A few months ago I posted a screenshot of a new site for this blog.  Then there were some road blocks and procrastination and, well, LIFE.  Finally, the new site is up.  It's different than what I had thought it would be but I think I love it already.  I hope you do too! 

Thank you for all of the reading and commenting that you have participated in here on this site!  Please come check it out and let me know what you think!  (Click on the Life Where We Are logo at the top of this post!)

A Very MARKET Christmas – Pop-Up Supper

MARKET is excited to make their début into the Calgary restaurant scene! On December 18th at 7 p.m., they’ll be hosting an exclusive sneak-peek, five-course Christmas supper, MARKET style.

Join Executive Chef Geoff Rogers and Chef de Cuisine Dave Bohati for a rustic, one-of-a-kind, pop-up experience - in the middle of the Calgary Farmers Market! Although their space isn’t quite ready yet, they couldn’t wait to give Calgarians a little taste of what they’re all about.

The evening will pay tribute to the holiday season as the chefs create their rendition of a classic Christmas supper, using seasonal, local ingredients of course, and rounded out with cocktail and wine pairings matched perfectly to each course.

Tickets are $150 each with proceeds going to the Calgary Food Bank. With only 30 seats available for this exclusive, intimate gathering, guests are encouraged to make a reservation.

Contact info@marketcalgary.ca for more information or visit our Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/MARKETcalgary.

Sydney is 6 years old.  This is what she would like you to know about herself: I like to watch home alone and watch Rudolph the red nose reindeer and elf.  And wreck it Ralph. I like to play with my giant teddy bear. I like to play with my big brother. I like to snuggle with mommy and daddy early in the morning before school.   

In her own words, here is what she wants most for Christmas this year:

1. A video game for the wii.   
2. A horse doll.   
3. Big giant hello kitty teddy bear.   
4. A video game for my Nintendo DS.   
5. A movie to watch.   
6. Ummm, I want a my little pony doll.  And I want a yoshi toy.  And a luigi toy.

Anyone else get the feeling that this list could have gone on a bit longer?

Ryan is 5 years old.  When asked what he would like readers to know about him he said,  "I like to go in my brothers' room and play in it."   Check out that mischievous grin!  Ryan listed 6 things that he would like to get for Christmas this year.

1. I wanna get Snappa from Ninjago. That's a snake.    
2. I want a Sensei Wu from Ninjago.   
3. Samurai MEC robot. It's actually an exo suit.   
4. A Dora Stuffie.    
5. NRG Jay from Lego Ninjago.   
6. My own kitchen.

We finally have a response from a girl!  Laila is 5 years old.  She likes gymnastics and LOVES to dance in her room.   Here are the top 5 things on Laila's Christmas list:

1. A new Maplea doll.   
2. Hip hop dance lessons.   
3. A real telephone of my own to call my friends.   
4. A mini trampoline in my room.   
5. Candy.

These lists are getting very interesting.  I love how Ryan casually added a Dora Stuffie and a kitchen in the middle of all the Ninjago toys!  And how smooth is Laila, slipping in the request for a real telephone?

Grady is 4 years old, he never (really NEVER) sits still. He would stay up all night it he could. He has 2 dogs and 8 fish but really wants a cat (go figure). He is in preschool and is pretty sure he won't like kindergarten." 

His  favorite TV show: Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Octonauts

His favorite book: Spiderman Stories

Here are the top 5 things on his Christmas wish list this year, along with some charming explanations:


1. A boomerang - "it looks like a uh it has some groovers"   
2. Doodle Bear - "wash for the erase the doodle bear, then you can draw it again"   
3. A toy firetruck - "I really like a toy fire truck, it would be big"   
4. My own Jake and the Neverland Pirates Bucky - "the Bucky pirate ship"   
5. A Captain Hook Skeleton - "you remember? it looks like teeth"

Amazing how much changes in one year, right?  I think the 3 year olds seemed quite a bit easier to please.

I recently sent out a survey asking kids of all ages to share what would be at the top of their Christmas wish list. Over the next week I will share the results with you.  Who knows?  Maybe you will get the inspiration you need for a child on your list.

Gordie is 3 years old.  He loves trains, running and playing on playgrounds.  The following items are the top 5 on his Christmas wish list this year:

1. A truck  
2. Balloons  
3. A car   
4. A book   
5. A car (again)

Noah is another 3 year old who shared his wish list with us with a little help from his outdoorsy mom.  He loves playing outdoors, playing with his trains, reading books, and building with his Lego.  He also loves to build puzzles.

