5 more days!!

We're leaving next Wednesday. Time is just flying along. I've finally started to think about what we're going to pack. Not too much. Although, we aren't moving around quite as much as the last time we went to Europe; it would still be nice not to have to be burdened by bulky, heavy suitcases. We're also thinking of picking up some new threads over there. We heard the shopping was great!

We also just arranged where we're going to meet up with our friend, Tim. Near the Don Quixote statue!!! Isn't that the coolest? Well, I've never read Don Quixote...have you? So, I'm going to get it out of the library and bring it along.

It's going to be my neice, Elyssa's 1st birthday on Monday. Wow, that went fast! Here's a recent pic of her.

Weather Comparison

I was going to write about how I'd rather be in Spain right now as they are forecasting a huge dumping of wet snow overnight tonight, here in Ottawa. But in Spain it's supposed to be rainy and 10 degrees this week ... which is a lot better. BUT on Friday, in Ottawa, it's going to be 15 degrees and sunny! That's a lot better than the forecast for Spain.

All things considered, it looks like our weather is comparable and while, it would be nice to go to some hotspot, at least it won't be quite as much of shocker when we return.

This is what our view is going to be like from our hotel in San Sebastian. Wow! Ok, so we may not get this view from our room but we'll be close to this view and when we go outside we'll see this view. San Sebastian is located on the northern coast of Spain. It's part of the Basque area of Spain which has it's own unique culture. You may have heard of the Basque people because they have this inherent need to preserve their culture. They often riot. I think that they wish to be their own country ... sound like anyone else we know?

I'm excited to see San Sebastian for the beautiful beach area. Also, for this place called Chez Croissant which we will have to hit up for breakfast. Croissants are one of the main attractions in Europe. They taste completely different. Especially accompanied by the tiniest cup of cafe creme that you can imagine. It's so anti-American/Canadian. They do other things mega-size like these ....

Jamon!! They just love their smoked ham. It's hanging everywhere. Even in the airport(we saw them in Barcelona) ... although I doubt we'd be able to take a leg home with us.

While we're in San Sebastian, we'll be taking a day trip to Bilbao. Bilbao is where one of the Guggenheim musem's is located. It was designed by Canadian architect, Frank Gehry.

It's going to be crazy to see this in real life. It'll probably take us all day just to digest this building. We may go in and see the art that it holds too:) The other thing to see in Bilbao is this crazy bridge.

Well, just over a week until we head out. All we've done is book our hotel and plane tickets. We've done nothing else to get ready. I'm just not sure what else to do to get ready. I'm hoping there will be time to shop when we're there because I'm going to take minimal clothes along and stock up. Madrid is supposed to have great shopping!

Hostal Santillan

Ok, everybody ...take a little gander at the cute little airplane flying over on the right sidebar. Do you see what it says? It says that there are only 14 more sleeps until we hop aboard the first leg of our journey!!!!! Unfortunately, the first leg is my most dreaded part because it's a little jaunt to Montreal in a 27 seater prop plane. BOO!!! Too much turbulence. No matter, it will be over before I know it, right?

I've finally managed to secure a room in Madrid. The place is called Hostal Santilla (click here if you want to check it out). Although you might think this is a hostel, hostal actually means boarding house in Spanish. I've read a bunch of reviews and it sounds like a pretty good place to stay, especially for considerably less than $100/night, which is our goal and the fact that we get our own bathroom.

Our cousin, Brianna Veldkamp, who is currently studying in St. Andrews, Scotland is also going to be joining us for the Madrid portion of our trip. Woohoo!! Should be fun. After that she is continuing on to Ireland for the rest of her reading week. I'm so jealous!! Someday, Reuben and I will definitely be checking out the British Isles.

That's all the updates for now ... things are falling into place.

Squirrels do not belong in offices . . .

