climbing mountains

Usually at this time of the year, I try to clean up old files and sort through our photographs.  It's actually quite fun to go down memory lane to see what we've experienced, accomplished and enjoyed in the past 365 days.  I've seen so much growth in both of our children, and in ourselves, "the adults".

I remember taking the above picture last winter.  We spent a few days up north over the New Year holiday, and this was a particularly beautiful winter day with lots of sunshine, crisp cool air and fresh snow. We filled our days with skiing, tobogganing, trekking on snow trails and laughter.  So much laughter.

In the evenings, we headed back to the cottage cabin for some hot chocolate and warm comfort food. The kids were still full of energy and it seemed that our full days of activities didn't tire them at all (unlike their old mum!).  I remember asking them if they were tired from climbing "the mountain" (some of the hills felt as tall as a mountain).  They shook their heads and said "the higher the hill, the better the ride!"

As we approach 2015, this photo reminds me of that New Year's Day.  The moment when I realized our kids understood that hard work pays off.  Although I don't usually make resolutions, I begin this new year reminding ourselves that in order to enjoy the ride, you must climb the mountain first.

Wishing everyone all the best for 2015.

Happy New Year !!!

Make Ahead Banana Almond Bread Pudding 
with Chocolate Hazelnut Drizzle.

Recipe adapted & combined from
Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding and Baked French Toast

This bread pudding is a cross between baked french toast and traditional bread pudding.  It's worth the effort to make ahead of time...it's a wonderfully sweet morning treat and works well for a laid back New Year's Day morning, since can be easily placed in the oven while none of the creatures in the house are stirring.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 eggs
• 2 ½ cups milk
• ⅓ cup heavy cream (or ½ cup of milk of you don't have cream)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 6 cups cubed French bread (or about 15- one inch slices)
• 2 bananas, sliced
• Almond slices (to top with)
• Brown sugar (to top)
• Chocolate Hazelnut spread (like Nutella)...to drizzle on top.

DIRECTIONS:

• In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla and spices until smooth. Stir in bread, bananas (you can also stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips to make this extra sweet).
• Pour into 9x13 greased glass baking dish and cover with tin foil.
• Let the bread soak in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  
• Top with almonds and sprinkle brown sugar on top.
• Bake for 25 minutes covered with foil.
• Bake another 25 minutes without foil, or until the knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.
• If desired, slightly warm the chocolate hazelenut spread in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Drizzle.

Serve with syrup.  Enjoy.

pockets of gratitude

While busily driving around the city to do errands the other day, I saw a chicken cross the road.  There are no farms in the area (so I have no idea where this chicken came from) and many cars had stopped traffic to let it cross, as if this was commonplace. I guess we Canadians are familiar with poultry crossings, as we similarly allow flocks of Canada Geese to cross the road when necessary.  Amongst the ever growing list of the things I had to do that day, the thought about that age old joke about chickens and roads distracted me long enough to realize how funny it was to actually see a chicken cross the road, and I couldn't stop laughing in the car all the way to my next destination.

With Thanksgiving this weekend, the holiday makes us think of all the things we're thankful for. It's one of my favourite holidays of the year. A gathering of loved ones, sharing the coziness of a hot, deep-sleep inducing meal and spending time creating familiar memories.  I say familiar, because I usually cook the same menu, and ask my guests to bring the same food item year after year.  The familiarity of this tradition provides the comfort of consistency. 

However, I've been thinking a lot lately about gratitude. Maybe we should really be more grateful, taking note of perhaps the small but accumulatively important things that we have in our lives.    Being grateful allows us to slow down and really take notice of what is staring us in the face, every single day.  Like watching beautiful sleepy faces in the quiet of the night. Or the glorious sunshine warming our earth. Or the beauty of mature trees reflected on a calm, still pond.

Being thankful requires a giver and receiver, where we owe that moment, or gift, to someone else for providing it. I'm sure that chicken is thankful that all those cars stopped to let it cross the road.  But being grateful allows you to feel the warmth of happiness at any moment within yourself without waiting to be thankful for something given to you by someone else.

