Woah Nellie

Double J Farms

I've been looking for a summer hobby that involves more than lemonade in my hammock while reading a great book. I mean, that is a great summer activity and all, cheap too. But with all that's been going on in my life lately I really wanted a great, engrossing hobby.
I'm an animal lover, I love to be outside and I'm also completely unsuited for any sort of physical sport more involved then an hour in the gym. I am the worst at sports, organized or solo.  I always have been and I'm ok with that.
I gave it a good ponder, polled some people on the Twitter and decided that I'd take some riding lessons.

My aunt and uncle race horses for a living, so I've spent more then my fair share of time on a farm, but I've never done much riding.  I asked around for some recommendations, and was pointed in the direction of Double J Farms in Freelton.  Rich decided he wanted to join me, so on Monday morning we trucked out to the farm!

Jennifer McIlwraith is the co-owner and operator of the farm and she was amazing. You are responsible to groom and tack your own horse before and after a lesson, and as Rich and I had zero idea what that entailed, she walked us through it and gave us little tips and tricks to make it go more smoothly.  

Rich had a lovely chestnut mare named Bella, and I had a gelding named Jed. He immediately sussed out my newbie status and really made me work at it.
Jennifer took us out and showed us the ropes, and we had a really great first lesson. We worked on steering (do you "steer" a horse? I feel like that may be the wrong term) and Rich got up to a canter on Bella. As I mentioned, Jed made me sing for my supper and after much work, I finally got him up to a trot.

(Lovely velvet vintage riding helmet provided by Jane and Hollie at White Elephant. Because I'm that guy apparently.)

We had a really great day and we have another lesson booked for this upcoming Monday, and hopefully I can outride Rich this time! (I may bribe my horse with an apple or something to get it to like me).

 If you've thought about riding, I definitely recommend Jennifer at Double J Farms. She was so patient and very informative and is definitely passionate about what she's doing.  


(These pictures are officially the worst quality ever. I apologize. I already felt like a huge city girl whipping out my iPhone to take pictures during the lesson, I couldn't bear to bring my camera.)

Bits and Pieces

Last week we were supposed to camping at our favorite spot, Awenda Provincial Park. Mother nature had other plans, unfortunately, and the severe thunderstorm warnings kept us home.
The weather in the area here was nice though, so we took advantage and had a few nice days in and around Hamilton.

1. Beach necessities in my world.

2. Visits from monarchs.

3. These cows didn't want to be my friend.

4. Deer in the forest. She just stood and watched us watching her for the longest time.

5. Great garden space.

6. Pilfered picnics. (Thanks mom & dad)

7. A boa bite. (No, really!)

Be More Bad Ass

The lovely Jana posted this on her blog the other day, and sent me this on a separate occasion and they've both inspired this post. So I guess it's dedicated to her. MWAH.

I know I always preach self love, and being yourself and doing your thing....but sometimes don't you wish you were a little bit more bad ass? Or just a cooler version of your good qualities? I know I do, and I know I'm not alone.  It'd just be so cool to not have to worry about your grownup responsibilities for a bit and just be a totally cool, rockin' chick. My personal version of "bad ass chick" (and yes, that's the technical term) is a 50s/pinup/rockabilly girl, with tons of tatts, eyeliner, great hair and some killer brows.  Add a dash of girly girl in there and you pretty much have my ideal "girl crush".
Embrace your inner bad ass.

For more hilarious insights on the "girl crush", check out this Jenna Marbles video. She's totally a bad ass chick. 

Canadian Design

It's taken me a long time to come to terms with what I'm going to do with my life. It was pretty much expected of me from the moment I stepped foot in a highschool that post secondary education would just follow. I have a degree from Brock University, and a diploma from Centennial College and I had the most amazing post secondary experiences in both places. I will cherish that time for ever, and I wouldn't be who I am without it. 
That said, I'm not an office girl. I'm just not. I've been struggling with this for quite some time, and I think I've mostly come to peace with it. All sorts of outside influences tell you what you "should" do with your life, and a solid, defined "career" is definitely high of the list of life "normals". I've been hired on at The AGH, dividing my time between the new Design Annex on James Street North, and the actual Gallery on King Street. 
I'm also officially an employee at White Elephant! No more intern status. HIYAH! 
So, the places I'm now calling "work" are basically places where I can meet people, and look at beautiful things all day. It's pretty much perfect for me right now, in this moment, and for the person I am in this time. 


I digress though, this post was supposed to be about how amazing Canadian design is! But the reason I know about all of these beautiful things is because of these two fabulous places that employ me. 


Touch The Dutch is a company run by Anneke van Brommel, from Toronto. White Elephant has carried her work since I've started here, and it is so perfectly Canadian. She says that she is reluctant to use such "cliche" imagery in her work, but I think it's what gives it heart. She has a wide range of earrings, brooches and necklaces in all sorts of classic Canadian themes: Terry Fox, tree stumps, lumberjack paraphernalia. Check out her etsy store here, her blog here, or come into White Elephant and see what we have in stock.  

I just discovered the work of Ampersand&Ampersand last night, at the Design Annex and I'm totally smitten. It is a line of graphic print and design by Mark Byk and Kristine Tortora. They do posters, framed prints, custom notecards, as well as totes.  The work is kitchy (in a good way), and bold and touching in a simple wau.

I'm told Kristine is back in Hamilton right now, and Mark is in Toronto.  Come by the Annex to check out their "Lovers and Thieves" series, and my favorite print "Hopes and Dreams".  

