Top Ten Tuesday - Top Pick Me Ups!

I am not a huge fan of winter....especially since moving to Calgary because people...it is COLD!  This morning it was -27°C.  I have a car starter but I feel guilty letting it idle too long so I left for work before it was warm.  I have a 30 minute commute and it never got warm.  My hands and feet were numb by the time I got there.  Ugh.

So what does that have to do with my Top Ten list?  Well, I definitely need the occasional pick me up when winter is in full force or I might go CRAZY (or crazy-er as Dewey would say).  Some of my pick me ups cost money but others are completely free.  Next time you are feeling down try one of these suggestions out & hopefully it will have you feeling better in no time.

1. Go for coffee/tea with a friend - It's amazing how revitalizing reconnecting with a friend can be.  We are all busy but it can take as little as an hour to meet a friend for coffee.  It's amazing how much better and more grounded you'll feel after a good chat. 
2. Go for a walk - Okay, you're not going to do this when it's -27 but any other time it works great.  There's something about a good walk that clears your head and lets you think.  I have figured out some of my toughest conundrums on a good walk.
3. Have a soak in a hot bath - I know, I know, we're all moms who are overworked and under appreciated but taking a bit of time to yourself is worth it.  The hubs can watch the kids for a while.  Lock the bathroom door, though, or you'll have rubber duckies in your bath for sure!
4. Read a chick lit book (or other mindless reading) - While reading to learn can be great, when you need a pick me up reading a book for fun fits the bill.
5. Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while - I have so many friends that I love dearly that I never talk to.  I get busy and so do they and next thing you know it's been a year since we've chatted.  Pick up the phone!  It'll be totally worth it and you will feel great all day.
6. Help someone else - Nothing feels better than helping others.  Some ideas......shovel your neighbors sidewalk, buy the person behind you at Starbucks a coffee, put change in an expired parking meter, etc.  You will make their day and yours too!
7. Go read your favorite bloggers - I love taking time out and catching up on blogs I love.  If I'm down, I like to go to some of the funnier ones.  Laughing along at someone else's story of child angst always makes me feel better.
8. Go get a massage - I have to start doing this one more.  Massages are covered (up to a certain amount) by my health insurance and yet I did not get one single massage last year.  Stupid, huh?  Gotta fix that this year.
9. Hang out with your child/children doing something they love - Let's face it.  Our children are much easier on us when we are letting them do something they want to do.  For me & Evan our go to activity is baking.  He loves it.  The other day in the car he said to me "Mommy, you make the best cookies every time!"
10. Eat some chocolate - Because really....chocolate makes everything better!

What are your favorite pick me ups?

This post is linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Food Blogs I Love

1. Chasing Tomatoes - You've seen me try tons of Karen's recipes here.  She's the full meal deal....healthy food with a good dose of baked goods! Oh and did I mention the great photography? Yep!  You can also catch her on Twitter at @scatteredmom and on her other blog Notes from the Cookie Jar.
2. Pioneer Woman Cooks - I know, I know, Pioneer Woman doesn't need any more publicity. I'm sure you ALL know about her.  But for reals....her recipes rock!
3. A Southern Fairytale - This is one of the food blogs I've just recently found.  I love reading the posts and the wonderful pictures.  She even taught me all about Soup Swap.  I just wish I were going to Blissdom so that I could meet her!  You can find her on twitter at @sthrnfairytale
4. Sweetnicks - Cate has been "eating clean" and has lost quite a bit of herself over the past 6 months.  Think weight loss might put a cramp in her food blogger style?  Nope.  There are still lots of recipes, they're just a bit healthier (and all the old less healthy recipes are still in the archives!).
5. Dinner With Julie - Julie is a food celeb in Calgary but not sure the rest of you have had a chance to meet her.  Her blog is a great find.  Lots of recipes, great pictures and quite often a food related give away.  Plus she gets to rub elbows with lots of food mega-stars (think Anthony Bourdain).  You can also find Julie on Twitter at @dinnerwithjulie
6. Chocolate and Ginger - While not a purely food blog, you should definitely check it out for the beautiful photography and recipes.  Also, definitely check out her posts on her trip to Paris.  It makes me want to go there NOW.  If only!
7. Patent and the Pantry - Another Calgary food blogger.  We have such a great blogger community here! Maybe one day I'll get to meet some of them....gotta get on that.  More great pics and great recipes (I'm running out of new and inventive ways of saying that!).  You can find her on Twitter at @gwendolynmr
8. Smitten Kitchen - I know, another food blogger who is super popular but how would you NOT include Deb in any food blogger list?  Oh and did I mention she has the cutest little boy ever (well other than Evan of course)?  Yep! 

Okay, I know it's not 10 but I got started late on this post.  I'll owe you 2 next time!

Who are your favorite food bloggers?  I'm always looking for more to follow!  Please dish (pun intended)!


Check out other Top Ten Tuesday posts over at Oh Amanda!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - My Favorite iPod/iPhone Apps

I really, really, really want an iPhone.  I mean....really! Unfortunately, I have to carry a Blackberry for work so no iPhone for me.  Instead I make do with a Generation 4 iPod Touch.  It's like a iPhone lite.  Sort of.  Except the camera kind of sucks but I digress.

