Date Night

Z and I haven't been out together (alone) for ages. He spent the day skiing with the boys again today, and called me on the way home from the hill to propose dinner and a movie. I spent the morning at my doc's after-hours clinic for a teeny problem I needed attended to, then did errands, and finally a nap and more of my current book. By 5:00, I was ready to step out into the craziness that is our post-Christmas local mall.

We had a light dinner at Moxie's and then saw Charlie Wilson's War, a very entertaining and though-provoking film with a stellar cast (Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julia Roberts). I admit shameful ignorance of all things Afghanistan, and this kind of brought me up to speed, all wrapped up with dabs of Southern glamour, whisky, and attractive women. An entertaining way to be educated. Z completed my education, from where the movie ends up to today.

Date Night

Z and I haven't been out together (alone) for ages. He spent the day skiing with the boys again today, and called me on the way home from the hill to propose dinner and a movie. I spent the morning at my doc's after-hours clinic for a teeny problem I needed attended to, then did errands, and finally a nap and more of my current book. By 5:00, I was ready to step out into the craziness that is our post-Christmas local mall.

We had a light dinner at Moxie's and then saw Charlie Wilson's War, a very entertaining and though-provoking film with a stellar cast (Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Julia Roberts). I admit shameful ignorance of all things Afghanistan, and this kind of brought me up to speed, all wrapped up with dabs of Southern glamour, whisky, and attractive women. An entertaining way to be educated. Z completed my education, from where the movie ends up to today.

Board/Ski Day

The boys had a great day yesterday at Mount Saint Louis Moonstone. There was lots of well-groomed snow, and Alex and Michael boarded from 9 to 4, just before closing. Z did some work in the morning and then rented some skis and took a lesson in the afternoon. He enjoyed it so much, that he and Alex are off to hit the boxing day sales to pick up some skis.

My brother and his family headed up to the cottage around 1:00 pm yeserday in something of a snow storm, but he managed to get a good deal on a 4WD Highlander, so he likely won't need the sand he packed in the trunk to help him over the cottage road. I finished up a library book that's due back shortly, and napped in the afternoon before the guys returned.

Today, I'm working my way through seven loads of laundry that has piled up over the past week, and plan to watch some old movies with my mom while I fold. This morning, I cooked and milled some old-ish apples into applesauce and made a pie with some exceedingly tart granny smith apples that Z picked up yesterday afternoon. They are really too sour to eat, so they will likely get baked or milled over the next few days. We've pretty much finished up all the holiday leftovers (except for excessive amounts of chocolate from all the corporate gifts Z received,) so I may possibly have to consider cooking dinner tonight.

Laundry Status:

Table Linens
Whites
Light Colours
Colours
Dark (1)
Dark(2)
Towels

Board/Ski Day

The boys had a great day yesterday at Mount Saint Louis Moonstone. There was lots of well-groomed snow, and Alex and Michael boarded from 9 to 4, just before closing. Z did some work in the morning and then rented some skis and took a lesson in the afternoon. He enjoyed it so much, that he and Alex are off to hit the boxing day sales to pick up some skis.

My brother and his family headed up to the cottage around 1:00 pm yeserday in something of a snow storm, but he managed to get a good deal on a 4WD Highlander, so he likely won't need the sand he packed in the trunk to help him over the cottage road. I finished up a library book that's due back shortly, and napped in the afternoon before the guys returned.

Today, I'm working my way through seven loads of laundry that has piled up over the past week, and plan to watch some old movies with my mom while I fold. This morning, I cooked and milled some old-ish apples into applesauce and made a pie with some exceedingly tart granny smith apples that Z picked up yesterday afternoon. They are really too sour to eat, so they will likely get baked or milled over the next few days. We've pretty much finished up all the holiday leftovers (except for excessive amounts of chocolate from all the corporate gifts Z received,) so I may possibly have to consider cooking dinner tonight.

Laundry Status:

Table Linens
Whites
Light Colours
Colours
Dark (1)
Dark(2)
Towels

Even more peace.

