Keeping the ones you care about Safe!

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Nadia Lawand

Many homes are equipped with alarm systems to discourage burglars from breaking in. Most families are starting to think about or have already booked their summer vacation. While preparing for their getaway, is it imperative that they consider safeguarding their homes. Click here to find out the most likely way a theif will want to break in.

My in-laws live in what is considered to be one of the safest neighborhoods. They have never had an alarm system set up in their home, they had a German shepherd (Rocky) who guarded the house. For them, an alarm system was never important. They never had any problems. When our dear Rocky went to his final resting place in his old age, a few months passed and that’s when it happened… My in-laws had their first break in.

There are often people lurking around homes looking for their next target. This blog is not intended to scare you or make you live in fear! It is intended to communicate that it is better being safe than being sorry. There are many great Alarm companies out there. Here are two companies we often hear about Alarm force, and ADT. It’s also a good idea to research and ask your family and friends who their companies are, and what their experience has been. Here are a few important questions to ask:

  • Is the alarm directly connected to the central?

  • What are the steps taken before law enforcement it called?

  • Will all my entrances and windows be covered?

  • If the windows are not covered will there be sensors that go off if someone breaks in from the windows (if so how many and where)?

  • If you have a pet, will the sensors be set up to not go off with the movement of my pet but will detect a person in the house?

  • How much will all this cost?

  • Will the installation be included?

  • Are there any hidden costs?

  • If I cannot be reached will you have a second name on file to contact?

Alarms are not only good for when people are out of town, some burglars study the behaviors of the people living in their target homes so that they can pay them a visit when everyone is at work! There are also alarms that can be activated while everyone is sleeping so that if any doors are open while everyone is sound asleep the alarm will go off! Great way to keep the kids in the house after a certain hour!

Any good companies you’ve worked with? Would you like to recommend any to our readers? Let me know I’d love to hear from you!

Posted in ADT, alarm force, Alarms, family, German Shepherd, Guard Dog, Kevin Peter, nadia lawand, preperation, safety, vacation | Leave a comment

Greatest Gift for Kids!

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Nadia Lawand

This past weekend I celebrated Easter with all of my family. It was so fun and so greek! The lamb on the spit and everything, check out Kevin’s last blog to see the pictures. That being said my little niece was the center of attention and boy was she the cutest ever!

We all want to make the kids in our lives happy by getting them gifts and everything they want… But what about giving them the gift of fun time with their families and tissue paper??

Check out this fun video that was the highlight of My Big Fat Greek Easter:

Posted in big fat greek, Easter, gifts, great gift ideas, Kevin Peter, kids, laughter, nadia lawand, tissue paper, video | Leave a comment

Lamb for Easter

Posted on April 5, 2010 by Kevin Peter

Easter for my family is huge…and when a meal is being planned you can guarantee that nobody goes home hungry. This year Easter was special, we had my wife’s and Nadia’s family over at my parents. Now there are some foods that are a must for any Easter celebration. This year the center attraction was a 35 lbs lamb! With roasting a lamb there are several pieces that need to be set so that it’s a success. First is to order the lamb. This year we bought the lamb from Mourelatos. The lamb spit was built by Astro Machine Shop (my father-in-laws company). My uncle and aunt came from Vermont to help marinate and sew up the lamb (a very tricky procedure). We started to clean the lamb at 9am to get it on by 10am. We started by cleaning the lamb and marinating the inside. We then put the lamb on the spit, made sure it was secure and placed in on the rotisserie. For a lamb this size it took around 6 hrs.

The marinade for the lamb (whether chops, shanks or a whole lamb) is very important and simple. Mix together Olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper. If you are preparing chops or shanks, better to marinate for 24 hrs. For the whole lamb because it’s on the spit, you marinate throughout the 6 hrs. In the end the lamb was amazing, the taste, the smell the look, everything came together.

If you want more information about purchasing a rotisserie or cooking lamb, please feel free to contact me. Happy Cookin!

Posted in Dinner, Easter, Food, Kevin Peter, Lamb, nadia lawand, rotisserie, Spit | Leave a comment

Your family or mine?

Posted on April 4, 2010 by Nadia Lawand



Easter, Christmas, long weekends, who do we spend them with? Your family or mine? Is it one year here, one there?

Whether your family is big or small, who you spend the holidays with can sometime be hard to determine.

As for us, we don’t want to upset either side of the family so, we’ve created a schedule! As most holidays are celebrated over a few days, a dinner here, a breakfast there, a lunch back here, and the 2nd dinner anywhere, is usually the formula that works for us!

How do you do it?
Are you one of those lucky couples where both families have known each other for years and celebrate these events together?

Or do you hide in your home and decide not to go to either?

My married truth is that I can’t let these decisions stress me! We are lucky enough to both have crazy families that are loads of fun to be with. The holidays and long weekends are a great time to re-connect, have a few good laughs and share the love!

What’s your story? How do you do it?

