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Showing posts from January, 2019

Banana Chocolate Chia Loaf - Experimental Baking

Justin (my supposedly not picky child) has been striking when it comes to breakfast.  With the Christmas holidays, I let it slide as we often seemed to graze or do more of a brunch.   With back to school and the attempt to get back into a routine, it bothers me that he'll choose to leave the house at 7:30am on an empty stomach (and yet... I totally get it! Breakfast early is a hard one for me as well.)  Instead of the drama, I've been adding an extra piece of fruit to his lunch bag... and know that the school office supplies breakfast as well to anyone that would like it, that the first break is fairly early and he's not going to starve, and that as a mother I'm not a failure because there are plenty of food options in the house.  However... breakfast... it's the most important meal of the day, right!?!  I asked him yesterday if he would like me to bake something - banana muffins, lemon poppyseed loaf, etc. to tempt his taste buds.  To him, baked goods are a tre

Book Review: A Stitch In Time by Beryl Kingston

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A Stitch In Time by Beryl Kingston, my latest NetGalley title, was both excellent and easy to read!  This historical novel was filled with descriptive prose and emotion.  Set during WW1 and the Roaring Twenties, the tale follows one family determined to make their way despite the hardships of life in lower-class London and the intertwining of their lives with an upper-class family full of dysfunction despite their wealth.  Once I could read through the cant (mostly the first few chapters) I was enmeshed in Rose's narrative. In turns heartbreaking, surprising, comical, and filled with grit, it was a remarkable book. Women were extraordinary through the Great War and the lives they built afterwards were inspiring, as reflected in this work.  The determination to keep on - pull up the bootstraps and rely on each other, the resilience of families (as built by blood and by choice), and the hardships faced were unimaginable, but Kingston did well in painting this picture as a co

Burritos and Purpose

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My youngest son is not picky, with the exception of pizza, hot dogs, and breads (unless it's a bakery loaf.) He loves new restaurants, enjoys picking out new recipes ("Mom, we should try this one!"), and will usually eat any home cooked meal he's served.  His faves include potatoes in any form, butter chicken (but not the way I make it), and rice and peas. (Grandpa's are still his favourite.) The last few weeks he's been asking for burritos... but not at-home burritos - fast food burritos. The closest burrito bar is about 25 minutes from us.  Considering it's the last official day of winter break... and that I have to pick up Kaleb's skis from the pro-shop across the street from a Mucho Burrito, we decided to have a lunch date today and finally get our burritos.. That is my priority. I have a million other stops to attempt, and I know running a full day of errands means he'll most likely get on my nerves. (Honestly, we haven't left

Book Review: The Happiness Project by Pippa James

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Have you ever noticed that women need each other, but especially mothers need someone on their team?  Have you noticed that sometimes other moms can be just horrible in their judgement and criticism?  Have you ever felt convinced you were messing up your kids irreparably? Wondered if you're slowly poisoning them because they won't eat a darn vegetable despite your best efforts?  Wanted to crash on your best friend's couch in yoga pants with tears because it seems like you do everything at home, and at work, and at school?  If you can relate to any of those questions... you'll relate to my latest read.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and/or author through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My first read of 2019 and a new-to-me author:  Pippa James .  The Happiness Project was a charming glimpse into the life of three mothers as they make a list of New Years Resolutions together.  Being a mother