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Just a note to say I have moved pages!  Please feel free to follow me over at https://sowshegrows.com/ :)


Thank you kindly!

A sweet read and a child's inspiration

Panda the Very Bad Cat and the beginnings of my daughter's book ;)

Reading is something I have always loved to do.  I spent my summers reading book after book caught up in the worlds created by all kinds of amazing authors!  I knew that I wanted my children to grow up surrounded by books and stories, not only for literacy development but for creative inspiration.  There is nothing quite like the combo of a well written story and a readers imagination!

As a young girl I remember the time I met the author of Malcom's Runaway Soap, Jo Ellen Bogart.  It was so exciting to listen to her tell the story she had written - I was in awe.  My signed copy was read over and over again until I had it memorized!  I never forgot that moment, it was the first time I felt like I too could be a writer some day.

Panda the Very Bad Cat written by Lacey Bakker, was gifted to my children by a dear friend and quickly became a favourite.  This past June the local school was hosting their annual open house and I saw Lacey's name on the program!  I thought to myself how nice it would be if my daughter experienced that author to reader connection I did around her age.

The day of the open house my girl skipped off of the bus SUPER excited to tell me she met the author of Panda the Very Bad Cat and that Panda was a real cat.  This pure joy is like no other, it is marvellous to watch.  Markers and paper were an immediate request since she too was going to write a story about Wally the trouble maker ;) .

I than told her that Lacey had gone to her school once, as did I.  The concept floored her.  This fantastic story was written by someone that I had once shared the same halls with and now she gets to walk them too.  Simply wonderful.

I'm so thankful my little girl was able to sit in on the Panda the Very Bad Cat reading, it meant the world to her and fuelled her love of books even more than I could have dreamed.  She still wants to be a writer and talks about that day in the gym as if it just happened.  

Check out Panda the Very Bad Cat if you haven't already!  It is adorable.  Lacey also has a blog I will link below.  If you are a cat lover, you will really enjoy it!

Also... Lacey's Pandamonium Publishing House just released a new book Unfrogged!  Unfrogged was written by another alumni of our grade/high school - Tamara Botting.  I haven't had a chance to snag a copy yet, but I look forward to reading it!

If you happen to be an author of a children's book, you are a hero in their mind.  That's the miracle of childhood - They see all the greatness that as grown ups we tend to pass by.  And if you otherwise (or also!) write a blog, novels, fact or fiction - you are my hero, and very likely a hero to thousands of others too.

The gift of reading is incredible, it allows us to learn, grow... it makes us feel.  So read to your baby, toddler, child, cat, dog - read to yourself!  And if given the opportunity, let the writer know you enjoy their work.  I know as a newish blogger I love hearing from my readers!


Go grab a book and go read under a tree.

Happy Friday!

Stay tuned for Lacey Bakker's book Deer Diary coming October 2017!

Blog link:
https://thekittycatclan.com

Summer update: creatures + herbs

It has been quite some time since I wrote last!  End of school + start of summer holidays left me searching for a new routine and I have finally found it!  Our days are now full of random play, various activities and outdoor wandering when it isn't suffocatingly hot out.  I know - super weird for someone who loves the outdoors and growing things to despise the heat but I do.  I really dislike it.

Baby snapping turtle after release

Our yard seems to be home for quite the collection of creatures this summer!  If you follow along on Instagram you have already seen the adorable baby snapping turtle Wally found.  The kids really enjoyed caring for the wee one until we were able to release him on the river bank.  It was a great learning opportunity for us all!  Did you know it takes them 17-20yrs to mature?  Although they live to be 100+ years the population is declining greatly as majority are killed on the road or at the hands of humans long before they have even laid their first eggs.

There is a little garter snake living under our porch though I am the only one to see it thus far.  Garter snakes are awesome for pest control.  Country living means mice are abundant so we appreciate their help keeping mice out of the house!

Toad, our garden keeper

Toads galore can be found in and around the gardens.  There is a really large one that lives near our back steps that the kids always look for it when they head out back.  Toads are great at helping keep unwanted insects away - like mosquitoes.  No one needs those around!

