animal alphabet chart

Continuing our theme of yesterday, check out this great print of Anna Bond's painting of an animal alphabet chart. Since our much-loved arctic animals print from yesterday is sadly out of stock, perhaps this will fill the void?

Available at the always lovely Rifle Paper Co.

acrtic animals

I LOVE this screen print from Banquet's Etsy shop! We seem to have a bit of a "woodland creatures" thing going on in the nursery and I just think this would be perfect to add to the mix! Adorable forest creatures mixed with "fun facts" from Canada's far north? Come on...

manchego with honey brown butter sauce

A few weeks ago some friends of ours hosted a tapas dinner party and each guest was responsible for bringing one tapas course along with a matched wine. This afternoon as we noshed on a giant wedge of Manchego I was reminded that I never blogged about my contribution to the party! I was super pressed for time that day and didn't have any time to prepare any meat etc so off to the Fromagerie Elgin to procure a huge piece of Manchego. On the food network website I found this insane recipe for Manchego with Honey Brown Butter Sauce that was possibly the easiest thing I've ever made that packed the most flavourful punch. Make this for a dinner party and I swear people will be foaming at the mouth. I ended up cutting the cheese into little pieces instead of pouring the sauce over the whole wedge only because I thought it'd be easier (and less sticky) for people to manage.

weekend round-up

Well this weekend brought my last weekend of holidays (for a bit anyway) so we had to make sure and say farewell on a high note. Started my Friday bright and early by taking Sadie out to the conservation area for a big hike and a swim -- all by 9am too I might add! Laid low Friday night cuz we were both pretty wiped so we feasted on a dinner of fancy cheeses and sundried tomato hummus. Yum!

Saturday we were out and about early with Sadie again only this time we shared the bush with all the anti-dog people in town it seemed. My favourite was the couple pushing a baby in a stroller (who had their own dog too I might add) who told us both times we ran into them, that they didn't want Sadie anywhere near the baby, despite the fact that Sadie showed zero interest at all in their precious baby. I mean, if she'd been rushing the stroller or something I'd totally get it but she wasn't even aware they had a baby at all. Perhaps they should've paid more attention to their own dog that was straining and pulling on their leash? Or if you're so worried about dogs around your baby, how about you don't bring your baby to a place where dogs are always running off leash? And the best part was that her husband, who was the one pushing the stoller, was totally chill about the whole thing and was all smiley and stuff while his crazy wife was telling everyone with a dog to keep them away from the baby. Jeepers...

Spent the rest of the afternoon taking care of some errands (new insurance deal = boring!) and getting ready for the 2nd annual Savour The Street event put on my our local restaurant association. We went last year for the inaugural event and had such a good time that we had to head down again this year. Basically they close down a street downtown, lay out one big long table that seats 250 people, and a pile of the local restaurants provide a course each. You eat all night under the sunset and there's music and even a loot bag! I'll go just about anywhere if I'm gonna get a loot bag! Last year we went alone but this year we went with 3 other couple friends of ours and did it up in style. Rolled ourselves home with the biggest, fullest bellies ever.

Sunday brought the unfortunate reality that I have to go back to work tomorrow so that meant doing buckets of laundry before the evening rains came. Sadie thankfully avoided any of the anti-dog folk by spending a good chunk of her day in the bush with Marc picking blueberries. I bowed out as picking blueberries likely the last thing I want to be doing right now at more than 7 months pregnant. My sense of balance is pretty much non-existent these days so I think I would've spent more time falling into the bushes than doing any picking. Thankfully I married a champion blueberry picker so he came home with a giant overflowing container full of deliciousness. The plan for these berries you ask? Some will be smoothie ingredients for sure, some will be muffins and the rest are destined to spend the fall in a big container of brandy getting all boozy and delicious.

Tonight I'm spending the evening with some pasta and my super yummy homemade garlic bread and the premiere of the new season of Entourage. I'm really hoping this season isn't as supremely shit-tastic as the last one was. At least someone over at HBO finally realized that Vince needed to cut his AWFUL hair....

anniversary vacation

So we're fresh back from our anniversary vacation! This year obviously we had some travel restrictions what with me being 100 months pregnant and all so we decided to lay relatively low. A friend of Marc's offered us his cabin in Southampton for a few days (for free!!) and it was just what the doctor (and my poor swollen feet) ordered. When in doubt about how far you can push your pregnant belly, always opt for a few days of sitting on a gorgeous beach I say!

