's his birthday weekend.

I was incredibly tired when I woke up this morning. Paul was rushing around, saying he had to leave for work in five minutes. I was confused. After he was gone, I decided to stay awake, even though I wanted to go back to bed. I decided to make coffee, even though last time I made coffee it tasted really funny. Then I realized that we've had the coffee make since last September-ish, and I've never ran the self-clean. Wow. I cleaned it and ran it through with vinegar and water then just water, and now the coffee tastes so good again! Who would have thought?

Then, I decided to make today a productive day. After my coffee, I was more awake. I emptied the dishwasher, even though that's Paul's job. It's his birthday so I gave him the day off, haha. Then I changed the cat litter, vacuumed the basement, brought up the laundry from yesterday and did a complete cleaning of our bedroom. I feel really good about everything I got done - and it was all thanks to the coffee!

I have to leave for work in an hour, so I think I'll go relax and watch TV for a bit. Have a great weekend everyone!

Back on track...

First off, I want to do a bit of an update, from two posts ago - you can find that post here. It was a list of things I wanted/needed. I'm happy to update that I now have everything off of that list... well, almost.

The first item was a new Kitchenaid Stand mixer bowl. After going to about five different places (an outlet restaurant store, Home Outfitters, an appliance parts store and a couple others), and coming up with nothing, my awesome mother in law ordered me a new bowl from her work (Home Hardware). It should have been in last week, but there was a mix up and it went to the wrong store... but I *should* have it soon. And she offered to pay for it as an anniversary gift to us! Yay!

The next thing on the list was another baking tray for the cupcakes - and I got two more the other weekend, at the restaurant store I mentioned above, at a great price.

The third thing on the list was a cute apron, and I'm happy to say that I now have two aprons, as well! I got an "industrial" one, like one I use at work a couple weekends ago. Then, at Ikea, I got a super cute white one with cupcakes all over it!

Me, wearing my industrial apron:



My cupcakes apron, hanging up:



Finally, the last thing on my list was an Ikea kitchen island. Well, that one was full size and $300, but we found a smaller one that is perfect for what I need it for, at Ikea last weekend for $60! I know I posted it in the my last post, but here it is, again:



And, as promised, here is our new Ikea dresser:



I'm off to do a work out in the basement, then off to work. Happy Friday!

The perfect weekend.

Just the fact that I was off work all weekend was amazing. The fact that Paul and I planned a trip to Niagara Falls/Marineland/Ikea was even more perfect. The fact that it was our first wedding anniversary was unbelievable.

We started the weekend by getting up at 7am on Saturday, after dropping the pups off at Paul's parents' house the night before. We got gas, Red Bulls and then we were on our way to Niagara. It was a two-hour drive, but it was so nice just to spend that time together, as well.

As we approached the city, I took pictures of signs...






And pictures of Paul driving, and me... well, smiling...





Finally, we got to the casino/hotel where we parked the car for the afternoon.

We walked down to the strip, saw all the fun things to do, and entered the Wax museum of movie stars. It was well worth the $20 and we took lots of pictures, including these two:





Then, we went to see the Falls. We didn't go upclose and personal, as we didn't want to spend the extra money to go on the boat or walk behind the falls. We were happy just looking and experiences it from the lookout area above.





Then we headed down the road to Marineland! I've never been and Paul only went as a kid, so it was really fun for us! We went on a few rides, had icecream, and enjoyed the Buluga whales, dolphins and Killer Whale shows. We also pet deer, and saw swimming bears and buffalo.







We stopped at Ikea on the way home. We ate dinner (YUM!) and spend some money. We got a new dresser (picture to come later) and this new kitchen cart/island (which was my anniversary gift!)



Oh, and this was my other anniversary gift (cupcake stand)!!



It was the best weekend ever (after the wedding weekend, of course!). I am so sad it's over and we are back to work today. At least I have pictures and memories and stories to tell!

The never-ending list of what I think I *need*...

As mentioned in my post last night, I did a ton of baking yesterday. I made a total of 85 mini cupcakes in three different flavours - I don't even want to talk about how many time I had to wash my stand mixer bowl, not to mention the other mixing bowls, spatulas, etc. And, baking that many cupcakes with only *one* baking tray, that makes 24 at a time, is annoying.

So, for reference and in case anyone wants to buy me a random gift (kidding!), here's my ever-growing list of kitchen/baking must-haves:

First and foremost - A second Kitchenaid stand mixer bowl:



Also, another baking tray:



A new, cute apron - like these:



Okay, so those are the practical, realistic items that I want/need. Now, for the less likely object:

A kitchen island/kitchen cart - like this Ikea one:


(To me, it's necessary, but Paul says, "Not for $300". I guess he has a point.)

I guess I'll go made lunch now, then walk the dogs before I head off to work. Of course now all I'll be able to think about is that Ikea island... *sigh*

You're all kinds of beautiful as you end my day.

It's 1:15 am and I'm drinking coffee. I don't usually do this, but tonight I'm trying to stay up and work on my novel, since I was baking all day. Literally, I was baking cupcakes (about 85 of them, by the end of the day) all day. Of course I'd be working on my day off from work. Paul will be taking most of them to his work tomorrow, to sell. It's hard to believe that people are asking about them and are excited for the new flavour (I made Strawberry Shortcake cupcakes today). And by word of mouth, some people who haven't tried them yet and excited to choose from the three flavours (Red Velvet, Cookies and Cream, and Strawberry Shortcake). I also can't believe that we've almost made enough money to get me a new (second) stand mixer bowl, as anyone who has a stand mixer and does alot of baking knows... one bowl is not enough.

