His name is Pedro

The Pink Palomino that is... a few people may know where this is from. My mom's friend Lydia and I made a story called The Pink Palomino. She wrote it and I did the illustrations. I can't remember how old I was, but I know I had different coloured felt pens and I was super excited about that! She had it bound into a book and gave it to me for Christmas two years ago, it was so awesome to see it again. I started thinking about it last night so when I couldn't sleep I came out and pulled it out to look at it. So that's where the new name came from! Pretty random, but there's where this blog is heading!

Been feeling sick the past few days. My throat is better but my nose is so stuffed up nothing will come out and I keep getting sinus headaches which sucks. I hate summer colds, yet at the same time it gives me an excuse to hide away inside. I haven't done much with my week off but that's ok. We had a busy weekend and I finally finished cleaning the house yesterday and that was the main goal.

Not looking forward to going back to work though, after having a bunch of time off I just feel like I never want to go back. I wish I could find a way of making money without doing anything.. isn't that everyones dream? Maybe I'd get bored eventually, or maybe I'd start enriching my life with all the things I always wanted to do. I didn't really do that last summer though when I had time off. I just wish I had more energy sometimes, I feel like there's all these things I want to do but sometimes the thought of going out and doing them is too much so instead I just waste time on the computer or watching tv.

Jersey Shore started again last night.... last time I said I'd never watch it, but who am I kidding? I'm a reality show whore for the most part. So now I must watch the new season. I'm also making James download Kourtney and Khloe in Miami for me... damn those Khardashians... they make me laugh. I don't watch The Bachelor or Survivor which is kind of surprising... though if I sat down and started watching I'm sure I'd be hooked again. We're also watching Big Brother... i used to be so obsessed with that show that I'd watch the live feeds... now they make you pay so forget that! That's a line I won't cross! Rachel Zoe starts in a few days and James is way too excited about it... I think I've created a monster! :)

We're going to go up to the hospital and visit his mom later. She seems to be doing good but it sucks to be in a hospital either way so I suggested we bring up a game to play. We'll have to find some yahtzee later.

Here's a picture because this blog needs pictures. James still has to show me a better way to do this:


That's my "I'm sick soup" and we even had goldfish to put in! They were pizza and parmesan flavoured so not as good as the original but worked. It looks kind of gross close up though...

Oh and here's Pedro!

Chikara Sushi

"Victoria's Famous Sushi" - 280-2950 Douglas Street

Well I'm not sure if their slogan is right, but it's one of my favorite sushi spots! It may not be the best sushi in town, but it's also not the worst! I like going here because it's close to home and has good parking (I hate difficult parking, i am a baby when it comes to parallel). Yes these things don't make for a good restaurant but they certainly help in a city I'm becoming more and more annoyed with everyday.

I like that they have private booths, it's fun to hide inside and not have people stare at you when eating (this is a phobia of mine). The servers are always friendly and know us, but don't acknowledge it in an embarrassing way which I appreciate.

I also love that you can get a bento box anytime of day, usually this is only offered at lunch and I've never seen a place with as many choices as well. I love getting a little meal in a box where everything is separated... I also hate when my food touches other food so this is perfect for me! The food is always good, service fast and prices right! That's why we keep going back.

This is also the first Japanese restaurant I took James to and he has loved it ever since! They also have probably the best yam rolls!

Now if only they had steak sauce for rice....

New blog title

I am trying to think of a new title for this blog as I feel it will evolve into something else if I am going to keep it up. I just can't think of anything catchy or meaningful. I want it to be clever so when someone see it they go "Oh isn't she clever!" Maybe that's asking too much? I'll think of something in the middle of the night...

I finally went through all my clothes today and was able to let go of 4 bags full!! I get too attached to inanimate objects, and sometimes I feel like clothes are memories. But they are bulky memories that you can't really display anymore, except on yourself but they are either too worn out or don't fit. So what happens to them then? I do have a container under my bed with a few pieces of "memory clothes", but the problem is I'm too scared of the spiders to go under my bed to look at them. The only thing I remember that's in there is a hoodie from the musical I was in in Jr High and a Hawaiian shirt from my first trip there. So how important are the other things? Even though I can't remember them now I know I will be happy to see them, plus I have a bad memory so it's not their fault.

I am happy to report I threw out my old nasty Roxy shoes today! We had some good times together, and I remembered how cute they once were. But 2 years is enough....

