You gotta roll with the punches

Happy Monday evening everyone.  Hope you all had a good weekend.  I’m going to tell you right now that it’s going to be a very busy week.  You see, I have to get my report cards written by Friday and I've got a long way to go still.  Plus my student teacher begins this week too, so lots of meetings and such happening.  I will try and post some stuff, but I apologize ahead of time if you don’t hear much from me.  Please come and check back often.  I don’t want to lose any of my readers.  So what did everyone get up to this weekend?  Try any new recipes?

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Friday night we took the kids downtown for a Festival of the Arts.  It was called Wind & Fire.  Although it was a very chilly night, the kids did pretty good.  We took them to Tim Horton’s later on to warm up with some hot chocolates.  We watched a fire show… a group of 4 ladies dancing and spinning various objects on fire, such as swords and hoops.  I forgot my camera at home, so I took pictures with my Blackberry.

Saturday was a bit of a bummer for me.  I mentioned earlier that I was going for my NLS Lifeguard Recertification course.  Before someone is able to recertify, your CPR-C has to be current within one year.  I thought mine was, but apparently I only had my CPR-A.  I had to take a first aid course in October for work since I”m the first-aid attendant at my school and I remember practicing infant/child CPR, but I guess the instructor decided to throw that in, but not give us credit for it.  To make a long story short, since CPR-C was not written on my first aid certificate, I was not able to take the NLS recert course….boo .  However, there is always a silver lining on every cloud…I’m going to be taking my recertification for Standard First Aid and CPR-C in a few weeks when I visit my parents for Spring Break, and then take my NLS recert course.  And since there are many more options for recertification courses offered in the big city, I’m also going to be updating my WSI (water safety instructor) as well as my LSI (lifesaving instructor) courses.  Then I’ll be good for another couple of years. 

Saturday night I played another game of hockey and then we had some friends come over for a games night.  Great times had by all.

And are you ready for some cuddly, cute, awesome and adorable news?  I got a call from my dad Sunday morning… we have a new addition to the family.  May I introduce you to Bonnie…….

Bonnie is an 8 week old Jack Russell Terrier.  My  jaw just about dropped when I saw her picture.  I can’t wait to meet her and cuddle her when I visit in 3 weeks.  I wonder what Buster will do with her?  Can’t wait to see them play together too. 

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As for my eats this weekend…. nothing too interesting until Sunday night.  I did my regular grocery run Sunday afternoon  and decided to come up with some sort of creation for Pork Tenderloin….and some vegetables….and voila…..

Roasted Cream of Vegetable Soup

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Brie in a Truffle infused Filo crust

Unfortunately the filo pastry kind of fell off the pork when I cut it to serve, but that’s ok.  It still tasted pretty darn good. 

Well guys, I’m off now.  I need to get in my workout, eat dinner, prepare an assignment for tomorrow AND work on report cards.  AHHHHH.

Talk soon

Bea

xoxo

Valentine’s Weekend

How was everyone’s weekend? Do anything fun and interesting?  Anybody celebrate Valentine’s Day early?  Since Trevor leaves for work early Monday mornings, I won’t get to see him tomorrow.  So we spent Sunday evening together.  More about that later.  First…a weekend recap.

Trevor brought Bubba home from work this weekend.  Bubba is the farm dog…he was attacked by a cougar ( based on his battle wounds) and so he had to take a visit to the vet.  Before you begin to panick, Bubba is perfectly fine.  He actually fended off a bear a few years back… so we call him Bubba Beardog.  Maybe he should now be called Bubba Cougardog.  He’s one tough dog for sure.  Such a loveable and friendly dog.

I mentioned on Friday that I was going to be making treats for my class Saturday.  Kendra and her friend helped me make 20 S’more pops.  I wanted to make them look like Erin’s Heart Shaped S’more Pops from In Between Laundry. 

Unfortunately my heart-shaped cookie cutter was too big for the graham crackers and so I had to improvise.  Therefore my S’more pops turned into these Diamond S’more Pops.

We made 20 for the class and a few extras for us to munch on.  Yummy in our tummies.

I also played hockey again Saturday night.  It was an early game and so Trevor and all 3 kids came to cheer us on.  Brenda and Ashlee also came out to watch my game.  I played a hard game… normally I play wing, but last night I was asked to play Center.  If you’ve never played or don’t really follow hockey, playing center is hard work…A LOT of skating compared to playing Wing because you have to chase the puck all over the ice and support both your wing and defensive players.  And since there were only 2 of us playing center, it sure was a physical game. I think I may have lost a lung out there..lol. But I had a ton of fun..no goals last night. It’s not about winning or loosing, it’s about going out and having fun.

Here I am before the game.. sorry, no after picture…too sweaty ..hehe

Sunday night was my regular routine…shopping for the week and tidying up the house.  Unfortunately I was also nursing some major menstrual cramps.  I don’t usually suffer from cramps, but today was particularly bad.  I was curled up on the couch for a couple of hours with a hot water bottle on my tummy, but the stabbing in my lower abdomen was no fun.  After finally giving in to taking a couple of Advil, the pain has left, at least for a few hours.  Lets hope I’m cramp-free in the AM.

Once my cramps went away, I planned out my meals for the week and cooked up a scrumptious meal for myself and a friend.  Trevor came over after dinner with a yummy treat.

Sunday nights dinner was this…..

Bacon Wrapped Fillet Mignon with Balsamic Onions and Cocoa Roasted Butternut Squash Fries.

