By now, most of you know how much I absolutely love this island I now call 'home'.  Apart from being a majestic, magical, peaceful place to live (for those of us who love being in nature and enjoy outdoor activities), Manitoulin Island is home to many incredible small businesses.

I love supporting local businesses.  There's something so special about the love and time small business owners put into their craft.  Whether it be products or services, our household definitely supports local Manitoulin businesses.

One of the newest businesses I have had the pleasure of discovering is BabyBits.ca! I was given a few items to try on Little One.
My little girl  loves the headbands and elastics she was given. Very cute, comfortable, and well made.

Every single item is made lovingly by hand.  When visiting BabyBits.ca, I was shown many different fabrics, shades of material and other items used to create these beautiful headbands! The flowers are all so unique and pretty! I have little secret. I actually use some of the hair ties that were given to Little One!

Here are some beautiful items BabyBits has for little cuties!






I am happy to have been able to interview Bev, the owner of BabyBits.ca.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. 

Since we do live on beautiful Manitoulin Island, I thought it would be wonderful to incorporate a bit of the local flavour and share some Island gems with you. Every week, I'll be showcasing a different Island "must see"!

My very first Island spotlight is the amazing Gypsy Family Farm.

If you've ever visited Manitoulin Island and have stopped by the Farmers' Markets, undoubtedly you'll have met Farmer Ted.

He's the guy with copious amounts of fresh local produce, smiling and always ready to offer suggestions and recommendations of what to buy and how to prepare it! I always love bumping into him at Farmers' Markets. Honestly, his produce is beyond compare! I've bought everything from lipstick red peppers to assorted squash from him. You can tell how much hard work and dedication he puts into his farming!

The group description on Gypsy Family Farm's Facebook page reads:

Put a face on your food. Welcome to Gypsy Family Farm where everything has a story. We are located on pristine Manitoulin Island, Canada and are dedicated to food production through ethical farming practices.

What I love about Gypsy Family Farm and Farmer Ted is that they work tirelessly to provide people with real food. Real, fresh, local food! Farmer Ted posts regular photos of what he's growing and he also offers farm shares to Island residents. Farm share members can get a glimpse of what they are about to receive every week.

Gypsy Family Farm also makes jellies and other good things!  Last year, I picked up some of Farmer Ted's Royal Pain jelly! It is perfect served on top of stone-milled crackers with melted Brie! Oh, so good!

Next time you're at the Farmers' Markets on Manitoulin Island, make sure you stop by and say hello to Farmer Ted. Oh, and make sure to pick up some delicious lettuce, peppers, lettuce, and other Gypsy Family Farm items for a mouthwatering salad made with all local produce! Farmer Ted is fabulous at introducing people to new, interesting, and unusual edible masterpieces (like the "lipstick" red pepper I mentioned earlier or the "crayon carrots" he has).

Photo credits: Gypsy Family Farm and Farmer Ted photos via Google Images. Royal Pain image courtesy of yours truly.

"When a child is ill, the day-to-day joys of the holiday season take a backseat to the rigours of treatment and hospitalization.  Many parents simply do not have the means to celebrate the holidays because they have to reduce their work hours, or leave the workforce entirely to care for an ailing child, says Trevor Dicaire, Starlight Director of Development.

Even on the worst of days, I am reminded of how fortunate and blessed we are. Though our child was in the hospital for the first 70 days of her life, we were able to take home a healthy preemie. We were at the hospital during the holidays and one of the things that touched me the most was the staff in the NICU decorating the NICU and all of the babies' stations and isolettes.  Each baby received a stocking filled with goodies, which made being at the hospital during the holidays a little easier.

I am forever thankful for the kindness of those who donated so that the staff could do something special for all the sick babies and their parents. This is probably why the Starlight Foundation is important to us as well. Though we weren't with the Starlight Foundation, it's still a cause I feel strongly about because of all the work they do for improving the quality of life for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and life-altering injuries.

I'm certain you are familiar with the work of the Starlight Foundation.  They've touched the lives of some of our friends' kids. For this I am thankful for.

