Dream a Little Dream with Me

So, I've obviously been up to some super fun daydreaming lately. Trying to visualize the nursery which is a little tricky considering we have no idea what we are having. My gut says boy, but who knows! I've been combing through some of my favourite decor websites who haven't let me down- well, they're prices have, but who cares, I can wish. Where is a woman's fairy god mother when she needs one?

They sure don't have the selection out there for boys, like they do for girls. My mom always says how much better its gotten, so I guess I can't complain. I guess there was barely nothing cute or stylish for boys back in the day. AKA- 80's. But then again, was anything really stylish back then? Ha ha. I think you just gotta stick with the timeless stuff, and you can never go wrong, especially for your bigger, more expensive pieces. Have fun with trends on the not so pricey stuff.

Anyways, enjoy the beautiful pieces and rooms I think are just stunning. Below here is a little girls bed crown you would hang a sheer canopy under. Can you believe these things even exist?Its truly something from the Gods.

Nothing to do with nurseries, but I love this back entry way.

Its just smart and casually regal.

Morgan just got the most gorgeous quilt made by my birth mother's friend. I'm going to take some pics of it and post it asap. Its so beautiful.

I want to eat this chandelier.

This is so understated and calming, Not sure if I could go with the extreme simplicity of it, but I still really like it, especially for a boy. I think it would look great with some other pops of colour like orange, light green and blue.

This dollhouse bookcase is just so sweet.

I would have loved it as a little girl.

Man, do they make gliders stylish now a days. The ones at Babies Are Us kind of make me want to vomit in my mouth a little. Too bad, they're the only ones in my price range. Amazing how expensive they still are, considering how ugly they are. Comfy or not, they make me a little queezy.

Morgan in Wonderland

It seems like Morgan would never fit into this little blue dress that she got from my dear friend, Leala and her two beautiful girls, Anika and Indigo (great names, I know). But she insisted on trying it on a few days ago and 'tada', it fits! She pranced around in it as curious as Alice herself, and I couldn't help but snap a few lovely pics to capture her blue bliss.

She has become nutty for books, we must read 20 a day. Not a bad obsession, but she chases me around the house with them! She loves the books that have little flips in them. Karen Katz, you are a genius. Although, I'm getting very sick of you.

Morgan is such good a mommy. I think she's going to be a really big help when the new baby comes. She never gets jealous when I hold other babies, she is so concerned when they cry, and she loves to take care of them.

I'm sure she'll have her terrible two moments, but for the most part, she is going to love the whole experience of being a big sister. I can't wait to see her fall in love with the new bugaboo.

I still can't get enough of those petite little toes.

Especially when they're peaking out of a pretty blue dress.

Somedays she is so independent and other days, she just wants to play with me steady. I can't complain about either, I am thankful for both. I am so looking forward to getting our backyard landscaped for the summer. I'm visualizing a shady canopy, housing our comfy patio furniture with plenty of candle lit lanterns, lush baskets of hanging begonias, a couple cozy throws for cooler nights, maybe a wind chime to drive my neighbours crazy, big pots bursting with grasses and flowers, plenty of scented lavender, and of course the company of friends, family and kiddies for Morgan to splash around with. Everybody is welcome!

I plan to eat almost every meal outside this summer (it always tastes so much better out there anyways), weather permitting of course. With a new baby and a busy 2-year old, the last thing I want is for all of us to be cooped up inside for the steamy summer months. I hope we get some good weather. Since baby is due July 3rd, that will give us enough time to get the grass in, the deck build, the canopy cozy, the patio set up and hopefully we can squeeze in some gardening too.

Wouldn't mind a play gym and sandbox for Morgan too! A munchkin pool is a must, of course. Oh, and a fire pit in the back corner for the hubby. If only money grew on trees. I'd settle for Skittles too, I guess. I'm sure I'll enjoy the fire pit too, if I'm not catching up on sleep!

