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As we enjoy another Canadian made long weekend, I have some fun facts about Canada to share with you. Did you know, Canada, that:

• Alberta's Jasper National Park is the world's largest dark-sky preserve for stargazers?
• Canada has more wetlands than any other country (about 1.2 million square kilometres)?
• It was Calgary bartender Walter Chell that created the Casear cocktail in 1969 (and you'd be hard pressed to be able to order a Casear anywhere outside of Canada)?

• Canada is the largest producer of wild blueberries in the world? 
• The largest herd of Caribou in the world can be found in Labrador and there are more than 2.4 million caribou in Canada?
• The tallest man from Canada was Edouard Beaupré (died July 3, 1904)? In 1902, Edouard's height was measured at 8 feet 2.5 inches and he weighed over 400 pounds!
• Canada's first newspaper, John Bushell's Halifax Gazette, began publication in 1752?

• Canada is one of the largest producers of icewine in the world?
• It was Canadian doctor Sir Frederick Grant Banting who was one of the main discoverers of insulin?
• In New Brunswick you can walk down the steepest and shortest main street there is? King Street in Saint John, NB is the steepest main street in Canada rising to the height of an eight-storey building in just two blocks.
• Last year we exported over 1 million barrels of cranberries to the USA?
• Regina, Saskatchewan's original name was "Pile o' Bones"? This referred to the large amounts of buffalo bones on the banks of the Wascana Creek.
• The August Civic holiday is known by many names across Canada, including Simcoe Day, Founders' Day, British Columbia Day and Mountie Day. It is also not generally observed in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, or the Yukon.

Images countesy of Buy Canadian First members Gelderman Farms and Peller Estates.

It's only been a few weeks, but I miss The New Yorker already. I've shared a subscription with my brother and father for the past couple of years, and found the magazine incomparable in terms of the quality and depth of its reporting. It's the only magazine I read regularly.

When I'm traveling, I'll sometimes indulge in lighter fare like Esquire, Details or Wired, but that's the extent of things in the analogue world. My online reading inevitably sends me all over the place, from The Atlantic to Slate.

But July has been the month to go all-Canadian for books and magazine, so I have to give up my American magazines and magazine sites. Where does that leave me on this side of the border?

Macleans - My father used to read Mcleans religiously when I was young. I usually just read the movie reviews and Allan Fotheringham's backpage column. It's my impression that, in recent years, the magazine has morphed into a hyper-ventilating mouthpiece of conservative Canada, but I honestly haven't picked an issue up in a decade. I'll buy one and test my assumptions.

The Walrus - Early in its life, I gave The Walrus several tries. Ultimately, though, it didn't stick. I can't quite say why.

Geist - I've read Geist off-and-on for years, though I've never felt really compelled by its brand of showily-brainy non-fiction. As it happens, I've written a couple small items for this magazine, all of them at the less brainy end of the scale.

Canadian Geographic - My Mom used to get this magazine. I almost exclusively looked at the pretty pictures.

Sharp - I just discovered this in the Toronto airport. It's seems to be positioned as Canada's Esquire. The issue I read had Bradley Cooper on the cover. It was unremarkable.

Though I've never read it, several people have recommended Toronto Life to me. What's your favourite Canadian magazine?

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

When it comes to planning the layout of our backyard, I keep in mind the focal points. Simply put, focal points draw the eye and give you something nice to look at when you enter the yard or when you are relaxing in it. Our main focal point is a made in Canada  vignette that I created with a bird feeder and a bird bath. These are at the bottom of the yard, in a tiny wooded section, perfect for birds and other backyard wildlife! We can see them when we are sitting in our little gazebo and, truthfully, it is better than cable! The drama that goes on between the grackles, the squirrels and the blue jays, is enough to keep us on the edge of our Muskoka chairs, sometimes!

Our birdfeeder 

The ingredients for these live daily shows are quite basic: a good bird feeder that will withstand squirrels, sunflower seeds for the blue jays and cardinals and mixed seeds for the sparrows and chickadees, a birdbath and a field guide to Canadian or North American birds. A pair of binoculars are invaluable and, of course, your camera, too, makes for perfect bird watching gear. A notebook or journal can be really useful if you want to keep track of the birds that you identify. Plus, you will need committment. Once you start feeding the birds, they will come to expect it, so keep those feeders full! It is worth it!

