Friday, August 16, 2013

Little Creatures

I've already found several adorable little creatures in and around my garden, and I've found another. Garter snakes are such lovely animals and they're even sweet when they're tiny. This one was hanging out on top of my compost pile and I couldn't resist photographing it.

Baby Garter

And here below is a final photo of my Grey Tree Frog. My parents' caught it back in 2009 and I kept it as a pet until this past week. I decided that after all these years in my care, that the little fella deserved to go back out in the wild. Maybe make some more little froggies. It was really hard for me to let it go, but that's just my nature with animals.

Froggy

I actually acquired three more little life forms on the day I released the frog... Three little catfish, barely the size of my thumb. While walking along the lake shore in North Bay, I saw a large school of them doing their little fishy thing, and couldn't resist taking some home. They're living on my kitchen table in a little tank for the moment. I'll likely release them before the year is through, but I'm enjoying having them for the time being. Cheers!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Family Day Trip

Back on Saturday August 3rd, my parents, grandmother and I went on a little day trip. We took a route driving around Lake Nipissing. We visited Board's Bee Farm, two pottery places, antique shops and other such places. This post is essentially going to be a photo dump because my brain is exhausted from planning my Euro-trip, but at least it's something.

Aug 13 2013 Day Trip K Aug 13 2013 Day Trip F Aug 13 2013 Day Trip J Aug 13 2013 Day Trip I Aug 13 2013 Day Trip H Aug 13 2013 Day Trip G Aug 13 2013 Day Trip E Aug 13 2013 Day Trip C Aug 13 2013 Day Trip A Aug 13 2013 Day Trip D Aug 13 2013 Day Trip B

It was a really lovely day and I'm so glad we were about to go out and do this. Days like these make me glad I moved back home to be around my family. Time is precious, and all the more so with those we love. Cheers!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Back to my Roots

My ancestral French roots that is... Because I'm flying out to France next week!!! It's a very spur of the moment trip - something which I seem to do a lot this year - but I've got my plane and train tickets and hostels and hotel all booked and now I just need to get there.

August 14 2013

Things I'm excited for are the Catacombs, the Nature Museum, seeing Jim Morrison's grave and eating tasty treats from traditional French pastry shops. I'll also be spending two nights in Brussels, Belgium. I'm extremely excited about the chocolate and beer. It's a solo trip, which is a bit intimidating, but I know it's also really going to help me grow as an individual and boost my self-confidence and show me what I'm capable of on my own... France and Belgium, woo! Cheers!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Friday, August 2, 2013

Lazy Rainbow

It's been a long week, with a lot of ups and downs. It's not even 5:30am and I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee and House playing in the background, slowly getting ready for work. I've got a three day weekend and I am so happy about it. Hopefully I can make the most of every moment.

July 30 2013 B
Dress - Purchased from Sally Jane Vintage on Etsy
Sandals - Thrifted from Value Village

 I'm nervous about school coming up in September, wondering if I'll have my uniform and kitchen kit all taken care of in time. Wondering if I'll be able to cut it in the course. But I'm excited too. Part of me wishes the month were already over so I could start. But I also don't want to watch the rest of my summer disappear either. I'm just really bad at giving my notice at work.

July 30 2013 A

My toes have been rainbow-coloured since I went to the All Stars festival. I like their multicoloured joyousness - happy toes! But I should end this now and go finish getting ready so I don't wind up late. I hope you have a good long weekend. Cheers!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Dirt Under My Nails

Here are some photos of my garden as it progresses. I don't have a whole lot to say about it except that I'm very happy. The garden got a good weeding a few days after taking these photos so it'll look neater come the next round. Things are flowering though, which is great!

Garden July 25 C Garden July 25 E

I had no idea a potato and green pepper flowers could be so pretty!

Garden July 25 GGarden July 25 F Garden July 25 B Garden July 25 D

My yellow beans are climbing up the ornamental indian corn like crazy, this one in particular has this stalk in a death grip! That's why I planted them together though, and it's working wonderfully.

 Garden July 25 A

Even in the few days since I've taken these photos, the plants have grown tremendously. The changes happen in leaps and bounds, it always amazes me to notice the changes. It's almost more exciting at this stage than it was waiting for things to sprout and begin growing. I hope those of you who garden are enjoying things are much as me! Cheers!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Ripe

I work hard, and when I get home, I don't always really feel like getting dressed up in a complex outfit. It's times like those that wonderfully simple frocks come to my rescue. This tie-dye dress has been in my wardrobe for several years now, and while it doesn't get tons of wear, I still love it. In a way, it symbolizes the beginning of my journey into who I am now.

July 26 2013 B
 Dress - Purchased from After Shower Shop on Etsy

I actually wore this dress in one of my very first ever posts on this blog, back in September of 2010. It seems like a lifetime ago when I look back on it, even though it's been barely three years. I've changed a lot and come a long way.

July 26 2013 A

My outward appearance is quite similar, but on the inside, I'm a whole new person. I was a little green sprout back then, and now I'm a thriving tree with leaves unfurled. Being in my mid-twenties, I'm still very young and have a lot of growing and changing to do yet. But being able to look back and see and feel my progress and growth is really nice.

July 26 2013 C

The sun rises every morning, granting us a new day to do with as we please. It's up to us to use that time to our best advantage, to enjoy it, and this life we have under that sun. I used to struggle through my days, slogging through them like a chore, forever living for the horizon without any real goal or destination in mind. My days were slipping by unnoticed, wasted, when those days were exactly what living is all about. I'm doing my best not to waste any more sun rises, and to relish all the sunsets. I hope to enjoy so many more. Cheers!