I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.

We went home for the Christmas. While some things change over the years many things stay the same. Our family is big, loud and leaning very close to crazy.

Family lingering over coffee after a yummy feast

It's a whole different world back in Hartland. With a language all it's own. You have to pay close attention or you will get lost in translation. I am sure my family is no different than yours. The parents are now the grandparents. The siblings are all grown up: The successful engineers who travel all over the world; the working moms who do it all; the ones who think they have it all; and the ones who really do have it all. Note to self, I want to pick up a book on birth order.And the kids of all ages running amuck.

The food was plentiful and so was the laughter. Did I say it got loud? Oh yeah, everyone needs to be heard at these gatherings (I included). Even when everyone is listening they sometimes don't feel they are being heard so a bit of exaggeration is thrown in to spice the story up.
As crazy as this family is they have taught me a few things:
1) Time does not stand still, so make time for family. One day you will wake up and they will be old and not able to remember your name.
2) Always make time for game night. There is something about sitting around a table having a bit of fun over a game to bring everyone together.

Mom cheating and Amanda literally up in arms about it. LOL

3)Success means nothing if you don't have a family to share it with. You can have all the riches in the world but what good is it if you are all alone. I think Ebeneezer Scrooge found this out one Christmas Night.

 Each one of us is so unique and special, clever, intelligent and little on the witty side but what my parents have tried to instill in us that trumps all of that is love. I have said many times over the years "We never had much growing up but I have always known I am loved". I may complain about the craziness sometimes but this family has made me who I am today and that I am grateful for.

Traditions

It's Christmas. I love Christmas. The whole season. A time for reflection. A time for caring and sharing. Laughter. Surprises. Celebration. Great Food. Family. Gifts and decorations. My favorite parts of Christmas are the traditions. 
As I type I am flooded with memories of some of my favorite traditions over the years. There are the classics like getting up at 3am to run out to the tree and see what Santa brought us. Or the special Christmas cereal - the only time that mom would allow us to have sugary cereals. I always picked Frankenberry or Lucky Charms.
Some of my favorite traditions I made with Grant and Georgia. Christmas Eve is a big day for us. We can't sleep in too late or we miss all the action. We head to the mall around mid morning where we grab our specialty coffees and a comfy chair in the center, sit back, relax and people watch. This is so much fun. Some are racing around. Some laughing, Some fighting. There are the women who are all dolled up in their high heels and party hair. Others still in their pj's or sweats. We sometimes take a break from the sitting and do a little self indulgent shopping but nothing that needs to be delivered or put under the tree. After the crowd dies down we head home to prepare for our Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone has a tradition here. For us, it's wings and ceasar salad. The wings slow cook in the oven all night and we head to the Christmas Eve service at church. This year, I am singing in the service. A little nervous. The service will end with Silent Night by candle light. No matter what church we are at this is always solemn and beautiful.
We'll arrive home to the wonderful aroma of chicken and garlic roasting. The wine will be chilled. The salad tossed and we will cosy up and watch one of our favorite Christmas classics.

After years of watching our own parents frantically run around on this day we decided we would not carry the panic on. I look forward to this day with Grant and Georgia so much. It is completely self indulgent. With no expections of me or of anyone else. The hardest decision all day is, what kind of coffee will I order.

LIPPERPALOOZA

This will be the 2nd Annual Lipperpalooza.

Now that the sun is starting to breakthrough I am getting excited for everyone to show up.

Gary relaxing while tending the corn.

Last year we had so much fun that we agreed it needed to happen more often. And then Grant's dad died at Christmas. Who knew the next time we all saw each other would be so sad? It seemed more important than ever to plan this bbq.

Everyone should start arriving here at the lake late afternoon. No agenda but loads to play and do. Swimming, kayaking, golfing (I'm sure Kevin and Allison will have a mini putt course all set up by 4ish). The bon fire will be so much fun with 4 generations gathered for s'mores, guitars, and fireworks. Did I mention food? Corn Boil, Hamburgers, Shelley's Salads are always yummy and lil'g even wanted to make a contribution this year so she is making her famous taco dip.

