Explosive Weekend!

 

Happy Monday everyone! This weekend sure did fly right by! Almost too fast! I’d love another day just just to accomplish a list long worth of small jobs around the house! Isn’t that always the way?

My appreciation for where I live really grew this past weekend! I have the best of both worlds! I live in a quiet and peaceful area (the country) yet within an hour’s drive I can be in Canada’s capital, Ottawa. Amazing!

Friday evening Ryan headed off with friends Ricky and Graham for a round of golf after supper. I hate to admit this but sometimes it’s nice to have an evening to myself. It’s not that I don’t like hanging out with Ry, I do. But sometimes it’s nice to hog the T.V with girlie shows and putter around the house all by myself!

Saturday morning we were up with the birds and back in our work uniform to head to the city.

Morning ferry ride!

As some of you have read before, Ryan and I work for my families sod farm. However, what you may not know is that we do a lot more then just grow sod. One of the biggest things we do is look after sports fields in the city. This would involve aerating, overseeding, fertilizing and etc of different sports fields. One of our biggest fields, Ottawa’s own Ultimate Frisbee Association.

This weekend specifically Ottawa was hosting the national Ultimate Frisbee tournament. Teams from across Canada (1,500 players, wow!) were all playing on sports fields that we help to look after! It was a pretty proud moment for me and fun to sit and watch this intense sport!

I wish I was as coordinated as these players! It is a very intense sport and all the athletes are very in shape!! Looked like a pile of fun though too!

We ducked out of the city around lunch time, grabbed some groceries and headed home. We had a couple of hours to rest so we both settled in front of the T.V. Within minutes we were both fast asleep.

It was a good thing for that little nap because we were well rested for an evening celebrating my parents anniversary (and mom’s birthday). Ryan and I decided to surprise Mom and Dad with supper and a fireworks show at Lac Leamy!

First we started out with some drinks and then sat down for our AMAZING buffet dinner! It was all under a beautiful tent and the food was out of this world! We stuffed our faces and toasted Mom and Dad after 34 years of marriage.

After supper we took our seats for the over 2000 tons of fireworks! This was the first time Ryan or I had ever been to this event. It’s basically a competition between countries (we were watching Canada) to coordinate fireworks to music. Thousands of people come out to watch the spectacular show!

Canada’s theme this year was CBC shows. There were the theme songs to Hockey Night In Canada, Mr.Dressup and many other Canadian shows. For each theme song they had a fireworks display to go with it! It really was amazing! I had never seen so many fireworks in my life. 

After such an amazing time at the Ultimate Frisbee and Fireworks we were spent! We actually slept in till 9 AM on Sunday which is unheard of!

The rest of our weekend we puttered around the house, had lunch with my cousin Shannon and her boy Casey and relaxed!!

As I mentioned above I live in an amazing place! Not only can Ryan and I snuggle into the comfortable country of our home but we can escape every once in awhile to the exciting city where spectacular events happen all the time!

How was your weekend?

xo

Free Sample Gone Wrong

 

Happy Friday everyone! As always, I am so glad that the weekend is here!!!

As some of you may know I am a little on the frugal side! I love the excitement of saving a little money! Something else I love? Getting mail! Yup, one of my most favorite things is the sight of something in the mail addressed to me!

So, what do you get when you combine the too? Free samples, in the mail!

There are so many websites where you can receive free products in the mail to try! I love it! So far, I haven’t had to buy any of those little shampoos when Ryan and I go away because I have some from the mail!

The goodies are usually something we can use…..shampoo, cereal and dish soap! I’ve been very pleased with everything I’ve gotten so far.

It’s gotten to the point that if the title says “free sample” I’m signing up without even seeing what the product is.

A couple of weeks ago a pretty little package arrived in the mail for me! I knew instantly it had to be some sort of free sample! I was so excited!

I brought the box home at the end of the day and pretty much ripped into it with excitement! I couldn’t wait to see what goodie had arrived for me!

One look inside and….I had no freakin’ clue as to what it was!? It looked soft and white! Then it hit me! Surely this must be the protective packing for something!

So, I pulled the “package” out of the box slowly where a note fell out thanking me for signing up for my free sample of……

TENA BLADDER PROTECTION UNDERWEAR!

Oh…My….Goodness…..They sent me an adult diaper, in the mail! Really?!?! I couldn’t help but burst out into hysterical laughter thinking it served me right, signing up for things without reading carefully. Lesson learnt!

Free Sample Gods – 1

Lindsay – 0 

Have a great weekend!

xo

Wedding Wednesday – The Guest List

 

Happy Wednesday everyone! This August week has brought about a some cooler temperatures and has me thinking about fall! Visions of pumpkins, apple pies and colored leaves are dancing around in my head! Isn’t that awful? It’s not that I’m wishing the summer away, it’s just that I love the beginning of each new season!

Today on Wedding Wednesday I’m going to get real with the hardest aspect of wedding planning (in my opinion)! The guest list!

The guest list is vital in planning a wedding. I mean you want people there to celebrate with you right? The only problem, no matter how hard you try the list gets so long, so quickly.

