clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

This was the first week of my new job. It went well, thanks for asking. Jeff has been a champ juggling my new schedule while his own gets even busier with the count down on for his big exam. I've been taking the same route to work for the last eighteen months and even though I didn't really know any of the people I would pass everyday I kind of missed them this week. I wondered how my favourite crossing guard was doing (he always helped me cross, it is possible he thought I was in high school) and I wondered if the dog walkers in the park I passed through were still out in the cooler weather. I'm sure everyone is fine without me ;) In the spirit of embracing change here are a few things I am currently liking about my routine.

{all the pretty horses}

What am I, a ten year old? I've always liked these pretty creatures. There is a bar in Calgary that has the most beautiful photos of Sable Island horses, even though I have never been to Sable Island they always reminded me of home. These particular horses are near my parents house and they remind me of living there when Vi was a baby. My dad used to take her to see the horses early in the morning. I love thinking about both Vi and my dad on my walk to work.

{good great coffee}

TIBS within walking distance. Mothers lock up your daughters (read: Jeff lock up my debit card).

{holiday trim}

I like tinsel and I like coloured trees. Some people say tacky, I say festive. My mum and I set up a silver tree a few years ago and I love love loved it. Imagine my delight when I came across this super-sized red and gold beauty. All class.


And as an antidote to my gratitude:

I want to be Anne Lamott

I want to eat pumpkin squares (if they are half as good as the ones my sweet friend dropped off this week they will last a day -- hers lasted about twelve hours)

I want to wear this hat

I want to watch all of these before Christmas

I want to live here
 
Happy weekending friends!

xo

Em

giving thanks

{lots of be thankful for}

 We decided to host Thanksgiving dinner at our place this summer when we were in PEI. Eager to get my grandparents over to the mainland we made them promise they would eat turkey at our place this year. They obliged us and so we prepared to host dinner for eight at our table for four.

Jeff was eager to brine our turkey and so we soaked our 14lb bird in salted and sugared water for over 12 hours. I was less enthused. The thought of poultry festering in a plastic vessel overnight wasn't doing it for me this year. I've brined a turkey before with my friend Jayme in Calgary. At the time we didn't have a cooler so we filled the crisper in her fridge with salt water! Now, that is commitment to turkey!

Jeff took Violet to church and then to the pool so I could prep and cook sans interruption. When I pulled the turkey out of the cooler it had an oddly human feel. The skin had become more transparent than usual and I could see the poor bird's muscles (that is what we eat right? muscles? sick.) I rinsed him off in the sink in much the same way I used to rinse Violet off at the cottage. It felt really weird. Wrong and weird, but I love turkey dinner so I persevered.

As I bathed our dinner the most disgusting thing happened: I got a feather splinter. Yes, a feather splinter. I love that we got our turkey at the market, but if it means seeing remnants of feathers I'm not sure I can stomach that much closeness with nature. If I get avian flu you will all know why.

The dinner went off without a hitch. I manged to fit all the food on each plate and all the people at the table (except for Violet who was relegated to her pink desk in the corner, which she loved). I thought the turkey was a teeny bit salty, but no one else agreed (it is possible they are just scared of me). Nanny made two pies (one for Jeff and one for everyone else -- for real), a perfect ending to a great meal.

I really have to work on taking pictures while I cook. I pride myself of being a good multitasker, but I can never seem to capture every step of the process. I took a few pictures of the bread I baked, one or two shots when everyone sat down to eat, but once my turkey coma began to set in I was out of commission as a photographer!

Nonetheless, here are a few pictures from our weekend, including a magical father-daughter-granddaughter hike at Hemlock Ravine. We have a history of such hikes which started when Vi was still in a baby bijorn. This year she walked almost the whole hour. She complained, but she did it!

xo

{Ellen's bread works everytime}

{even as rolls}

the thankful tree

{what I am thankful for}

Violet came home with the cutest craft today. With the help of a very special teacher she had made a thankful tree. Her little handprints hung from a branch like leaves. On each handprint Susie had written something Violet was thankful for.

I immediately scanned for my name and then assessed the positioning of my leaf (I wish I was kidding).

The craft reminded me of Thanksgiving when I was a teenager. We always went to the South Shore with my mum's best friend's family. Every year we froze, but I have lots of good memories now that enough time has passed for me to forget my numb toes and the hours I spent in a small car with cranky adolescent siblings. (I can say that because I admit I was the crankiest sibling.)

Every year my mum's friend's dad asked us the same question, "what are you thankful for?" Personally I preferred his less esoteric questions (e.g., name your three favourite pies), but it was a nice reminder to count your blessings.

I have lots to be thankful for, but my health and the health of my family feel particularly precious this year.

When Violet was showing off her art to her Auntie Lou she looked at the tree and said, without a hint of sarcasm, "I really should have put my own name up there."

And I was worried about her confidence.

xo

Em

date night

{we get to go out, we get to go out}

{picture for the jacket of his first novel?}

Why don't we do this more often?

My parents love having Violet. Violet loves staying with my parents.

Are we crazy? We should definitely do this more often...

