The Good Stuff: Uniball Jetstream

I'm in love! With a pen! Yes, you read correctly, I'm in love with a pen. But not just any pen, a Uniball Jetstream. Now, I've been a Uniball devotee for sometime, usually opting for their Vision line. However, since coming across this beauty, I've officially been converted to the Jetstream family.

The ease of writing with this instrument is unmatched by any pen I've tried, and trust me, I've tried a few. I was so excited to use it that I kicked my letter writing into high gear this weekend.

I only have one of its kind right now, but I keep it under close watch so it doesn't *go missing* into the abyss of office supplies we have at home.

They come in 2 point sizes and 3 colours! What could be more exciting on a Monday evening? Next time you're in your favourite office store, pick one up, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

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Foto Friday: week 25

School is officially out for summer and I couldn't be more excited! This year has been a crazy one and I'm looking forward to a little r&r over the next couple of months.

We don't have much *scheduled*, but I'm hoping to have a lot of *day adventures* to keep me and Indy busy while E brings home the bacon. What do you have planned for July and August?

It's hard to believe we're almost halfway through the year...how did that happen? If you started out doing a Project 365, are you still sticking with it? I tried to explain to a few friends about *why* I was doing this project when they looked at me funny while I was taking the Blizzard photo. They didn't really seem to get it, but I'm not sure my explanation was a good one. What do you tell people when they ask you why you're doing this?

[day 169: The whole independence thing again, this time with sweet potato. Indy is shirtless b/c he just had a bath and well, you know my whole *afraid of stains* thing?...]

[day 170: Actual baby toys are so overrated!]

[day 171: Celebrating [Grand]Father's Day in the strawberry patch at Whittamore's Farm. Indy probably ate his weight in berries!]

[day 172: How will I ever be able to get in shape if I keep coming across such deliciousness? I didn't have to eat it, you say. But I say, "It would be a travesty to let such a delectable edible go to waste!"]

[day 173: A rare smile complete with teething drool when my babe was very much under the weather. Please excuse the blurry eyes, my phone lens needs to be cleaned!]

[day 174: Ground has finally been broken for construction of a new school gym that was supposed to begin in January. I've lost my usual parking spot b/c of this porta-potty.]

[day 175: I think in some cultures they'd be considered married now.]

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One for the Baby Book

Today an earthquake of 5.0 on the Richter scale was felt through southern Ontario [Canada] and some of the northern States, as far as Chicago! Honestly, it was more of a distinct rumbling throughout the house, but neat nonetheless!

[Indy during his first encounter of seismic activity.]

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Happy Father's Day...

...to all the dads, soon-to-be dads, people who act like dads and especially the two special men in my life: my husband and my father.

E and Indy looking sharp.

Nana and Indy before we shaved his head...Indy's not my dad's.

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Foto Friday: week 24

School's almost out, which means I'll have waaaay more time to play with my cameras. I can't wait to finally learn how to use my dSLR instead of *winging it* as I usually do! How did you teach yourself to take great photos? Any tips you care to share?

[day 162: I'm not sure who's getting watered, my gardener or the plants.]

[day 163: Getting into the spirit of World Cup 2010. We live in a predominantly Italian and Portuguese 'hood, but this jersey was given to Indy by his cousin, Nico. We're actually rooting for Mexico though!]

[day 164: Hanging with one of my girls and her little girl.]

[day 165: Sporting his grandma's alma mater.]

[day 166: Last week's field trip was the NYC subway. This week was a Toronto boat named Miss Kim Simpson.]

[day 167: The veggies at St. Lawrence Market are so vibrant! How do they make the beets grow like that?]

[day 168: Ok, ok, so technically this photo is from day 166, but I didn't take a single shot today and I really liked the way the sails looked as these boats raced each other. Please forgive me for cheating.]

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A Picture's Worth...

Tez dubbed this a *time waster*, and though I stayed up past my bedtime doing it, the outcome was worth it!

Go to Google image search.

- Type in your answer to each question.

- Choose a picture from the first page.

- Use this website to make your collage.

- Save the image for use in this note.

- Tag the people whose mosaics you want to see. [I want to see everyone's!]

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favourite food?

3. What is the name of your hometown?

4. What is your favourite colour?

5. What is your favourite movie?

6. What is your favourite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favourite dessert?
9. What word describes you?
10. How do you feel right now?
11. What do you love most in the world?
12. What do you want to do with your life? (or be when you grow up)?

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Foto Friday: week 23

A truncated week because of my tardy post on Sunday, but at least I'm finally back on schedule! Less than 3 weeks of work left before summer vacation...I can hardly contain myself! What excitement do you have in store for the summer?

[day 157: Indy busting a gut with one of his favourite Brooklynites.]

[day 158: Subway sunlight.]

[day 159: George Washington Bridge leaving the City.]

[day 160: Imported goods--why are Swedish Fish not available in Canada even though they are made in Canada???]

[day 161: Maybe someone in this family will have a green thumb.]

