Golden Hockey Puck!

How'd you like that eh! The Canuks did it.....beat the USA to take the Gold in the Hockey. We were stoked for our country of residence. I screamed, Pip screamed, the whole country screamed when Sidney Crosby finagled the puck into the goal to score in overtime…this golden goal ended the match after the game had been tied up by a US goal just 27 seconds before the final bell.


It was a heck of a game and I gotta say I’ve become a bit of a fan. Finally a game that moves, these guys just keep on going and going. Its fast and rough but so skilful you can’t help but be impressed.

From the moment Crosby scored the streets around us in Downtown Toronto roared. Reverberating with cheers and car horns well into the wee hours. A spontaneous party erupted along Yonge street for miles and miles culminating down at Dundas Square.

We went out in it for a while, me wearing my maple leaf toque. Random high 5’s from strangers along the way and joyous outbursts of 'Oh Canada' were great to share. There were maple leafs everywhere, from faces to shirts to flags.

Eventually we wandered home, smiling along with the rest of the melee. We had good reason to smile. Thanks to Julia Child we had a wicked roast chook in the oven and some celebratory bubbles to crack. Finally dozing off in front of the Closing Ceremony I reflected I’d had a great Olympics…cheered for the Kiwis when I could but really loving all the gold the Canadians’ got…especially the girls… it was great to see girls going for it in so many dangerous and skilful events. Bloody ripper really!

Oh to be young again!!

Guns and Noses

Link to TV coverage http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/70707--huge-arsenal-of-guns-seized-from-downtown-apartment

Huge drama this week as the local armed Police response team staked out our building after a raid on a gun collector's apartment. Mac and I arrived back from a very freezing walk at Cherry Beach Monday morning to find our grounds bristling with cops.

Interviewed by the obligatory tall dark and handsome constable I was able to offer that we had in fact seen a suspicious character lurking extra late Saturday night where he shouldn’t, but we are so used to the shady behaviour of the down and outers, pimps, prossies and homeless that populate our downtown area that after remarking on seeing someone we promptly forgot all about it. Happy to report we did not stick our noses into that one!

We now know that a mere two floors above us hoarded in two locked bedrooms was a cache of arms. Even Pip was shocked when the cops rolled out trolleys loaded with Kalashnikovs and glocks and god knows what else. I’ll attach a link to the local tv coverage. Sent chills through me at first, replaced by anger that our super, the doughty Marie, allowed this stockpile of frightening weapons to be stored in our building. Not a place you expect this kind of stuff to go down.

No word yet on how they got in or out of our supposedly safe building!! We hope the videos from the door and hall surveillance will reveal that riddle.

We were a 24 hour wonder with news crews and when interviewed I sensibly kept mum about the inside goss I’d gleaned from chats with other tenants. I’ll share with you though. The collection belonged to an aged lawyer, whose office had been next door, he’d moved the collection in over a year ago, he's ill and currently lives elsewhere. The guns were not stored in secure lockers and although the bolts appeared to be removed from those we saw taken by the police we have no idea about the ones that got away! Just that they were handguns!!

Add to all that the first real snowstorm of the winter our 75 year old super Marie is set to have a heart attack.

We manage to continue life happily though admit to being rather disappointed at the warm temps and lack of real snow depth this winter.

Valentines Day at Blue Mountain

Just had a gorgeous experience at Blue Mountain Ski Resort, set on the escarpment that runs from Niagara up to Lake Huron. Short and sharp, the runs are fun and steep, and when I say short I do mean short. The snow was fab and the boyfriend is giving me a run for my money these days. I find I'm having to hussle to keep up with him when he lets his skis run. We had fun doing figure 8's down beside the trees. The view is gorgeous, Georgian Bay stretches out to the horizon iced up in patches and very blue.

Sadly no pics but will take some next time.

Apres ski we hit the Nordic Spa just 5 minutes from the ski hill. Set amongst tall silver birches this group of red painted barn like structures surrounds an artful group of outdoor pools ranging from deliciously hot to fffffffreeezin! After a hot dip and cold plunge we retreat to the eucalyptus steam silo and finnish sauna. Quiet rooms lead off these areas and guests lie around reading or contemplating the tranquil view. Silence is observed and I have to admit to being told politely to shut up at one point .....but I was not the only one! Its hard to be quiet when plunging ones body into a snow drift and making like a polar bear.

