I gained 5 lbs in one sitting...

While still here in Toronto, my sister took me to a new restaurant called SCHOOL www.sbcto.com for lunch. She was telling me about something my dad had ordered while he was here a while ago, and my mouth salivated as I read it on the menu....Super Cheesy French Toast with Bacon and Wild Greens, I must tell you, this was sinful! (Picture to follow).

It arrived in front of me, smothered in cheddar cheese and crispy strips of bacon on top. I drizzled it with maple syrup and dug in. WOW....you remember my love of sweet and salty, well, this hit the spot!! I normally do not order French Toast, I am an eggs benny, eggs poached medium girl with lots of hollandaise sauce ( I always say hollandaise will be the death of me). But this time, the waitress assured me it was a must try. I had never heard of anything like it!

The mix of buttery salty french toast with gooey cheese and crispy bacon was heaven, all scooped up with maple syrup! She added a few potatoes on the plate at well...I couldn't go for lunch/brunch with no hashbrowns!!!

I felt like I had gained 5 pounds in one sitting, but I would most definitely order it again!! And would recommend it to anyone!!! Probably my favorite thing about Toronto is the food...

Here are some other places I have eaten at during my visit...

Arabesque on College-Most amazingly yummy and cheap falafel!!

Fresh-Yummy rice bowl, with parsley, honey, tahini and tamari (much needed after the french toast)

Island Foods-UNBELIEVABLE stuffed Roti, with potatoes and chicken

I come back in January when my little niece or nephew arrives, and I hope to eat at all these places again!

K

DATE NIGHT...

So, I got in trouble from a friend about a recent post. He said I tore my husband a new a-hole. I didn't think so, I thought it was funny...I made a comment about my husband not being able to get it together to take me on a date, well, not to long ago, it happened, and this friend thought it should make the blog..so here we are!

The night started with our whole family going out for dinner. Yes, me, my husband, my almost 3 year old son, and my 7.5 month old daughter... we had a nice dinner, at Cactus Club at 5pm. The regulars hadn't clicked in with there heels and LV yet. It was a nice family time. It was a nice dinner. Noah ate all his supper, Anabelle ate all her supper and of course, Mommy ate all her supper plus some of Fredo's supper, and a bite of Noah's supper...

We made good time, as the movie we were going to started at 7:05pm. The waitress was very prompt, as one should be when you have kids, and we were paid and out of there by 6:15pm. All I had to do now was go home, nurse Anabelle, no wait, I did that at the restaurant to save time...put Anabelle is jammies, and put her to bed, leave Noah with Nonna, and zoom out to the movie.

It was nice to be in the car just Fredo and I, like old times, before little kiddies. What did we do before we had kids by the way? We made it to the movie in time, got a coffee, and went into the theatre.

He joked that we would sit in the back and make out...well, we didn't make out, but we did hold hands, something everyone should do more often. It feels so good, to have your fingers intertwined with someone you love, madly.

The movie we watched was sad, "Life as we know it" I cried, of course, maybe Fredo did too, I didn't look. If you have seen it, you know why, no need to explain. I will tell you I was glad when Anabelle woke up when we got home, as I needed to give her a huge snuggle after watching that movie, and Noah, well he was awake, as usual, so he ran to me when we walked in the door, and that hug was magic. We were home, to our kids, my favorite place.

We had a nice night, we talked on the way home, that was really nice. I hope to do it again, sometime soon. So many of my friends post their status on Facebook as "Date night tonight" I think every couple should designate a night to be with their partner, whether you have kids or not, a night out for a walk, a movie, a dinner, a coffee... I think we all get too wrapped up in the hustle of life sometimes, and forget that it is so important for us to give those we love undivided attention (at least once a week!). We all want a little TLC......

Until the next date night :-)

K

West Elm

Today we are going to West Elm www.westelm.com It is here where I found Noah's bedding on our trip last year! I am so excited to search through all their holiday goodies and ornaments! I know I will be doing some Christmas shopping for sure! This store is so nice looking , and the displays are lovely too! I am a fan of theirs on Facebook, so I get all the updates on new arrivals!

