Art Battle Canada brushes up the city

The winter months in Ontario can really put a damper on our spirits and respective social lives. It is sometimes tough to become motivated to go out in the blustery cold or tread through the feet of snow. Trendy heels turn to clunky boots, extra layers and more overall planning is needed to execute a successful night on the town! In a city that is often referred to as "retirement geared", it can sometimes take a bit of creativity to find new and exciting things to do. 

That's why, when I received a Facebook invite to attend an upcoming "Art Battle" being held at the St. Lawrence  College Art Gallery, I was very excited! Wait, what's an "Art Battle"? I had never been too, or even heard of this type of event (although I do consider myself a fan of the arts and supporter of the local artistic community). 

I knew I  had some research to do, so I checked out Art Battle Canada , where I learned the event is live competitive painting. Painters create the best work they can across three rounds of public painting. The audience then vote for the winners of each round, and the single winner of each event. A National Championship is held at the end of each season, with competitors representing cities across Canada. As it turns out- this was a big thing- and it was coming to our city of Brockville! 

When I arrived- loyal friend and media junkie Jan Murray in tow- this is what was set up. Immediately I felt like I was in another city. This was so forward thinking and fresh. Not that I don't love Brockville, I do- that's why I choose to live here and tirelessly promote it- but this was something I wouldn't have expected. Quickly, the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery filled up with eager patrons. I had introduced myself to the social media correspondent who was covering the event with a live tweet session- which as you know, I love!  Music started to play, a spirits bar was set up and people were connecting- I was completely in my element. 

The event organizer- Jesse McMahon did an incredible job with the Art Battle. She tapped into the artistic community and brought something to our city that was exhilarating and new. Jesse brought together artists and those who appreciate their work, of all ages and walks of life. We have an abundance of incredibly talented artists in our community and surrounding area. Whether they are painters, writers, sculptors, musicians- supporting their work is incredibly important. Having a vibrant artistic community benefits our residents, economy, tourism efforts and overall quality of life! 

 If you missed the first Art Battle Canada, fear not- there is another one set to take place on February 20th, which will also be held at the gallery. Tickets are selling fast- whether you are an art lover or just looking for a fun night out, make sure you go and see this incredible initiative! 

2014- a year in review!

With 2014 having come to a close and the new year freshly upon us, I have found myself reflecting on the year gone by. With my last blog entry in October (and a short one at that!) I admit, it has been a busy one. Although I enjoyed the last year, I already feel this year is a time for bigger goals, personal growth and change. There were many great events that we attended, organized and also some quiet family moments in 2014 and below is just a small snippet.

This past summer,  I organized and held a motorcycle show in benefit of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Brockville General Hospital. It was well received in the community, raised just under $1000 and shows signs of growing in the years to come. The local motorcycle community was a huge help and I look forward to working with them again this year, to broaden the event and make it an even bigger success!

 Our family also enjoyed a beautiful summer in the 1000 Islands, packed with picnics, trips to parks and many bike rides along the Brock Trail. Our city is stunning all year round but truly shines during the summer months. There is never a lack of parks to frequent or active ways to enjoy family time. 

Late summer also saw my fiance, Nick declare his run for Brockville City Council. He was unsuccessful in winning a seat this term but remains positive and ambitious for the next election. For a first run, it was exciting and a learning experience for our entire family. We had wonderful support from our local politicians, family and friends and can only see a successful future.  

Fall in the 1000 Islands is also a beautiful time of year. Although we do many hikes along the 1000 Islands Parkway, Mac Johnston Conservation area and Limerick Forest, we like to to travel to the Gatineau Hills and take in the breathtaking views. The hills offer a change in scenery and a more vigorous hiking challenge.

As always, we try to show our community support when we can. This year, we attended MP Gord Brown's Hockey Night in Leeds Grenville, in support of the United Way. It was a great family event - especially since our girls love hockey!

With winter wrapping up, I hosted my second annual Trees for Children fundraising event. This year we raised $2500 and expanded our list of guest speakers. We welcomed Senator Jim Munson, MP Gord Brown, MP Patrick Brown lent his support, MPP Steve Clark, MPP Lisa McLeod, Autism Advocate and parent Dee Gordon, Friends for Autism and local editor, keynote speaker and autism activist and parent, Laura Wright. The event was held at the elegant Maplehurst Manor and Carriage House and was very well attended and supported. It was a success all around and I cant wait to see what the future brings for this event. 

