Show and Tell Tuesday

Linking up with Andrea for Show and Tell Tuesday.

Today's topic is how your child got his name.  I don't refer to my son by his full name on the blog only because I don't want people to google his name and find this blog.  I don't even know if it would work that way, or if it even matters, but that is what I do.  That being said, I don't mind tell you what his name is here for this post because mentioning it one time probably won't make much of a difference.

When I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to know the gender so we could plan names, clothes, room, etc.  We did talk about boy and girl names when I first got pregnant but quickly changed our focus to only boy names when we found out we were having a boy.

The website where we got a bunch of ideas for names was: Nameberry.  They have tons of neat lists for baby name ideas.  If you are having a baby, check out this site, you will be hooked.  The name we eventually picked appeared on the list that was called something like "Babies who will go to Harvard".  We knew we wanted something unique because we have a very common last name.  On the other hand we didn't want something too crazy.  The name we picked is also the name of a character in one of our favourite Christmas movies, The Family Stone.

We eventually put together a list of five names that we liked, and it was not until we were sitting in the hospital while we were waiting for my c-section did we actually narrow it down.  I can't even really remember our list, but I think it included Benjamin and Jacob (it's funny how as soon as we weren't using them, I forgot them totally).  I was not hesitant about sharing our name list with friends and family. I know some people are because they don't want any negative opinions about the names until it is too late and the baby has been named.  That didn't bother me though, it was our child, not anyone else's so it didn't matter to me if no one liked the name.

So on the morning of October 21, we decided to name our son Everett Douglas MacDonald.  Douglas was my grandfather's name.  He died when E was four month's old but he got to meet E and he was pleased with his middle name.

First picture of our little guy

I will go back to calling him "E" on the blog, for simplicity and for a little bit of privacy.

Another interesting thing about E, was that before he was born we referred to him as "Seven".  Seinfeld fans will get the reference, but for those who don't here is the clip:

Weekend Recap

Another busy weekend, so let's get to it!

We welcomed some more family visitors this weekend - my dad and his wife are visiting this week.  They came over on Friday night and we made some burgers and French fries.  I also made a salad which I have made several times, always to rave reviews.  I will have to share some salad recipes soon, especially with BBQ season starting up.  It's always good to add some vegetables and greens.

On Saturday morning, Dave and E were up early making pancakes, ready for the NBA playoffs to begin. We went to swimming lessons and then came home to set up up the patio furniture.

Dave was lucky to get a free ticket to the Raptors game, and he had great seats.  He headed downtown early to experience some of the atmosphere at Jurassic Park.

E and I headed downtown on the subway shortly thereafter to meet up with Dad and Karen at the Aquarium.  We have been there a couple of times, including E's school trip, but they had never been.

Selfie before leaving home

After the aquarium, we went to Soco Kitchen + Bar.  E and I had walked by on our way to the aquarium from the subway, and I had noticed their nice patio. We were able to get a table (although we ended up inside) before the Jays and Raptors games were over.  It turned out to be a pretty lucky place to be because Morris Peterson, a former Raptor and current TSN analyst, walked through the restaurant.  He stopped to take pictures with a couple of people so I ran over with E for our own picture.  He was very nice.  Too bad Dave hadn't made his way over to meet us yet!

Mo Pete, a fan favourite!

Being silly at the restaurant

Dave may or may not have stopped by McDonalds at Dundas West Station on his way home...

mmm, nuggets

On Sunday morning, after church, we all got back on the subway to go to the Blue Jays game.  We met Dad and Karen down there.  The roof was closed but that was okay since it was pretty windy and cool, especially compared to the beautiful day we had on Saturday.

Hanging out on the subway ride home.

Need sleep after this weekend!!

 

Friday Favourites

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci for Friday Favourites:

How is it Friday again?!?!

For the past two years I have been in Vegas around this time of year.  I'm not going this year but I will be back someday. Today my Friday Favourites are my favourite things about Vegas.  This is why I love Vegas.

1. Being treated to luxury.  Last year I stayed at The Venetian.  It is a beautiful hotel and the price is way less than what you would pay for a high end hotel in any other city, even though you are in one of the top hotels on the Strip.  People go out of their way to help you even if you're not a frequent guest.  

2. Sitting by the pool.  I love taking my coffee and a book and going down to the pool early.  Then spending most of the day there.  I love my child, but being child free at a relatively child free pool is lovely.  The Venetian pool is right next to Tao Beach and although that's not really my scene, I did like hearing the music faintly from the pool party. 

3. The Spanish Steps Margarita and Mojito Hut in the Caesar's Palace courtyard.  They sell very generously poured mojitos in to go cups so you can go drunk shopping.  A must-do on a hot day.

4. Bellagio Fountains.  We may or may not have watched 3 or 4 Bellagio Fountain night shows in a row the last time we were there.  Why they give me so much joy I'll never know, but the combination of water and music is so great.  I actually clap when it is over, and sometimes audibly ooh and aah.

5. Shopping.  Sure the store are basically the same as they are in Toronto, and the money I have to spend is the same, but the experience in Vegas is so much more enjoyable.  I have found all of the store clerks to be so friendly, and maybe that is just how they are or maybe they treat everyone well because they don't know who has just won the jackpot.  I have bought a few great things there that I cherish but my favourite is my Tiffany necklace.

6. People watching.  This is a given, but seriously, the people you see are out of this world.  

7. Gambling.  I don't spend a ton of money, but I do enjoy playing the games.  Last year I got into the electronic roulette and won a couple of dollars.  Speaking of luxury, I love having free drinks brought to me.  Maybe next time I go, I'll feel confident enough to try the real live roulette tables.  I also like watching other people gamble.  I do not understand craps at all, so I'm amazed how quickly people play it.  Also when people throw down large amounts of cash, I am fascinated.  

