The Great Canadian Blog Bash!

I am so thrilled to be taking part in this fantastic event!

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Pampered Patty during my own networking/charity event. She’s wonderful! Since then, we have been keeping in touch via Twitter and our blogs. So when she told me she was going to put together a blog party with Whispered Inspirations, Mom vs. The Boys, Good Girl Gone Green and Kat’s Confessions to celebrate Canadian bloggers, I wrote it in my calendar and anxiously awaited the date!

I had a Canadian-themed post in the works for a while and I’m happy to post it now for this great party. I’m looking forward to hearing from old and new followers! This time, with some blog parties under my belt, I will respond to everyone! Also, be sure to scroll down (way down!) to the fantastic giveaway I have for Canadians during TGCBB, you won’t want to miss it!

A Canadian Tradition

There are a few things that people love to laugh about when it comes to Canadians. The igloos that we all live in, our funny accent, the underground city we created to stay warm, the fact that we all love and play hockey, it’s a funny way that people view this beautiful country that perhaps they have never visited. What are you gonna do? We Canadians have a great sense of humor, so we are good at laughing off these misconceptions.

When I think of my hometown, there are some great things that come to mind. Canadians are pretty friendly as a whole, and I have great friends, wonderful communities and excellent ties to proof it. Living in Montreal has allowed me to enjoy all the seasons….yes we have them all. Fall is the most colourful of them all with the beautiful foliage filled with a palette of gold and amber. Spring is…well spring is cold usually. But what I realized when living abroad is that every missed season makes me appreciate them that much more. Our spring gets us excited for the summer to come. And summer rocks in Montreal. With the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Just for Laughs Festival (which are starting right NOW!) and every other festival you could think of in between. Montreal is so culturally diverse there is always something wondrous to discover and not one event disappoints.

In the spring, we took the kids with friends to a sugar shack, what they call a ‘caban a sucre’ in French. Quebec is the leading source of maple syrup around the world and it produces the finest golden liquid that makes pancakes, waffles, porridge, eggs and even ham taste a million times better!

There are many sugar shacks in the surrounding Montreal area, some not far from the city at all. This year, we went to a sugar shack about 40 minutes outside of the city in an area called Mirabel. Getting to the place, we passed many other, just as beautiful, sugar shacks and each one was sold out for the day, with the parking lots filled. Since the season is short for maple syrup production, the sugar shacks make their facilities open to the public during that time. Usually, each place has a real nice restaurant or hall for people to come and have breakfast, brunch or lunch, with scheduled times for sit down meals. We booked our scheduled time from brunch way in advance since these things really sell out fast, and we wanted a good time for the kids to eat and not get too cranky.

The sugar shack we visited was called Sucrerie A L’Eau D’Erable. Here are some pictures of our sweet day:

Maple syrup in the form of a maple leaf lollipop? Too cute!

One of the two rooms prepared for the many guests

Some of what was served for breakfast (of course, all with maple syrup!)

A tractor ride brought us to see how the sap is taken from the maple trees

This is great big machine that boils the tree sap into syrup

And the final result? Yum! We all kept going for more…it was addictive!

Notice I didn’t mention winter in the seasons above? Well why should I? You all know about our -30 degree weather that keeps us cooped up in the house for months at a time. Or does it? You all should come and see for yourself…I dare you! And for the Canadians that haven’t gone to a sugar shack…shame on you! Just kidding, but it is really worth it!

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

I am a Canadian Usborne Books Consultant, so I am giving away a prize pack during this fabulous blog party! I joined Usborne solely to get free books for my kids and now I’m having a blast representing the company and making a living at the same time! The books are incredible. They are sold and translated worldwide. And I bet, if you are a book lover, you may find one in your home already!! To see the full catalog available in Canada, click on the image of books on my left sidebar.

One lucky winner will receive this incredible arts and crafts book, as well as a $30.00 voucher for books of their choosing!

This is a wonderful book to use with your kids and you don’t need to go out and buy fancy supplies to create beautiful crafts! In this spiral bound book you will find 128 pages filled with great ideas, gorgeous layouts and step by step instructions for your projects.