As I review 2014, I realized it was an incredible year for my family and I. We are fortunate to live in such a convenient and beautiful location. With only a week in with 2015, there have been some big changes personally and professionally. I already feel a shift in goals and anticipate what the year will bring. There are many great events happening in and around our community- I encourage each and every one of you to get out and get involved. Make 2015 a great year!

Automotion 2013

Congratulations to those involved in "Automotion Brockville 2013". This was a great event, attended by many and an overall success!

Our family headed downtown bright and early to take in the anticipated car show. With the threat of rain, we drove, not wanting to get caught in a downpour with the kids. As it turned out, the rain held off - and it seemed everyone (and their dog!) was flocking down to check out the cars and trucks. Please enjoy a few of my personal pictures from Automotion 2013:

 A look towards the crowd at Blockhouse Island

 One of Nick's Favourites - The Barracuda

 

 

Nice Gun-Metal Grey Camaro

 

 For you Rod lovers

 

 

 Loved this Mustang!

 

 

Last, but not least - my absolute Favourite - Camaro! I fell in love with this car.

 

 

Make sure you check out Brockvilletourism.com, Easternontarionetwork.com and SnapBrockville.com for more festivals and other upcoming attractions!

Cruising the beautiful 1000 Islands

Over the weekend when the sun made a brief appearance, we jumped at the chance to do one of our favourite activities in the 1000 Islands - take a cruise!

Last year (and many before) we have boarded at Blockhouse Island in Brockville, On. to take one of the many cruises offered. This year we wanted to try something different, so we headed to Gananoque and took the 1 Hour cruise.

This is a shot of one of the world famous 1000 Islands.

 

The girls and I posing for some pictures, as I'm usually the one behind the camera.

 

 

 

The hour cruise proved to be just the right amount of time with our small children. The ship is large enough to comfortably move around and enjoy a relaxing time on the St.Lawrence River.

 

Such a peaceful cruise!

 

 

One of the many sights - beautiful sail boats.

 

If you put one thing on your list this summer, check out the many cruises offered for the St. Lawrence River. There are cruises leaving daily from Brockville, Rockport, Gananoque and Kingston.

 

 

 

The Tall Ships Festival didn't disappoint!

This year's Father's Day weekend in Brockville was one to remember!

We kicked it off by attending the much anticipated Tall Ships Festival. This was an incredable event and something none of us have ever experienced. The ships were immaculate, providing my father-in-law with some great shots (as photography is a favorite hobby of his), the crowds were large but filled with happy sightseers and the food  (oh, the food!) was delicious!

Nick and I had the opportunity to dine on the Tall Ship Sandy for the Saturday evening dinner and fireworks cruise. Everything from boarding to the weather was perfect. We met some great friends and neighbours on the ship, enjoyed the roast beef dinner with "to die for" dessert (hello cheesecake!) and ended the evening with a romantic fireworks display at the back of the ship.

As we sat there taking in the breathtaking colours of the fireworks, I realized just how lucky I am to live in this beautiful area. The view of our city from the water was like something out of a movie. The shore was filled with proud residents enjoying the festival, the water filled with local boats and the historic Tall Ships alike, and the overall atmosphere was that of joy and non-stop fun. What a perfect evening!

Sunday was a day of family and celebration! It was my grandmother's birthday, Father's Day and the local wine show all wrapped into one day (in no particular order of course - cheeky!)Nick made some wonderful giant gormet hamburgers, we had salads and homemade carrot cake, and that was just lunch! While some of the men raced off to make their tee-off time, us ladies decided to meet at the 1000 Islands Food and Wine Festival. We had to have a drink to honour the fathers' in our life afterall.

I was yet again, very pleased to see a good turnout at the wine and food festival. I met some great vendors and tried some fabulous Ontario wine. I am not much of a drinker but my mother, who is part-owner in a local wine import business (Amano Inc.) was on-hand to tell me all about what we were sampling, which made it delicious AND interesting.

