Three Babes in Bangers!!

For weeks, actually months - Carol, Katherine, and I were on the countdown to a "Girls Weekend" in Bangkok.  Work has been super stressful for this threesome and we were ready to escape VTE for some play time in BKK. 

At the airport in Udon.  Katherine still stunned that she is on a weekend without her hubby and kiddos!

It was unanimous that our first dinner would be at Charlie Brown's.  We all had a hankering for a feed of Mexican.  Chuck didn't disappoint!

Passionfruit margarita, anyone?

Stop #1 at Robinson's found Katherine updating her shoe collection.

Looks like she is attracting all sorts while donning this sexy puppies!

We stayed at the Mecure Residence Hotel - we all loved it.  We moved from the room to the pool to the beds to the shower - and managed to sneak in a bit of shopping too

Bedtime on evening number one.  I think we made it to 10:30pm.  I know, we're party animals!

Up the next morning and were on a mission for espresso.  Our dear friend Katherine has the luxury of having a husband to make them for her each day.  I counted, she averaged three a day on our mini vacay - good on ya, Kat!

An "American" style breakfast at an "Italian" restaurant.  Verdict?  Not too shabby!



Carol and I had been to Bangkok a few times this year and we tend to head back to Khao San Road each time.  This is a street that caters to backpackers where you can find cheap clothes, eats, and pampering.  We were excited to share our place with Katherine.  Result?  She liked the foot rub but wouldn't head back to "the road".

Cheap entertainment.  FYI - I'm only wearing leather chaps with these!

Our home for the next 2.5 hours.  Great place for people watching while getting a foot rub.

This is the life...

Contrary to popular belief, this wasn't strawberry pudding!

Pickles anyone?

I know, I know...I look 10 days younger now....

Smooth as a baby's bottom!

After a day of shopping and getting our hair done, we had our heart set on going out for "Indian".  We had planned that before heading to the airport on our return, we would stop by IKEA for a quick spin through the joint.  Long story short...Indian never happened - but IKEA sure did.

Looking for the phone number and address of our favourite Swedish establishment.

We've arrived!

Dinner for two?!

What do you think of my new living room?  Check out the family in the picture behind me!

Shopping is so exhausting...ZZZZZZ

Had to stop for a snack.  How fitting - Swedish meatballs!

I look exactly like my mother here - WOW!

Next stop - ground floor!

Carol needed to take a rest.  She found her zen here.

We didn't exactly have the "right" uniform on for our trip to IKEA.  It seems our shoes weren't to code.

Good news - we didn't spend too much money...so Carol won't have to live in a box.

Departure morning - a restaurant in "Honey Hotel" that reminded us of Seinfeld.

After a week back at work, the three of us concur that it's time for another weekend away.  We are planning the next getaway and will keep you posted.  Long live the Girls' Weekends!!

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?