dog days

There's something about the sounds of summer that only the bright sunshine can match in terms of light and happiness.  I can almost hear how crystal clear the water is, as it gently splashes along the shore, soft waves in the glistening sun.

I can also hear how our family has embraced its newest furry family member this summer, when I hear giggling and laughter along with the sounds of excited barking.

Although owning a dog is a lot of work, and it's true when experts say it's like having one more child that will never really grow up (but will forever unconditionally love you), it's been quite a learning experience, and an adjustment to our "we-now-need-to-plan-and-not-just-leave-on-a-whim" nature.

We learned that our pup really can tell when one of us is feeling sad...and comes right up to us with lots of kisses.  We learned that even if we have to leave him for a few hours to do other summer activities...when we return he shows us just how much he misses us.  We also learned that he knows which one of us will give in to his whims and give him treats (*ahem* the biggest "kid" in the family)...and can smell chicken a mile away, sitting next to the stove with smiles and perfect manners.

And our unconditional love to him is no different.  No matter how naughty he's been, chewing on things or pulling table cloths so all that's on top tumbles to the floor...he seeks our forgiveness and his smile tells us he wants to just join us in the moment. Join this crazy loving family with whatever we're doing or playing.

And we can't forget that we mere humans act the the same way too.  We often make a fuss, bark at each other or just push each other's buttons...just so we can feel included too.  For attention.  For love.

And with the various distractions we've had in our home with renovations, dog training, day trips, and keeping our sanity, we need to sometimes look at all those distractions, and maybe remove just one.  Be a little lazy, even if it's for just one day, and lay around giving each other attention, so we don't have to seek it.

So here's a recipe that is child and dog friendly (although only the skinless roasted chicken bits for the dog!) that I love to use time and time again. It's easy to make...

...and gives us a little extra time to enjoy those dog days of summer.

Greek Inspired Chicken Salad

adapted from Allrecipes 

Sometimes in the heat of summer, it's too difficult (or I'm too lazy) to cook.  I like this recipe since it uses pre-roasted chicken.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups diced cooked chicken (I used roasted chicken, skin removed and diced)
• 2 large stalks celery, diced (optional)
• 1/2 red onion, diced (I didn't have red on hand, so I used regular onions.  It would be fantastic with red)
• 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 6 tablespoons greek yogurt
• 1 (4 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
• 1 tsp. thyme
• 1 tsp. rosemary (optional)
• 1 pinch salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• In a serving bowl, mix together the chicken, celery, and red onion. 
• In a separate bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, yogurt, feta cheese, and dill. 
• Pour over the chicken mixture, and stir to blend. 
• Taste, and season with dill, thyme and rosemary.  
• Add salt and pepper as needed. 
• Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving.

toying with the new

When we had to clear out our basement to renovate, some of the old toys had to go.  And as each toy was removed, I had a distinct memory with each of them...it felt like just yesterday my kids were playing with those preschool toys. Each toy carefully chosen to stimulate imagination and transport my children to a fantasy world where they can become someone else for a moment in time.  Discover their wishes, fulfill their dreams.

It was a kid's dream come true this past weekend, when we were recently invited to  Walmart's "Great Big Toy Testing Event", to test new toys for the annual "Top Toy List" for the upcoming holiday season. It was a needed break from paint and building dust from our renovations as we were able to transport ourselves to (what seemed like) The Land of Toys...like Candyland, but with the latest and coolest toys that haven't even arrived on the store shelves yet.

Each child was able to play and give feedback on what they liked and didn't like.  It reminded me of that scene in the movie, "Big" when Tom Hanks was hired to play with toys and give feedback on what he thinks will sell or not.  My kids felt like mini moguls...deciding on the fate of each toy that may (or may not) appear on the shelves.  They were also filmed playing with some of the toys...how fun is that?

With each toy, I could see my children slowly transform themselves...getting lost in the world of play.  Of course, there were favourites...toys they kept coming back to over and over again.

My son became a Star Wars Jedi and was very eager to play with the lightsaber (and take on any Jedi challengers).

And he became an engineer, building the latest Star Wars ship out of Lego.

