Seven Quick Takes vol. 8

These Fridays seem to come quickly...head over to Conversion Diary for Jen's Quick Takes!

{one}

I'm a big PD James fan, she's really a terrific writer carrying on the same great style and quality of the Queens of Crime mystery writers, i.e. Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. I just read yesterday that James' next release coming out this winter is a mystery novel set in Pemberley! Yes, as in the Pemberley of Pride and Prejudice! Not too many details which means I'm dying of curiosity and can't wait to read it. 

Here's the nice BBC article about it. And isn't it inspiring that she's still writing at 91?

{two}

So the iPad is fab. (I know, I should write Apple's ads.)

I haven't become completely addicted to it yet. But it makes marital arguments such as "there's no way that guy is the same guy from Parks and Recreation!" conveniently solvable from the comfort of your own couch. 

Also; the New York Times Crossword Puzzle app is my dream come true.

{three}

Yesterday being the feast of the Archangels I came upon some link to Sir Edward Burne-Jones and his beautiful work with angels. A quick search reveals that he was a big fan of angels it seems, I can't believe his work is done in watercolours, I think I need a trip to London to see some in real life! 

{four}

I'm going to state here and now that most of the baby weight being gained as we speak comes from pumpkin buns. These buns are so good and taste so perfectly fall-ish that I can't stop eating them. The bakery in town makes them only around this time of year and they're like a big fat cinnamon bun except made with pumpkin pie deliciousness and covered in cream cheese icing. I could eat a whole slab by myself. They almost satisfy my craving for a  Pumpkin Spice Latte everyday. I can't believe Starbucks hates me enough to refuse to mass produce the pumpkin spice syrup so that I cannot make them at home with my new espresso machine. I have yet to try homemade recipes like this one, but I think I'm going to have to soon! My situation is dire!

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{five}

I haven't been kids clothes shopping in about a month because I haven't been to the city in that amount of time. (Whoa! Sad!) And in that amount of time each kid has outgrown all footwear that they have. I'm usually on top of the constant growing sitch, if only because I like having a reason to shop, but this shoe crisis is getting out of control. I'm hoping to do something about it this weekend, fingers crossed.

Too bad we don't have Target in Canada, because Gemma would be wearing these by now!

{six}

I'm in love with this baby blanket! I love how its ombre and chevron and chunky and soft! However, its knitted and I don't knit. I crochet. And I don't really wanna re-learn to knit right now, I've got a limited amount of time to make a blanket for this gestating baby so I'm going to try and MacGyver something up so that I can crochet. And possibly do it in purples and greys. 

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{seven}

The weekend plans are going to be a nice combo of trying to finish things up with our deck, playing outside with the kids if its nice tomorrow, and then the husband and I are going out to a pro-life dinner that wonderfully includes dressing up! And the babes are staying the night with my parents so it sounds like a great time doesn't it? 

Have a great fall weekend!

small new etsy find!

Whoa-my self-photography skills are really amazing aren't they?

But try to ignore them for a minute and check out these super sweet little cameo earrings I just bought from Etsy! I was in a cameo mood one day and bought these earrings and a small vintage orange cameo pendant that I also love for a steal! These earrings are from bellachicdesigns and I think will make me happy for a long time to come. 

from bellachicdesign@etsy.com

I love how small they are but still very precise and feminine.

Check out this cute little shop for more finds too!

fall philosophy

With these beautiful fall days we've been outside trying to take in the leaves while they're still around, and generally enjoy the last warm days of the year. As the kids are tromping along and playing they usually comment about the trees and pretty much anything they see-its constant stream of consciousness with toddlers! And now that Gemma's old enough she's started asking the great "why?" to about anything and everything. 

For instance; "Why do they leaves turn yellow and have to fall off Mama?"

This question has me somewhat stumped as to how to answer.

"Because this is how nature works; things grow and then they die."

That seems a little dark for toddler philosophy doesn't it? 

Or how bout: "Just as we die and then experience the Resurrection and new life of Christ so too must the leaves turn yellow, fall off, and die so that they may live anew next spring!" 

Holy theology lecture batman! 

Is it terrible and wrong to admit that I've been going with just the plain old: "That's how trees get ready for the cold winter honey, losing their leaves helps the big tree trunk stay warm." I mean its not scientifically correct, and it does not take full advantage of the depth of spiritual metaphor that fall really is in actuality, but I figure its the simplest step to one day talking about those things right? 

On a sidenote: I really enjoy the changing of seasons just because of their spiritual connotations. There is something comforting in knowing that all of nature experiences a falling away, dying, and darkness and that there is always a spring to a winter. I know, cue emo music here!

Fall-its here and all the leaves are almost all gone!

It's officially fall! I love all the fall colours and the warmth and cozyness changing seasons bring!

Our September has been insanely beautiful, as in almost warmer than our August and waaay warmer than our July this year, so I haven't done too many fall things yet. But all the leaves were perfect this weekend and I even got to go for a walk in miles of yellow forest....wait for it....BY MYSELF. It was a pretty big deal! The trees were perfect and that smell of the leaves changing was everywhere. It was a great afternoon of a little much needed solitude. 

But forsooth! Yesterday and today the wind is blowing strongly so the poor leaves are blowing away already! Alberta Falls really do only last 2 days! And then once the leaves are gone everything is bare and brown until the middle of November when it snows enough to cover everything is pure white. Its the bare/brown part of the year I have trouble dealing with.

I've tried to get some fall pics of the kids, but I swear they're getting worse for pictures not better! Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? 

Have a great Fall Monday!

Way too much laundry...

Does this seem to be more than a weeks worth of baby socks and underwear? 

It seemed like too much to me as I was trying to find matching pairs for over 10 minutes! There is a lot to be said for those little babies growing up in tropical climes where only a loincloth is needed...I wonder what the moms do with all that free time? Probably tan...

The prettiest fall tabletop from Anthro...

I'm in love with this table setting from Anthropologie! 

I'm a hopeless tableware addict, but these lace plates and bowls are just so pretty!

And the eggplant little pot-right up my alley!

Of course, don't get me started on those "country life" creamer and teapot, we're talking white ceramic animals here people, otherwise known as shopping crack!

Plus, who doesn't wanna go out and buy some foxy brandy glasses now??

Downton Abbey

I've forgotten to write how much I loved Downton Abbey! I watched it about a month ago and was instantly hooked. Its an incredibly gorgeous show to watch, but the acting, writing and story are all great. I am a true sucker for most any British drama, throw in some period costuming and I'm a happy girl. Downton Abbey takes place right before the outbreak of World War I, and mixes up the luxurious life of the very lucky British aristocracy with the intrigues of the servants who keep up the jaw-dropping estate. The second season is already in the works so catch up on this soon!