Hopping Down the Bunny Trail

Well, I have never consumed so much chocolate in my whole life. I just can't say no to those precious little Easter eggs. Perfect sweet morsels until you consume over 100 and you kind of want to barf, but instead you eat a huge ham dinner and then more chocolate goodness. Oh, I Easter, I love you. Too bad you make me feel so ugh.

Morgan is already bunny obsessed, so this holiday was an over-indulgence in our long-eared friends and their naughty little eggs. Thank God, its only once a year. By the way, I really miss getting my own easter basket... Is there anything more delightful? I don't think so.

We zoomed over to Ponoka on Friday and spent the day with Brydon's side of the family. I must have packed away twelve (or more) of Auntie Connie's scrumptious sweet meatballs, never mind a rather generous helping of everything else. You can always count on the Johnson's for a fab holiday feast. Check out this super sweet bunny below- Like really, too cute.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

This year, I decided to go with a casual cotton Easter dress for Morgan. Something she could run outside in, and muck up in the dirt and it wouldn't really matter. Mission accomplished.

I understood her excitement when we both spotted this basket jam-packed with Easter treats- the kid in me screamed, 'Sit yourself on the dining table and consume as many as possible!' So instead, my daughter made me proud. I have a feeling the family wouldn't have been too impressed if I would have planted my hippo belly on Auntie Karen's table.

She was actually more fascinated with unwrapping them then eating them. Maybe a good thing!

Beautiful new addition to the family. Brydon's cousin, Lindsay and her hubby Jason are thrilled to introduce their gorgeous babe- Jeremy. What a doll.

All Morgan wanted to do was pick him up herself. Too cute.

Kisses for Jeremy.

This is Morgan's little cousin Savana.

Look at those pigtails! Her red hair is just gorgeous.

Easter is all about cute little girls in cute little dresses.

The two of them loved chasing Jeff and Christy's friendly little wiener dog all around the backyard. His name is Phoenix but all the kids pronounce it as 'Kleenex'!

When we went downstairs, she bee-lined it to the piano. Climbed up and starting playing like she had done it her whole life- or in her last life. It was really something to watch, she was so soulful about it. I hope I captured her bliss.

Love the egg necklace. Very Easter chic.

Savana, can I order that online sweetheart?

Pretty lighting, sitting at auntie Karen's antique dresser.

Secret belly pic. Whoa belly- and two months to go!

Brydon's Uncle Jerry is growing flowers for Jeff and Christy's wedding in July. Since we've had such a crappy spring, he's created a little greenhouse for himself in the basement. Pretty cool.

On Sunday, we headed over to my dad and Bev's

place to celebrate more Easter fun with them.

And more chocolate...

Morgan's first Easter basket with Chocolate. Lucky duck.

They'll be some serious rationing.

Mommy will probably eat it all.

Picked up this pretty basket at Homesense. Love that's its sustainable and can be used year after year. Not a fan of the cheap ones that you just end up chucking.

Of course Bev has the sweetest little Easter decorations scattered around the house. These ones- particularly adorable. Morgan loved them.

Easter toes.

Brydon and Bev's son Ryan talking business.

Come on boys, just eat some chocolate and forget about it for a day.

Dad and Bev got this amazing tunnel thingy at the home show for Morgan. It folds up and fits in this tiny little big and then pops up into this big magical rabbit hole. She went nuts! Not going to lie- I was a little envious. Me and my baby belly wouldn't fit. Tried it, got stuck. Almost peed my pants laughing, until Brydon heaved me out. Not pretty.

Ta-da!

We're going to set this bad boy up in our

backyard for her birthday party.

The kiddies are going to have a riot!

Yup, I think she's a fan!

Little Miss Muffet, dressed to spend a few hours at the farm.

My dad- a wander wizard in the kitchen.

They are such a team, its so cute.

Bev's ham was a delicious masterpiece. Could be due to her homemade

fresh pineapple and honey drizzle sauce.