So this year, I'm going to try to be more grateful. Yes, I'll still be thankful for the delicious food on our table. Thankful for being able to spend time with family and loved ones. Thankful for the time off of work to be able to enjoy all those things. But I'll also acknowledge the simple little moments. Grateful for restful children that allow me a few extra hours in the morning so I can prepare for the feast. Grateful for beautiful weather so the commute to our home is safe and enjoyable.

And on an otherwise busy and hectic day, grateful for catching that funny glimpse of that chicken crossing the road and putting a big smile on my face.

Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey Pockets

Serves 4-6 people

This is a great recipe for using left over turkey from Thanksgiving.  You could also use chicken instead (for other times of the year).

Ingredients

• 2 or 3 cups of cooked turkey, diced. 
• 1 and ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoon all purpose flour (optional)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup Corn and peas (optional)
• ½ cup milk (you may need 1 - 2 tablespoons more)
• ½ teaspoon Herb de Provence 
• ½ teaspoon Poultry seasoning (optional)
• Puff pastry sheets (1 used 10 pastry squares - 6 x 6 inch)
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions

• Heat a saute pan with the butter until melted, add corn & peas until cooked.  
• Add the flour, black pepper. Whisk to mix everything and let cook for 2 minutes. 
• Add half the milk, then all of the turkey, then the remaining milk. 
• Cook for a 3 - 4 minutes until the milk reduces. 
• If the mixture is too dry add 1 - 2 more tablespoons of milk. 
• Season with Herb de provence or poultry seasoning (or both)
• Let cool completely.

To prepare the puff pastry shell:

• Defrost puff pastry shells at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cut squares into triangles, fill one side with 1 tablespoon of mixture. 
• Fold 1 side of the pastry over the filling and crimp the two sides with a fork. 
• Repeat with remaining shells. If baking right away, brush pastries with lightly beaten egg.
• Line the pastries on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 - 20 minutes or until pastries turn lightly golden brown. 

Enjoy.

going the extra mile

One of my favourite family activities is to go for a family walk: on the trails, to the dog park or just around the cottage.  Not only does it give us the opportunity to get some exercise while enjoying our natural surroundings and breathe the fresh air, we’re not running from place to place…slowing down enough to connect with the kids.  Our walks gives us time with no pressure or restrictions, so we can talk to each other about anything, both big and small. Whether we’re observing how the seasons change around us, or confiding our big aspirations of making the world a better place, with our own dreams and visions.

According to a national opinion poll, conducted by the SickKids Foundation, 73% of Canadians believe that children’s lifestyles are not as healthy today as compared to their own youth.

I’m probably part of that statistic. As it becomes more and more difficult to compete with digital distractions, sometimes I find as parents, we have to go that extra mile to find opportunities that allow us to just be with each other…time to talk, observe and participate in something healthy together, both physically and mentally.

Last September, our family participated in a unique fundraising event that encouraged all ages to participate in (what is normally reserved for adults) a family type “walk-a-thon”. The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk to benefit SickKids was an amazing opportunity to take part in a family adventure that not only fed our body…but also fed our soul.

Looking back at that day, not only did my husband and I show a good example of challenging ourselves physically to participate in the full 20km walk (which was not mandatory…you can choose to do 5 or 10kms or complete the whole 20km route), the kids learned that it helps our spirit by helping others…by supporting SickKids and helping improve the health of children nationwide. Knowing we were helping others gave them the determination to keep walking to reach the finish line.

Although we were part of a team of families who worked together to raise money for this cause, we felt like were a part of a larger family consisting of thousands of walkers who were united for a common goal. Everyone cheered each other on, especially during that last final stretch of the route.  Cars that drove by honked in support. There were perfectly thought-out, family friendly stops along the route: fun-filled “campsites” that either entertained the kids with games and activities (where they earned badges for each activity they participated in), or provided a reprieve (for the adults)…a little break to nourish with food, drink or rest.

