Memories of NYC

Today was another super busy day.

I worked all day, after work I stopped at the grocery store for a few supplies then headed straight out to the golf course to help out.

All the teachers from the school in town were having a golf night and eating out at the golf course so it was quite busy.

I ended up not getting home until 11:30 pm so I was very tired.

My son brought my mom out - there is a huge amount of bottles and cans for recycling downstairs and they all need to be sorted through.

I thought it might be a good project for my mom to work on and she was game.

This is after working down there for an hour or so,

I asked her to smile and this is what I got, ha ha.

She is looking a little tired but I think she likes having a project to work on.

She was always busy doing something before so even if it is a little tiring, it's fulfilling too.

Here is My Honey hard at work cooking.

Today was Burger Love day and the Benny Burger was on the menu (breakfast on a bun).

It was a hit, our best seller so far.

I think we sold about a dozen of them anyway.

I think the word is getting out about it too which is good.

I really want this venture to be successful.

That's all the pictures I have for today but while we were waiting for golfers to come in I browsed Facebook for awhile and a bunch of fun memories popped up.

This is a cake My Honey made with a friend of ours (PC) for another friend (DS).

We took it to the office and gave it to her there.

While the execution was a success (looks like real kitty litter but it is completely edible), some of the office staff thought it looked awful and not many had the guts to taste it.

It's funny how our mind plays tricks on us.

The "turds" are just home made tootsie rolls but they look so much like turds that it is difficult to disassociate the two.

We ended up making the cake again a year later for my niece who thought it was funny but she absolutely refused to eat it.

This was taken in Nova Scotia 5 years ago - this was the first time My Honey came with me on a visit back there.

I had lost some weight back then - think is was around the 190 lb mark and I was feeling really good.

We had driven all the way to Luneburg to try out a restaurant we'd seen on You Gotta Eat here called Magnolia's Grill but it ended up being closed.

So we ate at another place - Knot Pub - It was the first time My Honey had deep fried pepperoni like we have back home.

Not sure that he liked it that much but we had a lovely day.

This is us arriving in NYC last year.  NYC is where for the last three years in a row, we have been to celebrate Canada Day and The 4th of July.

If My Honey wasn't working at the golf course we would likely be there right now.

We took the red eye and arrived early in the morning so we weren't able to check into the hotel quite yet.

We dropped off our bags and headed to Central park where we found a lovely big tree.

We just laid under it and had a nap.

It was a sweltering day so this was a nice treat.

Later that evening we went to the first show of our trip (we usually try to go to one each night) - An American in Paris

I love broadway shows - have always dreamed that I would go to one someday and now have been to plenty of them - and plan to go to plenty more!

After the show we had the quintessential New York treat - a slice of pie.

Great way to cap off the night.

This is from our trip to NYC in 2015.

We woke up super early to take a train trip to Washington DC for the day.

It happened to be pride week and I loved how the Empire State Building was all decked out in the pride colors.

We arrived at Penn Station around 3:43 in the morning and it was just so quiet and beautiful that time of day (not super quiet but quiet for New York)

On the train, looking a little tired but pumped for the days adventures.

Seeing these memories makes me a little sad that we won't be in New York this summer but that's ok.

We'll go back next year and in the fall when the golf course is closed - we'll go on a really great trip somewhere so we have that to look forward to.

That's it for today - until next time - be happy!

Road Trip

Rainy day yet again so no walk to work, again!

We had a MSM (Mission Statement) Meeting for our district today and they held it in Westlock so us office girls got to go for a road trip today.

There were actually 4 of us but one was still in the store we stopped at along the way when I took this picture!

We arrived at the meeting just in time for lunch.

Lunch was really good.

The potato salad was delicious and there was a coleslaw type salad that was similar to the Crunchy Pea Salad that I like.

The bbq beef or pork they had was yummy too.

I had some fruit for dessert.

They had a 50/50 draw to raise money for a couple of charities that our district supports and Ms BK won (over $1000.00).

I would have loved to win it myself but I was happy for her.

We stopped in to Westlock after the meeting to do a bit of shopping then headed home.

I dropped the girls off at the office for their vehicles, grabbed mine and headed out to the golf course to see My Honey (plus I picked up a few items that I wanted to drop off to him)

It was really dead out there - perfect for burger experimentation though and I had a few ideas I wanted to try out.

The grill master hard at work (acting silly and posing for a picture is more like it)!

First up was the BENNY BURGER.

Lots of people have been mentioning that they would like us to do a burger with an egg on it so I was trying to think of what would go good with eggs and I thought of eggs benedict.

I am not a huge fan myself but know that lots of others are.

Doesn't that egg look just perfectly cooked?

My Honey added lots of home made hollandaise sauce and a skewer full of tator tots because they are kind of like little baby hash browns (which are usually a great side for breakfast).

