Tea and Margaritas in My Garden

Sun; Keep on Shining, Elvis' Operation and I Need Time Management

2011-06-28T13:36:00.000-04:00

Couldn't help grabbing my camera to snap hammy Angus, sunning himself.

Like Lilacs, Peonies last for such a short time. Such short life for something so beautiful; and the same can be said for people too. My best friend's older sister is in a hospice with not much time left, due to brain tumors that treatments helped multiply somehow. My friend has lost a father, a brother, and now is losing a sister. A time that I in no way, can pretend to know the feeling of; the only example being a beloved dog or cat and that was hard enough. I've been blessed with two parents, both 79 years old in a few months, that are still alive and happy and active and a brother and sister and children and a husband, the same. I think about having to experience what my friend is experiencing, and has done in the past, and I get very close to feeling that sadness but not completely because there truly must be nothing like it. While T's sister was still conscious, she would point to the left wall and smile and try to speak. My friend T says that it is her father and her brother and her grandmother, comforting her and waiting to take her on her journey. I tend to believe the same. So for all who, out there somewhere in the world, have or are facing this absence of a loved one; I wish you strength and I wish you healing and the faith that you will one day meet again.

Elvis has had fat deposits on him for quite some time. The vet had said not to worry about it, just keep an eye on them. Well we kept eying the one that grew to be very big underneath his right side. Everyone kept telling us he was too old and to just let him live his life out. An operation might kill him. But it got to the point where he had trouble getting up and his breath was so foul, the poor thing. We got him to the vet and asked if it were possible to remove this thing and how much did we need to gather together for it? He was healthy enough after the blood test for the vet to say okay to surgery and the price he gave us was, though not cheap, less than I had feared and our life remains simple so we managed. He said if the surgery went over 1 hour, he would not charge any higher than an hour's work. He is a new vet that is taking over our old vets business and I sense that he was touched that no matter what, we wanted to find a way to make an old dog more comfortable in his last years. Elvis is doing wonderfully now and just got his drains taken out after the vet removed 2 blobs of fat. One large and one small totaling 8 pounds. I had done research on these things and had seen what they looked like so I was prepared for him showing them to us. Now with this extra baggage gone and 4 teeth pulled, Elvis is much happier and so are we. The cone may come off this Saturday. Elvis is hoping. He does have some small lumps still but the worst of it is gone. Hopefully with this and feeding him "pure" dog food as well as cottage cheese and flazseed oil and sardines, he will be able to live out a few more years in comfort and health.

This is my garden. Not as pretty as one on the ground, but believe me: a lot dryer!

This is my grandson riding his little battery operated 4x4. His Daddy bought it a long time ago and they brought it out one day. It was the cutest thing to see him bomb around on it. My son said he had been taking him up and down the sidewalk at home. He is such a sweetie-pie.

Now this is what is being called "planking" When my husband has one of his sons do some, I wondered what in the world "planking" was! It sounded like something rude. This is what it is; a balancing on odd things.

Lady Isabell, sometimes known as Izzy, posed more like a lady for this one. But Angus is once more another story.....

I forget what he was doing here, maybe yawning, but I think maybe letting out one of his "pet me" meows makes more sense because his yawns aren't that reserved looking.

This was amazing. My Dad called and said to grab my camera and go outside to the back fence in my yard . This is what I found.

Such beautiful animals and they were just as curious about me as I was them.

Now if I could just get myself into some sort of schedule. I'm back and forth to working at this and working at that instead of staying in one spot to finish in one go. I really need to get into some sort of routine and stay with it. I need some time management lessons.

Who Let the Birds Out?

2011-06-06T10:12:00.000-04:00

Despite the dark morning on Saturday and all the rain, it cleared up and the rest of the weekend was beautiful here. Everyone was beginning to wonder if spring would ever come because there was so much rain and chilly weather. No complaining though because there have been so many weather tragedies around the world and we have been very lucky!
My precious Grandson stayed over last Friday night and we spent the whole next morning outside. He helped collect the eggs and then had one for his breakfast, bless his heart LOL

The chickens usually hang around in their pen but occasionally wander. It looks nice, as here for example, and is interesting to see that the cats don`t bother with them at all, or the dogs. But they sometimes are very naughty and kick all the bark out of the gardens! This is in my parents back yard before they made a mess. They proceeded then to come down into mine and do the same all over the stones! Now there are only 2 or 3 that need to be chased away. The others aren`t so bothered, luckily.

One chicken insists on going into the shed overhang where the lawn tractor is and laying her egg there most days right on the seat for some strange reason.And the other morning at 6am we had one standing at our door and kicking up the loudest racket! She went away after my husband opened the door. Must have wanted us to get up, I guess. Chickens seem to be funny creatures.

We have a few wilder visitors from time to time. Often think how pretty it would be if swans were able to live here, oh and maybe old stone farm houses to match! But it is beautiful here in the summer.
Hope everyone had a really nice weekend :)

Tea
xo

Subject Change :)

2011-06-02T21:57:00.000-04:00

The bumblebees are busy out back this year and are quite big. Luckily they have a better personality than the wasps!

Why I`ve Been Away and That Other 'F' Word

2011-06-01T13:11:00.017-04:00

Some of it may have been laziness........

But mainly it`s been having to sort a lot out here. I had to leave my job last October because I was no longer able to handle the pain it was causing me, after trying my very hardest to keep telling myself, "chin up, keep on fighting it, maybe it will all go away, don`t be a wimp." It never did and I have to say that those last two years were worse than labor pains. It literally felt like my whole upper body was ready to blow apart and spatter everyone around me. And believe me when I say that sometimes I wished it would, just to get it over with. But I kept telling myself, "be thankful that you have a job Tea, there are many out there that don`t." Didn`t seem to make much difference in the end though. After popping 2 tylenol 3`s with codene each day, and nothing changing, I knew something was seriously wrong.
So there I was and the diagnosis....a word I`ve come to despise, Fibromyalgia.

A woman staring at an endless nothing. Painted in 1901, part of Picasso's 'Blue Period', a very dark and sad time in the artist's life.

The doctor had me on anti-depressants due to my being so upset and terrified at not being able to go back to work, regardless of never liking the job anyway. As I said, it was a job. Then she wrote another prescription for the pain and when I got home with it and actually saw the name, it went right in the garbage! Oxy is what she had given me and having seen people`s lives ruined where I worked, as well as my kids telling me stories about people they knew getting on that stuff, I did not want to get myself hooked on it, regardless of what pain I had.

My doctor sent me off to a specialist, an older solemn man in an expensive suit with a swank office, with no smile to greet me. A little intimidating He pronounced "Chronic pain" which he says is the same thing really as that OTHER word. "What to do?" asked I. "Learn to live with it" said he.

After being on the anti depressants for 3 months I weaned myself off because they really are not a good thing to be on and I`d read much about them and was afraid that someday they may make dementia set in when I was older. As a person who believes in natural cures over Big Pharma and their greed, I didn`t want to take them anymore.

I have to add though that we truly are lucky for some of the medicines they pop out, for the heart etc. But I was shocked at the forums of people tragically hooked on these and not able to get off them. There was even a whole web site entitled "Get Off Cymbalta!!" Luckily because I wasn`t on them long enough, it was a little easier weaning myself.

I do tend to baby my hot water bottle at times but with physiotherapy once in awhile, stretching and resting when I need to, and not have to stand in the freezing cold on a wet floor for 8 hours, I am able to manage. It`s a strange thing to have, but luckily or sometimes not, is one of those things that one doesn`t have to show that one has and can get on with
it. I also have had tremendous support and understanding from my husband.

After too much feeling depressed and hopeless, I decided to answer an add for some freelance writing, marketing, tourism etc. which is on-going every week. And knew also that it was up to me to change the way I was feeling and so came about a Web Site I named "Change It Outloud" The name may seem strange but it has a very personal meaning to me and is having an amazingly good start. I decided to add another blog by the same name with not much on it really, but that has a link to my web site http://www.changeitoutloud.ca/ .

"Thank you God, for finding a way where I thought there was none." :)

So that is my story and I continue to hate hate hate that 'F' word because although it sucks massively, not every day is totally unbearable and it`s a label and I don`t want a label.

Not the nicest post I`m afraid and for anyone else out there that has this happening to them , pray a lot, try to stay positive and find something that inspires you.

Blogger is being difficult, so excuse the way the writing is
posted.The majority of this posting has ended up being very squashed and leaving no room at all between the lines.

I`m giving up trying to make it look right! LOL!

I shall try to post at least a bit more than I have been!

Life is truly good :)

Tea
xo

It`s About Time

2011-05-22T19:14:00.002-04:00

It`s been forever since I`ve posted anything here. Shame on me, but sometimes life keeps one so busy with other things etc etc. I have a little more time for the computer now, so I thought I would throw on a picture of sweet Elvis.

This is his lady friend, neighbor Sandy. Isn`t she a pretty girl?

She really wishes that Elvis would play with her, but sadly most times he feels too old to want to be bothered much with childish things that a three year old likes to do, especially run around and play ball.

And Jen over at Calamity Jen http://calamityjenni.blogspot.com/,

here`s my garden lol

Our weather has been extremely chilly and very wet but the last two days have brought lovely sunshine, so maybe there is hope yet for sun and warmth.

Not much happening here, I`m afraid, but we will have some nice veg regardless. I gave up with any sort of ground garden because the ground in back here gets so sopping wet. Stones rather than soil now. I have lost an enormous amount of perennials and garden vegetables over time by being too darn stubborn to realize what a lost cause it was. It truly becomes a bit of lake after a lot of rain.

Remember that nice brick patio we built? Well bricks crumble and we knew that but I was insistent that we at least try something nice that we could do for cheap. So now after three years, they are gone and have been replaced with stones. I loved the bricks but bricks will be bricks. It looks more like dirt in the picture but moss is beginning to grow in some of the cracks which will hopefully add a little country charm back here.
Well that`s all for now really. I think tomorrow morning I will enjoy doing some blog visiting. It`s long overdue!
Have a great rest of the weekend everyone. It`s Victoria Day tomorrow or as we like to call it, May 24th long weekend!

Tea
xo

What's REALLY in Your Pet's Food!!

2010-08-28T12:14:00.000-04:00

Still Around Somewhere......

2010-08-28T11:56:00.002-04:00

Thanks for all the sweet thoughts everyone.
Just popped by to throw up some pictures. I`ve been lazy and busy and not much into blogging as usual. Below is my sweetie-pie Tatum and his adorable half sister JJ.

Tat likes to visit the red hens when he comes to our place...

Well there used to be some cat nip in the pot but even though it`s dead, Angus still goofs....

Couldn`t forget sweet Elvis :)

Rest in Peace Precious Sweet Teddy.......

2010-05-24T11:18:00.012-04:00

In Loving Memory
Teddy aka "The Cat That Would Be Heard"
March 1987-April 14 2010

I had to finally put Teddy to rest last Friday. Had the vet come to the house. It was awful...it was heartbreaking. You lived a long good life Teds and shared so very many memories with me in this house for 23 years. You were the last to share them.
It`s empty feeling now in the front room without old Teds laying on his pillow by the fire.

I know I don`t bother much with this blog anymore and I`m sorry for that because I`ve lost touch with so many wonderful bloggers. I just haven`t had the inspiration over the past few years and nothing really to write about anymore.
Life is strange and rather puzzling at times filled with many questions and no answers. Questions I`m afraid to ask for fear of the answers I guess. Oh well such is life. Onward and upward...stiff upper lip as Theodore might say LOL Teddy on the other hand would have given me a cuddle and purr :)

Anyway, it`s a beautiful and glorious summer day here on this May 24th long weekend and I don`t have to work until tomorrow. It`s Queen Victoria`s Day or rather called Victoria Day here in Canada. Loads of fireworks go off this night.
We did go to the horse races last night and that was fun. And I loved Alice in Wonderland by the way.
A wonderful movie to see is called " Letters To Juliet " and Vanessa Regrave is perfect in it. It takes place in Tuscany and is one of those movies that makes you just sigh for the touching love and beauty in it. Highly recommended!

Have a wonderful weekend if there is still anyone out there that might happen by here.

tea
xo

Teds is 23 and I`m Late, I`m Late, For a Very Important Date...with Johnny Depp, that is....

2010-03-06T12:17:00.008-05:00

Here`s lazy, but busy me adding some blogging in a cheating sort of way. Alice in Wonderland.
The movie I will be seeing for certain. It looks amazing and even if Johnny Depp is in disguise, who cares! LOL
There`s an interesting link from where this picture came from
http://the-office.com/bedtime-story/classics-alice-12.htm
And better yet over at my daughter`s blog are quite a few amazing pictures from the new movie!! The art and animation and colours....oh my! And how it`s all been mixed in with actual actors. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are just too much, all of them really LOL! Here`s a sneak peak to tease..

Check them all out here http://isntitjustdarling.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post_23.html

And here`s Elvis enjoying a nice soup bone his Nana gave him

"Okay, I will pose if you insist" thinks Elvis

And here`s the sweet old birthday boy today as well. We can`t quite remember which spring month it was he was born so we go by my daughter`s birthday. Which means on the 11th of this month Teddy is 23!

His hips bother him and he walks slower sadly and though he`s up and around and eats well, he mostly lays by the fire on the huge dog bed that I`d made for Elvis. Had to put a bit of rolled up fabric by the fireplace edge also because on the really cold days he wanted closer. Poor old thing. He wants to go outside due to the sun having arrived again, but the snow puts him off yet. Didn`t like the flash of the camera either.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. I`m mostly just taking it easy and recovering from a back injury. But that`s another story.
May the sun keep shining :)

Tat and Angus

2010-02-05T19:50:00.002-05:00

Elvis for Judy :)

2010-01-30T06:20:00.002-05:00

I am a bad blogger and I don`t want t totally give this up so I`ll say I`m on hiatus instead :)

Judy at
http://judypatooote.blogspot.com/
wants to see Elvis, so here ya go Judy! xox

Costume Party

2009-11-01T10:30:00.007-05:00

Tatum came over to show us his Monkey Costume on his very first Halloween. He was so cute. I can hardly believe he turned one last weekend! Had a nice family party here for him.

