brace for coldest winter in years

It's cold and snowy today. They've extended our yard waste pickup to Dec 12th this year as the snow came suddenly before all the leaves had fallen off the trees.

I was back on the treadmill at the gym this morning and caught up with a bit of TV while I was there. I watched this foodtv show called 'French food at home'. The lady was making savoury French tarts such as a rustic spinach tart, a carmelized endive tart, and a fennel and blue cheese quiche. She also made a tomato tart with mustard that looked like pizza but apparently tastes nothing like it. It helped take some of the mystery out of these dishes. At least now I know how to cut an endive and a fennel!

I heard on the news there was a fire on Main St. where I walk all the time. A 100 year old pub was destroyed.

I went to the liquor store and got a bottle of ice cider from Quebec as a gift for a friend, something different, I hope. Wonder what it tastes like? I saw it in a magazine. I also bought a gift card there for one of K's teachers.

It seems the lawn companies can no longer spray the grass with pesticides starting next year. So they are offering a 'hand pulling' service as the non pesticide sprays don't work well. Should be interesting to see how this pans out.

Well, time to haul the xmas decorations out of the basement!

News

Landmark heart study expands to genetics
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071130/heartstudy_genetics_071130/20071130?hub=Health

Cholesterol tied to heart disease but not stroke
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071130/cholesterol_071130/20071130?hub=TopStories

Warning to brace for coldest winter in years
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071130/cold_winter_071130/20071130?hub=TopStories

Man discovers lost bracelet 25 years later - inside a chicken
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17246.aspx

Neither snow nor sleet nor death stops this mail
http://www.thestar.com/article/281278b

Online breast cancer test could save your life
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17234.aspx

Duke scientists map 'silenced' genes
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071130/silenced_genes_071130/20071130?hub=SciTech

Man dies after cell phone explodes

Went to the gym today and did an exercise class, it's really windy outside. I was admiring this lady's gold bracelet and this other lady mentioned that the best place to buy pure gold is in Dubai (middle east). The sale of gold is well-regulated there. I'll have to keep that in mind. (smile)

I picked up a few groceries. I found a no-fat egg nog which tastes ok considering. And who doesn't love egg nog? Then I bought a couple of gifts.

Did a bit of house cleaning today, Thursdays seem to be my day for that. Then I made a pork pot roast for dinner, seems to have turned out pretty good.

L was very moved by a 'Free the Children' presentation today at her school.
http://www.freethechildren.org/aboutus/index.html

K is intrigued by the special 'Holiday' rice krispie squares, one of which he got from school. It has red and green rice krispies mixed in.



News

Man dies after his cell phone explodes
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17210.aspx

Lottery winner's past could affect his million dollar jackpot future
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17208.aspx

What you don't know about cholesterol can hurt you
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17200.aspx

Cell phone toilet finding service launched
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071129/cell_toilets_071129/20071129?hub=SciTech

Sticky molecule may hold key to nerve disorders
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071129/sc_nm/nerves_molecules_dc_2

Night shift cancer link gaining acceptance
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071129/night_cancer_071129/20071129?hub=Health

Toy recall list

I don't know where the day goes...it just seems to fly by every day. We got our first Christmas card today.

My aerobics instructor turns 30 tomorrow. She's not looking forward to it and she's usually quite enthusiastic. I have trouble remembering that long ago! I suppose it is a landmark age.

News

Recalls aimed at children posted by Health Canada
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071128/recall_list_071128/20071128?hub=Health

Latest robots laugh, cry and solve rubik's cube
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071128/japan_robots_071128/20071128?hub=SciTech

Homework survey finds most students struggle to complete tasks - hmmm...
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17160.aspx

Miracle healer at your fingertips

I had a healthy lunch today. L recently got the idea to make her own pizza from whole wheat pita bread. So I got some part skim shredded cheese, pizza sauce, sliced up some vegetables (onions, tomato, green pepper) and made my own vegetarian pizza. It was delicious and filling. We make sure to cut the pita in half, and that makes 2 servings with just the right amount of carbs for a meal. The great thing is that everyone can put whatever they want on theirs and it's as quick as making a sandwich.

News

Miracle healer at your fingertips
http://www.thestar.com/article/279986

City women at greater risk for breast cancer

If you caught 'The Amazing Race' episode last night, they were in Africa. I was impressed with the 'Goth' couple. I cried with the girl when she said something to the effect that, she's playing the game, but she's not blind to the poverty around her, the fact that all those smiling friendly people have so little. I laughed at their 'dance challenge', they were so creative and funny, real free spirits.

News

City women at greater risk for breast cancer
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071126/breast_density_071126/20071126?hub=Health

Too little milk, exercise, sunshine hurting kids
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071126/rickets_kids_071126/20071126?hub=Health

One in three Toronto families live in poverty
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20071126/poverty_report_071126/20071126?hub=TorontoHome

Don't think too much about big decisions
http://www.newsweek.com/id/71514/page/1

Men are magnets for fictional 'chick flicks'
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071126/chick_flicks_071125/20071126?hub=Entertainment

Prolific pandas

I just heard Walmart will open here 24 hours starting Dec 1 for the xmas season...wow.

L is having 4 classmates over this afternoon to work on a project. We're the only ones with a minivan which they need to do some filming, so we're it. Kids this age almost need their own apartment. She saw a great movie last night with her friends 'August Rush', they loved it.

K was able to enjoy the snow with his friend yesterday morning, they did some tobogganing and general horsing around in the snow which is what they love to do at that age. I just noticed that K likes pop music CDs more than ever (and videos as always). For awhile it was mostly just video games and remote control cars. This weekend he is studying basketball rules for a gym test. I learned something about the finer points of the game as I am in no way a sports fan.

I seem to have caught back to back colds (with cough). Or maybe I relapsed. Now the kids are sneezing. Just what we need.

My sister got this recipe from a recipe exchange, I've been meaning to try it as it sounds simple:

'This is a recipe for a scone-type bun and the name reflects its craggy appearance. Rock buns are the first thing one learns at school cookery classes in Britain - well at least in my mother's and my school days.

8 oz All purpose flour with pinch of salt & 2 teaspns. baking powder.
4 oz Butter
4 oz Sugar
4 oz mixed dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas, currants
Grated zest of half a lemon
1 egg mixed with a little milk

Rub the butter into the flour.
Stir in the sugar, zest and dried fruit.
Using a fork, stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture until it just knits together.
Using 2 forks, place little heaps onto greased baking trays (approx. 12)
Bake at 400 f . for 15-20 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack

The perfect thing to have with your afternoon cup of tea.'


News

Prolific pandas
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071123/ap_on_re_us/panda_super_couple

The best MP3 phones on the market
http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/57/music-anytime-anyplace-mp3-phones

Healthy holiday snacks
http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/2/cmi_2430445/cid_1/code_30174

Simple fun with simple toys

Picked K up from a sleepover today and took him for a really necessary haircut. The hairdresser sold us some expensive shampoo based on the fact that we both have dry hair. L went to tennis with her dad, then to a birthday party. The kids have their piano lessons tonight. I'm planning to start on my thirty plus xmas cards this weekend, we'll see. E-cards are environmentally friendly, but I guess I'm being old-fashioned.

News

Simple fun with simple toys
http://www.thestar.com/article/278256