Domino effects of my life! It all started because of Lucy Maud Montgomery!!

Yesterday...being November 30th was Lucy Maud Montgomery's Birthday! She would have been 141 years old. I started thinking about her and the impact she had on my life. Her books brought to life my desire to see Prince Edward Island. If it weren't for her, I don't think that I would have travelled and lived for a period of time on the fairest island of all...

It is a domino effect...all the choices and chances I took, led me to where I am today. And the instigator was Lucy Maud Montgomery. Have you ever taken a step back and looked at your life? Wondered how you got to where you are? I did that yesterday and this is what I got....

It all started with Anne of Green Gables! Especially when Kevin Sullivan and the CBC created the TV Movie of AGG!! I was captive. I wanted to BE THERE!! I was seduced by the landscape and of finding my Gilbert. Weren't we all? Family trips were planned during the Summer and it was there, on that ferry ride to the island, that I knew I was meant to live on PEI. Of course I was younger and still in high school...but my love and desire grew. After a rocky start at choosing a college/university, I decided and was accepted at the University of Prince Edward Island!! I spent a few years growing and becoming a better version of me. I found myself!

Unfortunately...after graduation I went home...and quickly found a job, had to repay THAT student loan!! That job led me to finding and reconnecting with an old friend...who is now my Husband! So because of LMM...I am now an educated, married woman with 3 kids and is trying to pursue her creative side(daily)! I have also introduced Hubby and the kids to PEI!! And we all want to live there!! One day we will...baby steps!

But I am, where I am today, because of Lucy Maud Montgomery and her creation of Anne of Green Gables! After several rejections on her novel and tossing it away in a hat box...she rediscovered it and tried one more time at publication...and that was it!! Can you imagine if she didn't try again...!! Where would I be!?  What about the others who have been influenced by her....where would we all be?

Comforts Foods....

COMFORT FOOD! We all have own comfort food. Something that brings pleasure and reassurance on bad days, cold days, dark days or even a day where you just need to smile with your tummy! I have a few comfort foods...but the simplest for me is MASHED POTATOES! Although for me, they have to be done properly.... with butter, a little milk and sea salt!!

It is soo satisfying...smashing them carefully, getting out all your frustrations and stresses of the day! I have had times where all I want for dinner is a bowl of mashed potatoes. Eating with a big spoon, curled up on the couch! Comfort! Heavenly!

Its reassuring somehow. Maybe its from my childhood...mashed potatoes were a common side dish. Even with my paternal grandparents...although they were old school and it was a PLAIN mash. Sigh.
Some days I will dress up my potatoes with a glove of garlic and other times I will top them with spring onions or chives...!! YUM!

Today I had about half a cup of leftover mashed potatoes from last nights dinner! AND I must say...I am proud that there were any leftovers...potatoes are my weakness!! The old me would have just shoveled them in my mouth with delight! But Christmas is coming...gotta start cutting back! Its all about balance!

I also had a small portion of pork tenderloin leftover. I warmed them up slowly and started to think greek(ish)!! I quickly chopped cucumber, and did a rough chop of feta and olives. So in my bowl my creation of yummy flavours formed....potatoes, sliced pork and chunks of cucumber, olives and feta! It was heaven in a bowl!! Why had I never thought of this before....!? 

So...question of the day! What are your comfort foods....

Tooth Fairy business sucks.....!!

We have three kids...that's a lot of teeth to lose!
End result...I would have been fired years ago!
Then again, it's not all my fault...I have kids who have short term memory. They don't always remember to put the tooth under their pillow! And the way things are going...I don't remember to remind them to do it!! Sometimes I remember...but I don't have the toonie(that's two dollars, Canadian)...so I don't remind them! Sometimes too, they lose the tooth at school and we just all forget about it!  I can do soo many things...I can bake/cook...refurbish...write...garden...fix the odd thing in the house, BUT to remember to be the Tooth Fairy!? Nah!!

Just recently my 10yo lost his molar...at school!! He left it at school for about a week! Of course the Tooth Fairy wasn't going to come...she needs the tooth under the pillow! Eventually he brought it home and left it in the hall...for a few days! Now Hubby has a phobia of teeth! He eventually saw the tooth and not sure what it was, picked it up...and proceeded to freak out!! I heard him while I was upstairs! It's great to have a relationship with him...so many laughs!

Eventually.... the tooth made it under the pillow!!

AND because I felt soo bad for the kid...the Fairy left five dollars! Well...OK, there is more to the story!! I forgot that he placed the tooth under his pillow!! It wasn't till morning that I heard the heavy footsteps...and him muttering "she isn't real...she's fake. My tooth is gone and there is no toonie! It's crap!" Right away I questioned him like a good Mother does, "did you look everywhere? Under your bed? Did you even make your bed this morning? Just go have your shower for now, I'll look later! She wouldn't do that to you!"

Once I heard him in the shower, I grabbed the only money I had...a five dollar bill...and went quickly downstairs and made his bed and left the money on the comforter. Later I told him what I found! He was excited! I just looked at him and said "see...you have to really look for something, just don't glance at things and assume..!"

Being a Fairy is hard work!! You have to remember the TOOTH!! You have to have the CASH! Who carries cash anymore?? Everything is debit/credit! You have to slide your arm under the pillow carefully! You have to remember where the squeaky floor boards are! If the bedroom door creaks! And make sure there are no toys on the floor! Some kids are excited and sleep lightly, in hopes of seeing the Tooth Fairy! Once...forgetting my Daughter's tooth, I sat up at 6:30AM knowing that I forgot! Grabbing the toonie, I walked past her bedroom door and threw the coin on the floor!! When my Daughter woke up and saw the coin, she said, "Wow the Fairy must have been tired! She left the tooth and the coin is on the floor!"

Yeah....she was!!

One man's garbage is another man's treasure!

Am I the only one who gets totally excited when garbage day comes? Usually the night before, people put their "trash" curbside...hoping it all gets taken! Here in our town, we have rules and limits...it can be quite extreme...I never truly know what is acceptable!! But this week...I hit the jack pot!! A neighbour who use to live a couple doors down, has moved! Back in August he told me, "in 6 days I am moving to death!" I didn't know how to reply. Looking puzzled and lost for words, I waited for him to explain! Turns out he is going to a retirement home...!! I felt terrible for him...and the conversation was left there...!