Starlight Foundation works hard to support seriously ill children and their families right from diagnosis, through the entire course of medical treatment, and beyond.  Their mission is to bring fun, joy, and giggles where they are needed the most. One of our special angel friends was able to visit his friend Mickey Mouse at Disney World in his last days with his Mommy and Daddy.  That is a special gift - to bring joy to a very sick child.

Until the 9th of December, you can share in the spirit of the holiday season by making a donation to the Annual Starlight Toy Drive.  Spread the holiday cheer and smiles by donating as little as $20 to sponsor a holiday stocking for a Starlight child.

Donations can be made online.

For more information about the Starlight Foundation and what they do, please visit their website.

Many of my readers always ask me the following questions:

"Where is Manitoulin Island?"
"Are you located in British Columbia?"
"How do you pronounce that again?
"Oh, Northern Ontario? Like, are you really north? Is it cold up there?"
"Why would you leave Toronto for a place up north?"
"What is there to do in a place like that?"

I  have to say that I am truly blessed to have been able to leave the rat race and plant new roots in such a beautiful, pristine environment. "The Island" has so much to offer. A Taste of Manitoulin is but one of the many events that takes place on Manitoulin Island. Take a look and see for yourself!



Special thanks to Robert Maxwell of Digital Peasant Media for putting together such a fabulous video. If you are looking for a professional independent contractor (for videography and photography) to tell your story, check out RobertMaxwell.ca! Robert shoots and edits all the videos himself.

Yes, that's me in the first interview. Note to self: This is why one must never leave the house without doing hair and make-up! Gah! I didn't expect to be interviewed. I just wanted to check out the local products and sample all the local fare! I was caught off-guard and sound like a bumbling idiot! Very eloquent speaking for an English teacher!


For another taste of what awaits you on Manitoulin Island, check out Robert's video for Manitoulin Chocolate Works!
Now, don't you want to come visit us on beautiful Manitoulin Island?

I have to admit that I feel really guilty. Why? Well, I love traveling. I love exploring different countries, learning about new cultures, and just taking everything in. Before I turned 25, I had traveled to eleven countries, twenty U.S. states, and only four Canadian provinces.

Yes, only four. Don't get me wrong. I love my country. I guess I've always just taken for granted that it's here for us to explore. When I was younger, I didn't want to go sightseeing in my own "backyard". Now, it seems so appealing. I want to show my daughter just how amazing our country is. I want her to see, feel, and breathe what it is to be Canadian. There are so many stunning spots to visit in Canada. It's now my dream to go coast to coast and see the country I was born and raised in.

If someone gave you $10,000 for your Canadian Dream Vacation, where would you go?

Where would I go? I've been to Quebec and Ontario (those don't count, because I have lived in both provinces). I've also been to New Brunswick and British Columbia. I had a layover in Calgary once, but that doesn't count because I never left the airport!

Like I said, I would go coast to coast and try to see as much of the country as I could. Big on my list are Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Alberta.


There are also eight weekly secondary draws for $500 gift cards to be won! Even if you win one of the weekly draws, you're still eligible to win the $10,000 Grand Prize. You know how some contests are closed to residents of Quebec? Not this one! That's right! Salut, mes amis Quebecois! This contest IS OPEN to all Provinces!! :)

An added bonus? You will get great offers just for entering!

All you have to do is fill out the form on their DREAM BIG CANADA site. After you've entered, you can  share it with your family and friends. By sharing the contest, you can earn multiple entries that will increase your odds of winning.

Contest is going on now and ends December 11, 2011.

In case you are unfamiliar with CentrSource, here is some information about them:

CentrSource brings customers and Sellers together in one convenient online community. What makes CentrSource different from other sites is that CentrSource helps you find products and services in specific areas. Your area! Simply go to centrsource.ca, type in what you’re searching for and enter your postal code. There you go! It’s that easy. No more sifting through thousands and thousands of links that are not suitable or in your search or neighbourhood. This is easy...and fast! Find what you want and what you need - in an instant!