I also finally put away our Easter baskets today. Yes I am that lazy, and there was still chocolate left in mine.. none of the good stuff though that's why it was still there. Some things are so easy to put away, all I had to do was take the chocolate out and then open a door and put them in the closet. It was so easy, but why did it take me so many months? It would eventually get to the point where why put it away because it's almost Easter again. Now that's ridiculous!

I'd better now go do something with that chocolate so it isn't lying on the table for months instead of the basket... I feel like I need a candy dish or something old lady like that. I have the craving to go to an antique or thrift store to find an awesomely awesome one. But we'll see... I haven't actually started any essential cleaning... like the bathroom and the floors. Those are gross though I know I'll feel better once they are done.

This is me procrastinating... please leave any new title suggestions! :)

Road Trippin'

A random post today, I am still un-decided on if this blog will stay around but for now it's here so if anyone besides James is reading this enjoy! We took an injury and turned it into a long weekend road trip! James hurt his hand and couldn't work so we figured mineswell spend some money!

We took the ferry from Sidney to Anacortes. Not a very exciting ferry, definitely bring food with you and books to entertain you! But it got us where we needed without hours of driving so that was great! First we headed down to the Seattle Premium Outlets. There were lots of high end stores as well as ones we could afford. It was an outdoor mall which was nice. Even though it was getting hot it was nice to see the sun and not be overwhelmed by a/c. I bought a bunch of shirts and some jeans that were made for short people like me! Yay! I hope I don't have to hem them! I also was able to return the Vans I got in Las Vegas that I thought fit in a fury of angry shopping... don't shop angry cuz you usually will buy something you regret or doesn't fit. James got some size 15 shoes instead, they are crazy huge!!

I also looked at some expensive Kate Spade wallets that were perfect and 50% off! Except they were like $175 to start with.... so even with the savings it really is too much to spend on a wallet... oh well.

We also spent a bunch of money at the kitchen store. We could have filled our car with

stuff from that store as we are suckers for gadgets. But luckily we restrained ourselves and instead bought like 5 packs of coffee for our machine that you can't get at home. It's justified. And a lemon squeezer... we needed that. Oh yes and the metal tumbler, it was only $3! James is apparently going to become a bartender in his spare time so I look forward to the concoctions he will create with this!

I also got some Roxy shoes... yes I am still 15. But I can use them for work! And throw out my old disgusting ones! It's hard to let go of shoes when you have no replacement!

They were pretty nasty though, the kind of shoes I'm sure people judged me on when I wore them. Well they are gone now people don't worry. Well actually they are still on the shoe rack... but I will throw them out... after a little good bye...

After that we headed to Target (aka Tar-jay as James likes to think he is the first to say :) and spent $100 with just one basket!! Target you are just as evil as Walmart, but I think I like you a little more. Your dog logo is cute and I found you to be neat, clean and organized. I bought things I had needed to buy at Walmart but wasn't able to after I almost had a panic attack while checking out the new Uptown store. So I needed these things... it's justified! I threw away that receipt, customs doesn't need to know! James got an awesome bag for his netbook too!

Then we checked into our huge hotel room @ the Best Western Cottentree. This is one of the few times we took pictures.

I am obsessed with taking pictures of hotel rooms. I don't know why because they aren't that exciting to look at unless the are extra cool, but usually they are just standard hotel room fare. This one did come with a L. Ron Hubbard book to read during our stay. Very random. I believed it was Scientologist trying to get to us.

I don't really know how to get the photos where I want yet so sorry for the crappy layout!

So ya the book was a Western... but still suspicious I say!

That night we went out to the always amazing Olive Garden!

How can you not love this place? Yes it may not be the most amazing food ever but I am always left happy and satisfied with my meal. We started with the always favourite huge salad bowl. Even though it is just iceberg lettuce with Italian dressing I love that they put in olives and peppericini peppers and as much shredded parm as you like! And I like a lot! I finally stopped the waiter just because I felt embarrassed by the amount of cheese, not because I was done. I hardly was able to try a breadstick before our meals arrived. The breadsticks were good, real good, though I thought I remembered them being a little better. For my main I had this weird Lasagna rollup thing. It was thick pasta rolled in lots of cheeses then topped with breadcrumbs and more cheese and baked then put on top of a cheesy tomato sauce. Then I had the waiter put more cheese on top of that. It was very good, the sauce was amazing and great with the breadsticks! The pasta was awesome but believe it or not eventually all that cheese got a bit too much so I wasn't able to finish. Oh and we had delicious Bellini peach ice teas!! Free refills, and boy did we take advantage of that! James had some pork schnitzel thing with tortellini. I tried the tortellini and it was amazing... apparently the pork was good too! Yay Olive Garden for not letting us down, giving us lots of great food and being cheap! We left just as a group of 35 were being seated beside us at 9pm... who does that?

