Friday, August 31, 2018

Friday Favourites



I started following this plant based Instagram feed - @easyanimalfree and was inspired by this story on meal prep.  Our summer eating habits have been less than stellar so when the school starts  next week we need to get back into healthy eating mode.

When you need to watch Paw Patrol after supper with your ketchup stained shorts. 

Q also needed to use the serving spoon for his macaroni this week.  He's at that stage where he's smart and aware enough to know what he wants to do but isn't able to understand why he shouldn't do something or communicate what it is he wants.  Give us strength. Also note the man bun, he needs a haircut. 

We picked up E's t-ball photos this week.  They had a great season!

I've been to momofuku's Milk Bar in New York and Toronto but have never tried the crack pie. After watching Christina Tosi on Chef's Table, I could not wait to try it, and it is pretty good.  The first bite reminded me of a butter tart but it's much sweeter.  

I posted a recap of our summer vacation yesterday.  Spoiler alert, we had lots of fun!

Enjoy your last summer weekend Canadian parents!

Linking up with AndreaErika, and Narci.





Thursday, August 30, 2018

Summer Recap

We had a really fun summer and did a lot of things.  Here are some photos of those memories.

E played t-ball about twice a week.

He had soccer twice a week two - one practice and one game.

We kicked off summer camping at Sandbanks for the Canada Day long weekend. 



We went to a (really hot) Blue Jays game.

We attended the Bloor West Kids Fest.

I took E swimming after supper.

E got a fresh new haircut.

We ate outside and had some frozen treats.


We camped at Algonquin Park.

We travelled to Nova Scotia and visited my family in Halifax.

and Dave's family in Cape Breton.

And enjoyed some fresh seafood.

We acted as tourists in our own city.  




Visited with some of my law school friends.


And some family


We went to a wedding in Muskoka.


And we are going camping today to cap it all off!



Wednesday, August 29, 2018

What's Up Wednesday


What we're eating this week...
Sunday - Meatball subs
Monday - Leftover chick pea and red lentil curry
Tuesday - Homemade chicken nuggets and sweet potatoes
Wednesday - Leftover macaroni and cheese
Thursday to Saturday - Camping meals

What I'm reminiscing about...
After the wedding we attended this weekend, I was reminiscing about the other family weddings we attended with this side of the family.  We've traveled from East to West and most of us have been to them all. 

What I'm loving...
We have had very hot days this week and I do love it.  I know it will be cold soon, and although that has its own benefits, I do love the heat and am soaking it all in while I can.

What we've been up to...
Spending lots of time with family and friends and enjoying the last days of summer vacation. 


What I'm dreading...
Carrying Q around the campground.  The Pinery is great but the walk from the campsite to the beach is long and through the woods and sand dunes and I just know we will be carrying Q a lot.  

What I'm working on...
Planning everything.  I have several Google Docs on the go right now - camping, our back to school BBQ, and Q's birthday.  

What I'm excited about...
Our trip to Disney in October.  I think we have a lot figured out but we will still be collecting tips and reading about the whole experience up to then.  We are also trying to introduce more Disney characters to Q so he'll know who they are when we are there. 

What I'm watching/reading...
We are still working on Homeland, I want to catch up on Bachelor in Paradise and Ballers, and we are watching Amazing Race Canada.  We also watch a lot of Anthony Bourdain. 

I just finished The Marriage Pact, and it was very good.  A thriller and not something I usually read, but I would recommend it.  I have a gift card for Chapters so I may pick up Crazy Rich Asians to read next, rather than wait for it from the library.

What I'm listening to...
Currently all of the news about the trade negotiations.  

What I'm wearing...
Shorts and tank tops.  And for work - skirts and sleeveless tops (which is basically the same thing).  

What I'm doing this weekend...
Camping at the Pinery.  We have done this the past two years and it is always fun.
See my posts here - 2017 and 2016.

