out of steam

I'm not sure if it's the fact that I'm just not getting enough sleep these days, that I'm getting older or that life is just busy, but lately I feel so tired.
I can barely keep my eyes open past 10:30-11 and that's so not me as I'm a bit of a night owl.
And I've been waking up at 6ish. Which is also so not me.
A morning person I am not.
Not sure what's up with this, but by the time 7 pm rolls around I am completely spent.
And it's not even the school year and dark out by that time.
I'm a pretty active and energetic person so this is something I'm not really used to.
Lulu is in camp all week so I've had some personal time to just get caught up things.
Which I have.
A fairly productive week in fact.
But I lack the energy or desire to socialize or even exercise.
Two of my favourite things to do.
I just feel like being at home, enjoying my back garden and taking it easy.
That being said, I went to a yoga class yesterday and loved it.
It's been ages, since I usually fill my fitness time with high impact cardio & weights.
But it felt so good.
Must do that more often.
Anyhow I guess I just have to go with the flow and if my body is telling me to take it easy, slow down a bit, go to bed earlier and get more rest then I should just listen.


Our own physical body possesses a wisdom, which we who inhabit the body lack. We give it orders, which make no sense. ~ Henry Miller

summer of 2013 To Do list

Every summer I put together a To Do-Wish list.
Seeing as we are already half way through July, I figured I should probably get on that.
So without further adieu...

1. make a summer to do list. check.
2. eat lots of Ontario Cherries (and peaches). check.
3. have friends over for a BBQ
4. go to the beach
5. go for a long hike somewhere new
6. plant some herbs. check.
7. plant some new herbs and take care of them so they don't wilt and die.
8. visit a museum
9. go to a movie and enjoy the A.C. cranked to the max. check
10. go swimming. check.
11. do a puzzle with Lulu
12. play crib, backgammon and card games
13. set up the teepee in the backyard. check.
14. Let Lulu stay up really late and look at the stars. check.
15. lie in a field and watch the clouds
16. go to the library (check) and try to read at least 4 books this summer.
17. help Lulu organize a lemonade stand
18. make a sidewalk chalk masterpiece
19. go on a trip out west to see the mountains
20. go canoeing.
21. go out with a group of girlfriends. check.
22. try to learn one song on the guitar.
23. buy a new weekend house out of the city. check.!!!
24. find new furniture and pretty much everything for the new house.

and finally.....
#25. enjoy each day as much as possible because they really fly by far too quickly...

John & Sons

When the terroni at Yonge & St.Clair moved locations, we were a bit sad, as we had been going to that location for years.
It was kind of our go-to Friday night neighbourhood pizza place.
Fortunately the new location is only a few blocks south and is still a great place to go on a Friday night.

So when John & Son's moved into the old location we were really happy that a good restaurant  took over one of our favourite spots.
We've been several times and have never been disappointed.
It kind of has a Cape Cod feel, with a Carrara Marble oyster bar, bleached wood, and a subtle nautical theme.
But it still has a similar layout that Terroni did, which is great for people watching.

Speaking of the crowd, it's not really a place I would take Lulu to.
Not that it's fussy, in fact it's nice and casual, which is what I love about it.
But she really doesn't like seafood and other than the fries, there's not much on the menu she would like. No kid menu here.
Besides, I don't think I would want to spend over $20 on an entree for her quite yet.
(then again, the pizza at terroni is around that same price)
That being said, I have spotted a few kids there, but not too many.
The service has always been really good and the noise factor is just right.
I'm getting so tired of super loud restaurants with the music cranked so much that you can't hear the person across from you.
G-d I'm getting old.....

I've tried several different things on the menu and really enjoyed everything.
The Tuna Tartare was delicious.
Loved the Tuna BLT.



The scallops with squash (in the winter were amazing)



Big daddy had them with a summer pea & mint puree a few weeks ago and also enjoyed them.
The wedge salad is almost as good as mine, if I do say so myself ;
I was inspired by theirs though.
(will post recipe soon)



And it goes without saying, that the oysters are some of the freshest in the city.
Skip the condiments except for the freshly grated horseradish and a squeeze of lemon and tuck right in...mmm.. slurp slurp.
It's a nice tight menu, with just the right amount of options.

So if you are looking for a great place mid-town for dinner (or lunch) John & Son's is fantastic.

artkive

Does anyone else feel like they are drowning in kids arts & crafts?

