Hey all, just checking in to give a quick update. Wednesday is my weigh-in day at WW, and today - almost unbelievably, because I had some major off-plan days this past week - I was down another 1.2 lb.! That makes a total of 25.1 lb. that I have lost now since starting the Weight Watchers program. I think that's what I like so much about WW - it's flexible and it works. There were a couple of days last week when I scarfed down food like there was no tomorrow, but I got back on plan and kept up the exercise, and today was down just over a pound from last week. It definitely give me more incentive to stay on plan, however. So it's like 6.2 lb. that I've lost since Brad has been away (and I was worried about him being away and what impact that would have on my weight loss!) and now I've just 5.5 lb. more to go to reach my goal of 157 lb. Then it will be a matter of keeping the weight off, which won't be easy either. But I'd definitely recommend Weight Watchers to anone wanting to drop a few pounds. In fact, My sister in Saudi Arabia recently joined online and she lost over 4 lb. in the first week. (Probably easier to lose weight in KSA, since there is no alcohol allowed - sorry sis! Great job - Keep it up!)
Other than that, Brad continues his hike and is now in Vermont. His feet have been giving him problems with blisters and whatnot, but he keeps on walking! Hard to believe that he'll be back very soon, probably by June 24. I'm missing him a lot and will be glad when he's back home.
Now I've got to go eat supper - french fries and a soy burger with all the fixings! I'm allowed - I don't have to get weighed again for a whole week - with lots of biking and lawn mowing in between!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Thursday, June 07, 2012
Playing catch-up - yet again!
So Brad has been gone for over a week now and has filled in the gap that he missed when he came home home last summer in the middle of his hike. On the weekend, he skipped ahead to Connecticut to resume the Trail where he left off last summer. All has gone well thus far, but I think he is missing the comradship he had last year with the dudes he was hiking with. Nothing is ever the same, as they say. He's also told me that he wishes he had packed a warmer sleeping bag! It's been cold at night (and in the morning), and the weather has been the same here. Today, for the first time in ages, we are seeing a bit of sun. Otherwise, it has been very cool and overcast with the daytime temps averaging around 12 C! It sucks!
In any case, today is a new day and the sun is shining! I mean, I think it might be almost 18 C out there! Me? I've been doing okay. I had last week off and got a lot of stuff done around the house that I've been meaning to get done forever. I also got a new pair of glasses (which look quite nice, if I do say so myself), and I have been continuing with my WW program. So far, I've lost 23.9 lb! I've been biking like a madman and mowing the lawns with our wretched reel mower! But it is working! I still have my daily wine, but I am exercising A LOT more and watching what I eat. So far, I've only been up once at the weigh-in, and that was by 0.4 lb. The end is in sight! I want to get to 157 lb., which will be very achievable within the next few weeks. (Fingers crossed!)
Other than that, not much else is new. We keep on carrying on!
In any case, today is a new day and the sun is shining! I mean, I think it might be almost 18 C out there! Me? I've been doing okay. I had last week off and got a lot of stuff done around the house that I've been meaning to get done forever. I also got a new pair of glasses (which look quite nice, if I do say so myself), and I have been continuing with my WW program. So far, I've lost 23.9 lb! I've been biking like a madman and mowing the lawns with our wretched reel mower! But it is working! I still have my daily wine, but I am exercising A LOT more and watching what I eat. So far, I've only been up once at the weigh-in, and that was by 0.4 lb. The end is in sight! I want to get to 157 lb., which will be very achievable within the next few weeks. (Fingers crossed!)
Other than that, not much else is new. We keep on carrying on!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Happy Mother's Day (belatedly!)
