The Life of a Suburban Princess

Robert Burns Day

2012-01-25T15:45:00.000-05:00

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!

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

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!

2012-01-20T18:30:00.000-05:00

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!

2012-01-17T10:37:00.002-05:00

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!

2012-01-16T16:40:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-10T16:30:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-07T09:45:00.000-05:00

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!

Toronto's Christmas Market

2012-01-05T13:00:00.000-05:00

In December we went to Toronto to visit the Christmas Market in the Distillery District. I heard about it last year but missed it so I was determined to get there this year! I was a rainy day but mild temps meant it was easy enough to walk around - fortunately the rain stayed away while we were outside.

I took this photo on the way out against the potential of sunset!

Ever since seeing Nigella at the German

Christmas Market I have been slightly obsessed with them.

They seem to encompass everything Christmas is about!

I love all the little huts!

Each is beautifully decorated with garland and lights.

I couldn't wait to visit each one!

Heat Miser!!

Frageeeeleee!

There is a patio with warming stations laid out with

weatherproof furniture and firepits.

The fire smelled wonderful!

Prince Charming is our hero! Santa was about to go feed the

reindeer when he stopped him and managed to get us in for a visit!

Each day there are carollers and other performers.

One of my favourites, Matt Dusk had a concert at

the Market on a Friday night!

Lots of European foods to sample and take home!

I bought the mincemeat tarts...they are very yummy!

My neighbour came over and ate 5 of them after dinner!

Chocolate covered everything!

Chocolate dipped bacon would've been better if the bacon

had been cooked longer. Chewy bacon and melted

chocolate just make for a big mess.

Why is the pig eating bacon?

The Little Prince spotted the carousel and made a beeline for it!

Once he found out he needed a ticket the Suburban Prince

was led by the hand to the ticket booth to buy one.

I loved the market and look forward to visiting next...errr this year. It is very kid friendly and there is so much to see! Hopefully the weather will be nicer next time so we can sit and enjoy a drinkipoo by the fire!

Have a fabulous day!

500 Followers!

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

WOW! Over the holidays my follower number hit 500 and here we are into the new year and there are even more followers!

When I started my blog a few years ago I never could've imagined how many great friends I would make, how many great conversations I would have...or how many of you would decide to follow me! Often you are my inspiration and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for continuing to keep up with my life.

It has been an honour and a pleasure to read your posts and comments! This is why I am asking all of you to please...leave comments for bloggers. I know loads of you who tell me you read blogs but then never comment. I am not the only blogger to notice a decline in comments and we have no idea why. So please...even if it's simply 'Have a great day!'...please leave comments on blogs you read. It lets us know you were here and that we are heard. Thank you! I am hoping we can get back to the comment numbers we all used to have a couple of years ago!

In case you don't know...I also have a Facebook page, a Pinterest board, Twitter, and my ribbon business Royal Ribbons has a blog of personalized ribbon and Facebook page!

To continue the tradition I will be answering questions from all of you wonderful followers! So please, feel free to ask me anything and I will do my best to answer! I can't wait to read and answer all of your questions!

Have a fabulous day!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:45:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY HOGMANAY!

From my house to yours...all the best for 2012!

Have a fabulous year!

PS....Update on Hermes Scarf Friend...she was moved from ICU to a regular room yesterday afternoon. She is feeling poorly and just wants to get home to get a decent sleep but is generally ok. She is waiting for an MRI so we don't know when she will be released but hopefully it's soon! Thank you all for keeping her in your thoughts - keep hoping for a clean MRI!

Bye 2011! Hello 2012!

2011-12-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

Have a fabulous 2012!

Ps... Please keep my friend Hermes Scarf Friend in your thoughts....she was taken to the hospital yesterday after having seizures and we have no idea what is going on with her.

December Recap!

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

The last month has been a blur of activity and shopping. I so wanted to blog more but I just didn't have as much time as I needed. Blogging takes a lot of work...research, taking photos, photo editing, layouts etc. There just aren't enough hours in the day sometimes!

I am spending this week puttering around the house, getting closets tidy and organized, all the laundry done, writing cards to my penpals and all the little things that get neglected when our minds and bodies are off celebrating.

I feel like Christmas rushed up at me this year...yes I know I have had a whole year but, with the basement renovation taking almost an entire year, my storage room was held hostage until almost December. As it is, the basement still isn't finished but we needed to take a break. Since I didn't have a lot of planning time and everything was such a mess I decided to do very minimal decorations and barely decorated the Christmas tree.

Did you know if you don't putz with garlands, little filler ornaments and all that other nonsense a tree can be decorated in less than 1 hour? No? Neither did I. The best part of all of this...it will take me a short amount of time to get it all off the tree.

I decided this year to get every single piece of Christmas decoration into the living room and get it all sorted out, get rid of what we don't use and organize it by theme. Perhaps a project for the new year so it can be done as it is coming down.

The month kicked of with our Civic Awards pot luck meeting. We all brought a dish and the chair of the committee hosted it at her house. We had our meeting, patted ourselves on the back and got down to the business of breaking bread. It was nice to socialize with the other committee members as we are usually busy getting to and from commitments. The chair of the committee is almost 80 and is described as me in 40 years. I knew we were soul mates when I saw her datebook is monogrammed. I took coffee and cake in to her 80 year old husband who was in the den watching tv....he was also doing needlepoint. We were all having such an enjoyable time I ended up missing a Rotary cocktail party that was on the same night.

Royal Ribbons was busy up to the first week of December. I got all of my orders printed and out the door and catered to my last customer of the year with a smile on my face. I love my personalized ribbon business but I was happy to have my time freed up a bit so I could focus on other things.

We had our Rotary Christmas dinner at one of the local restaurants. The meal was so-so but the brussel sprouts were amazing! I ate mine, the mayor's and some of Hermes Scarf Friend's date's servings. I was telling HSF about one of the much older man who is always verry, verrry flirty with me. Always telling me the colour I have on is so flattering and then some. I noticed none of the other women got a Christmas kiss that night! HSF asked me if I had never noticed I probably remind him a lot of his wife. No, in fact, I had no noticed that...but come to think of it...I see the connection. HSF said he is bound to adore anyone who is well mannered, has short blonde hair, is pretty and well spoken...she said I look just like she probably did 40 years ago. The quilted riding jacket completes the look. Ok...not so creepy now!

Neighbour and I went to see the 'New Year's Eve' movie and I loved it! I thought it was a great holiday movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. We have to see Dragon Tattoo and Twilight soon! With all of the schedules we need to factor in, it's hard to get a night everyone is free! PS...I always forget just how insanely cute Zac Efron is.

I attended the Chamber of Commerce cocktail party for all of 20 minutes. Enough time to do a lap, grab a drink, eat some nibblies, say hello and get on my merry way! I suspect a lot of the members did the exact same thing as it was a bit quiet when I was there.

I managed to have lunch with HSF a few times - usually to discuss business as we are on several of the same committees so it's a handy way to eat and accomplish the discussions we need to clear up before meeting with other committee members. Oh and we like to gossip. Small town life!

It's hard to believe my parents' Christmas party was less than 3 weeks ago. It seems like a hundred years have gone by! I have an outfit post from that night coming soon. The Little Prince charmed the crowd when he was finally comfortable enough to sing his Christmas song for us. We all cheered and clapped when he finished and he loved it so much he sang it again! And again! Six times. I finally had to stuff some chocolate in his mouth to get him to stop! I spent some time chatting with my mom's oldest friend and finally got the story of why her daughter divorced her husband. Turns out he started his own business and she didn't like being home alone as much as that entailed. Charming. A young man tries to make a better life for his wife and child and gets divorced for it.

We joined my inlaws for brunch with Santa at the country club. The food was really good but I find these sorts of buffets are wasted on me. I wish we could just buy half of the buffet. After we ate we went to my inlaws' house to open presents. One of mine was a fleecy long housecoat...something I would never wear. It was returned when we passed the mall on our way home. I got a gift card so I will pick out something from the MAC counter or some such thing.

We spent a day in Toronto going to the Eaton Center, the Christmas Market and dinner at my favourite restaurant in Yorkville. I realized after that I forgot to go by T&Co to see if they had the carousel windows here too. I always make a reservation at the restaurant as I like to sit at the same table every time. It looks out onto Yorkville Avenue and at this time of year there is always lots of hustle and bustle. I fondly remember one year it was snowing and the street looked so beautiful with everyone rushing home laden with shopping bags....

Strings of street lights

Even stop lights

Blink a bright red and green

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

...the Little Prince came with us this year for the very first time and he had a ball being his mommy's city child. He loved the subway and taxis! He needed to be changed into dinner clothes so the Suburban Prince took him to the car and I headed to the restaurant...to order a glass of something civilized.

I took our sometimes babysitter out for lunch and a catch up. We are both so busy we hardly ever have time to just sit and chat for no reason at all. She recently got engaged to our contractor so we had lots to discuss...wedding plans, flower ideas...bridesmaid drama....she is 15 years younger than me so I have a very different perspective to offer. Hopefully she doesn't make herself crazy! The cafe we lunched at is always beautifully decorated for the holidays. I wonder if the frog is for sale!

The library book club met a few days before Christmas to discuss the latest book. I didn't even crack it open. It was some sci-fi sort of thing and that just isn't my style. I did arrive with cupcakes and enjoyed everyone's company...most of whom hadn't read the book either! We don't get a say in the books that are assigned so we end up stuck with book the weird organizer likes. What I did learn is Tim's has 'kegs' of hot chocolate - but they must be ordered in advance.

I took a shift at the LCBO ringing the bell for the Sally Ann kettle. It was so much better this year as I was actually inside the store. Last year I was outside for a couple of hours and almost crying by the end of my shift. As I was on the sidewalk last year I didn't pay a lot of attention to who was going in the liquor store. Want to see everyone you know all in one afternoon? Hang around the entrance of the liquor store! This year I noticed there are a lot of people who need booze like a hole in the head going in and spending their welfare cheques.

We took the Little Prince to get his picture taken with Santa. I find it incredible how many malls have done away with with taking photos or have removed Santa altogether! What's that about?? The mall by us has a great Santa and the Little Prince did an awesome job hanging out with him. The mall had a great idea and offered people a memory stick full of photos for one price. We ordered that and the photographer went crazy taking over 50 photos for us. Santa just kept going and wanted more photos taken! At one point I realized my son could probably be a model and decided to look into it in the new year.

I had the hardest time shopping this year. None of the people in my life need or really want anything and I hate wandering the malls. I prefer to know exactly what I want to buy and get it online or find it online and go right to the store to get it. I hate shopping...I like buying. Why is it people who don't want anything still insist on presents?

Our local theatre has a fundraiser each Christmas and it is a bit tourist draw. Local businesses decorate Christmas trees and they fill the theatre all season. Tickets are purchased, filled in then dropped into the box that goes with the trees one would like to win. I got a phone call a couple of days before Christmas to tell me I had won a tree! I love it! I was hoping if I had to win a tree it would be this one! The photos just don't do it justice!

A friend of mine organizes a Christmas lunch for those less fortunate or alone on Christmas day. I found out he has been paying for it himself (for 100 people!!!!) so I got to work and spread the word to my contacts to see if anyone would help him out. I managed to get all of the potatoes donated as well as lots of turkeys...and some cash donations. He was overwhelmed at the generosity and it was so nice to see how happy he was!

I spent a few evenings wrapping presents. Considering how few things I bought for people I don't know how I had so much to wrap...but I might've gone a little bit overboard buying clothes and books for the Little Prince. Thank goodness for gift boxes that come already decorated! I did have fun using my own personalized ribbon tho! I think it is the perfect finishing touch!

My parents came on Christmas eve and stayed over night. It was a nice relaxing day as I prepped all the food ahead of time and instead of a big turkey, I made a turkey casserole. It was all yummy and I didn't have to spend the day in the kitchen! It makes a huge difference when my inlaws aren't here. It's not that they aren't pleasant...they are just needy. Even the Suburban Prince agrees we need to impose a time limit when they come over as they would say for days if we don't kick them out! After my parents had been with us for 24 hours I told them the B&B is closed and they got their car packed, coats on, hugged us goodbye and went home!

We had our neighbours in for dinner on the 27th. I kept it super simple with ceasar salad and lasagne. Before they arrived I made a plate of baking and told the Suburban Prince to take it to the elderly couple across the street....40 minutes later he got home to find our friends and me sitting in the living room having cocktail wondering if he really did vanish into thin air! Turns out the neighbour offered him a whiskey and he is just easy led astray.

