Happy Thanksgiving!

You aren't reading the title wrong and you haven't somehow lost track of a month of you life. Today is Thanksgiving in Canada! 

The lovely Joey and I were chatting about this and she asked me the differences between Canadian & American Thanksgiving and I had a really hard time coming up with an answer for her. 

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I mean, there are the obvious differences. We all gather in the igloo, after an outdoor game of ice hockey and eat lobster and polar bear. Justin Bieber raps our grace before dinner.  For dessert we enjoy Nanaimo Bars, Beaver Tails (a pastry not an actual beaver tail!) and Coffee Crisp chocolate bars.

Ok, none of that is true. 

I'd be ok with J.Biebs rapping my Thanksgiving grace but Jay would not be impressed. You should google Nanaimo Bars though and whip up a batch, they are DELICIOUS! 

The reality is, based on my personal experience and understanding, there are few differences between Canadian & American Thanksgiving. 

+ Turkey is a staple in both countries (though I personally prefer ham). Traditional fixings like mashed potatoes and veggies are also common. 

+ We celebrate the harvest and enjoy locally grown vegetables (which wouldn't be possible if we waited until November) but there is no historical context I know of that compares with the story of the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving. 

+ There isn't a big shopping binge after our Thanksgiving (we wait until Black Friday just like everyone else!). 

+ Our holiday is actually the Monday, so we have a three day weekend. 

I feel slightly ridiculous that I know so little about the holiday in Canada but honestly my understanding is it's just a day to spend with family and to be thankful, which has always been enough for me! 

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Fun Fact: This weekend also marks two years since my first pumpkin pie baking experiment and Jay's subsequent proposal! 

No polar bears or lobsters were harmed in the making of this post. 

To any fellow Canadians out there, Happy Thanksgiving! To everyone else, Happy Monday! 

Keep Smiling :) 

Happiness

Another day, another post. Today's Blog-tember challenge "Write about what makes you happy, from the little joys to the huge game-changers."

Two summers ago (whoa!) I spent a month documenting everything that made me happy. Cleverly I titled this my "Quest For Happiness." See what I did there? I'm witty. 

I like to think of myself as a generally happy person. I try and look on the bright side and to stay above the drama (for my own sanity). It doesn't always work, but I try! Honesty is important in blogland and I must admit that sometimes I also like to wallow by sitting in the dark on the bathroom floor crying for any reason I can think of- it's oddly helpful. 

But today we aren't talking about my theatrics, but just about things that make me happy. 

This Guy Makes Me Happy. Everyday. 

He's awesome, loves animal puns, and lets me talk for hours without a break. He's great.

Travelling Makes Me Happy.

Niagara Falls, Toronto,  Florida, New York, Calgary & Banff, Vancouver, Montreal, Northern Ireland, Ottawa, Kingston, Prince Edward Island, Watertown, Newfoundland, Las Vegas. I love airplanes, trains and the adventure of a new city! 

My Family Makes Me (Super) Happy.

Best of all, it recently got even bigger. When Jay & I got married I added an extra set of parents and another lovely sister to my life! I'm blessed to have such wonderful people in my corner. 

Playing the harmonica with my Grandfather! 

My Friends Make Me Happy. 

Because I'm completely paranoid (thanks Dr. Phil) I never share photos here of other people unless I've gotten their explicit permission. That doesn't mean my life isn't filled with absolutely amazing and wonderful people. They've stood by me through so much and I am thankful everyday to have them in my life! 

 This lovely lady has her own blog so sharing her picture seems risk-free! 

Other things that make me happy include: skirts, ice cream, sunshine, my cottage, birkenstocks, curling up with a good book,  Skype, jumping in puddles and a warm cup of lemon tea. Actually anything lemon flavoured.

Puddles//Cottage//Ocean//Joel Plaskett//Skype//Giant Roadside Attractions

What or who makes you happy? Do you have any secrets to happiness? Any methods you use to pull yourself out of a funk? 

Keep Smiling :) 

Summer Lovin'

We're just back from over a week of vacation fun in Halifax, it was probably our very best vacation back home yet. We managed to see just about everyone and at the same time have lots of time to relax. I'm still adjusting to non-vacation life, so today is going to be a bit of a photo dump from the past few weeks. Don't judge, coming back to real life is hard. 

