Lesson Learned.

Don't go to an open house "just for fun" if it is out of your price range.

We've been talking about moving for some time and are obsessed with searching MLS and looking for new listings.

We had no plans today, and decided that we'd drive to the neighbourhood we're interested in and see if there were any open houses. Not to buy....just to get a better feel for the neighbourhood and homes.

There was one house well within our price range, but we were 30 minutes early for the open house. So, while killing time cruising around the neighbourhood, we stumbled upon another open house and I suggested we check it our for fun...since we had time to kill.

BAD MOVE.

I walked in and all of a sudden had a vision of future children playing in this house and Christmas dinners in the dining room. I saw myself yelling at kids to "take your shoes off in the mudroom" and drinks on the back patio while Bauer ran around the perfect backyard.  In the PERFECT neighbourhood.

The house needs a lot of cosmetic love, but felt like it could be an amazing home to a young family.  Ideally, our family.

Only problem is it's "just" out of our price range and "just more" than we'd feel comfortable taking on.

So, I need to:

a) win the lottery, or
b) hope this house comes down $60K in the next few days

I'm not optimistic about either.

Should have stayed home and did laundry this afternoon.

p.s. of course this house had an amazing laundry room.

The reason I can't stick to my diet....

Is very simple.

Wine. Bread. Cheese.

We had a very productive weekend, so I decided I'd treat Mr. Feb Res and myself to a decadent little Sunday afternoon spread of my holy trinity of fun (see above!)

I decided to go with:

Roasted Garlic
Goat Cheese
Red Pepper Jelly
Bruschetta with Feta

and obviously some wine thrown in for good measure.

drizzle bread with EVOO and broil for 2 minutes. Rub with fresh garlic while bread is still warm.

my supervisor

 I had never baked garlic before. It was so easy!

Cut the top of the clove, drizzle in EVOO, warp in tin foil and bake for 35 minutes at 400 degrees.

no vampires here...

so good!

after broiling, rub with garlic

bruschetta with feta

the Sunday snack spread

I heart carbs

with roasted garlic, red pepper jelly and goat cheese

I think he liked it.

Once a loser...

Always a loser? 

Well, more like 24 times a loser, 4 times a winner.

My Glee "L"

Sigh.

It's the weekend. I am enjoying a french red and listening to James Taylor. How can you top Sweet Baby James? I think I would consider naming my son James just to sing that song to him.

Happy Friday!

My Goodness, My Guinness!

It's been a crazy busy week and I've been feeling under the weather for most of it.

Here's to my favourite day of the year!

Some fun photos from our trip to Dublin.

Slainte!

at St. James' Gate

it's true....

looking over beautiful Dublin

love

this one is for Mr. Feb Res

the one and only...

Tim's Tally is at 4-22 (and I keep buying extra-large, damn!!!!)

What I'm (not) reading

I am a voracious reader.

When I started my blog, I was so excited to share "what I'm reading" via a fun sidebar.

If anyone is paying attention, you'll notice that my sidebar has yet to change from The Book Thief.

The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

I had several friends recommend the book and read nothing but rave reviews online.  So I picked it up and kept waiting to get hooked. It hasn't happened.

I typically go to bed eager to read for half an hour. But now I find I'm saying "meh, I could watch TV for half an hour instead..."

This is the longest it's ever taken me to read a book.

The thing is, I've invested too much time to turn back now. And, I don't want to be the only one who "doesn't get" The Book Thief. Why am I not loving it like everyone else did?

Anyway, it doesn't help that the book below has been waiting on my bedside, taunting me to pick it up. 200 more pages of TBT and I have date with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

Furious Love, Sam Kashner & Nancy Schoenberger

Party frock talk

In a few weeks, I’m heading over to the UK for the wedding of a schoolmate of Mr. Feb Res’.

We’ll fly from Toronto to Heathrow (but very sadly have no time to stay in London) and then on to Edinburgh.

As excited as I am to experience Edinburgh (my first time), it’s also a little bittersweet to be so close to my favourite city (London) and not be able to spend some time riding the tube, drinking Bulmers Pear and eating Flake bars. Oh well, just means we’ll have to go back soon.

The wedding we’re attending is being held at the Balmoral, which I’m told is the premiere hotel in the city –  and also where JK Rowling finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  You better believe I will be checking out the JK Rowling suite, yours for a cool £965 per night, click here for more information.

But this post isn’t about the amazingness that is Harry Potter.  It’s a about dresses.

The adorable invitation states that smart suits, kilts are party frocks are acceptable attire.

please note attire recommendations at the bottom....love.

I think I actually squealed with joy when I saw the words party frock.  How British.

This gives me permission to buy a kick ass dress, right?

For those following the Tim's Tally. I'm at 3-17 (excuse the dated picture, JUST found my camera).

Has anyone seen my camera?

Sorry so quiet...I have two posts written, but can't seem to find my damn camera (and what good is a post with no pictures?). I've torn the house apart and no dice.

not my drawing....I'm not this talented.

Stay tuned.

For those that are curious, Tim's Tally is at 2-13.

Maybe I'm not such a loser....

Ladies and gentleman…

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!



WIN COFFEE / GAGNEZ UN CAFE



The Tim Horton’s gods must read my blog.

After whining this morning about how I never win during 'Rrroll up the rim to lose', someone up there took pity on me and decided to throw me a bone in the form of a free coffee.  

I am now 1-10. Wooohooo!

I decided I’m going to keep a Tim’s tally for the remainder of the promotion and share my results here (thrilling reading, isn't it?).

So, I have spent $17.05 on 11 drinks (avg $1.55) to win a free large coffee ($1.58).

I’m so smart, S-M-R-T.

Ghosts of Tim's past...

Rrroll up the rim to….LOSE?

I am a loyal Tim Horton’s customer. I visit “Timmy’s” on average about 4 times a week, either for my morning coffee (double, double) or an afternoon tea (just milk, bag in). I love Tim’s and there are few sticky, sweet treats that beat a honey cruller.

Each year, I excitedly hit the drive-thru to get a hot beverage in a red cup when Tim’s launches its annual Roll Up The Rim To Win campaign, and every year I end up frustrated.

I am not a lucky person, I don’t win things. I’m not saying that I expect to win the car, bbq or gift card (although I’d gladly take any of them), all I want is to win a few of the lousy free coffee prizes.

A few of the 42, 000,000 available. Is that so wrong?

Last year, I went 2-42 (yes, I kept track). As it stands right now, I am currently 0-10.



nobody likes a loser...sad cup #9





we've reached double digits!



My record is worse than the Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey reference for those non-Canucks). 

This won’t stop me from visiting Tim’s.  I’m just hoping that before this marketing campaign ends I win at least a couple of coffees, as it can’t be healthy for my blood pressure to jump every time I see the words “PLEASE PLAY AGAIN”.  

March Madness

It's March 1st.

The good news - I have officially made it past one month of blogging - yay me.

More good news, in 30 days Mr. Feb Res and I will hop across the pond for a wedding in Edinburgh - double yay.

And as if the good news couldn't get any better, March is closer to July than February - triple yay.

Today I booked off two weeks for this summer, which will be dedicated to sitting in the sun at the cottage, reading, drinking, eating and generally having no need for a watch.

Enough about the summer, back to March. I like March.

Not only is my birthday this month (beware the ides of March), I also happen to love St. Patrick's Day and green is my favourite colour.

So here's some green fun that I've been eyeing on Etsy, sure to channel your inner leprechaun.

because every wall needs a good ampersand

you could fit a six pack of Guinness in this beauty

a touch of spring

for my daily Earl Grey?