Anyone who knows me, knows I’m all about the baking. It’s my “jam”, my favourite, my happy place, one of the things I’m known for. (Hopefully not the most scintillating thing I’m known for.) With hospitality on my mind, I want to dig into the why’s and what’s. Your “jam” might be the art of conversation, making others feel comfortable, rustling up a roast dinner for 20, being a hugger, a listener, or something completely different. For me, the simple act of baking is more than showing a glimmer of hospitality toward others. It’s also for my own soul care…

Hands up who’s ready for spring! For those of us who haven’t seen our lawns in 3 solid months, the thought of blossoms and tulips and sunshine and warmth makes us giddy. That beam of sunlight in my living room early this morning? It shone hope and promise of all things un-winter. It also exposed those floaty-fairy dust particles and reminded me that cleaning is a spring thing. Also, it’s entirely possible that our souls are in need of a spring clean…

When it comes to hospitality, are you a fretter, worrying about what MAY go wrong, worst case scenario? If you’ve ever been a mother-of-the-bride, you know that a wedding takes everything to the next stress level and beyond. Pride and perfection can get ugly on us and suddenly we need to be the unequivocal Hostess with the Mostest. Someone, pass the wine…

Exactly 23 years ago, we explored, dreamed, and discovered our way into Canada. I recently had the opportunity to write an article for the premier issue of iola magazine (just released, woot-woot!) and was asked to share about my home city in British Columbia. I started listing its marvels and singing its praises until I felt compelled to reign it in a little. Ahem, we don’t want the whole world and his uncle moving in. (Joking. Sort of.) But honestly, it was a beautiful lesson in counting my blessings— and a reminder that it’s never too late to explore, dream, discover…

Mind if we get real here for a minute or two? I’m just wondering— is comparison threatening to squish us as cheerleaders? We all know that “comparison is the thief of joy”, and that’s a quote by Theodore Roosevelt, who wasn’t even into Instagram or Pinterest. But I worry that instead of celebrating the success and blessings of others, we are in danger of losing all the joy in the name of Comparison, or his BFF, Jealousy…

January-overwhelm. I think it’s a thing. For some of us, January can be a tad stressful as we hear about everyone’s goals and dreams and resolutions and plans for the coming year! Diets and studies and jobs and fitness and travels and detoxing and de-cluttering and de-everything-ing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s all great and healthy and positive, but the mere thought of the intense “doing” can be exhausting. Especially when it comes at us in one big January whammy. So how about working rest time into the planner this year? Specifically, SOUL REST…

So here we are again, friends— chomping at the bit for the coming year fresh from the festive season, armed with our #oneword365 for 2018. No resolutions for me, that’s way too stressful. Just my “one word” to plant in my heart and nurture my soul. But I have to be honest, this year is a bit of a doozy as I tentatively tiptoe into another decade… the one that rhymes with “nifty”. I know. Someone hold my hand. I need a weighty word to carry me through, and I think this one is completely perfect…

How on earth are we nearly at the end of 2017? Whaaat? Part of me is itching to be nostalgic and mushy and reminisce on all the things from this year, but I need to put on my sensible, bookish head and choose six sweet reads to share with you today. I know, just SIX, a complete nightmare. Guilt washes over me as I glance at those who didn’t make the cut. As Ernest Hemingway put it, “There is no friend as loyal as a book.” Sigh. But I’ve decided upon some amazing titles I think you might just adore…

As Christmas looms large and Advent is upon us, are you feeling full of the fa-la-la’s or has the holly lost its jolly for you already? Amidst the crazy and colour and chaos and carols do you long for a little white space, breathing room, soul rest? Me too. I’m dreaming of a white (space) Christmas. Sorry Bing…

Do you have someone on your Christmas list who is IMPOSSIBLE to buy for? Or do you love to buy gifts that give back— especially to women and children in need? Or do you ever wear socks? If the answer to any of these questions is “YES!” then read on, friend, for I want to tell you all the things about some socks with soul: Fazl Socks…