The petite gourmand

under the weather

2012-01-27T09:07:00.008-05:00

The one good thing about getting sick is that it forces you to slow down.
Or in the case of this latest virus- completely grind to a halt.
At first I was feeling resentful, after all, I had a full week planned and lots going on.
Not to mention that this is virus # 7 since the start of school in September. But who's counting?
Great I'm stuck inside. Again.
Fortunately the weather was on our side, being rainy and kind of dreary.
The perfect kind to snuggle, sip homemade chicken noodle soup and just rest and recover.
I know, I complain constantly about being sick, but for once, I'm trying to find the positive in all this excess mucus.
Okay the mucus not so positive...but being stuck at home with my girl isn't the worst thing in the world.

The last few days have kind of forced me to think.
Really think.
About life, how quickly it flies by, the fragility of it all, what I still want to accomplish, who I want to surround myself with and how I can be a better mother.
Lord knows there is always room for improvement in that department.
After a bit of reflection, I was reminded of how lucky am I that it's me who gets to take Lulu to the doctor, rub her back, read her stories and give her the extra comfort and love that she needs when she's not feeling well.
And hey there's always the Internet to keep you busy while being stuck on the sofa all day, right?
After sifting and sorting through cyber space, I came across so many new and inspiring blogs and got reacquainted with some that I had forgotten.
I feel kind of rejuvenated, and maybe even a little inspired.
Being forced to stop, slow down, and breathe (albeit with extra effort due to congestion) has helped to recharge me.
I have all kinds of creative ideas brewing and look forward to get some new projects started.
Sometimes life has a way of giving you signs and nudges you in directions that you might have overlooked otherwise.
I guess you just need to slow down long enough to take notice and do do something about it.

Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.
Wayne Dyer

gung hay fat choy

2012-01-24T14:21:00.005-05:00

I love celebrating the beginning of a new year.
Whether its' Rosh Hashanah, the Chinese new year, or "New Year's New Year".
It means the chance for new beginnings and also a time for reflection on the previous year.
A reminder of what to be grateful for, what new goals to set for yourself and just an overall sense of renewal.
What's not to love about that?
So in honor of my brother and his family in Asia we have embraced the Chinese New Year whole hearted this year.
Lulu went to the Lunar festival on the weekend here and made lanterns, crafts, learned calligraphy, and saw a cute puppet show from Taiwan.
Of course we had to go for dumplings and our favourite noodles after the show here.
Yum...it's our happy place.
We were supposed to go skiing but opted to stay close to home and enjoy all that this awesome city has to offer.
That, and guess who's sick again?
First Lulu and now me.
We seem to be on a 2 week sick rotation this winter. Good times.
Anyhow what are you going to do aside from slurp back some nice, hot medicinal Chinese noodle soup?
ummm could go for some right now.
Alas, my ginger lemon tea will have to suffice.

So being the year of the dragon, it promises be a lucky one.
Let's hope! (especially when it comes to good health)

Gung Hay Fat Choy

like riding a bike

2012-01-18T14:21:00.005-05:00

So we finally bit the bullet this winter and decided to outfit the entire family with all new ski gear.
All I can say to that is, Cha-Ching $$$.
Ouch.
Who knew how much things had gone up in price since the nineties?
Anyhow we have been hymning and hawing about it for a few years now so I'm glad we finally got around to purchasing new skis and all the cute accessories that go with them.
And I have to say it was worth every penny.

But in all fairness Lulu really hasn't expressed any interest in hitting the slopes (save for tobogganing) until this year.
We tried last year but she just wasn't ready.
I don't think big daddy or I started skiing until we were both around 9 or 10 years old, so she's already got a head start on us.
Then again I saw a ton of little mini people (as in 3 years old) on the hills.
They were all so cute and SO Fearless!
Lulu is much more cautious, and that's completely okay by me.
I never like to push her into anything until she is ready.
With the exception of bed time. I'm ruthless when it comes to that.
It's non-negotiable around our house.
Some nights I practically push her into bed. Literally.

So we ended up going up north for the weekend, stayed at The Westin which is always fun.
They are even dog friendly so the whole family got to enjoy.
I could have completely done without the minus frickin' 25 degree weather though.
I had hot shots in my boots and mitts and was pretty close to shoving a few down the back of my ski pants.
Why is it that the older you get, the colder you get?
I totally don't remember ever being that cold when skiing as a teenager.
Then again, that might have to do with the wine skin stashed under my bright Kelly green Ispo Ski Jacket.
Oh I looked cool people...so very cool....;
It was all fun and games until "someone" fell and broke their ski horizontally at the binding.
Not mentioning any names or anything...
Lesson learned.
Nothing but hot chocolate while hitting the slopes from now on.

Anyhow it was super fun and a great way to spend the weekend.
Lulu and big daddy even took a dip in the outdoor pool and hot tub.
I chickened out and opted to sit by the fire with Chelsea and read my book instead.
I love that Lulu is finally at an age where we all get to do things as a family that is fun for everyone.
I LOVE six.
Six rocks.
I just wish she could stay this age forever.

And did I mention how happy we are that she is totally over playing princess?
If I had to wear one more tiara I might have gone off the deep end.
Then again I did like it when she dubbed me "Queen Mommy."
I kind of miss that part actually.
Either way I'm pretty proud of my little princess and how great she was, especially for her first time on skis.

heavy heart

2012-01-06T10:17:00.003-05:00

I've been debating whether to write about this or not, but I feel like I just need to.
It's certainly not what I would have liked my first post of 2012 to be about.

Unfortunately during the holidays one of Lulu's classmate's mother was killed.
It is tragic and absolutely terrible.
She was a loving mother of three children. Our class parent and an overall good person.
It's a complete shock to our entire community.
I see all her emails in my inbox and I can't even imagine hitting delete.
Her life has been snuffed out.
Three children no longer have a mother.
The worst part is the manner in which it all happened.
Horrible tragedy is an understatement.

Lulu knows that her classmates mommy died.
I've kept the main details from her.
Regardless of all the news trucks in the neighbourhood.
We've kept the T.V. and Newspapers out of her sight where ever possible.
She made this classmate a card and said that she feels so sad for him and his sisters.
I'm not really sure what else to say or do.
Definitely not something I've ever experienced before.

The really sad part is that the week before all this happened, the mom emailed me to say that her and the kids made special cookies and that they each were allowed to pick one person in the class who is always nice to them to give one to.
Lulu was really impressed and thrilled with the special treat and to be chosen as "the special friend".
I'm not sure what compelled me to take a photo of it before she decided to eat it.
But I'm so glad I did.....

farewell 2011

2011-12-30T21:45:00.014-05:00

As I look back at 2011 the word that comes to mind is pretty clear.
Mom.
Or more accurately "momma."
My life has pretty much become all about Lulu. At least for the most part.
And although I never thought it would happen to me, I'm completely okay with that.
Being a SAH mom is really such a blessing.
Geez, it only took me 6 years to completely embrace this...
Ironic, considering that I'm going to try to work more this year now that Lulu is in school full time.
Better late than never I suppose.

I love that I've been able to go on all Lulu's school trips and volunteer in her class and to always be so available for her.
Especially during these early "foundation" years.
I wouldn't trade any of that for the coolest photo job opportunity.

I also enjoy having her little friends over for lunch and play dates now that they are a bit older.
5 & 6 year olds are so sweet and much easier to handle.
Especially when they give me rave reviews on my cooking.
Lulu loves to tell all her friends what a good cook her momma is and every day they all come up and hug me asking when they can come to our place.
Is there anything better than that?

I completely love walking her to & from school each day.
I'm tryng to savour these moments as much as I can, as I know they are fleeting.
Especially when I see a group of kids maybe 6 or 7 years older than she is now, that wouldn't be caught dead walking with their mom to school.
Don't even think about holding hands!
Puhlease.

I've never missed a baseball game, a dance lesson or piano lesson.
I have been able to take her to camps and other fun activities around town.
So glad I can watch Lulu experience new places and meet new friends and help to nurture that.

Speaking of new places.
We took some pretty fun trips this years as well.
Nothing too exotic, and always visiting with family, but that in itself was also a great experience.
Especially for Lulu.
L.A. in the spring
Connecticut and New York in the summer.
Some weekends spent up north and down in Niagara.
I'm thinking 2012 might involve some new and exciting destinations with just the three of us.
Stay tuned for that.

As much as parenting has been at the top of my personal list this year, big daddy & I managed to get out a bit more for some one on one time.
It's great to finally have a roster of good babysitters.
We still need to do some work in the marriage department (then again tell me one couple who doesn't after being together for 14 years!)
But I'm in it for the long haul, so I'll keep on booking those sitters and calling in Grandma & Grandpa more often.
Speaking of which, our families are all healthy (big sigh of relief..) and for once, this year wasn't filled with too much drama.
Love that.

Went to a bunch of great restaurants. All casual, which is much more the kind of meal I like to have these days anyways.
I'm so over rich reductions, foam and pretentious wanna-be-actor-waiters not to mention ridiculous wine prices.
But truth be told, I find I enjoy eating at home more and more, and I would much rather have friends over than eat out too often.
That being said it is nice to get a break from time to time.

I managed to stay relatively healthy and am feeling more fit than I did 10 years ago.
Worked out quite a bit and finally seeing some results.
But this is another area I want to change, I recently read that if you get stressed trying to fit in things that are supposed to help you de-stress, then it's time for a change.
Some of my favourite classes at the gym are really not conducive to my schedule, especially since I will be working a bit more in 2012.
And throw in some chronic pain to areas that I think I am over working, I'd say it's time for a work-out change.
Change is good.
So I have a few new ideas that will keep me in shape, but hopefully keep me in check as well.

2011 has also been filled with good friends, some fun parties and get togethers.
Big daddy & I hope to maybe get some of our friends together for a party of our own.
who knows, we'll have to see about that.
Could be fun.

Of course the big addition to our family is Chelsea aka "the chelster" . She was probably the most excitement of 2011 for us.
She has been a welcome addition I might add.
Who knew you could love a small, snorty, sometimes smelly creature so much?

But otherwise a fairly uneventful year.
It flew by faster than I care to think about actually.
I can't believe it's soon to be 2012. Crazy.

2011 was for the most part filled with happiness, good healthy (with the exception of the last 8 weeks gah!!) , good friends, and family and the world's sweetest daughter.
I only hope 2012 is as good to me.
Happy New Year!!

merry christmas eve

2011-12-24T13:46:00.003-05:00

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.
~Larry Wilde

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas...
xo

elf on my shelf

2011-12-21T17:11:00.002-05:00

I'm so running out of hiding places.
glad that christmas is in 4 more days..

dreaming of a green christmas

2011-12-13T09:40:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe it's already the middle of December and it's still pretty green outside.
As much as fluffy flakes get me in the the Christmas mood, I'll take 10+ degree temperatures mid Dec. any day.
It makes running around doing errands that much easier.
It also makes the winter seem that much shorter.
I think last year we had already had a few major snow storms by this time.

I do wish I had more interesting things to write about other than the weather (once again) , but (once again) my mind is drawing a blank.
I've been so sick & tired these days (once again) that I've got nothin'.
Last week we were out every night, which was fun, but unfortunately as a result, I'm having a hard time getting over a lovely sinus infection.
wah wah..
Jeez, I'm sure no one wants to read about me and my never ending bouts of colds & flus, but the only reason I write about them is so that I can some day (hopefully) look back and remember that it was just a phase.
And it's part of having young kids in school and that just like teething, potty training and sleepless nights, it too shall pass.

Besides I'm pretty sure no one really reads this blog anymore.
And if you are going to complain and whine, it might as well be on a blog and not at all the holiday parties we still have to go to.
oh and on the up side, who knew that cold medicine gave you such a weird buzz?
who needs run & eggnog..
always a silver lining I suppose..

I'm also hoping that by the time Christmas rolls around, I will have had some down time to sit and contemplate 2011 and what it meant to me.
Aside from being sick 60% of the time.
And more importantly what I would like 2012 be like.
Hopefully virus free.

on the first day of christmas

2011-12-02T14:55:00.003-05:00

For some reason this year I'm finding myself totally getting into the spirit of Christmas.
Maybe it's having a 6 year old that is doing it?
Or maybe the arrival of the first flakes of the white stuff yesterday that has me humming holiday tunes.
Whatever it is though, I'm liking it.
Having never been a big fan of the Christmas season, I like my new outlook on things.
It's so much more fun than being a bah-humbug.
Bonus that I already have a big chunk of my Christmas shopping finished already.
As in Santa.
Love Mastermind Toys.
One stop shopping at it's best.
I also love that Lulu asked for a few small and simple things.
Hex bugs- check
lego- check
micro phone with stand- lord help me- check
magic set-check
new art supplies- check

10 drummers drumming...

spilling the beans

2011-11-30T14:28:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe it's already the end of November!
I'm still sneaking Lulu's Halloween stash after she's gone to bed each night..
Must throw that crap out once and for all.
Time to make room for the candy cane ice cream and Christmas cookies.

November really was a bit of a blur.
So much happening, so little time to sit down and blog.

But all is well and life is good.
Lulu had her first official report card and we were pretty pleased with her teacher's comments and her over all results in school.
Shockingly there were no comments about her being too talkative (like her dad & I were) in class.
On the contrary, she puts up her hand and is always eager to please the teacher.
So much so that she has a very strong sense of justice.
She likes to play by the rules and gets very frustrated when her peers do not.
Sometimes a bit too frustrated.
Lord let this continue though her teens..

She also keeps me up to speed on who's doing what and who got in trouble each day.
Which of course I completely encourage.
As long as it's not her, I'm happy.

So yesterday, while walking home from school, her and another girl from the neighbourhood were clowning around as her mom and I made small talk while trying to get them to get a move on so we could get home.
They were playing with some sticks they found on the ground.
Eventually we got home and Lulu decided to tell me something that this girl had said to her.
Apparently she whispered to Lulu "let's scratch the cars parked on the street with our sticks" and "let's spit on our moms"
I did hear Lulu say "no we'll get in big trouble."
And that's when we parted ways.

So when she told me about it, I thanked her for being so honest and told her that it wasn't acceptable behaviour in the least.
Even if they didn't actually do it, even joking about it is wrong and not funny at all.
She agreed and said that's why she decided to tell me in the first place.
I'm glad she gets that.

Now if Lulu said something like that I'd want to know about it.
No question.
So today I ran into this girls mother and told her what Lulu had told me and her reaction was well.....complete denial.
I was a bit taken aback actually.
She basically said that there was no way her daughter would say something like that and practically accused Lulu of lying.
I was pretty pissed.
If someone came to me and casually said you might want to know something that Lulu said out of your ear shot, my reaction would be "really? I'm floored that she would say something like that, it's a bit out of character but I will definitely be speaking to her about it later." and "thanks so much for letting me know."
Then I would go home and have a pity party and wonder what I've done wrong to have my daughter thinking that spitting on me would be remotely funny.
But that's just me.
And for the record, I'm 99.9% sure Lulu would never say or do anything like that.
She's not perfect, but she is a pretty respectful kid.
This girl on the other hand is a bit on the unpredictable side, so quite frankly I wasn't surprised at all.

But now I kind of regret telling her mother about it.
I didn't make a big deal out of it and tried to be as nonchalant as possible, but still.
Like I said, I'd want to know.
I am so annoyed by her reaction.
Should I have said nothing?
what would you have done?

11.11.11

2011-11-11T08:52:00.001-05:00

"We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude." -Cynthia Ozick

ahchoo

2011-11-10T10:03:00.008-05:00

Honestly I hate to post about being sick, feeling sick or looking after a sick kid and sick puppy yet again.
But unfortunately that's been my reality these past several weeks (or maybe it's months) but whose counting?
It's been nothing major, just the usual annoying colds and flu making the endless rounds.
What drives me crazy is that I feel like it's only us that seems to get sick all the time.
Us as in Lulu & I (and now Chelsea)
I just don't understand why.
I am a complete clean freak and germ-a-phobe so I don't get it.
We have one of the healthiest diets I know of.
Laurens favourite meal is Quinoa, tofu and kale.
Need I say more?
I've been using my juicer every day making vitamin rich concoctions like carrot, beet apple ginger juice or Orange, pineapple, carrot ginger just to name a few.
Not to mention all the healthy meals I've been making.
Seriously healthy.
Very little alcohol happening around here either. sniff sniff.
Trying my best to get 8 hours of sleep a night. Lulu gets 10-11 hours.
I practically have hand sanitizer on a holster.
Exercise is a regular part of my week- it's like breathing for me.
Of course I haven't been able to get to the gym as much as I would like to with all this nursing everyone back to health business.
I could be a spokes person for Natural Health Magazine.
So I just don't get it.
why us?
Is this normal?
Are we the only ones who seem to be fighting off viruses on a weekly basis since the beginning of school?
Maybe I should just run to the nearest Walmart and lick the escalator hand rail and then go use the bank machine and put my fingers in my eye right after pushing all the buttons?
Heck maybe I should be really crazy and go outside without a coat on?
Or maybe I should fill up our car with gas (not full serve) and wipe my hands on my mouth after touching the hand pump.
Oh and then I should go stand in line at the nearest walk-in clinic and just breathe in all the coughs and sneezes.
We should just go to McDonald's for all of our meals from now on. Hmmm I wonder if they have tofu Mc Nuggets?
Okay so I'm rambling...I suppose I've been cooped up too long.
What I'm really trying to say is that I'm super frustrated that there is nothing I can do (or so it appears) to prevent from getting sick.
I'm doing all that I can, but it just doesn't seem to work.
Maybe I'm missing something though.
am I?
Anyone out there have any fool proof tips for staying healthy at this time of year, aside from surrounding ourselves with a giant plastic bubble?

here comes the sun

2011-10-26T09:07:00.004-04:00

Yesterday when Lulu's bedroom was awash with warm orange light first thing in the morning we almost didn't know what it was.
Are they shooting a film next door and using large lights?
Did the street lamp get a newer brighter bulb?
No wait, I think it's actually the sun!
We almost starting jumping up and down on the spot.
The sun, the sun! where or where have you been?
of course it only lasted until after lunch. sigh..
Is it me, or has it been endlessly rainy and dreary this fall?
Aside from a gloriously warm Thanksgiving weekend, I can't remember the last we time shuffled though the autumn leaves, and stared in awe at all the beautiful colours on the trees.
Lulu is usually busy collecting leaves to and from school, not this year.
Instead we've been hiding under an umbrella for most of October.
I'm definitely getting my moneys worth out of my Hunters.
I just hope Halloween isn't a bust.
Nothing worse than a rainy night for trick or treating.
Wah wah.

I haven't been writing much these days.
I seriously can't believe how fast the days fly by.
There just never seems to be a spare minute to sit down and just think and reflect.
When I do get a second to myself, I feel like I'm always compiling To-do lists in my head instead of just thinking about what has already been accomplished.
Either that or I end up writing about mundane things like the weather.
Have things really come to this?
I guess my brain is just tired.
Perhaps it's a lack of creative stimulation, or maybe I'm just feeling a little parental burn out.
Either way, I'd love to turn things around.
Finish a good book, see an interesting film.
Go to an art gallery.
Maybe a little time out from car pooling, play-dates, taking care of sick puppies & children and grocery shopping might just do the trick.
Well that, and if the sun makes another appearance soon..

another gratuitous puppy picture, I know.
I can't help myself.

Sound Bites

2011-10-13T09:22:00.011-04:00

There are days when I feel like I'm a 27 year old trapped in a 40 year old's body.
Sure I'm responsible and for the most part, fairly mature when it comes to life, don't get me wrong.
Then again I was pretty responsible at 27 too.
Ish.
But when it comes to music, I feel very different from my fellow peers and other moms.
I love discovering new bands (even better when they are easy on the eyes)

I can't tell you how many dinner parties that we have gone to and the music is just BAD.
I mean Rock Lobster? realllY?
and Love shack by The B-52's?
Cummon.
And do we really need to hear more Lady GaGa? do we?
It's always too loud and then the obligatory dance in the same spot around the kitchen island embarrassment ensues.
Myself or big daddy try our best not to partake, regardless of how much Pinot was consumed.
I draw the line at being a dancing cougar.
I love my friends, don't get me wrong, but man their taste in music is quite frankly...awful.
Or at least in my not-so-humble-opinion.
(and if I know you and you are reading this you most likely do not fall into this category)

There is the type of music you play when you have friends for dinner and are trying to have a conversation, then the kind you just want to party to, and then there is the kind you play when you are in your car, there's the cooking dinner variety and then the early morning get up and go (or even better ease into the day kind)
My point is, there's so much great music out there that has a time and a place.
With itunes, Satellite radio & the awesome app. 8tracks, there really shouldn't be an excuse for listening to bad music.
Then again, maybe these are the reasons for all the bad music.
Too much to choose from.