 A great way to learn about backyard birds from Outset Media! 

Field guides are the books on my What to Take to a Desert Island list. I have had a collection of field guides since I was a little kid. You can get them for anything and everything, including birds, wildflowers, herbs, stars and fish, at Chapters-Indigo . I know you are waiting for me to bring my iPhone into this, so let me tell you about the amazing and free  Peterson's Guide  to Feeder Birds of North America app that allows you to identify birds, keep track of them and even play their calls with your smart phone! I have several Peterson field guides but having one that plays the bird calls has made a huge difference of my understanding of who is who back there!

 Heavenly!

Our reward this Summer for putting up a feeder  is a blue jay family! They made their nest above our gazebo and put on the most amazing aerial battles against marauding squirrels that I have ever seen! The mated pair split up to attack the squirrels from each side in a very dramatic show of teamwork! Sometimes it all happens too fast to take pictures and I can only sit back and enjoy! I will never forget the splat of that squirrel as he bounced off the top of the gazebo! (He's okay!).

What birds put on a show in your back yard? 

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First member, Outset Media and Wendy Gibson

 I do a lot of painting, collaging and art journalling. For the most part, I just buy the supplies that I can afford with my 40% off craft coupon, without thinking too much about whether they are made in Canada. Then, the other day, I was at the dollar store and found some tempera paint made by Mathco, a company based in Pickering, Ontario! This really motivated me to source out more Canadian made art supplies. I was pleasantly surprised at the options! Here are a few to get you started.

Original watercolours by Canadian artist, Andrea Willowcat 

Stevenson  is Canada's leading manufacturer of artists' oil paints, acrylics and water colours. David L. Stevenson (1910 - 1988), an artist and Fellow of the Ontario College of Art, found that imported paints were too expensive. Now we can get artist quality paints at affordable prices, made right here at home!

What about this durable and waterproof artist's brush case by ecohandbags.ca? 

Tri-Art Acrylics  is a Canadian company that specialises in unique products that are not widely accessible in Canada. Started in the mid 1990's in the back room of a family owned art store, school and gallery in Kingston, Ontario, and known as Art Noise, the business was begun by Steve Ginsberg and his partner, April Tracey. With the addition of Chris Bogstad,in 1994, the company is now known as Tri-Art.

Gotrick  has become a major player in the Canadian art supplies market by manufacturing stretched canvas. Since their start in 1994, Gotrick now has facilities of more than 30,000 square feet and 30 dedicated employees. They are located in Vercheres, Quebec. 

Great Canadian sketchbook 

Ecojot is an eco-friendly stationary brand that is based in Scarborough, Ontario. The company was created in 2007 by designer Carolyn Gavin and her brother Mark Gavin. They have wonderful artist sketchbooks in various sizes, made in Canada, of course!

With the help of the internet, it's never been easier or more convenient to shop for Canadian made art supplies! Can you suggest a Canadian source for art supplies?

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Andrea Willowcat, Ecojot and EcoHandbags. 

I've mentioned before that I love to read - I don't smoke, I don't drink (except the occasional mixed drink at a party), but reading is my addiction, always has been. Summers are the perfect time for someone like me as it's perfectly natural to have a book (or an eReader) at all times - while at the park with the kids, at the beach, while camping or cottaging. Here are some of the made in Canada  books on my Summer list and available from Buy Canadian First member Indigo Books and Music Inc:

Room from author Emma Donoghue is about five-year-old-Jack. Jack's world is contained within an 11x11 foot space called Room where he and his Ma live after she was kidnapped seven years earlier while walking through her college campus at age 19. Described as disturbing, thrilling, and emotionally compelling, Room is the perfect book for a long afternoon at the beach or a late night a the cottage because this is one book you won't be able to put down.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, is a great one to pick up this Summer and be ready for the movie adaptation to come out on DVD later this year. Water for Elephants is told as a series of memories by Jacob Jankowski, a "ninety or ninety-three year-old" man as he puts it, who lives in a nursing home. It wasn't always this way though. Jacon Jacob ran away and joined the circus when he was twenty-one and that's where the real story is. Described as being full of rich descriptions and action, Water for Elephants is a real 5 star book.