This Monday night, his Son placed something curb side...and it wasn't till Tuesday morning at 6:30 when I knew I wanted it! Slowly I crept outside...not wanting to be seen as the neighbour that brings your "trash" in. I can just imagine...people wondering and assuming that the insides of my home resemble their home! None the less....sitting curb side was a beautiful chair. Nothing wrong with it! Dated? Maybe! Broken or damaged? Not at all!! I carried it quickly back to the house!! Giddy with excitement, it is now sitting in the kitchen! Hubby was the only one who didn't realize it was new. He thought it was similar to another one......which I found on Kijiji by the way!!

Tuesday night....the Son was back at it again...cleaning things out!! And something caught my eye!! It was getting late and I decided...if its meant to be, it will be there at 4:30 in the morning! It was!! With my jacket on...covering my nightie...I darted like a wild animal...down the sidewalk and over to the pile....it was a chandelier!! Hubby came out and just starred at me! I quickly and quietly whispered, "just seeing if its not too large for our dinning room!" It's not!! It needs some work!! But I'm excited to get to these two things started this weekend!!


Stay tuned for pics....!!
So...what excites you....??

Family Trips lead to tasty meals back home....

This past August our Family trip was to PEI! Yes, I know...again!! But if you've never been there, you don't understand how that small island can cradle you into another world! Do you see what I did there...use the word cradle...the term given by the Mi'kmaq..."the land cradled on the waves"...and it surely is. There is a different pace there....friendlier, more of a focus on what is truly important. This was our fourth trip. Every year we toss around the idea of visiting somewhere else. When it comes time to decide...we instantly fall back into the arms of PEI. Playing in the ocean, you feel as if the island has baptized you! If you are not born on the island, you are not a true islander! Even if you were born on the mainland and were a day old and came across to live on PEI...you are still not an islander(this was told to me by my History Professor)! But as a fisherman told us, we can be an "Islander By Choice"....or as he said, "so you want to be an IBC!"
So....that's what we are! We are IBC'ers!!

We have been home almost 4 weeks...and we all miss the scenery, food and friendly people!
We miss Seafood Chowder! A popular item....and every restaurant has their own spin! We sampled a few and they are all fabulous...it just depends on whether you like it thick and creamy or slightly thinned out! The seafood is amazing...so fresh!! So, this past weekend, slightly homesick...I decided to make a Seafood chowder. It was perfect for a rainy, windy Saturday afternoon!! With no recipe...I stood at the fish counter and saw PEI Mussels! Those babies were going to be in it! As well as salmon and shrimp!! I chose what each kid would eat...you know, I have one or two picky eaters!!

Two hours later...after prepping, washing, chopping, sautéing and allowing all the flavours to marry....it was done!! I would have added a bit of heat...red pepper Chili flakes...but as you know, picky eaters! It was soo simple! I used flavours that I tasted back on the island and some of my own! Some for taste, some for colour!!

Let's just say....bowls were filled twice and very little was leftover for Sunday lunch!

Love how great experiences during family trips lead to tasty meals back home!

September...time for new changes!! Technology!!

Well....after years of carrying around old files/disks  and basically using old, OK...somewhat archaic technology, I have been thrown into a situation. I have been upgraded!! It sounds nice, but if you don't know what to do...like me, you want to run in the opposite direction. I've also had the feeling, OK...perhaps the urge to throw the NEW phone and computer into the wall!! Maybe too...I should have been given the phone first! Get used to it and all it's apps before moving on to a computer...that is cordless! I still can't get certain texts from important peeps!! It's like the phone Gods decided that Julie is not allowed to contact me....why!? Anyone...!? I've been cut off...! And it hurts...!

It takes a special skill to calm me down....Hubby will open a bottle of wine! He will pour me a big glass and send me to the corner. There I will breathe in its woody, fruity tones and I will be hypnotized with its golden shimmer....!! Kids have the naughty corner, and I have the de-stressing corner. Hubby then takes over the idiotic technology and sets it up! Properly...!!! After my return to normalcy...I sit down, breathe and start to write....!! Fingers crossed....!

My biggest issue so far...aside from being upgraded...is that I cannot add photos to this blog! I literally have to upload photos to Facebook, which from there, copy that image and paste it in here! Now with all this new technology...should I be doing that?? It has me wondering if it's time for a change?? Change blog sites!? Do I lose all past posts, photos and readership? I have been struggling with this for the past week!! And I realized, it's September...time for change, routines and slowly falling back into old ones! So...here I am!! What should I do!? What would you do?!

Regrets! That pops into my head! I have no regrets!! Have you ever thought of that? Regrets!? Every path I have chosen, has led me to where I am now! And I am happy! So...no regrets!! With that being said......I think, I'll stay where I am...cause I'm not really ready for another new change!

There's not enough wine in the house for that.....

Time to harvest.......

This time of the year, many vegetables and fruit are in full bloom...in farmers fields and in our own back yards! For us, we planted just 8 tomato plants. Last year, someone was waiting for our crops. I still believe it's a certain, plump squirrel! He struts across the fence and periodically looks at me! I know it's him!! So this year, I toned it down......and planted some herbs and tomatoes. I was waiting to see if the squirrel would eat my crops! He did not!! Thankfully!!

During the growing season, I got green with envy when I saw posted pictures of tomatoes in full bloom from friends! Mine were still green...and flowering! BUT now...they are all turning beautiful shades of red...and when you pick one, they are warm from the sun! The red smells like tomato!! This is the time to reap your harvest and smell what true vegetables and fruit should smell like!! Grocery shopping in January is a dull experience...there is no life in produce..it is watery in taste and look.

This past week, with no recipe...cause that's the way I roll...I was experimenting with tomatoes. I made a soup! I roasted the beauties and pureed them(since some of my kids don't like lumps) and drizzled pesto(slightly thinned out) on top!! It was the best soup I've ever tasted!!

