Monday, August 31, 2015

Weekend Recap

After another busy week at work, I came home to some homemade steak fajitas made by Dave.  Dave's parents had taken E to to the aquarium for the day so he was pretty tired.  I went for a run after supper.  We watched one episode of a new Netflix show, Narcos, and then I went right to bed.

On Saturday we all got on our bikes and went to Centreville on the Toronto Islands for the second time this summer. (See our first visit here.) It was busier this time but still pretty fun.

Waiting in line for the first ride

Tea cups.  Last time Dave and E both had bracelets, but this time only E had a bracelet and we got a bunch of tickets so we could take turn on the rides with him.  

Carosel

E and Papa in line for the swans (I realize you can't really see the, but I wanted to get a picture of the whole scene)

There they are (fighting over who gets to steer)

One of E's favourite rides, the cars that he gets to "drive"

Riding Bullseye, another favourite ride.

This time I went on the roller coaster with E

Grandma, Papa and E on the log ride


These geese were waiting around like extras for a nursery rhyme

After spending the morning and part of the afternoon at Centreville, we explored other parts of the island.  Dave had found The Franklin Children's Garden (yes, Franklin the Turtle) on the map so we went there first.  It had some beautiful flowers with some bronze statues and a children's activity garden.







Definitely a worthwhile trip for small kids when you're on the Toronto Islands.

We rode through part of the neighbourhoods on Ward's Island and the beaches.  It's really neat to be on the island and to still be so close to downtown Toronto.  Our ride home was good although the hill up to our house was challenging for everyone (except Dave) so we were happy to get home.  I put together a quick supper with food we already had in our cupboard.  Then we made ice cream in our new ice cream maker.  It's in a ball form so you have to roll it around on the floor to mix it up.  E loved that part and liked the ice cream.


On Sunday I went for a run and then came home to make pancakes.  Then Dave and his parents went to Costco (and came home with enough paper towel for at least one year), and E and I walked up the street for our usual errands.  After lunch he headed to Sarnia with Dave's parents for the week.  We will miss him but he says "don't worry we will face talk everyday".  He means FaceTime.  Too cute.

So this was pretty much my afternoon - a drink, the Jays, and some blogging.

In the late afternoon, we went to my boss's house for a garden party with the other lawyers and our spouses.  We usually bring E with us and he gets to swim in the pool.  This year we missed him but it meant we could talk to more people instead of keeping track of him. 



That's my salad in the red bowl, Roasted Beet, Pear and Feta Salad

Good looking crowd.




Friday, August 28, 2015

Friday Favourites

Linking up with AndreaErika and Narci for Friday Favourites.


1. One of my favourite things is getting things fixed around the house.  We got our ceiling fixed in the  living room.  Rather than just patching the hole, we had the whole ceiling plastered.  We were able to keep the curve on the edge of the ceiling, to keep some of the original character, but it is smooth now and it can be easily painted and cleaned.  The room is far from done but this was a big piece of it and I'm glad it's done.

Before

During

After (blurry picture without lights, but you get the idea)

2. I'm going to a Stella and Dot party next week.  A few of my favourite pieces that I'm checking out are:


Aurelia Pendant Necklace



Madeline Pearl Necklace



Renegade Cluster Bracelet
Makeup Bag in Spring Green Ikat

3. Did you know if you're an Arbonne Preferred Client (or Independent Consultant) and you spend over $300 then you get to pick out $150 worth of products for $30.  This week I decided to "splurge" for the Intelligence Genius Nightly Resurfacing Pads.  This is one of my favourite products but it is pricey.  When I get to take advantage of the $150 for $30, I like to get some special things like this one. 


4.  My favourite music growing up was rap/hip hop.  Yes, I know, shocking.  So when Straight Outta Compton was advertised, I knew I wanted to see it.  I am hoping to get there this week to see it sometime since it is at the theatre by our house.  


5.  We ordered E's new backpack and Dave decided to get passport holders for all of us too.  They are pretty nice, and we all got our own pattern.  This is mine.



Happy (last) Friday (of August)!!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Eating Alone

I know some people think that eating alone in a restaurant is something beyond their comfort zone.  I consider it a luxury.  I don't mean grabbing something at a food court or a drive-thru and scarfing it down (although I do that at times...ahem...Chipotle), but I mean walking into a restaurant and saying "Table for one" and being served an entire meal.  Sometimes I eat at the bar, which is so convenient when the restaurant is busy, but I also don't mind a whole table to myself.  

It is rare that I have the opportunity to take an hour to myself to eat lunch.  I enjoy eating lunch with my co-workers, of course, when I can and I'm not eating in my office, and I like going out to eat with Dave and E. But when I can, I will go out, order a glass of wine, my lunch, and read a book.  It's also so much less lonely than eating in a food court or take out on a park bench or something.  

If you think this is not something for you, that's fine, but seriously, try it sometime.  Trust me, no one is paying any attention to you, wondering why you're eating alone.  They are all wrapped up in their own lunch companions.  

Last week at Earls, some wine, the Santa Fe chicken salad, and filling in my new agenda.



Wednesday, August 26, 2015

What's up Wednesday

Linking up with Shay and Sheaffer for What's up Wednesdays.  I can't believe it's time for this post again, time flies.



