MollyWogBlog

A New Duvet Cover AND Loveseat!

2009-08-03T15:54:00.003-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about wanting a new duvet cover. Well I found the perfect one at HomeSense (love that store!). The green leaves match the green wall in our bedroom, and the white keeps it nice and light and summery. I couldn't help but buy matching sheets while I was there too!

I also blogged about wanting to find accent chairs for the living room. Instead, I came across this bonded leather loveseat at The Brick and couldn't pass up the deal... at $399 it was half off!!! I think it fits perfectly in that space... looks like a Man Cave!

We moved the futon upstairs to the guest room. Its comfy enough for overnight visitors, and folds up for everyday use (AKA a place for Ben to throw his clothes!)

That's it for now. Next major purchases will be for our bathroom reno in the fall... stay tuned!

A New Flowerbed!

2009-08-02T18:11:00.001-05:00

Mom and Dad are up for the weekend and they brought the best housewarming gift we could ask for- perennials and free installation!! After over 26 mm. of rain yesterday, we were rarin' to go today and git'r'done!!!
Here is all the flowers and soil, ready to go. Some of the flowers are from Vanderwees Greenhouse in Thunder Bay and some are right from my parents' gardens!

The first thing we did was lay out garden hose to determine where we wanted the "edge" to be. We decided on an irregular shape- nothing too formal looking. Next, Dad put his tough looking boots to use to cut out the grass.

We loaded up all the grass and hauled it away, then picked any big rocks out.

Next, we put plastic edging all the way around the dirt. This keeps the grass from growing in on your plants.

Next, we laid out the bags of topsoil and then spread it out evenly. 10 bags were just enough for this 3ft x 11ft. bed.

Now the fun part- deciding which plants go where! We put the tall plants (or the ones that will be tall eventually) at the back and the lower ones at the front.

And one by one, we planted each flower.

Finally- the finished product!! It will fill in over time, or we can always add another plant here or there.
Below, my favourite flower- the Foxglove. Unfortunately it's a Biennial so I will have to enjoy these blooms while they last!
Thanks, Mom and Dad! I love it and will enjoy it for years to come!!

The Search for the Perfect Duvet Cover...

2009-07-20T18:17:00.009-05:00

OK, I really want a new duvet cover! Something a bit more light and calming than what we have had for the past couple years.
Here is our bed now (LOVING the new box spring by the way- totally beats sleeping on the floor!)I have been surfing for ideas and here's what I came up with so far- I seem to be drawn to soft neutrals or whites, and nothing too modern or trendy. One accent wall in our bedroom is a sage green colour, the rest are white, and the bed frame is wood- as you can see.

This first style is from IKEA. Not sure if the colour is right but I love the pattern!This colour would go really well in our room.

I am a sucker for paisley! This next set is made by Nautica, but it might have too much blue for my liking.

What can I say, it's an obsession! this set below is from Williams-Sonoma Home.

Or I could just be boring and go with clean, classic white.
Pros: easy to clean (Bleach if needed), can accessorize with different throws, pillows, etc.
Cons: Black dog hairs would show reallly easily! too boring!(?)

What do you think?? Any other ideas?

Rain, Rain....

2009-07-17T14:28:00.008-05:00

It's been raining all week! Luckily today it appears to be breaking up and the weekend forecast is looking good :)

The poor weather gave us a chance to get some stuff done around the house. We finally hung our hard-earned University degrees and some artwork in the office:

I brightened up the kitchen with these lilies from the garden- aren't they pretty!?

And now I am waiting for the split boxsprings to arrive (our queen sized boxspring wouldn't fit up the stairs...) Last night we assembled the bed. It was given to us by Ben's parents, who received it as a wedding present 34 years ago!!! It's made of barnboard from their family farm.. cool, huh? There is even a light behind the headboard for a retro 70's feel...

Here's where we had to sleep last night. It will be nice to finally get off the floor!
PS- I am in the market for a new duvet cover... any suggestions for colour/ style??

OOH! I think I hear the delivery truck!!

Garden Update

2009-07-15T18:33:00.005-05:00

First off- we have eavestroughs!!! Should help keep the basement nice and dry, especially with all this rain we've been having lately..The skies aren't looking too friendly this evening...
My Lady's Mantle is just starting to bloom. Not the most showy plant, but that's ok- it was one of the plants that "came with" the house!

