Sisterhood of the Traveling Dinner Party

Yes, it's new, it was invented on a whim by Roshni and I while meeting with Lorna at her store downtown Oakville one cold spring day... and it was awesome!

This amazing array of beautiful sisters. My sister Julie, Roshni's sister Deenah, Lorna and her 'stand in' sister Robin (one of my besties that she had met at a previous party). Julie, Lorna and Deenah were all friends and in the same grade in high school, while Roshni and I were the older sisters and friends in high school too. It was a wonderful blend of all kinds spirits, all kinds of world experiences with one thing in common... the need to be part of a place where we all belong, where all our experiences and adventures are validated and celebrated!

Thank you so much for Lorna (and Allan) for hosting our first, but certainly not our last, Sisterhood of the Traveling Dinner Party... who knows where our next rendez-vous will take us???

 Lorna, the wine and Roshni... a winning combination.

 New friendships formed over wine.... of course... and look at the helpful man in the background!

Sisters reunited!

 

Of course, you know that Thai food has to be part of a sisterhood party... It's the Universal language of love and sisterhood! Our favourite fresh rolls!

 Mango Salad

 

 Cashew Chicken

 

 ... and Pad Thai, of course!

New alliances were formed... the 'brown' team ... their hair colour! And Cooper, well he could go with any team.

... and the blond team... more rowdy as you can see by the bigger, goofier grins!

 

 Talking about getting rowdy, this little guy took it to another level, going all cute and shirtless!

Could it have been the wine? The strawberries? 

 ... or maybe this exotic torta???

 Lorna tool this out of her cupboard telling it us it was a 'sweet cracker'?

 ... then she found some crème fresh... and I sliced berries and made an amazing new discovery. So delicious...

Ya, check out Roshni, can't get enough of it! 
Oh my stars! It was a wonderful pleasure, the night ended too soon, it felt like we just started sharing.... so you know the next Sisterhood of the Traveling Dinner Party won't be too long.

Thanks to all the amazing women who took part and made this possible. You are truly shining stars!

 

Sharing Amazing Love on Valentine's Day

Yes, this not a typical Valentine's Day post with hearts and gushing red velvet cupcakes... it is my heartfelt thanks and total appreciation to some very special women who recently displayed their love in the most unusual, special and EPIC way. I thought there would be no better time to share this amazing story on this Day which signifies LOVE!

Let me first present to you below: A Token of Love and Appreciation - A fabulous necklace made of corks, candies and candles.... read below to see just how special this token is.

Some of you may know that I recently accepted a new position in an industry giant and after almost 9 years at Bridges, it was a hard personal move to make, but the right professional move to make. It was hard personally because I have had the privilege of meeting and working with some amazing people. Some of these great people have been the Bridges Instructors that I have had the pleasure of working with for many, many years. I have been scheduling their lives, their drives, their students, their schools and doing it with a smile and being available for them for any question/problem/comment/issue.... Big or Small- it's my job... and I always cared.

Last week at the Bridges Annual dinner, they 'sneakily' crafted the above pictured necklace made of the usual things you would find in an Italian restaurant- cork, candies, candle- with crushed candies inside set in the melted wax (WOW) - and two brave souls- Christy and Leanne- stood up at the end of the dinner, presented me with this totally awesome necklace and this wonderful, heartfelt Top 10 list that I share with you below:

Top 10 reasons we will miss Chantal...

10.   The way she smiles with her whole being

9. Bling by Chantal- shopping on breaks

8. Her ability to recall obscure lyrics of songs.from the 90s.

7. The fact that you are our work mom.

6. Who is going to keep our shit together?

5. We are concerned about the quality of the swag once she is gone.

4. Nails - lovely , luscious lacquered digits delight us daily

3. Her calm reassuring voice on the phone, that let's us know everything is going to be alright, even though we are stuck on the 401, 400, 407.

2. The inspiration she has given us all as she has worked so hard to transform her lifestyle and we have watched her become more beautiful, if that is even possible.

1. Although employee of the decade is up for grabs, we are all wondering how we will replace the person that, we all agree, we instantly loved from the moment we met.

WOW, floored right??? To see on paper and presented to you amongst your peers these words of love, appreciation and their sadness at your leaving... Not a dry eye!!!!

It was an incredible presentation crafted by Table 3- Jolene, Leanne, Christy, Eva, Sarah, Brenna, Kayla, Alex and Wendy (sorry if I missed anyone).  The hugs, the thanks, the 'we'll miss you, but we are happy for you' from all the Bridges Instructors and Staff have been overwhelming and wonderful. Bridges has helped me grow into the person I am today and all the experiences and challenges have shaped who I have become... so thank you to all who have have been a part of a great chapter in my life...

... and when the going gets tough, and we must move along our way to new challenges.... what does a girl do?

Light up her life with some new hair, bright as the Caribbean sun hitting the sand! Much Love to All!

