Toad in the hole!

The Davidson-Kent family graciously invited Carol and I over for dinner.  Now, this is not just a 'regular' dinner - it was "Toad in the hole" night!! 

(Toad in the hole is a traditional English dish consisting of sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter, usually served with vegetables and onion gravy. The origin of the name "Toad-in-the-Hole" is often disputed. Many suggestions are that the dish's resemblance to a toad sticking its head out of a hole provides the dish with its somewhat unusual name. It is rumoured to have been called "Frog-in-the-Hole", at one time, although little if any evidence corroborates this assertion.It can also be referred to, less popularly, as "sausage toad") (Wikipedia).



I followed Jon around the kitchen trying to figure out how he was making this most popular dish.  What I concluded was:
 
     1)  Wrap sausages in bacon - A Davidson twist...not traditional
     2)  Get pan piping hot and place sausages or toads in
     3)  Place the amazingly fragrant rosemary infused Yorkshire pudding batter on top
     4)  Put in hot oven and bake for 40 minutes
     5)  If I got this wrong, Jon will have to make it again for me...shucks!!

Ruby was patiently waiting as dinner was served.  She was eager to be dining on "toads", mashed potatoes, onion gravy, and leeks! 7:00pm is awfully late for dinner she thought...

Louis could hardly contain his excitement.  Rumour had it, he was pretty thrilled to be sharing this most awesome meal with Carol and I - his favourite Canadians!!

With precision, Jon cut the Yorkshire pudding with kitchen scissors and plated this most amazing dish!



Thank goodness Carol snagged the camera.  I was so excited to dive into this culinary masterpiece that I forgot to finish taking pictures.  Onion gravy - first time trying it and it was DELISH!!



Ruby didn't have much to say as she rolled up her sleeves and got down to business.  After two helpings, Louis was proud of his empty bowl!!



While dinner digested, Carol and I read stories and got cuddles from two of our favourite kiddos. 

After the beauties were in bed, the adults finished off the evening with "Christmas Pudding".  Jon whipped up some cream and whiskey butter - all diet of course.

Dinner with Jon, Linda, Louis, and Ruby is always such a special treat.  As we were saying our good-bye's I heard rumblings that the next feast could very well be Portuguese -themed.  Luckily for me, my dance card is empty and I await the invitation!

A Week With Mom

Last November, my mother embarked on a secret mission to Arizona and bought hers and Dad's retirement home.  In months previous, they pounded the hot pavement but Mom ultimately made the decision when she returned.  They revealed the new house last Christmas while visiting my three sisters in Toronto while I was riding camels in Egypt.  This Christmas I headed to Surprise, Arizona to the sub-division of "Sun City Grand" where I would see the fancy place where all my inheritance was spent!!  After a week with my parents and two of my sisters and a quick trip to Vegas I was looking forward to spending a week alone with mom.

We were extremely lucky with the weather and managed to get ourselves up, pack a cooler, and wolf down some breakfast before heading to the Cimarron - which is one of two activity centers in the community (the other was Adobe).  But, before swimming, we had to nosh on fresh grapefruits from the back yard!!

Here I am, sporting the terry towel beach cover up and $5 glasses ready for the pool!!



The start of the day found Mom and I laying by the pool.  We were either reading, talking, swimming or walking laps.  We were creatures of habit and sat in the same two chairs each day - moving of course at noon to secure prime bathing locale!



On New Years Eve, we headed for our favourite cuisine - Mexican.  Sadly, neither of us made it to midnight and I blame that on the food coma we had!

At first blush you would think that all Mom and I was become bronze beauties and eat out.  You will be surprised to know that we logged more hours outlet and discount shopping than anything else.  My 13 pound overweight luggage - times two was indication!  Macy's, Dress Barn, Shoe Company, Torrid, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, Ross for Less, etc, etc. etc...

Mom and I enjoyed some mother-daughter time over several dinners, lunches, and snacks by the pool.  (She also introduced me to some smutty "Reality TV").  Here are a few of my new favourites:



I guess this means the next time I see Mom, she will be accompanying Dad on a long journey here.  I wonder what I'll feed them when they arrive?  Sticky rice?  Fish?  Street meat?

Vegas, Baby!!

My "Blog Nazi", otherwise known as Rob and I decided to meet up in Vegas while both on the same continent.  Now, all of you know that I am quite the planner...Rob is no different, so he knew that all the planning would be put in my hands.  Secretly, we were both okay with this!  For several months we were on the countdown - okay, I was.  Weekly, and sometimes daily I would remind him of how many 'sleeps' it would be until he saw my incredibly cute self. (http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html). 

After ten days with my parents and sisters it was time to board the plane for three sleeps in Sin City!!

Rob had one very important job while planning for our trip, and that was to find a fabulous room.  He knocked this one out of the park as we stayed at Steve Wynn's "Encore".  The 55th floor brought amazing sites and also a $25 fee for moving anything in the minibar!!!!

 

I am sad to report that after as much travelling as I've done in the past few years, I sucked very much at taking any sort of touristy pictures.  The first night we headed to a fabulous Mexican restaurant in the MGM Grand - "Diegos".  We both managed to wolf down enchiladas, some table-side guacamole, and for all you blog followers - I sucked back a sangria in record timing. 

We didn't seem to do a very good job at taking pictures, but we did find some fabulous places to nosh at!  After a sleep in, we headed to Caesar's Palace for some breakfast at Serendipity 3.  I was sad that we missed the 'brunch' which ended at 11:00am, but our lunch was "super awesome" - Rob.  A cool diner setting, we did some serious people watching inside!

After what felt like 41 hours of walking, Rob was a trooper and took me to buy some flip flops (I forgot my comfies in AZ).  Back to the hotel for a quick nap and then we were off for a great night of sushi and the sites of Sin City.  Our first stop was "Sushi Twister".  I was in charge of choosing dinner on this particular evening and know that Rob and I both absolutely love sushi.  I was researching some places off the strip...little did I know that the cab ride would be $50 and take us past the "Thanks for coming to Vegas" sign.  I knew right then and there that I wouldn't live this down - even the cab driver didn't know where we were going.  I silently prayed that the food would be good enough to take the heat off of me!  Indeed it was!!

After dinner we were off for a tour of all things touristy on the strip.  First stop was the Sirens show at Treasure Island.  Next to the Mirage for the volcano show, then to the Bellagio for the fabulous water show.  Rob and I both loved our last leg of the tour - Fremont Street.  It was awesome...but then we were exhausted at 11:00pm.  Yup, we're old!

 

 

 

After our big boots full of daiquiris and a very sound sleep - we figured we needed a nice big breakfast.  Imperial Palace is home to Hash House A-Go-Go.  Our eyes about popped out of our heads when breakfast was delivered.  Fried chicken benedict for me and Rob feasted on chicken and waffles.  We highly recommend this place.  Our advice - share it, you'll never finish it!!

Rob chose dinner our last night in Vegas, and he did not disappoint.  We dined at Gallagher's Steak House in New York New York.  I don't think I've ever seen a steak as big as I did there.  Don't tell my dad, but it may have been the best steak to ever touch my lips.  The company was not too shabby either!!

Bed came very quickly and it was time to board our separate planes the next morning.  Rob got lucky with the slot machines...but, all I left Sin City with was a pair of magnetic dice!!  Maybe next time!!

A fabulous time, with some super awesome company!  I can't wait to get back to Laos for a foot rub!!