Santa!!

I have been busy visiting with family in Toronto, so I haven't had the time to update with my monthly posts (not to worry, I have the pictures all stored up and ready to go) but I couldn't resist sharing Z's first photos with Santa.
The first time we went, I dressed her all up, and hoped for the best.  I wanted one of her award winning smiles.
No such luck.  She just looked stunned.

The second time, she was less than pleased... but I still think this pic. is a winner (bad mommy!)

Remembering Summer times!

Well, December is upon us! So I got thinking of summer.
There was this HUGE patch of blackberries along the side of the highway this summer, and Z and I spent many hours picking, snacking and baking...

 Some other fond memories....

Betsy at the local fish n' chips stand...

 naked baby play time!!!

Big Z: 7 Months.

Seriously? Seven Months has come and gone. I can't tell you where the time went.  All I know is that everyday, I love her more and more.  Everyday, her personality grows, along with her curiosity, beauty and mind. 

Baked Tofu (and Chicken)

So, I was watching "The Chew" last week (I have discovered this thing called daytime TV!!!) and they featured a chicken recipe that looked tasty... so I modified it, and made both chicken & tofu!!

I added equal amounts of mayonnaise & sour cream, covered the chicken/tofu in it then covered with fresh grated Parmesan,  Japanese breadcrumbs, fresh garlic and some herbs from my garden.
Baked @ 350 for 45 mins.

Served with steamed asparagus and brown rice.

Remembrance Day 2011

San Juan, Puerto Rico

My Dad used to work in Puerto Rico, so it was great to go back to Old San Juan!!

50 Books in 2011: October Update!

So... Back from a vacation!! (more on that later!!) Another month of "meh" slow reads, but I am reading a great book now- can't wait to tell you all about it next month!!

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
4. Room by Emma Donoghue
5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
6. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
7. Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
8. Life by Keith Richards
9. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
10. State of Fear by Michael Crichton
11. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
12. Unbearable Lightness: A story of loss and gain by Portia de Rossi
13. It Could Happen to You: A Diary of Pregnancy and Beyond by Martha Brockenbrough
14. The Favourite Game by Leonard Cohen
15. Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen
16. Julie and Julia 365 Days 524 recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
17. Memoirs of a Geisha by Aurthur Golden
18. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore
19. The World According to Garp by John Irving
20. The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Samaya Gowda
21. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
22. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
23. My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
24. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
25. The Help by Katherine Stockett
26. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
27. Bossypants by Tina Fey
28. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
29. Are you there Vodka? It's me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
30. Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
31. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
32. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
33. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
34. Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls
35. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
36. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
37. Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore
38. A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay
39. When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
40. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer
41. The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain
42. A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard
43. The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
44. Just Kids by Patti Smith
45. The Kid by Sapphire 

46.  Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin

47.  The Death Cure by  James Dashner.

Happy Birthday BETSY!!

On October 11th, Betsy the Danger Doggy turned 2!!!!!

Betsy, you are a handful and then some.  But we love you just the same! Happy Birthday Pup-a-Lup!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Yesterday, October 11th, marked my & J's second wedding anniversary (and Betsy's second birthday.  More on that later!).  It seems like just yesterday we were embarking on this new chapter of our lives- and I couldn't be happier with the little family we have created for ourselves!
Some pics just 'cause. (courtesy of the incredible Sakura Photography!) 

J's Lucky Day.

Why? Because I felt like spoiling him.  So last Friday, I cooked his most favourite meal.  Ribs with mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts.

Z's favourite Toy!

Zia Susy saved this toy that J's Nonna gave to him when he was a baby.  It quickly became one of Z's favourites!!

50 Books in 2011: September Update

So, I seriously failed last month, which is perhaps why I have delayed posting this for so long. I only read 1 book.  Yes, just 1 book.  I haven't read this few books since... ever.   I am a bit embarrassed to admit it even.  I blame it on Z's increased movement, leading to my lack of free time combined with the fact that I really couldn't get into this book (that I had high hopes for.)

