We Interrupt your Regularly Scheduled Program for This Important Announcement

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UPDATE! You can now find us over at journeysofthezoo.com

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This is probably the only time that you'll hear me say this.

Don't Visit The Zoo on Sunday, September 29.

No, we've not been hacked and/or taken hostage by The Kids.

Yes, I'm serious.

The reasoning?

Journeys of The Zoo Website is Under Construction.

If you're technical, it's probably sufficient to say that we're moving from Blogger to WordPress.

If you're not, then you probably think that you're on the wrong blog because this one talks Chinese. Rest assured, all is right with The Zoo.

To make a long story short, it's kind of like Aunt Sally is making her famous Pavlova but she ran out of one of the ingredients so instead of serving it for dinner tonight, she's going to go out tomorrow and get the ingredient so that you can have your Pavlova.

On Monday, September 30.

I'm sure you're thinking what I'm thinking, What will I do with my day!?

If you're really stuck, do what we're doing, go to Mountain Apple Orchard for a three year olds birthday party. Isn't that what everyone does when their website is Under Construction?

No matter what you do, please don't leave a comment. Unless you don't want me to see it, in that case, leave all the comments you want.

I will not get any new comments.

For Today Only.

Bottom line, our website will be Under Construction for ONE DAY (if everything goes according to plans).

On Monday, September 30, I will write a post titled "New Look, New Feel, Same Old Journeys of The Zoo" (or something like that, I've been known to change my mind).

And now back to your regularly scheduled program.

Beeeeeeeeep.

Tweet Share this with your Friends.

  Besos, The Zoo

When Bad Haircuts Happen to Good Dogs

I know how Wordless Wednesday posts are supposed to be "wordless" but sometimes wordless turns into a post about a tasty not your average pulled pork sandwich recipe and how not to toilet training.

Besides, I am my Mothers' daughter after all.

Back to my wordless post.

I'm sure when you look at the picture of Uncle Andrew's dog "Bailey" you'll think to yourself, "Isn't she a cute little poodle!"

And you'd be right except that She is a HE and most importantly...

Do Your Kids Know What You Do For a Living?

If you asked your kid, right now "What do I do for a living", what would they say?

Go on, ask them. I'll wait.

Wait a minute.

Wake them up again and ask them to tell you what you REALLY do?

And I'm not talking about the 3,781 job titles of a parent such as; chauffeur, servant, clothes washer, chef, tutor. The list goes on.

Set It and Forget It Should Not Apply to Mousetraps

Several years ago, we had a problem with mice.

Well, not exactly a problem.

We just didn't want to live with them anymore.

Photo source: LuisRock62

Ed pulled out our trusty trap and searched the fridge for the tastiest of baits. He even consulted me on the options because we all know that I am well versed in "desirable mouse morsels". We both agreed that a dollop of Cambazola would do the trick.

He went down to the basement and set the mousetrap.

That was three years ago.

Not Your Average Pulled Pork Recipe [#Humor]

Pulled Pork Sandwiches!

with Fried Onions and Cherry Tomatoes from the Garden

This was originally going to be a Wordless Wednesday post but, I changed my mind. Happens in the best of families. Or so I tell people.

I mean, I couldn't just say "Pulled Pork Sandwich" and leave it at that. Especially when there was so much more to tell. Like...

I didn't want you to think that you too could have an awesome looking (and tasting, if you ask me) sandwich just using your regular recipe. Oh no!

This one is special because I made a few substitutions.

Yes that is a Mosquito Carcass on my Wall.

If you follow me on Facebook, you'll remember that I warned you that I would be posting about "this fly that's smooshed on my wall".

If you don't follow me on Facebook, see what you're missing.

Follow Me on Facebook!

So that you don't get to the end of the post disappointed and thinking, "that's not a fly", you are correct, that's not a fly. It's a...

Just for the record, Today is Wednesday [#Humor]

I've posted about this before.

The fact that Tuesday is not Wednesday and that Yesterday was not Wednesday.

However, apparently a lot of people haven't got the memo.

And seeing as I'm nice, patient and like to help people out,

I thought that I would educate you once again on the days of the week. As far as I'm concerned it's as important as having white teeth and non-scuffed shoes.

Yesterday was Tuesday.

If you find yourself scratching your head and/or thinking "That calendar looks like mine" or "I know it isn't because I posted my Wordless Wednesday post YESTERDAY" then I'm talking to you.

All the Things that I Swore I Would Do as a Parent.

Before I became a Mother, I had a long list of things that I swore I would never do when I became a Parent.

You know, no soothers, no night time bottles, no noisy toys, no television.

I thought about writing a post about it but you've heard it all before.

Besides, I've done everything I swore I wouldn't.
Photo taken by SQUAIO

So, I thought that I would put a new spin on an old classic and write about "All the Things that I Swore I Would Do as a Parent".

And so ends this post.

Seriously though, I never really thought about it. I was so focused on all the things I wanted to avoid that I didn't focus on the positives.

If I had made a list, I would have put the following on it...

Can you Spot The Fake Piece of Art? {Humor}

Which One is The Imposter?

Tweet Tweet this out and Challenge your Friends.

Spoiler Below...

How to Not Cook a Fried Egg {Humor}

One thing I learned early on with this whole blogging thing is to write about what you know.

