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Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Royal Wedding...this millenium's style.





I don't know if I am a complete Royalist...but I do believe they have their place. Yesterday was the wedding of Prince William and his new wife Catherine. It was a beautiful ceremony, with several tender moments between bride and groom. The bride's (and maid of honor's) gowns were lovely. Everyone looked very regal. And I had this sense of loss. I actually felt a little like...Oh my Goodness, I'll never get to marry the future King and become a Princess!

Ok, I am a bit deluded.  The facts are, I live on the otherside of the world, I'm already married, and oh yes...I don't know Prince William, or any of his friends and family. :)

What is it about Royal weddings that bring the idea of fairytales out in us? Why do many women want to have a fairytale romance, with a prince on a white horse whisking us away.  Maybe it has more to do with the fact that I just passed our one year anniversary. And I remember that when I got married, my maid of honor said that I would never look at weddings the same. That I would always get a tear in my eye and think back to my wedding.

Newlyweds: Prince William and his bride Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, enjoyed the Royal Wedding cake at their reception
And why am I worried, I did marry a Prince, my prince.


PS The picture at the top was a mock up by the Daily Mail in April 2010...the one on the right is the actual picture of the Royal Couple...good guess on the wedding dress Daily Mail!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Allergy Season is here.

Photo : allergyremediesblog.com

Oh my, I have a tough time with those allergies.  They vary in severity every year, but I sure hate the foggy feeling allergies give me.  I've been given advice that it is best to take antihistamines on a regular basis to help you body build up a resistance to the histamines in your body.  But boy are those things expensive!

Below are several coupons for Reactine Products.  Remember that at London Drugs you can stack multiple coupons and use competitor coupons.

Follow these links for your free coupons:



Thursday, April 28, 2011

Tips and Tricks Thursdays...tips for summer, camping and bbq's!


1. Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drip.

2. Use a meat baster to squeeze your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you’ll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time.

3. When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn’s natural sweetness.

4. To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

5. Ants are said never to cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Birthdays and Loot Bags

DSC_0007
Photo: picnic.typepad.com

Although I am still 4 months away from hosting my first child's birthday party, the thought of it instills fear in my heart. I have been to several different birthdays and have picked up a few ideas that I liked.  But other ones were a frenzy of presents, a frenzy of eating, and then everyone grabbed their loot bag and left. All that intensity in a 2 hour period...whew, don't know if I can do it! 

I picked up a few good ideas on Picnic for some different cute types of lootbags (galvanized pails, cloth bags, decorated paper bags).  And to fill them, here are a few more ideas on Yummy Mummy.  We'll see if I will have the energy or creativity to pull off a cool party come the end of summer!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Easter Ham...more than enough for Split-Pea & Ham Soup

Having had a delicious Easter Ham, we decided to use the left over for Split Pea and Ham Soup.  But I've never made a split pea soup.

I have recently started watching (recording) Chef at Home, and he had just made an quick and easy Split Pea Soup.  So I thought I would give it a try. What I like about this show is that it isn't just about recipes, Chef Michael Smith emphasizes using whatever you have in the kitchen.  He talks a lot about what ingredients that work well together, and to take recipes and make them your own.

Speedy Split Pea with Bacon (or in my case Ham)

Yield: 6 Ingredients

1 package bacon, chopped (I substituted leftover ham)
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped (I had parsnips, so added those as well)
2 stalks celery, washed and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled sliced thinly
2 cups dried split peas
8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
Salt and pepper
2 cups of frozen peas
1 tablespoon of any vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)
Directions

1.Place bacon in a large soup pot over a medium high heat.
2.When the bacon is brown and crispy drain away the fat, leaving about 2 tbsp in the pot.
3.Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic to the pot and sauté for a few minutes.
4.Add the dried peas, stock, bay leaves, rosemary and salt and pepper.
5.Bring to a simmer and continue cooking until the soup is thick and the peas are completely soft.
6.Stir in frozen peas and stir to heat through.
7.Stir in the vinegar and add salt and pepper to taste.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter and Family Traditions

 Happy Easter Everyone! 

