A Good Chianti

I modified a cannelloni recipe to use manicotti shells and it turned out really good, but then anything with bechamel sauce is going to be good. Am trying to get to like wine to join the crowd, so I thought I'd buy a bottle of good chianti. The label made me laugh and really did make me buy it - good marketing. The wine wasn't bad but then I am not a good judge and well truthfully kept thinking I'd rather have a beer. But perhaps if I keep at it wine will start to taste good.

It rained a lot last night so the yard got a good watering after all the cold and dry weather. Today is rainy, and tomorrow they are predicting sun and 70 degrees - now that's more like it. Yesterday and today we are fixing things around the house that are breaking (window balances, sliding glass door latches, garage door) and organizing/cleaning. I've got a bit of a cold so best just to stay inside and get some stuff done.

Bored cats

The cats are not liking this cold weather, so instead they follow me around the house. Yesterday Sidney waited right beside the shower until I finished. I imagine they are wanting me to entertain them or make the cold go away so they can have fun outside and get back to the normal routine. The weather is supposed to get better this coming week, they are predicting 57 for a high on Thursday. Finally.

Went to the BB King concert last night at the Peace Center. We had excellent seats, row D center. BB King is a little cutie really, you just want to give him a hug, he is 84 and must be a fun grandpa. His voice is still strong as ever, along with his guitar playing. The horn section was fantastic. BB King was constantly joking with the band on stage, we really got a feel for his sense of humour. I which I'd brought a real camera, the iphone picture is terrible - that is BB in the white light

Cold

The cold weather just won't leave. This morning woke up to a dusting of snow and a big ice patch in the driveway. For the last two days I've left the cats inside all day while I went to work since after being kicked outside, five minutes later they were pleading to come back in. Today they were out all day and we went for a short walk after work but they came right back inside. Discovered that Harley does not like Iam's pate, she will only eat the fancy feast 'elegant medleys'. That means more for Sidney I guess. After working out diligently each morning this week and watching my eating, I was rewarded with a one pound weight gain. No beer all week and that's what I get. The weight-loss gods must be testing me.

Puzzle

The beef last night turned out great. Shows the quality of Julia's recipes -- follow them to the letter and you will get a very good result. Andrew bought a puzzle for us to work on so this will keep us busy since it's so cold outside. I am currently reading John Le Carre's newest paperback "A Most Wanted Man". I think I'll end up reading more of his novels to take a break from all my normal non-fiction fare. Read "Up in the Air" on the plane to Vancouver, it started out ok but the ending was rather flat to me. Very easy to visualize George Clooney in the lead. I hope the movie has a better screenplay.

Icy Weather

Yesterday I planted an apple blossom amaryllis bulb, in 5-6 weeks there should be blooms. We are in a stretch of unseasonably cold weather, highs on in the 30s and lows in the 20s. Ice on the beaver pond and the beavers are still active, giving Harley some smells to sniff on our short forest walk. Too cold on the hands to bring a beer or walking stick. Andrew is cooking Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon for dinner tonight. I hope we eat before 10pm, he is a slow cook and it's a very long recipe.

New Year 2010

Went for a forest walk with the cats this afternoon, it was 49 degrees or so and nice and sunny. The corps has been draining the lake while we were away for Christmas in Vancouver. There won't be any canoeing for awhile I guess. Hard to believe that just a few weeks ago I was canoeing by myself in Davis Creek and all this vegetation was submerged.

I actually did a workout this morning -- one of many resolutions is to work out everyday. Let's see how that goes! I want to be in shape for skiing in March. My horrible out of shape skiing at Whistler last week nearly killed my legs, I got cramps which I've never had before and was afraid I would lose ability to command them. Total exhaustion at the end. Motivation to do better next time!

Extreme Drought

After driving home from the airport and mowing the grass, I took the cats on a forest walk to see the big beaver dam. We are in extreme drought conditions now, but still I was shocked to see the little stream we must jump over has totally dried up. Sidney always drinks here on the way back from our walks, so now she'll have to wait until we get home. At the small beaver dam, I saw a huge heron which squawked and flew away. There is not much left of our little pond, I guess all the fish we saw jumping earlier this year have either died, been eaten, or been lucky enough to make it into the tree channel where the big beaver dam is helping to keep some water there. After passing by the small beaver dam, we made our way to the big beaver dam which I couldn't see but it was obvious that it is successful in keeping some water around. Lake Hartwell is 14 feet down below normal right now, so beyond the big beaver dam is totally dry dirt. After the cats sniffed around a bit, we made our way back along the path to home. I finally got to see Sidney take a dump! In the 4+ years we've had her, I have never once seen her go poo, not in the litter box nor in the yard or forest. By contrast Harley routinely takes dumps right in front of us. After Sidney was finished she did not have the new found spring in her step as always exhibited by Harley, but nevertheless I am happy that things seem to be functioning perfectly well in that department. Next it was time for a roll around in something delicious, and then a relaxing time on the deck. Harley is eyeballing my beer: I can has Corona?