Busy as a Bee

Kristen doesn't stop much....his latest projects:

Completed the rest of the planters down along the fence...notice only 1 flower yet...the rest are bulbs that were just planted...hope they start coming up soon.

Then the bright idea to do MORE planters around the air conditioner and to add lots of tomatoes plants to muffle the noise (not that it's THAT loud but if you're an a/c owner you know what I mean) and we like tomatoes so it all works out :)And then there's his Home Brew....the bottle next to the carboy is actually the beer FROM the carboy...looks great eh? Just like he bought it from the store. He's getting much better at perfecting his recipe. I honestly can't tell you if it tastes good cause I'm not a beer drinker but Kristen and his friends all seem to like it :)

Smoked Pork Loin

Before: pork loin stuffed with cilantro, tomatoe, garlic, onion (shallots) and jalapeno peppers

Pork loin slowly cooking on grill with smoke packs (see post about smoked ribs for smoke pack instructions

Finished product....yummy!

Kristen is quite the cook, don't you agree?

Caught in the Act

So I was pretending to be a photographer & Kristen took this picture. I was testing out the zoom lense we have (it's not very good thus the tri-pod trying to keep the camera as steady as possible) Keep reading for some of the photos I was attempting...

Hosta with rain dropsMore flowers in our front yard

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End last night at theatres (selected theatres were airing 8pm showings)

I must say it's not my favourite of the 3....the first one is still that. However, I did like it more than the 2nd.

As I was watching I was thinking to myself I'm really enjoying this movie even though it's not amazing like I thought it would be...then there's the "TWIST" and for me it made the movie. I was NOT expecting it in any way, shape, or form.

Here's the link on MSN movies which shows some clips and the trailer (if I remember correctly) I can't paste the official website cause I'm forbidden to access it here at work...oops.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=581693

Don't know if I'd recommend everyone to rush out to theatres to see it (effects are better if you do though, and I would go see it again but it's because I'm a fan) but definitely rent it on DVD when it's released.

Pictures

Wanted to post some of my latest Pics:

This is a spirea which Kristen has since planted up in our backyard.

And this was Kristen outside waiting for his ride to ball hockey the other night. I was trying to sneak pics through the window to get a "different angle" and if he knew I was taking photos he would run away and make them look dumb. I hate when people do that, they make themselves look silly in pictures by doing that. That's why they "never" take a nice picture...hmm...what a concept. You photo hatin' people out there should ponder that.

Are ya Hungry?

Today I will share pictures of...my favourite...FOOD!

These are the shish-ka-bobs I put together the other day. This is the before picture...once again too much of a savage to take a pic of the finished product. They were good though :)

And if you're ever stumped what to make for breakfast on the weekends...make this:

BLT's with Fried eggs....YUM!

May 24 weekend in review

Friday: Went camping.....these are some of the wind mills we drove past on the way.

Esau was playing when we arrived

Saturday: Went to some yard sales and the farmers market.

Then the kids played:

Saw this BIG creepy spider

Then hung out around the fire, in between rain showers:

And finally...later that night it cleared up enough for the boys to take out the guitars:

Sunday: Just relaxed and watched some movies.

Monday: Kristen built planter boxes for me : )

I have to finish planting up the other 2 tonight....these will be my cutting garden...so exciting.

