... i am not a writer ....

Blog continuation...

2009-12-29T22:20:00.000-05:00

I've finally got around to it... Volume 2 can be found HERE... or in the sidebar... :)

OMG... Jay and I bought something off the Shopping Channel...

2009-11-29T11:00:00.003-05:00

It was their Black Friday blockbuster special. It'll be here in 10-14 days... hope I still love it once I get my hands on it, as much as I did while we were watching the two people talking about it and playing with it...

Truth I know...

2009-11-12T10:18:00.002-05:00

math isn't numbers... it's Greek... I'm serious the whole freaking alphabet... I believe 0,1,2 were retained simply because they've run out of Greek letters...

sooooo....

2009-11-11T22:08:00.002-05:00

midterms are over... well almost... last one this Monday... and then I have a few days of calmness before I start to panic over finals... so I've decided to continue with my little obscure, random blog...

THE END?

2009-10-18T05:57:00.000-05:00

It appears there is just so many pictures you can post for free. Just because blogger merged with Gmail, doesn't mean you get your Gmail space.... and that's just too bad. So I've run out of space. Anymore will cost me money. I'm contemplating ending my posting days, vs, paying, vs, setting up a brand new blog, which will be continuation of the first.... It'll be a few days before I make up my mind...

I finally met Miss Cuteness...

2009-10-17T05:04:00.002-05:00

sleeping when we arrived... love her little outfits...I'm sensing she was getting annoyed with me and my camera :)
look at those itsy bitsy little feet...

fall colors...

2009-10-16T05:38:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving at JMF's Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

2009-10-15T05:04:00.013-05:00

wow... Karolina sure can roast a turkey...mmmmm....
gorgeous dark gravy....
and then... some roasted carrots...
peas and carrots...
green beans with almonds...
home made cranberry sauce...
and of course I brought my own... jellied one..
steamed purple cauliflower...
mashed potatoes...
Mama's mushroom sauce...
beets...
vegetarian stuffing...
meaty stuffing...
bread, wheat style by Karolina and little knuckles by Mike's mom...
ouch... my plate... the truly astounding thing is I had seconds...
but I had good company... Mike's plate on my left...
and Jason's on my right...
after dinner a toast to baby Emily...
once we cleaned up the dinner mess, and had a little time to relax... it was dessert time...
Jablecznik by Kinga... I took a quarter of this home (sadly Jason didn't get any)... it was so good, one of my favorite cakes.
my giant apple pie...
cookies by Mike's mom...
biscotti... I only got like four... too bad because they were very good...
and cheesecake topped with brandy cranberry sauce by Kinga... I love cheesecake...

it was all so amazingly good... I think it safe to say I've gained at least 5lbs over this delicious weekend... now I have to hit the gym and loose it before the Christmas feast :)

it seems I form habits/addictions very easily

2009-10-14T17:51:00.004-05:00

because it took me only a couple of weeks to develop a need for a coffee at around 4pm. Without it, I become drowsy, tired, and irritable. Today, I'm at Sobey's feeling the need, I don't fight it, I head over to their coffee section to satisfy it.

Clerk: "What can I get you?"

Me: "Large coffee please."

Clerk: "That'll be $1.42."

I pay, get my change. He turns around; stands there for a couple of seconds, turns back again and faces me.

Clerk: "I'm sorry, what did you order?"

Me: "Large coffee."

Clerk: "Large coffee?"

Me: "Yes."

He grabs a medium cup, shakes his head, drops it, it falls on the ground, he bends down to pick it up, but halfway there changes his mind, straightens up, his hand goes for the extra large cup, he glances at me, I shake my head, he looks at the cups and his hand finally navigates the the large cup stack, two of them come off the stack stuck together, he looks at them confused, decides to separate them, then has a hard time slipping a sleeve on it, as he's pouring my coffee another customer asks him a question, I see him panic, his hand holding my cup starts to shake, he presses the button on the coffee thermos harder as if that will speed it up, pouring done, his shaky hand places the cup in front of me, as his body is already turned around to help the other customer. There is at least 1.5 inches of space form the rim of my cup to the beginning of my coffee... I sigh... decide to make up the difference with lots of milk... I need my calcium anyways...

resident cats at TNI's

2009-10-14T05:33:00.004-05:00

she is just a baby... and has no tail... so cute...and this one is a talker...

