Addicted to: Deer Garden No MSG Fish Soup

Have you been to Deer Garden?


They have three locations in Vancouver, and now a new (?) restaurant in Richmond Hill (north of Toronto). I tried it three weeks ago for the first time, instantly hooked! Then we went up the next two weekends in a row. The fish soup is amazing. It's my favourite and definitely the only thing I will order until I grow tired of it (yah, right).  Judging by how packed the place gets, I think it's a safe bet that the entire menu is delicious.

Would you drive to Richmond Hill for noodles? Would you try fish soup?

They are considering opening a location downtown...I hope it's close to my hood!


Deer Garden, Times Square Plaza, Unit 108, 550 Highway 7 E, Richmond Hill
(Hwy 7 & Leslie)

ps. parking on the weekend is difficult, but my sister in law assures me that there is space in the underground lot. 
pps. let me know if you go!

Searching for vintage in Port Colborne

On Thursday, I went into town to shop at the antique stores in Port Colborne.  There were only two open...the first was the Duke and Duchess.  This is in the old Dukes Hotel.  It is my new favorite place in Port.  LOVE IT! Seriously?? I think Sarah and Tommy should take a road trip! 

The scene as you enter

Vintage Melmac by Rainbowware

It's a big place...more to look at in the back

Love the colour of these...$350 each

There was a pair of small tables, $100 each, perfect nightstands

Enormous...

Love it! I think it was $375, I forget now...

The fire place is cool, ~475, but those paddles are great! $65-75 each

They have crates (this one $30) and rusty things

I WANT THIS BENCH...its super long, and I don't have a place for it! $300

I also popped into the Alphabet Bookshop...it was my first time in this store (even though it's around the corner from two of my aunts' houses...and about five doors down from my cousin's)

Finally, I drove* over to Carocobi Antiques, but unfortunately, they are only open on Saturday and Sunday.  (The Viking shop was also closed and I put my face into a giant spider web when I peeked through the window, gross)

Carocobi, a huge barn full of treasures...

*Yup, I drove myself everywhere, I practiced driving every day last week...I almost feel confident enough to start driving in Toronto.

Staying in the Toy room

This week, the boys and I are staying in mom & dad's toy room. This used to be my bedroom - decorated by me when I was 16!

Hunter green, paisley wall paper, and natural wood...

Of course, first thing Monday morning I moved all the furniture around to where you see it now! Then edited some stuff... Only in your parents house can you get away with this!

At my parents' house

We escaped Toronto to spend a week at my parents' house in Port Colborne.

How is it already Wednesday? The week is flying by!

I've hit up 4 thrift stores in Niagara with very little to show for it...I might try some antique stores this afternoon...or I might take a nap...

Are any of you from Niagara?

Traveling to Florida with baby and preschooler

Last Friday, we took our two sons to Florida...here's how that went down...

We took a 6:30am flight from Toronto to Orlando, Florida.  It was a nine hour trip door-to-door, with only 2hrs 10 mins in the air.  We woke up at 2:30am (town car arrived at the house at 3am, my husband installed the car seats while I woke the kids). We arrived at the condo in Florida around noon (Reunion Resort)

I think we could have shortened the trip if we split up at the Orlando airport. Next time, one of us will wait in line for the car rental (we got an SUV from Budget), while the other waits for the bags.  Both wait times were extremely long.

Also, we didn't realize that airport security at YYZ opens at 4:30am...so that ridiculously long line up/wait is unavoidable.  Last year we arrived at the airport an hour later, and we were caught up in the security line. Since standing in line is NOT what you want to do with small children, we thought we'd head out earlier and beat the rush.  This time, we stood near the front of a non moving security line for over 30 minutes. Lose-lose situation, either way you have to wait.  Next time we sleep longer.


The trip was only 7 hours on the way home.  Much improved, but still long!

We brought an infant car seat, snap n go, second car seat, umbrella stroller, one suitcase*, two small carry ons(one packed full of snacks) and camera bag.  We brought the car seats since we were going to be driving everywhere when we got to Florida. Canjet did not charge us any additional fees for the bulky baby equipment, and renting everything could add up quickly.

The boys were excellent during the entire vacation.  They travel like seasoned pros (um, not that I know what seasoned pros travel like...unless seasoned pros poop on the plane, because both boys did that)...

Next trip? London & Edinburgh?   That's the plan...we need to pick some dates and find a couple vacation rentals...I'm pumped!


