post-Christmas break

Our family has had a super Christmas season, so..................




..........we are off to Disney World to celebrate with these amazing characters (and hopefully a few Disney Princess for Asha)!!!!!!



See you mid-January to show you photos of Christmas, New Years & Disney!!!!!!!

looking forward to warmer weather {from the farm},
j.

a misty challenge

I've been into some online product challenges lately. every tried these? they get me thinking 3 things:
1. they really stretch my mind when it comes to using specific products on a layout.
2. they make me realize that i need to stock up more on some of my frequently used stash of products (a.k.a. Ki Memories embellishments).
3. they make me want to totally organize my paper and embellishments by company name and that is so insanely ridiculous, but it would be so cool to have a space THAT organized!!!!!

Ki Memories (one of my fave companies -- love their paper, love their embellishments AND LOVE jamie waters!!!!) ....... anyway ...... they are having a challenge on right now to use your mist to create a project. You can use mist on the background, on embellishments or on a mask. really, whatever you can mist; you name it.

So... i got my embarrassing stash of Glimmer Mists (really -- i need more) and started "misting". Now, i must admit, i am not a huge user of "the mists" and it's probably b/c i don't have the right colours to use on any of my projects. i think the colours i have left on my desk on more subtle and maybe used for a more vintage look. And does jill do vintage? Uhhhh....wrong?!? believe me; i've tried. but everything i try to "age -- weather -- make vintage" ends up looking a little more whimsical b/c i am soooooo drawn to bolder colours and a little of that extra kick that, obviously, gives a more playful look. blah blah blah. wow -- so i need to stock up. would make me use it more, for sure.

Here is the finished layout that i created tonight:
our beach


I ended up using Glimmer Mist on almost all the flowers around the photo. I sprayed them with Sage, Patina & Copper. Most of the flowers are paper flowers, but I did spray some Sage onto a crocheted flower (Close To My Heart). Of course, it took the mist beautifully and gave the very plain white fabric some colour. I added lots of dimension to the layout with several pop-dots. Ki Memories products used: Pattern Paper - Pop Culture (coloring book); Bloom (parasol); Surprise Hoopla; Love Elsie (blue clouds); Lace Cardstock (boquet white); Sheer Delights.

hope you enjoyed.
try some misting tonight..... and get out those fabulous Ki Memories products.

{from the farm},
j.

as promised

Here's a little peek at the {not so} mini album I did on about family vacation to Costa Rica. I used one of those photo albums that you just slip your photos into......you must know the ones. No page protectors; just these little photo mats that you slide your photo behind. I think I picked it up at a bargain shop some years back for 5 bucks or something. So happy I finally was able to use it for a project. Knew it would be cool.......someday. :) I added the Hambly transparency on the front b/c the cover was already somewhat transparent to begin with. Love the rings on the spine; makes it so easy to handle and flip through.

Hope you enjoy.

so excited it's done {from the farm},

j.

snap to it!!!

Does anyone have photos sitting on their computer from a holiday they took 3 years ago that are needing to be scrapped so that those incredible memories don't fade away into the unknown? {i'm raising my hand}. Can you say "disney; 2007; the whole family"?

In the interest of remembering our fabulous family vacation this past january, I am already getting started on a cute, little album of Costa Rica -- filled with all our favourite photos.

Not done yet; but here's a little sneak peek:

have a great day {from the farm},

j.

M.I.A. .... sorry

Sorry I have been away for so long. On the last night of our fabulous vacation in Costa Rica, I got the stomach flu and spent the whole night on the bathroom floor. You can imagine the next 2 days (travel days home). Wasn't the way I wanted to spend my last day on vacation.........so incredibly glad to finally be home. The flight out of Liberia was....um, rough........., what with all the mountains, volcanoes, etc. in Costa Rica. It was a bit scarey. But we made it home (with no serious airport gliches) and I'm ready to share all about our final day in Langosta.Most of you know by now that we spent the whole afternoon on the Blue Dolphin Catamaran -- sailing and snorkelling. It was Daria's & Carter's FIRST-ever snorkel experience........and boy, did they get a good show!!!!! To be honest, they were a little nervous about the whole experience at first, and we kinda' felt we were forcing them into it. But we KNEW they would love it, once they got their feet wet.

Daria ended up snorkelling with this SUPER-fun 25-ish year old girl named Jessica (who, btw, is originally from MB) and they both went with the snorkel guide, Carlos. They ended up seeing puffer-fish, seasnakes, and tons of other cool fish & sea-life. They were gone the longest of anyone and Dare was soooooooo excited when they finally got back to the boat. We had no idea where they all ended up.

Carter & Ron were together the whole time, snorkelling and finding lots of cool stuff under the water. All I saw were their colourful noodles and two bums floating on the surface of the water. It was soooooo cool to see Carter & his dad enjoying this together. There were lots of great stories when we were back on the boat together.

Asha & I took a ride to the shore and explored the black-sand beach. It was INFESTED with tiny crabs -- which Asha did not appreciate in the slightest way (she screamed almost the whole time) -- but we made the best of it and had some fun in the sun & water. Lots of distractions on mommy's part and some patience as well.