So I know it's a couple of days late, but then again, so is my mother - late that is. :) This was my second Mother's Day to go by without one. She was a very high maintenance old gal, and she put me through my paces (to put it mildly), but when all is said and done, I do still miss her. She was a huge part of our lives (Brad was like a son to her), and, for better or worse (but mostly better), she will remain so. I think of her and see her in my hands every time I bake a raspberry pie or a rhubarb crisp (one of the latter I made on Sunday), and in the myriad of other things I concoct in the kitchen. She was a teacher and a cook and very good at both. I learned from her a lot.
So on Sunday, Brad and I made the hour-long drive down to her grave site. It's the first time we've been down since she died last April. It was raining most of the way down, but it petered out about 10 minutes before we got to the cemetary. A couple of days prior, I had bought a rose bush to plant at her grave site, but I had second thoughts about that, realizing that roses, like mom, were quite high maintenance. They need a lot of TLC on a very regular basis, which is something I will not be able to provide since the site is relatively far away. Instead, I opted for a solar-powered rose that powers up on its own during the daytime and lights up at night when it is dark. She will be the only one in the cemetary to have such a contraption, and I'm sure she is now the envy of all of the other "residents." It really is not tacky and I'm sure it will look good standing out at night in the dark and otherwise solarless cemetary. I bought another, which I "planted" in our backyard - just so I could see what it looks like at night and beter imagine her's. If I were ever six feet under (which I never want to be, incidently - cremation for me please!), I think I would want one of these standing vigil and offering a bit of light at night. Her grave is still in the proccess of grassing over, but there are wild purple violets (the provincial flower, which she loved) and wild strawberries blooming - she would spend hours painstakingly picking wild strawberries in her day and making them into the most succulent jam imaginable. Very appropriate.
The rain started up again about 10 minutes after we left, so I told Brad that she must have a bit of sway with "our Heavenly Father." (She was very spiritual person, and religious in her own quite way - me, not so much.)
In any case, it was good to get down there. I'll visit more regularly in the future. In the fall, we'll plant daffodils and tulips that will come up in the spring. Colourful, classy, and low maintenance! How she used to be and how I myself should all strive to be.
Happy Mother's Day!
So on Sunday, Brad and I made the hour-long drive down to her grave site. It's the first time we've been down since she died last April. It was raining most of the way down, but it petered out about 10 minutes before we got to the cemetary. A couple of days prior, I had bought a rose bush to plant at her grave site, but I had second thoughts about that, realizing that roses, like mom, were quite high maintenance. They need a lot of TLC on a very regular basis, which is something I will not be able to provide since the site is relatively far away. Instead, I opted for a solar-powered rose that powers up on its own during the daytime and lights up at night when it is dark. She will be the only one in the cemetary to have such a contraption, and I'm sure she is now the envy of all of the other "residents." It really is not tacky and I'm sure it will look good standing out at night in the dark and otherwise solarless cemetary. I bought another, which I "planted" in our backyard - just so I could see what it looks like at night and beter imagine her's. If I were ever six feet under (which I never want to be, incidently - cremation for me please!), I think I would want one of these standing vigil and offering a bit of light at night. Her grave is still in the proccess of grassing over, but there are wild purple violets (the provincial flower, which she loved) and wild strawberries blooming - she would spend hours painstakingly picking wild strawberries in her day and making them into the most succulent jam imaginable. Very appropriate.
The rain started up again about 10 minutes after we left, so I told Brad that she must have a bit of sway with "our Heavenly Father." (She was very spiritual person, and religious in her own quite way - me, not so much.)
In any case, it was good to get down there. I'll visit more regularly in the future. In the fall, we'll plant daffodils and tulips that will come up in the spring. Colourful, classy, and low maintenance! How she used to be and how I myself should all strive to be.
Happy Mother's Day!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Watch Your Weight!
So, it's been a while! Just checking in to say hey and catch up a bit...
No really big news to share other than it's two weeks tomorrow that Brad leaves for his month-long hike. It's unbelievable how fast the time goes!
My sister who lives in KSA is now in New Zealand. They are on a trip for my brother-in-law's work. Should be fun. It will be just coming on fall in N.Z. but the weather should still be nice and at least they'll be able to have a glass of wine with dinner!