Today....I attempted to make a tomato sauce...and I swear...while it was roasting in the oven, I thought my kitchen was a pizzeria! I wish I could have bottled up that heavenly aroma!! I just wanted to dunk a piece of crusty bread into the mixture...!!!

I also made pesto for the sauce and got so carried away with it, that I didn't realize the splatter on my shirt...and since I love basil(with a passion...it's my herb of choice), I sucked my shirt to get it off!!
**Being a busy Mom, I don't always have time to change, especially when I have to go out!!

But when it was all finished and jarred...I just starred at my creation. This is fresh, from the garden...tomato sauce! Not bottled, not filled with (some) preservatives...it's fresh! You cannot get any better than that!!

I believe that we have to teach our kids where food comes from! How to grow it! How to prepare it! To not eat pre-packaged food continuously! I know I am first to admit that we cheat from time to time. But on the whole, I try to make fresh food....I like to know what is going into my food(and my Family for that matter)...I don't need or want a dictionary to find out what a certain ingredient is! Food is fuel for your body....! When the season is right...eat local!! Know where your food comes from! If we start to demand more knowledge on our food....can you imagine the outcome...a healthier society!!
Can you imagine!!!??

OK...enough of this rant, you get the idea!! So...what are you eating tonight??

SINGLE? Looking for a little romance, a little banter?? Have nice feet?? Read on....!!

I know...I know...so behind in the writings on our trip to PEI!! Soon...I promise!! Like tomorrow....cause the brats go back to school and I'll be cheering them on as I shove them into the doors of the school!!! These last weeks of August have been a blur...and now it's September!! But feeling more like the hot, hazy, lazy days of July!!

Couple of things I thought of, for my single friends in search of love, romance, or just that spark of something more....go shopping!! Hubby is away in West Virginia...leaving me with the 3 kids!! So basically I have to take them everywhere I go!  TIP ONE...go to RONA, or a home building supply centre...there you will find guys(hopefully who know how to build). I felt a presence, during the check out...and turned around to see a guy, who was pleasant looking, salt and pepper gruff on his face, very manly...starring at me, smiling and nodding!! I gave a little smile and continued on my way!! LADIES...go to these places!!
PS. You can borrow my kids!

Another store, which at this time, my Mom had the kids, so I was alone....trying to figure out what coffee filters to buy! I just bought a new coffee maker...and didn't realize that the filters had to be cone, not basket! So.....cause I was frantic in my thoughts "NO COFFEE....WHAT!?" .....I didn't read the instructions, telling me the size of the cone...cause I thought all cones were the same!! I was standing in the aisle of the grocery store...picking up packs of filters...confused and wondering if I should just buy them all? An employee came over...and started chatting with me!! Trying to help me...laughing...we decided on the ones to buy! I stated "I need coffee...it gets me through the day!" He replied "I can't drink coffee, it keeps me up all night!" and smiled at me!! I laughed...kinda nervously and backed away and thanked him for his help!  LADIES....go to the grocery stores and stand at a section, looking quizzical!

TIP THREE....if grocery stores and home building centres don't work...go on TWITTER!! I had a message recently...that I had HOT FEET!! FEET!! If you Ladies have gorgeous feet...show them!!! EXPOSE THEM! You never know!! There is a whole group of people who LOVE FEET!! Who knew!!! LOL!! I can see sales of pedicures on the rise!! Maybe I could be a FOOT MODEL and put our kids through University....I know, I'm getting carried away.....!! But isn't that wild!!!

AND I was depressed about turning 40!?!! Not anymore.....!!

Figures...days away from HOLIDAYS in PEI and NO HOT WATER!

What are the chances...two days away from holidays, going to PEI, and the HOT WATER DISAPPEARS!
This past week has been very hot and humid and showers have been coolish...so I didn't really notice! Then the 10yo had a shower and sang in acapella....

Hubby who works outside...12 hours a day...wanted me, ME to try to fix it!!! I hate anything with flames and gas....I am terrified that I will blow up the house!! I have never put air in the car tires...scared they will pop in my face!! Yes, I know...slight issues!! I read the instructions on the water tank..and tried...covering my face...pushing the ignitor..click...click...click!! NOTHING! Before doing that though, I had to move my Brother's dip station and weights, a leaf blower and a vacuum!! Now my back is tweaked...!!

YAH HOO...did I mention we leave soon for holidays?!

I called Direct Energy....and the Service Guy was great! He was funny, happy and had a great voice...if this was a dating call in centre and I was single...I would seriously consider him! He works 13hrs and has little time for TV, found this out cause he said a tech would come the next day between the hours of 1-5, you know the Seinfeld episode...Kramer, waiting for the tech guy!! And he never came.....!!

We had a great conversation! He said people from Barrie are always friendly! I replied "a little norther, a little nicer!" I suggested too that I could hose the kids down out back for their showers! With this humidity they would like it!  He was also surprised that I wasn't "bitchy" about the wait time...hey, I look at it like this, we have clean water, we want for nothing but a little hot water, yes its an inconvenience, but all I have to do is boil water...pretend its the pioneer days!! Gotta keep looking on the bright side of things......

PS. If you wash your hair in COLD WATER, like I did...it doesn't go FUZZY like a BRILLO PAD, and in this weather....it's a blessing!! See...looking at the bright side!!!

A few more days, and we are in PEI!! A BIGGER bright side!!

So...placing bets on when the Service man comes...I'm thinking a few minutes before 5! How about you...??

BIRTHDAY WEEKEND in PEI! Attending Estate Auction of LMM's Grandfather's Home!

This past weekend was the BIRTHDAY WEEKEND...the BIG 4-0...and for me, what a way to knock out the thirties and welcome the forties(kinda...still not comfortable with seeing that number) by going to Prince Edward Island! It was a whirlwind weekend...with three objectives...go to an Auction in Park Corner(LMM's Grandfather's home), visit with an University pal and of course eat some yummy food! It was all SUCCESSFUL!!

