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#WeekendCoffeeShare – A Fresh New Year

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Thanks to Diana from Part-Time Monster for hosting this weekly gatherers of coffee, tea or other beverage drinkers who love to share their weekly happenings.  Should you want to read other shares or, better yet, share with us, just click on the image above and you will be taken to Diana’s blog and can add your link, of course, after reading hers! Do join in, it’s a great way to share your story and, for me anyway, to show my gratitude for the previous week.

If we were having coffee, I’d say, please, do come in.  It’s a beautiful snowy Sunday morning (just barely can still call it morning) and I’ve made cappuccinos.  If you prefer regular drip or espresso or tea or hot chocolate, please don’t be shy.  My favourite thing to do is entertain and make my guests happy.  I would have to tell you that I don’t have much time to dilly-dally but that’s okay; while you are sipping your beverage, you can stick around and keep me company whilst I make my clients their first meals of 2016.   I have until the meat reaches room temperature to write this post so, no faffing for me!

2016-01-03 11.51.48

I don’t usually sweeten my coffee but I just love adding some Turbinado sugar along with some cinnamon on top of that lovely frothed milk.  The little crunch brings me happiness.

If we were having coffee, I would say that, like the general population, I cannot believe how fast 2015 flew by.  Though it was a year of “firsts” without Mick, it went pretty smoothly.  Of course we had our moments, and will have more in the future but I like to think that more often than not, the memories are accompanied by a smile.  I keep saying I will write our stories and started with NaNoWriMo but foolishly also started a job in the same month and well, that went to hell.  I did  manage to write two of them so it is encouraging that I will be sharing some in the following months!

If we were having coffee, I couldn’t help but mention how ironic it is that the snows came the day after Christmas and have basically not stopped coming!  We have a winter wonderland out there.  But it is that perfect-for-snowmen but what I call heart-attack-snow to shovel.  Speaking of Snowmen, check out these babies Zeke and I came across during yesterday’s walk!  They have a Baymax (from Big Hero 6) look to them, don’t you think?  I apologise for the quality of the image.  It was not an ideal photo-op day…

As we kept on walking, we came upon these two lovely little girls building their own masterpiece.  That snow was H – E- A – V – Y!

Baymax?
Hard at work

We continued on our walk and ran into a couple with their 12-year-old Australian Shepherd, Bally.  Once the “parents” felt comfortable, they finally let go of the leash and allowed the two to chase each other.  For an older dog, Bally sure had some spunk!  Always fun to make a new friend!

Zeke and Bally
Handsome Bally

We continued on for a few more kilometres but methinks I need some new boots.  They are no longer waterproof so as we walked, the boots got heavier and heavier!  I figured I’d better turn around so that I could make it home before my feet got wet!  But, as per usual, just a few more shots (despite the horrid lighting) while having fun with PicMonkey, attempting to give some oomph to the photos.  Great, now I have the song “Willow Weep For Me” in my head…  just have to share it with you my favourite version by Dinah Washington!

Willow Weep For Me
Picky!
Green
Bursts of Red

My New Year Eve was spent in quiet reflection.  The boys were invited to their cousin’s for a party and I declined all offers.  I drew myself a hot bath, lit all the candles I have and just relaxed.  It was perfect – I did have to assure my family and friends that it was a choice and not a time to “woe is me”!

Steamy!

Steamy!

Now, I’ve talked your ear off and bombarded your visual senses.  I must go and cook!  On the menu:

  • Pork tenderloin with blueberry sauce and spicy roasted sweet potato wedges
  • Flank Steak with Emeril Lagasse’s Creole sauce
  • Lentil soup with corn bread
  • Pasta Frittata

It’s already quite late so I may just take my client’s offer and take my time to make it all for tomorrow.  We’ll see how it goes.  I shall torment you with images next week, if you’d like!