Cookie

2009-10-13T05:28:00.002-05:00

gets regular haircuts from Hailey...

Thanksgiving at TNI's on Saturday Oct. 10, 2009

2009-10-12T05:40:00.001-05:00

wow look at that bird...
Jason carved it...
cranberry sauce from scratch...
and cranberry sauce from a can... jelly style, my favorite...
sweet potatoes... these were delicious...
mmmm gravy...
delicious stuffing..
mashed potatoes with a Parmesan crust...
brussel sprouts...
yummmy carrots...
ummmm mashed turnip I think... I don't know I didn't have room for it on my plate...
buns... fresh from the bag :)
yup.. my plate... Thanksgiving is dangerous...
for dessert... pumpkin pie...
and apple pie...
it was an awesome dinner...

pasta and pork schnitzel...

2009-10-11T06:59:00.003-05:00

I like a little bit of fresh Parmesan cheese on mine...Jay likes his to look like a cheesy mountain top...

she looks soooo comfortable...

2009-10-10T05:30:00.000-05:00

I'm jealous...

I'm so glad...

2009-10-09T05:38:00.000-05:00

the happiness I felt when one of my calculators finally turned up after it went missing 4 months ago was almost equal to my joy of finding a little blue bag in the dryer one day...

and this is how it happens...

2009-10-08T06:51:00.005-05:00

This past Sunday I went to get my hair done... cut, color... the whole deal... While sitting in the colorist chair going through the book containing the rainbow of colors one can dye their hair... I found myself strangely attracted to the reds. I've done copper highlights in the past, but this time my colorist and I decided, what the heck... lets do the whole head... and we did. After the cut and the blow dry, I looked at myself... an I kind of liked it... it's a bit drastic, lighter than normal, but I didn't mind, it's just hair... it eventually grows out, fades out, and its time to color it again... but at the back of my mind something was nagging me... strangely I couldn't put my finger on it...

So I went home... got yelled at by the dogs, then leashed them up and took them out. As we are strolling through the park... the Girls running form bush to bush... smelling all the interesting stuff, and marking their territory... "Holy shit!!!" It dawned on me... "I look like my damned dogs!!!" These familiar shades of coppery red I was so drawn to, are the shades of their fur... I can't believe it.. this is how this strange phenomena of looking like your pet sneaks up on you... I like the colors because I love my pets... and boom... now I look like them too... well until Christmas anyways...

First two photos are the day I colored my hair... so it's blow dried beautifully straight... the only time it is styled that way...
without flash...
with flash...
and now it's a curly wavy coppery red mess

heart thief...

2009-10-07T02:30:00.010-05:00

and she's only 6 days old... at this time her main occupation is sleeping... and it seems she has very interesting dreams...

the contemplative dream...the silly dream...
the I'm utterly content dream...
I can't wait to see her on Monday...

(photos taken by aunt Kinga)

I never had it... and he never made it...

2009-10-06T05:35:00.003-05:00

coconut shrimp... these were divine... perfect 10 for the first trysided with coconut red curry sauce and sweet chili sauce...

CN tower through a streetcar window...

2009-10-05T05:34:00.001-05:00

looks good in blue...

I need it...

2009-10-04T08:46:00.006-05:00

9:15 am, I am strolling over to Balzacs for my cup of black addiction. As I approach, the place seems kind of dark, and I know that shouldn't be the case since they open at 8:30 am on Sundays. But in disbelief I read the following notice on the door "Due to Nuit Blanche We'll be opening at 10 am on Sunday". What??? Why??? I don't understand what one has to do with the other... my eye starts to twitch, I don't and can't wait until 10am. I decide to go to Starbucks instead, even though I truly dislike their coffee, but my need seems to be greater, and I'm willing to settle.

