The Hill Family Saga....

I have moved....

2011-11-18T08:14:00.001-07:00

If you read here often, you know I started a new blog a while ago. I thought I would be able to maintain both, but let's face it - that is just not happening.

So, if you have my in your blog roll - can you please update it to my other blog - Minivan Stiletto.

I will no longer be posting here.

Hope to see you over that - and don't be shy - leave me a comment to say hi.

Summer Holidays - Big Green Dump Truck

2011-08-11T13:11:00.000-06:00

Sparwood, BC - the big green dump truck!

We stop every year on our way out for our holidays.

2009

2010

2011

Summer Holidays - Lundbreck Falls

2011-08-11T11:51:00.000-06:00

Summer holidays!

Adam and I were so anticipating our holidays. As usual we headed out to our trailer for 2 weeks.

Since we are normally only going for weekends we do not stop on the drive out more than once for the required pee and Tim Horton's break.

But on holidays, we stop a few more times and enjoy the drive.

This year we stopped at Lundbreck Falls (Highway 22 and Highway 3)

Much to Anderson's delight there was a train coming through just as we pulled up!

Garden Harvest

2011-08-10T15:53:00.000-06:00

This was our harvest from the garden yesterday.

We have had lots of cherry tomatoes, and lots of peas while we were on holidays were harvested by our garden waterer, but this is our biggest pea crop so far.

So, while dinner was cooking we sat down and had a little snack!

It was really fun to see the kids so interested in fresh vegetables, and really, who could not like fresh peas from the garden?

Welcome Back!

2011-08-08T15:56:00.002-06:00

I know I have been M.I.A. for a while, but I have an excuse, I was on holidays and there is virtually no internet access! (I have mixed feeling about that, but it is probably for the best that I am not blogging, facebooking and tweeting while I am suppose to be hanging my the kids, sharing a drink with my hubby and chatting around the campfire with friends.)

But because I was so busy getting us all packed and ready for 2 weeks at our trailer, I missed doing a few posts I wanted to before I left, so I will post them over the next few days and then follow with some posts about our holidays.

Our Trailer and Campsite

2011-07-20T08:11:00.000-06:00

I had someone mention to me not too long ago that I have not posted any pictures of our campsite.

It got me thinking – I am pretty sure I have not posted anything but people since we bought our site almost 4 years ago.

This is what it looked like when we bought the place – follow the link for more pictures.

Here is what it looks like now:

Huge change!!

Right after Anderson was born we realised that there was no way we could stay sane with 2 kids in our little 23 foot, no slide, no air-conditioning, crawl into bed trailer.

So upgrade we did.

We love our site – some people question the grass – quoting “do you really want to come on vacation, go camping for the weekend and have to mow the lawn?”
The answer is yes.

Grass meant that when we had crawling and barely walking kids, they did not get hurt as much.
Grass means bare feet in the sun!
Grass is just plain and simple much more kid and dog friendly than rocks and dirt or decks are.

And there is not that much – it does not take long to mow – and then we are drinking....

So here is a tour of our trailer:

We love the u-shaped dinette - it allows for more room and more people at the table - we eat all our breakfasts inside and any time it is cold or raining we eat inside too.

TV! I know some people say you can't camp with a TV - but those people do not have kids that wake up at 5:30 or 6:00 am - EVERY SINGLE TIME! And when camping in early May - it is still pretty darn cold at that time in the morning to be going outside right away.

Kids room - lots of space for them to play and the beds are normal sized twins.

Thanks for taking a peek - we love having friends come and visit - if you have a trailer - the campground does allow for a second trailer to be parked for a few days on our site. Just let me know when you are coming!

Look at him hiding under the table!

On My Nightstand - Last Night at Chateau Marmont

2011-07-16T07:30:00.002-06:00

Last Night at Chateau Marmont - By Laren Weisberger

On the back cover:
Brooke was drawn to the soulful, enigmatic Julian Alter the very first time she heard him perform “Hallelujah” at a dark East Village dive bar.

Now five years married, Brooke balances two jobs – as a nutritionist at NYU Hospital and as a consultant to an Upper East Side girl’s school, where privilege gone wrong and disordered eating run rampant – in order to help support her husband’s dream of making it in the music world.

Things are looking up when after years of playing Manhattan clubs and toiling as an A&R intern, Julian finally gets signed by Sony. Although no one’s promising that the album will ever hit the airwaves, Julian is still dedicated to logging in long hours as the recording studio. All that changes after Julian is asked to perform on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno – and is catapulted to stardom, literally overnight. Amazing opportunities begin popping up almost daily – a new designer wardrobe, a tour with Maroon 5, even a Grammy performance.

At first the newfound fame is fun – who wouldn’t want to stay at the Chateau Marmont or visit the set of one of television’s hottest shows? Yet it seems that Brooke’s sweet husband – the man who can’t handle hot showers and wears socks to bed – is increasingly absent, even on those are nights they’re home together. When rumours about Brooke and Julian swirl in the tabloid magazines, she begins to question the truth of her marriage and is forced to finally come to terms with what she things she wants – and what she actually needs.

My thoughts:
I liked this book. It has been a while since I read a “chick-lit” book. I like to read these every now and again to help break up some of the deeper / heavier reading I also do.

As much as I did like the book, I have to be honest, the main character, Brooke, bugged me. I did not understand why she did not communicate with her husband as to how she was feeling too.

I am a huge believer in an equal partnership, that means working together to get the accomplishments, but also helping each other achieve their personal goals. Maybe it is just me, but I would be telling my hubby exactly what I thought and felt along the way.

My rating: 3 out of 5.

On My Nightstand - Still Missing

2011-07-15T15:37:00.000-06:00

Still Missing – by Chevy Stevens (342 pages)

On the back cover:
On the day she was abducted, Annie O’Sullivan, a thirty-two-year-old Realtor, had three goals: Sell a house, forget about a recent argument with her mother and be on time for dinner with her ever-patient boyfriend. The open house is slow, but when her last visitor pulls up in a van as she’s about to leave, Annie thinks it just might be her lucky day after all.

Interwoven with the story of the year Annie spent captive in a remote mountain cabin – which unfolds through sessions with her psychiatrist – is a second narrative recounting the nightmare that follows her escape: her struggle to piece her shattered life back together, the ongoing police investigation into the identity of her captor, and the disturbing sense that things are far from over.

The truth doesn’t always set you free.

Still Missing is a shocking, visceral, brutal, and beautifully crafted debut novel about surviving the unsurvivable – and living to bear witness.

My review:
Funny that this book would come out the same year Room by Emma Donaghue came out. They are both based on a woman being kidnapped and held against her will. There are a few other parallels but I don’t want to mention anything because it will give away too much.

I really liked this book; I think I liked it better than Room since it was written so differently.

Being told through therapy sessions and nothing else, we get to hear about Annie’s year in captivity and also about everything happening in current time as she is dealing with her new but shattered life.

I could not put this book down and it kept you wanting to read right up to the very last page.

My rating: 4 ½ out of 5.

Birthday Boy

2011-07-13T15:35:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Adam!

A few days before his birthday Jackie asked me how old he was turning.
I told her he Daddy was turning 38.
She responds by saying "oh, I thought he was 7, you are 25 still right Mom?"
That's right Jackie - I am only 25!!

Papa-Ment Truck

2011-07-13T15:32:00.000-06:00

Grandpa drives a cement truck - wait - I stand corrected - a concrete truck.

But really - we all call it a cement truck.

So a few years ago, we started calling these - Papa (Grandpa) cement trucks.

Jackie had a hard time saying cement - so it was shorted to 'ment'

This is a Papa Ment Truck - and a few days ago, the kids go to see Grandpa's truck and sit in it - too bad there was no way to install car seats.

Anderson is currently a typical 2 year old boy - anything big and truck like - he LOVES!!

They both loved seeing Grandpa's truck.

July Long Weekend Camping

2011-07-08T10:08:00.000-06:00

July Long Weekend is always a blast for the kids and us out at our camp ground.

There are lots of different activities to partiipate in and now that the kids are getting a little bit older we are getting to do more and more.

Every year there is a hike that take you from our campground to the town of Moyie, about 2 km.

You can hike the path anytime you want, but on the long weekend, there have people with quads come along, so if you need a rest (ride) they can help you out and als there are pontoon boats at Moyie to take you back to the camp ground.

Jackie has been going on this hike with Adam since she was 2.

We thought this would be Anderson's first year, but you see he does not like to ride on our shoulders - and I can't carry him the whole time, nor can Jackie walk the whole time - she takes a ride or two on Adam's shoulders.

So Anderson and I stayed behind and Jackie and Daddy went again on the hike.

On the boat ride back.

This year with a new pontoon boat, they gave lake tour rides. The kids enjoyed it more than we did - we were always making sure they did not fall and hurt themselves since there were not too many places to sit.

Fire Truck Rides

2011-07-08T09:45:00.000-06:00

Anderson is a typical 2 year old boy.

Trucks, trains, you name it, he loves them all.

Long weekends in the summer mean fire truck rides for the kids.

Anderson could hardly wait (Jackie too for that matter).

Welcome Summer BBQ

2011-06-28T13:47:00.002-06:00

This past weekend we decided to host a back yard BBQ party.

You see, 4 years ago when we were building our deck, we paid a lot of attention to the size of the deck. Our house came with a deck plate that only spanned about half the back of the house, I insisted to Adam that we needed the deck to go across the whole width of the house.

Also when he gave me an option of a deck 2 feet longer, I took the longer option.

You see I had a vision.

My vision was of friends and family hanging out on our deck, summer nights, drinks in hand and lots of laughs.

I knew I wanted a deck where a table and chairs could fit comfortably with other things on the deck.

So Adam built a very large deck (24 X 20 I think – he knows the dimensions – I guess that is a man thing).

We have a table & chairs, our black and blue bins, potted tomatoes and a few other potted plants, a play house for the kids, a kid’s picnic table and the BBQ – and there is still room to move around and hang out.

So this past weekend we decided to host a back yard party to celebrate summer. For no other reason than that – we have a great back yard, a wonderful deck and fantastic friends – what other reason do we need.

We moved the kids play house off the deck and onto the grass , bought some beer, wine and coolers, cooked up potato salad, burgers and dogs, and invited friends and family.

We had a blast! So much fun in fact that we managed to completely forget how to operate the camera. (Actually we did not get drunk – I was too busy chatting with everyone forgetting where I left my wine to get drunk).

If you were not invited, leave me a comment and I will make sure I add you to the list for next year!

For those of you that came – we were so happy you did. It was great to see you and catch up a bit – we definitely need to do it more often –but for sure next year!!

Camping Fun

2011-06-24T13:35:00.000-06:00

Father's day weekend we always head out to the trailer.

We had a good time playing, doing a bit of work (building a wood shed), and eating many a marshmellow.

