had lunch with my buddies on Monday to celebrate a couple of birthdays…
ordered from Spice Circle the day before and we picked it up… we always need to check because many restaurants are closed on Mondays, which we have learned the hard way, lol…
we had a variety of items and found the food hot and tasty… my goat thali was very nice… the one thing I might change was the packaging as it didn’t all fit into one container…
but there were leftovers for another meal for everyone;-)…
for years we celebrated New Year’s Eve with steak and lobster… this started with friends before we had kids;-)…
at some point it moved to New Year’s Day as the kids wanted to participate but were off celebrating on the night before…
this year I enjoyed the preparation as I worked on getting escargot stuffed mushrooms, baked potatoes, fried mushrooms and sautéed Brussels sprouts ready…
the kids arrived, got the barbecue going and then grilled the steaks and lobster tails…
dinner was delicious and we had a great time…
on Monday, as I emptied the dishwasher and put away all of the pieces we used, I revisited the fun and special moments…
we always like to cheers together and being 1330 miles apart doesn’t stop us although it took a bit of direction from the kids for me to get my mug in the right spot, lol…
there were lots of treats and great minds thinking alike as we all opened Chapters/Indigo cards…
technology has made such a difference in our lives…
had a busy day yesterday… makes me laugh, because usually my days are quietly spent at home reading and watching tv…
started with our aquasize class in the morning… even though it was very cold outside… lots of fun as the session was filled with holiday music that many sang along to…
from there we were off for lunch at the Falafel Place… perfect timing as most people were nearly done as we arrived… had falafel with hummus and salad… it was yummy…
home to spend time listening to Christmas music and reading…
then, a dear friend came by with fish and chips for our dinner… and brought Christmas presents;-)…
I was so excited to spend time with them that I completely forgot to take a photo of my meal, lol…
after we finished our dinner we had cookies and a wonderful visit…
my BS group gathered for lunch, a visit, and gift exchange…
we had a great time;-)…
everyone chose what they wanted for lunch and a few of the group picked up the order… we gathered around the dining room table and visited as we enjoyed our meal…
back in the living room we had cookies and coffee, and then shared our goodies;-)…
I am always amazed at the wonderful items that we each find or make for one other… none of us really need anything so it is fun to produce little things to share…
and usually there are donations to favourite charities… mine, this year was to Made with Love, which is helping feed the hungry here in the city…
we usually end with a group photo… technology tried to beat me, but in the end we got a few great pictures;-)…
last night we went to The Leaf at Assiniboine Park…
I’ve been waiting ages for it to be finished… the Conservatory closed in April 2018, which feels like a long time ago… this was our view as we stepped into the space… possibly the waterfall is splashing a bit more than expected as there are a few areas that are wet, lol…
it didn’t disappoint;-)… the tropical biome is lovely and I expect it will look even more beautiful as times goes on…
the technology always interests me and they have done a great job of hiding the fire extinguishers but making them easily available…
the space is big and bold with the tall waterfall and large pond…
we spent a lot of time watching the koi… they were beautiful colours and huge… I was struggling with a bit of fish-envy…
I am looking forward to visiting next in the daytime…
the Mediterranean biome was reminiscent of the CMHR building with lots of stone… and it was possible to touch most of the plants;-)…
the display area was cute with many poinsettias, seasonal decorations and places for group photos…
the poinsettias were a sweet reminder of the old Conservatory at Christmas time…
the view looking down from the catwalk was wonderful although I felt a bit nervous with the height, so my grandson took all the pictures, lol…
the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden at the top of the building was nice…
it was late and dim so we only spotted a couple of butterflies that were resting… I definitely need to visit it in the daytime as well…
it wasn’t too full of visitors, and there were a number of staff (likely many were volunteers) to get you in and around the site…
there was a place to leave your coat (unattended) before entering the biomes, which was great as the space is warm;-)… there is ample parking and you can purchase tickets online or as you enter… you need your membership card, with ID, just like at the zoo…
a wonderful treat and I can hardly wait to visit again😊…
the kids in Ottawa ordered A&W and I ordered it here… this was as close as we could manage to get burgers which were one of his favourites, lol…
ordering and having the meal delivered makes it easy to meet and eat at a specific time without going crazy in the kitchen trying to get separate meals ready…
we met online and enjoyed our burgers and chatted about him…
whenever we meet up we like to “cheers”… in person or over screens…
after we finished our call, I had one of their apple turnovers… he loved apple pie;-)…
it was a low key and enjoyable way to remember him…
I received a box of individually wrapped pieces of chocolate in the mail to fill my Advent calendar…
was very happy and quick to pop one into each of the twenty four squares in the box… and there are two on the last day so that I can enjoy one on Christmas Day;-)…
now to wait for tomorrow, when I get to open the first one;-)…
herbiggirlpants 