• Travel

    Fifty New Things From the Year I Turned Fifty

    July 16, 2019 - By 

    Last year was the year I turned fifty. Just saying that is both liberating and a bit scary. I come from a long line of women who didn’t EVER discuss their age. So, neither did I for most of my adult life. There was a time when I was so incredibly ill with Crohn’s Disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that is incurable, that I was very certain I wouldn’t live past 40. And then 40 came and went and 41, 42, 43 and so on and I was still here. Huh. Imagine that. A Bit of History The Internet didn’t…

  • Travel

    What are the Best Cities to Visit on the Fourth of July?

    July 4, 2019 - By 

    It is not really the Fourth of July without a display of fireworks at night to make a spectacular end to the celebration. Fireworks shows take place throughout the country during the Fourth of July. Most cities make a huge deal of Independence Day and rightfully so. However, there are a few cities across the United States that outdo the other cities when it comes to spectacular fireworks displays. Take Note for Independence Day So take note of these for this year or next and make a plan to be there during July 4th celebrations! Where is the Best City…

  • family - Travel

    Cruise Etiquette No-No’s to Avoid

    June 18, 2019 - By 

    Cruise etiquette is crucial to an enjoyable cruising experience. When everyone on the ship is on their best behaviour, all of the cruise guests have the best time. However, there are always a few cruisers who either disregard some major cruise etiquette infractions, or just don’t know them. Don’t be that girl, or that guy. There are some things on a cruise that you just shouldn’t ever do. I’ve seen many of these play out and honestly you are not making any friends by hogging all the loungers on the deck and then disappearing for the day to eat or…

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    Travel

    Puerto Rico’s Family-Approved Destinations For Under $200

    June 16, 2019 - By 

    Guest post by Andrea Barnhill of Weekend Wander Club It’s a perfect dream to spend bright and lazy summer days just lying in hammocks under palm trees or walking barefoot in the sand while the water splashes softly against your skin. Not too far away, you can hear children’s squeals of delight, giving you peace of mind that they’re safe and enjoying nature at its best. Puerto Rico’s Family-Approved Destinations at Under $200 You can have all these experiences and more in Puerto Rico, the largest territory in the Caribbean Sea that’s still part of the US. For US citizens,…

  • Giveaways

    Rent An RV Directly From Owners – Win a Dream Trip!

    June 4, 2019 - By 

    This post has been sponsored by RVshare, which means I received compensation. Just last fall we took our first ever RV trip. It was something we had been talking about forever. When we got started we fell hard for the RV lifestyle. That RV road trip through Northern Ontario was one of our favourite family adventures. But we don’t own an RV and yet we’d love so much to do this again some day soon. If you are at all thinking the same thing, you might be excited to hear about an RV rental that can help you experience the…

  • child_celebrating_valcartier_raft_ride_in_snow
    Travel

    Valcartier – The Largest Winter Playground in North America

    June 4, 2019 - By 

    Setting – the largest winter playground in North America. We are flying down Everest, a human chain of inner tubes, each of us squealing deliciously, eyes squeezed shut, hearts drumming loudly in our ears. The vertical plummet straight down, as soon as the gate lifts, has me clutching even harder to handles on either side of my tube while simultaneously also wrapping my triceps around my younger daughter’s boots and grounding us both. All that planking at the gym literally paying off right now in this moment as we scream all the way down. At the bottom, when the ground…

  • family

    Practicing Gratitude – 85 Things I am Grateful for Today

    May 27, 2019 - By 

    Lately I’ve been having a hard time with a few things. It’s been a challenging year so far and there are a lot of moments when it’s easy to slide into a funk. A BIG ONE. The kind you can’t slip out of easily. When everything black and white that was pink, or red or blue yesterday is now grey and grossly misshapen. Parenting teenagers is NO fun some days. Sometimes they suck the air out of a room with borrowed drama, angst and mood swings. Occasionally you look at them and wonder where the cute kid went. There are…

  • Travel

    Where in Canada Can You Stay in a Hotel Made of Ice?

    May 23, 2019 - By 

    I wake on a bed of ice, intricate carvings of a basilisk surrounding me, light subtly creeping through a snow ceiling and polished bricks of ice. Outside this crystal ice palace, the world is still and silent. The kids, in the bed beside ours, just a few feet away are still snugly bundled, not yet stirring. Beside me, wrapped in a burrito sleeping bag, is my husband. I hear the familiar rise, fall and slight catch of his breath. What Can I Expect Overnight at Hôtel de Glace Quebec? I squeeze my eyes shut a moment longer, listening with my…

  • family

    Useful and Fantastic Gifts to Get for Hikers

    May 15, 2019 - By 

    This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers.  Are you a hiker? Know someone who loves hiking and exploring? Wondering what presents make the best gifts for hikers? Well I have a few ideas for you to give your outdoor fitness junkie any time of the year. Here’s some extra motivation: Extra 30% Off Outlet Orders $100+ Code: MAY30 If you are considering a gift for a loved one who likes to be outside, or enjoys hiking and camping, here are a few ideas that any hiker will enjoy any time of year for any occasion. They are…

  • Wyoming mountain range with a bit of snow on the ground
    Travel

    What is There to Do in Wyoming?

    May 7, 2019 - By 

    Seems like I am forever travelling east or south, skiing with family, staying in ice hotels or seeking sun-drenched squeaky sandy beaches. It’s rare that I have the chance to go west. Last fall I took a five day tour of Wyoming with a group of travel writers, sampling local food, exploring museums, learning about a dramatic renovation of the State’s Capitol Building and staying overnight at a working ranch. Topaz Skies and Rocky Trails That 5-day trip through Wyoming reminded me there are many reasons to head west. Picture herds of antelope running across the sheer expanse of wide…