fifteen

When staying at a nice hotel, it's the refined touches that turn it from a 3 star to a 5 star experience.  The friendliness of the people that greet you...not making you feel like a customer but a welcomed VIP guest.  The quality of those little soaps and shampoos (they do say a lot), and the little extras that define a hotel as more than just a bed to sleep in...it's a luxurious getaway.

This year is a special year.  Both my husband's company Delvinia, as well as our marriage, is celebrating it's 15th anniversary, and enjoying luxurious getaways played a large part in how we celebrated those milestones.  There are so many similarities between marriage and business, and I've often joked that his business partner is similar to having a spouse. There is a careful balance of personalities, building on each other's strengths, supporting each other's weaknesses and respecting each other's differences.  Most importantly, it is being determined to stick together through thick and thin...a testament to committing to a common goal which ultimately helps both a marriage and a business thrive through the best as well as endure the most difficult times.

A few weeks ago,  Delvinia hosted a 1950's Havana Style Summer Soiree and staged a "luxury hotel" to celebrate this monumental anniversary.  At this event, I couldn't help but see the similarities of this hotel themed party to having a business and marriage...both with goals of building the best experience, whether it's a customer experience in business or a beautiful experience in our personal life journey.

There were symbolic elements at the party that reflect the parallels of what makes both a business and a marriage solid and long lasting....elements that have helped both Delvinia and our marriage last fifteen years.

It's in the details

The event planners paid extreme attention to little details...thoughtful touches that turned this from a generic, just-go-through-the-motions event to something more personal. From the realistic projection of the ocean at the windows which felt like we were in paradise, not in the middle of the city (the screen image changed from daylight to sunset as the evening progressed), hair and makeup touch-up stations (how thoughtful!), Cuban cigar rolling stations (very cool!) and of course, the subtle "D" (for the Delvinia logo) unobtrusively placed in various locations...small but meaningful touches that is a constant reminder of their presence.  It shows that thought and care went into even the littlest of details....like little kisses that greet you in the morning or a brief touch on the shoulder to indicate you're right there within reach.

{source}

Something just for you

There was a delicious, customized signature drink, "La Delvinia Franbruesa", made especially for the guests.   Although this drink may seem like a small detail, I likened it to a little diamond wedding ring, symbolizing something more special...a personal, customized memento to show the importance of commitment to the relationship. Something just between us...that no uninvited guest or bystander can experience.

We're in this together

I was amazed at how many guests participated and dressed according to the theme of the party. Everyone seemed to relish in dressing the part, dressed in white linen and/or lime (the party's signature colours) or 1950's Havana style, and you can feel the energy in the room...like everyone was part of one big family.  Like employees of a company with the same vision, or a family united in love and respect, sharing the same life morals and ideals...it is this common goal, the significant glue, the bond...that keeps both a business and marriage intact.  Knowing that we're together, whether in person or in spirit.

Fifteen years is a testament to the longevity, the vision and staying power to drive through both prosperous and difficult times.  This is my anniversary wish, for my husband both personally and professionally...to continue this beautiful, most wonderful and amazing journey together...for many more years to come.

delightful

I remember when I was a young girl, I would visit my neighbour's house to play, and on lazy summer afternoons, we'd get two large bowls in her kitchen, as she would sift through her mother's cupboards for anything that was sweet and sticky.

We'd spend the afternoon together, creating an interesting concoction...chocolate sauce, maple syrup, bananas, cookies, cake mix...we'd dump it ALL in our bowls, and eat our new found recipe.  Her Mother would walk in, and we'd coerce her to "taste test" our new culinary delight.  And through her grimacing smile, she would always say, "delightful".

The other day, my daughter wanted to make her Dad, a Father's Day breakfast.  She took some pecan tarts, removed the pecans, added nutella and topped it all off with marshmallows.  It was an interesting mixture, although the only thing my eyes saw were the mounds of sticky pecans stacked on the table....and what it at first seem to resemble (at a glance)...a "present" from our dog.

After a few laughs with my misunderstanding, she showed me her lovely surprise.  Four lovely tarts, one for each of us to enjoy (with a birthday candle, no less!), for Father's Day morning.  Now, I'm not sure how long these would stay fresh...or if they would possibly be consumed before Father's Day this Sunday.  However, I neatly packed them in containers in hopes we could try them on the weekend.  I couldn't help but wonder if this is the beginning of my child's culinary experiments.

I hope it is.  And with every bite we'll taste on Father's Day or with future "taste testing experiments"...it will always be delightful.

