Be- Worry free

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I want to be like this lady, footloose and fancy free dancing in the sunset feeling great and worry free.

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Unfortunately I'm going on week 3 without a job and getting a little freaked out. And to tell you the truth the task of not worrying has always been a big one for me. 

What about you? Do you worry or let it all slide off your back?

And do you have a job for me? ;)

Love and Hugs

Wear- A Baby Boy!

I know this is a little late in the evening for my Wear Wednesday post but I couldn't resist, my brother Ryan and Britt are having a BOY! Yup that's right folks, I'm gonna be an aunt for the very first time to a little buddy!
Now lets get serious.....what am I going to buy him?

Well he will certainly need this groundhog onesie for his first Feb 2nd, no?

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And he can't go on his many camping trips without looking the part, right?

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I was thinking when the weather turns cold he may like to snuggle in his dogsled onesie.....

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And slip on this comfy crocheted loafers, I mean what little guy wouldn't love a pair of these!

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What do you think? Have you seen any other cute baby boy stuff I should know about as a conserning future Auntie?

Are you an Aunt or Uncle? What did you have to have for your little one? How do you feel about spoilling your niece or nephew? Completley warranted or totally not?

Love and Hugs

Be- Fearless

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HAHA! Isn't this funny?! Aren't we all waiting for a sign? I know I am, at all times. I've applied to probably 12 jobs in the last week and a half and not one called me back. WTF! You know what I have to do right?! Get out there and pound the pavement and sell myself. I wish that excited my soul but to tell the truth I'm terrified.

But if there was ever a sign to get off my ass, THIS IS IT!

What about you guys? Do you need a sign? Will this one do?

Love and Hugs

Freeforall- Family dinner party

We're heading out to Aunt Ann's tonight for eggplant parmesan and I need to bring something easy and delicious. I'm thinking of the good ole standby of rocket salad with gorgonzola, pears and walnuts.

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This one's got raisins in it which I won't be adding. Actually I think I'll just come up with my own recipe on the spot. Lots of cheese, a little green and some fruit. Sounds good, right?

What are you guys up to this weekend? Any fun plans or is it hibernating season where you're at?

Love and Hugs

Do- Immigrate to Canada

Holy fuck you guys. We are trying to keep all the hair on our heads and love in our marriage as we plug through the immigration procedures to have Vince legally in Canada.

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So that's where we'll be if you are looking for us in the next 8-11 months. URGH!

Trying to think, "rainbows and butterflies, rainbows and butterflies".

Love and Hugs

Taste- Winterlicious

2012 is here and along with it comes the tenth year of Toronto's annual food festival Winterlicious. Torontonians love to complain and this is no exception but personally I think it's great! It runs over Mom's b-day (Feb 7th) and you can get a prix-fixe menu for 25 bucks. What can be bad about that?

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This year Mom picked a locavore bistrot in Bloor West Village called Earth. Unfortunately the service has less than stellar reviews and we're hoping that was then and this year all the kinks will have been worked out. Either way the food sounds delicious and that's what it's all about. Check out the menu.

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$25 Dinner plus taxes and gratuity

Butternut Squash Consommé
Kohlrabi, sherry oil, fine herbs (vegetarian/local)
or
Romaine Hearts
Local Pecorino aioli, red fife smoked bacon crumb (vegetarian/local)
or
Ontario Game Country Pâté
Cranberry shallot chutney, baby lettuce, crostini (local)
or
Smoked Haddock Tart
Northern Orchards apple, grated hens egg, cornichon emulsion (local)


Wuxi Braised Wellington County Rib
Chili green bean salad, crispy sweet potato (local)
or
Seared Rainbow Trout
Braised chard, black cardamom carrots, Rosehall Run gastrique (local)
or
Spinach Maflada Pasta
Vidalia onion ragout, ricotta salata smoked cherry tomato oil (vegetarian/local)
or
Chicken Fried Mennonite Chicken
Maple yam purée, collard greens, buttermilk gravy (local)


Chocolate Flourless Torte
Cranberry peppercorn coulis (vegetarian)
or
Niagara Apple Crisp
Allspice infused cream (vegetarian/local)
or
Maple Walnut Tart
Smoked sultanas (vegetarian/local)
 

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I'll tell you I'm all over that vidalia onion/ricotta salata pasta and chocolate flourless torte! I mean Come ON!

