Our States Shopping Weekend Oct 14-16

Christmas shopping started early this year! After work on Friday the 14th, we headed down to the States for a weekend of shopping. We went to Port Huron to a shipping place where Warren picked up the snowboard that he ordered online, then we drove down to Auburn Hills where the Great Lakes shopping center is for a weekend of shopping. My intention was to start Christmas shopping early this year so that its not so financially constraining in December. The States is a good place to start because its so much cheaper, and the taxes are low! I bought a few presents for a few of my family members and babies in my life: got some good deals! And spent a lot of time in Forever 21 where I got some good stuff for myself! I was definitely in shopping/spending money mode on this weekend!

On Friday night while we were in Port Huron, we stopped for some good ol' fried chicken at this place that Aleksy went to with his Dad when he was young. I had been once before with Aleksy on a day trip to the States so I knew we were in for a treat! Had some chicken, fries, and cheap beer before heading to the hotel in Auburn Hills: about an hour drive from Port Huron.

It's called "chicken in the rough"

We stayed at the Crown Plaza in Auburn Hills, it was about a 10 minute drive from the mall that we wanted to go to Saturday. It was a pretty good room rate for $100 per night (split between 2 couples). There was breakfast downstairs too at the restaurant which was cheap at 7.95 for a buffet. Plus there was a pool and hot tub indoors at the hotel, which we took advantage of Saturday evening after shopping all day!

Inside the Great Lakes mall, we found this place 'Toby Keith's I love this bar & grill" and obviously had to go given our love for country music! (I couldn't get that darn song out of my head afterward either!). It was an awesome bar! It was really big inside and the centre of the restaurant was a huge circle of chairs around the bar - thats where we sat so that we could get the bar specials: $2 pints: yup! They were 'football specials' for the College ball game that was on.

We ordered off the football special menu, which was incredibly cheap! we ordered pulled pork "sliders" off the menu thinking they were going to be small (hence the "sliders") but they were big! I only ordered one, but Aleksy ordered 2 plus chili, and we shared the pickle spears: didn't think it was going to be that much food considering everything was $2.99! A full (delicious) pulled pork sandwich with fries for $2.99!! I love the States!

This is at the restaurant: behind us is a stage, I wanted the shot with the 'Toby Keith' in the background! I would have loved to go here in the evening for a bar night, but it was about a 10 minute drive from our hotel.

We left on Sunday for home, after going to lakeside mall (just 20 minutes away from auburn hills) and stopping at the duty free on the way out, where I got a big bottle of Baileys for $26: score! We were just at our maximums for spending (about $400 per person), and we didn't get pulled over at the border!

The plan is to go to the States once more before Christmas, hopefully in November with Al and Steph.

A Taste of Kenya!

My roomie Chels spent the last 5 months through the summer in Kenya working on her research for her Masters in Biology. She arrived home in September and brought back some samples for her research and some knowledge of the Kenyan lifestyle including their usual meal: Ugali! So, I asked if we could have Ugali at home so that we can see what an authentic (to the best of our ability considering gathering ingredients) Kenyan dish is like!

There are 3 parts to the Ugali: the first is a stew made with stewing beef & veggies, the second was kale fried with tomatoes and onions, and the bottom right is maize meal, which (according to the product packaging) is similar to what tortillas are made of. This maize meal is incredibly difficult to stir: you need man muscles for stirring something of that thickness! And to go with the Kenyan meal, we cracked open a Kenyan beer that Chels brought home!

This is my plate of deliciousness, for a true taste of authenticity, we ate with our fingers, which is the norm in Kenya! Also, we drank our beer warm (room temperature), which is also the norm in Kenya. So with this meal, I proved that you can eat stew with your fingers. You take a piece of the maize meal, roll it in your fingers, flatten it so you can grip the Kale, or stew between the Maize meal and voila!

I found the Maize meal to not be very delicious (the sides were though!) but it was incredibly filling!

The 2011 Run for the Cure: October 2nd

This year we participated in the annual CIBC Run for the cure for breast cancer. This is something that Aleksy's family began participating in after his Mother fought breast cancer a few years ago (and is now cancer free!). Our first year was 2009, last year Aleksy and I didn't participate because we were in Hamilton and this year Aleksy raised $300 at his work through 50/50 draws! This year I didn't raise donations at work because I was (and am!) still so new, but next year, hopefully i'll still be kicking around there to raise some money to support an important cause.

The first year that we participated, we walked the 5km around downtown and this year we decided to be brave and run it! We did really well considering we didn't "train" by going for runs leading up to the day. Its really an empowering events to be one among thousands who have all gathered for the same cause. There's so much enthusiasm and energy, from the pink clothing, boas, wigs etc. it really is an exciting and worthwhile event, which we plan to participate in each year!

In the pic is Aleksys Aunt Michelle, bro Andrew, Aleksy and moi!

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's stuff your face weekend! and Aleksy and I lucked out and we had 3 turkey dinners this weekend.

Our first Turkey supper was on Saturday evening with my Mom's side of the fam. I was on dessert duty, which was exciting because normally my sister does the desserts, so I was able to bake for everyone! I wanted to keep with the season so I made an apple pie and a pumpkin cheesecake. They both turned out to be delicious. The pumpkin cheesecake was made from scratch (with cream cheese, whipping cream, pumpkin puree, sugar, spices) and I had intended on making the apple pie from scratch but time only allowed for me to make the apple pie filling and crumble (I bought the crust!). The apple pie filling was especially delicious though! Could have eaten that by itself. 

Before the harvest season is over, I am going to make a full apple pie from scratch! Crust & all!

Yesterday, we celebrated with Aleksys parents and family. We had he same traditional supper as Saturday night with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and veggies but Aleksys family's tradition is to have super in the middle of the day at around 1pm. I really like to eat at that time because sometimes after eating at 6pm, it feels like bedtime by 8pm! And it also gives the opportunity to stay around the table and spend time talking!

Tonight its off to Thanksgiving with my Dads side of the family. Another Turkey feast for us! Just have to make a quick dish of veggies: I'm going to brown some sliced almonds in the pan with some butter, then mix them in with french cut beans. 

Happy Thanksgiving :)

  

Acquiring a New Sport: Volleyball Sundays!

We joined a Volleyball league! We started in September and we have 6 team members: our household members, Warren, Chels, Aleksy and moi and the Browns! We're doing the C league beach volleyball on Sunday nights at Spikes.

Because the team was thrown together pretty last minute, we didn't have time to develop the best team name ever (actually we still are 'Team Chelsea' - not so cool). Other team names are pretty fun (Balls to the wall is the one that comes to mind), so we've been working on a fun replacement name. Ideas that have stuck are 'P-WAACK' - all our initials, and Here for Beer - many don't approve of this but I like!). It may be too late for a team name change but at least the 6 of us will know that our real team name is not Team Chelsea.

Our first 2 games we won 1 of 3 games, but we're going to do better! Just warming up! And not only are we working on our fitness and sportmanship, its also a very social event, which allows for us to socialize every Sunday. Right at Spikes, they serve beer and appetizers, so we can have some drinks and food following our game!

This picture was from our first day of Volleyball. When we arrived, Andzelika and Paul were tailgating before we played, so obv we joined in! And played a mean, close game of Vball!