Sundays are usually days when we go out to eat as a family – but like most restaurants in Canada – the portions are really huge – we never ever managed to finish our food.   So what do we do?  we doggy bag the leftover and eat them for dinner (most times) or the next day.  We’ve always taught Chloe from young that food must not be wasted – so we always finish our leftovers – what about you guys?  what is your take with leftover food from restaurants and at home?  do you eat them all another day – or do you not doggy bag them for fear of looking cheap?

Many years ago before coming to Canada – I would never dream of packing up leftovers at the restaurants.  When I eat with my bosses or travel for work with them – I always felt like it’s so cheap to wanna doggy bag the food home – so why the 360 degree change?  Firstly, my current food is not paid by my bosses – who always eat extravagantly and being expatriates – they never like to pack food back to the hotel but now that I have a kid – I have to teach her good values and because of all the charitable organization I’ve joined after coming to Canada  – I’m made aware of the many people who are less fortunate than us  – therefore, I try never to waste food.

Ever since coming to Canada – I’ve to learned to cook for myself – but one thing awesome about cooking here is I never have to cook for PB – why?  because he likes his own kinda food – like potatoes, carrots, some chicken – not a lot of beef or sandwiches.  So I never have to worry about cooking for him – he can eat a sandwich in the morning, sandwich for lunch and another sandwich for dinner.  Yup!  he isn’t adventurous at all with his food – but every Sunday – he will cook potatoes, carrots – some sort of meat for supper – for the entire family – so I can’t really complained right?  Sure it is monotonous but better than my dad – having only cooked for his children once in our entire life – so I count my blessings.

I loved a good garlic bread – and found one that I liked very much here – so sometimes we also have garlic bread but not every weekend.  And for lunch we dine out on Sundays – although PB doesn’t really like eating out either.   So yes, for someone who lovesssssssssssss food like myself and being with a man who eats to live – well -  quite bizarre right?  but he has improved over the years – and he makes it a point to bring me and Chloe out to eat every week – although there are limited restaurants that he likes.

We had bought some Christmas cookies to be baked at home on Christmas eve – but alas – as you can see here – it was left too long in the oven.   What a bummer!  PB and Chloe was disappointed because they were the ones who wanted the cookies.

They were so burnt they can’t even be saved!  guess our oven is hotter than we thought it was. While chloe was whining about it and PB ranting about the oven – what did mama do?  just ignored the burnt cookies and showed everyone to the tv room. muahahhah!  that’s what mummy’s are good for right?

While other people get diamond rings or a piece of new jewellry – I wanted a KitchenAid Cast Iron Pot for my Christmas this year – that  I’ve been eyeing on it for years now but since it’s on sale I quickly rushed out to get one from Canadian Tire.  Trust a food blogger to ask for an cast iron pot – instead of jewelry.

Yup they had the red color ones but I wanted the purple one – coz’ I’m that special – muahahhaha!!!

So PB paid for it – and we went on our merry way – on Christmas eve!

We are truly blessed by good and true friends from around here – not only does Chloe and I get gifts all the time – we also get specially made cookies from Kim every year.  I think it is a priceless gesture and wished I had the time to do the same for all my friends too – alas, being so busy with my own work and work at the store – and of course Chloe – it doesn’t leave me a lot of time.  But my friends are steadfast and they understand it and never hold it against me.

And every year we received fruit baskets from friends as well – this one is from Lynette and Josh.  They are so thoughtful – even when they were just getting over their illness – they came by with gifts for Chloe for her birthday and Christmas and a fruit basket for us.  In everyone’s life – we have  lots of friends but those who are with you throughout the good and the bad times and never jealous of your achievements – those are hard to come by.  I’m glad I have friends who are never envy or jealous of our successes and celebrate them with us.  Thank you for your friendship Kim and Lynette.

A gourmet fruit basket from a customer.

And another 3 more from friends of the store too.

For those of you who are not aware of this – we’ve put Chloe into horse riding classes since last year – and we get all her equestrian apparel online but when it comes to getting the saddle and tack, we are always try and get them locally if the price is right.  So a few weeks ago, we headed to Shelburne to look for this. This is a FQHB 16 inch Stallion Tack – I loved that it has lots of silver it  – they were asking for $650 and it was a very good price – but alas, it was a little too big for Chloe – so we didn’t end up getting it.  Guess we will continue to look for it online.

