Valentine's Weekend and Snow! February 13 - 18th

For Valentine's Day, Ray booked us into the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo for two nights. We're there for Valentines Day and also attending the April Wine Concert on Sunday night. The last time we stayed at the Bastion was Valentines about 25 years ago. 

Friday we left about 10 am so we could get our shopping done, Costco etc. before picking up Amelia from daycare. We're looking after her for the rest of the day and evening as her parents have plans to go for dinner and attend a Ballet in Duncan. We also wanted to leave our purchases at their house, so it wasn't left in the car overnight at the hotel. We'll pick it up on Monday before heading home to the lake.

Amelia's happy to see us and the daycare released her to us after showing our ID. Glad they have security measures. Her daycare is just a short ways from their house. It's a really sunny warm afternoon so, after her snack, we took her to the cul de sac a block away. She rode her bike and Olaf got a bit of a walk. 

Her choice for dinner is to have sushi, even though Jason tells me she had it with him the day before lol  Both Ray and I played a bunch of games with her for the rest of the evening.

Amelia even has her own chopsticks.

Olaf is a big suck, always craving attention, which Ray's happy to give

Jason and Kristi ended up not going to the Ballet.... their friends they were going out with have a sick kid so their babysitter cancelled. The restaurant they booked don't take kids, so they had to change restaurants for food that wasn't so good as baby had to come with. After all this, they were not in the mood to go to the show, so came home. 

Saturday morning they were out the door by 8:30, heading to Victoria for the day, visiting family and friends. We moved a little slower and headed out about 9, hitting a bakery for breakfast before heading to mall to just wander around. We usually go in different directions and meet up in an hour or so.

We decided to stop in at Carlos O'Bryan's Pub on the water for lunch. They were extremely busy as it's Valentine's day and had lots of reservations for the whole day. Dinner time especially. We were lucky that we got there at 11:30 and were able to get a table. Ray had their lobster roll, which was just OK. I had the flatbread margarita pizza which was tasty.

After lunch, we took a chance to see if we could check-in early and were in luck. We have a very nice room on the 14th floor facing the inner boat harbour. Ray hoped we would face north as the view is better, but this isn't too bad at all. The hotel is fully booked this weekend, being Valentines and the Victoria Symphony playing tonight. All 44 members stay in the hotel. Sunday night is the April Wine concert, so more people staying.

Our view.

We can even see Mount Baker.

and the Hullo Ferry.

Ray slipped out to the liquor store just down the road to get me some Carolan's for my coffee tomorrow, at least that was his excuse. lol He came back with flowers, champagne and Purdy's chocolates that he had stashed away without me noticing from the mall. What a guy! Love you too.

The hotel even dropped off a Valentine's gift for us, Nanaimo's famous "Nanaimo Bars".

We had a nice afternoon watching the world go by out our window. Ferries going back and forth and small boats coming into the harbour. I certainly enjoyed my champagne. :) A beautiful sunny and warm afternoon.

Ray managed to get a 7 pm reservation for dinner at a restaurant two blocks away, the Melange. All the restaurants were totally booked as it's Valentine's Day and the Victoria Symphony. Dinner was delicious.  They had a special menu for Valentine's. Ray ordered Confit Duck Leg and I the Cornish Game Hen.

A bit of a sunset and night lights from our hotel.

The Bastion

Sunday, we had coffee in our room, mine with Carolan's :). Ray went to the bakery around the corner that was supposed to be open for 24 hours, but it wasn't open as one of the baker's didn't show up.  He made a second run later in the morning bringing back stuff for us to eat.

Once it warmed up a bit, we headed out to walk the waterfront promenade for an hour. Ray of course took pictures at the beautiful view. This hotel is so close to everything downtown within walking distance. A little more cloud today. but it's not raining or snowing so we'll take it.

The Nanaimo Harbour is where a guy was arrested a few weeks ago breaking into a remodelled tug boat, causing lots of damage. Then arrested again for returning to the same spot. (Ray here, out justice system is such a joke for repeat offenders).

The Coast Mountain Range on the mainland.

Spring has sprung in Nanaimo with the flowers starting to bloom.

