Looking Back 2017 & Looking Forward 2018: A Collection of Collages & Ideas

2017 - A glance back at what I did, saw, ate, loved, etc.

2018 - A glance forward at what I want to try, do, and try to do.

Disclosure: This post contains links to a number of previous Cathy Thinking Out Loud posts, 
some of which may contain sponsored content. As always all opinions are my own. 

WOW! 2017 flew by in what seemed like a blink of an eye, and before I knew it I was smack dab in 2018. A new year always means reflecting on the highlights and disappointments of the year before, and things I did or didn't accomplish. What people, experiences, or things impressed, inspired, or disappointed me, and what thoughts and memories will stay with me. Those reflections and thoughts have a huge impact on my goals and hopes for the new year. Some things will continue into 2018 and beyond, others will be fondly (or not so fondly) remembered but discontinued, or have simply run their course. Which brings me to the list of things I want to try, do, or try to do this in 2018. The list is long, and I know not all on the To Do list will get ticked off, but now in January it's kinda exciting so see all the potential the year holds. Because as far as I'm concerned until the clock strikes 12 on December 31st, 2018 the possibilities for this year are endless. 

It's plain to see 2017 was a busy year ...

I Went to ...
Clearwater, Florida, and various Ontario destinations including Toronto and the GTA, CasinoRama and Orillia, Gananoque, and Parkbridge Resort at Wasaga Beach.

I Attended ...
The Hockey Exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History (very Canadian and appropriate to mark Canada's 150th), a live taping of an episode of Cityline (with my Big Sis and Julie), Floral Crown and Wreath Making Workshop at Place d'Orleans (with Julie - fun with friends!), a Picnic with Ann and Julie in Gatineau Park, Vogue Darling - Style and Lifestyle Influencer Networking event, Taj Blogger night, Chatime blogger tasting event, Anne screening at the NAC - Netflix Streamteam, Supperworks Ottawa Blogger night, and the Ottawa Blogger Holiday lunch. 

As well the 4th BConnected Conference (for Digital Influencers) that was relocated to Toronto from Ottawa's final year. I was very sad to see the end of this conference, having attended all 4, with each one getting bigger and better. 

I Saw ...
The Mechanical Giants of La Machine (amazing HUGE mechanical creators), the Ottawa Chinatown Night Market in Ottawa's Chinatown, and PINK perform at Ottawa Bluesfest. During Doors Open Ottawa 2017 I managed to fit in a tour of the Canadian Aviation and Space Reserve Hanger and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Facilities, both of which were fascinating in their own way.

I Ate at ...
In Ottawa: Taj Indian Cuisine (delicious ... need I say more?), Morals Village Hot Pot (a dining experience), and other Ottawa eateries such as Jericho (filled with art and colour), Baan Thai (get the lunch special that comes on a lazy susan), Kanata Noodle House (for my favourite "birds nest chicken" aka F8), and Shawarma Palace (another family favourite) are just some of the local Ottawa establishments I had the pleasure of dining at in 2017. 

In Toronto: Arriba Restaurant & Lounge at the Renaissance Toronto, The Senator Restaurant (for pre-Cityline taping breakfasts) and Trattoria Mercatto (for post-Cityline taping lunches).

Other locations: CasinoRama and Orillia area eateries (there are so many great dining options at every price point), and in Clearwater, Florida - Frenchys Rockaway Grill (great food, friendly staff, and the view ain't too bad either).

I Tried ...
My first Barre and spin class during a 30-day fitness challenge. 

Beer again for the first time in at least a decade ... and liked it! 

I Embraced ...

Fruit in the way of an Apple Watch, iPhone and Apple MacBook. 

Indulged in ...
Some Retail Therapy ... because if the shoe fits ... 

I Watched ...
So many great movies, and shows. Last year was my 4th year as part of the Netflix Streamteam. And the quality and quantity of content was outstanding in 2017. (Be sure to check out my What to Watch posts for suggestions.) In addition to Netflix I found plenty to watch on Amazon Prime, and on local and Canadian TV channels. 

I Loved ...

