Tag Archive | work

I Remember It All Too Well

Monday evening is upon me once again meaning my first 24 hours of work has come and gone without incident. Today was very different then a normal Monday though. It was an adventure of a work day. I actually spent the day in Bellingham.

Incase you ever wondered that is my “I’m waiting look”

Those two photos pretty much sum up my morning! Although it turned out to be a good day and a successful trip. I even managed to pick up a couple cases of the Starbucks refreshers.

I also got coconut covered cashews which tasted amazing on my dinner salad of mixed greens,micro greens, cilantro,dill, avocado, feta and spicy chicken breast!

While on the topic of food, check out the homemade cupcake I was given at work last night!

Serious yum! I have a weakness for lemon curd! It was delightful and I’m sure fattening as heck!!

My food choices the last few days haven’t been stellar. True story!

Saturday night beer!

Saturday night wine! Oh and 200 bucks worth of lotto scratch tickets! Never fear they were only 1/4 mine!

Sunday morning Starbucks oat fudge nom noms!

And lastly my newly filled planter!

Welcoming The Weekend

Feb20

I’ve been longing for my weekend to start since first thing this morning!!! Thank goodness the day passed relatively quickly.

As soon as I got home from work I poured a glass of wine, lit the candles, and got ready for some me time!!!!

I couldn’t have made a better choice. My bath was just what I needed. So warm and relaxing. The water was very hot and the wine was cool and crisp! Perfect combination!

I am trying my best to realize when I need to just stop and take some time for myself. Tonight was one of those nights. I didn’t feel so great by the time I got off work tonight. I was kind of nauseous and really hot. Not really sure why I felt so off but thankfully it has mostly past.

As for the rest of the night I have a date with my Pj’s and the couch! maybe some cuddles with Kev and Muff! I look forward to sharing the details of my weekend adventures with you all!

Erica

Fabulous February

Feb6

Hi friends! Sorry my updates have been so sporadic! I intended on updating last weekend but to be honest I did a whole lot of napping after a busy Thursday!

Thursday morning we were up bright and early to head into Chilliwack with my brother for his doctors appointment. He really needs to find a family doctor that isn’t a forty minute drive each way away but I digress! It was a gorgeous morning. No it wasn’t!! I lie! It was raining and cold with a side of miserable.

Even in the rain the BC mountains are majestic!

On our way home from his appointment we decided to make a pit stop at the yellow barn market.

It is sort of a step back in time when you walk through the doors. A mix of homemade bakery items, fruits, veggies, preserves, etc. I spent a long time looking at the pickles and jams but decided not to buy any. We have lots of pickles left from or summer canning and I have farm strawberries in the freezer dying to be turned into homemade jam.

Kevin and I purchased some homemade farmer sausage, pork for him and turkey for me! While pricy it is very tasty.

On the topic of pricy food products have I ever told you I am a water snob? Well I am! Whenever we are out and I forget my water bottle or finish my water I always finds self making a pit stop for more. I also find myself drawn to the Smart water which tends to be pricier then it’s generic counterparts but for some reason it just tastes better!

After our adventure we headed home and I didn’t have much time to kill before it was time to get my cowgirl on and head to the Eric Church concert! Yes folks I’m a country girl at heart! I was raised on a farm, in a farm house and had horses. I’m that fine line where country girl meets city living! In other words I have expensive taste in everything from groceries to hobbies! Grocery shopping at Whole foods then a day trail riding topped off with some wine sounds perfect to me!

Before the concert we headed to a local pub called Finnagans, near the venue for dinner and it was really good. I’d definitely go back. I ordered grilled chicken which came with veggies, mash potatoes, and a mushroom sauce. Very tasty, despite my eating less then half.

Luckily we had a never ending supply of napkins with dinner! Which if you’re anything like me is a good thing to have handy plus you never know when you might need some cleavage help right Katie!!!!

The concert was a full house, loud and awesome!

However while Thursday was a great day it left me seriously exhausted. I am still getting use to this whole business of my illness and how much it takes out of me.

The rest if the weekend was pretty low key. I hung out at home and did some grocery shopping. I had lunch on Sunday with Katie and bought some new garden owls. I have an addiction!!

