You're killing some time, waiting for your boss, and discover, much to your delight, that on Bon Appetit's blog, a contributing editor mentions: 1) your hometown, 2) your favourite band, and 3) one of your favourite foods all in one blog post!
Does Montreal rock or what?!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
Monday update
Had a busy week last week, an enjoyable weekend thanks mostly to good weather. The heat and humidity has arrived here in Montreal. It's nice to finally feel warm.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
A Wedding
Dear Anna & James,
You're getting married on Saturday so I thought I'd put together a fun little tribute to the years of friendship I have had with Anna. James, you've certainly heard all about these times, but here are a few pictures to fill in any blanks.
Click here to see just how long I've known Anna.
Congratulations to both of you. I wish you a long and happy life together.
You're getting married on Saturday so I thought I'd put together a fun little tribute to the years of friendship I have had with Anna. James, you've certainly heard all about these times, but here are a few pictures to fill in any blanks.
Click here to see just how long I've known Anna.
Congratulations to both of you. I wish you a long and happy life together.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Happy Birthday Darcy & Dylan
Two birthdays to celebrate today!
My darling niece, Darcy, turns two today! At the risk of sounding like some dried up old spinster (no comments on that, thank you), it really does seem like just yesterday that we got the call from Nick. Happy 2nd Birthday, Darcy!
And then there's Dylan's birthday to celebrate as well. Yvette's gonna kill me on this one, but I can't remember if he's turning 7 or 8 today. All the best, DJ Daz!
My darling niece, Darcy, turns two today! At the risk of sounding like some dried up old spinster (no comments on that, thank you), it really does seem like just yesterday that we got the call from Nick. Happy 2nd Birthday, Darcy!
And then there's Dylan's birthday to celebrate as well. Yvette's gonna kill me on this one, but I can't remember if he's turning 7 or 8 today. All the best, DJ Daz!
Monday, June 05, 2006
I made it!
After a lame non-start to my whole biking into work thing last week, and despite a kind of crazy morning today - I made it into work on my bike! Up the hill and all! I didn't even have to get off my bike and walk part of the way up with it. It was pretty close at the end though and really, if I'd had to go even another half block uphill, I wouldn't have made it.
But I did make it and I'm pretty proud of myself. Getting home will be a breeze - downhill all the way!
But I did make it and I'm pretty proud of myself. Getting home will be a breeze - downhill all the way!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Shoe Shopping
For the last couple of weeks I've been on the lookout for a fabulous pair of strappy sandals for my friend Anna's wedding. Working as I do, right downtown, I have plenty of shoe stores within easy walking distance. To date I have hit quite a large number of these stores. Today I continued my search.
Went down to FX Lasalle in PVM at lunch to see if they had anything I liked (I had seen some possibilities at another location). They had 2 possibilities, but the ones they had in my size ended up looking too casual when I tried them on. The ones that would've been perfect, wouldn't you know, they didn't have in my size. But those ones were by Browns, so I headed over to Browns and they had my size, but apparently they're making shoes even smaller now, and even the size 10 didn't fit me! So, the sales guy ordered a size 11 (the humiliation!) for me which will be delivered this afternoon, and I can go down after work to try them on. They will probably be great shoes, my only concern is the height of the heel (I was actually looking for a heel between 2-3"). These are as high as the slingbacks I have at home (about 3-3 1/2"). The price is reasonable ($88) - which I think is still highway robbery because it is just a strappy sandal after all (never mind that they have nice little black shiny things on them that will look great with my new dress). If I could get the shoes at FX Lasalle, they are paying the taxes so that would save a little money too. If the 11 fits, I'll see if Browns will match the price, if not I'll head over to another FX store.
What a lot of brouhaha over a bloody pair of shoes. I've just about decided to wear what I have and deal with towering above everybody at Anna's wedding.
Went down to FX Lasalle in PVM at lunch to see if they had anything I liked (I had seen some possibilities at another location). They had 2 possibilities, but the ones they had in my size ended up looking too casual when I tried them on. The ones that would've been perfect, wouldn't you know, they didn't have in my size. But those ones were by Browns, so I headed over to Browns and they had my size, but apparently they're making shoes even smaller now, and even the size 10 didn't fit me! So, the sales guy ordered a size 11 (the humiliation!) for me which will be delivered this afternoon, and I can go down after work to try them on. They will probably be great shoes, my only concern is the height of the heel (I was actually looking for a heel between 2-3"). These are as high as the slingbacks I have at home (about 3-3 1/2"). The price is reasonable ($88) - which I think is still highway robbery because it is just a strappy sandal after all (never mind that they have nice little black shiny things on them that will look great with my new dress). If I could get the shoes at FX Lasalle, they are paying the taxes so that would save a little money too. If the 11 fits, I'll see if Browns will match the price, if not I'll head over to another FX store.
What a lot of brouhaha over a bloody pair of shoes. I've just about decided to wear what I have and deal with towering above everybody at Anna's wedding.
