Baby it's Cold Outside!

Hey there peeps!

Look who went totally AWOL for the weekend and Monday. What can I say - it's getting to be that super busy but oh so fun time of year! :o) There's lots of running around, gift buying, gift wrapping, baking, cavorting and merry-making to be had!! And in less than two weeks I'll be back in Toronto celebrating Christmas with mi familia!

Love it!!!

So let's check out what I was up to this weekend . . . . :o)

Cans4Comments - the Donation

This was pretty well priority numero uno this weekend. As soon as Saturday rolled around I tallied my Cans4Comments . . . you peeps commented 39 times in the time period!!! YAAAAAAAYYY!!! 39 cans to feed the hungry homeless.

The fiance and I headed off to the grocery store armed with money for the cans and a camera to document it all! lol When we got there we headed to the bulk can area and chose items we thought would be filling and yummy. We ended up buying cream of mushroom, cream of tomato, and veggie soups, plus a bunch of baked beans. Given the way the cans were packaged we ended up donating 45 cans! :o)

By the time we were finished taking pictures with our cans there were more than a few security guys stalking our aisle. I think it looked like we were stealing. Or were overall sketchy. You know - 'cause all thieves take pictures before they walk off with their shoplifted goodies. lol :oP

I have to say, donating those cans felt GREAT!!!! Thank-you everyone for participating. And thank-you Chris+Lynn (my brilliant wedding photographers) for cooking up the idea in the first place. Here's hoping next year is even bigger!

Get Your Move On - A Fit of Lunacy

While chilling on Sunday I happened to look outside and realized it was a ridiculously clear and beautiful day. Of course I somehow managed to forget that it was ridiculously clear 'cause it was -21C (-6F). Brrrrrr!!!! In a total fit of lunacy I suggested we take a hike in that weather. Silly moi! :oP So off we went. I bundled up in furry boots, ski jacket, ski gloves, and a toque. It wasn't the cutest look but I was warm (or something like warm). We headed to a local trail that leads up a small mountain and straight to a scenic overview of the Rockies.

Since it was so cold, Daisy had to wear her sweater.

She usually fights us when we try to put it on but once she gets outside she's happy to have it on. The poor puppy would probably freeze without it!!!

Oh what's that - you can't see her face? Here she is!

Look! It's a cute puppy and yours truly (bundled up in about 20lbs of layers). I think her sweater matches my toque. We're cute like that! :oP

The hike offered some beautiful Rocky Mountain views. This place may not have great restaurants (huge understatement) or great shopping (even bigger understatement) but it has spectacular mountain views!

 

 

For most of the hike, Daisy got to hang out off leash. She loved it!!! Of course I threw the leash back on her when the eagles started circling. If need be I was going to fight them for my puppy.

Thankfully we made it down off the hike with our puppy still in tow (no "Oregon Trail" type incidents here :oP) and only moderately frost bitten. No joke - we couldn't feel our chins by the end of the hike. Next time I'll bring a scarf . . . or wait for Spring! lol

The Eats - Nom nom nom!

The Chic Life suggested that food bloggers participate in the Holiday Cookie Challenge 2009. The idea is that for every weekend in December you bake cookies. And then you give them away - an awesome way to spread the cheer!

For my first cookie recipe I made a wonderful Martha Stewart recipe - using my massive Martha Baking book gifted to me by my mom! :o)

 

 

 

 

They turned out FABULOUS!!! Perfectly spicy and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness. Thank God I was giving them away because I would have devoured them all - Cookie Monster style! :oP

Since I was already baking I decided to keep on going and made some cranberry pound cakes.

I've been making this recipe for years and it never fails. It's a total standby that freezes beautifully and seems to make everyone go "Nom nom nom!" LOL

Given that it was SO cold outside I also downed some noodle soups this weekend. Honestly, I don't know how I'd make it through the winter without them. Homemade pho is the way to go!

In fact I think I'll hook myself up with some more pho at lunch today! Have you ever had pho? It's a meal in a bowl - fresh tasting, filling, but not overly heavy! Highly recommend it!

A Shout Out - BQ Baby!!!!

Now you're all caught up on my weekend which means I should head off to work. But I didn't want to end things without telling you about my girl Aron.

Aron blogs over at Runner's Rambles. In the last couple of years she managed to turn herself into a marathoner. And a REALLY good one at that!!! So good, this past weekend she got her BQ!!!! Which means she qualified to run the Boston Marathon!!! YAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

She's worked really hard for this and I know how much it means to her. Congrats Aron!!!! :o)