Let's Look Wednesday

Today we are taking a look at our pantries (or cupboards since we don't have a pantry).  The things that are in there now are pretty standard, with a few exceptions:

Coffee - We keep our coffee beans over by the coffee maker because duh.  We are currently drinking the coffee that Dave's parents brought us from Mexico but we usually have some from our local roaster or the big Starbucks bag from Costco.

Fruit bowls - we always have lemons and usually bananas.  I added three avocados to our grocery order this week but ended up with six instead, so now the race is on to eat them up before they get too ripe.

Dry Goods - Since we meal plan we don't usually keep too many extra cans in the cupboard, but I did pick up a few things the other day to have on hand just in case I was inspired by something - like coconut milk and black beans.  We often have a couple of types of cereal, and although I am not a fan of sugary cereal, we do get mini-wheats from time to time, like now.  Q is a bigger fan of the Cheerios.  We have our grains in glass jars since they mostly come from the Bulk Barn. I need to do a better job of taking the empty jars back with me to the store to fill up rather than using the plastic bags.  We don't have any chips right now because we are taking a break from after supper snacking for a couple of weeks, but we do usually enjoy some chips on the weekends. 

Oil/Snacks/Bread - We have a variety of oils and vinegar which is just the way I like it.  The types of recipes we use will call for these different things and it's the worst when you've run out.   The snack drawer usually has those fig bars from Costco but they were all out the last time we went.  E talked me into the fruit cups, again not a big fan of the sugar, but whatever, and we have some Clif bars leftover from skiing season.   Our bottom drawer contains bread, bagels, wraps, and Q's favourite - pitas.

Baking, etc. - In the top drawer we have flours and sugars. I picked up some chickpea flour this week to try these crepes with our supper tonight; I love having access to these different products at the Bulk Barn  The next drawer is full of Bulk Barn bags too; we have lots of nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, coconut, seeds, and even some candy.  Then we have a bunch of baking supplies and spices.    The bottom two drawers are plastic containers.

PS This is not a Bulk Barn sponsored post despite several references to it.  Our love for the store is pure and real.  For any Americans who don't know about Bulk Barn, it is a store full of food you can buy in bulk, candy, snack foods, baking products, grains, spices, and so much more.  It's perfect for trying new things because you can buy as much or as little as you need.

Linking up with Shay and Erika.

See my past posts in this series here:
January
February
March

Weekend Recap

For dinner on Friday we ate the leftover macaroni and cheese, and there wasn't much leftover so we supplemented with extra snacks.  Since it was Friday night family movie night, Q went right over to get the popcorn ready.  He wore his bucket while I filled the machine.

Then to the couch. We actually watched the Smurfs movie and it turned out to be really good.  Definitely some 7 year old humour that had E giggling and I laughed out loud a few times too. 

After our popcorn we made some nachoes, really just for a vehicle for our leftover salsa and taco meat from the birthday tacos.

I was up bright and early for Saturday morning barre.  It was a great class and nice to get moving so early in the morning.  I have had to forego these workouts all winter since Dave and E were skiing and Q and I had swimming.  Glad to be back. 

When I got home, I had some breakfast and did some tidying up.  Dave took the boys outside while he cleaned the garage.  The weather was still cool but the sun was out!

Q enjoyed some ice cream cake after his lunch.

Then I picked up this teenager from a birthday party.  Seriously, why does he look so old!?

When Q up, we drove over to our friends' house to drop off our high chair for their little baby.  We visited with them for a bit and then took advantage of the playground across the street for a little while. 

We started spiraling into not knowing what to make for supper and then Dave suggested we stop by Sweet Potato (in the Junction) to pick up ingredients for a stir-fry.  That seemed easy enough and Sweet Potato is a fun organic market in a new location from when I used to go there to get baby food ingredients.  

When we got home, I made supper and Dave took the boys down to the water on their bikes.   The river is free of ice now but the parking lot is still covered.  I wonder how long it will take to go away.

After supper we watched an episode of the cooking show we are watching on Netflix, and also enjoyed this snack.   After E went to bed Dave and I watched If Beale Street Could Talk. 

Sunday morning and off to church.  I was still dressed for winter but these guys were fine in sneakers and a light jacket/sweatshirt. 

After lunch I walked up the street.  I am officially an old lady as I take the wheelie cart to do errands.  I used to have the stroller to carry stuff back with but if I'm going alone, I can carry it all.  