Patience is a Virtue

I had my first mini road rage yesterday...well gas pump rage. I am a very patient person (or I think so anyway) and yesterday while waiting for my turn at the gas station (very long line ups) I backed up to let the vehicle go and when I went to pull back up another guy took my spot.
Apparently the pump behind the van (which I couldn't see) wasn't working, so this guy instead of going and waiting in line like everyone else, drove around the pylon in front of the broken pump and butted in!!! I was pissed! I did the two hand "what the hell" pose and he just shook his head at me. So I put the car in park, through off my seat belt and down went the window. I pretty much went flailing out and was like "DUDE ...you could have backed up and let me have that pump" ...yes I said dude...To which he replied "doesn't work..." in a deep dumbass tone, and motioned to the one behind him. Me being in hissy fit mode make a really loud "huff" and got back in the window. I was fuming...he could have said sorry or said I didn't realize it til I pulled up, or said something to try & explain a little bit but Noooooo...just goes and not only fills up his car but a gas can too! THEN the nerve...when he's finished waits for me to back up to let him go instead of going back the way he came. And didn't even wave to thank me for moving out of his way. I should have stayed still and made him back up.
Anyway...a couple in an SUV next to me saw the whole thing...when I finally pulled up to the tank I said to the lady, I'm normally very patient but that really annoyed me. She said, no you're right he was very rude. Well at least "someone" agreed with me and I wasn't just PMS'ing or maybe I was which is why I reacted the way I did...anyway off topic and not the point. I got home and told Kristen about it and he told me I was turning into a redneck...funny funny...but I really don't normally get on like that. I take the 401 EVERY day and with all the jerks on the road I still don't over-react or even give the finger when I really want too.
I just want to know what happened to common courstesy and manners? And waiting your turn, being a good neighbour, or good 'ol chivalry where a man steps aside for a lady? Are we so caught up in ourselves and where we're headed that we just don't care about the common good of man....or do we have a mentality of I'll get them before they get me attitude?
I don't know honestly....but it's discouraging if this is going to be the "norm" of the future. You know this never would have happened "back in the day"...if anything, the argument would have been over who should "go" to the pump rather than arguing over who the theif was.
And yes, I have remorse for my outburst because if I do not put in check my own actions then who will? And if I continue the behaviour then I'm contributing to the problem, not the solution. I think it's time that we get back to the good old fashioned values....at least back then they kept things simple, they were happy and most of all they were "patient"

Exploit the Negative

You MUST read this:

http://waiterrant.net/?p=450

Smoked Ribs

Remember a LONG time ago I was telling you how Kristen was going to smoke some ribs for me....well here's the pics of that and the jest of how to make them:

1) Using pliers, peel the membrane off the back of the ribs

2) Using dry ingredients rub into rinsed and dried ribs.

*There are a LOT of different recipes to use as a dry rub. The easiest is to buy a bottle of Clubhouse seasoning of your choice and sprinkle away. I think here we used Steakhouse Pepper (cause it's my favourite)

3) While rubbing the ribs, have half of your wood chips soaking in water (we used apple flavour)

4)Make foil packs of wood chips, half dry and half wet (about a handful of each)

5) Poke holes in foil.

6) Pre-heat bbq, then place wood chips on lower grill

7) When it starts to smoke add ribs to upper grill...lower heat as low as possible

8) Smoke packs should last about 50 minutes, then replace with your next pack. Continue smoking for approx. 2 hours and baste with your choice of bbq sauce when you change the smoke pack. Otherwise keep the lid on the grill CLOSED! You do not want the heat or smoke escaping.

10)And voila! Remove from grill and tent with foil for about 10 minutes to retain the juices.

And here you have the finished product...we barely got this picture cause we were eating away when we remembered....oops :) Serve with your favourite side dish.

Bon Appetite!

We have a Fence

We have a fence...it's "almost" completed...it's so great having our own space. We only have to put lattice on top but I really don't know if it'll be done this summer since ourselves and neighbours are feeling the pinch of building a fence and trying to get settled in our homes. We'll see how the summer goes.

Here are the post after they were installed.

And all the "boys" in the neighbourhood working on their own fences.

Kristen making his contribution to the backyard fences, and here's the almost finished product.

So Friday night I did my cleaning and was in bed pretty early. Saturday morning Kristen and I were awake at 6 freaking 30 ...cause Kristen couldn't wait to go to some yard sales...I could have strangled him....lol. Around 7:30 we finally headed out the door and to some yard sales. I spent $1.10 :) I got some travel stickers, some veggie stickers and a double set of alphabet die cuts. Only scrapbookers have a clue what I'm talking about and have a clue of how good a deal this is. And all the proceeds were going to Breast Cancer...win win!

