How I Spent St. Patrick's Day Weekend

In no particular order...

1. Raking the lawn in a tank top. But not raking the leaves off the perennials even though they are definitely coming up. The weather is unbelievably warm but really.... it's Manitoba. We could get a snow storm at any moment.

2. Multitasking in the lounge chair. That is: knitting, eating crackers and cheese, listening to an audio book, cuddling with the cats, noticing a butterfly, watching the sparrows scrap, enjoying the reggae drifting over from my pot smokin' neighbour's house and trying not to fall asleep.

3. Drinking coffee on the stoop with O and Lexi.

4. Drinking coffee on the patio at the Neighbourhood Cafe with Elizabeth and Lexi. Lots of coffee drinking this weekend though technically Elizabeth and I were doing MALT work.

5. Unearthing ladybugs.

6. Hanging laundry on the line. And then blissfully sleeping in sun dried sheets.

7. Riding my bike. Woo hoo!

8. Gazing at the planets. Three of them, anyway. Have yet to spot Mercury and Saturn but hoping my sister and her telescope will help out with that on Easter weekend.

9. Listening to my favourite birds singing. Just the common white-throated sparrow. Excellent video below.

dinner party

Omar and I had an amazing dinner last night with his friends who are in town doing a show at PTE. Jan prepared an excellent beet soup, pakora and filo pockets, five Indian dishes, naan, rice, and various condiments. Was quite blown away and totally stuffed. We were tasked with brining wine and dessert.

Don't have any pictures of the buffet but did take a shot of the dessert. Very pleased with myself! They are mini cheesecakes made in a muffin tin and they rocked, if I do say so myself. Topped with apricot ginger jam. Recipe is available on the Martha Stewart website. She suggests straining the jam, which does make it look prettier (and a bit like eggs) but I preferred the chunky bits of apricot and ginger.

Rufus was a big help, as always. He's well known for his love of all things toasty but this was going a bit far. He wisely stayed off the vent (which is why his butt is hanging over the edge) but he didn't seem the least bit concerned about getting caught lounging on the stove. He jumped off in a dignified and casual sort of way after I shrieked at him. Had to take his picture first, of course!