* I updated my last post on packing with what I forgot to bring, what I brought too much of...basically what I would do differently next time...


Photos:
1. Disney Buses ...we bought him the toy buses last year, so it was like his toy came to life! (Yes, a hole in the knee of his old navy track pants)
2. New maxi dress from JCrew Outlet (Messy, messy! I picked up everything 3.6 seconds after the photo was taken - honest!)
3. Watching the Disney light Parade
4. Fireworks...I cried! It was magical! 
5. So much shopping...so little time! I bought amazing yellow denim capris from 7
6. Very kid friendly pool! No one got burnt!
7. Back in Toronto, waiting around for bags
8. Finally home! This is all we had with us (plus another stroller car seat)! Most of it is kiddie equipment

Packing

Two adults, Two kids, one week, one suitcase...the boys are packed (still have to do the diaper bag)...We are also bringing two car seats, snap n' go stroller, and the umbrella stroller...

My trick? Load the suitcase with diapers so you have room for new stuff on the way home. 


ps. we have a washing machine where we are going...so I am taking the BARE MINIMUM...and of course my diaper bag will be loaded with extra outfits, blankets, et cetera.


UPDATE:
I didn't need: sleepers for the baby, so many burp blankets (I had 8 blankets, I only really needed 4), Shampoo, soap, more than one change of clothing (we went shopping on the first day, so 3 days of clothing for myself and my husband was overkill)
I wish I had remembered:  Advil (for me), Baby cold medicine (Coryzalia),  Prescription hydro-cortisone cream
Couldn't live without: excema cream and oilatum...the carpet in the condo gave both kids a rash...
Next time: Larger carry on, since people with babies get on the plane FIRST, you can bring a decent sized carry on and not worry about overhead space...next time I will also pack snacks in baggies NOT TUPPERWARE (why I transported tupperware to Florida and back, I am not sure...I guess because I hardly ever use baggies) 
I learned: To put a burp blanket on my three year old when in the car to catch barf.  I learned this the hard way on the drive to Legoland.  Also, Legoland is closed on Tues and Wednesday (we showed up on a Tuesday, who knew?)

Vacation FAIL!

On Saturday morning, we took a short road trip with the boys from Toronto to Niagara Falls*...We had planned to stay the weekend, but by Saturday evening we all wanted to go home, like, now!

What happened? My normally happy smiling three month old wouldn't stop screaming. My normally obstinate, bossy almost three year turned into a monster!**  Have you been there? Standing beside the dining table in a restaurant while bouncing a fussy baby on your hip and trying to bring your salad from the plate to your mouth with your left hand ??(I have no lefty fork skills!!)  Pulling your older son out from under the table to find out he had kicked his boots off, then crawling under table yourself to retrieve boots, while husband signs the bill and baby's cries escalate?  Oh yah - that was us- we were those people.

Today, Sunday, we are back at home with two little angels.  It's pretty obvious that my boys need their routine...

If all went well, I was planning a family trip to NYC next***.  Maybe Europe in the fall.  Instead, we will give it some time before we try another Ontario getaway.

Please tell, what was your favorite family vacation ever? Because I need to know it is possible to travel with little ones! 


*Why Niagara falls? we had to pick up a few things in the States. Niagara Falls is about an hour and a half drive from home.
**Three months is young - but baby is normally so easy! I figured as long as he was close to mom (his milk supplier) he would be fine.  Wrong!  My other son has been to Paris, NYC, Florida, and around Ontario with us - no problem!  This time I think he was in competition with the baby to see who could get the most attention. Double fail!
***Who are we kidding? I have the whole NYC trip already planned...stay near the park, visit the museum of natural history to see the dinosaurs...FAO Schwartz...*sigh* 

Blogpodium

Yesterday I attended Blogpodium, a panel discussion on blogs and the media.  I wasn't sure what I would get out of the morning, other than the opportunity to meet some fellow Canadian bloggers.

Shame and embarassment! When the media mavens* said, 'editing is important', I felt guilt over my poor use of punctuation**.  When we heard 'be true to your brand' and 'stay on topic', I started to sweat, thinking 'what is my brand? do I have a brand? was blogging about my new boots offside?'  The final blow was 'consider a writing class'... (shame) After Blogpodium I read some old posts and thought: 'Shannon, you sound like an idiot!!!!'

