I missed the sunrise to ensure that I was well rested for the wedding day.

We enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast at Rooster.

These are random pics as I strolled around in Centro.

Soon I was off with Sister #3 to Castille d’ Maya where the wedding party was getting ready. We needed  to get our eyelashes affixed.

J1 was to be one of the Masters of Ceremonies and I the officiate so we arrived at Zama early to get a feel for what was ahead. Here is a recounting of that special day. The Wedding

Here are some more of the pics that were not in the original post:

These beautiful people enjoyed the day too:

Our beautiful niece and her handsome beau.

Our beautiful Daughter #1.

My dear friend and mother of the bride.

Kath’s quote: “Don’t forget your wife’s name. That will mess up the love”. – Erin, age 8

Love never fails.

The Winnipeg dining scene has recently changed with government permission granted for “brew pubs” in the city. A brew pub can brew beer on site as well as offer up lunch and dinner for a full chef-directed kitchen. Winnipeg now boasts three such establishments and recently we visited “One Great City” at 1596 Ness Ave.

We live just across the Assiniboine River from the Polo Park area and we decided to walk on a beautiful summer evening. Upon arrival we were both hungry and thirsty and looking forward to the visit. The first order of business was our thirst and we chose a beer “flight” so we could taste 4 of the 6 beers which were premise-brewed.

One Great City has an extensive “Sammy” (sandwich) section and we both ordered from there.

My husband chose a Falafel wrapped in a pita with a side of roasted Brussel sprouts. The latter were stellar with extra crunch from toasted walnuts and apples, creaminess from the queso fresco and extra flavour from bacon. Doesn’t bacon make everything taste better?

First I spied chicken and waffles-a selection which is spreading like a wild fire on local menus. I decided instead for the chicken but requested that the bread be skipped which I guess means it was no longer a sammy. The lightly fried chicken thighs were accompanied by lettuce and buttermilk ranch dressing, as well as bread & butter pickles and a fiery jalapeno relish.

The chicken was served with a petite beet salad. I appreciated the creamy ricotta, spritely spring mix but was especially delighted by toasted pistachios and apple fennel vinaigrette. In fact was so tasty that I could easily have eaten a second one.

The facility is bright and spacious and you can walk past both the beer tanks and the open kitchen en route to your table. The service was attentive and prompt and it looked as if there were loads of staff members to take care of us. One Great City had us feeling patriotic about our urban location because as their name reminds us, we live in one great city!

One Great City is owned by Jon Burge and Tim Hudek. Lunch and Dinner Menus are available. They are open daily from 11:30 am until 12 pm and are wheelchair accessible.

Kath’s quote:  “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”- Martin Luther.

Love never fails.

When you think about tacos, do you imagine a crunchy shell loaded with grated cheese, sour cream, shredded lettuce, etc? Your preference may be exactly that. But, if you travel to Mexico where tacos originate, you would never find a version like the one mentioned above. In Mexico (and I don’t mean at an all inclusive buffet but an authentic Mexican tienda), we order tacos for snacks and light meals when we are on vacation. The tortilla is always made with a corn flour which gives the wrapping a distinctive taste. Typically tortillas are eaten like flat bread to mop up what is on your plate but are also stuffed with a variety of fillings.

Our family prefers shrimp or fish tacos but we also enjoy fillings like shredded chicken, el pastor (pork and pineapple sliced off a spit) and even chorizo sausage. If you are lucky, you may find a convenient spot that will serve three tacos for $5 (US). We consider the discovery of these places a significant one. There is a singular restaurant in Winnipeg where you can find this style of fare. They are called BMC Market and Taqueria at 722 South Osborne St.

The façade of their building is an electric blue, similar to the vibrant building colours you will find in Mexico.

Upon entering the restaurant, you go directly to the kitchen window where you make your selection and pay for your snack or lunch. They have a taco trio for $5 and another for $7. I ordered the $5 trio itemized above. This is a significant bargain, as we pay the same amount but in US funds in Mexico. Mind you, some little places will also through in a Mexican beer for that price.

There is cheerful table aroud the corner from the kitchen.

