tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85966539858369239242024-02-07T09:03:17.800-06:00ducky house | the quacks of Tamara the blogging of Tamara Frampton Vieira - lover of vintage, sewing, quilting, photography, home education & sourdough bread baking…all at the duckyhouse. Winnipeg, MB.duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.comBlogger487125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-22138079895597153562022-10-25T21:48:00.014-05:002022-10-25T22:11:20.223-05:00<p>Hello blog. How are you? I've been thinking about visiting you lately and dusting off the keyboard in an attempt to write out a post. It's been 4 1/2 years since my last update and life has been rolling along at break-neck speed. Somedays I feel as though I've been hanging on to a life preserver and other days I've found myself drowning in all the change. </p>
<div>I suppose it is good to recognize when you don't like change, my hand is raised at the moment. It's not a place I thrive in. I don't like reinvention. I'm not a great at it. I mostly just want to live a quiet simple life, with days blending into one another and a predictability that comes from all things stable and calm. </div>
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<p>Maybe that's why the idea of blogging never fully leaves me. It represents a time in my life when things felt really good. When I could count on my days being mostly the same and creativity thrived. I have felt very challenged in the latter, the past few years. Change will do that and when I feel challenged by my circumstances I can get pretty quiet. Like hold-all-my-cards so tightly against my chest that I forget that I have to still play the game. It's not a good scenario all around.</p>
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<p>So, blogging may just be the thing needed. A requirement of sorts to show up. To write and create and at the very least it will give me a chance to clean up this space a bit. When I moved it from typepad to a free blog hosting, the formatting went wildly wacky. I'm not even sure if blogger is adequate, but for now it will have to do.</p>
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<p/>I think I'd like to keep things pretty simple here, posts will be projects I'm currently working on, maybe some cool things I'm cooking up in the kitchen, creative stuff like that. The days of posting about my kids & homeschooling are behind me as they are onto the next chapter in their own lives. You'll have to be satisfied with photos of my four-legged furry kids. They are the companions that stick to me like glue these days. Oh and I have no idea how often a post will happen as I'm terribly out of practice with blogging skills - photography & writing posts, etc. But I do want a place to catalogue my creative endeavours. and maybe one day find a small community of creatives who are doing the same. In the meantime, I may be the only one reading my own posts, and that is fine too. But let's give this thing a roll shall we?!
</p>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-60144425942166390782018-04-22T16:56:00.181-05:002022-10-25T17:49:13.159-05:003 years later... <p>
Question: when you've been absent from your own blog for over three years, does that make you a visitor of your own blog? Ha! Yes, I've have been very absent from this space. I have no particular reason. Life has continued on. I still sew, knit and make the crafts things. I'm still homeschooing, I still have 4 children at home, that I'm still raising/guiding with my husband of almost 25 years. We still live in the same house that we've been slowly renovating over the past 10 years. I'm not sure that ever ends?!
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<p><br />Some things have changed in the past 3 years. We've said goodbye to our beloved family in 2016 - Spencer. We welcomed new pets into our home - 2 lop-eared house buns that live free range in my daughters' bedroom; and one very obnoxiously, delightful puppy that joined our family in the spring of 2017.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7d-qxshLdBgdwevdqTQDhaNegOHfIFrUj5JYxCWiBI_VYRlyIUwsqc1p5ym1s59rJ0x4kc4PC5VNJ-MBXjz-CFhVDYK2EVw77olwVL-ptj9nVSh39iq3w8BP_zVgsGE2YhfWUayDfcmfZhVgG5CkovG7f9ofBZasSRnnqW5OMwiB3hGxvXAe67oZ5" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7d-qxshLdBgdwevdqTQDhaNegOHfIFrUj5JYxCWiBI_VYRlyIUwsqc1p5ym1s59rJ0x4kc4PC5VNJ-MBXjz-CFhVDYK2EVw77olwVL-ptj9nVSh39iq3w8BP_zVgsGE2YhfWUayDfcmfZhVgG5CkovG7f9ofBZasSRnnqW5OMwiB3hGxvXAe67oZ5" width="660" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqKIV5F_1a6LHGh_pYVHPlq11HpYTZjF5wEdPZUM28-Vmi_EXcsCagd8A6YG9R_2GBeiQDCCiMNmvBbQPzqR_LgCONOxD-ImaFm6zJATMVJZMjOGU_v3myReiDOs6mycO_kKRdIcne0IAM45OaEkut4St_qSnVgmgepexu_P3BqSDB9LR07vMPxq90" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqKIV5F_1a6LHGh_pYVHPlq11HpYTZjF5wEdPZUM28-Vmi_EXcsCagd8A6YG9R_2GBeiQDCCiMNmvBbQPzqR_LgCONOxD-ImaFm6zJATMVJZMjOGU_v3myReiDOs6mycO_kKRdIcne0IAM45OaEkut4St_qSnVgmgepexu_P3BqSDB9LR07vMPxq90" width="660" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZx7pOlcYTh63fZYqLotfi9-yB0sSIqaf0GCtri5gWLNLlDfbe4txNYen-IZ4PNWHdXV-FEnnZ57qsSNSJOvMCSx-jnZkFijPm_30TwovD5twJd3CDluXCkTH28ct3oyDaW86NaFDHRV_jVQrIK0QXhIHSZla4Kswfs_sfR03qkfbhK2QxHuO_ExU2" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZx7pOlcYTh63fZYqLotfi9-yB0sSIqaf0GCtri5gWLNLlDfbe4txNYen-IZ4PNWHdXV-FEnnZ57qsSNSJOvMCSx-jnZkFijPm_30TwovD5twJd3CDluXCkTH28ct3oyDaW86NaFDHRV_jVQrIK0QXhIHSZla4Kswfs_sfR03qkfbhK2QxHuO_ExU2" width="660" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Over the years I've contemplated deleting this space. But I get immobilized by the countless memories preserved in these virtual pages that I can't seem to let go of. So many of the early years consists of posts and images of my children when they were young. It's definitely a beautiful scrapbook of our lives since my kids aren't signing up to have their images taken anymore, let alone published on a blog. Things change right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp-8Mi2EwAxslJm4xiCn-KkEfCRehgvnFJ-2mxtWD5LJxcyQceSK3nPpjhNRys7sBCbdM__O5loJGrjrTUfWIQ1R8mgLw1YdLExTXuUDUekN4cKMC0o-1qX0qW0crJxdRZEn6gUcRMStnYWbo-MVzT2_mhi5uzXmTs0QsL_ibdcufzoeSQWJ6He5y1" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp-8Mi2EwAxslJm4xiCn-KkEfCRehgvnFJ-2mxtWD5LJxcyQceSK3nPpjhNRys7sBCbdM__O5loJGrjrTUfWIQ1R8mgLw1YdLExTXuUDUekN4cKMC0o-1qX0qW0crJxdRZEn6gUcRMStnYWbo-MVzT2_mhi5uzXmTs0QsL_ibdcufzoeSQWJ6He5y1" width="660" /></a></div>
<p><span style="font-size: x-small;">*photo of kids from a few years back*</span></p><p>If you managed to keep up with me at all, most of my social media activity for the past few years has taken place on instagram. But since the fall of 2017 I've noticed my productivity on that medium waining. Honestly, I'm starting to feel like instagram has run its course. While the snapshot photos provide a quick view into your life, they lack a certain personal interaction that you could get with the blog. Can I gripe for a minute and tell you how strongly I dislike how instagram has messed up people's feeds, I think the inability to see the feed chronologically keeps me feeling even more disconnected from friends I follow. And don't get me started on the endless, irrelevant ads... Egads! I suppose when things starting to swing that way, I found myself losing interest. I'm probably not alone. I don't know what today's answer is to instagram, which seemed to replace the good ol' blog for many.<br />
</p><p>So where does that leave me today? I'm busier now and that generally that keeps me from posting on this space or instagram. I mentioned that I'm still homeschooling (some of) my kids - 17 years now actually. My oldest son is in university. My second son has just completed his final year of high school and has some tentative plans for post secondary education in the fall of 2018. I'm down to my last two homeschoolers, my twin girls, we are finishing up grade 8 this year. Homeschooling has been a big part of my life and making sure my kids have lots of opportunity for extracurricular activities takes up a huge chunk of my time. When I'm not homeschooling I work half-time outside of the home, and I'm pretty disciplined about fitness, so really that leaves me a few hours in the week to create/make things and sometimes I don't even manage even that. Have I mentioned sleep and age yet? I noticed this strange correlation between my age and late night productivity. The older I get, the less productive I am after 9 pm. When I was younger, those were my best creative hours. Now after 9 pm, the yawning starts and I find myself heading towards all things bed. Sleep has become so very important to me now that I am getting ready to head into my 5th decade. Wow! I can't believe that is around the corner. Someone pinch me!!<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-53208813604142167592015-03-11T10:30:00.010-05:002022-10-25T19:07:02.891-05:00felted dog bedI have two dogs that have made their appearance in my blog (& <a href="https://instagram.com/p/yYRta4Lno7/?modal=true" target="_blank">instagram</a>) from time to time. Well last year we had to break them of the sleep on furniture habit as we purchased new couches for both our living & family rooms. I couldn't let my pampered pooches make them become glorified dog beds this time around. Yeah sure, once in a while in the family room is okay, but not on a daily basis and <i>never</i> if we aren't around. It was a hard learned lesson for my pups but I think we have succeeded in getting the message across.<br />
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Enter the new dog bed. My dogs are pretty simple creatures. Most days they want an old pillow or a crumpled up blanket to sleep on. That's when I remembered seeing this post on <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-make-a-patchwork-pet-be-80294" target="_blank">apartment therapy</a>.<br />
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<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM0QV6m_pIJ_55-BjHGHyUNUn1L_vvv8n2owI13L-oAL623DToldJ59F0x_ye5VwNVA9dFBGeVx7qOsne--hEjEZi2GaeG7X_Nj7S3LqjVTHdHwBHhwKZnZ3x0N0ZhNKfQKd-cHCf_tV2-t6r6q16pAe1J-W5uNNefo__GyLQNtpt0MUPpTZJhSzo/s2312/IMG_6308.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2312" data-original-width="2312" height="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHM0QV6m_pIJ_55-BjHGHyUNUn1L_vvv8n2owI13L-oAL623DToldJ59F0x_ye5VwNVA9dFBGeVx7qOsne--hEjEZi2GaeG7X_Nj7S3LqjVTHdHwBHhwKZnZ3x0N0ZhNKfQKd-cHCf_tV2-t6r6q16pAe1J-W5uNNefo__GyLQNtpt0MUPpTZJhSzo/s320/IMG_6308.JPG" width="660" /></a></div><div>Back in my hard core thrifting days I managed to amass a nice selection of sweaters for felting, no doubt for some great craft idea that has come and gone. It was back in the days when I made a couple of <a href="http://www.duckyhouse.ca/2007/02/slow-days-and-fur-balls.html" target="_blank">felted bunnies</a> for my wee girlies. I hung onto the sweaters in hopes that I would be re-inspired to use them and I can say that this is probably one of the first times that has actually worked. I set to work cutting up the felted sweaters into various sized squares. Sewed them back up in a patchwork style. The final product needed to be large enough to cover an old pillow front to back. Next I sewed the one long edge (the other long edge is folded) and short end. I left an opening on the opposite short end for the pillow to be inserted, and I sewed a strip of velcro on the short end for ease of opening and closing in case I need to add a new pillow or things need to be washed. (Best part about the washing thing is you can easily use hot water with no fear of shrinkage as it is already felted). Check out the apartment therapy post as it has step-by-step instructions.<br />
