Playfair Park

The little Miss Chibi and I get bored walking down the street to our same old park all of the time.  Michael suggested I try walking over to another nearby park to check out their amazing Rhododendrons instead!

Playfair Park is a little far for us to walk on a work day so we drove over but did enjoy a quick stroll through the absolutely amazing Rhodos and then a heart pumping walk up the hills of the residential area around the park.

Probably a better place for a picnic rather than a workout walk but still one of the most beautiful hidden gems in all of Victoria.  Lovely!

Bye Bye Bananas

Monday.  The day for catch up and few collages. :) 

We are rewinding all the way back to Thursday here.  Why?  Because I don’t want you to miss out on a photo of toast with peanut butter and bananas.

No more bananas until fruit fly season ends.  Sad.

I consoled myself with tuna salad.

And cottage cheese.

And a trip to Starbucks with the other Jamie for iced tea, a Panini, and a walk down the block with the pupper.

Friday morning brought back hot coffeeeeee….

Look!  A different breakfast.  Monkey Oats courtesy of Jamie.

Nom. 

Friday afternoon was gloriously sunny so Chibi and I took a break in the park.

Then came home for leftover tuna salad and fresh veggies.

Friday night I met up with the girls and Michael for a delicious dinner with a view. 

Photos to come.  Happy Monday!

Sun Drenched

What’s the best way to spend an absolutely glorious hot and sunny Summer Saturday morning?  Why sitting on a sun drenched patio in my bikini with coffee, a man, a new Kindle book and fresh fruit salad of course.

Even the puppers were in fine spirits and willing to share a blanket in the hot, beautiful sun!

Also fun, climbing through Michael’s hedges in bare feet and my bikini rummaging for strawberries.  I started out with a handful for snacking and by the time I was done there was a whole bucket.  This is how I earn my keep apparently.

After realizing I’d been a tad too late with the sunscreen I decided to call it a day from the sun…and apparently my camera.  I spent the afternoon doing a few chores around my apartment, then we spent the evening stuffing ourselves full of Teppanyaki deliciousness at Japanese Village for Michael’s sister’s birthday (hi Brenda!!).  Steak sauce for the win.

Sunday was another relaxing day…oh life is rough.  Mostly I ran some errands with Tiffaney and puttered with my planters.  My tomato plant is near bursting with little green babies just waiting for more than two days of sun!

My cilantro bolted early on so now it’s just pretty to look at.

Summer snackypoo:  BC Rainier cherries.

Later I threw together an easy Greek Pasta Salad because it’s super awesome to crank up a hot pot of boiling water on a crazy hot day. ;)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups small pasta (I used Smart rotini)
• 1 cup English cucumber, cubed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/3 cup yellow pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 12 pitted Kalamata olives, halved
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, diced or crumbled (I used light)
• fresh basil, chopped
• Dressing made from Clubhouse Greek Seasoning (3 tbsp seasoning, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp water.  Shake together and let stand while preparing salad.)

Directions:

1. Boil pasta according to package directions.
2. While pasta boils, chop veggies and cheese and toss in a large bowl.
3. Drain cooked pasta and immediately rinse with cold water to stop cooking process and chill pasta.  When pasta is fully drained and cool to the touch add to the bowl of veggies, add dressing, and toss to coat.
4. Let stand before serving.  Refrigerate if more than 20-30 minutes before meal time.

We served this alongside store bought deli chicken with tzatziki for dipping and a side of Matthew McConaughey.  Light, flavourful, simple Sunday dinner.

Later we dished up some of Saturday’s strawberries atop vanilla ice cream and I might have cried a little because the berries were so good.  If only my little patio berries hadn’t fallen victim to the evil Victoria wind Gods.  I guess I’ll just have to continue to raid Michael’s garden.

Someone’s got to do it.

Friday Rewind

Friday finally brought sun to town!  In case you don’t know, Victoria’s Summer has been pretty much non-existent.  No bueno!!

Chibi was very pleased with this turn of weather events as it inspired her lazy human to take a walk to our park.  We’ve been slacking on our daily park trips big time.

Lunch was a quickie genius idea.  Leftover spaghettini warmed and tossed with creamy, herby goat cheese, fresh basil and chopped tomatoes.  Nom.

Look kids: a koala!  I bit his head off.  mwahaha.

Since the sun was shining and a few of us had a free Friday evening we decided to hit up the patio at Glo Restaurant for some sunshine and cocktails.  Too bad it was windy as all heck!  We changed tables for a more pleasant experience.

Michael joined me, Laura, Hugh and Polly.  One fruity cocktail, one amazing mushroom pizza, and a couple of hours of chitchat later we called it a night.

Michael made his way home while I stopped by my place to pick up Chibi and do what any normal girl does… whip up a batch of Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookie batter (sans bacon) to take with me to his place.

What?  How else shall I provide completely necessary Friday night cookies without dragging my baking cupboard with me?

It’s a well known fact that the way to a man’s heart is clearly through the aroma of freshly baking cookies.  I’m just doing my part.  Sue me.

Iceberg, ho!

Thems is some big, fat raspberries.  So sad that I demolished that container in just two breakfasts. 

Please note that my dining room table is still covered in paperwork.  In fact, you should see it today!!!

Yesterday I professed my love for iceberg lettuce.  It gets a bad rap.  Like it’s the ugly stepsister of the leafy greens family.  But it is really crunchy and refreshing!!  (and um, only 99 cents this week!)

Iceberg always makes me want Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing though…so I splurged on this wee bottle for this week’s salads.

In the big silver bowl:  iceberg, cherry tomatoes, baby cucumber, radishes, matchstick carrots, avocado, dressing and a hard boiled egg.

Totally yum.

After lunch I double sprayed myself from head to toe with sunscreen and headed out for a 40 minute walk in the sun with my sun dog.  Nothing she loves more than being out in the heat (she’s never been to Mexico but clearly it’s in her genes!).

Stopped for a cool down on the way home… Mocha Coconut Lite Frap.

Afternoon snackypoo:  TJ’s artichokey dip, pita crackers and Light Laughing Cow wedges.

Dinner was light and easy, involving these rainbow carrots I picked up on the weekend.

Simply steamed then drizzled with honey and sprinkled with fresh basil from my patio garden.

Served alongside a quickly seared salmon filet topped with TJ’s pineapple salsa and more basil.  Easy, peasy, delish.

Pink Creamsicle to end the day. 

I climbed into bed at a reasonable hour with my book and a melatonin with hopes of a proper night’s sleep (I’m still awake until 2-3am most nights).  I did manage to fall asleep sometime shortly after midnight, but my sleep was not solid.  Bah.  Maybe tonight.