I will try to post the recipes for tomorrow… the fries were experimental, but oh so tasty… next time I think I’ll go a little easier on the cocoa though. 

For dessert Trevor brought over some Cappuccino Cheesecake.

More yummy in my tummy. 

We curled up on the couch together and watched a CTV Special on the 1 year anniversary of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  It was awesome to relive some of the greatest Canadian moments.  Even though I did not get a chance to visit Vancouver during the Olympics (6 hour drive and school conflicts), I watched as much as I could on TV and celebrated the Olympics at school with my class. 

Did you have a favourite moment of the games?

That’s all for the night…going to make my lunch and get ready for bed.  Hope everyone had a great weekend and a great start to the week tomorrow. 

With love,

Bea

xoxo

Hockey High

So Saturday night I played my first hockey game after being off for 10 days due to tonsillitis and a cold.  And I came back with a fire lit under my butt.  I had my best game of the season and since starting to play 3 years ago.  I scored two goals and had an assist.  I came close to getting my very first hat trick and the ladies tried so hard to help me reach it, but oh well.  I’ll try again next week. 

And now for some sad news…  I got a phone call last night from my dad.  They had to put down my family dog.    Xena was my little warrior princess.  She was a black miniature Schnauzer.  I still remember the day we brought her home.  She was such a tiny little bundle of never-ending energy and joy.  RIP Xena… I will miss you.  She was 14 yrs old.

 

 

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Good Old Steak and Potatoes

Sunday Night’s meal was some good old meat and potatoes.  It wasn’t raining and Trevor requested a tasty steak for dinner.  Lucky for him, I have an abundant supply of meat in my freezer.  So it was time to take out a package of Bison Rib Steaks.

I marinated these babies in some olive oil and jerk rub and set them aside until they would meet their fate on the BBQ. 

In the meantime, I prepared a big pot full of red cabbage.

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Braised Red Cabbage

To prepare the red cabbage, cut into quarters and trim the stems.  Slice thinly and set in bowl.

Prepare the other ingredients: 

• 2 medium onions, sliced thinly
• 2 apples, cored and sliced thinly

 

 

 

 

 

In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat and add onions and cook for 7 to 10 minutes or until somewhat translucent.  Next add the apples and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. 

Now add your red cabbage and these ingredients:

• 4 Tbsp red wine vinegar or Champagne vinegar
• 2 – 3 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 cup red wine

Stir everything together and boil over medium-high heat.  Now cover and cook on medium-low heat for about 35 – 40 minutes or until cabbage is tender.  You may have to add some more red wine if you cabbage needs to cook a bit longer.  Never let the pot go dry.  

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Swiss Potato Pancake “Roesti”

My mom used to make this all the time growing up and it’s a perfect way to use up day-old baked or boiled potatoes.  “Roesti” is generally eaten as a side dish, but can be varied by adding ingredients and seasonings of your choice.  And it’s a great alternative to the all-American or Canadian Hash browns.

To make this, start off by grating about a pound of cooked potatoes like this and set aside.

Chop up one medium onion.  In a non-stick frying pan, heat about 3 Tbsp. of butter or olive oil over medium-high heat.  Then add your onions to the pan and cook until they turn translucent. 

Add some salt and pepper to taste and add your potatoes to the pan as well.  Mix the potatoes and the onions together and flatten with a spatula into the shape of a pancake…it should fit the entire width of your frying pan. 

Make sure element is medium-low heat and allow to fry until brown from bottom.  Now you will need to get yourself a plate a little bigger than your pancake.  Place the plate on top of your potatoes and FLIP!  Slide the potatoes back into your frying pan and continue to cook until brown on this side too.  (sorry for not taking pictures of this process..I only have two hands).  Regardless, it should look like this.

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And of course we couldn’t leave out the dessert either.  When I was at the grocery store this afternoon, I came across this product.  I’ve heard lots about it, so I splurged.

It was creamy, delicious, flavourful, chocolaty goodness. And since Trevor is lactose intolerent, it was a perfect finishing touch to our Sunday night meal. 

I even drizzled the last of my Chocolate Merlot Sauce for a special touch. 

Has anyone else tried this Ice Cream?  What is your favourite flavour?

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  With a fully belly and my lunch made for the morning, I”m ready to relax on the couch. 

Happy Monday everyone.

Much love,

Bea

xoxox

Hockey Night in Canada!

Canadians everywhere and of all ages had one thing in common today:  to support our Canadian Junior Hockey players as they go for Gold at the Junior World Hockey Championship. 

GO CANADA !!!

LET’S BRING HOME THE GOLD

I couldn’t wait to get home today and catch the game.

 Canada vs. Russia

It was an exciting game to watch… Canada came into the 3rd period with a 3-0 lead … unfortunately the boys in red and white failed to hold on and the Russians took the win…..boohoo….a major upset.  There’s always next year boys!

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Spinach Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing

Sweet yet Tangy – my boyfriend even approved

To assemble, layer on a bed of baby spinach

Seasoned turkey/chicken breast slices

1/2 diced apple (Ambrosia, Gala) – skin on

handful of walnuts

crumbled goat cheese

Drizzle with Maple Balsamic Reduction

To make reduction

In a saucepan over medium heat, boil 2 cups of Balsamic Vinegar with 1 cup pure maple syrup.  Continue to simmer until reduced by about 1/2 – it will become thicker when cool.  Keeps well in fridge for many weeks, if you can make it last that long.  Try it over strawberries and some non-fat frozen yogurt.  You will not be disappointed!

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Have a great night guys

Beatrix