Back to the room to warm up.

Lunch today is at the Old City Station Pub. We'd heard they have great Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwiches. (They did!) Again a 2 minute walk from the hotel. They also have daily lunch specials for $10.99. Today's is a BLT and fries. Great deal for us seniors. They have 24 beer on tap, including Ray's Iota N/A, and TV's everywhere. Definitely a sports bar atmosphere. Beautiful decor with brick walls and lots of old looking woodwork.

"The building originally housed the Nanaimo Daily Free Press, a historic newspaper established in the late 19th century and instead of moving all the printing presses when they sold the building in mid-1900's, they just cemented them into the floor in the basement so the basement is now only 4 feet tall."

Lots of old buildings in this area.

After lunch we wandered into a few of the stores on the way back to the hotel. 

Back to the hotel for the afternoon. Dinner tonight is here in the hotel's restaurant Minnoz, at 4:30 as all other times were taken until 8 pm. That's when our concert starts next door at the Port Theatre. I snagged the last reservation yesterday when we arrived.

We shared Chef Allan’s Tableside Seafood Chowder. "A soup with Quebec roots and a showstopping experience! B.C. salmon, Salt Spring mussels, and succulent shrimp in a creamy chowder, flamed tableside with vodka and Pernod for a dramatic finish." Served with garlic bread. Quite the show making it tableside.

First goes in the vegetables and flamed with orange vodka.

Second flameup with Pernod.

Next seafood and cream sauce.

TADA! Ray said it's one of the best seafood chowder he's ever had.

Ray had the Sous Chef Rob’s Braised Short Ribs. "Melt-in-your-mouth Canadian boneless short ribs, braised and glazed with black cherry demi-glace. Served with yam and rosemary gnocchi and market vegetables." He said it's delicious other than he's not fond of any gnocchi.

I had the Crab & Lobster Ravioli. "Served with lemon–tarragon, grainy mustard cream sauce, Parmesan, and garlic bread." Unfortunately the mustard overpowered any seafood flavour and was kind of gummy. Not the best meal for the price.

Eating so early we had a couple of hours to wait in our room before walking next door to the Port Theatre. Our first date 50 years ago was April Wine at a concert in April 1976. 

The show started at 8 pm and the band played straight through for 90 minutes before leaving for the night. No 20 minute intermission as described. lol I would be surprised if there was many people under 50 years of age there. You could tell by the grey/balding hair and how many people had to leave the performance to go to the bathroom :) Apparently it's a sold out concert.

Security is pretty tight about filming with phones and were always circulating telling people to shut their phone down. I took some pictures before it was announced to video lol The Band even said the audience could take pictures of them. but security still went around talking to people anyways. Pretty weird for a rock concert.

Here is a short video of their opening song, Oowattanight, Ray's favourite song of theirs.

Near the end of the concert they had all us old farts up dancing in the aisles. What a great concert.

Back at our room by 9:45. I drank some wine and we watched some TV with the Olympics before turning in at 11. What a great Valentines weekend. Thanks a bunch sweetie. I'd booked this concert mid-July, so definitely didn't expect all of this at the same time.

Monday morning we slept in later than usual and had a quiet morning before packing up and heading to the kids to pick up our Costco stuff before heading back to the lake. It is supposed to snow later today so it will be nice to be home before it starts.

We arrived home by 10:30 am after stopping at Country Grocer for something fresh for dinner.  After unpacking we relaxed for the day. I was dissapointed in some of the food we ate, so decided to make a great rib steak dinner for the two of us for tonight. Rib steak with a mushroom demiglace, roasted tomatoes with some balsamic, mashed potatoes with fresh dill from my aerogarden and sauteed carrots and cauliflower in a curry spiced honey orange sauce. It was delicious!

Ray has finished my greenhouse. The platform is done as well, only problem is that the greenhouse does not fit on top of the platform under the sundeck lol He only had 7" leeway and with the platform it is too tall. This means that we (he lol) will have to unbolt the greenhouse (4 bolts) from the platform to store in the winter time.

Now for spring to come so I can plant. :)

Tuesday we had a skiff of snow a couple of times, nothing substantial. 

