The Victoria Day Weekend is the traditional kick-off to summer in Canada. It’s a beautiful time to be outside (as long as the weather cooperates), and enjoy the scenery, be it city ‘scapes or cottage country – or a little of both. 

Victoria Day Weekend is also a time for some annual firsts; first long trip to the cottage, first  bike ride through city parks, first boat ride of the season, first swim in the lake/pool, first sun burn!

Be prepared for whatever the long weekend throws at you, with these timely Victoria Day Weekend tips;
• Make water safety number one at the cottage or around the pool.  Make sure that children are always supervised by an adult.  Drain wading pools and small inflatable backyard pools when not in use. 
• When boating, close by isn’t close enough!  You have to actually WEAR your lifejacket or PFD in order for it to work.  Just as with driving a car, appoint a designated driver.  Alcohol and boating don’t mix.
• Protect yourself from the sun: wear adequate sun protection including sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing.
• Fuel yourself while enjoying the outdoors – drink plenty of water and choose healthy snacks.
• Wear all recommended safety equipment like bike helmets and wrist guards.
• Have a first aid kit on hand at home, at the cottage, in the car, and by the pool.  Take a small first aid kit with you for day trips to deal with minor scrapes, blisters and bruises.
• Prepare for long car rides by assembling a selection of games and activities to enjoy on the way.

Enjoy a Safe and Happy Victoria Day Weekend!

Ahhhh, planting season has finally arrived! Winter-long banishment from the veggie patch has left us itching to get out in the back yard and get some dirt under those nails. A little fresh air and exercise, and that garden is really going to be something this year.

But the shine wears off fast, accompanied by a sore back, blisters and bug bites. If only you could reap the harvest without all that labour.

Perennial gardening may be the answer.

Perennial vegetable gardens are not new, but they are often ignored by gardeners in favour of the traditional labour-intensive process. The benefits of designating at least part of your garden plot to perennials are difficult to ignore;
Watering – perennials require little if any water once established, thanks to their deep root network
Soil preparation – Again, minimal. Just spread some mulch and add a little compost each year.
Weeding – Thanks to leaves that open early, weed growth is inhibited, reducing weeding duty to a minimal level. Many serve as ground covers.
Disease resistance - Their deep root systems discourage disease.
Eco-friendlier - Perennials help prevent erosion, store water and nutrients and encourage beneficial organisms to thrive. They improve soil organic matter, soil structure and porosity.
Ripen early - Perennials are among the first to emerge from the ground in spring and the last to die off in autumn.
Versatility – In addition to their taste and nutritional value, some perennials also have esthetic appeal in the garden, sport beautiful flowers and even smell good. Some berry bushes can be fashioned into hedges.

Local knowledge is of special value when planning a perennial garden. Check with a local garden supply for their input. Asparagus and rhubarb are perhaps the most common options, but a wider range is emerging, including varieties of kale, parsley, wild garlic, onion, common sorrel, lilies, and artichoke. And don’t forget berries. A wide selection of perennial berries can be enjoyed, including raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, gooseberries, blackberries, and more.

Your perennial edibles won’t live forever but they will provide low-maintenance produce, with some that can last for decades.

"There is no velvet so soft as a mother's lap, no rose as lovely as her smile, no path so flowery as that imprinted with her footsteps."
~ Archibald Thompson

The first long weekend of the summer is almost at hand. Check out these few facts about Victoria Day and the queen herself. Did j’a know:

• We celebrate Victoria Day on the Monday before May 25. This year is the earliest it can be celebrated – May 18th.
• Victoria Day has been a national holiday in Canada since 1901.
• The name of the holiday has changed over the years. Victoria Day was changed to Empire Day then to Commonwealth Day before returning to Victoria Day.
• Queen Victoria was the last teenager to rule England - only 18 when she took over the throne in 1837 after her uncle George IV died.
• The earliest postage stamps in the world, first used in the UK on May 6, 1840, had the head of Queen Victoria on them.
• When Queen Victoria was a child, she was taught to keep her chin up - literally. As an aid, prickly holly was put under her collar to remind her not to put her chin down.
• Victoria's mother spoke German at home. As a result, Victoria never learned to speak perfect English despite her lengthy 64 year reign as ruler.

Car Trip Activities – "I’m not going to go through one more car ride to the cottage without planning ways to keep the kids busy. This site has some great ideas."

Beginner’s Soccer – "I remember watching my kids playing soccer for the first season - one big pack of players roaming around the field. A friend is coaching first year players this year. I found this site that has some great ideas for fun drills and practices for beginners."

Vegetable Gardening with Kids – "I love gardening with my children. It offers a unique environment for bonding and sharing of thoughts and ideas. This site has some good ideas and suggestions for making it fun for all."

