Our Weekend 011

So, we didn't really "celebrate" Valentine's Day on the actual day.But, I did get beautiful flowers and the sweetest handmade card from the three amigos so I guess that's better? It's totally better.

Clearly Matt's the artsy one in the relationship

 Katie came over to watch the littles on Saturday while Matt and I went out to dinner. We figured we'd skip the V Day crowds that way. We went to 2 Doors Down, downtown and it was amazing.

When we got there, they didn't have any tables available but they would call us when one opened up. We walked down to Starbucks to grab some fancy coffees and wait it out but it ended up only taking fifteen minutes. We tried the Dine Around menu, which is a set menu of three different options to start and three more for an entrée and a dessert of your choice. Everything sounded delicious. Matt got the Finnan Haddie to start which was like a haddock chowder and the seafood vermicelli as his main course. I had the kale caesar and the cheeseburger. It was massive so we split the burger. Oh. So. Good.

His & Hers

We'll definitely be going back. Although before this date we hadn't been downtown for dinner since last summer, so who knows when we'll make it back. We were actually so tired from going out to dinner (I know) that I'm still recovering. Can you tell we don't get out much? Oh, and we were home by 9:30 that night. Good grief.

Sunday was a bit stormy so we stayed in and had a movie day. The best sort of Sunday afternoon. Beth came over for dinner that evening and played with the babes until they fell asleep. Aunties are great like that.

I couldn't think of a proper way to end this thing so... that's all :)

Our Weekend 010

We had a visitor filled weekend, Matt's brother is home from Alberta for the week, he and his girlfriend and Matt's sister Beth came on Friday and brought pizza. Max is in love with uncle Ben, those two are thick as thieves. So, when he fell asleep (first nap in months, naturally) we were all a little disappointed. Seeing those two play is pretty cute. We tried to wake him but he wasn't having any of it. E on the other hand, had all the attention and her aunt and uncle all to herself. Which she loved.

Saturday was library day, we took Katie with us. Max insisted on taking the bus to give her the full experience. When you're four, the bus ride is half the fun. Afterwards we came back here to make and decorate Valentine's Day cookies. We used Natalie's recipe, it made tons and they were like buttah. Max loved decorating them and E loved licking the icing off. So it was a good Saturday afternoon, is what I'm saying.

We're so lucky to have friends that love our littles that much. It's really is amazing to see someone interact with them on that level of love that isn't directly related to them. The babes call her Aunt Katie and she and I have been friends for twenty years , so she technically is related, but still. They love her right back, too. E has started saying "Datie" and has plenty of "phone conversations" with her daily.

This is sappy, I know, but V-Day is this week and I'm feeling smultzy so there it is.

Our Weekend 009

It's finally February. January is always rough, the decorations from Christmas are gone and the weather is less than stellar. But then February arrives, and while it's still cold and nothing of note happens in this month, at least it's short. So there's that.

We spent last week and most of our weekend organizing, cleaning and going to job interviews (if you're Matt). It was a whirlwind five days home for Matt and we didn't really get to enjoy it very much.

Our new to us cabinets arrived on Friday thanks to Matt and the lovely people who sold them to us. Four in total and they're pretty much perfect. In every way. They are big and roomy, mid century, walnut, German made and dreamy. They're arrival prompted me to re-organize everything in my house to justify having them and giving them a purpose besides being beautiful. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had that problem?

featuring a rare appearance from Penny cat.

We did have dinner with friends on Friday, they brought Chinese takeout because they're the best, is why. And we went to playgroup at the library, but other than that the last five days have been a blur. I think. I'm not sure of anything anymore, my brain is mush.

Sunday we had planned on having a Superbowl party but then half of our party had to cancel - you were missed friends! - so it ended up being us and Katie (hetero-life mate extrordinaire). It was a lot of fun despite it being not really a party and more three adults eating way too much junk food while one enjoyed the game... me. And, then Denver lost immediately, so.

Oh, and the babies watch me do yoga from time to time and have picked up on it.

Max is crazy flexible...

I have big news I'd like to share soon(ish) but for now that's it. Cliffhanger! 

