May Long Weekend

It's just the way things turned out: there's no Monday Challenge for today. Originally my plan (I seem to say this a lot) was to get home at about one, then unpack our camping stuff, upload a couple photos to Walmarts website, get them printed, pick them up and start scrapbooking. We did leave the campsite so that we had plenty of time to get everything done, but there was a call on the way home that threw the wrench into my plans. Brent (my future father in law) called and need a peice of farm equipment welded. (Justin's a journeyman welder.) So we set off to the farm to get it fixed up. It's never a short trip going to visit, and we got home a little over an hour ago!

Now, let me start back at the beginning of this weekend. Justin was trying to prove a point to me, and had told me he wasn't going to help me get my things ready to go camping (he had to work out of town). This plan worked for him until Thursday, when he realized I wasn't going to have enough time to get everything finished that I needed to. He got a haircut, and I went grocery shopping right accross the parking lot - when he was finished he met me in the store and we finished up together. Back at home that night, I was busy for a good three hours in the kitchen; cutting up veggies, making quinoa, making cucumber salad, and getting my food ready to be packed. Honestly, I can't believe how much I had to do to pack for the weekend - and it was only one person going!

I left home Friday at about 6:20, got to the campsite at about seven, and visited with my parents and aunt and uncle until my tent buddy arived, about 45 minutes later. There was a few different spots we could set up our tent, and since I was going to be sleeping in the tent with Brittany, I wanted to make sure she was happy with the location! She chose the spot that I wanted, and we went to setting up our sleeping quarters. When Justin wanted to teach me a lesson with packing, I decided I was going to be Miss Independant for the weekend, so when it came to setting up the tent, I was all in.

I'm pretty sure we were all really excited to be out camping with one another (my other cousin - Brittanys younger sister Kas, Kas's boyfriend Evan, and Brittany):

This is a crazy firepit/lawn mower contraption, that we thought my dad had built and brought along. Turns out he's not the only crazy handyman, and it belonged to the campground.

Part of my independance meant making my own meals. I decided to document my creativity and culinary skills to show Justin. I did forget to snap a photo of my supper Friday night, which was a smokie and bun with a handful of chips and cucumber salad. This is my breakfast Sunday morning:

The weather this weekend wasn't nearly as nice as it was last weekend, but that's May Long for you! It was quite windy, and only about 10-15 degrees. My mum even let Brittany and I borrow a space heater for our tent, which kept us nice and cozy! We went over to my aunt and uncles campspot that had a wind fence built behind it Saturday afternoon. Behind the wind fence it was pretty nice, so we made ice cream.

Not having Justin, and our trailer out camping was really odd. I honestly felt a little lost; like an orphan. I just migrated back and forth between my parents trailer and Brittany and Kas' parents trailer. When I told Gloria I felt that way one night by the fire, she said she didn't mind at all! Brittany and Kas were always wanting me to eat with them, so a few times I'd make my food and bring it over to their trailer to eat with them. One of my least favorite parts about not having our trailer, was not having a bathroom to call my own, and using the outhouse and shower house - but it did have a mirror to take a photo of myself.

My lunch Saturday (pea pods, and my pre-made quinoa with a Mike's hard):

Saturday night I was supposed to eat a pork chop that I had marinated in teryaki sauce with sliced red pepper, onion and pinapple with rice. My parents had made lots of food, and my mum suggested I share their supper (chicken breast with salsa and cheese, sweet potatoes, homemade dill bread and broccoli with sun dried tomato dressing):

Sunday, before eating breakfast (my extravegant porkchop meal - I wanted to use it up) we all hung out in the trailer and watched a movie (21). I've got to say, it's pretty nice to sit inside where it's warm when the wind is whipping outside!

After breakfast "us kids" hung out in the trialer some more, and played a few card games. We played a bit of poker, using toothpicks as chips. And then, a new game was invented: guess how many toothpicks will be stuck to my cheek when I put my cheek on the pile of toothpicks. I think we may have had a touch of cabin fever!

Justin had texted me Saturday night, telling me the job that they were working on was rapping up early Sunday morning. He decided once he made it home, he'd come out with the trailer in tow, and arrived at the campsite around three. While we were showing my aunt and uncle (Kas and Britt's parents) our new trailer I took this photo; it just so happens to be the only picture I took of Justin out camping this trip!

Mine and Brittany's impromtu photo shoot this morning (right before we started taking down the tent, we decided to lay on the bed in there together in the sunshine, we were both missing each other as bed buddies from the night before when I went to sleep in the trailer):

Then, the weekend of camping came to a close. We all said our goodbyes, and headed back home to our respective cities. Shortly after leaving is when we got the call from Brent about needed the weld job. He felt bad, saying he interupted our weekend - but there's nothing nicer than getting out to the farm. Even just for a little while.

That was our May Long this year. Next week, we'll be back to our regularly schedualed programming with the Monday Challenge!

