Ok. I can't dodge the issue anymore. What am I talking about, you ask? My niece.

A couple of weeks ago, I told you that my teenage niece had come to live with us for the summer. A few of you asked, 'How's it going?' (Thank you for asking!)

Some people sent me their horror stories of teens gone wild... girls, er nieces, to be precise  ... in their own homes. (Hmm, why am I less reluctant to express my appreciation for that?)

Then I posted a list of great books on parenting teens. More people wrote and asked, a bit more pressing this time, "So-o, how's it going with the niece mum blogger?"

A master of deflection, I gave you a great 'win-some-wine' contest. Yes, it's confession time: I'm avoiding the issue.

It's not that things are going terribly awry. Overall, they are actually pretty good.

At the heart of the matter is the fact that I didn't ask my niece or sister (niece's mum) if I could blog about the situation before I opened my big mouth. And it turns out (surprise, surprise) my lovely niece would rather I not tell tales - good or not so good - out of home.

This led to a discuss with my great co-workers here at Canadian Living magazine and among my girlfriends. Here's what we mulled over:

In an age in which so many people have blogs and are on Facebook or MySpace, how much of our trials and tribulations with others should we be sharing with the rest of the world - without asking those people involved (friends, kids, spouse etc.) if they mind first?

A question worth thinking about, indeed. Especially when what we put online stays online - forever.

What do you think?

How much should we disclose?

And  do we owe it to the people in our lives (particularly our kids) to ask their permission before we blab on about their dating woes, acne breakouts or temper tantrums?

I want to know what you think -- and I have a Canadian Living cookbook to give away!

Happy Friday ladies!

Thanks to everyone who wrote and shared their whackiest wine and food pairings. We all have a lot of new combos to try this weekend. Congrats to Marilyn who won with her pick of S'mores and yellow tail Shiraz in plastic cups - enjoyed around a campfire. How very summery!

Here in Toronto, it's been a soggy summer and everyone is getting fed up with the weather. (Not to mention our garbage strike going into its sixth week). Personally, I don't mind the lack of heat but I do miss the sunshine.

My heart goes out to my daugher, Liv, who is at an overnight YWCA camp up on Georgian Bay. She's heading into week two and I bet her cabin and clothes are pretty damp. And the bugs sure do love this wet weather.

How's the weather in your neck of the woods -- and, more importantly, has it affected your summer plans? Write and tell me. Are you a hot and steamy summer lover or are you just fine with the cooler, rainy days?

Til next time, Kathryn

I was so pleased when [yellow tail] wines contacted me about this offer because their Shiraz and Merlot wines are two of my favorite picks for hostess gifts when I get together with my girlfriends and other families.

Ok, enough with the personal banter. I know you just want to know what (and how) you can win. Here goes.

The winemaker has created its own customized version of Monopoly and to celebrate they are giving away a copy (a collector's item worth $60).

What do you have to do to win? Write and tell me how you play by your rules with your whackiest wine and food pairing.

Talk to you soon, Kathryn

Last time I wrote, I shared the news that my niece had come to live with us for the summer. That event has had me dusting off teen parenting books in my office here at Canadian Living magazine, and asking co-workers which books they'd recommend.

Here, I'd like to share four picks with you:

• Teen Brain, Teen Mind by Ron Clavier. I first read this book when it came across my desk four years ago. I liked it so much that I had lunch with Ron, who is Canadian, and asked him if he would answer parents' questions on our 12-16 Your Kids page. Ron and I have worked together ever since and now he has a new edition of this book out.

• Now I Know Why Tigers Eat Their Young - Surviving a New Generation of Teenagers by Peter Marshall. Another great Canadian parenting author, who reminds us that we weren't perfect as teens, so we can't set the bar too high for our offspring. Most importantly, this book will help you talk more effectively with your teen.

• Dr. Karyn's Guide to The Teen Years by Dr. Karyn Gordon. Dr. Karyn, as she calls herself, is very popular among urban parents, especially those with girls, and her book offers solid advice on troubling issues such as depression, bullying and drug abuse.

• Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall: A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager by Anthony Wolf. I confess that I haven't read this book ... but I love the title and Wolf's columns in the Globe & Mail. Canadian Living's publisher, Lynn Chambers, tuned me into this book. She has a couple of tween/teen daughters and thinks it's very helpful. She also told me many of her mom friends love it, too.

Happy readin

P.S. Tomorrow I announce a new contest! (Sorry it didn't come together earlier this week but it's worth the wait).

This week, we welcomed a new member to our household. Nope, not a baby, or a fluffy kitten or an impossibly energetic puppy. Our new addition is ... (drum roll please) ... my niece who is living with us for the summer.

I know this doesn't sound like a big deal, but for me it is. Why? Because said niece is a whole new species to this mum blogger. She's a teen. And for the mum of 7 and 10 year olds, this is new territory indeed.

For the first time in my life I have someone who is asking to borrow my make-up, my blow dryer and my hot-rollers, and who spends more time in the bathroom than me. I know, it sounds so very cliche ... but it's all true. I have even found myself mumbling under my breathe, "When is she going to wake up? Half the day is already gone."

Then, when I caught a glimpse out the window of my 90 year-old neighbour picking weeds out of her lawn and dragging around a brown compast bag, I couldn't suppress the thought: "Hmm, they just don't make 'em like they used to, do they? Kids these days. They're so-o lazy."

Help! I am morphing into an old codger.

As I adjust to having a teen in my home, I remind myself that this is great training for the years that lie ahead when my girls emerge from their bedrooms after noon, squinting their eyes as they adjust to the daylight.

Do you have teens? If so, help a fellow mum out.

Write to me with your teen parenting tips and stories. You can even share your favourite books on parenting teens.

Until next time, Kathryn

P.S. I am waiting on the final details of an exciting contest that I hope to have up on by blog early next week, so tune in.

First off, thanks to Kate for her reply to my last posting.

Kate, you are the proud winner of the latest cookbook by Canadian Living, "Make It Tonight." It's full of yummy recipes. (Send me your mailing address and register/sign up for this blog and I'll get "Make It Tonight" to you.)

I'm back to work at Canadian Living magazine and blogging after spending a glorious week in Picton, Ontario, with my family.

If you're not familiar with the area, the star attraction for the family set is the wonderful beaches that boast stunning dunes and stretches of sand that go on further than the eye can see. The main beach was perfect for my kids (7 and 10) because we could walk out about 50 metres into Lake Ontario and the water was only up to my waist. (Yes, it's actually clean water there and you can swim in it, which is a novel concept for this Toronto gal!)

We made sand castles on the beach with girls, swam and visited the nearby farmer's markets where we purchased the sweetest Ontario strawberries. And being a city girl, it was wonderful to spend Canada Day out in the country. The town put on an amazing fireworks display and served up scrumptous cake.

We didn't make it to any of the many lovely local wineries - ah, but that just gives me a reason to go back for a romantic weekend with my guy.

I'm a fair-weather camper and the forecast was dodgy so we stayed in at a bed and breakfast called One Main Street that I highly recommend if you visit the area. Our hosts were delightful and made the most amazing breakfasts.

Where will you be vacationing this summer?

Until next time, Kathryn

P.S. Watch out for the next contest. I hope to have it up later this week.