I need a vacation from being on vacation..........

Not sure if that makes sense.  However, I am really tired now I am back home.  We were busier than normal when away, and you know when you're not sleeping in your own bed, you don't get as good a nights sleep.  Plus all homes/cabins/rooms/houses make different noises, so if you're a light sleeper, you can't quite settle.

Then when you get back, you have to catch up with daily life.  The grass was to cut, the garden to tidy up.  Laundry to catch up with.  Banking to catch up on.  Grocery shopping to do.  Everything to put away from the vacation; and on and on it goes.

We ended up coming home a day earlier.  I was not well.  My poor stomach was so upset.  We find the food very rich down south.  Mind you no one forced me to eat poorly!!!!

We were to leave on the Thursday but we had a rough night Tuesday night with acid reflux, me especially.  So much so we decided to head on home on Wednesday and stay overnight in Ohio again.

Here is some of the bad food choices we made!!

This was at Cracker Barrel and was actually not a bad choice, minus the biscuits with lashings of butter on them!!

This was hubby's plate of food from the Museum of Appalachia.  He left the green beans, as they were cooked within an inch of their lives he said!!

Mine was chicken noodle casserole, corn casserole and fried cabbage with a piece of sour dough bread.  The chicken casserole was like mac and cheese with some chicken and veggies in it.  It was very heavy.  The corn casserole was like a dead weight as well, left most of that.  The fried cabbage was not great.  Even the sour dough bread was odd.  It was the worst meal of the vacation.

We went to Dollywood and bought the tasting pass, which gave you five "meals or drinks" for a set price.  I will talk about this more when I do my post on Dollywood.  So the next three photos are what we got and none were healthy choices.

This was a kielbasa sausage skillet and a stuffed sweet potato with chicken and collard greens and fried onions and that white stuff was gravy I think.

A funnel cake.

A hot honey chicken pizza and garlic knot bread.

Then this I think is the meal that broke the camel's back as they say.  We had this on Tuesday lunchtime at the Cracker Barrel.  Again I think it was the biscuits with lashings of butter on them that did it.  Cracker Barrel has the best biscuit's/scones.  They are warm and fluffy, and oh so good!!

Suffice to say; I hardly ate anything on Wednesday nor on Thursday.  Friday I make chicken, carrots and some rice for supper, as by then my stomach was finally settling down..........

Now back to sensible eating!!

Eating Out

We finally "ate out" last week in a restaurant.  Well we had a breakfast sandwich, hash brown and coffee at McDonalds, so really a fast food joint.  Now I have to say it worked out well, as here in Ontario, you have to show proof of vaccination and identification to the restaurant before you are allowed to dine in.  You need to keep your mask on other than when you are eating or drinking as well.

Normally this McDonalds is pretty busy; the drive thru was, but inside the restaurant there was probably less than 10 people dining in.  We felt safe and quickly ate our meal, and then left.

We are hoping to eat out this week at Red Lobster, as they have really good fish and chips.  We will see how it goes.

I posted two book reviews over the weekend, here. Neither were the best of books.  One slightly better than the other.  I do not like posting negative reviews, but sometimes it can't be helped.

I remember reading a book detailing local history.  Now I think it was a self published book, as there were so many grammatical errors, it drove me crazy.  I am not perfect with my grammar myself, but when reading a book, I do expect the spelling to be correct and things to make sense!

Have you eaten out recently and did you have to show proof of vaccination?

When you're eyes are greedier than your stomach,,,,,,,,

You end up being sick all day the next day!!!  It was dh's birthday on Friday, so we went out to dinner at night to a place called Bistro Seven Seven.  The kids had given us a gift card at Christmas for $50 so we decided to use it towards the meal.  The photos are dark as we were sat in a corner and the lighting was "mood" lighting so you could hardly see a thing.

We had an amuse bouche of a goats cheese croquette with honey and pheasant with mushrooms and shaved parmigiano on a piece of toast.  Both were good.

The appetiser dh had was Hearts of Romaine, Garlic Emulsion, Buttered Croutons, Shaved Parmigiano or more commonly known as Cesar Salad.  He said it was good.

