Yesterday the three of us got in the car and went out. Not to the hospital or the blood clinic or to get Nick’s PICC line dressing changed. Just out. For fun like. It was very exciting. We went downtown, perused the Winterlude ice sculptures, ate Beavertails then drove home alongside the world’s largest naturally-frozen skating rink where toque-wearing skaters braved the cold to get out and enjoy the winter. It was all very ‘Canadian’.
That’s not how we’d intended to celebrate Ray’s 60th birthday. We’d planned to be at a nice resort with hot springs in Ecuador on that day, and today we were scheduled to fly to Bogota for a quick visit with an old friend…but life has a way of rearranging our plans for us.
It didn’t take long for Ray to figure out that I’d ‘leaked’ his birthday on the blog, but he appreciated the emails and phone calls (even one from the UK, which was a nice surprise).
Nick and I made him dinner (as my sister wrote in her birthday email, “enjoy your bi-annual home cooked meal”…not sure when the second one is…maybe she’s counting Maplefest). For an appetizer we had Nick’s internationally-renowned pita bread with cream cheese, smoked salmon and dill, followed by fresh pasta with a creamy mushroom-leek-tarragon sauce (prepared by Nick) and garlic butter roasted root vegetables (made by me!), followed by home-made apple pie a la mode (hate cooking, love baking – totally different sports).
And, in honour of Valentine’s Day, here’s a shot of our heart-shaped hole in the wall. Ray had planned to renovate the kitchen this winter so a few months ago – can’t remember if it was pre or post diagnosis – he let Nick take a sledgehammer to the wall. Nick put his ‘hole heart’ into it. Ha ha. Get it? Anyway…we decided it’s not the best time for major renovations so we now have a hole in the wall that’s kind of trendy on Valentine’s Day.
It all looks wonderful! Glad you all had a great day. Very Canadian! 🇨🇦☃
Happy Birthday, Ray! And Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone! ❤️
Happy Valentine’s day to you three too xx
Happy Valentines Day to all. Sounds like a lovely outing yesterday! Hugs, Susan
How special!!! Sounds like a lovely day xxx
I thought for sure you cooked at least twice a year! Maybe I’m thinking of the bi-annual birthday cake frenzy when the house gets destroyed and no one is allowed in the kitchen.
Again, I am more than happy (and still waiting) to sample Nick’s baking. Please feel free to just send it along.
Glad to hear Ray had a good birthday and celebrated with … a ride in the car. Well, that and a Beavertail!
💕💕Happy Valentines💕💕
Probably Father’s Day too.
That’s it!
Happy Valentine’s and happy birthday Ray!!
Looks like you had a great day with some all in a day Canadian fun!! So happy for that. 💕💕
Nick seems to do most things with his whole heart.
Jennifer
Happy Valentines
Jasminka
Happy birthday Ray. Thinking of you Nick. Thanks Lynn. Cathy and Wayne
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab®4
So nice to read about the family journey to Winterlude. Such a happy tenor. As the old Burmese proverb goes – in times of test, family is best. We have this stenciled in our rec room. We still think of you guys a lot.
T&J
Ps. Gotta stop reading this blog before supper. The food shots make me drool!
Happy belated birthday to Ray. I love your pictures and that you were able to get out and enjoy some fun time together. I think I’m going to try Nick’s smoked salmon and cream cheese recipe. Looks yummy. I’ve never had a beaver tail. I hear they are great. Hugs 🤗 to all of you.
Wish you all the best hope you get better soon 😟
Stay strong and wish you all the best and don’t forget to have fun 😁🙄
Thank you Isaiah. It’s very nice to hear from you. 🙂