I was even to exhausted to go to the Superbowl party with Kevin. This made me sad but alas I’m learning to listen to my body. I did however drown my woah is me I missed the party feelings with a cupcake!

This week at work has been pretty low key! I’m heading to the gym shortly for a repeat of Mondays awesome workout! I may also repeat Tuesdays Starbucks visit and midday cloudy Muff walk!!!

I am really hoping this weekend comes with a side of sunshine!!

For now I shall go and conquer my work out!

Later lovelies!

That’s A Mighty Big…

Jan30

Grapefruit? Orange? Lemon? No, No, And no! It’s a Pomelo and let me tell you it was a real bitch to contend to!!

The before picture

The carnage

The reward

Apparently this member of the citrus family is the largest and is chock full of vitamins and healthy junk!

I suggest you try one if you have the patients to break into one!

Is It Wednesday Yet?

Jan29

Terrific Tuesday? Terrible Tuesday? I guess time will tell!! Well friends I’ve had a busy week! Last Wednesday I left work early to venture into Vancouver to the Lupus clinic. I met with my new specialist and I have to admit I really like her. My appointment was two hours long and incredibly through. I am on new pain meds, have to go for a mile long list blood work and tests on my kidneys, gallbladder, etc. I don’t have to go back for three months unless something major arises or changes. I do however have to decide if I am going to let them do localized injections into my hips and wrists. So much to think about.

The drive into Vancouver was quiet as I think we both had a lot on our minds. The weather on Wednesday was a direct reflection of how I was feeling!

After the appointment Kevin took me grocery shopping at Whole foods to cheer me up!

We bought some yummy things but my favourite by far was a loaf of cranberry pistachio bread made my Terra breads in Vancouver. It was amazing! We also bought organic maple sausages, vegan chocolate mousse, turkey cranberry apple dinner sausages, pineapple mango salsa, etc. Have I mentioned I love Whole goods and grocery shopping!!

After grocery shopping we went to Metrotown mall and wandered around Lush, Lululemon, and the Nike store. What can I say the man knows how to cheer me up and take my mind off things!! I ended up picking out a couple of bath bombs and a new Nike tshirt for the gym.

Thursday I attempted to sleep in on the advice of my specialist. My body had other plans and I was up at 8 am!! I made a big French toast breakfast and then we headed out for the day. We took Muffin for a walk around the duck pond, went to some thrift stores and got mini cupcakes before coming home and making yummy tasting plates of pickled veggies, crackers, meat and cheese. Yummy!!!!

Afterwards I headed to the gym with my Katie and Krista for an awesome work out and some girl talk! There may or may not have been Starbucks afterwards!

Friday we spent the day in Vancouver once again. This time on the UBC campus while by brother was at the MS hospital. To pass the day Kevin and I had lunch at a pub on campus, wandered around, found Menchies for some froyo then went for a walk on the beach at Pacific Spirit Park. BC really is a beautiful province and an great place to live. We have access to the Ocean, Rivers, mountains, country and city living.

After we came home I had the epic kitchen fail as you may have read about last week! Though I did have a great run that night so they was a plus. The rest of the weekend I tried to keep it low key because I came down with a cold. The germs finally got me! Yuck. Thankfully it didn’t get too bad thanks to my daily combination of honeyand cinnamon and my water with apple cider vinegar. I have to say I was skeptical at first but I’ve never fought off a cold so quickly not easily! The cinnamon honey mix doesn’t look glamorous but it doesn’t taste bad. The apple cider vinegar is another story!

We ventured out Saturday afternoon to the pub and had lunch with some friends. I couldn’t help but giggle at Patricia when Colin ordered her a shot. She took it like a champ!

There was no drinks for me as I’m still getting use to my new pain meds. However there was a cookie!

After our adventurous couple hours out I came home, put my pj’s back on and cuddled on the couch with the pups and my man.

Yesterday morning I woke up feeling considerably better and headed off to the gym for an hour long workout before returning to work. I have Muffin with me at work this week so I’m pretty content. I keep hoping we get a break in the icky weather so we can ho out for a walk. Until then… Cuddles!

