Life on Base

::new blog address::

2011-10-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

It's time to start fresh. Please join me at my new blog: http://megbaxter.wordpress.com/. xo Meg

::Love is...::

2011-09-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sharing a fantastic post from SheLoves Magazine today: a parent's take on the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13. Though I have all the right words, but have not love, I might as well be talking to the back of your head. Though I have all the answers to your every question and have read every parenting book and have all the resources to pave the way for your perfect future but don’t have love,

::Fall::

2011-09-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favourite season. It used to be for the fashion. Now that I'm a mom and live in the Prairies, it's admittedly mostly for the food. (Ha!) All things pumpkin BEG me to consume them, and anything warm and savoury is pretty much guaranteed to make me want to snuggle in with the family and enjoy a quiet night at home, wearing socks and sweaters, playing a good ol' game of cards. Earlier

::stopping the cycle of mom guilt::

2011-09-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

This summer, I welcomed a friend and her young family to their first posting: Shilo! They arrived in sunny Manitoba from B.C. in June and quickly adapted to Army life: dealing with the unknown, sporadic work schedule; getting to know the neighbours; keeping the kids occupied while trying to settle into their house. I have to say, they have adapted like champs and have been so positive in their

::monster cookies::

2011-09-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Cookies so big they require a plate? Yes, please! Came upon this recipe on allrecipes.com the other day and was stoked to try it. It has a 4.5/5 star rating and the reviews are awesome. I love chewy cookies, but mine always seem to come out crispy. These really are the huge kind you find at Starbucks or other coffee shops. Honestly, the recipe only makes 18 cookies (!), but one is all you

::running::

2011-09-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have been running for two months now (since July 11). I can't believe that in the span of eight weeks, I've gone from a completely unfit, post-baby, "I-eat-whatever-I-want-and-don't-care" body to officially considering myself a "runner." I started running to: -get out of the house, -work up a sweat, -gain some endurance and energy, -take some time for myself, and, of course, -lose my baby

::the love letter above all love letters::

2011-08-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

Below is the letter of Major Sullivan Ballou of the Union Army's Second Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, to his wife Sarah days before he was killed in the Battle of Bull Run. Ballou wrote the letter on July 14, 1861 while awaiting orders that would take him down to Manassas, Virginia where he was killed on July 28. Ballou, 32, was a lawyer and father of two small boys, Edgar and Willie, who

::DIY dry erase board::

2011-08-24T11:41:00.000-07:00

I think I have figured out how Wayne's and my relationship works: Wayne has cool ideas & I make them pretty. So simple! For months now, this giant whiteboard has dominated our kitchen. It was originally purchased to be a weekly meal planner (Wayne's idea), but quickly turned into a weekly planner of all things Baxter. And while we were neat and tidy at first, our penmanship and care has gone

::Darling capelet::

2011-08-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

A friend commissioned me to make a gift for a little girl's upcoming third birthday. When contemplating my options, I came across Prudent Baby's adorable reversible capelet. I thought this looked like a fun wardrobe addition a little girl could wear to feel "fancy," in addition to being practical for cool fall/spring evenings. I love that once you understand the pattern/idea, you can alter it to

::Stay-at-home-parent::

2011-07-23T11:46:00.000-07:00

The following article will be published in the next issue of the Carberry News Express, a paper in the neighbouring town of Carberry (about 25 mins east of Shilo - and supposedly Canada's second largest potato-producing community!). I have been writing two articles per month aimed at reaching the military members and their families who choose to live there and commute to Shilo. * * * I never

::Upcycled diaper bag::

2011-07-22T07:54:00.000-07:00

Another sewing project! I'm on a roll... Heidi has a pair of corduroy overall she never wore. I loved them so much - the print is so happy and fun - that I carefully hung them in her closet and waited and waited until she would grow big enough to wear them. Of course, they were given to me when she was newborn, and I had no reference point for how fast she would grow, especially as the product

::Spring chicken::

2011-07-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

When I saw this easy tutorial for a stuffed chicken from the sewing blog Sew, Mama, Sew, I knew I had to make it! Thankfully, Heidi's friend Michael is about to turn 2, and this seemed to be the perfect little friend to make for him. It took me only a couple of hours, and other than the body fabric, I used scraps to make the rest of the pieces! I love projects that use scraps. The best part about

::Sunshine Muffins::

2011-07-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

Today, I baked. I haven't done that in a while, being that Wayne and I are trying to make healthier food choices (and nachos, cookies, and cake pops don't exactly fall into the "healthy" category, do they?). I made a recipe my mom has been making for years, from The Best of Bridge cookbooks. They're called Sunshine Muffins, and they are so moist and refreshing, I could eat them every day. They

::motherhood::

2011-07-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

"I was reared in the generation of women who were told we could be anything we wished, and succeed. Our expectation, our greatest achievement in life was no longer wife and mother — we had evolved! Our focus was on career, success in business, making a name for ourselves. Our mothers, grandmothers, and even great-grandmothers had fought hard for the opportunity to be something outside the home.