$1.3 million dollars was raised.  After crossing the finish line, not only did the kids feel accomplished achieving their own physical fitness goals (completing the 20km walk), they also felt rewarded, knowing that their contributions really made a difference.

My kids learned that although the journey may sometimes be long and difficult, nothing beats that great feeling when you stay determined to reach your goals, because you will get to your destination if you keep moving forward…and go that extra mile.

This September 27, 2014, join The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk to benefit SickKids.  Register at www.WalkforSickKids.ca as an individual participant or as part of a team and all your fundraising efforts will go to support The Hospital for Sick Children.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WalkforSickKids
Twitter: @WalkforSickKids
Hashtag: #WalkforSickKids

{Disclaimer} This post was brought to you by The SickKids Foundation, however the opinions and images are my own. For more information please visit www.walkforsickkids.ca.

being one

One year.  I remember hosting birthday parties with family and close friends to celebrate the one year birthday for each of my children.  For our son, we had a big birthday bash with mazes and hay rides at a local farm.  For our daughter, we had a tea party at a local country inn.

Those birthday gatherings seem like such a long time ago.   I remember how daunting it felt as new parents, planning the first of what now seemingly feels like a million birthday parties for our kids. We experienced the exhilaration (as well as lack of sleep) of the introductory year and marked that special point in time with a celebration.  A time when we realized that just when you thought you couldn't love any more, someone comes along, proving you have much more love than you ever thought you could ever give.

Our little pup just turned a year old.  And as much as it has been frustrating to learn how to train a dog, walk a dog in cold weather, or find a collection of chewed up socks and underwear beneath our bed (our dog loves to hoard those things), this marks yet another realization about how time flies and that all of my babies...are growing up.  It felt like just yesterday when we brought our fur baby home (as I wrote about here).  

I was not raised with pets in my childhood home (fish don't really count),  so I thought the attention from our children to our new furry family member would be fleeting.  But their bond with their dog is everlasting and it has been amazing to watch my them give love and compassion to their "baby".  Our daughter finally has the opportunity to have a younger "sibling".  And it's been interesting to watch our son understand the unconditional love of man's best friend.  I love watching them kiss and cuddle with our pup without hesitation, judgement or reservations.  Just pure love.

And now once again, the initial "baby" stage in our home is complete.  There is no more potty training.  No more temper tantrums (if you don't include mine).  Just a little more independence.  And with each of these life stages, I've learned how much my children have accepted their responsibilities to help guide our pup to become a big dog.  As much as these beautiful babies will always be in my heart and as a family we will always be together, I have (slowly) learned to accept their independence as well, as they gain their own confidence to stand tall and be strong on their own...and become one.

Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Peanut Butter and Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Adapted from Allrecipes

(makes approximately two sandwich bags full of little treats)

This was really a really simple and easy recipe to make.  Next time I would make the treats even smaller (more bite sized), as I found we had to break apart the treats prior to feeding it to our pup.  It was a hit!

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of baked sweet potatoes, mashed (I had left over sweet potatoes, which I used for this.  One cup of canned pumpkin works too)
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup water

Preparation:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Beat the eggs.
• Mix in sweet potato and peanut butter together.  Add to eggs.
• Add the cinnamon then the flour, slowly into the mixture.
• Slowly add the water until the mixture becomes a soft dough (think playdoh).
• Roll out the dough and make into shapes (we used heart shapes and candy cane shapes turned into socks...our pup loves socks!).  Try to make small shapes.
• Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until the treats are firm (it will harden as it cools).

Serve.

helpers

As more details emerge from the Boston Marathon attack on Monday, I am constantly reminded that in all this darkness and evil, there is still light.  Stories of first responders, police officers, medical staff and the kindness of everyday citizens, who ran towards the smoke, not away from it to help those who were injured.