It`s been 9 years since we last dressed up for Halloween and it was fun.
Here`s Hubs.
He had to glue this on and it moved naturally when he talked. We went as an odd sort of couple. He, perhaps a wizard from another dimension I like to think, but the horns speak differently LOL. Long jacket, white shirt and long bow tie, wig, cane. He just needed to purchase a hat. I had mentioned a wider brim one but I had mistakenly called it a fedora at the beginning, and that`s all he could remember when at the store. So a fedora it was LOL.

.....and me, a 1920`s fortune teller. I loved dressing up and found everything I needed here at home. Despite it being only a Halloween costume, I loved the elegant bohemian feeling it gave off. What fun to be able to dress in fancy clothes. From the black boa which hangs in my bathroom to a 20`s style dress that a friend had given me years ago. I hemmed it just a bit above the ankles and the chiffon overskirt hung lower than the underneath part. Stockings made above the elbow fingerless gloves, my Mum`s long Victorian necklaces, a short black faux fur jacket for outdoors and lots of scarves. What fun it was to get so dressed up! I even painted my finger nails in the way they did in the 20`s. The tips and half moons were left unpainted. You might see them better clicking on the pic. Odd looking and it took a bit to get used to them. I kind of miss them now funnily enough, now that I`ve taken the paint off. The other side of the scarf stands out in a bow which is hidden in this pic. Fun doing the eye makeup they did then too. So dusky and dark and long eyebrows and pouty lips.
I could dress in that fashion every other day if I could get away with it LOL

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T16:15:00.004-04:00

I know my blog has been almost dead. All due to lack of doing much really and no summer to show a veg garden etc etc.

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy Halloween. Dressing up this year and going to a party :)
I`ll post a picture hopefully if any turn out okay.
Have a wonderful weekend!

A Horse is a Horse Of Course, of Cource......

2009-09-10T17:33:00.007-04:00

Unless it`s a donkey, that is.....

When we went off to hubs` family reunion and took a walk down to the barn, it was becoming really overcast and a storm was blowing in. The horses and donkey seemed only interested in going inside the barn. Baby was the only one who didn`t seem concerned.
Angus, about to swat the camera lens....

Take a peek, if you get a chance, at

Isn`t It Just Darling

. It`s a brand new blog that`s young and hip, intelligent and interesting. She`s only just started it, but I love it already. Oh....and it`s by my daughter :) My blog isn`t linked to it because I told her that I`d like to continue remaining incognito lol
http://isntitjustdarling.blogspot.com

'Tis Summer Finally, For a Few Days at Least....

2009-09-06T19:08:00.004-04:00

I`m reading a book called "One Fifth Avenue" by Candace Bushnell. It`s light and funny and look at how descriptive she is......

"In a tiny room at the edge of the apartment, her husband, James, with his sweet balding head and messy blonde comb-over, was pecking away mercilessly at his computer, working on his book, distracted, and believing, as always, that he was on the edge of failure.
Of all his feelings,this edge of failure feeling was the most prominent. It dwarfed all other feelings, crowding them out and pushing them to the edge of his consciousness, where they squatted like old packages in the corner of a room. Perhaps there were good things in those packages, useful things, but James hadn`t the time to unwrap them."

Hubby captured this butterfly on the butterfly bush which finally only just began to bloom two weeks ago.

This Poplar tree was struck by lightening a few weeks ago in one of our many electrical summer storms. The bark was blasted off, and luckily no damage anywhere else except our 2 modems on the computers. This tree though makes a horrible mess in Spring. Leaves a thick layer of white fluf all over in it floats through the air as thick as snow. Not fun cleaning up what`s brought inside. So good riddens to it finally coming down and for an excellent price too.

All gone and I really don`t notice it missing.

The rare and hard to find "Arial Man" came and fixed my parents antenna for them. This side of the pond has decided to make it very hard for people living in the country to be able to watch tv without paying astronomical satellite fees.
Our arial totally conked out for good and we had to cave and get the basic satellite.

And here`s my little sugar man :) He`s over at Granny and Grampa`s for Shepards Pie with Mummy and Daddy.

And I saved sweety-pie Elvis for last....`scuse the weeds.....

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. It`s Labor Day long weekend here and I`m savoring every sunny hot moment! We have had a crap summer again here.

Welcome to the Jungle, Hubby Makes a Headboard and Melts the House

2009-08-15T22:16:00.009-04:00

It`s been forever since I`ve bothered to post anything here, so I`m slamming up lots of pictures if there`s anyone that hasn`t given up peeking at this blog. We really haven`t had much of a summer. Rain or overcast skies for almost every day.This weekend seems to be our summer so far. Some flowers have bloomed and others are still trying to. Lots of green! The bugle vine ....bugle? I meant trumpet. Knew it was some sort of musical instrument hehe....it has just started and the butterfly bush has no blooms yet. I`ve notices small patches of scarlet or yellow in some trees already along some roads :( No!!! It`s too early!!!

We`ve had 3 very small tomatoes to eat so far. I`m still hoping the others will ripen a bit. Carrots. lettuce and onions still aren`t ready. My garden is a little wetter than some, so it`s really behind and wants more bright sunshiny days...

Teddy...22 now, still enjoying a sit in the pot of catnip yesterday.

Izzy poses up on the roof

"Enough now" she says

Angus loves posing for the camera...

Sweet Elvis....

Nap time....

We decided to make some home made burgers and cook them for my Mum and Dad.
Not being on our BBQ, hubby er um forgot to pull it out away from the house. By the time he did remember it was a bit too late. He called me out and showed me and said "they are going to kill me! I gazed at it as horrified as he. All was well though, of course they knew it was an accident and my Mum said she has never really thought what the reason was to pull it out, and now she knows.My Mr. fix it has another thing to fix now...

The bedroom is finally finished. I wallpapered and then painted the ugly old dressers blackish and the bedside table gold leaf. Made two bedside throw rugs from some shaggy fabric that`s washable. With pets and this colour, everything MUST be washable LOL..

Never mind my dead hydrangeas....

And ta da! The headboard my husband made! I love it. It`s a budget headboard. The wood and stain cost about $100.

He didn`t have any tools for fancies so we searched and found some poly-whatsit ornaments and I stained them the same colour as the bed.

Think I`ll make a little off white skirt to hide the messies inside.

Bought an antique chandelier in Toronto when I went to stay over at my daughters for a fun weekend shopping trip and ordered an off white sheepskin rug from out west for the end of the bed.

My Mum found me some Euro pillow forms and I made covers for them with some fabric I had and added the tassels. Made the throw pillows except for the cream and gold one and bought a cheap cotton quilt and shams...washable of course!
Painted the picture frames black and painted some black on some prints I had.

I made a slip cover for this chair with some fabric I had sitting around. Slightly on the shiny side for my taste but will do for now.

Finally actually took the time to make the bed covers into slipcovers. Much easier to take off now and wash :)

And last but most important, my little sausage Tatum holstering my cell phone with my niece at the family reunion. He`s such a happy little man! The way the pictures taken looks like his head is bigger than his body LOL

So that`s what I`ve been up to. Changed the bathroom a bit but kept the wallpaper. I`ll save that for another day and try to get back here much sooner than this!!
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend. It`s a lovely sunny day here and no matter how hot it gets,it`s supposed to get really hot, I`m not complaining because we`ve had so few of them.

tea
xo

I`m a Bad Blogger.......

2009-06-03T20:09:00.001-04:00

Wow....Spring is finally here. An unusually chilly one though.
I`ve been busy working and too tired when I get home to blog really. I think I`ve run out of things to write about. Also any time I`m on the computer it`s doing research looking for specific things and with slow internet....oh boy! Hours wasted LOL
Hubby is making a headboard from a picture for our bed and then later the footboard. When that`s all done and we`re finally able to find some nice wood appliques, I`ll post about it.
For now, here`s Elvis and Tatum for you Judy :) Tat is such a happy little guy and already 7 months old! Off to work soon. This is one of the rare unfortunate days that I`m working in the afternoon. But these days I`m thankful to have a job.
Hope everyone is doing good.

Moving Things Around

2009-03-29T19:17:00.008-04:00

Tatum is 5 months old now! He`s really growing fast and so sweet.

I have a "what do I put of the shelf?" window problem. The plants don`t match at all and I`ve now moved them. I brought the dark pink flowers out from the bedroom for the table for now, until I can think of something else. They are springy anyway and add colour. The chest is from the hall. I wish I had another round picture for the other side of the window. Maybe I can find one sometime. I love that Pears Soap dog. He`s from the kitchen.

This was painted gold before and I decided to make it more garden-like with some acrylic paints and water.

It`s now sitting in the window looking lonely LOL
This mirror went from the bedroom to the kitchen and now the end of the frontroom.

This is another project waiting to be done. I found this heavy Ralph Lauren Khaki stripe online really cheap.

Lots of plants in the kitchen. That stone vase was $15 at a vintage shop downtown Toronto. Picked it up when we went to visit my daughter. It can hold water well for flowers or plants. I stuck an artificial one in for now.

Sunday was my first day off in 13 days and I got a lot done. Removed two cupboard doors and lined them with fabric stapled on. Some jagged lace is what I have in mind for the edges. The under sink cupboards are coming off next and a skirt to replace them when I get the fabric and the energy. I do have the rod already hehe.

I hauled in this old mirror from the spare room and put a print on either side. They need frames yet someday. And moved over a bit. I shoud wait until things are the right way before I post pictures really, but hey, this is real life and I`m decorating "on a dime" or "a dollar" these days. I`m trying for a country style French/Italian/English look LOL Besides, my blogging powers have poorly sunk since I first started out and it`s easier and faster to slap up pictures than use the brain power for Toe Tales or Theodore tsk.

The dog print has now moved above the computer table. I made a skirt and stapled it on around and brought in an old lamp.

Teddy turned 22 this month and though scraggly looking, he`s still got some spunk left in him. I had this crystal hainging in the window and when I changed the curtains it fell on the floor and became a toy.

I`ve saved the best pictures for last :)

Been So Busy Working and Decorating

2009-03-22T16:30:00.002-04:00

I replaced the clock with a poster that is on canvas and fitting over a piece of wood. I don`t dare show you the back because my quickest way to do that was to use hubby`s red tuc tape(chuckle)
I hung it from a cord that is not showing here yet.

Kathleen at http://theinspiredroom.net
The Inspired Room bought some lovely tea towels and made some pillows and they looked so pretty that I decided to search some out. I found these and they fit the bill. I hope she doesn`t mind my using her wonderful idea.
I finally tossed out my broken down lop-sided computer chair and hauled out one of the old bedroom chairs. Being rose it didn`t match, so I threw a throw over it. Threwing a throw worked too hahahe!

Painted the chair dark brown that`s in the front room and wrapped a "one day when I have time, I `ll make a pillow cover" piece of stripe over it.

Been working over time all weekend but Elvis says hi :) May your week be blessed, who reads this and happy week ahead. This dog`s gonna relax for the rest of the night :)

Uncontrollable Pillow Extravagance and Yummy Lemon Chicken

2009-02-07T15:35:00.013-05:00

I didn`t like the green pillows I made. They looked nice in the picture but in real, they just weren`t cutting it.
So spank me please....I went to E-Bay and found what I really wanted instead of making do with any fabric I had.
A set of two Ralph Lauren pillows from the states that with shipping came to errr ummmm....$75.47 Canadian :(
And one beautiful and finely made tapestry dog pillow cover from England for errrr ummmm $52.17 Canadian. Luckily for that one the shipping was cheap!
Here` the back and fronts of the two Ralph Lauren pillows. I adore Ralph Lauren....

And here is the tapestry one that looks like my sweet Ben dog...

In this close up you can see that it isn`t done cheapely...

I`ve bought some walnut coloured paint to eventually paint the wicker chair in front of the window back to it`s original colour again. Then I`ll add a natural coloured cushion.
Lemon Chicken with Egg Noodles

Ingredients (serves 4, but we ate it all!)

500g chicken breast fillets, cut into 5cm pieces
1 tbs soy sauce
1 egg, lightly whisked
35g (1/4 cup) cornstarch
80ml (1/3 cup) olive oil
70g (1/3 cup) white sugar
250ml (1 cup) chicken stock
60ml (1/4 cup) fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 squares of noodles (those long thing sqiggly ones)
couple handful Chinese Cabbage cooked and drained
red pepper chopped
green onions and onion greens chopped
brocoli

Method
***** I used some chicken breast breaded fillets I already had. You can pop them in the oven ahead of time then when cooked, chopped them into thirds and dunp in with the veg mix in a wok or fry pan**** (just make sure the chicken is called breast meat and not called white meat because white meat is just formed chicken.

From Scratch Chicken....

Combine chicken and soy in a bowl. Set aside for 5 minutes to develop the flavours. Combine egg and 2 tbs of cornflour in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Drain chicken and add to batter.
Heat oil to 180°C in a wok over high heat (when oil is ready a cube of bread will turn golden brown in 15 seconds). Add half the chicken and cook for 3 minutes each side or until cooked. Repeat with remaining chicken, reheating oil between batches.

Veg

Place chopped onions, cooked cabbage and red peppers and bits of brocoli in some olive oil and saute, adding cooked chicken pieces to heat them up again.

Lemon Sauce

Combine the remaining cornflour, sugar, stock and lemon juice in a small saucepan and stir until smooth. Cook, stirring, over medium heat for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Cook noodles for approx.4 minutes.
Transfer noodles to serving bowls. Top with chicken and veg and sauce and a slice of lemon.

Couldn`t post without adding sweet Elvis this time!

Have a nice rest of the weekend.
It was actually a lot warmer here today and some of the snow melted. On the news there were a whole whack of starlings that have flown in around this area. Very unnusual so maybe they`re telling us we`ll have an early spring. Fingers crossed.....

Finally Brave Enough for Original Decor Idea....

2009-01-31T11:22:00.015-05:00

If anyone read this blog last year, they will know how I was trying to change my frontroom/livingroom into off white and green. I fell inlove with some brick red floral fabric which was also more practical with pets and everyday sitting on.
My couch was green but the sheeting I used was starting to wear, being so thin. You can see it at the side here on the blog.