"Earn rewards when you browse

The best part about shopping on CentrSource is our Sellers want to reward you with SourcePoint$ when you request product samples, download a discount coupon, try a new product or whatever else a Seller has to share. Collect your points so you can cash them in on great products at the SourcePoint$ Store. If you find a Seller you really like, simply click 'Follow Seller' and you'll be informed of all of their great Offers - now and in the future. You won't ever miss out on a great opportunity again." {from the CentrSource site}

  DREAM BIG CANADA CONTEST:

• Contest runs October 11, 2011 – December 11, 2011
• Grand Prize $10,000 Canada Vacation Voucher
• 8 weekly secondary prizes of $500 gift cards to be won
• Travel Voucher must be redeemed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012
• Open to all of Canada including Quebec {age of majority}
• Read the rules & regulations

*DISCLAIMER: For helping promote this campaign, I am being compensated for posting.

Looking for the perfect cost-effective Father's Day gift? Then why not book a mini-mini session?! You will get thirty minutes of shooting time for $29 and 4 digital copies and a professional quality 8x10 of your choice.

If you're on Manitoulin Island for Father's Day weekend, Temara Brown Photography is offering photo sessions.

The mini-mini sessions are ideal for those on a budget, but who still want professional photographs that are not your regular cookie-cutter [insert name of big department store] photographs. At $29 for brilliant, one of a kind photographs, you can't go wrong!

Check out her other excellent photo options here.

Every group who orders a shoot will be entered in a draw to win their shoot for free!

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? It's beginning to feel a lot like Summer, and that means spending tons of time outdoors!   

Gordon's Park Eco Resort on Manitoulin Island is offering a Moms and Tots swim every Saturday and Sunday morning for the month of June. Parents have the option of choosing which day they would like to come.


 The four week program is a "free swim", which means moms (or dads!) can go hang out in the water and help their kids get used to being in the water and having fun.  They are not offering swimming "lessons", but giving parents the opportunity to get toddlers comfortable in the water.
The "Moms and Tots" swim is intended for babies and toddlers (and their parent/s).

Each session is one hour and begins at 11AM. Swim pants/swim diapers are required for all babies/toddlers.

The cost for the four week program for one mom and one tot is $28 + tax or pay as you go for $7.50 + tax. $5 for each additional child.

Come on out and enjoy some time outdoors with the kids...and support your local businesses :)

For more information or to book your spot, contact info@gordonspark.com or call 705-859-2470.


Gordon's Park is located at 18777 Hwy 6 Tehkummah, Ontario, P0P 2C0, Manitoulin Island.





Photo of pool at Gordon's Park taken by: Jeffery Widen
Location photo found: flickr

I suffer from a terrible affliction that many moms like me suffer from. The symptoms vary from woman to woman and can present themselves differently and at any given moment. This awful thing I suffer from is called...Mommy guilt.

Yes, Mommy guilt is a terrible, terrible thing to suffer from. I want to be with my toddler all the time. I don't ever like being away from her. I don't want to miss out on any moments of her life. I want to be there to soak up all those precious moments and keep them imprinted in my memory and on my heart.

Having to teach again poses a problem in this "wanting to be with my daughter all the time" thing. It means that I am not with her all the time. I  have to work. I have to prepare for lessons, plan, correct homework, etc. Then I have to come home and divide my time with toddler and household chores. The farm is demanding, the household chores are demanding, the toddler is demanding.

I get burnt out and need a few moments to myself to regroup and recharge my batteries. Like many moms know, this is a challenge. I go to Zumba classes and soon rehearsals for the play will resume. I try to do things for me every now and then. That's when the Mommy guilt hits.

However, the time has come that I now realize just how important time for myself is. One of my best friends told me, "All you need is once a month. Promise me that you will go out, do something for yourself, get your hair styled, get a manicure, go shopping for yourself...just once a month. That's all it takes. Once a month."

Thus came the birth of Girls' Night. My sista friend, Artsy Teacher Mom and I decided to plan a girls' night and invite all the moms we know who could use a break. We work hard, we take care of our families, we're exhausted, and some moms are at home with children all day and never get to leave the house.

We hosted our first Girls' Night at my house last night and it was a huge success! Artsy Teacher Mom also hosted a Silpada party since we had the girls there. We had two blenders going with Margaritas, Pina Coladas, and Strawberry Daiquiris. There was wine and non-alcoholic drinks as well. The spread was pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. Artsy Teacher Mom and I are all about serving our guests scrumptious and delectable food. I think the show stopper was the Ultimately Chocolate cake bombs!

