A Life, Lived

Mother Humour . . .

Travel Tuesdays - Labour Day Wandering

I was asked where my Travel Tuesday post was last week - to be honest things got out of control with work.

I'm taking a short break from Thailand pics.

Next weekend is Labour Day. Paul and I always go away for the Labour Day weekend. Here are some pics from last year.

Strawberry Basil Martini

With the development of so-called 'ever bearing' strawberries the once short season is extended although it is gradually coming to an end. We took advantage of this last night turning the last few delicious berries into this amazing drink.

I told Paul that I was mixing up a martini and he informed me that he was cutting back on alcohol consumption as a health kick. No doubt he has a doctor appointment coming up requiring blood tests. LOL I wanted to be supportive so I shelved the plans . . . until he looked at the recipe and decided one might be 'OK'.

Well folks, it was not just OK, it was an amazing drink! If you have any good, fresh strawberries near you do give it a try.

Strawberry Basil Martini

3 strawberries, plus 1 thin slice
3 basil leaves
1/2 ounce Simple Syrup
Ice
1 ounce gin
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the strawberries with the basil leaves and Simple Syrup. Add ice and the remaining ingredients and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the strawberry slice.

A Public Service Announcement

School starts in 2 weeks. Time for this important reminder.

 

Sleeping with a Pet

Pet owners everywhere will get this . . .

We have a king-sized bed. I am one of those folks that sleeps deeply and does not move around. Paul, on the other hand, is known as 'kicky'. Because of this the cats generally avoid his side of the bed . . . my side of the bed, on the other hand . . . LOL

The 22nd ETFO Annual Meeting

This is the view from my hotel room where I will be spending the next week. The 22nd ETFO Annual Meeting takes place at the Sheraton hotel. Yes, I have been to all 22. I must admit, some of that early excitement has worn off a bit after all of these years. :-)

Over the next 4 days we will debate resolutions that will set the direction for the organization, pass a budget, elect a new Provincial Executive, hear from inspirational speakers, and most importantly - reconnect with colleagues from across the province.

Do you Get This?

Another Shooting in the US

Two actually - both perpetrated by radicalized white males with access to guns.

Cue this . . .

Travel Tuesday - Bangkok

A few more shots from my recent stay in Bangkok for this week's Travel Tuesday post.

Thai Cooking Class

It is had to believe that two weeks ago I was in Bangkok. The Congress Opening Ceremonies started at 4 and I had the day free. I booked a cooking class figuring 'when in Thailand . . .' I've taken a few Thai cooking classes but was looking froward to trying the real thing.

The instructions were pretty good - I knew that the class fronted on to a main street but you entered the building off of a back alley.

Now normally I'd not venture down a dark alley like that but the lure of a cooking class was great.

Once everyone arrived we headed out on a Tuk Tuk to the market.

The market was authentic - this was a place for locals to shop  . . . not tourists. Our instructor took us around and showed us various things. We all had market baskets to carry and soon they were full of the ingredients for the class.

Back at the studio we were ushered up to the air conditioned eating area and left with iced tea to recover from the heat, humidity, sights, smells, and sounds of the market.

Our assistant came and got us about 15 minutes later and brought us to the cooking studio. We each had a cooking station. All of the ingredients we needed for the first recipe - Green Curry Paste were measured and prepped. The instructor showed us the technique and then we were off.

When our curry paste was finished we were shown how to use it to make a green curry chicken with Thai eggplant.

The second dish was tom yum gai soup.

Once our soup was finished the instructor showed us how to make Coconut Sticky Rice which we would eat for dessert with mango.

Then we were shown how to make the classic Thai street food - Pad Thai.

Finally we went back up to the eating area (mercifully cool) and all of our dishes were brought to us to enjoy.

What a feast!

I've said it to a few people - the worst meal I ate in Thailand was better than the best Thai food I have had in North America and the food we made in the cooking class was truly amazing.