Decided to try a slipcover throw I made on the couch and I liked it. After measuring the couch, I bought two size double, thick and textured....and washable bedspreads from Sears,with three king size pillow shams. The pillow shams were big enough to make cushion covers.I decided against actually fitting the spreads other than sewing them together in the middle because this way it`s easier to get them off to wash and also I haven`t ruined two nice bedspreads.

I used an odd sheer to put on the backs.

I then dug out a natural coloured old big throw bedspread and threw it over the armchair. I liked it.

Then I took the only other thing I had half big enough, and near the colour, I put in on the wing chair. The green plaid is still showing and though it isn`t in the colour shade of the other greens, seems to work for now.

I then recovered the pillows in what I had of the greens I liked and then took down the brick floral curtains on the end window.

Today I decided to move the couch back to the spring and summer position. Not quite February yet and I`m dreaming of all this snow and cold being gone. I`ve been thinking of it for a couple of days but though "no...it`s too early yet. The couch is nice in view of the fire." But what the heck, it`s only my own rule I wanted to break lol So I did.....

Tv`s sure spoil the look of things though. I didn`t want to put it in the middle because it takes away from the fire place, so it`s here catty-corner. I would really like to make this corner look better. But I haven`t a clue of what else can be done with using what I have.

I had a problem with where to now stick Elvis` bed. Teddy`s was fine in front of the fireplace as he likes to sleep there.
I stuck it here beside Ted`s....

Elvis seems okay with it.

Hmmmm....

The plain sheers suit better at this end now too. Although you can`t see them for the light coming through the window.....

To chrisen the couch, hubby accidentally spilled a whole lot of red wine on one of the cushions.
Without thinking I whipped it off....tearing all the straight pins out as fast I could because I hadn`t sewn it yet at the time and rinsed it in cold water and dumped some of this in the washer.

It took it all completely out! Whew!

So that`s what I`ve been up to. Not blogging too much but I finally had something to put up.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! We have a birthday party to go to tonight.

Bits and Pieces and Toile

2009-01-24T22:45:00.000-05:00

Well, it`s been awhile since I`ve posted. My excuses are work and slow internet and having nothing really to post. I did go to the chiropractor for the first time. From my neck to my lower back was all seized up he said. Aside from being darn sore anyway all the time, my neck was stiff dor three months and hurt to turn. It felt like he was ripping my head off, but it sure did loosen it up! LOL
We had a lovely Christmas and New Year, as I hope everyone did. Teddy is still doing reall well for turning 22 this March.
The cats got catnip mice for their gift. Izzy was the most excited over it....

Elvis likes to get up on the bed at night if I`m reading. Angus happened to be in his spot, so he pushed him over....

I`ve always been intrigued with this old home. Woundering what it looked like inside. For Canada, it must be quite old and I bet amazing inside. It`s now for sale and in my dreams, I think I`ll buy it LOL

We went to the movies last night and saw Grand Toreno. I would definately recommend this movie. It is surprisingly profound and moving. Not what you think. It`s about an old grumpy man, messed up from the Vietnam war, who`s just lost his wife and has alienated his grown children. His wife`s last wish was for him to go to confession. He chooses to confess the real truth to someone other than the priest though. When the movie is over you are left remembering all the subtle hints and symbologies and we were quite affected by it all. I can`t say more without spoiling it for anyone wanting to see it. Warning...the language is bad though for children.

One of the stars was at the theatre signing posters. Her name is Ahney Her. He chose mostly first time actors for this movie that he wrote and directed. My thinking is so it would seem very true to life and one wouldn`t get distracted by big name faces.

We still have too much snow and cold here....

I decided to put some curtains up in the kitchen that I had previously made and cover the chair seats with this pretty fabric as well. Put my blur arm chairs in the hall. I love them but they don`t really match anything. I had been hoarding this beautiful green and ivory toile fabric for future use. But the sheers are to patterny for it.

I`ve bought on wide long ivory one to sew up into two.

The same window was too dark when I took the picture and the lighting isn`t so great in this one either, but it looks better...

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Merry Christmas!!

2008-12-21T15:26:00.002-05:00

Tatum is 8 weeks old now and so adorable.

Sandy comes to visit the animals occasionally and is fascinated with old Ted...

Baby, it`s cold outside!

Elvis waits patiently for the gifts to go under the tree. Especially his.

Just a quick post to say I wish all a very Merry Christmas and the best New Year yet!

Still Here........somewhere.....

2008-12-07T19:35:00.005-05:00

Just stopping in for a minute and I see that by letting my "who visited my blog" thingy lapse, that it has now vanished forever. Sad. It was fun seeing all the different countries. Oh well. I sort of was thinking that it would at least hang in there along the side of the page and just not add any more LOL

I`m still trying to visit blogs. It`s on my "to do" list.....my long "to do" list. With slow dial up connection it makes for a very slow go of loading the pages. But I will get there!
This Saturday was my last over-time for a bit and the next weekends are fairly free except for my hub`s huge family Christmas get together next Saturday. They hold it every year in the church basement in Courtis, a little place near Oshawa. Hopefully our journey there won`t be too snowy!
I won`t bore anyone with snow pictures, but it was a darn cold day,today and it sounds like it will be for awhile.
We finished up the Christmas shopping though :)

Well, I`m off to see if Extreme Makeover House Edition is on. It always makes me cry. Then Desperate Housewives . I know..hehe...but it`s entertaining. Haven`t sat in front of the tv in long while except to catch Coronation Street that is. Can`t miss that one. But tonight I`m going to be a veg head.
Oh yes....decluttering led to plopping a basket down for a few minutes before hiding it away and Angus thought he`d try it out.
And though the world`s in a right muddle at the moment, including our ridiculous government....all the best to everyone.

"I Love My Dummy"

2008-11-14T20:45:00.005-05:00

I`m getting really slack at this blogging business! But isn`t he adorable? LOL

Been so busy with working over-time and family get-togethers and baby.
Elvis doesn`t like the fact that it`s getting cold and drab outside...

He has a bed in the frontroom,pictured here, rather than on the cold floors. Well for when he isn`t on the err umm....real bed. But he`s still bored...

I`m going to plan on not blogging for awhile but will be visiting as many of my favorite blogs as I can manage instead. Slow internet makes it a slow process downloading everything, but I`ll do it bit by bit.
In the meantime stay warm and cozy and have a lovely day, week and month!

Baby Arrives!

2008-10-26T11:10:00.005-04:00

Friday morning at 4:47 my grand baby arrived! He was 9 pounds 5 ounces and mummy had to have an emergency C-Section after 12 hours of labor. The same thing that happened to me with his daddy, except he was 9 pounds 10 ounces and had three chins instead of two hehe.
Everyone is healthy and he is soooooooooooooo beautiful. We`ve been up to see him twice and back again tonight. They come out of the hospital tomorrow. They called him Tatum and he is so chubby and adorable! What a precious little soul he is.

A Waaaaay Too Early Glimpse of Things to Come......

2008-10-19T11:07:00.006-04:00

It`s been awhile since I`ve blogged but I`m still trying to fight a bad case of the flu.
This morning as I walked down the hall, I gasped because this is what I saw outside...

Luckily the sun has since come out and is getting rid of this thick layer of frost.
I can`t believe it showed it`s frozen face so early. Surely we won`t be short-changed our autumn as well as our summer.
Baby boy hasn`t arrived yet. He was due on Friday. I went over to my son`s new place and he offered up some wonderful fruit bounty from the trees in the little backyard.
An Italian couple own the house and it`s evident in the wonderful; use they`ve made of the back garden. Quaint old apple and pear trees and in another fenced off section is a vegetable garden and compost area beside an arbor for grape vines.
My Grandbaby should arrive any minute of the next couple of days I should think :)

I made a cushion for Teddy to sit on by the fire and he loves it.

He still manages...believe it or not...to occasionally jump up onto a beam!

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend :)

Cleaning Up, Getting Carried Away, Italian Stuffed Peppers and Big Pet Heads.....

2008-09-21T16:19:00.010-04:00

It was time to clean out the front garden which was full of Virginia Creeper vine roots and taking over everything. A few months ago I ripped the vine down. I love vines on houses but this one was a big mistake!

The fellow was climbing up the wall. Not sure who he is, but he`s clickable to have a closer look....

The top of the "cat jump up and down" thingy broke so we stuck this press board on top, but it`s not sturdy enough. Need to find something else. I made a stone path for the pusses to get to it. The garden is now ready for the cold weather...which, by the way, I`d prefer not to have arrive. I`ll figure out in Spring what to add.

Then I hand sawed the high bush cranberries on either side of the door. They were becoming a nuisance and getting way out of hand. What a job that was. When I was finished I felt like I`d spent a good 5 hours at the gym. I would so love to have windows with window panes in them and a really nice cottagey door. Some climbing ivy to take away from the ugly siding....

I decided to try a recipe that looked delicious, the other night called Stuffed Peppers, Italian Style. I had bought some couscous awhile back and wanted to try it ....

Picked what herbs remained healthy from the pots outside, Italian Oregano and basil...

Boiled the halved peppers in water for a few minutes....

Fried up the mix....

Then added the couscous....

Filled the peppers, topped with cheese and popped them into the oven....

Voila! These were really good and I`ve added the recipe at the end for anyone who wants to try them.

Stuffed Peppers, Italian Style

6oz) ground beef (180 gr mince)
1 medium onion
3 cloves garlic ( next time I`ll use a bit more )
1 tbs olive oil
dash of dried hot chili peppers
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp dried oregano ( I used fresh )
1 tsp dried basil
1/3 cup couscous
1 can whole, peeled tomatoes, 15 oz (450 gr tin)
1/3 - 1/2 cup red wine
2 nicely shaped bell peppers I like to use 3 smallish ones
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella ( next time I would choose some sharp cheese )

Put a large pot of water on high heat and bring to a boil. Cut peppers in half the long way (try to find the best flat sides before cutting so that they will lay nicely) and remove stem end and seeds. When water is boiling drop peppers in and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove (use tongs) and put into a baking dish that will just hold them (if possible).
Finely chop onion and garlic. In non-stick skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add paprika, fennel and chili powder and sauté 1 minute. Add garlic and onion and sauté until transparent, about 5 minutes. Add beef and sauté until cooked through breaking it up as it cooks. Drain tomatoes, reserving juice. Chop and add to pan. Add 2 tbs reserved tomato sauce, herbs, couscous and 1/3 cup red wine to skillet. Stir well. Turn heat to low, cover and simmer until couscous is done, about 5 minutes stirring frequently and adding more wine if necessary. When ready spoon mixture into the pepper halves. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes at 400F (200C). Remove foil, spoon reserved tomato sauce over top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and serve. I saved one of mine for the next day and it still tasted yummy.

Teddy will be 22 in March....

And Elvis is still as adorable as ever....

Happy weekend!

My Embarrassing Garden

2008-09-20T11:25:00.004-04:00

It`s been a beautiful weekend so far and tomorrow supposedly is sunny again.
Most of the mosquitoes are off tormenting someone else today I guess. So it was finally time to deal with my drowned and dead veg garden. As you can see, I didn`t even bother to continue digging in the bricks. Just as well because I`ve had to pull them all out while weeding and have stacked them along the sides for now. But the sunflowers though drooping over, are thriving. You can see here the reason why I haven`t taken any garden pictures this year. A hopeless mess.....

This one stands all by itself over by the fence, gazing off over it, wishing it lived it a much nicer garden........

The bees are still loving the sunflowers. If you click on the pic you can see how he`s coated in pollen.....

The other day I rescued two of the four good pepper plants that seem to be still growing. I`m bringing them in each night because sometimes the weather man warns of possible frost. I don`t know if they`ll grow, but it`s worth a try.......

I tied the sunflowers on poles, but they`re now facing upwards! Still some weeds left to get at tomorrow, but the worst is done. The height of those bricks is how much soil we`ll need to bring in next spring, just in case we have rain every darn day again. Not sure if hubby will find time to attach those bricks or not, but that was my original idea. To the far right, the herbs have survived because it didn`t hold the water there as bad. That tree in the garden may come down too. It`s shading it too much and the leaves are making a mess. Never was a pretty tree. Some marigolds and two peppers fill my lovely garden hehe.

It seems the thrill of blogging left me long ago and I`m afraid anything slightly interesting is in my old old posts. I don`t want to quit all together, I`m hanging in there barely, but it does seem to me that I`m getting really boring. I`m definately boring myself....zzzzzzzzz
Have a lovely weekend wherever you may be.
tea
xo

A Nice Dinner and "Catnip Napping"

2008-09-13T21:52:00.004-04:00

It`s been a rainy weekend here with the temperatures unusually warm.
We decided to get out for a nice bite to eat in a near by city to a Bistro called Janet Lynns.

We arrived around 6:30 on Saturday, having made a reservation ahead of time.
We were luckily able to find one lone parking spot on the street directly in front. Fortunate, seeing as it was pouring rain.

Upon entering we glimpsed several different wine displays under the warm dim lighting and were greeted by a friendly gentleman who led us to our table.

The atmosphere here is quite lovely although we had to chuckle about the flat bread display of on our table. Picture a very large...16 inches perhaps...thin round flat unsalted soda cracker, being held in place by a couple of small pieces of bread on either side.

I proceeded to give this odd prop a chance. I broke off a piece and dipped it into the small companion dish, realizing this was not a dip but rather a bland whipped butter. Liking at least a bit of salt, I found the whole thing quite tasteless. But never mind, things were looking up as we glanced at the wine list.
We had only 6 choices if we wanted a glass rather than a bottle. I chose the Shiraz Cabernet at 7.50 and my husband the Pinot Noir at 9.00

We decided on a Caesar Salad to start. I like to rate this salad in different places. So far the best has been Lily Ruth`s.
This one came looking fine and the waiter offered cracked pepper over top. No cheese.
It had a nice home-made tasting crouton...or should I say two croutons . A bit skimpy. I would have liked four but dear husband wanted his two.
The first bites were good because the pepper had a nice zip to it. But then I found the whole thing quite weak tasting. Watery, yet not enough that one lost the taste all together. I`d give the salad a 5 out of 10.
All the pics today are from my Blackberry so excuse any fogginess........
For our entree, hubs decided on the Rack of Lamb $30

and I ordered the Duck Two Ways for $28.

