Stone Soup

I wanted to get out of the house today but it was too cold to do anything outside so I went to the mall. Enjoyed a nice trip through the shoe department then decided to look for long evening gloves to wear to the wedding. There were no evening gloves to be found anywhere but I did come across some wonderful hats and they were on sale too! Most of these hats were in the $200-275 range but were on sale up to 75% off. I tried them all on! It was like playing dressup!

http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/pkPpBRAFuQ0atVg0W7AXrQ?feat=directlink

Yesterday was my oldest son Craig's birthday. I can't believe I have a 32 year old son! His younger brother and fiancee came for dinner. Craig is usually uncooperative about having his picture taken but I got a few shots. I served roast beef done to a perfect pink, with lemon horseradish roast potatoes and broccoli. I made peppercorn gravy with a good splash of cabernet saugivnon added. Craig is vegetarian so I made a pan of rolled crepes stuffed with ricotta, mushrooms and spinach, covered with alfredo sauce, for his main dish and we each had a little of that too. As a shortcut I used 6 inch whole wheat tortillas and they stood up under all that sauce very well. Mmm, delicious, I will make it again. Craig made off with all the leftovers.

I had 3 avocados that became ripe all at once so used them in a starter with warm roasted tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese fresh basil and capers. We drizzled a basil parmesan vinagrette over this salad.

Instead of a birthday card I gave him a 6/49 ticket, the draw was for 43 Million last night, hope he remembers to be good to his mom if he wins!

I must say, I have thoroughly enjoyed the festivities south of the border these past few days. I think we Canadians have been as excited as our neighbours in the USA. Boardroom televisions made it possible to catch glimpses of the inauguration yesterday, then we watched the highlights all evening. I enjoyed the balls, especially the first one, the first dance and Beyonce was incredible. The president is a better dancer than he said he was. I didn't care for Michelle Obama's dress either in the daytime or in the evening. That gown looked like she had bits of tissue stuck all over it but each to her own taste I suppose.

I really enjoyed Aretha Franklin's hat, WOW! No ornament on her lovely grey coat, scarf or dress, she saved it all for that splendid hat! Wasn't it wonderful?

My son is getting married in May; it is almost time to send out invitations. They asked me about wording I would be comfortable with and I have been considering what is appropriate...and pleasant.

I am divorced from Glenn's father, Glenn lives with his dad, Grace lives with her parents. Glenn's father is unlikely to contribute a cent towards this wedding, I have agreed to help with the cost. I am not even sure Glenn's dad will attend; he has been difficult to approach on anything concering the wedding and yet he likes Grace. I am resigned that he won't put in his share but the question is what do we say on the invitation?

Here are some of the choices but if you can suggest others I would be happy to hear them:

Names of Bride's parents
invite you to the marriage of
Bride's name
and
Groom's name
son of "My name and Father's name"

after all we are still both his parents even if he is not involved in the wedding

Names of Bride's parents
invite you to the marriage of
Bride's name
to
Groom's name
son of "Heather XXX and leave father's name out"

reasoning here, he is being ugly about it, won't pay a cent and probably wont go.

You are invited to the wedding of
Bride's name
daughter of
NS
Groom's name
son of

or WHAT??? I need help. What other options are there? Bride and Groom invite and leave all parents off? Her parents invite and leave his parents off?

My son is getting married in May; it is almost time to send out invitations. They asked me about wording I would be comfortable with and I have been considering what is appropriate...and pleasant.

I am divorced from Glenn's father, Glenn lives with his dad, Grace lives with her parents. Glenn's father is unlikely to contribute a cent towards this wedding, I have agreed to help with the cost. I am not even sure Glenn's dad will attend; he has been difficult to approach on anything concering the wedding and yet he likes Grace. I am resigned that he won't put in his share but the question is what do we say on the invitation?

Here are some of the choices but if you can suggest others I would be happy to hear them:

Names of Bride's parents
invite you to the marriage of
Bride's name
and
Groom's name
son of "My name and Father's name"

after all we are still both his parents even if he is not involved in the wedding

Names of Bride's parents
invite you to the marriage of
Bride's name
to
Groom's name
son of "Heather XXX and leave father's name out"

reasoning here, he is being ugly about it, won't pay a cent and probably wont go.

You are invited to the wedding of
Bride's name
daughter of
NS
Groom's name
son of

or WHAT??? I need help. What other options are there? Bride and Groom invite and leave all parents off? Her parents invite and leave his parents off?

Loblaws, a major grocery store here, started charging customers for plastic grocery bags today. I am sure the other large chains will follow soon.

I have quite a few reusable bags and I try to keep them in my car, even in the door pocket of my car, so I will remember to bring them in but I usually end up at the cash without my bag...and I buy another one, which is why I have so many of them. The other problem is remembering to put them back in the car when I empty them in the kitchen.

Nevermind that I have so many reusable bags, I like them for other things. The Loblaws one above, the black one, is quite nice for carrying my daytimer, lunch and shoes from my car to the office. I use one to carry my water bottle, shoes and exercise suit to the gym. Many uses for these handy bags, but so far just not too often for groceries.

And, I used to use those plastic grocery store bags to line my kitchen garbage, so easy to tie up and bring to the outdoor trash bag. When I run out of my supply of plastic grocery bags I suppose I will have to buy plastic bags for the garbage? I would like to be "greener" but this is a problem...how does one dispose of garbage without plastic bags?

And how come I have to pack the green bags by myself when the cashier, who is so much better at it, used to do it for me with the plastic bags? I am so slow, and clumsy at bagging my own groceries...but I suppose I will learn.