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
4. Room by Emma Donoghue
5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
6. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
7. Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
8. Life by Keith Richards
9. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
10. State of Fear by Michael Crichton
11. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
12. Unbearable Lightness: A story of loss and gain by Portia de Rossi
13. It Could Happen to You: A Diary of Pregnancy and Beyond by Martha Brockenbrough
14. The Favourite Game by Leonard Cohen
15. Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen
16. Julie and Julia 365 Days 524 recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
17. Memoirs of a Geisha by Aurthur Golden
18. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore
19. The World According to Garp by John Irving
20. The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Samaya Gowda
21. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
22. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
23. My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
24. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
25. The Help by Katherine Stockett
26. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
27. Bossypants by Tina Fey
28. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
29. Are you there Vodka? It's me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
30. Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
31. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
32. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
33. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
34. Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls
35. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
36. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
37. Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore
38. A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay
39. When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
40. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer
41. The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain
42. A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard
43. The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
44. Just Kids by Patti Smith

45.  The Kid by Sapphire

JENGA!!

So, I have this friend who always insists we play JENGA when we are visiting.  So, I promised I'd make a JENGA post one day :)

I haven't played this game since I was a kid, and I have to admit, it is a lot of fun (especially after a few beers :) )

Big Z: 6 Months!

Thinking about Zoey turning 6 months old actually made me tear up.  While it hasn't been THAT long, it has been forever, and I can't imagine life without her!!

 Not only that... but she can do all sorts of new tricks in the past month. (Don't mind some of the crappy cell phone pics!!)

Holding my Own Bottle!!

 

Crawling (oh goodness!) I should add, that this development has significantly decreased my productivity, reading, and blogging since I know spend half the day following her around!

 

Sitting up!!

And Just because I love this picture:

50 Books in 2011: August Update

1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
2. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
4. Room by Emma Donoghue
5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
6. The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
7. Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
8. Life by Keith Richards
9. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
10. State of Fear by Michael Crichton
11. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
12. Unbearable Lightness: A story of loss and gain by Portia de Rossi
13. It Could Happen to You: A Diary of Pregnancy and Beyond by Martha Brockenbrough
14. The Favourite Game by Leonard Cohen
15. Beautiful Losers by Leonard Cohen
16. Julie and Julia 365 Days 524 recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell
17. Memoirs of a Geisha by Aurthur Golden
18. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove by Christopher Moore
19. The World According to Garp by John Irving
20. The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Samaya Gowda
21. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
22. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
23. My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
24. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
25. The Help by Katherine Stockett
26. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
27. Bossypants by Tina Fey
28. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
29. Are you there Vodka? It's me Chelsea by Chelsea Handler
30. Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore
31. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
32. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
33. Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
34. Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls
35. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
36. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
37. Coyote Blue by Christopher Moore
38. A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay
39. When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman
40. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer
41. The Paris Wife by Paula Mclain
42. A Stolen Life: A Memoir by Jaycee Dugard
43. The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
44. Just Kids by Patti Smith

Big Z. 5 Months

ONE

TWO

THREE .

FOUR

FIVE!!!! . (Good Lord, she's HUGE!)

Indian Food Night!!!

So, as most know, I LOVE Indian food... like ridiculously...
Last night I made the MOST delicious dinner EVER!!

As always, I made my FAVOURITE, Palak Paneer
And tried 2 new recipes from one of my most favouritist blogs (Thibeault's Table) Gobi Aloo & Flatbread

p.s. the peas in the Gobi Aloo are from my garden!! :)

Vegetable Garden 2011: Rhubarb

Yummers!! I got some rhubarb from the shared space in the garden. I paired it with some raspberries my friend brought over last week and made a DELICIOUS crumble!!

Vegetable Garden 2011: MORE veggies!!!

BEANS BEANS BEANS!!!
turnip
carrots
zucchini

Family Mugshots Passport Photos

Seriously.... how freaking hilarious is Z?!
I still can't believe babies need passports!!