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.

“OMG, what if I have nothing to write about? Worse, what if no one wants to read what I have to say?!”

Ok, full disclosure time. Those are the thoughts that have left me here, at my computer, in a cold sweat as I sit down to write this – my first blog post.

So, I take a deep breath and put on some inspirational music. (In truth, I grab the closest CD — the soundtrack to one of my all-time favourite movies, Love Actually). If it wasn’t 3:30 in the afternoon, I’d have a glass of Pinot Grigio, too, because it always gets the creative juices flowing. After a moment of reflection, I decide I either:

(a)  Am severely lacking in self confidence.
(b)  Have a bad case of Sally Field-itis. (Remember when she won the Oscar years ago and declared to her audience of peers, “So you really do like me!” Why do we, women and moms, care so much about being liked anyway? That’s something we should definitely chat about later).
(c)  Simply have writer’s block.

I’m opting for (c).

Because this is my very first blog post, I trust you’ll go easy on me. I’ve also decided I’ll start by introducing myself and we can take it from there.

By day, I’m the editor of the Life and Health sections at Canadian Living magazine. I truly love my job – reading all the latest books and studies that come in, and pouring over products and story ideas from readers and writers.

Outside of the office, I’m a wife, mum to two girls (Liv just turned 10; Sophie is almost 7), sister, daughter, girlfriend, and avid reader and bookclub member. I’m also trying to lose the 15 pounds I gained as a result of foot surgery in the fall. (Ok, maybe the Pinot Grigio and penchant for late-night nachos and salsa are more to blame).

A couple of times a week, I’ll be writing here at the CL.com mom blog to share my thoughts with you as well as tips, information, books and products that I think you’ll be interested in hearing about. And there will be contests, too.

Talk to you soon.
P.S. Watch for my next entry for a chance to win a blender.