At BMC Market and Taqueria the only garnishes you will find will be cilantro and some chopped white onion and this too is genuine fare. There will also be a bit of lime for you to squeeze fresh juice over the tacos and a salsa which can be ordered, mild, medium or hot! Unless you eat spicy Mexican fare on an ongoing basis, I would warn you against the hot as it is very picante! All the fillings I sampled were carefully prepared, void of fat and absolutely delicious.

The BMC Market – Taqueria is open Monday to Saturday 11:30 am -8 pm and Sundays 12-6 pm when they have an all day menu available. They are wheelchair accessible.

Kath’s quote: “Don’t tell me you miss me. Tell me you are outside my door with tacos.”-

Love never fails.

D set the alarm so that I could watch the sunrise.

J1 and Wee One2 were already on the malecon when I arrived.

J2 and the Wee One2  joined us a short time later for a lovely visit.

This was our view from the yoga platform.

The groom was taking a well-deserved cat nap before the yoga class.

Enjoyed a breakfast of yoghurt at the hotel and then I headed to yoga which was another of the group events co-ordinated by the wedding party.

Another wonderful day. The forecast was not good but after yoga (which was as good as a 62 year old could manage) I walked to the beach and met the gang i.e. Kel & Lor, Susan, Judi Aaron, Pinky and Serena. Walked home with Pat and Doug then rejoined my gang at the beach.

By this time Belle was asleep in Bekah’s arms.

The Wee One & Momma

I bought some cheese to go with my garlic rice crackers from home, a mango and a banana and had a lovely picnic lunch on the beach. Spent the last of the afternoon visiting with Kel & Lor under the palms.

I walked home and decided to explore the roof of our hotel. The view to the north,

to the east,

and to the south.

When I went back down the stairs, I saw that a gang had gathered for Happy Hour while the little girls partook of an early dinner.

Then we were off to an amazing family dinner at Fredy’s. Read all about it in the Fredy’s link. His pork chops got rave reviews as usual.

After dinner we took walks down Hildalgo and then a wee gathering was held at our place with Kel and Lor, Rod and Roxanne, Doug and Pat and us. At 11 pm it was lights out as we all had the big wedding day Wednesday.

Kath’s quote: “Looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them.” Anne in Anne of Green Gables

Love never fails.

What struck me immediately about an anticipated visit to Beet Happenings (818 Notre Dame Ave.) was that the food would be wholesome and healthy as depicted by its name and my hunch was accurate. The cheery spot on Notre Dame and Tecumseh serves gluten free, vegetarian and vegan offerings.

There were a number of comfortable booths which lined one wall and we were encouraged to find our spot and then return to the counter to order. Owner Justin might even take care of you himself. As we had arrived, we were encouraged to order our dessert as well, because the counter gets very busy over the lunch hour. The philosophy of Beet Happening is that exciting, nutritious food should be accessible to all people, even busy ones.

My lunch date immediately spied the pizzettes like the ones that you might see at a French style bakery. But first she had been tempted by the weekly special of pulled pork with corn bread. She remarked that the personal pizzas were top notch from the deliciously chewy crust, to the gooey cheese and a sprinkling of greens.

I asked what their most popular salad was and received the emphatic answer that the Beet Happening Salad was by far the most popular. Perhaps the restaurant itself was named for the salad, I mused. I felt healthy just gazing at the array of red quinoa, chickpeas, beetroot, carrot, grape tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, currants and seasonal greens. Consuming the salad was just as satisfying. I am always impressed when you do not have to sacrifice flavor for healthy choices.

Having eaten lightly I was not concerned about ordering dessert and had already selected a strawberry/lemon fruit crumble bar. Reminiscent of the classic Matrimonial Cake, the bar retained a crunchy bottom and a top layer of brown sugary rolled oats as well as a scattering of pumpkin seeds to make me feel good about my choice.

My lunch date selected a gluten free tart with lemon curd and berries and was delighted with the cool lemony flavours. Beet Happenings is open Monday-Friday from 9 am -4 pm with breakfast & lunch menus available. There is street parking available and the building is wheelchair accessible.

Kath’s quote: “The beet is the most intense of vegetables. The radish, admittedly, is more feverish, but the fire of the radish is a cold fire, the fire of discontent, not of passion. Tomatoes are lusty enough, yet there runs through tomatoes an undercurrent of frivolity. Beets are deadly serious.”-Tom Robbins

Love never fails.