rideau antiques

You have to see this place in person to believe it. It may be the craziest antique store I have ever seen. It is jam packed, inside and outside, and in all the outlying buildings. I forgot to bring my camera {and Mellisa had only enough battery power for two pictures - this is one of her and I, below}, but you can check out some photos here {Renee found this blog, More Kisses Please, that has great photos}.

Renee introduced Mellisa and I to Rideau Antiques last weekend...

I found these big spools {I just like them...I don't know why. They will probably go in my scrapbooking room}...

and I am sure we will go back to this shop {I have to see what is under all the piles and piles and piles, when the snow melts}. It is just outside of Smiths Falls, so we stopped in at Tomorrow's Treasures and the quilt store across the street {where I picked up some fabric, finally, for my fabric book swap...now to get started on that project...}.

more Winterlude

This past Sunday, we wanted to check out more of the Winterlude festivities, so we bundled up and headed to Dow's Lake...

We checked out some of the snow sculptures on the lake...

and then skated on the Canal...

We convinced R to skate a bit further by promising him a BeaverTail if he skated all the way to this stand, that is located right on the ice...

{So funny, just found this link about Obama having a BeaverTail on his recent visit to Ottawa}

After our day on the ice, we skated over to the Mexicali Rosa's in Dow's Lake Pavilion, where we shared some guacamole...

and watched the skaters outside! {Miss S didn't want to skate today because she was still not feeling great, so we pushed her around in the stroller, but she has been learning to skate this winter}. Such a fun day, and it was topped off being invited to a wonderful dinner at Jill's.

shhhhh....

Miss S having a nap is a very rare occasion these days! I caught her snoozing on the couch the other day while she was watching Dora. She needs her rest, because once again, she is sick. Just the same cough and cold we keep getting over and over, but when is it going to end? The helpful doctor we went to see said "Welcome to the Ottawa Valley. This is the land of the allergy and asthma"! Thanks dude. I hope this is just us getting used to the change in climate, elevation...or something here, and not what we can expect every winter!

I have been a bad blogger, so here is the quick 'catch-up'... Last week there were plenty of play dates! Lee Ann has been bringing her daughter over to play with Miss S while R is at school. We played with Renee and Claire one afternoon. And played with R's classmate E and his little sis, the other Miss S, one day too.

And going back to Valentine's day... Our contractor started work in the basement - we are having the walkout developed with a playroom/TV room area. K and Ian hid in the garage all day installed our new garage door openers, while Jill and I baked cookies with the kiddies...

and made a lasagna dinner for everyone. Sarah also came over and joined us. And the contractor too! Not quite a romantic Valentine's dinner, but it was a good time!

girls night out

to see...

Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Friday night Jill, Jen, Sarah and I hit the theatre.

Enjoyed the books.
Enjoyed the movie.
It is a fun, entertaining chick flick.
Obviously not to be taken seriously.
But perfect for a girls night out!

luv day

R wanted to make a special Valentine for his teacher...

and he was thrilled to pass out Valentine's at school! He came home with a heart-shaped mailbox full of Valentines from his friends. How sweet!

Happy Valentine's Day!

{and Happy Birthday to Kelly! We had a great time at your birthday dinner! I am waiting not so patiently for news of your special delivery...!}

now we're cookin'

We finally have our oven! And to put it to good use right away, the kiddies and I baked some Valentine's treats, at the same time as I was baking chicken and roasted veggies...oooh I love a double oven...

and Miss S still loves cuppy-cakes...

She was a little heavy-handed with the red sprinkles when we were decorating...

And finally what you have all been waiting for {no wait...just I have been waiting for it, and waiting, and waiting}...

How nice to finally have an oven!

52 sketches...

When I was scrapbooking at Kelly's this week, I was admiring some of her recent layouts. She has been following a blog that provides weekly scrapbooking inspiration, 52 Sketches 52 Weeks. I love the idea of getting more scrapbooking done with a little help from some sketches, so I am going to start using their sketches too...thanks Kelly!




I still love Becky Fleck's Page Maps too, for when I am stuck on a layout and need some help getting creative!