::cake pops::

2011-07-09T21:34:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd consider making cake pops for Heidi's 2nd birthday party, but in my years of baking and cooking, I have (finally) learned to never try something new when guests are coming. So, when my friend Liz asked me to host an Arbonne party for her, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to try my hand at creating these delicious, super-sweet, cake-icing-chocolate balls on sticks. Good

::sausage rolls::

2011-06-30T21:39:00.000-07:00

Well, yes, Oren has his own sausage rolls. But actually, I made my own - edible - sausage rolls for the first time today and they are SO GOOD! I had some unseasoned sausages (the kind from a butcher, not packaged) in the fridge that needed to be cooked up. But Wayne is on a little road trip in his putt-putt (the Metro) and there's no way Heidi and I can eat 2 lbs of ground pork between us in his

::May::

2011-06-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

Wayne’s sister, Jennifer, and her husband, Keith, arrived mid-May in their new trailer! It was pretty snazzy. And so roomy that they brought their two cats, Buzz & Muffin, and two dogs, Beagles Taboo & Koda, along for the ride. We had nice weather, and I learned to make some yummy gluten-free recipes for Keith. I wish we could have visitors every month. In May, I also

::April::

2011-06-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

Getting to know Oren was a pure joy. All parents know the first six weeks of parenthood are pure survival, and it’s no different the second time around. You just have to factor in a toddler! Heidi was (and still is) so sweet with Oren – we couldn’t ask for a better big sis for our little guy. Of course, he hasn’t started trying to play with “her” toys yet, either. ;) We made the mistake of

::March::

2011-06-24T22:26:00.000-07:00

Wayne went to England for 10 days with his battery from the regiment to visit some British bases and learn more about the origins of his trade (Surveillance and Target Acquisition). He left two weeks before my due date and returned safely and before Oren was born (because my children arrive fashionably late, of course). He brought me a BEAUTIFUL wool shawl from Scotland, and of course, a

::cameo::

2011-03-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Julie at Sweet Peanuts, I set out last week to create an old-fashioned cameo/silhouette of Heidi for her room. It was actually much easier than I anticipated! I will do this for each of our kids, maybe one every few years to line our halls as they grow? Ok, that's a little ambitious. But still, it's a cool idea. Here is the photo I used for Heidi's profile: I uploaded this to

::at home::

2011-02-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

My generation of woman - the daughters of Baby Boomers – is a product of the age of feminism. It was raised to have high self-worth, believe in the power of positive thinking, and achieve every dream we ever dreamed. Women today are expected to be "equal" to men, and even surpass them in the workplace. But the feminist mentality leaves a gaping hole in our society: who is left to raise our

::2 weeks later::

2010-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, I won't overload you with Heidi videos. But I have been bugged more than once to post an updated video of her mad walking skills. Notice the more plump rear end, which can be attributed to her new ComfyRumps cloth diapers, which put some much-needed junk in her skinny lil' trunk!

::heidi walks::

2010-10-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

Heidi technically took her first steps on Thanksgiving Sunday, going between the two couches in Holly's living room. But since then, she hasn't been interested in trying again. Until last night. A friend would wait until she was scooting by toward me, pick her up and have her walk to me instead. Twice, she took five whole steps! There were many witnesses and I was very proud. (I was also

::combo::

2010-10-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

On our trip home from Vancouver, Heidi and I stopped in Golden, BC, for lunch. I wanted to treat myself to a nice meal (meaning, not Subway or McDonald's), so we headed to the Whitetooth Mountain Bistro, which is on the main strip of the downtown. It was mid-afternoon, so the lunch crowd had died down, and it was also a Sunday. Perfect for an unhurried mother sick of driving. Even though it

::THANKSgiving::

2010-10-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.~Psalm 100:4 This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for: -new life growing inside me-a daughter who is healthy, happy, has taken her FIRST STEPS!-a husband who values the upbringing of our children more than money and material things, allowing me to stay home-family who is never

