peel me a grape

August has been a pretty low key month so far.
Not exactly what I would consider "the dog days of summer" as there really hasn't been too many super hot days this year.
Which in some ways is fine by me, as I'm not a big hot & humid weather lover.
Usually by this point in the season I'm feeling ready for fall to arrive- tired of the hot, sticky, smoggy weather, I'm usually pretty excited that autumn is around the corner.
With the exception of THIS year.
I feel like summer has just begun.
I almost cried the other day when I saw potted mums at the grocery store.
There's so many things I still want to do before it gets chilly outside.
I'm finally getting organized when it comes to remembering what to pack each time we go to the park.
It only took me 3 months...
I also just started feeling somewhat comfortable in a bathing suit.
That only took me 3 months....
oh who am I kidding?
I don't think I'll ever feel comfortable in a bathing suit, but I guess I'm caring less and less- and instead just having fun swimming with Lulu.
Like anyone's looking at my sorry white butt anyhow..
In reality, it really hasn't been warm enough this summer for a bathing suit- but for the past couple of weeks I've finally been able to wear sleeveless tops and linen without freezing my (as previously mentioned-very white) ass off.
I find that I'm trying to squeeze in as many summer park play-dates and BBQ's as possible before school starts in a couple of weeks.
Also trying to cherish as much time as possible with Lulu before she officially starts "big school".
Gulp.
So no, I'm so not ready for September.

Oh and what exactly does that image have to do with this lame-o post?
Nothing really- except that's what's been a staple in our house this summer.
Frozen grapes on a cocktail stick.
Lulu loves them and thinks of them as a fancy treat.
I also love my grapes-nicely chilled and served in a Riedel glass for my daily treat.

making lemonade

What an interestingly spontaneous week.
First of all, big daddy had an entire week of work cancelled last minute.
Which usually is not something to be too happy about- but seeing as we didn't book any time off all summer and he's been swamped up until now, we were kind of relieved and a bit excited to be forced to take a week "off".
Ah the joys of being self employed.
Also with all the rain we seem to be having each weekend, a few days off mid week to enjoy some time on the water sounded ideal.
First stop Center Island.
Now that the strike is over Lulu couldn't wait to hit a few rides at the park.
But en route, big daddy aka the skipper-suspected some engine trouble.
Yikes.
Add in some super strong winds, large waves (one of which completely soaked me which has never happened before) and barely any other boats on the water, and I was one anxious momma.
A three hour tour.....
I had images of the professor & Maryanne flashing before my eyes.
Damn I should have packed those coconuts and my trusty tool box- come to think about it, I should have worn a sequined gown.
That Ginger really thought ahead.
Anyhow we decided to head to Ontario Place instead as we were closer, and just as we docked -the engine died.
Great.
So much for a brand new-hassle free boat.
Glad we got the extended 5 year warranty.


anyhoo- we decided to take Lulu on some rides at Ontario Place seeing as we were kind of stranded there- and the lovely staff at the marina didn't even charge us the $60 admission fee.
Plus they towed our boat for free to the nearest slip.
I have to say though that the park is pretty lame for 4 year olds-(and 38 year olds for that matter)
There were only a few rides that Lulu was tall enough to go on- which was a bit disappointing.
Then again it could have just been our state of mind- either way, after a few rides we cabbed it back to our marina and called it a day.


Unfortunately the boat is now out of the water and having an entire engine overhaul.
It could be a few weeks before it's back in the water.
In the meantime what do we do?
how do we salvage our "summer holiday"?
So we decide to call here and as luck should have it-we got the very last room that they had available.
Bonus it happens to be a lake front room with a spectacular view.
Things are looking up!
So we jump in the car and book it up north for a last minute get away.




And can I just say how happy I was to get away?
it was so great.
relaxing, fun and nice to just have a change of scenery.



I already mentioned fun right?



Oh and best of all is that I had a vacation from being the usual galley slave.
No cooking, no cleaning- I could get used to this.



Lunch- accompanied by a few very cold coronas.


Dinner- accompanied by a very delicious Merlot.



hmmm...I say screw the boat, let's just go to resorts every summer....

But seriously, sometimes things don't always work out the way you planned but like big daddy kept saying all weekend- when life gives you a lemon- you gotta make lemonade.
That we did.

not quite Belguim- but almost.

