Shacked up

How did my Honey Hippo spend his vacation? Moving in to the old homestead. The hustle and bustle is yet to settle with pieces of Hippo slowly assimilating into the collective house. Much like the end product from the movie Prestige, duplication seems to be everywhere...two vaccum cleaners, two toasters, two DVD players, two irons (exact models) and ironing boards, two black Jettas in the garage, two desktop computers. He even had another surprise for me....the installation of Satellite TV with a decoded multiple channel receiver. I don't think I could ever watch that much TV.

Did you know?

Here are a few pieces of trivia I picked up on my vacation through Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Did you know....

...there were no coopers in Williamsburg. The town people led a very modern (i.e. consumeristic) lifestyle. Everything was brought to the town but nothing was shipped out. Coopers were in business elsewhere in Virginia. Most notably on the tobacco farms.

...only 60 of the 500 colonists in Jamestown survived the bitter and diastrous winter of 1610.

...the state memorial for Pennsylvania is the largest one at Gettysburg.

...it was possible to open a bottle of wine with a piece of string. There will be more wilderness survival tips to follow from Mr. Hippo soon.

Virginia Vacation

A little summary of my vacation in Pennsylvannia and Virginia.

First on our many stops was the site of the Civil War's defining battle: Gettysburg. This is the view from the Union side at "Pickett's Charge." For here was set the high watermark of the Confederacy. After this last stand, the grays were fighting a long retreat.

Gettysburg's cemetery is the first national cemetery in America. It is also the site of Lincoln's most famous address.

Then it was off to Colonial Williamsburg. A fantastic recreation of 18th century america. The Rockfellers literally spent millions on renovating and recreating nearly every aspect of Virginia's original capital: The Capitol (seat of the lower and upper houses), the Gaol (jail in mordern day English), several houses belonging to prominent Virginians including signers of the Declaration of Independence), the Governor's Palace, and the Courthouse.

There was plenty of discussion about the queen's impending visit to Williamsburg. The town was much a buzz with preparations. Several passes were made by helicopters throughout our visit. Men in three piece black suits with sunglasses and walk-talkies casually surveyed the grounds.

There was unfortunately some misunderstanding regarding my views on the monarchy and some took offence to my views on self-government. Hippo clarified that my official charge that of being a "wanton woman."

Fortunately, her majesty herself came in person at my request (thankfully, she was in town celebrating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown) to ordered my immediate release. I wasted no time and made a hasty departure to that other Dominion.

Now, I'm back home safe and sound. Happy Mother's Day!

Susur and another birthday

Nothing says I love you bro than a dinner at Susur. Especially when your brother works as a chef in the top restaurant in Ottawa. So, Dolby-boy got reservations for his brother, his girlfriend and myself to one of the top restaurants in Toronto.

I must preface this with my first Susur non-experience. I was to have eaten here two birthday's ago. However, after going bar hopping with the Golden Boy, I was too wasted and too incoherent to show my face at dinner. However, despite having drunk two bottles of wine, several glasses of scotch and smoked a Cohiba, I did somehow manage to exercise enough judgement to call my friends at Susur to inform that of my state of inebriation. The final crowning moment of that evening was throwing up in the taxi ride home.

Thankfully, there are always second chances. So off to Susur's for another birthday dinner though not my own. It was a splendid dinner worthy of the reputation of the restaurant. The Toronto Star's food critic has lavished great praise on the food but sharply criticized the service. This was not our experience as Terence our waiter guided us every expertly through the night's culinary delights without any attitude.

As it was Dolby boy's brother's birthday, we decided on the full six course taster's menu (plus dessert) with wine pairing: Cote du Rhone Syrah and Harbordwine Chardonnay. The appetizers consisted 5 dishes: the egg tofu with pickled vegetable, five spice coated foie gras souffle and tuna topped with diced avocado set the digestive juices following.

Next was the main course. Pork tenderloin in a ginger puree coupled with pork belly stewed to perfection with pouched pear. So tender it melted on one's tongue. There was an alternate version served to the birthday boy, peeled stewed grapes with the pork belly.