Just a few minutes ago, I was working away at my computer (ie. checking blogs) when all of a sudden I heard a scuffling noise and then a skittering noise. I froze. I couldn't bring myself to look around because I was so afraid I would see a little mouse staring at me ... ready to pounce ... mice attack people, you know. My colleagues leave their windows open all the time because they like the fresh air and have often talked about the mice visiting them to get out of the cold or to explore the various food items that might have been left out. We are on the ground floor. So, anyway, I finally got up the courage to look around when out of the corner of my eye I saw a black "thing". I stood up and there was a big, black SQUIRREL, with a long, bushy tail looking quite nervous and disoriented. I spoke loudly "Get out of here, you dumb squirrel" and "Don't come back now y'hear!!!" and as it scurried out into the hallway, I closed my door firmly and trembling walked back to my desk.

What to do, what to do. I knew my colleague was in her office down the hall so I quickly sent her an email telling her there was squirrel wandering the halls (she doesn't use her phone). And then after a few minutes, I cautiously opened my door and looked down the hall in apprehension. My colleague was walking down the hall so I said to her "There's a squirrel in here, eh?" and she said she had noticed it in the hall from the corner of her eye and went to investigate. By the way, she is a lover of all things rodent-sized and up. She even feeds the squirrels, chipmunks and ground hogs that roam our campus. So, she said she saw it go into an empty room so she went in after it and opened all the windows and gently maneuvered the squirrel towards them. Phew! Then she went on to tell me about how every once in a while 2 mice come in through her window to see if she has any food lying around and she'll feed them and then they'll be on their way. SHUDDER!! Hmmm...I wonder how the squirrel got in.

Thanksgiving Weekend Revisited

We had a very relaxing weekend with family and friends. On Friday afternoon, Diana, Mike, Hadassah and Nethaneil arrived. We were waiting anxiously for them. We couldn't believe how much the kids had changed.

Nethaneil had lots of smiles for us ... the cutest dimples! He is now 3 months old and can hold is head up and back stiff quite well. He doesn't fuss too much and when he does, it's just a cute little whimper. Hadassah loves to give him kisses and tries to help change his diaper.

Hadassah is a little rascal with a cute grin and a mischeivous look but if she doesn't get her way, the siren goes off. She's pretty good though. When you get her giggling, she's hard to resist.

On Saturday morning, we got up and Hadassah decided to read Nethaneil a story.

Then we all went out for breakfast at the local greasy spoon. I had Eggs Florentine. It wasn't that great.

The kids were good. Hadassah had a great breakfast of jam and toast while Nethaneil just hung around on everyone's lap.

That afternoon, we welcomed the Vanderheides (a missionary family) into our home and we promptly fed them a Canadian Thanksgiving Dinner. They are from Australia and are working in Papua New Guinea.

On Sunday, we relaxed and had a crowd over for dinner, again. On Monday, we whipped up a great waffle/egg/bacon/whipped cream/fruit frenzy and ate to our hearts content. Then Diana and Mike packed the kids up and took off for home.

Of Engagements

My little brother, Richard, finally popped the question to his girlfriend of 5 years, Emma!! So even though we've always included her as part of our family, now it's official! Well, almost official. Congratulations, you guys! Love you both and best wishes with all your plans.

Thanksgiving plans UDPATED

It turns out that my brother-in-law's sister and her family are not coming this weekend so that brings our Thanksgiving total down to 17 people. Which is still a lot but not totally unheard of in my parents' home. That also means, my sister and her family will be staying with us which will be nice. I can't wait to wake up to the kids' smiling faces in the morning ... and maybe a cuddle or two:)

I'm planning to bake an apple pie tonight ... from scratch, crust and all. I've done it before and it doesn't scare me, like it does some people. I just pull out my trusty Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook (which, incidently, was the first Christmas present Reuben ever bought me) and follow the directions and it usually works out.

I also read this great recipe for Apple Cream Cheese squares that I might try out. And I'm going to make roasted sweet potatoes for the dinner. My mom is doing the rest of the cooking on Saturday while we all go hiking. The weather is supposed to be fantastic so I'm looking forward to that.

Thanksgiving plans

We have a truckload or vanload ...well, actually, a busload of people coming for the weekend. My sister and her family are 4 people. My brother-in-law's sister and her family are 4 people. A missionary family who my parents are hosting are 7 people. Plus us, my parents, my brother and his fiancee(yes, they got engaged!!!!) are 6 people. That's a total of 21 people spread over 3 homes but probably coming together for at least a couple of meals. It'll be a little chaotic to say the least.