A bunch of Kooks. Blow out the candles Nanny Sis.

We are a crazy clan. Masters of the silly face portraits and even though we sometimes drive each other nuts but we enjoy a good feast filled with laughter and lots of R & R.
They will be here soon. Time to stop reminiscing and get the iced tea brewing.

Essentials

School is out. I decided to pack an overnight bag, the laptop and lil' g and I hit the road to go visit my folks for a couple of days. Yes, I had to bring my laptop. It's one of the freedoms of being able to just take off at a moments notice and still get work done. Because it was a quick decision to make the trip I packed lightly, but their were a few essentials that had to make it in my bag. You know, the kinda things you don't leave home without. I'm sure you essentials would look quite different from mine. But I had to make sure I packed:

Calvin Klein T's. This tee is actually part of the Essentials collection by Calvin Klein . There you have it, they agree with me that this tee is an essential. giggle. Actually they are sleepwear but so comfy I wear them as day wear and no one is the wiser. So soft and comfortable. Most tees look to sporty for me but these just seem to have a little more style. I love that we carry them at the Girls Bra Shop. Tammy and I always anticipate the next season's colour.

Ultra soft and comfortable. Made of the natural and luxurious modal fabric.

Exercise Bands. Oh I packed my running shorts, sneakers, sports bra and ipod. But I like to get my strength training in too. So I plan to do some planks, downward facing dog, willow tree and a several arm curls. I love these bands. The are so easy to pack in an over night kit and they offer just the right amount of resistance. And by bringing them with me it keeps me from making excuses.



 a great way to workout while you travel or add variety to your usual routine.

LLBean Boat and Tote. When we were in Freeport a couple of years ago, I grabbed a couple of these amazing totes. The most durable canvas. You can carry up to 500lbs. That's crazy. I have suitcases for my business trips but for hob knobbing about, to the lake, or evening to the city market these tote carry everything.  

Miss Manners

Today I was blessed to hear my daughter perform. Thankfully she was no. 30. Why am I thankful because it took the first 29 for the audience to learn proper etiquette. I sat there thinking "how sad, that the 23 yr old mc has to tell the crowd of parents how to behave". Meaning, at the first intermission he reminded people to stay to the end out of respect for all the hard working students. After all, the families of the last students had to sit threw everyone elses performance it is only fair to do the same. At the second intermission, he had to remind people to hold the door as it closes so that the students would not jump from being startled by the crash at the back of the theater everytime came or went.  Yes, this actually happened a couple times.
Etiquette seems like such a fancy word forwhat really is plain old manners. I mean were these people raised in the wild? Not judging by how they were dressed. And really, how you are dressed or where you come from should not be the excuse for lack of common courtesy and manners. "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use." ~ Emily Post

I sat there thinking this was nothing like the recitals or music festivals I particpated in growing up. There was no talking, walking all over the place, texting or cell phones during a students performance (mind you, there were no cell phones back then - heck, we didn't even have cable).

What erks me the most is that it is the biggest offenders that want your undivided attention when ther child is performing.

Fabulous Finds

I love to shop but I don't like to shop for clothes. Why? Because I am a unique shape and size from head to toe. I typically buy one or two pieces each season to spruce my closet up. I have a few name brands but not just to say I have a name brand but because it fits, it looks good and I like it, And, let's face it, most designer labels are not made for curvy woman. Typically, I can only find clothes at Ricki's to fit my curves but lately their styles are not working for my hourglass. Their tops are made for women who want to hide their waist and that's the asset I need to show off. Cardigans and sweaters are always too short for my long torso. Strapless tops were always a "no" until I found the perfect strapless bra at The Girls Bra Shop. Shoes are always a challenge. I can never find a cute or trendy size 11 and typically my options are limited to a classic, more mature style. While my friend always grabs the Franco Sartos I am stuck with Clarks. (Clarks are great for comfort but it would be nice to have something a little hip and stylish). Usually when I go out with the mission to find a top, pant or shoes I come home with more stuff for the house and nothing for my closet. Imagine my surprise to find the perfect pieces when I wasn't looking for them at all.