Tonight I am going to the mall to exchange some presents I am not in love with, have a light dinner and finally see Twilight. I plan on doing very little for the rest of the month. We will, as usual, stay home for New Year's Eve. I will see about making a nice dinner for us to enjoy while watching the concerts from all over the place. I remember the year I was pregnant Denis DeYoung was performing at Niagara Falls and he was great! Hopefully we will catch some good shows this year.

Have a fabulous day!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T21:25:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T10:30:00.001-05:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Have a fabulous Christmas!

Forgotten tea party photos!

2011-12-23T08:50:00.002-05:00

I was going through my camera the other day, trying to clean off the SD card to make room for Christmas photos and I realized I forgot to edit and post these photos! They are from High Heeled Life's charity tea party back in November. Each of us got to go home with little treats and some of us won prizes!

Hand made, chocolate dipped marshmallows!

Soap and hand cream from C&E - I love the ribbon!

Treats for the bath, chocolates and an eye mask!

How cute! The ribbon is awesome!

These are such simple but sweet ideas for prizes and favours for parties! Thanks again HHL!

Have a fabulous day!

CP Holiday Train

2011-12-21T15:50:00.000-05:00

Last year, or maybe the year before...it all becomes a blur after 35, I was driving home and while on the highway saw this weird looking train go by. It was all lit up and I tried to turn around and catch up with it but it went too far north of the highway and I lost it. Fortunately, we have google and it's possible to find out about anything with just a few keywords!

Turns out the train is the annual holiday train which makes stops all across Canada collecting for the food bank, putting on shows and making sure Santa sees lots of our communities before the big day!

The day it was to be stopping at the two closest stops we couldn't make it...schedules can be like that...but we knew it should be coming through our town at around 5:15pm. Armed with snacks, coffee, tea and all bundled up we drove to the bottom of town and parked by the tracks. We weren't the only people with the same idea! The street was lined with cars waiting for magic.

We waited.

And waited.

Checked for delays from the car.

Watched two trains go by. Neither one was the holiday train.

I took this photo thinking it was finally coming...nope. But let's pretend this is the right train....

Finally! Turns out the holiday train was 45 minute behind schedule leaving people at the next stop standing out in the cold waiting!

I suspect the lateness is because the train actually slowed down when it went by. It must slow down for people along the route to get a nice look at it as it goes by. They have an awesome social media team/person who keep everyone up to date the whole time so it was easy to find out about delays.

I was having a hard time getting the photos in the right order as the lights flash on and off and show different scenes!

Bye holiday train! See you next Christmas!!

Have a fabulous day!

Outfit of the day!

2011-12-19T20:25:00.000-05:00

Now that I am getting a bit used to Polyvore I have been able to assemble a few outfits on there. But what I don't understand is why we can't upload our own photos...you know...photos of clothes we own! I have discovered the only clothes available on Polyvore are clothes for sale, online, right now. That doesn't really help when I want to create an outfit around a shirt I bought 20 years ago. Or even last year. Anyhoo, I am plugging along, trying to find pieces that are close to my own.

I wore this outfit to the country club for Christmas brunch with my in-laws. It's a white shirt, grey trousers, houndstooth wrap, T&Co twilly, LV bag, and some accessories I wear quite often as they appear over and over. This really does confirm the idea of having a few good, solid basics and they will get you through most occasions.

The Suburban Prince, for some reason, insisted on doing the driving this day so I got to spend time taking photos with my new phone. If you are Facebook friends with me you probably saw the photo I took of myself in the car. Apparently I look like a movie star in this outfit. Works for me!

I took this photo in the parking lot...with my MIL in the background asking everyone what I am doing over and over. She has hip and knee problems so she walks slow...which means unlike the rest of us who walk fast, she gets a much longer view of the world. More time to take it all in. I think because she raised three boys, she can't see anyone doing anything unsupervised and not wonder out loud what they are doing. I constantly fight the urge to scream, 'Mind your business!!'. So, here we see the grey trousers which, in this photo, make it seem like I have a thigh of gargantuan proportions (Must spend more time practicing with self portraits), along with the wrap and some accessories...you can just barely see my polkadotty socks. There's always a little bit of GTH going on with my outfits.

Have a fabulous day!

Christmas Breakfast

2011-12-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

This year we are staying at home for Christmas. No running around. No leaving presents unopened under the tree so we can make other people happy with our presence...no insanity.

My inlaws decided (in a huff) to go to Nova Scotia for Christmas so I invited my parents to come for Christmas. The downside of marriage...complicated relationships. Nothing will ever be the same as when you were growing up and that's not always easy. So, this year, we will be hosting breakfast and as we know, these sorts of things take planning. I sat down the other day and wrote a wee list of what I would like to serve...foods that are simple and easy to make!

Christmas coffee! I am the only one in the family who doesn't drink coffee but I know the rest of the addicts wont be able to function without it!

Some sort of champagne cocktail! I might toggle between orange and cranberry mimosas *hic*

It's not Christmas until I have stuffed myself with chocolate while opening pressies!

I tested these the other day and the Suburban Princes loved them so they are a go! Put ham slices in a muffin tin or ramekin, crack eggs into them, season and bake! Easy peasey, lemon squeezey!

Panettone! Everyone loves this toasted with butter melting on it. Pure bliss! Slice it across and put on baking trays to toast in the oven.

Clementines and nuts to keep our energy and vitamin C levels up!

Everything can be prepped in advance or easily made on Christmas morning to keep stress at a low!

Have a fabulous day!

Merry Christmas to me!

2011-12-16T09:25:00.000-05:00

I was home alone and put the shopping channel on for a little while to keep me company. Yes, I know. Sad. But who knows! I might be on there some day flogging my own product and all the prep work will pay off.

The segment I caught was a bakeware company showing their pans while cooking up a storm. I was enamoured with this 'Old World' pattern and couldn't pry myself away from the tv. I saw there staring, imagining the dinners I would serve, casseroles I would cook, breads I would bake...when the host said they go from freezer to oven to table to dishwasher I was sold!

Look at how pretty they are! They arrived the other morning and I cant wait to use them! The best part is they are oven safe and come with wrought iron serving racks so no more cooking in one pan then serving in another!

I see they come in round dishes too...hmmmm...

Soup and sandwich platters! How cute! I wonder if Miss Janice knows about these?

A muffin pan too! How cute! I will be putting them to the test to find out of they are truly non-stick. I also need to get rid of some baking and serving dishes to make some room for the new ones!

Have a fabulous day!

Gone to the city!

2011-12-15T22:00:00.000-05:00

This beautiful picture was stolen, in broad daylight from Ooh La Frou Frou who is such a darling artist and paints wonderful, glamorous paintings of city life and girls who have it all! She turns all of her paintings into greeting cards and I am sure she could be convinced to do some custom work for say...a bride to be? Newlywed? Birthday party? I really need some for myself! As a little treat she has given us some printables for Christmas...click here to print your own NYC and T&Co inspired tags!

We, as a family, are heading into the big city today to see the sights, enjoy the decorations, take in the Christmas lights and have dinner.

We normally go to the Eaton Center for the Little Prince's photo with Santa but he isn't there this year. The management or marketing geniuses decided not to have Santa sitting in his castle in the middle of the biggest mall in the city during the weeks leading up to the biggest spending holiday of the year. Remember when Santa was what drew people to the mall too spend their money? I guess with all the online shopping we do, they have decided chats with Santa will be online only too. Yeah, we can skype with him. Charming. I called the big department store attached to the Eaton Center...they usually have a great Santa! Nope. This year he is only there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I asked where a 3 year old is supposed to visit with Santa on a Thursday in the city! No one has an answer.

We will be going to the big Christmas market (check out their website...it's so easy to use, perfectly laid out, had loads of information) which is a fairly new thing in Toronto. I think this might be it's second year and I am very excited to go. I heard a vendor has chocolate covered bacon! I can't wait! Breaking news...I just checked and Santa will be at the Christmas market every day! I will be taking lots of photos!

I also read that children need to be in 'cue' by 6:45pm to see him by 7:00pm. Cue? I am so rolling my eyes at this. I think they mean 'queue'...reason 489 I will be homeschooling the Little Prince. The first lesson will be 'Don't use a fancy word when one you actually know is readily available'.

Have a fabulous day!

Kiva - Loans that change lives

2011-12-14T15:30:00.000-05:00

I first heard about Kiva a couple of years ago when my brother-in-law gave me a gift card for it. I checked out the site, picked someone to help and used my gift card to lend them $25.00.

I had never heard of micro-finance but I had heard of a man who was changing the world one small loan at a time...and now I had the chance to do the same!

A few months later I got an email saying my $25.00 has been paid back in full and I could use it to lend to someone else. And so on. Here we are a few years and many loans later and we have helped a lot of people in the 3rd world get businesses off the ground or expanded.

Kiva is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of micro-finance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. Learn more about how it works.

Since Kiva was founded in 2005:

634,599 Kiva lenders
$253 million in loans
98.90% Repayment rate

They work with:

144 Field Partners
450 volunteers around the world
60 different countries

At the Rotary conference I attended a couple of weeks ago I learned how micro-finance works and how it helps people. Someone might have 5.00 and keep it under their mattress which is very dangerous and makes it very easy to steal. By providing a bank account lets them keep their money safe and secure. Field partners go to remote areas with mobile banks! Some of their clients have never had a piece of ID so they are issued a bank card with their fingerprint on it. Suddenly, they exist.

Loan officers work with people to help them create small businesses with their loans and make sure the loans are paid back. They offer business and financial advice and get to know their clients just the same way you would know the people at your own bank branch.

From Kiva...

"Poor people, with access to savings, credit, insurance, and other financial services, are more resilient and better able to cope with the everyday crises they face. Even the most rigorous econometric studies have proven that micro-finance can smooth consumption levels and significantly reduce the need to sell assets to meet basic needs. With access to micro-insurance, poor people can cope with sudden increased expenses associated with death, serious illness, and loss of assets.

Access to credit allows poor people to take advantage of economic opportunities. While increased earnings are by no means automatic, clients have overwhelmingly demonstrated that reliable sources of credit provide a fundamental basis for planning and expanding business activities. Many studies show that clients who join and stay in programs have better economic conditions than non-clients, suggesting that programs contribute to these improvements. A few studies have also shown that over a long period of time many clients do actually graduate out of poverty."

Imagine. No, really imagine. Being able to help someone out of poverty at no cost to yourself - you can cash out once the loan is paid back, put the 25.00 back in your own bank account and go on with your life knowing you made a real difference.

Why am I writing about this today? Well, it's 11 days until Christmas and we are all running around trying to figure out what to give our loved ones - why not give them the gift of giving? You can buy Kiva gift cards for as little as $25.00 and they lump sum can be used over and over to help people pull themselves out of poverty. As Oprah would say, it's not a hand out, it's a hand up! And you get to feel good about doing it!

UPDATE: If you go to the site you can choose gender, country, industry and find someone you like. I tend to pick people who just need a little bit of money before they have their full loan so the process gets underway quickly. I only wish I could write to them and say 'Great job!' but alas, we don't get an address for anyone we lend money too.

Have a fabulous day!

Outfit of the day

2011-12-12T12:40:00.001-05:00

Hermes Scarf Friend was at meetings in the city on the same day she was to introduce a guest speaker at our Rotary meeting. She was worried she might be stuck in traffic and wouldn't make it back to town in time so she gave me a type written introduction and instructions to take her place at the head table with her guest speaker.

Update: HSF got there in time so I got away with cords and a sweater...I saved this outfit for our Christmas party tonight!

Normally I would wear something casual to Rotary...critters and a sweater, dressier jeans and a cute top. But, sitting at the head table means everyone will be staring at me all night and I prefer to wear something nice to them to look at when I am front and center.

The dress is not denim...it's chambray, whatever that is. It's not my usual sort of thing but I bought it on a whim and have been determined to work it into my outfits. Not wanting anyone to confuse me with a farm girl I opted to wear a Dior scarf with it (yes, I realize that's not a Dior scarf we are looking at but the colours are very similar to the Dior I have) along with navy blue tights, black patent pumps and a navy blue purse. Do I really need to say I also wore pearls? A spritz of my usual perfume? The one that all the men like by the way. Forget all of your expensive designer hoity toity bottles of celebrity endorsed perfumes....I've had more compliments on my $20.00 Philosophy elixir than any other I have ever worn.

Have a fabulous day!

A Christmas Decorating Tip!

2011-12-09T08:30:00.002-05:00

I am a very systematic sort of person so whenever I tackle a big project I take things one step at a time. When it comes to the Christmas tree I like to get it all set up, then I fluff up each branch with the tree lit. As I do this I come across all the dead bulbs and rather than stop what I am doing every couple of minutes to fiddle with the bulbs, I mark each one with a bulldog clip or clothespin. Once the tree is all fluffed, I (and when I say *I*, I really mean the Suburban Prince) can go back around the tree with a box of bulbs and easily find the ones that need to be replaced. This year we had about a dozen and remembering the light stringing episodes of my childhood when my father 'in the heat of battle, wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan', it will be more attractive to replace the tree than try to replace the strings of lights on it. At least this year we had an easy time with it.

