Review: Northern Cards- Canada's Greeting Card Company

I hadn't heard about Northern Cards till recently when seeing them on Instagram. Social media is a wonderful way for brands to get their name out, and for bloggers like myself to find them.  Northern Cards  has proudly been Canada’s Greeting Card Company Since 1989, specializing in hand-drawn illustrations by exceptional artists.

They have wonderful cards of all kinds, and even now have note pads! The quality is wonderful as well.

Northern Cards sell directly to consumers through their arrangement with Amazon and they also sell to greeting card wholesalers and distributors. They have been working with an array of new Canadian writers, illustrators, and designers, as well as European ones for the first time. 

Northern Cards has always been concerned about the environment; for over 30 years, they have only ever used recycled and sustainably resourced paper for all their printing and envelopes.

We all have some occasion that we can always give a card for- my mom in particular LOVES cards. She is almost 80 and has always had a love for cards and snail mail. Everyone still loves to get mail, so she will send an all occasion card or birthday, or thank you card and says you can never have enough cards on hand.

We love their brand and look forward to using their cards and note pads!

Check them out on their web site or their socials:

Instagram : @northern.cards

Facebook: @NorthernCardsCanada

Twitter : @northern_cards

Total Replacement- Thank you Moen!

I have to give a hats off to the company Moen. We had bathroom tub and shower parts in our home bought from previous owner, and the condition was not the best. Rusted and just not cared for. We knew from it being a Moen brand that they stood behind their products, and we reached out to them about them. We were told they would be replacing all the pieces as shown in picture- minus the tub drain as that wasn't theirs. 

Thank you Moen! Your customer service is the best always! Thank you for standing behind your products.

Money In..Money Out

We have been having alot of money in's and outs lately it seems. Our latest "in" was tax returns. We had good returns both of us, however Gerry's went all and then some for his truck repairs and a safety for the truck. Then because we have switched provinces that we live in, he also had the expense of a new license, registration, insurance, forms, (yes forms they were charging for too!), etc.. Will be my turn soon for my car, to go through all that. Not the repairs-LOL- but getting the vehicle inspection and everything else that goes with it.

Then we had alot of expenses for Jake. He had a dental cleaning of $300 + -which he gets at least once a year. Add to that flea and tick prevention (for when it is tick season @ $85 for 3 month dose single pill!) had anal glands done, one of his vaccinations for the year  and his hair cut @ $60 that same week, well, it tends to add up. We are blessed to be able to afford what we can for him. 

Were at a trade show this past week. Did alot of walking around and looking. Went with our daughter and son in law. Entered alot of draws. Didn't win anything but picked up some free pens and other free things that were on tables.  LOL! 

Were almost done with our snow here, only to get dumped on again by one of those atmospheric river type things! So we have to start all over with the melt again, which means I can't take my car out till the snow isn't as deep on the roads. Good thing for us we have the car - which is small and good on gas, but also the truck which is good in the snow.

Just as a reminder as well- be sure to check out our Instagram page and other socials, which link from the top of home page here on the blog- and have a great week ahead!

Renovating Continues and Finding Fen Shui Interesting

It's nice that we had got a rebate/share from our grocery store back home when we moved here to Alberta. The rebate helped alot with renovations for sure. We have also sold items from this home that we didn't need and that too helped with extra money. If there's a will there's a way so they say. Buying used from Facebook Marketplace too has helped save. It being the city, it's been a bit harder I have found to sell . Back home there was little places to shop and Amazon didn't deliver to certain areas, so people were quick to buy what you had for sale. The city's different because there is just so much here- and everyone wants a deal -LOL

Gerry tore the main bathroom apart where the tub was. The finish was all gone off it and it was quite high off the floor. Behind the tile walls was an old window and water had leaked in through the siding that covered that window, and behind the wall! No wonder I thought I smelled mildew. Gerry has found alot of shoddy workmanship while doing renos. Pretty much we are re-doing the whole place.

