Happy 5th Birthday to Jean

Jean turns 5 tonight... right in the middle of the night.  She is very, VERY excited to be 5 years old! She says her name will be on the announcements tomorrow at school and her class will sing to her.  Isn't that exciting?

There is no doubt we love our little girl so much.  She lights up our world and brings us so much joy.  She is feisty, dramatic, loving, emotional, stubborn (really, really stubborn), FUN, and sweet.  So very, very sweet.  Today we celebrated her with two parties since tomorrow is a busy day with dance practice and a hockey game.  Such is her life of travelling around from her sister's activities to her brother's activities but someday it will be her turn and she will have her own cheering section!

Happy Birthday to Jean!

Cookbook Collections

The other day I treated myself to a new cookbook... with a gift certificate to our local bookstore.

This is my second book from Chef Michael Smith because I just love his cooking philosophy and his books have beautiful photos.  I have quite a collection of cookbooks and once I got home, I wondered if I had room for it in my cupboard...

So it is left on my counter but that makes it easier to skim through when looking for inspiration for supper!  I have quite a collection of cookbooks and almost all of them have special meaning to me. I can't even imagine pairing them down or parting with any of them.  The first special book in my collection is the iconic "Better Homes and Garden" cookbook - a gift from my brother in 1999 when I was in university.  Our mom has this same book only a few versions earlier and it was used over and over again and mine is the same.  It is falling apart from so much use... usually for the basics such as making a roux, how long to roast a chicken, boiling eggs!  Nonetheless it would be my most cherished cookbook but over time my collection has grown.  When I got married, I was very fortunate to have a few bridal showers and received so many recipes from aunts, cousins, grandmas, mothers and friends.  I know that these recipes are tried and true!  My daughter and I use the "blue-ribbon chocolate chip cookie" recipe when making cookies for the junior fair.  The recipe is written in child-like printing and I know it was used for the same reason.  There are so many hand-written recipes that come from kitchens that I know of and I know good food comes from.
My friend Kelly gave me another favourite, a Plowing Match cookbook which is a collection of recipes from the host county of each Plowing Match and this particular book comes from her home area.  I love that book and have since collected more throughout the years.  I love to see recipes that come from a busy kitchen where the cook in the family has made real food that I can relate to, using ingredients that I can find and use often.
When my husband's Grandma Jean passed away we were able to take a few of her cookbooks and when Grandma Noreen moved into her apartment, she gave us some of her cookbooks as well.  I like finding her handwriting throughout her books and they are very special as they were used right in my very own kitchen in past years.
I am always adding to my vast collection and I now have quite a few cookbooks from some famous chefs (and other celebrities).  They are just beautiful books that I mostly just love looking through - filled with inspiring pictures, anecdotes and there are a few recipes that I actually try.

I also never throw out a magazine without going through the recipes and pulling out the ones I want to try.

I have this little cookbook stand that is always filled with torn out pages of recipes... sometimes sitting there for months just waiting to be tried out, such as homemade fruit roll-ups or low-sugar jam.
I treasure that cupboard full of cookbooks.  Must try to find a bigger cupboard in my kitchen so I can continue to add to my collection.

It's a Halloween Blog!

Missing in action:  Mommy (hmmm this always happens as I sit behind the camera but I was a Greek Goddess, Daddy (Taxi Driver for us), Aunt Sarah and Uncle Randy (not dressed up yet), and Ross (was just too busy to pose for a picture).  As for Grandma and Grandpa McGregor; they were enjoying some time in Florida.  It has been rumoured that they dressed up and went door-to-door as well but in Port Charlotte Fla.

My Own Running Club

I took control over a big part of my life recently... my physical health.  I reached a milestone this weekend and completed my first 5K race at the Unity Run in Arnprior.  I was so nervous, slept very poorly the night before and in the morning I thought, "what am I doing??" dragging my family out on a cold morning so I could run along the streets with a bunch of other crazy people doing the same?  In my moments of clarity I wanted my family to be there for me, to hug and kiss me before I took off and to see me cross the finish line but early Sunday morning I just wanted to crawl right back into bed.  Needless to say, Ian was supportive and told me this has been a goal of mine and they wanted to support me no matter what.  Plus they could just hang out in the warmth of the building nearby and wait for me.  Once I arrived, I got very excited, joined a few of my friends at the start line.

I am so proud of myself... I learned that once I set my mind to something like this, I can achieve it.  No matter my weight, age, or how athletically challenged I am, it can be done!

What's next?  I would LOVE to be able to run 10K!  Maybe next spring...

What I love about running:
1.  It is almost like meditation - very peaceful.
2.  No interruptions (unless a dog decides to chase me... yikes)
3.  I feel strong.
4.  I feel better - not just stronger but more confident in my body.  That's always a good thing.
5.  The great sense of accomplishment.  I distinctly remember when I could run for 8 minutes straight.  It brought me to tears.  Now I can run much longer than that but that was such a milestone for me.
6.  I feel like I'm part of a "running club" even though I run by myself most of the time.  When I see others run, I have something in common with them.
7.  Running is good for my heart and I LOVE that.
8.  I have inspired my daughter, Grace, to join the cross country team at her school and she surprised herself by actually being good at it.  That's pretty special to me.
9.  Ian is very supportive of me (always) but particularly in my quest to improve my health.  I guess he wants me to stick around for a long time.