And we can't forget the furry creatures!  There are chipmunks are everywhere!  These adorable little critters are found playing games with each other all around our property.  Rabbits are always plentiful and we have seen some deer as well.

Though we aren't really THAT removed from the city, it sure feels as though we are in our own little world as we watch all the little things happening around us.

On to growing things!

Mint, oregano and dill ready to dry

Though my gardens are nothing special this year I do have quite the herb collection.  Basil, peppermint (so much peppermint!), spearmint, chocolate mint, parsley, cilantro, sage, rosemary and dill are all favourites in the garden.  I recently planted a couple lavender plants for both it's beauty and scent!

All the herbs are fantastic fresh.  Sliced tomato - I can't wait for fresh off the vine tomatoes! - cheese and genovese basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette is an easy dinner addition I love.  I'm also a hug fan of mint and honey added to mixed berries as dessert!  

dried lavender and thyme

I like to dry herbs as well for seasoning sauces and other delicious things all winter long.  Thyme, oregano and dill are my favourites to hang in the kitchen to dry.  Basil, sage, mints and rosemary I find dry much better in the small dehydrator I have.

This year is the first I have dried lavender and it seems to be doing well just hanging off the cupboard doors!  I plan to use it in teacher gifts for Christmas with my daughters help.

Our summer vacation has started out well, I look forward to mini day trips exploring new places and visiting favourites with my little humans and Wally in tow!


Happy July!

Motherhood, kindergarten & cheesecake

Cake and Loaf strawberry rhubarb cheesecake

This past week I finally registered my youngest for junior kindergarten!  As an over thinker extraordinaire I have been contemplating whether or not my 3yr old (he will be 4 in October) is truly ready to embark on this next chapter of his life.  In many areas he is very independent and helpful but others... not so much.

Recently I spoke with my daughter's educators about the impact not attending JK may or may not have on any one child and the idea of part time vs every day.  *Big picture for me:  I send an ill equipped youngster in to a packed class room, he isn't prepared and it sets a miserable tone for school years to come*  They were so helpful and encouraging, I left feeling confident that enrolling him now and sending him part time will be the best thing for him long term.

... that doesn't mean it didn't get me right in the heart though ;) ...I left the school with tears in my eyes after I registered him...  And I just might have eaten my feelings.  All be it in a fantastic way - the mini cheese cake was devine, but I ate them all the same.

Driving away I thought back to my daughter's school introduction... At that time it was the bus that made me nervous.  I knew she was ready for school otherwise but sending such a tiny human on this giant vehicle with a stranger behind the wheel with oodles of other children and trusting that she would be safe - that thought was terrifying...  I am positive I also ate a bag of cookies or something similar to comfort myself after checking the "bus" portion of her registration form.  I love me a sugary hug.  Judge if you will but we all have our weaknesses.

Thinking back led me to reflect briefly on motherhood in general... it isn't all snuggles and giggles as I naively thought it would be... thanks for nothing Full House, talk about misrepresenting reality ;) .  In fact much of my experience thus far has been - it is hard, motherhood is really really hard!  There is so much good along the way, it is full laughter and joy but there is also a bazillion bittersweet moments mixed in...  Signing my name to the registration sheet of my littlest was one of them.

Some people transition smoothly through milestones like the start of school and face motherhood challenges so gracefully, I am not one of these people.  I question things that probably don't need to be questioned far too often all while crossing everything that each decision I have made is the absolute best I could make... and I am an emotional mess at best as I watch my children age right before me eyes.  I cried when I sent my daughter off on her first day of JK and I most definitely will cry when I send my son off...  Than I will hop in to my truck, go get all the foods, stuff my face and likely cry some more.

Motherhood is tough.  Kindergarten is an emotional life promotion... But at least there is cheesecake.


Cheers!

Wonderful walks

Wally - Van Wagners beach 

The greater Hamilton area is full of great places to wander solo or with the whole family including our canine companions.  Here is a wee list of a few places we love most!  All of these have ample shade, places to picnic, and plenty of beautiful sights to enjoy.  It was really hard choosing favourites!  Hamilton doesn't lack gorgeous scenery that's for sure.

