We Remember The Days....

Susie & I have been friends since high school. We used to dream together what our houses were going to look like and all the nice things we'd have in them. Then, our oldest boys were born (two weeks apart!) and we would put the babies in the strollers, go to the mall and shop. Shop, shop, shop. Every Wednesday. We'd have lunch and coffee that was HOT.... That was a great year.

We now have 5 children between the two of us and life has changed. Our outings are very different. In fact, we usually prefer "in ings" where we just get together at each others places, stay in and let the children run wild. We take turns doing this because our places get so trashed that it often takes days to recover from such get togethers. We have to heat and re-heat our coffees because we are constantly being interrupted and distracted. These gatherings are complete mayhem. But we continue to do them. Like ourselves, our kids are all good buddies.

This past month has been a bt of a turning point for me. Both of my kids are in school and so are the kids I have been providing child care to for the past 5 years. I have some new found freedom. The other day, I stopped by Susie's place (who also does home daycare and her youngest is almost 2 now) while the little ones were asleep and all the older kids were in school. I walked into total silence.... for the first time in 7 years, it was quiet. We took a minute to enjoy that sound as we drank our HOT coffees. (which all moms know is a treat!) I went to place my coffee down on her table and this is how her table looked. Her table that I remember her proudly telling me she got for her new place many years ago..... One of those "nice things" we had dreamt about for our houses back in our before children days. I commented on how I like what she has done with the furniture and walls.... we laughed, then sorta cried for a quick second then laughed again. Would we have it any other way? Would we really want to go back to the days of before children and have those perfect homes we once almost had? Not a chance. (but going back to drinking coffee while it's hot on a regular basis would be great!)

The Apple Of My Eye (one of them!)

Apple Picking is something I take the kids to do every year. It's one of my favourite things to do in Autumn!

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By Carter

When Carter got off the school bus, he had his hand in his vest as if he were hiding something. From his adorable smiling face I knew it must be innocent and then he told me to wait til we get to the door because he has a surprise for me.

From his vest, he pulled out this flower and said with much enthusiasm and excitement "Mum! I found this for you at school!"

Judging by the root, I'm guessing he found it in the garden at school... still growing!!

Nevertheless, how sweet it is to be loved by him!

“He who has health has hope,
and he who has hope has everything.”
— Arabian proverb

via oprah.com

“Above all, style begins with a sense of who you are
and your self-confidence.”
— Kate Spade

via oprah.com

“Our essential purpose is to
become the best version of ourselves.”
— Matthew Kelly

via oprah.com

Vegetarian Pad Thai

Vegetarian Pad Thai Noodles
* 1 pound Asian-style rice noodles
* 1 / 4 cup soy sauce
* 1 / 2 cup lime juice
* 2 tablespoons peanut butter
* 2 tablespoons hot sauce
* 1 / 4 cup sugar
* 1 block tofu, diced
* 1 onion, diced
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tbsp sesame oil
* 1 / 2 cup bean sprouts
* 1 / 4 cup chopped or crushed peanuts (optional)
* 4 green onions (scallions), sliced
Cook noodles according to package instructions.
Whisk together soy sauce, peanut butter, lime juice, hot sauce and sugar.
In a large wok or skillet, sautee tofu, onion and garlic in sesame oil for a minute or two, stirring frequently. Allow to cook for another minute or two.
Add cooked noodles and peanut butter and soy sauce mixture. Stir well, and allow sauce to thicken as it cooks for about 3 minutes. Top with peanuts, bean sprouts and green onions and serve hot. — Source: http://vegetarian. about.com

World Vegetarian Day on the Twitterverse

When @granvillemag in Vancouver asked which of their followers were vegetarian, I replied. Then they posted some of my @jennjam tweets on their blog! Pretty cool.... read about it here.

It's World Vegetarian Day!

Although this is something my family takes part in DAILY, it's nice to have a specific day where we can celebrate and create some awareness around animal cruelty and take pride in how we contribute to this Earth. My sister and I grew up on a vegetarian diet and I have been raising my boys vegetarian since birth as well. Happy World Vegetarian Day to my fellow Vegetarians and Vegan friends! Conceited or not, the world is a better place because of us!

http://www.worldvegetarianday.org/

Happy World Vegetarian Day!

Although this is something my family takes part in DAILY, it's nice to have a specific day where we can celebrate and create some awareness around animal cruelty and take pride in how we contribute to this Earth. Happy World Vegetarian Day to my fellow Vegetarians and Vegan friends!

http://www.worldvegetarianday.org/