tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-234730162024-03-07T16:38:13.295-05:00I Can't Even..Life is hard. By God's grace I'm growing and surviving, but some days are just hard for this wife and mama. Thanks for journeying with me.Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.comBlogger814125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-60893934476923752442019-10-24T20:41:00.000-04:002019-10-24T20:41:14.969-04:00When in Autumn..
All the woodland creatures,
From squirrel, to bird or beast,
Come out in glorious splendour
To forage for winter's feast.
The colours of fall shine bright
In yellows and orange and reds;
The brilliant sun beams through the forest
And glows on the animals' heads.
The light shines off his bright red crest
As the woodpecker climbs up the trees;
The squirrels scurry with great Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-26423355210571061682019-09-06T20:11:00.000-04:002019-09-06T20:11:07.436-04:00Pumpkin Spice and All Things Nice...I opened my inbox this past week to an email from Starbucks announcing the arrival of the famed PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte for the uninitiated). I was beyond excited, fully intending to run out that night and get my first one of the season. I waited until later that week, and I was shocked at my disappointment. Pumpkin spice latte was the drink that started me on coffee, the Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-75159184932567051302017-04-27T19:40:00.000-04:002019-09-06T20:22:37.645-04:00Losing a Friend...
When I think of the Torries, I can never think of one without the other. I usually never saw them apart, and I always admired their ‘togetherness’. You could sense God’s hand working through them as one.
They had my family over to their house one of the first times we came to the church. There were five of us kids, but that didn’t matter, we all squeezed around theAshleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-48978442232626898652016-10-09T19:41:00.000-04:002019-09-06T20:21:54.776-04:00On Turning 30...This year I'm turning thirty years old.
I've never been one to shy away from telling people my age. In fact, I often have to stop and think about the number. When you're in your mid-twenties, they all seem to blur together after a while.
Thirty is quite a milestone. I'm not sure why our society deems it so. Perhaps we see thirty as something to be Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-36352346669972295102015-12-05T00:00:00.000-05:002015-12-05T09:33:17.903-05:00What I'm Into: December 2015 Edition
In the Kitchen
Taco Tuesdays...need I say more? Try this Korean beef recipe and you won't be disappointed!
I love pretty much anything from Budget Bytes, but this Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Pasta is to die for. I looked at the recipe, and laughed when I read "1/4 cup parmesan". A QUARTER CUP of cheese? Just a quarter cup? No, there's got to be a mistake. Well, I took the matter into my own Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-61011071136855344242015-12-04T21:53:00.001-05:002015-12-04T21:53:16.685-05:00Cold weather bucket list...I admit it. I'm not really a fan of winter, but I've heard that writing a bucket list of the things you want to do in the wintertime can make it tolerable. So here goes:
*toboggan with Adrian
*go caroling and get hot chocolate afterwards
*go skiing or tubing at least once
*drink a hot chocolate outside when my fingers are frozen like ice
*fly to Switzerland with Jake and Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-71890888130901983432015-12-03T10:45:00.002-05:002015-12-03T10:45:31.603-05:00Christmas is for Interior Decorating...This year, more than in years past, I've been feeling the pressure to have a perfectly decorated home for Christmas. The stores set up their festive wares early on in the season [can we give Thanksgiving some breathing room?!] and I was struck with just how materialism dictates the pulse of the season.
