China Town

The sweet and sickly smell of rotting produce and crispy aromatic duck filled the air as I got out of my car in China Town today.   I parked my car on the street.

I was looking for some new textiles for a couple crafts I have planned.

There is a real hustle and bustle of activity in the streets of China town.  The chatter and conversations of the locals, the quick moving wind and the gentle cooing of the piegons competiting with the sounds of the city and constant construction.
I walked up and down the uneven and broken paving stones trying to avoid the strewn garbage, paper and unidentified “wet spots”.  Checking out the messy and dusty little store fronts.  Restaurants with closed signs, and broken windows mended with cardboard and duct tape.

It disapoints me to see such a vibrant and lively area of the city so run down.

There is such a rich history to Montreal’s china town.

I never found the textiles I was looking for, but I did find a beautiful tablecloth and some Naruto figures for Colin.   (pictures to follow)

Happy Easter.

Happy Easter everyone.

Colin got me a chocolate cat for easter. . . . check out the FREAKY eyes!!!

Colin’s Awesome Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

****Update May 11 2007**** As linked on Wikipedia for Grilled Cheese!  Congrats Colin!  hahaha

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We made grilled cheese tonight for dinner. As mentioned in a previous post, my husband makes the best grilled cheese. Its real comfort food, and when you have a rough day they really hit the spot.

Since I made my previous post I’ve received 5 emails from various people who stummbled onto my blog asking what Colin’s secret is to the perfect grilled cheese, today was the first opportunity to interview Colin. . .so as the master cooked his masterpieces, I took down the proccess – almost verbatim
Ingredients:

Very Soft Thick White Bread (For those in Quebec, Think POM ‘Ultra Soft’)

Cheese, two types (The better the cheese the better the sandwich, processed cheese is not real cheese – not matter what they tell you in the commericals) Colin likes to use Havariti and Extra Mature cheddar.

Margarine or Butter (the good stuff, not the low fat crap)

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Steps:

1. Butter the bread (remember you are buttering the outside of the bread, the part that will be on the pan). Butter all the way to the edge of the bread.
2. Preheat the pan to slightly under medium heat. (1/3 heat)
3. Put your cheese on the bread, and create the sandwich. Some people like to grate cheese, Colin doesn’t believe this is nessasary – but to each their own)
4. Don’t overfill your sandwich, usually two layers of cheese will do you. Otherwise its too much of a gooey mess. Colin likes to add extra ingredients, like bacon or sliced home made dill pickle – he says it adds colour and texture. Don’t bother with bicks – must be home made or gourmet.

   

5. You are just toasting the bread, so the cooking does not take long. If the bread sizzles when you put it on the pan, the pan is too hot. You are usually cooking for couple minutes on each side (depends on your stove). Colin likes to check his sandwiches often to ensure they don’t burn.

6. After you flip them (they should be golden brown) you press the sandwich down lightly. (La Belle Provience does this-again anyone from Quebec will appreciate this)

7. Then cut on the diagonal, serve immediatly with a dollop of ketchup and some soup, salad or chips.

In Summary,

the secret to the perfect grilled cheese sandwich is quality ingredients and control the heat.

Project Code Name : Sewing Guinea Pig. Subject : Mama Needs a New Set of Curtains

• Project Code Name : Sewing Guinea Pig
• Subject : Guest Bedroom Curtains.
• Mission : Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to make curtains for your guest bedroom before Chris & Christine arrive.  They may wish to have some privacy in the form of curtains when they visit.

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 pictures of some of my “sewing” projects.  I’m still learning, but I’ll get there.

Here are the curtains I made for our guest bedroom right before Chris and Christine came up to see us at the beginning of the month.

   The Fabric I used.

  The window, including Marty. 

Normally the cats aren’t allowed in this room – we like to keep this one as “cat free” as possible for guests.

Anyways, it was a valient first attempt, and I know I’ll be attempting to sew even more.

My next project is some PJ/Trackies for Colin so I can throw away the ugly thick blue perma stained elastic bottomed bum munching & waist riding cheapo champion track pants he has now

———-MISSION COMPLETE———-

Luck ‘o’ the Irish.