Enjoying the fruits of Bev's labor. Morgan ate

so much ham, I'm shocked she didn't start

rolling in a mud pit.

Hockey, of course. It never ends...

We took this exact same picture last time when I was pregnant with Morgan. I was a little further along so I had a little more to compete with! Doesn't help that Ryan is like a foot taller than me. Those damn good Bev genes. I think he's definitely having a boy.

I wasn't much of a domestic goddess this Easter. We were too busy running from family to family, but if I was, I would have worn this sweet mustard yellow and ivory apron that I heart. Maybe next year.

I want to live in this cake, although it wouldn't last long with me inside its tasty walls. Happy Easter everyone! xo

Passion Is What the Sun Feels for the Earth

"Passion is what the sun feels for the earth," the Victorian poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox wrote in 1880. Well, we got a another dump of snow...of course. But, its melting quickly and this means we can start working on our landscaping and finishing the exterior of the house! I am so excited to whip the rest of this place into summer shape.

Snow, snow, go away, don't come back another day. I'm sorry, but its felt like the longest winter. I bet Peter Rabbit wouldn't be too happy if he had to hide all his eggs in the snow... although they do look rather pretty.

A little sign hanging on my Alice clock, pointing to Morgan's room.

She loves it and gets all excited, hoping all the way into

her room to play with her bunnies.

My goofy and oh so loveable husband can't help but jump into Morgan's crib for playtime. Its hilarious. Her Jenny Lind crib is vintage and I swear it was made by the army- freaken strong! Morgan gets such a kick out of having daddy snuggled in next to her. God, I love my husband.

Reading, Strawberry Shortcake's First Easter.

Last week, I asked Brydon to snap some casual pics of my ever-growing belly. Not overly excited to share, but here I am at 29-weeks! I still have just over 2-months to go and I look like I could be due tomorrow! Boy oh boy, this baby is living large. 'Hope you're enjoying your space sweetheart, cause mama feels like she's going to burst.' Heartburn city.

Other than that, feeling pretty darn good. Although, teaching yoga has gotten tricky, tricky. Next Monday is my last week. Bittersweet, but I feel like a hippo getting in and out of some of those postures. Will carry on with a gentler home practice, preparing for our home-birth!

Our midwife, Noreen Walker (who we had for our natural water-birth with Morgan) has been delivering babies from home for 37-years. I trust her with my life. Never lost a mom or a baby. This woman is DA GURU. Can't wait to welcome our new bundle into our very own home, and sleep in my own bed! After learning more about a home birth, it just feels so right for us.

More to come soon.

Photo Credit: Kiss the Groom

I love riding my bike through the river valley when the weather warms up. Its my favourite thing about living in Edmonton. I may have to fix my tire though. Our bikes were parked in front of my car for months, may have crashed into them once or twice or more. Whoopsie. Hope they're ok. Anyways, our trail system is phenomenal and it feels like you've escaped the city. A perfect adventure for our family on balmy Sundays.

Goal- get a Chariot Carrier so we can strap both kiddies in and be on our way. Anyone selling one secondhand? After that, head home for some grilled spring salmon and sparkling orange juleps (Reece Witherspoon's fab feature drink from her recent wedding, not quite sure what they are, but they looked refreshingly delish in the magazine).

In the mean time, mixing up concoctions, perfume oils, honey salves, and taking pics of my jewelry to put on Etsy. So excited to open my little store! Stay tuned lovelies.

The Fresh Bounty of Spring

Spring- renowned rains, blossoming trees and newborn beauty. Shake off the doldrums of winter because this month Mother Nature offers a thrilling tutorial in feminine romps and of course, little chocolate bunnies.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

I love the moments you capture with your camera when you least suspect it. Yesterday, Morgan was relishing in some naked time in her crib. Horsing around, tucking in her babies, and playing peekaboo with mommy through the canopy that hangs over her crib. She has just discovered that it opens and closes, so we had a blast playing peekaboo, finding the opening through the many layers of soft cream tulle. I couldn't help but grab the camera and sneak a few shots.

