Whoa, Where Did Summer Go? Let's Recap.

I have so much to share.

I do not, however, want to photo dump you so I'm going to attempt a summer catch up in instalments.

Let's work backwards though to take advantage of the now first.

 Lake life has been so good to us as always.

We have such a beautiful little world up there.

And just when I think it can't get any nicer, some Pelicans drop by to say hello.

In reality they're probably saying goodbye but let's not go there just yet, I have to catch you up on our summer right?

Fiona is growing like crazy, more mind than body these days.

She is starting to show interest in letters and even a little math.

She sings all the time and recently started "playing" her guitar but only when Cedric is willing to accompany her on drums.

 Cedric is keeping his steady growing pace, he's never been a weed that one.

What has exploded, however, is his language.

He is communicating clearly now and has the manners of a champ.

He never forgets his "pease", "fank you", "wow-come", "sowwy" {lots of sowwys} and my favourite "scuse-ee" with a hint of an italian accent.

 We had such a great summer but {as I've said before} these chilly days of fall are my favourite.

The colours are starting to appear on the trees and the cozy sweaters are getting their workout.

 Our evening walks are just a little darker, the sun just skimming the tops of the trees.

 This summer has also seen a change in Feefs and Ced dynamic.

Sure, they fight more as Cedric is finding his confidence and standing up to his big sis.

But man do they love hard.

It is not uncommon to find them "nuggling" or playing happily together.

I know it will continue to change but I sure am enjoying this phase.

One last recent development I will leave you with is one that my feelings change on daily.

We have decided to list the cabin that we love so much.

It was a hard decision but we have our sights set on a new property.

This place would take us to the same lake as our friends who are actually more like family.

We love where we are but can see so many benefits to moving.

So we're giving it a go even though it's not the best time to buy a lake property.

We are willing to hold out for next year but are staying hopeful.

In the meantime, knowing our time there could be short, we are enjoying it that much more.

Pumpkin Crunch Muffins

Trying something a little new today.

I wanted to post this recipe because it's just too good not to share.

I'm not one of those gifted people that come up with their own recipes.

I am just starting to figure out how to modify recipes to suit my family's tastes.

I have a long way to go until I start giving culinary advice however. 

Let's be honest, that day may never come.

My Mom used to make these for us as kids and they wouldn't last the afternoon.

{You should know, though, that my Mom is a dietitian and treats were infrequent.}

Fiona now loves them just as much as we did.

I especially love that this recipe uses only one bowl.   

When I have to mix groups of ingredients separately it bugs me.

I know, I know, lazy, right?

I'm the same with pots.

Thanks Mom, love you!

Pumpkin Crunch Muffins

2/3 cup Milk

1/2 cup Pumpkin

1/2 cup oil {I use canola}

1 Egg

1 3/4 cup Flour

1/4 cup White Sugar

1 tbsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1/4 tsp Cloves

1/4 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 cup Raisins

Preheat oven to 400F.

Spray muffin tin with Pam.

Combine mild, pumpkin, oil and egg in large bowl.

Add remaining ingredients, stir until just blended.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.

Sprinkle {GENEROUSLY - this is the best part} with brown sugar.

Bake for 15-20 mins {until a toothpick comes out clean}.

Makes 12 muffins.

Note: I also have made this with 2/3 cup pumpkin and 1/3 cup oil to cut the oil a bit and they turned out great.  You could probably even go 3/4 and 1/4 with good results.

Leaves: AKA, Reliving My Youth

We had a beautiful weekend.

It was made even better because we got to relax with Jenna and Steve who you may remember from their fantastic wedding.

As I said on Friday, Jeff took the weekend off.

{He did however run to the shop at 9pm to grab payroll hours, sigh.}

Now to the subject of this post.

I have been dreaming about the day that our kids would love to play in the leaves.

Raking a big pile to jump in just takes me right back to teased hair and Tiffany.

I might have to wait for Cedric to do the jumping though.

Feefs kept inviting people to sit "in a my house".

So we surely couldn't mess up the walls.

It was said many times over the weekend that this was probably our last warm one.

But c'mon now, we're Canadian.

We'll still be walking, playing and sitting around the campfire until at least -20C.

Speaking of cooler weather, I saw something truly shocking...

Christmas is 12 weeks away you guys!

12 weeks!

Anyone have any toddler-friendly Christmas charity suggestions?

Weekend at the Lake {aka: A Farewell to Summer}

Did you miss me?

I took the kids out of town on Wednesday last week.

We hate to leave Daddy behind but Feefs was itching to see her BFF Charlie.

{I must admit though, she wasn't the only one missing a friend.}

Luckily, we were able to tear Jeff away from the shop for a couple days and spend some time at our own lake.

It was such a beautiful weekend but there were many hints of cooler times a comin'.

We watched neighbours bring in their docks and collect firewood.

This is cabin closing time for many.

{We, however, are the crazy type that head up in -40C. 

I swear it's really cozy with the fire roaring.}

The Canadian Geese flew overhead in that telltale formation.

The tree that still provides us with shade shed the first of the leaves that will soon blanket our lawn.

Fiona asked "what's that" when I produced a visible breath.

I was trying to demonstrate that the morning air was too cold for playing in the pool.

I can hardly believe that summer is over.

Time is flying by.

My little man turned 6 months a few days ago.

He must have decided that he needed to celebrate by hitting some milestones.

I watched him get up on hands and knees and sit unassisted.

I decided I needed to take action and make this kid seem more baby.

Bathing him in something small did the trick.

{Whew.}

 I realized this weekend that I will in fact miss summer.

The abundance of wasps, however, pushed me to long for that first frost.

The F Word

The last few mornings have felt like Fall.

There I said it, FALL.

It's crazy but that little chill in the air in the mornings makes me excited.

Excited for the sweaters, the boots, the scarves, the comfort food and the colours, oh the colours!

I really love fall and I'm sorry if the thought of it gets you down.

This little chill has also given me a little kick in the butt.

I have been thinking all summer of the great things I would do with Fiona come Fall.

Yesterday, my usual blogging time was consumed with online registrations.

So far we have enrolled in a gymnastics class and swimming.

{I have been inspired by the Olympics I must admit.

If I could put her in rowing right now I would.}

The gymnastics class was a challenge since Ortona was switching over their website yesterday.

I realized that I am useless at finding contact info if it's not readily available on the web.

Phone books?  Do we still have those?

Swimming was also less than straightforward since many of the classes are full.

Thanks to our friends Carmen and Lea who helped us find one with openings!

My last task is to get Fiona into one day a week of preschool.

I'm looking forward to a day alone with Cedric.

That Mama Guilt is kicking in and I feel like he doesn't get enough any one-on-one time.

I have visions of us baking "pumpkin-y" or "spice-y" things and taking crunchy walks.