SK 2019

I had my annual trip home to Saskatchewan for a big chunk of October (the reason why you haven't heard from me in so long!) and I had such a great time.  It was really my only chance to get there before my 3rd trimester and between all of my doctor's appts (I have more than more people because of some high risk aspects).  This trip was a little quieter than my trips usually are, as I didn't want to get worn down and end up sick, but it was still busy and went by far too fast.  As usual, most of my pictures are scenic in nature, but I managed to remember to get some fun friends and family ones too.  I didn't spend as much time outside as I would have liked, it snowed 3 or 4 different days, and when it wasn't snowing it was warmer but so windy, which obviously is nothing new for Saskatchewan, but it sure makes it cold!

I spent my first night in Saskatoon with Michelle, she picked me up at the airport when I got in Wednesday night late and we went and did some shopping at some of my favorite places (Hardpressed, The Bay for Canada apparel, Superstore for Loads of Ketchup chips etc)  I got myself a couple cool shirts, a lot of cute baby clothes and yes, some ketchup chips and a few other Canadian snacks. We went for a nice lunch and my parents and brother picked me up after that.  It was so good to see them! 

Once we got to the farm, we had a couple really nice days and of course had to go for a walk at one of my favorite places on earth, The Landing.  It is 7 miles from the farm and I grew up here.  It is so beautiful in the fall. 

On Saturday of my first weekend, mom, Cheryl and I went in to Swift Current to Fall into Christmas. This is one of my favorite trade shows ever and I have been able to attend it the last 2 years.  I got some of my favorite dips, some beauty products  I love and my favorite purchase was from Nancy Anderson's Living Landscape photography.  I don't have a picture of the beautiful metal print I purchased because sadly, I misjudged my suitcase size by about 1.5 inches, but it will get to me by Christmas (thanks mom!).  This is a similar metal print, but mine is vertical and about 2 feet high.  It is the North Landing School, we can see it from the farm, and Grandma Evelyn taught there when it was open: 

I also bought small print cards of these 2:

This is Horse Butte church, a couple miles from the farm. 

And Goodwin house, the visitor center at the Landing.

That night, I went out to White Bear with my BFF Miranda, Sean and Jesse.  They were so sweet to bring me gifts and even brought in some OJ and fake champagne so we could have our tradition of Mimosas.  We had a great supper and it was so good to catch up! 

That following Wednesday, I got to spend the day with auntie Lorri.  We don't see each other enough but always have such an amazing time together.  We went to see Mac the Moose and his new antlers, making him once again, the world's largest moose (Norway tried to take the title a couple years ago but it didn't last long).  this picture is in the visitor center beside Mac.

We also went for a delicious lunch and then desert at the Yvette Moore Gallery in Moose Jaw for one of the best dessert's I have ever had, a Saskatoon Berry crepe.

That night, mom and I continued on to Regina, to The Hillberg and Berk Gala, Nature en Nuit.  This was a gorgeous, fancy event with jewelry releases, great food and drink, and an awesome surprise performance by Brett Kissel.

Mom and I got some glamour shots done as well.

Brett Kissel

 Another surprise was a local hand poked tattoo artist "Of the Woods" was commissioning 10 unique tattoos. I hesitated at first, but was assured by her and several other people that it was totally safe.  The end deciding factor was that she had the exact west sheaf tattoo I have wanted for years to commemorate my life growing up on the farm.

We had such a great night, it was amazing experience, and we got these amazing swag bags worth over $300, including  beautiful Hillberg and Berk necklace and a coupon for an item from their new sparkle ball collect that actually was released yesterday.  I also got myself another necklace and mom's Christmas present.

On our way back, we stopped at one of my favorite pottery studios, Kim Undseth.  I always visit and buy way too much.  Normally I buy the beach theme stuff but I expanded my horizons this time. These wine glasses are amazing, this picture does not do them justice.

Jost one of the gorgeous sunsets while I was there.

Hanging out with the parents and the cats. 

Retard and Mama Cat.  Mama cat is actually Smudge's great great great great (maybe more) Grandma. She's very old.