I'm soaking in my time to play with her before baby number two dominates the scene. We've had sunshine pouring into our house for the last two weeks. A welcome change from dull days, cold feet and snow, snow, snow. Don't you just love how the sun shines well into the evening now, making the day feel soooo much longer. We deserve this.

It wont be too long before sweet, sumptuous hours of eating fresh fruit, taking naps in the sun, and watching the flowers pop up like exquisite stars bursting through the soil. Spring is magic. A miracle how the earth takes its enchanting journey back to newborn beauty. I know we'll get maybe one or two more dumps of snow, but I'm hoping it will leave us just as quick as it came. Beat it winter!

As the Easter bunny approaches, I'm gearing up the house with little touches here and there. Its truly my favourite holiday. Something about the damp fresh smell in the air, the gorgeous colours and my obsession with bunnies, CHOCOLATE and eggs makes me swoon over the April holiday.

What could be more exciting and perfect than an egg hunt? I mean really, heaven on earth. I've been waiting for years to enjoy this holiday all over again as I did as a small girl. Oh, and Morgan has the sweetest Easter dress, I'll be sure to post it soon.

Mmmm, the simplistic beauty of painted eggs.

They truly speak to my soul. Always have. Something

about their shape and softness is restful to the spirit.

Wont be long before we have to get a big girl bed...kind of sad about that. She is still so tiny and content in her crib, and she's never tried to crawl out like many of her little monkey friends. So we're going to try and 'crib it out' for as long as possible.

This was actually my crib from when I was baby, and its been perfect for Morgan. So happy it still passed all the safety standards, amazing really. Its an old-school Jenny Lind crib, traditionally vintage now, pretty as can be and it sure has stood the test of time!

I antiqued the next few photos and it gave all the pics a golden hue that so suited the 'golden hour' it took to snap these photos. The sheerness of the canopy, her honey skin and big round eyes are irresistible to me.

I wish I could pause this age- her innocence is just edible. I love capturing her in candid moments of natural play. I don't take enough video, so the pictures have to speak for themselves.

All snuggled in with her babies. She is so nurturing towards her little friends. Playing out sore tummies and cuddling them back to health. A good sign to what kind of sister she's going to be! I hope.

The independence will be good for her, and I can't wait to see how she grows into her new role as big sister. For now, she's still my baby and I'm lapping up ever ounce of our one on one time.

This photo- my fav. But how do I choose, right.

Photo Credit: Martha Stewart

Spring is the the time to adopt a new regime my friends. A little exciting preview of what's to come for Little Miss Cupcake Sugarpants- I'm going to tincture a honey mask and salt scrub packed with vital essential oils, boasting transcendent scents that will leave your head spinning with smoothing, soothing bliss. How could I not include you in the fun? It wont become the blog, just a little sweet sideshow to indulge in if you want.

My secret ingredient you ask? Bev's Healing Honey! I'm going to open an Esty store to share my jewelry (yes, its actually happening- finally) and these new yummy honey skin treats... I've been selling my jewelry at lovely boutiques for years, but I want full control. I also want to be able to send it internationally to all my friends in Australia- you've been very patient.

"Young ladies are delicate plants," Jane Austin reminds us. "They should take care of themselves and their complexion." I'm tired of sluggish winter skin. With the careful selection of the finest ingredients and Bev's spring honey, our deepest layer of beauty will sparkle through. Nothing 8-glasses a of water will do for you. Ha. I can't wait!

After my honey post (Sweet, Sweet Honey of Mine), I whipped up two dozen jars of Bev's Healing Honey and passed them on to friends. Now, the requests have become nutty not to do anything about it. My passion for mixing potions began as a small child, and I've decided its not ending there. This is so up my alley. So stay tuned!

On to another topic of fun- below, is the divine little mobile that's on my wish list for the new baby. I love those sweet green leaves and knit birds. Bla, Bla Kids makes the most adorable knit dolls, clothes and toys. I'll post some new belly pics soon, I promise. xo