The weekend flew by way too fast, as there was just so much to do and the city was buzzing. Make sure you check out http://www.brockvilletourism.com for next years' dates and some other wonderful festivals happening throughout the remainder of the summer. Brockville and the 1000 Islands always has something for everyone!

Kick-off to Summer

What type of things remind you that summer has finally arrived? Is it the birds chirping in the early morning light, seeing the harbours fill up with boaters or perhaps a local event, that brings to mind that finally (yes, finally!) summer is here? For me, it is the annual sidewalk sale in downtown Brockville that is the kick-off to summer.

Saturday morning was a very early start. My one year old hasn't been the biggest fan of sleep lately and our days typically start at 5:00 am. One could view this as exhausting - and it is - but as this is everyday life, I choose to utilise all that early morning time and get my chores out of the way. By 9:00, the house was clean and we were ready to start our busy weekend routine.

The day had come. A day I look forward too all year long - The annual Brockville Downtown Sidewalk Sale. All my favourite shops and vendors, combined with our Farmers' Market makes for one busy and incredible sale! King Street, from East to West is blocked off to traffic (with the exception of some detour routes for locals and convenience) and the streets are filled with excited people alike. The weather this year was a bit cooler then usual, but it didn't seem to stop people from coming out to enjoy the bouncy castles, remote control car kid's area, cuisine, sales and entertainment. We stayed for about an hour and a half, meeting friends and family, then called it a morning and continued with our weekend plans of country drives and errands.

On a bit of a last-minute whim, my Fiance decided we should check out the drive-in theatre in Port-Elmsley, which is about an hour drive from Brockville. The first show started at 9:00 pm, so we figured it was a great "Date-night" as the kids would surely be asleep when we got there. Boy, were we wrong. Our four year old was bouncing with excitement to see her first drive-in movie (who could blame her) and our one year old was loud, proud and ready to party with all those other movie-goers. As a PSA, I feel I should quickly apologize to the other patrons for our "screamy" baby, but caution you that drive-ins sometimes lead to those situations some nine months later. HA! This experience does have a happy ending though, as Nick and Remy had some wonderful bonding time walking the grounds of the drive-in, while my oldest and I got quality mommy-daughter cuddle and movie time. It ended up as a date after-all, just not with my fiance!

Sunday came, and thankfully the late night movie exhausted the kids, who slept in. We got up, got ready and headed over to brunch at the Brockville Convention Centre. Sadly, it was the last of the season (although I have thrown a fit about that and maybe there will be special occasion brunches) as it truly is the best brunch in town! We met some great friends, their adorable children and crossed our fingers that four kids under eight was not going to end up as crazy as we thought it may. Turns out, we were blown away by the customer service (and food!) as the wait staff and even Sous Chef decided to play with the kids and even colour with them. We stayed for close to two hours as the kids were having an absolute blast with the Convention Centre team. A huge thank you to you all for making it such a fun and great experience.

After brunch, we headed to the Brockville Memorial Centre for an event called "This one is for the girls". This was put on by a local resident, Kaili Tennant - who wanted to showcase other women in business in our area and donate proceeds to our local Interval House. With many unique vendors and a great cause, I hope to see this back next year. Congrats Kaili and team- you did a wonderful job!

Last, but certainly not least, we headed out to Eagle Point Winery, where they were participating in Doors Open, hosting a wine tasting of their newest release and having a BBQ with proceeds going to the Front of Young Township Volunteer Fire Department. As my Father-In law to be is a volunteer firefighter, any event where we can support that cause, is big on our list. Mix wine and a good cause and you have a popular event! The parking lot was full and the winery was a buzz. I have visited a few times now, picked up a bottle and can tell you that you should put Eagle Point Winery on your list of summer hot spots. I hear they are also hosting Yoga in the vineyard, which is sure to be a hit!

As I sit to write this post, I realize just how busy of a weekend we have had. I love that we live in an area where there is so much to do and usually for a very good cause. There are  many people and businesses in the area that share my community pride. Make sure you get out this season and take in everything there is to offer.

