Monday, February 29, 2016

Let's Talk - February

Linking up for another instalment of Let's Talk.  The topic this month is "Guys", being the guys in my life.


I have two main guys in my life, my husband and my son.

I wrote about my husband, Dave, on his birthday last year here


I wrote about my son on his 3rd and 4th birthdays, here and here.


I am so lucky to have such wonderful guys in my life!




Friday, February 26, 2016

Friday Favourites

Linking up with AndreaErika and Narci for Friday Favourites.


On Tuesday I went downtown for a seminar.  I snapped a picture of Osgoode Hall (The Law Society of Upper Canada) on my way home.  I love old Toronto buildings. 


Another highlight of that day, I met a friend at the Drake One Fifty for lunch.  Love that place!

I saw this link on someone's Facebook this week.  It is adorable - kids practicing their reading skills by reading to nervous and stressed shelter dogs.  This is my favourite picture because the boy is showing the dog the pictures.

I am so looking forward to this weekend.  This week was long and we have some fun things going on this weekend. 

LEO!

That's it for me this week, have a good one everybody!!








Thursday, February 25, 2016

March Goals



Here were my goals for February, and this is how I did (Spoiler alert, not well):

1. Learn how to poach an egg.
I did not do this.  I had wanted to buy some smoked salmon and make a poached egg to go with it, but it just didn't happen.  I was recovering from surgery one week, then it was too cold to leave the house another week, and I seemed to run out of time.

2. Get some Valentine's Day cards for E's classmates and some to mail out.
We got some cards and E wrote his name on all of them for his classmates.  I didn't get any mailed out to friends and family that live away, but we did make some cookies and took them to some local friends as a treat and for a wee visit.



3. Decorate for Valentine's Day and maybe even attempt a craft with E.
We did this.  E wasn't too interested in the actual crafts I did (heart banner and heart bouquet), but we did work on this drawing of our house and E decorated it with hearts.






4. Pick up a rug for our living room.
I did not do this.  Again, it felt like we ran out of time this month and our focus (and budget) has been on the basement.

5. Frame the paintings we got in Barcelona.
Didn't do this either, see reason from above.

6. Plan some summer camps for E and our vacation time.
Done. Registration is next Saturday morning, wish me luck that we get our first choices.

March looks like it will be a busy month too, but here is what I want to get done:

1. Read two books this month.  Our book club selection and the book I got for Christmas.

2. Organize my clothes.  My drawers are jammed with shirts and sweaters and I don't think I wear half of them.  I need to go through them all and throw out old things.
3. Decorate for Easter and try an Easter craft with E.
4. Ski at least two more times before the season is over.

5. Find a children's bible to give E for Easter.




Wednesday, February 24, 2016

What's Up Wednesday

Linking up with Shay and Sheaffer for What's up Wednesday.



What we're eating this week...
Sunday - Nacho Burgers (ground beef mixed up with cumin, oregano, salt and pepper.  Buns toasted with melted butter and chili powder.  Topped with cheese, crushed nacho chips, and salsa)
Monday - Chicken and Sweet Potato Risotto
Tuesday - Thai Chicken Curry in the Slow Cooker
Wednesday - Sausage and Potato Frittata
Thursday - Tacos
Friday - Dave and I are going out with my work friends to Bent


What I'm reminiscing about...
I always think about stuff we had done the year before, and people we were hanging out with, but nothing specific comes to mind.

What I'm loving...
The last few episodes of Downton Abbey.  I just love everyone so much and the writing and the lines and everything is so great.  I will miss these (fictional) people when it is finally all over.  What a masterpiece.


What we've been up to...
Struggling.  Not really, but it feels like February has flown by without being super productive.  I'm hoping that I can get back on track in March.

What I'm dreading...
Registering for summer camps on Saturday morning.  I will be at the computer by 7:00 am with my coffee, hitting refresh over and over.

What I'm working on...
I had a slow January at work, but February has heated up.  I am working on a large sale transaction, and a few small ones, setting up some new corporations, complete with shareholders' agreement and services agreement, fun stuff!

What I'm excited about...
Getting our Easter decorations out and putting them up this weekend.



What I'm watching/reading...
We are trying to watch all of the Best Picture nominees before Sunday night.  That means our TV shows have been put on hold this week.

I finally finished the third book of the Ken Follett Century Trilogy. I got it last Christmas and have been reading it on and off all year.  I love these books; they are very detailed and have a lot of characters, but you learn a lot and the connections between the characters is always very interesting.

What I'm listening to...
We listen to Google Play for our music streaming service.  My favourite playlists are: Songs to Raise Your Kids To, The Ultimate Family Dance Party, and Anthemic Pop.  I got Dave a Bose bluetooth speaker for Christmas and it has been great!

What I'm wearing...
An old coat, and I've decided I need a new one for next winter.   

I thought this looked like a lovely jacket and then I see it is $1,000 so I'll keep shopping. 

What I'm doing this weekend...
Going out for supper on Friday night with friends, skiing for the last of E's lessons of the year, dinner with our skiing friends, taking E to a birthday party, and watching the Oscars. 

What I'm looking forward to next month...
Bowling with work, St. Patrick's Day, Dave's Birthday and Easter.  

