Monday, December 14, 2009

Olympic Morning
















Sunday morning coffees in hand Iain and I ventured to the end of our street to witness the passing of the torch. It might sound lame but it was a very neat moment!!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Freezing @ The Falls











Iain and spent the wkend in Newmarket to celebrate Robin's BD. We had a great supper at a Thai restaurant and then back to 1003 for a drink or 2 or 3 and then off to bed. Up at 6 AM and off we toddled to Niagara Falls in search of cave swallows and various gulls. It was unbelievably frigid there. I must admit I spent a lot of time in the van only getting out to take a few pics. We headed back around 3 and made it back to Robin's in time for pizza and wine. Left Sunday around 10 and tanking up on a starbucks off we went again. Got home at 2 and there were 3 little pussy cats who were ecstatic to see us arrive home.


Today the repairman came and fixed some wiring on the oven so hopefully that is it and I can get started on some hollyday stuff. Hope to get going on the decorating this week and I have an experimental recipe for a tortiere I want to try.

Friday, November 27, 2009

So beautiful

On Thursday Holly , Tiana, and I went to Sinders to do some dress shopping. It was a very emotional day for me. She tried on quite a few dresses but we were all in agreement that the very first one she put on was "THE ONE". Holly said that the dress made her shaky and I'm sure it was because it looked absolutely fabulous on her and she knew it too! Unfortunately Sio could not be there as she had just started her job and we did miss her. Hopefully she can get in with Holly soon and see it on her. The saleswoman put a veil on her and it was complete. I almost had a meltdown but I managed to keep it together until I got home a started telling Iain about it. Of course Iain being Iain laughed at me for being so emotional about it. Even now when I think about how lovely she looked I get a little weepy. I am not sure I will have enough tears in me during all of this.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

G-R-R-R-R-R!!!!!

I am not a very happy girl these last few days! Last week the motor on my oven went kafluuy and I couldn't use it. On Monday the repairman came and within about 1/2 an hour my oven was back working YAHOOY. Then yesterday after baking some experimental cat treats (which BTW were a success -- the gang loves them) no more heat. I don't know what is wrong with it other than the bottom element is cold. So now after talking to him this morning I won't know what is going on until MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was actually planning to do some holiday baking and some cooking for going on our road trip this wkend. Those plans have been thwarted. I hope by Monday all will be fixed and I can get back to my plans.

Anyway Iain and I are heading to the big TO on Friday. It is Robin's BD so we are going to take him for dinner. He usually comes here for Iain's Bd and takes us out for that. There is an adventure happening as well. We are all trudging to Niagara Falls for some birding. I already have my birding bag packed -- a book, some knitting and my I Pod. I also plan on taking a nice comfy blanket. So you see I will have a great time! Hopefully I will get some nice pics.

Friday, November 13, 2009

When Disaster Strikes

Had Sio and Will for supper last nite. I spent ALL morning making lasagna. They arrived about 5:30 and we sat had a drink then Papa came home and lasagna was ready to come out of the oven. As I was removing it from the oven all hot and bubbly and ooey gooey with cheese it proceeded to jump from my hands and fall you guessed it face first on the kitchen floor!!!! I believe I was saying a few expletives as the episode was in progress. So there we were Sio Will and I (Iain was upstairs changing) looking at this beautiful lasagna splatted on the floor. So what is there to do -- LAFF!!!!! Iain saved the day by scooting off to Independent and get pizza. We ate pizza and watched the Sens throw another one away. I made a lemon meringue pie which did survive my carnage.
We had a lovely visit. It was terrific to see them and they managed to get their laundry done.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

GO SENS GO

Iain has been in Korean for the past 6 days with 3 more to go. I had lots of plans for myself but unfortunately a heavy duty battle with PMS ensued and needless to say those plans are still in my draft folder.
I have been in the garden cleaning up this wkend. Even though it is fall cleanup it is really nice being in the sunshine. I am hoping to get some tulips planted later on. I didn't think I was going to get any in since we have had soooooo much rain this summer and early fall. I also started some Halloween decorating. Every year I say I am not going to put out those awful spider web thingys and every year I do. What is Halloween decorating without them???? They are a real pain in the derriere to take down and I always find them in my spring and summer garden.
I decided today to take a stab and doing pie dough again. I haven't been having a whole lot of luck with it ---- it seems to always come out heavy. So I was using the premade ones -- convenient but not terribly tasty. Well I found a great dough recipe in my Canadian Living cookbook and made a couple of baby pies. I am inspired again!!! I have dough leftover which I am making into another couple of baby pies and freezing them. I will probably end up doing more experimentation and giving the girls some pies.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Pasta Bake with Sio and Will
















Had a great lunch with Master Dan's mere et step pere. They live on a farm and have a few farm animals -- chickens, peacocks, turkeys, and a goose.





