Moselland Riesling wine - cat bottle

Almost every year in November the LCBO sells bottles of Moselland Riesling wine in the shape of cats.

I saw they have a new one out so picked it up after work this evening.

This year they are blue and a 2013 vintage ...

I've been collecting them for over ten years and now have 29.

 

They are all different colours/vintages and unopened.

• 2000 - 5
• 2001 - 3
• 2002 - 3
• 2003 - 1
• 2004 - 2
• 2005 - 2
• 2006 - 2
• 2007 - 2
• 2008 - 2
• 2009 - 2
• 2011 - 2
• 2012 - 2
• 2013 - 1

Book ~ "The Real Girl Next Door" (2011) Denise Richards

From Goodreads ~ We’ve read the scandalous headlines, watched her sexy breakout performances in "Starship Troopers" and "Wild Things", and seen her many public faces on her reality television show - the beautiful vixen, the devoted mother, the hard-working entertainer and the fun-loving friend. But how well do we really know Denise Richards? 

Like so many small-town girls, she dreamed of making it big in Hollywood. But following a painful, high-profile divorce from Charlie Sheen, she found herself raising their two young daughters alone as her mother was dying of cancer. Denise writes openly and honestly about these experiences and more: she lets you in on her childhood dreams, her fated move to Hollywood with her close-knit family, her rise to fame, the pressures of living in the spotlight, and the controversy surrounding her relationships. Through it all, she managed to keep her sense of humor and optimism. 

 She offers an up-close and personal look at her most intimate battle scars and the lessons she’s learned as she’s healed and grown. Denise’s story will resonate with anyone who has had to look within herself to find strength and courage when life is throwing curveballs. 

 Inspiring and uplifting, raw and revealing, Denise finally lets her fans in on the resilient woman behind the bombshell persona, the person her friends and family already know: The Real Girl Next Door.

I haven't seen a lot of what Denise Richards has been in ... I remember her mainly in The One with Ross and Monica's Cousin on Friends.  But I like reading bios and memoirs and this one caught my eye.

Though I didn't know a lot about her and wasn't a fan, I found it to be an good book.  I liked the writing style and found it to be an easy fast read.  As a head's up, there is swearing.  I think she'd be fun to hang with.

She starts by telling about moving to California with her family when she was a kid.  Rather than going to college, she worked in modeling which eventually led to acting.  She tells of meeting and marrying Charlie Sheen (I've never been a fan of his) and their eventual bitter divorce, though she doesn't give the details of why she left him, and of dating Richie Sambora and their break-up.

It was interesting to get a description of what it's like being behind the scenes ... like modeling in Japan, her dilemma about going nude in Wild Things, getting implants and eventually getting them downsized, raising two young daughters as a single mom, her close relationship with her parents (her mom died a couple years ago from cancer), etc.

Book ~ "Merry Ex-Mas" (2013) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ Cass Wilkes, owner of the Gingerbread Haus bakery, was looking forward to her daughter Danielle's wedding - until Dani announced that she wants her father, Cass's ex, to walk her down the aisle. Seriously? Even worse, it appears that he, his trophy wife and their yappy little dog will be staying with Cass.

Her friend Charlene Albach arrives at their weekly chick-flick night in shock. She's just seen the ghost of Christmas past: her ex-husband, Richard, who left a year ago when he ran off with the hostess from her restaurant, Zelda's. Now the hostess is history and he wants to kiss and make up. Hide the mistletoe!

And bring out the hot buttered rum, because the holidays aren't easy for Ella O'Brien, either. Ella, newly divorced, is still sharing the house with her ex while they wait for the place to sell. The love is gone. Isn't it?

But watch as Christmas brings all kinds of surprises.

Merry Ex-mas, ladies!

'Tis the Christmas season and Cass, Charley and Ella are having issues with their exes.  Cass's daughter, Dani, is announces her engagement and their plans to get married right away.  That means Cass has to help pull the wedding together within weeks.  Icicle Falls is a small town and there's just so many places to stay ... so Cass begrudgingly will have to find room for Dani's father (Cass' ex-husband), Mason, his new young wife, Babette and their yappy dog at her house.

Charley owned a restaurant with her now ex-husband, Richard.  Richard and the restaurant's hostess ran off together and Charley was forced to buy him out.  Now he's back, acknowledging he made a mistake and is begging Charley to take him back.  He's wining and dining her and she's having a hard time resisting.

