Currently Jen

Every year over the May long weekend (Victoria Day here in Ontario) we pack up the kids and the trailer and head down to Niagara Falls for our first camping trip of the season. Unfortunately, the current lockdown put a halt on camping plans until mid-June so we had to find something else to keep up the long weekend family adventure tradition.  I'm ALWAYS bugging the kids to go on walks and hikes with me, and my requests are usually met with huge sighs coupled with extreme begging and protests to not go!  On Friday Scott and I had the day off work, the kids were plugged into remote learning but we snuck them out early.  I had no idea this amazing trail was so close to us (less than an hour away). We had so much fun exploring the river trail and then hiking through the forest. We were exhausted by the end but the kids loved it and honestly, it was so nice to just be outside and spending time together. No phones, no video games. It was perfect and we can't wait to go again.

Me and the Fam! I have news. A few weeks ago I celebrated my 40th birthday. It was my second COVID/lockdown birthday and I wasn't even sad about it. I'm not a huge birthday bash kind of girl, so not having to break the news to everyone that there would be no crazy party felt sooooooo good.  I've thought a lot about this post. About turning 40. What do I want to share here to help document this milestone birthday? When my kids look back and read this online journal so to speak, what do I want them to know about what I was thinking on May 11, 2021? And here's what I came up with: On celebrating my special day: COVID birthdays aren't so bad as an adult. Sure they suck shit for kids (can't have a party, can't see their family and friends, hardly any presents because said parties are a no-no). But for me, as an adult, I understand why I can't party it up with like 50 of my closest friends and family members. I understand that a Vegas trip is out of the questi

My daughter's plate (mine had more eggs and no toast) Mother's Day in a pandemic is about the same as it was pre-pandemic....and I wouldn't have it any other way. From waking up and enjoying the first cup of coffee from the comfort of my bed, to hearing the kids making me a yummy breakfast, some traditions were just not meant to be broken or altered!  We had our super amazing breakfast, then hubby went to bed (he had just come off a night shift and had to be back at work later that evening), and I had some quiet time which is always a bonus in my books.  I can't say I did anything exciting during my time alone, but sometimes making a homemade detox tea and watching some HGTV are all I need to relax and unwind. What's in my detox tea you ask? Well usually it's just some hot water, fresh lemon juice, a chunk of fresh ginger, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper OR a small dollop honey. But this time I nixed the cayenne and honey, and added a mint leaf. It didn't t

I remember back in the day, like we're talking 1991, when fluorescent pink and green scrunchies were soooo cool. Then one day they became uncool, and my pre-teenage self took a vow to never be caught dead wearing another scrunchie ever again for as long as I lived. But like all things and fads in life, trends get recycled and updated with a bit of a modern twist. And since I'm the kind of mom who sports leggings and a messy bun almost daily, I definitely feel like it's time to amp up my bun game. I haven't bought any of these yet (not have I been paid to promote them - in fact these sellers have no clue who I am) but I've had my eye on them for awhile....maybe I'll treat myself, it is Mother's Day tomorrow after all right? Knot Your Average Scrunchie is an Ancaster, Ontario (Canada) based shop. The grand-daughter and grandmother duo create high quality scrunchies out of the most fabulous fabrics. This oversized cheetah satin is my fave! AND it's under $1

Last night I did something.  I succumbed to my sanity and tried self tanner.  Some would ask "Why?" and all I can tell you is, I blame YouTube and beauty influencers with long tanned legs. You see, it started with tan lines on my stomach. Since having kids my stomach hasn't seen the light of day, and it legit startles me every time I take a shower and have to face myself in the mirror. I figured a self tanner would help solve that problem and I set out for product reviews, DIY strategies, and tips and tricks. Which then led me to YouTube. Which then led me to Instagram. Which then led me to hashtags. Which then led me to realize Jergens is still around and hey, a newish (to me at least) product: foam! I could have gone for the gradual self tan lotion that Jergens is so famous for, but no, I went straight for the big guns. If you're gonna do something, you have to be all in. No "gradual tan" BS I told myself. So a few nights ago, I tested the self tanner on m

I'm always on the lookout for new and easy family friendly recipes and I really hit the jackpot when I bought copies of The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook and Skinnytaste One & Done....you can check them out on her website here (no I'm not an affiliate, calm down). I've tried a few things from the air fryer book, but hadn't really dug in to the other one so last night I tried her "Lemon Chicken and Brown Rice Pilaf" recipe. OMG. It was so tasty. This one was made in a skillet on the stove and the ingredients were all things I (mostly) had at home.  I say mostly because I had to substitute a few items. I left out the vermicelli, swapped peas for chopped carrots, and didn't have brown rice so I used white parboiled rice, and lastly, no fresh garlic so I used garlic powder and hoped for the best. Sometimes swapping out ingredients can really kill the whole vibe of the recipe, but in this case, I found it worked and I didn't feel like it was missing an