• Grand River Caledonia
• Mountain Brow 
• Battlefield House grounds 
• Van Wagners beach 
• Gage Park 
• Bayfront Park 
• Dundurn Castle grounds
• The arboretum (RBG)
• Cherry Hill Gate (RBG)
• Princess Point
• Dundas Valley

Gage Park

Unplug and surround yourself with nature while exploring the city and surrounding areas this summer.  Your body and mind will thank you!

Cannon Coffee Co.

 Ahhh the Cannon!  I really do love this place <3 .  Typically I pop in for a latte and a treat (the muffins and cookies are delicious) before a walk at Gage Park with the dog.  The vanilla and maple lattes are wonderfully warm, smooth and just sweet enough!  I am also a huge fan of the cold beverage options year round.  Sometimes a latte on ice is just what I need on a mild winter day.

Latte love

We headed to Cannon Coffee Co. this morning for a brunch treat at my daughters request to celebrate her sixth birthday.  After all, who am I to argue with a feisty kindergartener?!  So off we went mid morning in hopes we would find a table.  If ever you have been there you will know it is always hopping and finding a seat can be a challenge.  As luck would have it, there was indeed a spot for us, it was a birthday miracle ;) .

The California Sandwich

As always the food was delicious!  We had the California Sandwich, Black Forest Sandwich and the little humans shared a Classic Waffle with chocolate sauce.  The kids received theirs first which is always a bonus since they lack patience like most children their age do and ours came soon after.  Zero complaints, it was all fabulous.

There is such a pleasant vibe in the shop.  It's easy to feel through the friendly service, lovely music in the background and the hum of chatter from the other patrons.  And the smell of coffee and waffles - so good!  Another plus is quality ingredients - they truly care about using carefully sourced products so you can feel good about what you are eating or sipping on.

The Cannon Coffee Co. is a small business I am so happy to have found!  I very much look forward to seeing what the future holds for this darling little place and the wonderful women who own it!

Happy waffle eating! ;)

Check out the menu! 

Follow the Cannon Coffee Co.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cannoncoffeeco/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/cannoncoffee/

Local Bounty Box - The Mustard Seed

Today I picked up a beautiful full bounty box from the Mustard Seed Co op.  I have purchased these in the past and have always been satisfied but this one I found to be especially wonderful and wanted to share it's contents!

The large box this week contained the following most of which is organic:

This weeks Local Bounty Box

-spinach
-collard greens
-swiss chard
-kale
-leaf lettuce
-cucumber
-3lbs apples
-2lbs potatoes
-2lbs lemons
-portabello mushroom caps
-beets
-grape tomatoes

All of this wonderful produce was $34.99!

I am a huge fan of produce boxes/bags but this one I especially love as you do not have to commit long term to buying them, you just pay as you go!  There are weekly or bi-weekly subscription options as well if you are really enjoying the program.  Wednesdays and Fridays are pick up days with Monday night at midnight being the online order cut off.  There is also a regular size box option at a lesser cost, the larger just suits us better at this point in life!

While picking up our bounty box I picked up some other staples - milk, cheese and cereal making it a one stop shop this week!  There are many things to find at the co op aside from the boxes.  They have everything from dairy, meats, breads, produce, confections, vegan and vegetarian items etc.

The Mustard Seed Co-op is committed to supporting local and organic as much as possible in it's offering.  Much of the store and behind the scenes is run by volunteers and it is supported in part by members (you can read more of this in the link I will share below) making The Mustard Seed a true community grocery store.  It is all inclusive and you do not need to be a member to shop in store or buy the bounty boxes so if you are not a member don't fret!

The local bounty box is definitely worth a try if you are looking for excellent quality produce for an affordable price.  While you are there you can check out all the other local awesomeness The Mustard Seed has to offer!

Happy shopping!

Read more about The Mustard Seed and local bounty boxes here:
https://mustardseed.coop

Spring projects

Crocuses and bees

The past few months I have been busy getting back to creative things I love!  Especially sewing which I had all but quit when my now 3yr old son was born since I had zero time with 2 little humans under 3!  This past fall I felt the urge to pull out the machine and decided I would get back to it in the new year.