Me, well, I joined Weight Watchers about 2 months ago! Yes! Can you believe it? Me? In Weight Watchers!? But it works (just ask Jennifer Hudson!) So far, I have lost 16.4 lb.! I joined after I saw that my friend Shaun had lost 10 lb. in just 3 weeks. That did it for me. I knew that I had to lose some pounds, but Shaun's success convinvced me that WW was they way to go. I actually enjoy going to the weekly meetings and weigh-ins. It keeps you honest and makes you accountable. So far so good! I want to lose another 13 pounds, so I am more than half way there. With a family wedding coming up in early August, I am totally pumped! I look better, and more importantly, I feel better!
Losing weight is also better for your blood pressure and cholesterol. I'm going to schedule an appointment with my doc to go over the results of recent blood work and other tests. I want a new baseline that is reflective of my new me!
Here's to the return of a skinner Jeff and possibly more skinny Saturdays!
No really big news to share other than it's two weeks tomorrow that Brad leaves for his month-long hike. It's unbelievable how fast the time goes!
My sister who lives in KSA is now in New Zealand. They are on a trip for my brother-in-law's work. Should be fun. It will be just coming on fall in N.Z. but the weather should still be nice and at least they'll be able to have a glass of wine with dinner!
Me, well, I joined Weight Watchers about 2 months ago! Yes! Can you believe it? Me? In Weight Watchers!? But it works (just ask Jennifer Hudson!) So far, I have lost 16.4 lb.! I joined after I saw that my friend Shaun had lost 10 lb. in just 3 weeks. That did it for me. I knew that I had to lose some pounds, but Shaun's success convinvced me that WW was they way to go. I actually enjoy going to the weekly meetings and weigh-ins. It keeps you honest and makes you accountable. So far so good! I want to lose another 13 pounds, so I am more than half way there. With a family wedding coming up in early August, I am totally pumped! I look better, and more importantly, I feel better!
Losing weight is also better for your blood pressure and cholesterol. I'm going to schedule an appointment with my doc to go over the results of recent blood work and other tests. I want a new baseline that is reflective of my new me!
Here's to the return of a skinner Jeff and possibly more skinny Saturdays!
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Le tout Moscou...
... comes to a standstill when Putin arrives to be sworn in. (Moscow, of course is famous for its traffic jams.) Wish I spoke more Russian!
And, of course, the leaves are all out in Moscow, which is more than I can say for here! The huge church you see around 3:30 is Christ the Saviour. Brad and I toured it in '07. I really is unbelievable that there is no traffic anywhere too be seen except for Putin's entourage.
Naz'darovia!
And, of course, the leaves are all out in Moscow, which is more than I can say for here! The huge church you see around 3:30 is Christ the Saviour. Brad and I toured it in '07. I really is unbelievable that there is no traffic anywhere too be seen except for Putin's entourage.
Naz'darovia!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Hey! Just a quick post to stay a bit in touch! It's a cold rainy day here in Eastern Canada, but thankfully, the weekend is upon us! Work has been not quite so crazy buys this week, but busy enough. It's hard to believe that Brad leaves for another month back on the Appalachian Trail a month from yesterday! I've decided to basically stay put for the time being. I wasn't crazy about going someplace by myself and couldn't find anyone to go away with me. I am, however, taking the week of May 28 off and just relaxing here in town. I'll walk the dogs, cook a lot, roll some coin (and no, that isn't code for something... I actually mean to roll a lot of pennies, nickles, and dimes. I have a HUGE collection). Other than that, we'll be going to the wedding of one of my nephews in Nova Scotia this summer and we may rent a cottage/house with some friends in late summer/early fall, also in Nova Scotia.
Here's another nifty tune I heard on Radio Cultura this afternoon. It's by the Tindersticks, a group I'd never heard of. Sometimes I feel like I live under a rock!