The backyard is a bare slate for imagination right now. I can't wait to give ourselves a little heavenly hideaway out there, even if we can't do everything this year. It'll be the great company, food, grass stains, sunscreen in the eye, dirt in the toes, sweet-peas, little bare bums (not mine of course, lord knows, it wont be little by July) and sunshine that'll make it just perfect.

MAILI’S PEACH CAKE WITH BURNT SUGAR SHARDS

The secret to this cake is buying the best peaches possible.
I wait every year for Prima Peaches to come in season. They are
so addictively delicious. I sauté the peaches in butter and a
little butter and sugar so there are fresh peaches on
top of the cake as well as inside it.

For Peaches:

1 pound sliced peaches (about 3 cups) for inside of cake.
Additional peaches will be needed for top of cake.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

a pinch of kosher salt or sea salt

For the Cake:

1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 eggs, at room temperature

3 cups unbleached white flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups cooked peaches (note: the three cups of peaches will cook down to about 1 1/2 cups.
Reserve some peaches for the top of the cake or just cook more. The more peaches the better!
Also remember to reserve the liquid from the cooked peaches for the frosting.

For the Frosting:

2 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened

2 sticks of unsalted butter

2 1-pound box of powdered sugar

1/4 cup of peach syrup (liquid after you cook the peaches)

For the Shards of Sugar (to garnish additional peaches and to garnish top of cake)

1 cup Sugar

For the peaches: Heat a large skillet to medium high heat. Add butter and peaches. Sprinkle with sugar. (if the peaches are not naturally sweet you may need more sugar. The peaches I use are very sweet and only need a little sugar) Add ground ginger and a pinch of salt. Set aside.

For the Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour 2 8-inch-round cake pans. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing them completely into the butter mixture after each addition.

In a separate bowl combine all of the remaining dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix or sift together well. Add the dry ingredient mixture alternately with the sour cream. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the cooked peaches into the cake batter. Divide batter evenly between cake pans. Baked for 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove cakes from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Then invert onto cooling racks to finish cooling.

Make the Frosting: It is probably best to make the frosting in two batches unless you have a really big bowl. So put one block of cream cheese, one stick of butter and one box of cream cheese in a mixing bowl and mix until well blended. Mix in reserved peach syrup from your cooked peaches. Then make another batch exactly like it.

Make the burnt sugar shards: Prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a large stainless steel saucepan, place the sugar. Heat over medium high heat until sugar begins to melt and brown. Do not stir. Tilt the pan if you need it to melt more evenly. As soon as the sugar is a beautiful amber brown color pour it onto the parchment paper lined sheet tray. Slightly tilt the pan so it spreads around. It should harden immediately as it cools. When it is completely hard break it into shards by either hitting it with a mallet or dropping the tray so the sugar cracks.

Frost the cake. Just before presenting place more sautéed peaches on top of the cake for garnish. Place some of the sugar shards on top of the peaches. Garnish around the cake with peach halves and quarters and piles of burnt sugar.

Recipe and picture from kiss the groom

Pigtails and Yellow Bathers

Our home has been filled with sunshine and laughter these days, as Morgan dominates the scene, tearing up the place and entertaining us constantly. I am so glad she can be enjoyed by so many close family and friends. The huge bonus for living back in Canada and being around those that we love...well, there are a few that aren't here, that we dearly miss too. You know who you are people. Get home please!

She blows our minds daily, talking up a rainbow of new words. She is so funny and endearing, we just can't stop shaking our heads in total amazement and love. What a joy.

Playing horsey with Daddy,

while he washes the kitchen floor.

'Giddy-up daddy.'

She loves her little play kitchen from ikea.

She is becoming quite the cook. Today's special- Pigtail Soup!

Whipping up a tasty batch for her baby.