Easter was never a big thing in my family growing up (it was more of a religious holiday for us). It's a big thing for my husband.

Now that I have a family of my own, I would love to create some cool family traditions. One that only includes a little chocolate! Aside from the traditional coloring of the Easter eggs, Easter Egg Hunt and Easter ham, any special ideas on what we can do?

Thursday, April 21, 2011

A Surprise Getaway...revealed

My husband suprised me with a trip for our wedding anniversary!  What an amazing man, how did I get so lucky? 

On this trip we checked out a prison, walked on an old bridge, had to take these train/bus things everywhere...and all the walking was up hill!  Doesn't sound exciting?  Well it was awesome!  San Francisco is a great city, definitely on our list to visit again.

Thanks Honey, Happy Anniversary!

Friday, April 15, 2011

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Tips n Tricks Thursday's...uses for Alka Seltzer (do they even sell it anymore?!)


Yes they do! And here are some alternate uses for Alka Seltzer:

Clean a toilet: Drop in 2 tablets, wait 20 minutes, brush and flush.

Clean a vase: Fill with water and drop in 2 tablets.

Polish jewelry: Drop 2 tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for 2 minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle: Fill the bottle with water, drop in 4 tablets, and let soak for an hour.

Unclog a drain: Clear the sink drain by dropping 3 tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

Wow...unclog a drain and get rid of indigestion!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Bringing fashion to the delivery room

Plumeria



Have you ever thought green (hospital green) wasn't your color?

Well this item will take care of that! Dressed to Deliver has taken fashion into the delivery room. Combining practicality with comfort to bring you a dress fashionable enough to wear before your due date all the way to the delivery and beyond.

With well thought out features such as an empire waist that supports your breasts. To straps that undo to allow access for IV's and nursing. The dress is made of a soft jersey knit that is stretchy when & where you need it the most, and comes with a hidden snap opening in the front and the back.

There are currently three prints to choose from, sizes Sm to XL. Look your best on this amazingly special day.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Hipstamatic...reliving the good ole days of photography.


Hipstamatic...what a cool app! 

You can take your iphone pictures and make them look like pictures of old.  They have "digital" lens, flash, and film that you can interchange to create different effects. You can even order prints to be delivered. And of course there is easy sharing with Facebook and Flickr.  All for $1.99!

Now...all I need is an iphone.

Monday, April 11, 2011

In the Moment Mondays...do you know your neighbours?!


This weekend, the weather was beautiful!  So I took advantage of the great weather and checked out my neighbourhood.  I went to a couple of local businesses and visited two garage sales.  And as I went around, I met my neighbours.

We moved in to this neighbourhood about 10 months ago.  I was 8 months pregnant at the time and with the rush of moving in, we only got to meet the neighbours on our block.

Now, not only did I meet 3 sets of neighbours.  These are the things I discovered...

1. One of my neighbours plays a mean guitar and serenaded me with "Country Roads".
2. You can't see into our back yard from a house up the hill.
3. I need to always check out the garage sale of another neighbour, as they own a party supply company and get rid of some cool stuff!
4. Another neighbour uses only organic sprays on his orchard, so no need to keep the little one indoors when they are spraying.
5. I was invited to join the neighbourhood Diva's!

Well worth the exploration...don't you think?!  I'm really digging this neighbourhood!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Korean Food at Soban Korean Bistro


Korean food is not easy to come by in Kelowna. But there is a new restaurant in the downtown core that serves great Korean food, with friendly service, and a great atmosphere.  Once again, we arrived enmass with 3 ladies, 3 babies, and 3 strollers, and they were very accomodating. 