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Really super easy project start to finish. And I think it might be a wee bit more attractive than seeing an old white, naked pillow laying on the floor. It is Lily approved too! Now to get busy on the second one.<br />
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</div>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-44443996148310019442015-03-09T21:06:00.000-05:002015-03-10T23:46:53.367-05:00somewhere far, far, away...<div>
Have I ever told you how much I love Heather Ross' fabric? I mean love. I have quite a few of her fabric lines sitting in my fabric stash. They are just waiting for the perfect project - crazy right? I know it. I totally realize how ocd that is and I'm trying to curb that tendency to <strike>hoard</strike> save fabric. I mean for gosh darn sake, it's only fabric right? (I really want to think that way. I mean what is the point of buying fabric if you aren't going to use it?)<br />
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I have long realized that collecting fabric, for me, is just as much fun as sewing the fabric. But after a while collecting without using can also become a burden... and burdens tend to be life sucking. So in the interest of fun, I finally cut into my precious Heather Ross Far Far Away II fabric. </div>
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A bit about the fabric: it was originally printed by Kokka fabrics and I'm hoping it will be re-printed - like the princess and the pea was - in quilters cotton. I'm sure I'll be all over that line if it comes again, but I digress. The fabric is a hefty 80% linen/20% cotton blend which tells me off the hop that is is going to be sturdy. Nice for some crafty functional projects.</div>
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First thing I needed was that perfect project *cough, cough. Since my girls have been in need of pouches for their pencils, erasers and such, I thought this would be a good jump off point. This usually starts with a quick drawing in my sketch book and then onto prototype stage made from my endless vintage sheet supply.<br />
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Once I tweaked the project I was all set. Armed with my rotary cutter and a new "use it up" attitude, I took a deep breath and cut into my stash. And you know it wasn't too painful. The fabric, both the fabulous art and weight were a great choice for my girls' pouches.<br />
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<i>Miss A's pouch: front</i></div>
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<i>Miss J's pouch: front</i><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/13393950175/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<i>back</i><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="640" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/13394322444/in/photostream/player/" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-34240600333935974702015-02-13T17:05:00.003-06:002015-03-10T23:47:14.773-05:00mini quilt swap = mini swoon <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14326706689" title="Block 1: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt by tamara, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 1: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2919/14326706689_13421e40a3_o.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14512194902" title="Block 2: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt by tamara, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 2: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3885/14512194902_10151c7aaf_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Last year I participated in round 2 of the schnitzel & boo mini quilt swap. It was a good distraction before the dreaded house remodeling started and it got me dusting off my sewing machine. Anything to get me sewing is always good in my books.<br />
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I was given a bit information about who I would be sewing for, their fabric likes/dislikes, designers they admire, pattern likes, etc. Armed with that information I choose Camille Ross Kelley's mini swoon quilt pattern. I've been crushing on her big swoon pattern for quite a while now and thought my foray into the swoon world via a mini would be a good place to start. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14328650219" title="Block 3: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt #swoonminiquilt by tamara, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 3: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt #swoonminiquilt" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/14328650219_8dbf9938bf_o.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14557677473" title="Block 4: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt #swoonminiquilt by tamara, on Flickr"><img alt="Block 4: mini swoon for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt #swoonminiquilt" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3860/14557677473_7fb3e730fa_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
My partner favoured cool, neutral colours. The fabric was an easy selection for me as I too am partial to the cool neutrals. I used Denyse Schmidt Hope Valley fabrics paired with Robert Kaufman's Essesx in flax. It was my first time sewing with the Essex. It was definitely easier than sewing with straight linen but pairing it up with Hope Valley - quilting cotton - in a mini quilt made getting points perfect a bit challenging. I think the weight of Essex might lend itself to larger projects but I'll have to confirm that when I attempt that next. <br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14543480004" title="Scrappy binding for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt #swoonminiquilt #makeaquiltmakeafriend by tamara, on Flickr"><img alt="Scrappy binding for the #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #miniquilt #swoonminiquilt #makeaquiltmakeafriend" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/14543480004_83fa913b19_o.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14566249514" title="Mini swoon finished. Hope it works out for you secret partner :) #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #makeaquiltmakeafriend #swoonminiquilt #miniquilt by tamara, on Flickr"><img alt="Mini swoon finished. Hope it works out for you secret partner :) #schnitzelandboominiquiltswap #makeaquiltmakeafriend #swoonminiquilt #miniquilt" height="640" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2933/14566249514_20774d41f4_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
quilt stats:<br />
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fabric: Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt, Essex (flax) Robert Kaufman<br />
backing: (not visible) Hope Valley<br />
pattern: <a href="http://thimbleblossoms.bigcartel.com/product/mini-swoon-paper-pdf-170" target="_blank">Mini Swoon by Thimble Blossoms</a><br />
quilting: straight crisscross lines by me.<br />
dimensions: approx. 22" x 22"<br />
gifted to: Sarah of <a href="http://www.duckeggthreads.co.uk/2014/09/in-wink-of-eye-summer-is-over/" target="_blank">duck egg threads</a>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-49220639520983874212015-02-04T20:05:00.000-06:002015-03-10T23:48:21.356-05:00In a nutshell Hello blog world.<br />
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It has been almost 8 months since I wrote my last blog post. A terribly long time to be away from one's blog don't you think? At the very least it is a sure fire way to lose all your blog readers. While I didn't intend to do that, I'm sure my switch from blogging platform Typepad to Blogger last March (2014) didn't help in that arena as well. Good thing I'm not in it for the readership.<br />
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In spite of my effort, I will press on in blog land, in one form or another. It's a nice space to come to. I know the blogging thing has morphed over the past few years. People don't read them as much, and a lot of the new ones that pop up now are super techie with tons of advertising. It's all fine with me, people have to do what they feel led to do, after all no one size fits all.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">June 2014</span></i><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14467994145/" title="Miss A and me having a morning cuddle. #daughter #1of2 by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Miss A and me having a morning cuddle. #daughter #1of2" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3920/14467994145_c3e347f62e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">July 2104</span></i><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14642991516/" title="Storybook perfect: I love living near the lake. #lakeliving #familywalk by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Storybook perfect: I love living near the lake. #lakeliving #familywalk" height="640" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5484/14642991516_f195697bc3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sept 2014</span></i><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/15326200892/" title="Widr: family walk #family #simplicity #beautifulevening by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Widr: family walk #family #simplicity #beautifulevening" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/15326200892_b548be87c9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Oct 2014</span></i><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/15488556589/" title="Pumpkin carving #halloween #pumpkincarving #spooky #boo by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Pumpkin carving #halloween #pumpkincarving #spooky #boo" height="640" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3938/15488556589_5aa17f6995_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jan 2015</i></span><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/16196557402/" title="Christmas is coming down. Time to reclaim our space and pack things up for another year. #ornaments #newyear by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Christmas is coming down. Time to reclaim our space and pack things up for another year. #ornaments #newyear" height="640" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7492/16196557402_40885b5cc8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jan 2015</i></span><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/16047154139/" title="Girlies are icing the gingerbread. #cookies #homemade #homeschooling #gingebreadcookies by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Girlies are icing the gingerbread. #cookies #homemade #homeschooling #gingebreadcookies" height="640" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8649/16047154139_f35cbccb1d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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For me however, I think I will keep this space simple. When I first started this blog - back in 2007, it was for me an online journal of sorts. A place where I could look back and see some of my accomplishments and also capture snippets of my life with 4 kids - those young magical years filled with sweet times together. I love looking back on those years in my blog; mostly because I have been lousy at putting photo albums together and those images of my little kidlets are readily available.<br />