I married Irish.

So, I gave him a kiss.

 

Happy St Patrick’s Day

Fracas’ Pay it Forward

Yesterday on Fracas, she encouraged her readers to go out and do something nice for someone else.

Similar to a chain letter email, I dismissed the idea, and carried on.  Really, why bother. 

Last night when Colin and I drove home from the West Island the Rue Ancients Combattants in Saint Anne De Bellevue was covered in a thin invisable layer of ice, the degel has started and its still cold enough at night to refreeze.

Those that are familar with that hair pin turn from the 40 onto the Rue de Ancients Combattants know how often the guard rail is mangeled because people take it too fast.

That coupled with black ice is a combination for disaster.  And it was.

When we got to the corner the accident has already occured, litteratly seconds before.  The smoke was rising out from the front of the black Jetta and the thick dusty and grainy contents of the airbag hovered over the car.

If you have ever been in a car that has had the airbag deploy (like myself) you are very sensitive to that smell.  It makes me ill thinking about.  The pain, discomfort and the fear I associate with that smell.

 We got our car past the accident and pulled over.  Other cars still streaming past, often almost losing control like the broken Jetta in front of us.

Colin helped the driver get the car over to the side of the road.  Unfortuntaly we were on the highway overpass, and there wasn’t a shoulder to put the car on.  He wanted to get back into his car and wait.

We made him get out, and wait on the other side of the median with us, and no sooner than we had jumped the guardrail another jackass comes barrelling around the corner and loses control of his car.  He was able to get it back in check, but he narrowly missed the back corner of the Jetta.

We waited until help came.

Sugar High

This past weekend Chris and Christine came up to visit.  We madly cleaned up our place for their arrival. . . .some fresh flowers in the bathroom, a few new air fresheners and the nice new sheets (500 thread count, Chris) on the bed. . . .

Friday night we went to Mama Bravo’s down the street for dinner.  We drank Sangria until the restaurant fell quiet. . . .

Saturday we headed out to Rigaud to a Sugar Shack. . .  .The pictures are here

Missed Milestone

March 1st 2006 was the day we moved into our first home – I can’t believe I forgot about it.

Its been an awesome year being a homeowner.

I can remember little Marty and Minou running up and down the stairs so excited for all the space. . . .

This year we have quite a few small renovations to do, I’m looking forward it it.
My heart is here . . . . my home!

Guitar Hero Deal of the Century

As many of you who frenquent my blog know (Thank you to the faithful four! ) Colin and I are addicted to the Playstation 2 game GUITAR HERO. 

We were reading the newspaper in Toronto, and as a heavenly rays of light shone brightly against the newsprint, our eyes were quickly drawn to an add for a sleezy “Just fell off the truck” electronics store in Mississauga/Toronto that were selling Guitar Hero 1, with Guitar and Game for $38.99!

We went and picked ourselves up a copy (we already have Guitar Hero 2) – we also picked up a copy for my brother Matthew, who now only greets me with, “Hey, Yo, so di’ya bring Guitar Hero?”

I really wanted to get Guitar Hero one, I have been looking for a used copy of just the game (I figured that with most used PS2 games they usually run about 20 bucks).  No such luck!  The game is so popular that people just don’t sell their copies back to the stores.  A real true testiment to the brilliance of this game.  Pretty much every EB Games from Montreal to Toronto has NO used copies, and the game itself if you buy it new from a store is usually about 50 bucks!

I am ever so pleased with the deal we got!  No we have 2 guitars!  I’m looking forward to Jammin’ with Colin in the basement!

YOU ROCK!

Wedding!

The Wedding came and went, and everything went according to plan! I took over 500 photos over the weekend, so needless to say I need to filter my pictures down to a few choice ones. . . .

I’ll have my wedding run down post up by weekend! Thanks for your patience everyone!

In the meanwhile, I’ll be slowly and surely putting my pictures onto my gallery, which can be seen here.

Kind thoughts and wishes are gladly welcome – the photo gallery allows comments.

