cousin Shirley is now a great Grandmother for a second time.
This is the newest arrival Aidan.
Shirley and Garry now have a Great Granddaughter and a Great Grandson.
Shirley how the heck did we all get so old!
Friday, 31 August 2007
Shirley and Garry's New Great Grandson
My "Favourite"
cousin Shirley is now a great Grandmother for a second time.
This is the newest arrival Aidan.
Shirley and Garry now have a Great Granddaughter and a Great Grandson.
Shirley how the heck did we all get so old!
cousin Shirley is now a great Grandmother for a second time.
This is the newest arrival Aidan.
Shirley and Garry now have a Great Granddaughter and a Great Grandson.
Shirley how the heck did we all get so old!
Thursday, 30 August 2007
Southern Belle Hibiscus
In the garden today:
Finally flowering is my newest perennial hibiscus.
Love the soft pink with the rose heart.
I have another hibiscus a deep wine colour that is yet to flower this year.
Finally flowering is my newest perennial hibiscus.
Love the soft pink with the rose heart.
I have another hibiscus a deep wine colour that is yet to flower this year.
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Cheese Bread
Thanks to "A Year in Bread" I am getting back to a hobby I love.
Making bread has always been very satisfying to me,whether it is the knead for 10 minute kind or the quick bread kind.When I was home with my daughters when they were little I baked bread instead of buying it. One of the girls memories is of a yeast daisy shaped
ring topped with raspberry jam and an icing I always made for Christmas Morning.
For some reason got away from baking bread from scratch , maybe the automatic bread machine did it or life, work intervened.
This month A Year is doing quick breads and here is my attempt at the cheese bread.
Ready to start;
In the pan;
Baked;
Sliced and tasted;
Lots of flavour,nice texture,very moist, I changed only one thing I put some Parmesan cheese in the bread mixture as well as on the bottom and top.
Thanks again " A Year in Bread" next I will be doing their beer bread.
Making bread has always been very satisfying to me,whether it is the knead for 10 minute kind or the quick bread kind.When I was home with my daughters when they were little I baked bread instead of buying it. One of the girls memories is of a yeast daisy shaped
ring topped with raspberry jam and an icing I always made for Christmas Morning.
For some reason got away from baking bread from scratch , maybe the automatic bread machine did it or life, work intervened.
This month A Year is doing quick breads and here is my attempt at the cheese bread.
Ready to start;
In the pan;
Baked;
Sliced and tasted;
Lots of flavour,nice texture,very moist, I changed only one thing I put some Parmesan cheese in the bread mixture as well as on the bottom and top.
Thanks again " A Year in Bread" next I will be doing their beer bread.
Sunday, 26 August 2007
Reno Flooring
For the last month been living thru reno "Hell".
Redoing the flooring on the main floor of the house .
You would think it wouldn't be too disruptive.
It is, especially doing laundry room , kitchen, dining room, living room , hall, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
A week and a half just to pack up and move furniture, take down drapes, wash walls, etc.
2 1/2 weeks for install, half a week for putting things back.
How come it did not take as long putting back , cause I am not putting half of the stuff back and I am sorting thru "stuff".
After almost 20 years ( I can't believe it has been that long) a very overdue update.Laminate in the main living area and carpet in the bedrooms and down the stairs.
Made a slide presentation of the old vinyl , dirty stained old carpet areas and the work in progress and the almost finished look.
I am so happy with the look.
Redoing the flooring on the main floor of the house .
You would think it wouldn't be too disruptive.
It is, especially doing laundry room , kitchen, dining room, living room , hall, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
A week and a half just to pack up and move furniture, take down drapes, wash walls, etc.
2 1/2 weeks for install, half a week for putting things back.
How come it did not take as long putting back , cause I am not putting half of the stuff back and I am sorting thru "stuff".
After almost 20 years ( I can't believe it has been that long) a very overdue update.Laminate in the main living area and carpet in the bedrooms and down the stairs.
Made a slide presentation of the old vinyl , dirty stained old carpet areas and the work in progress and the almost finished look.
I am so happy with the look.
Friday, 24 August 2007
End of August Flowers
Can you believe there is only 1 more week left in August.
Weather here is warm and muggy.Temps in the high 20 C. and nights low 20's.
We are finally getting rain after a very dry June and July.
Of course with rain comes mildew and black spot. Can never please a gardener.