A Trick of the Light from author Louise Penny will be available at the end of the Summer. This is a new installment in her series featuring mysteries set in Quebec and centred on the work of Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. Now is the time to pick up her earlier award-winning books if you haven't already, to be prepared for the release of A Trick of the Light on August 30th.

This past weekend during our camping trip I enjoyed pulling a book out for those few quiet moments (Exit Strategy by Canadian author Kelley Armstrong). What's on your Summer Reads list?

::images courtesy of Buy Canadian First member Chapters-Indigo. 

If you have a backyard veggie garden like we do, you may be on the verge of a huge harvest ...  made in Canada ! Just for fun, this year we planted about five different types of tomatoes and some yellow zucchini. Any other veggies that we crave we can get from our weekly Farmers Market.  Our backyard has become our other kitchen, and we try to grill our supper on the BBQ every night that we can. I've found two mouthwatering BBQ recipes that use fresh, home grown vegetables that I hope you will try!

Home Grown Food

Here's a great one from Buy Canadian First member, Peak of the Market , that combines our two favourites in a delicious, grillable main or side dish: 

You will need:

3 small zucchini

1 tomato, seeded and finely chopped

2 tbsp grated parmesan or asiago cheese 

1 clove of garlic, minced 

How to: 

Half zucchini lengthwise and with a teaspoon, remove the seeded portion in the centre. Spray the green side lightly with olive or canola oil spray.

This next recipe is so fast and easy and makes corn on the cob so delicious that you may want to eat it this way every day. (You probably shouldn't though!).

You will need:

Unshucked corn, 1 or 2 per person

How to:

You can pull the silk off of the corn, and remove the floppy leaves, but make sure that the cob is fully covered with husk. 

Place the cob on a piece of paper towel in the microwave.

Cook 2 minutes per cob, depending on your microwave.

When done, remove and place on your BBQ grill. Finish cooking corn by rotating husks so that there are brown grill marks on each side.

When ready, peel the husk off, add butter and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy! (There's some debate over whether husk off is better for grilling than husk on, but this is how we do it and it tastes amazing. Let me know what you think!)

You can find more great recipes at Homegown Food and Peak of the Market! 

Have you ever tried veggies on the BBQ? 

::images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Home Grown Food and Peak of the Market.

I recently watched an episode of Being Erica which began with Erica awakening to find her bed empty. Her boyfriend, shirtless under an apron, greets her from the kitchen, where he's cooking breakfast. He is ridiculously handsome, and has underwear model abs. After embracing Erica, he offers her a day of shopping with his credit card.

It's escapism for Canada's women, and that's excellent. We've had fifty years male fantasy in the form of Gunsmoke, Magnum PI and Two and a Half Men, so it's high time to even up the score.

On a related note, in its first season, the show depicts all five of its recurring blonde female characters as villainnesses, or at least difficult and a little bitchy. The show's creator? A brunette.

For those new to Being Erica, the show has a wacky premise. In the pilot, Erica meets Dr. Tom, a kind of metaphysical therapist who transports her back to various points in her life, where she inhabits an earlier version of herself. The time travel stems from the idea that Erica has many regrets, and the time travel enables her to correct past mistakes.

But here's the thing: more often than not, she cannot or does not change the past. The show's message is also a kind of (gender-neutral) fantasy: my life is the indelible sum of past actions, and it's inevitable and right. There's something very assuring in that idea, and reflects our culture's current fetishization of "absolutely no regrets". I'm not sure that's a great lesson, but only a stupid man would turn to television shows was lessons.

I'm only ten episodes into the first season, and I'm actually enjoying it. The writing is entertaining, and the leads are strong. I'm proud to say that the actress who plays Erica, Erin Karpluk, is from my alma mater. I've tried six or eight Canadian series, and this is the one that's stuck. I'm going to give Combat Hospital a try, too, as I think that passes the Canadian test.

Speaking of the Canadian test, how Canadian is Being Erica?