We plan to do some hiking maybe here at the Mill of Kintail. Say that out loud, doesn't it sound like a magical place. It's close to the town of Almonte.

We plan to do some eating... turkey, pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, green beans, stuffing, applie pie, etc.

We plan to some more eating ... bacon, eggs, waffles, syrup, whipping cream, fresh fruit.

Maybe we should do some more hiking after all that eating because I don't know what else we're going to do with all those kids.

My nephew and neice are coming. I haven't seen them in almost 2 months. This is what they look like now.

No kidding!!! Aren't they beautiful?!!! I'm not sure I can wait 3 more sleeps.

Spain trip - UPDATE

We bought our TICKETS!!! Plane tickets to Madrid!!! We are leaving Wednesday, November 5 and will be home Saturday, November 15.
I'm busy planning, planning, planning. Tips anyone??
Not knowing the language is scaring me a little but thankfully, we have our man on the ground, who will be able to translate (hopefully?).

Espana

So here's the itinerary;

Wednesday, November 5 - Depart Ottawa

Thursday, November 6 - Arrive Madrid

Friday, November 7 - Tour Madrid

Saturday, November 8 - Day trip to Toledo

Sunday, November 9 - Church in the morning, travel to San Sebastian in the evening

Monday, November 10 - Tour San Sebastian, travel to Bilbao in the evening

Tuesday, November 11 - Tour Bilbao, especially the Guggenheim

Wednesday, November 12 - Back to Madrid, stopping in Segovia on the way

Thursday, November 13 - More Madrid

Friday, November 14 - Depart Madrid, Arrive Ottawa

Saturday & Sunday - November 15, 16 - Collapse in happy exhaustion.

Sounds like fun, eh? Now to get up the courage to ask the bosses for the time off!!

Tim ... if you're reading this ... it's still tentative but what do you think?

San Sebastian

Awhile ago I referenced this song by Justin Rutledge and I finally found the lyrics.

San Sebastian
I arrived in San Sebastian with an ocean on my mind
when they asked me what I came for I said an ocean I came to find
there was soapstone, slate and marble on the terrace where we died
now my heart's in San Sebastian with my tall and bonny bride

I arrived in San Sebastian and I lay my money down
with an arrow in my shoulder
your mare was a chestnut brown
and the harvest fell around us and it bound us to the tide
now my heart's in San Sebastian with my tall and bonny bride

I would love to ask Justin Rutledge what this song means. I have no idea. All I know is that the melody haunts me and I long to visit San Sebastian.

Another Recipe

As requested....please see here for my Sausage, Spinach and Feta Pasta Extravaganza!

Sweet Potato Soup

As requested ....

Roasted Garlic and Sweet Potato Soup
1 whole head of garlic; separate cloves but keep skin on
1 red onion, peeled and sliced
1-2 sweet potatoes (1 large, or 2 med), peeled and sliced thinly but not too thinly (mediumly)

Spread these ingredients on a cookie sheet and brush olive oil over top of them. Place in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 min, turning over once. Once done, peel off garlic skins.

Combine in a pan with:

4 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp curry
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp thyme

Bring to boil and simmer for 15 min then puree in food processor or with hand blender.
Serve with cornbread.

Enjoy!

Crochet

This is my latest ongoing crochet project. It's going to be a nice cozy blanket when it's all done. It's only about a quarter of the way done. But it's an easy and fun project because you do each square on it's own first and then piece it together so it's very portable. The yarn is a nice chunky, wooly yarn.

Another silly list . . .