Recieved this picture of our Granddaughter Stella from Squamish, enjoying the hover soccer ball we bought her in November when she was over visiting.

The next few days we did inside chores, laundry, exercise class etc. Ray spent a bunch of time doing his puzzle. His shoulder is still pretty sore after wacking it last week.

Super Bowl Sunday - Yay Seahawks! - Feb 2 - 12

Ray's been busy in the workshop, making the base for my new little greenhouse. Otherwise we went to our "Fit For Life" exercise class at the arena Wednesday and Friday. Thursday we were treated to an awesome sunny day. First weiner roast of the season. Felt like spring. 

Took this picture from Google as I forgot to take a picture lol Dinner Friday night. I made a Prawn and scallop pasta. Yum

Saturday, Jason, Kristi and Amelia came to stay overnight. First they stopped for a walk at Stocking Creek in Ladysmith. What a wet day, but dogs and kids need exercise anyways, no matter the weather! After that they met friends for lunch then headed to our house.

Even Olaf has a raincoat.

Ray, Kristi and I went to a local production including dinner at the arena. Jason decided to stay here with Amelia so I could go to the show. It was hilarious! He headed back to Nanaimo after we got back as he had a course to attend in the morning.

I managed to get seats up in the front, facing the stage so no neck twisting.

Amelia slept through the night, which is great as she's been waking up all week for Jason. Of course Amelia and I made pancakes for breakfast.

After they took Olaf for his walk, Kristi and Amelia left at 10:30, back to Nanaimo. A great visit.

Back at home, Amelia is "working" with Dad in the workshop, making a bear. Jason says he is not a "craft" person. His idea of crafts is working in his woodshop, so that's what Amelia is learning to do. She even has proper ear muffs and safety glasses that fit her. I imagine that when she grows up, will be a very accomplished adult who can make or fix anything.

Sunday is Super Bowl day. We were invited to Mike and Debra's (next door) for the party. I made chili and there was tons of other great food. There were about 20 of us.

Here is their Mimosa Tower! I think it was refilled twice to go along with a whole bucket of jello shooters in team colours.

A great game day and the favoured team won! Yay Seattle Seahawks!

Monday we headed into Duncan for my pedicure and Ray's nails cut. First though, a breakfast at the Doghouse Restaurant. Ray ordered his usual 2 pieces of cream pie! Banana and Coconut Creme. I actually had breakfast.

Back home by1 pm, just before it started sprinkling with rain again. Ray went outside anyways and pressure-washed our car. We've been planning on getting it washed for 2 weeks, but it rained every day.

Tuesday, we went out for lunch with Warren and Deb, from across the lake. As we were not getting picked up until 1 pm, and we didn't have breakfast, we decided to go to Jake's at 11 am and watch the Olympics, Women's hockey Canada vs USA. (Canada lost badly) We shared a plate of wings and it was cocktail special day so I had two lol

COWICHAN TIKI: Havana Club 7 year rum, amaro, pineapple juice, orange juice, fresh lime, simple syrup and soda

BELLINI: Blended Absolut peach vodka, peach syrup and lime, with red wine

Back home for 12:30 and we were picked up shortly after. Today's destination is the Mount. Benson Pub at the golf course in Chemainus. They have the most delicious fish and chips special on Tuesdays, $2 off. Best fish I've had in a long time, especially for $13.95.

Back home Warren and Deb visited for an hour before heading back across the lake. A lovely catch up.

Wednesday, Ray's busy downstairs working on finishing up my greenhouse. Although the directions said 2 people 4 hours ..... Bahhh Humbug! Although I must admit the directions did not include making a moveable base for it.

Unfortunately at this point, on his way downstairs to finish screwing in the wheels, he missed a step, and rammed his shoulder into the doorframe. No exercise class for him today. Hurts to lift his arm. Hopefully this is just a temporary problem. At our age we don't bounce back as easily when we hurt ourselves.

Thursday, quiet day here. Ray taking the day off as his shoulder is still really sore. Tomorrow off to Nanaimo to babysit Amelia for the evening.

