c. blog

The end.

2011-02-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

This is my last post in this space. I felt the need for a fresh start. Come find me at soup.

my emotional state

2010-12-10T13:54:00.000-08:00

expressed by javier bardem

happy movember

2010-11-05T20:41:00.001-07:00

Jane wants all y'all to mo it up!

moustache sticker courtesy picnik.com

"flo"

2010-10-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

love when the live version is so rich.

Quick Yoga for Toddlers and Moms

2010-09-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

oh mother

2010-09-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

tears are still pouring from my eyes as i post this.

i will return with a post on the things i would have told myself.

Gary Chang's "Domestic Transformer"

2010-08-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

Marcel Lam for The New York Times

How inefficient our 3 bedroom Victorian feels after watching Hong Kong architect Gary Chang fit 24 rooms into 344 sq ft! Astonishing use of space. Head to Planet Green to check it out.

the little things

2010-08-16T22:03:00.000-07:00

washing my feet in their bath water after the girls have gone to bed.
peppermint soap.
tepid water.
clean feet.
breath.

my happy thought before i sleep

2010-08-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

black and white Bruce Weber photographs
torn pages from Vanity Fair and Vogue
wallpapered my room
when I was a girl.
inspiring.

I want to punch Caillou in the mouth

2010-08-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

Over the last week a transformation has occurred in our household. Our sweet, cooperative, polite little Maggie, our beautiful little caterpillar has undergone a metamorphosis. Out of nowhere she has become a rude, insubordinate, raging hellion. I seriously could not believe my ears tonight (and had much difficulty keeping a straight face). As we were going to the bath she did not want to take, she said, "I'm not talking to you guys. I'm just walking over here. Goodbye. I'm leaving now." That was the cherry on top. All week there have been ridiculous tantrums and crying fits. She has been obsessed with crying - all her imaginary play involves crying. I have been hearing the word "NO!" and the phrase "I don't want to!" in a snotty little voice, and it has been getting progressively worse.

Then tonight I got it. I have been applying the hell out of How to Talk to Kids since the madness started - stretching my patience farther than I ever thought it could go. Turns out there was no need. The solution? NO MORE CAILLOU!

I questioned this conclusion at first. I considered other causes: illness, growth spurt, maybe we finally hit the "terrible twos". So I started Googling and found that Maggie is not the only one to be corrupted by the little turd:

land of aud says, "I cut Caillou off when Jacob was about a year and a half. I was starting to notice that after Jacob watched the show he would become increasingly whiny!"

S.Q. says, "and now my daughter says "NO" all the time and literally acts like caillou and quotes him and actually imitates his squeaky, irritating voice."

TNmommy says, "Calliou has caused lots of problems in our house. My 3 yr daughter had started watching and loving this show. I watched with her the first few espisodes and didn't notice anything wrong, at first. Then my dd started using phrases like " I DON'T WANT TO!" and "NO, not now!" I figured out where she was picking this up at. Calliou is very whiny and disobient."

For those of you unfamiliar with the little effer, allow intothethickofit to explain, "The storyline revolves around 4-year old Caillou who is either whining or speaking in a false baby voice. He’s rarely in trouble with his hopelessly perky and indulgent parents. The narrator finds Caillou ridiculously charming and always chides the audience about our preschool hero’s antics."

Barf.

Young children are impressionable. Right now she mimics everything. She imitates her father and I - the way we sit, the way we eat, the way we talk. If we read a book, suddenly she becomes the main character. Last week we watched Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and she became Mahoney (Natalie Portman) for a few days. A little over two weeks ago, Maggie started watching one Caillou episode a day and if you've seen the little punk, you can imagine the behaviour that's appeared as a result.

Hence the new house rule...

The Perfect Bedtime Story

2010-08-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

Gwyneth Paltrow roasts a chicken. I found this so calming. Better than steamed milk in chamomile.

A beautiful use of time

2010-08-06T08:22:00.001-07:00

Gramma's Play Dough Recipe

2010-08-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

1 cup Flour
2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
1/4 cup Salt
1 cup Hot Water
1 tbsp Oil
Food Colouring
Essential Oil or Extract

Slowly add wet to dry and mix until smooth. Add food colouring and scent if you so desire. Stir over medium heat until no longer runny. Remove from pot and knead. Let cool. Store in plastic bag or airtight container.

Maggie decided the double batch of purple and the single batch of blue needed to come together into one large play dough sculpture. Her masterpiece. Ta da.

Dreaming of Light

2010-08-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

I love Peggy Sirota's photography and I think about this Vanity Fair shoot whenever I'm having a crap day. I close my eyes and imagine this light. Warm and golden and full of life. I put myself in this field and I exhale.

Marking 30

2010-08-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

30 is coming up in 2 months. I want to celebrate big. I thought tattoo. Chris didn't. At that point I began to question my sudden desire to draw on my body. And then I started looking for images of beautiful tattoos. Here are some.

I feel the momentum of this bird in flight. I feel like I'm soaring.

This tattoo on Danish model Freja Beha makes me want to walk taller and lighter.

The loose script of this tattoo perfectly evokes the feeling of love. (lost link)

Magical, pretty and flattering.

Sexy and bold. This woman knows who she is.

Special and personal. The hand of a landscape architect?

Vivid.

A good reminder.

I truly appreciate body art, but have no graphics or images that I connect with that strongly. There would be no need to hesitate if I had something in mind. I don't.

Perhaps it's not a tattoo I'm seeking. I'm drawn to the quality of permanence. I want to commit to something fully and completely. I feel a desperate need to do something remarkable and important to commemorate the last 30 years.

I may just be looking to better define myself. I often wish I could be summed up by a word, an icon or illustration. I wish I fit in a tidy little package. Anal retentive perfectionist : ) ...woman, mother, wife, daughter, sister, cook, photographer, blogger... 30 years old and still getting to know who I am. Sounds about right.

Desperately Seeking Caitlin,
C.

incremental improvements

2010-07-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

I sometimes (ok often) shoot like Austin Powers: clicking madly and erratically while I chat with my subjects. The beautiful photograph below is a direct result. My nephew pulls out the goofiest "camera face" whenever he's conscious of a camera, but he has a wicked knock-your-socks-off smile when he's genuinely happy.

This process does elicit wonderful expressions, but when I'm not looking, I'm not framing. So I shoot and shoot - compensating for the inevitable inaccuracy with an extra frame or five (cringe). This leads to much time wasted cropping. Since I'm not looking for a gig as a paparazzo, I assume I should correct this method of capture. I think I will try a tripod, for group portraits especially. And I will enlist bystanders to relax my subjects so I can focus on the frame.

Shooting in the dark,
C.

decaf mama

2010-07-29T16:41:00.001-07:00

So I've officially been off coffee for 2 arduous weeks. Insert sympathy here.

While I breastfed Maggie I hardcore avoided caffeine. Since I've been chasing a 2.5 year old Maggie while breastfeeding baby Jane, I was allowing myself one precious cup per day. Two weeks ago, I admitted there might be a connection between this wonderful morning ritual and Jane's excessive wakings. Sigh.

Initially I replaced my one small coffee with two large teas. Oops. Same caffeine intake. Caffeine is a lovely drug with a biological half-life of approximately 4-6 hours for an average adult. No wonder I could drink a cup of coffee at 8AM (about 200mg of caffeine), continue to feel alert until 2PM (about 100mg left in my body), then not really feel tired until after 8PM! While it might take me 12 hours to eliminate the caffeine from a cup of coffee, it could take my baby up to THIRTY to work that out of her system...so for months she was never free of its effects......... Oi.

Today, I am fully decaffeinated. I'm past the headaches and the bleary exhaustion. I'm drinking decaf Via in the mornings. Expensive? Yes. Delicious and almost as good as the real thing? Good enough. Most significantly, baby Jane is sleeping like a dream. I'll still sneak in an espresso drink here and there because she can handle minor disruptions, but damn I'm glad I got off the bean.

It's all about the baby Janes,
C.

for the love of play

2010-07-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

Today was a major transition day. Maggie's cousins left this morning after an amazing week of visiting. On days like this, I step up my game a little. I read many books, employing many ridiculous voices. We ate strawberry walnut yogurt parfaits for lunch (thank you Raquel for that idea!) and ants-on-a-log for snack (I was dismayed to find that, like her father and her grandfather before her, Maggie does not "do" celery). I slapped together some makeshift cracker box architecture for her cars, people and animals (1. thank you Jenny for the inspiration 2. Thin Addictives cookies come in a HOUSE SHAPED BOX!). Now. Here is the slam dunk. I took our homemade play dough OUTSIDE! *cue harp sounds of brilliance* Thank you Internets for the best play idea all summer....for me anyway. Maggie lost interest pretty quickly. Above is the play dough/nature installation "we" built on the sidewalk.

