On major procrastination!!!

Alright, I thoroughly admit it yet once more, I've been lazy and procrastinating! I haven't posted in a very long time for various reasons (yes, excuses, excuses).

Our month of August was completely devoted to Ramadan. Salem's mom stayed with us for the month and helped out with the food, probably saved us money by not giving us the opportunity to eat out for the whole month although the grocery bills were still considerable even though eating was limited to "after dark". Oh well!! It was a good month overall.

I feel bad as I have been taking lots of pictures with my new iPhone but I have been posting them onto Facebook as I still have not taken the necessary time to look into uploading our pictures to our external server and linking to here (Flickr wants me to pay in order to have more than 200 pictures on my account). I'll need a bit of time to figure out the picture thing as this week is just a wee bit crazy. As of Sunday, I had my whole week booked: a friend coming over to do Saem's mom's hair colour, my class, learning to make zucchini relish, going to the gym and a wake. Not to mention a possible trip to Upper Canada Village on Saturday and needing to cash in my Felix and Norton cookie coupons in the Old Port before 5 pm on Sunday. Ahhh!

So, what's this class? I've decided to take a course (comes with a spiffy certificate at the end) in Digital Marketing (using digital media). I have never been trained in marketing but always ended up doing marketing work. This move only makes sense as it'll make me a lot more effective in my job and with the services I offer to my freelance clients. Salem also just signed up for a class although completely unrelated to what I do. Perhaps I'll get him to finally post on here by encouraging him to talk about his course. Somehow, I'm not too convinced on just how well that will work. Ha!

In other news, I moved to the IT department a month ago, new desk, new neighbours (yay and nay), and (Alhamdullillah - thank God) a new wall between me and my closest co-worker - long story! Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to be decorating it. I need plants for my desk, I may get a little desk lamp (for those dreary winter days) and put up some pictures. I'm also considering bringing in some personal artwork. What's awesome about my new desk space? why, I have 3 windows right next to me. Woohooo!!!!!

What else, what else???? Oh yes! The family is growing! No, there's no bun in my oven!!! Salem's sister and her husband are pregnant!!! Yes, yours truly will be an aunt! Salem will be an uncle! And one poor child will now have to suffer with having me as their cracked aunt! I'm already in total auntie mode although I can't really send anything over anymore until the baby's gender is determined. Booo!!!!! So, expect a post with lots of caps, exclamation marks and baby pictures in the spring. Yayyyy!!!

I think that about covers everything for the time being. Life is getting back to normal but not without me wanting to start a bunch of new projects. I'll share them as I go along. Insha'Allah (god willing), I can figure out this picture thing shortly - I have so much food porn to share with you!

A little time off...

Ok, so we're fallen into the trap of not posting for a while. We had visitors from out of town for a week or so (so of course it was another week of chaos before they arrived) and then Salem and I also celebrated our first anniversary.

Salem surprised me with an overnight trip to Mont-Tremblant where we walked in the pedestrian village at the base of the mountain and stayed at a beautiful hotel (we got to enjoy the hot tub!). It was a great weekend trip to get away from the city. We'll make sure to bring our hiking shoes next time though (woopsies!).

I hope to start posting regularly again within the next few days. Salem and I have a lot of things to get started on and other projects to finish up. I have pictures I want to put up on here too - our trip to Tremblant, some of the art projects I did around the apartment, etc etc etc.

So here's to hoping I;ll be back in a few days with another post and maybe even some pictures! I hope you are all enjoying the nice weather!

Nice weather and a lazy Sunday

Well, it would seem I need to catch up on my postings so here goes.

Two weeks ago, we had the luck of having wonderful weather (warm), to the point where Salem decided to take me out to Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue for supper on a terrasse and some walking. We ended up going to Peter's Cape Cod, had fish & chips and a tuna steak. Both were quite yummy and we later on went to a coffee shop to discuss our upcoming summer trip. Needless to say, not much was accomplished as Salem was low on energy, went on a sugar high (chocolate and coffee) and then crashed!!

The construction of the new MUHC super-hospital is in full-swing!

Yayy! Fresh air!

