Life in Canada

Our journey after moving from Scotland to Canada!

[jayjaythings]

Today I made cornbread... with chicken... no flour... even added bacon and Parmesan to one of them. It. Was. Delicious. I found the recipe through @meatrxofficial #explorefood #carnivorecornbread https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtzGjWD6X2/?igshid=ucvw9a14pp1h

[jayjaythings]

My matching pair finally complete and in new frames! The Samurai was done years ago and I had him packed away since we moved to Canada! It’s nice to finally bring out some of my old work and enjoy the feeling of completing a project. The question is, do I now buy the other Geisha that matches these two....? https://www.instagram.com/p/BuuyNuYAkwy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1khmrgt6x5nwa

[jayjaythings]

It might be freezing in Toronto today but it’s still a beautiful, bright, crisp winter day ❄️ . #winter #toronto #snowstorm #torontowinter #crunchysnow #snow #bluesky #livingintoronto (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3JWCAgVNT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=q259y6pf7f1y

[jayjaythings]

I don’t usually like talking about myself or posting solo pictures (almost every selfie I have had someone in it with me) but I needed to do this for me and challenge myself to be more comfortable talking about me and why I’m staring out on this new adventure! . . . . #Repost @crownjulesshop ・・・ It’s time to introduce myself. My name is Julie (Jules to my friends) and I am the founder of Crown Jules. I’ve been crafting and cross stitching since I was around 7 years old. My fondest memories are of my Granny teaching me needlework. Over time I would pick up needlework and put it down for long periods of time. In the past ten years I’ve really gotten back into it and started creating pieces for friends as gifts and exploring new ways of creating and expressing myself. I was born and raised in Scotland. It’s where I met the Canadian of my dreams and we had a beautiful son together. We made the move to Canada 5 years ago and settled in Toronto. I love this city and the opportunities it has provided us as a family. I’ve worked so hard the last 4 years developing myself professionally but over the last year or so I’ve been working more on growing personally. I’ve been inspired to make personal goals and stop making excuses for not putting myself first. This is where Crown Jules was born, when my brain won’t shut off late at night I dreamed of creating something for me. I set my goals and shared them with those closest to me. This is my creative outlet and I’m sharing my journey with all of you in the hopes that maybe something you see here will inspire you to follow your dreams and just get out there and do it! I’ve never been comfortable taking pictures of myself and posting them for the world to see. But here I am stepping out of my comfort zone and inviting you along for the ride. When you say your dreams out loud they become goals. Achieve your goals and you’ll achieve your dreams. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpKcMzugzwc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vhp3xoe5stol

[jayjaythings]

It’s autumn 🍂 so that means it’s baking time!! I’ve been wanting to try out these fall themed Sugar Cookies for a while. So easy to make! Unfortunately I didn’t have any leaf shaped cookie cutters so I improvised with Christmas trees 🤷‍♀️ Can’t wait to try out some Halloween and Christmas themed ones! #autumn #fall #baking #sugarcookies #delicious #comfortfood #toronto (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo4vzZSgLry/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cr0qgo7xtjcj

[jayjaythings]

Fall in #Toronto #torontophotography #autumn #fall #leaves🍂 #treestump https://www.instagram.com/p/BoxuDw5AXVz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18d46sp58fowx

[jayjaythings]

It’s here! 🙌🇨🇦🍁✈️ #goals #canadian https://www.instagram.com/p/BnY9V-aBzQY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u99q7w54to64

[jayjaythings]

Power outage... but at least the candles are pretty! #nopower #prettycandles #candlelight #torontopoweroutage #toronto #westqueenwest (at Queen Street West) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnXVE6GhpSJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p432nl4wjyta

[jayjaythings]

Getting back into yoga 🧘‍♀️ #yoga #homepractice #namaste🙏

[jayjaythings]

Excited to finally seeing Black Panther! #suchagreatmovie #wakandaforever #blackpanther (at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto)

[jayjaythings]

Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Pot Pie! 🥘 #castironcooking #chickenpotpie #biscuits #tryingsomethingnew #instafood #instagood #yummy (at Toronto, Ontario)

[jayjaythings]

Having a crafty day today! Been trying to make these for a long time! #maps #crafty #necklace #homemade #madewithlove #projects #edinburgh #toronto #hawick #script #awake

[jayjaythings]

Rediscovering The Little Things

I have finally made a big decision.  It is time to stop smoking.  It is time to stop being selfish and put my family before myself.  It is time I realised that being a mother is the best thing that happened to me, and to leave him too early will break my heart and his.  This recent realisation that I need to change has made me really think about the things I can do instead of smoking, really more of a distraction list when the cravings hit in the first few days and weeks.  I used to love cross stitching.  As soon as I finished one project I would move on to the next.  I have barley picked up a needle this year and have been working on the same (still unfinished) project for well over a year!  I decided that this is one of the things that will help distract me the most when the nicotine craving hits, so I have decided to start compiling some new projects.  I aim to have my bigger one finished by the end of this year, but there are so many cute little quick projects I can also do to get back into a hobby I have been doing for around 20 years!  Here are some of my two most recent projects.  My son picked them out after catching me trolling through pinterest looking for new ideas.  The pokemon one is a big thing for him right now.  He’s just started collecting the cards so this one caught his eye quickly!

This was such a quick and easy project to do.  On the original one I found there was a little love heart next to the “you” but he decided as I was stitching that he didn’t want me to put it on.  Since I said I was doing it for him, I agreed to leave it off.  The poke-ball can easily be changed with the different types of poke-balls that there are (if you’re really a die hard fan!).

The second project was also a nice quick and easy one, especially since it was just one colour!  The storm trooper is a great idea, just the black shadow on a white canvas looks amazing. 

Both of these projects were really easy and both were completed on one day each. 

I can’t wait to get them framed and on the walls!

[jayjaythings]

#Repost @jacksslm with @repostapp ・・・ Join us for Thirstday Thursday this week on the 17th! Our friends @lostcraftbeer will be here to offer samples. Join us from 5pm to 7pm! #jacksslm #thirstdaythursday #thirstday #jackastors #party #livemusic #stlawrence #toronto (at Jack Astor's St Lawrence)

[jayjaythings]

CN Shadow by Julie Ballantyne Via Flickr:

[jayjaythings]

Overcast Clouds, 5°C

45 Lisgar St

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread Turned out so well the first attempt. Really moist and delicious. Even the wee man loved it! I spread peanut butter on one piece and it was delicious! Recipe here: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2015/06/26/double-chocolate-zucchini-bread/

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[jayjaythings]

Light Rain, 5°C

45 Lisgar St

Day one of our first attempt at planting seeds! We bought a herb container that came with its own soil and seeds to sprinkle in. It should grow basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, cilantro and sage. In smaller individual pots we have tomato, zucchini, carrots, mini peppers, and marigold flowers. We have a few more of the individual pots to try with the rest of the seeds.

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