Guess what!? It turns out I have Japanese Tiger Lilies! They just sprouted these little stem bulbils- that's how you know they are the "real thing"- I can't wait to see the blooms, but it might be a couple weeks yet.

In the meantime, I have these pretty Asiatic Lilies blooming- this one stalk alone has 11 blooms on it!

The Purple Asters are becoming a deep purple- so pretty.

And the Thrift is just starting to bloom- tiny delicate white flowers.

Finally, the sunflower seeds I planted a couple weeks ago are all starting to sprout! Hopefully they will be able to flower before first frost!

I'm Baaaaack!

2009-07-15T18:09:00.007-05:00

I'm back after a short hiatus involving a trip to Thunder Bay for one of my best friend's Bachelorette. Lets just say there was a falic cake, bull riding, and a biker bar involved... soo much fun!!
I also managed to squeeze in some shopping while there (naturally), and my new favourite store is definitely HomeSense!!
Here are some of my best buys from the trip.... also too boring to show: white bathrug, floofy new pillows for Ben and I, a garden hose reel that leaks like craaaazy (and is being returned), soy sauce, curry paste, and dog food!! HAHA.
Anyways- on to the good stuff!
First off- tomato plants that my dad lovingly started from seed! I better not kill them! I put them in the sunniest spot in my yard (basically in the middle of the backyard) and they seem to be doing fine... so far!

Next- some pretty Delphiniums my mom bought for me at the greenhouse. Both her and my dad are coming up here August long weekend with a trunk full of perennials and we are going to make a new flower bed out front for them! I'm really excited!

Below, a herb planter that my mom put together for me, don't you just love how it sits on the railing?! Now if I only knew some recipes that used fresh herbs. At least they are a nice smell at the front door!
I picked up these Adirondack chairs from Canadian Tire for under $20 each. Always looking for a bargain! They will be put to better use once we build a deck.

Molly showing off my new outdoor mat, and beautifully practicing "stay" :)

Love love LOVE this purse from Walmart... another bargain at $10!

And the mother of all bargains- a FREE handmade desk courtesy of Kijiji!!! Its a bit wobbly so we will have to add another crossbeam at the back. But hey, the price was right! And it almost completes our office- only thing left to do is hang artwork and Uni degrees!

Cute laundry hamper from Home Outfitters- looks kinda retro but I love that the liner is removable!
And now for the not-so-great buy of the trip, a pair of microvelvet chairs from HomeSense. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but as soon as we got them in the house we knew they weren't the right "fit". They are going back, and the hunt continues! (Something with arms as per Ben's instructions!)

Indian Night!

2009-07-06T09:05:00.003-05:00

I made a really delicious Indian-themed meal tonight: Butter Chicken, Coconut Rice, and Spicy Chickpeas. Super easy... here's how!

In your trusty rice cooker, combine 1 can coconut milk (make sure it's not light), 2 cups Jasmine white rice, 2 cups water, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp sugar. Turn the rice cooker on after you start cooking your chicken.

For the butter chicken, I used a prepared Butter Chicken sauce from a jar- all I had to do was cook the pieces of chicken, then add the sauce. Easy peasy!

Now, for the chickpea recipe (which I am obsessed with right now and could probably eat it twice a week for the rest of my life)
You will need:

1 x 14oz. can of chickpeas (AKA Garbanzo Beans)- drained.
1/2 cup cilantro (lightly chopped)
1/4 lemon juice (fresh is best!)
1/3 cup purple onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. tumeric
1/2 tsp. cayenne (depending on how hot you want it)
2 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground corriander
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 tbsp. fish sauce (or soy sauce)
1tbsp. water
2 tbsp. oil for stir frying
optional- 3 to 4 tbsp. coconut milk

I start off by chopping everything up, and then combining the fish sauce, water, and all dry spices (except pepper) in a bowl at the side.

Then heat the pan and stirfry the garlic and onions for about a minute.

Add the spice mixture.
Stifry briefly
Add chickpeas
continue stirring until chickpeas are covered and warm.
Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, black pepper, cilantro, and coconut milk (if desired)
Do a taste test. Adjust salt levels by adding more fish sauce if not salty enough, or more lemon juice if too salty. Serve with rice, ENJOY :)

The finished product. Quick, easy and OH SO delish!!!

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T11:35:00.006-05:00

We are having our housewarming party tonight! I baked up some Herb and Garlic baguettes, and this yummy hot artichoke and spinach dip- can't wait to try them out!