I've never been to an auction before and I didn't know what to expect!! My card number was 39!! I knew right away that it was my lucky day!! It was meant to be!! We saw people camped out, sitting in chairs with no bidding numbers! They were there for the day! Who does that?? We also met some fun guys! We also realized that you don't raise a hand or itch your face!! Cause you will accidentally bid on something that YOU do not want! Arms are meant to be by your side! Which is hard to do when a certain bug kept flying into my cheek. I wanted to desperately swat it away! We spent 6 hours there!!! Our legs and backs were sore!! We also realized that we should have bidded on chairs/stools...at least we would have had something to sit on! It was also exciting to watch two Ladies...in a bidding war, for the set of the Rosebud Tea(any LMM fan would know about these dishes!)!!


In the end I won 3 bids! A cute set of mini dogs, replicas of the famous..."Gog" and "Magog", which now sit with the LMM BOOKS that I have acquired throughout the years! I also won a sugar tin! And the last item that I won, makes me happy and it will be framed...a sermon, written in 1912 and I knew that my 10yo Son would love it! He knows it is not meant to be read/touched.....and it will be admired!! I won "A Tragedy of Speed", a Sermon on the Wreck of the Titanic, by Reverend William D. Moss. Dated April 21, 1912. My Son was and is ecstatic that I found something THAT old and on the Titanic, at the auction!

In the end...I kept starring at the windows, watching and looking at the lace curtains...was LMM watching and shaking her head disapprovingly? It was quite sad...seeing all the items being auctioned off. An end of an era. I just hope that those who won the items, will cherish them.... as I will cherish mine!

End of my 30's is days away......how will I mark it??

As you know already...I am closing a chapter on my life, my 30's are coming to an end! I am sooo not ready for the new decade! I have already received BIRTHDAY cards with 40 written on it. I stare at that number, 40...that's not for me, its for my mom!! She WAS just 40! I hosted two parties for her!! I can recall it as if it were yesterday!! 40 is not me!! It's my Mom!! Not me!!

The 30's were awesome!! I became a MOM!! 3 times!! Then married.....just once!! So far it's going along quite well!! Bought a house! And became nicely settled in a new town! Found my creative juices and am feeding them daily! Life is good!! And now...as the final days approach, how should I end this decade!? I don't really want a HUGE party! Signs on the lawn! Or notices in the newspapers! Instead...by pressure of close friends and Hubby....I am going for it, to live with no regrets!


I am flying to my beloved island(home away from home), Prince Edward Island! For the weekend!! To attend an estate auction at Lucy Maud Montgomery's (Paternal)Grandfather's home. The home was turned into a Museum and has recently been sold! Items within the homestead are being auctioned off! And I am going! I might not win anything, but it will be momentous for me to attend! To be part of it! I'm also considering looking at a house for sale! You never know where life will lead you! I'll be spending time with a University chum! I will sink my toes into the sand and feel the ocean breeze on my face! Eat some yummy food! Drink some wine and just to be thankful for where I am! I am closing the 30's in a special way! I am living my dreams! Taking that chance....cause you never know! Live with no regrets.....! Don't be afraid! Take a chance.....

I just hope it doesn't rain...!!

BIRTHDAY at the TORONTO BLUE JAYS GAME!!

This past weekend was my Daughter's 8th Birthday!! We decided to head to TORONTO and take in a BLUE JAY GAME! Their FIRST game!! Kids were excited! We were excited! We got tickets in the 100 level! I wanted to be close enough for the kids to see it all!! Didn't realize that the kids would be melting during the hottest weekend of the year!! Roof was open!! I was glad that we had sunblock and they all had baseball hats!! I swear, as Hubby put it, "we were wearing smog screen"...a combination of smog and sun screen! We made the decision to leave at the 6th inning, and head to a local AIR CONDITIONED restaurant for LIBATIONS and some food! BUT the kids LOVED IT!! Didn't care for the cost of the BEER! Or for the cost of the slice of PIZZA! But then I'm sure the man in front of us didn't care for the splash of cold water on his back!! Kids will be kids!! BUT we loved all the action that the city had to offer!!

I gotta say....there are some great people out there!! It was the weekend of paying it forward! We know this gentleman will probably never read this blog, but we are sending a HUGE THANK YOU to him!! We took the GO Train into the city...just to avoid the hassle of traffic and PAN AM GAMES!! While waiting to get tickets...a man approached Hubby and started to talk about these tickets to the PAN AM GAMES...in my mind I'm thinking, "I don't think so Buddy, keep moving!!" Turns out, he wanted to give us the tickets to save on the price of the train ride! He has raised a young family and knows how hard it is do these special occasions. The expense of it all!! We never saw him again! BUT we will definitely pay it forward!!

On the Sunday, while at our favourite coffee spot...OK, Tim Horton's...again, it was pay it forward!! SO Hubby paid for the coffee behind him!! It's amazing...in today's society how cruel one human can be to another. And then, a random act of kindness, restores your faith in humanity. There are good people out there, and there are more and more everyday, doing acts of goodness! Can you imagine if we all did one kind act a day....what an impact it would have, here on earth!

PS. To the person who mailed me a movie, Philomena....you made me question myself and my sanity! Did I order this movie and forget about it!? But I didn't!! I'm pretty sure I didn't!! LOL!
So THANK YOU very much! Paying it forward will live on.....

Did it like a BOSS! Well...for my first attempt at building a DECK!

I truly enjoyed the movie "The Other Woman" and thought the star of the film was Leslie Mann!! She is my new woman crush!! I have a few....Nigella Lawson(for food), Gail Vaz-Oxlade(money smarts), Julia Roberts(cause deep down I want to be like her..) and now Leslie Mann(for her humour). During the scene where Cameron Diaz says "Martha Stewart handled prison like a BOSS", came to mind as I measured, nailed and used the reciprocating saw(just looked up that word on Google, went by the pictures...had no idea what it's name was)....to make a mini deck for our new shed!

This year...the back yard was fixed up...new fence, shed, storage bench, donated a wooden playhouse(that was a chore in itself...but saw a cute dude strip on the street to help in the process of moving the house) and try to make an area for the BBQ(I call it the BBQ STATION!)....and it's only the beginning of July!

The Doghouse..err SHED!
Complete with a mini-deck!