We were joined by Grandma and Grandpa, Jackie could not understand why they had to sleep in the bunk house - it is hard to explain to a child - "because you wake up too early in the morning - and Grandma & Grandpa want to have a good sleep..."

Look at this cutie pie!

I love how I was able to get a little bit of flame in this picture.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T08:30:00.005-06:00

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful father's out there (my Dad included).

But this post is dedicated to one very special Dad.

Adam.

You are an amazing Father.
I have loved seeing you develop into this role.

I love that you know how to put in pony tails in a pinch.

I love that you are Jackie's 'Hansom Prince'.

Love you tons!

Look at where we are now:

Look at where we've come from:

(Jacqueline)

(Anderson)

TV

2011-06-10T08:45:00.002-06:00

I grew up without a TV in our house.

I know, shocking! Who does that?

As weird as it sounds, I don't look back and think I missed much, yes I don't have childhood memories of certian TV shows, I never watched Fraggle Rock, or The Smurfs, but I know even if we did have a TV, my parents would never have let us watch much anyway.

But now, no TV, I would go insane. I love my TV, Adam loves his TV and I know our kids do too.

When I was home with the kids on mat leave, I watched a lot of TV.

Okay, that is an understatment, I watched TV all the time. If I was home, the TV was on.

I was not always sitting on the couch watching TV (rarely actually), but it was on in the background.

I learned to love Regis and Kelly, The View, Ellen and loved watching old drama show re-runs durring the day.

So now it is funny becasue I would preffer the TV off.

We do allow certian times the kids can watch TV, on a week day, they can watch TV in the morning but only if they are dressed (otherwise they would stay in their jammies all day).

On the weekend, they get to watch TV in their jammies when they wake up (trust me - they love this).

At night time, once they are in their jammies, they get to watch 1 or 2 shows (time dependant on when they get into their jammies) and have a snack.

What are your TV restrictions?

Morning Beach Fun

2011-06-09T07:15:00.001-06:00

This past weekend we headed out to the trailer and were blessed with perfect weather. It was warm and sunny!

Since we have a few early risers in our family we can only last so long in the trailer in the morning - as much as Mom & Dad want to sleep in, so off to the beach we go.

This kids had a blast helping to rise the water levels.

Look who gets to come along too...

We had a great weekend in spite of the early mornings and Anderson fighting us for naps and bedtime, can't wait to go back.

On My Nightstand - A Complicated Kindness

2011-06-08T11:03:00.002-06:00

A Complicated Kindness - By Miriam Towes

On the back cover:
A 16-year-old rebels against the conventions of her strict Mennonite community and tries to come to terms with the collapse of her family in this insightful, irreverent coming-of-age novel. In bleak rural Manitoba, Nomi longs for her older sister, Tash ("she was so earmarked for damnation it wasn't even funny"), and mother, Trudie, each of whom has recently fled fundamentalist Christianity and their town. Her gentle, uncommunicative father, Ray, isn't much of a sounding board as Nomi plunges into bittersweet memory and grapples with teenage life in a "kind of a cult with pretend connections to some normal earthly conventions." Once a "curious, hopeful child" Nomi now relies on biting humor as her life spins out of control—she stops attending school, shaves her head and wanders around in a marijuana-induced haze—while Ray sells off most of their furniture, escapes on all-night drives and increasingly withdraws into himself. Still, she and Ray are linked in a tender, if fragile, partnership as each slips into despair.

My thoughts:
This was a book club pick (translate to say, I would not have read this book otherwise).
I did not like this book at all. I had a hard time believing any of it. The stuff Towes talks about happening in this strict Mennonite town is ridiculous.
Yes I believe Mennonite kids smoke, drink, party and even have pre-marital sex, but it the community is really as strict as she is telling us it is, I did not see how all the kids could get away with it all and there were no consequences nor this the adults seem to know about much of it.

I don't buy it.

I did not like her writing style and I really did not like Nomi (the main character), or her parents who seems more concerned with themselves rather than the well being of their children and the family.

My rating: 1 out of 5.

On My Nightstand - Princess

2011-05-26T15:32:00.002-06:00

Princess – By Jean Sasson

On the back cover:
Recently named as one of the best 500 books written by women since the year 1300, Princess has been called “riveting” and “heart-wrenching.” Most importantly, this New York Times bestseller galvanized human rights activity all over the world. The book sold over 4 million copies worldwide and struck a chord with women of every age and nationality. Many educators are listing Princess as required reading for their literature classes.

Jean Sasson spent twelve years in Saudi Arabia observing first-hand the hardships faced by women in the country. In Princess, Jean Sasson vividly depicts the harsh restrictions endured by Saudi women. Telling the true story of “Sultana,” a pseudonym that protects the identity of a modern-day princess in the royal family of Saudi Arabi, the author describes a disproportionate society where men have all the power.

“Sultana” whose real name cannot be used for fear of death for revealing these secrets to the world, asked the author to tell her story. Together, Jean Sasson and Princess Sultana have lifted the black veil of secrecy that hides women in the fabulously wealthy land where thirteen-year-old girls are married against their will to men five times their age; where young women are stones to death for a mere indiscretion; where women cannot travel without their husband’s permission; where men rule as gods.

Princess is a testimony to a woman of indomitable spirit and great courage. You have never read a story like the story of Sultana; you will never forget her or her Muslim sisters.

My thoughts:
This is a book club book, and I have to be honest, I was not eager to read this book. First it is non-fiction – I don’t read non-fiction, and second – it is about a culture I know nothing about and does not really interest me.

Wow, was I wrong. This is a phenomenal book. I loved it. It opened my eyes to a country, culture and people I know nothing about but really loved learning about.

Jean Sasson does an exceptional job at telling Sultana’s story. It is shocking and scary to know women are treated this way even today.

My rating: 5 out of 5.

Gardening

2011-05-25T12:48:00.001-06:00

I have decided to put in a vegetable garden this year. I know I have spoken in the past about how much I hated my parents garden when I was growing up and used as slave labour to plant, weed and harvest, but things are different.

First, I am planting a much smaller garden, and second, I am now an adult and parent - funny how you look at things differently when you grow up.

So my garden, I have been blogging about it over at Minivan Stiletto, come on over and check it out.

Cherry Tomatoes

Lobster

2011-05-19T09:48:00.000-06:00

I am not sure about you and your kids, but every time we go to the grocery store, we have to walk by the lobster / crab tank to say “hi”.

So when my parents recently came back from a vacation to the Maritimes, and brought us a lobster I was not too sure how the kids would react to eating it.

I pulled both kids into the kitchen to show them the lobster – they were thrilled and excited (it was already dead).

They both wanted to touch him, Anderson was saying “he’s so cute, he’s so cute”; Jackie was thrilled to be shown how his claws worked.

As he was sitting on a cutting board, Jackie started playing with him; Anderson then pulls up and starts talking to him – “Hi lobster...”

So I tell them that we are going to put him in water, cook him and eat him (I really don’t want tears when we crack him apart) Jackie says: “I WANT TO EAT HIS FACE!!”

Okay, I have to admit, I was a little shocked at that response, no tears, just an overly eager child to eat a lobster face. She followed it up with telling us she wants to eat his eyes. Really? Who is this kid?

Laughing Hysterically

2011-05-13T15:07:00.003-06:00

I know we are the meanest dog parents alive, but I could not stop laughing.

I love the look on his face - I know he was swearing at me right there.

Camping Season Starts

2011-05-03T14:24:00.000-06:00

We were all very excited for camping season to start again.

It is always hard to say good bye to the trailer in the fall and I think we go through some campfire withdrawal for a few months, but here we are, back again!

Jacqueline could not wait to get back out to the trailer, so in spite of the snow storm we drove through to get there, we arrived ready for a good family weekend.

This season we moved Jackie up to the top bunk and put Anderson in the bottom bunk (yeah - no more playpens!!). I am happy to report, both kids did super great - they slept well and did not stay up chatting for hours - maybe it was because they were exhausted each night?

And what would camping be without a campfire and marshmallows?

I forgot the marshmallows, so after a quick run to the store we were in business.

I apologise for the lack of pictures, but we were busy, more to come next time, I promise.

Mushroom Farro

2011-04-20T15:32:00.001-06:00

Mushroom Farro

6 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock

1 1/2 cups farro
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 pound cremini mushrooms or wild mushrooms (or a mixture of the two), cleaned, trimmed and sliced
2 large garlic cloves, green shoots removed, minced
1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 cup dry white wine
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 to1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt if needed

Place the farro in a bowl, and pour on enough hot water to cover by an inch. Let soak while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Drain.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet. Add the onion. Cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about three minutes. Add the mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until they begin to soften and sweat. Add salt to taste, the garlic and rosemary. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are tender, about five minutes. Add the farro, cook, stirring, until the grains of farro are separate and beginning to crackle, about two minutes. Stir in the wine and cook, stirring until the wine has been absorbed. Add all but about 1 cup of the stock, and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 50 minutes or until the farro is tender; some of the grains will be beginning to splay. Remove the lid, and stir vigorously from time to time. Taste and adjust seasoning. There should be some liquid remaining in the pot but not too much. If the farro is submerged in stock, raise the heat and cook until there is just enough to moisten the grains, like a sauce. If there is not, stir in the remaining stock. If not serving right away, cover and let stand. Just before serving, bring back to a simmer, add the Parmesan, parsley and pepper, and stir together. Remove from the heat and serve.

Yield: Serves six.
Source: Modified from New York Times online

Note on Farro: if you live in Calgary, the only place I have found it is Lina's Italian Market on Centre Street North. If anyone knows somewhere else they sell Farro, I would love to hear about it.

The Man Purse

2011-04-18T12:41:00.001-06:00

My Birthday

2011-04-16T12:43:00.000-06:00

As I turn 25 again, I reflect back over my past birthday's and this one was definetly one of the best.

We decided to invite my family over for a birthday brunch where I cooked bacon a fritatta and hashbrowns all in the oven - made for a very easy to prepare and easy to clean up breakfast.

Of couse what brunch is not complete without Mimosas? And what birthday is not complete without cake?

I did ask Adam to make my cake this year, but then I saw this beauty at Superstore and let him off the hook.

Bike Rides

2011-04-12T07:05:00.002-06:00

Adam took Jackie on her first bike ride of the season the other day. Check out the complete post over here at Minivan Stiletto.

A Princess Party

2011-04-11T12:47:00.000-06:00

One of Jackie's friend's birthday is only a few weeks after hers.

She turned 4 as well and her Mom hired Cinderella to come to the party.

There were only 4 little girls at the party, they were told to wear their princess outfit, they were all thrilled when Cinderella showed up.

She read them a story, did a few magic tricks, played some games and even had a dance lesson.

Jackie learning the waltz.

The waltz then lead into something a modern princess should know - R&B & Hip Hop - this is Cinderella teaching them the 'sprinkler'.

(Yes, us Mom's were laughing pretty hard at this point.)

