Canada Edition Part 2-Toronto

Pauline and I were like wee children, whooping and laughing, we were that happy to see each other. We know each other from our school days and were close pals for many years until she ran away to Toronto with a tall, dark and handsome Canadian. We drove to her home in Richmond Hill and had a lovely supper of cold meats and olives. I got to meet her son, who I had not seen for many years and her little daughter Megan whom I had never met. What a wee cutie she is too. I have no idea what time I went to bed but it was in the wee hours of the morning, empty bottle of wine maybe even more beside us. There was so much to catch up on and such little time.

The next morning, we went shopping because a girl can never do enough shopping, right? and I treated myself... to 4 mini loaf tins! Even on holiday, I was thinking about what I could cook next. They were dinky little things and at only $12, a complete steal I've already made bread and lemon cake in them but that's for later. We stopped off at a Chinese supermarket at lunchtime and had sushi; it was a fraction of the price we'd pay in Glasgow and it was all freshly made. What to pick was a dilemma with so much choice but we eventually opted for miso soup, fried and steamed dumplings, california rolls and tempura. It was utterly delicious.

We were meeting up with a crazy crowd of Scottish lassies plus one Irish one later that evening at the Astoria, a well known Greek restaurant. Pauline's parents also moved over to Canada so her lovely mum came along too with some of her friends including, Jane, a Glaswegian who happened to be visiting at the same time. I'd forgotten how funny she is and the night was such a laugh. We all ordered Greek salad, souvlaki, everyone going for chicken except me, going for lamb. It was really nice and Pauline and I decided to finish off with a Greek coffee.

I rather enjoyed the unusual taste but stopped drinking halfway as there was a sediment at the bottom, the way it is supposed to be I presume. Pauline, being caught up in the general hilarity...we laughed throughout the entire meal...decided to just slug it back, not realising that I had put my cup down and found herself in a state of disbelief, horror and wonderment as to where this sand like sludge was going to end up, because it sure wasn't going to be her stomach!

As she tried to dispose spit out of it in as mannerly a fashion as possible, the rest of us laughed at the look on her face; she was completely beyond help as her own face started to crumple in amusement. Needless to say, we had to push several napkins towards her and a trip to the washrooms was required. We went back to Betty's house Pauline's mum where we were entertained by Jane and Ed, Pauline's dad. We also had the Scottish Obligatory Sing Song which was just great fun but no doubt annoyed the neighbours no end. Oops.

Before I left the next day and after a lovely breakfast of bagels and cream cheese, I showed Pauline how to make Paratha as she was having a curry night; I'm happy to say she was delighted with it and her family and friends were very happy at this edition to Pauline's culinary repertoire, which is already vast indeed.

I arrived back at Kate's on Tuesday afternoon, dropped of my luggage, grabbed a book and cooried away inside a local restaurant, Dr Generosity. I ordered Dr G's Eggs Benny; two poached eggs served atop grilled peamill bacon on a toasted English muffin and apparently, topped with zesty hollandaise sauce. This was served with fries. It was nice although the hollandaise was missing and the liberal use of cayenne pepper on the eggs was a bit much but I still enjoyed it and the coffee, managing to read a few chapters of my book before wandering back out into the sunshine.

I travelled into Bloor and Yonge area on the Wednesday and went to the Eaton centre. I thought I would pick up some gifts for the kids and see Coco Chanel, the movie but alas it was not on and I opted instead for some schmaltzy rubbish called PostGrad because the daughter from The Gilmore girls was in it.

Not only was it poor but the hotdog I bought had died a few years before, had been buried and then dug back up for my palate to baulk over. Luckily, the food improved dramatically as I was invited to Jill's that night for dinner. Lovely olives and delicious pasta with shrimp was served with tasty chilled wine and more than made up for the scabby bun and dead dog I'd had earlier. I also got to meet Jill's two beautiful children who kept me entertained until their bedtime.

I had brought a cake from Max's Market on Bloor Street West, a lovely place filled with every conceivable goody of my dreams; pink cakes and chocolate ones, olives and cured meats, curries and pies. I finally chose a strawberry chocolate concoction which tasted as good as it looked, especially since Jill served it with ice cream. Stuffed, we went to the late night movie to see Julie & Julia. I really enjoyed it and loved Meryl Streep's performance of Julia Child bon appétit very much. Of course, the food part of the movie was the best.

