Day at the Beach

After starting my day out in a ‘mood’ yesterday I was glad my big plans for the day included pretty much just laying around in the sun.

I was up relatively early to retrieve my car from the pub (no parking ticket!  yay!) and of course stopped for caffeine on my way home.

I snacked on yogurt, banana and blueberries while I blogged…

Around noonish, Tiffaney picked me up and helped me procure my new desk…and basically carried that heavy puppy up here all by herself.  Then we stopped at London Drugs to get her some sunglasses and I left with the patio chairs I had been admiring the weekend before. 

We grabbed my absolute favourite lunch…rollups from Delicado’s…then headed for the sand. 

Willows Beach in Oak Bay, Victoria.

 

All sunscreened up, don’t worry.  Our friends Jill and Rose joined us while we lounged, chatted, and ate candy.  Lovely afternoon. 

  

On our way home we stopped for refreshing Frosters from Macs.  A glorious, hot, sunny Saturday is not complete without a slushy treat!

  

The rest of my Saturday was spent napping, visiting with a friend, finally catching up on my banking/budgeting, and watching half a season of Grey’s on my computer.  Just the recharge I needed I think!

Today was dedicated to getting my kitchen stocked up and picking up as many of the small ‘must have’ items that have been on my growing list.  As much as I hate to admit it, I loved spending a couple of hours just wandering through the giant new Walmart Supercentre. 

Before I left I munched half of a Squirrelly bagel with PB and honey.  I also had an Iced Coffee from Starbies but I guess I didn’t take a picture.

As much as I like to try to shop local, I’m on a major budget trying to restock a household here.  I did pop into Zellers the other day but as per usual I walked out empty handed because the prices and selection just aren’t good enough. 

I bought a bit of produce at Walmart but I won’t be making a habit of that…although it all looks to be quite good quality and the prices were certainly right.

I also visited the grocery store afterwards to pick up some more produce, fresh seafood, and a few odds and ends I couldn’t get at WM.  On my way through the bakery I spotted one of my favourite carby treats…a pepperoni cheese stick!

I used to work at Thrifty Foods and would eat these for lunch on a regular basis.  I bet it’s been 5 years since I had one.  Still delicious!

It took me four trips up the stairs to my apartment to unload all of my loot…so I guess I did actually kind of get a workout today.  :)  After putting everything away I broke in my new patio chairs and did some reading on my sunny patio.

Even after buying all of those groceries I still ate something pre-made for dinner…but freshly pre-made!  Bacon wrapped scallops…nom nom nom.

On top of a crispy romaine salad…simply tossed with cherry tomatoes and orange pepper…and dressed with EVOO and lemon juice. 

Tonight’s plan is to set up my new desk so I can finally quit working on my laptop at the kitchen table!  I’ll be snacking on these peanut butter pretzels I found in the bulk section at Thrifty’s.  Yes, these are the same bad boys we thought only came from Trader Joe’s.  Danger Danger!!

Before bed I will be taking part in Day One of Lynn’s Seven Days of Yoga Challenge.  I tested out my ability to do yoga with my bad leg/hip/bum the other day and while it’s not perfect by any means I didn’t hurt myself worse so I’m happy to be a part of the challenge.  Perfect timing for motivation to get back on the fit and fab bandwagon.  :)

Burrito in the Sun

I made no plans this weekend.  None.  It is glorious.

I have five simple things on my to-do list which need to be done in no particular order, nor in any rush.  Love it.

Item number one was to hit up the Halifax Farmer's Market again...

But I slept in.  And it was wrapping up when I got there.  Oh well.

So I got an iced coffee and hauled out James Dean for a little quality time on the town.  I planned ahead and wore sunscreen, comfy shoes, and a t-shirt that wouldn't leave me with stupid tan lines if I did in fact get too much sun.

 

First stop was to have a little sit-down in the park with Cornwallis.  He founded Halifax you know!

I was also intrigued by this odd Ukrainian statue in the same park. 

Looks a little headless, no?

But the details were phenomenal.

'The two draped flags, of 1891 and 1991, represent the marriage of the past and present in their new country Canada.

The bread and salt placed on an embroidered towel is a traditional Ukrainian welcome representing life and the new life Canada had to offer.'

Since I had only eaten a Super-Charge Moi! cookie for breakfast I was getting hungry while I wandered around, so I sent Scott a text to find out where this burrito joint he goes on and on about was.  I've been dying to try it and today seemed like a good day!

Burrito Jax on Blowers Street.

On my way there I passed this house that I originally learned about on Brad's photo blog. 

The story of the Morris building can be found here.  This was constructed in the 1760s as the office building of the first Chief Surveyor of Nova Scotia, Charles Morris.  During a recent development project Nova Scotia Power agreed to help preserve the building...the process is currently underway.

I found the burrito place easily.  Both of the girls working were in great spirits and happy to explain the process to me. 

I opted for the small size on a whole wheat tortilla.  Based on Scott's recommendation I went with the Jax Chicken as my protein of choice (shredded chicken seasoned with Mexican spices).  Then they walk you down the line of ingredients to chose as you wish.  I "think" I had smashed beans (like refried), black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, cheese, Pico Jax (mild & fresh salsa) and burrito sauce (sour cream with lime, garlic & herbs).  They then fold it up and cook it through while you wait.

I took my wicked smelling burrito and cold bottle of water to-go.  Walked down to the waterfront and found a bench and patch of grass.  How's this for a lunchtime view?

The burrito lived up to the hype!  Super yummy and not ridiculously filling.  I think next time I might try the sweet potato and/or guacamole and definitely try one of their spicier salsas or sauces (I went mild to start because I'm a bit of a wuss).

I enjoyed it!

  

Thanks to ordering the small size I had room for a scoop of ice cream...

More walking around in the sun snapping photos...

  

Worked my way back to my car and then went off to enjoy the air conditioning of the grocery store before coming home to tackle the dandelion garden that is my lawn.  Quite the workout pushing that mower around!

Tonight involves painting my toenails and enjoying some quiet time.  Tomorrow there are some chores that I should probably tackle....maybe.

:)

Razzmatazz

Look at all these glorious, juicy, fresh, local raspberries picked by my very own hands!  Don’t you just want to dive right in?!  I know I do…and may have done so already…

12 lovely pints!  Whatever will I do with them?  Suggestions welcome.  :)

Farm Girl (FG) was nice enough to include me in a trip out to the valley to pick raspberries at her family farm.  It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day and was just perfect for picking. 

    

After a few hours of fun in the sun, we took our haul, got cleaned up and headed off for lunch.  FG suggested Wheaton’s Cider Press Cafe because she knew I had been jealous when she took Lynn and Angie there and I couldn’t go.  :( 

I didn’t even look at the menu.  Lobster Roll please! With the awesome house salad and poppyseed dressing on the side.  Fresh and oh so deeeeeelish.  A raspberry lemonade to drink.

Then FG led the way through her stomping grounds to a few good farm stands.  I was on the hunt for local peas and blueberries.  She found me both!

The peas were so good we started snacking in the car after the first stand, so I bought more at the third stand.  And those ones were smaller and sweeter…I wish I’d bought about 3x as many!

I also picked up local yellow plums, sweet cherries, romaine, potatoes, and green beans.  It’s going to be a fruit and veggie filled week (more than usual) at our house!

Thanks again FG.  I love me some country time!  :)