Then we went grocery shopping and bought some herbs for our garden. I have to post pictures..we have rosemary, thyme, parsley, spearmint and peppermint.

Then the boys started at the fence and Myrna came to help me finish my painting...when she first called to say she was coming by to help I thought gee I really don't want to do this today but I knew it was exactly the kick in the pants I need to get it finished and boy am I glad it feels so good and I love my house even more now:

Yesterday Kristen and I finished cleaning up the backyard and last night we watched Alpha Dog and The Hitcher. The Hictcher was okay, some jumpy parts and the some of your typical cheesy scary movies things. As for Alpha Dog I must say I REALLY liked this movie, I think mainly because it's based on a true story...here's a link Kristen found about it: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16636250/

And here's some pictures of some of the front yard gardening we've been working on

And that's all for now....Happy Monday!

Things you Cannot Recover

I may have posted this before but here it is again....

I have lots planned again for this weekend, we had our fence posts put in this week so I think Kristen will be working on the fence. I didn't get ANY painting done so I'm hoping to attempt that...but we'll see :)

I won't talk about Grey's like I normally do but want to say what a great show and cannot wait for next week!

And for the Mother's...Happy Mother's Day and this quote:

"I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is." - Oprah

Air Miles

What a mess Air Miles had me in yesterday. Let me explain...
All winter I had been calling here and there to see if the flights for West Jet from Toronto to Nfld had been released. It had to be West Jet because it would only cost us 1800 air miles instead of 3600 air miles if we flew Air Canada. Every time I called I would obviously get a different person since I think it's basically a call centre, and one would say keep calling back because the west jet flights could be uploaded at anytime, then finally I get a girl who says all flights for Deer Lake won't be uploaded until May 14th since that's when West Jet will start flying into Deer Lake, then Myrna's husband Jamie told me he was told the same thing so I thought okay, fair enough, that makes sense. Meaning...I stopped calling.
I called Air Miles yesterday to confirm flights were still being uploaded on Monday and the guy that answered the phone was like "what are you talking about?" long story short the flights were uploaded AGES ago and all the dates I wanted, to go home, were SOLD OUT! Yes, sold out...so the guy started trying different dates and couldn't get anything to work out for me.
Since I had called from work (hey I was wasting my last 10 minutes of the day) I drove home so distracted that I honestly don't remember half the drive. Ate some dinner and then got on the computer to start pricing flights, which were WAY out of our price range. So I go on the phone again....was holding 20 freaking minutes before someone finally answered and was able to book a flight home, have to say thank you to the guy that answered he was so helpful and patient with me, I'm thinking he heard the desperation in my voice :) We only have 8 days home but it's better than not going at all.
But I was so upset, I just don't understand why this one girl was telling everyone something that wasn't true. Did she hate her job so much that she just couldn't have been bothered to help a customer? We're just lucky that this worked out for Kristen and I, but who's to say Jamie and Myrna are going to be able to get their flights and they are NOT flexible with their dates like Kristen and I were.
Anyway that's my complaint session for today...have a good one everybody...it's another hot one for those of you in the GTA :)

McHappy Day

I'm really not one to promote McDonalds or eating fast food but today is McHappy Day where $1 of your purchase of a Big Mac, Happy Meal or McMuffin Sandwich goes to a charity in the community.

Check out the website and maybe make one of your meals today count towards a good cause :)

http://www.mcdonalds.ca/en/index.aspx

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Kayla!

Affluenza

Reading this article from Chatelaine about "Affluenza" by Heather Mallick...just want to copy/paste some of the points of the article that really stuck out to me:

Affluenza is British psychologist Oliver James word for a "contagious middle-class virus causing depression, anxiety, addiction and ennui" stemming from a hunger for money, flashy possessions, youthful good looks and fame.
Real estate: Since when did a home become an investment, rather than a place where the children felt safe?
Work: When was the last time someone told you they loved their job and respected the company they worked for?
Appearances: Facelifted women look eight months younger, sure, but they look as if they've been injected with The Fear.
City tractors: I cannot respect anyone driving a Hummer unless they are actually towing combine harvesters from farm to farm. But people buy these things to drive a block or two, always with a smug look, as though they are masters of all they survey.
Fame: This one is truly perverse. Fame is fleeting. Success in a glass menagerie such as show business makes aspirants less secure, not more so, which explains why so many celebrities divide their time between performing and rehab.