Image Source
My feelings were intensified after my second annual Christmas Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-53164246900291363492015-10-01T13:27:00.001-04:002015-10-01T13:34:53.291-04:00A Letter to My Firstborn...Happy 2nd birthday, Adrian! I'm being reminded of some things that I wrote a couple of years ago and wanted to share them here...On Your Due Date, September 21, 2013:To my dear little one,You have been growing inside of me for 9 months now. Today is the day they said you could make your entrance into this crazy life. I, for one, am overjoyed to meet you. I'll never forget that Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-75390952166505314272015-09-03T14:23:00.001-04:002015-09-03T14:23:53.454-04:00What Im Into: September 2015 EditionIn the KitchenI may be slightly obssessed with graham crackers lately, and I mean buying boxes and boxes, even mid-week. My favourite thing to do with them (aside from s'mores, of course!) is to spread peanut butter and sliced bananas on top. It's the perfect way to add a bit of sweetness to an already sweet snack. I've also been making a lot of hummus chicken. Simply cut Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-58454840245224131162015-09-03T13:59:00.001-04:002015-09-03T13:59:59.887-04:00Peaches and Summer's Not Over Yet...I made use of the delicious Ontario peaches that are being sold in grocery stores this summer. Every year I make the resolution to start buying more locally grown foods in order to save some money. They always say to buy in season, right? The peaches I bought this week are absolutely heavenly. I think I've had three already today. What's better than biting in to a Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-69260846501715557632015-03-31T14:06:00.002-04:002015-03-31T14:07:18.840-04:00What I'm Into: March 2015 Edition
In the Kitchen
I've been eating pretty close to a paleo diet lately, which means no grains (including rice, and quinoa). This is a personal choice, and I'm not going to lie and say it hasn't been difficult, but I've been enjoying the physical changes I'm seeing. I'm still abstaining from sugar for Lent, only allowing it on Sundays. Needless to say, our meals haven't been Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-75448180805089160752015-01-12T10:34:00.002-05:002015-01-12T10:34:51.326-05:00What I'm Into: January 2015 Edition...
In the Kitchen
Coffee, coffee and more coffee. And the odd cup of tea. But I've been obsessed with drinking coffee. We were bad and splurged on a big box of chicken nuggets at Costco, and paired with some roasted potatoes and a salad it's a pretty tasty meal. I bought some gnocchi thinking Adrian would enjoy it, which he did (the first time), but now I'm addicted to it, Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-63079753554297937332015-01-09T13:52:00.005-05:002015-01-09T13:52:45.318-05:00Hibernating Like a Dream...Happy New Year, and all that. 2015 is here, and with it resolutions, new beginnings, vacation plans, and the snow that by-passed December. This frigid cold is too much for babies, and even a quick jaunt to the library can seem like forever when the wind is cutting like ice to bone. So we stay in, we wait for Jake to come back with the car, and we pretend we're keeping to a Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-7484765212881698132014-12-31T08:32:00.001-05:002015-01-01T13:25:31.008-05:00It's Been A Year...
Motherhood and busy-ness took over, and my blog suffered a little bit [meaning I wrote the least amount of posts this year since I started my blog] but would I have it any other way? Also, I'm thankful for my ever faithful readers and your support. I've tried to keep this from being a total 'mommy' blog, but since I am a mom now, there hasn't been too much else on my radar.
I'm amazed atAshleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-89707438933839991462014-12-17T12:11:00.001-05:002014-12-17T12:11:34.699-05:00It's Warm Inside...The thrift shop near my house is amazing, and they donate all of their profits to a men's shelter. Their displays are artistic, nothing is disorganized or unattractive to the eye. I try to go in at least once a week, if not twice, and it's a treasure hunt every time. I'm keeping my eye on this arm chair that's been there for about three months (it's actually hideous- bright orange- Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-3107254205807189472014-12-13T11:25:00.000-05:002014-12-13T11:25:25.287-05:00More Than You Know... This morning I made pancakes for breakfast... Delicious ones with blueberries and chocolate chips. I've been very excited that Adrian can eat what we eat, so I sat him down in his high chair and promptly set a pancake in front of him. He looked at it. He picked it up and inspected it further. He nibbled at it. Then he threw it on the floor, looked at me and started kicking his feet. I knew Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-8307040607418323302014-12-04T09:32:00.000-05:002014-12-04T09:32:07.489-05:00Christmas Bucket List...
It's December.
You've probably realized that there are only 25 days [technically only 21 now] until Christmas, and you're trying to accomplish your Christmas month bucket list.
