Now, don't laugh, but it took me years to figure out how to make decent nachos at home. Every couple of months I'd give it another go and something always went wrong. The chips were burnt around the edges but the cheese was barely melty, the chips were soggy in the middle, or the toppings were so-so. I would throw up my hands, say "I give up, I can't make nachos!", and a few … [Read more...]
Flying Direct from Windsor to Florida with Porter: By The Numbers
Porter Airlines now offers flights direct from Windsor to Melbourne, Florida. The airport code for Melbourne International Airport is MLB, aka Major League Beaches, and Windsor is YQG, also known as Your Quick Gateway, hence it's like taking Your Quick Gateway to Major League Beaches. Okay, so right now you may be thinking, cute, whatever, but where the heck is Melbourne … [Read more...]
No Wifi? Netflix to the Rescue!
A bit over a year ago now, Netflix unleashed this new download feature where instead of streaming as you watch you can preload shows into your device. Last summer, they pointed out how handy it would be for road trips or for stays in cottage country. You can download a show before you hit the road and you’ve got a handy distraction for the kids. At one point they even had these … [Read more...]
Alzheimer’s SUCKS and Here’s What We’re Going To Do About It
My father-in-law has Alzheimer's, a disease I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. In the nine years since he's been diagnosed, I've watched as one by one his hobbies and abilities have been robbed from him. His body is still tall and strong, but his mind has been eaten away by this heartbreaking disease. So that he can no longer play baseball, or go bowling, or play cards, or … [Read more...]
A Netflix Holiday Episode Guide, 39 Christmas or Holiday Season Themed Episodes from My Kids Fav TV Shows
My girls and I have been in a holly jolly mood, streaming Christmas shows on Netflix pretty much non-stop over the past few weeks. We are already nearing the end of the list which I'd created of holiday shows with French audio as an option. I was momentarily stumped as to what to watch next. But then it occurred to me that many of their favourite cartoons and kids shows … [Read more...]
What Exactly Does an Optician Do? Let’s Meet an Optician…
Okay, so I am totally guilty of this... for the longest time I thought that the people that helped me pick out frames and sold me a pair of prescription glasses were just sales clerks. At one point I actually thought an optician was another word for an optometrist or eye doctor. Nope. Wrong answer. So, who are those people working in the eyeglasses department? What … [Read more...]
FREE Eyeglasses for kids ages 4 to 10, with Loblaw KIDS SEE FREE Program
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Loblaw. As always, my words and opinions are all my own. EDIT: I originally published this post in 2017. At that time all of the information was current and correct. As of January 2019, the Kids See Free program appears to have been put on hold. Calling and speaking to my local Theodore & Pringle optical centre I was told that the … [Read more...]
20 Holiday Season Family Movies & Kid Shows to Watch in French on Netflix
Tis the season (to be streaming!). As I've mentioned before, my girls are attending a French immersion grade school and I've been trying to encourage them to watch French language cartoons and kids' shows at home. Sometimes they are excited to watch cartoons in French and sometimes they get frustrated with their inability to understand every word. The 5th grader, in … [Read more...]
Mama, Give Yourself Some Grace – Tips For Dealing With Serious Illness
A year ago I wrote about my experiences living through a bout of severe anaemia. I made it through to the other side, and I feel 210% better than I did a year ago. I think you probably have to have a debilitating experience like that to know just how absolutely fantastic it feels to NOT be ill, because, seriously, not having anaemia is pretty much the best thing ever. I'm … [Read more...]
Cool Contest Alert – Win $4000 in Crafting, Sewing & Knitting Prizes!
I want to give you guys the heads up on one VERY COOL giveaway. If you are into knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, fiber arts, applique, weaving, sewing or quilting this giveaway is for you! I mean, how would you like to win a Brother Embroidery and Sewing Machine or a Cricut Maker Machine? Yep, I thought that would get your attention. And those are just two … [Read more...]
Spontaneous Walt Disney World, Seizing the Evening at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
I know people PLAN Disney. They plan the heck out of Disney. They plan when they will eat, and where, and make reservations months in advance. They plan exactly which rides they're going to go on and what order they're going to ride them in. There is even some Fast Pass deal where you can register for rides ahead of time. Planned. Every minute. Out the wazoo. But something … [Read more...]
“Fancy-Spooky” Halloween Cookies, with Go-To Cookie Cutter Sugar Cookies Recipe
I promised my nieces Halloween Cookies. “Aunt Holly, will you bake some Halloween cookies?” No problem. “Fancy-spooky decorated ones?” Ummm… Sure kids, why not. I used to love baking elaborately decorated sugar cookies for Christmas, but that was back when I had a large kitchen to work in with lots of counter space to roll out dough. Now I have a tiny apartment kitchen … [Read more...]
A World of Octobers…
“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”, L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables … [Read more...]
7 Life Lessons Learned While Kayaking with the Dolphins in Sebastian Inlet
I spent a morning kayaking in Sebastian Inlet Florida State Park, and it taught me a bit about motherhood, about being a caregiver, and about surviving my "sandwich generation" moments. Stick with me here guys. Life happens. It just keeps on happening. Kids. Aging parents. Health issues. STRESS. Non-stop worry and stress. I feel like my life has devolved into some sort … [Read more...]
Fundraising Made Simple with FundScrip
Guys, I have happened upon the coolest fundraising system ever. Every year my kids' school does this Fall fundraiser where they sell frozen cookie dough and overpriced jewellery and knickknacks. The first few years I felt pressured to take part. Every purchase was a disappointment I felt guilty for having let my kids hand these catalogues over to their gullible … [Read more...]