I hope to also visit Anthropologie, to which my girlfriend said Vancouver is getting in the Fall of 2011! Maybe if I hunt in the sale section, I can find a button to buy!?

Also on the list are The Shops at Don Mills www.shopsatdonmills.ca my sister has told me they have added so many new shops since our last visit! Thank goodness its Christmas, an excuse to go shopping! Wouldn't you like to know all the goodies I will find!

Happy shopping, to me!

K

Replaced

I was excited to come back to Toronto to have a latte at my favorite place, The Common. While on the way back from the airport, my sisters boyfriend told me about a new place, just like The Common, but closer (just as cool) to where their place is. While out venturing today with my sister along College Street, we stopped in for a coffee at this new place,Slow Room. It was yummy! Just as yummy as The Common, and closer! Easily a quick stop in the morning!

As we were walking I was telling her about how good it felt to just hold a cup of coffee...am I addicted to coffee? Hmm..I couldn't give it up while I was pregnant, and if I don't have one in the morning, one in the late afternoon, and one after dinner, I wake up with a raging headache!? They always say to drink lots of water, I would take a coffee over a water any time! Tsk Tsk..

Must I say I will be returning tomorrow for a coffee at Slow Room, yes, and I will tell my husband that The Common has been replaced, yes..for this trip anyway :-)

I guess this place is so new that I couldn't find any link to them anywhere on the web......

K

PS......my sister and I accidentally stole a bath sling from Babies r Us.....OOPS! Damn strollers!! We have never laughed so hard!

Goosebumps...

I LOVE seeing my kids on film, it is magical! Today, Devon posted the pics from our family session a few weeks ago..I have been dying to see them, and have waited patiently! Tonight (well, tonight Toronto time) afternoon your time, they were posted on her blog!

I hope you all take the chance to get professional photographs of your family, they are truly amazing keepsakes!

I know this post is much like a few days ago...sorry, I was just so excited!!

K

www.devonhall.photoarts.blogpsot.com

We made it!!

Well, I am here, typing on my sisters computer in Toronto! Anabelle survived the flight (with ants in her pants) and mommy survived in need of a shower and a HUGE coffee. The airports were one thousand degrees!! Thanks to the gals on Air Canada for taking Anabelle so I could pee and freshen up! Usually I only get that kind of treatment on WestJet!!

This is my first time away from Noah, I miss him and his little voice. This will be a sweet reunion when I come home!

Until then, I am going to relax (yeah right!) and enjoy some time with my sister and her belly before this bun comes out of the oven!

xo

K

capturing those memorbale moments...

Since my first pregnancy I have had the pleasure of meeting two fabulous photographers to capture the most memorable moments of my life...the first was Sherri Koop. Sherri was there to capture my pregnancy with Noah, and his first pictures at just a few weeks old...then again when he was just over a year...then again, just recently, at almost three years old...

Photo by Sherri Koop

Photo by Sherri Koop

Photo by Sherri Koop

When I was pregnant the second time, with Anabelle, we met Devon Hall. She photographed this pregnancy, Anabelle at just a week old, and now just recently at almost 8 months old..

Photo by Devon Hall

Photo by Devon Hall

Photo by Devon Hall

I had an instant connection with both of these women, and am so grateful they entered my life to photograph these moments I will cherish for a lifetime. Sherri recently got to meet Anabelle, and got to photograph her for the first time..

Photo by Sherri Koop

I am always so thrilled with the results, and LOVE the life behind their photographs. Both having their own unique style, and both being able to capture heart melting moments...

www.sherrikoop.com

www.devonhallphotoarts.com

I thought I looked good, until I went Downtown....

Wow, I thought I looked really good the other day, until I went downtown.......for Christmas, I am asking for a stylist, or unlimited funds, if I get the funds under the tree, I guess I could hire a stylist?!

Whenever I go shopping, I realize just how boring my wardrobe is, and always wish I was dressed like her, or even her! Or what about HER! **sigh** Why does that scarf look so good on her, and where did she get those boots...

Dear Santa, can you please make me look like this for Christmas? Pretty please!