You should probably play the let me take a Selfie song as you look at this post, because basically this is just a bunch of shots of our faces mashed together. #sorrynotsorry

Over the Canada Day long weekend we ventured out on a few mini-road trips, including one to Fort Wellington, which was used during the War of 1812. We were basically the only people there not employed by the Fort, so lots of attention- we even got to make hats! 

 In front of another 1812 landmark, formerly a Windmill this now Lighthouse was the site of a lot of fighting. We didn't go inside because it cost $2/each and we're cheap, but we did have a nice picnic. 

Enjoying the Canada Day celebrations in downtown Ottawa. Lots of people, hot weather and some delicious BBQ corn on the cob made for a great day. Less great was finding out our favourite firework watching spot was unavailable and then having a torrential rain storm start up just as the fireworks lit up the sky. 

Gotta love those grainy iPhone photos.

Once in Hali, Jay stood in a friends wedding so we had a chance to get all fancied up and got to enjoy a night of dancing and I was able to catch up with a few high school friends that I hadn't seen, well basically since then. Sidenote: We were perfectly matching by complete accident- I just love that dress.

Hanging out on top of the Farmer's Market with my sister and creeping on Jay. He loved it, of course. 

Speaking of my sister, the photobooth where we usually take photos was out of order (yes, we're photobooth regulars), so we climbed in anyway and took pictures with her cell phone. This photo IS us, completely. We managed to convince Jay to participate for a couple but he wasn't quite as easily amused, we would have stayed all day. 

We spent a few days in the country at the cottage, turned home of my parents. Jay had lots of fun helping my dad out, they spent most of their time under the camp using power tools! My mom and I tried out a few new recipes and enjoyed our time together- plus, that view! Love it. 

While we were home we also had a couple of brunch dates, enjoyed a fabulous BBQ with friends not seen often enough and spent plenty of time with our dear sisters. It was so nice to have time, without the craziness of our own wedding to distract us from actually connecting with everyone we love. 

July has been very good to us so far, I'm excited for what adventures lie ahead this summer! I'd love to hear about your summer adventures! 

Linking up with Meg for Mingle Monday, Leann for Monday Morning Gossip and Molly for the newly re-vamped Let It Shine link up. Let me know if you've stopped by from the Link Ups. 

I didn't share any food pictures for this week's #Letitshine theme, but I definitely could write about food. We ate and ate and ate while I was home. The best? Fish & Chips because they just taste better by the ocean! Jay & I had a few too many conversations, that went like this:

Jay: "You can't eat french fries everyday for lunch"

Kim: "Yes I can, don't tell me what to do" *rolls eyes*

Jay: "Ok, whatever you want"

two hours later

Kim: "Why did I eat so many french fries?? Why did you let me?" *whines dramatically*

Jay: ...well really what could he say here? 

Keep Smiling :) 

Stuff And Things 4/17

Full disclosure, I wrote this whole post then me and blogger got in a fight over picture formatting so I'm starting over again (a little angrily)! 

Linking up with Kristin today! I'm going to take this as an opportunity to share some of the pictures that I've been hoarding on my phone for the past few days/weeks. 

My coworkers threw me a surprise wedding shower last week. I thought we were having a staff meeting, so it really was a wonderful surprise! It was so kind and thoughtful, I wasn't going to have a shower before the wedding (the joys of getting married in a different province) so it was so lovely to get the experience. Afterwards I of course had to wear the bow hat all day, which the kids found hilarious. 

It was an awesome day! 

My outfit for the day// Wine from a lovely parent //Some of the shower gifts
& decorations taking over our dining room

Jay & I saw one of our favourite musicians, Joel Plaskett, in concert on Saturday night. We bought the tickets online months ago, thinking we were 3 rows from the stage. We arrived at the show to find out the first 3 rows get taken out so we were front row! We've seen Joel in concert about a dozen times, but this was the closest we've ever been and his biggest show ever so it was awesome all around. 

Possibly my 10th attempt at a pre-show picture of us, it wasn't going so well. 