Have a fabulous day!

Pink & Green Thursday!

2011-12-08T16:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Pink & Green Thursday! I have been so busy with Royal Ribbons and getting ready for the holidays I haven't had much time to take part in P&G Thursdays but Trishy needed someone to fill in and I was happy to make the time!

I am honoured to be guest posting over at Pink Preppy Lilly Lover today with a very special P&G Thursday post. Please pop over there to check it out and join the blog hop!

Have a fabulous day!

Christmas Reading

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is my stack of Christmas magazines. Look at how brand spankin new they are. Who knows when I will get to read them...I told High Heeled Life I need a train commute or something just to have time to read them! Perhaps I need to take the Princes on the train for our annual day in the city...they can play punchbuggy or spot the seagull while I stick my nose in one of these and drown them out with Michael Buble's new Christmas album. This stack doesn't include the Christmas issue of Tea Time or my Thanksgiving copies of the American magazines we see at the grocery store. This is the only time of year I buy magazines so it's nice to see so many pretty ones on the shelves.

Have a fabulous day!

25 Acts of Kindness - Bloghop!

2011-12-02T16:40:00.000-05:00

I saw this list on Pinterest and thought it would be nice to take on the challenge. 25 acts of kindness before Christmas. Most of them are very easy and things I do all the time anyway...do we really need to be told to hold the door? Unfortunately yes, so let's see if this will spread.

I will post my progress on a weekly basis and would love for you to join me!
If I learn how to to a bloghop I will link us all up!

1. Work at a soup kitchen
2. Deliver gifts or goodies to your neighbours
3. Pay for the person in line behind you in the coffee shop
4. Host or participate in a food drive
5. Work at the food bank for a day
6. Tip your mail carrier and delivery person
7. Donate used books and magazines to a library or doctor's office
8. Offer babysitting services to a friend
9. Deliver care packages to the homeless
10. Visit a nursing home
11. Deliver goodies to your local fire and police stations
12. Smile at strangers and say hello
13. Hold the door for everyone you see going into a building and ask them to do the same
14. Write snail mail to 5 people
15. Deliver old towels and blankets to the animal shelter
16. Give your spare change (or more) to someone in need
17. Over tip your waiter/waitress
18. Send letters or care packages to soldiers
19. Forgive someone
20. Take a meal or coffee to an elderly person
21. Leave a wake up surprise for your spouse or children next to their bed
22. Start a conversation with a new person, welcome them to your community
23. Write a letter to a parent you admire letting them know what a great job they are doing with their kids
24. Compliment 10 people
25. Send a text/email to someone you haven't spoken to for a while and let them know you are thinking about them

Please join my blog hop and let everyone know how you do with the list!

Have a fabulous day!

How the conversation went....

2011-11-28T14:35:00.000-05:00

The Suburban Prince needed to run a few errands so he took the Little Prince with him. One of the places they went is Staples Business Center.

Everything was going along tickity-boo, they got to the next town, parked the car, the Little Prince was excited to be going to Staples....they got in the store...

Suburban Prince: Ok son, you hold my hand and we will get mommy's SD card.
Little Prince: But Big Daddy, where are the horses?
Suburban Prince: Horses? What horses?
Little Prince: You said we are going to Staples...where are the horses?

The Little Prince took it well when it was explained the store is called Staples...not Stables.

Have a fabulous day!

It's like Oprah's Favourite Things...but MY Favourite Things!

2011-11-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

This time of year is so overwhelming - so many people to shop for and most of them don't need a thing! I am always stuck for ideas and love internet shopping...so I combined the two to create SP's Favourite Things! I hope this helps with your Christmas shopping!

Royal Ribbons

Have your own custom, personalized ribbon created for tying neighbour and teacher gifts, tying around wine bottles for Christmas parties, gift baskets and so much more! Now is the time to get your Christmas order in! Yes ribbon also makes a great stocking stuffer or gift, each order comes packaged and tied with ribbon, ready to give! Mention this blog for free shipping on your Christmas order!

Belle Inspiration Magazine

Belle is perfect for anyone in your life who loves pretty things. Published in France it is a reader driven small publication that is gaining speed! Buy one subscription and get one free - that's two people crossed off your Christmas list with one click!

Fifi Flowers

Visit Fifi's shop full of paintings and use the code “PRINCESS” for 15% off total purchase! This is a special coupon Fifi gave me just for all of my wonderful readers! Fifi will 'personalize' a painting for you if it is possible, creating a one of a kind gift. I have given a few of her pieces in the past and they are always loved. Perfect for someone who has everything!

Two Florida Girls

Adorable coffee coozies in lots of patterns make perfect stocking stuffers! I have several in my car for the Sbux drive through! Looking for Lilly? Ask them for a custom order! Two Florida Girls is offering my readers 25% off their order with the code SUBPRIN25.

David's Tea

You can read my review of David's Holiday teas here. There is something for tea lovers in every price range, teas, tea pots, tea tools like balls, filters, brewers, travel mugs and lots more! Shipping is $5.00 anywhere in North America and it's free on orders of 50.00 or more. I especially love this tea advent calendar! Their mini tins of tea make adorable stocking stuffers!

The Beautiful Gift

The perfect way to wrap all of your presents - it's beautiful, reusable and very chic! The beautiful gift has several styles of fabric gift bags sure to make even the simplest present look like a million bucks! The Beautiful Gift is offering my readers a 15% discount...just use the code Suburban Princess in the comments section of your order.

Happy Shopping!

Have a fabulous day!

Happy Thanksgiving America!

2011-11-24T11:25:00.000-05:00

Since it was Thanksgiving here more than a month ago it's just Thursday here but I couldn't let today go by without wishing all of my amazing American readers a very happy Thanksgiving!

I know Brown Eyed Belle is having a great one! In 2011 she went from a pretty girl to a pretty girlfriend and last night became a pretty fiancee! Congratulations!

Another bloggy friend has the most beautiful of secrets to tell her family today. My lips are sealed but I will be thinking about her today too!

I am grateful for all of my readers! You make writing this blog even more fun and give me new goals every day. Without you this blog would not be what it is and I thank you for the inspiration.

Have a fabulous day!

My new best friend

2011-11-22T16:30:00.000-05:00

I avoided upgrading my phone for a loooong time. I have used the same phone for 6 or 7 years and never felt much need to get anything that does more than be a phone. These days I am so busy running around from one meeting to another all while running my home and business I decided the time had come. No longer was I willing to be kept waiting for 20 minutes at a doctor's office and not be able to check my emails.

After weeks and weeks of research I opted for this little number. I got it in white, because that's what all the cool kids are doing. It arrived ready to use, unlike the old days when a phone arrived blank and needed to be charged for 24 hours. I spent the first night programming all of my contacts into it, quite chuffed I figured out that much on the first day and waited anxiously for the next morning when the Suburban Prince would make the call to get it activated. You see the account is in his name through his work and he was working nights so.....I had to wait.

The next morning I ran some errands while I waited and sure enough, I got texts on my new phone! And I could see them in full colour and conversation mode!

I had a hair appointment so I lovingly put my new baby in my coat pocket and got on the road. I thought this would be a good chance to use the voice commands but that didn't go very well - in typical Princess fashion, I hadn't read the instructions. Speaking of reading instructions...while my hair was being cut my phone started to ring. Wahoo! My first call on my new phone! I picked it up, saw there was a call coming in, apologized to everyone for the incessant ringing and could not...for the life of me...figure out...how to answer the durn thing! As soon as I got home I downloaded the user manual and spent the afternoon learning how to use my new phone...as a phone.

Have a fabulous day!

David's Tea

2011-11-21T20:30:00.000-05:00

This week the lovely people at David's Tea sent me their Holiday Collection to try and review. I have been looking forward to trying the new teas and am very happy to let you know what I think of them!

The box arrived by priority mail so it got here quickly. I couldn't wait to get it home from the post office! Inside was this gorgeous red box, perfect for gifting, and a package of David's tea filters. I prefer filters over a mesh ball as the filters let the leaves open up much more and can then go right into the compost.

The box is very sturdy and good quality. The flap has magnets in it so when the lid is closed - it stays closed. The Holiday set came with a card telling me the names of the teas, descriptions of each one and instructions for each tea ie the amount, temperature and length of brewing time.

The three Holiday teas come in metal tins with clear lids. It's nice to be able to see the tea without opening them. The Holiday collection is Oh Christmas Treat, Elf Help and Santa's Secret.

Each tin has the name on the bottom so there's no confusion. Such a nice little detail! I love the little tins as they are easy to pop into my purse with the filters for tea anywhere, anytime. I will be reusing them for sure!

The filters are a good size for a big cup of tea and fold over the rim of the cup and stay put! they also work with travel brewers that have screw on caps. I love using them when I am in a hurry and need to get out the door and in the car. My tea can brew while I am driving and in my town everyone composts so I can toss it into any compost bin I see along the way.

I happen to be a big fan of David's Tea and have a few of their other flavours in my pantry. One of the things that puts David's above all of the other tea bars and companies (besides their tea and awesome customer service) is their packaging. 50 grams of tea is scooped into a zip top bag that is pretty air tight. It preserves the quality of the tea longer and means I don't have to worry about having an empty tin at home. 100 grams of tea is scooped into a free (!!) airtight tin which can be reused each time a trip is made to the store. Even if I still have tea left in the tin they 'zero' the scale and only charge me for the amount purchased to top it up. If you order 100grams online you get the tin for free too!

Each time tea is packaged a little colour coded sticker is put on so customers can quickly spot which type of tea is in each package. I like to start my day with mate and work down through black, green and end the with something like a chamomile or Valerian tea and the colour codes mean I don't have to read the name and description of each one to know which one to pluck from the shelf.

David's also does custom tins so you can have your own name, logo or anything else printed on tins of tea! Can we say 'Wedding favours'!? Fundraising for your child'd school! Party favours! Stocking stuffers!

David's can be found all across Canada and now in NYC! Slowly but surely there will be stores all over the US too! Don't worry tho...they have online shopping! David's ships to Canada and the US. I checked their website for international order and found 'We are seriously dedicated to making our customers happy - so if you are big fan of our teas and you need our products shipped outside of Canada and the US, please contact our customer service department who can provide quotes on shipping costs and coordinate logistics'. How's that for service!!

Shipping within North America is $5.00 per order and free for orders over $50.00. Anyone in Canada will tell you $5.00 is a very, very good shipping price!

Oh Christmas Treat

16grams. Tell Santa not to bother bringing you any chocolate this year. And forget those sweet Christmas oranges. This year, all you need to indulge your festive sweet tooth is this satisfying chocolate orange pu’erh. Just add a splash of brandy, a roaring fire, and some good company. Sorry, sugarplums – the only visions dancing through your head this year will be of dark chocolate, zesty orange peel, and earthy pu’erh tea. Ingredients: Pu’erh tea (China), chocolate curls, orange peel, flavouring. * Contains dairy

SP - Oh my! This really does taste like those chocolate oranges! Yum! I highly recommend it in a stocking for Christmas morning! I preferred this one cold but it was very nice hot too.

Elf Help

11 grams. Sweet and fruity with a dash of nutty flavour, this green tea is the saviour of elves everywhere. When they’re building to deadline in the workshop, they crave a drink that’s like dessert with a kick of energy. So we made a tea that tastes just like fruitcake in a mug. Add some brandy for the authentic cake experience – those tipsy elves always do. Ingredients: Sencha green tea, orange peel, apple, papaya, raisins, barberries, cranberries, coconut, natural flavouring.

SP - Add booze?? OK! This definitely has the taste of a fruitcake but without the bitterness I find those cakes have but with a nice mellow, fruity flavour.

Santa's Secret

13grams. Ever wonder how Santa manages to deliver all those presents in just one night? Well here’s the hush-hush formula. He uses a special combination of Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves and spices – all sprinkled with real little candy canes. It’s both energizing and remarkably soothing. All Santa needs is one cup and his motto changes from “ho ho ho” to “go go go”. Ingredients:Chinese black tea, peppermint leaves, candy cane sprinkles, clove, cinnamon, orange peel, natural flavouring.

SP - Seriously...this tastes like a candy cane, but even better! I like a minty tea and this tastes like a mug of Christmas.

There are lots of tea collections available for yourself or gift giving...I know a few people who will be getting them this year! I think the 24 Days of Tea is perfect for any tea lover!