This was our second Nordic spa and it really is heaven. Made me remember all those wonderful nights at the hot pools at the Lake (Rotiti) as kids and how fabulous you feel afterwards from the combination of hot hot and cold cold water.

Apres Nordic Spa!

Driving back from our trip we both felt totally chilled out until some dopey driver ahead decides to take the highway at 10 miles per hour....this behaviour does not go down well with my chauffeur....so we preceded to show those Canadians a thing or two about night driving and using ones high beam to illuminate the road. Apparently thats not something people do here!

Everytime we drive back into Toronto we are amazed at how huge the place is and how the urban sprawl just keeps creeping outwards as horrid lines of row housing sprout up where farmers grew corn when we first arrived.

Back at Isabella towering apartment buildings have sprouted in the 3 years we were away. The upshot is that the socio economic climate of our area has lifted which is great, not so many homeless types hanging around...more young business people and couples...as its so handy to all the good things like shops and subway.

Winter Carnivale in Quebec and The Ice Hotel

Leaving the city at midday last Friday, we hit the highway for a 810k drive to Quebec city. Last time we did this I swore we'd fly next time...but you know how it is....the boyfriend didn't like the idea of having Mcgregor under the seat in the dreaded doggie bag for the one hour trip so here we are! Still, if Pip was keen on driving the distance, Mac and I were happy to keep him company!

I'd baked till nearly midnight thursday night, producing two cakes, one banana and one plum kuchen and two huge lasagnes to take up with us, they were stowed in the back with the doggie.

We whiled away the 5 hours to Montreal learning Italian. I had my laptop on my knee with our 'Learn Italian in 10 minutes a day' CD whirring around. We uno, due, tre and quatro'd our way across the snowless miles of Ontario. It wasnt until we crossed the border into Quebec that the snow accumulation became significant. We pass pretty farms, with great arching barns and tall silos all the way. Livestock are rare, and further north the barns turn into great silver double storied chicken factories. (We buy organic eggs from chickens fed on the stuff that makes their yolks orange like the ones back home)

This countryside is flat...flat...flat....grain growing land. Quebec is just a big farm really and it produces some yummy stuff especially cheese. We hoped to sample a few of those delights this weekend.

Finally we crossed the St Lawrence and drove into old Quebec along the Boulevard Champlain which winds along the river, below the cliffs, to the old port. Darkness had fallen hours before and right on cue a great fireworks display erupted over the high plains of Abraham above the cliffs to herald our arrival in town!

We wound through the now familiar narrrow cobbled streets to our friend Jills house on Rue St Louis in the walled town. Jill, a Commander in the Canadian Navy, lives with her two sons in a fifteen room stone house, built in the early 1800's by the english. It has an aristocratic history and once sported gorgeous gardens, but these days is owned by the Government for the use of employees of the Forces.

Saturday morning and we're off on a trek to the Winter Carnivale to see the ice sculptures and Ice Palace. $12 buys a three week pass to the event and we wander the frozen streets and sideshows. Pip and I go head to head in the kids tent playing tennis on a wii....I think I won..but maybe not!... (He says not)! (His story is that he thrashed me...!) We also played some sort of wii dancing game which was great fun and just showed how rhymically challenged I really am. I was beaten soundly! Ian, Jills youngest son (green jacket at left) played a game of human fuze ball. Hilarious. People strapped themselves to sliding poles and moved just like a fuze ball table. To his delight, Ian kicked the winning goal.

Old fashioned horsedrawn sleighs drifted across the snow, making the snow covered Plains of Abraham look like they must of 200 years ago. Little Mac, clad in his red winter coat got the shakes as we walked around town on the way to the Soap Box derby. His dear dad picked him up and carried him home to get warm in Jills parlour.

Cariboo is the drink of the festival. A hot concoction of red wine and whisky dished up in funky ice glasses served from an ice bar by cute boys and girls in sub zero gear. We tried some later that night on our way home from the Auberge St Antoine, at an ice bar on Rue St Louis. We'd been at drinks in the hotel earlier to meet the champion ladies Ice Canoe team sponsored by the Hotel.