Not knowing what to order, the server was extremely helpful in helping us wade through the foreign sounding menu.  We ended up with a few sampler platters, where we could try a little bit of everything.  Included was Kimchi, Jopchae (stirfried noodles with vegetables) Seafood Pajon (seafood pancake), Bulgogi, and Bimbimbop (rice base with veggies and dressing).  When you look at the individual ingredients in each of the dishes nothing seems extremely different.  But the flavours!  Were amazing!

And they did everything to make sure that we were comfortable with our babies in tow.  Setting us up at a comfortable table with adequate room for the strollers. 

If you get the chance to try it out, don't hesitate!  SOBAN Korean Bistro is at 530 Bernard Ave, Kelowna BC.  You can call them at 778-478-9638.

PS I recommend you try the tangy ginger soy dressing for the B-bop (aka Bimbimbop)!

Food: * * * * */5
Service: * * * * */5
Stroller Friendly: * * * */5
Price: Lunch Special $14

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Tips N Tricks Thursdays...Spring is here, time to head into the garden.

FrugalistaI have long heard about all these cool, tried and true tricks to solving everyday household issues wiht every day products around the house(they seem to work better than the latest spray, device, or gadget "as seen on tv").  I picked up some cool budget garden tricks from The Frugalista on CBC Ottawa.  Find out what you can do with table salt, coffee grounds, egg shells, vinegar or plastic forks to help you with your garden this year. 

The Frugalista doesn't just offer hints on gardening, but all types of money saving ideas.  From travel tips (I have a few of my own to contribute in this area), to saving on bank fees, to making your own cleaning supplies.  Check it out!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Oh to become a photographer?

I have always loved photography, and I thought I had an eye for composition.  But I look at my photos compared to others and I still have a lot to learn.  I'm wondering if I need better equipment?  Do I need to learn more about exposure, white balance and shutter speed?  Or does the advantage come in how you edit the photos? 

My passion is people pictures, action shots not posed.  I want to be able to take a shot of someone as they are laughing, crying, or yelling...but I can't seem to capture that emotion! Please let me know if you have any tips that I can use.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Review of Babies in Bloom...and the new stuff I learned!

I was able to drag my husband to the Babies in Bloom event on the weekend...yay honey!!  And it was quite good!  It was in a great venue, the Center of Learning is a beautiful building at Okanagan College. 

There was a range of exhibitors, everything from clothing to equipment to online suppliers.  Luckily for my husband I didn't go too crazy.  The only money I spent was with Booty Boutique. I picked up a neat scented disc to put in the diaper pail, and it seems to be working already!  As well, I picked up a reusable swim diaper (we are hoping to be in the pool a lot this summer!). 

I found out about a new Canadian shopping website called True Cuddles.  Check it out, it looks cool.  And we had E's picture taken for the Cutest Baby Contest, he is a true ham in front of the camera!  Pictures will be posted on Facebook soon for you to vote!

Even Dad had fun joining in on storytime and trying out one of these running striders.  I have to admit, E sure looked cute on the thing.  And Dad was having a blast!

If you are about to have a baby, or have just had one...I definately recommend you check this event out next year!

Monday, April 4, 2011

In the Moment Mondays...Spring is in the air!

Spring is not just blue skies, new sprouting flowers, and warm days.  For many of us this means spring cleaning.  An opportunity to get rid of some of the old stuff and re-discover what we do have! 

Some of the things we own:

Seven Jerry Cans!

A spare truck tire (I hope it fits on our truck).


A red SuperPerson's cape (don't ask!).


Friday, April 1, 2011

Babies in Bloom

 

The biggest Baby Fair in the Okanagan is happening this weekend.  Does this mean that spring is here?  You betcha! 

It's on this Saturday and Sunday at the Okanagan College Center of Learning.

I just checked out the website and it looks like there are some interesting exhibitors and guest speakers. I've also been told that I have to learn about "Bobs and Lolo".  Looks like I'll be able to find out soon, they are performing on Sunday.

Should be fun, see you there!