So as I was putting her to bed, when I asked her what the highlight of her day was (a nightly ritual), she did not skip a beat. "My favourite day was watching Franklin, Mommy!" All that, and the best part of her day was watching Franklin Plays Hockey while I ignored her to sweep and edit photos..........................

Keep calm and carry on,
C.

overshooting

2010-07-24T11:38:00.001-07:00

Walk with me as I use trial and error to hone my skills with the camera. I will be honest and expose all my flaws (the ones I recognize anyway). I will tag this series of posts "shooting in the dark".

Yes I am a rookie and I do have a heavy trigger finger. To be fair, I have small squirmy children and it seemed that continuous shooting would allow me to "bracket" such that I guaranteed at least one open-eyed, in focus shot per attempt. This does create a heck of a lot of duplicates though -

- and now I have 38, 654 photos to weed through. Oi.

I am learning to wait. Benefits? I feel much more in control and therefore much more proud of the results. I have WAY fewer images to edit so I save time. Photography becomes a much more zen experience; I don't feel rushed or panicked because I have the confidence that I will get at least a few beautiful images.

Here's the result:

I think I dig this slow photography thing. I think single shooting will help me become a better photographer. I think.

Shooting in the dark,
C.

learning from babes

2010-07-23T11:25:00.001-07:00

my two year-old has an amazing ability to find joy. while chasing me around the front yard she will yell, "I'm having so much fun!"

good note kid; more yelling in fun, less yelling in anger.

mama needs a vacation...

2010-07-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

...and she is so unlikely to get one.

no this is not a pity party. this is reality talking. the reality is that times are tough, money is tight, thrift is trendy and (getting to the heart of the matter) baby wants the boob. i dream of solo camping trips by a lake, single hammocks on tropical beaches and swanky hotel rooms all to myself; emphasis on the "dream". in reality, what can i do for myself to simulate the relaxation this would bring?

enter children's fantasy literature. it's easy. it's fun. it's immersive. head into the world of Harry Potter, Narnia, the Old Ones, or (yes I love myself a little Edward and Bella) Twilight. i recently spent a week devouring Percy Jackson & The Olympians. every free moment was for reading and it literally (har har) felt like i'd taken a holiday when the week was over.

other ways i get that vacation feelin:
-take a cold bubbly beverage, chilled glass of wine, or iced coffee to the bathroom and have a hot shower or soak in the tub. be sure to use delicious smelling soaps or oils.
-once the kids (and the hubby) have been fed and watered, go back to bed and snuggle with the duvet while i catch up on my reader or maybe even let myself fall back to sleep.
-look at photos of past vacations and tell maggie stories about them.

how do you get your relaxing on when time and money are limited?

finally!!

2010-04-02T20:24:00.001-07:00

Hallelujah

2010-03-05T06:16:00.000-08:00

Though nothing compares to KD Lang and a stadium full of white lights, these three versions of Leonard Cohen's tune also give me shivers.

I'm buying a subscription to Glamour magazine

2009-09-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

I avoid women's magazines. I am a confident woman, but Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Self, Allure, Fashion, etc have the ability to make me feel like I'm not enough: I don't have enough money, my clothes aren't stylish enough, I don't exercise enough, I'm not thin enough, I don't wear enough make-up or paint my nails enough....Enough!

Then suddenly Glamour does something that monumentally shifts the way I see their magazine and I want to embrace the hell out of it!

Check out Lizzi Miller, aka "the Woman on p. 194". She's gorgeous, confident, smiling and REAL! It's scary how much better I felt about my own naked body after seeing this beautiful 20 year-old and her fleshy frame. I'm going to admit that my immediate feeling was, "I'm NOT disgusting!" (Though I rationally reject it, the media's portrait of an ideal woman obviously effs with my self-esteem.)

Keep it up Glamour! Real women need affirmation. Imagine the positive feminine energy you are unleashing on the world. Also, imagine the revenue if you are the first to stop alienating the average size woman.

"Earth to Meekus!"

2009-08-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Alexander Skarsgård. 2009.

Oh hell! I laughed damn hard when I realized that sexy Swedish vampire Eric (True Blood) is ditzy male model Meekus (Zoolander)! Do you remember him? He dies in a tragic gasoline fight accident and co-delivers one of my most treasured lines from that flick: "ORANGE MOCHA FRAPPUCCINO!!"

Restoring the Magic

2009-07-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

Two movies that make me feel like a kid again.

I Wish I Were American

2009-07-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Sure there are lots of reasons I'd rather be Canadian (214 million fewer guns, the right to marry someone of the same sex and universal health care are nothing to scoff at), but here are three reasons why I sometimes wish I were American.

1. So I could access Pandora and Hulu like Americans can.

2. So I could buy beer with my groceries like Americans can.

3. So I could buy Munchie Mugs and StressErasers like Americans can.

When compiled my reasons begin to seem somewhat trivial... So until this list makes a stronger case for immigration, I'll be satisfied to remain Canadian.

Are You Eating Cartoon Cows Too??

2009-07-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

When we gave up the credit cards a few weeks ago and became a cash-only kinda family, I suffered a mild case of shock at the grocery store check-out; "I have to PAY for this food? What the what?!" I seemed to have deluded myself into believing that some benevolent and magical entity (yes, that is how I refer to the Government of Canada) was responsible for my family's food needs. There is something seriously crazy with that. If I could be so deeply deluded about my finances, could I not be similarly confunded about other aspects of my life? My food for example?

Yes. Yes I could.

When I took a bite of that guilty McDonald's cheeseburger last night (yes I am disgusting, but at least I'm honest : ), I'm almost sure my conscience was painting the cartoon cow pictured above to prevent me from connecting my burger to the actual cow it came from. That's not right. It isn't okay to be so oblivious of the choices I'm making.

This isn't an animal rights issue for me. I have no qualms about slaughtering for food. I grew up around cattle: my Dad and Uncle raised Maine-Anjou when I was a little girl, and we maintained a small pasture of Charolais when I was older. I loved the cows (Windy, Sky, Rain, etc) and then I ate them; no big deal.

The issue is my irresponsible mindlessness - I am purposely avoiding reality. If I replaced the cartoon cow in my mind with a true history of that beef, I know I'd be a hell of a lot quicker to spend my money on grass-fed organic steak (or skip the beef if I couldn't afford it), then to cheap out on "100% pure beef" ground from grain-fed cattle raised in feedlots. Honestly. It would just taste better.

This post was inspired by the trailer for Food, Inc. I strongly believe in the message of this film and I look forward to seeing it.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

i love being the mom to your dad.

happy day babe!
XO

glee

2009-06-07T21:11:00.000-07:00

I am stoked for this soon-to-be series! It's got one of my favourite actresses: Jane Lynch. It's got one of my favourite songs: Don't Stop Believin. What DOESN'T it have??

Hiking with Kids

2009-06-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

I've noticed many reviews claiming the Ergo carrier is best for hiking. From the perspective of a mama with a 30lb 17 month old, I disagree. As mentioned in a previous post, Maggie and Daddy were both uncomfortable when we used the Ergo for hiking. The Ergo holds baby/toddler directly against your body so parent and kid get sickeningly sweaty, plus baby can't see anything but Daddy's back. The Ergo is my favourite carrier for babies, but toddlers and up demand the Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier Backpack.

If you're going to hike often, the Deuter is worth every penny. It's ridiculously easy to use, the sunshade is slick, it's comfortable for both carrier and rider, and there's plenty of storage for diapers, sunscreen, snacks, water, etc. Love it!

The cons? When Maggie falls asleep, her head wobbles around awkwardly. My solution is to avoid hiking during naptime and that's fine by me. Also, if we still lived in a small apartment, we probably wouldn't have room to store it...though I'd likely try to make room because this carrier is so rad!

Update: Is it a sham or a wow?

2009-06-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

As I recently mentioned, I bought myself a ShamWow. At the insisting of two very savvy people (you know who you are), I spent $22 on 3 pieces of hideously coloured rayon. So, is it everything I dreamed it could be?

