Cows On the Couch

It has come to my attention that many of our younger cousins who have just tied the knot are looking into buying a house or are or has already bought the house.  While I strongly encourage a home inspection before buying their home – I have some cousins who are very good with their pneumatic tools  and can do all their own minor renovation or fixing up of their new homes on their own.   But unless you get the house at a really low price – I wouldn’t want to fix up my house for we don’t have any spare time to do it.  So when the spouse or the brother in laws wants tools for Christmas – i gladly buy them for them because I know that when we need renovation work done in our home they would certainly come to help with the tools we’ve bought them.So what so important about a home inspection and what to watch out for a home inspection,  that would be for another post and another day.

Now if I owned a spa or a hair salon – I could definitely use a lighting like above.  Found from Absolut Lighting and at $399 – not cheap but definitely unique and yes, it’s a talking piece alright.

A winner of the 2007 Nachlux, a European award for innovation in lighting, the Shining Brussels Sconce/Pendant can be hung as either a wall sconce or a ceiling pendant.  While the technology that goes into each pendant is cutting edge, it’s the old-world craft behind the glass shade that makes the greater impact. Featuring a finely etched design, the light cast from this lamp is made into astriking pattern of light and shadow.

For those who don’t enjoy the winter and the cold – the only consolation one gets when they get home from a hard day’s work is a heated jacuzzi.  I find that it helps with my back pain and arthritis and with a raypak  spa heater, our jacuzzi and pool is heated even in the summer.  We bought the jacuzzi to help with my back pain when I first arrived in Canada – and we never turned back – so those of you who have back pain – instead of spending money on going to the spa once a month – why not save the money and invest in a jacuzzi.  I love using the jacuzzi after using my infrared steam bath – I think it was one of the best investment we made – the steam bath gets rid of toxins in our body and then the dipping into the heated jacuzzi for 20 mins a day helps to reduce my back pain and aching body.

When you have kids you definitely need to visit a pediatrician at one time or another.  Some of us visits the Pediatrician more often than others and a new mom asked me the other day – which is the best pediatrician in town.  I chose my pediatrician not only because he came highly recommended but his office was all equipped with computer carts  that were also designed for children and less intimidating.   When your kids enter the pediatrician’s office and see all those children’s cartoon of submarine, fishes, smiley faces – it definitely helped. Visual are so important to kids – so if they can picture the pediatrician’s office being a happy and kiddy place – they don’t mind going back to visit the pediatrician.  So my advice to all new parents to choose your child’s pediatrician properly – make sure that the doctor’s office is a fun place for your kids’ to visit.  The all white or grey office just don’t cut it for our kids now – our kids are way too smart these days.

I do not like to buy complicated things – all complicated things are for the spouse – and i can’t wait for him each time I want something right?  so i find things that I can fix and do it up myself which I find is the simplest.   Box for the birds is an easy way for you to have a bird house without screwdrivers, sawing and hammering them together.

Pretty neat right?  if a kid can do it – so can you!  check it out yourself.  Buy them from FAB or box for birds starting for about $23 .50 – $79 – depending on the material.

What began as a project with his daughter grew into an intelligently constructed birdhouse for all to enjoy. Designer and artist Michael Oliveri crafted this innovative bird sanctuary as a puzzle so that each piece slides together neatly without requiring nails or glue. Made from aluminum, it’s awonderful craft project for you and your kids to enjoy. In the end it’s for the birds, but putting it together will be a beautiful memory of an afternoon with your family.

The local radio station had been playing sounds from Adele for the last few months – that even someone who don’t know who Adele is – would know by now.  My kids had been asking for Adele’s song to be downloaded on their  ipods  as well – so we have been buying  iTunes gift cards for them instead of their allowances.   Unlike other parents, we make sure that they learned that things cost money and they need to save up for their ipod accessories and iTunes gift cards – we don’t just give it to them.  My kids say that I’m mean and stingy but I don’t mind being the bad guy in the family because I was brought up that way – therefore I never spend what I don’t have.  Instilling the right value in your children when they are young is very important – so if they needed anything they know they have to save their allowances for them.  In the meantime, here’s a sound from Adele.

Loved these soy candles because they are handmade and using everything recycled from wine bottles to premium soy wax.  From sandalwood to light citrus and some said maple syrup.  They looked good enough to give for housewarming gifts – don’t you think?  Rewind Candles are made in Charleston – and can be ordered online from their website – http://www.rewinedcandles.com/

Handcrafted Minimal Furnishing by http://www.sarabistudio.com/  are furniture that I like a lot.   They are certainly sleek looking – don’t you think – like this steel tatami planter – costing like $300 + shipping.   I loved the steel bench too – but since it’s so cold here – I know they are going to zap my children bad – so I’m only considering getting this sleek looking planter instead for the summer.  And I read they can custom made anything for you – just give them a call.  Pretty neat I say – wished they were in a warmer place like Asia – so we don’t have to worry about getting zapped.

My kid loved the dino and I do not know why ?  but she would buy books and books all about dino and if she could read about dino everyday – she would.  She is so fascinated by dino – so when I saw this online at http://www.dinoprints.com/  I had to get one of these posters for her.  Printed on Epson photo paper – a wee bit expensive – I think it’s worth every penny for my dino loving kid.

Who doesn’t like to get saucy right? and yes even during the winter – we love a good BBQ when the weather permits and all good BBQ party needs something really saucy and paying more for a good sauce is nothing to us – who loved good food.    At $5.95 a bottle – yo8u can get this Big Ed’s Heirloom BBQ Sauce and Marinate.  I hear that it is robust and has a tangy vinegar BBQ sauce base.  Great even fro tofu!  now that’s a plus for I loved tofu to the max but of course, you can look forward to a good BBQ of ribs as well with this new BBQ sauce.