Happy Father's Day

Dump Cake

(makes approx. 12-16 servings)

Ingredients

• 19 oz. (540 ml) can of cherry pie filling
• 19 oz (540 ml) can of apple pie filling (or omit the cherry pie filling and use two cans of apple).
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 white cake mix
• 1 cup melted butter
• 1 cup coconut
• 1 cup of almonds

Directions

• Lightly grease a glass 9x13 dish.
• Layer or "dump" the above ingredients in order as listed.
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to an hour, until cake is brown on top and bubbling on the sides. 
• Serve warm with ice cream.

Enjoy.

new mom

I forgot what it's like to have a newborn in the house.  It's amazing how our recollection of life with babies seem so different when viewed in retrospect.  Sometimes those early years of exhaustion seem to pale in comparison with the new challenges each life stage brings as your children grow up with their own mind, voice, determination, and opinion.

After a few weeks of settling in with our new puppy, I was re-introduced again with that "new Mom" feeling of adjusting to a schedule that is dictated mostly by a creature no bigger than ten pounds. Trying to prepare for hosting our annual Mother's Day gathering this weekend, along with chauffeuring kids to school, swimming, birthday parties and hockey games all while trying to keep with a training-in-progress puppy's schedule has definitely been trying, and as we manoeuvre through this new phase in our lives, there are some things that I've kept reminding myself.

I looked back to when I first became a mother and tried to apply some lessons learned.  Surprisingly this has (somewhat) helped us get through this "new mother" phase with the puppy.

1)  They will sleep through the night eventually.  Just hang in there.  Be strong.
2)  What goes in, comes out.  So only feed the best you can afford.  If it's not organic, then get food as pure to it's original source that you can. (i.e. no dyes, preservatives, chemicals, artificial anything).  Remember they are what they eat.
3)  Setting a precedent with good habits as early as possible helps make things a little easier, so they don't have to be re-taught again later (usually with defiance).
4)  You don't need to buy EVERY toy/gizmo/hot-designer-item...usually just a few key basics to start will work.  As they grow, your needs and their tastes will change.  Buy accordingly.
5)  It does get a little easier (at least, less labour intensive!).  You will settle into a routine and find those moments where you can get a "break" again.

So for Mother's Day this weekend,  I hope all Mothers, both new and experienced, enjoy a little break.  Because even when the little ones don't listen, wreck the furniture, have accidents in the house, and constantly demand your attention, just stop and look into their "puppy dog" eyes...their love usually puts things back into perspective.  And that's what's being a Mom is all about.

Happy Mother's Day

Crockpot Cocktail Meatballs 

(adapted from Allrecipes).

This recipe can be made even easier by using pre-made frozen meatballs.  I go back and forth between both (although I like the taste of homemade meatballs a little better).  When you're time crunched, this recipe is quick and easy, serves a large crowd, and can give you a little break from the kitchen so you can enjoy the company of guests.

Ingredients

Meatballs:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup ketchup or bbq sauce
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs (or cornflake crumbs)
• 1/3 cup parsley
• 1/4 cup parmesan (or 1 tsp. soy sauce for asian flair)
• 3 tablespoons minced onion

Sauce:

• 1 (8 ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
• 3/4 cup chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, water, bread crumbs, and minced onion. 
• Roll into small meatballs.
• Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once until cooked.
• In a slow cooker blend the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice.
• Add meatballs, and simmer for 2-4 hours on low before serving.

Enjoy.

grand paws

When I was in labour with both of my children, there was this palpable feeling of nervousness mixed in with anticipation, culminated with this brave (or naive?) feeling that "we can get through this", which helped me get to the hospital with focused determination, even with severe labour pains.

Last weekend, I had that same feeling.  My palms were not sweaty, but slightly clammy.  Although it was only a 30 minute drive, I don't think I noticed too much other than the humming of the tires as we drove on the highway, and the whizzing sound of the cars speeding by me.  Small conversation was made between my husband and the kids, but I don't think any of us spoke too many words.  We were focused.

We arrived at this beautiful Victorian style home, and I barely put the car in park when the kids darted to the front door.  My husband and I took a deep breath, the same way we did when we first arrived at the hospital so many years ago, and followed the kids.

We were greeted with smiles as we entered the house.  This was the day we brought our new puppy home.

A few weeks ago, after we chose this puppy, we spent hours reading about about raising and training a dog.  My daughter spoke endlessly about our pup, and counted the sleeps until we could pick him up. When we first met the puppy litter (and the parents), it was a joyful dreamy time, like a baby shower, where all you can think of is the fun and sweetness of a newborn entering the home.  How wonderful our lives will change.  And we felt prepared.