The vaccine to the virus, James says, is to be, rather than to have. Aim for authenticity rather than presenting a flawless face. Instead of buying compulsively, follow the artist William Morris's rule and own nothing that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
Finding and keeping a job is terrifying. So cut down on the pointless spending that keeps you on the brink. Appreciate your non-monster home and your small gas-conserving car. Buy clothes that last for years, not just a season. Remember that your children, not you, come first.

Want less.

Facebook & Neighbours

What a great weekend!!...for so many different reasons. First I had a much needed "Christa" weekend...I didn't do half of what I had hoped as mentioned in my last post but I did do enough :) Friday I relaxed...and did a bit of laundry.
Saturday I slept in til about 9:30 (it was so great) and then made breakfast, spent some time on the computer...checking emails, checking Facebook, doing some banking and uploading the rest of my Cuba pictures to the Costco website so I can email them in for printing. Then did all my house cleaning, finished my laundry, baked some cookies and then spent the afternoon in the backyard with Steph and Tristan. When she left, I decided to go back out since it was such nice weather and ended up chatting with my neighbours both the "left side" and "right side" people.
And boy do I have awesome neighbours! The ones on the right are a couple around the ages of Kristen and I (they are recently engaged) and the ones on the left are two brothers I would guess a wee bit older than Kristen and I but not much.
I just have to say how fascinating they all are...they all have their passions and backgrounds that make them such interesting people. On the right we have the artist/musician & the chef, on the left we have an antique collector/photographer and a traveller. Then I look at Kristen who is the hunter/hockey player & myself who's a hodge podge of doesn't know what she wants or who she is ....lol. Let's see....I'm the amateur scrapbooker/photographer, recipe tester, not so good vball player and blogger :) have I summed it up?
Anyway..it's not the point...the point is I love my neighbours. Today we actually start putting in our fences (battle lines have been drawn!) no seriously though, I totally believe good fences make good neighbours and I don't want to ruin what we have because in all the places Kristen and I have lived the past few years (it's a lot) this has been my favourite place and the best neighbours thus far.
So back to Facebook....I've met up with an old friend who has her own website for clothes that she's designs...please if you have time click the link and take a look at her stuff. I really think she has talent and considering buying one of the pieces that really caught my eye when I was looking. It's http://deenasdesigns.tripod.com/index.html
Happy Monday everyone! It's a beautiful day out there :)

Grey's Spoiler

So if you haven't seen last nights episode of Grey's Anatomy yet...this IS a spoiler. I just HAVE to talk about it....
Can NOT believe George kissed Izzy....I have such mixed emotions about it all. Cause I love Calle especially when she looked like she was going to kick Christina's ass for asking her to be a bridesmaid :) But then George and Izzy are best friends so it just makes sense.
Then there's Meredith's dad whacking her in the face...brutal, just brutal.
AND Addison's spin off show, I'm already a fan but deep down I still want her to hook up with McSteamy so I don't know...see how that pans out.

