Almost February

Oh my, it's the last Sunday of January, tomorrow is February, I wonder what the Groundhog is going to predict on February 2nd? Not too much has happened this week. The kids and I had dentists appointments altogether. Nobody was happy to go, but everyone was happy to leave! We came home with a new stash of toothbrushes and floss which is always exciting. In the morning I always enjoy my coffee, and in the afternoon I love my tea, but lately coffee is all I want.....funny how your tastes can change.

Another one of my favourite fruits this time of year is grapefruit. I like to peel it and eat it like an orange. Juicy delicousness!

I finished my first pair of Dashing, which are going to a friend, and the second pair, which I just started are a silvery gray, are also going to be given away to a friend. I really like how these feel on, the cables make them feel nice and snug!
Cheers!

Last Week of January

Can you believe it.....it's the last week of January... .it's crazy how fast time is going by? Is it just me, or do you feel the same?
We as a family really enjoy our soups, not only in the winter months but any time of year. We have our favourites, and sometimes I'm brave and try something new. With three children ranging in ages from 7 to 13, you get a pretty quick idea as to what soups are "acceptable" and which are not. This soup below is a family favourite. It is a take on the Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana, which was given to me by a friend,who got it on line. If you would like to make it you need; 1lb of Italian sausage sauted with 1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper::add one large onion died and 2tsp crushed garlic, saute until soft::add 10 cups of water and 5 cubes of chicken boullion(i used chicken stock)::add 3 large potatoes cut into pieces::cook until potatoes are soft::add one cup of heavy cream, heat thoughouly::add cut up kale just before serving::delicious!

The next soup was a new one that I tried, it came from this book which was given to me by a friend. It's called Red Lentil and Carrot Soup. To make it you need;1 cup of chopped onion,3 garlic cloves minced and saute until onions are soft::add 1 tsp of coriander, 1tsp cumin,1/4 tsp tumeric, cayenne to taste::stir to combine::add 1 2/3 cup of lentils(i used green ones, that's what we had on hand),7 cups of chicken stock, and bring to a boil:simmer gently::add 5 carrots diced, 1 red pepper finely chopped::add 1/4 cup chopped green onions, fresh cut cilantro, about a handful, and salt and pepper to taste::serve soup withcrumbled feta cheese, and cilantro spigs::enjoy!

I started knitting these for a friend. We have a sign in our house that says, " If you want the best seat in the house, move the cat"....ha, this technically is my spot!!

Have a good week!

It's mid January, and the weather that we have been having out here on the west coast of British Columbia has made it feel like spring has come. I should probably clarify that, the temperatures have been spring like but we have had a lot of rain, so much that Cypress Mountain, which is holding some Olympic events, had to be closed to preserve what snow is there. Not to worry, there are snow making machines, and I'm sure our weather will get much colder.
A new coffee shop opened up in our downtown, and since Saturday was a beautiful sunny day we took a family walk down to the ocean, and checked it out on the way. The lattes were to die for, and I now have a new favourite place to get coffee!



I did finish my Nutmeg hat this week, and I'm really pleased with it. The yarn is really nice to work with. Now I want to make something else from the pattern book, but just not sure what that is going to be yet.

My paper whites are in full bloom on my window sill, and they bring some joy to our rainy days....even the kids notice how nice they look! There are small signs of spring outside too, my daffodils are emerging and my neighbours` witch hazel or forsythia is blooming ( I can never tell the difference between them).

Hope you have a good week!

How's It Going?

Well....we did it , we survived the first week back to our routine! It's been a good week and if I can manage to post here once a week, maybe make Sunday my day, I'll be very pleased. One little bit of exciting news came by my mom with an early morning phone call announcing that my nephew and his wife just had their first baby! (my nephew is a medic in the US Army and has been to Iraq twice, he may now have to go to Afghanistan, so we are praying that doesn't so he can be a dad to his son) So that makes me a great aunt.....yikes.

I have a few little knitting projects on the go, ones that I can bring to work and knit at lunch. This one I started this week and I am totally enjoying it. I'm not sure who it's for though, my oldest daughter or me.

It seems that once the new year started, the Olympic excitement magnified. Kids at school are wearing all sorts of Olympic apparel, and we have joined in too. How can you not....it's very contagious! Who knows we my even end up with a whole new wardrobe.

Enjoy your week!

Back to Routine

We spent New Years Eve with our neighbours. A nice quiet evening with good friends. During supper on New Years Day we opened up some champagne, exciting in itself, and gave each of the kids a little bit to try. It may not have been such a great idea....they all wanted more!

I'm not very good at adjusting to change, meaning going back to school and work after such a wonderful time at home with the kids. I just need to get that first day out of the way and then I'm great! Today we undecorated the tree, and sent it off to the chipper. The house seems a little empty without it now. I then sent hubby and the kids out for a walk and made cookies. All set for school lunches tomorrow.

I totally forgot all about my paperwhite bulbs. I ended up finding them in the shed and got them going, a tiny bit of spring in the house is a good feeling! Enjoy the week getting back to your routine!

Happy New Year---2010!!

Good Bye 2009.......Hello 2010!

Still enjoying our holidays, going for walks, playing games of all sorts, watching movies, and enjoying fires in the fireplace.
It's a new year and new things to look forward to. The past year was great, no complaints and no regrets.
Here's wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and happy New Year!!