1. Duplo Lego (or anything for building)
2. Children's Snow shoes (Mommy's idea really)   
3. Books   
4. Anything Thomas the Train    
5. Puzzles!!!   
6. My own paddle for canoeing next summer (another suggestion by Mommy)

With the exception of Noah's mom wanting him to have his own paddle canoe and snow shoes, three year olds are very easy to buy for.  I also think it's really cute that Gordie asked for a car twice. 

It's December 2nd and a lot of my friends are talking about having their Christmas shopping finished or almost finished.  Do you want to know how many gifts I have bought?  Zero.  That's right, I am one of those that shops right up until Christmas Eve.  I am also one of those people always googling "what to buy a __ year old" or "what to buy for a foodie" for gift ideas.  I love those lists because they always introduce me to cool gift ideas that I wouldn't have thought about on my own.  So this year I am giving back and making some gift suggestions and lists of my own here on Life Where We Are.

LVJ Haberdasher just launched their website and I love so many things about them. 

#1. They are a local Calgary-based company. 
#2. Their gorgeous men's accessories are handmade here in Canada and the USA. 
#3. The owner is a long time friend of mine and is not only sophisticated but also one of the sweetest guys you will ever do business with.

If you have a man in your life who likes to have unique, quality accessories give him one of these beautiful ties.  If you are a gentleman looking to stand out at all of the holiday functions this month, these products are worth checking out.  Bow Tie Thursdays anyone?  Kick it up a notch with LVJ's sophisticated selection.

Please join me in wishing LVJ Haberdasher all the best in their new venture!

I would love to know where you are in your Christmas shopping and if there are any specific suggestions or lists you would like to see featured here.

A very special Christmas and a spectacular family of polar bears will be arriving at Chinook Centre this Friday.  Heavy Industries was just finishing the final touches on these glamorous bears when I saw them last week and I am looking forward to seeing them in their new home and holiday setting where I expect they will be even more breathtaking than they were in the warehouse.  

We are making a family event out of it as it is a perfect time for getting kids out of the house and also, I hear that Santa is arriving after the bears are unveiled!

If you are interested in being there to get a first glimpse of the polar bears, the unveiling is scheduled for Friday, November 23 at 11AM.   Will we see you there?

It is the birthday of my dear friend, Annette Rhodes!  Annette is one-of-a-kind in the best way possible way.  I often find myself describing her to my other friends only to end up saying "You would just have to meet her" or "You would have to see her house to know that it really works!"  I have blogged about how wonderful she is before, you can read the interview and see pictures of her wonderful home if you click HERE.  Today I thought I'd give you a glimpse into tea time at Annette's house from our visit this summer.  Enjoy!

On our recent road trip we were lucky enough to be driving a 2012 Ford Flex loaned to us by Ford Canada.  We drove the Flex to Waterton, Alberta then up the Cowboy Trail and over to Golden, British Columbia.  We spent a day in Banff and ended up in Canmore, Alberta before returning home to Calgary.  

I've been a fan of Ford for a few years.  It started when I test drove the Edge about 3 years ago.  Then Ford Canada invited me to spend a day learning about the new Ford Escapes and my appreciation grew even more.  Driving the Flex for an extended period of time has solidified my opinions and rest assured, the opinions are all my own.  Ford is confident enough in their product that they did not ask for any reviews, posts, or public feedback.  I am just impressed enough that I want to share.

The video above is of Josh using the Active Park Assist for the first time.  I love that it captured how the technology wowed him.  If you haven't had the luxury of having a car park itself for you, you need to take a Ford for a test drive.  It is amazing technology.

Here are some of the other things we took advantage of:

I stowed Max's lunch and milk in the refrigerator.  Yes, you read that right, there is a refrigerator in the middle row of the Ford Flex.  Very convenient.

The enormous windows and multipanel Vista Roof™ with front-, second-, and third-row skylight views gave all of us great visibility which was awesome considering the fantastic scenery we were surrounded by.  I think it helped Max feel he was more a part of things even though he was by himself in the second row. 

We set the Adaptive Cruise Control and the distance we wanted the Flex to maintain between us and any vehicles and the Flex drove itself.  Of course we still had to steer but the Flex took care of the gas and brake pedal including coming to a complete stop on it's own when needed.  How incredible is that?

A few times when the sensors thought that we were rapidly approaching a collision, the car braked itself and threw up a red light on the front window.  This vehicle is smart.  

Heated AND air-conditioned seats.  Need I say more?

Several times when we stopped for food or gas we were asked about the Flex because it is a distinctive vehicle.  I think the only complaint we had was the road noise but have you heard the winds in Waterton and through those Rocky Mountain Passes?  I may need to test it again to see if there was as much road noise as I thought.   ;)

Are you a Ford fan?  Would you be interested in trying out some of these awesome features for yourself?