Big daddy & I were out for dinner last weekend and the restaurant we were at was playing THE WORST music.
It completely ruined our dining experience.
That being said the previous weekend we were out as well and this restaurant was playing THE BEST music.
We didn't want to leave.
That's the way it should be.

So speaking of good music...
This is what's been in rotation around here these days around my place.

The Antlers- Burst Apart
Foster The People- Torches
Iron & Wine - Kiss Each Other Clean (going to see then live on Saturday!!)
Little Dragon- Ritual Union
Beirut- The Rip Tide
Bon Iver- For Emma
Kings Of Convienence- everything they've ever done
Angus & Julia Stone- Hollywood
Azure Ray- Wake Up Sleepy Head
Elephant Parade- Bedroom recordings
Rosie Thomas- All The way From Michigan
SeaBear- The Ghost That Carried Us Away
Sufjan Stevens- Seven Swans
Fleet Foxes- Fleetfoxes
The Go Find- Stars On The Wall
Gem Club- Breakers (so hauntingly beautiful)
Kings Of Leon- everything..love these boys..huge crush on all the Followells.
Hot Chip- The Warning
Waldecks Gramaphone
Francis England- Mind Of My Own, Lulu knows all the words...so cute.
Stan Getz- Standards
Roger Miller- Classic

Okay so maybe the vast majority of this music isn't really music to party to.
Then again it depends on what you define as a good party...

What are you listening to these days?

21 day challenge

2011-09-30T22:56:00.015-04:00

I've always considered myself to be a fairly organized person, or at least I try to be.
But sometimes life gets in the way and things get busy.
so I came across this idea and I'm going with it.
I think it's a great way to stay on top of things, yet not feel overwhelmed at the the never ending piles of things to do around here at casa petitegourmand.

21 DAY ORGANIZING CHALLENGE

Join the Challenge (at any time)
Day 1 - Junk Drawer & Cutlery drawer
Day 2 - craft supplies & lulu's art work (take digital images of everything & put them in the ol' circular file a.k.a. the garbage)
Day 3 - Tupperware drawer (quite a collection going after all those wild tupperware parties I go to each month..kidding..)
Day 4 - Linen Closet
Day 5 - The shed and gardening tools
Day 6 - Dresser Drawers (specifically the sock situation. Get rid of all old socks and buy new fresh ones for the winter. Already did the underwear drawer last week and it's changed my life. Is there anything better than a drawer full of brand new, perfectly fitting ginch?)
Day 7 - The Pantry (otherwise known as my one food cupboard in my tiny kitchen)
Day 8 - Coat Closet
Day 9 - Toy organization
Day 10 - Laundry area
Day 11 - The Freezer
Day 12 - Spice Cabinet (remember to replace anything older than one year, nothing worse than stale cumin)
Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet (check expiration dates!!)
Day 14 - Under bathroom sinks
Day 15 - home office- edit magazines
Day 16 - The Fridge (do I really need eight types of mustard?)
Day 17 - edit books- (keep the keepers, donate the others to the library)
Day 18 - make-up, cosmetics and lipsticks (that stuff expires too, I'm pretty sure I have nine year old eye shadows.. I know, gross)
Day 19 - Master Closet & big daddy's "Not-So-Master" closet
Day 20 - Photos (this may take another 21 days!)
Day 21 - bookmarks (specifically all the blogs that no longer exist, have moved or that I no longer read)

wish me luck.

Edited to add: I think I'm on day 13 and I am nowhere close to doing what I had planned on doing.
Talk about being overly ambitious.
Instead of beating myself up over it, I'll get to that stuff when I get to it.
Like I said, sometimes life just gets in the way.
well that and when the tempeture is in the high twenties and the sun is shining, who really needs to be inside organizing?
To be continued in November..

back to school

2011-09-16T22:21:00.005-04:00

How is already mid September?
The last two weeks have literally flown by.
The days are getting shorter and much cooler.
I had to do the ol' closet switch this week and say good by to all my tank tops and thin cotton blouses,
and hello to the plethora of gray, taupe & black sweaters that I can never seem to get enough of.
Same goes for Lulu's closet.
Out with old and in with the new.
Happily a bunch of things still fit her from last winter, so hopefully things have slowed down in the growing department.
But once again she is one of the taller kids in her class.
How I created a tall child is still a mystery to me..

Speaking of school, Lulu is really enjoying it so far.
We completely won the lottery in the teacher department, which I couldn't be happier about.
She is in the same class as a few of her good friends and has already made some new ones.
The morning routine is not nearly as hectic as I thought it would be.
In fact, we have time to spare and still get to snuggle and sip tea and talk about last night's dreams.
I'm quite relieved about this because there is nothing worse than starting the day off in a rush.

Bonus that I've actually lost 4 lbs from all the extra walking back and forth from the school every day.
Eight trips total.
Including lunch time.
Chelsea (my other baby) is absolutely loving all the walks and all the attention she gets when I take her to school.
Having a puppy in the fall is the best.

Truth be told, I'm really loving it.
The routine, the walking, everything.
Well maybe not the very nasty virus Lulu picked up last week and the four consecutive days of fever and sleepless nights followed by a rattling cough that also kept her (me) up at night.
So no sleep, no appetite = grumpy.
So that part wasn't too much fun.
But today she seems to be back to normal- which is a good thing.
Welcome back to the germ factory I guess.
I'm sure there's plenty more where that came from.
One virus down, only a dozen more to go...sigh...

I forgot how amazing our neighbourhood is and how many great parents there are that are involved in keeping our school what it is today.
I feel really lucky to live here and even more fortunate that Lulu gets to grow up going to such a fantastic school with such a strong community spirit.
Friday night there was an outdoor PJ and Movie night for all the parents and students.
Despite her cold it was so much fun.
I also had to send in a poem or story about Lulu for her teacher to read to the class.
This is what I came up with...

Lulu

You are my precious little flower,
that is constantly in bloom.

I watch as yet another milestone,
around the corner looms.

It seems like only yesterday,
that we shared a single breath.

But now it seems like tomorrow,
you will leave and I'll be left.

I know the life of an only child
is not always filled with ease.

You've had no one to borrow from,
share secrets with, or tease.

And yet, no matter what life brings,
you take it all in stride.

The strength of character you always show
fills my heart with pride.

I'm so proud to be your mommy,
It's the best I've ever felt.

love momma xoxo

Completely corny and maybe a little over the top, but this about sums it all up.

high tide

2011-08-31T09:19:00.007-04:00

What is it about time flying by so quickly during the summer months?

It seems like it was just yesterday that we bid the kindergarten yard a farewell.
Now in a mere FIVE days we will be back to the grind.
I say "we" because even though it's Lulu starting grade 1, I'm the lucky one that gets to go back and forth to the school yard every day.
THREE times a day actually, which actually equals SIX trips back and forth from our house to the school.
Not sure how this will actually allow me to get anything accomplished.
At least anything that isn't located in my neighbourhood.
Apparently most of the kids come home for lunch each day, which was so not my plan.
But for the first week I will conform, and then hopefully when she is settled in a bit, I am hoping on alternating days for lunch.
I mean I would really like to have a bit of a life outside of motherhood.
I.E. my old career..sigh...
As a bonus, I also get to take Lulu to all her after school programs three days a week.
I can hardly wait for the frenzy to begin.

I'm sure it will all be fine, and even though I sound like I'm already complaining (okay I am totally complaining) I'm secretly looking forward to the whole school time routine.
That's what being a mom is all about, right?

It was a busy summer and hopefully a fun one for Lulu, but quite frankly, I'm exhausted from trying to keep her entertained for two straight months.
Fun as it might be to hang out 24/7 with a six year old.

That being said, I really need to stop worrying about myself and how I'm going to adapt to our new routine and instead focus on Lulu and her fears or anxieties about going back to school.
Not that she has mentioned anything so far, but still, I really need to be there for her and be positive.

Speaking of being positive, although the summer flew by, it still isn't completely over.
So instead of fretting about the days ahead, I'm going to soak up the last few days of summer 2011.

the dog days of summer

2011-08-20T08:36:00.004-04:00

Well we finally did it.
we caved and got "Lulu" a puppy.
Introducing Chelsea.
(we got her in Chelsea NYC)
After just a week at home, this dog is clearly "my" puppy though.
Lulu has kind of shirked all responsibility.
"you want me to pick up her POOP ?!!!" "ahhhhh! NO way!!"
So the cleaning, walking, training and over all total responsibly, is completely up to me.
No big surprises here.
To be honest, I don't really mind.
I forgot how much I love having a little dog around.
Though the poop thing does take some getting used to.
Who knew 11 week old french bulldogs went 6-8 times a day?
It's like having a baby all over again.

But she is so sweet and even though puppies are A LOT of work, I'm sure it will all be worth it.
let's hope.....

Oh and I guess I'm not the only one who thinks these dogs are adorable.

the tide is high

2011-08-10T07:46:00.013-04:00

It's strange, even though I see Lulu everyday, occasionally it hits me like a ton of bricks how much bigger she is now.
I get so caught up in day to day life and then BAM! I realize she's six and is no longer my little peanut.
Okay, she still is, and always will be, my little peanut, only now she's just a taller and smarter peanut.
While she was in camp she somehow picked up the phrase "for real" and now says it with vigor at the end of almost every sentence.
I thought this wasn't supposed to happen until at least age 13??
Anyhow, it's pretty cute, and every time she says "no for real momma" big daddy & I look at each other and try not to crack up.

It's really great being able to take time away from our regular life & routine and really notice these little changes.
I'm having such a great time on this road trip.
Lulu was completely chilled on the ride to the coast and it really didn't seem to take very long.
Big daddy had his doubts, but I knew it would be smooth sailing.
Six is the perfect age for long road trips.
Bonus that now she can read maps and signs, so there really wasn't too much "are we there yet?"
Connecticut is lovely and it was nice to dip our feet in the Atlantic Ocean- despite how incredibly cold it is. brrr
I'll take a great lake any day.
But the waves and the salt air is always so restorative and calming.
We ate at the famous Mystic Pizza.
Which was..meh...pretty good, more importantly Lulu loved it.
Though speaking of food, what is it about American kids menus?
all they ever offer is pop, chocolate milk, deep fried chicken fingers, pizza, hot dogs, grilled cheese and french fries.
Not a veggie in sight.
No wonder there is an obesity epidemic going on here.
Don't even get me started on the portion sizes!
At one place I ordered a salad and I swear it was on a serving platter!
Easily could have fed 4 or 5 people.
Lulu had a pasta dish that also would have been appropriate for at least 2 or even 3 adults.
Crazy.
Anyhow we are now in NYC and the food, well...what can I say about the multitude of amazing food options?
I love this city.
First stop yesterday was Rickshaw Dumplings.
Yum yum.
Then we relaxed during a torrential downpour at Pret A Manger.
LOVE this place.
I wish we had them back home.
My kind of fast food.
We had a nice casual dinner at an Italian restaurant near our hotel called Apertivo.
Good pizza, salads and pasta.
Brought Lulu back to the hotel and her cousin offered to babysit so Big daddy & I could go for a walk around town.
Did I already mention I was in Heaven?
Oh and we are in a really awesome hotel suite with a brand new kitchenette and separate bedrooms.
It's like having our own apartment in Manhattan.
Gotta love P.Diddy big daddy's bro.
So that's it for now.
Looking forward to plenty of fun and excitement over the next few days in the big apple.

like for example this...
Yup I saw this unfold today while shopping on 5th ave.
never a dull moment around here, that's for sure.

Oh and also Big daddy & I were interviewed by the Today Show while walking down the street.
They asked us about Marriage and what drove us crazy about each other.
Ummm do you have a few hours??
kidding of course.
but check it out.
the best part is at around 2:40 into the video

Why do husbands tune wives out?

NBC’s David Gregory talks with marriage therapist Hal Runkel and psychologist Judith Sills about some of the hot marriage issues such as why men often don’t listen and why women constantly tell their husbands what to do.

Not exactly Jack Kerouac

2011-08-05T15:44:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe it's already August!
Why is it that January & February don't go by nearly as quickly?

So far I am happy to report that I've managed to do a bunch of things on my summer-to-do list.
But there is plenty more that I hope to accomplish before the end of the season.
One of the big things I wanted to do was go on a road trip.
Finally big daddy has agreed to go on one this summer.
Given my anxiety about flying, I couldn't be more thrilled.
There's a whole world (albeit mostly New York state, Quebec, Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Massachusetts and maybe Pennsylvania) that is right in our back-yard.
Okay maybe a bit further than that, but all within a days drive.
Not too bad if you ask me.
So the bags are packed, the Ipod is loaded with new tunes.
We have a ton of new movies, games and books to keep Lulu occupied.
Gas in the tank.
Plenty of yummy snacks to keep big daddy in his happy place during the drive.
And we are off on our adventure.

“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
Lao Tzu

book worm

2011-07-21T09:34:00.010-04:00

I'm so thrilled to say that Lulu is now reading independantly.
Actually she's been able to read for a while now, but these days she's reached a whole new level.
I often find her quietly reading chapter books on her own.
Currently she is totally into Ivy & Bean.
She loves these books and I have to say, that even I find them to be very cute and funny.
Perfect for 6-8 year old girls.
I love hearing her laugh out loud while turning the pages.
Even better, is watching her read to her friends (especially ones that are a bit younger than her.)
It melts my heart to see her reading them stories.
I couldn't be more proud.
I'm glad to know that all those stories that Big Daddy & I read to her every day were not in vain.

As far as my reading goes these days, unfortunately I'm currently in a bit of a book slump.
Nothing that I've read or am reading, I'm loving.
Currently I'm reading The Hungry Ghosts By Anne Berry.
Kind of having a hard time getting into this, but I've been told it's good, so I'm going to soldier on.
Also on my summer reading list is
A Visit From The Goon Squad- Jennifer Egan
Amaryllis in Blueberry- Christina Meldrum
The Story Of A Marriage- Andrew Sean Greer
A Field Of Darkness- Cornelia Read
I'm going to revisit The Catcher In The Rye-J.D Salinger as well.
I recently finished reading How I live Now- Meg Rosoff and A Mountain Of Crumbs- Elena Gorokhova
Both of which I didn't love and forced myself to finish for a book club.
But maybe it was just me?
I also got half way through We Had It So Good- Linda Grant, which unfortunately I also had a hard time getting into.
So basically three duds in a row.
Hopefully some of the books on my summer reading list will be good ones.

How about you, what are you reading these days?

cool as a cucumber

2011-07-20T09:38:00.003-04:00

I love all the fresh summer produce available at this time of year.
That being said, I can't say I love spending too much time in the kitchen in July.
A. I would much rather be outside enjoying the weather.
or
B. If the weather proves to be unbearably hot (like it has been for the past couple of weeks) the last thing I want to do is turn on the stove or oven.
And you can only eat so much BBQ.
So my solution to this, is this amazingly simple, yet totally deliciously refreshing cold cucumber & avocado soup.
Usually I'm not a huge fan of cold soups aside from a good gazpacho.
But trust me this one's a keeper.
I've been making it for a few years now and it seems to taste better and better with each spoonful.
Bonus that's it's so good for you too.

Cold Cucumber & Avocado Soup

Ingredients

1 English cucumber, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
2 avocados, pitted and peeled
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice + the zest of one lime
1 minced small jalapeno chile (seeds and ribs removed for less heat, if desired)
1/3 cup sliced scallions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil
12 medium shrimp (about 6 ounces), peeled and deveined or cooked frozen
Directions

In a blender, combine half the cucumber and 1 avocado with the yogurt, lime juice, jalapeno, scallions, 1 tablespoon cilantro, 1 cup ice water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Puree until completely smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.

Cut remaining avocado into 1/4-inch cubes. Stir avocado and remaining cucumber into soup. Thin with 1/2 to 1 cup ice water, as desired. Season again with salt and pepper. Chill, about 1 hour.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp, turning once, until opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with shrimp and remaining tablespoon cilantro.
If you want you can also use cooked frozen shrimp, which I did this time around.
Even less cooking involved.
It would be nice with the grilled shrimp on a skewer placed on top of the bowl as well.

Enjoy and stay cool..

a good start

2011-07-12T15:27:00.007-04:00

I love a good breakfast, and I love it even more when Lulu has a good breakfast.
They don't call it the most important meal of the day for nothing.
We aren't really big cereal eaters around here (aside from late night emotional eating..I mean snacking)
and Lulu isn't really a fan of oatmeal.
I have oatmeal several times a week, she really is missing out on this, but hopefully with time she will love it too.
Ditto with my morning smoothies.
I don't like to give her toast too often because lunch is often a sandwich or soup & toast.
And the past few weeks she has decided that she is over eggs.
Not sure what's up with that, since she never seemed to have a problem with them in the past, but I never like to force the issue.
So with dwindling options, every couple of weeks I make a big batch of these delicious & nutritious pancakes and freeze them.
They are packed with goodness and are super easy to make.
I can use up left over buttermilk (why do they not sell smaller containers of the stuff?)
They are super economical.
And best of all, she loves them.

Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes

2 1/2 cups nonfat buttermilk, (see Tip)
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ or ground flax
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons canola oil, divided
Chocolate chips (optional) or blueberries

Combine buttermilk and rolled oats in a small bowl; let rest for 20 to 30 minutes to soften oats. Stir all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, wheat germ, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk egg, egg whites and 1 teaspoon oil in a separate bowl. Add the oat mixture and the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
Lightly brush a large nonstick skillet with a little of the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and heat over medium. Not too hot otherwise they will burn. Using 1/4 cup batter for each pancake, pour batter onto the skillet and cook until the underside is browned and the bubbles on top remain open, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the pancakes over and cook until the underside is browned, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Bonus that I'm able to sneak Oats and ground Flax in there.
Oh and make sure to separate each pancake with a small square of waxed paper or parchment to prevent them sticking together.
Enjoy!

ghost town

2011-07-08T09:49:00.015-04:00

I feel old saying this, but times sure have changed since I was a youngster.
Okay maybe I'm laying it on a bit thick.
"Since I was a kid".

Summer holidays growing up meant staying in my P.J's watching Captain Kangaroo & The Price Is Right while eating bowls of puffed rice with 4 tablespoons of white sugar until my mom told us to get dressed and go outside for some fresh air.
Back then the air was actually fresh.
I would probably then hop on my red & white Banana seat bike and find some sort of an an adventure with my neighbourhood friends.
Unsupervised.
Gasp! Imagine that?
Maybe it was hanging out by the creek in the woods.
(I was so lucky to grow up surrounded by a conservation area.)
Collecting frogs or making clay sculptures.
The creek had gray clay in certain parts.
We would often have clay fights- a bit Lord of the Flies, but super fun.
This sounds very Leave It To Beaver, but I spent hours skipping stones into that creek.

Every summer we would try our hand at building a fort, tree house or a go-cart.
I loved doing stuff like that.
Or some days were spent just playing on the swings in the backyard, jumping through the sprinkler, having water balloon fights or just hanging out and doing nothing.
Life was so simple back then.
The only caveate was that I always had to head home when the street lights turned on.
Of course we never strayed too far from home and would periodically check back in to be fed and watered.
We really had so much freedom.

In those early years, I didn't go to camp or have organized play-dates.
I'm not even sure that the word "play-date" existed back then.
My dad would take two weeks off every summer and we would go on a road trip somewhere fun.
But other than that, we would stick close to home and just enjoy summer in a small town.
Oh sure, we got bored sometimes, but that's part of being a kid.
Or should I say a luxury of being a kid.
Boredom breeds curiosity and imagination in my opinion.
At least at the age of 6.
I'm sure its a different story when you hit the adolecent years.
Boredom in small town= getting into trouble.
But that's another post.

