101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ Largest Wheat Fields in the World

According to 101 Interesting Facts About Canada, Some of the world's largest wheat fields are found in Saskatchewan. I searched Google to see if this was true. While Saskatchewan has some massive wheat farms, I couldn't find the proof I needed.

If anyone can give me a reliable source to proof this true or false please let me know.

Journal Prompt ~ Really Truly Horribly

A Taste of Canada ~ Boston Pizza

This isn't the first time I've mentioned Boston Pizza on this blog.  The first time was here.

The very best time we ever had at Boston Pizza was when I booked the whole front section of the restaurant for my dear hubby's birthday, ate delicious meals, laughed a lot, and watched the Christmas Parade through the big front windows.

Journal Prompt ~ Rain or Shine?

What kind of weather makes you feel the happiest?

Journal Prompt ~ Spring flowers

If you were a flower that blossomed in the spring, what flower would you be and why?

Journal Prompt ~ Hi Stranger

https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/job-hunting/how-to-introduce-yourself-to-a-stranger.html

If a stranger were to ask you about yourself, what would you say?

Canadian Music ~ Constantines

Constantines was formed in 1999 by vocalist and guitarist Bryan Webb, drummer Doug MacGregor and guitarist Paul Bright, all of whom had played together in the emo band Shoulder from 1994 to 1997; with the addition of bassist Dallas Wehrle. Bright was asked to leave early on and was replaced by Steve Lambke. Their style has been described as "art-punk", and they have been compared to bands like The Clash, Fugazi, Bruce Springsteen, The Replacements, and Nick Cave.

The name of the band is taken from an episode of Coast to Coast with Art Bell, in which Bell was playing recordings of ghost voices in static, and one of the ghosts' names was Constantine.

From their hometown of Guelph the band relocated to London, Ontario and then to Toronto, where in 2001 they released their self-titled first album. Constantines enjoyed widespread play on campus radio and was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Alternative Album.

In 2020, Constantines digitally self-released charity single "Call Me Out" written in 2017 and recorded in 2018. The song was not published on streaming platforms and instead was only made available as a purchasable Bandcamp download with 100% of its proceeds being donated to Black Lives Matter Toronto and the Unistʼotʼen Camp Legal Fund. (Wikipedia)

Journal Prompt ~ Breaking Bad . . . Habits

 

What is one habit that you'd like to break this year and why?

101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ Saskatchewan

In 1997, Becky Pritchard of Tisdale, Sask entered “land of the living skies” into a Tourism Saskatchewan licence plate slogan contest. Her entry was chosen from 33,587 options. Pitchard’s inspiration came from the sunrises and sunsets, spectacular northern lights and awe inspiring thunderstorms. For her efforts, she received a $5000 Saskatchewan vacation of her choice and a set of personalized plates.

Journal Prompt ~ Goals

 

Name 5 goals you have for yourself in April and how you plan to accomplish those goals.

Journal Prompt ~ St. Patrick's Day

How do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day and what is your favourite memory of this holiday?

A Taste of Canada ~ Ringolos

One of my very favourite junk foods, I have been known to eat all of the Ringolos from bags of Party Mix if no one is watching . . . LOL.

 

FREE PREVIEW: The First Step -- An Encyclopedia of Small Business Ideas

Do you have a good job? 

No? 

That is not surprising.  Today’s employment market is in crisis and the days of job security are gone.  Positions are often contract or part-time.  To earn a decent living you may need to have two or three part-time jobs.  One of the few business sectors constantly expanding is the small home-based business. 

Yes? 

Ask yourself a few questions. 

ü  Does it bother you that the amount of money you earn is decided by someone else? 

ü  Are you tired of making other people rich on your labour? 

ü  Are you tired of worrying about your financial future, especially when you can barely make ends meet? 

ü  Do you hate the drive to and from your job every day while someone else raises your children?

As more and more people struggle just to make a living in these difficult times, more will turn to the challenge of self-employment.  Self-employment offers the opportunity to make an income that is not based on someone else’s idea of your worth.  You will be able to have more freedom to set your own work hours.  And best of all, you will be able to raise your own children because you are working from your own home.

So, what's stopping you from becoming self-employed? 

What’s stopping you is coming up with an idea for a business that you know you can make work for you.  Selecting the right kind of business is a difficult process.  Many people dream of starting their own businesses, but remain dreaming because they do not know what business to engage in.  Good ideas seem to be a dime-a-dozen.  Get rich quick schemes are everywhere, especially on the Internet.  Newspapers are filled with stories of how people are reaching financial success on very simple business concepts. 

But what business is right for you?  That's what this book is for—to help you find YOUR BUSINESS.  The First Step offers hundreds of interesting, and sometimes unusual, business ideas and some very basic information on education or experience that might be required.  One of these ideas may be just what you are looking for to earn that needed second income or to start your own part- or full-time business.

