Quotable Bits #17

"A good snapshot stops a moment from running away."
- Eudora Welty

When I started my blog, I did it to nurture my love for writing. I wanted to make sure that I kept it up because it was something that I loved - a hobby that had been neglected. What I didn't realize until recently, was that it also provides an outlet for me to focus on another hobby I enjoy as well - my love for photography.

With Instagram at my fingertips, I can snap away as I please, capturing special moments without having to lug out my camera or edit and print photos. I love photography, almost as much as I love writing, and to be able to do both in one special place brings me true happiness.

And so do these two...

Now it's your turn! Grab my button, pick a quote, post about it, and link it up! The linky will be open all week. Don't forget to check back and show the others some comment love.

A Tree Was Hugged On Earth Day

Sunday was Earth Day, a day to increase awareness and appreciation for the Earth's natural environment, so I thought it would be the perfect day to take the family on an adventure where we could do just that - enjoy our planet in all its natural beauty.

A short 30 minute drive from our house is a beautiful destination called Lighthouse Park. Not only is it a park full of skyscraping trees and nicely carved dirt paths, but it also serves as an outdoor classroom for nature studies. Tucked alongside the winding paths are information boards describing the natural surroundings - 500-year old fir and hemlock trees, and a wide variety of birds and bugs.

My kids loved learning all about the environment, and it was a great way to introduce the importance of caring for our planet, so that parks like these will be around when they have children too.

At home, we do our best to recycle, and to use products that are gentle on our planet. We read The Lorax, which teaches our children about the importance of monitoring our levels of consumption to ensure that we don't overuse our natural resources, and we keep the conversation light and understandable so that their developing minds can understand the important message behind the story:

'Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.'

- The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

Haven't you heard that orange is the new green? Seventh Generation and Dr. Seuss' The Lorax have joined forces to inspire families to conserve the earth's resources with conscious consumption. Seventh Generation is the natural choice for high-quality and effective products that preserve the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people in your home--as well as the world outside. Make a difference by choosing Seventh Generation products, now offering free shipping for orders over $50.

How do you live like the Lorax? Tell Seventh Generation below and be entered to win a Green Your Home prize pack!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Seventh Generation. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Quotable Bits #16

"Losing a game is heartbreaking. Losing your sense of excellence or worth is a tragedy."

- Joe Paterno

I work for a professional sports team, in a strange world where the mood around the office ebbs and flows with the performance of the team. If we win a game - people are cheerful, motivated, outgoing, and collaborative; and if our team loses - it's quiet, people keep to themselves, many are short and to the point, and some prefer to work in seclusion.

With the loss of the last game, our season has come to an abrupt ending, and people are feeling a little less than motivated. While a loss of this calibre can be heartbreaking, we need to remember that it's a game, that it's about how the game was played, not just about whether we won or lost. We had an epic season, and came out as the top team of the regular season for the second consecutive year.

It's not about one person, one play, or one game, it was a tough series and unfortunately we didn't come out on top. I hope the players don't lose their sense of excellence or worth in the sea of disappointment that comes with a loss. There's always next season, and even with a win, there's always room to grow and improve. I look forward to new beginnings, and in the meantime, I will enjoy my extended summer!

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Now it's your turn! Pick a quote, write a post or add a photo, and link up your quotable bit! Please remember to check back and comment on the other posts, and don't forget to encourage your friends to join in on the fun - the more the merrier!

NOTE: I'm considering changing the day I post my weekly linkup - cast your vote, should I keep posting it on Tuesdays, or move it to Fridays? I would love your feedback!

10 Things You Can't Enjoy With E-Books

I do my best to keep up-to-date with the times. I may have been one of the last few people to convert to downloading MP3s (I just stopped buying CDs this year), and I may have been slightly delayed in the iPhone phenom (I retired my flip phone for an iPhone only 4 months ago), but I can honestly say that these 10 things will keep me true to my love for books in the raw form:

1) I always buy brand new books. I love the feeling of creasing the cover for the very first time, the crisp pages moving slowly through my fingers as I turn through the first few pages.

2) Is there anything cuter than watching a newly sitting toddler navigate through the pages of a touch-and-feel cardboard book? A sensory experience that is so important, and cannot be mimicked through digital e-books.