I refer to myself as a tech-challenged tech-enthusiast. I love technology as long as it is easy enough for even me to use, and makes life better in some way. The Kingston Technology Data Traveler microDuo 3.0 (that works with both standard USB and micro USB ports) makes it easy to store or transfer data from my smartphone or tablet to my laptop. Given I use my phone almost exclusively to take pictures for my blog, storage, convenience and ease of use is why this easily made my Love List. The Belkin Road Rockstar 4 -port car charger (4 Ports!!!) If you have ever done a long-distance road trip with teens you'll know why this is a travel must-have and sanity-saver. My selfie light for my phone (not for selfies) I actually rarely use this for selfies, but it works wonders when trying to take pictures in low light such as a restaurant. Honourable mentions go to my Nordic Ware microwave egg cooker. It just works, and is easy to use with virtually no cleanup required. And the Instant Pot is worth every penny. It makes weekday meal prep fast and easy. 

Well hello 2018! Good to meet you.
This year I'm looking forward to ...

• A soon-to-be-announced collaboration with Julie from Try Small Things in April. A first for both of us that we are excited about. 
• A trip to Florida in the Spring. Just starting to look at dates and flight options. Always fun to do on a cold Canadian winter day. 

And I'm hoping to ...

• Redesign my blog and switch to WP.
• Take courses on coding, WP, photography. 
• Perfect my pitch, and pitch more of my ideas. 
• Embrace video and create live or taped video content to share both on my social media channels and on the blog. 
• Hit 10,000 followers on twitter.
• Write more, and more consistently on my blog. 
• Read more ... books, articles and posts about marketing, blogging, writing, photography.
• Learn how to use my new Apple laptop and phone. In the past I have used Android and PC's so this should be an interesting transition. 
• Discover all the functions of my cameras, and how I can use them. 
• Declutter my house, workspace, life, mind, and anything else that can be decluttered. 
• Be more active and eat healthier. 
• Manage time better.
• Increase my Mindfulness & Focus. There are many apps, techniques and tips to increase mindfulness and decrease stress. So I'm looking to discover which ones work well for me.  
• Travel to places I've never been before. 
• Take chances and step out of my comfort zone ... at least once or twice. 

So I bid a fond farewell to 2017, while looking forward to an amazing 2018. 

What was the best part of your 2017, and what are you most looking forward to in 2018?

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about a looking back over the last year, and looking forward to a what I hope is a spectacular 2018.   

.@TajOttawa is Celebrating 30 Years in July! #Ottawa #MyOttawa #OttawaFood #Ad

Taj Indian Cuisine: A delicious taste of local flavour. 

Disclosure: I received a meal free of charge for the purpose of this post. All opinions are my own. 

This July Taj Indian Cuisine is celebrating 30 years of serving Ottawa delicious Indian cuisine! Thirty years of being part of a community, and adding to it their unique local "flavour". Thirty years of owner Indu Bakshi creating the delicious North Indian flavours, recipes and dishes served at Taj. To celebrate this milestone and as a gesture of thanks to Ottawa and their community for 30 wonderful years, they've planned some exciting events, and promos. Be sure you're Taj on Facebook, twitter and instagram to stay in-the-know as they reveal details about their upcoming 30th Birthday Celebrations. 

The Taj staff is friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable about the dishes they serve. When asked their opinion or for assistance deciding menu items, I found them to be open, honest, and clearly eager to make my experience an exceptional one. Don't be afraid to ask about customizing your dishes to suit your taste palette. They really do aim to please and deliver the best dinning experience possible.

Taj Indian Cuisine is Open for:
Weekday Brunch Mon - Fri 11:30 - 2:00 pm  ($13.95) and 
Dinner-A-La-Cart Mon - Fri 4:00 - 10:00 pm, Sat 12:00 - 10:00 pm, Sun 4:00 - 10:00 pm. 

What can you expect from Taj Indian Cuisine in terms of Yum Factor? 
I'll let the following pictures do the talking ... 
Buffet: 

NAAN-TASTIC! 

Dinner:

And with the couple of thousand words those pictures just spoke, I'll leave you with one final thought. In my opinion you can't go wrong supporting small, local businesses. When they serve up dishes like these and the owner greets you and remembers your name by your second visit, it feels more like sharing a meal with friends. Friends that cook really really well!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about Naan-fastic food!

Disclosure: I received lunch free of charge for the purpose of this post, but I've dined at Taj Indian Cuisine on my own dime and enthusiastically recommend it to friends and family. There's no doubt I'll be dining at Taj in the future. All opinions are my own. 

I tried #YoplaitWholeMilk Yogurt? #Ad

Yoplait Whole Milk Yogurt

Disclosure: I received Yoplait Whole Milk Yogurt in exchange for sharing my opinion of this product. All opinions are my own. 

