Lists & Projects

I've been keeping myself busy lately with never-ending projects! It's been fun to knock some off the old to-do list, and with this glorious weather we're having, it's easy to NOT sit on the couch and get something done instead! Although Sunday was a perfect example of not doing things - a lunch BBQ with friends and enjoying their gloriously shaded backyard, and then a backyard weenie roast with the Wall fam pretty much equals a perfect "summer" day. But when Monday rolled around it was back to all projects all the time!

So what I have I been working on?

1. Yard Stuff
Dan & I made a list of Spring projects we want to at least make a start on. When you throw in regular yard maintenance, it can be a bit intimidating, but with warm weather and longer days we try to tackle these projects in small chunks. Usually we start with 30 minute increments and then keep going if we feel like it.

2. Baby Room Stuff
I'm about 85% done the curtains I'm making. One seam at a time, it feels like!

3. Super Secret Outdoor Project
This one is my most thrilling project that I cannot wait to complete! It's going to make all my summer dreams come true, which I why I am so excited about it!

4. Oh yeah I'm going to Costa Rica
This project is more like "try on all my summer clothes (not fitting!!) and acquire some more and also remember that I'm leaving in 2 weeks!"

5. Find Clothes that Fit
This obviously ties in to the above point, and it's also been hot here. So I've been wearing a lot of skirts, and hitting up the thrift stores, and borrowing some things from not-pregnant-right-now friends. Cute shorts are seemingly impossible to find, so it may be time to make another trip to the dreaded maternity store.

And while I'm making lists, here are some things I've spotted around the internet this week that I am liking:

1. I made this sweet potato salad this past week. Delish!

2. Thinking this pillow would look good in my living room...

3. I want to try this recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Baked Oatmeal

That's it for today! What's occupying your time lately? Any projects happening or new recipes being tested? 

By Request

All two of you who read my blog requested an updated baby belly pic, so here she blows:

I am 24 weeks tomorrow, so that means (let me just google baby size compared to fruit...) Wallaby is as long as a cucumber. What the what? How can 14" of baby be in there???

I've been feeling great - just some restless nights, occasional back pain and stabbing heart pains (not cool, body), which I figure are all par for the course? Kid is moving around like crazy, except when Dan tries to feel it. As soon as he puts his hand on my belly, utter stillness. This baby is already teasing his Dad, and I love it! Dan & I have been pretty laid back about this pregnancy thus far - I even (dun dun DUN) opted to not to get the glucose tolerance test after my midwife laid it all out there in terms of the what and why of these tests and I decided that nope, I wasn't gonna bother. Commence your judgement of me NOW! That's not to say I don't want a healthy, happy pregnancy, and of course a healthy, happy, not enormous baby, but I can't say I am exactly at risk of developing gestational diabetes what with no family history and the diet & lifestyle I have....anyway. In the end it's not your decision, so if you think otherwise, you can just go away.

In other news, we've (I've) been plugging along on the nursery. I even made a terrible "before" video of the room, so look forward to that! The room was basically a catch-all room for 3 years, along with sometimes a room where I sewed things, so there is all kinds of crap in there. We haven't exactly cleaned it out yet, more like just shoved things around so they fit better, so there is still quite a bit of shuffling and moving things and acquiring items to do. In my defense, I did sell some chairs and a couple lamps on Craigslist in the name of clearing out that room, so that is at least something. Baby (ha!) steps, people.

Anyway, here's a sneak peek at the crib Dan & I set up the other night. Totally in love with it! Don't be deceived by the photo, all the other crap in the room is to the right and behind me. Oh yeah, I also made that Roman shade. Details to come as things move along!

Living Room Shuffle

There have been some living room updates afoot in our house! This shuffle has been a very long time in the making. About a year ago I ordered fabric to make curtains for the living room. (I ordered it last May....and finished my project last week!) Last summer Dan & I also had a new tv table made, and just before Christmas I got it sprayed at work. Our Christmas gift to each other was a new tv (which we bought only about two weeks ago). So yeah, we're not going at warp speed or anything over here. Anyway, here's what it looks like today:

We haven't made any major furniture changes other than the tv. Just re-arranged! And finished those blasted burlap curtains. (Which are a pain in the ass to make, but I am pleased with how they turned out!) 

I am really liking the arrangement so far. It's nice to sit in that corner chair and see the rest of our house and outside too. Much better than facing the corner and the tv all the time. We also like that now our living room doesn't scream TV! which it did before. Since we moved it you can't see it from the front door, which is so much better.

Here's the view from the other direction. I have been lobbying for a new rug (before baby comes! because EVERYTHING has to happen before then!) I still like the one we have, but since we switched the layout up a bit, now it looks to small (and is). So far I am undecided between this one and this one. Maybe neither is right, I don't know. Rugs are hard!

My favorite part of our new arrangement is now this little niche is more in view. Of course I have some updates I want to happen here too, but we'll get there eventually! Namely I'd like to paint the back wall behind the shelves. Not sure what colour yet, I just want to make it something fun and unexpected.

That's the latest & greatest at our house. What's going on at yours?

FYI

I found this interesting, and just wanted to post it here for all to see! 

Top 5 facts About the BC Dairy Industry:

1. Canadian farmers receive $0 from the government. 
- American farmers are subsidized by the US government by about 50% to help cover the cost of things like labour, feed and irrigation.

2. Production costs in the US are lower than in Canada.
- It's warmer in the US than in Canada, so American farmers are able to take advantage of a longer growing season which helps lower their costs.
- Input costs such as land, feed, and irrigate are cheaper in the US.

3. Canadian milk is a high quality product.
- Unlike American dairy cows, the use of growth hormones is not permitted with Canadian dairy cows..
- The high level of quality of Canadian milk is guaranteed and standardized by a nation-wide program (Canadian Quality Milk program).

4. The price of milk in American border towns such as Bellingham and Detroit is deliberately lower because American retailers are using milk to attract customers into their stores.

5. Buying Canadian milk supports the local economy and creates employment.
- The BC dairy industry contributes over $1.2 billion to provincial GDP, to which dairy producers alone contribute $560 million.
- The dairy industry supports over 15,000 jobs such as farmers, vets, truck drivers and researchers.