Ode to Daddy's

We have exciting plans for Father's Day this year! We are going to be with my hubby's family, which he rarely gets the chance to do! The small community he grew up in, in Bruce County Ontario is very close knit and he loves the opportunity to get back and re-connect with old neighbours and friends. So, already Father's Day 2011 is shaping up to be a great one for the daddy in our family.

Sunday morning the small community will hold a Father's Day brunch in the park. They generally serve big numbers of people at their brunch. On average they feed 400 - 500 people, and this is our first time being able to go to the brunch. It is going to be the perfect opportunity for my hubby to see lots of familiar faces, as well as enjoy a yummy brunch, which is prepared by volunteers in the community.

This to him will be a perfect way to spend Father's Day.


Before heading out to enjoy the brunch we will have a slow and lazy morning. We will enjoy watching some of the kids favourites on Disney Junior and their ode to dads on daddy's big day.

Disney Junior ~ Father's Day morning

Catch some of your favourites June 19th, including new episodes of:

Jake and the Never Land Pirates @9:30 AM
Handy Manny's Motorcycle Adventure @11:00 AM
Imagination Movers @12:00 PM

I can't wait! Taking a few minutes out of busy life and enjoying a little daddy-snuggle time watching a Father's Day based Disney show....sounds pretty good to me.

Wishing all daddy's new or old a very Happy Father's Day!

Disclosure: I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Letting the sun shine in {#LMDconnector}

In the May issue of the Life Made Delicious email, which dropped into your inbox earlier this month, you would of found it to be chocked full of bright and sunny easy recipes! The email contained ten exciting recipes to brighten up your day. Let me share that May contained a lot of dull and rainy days here in Ontario - I heard on the news last week that we lost 57 hours of sunlight in May 2011. Finding some exciting bright recipes is exactly what we are in need of right about now.

Reading through the newsletter I felt inspired to brighten up my dinner plate with some wonderful food colour. I used to love stuffed peppers, yet, I haven't had or made them in years. One of the recipes is for Grilled Black Bean and Rice Stuffed Peppers. I always made mine with green peppers, yet, if you go ahead and mix it up with different coloured peppers your plate is already popping!

While I am waiting for Ontario peppers to come into my farmer's market, I thought I would have a little fun with one of my favourite desserts - angel food cake. I always have a Betty Crocker mix in my cupboard for quick, easy and delicious desserts. (It is very important to have an angel food mix in the cupboard with local berry season coming soon.) I noticed Rainbow Angel Cake in the newsletter and I was impressed. Using my neon food colouring and my kitchen helpers (Jillian and Matthew) we set out to make a Rainbow Angel Cake.


I think it turned out fantastic and it was so easy. We didn't top it with any icing or glaze, because my hubby isn't a real fan of icing, but he is a fan of angel food cake! I didn't want to exclude him from enjoying our Rainbow Angel Cake, by putting any on. This dessert would be a sure crowd pleaser at a neighbourhood barbeque or potluck.

Be sure to be on the email list from Life Made Delicious to receive easy recipes to your inbox once a month, just like these! Remember, I am a Life Made Delicious connector and I am passionate about sharing all the goodness you will find at the site. Trying a few of these vibrant recipes will for sure let the sun shine in and brighten your day!








Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Meet the Life Made Delicious Bloggers.... (#LMDconnector)

As a Life Made Delicious connector I have the privilege of sharing exciting happenings at General Mills, Life Made Delicious website. I find myself checking in at the website several times a week - to find easy recipes for meal time, special offers, and now exclusive bloggers writing specifically for the site!

Always excited to find new recipe ideas, as well as meet fellow Canadian moms and bloggers, I was eager to head over to Life Made Delicious Blogs and get to know the bloggers!

Meet Kim, Amanda, Deanna, Jennifer, and Angella - these are real ladies living life to the best of their ability, and sharing their tried and true recipes with the Life Made Delicious community. Right away I found a couple of recipes I really would like to try and introduce to my family. One was a delicious looking Brie and Asparagus Tart. I know that local asparagus will be coming soon, and when it does we always get our fill. This year, I am going to be sure to try this recipe - it looks fabulous, and I can almost taste it by looking at the photo.


You can even follow the bloggers back to their personal sites (which I did) to find out more about them and their blogging style. I am really excited to welcome the bloggers to the site and look forward to hearing more from them!





Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

Mom Central Canada ~ Blogger Grants

I am so proud and humbled to announce that I am one of the lucky recipients of the spring round of Blogger Grants from Mom Central Canada!


I can recall being so excited that Mom Central was coming to Canada, back in May 2009. It has been amazing to watch Mom Central grow in Canada, and they are continually expanding. I am really grateful for all the opportunities that they have offered me. It is an amazing community that supports Canadian bloggers, and recognizes that our voices are meant and worth being heard. (I am not just saying this because I was a winner, I sincerely feel this way) If you are a blogger in Canada, be sure to take a look and become a Mom Central Blogger, if you haven't already.

Now, for my idea which was chosen by the judges....

I am in the process of interviewing and researching my idea which centers around the challenges and struggles which tweens and teens face in todays world. I quickly realized that while some aspects are the same as when I was 12 - 16 years old, times have changed and making the right choices is more complex. I am striving to write a post which reflects what it really means to be a tween/teen girl in 2011, and hopefully be a resource to where they can find support, from my vantage point of small town rural Ontario.


Thank you to Mom Central Canada for this opportunity and, I look forward to reading the posts of the other recipients!

Celebrate Graduation Day with Tiny Prints

As we find ourselves in mid-spring, we also find ourselves in the midst of milestone graduations. I am always so excited to see young adults embark on the next leg of their journey through life, as really they have no idea what to expect, or know what their destiny may be!

Sadly, I am admitting that I can't remember if I went to my high school graduation, and I know I didn't go to my college graduation. I graduated late from college and was already working, so it was just another day. I was sure to go pick up my diploma though. While, I didn't seem to put value into graduation ceremonies, I can tell you that when it comes to my children I will be front and center for each and every one of their momentous events.

My oldest daughter is a year away from her elementary school graduation. This time next year we will be looking for the perfect dress and be figuring out class selections. I am so excited for her, as I loved my high school years, but, I do know they pass very quickly, and in no time will be looking forward to another graduation!

This graduation season make the day extra special and unique with personalized cards from Tiny Prints. Share your sentiment, and pride on graduation day with a card that says exactly what you are feeling, made especially for your graduate!

Tiny Prints provides stylish, modern and unique graduation stationery including graduation announcements, graduation invitations,and thank you cards for teens. When graduation season has come and gone Tiny Prints will still be here to fill all your stationery needs with their exclusive designs from the nation's top designers. You'll find summer party invitations, personalized greeting cards, thank you cards, business cards, and even custom wedding invitations. Come try the easy card personalization, powerful preview engine and top-notch customer service and paper quality for yourself! With Tiny Prints by your side commemorating every holiday and momentous occasion is a cinch!

Disclaimer: I will receive blogger appreciation compensation for this post. Opinions expressed are mine, yours may differ.

Swimming Up

How can it possibly be that three years have passed and my little boy is swimming up to cub scouts? He was so inquisitive and loved the whole ceremony of the swim up! I was so proud of him and told him he was the best beaver of the group.

Chocolate and Cheerios fans unite!!

Chocolate Cheerios are coming to a store shelf near you on June 3!

As with all Cheerios products it all begins with whole grain
New Chocolate Cheerios are naturally flavoured with real cocoa

Chocolate Cheerios are a source of fiber and low in fat

I've had the pleasure of previewing these delicious little o's before hitting store shelves. I've never been a fan of serving chocolate breakfast cereals, but oh my! These are so tasty and addicting, I will definitely be buying more of these when they become available. The chocolate flavour isn't overpowering or sickly sweet. I would say that General Mills has hit this one on the head and achieved great things!

I have always taught my children that it is mean to tease, and I don't want you to think I am taunting you with my rave of Chocolate Cheerios. I am excited to let my readers know that they need to bookmark May 1... this coming Sunday! On Sunday visit WebSaver.ca and you can get a coupon to entitle you to a FREE box of Chocolate Cheerios to redeem on June 21. I love the excitement that is building, and I just know you will enjoy redeeming your coupon for your box of Chocolate Cheerios.

I just hope that local stores are well stocked and ready for the masses on June 21 as chocolate and cheerios fans unite!

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Celebrating our earth on Earth Day

Once I had children, I became aware of the fact that I had a responsibility to do my part in preserving our planet. Not for myself, but, for my children and for the generations to come. In recent years I have made some changes in my life and home in hope of doing my part.


