The Mother’s Day gift that lived in our kitchen window

Can you believe it’s May already? This year is flying by.

With spring in full swing and Mother’s Day just around the corner, I found myself thinking about how—even as a kid—I loved supporting local.

I grew up in Ottawa, in a tiny hamlet called Enniskerry. Picture a handful of homes along a highway, a Catholic church with a community hall, sod fields on one side, hay fields on the other. It’s changed a little since then, but not much.

Just down the highway and up a hill, there was an old one-room schoolhouse that sat empty for years—until one summer, a sign went up: two smiling daisies with the words Flower Buds Nursery. The neighbourhood kids were thrilled.Something new! In the middle of nowhere!

That spring, my sister Sam and I, along with our friends Jessica and Corey, biked down the highway and up the hill to explore. Inside we found antiques, handmade gifts, and all kinds of treasures. Much like Greenbriar, it was the kind of place where you noticed something new every time you visited.

The owner was always kind to us, and we’d usually pick out something small to give our parents. I still remember choosing a pair of stained-glass hearts for my mom for Mother’s Day. She must have liked them—they lived in our kitchen window for years. I’ll have to ask if she still has them…

Looking back, I realize I was a "shop local" kid long before I knew what that meant. It was part of our family story too—my dad ran his own tire and mechanical shop, first out of our garage and later in a building he built just down the road.

So in the spirit of small-town charm and heartfelt gifts, we’ve got a few local treats in store to help you spoil Mom (or yourself):

• Buy 5 bath bombs, get a free pink gift box
• Spend $150 on Aspera and receive a free konjac sponge

Both promos are on now through May 12.