These days I feel like I have to plan activities for every day of the summer for Lulu.
Not that I really want to, it's just that it seems as though our entire neighbourhood, a.k.a Lauren's play-mates, have either gone away for the summer to the cottage or are booked into camps all summer long.
Sure, I have her signed up for 2 weeks of camp in July.
Those 2 weeks can't come fast enough let me tell you..
Silly me thought this year we would try things old school and just take the first couple weeks of summer to wing it.
Not sure if that was the best plan of action.
I'm already getting the whiny "I'm Bored" & "I'm lonely"
The kid really knows how to pull on my heart strings.
But I don't get that, as I have tried to line up some sort of activity every single day so far.
She's had several play dates, we've gone to the park, splash pads, had a camp fire, gone to the toy store & book store for a few treats to play with, done crafts not to mention I've been trying my best to play with her as much as possible.
And grocery shopping & running errands counts as fun too right?
I wish I could just tell her to go outside and play, but we live in a big city on a relatively busy street, not to mention all the construction going on.
It's barely safe to play on the front lawn as there are giant holes dug up by the city to replace all the gas lines.
Good times.
But even if the construction wasn't going on, I still wouldn't let her play in the front yard unsupervised.
The world just isn't the same.
I do feel bad that she is lonely and for the first time in 6 years there is a tiny part of me that feels bad that we didn't have a second child.
I keep telling myself that this is her reality, and as sad as it can be sometimes, that's life.

I really wanted to try to revert back to "old times" and try to keep things simple this summer.
Like the way things were for me growing up.
Because I'd like to think I had a pretty awesome childhood.
I just want Lulu to have the same kind of happiness and fun that I did growing up.
Because G-d forbid she gets bored and is forced to use her imagination..

Our Home & Native Land

2011-07-01T22:30:00.007-04:00

Woke up this morning without any plans and on a whim decided to go to a baseball game.
Lucky for us there were seats available and the weather was spectacular.
So that's what we did.

Bonus that we live 10 minutes from the Sky Dome.
Even better, we had no problem finding parking or with traffic & crowds.
Lulu loved all the pre-game activities outside the stadium.
Big Daddy & I enjoyed the cold beer, hot dogs & fresh peanuts.
Why is it that hot dogs taste that much better in a ball park?

The game was a close one (even though the Jays lost to Philly 7-6 boo...) but we had so much fun.
Going to a Blue Jays game wasn't officially on my summer to-do list, but I'm so glad we went.
We really have to do things like this more often.
Being spontaneous made it an even better experience.
It was one of the best Canada Day's that I can remember.

Those of us born in Canada often take for granted the physical beauty of this country and the amazing freedom we enjoy.
So happy 144th birthday Canada!
I'm very proud to call you my home.

Summer to do List

2011-06-28T13:57:00.006-04:00

Every summer, sometime around August, I kind of go into panic mode realizing that it's half way over and I haven't done all the fun things that I love to do.
This year I am making a list and am going to do my best to do at least half of what's on it.
Even better if I manage to do it all.
So here it is- my summer wish list for 2011.

1. Have a campfire and make s'mores. A bit of an obvious one- but definitely top of our must do's.
2. Have a picnic in a park with a group of friends. Re: 2 posts ago.
3. check out a few farmers markets. ie. Riverdale, Dufferin Grove, Brickworks and the Distillery.
4. Make pickles & peach jam. see above.
5. go canoeing.
6. go for a walk after dinner with Lulu and get ice cream. who am I kidding? we already do this frequently.
7. mini golfing
8. check out Art in The Park at Nathan Phillips.
9. Canada's Wonderland. Lulu's never been and I promised.
10. Marine Land. see above
11. collect bugs with Lulu and identify them.
12. day trip to my old home town and show Lulu where her momma used to sneak beer in the woods...err I mean where I went to church.
13. have a few of lulu's friends over for a ice cream make your own sundae party.
14. Visit my parents in Niagara On the Lake and bring our bikes to cycle the amazing bike paths.
15. Check out some Shaw Theatre. see above
16. have a pretend camp out in a tent in the back yard.
17. lie back and watch the clouds go by.
18. go to Sugar beach and then have a cold beer on the new patio in the Corus building.
19. go cherry picking
20. book babysitters and go out on the town with big daddy
21. have sex more often. see above.
22. did I actually just write that?
23. watch some fireworks. see above too. I wish...;
24. possible road trip to NYC to see Uncle P and the cousins
25. help Lulu keep a summer journal.
26. play badminton in a park
27. teach Lulu how to ride a bike without training wheels
28. stay fit and work out
29. go to a movie on a really hot day
30. have a puppet show
31. play cards
32. work on my "summer cook book"
33. go swimming often
34. make homemade lemonade
35. do lots of crafts with Lulu
36. read great books
37. keep getting lulu to read to me every day
38. have friends over for a BBQ.
39. take my mom for a special lunch
40. take a mini vacay- maybe Taboo or something up North.
41. Check out some music festivals in the city.
42. work on a few creative shoots with big daddy.
43. Blog more frequently.
44. go on a nature hike.
45. organize my music & make some great playlists.
46. have a home spa day with Lulu- cucumbers on the eyes and all.
47. sit on the front porch and watch the sun go down. (if the construction on our street is finished before the summer is over)
48. cat call and whistle at the construction workers on my street. hey if they can do it, so can I.
49. feed some baby ducks...oops already did that. see above photo.

and last but not least..

50. savour every minute of it because before I know it will be over.

at last

2011-06-22T10:41:00.005-04:00

Well summer finally arrived yesterday.
Though it has been summer-ish weather for a while now, at least now it's official.
I'm really looking forward to the end of school and having fun in the sun with my little barnacle.
Yes I said barnacle.
The girl has been stuck to me like glue these past few days.
Nothing really that new there actually, she follows me around from room to room like a little puppy most of the time.
Especially the second I go to the bathroom.
I thought they were supposed to out grow this.
What's up with that?
She is constantly chattering in my ear.
Never wanting to watch T.V.
G-d forbid.
Am I the only parent on the planet that begs their child to just watch a little bit of television each day?
Please? Pretty please?
Or to just hang out by herself and play.
Definitely one of the draw backs of having an only child.
No one to play with other than me.
I get that, and am doing my best (most days) to be sympathetic to this.
It's a constant struggle to remind myself that I should embrace this and that before I know it, she will want nothing to do with me.
Though I hope this never happens.
With the exception of when I'm in the bathroom.

I have a bunch of far more interesting things going on at the moment, and I just got my computer back after almost a week.
Oh how I missed you my sweet apple.
Hopefully I'll get the chance this summer to write about something other than just my little shadow.
speaking of which.

"Yes sweetie I'll be right there to play camping with you"
"sure I'll check and see if we have marshmallows"
At least it's not barbies.

sigh...

the bigger picnic

2011-06-12T17:33:00.003-04:00

I love cycling through the city parks with Lulu & Big daddy on the weekends.

But somehow after passing by all the picnics in our local park, I always end up feeling so melancholy.

The park is filled with huge groups of people and families having so much fun.
And by the aromas wafting through the air, enjoying so much delicious smelling food as well.
I'm not just talking hot dogs & hamburgers either.
These are by and large "new Canadians" cooking a multitude of flavours from around the world.
There has been many a time when I have wanted to just walk up and ask them what they are cooking.

I love that you see all the generations together spending time together as a family.
Young, old and even the teenagers don't seem to mind hanging out with all the relatives on a Sunday afternoon in the park.
Everyone looks like they are having such a great time.
Nothing fancy or styled out- just good food,family and friends.
And how cool is it that Toronto is so amazingly culturally diverse?
I saw huge families from all over the globe, just hanging out, and enjoying our beautiful green spaces.
Toronto does have so many lush park spaces- we are very fortunate.

So why do I feel so blue when we ride past these make shift park parties?
I guess you could say I'm a bit envious.
I wish we had a huge family (that wasn't neurotic) and that all lived in the same city (country) and loved to spend time together.
I wish I had several generations to help out with the kid(s) when they are (were) babies.
and more importantly, I wish I had all those delicious smelling recipes!

That being said, I do have two first cousins that live here in the city.
One of them is married with a 2 year old and the other just got married last summer.
We get along just fine, but for some reason we are not close.
We didn't grow up together and I guess our families all just do their own things.
I wish it was different, but what can you do?
Maybe I should make more of an effort to try to coordinate a picnic of our own this summer.
Someone has to make the first move, maybe it should be me.

But for now it's just Lulu, Big daddy & I.
I suppose I have to just be grateful for our little family of three.
Or maybe one of these days I'll muster up enough courage and walk over to one of those groups and ask them what exactly is on their grill?
Best case scenario- they ask us to join the party.

lighten up

2011-06-04T12:54:00.006-04:00

Spontaneity is really under rated.
I am sad to say that around these parts, it happens far too infrequently.
We tend to plan things in advance and rarely veer from the "schedule."
But summer is here, and it is short and it really needs to be embraced.

I am happy to report that lately I'm trying to change my control freak ways and just go with the flow.
Last week I think we were out every single night and Lulu stayed up several nights way past her usual 8 o'clock bedtime.
And you know what?
Everything was just fine.
No melt downs or any real attitude changes.
We had last minute BBq's- nothing fancy, no Martha Stewartesque recipes.
Just some frozen burgers, president's choice ribs and bagged coleslaw.
And surprise surprise, it was delicious.
Another night we were stopping by a neighbour's lemonade stand and it turned into a bit of a backyard pool party.
The kids were having so much fun (grown ups too) that we just let them play until it got dark out.
No harm done (minus my mild hangover from too many glasses of wine)

My point is we have all winter to deal with schedules, being on time, rushing from one thing to another.
I need to just remember to have fun this summer, not sorry so much about plans and goals and ultimately not be so up-tight.
Because if I'm completely honest, I do have a tendency to be a wee bit wound up when it comes to the daily grind.
Lulu is at an age now where she can cope if she's a bit tired.
If things don't go as planned each day, who cares?
Life is short and summer is even shorter.

be in the moment

2011-05-29T10:05:00.005-04:00

The other day Lulu & I were walking hand in hand down the street, and bunch of teenage girls walked past us.
Of course they were all wearing the ubiquitous SHORT shorts, tank tops with bra straps showing, long straightened hair, flip flops or moccasins, talking extra loud about who knows what and all in their own little teenage bubble.
shudder...

I wistfully said to Lulu "one day you won't want to hold my hand in public and maybe you won't even want to hang out with me all the time...sniff sniff..."
She then said to me
"awe mommy, don't worry about tomorrow, just think about today and enjoy every minute of me while I'm six"
"besides, I would never wear shorts that short!"
not only is she profound, she's a mind reader as well.

doggie style

2011-05-20T11:02:00.005-04:00

While at the park a few weeks ago, Lulu spotted two dogs..ahem...doing the ol' mommy & daddy dog dance, if ya know what I mean.
They were really going at it and kind of drawing quite a bit of attention.
Big daddy & I started to try and distract her by pointing at things in the opposite direction.
"look sweetie, that cloud looks just like a unicorn!"
and
"is that a cardinal I see in that tree over there?"
Because I am soooo not ready for that conversation.
But she was too quick for us.
She spotted the doggie porn despite our best efforts.
Then she says "look mommy, that big doggy is giving that little doggie a piggy back ride!"
"Yes sweetie, that's exactly what they are doing!"
whew.
Priceless..

a mouse in the house

2011-05-18T15:10:00.003-04:00

Ahh another year of ballet has come to a close.
Lulu was fantastic in her recital and really seemed to be having so much fun up on stage.
I was so proud of her- as always.

But I have to say, I am happy that most of her fall/winter programs are all almost finished (except baseball & piano).
The weeks just seem to fly by chauffeuring her from one thing to another, and I am really ready for a reprieve from it all.
Bring on Summer Camp..
I haven't had two seconds to sit down and sort out my thoughts the past few months, never mind trying to come up with a clever post.
I honestly don't know how full time working mothers with more than one child cope.
Honestly.
Then again, I probably bring it all on myself being the perfectionist-o.c.d crazeoid that I am.
Note to self- R.E.L.A.X....
and like I said now that all the activities for Lulu are winding down, I might just get the chance.

a good egg

2011-04-26T13:42:00.005-04:00

What a week.
We celebrated Passover, Easter AND Lulu's 6th birthday.
Lulu was beyond excited and it was so sweet to see.
You forget as an adult what it really feels like to be so excited about something.
And no, cracking open a bottle of red wine on a Friday night doesn't really count...
But seriously, I can't remember the last time I was really & truly excited about anything.
You sort of lose that kind of feeling as you get older after you pass all of life's big milestones.
I love being able to live vicariously though Lulu now though.
With the exception of getting up at the crack of dawn to see what the Easter bunny brought her.
Wish she had just slept past 6 a.m....ouch...

Anyhow, we brought nine of her friends for lunch on Saturday and then to see the movie HOP.
It was so much fun and so cute watching Lulu with all her little girlfriends.
It was also Lulu's first time at the movies.
She's been to lots of live theatre and musical events, but never to an actual movie.
Needless to say, she was pretty thrilled with her birthday party.
Easter was lots of fun as well and I don't even want to think about how much chocolate was consumed.
And that's just me I'm talking about...

So now here I am, on a rainy Tuesday reflecting on the past week and trying to wrap my head around the fact that I now have a six year old daughter.
I say it every year, but how did a year fly by so quickly?
It feels like just yesterday we were new parents and flying by the seat of our pants.
Okay- still are...but with six more years experience and a few more gray hairs to prove it.
I couldn't be more proud of Lulu and how much she has grown over the past year.
She is really her own person and is so aware of the world around her.
She is very concerned about recycling, the environment, and being a "good citizen" her words.
She didn't really ask for "stuff" for her birthday, she never really does.
She's not into lots of toys or material objects, she's still the most content with blank paper, markers and scissors.
That in it self makes me so happy.
This morning she was singing "Vincent" by Don McLean because of a new book that she got a few weeks ago all about Vincent Van Gogh.
She was so concerned about the fact that he cut off his ear, and said quote "maybe he just had too many things in his head that he wanted to paint and felt like he couldn't get them all on the canvas, so he felt like if he cut of his ear he would feel better".
I did mention she just turned six right?
Anyhow I could go on forever about all the profound (or at least to me) things Lulu says each day but I won't.
I will say that I love her even more than I did yesterday, which I didn't think was possible.
I look forward to seeing the young woman she will one day become, because I am certain she will be a "good citizen" without a doubt.
But I hope time just slows down a little so I can continue to hold her small hand while walking her to school.
Answering her the 100th time each day when she calls me mama.
And being able to read stories to her and teach her about new and exciting things, just as she teaches me new things each day.
There really is no greater gift than that.
So happy 6th birthday sweet Lulu.
I love you more than all the stars in the sky...

mommy xoxo

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflecting Vincent's eyes of China blue
Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hands

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night
You took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you Vincent
This world was never meant for one as
beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
A silver thorn on a bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will

Ommmm

2011-04-17T17:53:00.014-04:00

A few weeks ago we were walking by a new yoga studio in our neighbourhood and I noticed that they offer Family Yoga Classes.
From a very early age Lulu has always shown an interest in yoga.
I'm not totally sure where that comes from as I really don't practice yoga on a regular basis.
There has been many a morning that I have found her in her bedroom doing sun salutations on her blankie.
I kid you not.

As for me, the past few years I can count on one hand how many times I've been to a class.
Not that I don't like Yoga, it's just that for the past several years I've been mildly obsessed with kickboxing and weight/cardio training.
Yoga, not so much.
I love the adrenaline rush I get from high intensity classes and I love being able to move to music and work up a good sweat.
I also love the "me time" and I really find it helps burn off stress.
Above all, I love the good friends I've made and look forward to the laughs and female camaraderie that I get from being a part of an all women's gym.
Okay that... and the instructor isn't too hard on the eyes either.

That being said, I think I'm hitting a bit of a work-out plateau.
I'm averaging between 4-6 hours of high intensity workouts per week and I'm really not seeing any noticeable results.
Now my main reason for exercise isn't really just all about changing my physical appearance.
Because let's face it, regardless of how many classes I do, that muffin top is here to stay.
I know my genetics.
and maybe I also have a wee addiction to 2 bite brownies.
mmm just finished one right now in fact.
But whatever, I still love kicking it each week, jelly belly and all.

What I'm not loving is the aches and pains I feel ALL the time.
I think I have actually been pushing myself too hard and I'm not really sure that's a good thing.
So maybe it's time for a change?

Anyhow long story short, Lulu asked me if we could do a yoga class together.
So we did.
I skipped my beloved 2 hour Saturday morning kick-boxing class and did the downward dog with my little lady.
And I have to say, I'm so glad that I did.
We had so much fun and I can't believe that yoga studios all over the city don't offer family yoga classes.
Such a great thing for kids to be involved in.
It reminded me how much I enjoy yoga and also how badly I needed a good stretch.
Not to mention it's still a good workout, but just in a different way.
We didn't really do any serious deep breathing or anything like that- it was with 5-10 year olds after-all, but it was so nice to move and mostly to feel so connected to Lulu.
I'm so glad that she asked me to take her to a class.
I might just have to make it a regular Saturday morning thing.
Change is a good thing.

Now does anyone happen to know of any yoga studios with cute male instructors?
Just curious...
Namaste.

Treehouse

2011-04-13T15:11:00.002-04:00

Now these are Downtown Condos that I approve of.

It's about time the city started planting trees, rather than cutting them all down.
Those birds on Bloor St. will hopefully have some fancy new digs soon.
Glad to see that the city also has a sense of humor.
Though I'm sure all the retailers in Yorkville didn't find the two year construction very funny.

The waiting game

2011-04-06T11:20:00.003-04:00

Today someone very important to me is going to have a biopsy done.
Finally...after four very long weeks of waiting.
I cannot even imagine how scared she must be.
After being in remission for over twenty years I pray that this is not a relapse.
She is in my thoughts and in my heart today...as she is every day..

the art of saying no.

2011-04-02T09:41:00.007-04:00

hide and go freeze

2011-03-28T15:13:00.004-04:00

I really have been making a concerted effort to refrain from talking (aka-bitching) about the weather.
I'm trying to look on the bright side.
It's bright out.
Really bright.
Plenty-o sunshine.
But regardless of all that vitamin D, I'm still freezing my buns off.
I'm so tired of wearing my salt stained boots and big black puffy (mom uniform) coat.
Bring on the cloudy rainy days so I can crack out my hunters and black Lululemon rain (other mom uniform) coat.
I'll take it over this arctic nonsense.
How do they cope in Inuvik? or worse...Winnipeg?
Speaking of coats, I'm so glad that I got Lulu a full length winter coat this year.
It's so much easier to deal with than snow pants everyday.
But as cute as it looks on her, I have to say, I'm getting a bit tired of that too.
Fingers crossed that it warms up soon, as her one and only pair of winter boots are almost at their expiration date as well.
Crazy all the growing that these little creatures manage to do in one season.

So spring if you're listening..Come out come out where ever you are...

For the Love of Blog

2011-03-23T13:33:00.020-04:00

Lately I've been asking myself why continue blogging?
When I started this blog over 5 years ago, (wow time really flies when you are rambling on about yourself) the blogging community was all so new and exciting.
These days everyone and not only their mother, but even their grandmothers have blogs.
The blogs I used to turn to for my daily fix of unabashed honesty and most often comedy, have become a ghost of what they once were.
No longer anonymous, most of the blogs I used to frequent are so candy coated and self censoring that I find them not worth the read.

I miss the old days, all that honesty and self deprecation, not to mention the outlets for ranting about the ups and often downs of domestic life.
Now when I read the majority of blogs, it seems as though everyone is ultra happy effortlessly juggling careers, motherhood and relationships.
They all seem to be growing their own vegetables, sewing their kids clothes by hand, redecorating their house seasonally (if not weekly in some extreme cases) shopping for fabulous- yet never mainstream (g-d forbid) fashionable clothes, hunting for hard to find vintage fabric and antiques and baking delicious organic food from scratch everyday.
Yet they still seem to find the time to read amazing literature, take fabulous trips and lest I forget, having the time to document it all on their amazingly stylish blogs.

Don't get me wrong, I admire and am inspired by some of these blogs.
But reading them can really make a gal feel like a major underachiever.
I'm no slouch, in fact I'm a pretty go go go kind of person, and try my best to be slightly above mediocre at the best of times;
So I just can't fathom how some of these, most often women, seem to have lives like this.
Or do they really?
Is it all a big facade?
And more importantly, when do they find the time to watch quality shows like The Bachelor, Top Chef and Hoarders?