Somehow we ended up settled into the Artifact bar at the Auberge, with Evan and a new group of friends, sampling gorgeous nibbles, oysters and scallops washed down by lashings of lovely wine! We met a lovely couple from Boston, he was Prof of Economics at MIT (very handsome) and she a stay at home Mum. Another very beautiful young couple, a financier and advertising gal, were from Toronto and the last couple lived in Ottawa, he was Welsh and she worked for the Government. Two of these couples were indulging in romantic weekends at the Ice Hotel, something we'd toyed with doing but put in the too hard basket.

Sunday we watched Evan and his Bonjour Quebec team in the Ice Canoe Race with Muffy (in the shiny black coat), Dominique (turquoise pants), Annabelle and Nic Price. The girls in the Auberge St Antoine team lead the womens section out across the ice and into the St Laurent river but sadly could only manage 4th after the grueling  test against ice, swift current and blowing snow  Evans team started from the back of the bunch and finished a creditable 6th. There were some hairy moments when boats, rowed by four rowers and a captain steering with a paddle, clashed together, trapped in the ice, as sharp pick ended oars crashed together and carbon fibre hulls clattered against the river iceflows, the rowers desperately trying to get into clear water and away from their opponents. The Elite mens race was won by the crack Chateau Frontenac team who'd won for years on end. (The rowers all wear Canterbury rugby boots modified with long sharpened bolt like sprigs so they can run on the ice.)

After a few warming mulled wines back at the Auberge, Pip and I joined Jill and her boys for Sunday dinner and played board games until bedtime.

Next day we packed our dusty chevrolet and headed off to the Ice Hotel. I had a preconceived idea of what it would look like. Of course it was completely different. On the outside the shape of the building is very simple, its not until you walk through the deerskin covered doors that the magic starts. Every pillar, wall, chandelier, bed, chair, table and stool is carved from ice. Seats and beds are draped with pelts and skins and clever lighting transforms each room into something super romantic. Cathedral ceilings soar in the public areas, there was even an ice slide in one of the bars.

Its weird walking through a building with snow floors and ice walls, bloody cold actually, even though we're in our boots and down parkas. I baulked at going right inside a little igloo (claustrophobia) but didnt think twice about stretching out on a bearskin rug on an icy bed. Guests arrive in the evening for drinks and nordic spas, are given artic sleeping bags and the ice beds are heaped with pelts and rugs. There are no doors and there are air holes in the ceiling of each room. Some of the larger suits have fireplaces too. The Ice Hotel has a lodge where each guest also has a room to flee to if the cold gets too much in the night!

The chapel took my breath away, it was serene and incredibly beautiful, like a fairytale dream place!

We had to trek back into Quebec as the boyfriend had left his wallet warming above Jill's radiator at Rue St Louis. The trip, though long, seems to slip by now we have become familiar with it again. Just a short 9 hours later we drove into our parking lot at Isabella Street after smooth trip on the dead straight road, wee Mac snoozing in his tartan bed in the backseat.

Another weekend behind us and good memories to sleep on.

Auberge Saint Antoine in old Quebec for New Year

Once again we were drawn to travel to the chilly north for New Year. Just an eight hour drive between Toronto blighted by a green Christmas and Quebec dusted with snowflakes for a  joyeus noel and bonne annee!

Leaving Toronto in the late afternoon we stopped overnight in Montreal, always gorgeously done up for the holidays with funky lights,  this year huge lit angels adorned the facade of Notre Dame in the Vieux Port.

Sadly the hotel was full up with bus loads of eighteen year olds making the New Years trip to legally drink in Quebec where the legal age is nineteen. Pip was up most of the night while our neighbour argey bargeyd with a security guard until the disturber was thrown out about three hours too late for my boy to have a nights sleep.  Mcgregor and I slept on uncaring of his discomfit!

Arriving at the Auberge Saint-Antoine is a lovely thing. Handsome young men with sexy french accents usher one in through the huge doors,  up into the lobby with its crackling fire and witty iron chandeliers. I can never resist stopping to view the three dioarama, set in a wall, depicting the changes to the hotel site from the 17th century and cleverly showing the placement of the current building. Reclaimation over the last 400 years has seen the shore line expand outwards. The Auberge, a Relais and Chateaux establishment owned by the Price family of Quebec, stands on the site of several old warehouses, artefacts from three centuries of merchant business's are artfully encased a la museum style along the walls in all the main public areas of the hotel, giving it a unique museo-art vibe.  The glass boxes are funky and intriguing, lit in a very modern way to show off the gorgous green, pink and red glass along with shards of fine china and metal domestic items.