• The cast occasionally acknowledges that they're in Toronto, and we see iconic Toronto locations like the ferry to Toronto Island.
• One of the recurring characters if French Canadian.
• I've spotted some Canadian currency.
• One of the characters works as a columnist at The Globe and Mail (she seems modeled on Leah McLaren).

If an American wasn't paying close attention, though, they could watch several episodes without realizing the show was Canadian. So, I give it two out of five poutines.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

I take photos wherever I go, not just for special occasions; it's a hobby I have had since I was a  little kid. Now that I have a smart phone, taking pictures this Summer has never been easier and I am loving it! I'm going to share with you how you can get a Canadian made  smart phone skin with one of your own photos on it and tell you about a couple of the many apps available for smart phone photographers. There are also a couple of simple things that you can do with your camera right away to get memorable photos! 

Mullein: Bird's Eye View; Dog's Eye View; Bug's Eye View 

Different POVs:

One of the best pieces of advice that I can give you when it comes to Summer smart phone photography is to remember that there are different points of views that you can take advantage of.  Many shots of dogs, kids and flowers, for example, are taken from a 'bird's eye view', from up above the subject. This has its place, but it also gets boring fast. Try a 'bug's eye view' for a great shot of your subject from the ground up. 'Dog's eye view' is a photo taken at the eye level of the subject, a great point of view to take photos of, well, dogs and kids and flowers! You can also try 'shooting from the hip!" for a very dynamic photo.

Fireworks fail. If only I had used the movie camera! 

 Fireworks and Action Shots:

Between mosquitoes and shaky hands, it can be  tough to get a clear shot of fireworks with your smart phone. My best advice for taking fireworks simply and spontaneously? Use the movie camera instead of the still camera! You can capture still photos later! This is a great trick for taking any action shots, like water-skiing or wakeboarding or bluejays drinking at the birdbath!

"Oil painted" rose photo. 

Smart Phone Apps:

Here are two of the many apps that will let you have tons of fun with your photos this Summer. Try the amazing iScape! Using a photo of your own garden you can add photos of plants and garden features from their library or draw them in with your finger! And it's free! If you would rather turn your photos into extrordinarily realistic looking oil paintings, among other effects, explore Picture Magic for really stunning results.  (The apps that I use are for the iPhone 4 but you can find equivalent apps for your smart phone just by searching).

Smart Phone Skins:

Gelaskins, based out of Toronto,  are removable covers that protect and customise smart phones and other devices! The truly exciting part for me is that I can upload my own photos and they will make a skin for me! Yay! Of course, you can also choose from all sorts of other people's art, too, and at their low prices, why not indulge in more than one!? I just found out that you can get a free Gelaskins app at the iTunes store that enables you to view and download their many gorgeous wallpapers! Did I mention that the app is free!

Are you a fan of smart phone photography?

:: images courtesy of  Wendy T. Gibson

We've talked about it, thought about it, decided against it last year, but we're finally doing it Canada - we're taking the kids camping this weekend!! We're ready for a made in Canada camping experience. Let me tell you, it took awhile to get ready though! Whether you're going away for 2 nights or 2 weeks when you are camping (especially with kids) you need a lot of supplies. These are some of the must haves on our list... 

Whether you're staying in a tent, trailer or maybe just in the great outdoors, one of the biggest concerns is food. A great way to get your food to your destination at the perfect temperature is by using something like the Koolatron electric unit. Koolatron's offer optimal ease and reliability as this innovative cooler/warmer has eliminated the need for ice. A great way to get your food and drinks to your camping destination!

 

The next thing we've picked up is Insect Repellent Lotion from Muskol. Those crazy mosquitos just love me and I find I need a lot of help to keep them away. With 30% DEET, this lotion is a great choice when you need to be really serious about keeping bugs away.

. 

Depending on where you're going, another thing that's so important to bring is water. Some campgrounds provide fresh water at all sites but if you're camping in the wild or unable to get fresh water, you'll want a fantastic container like the one that I found through Mountain Equipment Co-op. Try this Canadian made Reliance Fold‑A‑Carrier (for water). Thanks to the handle, it's easy to carry, folds down to pack and the spout makes it easy for everyone in the family to get a drink. Water is always one of the most essential items to have on you, especially with the temperatures we've been having.

