Robert Burns Day

Every January 25th we celebrate the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's most famous poet.  He is known as Robert, Robbie, Rabbie, Scotland's Favourite Son...but never Bobby, or Rob.

One of these years the Suburban Prince will make it to the Burns supper put on by the local Scottish society but usually he ends up at the Scottish club in the city.  Fortunately, it's not as bitterly cold as it usually is so his knees wont take the brunt of the evening.

Winter - 1781

The wintry west extends his blast,

And hail and rain does blaw;

Or the stormy north sends driving forth

The blinding sleet and snaw:

While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,

And roars frae bank to brae;

And bird and beast in covert rest,

And pass the heartless day.

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,"

The joyless winter day

Let others fear, to me more dear

Than all the pride of May:

The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,

My griefs it seems to join;

The leafless trees my fancy please,

Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme

These woes of mine fulfil,

Here firm I rest; they must be best,

Because they are Thy will!

Then all I want-O do Thou grant

This one request of mine!-

Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,

Assist me to resign.

Have a braw day!

Quinoa Casserole - Recipe!

Seriously...this is so yummy I have made it every second day for the last few weeks!  It's very easy to make and keeps well in the fridge.

Quinoa has so many great health benefits and is so easy to prepare and cook with...there's no reason it shouldn't be in everyone's diet!  Packed full of protein and magnesium (something women tend to suffer a lack of) it is a tiny little powerhouse of goodness!

It is like a grain but it's actually a seed.  It can replace rice, couscous or anything else you would like to improve.  I have also seen quinoa flakes and flour and found a number of recipes for brownies and other goodies!  Quinoa is gluten free and easy on the tummy so it is perfect for anyone with digestive issues!

Quinoa cooking...use a 2:1 ratio of water to quinoa and bring to a boil.  Then turn down to low and let simmer for 15 minutes.  Let it sit for 5 minutes then fluff up with a fork.  Yes, that's a spurtle.  From Scotland.

One 10 oz container of condensed 'Cream of' soup.  I found organic mushroom in the health food section of my grocery store.

1/3 cup mayo

2 tablespoons milk

1 1/4 cups shredded cheese

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1tbsp nutmeg

2 cups raw broccoli

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa

Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a casserole dish.

In a large bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheese, pepper, and nutmeg until well mixed. Stir in the quinoa and broccoli.

Spoon mixture into prepared casserole.  Sprinkle on a couple tablespoons of Parmesan and bake for 35-40 minute - should be bubbly with golden edges.

For those who asked about my new bakeware...I love it!  It is actually non-stick even tho it's not teflon.  I have baked this casserole in this pan loads of times and it comes out of the dishwasher looking perfect!

Have a fabulous day!

Cranberry feta filling and spread - Recipe!

 

I saw these on Pinterest and knew Christmas just wasn't going to survive without them!  One just can't go wrong when bringing cheese to the party!

They are easy to make...

1 package of cream cheese 

1 package or container of feta cheese 

1 bunch of green onions

Dried cranberries

Let all the ingredients come to room temperature so they blend easily.  Mix them all together and store in an airtight container in the fridge.  

I served this on Christmas day as a little snack in the afternoon.  I went extra festive and used green, spinach wraps and they looked great!  They don't have to be just for Christmas tho!  I keep a container of this in the fridge for anytime I need a little something to go with a bowl of homemade soup!

For anyone who is gluten free I suggest making this and spreading it on GF crackers...I have a couple of favourites and places like Costco now carry lots of GF products.

Don't forget to enter my seaglass jewelry giveaway!

Have a fabulous day!

Your questions answered!

A few days...err weeks...ago I posted about achieving 500 followers.  It's such an exciting milestone!  I opened the floor to questions from you, my fabulous readers and some of you decided to take me up on that opportunity.

Amy asked: what are your goals for 2012?

I didn't really write down any concrete goals this year.  I feel I'm perhaps not finished with 2010...it was such a good year!  Ultimately to continue with my business, Royal Ribbons, and learn more about the committees I am on.  The usual 15lbs I have wanted to lose since 2007 and perhaps to dust off my eliptical machine.  I also want to redecorate my living room to make it more feminine and light and the basement has to be completed in the next few months.  Seriously.  It shouldn't take more than a year to renovate a basement.  Yes, the Suburban Prince does read my blog.  Mmmmm hmmm.  And just more of the same!  Lots of fun times with the Little Prince, more lunches, teas, events, reasons to dress up...and, I need to find a navy blazer.

Adrienne asked: How far in advance you plan your blog posts? Or do you create them on the fly?

Very occasionally I write a post right off the top of my head and publish it the same day.  99% of the time I took the picture a month ago, edited it last week, wrote the skeleton at the weekend and yesterday was inspired to finish it.  I like things to fester a bit.  Jung had it right when he talked about Synchronicity - all I need to do is think about say.... a RL sweater, and suddenly I see them being blogged, advertised and for sale everywhere.  My posts develop over time as I gather information and ideas.  Sometimes I ask other bloggers to comment on my thoughts and ideas as well but that's just for my serious posts, and it takes them time to form their thoughts.  I had my recent Downton post sitting in my drafts for months as I knew it would make more sense last week.


