Friday, 24 January 2020

Rhythms of Renewal

Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose - Rebecca Lyons

Maybe with the start of this book I can also awaken my old hobby of writing. I hope my kids reference this blog to enjoy the adventures we have shared. I let insecurities stop me from sharing for a long while. I started this book and felt inspired. As I read through the book and complete the study I`ll share different thoughts.  I`m just heading out to celebrate Chinese New Year party with Romilly`s class.


Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose  -     By: Rebekah Lyons


Thursday, 11 August 2016

Dufferin Grove Park

Hi! We are living in Toronto now. 

We've been spending our down time on our bikes and discovering the many city parks. 

Today we had a few admin errands to run and ended up with a shwarma picnic at Dufferin Grove Park. 
The park is located on the east side of Dufferin Street, south of Bloor Street West.. We've discovered most Toronto neighbourhood parks have toys left about. Love this idea, we should all share! 
 
There is a great level of community involvement, and it shows. Lots of large trees shade the playground and picnic areas. The large playground has climbers, spring toys, swings, as well as spashpool. There is a fantastic digging area where kids spend time being very creative with dirt/mud & big and small shovels. If you have come unprepared, there is green roof Cafe selling food & drink. 

read it was a full season park. There is a skating rink here in the winter months. We will be exploring Toronto for at least the next year so I'm excited to write a little bit about our finds. I'm feeling really happy with this move. Almost settled! 
I've  missed writing and I'm hoping to make a little more time for it this fall. 

Feeling welcome in Toronto! Xo








The digging area! 

Monday, 11 April 2016

A Recipe, With Him In Mind

I haven't made time to post in ages. 

This recipe was worth sharing. It was gorgeous, and perfect for Husband who has a broken jaw after having corrective surgery, only a few weeks ago. S is only able to have soft foods and smoothies. I think he was pretty happy when I discovered this vegetarian recipe. Skip the egg & cheese and go vegan.
  Enjoy! Xxo 

This dinner gave me a sweet reminder that Husband wooed me with mushroom, wine & grain risotto in our first few months of dating. 


Goop Grain Free Risotto 

Cauliflower is a great stand-in for rice in this grain-free version of risotto.

SERVES 1

1/3 cup white onion, very finely minced

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 garlic clove, very finely minced

1/4 head cauliflower

salt & pepper to taste

chili flake

½ cup very tightly packed baby spinach leaves, thinly sliced

1/3 water + extra as needed

½ cup parmesan cheese + extra for garnish

1 teaspoon lemon zest

poached egg

1. Break cauliflower into florets and pulse in a food processor until it’s all the size of couscous (about 5-10 times for 1 second each time).

2. Meanwhile, combine butter and onion in a small dutch oven and sauté over low heat, partially covered, for about 5 minutes, or until translucent and tender.

3. Add 1 ½ cups cauliflower “rice,” garlic, a good pinch of salt, and a pinch of chili flakes. Turn the heat up to medium high, and cook until garlic is fragrant and cauliflower is just beginning to brown.

4. Add spinach and water and cook for a minute or two, until most of the liquid has evaporated.

5. Stir in ½ cup parmesan and the lemon zest and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to achieve a slightly creamy consistency.

6. Garnish with a poached egg and extra parmesan cheese. 


Sunday, 28 February 2016

Bucket List

Grammy scratched skating on the world's largest skating rink off her bucket list this weekend. We had a lovely birthday visit with her. She's glowing in the picture I captured. We skated just over 2.5 km last night. The weather was gorgeous for it. The canal needs perfect timing so I am glad we had it in this weekend. 



These two having a chuckle over Grammy's triple sow cow days on the ice in the back yard. Growing up in Guelph the Gillespie's always made a rink in the backyard. Euan is still shuffling along in his lessons every week, soon he will be canal ready. For those who want to enjoy the atmosphere they rent cute little sleighs that you can push your family in. I gave Grammy this option but she was ready to check skating off her list. ✔️

Friday, 5 February 2016

KID SWAP

Our Nursery school friends Simon and Zoe are in Euan and Romilly's classes at BCCNS this year. On Tuesday I suggested we might do a kid swap. I took the boys home for lunch and a trip to the museum and Sarah took the girls for a fun afternoon at her house. I'm still not sure who got the better deal but the boys behaved very well and we all loved hanging out at the Bug Exhibit that is on right now.  