3) Bookmarks and folded corners. When I make the decision to tuck my book away, I love the sensation of folding the corner of the page, or sliding a bookmark in between the pages. What comes next is a mystery, that unexplored story that is only a page turn away.

4) No distractions. When I read a book, I am usually tucked away somewhere quiet and private. I mostly read when I go to bed, covers pulled up to my chin and the bedside lamp dimmed. When reading on my laptop or iPad, I get distracted, knowing that Twitter, email, Facebook, and Pinterest are only a click away.

5) Book covers. Part of the experience of exploring a new book, is the cover. I love reading the synopsis on the back, browsing the graphics on the cover, and reading the short bio of the author on the inner sleeve of the cover before diving into a new story. While these things are possible with e-books, the sensory experience isn't there.

6) I love cozying up with my two little ones, tucked under a blanket, exploring the pages of a new picture book. Having the hard cover open on my lap, with colourful images spread across both sides of the crease is much more engaging that hovering over an iPad or laptop.

7) Classics. While I mostly read modern fiction now, my degree is in English Literature, so as you can imagine, I have a pretty substantial collection of classics. There's nothing like reading Shakespeare or perusing poetry from the 1800s like reading them on the crisp pages of the earlier days.

8) Book shelves. I love the look of a crowded book shelf. I admit that when I visit the homes of friends, I love to browse their collection of books, to learn about their interests through the words they've read.

9) While most people I know like to take notes, make lists and jot down ideas on their iPhones or computers, I have a book where I write everything by hand. I love the way a page looks when it's filled with handwritten notes.

10) I dream of one day writing a book, and for me, the true success of this dream would be to see it as a book in its raw form. To be able to hold it in my hands, to design the cover and to read my bio inscribed on the inside cover sleeve. That would be a dream come true.

How about you? Do you prefer e-books to the paperback novels of yesterday?

Linking up with the talented Stasha for my favourite weekly meme, Monday Listicles.

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Love quotes? Come back tomorrow and link up for #QuotableBits! Learn More

Quotable Bits #15

"The hardest part about growing up is letting go of something you're used to, and moving on with something you're not."

- Anonymous

My boy is growing up. Yes, he may only have just turned two, but I'm already feeling as though the baby in him is becoming a distant memory. His constant cries for "uppy Mama!" have been replaced with "No, I do it!". He's beginning to talk in full sentences, he's pooping on the potty, and now...he's sleeping in a big boy bed.

I had asked him if he wanted to start sleeping in a big boy bed, and he responded with an enthusiastic, "no thank you mama." Convinced he was resistant to the idea of change more than the actual act of sleeping in a bed, I set up the toddler bed with his favourite blanket and stuffy, and led him into his room.

He hopped on the bed and exclaimed, "Gavin's big boy bed! I'm a big boy now!". While I was happy to see his delight, I was worried about how he'd do through the night.

Two nights (and one nap) in, and I'm happy to report that my little man is a bed-sleeping rock star. He might even be a better sleeper than he was in his crib, which makes me a proud (and well-rested) mama.

Now it's your turn! Pick a quote, add a picture or write a post about it, and link up your quotable bit! Be sure to comment on the other posts, and don't forget to tell your friends - the more the merrier!

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Want to win a fabulous Green Your Home prize pack in time for Earth Day? Comment on THIS POST about how I've taken the first steps in teaching my children about how to live earth-friendly, and you could WIN!

Finding My Inner Lorax

My 4 year old daughter has a passion for animals, and a special love for the nature that surrounds us, so when I read her The Lorax for the first time, she seemed awed and inspired. I hadn't read the story myself before, and hadn't realized the importance of the moral to be learned from the cute little tale. As I read the words, I thought to myself, "How clever, what a great way to explain such a huge problem we face, in words that make sense to my little girl."

I took my time reading the last sentence, "You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds. And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs." My daughter paused, and then looked at me wide-eyed. "So, if we don't take care of our trees, then where we live will look like this (points at a dark and gloomy image earlier on in the book), but if we take care of our trees, then it will look pretty like this picture (points at a bright and colourful page full of Truffula trees). I like the pretty picture much better mommy."

