Sunday night

It was a good weekend. Busy, sunny and fun. Here are my top 3 (okay, maybe a few more than three) moments from the past few days. 

1. Dylan made us crêpes for breakfast this morning. They were delicious, and it made me think how proud Em would be. 

2. A walk in the morning sunshine. 

3. Playing frisbee in the street with the boys. 

4. Digging in the garden, and watering in all the new plants. 

5. Lemon sorbet. Yum. 

6. Finishing a good book. 

7. The four of us playing Risk after dinner tonight. 

8. Sawyer's rosy cheeks. 

9.  Lilacs in our garden. So. Many. Lilacs. 

Happy Monday, mes amies. 

E Xo

Monday night is alright

Monday night's 3BT:

1. A wicked workout.

2. The sweetest goodnight kiss. 

3. A bedtime bubble bath that smells heavenly (because heaven smells like a green bubbleroon, I'm sure of it!)

Goodnight. 

E xo

Lush, green thumb, family stroll

My Sunday evening 3BT:

1. My mom and I went on a bit of a shopping spree at Lush yesterday. I can't wait for a soak in the tub with my Brightside bubble bar tonight... It smells of orange blossoms! Bliss. 

2. I planted a brand new bed of flowers in the side yard this afternoon. Felt good to get my hands dirty, and it was satisfying to see the results of my work. I'm going to sit on the deck this summer and admire those gorgeous blooms. 

3. The four of us went for a walk tonight before bedtime (the boys'). We walked and talked and I'm really glad we did. 

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

E xo

PS: Almost forgot... Outlander is on tonight! That's #4 for sure :)

An end of week 3BT

Three beautiful things on a rainy Friday night:

1. Bright yellow blooms at the driveway's edge. 

2. Finding a nice, long letter in the mailbox after a long day at school. 

3. Happy Hippy shower gel + Whoosh bath jelly = a fantastic bubble bath. 

Happy weekend, lovelies. The last one in April already, can you believe it?

Thursday 3BT

Three good things about today, and then I'm off to bed...

1. A letter and a phone call from Kelly in the same day {I love when we get to make plans!}

2. A friend buying Starbucks drinks for every one of us on the picket line this afternoon. So sweet. 

3. The beautiful blooms in our garden. Here are a few for you to look at!

E xo

It's not all bad

Things have been pretty stressful around here lately. I've been letting my anxiety get the better of me, and it can be so difficult to shake the negative mindset once I've immersed myself in it. But seriously, what is the point? Being angry and sad and worried isn't going to get me anywhere I want to be. Screw that! So, here I am with 3BT {three beautiful things} to end this day on a positive note, and maybe drift off to sleep a bit faster, too.

1. Those boys of mine. How adorable are they?

2. The weather is magnificent. So much sun. My freckles, and our garden, are loving it. 

3. A stack of good books on my nightstand {I actually have time to read them now that we're on strike}. Just finished The First Phone Call from Heaven by Mitch Albom, am half-way through One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern, and next up is The Fault in Our Stars. Anything else you'd recommend?

I've missed you guys. 

E xo

PS: One more thing... Sawyer's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. And you know how we Pughs love a party!

Poppies, memories, family time

I always say that I need to write down/acknowledge/focus on three beautiful things each and every day. But do I? No. Definitely not every day. Somedays not even every other day. Sometimes I get bogged down in all the not so beautiful stuff, and I forget. And so today, I'm making sure to do it. Life is good in so many ways. I'm a lucky girl for so many reasons. So, here's my 3BT on this bright Tuesday afternoon in June...

California poppies, picked by the roadside as the boys waited for the school bus this morning, in a little blue vase on my desk.

This beautiful spot where Em's memorial bench sits. We sat there together the last time I spent a weekend with her in Vancouver, before she moved to France. This weekend it will be dedicated to her, and we'll gather to have a picnic in her honour. Em loved picnics.

Hanging out in the front yard with the boys and Alan last night before bedtime. It's a beautiful yard, with good trees for climbing. I enjoyed being there, in the company of my little family, very much.

I hope you're enjoying at least three beautiful things today! And if you'd like to tell me what they are, I'd love to hear.

PS: Ooh, I almost forgot to mention... there are just 7 days left of school until summer vacation!

Things I'm loving lately

Walking on the beach

Our gorgeous garden {and our soon-to-be finished sundeck}

The smell of freshly cut grass

Painted toenails

The letters from Em I keep coming across 

Planning for my class next year {I'm going back to kindergarten!}

Skype

Instagram 

Letters in my mailbox

Season finales {The Office was wonderful, wasn't it/}

Summer travel plans

Riding my bike 

Sitting on the front lawn in my new muskoka chair

Imagining how fab our new bathroom's going to look

Listening to my first graders read and seeing how far they've come

Playing board games with my boys

My floppy new sunhat and stripy flip-flops

Six weeks left until summer vacation!

What are you loving lately?

Looking for the good

I've been working on taking note of the beautiful things in my life, the little things that make me happy on a day-to-day basis. I have struggled with this over the past few months, have been bogged down with sadness and worry. But the clouds are clearing and I'm starting to feel hopeful again. Writing down 3BT each day helps.

