Pete and Ellen's Big Fat Greekquinox

 Yesterday Pete and Ellen once again hosted a spectacular multi-course meal, this time themed after Greece, where they spent their late honeymoon earlier this year. The choice may have been on-the-nose for the couple, but speaking only for myself, the menu ranks among my favourites. Check out the Pete-designed menu above and the photos below to see if you agree. 

We began with savoury vegetarian spanakopita--light, flaky, golden brown pastry stuffed with spinach, cheeses, and spices, topped with Pete's homemade tzatziki sauce. (Everything was home-made; forgive the redundant adjective.) Actually, we topped pretty much everything on the menu with tzatziki. "Keep eating this stuff, I have two more litres in the fridge!" Pete entreated us. We were happy to oblige. 

Lemonade with mint leaves and a lemon slice--incredibly tasty, tangy, and refreshing. Even the coasters and napkins were inspired by Grecian art. 

I attempted to look Greek by borrowing a gold necklace from Sylvia and unbuttoning my shirt to expose my hairy chest. Rather risqué for me, but I wanted to support the theme. Sylvia pulled it off more easily, having a wider range of choices. 

The strips of chicken souvlaki and the tangy Greek rice were superb--rich in flavour, perfectly textured, a delight for the palate. 

Jeff, Steve, Audrey, Pete, Ellen, and Mike enjoying the first course. 

Pete's apron was on point. 

A Greek salad worthy of the gods with onion, feta, tomatoes, and a dressing I assume was oil and vinegar. 

Greek potatoes cooked and seasoned to perfection. 

Slow roasted lamb with au jus. I eat lamb very unfrequently, but I'm grateful Pete served this up--so moist, so juicy. 

While attempting to get a shot of Pete framed between the black cupboards, he leaned left just as Stephen was taking a photo of the food. I call this the EyePhone effect. 

The shot I intended to take. 

Galaktabourekos, a honey-sweet pastry custard named for the Milky Way--truly a dessert from and for the stars. 

And here's a lovely shot (courtesy of Steve) of this year's hosts and guests. Thank you all so much again for yet another unforgettable evening of feasting and fellowship! 

Slave Lake Sand Castle

 

Submerged Stones

Having not taken any sort of vacation all year long, Sylvia and I took a spontaneous day trip to Devonshire Beach in Slave Lake, Alberta. The sands were beautiful, the lake cool and gorgeous, the day sunny and hot, the people lovely. And on a whim, we stopped at a hotel and somehow got ourselves a suite with a jacuzzi for less than $200. A good day to finish a very difficult spring and summer. 
 

Anniversary Fib

I
Love
My wee
Bad monkey
Eighteen years today
Happy Anniversary, Babe!

Interred

Just after 11 this morning, Sean, Sylvia and I interred Mom and Dad's mortal remains in a very nice spot in Leduc's beautiful cemetery. We said a few words, ending with our goodbyes and silent promises to return. 

Even after all the stress of heartache of the last few months, this final parting hit harder than any of us anticipated. 

They're together now. That must suffice. 

 

Mom's Celebration of Life

Mom wanted something simple for a memorial, so we'll be hosting a celebration of life in the chalet at the Devon Lions Campground from 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, July 24. Mom and Dad really loved this campground and Sean and I have happy memories of times spent there with family. 

The campground is located at 1140 Saskatchewan Avenue East, Devon, Alberta, just a short drive southwest of Edmonton. We've planned an informal gathering focused on sharing memories of Mom; light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. 

Sean crafted a very nice obituary for Mom, which will soon appear in the Leduc Representative. 

Elizabeth Blanche Woods, 1942 - 2025

Mom passed away very early yesterday morning. Up until the beginning of April, Mom was enjoying her retirement with full independence. But she was hospitalized with pneumonia in April and again in May; in June, she enjoyed a short return to health with in-home support before another infection hospitalized her again--for the last time. 