Dining that night in Panache, the fine dining restaurant housed in an original warehouse attached to the hotel, with Madame Price, Muffy to her friends, was a rare treat.  We met in the bar and drank delicious cocktails made from blackberries, kirsch, vodka and simple syrup. Lucious briny poached oysters and tender scallops in their shells accompanied drinks but our stand out fave was the spicy popcorn. We guessed it was tossed with pork fat, paprika and cayenne.. whatever the recipe it was addicting!

Moving to the ancient timber beamed restaurant, designed in 2003 by Muffy to honor the integrity of its original use mixed up with contemporary french chic to create another unique space. Placed in front of the fire we dined first on fois gras, Atlantic scallop, then the most divinely crispy sweetbread with rosemary sauce that was one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth! Chef Francoios Blais does a wonderful job melding old quebec recipes and comfort foods fusing them with contemporary twists and an elegance suited to this lovely room. Each yummy course was pared with a spirit or wine, very cool for us as these were all new wines whose provenance ranged from Canada, Italy, France, South Africa and Venezuela!

Rich caribou filet with a porcini mushroom mustard sauce was matched with a big red from Ernie Els vineyard in South Africa. Being golfers we enjoyed that connection. After a delicious local organic blue cheese, raisin toast and candied fruits we finished with a shot of Venezuelan Rum and a luscious chocolate confection.

Midnight burst forth with Laurent Perrier and cannons of streamers in the bar. The pastry chef had created a tower of chocolate and dessert delights that guests just couldn't resist. I found a little pile of chocolate brittle on my bedside table in the morning, I must have pocketed them on my way to bed!

Skiing at Mont Sainte Anne 45mins from downtown Quebec the next day with distant cousin Evan and his two teens was fun though we did more socialising than skiing in the end. Pip went off on his own and skied three times the runs I did until we met up again and skied back to the car in the gently falling snow.

Invited back to dinner with Evan's family we found our summer tyres were very dodgy on the snow covered road up to the ski house. In the end we had to back the chevvy down the snowy hill and park on the flat, Evan chauffering us back to the house!

Another sensational meal, this time the big filet mignon was cooked to perfection by Eric, Evan's brother-in-law, in the fireplace over a bed of glowing coals. Marie and Dominique created magic in the kitchen, producing a scrummy potato gratin and a tarte aux citron amongst other things. Eric and Marie visited New Zealand, along with beautiful daughters Sophie and Lilly, last Christmas and have happy memories of their holiday to share. (Phew....the rain must have stayed on that 'plain in spain' while they were in town!!

The following day we had brunch at Panache which was a treat. Lazing around the hotel, enjoying the snow falling softly outside and the glowing fires in the public spaces we chatted with other guests, read newspapers and crosswords then headed back to Mont Sainte Anne to Zonespa. Evan had suggested we try this Nordic experience. One glimpse of the snow surrounded hot pools and my heart was won over.A dream come true. Snow. Hot Water. Fresh crisp air. My loved one beside me! Gingerly I managed to  roll half naked in the snow too, Pip led the way into the froxen lake by dipping head and all under. I thought he'd have a heart attack from the shock of it but he survived, revived by a stinging dip back in the hot pool. I didn't quite manage to get my heart under the freezing water but was pleased to do that much. Later we tripped through the snow clad in wet togs and white fluffy robes to a Yurt retreat where a fire warmed the air and comfy recliners ringed the ciruclar canvas walls. We spent some time just snoozing in the silent warmth. Really delish. More hot and cold dips then into the steam room and finishing under the indoor cold waterfall. We felt relaxed and pampered and completely content.

Dinner that night at Cafe Artefact started with dirty martini's beside the fire in one of the reading nooks at the Auberge.  We met an interesting couple from Montreal, ate a really good soup and fab croque monseiur. Later we had a few drinks with author Douglas Kennedy a fascinating guy we liked alot. He'd driven over from Maine and was a regular guest at the Auberge.

