The Girl With 63 Cameras

How sweet is this? Astrid loves cameras and her collection puts most others to shame. If you don't already read A Girl Named Astrid, you should definitely hop over for a peek into this unique gal's life.

Wordless Wednesday (Grateful For My Gals)

Wordless Wednesday (In The Silence)

Saturday's Love Fest

I've never been one for the "circus wedding", if you know what I mean. Which is probably why Saturday's shindig had me feeling SO completely relaxed and at peace. This is how it should be done, folks. No stress, planned in just a few short weeks, love seeping out of every single moment. I adore this couple, and I'm SO glad I could give them the gift of doing their wedding photos. The entire event was a blessing. My soul feels warmer having experienced this by their side.



Are you feeling the love yet? The gorgeous bride kept saying how much her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Definitely a good sign.

 

So many memories made on this day.

Much love to Sarah & Chaka, and to their beautiful daughters, Nandi & Sekai.

Yours is a love that will last & last.

Wordless Wednesday (Nights At Natas)

Snowy Days & Doughnuts

I really adore our city in the wintertime... especially right after a big, big snow, when everything is covered and fresh and you get to make those first footsteps outside your house.

The boy took this photo on our walk a couple nights ago as we made our way to the closest coffee shop (Tim Horton's, unfourtunately) to indulge in a doughnut & hot bevvy. Side note: I really do wish we had a little independent cafe on this side of town, but it doesn't really exist. There's a little tea house (cute, but pricey and not always open) and a breakfast joint (cheap, amazing food, only open in the morning) and a really great burger place (Reggie's, insanely good food, wanting some right now) but what I'd love to see is a little cafe, just like we have downtown, but I fear they'd never stay in business because of the Timmy's. Sigh.

I can't deny my love for Boston Cream doughnuts though... so perhaps I should just shush up right now.

Guilty!

I hope you're all enjoying the snow too (if you're trudging through it like we are) and if it happens to be summery where you are... well then bottle it up and send it my way.

Have a wonderful afternoon, mes amis. Peace.

The Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice! Wishing you peace & happiness today, mes amis.

Snuggle your loved ones, sip hot tea, or curl up with your favourite book. Tonight, I plan on doing some Christmas baking with the little miss... date squares perhaps, sugar cookies... oatmeal & chocolate.

What are your plans, dear hearts?

Wordless Wednesday (The Alfred Hitchcock Edition)

Wordless Wednesday (The House Guest)

Sundays Are For Your Spirit

In light of my Flylady routine, which I've been following for just over a month now, Sundays have been named "Renew Your Spirit Day".

I suppose Sundays have always had this vibe to them, but it means more to me when I've written it down & have been thinking about it consciously.

Today, to "renew our spirits" we visited Chappies for a little treat (the boy, the babe & I), before driving around town to look at the leaves & the beautiful houses in the old west end. It was a wonderful drive -- slowly weaving through canopied streets, lined with oranges, reds & yellows. Gretchen pointed at all of the pumpkins ("Pun-keen-ahs!") while Ryan snapped a few pics for me to share.

We were cozy all the way home, despite the rain, and for dinner I made mac & cheese (from scratch) which I've never done before. It was a beautiful way to spend a Sunday.

And yes, our spirits have been renewed.

How did you spend your Sunday, mes amis?

Into The Woods

Last Sunday we hiked in Burnham's Woods, though perhaps the term "hike" makes our adventure sound much more athletic than it actually was.

We took off down the well beaten path to admire Ontario's autumn beauty at its most glorious. Just looking at these photos again -- I can smell that cool, crisp air, each fallen leaf. I can feel each footstep.

The palette of autumn fills me with something incredible. I want to bottle this feeling so that I may keep it on hand for those dark wintry nights when I feel as though the sun has gone forever & the cold has taken up residence in my bones.

This place has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. The most beautiful thing about living in the same place for your entire existence is the memories, the reminiscent quality to your surroundings and the ability to retrace your steps should it feel right to do so.

My mother used to bring me to these woods as a child, and eventually, when we lived in a house on a parallel road, I would hike on my own for hours, discovering hiding places and cozy reading nooks. I'd pack only a book in my little bag and off I'd go. I'd walk past the paths until I was sure I'd found a new spot -- a place just for me where I wouldn't be disturbed. I'd read for hours, or at least until dinnertime, before packing up and finding my way back to the road.

These woods feel like a time capsule to me. My childhood clings to rocks and trees like the lichen and soft moss.

I feel at peace here.

And I'm so grateful to be able to share this with my daughter.

Where do you feel at peace, friends?

Do the woods ever speak to you too?