Sunday Get Away.... Our Daily Dinner

Sunday Get Away....

chuckieb 7 years ago

Good Morning Everyone! About a month and a half ago, Jim and I decided to make a reservation for a two night get-away to Chateau Montebello in Quebec, so we will be pulling out around noon.
https://www.fairmont.com/montebello/
It's always nice to have something to look forward to and the Chateau is one of Jim's and my "Happy places". It's about an hour and 15 min. drive. The weather network is forecasting some freezing rain today but we'll cross our fingers that we don't encounter that.

We had a fun day yesterday at the Archives in Lanark. We bought two beautiful atlases that were originally published in the 1800's. One of Carleton County and one of Ottawa and the surrounding counties. They're really something to look through and very fun to have on hand for our genealogy research.

The Archives closed at 3 p.m. so we stopped in to Carleton Place and visited "The Waterfront GastroPub" which we've never been to before. It had a lovely ambiance. It used to be an old Tannery back in the day. Big stone walls and a cool staircase going upstairs. We just had a beer and a cider along with a plate of chicken nachos. Sat by the fire. It was nice.

Arrived at our friend's at 5:30 for dinner. She went all out. Perhaps it was allergies she had as she didn't appear sick, so I was pleased. :) She made beet blinis with smoked salmon, cream cheese and fresh dill as appys. It was her first time making the blinis and they were fairly doughy and not very palatable but the topping was good.

Dinner was Duck Leg a L'Orange with Grand Marnier in her orange sauce. I really liked it. She served it over a wild rice pilaf with pine nuts, very tasty and a great accompaniment to the duck. She also made up a tossed salad with pieces of orange and an orange dressing. Not too sweet. I quite liked it.

And then dessert! We were SO stuffed. It was a berry tiramisu served in a big wine glass with a ladyfinger drizzled with Amaretto on top. We rolled out of there by about 9 p.m. Came home, started a fire and watched the Sens Hockey Game we had PVR'd. Didn't hit the hay 'til midnight which is very late for us.

I can just picture the dog licking your glasses when you fell on the ice Bren. Can't help but giggle just a wee bit, but hope you're feeling much better today. :) And you absolutely hit the nail on the head re: my Mom refusing help because she is incredibly independent (and stubborn). :)

Linda, the recipe my girlfriend entered to Farm Boy that won the Gift card was for Thai shrimp in a coconut curry I think. She said she'd make it for me some day. :) That's great your DH is working so hard on his speech.

Karen, you said you bought a camera for the back of the RV. Is that like a back up camera? A security camera? I am not familiar with RV extras. :) Ugh on driving through driving rain. Wise to pull over.

Joce, how did you make out with your computer?

Wishing everyone a most lovely relaxed Sunday. Have a good one.

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Good4U 7 years ago said:

Good Morning!
Enjoy your time at Chateau Montebello, Janet. I absolutely love that place we haven't been there in several years! So pleased your friend did such a nice job of dinner last night. It sounds like you had quite a good time. I thought a niece was going to help your Mom out as well as the ones provided by the seniors home. Too bad she is being so stubborn about it again! Sending safe travels your way and once again, have a great time.
Sorry to hear your GS missed his party b/c he was sick, Karen. I am sure he was quite disappointed.
How are you feeling today, Bren?
I am just getting used to my new computer. It is amazing how small the box is compared to my old heavy tower. I am still getting used to the new setup and I will have to call my internet provider (Cogeco) to see if I can still use their mail account on this one or not. If not I will be busy sending everyone a new e-mail address or one of my others perhaps. We are doing laundry today and more than likely we will be having pork chops for dinner,
Wishing everyone a pleasant Sunday!

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Morning Joce! You're right, my cousin also had offered to go over and help Mom out and Mom had agreed, but it looks like she's decided to go back on that as well. I sent a message to my cousin but haven't heard back yet. It's always good to hear both sides of the story. :) Congrats on the new computer. It is always a learning curve for sure. What kind did you get? Yes, do send an updated email address if you have to change it. Yum on pork chops for dinner. Have fun playing with your new toy! :)

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Good4U 7 years ago said:

It is a Lenovo "Think Center" with Windows 10 and it has over 200 G's which more than I will ever use as I don't need to download movies etc. Window's 10 pretty well set everything up for me which was pretty amazing. There are so many new things on it for me to learn. Lol it will be quite a learning curve for sure! Yes, you are right about listening to both sides of the story. Did she get anything new set up in on her bathtub so she can get in and out safely?

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

Good Morning Everyone!

Enjoy the Chateau Janet and safe travels. Very much coolness on the atlases, enjoy them. The Pub too sounded fun. Happy dinner at your friends turned out well and that she wasn't sick. It all sounded delicious and I'm sure you were stuffed. Her Thai shrimp recipe sounds like a winner!
Is your mom's sister still excepting her help?

Nice to hear you are up and running with your new computer Joce. It'll be fun learning everything and it seems too that you never do learn it all, at least that is true for me. I'm still discovering things and I've had mine over a year now.

Nothing much going on here. Kinda sad and disappointed today. Someone was wanting to put a formal offer on the house in SC but it never materialized. Some of the things they wanted just were not realistic and even my realtor couldn't believe their realtor was encouraging it. Example: they wanted me to put up money for them at closing ($4500), after offering a lower listing price, so they could put a fence up for their dog. That's just one example. Just sad on top of everything I'm dealing with.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Very nice Joce! I love technology, even though it confuses the heck out of me sometimes and I still swear at it sometimes too. :) Yes, the Senior's liaison sent someone out to Mom's house a week or two ago and installed bars on two walls for her by the tub. She says she has no problem now getting in and out.