Some of the ideas you'll look at and think, you must be nuts! How could anyone make money doing that?  Other ideas you'll look at and think, I could probably do something like that.  Perhaps there'll be that one idea that, when you see it, a light bulb will go on.  Your idea may not be a carbon copy of one you’ve read in this book, but you may read something here that sparks something in you, and that’s OK!  I’m here to provide you with inspiration.

It can be daunting to try to wade through all of the ideas to zero in on the one that is best for you.  Where do you start?  When choosing a home-based business, it is important to take your time.  Instead of choosing the first business that comes to mind, take the time to explore your options.  Check out your business ideas.  Read books and trade magazine articles on trends and market demands related to your business idea. 

Do a Self Inventory

Determine your goals, interests, wants and capabilities.  Make a list all the interests, hobbies, leisure activities, work experience, job skills and volunteer activities that you enjoy and do well.  Do you like to be around other people or do you prefer to work alone?  Do you prefer physical or mental work?  What equipment do you own?  How much money do you have to invest?  From this list you may develop your personal business idea.  Narrow your list down to the three or four businesses that appeal to you the most. 

As you zero in on a specific business, visualize the daily work you will be doing.  It would be foolish even to consider a business if the daily work will not be pleasurable or fulfill your personal goals.  You should select a business that fits well with the schedule of your family.  Get your family members involved in the business and have fun together working together. 

Be Realistic

Passion is essential, but you need to realize that passion may not be enough.  While you may have passion for a particular skill, hobby or craft, you must consider its true business potentials before turning it into a home-based business. 

ü  Do you think there is a demand for it? 

ü  Will it bring you recurring income? 

ü  How saturated is the market? 

ü  Are there barriers to entry? 

You will need to do a lot of pencil pushing and calculating to determine the financial viability of your business idea.  It may sound like a lot of hard work but this is one of the most important steps in assessing whether the business you’ve selected can make you money.

Think about whether you can and want to handle every aspect of your business.  While you are focusing on the strategic direction of the business, you will also need to collect receivables, track expenses, cold call customers, and do thousands of other tasks.  You will need to think of how you are going to handle all these tasks.

Where are you going to run your business? 

Do you have enough work space in your home?  Remember, you are starting a business at home to save on overhead costs, so make use of every possible nook and cranny that you can use in your home.  Make sure your business space meets the highest of safety standards, especially if you have children at home.  Check with an insurance agent to determine the kind of insurance coverage the business is going to need. It is just good planning to determine what insurance is necessary to minimize your risks and protect your business.  If you don’t have room in your home for a business or your business isn’t suitable to run from your home, you will need to find an appropriate location in your budget.

Make sure that local regulations will allow you to run your particular business in your home.  Ensure compliance with local zoning laws and ordinances.   Take careful note of the regulations governing business signs and types of businesses that are allowed at different locations.  You will also need to check provincial and federal regulations such as taxes and other requirements.  You need to learn what licenses, permits, education and qualifications you will need.  

I’ve given you lots of homework to do before making your final decision.  You can just jump into a business but if you want it to succeed you really should do the hard work required.  Testing the waters first by starting your business on a part-time basis might be wise.  The rest is up to you.  How hard do you want to work?  How much money do you need--or want--to earn?  The sky could be the limit if you plan and run your business carefully and well.  The important thing is that you must enjoy your business. The most successful entrepreneurs feel passionate about what they are doing. 

To read more, go to http://www.lulu.com/shop/pam-hedden/the-first-step-an-encyclopedia-of-small-business-ideas/paperback/product-17158081.html and purchase your copy now.

Journal Prompt ~ Spring Holiday

If you could go anywhere this spring and stay for a month, where would you go and why?

Journal Prompt ~ It's Raining . . .

What do you love to do when it rains?

Canadian Music ~ Comeback Kid

 

Comeback Kid is a Canadian hardcore punk band formed in March 2001 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The band currently consists of vocalist Andrew Neufeld, guitarists Jeremy Hiebert and Stu Ross, bassist Chase Brenneman and drummer Loren Legare. Since its formation, the band have released seven studio albums and seventeen music videos. Their upcoming seventh studio album, Heavy Steps, was released on January 21, 2022, via New Damage in Canada and Nuclear Blast worldwide. (Wikipedia)

Journal Prompt ~ Earworms

 ear·worm

/ˈirˌwərm/

Learn to pronounce

noun

1. 1.

   a catchy song or tune that runs continually through a person's mind.

What song or jingle always gets stuck in your head?

Journal Prompt ~ What would you like to be famous for?

101 Interesting Facts About Canada ~ Santa Claus Has a Canadian Address

Where do I mail Santa letters in Canada?

Letters can be mailed to: Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0, Canada. Postage is not necessary, but people should remember to include a return address.

Close to My Heart ~ A Birthday Bash You Don't Want to Miss!

A Birthday Bash You DON’T Want to Miss!

Can you believe that we are already halfway through March? That means that there’s still another half left, and we plan on wrapping it up in Close To My Heart style with a celebratory giveaway!

