N & M Renaud

I finally saw our new apartment tonight. We picked up the keys and the place is going to be a fantastic home. Windows the size of Texas, more closets than you can shake a stick at. It’s going to be so worth these weeks of boxes and chaos.

PS - For the record, we are overwhelmingly thankful that our parents have made the trips to help us move our junk. We’re a fortunate family, I tell you what.

James says, “You stay in the car, dear. I’ll take care of this one.”

We all know about their ice cream, but President’s Choice has lots of good stuff. Last time I was shopping, I picked up this beauty in the frozen food aisle: Fresh Frozen Cilantro. It seemed expensive at the time, but I’m glad I splurged. N is really sensitive to cilantro (can’t even handle the smell of it!) while I LOVE the stuff. Now when I’m dining alone I can add it at will to my meal, then put it back in the freezer until the next time I want to use it. N need never know I even used it. And at the cost of buying a bunch of cilantro, then watching it wilt before I can consume it all, $4 was a bargain.

I hate to be cliche, but it seems these Blue Line products are *cough* worth switching supermarkets for.

One week from today and we’ll be safely tucked away in our new apartment. (Yes, there is more in our lives these days than just packing boxes, I just can’t think of what right now.) What I do know is that we’ve been in this apartment for 3 years resulting in embarrassingly thick dust on some shelves. Moving house is cleansing in an out-with-the-old sort of way. But personally, I’m hoping this is the last one for at least another 3 years or so!

If I had the know-how, the equipment and the motivation, I would record you a movie to show you how much the bunnies enjoy the fan. (It’s set up on the floor, right a bunny level.) You could see them get right up close to it and flop out in its breeze. You could giggle with me as we watch James’ fur ruffle in the wind. These days, the bunnies are spending a lot of time in front of that fan, and so am I.

Too hot for Earl Grey? I read in a magazine you can plunk a couple tea bags in cold water and refrigerate overnight for cold tea. They suggested adding sliced citrus or berries for added flavour. I removed the teabags after about 8 hours so it didn’t get too bitter. I gotta say, I didn’t really taste the blueberries/raspberries that I added, but they did make it seem quite elegant. This time I used English Breakfast, next time I’ll try mint - it’s quite refreshing!

Thanks, Chatelaine.

(PS - You may want to add sugar, if that’s what you prefer.)

Are lightbulbs fixtures? When we move (T minus 13 days!) should we take our lightbulbs with us? Granted, when we came here the place was outfitted with bulbs, but as they died they were replaced with CFL’s, our own personal ($6) investment. I wouldn’t think of taking the cabinet handles with us when we go, but would it be too gauche take our lightbulbs?

Because I’ve already thought about this (and already have an idea of what I think we should do) here are some thoughts I’ve had:

• I could buy a pack of incandescent to replace our CFL’s so we can take them with us without seeming so, for lack of a better word, cheap.
• I could leave our CFL’s here for the new tenants and buy a couple dozen new ones for the new apartment as soon as we move in, because I think that’s what David Suzuki would do.
• I could leave our CFL’s here and use what’s provided at the new place, replacing with CFL’s over the course of time as needed

(In the attitude of full disclosure, I have to admit that we do have a few burnt out bulbs still in the sockets. They’re still there because 1) I was too cheap to replace them, and 2) I’m just not sure yet how to responsibly dispose of them in our city.)

I know some of you are moving these days (this means you, SP) have you thought of these things?

Our local pet store changed their hay supplier and have now upped their price by 50%. (And just when we upped our consumption by 50%!) Buying hay in the city has always seemed ridiculous, but it’s getting a little out of hand. Good thing Susie the Sidekick has a tow hitch, we may need it for the baler.

• A moving truck has been rented; our moving day is scheduled for the first weekend in July. You’re all invited. Those of you in O-town can be expecting your gold embossed invitations in the mail shortly.
• James has taken to camping out under the balcony window. I couldn’t tell if the sounds and smells remind him of his time in the park, or if he’s sending messages via the pigeons. I had pictures, but they weren’t worth posting. But believe you me, they look like he’s up to something…
• I’m cooking a pot roast for dinner tonight (in the slow-cooker.) That’s right, a pot roast. Bouh-yah.
• I think I’m going to get a haircut today, my first in over a year and a half. Just a little off the top, please.

And that’s the news to this hour…