Five Reasons Why Being a Mom Made Me a Morning Person

Before my son was born I was the farthest thing from a morning person. My husband and I would spend most of Sunday in bed, only managing to get ourselves dressed and ready to go by 2:00pm. Having a baby totally changed this. I thought that having children would force me to wake-up early; I figured that’s what made parents get to the grocery store or park so early on weekends. I was wrong. Having children made me a “morning mama.” I now enjoy the morning more than any other time of the day and these are five reasons why:

     1. Baby Cuddles

My son is happiest and loves to cuddle in the morning, he stares at us from inside the mesh sides of his bassinet each day until one of us picks him up and brings him into the bed. As soon as we pick him up he lights up with a smile and snuggles in. This is by far the best part of my day.

2. The Idea of a New Start

I've been waking up for 28 years and I don't think I ever really understood the idea of  “a new day” until I became a mom. Each morning brings the possibility of something great! Even if I didn't have a chance to really close my eyes the previous night; because teething, constant feedings and continuous crying didn't allow me to; I am still so hopeful that this new start will be a good one. My son’s morning smiles are always uplifting and a suggestion that he might not turn into a mini-monster when darkness falls upon us the next night.

3.     Bathroom Bliss

I'm learning a lot about the world as a new mother. For example, I now understand why people want to create a bathroom oasis, or retreat. I always considered the bathroom a place to get things done and get out. Now I fully understand the whole “spa-like bathroom” idea. This part of my morning really is an escape, who am I kidding, I retreat into my “spa” a few times a day for a bit of bathroom bliss. It’s sad to say that I find a hideaway in my own home, but sometimes we all need to breathe even if the air quality is not the best.

     4.     Coffee

Before I was pregnant I loved the idea of coffee because the smell of it reminded me of people I love and parts of my childhood. My mother loves coffee so much she begins and ends each day with a cup, my grandmother’s house in the morning always smelled like coffee and Fruit Loops and I don't think my husband can function before a cup. During my pregnancy my love for coffee changed from an idea to an obsession. Knowing I wasn't allowed to have too much caffeine while pregnant, I decided that quality over quantity was the best way to conquer my cravings. So I began my search for the best coffee I could find, leading me to become a collector of coffees, or a “coffee connoisseur”. I began to fill our kitchen cupboards with coffee beans, most of which were saved for Sunday pots, an idea that I came up with to make sure we savoured the “good stuff.” Now, coffee is not just a delicacy it has become a part of parenthood survival, morning fuel and something to look forward to after a sleepless night.

     5.     Savouring the Silence

If I manage peel myself out of bed before baby and daddy there is a special kind of silence in the morning that I never experienced before motherhood. When this happens, I pour myself a cup of coffee, grab a seat by the window and savour the silence.

Has becoming a parent changed your view on mornings, afternoons or nighttime? What's the best part of your day? Would love to hear your stories. Please share in the comment box below.

Josephine’s Patchwork Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

After a few more farmers’ market trips this month, the abundance of rhubarb I've collected is beginning to take over my refrigerator. While I want to keep my kitchen creative and come up with more new and innovative ways to use the rhubarb, my craving for a tasty traditional dish was winning me over; like waking me up at 6:00am on a Sunday morning to make a pie kind of winning.

As I began looking over a few great recipes, I decided to try a little mix-and-match when developing my own take on the pie. I chose an adapted version of Chatelaine’s Very Berry Galette for the crust and reviewed a series of recipes to help me decide on the ratios for the strawberry rhubarb filling.  When it comes to baking I'm usually very diligent about following a specific recipe, but I love Chatelaine’s crust so much that I was determined to use it for this pie. In the end, I learned that patching together different recipes isn't as scary as I thought it would be, especially when you are careful with your ratios and consider that pie crusts are fairly universal.

JOSEPHINE'S PATCHWORK STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE

INGREDIENTS

Crust

2 ½ cups             all purpose flour  

2 tbsp                 granulated sugar

½ tsp                   salt

1 cup                   soft butter

8 tsp                     ice water

2 tbsp                    lemon juice

Filling

2 cups                   strawberries (sliced)

2 cups                   rhubarb (cleaned and chopped – trim ends)

½ cup                    granulated sugar                       

3tbsp                      cornstarch

1tsp                        coarse sugar

1/8 tsp                    salt           

DIRECTIONS

1.     Crust: preheat oven to 375F. Mix flour, sugar and salt using electric mixer. Add butter and continue to mix until the pastry looks like little crumbs. Keep mixing as you add ice water and lemon juice until the ingredients form dough. Using lightly floured hands form pastry into a ball and then cut in half. Lightly coat rolling pin and cutting-board with flour. Roll pastries into two circles, each slightly wider than your pie dish (use one circle to line the bottom of the pie dish and the other to cover the pie).

