May 24, 2016

The good and the bad

Last week we had our carpet cleaner come to do all of the RV and we also had him come here to the house.  We only have carpet in the bedroom and a few area rugs that I wanted to get cleaned.

He always wears his runners which I suppose is fine if you mostly have carpets as we have had in the past.

He always wears his runners which I suppose is fine if you mostly have carpets as we have had in the past.

I have to set the scene first.  As we were expecting company last Thrusday Colin and I were doing some cleaning and Colin had just vacuumed and washed the floors.

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First thing I noticed were the rug cleaners foot prints all over the floor. They were wet from his standing on the carpets he was cleaning and walking from carpet to carpet and all along our hallway.  Colin tried everything to get them off.  Finally he had to use a fingernail to scrap off all the prints and then rewash the floor.

We were not impressed at all.  So I now wonder what type of residue his shoes are leaving on the carpets.  Anyway they do look great despite all the extra work for us.

The good was that the two patio umbrellas we had ordered from JYSK were finally in stock.  We waited over three weeks for them. When Colin went to pick them up and pay for them it turned out to be some sort of anniversary celebration and we got 12% ( the taxes we would have paid ) or $21.43 off the bill.  Plus we were gifted a lovely microfiber bathrobe with a value of $11.18 as well as a ladies wrist watch with a value of $6.70.   I will use the watch and give the robe away to someone on the Isla this coming winter.  So in total, $39.32 gifted to us for simply turning up at the store on the right day 😀

This is an online photo of the new patio umbrellas. Sadly since we got them it has been too windy and cold to put them out not to mention the rain.

This is an online photo of the new patio umbrellas.  I love the colour and it goes well with our new planters.  Sadly since we got them it has been too windy and cold to put them out not to mention the rain.

 

 

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May 23, 2016

It’s over for another year

Now we can get back to a normal routine and diet, once all the leftovers and takeouts are gone.  It just might take me close to a year to get my body back to normal but it was a fun time.  Thank you for all the blog comments and personal emails.  It is always sad not hearing from family on one’s birthday.  You all more that made up for it.

Usually we take the golf cart to the restaurant but last night we drove.  It was very chilly.  I can’t remember wearing pants to dinner before.

The first thing I saw when we arrived at RIcardo's Restaurant.

The first thing I saw when we arrived at Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen as the restaurant is called.

It has a lovely atmosphere.

It has a lovely atmosphere.

The ceasar salad is always served with a fresh violet on top.

The caesar salad is always served with a fresh pansy on top.

Of course we eat them. Our main was a delicious linguine with lobster and touches of asparagus.

Of course we eat them. Our main was a delicious linguine with lobster and touches of asparagus.

A lovely birthday meal indeed and so perfect with home bring so close.  We are fortunate to have a restaurant like this right here in our park.

A great memory of the Isla.

A great memory of the Isla.

I am a lucly lady to have have the best of both worls.

I am a lucky lady to have have the best of both worlds.

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May 22, 2016

Enjoying my special day

What to do on a long weekend when it is cool and rainy?  Especially when it is your birthday 😉   I had made a list of events to cover each of the three days.  The best part was doing wine tasting at some new wineries but that isn’t so much fun especially with the rain.  So we decided to wait until better weather as so many of the wineries here in Kelowna have fabulous views.

So instead we concentrated on food.  Well we did walk the dogs between bouts of that nasty wet stuff.

So here we are, last night, off to start the food marathon.

So here we are, last night, off to start the food marathon.

I can't remember the last time we had Chinese, it is close ot 2 years or more.

I can’t remember the last time we had Chinese, it is close to 2 years or more.

At our age and stage in life we no longer do presents and parties but we celebrate the day.  I however like to celebrate over a few days.  So I planned for two dinners out and the first was Chinese food.  We have lived here for over 10 years now and have never had it here in Kelowna so I checked with Trip Advisor.  There is also a publication that does the top three restaurants in numerous categories and we went with the #2 choice, Mekong on Harvey Street.

Wd did over order but it was all so good. The coconut curry ont e

We did over order but it was all so good. The vegetable coconut curry on the extreme right was our favorite with the shrimp in bean sauce the next choice.

What the heck why not go the full Monty. We split the dessert, some sort of cheesecake which Colin enjoyed.

