First weekend of summer

lobsters
crave cupcakes
laughter
good friends
sleeping in
coffee
breakfast
sunshine
reading
strawberries
dates with a cute boy
appies
golf

why did monday have to come so soon

gourmet hot dogs

So I had my first fancy schmancy hot dog the other day. The kind you load up with something other than ketchup and mustard. Honestly - not a drop of ketchup on the hot dog . . . . and it was delightful. More delightful than I imagined it would be. It could have had something to do with the delightful company. Or the fact that I was starving. Maybe the mountain air helps. Regardless, I would recommend it. Ranks up there with hot dogs at a ball game on a hot sunny day! Yum!

i was on site at Gibsons on Wednesday

the whole day was overcast with showers

at the end of the day, Jimmy was so kindly going to pick me up

we arranged for a time

i waited in the building lobby for him

right around the time we were supposed to meet, i saw a grey caravan pull up across the street and park

rather than waiting for Jimmy to text me, i headed out into the rain to meet him

i was pretty excited that the day was over

and we were going to have a little date

i headed out the door saying good night to various Gibson employees who were starting their trek home as well

i quickly dashed across the street in the rain

as i approached the van i noticed that their was new 'pin striping' along the side

it wasn't jimmy after all but rather a shuttle vehicle for a dealership

i was too embarassed to go back in and explain to those I knew why i was all wet

so i waited outside

in the rain

for a few minutes

under a tree

traffic was so congested that jimmy was a tad delayed

the tree didn't shelter me much

that darn pride - gets me every time

dance recitals

laughs with good friends

chubby cheek smiles

coffee and a muffin that is well deserved

sunshine

rain drops

sleeping in

runners in costumes

finding a cure

dinner with dear ones

coffee on the patio

hot dogs

ball games

bbqs

yeah, even though i had to work a bunch, it still was a pretty fabulous weekend

the Underwear Affair

This has become as much a tradition in Calgary as Stampede - every year individuals pledge to run 10k or walk a 5 in support of cancers below the belt. And to have a little fun doing it, the costumes become as important as the race.






This year, Clairise and Martina signed up. Jimmy and I went out to cheer them on and have some laughs!

I even spotted a Rider fan in the group








The girls did amazing. It was Clairise' first 10k and the 2 of them finished in just over an hour. Jimmy and I are so proud of them.

I overheard one lady say that she really had to expedite her training for the race this year; she didn't start until December and sure is feeling it now

I overheard another group debating whether or not to walk the rest of the way

There were perculiar running styles

Some were so stiff

Others so loose it looked like they were doing the mashed potato down the road

Those indiviudals who looked like every breath was painful

Others that looked like it was the first km for them

Many a time I wanted to call out - 'unclench your fists!!'

Two guys ran right past me into the A&W - that was the most peculiar running strategy I thought

And in the midst of the crowd was one of my dear friends

She looked like she was born to run

Picnic in the woods

Jimmy and I joined Steve, Susan and Ben a couple of weekends ago. The weather was promising to turn and we knew we needed to take advantage of the sun while we had it. We found a few picnic tables, enjoyed a leisurely lunch and then headed out to stroll the trails.

Who you gonna call????

I wrote about this Color Me Katie's blog before BUT for those of you who have forgotten or are new to reading my blog, I just had to share this video with you:



It is by a group called Improv Everywhere. Their improv assignments lighten the spirits of lucky people going about their regular day somewhere. And I have to say, this is one of my favorites!

long weekends

new babies

flowers at the airport

impromptu hugs

mom's potato salad

cuddling while watching cars

bath time

the smell of farming in spring

sunsets

muffins

laughter

sequence

late night chats

coffee

soccer

visiting family

watermelon

shelling peanuts

bbq burgers

mom's potato salad

i cannot wait for the weekend

i plan on sleeping in, catching up on my shows and taking a few pics

oh yes i do

It's raining, it's pouring . . .