The concert was at the National Arts Centre (left side of the photo) so we had a few minutes to check out Parliament Hill (centre of photo) beforehand. I never get sick of looking at those beautiful buildings, even if the canal looks pretty nasty with all the ice melted and no fresh water coming in!  

I've had this photo on my camera for at least a month, waiting for the moment when nature truly said, "Hey Ottawa, Let's Party!" It's getting a little depressing the constant switching from Spring to Winter and back again. 

I am so ready for this long weekend. We are thisclose to getting married, but also to seeing all of our lovely friends and family again! It's been a few months so we are ready to get home for a few days to see everyone and the beautiful ocean! 

Speaking of the wedding- I've got to get off my computer and go be productive before work! 

Keep Smiling :)

Ten On Tuesday 04.01.14

Linking up with Alyssa for another instalment of 10 on Tuesday. 

[1] We have less than a month to go. Seriously. Less than 31 days from today I will be a married woman. 

[2] This weekend I powered through so many wedding projects, I am keeping it all under wraps until after the big day in case any of my real-life homies are still reading my blog. But I promise lots of posts after it's all over. I had no idea I even had the ability to be this crafty.

[3] I am obsessed with The Good Wife. We are almost through Season 1 and it has completely surpassed my expectations. If you need a new Netflix series to binge watch I totally recommend (though it may only be on the Canadian version). 

[4] Building on my previously mentioned current obsession with outer space, we watched Armageddon on Friday night. I had never seen it and always thought it was a masterpiece. I. WAS. WRONG. It's pretty terrible, even though I love me some Benny Affleck. 

We had dinner at Montana's so I of course drew a Solar System, with a (possibly insensitive) re-enactment of Armageddon. 

[5] After reading several blog reviews of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl I picked it up at the library last week, certain I wouldn't like it. Again, I was wrong. It took me a little time to get through the first couple of chapters but then I became totally sucked in. 100% recommend. 

[6] On that note I am on a reading streak again, and so happy about it. I love reading but once I start a book I'm not crazy about I can't easily move on to a new book so instead I give up reading all together, often for months. It's a flawed system.

[7] Sunday morning it snowed, 15cms. Isn't it Spring? WTF. The worst part was I had just pulled Jay out of bed to go for a run, only to open the door and realize that wasn't an option. 

[8] I have an increasingly worrying obsession with all things nautical. All of Old Navy is overstimulating for me right now with it's adorable anchor prints, knotted rope sweaters and scarves, bags and necklaces all bearing beautiful symbols of the sea. 

[9] I can't wait to get home and embrace the wide open expanse of ocean. I need the smell of salt water and the comforting blanket of fog, especially to keep me calm before the big day. 

[10] My nan sent me a package of pictures from when I was younger last week. This was amongst them. Clearly my sister did not approve of my outfit choice. 

Keep Smiling :) 

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have an amazing few days with your nearest and dearest! Eat too much, take too many pictures, enjoy the little things and remember to laugh.

We're excited to celebrate and catch up with both our families over the next few days. It has been a busy year for everyone, lots of changes, so hopefully there will be time to relax and reminisce!

I'll leave you with some of my favourite Christmas music by the Oak Ridge Boys- they do Christmas like no others! It doesn't feel like Christmas until I've had my Oak Ridge Boys dance party.

And, because I recently discovered, and now can't resist a little J.Bieb's Christmas music. I love dancing to this one, it's like Christmas music for the club. We listened to it over and over again at work- it just makes me want to shake it!

Keep Smiling :)

'Tis The Season...

...to be jolly! 

I am full of holiday spirit this year- not sure what the cause of it could be, but I am loving everything about this glorious time of year. Despite the exhaustion and my deep need for a vacation I am really enjoying being at work around the wildly excited children and sharing the fun with them. 

I have been taking pictures of everything, trying to capture whatever magic I can. I have never loved the season as much before, but I hope this feeling stays for many years to come. 

Another picture of our Christmas tree and some of my favourite (new) ornaments for 2013. 

Left: A penguin ornament from one of my kids; ornament from our trip to St. John's this summer; Belle from Beauty and the Beast that Jay brought me home from Disney World.

Right: Salt dough ornaments I made with my kids (they took theirs home- these are my practice ornaments).

