Emotional Morning

While talking with Lynn a while ago I commented that I wanted to make sure to plan breakfast or something for Sunday because I didn’t just want to get up all alone and leave town.  It needed to be a happy memory filled with friends. :)  So she contacted a few people and set up one last Cora’s meal.

Even after my 3am party night bedtime I was up early enough to finish packing my suitcases and to get a start on loading the car.  Then I zoomed off to meet Angie, Lynn, her hubby Jason, and Mark, Cosette and Camille.

I brought along my Road Trip mascot…this cute little tiger Camille gave me when she was sorting her stuffed animals...

What shall we call him? 

I had planned on getting the delicious Cora’s waffle with fresh fruit, but decided that I needed a more substantial meal with protein for my 4+ hour drive so instead ordered Rosemary’s Sunday…

Bacon, hashbrowns, fruit, eggs over medium, and two small blueberry crepes…

 

With coffee, water and a slice of toast for yolk dipping.

** Right here is where there should be a photo of the amazing, thoughtful gift Lynn, Angie and Tasha put together for me.  It’s safe and sound packed in my car at the moment but I promise to show it off as soon as I can. **

Those lovely girlies took the time to put together a photo album of my time in Halifax…photos galore of all of the fun times we had together.  We sure have accomplished a lot in the 2.5 years I called the East Coast home. 

I was just soooo touched that they would take the time to do something like that for me.  Incredible really!!

(they also included gift cards for Starbucks and gas to help keep me going on my Colossal Road Trip)

(and then Cosette arrived and handed me a card Camille made, and also included another Starbucks gift card…I think these folks know I neeeeeed coffeeeeee!)

After breaky we headed outside for our final goodbyes and pictures…

I really thought I’d make it through without crying, but I guess I didn’t stand a chance.  Lynn got me going, but Angie really got me!!  I blame myself for saying I wished I would be here when her peanut is born.  We were all a real scene in the strip mall parking lot! I will miss those girlies!

Back at the house it was time for loading the car and a final walk through of the house I’ve called home for the last 2.5 years.  Up until today I was OK with letting it go…but it’s the first home I’ve ever owned and walking out the door today was a bit too real.  My keychain is very bare now… :(

Mark, Cosette and Camille were there to send me off…

I completely lost my shit hugging this girl goodbye.  We were both sobbing messes in the driveway.  I really should have packed my East Coast friends in the trunk of my car.

We pulled it together by taking more pictures.  :)  My little tiger and I are ready to rock this Road Trip!!

Fredericton here we come!

Final Hurrah

Saturday was a hectic day…being my last day in the house and in Halifax I had a lot to do!  Of course, this also included a little bit of a sleep in so I wouldn’t be totally exhausted.  :) 

Since my coffee maker had been packed off with the movers I made a quick run for coffee and a breakfast snack.

Double tall non-fat half-sweet vanilla latte…

Low-fat banana chocolate chip loaf…

While taking care of last minute banking and such, I also snacked on the last of the fresh strawberries…

After cleaning the fridge of all useless condiments and uneaten random freezer finds I threw together one final salad with the last of the fresh produce…

Romaine, carrots, beets, green onions, light cheddar and Spring Herb dressing.

I then did something I highly recommend.  I went for an AMAZING facial at a beautiful spa!!  When Arron and I broke up the girlies wanted to do something nice for me so they bought me a gift card for Interlude Spa.  The opportunity to use it didn’t present itself right away so I decided to keep it for my final Halifax hurrah!

I opted to try the Radiance Facial because I’ve never had one before. Glorious correct decision!! No less than 12 lotions and potions used on my face, plus hand and foot massage too.  Incredibly relaxing in the midst of a whole lotta hoopla. Shout out to my esthetitian Janna B. for a lovely afternoon.

And special thanks to Angie, Lynn, Tasha, Lesley, Lex, Cat, Jen and Amy for such a thoughtful gift!

My skin was so dewy and glowing I ran my errands sans make-up!

On the way home I picked up sushi for dinner…

California Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll from Sushi Nami.

After using up all of my relax time, it was time to get down to business.  You know…vaccuming and cleaning the bathroom.  Good fun!  All done in time to get all prettied up for my last night out on the town.

Can’t leave Hali without a few final cocktails and laughs with some friends.  We visited The Foggy Goggle and The Economy Shoe Shop.  I may have consumed multiple White Russians as a tribute Arron for bringing me to Halifax and allowing me to meet these fabulous people I may never have otherwise known.

Cosette et moi

 

Me and Lex

Lex sneaking into Sarah’s picture

Marky and me :)

Lesley and Lex (apparently I’m missing the photo of Les and me…will have to get a copy of that one stat!)

It was a hilarious time to be downtown as it’s Fleet Week here.  Many British and American sailors are in town for the International Fleet Review and the Queen’s visit.  Seemed fitting that I’m leaving my Navy-wife life behind on the eve of such an event.

We were highly entertained.

I managed to not cry (just tear up) when hugging Sarah, Les and Lex goodbye.  Chalk that up to the bevvies and late hour.  I literally fell into bed when I got home…at 3am.  Woot!  Not to shabby for a final Saturday night!

Final Countdown

Well, here we are folks!  thisclose to my departure!  This time tomorrow I will be loading the last of my personal possessions into my trusty VW and heading off on the first leg of my Colossal Cross-Canada Road Trip!

Yesterday was a pretty big day in that all of my stuff was loaded up and hauled away.  I was up early anticipating a long day…and wouldn’t you know it if they didn’t have everything completely loaded in only 2 hours!  Amazing.

My load weighed in at about 1200lbs more than I originally estimated (I had adjusted my estimate by around 750lbs, but clearly I don’t know how much furniture and boxes actually weigh!).  oooops!!  I blame my real wood, double leafed dining table. ha.

