Thanks for Reminding Me!

So I guess Toronto found out the news that I am returning to Saskatoon August 5th, so she decided to throw me a little party called "Love, Saskatchewan" (please disregard the hick-ish looking photo on the front page - I really do find it offensive!)

Ok so it may not be a party in my honour (minor details), but this weekend down at Harbour Front most certainly is the Saskatchewan themed weekend of the summer. I can't wait to check it out - the food, dancing, poetry, art, storytelling ect. all to get me warmed up to go back west!

Although I have mostly enjoyed the time I've spent in Toronto, it really did remind me of where I am from and now, where I am going!

Thanks TO, you really are too kind!

A Word on Banana Bread

Ahhhh the scent of freshly baked banana bread!

If that phrase and image didn't send you into an "ahhhh" moment I need to know what does. If you haven't guessed I am baking some banana muffins at the mo, and I sit here writing for two reasons: the first being to occupy myself until the little bundles of sweet, steamy love have completed the baking process, and the second being that the scent got me to think about other "simple pleasure's" in life.

Since scent is a very power stimuli for mammals, our memories are often first triggered by smells - both good and bad. I am trying to think about other great smells that send me on a voyage through my memories, here's what I've got so far:

- the scent of lilac's make me think of my mom doing yard work in our backyard (I'm sure this may not be the most pleasant memory for her to recount but it makes me think of summer, home, her, and those things make me smile)

- the smell of honeysuckle's remind me of walking home from elementary school with my sister Megan - we would stop and pick off some of the suckles and savour their little pockets of nectar!

- wet canola fields remind me of my dad, actually my entire family, and send me into hysterical laughter every time I smell it (inside joke)!

So I want to know, what scent are your favourite memories or what are your favourite "simple pleasure's"?!

Hot Heat, Puppy Hiccups & Mama Wolf!

I know it has been a while since I last wrote but I have a reason for that...not a lot has been going on. However; Andrew and I have made a very exciting addition to our team - LILY!

Lily is our 13.5 week old Yorkshire Terrier. She is the perfect puppy - full of life, so so happy, mischievous, adorable, and most humorously clumsy! Everyday is an adventure with Lily. I think she has actually given us enough material to write a book on...or at least blog about a lot (that being said she's managed to keep me busy enough not to blog)! My only concern is her morning hiccups - as cute as it is to watch her bounce around and see her surprised reaction with each bubble of air, I hope it's normal and nothing to be worried about!

While we're working on getting Lily and all of her...functions...on schedule Toronto has been embracing yet another 3-showers-a-day inducing heat wave. I know you Saskatchewanians are cursing at me but it is actually reaaaalllly gross! Just looking outside makes me break into sweat. Everyone is walking slowly, ice cream stocks are sky rocketing on the TSX, and Lily is sleeping a lot!

Last night on our nightly stroll with Lily, we were crossing the street at a cross walk and some punk-kid biker goes to run the red light and bike behind us. He didn't see Lily trailing behind us and within one foot of her I screamed - nay, barked - in his face "WATCH OOOOUUUTTT!!" He had to jump off his bike to stop in time and judging by the look on his face he was pretty scared I was going to get all mama-wolf on him! As we continued on I kept looking over my shoulder disapprovingly at him - upon further analysis I have realised this would be my human equivalent to growling.

Needless to say I don't think he'll be running any red lights soon.

So I'm sorry (Jana) for not buzzing sooner. I will try not to fall of the tracks again!

...I do have more exciting news, but I'll save it for another day =P

Keep calm & buzz on!

Green Up Your Mess Saskatoon!

For those of you who don't know...I am the spawn of the Recycling Queen. Considering my bloodline and background in environmental sciences, it should be no shock that I am advocating Saskatoon's move towards a curbside blue-box program. 

For a few years now there have been groups throughout Saskatoon pushing our slow-moving city council to jump on the municipal curbside compostable-plasic-bandwagon. I think they must have turned up their hearing-aid's because suddenly the city has released a survey to get public input on the options they have proposed for our landfill crisis and poor recycling habits!

Find the survey here:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Utility%20Services/Environmental%20Services/Waste%20Minimization/Pages/RecyclingConsultation.aspx

Here's a debriefing for you - some necessary facts that the survey will also go though

Option 1 - everything remains the same - this means SARCAN is available and those who subscribe to curbside must pay $15/month with no subsidy. Currently we only recycle about 7000 tonnes of recyclables per year (not very much!!). Our landfill is expected to last only 2 more years on this system. 