Steve Madden Wedge Peep Toe - Winner's $49

While Shopping for a pair of shoes for my daughter, I decided to stroll a few aisles over to see what/ if anything existed in my size. Surprise, Surprise. I found the cutest summer nude wedges. In my size! And when lil' g saw my shoes shes squealed "you got Steve Madden shoes?"





Denver Hayes Cardigan with Rosettes - $19 Sale/ $39 Reg.

 Just this weekend, we were in Sussex picking up a few things for the lake and Big G decided to take a look in Mark's Work Wearhouse for jeans and work pants. I strolled through the mall while waiting. That took 10 mins. so I browsed the women's section of Mark's while waiting for Grant to finish up. Again, I was surprised when I saw the cutest cardigan with rosettes around the neckline. I tried it on and it fit perfect. The bonus: it was on sale for $19.99.



Exposed Envy Bra Straps Available at The Girls Bra Shop.


A month ago I received an email from my biz partner that I had to check out these new straps, she had met the rep and loved them and bought a pair immediately. Who would have thought the rep would come to the store the very next day to check us out. Tammy was right, I loved them and bought the pair shown above. They go great with almost everything I own in a strapless or sleeveless style. And so inexpensive, all the styles we carry are under $40.

Staying at the Four Seasons

Another lazy day brought to you by Mother Nature. Plans to go kayaking or running have been twharted. The day has been a mixture of cold rain, thunder and lightening. I think that Mr. Sun is in a humourous mood because he keeps peeking out from behind a dark storm cloud just to torment us. At the moment, it is has stopped raining but the it is so cold and windy that Grant is wearing his winter coat while mowing the lawn and Georgia and I are watching the streaks of lightening flash over the lake.

So we won't be able to go dip our toes in the water this weekend. There are plenty of games and cocktails inside. Georgia is setting up Mexican Train and a big bowl of popcorn. When staying at this Four Season's the entertainment is good indoors and out. The food is always 5 star - I believe it is glazed, bbq pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes and one of my specialty salads.Mouth watering as I got a whiff.
The accomodations are so good here, I think we are going to stay the extra night. After all it is only school and work we are going home for  - just get up an hour earlier and shazam we'll be home.

A lazy day and a Copper Moon.

It's summer time and I am enjoying a weekend away at the lake.

Sunset view from my porch

I would prefer clear skies and sunshine. If that were the case I would be down at the waters edge with a cocktail and a good book. Instead it has been pouring rain all day, but a warm rain which has made it enjoyable and relaxing. The view of the lake is still beautiful even when overcast. What does one do at the lake on a rainy day? Read, Write, watch a few classics, paint your nails, and nap are just a few of the things I have done today. But to finish the night off I am going to enjoy some wine and the sound of the rain beating against the screened in porch.
I would much prefer a malbec or tannat but since I can no longer have red I am forever in search for a white that I can love just as much. I guess the upside would be that we are always trying new wines, this time we picked up Copper Moon's Sauvignon Blanc. An inexpensive white that claims to have notes of citrus, tropical fruit and goosberry. Which I didn't really detect. It is light and not overly sweet with a  dryness that lingers. For the price, it fulfilled all expectations. (as Big G would say "you can't complain about quality at the dollar store"). The mosquito coils are lit, the patio lantern are plugged in and Big G is waiting on the porch with a box of silly trivia questions. Time to exit and enjoy my evening.

Tomorrow, the girls are planning to kayak and go for a run while Big G enjoys Father's Day do what he loves: a day of golf. Here's hoping the rain goes away.  

Forced Creativity

Well it has been 3 weeks since I cut out all the wheat and gluten from my diet. I am not entirely convinced it is the source of all my problems but I have exhausted all other possibilities and figured I have nothing to lose at this point. On the whole, it has been pretty easy. I have become an expert label reader at the grocery store. Where it gets tricky, is when dining out or fast food. Basically, fast food is out as I can't trust any of the ingredients. Soya Sauce, yogurt, most sauces, salad dressings, even Campbell's tomato soup has wheat in it.

