Random Thursday

1.  I'm going Facebook free for the month of February.  Think of how much I'll get done!
2.  JT's Suit & Tie is my new jam
3.  I wore a long necklace with my outfit today.  I have always avoided long necklaces thinking they weren't for me.  I kind of liked it.  Time to buy a few more?
4.  I forgot my lunch at home today.  It was peanut butter and jelly.  I purposely left work to come back and get it.  True story.
5.  My voice mail on my phone isn't working.  It hasn't been working for over a month and I still haven't figured out how to fix it.

What we DID in Montreal

We're back!!!  We had such a great time in Montreal celebrating our first year wedding anniversary. 

Earlier in the month I listed out some of the things we were considering doing in Montreal.  It's time for the big reveal on what we actually did while abroad. 

The Hotel

We stayed at the Hilton Bonaventure in downtown Montreal.  The hotel has a rooftop heated pool that is open year round.  Did we go swimming?  Um--yes!  We went swimming twice during our visit!  I wore a winter hat to keep my ears warm while in the water.  Hubs went underwater and then proceeded to style his hair in ridiculous ways that would freeze in place in a matter of minutes.

I know it looks a little frigid, but it was really warm and totally fun to be in a heated pool outside in the middle of January.

Added bonus?  The receptionist told us our hotel room overlooked the beautiful St. Lawrence River.  We both smiled at each other...like we haven't seen that before...

What our "view" of the St. Lawrence River looked like:

Notice all the train tracks?  Let's just say that hubs thought the view was fantastic.


In reflecting on our hotel choice, I'm still quite amazed that a story that our high school teacher told us left such an impression that we sought out this hotel to experience it ourselves.  We had a great time and we give the hotel two thumbs up.  We'll definitely be returning.

The Underground City

Our hotel was connected to the underground tunnel system in Montreal.  This means we were able to walk almost everywhere we went without going outside.  This was ideal for us given that the weather was near 0 degrees Fahrenheit during our visit....Brrrrr!

Upon arrival at the hotel we asked for 2 maps from the concierge: a map of the streets above ground, and a map of the metro station and tunnels underground.  We used my laptop to do some research on where things were located, plotted them on our maps from the concierge and packed up for a tunnel adventure.  Hubs also plotted locations on an app on his phone that he could use without roaming on Canadian cell towers.

At first we were a little confused.  The tunnels were BUSY because it was rush hour and we clearly had no idea where we were going.  We walked in a couple of circles before deciding to go back to the hotel to rethink our strategy.  During one of the circles we found the indoor ice rink.  We didn't end up going skating this trip, but here is what it looked like:

We also stumbled upon a Jean Coutu.  If you grew up watching Canadian teleivision and listening to Canadian radio advertisements like we did you'll get the jingle to the tune of Mozart's A Little Night Music stuck in your head immediately.

If you didn't grow up watching or listening to Canadian TV and Radio, this will make no sense to you.

Our second attempt navigating the tunnels was successful.  Hubs is an excellent navigator.  He basically kept his finger on the map the entire time we were navigating and we made it from building to building underground very easily!

We navigated the tunnel from our hotel to Sainte Catherine Street (big shopping street).  We then walked outside to a few shops until we found our restaurant.

Here are some secrets for the tunnel system:

1.  Keep walking past the metro station.  You'll see turnstiles and trains but don't let them scare you away...keep walking through the sections that aren't closed off with turnstiles.
2.  You may find yourself going up an escalator and toward frigid air (making you think you are headed for an exit).  Keep on going even if the air is cool for a minute.  It means you are near an exit to the street.  Even after you ride an escalator up to street level, there will be a way back down to the tunnel nearby.
3.  Don't be afraid to stop and look at a map.  Some friendly guy will start speaking to you in French and after you stare at him for a dumb founded second and say "ummm" he will proceed to ask you in English, "Are you lost/Can I help you?"  Such friendly natives!

Anniversary Dinner

Have you ever been to a Brazilian Steakhouse?  The concept was recently introduced to us by friends and we just had to check it out.  We ate SO. MUCH. FOOD. at Le Milsa and it was delicous!