Biking to Work - Update
It was raining this morning and the weather report predicted rain all day so I didn't bike in. Naturally, since then it has stopped raining and the streets have dried up.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Biking to Work
Tomorrow is June 1st and I will start biking to work. It should be a short ride, about 15 minutes. The only part I'm worried about is going up the hill on Peel. I have a feeling I'll be walking up part of the way for the first couple (what I really mean is 12 or so) times.
Will let you know how I do tomorrow.
Will let you know how I do tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Something I won't be making again
Made yet another recipe from Eat, Shrink & Be Merry last night. This one though isn't a keeper. Called "Livin' on the Vedge", it featured lemon couscous (fine), mixed with roasted vegetables (fine) - but when you mixed the two together it wasn't so fine anymore. Hm. And of course, it made loads and loads so you know what I'll be eating all week.
Oh well, sometimes this happens.
Oh well, sometimes this happens.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sore Sit Bones
This weekend we had the ultimate good weather. Warm, little breeze, low humidity. Perfect for all kinds of outdoor activity. Well, OK, not exactly swimming weather for me, but still. I managed to get outside without a jacket.
Yesterday Mom and I went on a bike ride and from what I was able to figure out from the map, we biked about 30k. It was beautiful biking along the Lachine Canal, La Grande Jetée and then back home along the river. We even got to stop for a well deserved tasty sorbet treat! We were both tired and a little sore in the legs and bum by the time we got home. The worst for me was after dinner, having to get back on my bike to make the short 10-minute ride home - I really discovered how sore my sit bones were. I was tempted to ride home standing up but the lack of strength in my legs had me sitting down pretty fast.
This morning is no different. After doing my exercise dvd at home, I was stretching and found out just how sore I still am as I leaned forward on one set of stretches. The sit bones they are making themselves know. Ouch. Think I'll just walk home tonight.
Yesterday Mom and I went on a bike ride and from what I was able to figure out from the map, we biked about 30k. It was beautiful biking along the Lachine Canal, La Grande Jetée and then back home along the river. We even got to stop for a well deserved tasty sorbet treat! We were both tired and a little sore in the legs and bum by the time we got home. The worst for me was after dinner, having to get back on my bike to make the short 10-minute ride home - I really discovered how sore my sit bones were. I was tempted to ride home standing up but the lack of strength in my legs had me sitting down pretty fast.
This morning is no different. After doing my exercise dvd at home, I was stretching and found out just how sore I still am as I leaned forward on one set of stretches. The sit bones they are making themselves know. Ouch. Think I'll just walk home tonight.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Latest Cooking Exploits
More apologies ... last week was a little hectic for me so I didn't have a chance to let you know what I had cooked. Call this 2 posts in 1.
This weekend was a long weekend for us, so I finally found an extra hour and made some chocolate chip cookies. Most of which I've been able to parcel off to various friends and family (and my ass thanks you!).
I also managed to make a great vegetable pot pie, with a sweet potato crust. I made one big dish for this week, and even a little one serving dish for my dinner on Sunday night. It was perfect. With all the horrible rain we've had it was the best meal! What else? Oh yeah, I marinated some portabello mushrooms and grilled them then topped them off with some feta cheese. Pretty yummy, and great in a toasted sandwich the next day.
Then last weekend I tried out another couple of recipes from the Eat, Shrink & Be Merry cookbook. I made some tortilla wraps that were OK. They tasted somewhere between Mexican and Thai food. I love both, but not necessarily mixed together, you know what I mean? I also roasted some vegetables with homemade bread crumbs and a little parmesan. Red pepper, mushrooms, red onion, tomatoes, zucchini. That was fab! And it made enough for me to have 3 meals out of it.
On the Sunday (for Mother's Day) I made a delicious chocolate cake, called La Vida Mocha. This was awesome. Served it for dessert at my parents house to celebrate Mother's Day. It was a big hit.
That's it for now. I'll have a look through the cookbooks this week and see what I can find to tempt me for next weekend.
This weekend was a long weekend for us, so I finally found an extra hour and made some chocolate chip cookies. Most of which I've been able to parcel off to various friends and family (and my ass thanks you!).
I also managed to make a great vegetable pot pie, with a sweet potato crust. I made one big dish for this week, and even a little one serving dish for my dinner on Sunday night. It was perfect. With all the horrible rain we've had it was the best meal! What else? Oh yeah, I marinated some portabello mushrooms and grilled them then topped them off with some feta cheese. Pretty yummy, and great in a toasted sandwich the next day.
Then last weekend I tried out another couple of recipes from the Eat, Shrink & Be Merry cookbook. I made some tortilla wraps that were OK. They tasted somewhere between Mexican and Thai food. I love both, but not necessarily mixed together, you know what I mean? I also roasted some vegetables with homemade bread crumbs and a little parmesan. Red pepper, mushrooms, red onion, tomatoes, zucchini. That was fab! And it made enough for me to have 3 meals out of it.
On the Sunday (for Mother's Day) I made a delicious chocolate cake, called La Vida Mocha. This was awesome. Served it for dessert at my parents house to celebrate Mother's Day. It was a big hit.