Although we already have a dog, my daughter was fascinated with this robot version, and wanted to "give it a nice home". I have a funny feeling she'll be rescuing many animals someday...

...or designing the latest fashion outfit.

While my husband and I were "toying" with new tiles, carpet and furniture, our kids had the chance to toy with new...toys!  As we remove the old, we'll be making room for the new (and I now know what to put on our holiday wish list!).  With this new fresh start, we'll be transported once again...

...and we'll have fun like kids in a toy store...enjoying our new ride.


{A great big thank you to Susie for inviting us to take a break from our renos, and giving the kids the opportunity to play with new and exciting toys.}

contain me

One of the best things about a summer schedule is that there is no schedule.  Random late nights, sleeping in and spur-of-the-moment picnics at the beach gives us summer relief from all the rigid demands of class assignments, school fundraisers and other activities throughout the school year.

But now that our house flood has instigated an unplanned renovation schedule, we're trying to contain our daily activities to limited areas of the house (with limited access to dishes, party bowls and other summer needs that are packed in storage) while trying to maneuver the ebb and flow of contractors and building materials...all while maintaining the summer enjoyment of "non-scheduled" family activities.  Understandably, this has presented a new list of demands that has stalled our "non-scheduled-schedule". 

I guess this summer we really have to take "go with the flow" to heart and more than ever I will need to balance my children's need to go out and explore, while preparing a house and being accessible to renovators who need decisions on material choices.

We'll just go with the flow and use paper plates instead of my pretty summer patio dishes. We'll just have go to the ice cream parlour for lunch when there's too many people in the house to cook.   In between choosing flooring and paint colours, we'll try not to be too contained and just hop in the car or bikes and go....

...and just let the sunshine lead us to the end of the dock so we can dive right into summer.

 Fruit Containers

One of the easiest things to add a little "umph" to a party table setting or picnic, is to create one special display item. If you don't own party bowls (or like me, have little access to them),  these fruit "containers" helps set the tone for casual entertainment or makes the perfect hostess dish to bring for a summer soiree.  They're easy to make (usually you just have to hollow out the fruit), and there's less dishes to do (bonus!).

Above picture: My kids loved making the little dragon fruit ice cream bowls (just cut in half, then hollow out by eating the contents!).  Below picture: For a recent party, I had to bring a fruit salad and used the watermelon as a "basket".  I took a paring knife and just created "v" shapes, to make a pretty edge.

Enjoy!

standing in the dark

Mom, what's that "swooshy gushy" sound?

While we were eating dinner, we watched out of our window as the water gushed at us like a runaway garden hose, our big old maple tree sway back and forth in the torrential rain storm.  It survived the hurricane-like storm last November, but we wondered if we'd have the same lucky fate again this time around, and have only a few fallen branches to contend with.

After each bite, we'd peek out the window to look at that tree.  That wonderful 20yr+ old tree.  The tree that has provided us so much shade and refuge from the heat in the summer.  But all of a sudden, after a thunderous clap and a bright lightening flash, the fury of the rain started to worry us towards the basement to seek a different refuge.

That's when we saw it.  A miniature lake that filled half of our basement.  And more of that "swooshy gushy" water sound.   As soon as we took one more step, the house went completely dark.

We decided to head back up and hunker down in the kitchen.  Luckily just before the rain turned for the worse, I remembered the tip I learned from the last storm and brought in my solar garden lights, lit one soothing candle,  poured some wine and wondered how we'll start all over again in that basement.

Our basement.  A little family retreat that we took for granted...a place where we'd venture down to hang out and watch movies together as a family, popcorn all over the floor, slight dents in the wall from where the kids threw balls and toys when they were little.  So many memories of when they were little.

While the kids had fun tracking the weather radar on the laptop, I followed more important news on Twitter and started my reluctant, unplanned renovation journey on Pinterest to find inspiration to create a space for this new chapter of childhood memories.

As the rain started to slow down, the power came back on.  We felt confident that the worst was over, (at least the worst of the storm) and we started our bedtime routine.  After the kids went to sleep, I looked outside our window one more time, and was reminded that we could have suffered a very different fate.  There stood that strong, amazing maple tree, defiant with whatever storm decided to challenge it, and it still remained tall and stoic.

