In Print: A Christmas in Calgary

One of the greatest joys of being an adult is cherry-picking the traditions of your childhood to suit your current tastes. Right? My husband and I have carried forward some of our favourite family Christmas traditions, including choosing the perfect real tree together and re-creating each delicious holiday recipe from our mothers and grandmothers. (Overeating can be a tradition, no?)

Other traditions, we’ve adjusted. My family opened all our gifts on Christmas Eve, while my husband’s family joyfully tore them open on Christmas morning. Now, we do one gift each on Christmas Eve and the rest in the morning (in orderly fashion—change is hard).

We’ve also added some new traditions. The Nutcracker Ballet on December 23, outdoor skating on Christmas Eve, stomach flu some time around Boxing Day. (Please, let this be the year that we break that tradition.)

For Vern. Magazine, I was able to write about finding the perfect real tree in Calgary (and yes, we’ve already picked ours out together, a lovely 8-footer from Eastern Nova Scotia) and some of Calgary’s best holiday traditions to enjoy as a family. I hope they bring you joy!

7 Holiday Traditions Your Family Will Love To Keep, Vern Magazine, November 2017

3 Ways to Find a Real Christmas Tree in Calgary, Vern Magazine, November 2017

 

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In Print: Eat, Drink and be Maritime

When my husband and I moved to Calgary almost a decade ago, one of the first things we (he) did was begin the search for the beloved food of our homeland: donairs. If I’m being truthful, the donair is not really one of my staple cravings (gasp!) but it’s definitely an emblem of home. And I crave all things Nova Scotia, all the time. So, I wrote this story for Vern. Magazine about finding East Coast comfort in cow town. Cheers!

Eat, Drink and be Maritime, Vern Magazine, October 2017

In Print: Empty Net

Writing this story for Calgary Hockey Magazine on Calgary’s female goalie shortage had some net benefits (sorry). First, I love writing for this publication. It’s full of great stories, great writing and is available for free at every rink in the city. Second, I love writing about Calgary’s amazing female minor hockey community. Our family fell into the hockey world, somewhat reluctantly, a few years ago and have happily adopted it as our own ever since. (There are literally matching jackets). And third, I love interviewing kids. I’ve been lucky enough to interview some amazing kids for this publication and for LEAP Magazine, and it’s quickly becoming one of my favourite things to do. I hope you enjoy!

Empty Net, Calgary Hockey Magazine, Fall 2017

In Print: September Edition

Since having kids, September has always brought with it a lot of issues. Back to school issues, back to sports issues, back to sniffles issues. Luckily, this year, I’ve had a different set of September Issues to look forward to. Here are a few recent articles that appeared in some local publications on a variety of topics — from examining post-secondary education in the city, designing better dementia communities, to reducing the risk of preventable cancers in the province — all of which I enjoyed researching and writing much more than wiping noses. (It’s too early for flu season!)

Designing for Dementia, Dementia Connections Magazine, September 2017

Examining Calgary’s Post-Secondary Schools, Avenue Calgary Magazine, September 2017

Innovation in Prevention, Leap Magazine, September 2017

Scoring on Cancer, Leap Magazine, September 2017

In Print: Inspiring Chefs

When you have two super creative chefs, 60 minutes of interview material and a 100 word limit, it can be a recipe for disaster. Or at the very least, a challenge. I loved contributing to Avenue Calgary’s recent feature on what inspires some of our city’s culinary best. Bon appétit!

Inspiring Chefs, Avenue Calgary Magazine, August 2017