The next morning we decided to check out USA Costco... it ended up being the same as Canada Costco except the sold lots of cheap wine! We didn't buy any though.

Then we headed down to Alderwood mall and had lunch at P.F. Changs.

We both had the lunch bowls which came with a bowl of soup to start. I had the egg drop soup which was pretty good. I always get scared there is meat hidden in it though... somtimes those egg drops look suspicious! The broth was chicken but I ignored that fact. We also ordered the vegetarian lettuce wraps which was super exciting! I used to love lettuce wraps when I ate meat and haven't been able to find a veggie version until now! I really appreciated the fact that they had this option and luckily they were just as amazing as I hoped! I would come back just for these! My lunch bowl was the Buddha's Feast which always means a stir fry of tofu and veg on rice. The tofu has coated in five spice but I didn't get much flavour from that. The brown rice was cooked perfect and the veg was nice and crisp! I also really appreciated the fact that they mixed up the veg. Usually stir fries are the same old mix of veg, but this one had asparagus, sugar snap peas, broccoli, carrots and I think thats it. Even though my pee stinks after I eat it I looooooove asparagus. I think it's my favourite veg... I also love broccoli and zucchini... and cauliflower. I don't like peppers I realized and was glad there weren't any in this bowl!

We wandered the mall after which was half outdoors and half indoors. Almost bought a cheese grater and some over priced cookie mix at William Sonoma but resisted. Didn't do that at the Godiva store, but it was 3 chocolate bars for $10, that's a steal! Also tried some creme brule chocolates and while super yummy didn't really taste like them.

We checked out the Bath and Body Works store and ended up getting some plug in diffusers as they were buy one get one free. I felt like I should have bought more because people go so crazy for this store, but I really don't need more candles or lotions.

Then we went to Hot Topic and James got a shirt and I was rude to the girl named Candace that worked there. I was grumpy and tired at this point and she called herself Candy, I said I hated the name and then realized I had just insulted her. She said she hated the name Candice. It got awkward... I back tracked but it was too late, and time to leave!

Oh and James also bought a bunch of awesome t shirts earlier in the day at Kohl's! No pics but trust me they are awesome. I also got some stuff at Old Navy cuz, well I have a problem with that store. We also found some treasures at Ross Dress for Less:

It was only $4.99 and look how cute Wolverine looks! This is the one toy James was allowed.

I got the globe as it was the same price and awesome. It moves any way you want it! I may take it to work to put on my desk. People need something to fidget with so this should keep them happy!

Anyways that was earlier in the day... at this point in the story we are leaving the mall and heading to Best Buy so James can buy some must have dvd set. That's so James!

After that Maggie the gps got us lost and told us to take a ferry we couldn't figure out how to get on or what was going on. It would have saved us hours of stressful driving, but that's not the way we roll so instead we went the longest route possible to get to our next hotel in Silverdale.

We finally got there then met James' friend Dan and Lauren at Azteca for dinner. The waitress was so friendly and the food was yummy! America really has the best Mexican food, it's a must when you are down there. But so much food you want to eat but just can't finish. I should have gotten the flan for dessert though, Dan and Lauren were right. If it's made right I found out it tastes just like creme brule without the hard sugar crust. Next time....

We had a lazy morning the next day before starting the drive up to Port Angeles... we stopped at another mall of course and had a Philly Veggie sandwich yum! And checked out Bath and Body Works again incase I had missed a hidden must have.

I think this was the first mall we didn't spend money in... saw some 'Hanging with my Gnomies' t shirts that were awesome but not my size :( Oh wait James bought some video games.

We were going to stop in Port Townsend because my parents always go on and on about how cute a town it is but we wanted to go to the Olympic Game Farm so we ran out of time. It was good we didn't stop because we ended up being stopped forever because of a scary looking accident. I don't think I've ever seen a car upside down and another one totally smashed in like those in real life. I hope everyone is ok but it looked pretty bad.

We finally made it to the Olympic Game Farm which I haven't been to since I was little. Beside the sneeze fit it gave me and all the seagulls it was awesome!! The bears were pretty much the cutest things we'd ever seen! If I wasn't afraid they were going to jump over the tiny fence we could have stopped there forever! The one was rolling on its back totally posing for us! Then another after we gave it bread sat up on it's back feet. We gave him more bread and he did it again! I wondered if it was a trick he was taught... maybe he is rescued from a circus.

