Another great Guest Post from CGWL

CGWL (Cheap Guys Wine List) goes on the Road Last night...

The night before the ladies return from the Bahamas, the CGWL were invited to dinner at B’s home. The “left-behind sister” K and D also joined in the fun.

B put on quite the feast for the group with great Caesar salad, steaks and a hot veggie side and roasted sweet potatoes. He finished it up with nice cheese and K topped it off with one of her classic chocolate desserts and ice cream. Quite the feast- D wanted to walk back home to the West Island to recover! E had brought a sampling of new wines to try and of course how could we refuse!

The first was a very nice Barbera D’Asti 2007 Villa Fiorita Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2007 SAQ code : 10394007 $18.90. It was very smooth and full bodied- but did not last long! Certainly a recommended buy.

The second bottle was a Fontanafredda Barbera d'Alba 2010 SAQ code : 00038174 $15.35 (on sale at $12.35) (E says it is the same grape as the first bottle but from a neighbouring town). Obviously the “neighbouring town” doesn’t have the same skills as D’Asti. There was a tremendous difference in the acidity and body of the second selection. With a little work (letting it breath a few minutes and using an aerating pourer) it did become acceptable- but certainly not as immediately appreciated as the first. However, we did manage to finish that selection and move on to the last “sample”...

A Castiglioni Frescobaldi Chianti 2010 SAQ code : 00545319 $15.90 This wine was acceptable from the outset but, again, it was not as full flavoured or smooth as the Barbera D’Asti we tried at the beginning. I think we will give it a low “pass”.

After all the food and some interesting wine, and knowing it was only Tuesday night with work in the morning, we called it a night! But the CGWL would like to congratulate B for an excellent meal and for being such a great host!

As you can see (and read) B made a liar out of me (K)! Yup, I was suppose to be feeding these poor boys while the girls were away but instead, B took control- and what a great job he did! (He might, in the end, regret this decision as now I know he can cook- looks like next time he can be the go-to-guy for help in the kitchen!!!)

Thanks again B for a lovely meal & the rest of the boys for the great company! Now- off for a walk to work off the remains of last night's food coma!!!

Much luv & thanks to the CGWL for another great post!

xoxox

K

Spring Break Breakfast

Good Tuesday Morning everyone!! Normally I am a grab-n-go kind of breakfast girl but given that I am on Spring Break and am not in some exotic location where my meals are all prepared for me, I figured I'd try to distract myself from that and make a vacation worthy breakfast myself!

Here's what I came up with:

Ok so it's not THAT special but I think it looked pretty & it was pretty tasty!

** French toast w/ fresh raspberry coulis & maple butter **

- french baguette (cut in 1/2 lenghtwise & then in 1/3s widthwise)

- 3 eggs

- little bit of milk

- cinnamon

- pack of raspberries

- 1 tbsp sugar

- few tsps of water

- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (no T, Aunt Jemima won't work!!!)

- 2 tbps butter

In a medium saucepan over medium/high heat, heat most of the raspberries, sugar and water

Bring to a boil & reduce heat. Allow it to simmer while you prep the bread

Beat eggs, milk & cinnamon together

Soak each piece of baguette in the egg mixture

Cook in a large frying pan until golden brown

(If you are like me & don't like soggy French toast- throw the cooked pieces into the oven for a few minutes... it'll make them crispier!)

While the toast is crisping up, strain the raspberry coulis (no one likes seeds in their coulis!)

Then it's time to plate!!!

Pile a few pieces of toast in the center, circle it with some coulis, pour some maple butter over top & throw on a few fresh berries!

ENJOY!

K

VERY IMPORTANT!!! (Bday message)

As mentioned above, this is a VERY IMPORTANT POST!!!


No, it’s not about some celebrity, not about fashion, a new recipe or a “must-visit” destination. Nope, this post is very important to me because today we celebrate my littlest sister’s birthday!
(Ok, so we might actually be “celebrating” it later on because only the privileged Bahamas crew has the chance to celebrate with her today but whatever…)


As most of you know, S is the youngest of the family, but from the get-go she was able to hold her own (not an easy thing to do with two older sisters!) She was artsy and calm enough to do crafts, play school, house & grocery story (yes, my mom loved when T would empty all of her cupboards to play that one!) with T yet tough enough and not afraid to get dirty while playing hide ‘n seek, soccer and tag with me (k). Her piercing blue eyes, her soft blond ringlets and her infectious smile could melt just about anyone’s heart- she was one CUTE kid!


Little has changed of that adorable little girl (* see note below); the ringlets may have straightened and you might not catch her playing “bakery” in the mud but those beautiful baby blues and contagious smile remain…

I feel honoured to have had the chance to watch S grow from that adorable little girl into a strong, smart, generous, hard working, caring, hilarious (ok I could go on forever) young woman… TWENTY FIVE year old woman that is. I couldn’t be more grateful to have her as my
sister.

So here’s to you S, the sisters-three would be nothing without ya (and not just because you are the third one :P) I wish you nothing but the best- health, love and happiness- on your very special day! I love you tons and despite the ridiculous tan you for sure have, I am so so so excited to see you!

* Fun Facts about S *

Scented items weren’t permitted in the house i.e. play dough, markers, cause S would eat them!
She developed claustrophobia after an intense game of hide ‘n seek (armoire)
She use to color her hair green because she wanted to be a Ninja Turtle
She only recently (ok not THAT recently but it took her a while!) learned how to say the word “yellow” (lellow?!?!?!?)

She has two sisters, parents, grandparents, a boyfriend, a brother-in-law, a sister’s boyfriend and TONS of coworkers and friends who love her dearly & wish her the absolute BEST today!!!

HAPPY 25th BIRTHDAY S

Much love xoxox

Kate

Birthday Girl in the House

Today is a very special day. It is Sara's 25th Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to our fabulous sister.

Wishing her all the best and a wonderful day.

Love Tracy & Kate