Monday, December 30, 2013

Pant Suit, Table Coverings, Power, New Year.

Boxing DayI posted a picture of myself in my new pant suit and was absolutely staggered by all the comments and compliments I received. I only wanted to show everyone what my pant suit looked like, I was very pleased with it. It is very comfortable to wear and the material feels soft and floaty, if you know what I mean. I am posting it here too, no, not because I want more compliments, I just want you to see what a nice pant suit it is. This pic was actually taken on Boxing Day (Dec 26) shortly before our dinner guest came. I was actually wearing heels, albeit not very high ones. Something I don't do very much these days. It's amazing what a difference losing weight makes to such things though. Not that I would want to stagger walk very far in them. I have never figured out how people do walk in the excessively high heels of today, I thought the ones I used to wear were high enough, they were not a patch on those people wear now.

Boxing Table
This was the table before we sat down. For some reason the gold table cloth wouldn’t stay flat and our friend suggested putting a rug or blanket underneath which made me think of chenille table cloths which were used in England at one time. They were left on the table more or less permanently and then another cloth was laid across them when the table was to be  used. I googled and you can still buy them in England but at an exhorbitant price and that’s without the shipping costs. The only things I could fine on this continent were not really the same thing at all.

In Ontario we still have lots of people without power, I am so sorry for them. I don’t know how they are keeping warm and what is happening with babies and old people in this situation. They are so vulnerable at times like this.

I hope you all have a fantastic New Year. We are not doing anything special and I am not even sure I will bother to stay up long enough to drink a toast in champagne. I am not positive when I will post again this week. Today, of course, we are going bowling. We missed not being able to bowl on Thursday last week.

This dish from Cooking Light was posted on My Recipes this week and as we love halibut I thought it would be a good one to include, particularly after the excesses of Christmas. I don’t know of refrigerated potato wedges, but obviously one can substitute. Personally I would probably forget the potatoes for me, don’t eat them much anyway.

One-Dish Poached Halibut and Vegetables

Light and healthy, this no-fuss fish supper takes just 20 minutes to make. Be sure to serve with lots of crusty bread for dipping in the anise-scented vegetable broth.

Cooking Light OCTOBER 2005 halibut
  • Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 fillet, about 1 1/2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1 lemon wedge)
Ingredients
  • 2 cups thinly sliced fennel bulb (about 6 ounces)
  • 2 cups organic vegetable broth (such as Swanson Certified Organic)
  • 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated red potato wedges (such as Simply Potatoes)
  • 8 ounces baby carrots
  • 4 (6-ounce) halibut fillets
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 4 lemon wedges
Preparation
Combine first 4 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes.
Sprinkle one side of fish with paprika, salt, and pepper. Add fish, seasoning side up, and thyme to pan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with lemon wedges.

Have a great day and a Happy New Year. See you next year.
Jo

16 comments:

  1. You look lovely! Hope you have a wonderful New Year.

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  2. Thanks Denise. I hope you do too.

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  3. You like nice, Jo!
    Don't know how women walk in heels either. I'd fall over.

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    1. Thanks Alex, I assume that should be look.

      I used to walk in very high heels once upon a time, no problem, but that was a looooong time ago.

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  4. OK so you don't want compliments ... but if you did I'd say its a lovely suit and you look very elegant.
    I still keep several pairs of high heels in the wardrobe (closet) ... just in case! But really I can't think I'll ever put myself through the agonies again. Flatties are so much more comfortable these days - though I agree that a couple of inches on the heels takes a few pounds off the outline LOL

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    1. Not that I don't want them Sue, I wasn't posting it just for compliments. Thanks anyway.

      I only have the one pair these days, they are pretty low heels. I mostly wear runners these days, don't dress up much any more. Happy New Year to you and David.

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  5. Love the picture, and the pant suit. Heels are out for me too, except for very special occasions, now it's all about comfort.I'm looking forward to this New Year - love the possibilities!

    Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

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    1. Thanks Yolanda. I hope it will be a good year for your books.

      Happy New Year.

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  6. You look very chic! The color is perfect for you and I like the trim. Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your husband. Keep cooking! Cooking is such a basic need and cooking for loved ones is very special.

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    1. Thanks. Happy and Healthy New Year to you. I hope I can continue cooking as you say it is a basic need and can be very enjoyable.

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  7. Hi Jo - I've been past this post a couple of times and now see I haven't commented. Your pant suit looks very smart and by the sound of it so comfortable .. good buy. Your table looks good and I bet the food you had was delicious .. the halibut looks tasty too ... I think we're all connected now - but more rain, more floods and more storms .. who knows by tomorrow - I really do feel for the flood victims, and all others ..

    Happy New Year - cheers Hilary

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    1. Thanks Hilary. I hope you are not too badly affected by the rain floods and storms. We are expecting snow today and tomorrow.

      Happy New Year to you too and may it be a healthy and prosperous one.

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  8. Good looking pant suit. And the rug under the table cloth... well, my mind is blown. And, not to be weird, but I used to like Halibut, way back when I was young, until I saw one for real and I was freaked out so much by it that I've never been able to eat one since.

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    1. Thanks Rusty. I still do like Halibut and I have seen one as well.

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  9. I don't do heels either. I don't know if you saw my story about falling down the stairs of The National Theater in Washington, D.C as a teenager...totally embarrassing story...I know exactly what you're talking about re: table cloth underlay. My mother-in-law uses a cheap picnic table vinyl cloth and turns it over so the soft side is facing up. Works great!
    Tina @ Life is Good

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    1. Don't remember reading that story Tina. As you say, very embarrassing. What a good idea for the cloth with a cheap vinyl one underneath, will look out for one next time I am out shopping.

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