When my son heard (limited) details about what had happened on Monday, he looked visibly worried.  He couldn't understand that "if it won't happen to us" (this is what I keep telling my kids), then why does it even happen at all?  Why do these horrible things keep happening again and again?  He asked, "Didn't something horrific just happen to 20 kids...what is going on lately?"

And although I keep telling my kids that it won't happen to us, it's getting harder and harder to convince my precocious boy (and believe this myself) that we are completely safe.  Then I remembered this quote that circulated on twitter and the internet.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 

‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." 

Fred Rogers {source} 

So I told this quote to my son, who immediately took comfort in the knowledge that there are good people in this world, and in almost any emergency or tragedy, there will always be someone there to help. And although we can't prevent, hide from, prepare for or even imagine such a tragic event, he felt assured that you can always find light in the dark.

Thank you Mr. Rogers.  I think this helped me too.

get moving. be still. eat cake.

Last week, as we enjoyed above seasonal temperatures, that magical feeling of giving (and receiving) that we enjoyed during the holidays seems to have melted away with the snow.  It is now that time of year to get going...get in shape, make good with all the resolutions...just get moving.

I guess all this busyness helps us fight the winter blues as we settle into another year of promises, hope and dreams.  I actioned on my list of things to do, and began the year reorganizing closets.  Purged all the old to make room for the new. I know many people who have taken action on their resolutions of getting fit.  Fitness gyms have been bustling with business in the past few weeks. Get active!  Get exercising! Get moving!

There has been a lot of talk lately about how we sit still for too long during the day, as noted in the Harvard Business Review's article,"Sitting Is the Smoking of Our Generation".  It's true...I often wonder if we are raising a generation of children who spend more time behind screens than participating in active physical activity.

As much as I agree that our bodies need more physical activity, conversely I also think our minds need to be more still.  Although we may not be physically moving, our minds are always racing...juggling the balance of our personal and work life, while multitasking both lives on our mobile phones.  And while we may be communicating with various people at the same time, are we really connecting?

As much as we're getting more active and enjoying the winter activities, I also think we need to balance that by teaching our kids how to sit still and resist all the "i-distractions".  In the long run, it will help them stay connected to what, and more importantly, who is in front of them. To actually have a conversation beyond 140 characters.

To me, nothing invites conversation more than sitting together for a good meal or even just a coffee/hot cocoa (and maybe a small slice of cake). And yes, I know this cake may seem to defeat the purpose of exercise, it isn't too sweet and it is dense enough to allow even just a small slice to satisfy.  But it's real purpose is to gather together and savour each bite while enjoying each other's company. And with our devices put away, we can have our cake...and eat it too.

Cherry Almond Pound Cake with White Chocolate Ganache Icing

(adapted from: Allrecipes.com)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter 
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 6 eggs
• 3 cups all purpose flour 
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped cherries

White Chocolate Ganache

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp. butter or shortening

Gently melt and stir in microwave for about 1 minute, intermittently stirring to not burn.

Directions:

• Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
• Grease bundt pan with shortening/flour.
• Cream butter with the sugar until it is light.
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each.
• Slowly add flour, salt and baking soda
• Add sour cream.
• Add almond extract.
• Gently fold in the chopped cherries.
• Place in bundt pan, and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes or until done.
• Cool for about 10 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool.
• Top with White Chocolate ganache

Enjoy your cake.

a light in the dark

Sometimes the light shines brightest when it's dark.

When my kids were little, they were frightened by shadows on the wall when I tucked them into bed at night.  I would always tell them, that there must be light somewhere in the house, or else the shadows wouldn't exist.  That even when you think it's completely dark...it never really is.

Last week, Hurricane "Sandy" proved that.  When the storm came in that night, all we could see was a singular spotlight casting light and shadows on our mammoth 20 year old maple tree in our backyard, which was swaying and bending with the 90km/h+ winds.  Miraculously, it didn't come crashing through our house (like so many larger trees did, as shown on a multitude of newscasts).

