Anyway, an argument almost ensued, since friend #2 became offended. She felt that friend #1 was giving a personal attack on her life choices since she became a wife and mother.

In all fairness, I think we were all a little defensive. Friend #1 said that she couldn't understand how anyone would want to get 'tied down' and have to slave over a husband and family. She boasted about how she never cooks and how much easier it is to get a nice guy to take her out for a meal than to have to cook and wash dishes afterward. Though she enjoys hosting dinner parties, most of the food she serves is store-bought or catered. Friend #2 was still fuming at this point. She thought friend #1 was belittling her decisions and choice of lifestyle. We did find out one common thread through the heated debate though. Both women didn't cook homemade meals. Friend#2 said that she is so busy with running after her babies and trying to keep the house in order, that she doesn't have any time to waste in the kitchen to prepare meals. Most meals are fresh...from a box, bag or can. She swears by frozen meals that just get popped into an oven for 30 mins and she has the pizza delivery on speed-dial.

I totally understand how chaotic, hectic and crazy things get for both my friends. I'm a little like friend#1 and a little like friend#2. I'm not single and I can't just take off whenever I want. I am married, but we don't have kids of our own yet. I do know how exhausting things get with everything that goes on with having a family and people who depend on you. We have international students who live with us and that in itself is very tiring sometimes. Trying to juggle teaching, curriculum planning, maintaining the house, the garden, helping hubby with the wood business and the farm (though, he does the bulk of things)...and having to think of what to cook...that can all get a little crazy sometimes. I totally agree that a woman has no time to be slaving for hours in the kitchen. Hubby's used to homecooked meals and I love cooking. Because I don't have tons of time (I also tutor after supper), I've devised a slew of meal plans and recipes that don't take up a lot of time. I love effortless (yet seemingly painstaking to prepare) meals! To me, that's impressive.

At Baby Bro's girlfriend's parents' house, his girlfriend's mom made a dish called a "Wife Saver". It's a breakfast casserole that is super easy to make and not time consuming at all...hence the name! I'm going to post the recipe so that everyone can enjoy it. Real women CAN cook. All we need is a few tricks up our sleeves to make things easier and quicker. Even the busiest of us can spare a few minutes to make a dish. This said, I always keep a family sized frozen lasagna in the freezer for those nights when I'm too exhausted to cook! ;)

I didn't get a photo of just the Wife Saver, but you can sort of see it in the above photo. It's on the counter in a big dish. Baby Bro's girlfriend is hovering over it.

WIFE SAVER RECIPE (breakfast casserole)

Pit stop somewhere. I think it may be Gravenhurst, but I'm not sure. My Korean student (P1) and my dad.

I always pass The Big Apple on my way to K-town and Montreal. Rarely do I stop in though. This time, we decided to take a break, do the touristy thing and even buy an apple pie.

Did you know that The Big Apple is only 10,631 Km from Seoul, Korea?

Inside the Big Apple Bakery/Factory, watching the workers make the pies.

Lots and lots of pies!!! You can smell all the yummy goodness as soon as you enter the building.

These things scare me. I'm sure I used to love them as a kid, but I haven't had one in over 20 something years. Seriously! I'm sometimes tempted, but every time I think I want one, I remember that I broke a tooth on one of those babies when I was a kid!!

The Big Apple from the highway.

Finally in K-town. Here's Grumpy Gramps and Kenny. Dad called dibs on holding the baby. No fair.

Can he possibly be any cuter???

Kenny and his Daddy.

Downtown Kingston.

I was craving enchiladas! They may not look very appetizing, but they were gooooooooood.

We ate at Baby Bro's place of employment. If you ever eat there, his work name is Hombre.

Back with Kenny. We can't get enough of the little guy!

Okay, I admit it. I hardly put him down all weekend. Horrible. I know.

Kenny's baptism. Godparents and soon-to-be husband and wife in the background.

LOL! It's like that scene in The Lion King. Don't you think so too?

On our way home from K-town on Sunday, we had lunch at Baby Bro's girlfriend's parents' farm. I've never seen a farm like this before!!!

P1 is so lucky to always be eating such good food!

P1 with Baby Bro and C. C's mom is in the background and you can see a bit more of their gorgeous farm! Funny how Baby Bro and I have partners from rural areas, since we have always lived in the city.

Doesn't their place look like it's out of Home and Garden magazine or something?

After a long drive home, we arrived on the Island around 2 AM! We were exhausted. P1 had school and had to get up for the school bus at 7AM. I also had our Island Singers practice in the evening. I was beat!

Look who was waiting for me to return though! Sweet!

Family

Now for another plug for my familia!!! My sista-in-law's sista painted one of these babies for our little nephew's baptism gift. Her kids' paintings are really taking off right now! Her animal paintings are super hot...especially in the Ottawa region! This is not the first time I've talked about Melanie's paintings. I mentioned her baby farm animal line of paintings last time. This time she's got a new line out and it's her safari series! What a great way to add a splash of colour to a nursery, kid's bedroom or play room! Get your Melanie Bailey Creation today!

Yesterday, we decided to have some 'family time' and go to the beach. My favourite beach on the island has white sand, turquoise water and an incredible view. Yesterday, Hubby introduced me to a different spot. This beach was a bit rocky, but as Hubby says, it's perfect for taking the doggy. We don't have to worry about him bringing in too much sand and messing up the vehicle. He can just shake off and hop into the truck. Check out how pretty the water is! Sooooooo clear!!!

Chance is a water baby. He just loves swimming. You'd be surprised, since he doesn't look like the type of pup that would enjoy trips to the beach. Here are some pics of our afternoon at the beach!Here's our attempt at a family photo. Of course, I'm the only one taking it seriously (as usual)! Hubby's making funny faces at the camera and Chance is being squirmy because he'd rather be playing with rocks!! Will we ever get a nice photo of all of us looking normal?? Notice the plastic baggies in my pocket? LOL! A responsible doggy mama always has plastic bags in one pocket and doggy biscuits in the other! ;)

My student, P1 looking in awe as Hubby wins the stone skipping contest. 5 skips on that throw! Chance is making that "Awww...Do we have to go home now???" face. Bye bye, beach! See you soon!

Lastly, a pic for Lotus. Back on the farm with the bovine babies. See the spotted calf? Cute, eh?