I wish for you a 2016 filled with all you desire!

xoxo

 

 

 

51 thoughts on “#WeekendCoffeeShare – A Fresh New Year”

  3. Yum! Sounds like a fantastic menu this evening. 🙂

    And my, what snow you did get after Christmas! It’s finally a bit cooler here in New Orleans, but still not cold. At least we’re finally able to comfortably wear long sleeves! lol

    Liked by 1 person

  4. And here I was convinced that you were a superhuman being that never ever stopped and relaxed, but that bath and candles proves me wrong. I’m so impressed how well you’ve navigated your first year A.M. (after Mick) and I know he’d be smiling down proudly at how you’ve captained the ship in his stead. I very much look forward to the stories you did get done. Your writing is always something I look forward to!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ha ha! You have no idea how good I am at sitting on my duff!
      I do thank you, Torrie. I’m feeling I have navigated the first year AM pretty well too.
      Aww shucks! Thank you. I promise I will be sharing them… he is my muse because there are so many stories. The guy was a bit of a klutz…

      Liked by 1 person

    • Happy New Year to you and and the Missus! Thank you. I feel pretty darn good.
      You mean it sounds awesome… wait for the pictures! (Soup smells wonderful at least…)

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Coffee. Black. Am low maintenance. That and I dislike milk, passionately, unless it is cheese or cheesecake. I have been known to make U-turns into Quebec just for cheese curd, then to run like the dickens with my stash.

    Glad to hear the snow came. We received a couple inches of ice shard-like shtufff; snow makes it more Christmasy doesn’t it. I did notice Halifax and area had a good base of snow to suck up the rain that was falling Christmas Day.

    A sedate New Years Eve here as well. A couple bags of Mussels, some good bread and a bottle or two of pear wine. On the upside we didn’t get screwed by Uber.

    The menu sounds delicious. When ever I come across Flank steak, I laugh, as the local Chinese restaurant refers to Flank steak as Frank steak in their menu- the ‘L’ thing I think.

    Have a great New Year. As for winter, the snowball has to drop sooner or later as did the ball in Time Squares New Years Eve.

    Liked by 1 person

    • With pleasure… coffee, black to be served to you! Ooh, cheese curd – good stuff! Put that into the poutine and… heaven!
      Oh the snow came. Is till coming!
      Made mussels this evening… two flavours: Italian sausage and Thai… pretty darn good. No Uber in these necks of the woods!
      LOL… Frank Steak! hee hee…
      You too, have a most wonderful 2016, Calvin! I live in Quebec. The snow was bound to come sooner or later! The worst storms happen in March – not that I’m wishing for that this year!

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      • Hold on to your lid, this kid has never ate poutine. Never. And places two fingers together to form a cross, you add to mussels that which isn’t butter, ah, the horror. I have heard such things, but I thought it only happened in the yuppie stronghold on Salt Springs on BC’s coast.

        I am clueless as to whether UBER is available locally where I am. One can just walk the villiage or jump into a passing Amish buggy. Though in the last year a couple younger ones, near by, we’re charged for Under The Influence after a couple of buggy mishaps. Seriously, that’s no joke. The new Labatts slogan should include ‘Arrive Alive’, leave the Horse in the barn.

        Winter seems to happen at its own pace, now that climate change has dominated the weather. Lake effect off the the Great Lakes keeps everyone on their toes here, with snowblowers primed and at the ready. But there hasn’t even been that as of yet -knock on frozen turf. Though my neighbours will be delight that Quebec is getting snow as they have ten days booked at Mont-Tremblant coming up soon.

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        • Nothing wrong with never having tasted poutine – it is bad for you (which is why it tastes so good!)
          As for the mussels…don’t know what to tell you! Last night I made 2 flavours: Italian sausage & tomatoes and Thai…the kids loved both!
          I don’t know if we have UBER here either! Where exactly do you live anyway? Horse and buggy?
          Yes…winter will happen when it does!

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          • Sorry, I guess I assumed you’d would be familiar with the ways and customs of the Amish and Old Order Mennonites. Makes sense they would not be in Quebec, at least I don’t believe so, though some do live close by in New Hampshire and Vermont. Where I live, they consider themselves older then Old Order Mennonites, though it is tricky to differentiate from other communities. Most people think Ohio/Indiana/Michigan triangle near Shipshewana Indiana, Lancaster Pennsylvanian in the states, and St. Jacobs near Kitchener for Ontario. Am south and east of Kitchener.

