Camp & Cuba

Well J survived his weekend Cadet survival camp.

Of course, he came home in the exact same clothes he left in. He didn' t use much of what was packed (based on the list they gave us), he ate army rations all weekend, therefore came home starving :).

They were given sleeping bags and a large tarp to string between trees to serve as a tent (good thing it didn't rain :))

He had a great time :)

We went this morning and submitted our passport applications (J & I) and booked our trip.

Cuba in July!

We are going to Melia Las Dunas in Cayo Santa Maria - it is a 4.5 star resort and less than 5 yrs old.

Upcoming product review

Woo hoo lucky me. I have been contacted by CSNStores.com to do a product review for them. I am to pick a product I'd like and do a review.

Simple right? Not so much...you see CSN Stores carry EVERYTHING imaginable.

Of course I have a certain budget to stick to, but if I didn't here are some of the items I'd like to review.

• Entertainment centers (with this being one of my favs)

• Beach tote bags

• Rachael Ray Cookware

Toooo many choices!

Once I decide what to pick, and recieve it, I'll write up a review. Stay tuned :)

My sister gave me crap...

for not updating my blog enough, can you imagine? This from a person who doesn't even have a blog :)

Ok so a quick update...

I'm going to CUBA!



Trip is not yet booked - but we plan to go with friends in July - will add more info as it develops. I haven't been on a real vacation since I was 21 - that was 21 yrs ago!

I decided to try my hand at making dresses for my great-niece Hailey - this is what I have whipped up so far (completely without a pattern because I hate rules :))



And finally a few Peanut & J pics to make you smile :)

Ultimate Recipe Swap - Veggie Week

This week's theme is veggies.

Here are a few of my go-to veggie recipes.

Roasted veggies - I usually make this in the winter or fall but it is great anytime.


Your choice of veggies - I usually use cauliflower, onions, mushrooms, asparagus & zuchinni.
Cut them all up to relatively the same size.
Toss them in either extra virgin olive oil or a favourite oil based salad dressing (e.g., italian)
Sprinkle on some seasonings - I use seasoning salt, pepper, garlic powder & chili (non-hot) powder. I sometimes add curry powder. Even brussel sprouts (shudder!) taste better (you didn't really think I would say they tasted good did you?) this way

Mix to coat all veggies, pour into a roasting pan and pop into a preheated 350 degree oven.
The cook time varies depending on what veggies you used. Mine usually takes about 45 mins.



Grilled asparagus - this is almost in season here. We eat so much of it while in season we actually get sick of it :)



Wash asparagus and snap off woody ends.
Toss with oil based salad dressing ( I use a sweet onion one or a sun-dried tomato one), add salt & pepper.
I usually stick a skewer through the fattest part of the middle and thread about 5 spears per skewer - this makes them much easier to turn on the grill.
Grill until cooked to your liking but not charred.



Simple salad


One of my favourite salads of late has been a simple green salad with red wine vinegar & extra virgin olive oil.
I wash and tear up romaine and red leaf lettuce.
I mix equal parts red wine vinegar and EVOO
I sprinkle all with salt and toss.

If I have any handy, I will also add diced avocado to this. It is simple and delicious.
I'm not an onion fan, but my DH loves his with thinly sliced red onion too.

For more great vegetable recipes, check out The Ultimate Recipe Swap at Life As Mom

Works For me Wednesday - Backwards Edition

This week's WFMW is a backward edition where I get to ask all of you helpful blog readers for assistance with a problem.

Well it's not a problem really. Since I have been trying to lose weight, I have been experimenting with different recipes.

I have found some I love (Kalyn's Taco Salad recipe) and some that were not so great.

So I am asking anyone reading, what are some of your favourite healthy lower fat recipes? They don't have to be low-carb.

I am getting tired of the same ol same ol, yanno?

So if you can help me out with a get recipe (or a link to one), it would be much appreciated :)

For more Backward WFMW, pop over to We Are That Family.

Tuesday Giggle

Our lil cadet

J was sworn into Air Cadets on Tuesday evening.

Reciting the oath or whatever

On Thursday evening he had his first taste of Tagging (standing outside stores asking for donations). He only had to do 3 hours outside a Zellers, but that is extremely long for a fidgety boy.


On Sunday, he had to Tag outside Foodland from 10:15 am to 5 pm. This Foodland is mostly frequented by the senior citizens that live in the senior building across the street. Apparently some of them thought he was cuter than the other cadet and told him so!

Being his usual goofy self

Looking mature

Tired of me taking his picture

He is glad Tagging is finished for the year.

In 2 weeks time, he goes away for a survival weekend, he is really looking forward to that but from the photos on the squadron website, I think it may be more rustic than he is accustomed to.