In order to participate, simply comment on this post and let me know what your all time favourite children’s book is. Please remember in order to win, you must be Canadian, but I would love to hear from anyone passing by!

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

– Follow me on Twitter @askmamamoe (leave your Twitter name in comments)
– Like my Ask Mama MOE Facebook page (leave your Facebook name in comments)
– Follow me publicly on Google Friend Connect (see my side bar) or tell me you already do
– Tweet this giveaway by retweeting this post (each retweet gives you one entry and you can tweet up to 2 times daily – please leave a link to your tweet)
– Write about this giveaway on your blog/website and leave me link to your post in the comments section (this counts as 4 entries!!)
– Read any other post on Ask Mama MOE and comment on it (please leave a comment with which post you read and commented on)

I can’t wait to see what happens next over here and I’m looking forward to meeting new Canadians via TGCBB.

This giveaway ends on July 1st, 2011 at 11:59pm. I will contact the winner by e-mail on July 2nd. Please make sure your e-mail address is entered in the comments or active on your blogger profile.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

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90 comments

PaulineMilner June 25, 2011 at 12:25 pm

My favourite children’s book is The Monster At the End of This Book starring Grover from Sesame Street.

I still have the book from when I was a child and enjoy reading it my Nieces. They love it too.

Thanks for the great giveaway. ~Pauline

dod@rogers.com

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PaulineMilner June 25, 2011 at 12:25 pm

I am following you on Twitter. My Twitter ID is @bullittmilner.

dod@rogers.com

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PaulineMilner June 25, 2011 at 12:26 pm

I am following your blog publically with Google Friend Connect. GFC ID: dod

dod@rogers.com

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PaulineMilner June 25, 2011 at 12:26 pm Reply
Gingermommy June 25, 2011 at 2:28 pm

We love the Hungary Caterpillar

I am CND and I cohost a blog hop on Mondays for fellow canucks 🙂 Stop by and add your link some time
http://www.talesofarantingginger.com

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Gingermommy June 25, 2011 at 2:33 pm

@Gingermommy following you on twitter

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Gingermommy June 25, 2011 at 2:33 pm

GFC Follower

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K. the Littlest Crafter June 25, 2011 at 3:38 pm

Hopping over from the blog bash. Gotta love the sugar shacks!

Great giveaway – this book looks awesome.

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Sweet Panda June 25, 2011 at 6:12 pm

My favourite is One Thousand and One Nights

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

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Sweet Panda June 25, 2011 at 6:13 pm

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/84685490128830465

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

Reply
Sweet Panda June 25, 2011 at 6:18 pm

Follow you on twitter (@PandaSweetSweet)

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

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L.A.C.E. June 25, 2011 at 6:24 pm

I love Usborne Books, they rock the hizzouse! Just wanted to let you know that I am a new follower! I just love all the pictures of the sugar shack! Now I need to go charge my laptop to a powersource via windpower and dogsled 😛

you can come check me out at htt://theblogger-lace.blogspot.com

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L.A.C.E. June 25, 2011 at 6:29 pm

@L_A_C_E_ following you on twitter. I did retweet, but don’t kno how to show you the think for it.

Have a great day 😀

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Pampered Patty June 25, 2011 at 11:59 pm

Love your post!! I too am so happy that we met through twitter and IRL. I look forward to our coffee time together!!

I am following you on twitter, facebook, GFC, and I tweeted your post!!

Have fun hopping and talk soon!!

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Krystal June 26, 2011 at 3:18 am

Such a nice post! Stopping in from #TGCBB!
My fave book was Donald’s Day In The Kitchen – always made me laugh!

Thanks for the giveaway
stellrbookblog[at]gmail[dot]com

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Chelsey June 26, 2011 at 4:57 am

I enjoy the four seasons too, but I must say it’s hard when my igloo melts mid-spring and I have to look for other types of shelter.

That sugar shack looks like so much fun!!!

