10 years ago today.....

10 years ago today there was no such thing as facebook, skype, twitter or high speed dial up.
We didn't have to worry about things like "texting & driving" - back then it was all about the R.I.D.E programs and getting drunk drivers off the road.
Come to think of it- I haven't seem a R.I.D.E. check stop in over a decade.
What's up with that?

digital photography was just in it's infancy- we still used film and Polaroids.
Oh the good old days...
Then again- I do love the instant gratification of digital photography- I only wish I would get around to printing images from time to time.
Nothing better than flipping though a photo album tripping down memory lane.
Somehow it's not quite the same when everything is on a disk or hard drive some where.

Travelling was a breeze- there was no such thing as multiple security point checks, ban on liquids, human exray machines, having to remove your shoes at the check points, frisking old ladies in wheel chairs or the need to make young mothers dump out baby bottles before finally making their way though long long security lines.
Pre 911- the world seemed like a much safer place.
Hard to imagine.

Toronto had 4,682,897 people living here- today it's 5.5 million and growing.
No wonder the traffic is getting so bad in the downtown core.

Don't even get me started on the drastic rise in housing prices from 2000- 2010.
If I knew then what I know now...

The movies Chocolate & Traffic won Academy awards.
also worth mentioning- Almost famous, Billy Elliot and Requiem for a Dream.

David Letterman had heart surgery and Survivor was in it's first year- how is it that Jeff Probst looks the exact same after more than a decade?
My favourite show at the time was The Naked Chef- hosted by a young unknown chef named Jamie Oliver on the BBC.
But in those days I had to make sure I was home to watch it live- gasp..
Oh how I love modern day PVR'ing.
I guess progress is a very good thing in the land of television.
How did we ever survive back then? never mind Richard Hatch.

The Budweiser campaign- "what's Uuup?" was launched- and from what I can recall- that was all I heard every time I would call anybody.

Songs like "Hey Ya"- by Outkast, "Beautiful Day"- U2, "Yellow" by Coldplay, "Music" by Modonna, "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys, "Let's get It Started In Here" by The Blackeyed Peas and "Slim Shady" by Eminem could be heard on the radio.
But I was most likely listening to Fragments Of Freedom by Morcheeba, Moon Safari by Air or Kruder or Dorfmeister the k&d sessions in my car.

We lived in a downtown loft and had to climb a ladder to go to bed.
It was rustic- but so much fun.
There was no Starbucks, trendy boutiques or restaurants in our old neighbourhood.
It was definitely considered the 'hood back then.
Amazing what can happen over a decade.
Sometimes- change is a very good thing indeed.
Kind of sad that we no longer live in that part of town actually-but very glad to still have the studio down there though.

10 years ago today I wouldn't be writing this- because there was no such thing as a blog.
Then again- most likely I would have been writing in one of my many journals.
I wonder where they are now?

And last but certainly not least- 10 years ago today I said- I Do.
and married big daddy.
How can that be?
10 years of marriage- wow.
so hard to believe that we have been married for 10 years!
We have had our up & downs- but I'm happy to say that it's been mostly ups- and the downs just seem to make our relationship stronger.
Over the span of a decade we have bought & sold our first home, started up businesses, travelled to some amazing places, made some really good friends, become parents (that in itself still blows me away) and remained best friends through it all.
There is no other way I would have wanted to spend the last 10 years.
And no one else I would have wanted to spend it with.

So Happy Anniversary Big Daddy- here's to the next 10 years together.
all my love
pg xoxoxox

so you think you can dance

Lulu had her first official dance recital a few weeks ago and can I just say what a proud mama I was when seeing her on stage?
She remembered all her ballet moves and was a ham as per usual.
or I guess in this case- a bunny.
I was more than a little misty.
I'm so glad she loves dancing as much as I did.
Okay-do.
But nowadays it usually involves a bit of liquid courage on my part.
then again- if I'm being completely honest- Lulu & I were dancing to a little Ida Corr-Let Me Think About It- in the kitchen at lunch today.
The only liquid I had consumed by 12 o'clock was an orange juice and a green tea.
Anyhow I love busting a move or two with my girl- I just hope she has a bit more rhythm than I do as she gets older.
Going to keep up with those dance lessons for sure.