I have been puttering around the yard and gardens the past few days. We are lucky to have inherited some (very grown over) perennials with the house. I think I have ID'd most of them, with some help from people with greener thumbs!

oh, and this spider (ew) seems to be the only critter who is using my hummingbird feeder so far!

Thrift
Someone is obsessed with the hose!!

Either Carnation or Dianthus

Some variety of lily

Another Lily... they are going to be spectacular once they bloom!

Purple Aster

pansy (they are scattered all over the yard! I felt bad when I had to cut the grass!)

Shasta Daisies about to open up

Lilacs

Happy (Belated) Canada Day!

2009-07-02T08:44:00.002-05:00

Happy Canada Day everyone! Hope you enjoyed it and were able to relax and enjoy your country :)
Molly and I made a trip into Dryden (1 hr. away) to try our hand/ paw at Flyball! It was in an arena with a ton of other chaotic things going on (clowns, Shriners, noisemakers, kids parachute, rollerblades... you get the idea) but Molly did really well, picked it up super fast!Next week is outside, that will be much nicer!

What Rainy Days are For....

2009-06-30T16:52:00.003-05:00

The weather has been AWFUL pretty much ever since we moved in! With wind, rain, and an outside temp of 8C this morning, I woke up, turned on the furnace, and curled up on the couch to watch "Up". It was really good- great animation, and a cute story for kids and adults. I got a little too cozy and dozed off just before the end... whoops.

I squeezed in some time this afternoon between rainshowers to take Molly to the park for some fetch. She LOVES to chase tennis balls, and LOVES to run. Tomorrow we are starting our first flyball class in Dryden! I am nervous but I know she will love it. I just hope she listens with all the other distractions around!

Now I am making some peanut butter cookies with my KitchenAid. Boy do I love this machine. It makes any recipe quick and easy (and fun!!)

The cookies before they went in the oven.... nothing says Peanut Butter Cookie like a good fork crosshatch!! The cookies all warm and golden in the oven (I didn't think they would expand so much!)

Time to enjoy a hot cuppa coffee and a warm cookie.. yummm!

2009-06-29T17:53:00.004-05:00

"Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it"

We love our art. It is a reflection of who we are, where we've been, and where we're going. I love filling every little wall and nook with our favourite pieces.

The Hunt for the Perfect Armchairs....

2009-06-29T08:42:00.003-05:00

Now that I have the summer off, I have a lot of time on my hands!!!!
Which means I can make grand plans for our house... first order of business is to find 2 matching armchairs to put in the living room, instead of that big chunky futon.
We aren't looking to break the bank here (already did that when we signed the mortgage docs.. haha) so I am looking for small, simple, preferrably leather or leather-look armchairs.

Let's start with Ikea... our closest location is Toronto, so we would have to pay shipping which I imagine would be expensive. But some of their styles are pretty fun.

This chair is a fun green colour and is $329 The Brick had this for $250. I think it's pretty much exactly what we are looking for, but we would have to see it in person to get a good idea of the dimensions.

For a pricier $329 we could get into a trendy print from Home Depot. But I am thinking it may be too busy... not as timeless as a leather chair. The print appeals to me but I can't imagine Ben would be a big fan... especially with the bear rug behind it on the wall!What are your thoughts?? Leather? print? Solid fabric? Any other ideas?

All moved in!

2009-06-28T15:49:00.004-05:00

We are officially all moved in to the new house!!! Here is the "finished product"- the living room/ dining area. The futon is a bit too big for this space so we are moving it upstairs to the guest room.
Bad news.... our boxspring doesn't fit up the stairs :( so we had to shell out $300 for a split boxspring! Luckily we were able to sell the old one and get it out of our way!

As you can see... Molly is feeling quite comfy in her new home... Did you know she's a Redwings fan!? ;)

It really started to feel like home when we had our first Pizza Night here.... it's a weekly tradition for us!

We have all our art up on the walls now- the finishing touch!

Lastly- the scary basement for those who are interested! A good place to store all our extra "stuff"!

Almost there!

2009-06-25T13:48:00.002-05:00

It's actually starting to look like a HOME :)
I brought a bunch of kitchen stuff over, and found a place for everything. It's nice having so much cupboard space!

Speaking of cupboards.... the white sure is bright and pretty, but I'm gonna have to keep on top of cleaning... fingerprints show too easily!!

