Friday, June 22, 2012

Comedy & Food- a killer combo

It's been a great week. Last night we caught Russell Peters live, in-person and his show was hilarious. I'd never been interested in comedy shows until Alvin dragged me to a show last year...I fear there is no going back. Tom & Dev bought the tickets for Alvin's 30th & I think we're all pleased that they decided to do so- not just Alvin.
On to the food portion of my post: to my horror I realized that Alvin & I had never had my girlfriend Candra over for Zambian food. How she's been home for nearly a year & never made it over for nshima is terrible...so Wednesday night we cooked up a feast. (Actually, Candra brought a mean dessert that put us over the edge- sweet potato cheesecake...who knew that would be such a delicious combination?!) Cooking up flavours from Zed always brings warm memories and silly tales; I believe we need to do that more often.

Cabbage, chicken in divine 'soup' - butternut roasted red pepper & a lump of delicious nshima. Really, it tastes so much better than it looks- you'll have to trust me on that or try for yourself*grin*.

Canj's irresistible cheesecake....

Monday, June 18, 2012

Tolstoy...Nabokov...

After my eReader adventures & a good read loaned to me care of mom a library trip was well overdue. I think I was a little over excited...I had ever intention of picking up Tolstoy's Ana Karenina...but I ended up with Nabokov's Lolita. Let's just say it's not quite what I had in mind (it's a story about a man who lusts after prepubescent women). Nothing like a little light summer reading*grin*.

On a completely different note I spontaneously bought rubber boots the other week...I was thrilled when the rains came. I swear I was the only person so stoked for a couple of rainy days- but - how cute are they?!


Seems like it's a big birthday month- we've been with 3-year olds for the past two weekends...hopefully we'll make it to another 30th party next weekend. And don't worry Mom, no one needs to know what you're hitting tomorrow*grin*. Couldn't be a more beautiful month for all the celebrations. I'm cycling off to yoga now...weeeee (it's downhill the whole way there)*grin*

Sunday, June 17, 2012

From the Roof

As promised...here's the shot of Alvin on the roof. I had recently clambered down- I believe my knees had stopped knocking to capture the still photo.




Wednesday, June 13, 2012

In Over My Head

Have you ever agreed to something without fully understanding to what exactly you'd signed up? I considered this as I tried to manoeuvre from roof to ladder without a) falling or b) dropping the can of paint that also had to descend.
Sigh.
Urban adventures- you've got to love them. Monday evening I had zero motivation to run & knew that Alvin was looking forward to finishing up a paint job that he'd taken on before starting his warehouse job. He was a bit surprised when I so readily agreed to come. It all made sense while sitting on the roof. I volunteered without realizing I would be teetering precariously on a roof top with my rear-end sizzling from the hot shingles. Three hours later the mission was accomplished & we made it home safely. I have a photo on my camera that I will have to post up here once I have the technology at hand to do so. It will really complete the story*grin*

All of that after a lovely & relaxing weekend. We set off to visit our friends from Zambia & their kids. Tory- turning 1 in July.
 Cruz (turning 3 the day after Alvin turned 30)

My folks also hosted a 'happy birthday Alvin / happy anniversary Tom & Dev' dinner. Dev was a little creeped out by the shrimp legs but the food was divine.



Best birthday wishes to my partner in crime. We have so much fun enjoying the small things...like a glass of Amarula to mark any occasion- however small or noteworthy.

Thursday, June 07, 2012

Running Late

In my personal life (not professional) I have a terrible habit of running late. Alvin & I are teased relentlessly about showing up fashionably late for just about anything.
On my day off we had thought we would get ourselves out of the house to catch a matinee (I really want to see the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel- it looks funny). Showtime 12:50. Sarah & Alvin in the Rav4 ready to roll: 12:55. Factoring in all the pre-show ads and trailers we thought we'd be cutting it pretty close. I looked over at Al and suggest that perhaps we should consider a Plan B; without missing a beat he replies "driving range"? Love it! We had a fabulous afternoon.



Further to my tardiness in person it seems my reputation for standing up Skype dates is growing...if it's not a time zone error I find myself getting caught up in the 'now'...and having to reschedule cyber visits. I must work on that- I would be highly irritated with myself. 

Friday, June 01, 2012

Longest 1.5 Hours of my Life

I'm thrilled- my little balcony is filled with summertime flowers/herbs. I've got a couple of tomato plants, a pepper, and my usual fave herbs (cilantro, mint, basil, oregano). I went with some of my flowers that did well last year (canna lilies and portulacca) and have tried a couple newbies that were irresistible at the greenhouse. Yay!







I also bought a watering can....which I'm rather excited about- I know, I can be a bit ridiculous.

My only other story for now is about the last movie my mother took me to see The Deep Blue Sea (as a fundraiser for the library). Honestly, we stepped out of the movie theatre & thought we'd been there for days...the film was only 1.5 hours. I'm sure a lot of people loved the film - Rachel Weisz is amazing- but I chalk it up to one of the worst I have ever seen (sorry to all the artsy folks out there who adore it). I'll stick to the less creative art of enjoying the outdoors & my few plants on the balcony (& of course the NBA playoffs)*grin*.