Can't wait for you birthday Mom!

Do you guys have any foodie events in your town? Anything that gets you through the long dark weeks of Winter?


Love and Hugs

Wear- A Doggie's Wardrobe

Yesterday Sunny got a major makeover. She was behind on her grooming schedule due to our big move home and was in desperate need of a haircut. We took her to The Fur Factor and you can see the results for yourself....
 

The nice groomer lady gave Sunny a pretty little hankerchief that I think compliments her bright white hair very nicely. We will be keeping this as a special occasion scarf for dinner parties and the like.

No move to the great cold north would be complete without a red parka from Pet Valu. And this one is lined with fleece. Lucky puppy! I want one of those!

Finally for kicking around the house she also has a comfy fisherlady sweater in grey with toggle buttons. This one is a clear favourite.

What do you think of the complete makover? Do you remember her dreadlock rasta look from before? You can see some of it here and here.

And tell me, does your Dog have a few comfy cozies or am I just crazy?


Love and Hugs

Taste- Praises a Plenty

This Christmas Ryan and Britt got me a beautiful veggie cook book called Plenty. Have you heard of it? The author is a meat eating chef in London named Yotam Ottolenghi and I love him! His recipes are easy and so friggin flavorful.

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I couldn't resist trying the cover recipe of eggplant with buttermilk sauce and zatar. It was a hit! I would deffinitely use this one again for entertaining. It was so easy and would really make people think you tried extra hard.

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Next up is this mushroom polenta. Can you just taste it now?! The mushrooms at the grocery store are gorgeous right now and I can't wait to get my hands on them.

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Yotam's first cookbook was also a success simply named Ottolenghi- The Cookbook. And well my birthday is coming up so you know......just sayin'. ;)

What cookbooks or recipes are you loving right now?

Love and Hugs

Be- But how?

Oh man really?! Why can't everything be easy peasey around here anyways?

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I joined OA a month ago when I got home in Canada. Don't get me wrong I truly love it and am so greatful for the people and the organization and the rooms but sometimes I would just rather eat my face off you know? 

But I guess like they say above, sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same. And boy is that true for me right now. 

What about you? 

Freeforall- All hail the Auld Spot!

Well today is Friday and also my last shift at the ROM so what's a girl to do? Grab your husband and head to the corner pub near your place for a pint, right?!

In this case it will be The Auld Spot on the Danforth. I've heard good things and can't wait to try it out. They have poutine! Can you belive I've been home for over a month and I haven't had poutine yet?! I know I know, I'm on it.

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So here's to a nice cozy plate of fries, gravy and cheese and a tall glass of clamato to celebrate the incredibly hectic and exciting end to my two week contract at the ROM.

What are you kids getting into this weekend? Anything decandent or naughty? You know I'm curious!

Love and Hugs

Wear- your first day at work

Okay I know this isn't the best picture of me but it was my first day and I had to be there for 10am! Can you imagine? I woke up every hour after 4am scared shitless that my alarm didn't go off. I haven't had somewhere to be in almost 4 years!

Yeah so my hair suffered a bit but the rest doesn't look bad right?! ;) I'm wearing a spiffy new ROM blue shirt with black slacks and cardigan from Alfread Sung. And don't forget the watch! My paranoid self was checking it every ten minutes to make sure I was still here!

What do you guys wear to work? A uniform or no? And if you do wear a uniform do you like not having to choose your outfit every morning or feel bummed you have to wear the same thing every day?

Love and Hugs

Taste- Meyer Lemons

The key limes and meyer lemons are in at my corner grocery store and I couldn't resist buying a few bags full. I came home straight away to look for something other than pie to make with them.

And violà! Thanks to Amy from Minimally Invasive I found this gorgeous Meyer Lemony pasta recipe!

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Is your mouth watering or what? I know I know I should be posting my first Taste Tuesday of January 2012 with some kind of cleansing smoothie or something but how can lemons, argula, creme fraiche and pasta be bad for you?! 

I would even dare to say its a lot better for your soul than that carrot/daikon/plum lukewarm water drink I know I should be drinking right now.

Are you with me?!

Love and Hugs