Who doesn’t love receiving a beautifully wrapped box at Christmas? I certainly do! Actually any time of the year is fine, and I honestly don’t even mind if it’s beautifully wrapped or not. I’m not fussy—wrap up a bar of chocolate and I’m in my element. I enjoy gifts—both the giving and the receiving. The best: when you surprise someone with a gift and they love it. The worst: when you surprise someone and they are mortified…

You guys, I know it’s Christmas and all, but I have personally discovered a new issue this season, which is far from festive: “Redundant Chauffeur-Mom Syndrome”. Have you heard of it? Maybe you suffer from it yourself or maybe you know someone who’s been there… or maybe you even wish it would come to you swiftly! The thing is, my time as a chauffeur to my three darling kids has finally come to an end. Twenty-four years of being the family chauffeur. POOF! …

Who else here loves the idea of curling up with a fabulous book and a mug of hot chocolate, while the rest of the world goes into festive frenzy? Cheers! *insert happy mug clink* I just realized this weekend will be the first Advent Sunday, which tells me Christmas is not far behind. Does your pulse race just a little faster when you think of everything that needs to be accomplished in the coming weeks? Or do you exhale at the thought of being able to curl up and read Advent?

Today I’m all about the poppy and The Nightingale…. hello, Remembrance Day. Much like you, I have been brought up to honour and appreciate the sacrifice made by soldiers past and present for our freedom—a two-minute silence, a poppy on the lapel, a heart-flutter at the sight of ancient veterans swaddled in blankets over their uniforms. Maybe it was that I just finished this novel set in France during WWII, or maybe I’m feeling a little nostalgic watching The Crown on Netflix, but this year I want to stop and remember and truly give thanks…

“Mum, if you’re ever being attacked (!!!) you should shout, ‘Fire!’ because people will actually take notice and do something.” Hmm, wise words from my city-slicker daughter… and she’s absolutely right—sometimes we presume there’s a “domestic” or a nasty argument happening in a kerfuffle, but if we hear “fire” we instinctively take action! Fire can be a source of survival or a living nightmare. Today we’re talking fire and All the Pretty Things and a giveaway with a book you will not be able to put down—unless someone actually shouts, “Fire!”…

Pumpkins and praise—yep, it’s Canadian Thanksgiving weekend! Whether you are Canadian or not (my American friends can think of this as a warm-up for their November holiday—and my English friends can think of it as Harvest Festival on steroids) …what are YOU thankful for today? Is it heartfelt or half-hearted? Do we even have TIME to be thankful these days? Someone pass the pumpkin pie…

Do you ever feel the desperate need for a little perspective in life? Busyness, work, kids, family, church, relationships—they all require our undivided attention and sometimes we need reminding WHO we are and WHY we are here! We spin plates and juggle responsibilities like a manic circus performer and feel like we are the glue; we are the Big Cheese in our little world. But you guys—it’s okay to feel small…

How many of you moms out there are having an emotional rollercoaster ride this week? Returning to routines, early mornings, packing lunches, juggling carpool, signing a gazillion forms—it’s back to school and “sayonara summer!” Whether you are celebrating or commiserating, September is here and it takes no prisoners, not even mamas…

It’s here—DIAMOND DEVOS 31! A little gem especially for YOU—something that will reassure you of your precious worth, and help you live out your purpose and passion…

Do you ever wonder what your visceral reaction might be in an emergency—fight, flight, or faint? We hear tale of frail mothers lifting cars to rescue their trapped children as adrenal kicks in, or a regular Joe sprinting at the speed of light to find safety when chased by some predatory being. I always pictured myself as “The Fainter”—the useless, squeamish, deer-in-headlights individual who would resort to an instant blissful sleep in order to avoid traumatic confrontation. So last week proved me wrong…