What else is new... 
Not too much. Enjoying whatever weather comes our way, snow or sun, cold or warm.  
  
What is your favourite Easter tradition... 
My church where I grew up had a few sunrise Easter services at Island's Park and I always loved them.  Last year our church in Toronto had a sunrise service at the park by our house.  E and I got up early and walked down for it, and when we got back home the Easter Bunny had been there and E got to look for some eggs.  I'm hoping they will do the same service this year. 

Last year's service.

Thanks for checking in!



Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Weekend Recap

This weekend, our goal was to watch some Oscar nominated films.  We watched The Revenant on Friday night.  I loved it.  I love Leo.  He needs to win Best Actor this year.  

On Saturday morning we were greeted by some fairly pleasant weather.  We hopped in the car to go skiing.  It was about +5 degrees Celsius.  What a difference from last week's -40!  


Finally got our top of the hill selfie!  It has been too cold to take the photos before now. 

When we got home I did a little cleaning, we watched a show, and then E and I went to the library and the playground. 





Sometimes it's good not to have every meal planned out because it means impromptu restaurant visits!  On Saturday night we decided to go to La Cubana on Roncesvalles. I had the Pulled Pork Cuban plate, Dave had the Beef Short Rib plate, and E had a yummy grilled cheese.  Tasty drinks too, including a fresh mango juice for E. 


Playing pictionary.

When we got home, we watched my favourite curler (Team New Brunswick's Third) at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts (we went to law school and articled together) and then watched The Big Short.

Our Sunday was pretty typical - pancakes, church for E and me, run for Dave, and groceries.  E and I went to another playground on our way back from our errands, and Dave put up some drywall in the basement.  



We grilled up some burgers for supper and after E went to bed we watched Room and then Downtown Abbey.  






Monday, February 22, 2016

Little Things - Part 5

Another instalment of being thankful for the little things which are really the big things when you think about it. 

Barbecued hamburgers
 They are so tasty and they somehow taste better when it still a little cool outside when you go out to grill them.  We had a nice day and took advantage by making some burgers.

Making lunches  
I complain about making lunch for myself and for him, but I know I will miss doing it for him someday.  


Having a husband who knows how to put up drywall
 (and install a shower, and tile a floor, and install light fixtures, etc.). And having a son who likes to dance.




Friday, February 19, 2016

Friday Favourites

Linking up with AndreaErika and Narci for Friday Favourites.



We had a short week and I can't believe I am writing this post already! 

Dave was out at some work dinners and conferences this week so E and I spent a lot of time together.  
On Tuesday we finally got some snow and we were able to go sledding after supper.  We tried to make a snowman first but the snow was too fluffy so instead E climbed into the sled and we went down to the corner where there is a nice hill.  We didn't stay too long but got a few good runs in.

On Wednesday night the spray foam insulations guys came in the morning and we wouldn't be allowed back into our house for 24 hours.  So after school and work on Wednesday we needed to go out for supper.  I was going to suggest McDonalds or Boston Pizza but E wanted Queen Margherita Pizza, he's fancy like that.  Since swimming was cancelled due to a fouling of the pool, we had lots of time to go here and we loved our meal.


Our plan was was to get up early and get E to school on Thursday (we were staying in Mississauga so it would have been about 40 minutes to get to school), but with E's cough we decided to keep him home. So instead, we got to hang out in a sunny cozy hotel room and watch TV and eat breakfast before E came to work with me for a bit and then we headed back home.  I love a hotel room!


By the way, the spray foam insulation looks great, if you're interested in that sort of thing!

And in case you missed, here are the lovely gifts I got from Dave for Valentines Day.  Love me some anthropologie!



A lot of shows started up again (or for the first time) last Sunday.  We are very excited about The Walking Dead and Vinyl.  This Week Tonight with John Oliver was also very good. 

Bobby Cannavale is one of my favourite actors.

Next Sunday, Girls starts again.  It may not be possible to record all of these shows.  Thank goodness for On Demand!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Recipe - Baked Ziti


We were slow to watch The Sopranos and only watched the series a couple of years ago.  Aside from my love of the characters, I was also inspired to make baked ziti, just like Carmela.  I found this recipe a few years ago and have made it a few times. 


2 lbs of ground meat (I use beef and pork; I have also used sausage meat (removed from the casings))
1  24 oz jar of pasta sauce
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced (You could probably add more, this is an Italian dish after all)
1 tsp oregano
1 lb box of ziti (which I actually cannot find at the grocery store so I used whole wheat penne)
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
salt and pepper





Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Brown the meat in a skillet until cooked through. Add onion, garlic and oregano and sauté for 5 minutes or so. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add the pasta sauce and mix together.  Set aside.

Cook pasta al dente according to package instructions.

Combine ricotta cheese and egg together.
Drain pasta, put back into pot, add meat sauce and cheese mixture.  Stir until well mixed.

Spray a 9x13 inch casserole dish and pour ziti mixture into the dish.  Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.



Cover with foil and bake for 40  minutes.  Remove foil and cook for another 10 minutes.  You may want to briefly use the broiler at the end so the cheese browns and bubbles. 

This makes a lot, but it is good for leftovers and to freeze.

Channel your inner Carmela and make this!