Anyhow, what I'm getting at is, I still like blogging.
I have yet to change my template or the look of my blog.
I'm a creature of habit, what can I say?
I'm also aware that big daddy has spilled the beans and this blog is no longer as anonymous as it once was.
Hi Julie, I know you're lurking out there somewhere. Busted.
Not to mention almost every member of my gym.
I know, I know I haven't been since last Thursday, giving the old bod a bit of a break this week.
Be back soon I promise.
Nothing like being outed while half naked in the change room.
Yup, that's me The Petite Gourmand.
So much for anonymity.

I don't visit other blogs like I used to so I really don't get comments the way I once did.
That part I do kind of miss, to be honest.
But for those that do take the time to stop by and say hello, I am very grateful.
Truth be told I really don't have the time nor the inclination to put more energy into generating more "readers".
I don't really write for a specific audience.
I do it for me.
And to keep a bit of a journal on my (our) lives.
The good, the bad and the ugly.
Fortunately for us, it has been mostly good over the past few years.
I know that some day I will be very grateful that I did.
And I hope that when I look back, I can be proud that I kept things real.

Anyhow I better run, I have chicken to feed, a sweater to knit, a marathon to train for, a conference to attend, a fabulous party to plan, a Russian literature class to study for and oh I almost forgot, a band to form.
Since I just taught myself how to play the piano, harmonica and the banjo last week....

Little Big Daddy

2011-03-13T22:52:00.012-04:00

We went to the TIFF on Saturday and they happen to have free activites for families on the weekend.
And who doesn't love FREE activities on a rainy day?
We had fun making clay figures and then got to learn all about claymation.
I think I had more fun than Lulu.
I made a mini version of big daddy.
She made a princess a butterfly and a bird in a nest.

Big daddy made a witch.
At least that's what he was calling it.

It had better not have been a model of me....

It was super fun making the stop motion videos.
I would love to do this at home.
I can't wait to see the mini episodes in a few weeks.

So if you are looking for something fun to do check out Tiff.

To celebrate the wild world of Tim Burton, TIFF Bell Lightbox presents a season of weekend fun for families.
Free Drop-In Activities
Every Saturday and Sunday until April 3, 2011 (excluding February 20, 21)
Ages 8+

From 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, parents and children can drop by the RBC Learning Studios on the 3rd floor to participate in the following free activities:

Crafty Characters*
Create your own Burton-inspired creatures from our bins of quirky parts, pieces and craft supplies.
Animation Station
Take a favourite toy or a creature of your own design and bring it to life through the magic of stop-motion animation.
Be in the Scene*
Through the magic of green screen technology, immerse yourself in the stunning sets of Tim Burton’s films.

* These activities will also run every day the week of March 14-18.

california dreamin part deux

2011-03-04T13:14:00.019-05:00

I can't believe another week has come & gone.
It's hard to imagine that this time last week we were in sunny California.

Our trip to L.A. was a lot of fun.
It was really nice to see family, and for the first time ever, it went absolutely smoothly staying with relatives.
No drama whatsoever.
Usually by the second or third day we are all ready to get home, but this time was an exception.
Not only were my brother-in-law and wife great hosts, they also happen to have a gorgeous home in the Hollywood hills.
So it was a real bonus being so close to all the action.
Action being the Oscars last week.
Holy hoopla.
And holy traffic.
I may never complain about Toronto traffic again.
But aside from the gridlock and seemingly endless time we spent in our rental car, we really enjoyed L.A.
We managed to do some hiking and got to hang out in some nice parks.
It was so nice to see green leaves and green grass again.
We also spent a day in Santa Monica and went to the pier and saw the ocean.
We didn't have any celebrity sightings but it was fun riding the ferris wheel and walking around all of the shops.
Speaking of, stopped here en route.
Definitely worth the stop.
Especially the almond croissant at Farmshop.
Yum.

We couldn't go to California without a day trip to Disney.

Though as much fun as Lulu had there, she couldn't wait to get home to Davey her "dog cousin."

And as much as she enjoyed a few of the rides when I asked her what her favourite part of the day was, her response was "the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the park, I thought that was really fun".
Go figure.
Could have just skipped the park and taken public transit for a thrill instead.
Clearly our next activity should be to ride the TTC for a day.

Oh and no trip to the states would be complete without a pit stop at American Girl.
Lulu was in H.E.A.V.E.N.
I have to admit, I kind of was too in an osmosis kind of way..
Big daddy not-so-much.

We also managed to do some fun things for Big daddy & I as well.
We went to a very hip neighbourhood- Silverlake- to check out a few stores I've been wanting to see.
Had delicious lunches and went to the farmers market which was great.
Big daddy & I also got to have a dinner date on our own which was a treat.
Too bad it wasn't two days later though, we might have spotted Christina Aguilera getting sloshed at the table beside us.
We went to Mozza- Mario Batali's L.A. restaurant and it was excellent.
Needless to say it was good people watching and more importantly our meal was delicious.
We also went for sushi one night and as we left had to walk through a sea of paparazzi waiting outside.
L.A. is one crazy town.
I'm just glad we didn't run into Charlie Sheen a.k.a. Mr. Train Wreck.
What a mess.

We really had a fantastic time, and the absolute highlight was getting to spend time with family.
I've never seen Lulu happier than when she is with her extended family.
It really was so nice to see.
And what a bonus that we have brothers that live in such fun cities.
Next stop San Francisco or maybe Taipei?....

LaLa Land

2011-02-22T09:54:00.001-05:00

Went for a nice long hike yesterday.
stumbled upon this sign.

I could so live here if it wasn't for all those pesky paparazzi following us around everywhere..

off the charts

2011-02-17T08:24:00.006-05:00

Why is getting rid of clothing that is too small for Lulu so emotionally difficult?
I'm not sure why, but I always feel a little sad when Lulu outgrows something.
At least it's getting a bit easier than it was when she was a baby.
It was always so hard to give away all those cute tiny clothes.
These past few weeks she's had a major growth spurt- leg cramps in the middle of the night and all.
Almost overnight all of her shoes no longer fit, her pants are all short and her tops are getting tight.
5T is officially too small for her and she's now wearing a size 13 shoe!
how did this happen so fast?
Good thing spring is right around the corner.

This song kind of sums up how I'm feeling about all this growing business.
If the song link didn't work- it's You & Me- Family Tree.
Frances England is Lulu's favourite singer.
We just love her music.
Hope you do too.

Love is in the air

2011-02-14T13:59:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentine's day!

Parental Bliss

2011-02-07T09:03:00.007-05:00

Last week on a scale from 1-10 my patience level in the parenting department was about a 4.
Not sure why, other than that maybe it's mid-winter and as much as I've been trying to stay active and be positive, everyday was (is) starting to feel like groundhog day.
Let's face it, as much as I try to candy coat the winter, for the most part it pretty much sucks.
I mean the daily battle with snow suits, wet mitts, not to mention wet floors at the front door which equals perpetually wet socks, wearing big clunky boots day in and day out- what's to like?
No amount of tobogganing or ice skating is gonna eliminate the winter frustrations.
I would much prefer it to be 25 degrees with no humidity and a gentle breeze blowing.
Wouldn't you?
But that's not life in Canada is it?
Well that, and I was coming down with a cold- which is always cause for extreme crankiness on my part.
I hate getting sick.
Wah wah.
Needless to say, last week I doubt I would have won The Mother Of The Year Award, or as big daddy likes to refer to me "a Moty"
The weekend was marginally better, and I'm hoping that the week continues to shape up,
Despite the snow that keeps on keepin' on.
Anyhow I read this article this morning and it was just what I needed to hear.
Nothing like a gentle reminder to appreciate my little lady while she is small, no matter how irritating it is getting her in and out of her snow suit each day...

Only 48 more days until spring

2011-01-30T17:27:00.014-05:00

January turned out to be a full and busy month.
I kind of thought that it would be more a time for hibernation and being home-bound due to not wanting to venture out in this frigid weather, feeling lazy, and generally a time for quiet reflection (aka watching a ridiculous amount of television).
Definitely this has not been the case for us at all.
During the month we went up north to a ski resort for a weekend which was super fun.
Visited with family.
We've been out socially probably more than we had during the holidays.
Which is pretty often I must say.
We've been out to dinner a bunch of times, went latin dancing, yes I said latin dancing.
I know I know...not my usual kind of thing to do, but I figured why not?
Can't think of a better way to stay warm than to shake my booty to some salsa music.
I've had a few girls nights out too, which is always so much fun.
I love connecting with my girlfriends and even better when you actually get to make new friends too.
Who knew "tupperware" parties, book clubs and cougars night out could be so much fun?
We have also really embraced the winter this year doing lots of outdoor activities like skating and tobogganing.
Lulu is getting so great on skates.
It's so much easier to skate with her now that I don't have to hold on to her constantly.
Lulu even got the opportunity to be in her first video this month.
She had her own lines, which she delivered like a pro.
It goes without saying that her social life has been even more active than ours.
Lots of play-dates, dancing, drama class, piano recitals, building killer snow forts with her dad, going to plays and the ballet, visits to the Science Center...life is very good for a five year old around here.
I've been busy with some creative work projects which is always a good thing.
I've also been on a reading roll this month and read a few really excellent books.
Nothing better than escaping into a great novel on a cold winter night.
So all in all not a bad way to pass the time during the winter.
Now, only 48 more days to kill until spring is finally here....

Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories. ~From the movie An Affair to Remember

Feeling Flaky

2011-01-24T14:30:00.009-05:00

These day's I'm trying to stay on track and continue to eat right.
Especially all the feel good mood boosting foods like sweet potato, avocado, blood oranges and grapefruit, kale and collard greens, brown rice, tofu, green tea, pomegranate, salmon, walnuts and almonds, oatmeal and quinoa.
You name it, I'll do or eat anything to boost the ol' mood and keep
Mrs. Crusty McGrumpiness at bay.
It's mid January and ridiculously freezing outside and lately I find myself finding it harder and harder to get up in the mornings despite the 4-7 hours I'm spending at the gym each week and the solid 8+ hours of sleep I've been getting.
Isn't exercise supposed to make you feel more energized?

Anyhow, my diet is good, I exercise, I'm getting plenty of rest these days, I take my vitamins- yet I still feel blah.
So what's a girl to do?
I'll tell you what.
Hit her local bakery that's what.
Carbs- schmarbs.
Nothing beats the blues like a warm pastry from one of the amazing french bakeries in my neighbourhood.
A few weeks ago we shared one of these..

mmmm....warm, perfectly flaky with a soft almond filling...yum.
Now that my friends is enough to banish the blues away (or at least until my next trip to the patisserie.)
As is custom for a new year Galette de Rois there is a little treat inside the filling.
Whomever finds it is king for the day (or has to make an emergency trip to the dentist.)
Guess who found it?
Thankfully before choking on it or ruining my pearly off-whites.
Now that makes me happy.

Last time I checked I've never found a miniature porcelain trinket inside a banana.
I'm just saying...

january blues fire side

2011-01-15T15:52:00.012-05:00

Well here we are, mid winter, snow falling and temperatures plummeting..
A couple of nights ago, while feeling a touch of the January blues, I had to make a choice between two wintery night options.

1. Stay inside, preferably cozied up to the fire reading a good book and drinking a nice warm cup of herbal tea.
okay or more realistically parked in front of the t.v. with a glass of wine watching several hours of mind numbing (yet sadly comforting) episodes of Flipping Out on HGTV or Top Chef All Stars on the food network.
Love those shows!

or

2. Book a sitter and get the heck out of the house and go for dinner at a new restaurant just south of College St. with some good friends that I haven't seen in ages.
Guess what I decided to do?
So we went to Woodlot a great new restaurant on Palmerston.
It was the perfect place for a cold and crappy January night.
We sat on the second level overlooking the big wood burning stove and all the people below.
I love a bird's eye view.
The food was very good.
I had the smoked white fish and potato salad with watercress to start and the Red Fife papardelle with wild boar.
Big daddy had the salad (pictured above) and duck cabbage rolls with chestnuts and prunes.
Comfort food is an understatement. yum...
Casual, comforting, unpretentious and mostly local.
Great service too.
My kind of place.
They offer a vegetarian menu as well, which was handy as one of my friends doesn't eat meat.
My only criticism would be the wine menu.
Not that I'm an expert, but it would be nice to see more options by the glass, specifically local wines.
As a result of the lack of options we were "forced" (wink wink nudge nudge) to order that second bottle of wine....
Other than that, I loved it there and can't wait to go back again soon.

It was nice to catch up with some old friends/ work mates.
After dinner we ended up going to Reposado Tequila bar on Ossington.
Yes I said tequila.
Now that's a way to warm up on a cold winter night with some friends.
Bonus there was some very good live jazz playing there as well which is always nice.

I'm so glad we decided to go out mid week for a change of scenery.
I didn't really post a new year's resolution list, mostly because I don't really have anything specific in mind these days other than
the usual stuff that I'm always working on.
But I do want to get out more.
Both big daddy & I are fairly social, but in the winter it's so easy to become a hermit and not get out as often as we do during the rest of the year.
Nothing beats the winter blues like eating, drinking & laughing with friends.

That being said, can't wait to cozy up to the fire tonight with a good book.....or better yet, wonder what's on the Food Network tonight?

her fearful symmetry

2011-01-04T22:50:00.018-05:00

I'm starting the new year with a new book club.
The last book club I was in, was a result of this blog.
Twelve other bloggers met each month to discuss different books.
While I enjoyed the diverse selection of books and people, I found I couldn't always commit to the book each month.
And to be totally honest there were some months (okay many months) that the book held absolutely no interest for me.
There are so many other great reads out there that I started to feel discouraged about having to read ones I didn't really want to.
But I felt obligated, so I always read them- like them or not.
Eventually I dropped out of the book club, after much debate I might add.
I felt like if I couldn't commit to reading the book of choice each month I should make room for someone who really wanted to be a part of it.
(there was an online waiting list of people wanting to join the bookclub)
But like I said, I really enjoyed the mix of women (and one man) and found it interesting going to various parts of the city for our meetings.
I occasionally check in on line to see what they are reading and if it's one I feel like picking up I do so.

I really enjoyed being part of a book club and have been kind of missing being a part of one ever since.
Not only does it encourage you to read books you might not necessarily pick up on your own, but I love hearing what others thought about the book.
Not to mention it's a great way to get out of the house on a weeknight (especially in the middle of winter.)
As luck should have it, my local book store has a monthly book club and tonight I decided to check it out.
I love this book shop, the staff is so friendly and so well versed on so many topics.
They are very passionate yet completely unpretentious about book suggestions.
I don't think they have ever steered me in the wrong direction.
Every single book I've purchased from there was a winner.
So it comes as no surprise that my first meeting was a positive one.
It was informative and interesting.
We read Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Neiffenegger.
I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.
There was some very interesting discussion about it and overall everyone really enjoyed it.
Even though I only gave it a seven out of ten- I thought it was extremely well written and the characters were well developed but the ending kind of knocked off a few points for me.
Not that it was a bad ending, but once I finished, I was just kind of meh...but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
However the majority of the group rated it nine out of ten and in some cases 10 out of 10.
So like I said, worth picking up.
It's nice to meet with other women from the neighbourhood as well.
Bonus I can walk there in five minutes.
The best thing is that if I don't feel like reading the book each month there's absolutely no commitment.
But to be honest I'm already in the middle of the book for next month and loving it so far.
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute in case you were wondering.
The list for the rest of the year looks fantastic as well.
So it is unlikely that I'll want to skip any meetings, because after-all....

"To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." ~Edmund Burke

happy holidays

2010-12-28T22:43:00.009-05:00

Last week Lulu was quietly (okay not exactly quietly...more like chattering to herself while colouring a picture) she looked up me and announced "You know mama, Christmas is really just in your heart."
"it's kind of a special feeling more than anything."
Um okay..

and "it's also the little Ord Jesus's birthday"
uhum..

When I asked her what she wanted from Santa her answer after careful consideration was
"just a surprise...because I know Santa will just pick the right thing for me."
"he'll just know"
Really? wow..
"but do you think he might bring me the polly pocket splash set?"
I bet he will.

She was also very concerned that not just Santa would be hungry when he stopped by our house on Christmas eve and that we needed to leave a snack for his reindeer too.
Always the animal lover...

So all in all a very nice Christmas for us here at Casa PetiteGourmand.
Especially from the perspective of our sweet five year old.
She really never ceases to amaze and delight us with her observations and acute awareness about matters of the heart.
We are all enjoying spending time together without schedules and a ton of things to do.
Enjoying lazy mornings, late breakfasts, snuggling in bed, reading books (lulu included) going out for lunches, watching movies & catching up with friends.
I guess that's the best part about the holidays for me.
I guess it really is in your heart and not necessarily wrapped up under a tree.

I'm really not sure who (if anyone) really reads this blog anymore, but if you are out there, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are having as nice a holiday season as we are.
xo pg.

memories of christmas past

2010-12-17T10:23:00.014-05:00

This time of year often brings up memories from when I was a kid.
Some of them better than others.
I can't say that Christmas was one of my favourite holidays.
(I'm more of a Halloween girl myself)
It's not that I don't enjoy many of the traditions that surround Christmas, it's just that it was never really the happiest time of year at our house growing up.
Not that my parents didn't try their best- but there was always something missing.
that something being-Family.

All of our relatives live out east, so each Christmas was spent with just my parents and brother which always left my mom feeling especially melancholy.
Okay more than melancholy- she was often in tears come Christmas day after talking to all of her seven brothers and sisters on the phone.
Melancholy is a bit of an understatement.
It was kind of a lonely time for us and for some reason we never went out there during the holidays to join in on all that east coast holiday cheer.
(Otherwise known as a boozefest)

So Christmas around our house was usually pretty low key and relatively quiet.
Mind you, my brother and I were usually pretty thrilled with all of our Christmas loot and had plenty to distract us from the lack of comfort and joy around the house.
Bring on the new colecovision!
Nothing like playing a good solid eight hours of Donkey Kong and smurfs on Christmas day.
Family-shmamily
Gotta love the over abundant commercialism and mass consumption during the seventies and eighties.

Fast forward 30 years and oddly enough not much has changed.
(especially with regards to consumerism..)
Christmas is still really low key, we don't have to make our rounds and do dinner here or have dinner there.
It's just my mom & dad, big daddy, Lulu & I.
We usually just have a quiet dinner here and then that's about it.
Christmas is over for another year.

Only now it's not just my mom who gets kind of melancholy at this time of year, I find myself feeling a little the same.
But do I really want to go to Newfoundland for Christmas?
No, not particularly.
No offence to the rock.
But I would love it if Lulu was surrounded my her extended family.
All the cousins and crazy aunts & uncles and even her great grandmother.
I think that would be so fun for her.
When I hear about other people with so much family living nearby it does make me feel kind of lonely and a bit envious.
I know big daddy feels the same.
Wow what a bummer post.
Okay on the up side- we have each other.
Right?

So aside from me feeling a little sorry for myself that my last name isn't Brady, Osmond or most especially Oliver (anyone see Jamie's family Christmas on the food network?)
I have tried to muster up some of the more positive memories from my childhood.
and here they are.

Every Christmas eve we would order Chinese food.
Gosh, even that sounds depressing...
anyhow it was a real treat as we lived in a small town that only had one Chinese restaurant.
At the time I thought it was amazing.
I'm sure these days I would turn my nose up at how unauthentic it really is.
But back then I couldn't wait to sink my orthodontic enveloped teeth into Mr. Panda's cinnamon egg rolls.
They were THE best.
I can still remember the taste all these years later.
Cinnamon in an egg roll. who knew??

Denninger's pate by the fire at my bff's house.
Okay that and the mulled wine we used to sneak when her parents weren't looking.
I loved spending Christmas eve at her house.
Her parents were British and it was always a very English affair.
Right down to the tick tock of the huge old Grandfather clock across from the roaring fire.
Perhaps I have a twisted memory but I could swear everyone was decked out in tweed and plaid each year...

Sneaking frozen shortbread and brownies out of the trunk freezer in the basement with my brother.
We would eat them while they were still frozen solid in the dark.
My brother & I were co-cookie snatching conspirators.
I don't think I was ever as close to my brother then at that moment in time.

Mom's jelly roll trifle.
Actually it was kind of gross (still is) but I loved the jelly roll part.
This year I'm doing the trifle and it will most definitely not involve canned cocktail fruit and canned custard.
Instead I found a great recipe here.