The foie gras dish followed with several preparations: a seared form in blue berry sauce, a souffle form in a gamy sauce, another seared on its own, a mousse foie gras with almonds in a waffle roll. This dish also had prosciutto and caramelized apple on a bed of fennel coleslaw.

Then the guava sorbet served with a spiced dehydrated pineapple on a tray with dry ice...lovingly referred to as "smoke and mirrors" by the restaurant staff. This was followed by a very Cantonese style corn and sake soup of lobster, prawn and scallop paired with tempura coated spider crab and plantains. This was followed by my personal favourite, seared tuna topped with edible flowers and Dolby boy's favourite, caramelized black cod (sable fish) with spinach mousse.

The dessert really put things over the top. A two tiered platter medley of chocolate (molten chocolate ball, black forest cake, apple crisps, dark chocolate cup with caramelized cherry, mango creme brulee, apple custard, lime merange balls closed the evening. All served with orchid oolong tea (with a hint of coconut).

Afterwards, there was a tour of the kitchen's of Lee and Susur as well as the private function room at Susur by the general manager. Alas, there was no meeting with the man himself. Although he would make occasional appearances in the restaurant, he was busy with a film crew for the Food Network filming new series called "Over the Top Chefs."And for the birthday boy, there was one last gift: an autographed copy of A Culinary Life, Susur's biography and cook book.

Apocalypse

Judging by the dire warning of climate change scientists, you may think the end is near. Here in Milton, there have been another sent of warning signs of a ominous change to come. First, there was the flood on the labour and delivery ward. This was followed by the "odd" noises in the floating-tile ceiling. This was later attributed to a squirrel when its dropping were found. The creature has never been seen and really, how on earth did the creature get up into the ceiling in the first place? Today, the hospital is beset with a plague of ants. Now awaiting the hailstorm and the river of blood.

Finishing touches on the basement

What to say? Can you really describe the joy that a heated ceramic floor gives you? A walk-in shower with a seat and hand-held shower head that is big enough for two. In the main living room, soft lighting from potlights on a dimmer switch with a floating ceiling to provide access to the plumbing and the electrical. Can't wait for the built in closet and shelving to be installed next.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air and nothing sings of spring more than flowers....in this case carved veggie flowers of course. The occasion to make the start of this new beginning was was Ms Crowded House and her hubby, Dictator K, combined birthday dinner at Sushi Kaji. The chef did not disappoint serving up a splendid mix (save one thing).

First, there was a crab croquette with lotus root chip. Then came an appetitzer of cold soba noodles with stewed clam and scallop which was followed by a hot beef and watercress soup. The next dish was a fried fish smothered with shitake mushrooms and snow peas greens. A plate of sashmi dish and penultimately, a medley of nigri from tuna belly to lobster completed the main course.

Alas, the disappointment was a somewhat suspiciously slimy tastless fish egg mousse. This makes the overall experience less satisfying as Kaiseki Sakura or Toju. However, the dessert (a lime merangie with fresh fruit) to a lesser degree and the company of good friends to a greater degree did make up for this.

Everybody's Birthday

The Lunar New Year is not a one day affair. Instead, the chinese have made it a nearly two week celebration. On the seventh day of the new year, "everybody's birthday" is the theme. On this day, everyone essentially becomes a year old at the same time. In honour of this, the traditional noodle dish is prepared (the dish with the tongs). Noodles signifying long life in the ancient chinese tradition. Prawns when said in cantonese is a homonym for laughter...HA! Everyone should celebrate life with joy. The mushroom dish is another new year staple. In cantonese, it is the homonym for Fatt Choy (prosperity). Naturally, the king of the oinkers was also eaten. Actually, given its size, we'll likely be eating the remains of the pig throughout the year.

Wii Wii Wonderful

I am not very much of a videogame player. Actually make that I am not a videogame player. I have tried out various systems from X-box to the P3P and Gamecube at various parties but didn't really understand the appeal. Enter Wii.

I receive the console quite by accident after a colleague of mine chanced upon it at the shelves of the local Walmart. She bought the last two units. One was snatched up by yours truely. The other was purchased by another colleague of mine who is equally disinterested in video games (but who has a four year old boy).