Some of the things I have done, and feel we have done well are:

eliminating plastic bags and using re-usable bags when shopping

switching my light bulbs to energy efficient light bulbs

eliminating plastic water bottles from my home

eliminating toxic house cleaners, I use either vinegar and water or green cleaners

unplugging appliances when not in use

drying my clothes on the line whenever possible

separate my yard waste from the garbage

Things I would like to improve upon:

find a way to compost

turn down the thermostat

look for and purchase products made from recyclable material

recycle rain water for watering plants in the summertime

Please share your achievements in making our Earth Green!

Happy Earth Day

Let Them Eat Cake!

Are you a Royal Watcher? If you are, you will be in high gear right about now getting ready for the big Royal Wedding coming up at the end of the month. What are your plans to celebrate the big event?

For me, it is all about the cake!

Like any milestone event, my focal point is on cake. Just last week, I received an email update from Life Made Delicious and it highlighted some lovely looking wedding cakes that can be easily made at home!



Since I have a sweet spot for delicious cakes, I love that you (and me) can make one of these professional looking cakes right at home. Simply by following step by step instructions at Life Made Delicious, these cakes are easy recipes.

Take a look at the Heavenly Strawberry Cake, which begins with an easy to bake Betty Crocker white cake mix. These beautiful cakes are fit for a prince or princess, or a spring bride and groom this wedding season.

I am pretty sure getting up to watch the royal wedding in the wee hours of the morning is not the right thing for my body. My children don't really understand that Mommy needs to sleep in (because I was up in the night watching tv), but I will be sure to celebrate the royal nuptials my own way. Definitely with a specially made cake!




Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Hunting for Easter Eggs

I am so excited about Easter this coming weekend. Now, if only the weatherman will co-operate and send us some lovely spring weather - sunshine and warm breezes!

No matter the weather, the kids will participate in our towns tradition of a community Easter egg hunt. Actually, we have two to choose from, or we can attend both! There is one on Good Friday, and another on Saturday. This year we are going to take the kids to the one on Good Friday, it is out at a farm, and they have the cutest spring lambs.

After the Easter egg hunt, we continue with tradition and head home to colour our Easter eggs. We hard boil our eggs before colouring. I know many people blow out the yolks, which I have tried, but, I much prefer hard boiling. After our eggs are decorated we will place them in a basket to enjoy as our center-piece throughout the weekend.

Another favourite activity leading up to the excitement of the egg hunt is watching Easter-themed television shows. Playhouse Disney is featuring Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt.

Mickey and the gang are getting ready for an Easter party when Pete says the password incorrectly - blowing the clubhouse away! Now it's up to Mickey to travel far and wide and get it back.

Watch Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt this Sunday @ 9AM
on Playhouse Disney!

Watching Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt will be a great way to relax with the kids after an early morning Easter egg hunt. The kids can enjoy some chocolate, and moms and dads a little down time from all the excitement of the morning.

Enjoy colouring your Easter eggs, and your egg hunt this weekend!

Disclosure: I’m part of the Playhouse Disney Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Find great homemade items and save!

If you love handmade, as much as I do, and love to find a great deal....then you must check out Heartsy. In the last couple of weeks I have become addicted. Each day they post several deals. Like today, I am heading over to purchase a $50 store credit to a lovely jewelry store on Etsy for only $20. Your vouchers are good from 3 months, so you can save it for later if you wish, but why wait?

So far, I have bought Mother's Day gift items, a gift of jewelry for my daughter's confirmation, and of course a Mother's Day gift for myself! I am a self professed Etsy addict, and finding Heartsy has taken it to a whole new level. I love getting a bigger bang for my buck, and Heartsy deals are fantastic!

(click the button to check out Heartsy, and have fun shopping!)

If you click and make a purchase, I get a credit to my Heartsy account for sharing this with my readers.

Roxy LOVES Omega Paw!

Roxy is excited to introduce Country Mouse, City Mouse readers to Omega Paw.

I always love featuring Canadian companies here, and Omega Paw is right here in the town I live, in fact I pass by it most days going to my childrens school. When we had our cat I longed for an award-winning Omega Paw Roll 'N Clean Litter Box. But, now that we find ourselves in the midst of puppy madness, I found myself researching and looking for dog products. Remember this is a whole new world to us! Once, again I was drawn to Omega Paw and their innovative products.

At Omega Paw we develop, manufacture, and market innovative dog and cat products.

Each year we introduce new, unique, functional products that excite our customers with their creative design.Our goal is to continuously manufacture these products with quality and efficiency to bring value to our customers.

