Monthly Musings: Summer 2026 Preview

I almost had this post ready in time for Monthly Musings this past Thursday but I just needed to finish a few things. Thus, I'm posting this on a Sunday so I don't miss the link up. We're looking ahead to what Summer 2026 holds for us. Patty, who blogs at Good, Better, Best, hosts this link up so you can go there to read the other posts.

1) Tell us about your Memorial Victoria Day Weekend.

Well, I live in Canada so we don't celebrate Memorial Day. However, the third Monday in May we get off for Victoria Day, also know as the "May 2-4" weekend! This year for Victoria Day weekend we celebrated Tessa's graduation from teacher's college, we hosted Dave's parents for supper, and we finished setting up our guest room. It was not very exciting :)

2) What were your summer jobs when you were younger?

My dad owned a garden centre and tree nursery when I was growing up so my summer jobs were working there -- I worked in the fields, in the office, and in the greenhouse. Other than that, I babysat sometimes.

3) Ice cream or popsicles? Favourite flavours?

I really like ice cream but homemade popsicles (lemonade and some fruit) are pretty good too!

4) What do you like on your burgers and hot dogs?

I like BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles on burgers and ketchup and relish on hot dogs. And all my burgers and hot dogs are vegetarian.

5) Beach, lake, or mountains?

I like them all! Sadly, I don't know if we'll hit any of these things this summer. Boo.

6) Share any travel for summer 2026.

After a few years of not being able to go in the summer, we're heading to one of our favourite places this summer!!! Whoooo hooo!!!

7) Do you visit amusement parks in the summer? Tell us your favourite.

Even though we have a really big amusement park not that far from us, we all dislikes rides. Thus, we never go to amusement parks.

8) Do you enjoy dining outside in the summer?

YES!!! I eat as many meals as I possibly can outside in the summer. I start with drinking my morning coffee-hot chocolate outside, and often have a drink midday too!

9) Favourite summer beverage?

Anything my Dad makes! Hahahaha!!! He makes a really great G&T and we love to experiment with other possibilities! I currently have some rhubarb in my fridge which I'm going to turn into rhubarb syrup for a drink we invented one summer -- a St Petersburg Burro. It's a Moscow Mule made with rhubarb syrup and it's yummy!!!

10) Favourite side dish for summer parties? Please feel free to share recipes.

I really like a chickpea salad recipe I got from a dietitian at our grocery store quite a few years ago. Take 1-2 cans of chickpeas and rinse them. Toss them in a bowl with a good sized grated carrot, a good handful (around 1 cup, maybe) of chopped cucumber, a chopped pepper or two (I often use a combination of red, orange, or yellow ones), chopped feta cheese (again, around a cup?), 2-3 chopped green onions, and a good handful (10-15) of mint leaves -- chopped up. Mix 1/2 lemon juice and 1/2 olive oil together. (I use maybe 1/2 cup of each). Add 1 tsp cumin and 1 tsp honey. Mix together and pour over the salad. This salad usually lasts us about 5 days in the fridge and I really love it.

Writing about all these things makes me really excited for summer! Sadly, I still have a month of work left, and the kids have a month of school, but we're getting closer! Bring it on!!!

Monthly Musings: Spring Holidays And Fun

I always love linking up with Monthly Musings and today is all about one of my favourite things -- SPRING!!! I have to keep reminding myself it is still "early spring" and that really, nicer spring weather is coming, right?!? Patty, who blogs at Good, Better, Best, hosts this link up so you can go there to read the other posts.

1) Does it feel like spring yet where you are?

My first response was "no" because, while we have had a couple of nice days, it has mostly been cooler days where we still need mittens and winter jackets. However, the snow is mostly gone and I have to remind myself we are in "early spring." Therefore, "yes" it does feel like spring -- just not the nice warmth and sunniness of spring which I really love!

Me, last year on a forest walk. I'll be able to start these in a couple of weeks (I hope!) 

2) What spring holidays do you celebrate?

We celebrate Easter and Passover. The first seder is on Wednesday and then Easter kicks off with Maundy Thursday the next day. Some years they overlap a lot more, like the year Sam's birthday, first seder, and Good Friday were all on the same day. Oof.

 

We also celebrate the unofficial holidays of "Opening Day for MLB" (specifically the day the Jays play their first game), and "First Day of Outdoor Laundry Hanging!" I recognize those holidays are very specific to our family/me!!!

 

3) Any spring trips planned?

We'll go to baseball games! Does that count as "spring trips"?!?

