Brunch

The day after Christmas we were invited to a brunch at a beautiful home just north of NYC. The family are long time friends of Kristen's family, they were once neighbors in the same development.

The hostess explaining all the food choices and there were many delicious dishes. In fact, the best quiche I have ever had.

Usually no one wants to be first but Eric stepped up right away.

John, to Mick's left was our host. 

The women in attendance over 30 years of age.

Then the under 30.

John owns a horse and rides in shows. I loved his ribbons hanging on a lamp shade.

Thought of Mom and her Santa collection. She would have enjoyed seeing this display.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was spent just north a NYC. We spent just over two hours driving from Philadelphia. Thankfully it was a breeze crossing the George Washington bridge with the light holiday traffic.
Not on purpose, no really, Mick and I are shirt matching.  : )

Spent two days with Eric, Kristen and her family.

Hopefully Eric put his deer door bell on his apartment door. He could leave this up all year long considering he has two mounted deer heads hanging on his walls.

His gifts were all wrapped with a craft paper theme.

Christmas day dinner was turkey. Served on a beautiful decorated table.

Gone are all Christmas's with everyone at home. We are so blessed to be able to see both Amie and Eric even thou we couldn't all be together.

Golf

Our hospital held a benefit golf tournament last weekend. It was the 15 annual and I don't think Mick has missed a year.

Mick's partner was George. George via Scotland, Toronto, currently Boston and soon to be Calgary. I'm going to visit him once he gets settled in. I'm also taking a side trip to Vancouver. I've always wanted to visit that part of Canada.

The entire team.

I kind of liked the looks of the carts all lined up at the end of the tournament.

Bonnie, has organized all 15 years of the tournament. On the right is Renee, the daughter of one of my faithful blog readers. Good Morning Kay!! In the middle is one of the doctors from the hospital. He didn't golf but came to the course to show his support.

Nat and Mike spent some father & son bonding time on the course.

It was a beautiful blue sky, sunny and hot day. It was also the last day Mick will golf. He has decided to give up the sport. I told him just golf once a year at the hosptial tournament.



Eh

Can you tell where we were on Friday just by reading this sign?

We were in Canada visiting a parent of one of Eric's Junior A teammates. I have not seen Tony since Eric & his son Vince played against each other in college, over five years ago. Mick has stopped in to see Tony twice since our last hockey game. Tony owns a restaurant, Capone's, for 28 years. If you are in Ottawa the food at Capones is wonderful. Make sure you tell Tony we sent you there.

Our Canadian friends are the best part of all our connections to Canada.

Wineries

Last month Marie, Kristen and I toured two wineries. We arrived at the first winery right at opening, drinking at 10:00AM seems strange.The father of the owner was our guide and he told lots of interesting stories concerning the wine business.

The winery is small and most wine is on the sweet side, just the kind of winery and wine I like.

Our second winery had a wine named after the owners wife, Marie.

Our Marie with "Marie's Selection." I bought a bottle to have with our dinner of Naan pizza. The owner tried to talk me out of buying it. Only his wife likes the wine?? (If you haven't tried Naan pizza you must.) I'll have to do a post on Naan.

Brockville, Ontario

I guess Brockville got their name from a Mr. Brock. I actually liked this statue. There is an attitude about it.

Looking down this street I imagined what the streets of San Francisco, a city I want to visit, might look like.

The fountain in front of City Hall.

The best part of Brockville, my visit with the Perkins family. I saw Drew two years ago, first time in 12 years, this visit with his parents was the first time I've seen them in 14 years. The amazing thing was that it didn't seem strange at all.

Drew played spring hockey with Eric back when they were in 7th and 8th grades. It was fun talking about past tournaments and what other teammates are now doing. We've made a plan for Mick & I to meet the Perkins halfway between our house and Brockville for dinner one night. We won't wait another 14 years thou.  

Open House

We were in Toronto last week at an open house for the company Mick works for. They were celebrating their move to a new office building.

 The decoration on the wall behind us is made of copper.

As you get off the elevator the entire area has a border of zinc ingots.

Each one is stamped with the company name. This was my favorite part of the new office. I also liked the bamboo floor in the dinning/break room.

Mick's co-worker from Flin Flon was also at the open house. Steve spent a lot of time at our house when the mine was operating. So much that outside our family he helped the most with our kitchen/family room renovation. 

Barbecue

Saturday evening Andy & Amber had all of us over to their house for a barbecue. The food was delicious and it was nice to meet Mike & Brian's girlfriends . Yes, the boys have a life outside of hunting!!!

Amie made me promise I would never wear Crocs. She made me promise again & again I would never wear Crocs. I saw the camo Crocs and HAD to buy a pair for Eric. Kristen thought Amie should have had me promise I would never wear or purchase Crocs.

 

Kristen is smiling even thou Eric loves his Crocs.

With the technology of today the boys are already looking at the photos I had just taken that afternoon. Did I mention how much I loved Eric's wide angle lens??

Brian delivered to me the hunting clothes that I would wear for the Sunday morning hunt. Yes Mick, I did get up at 3AM. Very, Very hard to believe.  

Little did Brian know he should have brought me skunk repellent instead of bug spray.

Cabana Night

Bob, pictured below, and Charlie recently returned from a vacation in Puerto Rico. Saturday night with temperatures of 20 degrees they held a Cabana Night at their home.

Bob made several different rum drinks and severed pina colada's after dinner. The dinner consisted of chicken, red beans and rice. Oh, there also was Mexican coffee. Although, I stayed with my usual hot tea. Everything was delicious. The highlight of my evening was the slide show of photos they took during their trip! I love photos.

End of an Era

We've been meeting for breakfast at McCarthy's Restaurant the first Thursday of every month for just over seven years . The restaurant had been for sale a couple years and yesterday it served its last meal. It finally sold and is going to become, of all things, a funeral home.

We've had Scott as our wonderful waiter for many years. Hope he is able to find a new place work. We were all afriad to ask him what his plans are.

We have two diners, a bagel shop and sandwich shop to try out for our McCarthy's replacement.  We each had our favorite meal and ordered the same breakfast every time. Well, maybe eleven months out of a year. Let the taste testing begin! 

Winter Hike

Bonnie & I went on our second winter hike. We walked for 1.5 hours in snow that was 22 inches deep in most places. Unlike our first hike we saw lots of signs that animals & birds are around.

This must be a bunny hide out.

I have no idea what animal this track is from. I'm thinking it might even be from a bird.

Bonnie spotted this nest. I love how the snow hasn't melted out of the nest.

This is a view when we tunred around and walked our way back out.

It was a beautiful sunny day. It was very hard walking but that just added to the excerise value.

Laundry Room

Laundry room addition, a sweet curtain to cover the storage area below the sink. I had a helper during installation.

Doesn't that look better?

The room adjoining has a cabin/rustic theme. I was so excited when I found the fabric that had leaves with just a touch of the orange that is on the walls. I don't like to matchy matchy.

Only problem is, it's not my laundry room. Told Bonnie if she is not happy with my fabric choice, find a yard of fabric and another curtain she will get.

PS - This post is for you Kay, Bonnie's sister, "Good morning Kay."