The stars are aligning today. I will be alone in my house for a few hours of sweet solitude. Z and the boys left at 7 am to go snowboarding for the day. My brother and his lovely family are heading up to the cottage late morning to spend a few days with friends. So from 11 to whenever the lads return, I will be utterly alone.

I will admit that my plans include vacuuming up pine needles and laundry as well as eating leftovers, knitting, and reading. But it will be in silence, which has been a scarce commodity these past couple of weeks. And desperately needed.

Even more peace.

The stars are aligning today. I will be alone in my house for a few hours of sweet solitude. Z and the boys left at 7 am to go snowboarding for the day. My brother and his lovely family are heading up to the cottage late morning to spend a few days with friends. So from 11 to whenever the lads return, I will be utterly alone.

I will admit that my plans include vacuuming up pine needles and laundry as well as eating leftovers, knitting, and reading. But it will be in silence, which has been a scarce commodity these past couple of weeks. And desperately needed.

Christmas Peace

The last few days have been, at the same time, busy and peaceful. My brother and his family arrived a week ago and it's been great spending time with them.

We had a good crowd out to our Christmas Open House on Saturday evening. Family and friends, lots of mingling. We totally forgot about all the hot appetizers in the freezer, but we had a ton of food and drink, and no-one left unsated.

I sang with the choir on Sunday morning. We did Comfort, Comfort (Text: Johann Olearius; Tune: Geneva 42) and The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came during the offertory, and Balulalow by Peter Warlock during Communion (lovely version on YouTube here.)

Monday was filled with a little last minute shopping and wrapping. My brother and his family and Michael went to the children's liturgy in the afternoon, which was packed to the walls and out the doors. When they got home, we had lentil soup with leftover appetizers, bread, and cheese.

The choir was singing at midnight mass with an 11 pm call, so Z and Alex came with me. We started carol singing at 11:30 pm and then mass began at midnight. The church looked lovely and was very full. During the offertory, we did Oh Holy Night with a visiting tenor soloist, and the most beautiful O Magnum Mysterium (Tomas Luis de Victoria) during Communion.

Sunday morning, we opened stockings and gifts from each other, and then I headed off to mass to sing the Christmas Day liturgy. We did O Magnum Mysterium during the offertory and then The Wexford Carol (arr. by John Rutter; audio clip here) with a beautiful solo by one of our young tenors.

We had Eggs Benedict for lunch with mimosas, fruit, and sweets. Naps and more gifts in the afternoon, and then a relaxing dinner of burritos and fruit (with more sweets, of course!)

I intended to go to mass this morning, as I find it somewhat difficult to focus on the mass when I'm in the choir loft, but I started talking with my sister-in-law and the time slipped away. I've got some break baking in my new Zojirushi bread maker (thanks to my very generous brother and his family). I may have another nap....!

Christmas Peace

The last few days have been, at the same time, busy and peaceful. My brother and his family arrived a week ago and it's been great spending time with them.

We had a good crowd out to our Christmas Open House on Saturday evening. Family and friends, lots of mingling. We totally forgot about all the hot appetizers in the freezer, but we had a ton of food and drink, and no-one left unsated.

I sang with the choir on Sunday morning. We did Comfort, Comfort (Text: Johann Olearius; Tune: Geneva 42) and The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came during the offertory, and Balulalow by Peter Warlock during Communion (lovely version on YouTube here.)

Monday was filled with a little last minute shopping and wrapping. My brother and his family and Michael went to the children's liturgy in the afternoon, which was packed to the walls and out the doors. When they got home, we had lentil soup with leftover appetizers, bread, and cheese.

The choir was singing at midnight mass with an 11 pm call, so Z and Alex came with me. We started carol singing at 11:30 pm and then mass began at midnight. The church looked lovely and was very full. During the offertory, we did Oh Holy Night with a visiting tenor soloist, and the most beautiful O Magnum Mysterium (Tomas Luis de Victoria) during Communion.

Sunday morning, we opened stockings and gifts from each other, and then I headed off to mass to sing the Christmas Day liturgy. We did O Magnum Mysterium during the offertory and then The Wexford Carol (arr. by John Rutter; audio clip here) with a beautiful solo by one of our young tenors.

