Snow Day!

It was totally unbelievable, but we actually didn't have anything on the calendar today.  Donovan didn't even have school today.  The snow storm that we woke up to today gave us permission to stay home all day in our pj's.

After making breakfast and throwing in the compulsory load of laundry, we baked our favorite chocolate chip cookies.

Our favorite chocolate chip cookies just happen to be the one on "Chipits" bag.  I have tried a ton of recipes, and this is the best one.

After we baked, the kids wanted to go outside.  It was a lot or work digging out the winter stuff, but worth it...they had a blast.

They were cold and wet to the bone, so I tossed them into a nice warm tub.  I proceeded to stick them into a pair of clean pj's to stick with the theme of the day.

In the afternoon the sun finally came out and the snow started melting very quickly.  We stuck our soaking wet boots outside to dry in sun.

With no where to be and no place to go, I could actually make a real dinner.  We did a little "surf and turf" action with some organic halibut, organic new york steak, organic asparagus, and my famous roasted potatoes (baby potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, splash of water, salt, and pepper.  Toss all ingredients in a baking dish, put in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes).

Kids are asleep, resting up to get back to the grind tomorrow.  Donovan has a lacrosse game in the morning and Simone starts her skating lessons in the afternoon.  Now I am off to workout and shed the million cookies I ate today.

Have a great night everyone, sweet dreams, and dream big!

Lemon Yogurt Pound Cake

We made this delicious pound cake yesterday, it is so good!

1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
1/2 cup lemon yogurt (I use the 8% mf lemon yogurt from Liberte)
1 tsp finely shredded lemon peel
2 tbs lemon juice
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbs poppy seeds (optional)

Allow butter, eggs, and yogurt to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes .  Meanwhile grease and lightly flour a loaf pan, set aside.  In a medium bowl stir together flour baking powder, baking soda, and poppy seeds; set aside.

In a mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on med to high speed for 30 seconds.  Gradually add sugar, beating about 10 minutes or until very light and fluffy.  Beat in vanilla, lemon juice, and peel.  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition and scraping bowl frequently.  Alternately add flour mixture and yogurt to butter mixture, beating on low to med speed after each addition just until combined.  Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake at 325 for 60 to 75 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centre comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove from pan; cool.

(For a great and light dessert, I serve with some fresh fruit salad, and whip cream infused with finely shredded lemon peel, sugar, and vanilla.  Garnish with a mint leaf.)

While I am waiting for the cake to be done, I take half the lemon that I juiced and took the peel from, stick in in a mug with a tablespoon of organic honey, and poor hot water over top.  A yummy warm drink.

If you are like me and will only eat baking the day it is make, this is what I do.  I slice the cake and remove the slices that my family will eat that day and/or take in their lunches the next day.  Then I take a small pieces of parchment paper and start layering cake slices and paper.  I then put it in a zip lock bag, squeeze out the air, and toss into the freezer.  When I want a piece, I just take however many slices I need out, thaw, and chow!  Still tastes fresh!

*Original Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book

Organic yummy food delivered to your door.

We may not ALWAYS eat the healthiest food here in the Nash home, but we are defiantly trying to buy organic and local where ever possible and within budget.

Currently, we are using a company called Spud's.  It is so great!  We get most of our fruit, veggies, bread, dairy, and meat from there.  They deliver right to our door.  I can still grocery shop for Ivan even when I am away!

Anyways, if you are interested, the link is http://www.spud.ca/.  If you use the coupon code: CRCAL-NASTAA you will receive $25.00 in free groceries.  I thought I would pass that along.  Totally worth checking out.  They also support gluten free and other special dietary needs.

Happy shopping...from home!

A day in the life of....

Today was a busy day which tends to be common occurrence around these parts.

Donovan went to school this morning while Simone and I did a few groceries and dropped off some clothes for donations.

We picked up D and hung out at the park a bit.  We had to take in some of this great weather.  Then is was off to gym class.

After that we came home, chilled out, and made some yummy Lemon Pound Cake.  I will post the recipe tomorrow.

We BBQ'd some burgers for, taking advantage of the weather before the rain is supposed to hit, and then off to Donovan's first lacrosse game of the season.

We just had to stop for gelato on the way home, kind of a tradition when we have lacrosse in the evenings.

Finally got home, kids bathed, and tucked in there beds.   Now off to sleep to do it all again!  I love it!

Kindergarten Trip

Well today I went with Donovan on a field trip to the zoo with his kindergarten class.  I found it to be quite interesting.  It seems to me that those poor teachers have to cope with all those things we forgot to teach our kids, didn't want to teach our kids, or taught our kids but just doesn't fly out there in the "real world".  The teacher not only has to deal with this behaviour but do it for 16 other kids.....for example.
A child is walking and drops his books and papers.  I know for me, as a mom, I stop come over and help them out right away some how not knowing that in the "real world" they may, heaven forbid, have to do this themselves.  Now the teacher has to stop and get them to do it themselves so that they learn how to be independent.  I still wipe Donovan's bum with a wet wipes....let's hope this whole scheduled poop in the evening things works out for us next year.