Took a ferry cruise around Georgian Bay - this is the famous "flower pot" on the aptly named Flower Pot Island.

This is Georgian Bay just being gorgeous.

I mean honestly, Ontario's got the best stuff...

...like shipwrecks under 2 metres of water!

The beach in Southampton that was about 20 seconds from our door.

Me and the belly at about 7 months.

Pretty flowers.

Our beach's sunsets. Crazy beautiful.

With light like this, how could we not take sparkly pictures of each other?

This was a weirdly hazy evening -- gave everything this fuzzy look.

Our teeny tiny slice of heaven in the trees.

Our annual contribution to our "us kissing in fun places" photo file.

Lake Huron rocky beaches.

How we spent the entire day - picnic, blanket, beach, perfection!

Getting some sun on the bambina -- she loved it and wiggled away the afternoon.

The beach houses with the dunes and sand going right up to their doors. Heaven...

The sunsets were insane. We took about 1000 pictures.

That's the Chantry Bay lighthouse. It's also a bird sanctuary.

All in all, a pretty lovely few days. A quick escape together was just what was needed before the fall when things will take a turn for the crazy!!!

body necklaces

I've been seeing body necklaces popping up all over lately and I gotta say, I am not a fan. It just seems a bit too much like body armour or something. Why not just wear a big chunky statement necklace and be done with it? This just has too much of a medieval flare to it and I can't bring myself to get on board.

Thoughts?

hot Bunny Radio Playlist for June 24th

CKLU 96.7FM

6-8pm (18:00 - 20:00)

* denotes Canadian talent

italics denotes a new release

CLICK HERE FOR PODCASTY GOODNESS OF TONIGHT'S SHOW!!!!!!!!

• Sonic Avenues -- Out Of My Head -- Sonic Avenues (VINYL)*
• The Jam -- In The Midnight Hour -- This is the Modern World
• Beach Boys -- God Only Knows -- Pet Sounds
• The Breeders -- Drivin' on 9 -- Last Splash
• The Raveonettes -- Chain Gang of Love -- Chain Gang of Love
• Dr. Dog -- I Only Wear Blue -- Shame, Shame
• Mike O'Neill -- What Happens Now -- What Happens Now
• Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir -- Oh Sorrow -- Fighting and Onions
• The Zombies -- I Love You -- The Best of... (VINYL)
• Willie Nelson -- Dusty Skies -- You Don't Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker
• Wilco -- Blue Eyed Soul -- A.M
• Neil Young -- After the Gold Rush -- After the Gold Rush *
• The National -- Terrible Love -- High Violet *
• She & Him -- Brand New Shoes -- Volume 2
• Palace Brothers -- RIding -- Horseshoes & Handgrenades Vol.2
• Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins -- It Wasn't Me -- Rabbit Fur Coat
• Sugar -- Gift -- File Under Easy Listening
• The Sadies -- American Pageant -- The Sadies In Concert Volume 1 *
• The Damned -- Fan Club -- Damned, Damned, Damned
• Forest City Lovers -- Minneapolis -- Carriage *
• Metric -- Handshakes -- Live It Out *
• Born Ruffians -- Come Back -- Say It *
• Wooden Sky -- Angels -- If I Don't Come Home You'll Know I'm Gone *
• Broken Social Scene -- Meet Me In The Basement -- Forgiveness Rock Record *
• RIco Bell & the Snakehandlers -- Money to Burn -- Horseshoes & Handgrenades Vol.1
• Pavement -- Unfair -- Quarantine The Past
• Sally Seltmann -- Dream About Changing -- Heart That's Pounding
• The Gaslight Anthem -- Bring It On -- American Slang
• Tokyo Police Club -- Breakneck Speed -- Champ*
• Black Keys -- The Only One -- Brothers

NOTES THIS WEEK:

• Sending out the Beach Boys to Marc as a belated anniversary "s'up"
• I super heart that Mike O'Neill song...
• Who's loving the new National record? I think we all should be...
• Great Broken Social Scene & Pavement show at Toronto Island Festival!!!
• How great is that Gaslight Anthem song?

happy anniversary

Happy Anniversary to us! If I had to make it through this last year by myself, I know for a fact I would have thrown myself out the nearest window. You continue to make every day better even when that doesn't seem possible.