It was an hour drive back, so we stopped at Austrain Inn to eat – and it always makes us hungry after sending her for horse riding classes but we get to go out and eat – which is our favorite.

The Austrain Inn looked small from the outside but it has a huge capacity inside as you can see.

It was very spacious and we went late for lunch – therefore, you don’t see many customers at this time.

The service was good and the food was good too.  We had a hard time deciding on what we wanted.

The soup that came with my meal wasn’t something i liked too much – so I didn’t drink it.

Chloe as you can see loved this place a lot.

Her chocolate milk came first.

Chloe had fish and chips – they dont have this in the kid’s menu – I think they don’t have a kid’s menu to be honest. But the next time I have to remember to ask them not to put the green stuff.  I think it was basil if I am not wrong.

I had the most wonderful BBQ schnitzel chicken with some buttered rice and carrots – they were such a healthy combination if you asked me.  By far the best meal I had here in Canada.

PB had the chicken cordon bleu – he likes it  – the chicken is good – but the ham and cheese inside were different from what he likes – but he said the chicken was really tender.  We always have a hearty meal after Chloe horse – riding and she enjoys it so much – we really want to get her the right apparel for classes next year.

We’ve been invited to several Christmas parties this year and Chloe and PB baked some sugar cookies to bring to our hosts – we thought it would be a nice gesture since most of our friends have everything and insist that we don’t bring anything except ourselves.  We had to turn down some parties because we were afraid that the weather may not permit us to travel to and fro for the parties – plus in previous years we’ve seen many accidents on the highway – even when the snow wasn’t so bad – it’s the ice on the road that causes these accidents.   Of course,  medical help would be there when the need arises but why court trouble when you don’t have to right – so we only attend parties right in town and the time has to be right too – because of Chloe’s food – she is a fussy eater.

PB always insist that he is a careful driver – and I always remind him that it’s not him I’m worried about on the road – it’s those that are drinking during their parties or those who’ve ate too much – and falling asleep on the road.  You can never be too careful – so this Christmas season – for those who drink – don’t drive and if the weather is bad – don’t go out – because you may be a cautious driver – but the person riding down the highway – may not be – or the road conditions just may not be the best.  Be safe this Christmas and always have an emergency kit with you in the car and a number to call for Medical Emergency Assistance.

I’m very happy to see Marco’s Pasta  & Grill move to town – because I’ve always liked Marco since it’s previous owners but they were all the way out in Tusket.  Sure, it really isn’t that far – but when you are hungry – you just want to go where it is the nearest – and the trouble with us is – we only eat when we are hungry.

So having Marco’s in town is definitely a plus for people like me who loved food and different kind of food everyday if possible.

Marco’s is all decked up for Christmas as you can see here.

We didn’t have to wait long for our seats – there were like 6 – 8 tables filled when we arrived – and only 2 waitresses that Sunday.  So it is considered busy by my standard.

The restaurant’s decor is pretty – and as you can see here – can seat quite a number of tables and people.

We were given a seat near the entrance – one side is bench like seats and the other side with regular wooden seats.

We didn’t have to wait long for our menu to come – but the waitress didn’t give us a children’s menu – we had to ask for it.  But that’s alright – she is busy and I can see that there were a number of regular guests during lunch that Sunday.

We started with an appetizer of bruschetta  – although I know I’m going to be the one eating most of it.  PB had one – I think because it had cheese on it – haha!

The waitress freshly grated the cheese in front of us – and that was a very nice touch.  Unfortunately, chloe doesn’t like the smell of the cheese and as for the bruschetta – it was delicious but a wee bit soggy for my liking.

Chloe had the fish and chips from the children’s menu – and there were a lot of fish – she couldn’t finish all of it of course.

PB had a bowl of seafood soup because he had a late breakfast – he said the fish was really fresh and tender.

And I had the lasagna with meat sauce but had I known that there was going to be more garlic bread – I wouldn’t have ordered bruschetta and would have ordered some mushroom or even a plate of oysters if they had any. But the lasagna was good and some tabasco sauce would have been great to have without me asking again.

Overall, the food was very delicious, but the seat wasn’t the most comfy – and the service was good but definitely needed some more attention to the small details.  But having said that – they are just newly relocated – so I have to give them some time to warm up to the new customers I guess, so I will definitely go back and dine at Marco’s Pasta and Grill  – and will recommend others to give Marco’s a try for sure.

