Looking for romantic dinner ideas, unique date ideas or how to fit romance into your life with children? Today, I have created a new blog called Romancing Bella. It is still a work in progress, I have some things posted. Soon it will be filled with tips, ideas, recipes and articles. Swing on by.

Isabella

As I enjoyed my days at the beach this summer I couldn’t help but think about what lies beneath the surface of the ocean. The beautiful sea life lives among what is known as The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a vortex of debris in the center of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. It’s the largest oceanic garbage swirl spanning from California to Japan and runs 90 feet deep in some places. It’s estimated to be twice the size of Texas.



It’s disturbing that so much of our discarded…

It has become a cliche to say, ‘make a wish’, or ‘make your dreams come true’.  Most of the time the ‘dreams’ we are referring to are constructed by society around us; the media, the generation before us, people who want you and me to meet their expectations.  They are shared dreams - like getting married, having children or having lots of money.



I am a big sucker for these dreams.  Not only do I want them, but I also use them as the measure to beat myself up when things are not…

We need a new fridge... I took this for my Face-book wall, with the caption "And this is supposed to go where?".  Sadly I took it in November last year, and the problem hasn't improved.  I have been whinging about this for nearly a year and its no longer a joke. We really really really need a new fridge, ours is just too small for a family of 5.  But here's the thing (there is always a thing) - I'm sure we didn't need these huge *ssed fringes when I was a child,…

Yesterday was stupid. 



Or yesterday I was stupid.  I let the little things get to me (which is funny - more on that in a minute).  Ah, the little things.  See what I mean with this handy little list:

• Yesterday morning right before I left for work, Jake told me he had 2 softball games that night.  Wait.  Wasn't softball over?  No.  He said he would play for this fall league.  Please let me explain why this bothers me.  I know I am being selfish and a…

Why does the waiting room of a fertility clinic feel like the lobby to death’s door? No one looks at you directly. No one smiles. No happy laughter while looking through a magazine. Not even soothing elevator music to calm the nerves. I guess a place of heavy hearts, hope and disappointment keeps you looking down. It makes it feel more clinical, less human. “Is there a Shane or is it Shawn?” the nurse inquired. “Its Shann Marie actually”  I said.

What a great way to start our…

This question is one that I have needed to research for awhile...When my cousin, son and I started our journey we decided to eat out on Saturday's after our weigh in...We all know that fat is flavor, so when you eat out you can't control the fat completely.  With that said...I feel that eating out would kick start my next week. Does my body need more fat then I am giving it?  Can we eat to healthy?  Let take a look at the facts about fat...

Too little fat can be detrimental to…

Last night was smoothie night, it’s popular in our house. I make them on a regular basis, my kids love them and I love how quick, easy and healthy they are. It all started a few years ago. I decided to make smoothies with dinner. I wanted to come up with a healthier version of what they like at smoothie bars but the kids whined and complained that they’d rather go to Jamba Juice. My husband told them that tonight, it's mombajuice! Fortunately, they LOVED my smoothies and so did my…

excerpt from Say Bump and Take a Left. How I Birthed a Baby and a Business after a Huge Bump in the Road.

"I was actually very lucky in that I had a walking cast on my right…

Now I have to say... there really is a holiday for everything!



My daughter has been demanding cookies lately. In an effort to find a new vegan cookie recipe, I came across this site which declares that the last Friday of September is Vegan Baking Day.



How could I not participate? So instead of wasting more time looking for a cookie recipe, I whipped up a batch of....

 …

Here is a wonderful fall treat to make. It is so comforting on these dreary fall days.

http://ahappysimplelife.blogspot.com/2011/09/pumpkin-bars.html

Friday's Foto Edit!

Every week I'm gonna take my favourite picture of the week and show you the SOOC (straight out of the camera shot) and edit it to make it look completely different…

Happy Friday! We are giving away (1) Cat Tunic & Tight Set and (1) Pumpkin Beanie for Halloween…. Go enter now… Contest ends October 15th. Don’t forget to tell your friends! 

Grand Prize

One Cool Cat! – Just in time for Halloween, this purr-fect alternative to a full Halloween…

I’ll say it; I’m addicted to daily deals. Groupon, Living social, Teambuy and so on. If you have a daily deal company, I probably check out your site, have your app on my phone or get your emails. I love getting a deal, and I’ve gotten some good ones. I’ve gotten deals on glass fusion at my favourite pottery place, cosmetics, esthetics, watches and cupcakes to name a few. I tweet about the ones I really like, post them on my facebook wall, and I’ve even thought about affiliating my blog with…

It's been hard adjusting to living out here on the Prairie.  It's beautiful, but difficult.

I've been trying to keep an open mind…

Creating your Word Press blog before domain transfer

So I bought the btrbb.com and three months later I was ready to transfer my domain over to host monster and with the word press plug-in. I, of course,…

The first drink.

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember....

http://thedeliberatemom.blogspot.com/2011/09/this-moment_30.html

** Mother Nature forgot to take her meds once again.

** People who only write inspirational quotes for their Facebook status scare me.

** If you're a random piece of crap, you're probably sitting on my kitchen counter.

** Everything should be pumpkin-flavored this time of year.

**…

Dear Parents with Different Beliefs,



 I understand your need to teach your children what you believe in and I think it is a wonderful thing. I don't care if you don't teach your children about mythical beings such as Santa, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny or whatever mythical person we enjoy. That is your choice and thankfully we live in a wonderful country where we can believe in anything we want. I don't care if you believe that a large turkey is actually what why celebrate at…