What we're eating this week...
Sunday - Pork Chops, Caprese Salad, German Potato Salad (see below)
Monday - take out fish and chips from The One That Got Away
Tuesday - Grilled Chicken and salad
Wednesday - Corn, Beans, and Steak
Thursday - Sausages
And that's it for now.



What I'm reminiscing about...
I posted about high school last week, and with all of the "back to school" ads I am reminiscing about high school and university.  I bought a new paper agenda last week and while I was filling in the information I got the same feeling as when I would start a new school year. 


What I'm loving...
The last of the iced coffee (with milk, half sweet) at Starbucks.  It is a favourite of mine and they don't have it in the winter.  I am looking forward the pumpkin spice latte, but I'm not ready to give up my iced coffee yet.  

What we've been up to...
 My mom has been here looking after E for the past week.  We are therefore more in tune with what E is up to during the day.  When he was at school, we could ask him what he did that day but usually the answer would be "nothing".  The answer to "what did you have for lunch?" is "nothing".  And "did you go outside?" "No".  Now I know what he's eating and what he has done most of the day.



What I'm dreading...
Packing a school lunch and recess everyday.  Even though I had a few complaints about the food served at E's daycare, I cannot deny that it was infinitely better than having to plan, buy and prepare snacks and lunches throughout the week.  

What I'm working on...
 Aside from work (of course), I'm also working on planning our trip to Barcelona. I've been using Instagram, Pinterest and TripAdvisor for ideas of attractions, activities and restaurants.



What I'm excited about...
Next week E will be going to spend the week with Dave's parents.  We are not usually without him when we are at home.  Any other time he's gone to stay with his grandparents we have gone somewhere.  We have tickets to the Blue Jays, a dinner with friends planned, and a chance to golf together.

What I'm watching/reading...
I've just taken our next book club selection out of the library, Any Known Blood by Lawrence Hill.  Haven't started it yet, but it's about 500 pages so I'd better get started. 



As much as I love Bachelor in Paradise, it is taking up a lot of time.  Along with the many Blue Jays games, we haven't had time to watch any of our other shows for awhile.  

What I'm listening to...
This American Life, the podcast, anxiously waiting to hear about the next season of Serial.  Sarah Koenig did the story for this week's episode of This American Life and her voice made me crave more Serial!




What I'm wearing...
Old running clothes.  I have been running every other day since July 1, and I pretty much have two outfits that I run in (cleaned each time).  I need to get a few new things, some pants and tank tops.  I have a gift card to the yoga place in Bloor West Village called Flow Active but I'm also a sucker for lululemon of course. 


What I'm doing this weekend...
Dave's parents will be in town so we're going to bike to Centre Island again.  Then when they head back to their place with E, Dave and I will enjoy a relaxing afternoon at home before going to a party with my work colleagues on Sunday afternoon.




What I'm looking forward to next month...
E's first day of school and getting into a routine.  I love summer, as we all know, but I'll still embrace fall as it arrives.  The yoga studio where I used to go for prenatal and mom and baby yoga is reopening in September and now I'll be able to walk there.  I'm excited to make yoga an regular part of my routine again. And I'm excited for football to start: Go Pack Go!



What else is new... 
My cell phone contract expires in October so I could get a new phone at anytime.  My phone has had a broken screen for awhile (this is my third broken screen, second one for this phone) and now it has started to act strangely, as if I'm holding down the top button, and it's super annoying.  I'm trying to hold out until September when the new iPhone 6S comes out.  That way I can either get the new phone, or the 6 will be cheaper. 

I will have to replace this cell phone case.

What's your favourite back to school tradition?
I posted about this on one of the last Show and Tell Tuesday posts. My personal favourite tradition from when I was little was getting my backpack all packed, my lunch packed and ready in the fridge, and my clothes picked out.
E's new backpack.


Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Weekend Recap

Our weekend did not turn out as planned.  We were supposed to go up to visit with my family and do the burial of my grandparents' ashes, but due to unforeseen circumstances we were not able to do that.   So we were left with an open schedule and decided to go downtown on the subway. My mom has been here all week looking after E, and she was here to spend the weekend with us too.  

First an early morning bike ride for Dave

When we got downtown we went to Jack Astors on Front Street for lunch.  As much as I love different small restaurants with their fancy cocktails and artisan root vegetables, I also enjoy a simple visit to Jack Astors.  They had tasty food, cold beer, and a seat on the patio.  

Then we walked over to the Roundhouse Park, by the Skydome, and went to the Toronto Railway Museum.  To tell you the truth, the railway museum is actually quite small.  It costs $5 per adult, and although we probably could have decided not to go in and pay the money, we did anyway.  We have played on the locomotives outside of the museum, which are free, many times, so I considered the $15 a worthy donation.  

We checked out the trains and displays, and then took a ride on the mini-train.



Trying out the train simulator






After the train ride we went to the Steam Whistle Brewery for a taste of their pilsner.   Then we were all tired and decided to head home to rest.  We had BBQ'd hamburgers and caught up on some shows before going to bed fairly early.

On Sunday, we had pancakes, and then did a few things around the house.  I cleaned, Dave and E went to the park, and then Dave went to Ikea for some new cabinet door hinges which he then installed.  My dad was also in town came over to spend the afternoon with us and had supper.

Pancakes at the counter

Future tennis star

Part of our supper, German potato salad. Very good!


Not what we had planned for a weekend, but still full of fun things.