All the while, over here my tulips are peeking out and the sproutlings are getting Huge. Summer is coming. 

This summer holds a lot of changes which I'll be 'unveiling' shortly. But first, wedding in May! Excited but also trepidatious. 

All the Things. As Always. 

-Andrea 

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

It lists my Professional Home Economist services and some lovely pictures of food. So go check it out! (Even if it's just for the pictures of food ;) )

Cheers, 

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

PS My plant babies are also happening! Yaaaaay!

I will be taking my long johns with me for the foreseeable future. 

In other more exciting, less depressing news! It's seed start time!!! =D I'm going to make some goals for this year: 

1. Try potatoes and beets in containers. Fingers crossed.
2. Get my tomatoes to not take an adventure off the balcony by planting 'determinate' varieties. (Ones that only get a certain height and stop. Learned something!)
3. Seed some flowering, non-edible plants. (Poppies from California!!!)
4. Get a million planters for bush beans and lettuce.  
5. Attempt to fit all the people and plants on the balcony for BBQ parties.... Haha. 

I've also added a grow lamp and heating pad to the show this time round. Let me tell you, it was hilarious to walk around downtown Toronto with a grow light. Especially in a black garbage bag because the store didn't have large bags. I'm a gardener! I swear! Not a grow op!!! 

Hopefully this summer will be the best one yet! =D

Now to find a plant baby sitter to water them while the wedding thing is happening.... Any volunteers? XD

-Andrea 

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

In all fairness to the weather gods though, the trip to LA was Fan-tablulous! It was only a tad drizzly one day and the rest was glorious glorious sunshine. We got to go biking along the coast to Venice LA - didn't even know that was a thing!

 We got to go hiking in Solstice Canyon in Malibu.

And we got to see some Amazing art deco architecture downtown LA proper. 

It was the perfect weekend trip. (Also it filled my vitamin D reserves for at least another month.) And on top of that I was blown away by all the plant friends! So many. So Beautiful!

Now it's back to lovely snowy Canada. I did miss home. In fact, I'm going winter camping this coming weekend. From a beach in the sunshine to a cabin by a frozen lake. Ah Canada. I love you. 

Also, in what's new land, the invites are almost done. Should have them out soon! 94 days. Ahhhhhhh! Also also, I'll be updating my Meal Planning Solutions and Services pages to reflect the Professional Home Economist services I provide now. I'm hoping to fill the need for life skill education! So keep an eye out. ;)

And I finally hopped on the FB page bandwagon, so I will be updating more frequently through there. <3 All the exciting plans ahead! Hope you'll join me!

Cheers!

-Andrea

The Half-Assed hobbyist

It's a new year and already February. XD Time! Stop being so fast already! 

The last couple years I've done some 'resolutions'. Well, not really resolutions, but life goals. 

Last year's list was pretty simple:

1. Make monies doing my job.
2. Get back on the healthy lung bandwagon with some well deserved exercise. 
3. Plan a wedding... or two. Hehehehhe =D

It seems that I have actually made progress on this list! I'm finally making some monies working for myself! I'll soon be updating my services section of this site with all my mad skillz. Yay! Entrepreneurship...? Who woulda thought. 

Also I'm waiting in the line to ride the healthy bandwagon still. But it's getting shorter!! It's really empowering to feel supported by my family and friends as I figure out my anxiety issues. Wooo health all over!

And the wedding is nearly all planned! Wedding number 1 anyway. I still haven't figured out what we're doing for Wedding number 2: The Homecoming. Toronto post-wedding party! I really want it on a boat... But $$$ Dolla dolla billz yo. So we'll see!

Now for life goals for this year:

1. Wedding of Matrimonies
2. Decide what to buy: To condo or not to condo. This is the question.
3. Grow my business -> Update my blog and social stuff more regularly.
4. Get to the front of the line and Onto the healthy bandwagon. (I'm envisioning a hay ride made of exercise and therapy and beer yoga.)
5. Go camping again!

Sweet and simple and hopefully satisfying. Ok 2017. I'm counting on you!

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

The Fiancé and I didn't go back to AB this year again. So instead we had a friend-mas boxing day celebration! =) 

We made a 30.6lb turkey (that of which we have nearly 20 lbs left over for PIE, YAY!). And all the fixings. 