One of my favourite childrens books is the novel “The Secret World of Og” by Canadian author Pierre Burton.

Thanks for the giveaway! Happy GCBB!

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Chelsey June 26, 2011 at 4:58 am

I follow you on twitter. SowDandelions

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Chelsey June 26, 2011 at 4:58 am

I follow you via GFC. Sowing Dandelion Seeds

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Chelsey June 26, 2011 at 5:04 am

I commented on WW — waiting for the boat ride.

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RoryBore June 26, 2011 at 12:25 pm

Great post…..hungering for some waffles and local maple syrup now. My family makes their own maple syrup as well, and we always take the kids to the local sugar shack when the sap runs.
Stopped by from TGCBB – thanks for stopping be!

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Sweet Panda June 26, 2011 at 2:17 pm

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/84988479049695233

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

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PaulineMilner June 26, 2011 at 3:27 pm Reply
missbobloblaw June 26, 2011 at 6:11 pm

I love any books by Robert Munsch! 🙂

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missbobloblaw June 26, 2011 at 6:13 pm

I follow @askmamamoe (@missbobloblaw)

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Chelsey June 26, 2011 at 6:16 pm Reply
missbobloblaw June 26, 2011 at 6:17 pm

I follow w/gfc (talkingmomcents)

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Monica June 26, 2011 at 10:27 pm

I’m a twtter follower – (OlderMommyStill)

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Monica June 26, 2011 at 10:28 pm

I like my Ask Mama MOE’s Facebook page as Older Mommy, Still Yummy.

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Monica June 26, 2011 at 10:30 pm

I’m a GFC follower as Older Mommy, Still Yummy.

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Monica June 26, 2011 at 10:36 pm

commented on your “And The Playlist Went Like This” post…love it 🙂

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Sweet Panda June 27, 2011 at 3:03 am

tweet#2: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/85181321688776705

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

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Leanne109 June 27, 2011 at 3:25 am

My favorite book as a child was gorge and the giant peach 😀

leanne_gag[at]hotmail[dot]com

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Multi-Testing Mommy June 27, 2011 at 12:27 pm

You’re asking ME, a former Kindergarten teacher what my all time favourite Children’s Book is? Hmmm….today I will recommend Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzburg – such a fun, cute and inspiring book!

I’m visiting from the Canadian Blog Hop – but I think you’re the lovely lady who sent me an email this weekend asking me a question too- aren’t you?!?

Nice to meet/follow/connect with you!

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Mama MOE June 27, 2011 at 1:55 pm

I really am enjoying everyone’s comments on this post! Isn’t The Great Canadian Blog Bash fun?!
I’ll be catching up on replies and comments while I hop around tonight…thanks again for passing by! Mama MOE

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Chelsey June 27, 2011 at 5:35 pm Reply
shaylynl June 27, 2011 at 7:36 pm

Love you forever 🙂
shaylynl@hotmail.com

Reply
shaylynl June 27, 2011 at 7:38 pm

Follow me on Twitter @askmamamoe
@partialraindrop
shaylynl@hotmail.com

Reply
shaylynl June 27, 2011 at 7:39 pm

follow on GFC
shaylynl@hotmail.comm

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Heather June 28, 2011 at 12:17 am

Goodnight Moon is a definite favourite around here these days 🙂

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Heather June 28, 2011 at 12:18 am

following on twitter (@raisingmemories)

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Heather June 28, 2011 at 12:19 am

following on gfc

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Sweet Panda June 28, 2011 at 1:12 am

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/85515577896079360

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

Reply
Denise G June 28, 2011 at 1:37 am

My favorite book was Little Red Riding Hood

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Denise G June 28, 2011 at 1:38 am

Follow you publicly with GFC – Denise G

ontariohappychick at gmail dot com

Reply
Sweet Panda June 28, 2011 at 1:40 am

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/85522689216880640

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

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Mom vs. the boys June 28, 2011 at 3:10 am

my boys would say Dino Hockey is the best book ever!
you know I have never heard the one about the underground city before, lol, its a new one to me! I love all those pics, yummy maple syrup! thanks for taking part!
momvstheboys at gmail dot com