What are some other essentials on your list for a camping trip?

Images courtesy of Koolatron and Muskol.

Buy Canadian First member, Arlene Christmas, is Dozay, a native artist based in Western New Brunswick. Leaving the Tobique Reserve where she grew up, Dozay became a graduate of the Fine Arts program of NSCAD. Now, her distinct Canadian made artwork is displayed in galleries and exhibits across Canada and the United States and is available for sale on her website.

Arlene Christmas - Dozay

Dozay's paintings are full of colour and meaning. One of the features of her website that I really appreciate is that Dozay has included full interpretations of each of her works. She explains the native stories that have inspired her, which, in my opinion, adds to each painting's worth immensely. A visit to her site is like taking a gorgeously illustrated workshop on First Nation mythology!

Dozay has developed a distinct air brushing style that incorporates traditional First Nation symbolism, culture and heritage. Her understanding of and love for the spiritual elements that inform each of her creations is evident in all that she does.

You can find out more about what makes Dozay so unique at the Lieutenant-Governor's House Gallery in Fredericton, N.B.  this August 25, for the "Kluskap in Wolostoq" exhibit. Can't wait? Take a moment to enjoy this CTV video about Dozay Christmas, right now !

Do you appreciate Canadian art?Who is your favourite Canadian artist?

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First member, Dozay's Native Art Gallery.

I know, I'm a bit behind. I failed to deploy a contest last month. What can I tell you? The categories are adding up, and I'm having a hard enough time just wrestling my busy life into too-small mukluks that is this project.

But, on the upside, you get two contests this month. The first one comes courtesy of the good folks at Chillbeds. They produce made-in-Canada laptop stands.

I didn't realize how handy a laptop stand was until I received one-not a Chillbed, but something similar-as a gift a couple of years ago. My Macbook Air gets really hot, and after a half-hour or so it can be uncomfortable to have it in my lap. A laptop stand ameliorates this problem. Likewise, they're super-handy if you want to watch something on your laptop in bed with a, uh, bed partner. You put the stand in-between you and nobody gets a stiff neck.

In keeping with last month's home category, here's the contest. Before July 31, leave a comment here naming one thing in your home that's made in Canada. It can be a piece of clothing, an item of furniture, a beauty product-anything, really.

I'll pick a winner in early August, and they'll receive a Chillbed.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

There's nothing like a magazine made in Canada  to find out what's hot and what's not! I've been reading Chatelaine  magazine for years and years and years. I like their slogan: "Making everyday extraordinary". As basic lifestyle magazines go, it's great and has everything from recipes, health trends and book suggestions to event coverage and thought provoking articles, with a Canadian context.

                               Magazines Canada

This is a great magazine for finding out, among other things,  what is hot in fashion in Canada! I really enjoy their online  supplement as well, especially this month's focus on what Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, is wearing during her visit here. Many Canadian designers are being featured, which is wonderful international exposure!

                      Abstract Print Dress - Marallis

Chatelaine August 2011 tells us to watch for and wear abstract print dresses this Summer. They also have a good article on double duty clothes that will last forever. The trend in make up this July and August is "Light and Bright" and don't miss "Fun Fashion Must Haves"! I'm not sure that I agree with all of them, but it was fun reading about them!

                                  Natural Beauty

Magazines make for some great Summer reading! What Canadian magazines do you turn to for style inspiration?

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members The Shopping Channel, Natural Beauty and Magazines Canada.

The final bell has rung, everyone has their sunscreen and sandals on, we're ready for a Canadian made summer. Then, it strikes - someone exclaims "I'm so bored!". I've heard it, you've heard it and I'm sure we said it once in a while while when we were kids; it is almost a Summer time mantra. The kiddos just aren't used to being out of school and without a structured day. One way to keep that structure and have a fantastic experience at the same time is Summer camp. Summer camps are available to children across the country, check out Canadian Camping Association - a portal to finding Summer camps across the nation.

