Summer's almost over, isn't it?

Oh, did I just put a damper on your day? Sorry. (To make it up, I'll let you in on a little secret ... if you really don't want to read my blog you could skip to the end to see the contest.)

Now, back to the discussion at hand ... I know that it doesn't officially become fall until Sept 22 - almost a whole month from now. But the real sign that summer is behind us is the first day of school, and that's less than two weeks away.

Everyone has a different event that signals the end of the summer. Perhaps it's a trip to the mall for back to school supplies, or spying your kid's worn-out, grass-stained sneekers lying in the front hall. (This week, both of my daughter's Crocs fell apart - a sure sign that summer is winding down).

For my family, the realization that summer is leaving us comes with the arrival of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. The Ex, as it's affectionately known, always starts two weeks before school.  Len, the girls and I visited it on Sunday ... taking in the rides (I can't do rollercoasters or anything that spins too much, but I'm a star on the carpet slide!), smells (what is it with kids and candy floss?) and sights (great farm animals; we loved Oscar the long-tailed sheep).

Talk to me ... What signals the end of summer for you? And are you looking forward to what is  the real start of the new year?

CONTEST TIME: I've got a great Canadian family movie,  Finn on the Fly, to give away ... so write to me.

This movie has lots of laughs

There's one thing my kids, ages 7 and 10, just can grasp in the summer ... and that's why I have to work.

"Why? Why?" my 7 year-old asks repeatedly.

Sophie is a smart cookie (not that I am biased or anything) but it just doesn't make sense to her. I secretly wish she ran corporate Canada so her philosophy of  'summer's for staying home and having fun' would rule the workplace.

Couldn't everything  just be put on hold from June 30 to Aug 31 so we could all hit the beach?

I explain to Sophie the concept of household expenses, clothing etc. and the corresponding need to earn money to pay for said things. The feminist side of me is also quick to point out that this mum likes to work.

'Sweetie, I went to school and studied hard to work in a profession I love. And I want you to do the same."

Sophie pauses for a moment and then declares: 'I'm going to be a teacher when I grow up. They are the only adults who have fun in the summer.'

Summer is ripe with mummy guilt.  I talk to so many mum friends who worry if they have their kids in too many camps, in the right ones, feel horrible that they don't have more time to spend with them, and fret over having to work such long hours  before taking a much-deserved vacation with their families.

It's never easy being a working mum. But my take is that it's toughest in the summer when the pressure is on full-force to be relaxed and there for your kids ... at least if they are not teens, yet, and actually want you around!

The answer isn't for all us working mums to quit our jobs. There has to be a better way.

One solution that worked for me this summer was to swap childcare with a neighbour. This week my daughter, Liv, 10, is camping up north with Ally and her daughter, Olivia. (Sophie is with grandma).

Next week when I'm off on holidays, we'll take Ally's daughter away with us.  It's one week that both Ally and I don't have to deal with mummy guilt.

Do you experience mummy guilt in the summer? How do you juggle work and spending time with your kids?

If we all share ideas, we can spend less time stressing and more time having fun with our kids.

Until next time, Kathryn

Let's talk Christmas. Huh? Yup, that's right, Christmas.

All day long for the last few weeks, that's all I've had on my mind.

You see, in the magazine world, editors, art directors and writers toil away on issues long before our readers ever see them. Guess which issue I have been working on lately? Right! December ... and that means the holidays.

The offices of Canadian Living are filled with the scrumptious smells of shortbread and gingerbread wafting out from our fabulous test kitchen, which just happens to be about four feet away from my office door — oh the agony.

And every time I check my email, there's at least one new message from a public relations company offering an invite to come to their 'Christmas in July' or 'Christmas in August' event, at which they preview new products that they hope will make it on your wish list. No wonder, I'm surprised it hasn't started to snow just yet.

One trend I'm noticing this year is the desire to put the 'giving' back in present exchanges and the holidays in general. It seems the recession has given us the chance to pause and think a little bit about what we really want to accomplish when we give a gift.

I know for most of you, the holidays mean hitting the beach and enjoying backyard bbqs. And if you're like me you won't start your shopping until Dec 1.

Still, I want to know ... Has the economy made you think twice about gifts you purchase, and do you think it will do so this Christmas season? If so, tell me how.

Until next time, Kathryn

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

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.

There are so many things to celebrate this Sunday!

First off, it’s Father’s Day.

In my home, we have an awesome dad. My husband, Len, does more than his share of childcare and household chores. And last night he finished building our new deck – yeah!

I love it when Len picks outfits for our youngest daughter, Sophie, 7, to wear to school. You can bet she'll be decked out in a kaleidoscope of colours, patterns and textures that would make a fashionista cringe. But hey, he tries and Sophie’s happy. And that’s what counts, isn’t it?

This Sunday we are celebrating dad by letting him sleep in, bringing him breakfast in bed, and showering him with the girl’s artwork. Then we'll head over to Len’s dad’s house for a backyard bbq. (My own dad is several hours out of town and I will be honouring him a week later.)

This Sunday is also officially the first day of summer.

We have such long winters, that this season is definitely cause for celebration. We got a head start this week by visiting a farm on the Niagara Escarpment where we picked strawberries. There’s nothing like the sweet, fresh, yummy taste of homegrown berries to remind us that it's summer.  I encourage everyone to get out to a local ‘pick your own’ farm this weekend.

Happy weekend everyone!

How will you celebrate? CONTEST TIME: One person will win a Canadian Living cookbook!