We will be possibly re-doing the vanity but a new one would be too much. Also getting rid of the cupboard on the wall. Everything is "dated". Trying to do the renos without spending an arm and a leg. The lumber has been the biggest of expenses though- lumber and drywall, etc., for rebuilding walls.

I got a great book I have started reading from Amazon on plain and simple Fen Shui by Sarah Bartlett. It's really interesting how to bring more positive energy into your home and I like that! Who loves reading about the Fen Shui way?

Why Do People Play Online Games?

Online games have a tendency to be viewed in a negative light, and that just isn't fair at all. Of course, there is a point where you may be playing too many online games – but people are free to live their lives as they please. People play online games for an abundance of different reasons, but how obvious are they? You may need to dig deeper than you are used to, but that's okay; this article is going to act as a guide. Online games have been growing in popularity ever since they were released. It started off as gamers coming together for LAN parties, which is where they all connect their computers to one network in a physical sense. 

Online gaming allows the social aspect to continue on, as it would with a LAN party, except you no longer need to be in the same room. Online gaming has become of the more advanced industries to be considered as of today, and that's because people absolutely love them. Life can be tough at times, and what better to escape the harshness of reality than with an amazing online game?

Competitive Nature

Being competitive is just in our blood as humans, it's something that we've been doing for a long (long) time. If you feel like you need an outlet for your competitive aggression, there's no better route to take than the online game one. Some online games are free, while others can be played for real money. If you’re looking for the latter, check out the Norwegian list of the best nye casino, or for European users, take a look at Rivalo. Online games will match you up with people that couldn't tell their toes from their fingers, but you'll also come across individuals that test your will. That's the best part about online games! You'll get to compete against people from all over the world, and for the most part, none of them are going to have any mercy.

It's all in good fun, and there is no risk of breaking an arm or leg. For nor, at least, who knows what the future of virtual reality gaming has prepared for us. If you aren't the most competitive person on the planet, not to worry – there are other reasons why people play online games.

Staying Connected   A lot of people can turn to online games for some good fun, but others have solid friends that are on the other side of the screen. Plenty of people develop solid friendships through online games, and it helps out in many instances – for example, if somebody is housebound due to physical limitations, they can still interact with people they enjoy spending time with. Of course, this requires a good, stable internet connection in order to facilitate this, and some may even run a speed test every so often to make sure they are getting what they are paying for so that they will be able to game and talk to their friends without having to worry about their internet cutting them off.

                                            Great Time Killer!

Finding games that will allow you to effectively kill some time can be tough. If you haven't tried out online gaming in order to cure your boredom, you haven't tried hard enough. Give online gaming a shot! You'll probably have more than your fair share of reasons behind your online gaming habits.

The number of titles to choose from can be staggering at first, but you'll eventually fall into a category that you can call your own. At that point, you can play as you please.

Does Anyone Else Find the Days Just Zip By?

Does anyone else just find the days seem to zip by? I swear when I was in school I watched the clock and it just dragged. Oh and that also would happen when I was at work- now since long retired and do my blogging from home. More enjoying life. The days do seem to zip by though. Perhaps I am spending too much time scrolling Instagram LOL

We have very much liked moving to the city . More opportunities for better deals for sure at multiple grocery stores and I would say the food hasn't gotten cheaper, but more stores to compare from. I also love going onto Facebook marketplace to look for deals and sell online, but do find it's harder to sell in the city than back home in a smaller town. People really want that great deal and to pay less. It's a bit of a longer process to take to sell an item I find. I used to like going to the thrift stores too before Covid as well but most don't have change rooms now since Covid, and I would much rather not be having to run an item back to the store again, so haven't gone for some time. 

The weather has also been super nicer here in the southern part of the province than when we lived up north, so liking that. Easier on Jakey for getting out too when it's not so cold and we get alot of chinooks here living not far from the mountains. Still doing home renos as well.