It Was Strawberry

Have you ever had a bubble tea? If not, get you butt to your local vietnamese restaurant and get yourself one! Seriously, one of the most interesting drinks I've ever had. The first sip I got a few tapioca pearls, and thought it was delishous. Such a chewy texture, like gummy candies - which I love. Not at all gross (as I was informed by someone at work before I tasted it), I'll spare you the details of his discription. A few more sips and I didn't like it; something was a little bit different about it.

After taking most of the afternoon to drink it (it wasn't slushy by the time I was done), I'm hooked. I want another right now. Next time I make it down there, I'll try another flavour; and no, I did not plan for it to match my outfit!

A Bundle Of Little Things

I believe it's far too nice out to be doing anything indoors today. I started this page last Thursday, and if I hadn't, I think I would not have gotten a layout done for today. I finished the layout at lunch, and added my journaling when I got home from work. Then, I took it outside on the deck for its photo op! Standing there with my burnt arms hurt with the sun beating down. This is much better than our minus winter weather, so I'm not complaining - keep the sunshine coming Mother Nature!

Originally when I started these Monday Challenges, I hadn't wanted one that you had to have a specific product for. Then, when I sat down with this photo, and got my materials together, I realized I wanted to use the Glimmer Mist, which I've never tried before. So, the tide turned, and it's this challenge is based on an item!

On your next layout: use a mist.

I pulled out little embellishments from my organizer. Anything that caught my attention at that moment, and layed it out on the page. The "outdoor" tag on kraft paper is from the Tattered Angles Bingo Boards and Calling Cards; why not re-use packaging? I'm really liking all these little bits, and what they add to my page. I used to think it looked kind of odd, bits of scraps in a pile, but now I'm loving it. They're built up, and add dimention to the layout. It's something different than flowers! (The stamp says: Life is a great bundle of little things - Oliver Wendell Holmes.)

Journaling says: On my list for this year is to take a photo weekly on Wednesdays. This is the first one that the weather's been nice for. We drove down to Popson Park to eat our supper (Burger King) and thought it was the perfect spot!

Thought I'd show a little bit of how I used my mist. When I was thinking of how to use the mist, I knew I wanted to have the contrast of the ink colour and the paper colour. I remember I had bought some coasters from the dollar store awhile back, (I used one on a layout awhile ago), that were just sitting in a bin waiting to be used. I cut up a cardboard box, so I didn't spray everywhere, layed the paper down, and placed the flowers on top to act as masks. Then started misting. I was really surprised at how much came out, and how far it covered with just one spray. I kept adding more until I was happy with the look. Then I carefully removed the coasters.

I grabbed some toilet paper (the bathroom is right accross the hall from my scrap room, and blotted off the extra ink. By doing this, I added more texture; there's a subtle dot affect where the ink was removed.

Well, there you have it. I know I'll be getting more mists next time I'm at the store, it's really fun to create your own patterned paper. It adds a lot to a page, with just a couple sprays.

Leave a comment with a link to your layout using the challenge. What different items can you use as masks?

Our Beautiful Weekend

With temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees this weekend, we couldn't have asked for better camping weather! Justin and I enjoyed the sun, and spent most of our time outside on our lawn chairs (we both got sunburnt). We had wanted to stay at a different campsite than we ended up in; the other one was closed, with a lock on he gate. That teaches us for just going with the flow, and not calling ahead first! My parents stopped and visited us Friday night for about twenty minutes, while we were setting up, right after we first arrived. They are on vacation, heading to San Fransisco.

After finishing setting up (basically pulling out our table, setting up the BBQ and campstove, and unloading our wood from the back of the truck), we started a fire, sat back and relaxed. For supper, we had a package of weiners (the chicken variety - my favorite)! Seriously, after every hot dog was eaten, we`d look at each other, "do you want another". It's kind of sick really! I swear, the fresh air makes a person really hungry.

Saturday morning, we started cutting up meat and veggies for our sandwiches. I was a little worried we'd run out of wood, so we just cooked them on the BBQ. Aside from my cheese oozing out, they were really good. They get quite crispy when they're cooked like this.

Remember how I said I love onions? I love onions! Take a look at how many I put on my sandwich:

These strawberries look much tastier than they actually were. My plan later on this summer is to go to a local U-pick and get some really good ones!

I was laying in the box of the truck on a blanket, and got really tired; I knew I was going to burn to a crisp if I laid there and slept, so I snuck into the trailer. Justin didn't hear me apparently, and napped on the lawn chairs. This is when he burnt.

This is the last picture I got before my battery died. Note to self: always charge batteries before leaving the house for a weekend.

Tomorrow is my future father-in-laws birthday, so we celebrated while out camping. Everyone came out for a visit, even Brent's mum; she made the birthday cake, so I'm glad she made the trip out! We had burgers, potatoe salad, chips, chicken and stuffing while enjoying some drinks in the sunshine.