Clove infused ham.
Is there a better smell on earth?
I'll never forget the year my brother (who enjoyed watching Kids In The Hall with me) said to my mom at the dining room table,
"This is F'ing good ham mom!!"
Anyhow my brother still says it every year which I guess you could say is a bit of a tradition.

Okay, so I'm seeing a bit of a theme here.
That being Food.
The best part about the holidays for me is hands down, the food.
It may not make up for the lack of having a big family to celebrate with, but it sure does make it a little easier to enjoy.

What about you, any amazing food associated Christmas memories or traditions you care to share?

holiday hustle

2010-12-15T23:14:00.009-05:00

I feel like I've been on a treadmill that is running on full speed these past several weeks.
I know I know, don't we all?
They don't call it Holiday Stress for nothing.
For some reason today I just felt overwhelmed with things "to do" before the 25th arrives.
But let me back up a bit.

My 40th birthday weekend was a blast.
We went to some friends for dinner and they had a special cake for me which I thought was super sweet.
Literally- the sweetest most amazing cake ever.
Big Daddy surprised me with some over-the-top new bling for my ears.
Not that I'm a blingy kinda gal, but I must say, he did great.
I hosted a little kickboxing party for all my favourite ladies at the gym and we kicked some 40 year old butt.
(or at least I did)
They all got me an extremely generous gift card from Lululemon, pedi & manicure gift certificates, some lovely wine and the most delicious cupcakes.
Not to mentioned they all came to a class on a Sunday!
Needless to say I was extremely touched.
I was on a bit of a high for the entire week actually.
Minus the nasty cold I was sporting at the time- but whatever, life is good.
So the past few weeks have been fun- to say the least.

They have also been very busy.
School plays and extra activities, some parties, getting ready for Christmas in general.
Big daddy was out of town for the past five days which was even more hectic flying solo for it all.
For some reason today I just kind of hit the wall.
I was so tired tonight I barely had enough energy to eat dinner.
When I finally sat down at the end of the night and put my feet up I barely moved for three hours.
I didn't even want to get up to go to bed- which is where I am now but my brain is still on that treadmill even though my body has fallen off.
So I'm yammering on about being tired and feeling slightly overwhelmed, but what I am feeling the most these days is GUILT.
I feel like the person paying the biggest price for all this rushing around is Lulu.
We are constantly on the go.
In and out all day long and seemingly always running a few minutes late (which is my pet peeve)
We rush through breakfast, lunch and lately even dinner- which is sad to me.
Meals should be enjoyed not scarfed down.
At least that's how they do things in France and I love that.
I'm constantly telling her to "hurry up, let's go, quickly get dressed, quickly get in the car, let's go, let's go, we are going to be late!"
Poor little thing.
I want Lulu to enjoy all the magic of the Christmas season and not feel as exhausted as I do.
Poor thing told me today she was so excited to have a break from all her activities and couldn't wait for some "extra snuggle time" with mama.
Broke my heart.
So that's how I'm feeling (well that and I have some wicked PMS this month) oh joy oh bliss.
I don't mean to sound all bah humbug- but that's what going on in my head today.
But I'm sure it's just a one day thing- it usually is.
This time of year can be crazy, yet exciting at the same time.
Tomorrow is a new day and if I can I'm going to make a concerted effort to just be in the moment and not worry so much about all the things I still have to do.
Because let's face it, what's more important than Christmas for a five year old?

mid-life crisis

2010-11-30T11:44:00.008-05:00

I hate to use the word "Mid- Life", but technically speaking I guess that is approximately where I am headed this coming Friday.
Assuming I live until I'm 80.

Yup, I officially turn the big 4.0. on December the 3rd.
Not entirely sure how I feel about this.
On one hand I feel better than I ever have before.
I'm feeling fit, healthy & happy for the most part.
I'm also feeling extremely fortunate to be healthy- especially after receiving some sad news about a friend who was just diagnosed with cancer- she's only 33 years old..
Appreciate every day that's for sure.
Especially where your health is concerned.

I finally feel relatively confident and secure in my almost 40 year old skin.
Regardless of the stretch marks.
I'm trying to think of them as badges of honor rather than imperfections.
Lulu just had to be two weeks over-due....not a line in sight until 3 days before she was born!....argh.
Ah well, she was most definitely worth them.
But for the record, they're not even that horrible, and like I mentioned, there are much more important things to focus on in life than a few unsightly marks on my midsection.
Then again don't expect me to be sporting a bikini anytime soon. ;

Either way, I'm not as hung up as I used to be about physical changes on my body.
If I was, then I have a long unhappy road ahead of me.
Because let's face it girls, you can't fight the aging process no matter how much eye cream you invest in.

Instead, I'm investing in things that really matter.
Like relationships, my family, exercise and my inner health.
At least these are things I have some control over.

So what does turning forty really mean to me?
Well I guess I can finally say I know who I am.
I like where I am headed.
I love surrounding myself with positive & upbeat people.
But most of all I'm just grateful to be here.
ish... at least most days...

I'm not sure what the next decade has in store for me.
I only hope it's as good as the last one has been.

trimming the tree

2010-11-18T10:07:00.007-05:00

I almost forgot to post about the latest issue of Canadian Family Magazine.
We shot it several months ago- Christmas in August....
Anyhow I think it's a really sweet story.
I have to say how much I love Lulu's hairdo in the first shot.
I only wish I could get it like that.
Aside from me gushing over my uber cute daughter (if I do say so myself)
There's some really clever decorating ideas that my good friend Arren Williams came up with.
I especially loved the red spray painted christmas tree.
Now that is dedication!
I think we are going to do the recycled painted can lids on our tree this year and maybe even the pasta garland.
Lots of other great ideas in this issue, so if you don't already have a copy be sure and pick one up.

A behind the scenes shot of Lulu.
why is it she never sits this still for me when I'm doing her hair?

The shopping gods have been listening

2010-11-18T09:47:00.002-05:00

I knew this day would eventually come.
"Popular U.S. clothing retailer J. Crew coming to Canada"
yipee!!!
thank-you.
thank-you.
thank-you.
next up- Target??

allergic to snack time

2010-11-12T10:34:00.009-05:00

The other day I was chatting with a friend in the school yard who's daughter is in a different kindergarten class than Lulu.
She was telling me how frustrated she is when it comes to packing her daughter's snacks for school.
Not to mention how discouraged she was when trying to plan a class party with baked goods and food for the class.
She had just been reprimanded when she packed a banana in her daughter's lunch that day.
A Banana!
Apparently there's a kid in the class that's allergic to bananas- therefor no one is allowed to bring bananas for a snack any longer.
There is also a child in the class that is allergic to eggs, dairy and wheat.
Which basically eliminates a ton of available options for snack time.
Not to sound insensitive, but man, am I glad that kid isn't in Lulu's class.
Of course there's a few kids with peanut allergies in the class as well.
Not much of a shocker there.
We have several good friends who have kids with peanut allergies (though none in Lulu's class this year)
so we are totally used to avoiding anything with peanuts (or any nuts for that matter) when packing her snacks or lunches.
I think most parents are aware of peanut allergies these days.
I'm pretty sure it's a basic policy of most schools to avoid bringing them to school or other kids programs.
I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for the parents, not to mention the poor kids.
I mean to never enjoy a peanut butter & jelly sandwich on fresh bread washed down with an ice cold glass of milk is truly unfortunate.
So my heart really does go out to kids with food allergies.
But....
That being said, at what point do we make the kids responsible for making sure they just don't touch or go near other kids snacks?
Our friends who have kids with allergies know that eating something with nuts can literally kill them so they just don't go near other kids food.
simple as that.
I know in Lulu's class they are very strict about not sharing snacks and washing hands before and after eating.
But they are still pretty young, so things can slip by the teacher's attention I'm sure.
So I totally get it when it comes to avoiding bringing "potentially dangerous" foods into the class.
But where do we stop when it comes to banning certain foods?
I mean eggs, dairy & wheat are pretty hard to avoid if you technically don't have an allergy to them.
And bananas??
really?

Try planning a class party with that child in your class.
Cookies. nope.
Cupcakes. nope.
Sandwiches. nope.
Pizza. nope.
fruit plate. yes. oh wait...nope- well not if it has bananas on it.

Like I said, I feel terrible that all these food allergies exist- and more importantly, why are kids from this generation becoming so allergic to so many foods?
A very scary situation.
But honestly what food options are left for this mom friend of mine to pack in her daughter's snack each day?
That's a bit scary too.

c'est formidable!

2010-10-25T20:42:00.008-04:00

We are back from our trip to France.
We had an amazing time, and it's hard to believe it was only a few days ago that we were wandering around the beautiful streets of Paris.
Fortunately none of the strikes, rioting & general political unrest affected us.
Though we did have several concerned emails and texts from friends and family wondering if we would make it back okay.
I think the media made it sound much worse than it really was.
But enough about that.

We went to three different areas of France that we love the most.
Starting with Champagne.
What's not to love about the birth place of the world's most effervescent and celebratory beverage?
We stayed in an adorable hotel in a small town called Troyes.
We'd been to the town on our honeymoon 10 years previous and said that if we ever came back we HAD to stay there.
It was even nicer than I had remembered.
It was so charming and the perfect way to begin our week in France.

We then kept driving south to Bourgogne.
we stayed for the weekend at a small cottage at the top of a hill in a vineyard.
What can I say?
quaint, spectacular views, private...perfect.
We really got to know the town of Beaune quite well.
We LOVED the Saturday farmers market and had a few really delicious meals there.
I was a bit disappointed as I had planned on taking a cooking class while there, but the unfortunately the timing didn't work out.
Ah well, maybe next time.

Then we headed back up north west to the Loire.
An opulent area.
So many chateau's and country estates it's mind blowing.
The french really know how to live in style.
"Let them eat cake" is an understatement.
We stayed in a family owned Chateau in the middle of the country.
It's been in the family for over seven generations.
As in pre-revolution.
very cool experience.
The owner is a woman was from France (my age) and her husband was from California.
So needless to say we had some great conversations at breakfast time.
I love the B&B experience- very unique and so informative.
we did a few tours of some old Chateaus- which was so perfect as I've been reading The Josephine B Trilogy by Sandra Gulland.
Talk about being able to get a visual for the backdrop of the story!
Bonus that we were practically the only ones visiting Maintenon that particular day.
I guess there is a big advantage to travelling off season.

We finished off our trip by heading back up to Paris for three days.
Ah...Paris....
Such a beautiful and inspiring city.
we stayed in the sixth arrondissement which was fantastic.
Our hotel was tres chic and the perfect spot to end our trip.
We walked, shopped, sat in cafes, people watched, wandered though gardens, musuems, walked some more, shopped, ate, drank some great wine, ate some more...
tres tres extraordinaire.
J'aime France!

There's more to say about the trip, my thoughts and observations but for now that's just the quick recap.
since we've been back things have been pretty hectic.
Lulu has been stuck to me like glue- which I don't mind in the least as I missed her a lot.
We had a birthday party to go to the first night we got home- happy b-day Rachel! great party btw.
Had a photo shoot at the zoo this morning with Lulu as a model in a Halloween costume- so SO cute.
stayed tuned for more details on that.
Life is busy and life is full...but most of all...

La vie est belle!

Au revoir

2010-10-13T11:03:00.003-04:00

We are off to Paris today.
We, as in big daddy & I.
We were there on our honeymoon ten years ago and said that if we survived a decade together we would return to some of our favourite areas.
So here we are- married for 10 years and 5 months (not that I'm counting...) and about to jump on a plane en route to Charles de Gaulle.
My parents are manning the fort while we are away and looking after Lulu for us.
As excited as I am about a week with my man alone in Europe, I can't lie and say that I'm not just a weesie bit apprehensive about leaving my little peanut for nine days.
I know I know, Lulu will be totally fine with her grandma & grandpa- but it's just so far away....
gulp.
But it's good for all concerned to take breaks- especially for marriages.
And just think of how much she will appreciate us when we get back.
Not to mention how much we will appreciate her when we get back.

So Au revoir mes amis!
xo pg

thanksgiving

2010-10-11T21:12:00.002-04:00

It was the most beautiful Thanksgiving weekend weather wise.
Is there anything more gorgeous than autumn leaves?
My absolute favourite time of year hands down.
Family, good food and incredible weather- couldn't ask for a nicer long weekend.
Hope yours was as nice as mine.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
Albert Camus

For The Love of Fashion

2010-09-28T13:27:00.010-04:00

I grew up around "fashion."
Or at least in a retail sense of the word.
My dad worked in men's wear his entire life and has had his own clothing store for years.
One of my first jobs was to work in the family business and then eventually I moved on to wholesale and had the opportunity to represent designers and sell their labels.
Then gradually I started doing P.R. for fashion stylists while working at an agency and finally decided to become a stylist myself.
I started doing wardrobe for shoots, then eventually moved into Props and Set Design.

So there you have it, my abbreviated resume in a nut shell.
You would think I absolutely LOVE fashion and follow all the latest trends.

Not exactly.

Oh sure I see what looks good on other people and love to dress them (especially kids) but me?
Not so much.
I find clothing shopping to be a huge pain and a waste of time.
I find it so far from pleasurable that I would rather wax my...errr..floors...rather than go shopping.

"When it comes to fashion, many women get lost along the way somewhere in their thirties, caught up in the pressures of family or work. Reaching your forties often causes a dilemma in terms of dressing – in trying not to appear too old, or as if you are trying too hard to look young."

Ah yeah..

Plus I'm just not digging the styles these days.
It's all so Eighties, and it just takes me back to a place I've been before.
Been there (ahem...stirrup pants) done that.
Which in turn makes me feel. Old.

I mean, I love to shop at Anthopologie for example, but all those girls that work there look adorable in that boho- hippie chic look and can totally get away with mini skirts, those shoe-boot things, feathered headbands and a military jacket all mixed into one outfit.
Me, I would look just ridiculous going to pick Lulu up at school dressed like that.
As tempting as it might be...
Though I have to admit, the other day the store manager asked if I would consider a part time job there, as they are looking for sales staff.
Flattering, yes- but still, I just have a hard time with all this mixing and matching styles.
What ever happened to that nice year 2000 all black Prada look?
So simple, so effortless.
Speaking of all black.
Same goes for my other stand by- Club Monaco.
Just not working for me this season.
The styles are so frilly and shear.
I mean it's soon going to be freezing outside, I don't think a chiffon blouse is going to do the trick.
Not exactly practical.
The Gap & Banana have gotten pretty boring if I'm being honest.
Not everything, but nothing is really jumping of the racks this season.
And Holt's well- knowing the mark-up on clothing I have a hard time justifying spending so much on clothes.
Winners- don't even get me started.
Lets just put it this way, I always leave there not only empty handed- but annoyed.
All the independent shops in my neighbourhood are totally not me, plus all the women that work in them are super bitchy.
Or at least that's been my experience.
H&M and Zara- again, never have a ton of success, at least for me.
Lulu on the other hand always walks away with a killer wardrobe.

Which leaves few other options. at least ones that I have time to go to.
Time is of the essence these days and clothing shopping isn't really at the top of my priority list.
But a girl has to look and feel her best, and for me clothing usually fits that bill.
All is not lost though.
Thank g-d for J.Crew.
Not super trendy, practical but still cute.
Annoying that there isn't a store in Canada yet, but on-line shopping is actually a pretty decent way to go.
I can shop at midnight in my P.J's with a glass of wine in one hand and my credit card in the other.
No line ups, no crowds, no small poorly lit dressing rooms or crusty sales girls.
None of the styles are over the top high fashion, but I think they suit my lifestyle at the moment and I don't end up feeling like a 39 (almost 40) something trying to look 20.
Or worse a 39 (almost 40) something looking like 60.
Not there is anything wrong with 60- I'm just saying...
Not quite ready for Talbot's quite yet.

zero numbers

2010-09-17T22:04:00.007-04:00

Well it's been quite a while since I posted about restaurants.
I'm sad that I'm no longer doing important "research" for the now defunct blog that I used to write for.
Though the old reviews are still up and running.
Anyhow the greatest part about writing that column was that it kind of encouraged us to try new restaurants all the time.
Oh sure, I love my stand-by's, but it's always fun to go to different neighbourhoods to try new things.

A couple of years back we went to Seven Numbers on the Danforth (though I think I forgot to post about it) and from what I can recall, we had a pretty decent meal.
It's super casual, with an eclectic mix of kitchy art, wax laden old wine bottles and mismatched chairs.
When you're eating out with the kid(s) at the end of a long week, a casual atmosphere is always welcome.
I also love menus that break things down into four courses: antipasti (salads, seafood), primi (pastas), secondi (meats, fish), and corntini-(side veg).
I find it's the perfect way to sample a bunch of things and also happens to be a super family friendly way to eat.
So it sounds like a great place to go for dinner right?

Wrong.

I have to say it was one of the worst meals I've had in a while.
The bread was stale, the olive oil and balsamic vinegar bottles were dirty and sticky.
Never a good sign of things to come.
the Involtini Di Manzo- Grilled thinly sliced striploin wrapped around prosciutto, green onions and mozzarella was in a word- gross.
It was onion overload.
The Beef Cheeks were...um how to put this...disgusting.
Oh sure they were tender, but also mostly fat and served in such strange tasting wine sauce.
The Grilled Red Pepper and Arugula Salad was over dressed (soggy) and even the side grilled mushrooms tasted off.
How can you screw up grilled mushrooms?
Even Lulu had to send back her under cooked orecchiette.
So in a nut shell every single item that we ordered was terrible.
Oh wait a minute, not everything- the lasagna was decent.
Oh and the service was good too.
Too bad because I like small family restaurants and it was so good in the past.
Not sure what happened.

We passed on dessert- surprise surprise....
Opted for the warm home made brownies that I baked earlier in the day instead.
In fact we should have just stayed in for dinner.

But all is not lost in the land of Toronto dining experiences, we managed to try out some fantastic restaurants over the summer.
Stay tuned for some more reviews.
Or better yet, any good recommendations?

happy new year

2010-09-09T09:27:00.003-04:00

Even though big daddy is away, I still love to celebrate one of my favourite Jewish holidays.
When you really think about it, this time of year really does feel like the start of something new.
A new season, new schools & teachers, new routines (oh how I LOVE routines) and just an over all sense of renewal.
But most importantly, a time for new shoes...kidding...

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy & sweet new year.

Summer Recap

2010-08-31T10:39:00.016-04:00

As the summer is drawing to a close (though not according to the weather, 34 degrees today!) I find myself both a little bit melancholy and a little bit excited for the change of season.
This was a really fun summer without a doubt.
Experiencing summer break with a five year old has to be hands down one of life's greatest pleasures.
Everything is so new, so fun, so carefree.
I think for the most part we covered a lot of ground this year.
Tons of swimming, camps, day trips and soaking up all the fantastic summer weather as much as possible.
Food always tastes better when eaten outside am I right?
We managed to catch up with friends whom we hadn't seen in way too long.
We still missed a few- you know who you are and hopefully we'll see you sooner than later.
We really embraced the boat this year and had an amazing time spending the majority of the summer weekends on the lake.
Not that there were too many, but we made the most of rainy days and went to museums, art galleries and even some summer theatre.
Lulu has grown so much in the past 2 months- literally (2.5 inches!) and emotionally.
Sounds crazy, but lately when she goes to bed there's a little part of me that wants it to be morning so we can wake up and start a new summer day together.
I said little right?

Things I learned about my daughter this summer:
She doesn't like wearing shorts or anything with a zipper.
It's dresses, dresses and more dresses. No daisy dukes for my kid.
Wish I knew that when buying all those cute shorts at Old Navy at the beginning of the summer.
Speaking of Daisy Dukes...She likes Katie Perry.
Not quite sure what to say about this one except for- she didn't hear it here at casa petitegourmand.
Maybe it was at Camp? or at a friend's house? maybe a store? Or EVERYWHERE !!!
She's not the best at lip synchronisation and pretty much messes up the lyrics to every song.
The apple doesn't fall to far in this department.. ahem..
She LOVES to dance.
See above re: the apple tree.
She loves Mochi's, tofuti cutie pies, blue freezies and roasted marshmallow & chocolate mint gelato.
On a more healthy note, she finally likes strawberries, blueberries, melon, peaches, cherries, and watermelon- sans seeds.
She loves to coordinate coloured "diamond" sticker earrings to her outfits.
It's all about accessorizing these days.
She has a phobia about public washrooms and elevators.
I already mentioned the apple tree right?
She loves butterflies and can name the different types better than I can.
"look momma, it's a Giant Swallowtail, oh no wait, I think that's a Common Buckeye."
She is a complete water girl and has no fear whatsoever of lakes or swimming until her fingers are all waterlogged and wrinkly.
Could easily spend five hours straight colouring and drawing.
Literally. Maybe even eight hours come to think of it.
She is a bit of a leader and likes to share her creative games and ideas with others.
Is exceptionally sweet, funny, smart and completely beautiful.
I can say that because I'm her momma.
But it's %100 true.