The office! See yesterday's post for the "before" picture. What a difference a bookshelf and wire shelving rack make! The Escher print will go up on the wall in that spot and the desk (waiting to be picked up in Thunder Bay) will go underneath it. And apparently Ben's gun safe will go in the right hand corner :S

One day closer to moving in....

2009-06-24T14:22:00.004-05:00

Some pics from today! Everything is slowly starting to take shape!

The living room. Our 2 couches will go against each wall, and our TV will go in the right hand corner beside the window. Molly's bed will go upstairs and some other stuff will get shuffled around too... a work in progress!

We got our first parcel at the house today.... Molly's dog bed from Orvis. It looks great- has a nice washable cover, and foam beads inside so its all squishy. She doesn't seem to be too sold on it yet though!

Ben and I are both big Tragically Hip fans. Doesn't this poster fit perfectly here!?

These prints came from an Inuit art calendar. The oranges really pop in our kitchen. we are going to hang them above the stove.

This is what will soon be the office.... what a mess! Once we get some shelving in here it should hopefully be less of a disaster....

Molly relaxing in the yard :)

Look what I found! Some Tiger Lilies! They are overgrown with other weeds but do look like they are about to bloom :)

Pics of our house!!!

2009-06-23T08:33:00.005-05:00

here is Random mishmash of pics from the house... so far!!
I just LOVE this shelving at the top of the stairs. Otherwise it would be wasted space. Instead of cluttering it up with storage, I am displaying our favourite books and collections. I added the mirror behind the lowest shelf for some fun and depth. Now I think all 3 shelves should have one!Also love the pretty details like the old fashioned glass doorknobs!
Molly scoping out the neighbourhood
"Mom, where's all the furniture!?"
Back porch. I think it needs some planters to liven it up!
backyard. So much grass!
We have lilacs!!!
Now for my least favourite part of the house.... the bathroom!!! Gold- flecked tileboard on the walls, the monstrosity of a medicine cabinet, and those purple cabinets.... UGH!
At least the tub surround is new. What do you think of my new shower curtain?? Love it or hate it?
The empty living room (looking from the kitchen)
The kitchen. Still unsure about the orange.
Front porch. Starting to look like a home!!

We're In!!!

2009-06-22T20:36:00.002-05:00

Well, we have the house!!!! WE have our very own house and property!!!! I don't think it has even sunk in yet!
I brought a bunch of boxes over this afternoon and started unpacking right away. I had a lot of fun choosing where everything will go. The kitchen has a lot more storage space than our apartment, but I am sure it will take us a while to figure out the perfect spot for everything- food, pots, pans, plates, glasses, junk drawer! etc!
I discovered one of the best features about our house- built in shelves at the top of the stairs. They are shallow and open, just the right size. I will post a picture of it tomorrow, but its a perfect place to store and show off all our books and favourite little things.
Molly seemed to like the place- she was running around the house like a monkey. I think she likes the traction that she gets on the carpets- she's used to slippery hardwood at the apartment. She also really liked looking out the front door to street level, and keeping a close eye on the neighbourhood!
I will head back tomorrow morning with a few more boxes. Can't wait to actually get moved in and start living there!!!
One day at a time....

The newest member of the Beattie family!!!

2009-06-22T13:53:00.002-05:00

Introducing my new nephew.... GORDON!!!!
I haven't met him yet but am already in love!!! Congrats to Erin and Steve, his new proud Mommy and Daddy!! :)

sitting, waiting, wishing.....

2009-06-22T13:06:00.004-05:00

So it's 1:00 and I am sitting by the phone, waiting for the call that I can get my keys!! I guess all the money has to change hands through lawyers first. and of course they need a lunch break too!

I am already planning some quick easy touch-ups for the house.... and I am in love with these barn stars that you can put on the exterior of your house.

How cool would one look above the front door!?
Also- picture 2 dormer windows upstairs!!!! The wheels in my head are spinning!!

CLOSING DAY!