Family Dinner Party

2011-03-18T14:25:00.001-06:00

Since we don't have a huge house, we find it a little hard to have birthday parties for the kids and all our family too, so we decided to split the two.

Kids party one day, family dinner the next. It works quite well.

For Jackie's party I served pulled pork on buns with a couple of salads, super easy, all made ahead of time so I could enjoy a glass of wine too.

Of course there was cake too!

Uncle Blake - Blankie thief

Jackie got this super cute princess dress from Uncle Paul and Auntie Catalina (they picked it up at Target when they were in Vegas).

And how can you not love that face?

He just has to be part of the

action!

Cake & Presents

2011-03-15T11:03:00.001-06:00

You might remember I made a princess cake for Jackie's first birthday, since I had the stuff and I am not sure if she will be into princesses next year, I decided to re-do it.

She asked for a pink cake (since last years was purple). I took a day off work to get ready for the party and make the cakes.

The kids getting ready for the party with more chairs.

I took Jackie to Michaels a few weeks prior looking for a craft we could do at the party. What I found were Easter coloured sand pails and a whole bunch of stickers.

The kids had a blast decorating their buckets which we later filled with their "grab bag" stuff.

Cake time!

Not only did I make the princess cake, I also made 2 cakes we could do the candles with and serve. Next year I want to take 2 days off work.

Anderson got a few presents too. I love that some guests thought of this and how hard it is for the other child to get nothing.

Jackie got a singing princess card - she loved it!

Birthday Girl

2011-03-14T09:24:00.001-06:00

Our little girl is now 4!

I am like every other mother out there that can't believe she is 4 years old already.

Jacqueline is an amazing little lady.

She has her mother's memory (Adam is in so much trouble when she realizes this).

She still has her amazing big, dark, dark brown eyes (we are so in trouble when she is 16).

She is not overly tall for her age, but she is definitely not short (I hope she is as tall as me if not taller).

She has amazing hair (her mother's colour, but with curls and body - I am so jealous).

She has not one but two dimples courtesy of her father (who only has one).

She still has her birthmark (something we always tell her makes her special - hopefully it does not bother her too much when she is older - it is on her elbow, funny - neither Adam or I have a birthmark).

She can colour and draw (draw - almost better than me, colour - no problem staying in the lines and know peoples faces should no longer be purple or green).

She can't write her name yet (but she can copy you if you write it for her).

She loves her brother so much (the next two years are going to be tough as they no longer will be together all day every day).

Funny Faces

2011-03-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

Valentine's Cookies

2011-03-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

If you read my previous post, I mentioned making heart shaped cookies every year with my Mom and siblings for Valentine's Day.

I decided to do the same with Jackie and Anderson this year, and who knew it would turn into the greatest evening activity EVER.

We baked all the cookies a few days prior, then I made the icing.

Every evening, I pulled out a few cookies, the icing and their bowls of decorative sprinkles and they went to town.

When done, the sprinkles and icing got put away, ready to be pulled out the next day.

Auntie Amy

2011-03-06T13:05:00.000-07:00

Super bowl Sunday, Adam headed over to a friends house, and I invited my sister over to hang out with the kids and I.

We decided to make cookies, Valentines cookies. I have some very fond memories of my Mom making heart shaped cookies with pink icing with us every year for Valentine's Day.

I did not manage to take a picture of the actual cookies, but for some reason I took this picture.

We also made a favourite meal, roast chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and corn.

Here the kids were eager to help Amy while she was cutting up the potatoes.

Notice the measuring cup full of fishy crackers.

Amy told me as she was leaving, she is now good, has had her monthly does of birth control. Not saying my kids were bad, but that they are A LOT of work, but who would not love to hang our with Auntie Amy when she does this with you.

Dinner time - they both had to sit RIGHT beside her. Super cute.

We had a great day hanging out, the kids had a blast, Amy and I got a chance to chat way more than we normally do, and she went home to her hubby and cat, lounged on the couch and slept through the night.

Finding Time

2011-03-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

I know I have been a horrible blogger recently, I had a really good run for a while there, but life has gotten crazy.

Mostly it is my work, I have been beyond busy at work, and I am sure you know it is mentally and physically draining. The last thing I want to do is blog after the kids have finally gone to bed. I want to sit on the couch, watch TV or read my book.

I haven't even been reading as much as I normally do, I am going to sleep earlier and watching a little bit more brain-less TV.

But I am going to try and get through some of my updates this week.
We will see how I do - this week I am prepping for a 4 year olds birthday party.

A certain little girl is big time into princesses and I have decided to re-do her first birthday cake (the doll cake). I am not sure if she will be as into princesses next year, so I better take the opportunity.
Something I learned from Anderson's birthday - if you want a fancy cake for the party, I better take a day off work to do it - so I am off Friday when I will decorate the cake and hopefully be able to keep it as a surprise for her.

A Good Night Kiss

2011-02-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

We had Sarah and emily over for dinner last weekend.

Anderson and Emily are 6 months apart.

We were able to capture them saying good-bye to each other.

Butternut Squash Soup

2011-02-06T10:00:00.001-07:00

Butternut Squash Soup

1 large butternut squash, halved and seeded
1 TBSP Butter
1 TBSP olive oil
2 medium onions, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2.5 L chicken broth
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground ginger
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup sherry
1 cup half and half cream
sour cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Pour a thin layer of water in a baking dish or cookie sheet with sides. Place the squash halves cut side down on the dish. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until a fork can easily pierce the flesh. Cool slightly, then remove the peel. Set aside.

Melt the butter with the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots, saute for a fe minutes then add the garlic, being careful not to let the garlic burn. Pour the chicken broth into the pot. Add the potatoes, and bring to a boil. Cook for about 20 mintues, or until the vegetables are soft. Add the squash, stir to incorporate. Use an immersion blender to puree the soup, or transfer to a blender or food processor in batches and puree until smooth. Return to pot.
Season the soup with cayenne pepper, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, salt and pepper, then stir in the sherry and half-and-half cream. Heat through, but do not boil.

Ladle into bowls and top with a dollop of sour cream.

Enjoy!

Rosemary Cheese Bread

2011-02-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Rosemary Cheese Bread

2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 3 ounces)
1 cup grated provolone (about 1/4 pound)
2 red bell peppers, roasted (procedure follows) and chopped fine

In a large bowl proof the yeast in 1 1/3 cups warm water for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is foamy. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of the flour, the salt, the rosemary, garlic, the pepper, the oil, the cheeses, and the bell peppers and stir the mixture until it is combined well.

Knead the dough on a floured surface, incorporating as much of the remaining 1 cup flour as necessary to prevent the dough from sticking, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic, (using a stand mixer, knead for the same time, I found I needed at least a 1/2 cup more flour), transfer it to a lightly oiled bowl, turning it to coat it with the oil, and let it rise, covered with plastic wrap, in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it is double in bulk.

Punch down the dough, halve it, and shape each piece into a loaf, about 14 inches long. Transfer the loaves to a lightly oiled baking sheet and let them rise, covered with a kitchen towel, for 45 minutes, or until they are almost double in bulk.

Bake the loaves in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until they are golden, transfer them to a rack, and let them cool. Turn oven down to 350 F if they are getting too brown.

To roast peppers:

Using a long-handled fork char the peppers over an open flame, turning them, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the skins are blackened. (Or broil the peppers on the rack of a broiler pan under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from the heat, turning them every 5 minutes, for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the skins are blistered and charred.) Transfer the peppers to a bowl and let them steam, covered, until they are cool enough to handle. Keeping the peppers whole, peel them starting at the blossom end, cut off the tops, and discard the seeds and ribs.

Yield: 2 loaves

An Artist

2011-02-05T06:00:00.001-07:00

Not only is she an artist, she is a princess artist too.

You will notice the big honkin' ring she is wearing too - what you can't see is the princess skirt and heals.

She must be my child.

Quick and Easy Spiced Coucsous

2011-01-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

I have been making this recipe for years, it is super easy and we love it beside jsut about anything.

Quick and Easy Spiced Couscous

2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 cups couscous
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 - 1/4 tsp salt (depending on how salty your chicken stock is)
1 TBSP butter
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
1 roma tomato, finely diced
12 TBSP fresh chopped basil (or parsley)

In a saucepan, bring chicken stock to a boil, stir in couscous, pepper, allspice, cinnamon and salt.
Remove from heat; cover and let stand 5 minutes.

Fluff with a fork, stir in butter, almonds, tomato and basil.

Enjoy!

I did not have any fresh or dried basil, so I used fresh parsley, it worked great, just not quite the same flavour.

Source: Anne Lindsay's Light Kitchen

Tomato, Lime and Cilantro Salsa

2011-01-26T07:00:00.001-07:00

Adam discovered this recipe in one of my cook books a little while ago, since then it has become a staple in our house.
We serve it with chicken and on top of rice, it is a great way to take a borring meal and make it just a little bit more special.

Tomato, Lime and Cilanto Salsa

4 roma tomatoes, finely diced
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
1 lime
1 1/2 tsp white sugar
1/4 tsp salt

Mix together tomatoes, green onions and cilantro. Zest and juice the lime and add both to the tomato mixture. Add in sugar and salt. Stir well, and set aside for 10-15 minutes.

Serve on top of cooked chicken and along side rice.

Product Review: French Onion Soup

2011-01-25T08:26:00.001-07:00

Adam LOVES French Onion Soup!
So for Christmas this year, he got some Epicure French Onion Soup Mix packages in his stocking (last year he got the bowls for Christmas).
You see sometimes I just do not have the time to make it, and he is not so inclined either, so for a quick fix, I thought this would do the trick.

Product review #1

Product: Epicure's French Onion Soup Mix.
Source: Friend's Epicure party
Servings: 4
Cost: $3.95

I thought it would be great, I love everything Epicure does.

Here is where I should have paid attention:

Off their website:
French onion soup in restaurants can contain as much as 1450 mg of sodium per serving. Save almost 690 mg sodium per serving with Epicure’s version, PLUS there’s no hydrogenated fats in the mix!

Adam will eat ANYTHING! But this - he actually dumped it down the sink! Before it even made it to the bowl. As we were cooking it - and tasting, we quickly realized this was horrible. And when I say horrible, I mean HORRIBLE.
It tasted like there was no salt what-so-ever!

My rating: 0 out of 5.
So that failed.

Product review #2

(note: the above picture is not the box I bought, the box from Costco looks a little bit different and has 6 servings instead of 2)

Product: Plats du Chef French Onion Soup
Source: Costco
Servings: 6
Cost: $12.95

I picked this up based on a recommendation from a co-worker. These are cook from frozen. They have instructions for cooking in the microwave or the conventional oven. My co-worker told me the microwave method turned out sub-par results.

So we tried these on the weekend, in the oven it takes 40 minutes at 400 F. A little on the long side, but still no where near as long as making French Onion Soup from scratch.