I have so many plastic bins full of Lulu's masterpieces and I'm simply running out of places to store them.
G-d forbid throwing anything out...gasp..
I've been busted a few times and Lulu was quite devastated to say the least.
"But mama, it took me soooo long to make that specially for you! How could you??"
oh the guilt...
But then I discovered Artkive.
LOVe it!
You simply take a photo of all her artwork and creative projects and store them in a digital file.
Then eventually I can just order a book with it all compiled neatly and chronologically.
I can't wait to order one for Grade 2.
Genius.

happy belated canada day

Well the Canada Day long weekend has come and gone, and though it was lovely to have a few extra days together as a family, it was a bit on the exhausting side.

We were looking after my four year old niece for the last week of school and over the weekend.

And as adorable as she is, she's four.

And I kind of forgot how much more work a little four year old can be.

Wow...

Especially when it's not your child.

I just didn't want anything to happen to her on my watch. 

And she is so much more active and bouncy that Lulu was at that age.

So I was on duty 24/7.

At one point she was spinning around and hit her head on a tray on our ottoman and I thought "oh lord how am I going to explain a huge bruise or worse, stitches to my brother when I drop her off?" gulp..

Fortunately it didn't come to that, but still, after that incident I was on full alert.

Thankfully, Lulu was amazing, and helped out so much.

In fact I was beyond impressed at how responsible and sweet she was towards her little cousin.

A.K.A. her pint sized animated shadow.

She was pretty tolerant about having all of her things man handled and even turned a blind eye when she was constantly being tattled on.

Welcome to what it would be like to have a sibling..

I guess I'm so past that stage and love how independent Lulu is now.
I just don't think I would have the energy (or desire) to look after a little one anymore.

At least not on a regular basis.

That being said, I loved watching the two of them together and would welcome her again with open arms.

(only maybe for a shorter length of time next time around....)

Needless to say, after the week was over, I think Lulu is very content about being an only child.

As am I.
Any doubts I may have had about our family dynamic have been put to rest.
Ah....rest...having an eight year old is the best.

summer's here

It's officially summer today and I am so happy to be embarking on a new season with new routines, or lack thereof.
School is almost finished (alleluia) and most of my school responsibilities are as well.

I just co hosted a big fund raiser for the school last night, and although it was fun, it was a lot of work and I'm so glad I can check it off my to do list.
Still have to get teacher's gift on behalf of the class and also host a teacher appreciation lunch on the day after the last day of school.
But after that, I'm so done.
How did volunteering at the school become a part time job?
Not that I'm complaining (I'm so complaining) because it is good to be connected to the school and to help out, but hopefully next year I can reign it in a bit more and do a little less.
And just say no.

Easier said than done.

Speaking of school, we had to make our final decision on weather we would keep Lulu in her current school for next year, or to make the move to private school.
There was one spot left for her at the school we were considering and after touring the school with her, interviewing, having endless conversations and sleepless nights, we have decided to keep her where she is for now.
She is well adjusted and is confident and comfortable there, so why rock that educational boat?
I guess we just want the best for her.
What parent doesn't?
But I'm just so glad we can put it to rest.
At least for another year.
Who knew making school decisions would be so difficult?

So one more week and it's time to just enjoy...because after reading this I realized I only have 10 more summers left....sniff sniff

a thread of creativity

I used to think I was a fairly creative person.
But somewhere along the path of parenthood I feel like I've lost that part of myself.
And I miss it.
For me feeling creative is a huge part of being happy.

There are so many ways to feel inspired and creative, but it all seems to be contingent on time.
Or lack-there-of.
I do however try to find little ways to inject a bit of creativity into day to day life, but as much as I try to make things like cooking and home making "creative," most of the time it just boils down to getting things on the table that are fast, healthy and that everyone will eat without complaint.
So much for making it look photo blog worthy.
Those days seem so far away...sigh..

When I think of all the fun & creative programs that Lulu is involved in,  I can't help but feel a little envious.
I'm thrilled that she gets the opportunity to be a part of so many amazing activities throughout the city, but heck I would love to do some of the same things.
I think it would be awesome if I had the chance to take an art or pottery class or have the time to study a musical instrument or  even take a dance class.
I'd love to learn a new language, take a foreign cooking class (I'm dying to learn how to cook authentic Japanese or Indian food) or maybe even take a creative writing course.
And how great would it be if I knew how to actually sew?
Not to mention if I had the chance to learn more about technology.
I feel like a dinosaur when it comes to computer navigation.
And even though computers (in my humble opinion) can suck a persons creative spirit, they also come in handy when trying to find inspiration.
I just wish I wasn't so intimidated by them.