::Cake::

2010-10-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

Here is my version of the Pumpkin-Carrot Cake I linked to in the previous post. I had Joy the Baker's Chewy Ginger Chocolate Chip cookies in the fridge from earlier in the week and decided, instead of eating them all myself, I should use them to decorate the cake. I cut them in half and aligned the flat edges with the cake platter to create a scalloped ginger cookie fringe. When I finished

::Jade's Sweet Potato (Yam) Crisp::

2010-10-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Last Thanksgiving, Wayne was still training in Gagetown (where he is now. Again. Sigh.). His buddy, Jason, and his wife, Jade, invited him to their house for Thanksgiving weekend in Halifax. The next day, after the turkey coma had worn off, Wayne called me gushing about the Sweet Potato Crisp Jade had made. On and on he went about it, saying it "tastes like candy," and "certainly cannot contain

::take comfort in rituals...at home::

2010-10-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of September, I have been craving slightly addicted to Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattes. They are ohmygoshsogood. But they are not cheap. And they are NOT fat-free (not that I usually care, because I use baby #2 as my excuse for any and every extra calorie I eat). But the other day at the Meandher Creek Pumpkin Patch with my lil' Punkinhead, we wandered into the Farm Store and

::the kick:

2010-10-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

It happened today. Perhaps it has happened before but the baby squirming on my lap outside was distracting me from the baby on my inside. That tiny kick, a sweet little *poke* from the depths of my womb, and nudge to say, "Psst, Mom! Down here! Glad you got rid of that other kid so we can spend some time together alone!" While Heidi was at the church nursery, and I sat in bliss in a pew without

::baking alone::

2010-08-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

The benefits of baking alone include: -listening to whatever music you want (currently, Stereomood's "It's Raining" playlist) -getting lost in the task at hand and not being distracted, causing you to miscount ingredients and have to start over -taking the time to knead dough by hand, instead of using the stand mixer, for therapeutic reasons -licking both beaters and not feeling guilty about not

::big girl::

2010-08-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

Fuzzy tangerine hair catches the sunlight bouncing off our cream walls. Cerulean eyes, wide as saucers, catch mine from beneath fiery feathered lashes. Your brows jump suddenly, you lift your arm to flop your chubby, knuckle-dimpled hand up-down-up-down, in a wave. "Hi!" There, hanging in the air, like you've said it a million times before, is your first word. A greeting. An invitation to

::posting season::

2010-08-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

The red light bulbs dangle, lonely in the windows, signalling emptiness. Barrenness. Expectancy. Silhouetted against the faint glow of vacant homes, hazy light thrown in by prairie-sky and the smiles of children playing carefree on the street. Motionless, the bulbs hang, telling the neighbours' stories, all the same, yet all different: another family sent to another base. And a different family,

::What I wish I'd known::

2010-07-30T10:17:00.000-07:00

Being a military wife... reveals your true character...and your husband's opens your eyes to the world's needs creates fantastic friendships lets you meet people you'd never otherwise meet allows you to experience more of the country you've signed up to defend means you have a room dedicated entirely to Army kit, including framed certificates and course platoon photos litters your foyer with at

::in which Wayne gets a year older::

2010-07-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

It's Wayne's 31st birthday. He never likes a big deal made out of his birthday. Which is lame because I love doing fun things for people. But being on a budget, and it not being a huge milestone, I used my daughter as an excuse to not come across as a lazy wife a way to buy him SOMETHING to unwrap. The idea began with an extra large water bottle, which he'd mentioned he has needed at work for a

::If God was a DJ::

2010-07-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

"The correct prayer is...never a prayer of supplication, but a prayer of gratitude. When you thank God in advance for that which you choose to experience in your reality, you, in effect, acknowledge that it is there, in effect. Thankfulness is thus the most powerful statement to God, an affirmation that even before you ask, I have answered. Therefore, never supplicate. Appreciate." "No prayer...