We always aim to build partnerships with our customers by being responsive to their needs.

In all Omega Paw activities we will operate with honesty, integrity, and genuine concern for our employees, customers, suppliers, and community.

Keep an eye out as Roxy reviews Omega Paw products!


If you have a dog or cat you will want to keep in touch with Omega Paw. You can find them on twitter and on facebook.

Deal!! ~ Charitable Creations Jewelry

Today only @Heartsy purchase a $45 store credit for $19! Start thinking Mother's Day, here. I love Charitable Creations, I worked with them last year and I am hoping to again this year. Did you know that with each purchase from Charitable Creations, part of your purchase goes to either your choice of charity or a designated charity of the month. This month it is the Crohn's and Colitis Society, a cause near and dear to me.

Purchase your $45 credit here, and enjoy shopping with Charitable Creations.

Check out Charitable Creations beautiful hand stamped jewelry...

What's for Breakfast?

The key to a good morning is organization. In the evenings one of the last things I do before calling it quits for the night is set out the kids clothing for the next day, as well as, having the backpacks ready to go at the door.

Confession time - I am not a well-balanced breakfast eater, I never have been. Often times a cup (or two) of coffee is the extent of my breakfast. Yet, with kids heading out the door for school I really want them to have a filling and nutritious breakfast to start their day of learning. We have all heard how important breakfast is, and the time has come for this mom to find some easy recipes to help start the day in a positive way.

For inspiration I turn once again, to General Mills Canada ~ Life Made Delicious, but, this time I am searching for breakfast recipes.

Now, here is something I would enjoy! My kids love fresh berries, and yogurt, so why not put them together to make a delicious breakfast treat?

Nature Valley Yogurt Breakfast Parfait

Yet, there is nothing wrong with sticking to the familiar. Cereal for breakfast is tried and true, and not to be overlooked. I love stocking up on our favourite cereals when they come on sale, and a coupon makes the deal even sweeter. Find a coupon for everyone's favourite - Cheerios at Life Made Delicious!

Life Made Delicious even has some great tips to help get out the door on time. I love the idea of setting out the cereal boxes and bowls before going to bed. It just takes mere seconds to do this in the evening, yet, in the morning it will save a lot of confusion.

This spring, I am going to get it in gear and do my best to enjoy breakfast each and every day with my children. I think we will all benefit from it!






Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own

What's for Dinner Tonight?

I admit it! My repertoire of dinner ideas can become mundane and boring, and sometimes I see my family forcing the food into their mouths. When I heard I could participate as a connector at Life Made Delicious, I was excited at the possibilities!

If you haven't previously checked out Life Made Delicious, you are missing out on a great Canadian resource! One of my favourite aspects is the recipe section, which is full of recipes for kids. I have been having a great time checking out new and easy recipes, ones I can make with ingredients I have on hand.

Tuesdays in my home are the busiest night of the week. My oldest daughter goes to a three hour choir practice, which starts at 5:30, so I always find supper to be very rushed, there has even been nights Emily doesn't get to eat until after she gets back home after 8:30. (which I really don't like)

Yesterday, I went to my freezer and found I had lots of ground beef, so I searched for a recipe using ground beef and I came up with Big Batch Cheeseburger Bake. This recipe uses one of my all time favourite products - Bisquick, so I knew I would like it. But, the question was would the kids?

The recipe calls for mixed veggies, which we generally don't have. But, we always have frozen corn and peas, so I opted to make a mix of peas and corn.


I began by browning the ground beef and then started to add the other ingredients, which besides the frozen veggies, was milk and a can of soup.


While waiting for the mixture to heat through, I prepared my bisquick batter, and shredded my cheese. Then I simply assembled. The bisquick went on as a base on a large jelly roll pan. Then, the meat/veggie mixture, and finally I topped with shredded cheese.

Preparation time was about 20 minutes and cooking time was 35, plus a few extra minutes under the broiler to brown it up.


I cut it up with my pizza cutter and it lifted perfectly with a spatula. I served it with a mixed salad and supper was on the table. At first the kids turned up their noses, but, I always insist they must have a least one mouthful. Next thing I knew things fell silent and plates were emptied. My oldest daughter even asked for some in her lunch for school the next day.

Big Batch Cheeseburger Bake = WIN!

Now, what's for breakfast tomorrow morning?





Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Connector program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own