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So if this is the case - keeping the blog alive - where have I been for the past year? Well, as with all things best intentions get laid aside for practicality, and I am a practical girl. The short version is the hubby and I continued our 6 year long <a href="http://www.duckyhouse.ca/search/label/renovation" target="_blank">renovation</a> on the duckyhouse. We started in July optimistically thinking we could rip it off in 3 weeks. Excuse me while I pause and laugh my face off. Hahahaha. Good one. Well it lasted until Christmas, mostly. Then I feverishly threw the house together for Christmas, including wrapping gifts until 4:00am on Christmas Day. Lame I know. Such was my year in 2014. I was very happy to see the end of it and start a new year.<br />
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So far this year has been good. I'm a month into 2015 and I finally got my word - "fearless". Yup, I'm planning on being fearless this year. I might need help with it once in a while but fearless it is. I've got a few big decisions looming and perhaps, just perhaps being fearless will help me get to where I need to go.<br />
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<i>Photos are from my instagram account June 2014 - Jan 2015</i><br />
<br />duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-59968039852056642482014-06-14T16:05:00.000-05:002014-06-14T16:07:51.944-05:00grandma's sweater
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14235346309/" title="grandma's sweater by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="grandma's sweater" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14235346309_2725e3e790_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14420860154/" title="backside view by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="backside view" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5075/14420860154_9b92952046_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14235538757/" title="cabled yoke by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="cabled yoke" height="457" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2917/14235538757_4a99c13b2e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Catching you back up to where we left off on my <a href="http://www.duckyhouse.ca/2014/03/crafty-goings-on.html">last blogging post</a> (pre-blog-move). I was working on a sweater for my mum. It knit up super quickly and just sat there waiting to be assembled, washed, blocked and modelled. For the record, that is miss a. modelling the sweater. Yes it is too big for her, but fits my mum pretty awesome. This pattern was very straight forward to knit. The cable yoke was a delightful detour from the stocking stitch. The buttons are from my vintage button stash. I will be uploading this project to my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/duckyhouse" target="_blank">ravelry page</a>. In the meantime, the pattern can be found here: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/design-e---cable-yoke-cardigans">sirdar cable-yoke cardigan</a>.duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-59936328027905601842014-06-10T20:11:00.000-05:002014-06-15T23:22:01.665-05:00welcome here!<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14208278447/" title="hello pretty gerbera daisy by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14208278447_1e41fd3224_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="hello pretty gerbera daisy"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14414900643/" title="gerbera daisy by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3844/14414900643_0d60043253_z.jpg" width="640" height="420" alt="gerbera daisy"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/14391372301/" title="hope by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5235/14391372301_9364de2eed_z.jpg" width="640" height="435" alt="hope"></a>
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I'm making myself at home in this new space and looking forward to making new friends! Hope to see you around :)duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-25592235147341261792014-03-07T21:06:00.000-06:002014-06-14T15:27:04.038-05:00crafty goings-on<br />
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I'm knitting. One of my projects is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sothia" target="_self">Sothia shawl</a>. I love the feel of finger weight yarn, so light and airy.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12529785405/" title="Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrating with some yarn and heading out to son #2's soccer game. #knitting #shawl by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Happy Valentine's Day! Celebrating with some yarn and heading out to son #2's soccer game. #knitting #shawl" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/12529785405_df606742cf.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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The other project which has taken over most of my knitting time is something I'm making for my mum. She's had this chunky yard sitting in her closet for 17 years! Yes, you read that right, 17 years!! She was hoping she would pick up knitting but alas, I don't think it is her thing, ya think? I talked her into letting me knit up a cardigan and she obliged once I reminded her of when she purchased it (I'm playing the bad daughter/good daughter card). The pattern I'm using is from <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/design-e---cable-yoke-cardigans" target="_self">Sirdar</a>, the yarn is Beehive Shetland Chunky, long since discontinued.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12936479253/" title="The mystery cables from a couple of pictures back have found their place. Still have to make the yoke, right and left ribbing as well as button decisions. #knitting #handmade #birthdaygift by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="The mystery cables from a couple of pictures back have found their place. Still have to make the yoke, right and left ribbing as well as button decisions. #knitting #handmade #birthdaygift" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3779/12936479253_dc9542fbb4.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12847327093/" title="cables, cables, cables #knitting #onthesticks by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="cables, cables, cables #knitting #onthesticks" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/12847327093_0aac28782d.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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And since the majority of our time has been laying low the past month, I took some time to teach the girlies how to do some basic knitting. They picked up on it really fast and have been enjoying making little scarves for their plush babies.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12842771985/" title="Twin B learning how to knit. #knitting #homeschooling #handmade by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Twin B learning how to knit. #knitting #homeschooling #handmade" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/12842771985_3c61b5195a.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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Speaking of babies, isn't this little guy just the cutest? He came and stayed for us for a week while his family went on a vacation to California. We couldn't resist putting a few doll clothes on the little guy - hope that doesn't mess with his masculinity. Haha.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12617812014/" title="@shelleyallan @andrewallann @ashleyisford @nathanallan @matthewrallan Dear family: thanks for leaving me with the twin girl cousins. I feel totally humiliated right now as they dress me in doll clothes. At least they love me to pieces. #saveme #toypoodles by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="@shelleyallan @andrewallann @ashleyisford @nathanallan @matthewrallan Dear family: thanks for leaving me with the twin girl cousins. I feel totally humiliated right now as they dress me in doll clothes. At least they love me to pieces. #saveme #toypoodles" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/12617812014_df8360c5ef.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-54351737299674489822014-03-07T11:10:00.000-06:002014-12-18T21:34:22.583-06:00knitting, notes, etc<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12974548693/" title="A house of sickies means the only homeschooling going on around here is reading #homeschooling #reading #inkdeath #winterbegone by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="A house of sickies means the only homeschooling going on around here is reading #homeschooling #reading #inkdeath #winterbegone" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7341/12974548693_2ccd45f1e3.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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Are you in the midst of endless winter like we are? Argh! I really don't mind winter and having grown up in the Canadian Prairies I'm a big season fan, but this winter is trying my patience. *so. much. cold. so. much. snow.* Proof you say? Well here is my son who is 5'9" shovelling snow at the back door. It's getting hard to know what to do with the white stuff.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12961424715/" title="Out my back door. We gave up clearing the patio last month. The snow has been relentless and we aren't sure where to put it as the hills are almost bigger than us. That's my son who is 5'9". We ca no longer see the lake from our back door. #winterbegone by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Out my back door. We gave up clearing the patio last month. The snow has been relentless and we aren't sure where to put it as the hills are almost bigger than us. That's my son who is 5'9". We ca no longer see the lake from our back door. #winterbegone" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2048/12961424715_9006978df9.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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It hasn't helped that our crew is sick yet again. Hence my absence from the computer. We are taking it all in stride and doing our best to keep our spirits up. Even if that means mid day basking in the sun from the indoors. For a brief moment it gives me the illusion that everything is green and growing outside. Yes I'm a dreamer.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12779277073/" title="Selfie with son number 2. Lately we've all been hanging out in my sunny bedroom soaking in the afternoon rays. It's the perfect reading spot. #sunshine #dreamingofwarmerdays #winteryoucanleavenow by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Selfie with son number 2. Lately we've all been hanging out in my sunny bedroom soaking in the afternoon rays. It's the perfect reading spot. #sunshine #dreamingofwarmerdays #winteryoucanleavenow" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2880/12779277073_aeff5f22b7.jpg" height="500" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a></div>
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duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-347169144809458342014-02-12T03:16:00.000-06:002014-12-18T21:35:00.380-06:00mintedThey arrived! A sweet package from <a href="http://www.minted.com/" target="_self">minted</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12474186574/" title="minted box by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="minted box" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/12474186574_2c2c095801.jpg" height="383" width="500" /></a><br />