I stand in line contemplating their pastry selection, getting myself ready for their inferior brew. I don't want to order a latte, I'm too cheap to spend 5 bucks on a drink that isn't a martini... but I also realize I don't know if they have special names for their coffees, and if they brew more than decaf and regular. I decide to play it safe and order "grande regular coffee", and she knew what it was.. she didn't rhyme off 5 blends, but turned around and poured me a cup.

Here I am now enjoying my pumpkin loaf... and a surprisingly very pleasant cup of coffee... maybe they changed their blends or roasting style, or maybe I am so starved for caffeine that I just can't tell the difference... doesn't matter, the addiction beast is tamed.

(the picture has no connection to my story, other than the fact that the land masses are made out of coffee beans...)

curry flavors...

2009-10-04T05:31:00.003-05:00

fancy rice, carrots, zucchini, and a wedge of oven roasted mini butternut squash, along with fish in a coconut red curry sauce.... so yum

BABY EMILY HAS ARRIVED!!!

2009-10-02T19:45:00.003-05:00

Oct. 1, 2009 at 8:01pm, Justyna and Mike welcomed their daughter into the world. As you can see she's 7lb 9oz of cuteness and perfection.And because of this little bundle, it's a whole bunch of firsts for my family:
Justyna and Mike are first time parents,
Karolina, Kinga, and I are finally aunts,
and our parents have finally graduated to being Grandparents :)

I told you we will go back....

2009-10-02T05:09:00.004-05:00

after Sunday pedis a couple of weeks ago we once again ended up at The Queen and Beaver Public House patio to toast the end of summer... Denison's Wheat (blonde) for me, and Creemore Springs Lager (amber) for Jay... both brews are Ontario products... then for some odd appetizers...
Fried Cod Cheeks and Tounges .... mmmm tastes like fish... delicious... will have again
Ham Knucle & Roasted Walnut Terrine with Piccalilli... once again delicious.. the pickled veg wasn't overdone with vinegar... and complimented very nicely the delicate flavors of the terrine...
we went back to basics for our mains...
Hand Chopped Burger & Chips with Double Smoked Bacon and Cheddar Cheese for Jay... ketchup and mayo made inhouse... very yummy
Steak & Onions with Chips & Horseraddish Cream for me... very ordinary... the cream could have used more horseraddish...
once it got dark and cold outside... we had some dessert on a very comfy couch...
Walnut Tart with Walnut Ice Cream for Jay...
and Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding with Walnut Ice Cream for me.... note to self: don't take a washroom break when your dessert is about to arrive or your ice cream will melt before you get to enjoy it... I do love my sticky pudding even if my ice cream is melted...
will we go back? ..... oh for sure... we barely got started with the menu

don't you know you're punishing people around you..

2009-10-01T15:06:00.001-05:00

because no matter how expensive and luxurious your perfume is, it's meant to be dabbed on, not drenched in... your overpowering chemical stench gave me a headache

it's been a while since I posted a sunset...

2009-10-01T05:07:00.002-05:00

What a disappointment...

2009-09-30T05:04:00.002-05:00

never again...

Brick Street Bakery treats...

2009-09-29T05:44:00.002-05:00

fall fruit

2009-09-28T05:41:00.002-05:00

so pretty...

2009-09-27T05:39:00.003-05:00

bug guts

2009-09-26T05:38:00.003-05:00

ice cream... at Cream

2009-09-25T05:31:00.001-05:00

a new place on Queen St. west, which was voted #1 in Now magazine's ice cream review... The selection isn't big, about 8-10 flavors, but half of it changes daily... and they have some odd flavors, like french toast and candied bacon... I didn't have the guts to try it though...instead I settled for vanilla and pistachio saffron...
and Jay had vanilla and sesame brittle and I think caramel hazelnut...
the good ice cream container...
and the ice cream was very tasty...

grass...

2009-09-24T05:29:00.001-05:00

mmmmmm dinner...

2009-09-23T05:28:00.001-05:00

grapes in Niagara wine country...

2009-09-22T05:18:00.001-05:00

Justyna's and Mike's Roses...

2009-09-21T05:15:00.001-05:00

Hello...

2009-09-20T05:14:00.001-05:00

Nice...