Anyways, I also found it to be totally interesting meeting some of the kids parents and you finally can say, ahhh that's where they get that from.  This is also the reason why I go on almost every field trip so I can try stop any "wow I would love to be fly on the wall in that house" comments from the other moms.  Who is to say what would come out of Donovan's and Simone's mouth.....Donovan's just said tonight, "that's fo sho mo fo".......well I guess that is the nice version.

All in all it was a great trip and I grew an even bigger appreciation for Donovan's teachers. 

Man I am going to miss these days when they are all grown up.

May's HipKid Project

I dropped off all of the seeds and planters today for the April's HipKids project.  Thank you so much for donating to the Parks Foundation of Calgary and help disadvantaged youth plant flower and vegetable gardens.

Here is May's project.  It is the last one until October.

Deck out my ride! (May)

This month, we are going to help decorate bikes, adaptive bikes and wheelchairs for the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta. Their fundraising event, in September, allows around 300 child and adult participants to walk, run or wheel their way to the finish line. This event helps create a Life without Limits for people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities. You can make spoke or handlebar ornaments, seat stickers, bike flags, or donate helmets and bike bells.
Your project needs to be completed and ready for pick up or dropped off the week of May 16th, 2011.
May is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. The vision of the Cerebral Palsy Association is to be a leader in delivering programs and services, educating the public and providing information on treatments and resources relating to cerebral palsy. We advocate on behalf of individuals with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
http://www.cpalberta.com/

If you are interested in donating, please message me and we can set up a pick up / drop off time.

Thank you so much!!
http://www.behip.ca/

Nash Family Easter Weekend

Happy Easter to all!  I hope you had a great weekend and got to enjoy some beautiful weather...FINALLY!

We had a great weekend.  On Friday we went up to the farm, just outside of Sylvan Lake.  We had a hot dog roast and roasted some marshmallows too with Grandma & Grandma Nash..  We spent the night in Sylvan Lake and got a room with bunk beds.  There was no point, really, as they wanted to sleep with us anyway.  I think Ivan got to sleep on the bottom bunk!  On Saturday we woke up, had some grub, and headed for the pool.  After that we headed back out to the grandma and grandpa's for an Easter turkey feast, then hit the road for Calgary.

Donovan was up at 10:45 pm asking if the Easter Bunny had come yet.  I put him back to bed and then heard him sneaking down stairs so I make him sleep in our bed to keep an eye on him.  Simone, of course, slept like a rock.

This morning the kids were up at 6 am screaming that there was a hockey net down stairs.  They opened their baskets of goodies and I made breakfast.  They it was off to lacrosse with D, lunch and ice cream with some friends, then home for some road hockey of course.

Over all it was a great weekend.  Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Jumping on the mini tramp.

Watching Daddy and Grandpa build a fire in the snow.

My hot cub scout.

My beautiful girl.

My handsom boy.

The hotel bunk beds.

The Easter loot.

Monsie's basket.

Ton Ton's basket.

French Toast Bake with Brown Sugared Peaches

This is my favorite, make the night before, breakfast.  Enjoy!

4-6 croissants (med/lrg)
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 jar unsweetened, sliced peaches drained
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon

Grease a 9x13 pan.  Tear croissants into bite-sized pieces and put in a single layer in pan.

Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg.  Pour over bread.

Top with peach slices.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.  Cover with foil and chill in the refrigerator overnight.

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake 30-40 minutes covered, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until puffed and golden brown.  Serve immediately with maple syrup.

*Canadian Family

Art to support KidSport Update

I have so happy and pleased to say that we have sold 5 out of 7 paintings in support of KidSport.  We only have two left to sell and two blank canvas's left for any custom orders.

Here are the two that are left:

Donovan's "Red Red Rocket"

Simone's "Bunny"

Thank you again for all of your support!  My next up date will hopefully have a grand finale total!

Just one of those totally ordinary, yet fantastic days.

What a great day we had.  Donovan went to school, Simone and I got our coffee and vanilla steamer, ran some errands.

We came home and FINALLY planted our seeds.  I know that it is pretty late to be doing sew (get it), but just not feeling the green thumb with all the snow still on the ground.

After that a wonderful and dear friend of mine come over and brought the kids Easter egg decorating kits.....mine fingers are still pink.

We played around for a little bit.

Then it was on to dinner....lobster tail, organic buffalo steak, and roasted potatoes.

Dinner was finished off with a cup of tea and some strawberry shortcake.....sorry about that!

The very best thing about today was being with my fantastic family and friends.  It is days like these that I feel so lucky and so blessed.  I truly am surrounded by amazing people.