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I ordered Thank You/New Year cards last month for those who attended a big famiy birthday party that we had in late 2013. Besides the "thank you" portion, I owe family & friends updated photos of my growing crew.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12473855173/" title="minted contents by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="minted contents" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/12473855173_d00a176f3b.jpg" height="374" width="500" /></a><br />
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I've been waiting to get them all addressed and sent out before I committed to this post. No sense in spoiling the snail mail surprise for the recipients who are reading my blog.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12474187764/" title="package contents by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="package contents" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/12474187764_3deed18d0c.jpg" height="353" width="500" /></a><br />
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My thoughts: The photo is 5 x 7 in size with a nice matte finish. It will be easy for people to frame later on, if so desired. I ordered 25 cards plus envelopes and I didn't bother with their proof reading service so that saved me a bit extra cash. Shipping to Canada was via FedEx and cost $9.95, great for over the border.<br />
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Overall, the process was simple and delivery was quick. I really enjoyed my minted experience and I will definitely be ordering from them again.duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-90030038554418809762014-02-07T03:18:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:44:53.564-05:00detoursI started sewing a project last week, that I cut in December. It's been sitting on my desk in a pile waiting to be constructed. It was supposed to be a hexagon quilt following this <a href="http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2010/04/hexagon-quilt-along-cutting.html" target="_self">tutorial</a>, but I ran into a snag and now it is an accidental adaptation of jaybird's hexagon quilt.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12355818855/" title="points by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="points" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/12355818855_7b03d41d4f.jpg" height="334" width="500" /></a><br />
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I say accidental because after cutting out a 1/4 of my triangles, I realized that I was cutting them wrong. Duh! I'd like to blame it on the very high fever I had before Christmas while we were all down with the flu. yuck! Sadly though, my only defense is that my brain was on some other wave length. Unexplainable but good for me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12356261324/" title="sideview by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="sideview" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/12356261324_04f38f2025.jpg" height="500" width="338" /></a><br />
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You see normally my perfectionist side would have righted that wrong by starting again. However these days my time is precious and sometimes to complete a project you have to forge through and embrace the detour.<br />
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I won't end up with the result that I was hoping for when I started the hexagon quilt, instead I am now on my way to completing a jewel quilt. No matter which way, they are both sweet.duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-56635588906487505292014-01-29T03:00:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:44:53.562-05:00I need a distractionIt's cold here. really cold. the kind of cold that makes me want to stay under the covers all day, drink hot chocolate and eat sugary sweets so I can lay down belly fat to get through the rest of winter. Since none of those options are happening, I have to find other ways to keep myself <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">distracted</span> happy: yarn!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12199868834/" title="sirdar montana by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="sirdar montana" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/12199868834_1ab0101755.jpg" height="362" width="500" /></a><br />
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Knitting does the trick in a pinch. Pick up a project, pull it out for a 1/2 hour here and there, take it with you when you do have to go out. It's the ultimate busy mum's companion. In my last post about knitting I was getting very close to finishing a vest that I have spent tons of time picking up and putting down. That vest is all finished (here's a sneak peek), except for the yarn that needs to be weaved in. Would I be a bad crafter if I said that I wore the vest the other day and just tucked those threads in? don't judge me :/<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12108622154/" title="Sneak peek: lazaro vest completed. #mirasolcollection #hachoyarn #knitting #thistookforever by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Sneak peek: lazaro vest completed. #mirasolcollection #hachoyarn #knitting #thistookforever" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5492/12108622154_36cb6ede1a.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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Shopping for yarn is almost as fun as knitting. I really could be a yarn stash hog. I'm already a fabric one. don't judge me. I tried out a new to me knitting store: <a href="http://www.loveknitting.com/ca/" target="_self">loveknitting.com</a> and I have to say they had me at "free shipping" over $50. For us Canadians that only happens if someone lives in the same town as you. On top of it I ordered during their January sale so the yarn was super-priced! The yarn arrived in the cutest organza bags all snug like bugs in a rug. Great packaging! FYI, the January sale is ending soon so if you need some yarn, you still have a couple of days to stock up.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11984367283/" title="New yarn, new to me store from loveknitting.com #loveknitting #crafty by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="New yarn, new to me store from loveknitting.com #loveknitting #crafty" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2887/11984367283_e837c8b79f.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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I ordered the Sirdar montana yarn. It's an economical acrylic/wool blend, as sometimes I don't want to spend eyons of dollars on a sweater that I know is not going to fit in one years time. Which means I was planning on using this yarn for my girlies. I still haven't completely decided on what I will be making yet. I'm currently loving on these: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/olearia" target="_self">olearia</a>, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bulle" target="_self">bulle</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paprika-2" target="_self">paprika</a>. I have to make the final decision soon as my fingers are itching to get knitting. Are you a knitter? If so, what are you working on?duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-90208576891480442172014-01-27T03:00:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:44:53.566-05:00chalkboard calendarJust over a week ago I was eyeing the very sad calendar page pinned to my fridge. The calendar is both sad and small, easy to ignore and unremarkable. Then my son missed his orthodontist appointment because sad, small calendar is not only unremarkable but also hard to read with it's small print.<br />
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Something needed to be done. It had to be dramatic and noticeable, it had to be easy. And so came the chalkboard calendar idea. I googled the concept and found lots of <a href="http://www.google.ca/search?q=chalkboard+calendar&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=OQLmUt-aMsaisASXyIF4&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1015&bih=889" target="_self">inspiration</a>. This particular one caught my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/63774260/chalkboard-wall-calendar-with-memo-vinyl" target="_self">eye</a>, it's less permanent which can be a good thing if you don't want to mark up your walls. However I'm a mix-it & paint girl so I went the route of paint.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11997840676/" title="Because I really needed a chalkboard wall calendar in the kitchen. #chalkboard #painted #calendar by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Because I really needed a chalkboard wall calendar in the kitchen. #chalkboard #painted #calendar" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/11997840676_5b491c38ac.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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Chalkpaint to be exact. I used Rustoleums black chalkpaint - available at <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/product/chalkboard-paint-black-887ml/980042" target="_self">Home Depot</a>. Next I marked my spaces with 1/4 inch tape to delineate the squares of a chalkboard and wider tape to set a boundary. From here it was pretty fast and easy. I painted a coat of the black chalkboard paint, waited for it to dry and then re-coated (4 hours later).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11997972664/" title="Still wet but the tape is off. #chalkboard #painted #calendar by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Still wet but the tape is off. #chalkboard #painted #calendar" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/11997972664_1851c21352.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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The next day when I checked my wall it looked a bit rough and uneven. I sanded the chalkpaint down to make the walls a bit smoother, wiped the whole surface down lightly and painted a 3rd and final coat. If it wasn't for the sanding I would say that the whole process was completely painless.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12167350045/" title="girls prepping the chalkboard calendar by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="girls prepping the chalkboard calendar" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2842/12167350045_1c558b052e.jpg" height="384" width="500" /></a><br />
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Make sure to let the chalkboard cure for 3 days with no writing, etc. Once it is cured you have to condition the chalkboard by using a piece of chalk on it's side to cover the black. It helps to have minions do this part for you. Finally use a chalkboard brush to dry clean the board and you are good to go. After 7 days you can wipe the board down with a cloth. But as you can tell that won't be happening until the last day of January when I get ready to fill in the next month. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12167574683/" title="chalkboard calendar by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="chalkboard calendar" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2853/12167574683_9e3792369e.jpg" height="383" width="500" /></a><br />