That's it for now. I'll have a look through the cookbooks this week and see what I can find to tempt me for next weekend.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The Results
Sorry for the delay in announcing this.
And the winner is ...
Not Mom, but it didn't matter. It really was cool to see her up there among so many other women who all have made a tremendous impact in their community through their dedication and hard work.
I had planned to go on a little about the evening, but it was a week ago already and I've kinda forgotten what I was gonna say. Suffice it to say - it was a great night. Really empowering for women.
And the winner is ...
Not Mom, but it didn't matter. It really was cool to see her up there among so many other women who all have made a tremendous impact in their community through their dedication and hard work.
I had planned to go on a little about the evening, but it was a week ago already and I've kinda forgotten what I was gonna say. Suffice it to say - it was a great night. Really empowering for women.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Elizabeth
In February 2006 I spent two weeks in Panama on a humanitarian trip to help out at a girl's home. One of the girls, Elizabeth, who lives there has been battling cancer for a few years now. While we were there, she was living in a cancer hospice and seemed to be doing quite well. This week I found out that she is not doing well. Her last bone marrow transplant failed and she is apparently in the last stages of the disease. She is probably 18-19 years old.
Please think of her, send positive energy, pray ... do what you need to do. This girl has nothing else, no family, just her life.
Please think of her, send positive energy, pray ... do what you need to do. This girl has nothing else, no family, just her life.
Tonight's the Night
Tonight is the 13th Annual Women of Distinction 2006 gala. My Mom is up nominated for her work in the community. I'll be there too and am excited to see how it all goes.
Good luck, Mom!
Good luck, Mom!
Monday, May 15, 2006
No More Procrastinating
A week or two ago I said I would give my oral appliance one more attempt. I said I'd start using it again on May 8. Well, by May 11 I still hadn't started with it again so I said "Enough!!!" (yes, with 3 exclamation points). Wrote myself a post-it note and managed to force myself into wearing it Friday and Saturday night. Can't say I slept well with it, but at least it didn't hurt my jaw. Took Sunday night off. I plan on doing another 2 nights with it tonight and tomorrow.
I'd been asking myself why I wasn't using it every morning last week, as I saw that blue box in my bathroom cabinet. My excuses ran the gamut from "oh, I forgot (again)", to "well, I'm still working on that big project at work" (why that should have anything to do with using an oral appliance is beyond me, but this is really what I've told myself), to "it's going to hurt my jaw again", to "after ..." whatever excuse I can think up.
Here's what I know though - whatever the excuse, they are all just excuses. Either I want to give it another try or not. Either I want to improve my sleep or not. What do I really want out of this and how much do I want it? Obviously this is applicable to anybody, not just myself, in just about any area of life. Losing weight, finishing school, training for a triathlon ...
I have made a lot of changes to my lifestyle in an effort to sleep better. Some of these changes have worked better than others. And that's fine - I have to find out what works for and realise (and accept, hoooooo that's a big one!) that not everything will work. But more than anything right now, the one thing I have to do is try once more to sleep with this oral appliance. Starting with one night on and one off. Then 2 nights on, one night off. Working my way up to 5 nights. I think it may also be helpful to not think too much about my past experience with the appliance. Yes, I know it will be uncomfortable. Yes, it has even been painful. But I have to find a way to get around this type of negative thinking because I think in some ways, it may affect the results I'm having with it.
Enough procrastinating. I know that this is what I've been doing. I managed two nights without any problems, I can handle another two.
I'd been asking myself why I wasn't using it every morning last week, as I saw that blue box in my bathroom cabinet. My excuses ran the gamut from "oh, I forgot (again)", to "well, I'm still working on that big project at work" (why that should have anything to do with using an oral appliance is beyond me, but this is really what I've told myself), to "it's going to hurt my jaw again", to "after ..." whatever excuse I can think up.
Here's what I know though - whatever the excuse, they are all just excuses. Either I want to give it another try or not. Either I want to improve my sleep or not. What do I really want out of this and how much do I want it? Obviously this is applicable to anybody, not just myself, in just about any area of life. Losing weight, finishing school, training for a triathlon ...
I have made a lot of changes to my lifestyle in an effort to sleep better. Some of these changes have worked better than others. And that's fine - I have to find out what works for and realise (and accept, hoooooo that's a big one!) that not everything will work. But more than anything right now, the one thing I have to do is try once more to sleep with this oral appliance. Starting with one night on and one off. Then 2 nights on, one night off. Working my way up to 5 nights. I think it may also be helpful to not think too much about my past experience with the appliance. Yes, I know it will be uncomfortable. Yes, it has even been painful. But I have to find a way to get around this type of negative thinking because I think in some ways, it may affect the results I'm having with it.
Enough procrastinating. I know that this is what I've been doing. I managed two nights without any problems, I can handle another two.
Friday, May 12, 2006
New Emily Giffin Book in June
The author of one of my favourite books has a new book coming out in June!
I read the excerpt of Baby Proof on Emily Giffin's web site. I'm intrigued now and can't wait for the release.
I read the excerpt of Baby Proof on Emily Giffin's web site. I'm intrigued now and can't wait for the release.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
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