Afternoons are the best after the school trips have cleared out. I was even able to catch free parking avoiding my usual $12 charge. The boys noticed right away that the museum's jellyfish was hung back up after it had been taken down for cleaning a few weeks ago. This museum has been a favourite place to hang out in Ottawa I have bought a family membership the last 3 years. It is fantastic for all extreme weather and a great place to meet other family friends on the weekends. The cafe has a great selection of food. You will have no problem finding the perfect lunch or snack and subscription holders are offered a 10% discount at The Cafe. Our membership is sadly coming to an end this month. I hope we find plenty of new city adventures on our next posting this summer.




Wednesday, 3 February 2016

NAC DATE NIGHTS

Canadian born Peter Katz:

 I was looking for new artist to add to my Feet Up Friday blog post in 2009. I came across Peter on YouTube. When I googled him I found out he would be in Bristol,UK that week where I was living at time. ( a wonderful coincidence) 

Although many Indy on their way, acts have passed through this venue, The Louisiana is your typical seedy pub with a poky little stage upstairs that fits very few patrons. I ended up going alone. ( the most freeing way of being entertained ) I'm glad I did because I am not sure I will get to see him, as intimately as I did that evening, again. There were maybe 10 people at that show. 

Peter's heart is right out there. His connection with the audience is magical. I am not a music buff but I looked around the room and saw the sore cheeked smiles on many people around me at his NAC show in Ottawa this week. I am pretty sure he had the feeling his audience is growing and he is becoming a much anticipated artist by many. I have been a fan of his music since Bristol My husband since The Black Sheep Inn Ottawa 2013 and many friends across Canada who I've told to search him out if they want a fantastic night out. 

We will be living in Toronto next year which I am hoping will give us the opportunity to see many more shows.
 I know you will all be hearing Peter's  entire CD be played regulary on the radio. I bought his new CD -We Are The Reckoning and I love it all! 

I can't wait to see this humble human perform again. 



Saturday, 30 January 2016

Handsome Boys

Winterlude fun with friends this weekend tuckered us all out! So many beautiful sculptures at Jacques Cartier park. Get down there Ottawa! 


Thursday, 28 January 2016

WITH A SMILE






Chop Chop

These two are we're superstars today at the hair dressers. So glad I finally worked up enough courage to get Miss Rose's hair sorted after Euan gave it the chop, chop this summer! She looks lovely with short hair. We found a new stylist for the kids finally after many questionable haircuts. Kate was patient and really good at what she does. They both are growing up way too fast for my liking. These haircuts just emphasize that. My little bugs "swoon".






Saturday, 23 January 2016

A BRIDGE TO MODERNITY

Steve took me to the National Gallery of Canada to see the Monet -A Bridge to Modernity on Thursday for our date night. Cameras were not aloud in the exhibit. It was lovely. I have enjoyed this painter since high school and it was great to see some his early work in England and France just outside Paris. How incredible to read the artwork description and analysis and his life interest between 1872-1875 after the Franco-Prussian War.









Thursday, 21 January 2016

L UPDATE

L is in Melbourne right now attending the Australian Open. I was thrilled when she FaceTimed me last night to include me. It was so clear as if sitting right beside her. Technology is amazing. We first saw Wimbledon together and then The Rogers Cup this summer next stop Paris? 

I've been basically sitting around all afternoon waiting for the Andy Murray call *wink* Have a magical time my friend! Love u! Xo


L sent me these a few days before she jetted off to the tennis! This time is absolute magic for her. I loved being 30!



Monday, 18 January 2016

WINTER ANTICIPATION

We can't wait to have our first skate on the canal. Every year anticipation builds for the freezing of the Rideau Canal Skateway ( world's largest). 8 years ago Steve and I had our first trip away together and skated on one of the coldest nights in Ottawa. Such a great memory although It seems like a life time ago now.