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Mom vs. the boys June 28, 2011 at 3:11 am

follow on twitter as momvstheboys
momvstheboys at gmail dot com

Reply
Mom vs. the boys June 28, 2011 at 3:11 am

GFC
momvstheboys at gmail dot com

Reply
Sweet Panda June 29, 2011 at 12:55 am

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/85873792529866752

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

Reply
Sweet Panda June 29, 2011 at 2:27 am

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/85896935055171584

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

Reply
Chelsey June 29, 2011 at 4:48 am Reply
Kat's Confessions June 29, 2011 at 3:40 pm

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish is still one of the best books ever! 🙂 Thanks for joining TGCBB! Have a happy and safe Canada DAy!

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Did you know Canada June 29, 2011 at 7:05 pm

Fav book is Goodnight moon, read it with my boys all the time.

didyouknowcanada@gmail.com

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Did you know Canada June 29, 2011 at 7:06 pm

Follow you on GFC “Did you know Canada”

didyouknowcanada@gmail.com

Reply
Did you know Canada June 29, 2011 at 7:06 pm

I follow you on twitter: @diduknowcanada

didyouknowcanada@gmail.com

Reply
Whispered Inspirations June 29, 2011 at 9:36 pm

Well, hello there gorgeous lady! Thanks for linking up to TGCBB! We are happy to have you!

Happy Hopping!

Nancy

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Whispered Inspirations June 29, 2011 at 9:37 pm

Following you via GFC now as Nancy Polanco!

Talk soon!

Nancy

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Sweet Panda June 29, 2011 at 11:59 pm

tweet#1: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/86222089887027201

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

Reply
Sweet Panda June 30, 2011 at 12:48 am

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/86234362693169153

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

Reply
Brenna @ Almost All The Truth June 30, 2011 at 4:11 am

I am not Canadian, but this makes me really want to visit. Amazingly I have never been – I blame my parents. 😉 Looks like a fabulous book!

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Chelsey June 30, 2011 at 5:49 am Reply
Amber F June 30, 2011 at 3:00 pm

My favorite all time childrens book is the Velveteen Rabbit 😀

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Sweet Panda June 30, 2011 at 8:44 pm

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/PandaSweetSweet/status/86535396871245824

sweetpanda2010 at gmail dot com

Reply
Montreal Fashion Moms July 1, 2011 at 8:47 pm

There are SO many great children’s books, but I’d have to say, one of my faves is Love You Forever Robert Munsch.

~ Montreal Fashion Moms ~
http://montrealfashionmoms.blogspot.com/

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Callista July 2, 2011 at 3:30 am

I love all Cat in the Hat books and Robert Munsch!

callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

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Callista July 2, 2011 at 3:30 am

I’m your 40th GFC follower!
callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

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Callista July 2, 2011 at 3:30 am

Following on twitter as callista83
callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

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Callista July 2, 2011 at 3:33 am

I commented on your wordless wednesday post for today july 1.

I couldn’t like you on facebook because there is no link to your facebook page from your blog. You would get a whole lot more facebook likes, twitter followers and rss subscribers if you put in buttons or at least links to do so. Friendly tip.

callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

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Maple Leaf Mommy July 2, 2011 at 3:48 am

So many favourites!
How about a Canadian one? The Balloon Tree.

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Maple Leaf Mommy July 2, 2011 at 3:50 am

I follow you on GFC.

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Maple Leaf Mommy July 2, 2011 at 3:51 am

I follow you on Twitter as @mapleleafmommy

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Jenn Donogh July 2, 2011 at 4:51 am

My husband would be in heaven!

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StylishHeather July 4, 2011 at 9:08 pm

Following you from the blog hop 🙂

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Faith Hope Cherrytea July 5, 2011 at 12:04 am

Wonderful post! luved to learn more about our famous syrup “))
fave kids book? the series i have had rattling around in me for yrs! time to get it into print!
otherwise Narnia books!
thx MUCH for the giveaway…

Reply

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