Inquisitive minds will enjoy checking out Big Nickel and Dynamic Earth in Sudbury, Ontario. I have to admit that I have lived in Northern Ontario for twelve years, and this was my first time checking out Dynamic Earth. It's been on my travel bucket list for a while now, and I can now say that I'm checking it off the list. I've been to Science North countless times, and … [Read more...]
Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre #SudburyTourism
"I never even knew such a place existed in the North!" (Little One, aged 7 in reference to the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre) I have to be honest. Living in Northern Ontario for the past twelve years, I've only really made Sudbury trips for either doctor's appointments, running errands, or just spending the day off-island. Sudbury has always just … [Read more...]
Thinking about my culinary roots with TVO’s The Food Chain: Girl Eat World
Some of my earliest memories involved spending lots of time in my grandparents' kitchen, observing them prepare food from their culture. Back then, it wasn't food from their culture -- it was soul food. It was food that nourished our family and brought loved ones together. When I think about food, and its important role it plays, it is not just for sustenance, but there … [Read more...]
Keep Chicken Canadian: Support Your Canadian Chicken Farmers
We are a farming family. We raise cattle and grow grain (barley, soy, peas, and other grains), and we also raise chickens. I write this blog post not only from the viewpoint of a farming family, but also from the perspective of a consumer and as a Canadian. As a farming family, it is important for us to grow healthy food not only for our family, but for the public as … [Read more...]
On Childhood
I remember my Summer days as a kid as if they were just yesterday. My parents believed in letting us just be kids and enjoy our childhood "because kids grow up too quickly and before you know it, it's adult problems, responsibility and stress." I'm laughing now, but those were my mom's exact words. Boy, was she ever right! I cherish my Summer memories and just being a … [Read more...]
Rockin’ out to the Mini Pops!
It was 1981 and Summer days were filled with wonder and adventure. Sunny days spent playing outdoors, hanging out in the pool or at the park, and even dancing up a storm were all part of my fondest memories. I remember when I was a little girl, one of my very first records (yes, I said RECORDS...as in vinyl, LPs!) was the Mini Pops! My brother, cousins and I would rock it … [Read more...]
Open Mouth, Insert Foot
This post could be alternately entitled "How to Teach Kids to Have a Social Filter". Open Mouth, Insert Foot is quite fitting though. Oh, I have tons of Open Mouth, Insert Foot moments that I wish I could double back and erase. My brain and mouth don't often work together and aren't always on the same track. With kids, it's different though. They're just learning social … [Read more...]
Mommy Guilt: I was THAT Mom
Yes, I was THAT Mom. I refused to spend any time away from my child. Even when I knew I was in dire need of some "me time", I just couldn't do it. I couldn't set time aside to just relax and do things for myself. I suppose I just grew up with the mentality that motherhood is all encompassing and all consuming, and a mother never had "me time". After all, my mother never … [Read more...]
The Myth About Multi-tasking
Guest post by Beth Richards As I write this, I’m wondering if I should call to cancel an appointment for tomorrow, whether my son will get all his homework done, and whether I’ll lose the pounds I put on recently. I’m also letting the sink fill with water to wash the dishes (got to remember to turn off the tap on time), and while I’m there I’ll just pop a piece of bread into … [Read more...]
What exactly is a #felfie, you ask?
Just recently, the #felfie hashtag made its appearance all over the net. It was actually my boss who told me what a #felfie was! My friend (and fellow rural dweller/farm chick), Julie Nowell best described what a #felfie was in her blog post here. She also mentions on her blog why the #felfie matters. Like Julie, I believe people are losing touch with our food. … [Read more...]
Social Media ~ What on Earth does a “I work in Social Media” Mean?
"So, what do you do for a living?" asked the polite woman at a dinner party, as she leaned in, seemingly interested. Hmmm...Do I tell her I have been an English teacher since 1998 but decided to take a break last year so I could spend more time with Little One? Do I tell her that I put teaching on hold indefinitely last year when I took on a job as a Social Media Community … [Read more...]