As we sailed away from the skittles-coloured Lunenburg buildings I started humming Stan Rogers tunes. Sailing on the ship that graces our Canadian dime is a treat I hadn’t experienced since I was 8. My boys, avid sailors themselves, had never had the pleasure. On our most recent trip to Nova Scotia, they got to explore the Bluenose II.
Have you ever looked outside on a weekend morning and seen the rain coming down…and despaired? Why? Because your kids are home from school, and they need something to do, besides plopping them down in front of a television or computer. Rainy day games can be a great way to bond with and entertain your kids–and they work on snow days, too!
Ottawa, our wonderful nation’s capital, is both the political and technological center of Canada. As far as a vacation destination, it has a lot to offer, from shopping and dining to fun things to do with kids in Ottawa. Here are some of the high points!
Sometimes on those hot spring and summer mornings, the kids need a chilled treat. This frozen yogurt breakfast bark is not only filled with fruit and protein but the granola gives it some sweet crunch.
These delicious and moist pancakes are perfect for an outdoor spring brunch or re-heated for a quick weekday breakfast. Kid-approved for flavour and fun, and mom-approved for nutrition, this fruit-infused recipe is sure to be a winner at the breakfast table. Using applesauce or store-bought fruit snacks in both the batter and the topping boosts the nutrition and sweetness naturally, and provides one full serving of fruit per cup. Mix-up your “fruit-ine” and substitute different flavours to change the recipe and delight your taste buds. Swap traditional maple syrup for the creamy fruit topping for an extra burst of flavour and nutrients.
Passover is a Jewish festival that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days, usually in late March or early April, according to the Jewish lunar calendar. Between crafts to preparation and rituals during the Seder, kids can play a huge part in the Passover celebration.
The central ritual of Passover is the Seder, a ceremonial meal that takes place on the first two nights of the festival. The Seder is a time for family and friends to come together to retell the story of the Exodus and to give thanks for the freedom that the Israelites gained.
There’s something about Easter egg waste and chemical dyes that makes me squirm. Of course there are store-bought, non-toxic natural Easter Egg dyes out there, but I set out to create my own from ingredients in the fridge. The result was muted and beautiful – almost what you would find if you happened upon a bird’s nest in nature. Natural easter egg dyes also make it healthier to consume the hard-boiled eggs after the fact. And after you master these, maybe cloth dying is in the cards!!
Keeping a clean house when you have pets can be a challenge. Having a cat or dog is such an amazing part of childhood for our kids, but cleaning up after them can be a pain, especially if you entertain regularly like we do. We try to keep the house ready for unexpected guests and that means being proactive to stop messes before they start. Here are our best tips:
This ham is both simple and elegant, and the leftovers are something to celebrate, too. A honey-glazed ham makes an unbelievable Sunday dinner and is equally special during the Easter or Christmas holidays. Our family always had ham, albeit with my Mom’s British heritage, the flavours weren’t as complex. She would serve it with a potato scallop and green beans and my mouth would water. With this easy recipe, you could also throw in an Asian influence with the addition of soy sauce, and serve with bok choi and noodles.
Late in 2021, my sons were in a sailing regatta in Miami’s Coconut Grove. Two days after Christmas, I was given a special holiday present from one of the coaches.. I tested positive for Covid on the PCR test that was required in order to return to Canada. All 4 other people in our AirBNB were fine but I knew I would be spending 14 nights alone. In the sun. Without any responsibility. Every Mom’s dream until you have to pay for the hotels and are forced away from the kids!