resurfacing

It sucks to get sick.
But I'm happy to report that everyone seems to be back to normal.
For the past four weeks we have been on a sick rotation around here- and quite frankly I'm so glad to feel healthy again and getting on with life.
The one okay thing about being under the weather though, is that it forced me to take it easy for a couple of weeks.
So in that respect- maybe I kind of needed a bit of a break.
I had no idea I was feeling as run down as I was.
Anyhow I'm glad to feel better and can't wait to resume my never ending To Do List.



Before everyone got sick- I went to a baby shower for a friend of mine.
A couple of her friends put on the spread.
and can I just say not only was it beautiful but super delicious.
It was a very creative group of ladies all in one room- and a really great way to spend the afternoon.
Those little flower pots were mini chocolate puddings- super decadent- and so pretty don't you think?
there was also leek & asparagus filo tarts with goat cheese (they were devoured before I could snap a few pics)
and the most fantastic cherry lemonade- punch concoction.
Yum yum.




Not only pretty- but so delicious.

Speaking of baby showers- is it me or is that baby boom still going strong?
Every where I look it's babies babies everywhere these days.
And no I'm not getting baby fever- still happy with our family dynamic- but just an observation.
Then again- they don't call my neighbourhood breederville for nothing.
Our street almost needs a special stroller lane for all the kiddies.

Anyhow if you want to see more pics from that lovely shower you can find them here.
Oh and did I mention that the hostess hand painted all the white bottles using old glass jars?
So inspiring..
Add that to my To Do list
- save old jars and glass bottles and hand paint them.
or not.

april flowers

Bring May showers...

wallowing away

So I've been on a mission these past few weeks getting things crossed off the ol' To Do list.
Spring is all about renewal and fresh starts so I've been trying to take advantage of this time to clear the clutter so to speak.
Clothing being a big thing on my list.
Out with the old- and make room for the new.
Truth be told-our small closets leave me with few other options.
Over the last few years my size has changed, and quite frankly styles have really changed as well.
Not that I'm all about trends or anything- but I have really noticed a change in fashion in the past couple of seasons.
I try not to subscribe to the whole eighties revival look- because honestly- been there- done that.
It wasn't a good look on me in 1984 and it definitely isn't a good look for me in 2010.
Though I did manage to pick up a few cute things here.
But really it's all about comfort and practicality.
If I can't wear it to the park, then I probably won't buy it.
I said probably right?
Anyhow the only fashion I'm sporting at the moment is my black sweat suit and white fuzzy robe. (clutching my heating pad for dear life)
For the past THREE days!
As I was saying- I was on a roll getting things accomplished when bam! I get sidetracked with a very nasty flu.
You're not supposed to get the flu in May- wtf?
Today's the first day I'm actually somewhat coherent- but for the past 48 hours I've been down for the count.
Haven't felt this knocked on my ass in a long while.
Lulu has been super sweet- in fact a tad too sweet as she keeps trying to kiss and snuggle with me.
Not only is that uncomfortable (every muscle hurts) but I don't want her to catch what I have.
Even though I probably caught it from her in the first place as she was sick all last week.
The poor thing was like Linda Blair she had so much green stuff coming out of her nose.
Big daddy on the other hand could use a bit of work in his bedside manner.
I know I know- it's a total inconvenience for me to get sick- when he has to look after Lulu and g-d forbid feed her....gasp!
I know that he is super swamped with work at the moment.
But really- would it hurt to be a teensy bit compassionate?
oh sure he stopped on the way home to get some contact C for me- um thanks.
But I hate getting sick- and I really wish he would try to be a bit more sympathetic and not make me feel like
"when he gets sick he has to just deal with it- drug himself up and go to work"
That it's a "luxury" to stay home when you are sick.
Luxury huh?
That totally felt like a luxury taking Lulu to and from school yesterday- though I could barely see straight.
So that's my rant.
I'm annoyed that I'm down with the flu when I was on such a roll getting things done and that my partner in life is being such a schmuck.
Oh and I'm even more annoyed that I had to cancel our baby-sitter for tonight as we were going for dinner and to an art opening of an old friend that I would have loved to see.
oh and that tomorrow is mother's day and the last thing I really want is breakfast in bed, as that's what I've had for the past 3 days straight.
If you consider ginger tea and water "breakfast".
whah whah.

signed- feeling sorry for herself- aka the petitegourmand

how old is old?

