Baby Fever?

Even though Luc and I know we're not ready to have kids just yet, it's really easy to fall in love with the idea of having our own son or daughter when we're hanging around with our adorable nieces every day. They constantly surprise us with how mature they've become; they're only 3 years old, and when we arrived at their house a few days ago, one of them sat down next to me, rested her little hand on my thigh and said, "so...when are you guys getting married?" They're so crafty and precocious...just now while putting them to bed, one of them said, "you know Auntie Kristen, I really think you should sleep with us tonight.."....anything to delay bedtime! 

I'm slowly realizing why there are so many prolific mommy bloggers around these days. If I had a kid right now, I think my blog would inevitably be dominated by their hilarious comments. Kids seriously do say the darnest things. EVERY DAY! SEVERAL TIMES A DAY! 

Despite all of the note-worthy scenes unfolding in front of me, I feel like I've switched off my "blog-brain" this past week. Typically, with everything that happens in my life there is a parallel commentary running in my head, writing something that I can use in my blog. Any fellow blogger will most likely relate to this - it's hard to turn off the writer up there. I don't know if I gave this writer in my head the week off or if, subconsciously, I know that this is one of the few weeks I have off each year and that I should cherish it by relaxing and using as minimal brain power as possible. Whatever it is, I'm feeling kind of flat, but in a good, mellow, "I don't have to think about doing the laundry or waking up for work", kind of way. 

This is where I live

Confessions

In first year university, I thought I invented the mocha.

Bet you didn't know this was possible

We've been living out of our suitcases since Saturday - we've already slept at 3 different houses and my frail body is having trouble adjusting to so many different pillows. Yesterday morning at breakfast I took a deep breath and threw out my neck and back - yes, you heard that correctly. I took a deep breath...and threw out my neck and back. Old ladies don't even do that. We're visiting with Luc's grandparents right now and his Nana is running circles around me. I feel...fragile. Last night when the family was sitting around chatting, I was reclined in the rocking chair with an ice pack saying things to Luc like, "dear...fetch me my wine, won't you?" We've got a volleyball tournament to play in this weekend back in his hometown so I'd better rest up and get my body functioning like a normal human being again. Despite my bizarre and embarrassing injury, vacation is wonderful. I still feel better than I do when I'm sitting at work.

#74 - Fire in the sky

74 - Watch a sunset

Each summer in Vancouver there is a string of nights where countries compete in, I guess what you would call a fireworks display contest called Celebration of Light. Each night a different country puts on a spectacular, large-scale fireworks display set to music. Everyone flocks to the beaches in the evening to stake a good blanket spot and cozy up for the show. Luc and I bolted straight to the beach from work to meet our friends for a little BBQ before the big show.

There's something incredibly relaxing about lounging on the beach in the evening - the afternoon crowds have thinned, the air feels still, the sun still gently warms your shoulders, the waves break in rhythmic swishing noises that can be heard over quiet murmurs from neighbouring blankets. After changing out of our work clothes, I took off my heels and dragged my feet slowly through the sand, swirling my toes along the surface then plunging them deeper, where the sand is still cool. There were so many perfect moments that it's better to just say it was a perfect evening all together. We inevitably took out the camera to capture the west coast beauty laid out before us, and I inevitably got carried away. It wasn't until after taking a long string of scenic pictures that I realized, "hey...the sun is setting, that's on my list of 101 things to do..."

I immediately stopped what I was doing and parked myself on a log to take in the ambiance of the setting sun. This was only after answering a flurry of questions from my friend regarding the validity of watching this sunset and being able to cross it off my list. There really weren't any specific rules or requirements, just me sitting somewhere and the sun setting in the sky. That's all! Just a peaceful few moments in appreciation of nature. Luc joined me and we both watched as the sun shone a fiery orange, slowly tumbling down behind the mountain range in the distance.