April showers bring birthdays, concerts and wineries

April has been a busy month this far. We had two birthdays' ; a big milestone for Remy, as she celebrated her first birthday and I continue to celebrate my twenty-eighth birthday, again and likely again next year too. My mom headed off to Italy for a week in support of her new wine importing business (Amano Inc.) and our calendar continued to be full of diverse community events.

If you are a fan of maple syrup (and who isn't?), pancake breakfasts and family activities, you have likely heard of Gibbon's Family Farm, just north of Brockville. We ventured out one Saturday morning for their family day and took in music, pony rides and a petting zoo. There were many local families in attendance and no shortage of happy children. Our girls spotted the petting zoo, and headed over to see the baby lamb, goat and of course,  to hold the bunnies. We then ventured into the barn to listen to some folk music and hear some stories. After that quick break, it was back to the animals for a pony ride. Both girls enjoyed the ride - so much so, that I believe they are in cohoots to try and get daddy to buy them a horse!

That same Saturday evening was the annual North Augusta Volunteer Firefighters Pancake Dinner. If you are familiar with my blog, you know this is something we also supported last year and will hopefully continue to do so in years to come. It was nice to see the familiar faces of long-time friends who now volunteer and bring their own families to the dinner. The proceeds raised from this event go to assist in supporting our volunteer firefighters with their ongoing training, equipment and education to the general public. I can't think of a better way to show respect and support to the men and women who courageously give their time and lives to helping others. Thank you!

Last, but certainly not least, Nick, the girls and I spent last weekend away in Kingston. I had bought Nick concert tickets to see Great Big Sea for his birthday awhile back and we had been anticipating this concert for nearly 4 months! With Mother Nature throwing one last hooray of an ice storm, I was worried we wouldn't make it. Thankfully the weather let up and it was safe to travel. Although Kingston is a stone's throw away, it isn't a place we would have gone to if the ice had stayed. We checked into our hotel after dinner, my long-time friend and her hubby came to stay with the girls so we could head out to the concert. I like Great Big Sea, but could have taken or left them before this concert. I have to tell you - after seeing them perform live, that this is an amazing band who has gained a new fan. Their cadence was incredible and the range was like nothing I had ever heard. It was a great date night and a fun memory Nick and I will have for years to come.

As always- this area never disappoints. En route back from our Kingston adventure, the kids fell asleep in the car. Nick and I both enjoy country drives and so we went where the roads took us. We discovered Eagle Point Winery, just north of Rockport and I fell in love. As I don't often drink, I couldn't tell you the first thing about wine (shhh...don't tell my mom- she is a sommelier) but I will tell you that this winery is breathtaking. When I ventured in, looking lost I am sure, the associate could not have been kinder and more welcoming. She answered my questions and showed a genuine excitement that I was visiting for the first time. I sampled their 2007 Merlot and was blown away. I was also excited when I was introduced to Debra Marshall, the Operations Manager for the winery. Debra was very warm and welcoming too. She didn't seem to mind my lack of knowledge and was more then happy to take my card and entertain the idea of a return visit and tour. I brought home a bottle of that Merlot and can't wait to return soon.

I would love to know what everyone does with their weekends in the area? Does your family have a favourite local hang-out or activity? If you have experiences to share or ideas of places to visit - please email me at littlecitycharmevents@gmail.com

Get out and enjoy local!

Mmmm...."The Mow"

My not-so-secret love for Brockville and our local businesses is on full display in this post. I enjoy writing about my family's experiences when we are out and about and the local talent that blows us away. No- I don't get paid by those businesses to promote them, I just really believe that when we have a great time in our own backyard, it's worth noting and promoting that local talent. Here is a recent experience we've had and I really think you should check it out!

The Barley Mow

Little City Charm was recently nominated for a CanWeblog Award, which seemed like a great reason to celebrate. There are many tasty places to eat in Brockville, but we wanted to try the new and highly talked about Barley Mow, a family-friendly pub . Nick and I had been there previously for a quick breakfast before but it is the delicious traditional food and excellent service - during the dinner hour - that set this restaurant apart.

