It’s more than just a "like" to us… the Oliver's Labels Great Wall of Friends

At Oliver’s Labels, we genuinely love hearing from our friends through social media. Be it a Facebook Like, a Twitter follow, or a Google +1, we think each interaction is important, and should be shared - forever.

So we’ve created the Oliver’s Labels Great Wall of Friends - a monument to our friends on social media.

For each post, like and tweet we receive, we'll print it on an actual physical label. Then we stick that label on our Great Wall of Friends at Oliver’s Labels HQ for everyone to see - including you.

Each week we’ll take a photo of our wall and proudly share it on social media and blog pages. And when you post, tweet or like our page, your message will be up there too.

So be a part of our wall, our company, and our story. Share with us on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter and ask your friends to share too.

Find us on...

           

Keep the Kids Busy - Spring Break Activities for Every Age

Spring Break is one of those times of the year that kids love and parents fear. Don’t get me wrong - it’s wonderful to spend time with the kids. But if you’re ill prepared, the week can quickly spiral into boredom oblivion, no matter how many toys your kids have.

We’ve compiled some fabulously fun activities from the web to keep kids of all ages entertained and inspired.

And, if you’re lucky enough to be heading somewhere warm for Spring Break (I’m jealous!), some of these will even work as travel activities.

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Birthday!

Our colleague, Mike, had a birthday last week and we just had to celebrate it...Oliver's Labels-style!  

Happy Birthday, Mike - we hope you had a great one!

Letting Go

Tonight my first-born had her first "official" school concert. Sure, I've been to preschool performances, but this one tonight had real, heartfelt significance for me.

It's the beginning of the end of her babyhood.

It's difficult to envision my baby as an honest-to-goodness big kid. But that's what has happened. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of the wonderfully bright, smart, kind and outgoing little girl she has become. But, a part of me doesn't want my kids to grow up.

I want to just stop time...rewind moments of regret to make right some of my mistakes. I need time to etch their milestones on my (notoriously bad) memory and try harder to cherish every second I spend with them. Instead of looking back, I need to look forward to the amazing milestones ahead.

It's tough to admit they're growing up, and even tougher letting go.

I ♥ Valentine’s Day

There’s no denying Valentine’s Day is a "commercial" holiday, but for some reason I can’t resist. I don’t buy into the notion that gifts and fancy dinners are required, however, I do think it’s important to tell our loved ones how we feel about them every day, and Valentine’s Day presents another opportunity to do so.

My favorite part of February 14th is the sweet tradition of sending valentines to friends and family. There’s something about writing and receiving a valentine that takes me back to another era, when composing letters on paper was practically an art form. I, for one, get very excited when I receive mail (real mail, not email... and, bills not included ;)… my daughter even more so. She received her first Valentine when she was two and a half and, since then, every time she gets one her face lights up.

And who can resist the yummy treats that accompany the special day? Chocolates, cookies, candy… I love them all! As a self-proclaimed sweet-aholic, I’ll take any excuse to indulge. ☺

But, probably the best thing about Valentine’s Day, apart from the cards and candy, is the opportunity to show each other a little kindness and brighten another person’s day. Valentines may seem trivial to some, but they do spread smiles! Children are evidence of this – they get just as much enjoyment out of making Valentines for their friends as they do receiving them. What a great feeling to get, and what a great lesson to learn.

So, even if you’re not a fan of Valentine’s Day, take a moment out of your day tomorrow to pay someone a compliment or spread a little kindness. Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean the most.

P.S. If you are looking for a gift for Valentine's Day, check out our Sweet Hearts line of labels and tags... so fitting! 

Wordless Wednesday

Thanks to one of our fans who sent us a pic of her daughter with her favourite "fantasy" themed mini bag tag... too cute!

Have a pic you'd like featured on our blog? Send it to social (at) oliverlabels (dot) com! If we use your photo, we'll send you a $10 Oliver's Labels gift card!

Snowy Fun

Let me start off by saying winter isn't my favorite season. Dressing in scarves, hats, parkas, mittens, boots, double socks, and ear muffs tires me out! Add to that the prospect of bundling up the little ones...well, let's just say I could use a nap.

That being said, there are so many amazing opportunities for family fun that I've decided to make a list to get myself into a winter frame of mind. If you're also in need of a little snowy inspiration, read on!

Reasons to love winter...