Yours truly, Kristen

xo

CORYZALIA by Boiron

I was a little upset when I discovered I had run out of my Coryzalia. Coryzalia is a homeopathic cold reliever for children ages 1 month to 6 years. I always have it on hand, and at the sight of a running nose I am on it! Why have I run out at the most crucial time! I will be heading out today to stock up! They sell the entire line at London Drugs, and a select few at Walmart.

My favorites are;

Boiron Coryzalia for Nasal Congestion, Running Nose and Sneezing

(ages 1 month- 6 years)

Boiron Camilia for Teething Symptoms (ages 1 month-30 months)

Boiron Oscillo Children for Flu Symptoms (ages 0 - 11 years)

The Oscillo (oscillococcinum) is what got me through the whole H1N1 "pandemic" seeing as none of us got the vaccine, I asked my naturopath how to stay protected, and this was what she recommended. I bought the children's one, as well as the adult one, and took it religiously through the flu season! I always had the Coryzalia and Camilia for Noah, I recommend you get yours.

They come in little sterile, drinkable doses. Easy to give your babies and toddlers. Neutral tasting and sugar free! They also have one called Cocyntal for baby colic and gassy tummies, I have not used this one, but worth a shot!

Check them all out online www.boiron.ca

S N O W

Snow, just the word makes me all nostalgic.....why does the falling of snowflakes make everything seem okay. The bills that are piling up on the counter, the huge grocery list that is stuck to your fridge, the dust on the floor boards, the nagging of your maternity leave coming to an end....all of these everyday concerns become obsolete when you sit and watch this white magical stuff floating down from the sky...one of the best feelings in the world.

K

One Line A Day...

The other night, when I was out for dinner with my husband and kids, my son said to me, "Mommy, when your away for a while I will miss you, but I will make you a card and send it to you!" I turned to my husband and we both smiled. This warmed my heart, and I never want to forget these things he says to me...so this weekend, I am heading out to buy a book. "Moms One Line A Day" A five year memory book....

"M" is for Midwife and Mother

For my second pregnancy, I decided to seek the care of a midwife. I had heard through the grapevine of a place called Pomegranate Community Midwives www.pomegranate-midwives.com right here in my neighbourhood. I felt very comfortable about this decision, was it because this was the second time around? I had a GP when I was pregnant with Noah, my experience was fine, and the Dr. that delivered him was fabulous, even though it was the first time I had met this MAN! Who I might add, sang "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash, as I pushed a baby out my yoohoo! I had always wondered about the care of a midwife. This time, I was certain I was going to try it.

From my very first appointment, I knew this was right for me. These women made me feel so comfortable, and made it very clear, that the decisions to follow, regarding my pregnancy and birth would be up to me, with some guidance from them. This was a very comforting feeling to me. I looked forward to attending all of my appointments, and I enjoyed relaxing on the maroon velvet chaise, while they checked my blood pressure, and listened to the galloping of my baby's heartbeat (they always let Noah press the button on the doppler, this was his favorite part!).

I enjoyed everyone on my team, but became particularly fond of Beth. This is who I was hoping would attend my delivery come March. So when shit started to go down (literally) in the wee hours of the 28th, she was there, waiting for me at BBY General at 5am. She was there, along with Alix, her student to "guide" me in delivering my baby. I say "guide" because that is what they did, my body did everything, they were there to tell me to keep going, and that I was doing a great job. As was my mom, my poor mom, it was her that kept me focused on my goal of taking no drugs (and to lend a hand to squeeze, and thighs to rest), that was a long night. Poor Fredo had seen nothing like this, it was VERY different from my delivery with Noah. They made me confident that my body could do this, naturally, and it did. At 12:10, that afternoon, Miss Anabelle Lauren was born, into my hands, MY very own hands!! The power, of reaching down and feeling the sex of your newborn baby is purely undescribable.

The moments after her birth were calm, relaxed and joyful. Things were slow, and quiet. What needed to get done, was done. I cannot tell you how amazing I felt after this delivery, so good in fact that I was home by 4:30pm that same day!