We sauntered in at dinner, with two of our children in tow. In some cases, I am pretty sure I have seen servers "rock, paper and scissors" to see who gets the luxury of waiting on our family of toddlers. This time- we were greeted with a genuine smile and excitement to see our family. We were seated and almost every server came to coo over our children and take our drink order right away. We were given menus and what seemed like the perfect amount of time to decide on our dinner. I ordered the bacon wrapped meatloaf, Nick had the prime rib sandwich and my oldest had the mac and cheese with a side of fresh veggies. Our baby, is well, just that- so no steak for her just yet!

It didn't take long for our meal to arrive. It was fresh, hot and plated to perfection. I will admit that my father-in-law still makes the best meatloaf (c'mon, it's stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese!) but this one was a very close second. Nick raved about his sandwich and my daughter ate her entire meal. She is four, that NEVER happens.

I also have to mention the very best part of our experience was our server, Jenny. She was pleasant, fun with the kids and never missed a beat with our orders. We had a great conversation with Jenny and learned she wants to someday work with children. As a mom and daycare owner, this was great to hear as she really seemed to have a way with people.

Great atmosphere, food, prices and service -  The Barley Mow knocked it out of the park! We will be back soon. Maybe with my in-laws to have the meatloaf!

Daycare Day at Prince of Wales Public School

Recently, I ventured into business with a great friend. We started a daycare with a vision of a "Back to Basics" approach. It is our belief that children should be children and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. We grow our own produce in season, play outside when we're not facing arctic temperatures and do yoga when we can. Our kids get dirty playing outside and we're all okay with that. In fact, we prefer it!

One of the other fun-tastic things we do, is take field-trips and get out into our local community. This past week, we took our daycare children to a special day put on by Prince of Wales Public School. Given the cold weather we have recently had- down to -22 at times, the school thought it would be a great idea to let the children have free run of the gymnasium on a PA Day. They also treated participants to snacks and the opportunity to play at their before and after-school YMCA childcare room. When we heard of this, we jumped at the chance to get the kids out and enjoy this special treat!

When we arrived, we were greeted by the Principal, Mr. Taugher and his staff of fabulous teachers and support staff. Everyone was smiling and happy to welcome us to their school. The children were very excited to play with hula hoops, bean bags, giant bouncy balls, floor hockey sticks and other fun equipment in the gym. Before we knew it, almost an hour had passed and the gang was still going strong and looking forward to a play in the YMCA program room.

After playtime,there were snacks and drinks available. The room was very colourful and warm. As a new daycare provider, it was nice to be welcomed by the area's YMCA with open arms. The visit also gave my business partner, Stephanie, and I a chance to network, ask questions and "talk shop" with these fabulous ladies.

This was the first time Prince of Wales Public School has hosted a "Daycare Day" and I hope it is something that continues annually. It gave our preschool aged children a chance to visit a school and feel like such big kids. It also gave us the opportunity to meet other local professionals who work in the same field, and overall, was a great winter outing.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated and welcomed us into the school. For more information on Little City Charm Daycare,  Prince of Wales Public School or the Before and After-School programs from the YMCA, please visit the following links:

http://www.littlecitycharm.wix.com/daycare
http://www.ucdsb.on.ca/school/pow/
http://www.brockvilley.com/

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I have been a bit MIA lately. This is not because there is a lack of things to do in our great area, quite the opposite actually. We have been out frequenting the craft fairs, attending the parades, taking advantage of the local retail sales and getting ready for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

I've been lucky enough to have been asked to write a monthly contribution for SNAP Brockville, one of my favorite local publications and am also working hard on Little City Charm Daycare, a joint venture with one of my child guru mentors and close friend. In the midst of all this, our family, like many in our community, has been hit by the flu and have been recovering from that. To say it's been busy is a complete understatement, but I wouldnt trade a moment of it in, as I am truly lucky to have the family, friends and opportunities that have come my way this past year.

As I reflect on 2012, I want to thank everyone who supported my blog, new business and contributions to our wonderful community. I am thankful to have met some new colleagues and friends and for the new experiences I've had while putting my thoughts out there. I am very excited for the year ahead and a few projects Little City Charm has on the go!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As always, keep it local!

The Fabulous Nanny Franny!

It was a Wednesday night,you know -  right in the middle of that mid-week slump. What's for dinner? I have been trying my hand at cooking lately and it hasn't turned out too badly....everyone has survived so far. The night before, my five month old sweet Baby R wouldn't give in and sleep , my two toddlers were up with the sun and frankly, I was exhausted.