We didn`t have to wait an enormously long time, which was good...I was starving.

The presentation of the food was tops and the quality and taste fab. There really wasn`t anything either of us could say other than delicious. I have to mention also that our waitress was very very good.

Even though I was stuffed I needed to have a look at the desert menu.
Tempted, I chose the Pecan Tart with Caramel Ice cream, whilst hubby had a Chocolate Sin Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice-cream , drizzled with Creme Anglais. Both nicely presented again and yummy. The ice cream is home made and mine was par to Haagan Daaz I felt. So although I had well over-done myself and felt to the point of bursting, it was a lovely night and an enjoyable experience all in all.

It was excellent service and a lovely atmosphere although I wish I would have thought to discreetly snap a photo of that flat bread!! I popped this review over at hubby's website. RateBistros

Teds shnoozin' in the catnip.....

Than Angus has a turn.....

Elvis and my sister`s pup Sandy.....

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. It`s supposed to rain again today.
xo

T`was a Fun Long Labour Day Weekend

2008-09-02T19:23:00.005-04:00

This past weekend was out Labour Day weekend here in Canada. Three days off work!
We went to the Paris fair...unfortunately not in France. Lovely sunny day for it.
Then we went to the movies at night and saw The Mummy. Not a bad movie. We really wanted to see Mirrors but it wasn`t playing until quite a bit later in the night.
The bees really seem to like the sunflowers.
I haven`t taken many garden pics because most of my flowers have passed their date or didn`t bloom at all. And the garden has an odd tomato, but mostly drowned veggies accept for the herbs. Lots of weeds that I`ve given up on this year due to the heavy amount of mosquitoes this year. So it`s all far too sad and embarrassing to take pictures of. The roses came back but the back garden ones are still in bud. Nor sure if they will bloom. Right now we`re experiencing sun and heat. Something that was lacking largely most of the summer.

Izzy in one of her favorite napping spots....

Teds wanted out....

Sunday we went to the Psychic fair. Neither of us wanted a reading but we decided to get an Aura picture.
Notice the orbs. Interesting. And we`d only just watched "Shutter" Creepy movie, but good! Not really sure if technology can truly pick up auras compared to a trained eye....tricks or true? But it was fun....

And finally, here`s a "just taken" pic of my sweety-pie, Elvis. Couldn`t leave him out!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Oh...almost forgot. I found a really interesting blog about Madonna if anyone is interested in her.
http://madonnarevelations.blogspot.com/

A Granny in the Garden and "Sorry Elvis"......

2008-08-21T12:44:00.004-04:00

It`s been a busy time on the weekends lately with a few family reunions and one very special baby shower.
The baby shower was for my son and his girlfriend. Yep....I`m officially going to be a granny. Their having a baby boy in October :)
I think since Nana is my own Mum, I`ll use Nan. I`ve actually even considered Granny LOL

Now my apologies must go out to Elvis for these next two pictures. The other morning while I was getting ready for work, he bashfully walked into the bathroom like this.....

Yes.....caught in action and could not deny trying to put his head into the garbage can again. I brought him out into the kitchen, all the while laughing, and made him pose for pictures of his sins...
Love you Elvis pups xox

Teddy and the Dove

2008-08-04T16:18:00.000-04:00

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. The weather was very summer-like here for once. Teddy decided to take his nap outside in the catnip.

This dove had been terrorized by Isobell just before it perched here. Poor thing....

It`s quite big, but we thought it must still be young because of it`s feathers...

Have a great week!

Good Books and Spring Greens Cannelloni

2008-07-27T12:23:00.004-04:00

It`s not raining today!I got a wonderful surprise in the post from Julie over at Celtic Lady http://celticanamcara.blogspot.com/
I won the book called "Magus of Stonewylde" and she sent along this lovely herb book with it! Thanks so much Julie. I`m posting a few pages that can be clicked on to read...

I made some Spring Greens Cannelloni the other day and wanted to post the recipe because it is so easy to make. You use crepes rather than pasta. Because of this, it re-heats superbly for a lunch left-over. The only thing I would do differently is add a lot more spice and garlic because it seem a touch bland to me. Recipe will follow below.
First I made the crepes....

Chopped some green onions....

Mixed the cheese and spinach mix together....

Placed it on each crepe....

While the tomato sauce was simmering....

I rolled them up.....

Layed them in a dish and covered them with the sauce....

Viola! They stayed together really well and presented themselves great.

Spring Greens Cannelloni

Crespelle:

3 eggs
1 cup/20ml milk
1/2 cup/125ml wter
2 tbsp/30ml extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of pepper
1 cup all purpose flour

Filling:

1 bag spinach
1 egg
1 tub (475 g) rictta cheese drained
salt

Tomato Sauce:

bunch of green onions
1 tbsp olive oil
salt
1 1/2 cups strained tomatoes
1 clove garlic
(remember to spice this up in whatever way if you like some pizzazz)

For Crepes:
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, water, oil, then add flour.
Cover and let stand for 30 mimutes.

Heat a large pan over medium heat. Then add 1/2 cup of batter. Flip in 30 second approx. and cook until set. Repeat with the ramaining batter. Layer crepes in wax paper and set aside.

Filling:
Cook soinach in boiling water and rinse and squeeze out liquid. Chop. In a large bowl, beat egg into ricotta, stir in spinach.

Tomato Sauce:

Thinly slice green onions, and set aside the dark greens for later. In oil, fry onions and garlic until tender, then stir in tomatoes and 1/4 cup water. Simmer.

Spoon about 1/3 cup of sauce in bottom of baking dish.
Spoon gernerous amounts of cheese mixture into middle of each crepe and roll up. Place in the lightly greased and tomatoed baking dish, seam side down.
Cover with remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle onion greens on top and pop into a 350 oven with dish covered in tin foil for about 30 minutes.

Happy weekend!!

They All Fall Down................

2008-07-20T14:44:00.003-04:00

The rain through the night and this morning wasn`t too kind to my Delphiniums. They were all flopped over on the ground. Luckily I was able to stand them back up. I trimmed a lot of lower leaves that had turned yellow from too much rain and the rest are going in that direction too it seems.

We saw The Dark Knight last night. Heath Ledger was superb. It`s so sad that he isn`t with us anymore.

I just had to buy this book! Loved it and found it basically as I imagined her to be with lots of interesting stories thrown in.

It was a rare and sunny day yesterday and Angus was flopped down in his new favorite spot, or should I say pot? hehe

An early morning picture I took in the rain. The sunflowers don`t seem to mind all the wet. That`s not a droopy plant there, it`s a pot of picked weeds. I got tired of pulling them out and having nothing to collect them in. It sits there waiting for me to finish the job.

This isn`t a very complimentary picture of either of us, but I thought it was silly enough to add. Looks like we have just eaten something that tasted bad. Actually I was about to blow in Elvis` face to get him to stick his tongue out.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend and that the sun is shining somewhere out there.
I`m making "Spring Greens Cannelloni" for supper tonight and you make crepes instead of using pasta. Looks yummy. Hope it tastes good. I`ll post it sometime this week.
See ya :)

Who Spat on the Plant?

2008-07-12T09:15:00.005-04:00

We`ve been naughtily neglecting our blog..........

This kept appearing all over the Mallow plant before it bloomed...

Blooming now and not minding all the heavy rains...

The tomatoes and peppers are not happy with all the wet though.....

One single Delphinium has turned into this in it`s third year.

It was a sunny morning and then it began to pour heavy rain again. Teds was left outside and I had to run out and get the old slow poke inside.

A typical nap spot on a rainy day.....

Well, thankfully the heavy down-pour only lasted a few minutes. Enough to re-drown the veg though. It`s July and not supposed to be raining still so much.
Yesterday we had the most amount of rain since the 1930`s. I don`t like these extreme weather changes at all. Whatever next? Surely it won`t snow before it`s time!!
Oh well. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Last Saturday, a rare and hot sunny day, we went to Toronto and met up with my daughter and her boyfriend. Then we walked around Queen Street area and did a bit of shopping. The camera was low on batteries so we were only able to snap these pictures. Interesting idea though. Two Mimes...one a soldier and the other an angel.
The meaning was self explanatory...

Rain Rain Go Away and Old Men Like to Get High....

2008-06-29T11:37:00.006-04:00

It`s been raining almost every day this month and the tomato plants aren`t too happy. Hopefully they survive because it will be disappointing without some lovely garden tomatoes. There`s nothing like them.It wouldn`t be so bad if it were sun showers, but it`s mostly hazy or down right dark skies. Today so far it hasn`t rained and the sun is peeping through a bit. Elvis poses in a break from the rain.

Teddy had a few nibbles of the catnip.

I think he may have forgotten where he was because he sat in it for a half an hour.

We went to the horse races last weekend and had a fun time. Harness, not jockey. I`d love to go to the Thoroughbreds sometime though. It must be very stressful not to crash these funny little carts into each other.

Hair salon yesterday to get my hair styled and coloured back to my original colour.
It`s a bit darker than I wanted, but hopefully I`ll get used to it. I guess I should really have wigs. Cheaper and easier on the hair.
Hope everyone is having a great weekend! It`s Canada Day on Tuesday here, but I`ve got Monday off instead.

In the Garden Braving the Mosquitoes with Some Tequila Help and an Absolutely Incredible Hot Fudge Sauce

2008-06-14T08:46:00.012-04:00

"Yes, I`m going in for a few sniffs and nibbles. Isn`t that why it`s here?" I`ve added 3 more plants so far.

I decided to go with flowers in the pots this year. Chose some African Daisies and they looked very bare so I dug up some sweet woodruff and also bought a couple of spikes for the middle. In the samll pots are some Thai Basil and Lavender

I had two of these boxwood on either side of the arch but one never made it. I decided to dig the surviving one out and had slapped it in this pot until I could find somewhere to plant it.

To the far left is where I`ve pulled out the surviving Boxwood and planted another Mallow to match the other side. I`m going to have to do some heavy duty transplanting eventually because the small perrenial plants aren`t going to fit once they start to grow alongside the big ones.

I swear every year that this is dead.

But, the Trumpet Vine has again amazingly come to life.

Teds ventures out into the weed filled garden. Some of the bits are luckily only from the tree and can be swept away.

He ventures into the herb patch. I`ve only planted perennials here this year except for the arugula. Notice all the bits that have fallen from the tree. Thankfully they`re not weeds too.

I miss Saint Francis in front of the back door but Elvis was using the space here to get onto the lawn and flattening my plants so he`s been moved over a bit.

I put the annual herbs in pots this year. Purple Basil, Regular Basil and Rosemary.
I`m going to bring them in after summer and see what survives for cooking.

Teddy as well as the other two just love walking on the bricks. I still need to dig most of them in yet. For now they`re just sitting on top of the dirt.

It will eventually look nice once I get my butt out there and start digging.

Shocking mess, all the weeds, but Angus doesn`t seem to mind....

"Let me in"

Time to get serious and at least partially weed the garden.
First off, some Margarita fortification. Forget bringing out the proper glass, I wanted a nice big one, mind you, I`ve half drank it already. Goes down very well even on a not so hot day.

Out came the mosquito jacket for the bloody mosquitoes that are out on this overcast day. It only takes one bite near my eye and it swells closed.

Some areas have seedlings still sprouting so I don`t dare touch them yet, although the weeds are a mess.

DARK CHOCOLATE HOT FUDGE SAUCE

This is so good! Beware though because it`s very enticing to just eat it by the spoonful!

Dark Chocolate Hot Fudge

from The Gourmet Cookbook

1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2/3 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 ounces good bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped

2 Tablespoon unsalted butter, cup into 1/2 Tablespoons

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Stir together cocoa powder, brown sugar, corn syrup, cream, salt and half of the chopped chocolate in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Cook mixture at a low boil, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until it thickens. Keep refrigerated and re-heat for sauce or eat by the spoonful cold and fudgey from the fridge :)

I`m going to serve it tonight for the boys over vanilla ice cream after our BBQ of hot Italian Sausages and sliced potatoes done up in tin foil with onions, mushrooms, corn and butter.

Fun and Busy Busy.....

2008-06-12T11:45:00.010-04:00

It was a very busy weekend last.
First, Friday night was girl`s night out to go and see "Sex and the City" and then to a pub. The movie was great and the whole night was fun.

It was our Anniversary 2 Monday`s ago and I recieved 14 beautiful roses. The boys were here so instead, this past Saturday we shopped for plants and went out for dinner and stopped at a gourmet ice cream parlor later on after visiting Chapters.
I`ll show all the plants I bought later. It`s all mucky outside right now and I need to weed if ever there`s a dry day that I`m free on.
A really nice day! A fantastic whole weekend.
I re-painted the kitchen cupboards. I hadn`t used a base coat the first time so they were chipping.

Angus was fizzled one bit by all the wallpapering. ....

Then I got the bedroom curtains done as well as the bed covers and Angus checked it out.

But he enjoyed the bed best when it was finished. I did buy gauzy curtains as shown in my dream bed pic, but had to pick this net canopy up and hang it because of the f%$#*#& mosquitoes that sneek in. It was $49 but when I got up to the till she said it was on sale. So I got it for $17! It feels a bit claustrophobic when closed but it will do for now.

The closet ones still need hemming. Made the bedspread and wallpapered the room. The bed that I wanted to make...hmmmm. I`m rethinking that because this doesn`t look too bad as is and I fear it will be too much for such a small room. I don`t know yet. It really would be fun to try and put together. The bed cover wasn`t totally sewn or ironed in this picture, although I did hem and iron it all last night and it looks much crisper. The quilt would do better on the dream bed. This is my "what does it look like picture" It`s rather girly I`m afraid. But I did have a Raymond Waites type harem style a few years ago. I really loved it but we live in a cottage and it was too dark, so what can I say?

