'Olive moss'

I finally choose a colour for our exterior doors!

'Olive moss'

What'cha think?

Mom & Dad

My mom and dad have been visiting for the past week...which is why I haven't posted lately. I only see my parents once a year ( two if I am really lucky). They live on the other side of the country, so I try to get in the best visit possible. With the time difference it takes them a few days just to adjust.

Living far away from family is hard, especially when you have a new baby.This was the first time my mom got to meet Simone, and she is already 5 months old! The next time...she will be walking and maybe even talking.

Every time my parents come to visit I have a list of things that I would like done. My dad is super handy, and loves helping me. He is not the kinda guy to just sit around...he loves to tinker. I did two hardware store runs. One with my mom who is the designer and color picker. One with my dad who is the handyman and measurement guy.

This trip we finished the mudroom! My dad finished the wainscoting and trim, my mom and I did the painting and she also sewed up these great cushions for my bench. We also made the hooks on the wall with a piece  of wood we found at the beach!!

I wish we lived closer, but we make it special by just hanging out and doing things together. It will be hard to say good bye tomorrow evening. But I hope to see them again real soon. Luv ya M &D.

This kitchen is seasoned with love

Today was the day that my kitchen back splash got installed! I am so excited, I had to share. It looks beautiful. I picked out these tiles before the renovation even started. I fell in love with them.

I had a design concept in mind when we started, I just really wanted it to be open with a nice flow. This is a monumental moment for me. First kitchen, first renovation, finally finished..minus the dishwasher.
2012 is the year of the dishwasher!!

2011

This year has past so quickly, it is nice to look back and share some of the highlights.  First off the renovation of our downstairs. I was without a kitchen for 5 months. That was intense, but once everything was done I was really happy with the way it turned out. High fives to Jonathan's brother Jason! There are a few things that we still need to do, but its a work in progress.

new kitchen

I also discovered I was pregnant around the same time I was without a kitchen. Let's just say I am super happy I don't have to wash dishes in the bathtub anymore! That sucked :P We went to the beach quiet a bit in the summer, I also was a vendor at the Farmers Market again this year. I love getting to participate in such a wonderful community.

9 months

beach sessions 2011

farmers market 2011

My mom and dad came to visit in June, we went to New Brunswick for a getaway. I miss my mom and dad  so much, I wish they lived closer.  When they do come and visit they always help out around the house, this year they came and helped finish off the down stairs bathroom. Thanks M&D!

mom and me at the Hopewell Rocks, NB

Ocean started her last year of Jr.High...its hard to believe that she will be driving next year!!! Leeluu also started school, preschool. She is starting to warm up to the idea :P

Ocean and Leeluu

We welcomed our newest member of the family in October, Simone Kali. It was a wonderful birth experience, thanks to my doula Amy! She was my rock. The birth went quickly, 3 1/2 hours and I did it au'natural. Something I am very proud of :)

Simone Kali

On to the food!! Some of my highlights of what I have been creating in my kitchen this year were during Vegan MOFO. It was a lot of fun to try and blog about vegan food every day during the month of October. I think I missed a few days here and there, but that's okay, during the time I was introduced to new vegan food blogs that made my tummy grumble :P

Chickpea frittata was a hit with the family!

as were the veggie pot pies

One of my most favorite desserts that I made this year was the strawberry shortcake that I made when my parents were visiting! It was DE-licious :)

strawberry shortcake

 I hope everyone the best in 2012.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. 

The important thing is not to stop questioning.

-Albert Einstein

Bathroom blog

This is a picture of the closet downstairs. We only had one bathroom in the house and decided to turn this closet into a powder room. I know that this is not Kirsten's Bathroom blog but I thought I would share with you the progress that we are making in our new home.

We have lived in the house for 10 months and did some serious renovations. I would have to say its not easy on a relationship to dismantle your home and rebuild it, but we are doing it room by room.

Since my mom and dad were coming for a visit I thought I would take advantage of my dad's handyman skills and put him to work. I say goodbye to my parents today :( Thanks dad for all your help, you will be missed!

Kitchen project

The kitchen reno is coming together, but we still have another 6-8 weeks before we get our counter top and cabinets. We manged to prime all the walls, with help from the #1 kid in the world :) Thanks O.

I have to admit I have not been cooking all that much, I make dinner every night, but it usually a pasta dish, soup, or some kind of veggie dog/burger. Nothing spectacular.

If you are looking for some yummy vegan recipes to make....go visit findingvegan.com , a vegan food photography site linking to lots of amazing recipes and cooks!

Discovering

We went outside exploring in the yard this afternoon and discovered some new spaces. We have only lived in the house for 6 months, discovering new spots is fun. At first I thought this tree was not very pretty, its kinda straggly and needs some serious pruning. When we went underneath it we realized that it was a beauty and has some serious climbing and swinging potential.

I forgot to announce the winner for the CSN giveaway on Monday....

#8 Maria Rose, she commented " I like taking morning walks in the summer!"

I can't wait for summer...I think I have had just about enough snow. Thanks everyone for entering, I hope to do another giveaway soon.