These were quite good. A little too salty for me, but when is FOS not salty?
This is a great option for anyone craving a nice hot bowl of French Onion Soup, but not willing or able to put the effort in to making it from scratch yourself.

My rating: 3 1/2 out of 5.

NOTE: I paid for both items and was not asked to review by either company.

A New Blog!

2011-01-24T15:42:00.002-07:00

I have decided after quite a bit of thought, to start another blog.

I will be keeping this blog, but I wanted to do more than what this blog is designed for.
The Hill Family Saga blog is my personal blog, this is where I publish pictures of the kids, talk about daily things in our family.
The blog I want to start is going to be more Mom / parenting focused.

My new blog is called Minivan Stiletto!

Follow the link to check it out - it is new - just started, only one post up as of right now, but there will be more.

Feel free to share the link with anyone you want, and I welcome comments!

Don't worry, I will still be posting here, but you will notice I will do a bit of cross posting with both sites.

Recipes

2011-01-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

I finally put together a page listing all the recipes I have published here on my blog.

You will notice everyone of them is linked to take you directly to the recipe.

You will find this on the right hand side of this blog - listed under Pages.

Beef and Cheese Manicotti

On My Nightstand - All The Queen's Players

2011-01-23T07:00:00.001-07:00

All The Queen's Players - By Jane Feather

On the back cover:
When she becomes a junior lady of Queen Elizabeth's bedchamber, Rosamund is instructed by her cousin, the brilliant and devious secretary of state Sir Francis Walsingham, to record everything she observes. Her promised reward: a chance at a good marriage. But through her brother Thomas, Rosamund finds herself drawn to the forbidden, rough-and-tumble world of theatre, and to Thomas's friend, the dramatic, impetuous playwright Christopher Marlowe.
And then Rosamund meets Will Creighton -- a persuasive courtier, poet, and would-be playwright who is the embodiment of an unsuitable match.

The unsanctioned relationship between Rosamund and Will draws the wrath of Elizabeth, who prides herself on being the Virgin Queen. Rosamund is send in disgrace to a remote castle that holds Elizabeth's cousin Mary Stuart, the imprisoned Queen of Scots. Here, Walsingham expects Rosamund to uncover proof of a plot against Elizabeth. But surely, nothing good can come of putting an artless girl in such lose proximity to so many seductive players and deceptive games. Unless, of course, Rosamund can discover an affinity for passion and intrigue herself...

My thoughts:
I am not an avid historical fiction reader, but I have read a few and I found this author did not do as good a job as Phillipa Gregory does in some of her books.
There were so many names to keep track of, and often not a lot of story going with each person so it took until I was over half way through to really feel like I knew who was being talked about every time.
The other thing I did not really like about Jane Feather's writing style in this book, is she wrote from every one's point of view. For the life of me I can't remember what that is called (my Dad is going to kill me along with a few high school English teachers).
I found this style of writing a bit distracting, I kept forgetting that it was not from Rosamund's point of view.

But it was still a good story, Feather seemed to have done her research and tried to be as accurate as possible with what facts she did have. Once I was half done, I had a really hard time putting it down.

My rating: 3 1/2 out of 5.

Blog Watch - The Curvy Carrot

2011-01-22T07:00:00.003-07:00

I thought I would share another food blog I found not to long ago.

The Curvy Carrot!

The author, Shanon has some amazing recipes and even more amazing pictures of her food.
Take a minute to look, you just might find an idea for dinner tonight.

Seriously, how good does this look?

Grilled Salmon

Pecan Bars - just might be making these tonight for Adam

Beef with Snow Peas

2011-01-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

Beef with Snow Peas

• 1-½ pound flank steak, trimmed of fat and sliced very thin against the grain

• ½ cups soy sauce
• 3 TBSP sherry
• 2 TBSP brown sugar
• 2 TBSP cornstarch
• 1 TBSP minced fresh ginger
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 8 ounces fresh snow peas, ends trimmed
• 5 whole scallions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons peanut or olive oil
• Cooked rice
• Toasted sesame seeds

In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, sherry, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger and crushed pepper flakes. Add sliced meat to bowl and toss. Set aside, or allow to marinate in the fridge for a few hours.

Heat oil in a heavy skillet or wok over high heat. Add snow peas and stir for 45 seconds. Remove to a separate plate, set aside.

Allow pan to get very hot again. With tongs, add half the meat mixture, leaving most of the marinade still in the bowl. Spread out meat as you add it to pan, but do not stir for a good minute. (You want the meat to get as brown as possible in as short amount a time as possible.) Turn meat to the other side and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove to a clean plate.

Repeat with other half of meat, allowing pan to get very hot again first. After turning it, add the first plateful of meat, the rest of the marinade, the snow peas and half the scallions. Stir over high heat for 30 seconds; then turn off heat. Check seasonings and add salt only if it needs it. Mixture will thicken as it sits.

Serve immediately over rice. Top with the remaining scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

Source: My lovely sister Amy posted this recipe on her blog not too long ago. I made it on the weekend for my family with a few modifications. The recipe above is how I made it.

Skating

2011-01-18T07:00:00.002-07:00

This past weekend Adam took Jackie skating for her first time.

We decided to get her hockey skates (please note - these are not called boy skates in our house, but hockey skates instead), for two reasons, first, it is better to learn on hockey skates, second, we can then pass them on to Anderson when he is older.

She did great. Adam said it took her a little bit to figure out the whole balance thing, but she got the hang of that and enjoyed herself.

I was surprised how long they stayed at the arena, I expected her to not really like it and want to leave right away.

Stairs

2011-01-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

Anderson had a rough weekend.

He fell down the stairs three times.

Twice it was because him and Jackie were playing on the stairs and he just lost his balance, the other time he fell because he was playing and not paying attention to where he was.

But he is our little toughie!

He cries for a bit, but mostly he just needs some snuggle time with Mommy.

Oh course I am happy to oblige.

Surgery

2011-01-17T14:43:00.003-07:00

Jackie's precious blankie got a hole.

Daddy stepped in and did some emergency surgery.

You should have seen her, she was beside herself as this was happening.

So far, the surgery seems to be successful.

The stitches are holding, but there is still a risk of the wound re-opening so we have told them both to take it easy.

On My Nightstand - Cool Water

2011-01-16T07:15:00.003-07:00

Cool Water - By Dianne Warren

On the back cover:
In the small town of Juliet, Saskatchewan you may imagine that not much goes on. But you would be wrong. Surrounded by the Little Snake sand hills, the residents of Juliet go about their daily lives, caught up in the hills and valleys that life often brings. Lila prepares for her pregnant teenaged daughter's upcoming wedding, even though she knows that the union is doomed to fail. Vicki and Blaine Dolson, the parents of six young children and in dire financial straits, struggle just to get by. Lee, who was abandonded as a baby and raised by his "aunt" and "uncle", tries to carry on the family legacy after his aunt and uncle pass away. The foundation of Hank and Lynn Trass' marriage is threatened by one tiny piece of paper. Willard and his sister-in-law Marian continue to live under the same roof and run the local drive-in theatre despite the fact that Marian's husband, Ed, has passed away, and the two are heavily denying their growing feelings for one another.

My thoughts:
This was a nice book to read. It do not put it into my amazing book category, but it was good.
Dianne Warren does a good job of tying random people together that all live in or around the same small town.
The story is well told, but I have to be honest, there was one set of characters that I HATED! But these people exist, I jsut choose not to spend much time with them.
Everyone else - I liked.

My rating: 3 out of 5.

On My Nightstand - Deeper than the Dead

2011-01-14T07:00:00.002-07:00

Deeper than the Dead - By Tami Hoag

On the back cover:
California, 1985. Four children, running through the woods after school, stumble upon a partially buried female body, eyes and mouth glued shut. Close behind the children is their teacher, Anne Navarre, shocked by this discover and heartbroken as she witnesses the end of their innocence. What she doesn’t yet realize is that this will mark the end of innocence for an entire community, as the ties that bind families and friends are tested by secrets uncovered in the wake of a serial killer’s escalating patter of destruction.

Vince Leone, a pioneering FBI investigator called in from Washington to consult on the case, is charged with interpreting that pattern. He’s using a brand-new technique – profiling – to develop a theory of the murders, a strategy that pushes him ever deeper into the lives of the four children, and closer to the teacher whose bond with her traumatized students puts her on a collision course with the killer.

New victims are discovered and the media scrutiny of the investigation bears down on them, both Vince and Anne are unsure if those who suffer most are the victims themselves, or the family and friends of the killer – unaware that someone very close to them is a brutal, calculating psychopath whose reign of terror is only just getting started.

My thoughts:
I really liked this book.
It has been a while since I read a good murder mystery, detective thriller novel (I used to read these almost excusivly).
This was well written, suspensful and still had a decent amount of side plots happening - but not too much to distract you from the main story.

My rating: 4 1/2 out of 5.

An Award

2011-01-13T07:30:00.003-07:00

Alison, over at Life and Times of Alison and Justin, awarded me the "Stylish Blogger Award".

Thank you Alison! Go check her out, she has a great blog.

The Rules are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award to recently discovered bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about this award.

Thank you Alison, I thouroughly enjoy your blog.

Many of my readers do not know who Alison and Justin are:

Justin is my brother Blake's best friend and Alison is his wife.

7 things about me:

1. My nickname growing up (used only by my Dad) was Weed. (This name is no longer used by anyone – so don’t even try).

2. The ONLY person allowed to call me Jen is my mother. Not even Adam is allowed.

3. My name is actually Jenny, not Jennifer, and I HATE it when people try and call me Jennifer to be more formal even though I have introduced myself as Jenny. (This happens at work more than you would think.)

4. My earliest memories start at age 4. (Scary that Jackie is about to be 4 and that means lasting memories.)

5. As much as I love to cook, there are still things that scare me, like making pie pastry, I have no idea why, but I do plan on conquering this fear this year.

6. If we did not have kids to feed and set an example for, I would still have popcorn for dinner at least once a week.

7. I would rather eat a salty snack than chocolate any day.

Now the rules say to award recently discovered bloggers, I am just going to award a few blogs I love.

1. Dee Ann at Once Upon a Time

2. Starr at Starlite Studio

3. Sarah at Stuff and Things

Winter Smoked Tomato Bisque

2011-01-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Winter Smoked Tomato Bisque

Olive oil
Salt & pepper
8 large Roma tomatoes, cored and halved
1 red pepper, cored and halved
1 large onion, peeled and halved
2 celery stocks, large dice
1 carrot, large dice
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp dry oregano
½ tsp dry thyme
½ cup white rice
2 litres chicken stock
½ cup chopped fresh basil
½ cup whole cream
White wine (optional)
1 tsp liquid smoke

Place, tomatoes, red pepper and onion on a large baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven on broil setting for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, cooling slightly then dice and set aside.
While vegetables are cooling, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat, add celery, carrot, garlic, oregano and thyme and sauté until soft.
Add the roasted vegetables to the pot along with the rice and chicken stock and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 25 – 30 minutes or until rice is cooked.
Using a hand blender, puree the soup then add cream, fresh basil white wine and liquid smoke, adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper to taste.