 1. Snow painting - fill squirt bottles with colored water and let the kids "paint" in the snow. They'll have a blast bringing out their inner VanGogh and you won't have to worry about any messy clean-up!

2.  Making homemade snow cones - before an expected snowfall, place a clean bucket on your back porch to collect snow. Then, scoop snow into individual cups and add your favourite flavoured syrup(s). Yum!  (And, if you want to put a wintry twist on a traditional summer activity, kids could set up a snow cone stand - they'll be mini business moguls in no time! ;)

3. Wintry treasure hunt - set up a map with some clues in advance, then place a few well-hidden objects around your yard (or local park). Depending on your kids' ages, give them some guidance to start the treasure hunt, then let them hunt for the hidden items. You could even entice them with a treat at the end, if they recover all the lost "loot"!

4. Snowshoeing, skiing, skating and tobogganing - what kid doesn't love to do at least one of these activities? They're great exercise and fun to boot!

5. Making snow angels, snowmen and snow forts - traditional winter fun that will keep them busy for hours (with hot chocolate breaks in between, of course!)

Hopefully this list offers a few reasons to get outside and have fun. Remember to always bundle up... and, to ensure your kids come home with their hats, mitts and scarves, remember to label them! :)

Here's to many wonderful winter adventures!

New Year’s Resolutions

I have struggled with the idea of New Year’s resolutions for the better part of 10 years. I used to make them, and then decided against it, after many fell by the wayside less than a month into the New Year.

Resolutions are funny things – if you don’t make any at all, you feel guilty; if you try and fail, you feel guilty. This guilt was enough to make me swear off resolutions for a few years. What I had forgotten, though, was the immense pride I felt when I actually followed through; how bettering myself, and achieving my goal, gave me such an amazing sense of accomplishment. What a feeling!

So this year I’ve decided to start fresh and get back to making some much-needed resolutions for 2012. It’s a great opportunity to teach my kids by example, to show my kids that Mama really can stick with it; that if I set my mind to do something, by golly, I will do it!

I know it won’t be easy, but I’ll have my little ones cheering me on. They’re my biggest fans and I don’t want to let them down.

Wishing you joy, health and happiness in the New Year – from all of us at Oliver’s Labels.

The Best Gift

My daughter asked me for a present this morning. I told her she had to wait.

Kids are impatient by nature – heck, I’m impatient by nature! But, there are always lessons to be learned and this was the perfect time to teach her one. I asked her why she wanted a present now and didn’t feel she could wait until tomorrow. She simply said, “Because I really want one!”. That’s a typical 4-year-old response, and I couldn’t fault her for it. But, I explained to her that many kids don’t even get one present, let alone many, and that she is very fortunate to have everything she does – a healthy family, a wonderful home, great food to eat, and lots of love! It’s simply a bonus to get special things like presents at Christmas. I reminded her of the baskets for the Salvation Army we contributed to at her school; of the toys we gave to kids who are less fortunate than us. She looked at me and I could see a glimpse of understanding in her eyes - that she realized she was luckier than many children – then she gave me a huge hug. That was the end of asking for a present “right now”.

As parents, we are always looking for ways to instill gratitude in our kids, and there’s no better time to do that than at the holidays. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or nothing in particular, it’s a festive time of year - ripe with opportunity to reach out to others, show a little kindness and be great examples to our kids. 

So, if you see the charitable bell-ringers on the street this holiday season, give your kids a few coins and let them drop them in the kettle. It will make their hearts swell - and teach them that they can experience that amazing feeling, not just at Christmastime but any day of the year, by giving to those less fortunate. Now, that's the best present they could receive!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Oliver’s Labels!

Things I Said I'd Never Do...

1. Let my kids watch a lot of TV… check.

2. Occasionally resort to bribing… check.

3. Eat sweets before dinner… check.

4. Play with plastic bags (albeit while I’m sitting next to him)… check.

5. Miss bath night - again!… check.

This is a checklist of things I said I’d never do. I promised myself I wouldn’t resort to any of the above to get through the day.

Until. I. Became. A. Mom.

Wow, what an eye-opener!! It is so much easier being the fun Aunt or babysitter than it is being the responsible parent, isn’t it?

While I don’t espouse to be the best mom ever, there are some facts of life I can’t ignore – I work from home and I parent my children full-time (no nanny!), so something’s got to give. That’s where the list above comes in.

