Easter Decorations

Sharing this year's Easter decorations today.  Like our Christmas decorations, I try to mix it up a little bit each year to be more creative, although there is only so much I can do!

On our kitchen windowsill, we have our Ukrainian eggs.  And this year I added a paper decoration that E made last year in SK.

Eggs on the chandelier.  Need to replace the tulips now.

A very simple mantle this year.   I will probably add some flowers to the green pitcher.

Some cozy guys and an egg shaker (noise maker) on the windowsill in the living room. 

Our Easter tree has found a home on the piano this year, away from little hands. 

My mom sent this little bunny couple up this year.  

She sent some new wooden decorations too. And some that I forgot about from last year.

Q was apparently very excited about this egg garland when he saw it in the morning. 

Friday Favourites

This was a long week and I feel properly tired now that it's almost over.  Next week should be a bit better, no evening activities planned and a long weekend!

On Monday evening we had ice cream cake for Dave's birthday.

On Tuesday we were up early to make sure we had time for Dave to open his presents.

In the evening we met some friends at Hole in the Wall Bar in the Junction for buck a shuck oysters and craft beer.  Then we made our way to La Palma for supper.  It was a lovely night out with lots of yummy food and company.

On Wednesday night my office had its annual bowling event.  I think I was the second highest female score with 242 for two games, and at least in the top 5 overall.  Not bad for someone who bowls once a year!

So I was late getting home on Wednesday and then needed to be out the door by 7:30 on Thursday morning to go to Career Day.  It was really fun to speak to the students and hear their questions!

In the midst of all that I forgot to get our Easter decorations out so I brought them upstairs last night and the decorating can begin after work today.  I mean, the Easter season technically starts on Easter Sunday so I'm not really late, and we can just keep celebrating up to Orthodox Easter.

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

and The Blended Blog for Friday Loves. 

Recipe - Thai Almond Butter Sauce

I am having a busy week so I'm cheating a little bit with this post.  I made this sauce last week but sharing the recipe today.

I served it with a salad (romaine lettuce, red pepper, carrot, cilantro and green onion) and chicken but it would also go well with soba noodles.  

1 or 2 cloves of garlic

2 to 3 tsp grated fresh ginger (I use the paste that comes in a tube)

3/4 cups smooth almond butter (the kind that is just almonds, nothing added.  Presidents Choice makes a good jar)

3 to 4 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp soy sauce (or low sodium tamari or coconut aminos)

3 to 4 tsp pure maple syrup

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

2 to 6 tbsp water (to get it to your desired consistency)

In a food processor, process the garlic until finely chopped.  Add the rest of the ingredients (except the water) and process until smooth.  Add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.  

This will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.  

Career Day

Tomorrow I am participating in a high school career day.  One of my cousins is a high school teacher nearby and a few weeks ago she asked if I would be interested in participating in her school's career day since the students had shown interest in a lawyer.  The format will be three sessions with about 15 students in each session, with a focus on the students considering the following questions about themselves:

Who am I?
What do I want to become?
What are my opportunities?
What is my plan for achieving my goals?

I have actually wanted to be a lawyer since I was in high school and I created my own path for getting there, with a few hiccups and changes along the way, but I made it.  Being a lawyer is a great career because there are so many different kinds of law, more than just the kinds you see on television.  I mean, my initial inspiration was Matlock and the OJ Simpson trial, and those two things could not be farther from my day to day life.

I'm going to tell them about the importance of grades in high school and university, about how they are important and they will influence where you go to university and law school and if you are eligible for any scholarship, but that it is also important to take a variety of classes and get some basic knowledge of as much as you can.

There are many options for university in Canada and I want to encourage the students to look beyond the Greater Toronto Area.  I always think it is a good idea to break out of your comfort zone and move away if you can.  I didn't really have a choice, I had to move away from home to go to school, and even though I was only two hours away and had family nearby, I was forced to make new friends and become more independent.

There will be an opportunity for questions so I will be interested in what the students want to know. What I think or remember as important will be different than what is relevant to them, I'm sure.

Happy Birthday Dave!

We are celebrating Dave's birthday today (well, for the past couple of days we have done special things).  Dave is a great guy and we celebrate him all year round, but on days like today I get to brag little more.  Dave makes friends everywhere he goes, he loves to make people laugh, he says ridiculous things, he likes to eat candy, he is determined at working out and running, he loves watching and playing sports, especially golf, he is mindful of our household budget, he likes to keep things neat and tidy, he always thinks "the more the merrier", and he loves us to bits!

We love you too Dad/Dave!! Happy Birthday!

As a little bonus, I interviewed E about Dave.  I did this same thing last year. My words are in italics.

What is something Dad says a lot?
I'm going for a run.

What makes Dad happy?
Love

What makes him sad?
When we go on a trip and he stays home.
Do we ever do that?
No, but it would make him sad I think.

How tall is Dad?
As big as that door I think.

How old is he?
10

What is his favourite thing to do?
Go for runs, I think.

What makes him proud of you?
When I kiss him.

What is his favourite food?
I don't know all this!
Guess.
Love
Love is a food?
Yes! That's what I want to say.

Does he have a favourite child?
Yes, me!  I think.

If Dad could go anywhere, where would it be?
California

What is his favourite song?
My favourite song?  Maybe it's my favourite song.  TNT?

What is his favourite movie?
Star Wars
Any particular one?
All of them!

Where was Dad born?
In Halifax
(Wrong)

What is his favourite show to watch?
Curling

Who is Dad's best friend?
You

What scares Dad?
Spiders

How would you describe Dad to your friends?
He's tall and he can touch the ceiling in our house.  And he eats chicken a lot.

Anything else to add?
Yes, what is his favourite game?  I think it's Quirkle.

Weekend Recap

I decided to take Friday afternoon off at work so I could do a bunch of errands and then get home in plenty of time to make supper.  In celebration of St. Patrick's Day I made potato soup and soda bread (with cheese and made in muffin tins).  

We watched some American Ninja Warrior before E went to bed and (like me) he was nervous watching them try to complete the course and he hid behind the couch .

Dave and I watched the new Star Wars movie, I still hadn't seen it.   The next morning we met some friends at High Park for some playground time and a picnic. 

Big brothers pushing the little brothers

After that we came back to our house so the babies could have a nap.  They both slept for over 2.5 hours!

Then we walked down to The Swan for dinner.   We got there right at 5:00 and were able to get a table for the 8 of us, no problem.  We all enjoyed our food and the festive atmosphere. 

E photobomb!

On Sunday morning we decided to skip church and instead went for a walk by our house.  It was still chilly but the sun was nice. 

We had an easy afternoon.  I got groceries, Q napped, E went to a friend's house, and Dave watched the Raptors game and then went for a run.  We made taco salads for supper and then I went to yoga.