My parents invited Violet for a sleepover last night and that meant Jeff and I got to hit the town. By hit the town of course I mean check out our favourite antique store, putter around Chapters and grab burgers at the Brooklyn Warehouse. If you haven't already done so, get yourself down to that restaurant. They get their beef from the farmer's market so you don't have to worry about eating stomach turning pink slime. If I am endorsing the eating of meat, you know it has to be good!

Date nights are the best for remembering: I do look better with more make-up (even though I tell Violet make-up doesn't make you pretty, it makes you sparkle -- I am clearly bending the truth); I do still get butterflies when I see Jeff (especially on date night); and I am so grateful to live in the same city as my parents (in whose care Violet is safer and happier than in our own!).

I read somewhere about a couple who plan to meet each other at a restaurant whenever they go on a date. The idea is that if you get ready separately it reminds you of when you are dating and builds the excitement. Isn't that a good idea idea (although it poses some logistical challenges)? Maybe next time we'll give that a try (hey Jeff -- I call shotgun on our only vehicle!).

xo

Em

Anne's Land

{daddy-daughter soft-serve}

There is something special about PEI. Every time I am there I ask myself why I don't make it over more often. This weekend the beauty of the island was enhanced by perfect weather. It was hot. Hot! In PEI, in May -- that is unheard of. We had the most relaxing visit you could hope for with a three year old in tow. 

Jeff went out fishing with a second cousin -- everyone is a second cousin in Murray Harbour (home of Brad Richards, but more importantly home of the Harris clan). He had the time of his life and brought back lunch to boot:

{we like our lobster cold}

{with potato salad of course}

This weekend my grandfather said to me, "when people look around Murray Harbour they see houses, but I see history." He was born and raised there, and he and a few of his brother's still call it home. I can see why they wanted to stay: 

{water like glass}

{not a bad day to be a lobster fisherman}

{home of the world's best clam strips -- or at least Murray Harbour's best}

{the apple blossom's were just coming out in town}

We spent the weekend reading (I started and almost finished The Corrections - finally, and on the recommendation of a friend - Jonathan Franzen is a man who can write); playing at the beach; and of course eating lots of food made by my grandparents and served in Midwestern proportions. I think a cleanse is in order.

{Uncle David's beach}

{not so little girl}

{treasure}

{Violet and her papa -- she looks like a little fairy}

I can honestly say I feel really relaxed, I still feel the red sand between my toes -- I am ready for a four day week. Gosh, I love long weekends. We need one every month, no?

xo

Em

clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

{alphonso mangos}

When you eat dessert every day it stops being a treat, no big surprise. After six weeks of back to back birthday celebrations we noticed the wee one had come to expect something sweet after every meal (and sometimes in between). Rather than merge birthday season with mini-egg season (although as I write this that sounds like heaven) we decided to lay off the refined sugar until Easter. Enter the alphonso mango: nature's candy. They are softer, sweeter and even more delicious than "regular" mangos. According to wikipedia they are only in season for two months, which is how I justify eating two a day.

{hyacinth} 

Yesterday I was feeling a little blue so I picked up a potted hyacinth during my trip to the grocery store. After a day on our south facing window sill the flowers have started to come out. They are one of my favourite spring flowers, especially the cornflower blue variety. The smell is what really makes hyacinth special. Our dining room smells amazing. They were just the pick me up I needed.

{outdoor picnics in March}

Last night we met my parents at Point Pleasant Park for a picnic. You can't beat sandwiches, pellegrino, fresh fruit and homemade banana bread served on a stadium blanket. Violet led the way on a post dinner walk though the woods. We walked on the beach in bare feet. It was so fun seeing all of the people walking around, where has everyone been all winter! Last Friday evening we were sledding. The weather has been some kind of crazy, but I am not complaining!

{recipes shared between friends}

I mentioned a few weeks ago that our friends sent us some recipes to try (remember the mung beans...yum). Well, we have another winner: bulgar mint and mango salad. It is a little like amped up tabbouleh. Imagine my delight at the prospect of eating more mango! Thanks for another great one Heiberts! Jeff made this salad (and photographed it) on Wednesday. He delivered it to me so I would have a nutritious supper between work and my night class. What a gem!

Despite my slightly negative post yesterday, I am very grateful. How about you?

xo

Em

clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

{my husband who loves to cook}

On Monday night Jeff made Nigel Slater's Thai Chicken Salad for supper. Carrots, cucs & sprouts came to life with a healthy dose of chillies and fresh citrus. Perhaps the dish would be better suited to lunch time, or maybe a light outdoor supper in the summer. Not fare typically eaten on snowy nights in March, but the heat of the dish certainly kept us warm!

Check it out here (scroll down half the page or so): http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2001/jun/10/foodanddrink.recipes3

{pizza - in almost every form}

Salvatore's make the best pizza in Halifax. Can I say that? There are so many "kinds" of pizza I feel like it is almost unfair comparing them. We love Kit Kat for greasy pizza, the Wooden Monkey for the best topping selection & combinations and Morris East because of its sentimental value (we had our first date there) and the wicked chilli oil, but for Friday Night Fun Night (we actually call it that) overall satisfaction we'll take Salvatore's every time.