Hope you enjoy:
Buried Bones
I could take all the crazy out of you That's what I loved you for Take away all the orange, greens and blues That's what I loved you for
Take a look at me You think it really could be that easy? I mean, take a look at me You think it really could be that easy for you?
I know about guys, I know where they live And you're just the same The ones that matter fight against themselves But it's so hard to change
Hey, I could love you Take all that love away from you Hey, I could love you Put you in this box I've made for two
So you could take all this craziness out of me That's what you love me for Well, I don't mean to laugh, but if you know all this You must be halfway there
Well, like that dress tonight, you won't know As it falls from you Turn around and it's winter, darling Look in the mirror and it won't be you
So you're an old, old dog You've been around the block So many times and it's the same old turns Same old feelings straight down the line
Yeah, I can love you, grab that leash and drag you To a place you'd never know I know where my bones are buried May take me a while, but I'd find my way home
Here's another nifty tune I heard on Radio Cultura this afternoon. It's by the Tindersticks, a group I'd never heard of. Sometimes I feel like I live under a rock!
Hope you enjoy:
Buried Bones
I could take all the crazy out of you That's what I loved you for Take away all the orange, greens and blues That's what I loved you for
Take a look at me You think it really could be that easy? I mean, take a look at me You think it really could be that easy for you?
I know about guys, I know where they live And you're just the same The ones that matter fight against themselves But it's so hard to change
Hey, I could love you Take all that love away from you Hey, I could love you Put you in this box I've made for two
So you could take all this craziness out of me That's what you love me for Well, I don't mean to laugh, but if you know all this You must be halfway there
Well, like that dress tonight, you won't know As it falls from you Turn around and it's winter, darling Look in the mirror and it won't be you
So you're an old, old dog You've been around the block So many times and it's the same old turns Same old feelings straight down the line
Yeah, I can love you, grab that leash and drag you To a place you'd never know I know where my bones are buried May take me a while, but I'd find my way home
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Blood Buzz Ohio
Hey guys. I came across this nifty song below while listening to Radio Cultura (it's the 3rd station down on the list) out of Moscow the other day. I really liked the tune, so I googled the lyrics and found the video on YouTube. Hope you like it too!
Spring has finally come to this part of eastern Canada. I hope, anyway! It was 18 C here on Thursday and today is another beautiful day. The snow is fast disappearing - YAY! I'll be glad when it's all gone and when we can go outside without coats and winter boots!
I'm still trying to decide where to go for a week or so beofre Brad heads off on the Appalachian Trail again at the end of May. He's only going for a month this time to continue on where he left off last summer. I've been thing of perhaps going back to South Beach or perhaps to San Diego, Portland (Oregon), or Chicago. I'm also toying with the idea of going to the Dominican Republic or Cuba to an all-inclusive resort... Decisions, decisions... Feel free to offer suggestions!
Spring has finally come to this part of eastern Canada. I hope, anyway! It was 18 C here on Thursday and today is another beautiful day. The snow is fast disappearing - YAY! I'll be glad when it's all gone and when we can go outside without coats and winter boots!
I'm still trying to decide where to go for a week or so beofre Brad heads off on the Appalachian Trail again at the end of May. He's only going for a month this time to continue on where he left off last summer. I've been thing of perhaps going back to South Beach or perhaps to San Diego, Portland (Oregon), or Chicago. I'm also toying with the idea of going to the Dominican Republic or Cuba to an all-inclusive resort... Decisions, decisions... Feel free to offer suggestions!
The National - "Bloodbuzz Ohio" (official video) from The National on Vimeo.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Inspiration!
Hey all! It's COLD mid-winter here in Canada. Anyone else need some inspiration to get in shape? I know I do! Man. This guy is the definition of definition!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Meet Oliver!