About a month ago, we attended the Athen's Cornfest - a huge local success - and won a gift card for a local resturaunt, The Peacock. I had heard great things about their pizza from friends and have been told to try the Chinese food, as there is nothing better around! The lightbulb went off in my head and I decided I would convince Nick that we must go. I think after being my guinea pig for the last few nights, he may have welcomed the change.

Off we went, to the charming village of Athens, which stole my heart previously at the Cornfest,which had provided a welcoming and fun family environment. We unpacked the children and walked into the Peacock, hoping they wouldn't decide to close, seeing us with three small children. I was once a waitress after all, trust me - the sight of my brood would have sent me flying to take a break! Instead, we were welcomed by a lovely woman, who introduced herself to us as "Nanny Franny". Right off the bat, I could tell she had the type of personality that made you swear you were at her kitchen table having dinner. Never in my life have I felt such a warm reception at a resturaunt.

As we looked over the menu, my children were captivated. Looking around and then asking "Where's Franny? What is Franny doing?" They couldnt stop talking with her, and she was just as delighted and captivated with them! I'm not always welcoming of strangers invading my children's space, but I didn't once question Franny or think she was too overbearing. It just seemed natural. She told us tales of her own fabulous grandchildren and her family, took our orders with ease and brought our food so quickly, I was almost sure it was magic.

Once we were done eating, Franny asked if the girls could have jello as a treat for dessert. She brought them out lovely dessert cups topped with whipped cream and pink umbrellas! My kids were putting us up for adoption and moving in. As if that weren't enough first-class service, they were allowed a mini-tour of the kitchen and met the owner and chef, who was just as charming. On our way out, they sent us with a bag of their amazing eggrolls and homemade sauce.

As I go on and on about Nanny Franny and the exceptional service at the Peacock, I should also mention that this restaurant is everything we had heard about and more. It's a small place, not fancy but the food is comforting and delicious. If my waistline was more forgiving, I'd go weekly. With three small children, dining out is sometimes chaotic and not always in the budget , but we enjoyed our experience so much and will absolutely be back! If you are in Athens, or even if you aren't- take the small drive out there, it is worth the trip.

LoLo Enchanted

Fairies in the park. What a magical, whimsical idea. For those of you not familiar, Saturday, September 15 marked the first time for this new local event, which drew a number of families to St. Lawrence park in order to become 'fairies' for the day!

The setting could not have been more picturesque. Upon entering the park, there were colourful wings galore, on everyone in attendance. Girls and boys, even adults of all ages donned their very best magical attire. It had been some time since I had seen St.Lawrence Park so full of people, what a great sight. Down the walkway the tents were filled with local vendors and home-based businesses, selling everything from Epicure to hand-made signs and tutus. There were bean readings, professional fairy pictures and our favourite- fairy houses!

The girls took a seat at the edge of the woods on giant rocks and listened to stories being told by Cheryl Sinfield, the creator of "Faerie Door Workshops" which originated in Perth and was the inspiration for this event. As I watched, it became clear to me that my adorable "LoLo" was enchanted with this event. We had brought along a family friend and met with some other dear friends and their children. The kids gathered and watched as they were shown how to build their very own fairy house from nature's treasures. Twigs, pine cones, leaves, rocks and anything else we could find, were quickly being gathered up to make a home for our fairy friends. Even Nick and his friend Jamie got into the spirit, having a contest and building "fairy condos" and "houses with walk-out basements". Before I realized, Baby R and I were also drawn in - we climbed up the hill and snapped some pics of the fun

 About an hour later, we had finished up and headed to the center of the event, where we planted ourselves at the craft table for a while. It was here, that I met Stephanie Forgues, the host and creator of Fairies in the Park, Brockville. All the children were referring to her as Tinkerbell, as she had a striking resemblance to the character in her own costume. Stephanie also teaches at New Leaf Wellness, a holistic wellness center, here in town. Immediately, I was drawn to her positivity and zest for the outdoors and family life. I thanked her for hosting this amazing fun-packed day and then she was swooped up by a sea of small fairy children who wanted to play with this real-life version of Tink!