Organic Gardening – "This website has lots of practical ideas for those interested in organic gardening. It’s just a case of changing old habits and paying attention to Mother Nature. When you read the ideas, they make so much sense."

The whirr of outboard motors is music to the ears of many Canadians who spend as much of the summer time as possible ‘on the water’. Boating offers an opportunity to enjoy the warm weather and water and the environment in general. But like many of our personal time enjoyments, boating can take a huge toll on the very environment we are trying to enjoy unless we pay attention to important factors like proper boat upkeep.

Careful maintenance will help you reduce the negative impact of boating on the environment and will save you time and money. Check out these useful tips;

Oil and Water Don’t Mix - It only takes a small amount of oil to contaminate a large volume of water. Keep oil-absorbent cloths onboard to clean-up oil or fuel spills.

Proper Disposal - As with our automobiles, dispose of used oil and filters properly. Facilities are available in Canada. Just call 1 800-667-4321 for the nearest disposal facility.

Keep them Separate - Do not mix solvents and oil, or pour hazardous wastes down drains, on the ground or into surface waters.

Wax it - Keeping your boat’s hull well-waxed will keep surface dirt from becoming engrained and is a more eco-friendly solution than harmful, chemical-leaching paint to keep it looking good.

Keep it Eco-Clean – Avoid cleaners that contain phosphates and other chemicals toxic to aquatic ecosystems. Whenever possible, try one of these natural cleaning solutions;
glass - Fill a spray bottle with a solution of vinegar, lemon juice and warm water. Spray it on your windows and mirrors and wipe with newspapers.
copper fittings - make a paste of either lemon or lime juice and salt. Rub gently to clean.
aluminum - using a soft cloth, clean with a solution of cream of tartar and water.
fiberglass stains - make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub the mix into the stain using a sponge or soft cloth. Wipe-down with lemon or lime juice for a shiny, fresh-smelling finish.
chrome - Use apple cider vinegar on a soft cotton cloth to rub it clean, and a dab of baby oil to restore its shine.
brass - Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and salt solution works well.
interior woods – cleaning with olive or almond oil will provide natural moisturizers for the wood and add a beautiful luster.
stainless steel - clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar.
plastic surfaces - use a mixture of one part white vinegar and two parts warm water.
decks - use a mixture of one part white vinegar and eight parts warm water.

“Empower women and you will see a decrease in poverty,
illiteracy, disease and violence.”
~ Michaelle Jean

Internet Safety Tips – Brad, age 13, says, “I slipped up once online and gave out some info I shouldn’t have. Luckily it didn’t end up being a problem, but my dad suggested I revisit the rules for safe surfing. This site has a good list. Don’t take chances! Surf safely.”

Jokes – Serena, age 11, says, “I like to laugh with my friends. I make up jokes, too. But they aren’t always funny. So I read some new ones every once in a while so I can share them with my friends.”

Guitar Tabs – Mitch, age 13, says, “This site is great for me and the guys I play with, because it has tabs for all the songs we need. Really easy to find.”

Make a Mother’s Day Card – Marisa, age 9, says, “If I don’t make it, Mom doesn’t want it. That’s what she told me. So I’m making her a Mother’s Day card. I like the ones at this site – especially the My Garden Window Card. Dad’s going to help.”

Do you check off the ‘pages from Canada’ circle below the search window when searching in Google? It is supposed to help focus the search results on Canadian responses. While doing so doesn’t eliminate results other than from Canada, it does help – but not much. For even better results, simply add ‘Canada’ to your search request.

Two handles in the rear to hold onto, a single wheel in the front. What could be simpler than a wheelbarrow? At this time of year your wheelbarrow can be a real friend – if you use it properly;

• When carrying particularly heavy stuff, placing the load more to the front of the barrow will reduce the weight of the load on your arms and place it more over the wheel, making it easier to carry.
• If your load is liquid or granular, spread it out evenly before moving forward to avoid unexpected shifts in the load – and that split-second sideways dump that can follow.
• Whenever possible, buy a wheelbarrow with an inflatable wheel and make sure it is properly inflated at all times so that it rolls over the terrain as effortlessly as possible and to minimize lawn damage.
• Lightly sand and wax or seal wooden handles to avoid splinters and premature wear/rot.
• Store your wheelbarrow inside out of rain and sunlight to prevent damage and extend its life.

“I hate housework. You make the beds, you wash the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again.” ~ Joan Rivers

“The light at the end of a tunnel may be an oncoming train.” ~ Anon

“I have good looking kids. Thank goodness my wife cheats on me.” ~ Rodney Dangerfield

“I have a stepladder. It's a very nice stepladder but it's sad that I never knew my real ladder.” ~ Craig Charles