Still a few things in the garden are doing well.
I smile every time I look at my volunteer.
Volunteer? someone who helps you in your garden?
I wish!
I noticed in June little plants growing and thought "looks like salvia".
So left them to see what was happening.
Lo and behold it was and now they are in full flower all through my garden , and interlocking bricks too. Never happy .
Last year planted Coral Nymph Salvia, an annual. Loved it , very tough, long flowering,lasting long into the fall enduring several frosts,could not get it this year.This toughie came through our very cold winter and is putting on an amazing display.
Pretty isn't it.
Another favourite flower for late in our season is Japanese Anenomes this one is called September Morn , maybe after the Neil Diamond song. Lovely rose colour. Even if it isn't named after that song I like to think so ,it is one of my favourite songs.
This is a ittle area I like in my gardens with the purple coneflower, the Swan, a David Austin rose, tree peonys ,anenomes,
Emerald cedars, balloon flowers , perennial hibiscus that is in full bud, picture when open to follow, and white marigolds.
Weather here is warm and muggy.Temps in the high 20 C. and nights low 20's.
We are finally getting rain after a very dry June and July.
Of course with rain comes mildew and black spot. Can never please a gardener.
Still a few things in the garden are doing well.
I smile every time I look at my volunteer.
Volunteer? someone who helps you in your garden?
I wish!
I noticed in June little plants growing and thought "looks like salvia".
So left them to see what was happening.
Lo and behold it was and now they are in full flower all through my garden , and interlocking bricks too. Never happy .
Last year planted Coral Nymph Salvia, an annual. Loved it , very tough, long flowering,lasting long into the fall enduring several frosts,could not get it this year.This toughie came through our very cold winter and is putting on an amazing display.
Pretty isn't it.
Another favourite flower for late in our season is Japanese Anenomes this one is called September Morn , maybe after the Neil Diamond song. Lovely rose colour. Even if it isn't named after that song I like to think so ,it is one of my favourite songs.
This is a ittle area I like in my gardens with the purple coneflower, the Swan, a David Austin rose, tree peonys ,anenomes,
Emerald cedars, balloon flowers , perennial hibiscus that is in full bud, picture when open to follow, and white marigolds.
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Tomato Lemon Chicken Bake
I have lots of tasty grape tomatoes this year from only 1 plant, Cupid is the name
of the cultivar.
Will grow this tomato again .
With all the grape tomatoes this one plant is producing looked for a recipe to use up some of my bumper crop.
Found a Mediterranean style dish in a magazine,
and adapted it to what I had in the house.
Lots of times recipes look good but don't measure up, this one
was yummy, lots of flavour, good for low carb diets and pleasing to the eye.
It was quick to prep and quick to cook. Looks good I think and would be a good company dish.I served it with a simple tossed salad in keeping with low carb. Rice would make a nice addition to help soak up some of the lemony broth it made.
This recipe is a keeper.
Tomato Lemon Chicken
1 pt. grape tomatoes
2 small zucchini, sliced on the bias ( did not have any can you believe that?)
1/2 to 3/4 cup of black olives, Kalamata is what I used but any kind would do
Juice and zest from 1/2 of a lemon
3 TBSP capers ( did not have any so omitted them)
8-10 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 thinly sliced Spanish onion
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Preheat oven to 450.
Toss all ingredients except chicken with the olive oil in a 2 qt. casserole .
Place chicken on top of vegetables spoon some of the vegetables and juice on top of chicken.
Season with salt and pepper.
Put a lid on dish.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Topped with some fresh parsley from the garden.
Sunday, 19 August 2007
What kind of cookie I am!
| You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie |
 Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying! |
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Happy Birthday
Rosanne's Birthday today,She and her family are on the west coast, Victoria and the island, on vacation.
Friday, 17 August 2007
Buddy Bath
Mid summer , Buddy the dog needs a bath.
Here she is laying in the sun , ruler of all she can see,unsuspecting about what is about to occur.
Looks like a happy contented dog.
There is her bathtub waiting with warm fresh water. Buddy's bane.
Buddy in the tub all shampooed and lathered up.Buddy will tolerate this procedure , but does she like it ? Oh No!
Happy looking isn't she?
It is finally over and she is released and ready to shake.
Buddy is so unhappy she won't look at me , usually she is a camera hog and poses very prettily , looking directly at the camera.