The coffee maker is long gone so I started the day with a misto.  Half-sweet hazelnut non-fat misto to be precise.

With a PB&J sandwich thin…

And delicious local strawberries…

Once the truck left I was able to check a few errands off my list ($50 for an address change!! blech!) and came back to the house to throw a salad together…

Like my fancy bowl?  :)

Mixed greens, carrots, red peppers, beets, and green onions…

With Spring Herb dressing and light feta cheese.

I also made a refreshing drink of Blueberry POM mixed with icy cold Diet Sprite.  It was sooooo warm yesterday…this totally hit the spot!! 

The afternoon was spent puttering around the house, finishing up some work, and sitting on hold with my insurance company for 47 minutes.  Gah!  I also checked the mail and found a lovely card from my Mama and my cute cherry apron arrived from Katie!!

So excited that it made it before I move. 

I snacked on dried apricots and a Clif Zbar…

My evening was spent have a final farewell drink and appy with Miss Tasha at Your Father’s Moustache.  We were on the rooftop patio, and typical of me I took pictures of the food but not Tasha or the fun surroundings.  duh.

Corona and nachos.  Perfect combo for a great day, warm evening, and fond farewell.  Thank you Tash!

After dinner I headed over to Mark and Cosette’s to just hang out.  We haven’t had a chance to just sit and visit and I wanted to make sure we did before I leave.

Coco made us a selection of yummy snacks…Hummus, black bean dip, multiple breads and tortillas, brie, kolbassa, and fresh pineapple and local strawberries…

 

I ate my fair share (and maybe a little more!)…with a glass of fruity Nova Scotia red wine.

Around 11pm I totally lost my steam and finally dragged myself home by midnight.  I climbed into bed to watch a bit of Grey’s Anatomy but didn’t last 15 minutes.  Twas a long day! 

Today will be a lot of last minute packing, tidying, fridge emptying, etc.  I also have a facial scheduled this afternoon and fun plans for a last night on the town tonight.  I have to return the cable modem, etc today so I won’t have regular internet access going forward…so blogging will be at the mercy of my travel hosts, hostesses and hotels. 

Tomorrow entails a last Cora’s breakfast with Angie and Lynn and a send off at home with Mark, Cosette and their daughter Camille.  Here’s hoping I stay strong!

I look forward to telling you all about my adventures as I go!  I don’t promise toooo many balanced eats, but I do promise some great photographs, hopefully interesting stories, and fun times ahead!  (I’ll be tweeting when I can as well:  follow along with my hashtag: #victoriaboundblogger)

Talk soon!!  First stop:  Fredericton, NB!

Three Course Breakfast

Chalk up another delicious Halifax food experience pour moi!

Yesterday was Tasha's Big 3-0! so we decided that rather than another dinner we'd like to take her for a fabulous brunch.  Lynn is our local brunch expert so Angie and I followed her lead to try out the Sunday brunch buffet at the Westin Nova Scotian...Elements Restaurant.

Beautiful historic hotel. 

The brunch buffet offerings are so plentiful some of the larger stations are in the foyer.  Omelette/waffle bar, pasta station, desserts (including chocolate fountain!!).

With soooo many options we all decided to work in different courses.  My plan was to try a little bit of as much as possible, but my rule was that I had to have either fruit or veggies on each plate.

Round one:  egg strata (with feta, red peppers, and tomatoes), bacon, fruit, cheese, mini lemon danish...and I did pick up a few cold shrimp and a slice of ham which I ended up not eating.

I think we all tried the strata and loved it.  Can't go wrong with feta cheese!!  The danish was excellent too (often in situations like this they can be a little hard or stale but this one was perfect).

Round two:  I really wanted a waffle but there was about a 12 minute wait so I decided on an omelette instead (the intent was to go back for the waffle, but who was I kidding?).  Tomatoes, ham and cheese in my omelette...super yum!!  With salad, fruit and a croissant.

 

I actually love omelettes and salad as a meal.  I need to make a note to include a few fun omelettes in my future dinner plans.

I didn't even get near a lot of the options...other stations included soup, roast beef & mashed potatoes, sushi, and things such as cold smoked salmon, etc. 

Round three:  was supposed to be the waffle but I really wanted dessert so I had to pass...the chef scolded me...haha.  In fact, when he saw us leaving he told me I'd better come back for a waffle.  I didn't have the heart to tell him I'm leaving town!  :)

Instead I went for an all chocolate tasting plate.  Eclair segment, some sort of dense brownie deliciousness with caramel sauce, and marshmallows and a lady finger that I grabbed mostly because I wanted to dip stuff in the chocolate fountain...

I ended up only eating half of the brownie (which was dense, moist and incredible!!), half of the eclair, and the marshmallows.  Didn't even touch the lady finger...way.too.full. 

Of course no birthday brunch is complete without prezzies!!!

Upon hearing it was Tasha's birthday, our server Jose offered to make her a flower... what a guy!

Speaking of the service, I should be sure to mention it was excellent.  Fresh coffee, tea and orange juice are included with the buffet.  Each time we got up for food, we would come back to our table cleared of the dirty dishes, our drinks replenished and even our napkins refolded.  And that Jose was a sweet talkin' man!  ;)

I brought Tasha some loot from DavidsTea.  Halifax just got a store in our shopping center and I've heard a few rave reviews by tea drinkers and thought it might make a good gift spot.  Sure enough it was! 

After we all complained about how full we were we took a quick walk around the hotel.  It's beautiful!  Lynn actually got married there so she showed us upstairs where she had her ceremony.  Of course, we decided we needed a few pictures!

Another fabulous overindulgence for us girls this weekend!  But totally worth it. Happy Birthday Miss Tasha!! This is your decade!