Friday Favourites

 

We had a pretty normal week to kick off February and for that reason I didn't take many photos, but here are a few favourites from the week

New sneakers for E.  He has gym this semester and needed actual sneakers, not just his Jordans. His school offers freshly cleaned gym clothes each day, he just trades in his set of shorts and a t-shirt for a clean one. 

Sephora order for me.  I had some gift cards from Christmas so I replenished some things but also treated myself to some shampoo from one of my favourite brands, Ouai. I find it's a good idea to switch up shampoo every once in awhile. 

Q has a fun ski race on Saturday and they are supposed to dress up with a theme, and this year it is Valentine's Day.  Dressing for themes is actually not one of my strengths, but I picked up some heart stickers from Dollarama and hopefully they will stick to his helmet and that will do the trick. 

The Olympics!! They officially kick off today with the opening ceremonies, but I have already been watching the Mixed Doubles Curling.   

Our neighbour is going away for a few weeks and brought over their snowblower for us to use while they were gone.  I'm actually hoping we do not have to use it, but if we do, it will be a great help. It is battery powered and the same brand we have for our lawnmower so if we like it, we may get our own. 

I had dinner with some law school friends last night.  One of them is visiting from New Brunswick, and it has been a few years since I saw her last, and the other one I see more often as she lives in Toronto.

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

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!