Hidden Treasure’s is located in South Ohio – about 15 minutes from the town – thru’ Highway 101 – in fact – this place was the first place that PB had his store – way back 12 yrs ago – before I came to Canada – and now it has turned into a restaurant.  Because it is out of town – it mostly cater to those living around South Ohio – Port Maitland and Lake George.

They do have an extensive menu – but I wasn’t very hungry as I had a late breakfast.  So I ordered a seafood  chowder soup – a bowl instead of a cup  but it was  alot of soup – so the next time – I will order a cup instead.  The soup was good – and a lot of fresh seafood in it.

I also ordered an egg wrapped to go with my soup.

Chloe had her hotdog and fries – since they didn’t have fish that she liked in the children’s menu.

PB had a chicken burger and some mashed potatoes.

The restaurant can easily seat about 100 pax and it’s a family restaurant – and the service was pretty good as well.

They had quite a few tables filled when we were there for a Sunday lunch – and yes – we will visit again – to try out the entire menu.  Afterall, this restaurant is very near to Chloe’s grandparents place – maybe – one day they will dine with us.

I have to admit that since coming to Canada – I haven’t been too concern about the dress code when I go out for dinner or lunch.  Quite the difference as compared when I was working in Singapore – that’s for sure.  Well, in such a small town – and also because of PB’s nonchalant attitude towards look – I too – dress down for the sake of matching up with him.   But that doesn’t mean that it is right – especially when casual smart is asked when you go into a restaurant or fast food like Jungle Jims or Boston Pizza & Pizza Hut.

But when we were invited for wine tasting a few months ago in Halifax by a well known food enthusiast – I made sure that PB dress up appropriately – not jacket and long sleeves but casual smart as expected.   He had some titanium accessories that he never used – and we decided he would use it this trip – to make him look more appropriate.  As for myself – I put on my nice suede jacket and my new fall boots and jeans for the wine tasting and for the wine tasting – i put on make up as well – not just lipsticks!

I don’t know how others dress for dinner or an event – but I think dress codes are given because you have to respect the restaurant the the people you are having dinner or drinks with.   Some people might not look dressing up – but some accessories can definitely make one’s look more formal than you think.  I love titanium accessories for man and I’m glad PB had some – so that whenever we need to attend something special – all I need for him to do – is put on his jeans – a simple long sleeve shirt – no ties – but definitely his titanium cufflink – now that’s the perfect casual smart for man.

We went out to the Wallace Apple Farm last weekend – for we were out antique shopping and plus we wanted to get some apples for Chloe’s class & teachers and there were apples and pears everywhere.

There are different types of apples.

The pears were so good – I wished I had known earlier – I would have bought a lot more than just one box.

More apples.

Want some more apples?

Different apples.

Pears!  i’m getting these pears next week.

Mannnn!!!  lots of apples !!!

Well, it was also Thanksgiving day last weekend – but Aunt Helena was doing all the cooking to celebrate PB’s parents 40th wedding anniversary.  40 years in marriage – now that is definitely something one has to celebrate right?  Not easy to stay married for 40 years and i am sure you will agree with me.

While the rest of the folks had turkey – I wanted to have some ham for the dinner – so we bought some from the grocery store.  Chloe loves turkey and the ham was super yummy!

Condiments to go with the turkey, cranberry jelly, pickled beets and potatoes, carrots and cucumber.

And for dessert there was a pumpkin pie, some nainamo cubes  and PB’s aunt had bought a cake too for the anniversary and joined us later for dessert.  We had a really good meal and Chloe had roasted marshmallows as well.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  this year we are thankful for a lot of things!   I’m sure you are too – and here’s Chloe having a rainbow cupcake from Goodies – I think she was fascinated with the color of the frosting – that’s why she wanted to buy it so bad – hahah!

But yes, we are thankful for Chloe’s good health – and that she is a happy kid, that her dad loves here and would do just about anything for her.  She is loved by many people including all our customers.  And she has good teachers for the last 2 years – we are really thankful for that – because they make her feel special and confident.

