Heading out to a surprise 50th birthday party tonight, on New Year's Eve. We ended up getting printed invitations to add to the excitement. Usually we don't go out so it's kind of nice to be able to say we're actually doing something interesting! The kids are also invited. I'm driving so that M can have a few drinks. The only thing about a surprise party is that you have to be early... added stress as M always tends to be late for things. Looks like we're expecting 10-15cms of snow overnight and into the morning.

CityTV seems to be doing a great 'no alcohol' show downtown at Nathan Phillips Square tonight, wouldn't mind watching that. The cast of 'We Will Rock You!' will be singing.

News

Final preps underway for biggest party of the year
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18134.aspx

News ranged wide on cancer front in 2007
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071230/cancer_2007_071230/20071230?hub=Health

Busting up germ gangs to fight treatments
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071231/germ_gangs_071231/20071231?hub=Health

Freecycling

Went for a walk in the afternoon, the weather was nice, not a lot of wind. I saw a man chipping ice off his driveway and suggested he pour some boiling water on it, he thought that was funny. Unionville Main Street is having horse and carriage rides until Dec 31 in the afternoons, $25 for a carriage not including tip.

K and I did groceries. He picked himself up some yogurt, cheesecake, dunkaroos and I told him to throw back the fruit gusher candy and anything like that. I ended up getting him a Twix bar at checkout.

L and I finally tried that sweet potato bundt cake that I saw on Food TV a few weeks ago. It is absolutely delicious, healthy and pretty easy to make. Yesterday I tried this 'Petits Pois a la Francaise' recipe, also from Food TV and it was really good, I just added a little salt.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_34749,00.html

I phoned an older relative to wish her and her husband the best for the season. She had a hard time this year with heart valve replacement and sounds a lot better. Hope they have a good 2008.

News

Internet opens elite colleges to all
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071230/ap_on_hi_te/megauniversity_world_classroom_4

Free swap network makes trash treasure
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071229/ap_on_hi_te/freecycle_flourishes_2

Young adults heavy library users
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071230/ap_on_hi_te/internet_libraries_1

Dinner stories

We had fun at the restaurant last night although it wasn't cheap. Our friends told us they had an exciting experience while making Xmas dinner for 23 people. It seems they had squeezed 2 smaller sized turkeys into the oven by using a foil roaster for one of them. It sort of bent in beside the other roaster. Unfortunately it sprung a leak and the turkey fat dripped to the bottom of the oven and when they opened the door to check on it, they were greeted with a wall of flame. But the unflappable hosts quickly shut the door, turned the oven off and that saved the day. They were even able to eat all the turkey afterward. I don't know if I'm capable of such quick thinking, but I'll try to remember that one anyway. I guess that's why they say you should never leave your cooking unattended.

I was impressed when I heard about their 18 person seafood meal that they had at the lady's mom's house on Xmas eve. It seems they traditionally have a 7 course seafood meal consisting of every type of seafood you can think of. Fish, shrimp, scallops, squid...mmm. This made me think of how much red meat we eat, and I'm consciously steering away from prime rib roasts marbled with fat, however tender it can be.

News

Flatulence expert defines 'normal' output rate
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071228/flatulence_expert_071228/20071228?hub=Health

Information overload predicted to be the office scourge of 2008
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18038.aspx

Man leaves waitress $50,000 and a car
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071229/ap_on_fe_st/odd_posthumous_tip

The Fish House

L had a hot cream manicure today, she was using a gift certificate. She said the cream was very hot. Things seemed back to normal at the mall, I browsed the leftovers. I got K some new pants as the legs on his current stuff seem to be getting short.

My car started telling me that it's due for service and it will continue telling me until I take it in, so we made an appointment. It does that with the tire pressure as well, it takes good care of itself.

Going to dinner tonight with K's friend's family. I'm looking forward to 'The Fish House' restaurant, I know it's good.

News

Sex files 2007 - the most stimulating health stories
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071224/year_review_sex_071223/20071228?hub=TopStories

Calgary to be Canada's first trans fat free city
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071228/trans_calgary_071228/20071228?hub=TopStories

Netscape ends 13 year run in February
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071228/netscape_end_071228/20071228?hub=SciTech

Mall day care warning - is your child safe?
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18075.aspx

Tennis camp continued

L was able to get a credit for the cost of the remainder of the camp, so she'll use it to book future lessons. All's well that ends well.

I made roasted broccoli today in the oven, it was really good. Just like roasting potatoes really. You put a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and bake at 400F for about 15 minutes. I also put sliced onions and zucchini chunks on the tray.


News

Business suit you wash in the shower available next year
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17998.aspx

The dark side of booming TV sales
http://ctv2.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071227.wbiz_deadtvs28/business/Business/businessBN/ctv-business

Tennis camp

It's snowing outside, it's so pretty (winter wonderland). We haven't had to shovel in over a week. Having a late start today, I should go and get some groceries. The New Year is quickly approaching. The kids went to a tennis camp today and L doesn't like it, it's boring or something. They're going to try to get a refund for next week, they signed up today. L and I had a big argument about this camp as I felt these short holidays were a time to relax and regroup. This camp was something she HAD to do, as a lover of tennis. We agreed on the camp because it's good healthy exercise, and most kids her age are demanding expensive designer clothes and electronics instead. She's a good kid. I was expecting them to come home all excited about how great it was. K probably had a good time, but is happy to just stay home and relax.

We did start sorting out L's clothes closet. It's a jungle in there. We found some stuff to donate. Didn't realize she had so many purses. They take up a lot of room.

Nalgene water bottles

We had a busy Christmas with a couple of late nights so we're tired and overfed. Today we're eating leftovers.

My kids have been using Nalgene water bottles, especially L. Now I just read they may be unsafe. Now what? I'm not a glass lover, as it's so fragile.

M went to the gym, he says the local mall is packed, that Best Buy has a long lineup outside. Good thing it's a mild day. I decided to go for a walk with all the dog walkers.

News

Polycarbonate bottles raise questions
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071225/bpa_bottles_071225/20071225?hub=Health

Casual blogging providing income for some
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071226/blogging_ads_071226/20071226?hub=SciTech

Computer whiz changing the world of charity
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071225/online_charity_071225/20071225?hub=SciTech

Acts of kindness can improve your mental health
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071226/kindness_mentalhealth_071226/20071226?hub=Health

Honey makes a comeback as natural antibiotic
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071226/honey_medicinal_071226/20071226?hub=Health