It was nice to get back on the boat to enjoy some more drinks & some snack that the crew had prepared. How did the crew know that Asha loved pepperoni so much?!?

Then the real party began. We all enjoyed a contest of jumping off the front of the catamaran; lots of cool jumps (air guitar by Carter, splits by Ron, etc.)......all egged on by the coolest chick in the world, Jessica. Then........everyone got a little crazy and jumped off the roof of the boat -- yes, right up by the sails. Even Carter & Daria took their turns jumping off the roof -- no lifejackets even. It was a hoot!!!!! The kids all had a blast.........special thanks to a wonderful new friend, Jessica!!!!!
On the way back to the beaches of Tamarindo, we enjoyed our last beautiful Costa Rican sunset -- while Carter enjoyed his 4th Coke of the day.
It was one of the most fun & memorable days in Costa Rica we had spent. The kids ranked it as #1 on their list (Asha's #1 was zip-lining in the end -- figure that).

Highly recommend visiting Costa Rica. If you need a guide, I'd be happy to excort you & your family. :)

be back soon {from the farm},

(i gotta lot of scrap-life catchin' up to do)

j.

NOT off the face of the earth

Don't worry......I'm still here. We are back from a wonderful vacation in Costa Rica, but...........I got incredibly sick on the last day there and spent the whole 2 days of travel feeling, well, not so good. I am still recovering here at home; laying low, sleeping a lot, eating very little & folding a ton of laundry that Ron has graciously done.
I promise I will post pics from our last days in CR very soon. Have lots of stories to share.

good to be home {on the farm},
j.

i have a smart nephew

So......I put the question out there about our adventures this morning and my 5 year old nephew, Colin guessed correctly. What does he win? Well......Colin, you win a fun-filled evening for 4 at the simple (yet glamourous) Ron Hildebrand household, where you will be awe-struck by the stories of our Zip-line Adventures. But don't think that's it. No.....you will also be treated to countless photos taken by the local Crystal City talents of your Auntie Jill. You must be jumping for joy right about now. You are such a lucky kid!!!!!

Yes, it is true people........Ron & I took our children ziplining over the jungle canopy this morning. To sum up this whole experience in one word would be pointless. There was a flood of emotions that went through my body in just a few hours -- from terrified & nervous, to "boy, am I ever a bad mother to make my 5 year old do this", to excitement & excelleration. I was sweating the whole time -- not b/c it was so hot, but b/c my heart was pumping so fast & hard the whole time. It was hard to catch my breath at times and actually realize what we were doing (and what we were putting our kids through). Next to parasailing, it was the wackiest thing that Jill Hildebrand has ever done.

A few facts: There were 7 lines in all. The longest line was about 400 metres in total (the 1st line we did). The shortest line was also the fastest (this was the 2nd line we did). The highest line started at about 125 ft in the air (in which I was standing on a platform at that height for over 2 minutes!!!!!!). We saw about 8-10 monkeys at the end of all the lines, all lazing in the trees above our heads; including a mommy & her baby. We all rode the Tarzan Rope at the end of the lines -- but Auntie Jill had to be pushed off the edge by the instructor, as I wouldn't jump off myself. :)

And don't worry Grandma & Grandpa, Ma & Pa -- we were so incredibly impressed by the instructors and all the safety regulations. We were ALL consistently clipped onto lines on the platforms that we would stand on and if at any point we needed to be unclipped, we were then clipped onto an instructor (who was clipped and harnessed up). It was soooooo safe!!!!!

This is our whole group of 7: our family, a dad & his 6 year old daughter, Lila. She was great for Asha b/c she had gone already the day before. Asha & Lila became best friends very fast and they actually hugged each other at the end of the morning when we dropped off her & her dad at their hotel. Asha was (should I say) -- VERY terrified at first and DID NOT want to be there. But, she did end up doing all 7 lines with us -- her harnessed up with a wonderful female instructor. She was so good to Asha.


Here is Asha & her instructor about 30 ft above the canopy -- about 100 ft from the actual jungle ground. Too high for 9:00 in the morning. :)

Ron would get a little goofy for the camera.

And here, Colin, is Uncle Ron UPSIDE DOWN ziplining through the jungle. Silly, isn't he? Auntie Jill didn't go right upside down, but I did hang from my harness on my back with no hands. Not very relaxing, but FUN none-the-less.

We had a great day today. Tomorrow is our last full day here. We have an afternoon excursion booked again. Come back tomorrow evening to find out what we made our kids do this time.

far away {from the farm},

j.

Langosta-bound

Yesterday we left our house in Playa Grande :( and ventured onto the busier area of Tamarindo and Langosta. We are staying in a villa in Langosta for the next three nights. The villa is right on the beach (just steps down a sandy path). Below is the view from our balcony and from the window in our bedroom. This photo is taken at low tide. The water will come pretty close to the pathway later on at high tide. Last night, Ron & I had a hard time sleeping as the waves were crashing against the rocks right outside.......tough life, eh?!?In the evening, Carter was the one that humoured his mother and went with me to the rocky beach to give me some "practice" with sunset photos. I literally have dozens of them (some good; some bad -- I'll share more of my faves later, Allison). Carter loves to climb on all the rocks at the beach (such a different beach then that at Playa Grande). It'll be fun to explore today, further to the right & left, to see what we find. More beautiful beach, I would imagine.

