Weekly Menu

Some weeks seem easier than others so I continue to share these weekly menus in case you're stuck and can use some inspiration. 

Monday - Baked chicken breasts with lemon pepper spice, roasted potatoes, and frozen carrots and corn. 

Tuesday - Baked Beans on Toast. I am reading a book set in Ireland and in the book they ate this meal so I added it to our menu. It is such a cozy meal and everyone enjoyed it.  I added some bacon and we topped it with crunchy fried onions and parmesan cheese.

Wednesday - Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli. This meal was so simple, only four ingredients and I whipped it up in no time. 

Thursday - Tacos. I posted about how we do taco night back in 2021 but nothing has really changed although we will more often buy our salsa instead of making it.  (I'm actually going out for supper with friends, lucky me!)

Friday - Turkey Meatball Subs. Another favourite meal in this house. I bought ground turkey this time and I'll just use a bottle of pasta sauce, topped with provolone cheese. If I have time I was also planning to roast a spaghetti squash I've had sitting around for awhile and I'll eat my meatballs on that instead of the bun. Not that there is anything wrong with the bun but I need to use up that squash!

Gratitude Journal Prompts

Continuing with my Gratitude Journal prompts, a few each month: 

4. Write about a teacher that made a positive impact on you.

I was very fortunate to have some terrific teachers when I was growing up.  From Grade Primary to Grade 5 my school had one class per grade so there was never a question of which teacher you were going to get, you knew them. Then in Grade 6 we had a new school with three classes per grade but I was lucky enough to have Mr. McIntyre from my original school.  High school of course had multiple teachers and I have good memories from so many classes and teachers. Mr. Seegmiller taught us Latin after school, Ms. Spencer had a poetry club for some of us and taught my favourite class, English, Mr. LaPlante took us on a class trip to Moncton, Mr. Haliburton taught me law, really inspiring my career, Mr. Theriault was my math teacher and I changed the way I made my eights based on his method (and then he very sadly died when I was in Grade 10), Mr. Thompson was our Industrial Arts teacher (and I still have the tables I made in that class) and also taught Driver's Ed, Mr. S. Pippy was our gym teacher and soccer coach, and his father Mr. N. Pippy was our vice-principal and was always keeping his eye on us.  These are just the ones that spring to mind right now, I know there are many other good memories that come up in different situations. 

5. Write about a past experience that you are grateful for.

Anytime I get to travel somewhere I am grateful. I am grateful that I have the resources (time and money) to visit different places, family and friends that like to travel too, and a Canadian passport that is welcomed all over the world. Living in Toronto also helps because of our international airport with direct flights to many destinations. And I'm also grateful to come home at the end of our journey.

6. Write about the season that you love the most.

I love summer the most, I know that I should appreciate every season for what it has to offer, and I do, but summer is just the best! I was born in June in Southern Ontario and so I think that is why I have always enjoyed the heat. I love the local fresh fruit and vegetables, the opportunity to ride my bike and go swimming, watching baseball (live or on TV), golfing, getting some fries from the canteen at the park, sipping a cocktail or glass of rose on a patio, needing to only think about shorts, a tank top, and sandals to wear, working from home in the backyard, farmer's markets, camping, road trips, so many things to enjoy that are specific to summertime.  (That all being said, I'm not wishing away winter, I will enjoy the snow and cold while it's here and then appreciate summer all the more when it arrives.)

See questions 1-3 here

Weekend Recap

The word to recap this weekend is COLD.  We had temperatures around -25 degrees Celsius starting in the mornings on the ski hill and "warming up" to about -15.  The sun helped when it was out, but it went away on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Despite that though, the snow conditions were perfect and we had a great weekend.  But because of that cold, I didn't take my mittens off for many photos!

I took the day off on Friday to take Q up to a ski race at our home hill. They had some skills competitions in the morning and the race in the afternoon.  Q had a great time and didn't get bothered by the cold (too much!).