It was a bit cool but still nice to be outside.

Bwahahaha! Stalking random people!

I love you bi!

And a lazy Sunday...

We just bummed around the following day after shopping for camping equipment.

Salem is enumerating something... most likely something political such as "Why I should rule the world".

In total relaxation mode... woof!

And I decided to accessorize my nails:

With little 5-petal flowers and dots. Cute.

A brand new car!!!!

Actually, it's not brand new, but it's new for us!

Salem and I are also planning our upcoming trip to the Maritimes this summer. It will be a road trip with hotel, B&B and camping! Yes, CAMPING!!!! I'm going nuts, researching things, looking for a tent and stove and the basic necessities. I am looking for it and Salem seems a bit... well, it seems he's not too thrilled. I'm taking this opportunity and running with it. A chance to get away from the city and all the noise! WOOOHOOOOO!!! I hope we can eventually work our way up to canoe-camping (backpacks, a canoe, a tent, some basic food and your survival skills). Yayyy!!!!!

Alright, enough blabbing, time to sit back and relax!

Comment people!!!

Ok, so I know I'm not the best at updating this blog and maybe sometimes I'm not posting about things that are super interesting, but I would like to hear what you think of things. Maybe you have a topic to propose or a comment on what you would like me to post about.

Also, what's nice about comments is that you know if people are actually reading your blog or are you basically just throwing pages of written text into the ocean, to be adrift for the rest of time...

Commenting is easy, just click on the "comments" button on the left-hand bottom of my posts and type in what you have to say. Don't forget to click "Publish" in order to send off your comment.

I'm really looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Some kind of news soon, I hope!!!!

Well, it seems that much of Salem and I's free time is taken up by our search for a new car. Spending all this time searching online at various sites and then making appointments to see cars and then getting out there only to be disappointed either in the car itself or the service... Yeah.

See, if it were just a "whatever" car, then it wouldn't matter, but we are trying to find something that will be good for us now and 5+ years down the road when there may be kids down the road. We are looking for quality (sorry Hyundai, that's where you need to bow out) but without spending some nutso amount on a car.

Meanwhile, I am feeling a bit sad for our current car - we'll be saying goodbye to a car we have so many memories with and who, quite surprisingly, has never given us any major problems. It's silly how we get attached to objects sometimes.

Hopefully our next update will be one containing good news.... Any day now! Any day now! Come on!

The NHL needs to come down hard on punishing players

While I did not watch last night's game where the Canadiens de Montréal  played against the Boston Bruins on home ice, I did hear about the sickening hit that Pacioretty took last night at the hands of Zdeno Chara. I decided to take a look at the video when I got to work and what I saw made me feel sick and my blood run cold.

If you want to take a look at a video, here's the link to a video on the RDS site.

The latest news is that Pacioretty is recovering, but no other information has been given out. After reviewing the video, I believe that Chara had the intent to hurt another player, just look at the way he sets it up and carries through on the move. Also, I have heard from quite a few commentators and former players that the area where Pacioretty hit the boards/glass is a spot all players dread - it's a post at the end of the player's bench, wrapped in many layers of padding. Now I am willing to argue the point as to whether Chara knew who he was sending into the boards or whether his intent was to cause such a severe injury (Pacioretty was out cold for a few minutes, carried away on a stretcher and kept overnight at a hospital for observation).

I think the NHL needs to/has to/MUST start handing out much more severe punishments when it comes to any uncalled-for moves during a game. Players have been injured, unable to play for a few games, out for the rest of the season and even had their careers ended because other players figured they could make a move to injure another player and never suffer any consequences. I don't care what team you play for, I don't care who you injured and I don't care what your name is - these kinds of actions have been tolerated for too long - players must face the consequences of their actions!

Like I said, players have previously been injured and been out for a few games, a few weeks, the rest of a season and some have had to end their careers because of injuries suffered at the hands of other, careless players. So here is a good question: How long before someone dies?

I hope the NHL gets tougher on punishments. And if all else fails, remove all players' equipment and padding and let them play simply with pants, socks, jerseys, skates and a stick. Lets see how hard they hit then!