Things I learned about myself this summer.
Taking personal time is beneficial to everyone in our family, not just me.
I am not a perfect mother, nor do I have to be. Mistakes are part of the journey.
I really love to workout and want to set new physical fitness goals for myself in the future.
I love female camaraderie and had an amazing summer connecting with my girlfriends and making new ones that I have lots in common with.
Decided I don't have to be friends or hang out with every parent at Lulu's school or our neighbours just because.
I'm very content with our family dynamic.
The number 3 has always been my lucky number after all.
I really need 8 hours of sleep at night- and thankfully that's been my summer reality.
I don't enjoy T.V. as much as I used to.
I mean how many episodes of L.A. Ink and The Next Food Network Star can a girl watch?
Then again, talk to me in January...
I still don't like swimming in lakes and most likely never will without slightly hyperventilating.
I still enjoy the creative process and am very content being behind the scenes and helping out with big daddy's biz and not working full time.
I love summer. Yes, even the part about having to don a bathing suit.
This was the first time ever that I really didn't give a rat's ass how white or spider veiny my legs look.
I'm healthy, happy and have a beautiful loving family- who cares what I look like sitting by the pool?
Speaking of which..
I love sitting by a pool.
Such a bonus that Lulu is swimming well enough now that I no longer have to be in the pool the entire time she is.
Within arms (or foam noodles) reach, yes, but not IN the pool.
Awesome.

So as much fun as we had this year and as sad as I am that yet another season is coming to an end, I am looking forward to the fall and the wonderful world of routine again.
I'm happy that our first year of kindergarten is behind us and we can start school without all the nervousness and uncertainty we had at this time last year.
Until then...I think it's time to run through the sprinkler and eat a nice cold blue freezie with my girl.

rock lobster

2010-08-23T17:00:00.006-04:00

Don't you just love rainy days?
Whoever invented glitter glue, magic markers, paint and paper puppets must have done so on a rainy summer day.
As much as I love spending every possible waking moment outside in the summer's fleeting months, I do have to admit, sometimes it's nice when it rains all day long and you're stuck inside with nothing to do.
well except maybe 6 loads of laundry...
But in addition to that fun-ness, Lulu and I got all Martha Stewart-ish and whipped up these puppets.
(there's also a lion, frog, pig, dog and a blue bird)
Cute huh?
If I'm being completely honest, I don't sit down and do stuff like this with Lulu often enough anymore.
Oh sure, I help her with her spelling and when she asks what colour crayon to use on her latest master piece, I'll give her my two cents (which is almost always- "I don't know sweetie, which one do you think would look best?")
But as I stopped for a moment this Sunday (thanks again mother nature for that rainy day) I realized how fast my little girl is growing up and how I need to stop what I'm doing more often and just do things like this with her.
The laundry can wait.
Paper puppets can't.
Which reminds me, I haven't had lobster all summer.
mmmm lobster....

pickled

2010-08-19T10:28:00.004-04:00

We went to the St. Jacob's Farmers Market a couple of weeks ago and picked up some delicious fruit & veggies.
Oh and some incredible Mennonite smoked salami.
So I decided to make some pickles.
With the cucumbers not the salami.
I can't wait to crack open a jar in two months time.
In the mean time I'm trying to find a good template for some labels and have come up empty handed.
In the past I've just done them by hand- but I thought it might be faster to find something on line.
any suggestions would be great appreciated.
Next week I'm hoping on making my peach and vanilla bean jam- which if I do say so myself- is delicious.
I love this time of year with such an abundance of amazing produce.
It will be nice come February to have a little reminder of our sweet and delicious summer of 2010.

I like to move it move it

2010-08-15T20:51:00.007-04:00

The last time I was at the African Lion Safari I was around 7 or 8 years old and I vaguely remember a very cheeky monkey jumping on top of our car and ripping the windshield wiper off.
Then he proceeded to pee on our front windshield.
I swear that happened.
honest.
Okay maybe not. But every time I tell big daddy that story he completely cracks up.
Which in turn, totally cracks me up.
Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) nothing that dramatic happened while we were in our car at the African Lion Safari last week.
Instead we saw a few very bored Lions.

A few Cheetahs cleaning themselves under the shade of a tree.
Can you imagine those hairballs?!

A family of Giraffe.
The baby was especially cute.

Some Zebras.
Much shorter and stockier than a horse, and such incredible coats of fur.
It amazes me that mother nature can create something so beautiful.
Though I have to admit, I kept imagining them sounding like Chris Rock if they could talk..

One very frisky Ostrich.
Lulu freaked out a bit when one walked up to the car and started pecking at the window.

So she decided she would drive after that.
I just wish she hadn't hit that Rhinoceros.
Our insurance is going to be insane from here on in...

kidding of course...

the living is easy

2010-08-09T08:32:00.003-04:00

Because I can't be bothered to sit down long enough to write something of my own these days....

"What wondrous life is this I lead!
Ripe apples drop about my head;
The luscious clusters of the vine
Upon my mouth do crush their wine;
The nectarine and curious peach
Into my hands themselves do reach;
Stumbling on melons, as I pass,
Ensnared with flowers, I fall on grass."

~ Andrew Marvell, Thoughts in a Garden~

july bliss

2010-07-26T14:24:00.001-04:00

Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.
-- Sam Keen

Freedom

2010-07-20T14:40:00.010-04:00

Mel Gibson said it best whilst clad in a kilt with blue warrior paint smeared across his face in Braveheart when he shouted "FREEDOM!!"
and no not while he was being pulled over for D.U.I in L.A. or in a drunken craze on the phone with his soon to be ex-wife.
Talk about a man with a temper....yikes...

Anyhow back to freedom- or more specifically- MY freedom during the month of July so far.
Lulu went to camp Grandma & Grandpa last week and had a great time.
Big Daddy & I had almost six full days of childlessness.
Our longest stretch to date- and I must say- long overdue.
It was a really great break for all parties.
Last week it was so great to just take a stroll around the neighbourhood holding hands after dark.
We went for some really fantastic meals at a few restaurants I had been dying to try out.
I also read a bunch of great books-such a treat! stay tuned for some book reviews soon.
But just having some down time was so fantastic.
It makes such a huge difference.
Sometimes it takes being apart to realize how much you love someone.
Our someone being sweet Lulu of course.
Who btw- is back to being as sweet as can be.
She's in camp for the next two weeks from 8:30-3:30 and once again I have so much freedom.
I am so not used to this.
I'm trying to catch up with things and starting to feel creative again as a result.
Such a great feeling and a real bonus that I have a very talented photographer at my disposal to collaborate with when time allows it.
I don't have any camps or anything planned for the month of August- not that I want to think that far ahead- so I'm really trying to just embrace this quiet time and appreciate it as much as possible.
Because in a few short weeks it will be back to camp Mommy 24/7.

As much as I love my little bean- it's so great to have a breather so that I can appreciate her all the more.
Rested momma= happy & more patient Momma & daddy- which in turn = happy and better behaved Lulu.

road tripping

2010-07-09T10:58:00.009-04:00

I am dying to go on a road trip.
Not entirely sure where- but I just want to get in the car and drive.
I grew up taking road trips.
I think we pretty much covered most of Canada and The United States in the back of our '77 Oldsmobile station wagon when I was a kid.
Faux wood panelling on the sides and all.
I loved that car.
My brother and I were most likely camped out in the back part of the wagon on our sleeping bags, breathing in a combination of fresh air from all the windows being down and my parents Matinee special milds blowing in from the front seat.
Seat belts, what seat belts?
My brother and I would encourage my dad to "GO FASTER DAD!!" over the winding roads and hills and get up on our knees in the back pretending that we were on a roller coaster.
Hard to believe that we ever did anything like that now that we live in a world of uber car seats and safety regulations.
Not that I'm knocking the new way of life (preservation) but I do find myself pining for those good' ol days of being so carefree.
One of the parents at Lulu's camp this week asked me last minute if I could drive her daughter home, and I said not a problem except that I didn't have an extra booster seat- and she said, don't worry about it, we do it all the time.
Sure it was only a few blocks, but still, I totally felt put on the spot.
What if I get pulled over? or worse, get in an accident?
Statistics do show that most car accidents do tend to happen close to home..
I am a law abiding citizen after-all....
What would you do?

But I digress..
Back to my road trip down memory lane.
My parents really did go with the flow when we were kids, and as a result we had the opportunity to have some really great experiences.
We would just jump in the car and go.
Travelling by car is all about the journey, and not necessarily the destination- right?
Try telling that to a little person in the back seat asking "hooooowww much faaaarrrrrttherrrrr??????"
Lulu has never been in the car longer than 3 hours, and I have to admit, her constant chatter was a wee bit grating at the best of times, so I wonder how we would survive 7-10 hours of driving.
How did my parents ever deal?
Okay now that I think about it, I do recall several threats of "YOU TWO BETTER KNOCK IT OFF OR I WILL PULL OVER!!!!!" coming from my dad in the driver's seat.
How he managed to drive one handed and reach back and catch us with the other hand still amazes me to this day.
I can't even reach a juice box that's dropped on the floor and still keep my eyes on the road at the same time.
Ah the fantasy is always better than the reality I guess.
Back in the day there were no such thing as built in DVD players in cars- look out the window kids- the world is your oyster!
GPS-I loved reading maps and following along with my trusty red pen
Seat belts (see above)
itunes - had to love the crackle of the a.m. radio stations, or if you were a high roller an 8track player-I hope they play John Denver-Take Me home Country Roads again!
Those were much simpler times.
Or were they?
Maybe I do need to take a cue from my folks and just "go with the flow"
and maybe just get in the car and go.

Or if Big daddy has his way..Leave on a Jet Plane....

the blame game

2010-07-05T21:38:00.007-04:00

When I wrote my last post I was feeling so proud of my little lady- Lulu.
This one...not so much.
Lulu has always been a good natured kid- a bit sensitive, likes things a certain way- but pretty good for the most part.
Or at least as good as a five year old can be.
But over the past few weeks something has changed.
She has done a few things lately- and acted out in ways that make me feel far from proud.
On the contrary- I'm quite shocked and embarrassed by her behaviour lately.
Her last T-ball game of the season wasn't one of her finer moments, that's for sure.
Won't go into too much detail, but lets just put it this way- who knew T-ball was a full contact sport?
We had a play date with a friend last week and once again- not too impressed by her behavior.
Nothing physical happened- but her overall attitude wasn't something I had really seen before.
It was her way or the highway- and she certainly had no problem being vocal about it.
We went to friends for a BBQ on Canada Day and she did something that I am having a hard time getting past.
Again- won't go into too much detail- but I was completely mortified and really really upset by it.
I'm really trying to figure out if this is some sort of phase she's going through.
And if so, when will it pass?
Is this normal for 5 year olds?
Are these habits that she picked up in school?
Or is there something deeper bothering her?
Or worse....is it me?
Am I the cause of this problem? Maybe we are spoiling her or letting her get away with too much?
She is an only child after-all, and as much as we tried to not to let it happen, she has become the center of our universe.
So when that's not the case with her peers, maybe that's becoming a problem for her?
Who knows?
I pride myself on being pretty strict though, especially when it comes to manners, and how to treat others.
Big daddy & I try to be consistent with her and for the most part have a "united front" when it comes to most issues with her.
Physical aggression isn't something she has been exposed to- here at home at least, so I have no idea where this has come from.
Maybe this isn't as big a deal as I am making it out to be- but when you put all these incidents together it's upsetting.
At least to me.
I want my sweet gentle little girl back.
Both big daddy & I are working on things with her and hopefully with a bit more consistency with our discipline we will get past this "phase"
Oh lord- please let it be some sort of phase that is derived from frustration and not anything more serious.
No one wants their kid to be "that kid"
That must sound terrible.
I just feel so responsible for every thing that Lulu does.
Especially anything bad or less than perfect.
I need to get over this, I know.
I told a friend about the Canada Day "incident" and she kind of laughed and said "you should see what my kids are capable of...
Don't worry about it- move on- these things happen."
It's advice I'm trying to listen to...trying.

Oh and the entire weekend wasn't a bust- we also went to some other friends for dinner on Saturday and Lulu played so well with their little girl and was excellent, so all was not lost.
Maybe I'm being too sensitive about all of this.
I just want to make sure she is happy and well adjusted- especially in social situations.
Or maybe it's time to write about something else other than my daughter all the time.
she really has become the center of my world.
Maybe that's half the problem

the graduate

2010-06-29T14:31:00.002-04:00

Well the first year of school is officially finished.
And what a fun year it has been.
When I think back to all of my apprehension and fears this time last year I can't believe that I ever felt that way.
Lulu really flourished this year and I couldn't be more proud knowing that she experienced one of life's big milestones with such enthusiasm and comprehension.
That kid is a Jolly Phonics expert- seriously.
It's so hard not to compare- but really watching her not only keep up with kids more than a year ahead of her (and in many cases- surpass) how can I not be so proud?
I love that she is practically reading now- and I can't wait for her to be able to experience tucking into a favourite book and reading it all on her own.
That's not to say that I don't still love reading stories to her every night.
Her writing has come along way as well- her letters are precise and in most cases really neat & tidy.
That makes one of us...
Then there all the great new friends (and parents) that she (I've) met.
So nice to really feel like we are officially part of our community.
Anyhow I've written about this in the past, but I'm just so incredibly grateful that we live in such a fantastic neighbourhood with such an excellent school with so many great teachers.
Feeling blessed at the moment is an understatement.
Fingers crossed that next year we'll be as lucky as we were this year.
But as much fun as school was this year, I'm very happy to officially say hello to summer break or as Lulu & I were singing all morning.....
Skool's Out For The Summer.

gone fishin'

2010-06-26T08:42:00.002-04:00

Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Full Moon
The G20 Summit
Crazy traffic
For some reason sticking around the city this weekend isn't really that appealing.
definitely need a change of scenery....

date night

2010-06-16T09:52:00.004-04:00

For the past few months I've been making a concerted effort to commit to booking babysitters once a week so big daddy & I can get out and spend some time alone.
MUCH needed time alone I might add.
A couple of weeks ago we found a new cheap & cheerful sushi joint that I thought was fantastic.
There are so many sushi restaurants around town and we have three or four that we go to on a regular basis.
But we kind of stumbled upon this one by accident while trying to avoid the construction mayhem on Bloor St (when oh when will it be complete?!- what a mess..)
Anyhow it's on Bay st- just across from Pusateri's.
Ignore the carpeted floor (the only flaw in my opinion) the food was really great as was the service and rest of the decor.
We had such a fun night- sipping sake, eating fresh (inexpensive) sushi and hanging out for a few hours at the Bookstore afterwards.
Though I might warn against book shopping while under the sake influence as we ended up buying a ton of books that we really didn't need.
So our cheap date night- kind of ended up not so cheap.
Ah well.
What can I say? we felt like two kids in a candy shop.
Even the most casual things can be that much more relaxing and fun when you get to be together as a couple without the kid(s).
Nothing against our little angel- but I think it's really healthy to spend time apart.
I'm currently trying to build up our roster of babysitters- as our regular gal is off to camp for the summer.
sniff sniff..
But all is not lost, as we are trying someone new for this week- fingers crossed that she works out.
Who knew it would be so difficult to find great babysitters?
Actually, Lulu really looks forward to her night with the sitter as there is usually pizza, potato chips, bear puffs, ice cream, movies and games involved.
Have to butter up the babysitters and feed them well- it's pretty competitive out there when it comes to booking the best kids.
When I'm at the grocery store buying "food" for the babysitter I always feel like telling the person behind me in line that "it's not the stuff I usually feed my family- it's for the babysitter- honest"
Something tells me that the usual veggies & hummus with flax pita might not go over so well with the 13-15 year old set.

How about you-What's your favourite thing to do on "date-night?"
and how often do you have date nights?
inquiring minds want to know.

tell me why I don't like mondays?

2010-06-14T20:58:00.005-04:00

Actually I usually LOVE Mondays.
Not that I don't enjoy the weekends, but I really like getting back to our weekly routine and starting a fresh new week.
Most Mondays I usually go to the gym for a two hour workout to get the week started off on a good foot.
Well that, and to work off all the guilty pleasures I indulged in over the weekend.
Unfortunately that wasn't the case today.
Big daddy had the day off and we had a ton of things to deal with in the morning, plus for some reason (late bedtime and up at 5 a.m. with nightmares) Lulu was in fine form.
Anyhow I did manage to squeeze in a run- but like I said- the day just didn't start out the way it usually does.
Big daddy was in a mood that could best be described as- cantankerous.
He's not quite used to the Monday morning "routine".
Lulu was also thrown off by big daddy's day of playing hooky and suddenly fell ill right before school was about to start.
I could spot a good fake a mile away but big daddy- being the novice that he is- let her stay home from school.
and that's when the day that started off on the wrong foot- ended up on the wrong leg.
sigh.
Everything we wanted to get done today- didn't.
C'est La vie.
Unfortunately big daddy doesn't speak french.
so he is currently sulking.
Lulu admitted to faking being sick at 3:30- we made her stay in bed until then- hey if you are "sick" then you stay in bed.
Big daddy felt (feels) totally burned.
I feel a little smug since I kept telling him she was fine- and really just wanted to stay at home with him.
He told be I was being "harsh" and "the poor little thing is really not feeling well"
And "maybe she has anxiety about going to school and dealing with "certain" classmates"
That part did get me- I admit.
But still, I was 99.9% sure she was fine and just wanted to extend the weekend.
Once I made that call to the school- guess who perked up?
'nuff said.
Tuesday is looking very good right about now.

