Chez Shelly

I heard rumours that my Aunt Shelly made some killer homemade chinese food. So, I invited myself over.

And the rumours were true! The spread was delicious!

Egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken and shrimp, chicken rice

Shrimp Foo Yung and Honey Garlic Meatballs

Thanks for dinner!!! It was great!

Josh and Kayla, wish you were here!

Ladies Night!

Last night I got together with good friends from high school. We had lots of laughs, lots of fun, lots of food, and just a few adult beverages.

The old and new stories and the old and new pictures were priceless. I wish I lived closer so we could have these get togethers more often. I miss these ladies! A lot!

I didn't get enough pictures!! I only have one of Allison and Julie that I am sure neither would appreciate me posting here.

But I do have this one.

Mike and Allison's daughter is such an adorable baby with a smile to that would melt any heart.

Thanks Allison for having us over!

Hall's Harbour

We decided to head out to Hall's Harbour the other night for a late supper and some pictures. The weather hasn't been very co-operative since I have been home so you have to take it when you can.



Here are some shots from Hall's Harbour.

Valley Views

Yesterday, Jess and I played tourist in the Valley. We set off at lunch time after seeing Tina and Ian off.

We headed for Port Williams to The Port. It is a gastropub owned by Valley doctors. It's decor, location, and atmosphere are fabulous. They menu is filled with local produce, meats, and beverages. I immediately spied Berry Ginger Ale on the beverage menu and Jess always has the lemonade.

The ginger ale is no Canada Dry. Real ginger baby! This drink has zing! Jess' lemonade was quite refreshing.

Anyone that knows Lee and I knows we are chicken wing fanatics. The Port offers wings as an appetizer, and I was very tempted to order them. But, I just can't have chicken wings in Nova Scotia when the fresh seafood is so bountiful. So I ordered the Baked Haddock with ceaser salad. Jess ordered the Lobster Club and a skewer of garlic shrimp, which she says she orders every time.

The baked haddock arrived with crispy panko covering lightly seasoned fresh flaky fish.

Jess' lobster club had large chunks of real lobster meat. Nothing fake around these parts.

Both dishes were delicious. Had to get a shot of the lobster claw meat poking out of the sandwich.

We then decided on the Apple and Strawberry Fruit Crisp for dessert. While tasty, I am used to a more chunky fruit in my crisps, while this was more like apple sauce.

We then headed for Wolfville. Wolfville is home to Acadia University and a host of beautiful old homes. We stopped for a few shots.

We drove up on Ridge Road to get a shot of Wolfville from above. You can see Cape Split too.

We also picked up some gelato from Casa Mia. I had coconut and chocolate hazelnut. Very yummy!

We stopped at Hennigar's for some veggies and snacks. They had purple and white bell peppers!
They have lots of yummy treats at Hennigar's. They make their own apple juice that you can sample. And they make their own corn pops! They are good!

We went to Hall's Harbour in the evening, more on that tomorrow!

To Incinerate Or Not

We had a great BBQ last night. I brought steaks from Alberta and we had chicken and sausages. There was some debate over the best doneness of a slice of juicy, tender Alberta beef.

Now, I once was a card carrying member of dehydrated shoe leather club called Well Done. But in my eight years of residency in the prairie oyster eating country, I have learned a thing or two.

One being, I love a medium well steak. I crave it. It is much much better than a well done. I can even brave something closer to medium every now and again. Rare and blue really squeak me out still. I like juice, not blood.

A hot, evenly temperature grill is key. As is seasoning. With proper seasoning, BBQ sauce isn't required. BBQ contains a significant portion of sugar. Sugar burns. No one likes a black steak.

So, hopefully I have converted one or two Well Dones to at least Medium Well.

I still won't eat an oyster. Of any kind.

But the company last night was great. Lots of laughs and lots of fun.

Ian and Emma

Daddy and his little girl.

Emma and Carmin

Uncle George and Emma and Aunt Shelly. Wish Josh and Kayla could have been here!