Message received loud and clear.

I thought this would be a great time to explain to her the importance of limiting our use of the products that we use that were made from our precious trees. I reminded her how I always ask her to use both sides of the paper when colouring. How we should try to use towels to dry our hands instead of paper, and why we put all of our paper products in the blue and yellow bags that are picked up by a special garbage man each week. The book was a great lead in to an important life lesson for my little ones.

I had received the Dr. Seuss classic, along with some other special goodies, from a company called Seventh Generation. With a desire to extend the important message of environmental truth and ecological hope to a whole new generation of children and parents, the partnership between this earth-friendly brand and Universal's The Lorax are the perfect fit.

Among the package of goodies was a pack of diapers. I had never before tried a "green" diaper product, as I had been dedicated to the brands I had grown to trust. These diapers are strong, absorbant, and most importantly, so much better for the environment. Not to mention the adorable images of the Lorax that decorate the front. They are made from chlorine-free, fragrance-free products that are actually safe for our precious planet.

What really sold me on this diaper brand? The Did You Know blurb displayed on the side of the packaging. "If every household with babies in the US replaced just one package of diapers processed with chemicals containing chlorine with Seventh Generation Free & Clear diapers, we could prevent approximately 1,000 lbs of chlorinated hybocarbons from polluting our air, lakes and streams."

With this small switch in diaper brands, I feel like a local Lorax, doing my part to save the planet.

Want to win a fabulous prize pack that will help you to live earth-friendly? Tell me how you live like the Lorax, and you could WIN a Green Your Home pack of goodies provided by Seventh Generation.

One of my readers who comments on this post will WIN!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Seventh Generation. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Make a difference by choosing Seventh Generation, now offering free shipping for orders over $50. As the Lorax says, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Quotable Bits #14

"Getting to the top is optional, but getting down is mandatory. A lot of people get focused on the summit and forget about that."
- Ed Viesturs

Annapurna
Photo Source

Ed Viesturs is a world-renowned mountaineer, famous for his success in reaching the summits of all fourteen 8,000+ meter peaks without the use of supplemental oxygen - an endeavor that took almost 18 years to achieve. Last week, my fellow co-workers and I were fortunate enough to have Ed as a guest speaker at our organization. 

Ed's presentation was inspirational. He spoke of a dream that stemmed from a love for the book Annapurna. He spoke of all of the little steps he had to take towards achieving his ultimate goal. How he stayed focused, faced many obstacles and challenges, lost friends and turned back only steps from the top. But he never lost focus on what he wanted to achieve. He didn't give up. He reminded us that in order to find true happiness in what we do, we must do something that we are truly passionate about. Viesturs lives by the belief that climbing is about the round trip, not just about getting to the top.

His ultimate goal was to conquer the most challenging peak, the one that had inspired him when his dream first began. Nothing left him feeling more successful than his final ascent to the top of Annapurna.

He left me with a thought that has been stuck in my head ever since.

What is my Annapurna?

Now it's your turn! Pick a quote, write a post or add a photo, and link up your quotable bits! Don't forget to check out the other posts and show some comment love.

On The Road Again

Another Monday, another list! In honour of today's Monday Listicles topic, On The Road, I've decided to do 10 photos from the road that I've taken using Instagram!

Happy Monday to you!

My Love Affair With Granville Island

I'm one of the fortunate few who was born and raised right in the centre of the most beautiful city in the world, Vancouver BC. Even more fortunate, I was able to spend the majority of my childhood living amongst the lovely scenery of Graville Island, a small community and main tourist attraction near the centre of the city.

Now that I've moved away, I try to visit Granville Island with my children as often as possible. There's so much to do there, and in every direction you turn, you're faced with breathtaking scenery.

I had the kids to myself today, and it was a rare occassion where we didn't have any pre-scheduled plans. So off to my favourite place we went! We perused the toy shops and play centres within the Kids Market, a two-story  mini mall filled with rides, puppets, toys and activities. We popped in for some play, and made the last-minute decision to take Emma for her very first hair cut (at almost 5). Although she got to sit in a pink car and watch Dora, she was less than impressed.