            They shun modern conveniences such as indoor plumping, electricity, tractors, automobiles etc etc. Horses are used to till farmland and they use black buggies for transportation. In short they adhere strictly to the Mennonite Protestant Bible (am keeping this simple, sorry). Here’s a wiki pic link you can cut and paste if you like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mennonite_and_carriage_publ.jpg taken in Oxford County.

            Liked by 1 person

          • Oh dear Calvin! I am familiar with the Amish and Mennonites! I was asking where you lived to be near them!!!
            I didn’t realise we had some so close to home, is all…But thanks for the lesson!

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          • reat, now I look like an imbecile and you nosy (insert smiley face here). This has turn into the longest non-coffee coffee on record. Thank you.

            Liked by 1 person

  10. I used to be such a snow person, but I’m glad it stayed up there for the most part! We got some last Tuesday, but it rained and froze afterwards, so it is now 2 inches of ice. The menu looks good – do you take clients from southern New Hampshire ? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

      • We usually get quite a bit too. This winter has been very odd, very warm. Since I’ve been in NH I’ve only seen one year anything like it. But it is never too late for winter to arrive! A storm that drops a meter of snow could be just around the corner – we usually get at least 4 storms of half a meter or more a year.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Us too! Not a snowflake until December 26th! Ever notice how the most nasty storms occur in March? I’ll never forget being stuck in Vermont under mountains…

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  12. Hi Dale! Lovely blog, beautiful photos, and your idea of a reflective New Year’s Eve sounds divine. We took our bath out in place of a walk in shower when we moved 8 years ago…big mistake, oh how I miss it! We’re still having the wetest, mildest, weirdest winter in the UK i’ve ever known, and I hate it! Oh for snow like yours 🙂 Lovely to meet you, thanks to our lovely Sarah. I look forward to reading more. Happy New Year and may 2016 bring you joy, peace and every writing success ~ Sherri 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Sherri!
      Thank you very much. I love photography as much as writing and cooking!
      It was divine and I’ve dreamed of a tub that I can soak in properly (at 5’9″, something is always out of the water!) This bath is for two and ridiculously big. I’ll be moving this year (fingers crossed) and am hoping for a one-person deep enough one! Less guilt on filling it up!
      I much prefer snow to rain
      In the winter – it brightens up everything. You don’t usually get all that much, I would assume.
      I am so very happy to have added you to my blogging family (yes, thank you, Sarah!)
      A most happy 2016 to you and yours, Sherri!
      Dale

      Liked by 1 person

      • Lovely to be part of your blogging family too Dale, thank you!! Although I am a bit slow getting going after Christmas. Growing up, we seemed to have more snow, proper winters, but our British weather can be very fickle and I think El Nino is playing havoc with us at the moment! But yes, I too love photography, never thought in a million years though I would be sharing them on a public forum! Life has plenty of surprises doesn’t it? I hope you get just the bath you want…and I’m definitely going to make sure to have one next time we move 😉 Have a lovely day my lovely new blogging friend, and a very happy 2016 to you too!

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  13. Hello Dale, that cappuccino looks delicious! It is funny you had the heavy snow the day after Christmas. We’ve only had a few stray flakes in the past several weeks down here in the middle of America. I like the snow and wish we could have some. The picture of your dog running with his new friend Bally is great! Those doggy grins make me happy. And your quiet New Year’s bath and contemplation sounds lovely. Makes me want to fill our big tub right now, but it’s late afternoon as I’m writing this and I’d better get dinner started instead. I love your posts, by the way, just in case you can’t tell from my comments! Happy New Year.

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    • Thank you Nooce! I have to admit it was pretty tasty! Yeah, I’m not keen on the Green Christmas but what can you do? Now we have a good quantity, the temperatures dipped to a most frigid -21°C (windchill of -29°C) and, proof that Mother Nature is going through menopause, they are calling for +3°C on Saturday!
      Always fun to run into a dog that is allowed to play… they aren’t all so lucky!
      I love your comments on my blog, Nooce! You are welcome any time! Happy New Year to you and yours!

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