Just because my kids are older, doesn't mean their demands for snacks has decreased.
If anything it has increased with our busy individual schedules. When I'm not around to make their snacks and they grab the closest and the easiest items available. I refer to Yoplait Whole Milk Yogurt as Snackages in Individual Packages. They're fast, easy and healthy snack options, that are sold in 3 flavour mixes, with 9 flavours in total. 

It's a fast and easy snack perfect for any time of the day. 
I enjoy it with a sprinkling of granola for breakfast. My Hubby on the other hand likes it as an afternoon or evening snack. My growing boys eat every few hours so they find it perfect as a quick snack to enjoy throughout the day. Not only does it have a delicious creamy taste, Yoplait Whole Milk yogurt is a good source of calcium and has no gelatin, artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about snack time.

All You Foodies: Ontario's Lake Country Is For You! #OLC #LetsGoMaple

Savour the Flavours of Orillia, Ontario's and Ontario's Lake Country.

Disclosure: I was invited to join a group of bloggers and influencers for a 2 day/3 night getaway to the Ontario's Lakes Country to sample some of the many and wonderful activities, attractions, and eateries this area has to offer. Special thanks to Julie and Stacey of SJ Consulting for organizing and hosting this fabulous experience, and the sponsors for providing an exceptional experience to share with my readers. 

Supreme Cuisine was the Order of the Day(s):
You'll find no shortage of cuisine options at every price point in Ontario's Lake Country. I had the pleasure of sampling seven different eateries, participate in a local craft beer demonstration, a pizza making demonstration, a cooking with chocolate demonstration, Apres Ski with hot chocolates and DIY S'mores, AND nightly sweet treats delivered to my room. Each taste experience was different and delightful in its own way. Our visit coincided with the beginning of Tap into Maple that celebrates and showcases the area's tradition of producing maple syrup. Some producers like the Shaws have been tapping maples for more than a 100 years. 

St Germain's (at CasinoRama) served our group a mouth watering meal, that from appetizer to dessert was both delicious and beautifully presented. Keeping with the maple theme many of the dishes were infused with the flavour of maple, including the Maple Braised Ribs. The chefs and kitchen staff at St Germain's create visually beautiful dishes that are a feast for your eyes and your taste buds, including selections of AAA Alberta beef, lobster, sea bass, and salmon. It also boasts an award winning wine list, an awarding winning pastry chef, and top notch service and wait staff.  

Shaw's Maple Syrup Bush treated our group to a breakfast of maple tea, pancakes, maple beans, and sausages served with maple syrup produced from the 4000 trees they own and tap each year. (Pancakes are served from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm daily during the season.) Five generations of Shaws have been producing maple syrup and tapping maples since 1904. During Maple Tapping season walking trails are open, as well as horse drawn wagon rides on weekends. I think you'll find the experience to be both delicious, educational and a perfect family activity. 

Crazy Horse Sports Bar & Grill at Horseshoe Resort served us a delicious lunch that was much appreciated after the appetite we built up from Fat Biking, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing, and Tubing. After lunch we enjoyed some Apres Ski time making S'mores, and sipping hot chocolate. Not only was the lunch scrumptious the service was great. 

Rustica Pizza Vino (in Orillia) created an exceptional dinner adventure which included a Pizza Making Demonstration about the pizza oven, dough, and pizza making, and a demonstration from Horseshoe Valley Brewing Company. I personally sampled at least 4 kinds of pizza and would recommend all of them. The salad with pears and Gorgonzola was to die for. And it seems I do drink beer after all. Much thanks HSV Brew Co for helping me see the light. 

Photo courtesy of Julie (Try Small Things)

Room Service (at CasinoRama) was such a treat. I had a wonderful bacon and eggs breakfast with fancy Rye bread delivered right to my door. Good thing since I basically refused to get out of bed. 

The Weirs Restaurant (at CasinoRama) serves a Greek Salad that's a salad lover's dream, but Shannon better keep an eye on her Beet Salad because it definitely look worthy of risking the consequences of a grab and dash. Our server was both engaging and efficient, just the way I like it. 

The Grape and Olive Wine & Martini Bistro (in Orillia) delighted our group with a selection of dining options created by award winning Chef Derek Mayes. I chose the pasta, but it was a tough choice between that and the chicken. The salad was a work of art, and the apple crisp dessert tasted like home. To complete our dining experience the group was treated to a sweet cooking with chocolate demonstration by the pastry chef.

Sweet Treats courtesy of CasinoRama:
Each night we were treated to a delivery of delectable sweet treats. Talk about being spoiled!  

