Happy Easter!

Did you do anything special for Easter? This adorable bunny hopped into my parent's yard for the afternoon. The kids were so pumped and were POSITIVE that this was the Easter bunny. It was pretty awesome timing. I hope you were surrounded by loved ones today. xoxo

be still my heart.....

Saturday's 365. I got to take her to ballet class, and watching her spin, leap and run around the room made my heart want to burst. I was so proud to see how much she loved it and how she was enthralled by everything the teacher said. My greatest love growing up were dance classes - the combination of music and movement tapped into a part of my soul like nothing else. It's such an amazing form of expression where every fibre of your physical self is engaged. Ok, so this is beginner's ballet, and I don't know if she'll fall in love with it like I did, but it was a pretty giant life-list kind of moment for me to see her beautiful movement.

my happy place....

Happy Easter weekend friends! What have you got on your line up? Today was one of those great days from start to finish: we took our little gal to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, had tea in the garden with mom, and friends had an impromptu bbq on their beautiful, sun soaked deck. 

Last night, over dinner, a friend mentioned that she had followed the book "The Artist's Way", by Julie Cameron. And in the book, it suggests you take yourself out on a date, to gather inspiration. What would you do if you took yourself out? Where do feel most inspired? For some people, it's the art of eating or creating a beautiful meal, or it's getting absorbed in an engaging movie, or live theatre. It might be a run along the seawall, a stroll through a local gallery, a sports event, a concert, a road trip to somewhere you've never been.... Why don't you treat yourself to a moment that completely connects to your soul. Honestly, for me, it would be to grab my camera and head to a place as beautiful as the Reifel Bird Sanctuary, full of gorgeous pathways, sprawling open vistas, wildlife everywhere and the chance to get lots of exercise in the great outdoors. Nothing rejuvenates my spirit more effectively.  

Why don't you give it a whirl? Pick a date on your calendar, and start planning a fun date, just for yourself. Turn off your phone, and fully immerse yourself in your own company. We spend so much time focussing on everyone else's needs, why not plan a little romance, just for ourselves? Happy planning! xoxo

bunnies: the original hip hop

reminds me of the brilliant lyrics from Rapper's Delight:

I said a hip hop,
Hippie to the hippie,
The hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop.

365 catch up....

Thursday, Apr. 10: a few of my favourite things lately: our new birdfeeder - located right by our living room window, we all enjoy watching these little chickadees gather. My other favourite purchase: I'm obsessed with mason jars and green juice, both individually and together. This concoction I threw together is: 4 stalks of celery, 5 leaves of kale, one granny smith apple, one lemon and half a cucumber. It is completely addicting.

Friday, Apr. 11th: This was a great day. After work, we took dinner over to Mom & Dad and were thrilled to see Mom gobble up all of her food. It's such a wonderful thing to see her appetite returning after some challenging post chemo days. We all sat in the garden and I taught my little gal how to hit the baseball. It was heartwarming to see mom out of bed and regaining her strength. After a great visit with my folks,  the hubs met some buddies at the pub and the girls came over for some catching up. The more people I talk to, the more often I'm struck at how many people are going through Big, life altering changes this year. 2014 is one of enormous challenges. Everyone is leaning on one another. While it has been the most difficult year so far, it's also been the most beautiful. My perspective is razor sharp, I'm finding strength that I never knew I possessed, and I've seen the most beauty that I've ever witnessed in people. The outpouring of support and kindness is beyond anything I've ever seen. I feel like my mom has such a fighting chance with so many people in her corner. She has spent her entire life caring for others, and it's beautiful to see everyone repaying her the favour.

Saturday, Apr. 12: A day in the city. I worked during the day and had roughly three hours to myself before meeting up with the girls for dinner. It's amazing how foreign it felt to have so much time for myself. I was cursing that I didn't bring my running gear because it was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon in Vancouver.  I hit the bookstore, walked up and down Robson Street, bought my daughter some surprises for Easter, sat in the sun people watching whilst sipping delicious green juice, grabbed a veggie dog from a street vendor, bought some sunglasses for $10 (pretty sure they aren't optometrist approved). It all felt so indulgent to have so much free time, and yet oh, so rejuvenating. I met up with the girls for dinner, we hit the Flying Pig, just in time for their happy hour.  We shared some delicious appies and had a great catch up session. It's amazing how much time can pass between visits with everyone living in different cities, but I still feel like we don't miss a beat when we're back together. It's a wonderful dynamic.

Sunday, Apr. 13: Today was an absolute stunner. It felt like a beautiful summer day. After work, I was so excited to play in the sun that I raced home (well, I didn't think I was racing home, but apparently the police did). We ate our dinner on the deck for the first time this year, and I felt really amped for everything sunshine related: farmer's markets, camping, outdoor concerts, beaches, swimming, patio time, gardening, travelling - I just felt the excitement in my belly today. Have you started planning your summer fun? 

the sun on our faces....

I hope you had a chance to feel the sun on your face today. We ventured to one of our favourite playgrounds and had a picnic by the lake. There's nowhere I'd rather live than this province when the sun is shining. (In November, I'd rather live in Maui, but we're talking about right now.)

xoxo

in bloom....

I don't take anything for granted anymore. I try to savour it all. Today I had a great visit with a table full of women who are near and dear to my heart. We chatted about some huge life changes happening among us, and are so thankful we're all in it together. 

I drove past the dreamy blossom filled street in the above photo after a beautiful bedside visit with my mom. She's been having some rough days lately, feeling worn out and nauseous after her first chemo session, so I brought soup and the same fruit juice popsicles that helped me through my pregnancy nausea. We went through old photo albums and shared some happy tears. When I left she was smiling and sitting up, which made me happy to see. One day at a time. One beautifully shared moment at a time. I grabbed this photo as one of my new favourites to frame. She honestly is the most beautiful woman I know, inside and out. Isn't she a knock out? xo