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Hosting dinner parties are so much fun, but they can seem stressful, so preparation is key! Here are some tips when planning your next soiree.

Preparation is key.

As soon as you know you are going to host a party, start thinking about the guest list, the style of food and the overall atmosphere. If you are not used to hosting events, keep your first event small and then grow your events as you gain more confidence.

Send out any invitations well ahead of time so that you can get an accurate headcount of how many guests will be coming.

Simplify your menu.

When thinking about what food you will serve, keep it simple. Platters of food that can be prepared ahead of time making it simple to host. Try making ahead of time appetizers, salads, antipasto platters or small proportioned food. This way you spend most of your time with your guests and not in the kitchen.

Trying something new?

This is probably not the time to test out that new recipe you found on Pinterest, especially if this is your first time hosting. Go with a simple menu that you have made before and you know tastes great. This is less likely to result in a “pinterest fail”.

Enlist an extra set of hands.

Invite a friend over early to help with the setup and greet guests. Have a glass of wine while you set up and have some fun. It also takes the pressure off if you are nervous about your event.

Set the mood.

Lighting and music can make the party. Take some time to create a great playlist and get the lighting right. It will set the tone for your guests as they arrive.

Mingle and have fun!

The hard work is done and your guests are here. Now is the time to chat and enjoy your guest’s company.

My good friend Keith Moore suffers from MS. It is a life-changing disease and when we found out we were heartbroken for him and his young family. 

Keith is an inspiration and has such a positive attitude towards life. Although he has good and bad days, he focuses on the good and makes you realize when you have a bad day, it’s not so bad!  I am so proud to call this great man, my friend.

One thing he said to me that I will never forget is: “everyone has something and this is my something”.  He continues to work as an amazing Chiropractor and support his family while living with MS.  He doesn’t let this disease stop him from the good things in life and has a passion to help others.

Last year our team was top fundraiser because of Keith passion and drive, this year we would love to be top again!  We walk every year and we are walking again this year!

Support our team, MOVING WITH MOORE team and we can help beat this together. Any donation is greatly appreciated. 

You may be a military family or know someone in the military. Military house hunting is like no other experience. Stress level run high when buying a house in a short amount of time, AND waiting for THAT posting message can seem like forever.

Let’s cover the basics… 5 days to find a house… yes, I know it’s 7 for an HHT (House Hunting Trip), but those last two days are buffer days in case all else fails. Finding a house in that length of time looks like the end scene from a Benny Hill movie. It’s fast, intense and can be filled with emotion.

Here are some tips that will help during your next military move.

Be Prepared
Pre-Approval
Get pre-approved for financing BEFORE your house hunting trip. Knowing what you can afford will make houses shopping a lot easier. The new stress test is in, so now more than ever, your pre-approval is important. Pre-approval will also give you a little more flexibility for your housing conditions and this can make or break a sale in a competitive market.

Make a list
Make a list of first day, second day and all else fail houses. Your agent can help you get this list down to the must-see houses. Take the time to talk to them about the type of house and area you want to live in. They can suggest areas to look at.

Read the Brookfield policy
I know reading policy can be really dry, buy rules change and what was covered last time, may not be covered this time.

Technology Rocks!
Did you find a great house, but you are too far away? Ask your agent to take you on a FaceTime tour. It may not be the one and you can then keep or on the list or take it off the must-see list.

Book a babysitter
Find a drop-in centre for the kids, book the MFRC childcare, hire a happy or ask your agent what options are available in your area. House hunting will be a lot easier when you can focus on finding the perfect house.

Pre-book your building inspector
I know it’s crazy to book an inspector for a house that you haven’t bought, but if you want to get everything done in time, it’s essential. Your agent can suggest building inspectors and lawyers that are Brookfield approved that you help you along the way.

Take pictures
“What did that kitchen look like?” Take some pictures of some of the houses you like. You can then go back and look at them when you are making a decision on “the one”.

Don’t see TOO many houses
Make your must-have list and get your list down to a reasonable level. Seeing too many houses will become confusing and overwhelming. Researching the neighbourhoods where you are moving will help you find the right area for you.

Resale
This is a big one… When you get posted in a few years can you resell that house? Ask your agent about how easy it will be to resell the house when it becomes time to move again.

Happy HHT season military friends!

The Magic of Christmas 
Magic of Lights: Nov. 17, 2017 – Jan. 6, 2018
Head just west of Ottawa’s downtown core to Wesley Clover Parks for Magic of Lights, a drive-through holiday light display. Nearly one million LED lights are spread over two kilometres, including a 200-foot light tunnel and large LED displays of your favourite winter characters like snowmen, elves and more. Select proceeds from each carload admission benefit the Ottawa Senator’s Foundation.

20th Annual Trees of Hope for CHEO: Nov. 27, 2017 – Jan. 8, 2018
Head to the historic Fairmont Château Laurier hotel to see several beautifully decorated Christmas trees throughout the holiday season during Trees of Hope! Opt to enjoy Afternoon Tea or a meal at the hotel followed by a stroll through the lovely trees located throughout their storied halls. This is a holiday season tradition for many.

The Museum of History’s Christmas Market: Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, 2017
This four-day Christmas market brings over 80 exhibitors to the Canadian Museum of History‘s Grand Hall. Choose from gourmet foods, artisanal spirits, handcrafted jewellery and many other unique handmade gifts. Free admission.

