::another:august:weekend::

My Friday "Partaaaaay" Night...JGL, Dean Koontz, antibiotics, medicated nasal spray and such after being diagnosed yesterday with a respiratory tract infection and infected eardrum and congested...well, head in general pretty much.

Random Ramblings

Wow...what an intense last few days...they have been quite busy and quite eventful to say the least. First of all, I finally got a job ~ I may have mentioned that not too long ago but I started on Wednesday and I am loving it! My bosses are some of the nicest people I have met and I really enjoy working alongside them...it feels like hanging out with friends to be honest...I am very excited to work for them and for this business to really flourish. It’s going to be great! 

I have also come to the realization ~ well, it isn’t really anything new ~ that you can’t please everyone and not only that but you can’t be friends with everyone. I tried recently reconnecting with an old ‘friend’ if you will...just because in the past a lot of shit got between us ~ our own differences as well as people and it hurt our friendship or what was left of it from over the years...it really isn’t salvageable right now...but I sorta wanted to let her know that it was unfortunate that all this bullshit came between us...not only that, because it is obvious that we don’t have much in common at all but i guess my own behavior...to allow myself to become so malleable when it came to believing everyone else's opinions over listening to my own and just being an angry person in general the past year...lots of shit has gone down and I took it out on the wrong people at times...anyways, I do really wish her all the best and all great things in the future as well. Everyone deserves to be happy...but it is sort of obvious she doesn’t want to chat and that is cool...I tried! I can’t really do much else but move on...

I have also realized who my true friends are over the past few weeks...or month maybe...there are {or rather were} people in my life that I really thought were on my side...it turns out that these particular few never were...it sucks...because I was duped - if you will. I wish these people all the best as well...but I know that if I love myself than I cannot let these people back into my life to manipulate me any longer. 

Like my Mom said...not everyone is going to like you...sometimes it is just not meant to be...and to move on and just remember those that do love you and have your back. 

Of course people make mistakes in the past...several times...all you can do is forgive...I forgive all the people in my past...I have come to realize that there is no point or reason in holding a grudge...it isn’t good for the heart!

So - that is what has been on my mind the past few days...

Loving work. Here is our office. ;)  

Anyways, moving on...

Today was the CanFitPro show in Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre...I got a pair of tickets from Tosca Reno’s website...I was really looking forward to going as I am into all this health and wellness business lately again and I was eager to meet Tosca as well...take pictures ~ get autographs and see all the neat things there...so the boyfriend and I got ready and off to Toronto we went...unfortunately when we got there ~ there was only about another 2 or so hours left of the show...and we legit {and not even exaggerating here} could not find any parking...we went all over the place...but unfortunately the car that we went in to get there - which happens to be my boyfriends new truck was way too big and too tall...we couldn’t get into any of the underground parking and a lot of the parking attendant people wouldn’t allow us to park in their lots outdoors as we were “too big”...and they probably could fit two cars instead of just us. Even if there blatantly were parking spots available they wouldn’t allow us to park. It was ridiculous! I was quite upset...by that time...there wasn’t much time left and we had no choice but to leave...I was so sad...I was really excited for this show and looking forward to it...

I guess I can’t really have a pity party about it right now...what is the sense? But i decided to vent anyways...

I was watching Oprah’s Next Chapter shenanigans on OWN last night with her interview with lady gaga...which was interesting...although gaga is a little loopy and Oprah can be quite annoying but anyways ~ that is beside the point...there was a part where Gaga’s Mom took out her {Gaga's} old gratitude journal out to share ~ apparently O had a show on back in the day telling people to keep a gratitude journal...Oprah then said something; that people can change and make a difference...and it starts with gratitude...of course people have their own opinions...but gratitude definitely should be a big part of everyones daily lives...I have been told in the past to practise gratitude...and sometimes I just didn’t because I thought what I was grateful for was just silly materialistic things or I just sounded like a broken record...but from what I saw...it doesn’t matter...Gaga wrote she was grateful for friends and family and even clothes...so I decided that I am going to try this daily gratitude thing again...and I am going to post my daily gratitude on here as well whenever i post...

I definitely think it is something everyone should be doing...

So let me start today...

*Things I Am Grateful For - August 18th, 2012*

This was a taken randomly and turned out great!