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Take the "A" Train

waiting for the A train

We're back from a whirlwind weekend in the Big Apple after spending some quality time with family and friends.

While staying at E's dad's place in Queens Indio became infatuated with the subway that ran above ground just steps from the house. Every time it would roar by, Indy would exclaim, "Choo choo!" even if he was inside the house! Of course, I saw this as the perfect way to capture a memory and photo opp. Monday morning, the two of us set out to take the "A" train from 88th Street towards Far Rockaway.

The ride promised to be spectacular as it's all above ground, crossing the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and ending at the Atlantic Ocean. We saw a snowy egret in what looked like a creek in the backyards of Howard Beach, lots of boats, big and small, and cute little houses on stilts in the water.

It was no surprise that Indio was more interested in the lady popping her bubble gum than the view from the train! He loved the never-ending stairs and peeling the paint off the corrugated tin walls. [Don't worry, I had baby wipes on hand to clean those little fingers!]

The hour-long excursion was so exciting that one of us was in desperate need of a nap when we got home!

so many stairs!

taking a snack break

checking out the view by the ocean

almost home

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Snapshot Sunday: week 22

Another late week...maybe Foto Friday is morphing into Snapshot Sunday permanently? We traveled to NYC and haven't spent much time on the computer. It's been great to get away and see old friends, but one thing I definitely don't miss about this city is the humidity of summer! Hope you all had a fantastic week and stayed cool!

[day 150: As much as I hate when Indy gets messy, I still know it's important to let him do things himself, [I don't want to be spoon-feeding him when he's 30!] so I let him go to town with any *non-staining* foods, like applesauce.]

[day 151: From my very own garden. Never thought I'd be saying those words.]

[day 152: Indy and J having an afternoon snooze after a playdate in the sun.]

[day 153: See, I really don't have to control *everything*...I even let Indy devour a peanut butter sandwich on his own!]

[day 154: Watching the storm come in before bedtime.]

[day 155: The best part about road trips are the munchies, and being in the US we get to try *new* snacks like Pretzel M&M's!]

[day 156: Hanging with Uncle Fred and cousin Emily.]

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My turn! My turn!

[I hope no one minds I *fixed* the grammar on this adorable pic! I know Tez appreciates it!]

The lovely Faiza tagged me in a fun game of blog-tag. Sitting in the heat of NYC while Indio naps, I thought I'd play along before he gets up.

Step i: She was tagged by Joanna here.
Step ii: Faiza tagged me here.
Step iii: Faiza asked me 5 questions, which I answered below. I have tagged a few more bloggers and asked them 5 *new* questions! I hope they all play...
Step iv: If you get tagged, you:
a) Answer my 5 questions to you on your blog in the form of a post.b) Ask 5 questions of your own.
c) Tag some people. No minimum. No maximum. Just tag.
d) Come back and use the LinkyTool below to link to your blog once you've tagged someone else so I can see what you wrote.

Faiza's questions to me:
1. What is your favorite topping on toast?All time favourite, though I don't indulge in it often anymore because we rarely have butter in our house is toasted rye bread with butter and strawberry jam...mmmm...

^via

2. What is your favorite quote from someone else?
I have so many *favourite* quotes, but lately, this one has been at the top of the list because it applies to so many people in my life:

"You are so much sunshine to the square inch!" [Walt Whitman]

3. You are about to throw a penny into a wishing well...what do you wish for?
I can't tell you because then it wouldn't come true.

4. Tell me what your favorite song is and why.
Lately, my favourite is anything off of Sade's newest album, Soldier of Love because anything by Sade rocks.

5. What three things are you grateful for today?
Only 3??? Ok, fine. 1) My family, 2) Being in NYC for a weekend with old friends, 3) Air conditioning because NYC is much hotter and more humid than Toronto!

I'm hoping the ladies listed here will join in the fun: Paula, Lauren, Cathy. Please comment below with a link to your answers! Here are my questions for you:

i: What are you looking forward to this summer?
ii: What's your all-time favourite summer recipe?
iii: What was your best vacation and why?
iv: Who do you call [on the phone] the most?
v: What is the most recent book you read? Did you enjoy it?

Stay cool today!

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What I loved in May

1. Nutiva Extra Virgin Coconut Oil in my hair, as a moisturizer on my face and body, all over Indio before a bath -- it makes my skin so smooth and smells divine! [If you don't buy *extra virgin* you won't get the delicious smell, but some people prefer that.]
   
2. Marc Jacobs Daisy rollerball perfume -- it's a great scent to tuck into your purse, car or suitcase when a full-size bottle is just too cumbersome. And for $20US, it's a steal!
3. My Nikon dSLR, though large and not as purse-friendly as the rollerball, is making me a better photographer. Sure, I only take photos for fun, but I can spend hours playing around with this *toy*, especially when the subjects are as cute as my boys.
4. As much as my husband would like you to believe that I don't like vegetables I actually really enjoy eating them [just not preparing them] especially during the few months of the year that everything is in season. One thing I have down pat though is a tasty spinach salad with homemade dressing...a staple in our house.
   
   ^via

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