The day we actually brought the puppy home was a different story...the conversation was different, and we weren't sure if we were really prepared.  Do we have everything?  Are we ready for the sleepless nights?  Will everything turn out alright?  Will this puppy fit into our family and lifestyle? My son asked, "Are we really ready for this?"

I didn't say much during our payment exchange...just the usual health and vet questions. Before we left, I guess I had that "what do we do now...we can't turn back" look on my face.   The breeder looked at me knowingly, and before we left he said "Don't worry.  If there are any questions, ANY questions...we're HERE.  Call me".  He looked at my kids cautiously playing and protecting our new puppy, then said "They'll be great parents...things will turn out great!".  Right then I realized that they were experiencing what I did when I first brought them home from the hospital.

When we took our new pup home, the kids played with, hugged and kissed our new puppy for hours and hours.  At dinner, they said our lives are now changed forever, and although it is a lot of work, getting this dog is one of the best things that has ever happened to us.  They said this dog is "so right for our family...it's like WE'RE parents now!"

I looked at how happy they were, and how much maturity they've gained even in just a short time since that day we brought our pup home.  I've never seen our daughter get up so early on her own and get ready for school just so she has extra time to help me feed and train the dog! And our son is learning about the dynamics of "alpha dogs" and setting behavioural precedence.  They're learning so much about responsibility...that it's not just about being responsible for their own behaviour, but also understanding their influence on their "little baby".

Maybe this is a glimpse of what I'll witness as a grandparent someday.  Ok...I'm getting ahead of myself way too quickly.  If bringing a dog into our home brings my kids the same joy as I have (and will always have) raising them in our world, then maybe the breeder is right...things will turn out great.

winging it

Life works in mysterious ways.

This past week, we had an opportunity to get a puppy for the family, but unfortunately it was sold before I was able to visit.  It was a visit that I had to really prepare myself for, both mentally and logistically. If this puppy was the "right one", then I had to be ready to take it home right there and then.

I have to admit. Leading up to this visit, I complained a lot.  Mostly about the outrageous prices (and products) geared towards pet owners.  All the variations of size, style and quality of things like dog beds, crates and leashes.  Maybe I'm over-thinking about all the things we need for the dog.  And like having a baby, I started to look beyond just the function of the products, but also wanted all these "things" to be stylish as well.

So when I received the call that the puppy I was going to visit was sold to someone who got there faster, my heart sank.  It wasn't because I had already bought the stuff in anticipation for our puppy, but because I'd have to explain to my disappointed kids that I wasn't going to bring one home just yet.

I must have looked like I was about to burst into tears while I was looking at leashes at the pet store.  The sales associate assured me that another one will come.  And this time I will be ready.

Well, she was right.  After a few emails, another puppy has appeared.  I'll still get the basics ready for our new arrival, but this time I won't get our hopes up and worry too much about getting every little detail "just right".  We'll just go with our hearts to find the right puppy that suits our home...and then, just wing it.

Hot & Sweet Chicken Wings (2 ways)

Adapted from Allrecipes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound chicken wings, tips discarded
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper-optional (or 1/3 chili powder and 3/4 paprika mix)
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup of honey 
• 2 tbsp. butter, melted 
• 1 clove minced. garlic
• 1/4 cup homemade "hot sauce" (1 tablespoons cayenne/chilli-paprika mix, 2.5 tbsp vinegar, 1.5 tablespoons water, 1/8 teaspoon salt)
• Note: 1 tsp chilli and 2 tsp. paprika can replace 1 tbsp of cayenne

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate or  preheat at 400* if baking.
2. Wash the wings well and pat dry with paper towel. Season the meat with cayenne (if wish), salt, and pepper.

If on the BBQ:

• Cook the chicken wings on preheated grill until cooked through and juices run clear, 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the wings. 
• Brush the wings liberally using 2 tbsp. honey while they are cooking. (
• Melt the butter, pour into a large bowl and mix in the remaining 2 tbsp. of honey, minced garlic and hot sauce. 
• Remove the wings from the grill and immediately toss them in the hot honey butter sauce to coat. 
• Serve the wings 'wet' or return them to the grill for 1 minute per side to set the sauce.

If baking:

• Preheat oven to 400*
• Sprinkle wings with salt, pepper and baste with honey for the first 20 minutes.
• Then remove and toss with 1/2 of the "hot sauce" (mixed with butter, honey and minced garlic)
• Baste with the hot sauce for last 20 minutes.
• Broil to make crispy for 1 minute.

Enjoy.