Two weeks ago, I had the most unforgettable time attending the 2nd annual BlogWest Conference, organized by Felicia Dewar, right here in my home city of Edmonton, Alberta. This year I had the honour of being an ambassador for the conference and I have to say that it was the easiest job ever! How could I not be passionate about and support an event that was full of learning, friendship and networking? I introduced, greeted, chatted, laughed, learned, connected, and came away with warm memories of new friendships, seeds of inspiration for the future, and the biggest bags under my eyes ever from total lack of sleep. Seriously, Read More »
Encourage A Mom #EncourageAMom
This post is part of YummyMummyClub.ca’s and Becel’s “Encourage A Mom” program. In its role as a founding member of The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s The Heart Truth™ campaign, Becel wants to empower moms and encourage them to prioritize their own health and well-being as much as they do others. I received compensation for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors. Heart health is very important to me. My family suffers from a genetic heart condition, which if left untreated, can be fatal. The onset for this condition is usually around the Read More »
Easy Big Batch Beef Recipe
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of working with both Canadian Beef and Safeway grocery stores, where I took a tour of the meat department at my local store and learned a lot of wonderful things about Canadian beef. One of the things I was able to come away with was this FANTASTIC recipe for BIG BATCH BEEF. This is a recipe that I think every family should have and let me tell you why. As a mom of a busy family, just like you, I know how rushed it can be to get dinner on the table Read More »
Buttermilk Waffles with Sweet Orange Sauce
There is no better smell than the smell of homemade waffles steaming in a waffle maker. It tells the whole house that something good is coming. We have homemade waffles often at our house…at least once a week. My kids love homemade waffles and are happy to eat them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. My daughter has been crazy over the wonderful citrus at the market lately…eating tons of Cara Cara oranges and Ruby Red grapefruit, so I wanted to incorporate some of those flavours into some waffles just for her. She has been working hard in school lately with late night study sessions Read More »
An Easter Party For Kids
I love parties for kids, and I couldn’t help but be inspired to create an Easter party for little peeps. I love bright colours & patterns, along with fun details like bunnies and candy displays. So I incorporated those things into this Easter party tablescape. Planning a party for kids never needs to be as elaborate as we think it should be because kids’ are usually happy with even the smallest of details. For this party, I created an adorable centerpiece with mason jars full of different kinds of Easter candy. {However, I would suggest putting a lid on the candy Read More »
Playdough Bunny Favors
One of the things I love about Easter has to be the cute bunnies everywhere. I love seeing sweet ears and noses and whiskers. So today I am sharing with you this adorable little bunny craft. It’s an easy project to make with kids, and would look so completely and gi-normously cute on any Easter table, or be a great non-candy treat to take to school. And you know me…I like my crafting wares to come from the Dollar Store…’cause not only must it be cute, but also cheap. It all began when I found the mini-jars of playdough. I thought Read More »
Easter Petit Fours
Hello sweet people! I have just returned from a MOST amazing weekend at the BlogWest blogging conference. I will share more later in the week, but in the meantime I will get back to the business of creating. Since the Valentine’s Petit Fours were so popular, I was inspired to create an Easter version of these little cakes. This time, however, instead of using sprinkles for decoration…I found the most ADORABLE little icing flowers in the aisles at Michaels. They just look so SPRING-Y and HAPPY. And in case you missed the goods on how to make these little pretties at Valentine’s, Read More »
20 FUN Activities For March Break
March Spring Break is just around the corner for many school children. Our family is enjoying a stay-cation for Spring Break, as we are hoping to take a bigger trip later in the year, so we need to save our pennies. Although my kids are older now and don’t need me to plan activities and crafts for them, I can’t help but love ALL the amazing ideas I see for kids so I thought I would make a collection of easy, budget-friendly activities for families who do have younger children and are looking for ideas for things to do at home. First, Read More »
11 Seedling Ideas for Spring
I am so excited for Spring. For the first time in more than a few years, we are going to start a fun project…a vegetable garden. We haven’t had one since we moved to this province over 8 years ago….mostly because our Spring has been filled with hockey, but this year our son has decided not to play Spring hockey, which means free weekends for our chief gardener…my husband. {As you might remember, I am not much of a gardener, as I wrote about in How I Stopped Killing Plants and Learned to Grow Something.} In anticipation of our garden project, I’m getting ready Read More »
Easter Cookie Decorating Kit
An Easter Cookie Decorating Kit that is super fun & easy to make….you in? When my kids were younger, one of their very favourite activities in the kitchen was to decorate cookies. They didn’t care what kind of cookies….as long as there were frosting and sprinkles involved, it was total awesome-sauce for them! One of the reasons that I love blogging is that I have an outlet for my creative brain activity to go! It comes out in creations and colours and fun photos like this project. The inspiration for this project came from seeing these little candy kits at Read More »
