Friday Favourites

Happy Friday everyone, wherever you may be!

Well we were so excited for the kids to be back at school last week, but it turned out to be a false start and they have been home all of this week with us. Q had a runny nose on Monday so he didn't pass the health screening questionnaire and E threw up on Tuesday morning so he also stayed home.  A negative Covid test along with 24 hours of being symptom free are required before they can return.  We are still waiting so fingers crossed the test results come back today and we have a healthy weekend so school can resume next week. 

For those of you who have not had to go to get a Covid test, here is how our experience went: After hearing about the extremely long line ups where people wait for hours on the street outside of the hospital, I felt we needed a different option.  We decided to try the drive thru assessment site at Etobicoke General.  My plan was only to take Q for the test but when I woke up with a sore throat too, I decided I would get tested as well (and also show Q how it was done and that it wasn't so bad).  We arrived at the assessment site at 6:45 am, opening time was 8:00.  We were in the second row of cars (out of the 14 rows that eventually (and quickly) filled in).  I had my coffee, our breakfasts, water, extra snacks, a blanket for Q, my laptop, iPad with downloaded movies, and some toys.  We were prepared to be there for awhile.  Then back at home E woke up not feeling well so Dave drove him up to us at the assessment site and he joined us in the car while Dave went home.  The registration process was all  done on my phone with a QR code given to us by security when we arrived.  It was easy enough to register E after he got there.  Although the site opened at 8:00 we didn't actually move from our spot until 9:00.  Then we inched up ahead where we eventually handed over our health cards to the intake nurse.  We went through a tent where they gave the cards back and they confirmed our information.  Then we drove to the next tent where they asked us more questions (again confirming who we were and what symptoms we had) and then we got tested. We were driving away at 10:00 am. We never had to leave our car, which was great.  There were a couple of porta-potties in the parking lot but we didn't have to use them.  I wore a mask when I spoke to the nurse at the window, and both E and I wore our masks with noses uncovered when they did the test. Q did not have to wear a mask.  No one really enjoyed the test but it was over fairly quickly and is more a weird feeling than painful, I felt it was like getting water way up my nose when swimming. Now we wait for the results which take between 2 and 4 days, and can be found online.

While the kids were home with us I tried doing some "school work" with Q, matching upper case to lower case letters.  He definitely has his own ideas of what he's like to do.  E has a French curriculum workbook that he did a few pages in. 

Bless their hearts, they are trying to fold the blankets and it was something to behold.  E's method was very involved with unfolding it onto the (not so clean) floor, and Q basically just balled it up.

My mom did a FaceTime painting session again (as she did all summer with E).  The inspiration was a golf course.  E's is on the left, Q's is more of a freestyle, but they both had fun and were entertained for an hour or so, so it was a win.

Speaking of being sick, we have been enjoying our hot toddies in the evenings.  It is comfort in a mug.

The Blue Jays have been entertaining us this week in the evenings, happy Vladdy, Bichette, Kirk, Buck and Pat with the call. Great times in Buffalo.

Let's hope for a healthier week next week!

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

Recipe - Quinoa Scramble

This is a good meal for breakfast or lunch, it's kind of like fried rice, but uses leftover quinoa instead. When I made it, I used onions and mushrooms, but you could use anything you have in the fridge. 

Ingredients
2 cups cooked quinoa (I cook my quinoa in vegetable or chicken broth)

2 eggs

1/2 cup chopped mushrooms (or other vegetable)

1/2 cup chopped onion (or green onion)

Optional - cooked sausage

olive oil

salt and pepper

parmesan cheese

Heat some oil in a frying pan, saute mushrooms and onion until soft.  

Add quinoa and stir into vegetables until heated through. 

Scramble two eggs in a separate bowl.  

Make a well in the quinoa in the pan, see if you need to add a bit more oil (probably a good idea), and then pour in the eggs. Scramble around to cook through, mixing in with the quinoa.

Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle grated parmesan on top.

This recipe is inspired by the book Bread and Wine.  This author put the egg on top of the warmed up quinoa and sausage, but I liked mixing it altogether.  It's a cozy meal for fall and a nice way to use up things in your fridge. 

Weekend Recap

 It was pizza night at our house on Friday.  The kids were tired after their first week of school, and the parents were happy. 

After supper we had a bonfire in our backyard.  Some neighbours came over too, the parents enjoyed the fire outside and the kids went inside to play Nintendo.