Thursday was my last full day in Toronto and I was missing the children very much. I realised that 8 days was just too much time apart and that next time...yes, next time...it shall be no more than 5 days. I spent a great afternoon at the Boulevard club with Kate and Jill, a lovely place by the water with two swimming pools and tennis courts as well as other activities and restaurants. Whilst Kate worked out and Jill played tennis and swam, I partook of some energetic activity of my own; reading and drinking coffee on a deck chair, watching the boats and getting sunburnt. That part was not part of the plan but my milk bottle skin didn't know what to do with itself in the brilliant sunshine.

I got to spend a little more time with Kate's gorgeous children...wee Claire and I hit it off and spent any time we had together making play dough roses and then bashing their heads in plus Kate sneaked me one of her delicious nut-free chocolate brownies and I have to confess that I 'stole' another on Friday afternoon when picking up my bags...I hope you'll forgive me...and then got the train back out to Pauline's house. I never did get to Niagara on the Lake as I was having too much fun doing all the other fun things with my friends but we'll save that for the family trip in 2011.

Pauline and Dave had prepared a feast for me; I was so happy to see Dave's homemade bread, a dish of shiny black olives and some dipping oil with balsamic vinegar which Pauline had gotten for me, especially because she knew I liked it so much. She had also kept me a few portions of her homemade pakora which I wolfed down greedily. I was very kindly furnished with a spice mix which will allow me to make my own and I will give it a go on Saturday evening.

We then had spaghetti and meatballs and a lovely salad; it really tasted great and I asked what the special ingredient was: it was blue cheese! I use cheddar in my meatballs normally and am now switching to blue once you've had blue you can't look back. We had an apple strudel for dessert which I'd brought from a bakery on Bloor Street West and unfortunately, the spice had been forgotten. All things considered, it didn't matter after such a marvellous meal. Dave and Pauline prepared me one of their special Irish coffees and it was really the best I've ever tasted. The rest of the night was spent curled up on a chair outside by the wood fire, chatting about every topic under the sun. It was a lovely night and I was sad to go the next afternoon.

My last night in Toronto was spent at The Boulevard Club with Jill and her children, where she treated me to a lovely Chicken Caesar salad whilst she had pasta. She dropped me off at the airport and I was torn; happy at going back to my family and friends and sad to be leaving wonderful Canada and my friends there, knowing I probably wouldn't be back for a few years.

I had a delightful welcome home and was so happy to see the kids and Brian, even if I did sleep most of the weekend. I enjoyed my trip so much and it already seems like eons ago; it is lovely though to know I have friends so many miles away and that when we meet up, it's like we were never apart. Thank you girls. You're the best.

Drive By Posting!

I'm still in Canada, I fly back tomorrow but find myself with this minute of opportunity to pop in and throw this message at you all whilst Pauline puts her lovely wee offspring to bed. Think of it as a preamble to the Canada Edition to be written sometime over the weekend when the jet lag has subsided, kids have been shaken off my leg and I upload the amazing photographs...yes, of course mainly of food...from these lovely Canadian shores.

Ah...the wine is ready,the outside wood stove is fired up and the crickets are singing loud enough to wake the dead. I can't wait to read what you have all been up to and to update you on my adventures.

It's all meme me!

I love Sunday dinner. It can be roast beef or lamb, chicken or turkey. It's occasionally a ham but that doesn't matter. What makes a Sunday dinner is all the little extras that accompany the meal, the amount of time it takes to make...all afternoon...and the amount of time it takes to be eaten...3 seconds flat. The sitting around afterwards, chatting, picking at the remains and laughing with family, children and friends is the best part. Well, not really, you know me better than that; the food is the best part but it's a close second. Meh.

I love cooking for big numbers because you can make lots of different dishes at such cost effectiveness, I positively glow from the thought of it. These days, when I cook a joint, I usually always go for a large piece as meat once cooked slowly can be reheated and used in any dish your heart desires; curries, stews, sandwiches, soups, to name but a few. Even with chicken, I tend to cook two at a time and the second one gets used over the next few days. Hey, even electricity costs money so little savings help towards the big trips to...um...Canada or suchlike.

This Sunday, I cooked one paltry wee chicken but it was free range, stuffed with tarragon, lemon and sea salt, drizzled with olive oil and dotted with butter.

I served it with baby roasted potatoes, roasted carrots and turnip with some chopped up gammon and thyme all in a little olive oil and sea salt. We had green beans, petit pois (wee peas) and roast potatoes. Don't you just love roast potatoes? We like our potatoes of every description so we also had potato boulangere:...which is potatoes sliced thinly and layered between a sprinkling of chopped, sauteed onion then covered with an equal mix...around 5fl.oz. of each.... of stock and milk, dotted with butter and baked in an oven for 45 minutes. Drooled over! 350/180 or gas mark 4.