For the next few weeks, a midwife from my team would visit me at home. They would make sure I was okay, and that Anabelle was okay. They would weigh her, and make sure she was doing all the things a new baby should be doing. I received this loving care for six weeks (after two weeks of home visits, I went to the midwifery clinic), I was very sad when it all came to an end.

Although the choice of choosing a GP over a Midwife is a very personal one (MSP will cover the choice of either one). I do recommend the loving care of a Midwife, and only hope that you have an experience as joyful as mine!

K

Me and Anabelle, with our Midwife Beth Duncan

So I did it myself.....

There was this wall, that stood in my dining room, bare, for a long time. I knew I wanted something to hang there, just wasn't sure what. I thought of a mirror, but I had one in my living room above my fireplace, just around the corner from this wall. I thought about an oversized photograph of my dads, I have so many frames. I thought of a piece of art, but what art could I really afford? I hummed and hawed (is that how you spell it?) and decided, art it was, and I was going to do it myself.

I got the idea from a girlfriend of mine, after seeing two that she did herself hanging in her apartment. She volunteered to help me out, but I decided Noah and I would be fine. I grabbed my 40% off coupon from Michaels, and headed out to buy the largest canvas that would fit in the space. While I was there, I picked up some silver spray paint, and a few acrylic paints I thought would look nice. A pearly creamy one, a light grey one and a darker grey one.....

Earlier, my friend had given me rough instructions on what to do, so I grabbed all the "tools" and Noah and I got to work. Plaster trowel in hand, I began smearing. I covered the canvas in plaster, following consecutive lines, back and forth. Noah would squirt some paint, and I would blend it through, still in consecutive lines. More paint, some spray paint, more paint....Once I decided it was how I wanted it to look, I let it dry overnight (thats a lie, I couldn't wait over night!) a few hours maybe?? I am not very patient.

Turns out, I loved the final product! Even better, it was homemade!! Cost me, maybe $50. It's an honor that it hangs in my dining room, made with love by myself and my 2 (almost 3) year old son!

So if there is ever something you want, and can't quite find the right thing out there in the retail world, attempt making it yourself, you could surprise yourself!

K

If you like mushrooms....

I went to our local produce market the other day and got some things to make more food for Anabelle. While I was there, I spotted the packages of Oyster Mushrooms. I LOVE Oyster Mushrooms! I never knew about these beauties until I met Alfredo, his family made them often. They were so yummy, I had to start making them myself! I grabbed two packs, this would be my dinner one night. Well, that night was last night! Noah loves pasta, so I tossed them with some spaghettini.

If you like mushrooms, this is what to do;

Buy two packs of oyster mushrooms (they are usually $2.50 a pack, at the chinese produce stores, or T&T Market)

Break apart the mushrooms (you will know what I mean when you see them), and put them in a low casserole dish.

Drizzle them with olive oil (1/4 cup), and crush three cloves of garlic on top, spreading evenly over the mushrooms.

Dot with butter, shake some salt and pepper to taste.

In a heated oven, of about 375, bake them until they are soft, and colored, usually around 20 minutes. Stirring them throughout to coat the mushrooms with the garlic and butter.

Meanwhile, cook your pasta, spaghettini is the best (angel hair). I used one small pack.

When pasta is done, toss the mushrooms, with all the buttery goodness to coat your pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese (Alfredo loves to sprinkle hot chili flakes on his).

And yes, I did have a glass of wine this time as well :-)

K

ps....do you think dinners like these are what contribute to the cellulite on my ass?

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Every year, on the first weekend of December, our family heads out to Fort Langley to cut down our beloved Christmas tree. We have been going to Dogwood Tree Farm www.dogwoodchristmastreefarm.com for many many years, and every year the group gets larger and larger! My husbands family started to join us, along with numerous friends, and their families!

I am hoping this year there will be a dusting of snow on all the tree tops! The snow makes it extra magical, and when the Christmas carols are playing, and the hot chocolate is warming your hands after the exhausting search for the perfect tree, it just adds a little extra something special to start off the holiday season.

After we all have our trees roped to the tops of our cars, we head into downtown Fort Langley to have some lunch! It used to be Wendels Cafe & Book Store www.wendelsonline.com, but that is just too small now! So for the last two years we have visited Beatniks www.beatniksbistro.com very yummy!

