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 - Escape to Nature Part 1

Oh what a fantastic memory this mini trip was! It's a little late coming, but it's worth it, of course. It's really wonderful to be able to keep up a friendship with my best girl Gaeatane and her family. For the second summer in a row Melanie and I drove up to Sturgeon Falls, Ontario and spent a few days up in God's Country in the nature and the 'campagne' relaxing and doing with the 'Sturgeons' do!
It's fun to see the things that capture my heart, and camera's eye now... fresh, naturally grown food. From the Farmer's market in Mitlon to my friends' large and lovely garden in Sturgeon Falls. Check out how we became one with Nature!

Here's Nicolas proudly posing beside his father's garden... I say that because Gaetane is too afraid to go in there and work for fear of coming across snakes, bugs and frogs!

Let me introduce you to the some of their beautiful veggies, an incredible amount of hard work, dedication and perseverance goes out to Paul. So here you have some lettuce, it grows tall up there???

Some string beans.

Giant, and I do mean GIANT, zucchinis.

Some gorgeous purple hot peppers... good for salsa!

More hotties!

Banana peppers!

Now, for the mild ones, sweet green peppers.

Prickly cucumbers.

Some more leaf lettuce.

A boy and his corn!

Sugar snap peas... these were so awesome and fresh!

... now for some wild life... the rooster next door, oooooooooohhhhh, let me tell you about his rooster!!!! Contrary to popular belief, roosters (well at least this one) don't only keep their 'cockle-doo-a-dooing' just for the morning sunrise, nooooooooooooo, this one was talking all day... he was nuts, I don't know how my friends could live beside this guy it was constant and so annoying (ok, maybe for this city girl)!

Now, here's the reason Gaetane won't go in garden... this cuttle little froggy, what is she so worried about??? He's no bigger than a looney!

Now, here's some love- 2 best friends together again, those are genuine smiles of joy!

Now, here's something I've never done... a fish fry! But I was sure willing to give it a try. Here's her recipe.

That's right, Moosehead Beer-battered fish! Gaetane was a pro!

Fish in the batter (some white fish, can't remember the name though).

Some homemade french fries, reminds me of my childhood!

Ok, except my mom never went on a a porch to make dinner. When in Rome!

Look at that happy little sizzling masterpiece!

So while the frying was going on, Paul went to the garden to add a little balance to our Sturgeon Falls Fish Fry! Look at that awesome garden- and that's just 1/3 of it, there is another big garden, twice the size!

Proud farmer and his crops!

Even these interesting looking 'lemon' cucumbers!

Fun shape, same taste!

Now, here's Gaetane's golden and crispy fish masterpiece. Just awesome, what a treat!

Ohhhhh, and these- need I say more?

Our beautiful children! They grew up together- met when they were 4 and 6 and now look at them, grade 7 and 9, how'd that happen???

Posing on the porch with my baby with the sun shining on our faces... or wait, that could be the remnants of the fish fry oil? Amazing food, amazing friends, amazing joy!