2.     Filling: combine granulated sugar, cornstarch and 1/8 tsp of salt in a bowl. Stir in berries until coated.

3.     Line the bottom of pie dish with one pastry and add filling. Cover the pie filling with the second pastry circle. Pinch the edges of the pastry together and use a fork to crimp them. Brush the top of the pie with water or egg whites, cut small slits in the centre with a knife (to allow steam to escape) and sprinkle the top with coarse sugar.

4.     Bake for 40-45 minutes (or until the crust is golden).  Remove from oven and let stand for 15 min. Serve warm.

*Mommy-life tip: pastry can be made ahead of time, wrapped in plastic and stored in the fridge for a maximum of three days. Before rolling, let stand until it’s back to room temperature (approximately 20-30 min).

The make-ahead tip is perfect if you're planning a dinner party or in case this becomes a two-nap process. 

Enjoy!

Trying to bake during nap-time can be crazy. Do you have any mommy-life tips for baking? Would love to hear them. Please leave a comment below :)

My Husband's Haven: A Canadian Cottage Inspired Father’s Day

When my husband and I first started dating he was thrilled to show me his favourite place, the family cottage. 

While I wouldn't call myself an outdoorsy girl, as the years went on I too began to fall in love with my husband’s haven. 

This year we've already been on two amazing escapes with our little one to the family cottage and after a visit this past weekend; I couldn't help but notice just how happy my husband is when he’s there. It’s going to be amazing to watch him teach our little guy to fish, drive the boat and build fires as he grows up on the lake. This Father’s Day, I am planning a Canadian cottage inspired gift that reflects my husband’s love for campfires and dock-time. I'm also going share some theme-based ideas for dads based on a few beloved daddy destinations.

The Dockside Daddy (aka my husband)

For my husband, dock-time is his favourite time, whether he’s prepping the boat for a sunset cruise or hunting for kindling to build the biggest campfire possible, these comfy classics from Roots Canada are perfect for those cool cottage nights.

Roots Tracksuit (matching with my son’s … this is part of the surprise)

Canadian Pure Maple Syrup (another farmers' market find)

After the delicious breakfast in bed I had on Mother's Day, I think that we've started a new tradition. While I'm still deciding what to make for breakfast this Father's Day, I know it will involve some good old-fashioned Maple Syrup. Found this one at the Annette Village Farmers' Market and it came with a few fabulous recipes. I've literally been putting this stuff on everything lately. Stay tuned for a Maple Madness post coming-up on the blog. I'll share some fun ways to use Maple Syrup, adding a touch of sweetness to your everyday meals. 

The Daytona Dad

My dad loves the beach so much that if he could live in a beach shack, he probably would. This Beach Blanket from Old Navy is perfect for that waterside day-trip you've been planning with dad this summer.

The Backpacking Papa

If the dad in your life loves a good getaway, whether it’s hiking the Bruce Trail or backpacking through Europe, here is a fabulous find that will satisfy his taste for travel.

RCAF Travel Bag (from Chapters)

This is the perfect travel bag for all of the shower and shaving essentials that dad will need to take along on his travels. Check out the Red Canoe collection at Chapters/Indigo for more great travel accessories for dad.

When searching for that perfect gift I'm always trying to find something thoughtful, but also practical, and this Father's day I was inspired by the some of dad's favourite places and spaces.  

What inspires you when searching for a gift? Would love to hear some creative gift giving ideas. 

Mini Vacations with Babies

Part One: Getting our Baby Travelling Feet Wet at the Cottage

Travelling is something my husband and I love to do, and to be honest I can’t get enough. The travel bug bit me years ago and I think I may have a small case of wanderlust. Every time we come home from a trip, all I can think about is where we should go next. Our last big trip was to England and Ireland just over a year ago and even though we splurged on that trip, thinking it might be our last one for a while, I’ve been reading up on how to fly with a little guy. So, in order to prepare for another potential skip across the pond with Benjamin we are going to try a few mini vacations first.

