What local delectable will you be cooking up this weekend?

Well, it's here. There's no denying that summer is totally gone, and fall has reared its chilly, yet spectacularly colourful, head. I forgot about all the delicious bounty that's available this time of year. Apples, squash, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, cranberries, cabbage, carrots ... you catch my drift.

Tonight, I'll be knee deep in the apples I picked last weekend. I'll bake my mother's apple pie (I watched her cook pies for years, and it's amazing what one remembers) and Canadian Living's Apple Cardamom Cake. Then I'll be heading up to the cottage - pie in tow - with my family, and who knows what yummy treats will be served!

What special treat, made with your local ingredients, will you be cooking up this Thanksgiving?

If you need any tips, head to our everything Thanksgiving page for great ideas.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

I hope you all enjoyed you mid-week holiday. It was nice to get a day off. It's sort of confusing to have a break in the middle of the week – I have thought it was Monday many times today. I admit, I wish it was a long weekend. We'll all be counting down the days to the August long weekend!

I celebrated Canada Day at my dad's with a barbecue and some tasty rosé (what?!? It's red!). We could see the fireworks from his balcony.

How did you spend Canada Day? Did you watch the fireworks? Have a party featuring local fare? Or, did you just relax all day? Did you follow a yearly tradition?

What to know just how Canadian you are? Take our Canadian trivia quiz and let us know how you do!

Don't forget to enter my current contest. I'll be announcing the winner next Friday.

In a quest to save money and ... er ... the environment, many of us will be taking a staycation this year.

What's a staycation, you ask? It's when (more...)

Congratulations to ash who has won the final copy of Jill Lambert's A Good Catch. Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway. I hope the winners enjoy their books and if you didn't win, I highly suggest you purchase a copy or, better yet, add it to your Christmas list.

And now is the moment for my last green gift idea. Make homemade goodies! There are so so many things you can make for a sweet or salt lover. From squares to savoury cookies to spiced nuts to bark. Or, how about trying your hand and jams or pies? In my opinion, these are the best gift of all. I love being in the receiving end of homemade treats.

Click here for ideas for other gifts from the kitchen!

First off, the second winner of A Good Catch never claimed his prize, so that copy is up for grabs. All you have to do is sign up to receive my Green Living blog to your e-mail inbox and you are eligible to win Jill Lambert's A Good Catch. Click on the word e-mail under the icon at the top left side of this page (it looks like this ). Good luck!

I must officially be in the festive spirit, as I just can't get Christmas off my mind. Maybe it's because I went to see Stuart McLean's Christmas show on the weekend, or maybe it's because I haven't even thought about going Christmas shopping yet (probably the latter). Regardless, in my quest to green-ify my Christmas I thought I'd share some of my findings with you.

- Use LED, energy-efficient lights to decorate for the holidays. LED lights use 80 per cent less energy than old school tree lights - they also last longer.

- Make your own tree decorations. This year I'm going to dry out some clementines and stick cloves in them. Not only will they feel traditional, they'll smell amazing. You can also make pretty decorations with cinnamon sticks. Tie them in bundles and attach a wire (under the tie) and make a loop - hang from tree! If you are more of a crafter, there are plenty of ideas for other homemade tree decorations here.

- Get creative and make your own Christmas cards. Use recycled paper, old wallpaper or wrapping paper scraps, cardboard from cereal or cracker boxes, bows and ribbons and your imagination. Everyone is impressed with homemade cards. You'll also save a bundle of money!

- With the recession and attempts to greenify, I'm opting to give some homemade gifts this season. It's easy to make bark, squares, cookies and flavourful nuts in the comfort of my own home. I'll then package them in pretty boxes or jars.

I'd also love some more ideas, so if anyone has some great ones to share, please do so here!