Tuesday.

A few things I am grateful for today.
* "Ladies Who Lunch" only we eat breakfast.
* Popping over to my neighbours for a sec. and having a giggle over our matching uniforms: Messy hair, sweat pants and cozy top (ie track suits)
* Finding all my ECE documents, workshop, project stuff all within five minutes of looking.
* Finding my "Sweet 16" ring I lost about 10 years ago.
* Rolands version of the Russian YouTube singer. Totally made my morning. Still laughing about it.
* Sasha wanting to play Mama and Baby Pig. "Your the Big Mama Pig and I am the baby pig and I'm going to drink milk from you, but not really mom, I'll just pretend over your cloths".
* Dalton's curly hair looked awesome tonight. Super handsome. Not so 'Vinnie Bobarino'.
* Sally our pet chipmunk, sitting on the chair looking at me inside. I almost let her in.
* My yummy dinner of Scrambled Eggs&Sliced Avocado (seriously yummy combo, sounds gross but for some reason it works) tomatoes, Sesame seed cookies, lemonade.
* Tea with my Dear Friend K. Always a pleasure.
* The lake looked breathtaking today, bright blue towards shore, almost purple blue in the horizon, SUNSET spectacular.


A couple of things I'm a little bummed about tonight:
* Really felt like watching T.V. tonight...we cut our cable.
* My new glasses still are not ready.
* The laundry is never done.

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow,
Marcia

My New M.A.C. Spring/Summer Lipstick

Me and my girl wearing "See Sheer" Lustre M.A.C. lipstick.

I love M.A.C. make-up. I love the smell of it, the application, the packaging, the quality, it's Canadian and I love the creative spirit it was created from and still is. I was first introduced to this line in 1989, during my "trying to make it as a model days". I wore "Pecan" lipstick in matte finish for the rest of high school. (side note: holy crap that was 20 years ago!!!) We were in London this past weekend and I picked out new Spectacles and thought I should get a new lipstick to go with. What a nice treat. Fresh, smelling good, sheer lipstick. The simple things make me so happy.

Next time you are in the city, go to the mall, seek out the M.A.C. counter and treat yourself to a new lipstick. It really does brighten your day.

Smmmmmmooooch,
Marcia



New Subject: "ManPacking". So recently (pretty much throughout the winter) there has been some pretty funny banter back and forth between friends about the dreaded "ManCold". Well, for all you ladies out there that know what I am talking about I have a new "Man Peeve". It's called "ManPacking". So, Dalton signed up about 2 months ago to go away for a 4 day ATV trip. Lovely, have fun Dalton. Two months he has know about this trip. Night before he leaves, "Mar, have you seen my rain boots?" "Mar, do you know where my back pack is?" "Mar, what tooth paste should I bring". He searched for rain boots for about 2 hours. Backpack, lifted a shirt, there it was. Toothpaste, decide to take the one that is almost finished, about enough to last 4 days. He took hardly any cloths with him. Not sure if P.J.s even made it in. I hope he is having fun. And can't wait to see him on Saturday.

By Design Dinner Recipe

So we all know I am a big fan of The Life By Design concept. I feel great when I Eat By Design. I do find it a wee bit challenging sometimes making full meals 100% completely By Design but I am getting better. Tonight's meal was soooooo yummy, tasty, nutritious and 100% Eat By Design. (Just a side note: Eat By Design is Gluten, Wheat and Dairy Free)

First: Saute Extra Lean Ground Beef (or Chicken or turkey) preferably Organic. Drain set aside. Oh by the way, Your Welcome for not posting a picture of sizzling meat. (blarf)
Second: Saute Shallots, Garlic, Tomatoes, Broccoli. While this is Sauteing boil Cauliflower in another pot.

Third: Add the beef to the veggies. Add pesto (I used jarred) Mix it up.
Forth: Place baby spinach on top, put on lid to let it steam about 2 minutes. Take lid off and mix together.

Fifth: Drain cauliflower, add a bit of olive oil or olivina marg, S&P, and a dash of nutmeg. Blend with a hand blender until fluffy. Looks like mashed potatoes

Sixth: Dollop Cauliflower Mash on plate, Spoon the Pesto Veggie Beef mixture. Top with Walnuts. And Enjoy.