Nope, not so great. The two things I was excited about did not come true. 1. The ShamWow leaked liquid all the way to the sink, though they claimed it wouldn't. 2. The ShamWow stunk just like a regular cloth does after a few uses, though they claimed it wouldn't. However I won't give up on the ShamWows I own because, as the woman says, they get better with age.

I wouldn't recommend buying it and neither would Consumer Reports. It seems that most of the wows are from people who didn't realize they could use a single cloth to do the job of 20 paper towels. Bottom line is tea towels and dish cloths work just as well if not better.

Heidi Swanson, how I love thee.

2009-06-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

For the last week or more, it has been hot in Vancouver. Summer is here and I am still planning meals as if turning on the stove and the oven is acceptable. Tis the season of salads, sandwiches, barbecues, fresh fruit and veg and it's time I get on board!

So what do I do when I completely run out of inspiration? I turn to 101 Cookbooks, to my lady and saviour Heidi Swanson. Heidi is the wind beneath my wings. I love love love everything she touches. I cannot gush enough.

Heidi's recipes are simple, easy, fresh and beautifully photographed. Any night of the week, I can look in my fridge and cupboard, pick two possible ingredients and find a recipe on 101 Cookbooks (note: my spices are well-stocked and I have an herb garden - that makes all the difference). Tonight I've got asparagus, I've got tofu and I want to use coconut milk, so we're going to eat a modified version of Cashew Curry. I'm sure it will be delicious!

Here are a few of my most recent favourites from 101 Cookbooks:
Almost Cheeseless Pasta Casserole
Amazing Black Bean Brownies
Asparagus Stir-Fry

First Harvest

2009-06-03T14:54:00.001-07:00

The first bowl of lettuce to be picked from our garden! This variety is perfect for hamburger garnishing and sandwich making, but a bit too wimpy for salads and wraps.

GQ Your Man

2009-06-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

The sexiest men are those who appear arrogant but act otherwise.

Prompted by yesterday's post about sexy men (and my hubby's subsequent comments), I signed up for GQ Rules: How to Become a Well-Dressed Rebel in 30 Days. The first daily video is Wear a Suit - Don't Look Like One. Before today, I assumed that look was achieved by donning a suit then consuming copious amounts of alcohol. There is another way.

Time to play dress-up!

Hot Sex

2009-06-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

It's hot out today. Sexy hot. And when the temperature rises, we all spend more time with fewer clothes on. Sexy. Ack! Enough attempting to be clever. I'm hot and I just decided to post some photos of gorgeous well-dressed men. The end. (I apologize for my lack of creativity - celebrities are the obvious choice but I just don't have the time to search Flickr for beautiful pictures of boys)

Yellows and Greys

2009-05-24T19:52:00.001-07:00

I've been saving this gorgeous inspiration board from Snippet & Ink since late March (Board #362: Milk and Honey - even love that name). These are the colours that best suit our new home: gold, yellow, white, blue, grey. They feel both joyful and calm. Chris loves them too, though he sees trouble ahead when he looks at our current flooring. Clever boy - he knows colours well enough to realize the red laminate clashes. : )

So I used the photo above to generate palettes at both the Color Palette Generator and Colors Palette Generator (I know right). The first was more accurate and the second generated a greater number of colours. I consistently use both to get the best result.

I built the palettes below over at Colour Lovers so I can keep referring back to them for paints and fabrics. Let the fun begin!

Color by COLOURlovers

Color by COLOURlovers

I'm a big fan of Behr paint, and their colour selection is quite good. (I adore Ralph Lauren's gorgeous colours, but I prefer to use tints on my walls)

I'm thinking White Luxury for the main living spaces...

and White Mink for the master bedroom...

Is it a sham or a wow?

2009-05-23T21:03:00.001-07:00

Yes I did buy a shamwow today. Did I spend time testing it out on my kitchen counters and floors? Nope! I spent time searching for the most amusing parody of the shamwow advertisement. Enjoy! (And check out their Mighty Putty Dub too - you deserve a laugh today.)

p.s. I will post about its shamminess or its wowiness as soon as I know.

got, got, got, got no time!

2009-05-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

(when I see the same word written repeatedly as above, it really makes me question the word itself...."got? does that sound right? such a hard g sound......awwwwwt...really?.........")

As someone who adores the written word and takes great amounts of pleasure in writing, I struggle with my lack of commitment to this blog. I do a lot of what I'll call cognitive blogging. All through the day I'm blogging in my head. Blogging my bagel with pea shoots and cream cheese. Blogging my response to the BC Leader's debate. Blogging the dilemna of how to deal with my toddler's tantrums. I have an impressive collection of 1-5 word reminders saved as drafts: "laptop luxury", "Grey Gardens Running with Scissors", "mistakes Grade 2 reindeer" and "think about what you've done" to name a few. I do intend to write those blog entries one day....supposedly. So why aren't I producing?

I have to be honest. It isn't really that I've "got no time". I waste a lot of the time that I have. Look me up on Twitter and you will see that I watch TV from 8-10pm almost every night (120 minutes = numerous blog posts). Yes I love my moving pictures, but more than that, I revel in end-of-day inertia! I love to shut down and even feel entitled to it; I go hard from 7:30am-7:30pm. After a 12 hour day caring for an emotionally and physically draining tot, it's time to break out the pajamas.

That's all fine and good, but I allow TV to suck the life out of my evening! Before I know it, it's midnight. My chores are done, I've caught up on two missed episodes of Brothers and Sisters and read through my neglected Google Reader (only 88 unread posts left!) My drafts remain drafts, I still have a bazillion things to say, but I'm off to bed. Well, maybe tomorrow...

Enough is enough. I'm making a commitment to myself to take back the night (in a far less meaningful sense than that phrase is usually used). I don't know what that looks like yet, but I'm guessing there will be some re-arranging of schedules and furniture involved. Let's get the show on the road!

My Perfect Mother's Day

2009-05-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this now so that in years to come I can refer back to remember what a truly perfect Mother's Day looked like. There was no breakfast in bed, no spas and no exorbitant gift - no grand gestures. Today, my beautiful child and my adoring husband were completely available and amenable to my every whim. They cleaned the kitchen and tidied the house while I slowly woke up. We headed out to the fancy new Whole Foods where I had the luxury of choosing exactly what I wanted for our picnic. That's right! I did not concern myself with Chris' preferences and I didn't worry about Maggie's nutritional needs. I chose the cheese I wanted, the bread I wanted and the fruit I wanted! No guilt. No compromising. Such a simple pleasure.

After Whole Foods, we headed to Queen Elizabeth Park and chased after Maggie a bit before we settled onto a shady patch of grass in a quiet corner. Picnics on the beach are lovely, but I'm a huge fan of a park picnic. Maggie can toddle around in the grass (she isn't very impressed by sand) and I can keep her in the shade, plus I don't have to eat sandy sandwiches!

After Maggie's nap (the little dear crashed on the way home and slept for two long hours) we headed out to buy my gift (this link inspired us to consider every single purchase we make special and worthy of celebration - including things we think are "needs"). We bought a Deuter Kid Comfort III Child Carrier Backpack (will review after some use) and with that purchase Chris made an impressive commitment to me. He has agreed to haul my daughter up and down and all around so that we can be the hiking family I want us to be. I love him like crazy by the way.

We picked up some ready-made sushi on the drive home so mama didn't have to cook; as much as I adore cooking, I was relieved to take a day off. After the little squirt was in bed, I sat down to read my magazine (also an indulgence of the day) and eat my brownie. Sooo delicious.

It wasn't planned and it wasn't elaborate, but it was a perfect Mother's Day.

My Mother

2009-05-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

After being a mom for only one year, I realize how inadequate my gratitude has been.

And still, I have only a small idea of what she has done for my siblings and I. In one year, I've gone through breastfeeding, sleep training, diaper changing, solid food introducing and babyproofing.

In thirty years, my mom has dealt with:
pregnancy and labour x3,
potty training x3,
chicken pox x3,
78 birthdays,
29 Christmases,
39 First Days of School,
an unknown number of
piano lessons, choir practice, team sports,
tournaments, camps, and sleepovers,
teaching children about death x3,
having "the" talk x3,
rebellion and puberty x3,
underage drinking, parties, socials,
driving lessons and car accidents x3,
graduations from high school x3,
leaving the nest x3,
apartment hunting and moving x?,
moves to Vancouver, Prince George, Montreal,
post-secondary graduations x3,
applying, hiring, firing, quitting,
scrapes, burns, cuts,
hospitalizations, blood clots,
a wedding,
and the birth of a grandchild.