2009-06-22T07:30:00.003-05:00

So today is the big day!!! I woke up before 6 this morning because I was so excited! I work for the morning and then should be able to pick up the keys from our realtor!! We went to the house last night for a final walk-through with the seller and our realtor, just to make sure everything was in place and good to go. He actually has left us a bunch of good stuff- cleaning supplies, tons of paint, 2 boxes of laminate flooring that matches the stuff already in the kitchen, foam underlay, and paint chips. We forgot to look in the shed outside. Hopefully he didn't leave any junk in there, unless he left us the lawnmower!! That would be ok!
The house is very small- probably about the same size as our apartment, so we are going to have to be creative with our layout and storage. The kitchen is open to the living room and there is no actual eating area so we are going to have to incorporate it into the living room. I liked this idea (see picture) from The Nest, and think it can work in our house.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

2009-06-21T10:00:00.003-05:00

postsecret.blogspot.com
Happy Father's Day, Dad and all the other Dads out there!

World's Worst Blogger.

2009-06-21T09:10:00.010-05:00

It has been exactly 1 year to the day since I last posted on this blog!!!!
A lot has happened since then... here is a rundown....
- moved to Sioux Lookout with Ben and Molly :)- landed job as substitute teacher, and LOVE IT!
- drove to BC in October for friends' wedding at the top of a mountain
- said goodbye to my Nana Kathy, and childhood pets Simba and Jake. RIP, you will all be missed dearly.
- had a fun getaway to Rhode Island for a friend's wedding in January
- WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!! yippeeee!!!Now for the fun part... packing and moving... :(

Nature's Garden

2008-06-21T18:53:00.003-05:00

Who needs a garden when you have all these beautiful flowers growing in the bush!?

Strawberry plant.... soon to have yummy berries!

Buttercup.

A rosebud peeking through

Even though these look a lot like Trilliums, they are Bunchberries. Trilliums only have 3 petals on each flower.

Pretty little yellow ones... not sure what they are though.

Found this pretty Lady's Slipper, which is actually an orchid! just outside our cabin. I can't wait for it to open up!

A Walk in The Woods

2008-06-21T18:46:00.001-05:00

Went for a walk down the road today and finally remembered to bring my camera. All the little plants are starting to bloom and show signs of new life.

Here's the mandatory Molly pic :)

The road.

New growth on spruce tree.

sun and fun

2008-06-18T18:55:00.005-05:00

I have been so busy enjoying the sunny warm weather the past few days that I have neglected to update the blog! So here are a few recent pics.....

We went fishing last night. It was Molly's second time in the boat.

At one point, Molly got a bit too excited about my crankbait lure and jumped/ fell in the lake after it... she sunk but then quickly figured out how to stay afloat before being pulled out!

Molly keeping warm after the cold dunk

Today I *almost* jumped in the lake but then decided against it after feeling the water. Brooke, on the other hand.....

...is a little fish!!!

Blake was happy to just sit and watch!

Best friends :)

Wedding Do's and Don'ts

2008-06-15T08:49:00.005-05:00

I have a few good friends who are getting married within the next year or so. Recently, we were looking at wedding pictures and commenting on them in our usual crude sarcastic manner, and I began to make a list of rules for WHEN my friend gets married. Well, instead of a list, I am going to post some pictures for you of wedding DON'TS!!!

This one's for you. And you know who you are ;)

Rule #1 (THE rule): the bride CANNOT wear sunglasses. At all.

No matter how crazy the after-party gets, the bride may NOT attempt a kegstand.Under NO circumstances is it ok for you, or anyone at your wedding, to wear cammo.

No matter how awesome the idea sounds, you cannot have a cake made in the likeness of you.

You cannot let your groom get wasted

You cannot let your flower girl decorate your cake

No cake fights (so tacky)

And finally, if one of your bridesmaid's is pregnant, you cannot force her to wear a dress that she doesn't feel comfortable in.

I LOVE This!

2008-06-15T08:10:00.004-05:00

OK, the cat's out of the bag.... you can send real postcards for FREE from your computer and I want everyone to hear about it!
I first heard about it on Facebook, so I added the application, sent me and a couple of my friends a postcard, and sure enough, it showed up in my mail about a week later. There's no catch, except you have to choose a banner ad to put on the back of your postcard. But you can choose any picture you want, write a paragraph or two on the back, and then send to anywhere in Canada or the US.
Check out the Hippopost website, or else add it on Facebook. And send your grandma a postcard!

Father's Day Secrets

2008-06-15T08:03:00.004-05:00

Head on over to Postsecret for this week's new batch of postcards, all with a Father's Day theme. This was the only happy one I could find. Sometimes the secrets can be very dark.

Happy Fathers Day!

2008-06-15T05:00:00.002-05:00

Make a Smilebox free ecard

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, DAD! Love ya! see you in July for some fishing :)

PS- I made this cool card for my Dad on Hallmark's website. You can add any of your own pictures (up to 8 per card) and choose a song to go with it.