There has been no shopping this week; you may not have heard.....!, but I'm going on holiday tomorrow. There is still plenty of food in the cupboards, fridge and freezer. Brian has suggested taking the kids to school in their pyjamas so that someone will feel pity for him and cook everyone dinner. He is a chancer but is only kidding. He is perfectly capable although we have had offers of help already from the lovely women of Glasgow.
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Little Miss Blogger tagged me for this meme, my first ever. Thank you, my bloggy friend, I shall do my best.

The rules are, erase the answers already listed and fill in my own then pass it on to four bloggers of my choice. So here it is:

1. Who is the hottest Movie Star?
The hottest movie star of all time has to be Clint Eastwood. Ever since I saw him in a cowboy hat, walking across a dusty, wild western town, me at the tender age of 8, I was smitten. Over the years, I've watched every film with glee but when he walked onto my screen as John Kincaid, I wanted to seek him out and propose. And he's a great director!

2. Apart from your house and car, what is the most expensive item you have ever bought?
My sofas. They cost thousands of pounds years ago when sofas still cost the same as a car. I still have them. I hate them. I really, really hate them.

3. What is your most treasured memory?
Apart from the children being born? I have so many. I remember dreaming that I was pregnant with twins; I did a test the next day and lo and behold, I was indeed pregnant. At the scan, I shared my thoughts and the doctor confirmed that there were two little 'uns in there. I was so happy until she said "let me see if there are any more...."; that wiped the smile from my face.

I also remember Kelly telling me she was going to teach me to hope at the tender age of three. I was so touched, tears pierced my eyes; that was when she got on one leg and started to hop round the room.............we laughed for a loooong time.

4. What was the best gift you ever received as a child?
Tiny Tears doll.

5. What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?
My mistakes have led me to here.

6. 4 words to describe yourself?
I really love coffee.

7. What was your highlight or low light of 2008?
I started yoga which I love and my wonderful mother in law died.

8. Favorite Film?
This is one I cannot answer; there are too many. The last film I saw (for the umpteenth time) which I loved was Now, Voyager starring Betty Davis...."who needs the moon when we have the stars". I have it on video tape. Yes, video tape.

9. Tell me one thing I don’t know about you.
I once had nowhere to live.

10. If you were a comic book/strip or cartoon character, who would you be?
Elastigirl, the mum from The Incredibles. Except, unlike her, I can also fly.

The four bloggers I am tagging with this Meme are:
Anna
Beagle
Barbiephobia
Tommy
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My blogger friend Amy from Mama Drama gave me this smile:

"The Spreading the Smile originated from Vicki at Frugal Mom Knows Best. According to Frugal Mom "there are no rules or expectations, just the hope that you will pass this on, to however many people you want. The hope that we all have at least one nice thing to say to a least one person. One genuine, nice thing that might make them smile. Or even maybe something to thank them for. Let's spread the smile to as many faces as possible."
I'd like to pass it on to all of you. Please pass it on in turn.

Girl, uninterrupted and cakes in pants

I can hardly contain my excitement; I'm travelling to Canada on Thursday and will meet up with old friends. It will be lovely to feel the sun on my face, something that has been lacking in Scotland this summer, and get the chance to actually read a book, have a lie in and drink wine uninterrupted.

I shall get the chance to miss my children and my husband and to stroll through shops without fear of reprisal. There will be no cries for the toilet or the sound of breaking glass. I will sit at cafes for however long I please with huge mugs of steaming coffee, watching the world go by. I know how lucky I am and that I shall miss them but sometimes....sometimes it's nice to get away for a while.

I have been baking up a storm, convinced that the world is a better place when surrounded by loaves, cakes and cookies. My bread is going from strength to strength and I baked two loaves of wholemeal and linseeds. I used half olive oil and half butter for the fat and used brown sugar instead of white. Brown bread requires sugar to activate the yeast (I think) but only a little...about a tablespoon for the whole batch.

I was so pleased with how it turned out that every mouthful was followed by an ooh or an aah or an invisible pat on the back. I'm not a modest cook (incase you hadn't noticed); if it's good it's good but I also know when it's not!
An old friend of mine, Craig...a pretty excellent baker himself, knows how I like all things food; talking about it, looking at pictures about it and of course, the eating of it. He sent me a few pics of his food p.o.r.n baked goods in pants for my amusement...and amuse me it did...I must share with you the cakes in all their glory; those of a sensitive disposition, look away now.

Wordless Wednesday