Source:
If you do not know already I work at Trail Appliances where we have a full time chef on staff.
He is not a chef for making staff lunches and food, rather he is a chef to help the customers make the right decision about what they need to buy for their kitchen, and once that happens he also will help them learn how to use a their new oven.

He also puts out a monthly newsletter that includes recipes, I do all his recipe editing and work very closely with him.

This is his recipe, as I was editing it, I knew this was one I had to make.

Adam LOVED it, Anderson LOVED it, Jackie, I know she will like it, she was just being picky that day.
Oh, and I LOVED it too!

Painting

2011-01-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was cold.

Cold and super windy.

So indoor activities are in order.

Jackie and I picked up a couple of cheap paint sets, you know the kind we all had as kids.

Both kids LOVED it!

Jackie painted a few dozen rainbows,

Anderson painted something that looks like an elephant painted it.

Then Adam gets involved. He had fun too!

I love the pile of pictures (rainbows) on the table.

We are going to be auctioning these rainbow pictures to help pay for her college.

Dinner Time

2011-01-08T07:00:00.001-07:00

When Adam and I first started living together I insisted on us sitting at the table for dinner and eating together, not the couch - the table.

I grew up in a house where dinner time was family time. Every night, we all ate together, no one was allowed to eat alone in their room, or later because they were not hungry right now.

I cherish that time as a family, I know it allowed my parents to keep tabs on us kids better, allowed for them to know who we were becoming as people, and it is something I will insist on doing as ours get older.

But that means we start at the beginning.

Dinner time in our house is something we have never delayed until the kids are in bed, we eat together and it is never on a couch watching TV.

The TV must also be off! Dinner time is family time.

Here is the problem though, right now we are dealing with teaching 2 toddlers that this means sitting in your chair and eating.

It does not mean you get to put all your food into your water glass, make "soup", and then play with said soup.

It does not mean you get to run around the house playing and then eating snacks at 7:00 because you decided you did not "like" chicken today.

I know I am not the first parent to battle the dinner time struggles, and I will not be the last.

Right now our family time often involves a time out for Anderson, where he is misbehaving so much that he warrants a time out in his room until he calms down enough to sit at the table and eat.

Jackie is much better at sitting, but due to a recent issue with a specific food, she thinks all food will cause the same reaction and tries not to eat it - fun!

I know we will get there, I know they are still young and we will keep plugging away at insisting family dinner time means no TV and it is time to eat and spend a little time together.

On My Nightstand - With Friends Like These

2011-01-07T07:30:00.002-07:00

With Friends Like These - By Sally Koslow

On the back cover:
Quincy, Talia, Chloe and Jules met in the early nineties after answering a roommate ad for a Manhattan apartment. Despite having little in common, the women became fast friends. A decade later, their lives have diverged, through their ties remain strong.

Quincy, a Midwestern introvert, is trying to overcome a set of tragedies by hunting for the perfect home; Tallia, a high-energy Brooklyn wife and mom with an outspoken conscience, is growing resentful of her friends' greater financial stability and her husband's lack of ambition; timid Chloe, also a mother, is trying to deflect pressure from her husband, a hedge fund manager, to play the role of trophy wife; while Jules, a fiercely independent actress / entrepreneur with ah wicked set of life rules, is confronting her forties alone.

When Jules gives her new boyfriend the inside scoop of the real estate gem Quincy is lusting after, and Talia chases a lucrative job earmarked for Chloe, the women are forced to wrestle with the challenges of love and motherhood. Will their friendships and marriages survive? And at what price?

My thoughts:
This book was only okay, it felt like a cheap Candace Bushnell knock-off. 4 friends, all living in New York - I feel like I have read 10 of these books already, and this one was missing what the others seemed to have.

My rating: 2 out of 5.

On My Nightstand - The Hunger Games

2011-01-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

The Hunger Games - By Suzanne Collins

On the back cover:
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capital surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-yea-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to death before - and survival, for her, is second nature.
Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My thoughts:
I asked for this book for Christmas and Santa delivered!
I have heard a lot about this book and the 2 other in the trilogy. They are young adult books, but adults have been raving about them (also saying they are way better than Twilight); so I thought I would give it a shot.
I devoured this book. I read it in under 2 days and LOVED it. I can't wait until I get my hands on the next 2.

My rating: 5 out of 5

Copy Cat

2011-01-05T13:47:00.002-07:00

The other day Jackie saw a girl around her age with her hair in a pony tail and a head band on.

So later that night, she found my head bands and proceeded to copy the look.

I just absolutely love that Anderson had to copy her too.

Chicken Jalfrezi

2011-01-05T13:40:00.001-07:00

Chicken Jalfrezi

1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast portions
1 TBSP oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 onion, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced, or 1 1/2 tsp pureed bottled ginger
1 -2 tsp red curry paste (I used Thai Kitchen brand)
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1 - 398ml can diced tomatoes
2 TBSP chopped fresh cilantro

Cut the chicken into 1/2 - 1 inch pieces and set aside.

Heat oil in a large heavy pan, add the cumin seeds and fry for about 2 minutes until they splutter. Add the onion, peppers and ginger, cook over medium high heat for 6-8 minutes, add the garlic for the last minute.

Add the curry paste and fry for about 2 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, ground coriander, cumin and salt, add 1 TBSP water; fry for a further 2 minutes.

Add the chicken cubes and fry for about 5 minutes. Ad dthe canned tomatoes and chopped cilantro. Cover the pan with a thigh fitting lid and cook for about 15 minutes or until the chicken cubes are tender.

Serve over hot rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Serves 4.

My Notes:
This recipe is from a book I got for Christmas simply called "Indian". I made a few modifications to the original, but really liked how it turned out so this is what I posted.
Adam and I really, rally liked this recipe, the flavours were amazing, and it was just the right amount of heat, add more, or not to your liking.

If you are looking for Cumin seeds, I found mine at Superstore - the only package they had was 400g - let's jsut say I have TONS left, if you live near me and want to make this, let me know and I will bring you a baggie with some cumin seeds.

Our New Year's

2011-01-03T14:19:00.002-07:00

At Adam's company Christmas party he won a pair of hockey tickets.

Lucky for us our amazing babysitter was available, so off we went.

Calgary vs hmmm - honestly - I can't remember, but we won!

Self portriat at the game, I was the DD this time, Adam, well he enjoyed himself.

I thoroughly enjoyed my nachos, the company and night out.

One of the best parts was after the game they did some fireworks inside. I tried to get a few pictures but all I brought was my iPhone - so not the best pictures.

On My Nightstand - The Road

2011-01-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

The Road - by Cormac McCarthy

On the back cover:
A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food -- and each other.

My thoughts:
I loved this book!
It was very well written, the descriptions were great; but what I really liked about this book, what made it so much better than other books is what it does not tell us.
There are so many unanswered questions throughout this book and mostly when you are done, it really makes you think.

My rating: 5 out of 5

Happy New Year!!

2011-01-01T00:01:00.003-07:00

A New Year's toast to all my favourite readers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas Morning

2010-12-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

Christmas morning started pretty early for us, but we expected that.

Jackie came into our room at 5:10am and said:

"I did not hear Santa."

After we convinced her to climb into bed with us, we told her she had to be sleeping for Santa to come.

So she tried to fall back asleep.

So did we.

But 6:00am - we all got up.

She must have been sleeping, cause Santa came,

he ate his cookies, drank his chocolate milk

and even took Comet his carrot.

Anderson got a snow shovel from Jacqueline - she already has one so now there will be no fighting.

Santa brought Anderson his first radio controlled car.

This one is designed for little kids since it only has 2 buttons, forwards and backwards.

We had lots of laughs as Anderson tried to figure it all out.

Pressing the button at the same time he is trying to pick it up, but of course the car is going away from him.

The kids got Zhu Zhu pets in their stockings, Brutis was not sure what to make of these little "hamsters" running around.

Oh and Brutis got his fair share of stuff from Santa too.

Toys and treats.

This picture is taken about 5 minutes after he opened this gift (yes, he can open all his own gifts).

Love the stuffing everywhere.

Jacqueline got a Leapster from Santa and a game to go with it.

She LOVES it!

As I went through our pictures I realized how poor a job we did at taking pictures, part of the problem is Adam and I actually wanted to partake in the Christmas fun and not be taking pictures the whole time, and we also were videotaping some of the time.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-31T13:56:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve in our house this year was a lot of fun.

We started the afternoon out with making some cookies for Santa.

At dinner Jackie was asking when we can hang the stockings.

We told her when you are in your pajamas, well 5:30 - both kids are in their pajamas.

So, stockings are hung with care...

Jackie thought Santa would like chocolate milk.

So, chocolate milk and cookies for Santa.

A carrot for Comet (she has been watching a lot of Santa Clause 2 where Comet plays a bigger role than Rudolf).

What a goof-ball! Can you tell she was super excited.

Thankfully she went to sleep quickly and Santa was able to put us onto the early shift.

The stockings had to be laid out in front of the tree for fear of them being too heavy for my stocking hangers and falling.

2010 Reading Review

2010-12-30T13:20:00.002-07:00

At the beginning of 2010 I set a goal to read 52 books this year. I wanted to average a book a week.

I quickly got myself ahead of the game and was about 1 or 2 books ahead all year long.

Then September and October came along. I am not sure if it was because we were busy, or the book I was reading did not grab me. (I actually did something I hardly ever do and did not finish one book.)

I just did not read much, so I had resigned myself to the fact that I would not reach my goal.

Well, November - watch out!

I read more books in November than I have ever read in one month, 8 to be exact!

Yes, most of them were barely 300 pages, but not only did it put me right back on track, it set me up for beating my goal.

2010 - 57 books read!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, that is 22,618 pages!

Here are a few of my favourites over this year:

Most of these books I have reviewed, a few I read before I started doing blog post reviews, but trust me, they are all good.

If you would like to see the review, click on the "2010 Reading List" on the right hand side of the blog.

Goals for next year:

I am going to slow down a bit. 2011 is not about reaching a specific number of books read, but more about enjoying every book I do read.

There are a few books on my list to read this year (okay there are tons of books on my list to read, but these are reading with purpose books).

I would like to re-read and read a few classics:

To Kill a Mocking Bird (read in grade 10 English - I think I would appreciate it more)
A Tale of Two Cities (read in grade 11 English - it has been on my list long before Oprah just announced it in her book club - now I will have a much harder time finding a nice used copy).
Pride and Prejudice (never read, but feel like I should)
Do you have any "classics" suggestions for me - what book is on your "everyone must read this before they die list - please only fiction suggestions - I am not a non-fiction reader if you had not noticed.

