museum of natural sciences

On a cold Monday morning not too long ago, we were looking for something fun to do with our children. We had planned on going to the Western Development Museum, but as luck would have it, it’s closed on Mondays. Instead, I googled museums in and around Saskatoon and one of the results was the Museum of Natural Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan.

I have been to that museum many times. I would pass through it a few times a week on my way to class when I was a university student. I also used to work in that building as a research assistant five days a week prior to having children. I would drive to the university, park for free using my step-dad’s spare parking pass, grab a coffee from Tim Hortons, and head on up to the quiet library, staying for as long as I needed to. Oh, those were such easy and care-free days! How things have changed.

As for the museum itself, I had never thought about visiting it again because I had always regarded it more as a lobby filled with dinosaur bones- a place that you happen to pass through on your way from A to B, as opposed to a museum that you would take the time to visit. However, there is no admission fee and Remy is slightly obsessed with dinosaurs, so I thought that it would be an exciting adventure for both her and Wilder.

It didn’t matter to them that it is not that big from an adult’s standpoint. Because to children, it is! All that mattered was that there was so much to look at, open spaces to run around, and people to interact with.

While I was nervous about how loud and excited they were, the students and teachers seemed to find them amusing. We received so many laughs and comments. It was a fun and educational 45 minutes, and I recommend it to anyone living in Saskatoon that has young children and an hour or so to spend doing something fun. Best of all, it doesn’t cost anything.

Emory

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diner dates

Screen Shot 2015-06-18 at 9.47.39 PMLately, my husband and I have been going out to eat at diners rather than full-fledged restaurants. I am either very picky or very simple when it comes to food, I know what I like and I never stray from my favourites. This includes anything in cheese or pizza form. My husband, on the other hand, tends to pick the most random thing on the menu for his meal. I’m talking an awkward combination of both savoury and sweet. Half of the time he ends up really enjoying it, while the other half he’s not so impressed, but will eat it anyway. He’s a real trooper. Although I admire his adventurousness, I would never choose my meals this way. Once I know that I like something, I could live with it forever. Maybe that’s why I got married so young. Just kidding.

Diner Dates 1There are two diners in particular that we could eat at over and over again. One is called Jerry’s Food Emporium. Known mostly for its ice cream and 100% Angus beef, it is an extremely popular place all year round. So much so that there are two locations in our city of 300,000 residents. Funny story, when my parents first moved here, they lived on one of the most expensive streets in the city. My stepdad, who is named Gerald, or Gerry for short, was asked by their contractors if he owned the diner Jerry’s since they thought he had a lot of money. Well, he doesn’t, and those contractors didn’t stick around much longer after that. But we still laugh about it to this day!

Diner Dates 2On this particular night, we went to the food emporium prior to a movie date. Geoffrey got two different flavours of ice cream, of course, and I stuck to a plate of fries and vinegar. I’m not sure if it’s the decor or the food, but Jerry’s is my second favourite diner to eat at in the city.

Diner Dates 4My absolute favourite diner in the city is called Pink Cadillacs Malt Shop & Diner. There are two main reasons why I love this place. The first is because of the really carby and cheesy theme food. The second is the ambiance. From the decor, to the 1950s and 60s music that continuously plays, to the wait staff’s poodle skirts. The whole dining experience is unlike any other contemporary restaurant. 

Diner Dates 5The first time Geoffrey and I went, I was awestruck. You know when you watch classic films and you sit there thinking, ‘I would give anything to be able to live in that era,’ or, ‘man, I was born in the wrong decade.’ Everything just looked so dreamy and carefree in the 1950s. Well, stepping into Pink Cadillacs is like stepping into a time machine. Never have I felt more at home than when I am actually in my own home. Or place of work. Or gym. You get the picture.

Here are some of the items that are on the menu:

Diner Dates 8The Fonz Sandwich
Pan seared salmon, tartar sauce, fresh sprouts and potato chip garnish. Served on a roasted garlic potato bun.

Ring of Fire
Sunny side up fried egg, jalapeno havarti, cilantro, banana peppers and chipotle aioli.

The Danny Zuko
Back bacon, aged white cheddar and caramelized onions.

The Beatnik Hotdog
Braised sauerkraut, dijon mustard and caramelized onions.

Tell me, do you have any favourite diners that you visit?

<3

Emory

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a week of valentines: beloved canadian music

Today marks the second post in my new mini-series, A Week of Valentines! Yesterday I showed you how to craft a homemade pillow that is appropriate for all ages and genders. Today we will be discussing music. Tomorrow, food.

While more than half of my readers are American, I must admit that as Canadians, we have some pretty amazing musicians that come from our country. This includes The Guess Who, Five Man Electrical Band, Joni Mitchell, The Band, The Stampeders, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, and Steppenwolf, just to name a few of my favourites. Yours, too, probably.

One of the most renowned Canadian artists is Neil Young. Just last week, he collaborated with Jimmy Fallon on his classic song “Old Man.” The results were pure genius, in my opinion. The skit was funny in a way that I never would have expected. Anyway, take a look for yourselves if you haven’t already seen it.