We had Eggs Benedict for lunch with mimosas, fruit, and sweets. Naps and more gifts in the afternoon, and then a relaxing dinner of burritos and fruit (with more sweets, of course!)

I intended to go to mass this morning, as I find it somewhat difficult to focus on the mass when I'm in the choir loft, but I started talking with my sister-in-law and the time slipped away. I've got some break baking in my new Zojirushi bread maker (thanks to my very generous brother and his family). I may have another nap....!

Pioneer Woman - hear her voice

Ree has got to be one of my favorite bloggers. Check out this interview with CNN.

Pioneer Woman - hear her voice

Ree has got to be one of my favorite bloggers. Check out this interview with CNN.

Snow, beautiful, snow

Well, it's beautiful to me because I have done nary a second of shovelling.

We've been hard hit, here in Toronto, and there is no doubt that winter has arrived to stay. We declared yesterday a "family snow day" since our only obligation (mass) was impossible to get to given the weather and state of the streets. Even a 15 minute walk to a neighbouring parish was out of the question with the high winds and blowing snow. So we stayed put, did personal devotions, and a lot of house organization in preparation for the holidays.

Late afternoon, although the snow was still coming down, Z and the boys did the shovelling. It was hard work....we got probably 20-30 cm of snow (8-12 inches for my non-metric readers). We have a large deck, driveway, and long sidewalk (we're on a corner lot) so the three of them were outside for over an hour. The snow-plow went down our street last night but pushed snow onto the other side of the street (blocking in street-parked cars and driveways), but kept our side of the street clear. Whew! That would have meant a lot of shovelling this morning again.

For the first time in my memory, we ran out of milk and no-one felt like walking to the store last night, so it was eggs, toast and applesauce for breakfast this morning instead of the usual cereal.

I've gotta hit the street today and get groceries. I need milk to bake, plus we're out of fruit. I also have another load of stuff to take to Goodwill, and a gift to exchange, a duplicate that I just found out about.

The boy are continuing with exams this week. Alex has four down and four to go, and is writing French and Religion today. Michael has three down and three to go (writing French today). So they spent much of their time this weekend hitting the books and having Z and I quiz them. They'll both be relieved at the end of the week when the exams are done and holidays begin.

Menu Plan Monday

My brother and his family arrive this evening for the holidays, so we're planning for 6 adult-equivalents plus one toddler (who eats pretty much anything vegetarian).

Monday: Galician Garbanzo Soup with homemade herb bread and cheese.
Tuesday: Shrimp stir-fried with asian veg and scented rice
Wednesday: Burgers (veggie or meat), salad, potato chips
Thursday: Cheesy tuna casserole (double recipe), peas, salad.
Friday: Order in
Saturday: Christmas Open House!

Snow, beautiful, snow

Well, it's beautiful to me because I have done nary a second of shovelling.

We've been hard hit, here in Toronto, and there is no doubt that winter has arrived to stay. We declared yesterday a "family snow day" since our only obligation (mass) was impossible to get to given the weather and state of the streets. Even a 15 minute walk to a neighbouring parish was out of the question with the high winds and blowing snow. So we stayed put, did personal devotions, and a lot of house organization in preparation for the holidays.

Late afternoon, although the snow was still coming down, Z and the boys did the shovelling. It was hard work....we got probably 20-30 cm of snow (8-12 inches for my non-metric readers). We have a large deck, driveway, and long sidewalk (we're on a corner lot) so the three of them were outside for over an hour. The snow-plow went down our street last night but pushed snow onto the other side of the street (blocking in street-parked cars and driveways), but kept our side of the street clear. Whew! That would have meant a lot of shovelling this morning again.

For the first time in my memory, we ran out of milk and no-one felt like walking to the store last night, so it was eggs, toast and applesauce for breakfast this morning instead of the usual cereal.

I've gotta hit the street today and get groceries. I need milk to bake, plus we're out of fruit. I also have another load of stuff to take to Goodwill, and a gift to exchange, a duplicate that I just found out about.

The boy are continuing with exams this week. Alex has four down and four to go, and is writing French and Religion today. Michael has three down and three to go (writing French today). So they spent much of their time this weekend hitting the books and having Z and I quiz them. They'll both be relieved at the end of the week when the exams are done and holidays begin.