I blew out our candle and said a thankful prayer.  We were fortunate that we didn't lose everything, like those who suffered in the Calgary Floods. And although we now begin the cost inhibiting, time consuming, distracting journey of repairing our basement...just like our tree, we will be defiant to the challenge...

...and remain tall, stoic and strong.

red and white

I think I've always been fascinated with home design, and I recollect an early time when my parents were looking to move from their starter home (where my brother and I were born) to a little larger place.

There was one house in particular, that we dubbed "the black and white house", that really appealed to me for some reason.  Every time we drove by it, I always said I wanted to move into that "black and white house".  And although it was on the market for a short period of time, for logistical reasons, we never bought that house.

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I think that sentiment has stuck with me for most of my life.  When my husband and I first looked for a home, we would tour "those neighbourhoods"...you know, the ones in affluent communities with picket white fences, beautiful grown trees and children playing happily in the neighbourhood.

Every house that we'd admire were always this particular style... georgian, colonial, neoclassical, adam, or federal designed exterior with clean lines and strong bones.  And although it was rare to actually find a black and white one, when we did see one, we'd sigh in anticipation for "one day" to own something similar.

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There is something very particular, I think that speaks to us.  It could be the centre hall plan.   I think for me though, it brought me back to a time when I was a little girl, dreaming of that picket white fence and the black and white house. A stately, symmetrical and conservative structure with graceful and elegant details.  Maybe I sensed, even at a young age, with it's structured rooms that it was a solid home, but with the beautiful classic details, there was a sense of pride in making a house a beautiful home. It harkens back to a time when quality meant something.  That patience and pride went into building homes to withstand the cruelty of weather and time.

And now as a home owner, looking for a house for us means more than just four walls.  These four walls are a home that can comfort us, give us the feeling that no matter how cruel,  stormy or strange it is "out there"...at home, we are safe.  Comforted.  Strong.

I'm glad that we can live in a country where we have options.  A sense of community.  A peaceful nation that is strong enough to weather the storm, but gentle enough to embrace those who don't have the strength to weather it with us.

Home is where the heart is.  This weekend we'll be celebrating the "red and white", the flag of our nation...our home.  

Happy Canada Day!

learning begins

As school starts to wind down, I start to pack away some of the papers that came home.  The purging of the classrooms began last week, and all of the hard work and effort, reflected on painted paper, typed projects and old tests, have started to make it's way into our memory files.

I had an interesting conversation with my husband about all the grandiose ideas of avoiding brain drain this summer, and keeping up my children's reading, writing and arithmetic during the time off.  He smiled in agreeance but I knew in that smile, that he thought I was setting myself up for dreams that won't necessarily become reality.

Maybe instead being a "teacher" this summer, this time I'll be the student instead.  Maybe I'll learn and be inspired to enjoy the bewilderment of seeing, smelling, experiencing the freedom of summer through my children's eyes.

My delightful daughter knows that you don't need any reason to dress up as a superhero and wear a tiara at the same time.  That every day is a day to become a superhero in your heart, to conquer the world, with a tiara, knight's shield, or princess gown in tow.

My inquisitive son knows that sometimes he will do things that test his mother's boundaries (and patience), and he too is exploring the world of adolescence, and trying to build a solid bridge that will connect between his childhood and manhood.  And although he will get frustrated with the limitations that will certainly greet him, he will keep on trying until the act of trying is no longer difficult.

So as school is done for the year, my kids will put away their backpacks and test the world around them.  And while doing this, I guess the real learning for me...begins.

Easy Oven Fries

During the summer, one of the rare treats I love to indulge in, is eating a tray of fries from a "chip truck".  Here's a more healthy, non fried version of those "chip truck" delights.

Ingredients

• 2 large baking or russet potatoes, peeled
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon rosemary leaves

Directions

• Heat oven to 450 degrees.
• Cut the potatoes in half horizontally, then cut into strips, approximately 1/3-inch-thick 
• Place the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for approximately 10 minutes.
• Remove from water and dry thoroughly. 
• Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and rosemary. 
• Place fries on cast iron skillet.  (a cookie sheet works well too).
• Roast until browned and cooked through, turning occasionally, approximately 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy.

surrender

When I engage my children in conversation about what they did at school, one of the most important subjects that I usually pay closest attention to, is recess.  I know that sounds counter-intuitive to what I "should" be interested in, because of course, when you send your child into an academic environment, the most important thing should be those academics, right?