Here are yesterday's three beautiful things...

This little corner of our garden is gorgeous, isn't it? When the days get warmer, I'm going to sit in the grass here and soak it all up. Maybe I'll even try to sketch what I see.

I used to write to Em every night before I went to bed, so she'd have something nice to wake up to. I'm still writing to her, but now it's letters in this pretty French journal. I hope she's able to read them somehow. I'm also filling in the answers to the questions in this Q & A journal that my lovely sister-in-law Wendy sent for my birthday. It's a 5-year journal, and I'm looking forward to comparing my answers over the years.

My sister and I met up for lunch at Toast yesterday. Oh my, so good! We had Thai chicken soup, a delicious salad, London Fogs {known as Island Fogs here} and toast, of course. The food was great, the company even better.

How are things in your part of the world? Can you find three beautiful things around you today? Let's hear it, friends. I need all the happy I can get.

Three beautiful things

There was once a time when I recorded three beautiful things on this blog each day. I gave that up for a while, but I shouldn't have. For me, right now, it is especially important to take note of all the lovely little things around me. To soak them up and let them wash over me. I try to write them down each night before I go to sleep, so I have something good to think about as I drift off. Here are my three beautiful things from yesterday.

Sitting in the park {in the sunshine, in flip-flops!} while the kids played, writing a stack of postcards to some friends of my very dearest friend. We have started a post club in her honour and I know that she would adore that.

Weather warm enough to dry my laundry on the clothesline. Your clothes always smell so nice after. And striped shirts feel very French, n'est-ce pas?

Cherry blossoms. Millions of them. Hooray for spring and all its bloomy beauty.

Have you got three beautiful things to share? "Oh, how I wish you would..."

Happy Wednesday, friends.

Post office, presents, plans

image via here

I had a day off today {to make up for going in last week for a day of meetings when it should have been my day off} and I made the very most of it. I got a lot done and am feeling much better about it being December 4th already! And so, here's my Tuesday night 3BT:

1. There was hardly any line at the post office today! I had several parcels and Christmas cards to send, and it felt so good to see them loaded onto the truck as I left.

2. I'm pretty excited about a few of the presents I've bought so far. I have something exciting for each of my three boys already and a few more fabulous plans in the works.

3. Speaking of plans, my friend Shannon and I are planning a Christmas craft afternoon with our two Grade 1 classes next week. We're going to be making some adorable tree ornaments with our students, the kind their parents will cherish for years to come. I might have to make hot chocolate with candy cane stir sticks for the occasion.

Have you got three beautiful things to share tonight? I'd love to hear.

Mocha, soup pot, step one

via tiny white daisies

I'm in the mood for a Thursday 3BT. You? Here's my list. Would love to hear yours...

1. My lovely friend Sheila, whom I haven't seen in far too long, came for a visit today. And she brought me a peppermint mocha! It was the perfect way to spend a chilly morning.

2. Speaking of cold weather, I'm making a great big pot of soup for dinner tonight. It's spicy English parsnip, a favourite from this recipe book. Soup is the most perfect winter comfort food, don't you think?

3. I got my first term report card template finished today. It was the first big step in getting my students' reports written. I'd been stressing about it and putting it off for a while. Now that it's done, I feel ready to get writing! And with two full weeks left until they're due, I'm not worried anymore.

Once Alan's home and the kids are in bed, I'm going to head out to the gym for a good workout. After that, I plan to enjoy a hot bath and another episode of Downton Abbey. All in all, a lovely Thursday. Hope yours was, too!

E xo

Thursday 3BT

friendly fingers via here

1. This morning I dropped the boys off at school and headed home, not for my usual Thursday morning Skype date with Em, but for tea and bagels at the kitchen table with Em! Skype is nice, but this was so. much. nicer.

2. Eating fajitas for dinner while listening to the Gipsy Kings, and doing a little bit of chair dancing {Sawyer was totally getting into it}.

3. Watching Em and Dylan practice for his dictée tomorrow. Listening to them chatting away in French. J'adore...

4. {okay, so it's a 4BT post this week} The chill in the air, the mist in the mornings, the most glorious colours on the leaves. Fall is here, and I love it.

More soon, including the E & me photo I promised {we've been so busy talking non-stop that we've taken very few photos so far... will rectify that problem tomorrow for sure}. Until then, un gros bisou!
E xo

Thursday birthday 3BT {say that five times, fast!}

via here

I love Thursday. It's my day off. My day to get stuff done around here, to meet up with friends, to get some extra exercise... and to recover from the first few crazy days of the week in Grade 1. This Thursday is especially nice, and here's why:

1. It's my {fantastic, fabulous, awesome} sister's birthday today! We're going out for lunch. Soup, sandwiches, hot beverages, birthday presents, and lots of laughs. I can't wait.

2. I get to help out with the Terry Fox Run at the boys' school this afternoon. It's a beautiful autumn day {blue skies, sunshine, temps around 20 degrees}. Perfect for a run around the school fields, and it's always a good day to feel grateful for the amazing thing that Terry Fox did. He is truly one of our greatest Canadian heroes. And now I'm going to cry.