More sweetness courtesy of Julie from Try Small Things baked us #LetsGoMaple cookies, and they were delicious! Be sure to check out Julie's #LetsGoMaple post about her experience.

Salad Summary: Being a salad lover it seems only right to share my #LetGoMaple salad experience.

Once again I would like to thank our #LetsGoMaple hosts and sponsors for making this such a memorable experience. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of activities, attractions, things to do, and places to eat in Orillia and Ontario's Lake Country. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about good eats and sweet treats. 

Here Are Seven Fabulous #Ottawa Eateries #WhereToEat #Yum

Add these Delicious Ottawa Restaurants to Your Must Try List. 

*With the exception of The Lone Star seating is limited so reservations are highly recommended. Note: These Restaurants have been listed in alphabetical order and not necessarily by preference, because let's face it ... that would be just too hard to do!

Baan Thai 
(Ottawa, Centrepoint near Baseline Rd, open for lunch and dinner, closed Sunday)
Thai Cuisine 
Baan Thai is a lovely little restaurant tucked away in the Centrepointe area. In the many years I have been going here I have never had a meal I haven't thoroughly enjoyed with service to match. My favourite is the Lunch Special which is served on a lazy-susan! The contrast of the sweet and spicy in the mango salad is particularly delicious!

Coconut Lagoon 
(Ottawa, St. Laurent near St. Laurent Shopping Ctr, open for lunch and dinner)
South Indian Cuisine
Even before I arrived I suspected my meal would be stellar, and award winning Chef Joe Thottungal and the staff at Coconut Lagoon didn't disappoint. You can't miss the passion Chef Joe puts into preparing his delicious dishes while sharing the inspiration behind each recipe. From appetizer to dessert Coconut Lagoon serves up delicious Indian cuisine that is sure to impress. 

FYI: Chef Joe is also featured in the Ottawa Cooks Recipe Book.

Jericho Lebanese Food 
(Ottawa, Bank St - The Glebe, 11:00 am - 10:00 pm, Sun 9:00 pm)
Mediterranean & Lebanese Cuisine 
I thoroughly enjoyed my Chicken Wrap House Special, and the several (okay many) bites from my friend's Falafel Plate that may have accidentally landed in my mouth when she wasn't looking ... oops ... accidents happen. The owner serves up some of the best Falafels in town. I found the owner-chef to be an engaging and wonderful host, and the decor and ceiling paintings unique and charming. 

Lone Star Texas Grill 
(Ottawa, Fisher & Baseline, 11:00 am - 11:00 or later most nights)
Serving up Tex-Mex fare 
Fajitas served family style. For years the Lone Star has been a family favourite for birthday celebrations. The ingredients are fresh and the staff friendly. Although there are several locations my favourite is still the original one located at Fisher & Baseline. 

Occo Kitchen 
(Orleans, Innes Rd, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm, Fri/Sat 11:00 pm)
Cuisine made from scratch using local quality ingredients
The menu at Occo Kitchen is an eclectic mix of casual dining options such as Fish Tacos, Burgers and Fish & Chips paired with sauces made in-house. The Fish & Chips I had were definitely delicious but the Fish Tacos looked amazing! It was a hard decision. The food presentation was beautiful and the service excellent and the decor stylish. 

Ox Head Restaurant 2 
(Kanata, Carling Ave & March Rd, open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm, Fri/Sat 9:00, closed Sundays)
Vietnamese Cuisine 
My go to meal choice at Ox Head is what I refer to as the bird's nest bowl aka as Stir Fried Egg Noodle with Chicken (Mi Xao Don Ga). Meals are served with green tea. The food tastes as good as it looks. You really can't go wrong with fresh ingredients and friendly service.

Taj Indian Cuisine 
(Ottawa, Carling Ave - near Bayshore Shopping Ctr, open for lunch and dinner)
North Indian Cuisine 
For almost 30 years Taj Indian Cuisine has been serving up delicious meals from recipes created by owner Indu Bakshi. I'm slowly working my way through the entire menu, having sampled to date Butter Chicken, Chicken Bhuna, Lamb Bhuna, Beef Curry, Tandoori Chicken, Vegetable Biryani,  Paneer Pakoras, and copious amounts of naan bread. When you enter a restaurant for your second visit and are greeted by the owner by name ... well in my opinion service doesn't get better than that. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about where to get delicious eats in Ottawa.

Note: I was not compensated for this post. The purpose of this post is merely to share information I think is of interest or relevant to my readers.