Hello BC Storm

Hello lovelies!  Hello September.  I feel like I haven't been around much this summer, but then blogging has always been a rainy day hobby to me.  With a crazy #BCstorm that's been going on since Friday night (the worst since 2006) and about half a million houses that didn't have power this weekend (luckily we did), I figured its time for a blog update.

 

Been making the most of our Barnett Marine beach side days.  Clearly, Sophie is having the best time too.

 

We also had a family day out at Bloedel Bird Conservatory, that features plants and birds from all over the world, under one big dome.  These are all rescue birds.  Sophie went on full Tarzan Jane mode too with random baby roars throughout our visit.

And then the storm hit.  So we chilled on our balcony, and mama drank almond milk lattes and Sophie enjoyed the sounds of rain, and the crazy gushes of wind.

I made my first ever batch of sugar cookies (that I infused with an all natural peppermint oil).  These may look like summer, but they taste like Christmas!  Also my first time ever using royal icing, so it was so much fun making these.  I'm totally making Christmas cookies this year.

Dancing with Sophie to some Jazz and Soul also makes our rainy days more fun.  Al Green, Miles Davis, Sam Cooke, The Righteous Bros, and Billie all made there way to my player this weekend.

And I leave you with a few shots of balcony chills from today, since it's too rainy to be outside.  Who needs toys, when baby hands seem to be her amusement.  Hope everyone makes the most out of the last few weeks of summer!  Three weeks to Maui!

xox, Stephanie

Family Reunions, Summer Livin and Rainy Days.

Hello darlings.  Hope everyone is having an amazing August so far!  Last weekend, Nicholas, Sophie & I headed over to the Sunshine Coast for a mini family reunion at Katherine Lake, where a few of my family members manage the campsite during tourist season.

 

 Katherine Lake in the summer.

 

Katherine Lake is one of the smaller lakes up near Pender Harbour, and a perfect fishing spot for trout.  It's also a great place for swimming and paddle boarding - however, the Sunshine Coast wasn't really sunny on the weekend, and it down poured the whole time. 

Sophie's first ferry ride! 

I also got to catch up with one of my second cousins who I haven't seen in ten years.  It was great to see her, and introduce Sophie (and Nick).  She also runs the paddle board rentals/and ice cream shop for tourists during camping season.

We also hung out at my Grandma's house quickly (before we all drove down to Pender Harbour).  Here, we discovered how much Sophie loves wind chimes.  Clearly, we need to get some for our house.

Aside from our amazing road trip for the coast, the last week has rained quite a lot (which is good for our drought) - so we stayed home eating comfort food, binge watching Netflix, and having dance parties to Otis Redding & The Righteous Brothers.  I made the most amazing Chicken Soup (avocado/green chillies/fresh corn/black beans/carrot/onions/bell peppers/tomato/lime/brown rice/cheese/chicken stock).  Almost everything was organic.  This was a winner for days.

I also made the most amazing summer salad which is great on its own, and packs great for leftovers.  (Quinoa/Mixed Greens/Fresh Basil/Red Onion/Cucumber/Tomato/Avocado/Feta/Lemon Juice/Sriracha/Black Pepper).  For both recipes, I removed the watery/seedy inside part of the tomato and didn't include it.  I also minced up all the ingredients pretty finely (even the mixed greens).

On the days that it actually was sunny, we spent it in our pool teaching Sophie baby swim lessons.

We even went shopping on Main St for some hipster baby clothes for Sophie.  While there, she was so well behaved (she's teething now so it can be a hit or miss), that we decided to quickly stop in a bar for a drink since it was so nice out (and we haven't been in a bar, since last year).  We were too scared to order any food en case she got fussy, but it definitely felt nice being able to go somewhere with Nick (and Sophie), and actually have a drink.

We've also made use of daytime park visits on those sunny days, as it's the perfect place for some shady nap times for Sophie, and Chess/Backgammon for Nicholas & I.

