Monthly Musings

 

Linking up with Holly and Patty.

1. Do you meal plan? Any family favourite recipes to share?

Yes, I get back into meal planning during the school year. You can check out my link to recipes I've shared here.  There is a random assortment of things we like to make. 

2. What are your back to school traditions?

We take a photo on the front steps, we walk to school with the boys, and make this meal. 

3. Where do you do your best shopping for kids clothes and supplies?

Usually The Gap, H&M or Old Navy for regular clothes. The Last Hunt for outerwear, and Sport Chek for shoes.  We get our school supplies at Staples. 

4. How do you transition your wardrobe to fall?

There is no formal transition other than adding a sweater or sweatshirt.  Usually around mid-October, early November, I will get the sweaters out of storage and put away the lighter dresses and tank tops. 

5. Any end of summer trips planned?

No, but we are looking forward to a possible fall trip.

6. Do schools in your area start before or after Labour Day?

After Labour Day, first day of school is Tuesday. 

7. What are your Labour Day plans?

No major plans, will probably go swimming, maybe golfing, maybe a bike ride.  Will try to take advantage of our last summer weekend by spending as much as we can outside. 

8. White after Labour Day? Yes or No?

I will wear white any time of the year.

9. Pumpkin Spice...as soon as it comes out or wait until real fall?

I usually only have one pumpkin spice latte and I will wait until the weather cools down, usually around mid-October.

10. Best life hacks for back to school.

I really don't have any.   The first week of school is always a bit hectic, it sort of sneaks up on me and I'm scrambling to get groceries.  This year we will not be travelling this weekend, so that will help and I can use the Saturday and Sunday to get ready.

What's Up Wednesday

What we're eating this week...

Sunday - Steak and Potatoes
Monday - Sausages, Corn, Green Beans
Tuesday - Chicken Rice Taco Bowls
Wednesday to Saturday - nothing planned yet, but I'm sure we will have pasta at least once, maybe hamburgers, and go out another night. 

What I'm reminiscing about...

I met up with a university friend this week when she was in town. It had been way too long since I saw her and it was nice to catch up.  I neglected to get a photo, but here we are many years ago, and we probably look just the same now ;)

What I'm loving...
Southern Ontario Summer.  The warm weather is going strong and even with a few cool mornings, it has been lovely.

What I'm dreading...
Making lunches.  I mean, I made Q lunches for camp most weeks this summer but I had the last couple of weeks off.  Last year we started off strong with having the kids put together their lunches the night before, but it didn't last long.  And really the hardest part is making sure we have the fixings to make lunch.

What we've been up to...
Cottaging.  We were lucky this summer to spend two weekends at cottages with friends.  We have always considered buying our own cottage but it hasn't been the right time yet. Some day we will and we are collecting information and details about what we would like and not like. 

What I'm working on...
Thinking about what we need to do for back to school.  I will want to clean the backpacks and lunch bags and check out what clothes the boys need, probably just pants for now, and probably fall jackets.  The school supply list doesn't come home until the first week so we don't need to go to Staples yet.  I ordered a wipe off wall calendar from Amazon so we'll see if it is what we want when it gets here. 

What I'm excited about...
The Toronto International Film Festival happens next month.  I didn't really try to get tickets to anything, but there are a couple of films I would like to see so maybe if the timing works out I will try the rush line.  My office is also near the Fairmont Hotel and there are often celebrities that stay there so I may walk through the lobby a couple of times to see who I can see (once I saw Ron Howard). 

What I'm watching/reading...
I watched the Laci Peterson Netflix doc, Dave and I watched Anatomy of a Fall, and we are all watching The Amazing Race Canada.  We are also still watching those Blue Jays games, even though they aren't making the playoffs, it is good to see the new players (we love Barger!) and cheer them on to the end of the season.

I will write about my August books on Monday, but I need something new, so I'm hoping my library holds come in soon. 

What I'm listening to...
We were helping Q pick out a walk-up song.  For his rep team he used Thunder by AC/DC but he wanted to change it up, and took my suggestion of Enter Sandman by Metallica. 

What I'm wearing...
Although it is still warm, I have been able to wear a sweatshirt again.  I got a white hoodie from Aritizia for my birthday and only now have I had the opportunity to wear it.  Aritizia sweats are so cozy!

What I'm doing this weekend...
It's the last weekend of the summer, I know that Dave has a few golf rounds planned so I hope to take the boys swimming. 

What I'm looking forward to next month...
The first day of school, t-ball and baseball playoffs, and Q's 8th Birthday. 

What else is new...
Next week Q starts piano lessons, and I was able to schedule his lesson to overlap with E's guitar lessons so they can walk together there after school and then walk home. 

Linking up with Shay.

Weekend Recap

What a lovely summer weekend we had!  We packed up the car on Friday and hit the road for cottage country.  A trip up Hwy 11 calls for a stop at Webers!

Our friends had rented a cottage for the week and invited us up for the weekend, along with another family.  Lake Kawagama was very inviting. 

We were excited to don our bathing suits and get in the water.

Q was the first one to go tubing.

More tubing.

The boys also got in on the fishing. 

View down to the lake.

Hot tub cabin.

The fishing definitely kept everyone entertained.

Drink time on the deck.

After supper the kids built the fire.

What a lovely night.

E actually set his alarm for 6:15 so he could go fishing.  Q got up with him.

Since the kids were happy fishing, I sat for a few minutes with my book and coffee.

Still fishing. 

Pre-lunch Aperol Spritz, it's like juice, right?!

Everyone was in and out of the water all day - swimming or on various watercraft.

Lunch on the dock.

The kids managed to catch a few small fish later in the day.

 

Dinner time.

Another early morning for the kids on Sunday, they wanted to fish again.

It was so peaceful when I went down I decided to take the paddle board out.

And then Dave went.

Sugary cereal and smoked salmon bagels were our offerings for breakfast.

E got a big fish on Sunday morning.

A short but sweet weekend away with friends.