When I listen to my children talk about which group of friends they played with at recess, what games they played, or how they resolved any playground conflicts, for me it's peek through a window into a part of their lives that is a little more difficult to control.  Sometimes the playground stories are a little heartbreakingly difficult to hear as a parent.  Stories of teasing, accidental injuries, disagreements...yes, many of those conflicts are common among the school set. But when I hear some of these stories, I have to admit, sometimes deep down I just want to go to their school and make all of their problems go away.

But we have to remember that the playground is filled with children with various backgrounds, ethnicities, traditions...or just kids with their own "story", and that parents who micromanage their children's relationships, I think, do more harm than good.  If the parents are always solving problems for their children, how can these children learn this very important lesson on their own when their parents are not around?   How will they ever learn to cope, deal, understand and get along with those who are different from them.  Because EVERYONE is different.

http://atrandom.ca

I've come across a beautiful documentary, "@Random", about those affected with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 100 North Americans (the average age of onset is 7 years old, so if you look around the playground, there is a good chance you'll see someone with Tourette). The filmmakers collected many films and arranged them randomly, so every time someone watches the documentary, it would be different.  Just like Tourette Syndrome.

And today, the Tourette Syndrome Foundation launched an awareness campaign that touches on that very point of experiencing what it's like to be in someone else's shoes.  For 24 hours, you can experience what it’s like to have Tourette Syndrome by giving up control of your Tweets. (For more information, see surrenderyoursay.com or follow the hashtag #SurrenderYourSay on Twitter)

http://www.tourette.ca

Watching the @Random documentary is an amazing reminder that we are all different, we all have a story, and as adults, we need model and teach our children that understanding each other is the first step to getting along.

It also is a reminder to me, that as my children get older my need to control is the one thing I need to learn to surrender, in order for them to grow.

happy father's day

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.

smell the coffee

With a plethora of options that bombard us on a daily basis, both with the everyday (like buying groceries), to the more complicated (like the path to raising our children), sometimes I think having too many choices have actually paralyzed us from making one singular, intelligent, well informed decision.

I remember a simpler time, when as a child, ice cream primarily came in three flavours:  vanilla, chocolate or strawberry.  I remember a time when ketchup came in a glass bottle, and not two shelves with variations such as organic, sugar-free or an upside-down-so-it-is-easy-to-pour version.  I remember a time when finding something to do after school was easy...I'd roller skate along the sidewalk, with the theme to "Ice Castles" (a popular 70's movie) in my head. And although my parents did their share of chauffeuring my brother and I around to various extra curricular activities, the choices were limited...and back then, it seemed our decisions on "what to do" seemed so clear.

With summer around the corner, I've yet again started to create a list of things to do this summer.  But like last summer, my list is a little different than your average "what to do" list.  It speaks more to what I want my children to remember about summer...not what I want them to accomplish.  They are only so young for such a short period of time, and instead of signing them up for more schedules,  I've changed my outlook on this precious time we have together, and plan on exploring life's little pleasures.

Like biking to the creek to find crayfish (do those still exist?).  Or lying underneath the sprinkler in the backyard on a hot summer day and just watch the curved water drops sway back and forth on top of the grass.  Or just rest on a picnic blanket to read or see shapes in the clouds.

And as the kids create those wonderful childhood summer memories, I too, will enjoy waking up to the aroma of freshly made coffee, and now and then, enjoy a little cake for breakfast (gasp!)...to start our summer day discovering life's little pleasures.

Streusel Topped Coffee Cake

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cups white sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda

Streusel

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
• Grease and flour baking pan (I used a loaf pan, bundt pans work well too)
• In a large bowl, cream butter and 1 cups white sugar, 1 cup of brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla extract. 
• Add flour, baking powder and baking soda, then beat until well combined.
• Pour batter into Bundt pan. 
• In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over the batter.
• Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.

Enjoy!