Once the shed was completed, we had extra room from where the old shed sat. So I thought, "lets build a mini deck there..!" And we did! I could see what I wanted in my mind...and I tried to explain it all to Hubby! Finally it all came together!! I felt proud!! I am WOMAN...I can build a deck!! I might not know the terms of the tools...but I know what I wanted to use, the thingy...you know what I mean!!?

Using the saw, I had my Daughter sit on the wood, for weight!! She told me that her bum got a massage! We spent time together...building a deck!! I am showing my Daughter and my Sons for that matter....that anyone can do anything! Regardless of gender or race! If you think it...you can do it...or at least try to do it!! I know I messed up along the way in the building the deck, but those experiences better us!! We try, we learn, we mess up and try again...!! It's the fun part of life!! When I completed the deck...I turned to my Daughter and with much enthusiasm said, "Momma built the deck like a BOSS!!"

Now to build an outdoor kitchen island for my, errr... OUR..... BBQ Station!!

Time for STRAWBERRIES!! Barrie Hill Farms & Spud's Finest in Ontario!

We made these plans a few weeks ago....actually, my 5yo who has an addiction to STRAWBERRIES, has been bugging me for a good month now!! "When can we pick strawberries?" A daily question! My answer was the same everytime..."when school is finished!" Finally school is finished...and the strawberries are ready at our local farm...Barrie Hill Farms! Actually...when they opened for the Season, their market to be exact...we started going every Saturday and buying local vegetables/fruit and the odd baked good or two...and some local, kettled made chips!! YUM!! I know, we need to be eating healthy...but if you want to support your local vendors/farmers...you have to try Spud's Finest Kettle Chips!! It has become our weekly treat!

This past Saturday, with my BFF from Public School and the whole Family...we went to the farm!! The rain held off and we filled 4 baskets of beautiful, ruby red berries. The field was thick with the seduction of strawberry...what Summer is all about(at least to me). Kids had a blast!! Clothes, fingers, toes, legs and lips were stained red! Kids also enjoyed a wagon ride to the field and back again! We saw other crops growing...getting ready for us to pick! It is a must....parents need to take their children to the farm...to see where their food comes from! To have an appreciation for it! Too much food now a days is processed..full of crap! We need to get back to basics!! I strongly believe this! We need to support our local farmers!!

With our 4 baskets of plump, juicy berries and other local vegetables and treats...we went home for a feast! I have made jam! Which by the way.....while making the jam...the kitchen was heavy with the thick, sweet aroma of strawberry...it was fabulous! Strawberry shortcakes were devoured! Pancakes with strawberry maple syrup were inhaled! And I have perfected my Strawberry Smoothie!! Plus....a slightly different version for the adults....with a little RUM!

I keep thinking of a quote from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice....and I think of this as we consume these Berries...."If you prick us do we not bleed"....strawberry?

Fathers Day Tradition.....a little bonus for Mommy!!

This past Father's Day we did what we have been doing for the past 4 or 5 yrs...one can't keep track...we just started doing it and it has become a ritual! We escape the expected from Fathers and Family and focus on our wee family! We travel north to a friend's cottage, which we have adopted, and hide out in the tranquillity of Six Mile Lake! Us...the Fish, the Loons and NOW the Chipmunks and two Geese that call the dock their home! AND the mosquitoes...how can we forget them!! BLOOD SUCKERS!

Like some Family members...but that's another blog!


Father's Day is around Hubby's Birthday!! So he gets the WHOLE weekend!! And all he wants to do is FISH! To be with nature!! I'm all for that!! See....when we go to the cottage, the kids want to fish with Daddy...and all four of them will be on the dock...fishing....and I will be on the deck, umbrella up, wine glass filled, book in hand and enjoying the peace!! No one wants to sit and read with Mommy....they want to fish and tickle their toes in the water!! And they did!! No pics of the fish(sorry)...but Katie, in her purple party dress(her choice) caught the biggest fish!! A 3 pound Bass! The boys all caught mini sunfish, bass and one catfish!! We do the catch and release here in Watton Land!!

Hubby had a blast!! Fishing and spending time with his kids!! To him it was perfect!!

To me...... it was perfect!! I had alone time!! He had his kids!!
Perfect Father's Day Weekend....right!!?

SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER.....

As of 5:30 this morning...day one of SUMMER HOLIDAYS...I have done one load of laundry, consumed 3 mugs of coffee and fed dear Princess, who if I didn't, would have woken everyone up! Her MEOWS are desperate when she hasn't been fed!!
Not sure who is worse...the nagging 5yo, or the HUNGRY cat who sits by my pillow, waiting....!?

I am sitting by the computer thinking that I will make the most out of this Summer...get into a writing routine...most of it done early in the AM, before the kids wake!! So far...this is all I have done for writing!! But at least the kids have clean undies!! Right!?! And I have been fuelled with COFFEE!!

Yesterday....I counted the HOURS of SILENCE! I know, I should have been writing and doing all the little things that I can't do, once the kids are home, BUT I did nothing!! I did vacuum...the last good VACUUM of the Season...till the kids go back to school! But other than that...I did nothing! I sat in the house with nothing on...and listened to the silence and pureness that the house has to offer!!
I thought, "Sherry...listen to this, remember this...soon it will be over...kids everywhere...noise, mess, fights....just listen and remember!"

Did anyone else do this? LOL!

I feel as if this will be a BIG SUMMER....Birthdays(some milestones), changes, meeting Family that I haven't seen since I was 6, playing more with the kids....and just trying to appreciate the SEASON!! Cause soon the kids will be grown and doing their own thing!! And will only NEED me for a DRIVE or for the CASH!

What are your plans this Summer??

First day of school and LAST day of school!
Some......OK, just the girl, is sad that school is over!

10th BIRTHDAY in the BIG CITY of TORONTO!

AS you know, my Son turned 10 last week. To celebrate....we(Grandma and myself) took him out to LIVE the HIGH LIFE in TORONTO!! All he knew was that he was going away and was eating dinner at The Harbour Sixty! He was excited knowing that he was dining where Hockey Players, musicians and just some plain old, famous people dined at!! I gotta say...the food was delish...the chairs so comfy and bouncy and the wine bottles aligning the walls...HEAVEN!!

