Category: P.E.I

Young folk in Charlottetown

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It’s always very exciting when something new opens in Charlottetown.

It’s even more exciting (for me) when they want to have my things in their shop.

The Young family (Adam, Rebekha and their 3 lovely boys) recently moved to Charlottetown and is opening up Young Folk and the Kettle Black. It’s a coffee shop/store.  I actually went to high school with Rebekha in Ottawa, many years ago. It was so nice to see her again. She and Adam fell in love with PEI after visiting,  (it’s hard not to) and decided to move here last year.

Last weekend, with my sick Ila in tow (I didn’t know it was hand, foot and mouth at the time!), I dropped off a bunch of paintings, fabric pieces and cards for the store.

It is a beautiful space, where the old Ampersand used to be. They are opening this weekend and  will be selling all sorts of lovely things upstairs and downstairs there will be cake and coffee…

yes, the coffee… let me tell you about the coffee! It is the best coffee I’ve had on PEI. I almost cried when I tasted it. I’ve been wanting to go back and have another ever since, but have been stuck at home with a contagious child. Soon.

They are such kind and lovely people and it’s a wonderful  little space, just what this little town needs.

 

4 years later…

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4 years ago yesterday we arrived on Prince Edward Island, fresh from the big city of Vancouver, and started the journey of making this place our home.

So much has happened over these years, but the biggest thing for me is just how much this does feels like home now. We have many, many wonderful people in our lives. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

When we first moved here people were always asking us how we were liking it here, we always answered we felt like we won the lottery by getting to live here. 4 years later… I still feel the same way.

what’s been going on?

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It’s been a busy couple of weeks here. We’ve had Paul’s folks for a visit. My mother-in-law cooked , sewed, mended, played and baked. My father-in-law re-roofed our shed and took the chainsaw to some dead trees in the yard. They are both in their 70s and both equally inspiring. It was great to have them.

As we always do, we took my mother-in-law out to Belfast mini mills. I stocked up on more delicious yarn. I got a lovely cashmere blend to make the girls some winter hats. We love it out there.

Sosi always tells me she wants to be a farmer when we’re out there. I think Ila already thinks she is one…

It’s a long sad story (with a happy ending) but we now have another cat! Little Poppy.

 

She is so adorable and sweet, we can’t decide who loves her more, us or Angelo…

I’ve also been super busy working away on a very exciting project that I hope to be able to share with you soon!

 

 

goodbye summer

Posted on Posted in Life, P.E.I

It seems just as I started to get the hang of things, summer’s over! The decision to have the girls home with me in August was a huge success. We had a great time together and  we’re all coming out of it so much happier than we went in. Oh! I found a studio that I love, cross your fingers for me that I can get it!!

 

 

 

mail from berlin

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At the beginning of the summer I subscribed to Peter’s “Mail me something” project. I made a small donation (I wish I had paid more!), and then proceeded to get lovely things sent to me all summer long.

Here they are:

 

A tiny alphabet book,

We got to assemble it and make a tiny cover for it ourselves.

The 4 seasons in German.

 

And a gorgeous full moon calendar (my favourite).

We even got a postcard from Oliver, he said the 2 on the front reminded him of Sosi and Ila. 🙂

I hope this is something Peter continues, I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

 

 

oh, the things I do for free chocolate…

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When I was contacted about participating in the “perfectly tiny” awards, I wasn’t sure it was for me. There was talk of photos… press… I cringed (pretty shy and awkward over here!).

The more it sat with me though, the more I began to think “why not”?  A year’s supply of chocolate and getting recognized for some of my favourite paintings? Doesn’t sound that bad! Also, how often do my kids get to see me awarded a gigantic trophy? Not enough times, I’d say. 🙂

(Thanks Nicole and  everyone at Reese for making it such a fun experience!)

summer fun

Posted on Posted in crafting, knitting, Life, P.E.I

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I don’t think there is a better place to be on a hot PEI summer day than Belfast Mini Mills.

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While the children watch the chickens and bunnies and play with the pups, I get to shop for yarn and dream of future projects.

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They dream of someday being farmers and getting to have 17 cats (or at least Sosi does).

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We came home happy, our tummies full after a visit to their little tea shop.

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My knitting basket is also full now, of the yarn to make this beautiful blanket.

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I’ve been wanting to make one for years and it felt like now was the time. Summer isn’t summer unless you have a good knitting (or in this case crocheting)project on the go… at least for me it isn’t!

what do you when it feels like winter in June?

Posted on Posted in crafting, Kids, Life, P.E.I

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You make a beach blanket! It’s usually cold here on PEI this June. Most days we are still in fleece jackets and boots. Each morning we wake up to a dreary 10 degree day. We ‘re starting to feel pretty grumpy and are wondering how long this can go on!