However, what was more miraculous, was the events after the storm.  My faith in humanity was renewed again as I read story after story about the kindness of strangers...people coming together to help each other in need.  Even the simplest of things like providing power to strangers so they can charge cell phones and communicate with loved ones.  These stories of kindness has been the bright light in this (continuing) darkness.

Photo courtesy of Mashable

While I cannot directly help those in affected areas (other than through donations), the aftermath of the storm did however, shed some light on my own emergency preparedness, and beyond the "extra flashlights, batteries, candles and food" list (a handy list of what should be in your 72 hour emergency preparedness kit can be found here at Red Cross), I thought I'd do my small part and share with you some interesting things that I've read and learned that might help you with your own emergency preparedness plan.

1)  Add a "text-to-tweet" option on Twitter.  I know, this may sound like my Twitter addiction is overrun, but seriously, communication is key and if there is no internet access available in my area to email loved ones, at least I can send one message out to the masses (i.e. more than one family member) by sending a tweet via text.  For info on how to do this, click {here}.  Conversely, I've added my husbands' tweets, so I can receive tweets from him via text, if for some reason we've been separated.

2) Make sure your OUTDOOR solar garden lights have been charged.  So often we hear about fires that start with candles (we use mason jars with tea light candles), so a great (and safe) alternative light source in the house would be those outdoor garden solar powered lights (we have the solar coach lights that can be removed from the post and placed flat on a table).

3)   Update our emergency contact list on my phone to include some government phone numbers that I normally do not have handy (in case of hydro outages, downed trees or sewer back up/flooding emergencies).   In Toronto, you can find the list of phone numbers. {here}

4)  Make sure you have an updated hand crank radio.  The one we currently have is a radio/flashlight combo, which can be operated by hand crank.  I realized it could also recharge my phone, if I had the proper phone cord attachment.  But I didn't.  I'm considering purchasing this hand crank radio that has the USB option. {here}.

5)  Pack an extra travel charger/ power outlet along in the emergency kit, like this Mini Surge Protector with USB outlets. {here}.  If you have to evacuate, there is a possibility that your destination will not have enough outlets.  This is a small but good one to have handy.

And while we are very fortunate to have no damage or lives lost in our family and we have the luxury of learning from the devastation of others to prepare for ourselves in case there's a "next time", I hope that in the midst of darkness, we can all be each other's shining light.

Red Cross

file it under "done"

Young adults or children generally mark "significant" birthdays with an accomplishment.  (On a 16th birthday, you get your driver's license.  On a 21st birthday, you mark the birthday doing more "adult" activities...etc.)

Once you reach *ahem* bigger milestones (30's, 40's, 50's etc.), you take on larger activities, like a huge party or travel to bring in the new age.  But in between those milestone birthdays, similar to what most normal people do at New Year's Eve, I make new resolutions after my birthday.

Last year, my resolution was to ensure I create memories.  Leading up to this was the creation of this blog, which for the most part, documented those special moments.

This year, my resolution is to be more disciplined.

To keep my energy focused on being more efficient and...just get things done.  No procrastination or excuses that keep me in my comfort zone.  In fact, now I do what makes me uncomfortable, having the  discipline to do, no matter how tired I am or difficult the task might be.

So, this past week, I pulled out my "get dirty" clothes, dusted off my paint brushes, and finished a few projects that I've made excuses not to finish.  And while my projects are still in progress,  I've completed quite a few in such a short time....and now I can say, "file it under DONE".

Refurbishing a Metal Filing Cabinet

Now that school has started, it means more paper comes into the house.  Unable to find a "pretty" filing cabinet (is there such a thing?), I took our old filing cabinet, and gave it a facelift.  Here's how it went.

1)  Empty file cabinet, and use painters tape to cover handles.
2)  Using Rustoleum's "Flat White" Exterior spray paint, spray even (and very light) coats of paint, making sure you let it dry in between layers. (I used about three layers).
3)  Using a stencil, tape your design to the front of the drawers.
4)  Using craft paint, using gentle dabs (not strokes!), apply your colour.