There are lots of things to start discussing about the big coming up for Holly and Dan.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Just one more
















Had a great week in NS. We left Friday afternoon and made it to Montreal in what we thought would be plenty of time. Boy were we wrong. Montreal - Friday afternoon - Construction!! Need I say more. Took us close to an hour and a half to finally get thru and then we were off. Spent the nite in Edmunston. After throwing back a heineken and the worst pizza --- off to sleepy land. Awake bright and early and off again. Made it to Radcliffe ave about 4 ish.





It was fantastic spending time with everyone. The boys are getting so big. Chase is such a sweety and really love Iain. Had a hard time saying his name so ended up calling him "E". Of course we waited til the last nite to let loose. Probably bcs everyone was there and bcs that was the nite i got the call from Holly that she and Dan were engaged. So @ 3 am we had the "just one more" and went off to bed. Iain wanted to leave by 11 and @ 10:54 were headed out. I am just getting too old for all this emotional stuff. Made it to Levis and just plopped into bed. Iain says I was being anti social but I think I was just totally exhausted!





Stopped by Holly's to see "the ring". So lovely and very sparkly!! Finally made it to CP and had time to sit in the backyard with a glass of wine.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Bikram Treadmill?

Well Sio has left the building! Yup yesterday we loaded up the huge truck and barrelled our way to Springland Drive. Took us about an hour to unload the truck and after only one panic episode ( OMG the sofa won't fit thru the door) we were organising things in their apartment. After a supper of pizza and prosecco we went on our merry way. Yes I was a little weepy but that is just lame me! A little hug from my other sweet girl and I felt a wee less weepy.

Our little girls have grown up!!

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Raven red and tiramisu

Sio has finally brought Busey into the family!! Altho now that he is here she may rethink his name as she thinks he now feels more like a fat lady. On Friday she took me to her and Will's new apartment. It's great and they are both pretty excited about this new venture in their lives. Their building is in a very pretty residential section. From what I understand lots of Italians!!

Lots of things still to be done but Thursday is closer at hand.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Welcome to the family Murray

Great weekend!! Sailing with friends on the Ottawa River and back to their place for swimming and curry. I made a delicious vegetable curry (toot toot)and Heather ended the meal with a yummy apple rhubarb crumble Sunday a lovely drive into the wilds of Quebec with Iain. Our romantic picnic turned into sitting on a bench at the municipal yard in Bowman. There are lovely lakes in Quebec but unless you own property on them you CANNOT get to them. it was nice spending time just us.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Purple I Pod and Brownies

Had a great Birthday! Did some chores around the house, got caught up on some emails, read a lot and then Iain made dinner. Joyce and John came by around 6:30 and we whipped back a couple of Birthday-politans (gin and cran juice). Iain made an artichoke asiago cheese thing y that was absolutely fab. Then the power went off and stayed off for about 2 hours. Thank goodness the rest of his meal was barby related ---- fajita burgers with salsa and avocado and a mixed green salad. Joyce brought dessert which rounded the meal out wonderfully altho I was very full and it was a bit difficult to sleep.

Thank you all for the BD wishes!!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Roots are Showing

All of a sudden Iain and I realized in just over 3 weeks we will be without family room furniture. So now we are on the frantic search for new furniture. You would think this would be an exciting endeavour and it is. However, me being me I am using it as yet another reason to not be able to sleep. What if I pick the wrong colour? What if I pick the wrong style?

The "kids" minus Will are coming for dinner on Sunday, It is so nice having them all here. It is supposed to be hot hot hot!! Should I fill up the pool (LOL)? Prosecco, tandoori chicken and grilled corn. Dan's mom has sent a blueberry pie -- YUM YUM.