On My Nightstand - As Husbands Go

2010-12-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

As Husbands Go - by Susan Isaacs

On the back cover:
Call her superficial, but Susie B. Anthony Rabinowitz Gersten assumed her marriage was great -- and why not? Jonah Gersten, M.D., a Park Avenue plastic surgeon, clearly adored her. He was handsome, successful, and a doting dad to their four-year-old triplets Dashiell, Evan, and Mason.
But when Jonah is found in the Upper East Side apartment of second-rate "escort" Dorinda Dillon, Susie is overwhelmed with questions left unanswered. It's bad enough to know your husband's been murdered, but even worse when you're universally pitied (and quietly mocked) because of the sleaze factor.
None of it makes sense to Susie -- not a sexual liaison with someone like Dorinda, not the "better not to discuss it" response from Jonah's partners.

With help from her toughtalking, high-style Grandma Ethel who flies in from Miami, she takes on her snooty in-laws, her husband's partners, the NYPD, and the DA (is the person arrested for the homicide the actual perp, or just an easy mark for a prosecutor who hates the word "unsolved"?), as she tries to prove that her wonderful life with Jonah was no lie.

My take:
I enjoyed this book, but keep in mind, it is not heavy reading. This is pretty much "chick-lit" with a little bit of mystery detective in it.
I have some criticism though about the end that I don't want to say if someone wants to read this book.

My rating: 3 out of 5

On My Nightstand - Strangers at the Feast

2010-12-27T09:27:00.002-07:00

Strangers at the Feast - by Jennifer Vanderbes

On the back cover:
On Thanksgiving Day 2007, as the country teeters on the brink of recession, three generations of the Olson family gather. Elenor and Gavin worry about their daughter, a single academic, and her newly adopted Indian child, and about their son, who has been caught in the imploding real-estate bubble. While the Olsons navigate the tensions and secrets that mark their relationships, seventeen-year-old Kijo Jackson and his best friend Spider set out from the nearby housing projects on a mysterious job. A series of tragic events brings these two worlds even closer, exposing the dangerously think line between suburban privilege and urban poverty, and culminating in a crime that will change every one's life.

My take:
This book was talked about a lot on the book blogging circuit this summer, so I was really looking forward to reading it, but I have to admit I was disappointed.
The book is told from several different perspectives throughout one day, with each person telling me the reader parts of the relevant past to fill in all the details.
The story is well written and constructed, but I think I found too many of the characters too annoying to allow me to enjoy this book.

My rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T07:27:00.002-07:00

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas

Lots of love,

Adam, Jenny, Jacqueline, Anderson and Brutis

On My Nightstand - The Wildwater Walking Club

2010-12-23T07:27:00.001-07:00

On the back cover:
After losing her boyfriend and her job in one fell swoop, Noreen finds it hard to know what the next step is—never mind take it. For the first time in a great many years, Noreen has time to herself. So she puts on a new pair of sneakers and a seriously outdated pair of exercise pants, and walks.

It isn’t long before she’s joined by neighbors Tess and Rosie, two women as lost as she is. As the Wildwater women walk and talk, and talk and walk, they tally their steps, share their secrets, and begin putting their lives back together. And along the way, they learn what women everywhere are finding out—time flies, and getting fit is actually fun when you’re walking with friends.

My take:
This book was only okay, I was looking for a nice light read (I like to breakup of the generas of the books I am reading), so this book did the trick.
It is a simple, predictable book - great if you don't want to think, but at the same time it could have been so much more.

My rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Are you ready?

2010-12-22T12:49:00.002-07:00

I am almost ready!

gifts for Jackie from Mommy and Daddy - check
gifts for Anderson from Mommy and Daddy - check
gift for Anderson from Jackie - check
gift for Jackie from Anderson - check
Santa gifts for both Jackie and Anderson - check
gifts for Adam - check
gifts for other family members - check
gifts for Brutis - check
gifts for other pets in the family - check
stocking stuffers - check, check and check
turkey defrosting - check
groceries bought - check
wrapping - half check
cookies made for Santa - not done yet

I am almost ready, it is so much fun getting ready for Christmas with little kids in the house, all the presents are hiding in a huge box in the basement, we are going to put everything (including the gifts from us to the kids) out after the kids go to bed on Friday night, I can't wait for Saturday morning and the look on their faces.

And if you don't have little kids in your house this year, remember, you will be sleeping in a lot longer than I will be.

Blog Stalking

2010-12-18T07:30:00.002-07:00

Are you a blog stalker like me?

I have fallen in love with blog reading. I read food blogs, book blogs, Mom blogs, my friends blogs and even people I don't know blogs.
I rarely comment, I always feel like they won't want to hear from me when they don't know me, but then I think about my own blog, I would love to hear from you if I don't know you.
I know people follow the links from other blogs, and the blog address gets passed around or given out, and I am totally fine with that.
But now that blogger is doing stats (this allows me to see how many visitors / day come, what countries people are from), I am even more curious - who is from Egypt that is checking my blog? And what about Germany?

I love that I have followers that I do not know - but I would love to hear from you, so feel free to comment on this post or any post.

Christmas Traditions

2010-12-17T08:17:00.001-07:00

Looking back into the past at Christmas when I was growing up, we had some great traditions.

We opened our presents on Christmas Eve - not Christmas morning.

We put up our Christmas tree on the first day of Christmas holidays from school - in the afternoon since we always got off at noon, we always had egg nog and Christmas music blasting.

When we were pretty little, Mom would make cookies with us, we got to use the cookie cutters and then decorate the cookies.

As Jacqueline and Anderson are getting older, I am excited to start creating happy Christmas tradition memories with them too.
This year we are staying home for Christmas morning, last year Jackie understood the concept of Santa, but this year, both kids do. I can't wait to see the look on their faces Christmas morning when the stockings are full and the presents have been delivered.

What are some of your favourite Christmas memories / traditions.

On My Nightstand - Irreplaceable

2010-12-17T07:31:00.002-07:00

Irreplaceable - by Stephen Lovely

On the back cover:
When 30-year-old archaeologist Alex Voormann’s bright, ambitious wife, Isabel, is killed in a bicycle accident, he is faced with a momentous decision. She had filled out a donor card, and the hospital staff are requesting his permission to take her heart for a woman who would die without a transplant. Even a full year after he signed off on the procedure, Alex is still conflicted about the decision, so when Janet Corcoran, the mother of two whose life Isabel saved, contacts him, he becomes angry. Her gratefulness reminds him all over again of his grievous loss, and he can’t help but feel resentful that her good fortune came at his expense; meanwhile, his mother-in-law has a totally different reaction, believing that her daughter’s generous spirit lives on in Janet.

My take:
I liked the concept of this book, it would make for some great book club discussions, but I found a lot of it a little too far fetched.
It was not the best book, I feel it could have been written much better, but it might not have sold as many books then??

My rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Mommy's Brag Moment

2010-12-15T07:25:00.001-07:00

I am going to take a minute to brag as a mom.

I am not really sure if this is super good, or just good or even just normal, but I have to say I am pretty proud of my little girl.

Not only is she able to hold a pen properly (and has been able to for over 2 years now), but she is a pretty good little colourer too.

Anna (day home lady) has been working with her to understand where the lines are and how some thing have to be different colours and how other things (like skin) should not be green.

Jacqueline has done great in understanding and putting into practice everything Anna has been teaching her.

You will notice from the picture below, that lips must be red, eyes must be blue, and skin is now skin toned, not green or blue.

Thai-Style Ground Beef

2010-12-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Thai-Style Ground Beef

1 cup thinly sliced leek (2-3 whole leeks depending on their size)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
1 tsp red curry paste (such as Thai Kitchen)
1 398 ml can tomato sauce
1 398 ml can coconut milk
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 lime, zested and juiced
1 tbsp Asian fish sauce
Cooked rice
Iceberg lettuce, sliced
Lime wedges

In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef, when about half done, add the leeks and continue cooking, once the leeks and ground beef are almost done, add the minced garlic. Cook one minute longer, then add curry paste and tomato sauce, cook until half the liquid is evaporated (about 2 minutes). Add coconut milk, brown sugar, lime zest, lime juice and Asian fish sauce, stir and continue cooking.
Reduce heat and simmer until sauce starts to thicken.
Remove from heat and serve with rice, lettuce and live wedges.

Yield: 4 servings
Source: adapted from Cooking Light

On My Nightstand - The Red Queen

2010-12-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Red Queen - by Philippa Gregory

On the back cover:
Heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, Margaret Beaufort never surrenders her belief that her house is the true ruler of England and that she has a great destiny before her. Her ambitions are disappointed when her sainted cousin Henry VI fails to recognize her as a kindred spirit, and she is even more dismayed when he sinks into madness. Her mother mocks her plans, revealing that Margaret will always be burdened with the reputation of her father, one of the most famously incompetent English commanders in France. But worst of all for Margaret is when she discovers that her mother is sending her to a loveless marriage in remote Wales.

Married to a man twice her age, quickly widowed, and a mother at only fourteen, Margaret is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. She sets her heart on putting her son on the throne of England regardless of the cost to herself, to England, and even to the little boy. Disregarding rival heirs and the overwhelming power of the York dynasty, she names him Henry, like the king; sends him into exile; and pledges him in marriage to her enemy Elizabeth of York’s daughter. As the political tides constantly move and shift, Margaret charts her own way through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. She feigns loyalty to the usurper Richard III and even carries his wife’s train at her coronation.

Widowed a second time, Margaret marries the ruthless, deceitful Thomas, Lord Stanley, and her fate stands on the knife edge of his will. Gambling her life that he will support her, she then masterminds one of the greatest rebellions of the time—all the while knowing that her son has grown to manhood, recruited an army, and now waits for his opportunity to win the greatest prize.

My take:
I really like Philippa Gregory, I can't read her all the time, but when you are in the mood for a great historical fiction, she is a wonderful choice.
This book is very well done; it is the second part to the Cousins War (War of the Roses - York vs. Lancaster).
I really liked how between the two books, Gregory wrote the first book "The White Queen" from one perspective and then this book is written from the opposite but during the same time in history.

You do not have to have read the first book to read this one.

My rating: 4 our of 5.

On My Nightstand - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

2010-12-14T07:35:00.001-07:00

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - by Mark Haddon

On the back cover:
Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. b He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. And he detests the colour yellow.
This improbable story of Christopher's quest to investigate one of the most captivating, unusual, and widely heralded novels in recent years.

My take:
This book was recommended to me by a good friend and avid reader. It is a pretty easy / short read (only 226 pages), this book is written from the perspective of a 16 year old autistic child.
I found it fascinating how well Haddon wrote and brought me into Christopher's mind.
It is a great little book and I highly recommend everyone reading it, it certainly helps me understand a little bit more about autism.

My rating: 4 out of 5.

Gingerbread Houses

2010-12-13T10:55:00.002-07:00

My sister Amy and I decided to do a gingerbread house with Jackie this year, since we knew Anderson was too little to help, Jackie and I headed over to Amy's house.