We were happy to get home and cozy warm under the electric blanket! E had school that day and Dave was working so they heated up dinner for us when we got home. 

On Saturday we had another cold day of skiing but warmed up with après ski at Quayle's Brewery with some other families.  

So pretty there.

We were spending the night at the hotel for the weekend.  We got back from Quayle's and ordered pizza to our room so we didn't need to go back out.  It was nice to relax and I was in my PJs and in bed shortly after we ate our pizza and we all got to bed early. 

A beautiful crisp Blue Bird day.

The lunch schedule for the kids was combined that day so E and Q got to eat together. 

We got packed up after race training was over and had a nice drive back.  We tidied up and I watched the first two hours of the Grammys. I was entertained, even with all of the commercials, but couldn't stay up for the whole thing. 

Friday Favourites

 

Happy Friday!! 

The big story here this week was the snow.  We got pummeled with record breaking snow last Sunday overnight into Monday. We did a lot of shovelling and this snow will be with us for awhile, particularly with the cold temperatures.

The snowbank in front of our house is so big people were taking photos of it when they walked by.

So much snow on the cars.

Q came out to help on Monday morning.

E went on a school ski trip on Tuesday.  I told him to take some photos and he did.  They had a great time.

Beavertails on the side of the hill.

I had one of my favourite lunches this week at work and it was so pretty I thought I would take a photos.  Just a handful of spinach, a few cherry tomatoes, and two hard boiled eggs.  I warm up the spinach and tomatoes with some butter first and then chop the eggs in. Simple but good.

Another favourite meal was this shepherd's pie (or I guess technically "cottage pie" since I made it with beef and not lamb). This is the perfect meal for a cold winter's night.

I finished our pretty Paris Christmas puzzle this week.  

I am off today to take Q to a ski race, lucky him, he gets to skip school :) 

Have a great weekend, stay warm!

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

Monthly Musings

 

1. Describe your winter so far in one word.

Snowy

2. What winter activities have you tried but want to?

I would like to go dogsledding. We thought we could try that when we went to Tremblant a couple of years ago but they had already closed up for the season. 

3. Favourite winter beverage?

I like mulled wine as a treat, but I don't have it often, bonus points if I am by an outdoor fireplace.

4. Least favourite winter chore?

Filling up the windshield wiper fluid or putting gas in the car. It always seems like you're standing out there for so long.

5. Soup or chili? Share recipe?

I like either. I don't have a recipe to share.

6. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or neither?

Dark chocolate, always.

7. Share your Valentine's Day plans.

It is a long weekend for us, plus a ski race for E on the Friday, so we have two nights booked at a hotel near the ski hill.  We will have dinner out, but nothing that specifically screams Valentine's Day.

8. Do you dress festive for Valentine's Day?

I have a couple of t-shirts that work for Valentine's Day and a sweater with hearts on the sleeves.

9. Do you make any sweet treats for Valentine's Day?

Not specifically but I do like anything with a red or pink sprinkle.

10. What is your love language?

I have never done the test but "Acts of Services" sounds about right.  Just bring me a coffee, that's all I want :)

Linking up with Patty

What's Up Wednesday

What we're eating this week...

Sunday - Costco Pizzas

Monday - Chicken Nuggets and Coleslaw

Tuesday - Chicken and Sweet Potato Risotto

Wednesday - Shepherd's Pie

Thursday - Tortellini Soup

Friday - Wings and Appetizers

Saturday - Out

What I'm reminiscing about...

E went on a school ski trip yesterday. He said some people didn't know how to ski and wondered why they would bother going.  I told him that some people don't get to go skiing every weekend and the school trip may be their only opportunity to try it out. That's how it was for me when I was growing up.  I had never tried downhill skiing until the school trip and I gradually learned. I remember graduating from the bunny hill and then falling off the t-bar and having to make my way over to the slope on my bum.  I am still traumatized by a t-bar!

Not everyone gets to learn this young!

What I'm loving...

I do love the snow even with the necessary shoveling and the difficulty it takes to get around the city. I love winter!

