Welcome to my Nest!
Merry Christmas to all of you, from our crazy family. May your holidays be filled with love, laughter and your family surrounding you. Cherish the twinkle in your children’s eyes as they experience the wonder of giving and of course, the magic of too much chocolate combined with the glee of new toys and over [...]
I have never been a cobbler kinda gal. I like my fruits in crisps, the cakey topping that I usually associate with crumbles can’t hold a candle to the crunchy oatmeal topping that crisps are known for. The story that lead me to this recipe is a common one around this house. It started with [...]
Oh, yes I did! These lovelies were inspired by my first trip to the Bulk Barn, prompted by everyone on Twitter telling me how much I was missing in life by not frequenting said store. And I mean everyone. I think even Jessica Alba chimed in at one point and said “Are you crazy??” Ok, [...]
The devil made me do it. That’s the only thing that came to mind when I realized that on a day when it was about plus 28 Celsius, I was finally making the cookies that have been niggling in the back of my mind for a long, long time. I recently posted the base recipe [...]
It's amazing what trouble one can get up while they are purposely avoiding getting any productive work done. With the new Culinary Arts Cook Off, my workload has tripled in volume. And it's ok. I have wine and I have chocolate, what more does a girl need? But Thursday night I needed some major motivation, I took one look at my Inbox, thought of PieDay and how I hadn't written up the post yet and … [Read more...]
Gah, I'm embarrassed to even post this, I would rather people forgot that I even do the Advent Calender. Holy. Slacker. Batman. There's just so much going on, and so many other things to post on this site! I don't have all day, a ghost writer, a chef, a personal assistant or a housekeeper. It's simply not possible for a normal human mom to write more than one or two posts a day, and even those … [Read more...]
I am hosting Christmas for the first time in....errr...come to think of it, have I ever hosted Christmas at my place? The year I was due to give birth any moment with my daughter doesn't count, I don't remember anything other than I am pretty sure it was at my old house, my mother did everything, I didn't have enough energy to lift my eyelids open and I had heartburn and was sleeping sitting up in … [Read more...]
Days like this I remember why I married him. We are trying to get ready to leave for our annual ETS lights tour here in Edmonton, that takes us to Candy Cane lane and then to the Legislature to see the Christmas tree and have some hot cocoa. The deal is that they have to clean the basement or they aren't going. Mike has been sending them little funny notes to the basement but this one made me … [Read more...]
*tap tap tap* Is this thing on? *cue crickets* Holy phoning in the Advent calendar Batman. I just...didn't have it in me. I..don't know why. Just in case you aren't familiar with the phrase phoning it in, I bring you the Urban Dictionary's definition. Phone It In:to put in a half a$$ed effort at something, but complete it. Often pertaining to work which is complete and pretending to … [Read more...]
We may have called this guy "The Arctic Explorer" but every time I look at him, I think "serial killer!". I can't help it. Maybe it's because he came with two axes and not just one. What Arctic Adventurer needs TWO axes? A bloodthirsty killer one, that's who. Day 9 brought the serial killer and a rebel X-wing. I think it's an X-wing, I could Google it but I just don't care enough to open … [Read more...]
Today's post is brought to you today courtesy of my Instagram account and the letter $. What? $ is totally a letter in my alphabet. Or at least it was today. To start at the beginning, which is where I guess I should, my kids crack me up, so, so much some days. Today Mr K opened day 8 to find a Star Wars Rebel fighter in his advent calendar while The Princess opened hers to find a coffee … [Read more...]
Ah. It came, went and was conquered. What a lot of fun my son's 8th birthday party was. We had, of course, a Harry Potter themed party. I was more than happy to oblige my son because I am admittedly a huge Harry Potter fan. Rabid. I think it's the best series of books written in a long, long time. We had a large amount of rowdy, rambunctious children attend, ranging in age from 5-9, and a great … [Read more...]