For every Mother's Day I didn't know,
thank you Mom.

XO

happy mother's day!

2009-05-10T01:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Full-time Mothers,

2009-05-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

Oprah made me cry. I know. Big deal; Oprah makes a lot of people cry. Well, it is a big deal! I only cry 2-3 times a year so it's gotta be something important, revelatory and moving. This is.

I'm in awe of good mothers—those heroines all around me who sacrifice daily out of love for their children. In our society, we give motherhood plenty of lip service. We pat moms on the head, bring them flowers on Mother's Day, and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we don't extend them the same respect we would a professor, a dentist, an accountant or a judge. Women who choose full-time mothering are often put in a box by their friends and former colleagues—a container labeled "just a mom." -Oprah

I can't believe how often I do this. I can't believe how often I diminish not only what I do, but what my grandmother did, what my aunts did, what my cousins and my good friend are doing...

Never again am I "just a mom". From now on I am proudly and confidently "a mother".

I Can Fly!

2009-05-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

Jan von Holleben 's Dreams of Flying is a coffee table book even my daughter would love! Such beautiful and theatrical images. If Maggie was older, I would have her pick a photograph and write a story about it one rainy day.

Wish I Was Here

2009-04-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

When I close my eyes...

2009-04-20T21:15:00.000-07:00

...this is where I am.

photograph by Kevin van der Leek

His photo makes a place I know, look the way it smells.
It is the smell that keeps me here in the Pacific Northwest.
The smell fills my lungs to the brim.
I breathe more deeply in this air.

Recently Tested Recipes

2009-04-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

Napa Cabbage Slaw - this is Rachael Ray's recipe. I used it as inspiration for the slaw pictured above. You'll also see dried cranberries, sesame and pumpkin seeds. Pretty sure I just drizzled it with sesame oil and it was delicious - oh, maybe add cilantro and a squeeze of lime for some freshness!

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding - Eggs on Sunday posted this recipe from Bon Appetit. I bear an intense amount of gratitude for the invention of this creamy and decadent version of Reese Peanut Butter Cups! Even the anti-pudding crowd is into it (yes Dad, that's you).

Peanut Butter Blondies - The Sneaky Chef came up with Maggie's new favourite snack. I'm always looking for new ways to get vegetables into the girl and this is a good one. I would like to work on decreasing the amount of sugar in the recipe, but for now I follow it exactly as written. Chris and I like them a bit too. : )

Indian-Style Chicken with Pureed Spinach - The recipe I use is from The Healthy Slow Cooker book. It's super easy and delicious. It's full of spinach and tomato but Maggie gobbles it up!

Basmati Rice Pudding - This is another recipe from The Healthy Slow Cooker. Super easy and absolutely delicious! I tried to decrease the amount of sugar, but it didn't taste nearly as good so I'd recommend using the recipe as is.

Cuz Every Kid Can Use a Cape

2009-04-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

When my 3 year-old nephew's birthday rolled around, I was desperate to get him a cape. I simply could not think of a better gift! If you can sew, stop here and I'm sure you can whip one up in the 5 minutes you'll save not reading this blog post. Since I am ridiculously uncrafty I didn't even consider sewing my own....well, that's not entirely true. I thought it might be possible for (yes, even me) to modify a Christmas tree skirt for my purpose. I went to Winners and looked over their luscious velvet and tassled products. Thank goodness I decided to go home and open my laptop instead! (I may not be crafty, but I've got mad research skills.)

I was uninspired by the flimsy crushed velvet crap readily available in stores. My preference was for a personalized cape. It's definitely fun to pretend that you're Superman, but I think it's even more fun to be your own superhero. I would have LOVED (and might still love) a cape with my own initial on it.

I ended up with a gorgeous and well-built cape from Panjo (as pictured above). Though she is no longer selling her creations, there are many others available on Etsy: I like homemade heroes, babypop and kidz*escapes.

Now that I have my own little one (and my mother's old sewing machine) I think I'll try to construct a handmade version. Stay tuned for the potentially disappointing results. : )

Yellow

2009-04-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Who knew I was a solar-powered being? Well, the sunshine's back and I'm rarin' to go. The air smells fresh, the flowers are popping, I've got spring in my step and suddenly I'm smitten with one of the happiest colours I know: yellow!

a. The daffodils in my front yard are fully opened and I'm coveting the blooming forsythia in both my neighbours' yards.

Photo by Caitlin Spencer

b. Liberté Méditerranée Lemon Yogurt!

c. I have a wooden storage bench in our front hall that I'm going to paint yellow. Not sure whether I'll go bold or soft.

Photo by Johanna Sippola

d. Too freshen up the guts of our kitchen cupboards I'm going to rip out the sloppy liners and paint with Lemon Ice. I love the idea of opening a plain white cupboard and uncovering a blast of colour inside; it's similar to the pleasure I get from cutting into a kiwi or a yam.

e. Maggie looks stunning in yellow so I'm keeping an eye on pretty spring/summer toddler clothes. (Thank you Great Grandma for the summery yellow capris!)

f. Of course I'm permanently in love with brass and gold - versions of yellow, yes? So here is something so over-the-top gorgeous that it's just got to be mentioned. A $6,640 honeycomb bracelet. In my dreams, I wear this accessory with my Vera Wang gown and kiss my hubby Hugh Jackman as I graciously accept my Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. (Dear lovely real-life husband, I adore you, even if you can't sing or dance or kill people with your adamantium claws)

Back to Blogging

2009-04-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

I disappeared for awhile. Let's call it hibernation for now.... and perhaps one day I'll go into the details of my ridiculous obsession with Twilight. (Seriously though! I found myself in a Book Warehouse at 9PM one Tuesday night pleading to the clerk, "I feel like I'm on crack! I NEED books 3 and 4!" I suppose I needn't feel shame about my crush on this story because it's obviously a common experience; without a word, the dude led me straight back to the Teen section *cringe* and pointed to Stephanie Meyer's shelf!)

My Contribution to Obamamania

2009-01-21T19:45:00.000-08:00

I wish I had built this clip!! Hysterical!

Munchie Mug

2009-01-17T21:23:00.000-08:00

I heart the Munchie Mug!

Holy crow I cannot tell you how happy I was to receive this beauty a few weeks ago (thank you thank you thank you cousin Sara!) Maggie mastered the useless Snack-Trap months ago and I have been cleaning up her wake of Cheerios ever since.

Yes, it's a little large and no, it's not the coolest looking mug on the block, but it does the job and it does the job well. Maggie snacks easily and comfortably and she makes no mess (not some mess or little mess as with the Snack-Trap - no mess).

It's phthalate and BPA free. Toss it in the dishwasher for easy washing - the cloth dries super fast. I highly highly recommend it for your babies and little ones.

Sorry-for-Myself-Happy-New-Year Frosted Brownies

2009-01-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

We were sick for three weeks over the holidays and it drove me to cravings. I "desperately" wanted brownies to heal my soul if not my body.

The key to any chocolate recipe is the cocoa. Cocoa Camino dutch-processed cocoa powder makes killer brownies.

This brownie has a wonderful texture but I'll be clear that I was seeking a cake-like brownie - a hardcore brownie is generally more dense and less moist.

Next time I will chop up some walnuts and zest some orange to throw in, and only make half the frosting to decrease the sweetness factor and allow the cocoa flavour to sing. Oh yes. And I will double the recipe because I want enough to share and some to freeze.

Rich Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients
1 cup sugar
2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
3 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions
In a mixing bowl, beat sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add butter; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to batter and mix well.

Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until brownies test done with a wooden pick. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

For frosting, combine butter, cocoa, water and coffee; mix well. Gradually stir in sugar until smooth, adding additional warm water if necessary to achieve a spreading consistency. Frost the brownies lightly.

Recipe from Karen Trapp on Allrecipes.com

happy holidays to all!

2008-12-27T18:33:00.001-08:00

Maple Ginger Salmon

2008-12-15T19:49:00.000-08:00

Mmmm... Maggie's first attempt at salmon is a huge success! (Could be that we've never really given her sugar, so the maple syrup marinade blew her mind : )

Maple Ginger Salmon

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup Maple Syrup
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
1 tbsp Fresh Grated Ginger
1/8 tsp Salt
1 lb Salmon

DIRECTIONS
Mix maple syrup, soy sauce, ginger, and salt.

