twenty-nine candles

Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 presetI don’t know about you, but I never used to enjoy my birthday. I hated the idea of turning another year older, as did I dislike having all eyes on me on that day. I’m very shy by nature, and try to skip out on events that centre around myself. For instance, I never went to my high school graduation, either of my university convocations, and as for our wedding, we eloped. Get the picture? Good!

That being said, my birthday this year wasn’t so bad. It was the first time in 9 years that I didn’t dread or fall into a slight depression around this time of year. I actually didn’t really feel much of anything! Also, what should have been a one-day event turned into a five-day celebration! It felt more like an Indian wedding ceremony than a birthday. It was nice, though, and I’ll take you through how I spent it.

2.jpg1.jpgThe celebration began Wednesday night. Geoffrey and I had a gym date, which was followed by a movie date. Going to the gym with my husband is one of my favourite things to do as a couple. We both get to engage in what we love, all while shooting each other glances from across the building. Lame, but cute and kind of intimate as well. 

3.jpg4.jpg5.jpgThe film that we saw was The One I Love. If you are married, or have ever been married, you must see this film. Honestly. It’s twisted, dark, funny, relatable, and refreshingly original. Plus, we were able to see it at the Broadway Theatre. Aside from ourselves, there was only one or two other couples. I love being in an empty theatre.

6.jpg8.jpgOn Thursday, we started our morning doing something that we haven’t done in what felt like forever; we went out for breakfast! Holy God, it was delicious. I wish that it was something that we could do more often.

20.jpg9.jpgAfterwards, we headed out to our storage unit in order to pick up some things for our new home. Here is a picture of our unit in its current state. Yikes! I’m not looking forward to unpacking this sucker.

10.jpg21.jpgThen we drove out to our home to check on its progress, discuss some details with our contractor, and drop a bunch of things off. We were told that we would be able to move in about  … wait for it … one month! Hurray! We can officially see a light at the end of the tunnel!

22.jpgLater that night we went and babysat my nieces and nephew. Chaos soon ensued, but it turned into a really fun evening. They always put me in such a great mood, and I think that the same goes for them.

Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 presetWe sort of skipped Friday. We both had to go back to work that day, and by the time I got home at night, it was too late to do anything.

11.jpgSaturday morning was spent together, and in the afternoon, I went to the gym while Geoffrey went and bought more of my birthday gift. The evening was spent with my parents at Red Lobster. I love going out for supper with them. They’re a hilarious duo.

12.jpgSunday finally came, which was also the actual day of my birthday. By then, I was a little tired of all the celebrations and the ‘all eyes on me’ attitude. Not that I acted like a princess for the last four days, but I was looking forward to passing the attention onto somebody else. I worked at the library for the better part of the day, but my nieces came over that morning to drop off my many gifts and cards. I was also inundated with phone calls and text messages all morning. I didn’t even know if I would be able to make it to work on time!

Screen Shot 2014-11-23 at 7.52.58 PMSunday night we picked up takeout and a movie after work, and spent the evening relaxing. It was a great week, to say the least. Thanks, family!

<3

Emory

canada day + independence day

1.jpg2.jpg 3.jpg4.jpg 5.jpg6.jpg 7.jpg8.jpg 9.jpg10.jpg It seems like every time I write about a vacation that Geoffrey and I recently came back from, or a celebratory day that we had spent together, I always rush back to my little blog and write “it was the best ever!” I’m not sure if it’s because we’re easygoing people in the way of events, or if we have short-term memories, or if over the years we’re understanding what we enjoy as individuals and are doing those things on holidays as a couple. Whatever it is, it’s working, and Canada Day this year was no different!