While we've always loved her, Sean, Sylvia and I got even closer to Mom following Dad's death in 2018. We're all grateful for that strengthened connection. 

Mom was tough. She was resilient. Strong. Principled. Generous. And compassionate. She was a fantastic partner for Dad and a great mother to Sean and me, as well as a great aunt to her many nieces and nephews. 

She loved to read. She loved to garden. She worked hard and took things in stride. She loved her family and the outdoors. She was an excellent curler. She was a teacher, though she left that career behind to raise Sean and me. 

We did our best to help Mom through the stress and worry of the last few months. Even in her hardest moments, Mom was most worried about me, Sean, Sylvia, and her sisters. 

I hope, in some way, that she's with Dad now. 

Good travels, Mom. Thank you for everything. 
 

The Propreantepenultimate Straw

Came home to this today after an afternoon that was already difficult. Lost my temper, doubtless because I spent so much time suppressing my feelings; this gave me an excuse.

Sylvia was the voice of reason and found a solution within minutes. Thank goodness for her. 

Why is there a Molson box in my garage, given I don't drink alcohol? Some miscreant put their recycling in my garbage bin the last time I put it out for collection. I know that sort of thing shouldn't annoy me, but that, too, made me irrationally angry. 

Sometimes I don't like who I am. 
 

The Compassion and Excellence of Alberta's Health Care Professionals

The last few days have been pretty rough for the Woods family. But in the midst of worry and stress, we are united in our gratitude for the nurses, doctors, porters, volunteers, and lab technicians who have been unfailingly kind and relentless in their efforts to figure out why Mom is currently sick and how to heal her. She is in very good hands and we are optimistic that soon she'll be back home. It helps immeasurably that Mom is incredibly tough and brave. 

In Canada, we are blessed to have a robust publicly-funded, publicly-delivered health care system, despite unrelenting efforts by right-wing politicians to privatize that system. Our current experience reinforces my belief that Canadians everywhere should recognize that our public system needs our consistent moral, financial, and political support.

We hope to see you tomorrow, Mom, or the next day, when you're well enough. Angels and ministers of grace be with you. 

Vernal Geekquinox 2025: Old Fashioned Feast and Friendship

 

On Saturday night, Ellen and Pete once again put on a spectacular multi-course meal for a bunch of us to celebrate the coming of spring and the bonds of friendship that have lasted for so many years. Pete designed the menu above and the menu we ate, and every bite was a delight. 

In keeping with the loose 1950 North Americana theme, we began by snacking on devilled eggs and Cheez Whiz-filled celery sticks. What a throwback to childhood! 

Then, Pete delivered a heaping plate of rumaki--bacon wrapped around water chestnuts and chicken livers, marinated in some sort of delicious sauce. Despite finding liver traumatizing, the tiny bits of chicken liver in this dish did nothing to detract from the savory delight of what was a new experience for me. Sylvia went to town on these, and I can't blame her! 

Somehow we still had room for the main course. The juicy beef melted like butter in my mouth, and the cheese-covered broccoli--well--it was no ordinary cheese-covered broccoli. I don't know how Pete made the cheese sauce, but it certainly wasn't simply by melting some random cheese and pouring it on. I skipped the turnips--I've always found them bitter vegetables indeed--but I enjoyed the creamy mashed potatoes, cloudlike in their perfection. (Not pictured, but it's a bowl of mashed potatoes, what do you want?)

The main course also included--HOORAY--Yorkshire pudding, a Woods family favourite. Light, fluffy perfection. 

Poor Pete and Ellen run themselves ragged preparing these meals while also circulating with the guests. We love them for it! 

I love that Geekquinox brings together the guys and gals of our friends group. The women did a great job of bringing some 50s fashion to the festivities. 

Sylvia and I couldn't stay for the shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, or dessert, but even so we were there for about eight hours of lovely conversation and reconnections. In these rough times, such moments are genuine treasures. 

Xmas 2025

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. 
 

Sylvia's Massager

This happened back in February. 
 