The coolest thing about iPhones and new iPods are the great apps you can download for them.  Here are my ten favorite apps right now.  I've included their current prices in the Apple App Store as well.

1.  Instagram - Free -  This is my favorite app that I didn't use for the first 3 months after I downloaded it.  I just didn't understand what it did.  Since I figured it out I love it.  Basically it is a photo sharing site where you follow people like on Facebook or Twitter.  You take pictures of various things in your life & it posts to Instagram.  People can follow your pictures & you can follow theirs.  I've been using it to take most of the pictures for my 365 Day Photo Project.  There are also a few filters you can use to make your pictures look cooler.

This pic was taken with Instagram.

2.  Hipstamatic - $1.99 - This is another camera app.  It is similar to Instagram without the sharing.  It uses the camera in your iPod/iPhone but applies filters to it to make it look like your photo was taken with an older camera/film.  It gives a cool look to your pictures.

This picture was taken with Hipstamatic

3.  Diptic - 1.99 - One last photo app...Diptic allows you to take all your iPhone/iPod pictures and turn them into awesome collages that can then be shared.  Diptic makes it easy to make great looking collages with just a few clicks which is essential when you are trying to do this on such a small screen!

A Diptic Collage

4.  Facebook - Free - Not sure if you're as addicted to Facebook as I am but I love the mobile app.  You can do all the "big" functions as the full Facebook like update status, upload a picture & read other people's statuses.  Definitely worth the download for those times that you have a few minutes to kill where there's Wifi!

5.  Twitter - Free - I've tried a few different Twitter iPod/iPhone apps but I keep coming back to the "real" twitter.  I'm not sure it's the best but it gets the job done.

6.  Talking Tom Cat - Free -  A great toddler/preschool diversion app!  You talk to the talking tom cat & he repeats what you said back at you in a funny voice.  To an adult this may sound boring but to a preschooler it is high comedy!  It can keep Evan quiet for 20 minutes!

7.  Train Conducter USA 2 - $0.99 - One of my favorite games.  This is one of those games that tests how fast you can get the right train on the right track without any crashes.  It will make you CRAZY but you can't stop playing.  It will give you an eye twitch in no time flat!

8.  Fruit Ninja - $0.99 - One of the few games that both Evan and I like to play.  It has a harder mode with bombs and such but also a "Zen" mode where you are timed but it's much more....well.....zen.  Your finger swipe is a ninja sword swipe that cuts fruit.  You try to cut more than one piece of fruit per swipe.  More fruit equals more points.  

9.  Cake Doodle - $0.99 - Evan plays Cake Doodle more than ANY other iPod game hands down.  He absolutely loves it.  It starts with a recipe & you drag each ingredient to the bowl.  On some of the ingredients you have to "do" something with it......you chop the butter, crack the egg, etc.  You then mix it, pick a shape for the cake, bake it, decorate it & then eat it.  Evan plays it over and over.

10.  Pictureka - $1.99 - Play through the "Adventure" mode & you go through increasingly difficult levels of picture find games.  You have one big picture that you can scroll through right to left.  You are given a number of things to find.  As you find them, you are given more things to find.  Oh, and did I mention that there's a time?  Yep there is.  The only negative to this app is that it doesn't let you save your progress.  If you run out of time you have to start all over.  I've gotten all the way through & I find myself going back to play it again and again because it's different each time.

What are your favorite apps?  I would love to know!

Important info! One thing to note....in this world of apps, there has been something called "In-App Purchases" to cut down on App piracy.  This means that you can buy extra stuff from within an app.  That's all well in good as long as the person buying it and paying for it KNOWS they are which may not be the case if your 2 year old is playing with your iPod/iPhone.  Here is a tutorial on how to turn this ability OFF.  Do it now......no really.  Evan managed to charge $10 in In-App Purchases to my account before I figured this out.  You're welcome.  :)

This Top Ten Tuesday post is linked up over at Oh Amanda!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - My Favorite Christmas Memories of 2010

I know, I know.....enough with the Christmas and New Year's posts but I haven't even posted my Christmas photos yet!  Not sure how many will get posted at this late date.  Regardless, the season seemed to fly right by so I want to try to hold on to it just a little bit longer!






1.  Kevin -  Our Elf on the Shelf was a HUGE hit with Evan and the rest of the family.  There were times when I wished we didn't have to do it every day (usually when I remembered him at 6am) but overall it was a great experience & we will DEFINITELY be visited by him again next year.

2.  The 25 Days of Christmas - I was first introduced to the 25 Days of Christmas by my friend Shan over at Tales From the Fairy Blogmother.  It seemed like a big commitment and a lot of work but, boy, was it worth it.  We did all kinds of things from cutting paper snowflakes (or snowflicks as Evan calls them) to enjoying hot cocoa and a Christmas movie.  We made sure to keep things easy peasy and low stress.

