Congrats

So I want to say Congratulations to my sister and her now fiancee... Shane popped the question over this past weekend. I'm so very excited for the both of them, I can't even believe that my little sister is going to be getting married.

Happy New Year

So it's the last day of the year and of course it's snowing AGAIN!!! Hope everyone has a great night tonight ringing in the New Year, I'll be asleep since I'm working in the AM :( boo.. Cheers to a great New Year.

Cookies

So our furry friends shouldn't go without gourmet treats... Here is a pic of the dog biscuits Cocoa got for Christmas. They look and smell so yummy!!! I thought they were pretty cute for dogs. They use caro instead of chocolate, since chocolate is bad for dogs.

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone is enjoying the Holidays... back to work on the 28th for me, not too bad. Santa was good to me this year, I got the new IPod touch, a sewing machine.. look out now, and a Cuisinart immersion blender :) way too much...hope Santa was good to everyone. My Santa is the best!!!!! Hope everyone has a great New year. Happy Holidays!

Here is my favorite pic from last weekend... Thanks to Ryan he took all the pictures for us that day!!!

Here is a pic for our Christmas cards this year.... You'll all get one, U know who U are!!!!!

Christmas is coming

I can't believe that a month from now.. Christmas will be OVER!!!! I don't know about U guys but I haven't did that much shopping yet.. 1 present down... many to go. I always say I'll start early and finish way before Christmas but it never happens, and with our ever busy lives it just doesn't work out that way. I hope everyone is starting to bake cookies, buy presents, put up decorations and making their wish lists to Santa... in a wink of an eye it will be over for another year. Good luck to everyone in the search for the perfect present!!!

Newest Project

Here's my newest project... Framing Fabric. I made the frame myself from Mouldings and painted an espresso paint (tried stain.. didn't like it), I ordered the fabric from an online store in the States and well here's the finished product. I love it!!! I was going to hang it in the bedroom now I'm not sure where I want it. It's an easy way to make art.

Halloween

So this year was our first Halloween in our house... both Chris and I had tried to estimate how many trick-or-treaters we would have, the actual number we had yesterday evening was 3!!!!!! Can U believe it 3... it was too funny, I guess our new subdivision is out of the way. Oh well maybe next year we will have more.

The Red Sox are off to the World Series, starting wed night... in the ALCS with the Cleveland Indians the Red sox won in Game 7 to advanced to the World Series!!!! The matchup will be between them and the Colorado Rockies... should be interesting. GO SOX!!!!!

Pumpkins

It's the season to pick out the perfect pumpkin.. we picked up a bunch when we were in the valley for Thanksgiving. Here is a couple of pics from the farm. I'll post a pic soon too of the house with the pumpkins and my flower garden :)

Bear News

So we recieved a phone call from Chris's parents the other morning ( who live in Annapolis Royal) ... we were thinking that maybe something was wrong, well I guess in a way it kinda was. Anyway the story... they were awakened the other night to a bunch of loud noises coming from the kitchen, thinking that maybe it was a robber or something Chris's dad ran out and turned on the lights... " there was a BEAR in the kitchen" I know a bear... crazy huh? It was a black bear weighing approx 150 lbs. Anyway when the lights came on the thing got scared and ran back out the front door, apparently the front door was locked, but it never got closed all the way. I can't even imagine what could of happened!! Crazy bear thankful no-body was hurt. We are headed down this weekend for Thanksgiving... hopefully no Bear news will be reported after the long weekend.

Fall Planting

So I know it's a little early to be thinking about Spring, but I've been waiting for my fall bulb order since I placed the order in August!!! In the next couple of weeks I'll be recieving like 200 bulbs that need to be planted :) I can't wait, what nice spring colours I'm gonna have next year. I think I have Crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, tulips and a bunch more on the way... lots of digging coming up soon!!!!

Green Tea

So I've always liked green tea, but sometimes the coffee bug takes over and the tea goes to the back of the line. There are so many benefits to drinking it... I just recently started faithfully again, and I feel so much better.