I have already warned my family that tonight we WILL be venturing out on the beach to get some family sunset shots -- I find it easier on them when I warn my family. I think they always KNOW it's coming, but they still like to give me a hard time. There is sooooo much more to share, but our wireless here is a lot slower. I'm having difficulty loading more than 2-3 photos. There'll be lots more to share when I get home.

You will NEVER guess what our family did this morning. It involves monkeys, incredible heights & amazing speeds!!!!!!! I still cannot believe it myself......so OUT of my element, but still wonderfully enjoyable.

I wonder if Colin will have a guess????!? Betcha' you wouldn't believe what your Auntie Jill did.

I'll post a photo tonight to share.

The beach is calling........hear it?!?

not {from the farm},

j.

Day 4 - New Adventures

Today we ventured to the beaches of Playa del Conchal. We had heard that it has gorgeous waters to try snorkeling in and we wanted the kids to experience this. Unfortunately, I don't think we found the right beach, as where we ended up (according to directions from locals & visitors) was a beach that was busy with VERY rough waves. Although the beach was covered with teeny, tiny broken smooth shells, it was not the beach we were hoping for. The closest we got to snorkeling was me trying to swim out over the waves to the better , smoother waters and........ending up getting beached on the sand with my bathing suit FULL of tiny shells. I WILL NOT BE SHOWING THOSE PHOTOS!!!!!!

After a short stint at the beach, we ventured towards our car again and found some souvenirs for the kids. Two sundresses for the girls & a wooden snake for Carter.Lunch time at Outback Jack's was fabulous -- a dingy, little, Aussie restaurant just metres from the beach.

And then we had to find some beach toys for Asha at the local shops.
Back at home, boogie-boarding time again -- a daily occurrance. Won't be the same back home in -30 degree weather -- we'll have to get creative.

And Asha got to play with her new toys.
Carter's find for the day -- he always has at least one spectacular thing he discovers.
And then..........we discovered this beautiful Labyrinth right on the beach. The local yoga instructor (who, by the way, I had not met yet -- if anyone is wondering) and a few others made this HUGE Labyrinth with shovels right on the sand.

After it was completely done, the instructor invited us to "walk the labyrinth". Of course, we did and it was an experience we will never forget. After a few instructions from the "yoga-master", the kids were sooooooo good, walking slowly, in silence, holding their shells as gifts for the offering in the centre of the labyrinth, and saying a quiet prayer or blessing when they got to the middle. The whole walk took about 15 minutes in total. Very relaxing......very calming. Thought about Auntie Dianne the whole time.....love ya' girl.

This evening we took a walk on the beach -- this time we went right. Ron got some fun shots of me playing with the kids.

We leave for Playa Langosta -- menana. It will be interesting to see what we discover there.

We will miss Playa Grande........but we'll be back some day.

thinking of all of you {at the farm},
j.

Day 2 & 3 photo updates

We've been busy the last 2 days.

Day 2:
We explored to the left of our beach and found our way along the sand to the edge of the estuary. There was NO ONE there and the kids had some fun writing in the sand with their new-found shell "pencils". There are hundreds of them found on the beach. This message is for everyone:

Carter found some "quick sand" and had some fun with his daddy.

Asha likes to draw lines in the sand whenever we walk somewhere so "we will find our way back home later."
After a yummy lunch at the house, we were off to the beach AGAIN!!!!! for some more wave-catching. We haven't quite figured out the "surfer-dude-lingo" here -- nor do we want to.
Asha likes to wear her googles on the beach when she gets too close to the waves. Although her brother & sister think she looks a little dorky, I think it's so cute!!!!!

In the evening, Dare took this great shot of Ron & I sitting on the beach watching the sunset.
The morning of Day 3 found us adventuring on a very small boat for an Estuary Tour.

Although it is usually very unlikely to see anything besides some birds and a few monkeys, we were lucky enough to come across this 9 ft croc who swam right underneath our 12 ft boat!!!!!!

About 1 minute after we saw the croc, our guide (Enrique) told us to get out of the boat and follow him down this tiny little path in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle!!!!! Is anyone else getting a little nervous as I relive the moment?!? Anyway.......Ron & I hauled our three precious children out of the boat (in the middle of the jungle) and told them to "follow the man" (Enrique promised me there would be NO SNAKES).
And we found these little darlings in the trees high above our heads. Enrique howled like these Howler Monkeys and they would answer him back -- mostly by throwing stuff at us & peeing on some of us. I think it will be an experience that we will talk about for a long time.
Then, in the evening, this little monkey devoured a huge cheeseburger & fries at the restaurant in town.
I, on the other hand, had the local dish "Casado" -- rice, fish & beans w/ salad. It was delicious!!!

Another great few days.

Far, far away {from the farm},

j.