 

Ode to my Warrior

On Saturday my brave Warrior will don a skirt kilt for his brother’s wedding.  He is very self-conscience of it, and truth be told he doesn’t really want to wear it, but he loves his brother and wants to support him in his day.

Colin is slightly ginger and has thick stocky legs, so he is the perfect build for kilt wearing.  He will totally give the chaps in Braveheart a run for their money! I’m looking forward to seeing him all dolled up – I’m just hoping his legs don’t look better in a skirt then mine!

Thank you Colin for being such a good sport, I know Paul & Kate appreicate it.

Meaning and Origin of Colin:
Colin means “Victory of the people” and its origin is Greek. The gender of this name is for a boy. This name has skipped across the Atlantic, its dashing World War II RAF image and British accent intact, and has made a triumphant landing in America. The one point of contention is its pronunciation. Traditionally, it is sounded with a soft o, but American flying ace Colin Kelly promoted the Cole-in version later emulated by General Colin Powell, the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Originally a short French form of NICOLAS, Colin was a popular name for shepherds in English pastoral poetry (and retains some of that lyrical quality), was a favorite of the MacKenzie and Campbell clans in Scotland, and was chosen by Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson for one of their sons.

The World’s Uglist Couch

 Its been almost two years since we sold the beloved ugly avacado puke green leather button back couch.   I have an odd sense of mourning about it.

Before I was married, and Colin lived with a few chaps in a rented house in Chertsey (Surrey, in the United Kingdom) .  In order to furnish their place they gladly accepted ‘handouts’ when ever they could.

This couch was one of said handouts.  It was given to them by a mutal work colleauge, who had quite an interesting genre he collected.  He collected all things ‘casino’ – which is really no small feat in rural England.  He had a garage full of one armed bandits, bar ware and lounge furniture.

This couch apparently spent its glory years in the lobby of some European casino, sadly we never found out which one.  What a glamourous life.

Scars of its past life of splendor were evident, to the worn drink rings on the arms, to the scuffing on the round ball feet.   The leather was worn the middle of each seat cushion, and the back of couch was yellowed from natural light aganist it.

After we got engaged and the guys went their seperate ways, Colin ‘inherited’ the ugly avacado puke green leather button back couch. For the time we lived in England it was the faithful heart of our living room.  It was the butt of many jokes, but Colin stayed true to his couch.  When the time came to move back to Canada Colin seriously contemplated the cost of bringing his free avacado puke green leather button back couch back to Canada to adorn our need abode.  Needless to say I wasn’t as keen on the idea.

Thankfully after several days of “Don’t worry Honey, we’ll find the couch a good home” He finally agreed to let me sell it on Ebay.

I put a reserve of 100 Pounds and a week for the auction.  We watched, and waited.  Many people “watched” the auction with us, but no bids.  The day the auction came to an end there was a frenzied bidding war on the ugly avacado puke green leather button back couch that Colin had got for free.  When the smoke cleared we were surprized to learn that we had got 500 pounds for the thing!   In fact, when I spoke to the chap who bought it on the phone he’d said he’d been looking for a couch just like it for ages, and was actually prepared to spend almost 1000 pounds to get it!

Its certainly true, people will buy anything on ebay.

Dear Ugly avacado puke green leather button back couch, 

I hope your life has been good, and your new owners cared for your as much as we Colin did.

Sincerely,

Colin and Joey 

I Luv U!

Its Valentine’s Day!  Remember to tell your someone special you love them!

So, in that spirit. . . . .I love you Colin.

Top 10 Rejected Love Hearts Candy Sayings

When in SHOWERS, it pours. Tails of Travel Back to the Little Big City.

I’ve re-climatized myself to everyday life back in Montreal, and wish to recount all the epic and heroic passages of time during these last back to back to back stints in the little big city. (Actually Milton, but lets not get technical) for all things wedding related.

Weekend 1) Drove to Toronto with Colin for Paul’s Bachelor Party (the evidence has not been posted !!) & Kate’s Family & Friends Wedding Shower (The Regal Party)

Weekend 2) I flew to Toronto for Kate’s MGH wedding shower.

Weekend 3) Colin and I drove to Toronto for Kate’s Bachelorette party.