And a snack!

A Week In A Blink

Jan22

Please pardon my MIA status for the last week. I’ve been feeling very stressed with my up coming appointment at the Lupus clinic. I’ve been doing my best to keep myself occupied and busy. I succeeded at both for the better part of the last week!

Wednesday night after work my best friend, Katie and I hit Starbucks for some tea and small talk. I’ve found myself becoming more closed off these days even around those I love deeply. I think it is a combination of being unwell, the unknown, and the inability to even get out what I want to say. With that being said it was nice to have some one on one BFF time.

Thursday I ventured out to get my nails done, toes painted, and eye brows waxed! A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! Unfortunately that meant venturing outside in flip flops. Let me tell you it was not a warm experience!!!

I came home from my nail appointment to get love attacked by Maple and Muffin!

After I managed to pull myself away from the pups, Kevin and I ventured out to run some errands. We went to the wild bird store and then to edible arrangements before heading to Starbucks and to visit a friend. Our friends recently finished a kitchen renovation and oh my gosh it is seriously gorgeous!!!! So jealous! Once we got home Kevin had to force me to eat dinner before I was allowed to bust open the box of chocolate covered fruit we picked up at Edible arrangements!!!

If you have never tried anything g from E.A. I suggest you go… Go now… I will wait!! But seriously, so amazing…so not cheap! You’ve been warned!

Friday I got up early and headed to the gym. I got my workout in despite the pain!

I promise I burned more then five calories!!! I only have this photo because I’m still getting use to the iPhone! After the gym I had coffee with a friend and walked around the mall before coming home to a little family work party of wood chopping and stacking!

I was out on stacking duty because let’s face it I’m not chainsaw or axe handling material these days!!! After the work was done I was thoroughly exhausted but rallied to go out for the night with some friends. One of our friends is a musician and was playing at one of my favourite pubs! We spent most of the evening there, had dinner, some drinks then hit the hot tub!

I’m such a fan of tasting plates and this one was amazing!!! The pub makes their own marinated veggies and beer infused Dijon mustard! As well as the pretzel buns! I would order this again in a second!!!

The waitress and I become quick friends so she made sure my wine arrived as full as possible!!

The hot tub felt amazing in the freezing winter night. Thanks to my autoimmune issues I can only handle about ten minutes at a time so I got out and wrapped my self in blankets on the patio. I’m no fun!!

Saturday morning saw me power clean the house before heading into Vancouver for the day with a group of eight friends. We had a very entertaining day and a wonderful meal at a quaint little Italian restaurant.

The butter was rose buds!! I was a fan !!!

The rest of the weekend was rather low key because I was exhausted. When I think about last year at this time I get insanely frustrated because of how much my life has changed. Being sick has caused me to have to slow down. I haven’t been running and I miss it. I am going to the gym three days a week as opposed to five days a week as I was before. I guess I should be happy I’m able to go at all. I have to be honest I’m not feeling overly optimistic today. I really can’t wait until this specialist appointment is done with.

Anyways this week so far has been good. The gym yesterday was helpful temporarily in helping me forget how much I’m not enjoying my to do list this week!!

Tonight I made home made black bean burgers and they turned out awesome and of course I neglected to take a photo!!! Blogger fail!!

A few more pictures from the past week!!

Enjoy and goodnight friends 🙂

Snow Day!!!

Jan14

Good morning blog world! So we woke up to a dusting of snow this morning in beautiful Langley BC!

Thankfully I’m warm and cozy on the couch at work and don’t have to travel on the roads. Such a light dusting of snow wouldn’t be a big deal if there wasn’t a layer of ice under it! Oh well the ice factor and the fact we BC folk panic at the mere mention of snow!

Anyways yesterday started out as a laid back Sunday morning. Kevin ventured out to watch Football at the pub with his friends while I got a few things done.