What are we celebrating? (Do we have to have a reason? ) One of our most dear relations has a birthday coming up in the next couple of weeks, and this simply cannot go without notice! We are talking of none other than the heart of Close To My Heart, Founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton!

Please join us in celebrating this inspiring pillar of our creative community by leaving her a birthday message in our comments, below. Jeanette loves this company and all of us who comprise it with all of her heart! If you’re one of our readers who’s been fortunate enough to meet her, you know that this is true. 

To get the party started, we are giving away the Cake Day stamp and Thin Cuts sets! Not only are these two sets ideal for a variety of artwork projects celebrating birthdays and other occasions, but they both feature a variety of fun, stacking images that are easy to achieve and customize thanks to the versatility of stamping!

CAKE DAY—CARDMAKING STAMP + THIN CUTS

(The highlighted shapes are what the included coordinating Thin Cuts are designed to cut with your favorite die-cutting machine.)

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A Birthday Bash You Don't Want to Miss #cakeday #birthday #party #cards #scrapbooking #birthdaybash #celebrate #celebration #cake #happybirthday #crafts #cardmaking

CAKE DAY—SCRAPBOOKING STAMP + THIN CUTS

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A Birthday Bash You Don't Want to Miss #cakeday #birthday #party #cards #scrapbooking #birthdaybash #celebrate #celebration #cake #happybirthday #crafts #cardmaking

Let’s take a closer look at how some of the different layers of this stamp set build on each other. For the presents, you have three different shapes to choose from, and you can add details to each of them with bows, wrapping paper designs, or both!

This little triangle is especially versatile because you can mix and match the different stripe patterns with each other, or stamp either stripe pattern on a solid stamped triangle to create a variety of colorful pennants for a banner.

Turn a pennant upside down and stamp one of the two included accents on top and you have a party hat!

We are giving away a total of five stamp + Thin Cuts sets, winners’ choice! If you’re one of our winners, let us know which set you prefer, the Cake Day—Cardmaking or Cake Day—Scrapbooking stamp + Thin Cuts!

To qualify for the drawing, it’s the easy two-step entry it always is. First, make sure you are subscribed! (So many leave comments and are not subscribed—we look!) If you are not subscribed, simply click on the blue “Subscribe to list” button found on the sidebar, if you’re on a computer, or at the very bottom of this post, if you’re on a phone or tablet. Second, and this is a must and just as important, if not more so, leave a birthday message for Jeanette in our comments section below. That’s it! All entries must be submitted by 5 pm, March 28, MDT (that’s 10:00 am 29 March, AEDT for our Aussie friends.) Winners will be notified via the e-mail address connected to their subscriptions.

Be sure to also check out Facebook and Instagram feeds for even MORE Cake Day giveaway opportunities that we will be running there in honor of Jeanette’s birthday month!

All of you that are part of our crafting community, you mean so much to us and especially to Jeanette. We are grateful for the years of friendship we’ve all shared and the many years of friendship to come. We love celebrating our relationship every opportunity we get! Today, please join us in celebrating Jeanette and leave her a birthday message below! Happy birthday Jeanette!!

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Recipes:

4¼” x 5½” Cake Card (Vertical)
Z4417 Cake Day—Cardmaking Stamp Set + Thin Cuts, X7278S Cake Day Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X5978 Glacier Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, X6035 Lemonade Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X6056 Wild Berry Cardstock, X7278D Cake Day Picture My Life™ Cards, Z2841 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6513 Green Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6521 Sundance Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6527 Wild Berry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z1513 White Gel Pens, X7278E Cake Day Dots, Z1263 Bitty Sparkles, Z697 Round Sponge, Z5038 Die-cutting & Embossing Machine

4¼” x 5½” Happy Birthday to You Card (Horizontal)
Z4417 Cake Day Cardmaking Stamp + Thin Cuts, X7278S Cake Day Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X5978 Glacier Cardstock, X6031 Green Apple Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z2841 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6513 Green Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6517 Lemonade Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6521 Sundance Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6527 Wild Berry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, X7278E Cake Day Dots, Z4525 Primary Sprinkles, Z3515 Black Journaling Pen (.01), Z1513 White Gel Pens, Z1151 3-D Foam Tape, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z2089 Glue Dots® Micro Dots, Z5038 Die-cutting & Embossing Machine

12″ x 12″ Hip Hip Hooray Layout
Z4416 Cake Day—Scrapbooking Stamp + Thin Cuts, X7278S Cake Day Paper Packet + Sticker Sheet, X5978 Glacier Cardstock, X6051 Sundance Cardstock, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, Z2841 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6513 Green Apple Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6521 Sundance Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z6527 Wild Berry Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z4189 Intense Black Exclusive Inks™ Stamp Pad, Z3787 Platinum Stickles™ Glitter Glue, X7278E Cake Day Dots, Z2060 Thin 3-D Foam Tape, Z5038 Die-cutting & Embossing Machine, Cricut® Basic Shapes

Cricut® Shape:
Basic Shapes
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