This next year will be the best ever and I find myself often in disbelief that we even get to have the year we're going to have and all the years after it.

Lovin ya.....

cake stands

Am loving these gorgeous cake stands from Vessels and Wares. The one with the changeable ribbon might be my fave. I also love the idea of a tiny "happy birthday" cake stand with just enough room for one little cupcake just for me.

somewhere

A friend sent me this trailer today and it's got everything in it set to make me happy. 1) It's Sofia Coppola who I love. 2) Music by Phoenix who I also love. 3) That Elle Fanning kid who's done pretty darn great with stuff I've seen her do. 4) Stephen Dorff and frankly any girl my age had a Stephen Dorff thing at some point. 5) It's all father/daughter relationshipy stuff which these days is obviously enough to make my heart go all hippy dippy.

she & him live!

Had the extreme pleasure of seeing She and Him for a third time the other night and despite the show being at one of my least favourite venues in all of Toronto, the show was incredible. They closed the show with their version of "Roll Over Beethoven" and turned the whole place into a 50's sock hop -- probably one of best cover choices I've seen a band make in a very long time. Got to see the show with a pile of good friends and family so all in all, no complaints from this lady (except for my swollen SWOLLEN feet which would likely have lots to complain about were you to ask them).

"I Was Made For You"

"You Really Got a Hold on Me"

"This Is Not A Test"

"In The Sun"

Here's their really great cover of Joni Mitchell's "You Turn Me On I'm A Radio"

peanut butter tahini cookies

Could it be? Two of my favourite things in one cookie AND it's delicious?? Peanut Butter Tahini Cookies courtesy of My Diary of a Foodie. Yes please!

yoga

Tonight I had my very first pre-natal yoga class and am feeling so good I figured a feeling this good deserves its own post. Lately I feel tight, sore, fat and achey -- basically a cocktail of pleasurable feelings like that. I used to take yoga once a week when I belonged to the YMCA and have missed it ever since I cancelled my membership. Another pregnant friend of mine suggested to go to this class together and I'm so happy I did. Now I feel all loose and earth-motherly and ready to tackle anything. And the kid? Well she seems to be happier than a clam -- she's wiggling all around in perfect baby contentment.

Can there be a class every night please?

summer no bake lasagna

Saw this Summer Lasagna over at Framed and it's going on my "to try" list for sure! Especially on one of those nights when it's so hot the thought of cooking makes you want to cry? This lasagna requires no baking! And nothing is better in the summer than fresh tomatoes and zucchini with a little fresh ricotta thrown into the mix. Talk about a bit of summer heaven on a plate!

Click here for the full recipe!

botanical wedding

Oh me oh my, I want to get married again and have this wedding all to myself! DesignSponge posted this feature on Jill and Matt's amazingly beautiful wedding and I couldn't love it more.

All these messy wildflower looking bouquets? Lovely!!

DIY seed packets as wedding favours - we used wildflower packets ourselves but these are just too darling. I love the birdsnest idea!

They handmade hair accessories from vintage silk flowers and every guest took one and wore it for the ceremony - swoon!

Save the date cards made to look like vintage botanical cards.

They had ties made special for the groomsmen and had their names embroidered on the backs.

And the cake topper which is probably my favourite thing of all.

Married again please!!!

birth plaque

I love this idea. If my parents or grandparents had birth plaques I would absolutely hang them in my house. I'd love to get one made for our belly-dweller in the hopes that someone will want to hang on to it as a keepsake.

I also love the little bird plaque for outside the room. Cuz everyone should have their room labeled I say....