4) Favourite foods to eat and share for spring holidays?

I really love the first BBQ of the season, which can usually happen around Easter.  I make potato salad and usually chickpea salad and it's such a treat. I also love matzoh ball soup for Passover.

  

5) Are there any spring festivals in your area?

Nope, but I'm looking for them! You know I'd be attending them if I found one!

6) Best spring allergy relief tip.

One year a blog friend recommended Flonase. Last year, Rachel and I were suffering so badly I went to the drug store and came home with two bottles. That made spring much more pleasant last year.

 

7) What makes you think, "Ok, now it's finally spring."?

The day when I get home from work and can read outside in the afternoon with a Coke. Also, when I can plant pansies in my window boxes. I also love the day I can leave my winter jacket at home and ditch my winter boots. I can usually wear shoes long before I can wear my spring jacket.

 

8) Spring rain ... love or dislike?

I usually "love" a spring rain, as long as it's not too chilly. It feels like it's washing away the last of the winter dust and grime and everything just feels fresher afterwards.

9) Special spring holiday dessert or treat?

After our March Break to Florida where we ate a ton of Key Lime Pie, that dessert is now tied to spring for me. It's green, it's tart, it's not too heavy. I love it!

 

10) Favourite spring cocktail or mocktail?

I really love a G&T or any specialty drink at a Blue Jays game! Spring is also when we pull out the ice maker and I have Coke with ice and some lime juice. It's so yummy!

So that's a little bit about spring, and what marks that season at our house. Spring is a little topsy turvy this year because we're settling back into our house after the reno and so some of our (my) favourite traditions, like the first laundry hanging day (!!!), haven't been able to happen yet. But you can be certain that I will be celebrating them when they do!

 

Happy Spring!!!

Monthly Musings: Ways We Make Our Weeks Easier

It's the last Thursday Saturday of the month so it's past time for Monthly Musings which is now hosted by Patty, who blogs at Good, Better, Best. You should join in on this link up because it's super fun!

1) Paper planner, digital calendar, or other option?

I bought a paper planner for a few years, and didn't use it, so in 2026 for the first time, I didn't buy one. Gasp. However, in August 2016 we visited the world's first Target in Minneapolis-St Paul and I bought a reusable monthly calendar. I think it was meant for teachers but we've used it as our family calendar for years. We all count on it and, as we've had nowhere to put it during our reno, our lives have been a little upside down these past few months. I can't wait until we can count on it again.

Each person has a different colour to help with a quick visual check.

 

2) Meal planning, meal prep, or wing it?

I started meal planning when Sam was a baby and haven't looked back since. Sometimes we throw the plan out the window and eat out, or have leftovers, but it really is a lifesaver. Again, we all look at the meal plan and know what's on the menu. Before our reno, our meal planning happened on a notepad on the fridge, but since we've started the renovation, we've resorted to a shared "note" in the Notes app on our phones. I think we'll probably go back to paper after the reno as it's easier to look at.

 

Various menu planning pads throughout the years. 

3) Do you choose your outfit the night before?

I don't really. I kind of have an idea of what I want to wear based on the weather, and what's on my "I've worn it once" pile in my closet, but I don't have a firm outfit picked.

4) Tips for managing laundry and ironing?

I manage ironing by not doing it! Hahaha!

In terms of laundry, I'm usually on top of it, but given our reno, everything is up in the air. I try to do laundry on Wednesdays (when I'm home in the evening) and then on the weekends.

5) Grocery shop instore or online?

I've never gotten into the habit of online grocery shopping. The first time I tried it, it just seemed really complicated. Maybe I would be more into online ordering if Dave didn't do the bulk of our weekly shopping!

6) Best tips for getting out the door in the morning without chaos?

Leave before everyone else does! Hahaha! (Aren't my tips so useful?!?!) I have to leave for work around 7:30 and the kids are just waking up then so it helps me get out the door. Plus Dave has a flexible work schedule so he helps with packing lunches. I try to get the kids moving before I have to leave, but really, the bulk of the work is up to Dave after I've left.

7) Share your easiest dinners for crazy weeks.

Our family loves grilled cheese and tacos. We also eat a lot of tuna melts or tuna noodle casserole. Really, meal planning helps with the crazy weeks because we know we'll have very little time to cook, we pick an easy meal, and we divide tasks up ahead of time.

8) Best tips to keep your house organized during the week?