I'm not a big gadget person when it comes to the kitchen.
Not that I wouldn't want to be- but space is at a premium so I've always kept it simple.
Global knives.
good pots, pans and baking sheets.
several cutting boards- bamboo, wooden with groove for meat, plastic for fruit & veg.
a couple of vegetable peelers. a certain someone insists on peeled apples and cucumbers.
mixing bowls with lids.
good graters & zester.
mandolin for my shaved fennel salad- among other things.
mortar & pestle- a la Jamie Oliver- gotta love a good bash up.
extra timer for when there is more than two things on the go at one time.
lots of tongs.
good toaster.
Bialetti espresso maker.
Laguiole wine opener- very essential.
blender- my morning smoothie must.
mini and regular sized Cuisinart.
panini press.
and now...a waffle maker.

It's small and easy to store and best of all has a timer that goes off when the waffle is perfectly cooked.
and I mean perfectly.
If you want the recipe you can find it here.
I topped it with some mascarpone, yogurt & vanilla topping just for fun.
Plus I had some extra kicking around that I want to use up.
Yum. Yum.
Best breakfast I've had in a while.
If you're in the market for a waffle maker you can find the one I used here.

How about you, what can't you live without in your kitchen?

making peace

For the past few months I've been feeling really content.
I don't often feel this way- in fact I never feel this way.
I'm usually questioning every single decision I make and wondering if I should be doing things differently.
Should I make pasta tonight or rice?
kidding-sort of.
But in all seriousness, when I worked full time pre- Lulu-I wondered- is this it?
Is life all about just working, material things and making money?
Then when I had Lulu I wondered- Is this it?
Now that I'm a mother and at home with my daughter, is it interesting and stimulating enough without my full time career?
Will I be happy staying at home full time?
In the beginning I struggled with my new identity and roll as a mother.
Then again, who doesn't?
I loved it, don't get me wrong- but at the same time I always felt so torn.
I envied my friends who had a career with a paid Mat leave- then after that time was up, they went back to work and just got on with things and adjusted.
period.
No sitting on the fence wondering when the best time to go back to work would be.
The decision was made for them.
Then again I envied my friends (all 2 of them) that stayed at home and completely embraced it.
Ran their home like a well oiled machine.
They were always on the go and out the door, doing all sorts of activities with their kids and themselves.
I was (am) so in awe of these women.
The ones that work full time- I scratch my head and wonder how the heck they manage.
And the ones who gave up very successful careers to stay at home with their kids and do it with such enthusiasm.
Me, well- I fall into a different category all together- kind of a little of both worlds.
Trying to do the odd free lance gig here and there, doing the t.v. show in the summers but still being at home with Lulu full time.
It's not that I'm complaining- in fact I wouldn't want it any other way- but it's always felt a bit like being in limbo.
Until now.
Lately I'm really feeling comfortable in my own skin.
It only took me 4 years...
I'm so blown away by how fast time goes by when you have a child.
I'm so glad I didn't rush back to the craziness of full time work and miss out on all the amazing things I've had the privilege to experience with Lulu.
I highly doubt that I would have said 10 years from now- "oh I really wish I had propped that great photo shoot"
That being said- I am starting to think about my next move as far as work is concerned.
I do miss it some times.
What do I want to do that still gives me flexibility and also satisfaction?
Still trying to figure that out I guess.
And do I even want to do what I've been doing for the past 10 plus years?
Not entirely sure.
But I do know that for the moment, I feel fulfilled and happy.
And very very lucky that I get to make this decision in the first place.

trash talk

I think it's around day 31 of the Toronto city worker- garbage strike.
For the most part the strike really hasn't affected us too badly.
Big daddy takes our trash & recycling to work where we have private pick up.
Our neighbourhood is practically empty in the summer with most people at the cottage or on vacation, so as far as I can tell things look pretty decent.
Even our neighbours who have FOUR freakin green bins have been away most of July so fortunately no smell of rotting decay wafting over our side of the fence. Yet.
Alleluia!
But that's where it ends.
I was at the R.O.M. on the weekend and I must say that Bloor St. is looking pretty shite.
The city is really screwing up big time.
This is tourist season and what kind of a message are we trying to send to people?
We are still trying to bounce back after Sars and the recession and now this!
piles of garbage in our parks and all along our beautiful Lakeshore.
welcome to Toronto folks.
Not to mention all the park program closures.
Thankfully I decided to go the private camp route and not sign Lulu up for any city parks & rec. programs.
all cancelled.
Our weekly trips to riverdale farm are no longer.
Though I must admit that I am a bit relieved that all the splash pads are closed as I've never really been a big fan of those murky petrie dishes...
I much prefer the parks with water sprinklers- and fortunately there's a few around our neighbourhood.
Not that it's been hot enough to use them. grrrr...
I know I mentioned that it's pretty nice having our own boat so that we can enjoy a crowd free and quiet Toronto island.
But it would be nice if the amusement park at Center Island was opened for all the rides for the kids.
I especially feel bad for all those students who work there that were depending on a paycheck for the summer to help pay their tuition in the fall.
Anyhow all I can say is that I'm getting pretty fed up with it.
Both big daddy & I are self employed and if we get sick we don't get paid- simple as that.
so all this crap about banking sick days and holding out for more money for the unions is very frustrating.
But ultimately it's not the union bosses that are hurting it's everyone else.
So frustrating that it seems as though our city is being run by a bunch of morons.
that's my rant for the day.
deep breath.
Not too deep though- don't want to inhale any stinky garbage fumes.