Once finished, we headed back outside where there is a great wooden boat for kids to play on, right on the edge of a little duck pond.

We then headed over to the world-reknowned Granville Island Market. Packed with fresh flowers, rainbows of organic fruits and veggies, and fresh fish, meats and cheeses, the market is a one-stop shop for any cravings you may have. We picked up some lunch and headed out front where there are rows of benches facing the ocean. Live musicians set the mood, and swarms of pigeons and seagulls keep you company as you bask in the sun.

Once we finished our lunches, we headed down to the water and climbed onto a small Aquabus. A short boat ride across the ocean and back was a great little adventure for my little ones, who enjoy the ocean almost as much as their mama.

Then off we went to one of several playgrounds in the area. The kids played on the swings and teeter totters, and ran around on the bright green grass. With only an hour left (thanks to the tight parking restrictions), there was one more stop I wanted to make before we headed home.







We enjoyed a quick little snack on a big green hill beside the ocean. Sitting under a canopy of trees, we nibbled on some fruit and enjoyed the view. We took the long way back to the car and admired a small community of floating houses lining the shore. We fantasized about living in one of those floating houses, and talked about all the things we would do if we lived right on the ocean in the centre of Granville Island.

The kids fell asleep in minutes on the drive home, and I reminisced on the day's events. A perfect day with my favourite little people, who could ask for anything more?

Instagram Love & Picnik Lost

I'm combining my love for Instagram with my bidding adieu to my favourite photo editing site picnik.com with a photo collage of pics taken on my iPhone throughout the last week. Enjoy!

Follow me on Instagram @bitsofbee

Linking up with:

Quotable Bits #13

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." 
~Victor Hugo

Nothing brings a smile to my face like the sight or sound of my children laughing. It's healing and contagious. I wish I could keep their giggles in my pocket for rainy days.

Another thing that makes me smile? Quotes! I hope you'll take some time out of your day to enjoy some quotable bits. If this is your first time, here's how it works: pick a quote, add a picture or write a post, and link it up. Check out the other posts too and don't forget to show some comment love!

Invite your friends to the party too, the more the merrier!

What About Marriage?

I often write about the challenges I face as a career mom, and how I strive to maximize what little time I have to spend with my kids. I write about frustrations at work and how I'm looking for the perfect family/work life balance. I share my thoughts on what I love about my kids and what drives me crazy about them. But I rarely write about what could be the most important factor in finding life's true happiness - marriage.

Around Christmas time I had purchased a book called, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I had read the back and thought, hm, sounds inspiring! Well, it sat on my night stand for almost 4 months, until last night when I thought I'd turn off my iPhone and open up my book.

I had recently been thinking about how having kids can really dull a marriage. It's easy to get lost in the mundane everday tasks. To work and live alongside each other instead of in unity. Romance becomes a rarity and dates nights a distant memory.

There's a chapter in the book that talks about the importance or nurturing your marriage. How your relationship with your partner is in turn highly responsible for how you react to many other aspects in your life (ie: if you're unhappy with your partner/marriage, it's common to feel unhappy about your job, and other aspects of your life as well). I won't get into the specifics, but the author lists goals she sets for herself to follow in hopes of strengthening her marriage.

She lists the following:

* Quit nagging.
* Don't expect praise or appreciation.
* Fight right.
* No dumping.
* Give proofs of love.

All things I know I need to work on. A big thing she also points out is that you can't expect someone to change for you. If you want your marriage to be happier, you need to start with changing your actions and your attitude towards your partner. If you make the effort, the hope is that they'll notice and will reciprocate.

I'm not in an unhappy marriage, but I know that making it better hasn't been at the top of my priority list lately either. I'm busy, and have a lot on my plate with a full time career and two kids under 5. But my marriage is important to me, and I needed that little reminder that it needs some love too.

I've been inspired to make an effort, so I'm going to try to stop nagging, stop expecting praise when I clean the house or make a nice dinner (and instead do these things for my own satisfaction), pick my battles (instead of starting fights about the little things), try not to blow up, and most importantly, do little things to show my hubby that I still care.

We've been together for 10 years, married for 5

What about you? Any tips on how to keep a marriage strong when you're drowning in the craziness of a hectic life?