What I'm looking forward to next month...
School starting, our BBQ with some neighbours, E's appearance in the all-star soccer game, Bloor West Ukrainian Festival, and Q's 2nd birthday!  Is it possible September is busier than the summer?


What else is new...
Instead of saying "Yes" or "Yeah" for an affirmative answer, Q responds with "nah", which can be confusing.  His "no" is very clear though, so we can tell the difference, but I usually have to think about it.   Example: "Do you want some ice cream?" "Nah."  *takes ice cream* "Can I have it back now?" "No no no."

What is your favourite back to school tradition?
I love walking E to and from school on the first day.  Since he attends the before and after school program, we are usually just dropping off and picking up on our way to work and are always in a rush.  On this day we get to be there when the bell rings so we can see the other kids and parents, and meet the teacher.  On the way home we get to hear about E's day during the walk.  

Linking up with ShaySheaffer, and Mel



Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend surrounded by family and in a beautiful location.  On Thursday morning we packed up the car, including Dave's aunt and sister, and headed north.  I was next to Q, and E was way in the back.


We stopped at Weber's for lunch and although we were there at lunchtime (12:30) we didn't have to wait long, they do a great job of putting people through that line.  Dave's aunt and E shared a milkshake.


All smiles.  


We decided on an ice cream too.


I made the big mistake of letting Q hold my cone for a lick or two and then he did not want to give it back.  After some screaming and struggle we managed to put some into a cup so I could eat that and gave the cone back to Q.

Then we were back on the road for a weekend at Delmonte in the Pines.  Dave's cousin was getting married there and most of the family came up for the whole weekend to stay on site.  It is a great spot and has been around for a long time so the main lodge, game's room, and dance hall felt like throwbacks to the 1960s (but in good condition).  We did a little exploring of the grounds after we got unpacked.




The bride and groom enjoying some alone time.


We were staying in a three bedroom cottage (The Rochester) along with Dave's parents, sister, and aunt.  Dave's aunt, uncle, and cousins from New Brunswick were staying in the adjoining cottage.  We hung with everyone in the evening and then some of us went over the hot tub. 


It was a beautiful day on Friday morning.  Dave got up early with the kids and got Q something to eat and then took them down to the dock to fish.  We played over at the beach and on the playground for the rest of the morning.


Lawn games in the afternoon while E napped (and then after). 


(This is empty of course)



Some snacks before the BBQ.


Cousin time.  We ate with the rest of the family and wedding party who were staying on site.  We had a bonfire afterwards but Q did not make it to that. 


On Saturday morning I took Q out to the porch to eat breakfast before everyone else got up.  It was rainy on and off all day (the wedding day) which was too bad.


Dave and his dad took E and cousin Mitchell over in the canoe to a small island to go fishing.



In teh afternoon, Q had a nice long nap, E watched some movies, and I read my book, so it was a great afternoon.  Then we got ready for the wedding that was starting at 4:00.

I didn't get any photos of the bride or during the ceremony - one reason was that I was trying to keep Q quiet and the other reason was we were encouraged to put our phones away and let the professional photographers take the pictures and I obliged.  
Dave's mother and her brothers and sister (Linda, Billy, Carol, and Sandy - it was Sandy's daughter getting married).

And again with their spouses.

Dancing with Q.  He had a great time at the reception and danced and played with the games outside.  But when I asked him at about 8:00 if he was ready for bed, he said yes and easily went to sleep.

I danced with E too, although he claimed he wasn't tired, he went to bed quite easily after this!

We capped off the night with some french fries and onion rings, and a bonfire. It was a lovely outdoor wedding and not deterred by the rain!

On Sunday morning we were up and ready to go home by 10:30.  E was going home with Dave's parents for the week so it was just three of us heading home.  Q slept the whole way.  We had lunch, played outside, and then we all napped, so nice!  

Meatball subs and Finding Nemo before bedtime.

I went to yoga in the evening and then we watched some TV and had some wine.