getting off track

I aimed to finish my half of the pair of scarves that I am knitting for B and me over this past weekend.  Well, I got side track when I saw these cute little amigurumi and I just had to try my hands at it - and ended up sitting in front of you-tube tutorials with my crochet hook.


I had tried to crochet before but it never really made sense to me, but after the 5th or maybe 6th view of the video I started to get the knack of crocheting in the round - I still can't do it on a straight chain yet.  It took a couple of trying and unraveling but in the end I managed to make a small ball using some scrape yarn I found lying around and some polyfil that was intended for another project (that's been long abandoned).  My first amigurumi ball has got bald spots all over the top and bottom, however, probably because I am using too big of a hook (I had a size-K on hand, so that's what I used).  I didn't want the bald spots to show, so to hide them, I looped a darker yarn around and it turned into a lion's mane!

I had no idea what I was making when I started, but turns out it was meant to be a lion:

I surfed some more on you-tube and found videos of how to make ears.  I didn't find any buttons nor beads so I used black thread to make the eyes - and ran out of thread half way through the second one.  I made another bigger ball to become the body and attached it to the bottom of the head.  Then I added a tail, and voila - Leo the Lion says GRRR!!

Firefly @ First Markham could use some training in customer service

We stopped by Firefly Seafood and Steakhouse at First Markham Place for a quick bite over the weekend and for me it was the first time.  I have always been curious about it because of the commercials and this restaurant seemed to have lasted longer than the usual in the plaza, but I didn't think I would have set myself up for some major disappointments.


The portions were quite generous, considering the vibe and the prices but the food was only OK - it's nothing to rave about.  Service, on the other hand, was HORRIBLE.  Our server must have really not wanted to be there and throughout our visit he has not once smiled.

Since it was taking so long, we had asked our waiter to change one of the drinks included in the combo.  He nodded, muttered something, and disappeared.  A while later another waiter brought our drinks - without having made the switch we asked for.  When we questioned, the first waiter came by to finally let us know that he couldn't change it because the drink was already made.

Then the dishes weren't placed on the table - it was more like it was thrown at you - and not once had they got the right dish to the right person.  And the waiters didn't bother to ask neither, they just dropped them off and left.

Then one of the waiters tried to pick up something and somehow knocked over a glass of water and spilled it onto our bags and onto B - but there was no apology nor offer to help clean up.  We had to move our stuff out of the way so they don't get soaked, and we had to ask before they gave us paper towels.  I know you can't expect much from a Chinese restaurant, but this was one of the worst experiences ever.  I certainly won't go to this place ever again, and I would never recommend it to anyone.

Body Attack + Yoga Double Combo

One of my 2010 resolution was to try Body Attack at least once this year - and I did it!!  I did run a little late coming out from work, plus I got distracted by the sale going on at Sport Mart (picked up a decent pair of Columbia snowpants for $75+tx), so I did join the class 10 minutes after it's started.  Regardless, I'd had a great work-out.


There was a running track where the whole class just ran in a big circle, then there was an aerobic track with jumps and kicks.  We also did push-ups (which I failed, if anybody was grading) and quite a bit of abs work like sit-ups and leg raises.  The moves were easier to follow than I thought - I think Zumba had trained me well with all the different dance moves so these knee-ups and heel-jacks weren't too much to pick up.  I was surprised when the class came to an end - I had survived!!  I was soaked and out of breath, but I survived!!


And I stayed for my usual yoga class - right after Body Attack.  I could feel that some poses (like the "tree") had became harder to hold, whereas other poses (like the "plank") I could hold longer than usual.  I wonder if that has anything to do with the intense aerobics I had just done.  Regardless, I had an awesome time last night, I slept like a baby, and this morning I woke up feeling refreshed and ready for just about anything.  I think I will try to do this more often.

Morty Nomination

There's this thing at work called the Morty Award that allows us to nominate a fellow coworker who goes above and beyond.  From all the nominations collected in a month, one will be randomly drawn to win the prize - a $50 gift card of their choice.  And guess what?  I am one of the nominees!!

My boss had nominated me for the award without me knowing, so I was quite surprised when people greeted me for congratulations.  There was one other nominee this month and fortunately for him he's won the prize (boo!).  But the nomination itself was awesome enough - it's justified all the staying late and running around I do here and it's so nice to know that what I do is actually appreciated.  Yay for Morty!

Cream Cheese Tartlets - Two Ways

Rummaging through our pantry I discovered a lonely can of peaches, so I thought I'd make use of it and turn it into something delicious.  A lightbulb came on when I saw puff pastry in the frozen aisle in the grocery store - and I came up with this quick and easy recipe for these pretty little tartlets:

Peach Tartlets

Ingredients

• 1 sheet frozen rolled puff pastry (I used the PC brand, which was on sale), thawed
• 1/2 brick cream cheese (Philly light), softened
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 can peach slices (Del-Monte), drained

Method

1. Prepare cream cheese mixture:  mix cream cheese with sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until smooth.
2. Prepare pastry: seperate rolled puff pastry into 24 pieces by cutting into 4 strips widthwise then cutting each strip into halves and then each half into thirds.  Place each of the 24 pieces into the cups of a non-stick mini-muffin pan, lightly pressing down the middle then down the side to form a tart shell.
3. Spoon 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture into each tart shell, being careful not to put too much.
4. Top each tartlet with half of a peach slice
5. Bake in preheated oven: 18 - 20 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until corners are puffy and golden.
6. Tartlets are easier to remove from pan while still warm.

Since I had left-over cream cheese and a bunch of fresh, fragrant basil that would have otherwise gone to waste, I thought I would make a savory version:

Tomato Basil Tartlets

 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet frozen rolled puff pastry (I used the PC brand, which was on sale), thawed overnight in the fridge
• 1/2 brick cream cheese (Philly light), softened
• 1/3 cup freshly chopped basil
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teapoon mashed garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tomato, sliced, then cut each slice into quarters 

Method

1. Prepare cream cheese mixture: mix cream cheese with basil, parnesan, garlic and sugar until smooth.
2. Prepare pastry: seperate rolled puff pastry into 24 pieces by cutting into 4 strips widthwise then cutting each strip into halves and then each half into thirds. Place each of the 24 pieces into the cups of a non-stick mini-muffin pan, lightly pressing down the middle then down the side to form a tart shell.
3. Spoon 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture into each tart shell, being careful not to put too much.
4. Top each tartlet with 2 quarter-slices tomato and a dash of basil.
5. Bake in preheated oven: 18 - 20 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until corners are puffy and golden.
6. Tartlets are easier to remove from pan while still warm.