The pussy cats have got it right on these hot days. Find a comfy spot and STAY.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Four Day Headache

Thought I would wake this morning with a clear head but NOOOOOOOO!!! The top of my cranium feels like it is going to blow off and my eyeballs feel like they have been laying in sand all nite. I did feel worse yesterday so maybe things are looking up. Of course since it is the first of the month I have a lot more things to do in my cleaning ritual, I sucked it up yesterday and got most of it done but I need to fininsh today. I have to get back to the treadmill as well (work off some of the spritzers).
Tomorrow is my sweetys BD and I have asked The Roys for an impromtu dinner. Hope they can come. Gotta arrange a golfing day for Iain and"the boys". Holly can you let me know a day you and Dan are off so we can arrange a golf afternoon and BD supper for your ole man??
We are also planning a NS trip in September. We are driving down which should be quite the adventure. Sio will be moved out but has graciously offered to take my car and come out to CP to take care of my babies. Isn't she a sweetheart?!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Iain's new pasta maker




Finally got his Father's day gift!! He made the best pasta and terrific pesto from our garden basil!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Getting Caught Up

Had a terrific afternoon with my very dear friend Kathy. Downloaded about kids, travel, our wonderful husbands, the weather and just about every other subject we could think of. Think it has been way too long between visits when you can't remember the last chat!!

Iain is in Chicago this week so I will be very lonesome in that big bed of ours. Will is visiting tomorrow and I hear there are going to margaritas consumed. I also believe there will be copious amounts of ooey gooey pizza. There goes the meal plan. I will have to do a monster workout in the AM.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Yummy day!



An eventful day yesterday!! Made strawberry jam and then made banana muffins later in the day.
Wait a minute what is that big bright object shining down on us. Could it be the sun?? Why yes that is what it is. Maybe things will dry up a bit until the next rain fall

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I am getting very sick of all this rain. I just want to be able to wake up and know it will be a gardening day. My poor delphs are hanging their little heads and a lot of the pots are water logged. It looks like maybe just maybe Friday is going to be an ok day. Fingers crossed!!

I guess it is a good day to get caught up on my chores and then maybe get a little reading in this afternoon.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Great Canada Day

Is it really Thursday. It was terrific having "hump " day off but now it feels like a Monday and shouldn't I be cleaning :) !! We spent the day bumming around and it was loverly. By about 3:00 we were cleaned up with our C day garb on and ready for more relaxing. What better way to celebrate C day then with burgs and salad. Dan came by around 7:30 for a visit sans Holly ( she was working til 11). He was introduced to our CP fireworks display and is probably now wishing he hadn't cuz the mossies were pretty fierce.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

HOT HOT HOT

Yahoo!! Finally what i have been waiting for 40 with the humidex. Too hot to do anything but sit on the deck with a book and a tall drink. Well it would be the thing to do if the constuction wasn't right outside our front door. I seem to have a permanent head throb with all the stomp stomp stomp!!!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

No Way Out

Well it has finally started. Our driveway is blocked by a huge piece of machinery, a large hole. and very sweaty shirtless men! Unfortunately we were not advised of this impending hole digging this morning and are now blocked from escaping our castle. Iain did escape for work but will have to find elsewhere to park tonight. I was hoping there would be enough room to finaggle my li'l honda around to get it out but so far it does not look too promising.So I may be carless for a few days.

Yahoo the heat is finally here. I am lovin it. I am heading to the backyard book and drink in hand soon after posting this. The gardens look amazing and the tomatoes seem to leap each nite. The basil is still looking a little droopy but i am sure a drink, food and sunshine will perk them right up.

Poor Guiness is being a grumpy gus cuz he is hot and wants to go outside but is scared of all the noise. Addy and Lucky are hiding out somewhere probably under our bed!!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy PaPa day

Another teaser day!! When will we get that heat we have been promised. I am sooooo ready for it. Even have my summer recipes ready to go.

PaPa is making his own father's day dinner tonight altho sio is in charge of cocktails (Tom collins) and I am doing dessert ( strawberry shortcake). He is really looking forward to his golf game with "the boys" tomorrow.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

B vegas baby

Off to Belleville this am with van in hand. Thnx for all the barb Holly Jolly. Will definitly try your cake !!
BTW Star Trek was amazing says my inner geek!! Of course Dad spotted lots of "inconsistencies" (obviously did not let his inner geek take over) but think he enjoyed it anyway.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Date Night

Going on a date tonight ---- Supper @ Fratelli's then Star Trek!!