Basically, you pay once price (expensive) for an all you can eat experience.  Each person has a card at their place setting that has a red side and a green side.  You leave the green side facing up to indicate that you are hungry and that you want more food.  You put the red side face up to indicate that you need a pause or that you are finished eating.

The restaurant cooks up 10 different kinds of meats and travels from table to table to ask you if you would like some.  We tried so many things.  It was so good!

Geocaching

One of the geocaches Hubs planned was right next to Le Milsa.  We bundled up after dinner and set out to find it.  It was so cold outside!  I felt like my legs were freezing if I wasn't moving.

We walked around a bit and then paused. I said to hubs, "I bet it is right there" and pointed to a space on a fence. Sure enough, there it was.  Hubs was brave enough to take his gloves off to try to sign the log.  We then proceeded to find a warm store front to go inside to defrost.

Unfortunately, none of the other geocaches panned out this trip.  We normally use our cell phones to cache and that made it challenging in Canada because we didn't want to roam the Canadian towers with our cell phones.  Hubs was relying on a separate map application that he downloaded to help him find the caches.  I think a mixture of the cold temperatures and the failing technology just made this a no go this time around.

Drinking

We navigated to Crescent Street and "hydrated."  It was a good time!

Shopping

We did lots of window shopping at shops on Sainte Catherine Street and also in malls we crossed throughout the underground tunnels.  We didn't buy anything of significance but it was nice to window shop and be warm!

Imax Movie

We ventured to the Science Center to view an Imax movie, To the Arctic.  The film suggested that by 2050 (our lifetime) all of the Arctic ice may be melted.  Isn't that crazy? 

While we were sitting there among many children and young families I couldn't help but think of the Modern Family episode Our Children, Ourselves where Claire and Phil are so excited to watch a 3d children's movie together.  This is so us.

Notre Dame Light Show

Old Montreal is very beautiful.  We will definitely be returning when the weather is warmer and we can explore the streets more freely.

The light show experience was not what Hubs and I were expecting.  Upon entering the church we were given a headset to listen along in English.  I was so confused, I kept saying, "Why do I need a headset?  Isn't this a light show?"

The first 10-15 minutes of the light show was basically a movie about the history of the church and how the structure was built in Montreal.  The acting was so ridicoulous that Hubs and I were smirking at each other throughout.  An actor "died" and his head dropped to his shoulders in the most ridiculous way.

I was almost uncomfortable enough to get ready to get up and leave, when finally....a "light" show began.

The projected screens dropped and the narrative followed different lighting schemes to show off the interior of the church.  Organ music (though not live) accompanied this part of the show.

Overall, the church is quite beautiful.  It is definitely not as beautiful or impressive as the Notre Dame in France but I am glad we checked it out nonetheless. 


Van Houtte
 

 
We walked by many Van Houtte bistros during our visit.  Sunday morning we finally stopped at one to taste the coffee.  It was delicious, as expected.

There you have it - a quick summary of our Montreal get-away!  Such fun!!!

January Recipe 2: Cornbread & Beef Skillet Pie

This recipe is courtesy of The Woman's Day Everyday Cookbook.
 
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 can ranchero beans
1 can whole kernel corn
1 package cornbread mix
1/2 cup shredded pepperjack cheese

1.  Heat oven to 400 degrees
2.  Brown ground beef in a large skillet with heatproof handle over medium-high heat.  Stir in ranchero beans and drained whole-kernel corn.  Simmer 2 minutes.
3.  Meanwhile, prepare cornbread mix as package directs.
4.  Spoon cornbread mixture on top of beef mixture in skillet  Sprinkle with shredded pepperjack cheese.
5.  Bake 15 minutes or until a wooden pick insert in center of cornbread comes out clean.  Cool 5 minutes.


I substituted black turtle beans for ranchero beans simply because I have had a bag of black turtle beans in the cupboard for ages and no idea what to do with them.  I soaked the beans all day while at work, then simmered them on the stove for an hour before adding them to the skillet mixture for dinner.

