Simple Bites

by Aimee on May 18, 2013 • 5 Comments Link Love

Weekend links

My favourite weekend of the spring is here, a long weekend, meaning more time to putter in the garden, scope out country garage sales, and picnic at least once.

It’s also our wedding anniversary, and so Danny and I will be slipping out for dinner downtown, followed by a movie. A rare treat and a much needed date night.

Here’s are a few links to articles I’ve read or watched this week that have made me nod, think, smile, and shake my head in wonder.

An Open Letter To Everyone Who Eats :: MindBodyGreen. Thank you to my friend, Winnie, for attempting to open up a dialogue about healthy eating instead of finger-pointing.
{VIDEO} Get kiddo excited about veggies away from the pressures of mealtime :: One Hungry Mama. Stacie is on a mission and it is one that I support wholeheartedly. Besides the cute video, she’s also got a good list of children’s book that celebrate produce and encourage kids to embrace their vegetables.
Rhubarb Galette :: Top with Cinnamon. My rhubarb is almost ready to harvest, and when it is, I’m making this pretty tart.
Alcohol Substitution Chart for Cooking :: Sober Julie. Skip the booze, save the flavour in a recipe with Julie’s handy chart.
{VIDEO} ‘Space Oddity’ by Commander Chris Hadfield :: A revised version of David Bowie’s Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station. TOO. Cool.
And lastly, Mother’s Day in four (food) photos :: Under the High Chair. Last Sunday was a good day for eating around here.

Have a wonderful weekend, all.

by Aimee on May 16, 2013 • 36 Comments Entertaining

How to plan a simple taco gathering: the make, the buy & the do-ahead

Brought to you by Archer Farms only at Target.

Spring has sprung. In a span of a week, our lawn turned green and the forest unfurled into a glimmering emerald panorama. All at once it seems highly appropriate to be eating outdoors, and besides, how can we stay away with the chorus of the bullfrogs and the quacking of the mallards calling us to come and salute spring?

I decided rather last minute to welcome friends over for a meal last weekend. They were in town on short notice and we couldn’t pass up an opportunity to see them – and meet their adorable new baby girl.

Everyone in the family pitched in to prepare for our first backyard gathering of the season. The boys power-washed the deck chairs and Danny primed the grill, while I prepped for a simple taco feast.

The day turned out to be gloriously warm; the children ran barefoot and our friends toured the garden and the chicken coop before we ate. And boy, did we eat.

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by Aimee on May 14, 2013 • 31 Comments Kids in the Kitchen

Build-a-salad bar for kids and how my five-year-old made dinner

My Mother’s Day was lovely and relaxing, but the week leading up to it was a trying one, and my main support system, Danny, was traveling for work. We’ve all had those days as parents where we are pushed to the limits; I had a few in a row.

I managed to stay on top of the big things, but I failed miserably at a few of the little things. Emails went unanswered, school uniforms were re-worn without washing, and the hens, well, they had to scrounge a little more than usual.

Then there was the time my five year old Mateo made us dinner. What started out as another shortcoming of mine – failing to menu plan – turned into a proud moment for Mateo and a enormous blessing for me.

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by Aimee on May 12, 2013 • 7 Comments Holidays

Well wishes for the mothers

So many of you readers are mothers like me, in the thick of it every day, raising little people. Whether your children are grown or small, today is your day.

So take a breath, set aside the to-do list for now, and cherish your time with your kids. They do grow up so fast.

All images by Tim Chin

I am so blessed to have a close group of friends of mothers and future mothers who inspire me all the time. Their support means the world to me. Sometimes a girl just needs to vent about parenting a five year old or waking up with a baby, and my mama-friends always listen and offer encouragement.

We’re all so different in our approaches to parenting – childbirth, education, discipline – but that is what keeps our conversations lively. We have a mutual respect for each other and a commitment to honestly that is essential for maintaining a friendship as moms, not just girlfriends.

When it comes to parenting, I feel I am learning day by day. These wise words from Diane Loomans, however, are some that I try to apply in my everyday existence:

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by Aimee on May 10, 2013 • 16 Comments Organization & Productivity

Recycled herb planters and an upcycled wooden ladder garden display

My father has always been an avid ‘dumpster diver’. Not quite literally, but as far back as I can remember, he’s always eyed other people’s end-of-driveway trash and scouted for reusable items. Call it resourceful, frugal or ‘green’, he’s made some surprisingly good finds in his time.

Naturally, he passed on a similar love of upcycling to my sisters and I, as this post is proof. On a recent morning I swerved and stopped the car in front of two garbage cans, hopped out, and opened my hatchback. A distressed, paint-splotched wooden step ladder was tiredly leaning up against one of the bins, awaiting crunch time in the garbage truck.

Thinking of the obvious potential of this find, I quickly loaded the ladder into the car, and sped away. On the way home, I recalled a few projects I had seen on Pinterest. There was this bookshelf, which isn’t one bit safe for my house with small children, and this garden planter, minus the moldy boots. (It’s just my opinion, but workboots are one thing of which world needs less upcycling…)

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