I had the soup of the day which was butternut squash and sweet potato.  It was really good, but I don't remember what else was in it.

They then brought us a small ball of mixed fruit sorbet to cleanse our palette.  Dh had the special of the night which was a spicy fillet of salmon with various veggies.  Again I can't remember what exactly the sauce was but it did have a kick to it he said.  The veggies were potatoes, mushrooms, parsnip, turnip and red cabbage.  He really enjoyed it.

I had hand-cut Herbed Gnocchi, Mushrooms, Wild Boar Bacon Cream Sauce with a balsamic reduction.  The gnocchi were super light and delicious.

Now this is where the "eyes are greedier than our stomach" saying comes in.  Despite being stuffed full we had desert.  Dh had goats cheese Cheesecake with a caramel drizzle, it was a lighter cheesecake, not a heavy New York type.

I had Banoffee Bread Pudding with caramel sauce, and yes it was as good as it looked!!

To finish we had a square of lemon fudge, homemade of course!  It cost us another $75 on top of the $50 gift card but was well worth it.  You could tell the quality of the ingredients used and the service was impeccable.

Now due to all that rich food I suffered greatly overnight and all day Saturday with heart burn.  Wouldn't be so bad but the kids are taking us out for lunch today for their dad's birthday. Just have to remember how much I suffered all day Saturday, and order something light!!!

Grocery shopping, eating out, look who wandered through the garden

I know I am not the only one saying this but the price of food seems to be rising and rising, doesn't it?  I always disappointed on how little I seem to get for the amount of money I have paid.

I went to Sobey's and got this lot:

That cost me $36.72, and honestly it doesn't look a lot does it?  I even had $6 worth of coupons.  Two $1 ones for the baked beans and a $1 one for the sour cream.  I got $3 off the five chicken breasts when I bought the two packages of Green Valley veggie/grain mixes.  One of the best deals was the 10lbs of PEI potatoes for $2.  I can hear my friend Cheryl who lives on PEI complaining now how much they cost her; believe me it will be a lot more despite the fact they grow them there.

I then went to the other town and called in at No Frills to pick up this little lot:

The one thing that is missing from the photo is a 28 package of bottled water that was on sale for $2.  The milk was on for $3.97 for a four litre bag, so I bought two, plus they had the "good" potato chips/crisps on for $1 a package, so got some as a treat for dh.  I got the loaf of bread half price, other wise no other deals, and spent another $35.41 on that.  

So this week I spent $72.13 and had savings of $7.54.  All I bought was food, there were no cleaning, paper or personal products bought.  I amazes me how people can feed a family of four or more on less than I can feed me and dh.  I must be doing something wrong?

On Saturday we went to Stayner to check out my favourite charity shop silent auction windows and had lunch at a coffee shop called Coffee Culture.  Now the Canadians who are reading this will gasp with horror at  my next comment.  I prefer their coffee over Tim Horton's.   I know I should be thrown into jail for saying that but it's true.  Their muffins are also way better.  Now to be fair they are more expensive than Tim Horton's, but it is worth the money.

They have a lunch special for $7, which includes a medium coffee, a BLT on a toasted Asiago bagel and either, a muffin, cookie or a bowl of soup.  It was so good and so worth the money.

At the moment, I am having trouble breathing and eating at the same time!!!  So I brought home my pistachio muffin to enjoy with dh for later one.  Everything was as good as it looked though.  So if you have a Coffee Culture near you, you should check it out.  They even have a Red Velvet Muffin!!!

The look who wandered past our house on Saturday afternoon:

Not sure what she wanted, and she was by herself.  What surprised me more, was she flew off.  I know that turkeys have wings but I have never seen them fly before.

I posted another book review here.

Don't mess with a woman who has PMS!

On Saturday I was in Brampton all morning with dh.  Did call in to see "R" and she really does look pregnant now, so that's good news!!