Anytime anyone asks me what I would like for Christmas I tell them I am really into tea...they always ask if I like David's Tea....YES!! I have a feeling I will be well stocked up come Christmas morning!

You can visit David's Tea at their website, on Facebook and on twitter!

Have a fabulous day!

Monday's Random Thoughts

2011-11-14T09:00:00.002-05:00

It has been a crazy couple of week of meetings, meals, events and work!

- On Sunday I attended a charity tea at High Heeled Life's house...you can see the pictures here.

- On Monday I attended the annual Rural Urban dinner in our town. The first surprise was when I found out we are the urban side. Really? Ok! The rural side is verrry rural. Farmers. Like reallio trulio farmers. The second surprise was when I realized that even tho we were sitting at the same table as 6 farmers, they weren't going to speak to us. Hermes Scarf Friend and I tried forcing ourselves on them but they were having none of it! The urbanites *ahem* are expected to mingle with the farmers and we will be called out if we don't. It's all in fun and raises money for charity but I think I will raise some expectations of the farmers...like next year they should actually speak to us!

- On Tuesday morning I had a civic awards meeting. I picked up the chair of the committee and we went to another member's house. He must be retired as he is around all the time and...he baked us scones! I want to know who the heck has time at 8am to bake and clean up before someone comes over at 9am! I didn't know much about what this meeting was about - and I was told I was chairing it! Ummmm. Shoooot! I made it up as I went along and we got through it! The chair sent me the nicest email telling me how much she admires and respects me. I get a bit misty just thinking about it!

- Tuesday evening I had another meeting - Rotary Christmas fundraising this time. Last year we made it competitive and had teams assigned to each of us. This year we are keeping the teams but not the competition...but if we sell 500 hams and 150 boxes of chocolates the chair of the fundraising committee will come to a meeting in drag...and makeup. He is currently growing his mustache for Movember. This will be fun.

- If you follow me on Twitter you might've been witness to my thoughts on a conversation about ribbon colours for the Christmas chocolate fundraiser. The chair thought pink ribbon on lime green boxes would be weird (because agreeing to dress in drag and makeup isn't weird). A lawyer on Twitter actually offered to call him and sort it all out! Now preps, don't worry, I got my way and we will be offering the choice of pink or red ribbon on the chocolate boxes. Crisis averted.

- The basement renovation is coming along nicely. The drywall is almost all up which means the power tools will get a break...as well as my headache. The other day the guys were down there and a fight escalated until I thought it was going to come to blows. The guy in charge knows one of the issues we have had is the noise level. Not the work noise, but the stereo they play down there and the fighting that used to go on and rang through our entire house...one of them has the whiniest voice, it just makes people want to punch him in the face! Anyhoo, the fight got louder and louder until I heard the guy in charge yelled at the top of his lungs 'We're not supposed to be yelling!!!!!!!!'. And then silence.

- Hermes Scarf Friend and I worked for the hospital gala last week. We set up the silent auction room and there were 85 items! Some of them were big ticket like Pilot Friend donated a flight for 4 to Ottawa, a tour of the parliament buildings and lunch with our local MP, trips to Toronto with hockey tickets, $400 bottles of wine and so much more! I have watched enough soaps to know getting on the hospital board will be the pinnacle of my career as a Suburban Princess...this is step one towards that goal! It was so much fun seeing my custom ribbon on a few of the auction items! To order your own personalized ribbon please visit Royal Ribbons!

- The other day the Little Prince was looking at photos on one of the laptops. He came across one from the highland games in the summer and said 'Oh I do love a marching band!'. He is definitely an old soul!

- I went to a 'shopping extravaganza' the other night. I was invited to bring my ribbon samples, a dish for the food table and a prize for the gift basket. I had never been to this sort of thing so I had no idea what to expect. I'm all for being a team player but I would struggle with asking people to bring so much to my house. Have you been to such a thing? The hostess invited lots of vendors from different companies to set up their displays and invited lots of guests to come and get some Christmas shopping done while holding a glass of wine and eating something one of the vendors brought. One of the shoppers won the gift basket all the vendors donated to.

- Remembrance day brought nice weather. I am always happy to know the people at the memorials don't have to stand in the rain or snow. I find these events so emotional and end up having to think of other things while I am there so I don't start sobbing.

- Does no one ask 'How are you?' back anymore? I always lead with 'Hi so-and-so, how are you?' and almost always get 'Good thanks' back but they never ask me how I am! It's a bit of a conversation killer isn't it? I'm always left wondering if I am supposed to walk away, carry on with what I was going to say, stand there staring at them....

- I have been talking to the Little Prince about Santa and asked if he is going to write a letter to Santa. 'Yes'...Ok...I asked what he will say in the letter. He replied, 'Thank you'. Four words: Mom. Of. The. Year.

Have a fabulous day!

November 11

2011-11-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

Canadian physician aand Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields in May 1915 after he witnessed the death of a friend.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

This took on a whole new meaning for me when earlier this year, while doing genealogical research, I discovered my great-grandfather (my father's father's father) was killed in action at Flanders in May, 1915.

Have a peaceful day.

Charity Tea Recap & Photos!

2011-11-09T12:20:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I attended a charity tea at High Heeled Life's house. It was called the Serendipity Christmas Tea and we were all asked to bring an unwrapped gift for a teen girl which would be donated to the local charity collecting for Christmas.

We were greeted at the door with a glass of champers. You can see it ready and waiting on the table. I've decided I need to be handed a glass the moment I walk into any building.

The all important branding and signage!

Some great items were collected for the teen girls who need some love at Christmas.

Every surface was beautifully decorated - I know the pain of living with a renovation!

Sometimes we just work with what we have!

Prepare to gain 10lbs just looking at the food - I lost track of how many treats I ate!

Everything was beautifully made and presented!

Never be afraid to ask if something you are deathly allergic to is in something you are being served. Better safe than sorry! I was told tho, these were amazing!

Outfit of the day

2011-11-07T13:00:00.001-05:00

I always mean to take photos of my outfits but usually I am busy trying to get out the door without forgetting anything and by the time I get home I cant be bothered but I managed to pull together a polyvore! I took all of my brain cells to get this to work and once I saved it I had no idea how to get it onto my blog except as a screen shot so I have some learning to do! I just wish I could upload my own photos to polyvore.

In the spring I was in T&Co so I could pick up the mug I wanted and, while I waited in line (in the middle of the day - what recession?), I did some people watching. There were three girls from England being served - they were dripping in 'Return To' jewelry and denim vests. You know the type. I think they subscribe to the idea of keeping their money where they can see it!

I'm not one to wear more than one piece of a certain brand at one time. I feel it makes one look like one is trying too hard. In this case though my T&Co wrap is the only one that goes with this outfit and I only wore it on the plane when I was chilly. Otherwise I would've chosen a different wrap - by the way, if you don't have a silk/cashmere wrap, I highly recommend putting one on your Christmas list. They are perfection year round!

Have a fabulous day!

How a spoiled princess gets to a Rotary conference!

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Last weekend my Rotary club was hosting the district's annual conference but we don't have a place to hold a conference in this town so we had to have it in Collingwood which is about 4 hours away. I was thinking I wouldn't be going as I could only make it on the Saturday and 8 hours of driving in one day just isn't my idea of time well spent.

Enter my pilot friend. He had offered to take a group of Rotarians up to the conference on the Friday afternoon and since I asked nicely, and make him custom ribbon and treats for his plane he agreed to take me on the Saturday morning.

In case you are wondering how I come to know people with private planes and get flown around...I make nicenice with everyone and ask for what I want. Life is as simple as that! I asked my pilot friend and if he had said no, well then...I wouldn't have gone. But he is a nice man who is easily bribed so he agreed to meet me at his airport (yes, his airport) at 9am on Saturday.

Pilot friend needs a code name...Daddy Warbucks? The Red Baron? Any other suggestions?

Let's have a look at this plane. The bottom arrow is the 'step' and the top arrow is at the hand grip. I am 5'2" and had a moment when I wondered if I would need a boost or a box to stand on. Fortunately I was wearing pants with a little stretch so I managed to get up there with minimal embarrassment. The object is to put one foot on the step, grab the hand grip, then step up onto the wing near the door. I should point out this turned out to be a lot easier than getting down from the plane, in high heeled boots.

The plane has all the bells and whistles including auto pilot, traffic alerts, gps and heat (which I found is important as it's chilly up there in the big blue sky!).

The screen on the left shows the horizon, altitude and speed...the one on the right shows our route and the geography around us. Another amazing feature this plane has, which the pilot called 'The Wife Pleaser', is a parachute. I don't mean a parachute for the passengers...the plane has it's own parachute. My blood pressure dropped dramatically back to a normal level when he told me about this and showed me how to use it. One never knows when the pilot flying the plane might have a problem and be unable to land safely - pulling the chute and turning off the power to the plane will let it float down to the ground safely.

Ready to take off. Pilot friend has a hangar and runway across the road from his house. Another benefit of living in the country...there's lots of land! It's completely hidden from the road, easy to get to and has it's own parking lot.

The moment one realizes...no one is flying the plane! It was on autopilot so we got to chat and learn about the plane on the way to Collingwood.

The cars are so tiny! We were about 24,000 feet up which sounds like a lot but isn't really but the cars, houses and sheep still looked teensie!

Checkerboard farms.

Pilot friend asked me if I wanted to fly the plane and, since I'm not an idiot, I said YES! He told me what to do, took it off autopilot and I took over. I wasn't very daring as my goal for the day was staying alive (sing along with me!), so I focused on keeping the plane in the air, going straight and in the right direction. I did learn it's easier to fly by looking out the window than at the controls and screens. But then I've never been very good at video games!

We got to Collingwood, borrowed an airport car and went to the conference. Yes, I almost forgot we were doing this for the good of Rotary. When we got there they were between sessions and on a coffee break. Perfect timing! So we got cookies and warm bevvies and figured out which sessions to sit in on. But not before making our way through the crowd of very excited Rotarians and so many friends I haven't seen for a while (who were all suitably jellybean knowing I was flown there). My chocolate chunk cookie and I chose to go to the microfinance and microcredit session and I am so glad I did! I am sure we have all heard of Kiva (I have countless Kiva loans out there in the 3rd world) and this session explained the Rotary system of microfinance and how loan officers on the ground, in the trenches so to speak, help people save, get loans, learn about business and get out of the dire conditions we all have seen on tv but are fortunate enough to not have to endure. Yes, I know...run on sentence.

After that session we had lunch and got to see all kinds of awards being given out. Because this was a district conference for 55 clubs, getting an award is a bit of a big deal. Awards were given for literacy programs in schools designed by Rotarians, monies raised by Rotarians to help eradicate polio, awards for amount and length of service. I saw a man I thought looked familiar then realized he is Jack Layton's son, there to accept an award given to Jack who was also a Rotarian. Agree or disagree with his politics, he was a true Rotarian and devoted his life to 'the people'.

After lunch we saw a presentation by Jamie Fraser (not that Jamie Fraser) of Dignitas International and he spoke of his time in Africa working as a doctor. When he came back to Canada he was so affected by his experiences (some of them were very unpleasant and spiritually damaging) he knew he needed to continue the work, so, he has devoted his life to changing how the 1st world views AIDS in the 3rd world. He has been fighting to get governments to provide the same treatments as anyone in Canada would get. This is so important as the 3rd world will always be the 3rd world if something doesn't change. Eradicating AIDS in Africa means countries wouldn't be as dependent on the 1st world. Isn't that what we all want?

After the presentation there was a big walk in Collingwood to promote our efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. Pilot friend/Daddy Warbucks/Red Baron and I chose that time to leave as neither of us had planned on staying for the dinner and gala. When you know that many people in a crowd it takes a while to actually get out the door. I was happy I got to see our friends who do so much good work in Laos before they left - we wont see them again until April at the earliest!

Pilot friend is in agriculture and used to own grain elevators in Collingwood so he asked if I wanted to see how one works. We arrived just in time to see a truck of corn being weighed, tested then unloaded into the elevator. The machinery is huge and everything reeks of ethanol. We got to taste the corn, which is very dry and grainy when it's not cooked on the fire and slathered with butter and salt.

The farmer bringing the load of corn in saw my badge and said 'I see you are a Rotarian'. I said we both are (pointing to pilot friend) and he was asking what we were doing up there and told us he is a Rotarian in another district. We are everywhere. My one regret is I didn't ask the farmer more questions about how they harvest the corn and get it off the cob...so unlike me!

We got back to the Collingwood airport, gave back the loaner car, inspected the plane and got on our way back home. Lots of autopilot and chatting about pilot friend's family history in the area and maybe a teeeeeensie little bit of gossip about a mutual friend. We did a lap of our town and it was so neat to see town hall and the park from the air! My camera battery was dying so I didn't get any shots of town but let's hope there is another chance!