On Saturday, when my parents went to a wedding, Jesse and I went on a road trip to the Great Sandhills, just over an hour from the farm.  We took a "shortcut", literally through a field but saw some cool stuff. Neither of us have been to the Sandhills since we were about 12 (many years part obviously) so it was cool to get to go.

This is thousands of Sandhill Cranes flocking up to head south.

Some of many antelope we saw.

An old school house. 

Literally through a field. 

The Sceptre museum and Sandhills visitor centre. 

At the Sandhills.

Sandhills in the distance that we were too lazy to walk to.

This place is so amazing, and so random.

We found a couple Geocaches along the way.

In Cabri on our way home.

Fiver the cat playing in a tub. Sadly, Fiver was hit on the highway on my last day.  He was the sweetest cat and reminded me so much of Jinx. 

A sunset picture I snapped one evening on the way home.

Willow and I out for one of many walks around the farm. 

Mama cat again. 

Some of the cats on the farm. 

Jesse and Fiver eating veggie sticks. 

We had Thanksgiving at the farm with grandma Jean, grandma and grandpa, Amanda, Christopher and Kyle.  It was so nice to see everyone and have my first Canadian Thanksgiving in Canada in 7 years. 

Amanda has always been on of my BFF and I miss her a lot! 

One of our snowy days.

Polly, thinking she should probably come back to Florida with me.

Some pictures I took at one of our other farms. 

Polly sleeping on the window sill. 

I was lucky enough to have another on of my BFF Erin come over and visit for a couple hours, of course we forgot to take a picture, but we had such a good visit. 

Mom and I went for one last walk at the river on probably our nicest day of my trip.

One last Tim's Chili, Cheese tea biscuit and Apple Cinnamon Fog. 

We stopped for a visit with Auntie Mavis, I just love her. 

Since I didn't get Miranda a birthday present, I took her to get pedicures.  It was a wonderful pedi and so nice to have some one on one girl time. 

My last day! Jesse took me to Saskatoon and we stayed overnight to make it not such a long day of travel for me. We stopped to take a picture of some Tundra Swans and Snow Geese by Rosetown.

We went for supper with my long lost friends Bryan and Cheryl and met their baby, Rhys for the first time. I also enjoyed my last real poutine!  Funny how the thought of fries makes me want to throw up but I can enjoy poutine! 

 Did I mention I had to get another suitcase to get all my stuff back with me?  I completely filled it with the stuff mom bought for baby (most of this picture) but thanks to Auntie Lorri, Michelle and her mom and Linda for helping me fill my wheel carry-on I had brought just in case. This picture also doesn't include all the stuff I bought for myself haha. I also brought back my mom's beautiful ceramic and wood nativity scene (keep an eye out for it in my Christmas pictures) that she painted many years ago, it will look so good by the fireplace.

 Thanks to everyone for making my trip so great and sorry to everyone I didn't have time to see.  Next time I'll have the baby, so it will be better anyway!

Fab Friday Faves 9.27.19

Happy Friday everyone! It's been a while since I did a Friday blog again, but it is time to catch up.  First things first, I haven't done a blog since we found out that we are having a boy! We were sure we were having a girl, but we are over the moon to know that we are having a little man.

This week we are sending all of our love and prayers to our sweet niece, who is in Toronto with some heart problems.  She may have to have open heart surgery in the next few days and of course we are hoping for the best possible outcome and a quick recovery for this little angel.  

I'm also sending Happy birthday wishes to my BFF, Miranda today.  We spend almost all of her birthdays together so I am sad that I can't be there. BUT, I will be there next week (for 2.5 weeks so we will be able to celebrate). Have a great weekend!

Besides that, there is nothing life changing going on with me.  I mean besides being 18 weeks pregnant and all. My nausea is mostly gone but my migraines are relentless.  Also, last week I started developing pregnancy Carpal Tunnel very bad in both wrists.  It is brought on from the swelling and affects up to 60% of women at some point in their pregnancy but doesn't usually start until 30 weeks.  It is quite bad and very annoying, but I've started wearing braces at night, learning some stretches and I got acupuncture and a massage this week.  Not sure what helped, but I am coping at managing to get more than one hour of sleep a night. The last few days my belly is starting to pop a little bit too.  Hopefully soon I will look pregnant and not just fat. 