We are thankful that the store/business is doing well – and that we are getting a lot of good customers at the store and for me  a lot of good private advertisers and a long standing one – that I can count on.  Thankful for family, friends and loved ones – because they enriched my life and make me a better person.   Thankful for a spouse who never complains about me – and is long suffering towards my craziness.

Thankful for all my friends from here – you know who you are – who brings me food from Halifax and thankful for those of you who sends me food from home – you too know who you are.   Here’s wishing everyone a happy thanksgiving day this weekend – and may we all be thankful and gracious about the things we have and not the things we do not have.

A few weeks ago – we went back to Rudders for brunch after doing our morning errands – I ordered the steak and eggs because it was pretty cheap – $13.99 I think – but don’t quote me – I can’t remember – it’s been a few weeks like I said.  The sunny side up eggs were perfect – but my medium well steak was pretty charred and tough – hahhaa!! mannnn!! i had a hard time chewing them.

PB had the chicken and mashed potatoes – and he said the chicken was a bit dry too.

Chloe had hotdog and fries – she only had half the hotdog – because she had too much fries.

Chloe had her face painted that day.

Playing with her daddy’s iPhone while waiting for food.  Food that Sunday wasn’t the best – but that won’t deter us from going back to Rudders and trying different things – probably the cook was tired that Sunday.

Well, this is the 4th Annual Incredible Picnic happening province wide – but Yarmouth is only having this picnic for the first time – but I could be wrong – because this was the first – I’ve heard in my many years in Canada.  So a few weeks ago – we had the Incredible picnic at Beacon church – a lot of people showed up – but I think there were a lack of games for the kids – wished they planned some prices for the kids – or even balloons would be nice.  I saw some people with  metal detectors searching for treasures I think – maybe a game planned by a few families but we were not invited for the games

There were entertainment by a few group of musicians and they were all pretty good.

Lots of vendors cooking and showing off their delicious food.  Unfortunately, for us – we just had breakfast – so we didn’t get anything.

Of course, Chloe found some friends in the park and started playing with them – as PB and I watched her.

There were wine too – I was hoping to see Ironworks Distillery  from Lunenburg here – but alas, I have yet to see them in Yarmouth – I would love to get a bottle or two of the cranberry liqueur and apple brandy as well.

And they had some locally made pork hot dogs – I wished I could have tried some – but there was a line up – so I didn’t.

Yummy looking right?

Wished we didn’t have a late breakfast – they look so yummilicious!

Yummy soup from Red Cap Restaurant – a place I planned to visit soon in the near future.

The owner and chef of the restaurant – they were so friendly – I definitely have to go try their food out.

There were farmers selling fruits and veggies as well – but we already bought some the day before at the Farmer’s market.

Chloe playing more games with her friend.

Skipping some ropes before we went home.  It was a good picnic – but I wished they had some people to gather people together and make everyone play together – now that would have been a lot more fun.  Maybe a clown or two – or a magician would be great for the kids.

We all love our spouse – but how many of you out there who have spouse who cannot remember those special dates and anniversary?  Mine almost forgot my birthday one year – till his mother called to wish me “Happy birthday!”  – outta be shot right?  but seriously, won’t you be kinda disappointed?  in fact, in many years to come – when you disagree on something – all these forgotten anniversary and special dates are going to come out and blown outta proportion – so men ! out there !!   listen up – there is such thing as overnight anniversary gift option and if you had really forgotten – mannnn!! you better use this option – because spending a little money is going to save you lots of  nagging in the years to come.  Trust me – I’m one of those who loved nagging and remembering those days – hahaha!   And yes – it’s the thoughts that counts – you don’t need to buy the spouse a diamond ring – some cupcakes or chocolates and flowers would be sufficient – surely, that special woman in your life deserved at least a box of chocolates or cupcakes or flowers if not all 3?  if the answer is yes!  well – you know what to do – but if you think you love the nagging – then go ahead and not send anything but if you do – I bet you will be getting a lovely surprised when you get home.

We had lunch at Rudder’s Seafood Restaurant & Brew Pub a month ago – I’m such a slacker – and had put away the pictures and conveniently forgotten all about it because I had gotten busy during the summer.  We haven’t eaten at Rudder’s often – and that’s because we don’t like dressing up for lunch on the weekend – and we thought it was a drinking hole – but we were so wrong !!  it was a casual smart place and you don’t have to drink – if you don’t want to – and Rudder’s is an awesome place to be at during the summer – because they have an outdoor patio.