Around the Sun Once More

Happy Birthday once again to Squishy McMonkey, my wee jellybean. 

Anniversary 17

Today we planned to celebrate our 17th anniversary with Mom and Sylvia's parents, but I woke up sick today, putting the kibosh on those plans. Nonetheless, Sylvia and I were able to enjoy some nice moments today, expressing our gratitude for our time together. Happy Anniversary, Squishy McMonkey! 
 

The Leaning Streetlight of Edmonton

It was a windy day in Edmonton today, and while out on errands I spotted this precariously positioned streetlight right on our street. I called 311 and a fellow named Steve assured me a crew would head out right away to fix the problem. I'm sure the situation has been straightened out. 
 

Three Sisters

My aunts Jean and Marjorie (far left), came to Edmonton on Friday for a wedding, and on Sunday Sean, Sylvia and I came out to Leduc to see them. Mom served a very delicious lunch, and my cousins Darwin (seen here to my right), Bruce (not in this photo for some reason--where did he go?) and Darwin's son Brandon (who shot the photo) popped by, too. It was great seeing my aunts again! 
 

Vernal Geekuinox 2024: Dinner in a Crystal Palace

 

For many years now--I'm a little afraid to count them--Pete and Ellen have hosted Geekquinox dinners every spring and fall. A little less than a dozen lucky guests made the pilgrimage to Pete's place and were treated to the finest food and fellowship in the land. 

But this year is different: Pete and Ellen, married last year, have sold their old homes and moved into brand new digs together. The former owners had a thing for glossy, glassy mirrors and chandeliers, and so Pete and Ellen have dubbed their new home the Crystal Palace. 

It's a beautiful home, styled in black and white, with plenty of room to accommodate Pete, Ellen, and the kids, along with their many varied hobbies. 

It even has a spinning disco ball in the basement, and I have convinced Sylvia that we're going to have one installed in our theatre room. VICTORY!

This year's dinner theme was, naturally crystal, though Pete admits that some of the courses have only tenuous connections to the theme. For example, this baked ziti was served in crystal glassware. A thematic stretch? Sure, but who cares when the pasta is so scrumptious?

Here Audrey enjoys a basil lime cocktail. I don't remember what kind of booze this drink contained, but it was universally enjoyed and had SOMETHING to do with crystals. Maybe limeade crystals? No, probably not. 

Steve looks like he's scored a rhetorical point here, and Mike looks quite pleased with the ziti. 

Ellen makes a great sous chef and charming hostess alike, and it was lovely see how happy she and Pete are in their new home. 

Here's Pete pouring out his homemade cheese sauce for fondue. Bread and melted cheese--so simple, so delicious. We gorged on it. Just incredible. 

Margaret contributes one of the many contented smiles enjoyed through the day. 

The Edmonton Oilers had a playoff game last night, and Jeff was fired up for it, even though Pete and Ellen hadn't yet hooked up any televisions upstairs yet. There's always radio! 

Because Geekquinox came so late this year, it falls just a few days before Gaming and Guinness 18. Rob used the opportunity to come for G&G a few days early, joining us for Geekquinox. 

Pete served up some amazing steak fajita slices, cooked to perfection, so juicy and savory we couldn't help but wolf them down like, well, wolves. 

Scott entertained us with an airport security story not repeatable on these pages. 

The chef and the blogger. 

The blogger and the debutante. 

Alas, Sylvia and I had to head home before dessert, but Pete snuck me downstairs so I could photograph his no-doubt-heavenly geode cake. 

Here's a gratuitous high-angle shot of Stephen with the Chandelier of Damocles hanging ominously above.

And a gratuitous shot of Sylvia wearing one of Audrey's crystal-bedazzled accessories. 

Once again, Pete and Ellen gave us a very special gift--an opportunity for fun, fellowship, feasting, and fantastic memories. Thanks, guys. It was amazing, and may you enjoy your new home for many years to come.