3.  Spending Christmas at Nana & Papa Don's house - It's one of our favorite Christmas traditions.  Lots of food and fun every year.  I'm very lucky to have such great in-laws.

4.  Having time off with Evan - I know this isn't a specific thing but it was so nice to have so many days at home. Evan has a bit of separation anxiety whenever I leave for work.  It was awesome to avoid that discussion for two whole weeks!

5.  Christmas Morning- All the kids loved their Christmas presents but this was the first year that Evan really "got" it.  We didn't read all the tags for him, though, so he thought Santa brought him all his gifts. 

6.  Making Cinnamon Rolls with Evan for the Neighbors - He loved making them and it got him in the giving spirit.

7.  Participating in Helping a Family Recently Out of a Shelter -  Christmas is about giving.  Our group at work always adopts a family but through a miscommunication we didn't adopt a family this year.  Instead I chose to help a family that fell through the cracks because they were in a shelter until right before Christmas.  We gathered together everything they needed to make their new apartment a home.  I was not a huge part of this effort but I did make sure that they had a Christmas tree, lights & ornaments so that the kids would have a Christmas tree for Santa to put a few presents under.

8.  Helping The Bloggess bring Christmas to families who are having trouble this season.  You can read all about it here.  By the end over $40,000 was given to families in need by her readers.  Amazing! *Note: If you don't know The Bloggess....she is less than PC if you are easily offended you might not like her blog.  Just letting you know.*

9.  Packing Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child - I love being able to help children in other parts of the world enjoy Christmas a bit more.  

10.  Celebrating New Year's Eve with My Husband's Band - I must admit that sometimes I get tired of the band practices and the time away from us but it was really great to see the fruits of all their labor.  They ROCKED the party and had everyone on the dance floor all night.

What were you favorite memories from Christmas?  This post has been linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday.

365 Day Photo Project:

New year, new puzzle.

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - My Favorite Christmas Vacation Activities

I'm on VACATION until January 4th.....YAY ME!  I love vacation time because you get to do all those things that get pushed by the wayside when life gets busy.  Here are some of my favorite vacation activities (in no particular order)!

1.  Reading - We're headed out to my in-laws' (Nana's) house for Christmas.  I am on the internet much less there so I get to catch up on reading.  I am taking The House at Riverton by Kate Morton and House Rules by Jodi Picoult to read while I'm there.

2.  Baking - Not sure how much of this I'll do while we're at Nana's house but I bet we'll bake cookies at some point!

3.  Visiting with Family & Friends - When you unplug & step away from work it is so much easier to engage with family and friends.  This is my favorite part of the holidays!

4.  Crosswords - I love doing crosswords with Papa Don.  I don't ever do them at home because it is so much more fun when you have more than one person working on it.

5.  Puzzles - I've just recently remembered how much I love doing jigsaw puzzles.  I bought 3 new puzzles to take to Nana & Papa Don's house.  Two are folk art paintings and one is a photograph of hot air balloons.

6.  Crocheting - I love to crochet but it has really fallen by the wayside lately.  I bought all the yarn to make a big afghan and I think that has me overwhelmed.  I'm going to take some yarn to make dish cloths while we're away.  That should get me back in the swing of things without making me commit to a big project.

7.  Cooking - I love helping Nana cook because she gets to decide what we make & when we need to start.  I just get to be along for the ride.  Cooking fun without the stress!  I bet we'll be making yummy Turnip Puff for Christmas!

8.  Shopping - I admit it....I love Christmas shopping. Yesterday I had a few things to pick up but I stayed at the mall just wandering around looking at things & people watching.  I so rarely have the time/opportunity to shop these days.

9.  Coffee Dates - When working I don't get to meet friends for coffee very often.  Vacation is the perfect time to make coffee dates to see all those people I haven't caught up with in a while.  So fun!

10.  Photography - I find myself taking fewer and fewer pictures these days.  When I do take pictures they end up being with my iTouch (so not the best quality).  One reason is because my Nikon's D70 lens got broken.  We just bought another one yesterday so I'm excited to take some pictures of the kids & maybe even some nature photography.

Are you taking any time off this Christmas holiday season?  What are you hoping to get to do?

This post is linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Yummy Homemade Christmas Gifts!

I love giving gifts from the kitchen!  Yummy, inexpensive and consumable so no pile of "stuff" left over after Christmas.  I have linked to recipes for all of the ideas below.

1. Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix in a pretty jar tied with a ribbon to attach a spoon.  You can also add marshmallows and label it as "Snowman Poop".
2. A nice tin or tray filled with homemade cookies.  Dollar Stores often carry beautiful tins that are very inexpensive.  They can then be reused by your recipient next year.  Some great cookie choices are chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter crunchies, magic cookie bars or iced sugar cookies.
3. A pan full of fudge.  Ooey, gooey, chocolate goodness.  What more can I say?
4. A loaf of quick bread wrapped in cellophane & a nice bow.  Good ones to try are cranberry banana bread, banana bread or whole wheat beer bread.
5. A bag or a tin of Nuts and Bolts (aka Chex Mix).  This makes a great savoury option for Christmas giving.
6. A jar full of Cookie Mix to be enjoyed after the holidays.
7. A cellophane bag of Peppermint Bark.  Yum!
8. Looking for something different?  How about a basket of breakfast muffins?  Try Blueberry muffins, Morning Glory muffins or Banana Chocolate Chip muffins.
9. How about a tin of Praline Pecans and Cranberries?
10. Looking for an even healthier treat?  A basket full of homemade granola bars will please even the pickiest gift recipient.