Try "The Original", it will change your life (or at least the way you view pizza).

Visit them in the Hydrostone Market: http://www.salvatorespizza.ca/

{sledding, minus (most of) the snow}

Violet wanted to go sledding today. There might have been 5 cm of snow on the hill and that is being generous. After work we trudged (an accurate description, the ground was super muddy where the snow had melted) to a nearby park and hit the slopes. Make that slope (singular) - more of a slight decline really. Despite all this, we had a blast (for a while, then we all got cranky!)

{jane austen & tea}

I love surprises and I love presents so imagine my delight when I arrived home one night this week to find a birthday present waiting for me on my front step. My sweet friend told me to expect something, but I didn't know when it would come or what it would be. As far as choosing the perfect gift, she nailed it. Now I am able to combine two of my great loves: Jane Austen and tea. The quote is from Emma. The mug is from Etsy. What a lovely combination!

What are you grateful for this week?

xo

Em

clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

{starting a conversation}

I'm grateful that I am free to write about whatever I want to write about, no matter how insignificant someone (read: a certain Globe and Mail columnist) might think it is. On the plus side Margaret Wente was not my least favourite Globe columnist this week...

Try this tofu and cashew rice bowl for healthy comfort food. Perfect on a damp Halifax day. 

Check out the recipe here: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-brown-rice-bowl-with-tofu-and-lemongrass-166713

{judge this book by its cover}

With my to-do list in mind, and my birthday a mere 360 days away  I though I better start on my Dickens adventure. My sweet grandparents sent me some birthday money (I told them this tradition had to stop when I hit the big 3-0) so I bought this pretty copy of Great Expectations. My expectations are just that, great. If it doesn't work out at least this book with look good on my shelf.

{turkey cakes with wasabi guacamole}

This photo does not do justice to our dinner tonight. The lighting was terrible (we ate late) and Violet had low blood sugar (at least that is what I assumed as she lay wailing on the dining room floor). Despite the lighting and the meltdown, these little ditties are an awesome, fancy, asian version of a turkey burger. Also, guacamole with wasabi is best described as the delicious love child of Mexican and Japanese food: I'm never going back. How have I never heard of Yotam Ottolenghi until this week? Spicy, Isreali...not to mention his food. Dreams really do come true. 

check out the recipe here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/sep/30/turkey-cake-yoghurt-dip-recipes?intcmp=239

{memories like this}

{of experiences like that}

Violet got a tricycle for her birthday. Thanks Nana and Papa! Yesterday was so warm we took it out for a spin after work. When we left the house I snapped a few pictures of her; she was so happy and excited. Two minutes later, when she realized that peddling is hard, a cloud came across her face. We made it less than a block, there were tears. Despite this, I know when I look back on these pictures I'll only remember how proud she looked in her new helmet. 

clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

{the many faces of Miss Violet Pond}

 Seriously, how cute is this girl? By the way these pictures were all taken within 30 seconds of each other. Perhaps a career in acting lies ahead?

{succulents and milk glass}

I do not have a green thumb. I am, however, proud to report that I have been able to keep five plants alive in our new house. We have a beautiful window sill in our dining room that gets sun all day. Also I have found that watering plants seems to help. Who knew?

{I call this the salt-lick: olives, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, anchovies & feta}

Friday nights are party night at the Pond house. Pizza and a movie of the animated variety, there is nowhere else I would rather be.

Jeffrey made this delicious pizza for us tonight. I should tell him more often how awesome he is (as a chef, husband and father).

{mini and maxi manis}

Mermaid tears. That is what the nail polish is called. Mother-daughter manis are becoming a tradition around these parts. Reason number 45897 I love having a daughter.

What are you grateful for this week?

xo

Emily

clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose

Tomorrow is Violet's birthday party so stay tuned for posts full of balloons and buttercream icing. For now I thought it would be nice to end the week with another grateful list. If it is all the same to you I thought I might make it a weekly exercise. Surely I can think of four things I am grateful for each week.

{weekly dinners with my parents}

Almost every week we head to my parents house for dinner. Last night it was particularly delicious. We had a roasted chicken from the market. My mother even stuffed it, which always make a meal feel festive. We finished the meal with an encore performance by the baked chocolate pudding. You know you have a hit when your husband begs you to make something again within a week!

{fresh starts in the morning}

I love coffee. Do I even need to explain this one? Even more than coffee I love the fresh start that each morning brings. Evenings with kiddos can be less than relaxing and by the end of the night I am often so tired it is hard to be the best version of myself. Mornings are new beginnings. Coffee helps a lot. Lots and lots of coffee.

{birthday weeks}

Why celebrate for a day when you can celebrate for a week? Violet's Aunt Julia (aka Precious Jules) arrived on Wednesday night and this officially opened birthday week. The fun will continue until next Tuesday. I've braced myself for the sugar highs and the accompanying crashes!

{signs of spring}

I know these tulips are from Holland but it is nice to have signs of spring around our apartment. I have a soft spot for tulips so arriving home to two vases full was a wonderful way to end a long day at work.

What are you grateful for this week?

xo em