He's our new dog! We brought him home from the local SPCA on Christmas Eve! (He's the black and tan dog in the foreground.) He's basically settling in fine, though he definitely has some separation anxiety, i.e., when Brad and I both go out. On Christmas Eve, we put him in the crate we've had for a long time (got it with Samson 20 years ago), and he seemed fine when we got home. On Christmas day, however, we put him in the crate again when we went to Brad's sister's place for dinner. When we returned home, 2 dogs greeted us at the door! Oliver had somehow managed to get out of the crate - a feat that Sam, Kaiser, and Jasper never managed to do! We've left him outside the crate since then when we've gone out, with limited success. Usually nothing is out of place, but today 2 bagels were taken from the kitchen counter and devoured (while we were both out). He's a great dog, but definitely one we'll have to keep an eye on!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Happy New Year!
Just a quick post to wish you all a very Happy 2012! 2011 went by very quickly and was full of activity, most of which was good! We're having some friends and neighbours over to help us ring in the new year. I've made a gingerbread cake and a raspberry pie. This afternoon, I'll make a black olive tapenade and marinated mushrooms. Brad is also doing his second annual Swedish glög - a heady mulled wine concoction.
Wherever you are in the world, Brad and I wish you a happy and prosperous 2012!
Wherever you are in the world, Brad and I wish you a happy and prosperous 2012!
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
And now for something a little more uplifting!
Canadian singer Michael Bublé has a good heart! If this doesn't bring a smile to your face, I don't know what will!
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Bullying
Just saw this on another site and had to repost it here. This poor kid is so genuine and true to himself. It's painful to watch, but I think everyone should. It breaks my heart that kids can be so hurtful to other kids just because they are a bit different than they are. I was very fortunate growing up. I, like everyone else, I think, encountered a couple of bullies, it it was nothing major, and I genuinely enjoyed high school. In any case, check out the vid below. There was a happier ending posted on YouTude, but it has been disabled in the last few hours or so. I do think this kid has found help from his family or outside, but this video serves to reminds us that millions of kids world-wide don't.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Anniversaries, Montréal, birthdays, and the like!
Hey again guys and gals,
So as I told you a few days ago, Brad and I recently went to Montréal to celebrate our 21st anniversary, my 50th birthday (a few days early), and generally have a good time in the big city. Montréal is great and Brad had rented this beautiful apartment in the heart of Old Montréal for the occasion. It truly was spectular. Huge old wooden beams in the ceiling, hardwood floors throughout, a fireplace, and a wood-burning stove, and a completely refinished kitchen, which beautifully combined old and new.
We flew up, and our good friends Paul and Ron drove. I was very pleased that they were able to be there and help us celebrate the milestone. (We had travelled to Boston a few years ago to ring in Paul's 50th!) After settling into our apartment and then going out to buy a few groceries for the next morning, we met up with Paul and Ron and then went for drinks prior to our dinner reservation at Le Local. Wow! What a great spot! This was Paul's pick and he picked up the tab (thanks's again my friend!). I highly recommend this place if you are ever in the city. I had the beet salad and the east coast cod, both of which were extremely tasty and then they brought me a special birthday dessert consisting of truffles, maccarons, and several other delicacies... Then it was on to a night of sin and debauchery at one of Montréal's strip clubs - I mean, you can't go to Mtl. and not visit a strip club - can you? ;-) A good time was had by all and I think that I single-handedly subsidized one guy's semester at university!
The next day was kind of rainy and we took to the underground malls and the Eaton's centre. I ended up buying a new fall jacket and some drawers at Jack and Jones. Brad and I had our own plans that evening, so Paul and Ron met up with a friend of theirs (Rita) for dinner.