We are going to Orlando tomorrow to celebrate Chrissy's birthday and then I leave on Wednesday to go to Saskatchewan!   So not sure when I will be back blogging but hopefully I will be able to when I am there.  Everyone have a great weekend! 

 Josh's birthday was a couple weeks ago.  I made him his favorite ice cream cake and we pretty much stuck close to home.  We also went to a Rays game.  He was spoiled as usual!

Recently the Marston's moved to the Tampa area.  I went to visit Nicole and Jackson a few days ago to catch up.  We had a great time wandering around, Jackson got so big! 

Tomorrow is International Rabbit Day! These are my four sweet little foster buns, they are all the greatest and looking for their forever homes! 

Last week, Jess and I went to the Sunken Gardens in St. Pete for a walk and a visit.  This is such a beautiful place with lot of animals and beautiful plants.  If you have the chance, check it out. 

A couple weeks ago, Chris Young, Chris Janson and LoCash came to the amphitheater in Tampa and put on such an amazing show.  We love this venue and these guys were awesome. 

Chad and Chrissy and the boys came to visit last weekend.  We went to  the Rays vs. Red Sox game Saturday night then spent Sunday in the pool.  It was such a nice, chill relaxing weekend with the best weather.  We could use more like this. 

Nail Day was last week and since I am going to SK (and the forecast is calling for a foot of snow right before I get there) I decided to get some fall nails. They turned out so pretty.

A few weeks ago, Target released their 20th anniversary collection of various designers that they have collaborated with.  There wasn't a ton that I wanted even though there was some great stuff but I did get myself a Lilly Pulitzer dress, a set of baby dishes and cutlery, and some cute tumblers.

 Starbucks recently came out with their new Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.  While I'm not really drinking coffee often, I had to try this and it is so good.  Not nearly as sweet as a PSL but the cream on top just has a hint of pumpkin and cinnamon, so good!

 Last night Josh and I went to try the new Taco place Shaker and Peel (opened by the owners of one of our favorite restaurants, Craft Street Kitchen) It just opened on Wednesday and it was so good.  We got a variety of tacos and a couple delicious appetizers because it was appetizer night.  You should totally try it if you are in the Oldsmar area.

Today I'm linking up with:

/ Bright On A Budget / Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir / A Little Bit of Everything /

Fab Friday Faves 9.6.19

Well, it is not Friday... it's hardly even Saturday still, but I tried! I sat down to do this blog several times and just got distracted or busy or just didn't feel like it.  Also, it was a pretty quiet week so I don't have a ton to write about. Hurricane Dorian spared us, we actually really didn't get any effects from it, other than it was breezier for a few days than normal.  It did however destroy so many places, and is currently ravaging Halifax.  After that it should be gone.   Looks like we have another one coming just off shore of Africa, hoping it turns out into the Atlantic like the one that is out there right now.  Probably the biggest news of the week, is that we announced our pregnancy on Monday! I'm 15 weeks today, and it has been quite a 15 weeks... more on that in a future blog post! We are so excited and so thankful for the love we have received over the last few days and weeks from everyone.  Have a great week and hopefully we will see you on Friday this time!



For the first time in over 4 months, I got my hair done this week!  I really wish I would have taken a before shot, because it was truly scary.  There was a lot of hat wearing and ponytails the last couple months.  I also got a little purple in it too for the first time in a very long time.  You only live once right?



Here is our announcement! Smudge was very excited she got to be part of it (it took 4 days and a lot of my blood was shed in the process).  I'm due on February 29, 2020 and we are so happy after a very long road to get here.



Tuesday was a hurricane day for most of Florida, and Chad and Chrissy made a stop in Tampa for a couple days to escape the storm in Orlando. Chrissy and I took the kids to the Glazer Children's Museum in downtown Tampa for the day.  We had so much fun, it really is a great place to spend a few hours!