What it has done is forced me to get creative in the kitchen. So tonight we enjoyed: Roasted sweet potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Spinach Salad with Balsamic Fig dressing, and Top Sirloin (simmering in red wine, mushrooms, garlic and onions) and for a midnight snack I am roasting garlic to serve on rice crackers with cheese and berries. mmmmmm. Probably doesn't sound very creative but for someone who loves condiments and sauces this meal had the potential to be very bland. With a little olive oil, pepper and creativity this meal was -as my mom would put it - "the best I ever had".

I know there are lots of gluten free products out there and I have tried a few. The brown rice pasta is pretty good and allows me to enjoy spaghetti once again. And I love the sweet potato chips. But on the whole, I thing I will stick to the fruits, veggie and protein. If they start putting ingredient labels on the vegetables I'm in trouble.

Rain Rain Go Away

The month of May is coming to an end and it has been a month of rain. So I thought I would post my Rain playlist. Here's hoping June is sunnier in which I will be playing Sheryl Crow's "I Wanna Soak Up The Sun" to celebrate.

RAIN Playlist:

Rain Delays - Crash Parallel

Here Comes the Rain Again - Annie Lennox

It's Raining Again - Supertramp

Purple Rain - Prince

Every Time It Rains - Ace of Base

Fire & Rain - John Denver

Red Rain - Peter Gabriel

November Rain - Guns and Roses

Singing in the Rain - Gene Kelly
It's Raining Men - The Weather Girls

Umbrella - Rhianna

Rainy Days and Mondays - The Carpenters

Rain - Madonna

Blame It On The Rain - Milli Vanilli
It's Raining It's Pouring - Old English Nursery Ryhme

Running Down a Dream

I am not sure why I took up running. I have dabbled a bit over the past three years but since January 2011 I have really made it a part of my life and routine. I find myself rearranging my schedule to make time for a run. I am not obsessed with it but committed. So I run 3 to 4 miles every other day. Some may say I am not a true runner as I am limited - for a few reasons - to my treadmill. But I always comeback with "at least I am doing it and not being a couch potato"
My ipod died last October and so I have been either running with no music (which is fine on the interval days as I am so focused on changing speeds every min) or picking up my hard rock husband's ipod. I do like a lot of the same music as him but I think there is a time and a place for different genres. So for Mother's Day I got a new ipod and spent the first night loading it up with what I think is a fantastic running playlist. I will admit a few of Grant's fav band ZZTop made the cut. So how did I pick from the millions of songs out there. Well I googled a few playlists to get started and then I started thinking of ones in my own library that have the right tempo- beats per minute. I loaded enough songs to get me through 10k, not that I am doing 10K on a regular basis but I am getting there. I can't I would listen to these some of these songs outside of running but they have a good beat to run to and that is motivating to me. If you looking for a new playlist here's one I recommend. Put it on shuffle, strap it on and go.

1. Real Wild Child - Joan Jett
2. I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
3. Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne
4. Rolling in the Deep - Adele
5. Walking on Sunshine - Aly & AJ (I like this better than the original for running)
6. You Could Hvae Been A Lady - April Wine
7. Viva la Vida - Coldplay
8. Stereo Love - Edward Maya & Mia Martina
9. The Rockafellar S***K - Fat Boy Slim
10. Our Lips Are Sealed  - The Go Go's
11. Human - The Killers
12. Telephone - Lady Gaga and Beyonce
13. So What! - Pink
14. I Know You Want Me - Pitbull
15. Bad Day - Workout Mix Version
16. The Reason - Workout Mix Version
17. She Wolf - Shakira
18. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
19. Hey Soul Sister - Train
20. Bad Girl - ZZ Top
21. La Grange - ZZ Top
22. Blue - 89ers & Rimini Rockaz
23. Running Down a Dream  - Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Public Washrooms - a rant