Day 7 brings you shortbread. Whipped shortbread, to be exact. I've been posting while baking and had a couple of requests for the recipe. I could point you towards my archives, but instead I'll give you this: And then I'll give you this: Whipped Shortbread Print Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 40 mins Serves: 24 Ingredients 1/2 cup of … [Read more...]
Peeps, you get short and sweet today. Day 6 has me baking up a storm in my kitchen. Specifically around 10 dozen buttertarts and 30 mincemeat, frozen now to give out for my Christmas gifts as usual. As I look out at the big, fluffy snow, I realize that I better leave a good 10 minutes early to go get the kids from school this afternoon. And I hope it doesn't take me until 530 to get … [Read more...]
Day 5 brings what I hope is the kids last day at home being sick. It also brings what we think is Boba Fett's spaceship and another piece to the jail my daughter is delighting in building. Did you notice the last post I did had the man hanging on to the bars in the jail? She threw him behind bars faster than I swig back Peppermint Mochas in December. The house was cleaned yesterday, the laundry … [Read more...]
Well, all this countdown is doing is succeeding in stressing me out over how quickly time is passing. Four days in? Really? I lost an entire week last week thanks to being ill and then working the casino for the school fundraiser, by the time I flicked my bleary eyes kitchen-wards, it was Friday. Then Saturday was spent at Ikea. Today we found out the boy most likely has pneumonia and the … [Read more...]
Day three brings us to the first weekend of December. And what, in my infinite wisdom, do I go and do? Decide it's a great day to head to Ikea! The great thing - and I mean this is better than any Christmas present if you ask me- is that Ikea was quiet. I mean walk-up-to-the-checkout type of quiet. I don't know whether we caught a beautiful lull moment in the holiday craziness, but it … [Read more...]
Day 2 of the Advent calendar brings no sleep, sick children, a house that needs cleaning and no groceries. What? You wanted to hear about toys? You'll have to make do with the pictures, I'm far too busy whining. Yesterday looked promising, the kids were in school 4 days in a row, their colds seems to have been on the mend, I was set for a full night's sleep for the first time since Sunday … [Read more...]
Was everyone as excited as I was to let the kids open their advent calendars this morning and discover what treasures awaited them inside? See the kids just as excited as they get on Christmas morning to start the countdown to the big day? I was so excited, I slept right through it. I also slept through my first segment on CBC Radio talking about advent calendars and why our family loves them so … [Read more...]
I had been crossing my fingers, waiting to see if I received an invite to judge the Downtown Chili's Association annual Chili Cook-Off. I had judged it last year and simply had the best time ever. Once I got over my nervousness about being in front of a large crowd, meeting new people and finding my way around downtown. This year? HAH! I was a pro. I was ready. I knew where to go, what to do … [Read more...]
The 21 Annual Chili cook-off, held by the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, happens again this Friday, November 4th 2011. And like last year, it promises to be better than ever. Because once again, I am judging! Right there, that should be your reason for attending. Besides the fact that every year it supports a local charity, is a rip-snorting good time and you get to taste all sorts of … [Read more...]
...like writing up a post about the interview I did with FriendsEat last week. I Tweeted it. I Facebooked it. Or liked it. Or whatever the heck it is you do with it on Facebook. I um...completely forgot to blog about it. Ahaha. Ha. So for those of you who aren't on Facebook or Twitter - and I know there are a few of you- I did a lovely interview with FriendsEat after being listed as … [Read more...]
1. Drive their bike off ramps. 2. Drive their bikes off ramps and then do a handstand on the handlebars. 3. Stand on the handlebars of their flying bikes. 4. How high in the air is this exactly?? 5. Now you're just showing off. 6. Good gawd, does your momma know you are doing … [Read more...]
Our second official family staycation took place this past Canada Day long weekend, with much delight from children and parents alike. I love staycations. I would almost rather have staycations than go most places. I would most assuredly rather have a staycation than camp with my children in a tent. This is the only way you will be seeing my family sleeping in a tent anytime within the next … [Read more...]
I love my kids, my husband and chocolate.
The order depends on when you ask.
Welcome to my nest!