Oh and above picture is Lulu latest drawing of big daddy.
hmmm...what's she trying to convey?
aside from the fact that Big daddy needs to add a pair of pink pants to his summer wardrobe.

social hurdles

2010-06-08T19:19:00.014-04:00

With the school year end just around the corner, I find myself reflecting on all that both Lulu & I have learned during the year.
I say "I" because as much as this was a new beginning for Lulu in her academic future- it was a huge learning curve for me too.
Somehow during the first week of school I was coerced into becoming (at the time a reluctant) "class parent".
But now I am so happy that I got involved at the very beginning.
It forced me to come out of hiding and get to know all the parents (and kids) in Lulu's class.
I also had the unique position of having a really great one-on-one relationship with her teacher.
How great is that?
Bonus that she has such a fantastic teacher.
That being said, I'm not really the type of parent who gets too overly involved with what's happening with Lulu in class- not that I don't want to know, but I figure she's in great hands and Ms. Fantastic teacher would let me know if there ever was anything to be concerned about.
Each time we have discussed Lulu- I get nothing but glowing reviews.
She's very bright, socially mature for her age, a bit sensitive, but over-all a very good listener and great with "most" of her class mates.
All but one.
More on that last bit in a minute though.
It was really great getting the chance to get to know all the parents when it came to organizing things like Halloween parties, Christmas, teachers gifts and the year end party.
We are so fortunate to have had such a great class of really nice parents & kids this year.
So all in all it has been a very positive experience for both of us.
However...the past few weeks Lulu has been having some conflict with one of her class mates.
One minute they are super happy playing together- the next it's drama, drama and more drama.
Lulu & this girl really seem to clash.
I can't point the finger of blame in her direction only- because I know Lulu contributes to these little (or depending on the day-BIG) outbursts.
But it's just so out of character to see her upset so often.
We have talked about this situation at length.
I have made countless suggestions of maybe the need for a bit of separation- "play with some of your other friends instead" to her.
but the second we get to school she goes running up to this girl despite the fact that I keep "suggesting" that perhaps they need to give each other a bit of space.
It's like the more I do that- the more she does the opposite of what I recommend.
Kids will be kids and they need to learn to work these things out, it's all part of the social experience- but I am so tired of the drama when the two of them get together.
It can turn a perfectly beautiful afternoon completely upside down.
There is more that I could add- but now that this blog is no longer anonymous- and a few people at her school know about it, I won't go into too much more detail.
But I will say that Lulu has come home from school three times with cute pictures of colourful flowers, grass, sun etc. that she has drawn for me and there has been a big black scribble mark in the middle of the picture.
When I asked her what that was all about- she told me that "girl with conflict" scribbled on it because she said her drawing was ugly and she was a bad artist.
When I brought her to school a few weeks ago and her hair was in buns (my favourite hairstyle on her) "girl with conflict" comes up to her- right in front of me and says- "your hair looks weird" said in quite a mean way.
Now Lulu refuses to wear her hair like that anymore.
There are a few more things that have happened that Lulu has told me about- and some of these incidents are cause for concern.
It makes me wonder what else has happened that I don't know about.
I do know that lately Lulu isn't herself.
More than once I have heard her say "nobody likes me anymore"
She has been very emotional lately- and it makes me feel so bad for her.
I can't believe this is happening to her.
In JK!
I feel awful.
And is this normal?
When I talked to ms. Fantastic teacher about this- she assured me that Lulu is not to blame and that she is a really sweet kid.
She is very popular with her classmates and I had nothing to worry about.
That was a relief- because I can't lie and say that a part of me was wondering if it was Lulu.
She can certainly be feisty when she wants to be.
A wall-flower she is not.
Does that sound terrible to not instantly take sides 100% with your own child?
I just never want to be the parent who thinks that their kid can do no wrong.
School is full of situations like this- especially with girls.
She's a tough cookie- and I know she can hold her own, but I just wish this wasn't the way we were finishing up the year.
I hope I'm doing the right thing by trying to discourage a friendship- because I just know- nothing good will come of this "relationship" I have a gut feeling about it.
But then again- who knows? maybe I'm handling it all wrong.
Who knew these politics would start as early as kindergarten?
Like I said though school is definitely one big learning curve.
Can't wait for high-school...
not.

puppy power

2010-06-02T13:22:00.003-04:00

It's interesting how kids move in and out of phases- or in Lulu's case- obsessions.
Last year it was dogs dogs and more dogs.
It was her favourite thing to play and talk about.
She would beg us for one every day.
we told her that when she turned five we would get her one.
Well...her 5th birthday has come and gone and still no fido here at casapetitegourmand.
but the main reason being that some time around say 6 months ago she just sort of stopped being so dog obsessed.
She still LOVES dogs- don't get me wrong, but she no longer asks us for one constantly, nor does she bark when being spoken to or walk around the house on all fours drinking water out of a bowl on the floor.
kidding...well sort of...
Maybe it had something to do with "seeing people picking up dog poop with their hands mama!"
When she realized that the movie Dog Hotel is not actually real- and no toilet training for dogs would realistically be possible- she started having second thoughts.
Anyhow I'm sure we will eventually get her the dog we promised.
The truth is, both big daddy & I would love to have a family pet again.
I grew up with dogs, he grew up with cats.
So we both think it would be nice for Lulu to know what it's like to have a pet growing up.
Just not yet.
We will know when the time is right I guess.
Fortunately it's no longer on the top of the list for Lulu and she is more than thrilled with her Zhu Zhu fake hamster.
As am I.
oh and I forgot to post about it, but Lulu's 4th birthday party was featured in Canadian Family Magazine May issue.
and is also up on the main home page at the moment.
so check it out.
ruff. ruff.
Let's just hope that her new love of horses subsides before her next birthday party....

10 years ago today.....

2010-05-27T09:13:00.011-04:00

10 years ago today there was no such thing as facebook, skype, twitter or high speed dial up.
We didn't have to worry about things like "texting & driving" - back then it was all about the R.I.D.E programs and getting drunk drivers off the road.
Come to think of it- I haven't seem a R.I.D.E. check stop in over a decade.
What's up with that?

digital photography was just in it's infancy- we still used film and Polaroids.
Oh the good old days...
Then again- I do love the instant gratification of digital photography- I only wish I would get around to printing images from time to time.
Nothing better than flipping though a photo album tripping down memory lane.
Somehow it's not quite the same when everything is on a disk or hard drive some where.

Travelling was a breeze- there was no such thing as multiple security point checks, ban on liquids, human exray machines, having to remove your shoes at the check points, frisking old ladies in wheel chairs or the need to make young mothers dump out baby bottles before finally making their way though long long security lines.
Pre 911- the world seemed like a much safer place.
Hard to imagine.

Toronto had 4,682,897 people living here- today it's 5.5 million and growing.
No wonder the traffic is getting so bad in the downtown core.

Don't even get me started on the drastic rise in housing prices from 2000- 2010.
If I knew then what I know now...

The movies Chocolate & Traffic won Academy awards.
also worth mentioning- Almost famous, Billy Elliot and Requiem for a Dream.

David Letterman had heart surgery and Survivor was in it's first year- how is it that Jeff Probst looks the exact same after more than a decade?
My favourite show at the time was The Naked Chef- hosted by a young unknown chef named Jamie Oliver on the BBC.
But in those days I had to make sure I was home to watch it live- gasp..
Oh how I love modern day PVR'ing.
I guess progress is a very good thing in the land of television.
How did we ever survive back then? never mind Richard Hatch.

The Budweiser campaign- "what's Uuup?" was launched- and from what I can recall- that was all I heard every time I would call anybody.

Songs like "Hey Ya"- by Outkast, "Beautiful Day"- U2, "Yellow" by Coldplay, "Music" by Modonna, "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys, "Let's get It Started In Here" by The Blackeyed Peas and "Slim Shady" by Eminem could be heard on the radio.
But I was most likely listening to Fragments Of Freedom by Morcheeba, Moon Safari by Air or Kruder or Dorfmeister the k&d sessions in my car.

We lived in a downtown loft and had to climb a ladder to go to bed.
It was rustic- but so much fun.
There was no Starbucks, trendy boutiques or restaurants in our old neighbourhood.
It was definitely considered the 'hood back then.
Amazing what can happen over a decade.
Sometimes- change is a very good thing indeed.
Kind of sad that we no longer live in that part of town actually-but very glad to still have the studio down there though.

10 years ago today I wouldn't be writing this- because there was no such thing as a blog.
Then again- most likely I would have been writing in one of my many journals.
I wonder where they are now?

And last but certainly not least- 10 years ago today I said- I Do.
and married big daddy.
How can that be?
10 years of marriage- wow.
so hard to believe that we have been married for 10 years!
We have had our up & downs- but I'm happy to say that it's been mostly ups- and the downs just seem to make our relationship stronger.
Over the span of a decade we have bought & sold our first home, started up businesses, travelled to some amazing places, made some really good friends, become parents (that in itself still blows me away) and remained best friends through it all.
There is no other way I would have wanted to spend the last 10 years.
And no one else I would have wanted to spend it with.

So Happy Anniversary Big Daddy- here's to the next 10 years together.
all my love
pg xoxoxox

so you think you can dance

2010-05-20T17:55:00.003-04:00

Lulu had her first official dance recital a few weeks ago and can I just say what a proud mama I was when seeing her on stage?
She remembered all her ballet moves and was a ham as per usual.
or I guess in this case- a bunny.
I was more than a little misty.
I'm so glad she loves dancing as much as I did.
Okay-do.
But nowadays it usually involves a bit of liquid courage on my part.
then again- if I'm being completely honest- Lulu & I were dancing to a little Ida Corr-Let Me Think About It- in the kitchen at lunch today.
The only liquid I had consumed by 12 o'clock was an orange juice and a green tea.
Anyhow I love busting a move or two with my girl- I just hope she has a bit more rhythm than I do as she gets older.
Going to keep up with those dance lessons for sure.

resurfacing

2010-05-18T08:17:00.012-04:00

It sucks to get sick.
But I'm happy to report that everyone seems to be back to normal.
For the past four weeks we have been on a sick rotation around here- and quite frankly I'm so glad to feel healthy again and getting on with life.
The one okay thing about being under the weather though, is that it forced me to take it easy for a couple of weeks.
So in that respect- maybe I kind of needed a bit of a break.
I had no idea I was feeling as run down as I was.
Anyhow I'm glad to feel better and can't wait to resume my never ending To Do List.

Before everyone got sick- I went to a baby shower for a friend of mine.
A couple of her friends put on the spread.
and can I just say not only was it beautiful but super delicious.
It was a very creative group of ladies all in one room- and a really great way to spend the afternoon.
Those little flower pots were mini chocolate puddings- super decadent- and so pretty don't you think?
there was also leek & asparagus filo tarts with goat cheese (they were devoured before I could snap a few pics)
and the most fantastic cherry lemonade- punch concoction.
Yum yum.

Not only pretty- but so delicious.

Speaking of baby showers- is it me or is that baby boom still going strong?
Every where I look it's babies babies everywhere these days.
And no I'm not getting baby fever- still happy with our family dynamic- but just an observation.
Then again- they don't call my neighbourhood breederville for nothing.
Our street almost needs a special stroller lane for all the kiddies.

Anyhow if you want to see more pics from that lovely shower you can find them here.
Oh and did I mention that the hostess hand painted all the white bottles using old glass jars?
So inspiring..
Add that to my To Do list
- save old jars and glass bottles and hand paint them.
or not.

april flowers

2010-05-12T10:19:00.003-04:00

Bring May showers...

wallowing away

2010-05-08T11:26:00.005-04:00

So I've been on a mission these past few weeks getting things crossed off the ol' To Do list.
Spring is all about renewal and fresh starts so I've been trying to take advantage of this time to clear the clutter so to speak.
Clothing being a big thing on my list.
Out with the old- and make room for the new.
Truth be told-our small closets leave me with few other options.
Over the last few years my size has changed, and quite frankly styles have really changed as well.
Not that I'm all about trends or anything- but I have really noticed a change in fashion in the past couple of seasons.
I try not to subscribe to the whole eighties revival look- because honestly- been there- done that.
It wasn't a good look on me in 1984 and it definitely isn't a good look for me in 2010.
Though I did manage to pick up a few cute things here.
But really it's all about comfort and practicality.
If I can't wear it to the park, then I probably won't buy it.
I said probably right?
Anyhow the only fashion I'm sporting at the moment is my black sweat suit and white fuzzy robe. (clutching my heating pad for dear life)
For the past THREE days!
As I was saying- I was on a roll getting things accomplished when bam! I get sidetracked with a very nasty flu.
You're not supposed to get the flu in May- wtf?
Today's the first day I'm actually somewhat coherent- but for the past 48 hours I've been down for the count.
Haven't felt this knocked on my ass in a long while.
Lulu has been super sweet- in fact a tad too sweet as she keeps trying to kiss and snuggle with me.
Not only is that uncomfortable (every muscle hurts) but I don't want her to catch what I have.
Even though I probably caught it from her in the first place as she was sick all last week.
The poor thing was like Linda Blair she had so much green stuff coming out of her nose.
Big daddy on the other hand could use a bit of work in his bedside manner.
I know I know- it's a total inconvenience for me to get sick- when he has to look after Lulu and g-d forbid feed her....gasp!
I know that he is super swamped with work at the moment.
But really- would it hurt to be a teensy bit compassionate?
oh sure he stopped on the way home to get some contact C for me- um thanks.
But I hate getting sick- and I really wish he would try to be a bit more sympathetic and not make me feel like
"when he gets sick he has to just deal with it- drug himself up and go to work"
That it's a "luxury" to stay home when you are sick.
Luxury huh?
That totally felt like a luxury taking Lulu to and from school yesterday- though I could barely see straight.
So that's my rant.
I'm annoyed that I'm down with the flu when I was on such a roll getting things done and that my partner in life is being such a schmuck.
Oh and I'm even more annoyed that I had to cancel our baby-sitter for tonight as we were going for dinner and to an art opening of an old friend that I would have loved to see.
oh and that tomorrow is mother's day and the last thing I really want is breakfast in bed, as that's what I've had for the past 3 days straight.
If you consider ginger tea and water "breakfast".
whah whah.

signed- feeling sorry for herself- aka the petitegourmand

how old is old?

2010-05-04T15:08:00.008-04:00

Lulu asked me today how old is old?
good question.
I guess it's all a state of mind I suppose.
Then she asked if everyone lives to be 100.
no- unfortunately not- or maybe not unfortunate, if you are looking at things from a health care perspective.
Do most people really want to live to be 100?
depends on the person I guess.
Sometimes after talking to my grandmother, I don't get the feeling she does- seeing as so many of her friends and her husband are already gone.
It must be lonely.
She'll be 90 this summer.
For the record, I hope she does live to be 100.
Lulu asked me how old the oldest person in the world is?
I guessed and said 115.
Turned out to be a good guess- as I just noticed this is the news today.
Makes me want to eat more sushi, thats for sure.
maybe a morbid topic- but hey when inquiring minds want to know...

Earth day

2010-04-28T14:56:00.007-04:00

Well I'm a little late with this post seeing that Earth Day was April 22nd.
But really, shouldn't every day be earth day?
The kids at school were asked to dress in blue or green- why not brown?
Earth is technically brown right?
They also did a bunch of cute projects about recycling and being more environmentally friendly.
Now when I'm prepping dinner, Lulu keeps a watchful eye in the back ground to let me know if I'm running the water too long while washing the veggies.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing....
And we all know the saying if it's yellow let it mellow- if it's brown flush it down.
But do we really need to sing it at the dinner table?
Okay to be honest, she really doesn't sing that at the dinner table- but she does in fact live by that particular motto- which I'm still not sure how I feel about.
Okay enough about that subject.
Anyhow I'm so glad that hopefully this new generation will be more mindful about the earth.
It's about time.

What are you doing to be more environmentally friendly these days?

happy birthday sweet lulu

2010-04-25T15:30:00.005-04:00

Every year on Lulu's birthday I usually get a bit choked up that she is yet another year older.
She's no longer my baby, toddler or Pre-schooler.
She's now officially a little girl.
oh sure she's sill my baby- and always will be- but it's so surreal that I now have a 5 year old kid!
How did that happen so quickly?
teething, potty training & nap time feel like a life time ago.
This year has been by far the most fun year to date.
I have loved watching Lulu grow and learn in new ways now that she is in school and making new friends.
I love that she is so bright and clever and loves to learn all about the world around her.
I'm just glad I get to still be such a big part of her world.

So Happy Birthday Sweet Lulu- you are such a big girl now- but don't forget that you will always be my sweet baby.
love mommy xo

Oh and I hope you had fun with 15 of your friends yesterday for your flower power birthday party at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
I know I did.

oh and one of my favourite bloggers whose little girl is turning 5 as well, wrote one of my favourite posts about turning five.
I only wish I could be half as eloquent.
but- ditto.

sushi samba

2010-04-09T16:35:00.023-04:00

Where the heck does the time go these days?
For some reason things seem a bit more hectic than usual around here and our mini vacay in South Beach feels like forever ago.
But that's not to say that I'm still not salivating when I think about one of the most delicious dinners I've had in a while when we were there.
Sushi Samba.
There is a plethora of patios and restaurants along Lincoln Road and it can be a bit daunting trying to decide where to eat.
But when I saw all the bright orange umbrellas, funky chairs and great menu I was sold.
Bonus that big daddy has been to the New York location and gave it a thumbs up.
Mind you, I have to admit, I was a tad sceptical about the Japanese/ Brazilian combo menu.
Not two cultures I would have paired up together.
Boy was I wrong.
So So good.
We started with the tuna tataki white asparagus, fresh heart of palm, avocado, tatsoi, citrus soy 15.00
so fresh and so delicious.

And the green bean tempura with black truffle alioli 7.50
I almost licked the black truffle bowl clean.
We then moved onto the most delectable morsels of yumminess..

sushi samba “taquitos” (minimum 2 per order) served with spicy aji panca sauce and fresh lime
yellowtail seviche 6.00
Oh g-d were they good.
We ordered two different handrolls,

green envy wasabi pea crust, tuna, salmon, asparagus, aji amarillo-key lime mayo 12.00
and the ezo 24 hour soy marinated salmon, asparagus, red onion, chive, sesame, tempura flake wrapped in yellow soy paper with wasabi maionese 11.50
so incredibly fresh and delish.
am I starting to sound like a broken record?
Lulu wanted some dumplings along with her usual edemamme and Tobiko and avocado sushi.
So we ordered these...

pan steamed pork gyozas sweet onion compote and spicy ponzu 16.00
Yum.
Honestly we could have kept eating- we wanted to try everything on the menu it was THAT good.
So in addition to Lulu's green tea ice cream our waiter suggested this for something sweet to finish off our fabulous meal..

Antichichos-sea bass and miso 12.00 & peruvian corn 6.00
Okay not what you would normally consider a dessert- but it was sweet and caramelized.
And the peruvian corn was to die for.
I'd never had it before and I can honestly say I am now hooked.
Wonder where I can get in in T.O.?
The table next to us ordered 4 bowls of it and were just eating that to start.
Now I get it.
Anyhow we had such a great meal.
Our waiter was so awesome and made our night.
The lovely cocktails didn't hurt either...

Yemanja vodka, Domaine de Canton, mint, lemongrass
and the most fantastic sake I've ever had.

So much so that we had two bottles of it!
But there's nothing better than a sake buzz in my opinion.
well maybe a good sushi buzz...
and we definitely had that.
Lulu chilled in her stroller after she ate and let us enjoy the Saki and the best people watching I've done in a while.
South beach is really a trip.

We didn't notice at the time, but they have an amazing kid's menu.
So not only is Sushi Samba hip, has great service, phenomenal food & resonably priced and in the perfect location- it's family friendly!
The perfect restaurant in my opinion.
10 out of 10 for sure.
can't wait to go back again.

SAMBAKIDS MENU
$12.00 including dessert // $5.00 SambaKids Juice

baby bento
grilled organic chicken, steak or salmon
served with purple potato mash, veggie roll, seasonal fruit

samba sliders
two mini burgers served with sweet potato fries and seasonal fruit

anticuchos
grilled organic chicken, beef, or vegetable skewers
served with jumbo corn on the cob and seasonal fruit

sushi bites
four bite-sized rice balls topped with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, cucumber
served with a veggie roll and seasonal fruit

mochi
soft japanese rice cakes filled with ice cream and sprinkled with candy confetti

samba sundae
warm chocolate brownie topped with homemade vanilla ice cream served with
chocolate dipping sauce and a mini strawberry shake

***

coco leite
coconut milk, pineapple, mango juice

watermelon mojo
watermelon, lime, guava juice

berry fizz
raspberry, blackberry, lime, splash of soda juice

Now that's what I call a kid's menu- not a chicken finger in sight..

south beach easter

2010-04-07T13:48:00.004-04:00

Is it me, or is this easter bunny a tad bit creepy looking?
Not only that but he kept "hopping" around the pool hugging all the hot chicks in bikinis.
Is that a carrot in your pocket Mr. Easter Bunny or are you just happy to see me?
And who knew that the Easter bunny spoke spanish?
Humph.
But in all seriousness- we just got back from a fun weekend in Miami.
Lulu had a complete blast.
She learned how to swim, jumped the waves, made sand castles, had a super fun easter egg hunt, made new friends and most importantly had some nice quality time with her Daddy whom she missed a bunch while he was away so much in March.

It was a nice break for me too-we ate at some incredible restaurants-more to follow on that.
Stayed in a great hotel with a nice view of the ocean.
And also got to hold hands on the beach with big daddy.

Oh and the killer mojitos by the pool didn't hurt either.
A very happy easter indeed...

gone daddy gone

2010-03-28T16:37:00.007-04:00

Big daddy gets back today after being away for 3 out of the 4 weeks of March.
We survived.
Things really aren't that different when he's not here as far as looking after Lulu- but I must say, it will be nice to have him home.
I really have a whole new appreciation for all the single parents out there that's for sure.
Lulu could barely contain herself this morning she is so excited to see her daddy.
Welcome home big d.
and good timing as it's garbage day tomorrow- yay! ;

“Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a dad”

chatty cathy

2010-03-24T08:24:00.010-04:00

who came up with the phrase "the gift of gab" anyhow?
I'm not sure it's really a gift and maybe more of a curse.
Both big daddy & I are not what you would describe as the quiet or reserved type.
Both of us like a good conversation- most often initiated by us.
I've often been described as a bit "chatty" by teachers growing up or "bubbly"-same goes for big D.
I come by my...shall we say..verbal "skills" naturally.
In fact I'm one of the more quiet ones in my family by comparison.
My mother and aunts could talk anyone under the table.
Actually my Uncles are never short on things to talk about either.
I have one crazy Uncle that I have actually fallen asleep on the phone with while he was still gabbing away.
And lets not even mention the grand dame herself- my Nan.
She never comes up short in the story telling department.
Maybe it's an east coast/ Irish thing?
What ever it is, there was rarely a quiet moment in our house growing up.
Oh how history repeats itself.