Available at Rae Dunn's lovely Etsy shop.

hot Bunny Radio Playlist for June 3rd

CKLU 96.7FM

6-8pm (18:00 - 20:00)

* denotes Canadian talent

italics denotes a new release

CLICK HERE FOR PODCASTY GOODNESS OF TONIGHT'S SHOW!!!!!

• Jenny Lewis -- The Last Messiah -- Acid Tongue (VINYL)
• Wilco -- Monday -- Being There
• Dinosaur Jr -- On The Brink -- Without A Sound
• Duane Eddy -- Three-30-Blues -- Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel
• Nathan Wiley -- Long Gone -- Bottom Dollar *
• The Juliana Hatfield Three -- My Sister -- Become What You Are
• Pretty Girls Make Graves -- Pictures of a Night Scene -- Elan Vital
• Pixies - Caribou -- Surfer Rosa/Come on Pilgrim
• The Beauties -- Without You -- The Beauties *
• Bonnie Prince Billy -- Wai -- The Letting Go
• Jenny Omnichord -- Lifeline -- All Our Little Bones *
• Teenage Fanclub -- Metal Baby -- Bandwagonesque
• Broken Social Scene -- All to All -- Forgiveness Rock Record *
• Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band -- White Shoes -- Outer South
• Johnny Brunette & the Rock'n Roll Trio - Buttefingers -- Tear It Up: THe Complete Legendary Coral Recordings
• Black Keys -- Never Gonna Give You Up -- Brothers
• Bap Kennedy -- Vampire -- You Can Count on Me OSR
• Damian Jurado -- Best Dress -- Caught in the Trees (VINYL)
• Lily Frost -- The City Seems So Far -- Viridian Torch *
• The Flying Burrito Brothers -- Older Guys -- Sacred Hearts & Fallen Angels
• The Sadies -- Tell Her What I Said -- Darker Circles *
• The Beach Boys -- Caroline No -- Pet Sounds
• Young Rival -- Just Can't Stay Here -- Young Rival *
• Townes van Zandt -- High, Low and In Between -- High, Low and In Between
• Basia Bulat -- Heart of My Own -- Heart of My Own *
• Plants & Animals -- American Idol -- La La Land *
• Pavement -- Frontwards -- Quarantine The Past
• She and Him -- Lingering Still -- Volume Two (VINYL)

NOTES THIS WEEK:

• Man, Acid Tongue is one record I never,ever tire of...
• Dear Duane Eddy -- best album title ever!!
• The Beauties live are ridiculous -- find them and see them!
• That version of Never Gonna Give You Up makes me all sway-y..
• heading to see She and Him on Wednesday!! Youpee!!!!

mocktails anyone?

Know what I'm really noticing as the weather heats up? Restaurants and bars have terrible selections of non-alcoholic drink options for those of us "in the condition." I'm getting really tired of drinking ginger-ale or plain ice water. Even around the house I'm trying to be pretty creative with the evening drinks to avoid just downing sodas and gallons of water to quench this never-ending pregnancy thirst (thanks for not telling me about this part pregnant friends!). Poor Marc has been gallantly mixing club soda with pureed blender fruit, making me smoothies every 5 minutes of the day and I've upped my already copious amounts of milk-drinking to a galactic level. And I must give props to Stappj, the Italian bitter soda company, for single-handedly saving me in my first 3 months of morning sickness.

However despite all our efforts, I still find myself endlessly searching for new beverage options for me and this super-thirsty belly dweller. Here are some options I know I'll be busting out this summer...

Dragonfruit Smoothie courtesy of Angelolli

Pineapple Kiwi Smoothie courtesy of Notecook

Strawberry Balsamic Berry Spritzer courtesy of A Cozy Kitchen

Hibiscus Pomegranate Tea courtesy of Chez Cayenne

Homemade Ginger Ale courtesy of Food Mayhem

Blackberry Lime Spritzer courtesy of Craftzine

Strawberry Lassi courtesy of a 1/2 Food Blog

Root Beer Float courtesy of Five Second Rule

Blueberry & Banana Smoothie with Agave and Yogurt courtesy of Honey, What's Cooking

Strawberry Vanilla Agua Fresca With Honey courtesy of Vanilla & Lace

Raspberry Mojito (virgin for me of course) courtesy of A La Carte Kitchen