Kelowna

Welcome to Kelowna!

A great town just outside of my hometown of Vernon.  A little city with lots of lakes, sailing, cafes, and shops. 

This is the Ogopogo! 

 Canada's most infamous and elusive water creature.  The Ogopogo can be found in Lake Okanagan in the south-central interior of British Columbia! ...... Do you think he really exsist?

The name Kelowna derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear". Kelowna is also ranked as the 22nd largest metropolitan area in Canada.

doll house

I have now has two days to process the idea of being 25 years old.  This has got me thinking about the simple things in life again.  I am not sure if you remember one of my previous post about simple pleasures, well today I am back on that track.  

Here are some pictures of little houses that I took around Vernon.  They are not mansions, they are not castles, but there is a special charm to each one of these doll houses.  I do not know who lives inside, but I imagine their quality of life to be simply peaceful. 

I would be more than happy to one day have my own little doll house to call home. 

7/26/86

Bubbly Tuesday!!!

25 years ago today I entered the world.  WOW!!! how does time pass so fast? I can only imagine how old my mom is feeling ;)

Since today is also Bubbly Tuesday I am going to take the day to relax, spend some time taking great photographs, and just being around loved ones. 

So my artistic side was trying to come into play...apparently I am turning 52? Nope lets flip that around I am 25!

I love this ring! I purchased it just a few weeks ago from BCBG.  It is a horoscope ring that has the formation of the LEO stars.  It has quickly become my favorite piece of jewelry!

I want to know what you are doing today on this Bubbly Tuesday!!!!

Let me see how the rest of you are spending my BIRTHDAY!

xxoo

how fast it can change

In the past week I have experienced an unfortunate event in my life. Through all the hurt and sadness it has brought not only to me but, the family directly involved has got me thinking......  

How full do we live our lives?

What if your life changed in a split second.....take a moment to think about it.  Would you be content with how you are living your life? Do you feel you are fulfilling every part you are able to?

I know these questions are difficult to answer.  Maybe we don't pay enough attention to them on a day to day basis.  Thinking about oneself can be very challenging.... yet why? We as humans should want to be as happy, successful, fulfilled as possible in our daily routine. 

Life is too short to sit back and watch it pass.  Today is Monday, the beginning of the week,  I want everyone to think about their OWN lives this week, if it ended tomorrow how fulfilled would you be?

GO OUT TO THE WORLD AND START LIVING! NOW!

a little bit of sparkle

There are some people in life who are born with that extra little bit of sparkle.  You know, they just have that extra shine, caring, giving personality.... do you know anyone like that? I am sure you do!!!!

  In my life lately,  I have been blessed to be surrounded by great friends and family. One friend in particular has touched me and my family just that little extra bit.  You have probably seen her through out my posts lately.  

Well here she is again!  These photos really show the sparkle Renee has inside of her.  

I hope you enjoy them :)

Life is so precious and can be changed instantly.  Please take the time today to take in life and recognize the people around you.  Find those people who have that sparkle and engage with them!! 

I am sorry for being distant from my blog, BUT I am back and ready to show you all the pictures I have been capturing!! 

xxoo

Tranquility

I have had unfortunate events happen in my life the last few days so todays post is about tranquility.  These pictures are making me feel at peace. 

paddle bording

wow, has anyone been paddle boarding before? 

IT IS SO MUCH FUN!!!

On Kal Lake in Vernon, you are able to rent paddle boards from a vendor at the beach general store.  On Wednesday's they have what is called wahine nights, which is Hawaiian for girls night!! 

There were about 14 girls who went on the paddle board tour.  It was an hour long, we went out to the middle of the lake, along the shore line, and over to see an eagles nest. 

If you have never been paddle boarding before, and there is an area near you where you can, I DEFINITELY suggest it!!!!

Bubbly Tuesday!

Happy Bubbly Tuesday!!!

This week I am making freezer jam.

Being up in Canada, a lot of people can their own jam from all the fresh berries that are locally grown.  So naturally, I needed to give this a try.  Freezer jam is popular for the fact that you can freeze the jam for up to a year if you desire.  

Here are the easy steps for making your very own freezer jam.

1. hull the strawberries

2. mash the berries in a large mixing bowl

3. for every 4 cups of mashed berries add 1 1/2 cups of sugar

4. mix in sugar and stir for 3 minutes

5. let jam sit for 10 minutes

6. stir in one bag of pectin

7. poor into mason jar (leaving 1 1/2 inches at the top for expansion)

8. let set in fridge for 24 hours

9. keep stored in freezer and enjoy when ready :)


LET ME SEE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING FOR YOUR TUESDAYS!!!! 
link up below

IZABELLA

Meet Izabella!!! How BEAUTIFUL!

In celebration of my official one month of blogging (WOOOHOOOO), I thought I would treat everyone to a special shoot I did of little Izabella!! Turning just 6 months old this little one was an absolute doll to work with.  Her smile just lit up my heart. 

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN ME OVER THE LAST MONTH.  I HAVE BEEN HAVING A BLAST AND I AM GLAD EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THE PICTURES AND STORIES I HAVE BEEN SHARING.  HERE IS TO MANY MORE!!!!! HAPPY MONDAY!

Don't forget tomorrow is Bubbly Tuesday!!! What are you going to do to make Tuesday the best day of the week for you?!! Annnnnd don't forget to let me in on what you are doing, so link up here tomorrow.  CAN'T WAIT!!!

xxoo

simple updates

While I have been staying with my mom for the past few weeks, we have been re-decorating her home.   Moving a picture here and there,  or changing around the sofas can all be fairly easy.  While sitting in the front room one day,  I looked over at the dining room furniture and thought to myself...."OH GOSH, those blue chairs must go!!" 

How can I make that happen??? WELL fairly easy.  I thought mom needed just a little "face lift" to her dinning room set so I decided to re-finish the chairs. 

5 really easy steps. 

1.  Original chair

2.  Remove original (yucky blue) fabric

3. Make sure padding is still useable.  You want your guest to be comfortable but not TOO comfortable or they will never leave ;)

4. Measure old fabric and cut new fabric to correct length

5. Tightly wrap new fabric around padded seat of chair and staple in place

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!!! A WHOLE NEW CHAIR!!!!

Don't you think it looks awesome? I sure do :)

go ahead give your dining set a "face lift!"

Gray Monk

Where I live in the Okanagan Valley in Vernon, B.C. it is full of local wineries.  Yesterday My beautiful Mom and my friend Renee and I went to a nearby winery named Gray Monk.  I visited Gray Monk last summer and just knew I had to go back again while I was home.

Gray Monk looks right over Okanagan Lake.  The vines are facing down the lake in perfect rows.  They have the most beautiful view, when I see them I get so jealous I wish I was a grape vine. 

We had a bite to eat outside on the patio of the restaurant.  WOW, doesn't this cheese platter look yummy!!

Gray Monk is 100% British Columbia grown grapes.  The wine they produce has won award after award both nationally in Canada and world wide.  Check out the wall full of medals and awards above!

We were able to take a tour of the cellar down stairs this time.  We saw everything from where the grapes went as soon as they were picked,  to where the wine sat in stainless steal barrels to process, to oak barrels where the wine will age in, and finally where the wine is dispensed into the bottles and ready to be sold.