Just Gonna Squeeze This One In

It has felt very busy around here the last couple of days.

We've been consumed with sickness, Halloween, bookkeeping/payroll and work.

{Yes, I'm back working 3 hours a week.  

Thank you to the feds for hearing our complaints about some of the EI changes.}

I will hopefully have some more time tomorrow to sit down and write more.

For today I just want to hit you with this little gem.

Nope, not a Halloween display.

 That's our shop neighbour, Greg, at Zippy's Auto.

This came off of Jeff's phone when he sync'd it last night.

{This happens once every couple of months.}

Apparently he stopped to see if Greg was ok, thinking he was stuck.

Once he knew he was ok {just hard at work} Jeff snapped a couple of pics.

If you're looking for an honest mechanic, Greg is it.

He's who we trust with our own vehicles.

Have a happy and safe Halloween

Aspiration Time

No, I'm not going to lay out my hopes and dreams.

This post is not about that type of aspiration.

It's happened.

My little man has his first cold.

He woke up snorting this morning but still sported a smile.

Such a trooper.

It's really such a sad thing to watch a baby who can't breathe out of his nose try to nurse.

Fiona was a bit of a stuffy baby.

I didn't realize this until we had Cedric.

We haven't even had to break out the saline and nasal aspirator in his first 7 1/2 months.

Well, it's time.

Nasal aspiration is really not my favourite thing.

{I know you're shocked.}

I find those little squeezy bulbs {that's the technical term, no?} quite intimidating.

 I don't feel like I have a lot of control over the sucking pressure and I'm terrified that I will accidentally squeeze it while it's still in the baby's nose.

Cue the Hydrasense nasal aspirator.

I was tipped onto it by a friend {thanks Andrea} and it's wonderful.

It's still disgusting. 

More actually.

You see it still has a bulb but instead of squeezing it, you put the tube that's attached to the other end in your mouth and suck.

No, this is not a gross Halloween prank, it's real.

Please note that the tube is about 6 inches long and there's a filter in the bulb.

No snot gets close to your mouth, ever!

Cedric is napping at the moment but I've pulled out the supplies and am ready to aspirate.

Now That's a First Car

I would be over the moon if Fiona grows up to be like this amazing girl.

I really just want her to have it all.

I also daydream of her dancing on pointe or taking over the business world but who says she can't be a CEO-mechanic-ballerina.

Right?

I can only imagine the pride her parents feel.

You can see it all over this Dad's face when he talks about her.
Very cool.

Mason Jar Coffee

That's right, mason jar.

A couple of days ago my french press shattered.

I was devastated.

I have come to love my french press.

I've done drip, espresso and even had a short stint with instant.

{In my first trimester with Cedric I couldn't stand the smell of brewing coffee.}

I have found that the press produces the smoothest cup.

{I'm sure the half and half doesn't hurt.}

Just go buy another right?

I probably would have if the kids weren't in bed already.

Ok then just take out one of the other methods.

I almost did.

But I had just had a bunch of beans ground for the french press.

Besides I just didn't want to go back to these other methods.

I thought "I'm sure I can simulate a french press."

And so was born my version of Mason Jar Coffee.

{Patent pending, not really.}

1. Boil water.

{I know the visual is really helpful right?}

 2. Get your supplies.

Mason Jar

Coffee (course grind)

4"x 4" piece of porous fabric

{I used tulle since I had a bunch leftover from some projects a couple months ago.}

Chopstick

Cloth of some sort

 3. Put coffee in jar.

I usually do a heaping tbsp for each cup (250ml) but that may be a little weak for you.

Many websites say 2 tbsp for each 250ml in a french press.

 4. Pour in boiling water.

This is getting complicated, I know.

 5.  Put the lid on {not the ring} and let steep for about 5 mins.

You should have that nice bloom on top.

 6. Give it a quick stir {I just used a chopstick} and the grounds will sink a bit.

 7. Place the fabric in top.

 8. Screw the ring over the fabric.

9. Pour! 

This is a 2 hand job so I have no pic but I think it's pretty self explanatory.

The jar does get hot hence the washcloth or something to hold it with.

That's it.

I even tested this method out on my former-barista sister yesterday and she gave it a thumbs up.

I love the fact that I didn't spend any money on this or add more gadgets to the house.

{I am a little anti-gadget for those who don't already know this about me.}

It's a keeper.

Roush

Once in a while we get something really rare through the shop.

This definitely fits in that category.

It's a 2012 Roush Mustang RS3.

There were only 24 with these specs made.

"In Canada?" I asked Jeff.

Nope, in the world.

Now that's rare!

Tap That

{It's not just you, the titles are getting worse.}

I have roots in Ontario.

Both my parents lived there until they were in their mid-twenties.

We went back every year to visit.

When coming home we often brought back a bucket of maple syrup.

That's right folks, a bucket.

Maple syrup is a staple out east.

Salt, pepper, sugar, maple syrup.

Not in that order.

So I grew up with an intense love for maple syrup.

REAL maple syrup.

I have often settled for "maple type syrup" because of the price difference.

Recently I discovered President's choice 15% maple syrup.

It's not the same as the real thing but it's a decent stand-in at a fraction of the cost.

Well, Diana and Carly were at the cabin a while back.

 Jeff, of course, made his to-die-for french toast.

And I took out the good old 15%.

Cut to a couple weeks later when they showed up with this...

...tied up with a bow no less.

Well, seeing as dinner was in the works, I wasn't about to whip up a batch of pancakes.

{I'm not above having pancakes for dinner.}

But I really wanted to dive into this jug.

Then I remembered something my Mom used to do.

Looks good right?

It is.

Vanilla ice cream sprinkled with granola and drenched topped with maple syrup.

{A special thanks to Kim for leaving the ice cream after our meeting last week.}

Ready to Rummage

Ok that was bad I know but it kinda rang true.

This weekend was the SEESA fall rummage sale.

I have been meaning to go to one of these for years!

Each year I'm either pregnant or have a baby so I forego the sale.

Well, this year I still have a baby but also had a Jenna and a Steve who offered to help out.

{Jeff was working on hail again this weekend.  

Thanks Daddy, we so appreciate how hard you work.}

I wore Cedric and Fiona was a doll on her best behaviour.

Success!

We went at opening to get the best selection.

Now I'm glad we did but that timing is what gave this post it's title.

Those rummage salers are ruthless determined!

Cedric actually got a hand in his face at one point so I didn't last long in the big room.

Despite that I managed to do pretty well.

 Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa, I even went back on Sunday for a more leisurely {albeit picked over} browse.

I hightailed it out of there before the $2 bag madness began though.

I have my limits.

 Those little girl guides were also there and they just get me every time.

As my Grandma would have said "they're lovely girls".

{I'm channelling Grandma after seeing so much that reminded me of her this weekend.}

All that and I only spent $21!

Now I know I've been talking about purging rather than bringing more in.

The bonus of this though was that I was prompted to organize and clean up a bit to fit my new treasures in.

Just let me justify it ok?