Today, I decided to try some pigtails for the first time. Well, she looked so cute with her new piggies, I'm not sure who was more tickled with excitement- her or me! I went a little snap happy of course. She's really growing up. Oh and that dimple...I'll do anything to see that pretty gem. 'Thanks grandpa Gary for the nice little gene prize.'

She LOVES her blankey so much. Its really sweet to watch her snuggle into it with such adoration. I wish I could get my hands on an extra. No other blanket will do!

This picture honestly makes me cry, not sure if its just how sweet she is or the pregnancy hormones. Probably a bit of both. Today we took her to the Waterpark with her Uncle Landon, Chris, daddy and Uncle Jarod. She loves the water and its like a little vacation in there. It was so bright and sunny today, it felt like we were on the beach. Something about being in your bathing suit in Edmonton in February. You feel like a rebel, cheating on winter. Ha.

She ventured off all by herself in the kitty pool to make new friends and play with the water toys, like she didn't even need us there at all. But she was sure happy to know we were just a few steps behind her, especially when she got bulldozed over a couple of times by the bigger and 'very unaware' kids, as I like to put it... Ha ha. Poor thing. Took it like a champ really.

True North

It was one of those movie blizzard weeks that keeps you cooped up inside, snuggling under a blanket on the couch. It had been like this for days, and Morgan was going a little batty without a good dose of fresh air. When the endless dumped of snowflakes eased a bit, we bundled her up so she could play outside in the snow while daddy tidied our ancient garage.

I can't even believe how much snow we've had this year, and its still January! The banks around our house are 6-8-feet tall. Its absolutely endless and gives true meaning to a white winter. Here are the pics from Morgan's chilly adventure.

I thought we struck gold when we discovered a little antique sleigh in great condition. Don't think its from the 80's this one, more like the 50's. It's like...old. It was left behind in the rafters of our garage by some previous owners. Perfect for a little spin around the backyard with daddy. I'm shocked our garage hasn't caved in from all the snow. Brydon is praying for it to happen so we can collect insurance to build a new one. Ha, wouldn't that be nice...

Her head looks three times its size. Hilarious.

Mommy went a little nuts layering.

This one cracks me up.

She's just like a puffy marshmallow.

Nothing better than warming up to a little

old school Care Bears.

I'm so happy they have this stuff on DVD now.

Check out my gorgeous rat's nest.

A Tropical Wedding and Sweet Baby Lila

Back in early November, I got together with my long-time girlfriend Corrie-Lyn to take some shots of her 4-month old princess, Lila. Our friendship goes back over 10-years ago when we both lived in Vancouver. We share plenty of wild memories and good times. How our lives have both changed so much since then.

In 2007, Corrie got married to her sweetheart Brad in the always paradise Playa Del Carmen. Lindsay and I were bridesmaids in the wedding party- and a party it was. Lindsay and I even sang at the reception- oh geeesh. Here are some fun pics to honor her fabulous day.

Us bridesmaids and maid of honor

in our pretty blue dresses.

As Lindsay put it, "It's a good thing we wore our panties that day."

Corrie looked like she has stepped out of a magazine.

Her dress and flowers were gorgeous,

and I was thrilled to design all of her jewelry.

My beautiful and dear, dear friend Lindsay.

I love you.

This wedding was anything but stuffy.

'Weeee.' The pictures just get funnier from here on in,

but not really appropriate for

Little Miss Cupcake Sugarpants...

Three years later, she has two gorgeous little girls, January and Lila. January is the oldest. She is a spirited little sprite with heaps of energy and spunk. Lila is laid-back and as cute as a button. Here are some of my favourite pics from the shoot.

The perfect Christmas card.

Man, what a cute bum.

I love taking pictures of babies. Capturing their heavenliness is what its all about. Their endless rolls, satiny skin, and unpredictable intervals of nursing, sleeping and wakefulness. You just gotta go with the flow.

Thanks for the great afternoon Corrie. January was a riot, and Morgan kept up pretty good. I am so happy you have been blessed with these two precious girls and a happy marriage. I hope our girls don't get into nearly as much trouble together as we did! Yikes.