There were tons of peacocks and llamas and deer and deer like things with antlers. They totally attacked a car behind us. I was scared of them coming to our car so we didn't stop there.

We also saw some cute lions and tigers, cougars and wolves... but they were in cages that made me sad. We had fun and enjoyed it but at the same time felt guilty for enjoying it. At least they had tons of room to roam around and it was a lot more natural then a zoo, but they sell loaves of bread to feed them and I don't think that is part of any of these animals normal diet.

There are so many cute pictures but it's too hard to add them to the blog and I can't choose one so if you are my friend on fb you'll see them there one day.

After that we headed to Port Angeles but stopped at Safeway one last time to get our random-can't-find-at-home food.

Cuz it's just too much work to get out two jars to make pb&j right? I find this kinda gross, but James will love it! Maybe I'll buy him to bread for it today... and some milk to go with the variety pack of cereal we bought that I am craving now.

Luckily we reserved the ferry as it was sold out. It turned out to be really rocky and I was afraid I would get sick but I didn't. I did get a $1 2 minute massage from one of those chairs they always have. I deserved it after all that driving... it was awkward and hurt...

So now I've written way more then anyone wants to read as all I've had today was an Activia yogurt and a caramel latte (the new kind we just bought!) and I am hyper on caffeine. Now I'm starting to feel sick as I need some substance... and I need to finish the laundry.

If you've made it to the end of this thanks for reading!!

Il Greco

http://ilgrecos.com/ - 2900 Tillicum Road

Last night James and I decided to try something in our neighbourhood so we strolled over to Il Greco. I had been here many years ago with my parents and remember the food being pretty good. The menu is a mix of Italian and Greek. We had thought Tuesdays were the pasta and pizza special night but it turned out to be Monday and Thursdays... oh well a chance to try something different! The decor was an odd mix of Greek with a bamboo water wall and bamboo plants, it was like they tried to modernize it but didn't stay with the theme of the restaurant. I ordered the Spanakopita meal which came with rice, potatoes, greek salad, tzatziki and pita bread and James had the chicken souvlaki. It wasn't anything special but everything had flavour and was tasty I cleaned my plate! For the price and location it was what I expected. I would definitley come back and try the pizza and pasta for that deal!

The Keg, not a vegetarians first dining choice!

http://www.kegsteakhouse.com/en/ - 3940 Quadra Street

Well I went to the place that is every vegetarian's nightmare, The Keg! It was my fiances dad's birthday and I don't like to be one of those vegetarians that make a fuss about where we're eating based on my dietary restrictions. If I am paying for the meal I am pickier, but if the meal is free hopefully there is something I can find! I am a Pesco-vegetarian (I eat some fish) so I knew I wouldn't have to stick to a boring un-inspired salad option which is usually an after thought at a restaurant like this. We started with the Tempura Snap Peas and Asparagus which were nice and crispy, though a little low on the asparagus for my liking! The dipping sauce it came with was a tasty soy sauce blend. I also couldn't resist the free, fresh out of the oven bread that came to the table, very tasty!! For my main I had the Mustard Dill Salmon and I substituted the garlic mash potatoes instead of the rice pilaf. It also came with 5 tiny pieces of asparagus. They were cooked well but had some sort of Montreal steak spice on them which I found odd as it was just big chunks of salt and spice on thin asparagus. The garlic mash was ok, nothing as good as what my fiance could make. The salmon was a disapointing. It said it was baked but it seemed more like it was steamed or poached as it wasn't crispy and seemed mushy. It didn't have any flavour and the mustard dill sauce on top didn't help as it was congealing and had even less flavour then the salmon. My fiance had a side of Chipotle Mac and Cheese which had a nice crust on the top but inside had no flavour besides a weird off putting hint of chipotle. If you are going to use chipotle you need to go for it, this was just bland. Overall not the worst meal ever but for the prices they charge I think they could have done better. I know seafood isn't their specialty but I wish restaurants wouldn't put options on the menu if they're just an after thought. Everyone else enjoyed their steaks so at least they were getting right what they are known for! The Black Forest Cake we got from Lighthouse bakery for dessert made up for everything else though!!