This weekend....oh the options....
Kristen is going with a couple of the boys Turkey hunting. And I am REALLY looking forward to a weekend to MYSELF! My only problem...I don't know what to do cause there are so many things I could do.
Tonight I've decided to do all my cleaning, laundry and possibly see if I can finish up painting the main floor...I know HIGH hopes :) but if I can then I have all day Saturday to do whatever I damn well please. What a feeling!!
So some of the ideas swirling around are....first I get to SLEEP IN! then there's scrapbooking, but the weather is supposed to be really nice. Just be outside, doing what? I'm not exactly sure yet, go for a walk, go shopping (even though the $ is little) do some gardening, cause I have my cutting garden to get planted up. And then there's always good 'ol photography...I've been wanting to get out and take some pictures since I have a couple rolls of film just itching to be exposed and whenever I read these blogs:
http://lisarusso.typepad.com/lrp_the_blog/
http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/
I'm inspired to get out and take some snaps. Mind you, I don't have the talent, knowledge or techonology these ladies have, but it's definitely something to aspire to. I'm slowing learning more about photography and loving it more and more when I do.
Saturday night I think I will make it a night to pamper myself...have a bath, do the manicure, peticure, etc, cook myself I nice meal that I love and normally wouldn't cook since it may not be one of Kristen's favourites, and then watch CHICK FLICKS! Not sure which ones yet, I'll decide that tomorrow.
And then Sunday lunchtime Kristen will be home and we'll have the rest of the weekend together. We might even have some company to entertain for dinner but not sure on that yet.
Anyway...have a GREAT weekend everyone! I know I will :)

Cool Hunting Pictures

For those of you who aren't really into hunting and the like you may not want to look at the following link...no it doesn't show gutts and all that gross stuff but it does show some kills that a few hunters made. If you don't agree with it, then don't click the link.

For all the rest of you, who can appreciate the value of a good hunt and that it's not about the kill only but enjoying nature, and so on. Click this link that Kristen emailed to me...some really cool photos!
http://www.excaliburcrossbow.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=17858

And I end with this quote in honour of all you hunters out there who do it morally and for the right reasons:
"Remember, trophies are measured by the time and energy expended to get them, not the size or quantity of the quarry "

Boring Post

Went to Kristen's ball hockey game last night. They lost...but it did put me in better spirits to just be out of the house and doing "summer" things even though it was quite cold out last night.
Kristen has been doing lots of bbq'ing but I honestly haven't had time to put the recipes on here or take pictures. I did get pictures of the ribs but haven't uploaded the pics yet. When I do I'll be sure to put it here for your mouth watering pleasure.
Don't know what else....here's a quote for the day...Have a good one!
"It doesn't matter how you come to it...just that you do: Finally recognize that no one is responsible for your life but you." -- Oprah Winfrey

A Bunch 'O Stuff

Land broken into/onto: I don't really know how to say it correctly. We found out over the weekend that a bunch of teenage kids broke "on to" the land and broke "into" the cabin and motorhome that's there. They burned all the firewood, picnic tables and fence. And I think they stole a few things, like the trail cam that Uncle Brian had set up. It makes me mad that kids can be so disrespectful, I can even see them going and having a fire and burning all the firewood, even breaking into things to be nosey and possibly to steal stuff but what blows me away is burning picnic tables and the fence...I just don't see the purpose behind it. But then the kids can't have many morals or common sense to begin with if they're up to no good anyway.

Mini summer makeover: I'm attemping a makeover...very small one. I've been doing a tan once a week in efforts to maintain a bit of my colour since returning from Cuba (might start doing more until the weather warms up), a couple of Friday's ago I got a haircut and my bangs trimmed, they were supposed to be side bangs but I ended up with actual bangs...we won't get into that. And since Sunday I've started whitening my teeth with Crest white strips but they make my teeth ache like crazy...I'll stick with it though. I've also purchased a box of hair dye (blonde) which I need to get done sometime this week. I know once everything is done I'll still look the same but just the small tweaks here and there will hopefully put me in better spirits for the summer coming.

Pick Me UP: The mini makeover is an attempt to boost my spirits as I've been a bit down lately. I don't really want to get into it, but let's say this....I believe our lives have different areas, lifestyle, friends, work, home, hobbies (which probably falls under lifestyle) ...either way you get the point...and one of these areas has been bothering me lately. I am working on making it a better situation but in the meantime until it's where I want it to be, I'm doing what I can to keep myself in an optimistic nature which brings me to the quote of the day from Oprah's website and which I think is appropriate for me:
"Faith is not simply a patience which passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit which bears things...with blazing serene hope." -- Corazon Aquino