Angus came in the other night with something in his mouth that suddenly jumped away. It was a frog. I was afraid it may have been hurt so I got my husband to come and help. I normally don`t mind picking up frogs and toads, but not bleeding ones if I have someone else to :) Happily, he wasn`t harmed and we took him outside by the pond.

I decided to de-junk so I took down the two wall bookshelves and lugged all the books into the spare room. What a mess.
Now I need to sort them. Some to put up at the end of the driveway in a box to sell 4 for $1.00 and some to take to work to leave for whomever wants them. Then the keepers will have to stay in the spare room somewhere on the shelves...

We`ve had some huge storms and poor Elvis hates them. This is the only time we allow him up on the couch. It can be tricky sleeping too with preventing a large dog from trying to get behind a little bed table or removing him from one`s head. We have the herbal concoction from the vet and it may work a bit, but not enough to stop his worrying. I feel so bad when I think of all the animals that have been through hurricanes etc. People too!

New Catnip, A Cute Visitor and Other Things.....

2008-05-31T13:51:00.009-04:00

My Mum called me yesterday to come over with my camera and see the visitor in their bird tree....

You can click to make these bigger. He`s so gorgeous!

Isn`t he adorable? His eyes are lit up due to the angle I had to take the picture. He almost looks like a toy.

He eventually decided to climb up the tree away from the annoying person snapping his picture...
Teds stands by while I take the pictures of the racoon...

Angus doesn`t seem to look half as big as he did in real here. He just looked so huge and comical, I had to snap him. The pots are back outside but that mint has to go and be replaced by something nicer. Maybe next weekend we`ll take a trip to a garden centre. Need some more basil because I killed all 5 of the 6 I ordered. Left them outside and it was unnusually cold.

My Dad brought me a larger catnip because the cats totaled the small one. It only has stems left on it.

The bricks are just layed unevenly here at the moment by the veg garden. Need leveling and sand.

Oh for petes sakes! Is it worth trying to get these to grow bigger? Yes. If only to see the antics of cats catching a buzz. "Why don`t I plant it in the garden?" you might ask.
Because of this next picture. And it`s only parsley!
I`ve never heard of Red Kew Lavender but it looked so pretty that I ordered it from my Richters catalogue. If you click on the picture you can see the flowers much better. I put it in a pot because I might like to bring it inside later after the summer, but I may just put it in the ground instead to spread about in this sheltered spot near the regular lavender that seems to have survived the nasty winter well.

My Dad planted some Japenese Willow bushes along the back
fence near my own garden....

Here`s a close up...

I love the smell of Lily of the Valley bath and perfumes so I decided it was about time I had some plants. There was tons along the woods-line so I stuck a few in the veg garden under the tree. Most of the bricks are still waiting for me to dig them in but too many mosquitoes out there today as well as on and off rain and thunder-bangers..

Time to pull the grass out of the Ajuga. Its a pretty plant but a mad insane spreader...

The Clematis is doing great this year. Sweet Woodruff seems slightly out of hand surrounding other things that hopefully will still do okay. It sure makes a good weed stomper.

My gardens are a real mess still. Need to weed badly as you may notice. I chopped down the killer rose bush today in front, that gave me such grief when I had a long term thorn stuck in my finger. Tetanus shots, poultice, antibiotics etc. It was one of the first posts I did. The bush never did well, yet had the best and most vicious thorns of every size you could imagine. From tiny minute needles to massive honkin big thick 1 1/2 inch suckers. It actually had two different kinds of roses on it but they never seemed very healthy. It looks bare at the moment but I hated that nasty thing. I`ll either leave it like this and see what comes back up or did the whole darn thing out and plant something nice.

I had a wack of beautiful lilacs but they have died, so I just grabbed some Sweet Woodruff from the masses I have growing outside (another great ground cover and spreader and very easy to pull out and move) as well as a branch of Honeysuckle to set on the table........

Hope everyone has a great weekend! There seems so much more to blog about without the darn winter!!

Lets Demolish the Catnip and Elvis Has a Bath

2008-05-23T17:23:00.006-04:00

These speak for themselves..........

So far the catnip is holding up fairly good all considering, but I think I really should have bought more.

I don`t know what Elvis has been into, but he smelled unbearable. Hubby put him in the tub. Poor Elvis LOL...

Lots of dirty water and mucky splashes and ring around the tub! Massive scrub and clean duty for me afterwards.

Good boy, Elvis. Here`s a nice chew bone....

All nice and fluffy and smelling much better....

Still working on the garden. Did some planting and need to finish burying the bricks yet....

'Gooses', Elvis and Cats and Catnip

2008-05-17T18:41:00.009-04:00

The geese are back and do lots of honking...

Elvis is enjoying the nicer weather...

Some of my plants arrived the other day. Lots of Basil. Some Italian Oregano, Chili Peppers, Golden Peppers, Italian Parsley, more Bergamont ( Bee Balm ) and Bay Leaf, but I will wait until next weekend to plant them along with the tomato plants, just in case we get some frost. The Thyme survived the winter in the garden...

That`s Sweet William gone mad in the background....

I had to remove the catnip from the box because the cats wanted to get inside at it and I didn`t want them to spoil the herbs. That`s it in the pot....

All the cats decided to come around the back at once....

Izzy Isobell checks out the catnip.....

Then gets very upset when Teddy arrives...

Sniff sniff.....

Mmmmmmm....tasty...

Hey!

Angus wants a turn....

"Fine, then!" says Teddy...

Partially cleaned up garden. The catnip along with some of last years cat mint is now contained in a large low pot so it won`t take over the garden, yet the cats can still get at it. Hopefully they don`t eat it all before it grows more. This outer part of the patio isn`t straight yet at all! Those twiggy things...I might use for the cucumbers this year or take them out.
I`m going to plant some sunflower seeds along the fence and maybe brick planting areas....maybe...

It`s pouring rain here on our long weekend unfortunately, but I hope everyone still has a nice one :)

Back Garden Visitors, Elvis` New Cousin and No Bags

2008-05-08T12:34:00.005-04:00

It`s been forever since I`ve last blogged. Between having a large computer crash and then some surgery.....nothing serious :)and well....business and laziness....I`ve been away a long time.
The other morning hubby snapped these pictures of some visitors that have never visited the back garden before.

They usually like to hang around the pond in front.

Do let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Mallard Duck :)

There are a lot of pictures coming up next, but I couldn`t choose my favorite.
My sister has a knew baby and Elvis a new cousin.....

Her name is Sandy and she`s a miniature Australian Shepard.....

We made a trip to Toronto and on our way back decided to stop in Milton for groceries, just for something different. They have a huge new Loblaws. Lovely store, if you like the big ones that is, I prefer the smaller. When we got to the check out and the lady was just finishing up putting everything through the till, we happened to notice that no one was packing our food up and there were no bags for us to do it ourselves.
"We`re the first environmentally friendly grocery store and don`t supply plastic bags." The lady smiled.
Well luckily our cart was only 3/4`s full. She told us that she`s seen some very surprised and unhappy faces since they opened because the sign is very small. Some people have mountainous shopping carts! Luckily we only had one 3/4`s full and laughingly just dumped it all in the back seat LOL

I Think Summer Came Instead of Spring

2008-04-19T12:10:00.005-04:00

It`s an amazing day outside. Hot and sunny. But isn`t spring supposed to be here for awhile before summer? Nipped out and did a bit of cleaning up in the garden.
Elvis wasn`t quite sure he wanted to spend anymore time outside in the heat.

There`s a few spring flowers up. I didn`t really plant enough I guess.

Out he came after all....

Angus was stuck up here with this floor vase while I washed and shone up the floors the other day. What a mess that dried stuff makes when moved. Soon be able to replace it with something fresh..

Get off there Elvis, I need to strip the bed. Time to get out the vintage linen sheets , wash everything fresh and hang it all on the line while the sun is still shining. As you can see, I`ve done absolutely nothing towards my new bed and bedding plans yet. The fabric sits waiting in the spare room. No wood bought yet for the headboard and foot. But I do have a great book on how to make all the fancy trim from salt dough! A Fall project now most likely.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

Spring Is Definately Here....

2008-04-13T18:34:00.003-04:00

This guy looks fake but he`s a real Crane. If you click on the pic, you can see him better. Our old dog Ben used to chase them away but Elvis isn`t interested in the fact that they love fish. There`s koi and goldfish in the pond. The koi are at least a foot long so hopefully he hasn`t been grabbing any of them.
I took this pic through the window screen and just as I snapped it he flew away. The camera was too slow to get that one unfortunately. There`s still small traces of snow but it`s almost all gone finally!
Hope everyone`s had a nice weekend.

I Think Spring Really IS Coming.....

2008-04-05T11:10:00.006-04:00

Elvis would like to aplologize for his mistress`s long absences but agrees with her that being winter-stuck inside really doesn`t make for anything interesting to blog about with only pics of snoozing animals.

She`s been busy reading other blogs and cooking....

Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

Hot Cross Buns with Fudge Icing

and working and visiting etc etc. And she asks that you don`t mind all the pictures crammed here in one post :)
This was last week in the back garden with Saint Francis...

And by golly, this is today!

Spring bulbs are coming up!

Last week was still so gloomy that a nice pot of lovely smelling Hyacinths were purchased and placed here.....

Then moved here....

They didn`t like the kitchen very well, so were again moved to here in the sun where they continue to fade away....

But the herbs that were brought in for winter are bursting with life. The chocolate mint is growing like mad!

Hope everyone has a lovely sunny weekend!

Gnocchi al Pizzaiolo, Tea Biscuits and my Odd Looking Pasta

2008-03-18T08:55:00.005-04:00

I made some nice tea biscuits the other day and thought I`d share the recipe for any biscuit lovers out there. Doubled the recipe and got about 14 large.

Tea Biscuits

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons shortening
1/2 cup of raisins
3/4 cup milk, plus
1-2 tablespoon milk

(for a sweet biscuit, add 1/4-1/2 cup sugar)

Combine dry ingredients.

Cut in the shortening until mixture is like coarse oatmeal. Add raisins.

Stir in 3/4 cup milk, then add 1 or 2 tablespoons more milk to form a soft dough.

Knead a few strokes on a lightly floured board.

Do not overwork dough.

Roll into a thick tube and slice about 1 1/2 inch thick chunks

Bake on a cookie sheet with parchment paper at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
*** These would be nice with some hot peppers and cheese added instead of raisins or currants.

Next I opened my new cook book and made
Gnocchi with Fresh Tomatoes, Green Olives and Smoked Mozzarella
*** from Mario Batali`s "Molto Italiano" Cook Book

First off I made some Potato Gnocchi. Excuse how it looks hehe. I`ve never made any sort of pasta before and there was no picture of how it SHOULD look. When I did see a pic, it showed that one should press ones thumb into each piece to hold the sauce. Looks pathetic and lumpy but it did taste good. Tossed in olive oil, it will keep in the fridge for 48 hours until you need it.

There`s tons of recipes for this on the web and being a non typer, I won`t add this one, but I will add the sauce recipe...

1 pound of plum tomatoes ( I only had canned at the time, so used that, being as this was on a whim )
6 tblsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic thinly sliced
1/2 cup green olives ( again I had only sliced ones rather than whole )
Potatoe Gnocchi
4 ounces smoked fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4 inch cubes ( I used regular moz )
2 tblsp. fresh marjoram leaves ( used dried )* note to self ** plant some of this.
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 chopped onion ( not in original recipe but we love onions )

Core and chop tomatoes, saving the juice as well.
Saute garlic and onions for about a minute and then add the tomatoes and juice. Cook until soft. Of course mine were already soft :)
Simmer on low for a bit and add the marjoram and salt and pepper.

Place the warm Gnocchi in single serving bowls and pour the sauce over. Drop some mozzarella cubes on top and enjoy.

We had to eat ours at separate times so I put mine all together and heated it up in the microwave later on. It was actually quite nice with the cheese melted.
It`s very filling and if I serve it again, I`ll make less and have it as a side dish with a nice salad and some crusty bread.
If this recipe is any indication of the others in this book, I can`t wait to try something else!
Have a great week everyone. The snow has melted a wee small teeny tiny bit and I`m hoping it`s finally a sign that spring is on it`s way.

No More Snow Please....

2008-03-09T10:33:00.009-04:00

*** I`ve just read at Royal Anecdotes that Great Britain is expecting a hurricane. Be safe everyone!!!

Elvis wasn`t quite sure what to make of all this snow we`ve had non stop since Friday.
It finally finished around midnight last night after causing much havoc on the roads where there was zero viability and an accident every two minutes!!
The next two pictures are taken through the back door. No way to open it because the snow is half way up it.
A wee bird was sitting in the back garden on a bush this morning...

And this is the back garden table and chairs now....

We didn`t go to the British Show in Toronto needless to say or even have the boys this weekend. Instead we clomped through the snow to my Mum and Dad`s last night and had a game of cards instead. I think we may have finally broken any historical records for snow fall now. Unbelievable!
I`ve finished my daughter`s afghan finally. Pure ivory wool and so nice to knit with. Chose a thin cable stitch strip to add in between the box stitch instead of the one it called for. Hope she likes it. I didn`t add fringe because I don`t think it would be her cup of tea or mine either really.

Hopefully this snow is finished now. I doubt it but at least.... almost? We`re planning on going to Toronto next Saturday to take my daughter out for a birthday lunch and then on to Oshawa for hub`s Mum`s birthday dinner/early Easter dinner at his sister`s.
Hope everyone is having a nice weekend :)

This is how it Really Looks.....

2008-02-29T06:14:00.002-05:00

I used an old picture for that last post because my camera has run out of batteries and I haven`t replaced them yet. This is a picture from several weeks ago but just add another inch or so and you get the picture of what can cause the winter blahs. Pretty...but we have had no breaks in snow this winter and another ...though supposedly short....storm is on the way again this morning. Elvis hasn`t turned to drink Carolyn, although he would gladly eat or drink anything offered to him hehe.
Funny how when we`re young we learn that April showers bring May flowers and yet here in Canada that happens rarely. Strange long cold snowy winter this year with no breaks from it and I really hope we get more than a couple months of warm weather because I`m really looking forward to planting.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! Off to the British show in Toronto next Saturday.