3. I've got a phone date with Em this morning. Next best thing to seeing her in person. Which reminds me... just 13 days to go!

Happy Thursday, friends. Are there three beautiful things making you smile today? Do tell! I'd love to catch up.

Portrait, practice, post

My Tuesday night 3BT {I really need to do these more often}:

1. Family portraits, courtesy of Dylan. Especially this one.

2. Running longer and farther every week {my new shoes rock, and so do I!}

3. I got a letter in the mail today from Fergal. He sent me some US money to spend in New York! Best. Godson. Ever.

Hope you had a happy Tuesday. Can you think of three beautiful things about your day?

Unexpected, getting stronger, light-hearted

I've been too busy to blog these past few days, quite literally running from one thing to the next. But I'm making time tonight for a quick 3BT before I collapse into bed.

1. A good friend popped by unexpectedly after school today, with cookies! It was lovely to see her, and to catch up over a cup of tea.

2. I am getting so much exercise these days, and it feels so good. My running group is going well, and I'm feeling stronger all the time. Soon, I'm going to treat myself to a new pair of running shoes.

3. Got some fabulous news yesterday. News that makes my heart feel lighter than it has in a long time.

Hope you had a lovely Tuesday. I did something today that I've needed to do for ages. It's a step in the right direction, and just knowing that I've taken it makes a world of difference.
E xo

festive photo credit: emily miller

Rain, run, mysterious

I really need a new umbrella

1. I like the sound of the rain on the skylights in my library.

2. My 10K running clinic started tonight. We ran in the pouring rain and the most blustery wind. It was hard, but I felt fabulous after.

3. The final episode of this series of Sherlock was ah-mazing. I love Martin Freeman.

Time for bed. Hope your Tuesday was full of beautiful things, too. Good-night!

image via here

A wintry 3BT

Tuesdays are 3BT day around here now, aren't they? I was so busy digging out the driveway, I forgot! Better a little bit late than never though, right? So here they are, three beautiful things on this cold January night...

1. Chenille socks to keep my feet warm inside my boots.

2. Hot chocolate and fresh-baked cookies to welcome the boys in from the cold. Oh, I love those rosy cheeks!

3. The preschool presidents' meeting was cancelled tonight {thank you, icy roads} which means I get to stay home and sit by the fire to watch Glee and Parenthood {my favourite!}

And a few more, for good measure:

 My hard-working helper

 Sunshine on the snow

Snow drifts on the juniper

Dylan's class mural- isn't it fabulous?

We got almost a foot of snow in the past 24 hours. But, it wasn't a snow day today. Even though the buses weren't running, school was in session. It was a bit of a harrowing drive to and from work, but we made it safe and sound. Here's hoping everything's closed tomorrow, so we can go sledding...

How was your Tuesday? Have you got three beautiful things to share? I'd love to hear them if you do.

Tuesday 3BT

via slidesideways

Remember when I used to write about three beautiful things all the time? I''d find lots of little things that made me happy and ramble on about them. It was a little bit Pollyanna, but a whole lot of what I needed.

I think it's time to bring that feature back. I definitely need it again. It's cold, it's dreary, it's January... and Lord knows I hate January! What better time to re-focus and find 3BT to make me smile and remind me {and my seasonally depressed self} that things aren't all bad? I've been writing them down in my journal every night since New Year, and I think I'll make it a weekly thing on my blog, too. So here it is, the first of many, Tuesday 3BTs...

1. Tea in my pretty new mug + a book that makes me laugh out loud + some festive confetti {courtesy of Sawyer}  = a pleasant hour spent lounging on the couch.

2. A lunch hour walk in the bright winter sunshine {finally! a day without rain!}

3. One of the kids at my school- one of those really rough-around-the-edges kind of kids- came to the library with her class today. She'd finally remembered to return her library book and she'd brought me a drawing. On it she'd written, "I love you, Mrs P." Made me smile.

Can you think of three beautiful things about today?

Gratitude

Oof. What a week. It was long and cold and stressful. I'm glad it's almost over. It's Friday now, and I'm grateful for a lot of things. Mind if I share my {rather long} list? Here goes:

getting good news {finally!}

emails from Em

gingerbread lattes and peppermint mochas

the red Canada Post truck

some hypothetical mail from Kimbirdy {who inspired this gratitude post with her weekly thankfulness}

my lovely mom who happily babysat my boys twice in one week, and cleaned my kitchen!

a successful preschool fundraising auction

Micaela's Christmas ornament swap!

a surprise parcel from a friend {thank you, Brandi! can't wait to read The Night Circus!}

skyping with Cassie {and getting her gorgeous baby announcement in the mail}

thick socks and cozy slippers
Starbucks with my sister

a woodshed that's stacked to the rafters

a mug full of hot tea after coming in from the rain

rosy-cheeked boys singing Frosty the Snowman

quiet Fridays in the library

a stack of books on my bedside table

did I mention emails from Em? 

and...

it's almost the weekend

Happy Friday, friends!

xo

via pinterest