2008-06-11T13:09:00.003-05:00

There is not enough time in the day to do all the nothing we want to do

- Bill Watterson

Images of a Rainy Day

2008-06-09T17:00:00.007-05:00

So this is what my world looks like on a rainy day.

A sleepy dog, little cabin, and Northern Exposure! I am just getting into it, but I like it! It doesn't hurt that Aidan from Sex and the City is in it.... hotty!!

Listen to This!!!

2008-06-08T13:09:00.004-05:00

If you like Corb Lund, or other folk/ rock/ country type music, you HAVE TO check out Hayes Carll. Ben and I can't get enough of his new CD, "Trouble in Mind". If you ever get the chance to see him, he is equally amazing in concert.
Check it out.... listen to one of my faves, Drunken Poet's Dream (click here)

Summer has finally found us :)

2008-06-08T10:49:00.008-05:00

Beautiful couple days in a row here. Gotta love the feeling of the warm sun on your skin for the first time of the summer.View from the lodge. Lac Seul, ON.

Molly finally seems to be taking to the water. Yesterday after a long walk she waded right in on her own.
And then shook off all over me! I am pretty sure that dogs do that on purpose.

New Sunday Secrets!

2008-06-08T10:40:00.003-05:00

Head on over to Postsecret for some juicy Sunday secrets. I love waking up on a Sunday and realizing that today there are new secrets to read! Be warned: once you look, you will be addicted!

Dragonfly Season

2008-06-07T12:25:00.003-05:00

While out walking today, I saw my first dragonfly of the season. A sure sign of summer! There are more dragonflies up here than I have seen anywhere else in Ontario. I am always so intrigued by these little flying carnivores, and throughout the years have learned some pretty interesting things about them:

- dragonflies got their name because of their huge jaws that they use to eat other insects including bumblebees and butterflies!
- they have been around since before dinosaurs and at one time had a wingspan of 28 inches
- adults lay their eggs in water and these eggs later hatch as nymphs. Nymphs live underwater for up to 3 years, and then their skin breaks open and an adult dragonfly emerges. Adult dragonflies live for only a matter of months.

I once saw a dragonfly coming out of the nymph, it was one of the craziest things I have ever seen! The nymph was so ugly and prehistoric looking and then this beautiful dragonfly emerged. I hope to get some dragonfly pictures of my own this summer.

fish on!

2008-06-07T12:08:00.002-05:00

Ben took Molly and I out fishing the other night. Great to be back out on the lake again. Caught my first fish of the year, a nice 17 inch bass. It was also Molly's first time in the boat and she did great. I think she was tempted to chase after the lures!

Life on the Lake

2008-06-04T13:24:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone;
I am now up at the fishing lodge. This means slow internet, so likely less posts. But I will try to update weekly with pictures!
Right now I am in the process of cleaning/ organizing/ unpacking. We are living in a tiny shed so space and storage is at a minimum. Might have to get Ben to build me a few more shelves!

Postsecret

2008-06-02T12:18:00.003-05:00

New Sunday Secrets!
(posted Monday due to technical problems)
Postsecret has also now created a Facebook fan page. It is updated weekly with new secrets (as picture albums) but seems to be creating quite a stir. Since Facebook albums allow comments, people often comment on the serets, and judge them. The creator of Postsecret, Frank, has asked people to kindly refrain from comments but it isn't working. I see the point.... these secrets are better left as a mystery, they are not there to be judged and dissected. What do you think about the Postsecret Fan Page? Should comments be allowed?

I Got Carried Away.......

2008-05-31T01:11:00.004-05:00

LOVED IT!!!!
I don't want to give anything away, but if you are a fan of the TV series, GO SEE this movie! You will not be disappointed. It was quite long (over 2 hours) but it was so satisfying, like an extra long episode. It took place 3 years after the final episode. It had everything you would expect from the girls: raunchy humour, hillarious moments, relationship/ friendship drama, high fashion (most of it fugly if you ask me), and lots of surprises. All the characters seemed wiser and more settled into their 40 something lives, and a couple new characters were added too. The only part I didn't like is that there was a lot of Mr Big (AKA John James Preston!) in this movie, and I have never been his biggest fan. But I could overlook that. I want to see it again!!

