Harissa

Last night was much better. My stomach was grumbly but seemed fine overall.

I trekked to loblaws and sdm and the walking was much better that on the 26th. The leftover free Christmas trees at Loblaws were cleaned up and gone (there were still quite a few left on the 26th). SDM still had some after Christmas sales.

For dinner I made Harissa chicken which was amazing. Lots of spices on the skin made for a tasty inside.

James is always so hungry that I made him a pre-dinner at 4pm (chicken fingers) and then at 5pm he had 3 plates of Harissa chicken (which he actually liked!) potatoes and green pepper. Am impressed that he had now started eating potatoes as well.

sidewalk plow part 2

When I went to pick up the recycling bins first thing in the morning I was startled to see that the sidewalk plow had been by a second time and I had more shoveling to do!

Some good news was that last night I didn't even need Vicks to get to sleep, my lungs had improved. I also did not have a coughing fit. However, whatever this thing is seemed to jump to my stomach. Is that even a thing? So I woke up at 3am with my stomach upset and didn't get back to sleep until 5am. Luckily I could still sleep in as this is the holiday!

To let my stomach settle I didn't eat anything during the day, just drank some ginger ale. I had some red peppers with mashed potatoes for dinner around 4:30pm and just had some popcorn (because James wanted some) just now (7:30pm) so we'll see how tonight goes. It means I didn't accomplish as much as I hoped today as I was trying to take it easy.

I did watch the finale from last week of marriage boot camp reality stars. More drama than boot camp.

sidewalk plow

Last night I did not have a coughing fit! So improvement!

I did a bit of work in the morning and did some chores around the house in the afternoon. When I went out to get the garbage and recycling ready I noticed that the sidewalk plow had been by leaving giant snow blocks (one that was about as large as me!). So I had to take a shovel to them to break up the blocks and then shovel the debris out of the driveway.

James' team tied one of the best teams today, probably a shock for them both!

deep freeze

After dumping a lot of snow on us, winter has now left us in a deeply frozen state. Winter doing what winter does.

Last night followed a similar pattern to the previous night- fall asleep and wake an hour later coughing. However, this time the application of Vicks apparently helped and I was able to get back to sleep again.

I walked in to work and the building was snowed in. I cleared some snow with my boot and made it inside. However, inside the bigger problem was with technology as my computer was not able to connect to the files I need. Technology let me down.

James' team lost both games today, even the game that they thought they would win. This means they have no real chance of moving on to the next round but have one game tomorrow and one on Friday.

I also ate turkey and stuffing for both breakfast and dinner today! 

Waist deep

Yesterday I tried to take it easy and rested watching some "FBI files" mysteries on youtube. I fell asleep around 10:30pm but woke up again at 11:30pm with a coughing fit (despite not coughing much during the day). I tried using more Vicks but this time it didn't work. I couldn't lie down for coughing so I sat up and watched another mystery on the computer. Eventually I was able to lie down and sleep again.

This morning I saw the effects of the latest blast of snow.

 I went to Shoppers and that walk went ok. My street didn't have sidewalks but the north street on Princess was ok. There weren't many good sales at Shoppers. I seem to recall it was better last year!

Then I went to Loblaws. I tried walking the same path that my parents and I took on the 24th. However, the Bath sidewalk was not plowed and it was up to my waist! I didn't want to walk on the road as it was so busy, so I abandoned my walk and went back a street and walked through the YMCA parking lot (which was plowed) and made it to Loblaws. They didn't have any good sales on Christmas things either so I bought my planned things but a couple of things didn't scan correctly so got some things free so that worked out well!

On my way home I saw this lone seagull on the field of snow by Loblaws.

After I got home I made lunch. Stick bread, leftover turkey and hot pepper cheese. Packed up James for his tournament. Rested. Dinner was leftover turkey, stuffing and green pepper. Hope to sleep better tonight. Will be working tomorrow.

Christmas!

My parents safely made it up for Christmas, despite the conditions

 I didn't get a picture of our feast yesterday but these are the leftovers today.

Snow day!

The korean beef taco photos

 The sauce on the meat was very different than what I normally do for tacos (I guess to make them korean) but worked well with the quick kimchi on top

 They stayed quite warm even with the kimchi topping
This morning woke to a snow day!

Less blind, more dishes

I got a bit of a nap in the afternoon and my eyes were a bit better. I am still tired so it will be an early night tonight.

I was very behind in washing dishes. I did 5 loads today and they are still not done!

Blind

Yesterday I had a long day at work, got home, made dinner (Korean beef tacos- photos to follow) and watched the finale of survivor.

I had the day off today and had an eye doctor appointment. He put drops in my eyes so i am now blind-ish. He said it would take a day for my eyes to look ok again and I was skeptical that they would look that bad as he only used eye drops! But he is right, my eyes are definitely very puffy. 

I also have lost my voice as I am fighting a cold.

So not great shape for the start of vacation!

ahead of the curve

I am pushing so hard to try to wrap everything up tomorrow as I have vacation Thurs and Fri. I have so much to do, I don't know that I will be successful but I will try!

Recipe from last week - spicy pork sausage ragu. As with all their pasta dishes, easy and yummy!

The presents under the tree, literally.

Todd, Chelsea and Noah and the basket of Rustle love

Today's dinner- Turkey and leek canneloni

Three bowls of veggies went into this- leeks, curly kale and green beans

The canneloni filler

Filled rolled and baked

Plated!

Exam

Yesterday our exam ran and so I also did a lot of running! I had planned to go to Sarah's game night yesterday evening but I didn't get home until 7pm and then by the time I made dinner it was too late to head over.

This morning the apartment behind our house had its parking lot plowed at 4am, so I have been awake for a while. James has a late game today so I will hope for a nap at some point!

Tree

 First snow

 The tree- potted tree with a small decoration kit!

 Saffron chicken paella- good one pot meal

Monday was a very busy day at work. Today James was very disappointed that it was not a snow day.
We dug out the boots. My boots are still ones that I bought for $8 at S&R many many years ago.
One is a bit leaky. James even wore boots.
I went to Loblaws to get the tree.
Went in to work for a meeting later.
Then came back to make the paella.
Laundry and dishes as well.

Scrooge

Tuesday was steak and balsamic carmelized onions

 Grated brussel sprouts!

 Carmelized onions

 Final product- steak with carmelized onions on top, cheesy mashed potatoes and the salad that included the grated brussel sprouts. The potatoes were amazing. The steak has some tough bits in it. I did like the carmelized onions and I normally don't like onions much so overall a win!

 On Wednesday was our alpha finale and it was good but sad to end.

Thursday I went to see a Christmas Carol that Anne-Marie was in. She was very good in her role as charwoman. The production itself was wonderful. I laughed, I cried and they had some neat twists. I am glad I went! It was in concocation hall which I hadn't been in before but was a really neat space.

 On Friday it was cheese turkey meatball subs. Well spiced meatballs- a good filling meal!

Dead Rat in the Garage

There is a dead rat in the garage. Better than a live one, I suppose. Not sure what killed it or what to do with it.

On better topics- here are the meals from this past week:

 Spiced steak and potatoes Rosti

 The potatoes and carrots are grated and then fried like a pancake to make the potatoes rosti

 With steak

 And horseradish sauce (did not like!)

 And spinach and apple salad. All good except the horseradish.

 Southern fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits

 Coleslaw with carrots cucumber and purple cabbage.

 The buttermilk biscuits had creole seasoning so a nice kick to them. The chicken was good as well. A good mix of flavours.

 Today's cleaning

Trying to clean across the house but it is slow going!