Lady Marmalade

http://www.ladymarmalade.ca/

608 Johnson Street

Today James and I went for brunch @ Lady Marmalade. This is probably my 4th time there and James' 2nd. It was packed and we were told the kitchen was backed up so it would take over 30 minutes. Considering it was Sunday and anywhere else would be just as busy or we'd still have to line up to get in we decided to wait. On previous visits I have had the Spicy "Blasted" Wild Pacific Salmon sandwich and that was awesome, something I was craving again this visit but decided I needed to try something new. Another time I tried their French Toast daily special I think it was chocolate and raspberry, it was bread pudding style which was different. I found it a little too much for a breakfast item, though I usually crave salt over sweet. This visit I decided I had to try a benny. I had the Roasted Vegetables and Aged White Cheddar benny which came with hashbrowns and a small salad. The salad was just simple fresh greens and cabbage with an asian soy dressing that was really good. I couldn't quite figure out how the hashbrowns had been cooked, it seemed like they were more like boiled smash potatoes, but they had great flavour. I wasn't asked how I wanted my egg cooked so I would have liked if the egg was firmer and didn't immediately burst all over my plate. The roasted vegetables were a mix of tomato, zucchini, eggplant, mushroom and beet which was a different but nice addition but the aged white cheddar was lost in the mix! The hollandaise was really good, overall a pretty good Benny. Next time though I think I have to get the salmon sandwich again though! Oh and the mango lassi is awesome I definitely recommend it!

To blog or not to blog... that is the question!

So my blogging hasn't gone too well so far! Being lazy and un-motivated hasn't help either! I'd like to say I live a fabulous busy life and never have time, but that's a lie. I have the time it's just not how I've chosen to spend it. Then I feel the guilt... ah guilt and think maybe I should just delete this page all together. Then I have surge of regret and think no I will do it! So here I am today, still un decided but here are some restaurant reviews to keep anyone that may be silly enough to stubble upon this something to read!

Shine Cafe - shinecafe.ca - 1548 Fort Street

We've been here twice for Sunday brunch now and it's one of those popular Sunday spots that's just a little less busy then the rest (plus free parking outside score!) that you can get in without waiting hours! There is a large selection of all day breakfast including a huge selection of bennys! My favourite Sunday brunch meal! What I love about this place is all the options, they have a variety of benny sauces and some awesome toppings! I can't remember right now which one I had last time but it was yummy! But my only let down were the hashbrowns, they were good don't get me wrong but this is one of my favourite things and I get a little picky! I liked that they were chunks of potato because I am not into that shredded stuff! I love my hashbrowns fried to an unhealthy crispy level so these could have used more crips, but the over herbing I found too much. I love rosemary and other herbs on my potatoes but something about the strong level used on the ones here was just not appealing to me. But otherwise an awesome meal with great service and veggie options, I will be back!!

Foo Asian Street Food - foofood.ca - 769 Yates Street

I checked out Foo for the 3rd time last week. They don't have a large selection of veggie main options but I do appreciate the fact that their menu states anything can be modified to be veggie. Just the fact that restaurants put the effort to say that on a menu makes me happy. It keeps me from being intimidated to ask. The first time I ate there I had the Thai Red Curry, it was good, really good... but amazing, mind blowing, can't wait to have it again? No. The next time we tried the Green Papaya salad, Paneer Cheese Dumplings and the Pad Thai with tofu. The dumplings blew me away! They were flavourful balls of deep fried goodness in the most amazing sauce that made me want to lick the container clean! The salad was awesome, so fresh and flavourful. This is something I've had in Thailand and I've been looking for a decent version ever since and I've found it here. I was so delighted with my starters I waited to try the Pad Thai... luckily I did because this turned out to be one big mess. It was way too over powered by Tamarid which was so off putting. The tofu and veg in it was enjoyable and I appreciated the fact that they used a different type of tofu compared to the firm type that normally comes in these dishes. But I will never try this again!

Last week we went and enjoyed the patio before a movie. I was excited to try some of their specials but was let down to see that only 1 of the 3 posted on their Facebook page was offered and two others were up in their place. All meat except one salad. So I tried the Chop Chop salad special and the Crispy Pakoras. The salad was good, not amazing but pretty darn good. The pakoras were super flavourful with huge chunks of veg almost liked an Indian version of tempura. It was really different and tasty I liked them a lot! The biggest let down though was the onion chutney that came with it, again way too strong with the Tamarind I couldn't handle it. Someone in that kitchen needs to calm it down with that flavour! Or maybe it's just not my taste? Anyways I would go here over Noodle Box any day! Especially after the last time where I found multiple chunks of chicken in my tofu box... not cool Noodle Box your standards have gone down!

Ok that's all I can think of for now and I think we can all agree I've done more then enough blogging for one day to make up for my absence? Let's see where it goes from here!!

Ciao!