I have to say, I am impressed at how well Jackie did. I did all the icing and showed her what candies to put where, and she did the rest. She has great attention to detail!

Amy's house - not complete yet...

Jackie's house - all done.

Kids Christmas Party

2010-12-06T10:57:00.002-07:00

This year my company decided to do a kids Christmas party.
They had pizza, snacks, Trixie the Elf (magician and story teller), and of course the big man himself -- Santa.

Anderson was having an off weekend and I expected him to not like Santa - he is still pretty young to understand the concept, Jacqueline however did great - this was the first time she actually smiles for a picture with him.

We had a great time and the kids each got a great gift.

Conversations with a 3 year old

2010-12-03T07:48:00.001-07:00

Me: Happy Birthday to Brutis, Happy Birthday to Brutis...
Jackie: Mommy, Brutis is not 2, he is 5; can we sing Happy Birthday 5 Brutis?

Me: Anderson, here is Mr. Blankie; Jackie here is Mrs. Blankie.
Jackie: my blankie is not Mrs.
Me: What is she?
Jackie: a Princess!
Me: Jackie, you are a funny little lady.
Jackie: Mommy, I am not a little lady!
Me: Oh, what are you then?
Jackie: I am a Princess!

Happy Birthday Brutis!

2010-12-02T08:34:00.001-07:00

I know we are pathetic, but he is a huge part of our family.

Today Brutis turns 5, that is 35 in doggie years - middle age.

Here is a little bit about our wonderful dog, Brutis.

He is a daddy's boy!
If I get up before Adam, I let Brutis out of his kennel and he runs upstairs to join Adam in bed - and they snuggle and sleep together both loving it.
At meal time, he sits under Anderson's chair, waiting for anything to fall, and will eat anything - except peas - will not touch them.
Jackie still only tolerates him, Anderson, LOVES him - hugs all the time.
He loves a good game of chase the Brutis, or hide and go seek with Daddy.
Give him a toy with a squeaker, and it becomes his mission in life to get that squeaker out.
He is insufferable to me the second Adam leaves the house - this means usually Brutis is on a leash just so I can catch him, this also means the kids like to walk (drag) him around the house and then loop the leash onto a door knob and leave him tied up until I come to the rescue.

He has been a wonderful addition to our family, and we remind him often that although he has gotten bumped down the totem pole a few times, he was our first baby, and we picked him, the kids we just got stuck with, LOL.

The Tree

2010-11-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

This was not a planned photo, but Sunday morning this is what they both did. Just wait until there are presents under that tree.

Santa -
Now that the tree is up Jackie was asking if Santa was coming. We told her it was not for a while still, I told her that Santa would come and put presents under the tree, but right now he is at the North Pole making all the presents.

Then I told her that Santa will come at Christmas, he rides in a sleigh and the reindeer pull it.

Her response was so cute: "Ohhhhh". Like it all makes perfect sense now. I love how kids believe this. I love that they can believe something so completely impossible.

Christmas Tree Setup

2010-11-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

The last weekend in November or first weekend in December is our traditional time for setting up the tree.

Of course we had to get Egg Nog for the occasion. Adam and I like ours with Disaronno - yumm!

The kids had Egg Nog for the first time, it was pretty cute to see and hear their expressions. Needless to say - they both love it.

We had a great family time setting up the tree. Jackie was so excited and even remembered her Dora ornament.

After we were all done, they parked themselves for a little while in front to admire it.

On My Nightstand - A Reliable Wife

2010-11-28T08:15:00.001-07:00

A Reliable Wife - by Robert Goolrick

I liked this book. It was a very different kind of book than I normally read, first it was written by a man (I have noticed I tend to favour female authors - not sure why exactly - but the books are written so differently).

On the back cover:

Set in a small Wisconsin farming and manufacturing town still crumbling a decade after the great depression of the 1890-s, this is the story of Ralph Truitt, a wealthy businessman who advertises for "a reliable wife" in newspapers across America.

The woman whom he chooses, Catherine Land, describes herself as "a simple, honest woman," but in truth she is both complex and devious -- not the missionary's daughter she describes in her letter but a courtesan of great beauty, kept by men and haunted by a terrible past.

Her plan in accepting the marriage offer is simple: she will win this man's devotion, and then, ever so slowly, poison him and leave Wisconsin a wealthy widow. What she has not counted on, though , is a passion she finds in this seemingly solid, forthright man -- a man who also harbors secrets and whose past is far from pure.

Filled with remarkable characters and drenched with colour and atmosphere, A Reliable Wife is a story of love and madness, longing and murder, played out in a world that seems to have gone temporarily off its axis.

My rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

The Princess and the Hansom Boy

2010-11-27T08:15:00.001-07:00

Conversation between Jackie and I:

Jackie: Mommy, I am a princess!
Me: Really!
Jackie: Not him (Anderson), he is a hansom boy.

Hmm - I agree.

A New Canadian Citizenship Exam

2010-11-26T08:10:00.001-07:00

My sister, Amy and I thought we should give Catalina the "real" Canadian citizenship exam, so we came up with a few questions.

See how you do, answers are posted below. Please note some anwsers could have more than one correct answer, and some questions are more funny than real.

1. What tree do you use to make Maple Syrup?

2. When is winter in Canada?

3. What year did the Nadeau family move to Alberta?

4. What is the Wheat Capital of Alberta?

5. Where is “the centre of the universe”?

6. What is a nick name for Calgary?

7. How long does it take to drive to Vancouver from Calgary?

8. What animal is on the Canadian Nickel?

9. Spell colour the Canadian way?

10. What is the tallest building in Canada?

11. Name one province where you would find Polar Bears.

12. Name a Canadian Invention.

13. What is Canada’s biggest province (by land space)?

14. What is Canada’s biggest province (population)?

15. What are Canada’s official colours?

16. Where are the highest tides in the world?

17. What is the largest Island in Canada?

18. What is the largest land animal native to Canada?

19. What province has the greatest population density?

20. Near what city was the first oil well drilled in North America?

21. What is the National Canadian word?

22. What is bigger? A Winnipeg Horsefly or a hummingbird?

23. What is the official Canadian beverage?

24. What cleans the ice in between hockey game periods?

25. What is the Canadian Tuxedo?

26. What is the Canadian name for couch/sofa?

27. What is the Canadian name for “napkin”?

28. What is one of Canada’s national foods?

29. What is Canada's national sport?

30. Name a famous Canadian singer.

Scroll down for answers....

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Answer Key:

1. What tree do you use to make Maple Syrup?
- Maple Tee

2. When is winter in Canada?
- October to May

3. What year did the Nadeau family move to Alberta?
- 1989

4. What is the Wheat Capital of Alberta?
- Three Hills

5. Where is “the centre of the universe”?
- Toronto

6. What is a nick name for Calgary?
- Cow town

7. How long does it take to drive to Vancouver from Calgary?
- 12 hours

8. What animal is on the Canadian Nickel?
- Beaver

9. Spell colour the Canadian way?
- colour

10. What is the tallest building in Canada?
- CN tower

11. Name one province where you would find Polar Bears.
- Manitoba

12. Name a Canadian Invention.
- Basketball, telephone, insulin, light bulb, 5-pin bowling, wonder bra, pacemaker, Robertson screwdriver, zipper, wheel chair, snow blower, road lines, superman, and many more

13. What is Canada’s biggest province (by land space)?
- Quebec

14. What is Canada’s biggest province (population)?
- Ontario

15. What are Canada’s official colours?
- Red and White

16. Where are the highest tides in the world?
- Bay of Fundy

17. What is the largest Island in Canada?
- Baffin Island

18. What is the largest land animal native to Canada?
- Buffalo (Bison)

19. What province has the greatest population density?
- Prince Edward Island

20. Near what city was the first oil well drilled in North America?
- Calgary

21. What is the National Canadian word?
- “Eh”

22. What is bigger? A Winnipeg Horsefly or a hummingbird?
- Winnipeg Horsefly

23. What is the official Canadian beverage?
- A Double Double

24. What cleans the ice in between hockey game periods?
- Zamboni

25. What is the Canadian Tuxedo?
- Blue jeans and a matching jean jacket

26. What is the Canadian name for couch/sofa?
- Chesterfield

27. What is the Canadian name for “napkin”?
- Serviette

28. What is one of Canada’s national foods?
- Poutine

29. What is Canada’s national sport?
- Lacross

30. Name a famous Canadian singer.
- Too many to list

34,108,842 + 1

2010-11-26T07:25:00.000-07:00

A New Canadian Citizen!

Yesterday my sister-in-law, Catalina became a Canadian Citizen!

Congratulations Catalina and welcome to Canada!

(I told her earlier this week, as it was -30 or colder out, that this was a test to see if she really, really wanted to be a Canadian.)

Things I Love about Calgary #1

2010-11-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

One thing I love about Calgary is the weather.

I know, I know - I must be crazy, especially considering the year we have had, but here me out.

#1 - We have never had a hurricane.
#2 - Although there might be tornadoes in the area - we do not live in Tornado Alley.
#3 - We get a lot of sun (especially when you compare to Vancouver or London, England).
#4 - We get snow. I know not everyone is a fan of the snow - but kids love it - and I loved it as a child.
#5 - Summer is not +40 temperatures.
#6 - CHINOOKS!!!

I do not consider myself a winter person, I do not ski, I strongly dislike skating (my feet always get cold), tobogganing is fun, but not as much fun as sitting beside a fire drinking the hot chocolate after, so I love that I live in the land of Chinooks.

I love that we can go from -30 one day, and then next day be at only -3.

I love the little mini breaks we get during our winters, the only problem is it always starts to make me think about camping... only 5 more months to go....

Blog Watch - Smitten Kitchen

2010-11-24T07:48:00.001-07:00

Smitten Kitchen

I love this blog. Deb, the author lives with her family in New York City and is very well known in the food blogging world. She takes amazing pictures and I am always floored to see what she can produce in her small kitchen (42 square feet). And I complain about mine, with my huge basement for storage...

Here are a few photos I pulled from her blog.

Lobster Rolls

Onion Soup

On My Nightstand - Sarah's Key

2010-11-23T07:16:00.001-07:00

Sarah's Key - by Tatiana De Rosnay

I came across this book in the summer, read the back cover on-line and it gave me shivers. I immediately said - there is no way I can read that book. But I was fascinated, I kept coming back to it.
Finally I gave in an picked it up.
It took me a while to get to it (shivers still), but WOW, am I glad I finally read it.

This is a wonderful, amazing book.
Incredibly sad considering the content, but so well written, so well told.

I really liked this book.

On the back cover:
Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten-year-old girl is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night. Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard - their secret hiding place - and promises to come back for him as soon as they are released.

Sixty Years Later: Sarah's story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future.

My rating: 4 1/2 our of 5.