End of January already! Lots of kitchen time! Jan 24 - Feb 1st

Sunday, I met up with Kristi and Amelia at 1:30 pm, at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. I bought tickets to Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella Musical.  This will be Amelia's first "show". Hopefully she can sit for the 2.5 hours. (She managed, just barely lol)

The rest of the week was quiet. Wednesday with the sun finally out, we took a trip to Nanaimo for some shopping. We went to Hartmann and Co. Furniture to pick out a new couch and chairs. Our LazyBoy couch is falling apart on the corners. It's 8 years old but the edges are all cracking. Who knew when you bought a leather couch, half of it is vinyl??? Same on our recliners. Also, LazyBoy internal frame is all 2 x 4's and other strips of wood, then stuffed with "fluff" before stapling the leather/vinyl. Ray wanted to get something this time that would stand the test of time and be 100% leather all over. 

After 2 hours we ordered our new furniture and it will arrive in 4 months! These pictures are not the colour we selected. We chose Graphite for both the chairs and couch. Brown with a hint of grey. They are all motorized for back and footrest separately. Lithium batteries you have to charge with a cord every now and again.

Very modern with a Norwegian style and moulded, no wood. They should take up less room too. The couch is a wall hugger so should not interfere with Ray's Christmas Village next year.

The couch will be 3 sections, not as shown. We also ordered head protectors made of washable fabric. This is just an example shown, our material is the same colour as the chairs and couch so hardly noticeable. That is the area where the leather will break down first.

Next up, a stop at McLaren's lighting where Ray finally managed to find new wall sconces. He's been looking for 6 years as the ones we have do not point straight up at the beams, which is what he wants. They will be installed in the next few weeks by our electrician. No ladders for Ray!

Our main reason for a trip to Nanaimo was that Jason had a scheduling conflict, taking Amelia to swimming lessons while Kristi needed to be picked up from the hospital after a test done under GA.

Back home for 4pm. A successful day.

Thursday another rainy day. The LazyBoy guy finally came with the part to fix Ray's recliner. As you can see, all wood inside.

Today was also a kitchen day! I made a batch of chili and fresh buns, so invited Mike and Debra over for dinner. We've been invited to their SuperBowl party, Feb 8th,  and I wanted to make sure the chili is acceptable to make. It is. :)

With everyone busy with travel and family, it'd been some time before we actually managed a visit to catch up. Other 3 sets of neighbours are all enjoying the sunshine in Cabo!

Friday, another wet miserable day. Today I made Ray a brunch hash and then Lamb Shanks for dinner. He did not complain :)

Saturday, still raining, so we drove to Duncan to do some shopping and get out of the house. My fridge is empty lol, so needed to stock up on veggies. We stopped for lunch at a new to us restaurant, for chinese food....Guangzhou Garden Restaurant, it was'nt great. Strike that one off. Back home by 1:30 and relaxed for the rest of the day.

Sunday, finally no rain. We moved the temporary recliner back downstairs (it was the one we bought for the Motorhome a couple of years ago) and brought another chair we have back upstairs.  I decided to make a seating area for Ray behind the TV so we could look outside on dark days. It's brighter sitting there. The previous owner of this house had a sitting area in the alcove.

I've ordered new plastic panels for the Gazebo on the deck, so we can sit out there in the winter. They should be here next week. In advance of that, I ordered a new couch for the deck. The other one is so low you felt like you were going to hit the floor when you sat down. Although I don't usually sit on that couch, our company does and most of us have trouble with knees and getting up is a bit difficult. (Dianne and Pat) I may use the old one in our sitting area patio in the front of the house as we have occasional visitors sitting out there with us. :)

Ray spent an hour today, Sunday, putting it together for me. 

More time in my kitchen today. I'd bought a box of fresh oranges on sale, on so decided to juice a bunch for breakfast today. I also used some to make buttermilk orange pancakes. Yum.

Next up prepping for dinner. Sweet and Sour pork riblets with peppers and onions. The Sweet and Sour we ate at that Chinese Restaurant was dreadful! 

Mine looked something like this. Definitely enough for 2 dinners. 

Just like that, another week went by! and it's still raining! Lake level rising back up again.