Whether it’s for the Big Game (like the Super Bowl) or just a family dinner, comfort food like chili is a perfect winter meal! The great thing about cooking chili is that anything goes!
5 Easy Chili Recipes
Tight Budget Family Vacation Ideas
According to a recent Trip Advisor survey, 92 percent of families are planning a vacation this year — up from 88 percent in 2009. If your family is on a tight budget, and you don’t think you can join this 92 percent, think again! You see, if you plan well, and use the following tips and ideas for cheap family destination spots, you too, can have some great and memorable family trips. Start your Family Vacation Scrapbook this year!
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Guelph
Should We Be Concerned About the Changes in Canadian Weather?
March marks World Meteorologist Day, and I would like to ask a Meteorologist, “Should I be concerned about the changes in weather as foreshadowing natural disasters here in Canada in the future for ourselves and our children?” What is really happening to our ‘normal’ Canadian weather and does the forecast look bleaker in the coming years? Or, more importantly, is the weather really changing, or does it just appear that way according to the media?
Red Velvet Pancakes for Your Special Valentine
Since we celebrate Valentine’s Day (of which I recently heard someone call “Single’s Awareness Day”!) on February 14th and Pancake Day on February 17th this year, I thought it would seem logical to have a recipe that is relative to both of these commemorations.
Valentine’s Day and Pancake Day both have their roots in demonstrations of love, and the idea that we must show another the love that is in our hearts. So, this recipe is well suited.
These red velvet pancakes are surprisingly simple, super festive, and I have added a special ingredient which makes them extraordinarily fluffy!
Looking for Fun Activities in the Guelph Region this Family Day?
Nothing in the world could make human life happier than to greatly increase the number of strong families.
~ David R. Mace
Family Day celebrates the importance of families. Why not make this Family Day count? Here are a few activities, intended to strengthen the family bond, in the Guelph Area.
Lana Kelly, Editor momstown Guelph
Round Up of Indoor Play Spaces and Activities for Kids in the Guelph Region
Well, it’s that time of year again. You know, the one Canadian season that seems to stretch on forever, that can last from October to (sometimes even) May.
Don’t despair! We’ve gathered some indoor play space information (and other indoor outings) that are perfect for a too cold and too wet day with the kids. They are also sure to wear them out both physically and mentally!!!
Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Guelph
Freezer Meal Recipe #1: Shepherd’s Inn Breakfast Pie
Well, it is pretty safe to say that Canadians generally wait in hopeful expectation to see the beginning stages of the great Canadian winter.You know, the first snowfall, fun and cozy, long underwear, snuggly winter pajamas, toe- wiggly, warm slippers, chestnuts roasting by an open fire, and so on. This excitement quickly moves to a hibernation stage, as we not-so-eagerly look outside to see the snow piles heaped so high, that we have to dig ourselves out of our driveway in the frost-biting, bone-chilling cold days ahead. So, let’s just resolve to make some good old-fashioned comfort food, shall we? Whether it’s shepherd’s pie, soul-warming soup, or mouth-watering and cheesy quiche, that makes you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, we’ve got a freezer meal recipe that will help you to find refuge from harsh weather and biting cold in the comfort of your kitchen.
Best Mittens for Your Little Kittens (and Hats for Your Little Cats!)
Gloves, mittens, and hats are essential kids apparel during the winter season. However, it is not always easy selecting the best mittens for your little kittens, gloves for your doves, or hats for your little cats. Here at momstown, Guelph, we strive to provide you with the best resources and to expand your knowledge of some of the key factors associated with selecting these items for your babies, toddlers and preschoolers. The first question that arises is whether you should select gloves or mittens to protect your kid’s hands. Or, what hat works best for your young child? Or, how do I keep mittens and hats on my baby or toddler? Each design comes with advantages and disadvantages, but in the proper setting each will provide warmth for little hands and heads! The following are the best finds (in this area) for winter apparel/ accessories which can be both economical and practical!
Preparing for a Winter Newborn Baby
It was the coldest night of the year – a record breaker, as the news reporter said. My contractions were getting unbearable (although I have low pain tolerance, so, probably pretty mild). We got into the van, in a mutual decision to head to the hospital. To our dismay, it wouldn’t start! I’m kidding. That would have made for a more interesting story, though! Very interesting, indeed. You see, I don’t see my husband as one who could solely deliver a baby (although he would say he could, as he has delivered many a farm animal in the past).
So, as it would happen, the van did indeed start. We live in a rural community, and the drive should have taken us about forty-five minutes. My husband took about fifty minutes to get there, since he was calmly admiring a pack of wolves under the midnight moonlight. How dare he! As the wolves were standing in the snow-covered fields, I wondered if they were really ice-covered fields on this particular, frosty night. Although, I didn’t think so, since if it was that cold, it would have numbed my body from the waist down, and that just wasn’t happening.
Incidentally, we arrived safely at the hospital, and six hours later (it seemed much longer), we (or, I, rather) delivered an eight pound, fourteen ounce, beautiful, baby girl.
Overnight, the temperature dropped to an all-time low. Although, one would not recognize the coldness outside of a hospital, considering the geriatric, balmy, warmth inside the doors of the health centre environment.
So, yes, we brought our newborn home in the frost-bitten cold of that brisk January day. In fact, if you googled January 17th, 2003, the headline would probably read: “Well, folks, it is the coldest day in history. As such, we warn infants and seniors to remain inside where it is warm for health and safety reasons.” We brought our newborn home anyways. But, the big question on everyone’s mind, is: “Were we prepared?” The answer would most definitely be: “Sort of.”
If we only had of known then, what we know now. So, if you are one of those parents who plan to bring a newborn baby home from the hospital in those cold winter temperatures, here are a couple of tips, as well as a list of what I would advise you to pack in your overnight bag.
Beyond the Building of the Snowman
“Do you want to build a snowman?” This year, the answer may be “No, but I would love to build a snow family!” Why not challenge your family this year by putting a new twist on an old idea, and building beyond the typical snowman? How about building a snow family with snow pets, who just happen to live in their very own snow castle?
By: Lana Kelly
Editor, momstown Belleville