anyone else being affected by the city strike?

read-a-long

The good thing about being in a book club is that it encourages me to read more.
Less t.v. more books.
Though I have to say that I am still really enjoying this and this.

Come Thou Tortoise by Jessica Grant was our last book and I must admit, I didn't finish it.
definitely not what I would describe as a gripping novel.
It moved as fast as a tortoise that's for sure.

Before that I read Notes From An Exhibition by Patrick Gale.
It wasn't a book club pick but I really enjoyed it.
It's the story of an artist, her children, her mental illness and her creative genius.
Gale moves seamlessly between different characters, and from past to present...An excellent summer read.

Six Months In Sudan by Dr. James Maskalyk was our book choice for the month of May and once again I didn't finish it.
It received rave reviews from everyone in our book club, so I may go back and give it another go.
But I guess I wasn't really in the right head space for the subject matter.
Lulu happen to have a mystery fever for five days while I was trying to read it and I just couldn't think about severe illness and dying children.
But like I said, I do think I will pick it up where I left off.

I just finished The Heretics Daughter by Kathleen Kent.
The Heretics Daughter is a novel that starts out strong, lost my interest a bit, and then picked up again at the end.
I enjoyed it overall, but in the end I was glad I managed to finished the book.
Not that it was a heavy read but somewhere in the middle of the book I just got a little bored.
I felt that it was a well researched novel though and very descriptive of that particular time period.
I find the Salem Witch trials quite fascinating and so incredibly insane.
I really loved the cover, which was what attracted me to it in the first place (what can I say I' a sucker for beautiful book covers) the haunted look on this girl's face, and her dark features drew me right in.
Then again, a good lesson is that you can't always judge a book by it's cover.
Overall I would describe this book as okay.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave was another book club pick.
I really enjoyed this book and again, I doubt it would have been one I would have picked up at the book store.
That's the good thing about book clubs, it really does get you reading books you might not normally be drawn to.
It's the story of a 16-year-old Nigerian orphan-"Little Bee" and a upper middle class British couple- two journalists trying to repair their strained marriage with a free holiday-who maybe should have stayed behind their resort walls.
Then again if they had- there wouldn't be a story to tell.
The story is told in two voices- Little Bee and Sarah a 30 something British magazine editor.
Their lives couldn't be more opposite and the contrast between the two is what I enjoyed the most.
Interesting that it's a male author who writes as two entirely different women.
I think he did a convincing job- though a few others in our book club disagreed.
Another great part of being part of a book club- fun to hear different opinions.
Either way I would definitely recommend this book.

It Sucked and Then I Cried by Heather Armstrong was a book sent to me by Canadian family Magazine to review.
I've been following Heather's blog since the beginning, so I was totally open to reading her book.
Again, not necessarily a book I would have gone and purchased but I have to admit it was really humorous and in some ways much more entertaining than her blog.
She is a very honest and funny writer and I could identify with so many things that she writes about.
I think it's so great that there are "mommy bloggers" out there that are not only making a good living from their blogs but are able to get book deals and support their families as a result.
Hey and even get to appear on Oprah to boot! way to go Heather!
Blogging has come a long way that's for sure.

So that's what's been on my bedside table (books that is...)- what about you?
what are you reading these days?

lovin the cuzins

Lulu's cousins were here for a quick visit- and when I say quick- I mean quick.
Big daddy's brother had the kids for his 2 weeks (pending divorce situation) and decided to take them to NYC and then stop in Toronto for 5 days.
Unfortunately he decided to visit with friends instead of us.
well that is until the last day before they left.
We were working so I get it- but it's really unfortunate because Lulu absolutely adores her cousins.
Big daddy was quite pissed at the situation actually and for the first time ever- had "words" with his bro.
Oh the drama...
I pretty much stayed out of it- I have my own issues with my brother...
but that's a whole other post.
But they are such great girls and it was so nice to see them- albeit brief.
At least we had an afternoon together.
We swam, we shopped, we ate ice-cream and sushi. what more could a girl want?
I'm just sad to see them go.
As was Lulu- sad was an understatement.
I had to do some serious consoling once they were gone.