Spring....where are you?

2008-02-26T06:19:00.002-05:00

My posting has been really bad. I blame it on the winter blahs and work and being busy trying to get something knit by March and...well etc etc.
I`ll hopefully be back to better posting come spring. Spring.....I forget what it feels like to be warm outside LOL!

Plants and An Archive Meme

2008-02-13T10:27:00.007-05:00

I`ve been getting Richters Seed and Plant catalogue for a few years and this year I decided to actually go for it and pre-order the small veg garden with some seeds and some plants and herbs. We love Basil and had a hard time finding much last year. Some juicy tomatoes etc.

I also discovered a lovely blog the other day called "Katherines Dream" http://katherinesdream.blogspot.com/ . Carol is in the Cotswolds and well worth a visit, even if only in cyber space.
She`s gone and tagged me, and even though I`m finally admitting that I`m actually not inclined to like doing memes, this one looks easy and fun :) So here goes Carol....
The first thing I must do is find something in my blog about family....hmmmm... here we go.... "Pictures on my Fridge" http://teaandmargaritas.blogspot.com/2006/08/pictures-on-my-fridge_10.html

The second is about friends..."Daisy Lupin" http://teaandmargaritas.blogspot.com/2007/06/daisy-lupin.html

The third has to be about me...."I Believe" http://teaandmargaritas.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-believe.html

The fourth is something I love, well that would be many things but I`ll choose home..."A Saturday Morning Walk"
http://teaandmargaritas.blogspot.com/2007/07/saturday-morning-walk.html

And the last is anything I feel like :)...hmmmm....I think I`ll throw in one of these...Dear old Teddy. He`s going to be 21 this March and sits by the fire when he`s not wanting some of Elvis` sloppy dog food topping. The other day he actually jumped way up on one of the beams! I got him down and scolded him for being too old for that now. I wish I`d have thought to take a picture....Bless his his heart, here`s one of his true tales..."The Day Young Angus Damn Near Kicked the Bucket" by The Cat That Would Be Heard
http://teaandmargaritas.blogspot.com/2006/12/day-young-angus-damn-near-kicked.html

I`m not going to tag anyone but give it a try!
Have to rush now and get ready for work....see ya

Mainly Starring Angus, but Some Woof and Fabric too.....

2008-01-27T15:01:00.000-05:00

Hey! Excuse me!

What do you think you`re doing there?

Just this...(I`m definately going to paint those table legs brown this summer)

And this....

What`s the problem ma?

I layed out the fabric I found for the bed that matches as close as I can get, but there were some complications in taking a picture....

This one is called Portfolio Bellington. It`s beautiful with a linen mix and ecru backgound....

Hey! Not you again.....

This is a Waverly Toile with the same colours and though the background looks whiter here, it`s actually the same as the floral....

I`m not going to do any sewing yet. I want to concentrate on the bed and hopefully in the next few months I`ll be showing how I`m going to reproduce all that trim for the bed. I`m quite excited about finding a way without spending a fortune. I love the internet! Stay tuned.
In the meantime, hubby has been making bunk beds for when the boys visit. This frees up our spare sitting room/library(sorta)for reading tv or knitting or doing homework.
Angus found another comfy spot, if only temporary. I`ll take a pic of the beds when he`s fixed something he says needs fixing. Won`t be staining them until I can open the windows though...

Give us a kiss....

We came home the other day to the garbage emptied out and spread to feast the eyes on all across the kitchen floor. An absolutely vile mess...coffee grounds mixed with broken tea bags, meat wrappers etc etc. Elvis hides his naughty head..

But who can help lovin him anyway...

Two of my baskets fell from the ceiling this weekend. I didn`t feel like climbing up and putting them back so I removed two more and just left the ones near the sink, although I think I`ll take them down too as they`re dusk catchers, big time.

No.....I still haven`t sewn this chair yet LOL

I`m really slowing down on blogging. I think unless I have something really worthwhile, I might slack off more. Confession...I`d rather read others! And trying to comment with slow dial up :( It usually takes three or four tries before the darn things post. Always comes up blank. I usually don`t give up, because I like to commment. But if I don`t, you know why.
Anyway, have a great rest of Sunday weekend!

Wool and Fur and Herbs and Stuff

2008-01-20T13:31:00.000-05:00

I bought some lovely ivory pure wool to knit an afghan for a keepsake birthday gift for my daughter. I originally wanted to try the Great American Aran Afghan but I can`t figure out the patterns unfortunately. I`m trying to teach myself to cable knit and that`s for an experienced knitter I`ve realized. So I found a nice aran free pattern on the web as you see above.

The cable strip I`m leaving because I haven`t done it right. These next pics are the back and front of the cable part. The middle cables aren`t twisted properly as you can see, so I`ve placed them on a stitch holder for now.

Teddy sleeps here all the time now. Hopefully he`ll get more exercise in the warmer weather again. But whenever I sit down....

Here he comes. He comes over to be patted but for some reason wants to stand. Stand on my knee or my shoulder or climb up my back. It really can be a nuisance when I`m trying to knit. But he`s old and won`t be around for many more years sadly, so I don`t have the heart to ignore him. Pat pat, cuddle cuddle, Teddy..

Someone is jealous.....

Angus naps this time luckily. He can be on the spot for knitting quite frequently....

That other window in the frontroom sure makes a difference to the natural sunlight. I`m so happy I can have some live plants and even a couple of herbs. The rosemary has stayed strong and healthy so far, although the one stalk of purple basil finally flopped over so I used it in a sauce. And the Italian Parsley and Oregano is doing great. My Mum was tossing out the gold painted bust, so I thought I`d stick it on the floor..

Almost overnight this sage shot up like mad. Too bad I don`t use as much sage as other herbs. I`m sure that it will be the fullest in the garden next year. I`ll have to make sure to grow much more basil.

I had made too many curtains out of this fabric. Preferred the sheers by themselves in the end except for the big window. So I`ve pinned (for now) this chair with it instead. Ignore the weird arms. It will be sewn to shape...eventually. Balances out the room better I think....

The quilt I brought back from the Oswaldtwistle Mill in Lancashire 9 years ago needed a good wash. And whilst it was away off the bed.....

And later when it was put back on the bed.....

Okay guys,how am I supposed to fit? Spread out....

Ahhhhhh...that`s better.

If you`ve been here long ago, you may remember this pic.I`ve got the toile and the pillow fabric and some trim so far. Ply wood and wood trims and paints will eventually recreate in some odd way, this bed hopefully.
But how, I wonder, will I ever be able to maintain my what I like to call "storybook sexy bed" with animals all over it? LOL

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I`m not sure when next I`ll be posting,they get few and far between these days sometimes. But I`ll be visiting :)

Apple Cranberry Crisp

2008-01-12T16:47:00.000-05:00

After disposing of peel, slice apples and place in dish with cranberries...

Coat the fruit and pour sweet mixture over top and bake......

Serve warm.

4 - 5 cups apples
1/4-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tblsps. sugar or less
3 Tblsps. flour
1 cup flour
1 cup oats
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup cold butter

Slice apples into a 9x13 glass pan. In a small bowl mix 3 Tblsps. flour, 2-3 Tblsps. sugar, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Pour this into the pan of apples and mix.

Next, in a large bowl mix the 1 cup of flour, oats and brown sugar. Then, slice cold butter into bowl and cut in with a fork. Trying not to get the butter too warm as that will make more of a dough. We want it to crumble. Spread over the apples.

Place in oven uncovered for about 45 minutes at 350 degrees, or until golden brown. Cool for 30 minutes.

Come On Summer...or Even Spring......

2008-01-11T18:52:00.000-05:00

I`ve had so many great pictures I could have taken if I`d had the camera on hand, which by the time I did the moment or event was gone, but for now....Angus......

And this will be a fun thing to check out when the warm weather gets here. A birthday gift from hubby that`s a frozen margarita machine :)

Off the computer now and relaxing. I`ll figure that other thing out another time.
Happy Weekend!

Still Here......

2008-01-11T17:18:00.000-05:00

Been busy busy busy and just when I`m thinking of posting I`ve somehow deleted the profile pic. Don`t even ask how. So here I is.... uploading it again and seeing if I can get it back up. Geesh! Yep, that`s me the doofus, still in the drawn on hat that bleeds grey into my hair.
****Update..
Can`t get the darn thing to work. There doesn`t seem to be anywhere upload button and save doesn`t save and the picture code doesn`t look like the sample blogger gives. I think I`ve tried every combination of the code of this pic in every different way. It worked before but for some reason it won`t now. I give up for now, this is taking far too long and I`m computered out. Oh well. I guess this ridiculous pic stays here for now. Although I rather like my hat hehe.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Happy New Year!! and the Very Furry Christmas

2007-12-31T09:56:00.000-05:00

First thing before the kids open their gifts, they present the animals with Santa`s surprises for them.
Elvis goes first...

He loved his sweet potatoe snacks, but had to make sure he wasn`t missing anything...

"Oh, for me? You shouldn`t have."

Isobell checks hers out. One year she actually opened her own gift. Sure wish I`d had a camera handy for that one! As you can see my herbs are looking rough but some are actually surviving!

Teddy has a sniff of his present....

The only one that liked their gift was Elvis. Dried fish, catnip treats and beef nibbles. Not one of those was cat tasty!They`ll all end up in Elvis`s tum tum eventually LOL
We then went to my Mum and Dad`s and the birds were having a food celebration of their own. I caught this woodpecker. The pic was close up so not the best...

We had a lovely family gathering and now Elvis and me would like to wish everyone the happiest and most prosperous New Year!

Happy New Year!!!

Snow Day

2007-12-16T09:23:00.000-05:00

I`m back with a few pictures of what our day here is like in Ontario because we`re having a snow day. We were going to Oshawa for the hubbies yearly family re-union Christmas dinner that`s held in a pretty little church basement. Luckily I was the one bringing the jelly salad and a few cookies and not the turkey. They don`t expect many to make it this year though. There have been over 200 flights cancelled at the Toronto airport and I imagine a lot of disappointed people. Hope everyone is safe. Bad time for storms...this time of the year when there`s so many Christmas do`s.

Yesterday we went under my parents bird tree and it was really something to see the chickadees fluttering around to each house. They were almost tame compared to the giant sized blue jays and the woodpeckers, who stayed away. The chickadees wings gave a tiny wuurrrring sound as they flew about.

My dad gave me this cute little bird house so I could watch the birds. I took this about 7 am this morning when it was freezing rain outside....

And this was it two hours later...

The rest are from around 10 am and it`s still snowing. No bare feet in the driveway this Christmas sis!

The weather report is saying that this is the worst winter storm in decades so please don`t go out on the roads if you`re getting this one. It`s a doozey.

If you click on this picture you can see the tiny chickadee that stood still long enough for me to snap a picture. The best birds pics are the ones I didn`t take because of course I didn`t have my camera LOL

The back garden. It`s now about a foot of snow.

Last trip out the snow was up to Elvis` belly. Here,earlier, it`s on it`s way...

"Here I come!"

Being so time and energy challenged, when I couldn`t find the thingy that hooks over the top of the door to hang the wreath on, I stuck it on the grill...

I think I want to make Christmas cards for next year out of this picture of Elvis. He may not be centred, but it`s one of his prettiest. He`s such a sweet boy. A "hog dog"..... a "getting in the garbage dog"...an "I`m starving to death dog" but a sweet boy. If you click on it you can see his expression...

It`s all pretty out there if you`re safe at home, but it`s cozy inside......

Have a really nice and really safe weekend everyone. I think I`ll go curl up and continue reading Sylvia Brown`s "the Other Side and Back".

And Merry Christmas again!

Taking A Break...

2007-12-08T12:52:00.000-05:00

I don`t know where I found this picture because I saved it from a couple of years ago. Wish I could give someone credit because it`s great.

I`ve decided to take a break from blogging for a bit. Nothing wrong...just busy and any free time here, I`d like to visit all my much missed favorite blogs and have a proper read instead of a rush :)
I want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas just in case I don`t make it back until after then.

Teddy in his favorite spot on the stool near the fire...

Angus is being naughty and grabbing the tablecloth while posing....

Elvis wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas too!

This is off an old Christmas card I believe...

Bye for now :) I`ll be back!

Yarn Amount Correction

2007-12-04T16:16:00.000-05:00

I mentioned that I bought 800 yards of yarn in the last post, but realized that I had actually bought 2 lots of it for 3.99 each so it ended up being $18.99 with shipping. Still a savings! Thought I`d better correct that :)

A Weekend of Extreme Opposites , Knit Throw Pattern and a Naughty Cat

2007-11-30T17:47:00.000-05:00

It was hubby`s birthday on Friday and after going to Oshawa to pick up the boys, he came home to open his gift.

He said that I`d never be able to top the gift I got him last year, so I figured why try and got him another one. Washburn this time. Found it at a really really good price and researched it at a guitar forum before because I don`t know anything about guitars. It`s brand new but had a small surface crack that was repaired and guaranteed to sound perfect. It has a rich sound!
We had a huge roast chicken for supper and chocolate birthday cake.

But sadly, Saturday morning I had to go to a funeral. My Aunt Lorna passed away on Thursday. She was 87 and had fluid on her lungs. She`s gone to that great place of mystery. The place no one lives to tell about. I was never frightened of death when I was younger. Maybe that came with age or that I got a taste of it awhile back when I had an ultrasound. It`s just such a mystery and such an "alone" journey. "Goodbye Aunt Lorna. I hope to see you again some day."

We woke up to this today. I guess we`re going to have a real winter this year and no bare feet on Christmas Day.
A few friends have asked about that easy knitting pattern. So here it is and if I can do it, anyone can. One row of pattern, one of purl and then one of knitting. 3 rows repeated. Pattern is under this picture...

I used 6mm needles but the pattern calls for 4mm. It geets bigger faster with the 6 haha...

Cast on 36 stiches. WO means to bring the yarn in front which will make an extra stitch.