1. Even though a bit overweight {not that I am not grateful for it in general} ~ a body that allows me to push it to the max...we were able to push through an hour and a half of weight training today...even though in the beginning it was hard getting into it...I ended up kicking my own ass in the end. 

2. A boyfriend that is sweet...I am going to openly admit here that when I say I was upset about the CanFitPro show I mean that I was seriously upset...meaning I legit cried in the car...my boyfriend was sweet and there for me and promised me we would go to the next one...or at least find out when Tosca’s next appearance is and go from there...he tried to make me feel better and he did...besides, he did say something that made sense...Ava Cowan is supposed to be my first fitness idol I meet. ;)) 

3. A freezer - ice cold water is amazing especially after a dinner of piping-hot chicken noodle soup. 

4. Glasses - I am blind as a bat {not really that bad}...but I am grateful for them! Hahah.

5. Hot water...to have hot baths whenever I am having a shitty or stressful day.

Miss my angel.

6. Pictures...whenever I am having a particularly hideous day or even great day I always wish I could share it with Skiusz...I am grateful that I am a self-proclaimed papparazo and take pictures like crazy - therefore I have so many of my baby...and I can look at him whenever I am feeling down and his precious little face puts a smile on mine.

7. True friends...I have some truly amazing friends - they are very few and far between...and I know some amazing people...ones that I thought never put a second thought when it came to me but then I realize that i really do sit in the back of their minds and they do care! I got some of the most thoughtful ‘welcome back’ gifts when I started working again at the U...and one friend in particular that ALWAYS has my back...and is always there to listen and puts up with my whiney-ass bullshit...my bitching {especially lately} and my PMS. You know who you are. :)) 

That’s all for now...and of course...my family...there isn’t a day that doesn’t go by where I am not grateful for them...for my Dad who watches my back quietly...my Mom who listens all the time and my Sister who reminds me of what and who I am and to be proud. ;)) 

Anywho - that is all for now folks...a little journal entry of sorts if you will...now to copy and paste and proofread as I wrote this in pages...

This will be interesting as I am half falling asleep so I might just post this tomorrow. 

Happy Weekend Lovelies. 

Truck fit just fine in the Doctor's office parking lot...apparently Toronto has smaller parking spaces??? 

Peeeeyuuuu....Pepe Lepew decided to spray right outside my window - that is strong! Sheesh!

-S.*

::creamy:grilled:corn:soup::

The boyfriend and I recently went to see a financial advisor to discuss what some of our goals are for the future and how finances plays a big role in that. Therefore, we decided that from here on in we are going to be frugal about our spending. 

It really can be quite difficult if you are used to a certain lifestyle ~ so this means, unfortunately, no more shrimps for now, or fancy risotto’s...no steaks for the boyfriend and no more delightful {but expensive} cheeses. We do have a lot of food that we can work with - it is just that it isn’t the food that sometimes I want to eat. To be quite honest I don’t spend much money but when I do, it is usually always on food and drink. I love food. I am a total foodie. But you already knew that about me. 

So anyways - I have been perusing websites and cookbooks to find some cheap and easy recipes that we can try out...meat is expensive and so is seafood so I am going to focus on more vegetarian dishes. Although if I do find a mouth-watering dish that includes meat/seafood then I am going to post regardless and put it on my list of what to try out in the future. 

Anyways - so I found a recipe in the book by Claire Robinson, “Five Ingredient Fix” - I know what you must be thinking, five ingredients, well that is easy and cheap...well, not necessarily cheap all the time but there are some recipes in this book that are super easy and cheap to make so this is one that I found that I want to try out quite soon. 

Oh and there is a Buttermilk Pecan recipe in the book that looks to-die-for so will post that one up at some point as well. :))

And what a perfect recipe for the Fall season!

Creamy Grilled Corn Soup

What makes this recipe really sing: Grilling the cobs after removing the kernels and cooking them with the soup adds an even deeper smoky flavour; it's rich and satisfying and not nearly as heavy as corn chowder. It's like making stock with chicken bones - you pull every ounce of flavour out of the ingredient you can. 

What to toss in if you have it: To bulk this soup up, add diced red potatoes and sliced celery after you puree it and simmer gently until the potatoes are cooked. Some leftover pulled chicken meat will turn this soup into a one-pot meal. 