Place salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon uncovered until easily flaked with a fork (15 minutes in my not-so-hot oven).

Adapted from a very popular recipe on Allrecipes.com

: )

2008-11-27T18:48:00.000-08:00

Sigh of Relief

2008-11-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

Yes YOU Can

2008-11-04T06:57:00.001-08:00

Please. Vote America. Vote.

And I plead to my American friends...

2008-11-03T18:26:00.000-08:00

You can change the world. Vote!

Borat, Will Smith and Justin Timberlake are voting. Voting's cool.

Crockpot Veggie Chili

2008-10-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

I served this recipe at our second annual pumpkin carving party and (as usual) I forgot to pull out the camera until all the chili was gone. Ah well. It looks like chili.

By the power of a bunch of recipes combined, I give you...

Crockpot Veggie Chili!

2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can pureed pumpkin
1 (12 oz) can corn
1 (19 oz) can black beans
1 (19 oz) can kidney beans
1 (19 oz) can garbonzo beans (chick peas)
2 (340 g) packages of Ground Round
1 square Semi-Sweet Bakers chocolate
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt, to taste

Toss all ingredients into a crockpot and cook on high for about 4-5 hours. Enjoy with a squeeze of fresh lime, some shredded cheddar and a dollop of sour cream.

Happiness is...

2008-10-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

It's Election Day

2008-10-14T10:22:00.001-07:00

photo by scienceduck

Though it ain't very sophistimicated, I gotta say, it's beautiful.

October 14, 2008

2008-10-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

VOTE STUDENTS VOTE!

Double-Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

2008-10-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

My mother made this pie for me - a little bit of birthday bliss. Seriously. There are only two negatives about this dessert: 1. you have to wait FOUR hours before you can enjoy it! 2. you can never have enough!!

For every birthday until I die, please make me a Double-Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.

Photo by Rob Howard.

Double-Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

INGREDIENTS:

Chocolate Crust
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
2 cups Oreo baking crumbs

Peanut Butter Filling
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup well-chilled whipping cream
Kosher salt

Chocolate Topping
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup whipping cream

DIRECTIONS:

1. MAKE THE CHOCOLATE CRUST: Preheat the oven to 375°. In a medium glass bowl, combine the chocolate and butter and microwave at high power in 20-second intervals until the chocolate is melted. Stir well, then stir in the cookie crumbs. Press the cookie crumbs over the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and 1 1/2 inches up the side. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, or until set; the crust will continue to firm up as it cools.

2. MEANWHILE, MAKE THE PEANUT BUTTER FILLING: In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the cream cheese with the peanut butter, sugar and vanilla extract until blended. In another large bowl, using the same beaters, whip the chilled cream until firm. Fold one-third of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture to loosen it, then fold in the remaining whipped cream. Spoon the filling into the crust, smoothing the surface. Sprinkle lightly with salt and refrigerate until set, about 3 hours.

3. MAKE THE CHOCOLATE TOPPING: In a medium glass bowl, combine the chocolate with the whipping cream and microwave at high power in 20-second intervals until the chocolate is melted and the cream is hot. Stir the chocolate topping until blended, then let cool to barely warm, stirring occasionally.

4. Spread the chocolate topping over the peanut butter filling and refrigerate until just firm, about 15 minutes. Carefully run a thin knife around the pie crust to loosen it, then remove the springform ring. Using a sharp knife, cut the pie into wedges. Run the knife under hot water and dry it between each cut.

MAKE AHEAD The pie can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Serve the pie chilled or slightly cooler than room temperature.

I love shirt.

2008-09-22T08:15:00.001-07:00

Ergo Baby Carrier by ERGO baby

2008-09-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

Mamas, your backs deserve the ERGO Baby Carrier! It seemed pricey when we bought it, but I've watched a few mom friends go through multiple carriers of lesser quality and I didn't want to waste my time or money. Thankfully, the Ergo is the only carrier we need! At 8 months and 25 lbs, Maggie is a long way from outgrowing it and both Daddy and I can still carry her comfortably. The only downfall we've discovered so far is that during strenuous hikes Daddy sweats alot and Maggie gets drenched (eww)!

When Maggie was a newborn, I used the Infant Insert to snuggle her in against me. At first I thought the Insert was unnecessary, but quickly realized the benefits (supported her little neck and allowed me to safely use the Ergo before she had head control). In the front carry position, Maggie faces in to promote bonding which I really appreciated in the early months. As she gets bigger and older, I am using the back carry position more and more. It only took two tries over the bed to become confident shifting her from back to front - safe and easy!

My absolute favourite thing about the Ergo (next to the comfort) is the ease with which it goes on and off. I love my wrap as well, but the Ergo takes 5 seconds to put on or take off - really valuable when Maggie's having a meltdown! For months I relied on the Ergo to get her to sleep and to keep her napping while I went about my business ("business" = watched movies, read, emptied the dishwasher, talked on the phone, visited with friends and blogged : ). I would rock her and rock her and rock her - having the carrier saved my arms and my back a whole heck of a lot of pain. Thank you Ergo, thank you!

NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator

2008-09-09T21:08:00.001-07:00

No honestly, the NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator really does the trick! And there is nothing more terrifying than a baby who cannot breathe because her nose is clogged with mucous. Don't waste your time with ineffective bulb syringes that are impossible to clean. Until your baby can blow out her nose, this will be indispensable in times of stuffiness. It drives Maggie bonkers, but she sleeps better and so do I after I've cleared her nasal passages with the NoseFrida. P.S. In case you're squirming, Maggie's snot never enters the hose so there is no chance I will ever get a mouthful.

NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator

2008-09-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

No honestly, the NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator really does the trick! And there is nothing more terrifying than a baby who cannot breathe because her nose is clogged with mucous. Don't waste your time with ineffective bulb syringes that are impossible to clean. Until your baby can blow out her nose, this will be indispensable in times of stuffiness. It drives Baby bonkers, but she sleeps better and so do I after I've cleared her nasal passages with the NoseFrida. P.S. Baby's snot never enters the hose so there is no chance you will ever get a mouthful.

RaZberry Teether by RaZbaby

2008-09-03T21:09:00.000-07:00

Where teethers are concerned, I am of "the more the merrier" school. We've had a variety of teethers around for Maggie from the drooly beginning at 3 months. Some that she enjoyed at first have been put aside and replaced by more interesting ones - including the RaZberry Teether. I bought this one early on because of it's resemblance to a pacifier - I believed she'd be able to hold it and keep it in her mouth better than the drugstore teethers and I wanted to free up my finger! Due to its lightweight and shapely nature, she was indeed able to hold it from 3 months, though it wasn't until 5 months that she fell in love with it. Now she chews on the raspberry, the leaves and the stem too. It's durable, unlike water-filled teethers, it can be sanitized and as a bonus, it's easy to keep it from hitting the ground (a pacifier chain works wonders). She chews on it and rubs it against her gums, and I get a kick out of the squeaky sounds. Oh, and don't rule the RaZberry teether out just because your baby doesn't use pacifiers - she may still take to it!

Wanted: Sublime Imagery

2008-08-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

Reward: Aubrey Trinnaman

My Canadian Idols Rearranged

2008-07-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt, Theo Tams is the next Canadian Idol.
Earl Stevenson is talented with a capital T. I'll buy your record brother!
And Mookie Morris? Kid's got skills! This guy's a rock star.

Dreaming Small

2008-07-24T16:19:00.001-07:00

As housing prices continue to be unreasonable, I consider the possibility of permanently renting a home for our little family. We're perfectly happy in our suite and can go on living here for quite some time - with continued improvements in organization that is. We've got affordable rent, plenty of room, a private entry and location, location, location. If we bought, we'd have to downgrade quality of living space and location, or else, eat only potatoes for the remainder of our days. So, we have to be a little creative with the square footage - I enjoy that type of problem solving. Renting a condo forces us to curb the clutter and be quite conscious of our consumerism (unintended alliteration, honest). Yes we have to accept inefficient appliances, stained old carpeting and that sense of transience that comes with renting... but is owning a house worth triple the monthly cost of renting an apartment? What could we have instead?

