Friday, September 6, 2013

Insta-Friday: back to school edition


Happy Friday friends! I hope your week went well and you have plans for an exciting weekend. The family and I will be going to the Toronto Vegetarian Food Festival tomorrow on Sunday when it's not raining. It's one of my favourite annual events. Time to sample food, buy food, talk about food. And it's all animal-friendly!

I haven't done an Insta-Friday post for a while, mainly because my phone doesn't seem to like to connect to wireless, thus making it impossible for me to Instagram. But the phone is for the moment up and running and I am sharing a look at our back-to-school week. Picture one, above, the kiddies heading off to their first day, hair spiked (him) and bunned (her) and new clothing on.



In preparation for getting back to our summer-free, busy routine, I posted my favourite fridge calendar. You can read about our family meetings and enter to win a calendar and other goodies for yourself here.


I told you how we had a back-to-school sushi party on Saturday night. My little gal also wanted to make a special breakfast on Saturday. She made vegan blueberry pancakes (recipe here).


She also put together this fruit platter. Rather impressive I think.


I should have prettied up my plate with some fruit, but there it is. Sometimes I just want to eat. We had veggie sausage patties too.


Here is our sushi party dessert in progress - chocolate banana pie from "The China Study Cookbook." Great cookbook. Enter to win a copy here. Boy, I'm feeling like a marketing rep today! But it's a good book, trust me.


Here's our lunch cupboard, all ready for school/work lunches. I am making an effort to keep it tidy each day. Until I grow sick of the constant cycle of filling containers, emptying containers and washing containers. Then we will see.


The first (successful) day of school over, we took the kids to Tim Hortons to discuss their classes and teachers. My son just wanted to eat and run. Mainly because we have just acquired a PVR for the first time. I actually wanted to cancel the cable, but that's when they offer your husband the good packages and then he upgrades your service.


I have the house to myself now during the day. Along with Jolene the beagle mix of course, but she mainly sleeps. I am trying to make sure I wash the breakfast dishes before heading to the computer to work each day. While I'm washing up, I have been spinning vintage records on the Crosley record player I bought my husband for Father's Day. Dance Hits of the '20s, Ella in Berlin. Oh, and the American Graffiti soundtrack. Love that one. My son yelled at me when I tried to play it while he was home. Come on - you don't get lyrics like "sitting here ya ya, waiting for my la la" anymore!


Once I get to my desk, I have this beautiful poem (or Pome) from my daughter to keep me company. She's a sweet one.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody! Any great plans?


Linking up to:


life rearranged


16 comments:

  1. You're going to love the PVR!! Funny, I stopped at the cable kiosk yesterday to check on our packages and such - discovered one that costs $9, don't even know why we have it, we don't watch it, it's going to be cancelled!

    Have fun down town, we're heading to PEI tomorrow.

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    1. Those channels can sure add up Jill!

      How nice! PEI! Enjoy it. :)

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  2. Love the fruit platter :) And your containers cupboard is so neat! Right now, mine is back to everything spilling out when I open the doors and I can't find the matching lids. And then I find them in really weird places.

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    1. Thanks! I am desperately trying to keep that cupboard neat, but I don't like to put the lids on when the containers are still a bit wet, so I have to let them dry fully and put the lids on later. In other words, I understand why you can't find your lids! :)

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  3. I'm impressed with your cabinet organization. I tend to go with the "throw it in and shut the door quickly" approach.

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  4. I LOVED back to school time when I was little - all the way up into grad school. This time of year always makes me yearn for those days :)

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    1. I'm not sure I liked it that much Keith. Until about the fourth year of university! Now I would love to go back to university and not have to work! :)

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  5. i love it all. Chocolate banana pie, Ella on vinyl, the house to yourself, your kiddos mohawk and, especially the pome ( :) ). Looking forward yo hearing about the food festival.

    Um, so I notice your kids are wearing jackets... I am so jealous right now... Wanna know what I'm wearing? An extra layer of deodorant and a thin film of sweat. ;)

    Enjoy the seasons!!! :)

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    1. Thanks Wendy. That pome is indeed special. :)

      Yes, they are wearing jackets. And I am so jealous of YOU, sweat and all. My son had a soccer game in the evening the other night and all the parents were FREEZING! I brought a jacket and some blankets but it wasn't enough. I wanted to bring my parka but I was too embarrassed. You can bet I will be taking it next time!

      Enjoy the sunshine and beaches my friend. :)

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  6. The house really does seem empty now that school has started again - love the poem your daughter wrote for you.

    Kate x
    Kate at Home

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    1. I have to admit I enjoy the empty house Kate! ;) Yes, I am enjoying the poem. Thanks. :)

      Jo

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  7. I love my empty house!! I can get so much done (or not) when the littles are at school. Enjoy all that new found freedom!

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    1. I am with you on that! I can get things done without feeling like I'm ignoring the kids. :)

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  8. I missed this post on Friday ... it sounds like your first week back into the school routine was well organized, and the kids are happy. Your daughter has your talent for putting out food that just looks so pretty! What a sweet girl to write you a love poem :) Enjoy Week II of school routine! Wendy

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  9. Looks like you all had a great week! I love the "pome". ;)

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