Restaurants – Just An East Coast Girl

HOT off the grill TWO!!!! Bridgewater edition

So it’s Sunday and we just got home from morning church and I don’t always like to cook on Sunday unless we have people over or it’s summer and I can put something on the grill that I’ve planned ahead for…besides it’s nice to eat out on Sunday.

Since we were in the city yesterday I didn’t have a plan for today’s lunch and since it’s “Burger Week” in Halifax this week, I thought…why don’t we have another burger today! And why don’t we get take out, because I just felt like staying in.

So…what does Bridgewater have to offer? Besides Wendy’s, Harvey’s, A & W and McDonald’s…I’m NOT having one of those burgers. Hmm? Best Little Oarhouse in Bridgewater has a few burgers on their menu and they are just 5 minutes away…

…I went with “The Rugged Dude” Burger and so did David and James tried the Wilma burger!! They had theirs with home cut fries. It’s fun with friends or family. ( Actually James was in the city yesterday and had Burgers with his friends and went to Darrell’s. His burger yesterday had peanut butter, yummy!!!)

Sunday lunch is served!!

HOT off the grill!!

It’s Burger Week in Halifax!

WHAT’S BURGER WEEK ALL ABOUT YOU ASK?

Halifax’s Annual Burger Week is a city wide burger-eating celebration and fundraiser for Feed Nova Scotia. This year, over 95 restaurants will create unique burger specials for one week only, March 23-29th. Burgers will be either have a set price of $6 OR a higher price with a portion being donated by the restaurant to Feed Nova Scotia. Halifax Burger Week was started in 2013 by Coast Publishing, publisher of The Coast and Food and Drink City Guides.

So…because we are in the city today to do a few errands…

Oh ya, we just HAD to have BURGERS!!!! How to choose? The menu of burgers is so mouth watering…oh yum!!!

But alas, we are only having one…

The Fickle Frog Pub sounded fun and their burger sounded delish!

Introducing the Dribble Drool Burger.

A rustic bun, a 6oz homestyle all beef patty, dijonnaise sauce, guacamole, fresh jalapeños, topped with lettuce, tomato and a dill pickle…a little spicy with a little sweet ❤

And David added a side of home cut fries to his burger…

All I can say is, It’s a good thing I don’t live in the city!!!

Morocco in VLOG

Our son James enjoyed a wonderful week in Morocco for his Spring Break. I shared a few of the great photos he took BUT now you’ve gotta see these videos.

Check out these 4 videos!! Tell me what you think.

They are amazing!! New places added to my Bucket List lol 😛

Mexico …

Cozumel, Mexico! This is such a crazy busy Port of Call for cruise ships! Cozumel is Mexico’s largest island, nestled 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Cozumel measures 28 miles long and 10 miles wide and is renowned for it’s dazzling white sandy beaches and the clarity of the “multi-hued” azure Caribbean ocean. The climate is subtropical and the people native to Cozumel are of Mayan descent.

We have been to this Port of Call 4 times!!!

Today’s excursion was to rent scooters and tour the island!!

The wind was crazy today!! Many of the natural beaches were closed due to the high surf. It was beautiful though!!

What a wonderful day exploring and swimming in the warm water.

Tonight as we were sailing the winds were pretty crazy again. This is the first cruise we’ve done that there has been lots of rain and high winds…gale force winds …

HELLO Mom & Dad

A couple days in Miami before our cruise means it’s opportunity to visit Mom & Dad Goode. They have been spending their winters in Cortez, Bradenton Beach area of Florida for the past few years.

We headed to the coast through the Everglades on the Tamiami highway. We saw lots of alligators and interesting birds but because we were short on time we didn’t stop for pictures. We decided to meet halfway on the west coast of Florida in a quaint little town called Matlacha (pronounced “mat-la-SHAY”)

Matlacha is one of five communities on Pine Island in the Cape Coral area. It is an “Old Florida” fishing village, home to many brightly colored art galleries, island boutiques, seafood restaurants, and traditional Floridian cottages. We ate at a wonderful spot the “Blue Dog” The shrimp tacos and key lime pie were delish! We spent the afternoon browsing the shops and catching up with Mom & Dad.

After a bit more food we headed back to Miami to get a good night’s sleep!

THE GREAT WALL

1700 Years to Build. 5500 Miles Long. What Were They Trying to Keep Out?

It’s FINALLY in theatres here in Canada. It was released December 16 in China and I have been waiting patiently…

THE GREAT WALL

I have been wanting to see this movie. There were advertisements and displays for it everywhere when we were in China before Christmas. It was released there December 16 and now 2 months later it’s out here in Canada.

I’m not a movie person. I rarely go to the theatre. BUT this one…I just had to go see!

And to start our “Great Wall Adventure”…we had dinner at the Great Wall Restaurant in downtown Halifax.

And then to the movies…

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I was so looking forward to this and even googled to see what section of the Great Wall this movie was depicting…haha…I laughed. Oh…China! It was actually filmed at a giant film studio in Qingdao. I have seen such studios when I lived there and this information really didn’t surprise me.

Considering The Great Wall is a film about China, audiences around the world won’t be too surprised to find out that it was actually shot there too. However, no real-life locations were actually used.