Chickadee Pencils
I just love this sweet little craft…Chickadee Pencils. So cute and pretty to look at. I think I may love Easter crafting more than Christmas crafting because of the beautiful pastel colours…they are so refreshing at the end of Winter. This project is easy to make and kind on the budget; all of the materials can be found at the dollar store. This would be a terrific project to make with a group of little people, or to make for the little ones in your life. Here is a visual of the supplies you will need: Chickadee Pencils Supplies: Read More »
12 Fun Popcorn & Candy Ideas For Oscar Night
Oscar night is coming and I cannot wait! It’s a great night at home in front of the TV and it celebrates one of our family`s favourite pastimes….movies. I know that I am not alone in this….lots of people enjoy Oscar night. {Plus…not all of us are lucky enough to be invited to Elton John’s Oscar Party!} Not only is a night of glitz and glam, but it also brings attention to lesser known movies that deserve the recognition….like Slumdog Millionaire a few years ago. I spent some in time in the blogosphere putting together some fun ideas and Read More »
Easter Pretzel Hugs
Since these small morsels are a favourite of my kids, I just knew that a request for an Easter version was right around the corner. I did change things up a little this time by using yellow melting wafers instead of Hershey’s hugs. And using the melting wafers takes less time because there are not hugs to unwrap…bonus! And Easter candy is sooo pretty to look at with all the pastel colours. Easter Pretzel Hugs Ingredients: Pretzels Yellow melting wafers Easter M&Ms Easter sprinkles Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 250. 2. Place pretzels on cookie sheet and a yellow melting wafer Read More »
Banana Split Bars
We are totally bananas for these banana split bars. They are such a nice treat in winter….like a bit of a hot summer day on a spoon. This recipe encompasses everything yummy about the original dessert…bananas, pineapple, maraschino cherries and whipped cream…but without the brain freeze! This recipes comes from my Great Aunt Kay…who wrote this in a family recipe book for my wedding shower in 1995. It is a really delicious dessert that takes very little time to make and requires no baking at all. Here is the super easy recipe that requires no baking! Banana Split Bars Ingredients: 2 Read More »
12 Great Ideas for Family Day….
On the third Monday in February {this year February 18th}, some provinces in Canada celebrate a special day called “Family Day”. There is no school for kids and lots of businesses observe the holiday so families can have time together. Having a special day in the middle of winter to celebrate family is awesome-sauce…with a cherry on top! To complete the awesomeness, I have rounded up some fun outdoor and indoor ideas for families to enjoy on Monday, Frebruary 18th…or any time! 1. Besides the ususal skating and tobaggoning, how about some winter hula hopping? {source} 2. Or how about Read More »
Easy Shrimp & Pasta Dinner…
I love easy dinners for my family! And you can never go wrong with these 3 favourites…pasta, shrimp & cheese. This is also the perfect in make- ahead food…you can make this the day before it`s served or in the morning to serve at dinner. You can use any pasta that your family likes. I used bow-tie pasta, but penne or fusilli pasta would work just as well. I also used half regular pasta and half whole wheat pasta to increase the fibre. {My family gets a little whiney when I use all whole wheat pasta.} If your family doesn`t like Read More »
Our Love Story…
Do you know that I met my husband on a blind date on December 31, 1991? True. A mutual friend, unknowingly to us, had invited me & a friend and my husband & a friend to her apartment to hang out early on New Year’s Eve…prior to parties and festivities that would take place later in the evening. Although I had seen my husband before and I thought him handsome, I was slightly mad at my friend for arranging this meeting because I had plans to go to a party later with my girlfriends. I guess the joke was on Read More »
Adorable Cupcake Tags
Are these not the most adorable Valentine’s Tags ever? Imagine my surprise this week when I received an email this week from Amy at Living Locurto telling me that my Cupcake Garnish post had inspired her to create these cutie pie tags? I was completely flattered and thrilled. The tags were designed go with a cupcake treat for Valentine’s Day. If you would like to print your very own free tags, please head on over to Living Locurto where Amy is sharing the printable HERE. And if you would like to pin this on your Pinterest board for future use, please pin directly from Living Locurto Read More »
Valentine’s Day Brunch
Valentine’s Day Brunch was a tradition that my late Aunt Janet liked to host every year for her girlfriends. And although she passed away at the young age of 48 over 10 years ago, I think of her and honour her with a Valentine’s brunch of my own. The menu is simple…waffles with strawberries & whipped cream and bacon with a few little treats. I make it for my own little family each year because it’s nice to have a something special to look forward to in the middle of winter. This year, I used shades of pink & red to make Read More »
How To Make Valentine’s Straw Flags + Free Printable
Have you noticed those cute straw or cupcake flags? Have you wanted to try them but don’t know where to begin? I am going to show you how easy it is and share a FREE printable so you can make some adorable straw flags for Valentine’s Day! Step 1. Print out the free printable sheet of Valentine’s Flags you can find here: {This sheet is enough for 9 flags.} Valentine’s Day Flags for Straws or Cupcakes Step 2. Score the straw flags down the center with a scoring tool {a ruler and blunt side of a butter knife will Read More »