We spent the morning visiting with my parents and getting ready for the day. Around 1 pm, we left Baba’s house and went into town with the dogs and our bikes in tow. Our intentions were to spend the day at our new property in the provincial park, bike riding and picnicking. Temperatures were supposed to reach 26ºC (78.8ºF) that day, and with cotton candy clouds and little wind, we could tell that it was going to be such beautiful weather. Geoffrey dropped me off at a grocery store and I ran in to get food while he went and filled up our tires with air. Then we drove out to the lake and parked right on our empty lot. I loaded up Holly in the bike trailer that was attached to my bicycle, and Geoffrey tied Truman to his. We rode along the dirt roads, through the trees, and along the lake for over an hour. We were both drenched and by then it was nearing suppertime, so we decided to call it quits and head back to have our picnic. We chose one of the only shaded areas on our property, put down two blankets, and laid out our spread. We stayed there for over two hours, eating, Instagramming, and me napping as Geoffrey was watching Netflix. It felt so surreal being at the lake and the future spot of not just our new vacation home, but our home home. I didn’t want to leave.

When we finally did decide to pack up, we drove westward to the nearest town and bought some slushies. We slowly drove back into town, and I made a quick stop to buy a board game and get iced drinks for my parents. We made it back to Baba’s just after 9 pm, and by the time I came back from a walk with the dogs, we were too burnt and too tired to go back into town and watch the fireworks. We had our own display via a BBQ lighter, and then we played Yahtzee with my step-dad until after 11 pm. Geoffrey had to work the next morning, so we called it a night, and an end to the “best Canada Day ever.”

Have a great 4th of July to my American readers! I hope that you have awesome weather and happy memories!

11.jpg<3

Emory 

a dress for baba + a birthday for me.

IMG_1.jpgtoday’s post is a very bittersweet one. first, i will begin with this dress tutorial.

when my baba passed away two months ago, my mum and i went through her house and began to decide what should stay and what should go. i found myself going through her closet and having a memory for each piece of clothing that was in there. when i came across her favourite plaid shirt, i just knew that i had to take it home and do something with it. we also had some denim in our home, and i thought that the two would make the cutest and trendiest dress. i bought my first pattern, and began to create what i call baba’s dress.

IMG_2.jpgthe first step was to choose a pattern.

IMG_3.jpgnext i cut the sleeves and bottom half off of the shirt.

IMG_4.jpgthen i followed the pattern for the skirt.

IMG_5.jpgi also added pleats (my first ever attempt). it was a success!

IMG_6.jpglast, i sewed it all together, made alterations, sewed some more, altered, sewed, altered, sewed, altered … you get the picture. ;-)))

1.jpg2.jpgi also made a huge mess since i do not have a sewing room. my cat loved it, though! however, perhaps leave this out of your own diy.

IMG_1.jpgIMG_3.jpgIMG_2.jpgIMG_5.jpgnow i can always wear something that once belonged to my baba. for that reason, this has become my most cherished dress.

IMG_6362.jpg IMG_6361.jpgreaders, today is my birthday. while i do not like to celebrate turning a year older (what woman does), i am spending the day with my family, as well as at a museum. that is the best gift that i could ask for.

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favorite fridays.

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birthdays!!!

what child does not enjoy these? with five nieces and one nephew in my family, we celebrate birthdays for our little ones six times a year. i never grow tired of seeing their excited faces (usually covered in cake) and their quick, little bodies running around, playing with one another, showing us their latest tricks, and ultimately revealing their gifts. it’s all very thrilling!

my sister’s daughter celebrated her 3rd birthday on tuesday. *g* and i joined the party in the evening, and were greeted at the door by the birthday girl, her screaming older sister, their screaming younger brother, and their newest sibling. screaming with excitement, that is. ;-)

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after delicious food, some very scrumptious cake, gift-giving, and gift-playing, the three young children ran around the house with us. these photos may look blurry, but they are also full of family, love, and a good sort of chaos. this is what life is all about.

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last, but certainly not least, my brother’s daughter celebrates her 5th birthday on saturday. happy birthday, sweetheart!!

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  • Hello! My name is Emory. I am a wife, mother of four (three on earth in heaven). This is our life on the Canadian prairies.
    email: helloscarlettblog@outlook.com

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