Tuesday 8 July 2014

I'll Love You Forever!

Hello, everyone
"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my babies you'll be." (Robert Munsch)
Don't you love this book? 13 years ago today, my life changed forever, for the better! Two angels were sent to me from above! Happy 13th birthday, Michael & Joseph! Where has the time gone? It feels like only yesterday when we were celebrating your 1st birthday!
The boys at 1 yrs. old

You are teenagers now! You are on your way to adulthood and it's my job to prepare you for this journey!
Here is my advice:
1. Remember to always strive to be the best possible person you can be even when others don't think you can!
2. Live life to the fullest everyday as if it were your last!
3. Don't sweat the small stuff!
4. Remove things and people who bring the worst out in you and make your life toxic!
5. Surround yourself with things that bring out the best in you!
6. Remember, Family is everything!
7. Be passionate in all you do!
and finally...
Live every moment, Laugh every day, and Love beyond words!

Today, you were surrounded by family and friends, and thanks to Skype, we were able to all sing Happy Birthday to you, even while on vacation! The pizza was burnt (not my best, but good) Right, Joseph? Your birthday cake was perfect, until the top layer slid off the plate...Never make a three-layer cake with whipping cream as the filling in a hot climate!



Make a wish
Checkerboard cake! Not bad, for my first attempt!
Special family moments!

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always (well, most of the time), as long as I'm living my babies you'll be...

I love you no matter what...

Never forget that!

Love you, 
Mom

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Anyone Can Bake!

Hello everyone,

Summer vacation is here! I have 8 weeks of focusing on my new found passion...BAKING! Yes, it's true...anyone can bake! I've been asked by many people to teach them how to bake. My response, "Can you read? Then you can bake." It's that simple. Until recently...

Recently, my husband has opened my eyes to food. He has me on this plant-based diet which requires me to eliminate all animal products! He is convinced this will help me with all my recent medical issues. I'm on board, the only problem is that I'm finding it difficult to bake with all these restrictions! Check out the documentary: website: forksoverknives.com (youtube 8 minute video) and decide for yourself!

I've been on vacation for 3 days and I've done nothing but bake, bake, bake...for the kids, of course...
Did I mention that I love to bake? Especially for others. This is my special way of showing the ones I hold so close and dear to me just how much they mean to me.

Cranberry Chocolate chip oatmeal cookies
Anyone can bake, I mean it! You need the bare essentials: a stand mixer (my best Mother's Day gift), measuring cups and spoons, preferably stainless steel (another gift from my family), and patience!

Strawberry Banana Muffins
Patience looking for the best recipes, and boy there are plenty! The trick is to search for recipes from bloggers who are very detailed. Many of them display step by step pics of recipes that make baking very easy! The other trick I learned to to scroll down to the comments and see what people are saying about the recipe. I've learned many good baking techniques this way!

Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies

Other than that, you need one last ingredient...PASSION! Baking should never feel like housework...

It's an art form, a reflection and an extension of oneself, a way to express one's creative side...

What's stopping you, then?

Roll up your sleeves, dust off your mixer and get baking!

Bon Appetit!

Sandra