Today is an enormous day for little ol’ me. First, by some incredible twist of fate, I interview George Strombo. An hour later, I meet my baby at our first ultrasound.

Send me some love.

It’s been a busy week helping Michael prepare his entry for the CBC’s Next Great Prime Minister Contest.

His video entry is now up on the CBC website. Please check out his platform and, if you think he’s got what it takes, please comment on his video. The more comments and more *stars (5 is best) the more votes he gets.

Comments must be made on the CBC website. Here’s the link: www.cbc.ca/nextprimeminister/candidates/michaelcrook.html

You may be wondering what’s up for grabs? $50,000, the title, of course, and some amazing internships.

Thank you Everyone! And thanks to everyone who has already commented. With your help Michael has a real chance of winning this thing!

This Sunday my brother James and his wife Jocelyn came to visit. Michael and I spent the morning prepping for brunch and enjoying a brisk walk around Killarney Lake before picking J&J up from the ferry. While Michael and I cooked up bacon, omelets, bagels and a bodum of coffee, they explored the property. James loved the mini-orchard complete with leaning ladders, the stone fireplace, wooden bridge, brushed stainless and rough counter tops of the Cowper kitchen — a chef’s dream, he said.

After brunch we played Settlers and then went in search of Sicilian donkeys (!!) claimed to be raised at the farm up the road. We found some stray cats, but no donkeys.

Later James whipped us up a pot of butternut squash soup, flank steak, baked squash and risotto — topping it all off with home-canned peaches and vanilla ice cream. Oh the blessing of a brother/chef. ;)

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Jesse Fin Groot.

Yesterday I decided to cut out early, take advantage of the gorgeous Fall weather and my proximity to Whistler, and sped up the bumpy Sea-to-Sky to spend the afternoon with my adorable nephews, Jesse and Reuben. We picked out (what turned out to be a baking) pumpkin and played in the park while mom and dad got a mini-break.

I just adore my nephews. They are growing up far too fast.

Jesse, Reuben, and my big brother Mike.

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In other news,

• I may have landed a gig live-blogging for the JUNOS in Vancouver, March 26-29.
• And Michael is considering the Next Great Prime Ministership. Send him encouragement here.