Sometimes We Never Learn

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Smelly Danielly

Sunday of the long weekend was Ryans Birthday. Ryan hates celebrating his birthday. He hates the attention. How can someone so beautiful and stylish hate having people stare at them? It’s been a mystery to us all these years.

Since Ryan hates having Birthday parties we didn’t really expect to be doing anything. I kind of figured Elise had something romantical planned, but we kept our schedules open in case we were lucky enough to get ‘the call’. It also helped that we stalked Elise all day.

Unfortunetly Ryan worked on his birthday, which was also a Sunday. Talk about commitment. We got the text while playing with Barra that plans were in the works for the evening. Good thing we were already in Surrey.

Naturally we went to Dublins Crossing.

I’m not sure if I’ve even been to any other bars/pubs in Surrey, Dublins always seems to be the one to go to. Chad and I got there first. We ordered drinks and an appy. Luckily the bitch waitress was not working though we heard through the grape vine that she improved her demeanor the last time Ryan and Elise where there.

We shared the Hummus and Olive Tapenade while we waited. We’ve had some very sketchy run-ins with the food at Dublins so we were a bit weary. This however was very good.

We waited for everyone else to show up before we ordered dinner. I was planning on ordering a chicken sandwich which sounded really good but after the appetizer I was quite full and opted for a salad. BAD CHOICE. I don’t know how or why places screw up salads. They are so easy to make, you think places could put some amount of effort into it.

I barely ate half of the salad and had to stop. It tasted gross and I felt gross.

I don’t know if it was the appy, my drink, or the salad (probably) but my stomach was upset for the rest of the night. This is something that never happens to me. I actually had to run to the bathroom twice because I thought I was going to puke. Woo Hoo!

The birthday boy needed a coffee. An elegant coffee at that.

Elise got to have her freshly made donuts with ice cream and chocolate sauce. I may have stole a couple of them. This dish they definitely did right!

We had a great time besides the disappointing food. I guess it can happen anywhere, but I’ve never had a dish I couldn’t finish because it was too gross, so Dublins gets the gold medal for that. I know, I never paint a nice picture of the Irish Crossing in Surrey but you get what you give. We do always have fun despitethe bitchy waitresses, expensive beers and crappy food so I guess that’s one thing it’s got going for it.

What I did love about going on a Sunday though was that there was no live band! We could actually hear ourselves have a conversation and that was definitely nice!

None the less, any place with Ryan and Elise always turns into the best time ever.

See My Vest

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Smelly Danielly

Papas Vest
VEST!

Papa Rossi’s Wedding Vest + Oversized Plum Blouse + Mavi Denim Leggings + Spring Flats

I think I will take the day off from blogging today. I know I said I’d blog on the weekend, but I lied. It’s too hard to blog on the weekends when all I want to do is spend time away from the computer.

This weekend was much more quiet in comparison to last.

Friday night I went out to dinner with Alicia, Cicy, and Tiffany. It was so nice meeting them and chatting. Chad and Ryan were supposed to be going out somewhere but by the time I got home they were still there, so I ended up tagging along (perfect timing). We headed down to the Charles Bar (our new favorite spot) for some drinks and chit chat. Elise and her co-workers met us later on in the evening as they were downtown at their High Schools Grad (they are all teachers).

Saturday I slow roasted tomatoes for 8 hours, washed the sheets (this time I remembered them), napped, and then headed out to a dinner function.

Sunday I watched a lot of Tabatha’s Salon Takeover. I got really into it and wanted to fire everyone in each of the episodes. I always have too much pent up anger. After my rage attack I went to Moms to make a Zucchini Lasagna Casserole. It was yum tastic.

Now it is Monday and I am being attacked with Monday Morning Work Issues. Yay!

Ze Germans are Coming

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Smelly Danielly

Sunday after watching the fabulous hockey game at Francesca and Conns place (which the Cancucks obviously won) we had some time to kill before celebrating Ryans none birthday.

We decided to take a stroll along the nature walk right outside of Francescas place, which turned into Elise leading us on a wild goose chase down some path to a pond that didn’t exist. Once past the point where the pond was supposed to be we decided to try and walk all the way to the 200th street overpass which they had openedup for pedestrians. Once there we realized that although they had finished the over pass it was not quite open, so our excitement of crossing 200thquickly came to a halt. So, with no real sense of purpose we decided to turn back and just head home, except Elise wanted to take another nature walk back which lead us all through out Langley. By that point the sun was coming out and our jackets and scarves (which we needed for the morning weather) quickly becamea burden. Damn mis-planned adventure of time wasting!

Finally back at the car, after much cursing at the city of Langley and Surrey (or is it township of Langley and city of Surrey? Why do they have to make it so confusing?) we decided that with 4 hours left until food time we would drive around Langley and Surrey looking at houses. Personally, if I’m moving to the Valley, I’m doing it for the acreage, not to live in a condo. Elise and I planned out our estates accordingly.

Once the driving got boring we headed to Cristinas house to drop her off and play with Barra.

Barra
Woof!

Barra is Cristinas personal RCMP guard dog. Ok, well maybe not personal, but she is definitely an RCMP Pup.

The fam got Barra when she was about 9 months old straight from the RCMP training facility. When RCMP dogs don’t pass at the tests required for them to become a full fledged Police Dog they are found homes. Zio Paul was lucky to get his hands on this special German Shepard.

Chad and Barra played fetch. They were both loving it. Chad considers Barra his God Dog-hter. Hahaha!