Morning Linda. I think you mean my Mom's SIL and to be honest, I never heard whether or not she accepted the help in the first place. I'll find out soon I'm sure. Sorry to hear the house offer in SC didn't go through. Hang in there. Honestly, you have SO much on your plate. There's not a thing you can do about it. Breathe. Their demands were totally silly. That's ridiculous that they'd expect you to give them money so they could put up a fence for their dog. Argh. Silly. Like I say. Try and just compartmentalize it. Put it back on the shelf and go find something more pleasant to think about.

About to head off. TTYL Alligators.

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laurieg 7 years ago said:

Hi everyone!
I'll say it again. When I grow up I want to be you Janet.
Frank and I went to Wegmans for w wine tasting yesterday afternoon. We did not care for any of the wines they were offering for a taste. Mostly whites. The reds they had were pricey and not that great for the money. But we did buy quite a few bottles. They have a huge wine selection and the prices are very reasonable. We also bought some cheese that we tasted. Can't remember the name lol. We brought the cheese next door and a bottle of wine and had a quiet evening.
Today I am catching up on laundry. Went grocery shopping. Becca has been having some stomach problems so we are back to gluten free to see if that is what it is.
Frank was nice enough to take my car for an oil change and inspection sticker.
I am thinking chicken piccata for dinner. But I have some artichoke hearts I'm going to toss in.

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laurieg 7 years ago said:

Linda it isn't unusual for buyers agents to push that stuff. They have to do what the buyer says. That said it is totally a sellers market right now with more buyers than inventory so there will be another offer or they will come back once they realize the deal they are getting from you.

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

I miss Wegmans! We don't have them down here, it's a great grocery store.
Thanks for the encouraging words Laurie. It's crazy how they sell houses in SC/NC. So different than in NJ or even here in FL. One of the other things were that they wanted a 30 day hold on the property for $500 ... meaning that they wanted 30 days to make up their mind if they really wanted to buy the house and for that convenience they would put up $500 ... I wouldn't be able to entertain any other offer and if within 30 days they wanted to walk away they were free and clear to do so. If on the 31st day or after they wanted to walk I would get to keep the $500. My realtor has been great and very professional and realistic. Even she was mortified at the offer being so out of whack.

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

Are there certain foods that trigger Becca's stomach issues or certain times a day that it bothers her? Does she feel better having an empty stomach or full? I don't want to be an alarmist but it could be an ulcer. Even the tiniest one can be very bothersome ... I know I had one.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

LOL Laurie. Too bad you didn't care for the wines at the tasting. :( Wine, cheese and a quiet evening.....that's my definition of a good night. :) Sorry to hear Becca is having stomach issues. Have you brought her in to see the Dr. recently or for her stomach? I know you've said before she gets upset about things sometimes and stress often causes stomach problems too I think.Nice of Frank to take your car in for an oil change. Chicken PIcatta sounds lovely."

Jim and I got to Montebello around 2:30. Decided to go into the little town for lunch before checking in. I'd done a bit of homework on Trip Advisor on local restaurants so we tried one on my list called "Le Cafe Entre Amis". The owner was super friendly. He and his wife just moved here from Edmonton, Alberta 18 months ago. They've been getting great reviews on their place and business has been increasing steadily. I had the Quesadilla and Jim had a Croissant Club sandwich. Very nice presentation and it was very tasty. We will likely go back there for breakfast. Booked in to the Restaurant here this evening.

They upgraded our room. An advantage of coming midweek off season, :) so we have a nice large corner room with a view of the Ottawa River. LOVE this place. :)

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LindaLMT 7 years ago said:

Lovely Janet! So nice to get an upgraded room. Enjoy your stay!

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laurieg 7 years ago said:

That is crazy Linda but we just had the same thing with one of our properties. They had it in their contract that they could change their mind after a second showing of the property? What why not just see it again and decide right away. We said no to that.
We have so much crazy stuff go an at work it should be a reality tv show. lol I text frank last week " I seriously can't make this shit up!"
Becca's stomach issues are relatively new. It only started about two weeks ago after she eats. I made the chicken piccata gf and served over gf pasta and she said she feels fine. She is a stressball and sees a councilor but not much we can do about it. It's her personally.

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Thanks Linda.

That would make a very good reality show Laurie. I know there are similar ones but ones that show people dickering back and forth over the final decision to buy. That'd be entertaining for sure. Glad dinner agreed with Becca.

Went for a swim and a hot tub. Dinner in 45 min.

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notyourmomma 7 years ago said:

Please send healing thoughts to Krumkake, Sally McGraw. She is in very ill health. Daughter Erin posted on her behalf for prayers on Caring Bridge.

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notyourmomma 7 years ago said:

On a lighter note, Olivia made a fabulous dinner last night, with only verbal instructions from me. Homemade garlic parsley butter on French bread, Bearnaise sauce, scallops with lemon sauce, filet mignon, roasted asparagus, smashed red potatoes, mushrooms stuffed with goat cheese and spinach, sugared strawberries and blueberries on store bought angel food cake. Scotty got home from work at 12:45 a.m. They ate by candlelight at 1:00 a.m. I can only imagine the heartburn. She even set the table with linens, flowers and real dishes not paper plates.

Guess who cleaned the kitchen?

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chuckieb 7 years ago said:

Healing thoughts going out to Krumkake. Sorry to hear that Tina. :( Yay Liv! That's one amazing dinner. NICE! Young people don't get heart burn. :) I know who cleaned the kitchen. :) Good to see you check in.

Dinner was insanely good. I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

Night all!

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