My evening:

We went to the bottle depot tonight and then came home and finished getting ready for our guest who arrives tomorrow.  

When Abby and Sam got back from Lloyds we played some games of cards - Zap with Susie too, and Spit - I played Abby while Sam was in the shower, and then Sam while Abby showered.  

It was fun :)  Love these games :)

Sam did some colouring before he went to sleep, oh and his bedtime story tonight was 'Ten Timid Ghosts' - we are reading books to do with Halloween at the moment :)  

The Italian Centre

Today we went on a field trip to the Italian centre - with our homeschooling friends.  

We were met by one of the staff members, and at first we thought she was just going to show us around the store....but it turned in to sooooo much more!  It really was an interesting and fun field trip for all of us!!

Last night we watched a dvd about Italy - the North of Italy....and it discussed Parmesan Cheese, olive oil and Truffles etc etc - this lead to Abigail having many questions about the foods...

We were shown the bakery and told about their cakes - and taught a few Italian words - and then the lady brought out a big tray of cookies for us to try!

Yummy!  Then we moved on to the produce section and looked at all the different peppers etc - and yellow/ golden raspberries (sooooo good!!) and then they showed us 'Cactus pears' which we had never seen before - and they brought out a big bowl filled with chopped up Cactus pear for us to try!  Very unusual fruit - reminded me of watermelon as its so juicy and filled with seeds!  Yum!

We went behind the counter at the cheeses and saw them preparing the huge parmesan cheese slabs - they cut a chunk off and then sliced pieces off for us to try!  

Then on to the meats section where they brought us out a huge platter with cheeses, meats, appetisers of cherry tomatoes, basil and mozzarella :) Mmmmmmm!!

We were shown all the aisles of oils and balsamic vinegars and even the locked cabinet that has truffles in it - and a bottle of balsamic vinegar for $249.00!!!!!!

After our tour we all did some shopping and then we all met up in the cafe where I had a cappuccino and a cake - we came home and watched the second part of the dvd about Southern Italy :)  It was a really good day and I feel like I know quite a bit more about Italy than I did before - I think I have a new favourite store/ cafe now too :)  

More pictures from yesterday...

Love :)

So proud :)

Susannah has been asked to represent Canada in a new group on Instagram.  It is a group of teen photographers from around the world, and they will each post pictures in the account 'Globals' - so it will show all their lives from their respective countries - as seen by teens :)  I think it's a fabulous idea!  They have set rules of what they can or can't post and how often they can post, but I think it will be a great challenge for her :)  

Follow them all by following 'Globals' on Instagram!!  :)  

Sunday on Whyte....

I do love Whyte Ave soooo much :)  The atmosphere, the stores, the sidewalks...the food places and coffee shops, people watching...the studenty/ artsy/ crunchy relaxed atmosphere.

It was REALLY quiet today despite the weather being nice.  I guess because it was Thanksgiving Sunday....but it was nie being the only car in the parking lot :)  

Lunch at Naanolicious on Whyte.  It was Laurences first time here.  They sell East Indian street food and it's amazing!  So cheap too!  It's like really good snack food!  Naan bread stuffed with whatever you choose and served like a panini!!  Yum!  

Laurence chose a raspberry flavoured cupcake at Fuss Cupcakes today.

We went to get some pumpkin ones for Thanksgiving, but they had sold out :(  

We spotted this new trash compactor on Whyte today - it is solar powered!!

Love it!!!  

My Sunday night :)

We seem to be a bit hooked on card games at the moment!!  

Tonight we played several rounds of the games below!  

I really like Spit - think I will have to play that with J and A at the next homeschool get together as I can see us having fun battling each other :)  

Abby and Sam are home again :)  Where they belong.  

The house is filled with noise and laughter again.  

:)  

Gifts from Grandma and Granddad....

We received a parcel this morning (Laurence collects the mail as he has the key and he collects it very infrequently lol...) and it was from my Mom and Dad in England....full of a little something for everyone - although Laurence was upset as his 'little something' had to be put away for his birthday next week lol!  

My Sunday...

It has been such a lovely Sunday.  I'm sitting here waiting for Samuel and Abby to arrive home.  Laurence came home at lunch time and spent the afternoon out with Susannah and I.  First of all we headed down to Whitemud Ravine for a walk and to feed the birds.  I hadn't fed the birds with the teens, so this was a special day :)  

Laurence got some great slow motion videos of them with his phone!!

We attracted quite a few photographers while we were there....this is just a few of them:

For Today....

Outside my window...Sunny and VERY windy.  Waiting to watch my boy drive up the driveway so we can go out!

I am thinking...of how I am looking forward to playing the new card games with the children tonight!

I am thankful...for sooooo much :)  

In the kitchen...Thanksgiving foods....yum!!

I am wearing...my new camisole nighty :)  It's a peachy/ apricot-y colour and sooooo soft and pretty :)  

I am creating...a Fall mini album full of memories :)  

I am going...to take my teens to feed the birds :)  

I am wondering...if someone will claim the kitty cat.  

I am reading...magazines that Sharon gave me :)  

I am hoping...it doesn't snow until mid November!

I am looking forward to...showing Kevin our little part of Canada!

I am learning....how right it feels to be around friends you can be yourself with :)  

Around the house...a new cat...unless someone claims her...

I am pondering...what to do for Laurences birthday but I'm happy with the things we have for him so far!!

A favorite quote for today...Life is good and I have much to be thankful for :)  

One of my favorite things...collecting a few Fall leaves from each place we go to - and coating them in modpodge so they keep forever.  I have done this for the past few years and have quite a collection.  I am sticking this years into my Fall mini album

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Celebrating Thanksgiving with four of my children. A field trip to the Italian Centre, perhaps breakfast with friends....orienteering class and a walk with friends at the Wilderness Centre.  A 'home alone' class for Abby and a 'fire safety' class for Sam.  Heading to the airport to get Kevin!  Making scarecrows at 'Young Achievers club' and then an extra special weekend :)  

Tag Time - from To Live Inspired.

-My Body Feels :  like it needs activity - so we are heading out for a walk :)  

-My Environment makes me feel:  overwhelmed.  I can't WAIT until November!!

-My Schedule:  Is always fun and filled with friends and family and love :)  Life is often crazy but a GOOD crazy!!

-At the end of the day I feel:  Happy to get in to bed knowing we have crammed a lot in and created good memories.

-I would like to feel:  this way forever!!

Words of wisdom....