What are your favorite gifts to give at Christmas?

This post is linked up at Oh Amanada for Top Ten Tuesday!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Reasons to Pack a Shoebox TODAY!

It's Christmas Time and contrary to Evan's belief....Christmas is all about Giving!  


Operation Christmas Child is a great charity that sends shoeboxes to kids in need around the world.  This year Canada's shoeboxes will be sent to:

Central America & the Caribbean: Costa Rica / Guatemala / Haiti / Nicaragua

A special shipment of shoe boxes is being sent to Haiti this year and all boxes backed online will be included.

South America: Chile / Paraguay / Uruguay / Venezuela

West Africa: Cote d'Ivoire / Equatorial Guinea / Guinea Bissau / Senegal / Sierra Leone

So on with the list.....

1. You can bring a smile to a child's face this Christmas!
2. You can teach your children the joy of giving.
3. You can teach your children how lucky and blessed we all are.
4. You can help a child learn by sending much needed school supplies.
5. It's a great way to support charity with friends/family/coworkers/etc.
6. All the cool kids are doing it.....like Oh Amanda
7. Since 1993, 77 million shoe box gifts have brought a message of hope, joy, and love to children in over 130 countries. 
8. Last season, 640,569 shoe boxes were collected in Canada and distributed to children in more than 15 countries.
9. It can be quite low cost & you get to chose what you send.
10. If you include a personal note, you just might get a letter back from the child who receives your shoebox.

So....now you're ready to do this....right?  

Well if you are in Canada find out more info here.

In the US find out more info here.

Oh, and don't do what I did & print out the "what to pack info" from the wrong country because they are DIFFERENT.  Doh!

Last but definitely not least....do it NOW. They need the shoeboxes this week!  In Canada, you can even pack a box online right from your desk chair!


Please leave me a comment & share your experience with Operation Christmas Child or other organizations that you support.

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Ways I Never feel like I Measure Up

Yesterday, someone on Twitter pointed me toward this amazing blog about body image called In This Skin (at The Southern Fairytale).  It got me thinking about all the ways we measure ourselves....compare ourselves....berate ourselves about our perceived being.  I call it death by a thousand 'ers.....we should be thinner...prettier....nicer....

Here are the Top 10 Ways that we (or at least I) make ourselves crazy with negative self talk.....

1. I need to be thinner. Admit it....you've said this.  I swear we've ALL said it at one time or another.  Funny thing is that later we will look back on those days and say "Wow....I never knew I looked that good!"
2. I need to be nicer.  Maybe....says who?  And what does "nicer" actually mean?  If it means putting yourself last to meet the needs/wants of others....I say "no way!"
3. I need to be more patient.  Okay...this one has a point but rarely does telling yourself that you need to be more patient help.  You have to work on it in the moments where your patience isn't being tried.
4. I need to focus on my child/children more.  Another one with definite merit BUT you can't put this as your number one focus and let your self fall by the wayside.  You need to focus on your own well being/health/etc to be there for your children!
5. I need to be a stay at home mom.  This is a hard one for me. Lots of my friends are stay at home moms & I read lots and lots of blogs from SAHMs.  On one had I wonder/worry if Evan is missing out b/c I work but on the other hand I'm not sure I would be a great stay at home mom.
6. I need to make sure my family eats healthier.  This one is a true statement.  I think the issue I have with it is that I never acknowledge that I already do a lot to make us healthier.  Is there room for improvement?  Sure! 
7. My house isn't as nice/as decorated/as ______ as so&so's house.  I do this all the time right before having people over. One of my main reasons is b/c we have cat scratched furniture in our living room.  Funny though....no one has ever said "We're never coming back to your house b/c of that craptastic furniture of yours!" so why do I worry about this?????
8. My house isn't tidy/clean/spotless enough.  This one only bothers me when I'm already stressed about something else.....then....watch out!  And there are truly soooooo many things that are way more important than how clean your house is!
9. I'm not sure I'm doing what I am "meant" to do.  I think about this one a lot.  I don't think it is negative most of the time because it makes me think about what I really want out of life.  The problem comes when I tell myself this but refuse to make changes to influence change.
10. Did I mention I'm not thin enough?  Just joking......  :)

So is it just me?  What does the little voice inside your head drive you crazy about?  I would really love to know!!!

This post is linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Reasons to Start a Book Club

Tonight I am going to be spending my Tuesday evening with my girlfriends at Book Club.  We get together about every 6 weeks to 2 months and we take turns hosting and choosing the book to be discussed.