Honestly sometimes I amaze even myself. Not only was this dinner esthetically pleasing to my eye, it was delicious and my belly has been full for hours.

Wow big day for my blog, two posts in one day. Sometimes I'm inspired sometimes I draw a blank.
Have a lovely night
Marcia

New Project: Eating/Socializing Room

A miracle has happened, my 4 foot by 4 foot monster picture finally got framed after 5 years of leaning, warping, and falling off the buffet. I am so happy it is on the wall. Job well done "Photo shop" downtown Kincardine. For those that may be curious the picture is of my wedding bouquet, my friend Jill took it with her wicked awesome camera. Full of my favorite flowers, Giant Pink Peony's, White and red roses, white freesia, and different shades of pink Gerbera daisies. It smelt heavenly.


The red dining room set is getting a makeover. In these pictures it actually doesn't look to bad. Let me tell you, in person...it has seen better days. The set was manufacture by Maskinonge Furniture Inc. in Maskinonge Quebec in 1968. My parents bought it second hand from their friends in the 70's sometime and was in my parents dining room up until they gave it to us in 2005. It went from Good Condition to near Scrapyard Condition in 10 seconds flat. Since we've had it 2 babies/toddlers/children have eaten, crafted, banged the shit out of it. Since we've had it we've used it for every single meal, since we've had it, it has hosted and served us well on many celebrations. Since we've had it, it has lost it's sheen and now has water marks, the sun has faded the once very vibrant red, the chair cushions are so flat your bum gets pins and needles after awhile, plus they are so stained from food and juice. We have loved this set and have many wonderful memories with it in the back ground. I still really like the style of it and the buffet is so handy, I'd hate to see it go. I feel like I just need to jazz up the joint again, while we're at it lets give it an new title, "Modern Mid century Glamorously Casual Dining Set", It is getting painted out Onyx black with satin finish, the chairs are getting covered in black with white pokadots, the table may get replaced (not sure yet) with the old one getting repurposed as shelves etc. The banister is getting painted out glossy black and the trim going downstairs is getting painted white. I would also like to get 2 dining armchairs from Ikea and recovered with some gorgeous fabric for the ends (for me and Dalton), we do love to linger at the table and chat so a nice comfy chair would be lovely don't ya think?

Oh and I found the "Little Sister" chandelier at Brushwood that I may just have to purchase while Dalton is on his ATV trip this week. I'll move the "Little Sister" to the living room and put the "Big Sister" over the table. Okay seriously I want all this done by yesterday.

Are you working on anything right now? Care to share?

Have a great day
Marcia

Happy Birthday Lucy Lu Lu!!!

My adorable little niece Lucy Eileen turns 4 today!!! This little monkey is full of sunshine and giggles (along with a little piss and vinegar too) She has THE best facial expressions I've ever seen. Lucy is so much fun and always ready with tall tale or two to tell. And she can often be found wearing a bodysuit and showing of her dance moves. Lucy is a Daddy's girl with her Mommy's spunk&spirit, it is a wonderful combination. I love Lucy more than "Kids Love Cake!" Have a great birthday Lucy.

Love Auntie Mar Mar
xOxOxOxO

Pink Shoes...Nuff Said!

It's no secret I love Pink!

And apparently I love Pink Shoes too. Mental note, stop buying Pink Shoes. (fully aware I need to toss the pink flip flops in the bottom. Um Nasty) Days just seem brighter when my tootsies are covered in pink.

Tuesdays Munchable

Love my Laptop Lunch Boxes, a must have for a litterless lunch.
Rolands Lunch: Dried Fruit Bits, Organic Skim Mozzarella, an Apple slice (which Roland said he had a teeny tiny nibble of to try)Chirizo,Flax Crackers (Bulkbarn), Half a bagel with non-dairy cream cheese, Roasted Garlic Hummus.
Sashas Lunch: Yogurt covered raisins&dried fruit bits,Apples, Celery, Cucumber, Blackberries, Flax Chips, Chirizo, Hummus and Organic Skim Mozzarella

Wildly successful lunch with Sassy, Roland not so thrilled about the piece of apple but all and all an enjoyable lunch.