Barra is the most energetic dog I have ever seen. I guess given her background of RCMP work it makes sense.

Watching her drink water from a hose is hilar!

You never want to enter a house with an RCMP dog unannounced. They are so protective of their space. I always wait for Zio Paul to come to the gate before entering the yard! Not that I think Barra would ever attack me but she is very intense and it scares me. But once inside she is the sweetest dog ever and listens so well. She loves her ball more then anything.

She also has a sweet tooth for Sleeman Honey Lager.

Herro Puppy!

We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with Barra, playing fetch and eating cookies. It did end up turning into the most perfect of random days despite our Nature Trail fail. Probably a sign I should never follow Elise into the wilderness.

Andiamo a Roma

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Smelly Danielly

Since Saturday was Elisas last day in Canada, we were planning on having a bit of an adventure day. When we planned it all out the weather network was predicting a bright and sunny day. Well, it lied. Our plans to go to Whistler were quickly canceled in the early morning and new plans to meet up in the afternoon were set in place.

I got a call from my Mom around lunch asking if we wanted to go out to this new restaurant Campagnolo Roma for dinner. Jim and Marisa live just down the street and they wanted to try this place out. Well, just so happens that I went to Campagnolo for my Birthday dinner (if you remember) and after doing so I became a fan of theirs on Facebook. Then last week they posted (on Facebook) about this new ‘sister’ resutrant of theirs called Campagnolo Roma. As soon as I heard about it I wanted to try it out. We had such a great experience at Campagnolo, that visiting Campagnolo Roma was a must. It was so perfect that Jim and Marisa wanted to try it out too.

I love when fate works out that way.

So, after our afternoon Spritz (which they actually had on their menu!) we headed off to diner, Roman style.

Campagnolo Roma features the specialties of Rome. We serve classic antipasti, pastas and pizzas using local, fresh ingredients served in a casual atmosphere.

Wall paper OBSESSED

local octopus salad
charred bread, endivia, red wine vinegar

The octopus was so good. I’ve dreamed about this salad every day since I ate it. So different but cooked, and tossed, to perfection.

the cure’s salumi

Salumi, bread, and thinly sliced pickled veggies. Chad would have cut off my finger if I had stolen one of his salumi slices to taste, but he didn’t say anything when my Mom did it with out asking. Damn double standards!

tagliatelle
artichokes, calabrian chili, lemon

I loved the flavours of this pasta. Much like the one I had for my birthday, the chili added the perfect amount of heat with out being too over powering. Next time I’m ordering the full size! Both Mom and Elisa ordered the same pasta as me.

rigatoni all’amatriciana
cured pork, tomato

We just learned how to make this pasta at our Italian School, coinsidently. Chad said it was amazing.

spot prawn pizza
tomato sauce, pancetta, charred ramp pesto

It’s Spot Prawn season so they had a special menu with Spot Prawn items. Jim got this pizza. It’s very Italian to serve prawns still in the shells.

The ‘Good Bye Elisa’ dinner crew.

Jim & Marisa <3

Dinner was excellent. Campagnolo Roma is smaller then Campagnolo, with a smaller menu as well, but the food is just as good. I love these new little Italian restaurants that I keep finding.

I Forgot :(

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Smelly Danielly

Last night when I got home from work I saw our neighbour doing her laundry in the shared laundry room for our floor. The laundry room is right beside the elevator and stairs.

After dinner, when Chad and I left to go to Italian School (oh yea, I haven’t told you about that one yet…) she was still there working away.

Upon returning from Italian School we got off the elevator and I stopped in my tracks and stared at a pile of sheets and towels gently placed onto of the dryer. They looked EXACTLY the same as the towels and sheets that we have, but they couldn’t be ours, I mean the neighbour was just doing her laundry and I have NEVER forgotten anything in the dryer. What a bizarre coincidence. Chad asked me what I was doing and I casually told him that someone had the same sheets and towels as us, which was a bit weird.

As Chad was leaving for work this morning, I was laying in bed listening to the radio. He kissed me good-bye, got his things together and left. Just as I was about to get up I randomly looked towards his closet which he loving leaves open every morning just to drive me crazy (I have issues people). As I glaced up at the top shelf where I usually keep the sheets and towels I noticed that it was empty. Panic entered my body. I don’t lose things. I don’t misplace things. I know where all my belongs are at all times, so where the hell were the sheets!?

I ripped out of bed and started searching the closets and the laundry basket. Nothing. This is so unlike me, where could the damn sheets be? Suddenly I remember what I saw on the laundry machine last night. Could it be? What if someone had stolen them? Where they still there? I ran out the door and into the hall and saw them there perfectly placed on the dryer. MY SHEETS AND TOWELS! How could I have abandoned you? :(

No sooner did I come to the realization that I had left my sheets and towels in the dryer, I received a txt from Chad. “Are you sure you didn’t leave the sheets in the dryer?” He must have seen them on his way out and started thinking about them. “Ha…yea…they were ours :(”

Upon retrieving said sheets and towels I started to think about when I had actually done the laundry and how I could have forgotten them. It was Saturday, Sheets & Towel washing day. Chad was late having a shower so I didn’t put them in the wash until lunch time. By the time they were in the dryer Elisa had come over and we were all excited for Spritz that I must have totally forgot.

Today is Thursday. That means the sheets and towels were in the dryer, sitting, waiting for me, for FIVE DAYS.

I hung my head in shame.

I guess that’s pay back for all the times I have cursed out the neighbours for leaving their laundry in the machine a few hours too long.