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Saturday, February 24, 2007

In bloom!


The tulips are gorgeous! They are just beginning to open now and are revealing their dramatic centres. The colour brings a whole lot of cheer to my apartment.

And, at the risk of being the crazy woman who takes too many pictures of her cat, here is another photo of Millie. She flaked out in the most unusual place - precariously perched on a little end table with her head resting on the futon arm. The shot is dark because I turned off the flash so as not to wake her. Must leave sleeping kitties lie.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Snow Similes

When I woke up this morning it was snowing! It was as if someone picked up Toronto, turned it upsidedown and shook, then put it back down until all the snow covered the ground again. The snow flakes were huge, like feathers, really cold and wet feathers.
And then by 10am it had stopped, the sun came out, it was mild and the snow melted into slush.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

A lovely surprise!

Today, at work, I got a call that a package had arrived for me at reception. FLOWERS! What lovely surprise! They certainly brightened up my day (and will for days to come).

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

"Let's get this Boeing going"

Dear WestJet,

I have to thank you for making my flights to and fro enjoyable again. For the last 5 years I've been in the habit of falling asleep before the plane even leaves the tarmac just to make the flight go by faster (and because that's the only thing you can do when you're sitting in the fetal position for almost 2 hours).

Since I've been flying with WestJet, I've been flying in luxury - with room to move (to cross my legs even!), satelite tv to watch and, best of all, entertaining and courteous pilots, flight attendants and check-in staff. It's very clear to me that they enjoy their jobs and take pride in working for WestJet. I'm always impressed by their sense of humour - their corny jokes and their clever puns. They don't take themselves too seriously like those stuffy AirCanadians!

Thank you making my flight thoroughly enjoyable. (And for not seating me in the back or right over the wing where I can't see anything like they always did on AirCanada ... And for leaving the seat between me and the next person empty ... And, since I had the extra room, for letting me knit ... And for seating me beside two very good looking and friendly seatmates on the to & from trip this time ... And for carrying Diet Pepsi instead of Coke products.)

AirCanada has nothing on you!

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Built in a day

Rome wasn't, but the little church that sits in the middle of a cemetery just beside the Inn where I'm staying, was.


Apparently, as I was told, the community decided they needed a church, so they all stopped what they were doing and spent a day building one. It's construction is fairly simple and I'm not sure how old it is, but I thought this was an interesting contrast to my current surrounds and even my current situation.

I had a chance to wander around today in a city I call home but hardly know at all. And I was blown away by the beautiful architecture. It's a photographer's dream here. There are so many varying styles of architecture - from the rough sea worn vessels, to the stone and wood buildings along the Historic Properties, to the whimsical patterns pressed into the stones that built the Courthouse. (I promise to post pictures when I get back home).

None of these buildings were built in a day, that's for sure!

And yet a day can change everything. I'm here with the hopes that my life will change direction (East, to be exact), all because of a single day. For the community who built their church in a day, it must've taken a lot of hardwork and tenacity (I mean, what difference would it make for it to take 2 days?!), and faith.

Tomorrow is my "church-building day".

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Comfort food on a cold day


There's nothing better than a bowl of risotto on a cold day (-22 C to be exact). It's filling and delicious and warms the body and the soul.
I made this over the weekend for a potluck. The recipe makes quite a bit, it's vegetarian (as long as you use vegetable broth), and you can make a lot of variations of the recipe.
The recipe is so good that I have to share it! So here it is, courtesy of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine:
Risotto with Peas & Zucchini

2
cans (14.5 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
1 to 2 large zucchini (1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch cubes, peeled
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1. Heat broth and 2 1/2 cups water in a small saucepan over low heat; keep warm. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add zucchini; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until zucchini is golden, 8 to 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer zucchini to a plate.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add onion; cook until soft, 5 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Raise heat to medium. Add rice; cook, stirring, until translucent around edges, about 3 minutes. Add wine; cook until absorbed, about 2 minutes.
3. Cook, adding 1 cup hot broth at a time (stir until almost all liquid is absorbed before adding more), until rice is tender, 25 to 30 minutes total.
4. Add zucchini and peas; cook until peas are bright green, 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining tablespoon butter and Parmesan. Serve, topped with more cheese.

Per serving: 347 calories; 7.9 grams fat; 10.7 grams protein; 52.2 grams carbohydrates; 3.1 grams fiber