My wishes of speedy recovery to Pacioretty.

I got a new lunch box!!!!

So my father and MaryAnn gave me a gift certificate for my birthday. I have already purchased a few items with it (a wooden comb, a tank top and a metal lunch box). I just couldn't resist! It's Hello Kitty! I now have it at my desk and am using it to store snacks and teas. :-)

So cute!

It's March - snow is all par for the course!!

Ok, people have been complaining about winter and the snow on the radio all day today. Guess what - this happens every March! Winter isn't even close to over until April when it comes to Montreal. I honestly think people complain too much about the weather. You don't like all the snow? Move to Florida like the rest of the "snow" birds (shouldn't they be called "sun hogs" or something?).

Here's what I was greeted with this morning as I was making my way to the metro by foot - I wasn't sure my bus was ever going to show up and I didn't want to risk missing the train. Sure, it was snowing, semi-plowed and windy but at least it wasn't cold.

Trust me, my legs were going well below the posted speed limit.

I would also like to take this opportunity to ask  co-worker (who isn't a follower on my blog) "Who shit in your Kashi this morning?".... or every morning in your case! Stomp being grumpy all the time, stop all the kvetching and be happy about something for once, no? Bah!

My birthday yet again! And more snowwww - yet again!!!!

This weekend, I celebrated my birthday with a few friends over at Ciné Express. I've now decided that Ciné Express is very hit or miss. Salem and I met at this very place and we used to go to just grab some food and hang out. A few years ago, it went all downhill (only one waitress for the whole place on shift and I ended up wearing some of the beer that fell from a glass off her tray). We hadn't returned until about a year ago - they had renovated and our usual waitress was there to serve us. We were happy! We're returned a few times since and service was always good. Well, not so last Saturday. The waitress rarely came around and when she did, she took one person's order only to turn and leave before anyone else got to put in their order. After getting sick of waiting, I took down everyone's dessert order to bring it to the counter. After complaining to the guy behind the counter, he told our waitress to take care of things to which she started telling me "I went back many times and no one was ready to order"... Bah! BS! We got our orders in, half of their cakes were no longer available, etc. I was none too impressed, read even a bit embarrassed for picking this place! I don't think we will be returning.

Next time: party at my place - BYOC (bring your own chair). Honestly! Don't talk back to the customer when they have to go and do your job for you. Here are some pictures though, we at least got a couple of good laughs and I got to spend some time with friends. :-)

It was a dark and stormy night...

... a pair of lovebirds were cuddling on a couch, seeking shelter from outside...

While Sabrina was busy giving physicals and Adam... well it seems he was busy using Sabrina as a back rest! ;-)

Ok, I will admit, the couches are good for large groups of people..

Chris even joined us!

Lisa - post parking disaster - with Caro and Salem.

Cheeeeeeese!

Some little extra birthday tidbits i never got around to posting about!

Salem surprised me with a wonderful bouquet of flowers on my birthday! He even thought to lower the bedroom temperature so the flowers wouldn't get hot between his lunch hour and my arrival! Honestly, I never wouldn't thought about this.

I especially loved the irises, lillies and the frilly yellow rose!

I made some small double-chocolate birthday cookies to celebrate (no cake this time around)! They were AMAZING!!! We're still finishing them off now. Recipe to come soon.

They may look like miniature cow patties but they sure as heck don't taste like them!

It's Caro's birthday!!! Lets stuff our faces!!!!

It was my birthday on Monday/Tuesday and as is customary with weekday birthdays - the birthday experience takes place over a few days.

I celebrated with my immediate family on Sunday evening by going to Elixor in the West Island. Yummies were eaten by all!! Here are some pictures!

The peeps!!

The celebrators: Dad, Salem, the birthday girl, Mary Ann and Mom.

With Dad and Mary Ann - Totally loving Mary Ann's shirt by the way!

Salem just wanted to take a picture of what I was wearing. Unfortunately, you can't see the whole boot! Darn!

I love my hubby - he's so cute! Chèque moi c'te sourire!!!! Ayoye!

Mom enjoying her salad and Salem listening to his father-in-law.

The birthday girl getting ready to eat!