Grant and I had a lazy day at the lake. All the rain, we decided to take a drive and see what the locals had to offer. I probably shouldn't have had the 4 mugs of coffee and litre of water before our little roadtrip but I did and so we made a few pitstops throughout the day.
I decided that the women's public washroom must be designed by a man. Tim Horton's, Irving, Sobeys- they're all the same. The rooms are spacious. That's because they put everything to the far left. With the toilet just six inches from the wall and a big honkin' toilet paper dispenser that juts out from the wall about 6 inches, you wonder where or how to sit.
I looked around in the Tim's facilities and thought there's more than enough room to move everything over a foot and still be wheelchair accessible. Giving the engineers the benefit of the doubt I reasoned that the plumbing required such horrible placement of the toilet. That's fine, so why do they have to put that mammoth dispenser on top of it when there is 3 ft of empty wall in front of it. This I can not figure out.
Let's talk about the taps. Seriously. The pump tap has got to go.Holding it down with one hand while the water drizzles out on the other? Who invented this thing?
I have survived the toilet and the water, time to dry and get outta there. But wait the paper towel dispenser is mounted 5 1/2 ft up the wall. Standing with my hand in the air, waving and waving to trigger the dispenser. By the time paper rolls out, the water has ran down my arm getting my sleeve wet. Now I am not OCD (although it's in my lineage) but I try to grab the door with the paper towel to avoid the ickey germs of those who didn't bother to wash. And I think finally the designers got that part right and placed the trash can at the door so you can toss the paper as you leave.
I will admit the newer designed rooms are much improved. Outside the stall, that is. Inside? Well, some things take awhile to catch on.

What did you learn today?

My day started off great, really great.  lil’ g humming a tune while making pancakes. Then Big G drove me to the Halifax airport. It was an enjoyable ride, a comfortable silence. I, reading the book LOVE and Grant flipping channels between a talk show about reality tv.
I had settled in nicely at my gate with an 1hr 15mins til boarding when I saw a crowd come towards me and the voice on the intercom announced that those passengers were to go to the customer service desk. Why was I so interested? That flight was supposed to land in St. John's - my destination - but due to bad weather, had to turn around and come back. It actually made it all the way to St. John's but could not land due to 120km/h winds.
Clue no.1 I was not going to arrive on time.

After many little announcements like "we will have information very soon" & "we'll be loading very shortly, do not leave the gate area" they finally told the truth.

It was now 7pm. Our flight would be leaving at midnight.

I should've landed and checked in to my hotel by now. Strangers started bonding. Two guys were really seeing the brighter side of the day and when they heard this announcement they said "I think that leaves time for a beer" turning to me they said "come join us". I thought why not. 5 min later another delayed passenger walked by and we all flagged her down too. Soon, 8 of us were around a table sharing laughs and stories, wanting to know why each of us were headed to St. John's in the first place.

Don (Halifax)was going to see his 4day old grandson. Isabelle was headed home. Ian (an Irish lad) was in the military on leave to see his girlfriend. Sherman (TO) was taking a vacation to see his kids & grandkids. Tammy was pretty hush hush but laughed at all the jokes, Leanne was heading home, and the last guy - I didn't get his name- was going home on a work break from the NWT and me, from NB going to celebrate the grand opening of our first franchise. All such different lives and a story to tell. We covered religion, sports, shoe shopping, camping, volunteering and mission trips, travel, and so much more.

In the book LOVE, Leo suggests learning something new each day. He said a lot of things. Like "man is a social being" and we are all unique, "Nature abhors sameness". The next 5hrs flew by as we embraced each other's uniqueness and held a common bond.

As I pulled into the hotel parking lot at 3:45 am I was thinking this was great day. I met 8 incredible people. I learned something new.

Pizza and a Movie

About a year ago we started a Friday night tradition of take out pizza and renting a movie. Despite the challenge of finding a movie suitable for everyone, we look forward to our family night together.