After years of moming - that is not a word but I feel like it should be - I decided to invest in myself by buying a basic serger for my sewing endeavours, a laptop specifically for my writing goals, and I even picked up an open box deal on a Canon camera to help capture the happenings in my world.  I have also started to restock my artistic cupboards with acrylics, canvas board and other random artsy must haves.  Next I hope to make some space for working because our dining room table is pretty cramped these days but one thing at a time ;) .

After a rough 2016, I decided that 2017 was going to be the year I would move forward creatively in all realms that I am drawn to.  The result is one moment I am painter and the next a knitter who is sewing curtains all while singing off key to my spotify playlist.  I love the entire artistic spectrum and really like combining my skills when ever possible.

Some of my favourite recent projects have been for Krista at Harrington Lane Farms Village Shop!  Pop up tea party items, mini easter baskets and a toaster cozy have all headed her to her shop the past two weeks!

Pop up Tea Party set

One thing I have failed to do this spring is start seedlings for our vegetable garden.  I have been far too caught up in making things so I sent my seeds onward to others who will put them to good use!  I plan to purchase our plants from those who actually took the time to follow through with their seed planting instead.

The upside to not planting seedlings is I have space on that dining room table for my other work because yes, that is also where the seed trays typically reside!  Tight quarters over here ;)

Typically I fill all our gardens with as many vegetable plants as I can but this year I am dedicating one of them to wildflowers.  I love looking at wildflowers and cutting bouquets of them to put on that same overcrowded dining room table ;) .

I really hope that the flowers I plant will encourage the bees to get busy.  It saddens me to know they are struggling so greatly, we need them and I hope more people realize just how important they are to all life.  PSA: Plant some flowers this year or vegetables what ever you fancy.  The bees and other beneficial insects will thank you <3 .

The next couple of weeks will find me planning our garden spaces while working on various projects I have been asked to do.  I hope that spring is also treating you kindly!


Happy spring!

40 mini Easter Baskets

National CSA sign up day

Stam Farms market share treasures

 Today is the PERFECT day to sign up for a season of local bounty at a local farm!

What is a CSA?  Community supported agriculture, which is a partnership between you the consumer and the farmer as the grower.  A typical CSA share is paid for in advance, and in return throughout the growing season you will receive a basket of gorgeous produce weekly, bi weekly etc. 

Will I get to choose what is in my CSA share?  Each farm runs their program differently.  Some do offer flexibility and choice with items in the share allowing you to select your preferred greens, roots etc according to what is available.  Other farms put together the same shares for everyone. 

How much produce is in each share?  This varies farm to farm!  Most have at least 2 size options to suit each person or family’s needs.

Why do we have to pay up front?  Paying for the CSA ahead of time allows the grower to cover up front costs of purchasing seed, growing seedlings and planting while securing the farmers income for season regardless of environmental or natural factors.  Drought last year saw many farmers abandoning lesser than crops in order to save others.  Not all farms require up front payment, some may take a payment plan or accept monthly installments.  None the less the CSAs were full of what fared well for each farmer, I know ours certainly were! 

Gorgeous Matchbox Garden share

Farming grueling work – think of how hot it was last summer here in Southern Ontario and imagine working the fields harvesting in that heat!  Seriously, thank a farmer today if you can and better yet support them with a CSA commitment this year! 

Cheers!

Here are some of the beautiful farms I follow that offer CSAs in and around the greater Hamilton area.  If I have missed you let me know and I will happily add your farm to the list. 

Honest Field Farms – Hamilton

http://www.honestfieldfarms.ca

Manorun Organic Farm – Lynden

http://www.manorun.com/shares

Matchbox Garden - Caledonia

http://www.matchboxgarden.ca/services

 Plan B Organics - Branchton

http://planborganicfarms.ca

Stam Farms – Hagersville – CSA (Market share) is now FULL for 2017 but will have farm gate produce and other goodies for sale

https://www.facebook.com/stamfarms/

Tree and Twig – Wellandport – CSA is now FULL for 2017 but produce may be available, call and ask.  http://treeandtwig.ca

Mela Bath

Coco Coffee Scrub - one of the first products

There are so many wonderful businesses in the greater Hamilton area that do not have brick and mortar locations, one of my favourite is Mela Bath!  Mela Bath offers a variety of natural handmade bath and body products – things like shea butter soaps, lip balm, make up remover, bath truffles and bath salts! 