It's not goodbye, it's see you later- you can always catch my adventures on my blog and of course the instantly gratifying Facebook. 

Love, Friendship and the Pursuit of Happiness

Through thick and thin- upheavals in relationships, careers, homes and hair colour - my Guelph Girls and I have made it a point to continue onward and upward and stay true to our tradition of our yearly holiday reunion. This year's marvelous post holiday event was hosted by our marvelous hostess with the mostess and highest hair- Robin. A beautiful lunch, a warm home and welcoming long and enduring friendship!

Suzanne, me and Robin- posing for our traditional girlfriend picture... boy, how we've changed in the 20 odd years we've know each other... for the best of course!

This is how you do it... Patrick (Suzanne's husband) knows - some Stella, some nuts a big globe of water.

Suzanne really love her wine,- pictured here, so does that mean that I love wooden houses, my daughter loves Liberace Candelabras and her daughter firetrucks??

Fantastic Mom and son cooking preparation, he is so intrigued by it all and asks so many questions. It's just wonderful to see their awesome relationship.

Closeup of the Kung Pao Chicken Robin made. It was delicious! But just don't give her son any of the 'green things'!

Served over some shrimp fried rice...  delicious combination.

 

 Cheers to the hostess! Delicious lunch!

Now onto my little treats- some chocolate drizzled fruit skewers...

Some home baked and somewhat healthier versions of holiday baking- add dark chocolate, walnuts, ginger, cranberries, whole wheat flour... that's help boost the nutrition.

 Ok, with the meal out of the way...that's when the silliness starts... when asking the men to pose...

 ...the children to pose...

 ...and the Guelph Girls to pose... so much laughter, couldn't keep a straight face.

Then comes the traditional, let's only get presents for the kids- and we never do... always a little something for my Guelph Girls... So I wonder how the Monster Truck is fairing now, demolished any furniture, toes or cats yet Robin?

Suzanne's family really hit the nail on the head with this present for Melanie. A Sephora Mascara Gift -The Lash Stash- she couldn't believe it- another Sephora dream come true!

 

Fantastic day, fun memories, another one for the book and onto planning next year's expedition to the big white North or Angus as others know it!  Can't wait...

 

Love you beautiful, driven, passionate and ever-evolving Guelph Girls!

Sturgeon Falls- Evening Rituals

So ladies and gentlemen.... this is what you do at night in Sturgeon Falls.  You PARTY at McMacken's Pub!

Ok, well, it could be that our lovely little host has his first job there working as a restaurant helper. So we made the treck to their downtown and of course, I had to make Melanie pose in front of the sign!

So Nicolas said he would take care of us if we went to his restaurant. Well, if you saw a joyful young man like this, all dressed in his Pub workwear outfit, wouldn't you go ahead and venture in?

WE DID!

...and his mom and dad did as well, here's a little bit of a decadent spinach dip thingy he made for us.

...and this was my own little bit of decadence. A delightful pulled pork naan pizza with some peppers and a side of greek salad. Ooooooh, it was good. Pub food up north is delicious!

then when we got home Gaetane offered us a pedicure/foot soak/foot scrub.

...ok, my turn, look at her face, it's like... this is serious business Chantal... your feet need some work!

It was an awesome long weekend with great friends, great food, great movies and foot massages and look... we even got to take home some delicious 'loot bag'. Paul sent us home with his own preserved banana peppers, sweet pickles, pickled beets and fresh veggies from his garden, awesome!!!!! I know!

Sturgeon Falls Part 2- Amazing Adventure to Lac Clair

Here's the most fantastic, beautiful lakeside beach I have ever had the privilege to of enjoying. My second trip to Lac Clair (just a few minutes away from Sturgeon Falls), proved to be just as awesome as last summer's memory.

I love kids, they just walked right into the lake, no cares or worries at all!

Let me tell you, it was a gorgeous day, but it was cool. I would say the water was probably 68 degrees....
Nevertheless, these guys know how to soak it all up!

Lac Clair, means Clear Lake, seriously.... it's so gorgeous and clear and seaweed free, it looks like you are looking through glass.

Serious natural beauty!

Here's another beauty, their cute little grandchild.. ready to enjoy some beach-bumming!

Nicolas, trying to convince his nephew to come into the cold water... not so much!

Instead, he was excited to put water in the bucket and then dump it out.

Picnic blanket ready to go!  Tickles from Grand-Papa... now what else???

oh, yeah, horsey ride.... this could have kept him entertained for hours... but at some point, Grand-Papa has to have a break!

Lunch time with some garden fresh carrots and cucumber.

Now it was time to convince the young boy to have a nap... good luck with that grand-parents... nature, beach, seagulls, sand... or nap???

Well, eventually it worked, he did fall asleep... which he? Both!

Post Nap family portrait! What a fantastic day at the beach with great friends!