I picked up a few of the new reusable Starbucks cups over the weekend and decided to give ’em a try yesterday. Thankfully my Tassimo beverage maker has a removable cup shelf or else this baby wouldn’t have fit! The cup is a grande size, made of plastic and designed to look exactly like the Starbucks to go cups. Apparently they are good for 30 dishwasher cycles or indefinite hand washes. What I take away from that is the cup will last me until I drop it on the cement or I drop something heavy on it in the sink!!! I also don’t pretend this will be much different then the multiple reusable grocery bags I own, which I only remember to take into the grocery store one in five trips!!!! But alas I like the premise behind it and I will make an effort to take it with me on my visits to Starbucks!

Please tell me I’m not the only one in love with vanilla sugar?!?!

I have a large jar of this in my pantry at all times! So simple yet so tasty. Simply fill a jar with sugar and sit a vanilla bean open and scrape out the bean and add to the jar. Every time you use a vanilla bean for baking or ice cream making place the pod in the jar and shake frequently. The longer it sits the more vanilla infused the sugar becomes. I use the sugar in all sorts of stuff, chocolate chip cookies, tea, muffins, etc.

I decided to start a little Pinterest science project. Yesterday while I was doing some meal prep I remembered reading you can grow green onions in a glass of water from the cuttings of your previous green onions!

So I made sure to leave the onion bulbs intact and simply placed them in a small cup of water and put them on the window sill. I posted about it on Facebook and got a mix of reactions. Apparently it does work, which I figured it would seeing as how I have bamboo that lives in a glass of water in my kitchen, and has for five years! I got comments saying it was a cool way to save a few cents on your grocery bill, to comments saying the onions produced aren’t as flavourful as their ground grown counter parts. I’m more doing it for the simple curiosity factor and not to save the 33 to 99 cents a bunch of green onions runs me a week!

I shall keep you posted as to the progress of my little project! I enjoy watching things grow. I can’t wait for spring!! I am looking forward to getting some herbs and veggies planted but mostly trying to devise a plan to grow baby potatoes!

I wasn’t feeling all that adventurous in the kitchen last night so I whipped up a 2 egg + an extra white omelet with ham, cheese, and green onions. I had my omelet with some Trader Joes organic silver dollar pancakes and some grapes. Quick, easy, healthy, and delicious.

Since Costco has stopped selling my favorite honey Greek yogurt I’ve gone on a search to find a suitable replacement.

I tried this little delight as my evening snack at work last night. Oikos honey Greek yogurt proved to be very good albeit pricey. Four of these little 100 gram containers ran me almost five bucks. They are 100 calories a container with 8 grams of protein, which isn’t bad at all. There small size lends perfectly to small evening snack. I would buy them again, hopefully at a sale price!

I have been snacking on oranges all weekend which is stupid two fold for me! Number one I’m allergic to oranges!! They make me itchy and sometimes give me hives just like raspberries! Which for the record I don’t shy away from either! Secondly
oranges are packed with vitamin C, and autoimmune disease sufferers should avoid high doses of vitamin C.

I just can’t help myself!

Well I guess I should do something productive work wise for a while!! Stay warm people!

Soaking Wet Sunday

Jan6

Have you ever spent time with someone who speaks just to hear the sound of their own voice? Who asks the same question repeatedly but never listens to the answer? Someone who accuses you of being cranky because you don’t have much to say at the moment? My frustration level is a little high right now. Not as high as earlier this evening but still higher then I care for.

Before this turns into a full blown rant let me change the subject. How was everyone’s Sunday? Good I hope. The majority of mine was delightful. I got up early and cleaned the house. I mean who doesn’t love cleaning? I made myself a labour intensive breakfast as pictured below!

I hung out in the rain with Muffin…

I made sure the fur kids shared breakfast…

Yes the cat is bigger then the dog!

Once noon rolled around I was happy to meet up with four girlfriends and head out for frozen yogurt and girl talk!

That’s Katie’s classic pout face! You would think she would be happy with a pocket full of candy!!!

Upon returning home I found Kevin and Muffin in the same place I left them, on the couch watching football. I decided to throw together some mini pita pizzas and baked cheddar bacon chicken bites! Who says game day food can’t be healthy!

The rest of my Sunday afternoon was typical and now I find myself at work for the next three days. I’m going to cut this short tonight friends.

I hope Monday goes by smoothly for everyone, sweet dreams.

Life With The McGavins

100% Not Sugar Coated