I have known Melanie since grade school and she has always been a strong and ambitious individual so it didn’t surprise me when she launched her first creation, a body scrub, via Facebook!  She was looking for a natural product she could make to both use and gift to friends and family for Christmas.  With 3 scents she shared her new found love and in three weeks sold 800 jars of her homemade body scrubs!

After the boom of the scrubs Melanie found herself looking for a natural solution to help her sons cradle cap.  The typical go to’s with their unpronounceable ingredients just weren’t going to cut it so she went to work.  With a combination of coconut oil and other natural goodies she created her froth!  This hydrating product was tried out by several friends and family with positive results so Melanie launched it and it took off too!

As time went on bath bombs became another signature product, the scents are abundant and ALL wonderful.  My children love the little “ice cream scoops” for their bath, in fact it’s the only way my son will get in to the tub without a fight.  The sangria scented bath bomb is a favourite of Melanie’s and I too am a huge fan! 

A Bath Bomb "Scoop" in bubble gum scent

Melanie is always coming up with new things and now has a wide variety of products available with more to be added in the near future.  My absolute favourite product is the vanilla whipped body butter, it is AH-MAZING along with the coconut coffee body scrub!  I love the clay face masks as well which are one of the newer additions to her collection.

The Mela Bath website is user friendly and all products have in depth descriptions.  As an added bonus there is delivery with a minimum purchase which is fantastic for those who are too busy or can’t get out and about!

I love that all of the products can be used on every family member safely and as a double bonus all of the prices are incredibly reasonable.  The bath bomb scoops are only $1.50!  

If you ask Melanie what truly inspires her, she will tell you her son and growing family.  She began this journey on mat leave hoping to create safer products for her new bundle of joy and other loved ones and discovered a passion she now shares with hundreds of customers.  I think that’s pretty awesome right there.

Happy Friday!

Check out the Mela Bath Website:

http://melabath.com

Follow along on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/melabath/

Little Brown Cow

Lucky <3

I have followed this lovely little farm on Facebook for ages, watching all the farm updates and dreaming of the day I would venture out to the shop in Brantford.  This past week I decided to send a message to the farm requesting 2kg of cheese curds – the bulk price is fantastic AND they are freezable!  I packed the littles and the dog up when I received the message they were ready and off we went to pick them up!

Lovely noticeable signage

The farm is super easy to find, you can’t miss the big sign!  Jenny, the co-owner, greeted us inside.  She was so friendly, easy to talk to and very informative.  Before we left, Jenny put our things in our car and took us over to see a new calf named Lucky!  My kiddos were thrilled and talked about it the rest of the day. 

Jersey is the breed they raise and after some research I can see why!  Though they are small in comparison to other dairy breeds they have a high butterfat milk content and are a calm, docile but curious breed.  There are many other reasons why one might choose Jersey cattle, these are just the ones that stood out to me – a curious consumer.

Our goodies 

Though Little Brown cow is well known for their amazing cheese curds that are available fresh every Friday afternoon, they offer so much more.  Artisan cheese varieties, cream cheese and both white and chocolate milk (in this house we really love chocolate milk ;) ) all of which are processed entirely on site.  Quiche and cheesecake varieties and other meals are also made in the shop.  Frozen beef is always available and often fresh on Fridays!  There are many other offerings at Little Brown Cow, these are just some of the ones that stood out to me.

One of the things I always love about the small business owners I meet is how passionate they are about their work.  It just radiates off of them and leaves you feeling inspired.  That is definitely how I felt after I left Little Brown Cow.  

Overall our experience was a wonderful one and we will definitely be adding Little Brown Cow to our permanent list of farms we love.  I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this wonderful farm and the checking out the new location when it opens this spring!


Thanks for reading!

Follow Little Brown Cow on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/littlebrowncows/