Happy New Year

Let's go for an Awesome 2010

Ottawa On Ice

'Put it on Ice' has a new meaning in Ottawa these days

as you can see from the pics below
taken from my condo (click to enlarge)

Some of us remember the Ice Storm of 1998.
This is a grim reminder of the power of nature.

Merry Christmas 2009

Enjoy the magic of the Christmas lights, wherever you are.

Canadian Parliament Buildings and Peace Tower are alight in Ottawa.

Our Notre Dame Bascilica in all its splendor

Christmas Dinner with Friends

My Christmas Dinner with Friends is over for 2009.

Yes, it's early, but we had to jockey schedules, etc. to make this happen.
For a change this year we had a Rosemary Tree.
Very fragrant & very different!


Miss Tiggy Winkles checked it out.

Our candlelit centerpiece consisted of Holly directly
from British Columbia surrounded
by Sumi (Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Mascot)
and Gingerbread People.

Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon, pictured below, turned out
splendid and was the 'hit of the dinner'.

The Tomato Aspic garnished with green olives
was perfect, as you can see.

Of course, we had to wash this all down
with some seasonal liquid refreshments!

One of the desserts, as if we needed any, was Baclava.

Baclava on Pepermint Ice cream

Hungry, anyone?
Having left-overs to-night to re-enjoy & savour the tastes.

Miss Tiggy Winkles had the 'right idea' after the big meal.
'Nite all

Preparing My Early Christmas Dinner

Seen the movie Julie and Julia? I really enjoyed Julia Child as she's played by Meryl Streep.
Since it's the Christmas Season, I'm thinking about cooking and eating delicious gourmet food and Mastering the Art of French Cooking, linked below, just in case you need a copy.

To-day, I'm making wonderful Boeuf Bourguignon? Just like they ate in the movie?
Am also making Tomato Aspic..yummy!
Bon appetit!

Olympic Torch-flame Relay Arrives in Ottawa

Olympic-torch Flame

This has been a very exciting weekend in Ottawa, Canada. The Olympic Torch-flame headed for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games arrived in our nation's Capital. What excitement on the streets as numerous runners bravely carried the Olympic Torch-flame throughout our community. What a surprise when I learned that the Olympic Torch-flame was passing right by my home!

Choristers on Canadian Parliament Hill

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Olympic Torch bearer

Fireworks & Celebrations on Parliament Hill

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to all.
Recently I had a chance to visit Amblecote Estate Ltd,
a Holly farm, in Duncan, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island.
Holly is probably the oldest Christmas symbol
It has been used to decorate for nearly 2,000 years
Enjoy the pics of holly and berries below (click to enlarge)

This fresh Christmas holly will be in
my centrepiece during the festive season.