1. They say the TV becomes the babysitter and, whoever “they” are, seem to be right. That being said, each day I set aside time to do an activity with the kids (crafts, drawing, etc) or take them out to play. And, every night without fail, we read together for 30 minutes (or more, depending on if they sucker me into another story!).

2. Bribing (or compromising, as I like to call it) happens when my toddler has just been put down for the night and my daughter wants/needs/has to have something… another story, a drink of water, a few more minutes before lights-out. That's when I occasionally give in and let her have what she wants. I'm too tired to fight it.

3. Picture this… it’s right after Halloween and I’ve already promised (see “bribing”, #2) that my daughter could have a Halloween treat after school. Technically that’s before supper, which breaks the “no sweets before dinner” rule. You can’t win!

4. Sometimes a plastic bag is what my toddler wants to play with. It may be the only thing that will keep him quiet and occupied. So what do I do? I sit next to him and let him play with it because it makes him happy.

5. I don’t know when my daughter’s disdain for bath time started. Actually, she doesn’t mind the bath, just the washing part. (Make sense? It doesn’t to me, either.) So, sometimes I let it go… it’s not going to kill her to miss a bath, yet it saves my sanity occasionally. A decent trade-off, no?

I know of a lot of moms who would never admit they do the things on my list because there are a lot of other parents out there who would judge them. I, however, believe in laying it all out there… foibles and all. None of us are perfect; we do the best we can. Yes, there are times when I question my parenting choices, but there are just as many times when I’m amazed by my kids' kindness, wit, compassion and manners.  People even comment on those things, which makes me think I’m not doing such a bad job after all.

So the next time you find yourself doing one of the things you said you’d never do... take heart - all those "judgy" parents do the same things, they just don't admit it!

Holiday Helpers

As the song goes, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!". And, for the most part, I agree. However, there are some days when (no matter how hard I try) the craziness of the season makes me, well, crazy.

If you read this blog regularly, you already know that I haven't yet stepped foot in a bricks-and-mortar store to do my Christmas shopping, so you're probably wondering, "what's she so stressed about?". I mean, really... no crowds and crying/whining kids to contend with; no racing around like a mad woman trying to track down that "must-have" gift of 2011... just web-surfing, mouse-clicking, credit-card-entering and voilá - you're done!

Well, it's not quite that simple. (But, you knew that! ;)

As parents, we know that instilling traditions in our kids and giving them the wonderful experiences we enjoyed as kids (or wish we did) is more important than any of the material things we could ever buy them. We bend over backwards, stay up late, do whatever we need to make the holidays special, because these are memories our children will have forever. We want to do activities with our kids, but sometimes need to get creative in order to get our tasks done but still have fun.

So, here are a few "holiday helpers" that just might take some of the insanity our of your schedule.

1. Baking with the kids 
Okay, when I saw this one, I laughed. You see, it's meant to be a joke, but I think it's a great idea. While I'm busy making cookies "with" my kids, they can be playing around with this and we're all happy! No little hands picking their noses then putting them in the cookie dough, yet they're having a blast "decorating" the cookies. (Yes, I know, it's a cupcake decorator, but they don't have to know that... cookies would work too, no?)

2. Crafts, crafts and MORE crafts!
My daughter can't get enough of crafts... and it couldn't make me happier. :) Visit your local dollar store and stock up on seasonal foam cut-outs, stick-on jewels, pom poms, stickers and whatever else your kid(s) will enjoy. Then, give 'em a glue stick, some washable markers and let them go nuts. Trust me, you will have a solid hour or more to yourself. If you haven't already tried this, DO IT! :)

3. Give them chores
This one sounds like it would go over like a lead balloon with the kids, but it's all in how you present it. First off, buy some of our Stick-eez™ clothing labels. Then on the next cold blustery day, make some hot chocolate, put on a holiday show (Frosty the Snowman, anyone?) and drop a huge pile of clothes and the pack of labels in front of the kids. Show them where you want the labels to go (on the clothing tags) and tell them you need stickers on all the clothes. Kids love stickers no matter what kind they are... they'll do it (and save you some time)!

4. Babysitter swap
Let's face it, babysitters are expensive. If you had to pay someone to watch your kids every time you wanted to step out to run errands or go grocery shopping sans kids, you'd be broke! Instead, get a group of neighbourhood moms together and work out a babysitting swap schedule. If there were five moms, each mom could take a day and, say, each afternoon a different mom could rotate watching the whole lot of kids after school. The kids will have a blast hanging out with their friends and, for only 2 hours of craziness, you'd get 8 hours of sanity in return!