Menu Plan Monday

My brother and his family arrive this evening for the holidays, so we're planning for 6 adult-equivalents plus one toddler (who eats pretty much anything vegetarian).

Monday: Galician Garbanzo Soup with homemade herb bread and cheese.
Tuesday: Shrimp stir-fried with asian veg and scented rice
Wednesday: Burgers (veggie or meat), salad, potato chips
Thursday: Cheesy tuna casserole (double recipe), peas, salad.
Friday: Order in
Saturday: Christmas Open House!

Nina Conti and monk

I normally do not like ventriloquists at ALL, but this one is something special.

Nina Conti and monk

I normally do not like ventriloquists at ALL, but this one is something special.

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

Almost a million views of this video, so it's not new, but a great piece of work!

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days

Almost a million views of this video, so it's not new, but a great piece of work!

Canada Reads 2008

The books have been announced for this annual CBC book-fest in February. I've joined a Book Club through iRead on Facebook to get through these before the battle begins February 29. I've only read one of the books already, and it's on my shelf, so I'll start with that one.

They are (in no particular order):

• Timothy Findlay's Not Wanted on the Voyage (this is the one I've read)
• Paul Quarrington's King Leary
• Nalo Hopkinson's Brown Girl in the Ring
• Thomas Wharton's Icefields
• Mavis Gallant's From the Fifteenth District.
  

Canada Reads 2008

The books have been announced for this annual CBC book-fest in February. I've joined a Book Club through iRead on Facebook to get through these before the battle begins February 29. I've only read one of the books already, and it's on my shelf, so I'll start with that one.

They are (in no particular order):

• Timothy Findlay's Not Wanted on the Voyage (this is the one I've read)
• Paul Quarrington's King Leary
• Nalo Hopkinson's Brown Girl in the Ring
• Thomas Wharton's Icefields
• Mavis Gallant's From the Fifteenth District.
  

Baking for Boys

My teenagers are constantly foraging for food. They are both lean and active, so the calories aren't really a problem. It's the empty calories and sugar rush that worry me. I bake every three days or so, but stuff just disappears. I tried freezing half batches of cookies to stave off the tide, but it didn't really slow them down.

So I decided to go high fibre.

I pulled out an old cookbook called The Oat and Wheat Bran Health Plan that has recipes for what the authors term "breakfast cookies". With a glass of milk, a couple of these are equivalent to eating a bowl of cereal but without all the additives. Each cookie typically has about 5 grams of fibre and are quite tasty, although without the sugar/fat rush of typical cookies. The boys go a little slower through these, I don't mind if they eat them for breakfast, and they're filling.

I've made the Double Chocolate and the Banana recipes and both were good. Next up will be Applesauce cookies.

Baking for Boys

My teenagers are constantly foraging for food. They are both lean and active, so the calories aren't really a problem. It's the empty calories and sugar rush that worry me. I bake every three days or so, but stuff just disappears. I tried freezing half batches of cookies to stave off the tide, but it didn't really slow them down.

So I decided to go high fibre.

I pulled out an old cookbook called The Oat and Wheat Bran Health Plan that has recipes for what the authors term "breakfast cookies". With a glass of milk, a couple of these are equivalent to eating a bowl of cereal but without all the additives. Each cookie typically has about 5 grams of fibre and are quite tasty, although without the sugar/fat rush of typical cookies. The boys go a little slower through these, I don't mind if they eat them for breakfast, and they're filling.

I've made the Double Chocolate and the Banana recipes and both were good. Next up will be Applesauce cookies.

It's that time of year....

....time for It Came Upon a Midnight Weird, aka Cavalcade of Bad Nativities, 2nd Edition.

If you need more of this kitschy goodness, links to her previous collections are in her sidebar (Angels We Have Heard Are High, to name one.)

It's that time of year....

....time for It Came Upon a Midnight Weird, aka Cavalcade of Bad Nativities, 2nd Edition.

If you need more of this kitschy goodness, links to her previous collections are in her sidebar (Angels We Have Heard Are High, to name one.)