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MarLa B

@juggling.chef

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The Juggling Chef on weekends, Summer Holidays, March Break & Special Events | Day Job: Director of Retreat Ministries in Cobourg & Burnstown ON.

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Here are some things I would like to share, especially if you have newly discovered The Juggling Chef! 🤹‍♀️👩‍🍳

My name is Marla and when I was a child, my mother was a teacher librarian and she read to me every single day. We visited bookstores, libraries and literary festivals to meet my favourite authors. I learned that artists, authors, storytellers are real people and I am a real person too…so maybe I could make something….

I started juggling when I was 11 years old. I saw a juggler, I was amazed and my sister bought me a set of juggling balls and told me I could be a juggler too. She was right! 💫

What children see and are told really makes a difference. That’s why I made this show. So children can see a real person doing all kinds of things! Puppeteering, storytelling, rhyming, singing, improvising, and of course juggling.

Magic and innocence really shaped my psyche, and I have my mother to thank for that. 🥰 She did everything in her power to preserve the innocence of childhood. And I am doing my best to create and perform work that children, parents and grandparents can enjoy together!

Childhood goes by quickly, but the wonder of a child can last forever, this I know for sure!

Slide 3 - 📸 by @frameworthy_photo

Last pic circa 1987!

#thejugglingchef #childrensentertainer #familyshow #storyteller #musicforkids #kidsshow #childrensliterature #childrenslit by @juggling.chef

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a year ago

Hard at work having fun picking apples with Villa St. Joseph Ecology & Spirituality Centre staff! It’s been a wonderful summer starting my new role as Director of Retreat Ministries. What a blessing to work in such a beautiful and inspiring setting, and among wonderful people. by @juggling.chef

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a month ago

If ya know me, ya know I’m always up to something special. 💫 I had a profound spiritual experience that led me to the Sisters of St. Joseph in 2024 and after attending a retreat, I just KNeW I needed to be around these incredible women and involved in their work. I started volunteering once a week in the garden. Then I started seeing myself leading retreats. Then someone said “I think you may actually run this place one day!” And I laughed it off. But God was preparing me for this great, expansive change: The Director of Retreat Ministries at Stillpoint House of Prayer in Burnstown, & Villa St. Joseph in Cobourg. I came to learn that the Congregation of Sisters were praying for the right director for 2 years. All the while, God was working on me, getting me sorted out and prepared! It’s a great learning process and I have incredible mentors (the Sisters) and wonderful coworkers. Feeling SEEN by my Creator, placed in the right places & ready to serve! Who’s coming with me?! Y’all need sacred spaces with NEXT LEVEL beauty, food and spiritual care?? I GOT YOU! Actually God’s got you exactly where you are. 🫶🏼But you may want to swing by here anyway! 🌅 by @juggling.chef

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a month ago

A NEW CHAPTER in my career has begun and THE JUGGLING CHEF is winding down. It’s been about 100 performances. Catch it this summer! Or NYE for the last shows on the books. It’s not the end….but I do have an incredible new beginning happening. More on that later! by @juggling.chef

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3 months ago

It’s National Cancer Survivor Month and I am celebrating! And I have an exciting announcement to share. 🥳

I am sincere when I say that pretty much everyday I wake up and think “Wow. I am alive! Let’s doooo this!” 🤩

Today, June 4th, marks six years since I left Los Angeles with a that deadly, ruptured, malignant tumour. 😱 I came home to Canada to…get that sorted.👀

I remember how warmly my family welcomed me. They made the room so cozy with new bedding, pillows and a gift basket. I really did not anticipate that I would stay there six years.

It was hard to leave LA and give up a lot of things I loved, including my independence. But I had a lot of fun with my family and I played “Retreat Centre” in which I imagined that I hadn’t moved home, but instead I had returned to Canada to run “The Northern Retreat Centre - The House of Mary” (named after my own mother who had healed a lot in that house). This imaginative game really helped me cope! I even made daily “retreat” schedules which helped me stay centred through cancer recovery and the serious emotional fallout of survivorship.
So here is the INCREDIBLE PART. Miracle upon miracle.👇👇👇

I was recently appointed as THE DIRECTOR OF RETREAT MINISTRIES at Villa St Joseph and Stillpoint House of Prayer with the Congregation of the Sisters of Joseph!!!! This is LIFE CHANGING FOR ME. It means I will be helping design and lead retreats for all kinds of people as well carrying forward the Eco-Spiritual mission of the Sisters!!
Wow! God is funny!! I was SETUP for this job through all the suffering and healing…all the stuff that FORCED me into total dependence on a power greater than myself. ✅