It was a fabulous evening. The energy from the women in attendance was amazing. I haven't laughed so hard in ages! I can say that I felt recharged, rejuvenated, uplifted, and fantastic. The party was such a huge success, that Artsy Teacher Mom and I are planning on hosting a girls' night once a month. Each month will have a different theme. Next up is facials and the month after we'll be making our own bath bombs out of Epsom salt and essential oils!

When I opened my e-mail this morning, my inbox was inundated with an overwhelming number of messages thanking us for the amazing night. All the women said that it was something that they needed and were looking forward to the next get together.

I am so glad we did this! And, I don't feel the least bit guilty.

P.S. Hubby, my ESL student, and Little One were sent over to Artsy Teacher Mom's house for the evening. Along with The Carpenter's Wife's husband and Artsy Teacher Mom's husband, the men had their "men's night"... and took care of the kids!







No photos of the party, since I was too busy hosting! :)

This blog entry is cross-posted over here.

 If  you're anything like me, you make a huge deal out of your kids' milestones. If you think of it, these developmental building blocks are so important and so special. Being able to witness them firsthand is a remarkable experience.

My friends and family get all the Facebook updates on Little One...whether they like it or not! :)
* First time holding her head up on her own!
* First time rolling over on  her own!
* First word
* First time sitting up on her own
* First time crawling
* First time walking on her own
* First time feeding herself
* First time drinking from a sippy cup
* First round of immunizations
* First bout of pneumonia

You get the picture.

Thanks to Cheerios and Mom Central Canada, I was able to host a Cheerios Milestones Party. To be honest, the party didn't pan out the way I had planned it to. With teaching and all the craziness that has happened in the recent weeks (Hubby and I got sick and then Little One had pneumonia), I wasn't able to host the party I had envisioned. Instead, we had it during play group (thanks to Toy Library for letting me host it there). It was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast and enjoyed their free swag.


 I asked the moms for permission to post photos of the kids in all their Cheerios glory. Check them out! What great motor skills they are demonstrating! They made Cheerios necklaces and bracelets. Threading licorice through Cheerios is not an easy task for a toddler! It takes a great deal of patience and manual dexterity, which are both at times challenging for toddlers.

 Of course, my kid decided that Cheerios were better for eating than for making jewelry out of!




 The kids had story time and the Cheerios Play Book was read to them. Initially, I was going to have a draw and give one child a copy of the Cheerios Play Book. Since it didn't seem fair for just one child to win and for me to not give all the kids a Cheerios Play Book, I donated the book to Toy Library. That way, all the kids can enjoy the fun, colourful, interactive book.
I realize just how important a role Cheerios plays in the development of young children. Cheerios is often times a toddler's first finger food because the small ring shaped cereal is helps with manual dexterity and motor skills. They also get soft and practically dissolve when wet, so that makes them a safer choice for a toddler's first finger food.

Cheerios was Little One's first solid food when she "graduated" from pablum and pureed baby food. From speaking to many other moms, it's the same with their kids! I never realized how important a role Cheerios plays in the development of young kids.

Thank you again, Cheerios and Mom Central Canada! Moms and Dads, don't forget to enter your child in the Cheerios Milestones Contest! Simply submit a photo of your child's Cheerios milestone! You can win $10,000 toward an RESP (co-sponsored by TD-Canada Trust) and have your child's photo featured on a special edition box of Cheerios! Contest ends December 15th, 2010 - 11:59pm EST.


Disclosure - I am participating in the Cheerios Milestones program by Mom Central on behalf of General Mills. I received a gift card as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Sometimes I think of Little One's first 70 days of life and all the memories of life in the NICU return. Though each day was a roller coaster ride, her life in the NICU was nothing compared to the experiences of some other precious babes and their parents.

Many of you know that because of our experience with Little One being in the NICU, we will always support Mount Sinai Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital, and we will always be grateful to the team of medical experts who took care of Little One.

When we heard of Bennett-Chadlen-Roy's story, it hit close to home. Though his story was quite different from ours, it really had an impact on us. We knew we had to help out in some way and help parents with babies in the NICU.