First Stop: The Family Cottage in the Kawarthas

For our first trip with Benjamin we chose to try the family cottage; a place that feels like home away from home. It took a week of convincing, as I was worried about Ben’s sleep patterns in a foreign place, but after a few lengthy dinner discussions I gave in and we decided that it was time to give this mini vacation thing a try.

Here are a few things that we learned from our first mini vacation with a baby:

1.     Plan your Packing

Try to keep track of diaper counts and clothing changes a week before you leave in order to plan your packing. We did not do this and ended the weekend with only two diapers to spare. Now that the cottage has road access, we could have gone into town for more diapers, but it was close.

2.     Pack a Bottle or two for the Road

If you are breast or bottle-feeding, this plan works! Even though I did a feeding right before we left the house and the trip was only two hours long, Ben still got hungry on the highway and I was able to feed him while we were driving, which put him back to sleep right away.

3.      Backseat Diaper Changes are Best

After two experiences with no change stations in public bathrooms, I decided that the backseat change is best. Being a bit of a germaphobe, this option has now become my preferred choice even when a gas station change table is available. The Brica goPad Diaper Changer is perfect for these situations.

4.     Invest in a Travel Bassinet/Playpen

We put the Graco Travel Lite Crib on our shower registry mainly because our house is so small that this was the best playpen option we could find. It turns out this is also a must have travel item! It pops up and folds down in seconds, which makes it perfect for packing. It also offers three stages depending on the age of your baby: giving you sleep and play options. I never thought I would say this, but it’s a travel mom’s dream.

5.     Consider the Elements (weather, bugs …both)

Knowing that May is black-fly season, we brought a baby bug net with us up North. This was also another great shower gift. It comes in handy at the cottage and in the city, there are some serious bugs in the city this year (or having a baby makes you more aware of them) and this allows us to go on walks or just hangout on the back deck without having to worry about them. Either way, no bug bites for baby Benjamin as he practically lived in this bug net. I also just found out that sunscreen is not recommended for little ones (infants), so a good sun hat and a baby tent are necessary for those sunny days. The Travel Crib/Bassinet has a tent-like attachment, which is perfect for this as well.

6.     Don’t Forget to Take Some Much Needed Mommy Time

While we were away there was plenty of family around to play with and look after Benjamin, giving us one of the mornings to enjoy a little time to ourselves. This is something I still find hard, but I have to admit, it was really nice. Take a bit of time to enjoy the holiday, if possible have your morning coffee before the baby wakes-up, or take an early morning stroll while daddy’s on baby duty. You want to make memories with your family while away, but also take a breath and enjoy.

Do you love to travel? What are some of your go-to products and suggestions for travelling with little ones? 

Mother’s Day Breakfast in Bed

Mother’s Day gifts can sometimes be a bit of a challenge, trying to find the perfect present for someone so special is not easy. It wasn't until I recently became a mom that I realized how simple this could be. This year is my first Mother’s Day and my husband keeps asking me what I want.  After some serious online browsing, window-shopping and discussion I've come up with one simple idea; breakfast in bed!

Finding the perfect gift for mom this year might be something as simple as spending Sunday morning in bed. I can remember the first time I tried to do this for my mom and while the toast was burnt, the coffee a mud puddle disaster and the eggs a runny mess; she was happy.  Simple and creative ways to spend time with mom might be exactly what she wants.

For me, my favourite part of the weekend is Sunday morning cuddle time with the whole family. Even our dog, Charlie, knows that Sunday mornings are best spent together in bed.

Photo credit: Heather Coughlin at Calluna Studios 

So how do you plan for a gift like this? By waking-up a little earlier than usual and preparing your mama’s favourite breakfast. Here are a few of my favourites.

COFFEE FIRST:  for this occasion you want to get her the best. A couple of my beloved beans include: Birds and Beans’ Guatemala Santa Rita and Muskoka Maple.

BLUEBERRY PANCAKES: after learning that my husband did not know we had pancake mix in the cupboard and made the most delicious pancakes from scratch a few weeks ago, these are a must have for me. Simply mix in a ½ cup of blueberries into your pancake batter (homemade or boxed will do) and then sprinkle a few fresh blueberries over a dollop of whip cream to make these special.

ROSEMARY BACON: this is something I've had a few times while out for brunch and absolutely love! You can't go wrong with this; who doesn't love bacon? All you need to do is add a little fresh rosemary once the bacon is almost done cooking and you've taken an already beloved breakfast staple and made it gourmet! 