The old man may not be snoring 

But . . . this cat was caught in the downpour

Really need to invest in an umbrella

And maybe a rain coat

Or a poncho

Yeah - think I might pick up a cute little poncho

wings

good friends

new homes

presents

topless cruises

sunshine

summer dresses

planning

cinnamon buns

iced coffees

bbqs

love

washers

bon fires

sleeping in

picnics

laughter

dreaming

walks

blizzards

sunburns

flip flops

oh how i love a lazy summer weekend

Season finales are going to get the best of me this year I think


They spend all year ensuring I fall in love with these people; make friends with them


Only to watch them endure the pain of loss and hurt


And so it is time to stock up on tissues


I couldn't make it through Private Practice without crying at the end


Brothers and Sisters had to sell Ohai and I know that this Sunday is not going to be any better

Mercies - there is still Parenthood (I certainly hope that Sarah can endure whatever life may throw her way), Grey's Anatomy and 24 to get through

The Good Wife is nearing its end and it's about time to find out who is going to be the Biggest Loser

I better buy another box of kleenex

Letters to Juliet

Nicole and I took advantage of some free tickets to a movie last night. Jimmy had received tickets to Letters to Juliet and graciously passed them on to me. Apparently none of his friends were free that night . . .

Nicole opened the night by telling me Rotten Tomatoes only ranked it at 33% so she has very low expectations of the movie and was quite glad the tickets were free! Whew - okay - all excitement of free tickets to a cute chic flick was squelched with that report.

But to our surprise and my relief - the movie was quite delightful. It is your traditional love story that we all dream about. The scenery was breathtaking as they toured around the Itallian country side and I couldn't get enough of the beautiful city of Verona.

I highly recommend it. Jimmy will be sad he missed out.

Cheers to a dear friend

The moment I walked in and spotted her, I had this feeling about her. This feeling that she already knew me and we would be fast friends. Once we met, I was not disappointed. It was one of those moments where life was so comfortable that you just knew it was right.

As with every friendship, it required sacrifices and came with a cost. But no matter who I introduced her to, they all quickly fell in lover with her as well.

And oh the adventures these last few years have brought us: long road trips, discovering new cities and visiting old ones, hanging with the fam, spectacular mountain views and camping. We endured moves, she is always the first to help me with the heavy lifting, together we have seen loss and love. She was one of the first to meet Jimmy and they have grown to be dear friends as well. She has seen my bad dancing, endured the necessity to sing with Summer of '69 at the top of my lungs, seen me cry and witnessed me laughing uncontrollably. We have had a few bumps and bruises along the way but nothing that friendship can't get past.

So this is for you, dear Zinzin (to any who don't know - it's italian colloqial for just a little bit crazy). Together our lives are just a little bit crazy. You are all mine now - free and clear! And what a feeling that is!!

Zinny - you still make me smile like a fool as we whip down the highway at speeds I would never confess to my dad with the top down and the sun warming us. Your cup holders are always handy, the cargo entry has saved me on more than one occasion and your little heater is sure to warm all winter long!!

The idea of cake sounded so delightful that I couldn't resist. Jimmy was over for dinner and the evening. He was watching hockey; I had on Private Practice. (Thursday nights are like that some times.)

And I decided that baking is why TV has commercial breaks. Jimmy picked the icing - cream cheese, I picked the cake - spice.

And voila . . .

Just as yummy as I remembered when I used to bake spice cake for gramps.

Confetti cake ice cream

This is in honor of one of my favorite cousins - she quite enjoys the confetting cake and icing combo.  As I was avoiding working last night, stumbled across the newest Pillsbury ice cream line.


How can you go wrong - yummy cake ice cream with yellow cake pieces and frosting sprinkles. May not be a bad alternate in a pinch Jen!!

Having one of those days

Argh, I am having one of those days. The kind where you really don't like certain projects so much. And no matter how long you stare at the computer screen you can't seem to figure out the next step you need to take. And you wonder why the thought of becoming a dental hygenist never crossed your mind as a college student.

Yup, one of those days!!

it's may

that means patio season is almost here

i love patio season

late night summer heat beneath the patio lanterns makes me happy

(so does the country song - but shhh don't tell anyone)

lots of life makes me happy

but perhaps patio season makes me just a little bit happier than some

it's raining outside

when it rains outside, all I want to do is stay home all day

i wish i could cozy up in a blanket

dream of curling up next to a crackling fire

reading a good book

sipping hot chocolate

smelling freshly baked goodness

i can't cozy up in a blanket for most of the day

i don't have a crackling fire to curl up next to

i need to buy a good book

but i can make hot chocolate

and i can make some freshly baked goodness

and then i can dream about the sunshine

and all the fun that a sunny day brings