Done.

happy father's day

It's funny how sometimes certain "Hallmark holidays" can bring the craziness out of people.  Rushing around to get gifts, cards and organizing to get together to celebrate a "holiday".

I'd like to think of Father's day as something more than celebrating the role of being a father.  Everyone's definition of a father's role is different, although strangely enough, all the father's day cards have things like golf, sports, bbq's and sailboats (how many men sail?) that are supposed to represent what being a father is really like.

{source}

For my husband, I'd like to see a card that takes us back to the feeling of when we first found out we were going to be parents.  The anticipation.  The unknown.  The strangely existential feeling that we're never going to be alone anymore....whether the kids are in the house, or in our heart when they "fly the coup".  The sheer joy.

The life altering moment when our children first arrived...part adrenlinen, part euphoria...that complete feeling of exhaustion, but at the same time, the feeling of not wanting to go to sleep.  To capture every moment.  To reassure that everything is and will be, alright.  To hold on to our children tight, forever.

I know those sentiments are often found in Mother's Day cards...I know though, that a lot of Dad's feel the same way too.  I've often used photographs instead of cards (or gift card holders as shown here), to evoke those emotions.  So, to my husband, this is a kiss from one of our kids....

...and to all the Dads out there, this Sunday have a...

Happy Father's Day!

airing the laundry

When I was flipping through the channels on the car radio, I stopped when one local radio station had one of those "relationship" experts on the air.  Normally I think those "experts" are not truly legitimate, and normally I wouldn't have continued to listen.

However, fielding questions from callers, one woman wanted to know if her husband was cheating on her. So, the radio host proceeded to do the "rose ceremony".

I admit...I was a little intrigued.  What is the "rose ceremony"?

The radio host would call her husband under the guise of an employee at a heating company doing a satisfaction survey, and for answering a few questions, the respondent would get a dozen of long stemmed roses delivered to whomever they wanted, for free.

I assume they do this so they can find out if this man would have the roses delivered to his wife, or to someone else.  

Luckily, he did say he wanted to send them to his wife, and in the card he would write..."to the greatest woman in the world whom I love so much.  I love you".

Is this normal practise of this radio station?  What if he was going to send them to someone else?  What if he was going to send them to his mother?  What exactly did that phone call resolve or establish other than entertainment for the masses, and a potential family disaster with the caller.  Did they have children?  Was there more to the story?  How often does this rose ceremony occur on air?

Honestly, I was baffled and a little disgusted.  I'm not sure how this is ethical, and I wonder where "entertainment" has gone (on the television, I thought shows were starting to clean up their act...as I wrote here). 

When will there be a time when we as spectators, decide that enough is enough, that what we find as "entertainment" shouldn't be a distorted and contrived reality that is set up for failure, just to get ratings.   

I believe in doing the laundry, not airing it...and maybe some things should just remain behind closed doors.  


What do you think about all these "shock/reality" shows?

the brownie promise

{Girl Guide Cookie Box, circa 1978}

The other week, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with friends of ours....with sunny weather upon us, it's so nice to spend time with friends, eating great food grilled on the BBQ and fine wine.  Towards the end of the evening (and a few glasses of red!), we had an interesting conversation about how the working world has changed, and how we work so much harder...and receive so much less.

Our friends talked about a colleague who was doing a contracted job building a hotel, and how the owner had changed some major design details and expected the contractor to make changes without the extra time and money to accommodate those changes.  But if those changes were not met within these new, unrealistic timelines and budget, they would NOT get paid for the work they've already completed.  I wonder how people can have the lack of moral or work ethics to behave this way, and wonder how they were raised, and I looked back at what I learned growing up. 

Girl Guide Cookie Box, circa 1991

As a little girl, I participated in Brownies/Girl Guides, which was hugely popular for little girls (as Scouts were to boys), nationwide.  Most vivid in my memory (other than the camping) was working to earn badges...badges that were given when you learned a new skill.  Looking back, these skills were basic life skills that I think helped with character building, and led the path to create confident, resourceful and responsible girls.  