Here are just a few medical conditions in which drinking green tea can be helpful:
-cancer
-rheumatoid arthritis
-high cholesterol levels
-cariovascular disease
-infection
-impaired immune function

The biggest factor is that it has been proven to help with WEIGHT LOSS, it helps U burn more calories.. and who doesn't love that. So go boil the kettle and have a cup!!!! It will do wonders for your health.

http://chinesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa011400a.htm

For Carly!!!

So this post is for Carly!!! It's been a really long time since I've posted last, mainly because I'm busy with work and partly because Facebook has taken over my life..lol. Nothing really new here... work, home and taking the dog for a walk that's about as exciting as it's been lately. Since I never had any summer vacation it's been a long and busy summer. We went last weekend to Kevin and Sonja's house in Chester to visit the new house and have supper... that was pretty nice, had a night of wine and playing Nintendo Wii.... drunken bowling, lol.. and I rocked the bowling game!!!! Hope everyone has a great Labour day weekend, of course I'm working all weekend (this definatly sounds like I'm whining about work), but then I have 7 days off after that :) so I'll be treating myself to shopping (LOTS OF SHOPPING) and we are having Mexican night with a few friends. Well that's about all for now, I have to start updating more... so my fans can stop msging me asking if I'm gonna blog..lol. Love ya Carly.

Garden Up to Date

This was the garden back in June.And here is what it looks like now... what a difference!! I love it, I already want to extend it and make it bigger.

It's been a while

It's been forever since I updated.. but we've been busy, at home and in the garden and I've also been working 12 hour shifts this month. Not that much interesting going on, we stayed home a couple of weeks ago for some vacation after the Boston Weekend and managed to get 1 nice day out of the weather...lol. The weather has been terrible, but it's finally starting to get back to normal summer temperatures. We are headed to the Cottage this weekend in the Valley so I'll have some pics from then, and this past weekend we had Ryan, Steph and Patrick over for a BBQ. It was nice to get together.. we finally found an open night!!! I sometimes forget I have a blog now that Facebook has come along... I update Facebook and upload pics, but for some reason I forget the Blog, hopefully my blogging days are not over. Hope everyone is enjoying the sun and taking the time to relax, enjoy family and having a great summer!

Red Sox

We went away last weekend to Boston for a Red Sox game and some shopping. What a trip! we had a really good time. The game was amazing even though they lost 2-1 to Texas.. but it was still a really great day. We had Front row tickets; seats 1 &2 on the third base line .. it was crazy!! Chris was lovin it and so was I. Shopping was equally successful.. with me buying tons of new gadets for the kitchen and some new clothes of course. We also took a day and went to Cape Cod which was really nice, but kinda reminded me of parts of NS too, but I guess for big city people in massachusetts.. the cape is a country getaway. Overall a great little vac.. except for all the driving.. but I'll survive. Here are some pics from the weekend.

Kitchen Backsplash

So we finally had a chance this weekend to do the backsplash in the kitchen.. here are a few pics. From when we first bought the house, to my bright idea of my metallic paint (which we hated so bad).. definatly a lapse in judgement... to the new glass tiles. It looks awesome now and I'm satisfied.. FINALLY!!! It was a little bit of hard work.. but it was worth it and for first time tilers... we did a good job, or so we think :)

Green Chili Burger

Best Burger Chris and I have ever had at home.. besides the usual Cheese Burger.. they were very yummy!!!!

Green Chili Burgers ( seen on Bobby Flay's show "Boy Meets Grill )

Green Chili Sauce

2 poblano chilies, grilled, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 medium red onion, grilled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh oregano or cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup water
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Burgers
2 lbs ground chuck or Medium Ground Beef
Salt and freshly ground pepper
8 slices Chihuahua or Monterey Jack Cheese
Romaine lettuce
Pickled Jalapenos
Sliced beefsteak tomatoes
4 hamburger buns

Method: Heat grill to high. Form meat into four 8-ounce burgers and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill until charred on both sides and cooked to desired doneness. Place 2 slices of the cheese on each burger; close the lid or tent with foil and cook until the cheese has just melted, about 1 minute. Place burgers on bun and top with green chili sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and pickled jalapeno, if desired. Note: Use high heat. A great tasting burger needs only to be on the grill 2 to 3 minutes on each side to arrive at a perfect medium doneness.

