• Get Back To Nature,  Uncategorized

    Get Back To Nature: Upper Mill Creek Ravine

    Mill Creek Ravine North and South (north and south trail off of 82 Ave) are fairly well know Edmonton trails, but do you know of the lesser know Upper Mill Creek Ravine tucked away in the Minchau neighbourhood, in the Mill Woods area of Edmonton?  Adjacent to Minchau Park, a large green space and playground, and Barbara Danelesko Park, Upper Mill Creek Ravine is a granular trail that runs from about 34 Street and 34B Ave to around 40 Ave and 50 Street and also doubles as an off leash dog park. I parked in a mini cul de sac at the SE corner of the trail.  Full Google Maps…

  • Family Fun,  homeschooling,  kids,  Uncategorized

    25 Activities For Screen-Free Week

    May 1-7 is Screen-Free Week, and as we finally emerge from a long winter and the gloominess of a mixed up spring, I have to admit the kid’s tablet time has been on the rise lately.  With extended screen time comes moody kids and sleep issues. It’s time to detox for a week and get things back on track.   Working from home and being with the girls all day everyday means I tend to use screen time as crutch to get caught up on work or a bit of quiet time to recharge and get through the day.  So I have to be prepared this week with activities to do…

  • Uncategorized

    Edmonton + Area Craft Shows, Christmas Markets & More Oct. – Dec. 2016

    The snow has started already in Edmonton and with that comes fall and Christmas craft shows and markets. I love shopping local and supporting home businesses when I can,  and the unique items that can be found at handmade craft shows and markets make for thoughtful gifts. Here’s a list of shows in Edmonton and surrounding areas between October and December. Some have free admission, a small door fee or advance tickets required, so be sure to check out the event info before you go. You can click on the bold, underlined show name below for a link to the event.  October October 14-16, Fri 10am-7pm, Sat and Sun 10am-3pm 2016…

  • Family Fun,  Uncategorized

    Parades – YEG & Area 2016

    It’s Festival time in and around Edmonton and with festivals comes parades! Here’s a list of parades that your kids will enjoy this summer.  Click on the links for more information including start times and routes. June 4 – Farmers’ Days, Stony Plain June 4 – Pride Parade, Edmonton June 11 – Devon Days, Devon June 25 – St. Jean Baptiste Festival, Morinville July 1 – Canada Day, Fort Saskatchewan July 1 – Canada Day, Sherwood Park July 22 – K Days, Edmonton August 6 – Cariwest, Edmonton Be sure to bring a bag to collect some candy!  Feature Photo credit Kurt Bauschardt

  • homeschooling,  Uncategorized

    A Day in the Life: Learning Through Unschooling

    If you follow my blog, you already know we homeschool.  But you might of wondered why I never talk about curriculum or share pictures of us doing workbooks. The answer is, we don’t follow curriculum and workbooks are few and far between! We are registered as traditional (parent led homeschooling), but we would fall more into the relaxed homeschooler / unschooler (child led) category.  I even came across recently a new to me learning style that we unknowingly incorporate into our homeschool due to our love of the outdoors and nature hikes – forest school. So if we’re not sitting down at a desk or table each day to learn,…

  • Recipes,  Uncategorized

    DIY East Coast Donairs

    I love donairs!  When I go back to Nova Scotia, all I want to eat is Pictou County Pizza, Halifax Donairs and some seafood thrown in! There are some great donair shops in Edmonton these days, but it’s always more cost effective to make it at home.  I came across this recipe a while back and made it a few times, but it didn’t make enough for our donair loving family and there wasn’t enough flavor in my opinion. So with the kids visiting their grandparents and a large package of ground meat in my fridge, I though it was a good time to tweak the recipe and make some…

  • Get Back To Nature,  Uncategorized

    Get Back To Nature: Braeside & Forest Lawn Ravines, St. Albert

    We came across the Ravines while on our way to swim class last fall.  A barely noticeable sign and a path down into the woods caught our attention as we drove by, and we made a note to come back and check it out when we had more time. We first visited during our 31 Day to Get Out and Explore, but we have come back to visit both ravines and explore further each time! Braeside Ravine is to the North and Forest Lawn Ravine is on the south side of Sir Winston Churchill Ave in St. Albert, just south of Boudreau Road. I usually come down Sir Winston Churchill…

  • Uncategorized

    A Contest to Say Thanks!

    I have reached my first major milestone on my Facebook page, 100 likes! So to celebrate, I’m giving away some fun Crayola items to say thank-you!  Head on over and like my page if you don’t yet, and like the pinned contest post.  Contest closes January 29, 2016 at 10 am MST and I will make the draw at noon!  Shipping included

  • Family Fun,  Uncategorized

    Skating Made Easy in YEG

    Edmonton is a cold city this time of year, therefore it is a great city for outdoor skating in the winter. There are a number of outdoor public spaces that offer free skating, including the lower lawn of the Legislature grounds and many city run outdoor rinks. We’re eager to check out the new Freezeway in Victoria Park (BONUS-they have washrooms, change rooms and a warming trailer!). City of Edmonton Arenas also offer free YEAR ROUND indoor skating, check out the weekly schedule here for all the locations.  You might not even have to travel far to find an outdoor rink. Many Edmonton Community Leagues offer free skating with their…

  • Uncategorized

    Five Indulgently Delicious Sweet Treats You Need to Make Now!

    We have been so busy completing our December Bucket List and getting ready for recitals and Christmas, that I completely forgot Monday Menu this week! So in it’s place I bring you five holiday sweets I have lined up to make this holiday season. Applesauce Spice Cake  – Spice cake is a favorite of my husband’s so I’m going to try this spice cake for Christmas dinner.  I will probably add a chocolate or brown sugar glaze icing. Peanut Butter Fudge – This was one of my favorite sweet treats growing up but I have never made it myself.  I changed that this year with this easy recipe from Simple…