About Last Weekend asked:   I must try much harder to up my followers. what are your tips?

This is a tough question.  I see so many blogs that attract thousands of followers and hundreds of comments and honestly, I don't get it sometimes.  Then other blogs are well written, easy on the eyes, funny and everything else one would want in a blog and yet they don't have much of a following.

I think the key is interaction.  Comment on lots of blogs and hopefully they will follow and comment back.  If they dont, that's ok, just move on to blogs who will share the relationship.  Also, when doing a giveaway...make one of the stipulations be they have to be a follower in order to win.

I am more concerned about comments than followers.  I would love to have lots of comments on my posts as it's sometimes a bit sad to see a post has been viewed 100 times but there are only 5 comments.  It's nice to see the numbers go up but out of 500 there is a group of maybe 30 who actually comment with any regularity. Perhaps this is a question to turn back to my readers, what would you suggest?

Shelley asked:  what is your first name? Or perhaps I should ask, how do you wish to be addressed...Your Royal Highness? 

In the blogisphere I go by SP but Your Royal Highness works for me too!  I keep identifying details of my life confidential on here so that I can continue to write about the lunatics in my life without anyone knowing for sure who did the writing!  There are a good number of bloggers who know me by my first name as we are Facebook friends but I also know their names, addresses, shoe size etc.  And I know they aren't anyone I know in real life.  It's not that I want to be super anonymous and never tell anyone who I am, but how can I write about Rude Mom and her cheating husband if I think she can connect me to my blog?  My real life people dont know about my blog and if they do they aren't letting on!  Certainly I'm not going to tell my inlaws about it...or my parents!  I would have too start a whole new blog to write about that sort of insanity!



Thank you for your wonderful questions!  I will do it again when I hit my 500th post!


Dont miss my jewelry giveaway!



Have a fabulous day!

Mermaid Tear Designs! Giveaway!

I love social media for it's marketing and communication possibilities but my favourite part is all of the amazing people I have 'met' since I started blogging and twitter.  It is always so much fun to see all of the small businesses grow and develop new relationships with people we wouldn't meet otherwise.  One such case is my twitter pal Lauren!  She creates beautiful jewelry from natural and found materials and has teamed with me to bring you a great giveaway!

 

From Lauren of Mermaid Tear Designs:

"My aim is to design fabulous jewelry using 'vintage fragments:' real seaglass, typewriter keys, buttons. I design eclectic, one-of-a-kind pieces.  As a former reporter & public relations professional, I enjoy creating jewelry that people really love!  My work is available at the Charlestown Gallery (Art) in Charlestown, R.I., and at Fayerwether House, Kingston, R.I., where I give annual wire-wrapping presentations. During the holidays, my designs are sold at the Holiday Boutique at Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, CT"

At a time when it is so important to shop local Lauren has provided a unique way of giving beautiful gifts as well as support an American artisan.  (Yes I know I am Canadian.  I feel any purchase from Canada or the US counts!).

 

These earrings would be beautiful with a nice summer dress!

For all the writers - typewriter key wine charms!

 

A fabulous use of buttons!  You might need one in every colour!

Mermaid Tear Designs has offered one of my readers a pair of sea glass earrings!  You will have a choice of colours so you can pick something perfect for you or for you to give as a gift!

To enter this giveaway you must leave a comment.

Each one of the following will earn you 1 bonus entry (Please put all of your entries in one or two posts):

- Follow my blog

- Follow me on Facebook

- Follow me on Twitter

- Tweet about this giveaway (@SubrbnPrincess)

- Follow Mermaid Tear Designs on Facebook

- Follow Mermaid Tear Designs on Twitter

- Visit the Mermaid Tear Designs' Etsy store and tell me your favourite item

- Blog about this giveaway

I do notice if you only comment on my giveaways and never comment on any other posts.  So spread the love and feed my need for applause!

The winner will be drawn on Monday, January 23rd and will have 48 hours to contact me by email.  

Good luck everyone!

Have a fabulous day!

Luxe Box

After hearing about all the different sample boxes out there on the market I was very happy to find there is on available to Canadian consumers!  American friends....there is a link at the bottom for you!  I watched a few home videos and read lots of reviews and decided to sign up for Luxe Box (Pink text is a link in all of my posts!) in November.  I was fortunate enough to get my order placed in time to get the December box!

Luxe Box also gives members the opportunity to earn free months by referring friends.  Should you decide to sign up please visit the site through my link and then start referring your friends so you earn free months!

"Our service, Luxe Box, is an exciting and new subscription service that allows members to try beauty products in the comfort of their own home before buying them full-sized. Members receive 4-5 hand-picked deluxe sized products in a chic box every month, delivered to an address of their choice. Members also get exclusive access to beauty tips and tutorials that teach them how to make the most out of their products."