::beach-walking redhead::

2010-07-20T14:17:00.000-07:00

We all know that if I was still living in BC, many of my leisurely summer days would be spent walking the boardwalk at White Rock Beach or somewhere in Vancouver, browsing the shops, iced coffee in hand. Who doesn't love to browse the boardwalk in style? But for a redhead, summer can be deadly. Here's my take on staying out of the sun and protecting your skin while looking chic and enjoying

::un·ex·pect·ed | ˌənikˈspektid::

2010-07-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Am I the only one who goes through a grieving/acceptance process when I discover something about my life that I didn't expect? Things I didn't envision accurately? Like my first love; my career path; the guy I married; moving to the Prairies; having a baby? You know, BIG stuff? Most of these things (okay, all of them) are aspects of my life I take for granted until

::top 50 etsy moms::

2010-06-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

Etsy.com is a booming hub for artists all around the world to sell their handmade products, consequently creating a community bursting with creativity and ingenuity. It’s a place to find unique treasures that directly supports some of the most talented individuals and their crafts. Now, they've sifted through thousands of talented moms who have Etsy shops to find the favorite 50 of the bunch who

::City Mice::

2010-06-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

Oh, to be a kid again! Love the clothing in this film. And the lighting. And the set design. I pretty much just love IT.

::Workin' Woman::

2010-06-16T12:29:00.000-07:00

Carol over at Winnipeg's Freckelface Photography was kind enough to include me in the Workin' Women feature on her blog. Check out my interview and consider how a professional communicator could benefit YOUR business. Thanks, Carol!

::drinks on the patio in July::

2010-06-11T19:50:00.001-07:00

Drinks on the patio in July by meghanbaxter featuring Miu Miu bags Giving Me Frills Top-Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes, $55 Paper > Die-Cut Paper > Tracery White Doilies by Basic Grey: A Cherry... Olive Cable Knit Short, 100 GBP Oasis Paper Doll Peep Toe Shoe, $127 Miu Miu Clutch Spring/Summer 2010 Teardrop Gem Earrings, $8 Otylia Cocktail Ring in Pebble on Gold-tone - Rings -

::pocket full of sunshine::

2010-06-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

Shower 'hawk and dancing with abandon - hello, my 16-year-old self!

::fashion fun::

2010-06-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

My first Polyvore set: Cardinal by meghan Baxter featuring Anthropologie Coil Flower Tank $58 - anthropologie.com More Anthropologie tops » Micro Climate Pants $88 - anthropologie.com More Anthropologie clothing » Coated Rouge Heels $155 - anthropologie.com More Anthropologie pumps » Cardinal Leaves Tote $178 - anthropologie.com More Anthropologie tote bags » Frozen Flash Necklace $58 -

::yes, please, and thank you::

2010-06-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

My friend Danielle at A Late Bloomer posted her latest fashion desires via Polyvore today, a site that allows you to create your own personal collages of online fashion trends and styles. This has the potential to big a HUGE time waster...or wardrobe builder. (Riiiight, because maternity pay is AMAZING!) Anyway, I love her most recent collection, Arizona Love. If you knew her, you'd say, "That's

::weaned::

2010-05-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: Please read no further if you would rather not hear about breast feeding. :) ********************************* It has been a troublesome week for me and Heidi. She is still the adorable, fun-loving, chilled lil' booger we all know and love, but the poor thing welcomed four teeth at once and had a whole day (that's a lot for her) of crankiness and fatigue because of it. All four

:: dirty lil' secret::

2010-05-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have a confession. I hate cleaning. Well, that's not the confession - that's a well-known fact. I despise it. But I despise dirt and dust more. So I HAVE to clean. But I do love shortcuts. And this is my newest one: I rarely vacuum my stairs. There's not much carpet in our house but the stuff in the foyer and up the stairs is indoor/outdoor icky blue. It hides dirt well but not THAT well.

::Photo collages::

2010-05-17T06:54:00.001-07:00

I just discovered Smilebox. This could become a problem... Make a free digital collage

::Twitter::

2010-05-16T22:03:00.000-07:00

meghanbaxter is back on Twitter meghanbaxter is up too late on her mac and getting ideas meghanbaxter thinks, "Maybe I should buy my own domain..." meghanbaxter is not sure what she will sell or provide on said domain meghanbaxter thinks it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it meghanbaxter doesn't want to be stuck with www.redheadarmymom23.com as a domain name,

::image::

2010-05-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

EDIT: I am entering this post as part of a blog hop. I hope I've done this right! Delicious Ambiguity: Yummy Mummy Blog Hop ********************** This post by VDOprincess has made me think. It should make you think, too. I was always a stringbean in my teens and early 20s. I didn't know it at the time, but looking back, I was thin as a rail, tall and lanky. Lots of angles. No boobs. (Oh,

::Mama's Day gift::

2010-05-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Heidi bought me this one-of-a-kind, handmade bracelet from Village Boutique on etsy.com for Mother's Day. This lady really makes her jewelry from vintage silverware. She also makes pendants and keychains - so unique. Mine is an unknown pattern from the 1920s. But the best part is the charm: I wonder who owned these spoons? Some wealthy socialites? Politicians? Royalty? Who knows? But I am

::Baby quilt::

2010-05-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

The title of this post is appropriate in more ways than one: not only did I decide to start with this simple, "baby quilt," but I feel like the pattern is for "baby" quilters. Like me. Except, its not for a baby. I took Heidi to Farbicland the other day to get some ideas for her quilt, wondering what kind of "nice" fabrics a store in Brandon could possibly carry. :oS I was pleasantly surprised.