Gone are the days where we are pumped about it being Friday night, where we whip off the work clothes and throw on something a little more fun and head out to a friends house for a party or wine and dine the night away. Now-a-days, we look forward to the end of the week where we can put our feet up and relax for an evening. I am not sure where we got the idea for pizza and a movie. I 'm sure there are lots of families who do the same thing, but it has become a tradition that we all look forward to at the end of long week.
In an effort to Live Right Now, we have made a few adjustments to our ritual. Instead of getting takeout we make our own pizzas. I gotta say, it is more fun & creative and we have made some pretty amazing pies. We also stopped renting the movies from BBV and pick one from the On Demand Choices on the tv. This has saved us about $20 a week. I suspect our homemade pizzas are probably a few hundred calories lighter, definitely less salty.

I remember as a kid, no pizza parlour in the small town of Hartland, Mom would make us pizzas. One of my favorite combos was sliced hotdogs and dill pickles. Dill Pickles. I know. We ate dill pickles with almost everything so it only made sense to us to throw them on as a topping and it was good.

My tastes have changed a little. My favorite homemade pizza so far has been the shaved ham, fresh basil, black olives and 3 cheeses on a thin crust. I love the sweet basil leaves. The G's tend to make a meat lovers style on a thick crust, and black olives. There always has to be black olives on it. yum! I guess my tastes haven't changed that much, I've just switched the choice of fruit pickled in vinegar and brine.


Last night, lil' g made the pizzas while I threw together a ceasar salad. Mmmm extra cheese, way to go lil' g. And the movie? Well there is nothing funnier than Canadians making fun of the system and themselves. Dave Foley in The Wrong Guy was just the kind a humour we needed to end this long week.

Yes, It's a Good Day for singing a song

There are some songs that just make me feel good. Not necessarily new songs but songs that are infectious and no matter the mood I am in they always turn around when I hear these songs. One of my fav's is It's a Good Day by Peggy Lee. I can't help but feel great and all smiles when I here this song. Could it be the big band mixed with a bit of jazz? Could it be Peggy Lee's incredible voice. I can picture the band just hopping with excitement as they each take their solos.

Have you ever had a song make you feel that good? Sometimes it is an unusual suspect like His Eye is on the Sparrow when you here the chorus ..."so I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free..." I love singing this song and I love hearing it sung. Check out Lauren Hill and Tanya Blount's version.
Some feel good songs bring back happy memories like Feelin' Groovy by Simon and Garfunkel or Do Re Mi from the sound of music. Now if you really want to put a smile on your face, watch the flash mob version.
And then there is Ray Charles. I always hit repeat on Ray Charles tunes. I was driving home from Moncton the other day listening to CBC's shift program and they played Ray Charles singing You Are My Sunshine. You remember this from your childhood? I do. Kindergarten or preschool all of us little kids holding hands, standing in a circle singing, probably even swinging my arms back and forth.
So what is your favorite feel good song? Maybe it is Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobbi McFerrin or is it I'm Into Something Good by Herman's Hermits? What about Footloose by Kenny Loggins. That song always had people on the dance floor. And then there is The Proclaimer's I'm Gonna Be (500 miles). you may not know the words to the verses but you will shout out the chorus everytime...
"I would walk 500 miles and I would walk 500 more.
Just to be the man who walks a thousand miles
to fall down at your door"

The next time you are driving in your car and your feel good song comes on the radio or your playlist. Crank up the volume and sing like no one is listening. Guarenteed you will feel good.