Luxe Box is a great way to try out new and different products chosen specifically for my beauty profile and anything I don't like I can just give away which makes someone' day a little brighter too!

Luxe Box is 12.00 CAD a month and you can sign up for different subscriptions.  Buying the 12 month plan makes each box the least expensive.  Considering it would probably cost about 12.00 just to ship the box within Canada it's a great deal!  I love that I don't have to buy a full size bottle of something just to try it out.

 I was very excited when it arrived!  

I couldn't wait to see what was inside!

Each box is personally wrapped and sealed with a sticker.

Each one has the customer's name on it!

There are cards included with seasonal greetings and explanations of the products.

What each product is and how much it costs retail.

Look at all the cuteness!!

My December box included a small bottle of Moroccan Oil (I pay 15.00 here for a bottle of that size so that one product paid for the entire box and then some!), Prada Candy perfume sample which I gave away as it was a bit sweet for me, another Prada perfume sample which smells soooo good I might have to add it to my wish list, DDF firming cream, Lisa Watier lip gloss which you can see is a good size and a chocolate coin.

How cute is this!  As someone who loves branding...this is right up my alley! 

Now I want to know where they got them made so I can get my own made!

I am very happy with my December Luxe Box and cant wait to see what I get in January.

If you are in Canada please visit Luxe Box and if you are in the United States please visit Birch Box.  It is the exact same idea but available to American addresses.


Have a fabulous day!

My own little Downton Abbey

While going through stacks of old photographs I found quite a few of my Granda from childhood right up to the end of his life.  He was born in 1916 and lived in Scotland at the same time Downton Abbey is set.  Since season 2 started last night I thought I would share some of his photos.

As a little boy with his mom (on the left) and her sister.

I am guessing this was taken in 1918, with his parents, my great-grandparents.

Again, 1918.  I can only assume there was a certain affluence as they had a camera.

Possibly 1918 again.  The sailor suit got a lot of use!

As a grown man with his grandparents, my great-great-grandparents.

My grandparents - It's hard to tell when this was taken...the clothes didn't change an awful lot through the years.  They would've worn the same clothes until they fell apart.  Very preppy indeed.

My Granda with his father.  Both were Cameron Highlanders.

Army buddies.  The one in the front must've been a good friend as he appears in quite a few photos.

With military buddies.  I suspect the one in the middle was very popular with the ladies.

Being sent home from WWII - their packs are dirty and they are holding discharge papers.

Here is our handsome soldier on the left...doesn't he look like....

...Doctor Clarkson

Two of my great-grandfathers were train engineers.

My great-grandfather.

I love this photo!  2 inch cuffs!

My Granda as a grown man.

My great-great-grandparents and great-grandparents.

Have a fabulous day!

Christmas Shopping in the City

In December we spent the day in Toronto doing all of what used to be my favourite things.  A trip to the Eaton Center has been on the list of Christmas activities for as long as I can remember.  I have wonderful memories of the big escalators, Christmas music, hustle, bustle, visiting Santa, shopping, eating and so much more!

In recent years the Eaton Center has become less and less what I love about the city.  The restaurant we ate in for years and years has closed.  The big tree doesn't sparkle quite like it used to.  The music is too loud and too....generic.  Even Santa has opted to stay at the North Pole rather than sit upon his gilded throne in the middle of the mall.

I used to be able to count on The Bay department store being the highlight of the entire trip to the city.  Christmas Street was a place to get lost in...looking at all of the ornaments and decorations, imagining a home brimming with sparkly baubles.  I have outfitted my own trees with many ornaments from The Bay - the 5th floor always held a special spot in my heart.

Last year they moved Santa to the basement.  It all goes downhill from there.

Christmas Street is more of cul-de-sac.  In fact it looks about one step away from pallets in the warehouse.  It is maybe 1/10 of the size it once was and it is in the busiest part of the store - I was almost mowed down a few times by people rushing to catch the train. 

Santa only makes an appearance at the weekends...I heard only by appointment.  WTH?

Next year we will probably skip the Eaton Center altogether and go right from the Christmas Market to Yorkville for dinner.  In the meantime...here are photos I took while walking around....

A huge lit up reindeer in the middle of the mall!

Really huge!

Three stories huge!

A visit to the Silver Elvis is mandatory when on Queen Street at Christmas!

The windows at The Bay are always beautifully done.  

They have been the same for years!

Yes, that's my pink gingham umbrella!

It's always so nice to see the windows all done up.  The details are amazing!

Nutcracker bears in The Bay.

This could be out year round!

My living room tree is decorated with crowns so I always keep 

an eye out for them.  There were a few different styles this year.

I picked up a couple of these too!

I always find green ornament a little bit odd...unless your tree isn't green!

Further evidence to support the Preppy Princess's notion that Santa is a prep.

My previous posts on the same mall/stores are here and here

Have a fabulous day!