Ella and Jake hadn't been married long.  Jake is a musician and she suspected that he was cheating on her so divorced him.  Ella's mother, Lily, never liked Jake and did all she could to break them up.  He had maintained his innocence but Ella didn't believe him.  They are both living in their house while they try to sell it.  Jake has one last chance to win Ella back.

This is the eighth I've read by this author (and the sixth in the Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I liked most of the characters and their interactions with each other.  The women showed they were true friends and showed up when they were needed.  I found Dani to be ungrateful.  She's an adult and working (as is her fiancé) and sprung this wedding on everyone yet would become a brat when she didn't get her own way ... like she wanted cupcakes instead of a wedding cake, she didn't see a problem with having her father, his wife and their dog staying at her mother's house, etc.  She knew her mother couldn't afford a lot of what she wanted yet she forced her mother to give in.  But Cass let her get away with it.  One of the few times Cass stood up to her, Dani left in a huff and Cass felt obliged to apologize.   Plus Cass was bitching to herself that she couldn't afford this or that yet she never called Mason to demand he contribute to the costs and she got mad when he did.  That didn't seem realistic to me.

I found the brief side story with Cecily between torn between good guy, Luke, and bad boy, Todd, strange.  I know the author was setting these characters up for The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane but I found it awkwardly placed in this story.

As a bonus, Cass shares some of her recipes at the end (she owns a bakery).

Book ~ "The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane" (2014) Sheila Roberts

From Goodreads ~ After a fake food poisoning incident in L.A., Bailey Sterling's dreams of becoming a caterer to the stars collapse faster than a soufflé. Now Bailey's face is in all the gossip rags and her business is in ruins. But the Sterling women close ranks and bring her back to Icicle Falls, where she'll stay with her sister Cecily. 

All goes well between the sisters until Bailey comes up with a new business idea - a tea shop on a charming street called Lavender Lane. She's going into partnership with Todd Black, who - it turns out - is the man Cecily's started dating. It looks to Cecily as if there's more than tea brewing in that cute little shop. And she's not pleased. 

Wait! Isn't Cecily seeing Luke Goodman? He's a widower with an adorable little girl, and yes, Cecily does care about him. But Todd's the one who sends her zing-o-meter off the charts. So now what? Should you have to choose between your sister and the man you love (or think you love)?

Cecily works for her family's chocolate company.  All her friends are getting married and/or pregnant and that's what she wants.  She has two men who are interested in her.  Luke is a widower with a young daughter and is a nice guy.  Todd owns the tavern in town and isn't looking to settle down.  The obvious choice would be to be with Luke but she feels more of a zing with Todd and that's who she chooses.

Her younger sister, Bailey, moves back to Icicle Falls after a scandal in Los Angeles.  She eventually teams up with Todd to become partners to open a tea shop.  There are sparks between them but now Bailey has to decide what is more important ... pursuing the man you could love but lose your sister n the process.

This is the seventh book I've read by this author (and the fifth in the Icicle Falls series that I've read) and I liked it.  Written in third person perspective, the focus shifts among the characters and you get to know what they are thinking.  I liked the writing style and found it was easy to read.  As a head's up, there is some mild swearing.

I didn't find Cecily likeable and I don't know why Todd and Luke were interested in her since she didn't treat them well at times and made no secret to them that she was seeing both of them.  Todd had less of an emotional stake as he acknowledged to himself that he wasn't ready to settle down with her.  Luke kept offering her everything she wanted and she kept kicking him to the side.  Bailey's confidence had been shaken and it took a while for her to get it back.  I didn't think it was right that she'd consider a relationship with someone her sister was dating ... being sisters is more important that a guy.

I'd recommend this book if you are looking for a nice "feel good" story.  As a bonus, Bailey shares some of her recipes with you along with a lesson on the proper make to make tea at the end of the book.

Fat Bastard Burrito Co., Etobicoke, ON

I had a couple seminars to conduct in Etobicoke this afternoon so I had lunch at Fat Bastard Burrito, which is a couple blocks from where I had to be at 12:30pm.  We have a couple Fat Bastard Burritos in our 'hood and I like their chicken burritos.

It seats just six people on stools along the window and I managed to grab a spot in the corner.

