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....

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*

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.

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.

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. 

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*.