1st ROW: K1, K2 together, K 6, WO, K1, WO, K6, K2 together TWICE, K6, WO, K1, WO, K6, K2 together, K1

2nd ROW: PURL

3rd ROW: KNIT

These three rows form the pattern.
Make 60 patterns long and 5 panels wide.
15 50 gram balls
*** Note
I`ve read many times from knitters that the best yarn bargains are on E-Bay. I would have loved to buy some real wool but for now I settled on 1 pound of 4 ply acrylic yarn equaling approx. 800 yards and it looks like I`ll still have extra. It cost me a few cents under $14 with shipping included!

I`m making a smaller one so am doing 27 pattern long and maybe 6 or 7 panels wide.
Then I might pick up all the stitches again and make some sort of edging on it.
It really is easy and memorizable after awhile. I have had to undo a few times though from not paying attention LOL
"Angus! What are you doing?!"

"You naughty boy!"

If anyone has been reading this blog lately, you`ll notice that my posts have become fewer each month. I`ve somehow lost my inspiration I`m afraid. So I`m not sure when my next post will be. Maybe again next weekend, but maybe not. Need to go on a journey and search. I hope I find it again. But for now, it seems to have faded away... gone off into the sunset, leaving me behind to deal with it missing.
Hope everyone is having a nice weekend and prayers to all the scared or lonely or desperate in this mad mad world.

Winter Things

2007-11-25T09:26:00.000-05:00

We have a bit of snow here and I sure would like winter if this was all that stayed.

My Mum gave me this handmade vintage tablecloth. It looks nice for a bit of change on the table along with some paper mache peonies from a thrift shop. They were originally pink and I dipped them in acrylics and water to darken them.

I threw together an easy crustless breakfast quiche. Mixed 7 eggs with about a cup of milk, some salt and pepper.......

Then poured it over copped onion, red peppers, broccoli and ham. Then sprinkled mozzarella and cheddar on top. Baked it at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product...

Angus seems to match this chair. I`m only this far with my knitted throw. It`s such an easy pattern though. Only 3 rows repeated and knit in strips and sewn together. If anyone would like the pattern, I don`t mind posting it :)

Off to finish polishing the floors with Mop and Glo....love that stuff!
Hope everyone is having a great weekend :)

Pets...Gotta Love Them Anyway....

2007-11-18T09:08:00.000-05:00

The toes are much much better and thanks for the well wishes and great tips. In the future I`m going to attempt to knit some wool socks. Stayed tuned for that one. LOL
This girl here.... "Yes you, Isobell".....

Got into her favorite mischief making last night.....

Angus thinks it hilarious....

He loves mischief....

I`m trying to knit a throw....

And I never seem to get much elbow room around here...

"Ah, we are ennuis adorables, oui! But you love us anyway Mum."

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada

2007-11-11T09:33:00.000-05:00

May we never forget the soldiers who fought for our freedom and the ones still fighting deadly wars at this very moment.
Julie Marie over at http://celticanamcara.blogspot.com/
has an amazing picture! The two British WWI soldiers in the card are her Scottish great uncles.

2007-11-10T16:23:00.000-05:00

"Winter Toes"

First off, thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Pakistan and the worry the families here in the West must be going through. As well as all the other countries in turmoil, which there are many..
Really boring sorry, but this made up my week.....

I`ve been off on holidays since Tuesday and have had a broken computer and something bizzarre happening to my two toes in that time.
Hubby cracked the computer problems today and last night I finally found out what was wrong with my baby toe and the pal beside him. I was able to use the hub`s computer but it seemed strange, foreign territory. Mounded up the roses, tidied shelves and cupboards and started an afghan. But these stupid toes were always there, thumping and sore.

I`d thought that because of my breaking my baby toe by dropping a very large heavy dinner plate on it`s bareness, while in Exeter staying with my cousins and drying dishes in '77, that it was just acting up on me. It`s always been a chubby little thing since. It began getting red and sore and itchy last week. I soaked it in Epson Salts and made the dry mustard plaster I successfully used for the rose thorn last year. But it wouldn`t go away. Then lo and behold, the next toe began reacting the same way. How ridiculous is that?
I`d soak it in hot, pack it with ice, slathered witch hazel on it. All to no avail. They were getting worse instead of better and becoming a bit worrisome.
What the heck was happening to my toes? They itched, they burned, they ached. Two silly toes, spoiling the whole holiday show.
Not an attractive picture with dried Epson and mustard plasters, but I was getting desperate.

Then I gave up searching toe problems last night and typed in "sore, swollen, itchy toe" in Google.
I got at the top of the list a forum where literally hundreds of people were talking about the same thing!
I wasn`t crazy...I didn`t need to chop off my toes....
Extreme temperature changes are not good and what I was doing was making it worse.

Chilblains. Thought that was something from the Victorian age, but obviously, alive and well during the colder months especially it seems.
If you`ve ever had this problem, go here
http://www.aippg.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28407&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
You won`t believe all the people and different ages complaining of this.

At least now I can do what I can to cope with "Winter Toes" as they`re sometimes called. Wool socks for one thing. Keep feet warm and dry. I have one pair of wollies and will be getting more.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend, I know mine will be better now :)

Goofing with Elvis and a Cheap Meal

2007-11-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

It was frosty this morning! Brrrrrrrr. Look at the poor Delphinium. I think it`s done.
Each day when we get home from work Elvis and Teddy are urging us into the kitchen for feed. Elvis prances around while I prepare his supper and the other day Hubby decided to get in the game, so of course, I just had to grab the camera......

Teddy has had enough and sits patiently waiting for his drop of soft mushy dog food that he has aquired a taste for. 1 or 2 tablespoons go on top of Elvis` diet vet food LOL
Hubby has been so busy with our RateBistros.com web site that he hasn`t been reading my blog lately. Do you think he`ll mind these pictures? lolololol!!

If this gives you a chuckle, be a sweetheart and pop over and sign up, just to help us get our member count higher :)
I`m trying to persuade him to add a "Haunted Restaurants" feature. What do you think?
Now for that Cheap Meal recipe that I forgot to take the finished results picture of. I call it Swiss Steak although it`s not at all like a Swiss Steak recipe.
All you need is some rice, canned tomatoes, brown sugar, onions and hamburg patties or beef steakettes...

Place the beef in the bottom of a casserole dish. Throw some chopped onions on top. Dump the canned tomatoes over and spoon about a 1/4 cup of brown sugar on top. Cover and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Serve over rice. Cheap and easy.

The cats liked it too. And no worries...Elvis got a lick as well...

And as you can see Angus does definately still have his tail thankfully...

Have a great weekend everyone. I`m on the rest of my holidays next week except Monday so am hoping to visit some blogs :)

The Tail and Other Things

2007-10-28T08:15:00.000-04:00

I had a horrible scare the other day. I was stuck working an afternoon, so was home in the morning and had let Elvis outside for a bit. He knocked at the front door to come back in. He doesn`t really knock, but one of the stones are tippy and he steps on it and thumps it to let us know he wants in.
I opened the door only to see in horror that he had a tail in his mouth. A big bushy beige tail. I quick closed the door in his face and paced, shocked, thinking "Elvis has brought the tail of Angus home. Something has killed him and he`s brought it home to show me." You can imagine how upset I was. I was shaking and fretting and feeling quite sick. I called hubby and he said to be brave and go outside and have a look around. Finally I gathered up enough courage to face what I might face out there and went out the back door. There was no way I was going out the front. I looked around, still feeling sick and saw blood on Elvis` feet. I rushed back in fretting again. Called hubby and said " Elvis has blood all over his feet and I just know that was Angus` tail!. I don`t know what to do" He said " Do you want me to come home?" "Yes" says I.
Meanwhile I forced myself out the back door again, avoiding the front and watched Elvis wash his feet in the pond. I decided to face it and look at the front door and this is what I saw ( I`ve cropped it because the other end of it was really gross) Hubby took this picture while I was at work. He was left to remove it from being stuck under the screen door...

I realized it wasn`t quite like Angus and with unbelievable relief, I ran back inside to call hubby before he left. "So, you mean I can take all my tools back out of the car again?" say he. "Yes" says I.
There are bloddy hunters in the woods that like to chop the poor deer up that they shoot and leave the useless parts behind. At the horrified split second glance I took I was sure it was a cats tail, but and as you can see here, Angus still has his....

As usual I`m slapping loads of pictures all up at once. The Delphiniums are looking lonely and refusing to die yet...

I may actually get "roses round my door" :)

Things are looking very barren....

Elvis comes back from a wander on the frost covered grass this morning....

"I think I`d like to go in now Mum, where it`s cozy and warm"

My Dad gave me this tree that was off to die for the winter in an unheated greenhouse at work. They don`t much care there about some of the plants left over from sales so he was given it. I may get my garden room look yet.....

I moved the couch for the winter so it would be closer to the fire and as you might have noticed, I removed the red curtains. It looked to colourful if that makes sense LOL....

Teddy`s all toasty inside.....

I just had to snap these while I was sitting here preparing this post. Teddy and Angus want to get to the tea cup food dishes and Isobell is intentionally blocking the way...

And of course with sweety-pie Elvis lying beside me, I had to take one last picture of him....

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Autumn is certainly here now!

Last of the Garden Bounty and Bringing in the Herb Pots

2007-10-20T08:45:00.000-04:00

It seems I`ve ended up only blogging once a week for the past while and for now, I think I`ll stay with that. Life gets busy and I`ve found that I haven`t even been able to visit all the blogs I like to visit. Maybe I can work on that one soon. Slow connection makes it really hard with using dial-up. It takes forever to load anything and trying to comment takes three attempts usually :(
Below is the last of the garden bounty. Sad to see summer gone. We`ll sure miss those sweet tomatoes....

I brought the herbs inside last week. They look a little worse now than here. Some are still hanging in, so we`1l see what happens. I don`t really expect them to live because the only big window available is to the West and I`ve read one needs a North or South facing one. Here`s the Italian parsley and Oregano.....

Sages and mints and rosemary....

More mints and sages and the white pot ....I thought "what the heck, it`s nice a green" is sweet woodruff. One of the easiest plants to grow outside and gets tiny amazingly sweet smelling white flowers. I`ve got tons outside and have many a time pulled some up and plopped it down somewhere else and it carries on as if it`s never been disturbed...

Hubby snapped this pic. Elvis is trying to eat and someone is trying to sneak a bite. Elvis wouldn`t snap at Teddy, but I did move him away anyway. That little stool, my Mum gave me and it`s Teddy`s at the moment, to aid the old guy in getting to his own dish that`s out of hungry dog`s reach. I`m going to re-cover it when I get a chance....

Tonight we`re going to a party that`s helping to raise money for juvenile diabetes. The tickets are sold out and there`s going to be 5 bands playing. One of them is Helix, a Canadian band from Hamilton that made it quite big in the 80`s. Should be fun!
I tried looking to see what the Royal family thought of that statue of Prince Harry, but couldn`t find a thing. Maybe silence was what they chose for that one.
Yesterday was the day immigrants became Canadian citizens here in Canada and I listened to some of it on the radio at work. They named off the countries and it seemed there was someone from practically every country in the world! Amazing. Hearing how they pledge allegiance to Canada and our Queen Elizabeth and listening to some of the stories of why they came here.
We`re all immigrants here. The only true Canadians are the North American Indians. A shame they aren`t respected better throughout North America. They deserve to be.
Anyway, hope everyone has a fantastically fun or wonderfully relaxing weekend!

This is Truly Disgusting and I`m Gonna Rant........

2007-10-13T09:27:00.001-04:00

While watching Entertainment Tonight last night I was shocked to see that some New York artist has created a life size bronze statue of Prince Harry as a dead soldier. I couldn`t quite believe it so I went off to look on the internet only to find it`s made headlines everywhere. While he is an extremely talented artist, this boarders on being sadistic. No matter what message he is trying to get across, this is inexcusable. As someone who`s Mum is rather anti-royalist due to experiencing food rationing in England while the royals ate well during the war and a Dad who lived in Canada on a farm where food was abundant and has a fascination with this family, I`m somewhere in between.

No matter how hard this guy tries to explain his intentions, they remain to me, a violent message. Poor young Harry, regardless of his heritage must be horrified inside, much less his family. Imagine gazing down at yourself, rendered dead. And have a notice that one can lay flowers around you!!!! Truly twisted and I`m stunned that even "in the name of art" this was allowed to be exhibited to the world. An anonymous figure of a young soldier or a mother Iraqi cradling her dying son. Or both? It would have been so much more appropriate if it`s true why he says he did it. He could have done something stark and bare and heartrending. Something to slap people in the face and wake them up. Unfortunately the nesessary ones still woundn`t.
This war and the never ending tragic loss of lives is horrendous, but this isn`t the
right way to get a proper message across....this is just wrong. Obviously he`s looking for shock value and fame. Sadly he`s getting it.
I`m can`t feel right about even putting a picture of this statue on my blog but here`s a couple of links if you haven`t seen it already.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. I know this family won`t be though. Imagine if the same rules didn`t apply that did a few centuries ago. This dude would be one sorry sucker. Whatever happened to human decency...yeah I know....it`s a thing of the past...if it ever really existed at all......

This got me thinking of a tragic story I heard on the radio and a woman in the Sadam. It was unmaginable to me. How she could still carry on each day. The genocide that`s happening there. It`s so easy to forget the horrors happening in countries we`re blessed not to be experiencing personally, when we can come home at the end of the day`s work, to a cozy safe home in our cozy safe world.. Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan ,Palestine and Israel, parts of South America, I`m sure many others that the media doesn`t report...where people are surrounded by turmoil, injustice and death each day. Hearing first hand stories makes it real. Unreal to us. If only there could be an end to all this fighting about greed and land and power centuries over. If only. Everyone deserves to be able to live a safe and peaceful and prosperous life. There is enough for everyone in this world. Everyone in every corner of this planet. But when and how can this ever occur? Will it? Can man become friend with man and forget about different walks of faith. Leave alone each other about that and just be humane and lose the power-tripping and greed? Honour each others faiths and let it bloody well go? God is God and we all just use a different name for Him and most of the rules were man-made.
Okay, I`m done :)

http://www.abc
news.go.com/International/story?id=3694341&page=1

http://www.princeharrymemorial.com/

Thanksgiving Dinner, French Recipes, Anniversary and The Great Big Bumble Bee

2007-10-08T08:25:00.000-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving To All Who Celebrate!
Yesterday was the best day for us to have a dinner and it was also our 7th anniversary. Not wedding, but when we met. I got a beautiful card and this gorgeous rose :)

Set the table ......

