From the "draft" pile-- An Ontario Summer 2011

We flew to Ontario to spend time with Mike's family this year. Sure, we could have gone to Hawaii for the same money, but who can put a price on family connections?!?!

We've noticed some changes since we were last here.

There are new highways-- some that even "Serena" our GPS lady doesn't even recognize.

Several subdivisions have sprung up around mom and dad's apartment, and the houses are so close together.

It's really hot and humid.

There are more Blue Jays fans than before (because my kids are here, too, that's 3 more!)

Someone else is living in the house on Norval.

The kids are taller.

Many of the recognized faces at the home church are gone.

It doesn't feel like home.

Camping Meals

Our family really enjoys camping.  But, we are learning how to "tent" camp instead of trailer camp.  (Read:  no fridge for 2 weeks).  So, I'm cooking in advance and freezing everything.  Let's be honest, here.  There is nothing like a stinky-meat-juice filled cooler that could make me regret my holiday decision.  So, I'm being proactive.

I polled the family and their favorite meals all have something to do with hot dogs roasted over a campfire.  However, I'm the meal planner and I say... um... NO.   Just because we're camping does not mean that we will be eating junk.  Cooking in advance frees me up to just enjoy the holiday and allows me to "hide" veggies and healthy food in their family favorites.

I have been meal planning for camping for the last few years, but have not shared my meal plan until now.  So, you lucky duck... you get all my secrets.

1.  I'm freezing everything in ziplock bags.  This saves room in the cooler and acts as "ice". Freeze them flat on a cookie sheet and they stack nicely on one side of the cooler.
2.  Rice and noodles can be made on site.  I don't like the sticky-post-frozen-mess that is the pasta once it has thawed.
3.  I'm bringing two coolers.  One is for the super-cold things, one for the sort-of cold things.  Ketchup and mustard do not need super-cold.  And, I don't bring the Costco-sized container, either.  I put things in smaller containers-- preferably square (as they pack easier)-- and label them.  I just use a sharpie and some masking tape.  Really fancy, I know.
4. Make a steak marinade, add it to a freezer bag and freeze the whole mess.  By the time it's thawed, you're ready to eat steak.

This year's make ahead meals--

*Sweet and Sour Meatballs -- 2 packs frozen-- one per week-- make rice when we get there

*Spaghetti Sauce-- I hide TONNES of veggies in this... shhh... don't tell my kids.

*Taco meat or pork chalupa-- http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pork-chalupas/

*Chicken thighs and frozen "Camp Pockets" (potatoes, onion, carrots) done on the bbq
(http://www.makeandtakes.com/summer-camp-for-kids-tinfoil-dinners)

*Boerenkool with sausage-- this is a traditional Dutch winter meal, but it goes over so well when camping!  
(http://www.food.com/recipe/stampot-van-boerenkool-met-worst-kale-with-potatoes-and-sausage-423710)

(Hey, will ya look at that... no mention of hot dogs anywhere.... hehehe.)

Some other things:

The first night we always have hamburgers.  This way I don't have to store buns or hamburger patties in my cooler, and I prep the lettuce/ tomatoes at home.

I only take one loaf of bread and a giant pack of tortillas.

For lunch, we have quesadillas, or "nutella roll-ups", and this is when the family likes their hot dogs.  But, we wrap our hot dogs in a tortilla and away we go...  I always bring some pre-made cans-- ravioli, chili, soup-- for lunch. Or, mac 'n cheese.  I don't like making lunch when I'm camping, so it's a bit of a free-for-all.

I really hate cheese slices during the rest of the year, but when we're camping, there's nothing like processed cheddar.

Breakfast is either "Egg McVanEgmonds", Pancakes, or Cereal.

Bacon.  You can never have enough bacon.  (It does fine in the "not-so-cold" cooler due to it's salted preservation method).


So, there ya have it.  Our camping meal plan.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Back Atter

Well. I'm not going to start by apologizing to my neglected blog.  I haven't had the urge to write.

That said, I have been on pinterest in the last little while and have so many great things to share that I had to write.

Since I last wrote:

The girls are taller.
I have a muffin-top.
Little one is starting Kindergarten.
I'm thinking of going to work full-time.
My husband is still pretty awesome.
We've started going to church on Saturday nights.
Organizing, painting, cleaning...

I'm learning how to be thankful.

Just learning how to live and roll with the punches.