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Give it a whirl, and if your aren't brave enough to paint your wall then remember you could always buy the wall decals linked earlier.<br />
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<em>disclaimer: This post was not sponsored by Rustoleum or Home Depot Canada. I paid for the chalkboard paint all by myself :)</em>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-24694076062080436572014-01-24T03:12:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:45:39.400-05:00fox and shop<em>Thanks for the <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2014/01/mudroom-finished.html" target="_self">mudroom love</a>, I'm still delighted with that space and happy to have another project crossed off my list.</em><br />
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This winter we have had a backyard visitor. He comes a couple of times a week around mid-morning. He has comes very close to my backdoors and thankfully our dogs have not seen him yet. I'm not sure what the attraction is, as we do not feed him. But we do back on a lake so our yard is highly accessible.<br />
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I know it is mating season for foxes. I sure hope he finds what he is looking for. I'm so tempted to sit him down and explain that the city is probably not the best place to find a mrs. foxy fox but since he is here, my logic is irrelevant.<br />
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Isn't he lovely?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12113574656/" title="fox by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="fox" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/12113574656_4856ce42e2.jpg" height="354" width="500" /></a><br />
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Onto other things... It's <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/duckyhouse?ref=pr_shop_more" target="_self">shop</a> upate time and I have some gorgeous new vintage sheets that I've listed. I've actually listed over 20 new prints, so go check them out. Vintage sheets are like sunshine wrapped up in a blanket and I'm sure most of us could use a little reminder this time of year :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12046786634/" title="flower power in pink & orange by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="flower power in pink & orange" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/12046786634_74e065abab.jpg" height="334" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12046787784/" title="pink polkadots & blooming roses by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="pink polkadots & blooming roses" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/12046787784_28fd5a96af.jpg" height="334" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12046390045/" title="trellis roses in pink by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="trellis roses in pink" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/12046390045_2b1b22e9b2.jpg" height="329" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12113558136/" title="wedding bouquet in blue by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="wedding bouquet in blue" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/12113558136_523e87f4b9.jpg" height="331" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12113557116/" title="blue plaid by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="blue plaid" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/12113557116_be57064ee3.jpg" height="344" width="500" /></a><br />
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I do want this blog to be filled with eclectic bits of my life (foxes, fabric, etc) and part of that will include etsy shop updates. Hope you don't mind (In the rhetorical sense).<br />
Well, I am off and running out the door. <em>Have a fabulous Friday, xo.</em><br />
duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-34307719496697393442014-01-22T03:12:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:44:53.555-05:00mudroom finishedIf you have been reading this blog for any period of time, you know that mr. duckyhouse and I have been <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/renovation/" target="_self">renovating</a> our home for quite a while now. These days the renovations have changed from utter chaos - we aren't moving walls around any more like we did when we first moved into the duckyhouse. Rather our projects are more about finishing our space and making it more useful. Since we homeschool and are in our space 24/7, one can not underestimate the value of <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2011/11/sure-fooled-me.html" target="_self">organization</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12079950245/" title="mudroom finished #mudroom #renovation by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mudroom finished #mudroom #renovation" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/12079950245_7e7e2d216c.jpg" height="500" width="371" /></a><br />
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Frankly I function better when "there is a place for everything and everything is in it's place". This has been the most challenging aspect of renovating while living in our home, but as I've said already most of the big projects are behind us (for now) and we are free to add the <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2014/01/taking-care-of-business.html" target="_self">finishing touches</a> to existing spaces.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12065367296/" title="bench cushions #benchcushions #mudroom #sewing by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="bench cushions #benchcushions #mudroom #sewing" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/12065367296_148cce5d8e.jpg" height="500" width="374" /></a><br />
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With four kids, this mudroom project was much needed. Living in a climate with four distinctive seasons, we have tons of (seasonal) paraphernalia. Our closet at the front door doesn't come close to housing all the jackets and boots 7 people can generate, and since my kidlets are content on growing bigger each year, (as you can imagine) so does their clothing. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12080258283/" title="mudroom angle #mudroom #renovation by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mudroom angle #mudroom #renovation" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7347/12080258283_b6455d8150.jpg" height="500" width="333" /></a><br />
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When we originally built the wall in the hallway, I created a design for a small mudroom by the backyard doors. I do the drawings, mr. duckyhouse provides the measurements, markings and brute labour. It's the way we roll.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12080336433/" title="mudroom plans by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mudroom plans" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7312/12080336433_f7424e2e55.jpg" height="362" width="500" /></a><br />
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More hooks and jackets spill down the hallway off the mudroom out of necessity, and also to provide instant pick up zones for hoodies, bags, etc.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12080257193/" title="mudroom hallway #mudroom #renovation by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mudroom hallway #mudroom #renovation" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/12080257193_a231860790.jpg" height="336" width="500" /></a><br />
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The sewing part came at the end with custom <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2014/01/taking-care-of-business.html" target="_self">bench cushions</a>, which have since become glorified dog beds. Spencer, our 10 year old shih tzu/lhasa apso, has proven that there is no cushion he will not sleep on. (:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12080256813/" title="mudroom dresser #Ikea #hemnes #mudroom #renovation by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mudroom dresser #Ikea #hemnes #mudroom #renovation" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/12080256813_e720eb04e0.jpg" height="500" width="300" /></a><br />
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We also added an Ikea Hemnes dresser opposite wall from the mudroom bench. With one drawer for each kid it holds at least 8 pairs of shoes. Artwork is complements of my girlies.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12080255573/" title="mudroom artwork #mudroom #renovation #children'sart by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mudroom artwork #mudroom #renovation #children'sart" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/12080255573_18f2c49443.jpg" height="209" width="500" /></a><br />
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I must say, kind of nice to close the door on this post one year later.duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-30993674124186754002014-01-21T03:23:00.000-06:002014-12-18T21:37:35.021-06:00taking care of businessIn January of last year (2013) I left you hanging with a <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2013/01/weekend-wip.html" target="_self">post</a> that promised a reveal about some sewing I was working on. Indeed I did complete that project but just never got around to discuss it here. <em>You can return to <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2014/01/hello-world-im-back-i-think.html" target="_self">this post </a>for clarification on my absence, for those of you who have not read it yet. </em><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12064868534/" title="bench cushions by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="bench cushions" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5511/12064868534_3cf75abc7d.jpg" height="500" width="374" /></a><br />
