one more thing

Just had to brag a little... but to a limited audience. That's my husband!

Parsnippy Times

I keep meaning to update, but the days just slip by. Plus, it's a lot easier to type when Bronwen is napping rather than trying to stick her fingers in the computer's power bar. ;)

www.healthforthewholeself.com- image credit

We are doing well. Just enjoying everyday life. We had a nice little weekend- had some people over for games and chocolate pudding cake (made it in the slow cooker, yum!). Also, on Sunday afternoon we harvested the last of our garden goodness- beautiful parsnips! (Those of you who are not into gardening might not understand how I feel about this, but that's okay). The parsnips have been growing in our garden right from the beginning.. but take about 6 months to reach maturity. They also need a frost to sweeten up a bit. So after our frost on Saturday night, we spent Sunday after church digging in the dirt and pulling them up. Parsnips look kind of like pale white carrots. I don't think that I had ever had one until a few years ago. Pulling them up and seeing how big they are is kind of like a treasure hunt. Alas, I didn't take any pictures as a) I didn't bring my camera, and b)my hands were too cold anyway, and covered in dirt.

Christmas is slowly coming around the corner. I really enjoy this time of year but also don't want it to be too crowded out with events, shopping, and all those other things that tend to make it kind if hectic. We are going to keep it simple this year- not that it's any change from last year really, but it is something that Brian and I value as family. Not really into the big extravagant gifts. Just something special and well thought out. The mall here is extremely busy at this time of year and I'd rather not set foot in there anyway!

We are going to go cut down a tree in a couple of weeks, and put up the Christmas lights and maybe some boughs across the mantelpiece. In Newfoundland there is definitely no shortage of evergreen trees, particularly small stunted ones that are the perfect size for indoors. On December 23 we are flying to Ontario and really looking forward to seeing lots of family and friends. And, making oliebollen for the Dutch citizens of Grimsby on New Year's Eve-Day.. :)

Rainy November

photo credit: www.sarahbessey.com (my favourite blog!)

After my last post about the October sunshine, it has certainly been very gloomy and rainy. It must be November. I found the above picture on a blog that I read frequently. Pretty much sums up my feelings about sunshine from now until next summer, as winter sunshine can also be hard to come by on the coast. If it's sunny out, I will try my hardest to get outside!

little skunk making a getaway

Bronwen's first Halloween was fun! It started off on Tuesday with our playgroup babies getting all dressed up. Though, that party was over pretty quickly when someone puked all over the carpet. It seemed like the affected child had a nasty stomach bug, so everyone went home pretty quickly to avoid cross-contamination. Which happens pretty quickly when there's a lot of "I'll lick this toy- now you can eat it too" going on. I think Bronwen might have gotten a cold as a souvenir of that outing.. but thankfully, no stomach issues.

playing with Jake

found a package of Kleenex

Can you spot: 2 lions, Batman, skunk with the Kleenex, a sick owl, and Superman drinking milk?

I have to admit, I was pretty excited to take the little lady out trick or treating. I know that she doesn't really understand it.. for her, it just involves her mum taking her in and out of the stroller far too many times and having strangers pinch her cheeks (I would turn my face away too! haha). We did get a nice little bucket of candy... tasty for the parents!

It seems to me that trick or treating is a bit of a dying art these days. Though, maybe it depends on your neighbourhood. We got a total of one kid at the door. But, we live on a fairly busy street, and there is a park across the road- meaning, kids who come up our street have half the number of houses for treat options. And, every house on our street is up a little hill, meaning steep driveways and steps to the front door. Also, there aren't many kids in our neighbourhood.

That's my list of excuses, but I think the real reason is a lot of people don't seem to let their kids go to strangers' houses anymore asking for candy. Or the parents like to drive them around to relatives' houses, where they get a big bag full of treats in one go instead of a few candies for each house.

But overall, I think that trick or treating in the neighbourhood is a good activity. It's nice to say hi to the neighbours that you do know, and meet some of the ones you don't. I took Bronwen over to our elderly neighbours next door before supper and had a lovely tea with them, and I think that it pretty much made their week. You know when they bring pets to the hospital for pet therapy visits? I think that babies have sort of the same effect. ;) Also, I met the neighbours who live right behind us, and learned that they are expecting a baby next spring. More little friends- hurray!

even skunks need a cookie break

the next morning.. sleepy eyes!