Lulu asked me today how old is old?
good question.
I guess it's all a state of mind I suppose.
Then she asked if everyone lives to be 100.
no- unfortunately not- or maybe not unfortunate, if you are looking at things from a health care perspective.
Do most people really want to live to be 100?
depends on the person I guess.
Sometimes after talking to my grandmother, I don't get the feeling she does- seeing as so many of her friends and her husband are already gone.
It must be lonely.
She'll be 90 this summer.
For the record, I hope she does live to be 100.
Lulu asked me how old the oldest person in the world is?
I guessed and said 115.
Turned out to be a good guess- as I just noticed this is the news today.
Makes me want to eat more sushi, thats for sure.
maybe a morbid topic- but hey when inquiring minds want to know...

Earth day

Well I'm a little late with this post seeing that Earth Day was April 22nd.
But really, shouldn't every day be earth day?
The kids at school were asked to dress in blue or green- why not brown?
Earth is technically brown right?
They also did a bunch of cute projects about recycling and being more environmentally friendly.
Now when I'm prepping dinner, Lulu keeps a watchful eye in the back ground to let me know if I'm running the water too long while washing the veggies.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing....
And we all know the saying if it's yellow let it mellow- if it's brown flush it down.
But do we really need to sing it at the dinner table?
Okay to be honest, she really doesn't sing that at the dinner table- but she does in fact live by that particular motto- which I'm still not sure how I feel about.
Okay enough about that subject.
Anyhow I'm so glad that hopefully this new generation will be more mindful about the earth.
It's about time.

What are you doing to be more environmentally friendly these days?

happy birthday sweet lulu

Every year on Lulu's birthday I usually get a bit choked up that she is yet another year older.
She's no longer my baby, toddler or Pre-schooler.
She's now officially a little girl.
oh sure she's sill my baby- and always will be- but it's so surreal that I now have a 5 year old kid!
How did that happen so quickly?
teething, potty training & nap time feel like a life time ago.
This year has been by far the most fun year to date.
I have loved watching Lulu grow and learn in new ways now that she is in school and making new friends.
I love that she is so bright and clever and loves to learn all about the world around her.
I'm just glad I get to still be such a big part of her world.

So Happy Birthday Sweet Lulu- you are such a big girl now- but don't forget that you will always be my sweet baby.
love mommy xo

Oh and I hope you had fun with 15 of your friends yesterday for your flower power birthday party at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
I know I did.



oh and one of my favourite bloggers whose little girl is turning 5 as well, wrote one of my favourite posts about turning five.
I only wish I could be half as eloquent.
but- ditto.

sushi samba

Where the heck does the time go these days?
For some reason things seem a bit more hectic than usual around here and our mini vacay in South Beach feels like forever ago.
But that's not to say that I'm still not salivating when I think about one of the most delicious dinners I've had in a while when we were there.
Sushi Samba.
There is a plethora of patios and restaurants along Lincoln Road and it can be a bit daunting trying to decide where to eat.
But when I saw all the bright orange umbrellas, funky chairs and great menu I was sold.
Bonus that big daddy has been to the New York location and gave it a thumbs up.
Mind you, I have to admit, I was a tad sceptical about the Japanese/ Brazilian combo menu.
Not two cultures I would have paired up together.
Boy was I wrong.
So So good.
We started with the tuna tataki white asparagus, fresh heart of palm, avocado, tatsoi, citrus soy 15.00
so fresh and so delicious.

