Cate spends the day at our house!

I know moms always think I'm crazy when I want to spend time with their kids baking and such, but it is something that I enjoy. I think aunties have a whole different level of patience because it gets tested way way less. Not to mention I really think kids behave differently with aunties. I never have any trouble doing it with them.

So we baked cookies. I asked Cate what kind she wanted to make and she said chocolate. We put several kinds of chips into them.

We played with the wooden train set.

Had a snack. Cate was very impressed that I had cheese whiz.

To finish off the day we painted her finger nails.

What a great day!

creamed honey & other random things

So, I got a good deal on some honey, but it was all nasty and crystallized. I happen to love creamed honey the best, so I did a little internet research to find out how it's made. All those things you think about cream being added or egg whites, or it just being whipped like crazy? False.

Creamed honey is actually crystallized honey, but it's done in a controlled way, to create really tiny and smooth crystals that feel good on your tongue.

There's lot of great websites out there with really great instructions, but basically you warm your yucky crystallized honey until all the crystals are melted. Then you stir in some creamed honey that is crystallized the way you like it and store it in a cool place for a couple of weeks (about 54 degrees fahrenheit). When you check on it you will find it has all turned into the lovely creamed honey you stirred in.

Cool, no?

I've recently acquired some new 'manly' stamps, so I set out to try them.   

I ended up only making one 'man card' and playing more with the other free flowers & cute sayings set, but here's my handiwork.

Family Birthday

We also made the trip to Austin to celebrate Michael's birthday, as well as his brother's (who has his birthday the day after Michael).

We went to 'the hill' a local toboggan run.

FYI: my toque is not white, it's covered in snow that sprayed us on the way down.

Cake & presents!

Birthday!

Michael turned 30 this year.

We had some friends over for ice cream cake and games. It was low key but lots of laughs.

the way home from Calgary

My way home from Calgary was anything but uneventful. I got to the airport, tried to check in at the kiosk and it didn't work. Stood in line to do it with a person after the helpful Westjet staff also tried at the kiosk and couldn't get it to work. While waiting, Malann pulled up my reservation on her phone. That is when we discovered that according to my reservation I was exactly one month early for my flight!

I cannot believe I did such a crazy thing, but I did. So, I asked for options and flying out that day was not one of them (it happened to be the new February stat holiday). Instead I rebooked for the following day. Then I called Michael to let him know I wouldn't be coming home.

He is a dispatcher, and it just so happened that one of his drivers was in Calgary, and not just any driver, his Dad. So, he asked if I wanted to ride with Dad. I said sure, why not? So, I cancelled my flight, got a travel credit and got dropped off at a truck stop instead of the airport.

The wonderful thing about this was extra knitting time, and space to wind a ball of yarn:

This is the sample knitting I did on the road. Trying to decide what would look good with this yarn.

Dad's load delivered in Portage. My dispatcher husband couldn't just leave me stranded there or come pick me up, he managed to arrange a ride from there right to my door with our neighbour & friend, Ben.

Ben wanted to check the mail in his hometown on the way home. This is the post office there. He thinks it's gotta be one of the smallest. I thought it looked pretty cute.

26 hours later than planned, I arrived home, tired, but with a travel credit for next time!

Calgary!

Michael has been wanting to send me to Calgary to visit our friends for a while, but we were waiting for a good seat sale, and it finally came!

The girls.

We went to Canmore for the day. Ate lunch at this great little cafe.

The family in the mountains.

I also got to visit an old friend and his wife.

And another friend/roomie from Capernwray.

I had a great time. Until I tried to leave...

ice skating

For our sacred date, Michael took me ice skating at St Vital Pond.

It was such a gorgeous day I'm wearing my vest. Not a jacket, a vest!

A classic arm shot. Though michael has such long arms they're usually not as dorky looking as my attempts.

Hockey and Chilli Night

*again, this is Esther. Michael has joined up with the leadership team of our church's men's ministry. This is one of the first events he was part of planning.

another round of FO's

I had a card making day with my friend Melissa. I managed to produce a few cards in a couple of hours.

Then I made a diaper sleeve at the request of my cousin. Who was tired of having diapers jump out of her purse when she was pulling other things out.

A make up bag. Seriously, this has got to be one of my favorite things to sew right now. Thanks Colleen for the inspiration!

  

Mittens! To go with the lovely floppy hat I made for my sister.

Heidi Comes to Visit!

Heidi came to visit us!

We started with a tour of Siloam.

This is me at my desk at work.

Then we had supper with Michael and went to Supper Central.

On Saturday we hung around town and tried not to let the bitter cold get to us.

Then we set off to our pampering session, nails & make up. My work staff appreciate party was that evening.

Us at the party.

We stayed at Hotel Fort Garry that night and enjoyed the amazing brunch Sunday morning.

The have the most amazing fluffy bedding I've ever slept in!

The 'spread'

Thanks so much Heidi, I had a great time!