I am tired though. Oh Man. So tried. Although it may just be the weather being cloudy all the time. Boooo ON winter! Haha. 

Anywho! Looking forward to recovering from the flu and getting back into a routine again. 

And a NEW YEAR! AHHHHH!!

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

Cause I think I may do that over the next couple weeks to make myself feel better about how long it's been since I posted last! -guilt guilt-

Ah well. Life happens.

I am still alive though! And those that follow me on instagram know I have been a busy bee! With new sewing projects and much much winter baking. 

I will make an effort this weekend to finish some more pressing posts. AND the mead is done. So I have to start figuring out how I bottle that. 

Promises promises. ;) 

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

I'm back...?

Turns out that my 'busy month' turned into a 2 month unintentional hiatus. 

I am alive though! And working on a new bunch of projects! (That project burst finally showed up. Better late than never!)

My sister's wedding was magnificent! (Definitely going to be much prettier than mine. Haha.) She got married at the historic Hotel MacDonald in Edmonton overlooking the river valley as the morning sun streamed in through the windows. Le Tear. I miss Alberta a lot. It's people, it's weather and it's memories. But most of all the sunshine. 

After we got home we had one day to have a laundry-a-thon and repacked for the Fiancé's work trip to Amsterdam! It was a last minute trip but well worth the flight. It's no wonder Holland has inspired so many artists to paint it's lands. It's freaking Beautiful. Everywhere you look. 

I will say though. It's really nice to be home. To sleep in my own bed. To wake up to the same view. <3 

(Also back to posting stuff. Haha.)

-Andrea 

the Half-Assed Hobbyist

In the mean time! I've made some yum spicy pickles (that, full disclosure, may be actually too hot to eat. We will see in 5-6 weeks!). 

The next month is going to be nuts. My sister is getting married in Edmonton and I am part of the bridal party. I just finished making her cathedral length veil, complete with Swarovski crystals. (Ooo La la.) And then afterwards, the Fiancé and I are jet setting to Amsterdam. Surprise! Haha. 

Welcome to the whirlwind that has been the end of the summer and beginning of this fall. 

I guess it's not boring, at least? Bonus? XD

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

Well then. 

I didn't get nearly as much and I wanted done. Despite making 101 cans of jam. Hah. 

But time is one of those lovely manmade constructs that can't be fussed over too much. 

Plus. Pumpkin pie season will soon be here. And there is nothing better. ;)

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

I'm back from sickville! Yay! Mild cough but that can't stop me! Muaha!

I've successfully canned my tomato jam. Mmmm. And also started work on canning my wedding favours for next years nuptials. I'm hoping to use them as seat assigners so we'll see if I can can 100 of these bad boys. 

Always all the things! =) 

Also, I got the recipe for back country apple pie so the post is in the works! Might have taken a month but it's worth the wait! Promise. 

Cheers!

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

Of Course. 

I'm sick. 

It's typically the luck of my immune system that after a lovely vacation and 2 weeks with friends I get a throat virus that colonizes my entire head. I'll spare most of the details, but it's really glorpy up in here. 

I'm still hoping to do some canning this week! My tomatoes are ripe and ready. Yay! I was worried I wouldn't have enough for a batch. Silly Andrea. And also, peach season is coming. =D So Excited. The next couple weeks are going to be just as busy as the last. 

Hopefully my face will be less goopy by then too....

Fingers crossed!

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

It's been a life changing while! 

I'm back from 9 days of backpack canoeing in Algonquin park. No cell service, no flush toilets, all the swimming, stars and sun. It was amazing. =) 

I think I'll have a larger post about the adventure in the coming weeks (backcountry apple pie!) but until then, take my word for it, the lakes in Ontario are breathtaking at dawn, in daylight and at dusk. I got to see the most spectacular shooting star of my life while laid out with my 7 fellow adventurers on a sun-warmed Canadian sheild rock slab. 