If Summer camp doesn't work for your family' there are many other great activities that can keep the kids engaged for hours. After splashing in a pool or playing in the sandbox, a game with a bit more structure is the Canadian made Bean "Toss The Friendly Farm". It's fun, kids work on teamwork, counting, aiming and throwing skills, plus, what kid doesn't love a bean bag!

For those rainy days we all dread, it's not necessary to turn to the TV, because lots of fun can still be had indoors. My boys love baking cookies on rainy days and our latest favourite thing to do - make cake balls! Cake balls can be a very hands-on activity with the kids and tons of fun to decorate. Click here for a great description of cake balls from Canadian Family.

Another great indoor activity that can keep everyone busy is this "Hunt and Seek Canada" game from Buy Canadian First member Gladius. Not only will everyone have fun with the challenge of finding hidden pictures but, as mentioned in the description, this game "develops observation, concentration and speed among players of all ages" - perfect!

Indoors and out there are plenty of ways to keep the kids busy this Summer and to avoid the dreaded "I'm so bored" mantra. What are some ways you're keeping the kids busy this summer?

by Stacey Kazmir

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First member Editions Gladius.

It's hard to believe that the Canadian made  ROYALE  kittens are over forty years old! They look as cute and soft as ever! As a matter of fact, when I mentioned to my husband how old the kittens are, he, too, commented on how soft they still look! Royale has done a good job of branding there! And get this: somehow they have made their tissue softer than ever! I think that the new commercial for Royale is adorable. It's called Kitten Tale.

ROYALE is the only Canadian consumer household paper brand that markets a full line of products including bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, and napkins under one familiar, trusted name. All Royale products are proudly made in Canada by Irving Tissue, which is part of the Irving Group, a company which employs thousands of Canadians and is committed to producing quality tissue products through responsible forest management. Royale's products carry the Sustainable Forestry Initiative logo which is a highly sought after certification only given to companies practicing sustainable forestry. Way to go! 

Royale Bathroom Tissue is dye and fragrance free, biodegradable, safe for your septic system and plumbing-friendly! So, don't hesitate to bring it to the cottage! And if your skin is sensitive, you'll be happy to know that Royale is certified hypoallergenic. And what about those gorgeous box designs!? Have a look at the winners of the tissue box design competition for 2011. 

  The Kittens on Facebook!

The kittens are setting a fine example by lending their paws to the cause of fighting women's cancers. Be sure to LIKE their page and $1.00 will be donated! Tell your friends, too and they can raise money as well, with a simple click. 

Have you clicked yet? 

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian first member, Royale .

Summer is here and it's time to think about Canadian made products to take care of your skin and hair. We purchased one of those pop-up type of three foot high pools for the boys to enjoy for the summer and I can always feel my skin tightening and getting itchy every time I step out of the chlorinated water.

I'm sure that, like me, you've already slathered on some sunscreen this season, maybe taken a dip in a chlorinated pool or sprayed a liberal amount of bug spray on to keep the little monsters at bay. I had a look at what really helps and what might really be doing more damage.

Sunscreen is important, very important, for the safety of our skin and health. Sun damage can lead to early aging, painful sunburns and worse, as we know. There's a Canadian company that makes a 100% natural sunscreen solution with organically grown ingredients - Buy Canadian First member Heiko.

Please remember, there is no such thing as a "safe" tan; always apply and re-apply sunscreen throughout the day on yourself and your family, even in cloudy conditions.

Chlorine can have a very negative cosmetic effect, robbing our skin and hair of moisture and elasticity, resulting in brittle hair and a less vibrant appearance. The best defense after hopping out of the pool is to rinse off with clear water and then moisturize your skin with products such as this Canadian made body lotion – Original Formula - Caprina, from Buy Canadian First member Canus.

Bug sprays, especially those containing DEET, already come with a whole list of warnings. DEET can act as an irritant and, in rare cases, it may cause skin reactions along with even worse toxic effects. There are natural and safe alternatives to keeping bugs at bay. Check out Canadian made Bug Joose! Outdoor Spray from Buy Canadian First member All Things Jill. Bug Joose! is made with a combination of pure essential oils (that bugs don't like) in a witch hazel base.

What are some ways you protect your skin and hair from damage during the Summer months?

by Stacey Kazmir