We have been discussing different ways to invest money other than buying a home. One idea we had was to buy some real estate up along the coast for a vacation rental property. Then we could build a small, well designed, modern little beach hut. - Jordan Ferney

After reading that post on Oh Happy Day, I have been obsessing a little. I would love a tiny shack along the coast somewhere. I think I would much rather that than be shackled to the upkeep of a mediocre house in the city. The idea is so romantic; could it also be so in reality?

But maybe I am not so immune from the desire to own a house as I think I am. Nesting is an innate ambition for a mother. Can I be happy in a home that I'm borrowing from someone else? Birds don't own trees, but they make fine homes for their babies. (Lame analogy? Thought so but I couldn't stop myself : ) Is there something in owning, some feeling of permanence that I would forever lack if we never did buy?

Hmm....

simple pleasures

2008-07-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

a hot cup of tea in the evening light.

maggie's soft little hand on my arm.

freshly flossed teeth.

laughing at some dumb joke with my husband.

taking a walk before the world wakes up.

organizing the junk drawer.

sitting on the patio, wrapped in a cozy blanket, at night.

Bodily Fluids Aren't So Bad

2008-07-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

There I sat. My daughter on my lap, fully loaded with milk, gagging. In a split second, I anticipated her next move and made a choice.

Honestly, catching her baby vomit in my hand is much easier than letting it hit the pillow or my shirt, and having to clean it up later.

My Canadian Idols Refined

2008-07-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

This is the best Idol season yet! As of the latest performances, my Canadian Idol list looks somethin like this:

5. Sebastian Pigott - bad song choice, but I still adore him.
4. Katherine St-Laurent - super rocker! Y'all suck for casting her out.
3. Earl Stevenson - big rockin goof - love it!
2. Theo Tams - made a Bob Marley song his own - brilliant.
1. Mookie Morris - holy eff this kid rocks!! I was mesmerized!

Still waiting for my father, the avid Idol fan, to comment... bet his favourite is wussy Amberly Thiessen. *pause for reaction*

Maggie G's Product Testing: Toys

2008-07-23T21:10:00.000-07:00

This Hide Inside Surprise soft box is my favourite toy right now. I like to contemplate the different prints on the outside. I like to chew on each one of the animals. The crinkly, shiny fish and the bumpy, squeaky mouse feel great on my gums. And the best part is, there is still stuff to discover; Mom keeps touching the box and saying "pockets" and "hole". I can't wait to find out what those are!

Maggie's Verdict: Natursutten Soother

2008-07-23T08:50:00.000-07:00

Mama. I look like a dork.

Lucky for Maggie, a friend mistakenly ran that soother through the dishwasher (the natural rubber can't handle the heat) and that was the end of our Natursutten Soother. Why lucky for Maggie? Well, Mommy may have forced the issue because she covets the non-toxic nature of the soother. I may have continued giving it to her for a few more weeks, even though it was giving her a nasty rash on cheeks and chin. My little one drools (as do most) and drool + Natursutten = rash.

So, back to soothers with vents in the shield - get air to that irritated skin! Rather than returning to the BPA Avent soothers Maggie's used from 8 weeks (Philips says nothing about BPA in their safety claims, so I just assume...), we tried BPA-free NUK orthodontic soothers from Gerber and rash away! I chose silicone over latex because of the durability of silicone - it doesn't retain odours (or germs) and it's more difficult to chew through, so she's less likely to choke on pieces of soother.

In the end, it's really about what your baby prefers; I guess my little girl prefers cancer soothers.

My Canadian Idols Revised

2008-07-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a few weeks. I've lived. I've learned. My new Canadian Idol list looks like this:

5. Mookie Morris - cool, but his latest performance fell sorta flat.
4. Earl Stevenson - a big goofy dork, and I'm buying it!
3. Theo Tams - professional. polished. but verging on a one-trick pony.
2. Katherine St-Laurent - girl balls!! she's rockin that stage!!!
1. Sebastian Pigott - smart, sassy, soulful, sexy...sigh

An honourable mention to ousted Oliver Pigott; he sang Lean On Me like I've always wanted to hear it. He got heart.

Stolen Tomato Cream Pasta

2008-07-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

Last night, I roughed up this recipe from David & Nicole (love their layout - very pretty and highly usable!).

This dish is sexy enough and delicious enough for a dinner party. (I forgot to take a picture of it before it was devoured, but it did look quite beautiful I promise - in the meantime, isn't Nigella sexy?!). More importantly, it's easy enough for a weekday meal - especially if you cook and cut the chicken breast in advance, or (as I did) buy those fancy pre-cooked, pre-cut chicken breasts.

Tomato Cream Pasta

1/2 package uncooked spaghettini
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup Martini & Rossi dry sec
1/2 cup whipping cream
salt and cracked pepper
shredded parmesan
fresh basil, finely chopped
2 servings cooked and sliced chicken breast

Cook pasta in boiling salted water. Heat olive oil in a pan. Add tomatoes and saute for 2 minutes.

Add dry sec and boil until reduced by half. Stir in cream and cook until slightly reduced. Season with cracked pepper and salt. Add chicken just to warm.

Stir in drained pasta. Plate. Sprinkle with parmesan and basil. Serve.

Get Out Alive

2008-07-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Yes this is shameless promotion, but Sheena Grobb would be worth blogging about even if she weren't family.

It is a song about choosing personal integrity... despite difficult decisions and emotional battles attached. And without question, this is a song about resilience. -Sheena Grobb

Dark Chocolate Revised

2008-07-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

Eating my own words, Lindt dark chocolate is not "too chalky" for me. Lindt 85% dark is too chalky yes, but I just tried the 70% and holy hell it's delicious! A bit smoky with a hint of berry to it. It's smooth but the texture contains a trace of the powdery cocoa so it's not at all waxy. Yum. Poulain and Lindt 70% are the main contenders for my favourite dark chocolate.

Conjuring Tina Fey...

2008-07-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a great idea for a post then Maggie let one rip. I had to change her pants. My great idea was wiped away with her poop. Blerg.

High Chairs and Consumer Angst

2008-07-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

After the $500 co-sleeper debaucle (will eventually post about why not to spend $500 on a baby's bed), I find myself even more anal about researching the best possible solution for each new item we add to our (very small) home.

So, when it came to purchasing a high chair I was paralyzed. My natural inclination as a thrifty lady is to buy secondhand. However, there are some incredible high chairs that grow with baby, and that seems like the most environmentally responsible solution. Unfortunately, in this case it costs a fortune to be environmentally responsible (Christopher, you should write a post titled "Money is Energy Too") and I'm not super comfortable with that.

If I had a million dollars, I would buy the Svan high chair. It's gorgeous, super comfy for baby, useful even after baby has grown, and has a wraparound tray to keep messes contained. Intuitively, a wood chair seems better able to reintegrate itself with the environment than a plastic chair, but I don't know how much energy is consumed, or how many toxins are required for its initial construction.

Since I don't have a million dollars, I bought the Ikea high chair. It's inconspicuous, fairly stylish, simple, easy to clean, easy to move around, and (most importantly) cheap.

It comes down to this. I chose the $25 high chair (+ $5 tray) over the $330 chair based on the results of a test I conducted. I went to a number of stores and sat Maggie in a number of chairs. In the $330 chair, she smiled. In the $180 chair, she smiled. In the $25 chair, (surprise surprise) she smiled. Sold!

Good Things Come in Less Packaging

2008-07-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

While I've been running around researching the most earth-friendly teethers for my daughter, and feeling sick that our rental has such inefficient appliances, I've been overlooking a very simple footprint minimizing action.

A small amount of paper or plastic wrapping, versus a hard plastic bottle or pump? Even if we're refilling liquid soap containers, the bar soap requires so much less packaging. I bought a beautiful lemon verbena bar the other day. It looks gorgeous on the sink, and there's something comforting about the feel of a slippery soapy bar between my hands.

I challenge us all to avoid liquid hand & body soaps as a small way of decreasing our impact just a little more.

My Canadian Idols

2008-07-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

Maggie was a crankypants today, so I desperately needed moving pictures to chill out tonight. Thank you CTV for hosting your shows online! Corner Gas, Grey's Anatomy, The Daily Show...wicked! I just caught up on the Canadian Idol contestants for this season and "had" to make some snap judgments about their worth (input as relevant as the hockey fan who boos the guy that made it to the NHL!).