2009-09-19T05:12:00.002-05:00

personal observation

2009-09-18T14:53:00.002-05:00

If your kid has most of his teeth and is able to walk by himself... I don't see why you'd need to whip out your tit and feed him 3 times in 20 min... it was a crowded bus, ever heard of a bottle???

the last bbq of the summer...

2009-09-18T05:48:00.001-05:00

a platter of topping for our burgers... we had turkey and beef... tomatoes and pickles are from Mama's garden...some grilled zucchini...
and here is my turkey burger... look at those gorgeous grill marks... it was a good grilling day for me... on the other bun plenty of Mama's pickle, the best pickles in the world...
and some chicken wings, in case we were still hungry after our burgers :)
good choice...
later we had cake to celebrate Jusytna's and Mike's birthdays...

Mama's garden is in full swing...

2009-09-17T05:32:00.001-05:00

U2

2009-09-16T21:58:00.002-05:00

I just came back with the girls from our nightly walk...
U2 is playing at the Rogers Center tonight...
The dome is open...
It's pretty awesome to hear a few thousand voices singing along to "Where the Streets Have No Name"...

air show may be over... but I still have some pictures to share...

2009-09-16T06:18:00.001-05:00

here they come again...we were in a car.... that black mark is the edge of the windshield...
low over the city...
ok... I must admit this was very cool....
air show bridge spectators...

duck

2009-09-15T05:20:00.001-05:00

mushroom

2009-09-14T05:19:00.001-05:00

on our way home from The Weddin'...

2009-09-13T05:17:00.004-05:00

Jay: "Look a lady bug.... fucking hitchhiker."

Sep. 5, 2009... The Weddin'

2009-09-12T20:55:00.008-05:00

It looked like it might rain... but the dark clouds blew over... and the weather was wonderful... here we are...
yup... on a farm...
fun decorations...
it's a horse and pony farm...
the party tent...
and most dressed in their best duds...
then the deed...
the Harley lane...
the Harley ride... after the vows...
it was for real...
mmmmm cake...
and party!!!
our sleeping quarters...
morning... breakfast for the girls...
the lawn mower...
hungry...
ooops the party room took a bit of a beating....
yikes... lol
the groom didn't make it...
someone was burning rubber...
the ants liked the cake...
the improvised ash tray...
and all too soon it was time to go home...

I could never be a high-rise window cleaner…

2009-09-11T05:33:00.002-05:00

my stomach aches just thinking about it...

I would rather have a bridge or a tunnel instead of a ferry…

2009-09-10T05:30:00.003-05:00

the best watermelon ever...

2009-09-09T05:05:00.000-05:00

we got this beauty at the Farmer's Market in Liberty Village... the most delicious melons come from Thames River Melons in Innerkip, ON.,
it was incredibly sweet, and juicy, and I'll be so sad when the season is over...

Baby is not home and yet he still manages to make me dinner :)

2009-09-08T05:11:00.002-05:00

tasty...

2009-09-07T05:10:00.002-05:00

Dinner on Aug. 29, 2009 with Magda, Patrick, and Adrian

2009-09-06T05:15:00.000-05:00

look it's like an assembly line... and every single plate is perfect... our starter... lobster salad with avocado, tomato, and organic baby greens
for the main... Jay filled our bellies with stuffed chicken breast, Yukon and sweet potato gratin, spicy Brussels sprouts, and a velvety sauce...
then we had a gangster cocktail... ummm that's what I remember Adrian calling it...
for dessert... once again Bourbon peach cobbler, but this time with some Ontario wild blueberries..
topped with whipped cream...
mmmmm...

the air show...

2009-09-05T05:53:00.006-05:00

is one of the things I can live without...
if I can read it... you're too bloody close to my building...
coming in low over the city...
once again... too close...

working on that tan…

2009-09-04T11:43:00.001-05:00

we had a very cool and rainy summer... the sun worshipers finally got a few perfect days...

can't get enough..

2009-09-04T03:37:00.002-05:00

quiche Alsacienne with mushrooms...

raspberry creation by Amsterdam... yum...

2009-09-03T05:34:00.001-05:00

love my piglet...