We rode the Subway...and then travelled under ground to the hotel....The Fairmount Royal York!! He was amazed and thrilled!! I believe...in my other life... I was rich and had everything at my finger tips! I was meant for finer things! I realized this as I flopped down on the bed for night....down comforter and feather pillows! I just wanted a nap....after having kids for 10yrs....I needed a nap! But there was no time for that...we were on a tight schedule! Next was the play!!!

He wanted to include the pic of his Dinner!

Josh has had a love for the Titanic since it celebrated 100yrs! He has watched National Geographic specials, read books and watched movies and documentaries. He knows it all!! He wants to go to Ireland one day and see the BIRTHPLACE!! I promised him that we would....when the time is right, more like when the accounts are right!! So...the next best thing was the Musical! He was excited! We all were! It was wonderfully done...my eyes were wet!! Especially at the end.....!! A must see while in Toronto!!

His Beignets!

Then....dinner at Harbour Sixty!! Josh had the Salmon and loved every minute!! His dessert was Beignets!! He has always wanted to try them since watching the movie "Chef'.....his weekend was complete!! By the end of the night, he was walking ahead of us on the streets of Toronto...hands in his pockets...walking and watching the city life at night! He owned the it!! I am so proud of my 10yo!! He is becoming a great man!! He has so much to look forward too...so much he can be...so much love to give and so much love he receives!





By the end of the weekend...he said "this was the best present ever!"
I was glad to share it all with him.....

My Son's 10th Birthday made me realize.....

Pardon me for being RUDE...but I've had a FUCKING FANTASTIC LIFE...and I'm only reaching 40(next month)! Today is my FIRST Baby's, Birthday.....Josh is turning 10!! He is now into the double digits!! And where did the time go?? I can recall turning 10 myself....standing in my Mom's bedroom doorway...curtains were pulled to block the July Sun that afternoon.....I recall standing there...thinking, "I am 10..I am OLD, I am no longer in the single digits...I am double digits for the rest of my life...that's it!"

((See...if I was thinking that back then, no wonder I am having issues turning 40 this year!))

Homemade WAFFLES and Blueberries!

But for my Son...who is turning 10...didn't I just bring him home yesterday!? I can remember everything!! Playing poker...while waiting for something to happen!! Not feeling the contractions till they broke my water...and that was it......here's BABY!! I vividly recall the hemorrhoids!! How he was the ONLY baby sleeping in the ward(was something wrong with him)!! And I thought, as we brought him home and sat him in his chair ..."this is it..you are here...here we go!" And we did go!! It's been amazing!!

He is such a smart, young man!! He definitely has an old soul! He loves to cook! He loves History! He is kind and considerate! He even lectures friends and younger kids on the IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY EATING!! I almost get embarrassed when he is passionately telling people, "white bread is bad for you....and hot dogs aren't healthy....that cereal is sugary...and why would you eat at McDonald's!?"
Gotta thank JAMIE OLIVER for that!! And he is right....!!

I think Hubby and I are doing OK!!

Going over photos from the past 10yrs.........I realized I've had a fucking fantastic life!! And it's only the first half......

MOTHERS DAY....AND I'M BEING SELFISH! BUGGER OFF!!

It's the day before Mothers Day WEEKEND...that's right, I take the WHOLE weekend!! Whats wrong with taking a WEEKEND out of the YEAR!? NOTHING!! I get to relax...OK, not all the times..lets face it, our Mother radar doesn't shut off!! I constantly jump to whatever demand this army asks! I'd rather do things than having them do it! Cause in the end...I'm cleaning up what they started and couldn't finish. AND come Monday...when things are back to normal(sigh)...the HOUSE has to be put back together! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my BRATS...just sometimes its more work for me, once the day/weekend is over!

I hear/read about Moms planning or suggesting what they would like on their day! Cards, flowers, dinners out, spa days etc etc...I've also seen surveys on what MOMS want!! There was one, and only 8% wanted a bottle of WINE!! What the hell is that about....8%!?

YEAH YEAH...every MOM is different, I get that!! But seriously....!? 

For the previous Mother's Days, we have gone to my favourite restaurant for BRUNCH...Milestones!! YUM!

Then I am allowed to BROWSE, ALONE...at the Antique Market! AND chose a gift!! Then, we end the day with me making Bruschetta(which I love doing....I am my happiest in the kitchen)...munching on olives and sipping WINE!! That is PERFECTION!!

Until this year.....

This year...Hubby is giving me the GREATEST GIFT EVER...he is taking OUR KIDS to the COTTAGE for the WEEKEND!! I will be alone and will LOVE it!! This weekend I can chat with myself, garden, write, read and drink WINE!! How PERFECT is that!!! For me...to be a BETTER Mom, means having ALONE time!! So take the kids away...bugger off!!!

I can tell you...when Hubby comes that home night..BOOM CHICKA BOOM BOOM!!

Happy WIFE(errr....MOM).....Happy LIFE!

JUST as I am finishing typing  this up...my 7yo daughter came to me and pleaded to stay home!!

She says she won't bug me at all...unless she needs something!! She also says that she wants to write too...!!

Hmmm...there might be a leak in my economy size bottle of wine......!!

Putting together a SHED from a BOX tests RELATIONSHIPS!

Snow has melted, days are warmer and brighter...its time to venture outside! Pasty white legs and toes peek outside the doorway, like a timid mouse, and seek the sun...its SPRING in Canada.
Flowers long ago forgotten, are starting again...its time for us all to start anew.
Its time for outdoor renovations!! UP GRADES!!

This year we bought a shed!! And a storage bench!! They were both in a BOX!! A BOX!!
YES...that means we have to get along like good little children and build!! I truly believe that every couple, before marriage..should be given a BOX of something....and told to build it!! If you can get along enough to build a shed and a storage bench...you will live a long life!! Perhaps too, that couple should be given a few kids...you know, to HELP in the process of building!!

There were a few slight hiccups along the way for the shed...for one, how we were going to get the HUGE BOX home!! Thanks to a friend with a pick up truck....we were back on track!! I strongly believe, that certain BIG BOX STORES should offer free delivery...especially if you are spending close to $1000!! Now this store also offered "installation" but they charge too much per hour...and I SOOO wanted somebody else to put it together!! I saw neighbours last year constructing a similar shed....let's just say, they had a few drinks that night!