Our Weekend 008

You guys can just skip this post, because we did bupkiss all weekend. There was nothing happening to attend, no pressing matters, no errands to run, nada.

We got outside for a little bit, these babies are so spoiled when it comes to winter. We don't have a yard and the playgrounds near by have been covered in snow for weeks so they haven't really had a chance to get out and play in the white stuff. So, when they do, oh boy, it's hilarious. Max just wants to hit people with snowballs and E's confused by the whole concept. She does't understand why we're standing around in the cold. She's a smart lady.

Lil snow bunnies

and that pink nose, I mean...

yes, we're playing in a bus shelter. city kids.

We baked lots of banana bread and made some "Welcome Home" cookies for Daddy (not a type of cookie, just what we call whatever cookies we make before Matt comes home).

You're welcome, Matt :)

I spent most of the weekend playing email tag with people from Kijiji. I bought some new cabinet type things, that aren't here yet and we needed to make room for them all, four in total. Cue me selling all of our belongings on Kijiji. We had been meaning to get rid of these things anyway, so this was the kick in the pants we I needed to just do it already. I sold all three pieces over the weekend, so I may have a future in sales... if I can do it in my jams via email. Or not.

Anywho, that was our weekend, still with me? Just as bored as we were? Thought so.

Pizza Party

We had an impromptu pizza party, our best friends came over with Christmas gifts for the littles so Matt made the most delicious pizzas, like crazy good. He even made his own sausage. Go big or go home, right? I think that's his life motto because he never does the bare minimum, always over the top. I'm thankful because I get to eat all the crazy, complicated food he comes up with.

Anyway, here is his recipe if you ever feel like making too many pizzas on a random monday night...

The sauce, start it before the dough, it needs time to simmer

Ingredients

1 medium-large onion, sliced.
3-4 cloves garlic, chopped.
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped.
2 ribs celery, chopped.
1 can san marzano tomatoes.
Small handful dried basil.
Small handful dried oregano.
Generous amount of freshly cracked black pepper.
Olive oil.
Salt to taste.

Directions

Heat a couple of good glugs of oil in a medium saucepan. Add onions, carrots, and celery.  Cook until carrots begin to soften.

Add garlic, pepper, and dried herbs.  Cook until everything is soft and onions are golden. Add tomatoes.  I use whole tomatoes and break them into chunks after they're in the pan.  Use a wooden spoon or similar implement. Cook a few minutes, then puree with immersion blender.

Lower heat to simmer, and allow to reduce until very thick. 2 hours or so.  Long enough to make the dough.

Crust:

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 t yeast
Good glug olive oil
kosher salt
1 1/3 cup water
Cornmeal

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a stand mixer, mix on lowest speed.

When the dough forms a ball, turn speed to next highest setting.

Divide dough in half, cover and let stand for an hour/until doubled.

Once the dough has risen, form it into your pizza shape. Sprinkle cornmeal on a baking sheet, then place dough on sheet.  Top as desired.

Bake at 500° for 5-7 minutes


* Adapted from this recipe

Once the sauce and the dough are ready, add any topping you'd like. We used (pre cooked) sausage, peppers, homemade mozzarella, mushrooms and cracked an egg on top. We can't wait to try out different combinations though, you could even make personal sized pizza crusts and set up a build your own pizza bar. Could be fun for a party!

And a brownie recipe (if after all that pizza you have room for dessert)...

Ingredients

1 cup chocolate chips                                                 *for the peanut butter swirl*
1/2 cup butter (salted)
1/2 cup whole wheat flour                                                         2T butter
1/2 t baking powder                                                        1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 t salt                                                                           1/2 t vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder                                                           1/4 t nutmeg
2 eggs (beaten)                                                                     1/4 t cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 T vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° and grease two 8" cake pans

Melt the chocolate chips and butter on the stove top or in the microwave

Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl

When chocolate is melted, add eggs, sugar and vanilla to mixture 

Add chocolate mixture to the dry ingredients 

Pour batter into both cake pans, until they're half way filled

Mix all ingredients for the peanut butter swirl together 

Drop small spoonfuls of peanut butter mixture to the top of the brownie batter 

Use a skewer to create the swirls

Bake for 30 minutes or until firm


*Adapted from this recipe