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!

Sudden

In the last few days there have been some sudden developments. Some good, some bad, some both.

11 days ago Tom was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. 2 days ago he passed away. Such a nice man. http://yourlifemoments.ca/sitepages/obituary.asp?oId=1053662

Yesterday Karen's mom Beulah passed away leaving a huge hole in Karen's heart. Karen spent a lot of time caring for her mom.

I stated looking at purchasing a rental as an investment but also to provide some relief for people from Rustle who are looking for housing.

Today I am working on cleaning and putting Nat and Karrie's Christmas package together!