My favorite place to visit after lunch is The Little White House www.littlewhitehousefort.com This store is magical. Set up in an old white house, each room is decorated so lovely! Even the little tea parlor, Salon Cafe is lovely! Check out their website! It is here, at The Little White House that I found my dress one year I wore to our Christmas party the weekend after!

We spend the evening setting up our tree, and listening to carols. It makes for a lovely family tradition, are you in?

Yay for Christmas, its the most wonderful time of the year!!

K

Perogie Flop

So you know how they say moms make the hardest things look so easy? Well, that is true....I would always make perogies with my mom when I lived at home, and they would always turn out so scrumptious! Although very time consuming, she would tackle this task with ease. There was one little thing I never did though, ROLL THE DOUGH! Ugh, I could not get my dough like my mom could, not thin enough anyway...and I was so excited to use this empanada maker by Tupperware to seal the perogies, it was a total flop.....for perogies anyway! They were way too big....the dough was too thick, and I was not a fan of the filling...tasted nothing like my moms.....some things you just leave to the professionals!

Poor Noah had cheerios for dinner (with milk and chocolate powder).

Sorry, no recipe!

K

Festive Nest

As I sit here posting this, I still wish I was in that barn, shopping at the most loveliest of Christmas Craft fairs I have ever been to. Festive Nest was so magical and beautiful. Everything from the quartet playing Christmas carols, to the serving of apple cider made my heart happy. I am so grateful that I stumbled across this sale while poking around on stylist Heather Cameron's blog a while back!

Little white Christmas tree adorned with crows and glitter!

It's one of those things that I can't really put into words. Everything was so pretty. I could have looked for days! It is on again tomorrow, and part of me wants to go back to see if there is anything that I missed! I had to ask the girl if they would be putting anything new out, she said no, but I will be spending the next day wondering.....

Wreath made from music note pages!

Visiting this barn today, was well worth the 45 minute drive! I am crossing my fingers that it will be around next year, as I would love to make this a tradition for myself to visit this pretty place again and again.....

A few things I fell in love with...

Blue, 44, HUT HUT HUT...

This morning I overheard my husband on the phone talking to one of his many lovers (Fantasy Football lovers). It was music to my ears when I heard...."three more weeks left...". This part of his conversation stuck out like a sore thumb. I asked him when he was off the phone, "Only three weeks left?" he replied...."Yes, then playoffs start" FUDGE! Playoffs, how could I forget about those! SO, around Christmas I may have my husband back..well, our Sundays together anyway..

I continue to ask myself, every year, how its possible for him to arrange an event for around 20 guys, get t-shirts...excuse me, sweatshirts, made for every "member" and have them neatly folded on the dining room table with a corresponding folder of events that will take place that evening, but yet, for us two to go for dinner one night, seems like an impossible task!

I am embarrassed to say they do a great job of organizing this pool, for which they call "NBFFL" (North Burnaby Fantasy Football League), but shouldn't they be focusing on things that grown men do, like cutting the grass maybe?? HA! (inside joke)

The photo above was taken last year, you can see they are deep in concentration, possibly not yet thinking of their league apparel. So this year, each member, well, pretty much each member, walked through my door with their NBFFL t-shirt (and clip board, and laptop) and walked out, with their NBFFL sweatshirt on. Great thinking, especially for the cold winter ahead! (did you notice the beautiful poster that adorned my wall for the evening?) It was quite an issue this year, seeing as the wall where they hung this poster last year, was now taken by family photos, SHUCKS!

I will admit that when football season is over, I will miss getting my coffee and breakfast delivered to me every Sunday morning while still in my pajamas, and usually in bed watching Coronation Street, but I will not miss the all day extravaganza of whistles and bets, and phone calls and pouting when their teams don't win therefor resulting in the loss of a parle (whatever that means!)

I know there are lots of ladies who can hear me loud and clear, so have a chuckle with me, or, tell me how you really feel, because some days, I am ready to grab the phone from my husbands ear, and throw it out the bloody window!

K

Lovely Lady Lumps...bumps..and stretch marks..