It was VeRY monumental when my family helped me moved into MY OWN APARTMENT this past weekend!! I am lucky to have such generous and loving people to help me through all the twists and turns of life.🥰

My life has not gone according to my plan. It seems to go according to God’s plan more and more. And wow, God’s ideas are SO MUCH BETTER THAN MINE! It’s not easy to survivor cancer, but it is an honour. by @juggling.chef

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4 months ago

About to spread the good news to a few hundred families - “A problem can help us learn and grow and work together!”💫FREE family entertainment MARCH BREAK 2026 💫
Mon Mar 16 - 2pm Oak Ridges Library @richmondhillpl
Wed Mar 18 - 10:15am Wasaga Library @wasagabeachpubliclibrary
Wed Mar 18 - 2pm Bradford Library @bwglibrary
Thurs Mar 19 - 10:30am Drayton Library @wellingtoncounty
Thurs Mar 19 - 2pm Erin Village Library @wellingtoncounty
Fri Mar 20 - Old Post Office Library @cambridgepl_ca

*check library websites for registration!!
The Juggling Chef - 50 min interactive show for family audiences. Created and performed by Marla Brennan 😊 by @juggling.chef

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7 months ago

Do not juggle food! Unless you are me and you make a living juggling food. 😜🤹‍♀️👩‍🍳 #jugglingchef by @juggling.chef

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8 months ago

March Break is around the corner!! FREE FAMILY SHOWS! Happening March 16-20 2026, registration required at some branches, check the branch library for details. (Some are already “sold out”) Looking forward to the fun! 🤹‍♀️👩‍🍳🥳 #libraryshow #familyshow #marchbreak2026 #jugglingchef #southernontario taken in Southern Ontario by @juggling.chef

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8 months ago

Explore library resources and enjoy a fun-filled variety show from Marla Brennan, @juggling.chef, featuring music, puppets, and exciting feats of juggling - yes, even with food! This uplifting performance is designed to bring smiles, laughter and create a joyful atmosphere for everyone in the room. For all ages! 🤹‍♀️

⏰Performance Times:
📍 Pleasant Ridge Library - 10 am
📍 Maple Library - 12 pm
📍 Woodbridge Library - 2:30 pm

All other VPL locations will be closed. taken in Vaughan, Ontario by @juggling.chef

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8 months ago

Happy to say, this is still happening! I am still ridiculous and it’s still appreciated. 🤹‍♀️👩‍🍳

Catch me at the Vaughan Public Libraries on Family Day Feb 16 2026:

Pleasant Ridge Branch 10:00 AM
Maple Library 12:00 PM
Woodbridge Library 2:30 PM by @juggling.chef

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8 months ago

2026 I feel FRESH! Happy New Year. 🌱 Wishing you lots of chances to GET FREE and STAY FREE especially from the bondage of self. 🙅‍♀️You matter, you’re good enough, the world needs you, you are LOVED. Trust God, clean house, help others. Smile more. 💯💫💪🏼 by @juggling.chef

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10 months ago

Wow. Frig. Friggin made it! LAST day OF 2025. 🥳
My heart is legit FULL of gratitude. Over 50 performances of THE JUGGLING CHEF. 🤹‍♀️👩‍🍳Playing and performing with @maracatumaraberto on the regular. 🥁THOUSANDS of children and parents PLEASED. 🎭Graduated with a diploma in EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY. 🎨 A new CAR. 🚙 40 years YOUNG. 🎂 5 year since CANCER came to BEAT ME DOWN and it did, but then a SERIOUS PHOENIX ROSE (by the grace of GOD) from those ashes. 🐦‍🔥PRAYERS ANSWERS. 🙏🏻Organic FOOD grown. 🥕A thousand hours VOLUNTEERING to help others discover a SPIRITUAL SOLUTION that can SOLVE all our problems. 💫FELLOWSHIP of the SPIRIT. ✅✅✅ THANK YOU to the ➡️➡️FRIENDS and FAMILY⬅️⬅️ and audience members who continuously encourage me and the JOY I insist on bringing. 🥰

The flip side is that YES, like most of you, I get EXHAUSTED. 😫I over commit. 🙅‍♀️I get sick. 🥴I lose my voice. 🤐I cry my guts out and I MAKE MISTAKES. 😭Welcome to Earth. 🌎It’s 2026 and the FUTURE IS NOW. 🕰️May 2026 include MORE SINGING, DANCING and being of maximum service to GOD and the PEOPLE about us. 😘 by @juggling.chef

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10 months ago