On Friday, we walked out to Westmount after a fortifying brunch at a trendy spot on Peel Street. The wind was icy, but we kept warm with chuckles and laughter and soon ended up at Appetite for Books on Victoria Avenue. It's an bookstore devoted entirely to cookbooks! I could spend hours in there and in the end, I purchased Laura Calder's new book Dinner Chez Moi. After a drink or two at the Wellhouse Pub in Westmount, we made our way back to Paul and Ron's hotel where we took a taxi to Milos, a classic Greek seafood restaurant on Avenue du Parc in the Milend district of Montreal. We had another super meal there, and as it was my 50th BD celebration, I allowed the waiter to talk me into a $115 bottle of Greek red wine, which was very tasty and smooth. We switched to a little less pricy wine for the rest of the meal. More peelers and debauchery followed, of course - I mean, when in Montréal, right?!
The next day, we agreed to meet Paul and Ron and our good friend Maurice (who lives in Mtl.) at the Jean Talon Market to sample some of the tasty delights and grab a bite for lunch. After that, Brad went to see one of his nephews who was in hospital in the city after breaking his arm in two places and damaging a couple of teeth in a skateboarding accident. I went back to our cozy apartment to rest and take a nap after our nights of fun and frivolity. That evening, Paul and Ron and Maurice and Lynn came to our place for drinks prior to dinner at close-by Quattro. There we met up with Paul's friend Rita and had, by most accounts, another excellent meal. Afterwards, we all (except Lynn) returned to our apartment for post-dinner drinks. I must say, it was great to meet Rita and to spend time with Maurice and Lynn - all three of whom are lucky enough to live in Montréal.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, and we boarded our plane back home the next morning. It was a weekend to remember, for sure, and I know I will do so for a long time to come.
Yesterday evening was the New Brunswick celebration of my 50th. Shaun and Mary and George and Barb and Brad and I went out to our good friends Don and Marlene's for an excellent evening of food and drink. I had often joked about going to Hawai'i to ring in my first half century (Hawai'i 5-0, and all that!), but since that was not in the cards this year, we all wore leis and some wore tropical shirts and grass skirts (thanks George!). The meal was Hawai'ian themed as well starting with pizza and followed by coconut rice, breaded shrimp, and a delectible tilapia and green beans. There was cake, of course, and Mar's apple crisp! YUM! Don even cracked open a bottle of his homemade cherry liquer, which was very yummy and smooth. I am truly blessed to have such good friends and such a great partner! From the gang, my gifts included a nice bottle of red wine, a bottle of Limoncello liqueur, a new food processor!, and David Rocco's new cookbook, Made in Italy! Can't thank you enough, my friends! It was another great evening that I will remember fondly for many years to come!
Today, I made a tofu/chickpea stew to have for lunch and dinners through the week and I'm roasting vegetables and panfrying scallops for dinner tonight. Then a movie and to bed faily early.... Being 50 is starting to catch up with me I think!
So as I told you a few days ago, Brad and I recently went to Montréal to celebrate our 21st anniversary, my 50th birthday (a few days early), and generally have a good time in the big city. Montréal is great and Brad had rented this beautiful apartment in the heart of Old Montréal for the occasion. It truly was spectular. Huge old wooden beams in the ceiling, hardwood floors throughout, a fireplace, and a wood-burning stove, and a completely refinished kitchen, which beautifully combined old and new.
We flew up, and our good friends Paul and Ron drove. I was very pleased that they were able to be there and help us celebrate the milestone. (We had travelled to Boston a few years ago to ring in Paul's 50th!) After settling into our apartment and then going out to buy a few groceries for the next morning, we met up with Paul and Ron and then went for drinks prior to our dinner reservation at Le Local. Wow! What a great spot! This was Paul's pick and he picked up the tab (thanks's again my friend!). I highly recommend this place if you are ever in the city. I had the beet salad and the east coast cod, both of which were extremely tasty and then they brought me a special birthday dessert consisting of truffles, maccarons, and several other delicacies... Then it was on to a night of sin and debauchery at one of Montréal's strip clubs - I mean, you can't go to Mtl. and not visit a strip club - can you? ;-) A good time was had by all and I think that I single-handedly subsidized one guy's semester at university!