But yah! After being in nature that long I was terribly glad to take a shower and poop in a toilet after we got home. I loved the trip, but am definitely a city girl - I missed my real oven and hot water from the tap. XD

TL;DR. Algonquin Park: Would do again. <3

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

I've go that excited feeling fluttering in my chest. The next couple weeks are going to be crazy and fun! Prepping for a camping trip, a year in the planning. Canoe camping in Algonquin! So Excited! =D

Also this past weekend was fantastic too. Antiquing in small town Ontario. Adorable! X) Definitely brought out my shameful City Girl-itis. But! It was fun to tour around with my Lovely Lady Jennifer and she didn't mind my squeeing at all the tiny brick houses all in a row. <3 

Also Also. I finished my linen lace dress finally! The post should be up soon. Just have to add my zipper battle summary. ;)

Cheers!

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

I had a rather devastating gardening mishap on Sunday. At around 8am, I came out onto my balcony to see my near 6ft of tomato plants keeled over. It's a 37 storey drop... so I was rather panicked in getting them back up. 

=( 

I'm so sad about it. The plants simply got too big for the cage I had built. The metal wire cage bent under the swaying weight of the plants being whipped around by the wind. Boooo. 

I guess next year I'll have to build something more substantial to support them. They'll just have to chill on the ground for now! I'm so sad that they won't be what I imagined, sitting high and proud on my balcony, but hopefully they will still fruit. 

One day, I'll have a proper garden. =) So I'll keep dreaming. 

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

Long weekend was wonderful. Took all the days to recharge. (With some friendly outings, of course. =) ) We're gearing up for a week long camping/canoeing trip at the end of the month now. Excited but also terrified. Mainly of pooping in the woods. That's when they Get yah. (Haha XD)

As always though, All the things. Finishing the linen dress and working on a BBQ post. I'm hoping to figure out the canning schedule too but my brain hurts already from coordinating this coming week (and it's only Tuesday). Lol.

Ah well. Life would be boring without challenge! So might as well embrace it. 

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

It seems that, at least up where I live in TO, there's lots of outdoor spaces, like balconies and personal patios, but no one uses them! I have most likely ranted about this before... But it really saddens me. Or more so makes me annoyed at ppl who have massive outdoor spaces in the sky that they use as literal shit boxes for their dogs crap so they don't have to walk them.  -_-

-DEEP BREATH-

I love patio season! Warm weather that lasts into the night. Sitting outside in the setting sun, BBQ slow roasting, beer in hand. This is my Valhalla. =)

In post update mode, I am still finishing my linen lace dress! Zippers make me afraid. So I'm procrastinating until the mood strikes me. >> But! I have a delicious stew post up! (Yes. Stew in summer. That's how I roll.) And maybe I'll even do a how-to slow roast a leg of lamb since in turned out so well this passed weekend. 

Also. Happy Anniversary to the Fiancé! One year engaged! I should probably get to planning more wedding stuff. It's like 11 months away still. It's fine. 

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

All the things. 

Do not want. 

But at least the plants are doing well! Yay! 

Summer is here and I do wish time could slow down so we can enjoy it.... Unlikely. Silly Andrea, that's not how time works. Ah well! Parties and projects keeping me busy. And soon it will be canning season. Stay calm my heart. <3

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

I'm back from the lovely land of Ottawa and Montreal! Was away for the Fiancé's sister's convocation and a Montreal family get together. 

This trip was especially fun because we got to hit up the National Gallery in Ottawa for the Vigée Le Brun and The White Dress exhibits! Amazing painting and amazing material culture exhibits. Defs Recommend. 

Anyways! I'm back for real! And have a bunch of posts to finish.... of course. My brain has been dealing with all the thinky-thoughts lately but I'm feeling up for a gardening post I think!

I have a sewing project on the go too and pottery starts next week! Excited! (Also exhausted... haha. Hi summer!)

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist

I never thought it would happen! But I think Summer is coming!!! (Ok, over-exageration, but still. This spring has Sucked.)

This past May, like in previous years, I've done the David Suzuki 30X30 Challenge. 30 minutes outside for 30 days in May. This year I didn't do as well as years passed but still got to be outside more than this winter! And now that spring has finally arrived, despite allergy-face, it's been lovely exploring gardens and suburbia for lovely plants!

It's also been nice getting my tomato babies outside finally again as well. Yay! I have a little pepper plant too. But we'll see how it does. All my seedling are growing up! D= 

Anyways! All the things, as per usual. Hopefully I'll be starting a new sewing project shortly with my Lesley lady. Until then, gardening and planning for pottery class!

-Andrea

The Half-Assed Hobbyist