::Patterns::

2010-05-05T21:13:00.000-07:00

Ok relax, peeps. This isn't going to become a quilting blog. I am just a little lost and need some help. Well, a LOT of help. I am now considering patterns for Heidi's aforementioned quilt. Most of the patterns I find are piece-y and muddy - a bit too spastic for this a-place-for-everything-and-everything-in-its-place gal. Because I want to showcase some chic and stylie fabrics, I need a pattern

::Singer::

2010-05-04T18:46:00.001-07:00

So I got a new sewing machine for Mother's Day - yip! This is because I decided I wanted to make Heidi a queen-sized quilt - by hand. When I started looking into it and realized this would take more than a year (and that's with a little time devoted to it EACH DAY!), I thought maybe I should find myself a machine. But good quality used sewing machines are hard to come by around here - I guess

::elevator story::

2010-04-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Since regularly attending Calvary Temple here in Brandon, Wayne and I have joined a fantastic small group that meets Thursday nights. Led by a couple named Bryan and Amanda, we have been following a study by Bill Hybels, called Just Walk Across the Room, which aims to equip Christ followers to embrace evangelism. I am the first to admit that I have not been blessed with the gift of evangelism. I

DIY Spring Wreath

2010-04-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

Elsie Flannigan inspired me to make own spring wreath and I completed it this morning. It was actually much easier (and faster!) than I anticipated, and it now hangs on our front door to welcome new friends. Check out her post to for a DIY step-by-step guide. I must say, it probably was more expensive than buying a cute spring wreath at Winners (yarn and butterflies = $18 at the dollar store,

::awkward...::

2010-04-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

...is when you're standing in the Canex supermart looking for Real Simple on the magazine rack with your baby girl, and a young uniformed soldier stops beside you, gives you a decidedly nonchalant look, and grabs one of the magazines with a naked girl on the front and plastic wrapped around it from the very top rack. "Really? No internet at your place, dude?"

::Power::

2010-04-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. - Rt. Rev. Henry Knox Sherrill, President of the National Council of Churches USA, 1950-1952

::An Incomplete List of Influences::

2010-03-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

The following is a random list of things and people that have played a role in who I am today. I'm listing them, without explanation, in no particular order. Some are good influences. Some are not. (You'll have to guess which is which.)* Michael Jackson* Disneyland* Kraft Dinner with hot dogs and ketchup* My mom straining fruit smoothies every morning through a sieve because I always gagged on

::giveaway::

2010-03-06T16:36:00.000-08:00

Follow this link to go to the Epiphanie website, and follow the instructions to win either a brand new Canon 5D Mark II or a $2500 gift certificate to Southwest Airlines. woot! I've always wanted a "good" camera - a free one would be even better!So what are you waiting for? Jump on over to Epiphanie and check it out!

Listen to Meghan Baxters Playlist

2010-03-03T05:31:00.001-08:00

::Hi Ho! Hi ho! It's off to town we go!::

2010-02-23T07:33:00.001-08:00

I try to plan my trips to Brandon carefully. Driving 25 minutes to the nearest town will make you do that - it's a lot of gas, and a lot of work to get a little baby bundled up to get there on days like today (it's currently -27C). I go two days a week, at least, because Dora is signed up at Prairie Dog Daycare, where she can run and play with a huge pack of dogs without getting a frostbitten

::a day of firsts::

2010-02-16T11:04:00.000-08:00

Time is flying by here. It's an odd sensation, especially when I have no real schedule, like I did at work. While I am a super organized and scheduled person, I do tend to let things slide and I get a tad lazy when I have no deadlines or bosses around. This doesn't help me at all, because things get out of order here at Casa Baxter and when I get behind, I get cranky. And, "If momma ain't happy,

::Nella::

2010-02-11T14:10:00.000-08:00

I have not read anything that has impacted me emotionally this much in a LONG time. As a new mother, this post cuts to the core. As ANY mother, I think it would do the same. It is a journey of raw emotion...with a beautiful conclusion.Break out the tissue, turn up your speakers, and read on. *********************************On a housekeeping note, I will aim to post here more often. I'm still

