Spring does something crazy to Ottawa folks. Everyone is suddenly overwrought with joy, exponentially so because our winters can be such a slog. Homeowners happily wield rakes and everything gets a good scrubbing, garden centres sprout overnight, restaurant patios come out of nowhere, and everywhere you turn there are bright pasty-legged people wearing t-shirts and shorts. The […]
Archive for the ‘parenting’ Category
02 Mar, 2009
Top ten tips on how to do the National Gallery with kids (or any other art gallery for that matter!)
Posted by: andrea tomkins In: - Ottawa for kids|Easy ways to make kids happy|parenting
I am trying to convince people that the National Gallery in Ottawa is not a place for snooty old art lovers, but is accessible to anyone and everyone, especially kids. Kids are such creative little critters. Shouldn’t we do everything we can to encourage them? Perhaps it sounds daunting to bring the kiddies downtown for an […]
Tags: activities, kids
10 Dec, 2008
How to make your house smell good for the holidays
Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Misc. life|parenting
It’s Christmas! And Christmas means company. And company means that we have to get our homes in tip top shape, right? (Work with me here!) I have a thing about chemical air fresheners, as in, I kind of hate them. In fact, we have very very few artificial-smelling products here at casa Fishbowl. “Clean” does […]
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- Spring is a time of transition (and peonies)
- It’s in you to give
- Ottawa summer bucket list 2026
- Rum punch
- Archery in Ottawa: Try a beginner lesson at the RA Centre
- Winter ramble to the Mill of Kintail, Almonte
- The Mental Hygiene Challenge
- Friday things
- A postscript from yesterday’s road trip to Kemptville
- Working our way down our 2024 summer bucket list
- Jeanie Maennling: I spent many wonderful days visiting my cousins and Uncle Herb and aunt Eleanor at the Farm in the 1950's. Mycousin Skippy (Sharon) and I got into l
- alex: For a classic Canadian treat for valentine day , try a BeaverTail (a fried dough pastry) there its yummy
- Juliet Luiz: I was at this park today and saw the foundation and historical sign which got me curious and let me to your blog post! Great information:) too bad t
- Rowyn Tape: Hello, I was sitting at Easter dinner with my grandmother and she was telling me this story. She is Herbert Lytles daughter who eventually bought the
- Bernie: I freeze ball sizes of bread dough for beavertails each winter season.Easy to thaw, roll out and fry. Best winter treat!
- Jen_nifer: I feel very much the same about my SUP. Floating with snacks is fantastic! When I go on water with some current, I make sure that I paddle into the cu
- sam: Great article. This is very insightful. Thanks for sharing
The Obligatory Blurb
My name is Andrea and I live in Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Sunny who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. During the day I work as a freelance writer. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.
If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here.
I've deactivated the commenting function as well as my contact form so if you want to get in touch, please drop me a line at quietfish@gmail.com. Thank you!