Thanks to Kate for taking this picture of us basking in the glow of the sunset ;)

When it would come in handy to be a gypsy

I'm currently trying to sort out (and very poorly negotiate a price on) our reception decor. I've watched those wedding shows on TLC where the brides talk the vendors down a few hundred dollars, but I always watch through squinted eyes, with my face in a full cringe. I've read that no prices are set in stone, but I just don't feel comfortable bartering over services. I think I'm also too naive in that I assume everybody will give me their best price without pulling the metaphorical wool over my eyes. When somebody says something is worth $400, I assume that it's worth $400, no less, and I don't get all sly and say, "ok....ok....but how about $300 for that AND the other fabrics?" It's not in my nature. Even when I've been in Mexico in the markets, I'm total crap at bartering...and if there were ever a place to do some hard core bartering, it's the markets in Mexico.

About five years ago I went to Cancun with four of my girlfriends and I learned a thing or two about one of them that I never knew: she can barter like a one-legged gypsy at a back alley rummage sale. It would go a little something like this:
"How much for this ring?"
"120 pesos..."
"WHHAAAAAT??? WHAT?? Are you KIDDING ME!!!"
....stunned look on the vendor's face, mouth agape...
"One hundred...and TWENTY PESOS!! WHHAAAAT??! ........I'll give you ten"
Vendor laughing hysterically.....
Then she works her gypsy magic and leaves with the ring for 20 pesos, meanwhile I'm at the stall next to her paying 350 pesos for my ring (that didn't fit when I got home and my swollen mexico fingers had unpuffed).

I don't expect to whittle every price down that's sent my way, but I would like to maybe make a decent negotiation here or there. I'm starting to realize though, that I'm the trusting type that can be easily swindled. BUT, I am also the type to try and make my own 60 foot chiffon swagged ceiling decor just to spite the vendor who wouldn't honour my request of $40 less!

#30: Spicy Adventures with Turkey Chili

30 - Come up with 12 healthy “go to” dinner recipes (2/12)

This recipe took a significant amount of experimentation - specifically with the spices. The first time making it we had to chase each bite with a mouthful of bread and a douse of milk to put out the inferno. I'll list the original measurements for the spices, and those of you brave enough can try it the way the recipe intended...everyone else, follow me, here we go...let's make chili!

Ingredients:
2 tsp butter
1 lb lean ground turkey
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 and 1/4 cup coarsely chopped red bell pepper
3/4 cup coarsely chopped white onion
2/3 cup coarsely chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder (original: 2 tsp)
1 tsp paprika (I do just a pinch less than 1 tsp)
1 tsp ground cumin (again, just a pinch less than 1 tsp)
1 pinch of ground hot cayenne pepper (original: 1/8 tsp)
14 1/2 oz plum tomatoes, chopped (canned with juice is best)
1/2 cup chicken stock

-Heat 1 tsp butter in a saucepan over high heat
-Add the turkey and season with salt & pepper
-Break up turkey and cook until browned thoroughly
-Remove turkey and keep in a covered bowl

-Reduce heat to med-low and heat 1 tsp butter
-Add red pepper, onion, celery and garlic, cooking for approx 5 mins or until vegetables begin to soften
-Add chili powder, paprika, cumin and cayenne pepper and cook, stirring for 1 min
-Increase heat to med-high and add tomatoes and chicken stock, stirring
-Bring to a boil over high heat
-Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15 mins
-Add the browned turkey, stir and simmer for 5 more minutes

-Serve with toasted english muffins (or at least that's what we like to do!)


*I would also like to point out that the recipe says "serves 4".....this is definitely only enough for 2 people!

2 sleeps 'til Christmas!

...or at least it feels like it. Saturday morning Luc and I have a flight to Saskatchewan and we're spending the following 10 days there visiting with friends and family. We have a week off work and we're using it to lounge around in the prairies, eating, drinking and hanging out with people we love. That, to me, is like Christmas. And you're probably thinking - no, what about Santa? What about presents? Well, Luc's mom makes loads of cinnamon buns and brews the best coffee I've ever tasted....that is a gift; eating cinnamon buns for breakfast EVERY MORNING for me is like unwrapping a shiny red bike....and washing them down with a magic brew of half decaf/half hazelnut coffee is the big ribbon the bike is wrapped in. It's bliss. If you're wondering where the Santa Clause part comes in, you should see Luc and me at the end of our Saskatchewan visits: fat and jolly.