On Sunday Josh and I went to the Rays vs. Indians day game for something to do that wasn't a million degrees (Tropicana Field is an indoor domed stadium, a necessity for Florida).  We always love going to games here and the Rays won which makes it even better.

We don't know if we are having a boy or a girl yet, but I went to the Season ending 50% off sale at Stellie Bellies consignment store here in Palm Harbor.  For the $31 I paid for all of this, I won't feel bad donating the dresses if we are having a boy.  Those shoes are the cutest little pair of Toms too.  Almost everything is name brand and in new condition. 

I of course will be needing some new clothes too.  I lost about 10 lbs from being so sick from about week 6-12, and I have gained back about 3 or 4 of that (that will happen when you can actually start eating again) but even being smaller than I was before I got pregnant, my pants and shorts especially are starting to get a bit tight.  One nice thing about living in Florida, is that when the rest of the country is starting to buy fall clothes, it is still so hot here  (it has been well over 100F with the humidex all week) that we still have a couple months at least left for summer clothes. SO, when all the summer clothes start to go on clearance, I am buying like crazy.  Pink Blush Maternity was one of those places and I took advantage.  I got the first 3 items pictured for $30 with shipping and the denim dress I got on clearance at Target for $8.


Today I'm linking up with:

/ A Little Bit of Everything / Simply Sweet Home  / Style Elixir / Bright On A Budget /

Fab Friday Faves 8.30.19

Hello and happy Friday all!  Happy birthday to my lovely Mother-in-law today!  It's a bit of a scary Friday, for pretty much all of Florida right now, as we have a hurricane coming, and not much of an exact idea where.  Hoping it weakens and ends up being not as bad as they are saying.  We are on the opposite coast from landfall but it's looking like it could be still a cat 1 when it gets here.  Lets hope not.  Regardless, we will be taking everything out of the backyard tomorrow so nothing gets destroyed and we don't lose any windows.
other than that, not much is new from the last couple weeks.  We currently have 4 foster bunnies, as Thomas and Oreo are now back.  they house seems to be getting smaller but it is nice to have them all here.  Smudge is thrilled too haha.
Everyone have a safe weekend in Florida and a great weekend everywhere else!

On Saturday Josh and I went to Busch Gardens for Bierfest.  We wandered around some areas that we hadn't been before and found some new animals and fun stuff.  Josh went on the Montu ride, I did not! It was a good time but insanely hot, we only lasted a few hours. 

Josh stopped to get some cupcakes from my favorite place, Small Cakes in Oldsmar.  I have been wanting to try the Dunkaroos one for a long time and it was delicious, but they all were! 

Nail day was a couple days ago!  I'm slowly transitioning to some fall colors, even though it willl be months before it is fall here. 

A couple weeks ago, we went to the Mid Florida Credit Union Amphitheater for Heart, Joan Jett and Elle King. It was such a great show and the venue is awesome.  Elle King was way better than expected and Heart can still rock! 

I found a Spoonbill out at Honeymoon the other day.  It was my first that I have seen out there.  I love these birds!

Today I'm linking up with:

/ Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir / Bright On A Budget / A Little Bit of Everything / 

Fab Friday Faves 8.16.19

Hello everyone and happy rainy Friday from Florida.  It has actually been raining since monday, we are at 7 inches as of a few minutes ago.  I have cabin fever, but the temperatures have been cooler so I can't complain too much! We are in the heart of rainy season so I may as well get used to it, as long as those pesky hurricanes stay away. I just realized that I didn't blog last week, I had every intention of doing so, not sure what happened, but I really didn't have much to write about anyway.
I also realized that I haven't written anything since I said that Juju and Pat were headed to their forever home.  After a long road trip for them (and us too), and even dropping them off, we were told that the new owner was unable to take them.  So, they are back here now, which I am very happy with, but I felt bad because they were so terrified after their 3 hours in a vehicle.
We had a new alarm system installed this week, that was probably most of my excitement. It includes a camera for our driveway and front door.  I'm not sure why I have been getting amusement out of going back and watching people go by our house.
We are also sad this week, we lost another member of the family from Maine.  We will miss you Bud.