Very easy, pretty tasty.  Yum!

Random Thursday

1. Facebook funnies
2. Shameless people of 2012
3. Amazing photos from 2012
4. Golden Globes Fashion
5. Cats!

Random Thursday

1.  Yesterday Hubs and I were in bed before ten.  We both declared ourselves exhausted and decided we would go to bed by 10.  We beat our deadline and fell asleep.  I feel so rested today!

2.  The Christmas tree is officially packed away. 

3.  I haven't accomplished anything with my scrapbook since my last post.

4.  I'm currently reading Little Women on my Kindle Fire.  It was a free download.

5.  We planned all of our meals for the week on Sunday.  When we bought groceries we spent significantly less money.  When it's dinner time, there is no wasting time asking, "What do you want to eat for dinner tonight?"  Meal planning works.  Let's see if we can stick with this.

What to do in Montreal

Hubs and I are planning an upcoming weekend getaway in Montreal, Canada.  I'm pretty excited about the getaway as it has been a few months since we have got out of town just for us.

We'll be celebrating our first wedding anniversary.  I just can't believe it has been almost one year since our wedding day!  Not only is it our one year wedding anniversary, it also marks 8 years of our "togetherness."

Here are some of the fun things we are dreaming up for Montreal: 


1.  Eating a Beavertail

Have you ever eaten a Beavertail?  If not, you are missing out and you should plan a visit to Canada just because.

I haven't had one in AGES.  In fact, I think I've only had one once when I was in high school and I visited Ottawa with a friend to go skating on the canal.  Well, I haven't forgotten that Beavertail and I fully intend on finding a location in Montreal to savor another with Hubs. 

Who doesn't like fried-dough-goodness?  Nom. Nom. Nom.

2.  Hotel with indoor/outdoor roof top pool

When Hubs and I were in high school, a teacher once described a hotel in Montreal where you could swim on the roof outside in a heated pool while it was snowing.  Said hotel is also connected to an underground mall shopping center. 

Ever since hearing about this hotel, Hubs and I have said that we would find it and visit.  Well, we found it and we booked it and we are both excited to swim outside under the stars in the middle of winter.  I personally am hoping for a light fluffy snowfall for the swim.  So fun!

3.  SHOPPING!

• There is an "underground city" in Montreal complete with lots of shopping.  We'll be hitting this up for sure!  
• Sainte Catherine Street is full of shops, department stores, and restaurants.  We'll probably be strolling this street as well.  Window shopping perhaps?

4.  Night Life:  Bars

Montreal is a party city. We fully intend to hop around and find a couple bars for fun during our evenings. 

5.  Geocaching

Yes - we will find at least one geocache while abroad.  Maybe 2...or 3...

6.  Notre Dame Light Show

Notre Dame Basilica is too beautiful to just pass by.  The church has a light show with music to detail the history of the church.  This looks pretty neat.  We think we might check this out!

7.  Ice Skating

If weather is reasonable, we hope to find an outdoor skating rink where we can rent skates and just be outside.  If it's too cold, we would consider finding an indoor skating venue.  

8.  Van Houtte Bistro

When we are looking for our"favourite" brew to warm up I imagine we'll stroll into a Van Houtte Bistro for a delicious coffee break.

I'm definitely looking forward to our Montreal getaway weekend.  Anyone have any additional recommendations for things to do in Montreal?

January Recipe 1: Chicken Tortilla Soup

In 2013 I am challenging myself to try to cook 2 new recipes each month.  This is going to be really good for me.

My first recipe for January:  Chicken Tortilla Soup.

I found the recipe in a Slow Cooker magazine from January 2010.  This is the only Slow Cooker magazine I have ever received (a Christmas gift that came with the crock pot) so I held onto it.  (Sigh of relief from my readers.  No I don't have 2 years worth of slow cooker magazines piled up somewhere!)