I managed to squeeze in one last shot before the battery died. We were about to land at pilot friend's airport when he told me other pilots this he is crazy to land between the trees like this. Charming. I suggested he not tell people that until after the flight is over! We landed safe and sound, disembarked and got the plane put away. The Suburban Prince and Little Prince arrived about a minute after we landed so they missed the plane coming in but did get to see it in the hanger and chat with pilot friend for a few minutes.

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday in October!

I got home and then had to put a load of laundry in an go get some groceries. It's a hard splat back to reality! That's the problem with being a spoiled princess - real life is a bit hard to stomach! To add to that, we got a call around 9pm that the town is in a state of emergency because our water station had two pumps break and we need to conserve water. As in....odd numbered houses get to shower on odd numbered days and we have to go get cases of water from the rescue and emergency volunteers set up in town. The good news is I have lined up for water in 3rd world country so doing this didn't seem so bad.

Have a fabulous day!

Thrill The World

2011-11-01T16:10:00.000-04:00

The beauty of living in a small town is one gets to know people of all ages. One of the young ladies I sit on a committee with emailed me about the Thrill The World event she is involved with.

Thrill The World is an annual worldwide simultaneous dance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Volunteer event organizers in cities around the world organize events using the Thrill The World leaders manual and Thrill The World tool box. Anyone can organize an event! No age requirement or experience necessary! And there is no limit to the number of events in each city! Each event raises money for a local or not-for-profit charity of their choice.All official Thrill The World events are included in the numbers for setting and breaking world records

A dance studio in town offered Thriller lessons through the week and on Saturday night everyone gathered in the town park. I put the Little Prince down for his nap late so he would sleep later and be able to come to see the 'spooky dance'. He loved it! We had to explain this doesn't happen every night after he goes to bed!

The bandshell in town park - already zombies are lurking!

They got a great turnout! The park was packed!

The registration tent - every name is recorded for the world record.

The town clock chimed 9pm and the dance started!

Thank goodness for dry ice machines!

It was so much fun watching everyone - reminded me of being 12 years old!

I just realize I know someone in this photo! I didn't recognize anyone that night because of all the makeup and costumes!

It was definitely a family event and people put a lot of effort into their costumes.

Dancers were on the stage in case anyone forgot the moves!

It was a great way to kick off Halloween and I cant wait to see it again next year!

Have a fabulous day!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T14:00:00.000-04:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

From Wiki:

"The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls' Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain,although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy.Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593), when Speed accuses his master of "puling [whimpering or whining] like a beggar at Hallowmas."

In Scotland and Ireland, Guising — children disguised in costume going from door to door for food or coins — is a traditional Halloween custom, and is recorded in Scotland at Halloween in 1895 where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visit homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit and money. The practice of Guising at Halloween in North America is first recorded in 1911, where a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario reported children going "guising" around the neighborhood."

I remember my Granda telling me how easy carving a pumpkin is compared to carving a turnip!

I just had a flashback to my first Halloween costume. I was at my Grandparents' apartment and my Gran wrapped me in a towel, put her shower cap on my head and took me door to door to visit all of her friends. When asked I told them I was a lady who just got out of the bath. I might've been 3 or 4 at the time and I was awfully cute so I probably got lots of candy!

A Scottish comic called Oor Wullie is a good example of how important that Halloween turnip was!

Have a Spooky Day!

Autumn around the palace!

2011-10-29T17:20:00.000-04:00

Autumn has always been my favourite season so I enjoy decorating and getting everything ready for Thanksgiving, a chill in the air and all of the Halloween fun!

On Thanksgiving day I had every intention of taking photos of everything but I just got too busy with the cooking and entertaining. I did a repeat of a lot of my Thanksgiving favourites from last year like my acorn cookies, apple pocket pies, and mini pumpkin pies with a single oak leaf on top.

Just before we sat down for dinner I decided to take a few photos of the table before it was ravaged. An amazing thing happens when I pull out a camera in front of our parents...for some reason they will all get their cameras out too! If I stopped to take a photo of say, a tree...they would all start taking photos of the tree too, even tho they have no idea why they are taking photos of it. So, while I was trying to take a few photos of the Thanksgiving table, for the BLOG (!!!), they gathered around and started taking photos too, with no idea what they are doing, flashes going and finally I had to tell them all to stop. Number 1 because my inlaws need a special battery for their camera yet wont order one so they are in the way yet only able to take 2 photos before the regular batteries die then spend the next 20 minutes complaining about it and, Number 2, my parents have had a digital camera for almost two years yet refuse to get a computer (yes, they are those people) so they have never printed a photo, seen them except for on the little camera screen and for some reason wont take the little SD card to Wallie's to have them printed there. So honestly, who knows why any of them had to get in my way. The Suburban Prince says it's like when Japanese tourists see a baby panda.

Anyhooooooo - since Thanksgiving day the cookies have been eaten, the table is back to being the Royal Ribbons headquarters and I found all I managed to get were four photos of the table. Hmpfh!

The Thanksgiving table is full of leaves, pumpkins, acorns and candles!

I made spice acorn cookies and packaged them for each place setting.

The ribbon on each wine glass saying Happy Thanksgiving and can be ordered at www.Royal-Ribbons.com

I love all of my different pumpkins! Especially the glittery ones!

I added a leaf shaped chocolate to each place setting to keep the autumn theme going!

The wall unit was emptied and then filled with leaf garland and lanterns.

The camels were in this section rather than on the table this year.

I wont even embarrass myself by admitting how many dark chocolate balls were in this vase compared to when I took the photo!

Little leaf dishes are scattered about the house filled with chocolates!

Easiest autumn decor ever! A large vase, leaf garland, dogwood branches and autumn coloured ornaments!

Outside I got mums in shades of orange and yellow - they looked so much better a few weeks ago before the rains flattened everything. I love my little welcome bears!

I think the steps to the house look great!

A splash of pink and a home grown pumpkin!

The front door wreath and garland. We are the only house on the street to decorate.

The jack-o-lantern the Little Prince carved last weekend!

Have a fabulous day!

100 Mile Diet Event - Part 2

2011-10-27T10:30:00.000-04:00

Here is part 2 of the 100 Mile Diet event!

Click on images to blow them up - there is a lot of great information!

This farmer uses this to grow his tomatoes - no dirt!

He is so proud of his humungous tomato plants!

The fruits of his labours.

Until I moved to the country I had no idea how many types of tomatoes are out there!

Potatoes.

Peppers and garlic!

I asked...they don't taste like chocolate. Le sigh.

With all the farmers' markets around it is very easy to eat local!

All of the farmers and businesses within 100 miles of us.

A food demo was going on in the middle of the event. In typical fashion there were 6 chefs preparing....tomatoes, cheese and basil on baguettes. Remember how many it took to make a hamburger at the Lavender Festival?

Since moving here I have discovered just how enjoyable it is to spend time chatting with farmers, finding out about their products, getting the scoop on new products and supporting my local businesses.

This is my local farm - every spring the owner dresses in a strawberry costume and takes people on wagon rides to pick berries!

I see my lavender shortbread has some competition!

Have a fabulous day!

100 Mile Diet Event - Part 1

2011-10-26T20:45:00.000-04:00

I have had these photos on my camera for ages so it's about time time I got them posted! We went to a 100 Mile Diet event close to our town and got the chance to meet lots of farmers, bakers, gardeners and more!

Our local chocolatier.

This farmer raises chickens and sells the eggs and meat. His brother has honeybees and sells the honey...so he takes the beeswax and makes candles!

There were lots of great educational projects around the event.

A woman who has sheep was there with her wool...

We got to see how she cards the wool and spins it into yarn!

She dyes her wool and sells it to all the local knitters.

I was tempted to ask her to knit me a birdseye sweater!

Produce galore!

One of my favourite cheese companies was there with samples!

Goat cheese samples!

These ladies had the most popular booth at the event!

Pies in every flavour imaginable!

Each booth had lovely autumn decorations.

Many varieties of apples were for sale!

Thanks to one of our local farmers we got a free apple!

Goat farmers had goat milk soap for sale and sample!

Everything under the sun was canned and ready to get us through winter!

Part 2 tomorrow!

Have a fabulous day!

How the conversation went....

2011-10-19T13:20:00.000-04:00

Dont forget to enter my Thanksgiving Ribbon Giveaway!

Suburban Prince: Remember when we went to see The Smurfs...did you think that was a bit scary?

Little Prince: A widdle.

Suburban Prince: Did you think Winnie The Pooh was scary?

Little Prince: No.

Suburban Prince: Well, there is a movie called Lion King but I am thinking it's a bit scary for you.

Little Prince: Why dont we go to da movies to find out?

Suburban Prince: You are the most rational person I know.

Have a fabulous day!

44 Scotland Street

2011-10-17T08:23:00.001-04:00

From Wiki....

The novel tells the story of Pat, a student during her second gap year and a source of some worry to her parents, who is accepted as a new tenant at 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh's New Town and her various roommates and neighbours.

She falls in love with her narcissistic flatmate Bruce, meets the intriguing and opinionated anthropologist Domenica MacDonald and her friend Angus, and works at an art gallery for Matthew, who was given the gallery as a sinecure position by his wealthy father. While working at the gallery Pat points out to Matthew (who knows almost nothing about art) that one of their paintings looks as if it could be a work of Samuel Peploe.

After the gallery is broken into Matthew asks Pat to store the painting at their flat until they can check whether it's a genuine Peploe, however Bruce gives the painting to a raffle run by the South Edinburgh Conservative Association. Matthew and Pat eventually track it down to the novelist Ian Rankin who gives it back to them.

The other major storyline is that of five-year-old Bertie, who is controlled by his pretentious and intellectual mother Irene - he has Grade Six on the saxophone, speaks fluent Italian, and is extremely knowledgeable about various subjects.

After he is expelled from his nursery school Irene sends him to psychotherapy with Dr Fairbairn, who constantly misinterprets Bertie's simple wish to be a normal five-year-old boy on Oedipal and Freudian lines.

Oh I do love a book that comes as a series! I figure if it is good enough to be followed by more books with the same characters or along the same lines, it is worth a look! And...I tend to miss characters when I finish a great book so it's nice to know the story continues. The first McCall book I read was one of his Sunday Philosophy club stories and didn't make the connection with The No1 Ladies Detective Agency which was such a big hit a few years ago.

I read the first book a few years ago but now that I have the whole series on my e-reader I thought I would start again. I am looking forward to bedtime each night as I get to get back to the story!

As a fan of Armistead Maupin (another newspaper serial writer I wrote about here) it is easy for me to love the 44 Scotland Street books. They flow nicely, always have interesting characters and a little mystery to keep the reader interested. They are easy to read and dont leave me depressed at all!

Have a fabulous day!

Friday's Random Thoughts

2011-10-14T14:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! I had a very busy week and will be spending all day today dealing with all the little things I need to take care of to get us back on track!

- I have already bought a Christmas present. For the same person I bought for in the summer last year! I have also picked out a few other things I know they would love which puts this person a the top of my 'Easiest To Shop For' list!

- It's amazing where life has taken me...suddenly I am very interested in what the top toys are for Christmas this year and making sure I get them now before I have to fight a pack of wild, last minute moms at the mall. I used to feel this way about shoes. Okay, I still do...but who knew a toy would be so important! I called Tarjay, had them put the toy at customer service and then called my mom, who was in Florida at the time, and told her to go get it for me. She said she was told Tarjay doesn't normally do that sort of thing so I must be quite persuasive!

- Thanksgiving was a success! Thank you all for the warm holiday wishes! I managed to get a few photos so I will post them soon!

-We had a provincial election here - the Liberals won again but this time with a minority government. They wont 53 seats and the other two parties won 54 seats combined. This means they can vote together to outnumber the Liberal government. We had this on a federal level for quite a long time and they Governor General approved the dissolution of the government a couple of times and finally the ruling party won the majority and now things can be accomplished!

- I am planning to attend the Rotary conference in 2 weeks. I wasn't going to go because I just wanted to go for one day but it's 3 or 4 hours away but...one of our members has a private plane. Mmm hmm. I will be flown there and back. Just the way life is meant to be! I was born for this!

- The divorcing neighbours are at it again. The police were there one day this week and MrsDivorce was sitting in her car sobbing. It was noonish so I went over to see if she wanted me to take her kids and give them lunch...no one heard or saw me walking up (not that I was trying to be stealthy wearing a hot pink polo shirt) so I heard the police telling her 'It will get easier' which makes me think MrDivorce called the police this time to get her to leave. I know they let their housekeeper go...and MrDivorce was seen taking photos of his car like he was selling it or something. The plot thickens.