Another thing I learned is that following the rules all the time, can be boring and let's be real, tilting at windmills is my specialty.

That's why, when my good friend, Shayna over at Mommy Outside suggested that we do a Guest Post Swap on eggs, I was all in! Before, you check out her appetizing recipe post for Spinach, Egg and Feta Pockets, see what I have to say about...

How to Not Cook a Fried Egg.

Outdoor Activities for Kids with a Side of Nature {#Humor}

Spring is finally here.

Which is a good thing considering it's almost Summer.

No matter, we're embracing the good weather and enjoying every last minute of it.

In doing so, The Kids have started to incorporate more of nature in their everyday play. No more swing sets or tricycles for these guys.

Knowing that many of you enjoy the outdoors as much as we do, I thought that I'd share some activities that The Kids have been creating all on their own.

The best part, they require minimal materials, don't cost any money and they all come naturally to three-year olds.

Win, win, win!

Are you Quirkier than The Zoo? {Top Ten}

It's 11:28pm.

Ed and I are making dinner.

Or should I say breakfast.

Peanut butter, jam and cheese sandwiches.

A fairly regular occurrence around here. The time, not the cuisine.

Seeing as I'm so very busy at the computer, I ask Ed to butter my bread for me. He gives me the eye roll.

It made me laugh and got me to thinking.

I've been meaning to but haven't done a Random Fact Friday post in a long while and there are a few million things that you don't know about me.

And perhaps wish you didn't.

Regardless, given my generous nature, if just one of you leaves this post feeling like you're not the only one that does "that", than my mission is accomplished.

Top Ten Things that Make Me Quirky

An Order of Maple Syrup with a Side of Bribery {Humor}

Maple Syrup season has come and gone.

But not without a visit to a Sugar Shack, tapping our trees for sap and getting caught up in all the bribery associated with liquid gold.

Bribery?

More on that in a minute and yes, it involves my neighbour "Mike".

Are you Hard to Shop for? Create a Birthday Bucket List.

It was my birthday recently. Happens every year. Believe it or not. I’m getting older.

Normally birthdays don't phase me much (although 30 was pretty tough) but this year, I realize that I look my age... If I'm lucky.

Wow Mom, You Look Old! P.S. Happy Birthday

I'm not a materialistic person. I'd give away most everything that I have. And did just that in 2005.

However, over the years, I've created an unwritten "Birthday Bucket List". I mean some things money just can't buy (See #11). So, in case you think I'm hard to shop for, I've made it really easy for you.

My Birthday Bucket List...

Organizing Deckchairs on The Titanic? {WW}

Can You Spot the Differences?

(Click on the photos to make them larger)

Don't ask what happened to the surplus...

  Besos, The Zoo

Do you Believe in Fairy HobMothers? I Do!

For the past few months, I've been telling myself that Fairies, Unicorns and Leprechauns were figments of other peoples imaginations.

Seeing as we know the latter two exist, I couldn't kid myself any longer.

I had to come to terms with the fact that Fairies exist...

Just not in my world.

And then it happened...

A Case of Writers Block Perhaps? {Humor}

It happens in the best of Families.

To the best of Bloggers.

And it's been a monkey on my back for seven.long.days.

I think I have a severe case of...

Writer's Block!

Note: Proceed with caution as it may be contagious

Well, I thought so until I looked up the definition (Hello Wikipedia) and realized that you actually have to be a writer to have it.

You'd think I would have been relieved. I mean, writer's block can be serious. Unfortunately, I was disappointed as I still didn't have any answers as to why my creative juices weren't flowing.

Next up on my internet search, the definition for "Aphasia". I'm pleased to report, I don't have it. Still no confirmed diagnosis.

Maybe a definition isn't really important. Perhaps I'll just figure out how to beat "whatever IT is" and call it a day.

Quality Control Issues at the Toilet Paper Factory {WW}

And/or Help from a Boy named Max...

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

  Besos, The Zoo

Good News, Bad News & Winner of 2012 Canadian Blog {Award} #humor

Back in October 2012, Journeys of The Zoo politely asked* that if you liked our blog and thought it was in the least bit funny, you would vote for us.

In case you're unaware, through some twist of fate, we'd been nominated in the first round of the 2012 Canadian Blog Awards~Humour Category.

Well, lo and behold, all our funniness and wit got us voted right into the second round.

And that's when it got really interesting.

I say that because I asked you to cast your vote a second time. And you did. So much so that...

Journeys of The Zoo Won The Award
for Best Canadian Humour Blog!

Sometimes, we feel like it's all a dream. That we didn't invite you to our birthday party with promises of Rainbows and Unicorns*.

And that's where the Bad News comes in...

An Episode of Candid Camera or A Great Deal?

This morning, we went for our daily trip to our local Fruit and Vegetable stand.

On our list, bananas and cilantro.

Unfortunately, "Our Girl" (as the kids call her), didn't have any cilantro.

No problem, we were going downtown and we'd pick some up along the way.

Along the sidewalk, there are often elderly ladies selling their sparse wares; three onions, two carrots and one jalapeño. They're usually good for some cilantro as well and sure enough, we got lucky.

Well, I'll let you be the judge of that.

I looked through her four choices (three more than usual) and found the greenest and freshest bunch. It also happened to be the smallest but we don't use that much.

Besides, she was charging 1/3 less than everyone else.

She put out her hand, and that's when it happened…