Gerry had a couple of questionable growths removed from his neck a few weeks ago and just went to have the stitches removed. His doctor suggested in case they could turn cancerous,  best to get them removed. One turned out to be a birth mark, another a mole and another.. an age spot. I am sure he will be happy to still have them gone though and not have to worry at all about the one that was raised.

Almost lunch hour.. so will sign off... have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for following and be sure to check us out on our other socials as well.

Sleeping Like Royalty With The Royal Comfort Mattress From Surplus Furniture

 

Our daughter has had the same mattress for her bed for the last 20 years so we felt it was time to get her a new mattress. 

We went with Surplus Furniture when choosing one as they have always been a place we bought all of our own furniture from. It's really the most affordable place to shop when your on a budget. The Royal Comfort Mattress we found was one we chose for the following reasons:

220 Gram Knitted Polyester Ticking – Strong durable hypoallergenic fabric that doesn’t absorb moisture or wrinkle.

½” Comfort Foam – this is luxury foam that provide comfort and support throughout the night.

1” Build Foam – support foam provides additional support and comfort while preventing components from entering the springs.

7” Bonnel Coils – High profile durable hourglass designed springs that provide support and strength to the mattress. 13.5 gauge springs.

Edge Guard – Protects against edge breakdown while maximizing the sleeping surface.

No Flip Design – Rotate only mattress so no heavy lifting is required while rotating the mattress.

20 Year Warranty –20-year pro-rated warranty. Replacement value is calculated based on the amount of time remaining on the warranty item.

Surplus Furniture is great for anyone who wants a Best Price Guarantee as well, because they will beat any local competitor's in stock price by 5%.

They will also offer same day delivery on all in stock mattresses- although we picked ours up because we have a truck and muscles! LOL. Well Gerry has muscles. With hurting my back last year I was more of someone to take the other end but it was very nice that it wasn't heavy!

Want the mattress but maybe waiting on that tax refund? Well, there is financing available and you don't have to pay for up to one year. So if you see that sale on the one you want, grab it now and you can pay later... The financing also is great because there is 100% free layaway with no interest fees to pay AND no credit checks. So guess what? No hassle way to get what you need, and helpful salespeople in store!

Someone is starting their great sleep tonight!

Asmodee Canada Keeps You Entertained During the Cold Winter Months

 

During the colder months, it can be difficult to find ways to stay active and have fun. But have no fear, Asmodee Canada offers a variety of board games to suit any age and interest that will keep us entertained and occupied on those chilly winter days.

CATAN: Dawn of Humankind (MSRP:$96.99, 3-4 Players, Ages:14+) 

Embark on humankind's greatest journey! Guide your branch of the human family tree to gather resources, migrate, and settle across the globe all while advancing their technologies and cultures.  This fresh and vibrant reboot of the original game Settlers of the Stone Age is rooted in the classic CATAN gameplay system with plenty of new mechanics, strategies, and adventures to discover.  A standalone game in the CATAN universe.

 

7 Wonders (MSRP:$69.99, 3-7 Players, Ages: 10+) 

 

Lead one of the seven great cities of the Ancient world. Exploit the natural resources of your lands, take part in the eternal march of progress, develop your commercial relationships, and assert your military might. Leave your mark in the history of civilization by building an architectural marvel that will transcend the ages to come.  A new extension, 7 Wonders: Edifice, will be available in stores on February 24th.

 

Spot it!/Dobble Pixar (MSRP:$19.99, 2-5 Players, Ages: 4+) 

This new version of Spot It! combines different characters from Disney Pixar animation with one of the most emblematic family games. Players try to spot the single matching symbol between 2 cards in a playful battle of speedy observation, featuring some of the most iconic Pixar characters: Nemo, Merida, Sheriff Woody and more!

 

Patchwork - Valentine Edition (MSRP:$39.99, 2 Players, Ages: 8+) 

February 14, Valentine’s Day – a special day for all love birds: it is time to show your affection with small (and large) gifts. Maybe a candlelight dinner, a flower bouquet, or – like in this game – a big box of chocolates? Patchwork Valentine is based on the popular mechanics of the classic Patchwork game. Are you in for this “lovely” challenge of putting together the most marvelous box of chocolates for your darling?