These little tidbits are not nessasaily in chronological order. In truth, I’ve been working on this post for almost a month, so everything sorta melted together in my head.

So its all here. . . .but it might not be pretty. . . hahahah

ACT 1, Scene 1 ::: The Night I Nearly Killed my Husband.

I don’t want to relive this moment another time. If you know me you know the story. But for my loyal blog readers. Yes. I did almost kill my husband. In short, while driving to Toronto between Cornwall and Brockville the land is open and it valleys out. I was driving in the dark and snow and came to the bottom of the valley, which was pure thick black ice. I lost control of the car and it fish-tailed and swerved from lane to lane, narrowly missing getting hit by a transport truck. I believe had I not been able to steer the car the other way and into the ditch we would have hit the transport truck, Colin would have been killed instantly. I know it.

I love you Colin.

ACT 1, Scene 2 ::: Tea for My’Lady

Mrs Graham and I went to Claire’s house for the Regal Princess Shower. My camera batteries were dead so I got nadda pictures of the event. It was really lovely. I got to meet one of Kate’s friends Angela, who is just awesome.

ACT 1, Scene 3 ::: 3/4 and Up, Knees and Up, Neck and Down

Paul’s stag do was all day and into the evening. The guys played street hockey, and ate pizza. Then they went go karting. Followed by a paint-paul-by-numbers game (Thankfully following the 3/4 arms and up, knees and up, Neck and Down rule). The chaps went to Falchasie (I have no idea how to spell that), the very cool irish pub by Square One. I once saw the lead singer from Our Lady Peace there.

ACT 2, Scene 1 ProActiv ::: Every Terrorist’s secret weapon

I got to the Dorval airport at 5pm, right on time. My intention was not to check any of my baggage. I brought my Lululemon bag (which I will blog about later) and a small tiny suitcase with a couple changes of clothing.

I had done online check in, so I proceeded right to security. Upon the usual feel-up I get (damn my boobs, damn the underwire in my bra!) They decided to look into my bags.

My ProActiv solution bottle is 5ml more than is allowed. Now, this rule is about how much the the bottle holds and not how much is in the bottle. I was told I could leave the bottles and continue, or check my bag. I looked at the guy, and showed him my red and irritated acne. No dice. I asked nicely please just let me have my acne medicine. He didn’t budge

He said to me (no word of a lie) “We treat all potential terriorist the same, I cannot bend the rules for you“

Ok then! When did 20 something Canadian white chick taking a 45 min flight domestically become a profile for a terrorist?? And exactly how does one make a bomb out of zit lotion?

I reluclantly checked my bag.

ACT 2, Scene 2 ::: Musical Airplanes

After finally getting through customs for the second time. (damn underwire, damn it all!) I got to my gate.

The lounge hostess, with the nasally “Fran Dresher” voice came over the PA and said our 6 o’clock flight was delayed to 7:30 pm. I called Colin to ask him to call his parents.

At about 6:30 Fran came onto the PA again, saying our flight was moved forward and we would be boarding now for a 7pm take off. I called Colin again.

We boarded the plane. Fran came onto the plane PA this time, and said we had jumped the gun. Our flight was delayed again, this time till 8:30. She suggested we file out of the plane because we would be more comfortable in the lounge. I called Colin.

8pm Fran makes yet another anouncement, till time to board us again. We get comfortable, and then the Captain comes on the plane PA. Says the weather is bad in Toronto and we are delayed from take off. This time 9:30pm. I called Colin and we got off the plane for the second time.

At 10:30 we finally boarded the plane, and Fran wished us a nice flight. We arrived in Toronto at 11:15pm. 4.5 hours later than expected. I could have drove.

ACT 2, Scene 3 ::: January Showers

The weather problems in Toronto were in reference to freezing rain and black ice. I knew the temperature must have dropped quickly as I watched tiny viens of ice form along the porthole windows on the plane. It always amazes me how a little bit of weather can close down Toronto. Anyone remember Mayor Mel calling in the guards?

