Long Weekends and Family Times

My father and I have now officially dubbed this long weekend: 

The Weekend of Red Wine

Rainy Days & Lazy Ways

Every day I have off it seems to rain, so last night I was planning my day expecting rain and hoping for sunshine. Since it's already 9 am and I've been on my exercise bike, made my bed, and am about to start my first cup of coffee, I feel this day is going to be very productive. Although, I only have to do some cleaning and maybe some grad school research. Which means that the rest of the day I can do whatever I want. It's a really nice feeling. 

I'm thinking that I might do some baking, it's been a while since I just sat down and looked at recipes, I've been craving cupcakes for a few days now. I also recently found a recipe called double chocolate-chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes (doesn't that sound yummy!). And cupcakes always make everyone's day a little brighter! I think it might be the perfect cure to the rainy day blues! 

Or maybe I'll read a book, there's something special about curling up in the rain with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate or maybe some french vanilla coffee. Listening to the rain beat on the window. Or in my case listening to it hit the objects outside my window. It's it already 20 degrees at 9am, therefore my fan is on.. my window is open and there will be no jeans worn in this house today. 

[Pictures from Audrey Hepburn Complex]

Cupcakes, family time and good food!

This weekend we celebrated my pop's 75th birthday with a huge backyard party. The final attendance count was greater than my grandfathers age, which I think means the party was a great success. My dad's entire family was home (minus one cousin, which equals roughly 45 people) and it was so nice to get a change to spend some time with family that I hardly get to see. There was so much food it took up three tables, plus a special dessert table (which included this lovely cupcake tree my mother made). 

Family, Food, & Friends!

Thursday consisted of packing up the car and heading back to school. My boyfriend and I had a little date night and went out to watch my neighbor host open mic. 

Friday was waking up early and moving into my chalet (apartment on campus), which was tiring. Then when my boyfriend got off work we headed out to run errands, like picking up birthday presents for my mom and mother's day presents. Then he headed back to my house to have a birthday supper with my family for my mom. This was the start of a weekend of drinks and good food. For mom's birthday there were mussels, lobsters, ribs, and BBQ, with lots of wine.

Saturday, we headed back to school to get ready for our friend's birthday, which consisted of a Belize style BBQ. Which really means a regular BBQ with spicy food and tortillas. I brought cupcakes decorated like the Belize Flag for Maria, our friend, who misses home very much. 

Sunday was Maria's actual birthday so we had a brunch with such amazing food made by our friend from Malaysia. And then for supper we finished the BBQ from the night before and drank so much red wine that my lips turned purple. 

I had such a wonderful and relaxing weekend with my family, friends and boyfriend. But today in Monday, and I start my first class for intersession in a little over an hour. And after such an amazing weekend I feel like I'm so ready and relaxed about the upcoming week. 

Honey Roasted Goodness

After I work out everyday I like to grab a small, quick snack. After 20 minutes on my exercise bike I headed out to the kitchen to see that my dad and put out some honey roasted cashews from our trip to the bulk barn earlier! 

I forgot how tasty they were, and good for you too.. in moderation of course!