What the heck why not go the full Monty. We split the dessert, some sort of cheesecake which Colin enjoyed.

My favorite was the coffee drink ( yes I remembered that I am allergic to caffeine but it was my birthday after all ) so I ordered the Mekong Cocktail which was a combination of golden pear liqueur, creme de banane ( their spelling ), Kahlua, vodka and creme 😯 .  Great drink but once is enough, wine is my thing.

Late morning today, my actual birthday, we headed out for a lovely brunch.  Yup, more food.  You have to remember that we don’t often go out so that is my choice of fun for my special treat.  Yes I know the diet starts……..not till Wednesday.  Hey the weekend isn’t over yet and then there all those leftovers we have to deal with.

After a lovely omelet with double cheese complete with rye toast, we decided to do a bit of retail therapy.  It wasn’t until we hit the third store that we found what we were looking for.  Some very nice light weight but waterproof and windproof jackets.  We each got one.  Sorry I never took the camera out of my purse all day.  It was definitely time to replace our 20 year old rain jackets and with all of the rain what better time to do it.  We took them and the girls for a walk later and they appear to be all they are supposed to be.  However I must let you know that the girls have real gortex raincoats, we can’t afford that for us.

We are off within the hour for the grandest birthday dinner of them all, in my opinion.  Life is good when you are the birthday girl 😆

 

Comments(15)

May 21, 2016

Enjoying wine

...in more ways than one :)

…in more ways than one 🙂

Sauvignon used to be my most favorite wine.  I also enjoyed the odd Chardonnay as long as it was not too oaky as otherwise the oak overpowers the various notes.  Of course a good Gewurztraminer sipped out on a patio on a hot summer afternoon is always enjoyable.  A few years ago I discovered Pinot Gris.  There are so very many different tastes to that wine.  So far I have only found the one that I truly enjoy.

It is made by the 50th Parallel

It is made by the 50th Parallel Estate Winery here in Lake Country where we live, just outside of Kelowna.

My favorite is the 2013 of which I only a few bottles left.

My favorite is the 2013 of which I only a few bottles left.

I also really enjoy the year 2014

I also really enjoy the year 2014.  It is very similar to the earlier year.

Colin presented me with a case of the 2015 vintage last week as an early birthday gift. While it is very pleasant I prefer the other years.

Colin presented me with a case of the 2015 vintage last week as an early birthday gift. While it is very pleasant I prefer the other years.  Maybe it is the fig and the quince that gives it a different finish and what does moreish really mean?  Still I would never turn down a glass or two……

....most especially depending on the type of day I was having.

….most especially depending on the type of day I was having 🙂

Moreish just means

One definition of moreish ‘causing one to want more; usually of a foodstuff’.

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May 20, 2016

Always nice to have friends over for dinner

We are not spontaneous people but we were yesterday and had friends who are also neighbors over for dinner.

that of course means clening

That of course means cleaning and tidying the house.  This is how my desk looks when it’s all cleaned up which is not often I have to say.

Barry and Rosalie are some of the best people you will ever meet. They also hppen to be the fols

Barry and Rosalie are some of the best people you will ever meet.  They also happen to be the folks who bought our first home here so that we could move over to this lake lot and build here.

Somehow we knew that just having appies wouldn't be enough so we did an informal dinner as well.

Somehow we knew that just having appies wouldn’t be enough so we did an informal dinner as well.

The wine did flow freely and it was very late before we called it a night.  So nice to work from home and be able to create my own hours.  The girls enjoyed having them over and cuddled them both.  Rosalie and Barry are the ones who helped care for the dogs when I was in Edmonton with my Dad and Colin had to work.  Caeli in particular is enamored with Rosalie.

None of eat dessert yet I had purchased a lemon meringue pie and they had bprught along a coconut creme pie as well as another tidbit.

None of us eat dessert yet I had purchased a lemon meringue pie and they had brought along a coconut creme pie as well as another tidbit. All purchased at the same wonderful bakery as it turned out.

So we wined and dined and wined some more, had dessert, more wine and then tea.  Truly a fun night.  The four of us are always so busy so who knows when we will do this again.  Soon I hope 😛  It truly was a lot of fun.

 

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