Morning gambling with some champagne.

Can't wait to go back soon!

Wines for the Patio

Now that warmer weather seems to be upon us, it may soon be wine sipping patio weather.   I thought I would share a few wines. Some of these are staples, others are ones I only tried once but really enjoyed.  I'm linking to the Ontario liquor store site (LCBO).

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

This is actually quite a bit more than I would normally spend ($31) but I got it as a gift one time and it was pretty good.  Maybe a nice idea for a special occasion or a gift. 

Lurton Pinot Grigio (Chile)

This is more in my price range ($12.95).  An easy wine to drink.

Oggi Pinot Grigio (Italy)

We served this at our Christmas party.  It is so affordable ($8.95!) but still impressive.

Vega Moragona Tempranillo (Spain)

I love Spanish reds. I had this one at a restaurant one time and loved it

Castello Di Neive Barbaresco (France)

Funny story about this wine.  A few years ago it was listed in the Globe & Mail for top wines, so like any good Torontonian Yuppie, I went right to the LCBO to get my own bottle no matter the cost ($19.90 by the way), and of course they were sold out.  They were sold out for several months after that, and then I was pregnant so I couldn't drink anyway.  After over a year of waiting, I finally tracked down a bottle.  It is a treat to buy, but worth it. 

Konzelmann Pinot Noir (Canada)

We have been to this winery before so I like to support it.  For fans of Sideways, you'll appreciate this Pinot Noir.

At the Konzelmann winery in 2010

If you're looking to make a sangria, these wines are perfect:

Jacob's Creek Moscato (Australia)

Barefoot Pinto Grigio (USA)

Happy Spring!

Media Wednesday

This month our book club read "Beat the Reaper" by Josh Bazell.

I will say that when we chose it I wasn't that keen on reading this book.  I don't know why, but maybe it was the title (totally judging a book by its cover).  I wasn't sufficiently interested until the 2nd or 3rd chapter, but then I really liked it.

I don't like giving away any spoilers about the books on here, but I will say there is a mob element to it and that is what drew me in.  I was late to the Sopranos party but once I got there I was a big fan.  This story reminded of that show and I kept trying to compare the book characters to members of the Soprano clan.

I mentioned this in last week's post that it is a little strange to cheer for the "bad guys".  The same was true for this book in a way.  By no means was I invested in these characters like I was with Tony, Christopher, Adriana, Silvio, Paulie, etc., but I didn't look at them with disdain or contempt.  I just took their story for what it was worth based on the circumstances, and I enjoyed it.

Can I just say since I've mentioned the Sopranos how much I miss James Gandolfini?!  I was just in the middle of watching the Sopranos for the first time and he died.  It was so heartbreaking because he was extremely talented.  If you love James Gandolfini too, make sure you watch Enough Said.

Weekend Recap

I don't think I actually sat down to relax all weekend, but I wouldn't really have it any other way.  (Okay, well maybe an hour or two to relax would have been okay.)

On Friday night, Dave headed downtown to hang out with some friends, so E and I went out for fish and chips.  It was a busy spot on a Friday night especially for a mostly takeout place but we were able to get a table right at the front.

This is the kid's portion, by the way.  I didn't let him finish all the chips.

Yummy haddock and chips.  I had the pickerel.

I was thisclose to taking E to the movies to see Cinderella, but since the show started at 6:40, I didn't think that was a wise parenting move. So we went home and watched Fire and Rescue (for about the 20th time) on the couch instead.  Bonus, I read my book club book while he watched the movie!

On Saturday, E and Dave headed out for swimming and I stayed home to clean the house.  I flipped on 30 Rock on Netflix.  Great show.  After they got home, I walked up the street by myself to get our food for the weekend.  After I got home, I kept tidying the house and prepared some food.   Then E and I went to a birthday party. There was a superhero theme.  I brought E's batman mask to wear.  He wasn't sure about it at first but when he saw the other kids dressed up, he wanted to put it on.

Serious snack when we first arrived.

Being a little silly while eating his cake

When we got back home, my mom, aunt and uncle had arrived.  We prepared our supper and had a nice evening with the increasingly warm weather.  My uncle is a pretty good cook and he was sufficiently impressed with my meal.

From the top - mixed greens with asparagus, roasted red pepper and snow peas, dressed with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette; bbq'd chicken pieces with a homemade spice rub; sweet potato salad

We woke up to beautiful weather on Sunday morning.  Dave and E got outside pretty early to start some yard work.  Then we all went for a walk by the river.  There are still some chunks of ice but is looks pretty spring-y down there. 

Beautiful morning light

Trying to zoom in on a hawk

In the afternoon we went up to my cousin's memorial service about an hour north of Toronto.  I wrote about my family yesterday.  After the service, which was lovely - the perfect mix of Jesus, memories, and music - the sandwiches and beer came out.  E ran around with his cousins and didn't really stop moving until it was time to go home.  We stopped out in the country on our way home and he got to play with the big dogs.  I have always been a little frightened by big dogs (I'm mostly over that now), but E had a great time.  They ran up to him and licked his face but he loved it.  He even got to feed one of them treats from his hand which he thought was crazy.  

My aunt and uncle had left before us, so when we got home, there were a few pizzas underway (remember I said my uncle was a good cook).  We had many interesting flavours, in no particular order and different combinations on each pizza - fresh mozzarella, fontina, pine nuts, pears, black olives, caramelized onions, mushrooms, salami, basil, tomatoes, etc.  We were spoiled!

We finished watching the pre-recorded Masters and then went to bed pretty early.  By the way, E fell asleep on the way home and we didn't hear from him again until 7:00 the next morning.