Here's mine:
Decorate the house [if we manage to even plug in our two foot artificial tree complete with lights, I'll be happy]
Bake lots of cookies
Go sledding [I'm so looking forward to Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-25526238208331082462014-11-26T11:45:00.002-05:002014-11-26T11:45:28.276-05:00What I'm Into: November Edition
In the Kitchen
It's been stir fry's for dinner, and cinnamon everything. Joy of Cooking Overnight Rolls, Joy the Baker's Cinnamon Popovers, and good old cinnamon coffee cake. I even tried making microwave cinnamon buns, but the real, yeasty ones were definitely the best. I bought a huge ten-pound bag of white flour from Costco, in the hopes that I can get some Christmas baking done thisAshleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-43359245895729358112014-11-17T21:02:00.001-05:002014-11-17T21:02:36.549-05:00When the Craving Hits...The sweet tooth is unpredictable, or at least mine is. Some days I can go without anything sweet, feeling so proud of my resistance to temptation. The next day, though...oh! how it hits me hard. Wait, perhaps it's hormonal ups and downs?!
Whatever the reason, I have recently discovered a little something that helps me during that sweet craving slump, specifically during Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-57069276310689929672014-10-16T12:32:00.000-04:002014-10-16T12:32:29.553-04:00It'll Do You Good...
Our poor cat has gone through quite a bit of stress in the past few months. She moved to a new location with her previous owners, then transferred to our place within a month of that and has had to adjust to new owners and lifestyle. So I would not fault her for a little bit of hissing and standoffish-ness {which she is completely over now}. But the spraying on our carpet? Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-75343961826596844882014-10-15T23:02:00.002-04:002014-10-15T23:03:49.793-04:00A Reading Biography...
Reflections on questions from The Reading Tutor's Handbook
How did I learn to read and write?
-My mother always told me that I taught myself how to read, but I can't even remember learning how to write. It seems like I've always done it. I vaguely remember drawing out countless letters as I practiced, but I'm pretty sure my mom worked with me at home even before I went Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-8887103844691517262014-10-15T22:24:00.001-04:002014-10-15T22:24:24.775-04:00On My Mind Tonight...In no particular order:
1. Searching for ways to get my cat to stop peeing everywhere (Including my bed)
2. Grieving with those who have lost children this week, both born and unborn. May God bring them comfort in their time of pain and grief.
3. Wondering how to be a mother who both challenges and nurtures her child, without stressing
4. Waiting for replies to my Kijiji ad to Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-82382926551243609842014-10-14T23:35:00.001-04:002014-10-14T23:35:49.865-04:00A Thanksgiving to Remember... A year ago today we got to bring Adrian home from the hospital two weeks after he was born. Then we immediately drove two hours north to a Thanksgiving gathering, surprising everyone with our new little addition. As we were driving there yesterday, I couldn't help but reminisce on the feelings and emotions that I felt last year... It was the first time that Jake and I were truly alone with our Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-90064359204769814892014-10-01T11:40:00.001-04:002014-10-01T11:41:23.208-04:00He Turns One...
October is a busy and exciting month for us, with Thanksgiving, my birthday, and our anniversary.
Adrian and I celebrating his cousins 3rd birthday, a couple of weeks before his own
To kick things off, we begin with a celebration of our little guy's birth. This day last year I became a mother, and boy, has it been a crazy roller coaster of a year adjusting to this new role! Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23473016.post-21311232828617069672014-09-23T14:22:00.001-04:002014-09-23T14:22:31.570-04:00Let Autumn Commence... Today was Adrian's first time going to a library program, and we went with our friends Missy and Levi. The librarian led the kids from birth to two years old in song, play, and stories all about Fall on the Farm. There were leaves to play with, songs to dance to, and stories to hear all about animals on the farm. The older kids even got to make a little craft. Adrian had fun watching the Ashleigh Rivershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01510406725622275571noreply@blogger.com0