Thinking Ahead to Spring

We saw some vegetable seeds the other day at Giant Tiger so we decided to grab some sooner than later.

We love the fact that we had a greenhouse came with the home we bought last September. We left the strawberry plants in there, which will carry forward to this year, and the rest was a mess, so looking forward to starting a new grow in it. Fruits and vegetables. The hanging flower baskets that were in there before we have emptied and those will be great for all things on vines. I had some flower seeds but I am passing them along to another friend as with Jake outdoors, the risk will be greater for wasps being around with flowers. So will keep those to a minimum to none. We also want to put grass in all around the the greenhouse and back yard this year, and minimize the concrete blocks. Will think we would sell most of those.

Since we live in a warm Canadian area, Spring will come early I am sure, and so will bugs. Last year there seemed to be an over abundance here of wasps and spiders, so I will be looking for ways to keep those all under control as well, and reading the tips online. What insects do you have in your area that you don't like?

The Sweetest Day of the Year and The Sweets That Go With It

It will be that time before you know it.

Valentine's Day- the Sweetest Day of the Year! And we literally have the "sweetest" sweets for you to gift, share, or just treat yourself with this year!

MarieBelle New York-

There is no better way to commemorate the most romantic day of the year than with chocolates from woman owned MarieBelle New York; a world-renowned luxurious global chocolate company their fine art edibles have retail locations throughout New York City and Japan. 

The 2023 collection is elegantly presented in a romantic, Rococo-inspired painting boxes with each ganache decorated with a unique Valentine’s Day design that tells a beautiful love story. A few flavors in the collection include cherry, Madagascar, espresso, and lemon.

Produced in a Brooklyn factory MarieBelle’s flagship store in New York’s famous Soho District offers chocolate lovers a sumptuous shopping experience. For over two decades, MarieBelle New York has been tantalizing both the eyes and the palate with sophisticated chocolate expressions.  Whether it is the signature, artisanal ganache, the lavish truffles and bars, or the incomparable Aztec Hot Chocolate (featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things) – the name MarieBelle is synonymous with everything that is refined, beautifully designed and decadent.

Fairytale Brownies-

Why not switch things up this year and send brownies instead of candy? 

Fairytale Brownies Valentine Sprite 16 will have them in love the moment they lay eyes on them!

16 fudgy, Belgian dark chocolate brownies! Includes an assortment of every Fairytale Brownie flavor, baked to perfection.

Arrives ready to delight in an elegant Happy Valentine's Day gift band and each brownie is individually wrapped. oh Yum!

**Watch for more sweet treat ideas- coming soon!

Home Renovations Continue and Something For Jake

Loving this new window stand Gerry built for Jake. Back at our old place in Saskatchewan, we had a lower window in the front room and an ottoman of sorts that Jake could jump up on and look out the window. This home the windows are higher, and pets do love to look out the window, so Gerry built him this stand. He used leftover carpet pieces from our bedroom, and wood from the walls we redid in the trailer. A few pieces on the railing were leftovers from the walls he rebuilt.  We didn't have alot of insulation on the outside walls, and although there were some new windows in here, behind the windows he found there was no spray foam around the outer sides of them, leaving big gaps behind the walls for the cold air to get in.

We have plumber set for next Thursday to install some new plumbing to a 1/2 bathroom we built off our bedroom.  Soon this room will be a real working 1/2 bathroom! Woo Hoo- no more walking across the living room and through the kitchen anymore! With back issues still, it will be nice to have it closer. 

Jake  has been on medications for his enlarged heart and a water pill for a couple of weeks but he still hasn't been taking too well to them . We actually didn't even know he had an enlarged heart till he had xrays for his trachea. We have lessened the dose as much as we can and are trying every second day now.. and will see how that goes. The vet said it's important for him to have a good quality of life though so unsure we will be keeping him on the meds long term. He is 13 years old this year- where does the time go!