I got to say, Justin and I really needed a little "get away". He's working the next two weekends, so it was really needed. Although sore from the burns, we feel really relaxed.

We're In The Double Digits

Yesterday was 100 days until our wedding, which makes today 99 days; it's getting so closed now it seems. The official countdown starts today! We have everything booked (location, officient, tents), just a little bit more to nail down. Yesterday we went to our local copy place, and worked out how our invitations will be. They'll get a proof back to us by Wednesday, then we'll order them, and that will get checked of the list.

Honestly though, I'll be glad when this whole process is over, and the wedding has happened. I can't believe how much stress it is to put something like this on. I just want to get back to my "real" life, without thinking about colours, cakes and dresses! Since we got engaged in Decmeber 2008, we've been planning this thing for quite some time. I can truly value a short engagement now! Not too short, but shorter than ours. Although not surprising, I've resently become a big fan of eloping!

I decided I wanted to edit these photos, my eyes were red, and the rest just went from there. A little Picnik cross processing and colour boost for them did the trick. I haven't been editing my photos lately, so it was a nice treat!

We're getting away this weekend camping. This is how I picture my weekend: in a lawn chair with a cocktail by my side, soaking up the sun! What are your plans?

I Can Feel It

Tonight we treated ourselves to Burger King. I've been craving a nice Whopper for a while now, and finally got to eat it, in all it's messy mayonnaise glory. We drove home, but saw our neighbours turning into our subdivision just before we got there. It's not that we don't like them, it's just that we didn't want to talk to them while holding onto our sack of food! So we drove down to the park a ways down the road in a river bottom. We've never been there together, and neither of us have been since we moved into this housse, a little less than a year ago (one month less to be exact).

We ate our yummy (although not nutritious) meal, in the Blazer, while parked. I immediately saw a bumble been buzzing around the bush in front of the vehicle, and pointed it out to Justin. It's the first sign of "real" spring that I've seen so far this year. Then I saw another. (On the way home I saw a robin sitting on a fencepost. I'm pretty sure I can announce - with confidence - that spring is finally here!) I've been keeping up with my weekly Wednesday self portraits, and thought it would be the perfect setting for mine tonight (being mindful of the bees of course).

The bottom shot will make it into my 52 album. (Nothing fancy, just a 4x6 of every Wednesday since my 25th. No scrapbooking, since I didn't want to pile another thing on my plate - just the photo and a date).

I didn't think initially it was going to be warm enough without my jacket, but it was beautiful out. After we were done, we drove back up the hill, and I don't know how it happened - I meant to get gas - the Blazer started chugging. I wasn't really worried, I knew it was going to make it, it was only because the gas tank was on an angle is all. Thankfully we made it to the top of the hill, with gas still. We went past the house, to the gas station close by and filled 'er up! Justin came back, after paying, with a dessert for me too (a Reese bar - my fave!), which made our randevous (and possible adventure) that much sweeter!

Be You

First of all, if it wasn't for my Monday Challenges, this layout, these thoughts, this happiness, this moment would not have gotten scrapped. For that, I am thankful! When thinking about this upcoming Monday on the weekend, there wasn't any moment recently that I wanted to scrapbook; there was that day when it rained an awful lot, but I wasn't excited about scrapping those moments. When Justin told me where we're going on our honeymoon yesterday, I had the biggest smile on my face, and thought it would be fun to take some "extremely" happy photos - so I grabbed the camera. If not for that thought, and these pictures, I would have forced myself to do another layout about weather (it seems I've done a few of those lately).

On your next layout: scrapbook the last self portraits you took. Journal about the memories, or reasons behind that moment. Why did you decide to grab the camera and snap those photos?

It's always nice to do a layout just about yourself. It seems you can let your creative "rules" fall by the wayside, and scrap on a "I want this there and I don't have to answer to anyone" kind of whim. I never would have used these tree, fox and foxy stamps on a layout otherwise. When I started to lay out my page, I had them laid out too. I didn't give it a second thought, and started stamping. I wanted to do the trunk and leaves different colours, so I masked off the areas with tape. When the trunk was stamped, I thought about what colour I wanted the leaves; I have a few different green inks. I then thought to use the three of them all together. After I stamped the one colour, I re-inked and tilted the stamp a little bit one way, and then the other. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out!

I have seen so much layering happening on layouts recently. it's always been kind of an issue for me to do this; I'm really particular about everthing being where it can be seen, and I like things evenly spaced. I'm trying to work on this, and thought I could give it a bit of a try on the page too.

Journalling says: the face of a happy girl who just found out where we're going on our honeymoon. It's the same reason I've gotten jewellery on December 2nd for 3 years: Justin can't contain his excitement. He was going to plan + book our honeymoon in secrecy. He told me where we're going an hour after booking!

Don't forget to leave a comment with a link to your layout using the challenge. Step outside of your boundaries on this one; live a little and play!