Here she is laying in the sun , ruler of all she can see,unsuspecting about what is about to occur.
Looks like a happy contented dog.
There is her bathtub waiting with warm fresh water. Buddy's bane.
Buddy in the tub all shampooed and lathered up.Buddy will tolerate this procedure , but does she like it ? Oh No!
Happy looking isn't she?
It is finally over and she is released and ready to shake.
Buddy is so unhappy she won't look at me , usually she is a camera hog and poses very prettily , looking directly at the camera.
Thursday, 16 August 2007
Custard topped Peach Kuchen
Peaches needed to be used up and wanted to bake something new.
Did a search for something appealing , and
found a recipe that used berries but substituted peaches .
I used 3 cups of peaches in place of berries.
Results very flavourful, a touch
of lemon and nutmeg with the peaches made for lots of layers of taste.Sour cream made the cake moist added another flavour level.
The recipe suggested putting a layer of peaches in bottom then a layer of batter then top with peachess. The bottom layer of peaches seemed to absorb into the cake part darkening it a bit plus the cake did not come out of the pan easily ,I think I would put a layer of batter then fruit another layer of batter and top with more fruit.
This recipe came from The Canadian Baker.
Check out her blog at http://canadianbaker.blogspot.com.
Did a search for something appealing , and
found a recipe that used berries but substituted peaches .
I used 3 cups of peaches in place of berries.
Results very flavourful, a touch
of lemon and nutmeg with the peaches made for lots of layers of taste.Sour cream made the cake moist added another flavour level.
The recipe suggested putting a layer of peaches in bottom then a layer of batter then top with peachess. The bottom layer of peaches seemed to absorb into the cake part darkening it a bit plus the cake did not come out of the pan easily ,I think I would put a layer of batter then fruit another layer of batter and top with more fruit.
This recipe came from The Canadian Baker.
Check out her blog at http://canadianbaker.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Rosemary Olive Bread
Was in the mood to make a yeast bread .
Found this recipe at Baking Bites.
I used the fresh rosemary from my pot.
This bread was fast and easy to make.
I used olive oil to dress the bread with sprinkle of more fresh rosemary.
The results excellent , fine texture to the bread, lots of flavour.
If you want to try this bread go to http://bakingbites.com/2005/05/rosemary-olive-bread/
Found this recipe at Baking Bites.
I used the fresh rosemary from my pot.
This bread was fast and easy to make.
I used olive oil to dress the bread with sprinkle of more fresh rosemary.
The results excellent , fine texture to the bread, lots of flavour.
If you want to try this bread go to http://bakingbites.com/2005/05/rosemary-olive-bread/
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Blueberries, Peaches and Santa Claus Melon
I have an abundance of fresh fruit blueberries, peaches and Santa Claus melon.
Quick , simple and light on the calories dessert.
Pile the fruit into a cup , a sprinkle of sugar , eat and enjoy.
It probably would be even better with ice cream or whipped cream on it.
Quick , simple and light on the calories dessert.
Pile the fruit into a cup , a sprinkle of sugar , eat and enjoy.
It probably would be even better with ice cream or whipped cream on it.
Monday, 13 August 2007
August flower
Here is a pretty purple coneflower my son in law Steve gave me .
Steve has great drifts of these flowers and I have trouble keeping them going from one year to the next.Perhaps this clump will make it through the winter this year.
A lot of tent caterpiller webs in my trees this year.They have been in the crabtrees and the oak tree.
We have cut and burned 3 so far and there is one more too high for us to reach. Will be using dormant oil on the trees in early spring of 2008.
Sunday, 12 August 2007
Hairspray
My Mom told me I would like this movie( I could relate to the clothes and hair)
Rosanne told me I would like this movie(John Travolta fan from Vinnie Barbarino days)
Kim and Victoria told me I would like this movie( makes you feel good)
You were all RIGHT!
Loved the music, Queen Latifah just amazing , the clothes and hair took me back to my youth .I wore the shirtwaist dresses, I have pictures of me in a french curl with teased poof on top, John Travolta can still move, loved the whole 2 hours.
Walked out feeling happy.
There is even a family distant relation in the movie.
My son in law Willie's
brother Geoff( he is a stunt man here in Hollywood North)
was in the opening act when Nicci Blonsky gets a ride on the garbage truck to school it is Geoff driving and giving her a thumbs up.