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My mudroom has cushions! Now you might be thinking "no big deal", however sewing something, like a set of bench cushions, means that the mudroom area is finished. fineto. all done.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12065367296/" title="bench cushions by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="bench cushions" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/12065367296_148cce5d8e.jpg" height="500" width="374" /></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">I realize it isn't all that fair to post cushion pictures without revealing the whole mudroom so stay tuned for a follow-up mudroom post. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/12065369416/" title="bench cushions by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="bench cushions" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/12065369416_9d77eb4d8f.jpg" height="500" width="374" /></a>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-47527090661125918922014-01-20T03:00:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:46:35.935-05:00Knit 4, purl 2...repeatLast year I started a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lazarao" target="_self">vest knitting project</a> that is taking me forever to complete. It didn't help that I completed it and then frogged it because it was too large. Ugh!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8213404631/" title="Latest fix: #hacho #mirasol #yarn #knitting by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Latest fix: #hacho #mirasol #yarn #knitting" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8213404631_43e95fc0be.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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The pattern is called Lazarao and it is from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.64699441601.70657.59273151601&type=3" target="_self">Mirasol Collection book 1</a>. The yarn I'm knitting with is called Hacho in the colourway Jade Sapphire. I think the yarn may have been discontinued but I love knitting with it. It handles nicely, the colours are fabulous and it has so much texture!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11786213696/" title="On the couch: working on a knitting project started ages ago while watching what appears to be a cheesy 80's netflix movie #cozyindoors #notgoingoutside by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="On the couch: working on a knitting project started ages ago while watching what appears to be a cheesy 80's netflix movie #cozyindoors #notgoingoutside" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/11786213696_18f801817b.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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I'm almost finished the darn thing but am having a bit of a time trying to re-work the edging on the sleeveless arms. It seems most of the comments on this <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lazarao/people" target="_self">pattern</a> have been that people are too crazy about how the sleeves ruffle. Hmm, not really a ruffles girl so I've been trying to reduce the number of stitches to resolve this issue. Hopefully that will be a good fix and I will have a knitty project to show you soon. <br />
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In any case, have a lovely Monday, xo.duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-68485741069035324742014-01-13T03:00:00.000-06:002014-12-18T21:38:24.000-06:00shop updateOne of the things I <em>did</em> manage to keep up with the past year was the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/duckyhouse" target="_self">duckyhouse etsy shop</a>. I didn't manage any handmade goods in the shop this past year, rather I kept it stocked with vintage goodies like these:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11923252756/" title="spring posies by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="spring posies" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7425/11923252756_6acd569cd0.jpg" height="333" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11923250636/" title="mint green stripes by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mint green stripes" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/11923250636_a9b79ec9ea.jpg" height="339" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11923251206/" title="stripes in purple by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="stripes in purple" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/11923251206_c91367ef3e.jpg" height="329" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11922654113/" title="blooms in purple by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="blooms in purple" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/11922654113_5ec9c96e40.jpg" height="334" width="500" /></a><br />
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You can hop over to my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/duckyhouse" target="_self">shop</a> for a peek and check back as I will be listing more this week.<br />
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Happy Monday, xo.duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-15883795648039252922014-01-10T02:42:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:46:35.928-05:002014 - hello world, I'm back... I think.I can't promise in what capacity but I am here today and that is an excellent start. So where have I been for almost the past year? Well, I've been here at home, just not online in this space.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8443465874/" title="sunshine means really cold in winter. by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="sunshine means really cold in winter." src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8443465874_69e1177d81.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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Nothing tragic or dramatic happened, just life getting in the way and me being a practical girl, something had to give.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8487388828/" title="Top finished: stained glass zigzag quilt #amyschimler prints by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Top finished: stained glass zigzag quilt #amyschimler prints" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8487388828_cd856a7101.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8552330133/" title="side view #knitting #cables #debbiebliss by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="side view #knitting #cables #debbiebliss" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8552330133_5a2e2193b7.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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Last year around the same time as my last post, the family computer died and since necessity is the mother of invention I gave my Mac *sniffle, over to the kidlets for their needs. This was a scary adventure in sharing, but ever so needed. After all, minecraft can't be put off!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8689202327/" title="Boys headboard in progress. Other side is identical, but in reverse. by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Boys headboard in progress. Other side is identical, but in reverse." src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8689202327_c08ac0a785.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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I also gave them my creative space as I wasn't getting much done in that arena due to ongoing house projects & exhaustion from a low iron health problem that my doctor and I were having a difficult time getting on top of. I'm pretty sure working two part time jobs while continuing to homeschool my crew, didn't help <em>said</em> iron troubles.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8722815217/" title="Pinned and ready for quilting #straightlines #hexagonquilt #babyquilt by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Pinned and ready for quilting #straightlines #hexagonquilt #babyquilt" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/8722815217_5863b749af.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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So how are things today? For me personally I have been slowly building my iron levels back up and am starting to see a resemblance of my old-self and I'm feeling those crafty urges again.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/9074610502/" title="B&W selfie by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="B&W selfie" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/9074610502_dc760ac771.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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On the job front, I have resigned from my part time jobs and am now currently unemployed as of mid-December 2013. I admit I feel the odd pang of worry about not working but with homeschooling the crew I think it might be for the best for our family, <em>for now</em>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/9346310085/" title="The built in boys beds #diy #gettingitdone by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="The built in boys beds #diy #gettingitdone" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7447/9346310085_ba2af1b495.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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As for computer sharing, after months of research and deliberations we finally decided to purchase a (couple of) gaming pc's for the kids. It was hard to go back to the pc world, as we are mainly apple-friendly, however we just felt that Mac products were a waste for what our kids' computer use (school & minecraft). So, under the Christmas tree last month sat a couple of extra special "shared" gifts that the kidlets were so patiently waiting for. Of course I now have my Mac back, which appears to be working fine.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/9570059099/" title="Harvesting dinner: baby romaine, green beans, carrots & kale. by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Harvesting dinner: baby romaine, green beans, carrots & kale." src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/9570059099_7551e68d37.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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Fyi, the photos in this post are from my instagram account. One photo for each month. If you want to see more, hop over to my instagram account - duckyhouse- to catch up on my life and of course you can always check out my flickr account.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/9840054033/" title="progress: lighting, drywall, and 2nd layer of taping done. Nothing like waiting for plaster to dry during the damp season. Estimated finishing time is Tuesday. #renovations by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="progress: lighting, drywall, and 2nd layer of taping done. Nothing like waiting for plaster to dry during the damp season. Estimated finishing time is Tuesday. #renovations" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9840054033_c53d818092.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/10042106856/" title="The everything room: the messy part is finished, time to decorate :) #familyroom #happy #anotherprojectcompleted #diywife&hubby by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="The everything room: the messy part is finished, time to decorate :) #familyroom #happy #anotherprojectcompleted #diywife&hubby" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/10042106856_e1ea8747bd.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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I suspect this blog will either undergo some physical changes in the near future or perhaps it will discombobulate and become something different all together. I haven't worked out those details yet and I'm sure there will be a learning curve along the way. For now lets leave this long post with a Happy New Year 2014 and next post will have details about the photo below <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/10938286635/" title="The hubby's brainchild: go watch the trailer: wfp.to/windcity #windcitytv #cutandpaste by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="The hubby's brainchild: go watch the trailer: wfp.to/windcity #windcitytv #cutandpaste" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/10938286635_d54b83d5ec.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/11347622595/" title="Earlier today: making ornaments with my girlies #christmas #crafty #vintage by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Earlier today: making ornaments with my girlies #christmas #crafty #vintage" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5507/11347622595_71c87e8f52.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-53601306807669419852013-01-31T03:47:00.000-06:002014-06-09T19:46:35.939-05:00weekend wipI sewed something and it didn't have anything to do with pant hemming, jacket mending, buttons sewing, and mending, oops did I mention that already? there seems to be a lot of that going on this house.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8430876507/" title="cut by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="cut" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8353/8430876507_736c101768.jpg" height="356" width="500" /></a><br />