Rudder’s had been in business for a long, long time too – and I was missing out for this long – you will be seeing me more often at the Rudder’s from now on.   You can’t missed it – it’s the huge yellow building down by the waterfront.

The service was really great – we were offered a roll of bread straight away – reminded me of the french bistro – that I had dine in when I was in Paris La Fontaine de Mars.

And Chloe had her moo – moo cup – that she was thrilled with. – filled with apple juice.

Chloe had hotdog and french fries – because she wouldn’t eat anything else.

I ordered the lobster bisque straight away as soon as I saw that they had some – yummy!

And PB had rotisserie chicken – which was very yummy too – he said.

For my main course I had a fish cake with a pear and raspberry vinaigrette salad – it was excellent but I was too full by then – and only managed to eat one fish cake.

I love the ambiance and the service at Rudder’s – they made me feel so comfy there – casual and happy.

The food was really good – although pricing was a wee bit more than the other restaurants around town but definitely worth it and I would definitely recommend it when I want to bring friends for some good food and good service.  Rudder’s restaurant is located at Water Street and they open daily at 11pm.  They did have sushi night one time many moons ago – but it was only once – too bad they didn’t do it more often.

As you all know – Chloe had been sick for 10 days – and we have been practically stuck at home the whole time – not able to go anywhere – and shopping for groceries had to be done by PB alone.  And he couldn’t go too long – because Chloe would start whining.  Having Chloe at home – with a fever come on and off – just was a bit terrifying for me.  Thank God for good friends – who came almost everyday bearing food for us to eat – so that we only have to worry about cooking for Chloe.   The sat and stayed with us – and read to chloe and when Chloe was sleeping – they helped me do some housework so that I can get some rest.   After 5 days with the same kind of food – our dear friend decided to make some pizza for us – and stayed for supper – so that Chloe and I can have some company.  We chatted about life – sick kids – school and  also insurance they found on http://www.wholesaleinsurance.net – it was good to have company – when PB wasn’t around at home.

Pizza was yummy!  and they had made the ones that PB liked pepperoni and cheese.

Good friends are hard to come by – but those who comes bearing food, help and good conversation – now those you have to treasure and keep.

It was such a beautiful day on Sunday – that PB & I just had to go to the lighthouse again – we tried many times to go – but the weather was either too chilly – or the big yellow chair that we wanna go see – was not there.  So last Sunday – we took a drive up to Cape Forchu – and this time I remembered to take my gravol because of the long and curvy road – and I have motion sickness.

The view was excellent – even though the food was pretty good.

They called this place The Mug Up Tea Room – and the menu wasn’t a lot but I saw someone having a whole lobster!  although it wasn’t on the menu.   Wished they served lobster bisque though but alas there was none to be found.

It was a busy little place as you can see – our table wasn’t entirely cleaned up.

Chloe with her diary and pencil – writing up a storm of what she saw and did at the lighthouse.

Truth be told we weren’t very hungry  - we just had breakfast – not too long ago.  I order a fish chowder – which turned out to be pretty good.  Now if only it was seafood – that would have been splendid.

PB had a grilled cheese sandwich – which didn’t look too appetizing to me – but he said it was alright.

Chloe had a hotdog with some chips.

Chloe and I shared a chocolate cheesecake dessert – even though she didn’t know it was cheesecake – she thought it was chocolate cake. hahahah!!   she loved it so much !  We had a good day!  Chloe went home to play with her friends in the neighborhood.

We attended our first summer party last night in the country of a dear friend’s country home – it was the wedding of her son – and it was a small party for closed friends and family.  Everything was prepared so beautifully by friends and family – even the food was prepared at home and not catered.   The invitation cards and party favors were pretty unique – so I had asked my host about it – and was re-directed to an online store.  Now had I known about this earlier – I would have introduce this place for the 4th July party that my girlfriends from the States had at their home.  But never mind – next year she can check out  the invitationbox.com july 4th invitations for all her invitation needs and party favors.

I loved the summer wedding party we attended – the garden was so brightly lit and the wedding couple were beautiful.  Food was yummilicious !  and here I wish them a blissful marriage – which reminds me that today Jen and Chapman is having their wedding in Toronto today !  and i wish them many, many happy years together.  Congrats to the newly weds.