Last week, you may have noticed that I started to reformat the blog.  I played with the template and took down the old dark banner.  I took the first steps to (hopefully) making the blog better!  I need to spend some time sitting at our computer trying to clean up the old, while producing more thoughtful content (do I have extra time?).  I will definitely take more care in my photos and writing!

Anyways, here are three other takeaways from Blogpodium:
1- pin your own work: I created a pinterest board called 'at home' to pin my favorite photos
2- 'There are only two types of press:  press, and no press' ... I will go for it!
3- 'Put your photo up, write a bit about yourself, show your personality' - ok!

Were you able to attend Blogpodium?  Will it change the way you blog?
How do you feel about punctuation, or a lack of it!?

*They were intelligent, funny, and thoughtful women!  I was so glad to be able to attend (with the baby)  ...the discussion was lively and entertaining...however, I couldn't help but take notice of these comments....did I really need a magazine editor to tell me that re-reading a post before you publish is a good idea?  I suppose it was exactly what I needed!
**I blushed the entire time I read 'eats, shoots and leaves'...yet I continue to abuse punctuation.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today, we went to Ball's Falls Thanksgiving Festival*.  It was perfect weather for a mini day trip!
 

We bought pumpkins on the way home**.   Happy Thanksgiving weekend!  Enjoy the weather!

*The festival was jammed...think nature meets pioneer village, meets craft show, with pony rides, fair food and candy apples.  A very nice way to kill an hour or two.  Vineland also has a festival along Victoria Avenue.  There were a ton of tents selling crafty things and 7.893658 billion garage sales. We only stopped on Victoria briefly to pick up pumpkins and some homemade apple pie.  We left Toronto at 8:45am and arrived at Ball's Falls around 10:10am.  The traffic returning to Toronto was thick, but the traffic going to Niagara around noon was horrendous.  So if you want to go, go early! 
** This is the only picture I took. 

Image source: http://www.ontfin.com/Word/balls-falls/

Pumpkin Farm

We went to the cheesiest 'pumpkin farm' this afternoon.  I grew up in the Niagara Peninsula...so I can tell you what a farm is...this place was not a farm.  The highlights:  delicious cookies, and my son loved the tractor ride. 

We didn't buy any pumpkins.  They were $10 each for the nice ones.  I will wait until they show up at the grocery store!   Do you know of any good pumpkin farms in Southern Ontario/GTA?    What about apple picking? Any awesome places (that are worth the drive)?

Don't forget to enter the Vintage French Tin Giveaway - draw is tomorrow!

Back to School!

Yesterday, we took a trip to the zoo. We saw some cool beasts.  We had so much fun that we are planning to go back again this fall.

This morning, I held my little one's hand as we walked two blocks to his pre-school.  Normally, I let him run ahead on the sidewalk, but today I ran alongside him.  I can't remember what I was thinking when I signed him up for school so young! (It is only for two hours, two days a week)...I know its right for him; he is definitely having a blast right now!

Since I am home alone for two hours, I decided to make a royal mess out of a blueberry tart (I am not sure the crust is going to turn out, the sides seem to be shrinking while it bakes - Martha's recipe didn't say anything about that!)

We're back!

We escaped the city (and the heat) for an extended weekend and headed to Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville.  Deerhurst has been on our radar since they listed 100+ very affordable (and nearly immediately sold out) vacation condos for sale a few months ago.

So what did we think?  Great family vacation spot.  Ridiculous amenities (meaning there is a TON of stuff to do if you are sporty/outdoorsy and not pregnant)....and its BIG (they have a shuttle bus).

Would I recommend it?  That depends...the place didn't actually have a lot to offer our small family (Two adults and a toddler)...it may be the ideal vacation for someone with older kids who can go on the bike tours, or help groom horses in the stables, or hummer rides in the bush, or canoeing, or sailing etc...

...but the place has its draw backs....paper thin walls and ceiling ...and you spend equal amounts of time staring at nature, as you do walking through parking lots (its such a large resort that people have to park SOMEWHERE...errrm, I mean EVERYWHERE)...

...they also neglected to vacuum the kid's playroom during our three day stay...nor did they rake/clean the beach at night and reset the lawn chairs (I like a fresh beach each day...picky, I know!)  With that said, we had a great time!!! I have NEVER laughed so hard as I did watching my husband try and climb onto one of the floating rafts in the splash zone! 

...and I love what the designer guys are doing with the decor!  The common area of the sports villa is beautiful!

Would I go back? Maybe when my family is a little older...

Have you been to Deerhurst? What did you think?