As most of your probably saw on Facebook or Instagram, we went to Orlando to visit Chad and Chrissy and the kids last weekend.  We went to Disney Springs and wandered around there, ate some good food and took in the sights.  Its a really nice place, free and beautiful for a walk on a hot day because there are lots of stores to duck into at anytime.  On Sunday we went to downtown Orlando, to Lake Eola and walked around the lake in the scorching heat.  But it was really nice with a great little farmer's market. 

One of my favorite Saskatchewan Jewelry creators Transformed Jewelry had a sale on her Prairie Lily (saskatchewan's provincial flower) jewelry on Saskatchewan Day so I finally pulled the trigger and bought one of her necklaces.  All of her work is made from broken pottery and dishes and this necklace is beautiful.  Checkout her Etsy shop, there are a lot more pieces that I would love! 

We had this beauty Red Shouldered Hawk visiting us in the backyard yesterday.  I hope she was hunting rats but she was just  mostly keeping an eye on us. 

I got these shoes on clearance at Target last week for $7, down from $30.  I have wanted a pair like this for ages so I couldn't resist. 

I went to the mall yesterday, to check out the last days of Charming Charlie and to walk around, since it has been pouring here all week.  I stumbled upon a candy store and had to get some of my favorite childhood candy.   The Bottle Caps are still the same but the Candy Smokes are not nearly as good!

The final episode of one of my favorite shows, Elementary, aired this week.  I have watched this from the start and am very sad to say goodbye.  I actually am 3 episodes behind because I am trying to make it last a little bit longer. I would love if Netflix or Prime picked it up but after 7 seasons I doubt that will happen.

Today I'm linking up with:

/ A Little Bit of Everything / Bright On A Budget / Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir /

Fab Friday Faves 8.2.19

Hello and happy Friday everyone!

First I would like to send my love and prayers back to Maine, to Josh's family for the loss of a very special man and uncle, tragically, on Wednesday.

It has been a long couple weeks since I last posted, and honestly I haven't been feeling great and haven't been up to much as you'll be able to tell from my five. Smudge, the bunnies and I have been hanging out inside for the most part, it has been either hot or storming here, as per Florida summer. Speaking of the bunnies, we found out yesterday that Pat and Juju have found their forever home and will be headed there sometime this weekend.  I am sad to see them go because  they are really starting to open up to me and are so sweet, but I am happy that they have found a home that can continue to give them the love and attention that they need.  Look at these adorable faces!

We had our solar panels installed this week which is cool, I felt so bad for the guys doing it, up on our roof on the hottest day for like, 11 hours.

We don't have much for plans this weekend, there is some yard work that really needs to be done, but I do hope we can get out for a bit, I'm feeling pretty cooped up!

Everyone have a great weekend, and Canada, have a great long weekend (and Saskatchewan Day) I'm jealous!

This week I had nail day. I actually made it a month with out my last set getting chipped or really rough looking with the dip, so I got it again.  They are so pretty and a lot more ombre than they look in the picture.

I love trying new flavors of waters, and La Croix just came out with Hi-Biscus.  It is delicious and a nice change.

Josh and I went to the Got Lobstah? Food truck at two Lions Winery in Palm Harbor on the weekend.  It has been so long since I had a warm butter lobster roll (I prefer them over the mayo style) and it was soooo good.  Apparently everyone else in Palm Harbor (made up of mostly people from the north) thought so too, because they sold out in a couple hours.

My new doormat from Zulily came this week.  How cute is it?

I got a couple packs of these samples of True Lemon at an event we went to this weekend and I am in love.  I have never tried them before and I especially love the packs that are a slice of lemon, grapefruit or lime.  They taste exactly like a wedge in your drink without that fake sugar taste of a lot of a lot of the water enhancers out there.


Today I'm linking up with:

/ Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir / 

/ Bright On A Budget / A Little Bit of Everything /