The Chili Sauce is so awesome... spicy but not HOT.. you'll love it!!! Give it a try.

Water

Cocoa is so addicted to drinking water all the time... she now is obsessed with drinking it from the hose...lol. She's too cute!!!! Chris took a good shot of the action.

New Garden

So I finally have a front lawn and flower beds :) I'm so excited. We've been in the house since before Christmas and the front garden is starting to come together.. here are a few pics from this weekends project. Now I just need to Mulch and maybe add some Annuals to give time for the perenials to grow and fill in.

Before and After

Here's a pic from the backyard.. after I cleaned it up a little, it will be next years project.

Red Sox

Only a few weeks and we'll be in Boston at the Red Sox game :) We are so excited, we've been there before.. but this time we have front row tickets next to the dugout on the 3rd base line. We will be just so close.. it's gonna be fun. I'll be able to see all the players close up, and yes it cost $$$ a small fortune, but it's a once in a lifetime thing.. these tickets are hardly ever available.. we call them the Jen and Ben seats ( Jennifer Gardner and Ben Affleck has season tickets nearby), big Red Sox Fans would understand how special and cool this is gonna be. Lots of shopping will also be done as well... :) The countdown is on.

Cocoa at the Lake

Here's a pic from Cocoa @ the Lake.. she loves to fetch sticks.. over and over again!!!! I guess that's why she's a retriever....lol.

Finally

So we finally got the Tile for the backsplash.. the last box came this weekend past. I can't wait to finally put it up, but it will definatly be a while before we get the chance... too many things going on and working too many opposite weekends. I know I haven't been updating the blog lately.. but I've been too involved in facebook to do anything else..lol. Things are good and we are booking things for the next trip.. going to Boston Canada day weekend to see the Red Sox and do some shopping, should be really nice. Anyway that's about it.. the tile is here and waiting to be put up.. I'll put a pic up when it's finally done!!

Update

So there's not much going on right now.. things are just work, sleep, eat and workout. Pretty boring!!! We did however order the glass tile for our backsplash in the kitchen :) it's Slate/Charcoal colour 1" x 2" little subway tiles, which should look pretty sharp with the dark counter top. The project is sloted for the long weekend so it should be interesting and frustrating..lol. The weather has been amazing... over 20 degrees everyday this week but unfortunatly it's not gonna stick around, it takes a dip again next week :( the good weather has been nice for the lawn as well.. Cocoa has ruined about half with her ever need to go to the bathroom, it's now seeded and waiting to re-grow again. Hope everyone is enjoying the sun and don't forget sunday is Mother's Day!!!!! ( the grey block is the tile )

CRAZY dog

Here is Cocoa's newest sleeping place, on top of the ottoman in the entry way.. what a crazy dog!!!!

Pictures are up

Just wanted to say that all the pics from Vegas are up on Facebook for anyone who would like to see. If U want to see them and your not on facebook... lol, I guess you'll have to join now!!!!!! www.facebook.com

A trip to remember !!!

