True Becoming

Natural Treasures

Sunday was one of those perfect days where the weather turns out to be even nicer than expected and plans turn out to be even better than expected. A day of mushroom foraging (even though we didn't find any mushrooms - we found plenty of other natural treasures), great meals and great company!
 We went on two different trails in an attempt to find some mushrooms with Ry's new Mushroom Guide I got him for Christmas this year. Instead we found new flowers - we found out what Coltfoot was and how you can make cough syrup or lozenges from it. We found a garter snake, insects, an old rusty 7up can, a slug and heard grouse in the distance (see the bird guide above to see what a grouse looks like). Back in town I found a bunch of discount bolo cord (hence the bolo cord moustache on Alex). A nice lunch, coffee and nougat and then back home to rest up for the next big family/friends meal. sigh... good day. 

Check out another time we went mushroom foraging and actually found mushrooms - click HERE

What were you up to this past weekend? 

i love sundays

Sundays are my most favourite day of the week; they are currently the only day Ry and i are around at the same time, for the whole day. With the exception of me having to go into the shop, or a family event, we spend them together, putzing around. And like any favoured time, they have rituals: 1&2: Fresh, still warm, cinnamon bun from With the Grain, 3&4: fun eggs made by ry - one is a mouse and the other a mantis.

5: Coffee in bed. Every other day of the wek i typically make coffee.... not sundays! 6: Cinnamon Bun + Reading in bed (again, the only day i spend some more morning time in bed), 7: Working in the studio by candle light, 8: Out for a walk. 9: Lunch from Paisley Fine Foods in Guelph (my favourite sandwiches) and 9: Sweet Potato & Chickpea Hash from Food & Drink Magazine. Check out Natalie's Blog; she tells ya how to make it, plus it looks prettier then our rendition. *** I am a vegetarian most days but there are some exceptions i'll make - this recipe has chorizo sausage in it and love it!!! We also added some fried up strips of pancetta sausage to this recipe, which i highly recommend.  

 

Nothing Says Happy Valentines Like Fake Moustaches

I bought these fake moustaches about a year ago at a dollar store because of their pure kitchness; knowing they would some day serve their purpose. They have been sitting in my studio ever since. Then, since we knew we were having a Alex over this weekend (the youngest, yet tallest in our family clan), we thought we would have our Valentine's Celebration with him by taking him out to the pub, since we don't really formally celebrate Valentine's. When Alex got wind of this plan, he thought back to those fake moustaches he has seen and thought he might better his chances of ordering a beer by sporting one of these fury friends. And so the great Moustache Mania began...

I took these photos as he was applying his stache... too funny!!!

We started out by going to the Woolwich Arms, or fondly referred to as 'the Wooly' to locals. However, being a saturday night and all, it was packed. So, we went down to ol' faithful: The Penny Whistle. This is by far a Johnston tradition (ry's family), and has become a favourite of mine over the past six years. So, the burning question: did the moustache work? Nope. he ended up with a coke and some garlic bread. too bad... you'll have to wait a few more years until you have a real moustache!!

See, there's lot of fun ways to spend Valentine's!!!

I hope you have a great day!

**** disclaimer: this of course was a funny adventure because alex clearly does not look old enough to order alcohol (he will probably soon enough though), nor would we actually encourage this sort of illegal activity :)

 

 

Tattoo Story Part Two

 
Have you been waiting with bated breath?

One can hope :) I don't typically like to leave that much time between Part One and Part Two, my apologies. I have a tendency to move onto to the next thing while last thing is uncompleted (the many half-done projects in my studio and around the house come to mind). Anyway, to refresh your memory, or get you up to speed, you can read Part One HERE

Since I like to make a whole day outta getting inked, the fun did not stop after we left the parlour (Prestige) ...

 
I ran into these lovely ladies on an afternoon stroll. Beauties.

 
Then Jo and I went to yet another favourite spot of mine in Guelph, With the Grain. I lived with Ry and his dad for awhile and he lived in walking distance from the bakery. Hooked for life. It's the only bread we buy and I usually get a muffin every weekend.

 
 

After a simply GLORIOUS lunch, Jo and I parted ways and I returned to life of puppy/cat/house sitting we were doing that week. I had to keep my tats all bundled up for 12 hours which gave me a 'kid-on-christmas-morning' sort excitement the next morning when I got to unravel and reveal.

 
 

I simply love them. The diamond reminds me of lifelong friendship and the peacock feather reminds me of a lifelong commitment to myself. I see these babies daily and I love that! My other tattoos are fairly hidden and every once in awhile I'll catch sight in a mirror and remember they're there. These on the other hand are daily reminders. I hope to have more added to the Peacock feather to make it even more unique and distinct to me (I have a thing with copying - so please don't copy if you can help it) and I also hope to have some of my other tattoos added to over the next year.

For now I'll bask in the glory of my new additions.

Thanks for your patience...

 

 

 

p.s... I love looking at other tattoos, so if you have done a post on your tattoos, feel free to link here!!!