Before we knew it, we had spent three hours at the park. With tummies rumbling, it was time for lunch. Quickly we packed it in, headed to Metro for some picnic food and made a quick stop over at Hardy Park for lunch and a play. I'm pretty sure after dropping our friends off, it was only minutes before our girls were fast asleep. What a busy and special day it turned out to be.

We hope that Fairies in the Park, and many events like it will continue to come back to Brockville, as we truly were enchanted!

Sayonara summer, Hello fall fun!

Over the past month we have been so busy, I feel as though I've barely had a minute to sit, write and catch up. There have been so many wonderful places to visit, festivals to attend and of course, the hustle and bustle of every day life. Here's what we've been up too.....

Labour Day weekend was a lot of fun for us. We packed up and headed to Kingston on Saturday. I am usually pretty organized and plan out our weekends well in advance. This tends to irritate Nick sometimes, as he is more of a 'go with the flow' type of guy We threw caution to the wind, made no plans and just drove west. Nick had heard about a cafateria-style resturaunt called The Golden Rooster, on Princess Street. We parked,walked a few blocks and settled in. I had the medium-rare roast beef sandwich, Nick had the chicken pot pie and my oldest had a fruit salad and some fries. Ah, the life and diet of a three year old. The food was great and the ambience reminded me of Schwartz's in Montreal. If you are in Kingston, check it out.

With a great lunch behind us, we headed out for some exploring downtown. Kingston is a stones throw from Brockville and reminds me so much of our beautiful city. I follow a frozen yogurt shop called Menchies on Twitter (@MenchiesKtown) so I had to check it out in person while in town . We found it easily and were excited for a treat after a fabulous lunch, walk and shopping. I loved the lime green backsplash, colourful letters and overall decor. What a fun and welcoming place! Oh, and the froyo was also delish!

Sunday was my turn to "plan" and I had read about North Augusta's Labour Day festivities. We got there in time to grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant called "Woody's"; most of you likely know it at one time as 'Frank's', which has since switched owners. The food is homestyle and you wont go hungry. We took in the car show, the bouncy castles, some of the softball games and a quick play at the park. North Augusta is small town but they know how to throw a great Labour Day festival!

The following week flew by, although that may have been because Spencerville Fair was just around the corner. I have been attending this fair since I was a little girl and my family horse Irish used to lead the parade back in the 80s. The parade and all things associated with the fair make up some of my favourite childhood memories It was only natural that, for the past few years, I have been taking my children. This year, due to the rainy weather we only made it to the parade. As always, it didn't disappoint. Our girls had a ton of laughs, got too much candy and even snuck in a visit with their favorite Auntie Chelle! No rain could dampen our Spencerville Fair spirit!

How did you wrap up summer and what local fall evens do you look forward to each year? Love to hear from you!

Athens' Cornfest a huge hit!

With summer soon coming to an end,  attending The Athens' Cornfest was a great way to celebrate and welcome the approaching autumn. A parade, a steam engine to cook the corn and a ton of local vendors, it was the perfect Saturday morning. Don't worry though, we aren't ready to put away our flip flops just yet!

My three year old was up at 7:00 a.m. and had already picked out her best "Cornfest"outfit. I am not sure she understood where we were going, but she sure was excited! Explaining there would be a lot of outdoor fun, we compromised on a pink ensemble, stowing the tutu for a later date. Once we woke daddy and all got ready, it was off to catch the parade.

Admittedly, it's been awhile since I have been to Athens. Although not far, there is usually not a reason for me to visit this town. Upon arrival, I quickly realized this was a place I'd have to come back to more often. The town has a charm about it, with beautiful hanging baskets lining the thoroughfare and well-kept shops. We could not find a place to park on the main street, so we turned up a side street and thankfully found a spot. Once the strollers were loaded up, we were ready to have some fun!

The first place we stopped was the raffle table for the Elizabethtown-Kitley Firefighters. They had an adorable "firehouse" for kids as the prize. The guys were very friendly, agreeing to smile for my picture and talk to the kids. Who doesn't love a man in uniform? Next up we spotted the always popular "Bouncy Castle". Quickly, my daughter was in line to have her turn. We started to get hungry and headed towards the steam engine that was cooking the local corn. It was delicious, easily the best corn I have had all summer.

