• Food

    25 Creative Halloween Cupcakes

    Creative Halloween cupcakes are fun for all ages. If your child’s school still has Halloween parties, or if your tween/teen gets invited to a seasonal dress-up party, then you know you need to have something cute to make and take. Well, hold the presses because I have a great collection of some of the cutest Halloween cupcakes around. From creepy brains and standard Halloween spiders to cute owl cupcakes, there’s a little of everything here. Maleficent cupcakes with horns are crazy fun. Here’s some of my favourite picks for cute treats this Halloween. Creative Halloween Cupcakes are always a huge…

  • family - parenting

    Halloween Safety for Kids and Adults

    Halloween safety is one of those topics that makes kids and parents, alike cringe. Kids don’t want to think about it, and parents can’t stop thinking about it. What is meant to be a wholesome night of zombies, ghosts, superheroes, and candy can be a source of danger. Between predators and strangers who put nasty stuff in candy, Halloween safety is something that cannot be over promoted. Halloween safety is an important topic for both kids and adults, because in this day and age every member of the family needs to be careful! In fact I hear so many Moms and Dads saying…

  • family - Giveaways

    Playmobil Pirates Treasure Island #Giveaway

    There are toys and then there are toys that last and captivate and help your children create their own little worlds. Playmobil is the kind of big experience high quality toy that lasts and generates hour after hour of imaginative play. Playmobil Pirates Treasure Island is a swashbuckling adventure toy. Voyage the pirate sea in search of hidden gems with the PLAYMOBIL Pirates Treasure Island! X marks the spot, but this secret pirate hideout has some tricks up its sleeve to ward off unwanted visitors.Successfully navigate your way through uncharted territory and you may just find yourself singing yo-ho-ho! The…

  • Food

    Pumpkin Treats Almost Too Good To Share

    I was an adult before I grew into my love for all things pumpkin. As a kid, pumpkin never appealed to me as a food, or a flavour. It was fun to carve and sometimes a treat to make pumpkin crafts, but I would never have eaten pumpkin treats.  Adulthood has some benefits and thankfully tastebuds mature sometimes. Even if you all like different things in your family, that’s okay, because some things are too good to be shared – like these pumpkin treats This roundup of beautiful pumpkin treats knocks my socks off. I probably wouldn’t have thought to…

  • Food

    Enjoy Coffee Time Without Worrying #ChurchandDwight

    Coffee time is simply essential. At least, it is for me. I love coffee. I cannot start my day without it. I need that jolt of pure go juice induced energy to get me started on my day. I used to be one of those people who had a pot of coffee ready to go pretty much all day. When my blood pressure started to be too high for my comfort though I trimmed right back. Note – trimmed back. I didn’t quit entirely because I love coffee time too much and I need it to power through busy days.…

  • active family travel - family - parenting - Travel

    Vow Renewal – A Few Memorable Destinations #travel

    Vow renewal is a beautiful and romantic thing. It’s a way for couples to reaffirm their commitment to one another in a way that’s more than just the everyday “I love you” and the occasional flower bouquet. I’ve been thinking about this lately and contemplating whether this is something we should do for our 25th wedding anniversary. I like the idea of building a memorable romantic trip together as a couple. Renewing our vows could add a touch of magic to our marriage. It might remind us how we felt that day when we first slipped those rings on our fingers in…

  • family - Giveaways

    It’s a Hallmark Holiday with these Halloween Gifts #LoveHallmarkCA #Giveaways

    I said it before and I will say it again. Hallmark Halloween gifts, linens and pretty decorations make me feel like a kid at Halloween. Every year. This year is no different. Hallmark’s adorable decorations and pretty linens will make your Halloween and Thanksgiving special. There are so many adorable Halloween gifts to share this Fall. This little guy is one of my favourite Halloween gifts ever. Buy one for your house or give one to someone who loves Halloween as much as you do. This is Boo, The Spooktastic Ghost and he dances and plays music when you press…

  • Health

    Mesothelioma Awareness Day 2016 #ENDMESO

    Until very recently I had never even heard of Mesothelioma. It was one of those extremely sad rare cancers that didn’t seem to generate a lot of stories or news. In 2015 and 2016 I heard a lot more about mesothelioma when a good friend’s father passed away of the disease. Recently, a survivor reached out to me with her moving story and I thought I’d share a few facts for Mesothelioma Awareness Day. This week September 26th marks Mesothelioma Awareness Day (MAD). Heather’s Story Heather Von St James is a survivor of ten years. She was a brand new Mom,…

  • adoption and tweens - family - Parenting - parenting

    This Reality Show Called Adoption Life

    “I’m thinking about adopting.” At least once a week I read a message like this from someone wanting information about adoption. I am open. I talk and write about adoption here often. Friends know I will always answer. And I do. I find them resources, or answer their questions about why, or how long, or where do I go? Sometimes I simply let them know that the wait is worth it. I answer the questions one by one and hope others will follow through and discover all that I love about adoption. There are many roads to parenthood. BOTTOM LINE. There…

  • family - Health

    Prepare for a Healthy Baby Now – When Genetic Screening Makes Sense

    “I don’t care if this baby is a boy or a girl. I just hope he or she is healthy.” Almost every parent, or parent to be has uttered out loud, or thought to themselves, some version of this sentiment. Healthy baby first. Gender second. So what would you do to stack the deck in favour of having a healthy child? Eat better, exercise? Some of these changes are a no brainer. But what about genetic screening before you get pregnant? When does that make sense? Most of us know there are many things you do to help grow a…