Molly's Training Update

2008-05-29T14:53:00.001-05:00

Training your dog is a fun and stimulating activity for them, as long as there is always a reward involved. I reward Molly with anything small and bite sized, such as cut up hot dogs, puppy bones, or cheese. It is important to train your dog in short sessions, full of lots of treats and encouragement, and followed by a play session. Molly has already learned sit, stay, lay down, and shake a paw. She is a fast learner and we are always practicing and looking for new tricks to learn. Today I came across this website with a how-to video on training tricks. Just simple tricks, such as shake a paw, wave!!, and rollover. Molly pretty much has shake a paw down pat, so we tried wave, but I think that one will take us a while to master.... but she learned roll over right away!! Practice makes perfect!!
Molly still isn't enjoying the crate so much.... after learning how to escape it, she is obsessed with trying to get out. So I need to keep her busy now when I leave her in there. I find that a KONG toy keeps her occupied long enough to forget about being left alone. I like to stuff it full of any of her favourites: treats, wet dog food, fruit, hot dogs, yogurt, and peanut butter keeps her woking away at it for a long time, and offers her a continuous reward.
As long as you keep it positive, training your dog will pay off in the long run with a happy, obedient companion.

Sunny Skies!!!

2008-05-29T14:18:00.001-05:00

Molly and I have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather lately....

Playing fetch and laying around in the sun.....

loves it!!! :)

May 27: Happy Birthday Mom!!

2008-05-26T17:25:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday, Mom! Like a fine wine, you only get better with age!! Love Kelly xoxo

Tuffy Dog Toys

2008-05-25T12:40:00.001-05:00

Molly is one spoiled granddogger! My mom brought her to the pet store today and bought her some treats and a couple of these TUFFY toys. She is a powerful chewer and so far has destroyed every one of her toys and then ripped the stuffing out. I guess she thinks she is killing it!? Well these toys are truly indestructible and Molly approved!

New Sunday secrets!

2008-05-25T09:34:00.001-05:00

Check out Postsecret today for new secrets. It's my Sunday morning ritual.

2008-05-24T21:32:00.001-05:00

2008-05-24T16:51:00.001-05:00

I hope if dogs ever take
over the world and they
choose a king, they don't
just go by size, because
I bet there are some 
Chihuahuas with some
good ideas. 
 -Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey

I want to read this!

2008-05-24T16:43:00.001-05:00

I stumbled upon the website for this book today, and immediately was intrigued- go see for yourself! A red leather diary from the 1950s was found in a garbage in New York City by a young writer. The diary was written in every day in the 1950s from when the girl was 15 to 19. The writer was able to track down the original author of the diary, hear her stories firsthand, and then wrote this book.

Cape Dorset Art

2008-05-24T15:11:00.000-05:00

Ben and I have started a collection of art from Cape Dorset in the Canadian Arctic. The prints are so stunningly simple, full of bright colours, and each seems to tell its own story. I saw this print by Kenojuak Ashevak when we were in Grand Marais last weekend and was so drawn to it. It is called Gold Fish and was $800. Maybe I will find it on eBay or in Winners!? haha....

You will never look at hand dryers the same way again

2008-05-24T15:06:00.002-05:00

Bacon, anyone?

The countdown is on: ONE WEEK!

2008-05-23T18:58:00.001-05:00

I just bought tickets for the Sex and the City movie on movietickets.c o m for opening night. I am ready to "Get Carried Away". Lame-o tagline for sure, but I am still holding high hopes for this movie. I am avoiding any spoilers so that it is all a surprise. I never wanted Carrie to give in to Big... I was never a fan... he's all wrong for her! As for Samantha... I am on team Smith Jerrod!!!

Can't get this song outta my head.....

2008-05-23T17:07:00.002-05:00

I heard this song somewhere this winter and still love it every time I hear it.....
Hang Me Up to Dry by Cold War Kids
click here to listen to it

Stumble of the Day

2008-05-23T16:04:00.002-05:00

LOLcats
a ridiculous website that features funny cat pictures and Chinglish captions... you either love it or hate it!

A Day at the Dog Park

2008-05-23T15:30:00.000-05:00

Molly and I just got back from the Thunder Bay dog park. She absolutely loves it there, especially when the other dogs chase her around. For some reason she stays close to me... maybe the fact that I have hot dog treats helps!
The dog park is located behind Kal Tire, on Carrick Street. It's not fenced in, but it's huge for this town!!!