I’ve visited my Grandmother a few times as a child but our visit to the Toronto Eaton Centre, just to window shop and eat lunch, is one of my fondest memories.

It’s hard to believe the Toronto Eaton Centre is celebrating its 35^th Anniversary on Friday, February 10, 2012. Opened in 1977, the Toronto Eaton Centre greeted style-seekers in the city, welcoming over four million visitors in the first four months. In 1979 the Toronto Eaton Centre expanded, opening the southern portion of the mall, and continues to adapt and grow with its current $120 million renovation that includes the addition of new stores, like Juicy Couture and J. Crew, and the new Urban Eatery food court. A lot has changed within the mall – new stores and restaurants, an updated look – but it will always be the center of Toronto to me. I’m not the only one who feels this way. Visit the Toronto Eatons Centre's facebook page to see the video of others sharing their Eaton Centre memories. It might bring back your own feelings of nostalgia.

To celebrate the Toronto Eaton Centre’s 35^th Anniversary, we have five (5) $35 Shop! cards to giveaway. I can’t think of a better way to wish the Toronto Eaton Centre a happy anniversary than by visiting the Centre for a little shopping....]]> Carrie Anne Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:35:38 +0000 http://www.everythingmom.com/book-reviews/movie-review-disneys-buddies-search-for-riches-in-treasure-buddies.html http://www.everythingmom.com/book-reviews/movie-review-disneys-buddies-search-for-riches-in-treasure-buddies.html They’ve taken to the court in AirBuddies , raced across Alaska in Snow Buddies , travelled into space in Space Buddies , and celebrated the holidays in Spooky Buddies and Santa Buddies . Now these five golden-furred puppies are a new adventure to find Cleocatara’s Collar in Treasure Buddies

Whether you’ve seen all or none of the other Buddies’ movies, young viewers will still enjoy Treasure Buddies. Kids will love the movies kooky dialog (things only kids would love), as well as the booby-traps the Buddies encounter in Egypt. I’m more of a cat person but the animal villain, a hairless Rex, would turn anyone off of cats. The kids loved the other characters too, the cheeky monkey and cute camel.

If your kids love movies about adventure and treasure, like Indiana Jones but without the violence and intense scenes, they will no doubt enjoy Disney’s Treasure Buddies. There’s a mission, secret passageways, booby-traps, and cute dogs of course. A fun family movie, this is definitely aimed at the younger members. My seven and five year old enjoyed though it was a stretch for my nine year old.

The new DVD and Blu-ray combo pack means you can enjoy the movie at home as well as on the road. You’ll find all sorts of fun Buddies stuff on Disney’s website .

Meatball Subs

1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup milk
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 lb. ground pork
2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups bottled tomato sauce
6 hoagie buns
Sliced provolone (optional)

In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and milk; set aside until the crumbs absorb the milk. In another bowl combine the beef, pork, garlic, egg, and Parmesan cheese. Add the softened breadcrumbs and mix gently with your hands until well combined. Shape the mixture into 1" balls and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Meanwhile, warm the tomato sauce in a medium pot. Add the meatballs and toss to coat and heat through. Split the hoagie buns and if you like, put a slice or two of provolone in the bottom. Stuff with meatball mixture and serve warm.

Serves 6

Simmering a pot of tomato sauce is simple and satisfying.. there's no need to peel fresh tomatoes, you can start with canned, and a chunk of butter. Make a large batch and serve some right away, then stash the rest in the freezer for almost instant meals down the road. It also does well in soups and as pizza sauce.

Pasta with Classic Red Sauce

Photo credit: Gwendolyn of Patent and the Pantry

A classic midwinter dish, roast chicken is easy, family-friendly and a great way to use those root veggies that abound at this time of year. Best of all, it's just as easy to roast two alongside each other, for leftovers to go into soup, sandwiches, pasta and salads for the rest of the week.

Classic Roast Chicken & Root Vegetables

Photo credit: Aimee of Simple Bites

Leftover roast chicken makes a wonderful chicken salad, served in ripe avocado halves. It's simple and delicious and although it'll make you feel like you're hosting ladies who lunch, it's perfect post work, school, gym, or other extracurricular activities!

Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad

Photo credit: Brooke of Cheeky Kitchen

If you don’t already have Lady and the Tramp in your movie collection or perhaps it’s in the original VHS format, Walt Disney Studios is releasing a special Diamond Edition DVD and Blu-ray combo pack on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

Synopsis from Walt Disney Studios:

A classic love story unfolds in the best Disney tradition as a lovely young pedigreed cocker spaniel named Lady, who lives a pampered life, finds herself falling romantically for Tramp, an amorous street-smart pooch without prospects. Although they have fun together on several dates, including a sentimental spaghetti dinner by moonlight at Tony’s restaurant, their relationship is strained not only by Lady’s loyalty to her human family and their newborn baby, but by Tramp’s devil-may-care attitude that eventually gets Lady in trouble and tossed into the dog pound. However, good-hearted Tramp redeems himself by saving the baby from potential harm and thus wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human family. You can see the trailer here .

The first time being released on Blu-ray, Lady and the Tramp features high definition sound and immersive bonus features you can enjoy with the family using Walt Disney Studio’s Second Screen technology. This is like a more immersive Director’s Commentary feature, enabling you to see extra clips and notes on your iPad while watching the movie on your main TV screen.

To celebrate the Diamond Edition release, Walt Disney Studios Canada invited a few families to a screening of Lady and the Tramp on the big screen followed by a spaghetti lunch. What a perfect idea you...]]> Carrie Anne Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:26:12 +0000