Weekending - Beachside

Its starting to feel a lot like summer around here :)

 

Now that our Hawaii vacay is in the works, I have been on a whole new healthy lifestyle agenda.  Well, Ive always been - but the fact that we will be in Maui in 5 months has upd my daily BeachBody workouts.  Last week, I worked out solid every day - and ate a lot (just a lot of salads) and salmon, but hardly any white carbs or meat.  I feel so much more energized, and motivated for a toned body for our vacation.  From Monday - Friday last week, I lost 3 lbs!  Its definitely a rewarding feeling, and Im already seeing results from these intense crunch workouts.  I even managed to eat a poutine on Saturday, and the biggest ice cream cone yesterday and still keep it off. Yay for hard work, and still remembering to enjoy life.

 

The Smallsens kicking it at Barnett

 

This weekend, was all about some beachside fun.  Saturday, we headed over to Barnett Marine Park for a little family picnic and stroll.  This place is extra special, as its where Nicholas and I had our first date, and also where Nicholas proposed.  It was such a blessing to bring Sophie there, as this was her first time visiting the ocean, and we will always remember it was at Barnett.  Even though the sun was shining, it got full on windy after a few hours, so we headed over to Lafarge Lake where we watched some peewee baseball and soccer, and strolled around the lake.  Sophie slept the entire time, so it was more like a mommy and daddy date with a stroller.

Come Sunday - we headed over to Harrison Hot Springs!  This mother nature beauty is only a 60 min drive away from us, and was the perfect destination for a relaxing day on the water.  This was our first time applying sunscreen to Sophie, and I'm glad her sunscreen is water resistant.  She is always wanting to eat her hands, and with the amount of drool on those fingers once they submerge from her mouth, I'm glad they are still sun protected.

My selfie stick doesn't have the best resolution :( but atleast we scored a family pic even if Sophie looks whiter then mama

 

Sophie was full of smiles and absolutely loved her first visit to Harrison, and was awake the entire day.  Nicholas had fun showing her the water.  We didn't actually put her feet in it as it was still quite cold, but she definitely loved being teased above the water.

Hope everyone else had an amazing weekend too! 

Friday Fab Five - Summer Daze

Ocean breeze, patio drinks, boating, seawall strolls, barbeques... how I miss you!  For this Friday fab 5, I'm dedicating it to my 5 favorite things to do in Vancity, once the weather turns up.

1. Seawall Strolls - The Vancouver seawall is 22km (13.7 miles) of pure ocean bliss.  This is where every outdoorsy Vancouverite usually flocks to on a sunny weekend for a walk/jog/cycle/skate.  I feel like the seawall will always have my heart, as I've spent my whole life absorbing its beauty.  This is the place to catch gorgeous sunsets, stop at random beaches or patios along the way, or watch the city lights and mountain backdrops.  I cant wait to pack up that baby stroller and introduce Sophia to this Vancouver gem soon :)

 

 

2. Vancouver Daycation at Lighthouse Park!  This might be different now that we have Sophie, but Ill just slap that baby Bjorn carrier on daddy, as we spend the day hiking and soaking up the sun.

 

 

3. Barbeques!!!! Whether at a friends house for a pool party, or a bbq at the beach - this is something I miss all year round!

 

 

4. Sunny Patio Drinks.  Nothing beats patio relaxation in the summer - preferably by the water.  This is a must have for me after a day of activities.  Cold beer, white wine or sangria and I'm in heaven.

 

5. Summertime Events - Whether its the watching the sensational fireworks at the Celebration of Light, indulging in fancy grilled cheese sandwiches & mint lemonade at the weekend Food Truck Festival, catching a Caps game, dancing the day away in the beer garden at Caribbean Days or Latin Days, and everything in between - there is always an event happening every weekend.  It's the perfect place to meet up with friends, and soak up what the city has to offer.

 

 

Happy Friday darlings!!