Later in the afternoon I had to go grocery shopping and as I had a few shops to visit, dh wisely said I should go on my own.  However dh had NOT so wisely said earlier in the week I had "AN ATTITUDE," so it must be coming up to that time of the month.  Personally I am sweetness and light every day of the month........but will say the comment regarding my attitude went down like a ton of bricks.

Anyhow back to my grocery shopping trip.  Went to Shopper's to take advantage of the 20 x the points event.  I politely said excuse me to a woman, so I could get some milk.  She said NO, and luckily for her, then said she was only joking and got out of the way............

Went to Zehrs and a huge guy was at the cash out with an equally huge load of groceries.  Luckily for him, there was another customer in between us, as I was VERY, VERY irritated with him.  He stood there the whole time with his hands in his jogging pants bottom's, which by the way made his physique look even bigger........again I digress........while a guy and the cashier packed all his groceries for him????

What the hell, take your hands out of your pockets and bloody well help.................

I then went to Sobey's and all I wanted there was four things.  A woman in front of me was buying a couple of planters for the outside of her house.  She comes to pay for them after much discussion {{{SIGH}}}, opens up her wallet and fishes around for a credit card and believe me there were plenty to choose from!!  Only to pick up a credit card that still has the sticker on it from when you get it in the mail.  Of course it doesn't work, so I say: "Have you called in to have it authorized?  As maybe that's why it's not working."

She says: "I don't remember, so that's why I am trying it."

What the hell (again).  Now she went on to pay for her things, I think with her debit card, as the bloody credit card wouldn't work.

By the time I got home and put away the groceries I was in no mood to cook supper.  So I persuaded dh to take me to Swiss Chalet for supper.  The good thing about this time of the year at Swiss Chalet is their festive special meal, which included Lindt chocolates!!!  As that is all a woman with PMS needs is chocolate.

As soon as I finished typing up this post, I settled in to eat all 5 of the Lindt chocolates, and no I didn't share!!!

Where did the weekend go too?

It was over in a flash and I have to admit with barely a minute to relax.

It started on Saturday morning at 5:30am when I got up to get myself ready to go to a garage sale.  Our township, was having a garage sale and I had booked a table inside back in February for $10.  Turned out to be a lovely day weather wise but cool, so I am glad I paid the extra $5.  There were 50 vendors and it was a great morning.  I came back with very little and made $69, but more important got rid of crap treasures that had been laying around!!  What I have left is being donated to a church garage sale next week, so it's a win, win situation.

I got home around 1pm, had a bite to eat then popped into town to spend my $69 on gas/petrol for the car and my gas containers for the lawn tractor.  Cost $80 but with Canadian Tire having a 10 x the CDN Tire $ I got $2.50 back in CDN Tire money.

Came back home and then dh took me into town to get some grocery shopping and run a couple other errands.  As we were heading home dd was on the phone as they had seen a house and were wanting to put an offer in, but could we (mainly her dad though) come down and give it the once over to  make sure they weren't making a mistake.  So after unpacking the groceries we set off at 4:15pm to go to Pickering.  Luckily the traffic was light and we got there by 5:30 pm. 

It was 7pm by the time we left the house.  I sat and talked to the real estate agent after looking around the place, while dh, dd and son-in-law, looked at the house in great detail.  We had something to eat on the way home in Schomberg, at a great little place called Cross Roads Fish and Chips (serves a lot more than fish and chips) which is on Hwy 9 at the main lights.  So it was 9pm when we finally got home.

I sat down had a glass of wine, which I know is very strange for me as I normally don't drink, but I saw a bottle of Jacob's Creek Moscato on sale in the LCBO and it is fizzy and is sweet, my kind of drink!!!  My head just hit the bed and I was out for a count, but it had been a full and productive day.

Sunday I had a lay-in and didn't get up until 7:30 am which is late for me.  Then I basically spent the whole day out in the garden, most of it cutting the grass.  I am now pleased to say all the grass has been cut at least the once.  That first cut especially in the field and on Kamikaze Hill is hard going as it had gotten so long.  I want to concentrate on weeding and prepping the veggie patch this week, if the weather holds out.