We cut into it and I think the eggs were just the perfect amount of runny, at least for me.

My Honey probably would have preferred a little runnier.

We each ate half and it was delicious.

It is the winner and will be our Burger Love special for tomorrow night.

Next I wanted to try a concoction that I came up with and was calling the

PEAR-ISIAN

I was thinking brie, pepper jelly and pear slices.

I was thinking on a croissant too but forgot to pick up a couple to try.

My Honey wrapped the brie in some phyllo dough and put it in the oven.

First attempt was a fail - left it in too long and it was overcooked and it was puffed up too much.

Attempt number two.

He used less brie this time and less phyllo dough.

The results were much better.

I had forgotten to bring the pepper jelly do so we improvised and mixed siracha and honey together.

We also added cream cheese to the burger last minute.

I think My Honey was a little "iffy" about the combination at first but I won him over when he tried it.

Of all the ones we have tried so far this one ties as my favorite with the Elvis Burger.

We may try to tweak it a bit more before we have it as the special but even as is, it's a winner in my books!

I just need to come up with a Parisian kind of garnish/topping for it.

After experimenting a bit, we cleaned up and headed home.

My Honey made these homemade ice cream sandwiches and we shared one for a treat.

It's vanilla ice cream mixed with a reduction of orange crush pop sandwiched between a sugar cookie - deadly good, dangerous to have around.

A few pictures popped up in my Facebook memories tonight, these are from my son's Grade 9 prom, 10 years ago.

He has grown up so much since then.

My boy & I at the graduation ceremony!

A real cool cat!

A couple of handsome boys. 

Him and his date.

We moved out to Alberta not long after this (2 months) and my son was quite unhappy about it for some time.

I was determined to give it a try out here for at least one year though and it was tough for him but now he quite likes it and he is doing well and most importantly, he is happy.

I am so grateful now that we came and stuck with it - it has been a blessing for both of us.

That's a wrap for today.

Until next time, be happy!

Sad News

The weather outdoors really matched the mood in town today.

Grey and somber.

The little fellow who was hit by a car last night at the ball game did not make it.

Such a terrible tragedy - he was only 3 years old - I can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through.

It happened at a ball game too so there were lots of people there that witnessed the whole horrific scene and being such a small town it has just affected everybody.

I didn't know the family personally but I certainly feel for them.

I also feel for the driver, just a freak accident but I am sure it will be tough for him as well.

The silver lining if there can be one in a situation like this is that this tiny town has rallied around family to offer support, condolences and really any help that they can.

There has already been over $10,000 raised to help the young family with expenses.

I think that is just wonderful and it makes me feel proud to be part of a community that comes together like that to help out one of it's members.

Lunch was leftover chicken and quinoa salad.

I added a little siracha to spice it up a bit.

After work I headed straight out to the golf course for men's night.

The weather wasn't that great so it wasn't very busy - still busier than last week though.

I didn't have much of an opportunity to take many pictures today so I am adding some that showed up in my Facebook memories.

This is My Honey & I doing the color run that we organized here last year.

We had such miserable weather for it but it was also a lot of fun.

Selfie that I took of myself maybe 2 years ago?

I liked it enough to make it my profile picture.

This is in PEI.

We are arriving at The Run to go out for a sail.

My boy and a couple of cousins enjoying being out on the boat.

One of my favorite things to do when I go to PEI is to go out for a sail with my family.

Sometimes we jig for mackeral and other times we just sail and enjoy each others company.

Definitely a high light of each trip.

That's all for today.

Until Next Time, be happy.

Weigh In Day

I was able to enjoy a nice walk to work this morning - Yay!

I had quite the play list going on, it made me chuckle.

Here is a bit of an excerpt:

You Don't Bring Me Flowers - Barbara Streisand & Barry Gibb

Logical Song - Supertramp

MMMBop - Hanson

Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men

You never know quite what you will get when listening to my ipod.  Keeps things interesting!

So I weighed in as soon as I got to work.

 

242.0 lbs
At first I thought I was down a pound until I went to enter it into Weight Watchers, then I realized....

No change again.

Although better than a gain, it shows me that I have to change something up.

I was thinking about it a bit and I am going to get back to working out.

I still have those 50 organized runs to do so I need to train anyway.

My life is busy right now but I can fit it in if I make the effort.

I am going to make a daily goal and just takes things one day at a time.

My goal for tonight - 20 minutes on the treadmill (at least) work in as much running/jogging as I am able.

My brother was called out to work so he called and asked if I could watch the kiddos after work.
Of course I did.

It was another gorgeous, sunny day so we got ice creams and sat outside and ate them.

Miss A wasn't thrilled with all the little creatures in the outdoors (ants, mosquitos, spiders etc..)

