BRING ON THE WEEKEND

ON THE LIST

L-WELSH WELLY WEDNESDAY

“Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.” 

– Paul Theroux

L- I love this picture. It's pouring rain, you have your favorite wellies on and a huge smile on your face. xo

GILLESPIE AND I

As soon I saw this book my heart flipped with the desire to read it. I hope the read is as good as the title. *wink*

By Jane Harris:

As she sits in her Bloomsbury home, with her two birds for company, elderly Harriet Baxter sets out to relate the story of her acquaintance, nearly four decades previously, with Ned Gillespie, a talented artist who never achieved the fame she maintains he deserved. Back in 1888, the young, art-loving, Harriet arrives in Glasgow at the time of the International Exhibition. After a chance encounter she befriends the Gillespie family and soon becomes a fixture in all of their lives. But when tragedy strikes - leading to a notorious criminal trial - the promise and certainties of this world all too rapidly disorientate into mystery and deception. Featuring a memorable cast of characters, infused with atmosphere and period detail, and shot through with wicked humour, "Gillespie and I" is a tour de force from one of the emerging names of British fiction.

QUOTE

"If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine."
– Morris West

DEAR MONDAY

HOME SWEET HOME

taken by. Edward Catania

After a lovely day strolling around the Tabacco Factory Market and surrounding little shops in Southville with Husband, I am feeling rejuvinated and recharged after my holiday. 

My guest blogger was such a huge treat. I wasn't able to stay away and must admit snuck a few peeks during the week. I'm not sure if she knew what she was getting herself into as I will now be asking her to have a continued guest spot when I travel. I had so much fun reading my blog this week. Hopefully for you and me she agrees and enjoyed writing it as much as we all enjoyed reading it. 

My favourite part about my Maltese getaway this time, was floating around on my Lilo in the pool where the Malta water-polo team play in Bulluta Bay. It was 7 Euro to get into the club at the daily rate and you can come in and out until 6pm. 

I stayed at the Hostel Malti again but it was not the same experience as I had last time. They are doing some serious construction next door. If  you are looking for cheap and cheerful with free wifi and don't mind getting up with the rooster than you won't mind the construction as it's only in the mornings between 7:00-10:00 through the week- ( in my experience.) The place itself is clean and comfortable and Chris, the sole owner now, is very accommodating and helpful; he offered to take us to dinner one night to a hidden gem to try one of the Island's main dishes of rabbit. I've heard on weekends he has big BBQ's for the hostelers but I've only stayed during the week. Maybe on my next visit. 

Tomorrow I will start back at the gym after a long hiatus and start getting the house ready for Connor's May break visit. 

Glad to be back blogging. xoxo

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY V: Wonderful Wonder

Quite a while ago I received an email from a new, but very important, friend and the subject line read: wonder. Inside I found what I assumed to be a poem, a beautiful poem. I’ve come to learn that this “poem” is actually song lyrics (thank you American Idol). As we head into the weekend and I say goodbye as a guest blogger I want to share these lyrics and music with you… enjoy and I hope we meet again.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder


You get your fill to eat,
but always keep that hunger


May you never take one single breath for granted


God forbid love ever leave you empty handed


I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean


Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens


Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance


I hope you dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance


Never settle for the path of least resistance


Living might mean taking chances


But they're worth taking


Lovin' might be a mistake


But it's worth making


Don't let some hell bent heart


Leave you bitter


When you come close to selling out


Reconsider


Give the heavens above


More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance


I hope you dance,
I hope you dance

I hope you still feel small, when you stand by the ocean


Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens


Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance



And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance


Dance


I hope you dance 

Celebrate 10,000!

Loving Life Being Christy is in celebration mode! We're celebrating because we've reached 10,000 page views! Thank you all for your support and readership... how about a little music for the occasion!?

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY IV: Let’s Celebrate Canada!

For all you Canadian followers out there this post is for you! I’m not sure if this happens to everyone but being away from home (Canada) I think I’ve become more patriotic. I’ve got this overwhelming sensation to sew my little Canadian flag patch on to the back of my book bag, wear my Roots CANADA hoodie, and just say eh!, eh?

I’ve always been a proud Canadian, but being abroad gives me the opportunity to share my pride with others. And apparently in England, specifically London, I’m not the only one who loves Canada... check it out: www.canadadaylondon.com.

 I’ve always enjoyed spending Canada Day at home with a beer, a bbq and fireworks, but this year I’ll be in London and I can’t wait! The events look amazing, the crowd fantastic and the Canadians… well let’s just say they are looking in celebratory mode!

I LOVE CANADA!

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY III: It’s Welly Wednesday

Welly Wednesday is one of my favourite parts of Christy’s blog! I suppose that’s in part because she helped me to choose my own pair of wellies, which I love!

I associate the wearing of wellies with rainy days, and I love a good rainy day. Now that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t choose sunshine over rain, because believe me I would. But every once in a while I think a rainy day does a person a lot of good. For me a rainy day is a good excuse to curl up and watch a season of your favourite television series (like… How I Met Your Mother), or to wear your cleaning clothes, and well clean, OR to eat a nice warm bowl of your favourite soup. Can you tell I love rainy days? Do you?

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain”

~ Author Unknown

GUEST BLOGGER: DAY II: A Food Fanatic

Okay, so it’s day two of my blogging and that means it’s time to let you in a little (huge) secret – I LOVE food! And unfortunately not always the good-for-the-heart-healthy kind, but sometimes the bad-but-tastes-so-good kind – do you know what I mean? Nevertheless, lately I’ve been making a sincere effort to minimize my bar-and-a-half dairy milk chocolate bars intake and maximize my healthy food intake.

I began with simple salads. I’ve made (and photographed) two delicious salads – garden and spinach. 

They were both delightful, if I do say so myself.  So this week I’m feeling confident to try a new salad and here’s the recipe in case you’d like to try as well!

Fennel Salad with Citrus Zests and Toasted Pine Nuts

This recipe comes from Chef Laura Calder (French Food at Home on the foodnetwork.ca) and is considered a summery salad!

For this recipe, meant to serve four, you’ll need the following ingredients:

      ·     1 large fennel bulb

·      Zest and juice from 1 lemon

·      Zest of 1 orange

·      3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

·      Olive oil, to taste

·      Fleur de sel (coarse salt) and freshly ground pepper to season

You’ll also need the following directions:

Cut the shoots from the fennel and discard, reserving a good handful of green fronds. Chop these and toss them into a bowl. Peel the fennel bulbs, halve, core, and slice paper-thin, using a mandolin if you have one. Add to the bowl. Grate over the zests. Squeeze lemon juice over, to taste. Add the pine nuts. Drizzle over oil, to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Toss, taste and adjust the seasonings, and serve immediately.

If you have the chance to try this salad before Friday, let me know what you think :)