I hate it when people say I look "healthy", fine when you are pregnant, but not okay when you are 7 months past your second child being born! Part is my fault, I admit, I hate the gym, I would rather be home cooking and eating...I do have days when I look at myself and wonder what the hell has happened, and why don't my size 24's fit anymore!? Cleavage wrinkles, REALLY!? But when I take a step back, and look at my kids, I realize my body has carried and delivered two healthy children and it makes me feel okay (until the next time I have to get dressed). It really is okay that I do not fit into my wedding dress (not even a knee) and it is okay that those size 24's don't fit (or the 27's), if it means I am happy, and have a happy family! Yes, my tummy jiggles and my boobs have quadrupled in size, and I wish I looked like some of those girls that post their bikini pictures on Facebook, but the reality, is, that will never be me! I like eggnog lattes, whipping cream, pasta, french fries....I know the things I shouldn't eat, and I know I could eat a whole lot less, but what fun is that!

All us of mommies have to start being a little nicer to ourselves, embrace ourselves, our lovely lady lumps, bumps and stretch marks (yes stretch marks, I have tons of them)! Admire ourselves, for we have grown human beings, and that takes a lot of work! AND, after theses babies have been born, allow yourself to just be a mom, embrace your child, the gym can wait! It has been waiting for me for almost 3 years, and will probably continue to wait a few more!

xo

ps, just buy some Spanks for the holiday season...

Hot Chocolate Mustache..

Yesterday I took Noah to the library...after that, I thought we would head to grab a hot chocolate before going home. We ordered, we sat down, I grabbed him a straw, we talked about preschool...I looked up from a sip of my cup, and there was my little boy, with a mustache, a hot chocolate mustache. Tears welled in my eyes, thinking about the years to come....I had a hard enough time with him starting preschool...which I might add he doesn't even cry when we leave anymore! I am not sure what I liked better, him not wanting us to leave or watching him walk away to the letter carpet all by himself with no help from me? He looked up at me with those green sparkly eyes, and gave me a smile, this little boy of mine is growing up, way too fast for my liking...."mommy, do you like your hot chocolate" he asked me, "does it make you happy?".....crap, just as I wrote that line "Harvest Moon" by Neil Young started to play, that song in itself makes me bawl....."Yes, it makes me happy" I replied, and smiled, he smiled back.

Mommy: "Noah, whats the best part of growing up?"

Noah: "Lets watch Treehouse and talk about it!"

Thank goodness that mustache was just a chocolate one, for now at least :-)

Enjoy everyday with your kiddies, the years are gone with a blink of your eye....

K

Cashew Chicken

I got this recipe from a good friend of mine, it is sooooo yummy, and so easy! I am prepping it now, and going to be eating it for dinner. I was at Save On Foods today, so I decided to get some grain fed chicken....

You will need...

2 chicken breasts
1 tbsp oil
2 cloves of garlic
around 1/4 cup of oyster sauce
1 chopped red pepper
1/2 cup of cashews
green onions (3 or 4) corsely chopped

Heat your oil and garlic in a pan until your garlic is fragrant. Add you chicken, cook until no more pink. Add you oyster sauce, stir and cook for another 3 or 5 minutes. Add your chopped red pepper, cook until soft. Add your cashews, cook until slightly soft, maybe 2 or 3 mintues?? Corsely chop your green onions, toss in just before serving....plop ontop of rice, and there you have it. The crunch of the cashews is so "lovely".

Enjoy

Chubby Pasta

I told my husband the other day that I was going to get really fat, all we have been eating is pasta! We have been so busy, that I have not had the time to do my usual dinner schedule, and with him working most nights and Noah always requesting "letter pasta" I haven't even bothered to get many groceries.......

The time is 4:55pm, Noah is still napping (some would tell me to wake him up, no thanks, I am enjoying this break!) Alfredo is at work. I thought I would get groceries when Noah woke up, but that doesn't look promising. I had planned to make cashew chicken, looks like its going to be.....PASTA! What do I have in the fridge besides butter and parmesan cheese (my favorite really). This is what I came up with.....