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

4 fresh large sweet corn cobbs, husks and silk removed

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 yellow onion, chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3 cups vegetable stock

1 cup half-and-half plus more as needed

Directions

Preheat a grill pan or gas grill to medium-high. 

Grill the corn, turning frequently, until lightly charred all over, about 10 minutes. With a sharp knife, cut the krnels from the cobs; reserve 1/2 cup for garnish and put the rest in a bowl. Put 2 of the cobs back on the grill and cook, turning, until lightly charred. With the back of the knife, scrape all the cobs firmly to extract the milky liquid and add it to the kernels in the bowl. Break the 2 grilled cobs into pieces and set aside. 

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; add the vegetable stock, corn kernels, milky liquid, and grilled cob pieces to the pan {this will add a smoky flavour to the soup}. 
Bring the mixture to a boil, cover, and reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the corn and onion are very soft, about 15 minutes. Remove the grilled corn cob pieces from the pot and discard. Working in small batches, puree the mixture in a blender and transfer to a clean saucepan. Add the half-and-half and warm the soup gently over medium-low heat; if it is too thick, add a bit more half-and-half to reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning. 

Serve the hot soup in warm bowls with some grilled corn kernels scattered over the top. 


-S.*

::camping::

This is an old post that I wrote after my friend Kev told me I gotta start posting again...and I never hit "publish"!! So here it is...it's from last week or something. Lol. 


I have been hiding from the Internet world...to be quite honest it has been quite refreshing - not as much drama at all...but it is nice to be able to check back in. I will be changing some social networking things - ousting Facebook and whatnot but of course will keep my baby - this blog. ;) 

My best buddy told me I haven't blogged in about a week and probably should get on it so here I am. 

This past week has been a busy one...the last three weeks have been a roller coaster. Emotionally for sure...not to mention stressful. A last minute vacation with the boyfriend; you must be thinking what is so irksome about that ~ but booking things last minute can prove tricky. A new vehicle purchase as well. Lots of appointments. Anxiety. 

Oh and a new job ~ I am happy to report! :) I found out on Thursday and it was a great start to mine and my boyfriend's camping trip...although it was quickly forgotten, lol. I catch myself remembering that I have a job now and it's like I am finding out all over again. Haha. 

Camping was quite eventul...we went to Point Farms in Goderich, Ontario where I went as a little girl with my fambam every Summer. I loved going there - I still do. It has been several years since I have been there so going there the past three days was quite nostalgic and overall entertaining. I enjoyed myself immensely...although camping can be a pain in the ass if you aren't prepared and my boyfriend and I can be quite unorganized. :/ 

But I really enjoyed myself...one of the things that I almost did - but didn't do - and realize that I HAVE to do next time I am on the beach is falling asleep there on the sand. Omg. It was amazing just laying there and nearly dozing off...probably because we slept on the ground in the tent the night before and that was horrible {lots of rocks - no mattress - don't ask} but anyways - sleeping on the beach...the sound of the water, the warmth, the breeze, the smells and a bit of Bryan Adams playing in the background? Heavenly. :) I loved it. I need to actually fall asleep next time. ;)

So we got back into town early this morning before heading out to Toronto to see my Sister. Long overdue for a visit that is for sure. It was well worth it and I had a great time - it always goes by so fast. She is an amazing hairdresser and does my hair on these trips - next time I have to go so we can just chillax together; not do anything except gossip and veg out in front of the couch. :))

I had a great time. Cut a little short as Trav and I were exhausted from the last few days...now in bed...in our lovely, warm, miraculously comfortable bed {!!!} and am slowly falling asleep here. 

I love camping...but there is something about a tempurpedic California King bed and air conditioning. :P

I could keep going on and on about our trip - but you got the gist of it.

I had a fantastic time and wish we could have spent more time up there...on the way back from Toronto I suggested to the boyfriend we just grab a change or two of clothes, jump back into the truck and just drive to the next big city and stay overnight. That didn't happen but it is nice to dream. Lol. 

Maybe we will go somewhere tomorrow. 

Anyone have any suggestions as to where to visit around in Ontario? 

Hope you all are having a fabulous and safe long weekend. 

-S.*