If anyone is interested in having a newborn, baby or toddler shoot done, I'd be happy to be your photographer. Just send me a message via Facebook and we'll organize a really fun and relaxing day of it!

I'm Back

Some fun pics of Little Miss Cupcake Sugarpants herself. She has been a very busy little girl. Talking up a storm and owning this house like the Captain Morgan she is. Her imagination and cleverness is so fun to watch. I feel so blessed I get to spend everyday with her.

She absolutely insists on wearing her bathing suit around the house. I hope this awesome body confidence stays with her forever. I hope she's fifty and still rocks a bathing suit around the house in the dead of winter.

She loves rolling herself up in this little pink rug.

As the saying goes, "As snug as a bug in a rug."

I can't believe I am finally sitting here entering into my blog again. Its been months and I've been dying to give some love to Little Miss Cupcake Sugarpants. My little cupcake at home has been getting plenty of love, and the holidays have been no exception. She has relished in every festivity, from staying up way too late, to gobbling as many Christmas 'teats' (treats) as she can get her little hands on without mommy knowing. But as you can tell above, it doesn't show in her sweet derriere.

Where to even start...we are officially moved in and kind of, sort of settled. We have garbage bags up as drapery in our bedrooms (oh, so classy) and a front door that will probably result in a very high heating bill considering if you stand a mere 10-feet from it, you might as well be rolling around in a snow bank- brrrr. So that's gotta go asap, and we're still waiting on three pieces of tile to complete our shower. We have literally been bathing for the past month. Now I love a bath, but to soak in! So the completed shower will be very exciting indeed.

The neighbourhood- its quiet. Its cozy. And its ours to enjoy at last. Big snow capped trees, friendly neighbours that don't even give you a chance to shovel your sidewalk. They're out there quick as gum in the hair. Ruthless, but wonderful. To clarify- gum in the hair is ruthless, not wonderful. The couple across the street even brought over a big tin of Christmas baking. Which was greatly appreciated since I didn't have a second to do any this year.

The most exciting news- We are expecting our next little package in July. Another baby, another breathing, kicking universe to love, tickle, learn from and cherish. More tiny toes to kiss, more chapped nipples to heal, more sleepless nights, and tears of exhaustion and amazement. I couldn't be more thankful. I'm feeling good (the second trimester is what I call 'bliss time') and plan to deliver via water again if the universe agrees. Time has been flying by, and I know that this baby will be here in a hop, skip and sneeze. So now that we're settled, I'm trying to relax more, sleep more, read more, write more and just slow time down a bit. Spend more quiet time with my hubby. Enjoy these months with just our sweet Morgan. Soak her in like sponge toffee.

We just a bought a new crib, and I'm dying to set it up already, but I will wait...a couple more months, but that's it. Morgan is right into kissing my belly and ringing my doorbell (belly button). She says, "ding-dong" and then a big "HI" to the baby. She is obsessed with her own little baby doll she got from Grandma Val for Christmas, especially when its comes to feeding her milk and getting her dressed. Her booties come on and off, on and off, on and off... The only thing we might have to tweak is how Morgan insists on dragging her dolly around by the foot. She's already sporting a few scuffs on the head. That might not go over too well with the new nuggetiere. But like they say, the second ones are tough, right...

Its so good to back. We have so much catching up to do. Get ready to be bombarded by many more entries in the next few days. Follow me into 2011, and we'll have some laughs. May this New Year bring more love, health and sparkle than we all could ever imagine.

Love, love, love, Laney

ps. Tomorrow morning is Morgan's first class of gymnastics. Already, I know! She is growing up so fast. Her tummy has been a little off, so we'll see how she feels in the morning. If all is well, its going to be a riot. I'll post the pics. I wonder whether she'll be a balance queen or a tumbler extraordinaire. Maybe both, maybe neither.