Anyway, the Red Velvets I made over the weekend were a huge success at the Girly Drink Party we had here, on Sunday.



And, of course, a picture of the new flavour, my first time baking with fruit - Strawberry Shortcake:



Also, if anyone is wondering why I don't post the recipes to the cupcakes, it's really just because I don't follow recipes exactly, ever. I am always adding or taking things out, putting in more of this or less of that. And I always make my own icing from scratch, where as alot of the recipes I use call for "One can of frosting". So, while I use recipes, I don't consider my cupcakes to be from any specific recipe.

So, yes, I'm drinking cold coffee and listening to the sounds of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from across the room. I'm at the kitchen table and Paul is playing in the living room - that's what I get for wanting an open concept house. I should go upstairs so I can concentrate on writing, but who am I kidding? I'm blogging, anyway.

Oh, and just for good measure, here's an adorable picture (or two) of my pups.

I'm back. I know, I know, it's been awhile, again. I always want to post, but never actually have time to sit down and do it.

A few new things going on around here... the first is that I'm taking the first steps to get my first novel self-published. It will be available online only at first but we'll see how it goes. I just have to save for a few months to get this ball rolling! I'm really excited!

The second thing is that Paul and I recently (very recently, as in the past few days) started up a home business, making and selling cupcakes. He started bringing them to work and selling them a few days ago and it's going over really well! I hope to have a website up soon-ish, and I'll be taking orders in the near future as well. Here's a little picture sneak peak, though I've posted some of these here before:


Cookies and Cream


Chocolate Peanut Butter


Chocolate Butterscotch

~~~~~

Other than that, our ONE YEAR wedding anniversary is just around the corner - 17 days away! We are going to Niagara Falls for the day/weekend. It's not planned out yet, but we know we're not staying a night in a hotel - it's TOO expensive. We'll probably just go see the falls, the casino, maybe a museum or two and have dinner. Then we'll head home the same night, probably. I wanted to go to Marine Land, but that's a whole day trip in itself. Another time, I guess.

I'm off now to work on the novel, then take the pups for a w-a-l-k. Even though it's Thursday, it's my Sunday and I have to get lots of stuff done around the house (laundry, dishes, vaccuuming and maybe more cupcakes) before I head back to work tomorrow. I can't wait til Sunday, as we are having a Girly Drink Party/BBQ! Woo!

Rest assured, you're with a heart that's pure.

I just got home from work, a nine hour shift. I worked ten and a half hours yesterday, and eight the day before that. My feet hurt. My eyes are heavy. But at least my next paycheck will make me feel like I contribute around here. I'm, in a way, proud of myself for working so much. I mean, it's not like a had much of a choice. It was super busy all weekend and I just couldn't get away. But still. Paul works his butt off every week, working at least forty-five hours a week, and I usually only work 25 or 30. Sure, I do the housework and I walk the dogs and I make the lists and, well, I do alot. But, when it comes down to it, Paul takes care of me. And I love him for it. I am glad to have worked alot and be able to make a nice paycheck once in a while, though. I'm sure he'll appreciate it, too.

I got tattooed this past Thursday. My left sleeve is just about done now. It hurt like hell and now it's sore and swollen and yucky. But it'll be beautiful soon. Here it is the day after it got done.



I also got my haircut yesterday. I took the plunge and did something a little bit different - but I didn't go quite as far with it as I planned. I was thinking of buzzing the shorter side and having the other side long, but I chickened out and just got it cut short. I love it, anyway.



I bought a book today by a Canadian author, Lisa Gabriele. I just started reading it before work today and I think I'm going to like it. It's called The Almost Archer Sisters. I'll write some form of a review of it once I'm finished. I am happy to be reading again, as well as writing alot more than I have in a long time.

I need motivation to start looking into publishing companies. I know it's hard. I know it's expensive. I know my work needs some editing and proof-reading before hand. But I really want it. And I hope that's enough to push me into actually doing it.

I'm now to shower and get to bed - I have another two days of work before my "weekend", which is Wednesday/Thursday this week. I can't wait until it gets here, even if it means laundry, dishes, vacuuming and groceries. I like not working!

The television steals the conversation.

Ugh, I haven't posted (again) in almost a month. Man, my life must be pretty boring.

We went to the cottage, the beach... Sauble Beach to be exact. We were there for five days - it was beautiful, hot 30+ degrees every day, no rain. We got sun soaked, we swam in the lake every day, we relaxed, we enjoyed every moment. It was wonderful, and coming home, to reality, going back to work - well, it sucked. At least we can re-live the vacation together, through a series of photos, right?


Yes, my pug can swim. And she's really good at it, and she loves it!









I wish I was back at the beach, right now. Today was my usual day off - I did usual day off things. I cleaned the bedroom, put away laundry, did some baking, cleaned the kitchen, tidyed up the living room, walked the dogs. I do feel good about getting alot done today, but until Paul says "I really appreciate all the work you do around the house" (which I'm sure he won't, unless I pry it out of him), I won't feel all that accomplished. Haha.

Tomorrow I'm off again (woo!) because I'm getting tattooed. All day. Oh yah. I'm excited, besides the fact that I'm getting the under side of my arm finished, near my armpit. Ouch. Pictures to come soon.