Fall Leaves

This weekend while visiting the fam in Scarborough I decided to take some shots of the fall leaves. Living downtown you sometimes forget what its like to have trees around you. With this great weekend weather, it was a perfect opportunity to appreciate Fall...

Molly Umali and Tony Little...

Last night I went over to MelandNorm's for a pie-making extravaganza! Mary-Ann had so kindly dropped off a bushel of apples she had picked with her kids and Mel decided to make a few apple pies with her new cooking class pie recipe. I was the official apple peeler/corer. Mel had already made the dough (in an effort to keep her recipe a secret I think!) and she rolled out the pie crusts and made the "slurry" (a mix of the apple juices, spices and cornstarch.) We ended up with three deeleecious pies.

Norm's mom had also requested they make her some empanadas with the filling that she provided. (Seems that Mel is the resident "pastry" expert) so she pumped out a few dozen of those too... also deeleecious! Way to go Mel, you should start your own pastry making business "Molly Umali's pies and pastries!" Sally can even design your logo!

On my way in from work this evening I received a note about a package that had arrived for me. It was my highly anticipated "Tony Little Micropedic Pillow" which I had ordered from the Home Shopping Channel. Yes that's right ladies, I shop on the Home Shopping Channel. Its my second purchase actually. (The first one was my duvet.) There's just something about seeing something on tv and then picking up the phone and 5 days later, its at your door. Also, there just happened to be nothing on tv on Friday night at midnight. I'm excited to try it, even though I read all the materials and it seems like its just a sack of tiny foam beads. Anyway, there IS a 30 day money back guarantee so if I don't have a "revolutionary and advanced" night's sleep tonight, Tony Little will be hearing from me!!

Running for the Cure...in 34 minutes!

Today was my big 5k run! Sally spent the night so we could get up early and head there together. Unfortunately we both didn't sleep well, I was so nervous that I would miss it! At 8 am I finally got up and made us a little breakfast before leaving for the big event.

It was my first time at the CIBC run and it was so exciting. So many people and lots of cheering and general positive energy. Once the starting gun went off (which I didn't really hear,) we were off. It was kind of like being in a herd of cattle, everyone just moves so slow as a big group but eventually we got our own little space and we started running. A slow run (or should I say slow jog,) but nonetheless we were able to make it the whole way. I must say it was much easier than I thought. There were a few moments where I felt tired but then Sally pointed out the finish line and it motivated me enough to keep running. After the run, we got our free snacks, said hi to Tanaz and her family and then headed home to go to St. Louis' for some wings and beer. It was our post-run treat.

After lunch I was exhausted and passed out on my couch for about 2 hours. It was a great experience and one I'm thinking about continuing with the Toronto Marathon in two weeks. Maybe I can bump it up a notch and go for 10k? Or maybe not...

Nuit Blanche

Last night Huddy and I checked out a couple of the Nuit Blanche events. It was a cold night so we only stopped by a few but I have to admit it was equally as weird as last year. Our first exhibit was the best. It was apparently supposed to be a giant "Pong" game at Nathan Phillips Square. The game itself was shown on the windows of New City Hall. I didn't realize it was a game but we just thought seeing all the lights flash in the windows was cool.

The next exhibit was a scary re-enactment of Don Quixote at St. James Church. It was also kinda cool but very scary. It was a guy painted in red balancing on a giant black sculpture-type thing while singing the opera. In-ter-est-ing...

Our last exhibit was Superman themed so I thought it would be something Hud would enjoy since he has a secret Superman complex. Again, it was totally weird but kinda funny. After that, we were "nuit blanched" out so we called it a night. Especially since I had to get up early for my big run today!!

The Honey Crisp Debate!

A couple of weeks ago at dinner, Mae mentioned this "amazing" apple variety she had discovered called "honey crisp". Then last week Mel sent an email saying that she managed to find a couple ($6 for 2! Yikes!) and they were worth every penny. So how excited was I to find these coveted "honey crisps" at St. Lawrence Market this morning! I went by the vendor and asked him about his apples and he said the only way I would know how good they are was to buy them and try them myself. (What a marketing strategy!) I decided to think about it as I made my way around the other vendors. By the time I had made it back to him (only once around the market,) he was all sold out! I think he took a little satisfaction in telling me they were all gone too. However I happened to notice another vendor nearby who was selling smaller quantities and bought one box from them (6 for $6). Maybe it was the discounted price, or maybe it was their size, but when I finally got home and gave them a try, they were just a little bit disappointing. It tasted like a crispy macintosh apple to me. It was sweet, it was tart, and it was crisp but I'm not a Mac fan so to me, it was just another Macintosh apple.

I think I'll stick with my Royal Galas...

Thanks Fred!

