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The Good ... the Bad ... the Ugly.
Yes, I know, I know I've been away. Yet, it's the weirdest thing for me to have become so ... reticent about talking about myself. Although I know that tiredness and pain have a lot to do with that. I know, NO kidding!
Well, let's do the Good.
Not everything has been bad over the past few months. For example, John just moved into my building this morning. And I am now Auntie Helenka to his three cats. [Help, I don't have enough arms!]
I've been happily hosting John on Saturday or Sunday and Brian on Thursday for dinner. We've had terrific discussions and a lot of laughs. All very good.
Last night, M and I went up to the stables. M rode for the first time in 5 months and it was fabulous. As I'd forgotten my cane, I didn't go down to the barn to see my favourite painted pony, CJ. Oh, well, I can do that in two weeks' time.
Last Saturday evening, Brian and John and I gave M an incredible birthday party, even though the real date is today but, what with all the horse riding and anticipated tiredness, last weekend was the right time to celebrate. I created a post-Titanic theme party, except that nobody knew their identity (except for moi: I was Margaret – not Molly – Brown). The name for the evening was Honouring Titans and we were all survivors of the Titanic. I designed a grand 6-course meal, primarily comprised of M's favourite dishes. I used two sources for the theme, Last Dinner on the Titanic and Paul Burrell's book on Royal entertaining. I also used my old Joy of Cooking for some of the recipes.
Mushroom and Cheese Puffs, accompanied by a rose sparkling wine;
Mary Tudor Aspic (tomato aspic, flavoured as a Bloody Mary);
Waldorf Salad;
Vichyssoise;
Roast Sirloin with Sauce Forestiere (lots of wild mushrooms), Fresh Asparagus with a Lemon and Herb Sauce, accompanied by a Merlot Cabernet;
A pink frosted chocolate cake decorated with maraschino cherries and pink pig sprinkles; the cake was doctored up with rum, walnuts, chocolate chips and the maraschino cherry liqueur, accompanied by a titch of Grand Marnier.
John made the soup, Brian the cake and I made everything else (!!!) with the exception of the appetizer which was courtesy of President's Choice. I was very proud of pulling off such a grand party. The only disappointment was that I decided to drop Yorkshire Pudding off the menu. Oh, well, we promised M the next time to serve Yorkshire Pudding ... and nothing else!
For prezzies, I gave M books. There was a book with stories from the Titanic's survivors, also a book about a woman with a music box pig that had calmed and entertained the children rescued off the Titanic, and another copy of Paul Burrell's book. The guys offered to paint M's bathroom ... in as many colours as desired. [That should be quite interesting.]
And, as has become the norm, I was left with mountains of dishes when they left at 11:15. I washed the china and flatware until 1:30. Then it was off to bed for church on Sunday. When I got home, I did the crystal but the pots soaked until Monday (needed, especially as I had liquefied the bacon required for the sauce – major oops).
Another very good thing in my life is that I enrolled in the Adult Spiritual Education curriculum at church. The formal part of the course on Judaism has finished, but there are still good things afoot. First, I will be attending my first Seder this Wednesday. In two weeks' time, Brent will be preaching the Friday night service before a Reconstructionist (one of the most modern branches of Judaism) gathering. Two days later, their Rabbi will be preaching at our regular Sunday service. Then, that afternoon, he will be presenting a workshop on Gender and Sexuality. It should be incredible. And, finally, the next day, Monday, we will be led on a walking tour of Kensington Market, seeking out the hidden Synagogues.
The facilitator is a remarkable, compassionate woman and ::blushes:: she's asked me to be a part of another series of classes. I know I'd love to talk about creative writing. Well? I think it's rather appropriate and I certainly would have a unique approach.
Speaking of unique – and I certainly couldn't conceive of ever seeing this kind of show anywhere in the world except in Canada – the CBC premiered a comedy (!?!) series of a Moslem community becoming a part of a town called Mercy somewhere in Saskatchewan. It's called Little Mosque on the Prairie. It's quirky and thought provoking and also quite funny. Only in Canada, eh? You've got that right!
I also got my hair chopped off for the birthday party. It's now a layered cap and, because my hair is so bouncy, it's naturally curly. No more hairs down the drain or all over the bathroom floor. It's cute, it's easy and I love it.
Anyway, I need a nap as John woke me up after I'd had only 5 hours sleep. When I wake up, we're removing his things from my storage locker and, then, I'll talk myself into writing up the less happy part of my life, for my flist's eyes only.