::heidi in my christening dress::

2010-01-25T15:57:00.001-08:00

::playing around::

2010-01-25T11:33:00.000-08:00

::CFB Shilo - home::

2010-01-22T15:27:00.000-08:00

Well we've been in the house just over a week now and I thought you'd enjoy an update.This house is growing on me more every day. It's nice to have a home that doesn't feel like a tall, skinny townhouse (not that I didn't love our place at Kew!). You'd never know this was a duplex if you didn't see it from the outside. Once we moved in our furniture, it started to feel more like home. We only

::a new year, a new life::

2010-01-02T19:45:00.000-08:00

Looking forward: Yes, well, here it is, 2010, and I'm still S-L-O-W on the blogging front. Life has moved simultaneously at a snail's pace and in a flash this year (last year?). You know what I mean. With Wayne being away from home for 16 months, life has dragged. I feel like my life has been put on hold, waiting for a new phase to begin. Yet, because of my pregnancy, it has flown and it is

::back to life::

2009-11-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

So I haven't blogged since my birth announcement a) because I don't get a lot of long stretches to sit at the computer, and b) because I have been working on that post for so long. But hopefully now I can get back to our regular programming, which will likely now include some baby-related content.But today, I wanted to share a recipe that I just tried and fell in LOVE with. It's Jamie Oliver's "

::becoming mom::

2009-11-16T10:28:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION: To any male readers or squeamish female ones, this post contains descriptive phrases and terms like "membranes," "placenta," "tearing" and "stitches." Consider yourself warned. This is Heidi's birth story. :)****Written in my journal:Thursday, September 10, 2009Dear God,Five days overdue - had lots of contractions overnight but they subsided when I took a 5 am bath and then went back

::mini-update::

2009-09-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

Wayne and I are delighted to welcome our daughter Heidi London Baxter into our little family! She arrived Saturday, September 12, at 9:20 am after three hours of active labour. Apparently, that is fast. I didn't realize that counting the hours of "labour" doesn't start until it's considered "active" labour, which, for me, began around 6:15 am. I thought my labour would have been considered to be

::tick, tock::

2009-09-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

Since being on maternity leave, I have discovered I am not too good at doing nothing. I don't really know how to relax at home. At home, there's always something to DO, like sweep or mop, wash dishes, make beds, walk the dog, cook or bake. The only times in my life I've really allowed myself to relax is on vacation, where my surroundings don't dictate my daily tasks (well they do, but the tasks

::glitch::

2009-08-22T23:15:00.001-07:00

Here's an annoying thing about Blogger: when I start a post and then finish it later, it posts itself in the order in which it would appear, as if I had finished and posted it the day I began writing it. For example, I started this post on the 15th but just wrote it out today. Now it looks like I posted it on the 15th. What the heck is the point of that?! HOw does anyone know I wrote something

::10 years on::

2009-08-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, I happened to take Dora with me to downtown Langley, where (I had forgotten) Arts Alive was taking place. This annual event shuts down the one-way strip of Fraser Highway and it becomes a pedestrian-only area where local artists can display and sell their work. I was taking Dora to the Big Dog Little Dog Bakery for some marrow bones and training treats, but was surprised that I

::happy anniversary, wayne::

2009-08-19T09:49:00.002-07:00

Three years ago today was the best day of my life. We spent the morning preparing for our life's biggest commitment: to each other. We spent the afternoon in God's house, making vows to one another in front of friends and family to honour and respect one another until the Lord takes us home. We spent the evening celebrating our union and looking forward to the days, months and years ahead,

::what's your colour personality?::

2009-08-19T09:30:00.001-07:00

I love quizzes that reveal a piece of myself I'd never thought of in a certain way before. Here, I've stolen Imogen Lamport's link to House Beautiful, which has a quiz that helps you pinpoint what colours inspire you most.1. What’s the first color you see in the morning? "Homespun Linen" (a light grey) - the colour we've painted our master bedroom to go with the French Grape feature wall behind

::buttermilk cake update::

2009-08-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

(See previous post for link to recipe)So the Buttermilk Cake turned out to be DELISH - I froze the layers in plastic wrap the night I made it, saving for an occasion I'd need to contribute something edible to a soiree. Yesterday, my mom had my cousin, her four kids, a family friend and me over for a lovely mid-afternoon lunch on the deck and I brought the cake. It got RAVE reviews and, even after