Here's the Top Ten reasons you should start a book club:

1. It's a great way to "force" you to read more.  Let's face it....no one has tons of extra time.  Our lives are crazy these days and only those things with deadlines attached actually gets done.  Book Club meetings are a deadline to get those books read!
2. There are GREAT "book club books" out there so it's easy to find a book to suggest.  Just go to your favorite book website and you will find a "book club" section.   Many sites even have suggested discussion questions.
3. It's "scheduled" time out.  We all want to see our girlfriends more often but it gets pushed to the back burner so easily.  If you have a standing book club date in your calendar, it's easier to stick to it.
4. There are appy's and sometimes....WINE.  All I have to say is...."YUM!"
5. It's a great non-threatening way to meet new people.  Want to broaden your social circle? It's easier to invite someone to book club than to invite them over for dinner.  Since there is a whole group of people, you aren't responsible for carrying the whole conversation.
6. You have an excuse to throw a theme party.  Now don't freak out...you don't HAVE to do this. It is cool, though, to have a theme party when you are reading a book.  Example: Have an Italian feast when reading Under the Tuscan Sun.
7. You get to read great books - Over the last few years we have read AWESOME books such as: The Birth House, The Red Tent, etc.  
8. You read books you would never pick.  Love 'em or hate 'em, it's great to get outside your reading "comfort zone".  No easier way to do that than to read books that someone else picked.
9. You get to gossip with your friends.  What? You thought you only talked about books at Book Club?  NOT!
10. Some Tips: Discuss with your friends and see who is interested.  Talk about what kinds of books everyone likes.  It's best to get an idea of interests before embarking on Book Club because if half of you want to read Classics and half want to read romance novels someone will be upset.

So....are you part of a Book Club?  What do you love/hate about it?

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Best Parts of a Girls' Weekend Away

I got to go away on a bit of R&R this weekend.  I met 3 girlfriends of mine in Edmonton for a little shopping therapy.  Here's the top 10 best parts.....

1. Spending time with friends who live far away - Andrea and Diana moved to Fort McMurray last year.  We still stay in touch but we don't see each other nearly as much. It was great to get to hang out and just chat.
2. Spending time with friends without kids or husbands - We do see each other over the summer camping but somehow it just isn't the same when you have to cook dinner and chase after the kids!
3. Dinners out - No cooking!  Oh and dining at restaurants that don't have a kids menu.  Wooo Hooo!
4. Sleeping In - Okay....we messed this one up a bit because our room was plotting against us.  First we were right next to the breakfast room where the door slamming started up at 6am.  Then the last people in the room had left the alarm clock set for 6am.  Two pigeons outside our window and a heater stuck on "molten lava" were thrown in for good measure.  We finally gave up and changed rooms for the last night.  That night might have been the best sleep ever!
5. Shopping at the mall without screaming/whining/running/crying children - Need is say more?
6. Three days without Treehouse or YTV - not one minute of 4Square or Max & Ruby.
7. Shopping in boutique stores - Boutique shopping just does NOT happen with a toddler.  They are always trying to run out the door or chew on a hat that is $300.  
8. Sleeping in a bed all by yourself.  
9. Eating chips and/or a candy bar in the car and not having to share. with. anyone! - I had a Mars Caramel bar on the way to Edmonton and ketchup chips on the way home.  Yum!
10. Coming home & realizing that everyone is happy to see you.  Of course that wears off in about 5 minutes but oh well.

Linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Great & Not So Great Things About Halloween

The days are getting shorter and chillier.  Autumn is definitely upon us.  Now it's time for Halloween!

I've always loved Halloween though I've never been very good at coming up with great costume ideas.  Here are my Top 5 favorite things about the great candy holiday.....

1. Candy! - Yes, I know.....I'm an adult, I'm supposed to eat healthy and candy is bad, bad, bad.  Hey, at least I'm honest.  I could lie to you and say I don't drool over the candy aisle at Halloween but I won't.  I try to save myself as much as I can by refusing to buy Halloween candy until a few days before because I can NOT help myself if it is in the house.
2. Taking Evan Trick or Treating - He still doesn't really "get" it but he likes it just the same.  He heard "candy" and he was all in. I keep reminding him that he has to dress up.  We'll see if he agrees to wear his costume.
3. Costumes - Not on me mind you.....on the kids.  I love seeing Evan and all the other little kids dressed up.  So cute!  This year I wussed out and bought Evan's costume instead of making one.  He's going to be one of the aliens from Toy Story.
4. Jack O Lanterns - I love carving pumpkins.  We haven't done one yet this year but I'm sure we will before it's over.
5. Our yard decorations.  We started decorating our yard for Halloween last year.  This year we bought another blow up decoration.  Evan LOVES them.

Unfortunately there are also some things I really DON'T like about Halloween.....