Option 2 - subsidized curbside - a small subsidy will be provided for those who choose to subscribe to curbside (*the survey didn't explain but the subsidy will not be an additional tax it will be allocated from our current taxes) - this will boost our landfill life another 6 months (2.5 years) and divert an additional 3000 tonnes of recyclables. (estimate)

Option 3 - expanded recycling depots - they will basically be creating more SARCAN type places where you can take other glasses and plastics - this is a good move but also it is kind of a hassle as it adds one more stop on your already annoying SARCAN route. 

Option 4 - municipally regulated curbside pick-up - this is the most proactive option! Basically it would fully subsidize curbside and provide the service for everyone, diveret 19000 more tonnes (on top of our current 7000 tonnes) of recycling and give our landfill 6.5 more years! So if you don't want to see(or pay for) a second landfill in Saskatoon, and want to see our tax dollars going towards some great job creation and environmental services then let them know.   

Ok so there it is...and I'm sorry for my bias getting in the way...wait no I'm not...this is my blog and it's all about my biases right!? Muahahaha! 

Hoping for a Mistake

More often than not I'm sure all of us can vouch to the fact that we don't like mistakes. We try everyday to make as few as humanly possible...but sometimes the latter factor comes into play. We are human and we do make mistakes. Sometimes they are bad and can lead to more work or more time spent doing what you don't want to be doing; but other times they can be a relief in the wake of some bad news. Unfortunately, and unbelievably, my family has received some possible bad news about our newest member - we are all waiting for more test results, and hoping that there has been a mistake somewhere.

I read this quote the other day and it makes me think of Vaya now:

"If the essence of my being has caused a smile to have appeared upon your face or a touch of joy within your heart, then in living I have made my mark." Thomas L. Odem Jr.

A few weeks ago we welcomed my new baby cousin, Vaya, into the world. She has two incredibly loving parents, two beautiful little eyes, and one perfect little mouth which I can't wait to hear laugh! She has already made her mark in all of our lives, with her unique quirks and silly sleeping habits. I'm not alone when I say that I cling to Christa's blog to find out what little Bean is going to do next! Christa and Ryan are being incredibly strong, I'm proud of you guys and we're all praying for the best.

The hardest thing for a person to do in a situation like this is to keep positive. It is also the most important thing. You two are so strong and I believe you are able to keep positive - with the support from all of us, your families, under you.

A picture of Vaya from Christa's blog

Bonjour Encore!

Bonjour tout le monde!

I have just returned from my home in small-town Quebec, where I have been studying for the past five weeks. It's nice to be able to speak English without worry of being turned into the Director, but I must be missing it because I keep saying "merci" and "'scuze" to the general public of Toronto.

Quebec at night

The weeks in Trois Pistoles passed quickly but we still found time to form some beautiful friendships that I know will be able to reach across the provinces. Staying in touch can be hard though so a few of us have formed the Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Club! (bad ass acronym yet to come...stay tuned!)

Ma comorade de chambre - Sarah!

After my course finished Andrew met me in Quebec City for the weekend, where I got to share some of my Quebecois experiences with him! We had a nice relaxed weekend, with all the other retiree's in the city (we noticed there seems to be a lack of youth in the city and we were usually swimming in a sea of the aged).

Andrew and I - looking for parliament in Quebec!

Now, back in Toronto, I am at the same spot I was a few months ago - job shopping! Hopefully something comes up soon, I would love to get working right away!

For now I believe the Luminato Festival can occupy my mind quite well.

I'm working on a photoblog for pictures of Trois Pistoles and rural Quebec! ...I'll keep you posted

Making Time for the Market

I've been working and studying a lot this week but have managed to go to the farmer's market to pick up some fresh, local veg!

Feast your peepers! Organic cheese burger with grilled peppers and onions and a side of salad and beets! Possibly my favourite summertime meal!

This is my poker face. Trying to practice my slicing skills on an apple!

Some apple crumble!

This is what happens when we don't know what to make for dinner. It was so delicious. We used some of our vino to stirfry the noodles in, then topped with a spicy egg!