On Vacation...

...but more coming very soon... (read full article)

In Praise of Hand - Me - Downs

This post was inspired by a large box of clothes that recently arrived from my sister. They are the cutest of items that her almost two year old has outgrown. The day they arrived it was like it was someone's birthday. It was a big production for Qui (read full article)

babies, family, kids, recycle

And The Winner of the CSN Gift Certificate is...

...drumroll please.... by random number generator is Debbie! She is the mother of four teens and she said she would love to own this waffle maker. Congratulations, Debbie! I will be sharing a multi grain waffle recipe on my blog within the next week, (read full article)

Blog Giveaway

An Old Caravan With Style...

I will be having some quicky posts coming up, since I will soon be going on a long vacation to see friends and family in three of the places I have previously lived; Ottawa, Minnesota, & Maine. I have prescheduled some posts so stay tuned...I sho (read full article)

art, Banff, canmore, painting

Healthy Homemade Fruit Thin Bars (Think Fig Newtons...)

I am always on the look out for healthy homemade snacks and luckily I have lots of friends who are willing to share their recipes. My friend, Jane & I swap cookbooks, which is a really nice way to gain some new recipes, complete with feedback fro (read full article)

baking, cookies, cooking with kids, Dessert, food, vegetarian recipe

Quick Decorating Project - Wallpaper Covered Flat Panel Sliding Closet Doors

I completed this project last year (as some of you will be able to tell from the photo of my daughter) but have wanted to share it ever since. It is one of the best things I have done to make my bedroom more warm and cozy. We have two closets in our (read full article)

decor, how-to, tutorial

CSN Store Giveaway - What Would YOU Do With $50 to Spend On Whatever You Want?

Do you like to win things? Who doesn't? Well, I'm hosting a giveaway! And not just any giveaway. In my giveaway you are sure to be completely happy with the winning item because you get to pick what it is!Have you heard of CSN Stores? They have over (read full article)

Blog Giveaway

Fish Collage for Kids and a Book Series Recommendation

As many of you know, I occasionally teach art and craft classes for kids at the Banff Public Library. My most recent class taught kids aged 6 - 10 about collage. While I normally create my own projects I decided to use an idea from a wonderful series (read full article)

art for kids, banff public library, Book Recommendation, recycled art

round the outside - an exhibition of new work by Jane Newman and Michelle Henderson-Topp

Tonight (July 2nd) is a great night to view new art in the Bow Valley. My wonderfully talented friend, Jane Newman, who is as warm and kind as she is gifted, is having an opening for her show "round the outside" at Wild Flour Bakery Cafe at 211 Bear (read full article)

art, Art Exhibit, Banff

The Miss Match Diptych Project

Sunday Morning Top Tiffany TeskeBottom Kristi JacksonAs part of the Female Photographers of Etsy (fPOE), I have known about the Miss Match/fPOE diptych project for some time now. Talented photographers who sign up for a week, are given a partner and (read full article)

color photography, fPOE, miss match dyptich project, Tiffany Teske

A Lovely Little Summer Lunch - Kale & Red Cabbage Salad with Tamari Pumpkin & Sunflower Seeds

 It is always nice to spend a leisurely afternoon with friends. A couple of weeks ago, my kiddos and I were invited to friend's home for food, laughter, and some good old backyard fun. Jane, opened her lovely home to us all, and served us a wond (read full article)

art, cooking, food, friends, recipe, recipe vegan, vegetarian recipe

African Fruit Salad - A Lesson in Geography, Food, & Fun

My four year old has been cooking since she could stand on a step stool next to me. We try to make several things a week, both for the fun of it, and to have healthy, good things around to snack on. Thanks to a well stocked pantry, some of our cookin (read full article)

cooking with kids, Dessert Recipe, food, recipe, recipe vegan, travel, vegetarian recipe

Monster Puke Bubble Bath - A Good Homemade Birthday Party Gift for a Boy (or a Girl)

Quin, my daughter, likes to make the birthday gifts that she gives to her friends. I used to be somewhat unsure about giving handmade gifts at a birthday party but I have since learned that most of my friends and their children really appreciate them (read full article)

crafts for kids, gifts you can make, homemade gifts, kid's birthday party ideas, kids, parties, recycle crafts

Quick and Yummy Ahi Tuna Marinade

I am taking a little break from birthday party posts, although I do have some fun things to share from some recent birthday parties we have gone to. Soon... Time for a recipe. A fish recipe. My husband recently brought home some ahi tuna, also known (read full article)

cooking, Fish recipe, gluten free recipe, pregnancy, recipe

A Week of Birthday Posts - #5 - Birthday Party Food

Food, glorious food. Hehehe! We love it around here. And party food is oh so fun to research, decide upon, and prepare. I have found that for kids' birthday parties it is best to keep it simple. My children are adventurous eaters but that doesn't mea (read full article)

birthdays, Dessert Recipe, family, gluten free recipe, kid's birthday party ideas, recipe, recipe vegetarian

A Week of Birthday Posts - #4 - Birthday Party Food and Little Touches

This is post number four in the series on my daughters' birthdays. This one has some cheery photos of handmade details from my four year old's tea party.As an artist, I pay attention to visual details. I love color and so do kids. My daughter Quin's (read full article)

birthdays, family, how-to, kid craft, kid's birthday party ideas, Tea Party

A Week of Birthday Posts - #3 - Colorful Party Favors for Kids

Our daughter turned 4 this year. I still can't believe it! She is growing up so fast and it is really amazing to see her change and grow. We had a fun time planning and creating for her birthday party. She was able to help with almost everything. We (read full article)

birthdays, childhood, family, how-to, parties, tutorial

A Week of Birthday Posts - #2 - Two Summer Time Organic Lemonade Recipes

Every year at the same time the strawberries are suddenly half the price they were in the winter, I can get organic lemons by the bag, and fresh rhubarb is available. All of this coincides with my husband and daughters' birthdays. One of the special (read full article)

beverage recipe, birthdays, cooking with kids, kids, recipe, vegetarian recipe

A Week of Birthday Posts - #1 - My Strawberry Banana Baby's First Birthday Cake

"A whole cake?! What is going on here? Do you REALLY want me to eat this?!"Both of my daughters and my husband have birthdays in the same week (lucky me, I am in November). This means there was a lot of cooking, baking, crafting, and party throwing g (read full article)

babies, baking, birthdays, breakfast recipe, Dessert Recipe, family

Recycled Art for Kids: Painted Rocks Project #2 - Rock Houses For the Garden

My sweet little houses...Rain, rain... not that the grass and I are complaining, but it can be hard on the kiddos. Here is another painted rock project that came from the recycled art class I taught this month. These are great for kids of all ages to (read full article)

art for kids, Banff, Banff community classes, Banff recycled art community class, kid craft, painting, recycle, upcycled