7. Katelyn Dawn - grow some girl balls and she could win this thing!
6. Martin Kerr - unoriginal, but the guy rocked a Peter Gabriel tune.
5. Mookie Morris - kooky and talented as hell.
4. Mitch MacDonald - he belongs on stage but he's a bit cutesy.
3. Sebastian Pigott - gravelly goodness. insanely charming.
2. Theo Tams - he's got a delicious sincerity in his voice.
1. Omar Lunan - stole my breath.

Universal Music

2008-07-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Children's music can be irritating and lots of it is jaw-clenchingly bad. Yes there are alternatives that market to adults, but I can't handle the amateurish plink plinking of Rockabye Baby. Shudder. I mean, look, if I want my baby to listen to U2 or Radiohead or Coldplay, I'll just play U2 or Radiohead or Coldplay.

Then I found this...

African Lulla by (lower price from Amazon.ca than Chapters.ca, and not available from iTunes) is easy on the ears without being easy-listening. It's calm enough for bedtime, but joyful enough to dance and sway with. Even if I didn't have Maggie, I would happily listen to this album (I l-o-v-e Ladysmith Black Mambazo!).

Orange Rhubarb Muffins

2008-07-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

Based on the possibility that honey is a healthier alternative to sugar, and a need to end my sugar addiction, I have tried my hand at screwing with baked goods for the first time ever. I am pleased to report the experiment was pretty much a success! The muffins are "not really sweet...sort of like biscuits" according to my taster. "But I like it," he said. I like them too; though I might add a 1/2 cup of stewed rhubarb, orange pulp or apple sauce to moisten them a bit more, and maybe another 1/4 cup of honey too. Here's a pic of the first batch.

Orange Rhubarb Muffins

Ingredients:
4 cups flour (I use 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 unbleached)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup honey
4 tsp grated orange rind
1 1/4 cup orange juice
2 1/2 cups fine chopped rhubarb

Mix dry ingredients and set aside. Beat eggs and oil. Add honey, rind and juice to wet. Add wet to dry. Fold in rhubarb. Bake at 325 degrees F for 20 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 dozen muffins.

Healthy Competition

2008-07-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

It is now 5.5 months since I gave birth to my little Goober. She is healthy and happy and well, so it's time to shift some of my attention back to Mama! Mostly that means giving back to my hardworkin' baby-producin' bod. The physique is in need of some love - especially as Goober gets heavier and harder to lug around. I used to be able to devote countless hours to tracking exercise and eating with SparkPeople (love love love it!), but those days are gone. Instead I turn to my embarassingly competitive spirit for motivation to get this ol girl back into form.

Irrelevant Aside: The film The Competition came out the year I was born. Coincidence? I think not.

Step One: Thank you Grampa! My father has challenged me to a "walk-off". We both have pedometers now and track our daily steps. The contest is to see who can accumulate the most "10 000 steps" (sorry about the pdf) days in a month. With whooping my father (who is a walking nut by the way) as my fuel, I have managed to log some 15 000 step days, and bring my average up to 10 000 steps a day! This has been a great way to push my postpartum body to the next exertion level.

p.s. Dad. I've got hills + the weight of a carried baby or the pushing of a stroller to increase the intensity of my walks. Maybe you should start carrying Flo on your walks!

Step Two: Thank you Husband! Christopher has accepted my challenge to avoid treats for the month of July. Treats = any indulgent food item. My major downfalls are Mochas (decaf; not that it's any of your business), ice cream (specifically pricey Häagen-Dazs bars) and Coca-Cola (yes I AM aware it's toxic - toxically delicious!). Using Google's handy forms, we have begun a spreadsheet to track our treat intake through the month. It's like golf; the player with the fewest points wins. Since giving birth I have allowed myself treats as a reward for working so damn hard. Now that I'm feeling stronger and more confident as a mother, I don't need that crutch and I want to break this habit of indulging.

Like my volleyball shirt always says, "Go hard or go home!"

The Earth + Plastic

2008-06-27T21:02:00.000-07:00

A clever man died this week. I heart "The Planet is Fine".

My Search for Dark Chocolate Continues...

2008-06-17T16:10:00.001-07:00

Organic apples taste better than regular apples ergo... (or so I assumed)

Organics from President's Choice, European - 70%
1st taste: Bitter. Some kind of tang.
2nd taste: A bit waxy. Strange tang.

Green & Black's Organic - 70%
1st taste: Something tangy. Gritty texture
2nd taste: Texture is sticky or chewy. Not a great flavour.

Cocoa Camino, Bittersweet - 70%
1st taste: Strange but not bad. Definitely "bittersweet". Different texture from all others.
2nd taste: Not a bad flavour but too crumbly.

Following these with the Poulain makes me say, "That's how chocolate should taste!" Guess I prefer my chocolate with a little chemical aftertaste.

Delicious Darkness

2008-06-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

A coffee and a piece of dark chocolate is my favourite way to end a meal. Dark chocolate is a sexy and satisfying treat. Unfortunately, I'm sick of the waxy "dark" chocolate available in the check-out line without having found a really great alternative. Lindt is too chalky for me. Some of the fair trade brands I've tried taste a bit sour. So I've decided to start keeping track of which ones I like, and which ones I don't. (I wish this were a wine list, but that'll have to wait until my boobs are my own again)

Note: This isn't a blind test, and it doesn't take into account cost; I might be influenced by the fact that Scharffen Berger has the classiest packaging and my favourite might change if it is also the most expensive.

Poulain - 76%
1st taste: Dark. Lovely cocoa flavour, but still smooth.
2nd taste: mm. What is that? Orange? Hm. Sweet but not too sweet. Creamy.

Scharffen Berger, Semisweet - 62%
1st taste: Tastes sweetened. Lovely smooth texture.
2nd taste: Good. Creamy. Tastes a little - oh! it is semi-sweet. I think I will try a different variety of this one - something more purely chocolate (there's vanilla flavour added).

Ghirardelli, Twilight Delight - 72%
1st taste: Woody. Nutty. Strange, but not bad.
2nd taste: Chalky. Not sweet enough. Don't love it.

Out of these three, I completely prefer the Poulain.

To be continued...

Tip: To keep fresh, wrap chocolate in foil and store in an airtight container.
Keep in a cool dark cupboard.

My New Favourite Saying - Thank you 30 Rock!

2008-06-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

Tracy Jordan: Dr. Spaceman. When they check my DNA will it tell me what diseases I might get or help me to remember my ATM pin code?

Dr. Spaceman: Absolutely. Science is whatever we want it to be.

Change is Good

2008-06-13T23:09:00.001-07:00

When I began this blog, I had no expectation that I would still be posting two years later. It started as a way for me to digitally archive things of interest and to get down thoughts I felt worthy of recording. In the "real world", I would have written and glued things in a journal. At the time I was taking History of the English Language so phonetic spelling interested me; punching up "journal" with graphics made it more appealing.

The blog has evolved, but not strayed from "the collection of a generalist." I remain a generalist and this blog is still a repository for stuffs that cross my path. I have however lost my connection with phonemes so it seems time for a shift.

Notice. Announcement. Information or intelligence. To take notice of. To mark. To comment on. To review. Notice boards. The word is derived from Latin words meaning "known" and "awareness". On the prairies (and elsewhere I'm sure), a friendly way to greet someone is "What do you know?" Basically, I'm archiving what I know and I want to share it with you.

Gift Ideas for New Mothers

2008-06-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Cleanliness is Decadence
The only time I have consistently taken for myself since my daughter was born is in the shower. No. Not a bath. No loofahs or bubbles are present. A short, hot, steamy shower. So, to pamper a new mother, I would turn her shower into a transcendent experience. Super plush towels and a sensual massaging shower head at the high end. Delicious smelling soaps and shampoos (some relaxing and some revitalizing) at the low end. Ahhh.

Find Me Somebody to...
As you may gather, no new mother has time for anything except her baby. Offer to take something off her hands and you bring her great peace. Whether it's your time or a professional's, help with cooking and cleaning is extremely valuable. I recently met a woman whose sister gifted her 2 free months of diaper service - great idea! I also like the idea of in-home massage or hair services.

The List I Would Have Liked as a New Mother - Part II

2008-06-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

Trial and error baby;
at least I only have to do this for the first time once!
Three months of learning later,
I will augment my post on items for new parents.