Hiccup two....while constructing the frame, Hubby found out that "his" Son fried his phone....and after being on a help chatline for some time, the phone had to be reset...everything was gone!! Overall...it tested our relationship and I STRONGLY believe, it is safe!!

The SHED that can sleep 2, comfortably!

The following week...it was the storage bench! You would think, something smaller would be easier!!
I'm trying to think how to type this and still save my marriage.....it took Hubby, I think(?) 3 tries to complete it!! Let's just say "leave me alone and don't talk to me" were used a few times!!
So I did leave him alone.... and took 2 kids shoe shopping!! BUT I still believe...one shouldn't have eaten at a Buffet for lunch, then attempt to BUILD THE BENCH!

The BENCH that nearly ended it for us!

But we made it....the property is looking great and he is PROUD of what he accomplished! And he should be! I am PROUD that we are still married!! And talking to each other!!

NEXT WEEK WE MIGHT BUILD A BBQ!!
I'll keep you posted.....!

From SWEET DREAMS to REALITY......!

This was a recent morning, most of it happened before school started! Now not all mornings are like this, but like the saying says "when it rains, it pours!" There comes a point where you just have to laugh at everything that is happening!! And then wonder...why is this ALL happening to me?  IN ONE DAY!? What did I do? It started off with the KIDS fighting....Alex got punched in the face...by Katie(why, cause she says he is annoying)....to 6 kids making SNOWFLAKES in my kitchen and me having to sweep up all the bits of paper. And I swear, these kids were cutting just for the sake of cutting!!

Then as we started to go to school, the kids were running on the snow covered ice(regardless of my yelling "don't run, there is ice there")...to which Katie falls and then declares she will not go to school....to me finally bribing her to go, cause if you can't go to school then you can't go to a birthday party tomorrow! She decides to try school and since we don't have any tissues on hand, I use my red mitten and clear the snot off her face.

When I finally arrive home, sweep the floor from all the sand off their boots, put away all the PS3 equipment, I noticed cat puke in the corner!! While cleaning that up, my headache, which I have had since waking up, is intensifying and I wish that I could go back to my dream....BUT no, in the fridge I notice that a bag of milk has been leaking for about a week, and NO there wasn't any sour milk smell.

Finally cleaning and organizing things, to a point where I thought I could breathe....the phone rings....it's the SCHOOL!! Katie is too sore and is crying to go home! In the back of my mind...I was thinking about my DREAM!

My DREAM...cause it most certainly was a dream...I was being PAID to go to PARIS and WRITE!
I was travelling to the EIFFEL TOWER! I was just starting to walk up the stairs when I woke up......!

And you wonder why I like to have the occasional glass of wine!!?

After a Twitter Party, I still #ChooseAverage and thats OK!

Last night I partook in my first Twitter party...it was on the recent release of the Dove commerical........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DdM-4siaQw.

After reading tweets, favourites, retweets and commenting here and there...I left the party and thought about what was written as I laid in bed...it was hard to fall asleep. Sentences were forming in my head! Comments I should have said but the 140 word character was crippling my expressions.

I would have walked through the average door...that's what I feel...I have always felt average! But now that I am approaching 40(gulp), I am more comfortable with my average self...slightly! I am average on the outside! On the inside, I #ChooseBeautiful! I have a huge heart that is full of kindness and laughter....it oozes out of me! Isnt' that more important?

Beauty comes from within. And lets face...most outer beauty, in today's society, is fake. Make up and plastic surgery haunt our every move...we see it daily...hourly....through ads, magazines, tv and even hear about it on the radio.  It is fed to us, subconsciously...maybe we really don't hear what is being said...but deep down we HEAR and SEE it! Women and men, are competing...who is thinnest, smartest, prettiest, handsomest, sexiest and wealthiest. Those that are suckered into this are influencing their children...and so the cycle continues. Its scary! I have to admit...I am guilty!

I want rid of my grey hairs, flabby tummy and flapping arms. I read about various exercises and tried things out....only to quit after a few weeks...and partake in the once in a while regime. Slowly I am realizing I have that flabby tummy cause I gave birth to 3 huge, beautiful children. Flapping arms...well, I was slightly bigger years ago(and I should rejoice and celebrate that I am no longer that older self). So I am a work in progress! I realize THOSE ads are GARBAGE! But what about our younger, vulnerable generation? Perhaps Dove is targeted towards those(of all ages and gender) with self esteem issues? For those that are easily swayed by society ....Dove wants to encourage strength and #ChooseBeautiful.

But for me...I know I am average...and I am OK with that!! I will never have that waist, that face, that hair, those arms....but I will have a beautiful heart which will outshine it all...and make you fall in love with me!
 I am teaching my kids....my Daughter and Sons... that they are beautiful on the inside...even when they don't think so! That we should love and respect ourselves(our true self)...perfection does not exist, there are flaws in everything...and that most of society, media, fashion and Hollywood(minus a few great actors/actresses that know the truth)are fake! Be you! Love you!

After I #ChooseAverage, this was part of the next screen, along with a kit to help me #ChooseBeautiful::

"Beauty is a choice available to all of us every day. However, it’s a simple truth that women all over the world don’t feel able to see themselves as beautiful.
Mindfulness is a way of helping us all think more positively about ourselves by learning to appreciate our own unique beauty."

Here come the TWEEN YEARS...first sign, "I'm running AWAY!"

As a parent you know most school mornings are a rush.....trying to get everything done and motivate your kids to, let's say, SHOWER!! Currently my 9yo dislikes SHOWERS and does a dance of frustration when it's his turn!! This happened yesterday...as a result a mini-battle ensued and he lost privileges to the PS3 for the rest of the week!! Any parent knows....you have the power when you threaten to take away the PS3! Quickly their attitude changes...it's their life line..(sadly)...and once you take it away...they become a puddle of mush on the floor! But after doing this, things change...the child actually does other things!! They go outside, they read, they draw...!! It's a miracle!! They're ALIVE!!

