BUYING CANADIAN- TRYING NEW PRODUCTS FROM SMALL CANADIAN COMPANIES

 In an effort to buy Canadian and change some habits, I have discovered new companies. Posting on Instagram really helped them to find me.

Soaps from La Marcotterie in Quebec. 

Soaps and other product. Elodie the founder is proud of her products.

From Chelsea, Quebec.

La Marcotterie

New Laundry sheets, toilet bowl cleaner and dishwasher detergent.

From Also Green from Kelowns, BC.

The laundry sheets are great. No plastic containers. I will promote them.

Also Green

Gentle Moose with new cream for pain, deodorant, Based in Saskatchewan.

Do you like the sweet message on the box from JON?

The muscle rub is good. There are other products like skin care, soap. I may try other products in time.

Gentle Moose

Trying toothpaste in a jar and a new deodorant from Nelson Naturals- Nelson BC. Tania the founder.

The deodorant is good. Getting used to the new toothpaste. It does save on tubes that do not need to go to a landfill.

Nelson Naturals

Beauty from Bees to try some new skin care products.

From Marwayne Alberta, Michelle the founder has developed these products.

Beauty from Bees

So supporting Canadians risking starting their own companies from coast to coast to coast is my mission.

I love the energy of these founders of their companies.

So as I use the products I will report back to my blog. So far, so good.

#aslogreen#beautyfrombees#nelsonnaturals#gentlemoose#lamarcotterie#canadiancompanies#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#buyingcanadian#supportingcanadians#lovecandadstrongandfree

CNE 2026 AND THE SNOWBIRDS IN TORONTO

 Day at the CNE September 6, 2026.

In a couple of buildings before finding a good spot to watch the 

Air Show.

FOOTLONG FREAK FRIES for lunch with a lemonade.

So much to do and see.

Then the Air Show was wonderful.

Then the Snowbirds for the last time in Toronto.

Such a memorable day.

#cne#airshow#snowbirds#watchinginTorontoforthelasttime#eatingattheex#longfriesandlemonade#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11TH

 Everyone has a story or memory of that day and the days to follow.

Adolph was in Italy with Sonya.

Tash and I spoke on the phone all day long.

25 years ago and still resonates for so many of us. 

It was day and a time of sadness and resilience.

#september11th#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

AUGUST AND SUMMER MEMORIES

 I did not do alot this summer that was razzle dazzle.

The FIFA watch parties kept me out and about with people

Downtown for one.

Two graduations of grandsons. The Mexican restaurant was fun.

Local watch parties.

Markham for lunch with a High School mate.

Canada Day at Richmond Green.

Seeing a friend from Phillie that I hadn't seen in many years.

Live at the Plaza music nights at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts.

My 30 minute walks around the library through grandpa's park then along Harding to home.

Sitting in my little spot at the front.

A day at Harbourfront with my friend Mary. Finding some new street art

And my guy- Ed Sheeran at the Rogers Centre with Tash. Loved it and all the crowd with their lights.

Eating ice cream. Giving my grandson a ride with his friends. Meeting young people.

And having a family matter settled after 50 years.

Oh summer and August, I will miss you.

#august#summer#edsheeran#concertatrogerscentre#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#harbourfront#lakeontario#downtownvibes#fifawatchparties

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- MY COUSIN ROY DIED

 Doing family history always allows connections with family.

My cousin Roy was the inspiration for me to do this blog.

He died Friday August 30 2026.

Roy Ellis. The youngest son of my Uncle Norman Ellis.

So my connection to my Mom's maiden name ELLIS,

Roy lived in Manitoba mostly Carmen then Winnipeg for his adult years. He was an entomologist by profession.

2 children. 5 grandchildren.

Roy Ellis- May 6, 1944 to August 30, 2026. His ashes will be scattered at the family cottage on the Manitoba/Ontario border.

I will miss him.

#royellis#manitoba#ellisfamily#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CROSS COUNTRY CHECKUP ON CBC

 I watch Ian Hanomansing every Sunday on CBC.

The topic for August 30 was how Canadians were experiencing the current tariffs and other political interference from the USA.

Small business owner, economists as guests. Todd Maffin an instagram creator with his support of posting small businesses so others would be able to hear about them. Most callers understood the task and the dilemma. The whole support local, support Canadians, support Canadian businesses. 

One caller from Vancouver Island annoyed me. She claimed it was not a trade war but just a negotiation. She wondered why Canadians were so thin skinned. She totally can have her own opinion as naive as it is.

Most Canadians understand the nature of not only a trade war but the real fear of war from the USA on our soil.

So my skin will remain thick to protect all that is Canadian and mine.

There is support coming from the south but we know there are many Americans that believe Canada has been the bad guy and unappreciative of all that we " got for free".

I enjoy Ian's show and the opportunity to hear from Canadians coast to coast to coast.

#cbccrosscountrycheckup#ianhanomansing#reflectivethoughrsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#tradewar#supportingcanadianbusinesses#canadastrongandfree