It's so funny answering these questions while most of our house is being renovated. We are the complete opposite of organized right now! Hahahaha!!! We do try to put things away as we use them/as they come into the house so that we don't have a lot of mess, most of the time. I know that I feel more frazzled when our space is chaotic.

9) Share your easiest breakfast.

I'm not a huge breakfast person so I mostly like "grab and go" breakfasts. If I can make muffins, I love having those on hand but otherwise I take a breakfast pita. I toast it in the morning and eat it (cold) sometime between 9:30 and 11, depending on the day. If it's a lazy weekend morning at home, I really like half a bagel toasted with cream cheese.

10) Share your best overall tip not covered yet.

Doing a major home renovation is not a good way to make your week easier! Hahahaha!!! Otherwise, I really think having routines that everyone in the house knows makes it easier to keep things organized. The kids look at the menu plan and the monthly calendar as often as we do, and they are the ones pushing me to complete it when it's not done. That actually makes me really happy because I know they use it too.

Even though we're not at our planning/organizing best right now, I really do love a good routine or tip to make life a little easier. I'm looking forward to reading the other posts in this link up. And I think it's hilarious that I was not organized enough this week to get this posted in a timely fashion, so you know, take my tips with a grain of salt!

Monthly Musings: Winter Fun/Valentine's Day

It's the first Monthly Musings of 2026. I'm so excited that Holly, who blogs at Pink Lady, and Patty, who blogs at Good, Better, Best, are continuing this in 2026. I really love this link up. Thanks for hosting such a fun blog party each month Holly and Patty!

Edited to add: I didn't realize Holly was no longer hosting. Thank you for the time you gave to this link party. Patty -- thank you for continuing to host it. I love this round up. 

 1) Describe your winter so far in one word.

Intense. We've already surpassed our regular annual snowfall for the year. We're in a extremely cold spell (going down to -30C (-22F) with windchill) which is unusual for Ontario. We've had two full school closure days in the past three weeks -- it's just been an "intense" winter thus far. And I know it's far from over. *deep breaths, deep breaths*

 

2) What winter activities have you never tried but want to.

Winter swimming. I've been reading about this practice in places like Norway and Finland and I am intrigued. Living in Canada, and the parts of Canada where I've lived, I've had the opportunity to do so many things. I'm taking the time with this question to talk about some of them.

 

Feeding birds on a forest walk and going in a sauna (or hot tub) and then jumping straight into the snow!

 

Kick sledding, downhill skiing, and tobogganing.

 

Skating (both on regular rinks and through a forest) and snow shoeing.

I've also played on a hockey team, gone curling, and been on a snowmobile. 

But I've never gone "winter swimming" and I feel like I'm missing out! 

3) Favourite winter beverage.

Coffee-hot chocolate with Kahlua and whipped cream!

4) Least favourite winter chore.

Shoveling the driveway after the snow plow has gone by. The snow is super heavy and my arms hurt for a few days afterwards. Yuck.

 

5) Soup or chili? Share a recipe if you would like.

My favourite soup ever is Cream of Carrot-Cheddar Soup. Bonus: the kids like it too and it makes excellent leftovers. You can find the recipe here.  

 

6) Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, both or neither.

I do like both kinds of chocolate but, except for rare occurrences, I just don't love chocolate as much as I used to. I'm usually always up for a Lindt ball though and the dark chocolate ones are my favourite! 

 

7) Share your galentine's or Valentine's Day plans.

I should probably make some. We're getting more low key about Valentine's Day as the kids get older and it might be even moreso this year. 

 

8) Do you dress festive for Valentine's Day?

I don't. I always think I want the heart sweater I see on other blogs but I still haven't bought myself one and there must be a reason why... 

 

9) Do you make any sweet treats for Valentine's Day?

No, and we especially won't this year as we still won't have a kitchen. (I sound like a real Valentine's Day downer, don't I? I think I just really don't have the energy for it this year and I'd rather show love consistently all year round.)

I'm sure there's a Valentine's metaphor in the photo with droopy, unwatered tulips on my heart tablecloth, but this also sums up how I feel about Valentine's Day this year!  

 

10) What is your love language?

 Probably acts of service. I love when people do something kind or nice for me and I love being able to show my love in this way.

So those are my thoughts on the first Monthly Musings of 2026. I never thought I'd be more into winter than Valentine's Day but it looks like I'm still learning and growing! Hahaha!!!

 

If you didn't link up, share one winter activity that you'd like to try. Maybe you'll inspire me to have a new "winter activity dream"!