Garnier #WholeBlends Hair Care
Garnier #WholeBlends Hair Care
*I received a free sample of Garnier Whole Blends shampoo and conditioner to test. All opinions are my own*
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Sign me up for a life-time supply.
I have always been a huge Garnier fan and will only use Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Smoothing Cream on my hair.
I’ve also tested the Garnier Clean Makeup remover, and love using that, too! It’s great for taking off my make up, or face paint for the kids.
When I told Thomas (7) that we had new shampoo to test and that he’d be one of the first people in Canada to try it, his eyes were like saucers!
“We’re not allowed to talk about it until January 26th,” I told him.
“Can I tell them at school?”
He was so excited and jumped into the tub (what a great excuse for a bath, too!)
Our Experience
From the second we opened the bottle, we were in love. The boys are huge honey fans to begin with, so the soft smell of honey was delicious!
You only need a tiny dollop of shampoo. It lathers up so well! This will also ensure the bottle lasts a long time!
The smell lasts in your hair until the next day, and our hair was so soft!
Curly Hair
Thomas and I both have curly hair, and the shampoo made perfect curls.
My hair felt so much lighter and the curls were perfect – they went up in ringlets instead of out with volume.
Straight hair
Daniel has straight hair, and it made his hair so soft and smooth.
Description & Features
Heals & Protects – Paraben Free, With Royal Jelly, Honey & Propolis Extract – Paraben Free. Our creamy, lush formula blooms with a delicious fragrance of royal jelly, honey & propolis, bringing to life our wholesome care that strengthens hair & helps prevent split ends & breakage.
The result: with every wash, reveal stronger hair that`s rejuvenated with healthy, rich shine.
Directions: After shampooing, apply a generous amount of conditioner to hair from root to tip. Gently work through hair, then rinse. For extra care; indulge in our Repairing mask treatment.
I loved this product, and it will be regularly found on my shower shelf. Guaranteed.
Get a free sample while supplies last!
Noggins Corner Farm Trails
Noggins Corner Farm Historic Walking Trail
In my youth I spent a lot of time in the woods behind Noggins Corner Farm. This was long before the formal trails existed.
I walked from Port Williams, across the dykes, up around the woods and back home, often meeting my friend Patricia who grew up on the farm.
It was our go-to place and holds so many great memories.
My sister and I would cross country ski through here to get to school (the old Horton) and our biology class did trips here to study the woods.
It’s a truly remarkable place, so it’s great that there are now trails here that everyone can enjoy!
The Terrain
Here’s what the brochure says:
The walking trail offers information on the history of the land while providing an enjoyable and vigorous hike. The trail is approximately 3kms in length with shorter trail options available.
It is great for hiking, jogging, snowshoeing, advanced cycling or skiing.
Enjoy the trail year-round!
Map
Before you head out, I recommend picking up a map. This will show you all the route options.
You can pick one up in the farmer’s market.
Entrance
There are NO fees to walk these trails!
Park at the Noggin’s Corner Farm Market parking lot behind the yellow house where you would enter for the corn maze.
There are a few entrances to the trail (as indicated on the map). We decided to do the trail in order, hitting each one of the scenic spots. So, we entered the trail on the left.
When you are looking at the woods, with the parking lot on your back, the entrance is in the woods to your left, at the edge of the field.
Trail
As you walk along, there are many options for shorter loops.
We decided to take the outside loop, doing the full extent of the trail.
This took us about 1 hour in the snow, walking with three families, 7 children and 3 dogs.
Along the trail, there are interesting signs about historic places on the farm.
And, you can see a giant eagle’s nest.
Apparently, a Volkswagon Beetle can fit inside that nest!
Doing the full extended loop, you get to walk through hardwood and softwood forests, fields, dykes, a poor farmers’ cemetery and along the old railway line.
Our grade 10 biology class came to Neary Pines, which, if I remember correctly, is the oldest growth forest in the province. It’s pretty spectacular!
Our Journey
We went with a range of people from 4 years old to 70 and 14 people.
The extended loop of the trail was too long for the youngest hikers, so if going with smaller children, I would create a shorter loop.
The full hike took us a little more than 1 hour, and that was in snowy conditions. It would probably take less time when the ground is bare.
What’s great, too, is that at the end of the trail is the play equipment. This is a good incentive and motivator for kids on the hike, knowing they get to play at the end!
Winter Hiking
This hike is great in the winter. Recently, my friend Nicole snowshoed parts of the trail. I can’t wait to try this, too!
Overall
If you are looking for a great family hike with lots of different zones to explore, this is your hike. Summer, winter, spring and fall! Check out Noggin’s Corner Farm Trail!
The Price They Paid
The Price They Paid: Enduring Wounds of War by Michael Putzel
*I received a copy of this book from StrategiesPR.com to review. All opinions are my own. I love these opportunities to read something different and expand my bookshelf!*
I seriously loved this book.
I need to preface this by saying I know nothing about the military. I know nothing about the Vietnam war.
So, how can I love a book that is all about American soldiers in the Vietnam war?