Brock, helping in the garden
Grandson Brock , he is 13, came for the weekend to help with limbing up overgrown trees in the garden.
He and Grandpa working for about 6 hours chain sawing limbs off crabtrees, maples , oaks and lirolinden trees. They also pulled out 2 shrubs that had died over the summer from the dryness. I must say in the pictures it looks very green . We did have an inch of rain this week and it is always amazing how fast plants rebound.
Brock was able to slug big branches off to the burn pile. Brock was a great help otherwise it would have taken a lot longer to get so much work done.
Brock and Grandpa have gone this AM to the Elgin Historical Show to see old tractors, steam engines and vintage cars and to have breakfast there.
Thursday, 9 August 2007
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
Another Brayden Picture
Here is picture Brayden has taken of his toy trucks and with Adobe put himself into the truck.
Clever!
Clever!
Monday, 6 August 2007
Garden
Update on the planters I started in May .
May
August
They have filled in beautifully.
Put up a metal arbour over the front walk this spring. Picked it up at the local iron sculptor .
Trained morning glories up it. Love the sky blue colour of the flowers.
We got a sprinkle of rain Sunday night.The first in over 4 weeks. At least the shrubs aren't drooping, the forecast is for more rain tomorrow but temps of 33.Happy to have any kind of a shower.Trimmed back some perennials that were past their prime this morning, so humid out that even tho I was out for only an hour came in dripping wet with sweat and red faced. Should have taken that picture.
What I would like to know is why with all the dryness why are
the weeds bright green, growing and unfazed by the weather.
Healthiest things in my garden.
May
August
They have filled in beautifully.
Put up a metal arbour over the front walk this spring. Picked it up at the local iron sculptor .
Trained morning glories up it. Love the sky blue colour of the flowers.
We got a sprinkle of rain Sunday night.The first in over 4 weeks. At least the shrubs aren't drooping, the forecast is for more rain tomorrow but temps of 33.Happy to have any kind of a shower.Trimmed back some perennials that were past their prime this morning, so humid out that even tho I was out for only an hour came in dripping wet with sweat and red faced. Should have taken that picture.
What I would like to know is why with all the dryness why are
the weeds bright green, growing and unfazed by the weather.
Healthiest things in my garden.
Saturday, 4 August 2007
OMG
My daughter Rosanne got me started blogging .
Yep it is all her fault!
She started some time ago to post her scrapping layouts and things about her life in general.It opened up her day to day things for sharing and I found it a great way to keep up with what was happening with her and my granddaughters since they live an hour away and I don't see them on a weekly basis.
Felt I was missing a lot.
Now I feel apart of their daily life.
It peeked my interest and thought I would start a blog mostly for the grand kids, posting family pictures and general items of family interest.
OMG Blogging has turned into this wonderful forum sparking many of my
interests.
I still have a lot to learn.To make a more interesting blog and improve my site
I have started to search other blogs to find what others are doing .In doing so I have
become hooked on many involving gardening and cooking.
Communicated with new friends.
Came across one today that I just love and have to share , Daring Bakers featuring a Mirror Cake.
Check it out.
Am I going to make it? Oh yes and as soon as possible.
Is my waistline going to take these delights?
LOL
http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com
Thanks Rosanne for sharing your life.
Thanks to all who blog sharing your lives.
The world really is small.
Yep it is all her fault!
She started some time ago to post her scrapping layouts and things about her life in general.It opened up her day to day things for sharing and I found it a great way to keep up with what was happening with her and my granddaughters since they live an hour away and I don't see them on a weekly basis.
Felt I was missing a lot.
Now I feel apart of their daily life.
It peeked my interest and thought I would start a blog mostly for the grand kids, posting family pictures and general items of family interest.
OMG Blogging has turned into this wonderful forum sparking many of my
interests.
I still have a lot to learn.To make a more interesting blog and improve my site
I have started to search other blogs to find what others are doing .In doing so I have
become hooked on many involving gardening and cooking.
Communicated with new friends.
Came across one today that I just love and have to share , Daring Bakers featuring a Mirror Cake.
Check it out.
Am I going to make it? Oh yes and as soon as possible.
Is my waistline going to take these delights?
LOL
http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com
Thanks Rosanne for sharing your life.
Thanks to all who blog sharing your lives.
