- I went cross country skiing recently. After a year of minimal exercise, it was quite the workout!
- I’ve finished watching all the seasons of The Crown and all the episodes of Bridgerton. Like many (many, many) people, I enjoyed both. The stories, the costumes, the acting, and the scenery in both shows kept me entertained.
- If you like to be amused, check out Zillow Gone Wild. This Instagram site features properties for sale that really make you look (and wonder). This New York mansion has a violin shaped swimming pool. This place in Colorado is built around a rock. This California suburban-looking home has a surprise ceiling feature. These are the few of many interesting designs.
- I made this penne alla vecchia bettola recipe for my beau’s birthday, and it was a hit. I ended up making it twice in one week because it became high in demand! I’ll be making it again, I’m sure.
- I’m so tired of seeing all the loungewear currently being promoted on nearly every store’s website. While I haven’t worn my traditional work wear in nearly a year (suit, dress pants, dress skirts), I also don’t wear leggings or joggers every day. Generally, my daily outfit consists of jeans and a sweater. I’m aiming to document a “week of outfits” to share here or on Instagram soon. I know, I know…exciting stuff coming your way! What about you? Has your fashion changed over the last year?
Over the holidays, I received a press package from American Standard. I thought it was timely, clever, and well-designed. Essentially, American Standard’s message is to flush 2020.
Beyond the press information I received, I had a browse on the American Standard website to learn more about its bath collection. Here are some of the interesting things I learned.
The Spalet Bidet Toilet is a new release, and I know I’d love it. I became appreciative of these types of toilets after my 2019 trip to Japan.
The price tag is high, yes, but American Standard some bidet seat options at about half the price of the toilet.
Here are some other items that caught my attention because of their functionality and design.
The new collection at CB2 includes pieces with some interesting shapes. I think many pieces can fit into a variety of living spaces.
I know travel may not be top of mind right now because of Ontario’s current lockdown, closed borders, and, well, the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop dreaming about future travel, right? I am keeping tabs on new hotels and places to visit, so that once the world reopens, I’ll be ready.
If summer travel means Canada-only destinations then I’ve already added Newfoundland to my travel bucket list. It wasn’t really on the list pre-pandemic, but if a long road trip is my only option, then I think I would enjoy seeing more of Canada’s east coast, including Corner Brook, Newfoundland.
And if I do end up in Corner Brook one day, I think I would enjoy a stay at the Hew and Draw hotel.
I feel like I made a big move forward in the kitchen this month. I challenged myself to make (a) roast chicken, (b) homemade chicken stock, and (c) homemade chicken noodle soup. Guess what, everyone? None of these things were hard. And I’m going to do them all again! I’m excited about this progress, and even though there are thousands (and more!) recipes online, I’m going to share the recipes I used in case you want to give them a try and also so I have a record of it for the future. If you have suggestions, please add a comment!
Roast Chicken
When I spotted a whole chicken on sale at the grocery store, I bought it although I was intimidated to clean it and cook it. No time like the present though, right?
I did a bit of research and settled on Ina Garten’s perfect roast chicken recipe. I had all the ingredients already (except the fennel bulb), and the recipe looked easy. I followed the instructions exactly, and the chicken turned out beautifully. It was tasty and moist. The carrots were sweet and a colourful addition. I added green beans (boiled, drained, then tossed with olive oil and garlic), and my weeknight meal was complete. I was completely surprised by how easy this meal was. (Note: I got over the icky feeling of cleaning the chicken before and after cooking).
Chicken Stock
I saved all the leftovers from the roast chicken and veggie remnants in preparation for homemade chicken stock. I cleaned off most of the chicken pieces from the carcass, kept all the bones, and saved all the carrot/garlic/onion peels/ends from the roast chicken meal.
I used this chicken stock recipe by Foodie Crush (for the most part; I didn’t use leeks or bouillon cubes). I was also influenced by Bowl of Delicious’ chicken stock recipe. My ingredients were: chicken carcass/bones, garlic (cloves, peels), carrots (ends, peels), onions (ends, peels), celery (ends), bay leaves, parsley (frozen), thyme (dried), peppercorns (8), and salt. (Note: I washed all remnant pieces and peels before I used them.) While I was initially intimidated to make homemade chicken stock, after I read some recipes, I was no longer intimidated. Basically, I learned, that you can throw in any whole or remnant pieces of the above ingredients into a large pot with water and simmer it for 1.5-3 hours. I simmered mine for 2 hours. The smell was awesome. The colour of the stock turned a lovely amber. After 2 hours, I strained the stock. Done!
Chicken Noodle Soup
I stuck to Foodie Crush’s site when I saw her recipe for the best homemade chicken noodle soup. Since at this point, I had small pieces left over from the roast chicken and freshly made chicken stock, all I had to do was cut up pieces of carrots and celery and add some egg noodles. (Note: I didn’t use parsnips or chicken bouillon. I would add fewer noodles next time.) This couldn’t have been easier! And it was oh so tasty!
So, with one affordable chicken, I made two complete dinners of easily four to six servings each. You can believe that I’ll be making these items again in the near future.