Posted in Easter, family, holidays, in-laws, Kevin Peter, love, nadia lawand, party, what is the truth about marriage? | Leave a comment

Nadia’s Top 5 Gift Ideas For The Host

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Nadia Lawand

Do you bring gifts when you go to someone’s house? I grew up being taught that you should ALWAYS bring something to the host of the night. The big question is what? Now that I am hosting people in my own home I have realized that you get a lot of stuff. I don’t expect or need anything that is given to me but I am extremely grateful and touched by the house gifts. I have a few favorites when it comes to house gifts.

Top 5 Gift Ideas for The Host:
1- Wine
2- Baked goods
3- Plants or Flowers
4- Chocolates or Fruit basket
5- Something they love or talk about all the time

Do you have GREAT house gift ideas?

Posted in fruit basket, gift, host, house, Kevin Peter, nadia lawand | Leave a comment

Wine of the Month April 2010

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Kevin Peter



With spring in the air, I decided to pick a wine for the season. April’s wine comes from the Ernest & Julio Gallo estate in California, it’s a White Zinfandel which retails for just under $10!  Now I am usually not a big fan of rose wines but this one caught my eye. The colour matches the season and the taste is fresh and crisp. For a person who wants to start getting into wines this is a perfect choice. This wine has a easy yet fruity taste with no bitter after taste. The wine does taste like a wine and not a wine cooler. At 9.5% alcohol, you can enjoy a glass or two. Pick up a bottle and you will not be disappointed!
Posted in California, Ernest, Julio Gallo, Kevin Peter, nadia lawand, White, Wine, Zinfandel | Leave a comment

Prank your spouse!

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Nadia Lawand

Hey there boys and girls!!

Today is the day to play a prank on your spouse… When I say prank I mean a real prank… Not just lie and then say haha April fools’. I suggest traps all over the house… OK to be nice 1 or 2 traps.

Whether it is saran wrap under the toilet seat, or a fake roach in a juice! I think pranks are the way to go for April Fools’ Get your spouse before he or she gets you!

I found this blog where they say that if you have kids, April Fools ‘Day is a great way to show your kids that marriage can be fun!

You can also click here for the history of April Fools ‘Day .

How is April 1rst in your household! Do you promise each other not to prank one another?

Posted in April fools', fun, Kevin Peter, marriage, pranks | Leave a comment

Make Your Wildest Dreams Come True…

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Nadia Lawand
Do you talk about your dreams, ambitions and goals with your other half?  I think that many of us feel like once we are in a serious relationship or have a family we can no longer reach new goals in our lives.  Well, I don’t agree.  Once you have found a partner for your life journey, you also have someone to share your goals and dreams with.
Jason and I regularly take the time to share our life goals.  We talk about what we see for our future individually and as a couple.  We have also found that seeing those goals written down or in pictures constantly help us to achieve them or move towards them.



I think it is amazing to really SEE your goals every single day.  When you wake up in the morning take a look at that vision board.  This is how you can create your own vision board.  

How to make a Vision Board:
1- Think about the goals you would like to achieve in life
2- Find a cork board, a poster board or use Photoshop to create it digitally. 
3- Find pictures and quotes that help you visualize that goal and stick them on your board
4- Place your vision board somewhere that you will see it daily or frequently to remember the direction you are moving in your life


Dream big and then move towards those dreams! Enjoy and happy vision board making! 

Posted in achieve, ambition, dreams, goals, Kevin Peter, nadia lawand, vision board | 1 Comment

Italian Popcorn

Posted on March 30, 2010 by Kevin Peter


You’ve decided to stay in and have a movie night. That means popcorn! Here is a simple twist on a classic.

How to make Italian Popcorn:
1 sack microwave popcorn – not the butter one
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (Optional)
1/3 cup grated Parmigiana cheese

Directions:
Pop the corn and place in a bowl. Place butter and spices in a small cup or bowl and place in microwave oven and melt. Stir and pour mixture over the popped corn. Sprinkle the corn with the cheese and serve. Happy Cookin!

Posted in italian, kevin bolanis, nadia lawand, parmigiana, Popcorn | 1 Comment

Bathroom private time!

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Nadia Lawand

Hello fellow couples!!

How many of you loooovveee your private bathroom time. Time to read a book, play games, pick at your teeth, fall asleep or whatever it may be. I love my private bathroom time. It’s my daily little getaway where no one can get me…

But wait… Someone often does try to come get me… I often have to barricade the bathroom door so that he can’t get in… Yes you guessed it… my Sammy! He often urgently needs to get something or do something when I’m in the bathroom.

I must admit I can sometimes do the same thing… but should I give him his private time and should I expect him to give me mine with no interruptions. I like picking at my teeth or picking at my face without him lurking behind me trying to access the mirror.

I found an interesting article about how more and more couples these days like to share bathroom time together because it’s the place for them to catch up or unwind while both getting ready. There are also other articles that talk about how people think having separate bathrooms has helped save their marriage. I think that may be a bit extreme but who knows I guess some people REALLY need their privacy. I’m not that bad… I just know that sometimes (not always) I need a few minutes in there on my own. We can’t both use the mirror when he is trying to shave and I am trying to put makeup on or blow-dry my hair.. I guess a bigger bathroom with a -his and -hers mirror could solve this issue or we could just learn to share.

Sharing IS caring!

Posted in bathroom, Kevin Peter, mirror, nadia lawand, private time, teeth | Leave a comment