I ordered a big (which is their medium) chicken burrito with rice, beans, cheese, salsa and burrito sauce.

Book ~ "Canada's Slow Cooker Winners: 300 Easy and Satisfying Recipes" (2010) Donna-Marie Pye

From Goodreads ~ Slow cooking is the perfect mealtime solution for anyone who wants to enjoy delicious food with a minimum of effort. The premise is simple: 

• Assemble and prepare the ingredients at your convenience, either the night before or earlier in the day 
• Place the ingredients in the slow cooker 
• Turn on the appliance and let the food cook unattended 

All of the recipes are easy and convenient to prepare yet provide incredibly satisfying results. 

"Canada's Slow Cooker Winners" includes dozens and dozens of tips and techniques for slow-cooker success, as well as general kitchen counseling and serving suggestions. The "make ahead" advice helps make these easy recipes even more convenient. Each of these dishes will tantalize and inspire the busy home chef. 

We have a slow cooker and I like checking out different recipes for it.  I tend to use it more when the weather gets cooler for some reason.

The author starts with slow cooker know-how explaining the different parts of the slow cooker and essential tips (preparing what you can ahead of time, the cuts of meat to choose, using whole herbs and spices, etc.).  Then she helps you adapt conventional recipes and provides a list of ingredient essentials (canned diced tomatoes rather than whole, using large eggs, crumbled dried herbs rather than ground, etc.)

The recipes in this book sound delicious and include:

• Breakfast, breads and beverages
• Appetizers, dips and spreads
• Soups
• Stews
• Chilis and beans
• Vegetarian mains
• Seafood
• Poultry
• Beef and veal
• Pork and lamb
• Sides and grains
• Big-batch dinners for a crowd
• Meals for two
• Double-duty dinners
• Desserts

The instructions are easy to follow and I like that there are tips listed for all the recipes ... like putting onions in the freezer for a few minutes before you cut them so you won't cry or to get the most juice from a lime, let it warm to room temperature, then roll it on the counter, pressing down withe the palm of your hand, before squeezing it.  Plus there are lots of full-colour pictures ... here are a couple examples:

I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

Book ~ "The Job" (2014) Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

From Goodreads ~ He’s a charming con man and she’s a dedicated FBI agent, and they’re about to drive each other crazy ... again!

The FBI had one demand when they secretly teamed up Special Agent Kate O’Hare with charming con man Nicolas Fox - bring down the world’s most-wanted and untouchable felons. This time it’s the brutal leader of a global drug-smuggling empire. The FBI doesn’t know what their target looks like, where he is or how to find him but Nick Fox has a few tricks up his sleeve to roust this particular Knipschildt chocolate–loving drug lord. 

 From the streets of Nashville to the back alleys of Lisbon, from the rooftops of Istanbul to the middle of the Thames, Nick and Kate chase their mark. When they find themselves pitted against a psychopathic bodyguard and a Portuguese enforcer who gets advice from a pickled head, they decide it’s time to enlist some special talent - talent like a machete-wielding Somali pirate, a self-absorbed actor, an Oscar-winning special effects artist and Kate’s father Jake, a retired Special Forces operative. Together they could help make this Fox and O’Hare’s biggest win yet ... if they survive.

Nick is a former con man who is supposed to be working with Kate, an FBI agent, to help the FBI catch the most-wanted criminals.  But evidence shows that he has been back to his old tricks again ... or has he? This leads Nick and Kate on a quest to capture a sadistic drug lord who has disappeared off the face of the earth.

Nick and Kate put together their team which includes Jake, Kate's dad, along with his elderly cronies, an actor who takes his parts too seriously, a dad who build treehouses and an awarding winning special effects artist who is on the brink of bankruptcy.  Can they pull it off?

This is the third in the Fox and O'Hare series ... I've read all three plus a novella and enjoyed them.  I liked this book and the story ... it was interesting to see how they pulled this scam together.  Yes, it's far-fetched at times so I had to leave my sense of belief at the door and go with it ... and I was okay with that.  I liked the writing style and thought it flowed well and found it amusing.

I liked Kate and Nick and enjoyed their interactions and banters.  I also enjoyed the interactions between Kate and Jake, her dad..  The supporting characters were likeable too such as Willie (the big-busted redneck) and Boyd (the actor who really gets into his roles).