So there you go a crazy busy weekend, oh and dd and son-in-law bought the house and got it for under asking price..................only because it needs a bit of work doing on it.................but to hear their excitement in their voices is such a blessing and a joy.

Out and about........

On Monday we had dim sum for lunch.  I have never had that before.  It was in a restaurant that dd had eaten at before.

Now I will say I have no idea what all these items are called.  I liked some things, wasn't too keen on others.  I did however like the Chinese tea that they offered which surprised me.  Overall with the tax and tip it came to $23 for the both of us and we were stuffed.

We saw this sign in another restaurant window.  Look at the description (you may have to click on the photo to get a better look) of the types of noodles!!

Here is a link for my column in the Eden Valley Messenger.  I will say unless you live in the Eden Valley it probably won't be of interest to you this week, as it's all about the gypsies that come to Appleby for the Horse Fair each year.

Thursday's happenings.........

Lots to talk about.  I finished off the new garden, have yet to take a photo of it though.  Fiddled on outside for a couple hours first thing on Thursday morning.  That also included cutting some grass with the lawn tractor.  However that also meant me wrecking another blade on the tractor.  I know I give up with this cutting of the lawn.  So I now have to order some more blades, as I dug up stones and ruined the blade(s)

I went to Sears to get some more blades, but of course they had none in stock.  Tried a couple of other places in town, but of course nothing fits. {{SIGH}}

I went to the doctors, and my arm is fine, and I am doing everything that I should be doing and it will mend eventually.  So that's good.

Dd and I met up with a dear friend and had lunch at her work.  She's a buyer for a big company and they have a huge cafeteria.  Anyhow, they were giving out sample of icecream, so of course me and dd had to taste test them just to make sure they were okay!!!  We sampled three flavours, me: mint choc chip, banans split and caramel toffee crunch.  Dd tasted the mint choc chip, the caramel toffee crunch and the sprinkle party icecream.  Here is a full list of the flavours; mint choc chip was both our favourites.  The things I do for you.....I deserve a medal!! LOL

Poor Molly is rushed off her feet as the chipmunks have materialised again, and she runs back and forward from one window to the next looking at them.

She also started to bark up a storm this morning, couldn't decide at what to start with and then I saw it up in the tree.

Here is it's bum...........yep a raccoon.

It seems that Molly does NOT like raccoons!!

Another hot and humid day here......PLEASE RAIN!!!!

Also last night's sunset:

Our day out........

We went to the National Home Show in Toronto on Saturday.  We had VIP tickets so for once we went through the "Dream Home"  It was very, very modern, and not my cup of tea at all.  However there were a few things that we liked.

The garage was really neat and I said to dh he should get the tire rack made up to store my winter tires on there. Yes that was some sort of fancy dancy tv in the garage!

(as always click on the photo's for more detail)

This is a doggy shower in the mud room,  It took me a couple of seconds to click what it was.  I suppose it's a handy thing if you have a dog, or even kids with muddy boots.

I love this sink, it was one of a pair in the master bedroom, and I could see those fitting in our house.  Wasn't sure what exactly you would clean them with, I suppose something that is non abrasive?

I have to say we were disappointed this year with what was exactly on show.  We have also clicked that before we make enquiries about anything we have to make sure they are willing to service our area where we live.  It takes us a good hour outside of rush hour to get to downtown Toronto, probably an hour and a half in rush hour.  So a lot of people won't even consider coming out to our area.

We want to try and get the basement windows replaced, but I had wanted to get a couple of quotes this time.  So I think we'll use the local guys again.

This is a photo of the Direct Energy Centre where the show was held.  That is the CN Tower in the back ground.

Next door to the Direct Engery Centre, is BMO Field where Toronto FC (Football/Soccer) play.  Notice the big wind tower in the background.