5. Make meals in advance
At this time of year, I don't even think about making supper until 5:30 or 6:00... and by that time, I'm stuck! So, take one Saturday afternoon and make a few batches of the family's favourites - lasagna, meatballs, eggplant parmesan - and freeze them. It'll help you to enjoy mealtime with your kids and not get harried when life gets busy. (It comes in handy when unexpected guests pop by, too!)

Here's to a fun, memorable and, most of all, stress-free holiday!

Giving Back: SickKids Hospital

It's amazing that, no matter how harried our lives become, when we take time out to help others, it changes our perspective and lifts our spirits. At some point, we all think about how we can give back in some small way, and with so many deserving charities and causes out there, it often takes a personal experience to help us focus on one.

Here at Oliver's Labels, that epiphany happened to our founder, Debbie, after a close relative ended up at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto. She saw young patients going through a wide range of treatments, while the wonderful staff worked hard to keep up their spirits. This was an experience that made a real impact on her. And, as her company grew out of its infancy, so did her need to give back to SickKids.

Susie from the Child Life Dept. at SickKids (at right) with
Lisa from Oliver's Labels

Last week, that dream of giving back was realized. We now provide fun, custom labels to the Child Life Department and to some patients at the hospital.

Being in a hospital is no fun, but we hope that, in some small way, our labels will brighten someone's day. We're honoured to be able to contribute to such a wonderful organization that is not only a world leader in pediatric healthcare, but whose staff is known for their immense caring & compassion... making a real difference in the lives of kids.

If you volunteer, donate or give back in some way, we'd love to hear about it. :) We'll post stories of how our fans are making a difference in their communities on our Facebook page and here, on our blog, so that everyone can be encouraged and inspired to make their mark as well!

---

SickKids is always appreciative of donations, whether big or small. If you are able to give back in some small way, here’s how you can do it:

•  Monetary donations can be made through SickKids Foundation 
• Toy donations can be directed to Caron Irwin, Entertainment and Donations Coordinator

 Here is a list of some much-needed items:

·      Matchbox cars

·      Jewelry

·      Travel games

·      Dolls

·      Figurines

·      Decks of cards

·      Activity books

·      Decorative pens/pencils

·      Small craft activities

 

Two Against One

As of late, I've noticed the dynamic in our family slowly changing. There's an insidious element creeping in that I'm not sure I like. It's called independence.

My youngest, at 16 months, is just starting to exert a little independence - walking, screaming when he doesn't get his own way (love that one! ;), wrestling with his sister... you get the drift. Having gone through this stage already with my first child, I didn't fully understand how having baby #2 go through it would affect me - until now.

Last night, at bathtime, my two *angels* ganged up on me!  After supper they were both plopped into the bath and, shortly after, my little one started lightly splashing. That's all it took for my 4-year-old to instigate a full-on water war and, before I knew it, I was wet and both kids were laughing hysterically. It was like they were in on their own little plan... against me! It was a moment I'll never forget - not because I was soaked, but because I took a moment to enjoy their camaraderie and laughter instead of getting annoyed at the mess. My only regret is that I didn't get it on video. What an amazing memory to capture and show them when they're older!

I like the fact that my little guy is maturing and becoming his own little person, but I guess I didn't expect it to hit me like this. He really IS growing up. He isn't a baby anymore... and that makes me kind of sad. My baby years are over and, despite not loving certain parts of it (sleepless nights, seemingly endless diaper changes), there are other parts I wish I could hold on to forever. He's my littlest baby and his growing up signals the end of an era... but it's also the start of a new one. And, by the looks of it, he and his sister will have a lot more chances to gang up on me.

I guess it's two against one now (at least when hubby's at work). I'd better get used to it... and keep the camera nearby at all times! I don't want to miss another moment.

You Live, You Learn

Sometimes I’m a bit of a helicopter parent. You know the kind – the parent who hovers near their kid at the jungle gym, just in case they fall; the kind of parent that has a hard time letting go (the exact opposite of a free-range parent) and usually ends up doing too much for their kid(s).  Ever since reading up on Positive Parenting, I’ve been trying to delegate more to my four-year-old and instill in her a sense of responsibility. Between daily chores (making her bed, setting the table, clearing her place after a meal) and making her accountable for keeping track of her personal belongings, I think I’m doing a pretty good job.

There comes a time, however, when the only lesson they’ll truly understand is one that’s learned the hard way.