Bottom Right: Boldt Castle ornament from our birthday trip with Julia. 

Holiday tree in the community I walk by every night and a wintery wreath I made for the door. 

Top: Jay's ancient (and awesome) Eaton's Santa Sack and my stocking.

Bottom: One of my favourite holiday traditions- the annual package exchange between myself and my one of my closest friends from elementary school! 

A present from Santa under the tree! 

Homemade cookies from my kiddos, they are even more delicious than they look! 

Our collection of Christmas cards that is growing daily- this is right by our front door so it is bringing many smiles to my face! 

Keep Smiling :) 

Another Year Older.

This weekend I celebrated a big birthday and was luckily enough to spend it with two of my most favourite people, Jay and my sister. Best part, Jay had made arrangements for us to take a trip to vist Boldt Castle. I am too tired to explain the bittersweet story behind the castle but here is a brief description from the tourism website (and you can always google it for more information):

Construction began on Boldt Castle in 1900 at the bidding of millionaire hotel magnate George C. Boldt 

as a tribute to his beloved wife Louise. Boldt Castle was designed as their summer dream home on the 

St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the 1000 Islands. However it was not to be, Mrs. Boldt 

passed away suddenly just months before the completion of the castle. Mr. Boldt was inconsolable and

 immediately stopped all construction on Heart Island, leaving the property vacant for over seventy years.

We took many pictures, and have big plans for some of them but for tonight I'll share just a few of our fun-filled moments with you tonight! Over the next few days I'll try and share a few more moments from our awesome-sauce weekend! 

Note: Many of these pictures were taken by Jay or with his fancy camera, but I am posting them before he had the chance to do any editing, so no judging the lighting/contrast, etc! 

So, funny story. This is our first picture on the island, just before we began our picnic lunch. I was so excited to be at a castle, it was a little out of control. We start eating lunch and J-Dar made me laugh when I had a mouthful of yogurt, somehow I spit the yogurt out and then started laugh-crying because "I can never be a princess now" (except it took me seven tries to articulate that thought through the tears) and continued spitting yogurt. It was both hilarious and disgusting. J-Dar enjoyed it. 

I love this fella. 

One of my favourite pictures Jay took, in this small size it isn't quite as beautiful. 

Pretty much sums up how I felt about the trip! "This is the best day ever!" 

Love this picture of J-Dar!

On the ferry ride back from the Castle.

Hope you were able to enjoy this (Canadian) long weekend and got the chance to make memories with the people you love!

Keep Smiling :)

Being Optimistic

This week has been rife with trials for me and my family. Almost every day there was something new and unpleasant to conquer. Somehow though (*fingers crossed*) it appears we've made it through with just a few battle scars. It is the tough times that really remind me how important it is to be optimistic and think positively. These times of course also remind me of how difficult it is to do just that. 

It's not secret I struggle with managing my stress levels sometimes but with Jay's help I've been trying to focus on the day we're living rather than worrying about the previous or next day. It's a challenge but when I do that I am much happier. 

Anyway, that's enough philosophy and deep thinking for a Saturday night. It's time to curl up on the couch and relax! But first, some pictures of some happy moments. 

Me, just before I wrote a final exam with a package from the lovely Flippy. It absolutely made my day! She has a blog of her own you can read here.

Jay and I went on a fancy dinner date to celebrate life, courtesy of a gift card from K-Fran. It was lots of fun to dress up and act like grown ups! This picture really doesn't do our fancy looks justice but you get the idea. 

I've finished my first week of placement, five more to go. The kids are great (as always!) and I am learning a lot from both teachers in the program. I am leading activities on worms and ants (yep, I am picking up ants! Shocking, right?) So I made these life cycle velcro puzzles for the kiddos to practice the life cycle. Next week were creating ant farms and I'm helping the kids create a camping dramatic play environment! Exciting :) 

Lastly, Jay and I have been trying to get out more often and do fun things so we've been going to the park to play football and frisbee, we have a soccer ball too! Surprisingly I am not terrible at throwing a football, I should have tried out for the SMU team hahah. 

Hope your days have been lovely and that you are able to find the happiness in every day (I'm like a freakin' hallmark card.) 

Peace Out. 

Keep Smiling :) 

Kimberley