What fun was had that evening at the homestead. Bowling, tennis, boxing....all played with the full furor of competition. Even my father got into the action and turns out is quite a wicked Wii bowler.

Drenched in the sweat, massaging my Wii elbows and wrists, I smiled and gazed about the room. I realized that there was a rabid videogame addict in each and everyone of us.

Week 5 of Renovations.

This is it....the tiles were set in the floor and in the bathroom stall. The vanity and the toilet arrived and the plumbing was hooked up. The trim was nailed in and then columns were constructed around the supporting pillars. The place is just about ready for the big move. What's left....a few nice light fixtures, warm shelving and carpet in the bedroom.

Gong Hai Fatt Choy

Welcome to the year of the Pig! Lots of tasty eats, fat ang pows and good health to all.

Reunion dinner was the traditional fare of juicy prawns, stewed mushrooms and other fungus delights and chili chicken (this is my mother's modification). All washed down with some good Syrah and Port.

Telephone calls were made to various relatives aboard including my brother in law to whom I dedicate these pictures of the snow which fell last Wednesday. Next time he visits Canada to see snow, I would suggest a trip around the Chinese rather than Western New Year.

Week 4 of Renovations

We were blanketed with over 25cm of snow this week. This really slowed the work down for our renovations as the floor tiles could not be delivered until Thursday. The electrician though did manage to install the pot lights and the wiring for the heated ceramic tile floor in the bathroom. The floating ceiling went up and our carpenter Manuel made a bannister for the stairs. The stairs, basement entrance door and bannister were all stained. The countdown to the finish is on.

The anti-Valentine

Now that I have found a love of my own, many have asked if my opinion of Valentine's Day has changed. A hallmark marketing creation designed to sell cards in the coldest month of the year remains a devious holiday.

Those fallen roses (usually of such poor quality they lasted barely a day), discarded candy and chocolate boxes (more pounds to add to that obesity factor), must-have reservations to some romantic restaurant (where the prices are jacked up for this very special day).....all for what? Like Christmas and Halloween, this holiday needs to be rescued from the hands of materialism. Many countries have taken to burning the manifestations of Valentine's day citing them as evidence of the corrupting influence of the West.

This year, Mother Nature was aligned with this view. She blanketed most of southwestern Ontario, the martimes and the Northeastern USA in over 25 cm of snow. This coupled with an extremely frosty wind chill kept the holiday at bay.

Remember those kids who didn't get a Valentine card on February 14th. Another popularity contest designed to destroy self-esteem. This holiday is detrimental for singles and couples alike. The former dubbed this day as Singles Awareness Day and the latter as Extreme Relationship Stress Day. Being single is not a disease although on Valentine's day, the state of one is regarded as that of a leper. Could you go into a restaurant as a single man/woman on this day without being stared down? Couples fair no better. Men and women alike struggle to find that perfect valentine day gift...just like the perfect Christmas present search. Disappointment invariably follows the stress.

Hence, I say "Out with Valentine's Day". After all, the celebration of love (platonic or romantic or otherwise) belongs to all the days of the year and should not be hijacked by the 14th of February.

Week 3 of Renovations

Now the ceiling stucco is applied, the doors and a new staircase are installed.

Week 2 of Renovations

The pumping is installed and the floor in the bathroom is sealed. Then the ceiling insulation goes in followed by the drywall and then the mudding.

Week 1 of renovations

In the first week, the framing was done, the insulation for warmth was brought in and the concrete drilling was done for the installation of bathroom pumping. Finally, the electrician came in to wire the basement for lights, electrical sockets and CAT5e too.

Before the renovations

Canadian winter is here at last. Frigid temperatures and lots of snow on the ground. I really missed the ole girl and was quite worried that she was never going to show up at all. Now, another surprise, the renovations of my basement which started last month are well on their way to completion. The contractors were recommended by my colleague Golden Boy. They built his deck and renovated two of the bathrooms in the family home. They not only do good work but quickly and meticulously.

These are pictures from the first day when the crew cleaned out the basement and then started the framing.