I had a munchie kinda day today. Feed 1: Breakie at Sutton Park, 2 cups of coffee, 2 poached Eggs, 2 pieces of dry Rye and 4 slices of tomatoes.
Feed 2: Banana, 2 Brazil nuts, 6 walnuts and 6 cashews, green tea Feed 3: Homemade Gluten and Dairy Free Energy Bars (Nut free too so the kids can have them for school) Green tea Feed 4: Hamburger on really flat whole grain buns, topped with baby spinach, fresh tomatoes, Org. Ketchup, Mustard, veganaise, a handful of Snapea Crisps (Run don't walk to the Bulkbarn to get these little babies), Pickles and Artichoke Hearts, water and a big sip of Daltons Beer. Apres dinner coffee. (hence me not sleeping right now) Feed 5: Another Homemade Energy Bar. So not too bad, a couple of off track "Eat By Design" items, I know it and I can feel it. I did miss a proper lunch. I will do better tomorrow :) Must kick my coffee habit, the cream is killing me, and I am not fond of it black, plus the caffeine is a bugger. Hmmmmm do they make coffee scented candles?

Good Night and have a pleasant tomorrow,
Marcia

Darling Buds of April

My Flowering Almond is flowering. The little tiny dark pink buds are so very lovely, I can hardly wait for the show stopping flowers to bloom. But I'm in no rush, every spring I marvel at the wonders of nature and all the beauty season changes bring us. Don't you feel so lucky to live here? What are you going to do to celebrate Earth Day this year? I think the Spencers will get dirty. April 22nd, seems like a great day to break ground on our Square Foot Garden. Enjoy the sunshine.



Sasha is turning into a daddy's girl and it is so sweet. The first two and a half years of her life Dalton lived in Kincardine, while we were still in London. Don't get me wrong they were always loving together and had lots of fun, but Sass is a Mama's Girl and was breastfeed for a year, plus I welcomed any entertaining of Rolie I could get back then. He worked lots of crazy shifts and we would only get to see him one or two days a week, so I think that's why it took her a little longer to really get how great a daddy she has and how easy it is for little girls to get their Daddy wrapped around their tiny finger. Sasha has discovered this. Well done little lady.




Friday night was Pizza night. I could not stomach the pizza Dalton was craving so, I ordered him his double cheese and pepperoni and made my own. It was soooooo delicious, I didn't get a picture of the finished product because it went right in my belly!!! It was a mostly Eat By Design pizza. The crust was a whole grain Italian Flatbread, and I did use my dreaded cheese (Organic, skim mozzarella), Then all the good stuff, pesto, spinach, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, grilled chicken (left over from a previous dinner) Oh my goodness my mouth is watering. I do need to find a) a good gluten free pizza dough and b) dairy free cheese that doesn't taste like ass. (just a side note I have never actually tasted ass, I'm just guess it taste awful)

Well that was Monday for you,
Have a lovely Tuesday,
Marcia

You are grounded!

Mr. Grounded himself

Roland is grounded after school today. Yup, he deserves it the little bugger. And it isn't even for his recent use of the newly discovered word "Fuck". (I tell that story at the end). Roland happens to have a pretty awesome dad. And we have come to the conclusion he doesn't know how good he has it, so we are hoping a night in his room, without hanging out with his dad (or Me and Sass) will help teach this lesson. Now before you get all up in arms about "Grounding" a 7 year, please know this, we use positive reinforcement, positive redirection, talking with said child about the behavior and the feelings behind it, we've done "Time Outs" and "Time Ins" and we will continue to use these with the children but sometimes you just gotta try something "harsh". I'm going to lay down the situation in question. I went out for an hour walk with my mom last night (down on the board walk, it was so lovely) when I got home the house was strangely quiet, papers from the fridge were all over the floor, Sass came running out to give me a hug, then Dalton turned the corner and looked pissed. I was like "whats going on", Dalton "That kid, man, he knows how to ruin a night, I took the kids, plus a neighbours kid for a bike ride and we stopped at the lot and made mud ramps for the kids to ride up (see what I mean, awesomeness) having a great time, gave the kids the warning we have to leave and get ready for bed, on the way home Roland asks if we can go for a ride on his dirt bike. I said no we'll do it another night, and then all Hell breaks loose, he's yelling at me and throwing a fit, being just plain miserable he even said "I hate you Dad, you're the worst Dad in the world". I just don't know what to do, cause what we do does not work." My poor hubby was defeated, deflated, frustrated. So, "I grounded him, Sorry Mar but you are going to have to deal with him after school, but I told him he is in his room for tomorrow night, no matter what, even when he comes out of his room all charming and apologetic, he stays in his room, K?" "Of coarse Dalt." In about 30 minutes or so our first grounding is about to happen, wish me luck.

