Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Vegas!

Well, we are back. Vegas was exhausting - but both weddings were beautiful and congratulations to Lindsey and Jesse and Jennie and Lawerance!

It was late when we arrived and I was sick and a big grump so I went to bed while Joe toured around. The next day we explored the strip, went to Mesa Grill (Iron Chef Bobby Flay's restaurant - yum!), and met up with Joe's sister who happened to the be there on business and went to see Cirque de Soliel - LOVE (it was all about the Beatles). It was pretty cool but lacked a lot of the crazy acrobats Cirque usually has. But still really good effects!

On Friday we went to Lindsey and Jesse's wedding ceremony in the middle of the Nevada dessert, the reception was at Serendipity 3 at Caesar's Palace (where their 'wedding cake' was frozen hot chocolates) and then went to the casinos and gambled!

Saturday was another day we had to ourselves so we spent it going from hotel to hotel, bar to bar, casino to casino, just taking it all in. I must say - Joe and I had a really good day and very good conversation. We are so busy with our lives that sometimes we forget to do that. In the evening we ran into Lindsey, Jesse and her family again and went to Serendipityy 3 again (what can we say? It is super good and the mac and cheese was delicious!)

On Sunday we went to Jennie and Lawerance's wedding in the gardens at the Flamingo and enjoyed the wonderful dinner reception. Jennie looked so beautiful!

On Monday we came home - and it was a loooong day. We took off from Vegas and a passenger had a medical emergency so right after a very turbulent take off we turned around and landed very quickly. Many people on the flight got sick because it was so rough and we had to all get off the plane so it could get cleaned and the paramedics took off the other passenger. Luckily, I was able to make to it the airport bathroom before getting sick (yes, it was that awful). So then we took off again and had 2 layovers - in Portland and Seattle and FINALLY we made it back to Calgary. I am still tired!

Next week is U2!! I am so excited for that - especially because I finally got my ticket confirmation and get to pick up my tickets at the window marked "U2 Guest Tickets" since I have band reserved tickets - it pays to have a husband who has connections to U2! Marley (my younger sister) is coming with me and it is going to be soo fun!

For now, here are some Vegas photos!
I hope you all had a great weekend and you are having a great week (it is almost over already!).

Vegas

Frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3

Fountain at Caesar's Palace (one of many)

Eiffel Tower at Paris - not as big or cool as the real one, but still nice

LOVE - waiting to see the show

Mesa Grill - Bobby Flay's restaurant in Caesar's Palace

Yum!

Ugh - I can't imagine eating beef any way but well done, but Joe liked it!

The best dip ever

So strong

This was inside!

The middle of the Nevada dessert - the backdrop to Lindsey and Jesse's wedding ceremony!


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Viva Las Vegas!


Off we go! Hope you all have a great rest-of-week and weekend!


Friday, May 13, 2011

Faces of Ebony




Today was a long day. I went to work early at 7:30 am and then afterwards met my friends Jennie and Cassidy for dinner. Then Cassidy and I headed to the Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club for the Land's End Chamber Ensemble's concert Faces of Ebony (I sit on the board). What an amazing performance - I really enjoyed it. James Campbell was our special guest and they played jazz influenced pieces. All in all - a very long, exhausting day and now I am going to sleep.

Tomorrow I am headed to Brooks to watch Ainsley's dance recital and take my mommy out for Mother's Day since I never saw her last weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend! What are your plans?


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tea time

(via weheartit)

One of my favourite things about my job has nothing to do with the job - but the fabulous group of older ladies who sit in their big room and drink tea every afternoon around 2:30. A couple of them (well, most of them) are from Britain and I guess it has just always been that way. My desk is against a wall that I share with them and I hear all the chatter (today it was about how the royal couple are on their honeymoon - and isn't Catherine just beautiful?) and I love it. They get the tea made, put it in a pot, put on a cozy (that has pictures of Big Ben all over it) and have it on a tray with cream, sugar, sweetener and tea cookies. Once in awhile I join in.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Monday Mish Mash

Twirl necklace from Kate Spade that I will be buying for my niece, Ainsley, who loves to twirl (and is very good at it!)


My new mug
(via Anthropologie)


Vegas in 9 sleeps!
(via weheartit)



And Joni Mitchell because I love her.

I hope you have a great start to your week!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there - especially to my own mommy! I love you and I'm so proud to be your daughter! You're the best!

(via weheartit)


Friday, May 6, 2011

Have a nice weekend!

(via weheartit)

What are your plans this weekend? Tonight, Joe and I are going for burgers and fries. The rest of the weekend I want to do nothing, but alas, I have a bunch of editing to do.

It is finally starting to warm up here but we have been getting rain and gray skies. But at least there is green grass in some places!

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Yum yum

I am on a quest to eat more vegetables. I do eat them right now, I just need to eat more. What are your favourite ways to prepare them? Any amazing recipes?

Here is one I am looking forward to trying!


Raw Tuscan Kale Salad

*1 bunch Tuscan kale
*2 thin slices country bread, or two handfuls good, homemade coarse breadcrumbs
*1/2 garlic clove
*1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus a pinch
*1/4 cup (or small handful) grated pecorino cheese, plus additional for garnish
*3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for garnish
*Freshly squeezed juice of one lemon (scant 1/4 cup or ~50ml)
*1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
*Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Trim the bottom few inches off the kale stems and discard. Slice the kale into 3/4-inch ribbons. You should have 4 to 5 cups. Place the kale in a large bowl.

If using the bread, toast it until golden brown on both sides and dry throughout. Tear into small pieces and pulse in a food processor until the mixture forms coarse crumbs, or crumbs to your liking.

Using a mortar and pestle or a knife, pound or mince the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of salt into a paste. Transfer the garlic to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, pinch of salt, pepper flakes, and black pepper and whisk to combine. Pour the dressing over the kale and toss very well (the dressing will be thick and need lots of tossing to coat the leaves).. Let the salad sit for 5 minutes, then serve topped with the bread crumbs, additional cheese, and a drizzle of oil.

Prep time: 10 min - Cook time: 5 min

Adapted from the Raw Tuscan Kale Salad with Chiles and Pecorino recipe in Melissa Clark's In the Kitchen with A Good Appetite.