I'd recommend this book.

Butter Chicken Roti, Toronto, ON

Since he-who-doesn't-like-curry (aka Gord) was having supper with friends tonight, I thought I'd check out Butter Chicken Roti, a new roti restaurant in our 'hood.  They have another location on College Street and just opened this one last week.  They are at Queen Street W/Dovercourt where Burger Bass was for a few seconds.

The guy with the red hoodie leaned against that wall and chatted
with the guy taking orders the whole time I was there ... not cool :(

The Burger's Priest, Etobicoke, ON

I had lunch today at the Burger's Priest on the Queensway/East Mall in Etobicoke. I'd never had one of their burgers before but had heard they were good so thought I'd check it out.

I got there just about noon.

I ordered a High Priest burger (minus the cheese, lettuce and onions) and a Diet Coke.  The fella taking my order asked if I wanted to make it a combo (so add fries) and I said okay.  It came to about $16 including tax.

Whether you eat in or take it out, your meal comes in a bag.

Topbox - November 2014

My November Topbox arrived today.

For only $12 a month, you will receive a Topbox with 4 carefully selected, indulgent, beauty products. Then test the products in the comfort of your own home.

Here's what was in it ...

• Benefits Cosmetics Stay Flawless 15-hour Primer - 1.2g - $2.81 value 
• Eyeko Black Magic Mascara - 4ml - $13 value
• Elizabeth Arden Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum - 5ml - $10.20 value
• UniqOne All in One Hair Treatment - 9ml - $1.22 value

Total value = $27.23

beautybox five - November 2014

I received my November beautybox five today.

Beauty Box 5 is a subscription-based, beauty sampling service that delivers 5 deluxe samples and full-sized products right to your door every month.

Subscriptions are $12US a month or $99US for a year.  Shipping is free.

Here's what was in the box ...

• Laura Ashley Body Butter (Spring Lavendar) - 1.75oz - $3.33 value
• Afterfeather Refillable Travel Bottles - 2oz - $4.78 value
• Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash - 1.8oz - $0.53 value
• HASK Macadamia Revitalizing Shine Oil - 5//8oz - $2.99 value
• DenTek Floss Picks + Case - 4 count - $2.49

Total value - $14.12US

Book ~ "#GIRLBOSS" (2014) Sophia Amoruso

From Goodreads ~ At seventeen, Sophia Amoruso decided to forgo continuing education to pursue a life of hitchhiking, dumpster diving and petty thievery. Now, at twenty-nine, she is the Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Nasty Gal, a $100+ million e-tailer that draws A-list publicity and rabid fans for its leading-edge fashion and provocative online persona. Her story is extraordinary - and only part of the appeal of #GIRLBOSS. 

This aspirational book doesn’t patronize young women the way many business experts do. Amoruso shows readers how to channel their passion and hard work, while keeping their insecurities from getting in the way. She offers straight talk about making your voice heard and doing meaningful work. 

She’s proof that you can be a huge success without giving up your spirit of adventure or distinctive style. As she writes, "I have three pieces of advice I want you to remember: Don’t ever grow up. Don’t become a bore. Don’t let The Man get to you. OK? Cool. Then let’s do this.”

I hadn't heard of Sophia Amoruso or Nasty Girl but someone I'm friends with on Goodreads had added it to her to-be-read pile and it sounded interesting ...and it was (I like reading bios).

Nasty Gal is an American-based and owned online retailer, founded by Sophia Amoruso in 2006, which specializes in fashion clothing, shoes and accessories for young women. She originally launched an ebay store in selling vintage fashion that she would find at secondhand stores.  In June 2008, she moved Nasty Gal Vintage off eBay and onto its own site ... and she hasn't looked back.

It was interesting to read her story.  She didn't like high school so quit and had a lot of jobs from working at Subway to selling shoes to rich women to working in the lobby of an arts school.  She didn't have passion or commitment for these jobs and would eventually quit or get fired.  At times she had to resort to stealing and dumpster diving to survive. She sounds like an interesting no-BS person.  The conventional rules didn't work for her so she made her own rules.