Make A Valentine’s Frame
It’s time to get a little crafty around here! I spent some time creating this Valentine’s frame and I thought it would be a cute project to share. I was inspired when I saw the frames at Michael’s for $1.50. I picked it up and brought it home….not sure what I was going to do with it. However, I wanted a new Valentine’s frame to house the latest photo of the kids together, so I came up with this. Valentine’s Frame Project For this project, you will need: a unpainted frame with a wide border. I found this one at Micheal’s Read More »
Why I Love Canadian Beef & Safeway Canada
Did you know that there are 83,000 beef farming families in Canada? Yes. It’s true. Farming families of all ages & sizes work hard on a daily basis to bring the best quality Canadian beef to our tables. Recently, the folks at Canada Beef Inc. and Safeway Canada contacted me and invited me on a blogger tour to learn more about Canadian Beef. I jumped at the chance because we love our beef in this house, and I am also a Safeway shopper…..landing there a few times every week to pick up fresh produce, fresh flowers, or some kind of meat for Read More »
Cherry Brownies
Cherry Brownies were a favourite at my house growing up. My Mom made them often because my Dad loved them, and still loves them. The recipe was passed down from his kind, sweet Grandmother Inez. She lived to be 94 years old and was married for almost 75 years to my great-grandfather Rupert. They raised 11 children in a dear little house that still stands to this day, although they passed away in the mid-1970’s. When I was growing up, my Mom made Cherry Brownies with a very thin cherry-flavoured icing. I have taken a few liberties with the recipe to update Read More »
Valentine Petit Fours
Valentine Petit Fours. Despite the fancy french name, they are really only tiny little cakes that are dressed up for a party. You are really going to love how easy this is…and it`s a great project to make with children. It is that easy. And in case you have never heard of this dessert before, petit fours are traditionally small confections served for dessert. Petit Four literally means “small oven“ and petit fours can not only be cakes, but pastries, biscuits, cheesecakes and any other confection…but they are always small or “petit“. Valentine Petit Fours Ingredients: Pound cake, cut into 1 Read More »
Tomato & Lentil Soup
Who doesn’t love a hot bowl of soup on a cold day? This Tomato & Lentil Soup hits the spot! I am so lucky because my entire family adores soup, so serving soup for dinner in our house is always a welcome choice. And tomatoes are a favourite soup base too. The kind people at Hunts Tomatoes contacted me and asked if I wanted to try out this recipe and share some of the goodness about their tomatoes with you. Since I buy Hunts Tomatoes & Tomato Paste by the case, I agreed. Did you know that Tomatoes are: packed with healthy goodness. are Read More »
A Pretty Valentine’s Vignette
I am back today to share a little project with you….a pretty Valentine’s vignette. I love vignettes…there are easy to create and add a little seasonal touch to a space without a ton of work. This week, I also created a Valentine’s Mantel and a special Valentine’s drink. My favourite place for vignettes is the dining room table. It’s the spot where we spend the most time and it’s nice to look at when the kitchen is a mess. Here a few pointers on creating your own vignette for the dining table. 1. Start with a base..a place mat, a Read More »
Cupcake Garnish For Drinks
Are these not the cutest garnishes ever? This idea is going to tickle you…right in the cupcake! Mini-cupcakes used as a garnish for a glass of milk make the perfect couple, don’t you think? Mini-cupcakes used to pretty-up a plain mason jar is just total awesome-sauce. And this idea is so easy to create at home if you use those sweet little mini-cupcakes from the grocery store. Or you can make your own….whichever rocks your socks. To use a cupcake as a garnish…here’s what you do~ ~buy or make mini-cupcakes ~peel the paper off the cupcake ~make a small slit in the Read More »
A Valentine’s Mantel
A Valentine’s Mantel went from a vision to a reality this week. This year I wanted a Valentine’s Mantel that was very simple and sweet….mostly white & pink and I wanted to include some of my favourite flowers…pink tulips. I used a white teapot and a teapot shaped vase, so I think you could say this is a tea party inspired mantel. That tattered looking pink heart hanging on the right? It was a gift from my Grandmother…given to me in the late 1970’s. It’s a handmade creation with needle work and ribbon. I don’t think my grandmother made it? Read More »
January Blues Party…
Looking to chase away the January Blues? A January Blues Party is a perfect little event to host to lift spirits in a month of long, cold gray days. I don’t know about you, but January seems so long and many days are too cold to want to venture out anywhere. Getting together with some girlfriends to chat & laugh is the best way I know to put some happiness into an otherwise bleak month. I love my girlfriends! I put together this January Blues Party with white dishes and anything blue I could find, but really any theme would be just as Read More »
How To Make Valentine Treat Bag Toppers & FREE Printable
I made these sweet little treat bags for my daugher and her friends. I know it’s a little early for Valentine’s Day, but they start semester one final exams on Monday, and I thought they could use a chocolate fix for their study sessions. {I love to spoil my girls!} So, I thought I would share my super easy way to make treat bag toppers. I love making my own treat bag toppers for bags of treats or cookies. They make the treat bag looks so adorable and can lend some panache to a party or event. This is such a great thing to Read More »
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