2009-09-02T04:33:00.001-05:00

chicken fajitas for dinner...

2009-09-01T04:27:00.004-05:00

straight from the frying pan...cool guacamole...
piled in the center of my whole wheat tortilla with some shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese... it was too big to roll up... I ate it like a big, soft, delicious, taco...
beer was the perfect complement...
couple of hours latter... dessert... a Bourbon peach cobbler... made from Ontario peaches of course...
delish...

yes, we love our ketchup...

2009-08-31T05:24:00.001-05:00

we've upgraded from the 790ml bottle to a 1.5L giant... wonder how long it will last us...
it's my favorite thing to dunk fries in...

breakfast...

2009-08-30T05:19:00.002-05:00

poached eggs on top of smoked trout on top of lemon ricotta on top of toast...

sleepy

2009-08-29T05:25:00.000-05:00

she snores... a lot

2009-08-28T05:45:00.001-05:00

Jay cooked again...

2009-08-27T05:46:00.000-05:00

zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta cheese and sundried tomatoes, beer battered and deep fried, with honey Dijon dipping sauce... than a bit latter... some garlic bread...
for our shrimp pasta...

foxy tail

2009-08-26T05:43:00.000-05:00

pork chops for dinner...

2009-08-25T05:38:00.000-05:00

with dirty mashed potatoes and Ontario peas and corn...topped with apple coleslaw...
washed down with some beer I picked up earlier in the week...

oh yeah... i'm all high-tech now

2009-08-24T05:35:00.000-05:00

doing my part to keep the multinational conglomerates in business...

we saw District 9 today...

2009-08-23T19:31:00.005-05:00

a bit gruesome... too many unanswered questions... but I'm looking forward to District 10... two thumbs up for originality...

that will be an interesting view for someone...

2009-08-23T05:31:00.001-05:00

sun glare

2009-08-22T05:27:00.002-05:00

oh honey... you can't even spell a 4 letter word...

2009-08-21T05:13:00.006-05:00

so close but, it's "PETS" not "PATS"... sucks for you that spell check doesn't differentiate between nouns...

another big storm hit Toronto today...

2009-08-20T21:07:00.004-05:00

I didn't get the chance to photograph the light show (I was in class and then on the bus). But at Downsview station I did snap a picture of a rainbow....

Still raining... but a couple of minutes later...
it looks there were two rainbows :)

love those folds...

2009-08-20T05:24:00.001-05:00

lobster quiche

2009-08-19T05:20:00.002-05:00

I'm not a huge fan of lobster... but I do love quiche...

beer festival at LCBO

2009-08-18T23:33:00.001-05:00

I'm a kid in a candy store...

peacefull...

2009-08-18T05:55:00.000-05:00

looks like rain...

2009-08-17T05:51:00.002-05:00

we've had a very wet summer so far... and I like it... everything is just so luscious, green, and clean... more rain please...

6:45 am

2009-08-16T06:11:00.003-05:00

On my way to work... I'm approached by the neighborhood Hobo Lady...

HL: Can I bum a smoke?
Me: Sorry, I don't smoke. (I don't know why I said "sorry", I'm not)
HL: I didn't ask you.

Well, well... aren't we snarky early in the morning... just so you know I'm almost always good for a handout (other than cigarettes)... but now YOU can SUCK IT.

free lawn mowers...

2009-08-16T05:49:00.001-05:00

York geese... soon to be on their way south...

crab apples... is it fall already?

2009-08-15T05:44:00.001-05:00

pink

2009-08-14T05:43:00.001-05:00

Dairy Queen Canada's Miracle Treat Day

2009-08-13T21:32:00.002-05:00

was today... perfect reason to have some ice cream... I contributed by enjoying a Cappuccino Skor Blizzard...

trying to capture lighting...

2009-08-12T05:51:00.004-05:00

we had one awesome storm on Sunday night... and here are my attempts trying to capture the incredible light show...

Justyna's Babyshower

2009-08-11T05:35:00.000-05:00

lots and lots of good food, good games, and good time...Justyna's sticky fingers...
Opera cake from Noisette...

someone rolled in wet grass...