Mostly contented hugs,
The me of me.
Yes, I know, I know I've been away. Yet, it's the weirdest thing for me to have become so ... reticent about talking about myself. Although I know that tiredness and pain have a lot to do with that. I know, NO kidding!
Well, let's do the Good.
Not everything has been bad over the past few months. For example, John just moved into my building this morning. And I am now Auntie Helenka to his three cats. [Help, I don't have enough arms!]
I've been happily hosting John on Saturday or Sunday and Brian on Thursday for dinner. We've had terrific discussions and a lot of laughs. All very good.
Last night, M and I went up to the stables. M rode for the first time in 5 months and it was fabulous. As I'd forgotten my cane, I didn't go down to the barn to see my favourite painted pony, CJ. Oh, well, I can do that in two weeks' time.
Last Saturday evening, Brian and John and I gave M an incredible birthday party, even though the real date is today but, what with all the horse riding and anticipated tiredness, last weekend was the right time to celebrate. I created a post-Titanic theme party, except that nobody knew their identity (except for moi: I was Margaret – not Molly – Brown). The name for the evening was Honouring Titans and we were all survivors of the Titanic. I designed a grand 6-course meal, primarily comprised of M's favourite dishes. I used two sources for the theme, Last Dinner on the Titanic and Paul Burrell's book on Royal entertaining. I also used my old Joy of Cooking for some of the recipes.
Mushroom and Cheese Puffs, accompanied by a rose sparkling wine;
Mary Tudor Aspic (tomato aspic, flavoured as a Bloody Mary);
Waldorf Salad;
Vichyssoise;
Roast Sirloin with Sauce Forestiere (lots of wild mushrooms), Fresh Asparagus with a Lemon and Herb Sauce, accompanied by a Merlot Cabernet;
A pink frosted chocolate cake decorated with maraschino cherries and pink pig sprinkles; the cake was doctored up with rum, walnuts, chocolate chips and the maraschino cherry liqueur, accompanied by a titch of Grand Marnier.
John made the soup, Brian the cake and I made everything else (!!!) with the exception of the appetizer which was courtesy of President's Choice. I was very proud of pulling off such a grand party. The only disappointment was that I decided to drop Yorkshire Pudding off the menu. Oh, well, we promised M the next time to serve Yorkshire Pudding ... and nothing else!
For prezzies, I gave M books. There was a book with stories from the Titanic's survivors, also a book about a woman with a music box pig that had calmed and entertained the children rescued off the Titanic, and another copy of Paul Burrell's book. The guys offered to paint M's bathroom ... in as many colours as desired. [That should be quite interesting.]
And, as has become the norm, I was left with mountains of dishes when they left at 11:15. I washed the china and flatware until 1:30. Then it was off to bed for church on Sunday. When I got home, I did the crystal but the pots soaked until Monday (needed, especially as I had liquefied the bacon required for the sauce – major oops).
Another very good thing in my life is that I enrolled in the Adult Spiritual Education curriculum at church. The formal part of the course on Judaism has finished, but there are still good things afoot. First, I will be attending my first Seder this Wednesday. In two weeks' time, Brent will be preaching the Friday night service before a Reconstructionist (one of the most modern branches of Judaism) gathering. Two days later, their Rabbi will be preaching at our regular Sunday service. Then, that afternoon, he will be presenting a workshop on Gender and Sexuality. It should be incredible. And, finally, the next day, Monday, we will be led on a walking tour of Kensington Market, seeking out the hidden Synagogues.
The facilitator is a remarkable, compassionate woman and ::blushes:: she's asked me to be a part of another series of classes. I know I'd love to talk about creative writing. Well? I think it's rather appropriate and I certainly would have a unique approach.
Speaking of unique – and I certainly couldn't conceive of ever seeing this kind of show anywhere in the world except in Canada – the CBC premiered a comedy (!?!) series of a Moslem community becoming a part of a town called Mercy somewhere in Saskatchewan. It's called Little Mosque on the Prairie. It's quirky and thought provoking and also quite funny. Only in Canada, eh? You've got that right!
I also got my hair chopped off for the birthday party. It's now a layered cap and, because my hair is so bouncy, it's naturally curly. No more hairs down the drain or all over the bathroom floor. It's cute, it's easy and I love it.
Anyway, I need a nap as John woke me up after I'd had only 5 hours sleep. When I wake up, we're removing his things from my storage locker and, then, I'll talk myself into writing up the less happy part of my life, for my flist's eyes only.
Mostly contented hugs,
The me of me.
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