We're Moving!

...Well, this site is, anyway...

EXCITING NEWS!

I am so proud of how much my blog has grown over the past year, and I am happy to announce that I will be taking it to the next level. I have decided to start the process of migrating to a new domain. I know it will indeed be a process, but I am confident that I can keep the transition smooth while taking you along with me for the ride.

Stay tuned!

P.S. You can track the progress at: http://adventuresofmamakujo.com/

P.P.S. If you have any advice for this mama attempting a pretty huge DIY, I would LOVE to hear from you. :)

Movember Mama

Hi Everyone!

Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm sure you're well aware that what is otherwise the dreariest, greyest month of the year, November, is also fondly known as "Movember". It's the time of the year where all of the usually clean-shaven, baby-faced men we all know and love suddenly start to sprout every imaginable shape and variety of "manly" facial hair (and those who love them keep just THAT much more distance when embracing them), all in the name of philanthropy.

What kind of philanthropy requires suddenly sprouting 'staches, you ask? The kind that raises awareness and funds for men's health issues (including prostate and other cancers). They're "changing the face of men's health". (Get it?!)

As a lady who (thankfully) cannot grow hair on my face, I have decided to contribute my part as a "Mo Sista"by supporting those who can. Even little miss is helping out!

My hubby is participating in Movember for the first time this year. Inspired by other #MovemberDads on Twitter, he joined up with  the Canadian Dads Movember Team. (You can read all about his inspiration and decision to dive face-first into Movember here: Mitch's Movember blog post .) Check out Mitch's Mo Space! to keep up with his valiant efforts (and donate if you're so inclined).

I also actually just purchased 2 of the cutest mustache-print head-scarves (1 for me and 1 for munchkin) from MoTies on Etsy. All proceeds from the sales of this shop will be going to the Movember campaign of one of Mitch's MoBro teammates, Mike Reynolds (@puzzlingpostdad ).

Waiting for them to arrive in the mail to snap some fun mommy-daughter selfies to share!

They are also selling these awesome MoTies in their Etsy store.

Still not convinced you're ready to donate to the cause (really? even with those cute headbands?!)? Did you know you could get back up to 29% of your donations as a federal tax credit? Yup! The Funny Accountant explains how.


Now go Mo!



P.S. Did you know that as of 2011, Canadians are the largest contributors to Movember?

Book Review: Perfect

Perfect
Author: Rachel Joyce
Publication: Nov. 5, 2013, Doubleday Canada

PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS:

In 1972, two seconds were added to time. It was in order to balance clock time with the movement of the earth. Byron Hemming knows this because James Lowe has told him, and James is the cleverest boy at school. But how can time change? The steady movement of hands around a clock is as certain as their golden futures.

Then Byron's mother, late for the school run, makes a devastating mistake. Byron's perfect world is shattered. Were those two extra seconds to blame? Can what follows ever be set right?

MY REVIEW:

Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Rachel Joyce's writing is absolutely beautiful- art with words.

Byron's story is sad: his anxiety, his mother's loss of control, his lack of a guiding hand, his need for order and answers. While the plot is slow-moving and not all that gripping, it is Joyce's writing that kept me reading. It was my desire-- as a mother and as a human being-- to scoop Byron into my arms, hold him close and tell him that it will all be alright, that not everything has to be perfect and understood and predictable. I wanted him to know that it's okay to be flawed and afraid.

I enjoyed this book, but I definitely felt a wave of relief wash over me when it was all over. It is emotional and uncomfortable. It makes you hold your breath just a little, without ever being aware of it.

If you're looking for great writing, some thought, and a book with emotional pulls- this one is for you. If you're looking for a light, uplifting read, come back to this one when you're ready.

Good Morning Sunshine!

My munchkin is turning 2 in just over a month (WHAT?!), and I realized this weekend that she is quite possibly the most inspirational human being I know.

She's a BIG talker-- a real chatterbox-- (hard to believe with such quiet, reserved parents), and she tends to say a lot of laugh-out-loud and/or cute things. She also tends to shock us on a daily basis with what comes out of her mouth. I am actually sitting here, shaking my head and smiling just thinking about it. It's more than pride-- it's amazement.

Before you stop reading, I'm not that mother-- the one who will sit and tell you that she has the world's most perfect child. I will be the first to step up and admit that we undoubtedly started with the whole "twos" thing early. We're on a daily rotation of smiles, whining, tantrums, mommy-clinging, laughs, hyperactivity,  fits and cuddles. It's quite draining, actually.

The thing is, this Saturday morning, she said something that took my breath away. I woke up to her morning noises, went into her room, said "good morning", and opened her blinds to let in some light. Standing in her crib, she looked out the window, smiled and said, "good morning sunshine!" What made me stop in my tracks was the fact that it was a particularly grey November Montreal morning. There was no sunshine to be seen. From her not-quite-two-year-old perspective, that was completely insignificant.

Then, I realized it was not the first time she started her day like this. No, actually it's the first thing she says nearly every single morning. Every morning for her is a "good morning sunshine" kind of morning.

As I smiled and scooped her up for a big morning hug and kiss, I realized just how amazing that is. What if we all started every morning with a "good morning sunshine", not yet knowing just what our day might have in store for us? What if every day-- no matter how grey, or cold, or sleepy-- actually started out full of possibility and positivity? ...Out of the mouths of babes...

I can only hope that my adult brain can step aside for a moment and allow me to greet every new day through the eyes of a toddler.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Super Yummy Kale & Apple Salad

I made this amazing salad weeks ago. I came across this photo in my Photostream this morning and realized I never shared my concoction with the world! Shame on me!

So here's a super-quick recipe post for a super-quick and delicious salad!

SALAD:

• 1 head of kale- remove stems and chop
• 1 dices apple (I love Honeycrisp)
• A handful of dried cranberries
• A handful of chopped pecans

DRESSING:
(Sorry I don't have exact measurements- I kind of just threw it together to taste!)

• Avocado oil (you can replace with olive)
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey

~ Just whisk it up and toss into salad!




Please let me know if you try this one for yourself or if you've found any modification you think would make this even more yummy! Looking forward to reading all of your comments! :)