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I decided a bright yellow happy beach blanket was just the thing to make us feel better. While cutting, pinning and sewing this with Ila on my knee, I couldn’t help but smile and think of all the beautiful days that will hopefully come soon and we can finally be outside.

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The only thing is Ila’s convinced that this blanket is for her and will not let it out of her sight. I think I will have to get back to my sewing machine and make another. I have plenty of time though, it’s still chilly outside…

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at least it’s sun-shiny inside!

glimpses of spring

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In between the wind storms, deep freezes and snow flurries we have been getting some glimpses of Spring.

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Our first crocus, which I urged her not to pick, but apparently she just couldn’t help herself…

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First sneaker sightings!

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A window opened for a few moments here and there.

Snow gnome

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What do you do when the world gives you snow, snow and more snow? You go snowshoeing!

We spent most of the weekend exploring the forest in a close by park. So beautiful, quiet and other-worldly with all the snow. Sosi decied to wanted to live there and even had a home picked out for us under a large pine tree… she cried when we had to go home.

the arrival

Posted on Posted in Life, P.E.I

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A trip to the Charlottetown airport is always exciting, even more so when you’re there to pick up your Nana and Pop!

this weekend

Posted on Posted in Art, P.E.I

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I helped Donnalee hang the pieces for the Out of Purgatory Auction on Wednesday. It was a lot of fun. I was so happy to see my piece again, I’m seriosuly thinking of buying it back. It feels like it should be with me.

The auction is going on until Saturday night. Stop by the Guild between 12:00 and 5:00 to make a bid. There is a little final bidding party on Saturday from 7:00-9:00. Hope to see you there.

The Small Fancy this week is pretty fun, the theme is “Stuff Vancouverties/Charlottetownians like“.

Have a great weekend.

a night out…

Posted on Posted in Art, P.E.I5 Comments

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I had a great night out last night at the Opening for the Out of Purgatory Show at the Confederation Centre. The show runs until October 4th. If you are in Charlottetown you should go and check it out, there are so many great pieces. I was beyond happy to see my piece was chosen to represent the show in the Centre’s Fall brochure. (wow!)

just the 2 of us

Posted on Posted in food, Kids, Life, P.E.I

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Sosi and Paul have been crazy about biking the Confederation Trail (or the Trail, as we call it) this summer. He usually takes her after supper to give me some time to myself.

She is unstoppable, and usually returns bragging of fox sightings, of how beautiful golden time (golden hour) is and of biking all the way to the airport!

The other night we headed out just the two of us for the first time.  I couldn’t believe how peaceful and beautiful it was… and how close it is to where we live! I haven’t biked much since we moved here, and I’m realizing how much I miss it. I used to boot all over Vancouver with Sosi on the back of my bike. It’s quite something now to look over beside me and see her little smiling face.

We didn’t see any foxes, but we did spot some bushes full of gigantic rosehips and stopped to pick them. Our mother daughter adventured continued on the next day when we decided to make jam from them. We used the recipe for Rose hip Jam from “Apples for Jam“. I didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out pretty good.

I love when Sosi and I have alone time like this together. Such wonderful and unexpected things always come out of it.

101 things to make with zucchini (well, 2 actually)

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The past couple of weeks at our CSA pick up I have been helping myself to the  grab box full of zucchini. I keep asking Jen to tell me if I ‘m being too greedy, but she seems genuinely happy with my zucchini enthusiasm. Here are a couple favourite recipes we’ve tried this last week.

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Chocolate zucchini cake.*A cup and a half of oil seemed a lot to me, I put in less and it was still really rich and moist.*  This cake is insanely delicious… and yes, this is how I get most of my photographs. There is almost always a child standing on the table.

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Cream of zucchini soup. I made up this recipe up. I sautéed garlic, 2 potatoes (cubed) and 3 big zucchinis(chopped up) in olive oil, added some stock and let boil for a bit. Then I blended it up with a hand blender and added a bit of milk and some parmesan. The kids and my husband both loved it… that doesn’t happen too often.

Happy zucchini eating!

papa’s pasta

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chantrelles

I blew my budget at the Farmer’s market this week buying chanterelle mushrooms. Whenever I see chanterelles I think of my sister-in-law’s father. Every summer he would go into the woods to his top secret location (man, I wish I had found out where) to pick chantrelles to sell to restuarants.

Papa, as we called him, made us feel so welcome when we moved here. Sosi instantly feel in love with him and was quickly adopted in with his real grandchildren. He cooked dinner every Sunday and carted it all over to Nancy’s (2 blocks over) for us all to eat, bringing the whole family together.

He passed away 2 summers ago, and is sorely missed. Last summer I stopped in my tracks when I saw chanterelles at our local market, I knew I had to buy them… and our little tradition was born. I think Papa would approve.

These beautiful little mushrooms are insanely delicious. All I do is sauté them in some olive oil and garlic, add some heavy cream and parmesan then toss with pasta.