DAILY TIP DEC 21 2011 HOLIDAY VERSION

DAILY TIP DEC 21 2011

HOLIDAY VERSION

One of the hardest things to have control over during Christmas is the screaming, running and generally 'hopped up on sugar' children. Here are a few 'life saving' tips to get over Christmas dinner without too much added stress.

1. Make up little activity gift bags for each child attending dinner. A visit to your local 'Dollar Store' and you are all set. Little games, puzzle books, coloring books, crayons, stickers, story books. (Age appropriate, keeping in mind any really young children around) 
2. Christmas Crackers. These are great for using as place settings. Tie a balloon to each cracker along with a name tag for each child. They can all open their crackers, once everyone is quiet at the table. 
3. Separate time for eating. This one can be tricky. Large dinners can be hard enough, but making a special time for the kids can be problematic. My suggestion is to do a 'buffet' style dinner and have all the kids get their food 15 mins before the adults. That way they are already eating, while everyone else is getting their food. It also allows them to finish first and run off to another room to play with toys, etc while the grown-ups finish dinner.
4. Fresh Air. If the weather is permitting, before all the guests arrive. Head outside to your backyard, frontyard (if you have them) and 'gently' hide some Christmas props. Pine cones, ornaments (plastic or wooden ones), garland, bows, etc. Then print up a 'Scavenger Hunt' list and have all the children do a holiday hunt. The older kids can help out the younger ones with reading, colors, math and the fresh air will tire them all out! If you live in a condo or apartment building. This one is a little tougher. You can do it in a spare room and just make the hiding spots a little more interesting. (laundry hampers, shoe boxes, drawers, closets etc).
5. Have emergency food rations. It never fails, there will be one or two children that decide to make a fuss about Christmas dinner and not wanting to eat 'that'. Prepare ahead a quick mac n cheese, hot dogs that you can just pop in the microwave to reheat and serve. Trust me, this one you'll thank me for.
6. Borrow or rent a gaming system. If you don't own a gaming system like 'Xbox' or 'Wii'. See if any of your guests would mind bringing theirs over ahead of dinner. You can hook it up on a spare television and it will keep them occupied! (if you rent one, be sure to rent all age games that way you don't have to worry about the younger ones seeing any violent games).
7. Rent [or borrow]a Karaoke machine. Check your local Party supply store. Renting a machine is relatively inexpensive and easy to set up. It's a great way to get everyone involved and the laughter from watching 'Uncle Joe' singing 'Bieber' will keep all the kids entertained. 

These are just a few ideas to get you started. These ideas work great for Kwanzaa and Channukah celebrations as well. *dreidel contests work well* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQL55Y2v5Ng&feature=related

The countdown continues.....

HOUSEWORK AND CHRONIC ILLNESS

To most people washing the dishes, doing laundry or cleaning the bathroom are mundane, necessary duties in order to maintain a home. For someone who suffers from Chronic Illness, those are milestones!

Some days even just folding clothes can be a challenge to large to conquer. There is no way to know what the next day will bring pain wise, so on the rare days that I'm feeling 'peppy'; I try and get as much of the housework done as possible. Usually, I end up in a heap of pain afterwards, but the attempt was made to feel normal.

The need for help has multiplied ten fold especially when it comes to bending, lifting and carrying anything remotely heavy. Grocery shopping is excruciating at best but I haven't got enough minions for that duty yet.

I would love to have a week where I could do my housework and still have enough energy to go out to dinner or watch a movie.

With no simple solution or cures and with the magic genie on strike, my house will just have to make due with what it can.

Now where did I put that bottle of Mr Clean?

Roast Bistro Restaurant Review

Situated in the heart of downtown Maple Ridge is The Roast Bistro http://www.roastbistro.ca/home.html. A quaint little restaurant where the menu is as big as the appetites that visit.


We were seated in the dining area close to the large bay windows that grace the front of the restaurant. Greeted by a friendly faced waitress, our order was taken promptly and accurately. We started with a potato skin appetizer that were filled with tomatos, green onions, bacon and cheese. Brek enjoyed an amazing looking steak sandwich while I had to try the 'toted as best burger in town' Bistro Burger.

Lunch came out hot, fresh and looking incredible. The steak was done to a perfect medium rare while my burger was a medium well. (still pink inside so make sure to ask for well done if you don't want any pink)


Dean came over to check on how we were doing and we advised him that it was our first visit to his establishment. He laughed when I mentioned I had seen them advertised on 'Twitter' and wanted to see for myself if their burgers are the best in town. I am thrilled to say, I cannot dispute the claims! The burger was amazing!


Of course no burger is complete without a side of fries and for me it was a side of poutine. Fresh cheese curds, delicious gravy and homemade fresh fries made it absolutely Epic!

Barely made it through our lunch as the portions were substantial. I highly recommend stopping into the Roast Bistro for lunch or dinner the next time you are in Maple Ridge or live here. You won't be disappointed. We weren't.


http://twitpic.com/photos/ravenbran20