suzette roberts

// The New {Staple} On My Weekly Grocery List

A second market carton of blueberries showed up unexpectedly in my refrigerator, eight days ago to be precise. Of course I knew who put them there :), and that most likely it was not intended as breakfast enjoy-as-is fruit. I had planned on taking the carton of small fruit to task within a day or two. But, as we know how plans often go... work got busy, and to be honest, once home, all well-meaning intentions flew out the window and I just wanted to be quiet, relax free n' easy, and listen to my loved serenity music before bedtime. Days went by and I started feeling really guilty with seeing them every time I opened the refrigerator, but couldn't attend to them as important family was now in town for a short time. Finally, last weekend, on doing a quick check and seeing they were still thriving in the enclosed cool (8 days later), I decided to do an encore and dived right in without doing a full ingredients-in-house check. Sooner, rather than later, I was halted in my tracks-- there was no...

// 5 Ways To Everyday Calm Series {Part I}

How are you navigating life these days? Because we all have our little chips and bruises and worries and disappointments (in addition to greater wellness), and can still find our calm balance during our life journey, to kick off our month of March (hello Spring Refresh), I'm sharing 5 ways to everyday calm for wherever you are at to bring more happiness, peace and wholesome joys into everyday living. We all go through stress and strife-- it's what makes our bounties that more bountiful-- overcoming little and larger obstacles, giving us that positive boost, elevating our thoughts, and being able to shine and share that experience and blessing with each other. I hope you will enjoy this 5 part series for more everyday calm, and use it to create a step by step plan that will work for you and your family...

// Frozen Peppermint Hot White Chocolate Shake

{*new frrrozen peppermint hot white chocolate shake made by talented milkshake master, Serena! }

 

Feeling minted. Some days our creature of habit self craze rises and shines in full force and such was the case earlier this week when I hopped into Second Cup for my usual weekly frrrozen hot chocolate. It was no longer listed in its usual lower right hand section of the menu board. Instead, a new menu board was up showcasing mostly hot to warm beverage items on a refreshingly soft, wintry-blue background. At first, I felt a little bummed as we were having such warmer than expected temps on that day at 17 C / 63 F, with our fluctuations this year that frozen-milky-goodness was indeed still-in-style... One entertaining new board conversation later brought on the early-holiday-peppermint-mood, which led to this not-yet-on-the-menu creamy creation: a frrrozen peppermint hot white chocolate shake. It's the little things, always. Coming soon... Thanks Serena!

 

 

Make it at home too...

Ingredients (Serves 2): 2 cups baby ice cubes, 1 cup skim/ your preferred milk, 4 tablespoons white hot chocolate powder/mix (now available at some Second Cups), 2 tablespoons Torani Peppermint Syrup, whipped cream, and 2 tablespoons peppermint candy flakes. // 1. Add ice cubes, milk, white chocolate powder, peppermint syrup and 1 tablespoon of the candy flakes to an ice-crushing blender and blend to a creamy shake texture. 2. Pour into 2 separate glasses and top with whipped cream and the remaining peppermint candy flakes.  Enjoy!~

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

// He said, she said: Wishful Thinking

As we wrapped up a summer workshop week, I wanted to throw out a fun question for a number of reasons. First, to get a feel for what we teachers treasure during our in-school days, second, for us to enjoy a laugh-out-loud moment to close, and third, to bring more internal awareness to all that we manage beyond planning and hands on instructional classroom time, giving additional value to those extra moments within our chosen and often selfless field. These were popular shares... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

// Summer Vay-cay Days 2016

{our colourful crotons kissed by the sun}

 

A little ♫ on-the-water-Latin-beat to set our sails in the right direction for our weekend. Can you hear my Caribbean steel drums in there somewhere?

 

The unthinkable happened, the absolute un-think-able. With meeting my in-bed-by-midnight summer bucket list to-do (for the most part), falling asleep soon after, and enjoying a deep slumber into our later mornings, I now have quite a collection of latter-half movies to finish up. And since I have a very good sense about the ending of these movies, chances are they will remain just that... half-watched. Can you relate? These are the dayz' of summer and we're out and about maximizing on them. It's been a week of frozen leftovers (before the expiration dates strike) with settling back in for a few before it's time to disappear again. That being said, a warm in-the-kitchen, from scratch dish is on the menu tomorrow. I hope you had a great week and cheers to a sunny and full of your-kind-of-fun weekend.  ~xx

 

>>> P.S. 'Great to see this good guy (on and off the screen) back in his hot seat! :)

 

 

{charcoal-grilled chicken teriyaki with avocados}

 

{a little rum therapy to start the vay-cay}

 

 {open-toe season}

 

{new favourite travel treats: here , here , here , and  here }

 

{end of a busy day and now she rests}

 

{middle sister's (Jan) b-day cheesecake; #so-so-good!}

 

{gorgeous front entrance architecture!}

 

{round III: watermelon-berry granita; #kid-friendly version}

 

 

 

 

 

 

// Can You Relate? Funny Commercials

 

While cuddled up in bed at nights enjoying a favourite series or movie, some commercials sure bring out the unexpected laugh out loud moment. Here are two of three that always crack me up and I can so relate with and to... from #sunshine-is-overrated to #cheat-day. There's a third one and for the life of me I can't seem to find where I've stashed it, or quite remember the actual theme, but there are some kiddies involved. And I just had a glass of wine so there will be further delay. Will post once I've found it.  Have a laugh and happy Hump Day! #Update: finally found... that third funny commercial, #no-toy-needed!