It truly is a blessing to have so many wonderful people in your life that you want with you on one of the most important days of your life. However, there is a question of space and money!

One of the first things Ryan, myself and our parents did was make the “rough draft” list. This was a no limit list of family and friends. I have a large family and Ryan and I are blessed with so many friends so the list was getting high in numbers quickly.

We knew we had to make a drastic decision quickly. How do we reduce numbers? Our number was 150 people for wedding/dinner.

We shot around a few ideas until we finally came to the decision, no children (aside from flower girls and first cousins). This was one of the hardest decisions we had to make. We are blessed with so many little ones in our lives that we love dearly! And it broke my heart to come to this conclusion but it had to be done.

I know many people have told me not to worry about people’s reaction, it is our day after all but that is a lot easier said then done.

Something else you might not know is that I’m a people pleaser. It can be a good thing and bad so the last thing I wanted to do was hurt anyone but the decision has been made!

I’m sure some people who know me in real life is reading this piece of information for the first time. And, if there are any feelings hurt I am sorry. It was not mine or Ryan’s intentions.

As I mentioned above one of most vital parts of wedding planning, the guest list, which can bring about a lot of tension and worry for the couple and families. However, after the list is complete it is as though a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders!

I am so pleased to say, our wedding guest list is complete!

Happy Wednesday!

xo

Weekend On Wheels

 

Happy Monday everyone! This weekend passed WAY too quickly! Kind of like any weekend in the summer where you are having tons of fun!

This weekend started out on Friday afternoon packing up the Jeep after work to head to Pembroke to visit Ryan’s parents where they were camping at Riverside park. We joined them and his Aunt Shirley, cousin Katelyn and nephew Nathan.

We had a yummy supper, a competitive game of Yahtzee and a good time visiting with everyone around the camp fire. We bunked into the trailer for a good nights sleep.

In the morning, after breakfast, Ryan and I headed back home. He cut the grass at his own house while I worked on my new flower beds. In the afternoon, Ryan headed off to go golfing and I had an amazing time puttering around the house and hogging the T.V! I made supper for myself and watched a whole bunch of useless television….Real Housewives, Love It or List It, Say Yes To The Dress…..The list can go on! :-)

Sunday morning I successfully slept in till 8:00 AM! Woo hoo! Somebody else was up early eager to get the day started. We were going to Motocross racing!

We packed up again and headed to Richmond, Ontario to the Sand Del Lee race track to watch the CMRC Pro Nationals.

I have to admit I was SO not looking forward to going. In fact, Ryan pretty much bribed me with supper to go! But, once I got there I was impressed. These guys (and girls) are really amazing athletes! They are physically in great shape and they have to be mentally prepared for all the shape corners and huge jumps!

The day was so hot but it was fun to watch something new and gain respect for a new sport. My bribery supper afterwards was pretty good too!!

How was your weekend?

Happy Monday!

xo

It’s Friday – I Need Dessert

 

It has been one crazy week around this home front! Besides working and watering new flowers in the evening I have done nothing. I haven’t had time. I get home from work, eat whatever I can get my hands on, water my new flowers and look at the clock, BAM 8:00 PM, time for bed!

After a week like that a girls gotta indulge in something sweet so here’s a recipe for one of my favorite go-to dessert recipes….

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Here’s what you need:

- 1/4 cup butter or margarine

- 2/3 cup packed brown sugar

- Pineapple slices from can – drained

- Maraschino cherries without stems, if desired

- 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

- 1 cup white sugar

- 1/3 cup shortening

- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 3/4 cup milk

- 1 egg

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In 9 inch square pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over melted butter.

2. Arrange pieces of pineapple over brown sugar. Place a cherry in the centre of each pineapple slice.

3. In medium bowl, beat remaining ingredients with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.

3. Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick is inserted in centre and comes out clean. Immediately place heatproof serving plate upside down over pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave the pan over the cake for a few so the brown sugar/butter mixture can drizzle over cake. Remove the pan and serve warm. Store cake loosely covered and ENJOY! :-)

 

You know the best part about this recipe? I always have the ingredients in my pantry! That way if I need to make it in a pinch (say, when I have a big craving!) I can whip it up in no time!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

xo

Wedding Wednesday – Say Yes To The Dress

 

Happy Wednesday everyone! It kind of feels a bit surreal since I just did a weekend recap yesterday and now we’re half way through the week? Interesting…..

Today for Wedding Wednesday I’d like to elaborate on a very crucial aspect of the wedding (without sounding too shallow) THE dress!

It is SO true what they say. Once you find the dress the rest of the planning seems easy! I wish I had been one of those girls who dreamed about what she was going to wear. Sure, I had an idea at what I might like, what bride going though magazines wouldn’t? However, it all became a little overwhelming when you realize you have to pick one dress, for one of the most important days of your life.

*Cue breathing deeply into paper bag*

I was NOT looking forward to the process of finding a bridal gown. I was avoiding the topic at all costs. There were a few reasons…..