Mom's Famous Curry Chicken

2010-11-23T07:15:00.002-07:00

This recipe is famous in my family. Mom makes it all the time and I requested it when she came to stay with us after each child was born.

Curry Chicken

1 lb bone-in chicken pieces

2 medium onions, diced

1 TBSP olive oil

1 TBSP ground tumeric

1 TBSP chili powder

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg

1 TBSP ground corriander

1 TBSP garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 large container plain yogurt (600 - 700 ml)

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, add onion cook until starting to brown.
Add spices, stirring and cook 2 minutes.
Add yogurt. Taste and add more spices if needed.
Add raw chicken pieces. Lower the tempurture to medium low, cover and cook for 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Stirring occasionally - cook until the chicken is done.

Serve over rice and enjoy!

Homemade Bread

2010-11-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend I decided to make some bread. It has been a long time since I have made bread at home and I realized how much I miss it.

The bread turned out great, but the recipe I used was weird. The timing on everything was way off compared to the recipe, so I will wait to share it with you all until I make it again and can nail down the timing.

Jackie helping with the punch down.

What amazes me is the ingredient list, take a look at what is in my regular store bought brown bread and compare it to my ingredient list.
Store bought bread ingredient list:
Whole grain whole wheat flour, water, yeast, sugar, glucose-fructose, wheat gluten, canola or soybean oil, salt, vinegar, acetylated tartaric acid esters of mono- and digycerides, calcium propionate, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, monoglycerides, sorbic acid.

My bread ingredient list:
Whole wheat flour, water, powdered milk, brown sugar, canola oil, yeast, salt

I am not planning on making all our bread now, but I am going to make an effort to make more of our own bread, especially now that it is winter and we are inside so much more - besides - who does not like the smell of bread baking?

On My Nightstand - That Old Cape Magic

2010-11-22T08:37:00.000-07:00

That Old Cape Magic - by Richard Russo

This is another book club book. I have to admit, I found this book reather borring. There was not much substance there.

On the back cover:
Griffin has been tooling around for nearly a year with his father’s ashes in the trunk, but his mother is very much alive and not shy about calling on his cell phone. She does so as he drives down to Cape Cod, where he and his wife, Joy, will celebrate the marriage of their daughter Laura’s best friend. For Griffin this is akin to driving into the past, since he took his childhood summer vacations here, his parents’ respite from the hated Midwest. And the Cape is where he and Joy honeymooned, in the course of which they drafted the Great Truro Accord, a plan for their lives together that’s now thirty years old and has largely come true. He’d left screenwriting and Los Angeles behind for the sort of New England college his snobby academic parents had always aspired to in vain; they’d moved into an old house full of character; and they’d started a family. Check, check and check.

But be careful what you pray for, especially if you manage to achieve it. By the end of this perfectly lovely weekend, the past has so thoroughly swamped the present that the future suddenly hangs in the balance. And when, a year later, a far more important wedding takes place, their beloved Laura’s, on the coast of Maine, Griffin’s chauffeuring two urns of ashes as he contends once more with Joy and her large, unruly family, and both he and she have brought dates along. How in the world could this have happened?

My rating: 2 out of 5.

On My Nightstand - Blame

2010-11-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Blame by Michelle Huneven

I chose this book as my pick for book club, I read some good reviews about it and liked the concept.

Overall - this book was okay, I feel like it could have been so much more, the characters were well developed, and the story well done - but still there was something missing; maybe it was that the suspense, the shocker of the book was revealed on the back cover?

On the back cover:
Patsy MacLemoore, a history professor in her late twenties with a brand-new PH.D. from Berkeley and a wild streak, wakes up in jail - yet again - after another epic alcoholic blackout. "Okay, what'd I do?" she asks her lawyer and jailers. "I really don't remember." She add jokingly: "Did I kill someone?"

In fact, two Jehovah's Witnesses, a mother and daughter, are dead, run over in Patsy's driveway. Patsy, who was driving with a revoked license, will spend the rests of her life -- in prison, getting sober, finding a new community (and a husband) in AA - trying to atone for this unpardonable act.

Then, decades later, another unimaginable piece of information turns up.

For the reader, it is an electrifying moment, a joyous, fall-off-the-couch-with-surprise moment. For Patsy, it is more complicated. Blame must be reapportioned, her life reassessed.
What does it mean that her life has been based on wrong assumptions? What can she cleave to? What must be relinquished?

My rating: 3 out of 5

Swimming Success!

2010-11-18T12:22:00.001-07:00

I am happy to report success last night in Jackie's swimming lessons.

As I posted two weeks ago, she did not have a good class, and neither did Anderson - we pulled Anderson out of his class - he was way too old to be playing baby games, did not want to be held , he just wanted to do his own thing.

Jackie - was terrified, so for the second class, we decided to send her with Adam - but this time Adam would be dressed to go into the pool with her. That did not work out so well - I think she got her big toe wet and that is it.

So - last night was class number 3. I took her - drove on those crazy, crappy roads, got into my bathing suit - and got to the pool - and she freaked out.

But there was no way I was going to give up - after battling traffic and bad roads to get there - so we pushed through (we are the only ones that actually came for that class).

Michael, the swimming instructor was trying to tell me how to deal with her, suggesting I leave the pool - let her work it out on her own - but I knew it would be even worse if I did (I did some of my own research on dealing with shy kids).

What we did however, was have her join an older class that had a female swimming instructor - and it worked!

She slowly started to join the class and I slowly started to back away from the class. By the end, I was sitting on a bench - out of the pool and she waved to me.

It was definitely a proud Mommy moment as I was finally able to sit back and watch her.

Let's hope next week starts out better but ends the same way!

Snow + Traffic

2010-11-18T08:35:00.002-07:00

Well I feel like I have to say something, I don't want to, but I feel like I have to.

A picture taken of an intersection on my drive home last night

I have tried very hard not to complain, you see back in September I decided to try and be more positive - I stopped complaining about most things that are out of my control - specifically the weather.

And for the last 2 days, I have done very little complaining, but here is where I feel like I need to say something.

Is it just me, or does it feel like Calgary is just realizing they are a winter city and they actually need to have a plan when it comes to snow removal?

I know the city has put more money into snow removal this year, I know they are all talking about it, I know this is a major complaint every year and with every big dump of snow - but seriously - Calgary - get it together already.

I lived in Winnipeg for a year, so I went through a winter there - and let me tell you - not only do they get WAY more snow, the snow does not melt there - no Chinooks.
Winnipeg has it together in their snow removal - why can't Calgary sent a few people there to learn from them and implement some changes here.

Here is what happens in Winnipeg:

You are not allowed to park cars on most roads from November until April (I think it was April - can't quite remember).
The city clears not only the major roads, but all the residential roads (hence the no parking on the street law), they also clear the back alleys (so people have a way to get their cars into their parking spots, and then they also clear the city sidewalk infront of your house.
The best thing they do, is no snow plow goes out alone - they are always in teams - staggered to clear an entire road at the same time.

It is funny - I lived in Winnipeg over 8 years ago - and yesterday I heard on the radio someone talking about how Calgary was implementing this great NEW way to clear roads - multiple snowplows - staggered to clear the whole road at once. Hmm - NEW?

Okay - rant over - cheers to Calgarians slowing down and not having anywhere near as many accidents as past years!

I will now suck it up and until I am willing to become a city alderman and actually do something about my issue, I will keep my mouth, turn back to being positive - and drive slowly.

On a positive note - the kids are loving the snow!

On My Nightstand - Room

2010-11-17T09:25:00.002-07:00

Room by Emma Donoghue

This is a phenomenal book!

It is gripping and heart breaking at the same time.

Written from the perspective of a 5 year old makes it interesting to read but it is still a pretty easy read.

I read this book in 2 days.

On the back cover:

It's where he was born. It's where he and Ma eat and sleep and play and learn. There are endless wonders that let loose Jack's imagination - the snake under Bed that he constructs out of eggshells; the imaginary world projected through the TV; the coziness of Wardrobe beneath Ma's clothes, where she tucks him in safely at night, in case Old Nick comes.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it's the prison where she's been held since she was nineteen - seven long years. Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in that eleven-by-eleven foot space. But Jack's curiosity is building alongside Ma's own desperation, and she knows that Room cannon contain either indefinitely...

Told in the inventive, funny, and poignant voice of Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience - and a powerful story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible.

My rating: 4 1/2 our of 5.

All About Us

2010-11-16T12:20:00.023-07:00

I saw this over at Alison's blog and thought I would join in the fun and sharing.

All about Adam and I!

1. What are your middle names? Desmond & Marguerite

2. How long have you been together? married 5 years, together 7 1/2 years
3. How long did you know each other before you started dating? a few months
4. Who asked who out? Adam asked me out
5. How old are each of you? Adam - 37; me - 31
6. Did you go to the same school? No, never - however we have worked at 2 different jobs together.
7. Are you from the same home town? No - Adam is from Toronto, moved here after University; I am from the Prairies.
8. Who is the smartest? Me - hands down!
9. Who majored in what? Adam - hmm - not sure what exactly - nothing he is using now. I did not do any post-secondary.
10. Who is the most sensitive? Me.
11. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Mexico.
12. Who has the worst temper? hmm - we both have a bit of a temper - but he tends to lose his faster with the kids.
13. How many children do you want? 2 - we are done!
14. Who is more social? We are both pretty social - but I would say he is more than me.
15. Who is the neat freak? Neither one of us - but I tend to be neater than him.
16. Who is the most stubborn? Both - it just depends on what it is.
17. Who wakes up earlier? Me - well, he might be awake before me, but I will get out of bed before him usually - unless it is my morning to sleep in and he takes care of the kids.
18. Where was your first date? We had a small date - drinks at Melrose - but I would say our first big date was dinner at Murrietta's
19. Who has the bigger family? We both do - I have more sibblings and we all live close, he has a bigger extended family, but they all live far away.
20. Do you get flowers often? No! Adam has a terrible time remembering that even the grocery store sells flowers!
21. How do you spend the holidays? Holidays - Christmas - with family usually.
22. Who is more jealous? Neither of us.
23. How long did it take to get serious? Do you want that in hours or minutes? Once we started dating it was serious from minute one!
24. Who eats more? Adam
25. What do you do for a living? Adam is in sales; I am an executive assistant.
26. Who does the laundry? Both of us.
27. Who's better with the computer? Me.
28. Who drives when you are together? Adam 75% of the time, me 25%.
29. What is your song? We don't really have a song.

Household Tips

2010-11-16T08:55:00.001-07:00

I came accross this website a while ago and found a whole list of helpful household tips. I thought I would share some that interest me with you all.

Kitchen Tips

To keep marshmallows fresh and moist, store in a freezer.
To revive dried out marshmallows, put them in a wire strainer and hold them over boiling water.
Stuff a miniature marshmallow into the botton of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream cones from dripping.

* None of these tips have been tested by me, I just thought they were good ideas and just might work.