 

 

 

 

We continued on to the paintball gun shooting range, Little Ray's Reptiles, checked out the vendors and finally ended up at the pony rides. This was the creme de la creme for my girls. Even my 4 month old was wide-eyed upon seeing the petting zoo and her big sister atop a pony.Everywhere I looked, there were happy families. With our youngest, people stop all the time to adore her cooing and her smiles, today was no exception. There were so many adorable babies and smiles everywhere- we were in good company.

 

 

We left a few hours later, exhausted by all the fun and a bit surprised by what this festival had to offer. Who knew this small-town Cornfest could hold their own with the best of the bigger festivals? A huge congratulations to the Cornfest Chair, Hendrick Pape and his hard working team. Our family had a great day and we hope to attend for many years to come!

Cheap eats & local treats!

Monday night, what’s for dinner? I took to Twitter to find a few ideas using the popular hashtag #WFD  There was nothing that jumped out at me, until I came across local resto, Buds on The Bay and remembered I had a promotional certificate for a free steak dinner. We only had our oldest daughter with us that night (pre-baby Remy's arrival!) and decided to pop in and check out the new menu and use our certificate. 

When we arrived it wasn't busy and we were quickly seated. It soon became clear that everyone had the same idea to jump on-board this fabulous promotion.  Our daughter had the grilled cheese and garden salad from the kids menu, Nick ordered a turkey sandwich on artisan bread with apple slices and a side of soup and I used the certificate and had the 8oz. Steak, mushrooms, rice and asparagus. We didn’t wait long, which was great because we were very hungry. 

The presentation was fantastic, the portions were not sparse and above all the food was delicious! Our picky tot ate most of her dinner, Nick raved about his healthy choice, which made me happy as it didn’t come smothered in gravy and I finished my dinner happily full.  I think Buds hit the nail on the head with this promotion as the restaurant was filling up with patrons as we were heading out.  Every month they have something new to offer and if you are looking for a family and budget friendly dinner out, head down to Buds on The Bay and enjoy!

It seemed to be the week for great dinners and deals. The following Saturday evening, The Augusta Township Volunteer Firefighters held a fundraising pancake dinner at the North Augusta Fire Hall. The cost was $5.00 per person and children were free. 

Along with my grandparents, Nick and I took our oldest and headed out to support the men and women who volunteer everyday to protect us and our community. This is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts, as my father-in-law is a volunteer fireman in Quesnel, British Columbia and has put his life on the line many times over to help others. I also have a few friends who volunteer on the Augusta Fire department so we wanted to come out and show our full support.

It was clear that the small town of North Augusta has big heart. Everyone was out to show their gratitude for their local volunteers. Cars lined the roads and the hall filled up quickly. Upon entering, the smell of fresh, local maple syrup filled the air and the tables were packed with happy families. Sparky the Dog was in attendance greeting the children, which I thought would thrill my daughter. Instead she clung to daddy and waited patiently for her pancakes. Although there was a good turnout, the line moved quickly. So many pancakes, sausages, homemade beans....I couldn’t wait to dig in.We found a free spot, settled in and enjoyed this comfort food treat. Before I realized it, our plates were empty!  

A good friend of mine, who has now dedicated two years to the Augusta Fire Department, came by to say hello and to offer us a tour of the fire truck that was just purchased by the department. We jumped at the chance.  Our oldest, with Daddy in tow quickly climbed into the back of the new truck to check it out. She was in awe of how big the truck was and thought it was very cool to have her own tour. A huge thank you to my friend Jake, who took the time to help us get involved, answer questions and make it important and easy for our three year old to learn about the courage and dedication that our friends, neighbours and family members show when they volunteer with their community fire departments.  If you get the chance, head out and support these wonderful people in their next fundraiser. 

This week we realized there are so many delicious places in the area that don’t require breaking the bank with our growing family! More importantly, these local establishments and events give us an opportunity to experience our community together while still making (somewhat!) healthy food choices. 

p.s. Due to some technology-related hiccups, I was unable to post pics of our great meal or visit to the North Augusta Fire Hall....keep an eye out, I'll share as soon as possible!