I only wished they lived closer...
very sweet watching them all together.

do you have to pea?

It's been a long time since I was inspired by food.
Not sure what happened over the past year or so, but I guess it just became something that fell to the bottom of the priority list and became just "fuel" for lack of a better term.
But now that we are mid-summer there are so many gorgeous veggies and herbs to choose from that I find myself getting excited about new recipes I want to try.
Fresh peas being one of my new favourite things.
Especially when tossed with a bit of Frantoia olive oil and fresh chopped mint from my herb garden.
The scallops were sprinkled with fresh maldon sea salt, organic lemon zest and fresh thyme (again from my garden) and pan seared for around 3 minutes per side.
I used the side burner on big daddy's new kick ass manly uber barbeque.
It's nice to be able to cook an entire meal outside.
SO good.
SO simple.
And bonus- so healthy & low cal.

Island strike

One good thing about the city strike- no ferries to Toronto Island.
Which means no crowds, no garbage all over the place or loud annoying music playing at huge family picnics.
Maybe it's just me- but I think playing loud music in public spaces shouldn't be allowed without a permit.
It was so beautiful and quiet- that in a way I was kind of hoping the strike would continue a little longer- or at least for a few more island visits.

Oh and bonus that it was Pride weekend so all the beaches were practically empty.
Last year we made a wrong turn and ended up at the clothing optional gay beach.
Lulu looks up at me and says "um mommy why did all those men forget to wear their bathing suits?"
and "why are they all shiny and orange?"
Thank g-d we didn't wander behind a wrong cluster of bushes and trees..
Now that would be hard to explain...

eat pray love

A friend lent me this book months ago, and for some reason it just sat collecting dust on the bookshelf.
She really enjoyed it and assured me that I would too.
Then again my favourite gal at my favourite local book store steered me away from buying it calling it "quite self indulgent" and recommended some other fantastic books instead.
stay tuned for those.
I eventually got around to reading it (and am glad I borrowed not bought it)
There were some parts that I really enjoyed-ie. the Eat part.
Who doesn't like reading about eating gelato for breakfast in Italy?
and I guess I didn't mind the love part.
but maybe only because I was loving the fact that I was almost finished the book.
Don't get me wrong- I have nothing against praying- it's just that I had a really hard time relating to the thought of just taking a year to "find myself" and just eat...pray, practice yoga & meditation.
No responsibility, no relationships no family- nada.
At least not in your mid-thirties.
Don't know if I was envious of the author's freedom or felt a bit sorry for her.
Oh who am I kidding?...I was super jealous.
"Finding myself" these days consists of having a shower until the hot water runs out.
which sadly is around 6.5 minutes- seeing as I'm the last to get ready in the morning.
I might add that that "meditative" 6.5 minutes is often interrupted by a certain someone deciding to keep me company.
"hey momma- how ya doin in there? do you want my mermaid Goldie to play with? do ya? huh? huh?"
note to self: must get lock installed on bathroom door.
ommmm....
So needless to say I had a hard time identifying with Elizabeth and her journey of self discovery.
But I am glad I soldiered though and finished the book.
Like I said the Love part was nice.
Good to know there are some people out there who still get bladder infections from well...too much loving.
Oh the good ol' days.
Cranberry juice anyone?

Speaking of love...
Definitely going trough a bitter sweet stage with Lulu at the moment.
The sweet part being everything about her.
Her little voice, her tiny soft hands, her absolute and constant unconditional love for me.
The bitter part being that she just can't get enough of me.
"Momma, momma, mamma, mommy, mom, mommy, mama, mommy....."
NON stop all day long.
So no- no time to eat pray and "love" at least in the vertical sense.
I keep wondering if it's because she's an only child.
Or maybe it's just the stage she's in.
What ever it is- please tell me I'm not alone.
Anyone??..

oh and in addition to thousand or so times I hear "mama, mommy, mom" all day long, these are a few other gems I have to put down before they are no longer.
} "momma...ya know what?" said before every single thing she says all day long.
I'd say somewhere in the neighbourhood of 387 times a day- not that I'm counting.
me- "no what?" -"umhum?" - "no but I'm sure you're about to tell me.."
} "I'm not whiiiindinggggggggg" a.k.a. whining.
} " momma- who is Ord Jesus?"
} " I like your eye lashes mommy- they are so princessish"
Gotta love Maybelline.
} "mommy you have the softest whitest skin ever"
the soft part is great -the white part not so great seeing as I have been doing my best to camouflage my nearly translucent white legs with my sunless tanning lotion.
ah well at least she didn't start trying to trace the blue veins with her tiny soft fingers and say "momma, your legs are so soft white and blueish"