For Valentine’s Day, I’ve created this YouTube playlist with one or two songs from each of these artists. The total length is 50 solid minutes of pure listening gold. So, why not put on some soulful oldies to invoke feelings of love, relaxation, and nostalgia? Nothing helps set the mood for fantastic lovin’ more than music does. 

<3

Emory

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the grand budapest hotel review

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I realize that this film isn’t as current as the other movies that I usually review. However, with all of the snow that we’ve been getting in Canada, I’ve been in a Grand-Budapest kind of mood.

2.jpgThe Grand Budapest Hotel is my second favourite Anderson film, after Moonrise Kingdom. That does not mean that it is not worth seeing. I still love this movie very much. On paper, it has many points that I look for in a good film. It’s quirky. It has action and adventure, murder, mystery, is set in a foreign land, is set far back in time, has class, has amazing actors, and is visually stunning. Actually, it’s probably one of the most perfect and most stunning movies that I have ever seen. Each scene is a work of art in and of itself.

Here is the synopsis:

The Grand Budapest Hotel recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune – all against the backdrop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent.”

– Fox Searchlight

5.jpgWould you like to expand your education on The Grand Budapest Hotel? Then you may become a student of the Akademie Zubrowka where they offer a course on the Republic of Zubrowka before the War.

6.jpgDid you know that the famous hotel is also on Trip Advisor? You may view the link by clicking here.

4.jpgI, myself, have never been to Hungary. If and when I do go, I would love it if I could stay on the Alpine Mountainside. I would suggest that you guys do the same, and keep an eye out for The Grand Budapest Hotel. If you never plan on going, then just watch the film.

<3

Emory

twenty-nine candles

Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 presetI don’t know about you, but I never used to enjoy my birthday. I hated the idea of turning another year older, as did I dislike having all eyes on me on that day. I’m very shy by nature, and try to skip out on events that centre around myself. For instance, I never went to my high school graduation, either of my university convocations, and as for our wedding, we eloped. Get the picture? Good!

That being said, my birthday this year wasn’t so bad. It was the first time in 9 years that I didn’t dread or fall into a slight depression around this time of year. I actually didn’t really feel much of anything! Also, what should have been a one-day event turned into a five-day celebration! It felt more like an Indian wedding ceremony than a birthday. It was nice, though, and I’ll take you through how I spent it.

2.jpg1.jpgThe celebration began Wednesday night. Geoffrey and I had a gym date, which was followed by a movie date. Going to the gym with my husband is one of my favourite things to do as a couple. We both get to engage in what we love, all while shooting each other glances from across the building. Lame, but cute and kind of intimate as well. 

3.jpg4.jpg5.jpgThe film that we saw was The One I Love. If you are married, or have ever been married, you must see this film. Honestly. It’s twisted, dark, funny, relatable, and refreshingly original. Plus, we were able to see it at the Broadway Theatre. Aside from ourselves, there was only one or two other couples. I love being in an empty theatre.

6.jpg8.jpgOn Thursday, we started our morning doing something that we haven’t done in what felt like forever; we went out for breakfast! Holy God, it was delicious. I wish that it was something that we could do more often.

20.jpg9.jpgAfterwards, we headed out to our storage unit in order to pick up some things for our new home. Here is a picture of our unit in its current state. Yikes! I’m not looking forward to unpacking this sucker.

10.jpg21.jpgThen we drove out to our home to check on its progress, discuss some details with our contractor, and drop a bunch of things off. We were told that we would be able to move in about  … wait for it … one month! Hurray! We can officially see a light at the end of the tunnel!

22.jpgLater that night we went and babysat my nieces and nephew. Chaos soon ensued, but it turned into a really fun evening. They always put me in such a great mood, and I think that the same goes for them.

Processed with VSCOcam with kk1 presetWe sort of skipped Friday. We both had to go back to work that day, and by the time I got home at night, it was too late to do anything.

11.jpgSaturday morning was spent together, and in the afternoon, I went to the gym while Geoffrey went and bought more of my birthday gift. The evening was spent with my parents at Red Lobster. I love going out for supper with them. They’re a hilarious duo.

12.jpgSunday finally came, which was also the actual day of my birthday. By then, I was a little tired of all the celebrations and the ‘all eyes on me’ attitude. Not that I acted like a princess for the last four days, but I was looking forward to passing the attention onto somebody else. I worked at the library for the better part of the day, but my nieces came over that morning to drop off my many gifts and cards. I was also inundated with phone calls and text messages all morning. I didn’t even know if I would be able to make it to work on time!

Screen Shot 2014-11-23 at 7.52.58 PMSunday night we picked up takeout and a movie after work, and spent the evening relaxing. It was a great week, to say the least. Thanks, family!

<3

Emory

  • Hello! My name is Emory. I am a wife, mother of four (three on earth in heaven). This is our life on the Canadian prairies.
    email: helloscarlettblog@outlook.com

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