1. I was overwhelmed that a girl like me, who rarely dresses up, had to put on a fancy dress. It felt like I was going to be a fraud, a phony. I’m a farm girl, not a princess.

2. Too many freaking choices! There are so many choices out there! Styles, cuts, colors! AHHH Where to start?

3. You know those people that are all, “I’m a pear shape” well I’m a woman and as far as I can tell my body doesn’t look like a piece of fruit. It looks like me and I wasn’t too confident in what dress style/cut would look good on “me”.

Luckily, for me, somebody was smiling down on me when we first met with the wedding planner at her location, inside a bridal boutique! (Marry Me Productions) It was hard not to look around when trying to discuss aspects of our wedding.

Even luckier, there was time for me to try on a couple of dresses for the fun of it!

I picked out a couple of dresses that I thought I wanted. Both being lace with a few special details. I mean, vintage themed wedding, you have to have lace right?

WRONG! Lace and I did not mesh well and my biggest fears were coming true.

Jasmine the WONDERFUL salesperson from The White Dress saw the distress and pulled a dress that she thought I would like! I took one look at it on the hanger and was all “Oh no, that is so me, but I’ll humor you”.

Jasmine helped me into the dress and as soon as I turned around in the mirror, I smiled. I knew. I walked out into the viewing area and my Mom was blown away.

I was sure it was the one but Jasmine recommended that Mom and I go to another bridal salon to try on other dresses to compare. Talk about being confident in her product! She knew we would be coming back!

One afternoon Mom and I did go to another store. 2 hours and over 20 dresses later, I called to come back with my crew in tow to see the original pick!

A little confusion took place around this time because this dress was everything I thought I did NOT want. If I had any piece of advice to any brides, try on stuff you think you don’t like and trust the salesperson!

I knew when I had picked “the one” that I needed my ladies with me! I needed/craved their opinions. I was a little mean however in not telling them which dress was “mine”.

I let them pick a few dresses, one being a dress that looked good on the hanger and like a joke on me! It made for lots of laughs! There was one beautiful dress that I think they thought was the winner until the last dress, my dress.

It was done. With the approval of some of the most important ladies in my life, it was a done deal. This was what I will be wearing when I walk down the aisle to my soon to be husband!

I am so thankful that the daunting task that I had anticipated in wedding dress shopping went so smoothly! It was like the dress jumped out and picked me!

I’d love to tell you more about the details of the dress but you’ll have to wait until after May 12, 2012. 

:-)

xo

Long Weekend, Too Short

 

Happy Tuesday everyone! Seriously, why is it that long weekends (that most of us look forward to) pass by WAY to quickly!

I had been looking forward to this weekend for quite some time. Ryan and I had plans for many fun activities but for the most part we were going to be at home, together, puttering around at chores.

Friday evening kicked off the long weekend by getting gussied up and heading to the city to one of our favorite restaurants, The Keg. If you want some delicious Caesar’s (Blood Mary) and some yummy steak, then The Keg is your place. The Keg is an occasional treat for us because of the price. However, we can cash in airmile points and get gift certificate’s which really helps!

After a yummy meal we walked to Ottawa’s National Art Centre for the Broadway performance of The Lion King!

The show was AMAZING! It was everything and more that the Disney cartoon is!

After the show we had about a 10 minute walk back to the car but it was POURING rain and we were without an umbrella. We waited a short time under the roof of the Chateau Laurier but got impatient and ran for it! We were soaked!

Saturday morning we were up early and got our work clothes on! This weekend’s mission was finishing the new flower beds from when we got interlock put in.

We worked away until it was time to change to meet with friends Sharon and Wayne for a very special evening to see Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2. Wayne was even set with his very own wand! ha ha!

Sharon (my most organized friend) suggested we see the earlier movie in IMAXX and 3D!! Heck ya! I had never seen an IMAXX movie so I was super excited!

The movie was amazing as I suspected it would but it is so weird to realize that it is the last one. I mean the last Harry Potter, no more Oprah? This kind of sucks! Soon I’ll be watching the last Twilight Saga movie….TEAR!

After the movie we headed to supper and back on the ferry for the ride back to Quyon.

Sunday morning, we headed into Quyon again for the Mayor’s Breakfast that we being held as a fundraiser for the new town hall that we DESPERTLEY need.

We drove back into the city to head to a nursery to pick up all our new flowers for the beds (YIPEE!). It was a good thing we took a truck because there were so many, about 80 new plants!

We got them home and got to work! It was stinking hot out but we worked through supper (and a little cooler weather) to finish the new flower beds! They look alittle weak with new small plants but when they grow it will be beautiful! We were so exhausted but it was well worth it!

Monday was truly a day of rest. Putting the finishing touches on the front porch in the form of new rocking chairs, groceries, visiting with Ryan’s stepdad and staying cool inside the house! Finally, we headed over to neighbors Sharon and Wayne’s (yes the same ones as before) for supper and bachelorette finale! (P.S YAY J.P!)

I mean can the weekend get any better then that? Working your way through a big project and yet still finding time to spend with great friends and family! Amazing long weekend!

xo