It was a late night for everyone, but we were still up bright and early on Saturday.  E and Dave went golfing and Q and I headed to Costco.

He watched a bit of TV when we got home while I cleaned the front and back windows inside and out. So satisfying to look through the clean glass.  I also put out the mums from Costco that I bought and our fall door decoration.

The rest of the day was spent in and outside, watching golf, visiting neighbours, and then I made some roast chickens for supper.  I had to buy a minimum of two at Costco so I decided to cook them both and then freeze the leftovers.  They turned out pretty well but the best was the mashed potatoes and gravy.

Q went up to bed, while E and I watched one of his shows on Netflex (Avatar or something, no clue what was going on), and then we all watched The One and Only Ivan on Disney.

Dave and E had another tee time on Sunday morning, this time with some friends.

After they left, Q and I enjoyed a lovely morning walk by the river.

I asked him to pose, and he thought I meant a yoga pose so this is what I got.

We got home in time for me catch the live stream of our church service. Of course I miss actually going to church, but sitting on my couch with a coffee in yoga pants is pretty great too!  I really appreciate that they are doing the live stream.

No photos from the rest of the day, but it involved more golf and cooking.  We made ribs for dinner, including homemade barbeque sauce, and they were so good!  We timed it a bit wrong, so we actually watched a movie before dinner, ending at 7:00 and then ate.  No one was starving so it worked out.

Friday Favourites

 

This felt like a long week, and my Friday Favourites post proves it, lots of favourites this week.

The kids started school this week so that caused a lot of excitement and organizing. I wrote about how the first days went here.

Monday and Tuesday were Q's last days at home before starting school.  We went for a walk on Monday and although it started out a little teary-eyed, he perked up for a roll down the hill.  On Tuesday he asked if I could sit and snuggle with him, so I obliged.

We had some treats this week too.  Dave made cinnamon buns which made for a great first day of school breakfast. 

And one night we went to the park after supper and it was a bit chilly so the boys requested hot chocolate when we got back. 

I wrote another letter to Peter Mansbridge for his podcast "The Bridge".  He read it on last Friday's episode (the 11th) around the 12 minute mark.  It was about why I think people are still able to vote for Donald Trump even though I think he's horrible. 

I decided to watch Dancing with the Stars this season.  I used to watch all the time but gave up a few years ago.  This time I'm excited to see Kaitlyn Bristowe, but am also loving AJ MacLean and Nelly. 

Q is playing soccer for another few weeks.  He had a great night on Wednesday even after a full day at school.

I realized I had not been to a Farmer's Market for awhile so I popped into the one at Montgomery Inn (Dundas and Islington) on Wednesday to see what I could find.  Pears, kale, carrots, and tarts - best kind.

I also got to go golfing this week with my boss and our insurance brokers.  It was a beautiful day to be out and although I didn't play as well as usual, I did hit a few good shots, including one hole where I got a birdie :)

Whew, what a week, and although it doesn't look like it, I was actually quite busy at work too. There is truth in the statement if you want something done as a busy person to do it. 

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

First Day of School (x2)

We have a double dose for a first day of school post today.  E started on Tuesday and Q joined him on Wednesday.  We did the same things on both days so it was fair for everyone.  

Traditional photo by the chalkboard.  He's somehow gotten so big and grown up.

Then a few shots at the front of our house before getting ready to walk to school.  It was chilly on Tuesday morning. 

#PortraitMode

Then we set off.  It has always been our tradition to walk to school on the first day.  I love the excitement of kids filling the streets and laneways as we get closer to the school, and even though there were only a couple of grades starting on Tuesday, we did run into some of E's buddies on the way.

Masked up

Smile!!

We had our usual first day of school dinner, this mac and cheese.

Then we did it all again on Wednesday morning.  Backpacks ready to go.

Q's turn in front of the chalkboard.  He has also grown up so much in the last few months.  I remember looking at him in June and couldn't imagine him being old enough for school, but here he is, a big boy ready to go.

A few shots out front for Q's first day.

Waiting for Dad and we walked to school for a second day in a row.

Q walked right into the school yard to meet his teacher. 

They were both so happy to be at school and we are hoping for a smooth year.  We know there will be different challenges that come up, and some of the normal activities will be missing but we're just glad to be back.  Now excuse me, I'm off to wash more masks :)