My creative wish list is long, but it's so difficult to find the time when you have small kids.
Maybe it's a bit of an excuse, but it's true.
There just aren't enough hours in the day.
Or are there?

So I'm thinking that I would like to change things up a bit.
It's time to make the time.
Even if it's just a hour here or there.
Just like exercise, which for me is essential, I need to flex a little creative muscle so that this part of me never dies.
Because like I said, for me feeling creative equals happiness.

So first things first.....

• Spend some time alone. You don't have to be anti-social, but many people find their creativity really starts to open up when they are removed from others and able to have quiet focus for their creative work. Use a little bit of alone-time to brainstorm about your art. Spend the time right before you go to sleep — and right after you wake up — to journal some of your ideas. Many artists find that they are at their creative peaks right after they wake up in the morning.

Could be a challenge this weekend, but I'm going to try.

Wish me luck.

How about you? What do you do to feel creative?

Would love to know.

happy Victoria day

• The important thing is not what they think of me, but what I think of them.

• Please understand that there is no one depressed in this house; we are not interested in the possibilities of defeat; they do not exist.

• I don't dislike babies, though I think very young ones rather disgusting.

• I would venture to warn against too great intimacy with artists as it is very seductive and a little dangerous.

• Great events make me quiet and calm; it is only trifles that irritate my nerves.

Queen Victoria 1819-1901

C-food

The last few months I've been trying to be even more diligent about healthy eating.
Trying to cut out processed foods, pretty much anything white- rice, bread, pasta etc.
maybe not wine...but trying to cut back there as well.
(Well as much as humanly possible for a girl of Irish decent...;)
I do my best to eat mostly whole grains, lots of protein and plenty of fresh fruit and veg.
This has pretty much been my food mantra for years, but I'm really doing my best to keep it clean in terms of eating (and drinking) this spring.
One of the foods I'm trying to eat more of is fish.
I enjoy it, as does Big Daddy- unfortunately Lulu, not so much.
I've tried for years, but no dice.
However I made these Mahi Mahi fish tacos the others day and she "kind of" liked them.

Anyhow they are de-lish, healthy and super easy to make.
I like to use gluten free corn tortillas, but you could use whole wheat as well.
To save time I also buy a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mix.
I grilled the fish on the bbq because A. it's so nice out these days and B. I don't love the smell of cooked fish in the house.
but it's easy to just broil it as well.
Tilapia or any firm fish also works in this recipe
Also if you can find green Tabasco it makes all the difference.
Yum...

"shouldn't a t-shirt cost more than a latte?"

I love this time of year.
Near perfect temperatures, the air is fresh with the fragrance of spring blossoms with minimal humidity, the birds have returned from where ever they hide during the winter months (such smart creatures).
The days are getting longer and all the extra sunlight is just plain uplifting.
There is an energy all around that is palpable.
Everyone just seems happier, more energetic and positive.
No more heavy winter coats and clunky boots...ahhhh....

What I don't love is the whole clothing transition thing.
We have small closets here at casa petitegourmand so I have to do the "big switch" from winter to summer each season which I dread.
And I do love my accoutrement.

So needless to say, I have A lot of stuff to go through each time around.
It's a bit of a weakness for me actually.
Especially when it comes to clothes for Lulu.
I mean I only have one girl, and all the goods are just so cute (and cheap) these days.
And to be fair she is continually growing and her size keeps changing each season.
Plus it's so hard to resist each time I am either at the grocery store (curse you Joe Fresh) or when I just happen to find myself in the girls section of Zara or H&M.
Don't even get me started on all the cute shoes....

Then there's me.
I can't seem to stop myself.
If I find something I like, I'll often get it in 2 or 3 different colours.
Why not? right?
Besides, it usually costs next to nothing and it saves me from having to go shopping again.
Because as much as I love fashion, I don't love shopping.
But it the end I always wear the same few favourite things and the rest just gets shoved to the bottom of the pile in my closet.

So my latest goal is to try to keep things simple.
Especially when it comes to clothing.
To only get a few key pieces each season.
To not be tempted by sales or promotions. (if I get one more email from The Gap or Banana Republic I'm going to scream)
I just want to give my closet a bit more breathing room.
Not to mention making the decision of what to wear each day an uncomplicated one.

I read this this morning and it just reiterated the need to be less of a mass consumer and know when to say when.
Yes...even at Club Monaco....
There are only seven days in a week after all.
And to be honest half the week I'm in my workout gear anyhow, so how many cute tops from Anthropologie do I really need?

How about you, is your closet over flowing with garments made from countries that maybe we should be caring a little more about?