8. Change Pad - I should have had this from the start, but I was bound and determined to minimize the stuff we accumulated. Unfortunately, a stack of blankets on a hard wood surface is not enough; I finally got this when Maggie started to slam her heels into the table. One of these big fat change pads is the way to go. I haven't bothered with the covers - just throw a receiving blanket down so she doesn't lay on cold vinyl. And I recommend cutting off the useless strap so you aren't tempted to trust it with your baby's safety.

9. Diaper Wipes - Save hundreds of dollars and baby's sensitive bottom; skip the store-bought wipes. Use baby wash cloths or serge the edges of 6"x 6" squares of flannel/cotton/terry to make your own. If (like me) you aren't crafty and you don't know someone who is, check out Hankettes (pictured above) or do a search on Etsy and you'll find a variety of cloth wipes to choose from. Some people use a homemade solution with the wipes, but I just use warm water. I'm sure this is the reason Maggie hasn't suffered from diaper rash.

Aside: For convenience I use bought wipes while on the road. I've found the most gentle product to be Seventh Generation Wipes (as compared to Huggies Natural Care and TenderCare Flushable Wipes).

10. Baby Monitor - Though we live in an 800 sqft apartment, this thing keeps me sane. I can go about my business without feeling compelled to check her breathing every 10 minutes. We bought the First Years Ultra Range Monitor because it was affordable, compact and 2.4 GHz (less interference with our phone and wireless network). It did disable the wireless while we were visiting a friend, but luckily ours remains unharmed. The constant static is a minor irritant, but I assume all monitors produce some amount of white noise. I love that both units run on batteries and I love more that the batteries charge whenever the units are plugged in (why don't more electronics operate this way??). Most importantly, I can hear Maggie fart - it's a very trustworthy monitoring device.

11. Born Free Glass Bottle - Plastic + warmed liquid + babies = sketchy, so we're happy to go with glass. We found that Maggie latches to this nipple almost like she would to a real breast - potentially minimizing the dreaded nipple confusion.

12. Soothers - I was adamant that Maggie would not need a soother and now I'm so grateful that she takes them (it was a lifesaver when we flew home to Manitoba last month - no ear difficulties at all). I've prevented at least a few clogged milk ducts by sticking a soother in Maggie's mouth instead of letting her suck on my nipple until the break of dawn.

Caveat: Our soothers have BPA in the handles, so I'm going to try Natursutten's natural rubber soothers. Will post Maggie's verdict.

13. Formula - Our ideals came shattering down around us the morning Chris ran to the all-night pharmacy to buy a pack of Similac for our raging and hungry baby girl. She's been happily on the boob for months now; the formula was just a temporary (but incredibly necessary) supplement. I wish we'd had at least one "just in case" can in the house, and I wish we'd trusted the doctor who said, "formula isn't poison." I've truly learned my lesson: always, always, always have a back-up.

Strawberries are in Season!

2008-06-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

Gramma's Strawberry Muffins

We couldn't get enough of these when we were back in Manitoba so I can't wait to make my first batch - thanks for the recipe Mom!

4 medium eggs, beaten
3 cups of all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups of fresh strawberries rinsed, hulled and sliced
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups of chopped walnuts
1 cup of oil
1 T. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Preheat to 400 degrees F.
Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, combine the eggs, strawberries and the vegetable oil.
Mix the contents of the two bowls. Gently fold in the nuts.
Fill the muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes.
ENJOY!

I haven't enjoyed muffins as much as these. I cut the sugar in half as it called for 2 cups and they are good!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you lots, Mom

Reading Lipstick Labels

2008-05-14T21:22:00.001-07:00

I much prefer the digital storage of information to the accumulation of magazines, sticky notes and random sheets of paper. It allows me to forgo an organizational system in favour of heavy use of the "search" tool. Of course, if I had a filing system or notice board for such things, this would live there...

Here is a list of ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics, courtesy of David Suzuki's Queen of Green.

formaldehyde (farmalin or methyl aldehyde; found in imidazolindinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin and quarternium-15)
cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide, diethanolamine, DEA)
coal tar
parabens (methyl, ethyl, butyl and propyl paraben)
phthalates (dibutyl phthalate (DBP), fragrance)
sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium laureth sulfate (SLS, SLES)
Ethylenediamine (EDTA)
proplylene glycol
toluene
talc
petroleum (petrolatum, DEA, MEA, TEA)
phenylendiamine (PPD, P-diaminobenzene)
triclosan

Based on the Guide to Less Toxic Products, I plan to check out Aubrey Organics, Burt's Bees, Ecco Bella, Jason, Weleda and Druide for my moisturizer and lip gloss - because let's face it, that's all I've got time for these days!

Maggie G's Product Testing: Teether

2008-05-13T17:28:00.000-07:00

I started teething before I had the coordination to hold an object in my mouth, so relief came mostly from Mom or Dad's finger, and a chilled soother or socksicle.

Now that I've gained a little hand-eye control however, Sophie le Giraffe is my best friend. I could chew her head off, I love her so much. Those water-filled drugstore teethers completely miss the mark. Nor do I care for the taste of wooden teethers; they are much too heavy for my little hands at any rate. I do enjoy rubbing my gums on a Raz-Berry teether at times, but something inexplicable draws me to Sophie.

I love her independence (she can stand unassisted). I dig her sound and she's gorgeous. I can't look at her without smiling.

Sophie, je t'aime.

Update: And now I'm 6 months old. I'm much stronger and my tastes are more complex. I'm into chewing on the cold drugstore teethers and my wooden toys now that I can properly hold them in my mouth. I've also recently fallen in love with my Super Yummy Teether - it smells like chocolate!

Mother Beautiful

2008-05-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty." John Keats

It's Mother's Day. Let us celebrate motherhood in its entirety.

Thai-riffic Slow Cooker Chicken

2008-05-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

I am constantly scouting for easy and delicious dinner ideas and nothing is easier than throwing a wack of ingredients in the slow cooker. I adapted this recipe from that posted by Much More Than a Mom on Rookie Moms. She used chicken breasts. I think I may do so next time because my sauce was very greasy (thighs are higher in fat) and I'd love to freeze half for another time (I've never frozen meat on the bone before - can it be done??).

10-12 skinless chicken thighs (place in cooker)
Mix together:
1 small jar Salsa
Juice from 2 limes
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
4 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
Mix sauce into chicken.
Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve over rice and sprinkle with peanuts. Yum!

c. blog

The end.

my emotional state

happy movember

"flo"

Quick Yoga for Toddlers and Moms

oh mother

Gary Chang's "Domestic Transformer"

the little things

my happy thought before i sleep

I want to punch Caillou in the mouth

The Perfect Bedtime Story

A beautiful use of time

Gramma's Play Dough Recipe

Dreaming of Light

Marking 30

incremental improvements

decaf mama

for the love of play

overshooting

learning from babes

mama needs a vacation...

finally!!

Hallelujah

I'm buying a subscription to Glamour magazine

"Earth to Meekus!"

Restoring the Magic

I Wish I Were American

Are You Eating Cartoon Cows Too??

Happy Father's Day

glee

Hiking with Kids

Update: Is it a sham or a wow?

Heidi Swanson, how I love thee.

First Harvest

GQ Your Man

Hot Sex

Yellows and Greys

Is it a sham or a wow?

got, got, got, got no time!

My Perfect Mother's Day

My Mother

happy mother's day!

Dear Full-time Mothers,

I Can Fly!

Wish I Was Here

When I close my eyes...

Recently Tested Recipes

Cuz Every Kid Can Use a Cape

Yellow

Back to Blogging

My Contribution to Obamamania

Munchie Mug

Sorry-for-Myself-Happy-New-Year Frosted Brownies

happy holidays to all!

Maple Ginger Salmon

: )

*Sigh of Relief*

Yes YOU Can

And I plead to my American friends...

Crockpot Veggie Chili

Happiness is...

It's Election Day

October 14, 2008

Double-Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

I love shirt.

Ergo Baby Carrier by ERGO baby

NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator

NoseFrida Nasal Aspirator

RaZberry Teether by RaZbaby

Wanted: Sublime Imagery

My Canadian Idols Rearranged

Dreaming Small

simple pleasures

Bodily Fluids Aren't So Bad

My Canadian Idols Refined

Maggie G's Product Testing: Toys

Maggie's Verdict: Natursutten Soother

My Canadian Idols Revised

Stolen Tomato Cream Pasta

Sigh of Relief