2009-08-10T05:29:00.000-05:00

love those paws...

2009-08-08T05:24:00.004-05:00

oh crap... Cherry got pooped on...

2009-08-07T05:09:00.002-05:00

happy dreams...

2009-08-06T12:28:00.002-05:00

look it has its own helipad...

2009-08-05T20:43:00.004-05:00

Still docked at HTO Park West, Calixe was #29 on America's largest private yachts in 2007. To find out more about this floating mansion check out this online Globe and Mail article...

it was my turn...

2009-08-04T05:36:00.004-05:00

on Sunday, over a couple of pints, discussing Caribana and how busy the city is...

me: "I'm sure glad I don't live in a seriously touristy part of Toronto."
Jay: bewilderment written all over his face "Do you know where you live?"

The Queen & Beaver Public House

2009-08-02T21:17:00.008-05:00

brand new English pub located at 35 Elm St.... photos taken with my cell phone, as I didn't realize that the battery has died in my camera... we sat on their fabulous patio located just above the name of the place... great view
of course we started off with some pints...
then a duck and potato pie with rocket salad for me... with gherkins... scalloped potatoes with shredded duck meat all baked in a pastry shell... I truly enjoyed it... the salad was tossed with an excellent shallot dressing...
and fish and chips for Jay... those were some excellent chips, the batter on the fish was one of the best we've had in a long time... the tartar sauce was house made as was the ketchup which had a distinctive curry flavor... yum
then a couple more pints...
and English dessert... chocolate and coffee bread pudding for Jay...
mmmmm sticky toffee pudding for me...
we're definitely going back... it was delicious... and I need better pictures...

breakfast

2009-07-30T05:18:00.003-05:00

poached egg, on top of smoked salmon, which is covering up some potato hash, and multi-grain toast on the side...

it's been a while...

2009-07-29T05:50:00.006-05:00

we used to have 'dinners' once a week... but then our schedules changed and our weekly gatherings stopped... this past Sunday we rearranged some things, so that we could finally have dinner for Kinga's birthday (which was over 2 months ago)... hey better late than never...
Kiwi martinis to start... wow Jay can sure shake it up... but I still prefer my tini clear :)shrimp cocktail... excellent sauce...
for Kinga and I... roasted sea bass with gnocchi, confit tomatoes, and green apple and sorrel sauce...
for the rest of the crowd... The beef rib, with gnocchi, green beans, and Jay's amazing chipotle bbq sauce...
some of us had white...
and some of us had red...
and all of us had some garlic bread...
for dessert I attempted an upside down pear cake... it was a second recipe we attempted from a certain fancy magazine... it looked good, but it didn't turn out... we won't be cooking from this magazine anymore...
but the dinner finale was saved by Kinga who made dessert as well :)... a delicious blueberry crumble cake, that I complimented with whipped cream and some pear caramel sauce....

more cat

2009-07-28T05:47:00.001-05:00

side profile is her soft look...straight on... she looks a bit mean

Saturday at Magda's and Patrick's

2009-07-27T10:39:00.003-05:00

bruschetta with fetta... one of my favorites chickpea salad... Jay makes me a version of this for lunch... I do love my chickpeas
mmmmm mashed potatoes with stuffed chicken breast...
and dessert :)

fearless...

2009-07-25T06:53:00.001-05:00

mom's garden...

2009-07-24T06:50:00.003-05:00

cuteness

2009-07-23T05:47:00.002-05:00

this is Aspen... and he's very shy...
but I dug him out of the black currant bushes and enjoyed his softness...

umbrella or no umbrella…

2009-07-22T09:49:00.005-05:00

Last night I was watching the news… the weather forecast part came on… typical weather stuff ... the guy concluded his prediction with …
“… I will not be surprised if there is rain tomorrow, I’m just not calling for any rain.”
… hmmmmm

odds: 1 in 10,000

2009-07-22T06:42:00.002-05:00

... now if I could only pick the right 6 numbers....

beef rib...

2009-07-21T05:34:00.001-05:00

yup just one... it was huge... huge and delicious... with gnocchi and fava beans.... delish...