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway

Well in its another snowy day here on the East Coast of Canada, and we are without a door. Brrrrr. It's cold down stairs, I have the wood stove roaring. Why are we without a door you ask? Well because we decided to relocate the side door for more cabinet and counter space in the kitchen. Why would we do this in the middle of winter? Well because J's brother is here to help, and its the only time we could get him here. So...its chilly.
    

the supervisor

Its a terrific Tuesday because CSN has offered up another giveaway to one lucky person. With hopes for warmer weather sooner then later, I was peeking around at what they have for outdoor playsets , and came across this really cute play tent.

flower blossom teepee

In the summer I will be glad that the renovation is done so that I my time will be spent outside working on the garden.

For you chance to win a $45 dollar gift card from CSN, just leave a comment telling me what your favorite summer activity is. 
( I will announce the winner on Monday, only one entry per person please.)

*sniff * sniff*

Okay so I am not that sad about it, but as of yesterday I have been without a kitchen. That means no more home cooked meals, for a little while (unless peanut butter sandwiches fall into that category). The house is now an official disaster zone. I just keep trying to picture the new kitchen in my mind, reminding myself it is all worth it.

So for the next few weeks I will be sharing photos of my kitchen, and maybe doing a review or two on some convenience vegan food products. Right now I am sticking to veggie dogs, salads, fresh fruit and sandwiches. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Lentil & barley vegetable soup

This is a quick soup I made the other day, it is another one pot meal. (I love that kind) Super simple to make and usually everything is on hand to throw it together. If not... use something else that seems right :P

We are in full swing with the main floor renovations.The house is messy.The fridge is in the living room, and I am going to have no cabinets or counter top very, very soon. YIKES! I will be washing dishes in my bathtub,  seriously :P

I came down the stairs this morning at thought "OH GAWD WHAT HAVE WE DONE". I know its going to be a long couple of months living in chaos, but SO worth it in the end :)

Caught the sunrise this morning. It was so beautiful.

Lentil & barely vegetable soup

2 onions- small diced
4 cloves garlic- roughly chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp dried oregano
6 carrots- peeled and chopped
1 green pepper- small diced
10 mushrooms- sliced
1 medium potato- peeled and chopped
8 cups water/vegetable stock
3 cups cooked lentils
2 handfuls of barley
2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp red wine vinegar
sea salt
freshly ground pepper

In  a large pot heat oil and saute onion and garlic until soft
Add spices and continue sauteing until absorbed
Next add vegetables, saute for 2-3 minutes
Add water or stock, lentil and barley and paste
Bring to a boil, and allow to simmer for 45 minutes.
Season with vinegar, salt, and pepper.

A few pics of our new home & Parma Giveaway!

the kitchen

I feel sorta bad that I haven't been posting any recipes...but I will soon, promise. For now our home is my focus and I thought I would share a few pictures. This is the kitchen...I really want to get it renovated, but for now it is good (ARGH! except the oven doesn't work properly!!) I really love all the natural light though :)

view from kitchen

One of the best parts about this home, it's only a quick walk to the beach. This is our view from the front of the house. I love waking up to the sparkles on the water.

front window

  little ones space

O.K. that's all I got so far...the rest of the house is messy with boxes and art I have not put up yet. So far I have been super happy here, I suspect it will get better in the winter, because we have a wood stove in the living room!! What could be better on a snowy day then curling up on the couch and warming your toes by a fire!

Alright it is time for another giveaway!The good people at  Eat in the raw sent me some PARMA vegan Parmesan to sample and give one of my lucky blog readers a chance to try some too! The kids and I tried some last night I made vegan macaroni and cheese and steamed veggies. I liked it sprinkled on the cauliflower.

The ingredients are Raw organic walnuts, red star nutritional yeast, Celtic sea salt & LOVE! (love is an actual ingredient listed!) The nutritional yeast that they use is Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula. It is the highest quality nutritional yeast available. It contains good quality protein and B vitamins, including B12, a vitamin we vegans are constantly on the lookout for! 

The possibilities are endless with Parma!! So how do you get your hands on some of this...just leave a comment on what you would love to sprinkle this on. Don't forget to visit there site and read about the company!

Roses are red and houses are blue

I had a great morning at the farmers market. Every time I attend  I always end up meeting someone new. It really has a community feel... I know I have mentioned that before, but that is why I enjoy it so much.

Another beautiful bouquet. I managed to sneak away from my table and snag one. Can't you  imagine these at a wedding with the white dress, and some pretty red and yellow accents? I also got a yummy loaf of bread.

So remember the great news that I mentioned a few posts ago...well we bought our first home!! I am so excited to finally own a home. It has been a dream of mine for so long. Its blue and cute, and only a two minute walk to the beach. It needs a little TLC but I have lots to give, and I am so excited to finally get to do things the way we like them.

Its so much fun planning out what colours to paint, and what I want my kitchen to look like ( it needs a reno:P), but everything in time. We get the keys on the Wednesday!! I will be keeping a scrap book of our new home and the updates we do.  I hope to share my ideas with you and hopefully you can give me yours.

When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.  ~Chinese Proverb