Today happened to be library day at school. As we were getting ready for J-K, I mentioned that her library books were due. When all I got was a blank stare I figured I’d be a bit more direct, so I asked her to please go get her books from her bedroom so she could return them today during library period.  My request was met with a firm “no” and some excuse about not wanting to go all the way up to her room to get them. After asking again, I actually started for the stairs to get them myself. Then a funny thing happened… I stopped myself. 

The helicopter parent in me said it was the right thing to do (go and get the books), but the Positive Parenting principles running through my head won out in the end.  The natural consequence of my daughter not taking responsibility for her library books was that she would probably be gently reprimanded at school. In turn, I’d wager that the chances of this scenario happening again are probably pretty slim. However, if I robbed her of her opportunity to learn, we’d be in the same situation next week.

I’m so glad I didn’t rob myself of a learning opportunity, too. Because, no matter how much I want my kids to succeed, sometimes I’ve got to let them fail in order to truly grow. You live, you learn.

Been Around The Block

French fries. Television. Large chunks of food. What do these things have in common? These are things I would have NEVER imagined letting baby #1 experience. But, guess what? I'm more relaxed with baby #2 and, at 14 months of age, he enjoys them.

Now, before you pass judgment and give me dirty looks, I want to clarify something – I’m a good mom. Not perfect (by far!), but good. I do not give my kids french fries on a regular basis, only occasionally. And, as far as television is concerned…well, it’s easy (they love Dora & Diego!) and it keeps the kids occupied at the end of the day while I get some work done or make dinner. Giving baby large chunks of food, on the other hand, was a tough decision. I have a real fear of my kids choking, so that was a big one to be able to let go of.  I do the best I can and am getting better each day at realizing that it’s okay to be imperfect.

One upside to this whole thing is that baby #2 is so independent, even at such a young age. My goodness, he feeds himself already (and has done so for the past month). The food actually makes it into his mouth! Yeah, I’m shocked, too! ;)

Why, just yesterday I took a few pictures (for posterity) of him playing nicely by himself with his toys. He was occupying himself…didn’t need me…and I couldn’t have been more proud.

With all the talk about Helicopter Parenting and the like, it’s great to know that my “imperfections” as a parent may just be helping my kids.  And, hey, did you know that lemurs come from Madagascar? I didn’t either... until my daughter told me. She learned it from watching Go, Diego, Go.

“Sign” Of The Times?

I was taking my little guy for a stroll one day, when I noticed something in the window of a local pub. Upon closer inspection I saw that it was, basically, a cease-and-desist order for children.  Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic, but you get what I mean. This is a pub, not a four-star restaurant. (Love the irony – it's called a “Public House”, but half the public isn’t allowed!)

What's the definition of a "well behaved" child, anyway?
Their version of good behaviour may not be the same as mine.

Then, today I came across a blog post entitled, “Hate Kids? Then the brat is you”. Naturally, I was intrigued! The author, Joyce Slaton, goes on to discuss her thoughts on why there is an abundance of (perceived) vitriol for kids these days. I think it’s a well-written, considerate article. But, some don’t agree with the author at all, as is evidenced by the plethora of comments on the article (94 at time of writing this).

The thing about this issue is that there will never be a “right” answer… only opinions from people who look at it through the context of very different life experiences. As a mother, I don’t expect a childless person to understand what it’s like to feel unwelcome or shunned from certain places because you’ve got kids. It’s hard to know what that’s like unless you’ve experienced it first-hand. It’s not fun, and it’s not fair – even if the establishment has a right to ban kids...or strike fear into the hearts of parents thinking of bringing them (and certainly not their strollers! LOL).

As parents, all we can ask for is some empathy when our kids act up. Even the best of days can turn into challenging parenting adventures (how’s that for positivity!), when a seemingly happy toddler spontaneously melts down.

I have an idea - let’s all use common sense, put ourselves in each others’ shoes and see how far that gets us. Maybe then there won’t be a need for that crazy sign. :)

Modern Storytelling

You know those rare occasions when you stumble upon something so cool, so inventive & so fun that you just can’t keep it a secret? And, when it’s also educational and FREE… well, my dear, you’ve got a winner!!

I had one of those moments recently when I came upon an email a good friend sent me some time ago, suggesting I check out a story-crafting website. It’s a wonderful concept, and I wish I had checked it out sooner - but sometimes there’s just not enough time in the day. :)

So, when I finally did check it out, I was completely astonished at how brilliant it was!

