What's Next?

Break's Over!

I actually had no idea that I had even taken one but, according to the last delayed entry dated August 10, I've been a bit of a slacker.

Since I have such an exiguous memory, I'm going to start my recollection of significant events from now and work my way backwards.

A couple of hours ago, I placed a bottle of my fabulous Rosé Beer in the freezer and, naturally, saw an eagle or something and completely forgot about it.  When I did finally remember, I ran through the house, and stepped on the plug to the vacuum cleaner (which really hurt), because losing that extra three seconds that it would have taken me to walk like an adult could have made all the difference.  The freezer apparently still works.

I gingerly carried it over to the sink and slowly opened it, turning my head slightly in case it exploded; must save my eyes.  We all know what happens when frozen beer meets air.  Since this is not just any beer but my fabulous Rosé Beer, well, let's just say, had their been witnesses to my ability to salvage, I would have had dates for a month.  I'm not sure what that means, Dad, it's just something Laurie said.

Since trying Rosé Beer from Denmark for the first time in Den Hague at an Irish Pub with this amazing man from South Africa, I have been trying to find it here in Canada.  Look at me and my International Relations.

Our local liquor stores are so small that you can see the entire inventory from the front door.  It was a short and disappointing search.  But, one of the Mom's from Liam's baseball team happens to work at a liquor store so, of course, she had to know about their obvious inadequacies or, if she didn't, she does now, poor woman.  I pouted a little and moved on.

A couple of weeks later, I received a phone call from the manager of the liquor store.  As he was identifying himself, I was quickly trying to think of how I was going to bail The Girl out of this one because, why else would a liquor store manager be phoning me except to tell me that he had caught my under-aged daughter buying Baby Duck for all of her friends.

Well, this was my lucky day, he could order the fabulous Rosé Beer in for me but, it could take a while and I would have to buy a full box of 24 and it would cost me $2.75 per bottle.

I am certain that it's easy to see why not a drop can be wasted.

Tomorrow, home renos, on-going, and what I have learned about how much tiling sucks and how my fabulous Rosé Beer makes my personal hell a little more bearable.

I Just Got Back from a Little Trip

Did you know that it takes three years to complete an education that allows you to run one of these things?  It's a type of engineering degree.  If you close your eyes while riding your super-Euro pedal bike along side of them, they sound just like sailboats with their sails flapping and their works creaking.  I didn't actually close my eyes because I likely would have died and I totally forgot about that whole traveller's insurance thing but, that's what they sounded like.

 

And, did I mention the beer??  I discovered Rose Beer.  It's really hard to explain the taste without sounding like a total girl; it lacks that whole belchy beer taste and, instead, has the aftertaste of a berry tea (a man's description).  I don't think we can get it here in the Kootenays but it gives me a new mission.

Speaking of men (I know, you're finally paying attention), I met some of the most amazing people.  Unfortunately, some of them were my co-applicants for my next great job.  One in particular is an amazing specimen named Werner (pronounced Vanner; this took me two days to get) who hails from the South African military where he has experienced all of the things that I have only learned about in theory.  He is brilliant, handsome and was so much fun to explore Den Haag with.  He was the one who knew to ask the hotel concierge how to get back to the hotel even before we left.  As I said, brilliant.

Nothing can make me appreciate Canada like talking to people from other areas of the world who have been shot at work and have never seen snow.

Yet Another Great Canadian Wine

I was reading Nadia's blog; a great site about creativity and grand ambitions.  She had taken a picture to show how she personalized her hotel room while away at a convention; something that I do as well, but never thought to photograph.  So I did, and here it is:

This picture has been cropped to protect the identities of the not-so-innocent.

The wine is a Hester Creek 2004 Cabernet/Merlot.  The combination of Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes claims to taste of cherry blackberries, toffee, pepper.  My thoughts; very good, no pucker-bite, doesn't taste like smoke or wood and goes great with dark chocolate.  It was $18 where I purchased it but I noticed on the Hester Creek website that the MSRP is $16.

The chocolate is Green & Black's organic dark chocolate with 70% cocoa.  A friend who sampled it said that it was like eating oysters on steroids (hey....that may have been a pick-up line; I have to make a phone call).

Great Canadian Wine

I really like wine.

I am not a connoisseur; only because I would never spit out wine after tasting it.  Disrespectful, I say.  I did, however, feel the need to opine while enjoying a glass of somewhat local British Columbia wine this evening.

The picture could be a little blurry because I failed to put on my glasses when I took it.  Nothing to do with the actual consumption of the above pictured wine.  Nothing at all.

Naked Grape:  lightish for a red, fruity, unoaked and goes great with everything and great by itself and travels well and it has the word "naked" on it.  Yet another bonus; this little beauty can be yours for under $11.

On Becoming a Foodie

For years I have struggled with the reality of fast food, whether it be a drive-thru or convenience foods at home.  With shift work, busy kids and limited grocery store hours, I have generally sought the easiest solution which is to grab something fast and keep moving.  Many of these choices are expensive, lacking in nutrition and they fail to satisfy our palate or our social needs.

Taryn-the-16-year-old girl has also been vegetarian for over two years, just to complicate things a little more.

Our family's combined goals have been to eat healthy, support local economy, have more time together, avoid chemicals and steroids and expand our tastes.  Humble aspirations, I know.

With the current trends towards "slow food", healthier eating habits and ethical awareness, there are many resources to draw upon to get started or make a few tweaks in our current practices.

Locally, we have a great service called The Endless Harvest.  It is a company that delivers organic produce to my door once per week and, they purchase locally whenever possible.  I have started with their "Small Bin"; a mixture of vegetables and fruits for $30 per week.  Yesterday's delivery had spinach, cilantro, mustard greens, a butternut squash, kale, potatoes, an onion, an avocado, 3 gala apples, 3 golden apples, celery and a bunch of red flame grapes.  Not a small bin at all.  Every week I can go to their website and see what is to be delivered and adjust it to my needs whether it be small substitutions or going through their extensive grocery list to add on meats, bakery goods etc.... all chemical free.

I get eggs from local hobby farmers.  The chickens are quite content running about the yard and laying eggs at their leisure.  Taste great and come in some interesting colours.

I read a great blog called The Skinny Gourmet written by a foodie whose mantra is quality not quantity.  Seems so simple but she expands on the concept with great recipes and explanations on how to be more satisfied with a meal by using good, flavourful ingredients and enjoying the preparation and esthetics of the food.  In addition to this, I try to involve the children in the whole process rather than just the consumption phase.  I have them look up recipes that use some of the less familiar vegetables that we receive and do some prep, stirring and anything else that does not include sharp knives (think confined space and hormones).

We have had great conversations about the state of the world, friends, travel, waxing back hair, deterring stalkers, fashion, etc.  The usual.

Also, there is a book called The 100 Mile Diet which diarizes the authors' challenges to eat only food that has been acquired within 100 miles of their home.  Fabulous idea.  As an aside to this achievement, it also conforms with the practice of our ancestors to consume according to availability both geographically and seasonally.

Overall, some great ideas.  So as not to scare my friends and family:  Moderation is my way.  I will not be joining the ranks of the local hunters any time soon.

New Camera is Still a Novelty

This is a test of the teenage vegetable detection system.

1. Spinach 
2. Zucchini 
3. Chicken 
4. Peanut Sauce 
5. Hot Peppers 
6. Carrots 
7. Green/Red/Yellow Peppers 
8. Tomatoes

If you put it all between a crust and cheese, is it still a pizza?

Yes, it is.