House of Himberger: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 128 - 30th January 2011)

All-Star Weekend is all over :(

We found this sand sculpture at Crabtree Valley Mall and thought it was pretty cool.

The game this afternoon was fun to watch because there were so many goals, but the players were also very safe and there were no hits or fights, and very few penalties.

Team Staal (the team we were going for because Eric Staal is the Canes captain) were beaten by Team Lidstrom 11-10.

Picture of the Day (Day 127 - 29th January 2011)

Today we headed back to downtown Raleigh for the NHL All-Star Fan Fair. It was really busy again. Lots of stalls had been set up, and quite a few shows and exhibitions were going on. There were eating contests, fashion shows, trampolining, roller girl displays, and even a sledding hill.

Flags for each team were blowing in the wind. I've never seen so many jerseys in one place.

We saw Hurricanes rookie Jeff Skinner signing autographs, and someone else who looked like Jay Baruchel from Knocked Up but was apparently a former Canes player.

Inside the Convention Centre (you had to pay $10 for a ticket inside) there was even more going on, with multiple skills games set up, and sponsor tents doing giveaways and competitions.

The actual Stanley Cup was also inside but the queue to see it was even bigger than the queue to meet Skinner.

Inside we saw rookie Taylor Hall, Canes player Jamie McBain, and Canucks player Ryan Kesler (who now also happens to be my second favourite, behind Ruutu). I'm sure there were other 'muckety-mucks' (as Paul calls them) walking around, but noone I recognised.

We went to Brendan's for the evening to watch the All-Star skills competition which was really entertaining. It also made me not hate Ovechkin as much as I normally do. (Alex Ovechkin plays for the Washington Capitals and is supposedly the best player in the league. I think he's overrated, and incredibly arrogant. But he seemed to be having the time of his life for All Star Weekend.)
The statue above is Sir Walter Raleigh. They had a picture of it in the newspaper with a jersey and goalie pads on.

Picture of the Day (Day 126 - 28th January 2011)

All-Star Weekend has arrived!

The All-Star game is held every year. The best hockey players from each team are selected to play in the game. This is the first year it's been in Raleigh so it was a pretty big deal.

We started with dinner at a place called City Market (nice food, but not great) then headed into the heart of downtown for the end of the free concert. We got in just in time to see/hear Three Doors Down play Kryponite, Here Without You and Not My Fault (ie. the only songs I know of theirs!).

A massive fireworks display followed and then we tried to get in to multiple bars, with no luck. The lines to get in everywhere were huge.

On the plus side, my Stella Belle had arrived! She missed the concert and fireworks but joined us for the drinking portion of the evening!

Picture of the Day (Day 125 - 27th January 2011)

Today I got a lovely surprise - a package arrived from one of my best friends in Australia, filled with lots of kitchen goodies.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 124 - 26th January 2011)

Happy Australia Day!

We celebrated with a get-together at our place (it was way too cold for a BBQ).

Thanks to a couple of extra-special deliveries from my parents, and an order of Four 'N Twenty pies, we had lots of Aussie foodstuffs to go around (with, thankfully, lots of leftovers!).

The house was plastered with Australian flags, and we even had a didgeridoo to play - Thanks Hillary!

I made a steak and mushroom pie to go with the party pies, and had a go at making damper (surprisingly easy and tasty).

I miss Australia, but it was fun to share Australia Day with my new friends here. I hope they enjoyed it as much as they enjoyed the Tim Tam Slams we finished the night off with.

Picture of the Day (Day 123 - 25th January 2011)

We have a Tucker in the house!

Picture of the Day (Day 122 - 24th January 2011)

My boy Ruutu!

The Canes beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4, although it should have been 7-4. The Canadian goalie cheated - the puck went in but he used his glove to push it back out. Because you couldn't actually see the puck the goal was disallowed. And it was a Ruutu goal!

It was a really exciting game though. And Canes won!

Now we're looking forward to the All-Star Weekend.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 121 - 23rd January 2011)

Paul's parents came around today to help us out with a couple of home projects.

To be honest, his mum and I sat on the couch and watched Doc Martin while the boys worked!

In the afternoon we headed to the Tobacco Trail again (I think they're trying to kill me) to go for another walk, this time in a different direction - towards downtown Durham.

It was actually a much more interesting part of the trail, and I really liked this bridge. I would have taken more photos but my battery died.

We even saw a hawk AND squirrels.