Food is so expensive at these shows that we decided to have a late lunch and we had left the show by 1:30pm.  So we headed into Brampton, and had fish and chips at the Heritage Restaurant.  They have the best fish and chips around our area.  They even had knitted tea cosies for their tea pots ever so cute, the same as this one.  They have a lunch time special of haddock and chips for $5.95 and you get a plate full.  We shared a dish of mushy peas, so guess we'll be "gassy" tonight...LOL

We also lucked out today, as Home Depot were having a 20% sale on all their interior doors, so we picked up the four closet doors.  They should have been $89 each, we paid $71.20 each, so the savings nearly paid for one door.  We could have done without getting these at this moment, but couldn't turn down that savings.

So tonight I am going to go through my bag of goodies I got from the Home Show, and read up on all the things we looked at.  Oh and dream about what we could do if we had the money!!!

Did you remember to put your money in your Daily Savings Pot today?

Today's Money Saving Tip:

If you're going to eat out at restaurants, eat out on a lunch time, as more often than not it's cheaper and if you eat a large meal at lunch time, you probably won't want much to eat later on in the day.

Sorry I didn't get around to visiting your blog today (I am writing this Saturday night)........

Had an interesting but cold day downtown Toronto....

went with dd downtown Toronto to the Queen and Spadina area as I wanted to look at some fabric stores down there, and look for some trim/notions.

We took the subway down and walked along Queen Street. One landmark we had to pass was Much Music. Here are some photos of there. Now they did have a sign on the sidewalk saying that some girl was going to be there and a tv camera, and a bright light there. However I had never heard of her and neither had dd, so we walked on, plus it was too cold to hang around anyhow.





One of the "attractions" is that they have a car smashed into the wall, here is the photo, try not to be too excited about it all!!



We had lunch at a Restaurant called "Peter Pan," which is on Queen and Peter Street. I must say despite the wait it was really good. I had a pizza and it was very tasty. Sorry about the quality of the photo, it was too cold to fiddle on trying to take the perfect shot.



This shot I took as we were walking across the street, it turned out pretty well I thought.



These poor pigeons were sitting on a doorstep, look how fluffed up they are.



I then ran out of battery on my camera.......it's always the way!!

By the way, I didn't buy as much as I would have liked, as there wasn't much I was looking for, however I'll post more on my adventures in Toronto another day.

Okay whose bright idea was it to come down here when its a zillion degree's???

For someone who is normally allergic to the heat and humidity and who whines constantly about it when in Canada, this wouldn't be the best place to go, now would it? Oh well never mind, I should come back looking thinner if nothing else as I think I managed to lose 10 lbs in sweat walking about Charleston. Not sure whose bright idea it was to park at the market and then trek the 20 miles to the visitor information centre???? The tourist information person told us we had only walked half a mile, it sure was a long half a mile that's all I can say........and who said I was allergic to exercise!!!

How do you spot a tourist in Charleston?..........They are the only idiots out walking in the heat of the day with bright red faces and sweat dripping off of them.....yep, that would be me!!!

So we had lunch today at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company today, and being the adventurous sorts that we are, we had fish and chips..............don't you want to just smack us. Anyhow we saw these t-shirts and dh was saying he knew a few co-workers that should wear these:


We were told about a dreaded Wal-Mart, so off I trot in there to pick up some beach chairs, now a beach chair has very, very short legs, who knew that?



Which is all well and good, but who is going to haul us out of them??? We need a bit of height to get us hoisted out of them, so we plumped for regular old lawn/deck chairs. At least I am guaranteed to haul my butt of of them, and not end up like a beached whale on the beach.

Oh and I forgot to tell you, there is a special deal on for these units to rent with a 20% discount from now until the end of October. I thought I had paid full price, so off I trot to the rental company this morning to get my extra discount. Turns out they had already given me a 15% discount, but to shut me up I got another 5% discount and $6 credit for the rotten Internet, so it's ended up costing us nothing for the Internet.

So I only took a couple of photos in Charleston today, as honestly I was sweating like a pig and couldn't see anything. This is a photo of the United States Custom House by the port.



And another shot:



Now the posts should get a bit more exciting when we go places. I'm not sure if its the sea air, the heat, or the journey down, but we are pooped. So we may be a day or two before we really get into our visiting places modes. We have bought a few tickets to places, so its just a case of us getting off our butts and going.

And finally a nice shot of the waves.........