I hope I have inspired others to take a leap and try something new and good for them.  I know I have been inspired many, many times by others around me.

I almost forgot...
10.  I love the clothes that goes with running - colourful shoes, nice running pants, cute tops, funky headbands... the list goes on.

Thanksgiving

My favourite weekend in the whole year is Thanksgiving.  I have always known Thanksgiving to be a very busy time, a time when usually I'm on my own for most of it as Ian is usually in the field harvesting, planting wheat, or selling at a Farmers' Market but no matter how busy we are it is easy to take time and feel thankful for everything we have and to feel loved.

I am thankful for:
-My beautiful, healthy family... 3 children who we are so proud of and a an awesome husband who is full of patience and love
-my own health.  I am proud of what I've accomplished so far this year... I am doing so much more for my own health than I have in a long time.  Running has become a part of my life that gives me strength and peace and yoga is just plain good for me!
-my home... sometimes it is frustrating to live in an old house but no matter what, I love it.  It is our safe haven.  I love when we do renovation projects and it turns out beautiful.   Most recently we have had some of our flooring refinished and it reminds me how much character our home has... if these walls could talk.
-my mom, sister and brother... so far away yet always there for me when I need them.  The older I get, the closer I wish we were to them.
-my "McGregor" family.  I am so thankful to have such a big, supportive "inlaw" family.  They are always there to support us and are such a big part of our life.  We work and play together and we wouldn't have it any other way.
-my friends - new and old.  As a busy mom and wife, it is hard to find time for friends but necessary to do so.  Loneliness can creep in on me very quickly and all I need is a good chat with friends to help me feel grounded again.

These are just a few things I am thankful for... the list could go on and on but, no surprise, I've got a birthday party to get ready for - cupcakes to decorate, lunch to make, vacuuming, and nice run for myself to squeeze in.  Let's enjoy the last day of our Thanksgiving holiday!

Happy Birthday to Alex... 7 years old already!

It was a beautiful October day... similar to the days we are enjoying right now.  Alex was my second baby and his arrival was a little less dramatic than when we had our first baby (Grace) and a little more like a typical labour despite his early arrival (just a few days).  Ian and I spent the afternoon of October 3, 2006, walking up and down our laneway while my contractions proceeded.  By late afternoon we made our way to Renfrew Victoria Hospital and our wee Alexander John Denniston arrived in the evening.  He was a jaundiced little fellow but healthy nonetheless!

He was such a sweet little baby... those cheeks and that little smile were irresistable!

Happy First Birthday to Alex

Alex was a happy little baby but had a lot of fussy times.  He was a very poor sleeper for a couple of years but much of this was due to teething.  He didn't break out in a rash and didn't develop fevers but he just cried and cried... his poor little mouth was sore a lot!  

Many baby pictures showed him with red, red cheeks.

Sitting with Mommy at his first birthday party

Alex at 2 years old.



By the time Alex turned 3 years old he had definite interests and for this birthday we celebrated "Cowboy Style".
Here he is dismantling his horse corral and licking off the icing!

Alex at 5 years old... almost a big kid!

Here is Alex at his 6th birthday party - another beautiful October day!  Love his smile!

Happy 7th Birthday Alex

Today Alex turns that magical age of 7... a great age!  He has been counting down the days and wishing for a few new toys.  Playing with his lego is one of his favourite activities but Alex has many interests.  Another favourite activity of his is reading and playing games on his ipod. He is really, really smart and excels at school.  Alex enjoys sports and plays basketball, soccer and hockey among other games at school.  Spending time with Daddy in the tractor and combine is also special for him and he takes any chance he can to be there.  A very special attribute of Alex is his friendly nature.  He makes friends everywhere we go - he has made new friends so many times.  We will go to a park and he will easily find someone new to play with.  Last year we were watching the fireworks at Disney's Magical Kingdom and he made a friend while watching.  He meets other children, introduces himself and asks their name... and always finds a way to have fun with them.  That's pretty special.  He is the only boy in the middle of two girls and has been surrounded by "girliness" yet he finds ways to have fun with his sisters and also loves those special times he gets to spend with his two best cousins, Noah and Ross... the only boys in his life that can be like brothers.
We are so proud of Alex... and love him like crazy!  Happy 7th Birthday!

Fall in the Ottawa Valley

Sunday was one of many beautiful, perfect Fall days we have had this year.  We didn't venture off to a pumpkin patch or apple farm (although that would have been fun) but we drove up the Valley through beautiful farmland and hills to Barry's Bay and Wilno.  The scenery is just beginning to show it's vibrant colour and the weather was warm.  As promised, we had ice cream and found a playground.

Barry's Bay beachfront

Our kids love any playground - big, small, new or old.

We stopped in to the Polish Heritage area in Wilno.  What a treasure.  Right on the side of the main road, highway 60, we found a very beautiful museum - a group of buildings preserved showcasing the area's strong Polish history.

The small school house was a big hit!  They each took turns being the teacher.

This was my favourite spot -  a perfectly reclaimed home.  I could imagine myself living in this home, raising my family and working very hard to make a good life.  Bright colours are a big part of their decor evident in their quilts and dishes and the bright yellow front door.

As long as we can find a park, have a treat, the kids are happy and I love discovering new and old places.  We have had a beautiful fall so far... let's hope we can enjoy more of the same.