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We started a mudroom project last year that has been a lifesaver for all the jackets and shoe paraphernalia lying about. It isn't a big space but it does provide me that organization that I dream about - have you seen my <a href="http://pinterest.com/duckyhouse/mudrooms/" target="_self">pinterest</a> account on mudrooms?<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8430877135/" title="sew by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="sew" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8430877135_71e9728ef6.jpg" height="358" width="500" /></a><br />
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The sewing portion of "project mudroom" is one of those little tasks that signifies completion of another area in our home. Yay! I need moments like these when I can cross another thing off my list. Some days those feel far and few between.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8430877609/" title="iron by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="iron" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8221/8430877609_9e9cfabd05.jpg" height="338" width="500" /></a><br />
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I was thinking of writing up a tutorial for this little project but discovered a couple of well done tutorials already in existence so no point in re-inventing the wheel on this one. This is only a sneak peek so I'm leaving you hanging for the finished photo. I'm sure you will kill yourself with excitement waiting for the <span style="color: #888888; font-size: 8pt;"><span style="color: #111111;">big reveal.</span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><em><span style="color: #111111;">Note: small font indicates that the big reveal is in fact no big deal but I'm dragging out the drama. Try to contain yourselves until I get back here okay?</span></em></span></span>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-91947392522612509472013-01-14T02:55:00.000-06:002014-06-09T20:34:45.302-05:00september/october highlightsHappy Be-lated Holidays and New Year!! I'm popping in to finish up my last update on our summer/fall happenings. I originallly started this post back in early December but then I got caught up in a whirlwind of activity and BAM, here it is the new year. How did that happen?<br />
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A week after the <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2012/11/september-celebration.html" target="_self">big wedding</a> we loaded up our minivan & small trailer and headed down south for 3 weeks. Destination: Walt Disney World Florida with a pit stop in Tennesee to drop my mum off for a visit with my sister - who had recently relocated with her family close to Nashville.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8021353146/" title="three days of driving means = pumpkin spice a day! by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="three days of driving means = pumpkin spice a day!" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/8021353146_f2919fd5a2.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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Wow, let me say that again "WOW, what a drive". I should have ordered t-shirts that said "I survived 3 - 12 hour days of driving with 7 people in one vehicle". Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad roadtrip by any means. I just have pre-twins memory when we would make 3 or 4 long road trips per year into the US (the boys & us). Things seemed to be simpler and there were way less bathroom stops - lol! I guess it is pretty unreasonable to expect everyone to have "to go" at the same time but when you know you got a deadline you don't want to be stopping everyhour if you know what I mean. So as you can imagine after the first day this mumma got a little more militant and threw phrases around like: "you'll just have to hold it", etc. Crazy I tell ya!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8042472227/" title="#HollywoodStudios #WDW by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="#HollywoodStudios #WDW" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/8042472227_315c75f9d2.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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By the end of the 3rd day we arrived in WDW late in the evening in time to crash into our beds. The next morning we woke up and headed out to the parks. We had a 10 day hopper pass including water parks & more. We couldn't have asked for better weather, in fact it was a tad bit too warm some days but I think that had more to do with the humidity - it was relentless. <em>Side note: It feels a bit ridiculous writing those words right now as the local temperatures here are -17 celcius and I would love to be too warm ;) </em><br />
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Well what can I say about WDW that hasn't been said. It was 29 years since I was last there and the rest of my family were first timers. We stayed on site at the All Star Music resort recommended by a couple different people - <a href="http://ocd-obsessivecraftingdisorder.blogspot.ca/" target="_self">Krisite</a>, a new bloggy friend who had recently taken her brood down there (and who happens to live in the same city/neighborhood) as myself and another friend who treks to WDW a few times a year (lucky/crazy duck - she lives in Louisiana so her trekking is a little easier). Another local friend of mine does the time-share thing with her family every Christmas at WDW so we had a plethora of helps and recommendations to make our trip great (and yes we did the dining plan).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8044657275/" title="Lunch with Piglet! A big hit with the girls. #piglet #wdw by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Lunch with Piglet! A big hit with the girls. #piglet #wdw" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/8044657275_14f12a2fec.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8058124859/" title="#Mickey is #fantasmic by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="#Mickey is #fantasmic" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/8058124859_9a5ecf9d02.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8058134025/" title="Ohana with #stitch by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Ohana with #stitch" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/8058134025_b3a96d3cb5.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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Some of our favourites were: Typhoon Lagoon - alas no pictures as we spent our time in the water doing the big wave, water slides and snorkeling. Our family favourite restaurant was Teppan Edo in Epcot and eating at Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom with the Winnie the Pooh Characters. The Haunted Mansion still remains one of my personal favourites. We really enjoyed the Hall of Presidents, American's really do a much better job with patriotism and honouring their past than us Canadians. We loved Animal Kingdom and didn't get enough time to see everything - we were supposed to go a second time on our last day but one of the girlies passed out in the hubby's arms and needed to sleep off her exhaustion. Miss Abby's personal favourite was Tom Sawyer's Island, I'm going out of my way to put that part in so I don't forget. I'm pretty sure there are more things I'm forgetting to add to this list but that'll have to do.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8097323101/" title="Teppan Edo #Japan - our favorite place to eat @ #wdw #epcot #greatfood by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Teppan Edo #Japan - our favorite place to eat @ #wdw #epcot #greatfood" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8097323101_6e8134e93c.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8097364634/" title="Neptune fountain in #Italy #wdw #epcot by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Neptune fountain in #Italy #wdw #epcot" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8472/8097364634_6d5b294c08.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8034422279/" title="Splash Mountain #WDW by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Splash Mountain #WDW" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8034422279_c63121d326.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8034398564/" title="Walt Disney World: #HauntedHouse by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Walt Disney World: #HauntedHouse" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8034/8034398564_f2c65f9937.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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After WDW we headed over to Universal Studios for a couple of days. I had a mission: to see Hogwarts. I have to admit that I was probably more excited than my kids at this point - big HP fan :) The ride at Hogwarts was probably the best ride I've ever been on. I'm not much for roller coasters and turning upside down so for me the ride combination of virtual reality and movement was just perfect. We ate at 3 Broomsticks, tried butter beer and went to Honeyduke's Sweetshop. All in all it was a pretty satisfying experience and I <em>did</em> get the sweatshirt!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8061529822/" title="#UniversalStudios by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="#UniversalStudios" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8061529822_cb76e77e43.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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The rest of Universal was just okay for us. We enjoyed the Indiana Jones show, Jurassic Park & the Spiderman rides. I think if you aren't a big roller coaster lover Universal Studios runs out of stimuli pretty fast. I'm glad we went because we had some great fun at a few attractions but overall I don't think we would visit it again if down in the area.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/8061529045/" title="I'm @ #Hogwarts by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="I'm @ #Hogwarts" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/8061529045_f5eedc0936.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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Okay, enough said I think that sums up our summer/fall: <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2012/11/summer-summary.html" target="_self">a relaxing summer</a>, a <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2012/11/september-celebration.html" target="_self">big wedding</a>, a family trip of a lifetime/road trip (next time we are flying), and since then we have settled into homeschooling and winter. Now if you made it through this l-o-n-g post congratulations and thanks! Here's to hoping my next update will include something a wee bit crafty now that the days of being indoors have arrived. Woohoo, lets here it for winter **brrrr**duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-75709442910129763112012-11-20T03:05:00.000-06:002014-06-09T20:34:45.293-05:00september celebrationI'm back with another update and this time I'm covering the earlier part of September and I have one word for you<strong> *wedding</strong>* <br />
