• Travel

    Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh

    Whether you’re a history buff, a “Potterhead,” or a ghost hunter, Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh will capture your attention. In the heart of the Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh isn’t just a graveyard; it’s a time capsule of Scotland’s most dramatic chapters. The Legend: Greyfriars Bobby You can’t talk about Greyfriars without mentioning the story of the world’s most loyal dog. And you must not leave without placing a stick on his grave near the entry of the kirkyard. It’s simply tradition. The Story Bobby was a Skye Terrier who reportedly spent 14 years guarding the grave of his master, John…

  • Printables

    Keep Kids Busy with This Free Easter “I Spy” Printable!

    We’ve all been there: the Easter dinner is almost ready, the eggs are hidden, but the kids are starting to get that “pre-chocolate” restless energy. You need about fifteen minutes of peace to get the ham out of the oven or finally finish your coffee while it’s actually hot. Enter the Easter I Spy! This is one of my favourite types of printables because it’s a “quiet” game. It challenges the kids to hunt for hidden bunnies, decorated eggs, spring chicks, rainbows and baskets tucked away in a festive scene. It’s like a mini scavenger hunt they can do right at…

  • Printables

    Easter Word Scramble

    This Easter Word Scramble is my way of saying to you, enjoy the spring months while they are here. They certainly do not last long. After months of heavy coats, salt-stained boots, and that perpetual grey sky that seems to settle over Ontario, seeing the first hint of green can be basically a religious experience. Between the mud (so much mud!) and the birds finally making a racket again every morning waking me up, the signs of spring are hard to ignore. Listen, everyone here knows I love winter. It is my favourite but I might be in the minority…

  • Printables

    April Fool’s Word Search

    What is your favourite April Fool’s Joke? My kids love to play jokes and they rarely miss a chance to prank me. They could make a full day of it or maybe even a week of it. Looking for a few cute word games to round out the day or prepare for the pranks? Check out my April Fool’s Word Search below for a few minutes of fun. I mean when my kids were younger they loved these games and crosswords were also a huge hit. Nobody really has a clear understanding of how this day actually came about. There’s…

  • Travel

    Ski Clothing for the Coldest Conditions

    Consider this a Get Ready With Me kind of post for those days when you want to get outdoors but need to brave the -20°C temperatures. You know, polar vortex kind of weather? So what’s the best ski clothing for the coldest conditions. Post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases made via qualifying links. To be clear, this is a women’s clothing post. I wear women’s ski clothing. If you are a man or a youth, several of these tips still apply but you probably need to modify the brand names of the clothing to suit…

  • Travel

    Our 24 Hours in Glasgow: Whistle-Stop Tour!

    So, you found yourself with just 24 hours in Glasgow. There’s no way to do everything in that timeframe but you can prioritize and hit some highlights. Enjoy your short time in the city and dive in fast. I mean you can always sleep on the plane ride home, right? Recently we found ourselves in Glasgow after a week spent exploring Scotland, from the Highlands to all things Edinburgh, and while we were pretty exhausted, we had to speed through what we could when we got to Glasgow. The opportunity was too good and we didn’t want to feel like…

  • Travel

    Why Whiteface Mountain is Pure Magic

    You know those trips that just stick with you? The ones you think about in the middle of a mundane workday, wishing you could swap that office chair for a quad chair or gondola and the smell of pine and cold air? For me, lately that trip is skiing Whiteface Mountain in Lake Placid, New York. I visited Lake Placid and skied Whiteface with my family a couple of years ago and it’s been too long. The History Whiteface isn’t just another ski resort; it’s iconic. Tucked away in the stunning Adirondacks, this mountain has a pedigree few others in…

  • family

    Why Dream Pairs Boots Are My New Obsession

    Is there anything more “Canadian” than the eternal struggle of finding shoes or boots that actually look cute but won’t leave you sliding across a frozen Tim Horton’s parking lot? I’ve spent years cycling through boots that are either “industrial-tundra-chic” or “fashionable-but-frozen.” Product was provided for consideration and affiliate links are included as a service to readers. I make a small commission via qualifying purchases. The last pair I had were great and a well known brand, don’t get me wrong, but sexy they were not. Fashionable, NO. Functional only and I feel like there’s space for both function and…

  • parenting

    Small Santa, Big Heart: My Little Santa Claus

    What happens when Santa Claus is the one in need of a gift? When young Magali meets a tiny, lost Santa on Christmas Eve, she discovers that the greatest holiday magic comes from compassion in My Little Santa Claus. I received product for consideration. Amazon affiliate links are included in this post as a service to readers. Any purchases made via the links within result in compensation. Available in English for the first time, this rediscovered gem, My Little Santa Claus, by beloved author-illustrator Gabrielle Vincent is a masterclass in simple storytelling through kindness. If you know me, or spend…

  • Travel

    Making Magic on a Budget: 5 Free Things to Do in Edinburgh

    Edinburgh is a city that feels like it was plucked straight from the pages of a gothic novel. With its jagged skyline, misty atmosphere, narrow cobblestone “closes,” and gorgeous architecture, it is one of the most impressive cities you could ever visit. Edinburgh has a gravity that pulls you in. But as any traveler knows, visiting another country can be pricey. So, we, as a family, love to find budget friendly things to do when we travel. Here are a few free things to do in Edinburgh that we enjoyed. The very best of Edinburgh—its soul, its history, and its…