1. Teenagers who trick or treat and don't dress up.  I'm not a crabby person who says "you're too old to trick or treat" but at least dress up!!!
2. Super scary decorations. - I like a more friendly, less scary Halloween.  I really don't like when people make their houses super scary for trick or treaters because it really scares little kids (like mine).
3. People who judge me because we celebrate Halloween.  I truly believe that you can celebrate Halloween and believe in God.  I don't try to push my beliefs on people so I really, really wish they would lay off mine.
4. The incessant begging for candy. Evan will ask for candy if he can see it.  That's why we put the candy in a reusable shopping bag (non see through...yay!) and put it in the pantry.  It then sits there forgotten until I throw it away the next year b/c it is so hard (one of the joys of living in Calgary dryness).
5. Not knowing how many Trick or Treaters we'll get.  There's no way to know.  I like to have just enough candy so that I don't have tons of leftover candy because I WILL eat it.  

So what do you think about Halloween?  Love it or hate it or a bit of both?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Things I'm Thankful For

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada so I thought it would be a great way to finish the day by focusing on what I'm thankful for this year.

1.  I don't know if you've noticed but I have a very cute 3 year old, Evan, that I am very thankful for.  He changed my life completely 3 years ago and sometimes I want to flick him in the nose but mostly I just love, love, love him!

2.  I also have a very cute rocking star husband, Dewey, who mostly loves me even though I'm more than a bit crazy at times.

3 and 4.  Oh and don't forget my two great stepkids, Will and Nicole!

5.  I'm thankful we got to celebrate Thanksgiving last night with family and friends!

6.  Though I didn't get to see my family....who I'm also thankful for. (Don't let my lack of pictures on my laptop tell you otherwise....I just haven't seen them since I got this laptop.)

7.  I have my health.  I'm trying to keep it by starting to work out more & eat less (don't look at that plate of food in the picture above!!!!)

8.  I have a career that keeps me busy & learning every day.  It also allows us the luxuries like vacations and extras.

9.  I live in a safe and beautiful city that I like mostly....if only it didn't snow so much!

10.  And last but not least, I'm thankful that I am allowed the luxury of having the time to be a blogger.  I love my little corner of the blogosphere & I love my readers.....like you!

What are you thankful for?

Linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday!

Read more...

Top Ten Tuesday - Austin Visit Photos

We lived in Austin for 5 years.  Even though I've been in Calgary for 6 years, I still think of Austin often & I would love to move back.  We spent 4 days in Austin before heading to San Antonio for a conference.  It was great to visit the city we love so much.

All of the pictures below are taken on South Congress which is one of the key "Keep Austin Weird" neighborhoods.

One of my favorite meals...Black beans with avacado, tomato, cheese with lemon sour cream sauce.  Served with a jalapeno corncake.  YUM!

Fran's Hamburger Drive In

Okay...don't be offended but I had to take a picture of this.  This was advertising a church service & I thought it was the most original/funniest thing I've seen in a while!

So I know there are only 8 photos....so sue me!  :)

Linked up at Oh Amanda for Top Ten Tuesday!

Read more...

Top 10 Tuesday - Favorite Activities for Kid-Free Vacations

I *might* be going away soon for a work trip with Dewey that will also include some rest and relaxation.  We will be spending a few nights in Austin before heading to San Antonio.  Since I lived in Austin for 5 years, I am super excited to see all my friends.  Even without that perk there are a few things that I love to do when I get to have a flashback to BK (before kids).

1. Sleeping Late - definitely the number one thing I miss the most. Evan sleeps until 8 or 8:30 on days I have to go to work.....weekends he is up at 6.  
2. Leisurely Meals - Oh the days of taking my time over breakfast....enjoying that extra cup of coffee....all without having to say "Get up off the floor, Evan....NO don't drink any more of the creamers off the table.....etc"
3. Shopping! - I keep trying to go to the mall & take Evan.  Dewey usually isn't with us so I will sometimes stop into a store to do a bit of shopping.  HA! Three year old boys do NOT want to watch their mom shop.  
4. Listen to Live Music - Bar hopping and going out to hear bands is not really something you can do when traveling with a 3 yr old unless you have help.
5. Eat Weird/Spicy/New Food - I am a huge foodie.  I love to try new types of food and new restaurants.  Not really something that is easily done with a little guy.  He likes a wide variety of foods but he needs time & repetition to try new things.  
6. Happy Hour - A big part of our social scene in Austin revolved around Happy Hour on Fridays.  
7. Unplanned Days - Okay this isn't an "activity" really but I love having days where I can go with the flow and it doesn't matter where I am when.  
8. Coffee with Friends - I still do this now AK (after kids) but it's usually during the work day or late in the evening.  Nothing like grabbing a cup of coffee with a girlfriend in the afternoon to catch up on gossip!
9. Reading a Book - I still read books but I am MUCH slower than I used to be because I only read right before bed. I will definitely be uploading a few books to my Sony Reader before we leave!
10. Did I mention sleeping in?

So don't get me wrong....I wouldn't trade my punkin, Evan, for anything.  

What are your favorite activities when you get some time away from the kidlets?

This post has been linked up at Oh Amanda.

Read more...

Top 10 Tuesday - Activities for a "Mommy Weekend"

Evan and I love Mommy weekends.  We love to hit the town and do things that we don't normally get to do.  Here are my top 10 possibilities for such a weekend.