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My <a href="http://duckyhouse.typepad.com/duckyhouse/2009/07/falling-off-the-grid.html" target="_self">niece</a> decided to tie the knot with her secret highschool sweetheart. It was a big deal for our family since a) we haven't had a wedding in a while, b) it was my sister's only daughter, c) I've watched this girlie grow up from a wee girl to a big girl (insert 'where have the years gone' & tears), d) she was my flower girl some 19 years ago and e) my twin girlies were her flower girls.<br />
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Well weddings along with being fun, require a fair amount of organizing & spiffing up as you can imagine. Thankfully my niece, my sister & bro-in-law took care of all the organizing and we as guests were left to making sure all were bathed and properly clothed for the event. My shopping started early when I found some awesome flower girl dresses in spring for my girlies which my niece approved of *sweet*. Buying early meant I didn't end up having to spend hundreds of $$ on their dresses later or panic that time was running out. Shoes on the other hand were a completely different story. I could not find anything suitable in this fair city of ours so I gave up and went to the internet where Zulily saved the day. After the girls were set to go I had to turn my focus to the two scraggly teens that seem to be growing faster than a golden retriever in his first year of life. Since dress pants & ties are not required homeschooling attire in our home, the boys needed the whole 9 yards, pants, shirt, ties, socks & shoes. I cut the fellows some slack and did not make them wear a full suit. As for the hubby, he was pretty good in the dress up department, though he did get a new shirt, tie and shoes. Me on the other hand, I needed a whole new ensemble. I went with an strapless formal gown, shoes, etc. Okay so the reason why I'm spilling all the details in print is because that's pretty much all you are going to get. Yes, I forgot to get a family photo (of us) except for a wee instagram shot on the way to the church in our chariot (minivan) *ugh* - you'll have to cut me some slack as I had more important things on my mind like making sure the girlies were good to go down the isle. Enough said, lets take a peek at the day's events starting with the rehearsal.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7980974654/" title="wedding rehearsal ~ flower girls in the making ~ 2 more sleeps!! by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="wedding rehearsal ~ flower girls in the making ~ 2 more sleeps!!" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7980974654_64d4377953.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7993424885/" title="all dressed up and off we went ~ 14/8/12 by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="all dressed up and off we went ~ 14/8/12" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/7993424885_050249a98f.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7994594279/" title="flower girls by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="flower girls" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/7994594279_d67e9842f9.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7994609105/" title="their walk together by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="their walk together" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/7994609105_90e475c80a.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7994632208/" title="happy by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="happy" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/7994632208_c222f643a1.jpg" width="470" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7994640848/" title="let them eat cake! by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="let them eat cake!" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/7994640848_d4cbdc4561.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a><br />
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<br />~ <em>rehearsal night</em> where the girlies get their walking practice.<br />
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~ on the <em>way to the church</em>, all dressed up and nary a picture to show - no I am not naked - remember strapless gown.<br />
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~ the girlies <em>doing the stuff</em> for real and doing a fabulous job at it<br />
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~ my niece and her daddy taking <em>that walk</em><br />
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~ the <em>bride</em> - so beautiful<br />
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~ the <em>happy couple</em> cutting the fantastic cake my sister made!<br />
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So ends the day and they begin their journey. I'm sure they will make a wonderful life together. I'll be back with an end of September/October update soon. xoxoduckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-63644312136925244752012-11-08T02:51:00.000-06:002015-09-18T14:34:59.291-05:00summer summary<p>Hello there, it's been awhile hasn't it? I mean - July to November - now that's just way too long for an update! So what on earth could have taken me away from this space all this time?? Life. I've embraced it and I've been busy in the thick of it, much like many of you I suppose (& to those that are able to keep up blogging along the way kudos to you). </p><br/><p>As for me, my mojo for internet ramblings have up and left me right now, as have my crafty endeavors. I'm not fretting too much as I know things are cyclical. Overall I think I am more distressed that my craftyness is on the fritz as it is usually a huge energy booster for me. And couldn't we all use an extra boost of energy in our days? </p><br/><p>But lets not focus on that, I'm here today and I have a wee bit o' an update for ya. Our happenings were normal fodder for a family of 6 during the summer: </p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7653841776/" title="shadow by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="shadow" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7653841776_bb0c4c2f33.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7688662726/" title="future Harley club: enjoying our evening ride with friends by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="future Harley club: enjoying our evening ride with friends" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7688662726_8abba611a7.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7665125612/" title="decoy by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="decoy" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7665125612_3373f25aec.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7686041632/" title="bug juice: hoping this is more than just salad dressing for the white cabbage butterfly. by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="bug juice: hoping this is more than just salad dressing for the white cabbage butterfly." src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7686041632_24f4af0550.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7707667000/" title="on the drive home by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="on the drive home" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8421/7707667000_b4b2416a30.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7890155586/" title="Chilling out @KP pool #lastdaysofsummer #hotoutside by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Chilling out @KP pool #lastdaysofsummer #hotoutside" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8437/7890155586_ba30440e2e.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7820156006/" title="fire pit season by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="fire pit season" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7820156006_f7e6bbe998.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7626245478/" title="Baked apple - now must go for bike ride to work off #calories by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Baked apple - now must go for bike ride to work off #calories" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7626245478_8aff93c52c.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7890435046/" title="It's a hot one today! by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="It's a hot one today!" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/7890435046_036b342061.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7958424160/" title="dinner by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="dinner" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7958424160_53a27d7c2f.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p>~ <em>bike riding</em> continued on through the whole summer as a family </p><br/><p>~ and sometimes <em>friends joined us</em></p><br/><p>~ had a fight with the white cabbage butterfly and made <em>decoys...</em></p><br/><p>~ and <em>bug juice</em> - more likely salad dressing because I lost the fight and have no garden kale to speak of :( </p><br/><p>~ saw the local <em>sights</em></p><br/><p>~ hung out together at the <em>pool</em></p><br/><p>~ and by the <em>fire</em></p><br/><p>~ we <em>baked apples</em></p><br/><p>~ and then <em>we baked</em>  in the late summer heat</p><br/><p>~ <em>harvested vegetables</em> and savoured their lovely taste and wished that the garden was bigger and the growing season was longer</p><br/><p>So there we have it, all caught up with July & August for the most part. Watch for September's highlights, I promise it won't take 4 more months, lol.</p>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596653985836923924.post-48650545662064709902012-07-25T04:00:00.000-05:002015-09-18T14:34:59.261-05:00beachin'<p>our province, home to over 100,000 lakes, we try to visit a few of them during the summer months: this particular visit took us out to where one of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Winnipeg" target="_self">Canada's largest fresh water lakes resides</a>, located in the interlake and one of my favourites with it's cool, ocean-like breeze</p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7618495380/" title="Beaching' with the boy by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="Beaching' with the boy" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7618495380_637feb6d3b.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7642024296/" title="mr. duckyhouse by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="mr. duckyhouse" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7642024296_7af73b9561.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7642074488/" title="beaching' by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="beaching'" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8153/7642074488_09fe51ed3f.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66003253@N00/7642034488/" title="beachin' under a prairie sky <3 by duckyhouse, on Flickr"><img alt="beachin' under a prairie sky <3" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7642034488_0e5f11d509.jpg" width="470" /></a></p><br/><p>sand, sun, sit, swim, read, water, then do it all over again. it's a hard life. </p>duckyhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13525245684643797209noreply@blogger.com1