The Speedy Year
Just 12 more weeks left in 2018. Where has the year gone? It seems to me that the days, weeks and months are going by faster than they used to. I don’t know if it is my age or the fastness of the world and what is going on or just that the busyness of life is all consuming and therefore the time passes quickly. Our grandson is a senior in high school and before we know it he will be an alumnus of his school and off to college. We had the pleasure of watching him play football again this weekend and it was very special. Not just because the team won the game but because of his total happiness at leading this team to a well earned victory but also that his grandparents and his mother were there to support him and to feed the team after the game. We are so lucky to have this opportunity. See how tiny the grandparents are or is it that he is just big?
Wood Warms You Twice
Once when you stack and once when you burn it. Katie had a cord of wood delivered this week and I said I would stack it for her, or at least some of it, on her screened porch so she wouldn’t need to go out to the barn in awful weather to get a load of wood. I made the trek last year when I was here in January and while it makes you feel you are living in another world it really isn’t much fun to go out in the dark into a barn and load up a wood carrier and haul that stuff through the snow and yuck. So, I started on the pile and made a pretty good dent in it, or at least I thought I did. Jack and his friend Brian finished the job and it took them two hours to finish the pile. I am humbled. After my meager effort, Katie and I and the dogs did an 8 mile hike on the Northern Rail to Trails which is quite near her. The dogs were well-behaved as they learned very quickly about good bike behavior. They would come next to me and sit and wait until the bike or bikes went by. We were thanked by everyone who went by and one person even commented how well behaved they were. I was a proud fur baby mum.
Hint: When I got home I was so achy after all the lifting and stacking of the wood and then the walk that I went and sat in a hot bath tub with 2 1/2 cups of Epson Salts in it. It is absolutely amazing how that eased any and all aches and pains and the bonus is I slept well and felt terrific this morning.
Walking, walking and more walking
Despite yet again going into Montreal for two days, I did manage to get some terrific walks done. I took off by myself for an East Side hill walk and managed to go 12.49km 7.76 miles in 2 hours 27 min by myself without dogs. It was a perfect day, just the right temperature and the sun was shining. My only companion was a very curious deer who wasn’t the least bit startled by me. Her friends however, took off through the woods which is always fun to watch. The trees are beginning to turn now, it seems almost hourly. There was a hint of color at the beginning of the week and by the end it is really looking like a Yankee Magazine cover. I took the dogs with me for a 4 1/2 mile walk and then did another 7.76 miles in New Hampshire. Starting to feel really good about my endurance again. What I do have trouble doing is taking a day off to rest which is always recommended when you are training so you don’t over train. I just miss it when I don’t go out there. Here we are at Horseshoe Pond on the Northern Trail. What a fabulous and beautiful walk this was.
The pooches after a long walk, aren’t they cute? We are still training for our 3-day Pledge the Pink. If you would like to support us Please CLICK HERE and we thank you!
New Hampshire – Montreal Again
Am staying in New Hampshire for a couple of days as Katie is on another trip to Lisbon, Portugal. I can’t stay the whole time as I need to get to Montreal for the final clean out of the house and the closing which is scheduled for the end of the week. It has been a long haul and a lot of hard work but we now can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Movers will come mid-week and furniture will make its way to many different corners. It makes me happy to know that many of the things that my mother treasured have found a new home with people who loved her and will go on to enjoy the furniture with their families. When I go to my sisters I will see pieces in her house that will remind me of Mum, when I go to my daughters I will see Mum’s dining room furniture, when I go to North Hatley I will sit in a chair or on a love seat that I used to sit on when visiting Mum. When I go to my nephew’s house I will see many of her things there too. All of this makes me happy. I think she would be pleased at how we have distributed her things and shared them with our families. I am now ready for this project to be done but I am sad too.
Foodie Recipe for Fall – Quinoa Again
This is what I am making for my lunches this week. Lots of yummy things in it and lots of flavor. Enjoy!
Southwestern Quinoa Salad
(from Blue Zones)
Ingredients
21/2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4–1/2 teaspoon agave nectar or pure maple syrup
2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa
1 cup black beans
1/2–3/4 cup chopped avocado, tossed in squeeze of extra lime juice (see note)
1/2 cup corn kernels (opt for organic, frozen is fine)
1/2 cup mild or medium salsa (see note)
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional; can substitute flat-leaf parsley)
3–4 tablespoons chopped green onion (just the green portion)
1/2 teaspoon cumin, or more to taste
1/4 rounded teaspoon sea salt (see note)
1/8 rounded teaspoon allspice
Directions
Serves 3–4
In a large bowl, combine the lime juice, agave nectar, quinoa, black beans, avocado, corn, salsa, red bell pepper, cilantro, green onion, cumin, sea salt, and allspice. Add extra lime juice and sweetener to taste, as well as any additional seasoning. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Avocado Note: If making this salad ahead of time, do not add the avocado, as it will discolor. Toss together all the ingredients, chill, and then work in the avocado/lime juice before serving.
Salsa Note: I normally like mild salsa, but you can use a medium salsa in this salad. For kiddos, you may want to use a mild salsa. I find 1/2 cup is just enough, but feel free to add another few tablespoons if you like it saucier!
Salt Note: Start with about 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, then adjust to add extra later if needed. You may want a little more depending on the brand of salsa that you use.