::weekends are for eating::

2009-08-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

After making the Pioneer Woman's "Best Chocolate Sheet Cake. Ever." (who am I to argue? I'd never even heard of sheet cake until I saw her recipe) on Friday night for Saturday's luncheon with les parents and les grandparents, I had a lot of leftover buttermilk to deal with. (Why can't they sell buttermilk in 500 mL or even 250 mL cartons, like they do with regular milk and half-and-half? Who ever

::the seam::

2009-08-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

Is it not the most ANNOYING thing to receive a fresh Tim Horton's coffee where the lid opening seems to be strategically placed over the seam of the cup? That drives me nuts! You take a sip and one drop gets caught between the expanding overlapping pieces of cup which inevitably drips onto your shirt as you drive. ARGH! Plus, the more you drink from it, the softer the cardboard gets on your lip

::on bargains and probiotics::

2009-08-05T22:05:00.000-07:00

My mom recommended I do the Activia 14-day challenge a few months ago. Being pregnant and having yogurt virtually EVERY morning for some protein before walking the dog, I switched brands and gave it a whirl. Supposedly, the "probiotics" in this yogurt are supposed to "help regulate your digestive system naturally as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle." She swore by the difference it

::simple pleasures::

2009-08-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

How is it that such a simple find could make life so grand in a moment? Well, I suppose anyone who shops at Winners or Homesense would say, "VERY easily!" This lovely accordion file is EXACTLY what I've been looking for for more than a year (hey, I wasn't actively looking, okay? Just keeping my eyes peeled until the right one came along...at the right price!). Because I rip recipes out of

::bacon makes everything better::

2009-08-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

This is a motto of Wayne's: bacon makes everything better. And it really, truly does. For a while there, I was eating turkey bacon (or "turbacon," as I've heard it called). But, much like my thoughts on diet pop (found in #13 on the list in my previous post), I have gone back to the real thing. I think turkey bacon has even more junk in it to make it taste and look like "real" turkey than it's

::braindead::

2009-08-04T21:26:00.000-07:00

Can't think of much to write today so I'm stealing this little questionnaire from Sharon. 1 What's the last thing you put in your mouth? Water2 Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew? Ummm, no.3 Where was your default picture taken? At home4 Who was the last person you rode in a car with under the age of 20? My cousins Emily and Kylah (ages 8 and 6) - yesterday!5 Can you play guitar hero? I

::9 to go::

2009-08-03T21:34:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow is the beginning of the end, I think. Only nine more working days until I'm officially on maternity leave. Scary. Part of me wonders what I'll do when I wake up on August 17 with no where to be. The other part of me wonders how I'll get everything done in only three weeks before baby arrives! I'm doing a lot of that lately - waffling, feeling one way then another. Feeling excited

::goodbye, Bailey::

2009-07-31T11:27:00.001-07:00

My cousin, who just gave birth to her fourth child last weekend, sadly had to put her 13-year-old Cocker Spaniel to sleep yesterday. Bailey was old and sick and was going downhill fast. The poor guy.My other cousin, her sister, found this poem as a source of comfort for the family as they mourn the loss of their pet. Having Dora, I now know this has a huge impact on a family, especially the

::open letter to my soldier::

2009-07-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Wayne,My dinner plans were postponed this evening and it gave me a night off. I was thankful, actually, as it's just too hot to be social or in a relatively good mood. So I made myself a lovely Caprese Salad and thought about how I would have loved to have made one for you, too, and eaten it with you on our deck with a cold beer (O'Doul's for me, of course). Then I chuckled thinking about

::like a blue-assed fly::

2009-07-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, that is a momism. My mom is British-born but moved here where she was 8. That wasn't early enough to purge the old English idioms and funny sayings that sometimes slip out. So when she is so busy she doesn't know what to do with herself, she says she is buzzing around like a blue-assed fly. I guess the metaphor is that you only ever see it's bum because it's always moving on to the next

::quote of the day::

2009-07-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Fariyal Cross:The other day I bought a designer purse. But, before even considering it, I checked to see how many diapers and bottles I could fit in.Welcome to your new life.I love this. So sad but so true at the same time. I guess the era of the "clutch" is officially over...for now.