When I got back, I made some cinnamon bread to use up the buttermilk I had in the fridge from the week before.  I had also made lentil soup in the slow cooker that morning so I finished that up.   Then I took Q to a birthday party.  It was at the Little Gym in Mississauga, a gymnastics gym for little kids.  He took a few minutes to warm up, but then was off running and jumping.

He sat right up to the table, asked to put his party hat on, and ate the pizza, fruit, and chips.  He had a few bites of the ice cream cake but decided it was too cold.  So he finished up and went back into the gym to play until it was time to go home. 

Meanwhile Dave and E went to the pub for supper and to watch the Raptors game.  I ran out of time to get to yoga, but my evening was better spent getting set up for the week, putting clothes away, cleaning the kitchen, and making lunches.  

Let's Look Wednesday

Linking up with Shay and Erika for Let's Look Wednesday - today we are looking at the people in our family.  We live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 

First up is me!

My name is Sarah.  I was born in Toronto and then moved to Nova Scotia when I was four.  I grew up in a small town, attended university in Halifax, and then law school in Fredericton.  I have been a lawyer for 11 years and recently changed jobs from a lawyer in a private firm to in house counsel at a construction company.  I enjoy reading, watching Instagram stories, food of all sorts (cooking and eating), being outside, staying active, writing this blog, and travelling. 

Next up is Dave.

Dave was also born in Toronto and moved East as a young child.  He grew up in Dartmouth and attended university in Halifax.  That is where we met.  He works in sales with a focus on the manufacturing industry in Ontario.  Dave likes watching the Raptors, playing Command and Conquer (I think that's what it's called) with E on the iPad, updating our financial/household budget spreadsheet, biking and running, and doing work around the house. 

Then we have E!  (For any new readers, I refer to my kids by their first initials on here so their names cannot be googled and brought to this blog)

E is seven and in grade two.  This smile says it all, he is happy all of the time.  E also likes to play Command and Conquer, watch super hero movies and cooking shows, read Dog Man and Harry Potter, play soccer and t-ball, bike, ski, play with his little brother, and paint.  He is a sweet boy who has a kind heart and shows concern for others.  He is also a joker and likes to be silly and make people laugh.

And last but not least is Q.

Q is two years old and goes to daycare everyday.  He is also a happy guy most of the time but as is typical of a two year old, can get frustrated rather easily and can be somewhat emotional (something we did not experience in the same way with E).  Q likes to play with cars and figurines, like Playmobil, watch Paw Patrol, be outside, help us cook and put stuff away, dance, make silly faces, and play with his big brother.  He is getting out of the baby stage gradually, although we need to take those big steps like get rid of his soother, move him out of his crib, and potty train.  

See my January post here

and February here

Let's Look Wednesday

This month's version of Let's Look At is about our Favourite Reads.  I have shared about my favourite books of all time here.  So for this post I decided to write about my recent favourite books, ones I often recommend to others (links are to my previous reviews of these books):

All My Puny Sorrows - A Canadian novel about depression, suicide, and siblings.  It is heartbreaking but very well written and a good read. 

A Man Called Ove - Also about suicide, incidentally.  This one is set in Sweden and is the story of a now old man, but tells the story of his whole life. 

Scarborough - A Toronto book about poverty, families, and trying to get by in this city.  As I said in my review, it may be set in Toronto, but the characters in this novel also live where you live. 

When Breath Becomes Air - A non-fiction novel about a young doctor who is diagnosed with cancer.  

All the Light we Cannot See - A novel set in World War II of people trying to survive. 

Requiem - This is also a Canadian novel about the Japanese internment during World War II.  So well written and also an important history lesson. 

Looking at these books I realize that my favourite reads usually have two of the three qualities - Canadian, war, and sad. 

You can see last month's entry about the coziest spot in my house here.

Linking up with Shay and Erika

Let's Look Wednesday

Linking up with Shay and Erika for their 2019 link up series - Let's Look at...

Today we are taking a look at the coziest spot in our home. 

This is easy for me to choose.  It is the spot in the corner of our couch, with a cozy blanket, the fireplace on, and to make it cozier, if it is raining you can hear the rain on the roof (since it is an extension and no second floor is above it).  I am happy to sit there alone, or snuggled in with my kids or husband to watch a show or movie.  If I'm with my kids, I can usually read my book while they watch something else.