suzette roberts

// Dark Deviled Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream

Chocolate, upon chocolate, upon chocolate... taking this month's official new flavour: Dark Deviled Chocolate Fudge into the world of our young children. Back in the day, I was always amazed with our boys' never-ending desire to add more and more chocolate syrup to their already very generous scoop(s) of chocolate ice cream, making a dark potion of some sort with the added syrup, and enjoying it to the very last drop, straws optional. And not to mention the not surprizing double-layer chocolate birthday cake request, each and every year to go along with... you guessed it, chocolate ice cream of course. It's in the DNA. :) To kick off a fresh new year of frozen flavours, celebrating our kids and this month's National Bittersweet Chocolate Day (and because Valentines is also right around the corner), I happily dived into this decadent treat with a focus on its traditional beginnings using just bittersweet (dark) chocolate, and lots of it, to create this deeply rich and indulgent dessert... A few behind-the-scenes photos of its early in-the-making days after the jump. Have a luxurious weekend. ~xo

// Hello December!: Maintaining Our Classroom Team Spirit

Hello December(!) and what a year it's been!!

First up, on a very happy and celebratory note, I have to share (if you are not already in the know)... our Official NORAD Santa Tracker is up and busy and yep our kids (and many of us teachers, shamelessly) are always in... :)

 

Wow! I don't think we can overdo our exclamation marks for the year that has just evolved with all of it's happenings, and well-needed changes along the way looking back on our last 12 months. Now that my work in Education has transitioned into webinars, compliance, and research, I still reflect quite often with a huge smile, much laughter, grace, and gratitude on those super-busy hands on years in the classroom, and with our various well-structured learning centers. If I were to choose just one word to describe what makes a classroom (or group) soar to incredible heights and goodness that transcends outwards into the larger world, it would be 'Respect'... respect for our individual selves, respect for those who we serve: our families, friends, business relations, and in general, each other. Once we are committed to this very wholesome and defining principle, the rest is easy, as it lends itself to kindness, doing the right thing, and living a life that we can look back on with appreciation, fulfillment, and feel that lightness, lift, and healthy inner elegance we are meant to have in our everyday lives...

// Holiday Gift Ideas {for} Our Amazing Kids

They sure amaze us and oftentimes when we may least expect it... After so many decades being with them and around them, in and out of our many classrooms and learning centers, we're still inspired to be and to do the best we can in showing and sharing a world of kindness, goodness, and love for each other. A few holiday gift ideas for our wonderful kids... 

 

01. Create your own customized mini garden in a jar that glows at night.

02. Limited Too at-home cozy cotton tees.

03. The rave this year with girls: L.O.L Surprise! Tots Ball Doll assortment.

04. Sparkling Shamballa bracelets.

05. Boys' cotton-cashmere half-zip sweater from J. Crew.

06. Perfect for kids who love science: 4M Crystal Growing Experiment.

07. Sweet Orange Vanilla Foaming Bubble Bath indulgence.

08. Love this book: Code 7: Cracking the Code for an Epic Life.

09. Chalk Talk Toy: let's kids doodle, write and play tic-tac-toe.

10. Franklin NHL Mini Hockey Goal Set.

11. Automatic Magic Deck Trick Marked Cards for fun.

12. Petite Open Circle Peridot birthstone earrings (14k White Gold).

 

 

// Three Lovely Things

On this our beautiful no-blues Monday after a longer and very well-rested in clean air weekend (anymore and I'd probably be in a coma :)) thanks to our amazing family Doc, here are three lovelies from the wild (in some shape or form) I'm currently loving... First up, The Lion King Official Teaser Trailer from Walt Disney Studios which opens in theatres next year (July 19th), is out and I literally ran from the kitchen, hands wet from washing dishes when I heard the beautiful soundtrack beginnings on the tele a few days ago. The faraway music and precious animals take my breath away each and every time. More things to look forward to in 2019. :) And more lovelies after the jump...

// Homemade Kale Chips (Road Trip Snacking)

To say I've been wanting to make this delicious, crunchy and healthy fresh kale snack for over a year now, would be an understatement. There was lots of busy with new and exciting creative avenues that required some serious time-investment, hence the delay. But, as the saying goes... things happen in their own time and at the right time, and back then there was also lots going on with kale and I held back until I felt really good with indulging in this simple (get our kids involved too) recipe. It pays to wait and we're really enjoying all the spicy twists one can travel with this fun and easy road trip snacking treat. Happy Father's Day to our amazing dads and grands on Sunday, and happy early weekend! Music and more after the jump... ~xx

// Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors

A little cheer for our Monday and possible new week back into it... Immerse and merge your entire being with the colorful and mood-metamorphosing world of mirrored-rooms, an installation by Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama. I got took the time to enjoy two plus hours immersed in her expansive creativity of 'Infinity Mirrors' early last month, at our relaxing AGO, and what a lovely added lift to an otherwise on-the-move day. Each room and space captures a new mood that is instantly relatable-- striking, powerful, deeply-reflective and ultimately transcending, to the quiet observer. At now 89 years, Ms. Kusama continues to find peace, joy and a happy balance with her colourful work and world of dots, and being able to share her delight with others. :) #inspired A few favourites of her work from over the years (1965 - 2016) after the jump...