And now for the food!

Mary Ann's chicken tenders with coleslaw, 2 sauces and mashed potatoes (they are very yummy!)

Mom took the special of the day: Mahi Mahi with lobster ravioli and asparagus.

Dad took the cedar-planked salmon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Salem took the chicken Louisiane: breaded chicken breasts on pasta with a Cajun sauce. It's amazing! Lama and I will both attest to that!.

My Plate: the Siam explosion: chicken and shrimp in a sweet and spicy sauce with peanuts, rice and bean sprouts. Yum yum!

Bonne Fête Nanan!!!

It was my grand-mother's birthday last week and the family got together to celebrate on Saturday. I was going to take pictures of the food Tante Lise prepared but I felt it might be a bit weird so I just stuck to the pictures of the birthday girl (and my grand-father).

Nanan, her cake (so good!) and a musical birthday candle.

Nanan and Grand-Papa. :-)

Weekend randomness

Yes, a double-posting today! Lucky you! ;-P

I had a 3-day weekend with Salem and got to do some relaxing, shopping, got a few things done and now I feel rested. :-)

We ended up going to Mom's last night with the hopes of doing laundry but the power was out. Salem and I ended up picking up some thai food and all 3 of us ate by the candle light (with a fire roaring in the fireplace). It was actually fun and Mom exclaimed her disappointment when the power came back on as soon as we were done having supper. Although I must admit that the timing was perfect - we were otherwise coffee-less. We even got to play Tock and Skip-Bo.

This weekend, I tried out another food experiment. I had eaten too many carbs the night before and was trying to do some damage control. Solution: a low-carb, high-protein version of a crêpe with filling and fruit coulis. Here goes!

Caro's damage-control stuffed crêpe with berry coulis

"Crêpe"
1 egg
1/4 cup egg whites
A dash of vanilla extract
A sprinkling on Splenda

Simply mix all ingredients, throw into a non-stick pan on medium heat and slip over once it starts browning.

Filling
1/2 cup 0% Greek yogurt
a wee-bit of vanilla extract
A bit of Splenda (if you so wish)

Simply mix.

Coulis
A few berries (I took some fresh blueberries and strawberries I had lying around) - I took about 1/3 cup total
1 Tbspn water

Throw this into a small microwaveable dish and nuke for about 1 minute.

Assembly:Put the "crêpe" on a plate, place your Greek yogurt mix in the centre of your "crêpe", fold the edges over to the centre and top with your fruit coulis. Enjoy!!!!


And now for something completely random!

A beauty-mark on Salem's foot along with my added scribbling. PS I did it in permanent marker!!! Bwahahahaha!

I love my Dad!!

I just wanted to share with everyone what my Dad surprised me with for Valentine's Day. He came by my work last Monday to give me a wonderful bouquet of flowers!

Merci Dad, elles sont magnifiques! Je t'aime très fort aussi!

The bouquet upon arrival at home. So pretty!

Some of the flowers up close.

The flowers (in natural daylight) a whole 5 days later!

5 days!! Honestly, Camille Fleuriste in the West Island has got to be the best!

I usually hate using the flash at night, but I love how this closeup turned out.

The classic carnation - the touch of yellow was really nice!

It feels like spring!!

I don't know what this flower is called but I do love it!

I love lilies!!

Look!

Another awesome lily closeup! Look at the colours!!

When the husband is away... The wife eats weird $#*!

Alright, so anyone who knows me knows I LOVE to read fiction. I'm now at letter P of the Sue Grafton "Alphabet Series" and the main character often eats this strange sandwich. After reading about peanut butter & pickle sandwiches for a few months, I've decided to give it a try...

I love Peanut Butter!!!

THE Sandwich

The first bite...

Hmmm, I'm not sure...

So yeah, a tosted slice of bread (cut in two), some natural peanut butter (I added a bit of splenda to make it sweeter like the fake stuff) and some pickle slices. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. Maybe I'll get a craving for it when I'm pregnant, but for now, should I want some crunch in my sandwich, I guess I'll just go for the old standby: chips. God, I don't think I've done that since I was 10!