Happy Goat Coffee Company

 Linking up with Marg at The Intrepid Reader

Weekend Coffee Share
Sunday Salon

May 2025 - Toronto ON

Ottawa ON

Saturday and it isn't sunny but it's not raining!  Scratch that, it poured mid afternoon. 

We both looked forward to our lazy Saturday, after chores got done. Laundry, vacuum (technically Parnell the robot does that), mail a postcard, book a show,  fill soap containers, clean the kitchen, sorted the freezer, you get the idea.

Sunday

We tried this recipe for gluten free egg noodles and it did not work! I ordered some (expensive) gluten free Italian flour.

I worked on some posts and booked our whales and puffins tour.

Monday Mural was from Ottawa last weekend.

John was up and made bangers and eggs for his breakfast and a sandwich to go for lunch as he headed out to meet a friend to go golfing in St. George ON.

I hadn't seen this plaque before, outside Winner's at College Park. I wrote a post about this Eaton's store.

I was waiting for the streetcar to Allan Gardens.

I can't believe I haven't been here since December 2019!!

The iconic Palm House at Allan Gardens Conservatory reopened to the public mid May after closing for vital restoration work to preserve the structure's architectural heritage. 
Construction began in October 2022 on the historic conservatory building, one of Toronto's oldest attractions. The Palm House, designed by City of Toronto architect Robert McCallum, opened in 1910 and is the third horticultural pavilion on site.
The Palm House features a wide array of palms, banana plants and other tall specimens. It showcases a variety of palm trees and other tropical plants like cycads, gingers, hibiscus and seasonal exotics. 

They were busy removing the spring flowers.

Okuda's mural is peeking out in these two shots.

I walked back to the Bulk Barn and was quicker than the streetcar. I picked up peanuts (NOT Virginia) and popcorn.

This plaque was outside the old Maple Leaf Gardens.

Tuesday I had intended to go out early, however, we got caught up on the King's Speech from the Throne.

Mark Carney is a man who is respected globally which will serve him well as PM! 

He's also pretty damn smart and strategic for bringing King Charles III to deliver the throne speech. 🇨🇦🍁

After lunch we lost our desire to go out and instead watched the latest three MasterChef Australia episodes.

I also bought tickets for The Sound of Our Nation at the Canadian Stage Company on June 14. We haven't been there in ages!

Wednesday John's golf was rained out again (last week also). I did some decluttering in the middle room (2 pillows, decorative umbrella (I bought in California and did nothing with), glass battery candle - all went to T). We threw out 2 covers for headsets, and a couple of posters.
I only went to Longo's for some items on special and chicken quarters for dinner. I was going to make fish coconut lime soup if John had been golfing and the weather was better.

I've never seen this before.

John booked golf for Friday.

Thursday we got this note:

Dear Residents, 
Effective today, a combination lock is installed on the entrance gate to the tennis court. This measure is being implemented due to repeated incidents of non-residents from neighbouring condominiums accessing and using the court without authorization.

John bottled his wine and then we went to St. Lawrence Market and picked up steaks, ground lamb, and some vegetables. I also picked up those sweet drops that I had mentioned a few weeks ago.

Some interesting fish options.

We went to Balzac's on Market St. for a white flat.

Friday John golfed at Remington. I went to the Reference Library to see their display of old Toronto postcards.

Longo's lies, the price tag says "product of Mexico" but the boxes say "Product of USA.". I sent them a note.

I bought some balsamic vinegar, not the usual one, this was twice the price for half the size. But we don't use it a lot and shouldn't skimp on some things.

My birth certificate arrived!

COOKING

I usually have a loose menu plan for the week ahead. However, not really for this week. 

I do enjoy those days when I have no idea what to have for dinner and then a plan comes together.

Instead we had four new recipes that we enjoyed and are adding to our rotation. I have already added the fried chicken and Mexican pulled pork to My Recipe Box.

On Monday I felt I had to do something with the pork butt we bought on sale at Longo's with plans to make slow cooked Mexican pulled pork. I had thought to use pork chops to make the pork schnitzel but then cut two pork slices from the butt instead. Pork butt is also on the cheaper cut.

 On Tuesday, I realized we had our last package of chicken thighs, looked at Pinterest and decided to try the paprikash, which led me to the one lone sausage in the freezer which I added.

I don't often buy chicken quarters, I don't know why, as they are a relatively inexpensive meal. Five chicken quarters were $10 so that would be five dinners for us. Then on Thursday I still had no ideas until we were at the market and I saw three pounds of ground lamb for $20 nd made koftas/kaftas.

Saturday roast beef, potatoes, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts 

Sunday leftover beef, green peppers onions stir fry with rice (since the noodles didn't work out)

Monday pork schnitzel with Dijon gravy(NEW/ADDED) mashed cauliflower/sprouts potatoes and fennel. Delicious!!! Perfect pork schnitzel GF!

Tuesday chicken Paprikash(NEW) I added a hot Italian sausage that was languishing in the freezer.

Wednesday oven fried GF chicken quarters (NEW/ADDED) and salad 

Thursday lamb koftas (NEW) with tomatoes, tzatziki, salad and flatbread

Friday steak baked potato asparagus (roasted with balsamic vinegar and parmesan) and chimichurri

WATCHING

Fred and Rose West A British Horror Story 2025. There have been so many versions of this true story but it is always interesting. Recently discovered police recordings and first-person accounts tell the story of Fred and Rose West, two of the UK's most prolific murderers.

Mobland is a British crime drama television series. The series stars Tom Hardy as Harry Da Souza, a fixer for the Harrigan crime family led by Conrad (Pierce Brosnan) and Maeve Harrigan (Helen Mirren). Guy Ritchie, Anthony Byrne, Daniel Syrkin, and Lawrence Gough serve as directors for the first season.

Ratings IMDb 8.5/10 Rotten Tomatoes 74%

The Continental In 1970s New York, a young Winston Scott recruits a team to confront a vast conspiracy sparked by his brother's attack on the hotel-for-assassins The Continental.

Hard Home  A mother who is deeply saddened lures her daughter's killer into her smart home in order to take revenge, and gets involved in a distorted game where life and death are at stake.

READING

The Bee Sting is such a good long read, after a string of DNFs. I was immediately absorbed by this extraordinary story about the derailing of a once prosperous Irish family. 

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