Meanwhile, this fellow was going around stepping on all the bugs he could find.

He is such a little goofball, always making these silly faces!

They helped me water the flowers.

Then as we were finishing up, my neighbour told me that golf ball sized hail was headed our way.

 

So I hauled everything into the shed - better to be safe than sorry.

(Turned out to be a good call)

The backyard looks bare without the flowers and the cushions.

No shoes, walking through water in his socks, this boy is on a mission with a broom that is about twice his size!

The sky was still looking nice and clear on one side......

But something was most definitely brewing on the other.

Trying to get him to stop for a picture but no luck.

He is an expert at saying "No"!

After I got everything put away, I sent the kids indoors so I could get my work out in.

As usual, they wanted to involved.

I let Miss A try the treadmill out but just on the lowest pace that it would go.

She walked for a minute and that was enough for her.

I on the other hand got my 20 min in.

I ran for a minute about every 3 minutes or so, I did one stretch of 2 minutes but it was tough.

I felt good that I did it though - I need to kick this weight loss effort up a notch.

My Honey arrived home when I was just about done.

I might have stayed on longer but someone is potty training and had a little accident that I had to take care of.

I didn't even fool around - I put him right in the tub.

Luckily I'd just washed a few of his outfits from yesterday so I had something to put him in.

I had leftovers for supper.

When I got upstairs quite the storm was raging outdoors.

High winds, thunder, lightning.

It was super loud.

We have a great view out our front window and the kids & I were able to watch some of the lightning storm.

I love watching it.

My brother picked up the kiddos and My Honey got called back out to work.

That happens often during thunder & lightning storms because they have power outages so they have to get things running again.

The power did go out, just for a minute, but I didn't want to take any chances so I turned off the tv and ran myself a bath.

I started a new book tonight

I'm only a couple pages in so I am not sure about it yet - seems good so far though.

The sirens were going here in town earlier - it always worries me when I hear them.

Right away I'm checking where my son is, then My Honey, my brothers etc....

Sounds like it may have been just a little fellow hit by a car.

I sure hope and pray that he is ok.

Well that's it for today.

Until next time, be happy.

The window in my room was open so my side of the bed is completely soaked.

I turned on my heating blanket as high as it would go - hope it dries it up some before I go to bed.

Another Sunny Summer Day

Woke up early to this cutie pie and another bright and sunny day.

Look at those curls, I just love them.

Mr H was ready to go at 6:30 am, a little earlier than I would have liked but oh well.

First thing he did when Nanny got up was to have a little snuggle with her.

Then because it was so nice we headed back outside again.

He really wanted to help me water the flowers.

My Honey dropped home for a quick minute again and gave Mr H a "Boon" as he calls them.

He still loves them just as much as ever.

I was trying to get him to leave his hat on as I was concerned about him getting too much sun but that wasn't always an easy task. 

I just love all the flowers, they are coming along nicely

This one fell over in the wind last week and so a bunch of the stems were broken.

I spent lots of time going over it and taking out the broken pieces.

Hopefully it will bounce back.

I was dead heading my flowers and almost grabbed this guy!

YUCK!!!!

These things frighten me so much.

I just left him there, that way I could keep an eye on him.

He stayed there for hours!

I made a big batch of quinoa salad this afternoon, I added all kinds of goodies to it.

Spinach, radishes, red onion, green onion, celery, peas, corn, water chestnuts, chick peas, cocktail shrimp, carrots and laughing cow cheese.

I added some fried onions to the top of mine for added flavor, they were a great addition.

 

It was so tasty which is great because I will likely be eating it for the rest of the week.

Time to go home.

My brother ended up getting called out to work today so Mr H stayed until 4 pm.

It was nice to get to spend so much time with him.

As soon as he left though, I ran a bath, grabbed my book and relaxed for a little.

Then I put some chicken breasts on to cook and washed some romaine lettuce to prepare for supper.

I was hoping to have it done for My Honey when he got home from work but that didn't happen.

I was trying to get into some of mom's accounts (hotmail, itunes) but she couldn't remember her passwords and I was having a heck of a time resetting them.

I spent quite a bit of time at the computer trying to get that sorted which I did in the end, but it took longer than expected so My Honey arrived home before I had a chance to finish up supper.

 

That worked in my favor though because he makes the best Caesar dressing from scratch.

I helped chop some anchovies and capers while he did the rest.

 

Then I cooked up some corn on the cob - I had some coconut milk that I wasn't using so I cooked them up in that.

My Honey was kind of on the the fence about that idea but I think they turned out really good.

He made his mayo/chipotle/parmesan sauce for the corn and if I wasn't so full after my Caesar Salad (I had two helpings) I would have had a few more!

They will taste just as delicious tonight though I am sure.