Birthday Cake

Q and his friends, Conan and Frankie, helped me celebrate my birthday on the weekend. Q was a birthday gift from my friend, SN, last year. I know I tell you this often, SN, but Q is the best present ever!!! Thanks again :)

F v. Q

Frankie and Q duke it out...with their eyes!
Who will win this staring contest?!? Dun duh dun!

Baking with Conan and Frankie

Conan and Frankie were in town (with AHD), so with Q, the three of them made AHD's favourite cookies.

Lovin' Scoopfulls Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups milk chocolate chips

1 cup lightly packed brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup non-hydrogenated margarine

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

Set aside 1/3 cup chocolate chips.

In large mixing bowl, using wooden spoon, beat sugars and margarine until creamy. Stir in eggs, vanilla, and remaining 1 2/3 cups chocolate chips. Add flour, salt, and baking soda. Stir until well mixed.

Drop batter by small ice cream scoops (scant 1/4 cup) on non-stick cookie sheets (6 to 8 per sheet). Bake, in batches, in preheated 325 F oven 11 to 14 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes on cookie sheet. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Makes about 24.

Source: Extremely old recipe from the Toronto Star

The group baking project was a success! AHD's co-workers really enjoyed them. I'm glad Q had two opportunities to bake this month. We're still on track to trying a different baking recipe every month for 2010!

Q at the Sofitel

Q and I met up with AHD, Conan, and Frankie in Chicago for a four-day getaway. We stayed in the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, which was truly enjoyable.

Here's Q on the second floor of the swanky hotel lobby.


Conan, Frankie, and Q loved the comfortable bed!

Q brought his red polo along. I hung it up in the closet for him.

Rub-a-dub-dub! Q's in the tub!

Q and his friends enjoyed the views from our hotel room. There was a nice church down below, the John Hancock Center a few blocks away, and Lake Michigan to the left.

Q doing what he does best - relaxing!

Hold'em

AHD was in town for business and brought Conan and Frankie along for the ride. Q was really happy to hang out with his friends. Yesterday, they played Texas Hold'em. Frankie was the ultimate winner but Q and Conan were also very good. Who knew they were poker superstars!

New Year's Brunch

My mum makes a mean brunch. Q and his friends, Conan and Frankie, are eyeing this belgium waffle loaded with fruit. I hope everyone had a great New Year's. Cheers to a safe and happy 2010!

New Threads

Ever since the Olympic Torch travelled through Toronto, the Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens have been selling like hot cakes! My mum wanted to make sure Q wasn't left out. She also made matching scarves for Q and his friends.





If you guessed Kingston in the last post, you're right! The pictures were taken in front the Time sculpture, the Murney Tower, and at Queen's University. We celebrated Christmas in Kingston with AHD and his family.

Montreal

Conan, Frankie, and Q taking the VIA train for the first time.

Thanks, KAD for Conan's spiffy holiday sweater!

Q at the top of Mount Royal.

Q helping AHD and I do some last minute Christmas shopping.

Q sharing a snack on the train ride home.

The Trio

Conan (the big bear on the left) and Frankie (the little bear in the middle) are Q's best friends. They live in the Big Apple with AHD. Q's been counting down the days to hang out with his buddies. The last time they saw each other was in October (when this picture was taken). We're kicking off the holidays with a trip to Montreal. À bientôt!