The Playroom

Today I am feeling SO inspired about this really, REALLY cool Playroom project I get to work on... here are some of my very favourite inspirations:

1. Moomah.com 2. Project Nursery.com 3. FUNKY Textures 4. Ikea.com 5. I DON'T KNOW -so if anyone can tell me where to find this really neat tree shelf - please let me know!

An Un-Forget-ful Wedding

On Saturday I had the privilege to stand up for a very good friend at her lovely wedding in Forget, SK. I love Forget - If you ever get the chance you simply must seek out the Ananda Art House and have a meal at the Happy Nun Cafe. - In-cred-ible.




Her Wedding Cake was something of a challenge as a few of my worlds collided all on the same day - but I managed to seek out the elusive 30 hour day and pulled off everything on my to do... well, I didn't get to the laundry (but that's nothing new :) )



It was a wonderful day - and it went without a hitch.... once the ball got rolling. ;)


Mrs. Cupcake

Robot

Since I was sixteen and discovered a wind-up walking nose in a toy store - I have been completely enamored by wind-up toys. I love 'em! I think I have somewhere around 100 now.
Considering the size of my collection I do have a rule when it comes to acquiring a new toy for my collection - I must either get it as a souvenir on some crazy adventure - or as a gift.

Today my new niece stopped by for a visit - and my wonderful sister had brought with her a wind-up robot for my collection. This was only too fitting as little Elody's baby shower was a robot theme. What a lovely thank you gift. His name is Sparky.

Stormy Days

Photo Credit: Whitney Rutten, Carlyle

My husband and I were a little frightened by the storm cloud (pictured above). It has been almost two years since the tornado went through our neighborhood - and I have yet to forget what that evening was like.

So for the past few days we have been watching these big clouds come and go, some of them inching very close to our little town. Monday night a tornado watch was issued and the storm clouds were right on our doorstep. Being the prepared people that we are, we had the family sleep in the basement and readied our emergency supplies should we need them.

We had wind, hail and lightning - but nothing major and for no real length of time. What we did have, for sure, was an awful night of sleeping in the basement with two kids sandwiched between Mr. Cupcake and I! However, I would much rather lose a night's sleep than think of what might happen if we were to sleep through a tornado.

Today I can see more clouds building to the West and the forecast has the little lightning symbol on it for the next four days. I am both very excited for the chance to watch these marvels of nature and a little frightened at the thought of more damage to the house.

Do you like storms?

Love Doesn't Cost a Thing

Today is the first day of Summer. It's been a challenging Spring for our household with our area getting 2-3X the normal amount of rainfall - not only has it been depressing to be stuck inside watching the rainfall - but it has kept my husband from working - which keeps the budgets, projects and summer vacation plans shrinking. However, spirits here have been held high - and we haven't given in to the weather - we are - after all - together, healthy and happy to be a family.
And so, during this rainy season, it has been our children that have taught Mr. Cupcake and I about the true value of things. (When it was just the two of us a year like this would have meant no eating out, no movies, no fun... but now, it has provided us an opportunity to really enjoy our family.)
Yesterday, my Little Cupcake picked me a bouquet of pansies and dandelions. It was a lovely gesture which I put in a vase on the table. We have been enjoying walks, and bug hunts and picnics - between rainclouds. Mr. Cupcake has even started folding the laundry for me saying, "Now I understand how much work this really is."
All we need are picture books and a tutus - my daughter reminds me that reading and dancing are mandatory on rainy days - the T.V. stays off. And Mr. Cupcake has gotten to see his baby boy learn to crawl - something he missed with our Little Cupcake because he was working.
We are together, a stronger, happier family.

All though, I would be just as happy for it to stop raining any time now.

Pretty Pink Roses

I haven't made sugar roses with Royal Icing in the longest time - but I had so much fun doing these - well, I got a bit of a hand cramp... but how pretty do they look on this traditional anniversary cake?
I think I might just have to make a whole bunch to have on hand for future cupcake projects.

Farewell Harvey.

Every good thing in life comes to an end eventually. Why, even this evening Lily and I discovered an otherwise undamaged butterfly who's life had just come to an end. We are all the victims of these comings and goings.
It might sound silly to you, or it might not, but it was a guinea pig that taught me about life. Yes, a guinea pig. Not a teacher, not my parents, not a textbook and not the discovery channel.
In my lifetime of pets I have seen a dozen guinea pigs come and go - no, I'm not a guinea pig farmer - but my family has enjoyed them for many, many years. When I was about six my sister and I were each given a guinea pig instead of a dog - who knew it would have such an impact on us.
Unfortunately for my mother she had unknowingly purchased a boy and a girl - and as such - my circle of life learning began.

Yesterday, however, I said goodbye to my last little guinea named Harvey. He was by far my oldest and most friendly little guinea pig. He lived 6 1/2 years and was happy to accept a carrot everyday except yesterday.
Now this may sound extra silly, but, I'm pretty sure the little guy waited for me to get home to say goodbye. As I had arrived home from lunch he was only moments away from leaving this world and I was privileged enough to be with him.

Whatever the case. He will be missed - by me. But for everyone else - well, Lily has already asked if we can get a new Harvey.