- The Little Prince still comes up with wacky sayings...this week he has been prancing about the house like he is riding a horse yelling 'Yippee-ky-yay!' Errrrrr, ok little one!

- I finally finished reading The Help and loved it! I thought the end was perfect!

- We are invited to a wedding tomorrow and I have no desire to go. It's 3 hours away and the bride has had nothing to do with me for the entire relationship she has had with my friend. She got pregnant 5 minutes into their dating life which happens, but she is a nurse and 40 years old so she has a clue about where babies come from. Also, what woman in this day and age has $ex with a man without any protection all the while telling him she cant get pregnant??? Oh right, a man trapper. Anyhoo, I suspect she hasn't wanted him speaking much to me as the only time I ever hear from him is when she is at work or if he is driving somewhere. I sent them a present when their baby was born and she didn't even say a word to me. I got a texted thank you from him so I am thinking they will get a texted 'Best Wishes' from me tomorrow. It's not like we were planning on staying for the dinner (which is 5 hours after the ceremony!!) and 6 hours on the road seems like a lot for a wedding ceremony.

- Is texted the correct past tense of text?

Have a fabulous day!

A walk in the garden - Part 2

2011-10-13T09:25:00.000-04:00

Here is part 2 of my garden photos!

You just can see some purple grapes growing under the leaves.

A rogue pumpkin!

Another rogue!

The veggie patch is full by August!

Another rogue...we kept finding them everywhere thanks to the compost!

The pumpkin plants grow to be huge! You can see why they have to be kept under control!

I love the vines growing over my 'Secret Garden' door!

More vines growing over the canopy - they bloomed hundreds of white and purple flowers!

So pretty! Makes me feel all Ivy League!

These flowers are amazing!

It's not just pumpkins! We had a rogue carrot too - it won 3rd place at the fall fair!

Have a fabulous day!

A walk around the garden - Part 1

2011-10-12T14:00:00.000-04:00

Every year the Suburban Prince works hard to get the gardens looking spectacular. When we bought this house it was a disaster...we bought it from nasty WT so that should tell the tale. Over the years we have added more and more plants and flowers and have a great time harvesting all of the berries we grow!

A raspberry busy full of ripe berries!

Blueberries - a favourite!

Grape plants!

I have no idea what this is but it was already starting to turn red!

This is where the little chipmunk lives! See the little hole?

These flowers are as big as plates!

Blackberries...it's hard to get a lot of them in the house as they get eaten while in the pool!

Grow berries and your children will eat them!

Spaghetti squash ripening!

We grow our squash so it hangs down rather than sitting on the ground.

Same with pumpkins! This gives them nice shape and keeps them from taking over the entire yard.

Part 2 will be posted tomorrow!

Have a fabulous day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-10-09T10:50:00.000-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I will be spending today getting pies baked and dessert prepped. Our parents are coming tomorrow for dinner so it will be a full day of cooking turkey and ham, roasties, veggies, stuffing and all the traditional Thanksgiving foods.

Every year at this time I like to revisit my very first post. One of these days I will write an updated version including all of the new things I am grateful for.

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Autumn Errands!

2011-10-07T09:01:00.001-04:00

Since it is Thanksgiving this weekend I have been busy running errands, getting groceries, going from store to store and generally going crazy. It has been all about casual comfy clothes this week - and my favourite pair of shoes!

Have a fabulous day!

A quick and easy snack!

2011-10-06T09:20:00.000-04:00

I am all about healthy eating and giving my family quality meals but sometimes there just isn't time to make something fabulous and this is the perfect little snack - it require nothing more than 4 ingredients, 10 minutes to assemble and 15 minutes cooking time.

Organic grainy mustard, natural and nitrate free ham, sliced Swiss cheese and crescent dough.

Unroll the dough, squeeze some mustard on it, layer the ham and cheese and roll up. This isn't rocket science - if you need more instruction that that it might be best if you step out of the kitchen and leave the snacks to someone else.

Bake according to the instructions on the dough and keep an eye on them to make sure they get nice and golden brown. The Suburban Prince ate a few then took the rest in a container to eat in the car. So...we now know this recipe serves one large, hungry man.

Oh yeah...I made these too...I suggest using the larger size crescents for them!

Have a fabulous day!

Anniversary Flowers

2011-10-05T13:50:00.000-04:00

Do't forget my ribbon giveaway at Royal Ribbons!! It ends on Friday and all it takes is a comment to win!

I have started answering comments in the comments section - so please look there for my replies to you!

High Heeled Life - who never forgets an anniversary - sent us a beautiful arrangement for our 8th one a few weeks ago. It came with a box of chocolates but as you can well imagine, they didn't last long enough to take photos. Thank you so very much HHL! You always remember the important dates and are so kind to send lovely flowers and gifts!

I should also make mention of the beautiful pink and green flowers the Suburban Prince brought home on our anniversary - I just forgot to take photos of them! Thank you handsome husband!

Have a fabulous day!

An Autumn Explosion!

2011-10-03T13:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend I pulled out all of my Autumn bins and dragged them to the living room so I could work on getting ready for Thanksgiving. It looked like Autumn exploded in my house!

Where to begin?!

How do I have this much Autumn decor?

Pumpkins and orange abound!

Autumn and Thanksgiving cards need to be written and mailed!

Ornaments need to be hung, ribbon needs to be tied!

Table and kitchen linens need to be ironed!

Garland needs to be hung....everywhere!

I thought I would get a head start and went to put this year's paper plates in the pie boxes for sending leftovers home...they dont fit. Le sigh. Fortunately I had more from last year!

Everything that came out of this box smells amazing!

Autumn, Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin and of course, Leaves.

Have a fabulous day!

Friday's Random Thoughts

2011-09-30T23:00:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday!

I am slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things. It takes a lot of work to get back to blogging with any sort of regularity and I quickly got out of the habit this summer. With Thanksgiving coming quickly will have lots of Autumn posts to share as well as Thanksgiving ideas. My American friend have the benefit of seeing what Canadians do first and get their inspiration early!

- The Little Prince says the funniest things...probably the strangest is 'Shiver Me Timbers!'. I have no idea where he picked that up but every once in a while he comes out with it...usually when I am driving down the highway! He told the Suburban Prince to 'step away from the cookie' LOL!

- The fall fair was a great success! The Little Prince won lots of ribbons and got second place for the pumpkin he planted and grew all summer!

- We saw the divorcing neighbours at the fair last weekend. Not together but when we saw each of them they had their children. MrsDivorce tried to get all chittychatty with me but I have no time for that. After basically telling me she doesn't want to be friends and only ever speaking to me when she wants something I'm not going to waste precious fair time on her. She wanted a life of solitude and now she has it!

- One more day until pumpkin pie blizzards at DQ!

- My Rotary Club's 90th anniversary party is....a disaster at the moment. I had the whole 1920s themed party ready to roll the second I got full approval and one of the board members (the one who was putting pressure on me to get this planned!!!) decided to stir some $**t and we had to then take it to the membership and ask them if they even wanted to celebrate the 90th anniversary. It was such a mess and at the end of the meeting the president tried to apologize to me but I wasn't in the mood to hear it. A few people are on my naughty list right now.

- What's with all the PDA at Costco? I have written about this before but we went shopping there this week and it's quite shocking how many couples are there holding hands and having romantic time in the bulk cereal aisle. I love my husband but sheesh, I don't need to be hanging off him while grocery shopping.

- It irks me when I post what I am cooking on Twitter and someone replies 'Recipe Please!!'. Especially when it's someone I barely know.. Do we think that's the polite way to ask someone to share their recipes?

- I have searched everywhere for these shoes. My parents are in Florida right now and have searched for them too. I fear I am going to have beg my 'shoe dealer' to get them for me.

- I am having a giveaway on my Royal Ribbons site! Please take a moment over there to enter!

- It's election time in Ontario...I find these ones so hard because they tend to affect us more than local or national elections. I am 99% sure I have decided which party I am voting for but there are still a few days to go! Hopefully something major doesn't happen, forcing me to rethink my vote!

- I have been watching season 2 of Downton Abbey. It will be airing in the US in January but I have seen it online. All I can say is have your tissues handy and oh my goodness, I think it's even better than season 1! I just hope we get more than 7 episodes!

Have a fabulous day!

The View From Here

2011-09-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

We went to visit friends of the Suburban Prince who happen to live just 15 minutes from us. It was a great opportunity to drive around the lake just north of us...

I love these narrow roads!

This lake shows up on my blog from time to time as I have to drive past it to get to the city 45kms north of us. Lots of people live on it year round as well as the cottagers who come just for the summer.

The sunsets are amazing!

I love when the trees grow over and form an arch over the road. The drives around here are always beautiful...I am looking forward to when the leaves have changed, perhaps an autumn picnic will be in order!

Have a fabulous day!

My little gardener!

2011-09-27T08:40:00.002-04:00

The Little Prince has always loved being in the garden. He is a Taurus, an earth child...in fact, he was born on Earth Day! It really comes as no surprise that he loves learning about the plants, getting seeds ready, helping to mow the lawn and watering the flowers.

We are that family - the one going to McDs for salads and apples...and coffee. The Little Prince doesn't realize there is anything else there as we always go through the drive-through and never see what other people are eating. It works for us and the Little Prince is a big fan of fruits and veggies as we don't offer him garbage. That really is the key to getting your children to eat quality foods...don't give them chips when they are 4 months old and let them see you eating proper meals. If your children see you eating a salad, they will want a salad too. (And yes, I ate lots of Happy Meals when I was a child, but 29 days of the month we had dinner at home, at the table, together).

I was very impressed when the cashier handed me a sheet of carrot seeds compliments of the company - I love that McDs is adding so many healthier options to their menu as it makes it easier for those of us who don't eat junk food to find something to eat in a hurry (or when we are lazy). The company obviously knows if children grow it they are more likely to eat it!

We got the seeds home and the Little Prince donned his yellow wellies and headed to the veggie patch! This photo was taken in the spring before anything had grown and we were all pasty white Scottish people. The Little Prince worked with his daddy to make the holes and plant each seed then made little signs for them so he would be able to identify them once they started growing.

We now have a section of the garden full of carrots...one of which won the Little Prince a 2nd place ribbon at the fall fair!

After a morning of planting seeds and raking the lawns this is how I found the wheelbarrows.

Have a fabulous day!

Keep the art of letter writing alive!

2011-09-26T08:45:00.000-04:00

Pen Pals wanted! My friend High Heeled Life is once again hosting her Blogland Pen Pal program! We took the summer off but now it's time to get a new penpal and put pen to paper! Last year I was matched with three penpals and we still write to each other and send cute cards, little presents from time to time and keep in touch through letters...written on paper...in the mail. I have spoken to one of my pen pals only through letters and cards - amazing isn't it! My lovely pen pals have also sent me beautiful gifts! I am so spoiled! A gorgeous pink scarf for my birthday, adorable pink flowers for my garden, and cool pens that, even though I am a leftie, don't smudge!

You know all those adorable cards we all bought at Micheal's? Here is your chance to use them on someone you know will appreciate them!

From HHL:

There is no cost or long term commitment (you exchange hand written letters and notes, with your Pen Pal - for as long or short a time as you both want); just email me at fallingoffahighheeledlife@gmail.com

with BlogLand Pen Pal in the subject line.

Include:

~ Your postal address

~ if you have a Blog - please include it's site address

or say a little about yourself , so that we will match you with someone with similar interests.

~ When there is a pen pal match, an email with postal address will be sent to you (and them),

the rest is up to the both of you.

I cant wait to find out who my next pen pal will be!

Have a fabulous day!

2011 Highland Games

2011-09-23T08:50:00.000-04:00

This is the first year we managed to stay the entire day at the games. Usually it starts raining around 1pm and by 2pm it's pouring and we all made the made dash to our cars and home to dry off. We also went on the Sunday when we usually go on the Saturday which means it wasn't as packed as we are used to and we got to see the Viking ship go up in flames!

Each day of the Games sees the massed bands do a bit of a show off at the main field. This is all of the bands together led by the Drum Major from one of the most popular pipe bands in Ontario!

Every year this Drum Major is in charge of the massed bands and leads them in and out of the games several times as well as leading his own pipe band.

There are all sorts of hand signals as well as baton signals - it is raised very high so all of the pipers and drummers can see it and know if they are to go straight, left or right...or even turn around!

Some of the dancers on the main stage. I don't particularly like the black tops with buffalo check kilts but the girls were very good dancers!

A rare male highland dancer. The dance was traditionally done by Chieftains as a war dance but alas, it has been left to the lassies and their mums to contend with now. That piper played the same tune for hours. I bet he hums it in his sleep!