And the green bean tempura with black truffle alioli 7.50
I almost licked the black truffle bowl clean.
We then moved onto the most delectable morsels of yumminess..

sushi samba “taquitos” (minimum 2 per order) served with spicy aji panca sauce and fresh lime
yellowtail seviche 6.00
Oh g-d were they good.
We ordered two different handrolls,

green envy wasabi pea crust, tuna, salmon, asparagus, aji amarillo-key lime mayo 12.00
and the ezo 24 hour soy marinated salmon, asparagus, red onion, chive, sesame, tempura flake wrapped in yellow soy paper with wasabi maionese 11.50
so incredibly fresh and delish.
am I starting to sound like a broken record?
Lulu wanted some dumplings along with her usual edemamme and Tobiko and avocado sushi.
So we ordered these...


pan steamed pork gyozas sweet onion compote and spicy ponzu 16.00
Yum.
Honestly we could have kept eating- we wanted to try everything on the menu it was THAT good.
So in addition to Lulu's green tea ice cream our waiter suggested this for something sweet to finish off our fabulous meal..



Antichichos-sea bass and miso 12.00 & peruvian corn 6.00
Okay not what you would normally consider a dessert- but it was sweet and caramelized.
And the peruvian corn was to die for.
I'd never had it before and I can honestly say I am now hooked.
Wonder where I can get in in T.O.?
The table next to us ordered 4 bowls of it and were just eating that to start.
Now I get it.
Anyhow we had such a great meal.
Our waiter was so awesome and made our night.
The lovely cocktails didn't hurt either...



Yemanja vodka, Domaine de Canton, mint, lemongrass
and the most fantastic sake I've ever had.



So much so that we had two bottles of it!
But there's nothing better than a sake buzz in my opinion.
well maybe a good sushi buzz...
and we definitely had that.
Lulu chilled in her stroller after she ate and let us enjoy the Saki and the best people watching I've done in a while.
South beach is really a trip.



We didn't notice at the time, but they have an amazing kid's menu.
So not only is Sushi Samba hip, has great service, phenomenal food & resonably priced and in the perfect location- it's family friendly!
The perfect restaurant in my opinion.
10 out of 10 for sure.
can't wait to go back again.

SAMBAKIDS MENU
$12.00 including dessert // $5.00 SambaKids Juice

baby bento
grilled organic chicken, steak or salmon
served with purple potato mash, veggie roll, seasonal fruit

samba sliders
two mini burgers served with sweet potato fries and seasonal fruit

anticuchos
grilled organic chicken, beef, or vegetable skewers
served with jumbo corn on the cob and seasonal fruit


sushi bites
four bite-sized rice balls topped with tuna, yellowtail, salmon, cucumber
served with a veggie roll and seasonal fruit

mochi
soft japanese rice cakes filled with ice cream and sprinkled with candy confetti

samba sundae
warm chocolate brownie topped with homemade vanilla ice cream served with
chocolate dipping sauce and a mini strawberry shake

***

coco leite
coconut milk, pineapple, mango juice

watermelon mojo
watermelon, lime, guava juice

berry fizz
raspberry, blackberry, lime, splash of soda juice

Now that's what I call a kid's menu- not a chicken finger in sight..

south beach easter

Is it me, or is this easter bunny a tad bit creepy looking?
Not only that but he kept "hopping" around the pool hugging all the hot chicks in bikinis.
Is that a carrot in your pocket Mr. Easter Bunny or are you just happy to see me?
And who knew that the Easter bunny spoke spanish?
Humph.
But in all seriousness- we just got back from a fun weekend in Miami.
Lulu had a complete blast.
She learned how to swim, jumped the waves, made sand castles, had a super fun easter egg hunt, made new friends and most importantly had some nice quality time with her Daddy whom she missed a bunch while he was away so much in March.

It was a nice break for me too-we ate at some incredible restaurants-more to follow on that.
Stayed in a great hotel with a nice view of the ocean.
And also got to hold hands on the beach with big daddy.


Oh and the killer mojitos by the pool didn't hurt either.
A very happy easter indeed...