This cold rainy day is perfect for curling up on the couch and watching the bachelorette - my guilty pleasure. Especially after the late departure from the office. Hope the sun comes back, my to do list gets a lot shorter when the sun shines.

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Pizza on Friday has quickly become a little tradition for Jimmy and I.  It is the perfect way to end a crazy week. Especially since we both love it sooo much. Tonight rather than take out and relaxing at home with a movie it was this little pizza shop in Inglewood that I have been wanting to try for a while - Without Papers. Jimmy arranged the date out and I loved every minute of it. After another successful week at the office we headed directly over their and lucked out with a little table for 2. The Hog Wild and Hutch were our selections and both were equally delicious. (And we just might have come home for a little ice cream treat for dessert . . . )

I would highly recommend this restaurant - the staff were great, the ingredients so fresh and the atmosphere hopping. I would also highly recommend trying to nab a table earlier than later on a Friday night - especially if you land with a group larger than 2 and are starving.

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Over dinner Jimmy told me that when he was researching pizza joints, he came across one which is owned by a guy who fell in love with Neapolitan style pizza while travelling. I cannot wait to travel through Italy. It is one of those countries that I dream of living in for 6 months or maybe 8 or even a year. I do hope that one day I get an international opportunity for work.

I dream of sitting at a table like this, enjoying a delicious meal of pasta and fresh cheese with bread . . .

Overlooking a view like this . . .

If Jimmy and I make this dream come true will any of you come visit???

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It is pictures like the outdoor space above that gets me so excited about creating an outdoor oasis for ourselves in our own back yard. I would love to have a little outdoor fireplace, a cozy hot tub, a big huge rustic table for entertaining and a lovely little island for the bbq.

The backyard on the show Parenthood is gorgeous. I love the mix and match chairs and the big wooden table. The whimsical lights. It certainly emulates the feel I would like to replicate in our backyard.

We need a cool gate - it sets the tone I think.

A bbq island is a great way to set up an outdoor buffet, tuck a little fridge and plug in a blender to make a delicious watermelon lemonade.

I love the idea of a fire in the backyard but not necessarily a fire pit. So why not a fireplace? You can still roast marshmallows and make smores, enjoy the warmth and make banana boats . . .

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If I had a Pinterest account, I guess all of this would be detailed there. But I must admit, I haven't jumped on that bandwagon yet. Not really too sure I understand it - do you? It looks like you just pin pics to categories. But don't you want to add some words - a little context - have the recipe for the watermelon lemonade?? Maybe I am just too chatty for Pinterest. That must be it!

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Since i piqued your interest around the watermelon freeze, I figure I better not make you wait any longer. Here it is from one of my favorite blogs: Smitten Kitchen

Watermelon Lemonade

from Smitten Kitchen

Makes enough to fill two glasses with ice cubes; we quadrupled it to fill a pitcher. We already need more.

1/4 cup (2 ounces) fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup (4 ounces) fresh watermelon puree, strained through a coarse strainer to remove seeds
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) simple syrup*
3/4 cup (6 ounces) cold water

Stir it all together and serve over ice. Garnish it with a thin watermelon or lemon wedge, if you’re feeling fancy.

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Watermelon is my favorite summer fruit. I love how refreshing it is - so juicy and cold. I could have watermelon every day! Definitely what makes a summer picnic extra delightful.

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I would like to try my hand at jam this summer. I had pineapple jam in Bali and it was incredible. Maybe I should try to make some watermelon jam? Bet that would be yummy!



For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

My strange new addiction . . .

Okay it really isn't strange. I promise you that. But it is a borderline addiction that is taking every ounce of self control I have left (which isn't much these days!). So I am sure you are all dying with anticipation: the mini ice cream treats one can find at Costco. They are so very cute (yes that does drive some of my food choices!) and tasty. The options are an ice cream cone, fudge bar or ice cream sandwich. Tonight was an ice cream sandwich. Yum! Don't try to deny that you are all craving an ice cream sandwich right now :-) and for that Mr. Nestlé, you are welcome!

Another perfect weekend

Pizza Surprise overnight guests Laughs Gardening Shopping Cleaning Sleeping in Travel dreams Catching up on shows Groceries Coffee date Dinner party with great friends Fresh bread Gym date Phone chats How can 48 hours fly by so quickly.

The End of the Season

 

Series championship - - - the Schooners are the underdogs and have fought the hard fight . . . 

They took the long road to this game . . .

 - not by choice . . .

But stayed in the game . . .

Kept their eyes on the puck . . .

Controlled the face offs . . .

Extending their chances just a  little . .

The defense was strong . .

The goalie kept his head in the game . .

And finally . . .

Celebrated a win . . . now it is down to the final game . . .

They answered with a goal . . .

But the other goalie stood on his head to save the lead . . .

And alas it was not to be  . . .

Better luck next year schooners! You did us proud!!

7 Quick Takes Friday - All about eating

Hey everyone - trying something new. It's 7 Quick Takes inspired by this blog. Enjoy!

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I love cooking - I spend hours searching food blogs, flipping through recipe books, planning out a special meal. Here are some of my favorite blogs - hope you enjoy them as much as I do:

Dinner with Julie

In Jennie's Kitchen

Smitten Kitchen

Hope you enjoy perusing as much as I do.

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I love candle light dinners with my husband. I don't do it nearly as often as I should but it never fails to be a special moment. I love it for so many reasons. I love doing something special for him. The preparation it takes is a bit like courting. I love trying new reciptes. I love that it is just us, no tv, no distractions, enjoying each other and having those conversations that you never make enough time in your life for.

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I love reading the City Palate. It has been a favorite ritual of mine since I moved to Calgary. They release them every other month and can be found throughout the city or online. I have never made a recipe out of the magazine. Nor have I ever bought a kitchen gadget it recomends. But that doesn't dim my love for picking up a copy, sitting down on the couch one evening and pouring over that fresh print.

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I love trying new restaurants. In the back of City Palate, there is a section called Stock Pot: Restaurant Ramblings and it documents the comings and goings of restaurants and chefs. I often find at least one new place or newly revamped restaurant that I am intrigued by. Before long, I have sucked someone into going to try the restaurant with me - whether it is my husband, girl friends or a double date. Here are the latest new restaurants that I tried and loved:

Borgo

Cassis

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I love my dinner club. The ladies are quite delightful! The restaurants chosen are a mixture of classics and up and comers, diners and fine dining, exotic menus and reworked traditional dishes. It is always sure to hold many laughs. Dessert. No topic is off limits. No question left unanswered. We sample off other's plates, critique and delight in the tastes. It is many years and counting - through babies and marriages, budget restrictions and celebrations. I love my girls!

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I love little food markets. Lina's and Edelwiess are two of my favorites. The meats and cheese are always so tempting. The fresh bread smells so delicious and I rarely leave without a little baked treat for later. If I am looking for unique sauces, spices or ingrediants, I always head to one of these first. Cookbook Company and Calgary Farmer's Market never fail to inspire me. The ingredients are so fresh and flavorful, the people delightful and the 'individual' portioned meals are such a delightful treat. Little grocery stores like Community Natural Foods, A1 Spices in Castleridge, T&T Supermarket and Sunterra are places that I can never run in for something 'quick'. The aisles beckon for me to stroll through and try something new.

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I would love to take a food/cooking tour style trip at some point in my life. Whether that is a cooking class out at the Banff Springs, or a French cooking vacation. Italy, Spain, Turkey, Morrocco or Mexico - wouldn't that be a fantastic aspect to include in your vacation? One day - I promise.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!