The Viking ship was decorated by children at the Games and at the end of the day was carried in by the heavy games competitors.

The organizers so a fabulous children's area with dancing, shield painting, painted rocks, hair ribbons, beading and all kinds of fun things for the kids to do. The Little Prince had a great time! The Viking ship spends the weekend in the children's section so it can be embellished the whole time. When we got to the field the Little Prince asked, 'Are we going to play arson now?'. Errrrrr.....

Then it is lit on fire and was all watch and cheer as it's burning signals the end of the Games.

Have a fabulous day!

Baking for the Suburban Prince

2011-09-19T11:20:00.000-04:00

Whenever the Suburban Prince has to work nights all weekend I bake lots of treats for him and the rest of his crew. A couple of week ago I made brownies in mini-muffin tins - I'm not above using a very good quality box mix to help expedite this step. Now that the Little Prince is 3 and a half he is very good at helping me with this sort of thing so while I piped the French vanilla icing onto each mini brownie he put the Jelly Tots and sprinkles on. He was so proud of his work and was rewarded with one of his own. Everyone was happy!

Have a fabulous day!

RIP Tabi

2011-09-17T15:45:00.000-04:00

This summer saw the demise of what was once my favourite store...Tabi. Once upon a time Canadians knew them as Ports International, then Tabi International and at the end, simply Tabi.

In the unpreppiest of places Tabi shone like a beacon for anyone searching for colour, classic likes, durable fabrics...quilted, corded and patterned. I have a closet full of patterned polos: cocktails, flamingos and more. Their shirts last forever - I have some from the 80s which made their price point tolerable.

Recently, like so many classic companies, they started changing their product lines. Printed polos havnt been available since 2008. Instead the store was flooded with mock neck tops. They seemed to be trying to cater to the same audience other companies have been trying to attract. You know the ones...JC, THE preppy company. No longer preppy. The problem with this shift is the loss of the core customer base while never attracting the coveted younger customer.

So my beloved Tabi collapsed. Filed bankruptcy and closed it's doors. No longer will there big big navy blue bags snuck in my house while the Suburban Prince is at work. No more perfect fitting, high quality t-shirts in a rainbow of colours. No more super cute socks - hello, pink and green argyle! I was with Tabi since my tweens and haven't taken the loss well....hopefully we will find a replacement soon!

Have a fabulous day!

8 years ago...

2011-09-13T16:20:00.000-04:00

...amid strife and tumoil, I married a big handsome Scotsman. The pipes rang out, the tartans were exchanged, and I made well sure the paperwork was signed. We certainly proved a lot of people wrong.

Here we are now with the Little Prince, happy as can be, the perfect family.

I love you Suburban Prince! Thanks for all of the amazing times over the last 8 years...the ups, the downs and mostly the laughs. You are such a great dad and the Little Prince will do well to grow up to be just like you.

Have a fabulous day!

9/11 - 10 years later

2011-09-11T15:30:00.000-04:00

It's amazing to realize it has been 10 years since that awful, awful day. I remember it like yesterday, where I was, what I was doing, trying to get on CNN from my desk at work in the financial industry. The moment when we realized this wasn't an accident. Wondering if planes were going to fall out of the sky all day long. Toronto was evacuated and since my industry was shut down there was nothing to do but keep watching, waiting.

In the days following it was impossible to think about anything else and I found myself with a group of people in a hotel room glued to the tv all hoping against hope someone would find some survivors.

The world as we know it will always be before 9/11 and after 9/11. 10 years haven't taken the edge off. My heart still breaks for everyone who lost a loved on that day, especially the people who didn't get the chance to say goodbye.

I only hope that someday, the world will learn something from it.

"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair." ~Jack Layton - 2011~

Have a peaceful day.

August Recap!

2011-09-08T10:30:00.000-04:00

What a crazy summer! It flew by - who knows what happened to August because I blinked and it was gone! I packed in a lot of fun events as well as lots of work and pool time!

- We are still plugging along with the Civic Awards - we have been busy working on new awards and re-writing the bylaws as the mayor and town council want huge changes for next year's awards. My ideas are to have agriculture, beautification and wildlife awards....basically we need to create categories for more people to fit into.

- Our town has a bandshell in the park (we are so small town there is a baby Jesus in it at Christmastime) and all summer they have concerts on Thursday nights. Lots of people go to sit in the park and listen to the music, each week is a different style of music. I took the Little Prince to see the swing band and he loved it...but then he does have my taste in music. We took a blanket and a little picnic and picked a spot on the grass to lounge and be entertained!

- 50kms north of us is a much bigger city so we go there for shopping, there is a big mall, Costco, Sbux and lot's more. We love making a whole day of it so we took the Little Prince to the zoo up there which is free and small enough for a 3 year old to manage. We took a picnic lunch and wandered around looking at the meercats, otters, camels and ostriches. Once we were finished there we made all of our shopping stops and bought everything we need to fill the freezer.

- We took the Little Prince to see the Smurfs movie. I thought it was cute but the Little Prince said it was a bit scarey. He hasnt mentioned it since so I think we are safe!

- We sent the Little Prince to Camp Granny for a day. It was the weirdest day - to not be rushing around to get things done before he wakes us and to not hear him laughing and squealing in the house was so strange.

- Hermes Scarf Friend got tickets to see Hairspray so I went with her, her son and her best friend. It was a great show and we got to go to the cocktail reception and rub elbows with all the town bigwigs and the actors.

- We went to a bbq at the home of a guy the Suburban Prince's brother grew up with. All these guys knew each other and it turns out this one lives just 15 minutes away from us. We were told too bring a chair, a dish for the food table and our own booze. Hm. I know we have discussed this before but I still believe if it's the first time someone is coming to your house you should extend some hospitality and not make them bring all kinds of things so you can have a party. Anyhoo...it was pretty boring for me as I didnt know anyone and didnt go to the same schools as all of them so we stayed for a few hours then made our way home. Maybe we will invite the hosts for a coffee or something in the next few weeks and show them how it's done.

- Our contractor and his girlfriend (one of my babysitters) were in an ATV accident a few weeks ago. The ATV flipped over and landed on them while they were out riding it. Fortunately they got through it mostly with just lots of bumps, bruises and bandages tho our contractor needed surgery on his ankle and had a few broken bones. I was busy for a week or so making them meals and going back and forth to make sure they had everything they needed. Hermes Scarf Friend's husband is good friends with the contractor and he came home from visiting them telling HSF that I was the only person who did anything to help them. I hope they take this opportunity to re-evaluate the relationships they have with people because if I had an accident and not one of my friends came by or brought a casserole or did a single thing to help me, they would be removed from my life.

- There was one day this last month that made me realize what people who work full time go through - I had a hair appopintment 45 minutes away, then rushed back to see a potential customer, then dashed across the street to have lunch with the Happy Reaper (code name for the local funeral director who is very cheerful) to discuss a Christmas fundraiser then raced home to cook dinner for the contractor and girlfriend....while cooking dinner got a phone call from my longest friend who recently moved from NJ to Kansas City so it was nice to catch up with her. Then I packed up the dinner, dropped it off and went to pick up HSF to go to a Chamber of Commerce cocktail party. I get a bit tired just reading that!

- The Mayor and I went to see The Help and we both loved it! Neither of us has read the book yet but really wanted to see it in the theater. The book is on my list...in my ereader waiting for me.

- The Little Prince went to Canadian Tire with the Suburban Prince and bought himself some stickers...with a stack of Canadian Tire money. His first purchase!

- I had nibblies and cocktails with a couple who do a lot of work in town on arts festivals and the like. Currently they are working on building schools in Laos and have a fundraising event planned so they came over to chat about that and they gave me some great ideas for the 1920s gala I am planning for next spring. I haven't seen these guys for a couple of years so it was so nice to get a couple of hours with them to catch up.

- Housekeeper had a corn roast at her house about 20 minutes from me. You know you are in the country when there isnt a single landmark to help with directions. She told me to go to the stop sign and her street is the third on after that. My gps could barely find it! But we got there and had a drink, sat by the fire listening to country music (Lawdy, what has happened to me?!) and had some corn and s'mores. The Little Prince loved the s'mores and kept wanting to 'go for a little walk' by the food table!

- The basement renovation is still coming along. We found another electrician after the one we hired in the spring just stopped showing up and put us a few months behind schedule. Ugh I bumped into him in the grocery store the other day - what a jerk. I still like his girlfriend tho as she is my seamstress but he just rubs me the wrong way. Anyhoo, the electrical passed inspection and the insulation has been installed and now it needs to be inspected before we drywall.

- We spent an afternoon with my in-laws. They made a nice lunch and we sat outside in the sun enjoying it. These days they are getting on my nerves...which is awful, I know, but MIL is getting needier and needier and I just cant handle it. She wants to see us alllllll the time and we barely have any free time (Hello! I've been out alone with my husband twice this year!!) so we don't want to be pressured into spending what little time we have going back and forth. We have tried to tell her that if we could do short visits we could do them more often but then she gets all weepy *sigh* She just doesn't understand that just because she has nothing to do doesn't mean the rest of us aren't run off our feet trying to keep up with our lives! The Suburban Prince gets annoyed at her notion that if we don't have a meal together it doesn't count as a visit. The has been Christmas drama already and I am thinking about booking a holiday for a few days to avoid it all!

- GEM Munro came to my Rotary club to talk about his work in the slums of Bangladesh - he is so fascinating and such a great storyteller. We were all on the edge of our seats waiting to hear how it all turned out! He has written a book about his experiences so if you are interested in reading about how he did the impossible you can purchase it here.

- The leader of the official opposition in Canada died. Jack Layton was only 61 and at the height of his career. I wont politically out myself here but regardless of what he fought for or against he was an amazing politician, passionate Canadian and made politics in this country interesting. I feel he was this generation's Trudeau and I doubt his party will be the same without him.

- I have been in discussions with a big company for ages and got the word that I got the ribbon contract! Yay! So I will be printing up lots of ribbon for them to go with their marketing materials and donations they make to every charity in the area. It's all so exciting how fast my ribbon business has taken off! In case you havn't seen it yet, my ribbon business site is www.Royal-Ribbons.com and I create personalized ribbon!

- I spent the summer watching Downton Abbey in the kitchen while I made meals and did dishes. I just watched the last episode a few days ago and now have a touch of Downton Depression. If you haven't seen this show get the dvds asap! It is so good - I couldn't take my eyes off it!

- Let's not forget Big Brother 13 - I can't believe we have been subjected to Rachael's voice for all these weeks! I didn't have a favourite this season so there was no one I was rooting for except anyone who had the power to evict Rachael.

- I cant believe I only got to golf twice all summer! I am having visions of being in my parka knee-deep in snow just to hit a few balls! I must book some time with my teacher before the weather turns...only 8 weeks or so left!

- We went to my Rotary club's corn roast and got to hang out with everyone and their children and grandchildren. The weirdest thing is a woman I met...she was saying how cute the Little Prince is and I joked and laughed and said I don't even need my husband anymore, I just stare at my son all day long. Well. I think she thought I was serious because she said 'I know! If my vibr**or could mow the lawn I wouldn't be married anymore!'. Ummm ok. Holy inappropriate! I was sitting with HSF and we were just looking at each other like WTH? and this woman kept it up saying 'Am I right?!'. The worst of it is...I know her husband!!!!

- The juiciest goss of the summer...the neighbours across the street...the ones who are anti-social and only speak to us when they want something...have been seen with legal separation papers. And he is sleeping in the basement. I guess two self-centered people just dont make for a good marriage. So I am hoping this means their house is up for sale soon - I never understood why they moved into a neighbourhood when they want nothing to do with anyone or socializing or anything. They have a little girl the same age as the Little Prince and never had play dates or anything! I will be happy to see the back of them and hopefully some nice, friendly people move in.

And now it's September already and Thanksgiving is in 6 weeks or so and I need to hit the ground running! All of my autumn decor is packed in the storage room and I had no idea the basement renovation would take this long so now I need to figure out how to get in there and get it all out and get the house ready for fall! I have been pinning like mad on Pinterest and have a million ideas for food, decorations and everything I want to do while the leaves change colour. First up...a PSL from the new Sbucks just down the highway! After that I can put some old jeans and a t-shirt on and see what I can do in the basement to get things a bit organized and ready.

And how was your summer?

Have a fabulous day!

As summer dwindles....

