Happy Friday Friends! What a quiet week! We had one heck on a storm and the weather has been hit or miss so I have not been doing a whole bunch other than going to the gym and cooking really good meals. We officially have a new president that is making some big changes already, and the first month of 2017 is almost over! That's about all that I can think of that is new, how sad is that? haha anyway, enjoy your weekend wherever you are! xx
1. Smudge received her first ever Rescue Box in the mail yesterday. The proceeds go to feed and give vaccinations to shelter pets. She could not wait to open it (I assume she could smell the catnip through the box) and played with the box and the contents for a solid hour. She got a laser pointer, a catnip filled pickle, a bag of catnip, a ball that makes bird sounds and a bag of treats. Some great treats and a great cause. If you want one you can order one here.
2. On Saturday I was one of the over 500, 000 people that descended to the Capitol area of DC for the Women's March. It was an amazing experience and I am glad I did it. I am not one of the super anti- Trump people but I do not want to see anyones rights taken away and, it is our right to protest and make our feelings known. Sadly, the actual cause was over shadowed by some of the celebrity speakers that took things a but too far and by the media showing the very small amount of extremism, but the people that were there, knew why they were there and were respectful and I think we proved a point.
3. I have been eyeing this piece of art by one of my favorite local Tampa area artists, Natalia Logvinova, for a few months, and she messaged me yesterday that she needed to make some room in her studio and was willing to give me a really good deal, so I was sold. For anyone that remembers, I have a blue elephant also by her above my couch in my living room so this will make a nice addition to our house. Check out her art at NaTa Art Decor.
4. I have been getting my Try The World box, every couple months and one of my favorite things so far has been these cookies. And, crazy enough, they are Canadian. I finished the pack of Maple Shortbread I got originally in my box and I had to get more. Sprucewood Handmade Cookie Co. is based out of Ontario and doesn't ship to the US but thankfully the Try The World website also sells them. If you are in Canada, watch for them at trade and craft shows all over the country, or just order some, they are amazing!
5. I love Seltzer water and recently found the Polar Seltzer Christmas flavors at my local Weis Market. they are so yummy I have to go back and stock up!
I'm not going to lie, 2016 was not my most exciting year in the books, BUT, I still did and saw some pretty cool things. I also totally forgot to do a year in review until about three days ago, which I also think I did last year... Some one remind me next year please! If you are interested in seeing more about any of these things, they are pretty much all on the blog. On that note, here it goes!
Of course oat importantly, this year I walked 1,893 miles, which is fairly similar to the distance from my hometown of Kyle, Saskatchewan, to where we are right now, Waldorf, Maryland.
I started off 2016 in Florida and came to Maryland about halfway through the month of January. The day after I arrived in Maryland, we were hit with one of the largest snowstorms on record. We got around two feet of snow in not even two days. Not the greatest welcome, but we made the most of it.
Shortly after that, and the snow had melted, we made our first trip in to Washington, DC. And went to a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives restaurant, the White House, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.
Our next day trip was to Calvert Cliffs, filled with fossils. I also had my first Soft Shell Crab, and I'm hooked!
I turned 33 and had the most amazing brunch in DC. It was also one of the coldest days of the year, which always seems to be a theme on my birthday. We went to National Harbor for the first time too.
I got to go back to Florida shortly after after my birthday, and I went to a Blue Jays training camp game.
We went in to the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC and walked around the entire Mall area, which is huge.
Josh and I got mountain bikes.
We had dozens of baby ducks and geese around our apartment slo I took a ton of pictures.
We went to a Daffodil and Tulip farm and I picked a bunch of both.
We also went to the Cold War Spy Museum that same day.
And to Manassas, home to some of the biggest and most important battles in the Civil War.
We went back to Florida for Cinco De Mayo, and Josh's Dad and stepmom came to visit.
And I saw my first stingray in the wild.
I picked strawberries with Lindsey and the kids.
I made friends with a massive snapping turtle in the pond by our apartment.
We went camping at Assateague Island, and got to see some of the amazing wild horses that live there.
We also went to Ocean City and hung out on the Boardwalk.
We went to a lot of Southern Maryland Blue Crabs games, out local minor league baseball team.
We went to the Air and Space Museum in DC.
As well as Arlington National Cemetery.
We took a group camping trip to the Shenandoah River with the Marston's and the Dutkiewicz's were we kayaked down the river and spent lots of time around the fire.
On that trip we also checked out the Luray Caverns.
After waiting a year, I finally got my 10 year Greencard.
We celebrated July 4th at Lindsey and Dave's with some friends.
And I won the box at Blue Crabs Stadium for the July 4th baseball game so a bunch of us went to that too.
I went back to Canada for a few weeks to spend time with friends and family.
We celebrated Grandpa and Grandma's 65th wedding anniversary.
I took day trip with auntie Lorri and Uncle Glen to Moose Jaw and Regina to the Legislature and to the Burrowing Owl Centre.
We had an amazing dinner at the Grant Hall Hotel.
We went to Ag In Motion to check out some cool farm stuff.
We took a girl's trip for dessert and coffee to Rabbit Hill Teahouse.
And I caught up with friends.
And had this awesome Bloody Mary at the the Minneapolis Airport.
I got in to the Pokemon Go craze for a month or so.
We went to a Washington National's game and I got heatstroke.
We went back to Florida and went to the Florida Aquarium.
And this awesome Sangriarita.
I took this awesome picture.
And went to the Sunken Gardens in St. Pete.
When I got back I went to the Butterfly Conservatory with Lindsey and the kids.
We went on our final camping trip at Westmoreland State park.
Which is right near George Washington's Birthplace, so we had to check that out too.
Smudge turned 9!
We went to FarmAid and saw some awesome Artists like Willie Nelson, Dave Matthews, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Alabama Shakes, and Sturgill Simpson.
Josh turned 32 and I made him the best birthday cake ever.
I went to my first County Fair.
And then I went to Nashville for a girl's weekend for Miranda's birthday.
I fell in LOVE with Fall in Maryland.
We carved Jack o lanterns, and Smudge dressed up as a bee for Halloween.
We went to the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons.
We went to Capitals vs Bruins game in DC.
I got Botox for my migraines!
We celebrated our 4 year anniversary at District Chophouse in DC.
We went back to Florida for Christmas and spent it with Josh's mom and Steve and Luke and Vanessa.
We had New Years next door at our awesome new neighbor, Joy's.
I guess the year wasn't so bad, and I hope that 2017 is even better for everyone!