So Chris and I got back last night @ 10pm. The trip started out with our flight being cancelled on monday due to the weather ... all flights to and from New York were either cancelled or delayed. After finding out we booked on the next flight out which was tuesday morning. So we finally got into Vegas on tuesday afternoon, went to the hotel and got ready for Cirque du soleil "Mystere" ... it was an amazing show, we loved it. We were very tired after the show ... had been up for almost 24 hours with the time change and all. The next day was lots of great resturants and the " Five for Fighting" concert... which was also a really good time. We took the next day to relax, walk the strip and again eat at some good resturants ... yummy food. The last day we went to Red Rock Canyon which was unbelievable, last time we were in Vegas we went to the Grand Canyon which of course of amazing.... but driving 13 miles through the red rock canyon was also insane. I have lots of pics, but I'll post post of them on Facebook. So the best part of the trip is yesterday...lol, NOT. The return home, we got up early of course 4am to catch the 7:30am flight from Vegas to Denver... the Las Vegas airport was crazy, it was extremly busy and we were over 2 1/2 hours early. We waited in line and finally had our bags and tickets all checked in. Were rushing to the gates... because at this point we were almost late for the flight. Got ready to board and noticed that one of the bag tags on our tickets was for someone else.... HOLY crap they mixed up our tags. We reported it as soon as we realized, but by this time there was nothing that could be done. We boarded the flight... and off we went from Vegas to Denver and then Toronto. In toronto we waited for our luggage because we had to connect... NO LUGGAGE, it was lost... this has happended before, but it didn't make it any better. So we boarded the last plane home with no luggage. Got home in Halifax and went straight to the counter.. reported the luggage LOST and today we finally got 2 out of 3 pieces back.. thank god. I'm very excited because I bought a lot of stuff when I was away :) Anyway, it was one hell of a week.. UP'S and Down's but overall a good vacation. Viva Las Vegas!!!!!

My New Favorite Thing

So my new Favorite thing is the Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer, it's a really good moisturizer and gives just a little bit of colour. I just got back from the dermatologist and she advised strongly that I stay out of the sun, I have these moles on my back and stomach that have the potential to turn into melanoma. So no more sun for me... the Moisturizer gives U just a little colour so you look like your kissed by the sun, I love it!!!!! Give it a try you'll like it too, oh and there are different shades for 3 different skin types.

Vegas CountDown is ON!!!

I'm very excited Monday afternoon we are leaving for Vegas and I can't wait.. it seems like it's been booked forever and now we're almost there. I'm so excited, we have a lot of great stuff planned and many excellent resturants picked out. I'll take tons of pictures!!! 5 more sleeps.....

Easter SnowFall

I guess I was wrong on saturday when I said maybe spring weather would be right around the corner!!! We were in the valley for the easter weekend and spent it with Chris's parents and family, it was very hectic.. but fun. Had bbq on sat night and I finished 2 bottles of wine...lol, slept like a baby while the snow was coming down. We got home ok yesterday.. the roads were clear and the drive was fine. I think this was the most snow we had this year... it's crazy to think that easter weekend was the biggest snowfall. I'll update with some pics from the weekend later. Here's a pic from the Herald... it's up on the commons, a snowbunny!!!

Happy Easter

Hope everyone has a good Easter weekend, maybe spring weather will be right around the corner!!!

T-I-R-E-D

Here are a couple of pics from Cocoa's play date on Saturday with Ellie, they were in the woods and swimming. It was a quiet night she was pretty sleepy, she never even had enough energy to come up stairs...lol.

Before & After

Here is a pic of our Kitchen before and after the painting of the backsplash.. we used a Ralph Lauren Metallics paint in Turquoise Blue. We're not sure if we really like it yet????

On ORDER

So we ordered our new BBQ this weekend, I can't wait it's Natural gas and has a rotisserie... yum. It will be great for PARTY TIME!!!!!!

Louisiana Chicken Spice Rub

Here is a spice blend I used the other night for Chicken, a louisiana inspired recipe it's a creole seasoning that can be used for blackened chicken (Emeril Lagasse's Recipe). I took a whole chicken and removed the backbone and flatened the chicken out. I took the spice blend and rubbed the chicken with it, layed it skin side down in a hot cast iron skillet and cooked it until nice and black, flipped it over and finished it off in a 400 degree oven. Cooked it for about 35 min or until the thermometer was about 170 degrees. Let it rest for 10 min and then served with Rice and a Salad. Very yummy. Would also be good for BBQ as well.

Spice Blend

2-1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne (I used about 1/2 .. depends on how HOT U like it)

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Makes about 2/3 of a cup of spice, may not need it all at once... it can store in an airtight container.

I love these Pics

Kitchen

So I finally found something that I can use in my Kitchen for an extra prep area... It's a kitchen cart. We were looking for an island but after some thought... I think it would of been too big for our space, this works fine and it was 1/3 the cost $$$$ I like that.