Spaghetti with sundried tomatoes! This is what I will do;

Make my spaghetti, and then toss it with some sundried tomatoes (the ones in oil). Costco sells the big jar, maybe like 1/2 cup or so?? I also think I have some parsley left over, so I will chop some up and throw it in. Voila! Oh yeah, I will also toast a bun with some garlic butter! And a glass of wine.

K

ps, recipe for Cashew Chicken will be posted soon!

Planning...

This morning I was writing out my calendar for December....holy shit, there aren't many days for celebrations! Who is in for a weeknight party!? LOL...

My son turns 3 this December, somewhere in the mix of our annual Charity Kris Kringle, Dogwood Tree Farm, Christmas Festivities, Potluck Dinners and the Christmas Train, I have to plan two parties....one childrens party, and one adult/family party....is this why people send out "save the dates" in October?? I thought I was on top of things....

I want to do "Under the Sea" theme for Noah's birthday. I thought of hosting again at our home, because here, I can decorate the way I want, and you know I like things to look a certain way! Jellyfish here, seaweed there, aquarium here....however, I think this is the year I have to succumb to functionality over looks!? I sure did for my husbands 30th birthday, when my living room was transformed to couches against flat against the wall (ahhh!) buffet off center in front of my living room window, and my area rug rolled up and replaced by rolled paper that smelled just like the barf trays at the hospital (major flash backs of my mom holding one under my mouth during my last labour). Just the night before I quickly responded to a blackberry message my husband sent me, he wrote, "should we put a table in the living room tomorrow?" "NO" I barked (that would look ugly!), but it happened, and my brother in law was right, all the "ladies" were sitting at the table chatting, on folding chairs, on the brown rolled paper that covered my floor......functionality over looks, I am sure I can do it at least ONE more time!

Can I decorate a community centre gym just as nicely as my own home? Probably not, but will I be more grateful to have chaos in a public place, rather than my home, yes. He is turning 3 after all.....I think the parties are now about him, and not myself. HA!

Here's to planning!

K

Hello 30...

My husband left the 20's behind him yesterday, and partied his way into the big '3' '0' with friends and family! It was yet another joyous occasion at the Valente household! I think I have lost count of how many parties we have hosted over the years, who knew we would become such entertainers!

I met Fredo when he was 16, and I was 14, so last night, while celebrating 30 years, I realized that I have been with him for pretty much half of his life! Pretty crazy when you think about it. All of these memories came rushing back to me, as I stood there waiting to get my picture taken with my "teen boyfriend" turned husband, and father of our two amazing children...I remembered dates we went on, parties we went to, gifts that were received and letters that were exchanged. I remembered long hauls of long distance, and joyous returns. I remembered happy days, sad days, and days that I couldn't imagine getting through if we didn't have each other. I remember his hair styled under the brim of his baseball hat, long hair, short hair, and now some gray hair..this man is my life, and I was so honored to host a night to celebrate him and all of his accomplishments over the past 30 years!

Cheers!

K

"Bob Likes Thai Food" and so do I!

I had the pleasure of meeting my sister and her mommy friends the other day for lunch. She told me to meet her at a new thai place on Main Street called "Bob Likes Thai Food". I had heard the name before, my dad had been there, certainly a place I knew my dad would like!

I must say the food was delicious, the service was friendly, the music was great, and the atmosphere was comfortable! Very reasonably priced, and the bamboo leaves knotted ever so nicely in the water jugs were pretty cool too! Will be making another trip soon!

Things we devoured:

Swimming Rama

Pad Thai

Green Chicken Curry

Cashew Chicken

Bob Likes Thai Food

3755 Main Street (across from Front & Company)

Monday-Sunday 11:30am-9pm

**CASH ONLY**

While you are there, jump across the street and visit Front & Company, lots of lovely things for Christmas!!

K

They are here! Happy Holidays Eggnog Latte's

My heart feels warm and fuzzy for the upcoming holiday season, and what helps with that feeling is a "tall half fat eggnog latte" from Starbucks. I received a bbm (blackberry message) from a good friend of mine this morning, telling me that they were now being served!! Again like the Tupperware, is this sad that this excitement for this yummy beverage cheered me up first thing in the morning!?

