We Love Puppies

We do. It's true.

And I recently came across a really great little invention, created by a local gal who happened to be one of the fabulous Ortho techs responsible for my new, gorgeous smile!


Take a look at GRAB BAGS FOR PETS for a really great way to keep poop-bags, (that is the technical term, right?) on your leash. They work really well and there are loads of different looks to choose from. Support a local lady entrepreneur and pick up a functional and fun gift for you or someone on your list.

Branching Out

As most of you know, Cheryl and I have become closet designers! We work with a distributor for Stor-X Organizing systems. We've been having SOOOO much fun working with this Canadian product. If anyone is interested in some design ideas and a quick, free quote, we'd be happy to chat with you.

Here's a quick little video to give you an idea of this great, simple closet system.

64 Days

... until Christmas that is!

Between now and then we'd like to offer a few ideas to keep the chaos down in those last few days! Christmas should be about everything but stress and pressure.

So, for starters... we suggest a conversation with the fam.

We know that many families, for many reasons, are looking to keep this Christmas less expensive. We're all for it! Start the conversation now with the kids and the extended family and whoever else is involved in your goings-on. Don't be afraid to be the first one to say, "What if we scaled back a bit this year?" We'll bet that others in your Christmas huddle are thinking the same thing. Draw names, give to a charity, set reasonable limits... just do something to lessen the financial burden and the focus on "stuff".

Enjoy the freedom that a fresh approach to the season might bring and let us be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Mmmmm.... bacon.

I'm confessing to a new addiction.

Bacon.

Yes, there might be healthier choices out there, but well.... bacon has a hold on me.

The upside is that a little bacon flavor goes a long way, so you can use it sparingly and still get loads of flavor. I've been in this shady relationship with bacon for a month or so and I've found so many simple meals in which to feature my prized pork pieces.

To save yourself time, money and mess you can try these two menthods:

1) Costco sells big bags of cooked bacon for about $10... a good amount and I think it tastes great.

2) Take a package or two of bacon, freeze it to the half way point so that it's easier to cut, and chop it into about 1/4 inch pieces. Scramble fry till it's well cooked, drain and pat the oil off with a paper towel, then put the cooled pieces in a ziplock bag in the freezer. You've made one mess and have the potential for many meals.

Meal Ideas with Baconygoodness (yes, that's one word.)

• Spinach Salads (my other binge)... sprinkle a little bacon on some pre-washed spinach with a bit of goat cheese or feta, a finger pinch of seeds or nuts, some chopped apples or pears and a drizzle of vinagrette -- DELISH!


• In scrambled eggs or omlettes


• Baked in quiches


• On a toasted tomato sandwich


• Pasta carbonara


• In a big Caesar Salad with some fresh garlic bread


• Sprinkled on perogies


• In a quick corn chowder or minestrone soup

The possiblities are endless.

May the pork be with you.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend.

We were especially thankful for friends that fed us this weekend, which while leaving us leftoverless made us feel loved.

And speaking of leftovers....

Did you know that you can freeze turkey dinner?

It's true!

When the boys were little we used to cook an entire turkey just to split up into different containers to pop in the freezer to enjoy at a later date.

Time saving AND delicious.

And now here's a little eye candy for your Tuesday morning.

This pantry leaves me a little weak in the knees.

My pantry looks nothing like it.


It does inspire me to get at my pantry, wipe it down and get it cleaned up a little.

We challenge you to do a 15 minute clean up in the pantry and let us know after you are done!

AND WE'RE BACK.

After a very long summer (and half of fall) hiatus, we're happy to announce that we're back on the blog and looking forward to a new season of ideas & inspiration to help us all live simply.

How did we spend our summer vacation?

Cheryl conquered the West Coast Trail with her man and some special friends.
Dawn took a chilly cruise to Alaska with her extended in-laws.

Cheryl floated around in her new pool.
Dawn helped her mother-in-law prepare to downsize and took 6500lbs of junk to the dump.
(Someone is a little bitter about those two points.)

Cheryl and family flew to Ontario to celebrate a Granny's big birthday!
Dawn and family celebrated her parent's 60th birthdays and 40th anniversary.

Cheryl's kids read about 200 books.
Dawn's kids did a triathalon.

Our two grade sixers are ready to move on to middle school next year.
This will be Dawn's graduation from elementary school and Cheryl's introduction to the world of sex, drugs and jr. high. Ahhhh.... we're really growing up.

We are REALLY looking forward to being in touch with you this year. We'd love for this blog to be interactive and invite your comments, questions and ideas. Thanks for reading and joining us on the journey to being free for what matters, by living simply.

Hope you all had a FANTASTIC summer and that this fall is full of fun and adventure for you!

Simply,
Dawn and Cheryl