Besides telling us about herself, she also gives advice on how to become a #GIRLBOSS ... like staying true to yourself, creating an effective resume and cover letter, and the importance of being nice and polite.  In addition, there are portraits of #GIRLBOSS such as Madeline Poole of MPNAILs and Norma Kamali.  As a head's up, there is swearing.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, ON

Gord and I went to The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (The Royal) today.  It's at Exhibition Place from November 7 'til tomorrow.

The Royal is Canada's most prominent agricultural event within both the provincial and national scopes. Its mandate is predominantly trade-related, featuring wine and food shopping as well as the livestock, machinery and foodstuffs displays. Entertainment includes an international horse show, cattle shows, chef competitions, rodeo, and President's Choice SuperDogs.  The first show opened in November 1922.

There is something for everyone!

There is a huge foodcourt.  We had an early supper there.  I had wings and fries from St. Louis and Gord had a humungous chicken schnitzel sandwich.  The prices for everything seemed reasonable.

There is lots of shopping including horse supplies, clothing, hats, boots, jewelry, sweets, cooking supplies, soaps, etc.

Ipsy Glam Bag - November 2014

I received my November Ipsy Glam Bag today.

• 4 to 5 beauty products in a collectible makeup bag 
• Monthly videos showing you how to get the Look 
• Win free products in contests and giveaways

Subscriptions are $10US a month or $110US for a year.  Shipping is free in the U.S. and $4.95US per month to Canada.  It was $187.87CN for the year which worked out to $15.66CN a month.

Here's what was in it:

• Make-up bag
• StarlooksGem Eye Pencil (olive green) - $16
• IT CosmeticsBye Bye Under Eye (neutral medium) - 0.11oz - $9.43 value
• J. Cat BeautyWonder Lip Paint - 0.33oz - $4.99 value
• SeaRx Birch Sap Moisturizing Lotion - 0.3oz - $2.40 value
• Marc Anthony True Professional Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Hairspray - 1.5oz - $1.47 value

Total value: $34.29US (excluding the bag)

Stand-up Competition, Remix Lounge, Toronto

Martin, a friend of Gord's who he works with, has recently taken up stand-up comedy.  He has had a couple performances and is really enjoying it.

Tonight there was an amateur competition at the Remix Lounge at Dundas W/Dovercourt.  There were nine in the competition and the prize was $60.  We went to lend Martin our support.

Martin outside the Remix Lounge before the show

Gord and Martin

Aisha Brown was the emcee.  She did some bits before and between the comics and was funny.  She joked about what it was like being a 30-something woman in the dating world.

Here's Martin during his bit.  He walked around on stage a lot so it was hard to get a good picture of him.  He was edgy and funny and played on his ethnicity.

Book ~ "The Drop" (2014) Dennis Lehane

From Goodreads ~ Three days after Christmas, a lonely bartender looking for a reason to live rescues an abused puppy from a trash can and meets a damaged woman looking for something to believe in. 

As their relationship grows, they cross paths with the Chechen mafia; a man grown dangerous with age and thwarted hopes; two hapless stick-up artists; a very curious cop; and the original owner of the puppy, who wants his dog back. 

Bob is a bartender working in his cousin, Marv's bar.  Well, it's not his cousin's bar anymore since Cousin Marv lost it to the Chechen mob.  He continues to run it, though, and it's a drop for money, betting, etc.  One night the bar gets robbed and that brings the Chechens and the police down on them.

In the meantime, Bob finds an abused puppy in a garbage can and rescues it.  One of his neighbours, Nadia, helps him with training it, walking it, etc.  Then Eric, the owner of the puppy who is a nut, appears and wants his dog back and Bob will do anything he has to so that doesn't happen.  Besides the church, the puppy is all he has.  His parents are dead and he still lives in the house he grew up in and drives his dad's car.

It's been a while since I've read one of Lehane's books ... I used to be a big fan of his Patrick Kenzie/Angela Gennaro series.  This book was okay.  It was a quick read and I didn't find myself feeling anything for the characters.  As a head's up, there is swearing and violence.

FYI, this book was made into a movie (or vice versa) starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and James Gandolfini and was released in September.  I think it would work well as a movie and I'll keep an eye out for it.

Remembrance Day

The federal department of Veterans Affairs Canada states that November 11 is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"; specifically, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and all conflicts since then in which members of the Canadian Forces have participated.

Remembering my father, Frank (1935 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's dad, Ken (1925 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's paternal
grandfather, Sid (1890 - 1963)