::another day::

2009-07-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post yesterday. Oops. It was an exciting day - my newest baby cousin arrived: Oliver MacLeod, 7 lbs, 3 oz. What a little sweetie. He is the youngest (and last!) of four - two girls and now two boys. Perfect. :) He lives a couple of blocks away from me so I hope to see and snuggle him lots, especially when HIS new baby cousin arrives in six weeks! (Yes, he's totally smiling in that

::bad mommy::

2009-07-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

One look at these makes me want to take out shares in Nestle!!!Yes, I WILL use these sinful indulgences to help my children make friends when we move to a new military base town. That is, if any make it out of the kitchen...

::no title::

2009-07-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

Weird story about the Hutterites and their driver’s licenses. Winning online comment below:Marc Country wrote: Just think: if these Hutterites ever realize that their shoes, pants, shirts, and hats all come together to form a crude representation of a person, then they'll probably have to consider their clothing as yet another form of forbidden 'graven images'.And then, it's naked Hutterite time.

::a lesson for the ladies::

2009-07-23T09:39:00.000-07:00

Warning: another bathroom postOne thing I will NOT miss about working is changing the toilet paper dispensers in the women's washroom. It's odd because I think most women are responsible for this job at home and HATE it. Yet they get to work and - lo and behold - these commercial TP dispensers are just too darned confusing to figure out! "They must be designed by a man," says lazy coworker #1 as

::connections::

2009-07-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

By way of a Facebook group discussion topic I started in a group for Canadian Military Wives, I have "met" (as much as sending Facebook messages can be "meeting") another young military wife in Abbotsford today. She just gave birth to her second child (already has a 2 y.o.) and her husband left for Basic Training in St. Jean, QC, mid-June. He is also Army and graduates in September, so we're

::zucchini blossoms::

2009-07-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

You know when you think about something or someone and suddenly, later in the day or week, that thing or person pops up in your life unexpectedly? And it's really eerie and it makes you look over your shoulder and wonder who was in your thoughts that could have orchestrated this timely coincidence? Yeah, that feeling. Well, it just happened to me.This post came through on my Google Reader today

::oops::

2009-07-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

My dad was over yesterday painting our two upstairs bathrooms. By the time I got home, it was time to clean up and reassemble all the fixtures, medicine cabinet, electrical face plates and other decor. Of course, you can't put it all back dirty, so straight home from work I changed into Cinderella mode and Pinesol'd my way around my dad as he reinstalled the fixtures, etc. Of course, my cleaning

::companion::

2009-07-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

Most of you know Dora, our beloved Springer Spaniel. She is our fur-baby. She turned two a couple of weeks ago and is really coming into her own. While she's been a little (sometimes unnervingly) territorial/protective at times since I've been pregnant and Wayne's been away (it is her job), she has really mellowed out and become a lovely companion. Having her around in Wayne's absence has

::reckless::

2009-07-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

Today I saw a mother driving an old Toyota Camry (4-dr) with two kids under 10 in the back. At the stop light, she pulled up next to me, and slightly ahead. I noticed a lot of movement in the backseat out of the corner of my eye. When I looked, the little boy in the back was playing with his sister's toys and wanted to hand something to the mom. And what did I see? Not a stretch toward his mom

uuuggggghhhhhh

2009-07-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

Really, this heat is quite gross. Even when I'm NOT pregnant, I'm not a fan of SUPER heat like this. Mainly because it's no fun for redheads to seek out shade and miss all the fun stuff like beach volleyball, swimming for hours and reading a trashy book on the sand at the local beach.I took the dog to the off-leash park after work and didn't bother changing out of my jeans because I figured I'm

::dogs and babes::

2009-07-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

While I am fairly certain Dora, our two-year-old English Springer Spaniel, will be quite indifferent to our new addition in 7 weeks (she's a pretty mellow dog), I'm wondering how to go about creating this delicate balance between fur-baby and...real baby. While I originally wanted the extra time off before baby arrives to spend with her, my recent reading says to actually start distancing myself

names

2009-07-15T13:57:00.000-07:00

name: the word by which an individual person...is known, spoken of, etc. (Cdn Oxford Dictionary)Wayne and I thought we had this child's name chosen for good. We've been referring to it by name for a couple of months, now. (12 weeks, actually!) While we had trouble deciding for both genders, we were relieved when the task was cut in half once we found out the gender.But as time goes on and the day

::future::

2009-07-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

I've been pondering my future career options lately, as the end of my time at the office draws near and I face indefinite unemployment in favour of motherhood. I know I can write and edit from home, but without knowing where I'll be or what kind of baby I'll have or how involved I'll be in church/community activities in my "spare" time, I have no idea how to project my goals or estimate my return