It meant a lot to us to be able to befriend and help out Bennett's Mom, Melissa Dawn Roy in her latest project (the Nimkee Blessings Benefit Concert). What amazing work she is doing in helping other parents and families with babies in the NICU.

Check out her blog and see how you can help.

P.S. Thanks for the shout out, Melissa!

Ever since Little One's birth, Mount Sinai Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital have had a special place in our hearts. Without the two hospitals (and our local hospitals on the Island and in Sudbury), Little One probably would not be where she is today...

Happy.
Healthy.
Alive.
Here with us today.

Thanks to the medical team and staff at both hospitals, Little One is doing great and after spending the first 70 days of her life in the NICU, she is at home and in our arms.

I recently heard about another Island mom whose infant son was also in the NICU (but at Sick Kids). During her pregnancy, a blood test showed that her son had *Trisomy 13. He only lived a few days.

Reading the family's story just sent me into a crying fest. I remember all too well what it was like to live in fear that something would happen to the baby was I was carrying inside me. I remember the worry, anxiety and fear I felt every single day that I was in the NICU. I maintained a positive outlook on things, but those feelings and concerns were real. I totally sympathized with the mother who lost her son too soon. Melissa Dawn Roy is a wonderful, strong, spirited mother and has continued to do what she can for those who helped her son in his first and last moments with her.

Through Project Sweet Peas, Melissa has been working on numerous projects in honour of her son, Bennett. The most recent fundraiser is a benefit concert in Bennett's honour. The most touching this is that 100% of proceeds go towards the NICU at Sick Kids and helping families with babies in the NICU.

Please come and show your support. It's for a good cause.

For concert information or other ways you can show your support, click on the following links:

http://projectsweetpeas.com/NimkeeBlessings.aspx
http://nimkee-blessings.blogspot.com/
http://nimkee-blessings.blogspot.com/p/introducing-bennett.html

NIMKEE BLESSINGS & INTRODUCING BENNETT

SUNDAY, SEPT 5th at Gordon's Park (18777 Hwy 6), Tehkummah, Manitoulin Island! We will have lots of great entertainment for young and old alike, & fun things for the kiddies to do!

ALL PROCEEDS go to helping families with babies in the SICK KIDS HOSPITAL NICU in Toronto, Ontario.


*Trisomy 13 syndrome is a disorder of human chromosomes which occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 live born infants. Trisomy 13 is due to the presence of an extra #13 chromosome. Possible complications: Heart defects, brain defects, cleft lip, cleft palate. The most severe are visual abnormalities, omphalocele, Proboscis and holoprosencephaly.(Source: http://www.livingwithtrisomy13.org/what-is-trisomy-13.htm)

Every summer, theatre goers on the Island (and in surrounding areas) look forward to the dazzling performances by the Burns Wharf Theatre Players. The Players have performed in H.M.S. Pinafore, Broadway and Beyond, and Pirates of Penzance. This year's feature is Gilbert and Sullivan's Iolanthe.

Many people have asked, "Io-who???"

Iolanthe is quite possibly one of the lesser known of all the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. It's actually one of my favourites.

Iolanthe, a fairy responsible for arranging all the fairy dances and songs, committed the ultimate fairy sin. She married a mortal! *gasp* The Fairy Queen sentenced her to death, but lessened her punishment to banishment for life on the condition that she left her husband and never communicated with him again.

The fairies in the fairy band miss Iolanthe tremendously and plead with the Queen for her return.

Iolanthe is truly a magical must see event! As with any Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, there is satire. The aristocracy, the political party and political system get a good dose of satire and being poked at. The play is rich with song and dance. The costumes are breathtaking. With a band of eternally youthful fairies, a bunch of bumbling peers/the House of Lords, the Lord Chancellor, and a plot that thickens (hint: The story involves a half-fairy/half-mortal shepherd who vies for the love of an Arcadian shepherdess, who has also received the attention of the peers!), you know that there will be lots of laughs and twists in the plot. Curious about this half-fairy/half-mortal individual? You'll have to come see the play to find out more!

Performance dates:
June 10-12, 17-19 and July 20-23 8PM
Burns Wharf Theatre, Manitowaning

For tickets, call the Box Office @ 859 3808

June 11 and 19 are sold out! Get your tickets now before the rest of the performances are sold out!