No dress rehearsal, this is our life. Gord, you were ahead by a century. Today, as I was ready to start my morning, I read the news of Gord Downie's death, and I wept. Normally a stickler for proper grammar, I'm sure this post will be full of run-on sentences and garbled thoughts. Whenever I think Canadian music, I immediately think of Gord Downie and The … [Read more...]
Lumpiang Shanghai ~ Filipino Spring Roll Recipe
Some of my earliest memories are of my mom, her sisters, and my grandmother gathering around the kitchen table and making Lumpiang Shanghai and other Filipino food together. There would always be lots of laughter and chatter as the sisters worked together to prepare a feast for the family. The sound of laughter and the fragrances that came from the kitchen will forever be some … [Read more...]
The Fresh Scent of Lavender
Disclaimer - This is a sponsored post, however all thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own. Isn't it incredible how certain fragrances and scents can evoke memories or transport us to another time in our lives? The fresh scent of lavender reminds me of my grandparents. I was first introduced to the calming, fresh scent of lavender by my maternal … [Read more...]
Refreshing Raspberry Cider Vinegar Drink
This Raspberry Cider Vinegar Drink makes me think of the Raspberry Cordial from Anne of Green Gables. It was Summer sometime in the mid 1980s. The sun was shining and the gentle breeze made my dusty rose Venetian blinds sway. I remember the gentle clicking sound the blinds made when they hit my window sill. School was out for Summer, and I was lost in my new favourite book. … [Read more...]
First Day of School Tradition
Can you believe it's that time of the year again? Summer seems to have come and gone! I feel like I just picked up Little One from her bus stop on her last day of school, and all of a sudden, it's almost the first day of school again! The Summer was a whirlwind of events, beginning with four weeks straight of out of town visitors. I'm thrilled that Little One got to spend … [Read more...]
How to Cut a Mango
My seven-year old daughter asked me to create a blog post on how to cut a mango, so here it is! This may sound funny, but whenever we eat mango, I always think of my grandparents. My grandfather showed me how to cut a mango (his way) when I was a little girl, and now I always cut it this way for Little One's lunches. When I was a little girl, I spent a lot of time at my … [Read more...]
Sudbury Graphic-Con #graphiccon2016 #SudburyTourism
Many of you may not know this, but I am a total geek...and proud of it! Growing up, my middle brother and I collected comic books. We used to earn an allowance and our allowance money always went towards comic books and candy - in that order. As kids growing up in the 80s, watching Saturday morning cartoons with a bowl of cereal in hand was a ritual for us. That was … [Read more...]
Dealing with Grief: May is Always a Hard Month for Me
April showers bring May flowers. Mother's Day. One would think that May would be a happy time because the temperature is beginning to warm up, the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and everything comes to life again in May. May used to be one of my favourite months. Now, May is a hard month for me though. It's a time when I find myself dealing with grief. I … [Read more...]
Broken-Hearted: Goodbye Chance
This is the day I have been dreading for a while. I remember when I first laid eyes on Chance, I knew he was a special puppy. Out of the entire litter, he was the only fluff ball, when all his litter mates were sleek black lab mixes. She had crinkly ears and was just so fuzzy. I fell in love with that puppy the minute I saw him. It may sound rather morbid, but that … [Read more...]
Genmaicha: Gen Mai Tea ~ Evoking Memories Through Flavours
I often find it incredible how a certain fragrance, taste, or even a song can evoke memories. Have you ever had that experience where a certain smell can transport you to a particular time in your life? My Dad said that genmaicha does that for him. Dad recently told me about how his Grandmother used to use the leftover rice from meals and roast the grains to use for making … [Read more...]
Party On, Dude! Fuller House Sneak Peek #StreamTeam
Before I gush about how excited I am about our Fuller House sneak peek, I need to talk about being a kid in the 80s and 90s. Growing up, one of my favourite shows was Full House. Like many kids in my vintage, Full House represented the epitome of adolescence. Everything from the fashions of the time, DJ's big hair and sky high teased bangs, to the catch phrases of the day … [Read more...]
Miso Soup
Miso soup for breakfast? Yes, please! When I was living and working in Japan (1998-2000), one of the things that was a bit of a surprise to me was Japanese breakfasts. Traditional Japanese breakfasts often include rice, soup, fish, or egg and natto -- but not limited to those breakfast items. When I had training at my school's headquarters, we stayed at a ryokan … [Read more...]
This is 40 – A Big Milestone
A big milestone is coming up for me. I woke up this morning and realized that in exactly one week, I will be turning 40. Wow! This big milestone has been on my mind for the past few years, yet, surprisingly, as the date approaches, it's not a big deal anymore. I remember when I was a teenager, thirty seemed ancient to me. I couldn't even fathom what life would be like … [Read more...]
My Kid Makes Me Cry
It's true. My kid makes me cry. Oh, usually I cry because she tests me. She's a very stubborn hard-headed frustrating "spirited" child at times. Many people would not believe me unless they've seen her in action. From an outsider's perspective, she seems so sweet and quiet. Most of the time, people who don't know her think she's mute. We get the "Oh, [insert Little … [Read more...]
The Feeling of Loss Never Really Goes Away
The past few days, I've been thinking of my grandmother. A lot. In between phone and Skype meetings or replying to e-mail and wrapping up reports for clients, my thoughts occasionally wandered and were of happy times with my grandmother. I thought of how loving and kind she was. I thought of how patient she was. I thought of how she never talked ill of anyone. Really, … [Read more...]