BERRY BOWL: this adds something light and fresh to the meal. Just wash mom's favourite berries, sprinkle a little sugar on top and voila – simple, sweet and fresh.

If you're looking for a creative way to make mamma happy this Mother’s Day, consider these tasty twists on the classic breakfast in bed.

And to all the mamas out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Brunch with Baby at Mildred's Temple Kitchen

A few years ago a good friend of mine introduced me to Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village and I fell in love with the place. I’ve taken everyone I know to Mildred’s for brunch and can’t speak highly enough about the overall experience. So when I decided it was time to take the plunge and bring our son out with us for brunch, this was the only place I could think of. 

Mildred’s brunch menu offers a variety of creative twists on classic dishes, making it a great choice for your foodie friend or your no nonsense grandma.  A few of my personal favourites include:

Huevos Monty: A delicious quesadilla-like egg dish that’s made with black beans, flour tortillas and topped with a few delightful dips (fresh salsa and avocado crème fraîche).

If you like savoury Mexican inspired dishes, this one's the perfect choice.

Mrs. Biederhof’s Legendary Light & Fluffy Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes: Sweet, creamy and a warm pillow-like pancake on a plate.

Prepare to enjoy a little taste of pancake heaven. The blueberries, cream and oh so fluffy cakes will fill your dreams for weeks. You will want them again … and again.

Luckily there is a side-order of pancakes for those of us who can’t decide between savoury or sweet and want a bit of everything.

Currant Scones: With just a touch of sweet, these scones pair perfectly with one of the signature teas. Simple perfection!

While I was pregnant I decided to scope out some of my favourite places in the city to see where we might be able to bring our new baby. I would look at things like the space (how much room there is for a stroller), the facilities (can I change a diaper while we are there?) and the overall atmosphere (sounds, lighting and a welcoming feel from the staff). Mildred’s became our brunch spot after many of my appointments while pregnant and I added this to our list of possible family date spots.

Soon after our son was born, we took him to brunch at Mildred’s for the first time and the overall experience was even better than I expected. The staff was incredibly accommodating, finding us the perfect spot to sit so that the stroller felt like it was part of our table. The white noise in the restaurant was perfect for keeping the baby happy and the bathroom had a great place to change diapers. Ben's only two months old and he's already a regular!

Mildred’s wide open seating area makes it easy for the staff to accommodate little ones, but be sure to plan ahead if you decide to head over there on a Sunday morning. While Mildred’s might seem like a hidden gem, this west-end brunch spot is very popular and you want to make sure you prepare for a bit of a wait. We always try to get our names on the list and do some shopping while we wait. 

With mother's day just around the corner, Mildred's is the perfect place to bring mom for brunch or a Sunday evening roast. A local hot-spot that combines culinary creativity, welcoming warmth and class!

Welcome Home Baby Benjamin!

          So it’s been a month since baby Benjamin was born, about how long it’s been since I’ve updated my blog.  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Having a baby is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before, to put it lightly, nothing prepares you for this! The emotional roller-coaster is terrifying and amazing all at once. You experience this wide range of emotions that always come back to love, love like you’ve never understood or felt it before. Everything that mattered to you before; like the shelves I wanted for the nursery or the perfect diaper bag, doesn't matter anymore because all you want is for your baby to be happy and healthy.

            Benjamin had a few complications before we were able to leave the hospital, making our first days with him incredibly hard. All we wanted during that time was to help our baby get better.  I felt like I could and would do what ever it took to make him better. Overwhelmed with fear, combined with a lack of sleep, made those first days a blur. We just needed to hear that he was stable and ready to go home. 

            Now that Benjamin is home, our lives are completely different. We now run on what I like to call “baby time.” We don’t really need alarms anymore and our days are truly 24 hours long. Everything we do depends on his feeding and sleep schedules, squeezing in time for our own personal hygiene and meals. This was something I heard from other parents but never really believed until I experienced it.

            My husband has been so supportive and helpful the whole time, he truly is my partner in this. Now that he’s gone back to work, Benjamin and I are spending our days together. While we do not have any real routine yet, I am learning to embrace the fact that our days have no fixed schedule. I’m trying my best to ‘go-with-the-flow’, something that is a bit of a challenge for me.

            Benjamin has brought such love into our home and we are so excited to watch him learn and change with each new day.