1. Hit the Mall - Evan's favorite food in the whole world is Pad Sew Noodles from the Thai place at the mall.  He lurvs them!  After dinner or lunch we hit the play area at the mall for some preschooler fun times.  
2. Bake - Evan LOVES to help me bake.  We make cookies, granola, granola bars....you name it we make it!
3. Go to the Zoo - Evan loves the Calgary Zoo. It is a great zoo....his favorite part is the dinosaurs.
4. Go to Butterfield Acres - It's like a petting zoo on steroids.  Love it!
5. Have a pajama day! Who doesn't love lounging around the house in their jammies?
6. Visit the Farmer's Market - Great people watching and yummy food for lunch.
7. Go for a walk -  If the weather is nice we love to have a walk around the neighborhood...especially if their are yard sales.  Evan has a few favorite playgrounds he loves to visit so we can kill a few hours that way.
8. Events - Depending on the weekend their are fall fairs, home shows, Christmas fairs, etc. Lots of them have kid content such as petting zoos, etc.
9. Crafts - A visit to Michaels leaves us with all kinds of craft ideas for whatever holiday is on the horizon.
10. Sleep In - HA!  Yeah right....he sleeps until 8:30 on days I have to work but I'm lucky to get to sleep until 7 on weekends.

What are your favorite Mommy activities?

Linked up for Top 10 Tuesday at Oh Amanda!

Read more...

Top 10 Tuesday - Reasons I'm Kinda Glad Fall is Coming

Okay, okay....I admit that I *might* complain that Calgary's summer has sucked this year and whine because it's almost over....

BUT

I must admit that Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love it!  Here are my top 10 reasons why:

1.  New TV shows - I watch too much TV.  I admit it.  By this time every summer, the PVR is empty and I am not so patiently waiting for the new Fall lineup to start.  Grey's Anatomy....I miss you!

2.  College Football - You can take the girl out of Alabama but you can't take the Alabama out of the girl. ROLL TIDE!

3.  I look great in a sweater.  - Face it....fall/winter clothes hide a multitude of sins.

4.  Thanksgiving - I love food & I love holidays.  Holidays that focus on food....even better.  Oh, and did I mention that some years I get to celebrate twice?  Yep....once in Canada & once in the US.

5.  Cooking soups & stews - These are some of my favorite meals!

6.  Fall Fairs & Corn Mazes - Evan and I love visiting these!

7.  Going to Austin - We've decided to head to our old hometown this fall.  I'm VERY excited!

8.  Evan is starting preschool - My little guy is growing up.

9.  Halloween! - I love decorating for Halloween.  Not sure what Evan is going to be this year.....better get on that!

10.  Next thing you know....it'll be Christmas - Ok....that's starting to freak even me out!

So is it still full on summer where you live?  Here in Calgary....not so much!

This post is linked up over at Oh Amanda for Top 10 Tuesday!  Head over there to see lots more great Top 10 Tuesday posts!

Read more...

Top 10 Tuesday - 10 "Must Have" Pantry Items to Bake from Scratch

Over at AnnOnandOn, she asked "When was the last time you baked without using a box?"  I commented that I tend to bake from scratch more often than not these days.  It's all about having a well stocked pantry! Here are 10 of my favorite ingredients to keep on hand so that I can bake at a moments notice!

1. Unbleached White Flour - I know that we should all decrease our consumption white flour but it is really needed for baking.  All whole wheat flour really changes the final product you get from baking.
2. Whole Wheat Flour - Even though it can change things, I really like to add as much whole wheat flour to recipes as I can.  If you are trying to change a recipe, start with substituting half of the flour called for with whole wheat flour.
3. Baking soda & baking powder - almost all recipes call for one or the other.
4. Chocolate Chips - What recipe is not improved by adding chocolate chips?  I buy Chipits by the gigantic bag at Costco and keep them in a big resealable canister in my pantry.
5. Sea Salt - I use the kind in a canister which has a small grain.  It is much less processed than regular table salt.
6. Craisins - LOVE THEM and add them to just about anything!
7. Butter - Okay this doesn't really go in the pantry but it is essential for baking.  It makes things so much better.  Don't bake with margarine....really....just don't.
8. Pecans - Hey I'm Southern....is there any other kind of nut?  Nope!
9. Coconut - both sweetened & unsweetened.
10. Agave Nectar - a less processed sugar substitute.  I haven't had great success baking with it instead of sugar but you can use it any time honey, corn syrup or other liquid sugars are called for.  One perk in Calgary is that agave nectar doesn't crystallize and harden like honey.
11. I almost forgot....Oatmeal - Definitely a must have for making cookies & granola!

Head over to Oh Amanda to check out some other Top 10 Tuesday posts!

So what are your top pantry "must haves"....what am I missing????

Read more...

Top 10 Tuesday - Top 10 Cool Back to School Products

Evan is only 3 so I have a few more years before I have to buy back to school products but that doesn't keep me from looking at all the cool new stuff!  Click on the link to be taken to the site where I found it.

1.  Kids Neoprene Lunch Bag - So cute & so functional!

2.  Packit Lunch Cooler - I want one of these!  You fold it up & keep it in the freezer.  It keeps your food cool for up to 10 hours.  