The next day was kind of rainy and we took to the underground malls and the Eaton's centre. I ended up buying a new fall jacket and some drawers at Jack and Jones. Brad and I had our own plans that evening, so Paul and Ron met up with a friend of theirs (Rita) for dinner.
On Friday, we walked out to Westmount after a fortifying brunch at a trendy spot on Peel Street. The wind was icy, but we kept warm with chuckles and laughter and soon ended up at Appetite for Books on Victoria Avenue. It's an bookstore devoted entirely to cookbooks! I could spend hours in there and in the end, I purchased Laura Calder's new book Dinner Chez Moi. After a drink or two at the Wellhouse Pub in Westmount, we made our way back to Paul and Ron's hotel where we took a taxi to Milos, a classic Greek seafood restaurant on Avenue du Parc in the Milend district of Montreal. We had another super meal there, and as it was my 50th BD celebration, I allowed the waiter to talk me into a $115 bottle of Greek red wine, which was very tasty and smooth. We switched to a little less pricy wine for the rest of the meal. More peelers and debauchery followed, of course - I mean, when in Montréal, right?!
The next day, we agreed to meet Paul and Ron and our good friend Maurice (who lives in Mtl.) at the Jean Talon Market to sample some of the tasty delights and grab a bite for lunch. After that, Brad went to see one of his nephews who was in hospital in the city after breaking his arm in two places and damaging a couple of teeth in a skateboarding accident. I went back to our cozy apartment to rest and take a nap after our nights of fun and frivolity. That evening, Paul and Ron and Maurice and Lynn came to our place for drinks prior to dinner at close-by Quattro. There we met up with Paul's friend Rita and had, by most accounts, another excellent meal. Afterwards, we all (except Lynn) returned to our apartment for post-dinner drinks. I must say, it was great to meet Rita and to spend time with Maurice and Lynn - all three of whom are lucky enough to live in Montréal.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, and we boarded our plane back home the next morning. It was a weekend to remember, for sure, and I know I will do so for a long time to come.
Yesterday evening was the New Brunswick celebration of my 50th. Shaun and Mary and George and Barb and Brad and I went out to our good friends Don and Marlene's for an excellent evening of food and drink. I had often joked about going to Hawai'i to ring in my first half century (Hawai'i 5-0, and all that!), but since that was not in the cards this year, we all wore leis and some wore tropical shirts and grass skirts (thanks George!). The meal was Hawai'ian themed as well starting with pizza and followed by coconut rice, breaded shrimp, and a delectible tilapia and green beans. There was cake, of course, and Mar's apple crisp! YUM! Don even cracked open a bottle of his homemade cherry liquer, which was very yummy and smooth. I am truly blessed to have such good friends and such a great partner! From the gang, my gifts included a nice bottle of red wine, a bottle of Limoncello liqueur, a new food processor!, and David Rocco's new cookbook, Made in Italy! Can't thank you enough, my friends! It was another great evening that I will remember fondly for many years to come!
Today, I made a tofu/chickpea stew to have for lunch and dinners through the week and I'm roasting vegetables and panfrying scallops for dinner tonight. Then a movie and to bed faily early.... Being 50 is starting to catch up with me I think!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Fifty!
Where DOES the time go? Today I turn fifty! Unbelievable! We did a lot of celebration last weekend in Montreal ( including our 21st anniversary) with our good friends Paul and Ron and we connected with other good friends Maurice and Lynn, who both live in that city. I'll do a longer post tomorrow to fill you all in, but right now, Brad has pizza in the oven and we're drinking a bottle of excellent red wine (from 1998) that I bought in Boston a few years ago and saved for this occasion. More later - I promise!
Saturday, November 05, 2011
New York, New York
A nice little video hommage to the best City in the world!
A Year in New York from Andrew Clancy on Vimeo.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