But I want and need an organized home.  So, I stumbled across this on Focus on the Family.  And, it really spoke to my heart. 

 http://www.familymanager.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

So I'm going to try some of the suggestions in her book.  I'll keep you posted as I attempt to celebrate the joy and the challenges in our home.

Freeeking Crossfit

Ok.

I think I know what dying feels like.

One word: crossfit.

So, the sister's neighbours are totally into this workout called "Crossfit". "It's 6:30 in the morning and I've probably completed 2 workouts already" totally into it. They work out all the time. And, when they are not working out, they are thinking about their next workout. They even make up their own workouts. Or, they follow the plan here: www.crossfit.com.

When we were invited for a swim in their pool. I went. But, I should have known better. What was a little swimming relay became a crossfit relay.

Let me explain: first, swim 6 laps of the pool, then run, uphill, to the top of the driveway, around the big rock, back to the picnic table, do 21 box jumps on the bench of the table, run down the side of the house, pass the trampoline, around the far tree, up the hill, to the pool and tag your partner. Repeat 6 times.

So, who was my partner? The crossfit kid who dreamed this whole thing up! He wanted to make sure the teams were "even". Yah, thanks, pal. I guess my rash guard didn't cover up my flab well enough.

The "race" begins.

I'm doing alright in the pool. Well, I guess this can't be that bad...

Until the run. Flipping, uphill run. In barefeet.

Now, the wheezing begins and I can't believe I don't have my puffer.

Stupid asthma. Bad timing.

Compete against yourself. And, my 10 year old, who seems to have no problem with this little workout!

Box jumps-- on the concrete steps-- stub my toe. Chip my nailpolish.

Run through the pain.

Avoid the doggie doo.

UP the hill.

To the pool.

Tag my partner. Phew.

I have to repeat this 2 more times.

By the third round I've switched to the breaststroke and am full out wheezing.

But, I finished. In second place.

You must know this about me: my husband does all the working out for both of us. But, with my new fit goal, and to be a good example, I think I'll be doing more things like this in the next while.

And I will always have my puffer on hand.

HOLIDAY!

We have escaped the BC rain and are sitting quite nicely on the sundeck of Mike`s parents apartment. We are overlooking a runway of Pearson International and about every 3 minutes we see a plane coming in from somewhere.

I wonder where people are going. Where have they been. What stories can they tell.

We tell the stories of our trip. Of the traffic jam at the tunnel. Of almost missing our flight. Of being ushered to the gate in the golf cart. Of having to wait while they load our luggage. Of forgetting our lunch. Of our first take off and cruising altitude. Of games, stories, and new toys. Of falling asleep during landing.

We tell the story of our 4 year old`s first plane trip. Of meeting our 10 year old after her adventures in Newfoundland. Of a Dad`s 80th birthday. Of the smells of warm meat `cooked to death`by mom. We watch the intercom TV as our own reality TV channel. We listen to the laundry drying in the wind. We hear the cicadas buzz. We wish the powerlines were not blocking the view of the CN tower.

Leisurely coffee times.
Snooping in the cookie cupboard.
Playing silly games with Grandpa.
Remembering to use our manners.

Our family holiday begins.
Follow our adventure.

You look like your... uh... mom....

So, i caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and happened to only see my body sans head.
heh.
I look like my mom.
For years I have been told I look like my dad`s side. But, after a year of uncaring, the softness of my thirty-somethingness is becoming quite obvious.
The muffin top.
The not-quite-gone baby fat.
Thighs.
The squishyness that is now me.

Fit by 40. My new goal.

A year ago, I would have looked and hated what I saw. I would have said a whole load of lies-- things that made me hate me.

Now, a Heart Restored. Full of the truth of Life. A much better way to live.

But, fit by 40. A new reality. A new goal. A new life. A new me.

I promise.... after this bowl of m&ms...

hey June.

June=

Field trips.
Permission Slips.
Musicals.
Recitals.
Baseball games.
No jackets.
Sports Day.
Fun Fair.
Farmer's Market.
Barbeque for dinner.
Popsicles.
Ponytails.
One more daycare cheque.
Stanley Cup playoffs.
Shorts to school.
Introduction to deodorant (for my students).
Flip flops.
Long days that seem to zoom by.
Report Cards to write.
Cleaning out the desks.
Saying Goodbye friends.
Saying Hello Summer.