What I'm dreading...

Getting sick.  We have been pretty healthy so far this winter but I am always worried that a slightly sore throat will turn into something worse. We continue to try to get to bed early, run the humidifier, and stay bundled up. 

What we've been up to...

Keeping an eye on the news - what's going on in Minnesota, Mark Carney's various remarks at Davos and since, the protests in Iran. There is a lot to absorb. I am grateful for my Bridge podcast where I know will get good commentary to keep me informed. 

What I'm working on...

Decluttering various areas - slowly but surely.  I made a list on my phone of the places I need to tackle and I've done a few since January started. I'd love to get the list done before winter is over.  I've found it actually doesn't take that long, I just need to dive in. 

What I'm excited about...

There is only one answer here and it's THE OLYMPICS!! We love all of the Olympic sports but I do have an affinity for the Winter Games.  I can't wait to get obsessed with every single thing.

What I'm watching/reading...

We just finished Pluribus so next up is The Pitt.  I am also halfway through Emily in Paris, and I want to watch the Elizabeth Smart documentary. 

I am reading a book by Colm Toibin. It takes place in Ireland and it's a little dreary but good.

What I'm listening to...

I watched the Taylor Swift documentary and now I'm listening to a lot of her music again. I really didn't appreciate how special the Eras Tour was to her devoted fans.

What I'm wearing...

Long underwear.  Obviously I wear it for skiing, but also as a layer under my pants, or over my tights when I'm going to work. Costco had a Puma set and they are really nice! I tried to get some for E but they only had XXL for the men.

What I'm doing this weekend...

Taking the day off on Friday to take Q to a ski race, then regular ski training on Saturday and Sunday.  We made plans with some friends to hit up Quayle's Brewery for après ski on Saturday and then we are spending the night in Orillia.  And then the Grammys are on Sunday night so I will want to watch that.

(last year at Quayle's)

What I'm looking forward to next month...

Ski season continuing with more races for the boys, Family Day weekend, Valentine's Day, and (I can't believe it!) baseball tryouts for Q.

What else is new...

Just thinking ahead to our March Break trip to the French Alps. We have everything booked now and it's going to be here sooner than we know it!

 

Weekend Recap

On Friday night I took Q to baseball and then spent a good part of the evening getting ready for skiing.  We have to get all of our food ready to go and since we were also staying overnight on Saturday we needed to pack our overnight bags.

On the drive up on Saturday morning we saw many cars off the side of the road, it was very slippery out there! We made it unscathed, thank goodness. It was our coldest morning at -20 Celsius so I wasn't super excited about going out, but it turned out to be the best day!  The snow was prefect and although we were cold to start the day, it wasn't that bad.  

The sun helped too.

After race training wrapped up for the day, E and I headed for Huntsville to stay at the Hidden Valley Resort, and Dave and Q went home with our friends' to spend the night there. E and I checked into the hotel and then met up with the rest of the team for dinner at the Huntsville Brewhouse.

It was a cold crisp morning on Sunday for E's race.

The U16/U19 group.

The ski resort had the task of knocking down this huge icicle.  I was watching the race and missed it fall, but heard it!

Ready to race!

Some parents were great at taking photos of everyone.

Meanwhile Dave and Q were at The Heights for Q's race. The U10 boys warming up by the fireplace.

I was worried about the storm that was coming as I didn't know what to expect for our drive home.  Fortunately it was not that snowy up north and we had clear roads all the way home, except when we got to the 401 in Toronto.  Then it was a white out and I was glad we were at the end of our highway journey. I had thought our whole drive would be like this so I was very grateful it wasn't.

When we got home, we had a driveway full of snow, so we had to shovel before we could pull the car in. We did some good work and could not get over the snow. 

I thought this deserved a storm Negroni (or two).

Dave went out again to shovel and there must have been another 30 cm since we had been out the first time.

The kids went to be knowing school was already canceled for Monday, lucky them! (E actually already had no school because of the exam schedule.)