Spring hasn't completely sprung around these parts just yet (and I heard someone say we're to expect 15 - 20 centimetres of snow on Friday... I will try not to weep, but I can make no promises.) I may not be able to put those snowpants away just yet, but the itch to get the spring sorting and … [Read more...]
Where do you start?
It's been 13 years since we've moved into our house. Things are starting to look "well loved" and a tad dated. I'm eyeing the kitchen is the next big project. Jen Maier and I were discussing home renovations recently. I know she's been scoping out Pinterest and getting ideas for a while but we both … [Read more...]
Welcome to The Nest!
Welcome to The Nest! I am so excited to have you here with me. Here at The Nest, we will be chatting and sharing ideas for everything to do with running a busy family home. It is my philosophy that life is busy and our homes provide, ultimately, a sanctuary and shelter away from the stresses of … [Read more...]
Looking At Your Life
The other night, Ava Scarlett kept coming into the kitchen holding up photos in her hands, asking me who's this? and where was this? and is this Oliver or me? and was I borned yet? She must have come to see me about a dozen times before I finally followed her back to the TV room, whereupon I found … [Read more...]
Sprucing.
Sometimes a person can fall into a bit of a funk, and not even notice one's there until one starts to climb out of the hole.I'm not depressed, but lately I've been feeling the need to infuse a bit of change into the atmosphere. It's a natural by-product that comes from visiting other people's pretty … [Read more...]
It’s a small world after all
Today two little boys played while their mom's chatted. That doesn't sound all that special does it? But this play date was a Russian reunion of sorts. The two little boys share something very special in common. My son Roman and his little friend Tyler were adopted from the … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Not-So-Green Thumb
To the left of me I have this: a creative display of whimsical colour, variety of shape and form, and artfully placed borders surrounding bright, vivid greenery.To the right, is this: a zen-inspired vista of tranquility. Polished stones, calm mossy greens with bursts of energizing purple … [Read more...]
Shane’s Horrible Dilemma
This story is entirely fictional. While the main character may bare some resemblance to, say, me, it certainly isn't me in any way, shape or form.Here we go...Once upon a time, there was a man named Shane. Shane lived with his wife and his daughter, whom he affectionately referred to as … [Read more...]
Things Can Always Be Worse
I've been AWOL lately because my house has been (unhappily) under shrink-wrap. We've have a house painter here - for about 4 weeks now - and though I'm doing my very best to stay focused on the bigger, brighter picture, the realities of having the entire family crammed into a third of our usual … [Read more...]
Recipe for Relaxation
It's Sunday night in my house. The Boy announces that he can't find his school project - which is of course due tomorrow. The Girl decides that she must find her necklace with the purple stones RIGHT NOW and is tearing apart her room looking for it. The Baby, aware of my … [Read more...]