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Soup:

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons dried minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 carton chicken broth (4 cups)
•  4 corn tortillas cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro

Garnishes if desired:

• Shredded Cheddar cheese
• Sour cream 

1. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.  In cooker, mix all soup ingredients except cilantro.
2. Cover; cook on low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.
3. Stir in cilantro.  Increase heat setting to High.  Cover; cook 15 minutes longer.
4. Garnish each serving with cheese and sour cream.

This was a success and very easy to prepare.  The most challenging part for me was handling the raw meat.  I always find this so gross...but I survived cutting the chicken into bite size pieces.  It wasn't so bad I guess.

You'll notice there are quite a few spices required in this recipe.  We didn't own any of them prior to today.  We did skip out on spending $5 on a huge thing of minced garlic and instead we minced some fresh garlic that we already had on hand.  (Somebody tell me, why isn't there a store where you can just buy spices in small quantities?!)

I also cooked this on the High heat setting for almost half of the time since I got a late start in preparing dinner.  (We ate dinner at 8:00 tonight...oops!)

Hubs agrees that it is a repeatable meal.  It was delish.  We ate it with cornbread.  Hubs made lemon sugar cookies for dessert that were also a hit.

Scrapbooking Excuses and Frustration

I really just want to get into this wedding scrapbook. To date I've done 3 pages, 2 of which are incomplete.  These pages were done in November.  Now that the holiday rush is past, it's time to get back into this.  But I get overwhelmed even thinking about it.

Why?

Space:  
My desk is a whopping space of 47 x 24 inches.  Throw a printer and laptop on top and it's pretty much out of space.  To clear the space, I end up shifting my stuff around to the point of not knowing where anything is anymore. 

Number of Pictures:
Our photographer took a zillion photos.  And I love her for it because there are so many great pictures.  And it's so many pictures.  And it's hard to focus on one particular event for scrapbooking, or to pick particular photos for layouts.  It's hard because I only printed a small percentage of photos leading up to our wedding ceremony and they are all 4 x 6 size.  And I wonder if I would rather have a couple 4x7s or 8x10s to incorporate and which photos I should order in larger sizes.

Color Scheme:
In my other scrapbooks the pages and color scheme vary from event to event and pages are pretty bright colors.  This is wedding scrapbook will be more formal.  My wedding colors were navy and silver.  It's hard to pick papers to go with particular photos without distracting from the photos.

Don't-want-to-mess-it-up mentality:
Admittedly I have ripped apart many scrapbook pages in the past to re-start with different colors and layouts.  And I'm worried I'll end up ripping things apart so many times that it will become more frustrating.

It takes so much time:
On this beautiful sunny Saturday I haven't left the apartment.  I slept in.  I read many many pages of Wicked on my Kindle. I even took a nap this afternoon.  And I still feel like I don't have enough time to get into this. (Or maybe I'm just procrastinating??)
 
Just getting started:
It can be so hard to just. get. started.  Look at me.  Blogging about the frustration instead of working through it.

Okay...back to trying to scrapbook....

 

Random Thursday

1.  My car is acting up and I'm not liking it!  A few days ago I noticed my car was loud...like maybe-you-have-a-hole-in-your-muffler loud.  I asked hubs to take the car for a spin to see what he thought.  We think there is something up with the exhaust system since the car is kind of smelly after you drive it for a bit and it's pretty loud.  Hubs will take my car in on Friday - I will hope for the best.

2.  I bought Hubs a car starter for his Subaru for Christmas.  This will be installed later this month!

3.  My next car will be all wheel drive and it will have a spotless windshield.  Just sayin.

4.  My brothers were planning on doing some work to their cars on their own while they are home for the holidays.  I wonder how that went.  I should probably ask them.

5.  I have a soft spot for my first car.  Nothing like a Mercury!

Welcome 2013!

Happy New Year!

I am looking forward to the year ahead.  I resolve to continue blogging and to keep working away at my 30/30 list.

In 2013 I will definitely take on the following items on my 30/30 list:

1.  Learn to cook 2 new recipes each month for one year

2.  Try to ski

3.  Visit at least 1 new state

4.  Send a secret to PostSecret

5.  Plug away at my wedding scrapbook