I remember one of the first badges I had to work towards, was my "sewing" badge.  One of the tasks was to sew a button.  It was something I worked hard at to master, and with my little fingers, I finally learned sewed that button, and went further and sewed a name badge onto my sash.  When I received my first badge, it was like a badge of honour.  I worked hard, gave more than I was asked for, and rewarded accordingly. 

Girl Guide Cookie Box, circa 1996

I'm not sure if Girl Guides (or Boy Scouts) are as popular today as they were when I was growing up, but I wonder if we are now raising a generation of people who have a different loyalty and work ethic.   In such a fast paced world where we get cheap and instant gratification, are we setting up the younger generation for failure because they feel entitled and expect to receive everything, without paying or working for it.

"I will do my best to be, Honest and fair, Friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, 

Courageous and strong, Responsible for what I say and do, And to respect myself and others, 

Respect authority, Use resources wisely, Make the world a better place, And be sister to every Girl Scout." 

(Brownie/Girl Guide "Promise/Law".)

Girl Guide Cookie Box, 100th anniversary, circa 2010

{source for all images above:  HerStory, Girl Guides of Canada}

I wonder...what "promises" will be made by the next generation?

the age of beauty

I read an interesting series of articles in the Huffington Post called "What I know About Beauty".  A select group of 5 women wrote their perspective of beauty, each at a different stage in their life.  Someone in her 20's.  30's. 40's. 50's. 60's. (I'm hoping they continue, with writers in their 70's, 80's, and 90's+)


It struck a chord with me...reading each one, I felt that I related to all of them on different levels.   Most poignant to me were the posts from those over 30 years old.  I have to be honest...I think women don't understand the concept of true beauty until they're past a certain age.  And as I get older, I feel more and more beautiful every day.

I don't think of my beauty as a physical one...it's one that I hope is much deeper than that.  It is an amazing feeling to be very comfortable in my own skin.  Yes, I have a bit more skin.  Yes, I have a little more body to love.  But what I think is truly beautiful is the fact that my body has a purpose.  That I take care of it, that it functions well, and it PROVIDES  beauty...to those around me.  My hands lessen the work of others.  My smile helps comfort those who need it.  My ears ensure that others feel like they're being heard.  My eyes show how much I care and love those around me.


A former acquaintance of my husband has decided (out of the blue...we only hear from him when he has something to sell) to pander anti-wrinkle cream to me.  At first, I thought he was reaching out to us out of friendship...as it was my husband's birthday.  But I quickly realized two minutes into the conversation that he thought we'd be ideal candidates for his anti-aging product because we were reaching a "certain age".  That we must want an "anti-wrinkle cream to stay beautiful" (his words, not mine).

I'm not sure exactly why I was so offended by this. Maybe it's the relentless stalking from someone so shallow and vain. (I still receive gawd-awful articles about wrinkles from him...it's been almost a year now! STOP!).  Maybe because I feel so vibrant, optimistic and "young" in spirit, that I think...no, I KNOW my appearance reflects how I feel.  That even implying that someone has wrinkles and should "fix" it implies that all those wonderful experiences should be erased and replaced with the superficial notion of what beauty is.

Maybe it's because I used to work in an industry that worshipped beauty that is so contrived, and deep down, I resented that because in reality, what is so much more beautiful than expensive cosmetic-created glowing skin is the knowledge behind it.  That what I find so extremely beautiful and sexy is confidence and knowledge. That the extra lines around the mouth represent years of smiling.  The extra lines around the eyes represents the world...because it has seen it.  Life experiences.

Now don't get me wrong...I love to dress up, put on makeup and do my hair...but it is a form of expressing how I FEEL.  Not trying to pretend I'm someone that I am not.  Well, no matter what the reason is...I embrace how I look.  And no nagging, offensive reminder that I need to be "fixed" will change that.

What is your definition of beauty?