In October I am planning on going to visit my sister in Connecticut to watch the New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys football game. As a big wig at GE, she has access to their GE box so we will have great seats and I just couldn't turn down the chance to watch the Giants play again. The first time I saw them play in Buffalo was amazing and I'm sure these seats will be even better. (I'm even going to wear my Manning jersey. I'll probably be the only one there among all the suits wearing a jersey but what better opportunity to wear it right?)

In order to make the trip, I had decided to use my air miles to book my flight. Since I didn't have enough miles at the time to book, I decided to sign up for a platinum AMEX in order to get the bonus points which would get my balance high enough to get my ticket. However to my great dismay, (and after paying $60 to get the card!) I found out that it can take up to 120 days to get the bonus points!! I started to panic since I was SO looking forward to watching the game (and also doing some major shopping at the best outlet mall ever,) so I decided to contact my friend Freddie (my grade 5 boyfriend,) since he used to work at AMEX. I thought maybe he could give me some advice about calling them and seeing if I could get the points added any earlier. Anyway, after I explained my situation to him he said "I have air miles, how about I just give them to you?". Unfortunately the points are not actually transferable but instead he called air miles himself and booked me my flight using his own air miles. I was shocked but so thankful for his generosity. I am very lucky to have such great friends and I just wanted to publicly say thanks to my grade 5 boyfriend for still looking out for me! Thanks Fred!!!

Decorating Update!

Well after two weekends of painting and reorganizing, I have finished my foyer. I bought the paint from my local Pro Hardware (which I didn't know existed beside St. Lawrence Market,) taped the walls and went to it. For my first project, I thought I did an ok job. At first I thought it was far too messy (my stucco ceiling caused a bit of a problem when it came to painting,) but now that I've had a few days to look at it, it doesn't seem so bad. Sally helped me do the trim and finishing touches.

I also finally got my new cabinet delivered and set up. I wasn't sure about the size at first (it was bigger than I thought,) but now that I've got all of my things in it (and a lot more storage room!) I think I'm happy with it. The great thing about it is that I can also use it as two separate pieces by flipping top half over.

It was a bit harder than I thought and I'll have to really think about whether or not I want to tackle painting the rest of the place. Especially with a dark colour, its hard to get the right coverage. I think I will now turn my attention to getting my chandelier hung and possibly adding the mosaic tile to my kitchen backsplash.

Congratulations Pallly!

Last weekend, my best pally Sally finally got engaged! Seeing as how we pretty much tell each other everything, keeping this a secret was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do! Her fiancee Ron had told me about a month in advance that he was going to propose and although I was very happy to help with his plans, it was SO HARD not to say anything!

Although the pic above looks like Mae and Ev are not happy (while celebrating at Wah Sing), they are just trying to imitate the Brace Face Smile. Mel and I on the other hand, couldn't contain our excitement and are all smiles!

Now that the cat's finally out of the bag, I am very happy to be able to tell everyone and anyone "Sally's engaged! Sally's engaged! Sally's engaged!" Whoo hooo! Let the wedding planning begin...

DIvine Design!

After almost 5 years in my condo, I've decided to give myself a new project. Time to finally decorate! I've always thought about painting and decorating but there always seemed to be something or other going on that prevented me from devoting the large amount of time necessary for such a project. Now that I find myself with lots of free time, I thought I would finally get a move on with my condo. Those old dusty paint chips that were stuck to my wall 2 years ago when I last felt inspired are finally going to see fruition.

Just this past Saturday I got up early and met Mahi for a run at Queen's Park. Then we went for breakfast and did a little furniture shopping for our respective places. The first stop was Biltmore at King and Sherbourne. We had gone the previous weekend but the items I found were a bit out of my price range so I was unable to make the commitment. This time, I found a bookcase/china cabinet that I fell in love with and although the price was still quite high, I was able to negotiate a little (where is Mae when you need her?) and am now the proud owner of a "new country" china cabinet and antique side table. It was the most money I've spent in a long time and my poor bank card got put to the test. But it will be a good start to the home reno and finally getting this place looking the way I've always wanted. Next stop, Home Depot to start picking my paint colours!

A little plastic surgery never hurt anyone?

Today I had my consultation with a plastic surgeon regarding my "lipoma". Lipomas are fatty tissue that are relatively normal and usually appear in different areas of the limbs. Based on that definition, I think I have quite the lipoma developing in the ol' midsection. But the one I was getting checked out happens to be on the back of my skull. I noticed it had grown in the last few months and although I've had it almost all of my life, I feel its time to say good bye. So today, Sally my Pally drove me to my appointment and $300 later, I will be "lipoma-free". The appt for the actual surgery is not until November. Until then, I will look forward to being able to lie on my left side and wear non-lopsided pony tails. Maybe while I'm there, they can do a quick lipo on some of my other "lipomas"...