I swear these are what contributed to the weight gain at the end of my pregnancy with Noah (the weight that never came off before getting pregnant with Anabelle LOL) , Noah was born in December, December 19th to be exact, that is almost two months of yummy goodness!! Just holding the cup, and smelling it as I walked to work on those chilly mornings made me happy!

I do sometimes make them at home, but nothing is like sipping them from the "red cup".

FYI do not look up the nutritional information on the Starbucks website!

ENJOY

K

BABY FOOD

When Anabelle was born, my sister and I talked about making baby food. She told me she wanted to make all of Ronan's food (Ronan is 3 days younger than Anabelle) I was opposed to this idea. I remember attempting this for Noah when he was a baby, and it was a huge fail! I was not going to slave making yummy food, only for her to grimace and spit it at me like Noah did. My sister called me and told me she had made yams, and it was super easy. I know it's easy, but isn't it just as easy to buy a jar?

The day we went to the pumpkin patch, I stopped in at the market that is connected to the farm. Here I toyed with the idea of making some "yams". I bought a few small ones, along with some sweet potatoes. Weirdly, I was eager to come home and bake them.

I baked them slow and long with a little drizzle of olive oil in the pan....when they were done, I peeled them and blended them up in my little food processor with a bit of water. They came out nice and creamy, and yummy!

I had just enough to fill a whole ice cube tray (I prefer ice cube trays over the "Food Cubes", but whatever your preference is) when all the holes were filled, I wrapped the tray tightly with clear wrap and stuck them in the freezer. The next day, when they were nice and frozen I popped them out of the tray right into a ZipLock Freezer bag, and labelled them with the contents and date. I felt pretty proud of myself, and my sister was right, it was super easy! Here in this clear bag, were little convenient cubes of food! WOW!

I continued, and made sweet potatoes, accorn squash and carrots. I am stocked for a while! It is so great to just be able to grab a cube of veggies, especially when you are trying to make lunch for an almost 3 year old as well! and knowing that I made them, makes it even more lovely! The best part of this whole thing, is Anabelle LOVES them all!!!

Hopefully she will just as interested when I get to meat!

K

Boogie Wipes

I first came across "Boogie Wipes" when I was at my husbands aunts house. I used the bathroom and saw the cute little package on the counter while I was washing my hands. They are tidy little natural saline wipes for boogers and slimy noses. They are a great addition to your diaper bag or purse, especially this time of year! I have my pack, do you?

www.boogiewipes.com

BEST QUICKEST RECIPE

If you know me at all, you know that I love sweet and salty things together! My favorite would have to be a Snickers Chocolate Bar with Miss Vickies Salt & Vinegar Chips..one bite of chocolate bar, and one chip, all at the same time!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

I remember being on a date (with my now husband), back in highschool, we went to the McDonalds drive through and he ordered an ice cream, me, small fries. I guess he did not know this little tidbit of information about me, so as I leaned over with a french fry, to dip in his ice cream, he pulled it away and looked at me like I was insane! It was very clear, from then on, that I was not to dip my salty fries in his sweet yummy ice cream......

With this, I will share with you a little recipe...my girlfriends aunt makes them all the time, they are great for the Holidays, super fast, and super easy! They are bite size, so they can be troublesome to any diet (I don't diet), so I never have a problem saying no, clearly!

YOU WILL NEED:

Pretzels (the original loopy kind)

Rolo's (the amount depends on how many pretzels you are doing, you will need one rolo per pretzel)

Pecan Halves (again the amount depends on the pretzels, one per pretzel as well)

Cookie sheet

TO DO:

Preheat oven to 350. Cover a cookie sheet with pretzels, place a rolo on each pretzel, place in the oven for 5 minutes, enough to get the rolo soft. Pull the pretzels out of the oven and squish the rolo's with pecan halves.

Let cool (seeing as its cold out you can even put them outside to cool, the fridge will discolor the chocolate). Once the rolo has hardened they are ready!

Put them in nice little boxes or cellophane bags, with a lovely little tag for family and friends!

Hope you like them as much as I do!

K