[A is for age:] 29 .... yikes!
[B is for booze of choice] Lime margharita on the rocks.
[C is for career] Wife.
[D is for your dog's name:] No dog ... never a dog.
[E is for essential items you use everyday:] Computer
[F is for favourite song at the moment:] San Sebastian by Justin Rutledge
[G is for favourite games:] Trivial Pursuit
[H is for hometown:] Ottawa
[I is for instruments you play:] Piano.
[J is for jam or jelly you like] I don't eat a lot of jam but I'd have to pick homemade peach.
[K is for kids?:] none.
[L is for last kiss?:] This morning.
[M is for most admired trait:] In others; ability to think up something to say in social situations.
[N is for name of your crush:] Husband ~ Reuben
[O is for overnight hospital stays:] Dislocated pinky finger when I was 11.
[P is for phobias:] Attacking squirrels on dark forest paths.
[Q is for quotes you like:] "Have a peppermint." Mrs. Harris in Anne of Green Gables.
[R is for biggest regret:] Not sure I have any.
[S is for sweets of your choice:] Anything chocolate
[T is for time you wake up:] Around 6:45am ... ugh.
[U is for underwear:] Uh? Yes?
[V is for vegetable you love:] Zucchini
[W is for worst habit:] Whining about life being sooo hard.
[X is for x-rays you've had:] 1 for my little finger and several of my bite for braces.
[Y is for yummy food you make:] Sweet Potato Soup
[Z is for zodiac sign:] Taurus

A Post about Travelling

If you know me you know that I love to travel, I love to dream about travelling, I love to plan my travels (or someone elses) and I love to reminisce about travelling.

All this to say, we have some future travelling up our sleeves although I'm not sure we'll actually get to it as we've commited to purchasing a piano from a friend of ours. Yes, that's right, a piano. Maybe you know that I've been playing the piano my whole life. I'm not excellent but I get by and I do enjoy it. It was kind of hard not learning to play the piano in our family as my father is an organist and a pianist. I took lessons when I was 7 for a year and then just learned on my own. I don't love to play classical pieces, mostly I love to play singable tunes. Since moving out of my parents' home, I have become quite rusty but have still always dreamed of having a piano in my home. I know I'll never be a great concert pianist but that's ok because I still love making my little bit of music. I'm not sure where the piano is going to go but our friend tells us that we just have to bring the piano into our home and it will tell us where it should go.


Piano's are not cheap. We also need to buy a couple of new windows ... big bay windows. Anyway, we can still dream of travelling because that costs nothing.



Reuben and I have been talking about going to Madrid ever since his friend, Tim, moved there last year. After coming back from Barcelona, we realized we needed to go back to Spain so that we could see it more in depth. 2.5 days in Barcelona was not nearly enough time, especially since it was at the end of our trip and we were exhausted. Anyway, at the moment, Reuben is thinking of going in January. I desperately want to go and see Madrid as well but ... Reuben's plan is to sleep on the floor of his friend's appt and stay up all night partying with the locals where as my plan would be to stay in a nice, cozy hotel and get enough sleep to function during the day. I'm not sure our plans are compatible at the moment. I'd hate to be a party pooper but it would take all of my energy not to be.

There's a town on the north-eastern coast of Spain called San Sebastian. I've heard of it before but ever since Justin Rutledge came out with the song titled San Sebastian, I've been longing to go there. I'll have to type out the lyrics and post them sometime soon or better yet, find a link to the song so you can hear it. It's just beautiful.

Other travel dreams; my father (our gardener who just happens to be a world famous bio-chemist) received a wedding invitation from this guy whose getting married in San Francisco. Actually, the guy is a former student of his with whom he still keeps in touch. I've been to San Francisco before. Back in 2002. It is a grand place and Reuben wants to see it.

The date of the wedding is Nov 15 so it's kind of a good time to be going, shoulder season for travel, you know? But airline tickets keep going up. . .

Last night, we played this game called Ticket to Ride. It's fun but just looking at this map of the United States made me want to hop in the car and just go . . .sigh!

Other destinations: Scotland, Ireland, England, Holland, Italy, Austria, eastern Canada.

Patio update

We installed the patio at the end of June.

And our gardener spent 3 solid days beautifying it.

We plan to add more plants in the spring, including the tulip bulbs we saved.

WereRabbit

There are rabbits. They have been living under our deck and reproducing and eating our plants for the past 6 months. They are kind of cute. But annoying. Today after work, one of them attacked me. As I stood at the end of our path, it darted out from the garden and used my foot as a launching pad to get across the yard. Those are claw marks from a rabbit. A Wererabbit. Somebody please tell me it's ok to kill it and leave it out on the lawn with a sign on it's back warning all the cute rabbits that if they dare to live in our yard, there will be a price to pay.

I may be overreacting.

Update on Camera Purchase

Our new camera.