Checking out the following day we joined friend Jill and her sons, David and Ian for a really festive sunday lunch. Turkey with all the trimmings. I chipped in an made my mother's bread sauce.

Moira's Bread Sauce

• 2 Bay leaves
• ground pepper (white is prettier)
• salt
• half a stick of butter (more if you like to be daring)
• half and half ( cream or full cream milk)
• 1/2 white, vadahlia or yellow onion, diced finely
• 4 " slab of stale white bread, crust cut off. or 4 -6 slices torn or roughly cut up
• (Crushed cardomom pods can be added to milk infusion if using with goose or duck)

Using a wooden spoon to stir, place butter in a saucepot and  melt, add onion and melt gently until translucent but not coloured. Add 2 cups of milk, bay leaf, good pinch of pepper and salt and infuse gently over low heat for 5 minutes.
Add torn bread to milk mix and continue to heat gently over medium heat until mix thickens and bread loses shape. I stir with wooden spoon from time to time. Continue to add milk or bread if needed until good thick consistency. Keep warm over a low heat or in warm spot on stove. Can be made a day or so in advance, flavour develops even more. Remove bay leaf before serving in a warm bowl with all roast fowl. Perfect with sage and onion stuffed roast chicken, creamed sweet corn side, roasted or steamed vegies and rich gravy made from thickened pan drippings, good stock or veggie water and a dash of soy sauce to brighten flavours and some wine.

After lunch Jill and I took the boys to the Musee de la Civilisation for the annual fete of the Three Kings, a French religious custom after New Year. We sampled the galette and then viewed three exhibitions. Human copyright was a fascinating look at the difference between the human brain and animals, evolution and the mechanical brains of robots and computers. 7 sins explored these deadly obsessions showcasing items from the museums inventory and lastely we visited the model of the Battle in 1756 on the Plains of Abraham where both General Wolfe (British) and Montcalm (French) lost their lives. The Battle famous as the turning point in the British fortunes in New France. I was interested as it was very much an exhibition from the French point of view... I forget that this was their town.... as I am always looking at it historically through the eyes of an English descendant of the battleof the Plains of Abraham.

Pip and Mcgregor met us at the Dufferin Terrace in front of the Chateau Frontenac. We bought tickets for the toboggan slide and hike up the hill towing the 6 ft long, one hundred year old toboggans as the sinking sun turned the river and hills behind lilac and silver. Not known for my love of roller coasters and the like I was determined to do this little ride. Jill and I hopped on, much to Mcgregors horror, then sped hooting and hollering like kids down the shute. Pip and the little boys went so fast they overshot the landing area by about 20 feet. Pip ended up with his legs in the air on his back laughing his head off.

The next morning we packed the car, found Evan's son's missing track pants, duely delivered them to the Auberge for pick up and rolled out of town along the Chemin Cartier which runs along the mighty fleuvre. I haven't talked about the Saint Lawrence river, but its the heartbeat of the old town. In the winter its choked with ice moving with the strong tide. Its quite disconcerting seeing it flowing back up the river  as the tide rushes in. Evan and friends defy this current by racing ice canoes through and up over the ice in a death defying display of daring, strength and stamina. We're going to make the trip back early February to see the big ice canoe race at the Winter Carnivale.

Xmas Eve Oysters and Blinis

We were joined by our great friends Robert and Gerard for Drinks on Christmas Eve. The boys provided the caviar and blinis and Pip shucked a few dozen Malpec Oysters, bought at St Lawrence Market that day, while I concocted two shooters (stolen from Dinah Koo's The Cocktail Chef cookbook) and Oysters Rockefeller (inspired by oysters I had on the pier at San Clemente,Ca in May)

Pip believes Oysters are sacrisant and should not be buggered around with. I don't agree. I love them au naturel but every other way too!!

My oyster shooters were a huge success. Served in vintage pewter shot cups last used by my gandparents when they lived in Java in the 30's. They are definitely an instant party starter!! I had to adjust the recipe for just the four of us, her original for 12 shooters from each flavour is listed below.

Tangy Tomato and Beer Shooter (my favourite).