Alight at Night: Dec. 1, 2017 – Jan. 6, 2018 (select dates)
Just a 45-minute drive south of Ottawa’s downtown core in Morrisburg, Ont., you’ll find 1860’s Upper Canada Village adorned with nearly one million twinkling lights, holiday music, carollers and festive snacks. Stroll through the heritage village, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, or ride the life-size, family-friendly Toy Train that winds its way around the village. For a more private experience, reserve a ride in a romantic Pommier Carriage for two – a perfect occasion to propose to that special someone or to celebrate an anniversary!

Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Market: Dec. 2 – Dec. 17 
The ByWard Market neighbourhood is always a festive place to be, especially during their Christmas celebrations. For the first 3 weekends in December, you’ll find Christmas choirs caroling and complimentary wagon rides around the historic area.

Ottawa Farmers’ Market – Christmas Market: Dec. 2 – 23, 2017 
At this Christmas Market, you’ll find over 120 producers from the Ottawa area and beyond presenting their food, arts and craft products. The event takes place Saturdays and Sundays between Dec. 2 and 23 at the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne, except Dec. 16-17 at the EY Centre. Free admission.

Market at the Barn – Christmas Market: Dec. 1 – 2, 2017
FRIDAY December 1 4 to 7pm
SATURDAY December 2nd 4 to 9pm
Come and experience Christmas at Market at the Barn. A quaint market hosting local products and artisans.

Family Activities
Skating on Parliament Hill: Dec. 7 – 31, 2017
Something new for the bucket list: skating on the first ever skating rink in front of Parliament Hill! Canadian Heritage, the Ottawa International Hockey Festival and the Ottawa Senators have partnered to offer free skating as well as a variety of special winter events, including Canada 150 Skating Day on Dec. 10!

Christmas Entertainment
The Nutcracker at the NAC: Dec. 6 – 10, 2017
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet adds delightful twists like Mounties, hockey and reindeer to this popular show. For more family fun, show up one hour before the showtime for dress-up, arts and crafts, dancing, and more!

A Christmas Carol at the NAC: Dec. 5 – 24, 2017
This beloved holiday classic by Charles Dickens is a popular production by the National Arts Centre’s English Theatre. The one and only Andy Jones as Ebenezer Scrooge brings the story to life! Also make sure to take time to explore the NAC’s beautifully renovated spaces.

More events are listed on the Ottawa Tourism Website

Welcome October, what a beautiful fall this has been! As our neighbourhoods welcome fall, the trees show their beautiful colours and leaves begin to fall, it’s a gentle reminder that cooler temperatures are soon to come. Fall is one of my favourite seasons, the cooler temperatures giving us free reign to cozy up indoors. You can easily and simply create your own indoor oasis in a few simple steps. Throw pillows and bedroom pillow cases were invented to be changed up!

Swap out bright summer colours for your favourite cozy colours, textures, and fabrics. Changing out candles, napkins, and centrepieces can move your room from season to season. Don’t feel you have to get rid of your whites or brights if you love them, however try just mixing them up a little. Red and crimson candles are always a win. Living rooms and bedrooms can come a long way by changing up light summer throw blankets and replacing them with a heavier weight. Try a faux fur throw, a super soft fleece or the classic Canadian Hudsons Bay wool blanket. Don’t be shy to use and mix texture. This fall is all about charcoal, reds, and navy, embrace your style and choose the ones that speak to you, or you can stick to the classics. You can never go wrong in the fall with the traditional harvest oranges and reds!

If you’re looking for some activities to include the smaller aged crowd think about ways to bring the outdoors in. Collect a pile of branches, pine cones or acorns, and of course pumpkins and gourds. A little can of paint, and voila you have perfect fall decor you can mix throughout your home. A bushel of gold or black branches in an old pair of rubber boots, glittery acorns and pine cones in a beautiful family bowl. There are no rules when it comes to your home but one!

You should love it! I hope you have an amazing fall.

As the children head back to school and the air takes on that fresh fall breeze it’s time to get excited about all that Ottawa has to offer! Fall is an amazing time to connect and spend time with your family after the hustle of summer. With Ottawa’s mix of big city culture and easy access to rural Ontario, Ottawa promises to be one of the BEST places to be this fall!

Topping the list of our favourite fall activities is visiting the historic ByWard Market. Fall is such a fantastic time in the market, with something for every member of the family. Wander the vendors, be a tourist in your own city, pop into a museum or visit the latest display ‘Loop’ where your family will bring music and fairytales to life. Don’t forget to grab a cup of hot cocoa and beavertail along your way.

Fall brings with it the excitement of halloween and pumpkins around the corner. It’s definitely time to plan a visit to your favourite pumpkin patch. Don’t have one? Don’t worry, there are many to choose from. It’s that time of year to time to bundle up in cozy fall sweaters plans the day out to take a hayride, sip ciders and shop delicious local produce. Of course, don’t forget to pick your favourite pumpkin or pumpkins! Don’t worry if you pick too many, you can incorporate them into a beautiful fall display, indoors or out. For the more adventurous test your scare factor at Saunders Farm with a haunted hayride or visit the Barn of terror….if you dare…. if thats, not your style check the farms websites for details events, you’ll find most places reserve the scare factor for the older crowd and during later hours because most importantly we want everyone to have a fabulous time!

For the adults in the crowd as the sun sets if a little more excitement is what you crave take in the Haunted Walk of Ottawa, a ghoulish figure guides you through a 90-minute walking tour of the most haunted sites of the city. If a scare isn’t what you need stop by during date night and see the ‘Northern Lights’  at Parliament Hill.

Most importantly have a great fall, and don’t forget your cameras!