Barb Sachs is a clay artist from Dundas and the Shop at the AGH carries her work. She uses slabs of clay to create her animals, and the end result of a hollow, folded, sculptural form. She uses the raku firing process and a variety of glazes that give the animals an interesting, weathered look.

The Canadian government has used her sculptures to give as gifts to visiting dignitaries! Nelson Mandela has one. So that's kind of cool.

I've seen her penguins, polar bears and elephants (I know elephants are very "Canadian" but I love elephants so i'll let it slide) at the gallery, and I've even sold a large penguin already! Her work is so gorgeous, I will definitely need to save my pennies and bring home an animal sometime soon. 

As usual, this post got totally carried away and so I'll have to do a "Canadian Design Part Two" so I can fit in all the rest of the awesome art, jewelry, furniture and design I've come across in my Hamilton travels! 

Recipe Card, Episode 2

While I myself am not a vegetarian, we are a vegetarian household. Rich told me when we started dating "no meat in the house" and I'm not a huge meat eater, so it wasn't really a problem for me to just make vegetarian and vegan meals at home.
So although I didn't really intend this to be a "vegetarian friendly recipe card" that's just the way it's turned out!
These are some of my very favorite, tried (and tried and tried) and true meals that I love, and are a huge hit at home.  And best of all, they are all pretty quick and easy!
I do think that anyone can cook, you just need to take your time, and having a cooking partner always makes things much less complicated.  Give it a try!
*These recipes are not my own, I've taken them from various internet homes. I've linked to all appropriates sources.*

Vegan Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms Via Yummy Vegan Dinners

I cannot say enough about this lasagna. It's DELICIOUS and totally vegan. And I've tested it on some meat eaters and they loved it too. The tofu-as-ricotta filling is one of the best uses of tofu I've found.  Yum.  (Note: this is one of the only "labor intensive" recipes I've included here. It's not hard, per say, but it is alot of steps).

Everyday Chickpea Salad Via Shutterbean

This salad is far and away the best salad I have ever had, either at home or in a restaurant. I could go on and on about it, who knew you could be so excited by salad? I've made this repeatedly at home, it's been teenage boy approved, and I've made it numerous times for guests. Unfortunately, you do need a food processor in order to make the dressing. If you don't have one, go out, buy one and then make this salad. It's that good. 

Turkey Chili Via All Recipes

Now I know what you're thinking, I said these were all vegetarian friendly and turkey is not on the menu for a veg. But I just substitute the turkey with equal amounts of ground round and follow the same steps.  I also omit the salsa in this recipe.  Who wants salsa in their chili? I think it's weird. But to each their own.  And the sour cream and cheddar cheese toppings are option, so skip 'em or buy vegan friendly alternatives like we do! This makes a big batch of chili, but I still have to make a double batch. Richard is a chili eating machine. 

Honey Corn Bread Via All Recipes

What goes with chili better than cornbread? NOTHING. So there.  If you're not comfortable with using cream in this recipe (Lindsay fact: I hate cream, I think it's icky) you can just substitute for regular milk. Or, vegan friendly milk if you prefer. If Rich is a chili eating machine, I am a corn bread eating machine.

Now I'm hungry. Nom.

A Few Little Thoughts

Well, my poor little blog has obviously fallen by the wayside. Just when it was starting to pick up steam. Ho hum.
If you know me, I don't have to tell you what's going on, and if you don't know me, all I can say is that we are going through a very tragic loss right now.  My boyfriend's oldest son (or pseudo stepson as we like to call it) has passed away. He was only 17.

It's obviously been a tough road, and will continue to be one for a very long time. And forever, really.  Our whole lives changed in one moment, and things will never be the same again. Not to say that there won't be good, happy, fun, love-filled moments in the future, because I know there will be. There already have been, which is a definitely blessing.  But everything in life is now without him. Every milestone moment in life, and there are tons, is without him. I never knew I could be so sad.

Fortunately, we've had an incredible outpouring of support from far and wide. Friends, families, co-workers, regulars from the restaurant where Rich and I work, the list goes on.  Richard is one of the best people I've ever met, and obviously that feeling is very mutual. It was shocking to see how many people were touched by this, even if they had never met Irn, simply because they know Richard and care about him.

I'm lucky enough to have an amazing family (love youuus) and Richard's family is amazing too, and has been a total rock through all of this. I've always felt close with them, and this experience has only served to strengthen that. I've also built a bit of a relationship with a few people I never thought I'd come within ten feet of. So, it's been a bit of a funny ride.

I wish I could send a personal, heartfelt thank you to every single person who sent love, cards, food, SPCA donations and thoughts to us through all of this. It really has made all the difference. Knowing you are loved (and knowing there is food in the fridge for dinner!) really has made this easier.

I've been lucky enough to be taken into Irn's mom's family as one of them throughout all of this too. They are a wonderful group of people and spending time with them has made me feel like I have even more family around. And I'm a family kinda girl. You really see how important family is in moments like this, even if they aren't your own.  I've also learned I have a reserve of emotional strength deep down in there I'd never even have imagined. I feel like a grownup all of a sudden, and I feel like I can move through life with a little more...something....than I had before.  Maybe a tough skin is what I mean, but in a good way.

Anyways, just felt I had to put something here about all of this before I could start back to business. Have a look at your priorities for me today, and realize what is important. Let go of any silly grudges or negativity, stop worrying about small things and spend time with the people you care about. That's really what is important, and you need to gather all the moments you can.

Miss you Irn, it was a pleasure.

xo
Linds