Here’s what Amazon says about the book:
The Price They Paid: Enduring Wounds of War by Michael Putzel is the stunning and dramatic true story of a legendary helicopter commander in Vietnam and the flight crews that followed him into the most intensive helicopter warfare ever—and how that brutal experience has changed their lives in the forty years since the war ended.
Nine million Americans served in the military during the Vietnam era.
2.6 million of them served in Vietnam
Fewer than a million of those saw combat.
In 2015, 58,300 names were listed on The Wall as killed or still missing.
More than 300,000 were wounded.
Reliable statistics aren’t available to tell us how many died later due to exposure to Agent Orange, suicide, traumatic brain injury or other causes probably related but not directly traceable to their combat service. No one knows how many are scarred by PTSD or other mental illness. THE PRICE THEY PAID shares the true story of aviators in one helicopter unit and how their harrowing experiences forever changed their lives.
My Thoughts
The Price They Paid is written by journalist Michael Putzel, so the research and writing style are superb. The book draws you in hook line and sinker – into the lives of these helicopter pilots and airmen.
Most of the chapters detail a different helicopter mission in Vietnam, mostly under the command of Jim Newman.
Although the book includes a lot of characters and military lingo, it made no difference to understanding the story. Although I couldn’t always get the finer details of these missions, nor could I always remember all the soldiers, it did not matter. The stories were of brave, heroic men in terrible times.
The Price They Paid speaks to the missions, the numerous times that they risked their lives to head back into fighting zones to rescue their friends. It is just as much a story of war as it is of friendship.
All true, the book relies on testimonials, records, recordings and first-hand stories of these events.
What I also loved about this book is how each of the soldiers were followed later in life. How did the war affect them? What happened to them? The results are not all that shocking, but through it all, there still survives that strong friendship.
I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I was hesitant to read it, as I am not interested in military history, but I am so glad that I did. I have a great appreciation not only for the Vietnam Vets, but for those soldiers coming back from wars in the Middle East and other war-torn areas. How can you go back to a normal life? How everyone suffers, even years later.
I highly recommend you getting a copy of The Price They Paid. Open your mind, learn something new, and be appreciative to those who have gone to battle for us.
Buy it here!
Pizza Bites
Pizza Bites
Looking for a new idea for school lunches? Try pizza bites.
These are great to make ahead, freeze, and pull out when needed!
I have often made pizza pockets for my kids’ school lunches.
This is another twist on the recipe. Pizza bites are smaller, easier to handle, and great for younger children who can’t eat as much.
Recipe for Pizza Bites
Start with pizza dough. I make mine in the bread maker, or your can buy a packaged kit.
Take a small amount of dough and roll it flat into a circle.
Make sure the dough is rolled VERY THINLY or, it will become too thick and too “bready”.
Place the dough inside a muffin tin. I used the mini muffin tins, but you could also make bigger ones.
Fill the dough with pizza sauce, fillings, and cheese.
Fold the dough up over the fillings, pinching it to make a seal.
Bake at 350 for approximately 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as the length of time depends on the size.
Take them out when they are golden brown.
Put in a ziplock baggie and freeze.
In the morning, take out desired number, and put into the school lunch. They will defrost by lunch time. The kids can eat them cold, or heat them in the school microwave if that’s an option.
We love to have these in the freezer for those nights you just don’t have anything in the fridge or don’t feel like making a school lunch!
Spoons Card Game
Spoons is Family Fun
When we were young, we used to love playing the game spoons. We would play it by the hour, especially when we were teenagers.
Something sparked the memory in me that made me want to teach the kids how to play.
These are the best instructions on how to play the game
However, we play the game slightly differently.
If you do not grab a spoon, instead of being out of the game, you have the letter “S” assigned to you. Each time you are out, you get the next letter in the word “S-P-O-O-N” and then you are out of the game.
It’s easier if you have a piece of paper to keep track of everyone’s letters if the players are little.
Ages
We found that 7 years old is the bottom age limit for this game.
Our son could just barely “pinch” the cards in one hand, while picking up the cards with the other. We had to help him “pinch” the cards before each round.
Also, with younger children, I had to play at about half the speed, so it wasn’t so overwhelming for the younger children.
But, it was still fun.
I must try this game with some friends, and a few drinks!
Tips
Tell the children to start collecting 2 sets of numbers, instead of just one set. This helps with learning strategy.
See how quietly you can steal the spoon without anyone noticing, and how long the play continues! To me, that’s the best part!
Spoons is a great game for camping, a stormy night, or just family fun around the table.
Enjoy!
Molasses Cookies
Easiest Molasses Cookies… EVER!
These are some of the easiest cookies you will ever make.
And kids love them!
If you need a quick and easy cookie recipe to take to an event, this is the one.
The original recipe came from my neighbour growing up. She was the best baker ever.
Easy Molasses Cookies
¾ Cup Shortening (or butter) – both work equally as well
1 C white sugar
1 egg
4 Tbsp. molasses
2 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
2 tsp ginger
Shape into balls and flatten with a fork.
Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 350 fro 12-15 mins