Asparagus doesn't only come in a Can

Cream of Mushroom soup on toast, served with canned asparagus. That was a common meal at our house growing up. I didn't know asparagus could be bought or served any other way. It wasn't until my 20's when I moved to the city that I saw asparagus sandwiches served at social functions. ew.
These memories came to mind as I was pulling into Sobeys to pick up some missing ingredients for tonights dinner. Namely, Asparagus. I had the luxury of working from home today and I decided to soak in some of our new HD channels. Still in my pj's, I got comfy in my big red chair, turned the volume down low and worked on the quarterly return. The whole point of having the tv on in the first place was so that I could peek now and then to see what was on the telly. Most of the time it was white noise but then a cooking show came on. Yum. Stuffed chicken and pasta, eggplant parmegiano and you guessed it, asparagus.
I love to cook, I just don't seem to have time most days. (that sounds bad, of course we eat, but it's usually a quickie and out the door we go). I may not have followed the recipes on the show but I did whip up a pretty yummy meal. Basil Pesto Rotini and grilled chicken, slices of eggplant in bread crumbs and seasoning covered in parmegiano cheese and fried in a pan and roasted asparagus basted in balsimic vinegrette covered in pepper and asiago. In my mother's words "it was the best I ever made!"
When I told little g about the cream of mushroom on toast meal she curled her face up pretty tight. I actually liked this meal growing up in rural NB and I haven't had it since I moved out on my own 20 yrs ago. Hmmm, I wonder why? I wonder if I would still like it today? I'll let you know.

A cozy day

Well, the weather man was right. We got hit with another "weather bomb". We closed the store early and events all around the city were cancelled. The roads were nasty and I was happy to finally be home, safe and warm. Today the sun is shining and it is a winter wonderland outside. My g's just came in from shoveling, while I sit and write, curled up next to the woodstove.

The temperature dropped today, it's windy and cold. Why would I want to go outside when it is so cosy in here? It feels like the perfect day to do some baking. Simmer some applesauce, bake a pumpkin cake, and some biscuits too. They will go great with corn chowder.MmmmmCorn Chowder. A perfect winter meal. My mom gave me this recipe a few years ago and it has become a great hit. What's cool about it is that it is so creamy and yet not a drop of cream or milk in it. Add a little rosemary and cheddar to the biscuits and voila, the ideal winter meal.

Well, enough sitting here thinking about it, time to get cooking.

Snow Days

I love snow days. Always have. When you wake up to see freshly fallin snow, the sound of the big plow, the thoughts of staying my jammies all day, listening to the radio in hopes of hearing your district announcing a cancelation. Not much has changed in 30 years. I still love snow days but with a slight variaton on the theme. I still love looking out the window at the winter white landscape. I still stay in my jammies - one of the pleasures of being able to work from home. Only now as a 40 something I crawl back in bed for an extra few Zzzz's before I begin my day and thankfully I can convince my lil'g to do the same.
Snow days are a day for simmering applesauce on the stove, curling up in a quilt, or building forts in the middle of the living room. Right now we have 2 forts in the house. They may look a little messy from the outside but crawl in and you will be amazed how wonderful they look from the inside.
Not everyone feels this way about snow days. I could list off a pile of complaints but complaining isn't going to make the snow go away. And if the schools didn't close we'd complain about the safety of our kids. Can't win with some. So I say embrace, peel some apples, grab the blankets and build a fort. Another storm is coming.

... approx. 15cm of snow is on it's way.

coming out of my slumber

Beep Beep Beep. slam. crash. I knock the hand cream, my journal and pen off of my night stand as I try to find the snooze button in the dark. One eye open, I see the mess I have made. I must have been in a deep sleep because the clock says it is 7:15am and it was set to go off at 6:55am. I'm surprised Grant hasn't grumbled yet.
I throw back the sheets and swing my feet around, grab my robe and try to find the energy to stand up. If I don't get moving soon lil'g will be late for school. The only thing motivating me is the idea that I will be back in bed in 1 hour. That's right. As soon as I get back from dropping lil'g off at school I am crawling back in bed to catch a couple more hours of precious sleep.
The smell of breakfast cooking works it's way through my senses. Perking me up ever so slightly. I must resist. It's cold outside, I better start the car, get it warmed up and the snow cleared off. Brrr, my bed is going to feel so warm and cosy and only 20 mins away. We head to school. It is a beautiful morning. The sun is beginning to make an appearance over the eastern landscape. The crisp air fills my lungs. I pull into the school yard as the bell is ringing. Phew. Made it, just in time. Now to get back home and back to dream land.
I kick my boots off as I hang my coat and hat and shake the cold air off of me. By the time I am in the kitchen I am fully awake and thinking there is no way I can go back to sleep now. Great. I am awake. Might as well put a pot of coffee on and get the day started.