The "Fuck" story.
The kids got off the bus the other day and were walking up the driveway, I met them at the door, Rolie was first, all smiles, gives me a big hug, asks for a snack, tells me a school story, all in about 30 seconds, then my eyes look at Sasha walking up the driveway looking all forlorn, shoulders slumped, puppy dog eyes. I say "Hi Honey, how ya doing?" She then says "Well mommy some girl took my lunch kit and I don't have it anymore." Roland standing in the doorway listen says "What the fuck, Sass, who was it". I have a terrible habit when children swear and use it in a sentence properly and when children fall, I giggle, it is a horrible twitch to have but I laugh and it is really bad in both instances. Anyhoo I say to him while trying not to smile "Seriously Rolie, that is a terrible word, not to be used again, it especially doesn't sound good coming from a kid." K, Mom sorry. But the guys in Daddy's hockey change room say "Fuck" all the time, "Fuck this" "Fuck That". Me - "Roland stop saying it, be done, or you don't get to go to hockey with Daddy anymore, Or you need to wear earmuffs". Awwww kids, they really do say the darnest things.

Have a fucking lovely day,
Marcia

A Reflection Of Parenting: An Easter Story

This past weekend good friends of ours organized an Easter Egg Hunt out the back of their house. Their house backs on to the Kincardine Trails and is a perfect spot for such a fun Easter tradition. Our friends not only hide these eggs in great spots along the trails they loving filled over 70 eggs with special treats for the 10 kids in attendance. All the children arrived with baskets in hands and the parents armed with cameras and smiles to experience and capture the event mentioned. Our Easter adventure was cut short. While we began our hop down the bunny trail we passed a mother walking two dogs and an older child, I smiled and said “hello” and was not met with the same response, instead it seemed like she was high tailing it out of the trails, seconds later two little kids were following with bags and arms overflowing with Easter Eggs. To make matters worse the kids were also eating the candy then throwing the plastic eggs down the ravine!!! Yes, littering on our public trails. A friend stops the little girls and asked them if they found these on the trails, the answer was “Yes”. My friend then says to the mother, these eggs were hid for a family organized Easter Egg Hunt. The ‘Deliquent Mom’ responds with “They’re just kids and this is a public trail”. ‘Awesome mom’ then says “They are for our hunt and we’d like them back please.” ‘Deliquent Mom’ says, “If you want them back ask for them yourselves, I’m not making them give them back”. ‘Awesome Mom’ replies “Great Parenting”, and waits for something to happen. The little kids with the eggs give them back to our party. The kids! Not the mother! First of all, we totally feel bad for the little kids and we so would have let them have a couple of eggs. Second, this mother could have had a slew of amazing teachable moments here and she missed EVERY ONE of them. Let me break it down for her.
#1 – Upon seeing the eggs on the trail and the excitement in her kids’ eyes. A great teachable moment would have been: “Oh kids it looks like someone is having an Easter Egg Hunt make sure you don’t touch them because they are not for us. We’ll have an Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow, and it will be so much fun.” NOT here’s the dogs plastic poo bags fill up as much as you can.
#2 – Letting the kids eat the candy. (My goodness is she for real) That mother does not know who put that candy there. We teach our children to not take/eat candy from strangers and here she is letting them eat stranger candy, she had no idea what could have been laced in the candy or waiting for them at the end of the trail. She is darn lucky it was just us and not some pedophile.
#3 – Taking something that does not belong to you is STEALING, it does not matter if it is on public or private property, and she taught her kids it is okay to be thieves. It’s like if you go to the park and ride your bikes there, run off and go play on the climbers and you happen to not be sitting on your bikes, in her eyes those bikes are up for grabs, “They’re just kids and its public property, you ask them to give them back, I’m not going to”.

Shame on you ‘Deliquent Mom’ let this be a life lesson for you and remember karma has a way of working things out. However you still have time to be an Awesome Mom.

There I feel better now!
Marcia

P.S. I have sent a version of this note to the Editors of Kincardine News and Kincardine Independant.