The world really is small.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Mid summer , what have I been doing?
Can you believe it is August already? seems like summer is half way over.
Weather here is hot and still dry only half of the rainfall for June and July. Lost 2 shrubs so far and another is not looking good.
So what have I been doing?
Reading a lot! Sitting out on the porch!
In reality I have been packing away the main floor of our house getting ready for new flooring throughout.
Have I been able to play at all?
Of course! Manage to squeeze in time for reading and some TV watching.
Love mysteries and so the
books I have read lately are Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich , easy quick read very cute storyline about a Irish family trying to match make a cross dresser lounge singer and a cop and the best part a bull mastiff called "Beast".
Dead Watch by John Sandford.About a Senator who is brutally murdered, his wife and a Democratic "fixer". Cynical look at politics intertwined in the story , back room stuff.
Johnathan Kellerman's "Twisted" victim in this story is a teen wearing pink shoes and a geeky intern assisting a female cop. My fav.!
2 others This Dame for Hire by Sandra Scoppettone set in the forties with all the sayings from that eramain character is Faye Quick a secretary turned detective and last book by Mary Higgins Clark, No Place like Home,about
Celia Nolan who as a child shot her Mother, this one is a bit far fetched for me.
Re TV. my favourite show this summer has been So You Think You Can Dance. Last night they are down to 8 and again Mia Micheal's choreographed a routine about her Father. Had me in tears as well as just about everyone on the show. She is nominated for an Emmy for her routine last year with the park bench. I so hope she wins.Wade Robson and Tyce are other choregraphers that do beautiful routines .
Canadian Idol is another show I have been enjoying , very talented people on this year. The guest this week was Enrique Iglesias. He really impressed me with his 2 songs also in his genuine enjoyment in being on the Idol stage and his kind words to the idols.Going to get his new CD."Insomniac"
Tried to watch Americas Got Talent.Watched 3 times once in the beginning, the top 20 and the final 10. Liked George Lopez's comment on The View yesterday re this show."America's Got Talent........Oh no they don't" What ever it is this show leaves me cold, maybe it is David Hasselhoff or maybe the acts just don't seem that good,except the ventriloquist. I used to like the Ed Sullivan show I like variety shows, this one , no!
Weather here is hot and still dry only half of the rainfall for June and July. Lost 2 shrubs so far and another is not looking good.
So what have I been doing?
Reading a lot! Sitting out on the porch!
In reality I have been packing away the main floor of our house getting ready for new flooring throughout.
Have I been able to play at all?
Of course! Manage to squeeze in time for reading and some TV watching.
Love mysteries and so the
books I have read lately are Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich , easy quick read very cute storyline about a Irish family trying to match make a cross dresser lounge singer and a cop and the best part a bull mastiff called "Beast".
Dead Watch by John Sandford.About a Senator who is brutally murdered, his wife and a Democratic "fixer". Cynical look at politics intertwined in the story , back room stuff.
Johnathan Kellerman's "Twisted" victim in this story is a teen wearing pink shoes and a geeky intern assisting a female cop. My fav.!
2 others This Dame for Hire by Sandra Scoppettone set in the forties with all the sayings from that eramain character is Faye Quick a secretary turned detective and last book by Mary Higgins Clark, No Place like Home,about
Celia Nolan who as a child shot her Mother, this one is a bit far fetched for me.
Re TV. my favourite show this summer has been So You Think You Can Dance. Last night they are down to 8 and again Mia Micheal's choreographed a routine about her Father. Had me in tears as well as just about everyone on the show. She is nominated for an Emmy for her routine last year with the park bench. I so hope she wins.Wade Robson and Tyce are other choregraphers that do beautiful routines .
Canadian Idol is another show I have been enjoying , very talented people on this year. The guest this week was Enrique Iglesias. He really impressed me with his 2 songs also in his genuine enjoyment in being on the Idol stage and his kind words to the idols.Going to get his new CD."Insomniac"
Tried to watch Americas Got Talent.Watched 3 times once in the beginning, the top 20 and the final 10. Liked George Lopez's comment on The View yesterday re this show."America's Got Talent........Oh no they don't" What ever it is this show leaves me cold, maybe it is David Hasselhoff or maybe the acts just don't seem that good,except the ventriloquist. I used to like the Ed Sullivan show I like variety shows, this one , no!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)