2011-08-25T08:40:00.000-04:00

This is the first summer in a long, long time that I have really enjoyed myself. I might be accused of being the anti-prep as I am just not much of a summer person. I was bred for chilly, damp castles, not hot, hazy, humid weather. This summer I muddled through the wall of heat and went to lots of events and socialized until I started craving alone time. I am sad to see summer end. There. I said it. I feel like I didnt quite accomplish the perfect tan, drink enough cocktails, swim enough. We only went to the beach twice...maybe three times. My house would argue tho - it shows the signs of neglect and is begging me to do a big autumn clean.

We have one more week until the Suburban Prince goes back to work and I have lots of fun things to cram into my life before Labour Day so I am not even going to try to blog until after then...I have no desire to force myself to stick to a schedule or come up with interesting things to say. I am sure September and PSL season will bring plenty of inspiration. The cooler and shorter days will drive me back to my cocoon soon enough.

Enjoy the rest of your summer! I know I will!

Have a fabulous day!

Lavender Cookies

2011-08-18T11:50:00.000-04:00

I have been making these lavender cookies for years and they always disappear quickly! I use a simple shortbread recipe with dried, food-grade lavender added as well as some lavender extract. They just taste like summer...in Provence! They are perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon...even the Suburban Prince loves them! They came simply from experimenting one afternoon and a classic was born!

Use your favourite shortbread recipe and let me know what you think! Just add as much or as little lavender as you like, mix it all together and bake as you normally would.

Enjoy!

Have a fabulous day!

How will I survive?

2011-08-15T08:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday! I am writing this post on Sunday because at this moment I have no power at all at my house. No internet, no puter, no blow dryer, no phone, no tv, no kettle, no toaster oven, no laundry, no hoover...nothing. Everything I do depends on electricity! So I am spending today (Sunday) getting everything done to make Monday tolerable. The Suburban Prince told me to tell you not to worry that I havnt been on twitter, facebook and email all day...there's no need to call the FBI or anything.

If the situation is dire I might pop out to McDs or Sbux to use their wifi for an hour (or 4). I will miss you all but hopefully I will be back online on Monday night! And back to work! All in all it's the next step in the renovations in the basement...the electrician we hire in March (!!!) never finished the job and put us months behind...I thought we would at least have drywall by now! Sooooo I can suffer for the cause for one day.

I hope you had a faboo weekend! On Friday I went to see Hairspray with Hermes Scarf Friend - she got us comp tickets from work so we got to see it for free! We had 4th row seats and it was nice to be so close. After the show there was a cocktail reception - we got to mingle with the cast and rub elbows with some of the a-list of town.

On Saturday we went to a 'party' at the home of a guy the Suburban Prince grew up with. It turns out he lives 15 minutes from us way out in the country. It was a bit of a surprise to see there were only about 8 adults and maybe 25 teenagers...I didnt realize it was meant to be a kids' party. We stayed for a couple of hours and then headed home. The Suburban Prince said it was nice to see some of the guys he knew in school and hasnt seen for 20 years or so but I was bored out of my mind. Here's a question for you...have you ever been invited to a party you had to bring your own chairs, booze and a dish for the food table? What do we think of this? Is this ok when it's a group of people who have known each other for years and get together a lot? How about when it's the first time you have been invited to someone's house?

On Sunday I did some errands and got caught up on emails then spent an hour in the pool. It was a bit overcast so we kept our swimming short and got on with productive things.

The winner of my personalized ribbon giveaway is ... Little Miss Cant Be Wrong! Wahoo! Congratulations! Please contact me so we can discuss your ribbon :O) Everyone else...thank you so much for entering! Please visit Royal Ribbons to see what my amazing customers have had designed for them - I cant wait to make ribbon for you!

Have a fabulous day!

The Sound of Silence

2011-08-10T09:58:00.000-04:00

It is Wednesday morning. The house is silent. I can actually hear my own thoughts.

The Little Prince has been home from school for 2 weeks now while his nursery school has a summer break. I had no idea how much my child talks. Non.Stop. He makes me seem shy and quiet! Sooo we are having a day sans enfant to get things done, work, clean, tidy and everything else we have trouble doing with a 3 year old running around. I miss him already.

The other day I made these...well, assembled is more appropriate. Simply stuff raspberries with chocolate chips and enjoy. The perfect summer snack! All those antioxidants will help undo all the summer sun damage we have inflicted on ourselves lately.

Dont forget to enter my Personalized Ribbon Giveaway!

Have a fabulous day!

Personalized Ribbon Giveaway!

2011-08-04T15:45:00.000-04:00

As I am sure you know by now I have been running my business, Royal Ribbons, for a little while now and have been having a great time making wonderful ribbon for your blogs, businesses, parties and presents!

Everyone has been to supportive and given some amazing ideas!

I love seeing my ribbon in your photos and on your blogs!

It's very satisfying to provide the a personal touch to your gifts and branding for your business.

I have loved every minute working with my wonderful customers!

Coming up with a design out of thin air is a challenge but so worth it when I get emails telling me how much my ribbon is loved!

Helping make your holidays and celebrations special gives me such a feeling of satisfaction.

So now it's time to thank YOU with a giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive 10 yards of personalized ribbon (5/8 inches wide) made just for them!

You may choose your ribbon and print colours, font, wording and logo!

To enter you may....

- Leave a comment for 1 entry
- Follow this blog for 1 entry
- Follow Royal Ribbons for 1 entry
- Follow Suburban Princess on Facebook for 1 entry
- Follow Royal Ribbons on Facebook for 1 entry
- Follow @SubrbnPrincess on Twitter for 1 entry
- Tweet this giveaway for 1 entry - be sure to @SubrbnPrincess
- Blog about this giveaway for 5 entries

***Please put your entries in just one or two comments***

I do notice if you only comment on my giveaways so please feel free to comment on other posts too!

The winner will be chosen on Friday, August 12, 2011 and the name posted here. If I dont hear from the winner within 72 hours another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!

Have a fabulous day!

What we have been up to!

2011-08-01T15:25:00.000-04:00

Summer is such a busy time...even if we are doing nothing but making lunches and taking them out to the pool...so it's hard to keep on top of blogging everything. I realised I hadnt written a post about real life for a while so I grabbed my datebook and went back over the things we have done lately....

- The Little Prince wrapped up his dance classes with a little recital. The kids picked the music and each one got to pick a step and it was all put together. Having a son I never realized just how emotional little girls are! Oh my gosh! The classes were an hour each and 5 little girls spent that hour taking turns sulking, having tantrums and crying in the corner while he waited patiently. The Little Prince is now terrified of girls. I plan to keep it that way. Anyhoo, he did a great job, remembered all the steps, wore a little bow tie and took his teacher flowers.

- I went to a Chamber of Commerce networking event where I met a gift basket designer. I have already been printing ribbon for her and hopefully her clients will order ribbon too! www.Royal-Ribbons.com is my ribbon printing business in case you didnt already know.

- My Rotary club held a dinner for the poverty coalition in town and all the poor people who belong got to come to our buffet. The food was great and even tho it rained (poured) we had a good time doing something nice for the community.

- I went to Toronto and met High Heeled Life for lunch and shopping...but you already knew that.

- The town committee I am on has taken a dramatic turn from how it has been for the last 15 years...most of the committee quit in February which left me as the senior member with a whopping 5 months of experience. I told the mayor I wanted her to put me on a different committee but she asked me to stay which I begrudgingly did and now it is awesome! Last year I hated being on this committee and this year it is a totally different experience. The new chair is a former professional fundraiser and event planner and when I was at her house for a meeting I saw her big notebook is monogrammed! She takes me seriously and has actually made me feel like a part of the team rather than the obligatory citizen they have to have on the committee. This 78 year old woman has become my new idol!

- Hermes Scarf Friend and I went on to homes and gardens tour and I would love to show you photos but I was told to stop taking pics and to delete the ones I had taken off my camera. I guess they have enough people coming through and dont need any more free promotion. Too bad, some of the homes were quite nice and very interesting. The tour took place in 5 houses in the region so we had to do a bit of driving. It was so nice to spend time with HSF as we are both so busy we dont often have time to just do nothing but chat and gossip. It was such a hot and humid day - we ended up stopping for ice cream on the way home to help cool off!

- I attended the last meeting of the 'year' for the library book club. I wasnt in love with the book but it's always a nice way to spend an hour with people I dont see anywhere else. Usually someone brings treats but for the last meeting most of us brought something so we had a nice dessert buffet. The next meeting will be at the end of September so I have time to read a few of my own books over the summer!

- The Little Prince and I went to High Heeled Life's house for Canada day...but you already knew that.

- We went to the local waterfront festival for the first time. Usually the Suburban Prince is working that weekend so it was nice to finally see it after all of these years! I was impressed at how big it is and will need to plan better for next year and give ourselves a lot more time to see all of the vendors. There were lots of activities for the kids, concerts all day long, beach activities, a midway and lots more! Next year I will take photos, we were a bit rushed this time.

- We had my inlaws over for a swim and dinner for my MIL's birthday. I made two huge slow cooked racks of ribs. They were sooooo good! I managed to find the Suburban Prince's favourite bbq sauce just in time! On the side I had Greek salad and broccoli salad and for dessert I made key lime pie parfaits.

- We went to the local lavender festival and later the same day went to a party for HSF's son who is going to Belgium for a year on a student exchange. It was part fundraiser part goodbye party tho I will see him before he goes at least two more times.

- The Suburban Prince went for a hearing test - I made the appointment and sent him as I am sick of repeating myself and having to yell all the time. Turns out his hearing is in the normal range so now he knows he has no excuse. Are you reading this handsome husband? I'm on to you!

- We took the Little Prince to see Winnie The Pooh on opening day. He was a superstar! He stayed in his seat, yelled to all the characters, ate popcorn and clapped at the end. I cant wait to take him to see The Smurfs!

- My housekeeper has a girl party every summer so I stopped in for a couple of hours. It's always nice to see some new people and see some familiar faces from previous years but it's also a bit akward when it's someone else's friends and they all have a history and I am the outsider. Either way we had nice cocktails by the pool and didnt have to do any of the cleaning up!

- We went to the Highland Games as we do every year. I have been to them all over the place and it has rained every. single. time. I have been soaked to the skin, drizzled on, crammed in a beer tent while the bands carried on by standing on the tables and playing their hearts out. I have seen bands almost struck by lightning and have taken to carrying rain gear and umbrellas with me whenever I go. There is no way that many Scottish people can gather without rain! This year was the exception tho! We got through the whole day without a drop of rain - it's a Scottish miracle! We had never seen the end of the games before so it was nice to see the bands all playing together....there is a post with lots of photos coming this week.

- I got back to golf, at last. I havnt even looked at my clubs all season and last week got to the driving range with my teacher for a few buckets of balls. I am quite pleased at how well I did and got through the entire bag of including my Big Daddy club! My favourite is when I finish my swing and my teacher tells me I look like the top of a trophy!

- I took the Little Prince to visit a friend who has a summer home at the lake...in other words a trailer at the beach and it was nice to watch the kids play and snack while we chatted about life, love and how to take a decent photo of ribbon.

- I visited a friend who had a stroke a couple of weeks ago. She is 36 and the doctors didnt think she was having a stoke because of her age...even tho she kept telling them she was and had all of the symptoms. While running all sorts of tests on her they found she has a hole in her heart so now she is waiting for more tests and a surgery to repair the hole. I am amazed how how stressed she is while being so positive. She is a bodybuilder and believes she will fully recover and get her life back to normal. In the meantime she has been realising what's important and told me she plans to make changes in her life.

- A friend of a friend left her husband a few weeks ago. It was a bit out of the blue but I can totally understand her snap decision - I am the same way and when things arent right I cut ties and move on. I know this woman as we see each other at some of the same events and she has been at my house a few times...I can honestly say I never liked her husband and think she is better off without him. I told her at least now she can live her live on her terms and she says 'Exactly!'.

- Another friend is teetering on the verge of ending her marriage. There must be something in the water or the planets are aligned wrong or something! It's a 22 year marriage but they have done what so many people do when they get married at 19...they have grown apart. They hardly do anything together, they practically live apart and often take separate vacations. I say sh*t or get off the pot! Anyhoo, hopefully she will decide what she wants and stop torturing herself. 40 is the new 16 so it's not like her life is over!

- I finally saw Midnight In Paris - oh my! What a wonderful movie! I had no idea what it was about so I wont spoil a thing here. I loved it so much and now understand why everyone was raving about it! I would love to go see it again - after I have googled everyone in it lol! I took little bottles of champagne with me to ensure I was really involved in the atmosphere.

This coming week is another busy one for me with my ribbon business (www.Royal-Ribbons.com) and getting some plans made for my Rotary club's 90th birthday party. I somehow ended up being the chair of the committee so I want to have all the info ready and make a presentation to the club in 2 week's time. I am going with a 20's glam kinda thing...bring on the Charleston!

Have a fabulous day!