Seared the beef in olive oil.....

Gathered up the vegetables....

Went out back and picked the herbs I needed for the Herbes de Provence seasoning...

Plopped it all together with the meat and liquids into the crock pot......

Baked two tortes because I burnt the first one. Wasted 5 eggs and mounds of chocolate!

The potatoes were roasted last....

But the end results turned out much better than I`d expected considering this was a first time experiment. Yes, I actually used family members as guinea pigs :) The meat practically fell apart and the sauce was delicious....

This Chocolate Torte was the richest and most decadent desert I think I`ve ever had. Excellent recipe, thanks to the Domestic Goddess http://www.domesticgoddess.ca and some homemade raspberry puree and warm fudge sauce ( recipes all below)...

This was the biggest, fattest bumble bee I have ever seen, sipping from the butterfly bush. Just had to get some pictures of him, even though you may not be able to see how big he was. The pictures are all clickable....

Now for the recipes....

Raspberry Purée

8 oz (225 g) fresh raspberries
2 level tablespoons golden caster sugar ( or corn syrup or I used just plain white sugar.)

Place the raspberries for the purée in a bowl, sprinkle them with the sugar and leave for 30 minutes. After that, purée them in a processor and pass through a nylon sieve to remove the seeds, then place in a serving bowl, cover and chill till needed.

Warm Fudge Sauce

1/2 cup heavy cream
3 Tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
Pinch salt

6 squares unsweetened chocolate

Place the cream, chocolate and butter in a heavy 1-quart saucepan over moderate heat. Stir until the butter is melted and the cream just comes to a low boil. Add both sugars and stir for a few minutes until they are dissolved.
Reduce the heat. Add the salt and stir briskly with a small wire whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat.
**** It seemed coarse and odd looking to me and the butter or something separated from the rest so I just drained it off and added another half cup of cream and it became nice and smooth. Added just a pinch more sugar too.

Serve immediately or pour into a straight-sided glass jar to cover and store in the refrigerator. To reheat slowly, spoon the sauce into the top of a double boiler over hot water, or in a heavy saucepan over the lowest heat.

Decadent Chocolate Torte from the Domestic Goddess
http://www.domesticgoddess.ca

This torte, made with just a hint of coffee liqueur goes great with coffee (obviously), tea or even a nice glass of red wine. It has a lovely robust flavour that melts in your mouth and leaves a sly smile on your lips.

Ingredients:

¾ Cup bittersweet chocolate, chopped into ½" chunks
¾ Cup unsalted butter, cut into 1" pieces
1 ½ teaspoons coffee liqueur
¾ Cup granulated sugar
pinch of salt
¼ cup cake flour, sifted
1 tablespoon cocoa
5 large eggs at room temperature, separated

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 9" cake or springform pan and then line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a double boiler over low heat. Stir until smooth and then set aside and allow to cool slightly.

3. Sift together flour and cocoa. Using a stand mixer, beat egg yolks with all but 2 tablespoons of the sugar and the coffee liqueur, until smooth and pale. With the mixer running add the melted chocolate and mix to combine, then fold in the flour mixture.

3. In a second bowl, beat the egg whites with the whisk attachment on medium-high until they start to foam. Add the remaining sugar and pinch of salt and continue to beat until the whites form soft peaks but still look wet. With a large rubber spatula fold the egg whites into the chocolate mixture.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35 - 45 minutes or until a tester inserted into the centre comes out clean, or with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

5. Cool completely on a wire rack - cake will fall! Loosen cake from sides of pan and remove to serving platter. Serve with a sprinkling of Maldon salt, whipped cream or caramel sauce.
*****or raspberry puree and warm fudge sauce :) Also watch carefully not to burn like I did!

Beef Provencale From Food Network Kitchens Making it Easy, Meredith, 2004

1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, with their juice ( I used garden tomatoes)
1/4 cup cognac or brandy ( I used 1/2 cup of dry sherry)
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence (recipe below)
5 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces ( I used almost full carrots with tops partially left on)
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced ( I used 21 pearl onions)
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the oil to the skillet and heat just until beginning to smoke. Brown the meat all over and sear the roast, turning as each side turns a deep mahogany, about 10 minutes. While the meat browns, put the flour into a medium bowl and whisk with about 1 1/2 cups of the chicken broth until smooth.
Crush the tomatoes through your fingers into the slow cooker; stir in their juices, 3 tablespoons of the cognac, herbes de Provence, and the 2 teaspoons salt.

Transfer the browned meat to the slow cooker. Add the remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth to the skillet; let it bubble for a minute and then stir with a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Pour over the meat, then scatter the garlic, carrots, fennel, and onion over and around the meat. Pour the flour mixture over. Cover the cooker, set it on HIGH, and cook for 4 hours. Set the cooker on LOW and cook until the meat is very tender, up to 2 hours more (for a total of 6 hours). Transfer the meat to a cutting board. Skim any excess fat off the top of the sauce in the cooker.

Herbes de Provence
By Brenda Hyde

Herbes de Provence is a blend of herbs native to the Provence region in southern France where the fresh herbs are gathered from the mountain sides to use in traditional dishes. Rosemary, thyme and bay leaf are the base for the blend-without these it is not herbes de Provence. From there basil, lavender and fennel are added. In France, lavender is only added in very small amounts and sometimes excluded, which was a surprise to me. Lavender is so much associated with this region in France that it is assumed that it is the main ingredient, but it's actually optional.
Here is a very basic blend that can be mixed, although each cooks adds her or his own touch to the blend which changes it slightly.

Dry herb Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon marjoram
1 tablespoon summer savory
1 tablespoon thyme
1 crushed bay leaf
1 teaspoon lavender
1 teaspoon fennel

Mix together and keep in a covered container.

Mini Potatoes Roasted in Garlic and Olive Oil
by me :)

24 mini potatoes

1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper

Rosemary and Basil

Mix in a lidded bowl, the herbs and spices in the oil and plop in the potatoes. Shake container so that each potatoe is covered all up with oil and place in a roasting pan, pouring any remaining oil over the potatoes and leaving the lid off.

Bake at 350 until tender and crispy, stirring them up once inwhile so that more then one side gets browned.

Inside and Outside

2007-10-06T13:49:00.001-04:00

It`s Thanksgiving long weekend. Hurray....three days off :) Sunday I`m doing up a meal. A sort of Beef Provencale but not stew with tiny potatoes maybe broiled in olive oil and garlic. For desert, a rich chocolate torte with warm fudge sauce, raspberry puree and a scoop of Haagan Daaz coffee flavoured ice cream on the side. If you`ve never had Haagan Daaz ice cream, you`ve never tasted real ice cream. Made with all cream. The coffee and the Caramel Cone Explosion are totally out of this world! Expensive but worth it for a treat. I didn`t feel like doing the traditional turkey dinner and I can`t wait for that desert! I made the raspberry puree a few minutes ago and stuck in in the fridge.
I ended up putting my old kitchen sheers back up because the other were too dark a beige for the fabric and making curtains that went with the two blue side chairs. What do you think? I like it :) Would prefer less dense sheers but I`m using what I already have.

The chicken picture went above the sink.

Put an old lace runner on the table....

Had to make cushions to accomodate Teddy and all his fur he leaves behind. Easier to keep clean rather than spoiling the chair.

And you remember this guy.....

Recovered this in scrap fabric and it`s where the pull out bed couch used to be. Those two tiny pillows were $1 at Value Village, a huge used goods store ..

Look at all these leaves. I really need to sweep them up. That book is called " The Sisters Mortland" by Sally Beauman. Really well written and I`m almost finished it. She`s a good writer and I`ve read a couple of others. Got carried away at the library and I`m glad I`m able to re-new books online from there...

The roses don`t have anything on them at the moment but they are getting tall. Next year I`ll train that one to go above and across the door. Then I`ll have "Roses Round My Door" :) That was a good book too. Sweet and thought provoking. By a Welsh lady who`s name I would have to go and dig up. And I`m not at the moment because I`m taking forever to post this due to leaving it and coming back....multi-tasking you could say LOL

Some of these pictures click bigger and this one does below. The Delphiniums died out and now seem to have resurrected themselves in this balmy October weather...

The herbs are still looking fairly good. The purple basil is slowed to a halt though. I sooooo want to have these pots in the kitchen. Whwn I can`t leave them out any longer, I`m going to haul them in. I know they won`t live in here, but I`m going to try anyway....

Hope everyone has a great weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate it.
** On a side note if anyone had any fancy recipes that they`d like to share, my hubby`s http://www.ratebistros.com has a spot in the forum part. And I`d like to say thanks Sara at http://www.farmingfriends.com/!!! She added a Roast Guinea Fowl recipe. You can also add and link your blog or web page url :)

A Whole Wack of Stuff, Decorating, Pets and Recipes

2007-09-29T21:55:00.000-04:00

This post is going to be crammed. Instead of posting seperately I`m cheating and posting all at once :)
Thanks for all the great ideas from everyone! I wanted to keep that wall not too busy because of the window so I took one of my favorite pictures from the bathroom and moved it in here. The window table has a potted herb on it with a candle at the moment but my camera is out of batteries today...

It`s from a book I recieved years ago of Pears Soap adverts. I`ve looked for this same picture and can`t find it anywhere. I love it.

Here`s some before and after pictures finally of the livingroom.
Angus poses and matches well......

I just had to add this one because this is what happened next, LOL.....

The couch before I recovered it. There`s that 20 year old green rug...

This one shows before we put the middle window in to add more light. It was so dark in there....

Here it is now with only sheers for the summer.....

And curtain panels for the winter. A bit colourful, but cozy once I add a few throws to curl up under. It evolved differently than I at first had in mind. But maybe next spring I can get a few big plants and still get that garden room feel I was looking for more...

Yesterday was another nice sunny warm day and the cats enjoyed it too...

Izzy washing in the enjoyment of it all....

While Teddy chose best to sit on my knee. He really craves attention now and I can`t go outside to sit without him trying to climb into my lap...

We`re still getting a few tomoatoes yet and I made some fresh tomatoe sauce for our pasta supper with the herbs in the garden for flavour.

1/3 cup of olive oil
4 or 5 small ripe tomatoes
1 small onion
2 cloves chopped garlic
1/2 chopped yellow pepper
small bunch of fresh Italian Parsley and Oregano

Saute the onion in olive oil until partially carmelized. Then add pepper and garlic. Saute a bit more adding chopped tomatoes and fresh herbs.
Gently simmer watching that liquid doesn`t soak up too much.

Pour over your favorite pasta.

I also had this stuffed bread recipe saved that I wanted to try. Yesterday seemed a good day to give it a go and it was good!

Stuffed with more fresh tomatoes, garlic and ham....

Ham-Stuffed Bread

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
1 small onion, chopped
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound chopped cooked ham
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the egg, oil and salt; beat until smooth. Stir in enough flour to form a stiff dough. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add tomatoes, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add ham, vinegar and oregano; mix well. Cool. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 14-in. X 12-in. Rectangle. Spread filling over dough to within 1/2 in. Of edges. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal and tuck ends under. Place, seam side down, on a greased baking sheet. Do not let rise. Bake at 375 degrees F for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm. Refrigerate leftovers.
* Note: I probably next time will leave it in a few more minutes than I did. And also glaze it. I did it in the last few minutes with butter. It looked dull to me and I like to see a more golden look.

Then I went to bed eventually to read, but someone got there before me....

Now I`m off to add these recipes to hubby`s http://ratebistros.com/ site. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Stay away cold weather!!

The Kitchen Re-Do and Any Ideas?

2007-09-23T11:09:00.000-04:00

I did an "about face" in the kitchen after acquiring and recovering those absolutely free side chairs.
It seems I`ve gone from pretty cottage Victorian to something else entirely. I loved the pretty one but these chairs seemed to take priority over that. This is what is evolving. Starker perhaps? Definately different. But I like it. It has the right feel to it, for me. Matching those chairs was a bit of a dilemma. Not really a blue colour person, I fell in love with this fabric. I ended up using a warm mustard french country fabric that has a tiny print with this same blue. Yellow is another "not my colour" but this one is warm and keeps the blue from being cool. Made the skirts so that they undo for washing. That metal "fluer de lis" glass fronted clock was on sale for $30!!

That table was a huge undertaking to strip, let me tell you. Aside from my old white paint job, underneath someone had painted it and tried to make it look like a stain. Makes no sense why they wouldn`t have just stained it instead.
I was too tuckered to strip the sides so I left them white. It matches the cupboards anyway. Well, that`s my excuse. In future I may finish it properly.
The wall with the chickens on it doesn`t look quite right to me. Any ideas what would look better there? Maybe if it were a tall picture instead of long. No. Maybe. Although I like it at the same time as it is. Boy am I glad I`m not an interior designer. I`d drive myself around the bend trying to get things just right.

Far too much on this window table. The whole spot looks disastrous. The fake arrangement is usually on the big table, but it`s been replaced with those pretty field daisies at the moment. And all those candles and things all crammed on it.
Would it look good I wonder with only one object? The old iron plant shelf, that I`ve had forever, is busy enough to carry something much more simple underneath. I will most likely put curtains up for the winter. I have the choice of 3 fabrics. #1 the blue on the side chairs, which I really don`t want to use. #2 the mustard french country and #3 a mustardy golden background with the old fashioned type cherries being largely spaced out on it. Or none of the above LOL
So many of you have such great ideas and lovely homes and I would love any thoughts :)

P.S.
Hubby has redone his web site http://ratebistros.com/ and it`s looking good! I`ve been busy there adding recipes. Stop by and feel free to add anything from a review to a great cookbook or even just to say hi :)