3.  Laptop Lunch System - I've had a Laptop Lunch box for a few years now.  They work really well and the small containers make you want to pack lots of small servings of various foods.  That way you never get bored with taking your lunch.  Great for kids & adults.  Even if you aren't looking for a new lunch box, sign up for their newsletter. It comes with lots of great lunch ideas.

4.  Ecojot Notebooks - These journals are so cute & ecofriendly.  It's so much more fun to write down assignments in a cute notebook!

5.  Ecogear Backpack - It's functional, it's cute & it's green!  It's made of natural cotton canvas with non-toxic dyes and recycled plastic components.  Oh....and did I mention that they're really cute?  Pick from a puppy, a pig or a panda.

6.  Pencil Case made from Recycled Juice bags - Definitely falls into the "reuse" portion of reduce, reuse, recycle.  Too cute!  If you're crafty you could probably make one of these from some type of food/juice bag.

7.  Sending your teen to school with an iPad?  Then you might be interested in this iPad case on Etsy!  I love Etsy!

8.  Tired of throwing away plastic bags?  Check out these reusable sandwich and snack bags!

9.  Canvas shoulder bag for your stylish student (or maybe for me....love it!)

10. And last but not least...something fun for all those girly geeks out there like me!  Rock on science nerds, rock on!

Now I MUST get off Etsy before I go crazy and order a million dollars worth of stuff.  Hope you enjoyed my list.  I would LOVE to hear from you so PLEASE COMMENT!

This post is linked up over at Oh Amanda!

Read more...

Top 10 Tuesday - Things I Want to Accomplish in 2010

I don't know about you but this year is F-L-Y-I-N-G by for me!  There are a few things that I would love to get done before the end of the year.  Maybe if I write them on here I'll actually make time to do them.

1. Learn to use at least one of the manual settings on my Nikon D70.  It takes awesome pictures on Auto but just imagine what I could do if I learned how to use it properly!
2. Buy furniture for the basement.  We've been away so much that we haven't really had time to shop.  Combine that with the fact that I don't have one ounce of decorating ability & you can see why we still have no furniture.
3. Teach Evan his alphabet.  Thankfully he starts preschool in the fall so this might actually get done.
4. Meet Andrea & Diana in Edmonton for shopping.  I don't get to see my besties much any more since they moved to Ft. Mac.  We need a weekend away with lots of wine, shopping and friends.
5. Visit Austin.  I haven't been back to my favorite city in the US since Evan was 2 months old.  It's been entirely too long!
6. Figure out our time share.  We bought a time share & I'm super excited to start using it but I have to figure out what the heck I'm doing first.  It's probably really easy but it does require me to read the instructions.
7. Buy new curtains for the first floor.  They were here when we moved in....we've lived here for 3 years.  Need I say more?
8. Either bring my family here or go to Alabama.  I need to see my fam!
9. Get to a point where I can run 5k without stopping.  This is something I'm toying with.  Not sure if I'm up for it yet, though.  I've been there before, I just have to get back in shape.
10. Lose 10 pounds or heck even 5.  I am not fat (that's what I keep telling myself anyway) but I would like to slim down a bit.  I'm sure #9 would help with that too.

So that's my Top 10 list for this week.  Head over to Oh Amanda to check out more.  If you want to play along just come up with your own Top 10 list & then head over to Oh Amanda to link up.

Read more...

Top 10 Tuesday - Top 10 Crazy Things Evan has said Lately

Evan is a big talker these days.  He has bypassed the "lots of words" stage and entered the "lots of words strung together to say things that crack Mom up" stage.  I love it!  He totally cracks us up most of the time.

1. "I dunno" - Okay this isn't too wild or crazy but it sure is cute.  He never said this before last week and now he says it all the time.
2. When we were at the mall the other day, Dewey took him on the glass elevator & Evan said "Daddy, does this take us to the next level?" (like in a video game)
3. When we were at the park with Nicole Evan excitedly said "Hey! I've got a really great idea! Let's play a game!"
4. When we were camping there were always seagulls hanging out in the grass near the beach.  Every time Evan would see them he would say "The pelicans are having a party! Can we go scare them away from their party?"
5. Evan got to go fishing while we were camping.  He told me all about it...."We caught two Jack Jack fish and one of them had blood" (They caught two jackfish & one bled a little where it bit the hook. Both were released back into the lake)
6. When going to bed I told Evan that he could have 1 book read twice or two books read once.  He said "Mom, one is one but two is three!" Who knows what he means but we read two books once & he was happy.
7. Driving home after camping Evan said "Turn the car around and go that way Daddy.  Go back to camping. I don't want to go home!"
8. "Mom! I want a snack!" I then offer him a piece of fruit, something healthy...."But Mom, I'm not hungry for that!"
9. When we ask if he needs to go to the bathroom he says "But there's no pee coming out!"
10. We were talking about my dad coming to visit soon.  Evan said "Does he live in the airplane like Grammy?"

This post is linked up over at Oh Amanda.  Head on over there to read more Top 10 Tuesday posts!

Read more...