• 12 shucked oysters, one in bottom of each shot glasses
• 1/2 cup American Cocktail sauce with Horseradish (tomato and horseradish)
• 2tsp lemon juice.  
• 1/4 cup  beer. I used Leffe Brun (also my fav) which was rich and earthy with the horseradish and salty sweet oyster. Divine.
• Mix wet ingreds together and season to taste.
• Put 1Tbsp of mix on top of each oyster

Robert liked the Vodka, Cucumber mix better. He thought it was more subtle and I've gotta say it was very yummy too.

Vodka Cucumber Mix

• 12 oysters, shucked
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 vodka
• 3 Tbspn finely diced cucumber,unpeeled
• 3tsp horseradish, bottled or freshly grated
• 2tsp Dijon mustard
• 3/4 tsp salt to taste.
• Mix all ingredients and pour 1Tbspn into shooter glass ontop of  oyster

The Oyster Rockefeller recipe came out of my head and memory.  I dont use measures for bechemel because Ive always just made it by feel. Anyway it worked and we wished we'd made a whole lot more.

• 
  
  Shucked oysters, juice and shells reserved. Allow 2 to 6 per person depending on whether its a plated entree (appetiser) or canape.
• 
  
  Spinach sauteed in butter
• Bacon crisplyly fried and broken up
• Bechemel Sauce made with butter and flour roux, thinned with oyster juice, white wine and hafland half milk ( or light cream) seasoned with s and p and a touch of dijon mustard.
• Assemble a little spinach in each shell, nestle raw oyster next, top with bacon bits and cover with sauce
• Top with a dash of  finely grated cheese then place under grill until cheese bubbles and is golden.

 We drank a few different bottles of Prosecco and Champagne with our oyster feast and were totally tipsy when New Zealand called via Skype.. We were both able to see our families during their Christmas celebrations and it meant a lot to me to be able to see my parents and sons live on Christmas Day. Mum had a glass of bubbles in her hand as we spoke and I was thrilled to see how well she looked after her hip replacement in September. Although we were having fun at our own party New Zealand looked fresh and bright and wonderful and we both felt sad not to be there.

We managed to assuage those feelings with more champagne and my christmas cake which we cut later that night. The butter icing laced with Grand Marnier was too die for even though the cake itself was a tinsey bit on the dry side. It was thankfully saved by the plump fruit inside(cranberries, sultanas, christamas mince and chocolate.) The flavour reminded me, not of my mothers dark rich fruitcake, but of the paler cakes Doris Fulton and Val Thorburn used to make and a sultana cake my Dad and Vicky still make.

Julie’s Christmas Cake Frosting Secret!

This year I added chocolate bits and dried cranberries to my Christmas cake recipe, doused the cooked cake with Grand Marnier for a few days then frosted with Grand Marnier Butter Frosting. This frosting is rich and sinfully good. Slather over a store bought fruit cake and you will look like a gourmand! I top my cake with pohutukawa blossoms, the flowers of the New Zealand Christmas Tree.

Ingredients for Grand Marnier Butter Frosting

• 150g butter, softened
• 3-4 tbsp Grand Marnier
•  450g icing sugar
• Gradually beat the icing sugar into the butter, adding enough Grand Marnier as you go until the icing is pale, smooth and spreadable.
• Spread over the top and down sides of the cake, swirling it with a palette knife. Store in airtight tin.  

The weather god performed and we had flurries of snow during the evening which is always lovely and makes us feel very Christmassy!!

After swopping our secret Santa gifts ( I received a years supply of  tall candles for my antler candlesticks and Pip, a whole rabbit and the challenge to cook a rabbit feast for the boys)  Robert and Gerard left to take the subway home and we tucked ourselves up in bed with the thought of our duck dinner tomorrow night to dream about.

The next day dawned, Christmas day 2009, our third at home in Isabella Street. This year it didnt seem quite as exciting after NZ in 07 and Quebec in 08.

Dishing up a eggs Florentine for brekkie we felt a but flat after the fun and skyping of last night. Pip manages to crack me up though..so a merry xmas morning ensues as we open our antipodean pressies!

 It snowed a little and we walked with Mac then got the duck in the oven with all the trimmings. Deciding to do Bob Blumer's horseradish Snowmen was a little nuts but they looked so cute it was worth it to add a little whimsey to our evening.

Toronto: November 5 2009

Planning Xmas in the snow. Possibly Blue Mountain, possibly Tremblant but probably Quebec.