Kate‘s shower was early Saturday morning. It was nice to see so many of the Hall ladies who I haven’t see in a dogs age. I got to see Cheryl who is just coming up to 4 months pregnant. A pleasant surprise for her and her husband.

She is very small framed, and because of that little baby is showing already. We were talking about how you can see baby already, and my mother in law says to Cheryl. “If you are that big now, you are going to be HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGE by the end”. If said comment had been made by anyone else, it might have been offensive. I’m so glad Cheryl knows better and can laugh it off.

Kate got some lovely gifts (there was this kick ass red vase from Grace!). Sadly Kate‘s Maid of Honour was absent, she hurt her ankle earlier that week. Get better soon Sarah

Cheryl and I stepped in to support Kate for the day. Kate’s mom was there on hand too.

The cake was lovely, and the quiche was good too. Something I should learn how to make.

ACT 2, Scene 4 ::: Dressed for the Occassion

I tried on my dress for alterations, I did it all up with my hat and everything. I’m looking forward to wearing my hat.

Colin likes the ‘whole package’ much better. He was starting not to like the hat, as I was wearing around the house (with jeans etc). I figured since I spent that much on the thing, I should try to get as much wear as possible.

ACT 2, Scene 5 ::: One Small Step

I went to visit Christine for a little bit, and hang out with Ryan. He can pull himself up and stand at the couch. He isn’t walking yet, but he is close.

I hope he isn’t walking too soon, next thing you know he’ll be walking out the door and dating girls!

ACT 2, Scene 6 ::: Something Smells Fishy ::: Can you do me a Favor

Kate met with her band and DJ in the afternoon.

We met up for dinner at Nikos Sushi in Oakville. After dinner I helped Kate put together all her favors for the wedding.

It was nice to get a chance to sit and talk to Kate. I don’t really know her at all. I hope we can become friends.

ACT 2, Scene 7 ::: Schooled

I went to the MGH in the morning, and caught their open Sunday School (as the hall is under renovations). The chap that was speaking used the word ‘Awesome’ 5 times. That’s awesome to me.

ACT 2, Scene 8 ::: Ladies (and gentlemen) who Lunch

I went to lunch at Cheryl’s place. It was nice to catch up. I had a chance to chat with all her family, and her new family to be. I wish Kristi much luck and success with her upcoming wedding. Her wedding is the weekend before Paul and Kate’s.

ACT 3, Scene 1 ::: Out On The Town

Colin and I drove down to Toronto for the Bachelorette Party, here are some of the pictures.

Billy Has Got Some Talent!

Last Monday night I had the honor of going to the Montreal Billy Talent concert – as a guest of the band.
As previously mentioned in a Monday Melee, Colin went to school with the bassist IAN D’SA.

Monday night’s show was awesome, it was amazing to see that many screaming teenagers for the guy who we used to go to Monaghan’s in Oakville with for ‘cheap wing night’

After the concert we met up with Ian and a few of the band members for drinks at a small pub downtown Montreal.

Its such a cool thing to ‘hang out with rock stars’ (hahahahhaah I can’t believe I actually admitted that) But in all seriousness, Ian has come a long way! And its just incredible to see how much further the band can go.

In fact last night I watch Much Music, and they were interviewing Ian’s mom (she was saying how the guys used to practice in her basement in Mississauga).

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We got to go see Billy Talent in the summer as well, when they were a part of the VANS WARPED TOUR as well in the summer.

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Thank you to Henry & Pascaline for arranging the tickets. Much appreciated!!!

Henry is the artist who did all the artwork for the album.

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For the pure fact that the story amuses me, and its my blog, so please let me recount it again.
Ian and Colin graduted Sheridan College Classical Animation, both were up for the same job with Electronic Arts in England as a video game animator. Ian ended up turning it down saying that he wanted to concentrate on his band “Pez”. The recruiters for EA told Ian he was a fool for not taking the job. A few years later Pez, who became “Billy Talent”, were featured artists in one of EA’s biggest games “BurnOut”.

Colin and Ian also went to animation school with Henry (who did all the Billy Talent artwork), and with Geiger and Scott who also attended the show with us on Monday. Another big thank you to Henry for arranging everything.