Needless to say- Lulu has inherited the chatty gene and LOVES to talk.
and talk...and talk....
not that what she is saying isn't cute and "interesting" but geez....some days it can be so relentless.
"momma why is the sky blue?"
"is your favourite colour blue?"
"how do you make different colours?"
Why do birds have feathers?"
"why do they build nests?"
"how do they find the way down south in the winter?"
"can I have chocolate for breakfast?"
"did you have a good sleep?"
"are you awake?"
"what does year of the rooster mean?"
"can I have chocolate for breakfast?"
"wanna play pet shops?"
"mr. huggy face the panda wants breakfast"
"he loves to take baths and eats eucalyptus"
"is it spring yet?"
"why do we have different seasons?"
" I want to go to easter Island on easter when I'm older"
"in Calgary they speak the same language as us but with no accent- or a little accent. right?"
"wanna hear about my dreams?"
"do you remember your dreams?"
"wanna play beauty salon?"
"can I have chocolate for breakfast?"
sigh...
all this within the first 60 seconds of me waking up.

So I can't really fault her for talking all the time- it's in her blood.
and I suppose it isn't always a bad thing.
some advantages of being talkative are:
Usually have something to say in awkward situations and often puts people at ease.
it feels good to be able to be an icebreaker.
Feels great to make people laugh.
It also feels good getting things out of your head and into the universe (kind of like this blog)
People like when you ask questions about themselves and to draw them out a bit.
Who doesn't love a good story teller?

But the disadvantages are:
That you can drive people crazy if you don't take a breath in between sentences.
It can be annoying to others.
Story telling is good as long as you don't end up becoming a me me me person, always talking about yourself.
(Lately I feel guilty of becoming this way and am making a concerted effort not to)
It can be distracting in certain situations. (especially while driving in traffic- ahem...)
Quiet time is essential to the soul- and you don't always have to have your tongue wagging.
Nothing wrong with silence from time to time.
Crickets deserve a chance to be heard too.

So Lulu if you read this some day, remember, it's okay to not talk all the time.
Regardless of how loquaciously long winded all your crazy (said in loving way) relatives are.
and remember the mantra- shhhhhhhhhh.......from time to time.

Talkative youngsters tended to show interest in intellectual matters, speak fluently, try to control situations, and exhibit a high degree of intelligence as adults. Children who rated low in verbal fluency were observed as adults to seek advice, give up when faced with obstacles, and exhibit an awkward interpersonal style.

Top 'o the Mornin' to ya

2010-03-17T09:24:00.003-04:00

daylight staying up time

2010-03-16T00:41:00.002-04:00

I am so out of sorts these past few days.
for the past few nights I could barely keep my eyes open past 9 p.m. and tonight I am completely wired and unable to fall asleep.
Not sure what's up with my internal clock- but I'm finding it a bit frustrating.
I love my 7-8 hours per night and I'm not happy when anything messes with it.
I can't imagine suffering from insomnia all the time- I think I would go crazy.
So instead of tossing & turning I've decided to write down what's on my mind and purge all the to-do's swirling around in my head.
Or not.
I'm too tired to bother.
Maybe it's the daylight savings time?
Or maybe it's my wonderfully considerate husband who stays up much later than me, and when he comes "creeping" (like a herd of elephants) down the hall into our room and gets into bed, immediately starts snoring loud enough to shake the pictures from the walls?
Or maybe it was that green tea I had at 5 p.m.?
Humph.
Anyhow, hopefully after writing this bunch of nonsense, eating a banana and saying a silent prayer to the sleep gods-I'll be entering the land of nod soon.
night night...

breaking bread

2010-03-01T13:15:00.006-05:00

One of my new year's resolutions was to entertain more.
Have people over more often for casual meals rather than long drawn out gastronomic productions
(not that I really ever did that too too often)
Now that we have Lulu and most of our friends have kids- I'm finding that one of the easiest and best ways to actually see our friends and catch up is to have them over for a weekend brunch.
The food options are simple and family friendly, the kids are usually not over tired and grumpy and tend to play better and it's not an entire day of prepping and cleaning up afterwards.
Which equals fun for me.
We usually have people over from 11- 3ish and you still get to have a nice quiet evening to just chill out. (as do they)
Win win.
I love to cook- don't get me wrong.
But sometimes after a long week, having an impromptu brunch with friends is my idea of a low maintence yet social weekend.
Some of my favourite brunch menus are

Fresh Montreal wood smoked Bagels with a bunch of different options.
smoked salmon & cream cheese, smoked turkey and sliced cucumbers, egg salad and even chopped liver.
I usually have a fruit or vegetable salad as well.
easy fast and always delicious.

Homemade Belgium waffles with mascarpone whipped cheese.
Big bowl of fresh fruit- usually berries and kiwi.
a big platter of barbecued cumbreas breakfast sausage.
a family favourite (we had it this weekend with friends)

Store bought (excellent local bakery) quiche
or these.
a slow cooked ham
green salad
and a fabulous lemon bundt cake.
so so good.

a bit of bubbly and O.J. is also a bonus about having friends for brunch.
Not that I usually drink during the day- but I must say- there's something to be said for a little day time buzz with kids running around.
Makes things that much more...shall we say...tolerable?

So I'm glad I've decided to lighten up a bit and not plan out all kinds of fancyschmancy dinner parties.
Not that I don't love doing that from time to time, I'm just loving a more casual style of entertaining these days.
what are your favourite menus to cook for friends?

and oh lord is this blog starting to sound a wee bit too betty-crockerish?
or is it just me?
next post will be about my wild and crazy sex life.
promise.

or not.

play-dough

2010-02-18T12:03:00.004-05:00

Big daddy & I seem to be trying to out-cool-craft each other these days.
Yesterday he made a "paper picnic and vegetable garden" with Lulu.
drawing, colouring and cutting out a complete set of veggies, soil, pots and gardening tools, plates, cutlery and even glasses of water.
when I got home the two of them were sitting on the floor having a "picnic."
very cute- and very creative.
So I felt I had to step it up and make some homemade play dough with Lulu today.
what can I say- we are a competitive family? ;
the recipe was given to me by mama-extraordinaire K-girl.
thanks k-girl.
it was a huge success- and we plan on making more colours when I buy some more salt from the grocery store.
When we ran out of the standard salt- Lulu suggested we use the Maldon sea salt instead.
that would be one expensive ball of play-dough.
so no thanks.

but here's the recipe for the perfect play-dough.

1 cup flour
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar

mix all ingredients in saucepan over med heat- stir constantly until ball forms
knead until smooth
enjoy hours of fun!

If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

2010-02-16T13:57:00.017-05:00

I've always considered myself to be kind of a go-with-the-flow kinda gal.
I love spontaneity- and not really having plans that are set in stone.
That is until recently.
I'm finding that the older Lulu gets- the more I feel I need to plan and book things.
Otherwise you never end up getting anything accomplished. (or seeing any of your friends)
The week is pretty structured for both of us- I love our routine and don't really like to stray too far from it if possible.
The weekend is a different story.
We usually wait until the day to see how we are feeling.
I love to embrace our time together as a family and try to do fun things around town while Lulu is still young enough that she actually wants to hang out with us on the weekend.
I try to avoid spending too much time at home- after-all that's what Monday thru Friday is for.
Plus truth be told- staying inside all weekend makes me go buggy.
well that, and guess who ends up being the personal chef and maid all weekend?
On the other end of the spectrum, Big daddy LOVES to stay home.
He's usually pretty "peopled out" by the time Friday rolls around not to mention that he is a complete home body.
I totally get that, but the days of lounging around the house reading the New York Times in bed are over around here dude.
At least for the time being.
So this weekend I took it upon myself to have a well thought out "itinerary" so to speak.
I figured a few outings, balanced with some quality time at home would be a good compromise for everyone.
We started the weekend off with a babysitter and went out for dinner.
I booked the sitter weeks ago- but didn't make reservations anywhere- I figured I would wait to see what big daddy was in the mood for after a very long, stressful week at work.
But after driving all over the city trying to feel some restaurant mojo- we ended up at our local sushi joint.
Funny enough the spontaneous driving around the city without a little person in the back seat asking a question a minute was the highlight of our date night.
That and you've got to love heated seats...
we were home in time to watch the opening ceremony for the Olympics- which I thought was fantastic.
Anyone else watch it?
Saturday we went to Harbourfront for the Kuumba (Black History Month) festival.
Lulu watched some live Krumping (though she wasn't a fan of the heavy base but she liked the moves) and did some crafts up in Miss Lou's room.
We bumped into one of Lulu's little friends from her ballet class and ended up hanging with her and her family for the afternoon.
They just moved to Canada from The Netherlands and were so interesting and fun to chat with.
Bonus that Lulu was thrilled to be with a friend from dance class and bonus that we ended up hitting it off so well with this family who lives down the street from us.
Totally spontaneous hook up- but really made our day.
We were originally supposed to go out for dinner with friends and share a babysitter- but the 9:30 dinner reservation kind of felt too late to eat- and neither of us really felt like going out for dinner two nights in a row.
wow we are getting old....
Instead we decided to have a cheese fondue for dinner- took me two years to open the box (christmas gift from my folks) wasn't a huge fan of the cheese recipe- maybe a broth fondue is the way to go instead.
Sunday we went to Niagara Falls- it was Lulu's first time seeing them.
I had this romantic notion that it would be an experience to remember.
Unfortunately the only thing I'll remember about it, was the fact that Lulu dropped her mitten over the railing into the falls.
And then the tears ensued and she was pretty much tramatized about it for the rest of the day.
Poor little thing.
I kept telling her we can always get another mitten- and I'm just glad it was only the mitt that went over the falls and not her!
(a wee bit too close to the edge I'd say- um big daddy...grrr... )
We did however salvage the day by meeting up with some friends for a nice (short- see above re: one mitten) hike in the woods over looking the Niagara Escarpment.
Spontaneous visit with friends is always good. (hi R)
we squeezed in one last visit with my brother and niece before they move out East.
We still managed to make it home in time to whip up a bit of beef with broccoli & black bean sauce for Chinese new Year.
Monday big daddy got his wish and stayed at home all day.
Me, I was out the door at 9 a.m. hit the gym and rounded up a few of Lulu's friends in the afternoon and took them to the park.
(my valentines day present to big daddy) xoxo who loves ya big d?
anyhow long winded blog- but that's kind of how the weekend felt for me.
Long and a bit winded.
I tried to plan things- but in the end, the best parts of the weekend was all the things that I didn't plan.
How about you- how was your weekend?
spontaneously unromantic like mine?

happy 60th

2010-02-11T11:05:00.006-05:00

My mom turned sixty this week.
Most people say wow that's so young!
and that's true- it is pretty young compared to most of my friends parents.
we are exactly 20 years apart.
She was already an empty nester by the time she was the age I am now.
crazy.
But I feel very lucky that we are so close in age.
I can't believe she is sixty though.
to me she looks maybe 50.
She is one of those energetic young at heart people that everyone loves.
I hope I'll be so lucky in 20 years.
anyhow, it was really nice to host a special family birthday dinner here at our place.
Nothing too big- just family and her two grand daughters.
she was thrilled.

I made a nice dinner that I think she appreciated.
everything turned out perfect.

Mom's 60th birthday dinner

Pol Roget 1999 extra cuvee de reserve

Rillettes De Canard Foie Gras on mini Crostini

Shaved fennel, radish & Owensound fresh smoked Trout Salad

Heirloom golden, candy cane & ruby red beet & blood Orange salad with organic greens and Pallot de Chevre Cheese with a
Champagne vinaigrette

Beef tenderloin with fresh Oregano & Thyme with a roasted garlic & horseradish aioli

Sweet potato Rosti

Paulines famous Death by Chocolate birthday cake

happy birthday mom
xoxo pg
not that you know about this blog- but still.
love you xoxo

oh and c & d- if you are reading this thanks for the bubbly- we were waiting for a special occasion to pop the cork- and this was it.
so lovely and worth the wait.

essential ingredients

2010-02-02T13:40:00.007-05:00

When talking about essential ingredients what usually comes to mind?
Maybe it's the holy trinity of carrot, celery & onion-the base of so many delicious soups, stews and sauces?
or perhaps it's flour, sugar and water?
or maybe it's something completely different.
not food at all but emotions, energy or fate?
what am I rambling on you might be wondering?
well I just finished a fantastic book- The School Of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister.
Or should I say- delicious book.
I devoured it as the back cover promised I would.
Reading it was like eating a decadent organic dark chocolate bar for me- I always try to savour it and eat it slowly so I can appreciate all the subtle yet rich flavours, but more often than not I end up finding myself covered in chocolate crumbs with an empty wrapper in front of me wondering why I ate it all in one go?
Which is exactly how I read this book- all in one sitting- in one day.
The book was recommended to me by my favorite person that works at my favourite book store.
She special ordered it for me and has been telling me to read it for months.
I'm so glad I did.
The past several months I have been stuck in a reading rut- reading book after book that didn't really resonate with me- that is until now.
On the contrary, I was sad when I finished this book because I wanted more.
Just like that decadent organic dark chocolate bar...

Anyhow, this book is the story of a chef who runs a cooking school.
It follows the lives of eight students who gather in Lillian’s Restaurant every Monday night for cooking class. It soon becomes clear, however, that each one seeks a recipe for something beyond the kitchen. Students include Claire, a young mother struggling with the demands of her family; ( boy could I relate to this character in particular) Antonia, an Italian kitchen designer learning to adapt to life in America; and Tom, a widower mourning the loss of his wife to breast cancer. Chef Lillian, a woman whose connection with food is both soulful and exacting, helps them to create dishes whose flavor and techniques expand beyond the restaurant and into the secret corners of her students’ lives. One by one the students are transformed by the aromas, flavors, and textures of Lillian’s food, including a white-on-white cake that prompts wistful reflections on the sweet fragility of love and a peppery heirloom tomato sauce that seems to spark one romance but end another. Brought together by the power of food and companionship, the lives of the characters mingle and intertwine, united by the revealing nature of what can be created in the kitchen.

If you are looking for a light but delicious read- this one won't disappoint.
now where can I sign up for a monday night cooking class?

all dressed up and nowhere to go

2010-01-21T22:29:00.005-05:00

So tonight we were invited to a swanky 40th birthday party.
I was really looking forward to a night out with big daddy as he was away last week and we haven't had a chance to get dressed up and spend a night on the town in a while.
My parents offered to come into town to babysit Lulu- I asked if they were sure- because I could always just book someone in the neighbourhood.
They said no- they really wanted to spend time with her.
I booked them over 3 weeks ago btw.
Unfortunately they both have colds and cancelled on me a few hours before the party.
Dang.
So I basically call everyone I know sending out an S.O.S. and came up empty handed.
Is there a nanny convention in town or something?
who knew it would be so difficult to get a babysitter? geez.
I was pretty bummed since it would be me bowing out of the party rather than big daddy- since it's really more his friend's birthday.
double bummer as I actually got a new outfit for the occasion-which I never do.
At least not in the past few years.
Formal nights out have been far and few between since I entered mama land.
So I put my new fancy frock back in the closet for another day..sniff sniff...
Put on my favourite six year old black velvet Old Navy track suit, poured myself a glass of wine (or two or three) , got a bag of skinny sticks from the cupboard and decided to watch a "quality" chick flick.
He's Not That Into You.
Totally corny- but just what I needed.
Well that and about half a bag of 2 bite brownies.
and ohmygosh I think I have a crush on Bradley Cooper now-are those contacts? or are his eyes really that blue?

Who needs a fancy glamorous soiree to have a good time anyhow??

let's get physical

2010-01-11T13:49:00.007-05:00

Is there anything better than working up a good sweat?
At least for me anyhow.
I LOVE a good work-out.
If I could, I would hit the gym at least five times a week.
I only wish.
But lately I have been at least managing to get there 3 times a week and it feels fantastic.
It makes me feel more energetic, sleep deeper and generally feel better about myself.
It doesn't hurt that some of the instructors at my gym are easy on the eyes.
And you know who I'm talking about ladies ;
"Ladies" referring to a few very savvy women that work out at my gym who figured out about this blog.
Yup, I was outed in the change room.
Thank g-d I wasn't naked.
Now that would have been mortifying.
So yes that's me, the sweaty one with the pink blotchy face, fixated on the hot instructor at the front of the class, trying my damndest to suck in my muffin top and to kick just that little bit higher every time he comes near me.
A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.
Am I right ladies?
don't tell me you don't do the same...;
So now when I talk about my kick-ass-kick boxing instructor, certain people...uh hum...
know exactly who I'm talking about.
The only problem now is that it's really hard to keep a straight face during class when Mr.Hot pants is demonstrating various exercises for his most bodacious glutenous maximus.
Oh I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that, would you mind showing us again?
hee hee.
But in all seriousness, I really love doing challenging classes and feeling fit and healthy- it makes a world of difference.
How about you, what are you doing these days to stay fit?

is it dry in here?

2010-01-06T13:54:00.008-05:00

As luck should have it our dryer broke down over the holidays.
I've been waiting for this to happen since we moved into the house actually.
One of the agreements we had to sign when we bought the house was some clause about appliances that could potentially break down soon after we took possession of the house.
What are ya gonna do when you're in a bidding war with five other couples.
Okkie-dokkie- where do we sign?
So we assumed the washer & dryer were on their last legs and we would most likely have to replace them soon after moving in.
That was 6 years ago.
I can't say that I'm sad to say good-buy though.
I swear it was the most annoyingly loud dryer in the world- the timer buzzer could seriously wake the dead- it was that loud.
Every time, even after 6 years, it would make me jump when I heard it go off- and there was no way of turning it off.
I felt like Pavlov's dog.
Super annoying when putting a load in before bed- then being woken at around 3 a.m. thinking the fire alarm is going off.
Anyhow good riddance.
So for the past couple of weeks we've been hanging at the local laundromat.
We- as in big daddy & Lulu- that's considered a holiday outing isn't it?
I wash- he schlepped to the dryers to dry.
I'd say that's fair right?
Bonus that it all happened during the boxing week blow out sales- so our brand new front loading LG w&d was almost 50% off.
Yay.
They are being delivered as I write this- I can't bare to watch as the delivery guys are hacking up the walls and getting slushy snow all over the place.
shudder...
It's a sad state of affairs when I find myself getting excited over home appliances.

new year

2010-01-03T12:02:00.010-05:00

At the beginning of every new year I tend to make a few resolutions.
But this year I've got nothing.
Okay maybe not nothing, but it's just that I feel like I've been making resolutions all year long.
Each week I tend to give myself these mini pep-talks.
Like for example:

Stay healthy- and exercise, eat well and get enough sleep- check.
well that is when I'm not struck down with some unfortunate plague.

Read more watch less television- check.

Be organized and manage my time better- check.

Cultivate and form good solid friendships-check.

Find some babysitters so that Big daddy & I can have more time either alone or together.
Chhh...oh right no check- darn.
Still working on that one.
Who knew it would be so hard to get a sitter during the holidays?

Try to be a better parent- more patient and calm in frustrating situations.
Okay really need to work on this one- big time, especially after the holidays.
See above re: desperate need of a babysitter for some occasional alone time.

Try to embrace more that the city has to offer in the way of arts & entertainment for families- check.

Seize the day and make to most of it- rain or shine- or even when it's 30 below and your eyeballs freeze the second you step out the door.
Try to spend more time outside- even if it's just going for a walk around the neighbourhood after Lulu has gone to bed.
There's something very restorative about walking aimlessly in the dark to clear your head at the end of the day.

Be more Positive- look at the glass as half full and give people the benefit of the doubt- check.
or at least I'd like to think I do most of the time, but there's always room for improvement in this department.

Finally- Be more grateful.
It's so easy to take all the amazing things in my life for granted- so I need to constantly remind myself how good I've got it.
Life is very very good.

So in a nut shell, I just want to continue trying to be a better person, wife and mother and I'm hoping that this decade is as exciting and fortunate as the past 10 years have been for me.

Wishing you much health and happiness in 2010!