Picture of the Day (Day 120 - 22nd January 2011)

While most of our friends were skiing and snowboarding in Virginia (I had no desire to get up at 3am to join them), Kevin, Paul and I headed to Kim's house for a game night. She made two types of chilli for us, which were both delicious, followed by yummy cupcakes. Margaritas may have also been consumed. A perfect way to spend a cold Saturday night.

Picture of the Day (Day 119 - 21st January 2011)

Today I went on a 4 mile (6.5km) power walk along the Tobacco Trail. It took me an hour. It made my legs and ankles hurt like crazy. And I didn't see any wildlife, not even a bird or a squirrel.

I get back home and find a bird's nest in the tree in our front yard. I think it's a sign I should just stay home from now on. :)

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 118 - 20th January 2011)

Lighting a log in the firepit and reading a book by the fire has become one of my favourite things to do.

The past few days have been quite mild - perfect for doing outdoor wintery things. But that doesn't mean I'm not still excited for summer to arrive!

Picture of the Day (Day 117 - 19th January 2011)

Tonight was my first attempt at making meat pies.

Meat pies are one of the foods I miss most from home, and I've been wanting to make some for awhile now. I am planning on making a big one for Australia Day next week so this was my 'trial run'.

Paul, Kevin & Libby were my testers (not that it was hard to convince them - everyone loves meat pies!) and I think the meal was a success.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 116 - 18th January 2011)

Excited to start getting ready for Australia Day, including a trip to World Market for those all-important Tim Tams!

Picture of the Day (Day 115 - 17th January 2011)

We switched Supper Club to Monday this week because of few of us weren't available throughout the rest of the week. It was Alesha's turn to host and she made us a delicious raw meal of spaghetti (actually shredded zucchini) and meatballs (made from walnuts) with an amazing chocolate cake with vanilla creme for dessert.

This is her cat Mika, who we had fun playing with after dinner. She is such a sweetie.

Picture of the Day (Day 114 - 16th January 2011)

Lots of shopping today!

Whalebone Surf Shop is a store run by the family of one of my friends from UNCW. They have recently opened Whalebone Urban Surf in Raleigh at North Hills and I'm in love with it!

We bought so much stuff but could've easily bought lots more. I got a new bag, hoodie and lots of tops for summer. I can't wait until it gets warmer now!

We also bought some ski pants and gloves for me at Alpine Ski Center, plus a ski jacket online.

Don't worry, Paul got presents today too, it's just that mine are better :)

Picture of the Day (Day 113 - 15th January 2011)

Alesha, Mary, Leigh and I went to a wine tasting at a new wine bar in Chapel Hill. We tried six different wines, accompanied by cheese, olives and apples, finishing off with a delicious sparkling Lambrusco and chocolate truffles.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 112 - 14th January 2011)

Today I had biometrics testing for the next stage of my work permit and permanent residency. Basically, they took my fingerprints (electronically, not ink-ally), captured my signature, and took a photo.

My work permit will be mailed directly to me (although they didn't say how long it would take) and we will need to go back for another interview for the permanent residency.

But at least it's moving ahead!

Picture of the Day (Day 111 - 13th January 2011)

My first attempt at a roast dinner.

My yorkshire puddings weren't perfect, and there were practically no drippings for them and the potatoes, but it was still very delicious.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 110 - 12th January 2011)

This pine cone is staying in our backyard until the ice melts. It was frozen into the grass so hard that I couldn't pick it up.

Ice storms are not as fun as snow storms.

Picture of the Day (Day 109 - 11th January 2011)

The tree in our front yard was full of robins eating its berries.

There were so many that Paul was afraid to go outside!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Picture of the Day (Day 108 - 10th January 2011)

Mmmm boiled egg and soldiers!

Picture of the Day (Day 107 - 9th January 2011)

Jake has just got back from a South East Asia trip and we went round to his place to see some of his photos, hear some stories and enjoy some of his favourite foods from the holiday.

We even made our own rice paper rolls.

Picture of the Day (Day 106 - 8th January 2011)

The view of Downtown Raleigh from Boylan Bridge Brew Pub.

Our friend Callie is moving to Charlotte so we joined her downtown for a pub crawl.

Picture of the Day (Day 105 - 7th January 2011)

Our best friends

Picture of the Day (Day 104 - 6th January 2011)

Our sad Christmas tree in his new home beyond our back fence. Paul was reluctant to take it outside and wanted to make sure he could still see it from the kitchen window.