The website is Storybird.com, and it is nothing short of awesome! It offers so many different avenues for kids to explore their imaginations – and is beautiful, to boot! Not only can you send a story to someone (great for grandparents), but you and the special kid(s) in your life can craft a story together – even if you’re miles apart! It’s a great way to engage with them in a collaborative, fun way that also builds great memories and reading skills.

With Storybird the possibilities are endless! So, go online and start making a memory with your favorite kid.  :)

Also check out Storybird’s blog and follow them on Twitter (@storybird).

Getting Their 5-10 A Day

Some days it seems like my kids will only eat bread, pasta and crackers. Other days my kids want meat, little carnivores that they are! To be fair, my kids love certain fruits and vegetables... but I keep thinking about the other amazing vitamins and minerals they're missing out on because they refuse to eat (or even try) the rest of the food I offer them.

While I'll admit that I could've been a bit more adventurous with the foods I offered my older child in her early years, one habit I'm glad we got into was making smoothies. On those days when it seems I will never get more than one or two fruits or veggies into my little ones' tummies, I can always count on a smoothie to do the job for me. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it!  They are delicious, and despite the fact that there is a large handful of baby spinach in each one, my kids eat 'em up! My daughter even helps make them and thinks it's fun.

Smoothies make a great breakfast on-the-go and are fabulous at snack time. With the hot summer weather, they are very refreshing, too!

Enjoy!

Recipe for kid-approved smoothies:

plain yogurt
frozen blueberries (I like wild ones best... small and sweet!)
frozen raspberries
frozen strawberries
handful of baby spinach (I buy the triple-washed, ready-to-go kind)
orange juice

*We make ours using the Magic Bullet because it's fast and easy, but you can do this in any regular blender, too. If using the Magic Bullet, put the ingredients into the cup in the order stated... for some reason it turns out best this way (we've tested it out a LOT!).

The Right Kind of Beauty

Lately I've been hearing a lot about kids' self-esteem and what we as parents can do to foster a healthy sense of self in our little ones. This topic is on my radar because I have a 4-year-old who loves princesses and has a great imagination. Whether she's dressing up as her favourite fairytale character or entertaining us with her rendition of Cinderella dancing at the ball, her idea of beauty is being shaped as we speak.

While I have nothing against playing princess (I loved to do that as a kid, too!), I realize how vital my role is in influencing her views on beauty and self-worth while she's still young. So, I've made a real effort to not stress outward beauty when complimenting my daughter. She's strong, smart, brave, helpful, kind, loving and a whole lot of other adjectives! And, when someone else pays her a compliment about her outward appearance, I try to talk with her afterward about how a person’s real beauty comes from inside. I remind her that if you're not a good person on the inside, your true beauty can't show on the outside. We put emphasis more on having a "beautiful heart" than external beauty.

Now, I’m not completely naïve in thinking I can shield her from superficial comments about her looks. But, I can do my best to instill in her the knowledge that, despite her lovely exterior, it's the stuff inside that counts - all of the wonderful traits that make her unique. And, I think it's sinking in because when I read the Mother's Day card she made me at pre-school, one of the fill-in-the-blank comments was "Why I love my Mom".  Her answer? "Because she's got a beautiful heart."  

Food and Family

It’s amazing how food brings family together. For as long as I can remember, cooking with my mom has been a tradition. Not only did I cook with my mom, but also my grandmother. It was something we loved to do together when my sister and I were young, and still love to do it to this day.

Now that I’ve got kids, I continue the tradition with them. I must admit, while I love to cook, my real passion lies in baking. Aaahhh, do I have a sweet tooth!  My kids’ favourite recipe has got to be chocolate chip cookies, but I really love trying new recipes in hopes of finding our next “family favourite”. This past year, I’ve tried to be a little more adventurous with meals, so that we don’t end up eating the same-old, same-old every week. In turn, I’m going to share a few of our new favourites. These are all from Allrecipes.com, which I happen to LOVE because of the rating/review system that helps me pick those recipes that seem to be loved by all. It truly takes the guesswork out of trying a new recipe!

Broccoli Salad

Turkey Pot Pie

Bolognese Sauce 

Oatmeal Cookies

With both the Canada Day and Independence Day long weekends coming up, I hope you will take some time to try something new – you’ll love it! (Especially if it’s a 5-star recipe!!)