This morning he was back on the PS3...I reminded him about his punishment!! He thumped upstairs and I didn't see him for awhile! Getting the other kids ready for school, I walked past his door...he was dressed, poster down off the wall and he was bunching up his bed sheet! Curious...I asked what he was doing!

"I am running away, I am giving the poster to Alex...and the sheet is for the food that I am taking....I'm just gonna walk to school and sit on the curb and wait for the bell."

My reply, "What are you gonna do later? And you can't take my food. You use your OWN money to buy food. And you will need lots of money to survive. And if the police see you, they will bring you back to me or take you to foster care. You will live in a strangers house and most likely go to another school."

He thought for a bit...."Well, I'll get a job delivering and buy my own food. I just want a new life."

I listened to his speech and he seemed determined in his running away! I could only think of this, "Well food is really expensive now a days...delivering doesn't pay much...you are going to be eating a lot of pasta and you don't like pasta! Also...you want a new life? By doing this you WILL have a new life for sure! But you know what, you will leave THAT new life too, cause you didn't change. You need to change your thoughts, attitudes and perspective and life will be amazing...if you stay here and just change your attitudes and accept that you have to shower, DAILY...you will have an amazing life!! And you know what...if you don't shower..you are gonna be alone...cause you will be STINNNNNKY!! Life can and will be hard and it will be harder when you leave. If you stay here...you have Daddy and I to help you! We will always be here to help!"

We sat on the bed and decided to have a "redo"!! He is currently in school and his bed sheet is back on his bed!

The running away made me think of myself! When I was around his age...I ran away!! I didn't like how I was being treated...and that part is fuzzy....I can't remember WHAT triggered the running away...but I was determined!! My little Brother was standing by the tree...crying, cause he didn't want me to leave! I remember THAT vividly!!
I ran away....and returned shortly after!! Mom didn't even know that I was gone!! LOL!! I feel like I have come FULL CIRCLE!

I have 3 kids....it's just the beginning, isn't it!?

End of MARCH BREAK!! Return to SANITY! Time to CHILL WINE!

FRIDAY!!!!

I got up out of bed this morning with a SMILE upon my face...NO, get your mind out of the gutter....I was smiling cause its FRIDAY...the LAST DAY OF MARCH BREAK!! I am sure parents throughout the area are SMILING!! I hugged my nine year old as he came out his room and gleefully told him, "it's FRIDAY!!" Don't get me wrong...we had fun!! NO set ALARMS! A few trips, lunch out, Jammie Day, visit to a friend's cottage, movies and HOMEMADE PIZZA DAY! I even finished reading a book and started another!! It was a great week!! And today it's FRIDAY!! School on Monday!!

((The choir sings...HALLELUJAH......!!))

It was just those moments where siblings were battling...yelling, with veins in their neck bugling(mine included..at times), injuries to the face(bloodied wounds from one kid stepping on another's foot, I am assuming accidental...it was ruled accidental), Monopoly games gone wrong(cheating...not wanting to pay rent, and not rolling the dice properly), fighting over coloured pegs to a game I don't even know the name of....AND fighting over what MOVIE to chose for MOVIE DAY!! Then came the point where I threw them outside to play....I let them loose....they played WAR GAMES and KILLED each other with HOCKEY STICKS!! I didn't care...I had PEACE in the house!! Our cat came out of hiding from the basement...she squinted her eyes...she wasn't use to the SUNLIGHT!


No one told me...the more kids you had...the MORE FUN it is!!
No wonder I like to sit back and sip wine on the weekend!!! Seriously...I am becoming a wine snob....I easily get frustrated now if the CORK doesn't come out with one swift pull.....SCREW CAPS are EASIER and so much more appreciative!!! I am glad that there are studies....telling us that RED wine is beneficial to our health(almost at equal value as if one went to the gym)....friends and family know to give me gift cards to the local LCBO!! The more exploring I have wine, the more followers I get on Twitter!! Its a win-win situation!

So...I hope everyone had an EXCELLENT March Break! Today, PARENTS are wearing a smile!! Bottles of WINE are CHILLING throughout the city!! Monday is school!!

My apologies if you are a teacher...but you chose the profession!!

Putting cinnamon toast ahead of my Son!

I had a late lunch today...sometimes a Mom gets busy doing this and that and finally you realize it's two in the afternoon. Today, being Friday...I wanted something totally not healthy! I mean I had healthy grain bread with quinoa....it's all about balance, right!! But I had a hankering for toast...smothered in melting butter and cinnamon sugar!! Mmmmmm....can you smell and taste it...YUM!! So comforting.....

Waiting for the toast to pop, something else popped...my relationship with the buttery, sweet sensation....the SCHOOL CALLED!! This was the third time this week that they had called.....and being the AWESOME Mom that I am, I answered reluctantly.  My 9yo injured his leg, while playing at recess on the snow hill...on the same snow hill that I previously told him NOT to play on! He got injured earlier this week from the same hill!! But here he was, back on the hill!! Don't kids learn!? Do they not listen!? Am I wasting my breathe, preaching about safety on the snow hill with over 500 kids!?

The secretary told me that he hurt his leg on a branch, I wanted to ask her "is there blood, a bone poking through?" I am sorry, but back in my day...if you were "injured", you got ice and eventually made it back to class. At home time, you made your way hobbling down the road and lets face it, most times you were fine!!

I then spoke to my Son.  He said I NEEDED to come pick him up! Now...we live 10 minutes from the school and we walk! He told me that he couldn't walk alone, he NEEDED me! I was passed back to the secretary...during this time, I was starring at my buttery treat, it was starting to get cold....begrudgingly I told her that I would be there in 20 minutes(did you catch that...we live 10 minutes from the school)!

I hung up...sat down and ate my buttery, cinnamon toast...savouring it!! My Son could wait!!
After all....its not often that I get to enjoy a treat...alone!! Am I a mean Mom....NO!!

I did laugh to myself as I cleaned up the crumbs....I put cinnamon toast ahead of my Son's "injury"......!!

By the way....he is fine, maybe sore...but not a single mark on his leg!!
I think we as a society are getting soft!! No!?
Soft...like freshly made bread...YUM!! With a dab of butter!!