Unable to shoot on the actual Great Wall of China for the obvious reason that it’s one of the greatest wonders of the world, Zhang’s colossal team of designers built two walls in a giant film studio complex in Qingdao — one was a low wall, while the other a high one. With the entire set stretching to well over 200 metres, both were placed in front of one of the largest green screen ever used in the film industry.

According to the director, even Matt Damon was impressed when he first set eyes on the structure:

“Matt Damon said it was the biggest green screen he’d ever seen and I think it’s the biggest green screen ever assembled in the world.”

Well the movie wasn’t what I had hoped for or expected ( based on one legend about the great wall) but it was a fun day and David’s older brother and his wife went with us for our “Great Wall Adventure Day” so that was fun to spend time with them and get our plans together for our upcoming cruise together in a couple weeks.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Buckwheat pancakes and beach

It’s been almost a month since Christmas. January is going quickly! David’s parents spend their winter’s in the south, in Florida. I guess the older you get the appeal of snow and cold isn’t there.

I can see us doing something similar when David retires. I don’t mind the cold if I am wearing the right clothes. I remember before we went to live in Northern China not having the right winter clothes. I used to think our winters didn’t get cold enough. I had mitts, and a warm coat and boots for the days it snowed a lot and I needed to shovel BUT I never wore a hat, and most days I would wear shoes. Since living in China ( and also because I am older I guess) I have warm winter gear…and LOTS of it, for whatever occasion. I learned from the Chinese ladies that you can look great…even if you are wearing 3 layers of long underwear!!! haha. So I don’t mind the cold, I actually love it! It’s a chance to wear all my fun clothes!

But I also like the warmth and as we get older, so David & I will have to figure out what will work best for our family. David’s parents are in Florida from November to April, normally. That’s a along time and they miss celebrating Christmas with the family.( I’m not sure I would like that)

Sometimes it’s hard to think what might be a nice, useful gift to give his parents for Christmas since they are not right here with us. So for the last few years we have gone online and searched out interesting restaurants in the Bradenton/Cortez area. We call the restaurant that looks interesting and purchase a Gift Card and arrange to have the restaurant send it to his parents. It has worked out quite well!

We got an email yesterday saying they enjoyed their Christmas Gift! Brunch at a great little Crepe place ( with money left to go again) and walk on the beach…

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NOW that sounds like a lovely Sunday and perfect way to enjoy the Winter! Ahh…

NYE

It’s the last of 2016. For us it will be a quiet one at home. As we anticipate a brand new year! It only seemed fitting to walk the beach and watch the waves…I LOVE the Ocean.

We did go out for Chinese food with my Mom & Dad. I LOVE Chinese food ( even if it’s not authentic) for New Year.

And then home to ring in the New Year ( with Miss Laura) watching TV and the celebrations in Ottawa and New York ( David’s sister and husband are celebrating in New York this year) and just enjoying a quiet evening relaxing.

WELCOME 2017!

Fish & Chips with Family

Yesterday was my beautiful parents Anniversary. They celebrated 55 years marriage December 16th.Wow! That’s a milestone. I thought my 30 years was a milestone. I called Dad yesterday to see what they were doing. Not much he said, just staying cozy inside having hot dogs for lunch!! Haha, that made me chuckle. My parents have always enjoyed the simple things…TOGETHER!

Here is a pic on their special day 55 years ago…

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And today with my Abby girl 🙂

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Family is the BEST!

Speaking of family. Today Dad’s family, his sisters and brother ( who recently celebrated his 80th) got together at a local restaurant for lunch and we were invited. Of course we went. I always love an excuse to see them! Some of his brothers and sisters ( he’s from a very large family) and of course my grandparents have passed, so I treasure these special moments and opportunities. You just don’t know how many more you’ll get to all be together.

We had a lot of fun and laughs and catching up. I even had fun taking selfies with my Auntie who doesn’t have a clue about social media. I love her. I love them. Christmas time provides wonderful opportunities for family fun.

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screen-shot-2016-12-17-at-7-32-42-pm screen-shot-2016-12-17-at-8-04-55-pm I hope you’re enjoying your Saturday. Today it’s a snowy one again on the east coast. Lots and lots of snow, and for some reason the plows aren’t going and thankfully we are cozy inside! Snowy BUT oh so pretty!

Bundle Up…Baby it’s CoLd outside!!!

Yesterday it snowed again. Everything is so beautiful!

Brr!!!!!! Today we are in the deep freeze!

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This morning is freezing and windy so the windchill makes it -29 (-20F)

It’s so cold to get out and off to work this morning. Thinking of my sweetie and our kids who are off to work super early before it has chance to warm up a bit ( not that it will today)

Yesterday I finished my baking and went to bed extra early. Today I need to make some lists! Menu and food list for grocery shopping and Gift list to be able to finish my Christmas shopping ( hopefully tonight) And maybe I will do a little bit of wrapping.

I’m getting things crossed off one by one. It’s busy BUT I LOVE it! I LOVE this time of year!!

Tonight David & I went to the city to pick up a few things. It was FrEeZiNg!!!!!! But that didn’t stop me from insisting we stop at Historic Properties on the Halifax Waterfront. It is just so beautiful, so romantic at Christmas. We took a few pics…until both our phones froze and shut off. NOW THAT’S COLD!!!

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