too good tuesday 7

YAY, too good tuesday is back! Lots of things to be happy & thankful for: It was my birthday last tuesday! And it was too good: festive army balloon, epic pulled chicken tacos, scrumptious a la mode brownies, raspberry inspired cocktails, purple tulips and a happy and jingly chloroplast. I also got many messages or calls from loved ones and a few belated gifts arrived too!Getting the bikes tuned up and hitting the hills! My parents buried dearest dexter‘s ashes on a beautiful hill on the family cabin’s property: offering him a mighty fine resting spot, and hopefully further closure for all of us. A return to childhood with healthy snacks: ants on a log! The top row was the 1st test with hummus, cracked pepper & basil; no clever name for it as of yet though, nor the other “log” experiments I am dreaming up.A fantastic “may the fourth be with you” kegger party, which I made an epic t-shirt for. Geekery and alcohol will always prevail.

A lot of time was spent with my sketchbooks last week too (as I mentioned in my post yesterday). Any too good things happen lately that you’d like to share?

spoiled rotten

It’s rare that I need to be reminded about how lucky I am; I have a really good life, I know it and I am ever so thankful for it. Living in this beautiful country, in a safe home and being able to stay in contact with the people I love dearly, makes every day a blessing. So when an occasion like my birthday comes along, I am reminded of this fact even more so. Below are the generous and very thoughtful gifts that my loved ones gave to me almost a month ago now, for my 26th birthday. I am definitely spoiled rotten. From top to bottom: 1.An incredible Dutch pop-up & interactive art book, Verborgen Vogels, from my sister & brother-in-law 2.Incredible cast bronze owl hook,  from my sister & brother-in-law 3.Hand-me-down wedding books, from my sister. 4.Discarded library book gem found and re-lined by my sister: John James Audobon’s entire Birds of America 5.A constantly-waving Queen, powered by the sun, from Olivia Delorme & Nick Oostyen 6.An illustrated edition of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species (so much better than my previous words-only copy), from my mother and father 7.A really special piece that once belonged to my great grandmother: a carved ivory tusk depicting a beautiful herd of elephants marching in a line. My mother graciously handed down this antique to me, which was assumed to have been acquired by my great grandmother’s brother, who constantly travelled the world. 8.Books right up my alley: The Moon of the Bears, The Moon of the Owls and The Charlton Canada Stamp Album & Storybook, from Marcus Jackson 9.Stationery, art and craft supplies from Carney Oudendag, my mother and my sister. 10.Three vintage finds, National Geographic’s My First Pocket Guide: Woodland Wildlife, Canadian Nature Guides: Mammals and Some Canadian Birds, from Carney Oudendag. 11.Custom-ordered, hand-made leather fanny pack by Loves Jules Leather (arriving in June), from John Helm …See what did i tell you? I’m ridiculously rotten!

twenty-six

Since I am in Calgary quickly, I was fortunate enough to celebrate a wonderful birthday with my beloved family. John was sorely missed, but the company of my mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law filled my heart with so much happiness and love. Above: the adorable envelope of my parents’ card, a watercolour portrait of me painted by my talented sister Ali, and then the inside greeting from her and Andy’s silly card.