Growing up, I remember waking up to the sweet smell of my mother’s orahnjača (walnut roll). At bridal showers, I always gravitated towards the orahnjača on the desert table as it’s not too sweet, nor too heavy and it always goes nicely with a cup of coffee. However, my mother’s recipe is my all-time favourite.Continue reading “Carrying traditions on: learning how to bake my mother’s orahnjača (walnut roll)”
Author Archives: nsm
How COVID-19 got to me: stress, fear, uncertainty and self-care during a global pandemic
Friday was the first day that I cried….a lot. I felt exhausted from homeschooling the kids, trying to get some work done as well as regular chores and I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I buried my head into a sea of tears and had to walk away into a different room in my homeContinue reading “How COVID-19 got to me: stress, fear, uncertainty and self-care during a global pandemic”
Carrying traditions on: Learning how to bake my family’s sweet Easter bread
Easter is considered to be the most important holiday in the Catholic faith. For Croatians specifically, Easter is also about tradition. On Holy Saturday, Croatians (and most Eastern Europeans for that matter) will bring baskets of sweet bread and eggs to be blessed during mass. Some people also add smoked meats and green onions toContinue reading “Carrying traditions on: Learning how to bake my family’s sweet Easter bread”
Quarantine and chill: What slowing down has taught me
We are now entering week three of self-isolation here in Ontario, Canada and I must say that despite all the insecurity and fear surrounding the pandemic, for the first time in a long time I feel peace. I feel peace away from the traffic. I feel peace in the neighbourhoods and in the streets. IContinue reading “Quarantine and chill: What slowing down has taught me”
Getting in tune with our learning cues – my experience with home schooling my children thus far
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we in Canada are basically adjusting to a new way of life as we navigate through self-isolation. Because of the pandemic, most non-essential services are closed, including schools and day cares. In Ontario, school is currently postponed until April 5th (although this is subject to change) and now parents areContinue reading “Getting in tune with our learning cues – my experience with home schooling my children thus far”
Fear, resilience and hope: reflections as we enter an unknown world
Since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 virus a pandemic, I was silent. I did not know how to process this information. A few of my close friends described this as a real-life “Contagion.” I am not a medical expert, but what I do know is that the worst here in Canada is yetContinue reading “Fear, resilience and hope: reflections as we enter an unknown world”
The secret of happiness
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama What is happiness? The past few years I’ve been on a journey to figure out what true happiness is. Over the course of 7 years I’ve went through some pretty big transitions from being me -> to wife ->Continue reading “The secret of happiness”
Natalie’s beauty insider for 2020
If there is anything I enjoy more in life is trying out new skin-care products and cosmetics. I have always been a “girly girl” in the sense that I love a nice, sheer lip gloss and an even better moisturizer. My signature look is simple: clean, classy and polished. I think self-care is so important;Continue reading “Natalie’s beauty insider for 2020”
A Croatian Christmas in Canada
To me, Christmas is more than opening presents and decorating a tree. For me, it has, and forever always will be about tradition. Being Croatian, it was important for my parents to pass down their traditions from their homeland to my brother and I. It’s about getting together with friends and family. It’s about faith, charity andContinue reading “A Croatian Christmas in Canada”
Exploring new places, starting new traditions
A wine tour of Twenty Valley, a hidden gem in my very own backyard When it comes to wine, places like Burgundy, Tuscany and Napa Valley come to mind. I am not necessarily a wine-connoisseur but I do enjoy some good wine. I’ve been fortunate to travel to places like Napa Valley and Italy whereContinue reading “Exploring new places, starting new traditions”
