AppsScraps

Blee, G and I drove all the way out to the wilds of Mississauga to visit Laura as she was hosting an afternoon tea, which has got to be one of the most civilized things in the world to do. Fifteen-odd people you don’t know getting together to chat about stuff … with lots of food and tea. Very yummy! Thanks Laura!

Laura has, get this, 76 different kinds of tea to chose from:

• Black teas;
• Flavoured black teas;
• Green teas;
• Flavoured green teas;
• Oolongs;
• Herbal teas (tisanes); and,
  
• Specialty teas (dragon tears, wrapped teas, pu-erhs, white teas … all marvelous and expensive).

I tried a pot of flavoured black tea called “Monk’s Blend” and a Bukhial – TGFOP (Assam) that were fantastic.

1) Laura’s tea chest!; 2) the table is prepared; 3) funky little tea pots for everyone

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Madonna-thon Mania

Naturally, we headed down to 5ive Saturday night to dance the night away to all-Madonna, all-the-time. We had a  ton of fun practicing our Madonna tunes in preparation for seeing the Material gurl live in LA. Mimi and Jim joined us and I failed to see any of my fellow xangster there (unless they covertly attended to spy on me and my poor dancing!).

1) the dancefloor awaits Madonna-wannabes; 2) folks dance; 3) what I look like headless with a male Madonna-wannabe

I must mention
a wonderful guy who attended the night dressed as Madonna in all her
early 1980’s glory, and danced solo most of the night (the same move, I
may add). I think he was great in his fishnet outfit, blond wig and
shorts.

4) HAL alert!; 5) heading home Yonge Street still busy

On the bus heading
home from Eglinton station, we had a HAL sighting. HAL meaning “hot
asian lad”. To boot, this HAL actually got off at the same stop as us,
and lordy-lordy lives in the building beside me! How delightful ….
this guy was HAL enough that even G agreed he was cute.

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Sunday’s movie: C.R.A.Z.Y.
We watched this wonderful little gem from Quebec last night before
heading to 5ive. CRAZY won this year’s Genie (Canada’s version of the
Academy Awards) for Best Picture of the Year. Well worth a rent!

Sunday’s movie (2): Princess Mononoke
Another of Miyazaki’s brilliant films, I shall watch this shortly … gotta eat first. I seem to be watching Miyazaki’s brilliant films in reverse order these days.

Sunday’s movie (3): The Art of Fighting
Thanks to whonose for the lead (and review) on this new South Korean film. If I’ve time, I’ll watch this tonight as well. Madonna-mania last night. Movie-mania tonight!

Sunday’s meal planning: Semi-gourmet week
Since giving up trash tv for Lent, I’ve found other things to focus on (a good thing). This week will be gourmet dinner week. The menu I’ve planned is as follows:

• Monday – Poached Salmon with a Champagne sauce infused with asian flavours (on this note: I was in Chinatown today looking for ketjap mansi… if anyone knows where to track this Indonesian sauce down, give me shout please);
• Tuesday – Ricotta and spinach manicotti crepes (I made the crepes already last night … need a lesson, visit my post on Shrove Tuesday);
• Wednesday – Veal cutlets in a green peppercorn sauce;
• Thursday – Cumin Grilled Shrimp with 3-Citrus Aioli; and,
• Friday – Alaskan King Crab legs.

Sunday’s wine: Baron de Hoen Tokay Pinot Gris (2004) Reserve Particuliere, Alsace (France)
I’m tasting this right now while typing this post. It’s lovely. I picked up a couple bottles at LCBO Vintages, Eglinton (product #672972; cost $17.95/bottle) and would recommend it for sure!  Just off-dry, medium body with a long finish (12.5% alcohol content). Aromas of pear, apple, mineral and melon. Excellent!